By- Suzie-Q @ 11:45 AM MST
Good Morning/Afternoon Justice Bloggers!
Please give a warm welcome to Paul Rieckhoff as a Contributor to the Suzie-Q blog!
Below is Paul’s Bio and it is very impressive. I am sure you will recognize his incredible work with IAVA and the author of Chasing Ghosts!
Paul Rieckhoff
Paul Rieckhoff is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Executive Director and Founder of IAVA (Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America), the country’s first and largest Iraq Veterans group. IAVA is a non-partisan, non-profit organization headquartered in New York City.
Rieckhoff is a nationally recognized authority on the war in Iraq and issues affecting troops, military families and veterans. His critically-acclaimed memoir, Chasing Ghosts was recently publilshed by Penguin.
Rieckhoff created IAVA in June 2004 along with a few dedicated Veterans, a handful of volunteers, and some serious credit-card debt. In less than one year, the organization had attracted thousands of Iraq War Veterans and more than 65,000 grassroots supporters across America. Whether you are an Iraq/Afghanistan Veteran or not, you can become a part of the new Veterans movement here.
The rapidly-growing membership of Iraq and Afghanistan war Veterans began speaking out on the airwaves and in the newspapers. The media quickly came to realize that Troops returning from the thick of battle possessed a uniquely informed and valuable perspective. By the beginning of 2005, appearances or statements by IAVA members had made well over 100 million media impressions worldwide. Today, IAVA continues to be a force in the media. The organization also makes an impact in Washington DC–and in cities and towns across America. IAVA conducts a nationwide college tour, testifies at congressional hearings, and crafts and supports critical legislation proposed by both republicans and democrats.
After graduating from Amherst College in 1998 with a degree in Political Science, Rieckhoff coached high school football, worked on Wall Street, participated in the rescue efforts at Ground Zero on 9/11, and served as an infantry platoon leader in Iraq from 2003-2004. In the spring of 2004, Rieckhoff became one of the first Iraq veterans to publicly criticize the war and demand accountability from elected officials.
He is a regular commentator on TV and radio and recent appearances include: ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos, CNN’s Paula Zahn Now, Anderson Cooper 360, Fox’s Hannity and Colmes, and MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews. In November 2004, Rieckhoff was honored by Esquire magazine as one of “America’s Best and Brightest for 2004” and was interviewed Tom Brokaw on The NBC Nightly News.
Rieckhoff has also had opinion pieces printed by AlterNet, Knight-Ridder and the International Herald Tribune and has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, L.A. Times, Army Times, Wall Street Journal, Reuters, New York Daily News, Newsday and A.P.
Rieckhoff is a staunch political independent and lives in New York City’s East Village.
More info at ChasingGhosts.com and myspace.com/paulrieckhoff
Paul,
We are honored! Thank you! 🙂
Paul – Welcome to our blog. I am a staunch supporter and long-time admirer (I even bought and actually read your book!!!)
We are indeed honored that you have chosen to join us. I look forward to your comments and send you a warm welcome!
Paul, delighted to see you joining the Suzie-Q blog. Welcome!
The neo-nconservatives first took control of America and then they embarked upon the conquest, plunder and destruction of the Islamic Middle. We know what is happening in Iraq, Afghanistan and also in the Occupied Palestine at the hands of Bush and his allies.
Here’s my Special Greetings to Paul Rieckhoff!
😉
Urban Dictionary:
Klingon for ‘success’.
What Klingons wish each other before battle or other critical situations. As
a) Klingons are always before battle and
b) Klingon has no words for ‘Hi, have a nice day’ q’apla is also used as a normal greeting.
well, good lord!!!!! i am beyond excited!!!!
I highly recommend “Chasing Ghosts”.. if you have not read it yet… it is a must read!
Excellent news. I listen to Paul on Rachel Maddow all the time and he’s fantastic.
Totally zorch man, pleezed ta meetcha…G:
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