Some ideas in case this resolution against the US troop increase doesn't get through Congress and the additional troops to Iraq are called for by the GW Bush regime..

Distribute pamphlets on health risks of depleted uranium (DU) exposure at military recruitment centers, or at public schools targeted by military recruiters. It's bad enough that young people's lives are at risk for serving in Iraq, they should also know about the serious health risks that come from exposure to radioactive DU, found in munitions, tank armor and other military weaponry. Results from exposure vary, ranging from cancer to death, low level illness, leukemia, children with birth defects, etc..

My advice is to download info directly from the source, former US military officer Doug Rokke, PhD., a long time knowledgeable critic of the US military use of DU despite known risks to soldiers..

This basic info could be rewritten into a pamphlet format;

"What Is DU?

Depleted uranium is a metal made from uranium hexaflouride which is the by-product of the uranium enrichment process. Depleted uranium is actually the uranium 238 isotope. Natural uranium contains 99.2% by weight U-238 while DU contains 99.8% by weight U-238. Recent documents released by the U.S. Department of Energy provide evidence to suggest that a small proportion of other toxic heavy metals such as plutonium also may be present.

U-238 emits alpha particles at 4.2 Mev and 4.15 Mev that cause significant internal ionization with consequent cellular damage. In addition daughter products emit beta particles and gamma rays that may cause further radiological damage. While DU may not be an external hazard it is an internal hazard and with consequent inhalation, ingestion, and wound contamination poses significant and unacceptable risks. Although, DU is 60% less radioactive than natural uranium because U-234 and U-235 which emit gamma rays and beta particles have been removed Depleted uranium or uranium 238 is still very dangerous as an internal hazard because the alpha particle emissions are not reduced but proportionally increased. Also spent penetrators or parts of penetrators emit at 300 mrem/ hour and thus cannot be touched or picked up without protection."

What Should Happen Next?

The international community and all citizens of the world must raise a unified voice in opposition to future use of depleted uranium munitions and force those nations that have used depleted uranium munitions to recognize the immoral consequences of their actions and assume responsibility for medical care and thorough environmental remediation. Specifically:

Depleted uranium munitions and the use of depleted uranium must be banned.

All individuals who were exposed or who may have been exposed to any form of depleted uranium and its various integral contaminants or other contaminants created during combat, research, or training activities must receive a through physical examination and medical care to alleviate or cure the physiological consequences caused by inhalation, ingestion, or uranium wound contamination.

All depleted uranium penetrator fragments, depleted uranium contaminated equipment, and depleted uranium oxide contamination must be cleaned up and disposed of at secure sites."

entire DU database @;

http://www.ratical.org/radiation/DU/DUuse+hazard.html

BTW, the GW Bush regime is well aware for many years prior of the health risks from DU exposure, though their concern is not with the youth just out of high school targeted by military recruiters. We need to provide young people with this info on out own, as the current GW Bush regime will neither cease using DU munitions nor will they warn recruits about the health risks from almost certain exposure..