True American Military Hero

[jimboloco]

cultural changes
nice to have folks to share with, gives life to weary souls.

[Zlatko Waterman]

Dear Jim:

Thanks for your response. Here's another snippet, from a news blog.

It ought to be titled :

GIVE ME MEN TO MATCH MY DRIVEL!

( from James Bovard's blog-- see web address below)
(paste)




Bush Out-Drivels Himself

Tuesday, August 15th, 2006 in News by James Bovard|

So Bush made the supreme sacrifice, returning from his vacation in Texas to Washington to inform Americans of his latest victories in the Middle East.

His comments at the State Department yesterday came close to breaking his previous personal best in both the delusions and drivel categories.

Bush began by declaring that Hezbollah was fully liable for every bomb that the IDF dropped, regardless of many farm workers were killed and how far the victims were from any military-related target: “America recognizes that civilians in Lebanon and Israel have suffered from the current violence. And we recognize that responsibility for this suffering lies with Hezbollah. It was an unprovoked attack by Hezbollah on Israel that started this conflict.”

According to Bush’s logic, if Israel had exterminated every living thing in Lebanon, it would still be faultless.

For Bush, the latest Mideast conflict is another example of how America is bringing freedom to the world. Bush declared: “America’s actions have never been guided by territorial ambition.”

This would be news to the Mexicans, some of whom have not forgotten 1846. Or to the Filipinos, or the Puerto Ricans, or the Cubans (who lived under America’s thumb prior to 1959, after which they lived under Castro’s fist). By Bush’s standards, Thomas Jefferson’s purchase of the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon was spurred by a desire for spiffing up his botany collection.

But Bush’s declaration is as credible as when Stalin proclaimed that the Soviet Union wanted only peace. Yet, people in Washington - people at editorial pages - swallow this crap as if being the president of the United States automatically turned a man’s mouth into the Temple of Delphi.

Now, some people may look at the title of this blog and assume that I have been too harsh on America’s Commander-in-Chief. I rest my case with the following excerpt from Bush’s comments on the Israel-Hezbollah clash:

The world got to see what it means to confront terrorism. I mean, it’s a –it’s the challenge of the 21st century, the fight against terror.
A group of ideologues, by the way, who use terror to achieve an objective — this is the challenge.
And that’s why in my remarks I spoke about the need for those of us who
understand the blessings of liberty to help liberty prevail in the Middle East.
And the fundamental question is: Can it? And my answer is: Absolutely, it can. I believe that freedom is a universal value. And by that, I mean I believe people want to be free.
One way to put it is, I believe mothers around the world want to raise their
children in a peaceful world. That’s what I believe. And I believe that people want to be free to express themselves and free to worship the way they want to.
And if you believe that, then you’ve got to have hope that ultimately freedom
will prevail.
But it’s incredibly hard work, because there are terrorists who kill innocent
people to stop the advance of liberty. And that’s the challenge of the 21st
century.

[Comments / Denunciations welcome at http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/08/15/bu ... s-himself/

(end paste)

[jimboloco]

he is the consummate fool
fooling millions,
they slake up this stuff
texas country prima donna
an his minions
an his gang of lackeys

[stilltrucking]

he is the most dangerous man out side of north korea

an his gang of lackeys

Who is the lackee
who is the lackor?
Everything coming up roses:
For Iran.

I have no fear
For I have seen Rumseld's lackey's PowerPoint presentations
all is well.

Twenty thousand british soldiers died today at Sommes
Three hundred were excecuted for PTSD
WAR. What is it good for?

[Zlatko Waterman]

This "drivel-ation" sounds like Ronald Reagan ( at age 90) on methadone maintenance . . .

http://www.drugpolicy.org/reducingharm/maintenancet/


--Z

[jimboloco]

Thursday, August 31st, 2006
"I Am Not Willing To Kill Or Be Killed For Something I Don't Believe In" - AWOL Soldier Refuses to Return to Iraq
We hear from a soldier who is refusing to fight in Iraq. Mark Wilkerson has been AWOL for more than a year and is turning himself in at Fort Hood in Texas today. In a taped video statement he says, "I am not willing to kill or be killed for something I don't believe in. My morals said going to Iraq was not the right thing to do." I was not going to live a life of violence."

[jimboloco]

"It's My Duty to Speak Out"
A Film by Scott Galindez
Marine Corporal Grant Collins describes what it was like to participate in the war in Iraq. He also describes what it is like to live with giving orders that resulted in the deaths of civilians.

09/04/06 Runtime 8 Minutes
This video provided by Truthout.org - Visit http://www.ivaw.net

[jimboloco]

more on Suzanne Swift here is her support website

also Iraq Vets’ Sit-in for Suzanne Swift is Successful!

From: "Michael T. McPhearson" <vfped>
Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2006 12:57:03 -0400
Subject: [vfp-all] Action for Suzanne Swift 9-12-06

A group of Iraq Veterans Against the War and CODEPINK activists are in
Washington DC for Camp Democracy, http://www.campdemocracy.org/ They are
taking an action for Suzanne on day 94 since she was arrested, 9-12-06, and
we need your help. All day on the 12th we want people flooding his DC office
with calls supporting justice for Suzanne. Please spread the word to all
your email lists so we can do a mass mobilization. Below are the numbers for
DeFazio in DC and the letter that the IVAW/CODEPINK are delivering to
DeFazio's office tomorrow.

DeFazio's Washington, DC Office
2134 Rayburn H.O.B.
Washington DC, 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6416
Toll Free (in Oregon): 1-800-944-9603


Dear Congressman DeFazio:

You now have the opportunity to help gain Swift justice for one of
your constituents. SPC Suzanne Swift (Eugene OR), facing a re-deployment to
Iraq while serving under the command of the same individuals that allowed
her to be raped and sexual harassed, suffered a breakdown due to Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and went absent without leave rather than
subject herself to the horrors she experienced during her first tour of
duty. At this point her chain of command has acted only to investigate and
prosecute SPC Swift for saving her own life by going AWOL.
Mr. Congressman you have been contacted several times about this
issue, to include a signed privacy act release from SPC Swift with no action
or reply on your behalf. Therefore, we are respectfully demanding that you
call her chain of command immediately to begin a congressional investigation
into what has happened to SPC Swift. Please find out why she is facing a
dishonorable discharge while two of the men who raped and sexually assaulted
her have been granted honorable discharges. SPC Swift served with honor for
over a year in Iraq despite continuing rape and sexual assault by her chain
of command; we owe her more than a dishonorable discharge. We owe her an
honorable medical discharge with proper treatment for both her war and rape
induced PTSD.
We have come to your office because your constituents know you to
have a history of being a progressive voice in Oregon and there is no reason
why this issue should not be foremost on your agenda. To guarantee this is
your top priority we have decided to remain in your office until you take
the proper action of initiating a congressional investigation. The chain of
command information for SPC Swift is as follows:
I CORPS COMMAND GROUP at Ft Lewis
COMMANDING GENERAL
BLDG 2025 STOP 1 AFZH-CG
LTG JAMES M. DUBIK
Aide-de-Camp LTC Kamper 253-967-0022
Executive Assistant Mrs. Swartz 253-967-0002
Executive Admin Asst. MSG Johnston 253-967-0001

42ND MILITARY POLICE BRIGADE
BLDG 2007 STOP 55 AFZH-MP
POLICE INFORMATION/CONCERNS/QUESTIONS 253-966-
0088/967-4824
Brigade Cdr/Provost Marshal COL Miller 253- 967-3121

Thank you for truly supporting our troops and helping to end military sexual
violence.

Geoffrey Millard
SGT US ARMY (R)
Member of Iraq veterans Against the War
Peace~

Sara Rich, M.S.W

more on Lt Watada here is his support website

video Message from Lt. Ehren Watada to supporters
Recorded June 13, 2006
Flash player required. 2:25 min. 9M video
also With Lt. Watada's Case, GI Resistance Grows By Sarah Olson, TruthOut.org. Posted August 17, 2006.

[jimboloco]

SIR, NO SIR!
12 minute trailer quicktime
home page

we had an underground paper, OFF THE BRASS! in New Hampshire
left some copies on Pease Air Farce Base whilst I was still in during my rebellion 1972
god bless jane fonda
also while in pilot training before going to Vietnam, YOUR MILITARY LEFT, left copies on Randolph Air Farce Base 1969-70
GOTTA ORDER THIS FILM!

oh I just called the congressman on behalf of Ms Swift. He seems approachable, left a message.

[jimboloco]

http://thankyoult.live.radicaldesigns.o ... /view/172/

Arme escalates charges against Lt Watada
for speaking out at Vets for Peace convention

Friends and Family of Lt. Watada
NEWS RELEASE. Sept. 15, 2006
(Ft. Lewis, WA) – In a surprise move today, the U.S. Army chose to add an additional specification under the charge of Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and a Gentleman for comments Lt. Ehren Watada made Aug. 12 during a speech to the Veterans For Peace national convention in Seattle. Lt. Watada stated “to stop an illegal and unjust war, soldiers can choose to stop fighting it.” The additional, gratuitous charge raises the stakes in the widely publicized and controversial case of the first military officer to publicly refuse to fight in the illegal Iraq war and occupation.
It is unknown if the military intends to hold another Article 32 pre-trial hearing to review the new charge, or simply railroad it directly to court martial. A final decision on the forwarding to court-martial on all seven charges now pending against Lt. Watada remains forthcoming from Fort Lewis Commanding General Lt. Gen. James Dubik.
If convicted of all charges, Lt. Watada could now face over eight years in prison, more than six of them for publicly voicing his opposition to what he considers an illegal and immoral war.
In June Lt. Watada stated, in language reminiscent of the House Minority Judiciary Committee report “Constitution in Crisis” that “the war in Iraq is not only morally wrong but a horrible breach of American law,” and that he felt his “moral and legal obligation is to the Constitution and not those who would issue unlawful orders.” Many groups and legal experts have weighed in on Lt. Watada’s right to publicly explain the rational for his actions. The American Civil Liberties Union filed an amicus brief defending Lt. Watada’s right to respectfully and publicly explain his refusal to deploy.
In a written recommendation for court-martial issued last month, Investigating Officer Lt. Col. Mark Keith had explained that it was not Lt. Watada’s “physical conduct (manner of _expression, demeanor, oral communication skills)” that he felt warranted the charges of conduct unbecoming, but rather Lt. Watada’s “message.” Paradoxically, the Army has consistently chosen to act in ways that publicize that message.
"Lt. Watada is a principled and sincere young officer who has deeply held and serious legal and moral objections to participating in the current war in Iraq. He attempted to articulate those concerns to his command before the matter became public,” Eric Seitz, Watada’s civilian defense attorney, wrote in a rebuttal submitted to the military court late last month. “[T]he Army’s unwillingness thus far to seek any reasonable solution or outcome of this situation certainly has placed Lt. Watada into a position where he has little or no choice but to vigorously defend himself against charges that we submit are extravagant and unjustified,” Seitz wrote.
Friends and Family of Lt. Watada is moving forward with plans for a national mobilization near Ft. Lewis in support of bringing the troops home, a "people's tribunal” on the legality of the Iraq War, and many other events leading up to a possible court-martial.

[jimboloco]

Monday, September 18th, 2006
Army Investigation into Sexual Harassment Charges by Specialist Suzanne Swift Ended in July, Attorney Says Military "Did Not Do Diligent InvestigationEXCLUSIVE...

In a Democracy Now! exclusive, Army Specialist Suzanne Swift speaks out in her first national broadcast interview. After serving in Iraq, Swift was arrested and confined to base for going AWOL. She says she was sexually harassed and abused by her commanders in Iraq and at home. In the interview, Swift reveals for the first time that an Army investigation concluded in July that they could not substantiate her claims. Swift says, "For women considering going into [the military]: Don't." Her attorney, Keith Scherer, says, "It's pretty clear from the language in the report that they didn't do a diligent investigation."

[jimboloco]

Agustin Aguayo
Army medic Agustin Aguayo and his wife, Helga, speak to Democracy Now. Later today Agustin plans to turn himself in to the military weeks after he went AWOL at his base in Germany. He faces five yeas in prison
a Democracy Now exclusive. ....

[jimboloco]

Tuesday, October 3rd, 2006 Democracy Now
War Resister Darrell Anderson Returns From Canada to Face Possible Charges

TIME From AWOL to Exile

CNN Iraq deserter turns self in to military has photo

Buffalo News Wounded deserter returns to U.S