Washblog

Appreciation to ktkeller - thank you for posting this diary (which I front paged) calling attention to the Iraq Veterans Against the War 'Winter Soldiers' event this weekend.

Several of the larger peace/activist organizations, like UFPJ and their very large coalition organizations, agreed Not to stage national protest events at this the Fifth Anniversary of war in Iraq in respect for the 'Winter Soldiers' testimonies this weekend.

Of course, with the news of the downswing in the economy, falling market, rising food prices, gas prices rising daily (and Washington state being one of those with highest gas prices) -- it makes sense to recognize the connection between expenditures in sustaining the unsustainable war in Iraq and what it is costing on the homefront.  

Amongst the political news of the Democratic Presidential Candidates waging a political war between themselves that seems to be getting meaner by the day - this would be a good time for them and their supporters to take a breather and turn their attention back to the fact of the war in Iraq as one of the prominently pressing duties the Commander-in-Chief needs to deal with immediately.

  The video of the testimonies is being shown at the link ktkeller provided.  Also at   KPFA radio, and The Real News.com.   I'd like specifically to call attention to the Winter Soldier testimony of Hart Viges.  

I had the privilege to meet Hart when I was among the contingent of military families and veterans who made up the one of the three routes of the of the 4 week Bring Them Home Now tour back in Sept 2005.  Whenever he gave his testimony,along the course of the tour at the stops we made in towns and cities, it always tore me up, because he was so powerful in what he shared and authentic in his emotions.

Also giving testimony at the Winter Soldiers this weekend, is Captain Luis Montalvan, who felt compelled to share some truths about how the Surge is Not working.  

In light of President Bush's absurd recent comment indicating romantic notions about serving on the front lines - this the man who was part of the 'champagne unit' of Air National Guard which kept him out of serving in that other war - The Big One - Vietnam.  AWOL Bush who didn't even bother to show up for his non-dangerous related flight duties (an allegation that got CBS anchor Dan Rather fired) -  military people who know war and combat have shouted down any notion that romanticizes war.  

excerpt from Slate: Speaking by videoconference with U.S. military and civilian personnel in Afghanistan about the challenges posed by war, corruption, and the poppy trade, the president unleashed this comment:

I must say, I'm a little envious. If I were slightly younger and not employed here, I think it would be a fantastic experience to be on the front lines of helping this young democracy succeed. It must be exciting for you ... in some ways romantic, in some ways, you know, confronting danger. You're really making history, and thanks.

This weekend's 'Winter Soldiers' testimony underscores that there is nothing romantic about combat or war. And as I've said before this Commander-in-Chief long ago abandoned his responsibilities to the troops.  Horrifically, beyond the now up to 4,000 deaths of U.S. troops alone, the under-reported casualties and the severity of some of those casualties, along with the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi families maimed and killed ... Romantic?!  Outrageous?!

 

On the Surge in Iraq "--we have set the bar so low it's buried in the sand at this point." - Barack Obama

by Lietta Ruger on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 11:13:17 AM PST

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