The Nation: Personal stories of Iraq war combat veterans

Recently published in The Nation is an exhaustive and extensive journey into the soldiers minds who witnessed the immoralities being carried out in Iraq. Beginning in July 2006, The Nation interviewed forty soldiers, eight marines and two sailors for seven months. - the resulting piece is entitled The Other War: Iraq Vets Bear Witness.

From The Nation: "American troops in Iraq lacked the training and support to communicate with or even understand Iraqi civilians, according to nineteen interviewees. Few spoke or read Arabic. They were offered little or no cultural or historical education about the country they controlled. Translators were either in short supply or unqualified. Any stereotypes about Islam and Arabs that soldiers and marines arrived with tended to solidify rapidly in the close confines of the military and the risky streets of Iraqi cities into a crude racism."

Above: Michael Harmon (Army Medic) recalls U.S. troops "using derogatory terms for Iraqis."

Broken Promises and the Military Industrial Complex

A commentary by Clarence Page ran in my local paper today. The piece begins with the story of a marine who returned from Iraq in 2004 and committed suicide a few months later. His family is suing the Department of Veterans Affairs for denying him medical treatment:

The parents, who joined the antiwar group Military Families Speak Out after their son's death, do not seek money damages. They only hope their lawsuit will force the Bush administration to take swift action to overhaul the VA, they say."

The case of Marine Lance Cpl. Jeffrey Lucey is tragic, but hardly surprising. The same conservatives who call liberals "unpatriotic" for questioning the invasion of Iraq, and accuse us of "not supporting the troops," and claim that Democrats have "invested in failure" have been consistently underfunding the troops to a degree that can only be described as criminal. According to a related broadcast of Democracy Now:

"[In July] two major lawsuits were filed that could put the [Bush] administration's treatment of veterans on trial. A class-action suit on behalf of hundreds of thousands of soldiers accuses the Department of Veterans Affairs of ignoring veterans' mental health care needs and overzealously denying medical care and benefits. The plaintiffs are two veterans groups. Veterans for Common Sense and Veterans United for Truth say returning soldiers are denied care through outright rejection or the long waiting process in a backlog of some 600,000 pending claims."

It's an injustice in the military-industrial complex that isn't discussed very often: The million-dollar ad campaigns that encourage young people to enlist in the military with promises of money for college, career training, and a way out of poverty. Taxpayer money is being thrown at advertising agencies and media markets - not to mention defense contractors - but when veterans need medical treatment there's no money to be found.

Up to 800,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are said to suffer or risk developing post-traumatic stress disorder - and the administration that promised them better lives and to make them "Army Strong" has nothing to offer them but empty words and yellow ribbon stickers.

Defense Department and the Evangelical Crusades

The OSU (Operation Straight Up) is an evangelical entertainment group whose goal is to entertain active duty soldiers with their beliefs. They are planning, according to AlterNet, "to mail copies of the controversial apocalyptic video game, Left Behind: Eternal Forces to soldiers serving in Iraq. OSU is also scheduled to embark on a Military Crusade in Iraq in the near future."

"We feel the forces of heaven have encouraged us to perform multiple crusades that will sweep through this war torn region," OSU declares on its website about its planned trip to Iraq. "We'll hold the only religious crusade of its size in the dangerous land of Iraq."

Now, OSU is an official affiliate of Defense Department's 'America Supports You' program. I, as many others, ask what kind of separation of church and state is this? To send apocalyptic messages to the brave U.S. soldiers in Iraq. Isn't Iraq in such a state because of people's beliefs being forced on others? "The constitution has been assaulted and brutalized," Mikey Weinstein, former Reagan Administration White House counsel, ex-Air Force judge advocate (JAG), and founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, told me, [Max Blumenthal, TheNation.com]. "Thanks to the influence of extreme Christian fundamentalism, the wall separating church and state is nothing but smoke and debris. And OSU is the IED that exploded the wall separating church and state in the Pentagon and throughout our military." Weinstein continued: "The fact that they would even consider taking their crusade to a Muslim country shows the threat to our national security and to the constitution and everyone that loves it."

A good thing coming from the OSU is the fact that the are sending Freedom Packages to the soldiers in Iraq. In these packages there are socks, and baby wipes, and Left Behind: Eternal Forces the video game! WOW! According to Max Blumenthal of The Nation, "The game is inspired by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins' bestselling pulp fiction series about a blood-soaked Battle of Armageddon pitting born-again Christians against anybody who does not adhere to their particular theology. In LaHaye's and Jenkins' books, the non-believers are ultimately condemned to "everlasting punishment" while the evangelicals are "raptured" up to heaven."

I would assume that the soldiers in Iraq would love to play a video game that requires them to kill people of unlike faith, kind of a reflection of the Iraqi's, is it not?

Monkey Smuggles

We've been led to believe that there is a thing called homeland security. Well, apparently there is. With security measures that include harassing senior citizens and the shoe elves the average business traveler carries with them (in their shoes, naturally), but monkeys can now get onto planes, wearing nothing but a hat!

MSNBC reports that on Tuesday, a monkey had traveled from Lima, Peru all the way to LaGuardia NY airport. According to Spirit Airlines spokeswoman Alison Russell, passengers on the flight had noticed the little monkey emerging from the man's hat and asked him if he knew he had a monkey on him. "The monkey spent the remainder of the flight in the man’s seat and behaved well, said Russell, who didn’t know how it skirted customs and security."

Naturally, police were waiting for them man when he arrived in LaGuardia, confiscated the little marmoset and took it for questioning. The monkey rather. No-the monkeys didn't take the police for questioning, the police took the man for questioning, and threw the little monkey in quarantine. Charges have yet to be filed.

U.S. troops in Iraq reach record high, still having a hell of a time

With around 162,000 U.S. troops in Iraq now, this is the most ever since the beginning of the war. Will even the most troops we ever had there, partly due to the 30,000 surge, have any impact. The answer is no. It wouldn't even matter if there were double that. It's just going to be more American soldiers who die from a disgusting guerrilla war and the incompetence of out leaders who have destroyed and let Iraq go to shit.

And even with this new record high, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said, "There is no change to the level of effort and the combat power that we are projecting into Iraq." So what now there are people just sitting around doing nothing? Reuters

Schwarzenegger Offered One Billion Dollars

Currently, the state of California has a budget crisis. To try and balance the budget out, legislators are bickering over which social services should be cut. This isn't fair. It isn't even right. People need those social services. There is a hero in this story, however. Well, heroes is more like it. Many, many heroes! They call themselves Let Us Pay Taxes.

The Let Us Pay Taxes group has offered Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger one billion dollars to be put toward the budget crisis. The thing is; this money will be coming from a coalition of California marijuana growers and dealers. Whats the Terminator to do? Terminate the crisis with taxes that taxpayers would actually be willing to pay!

David Guard of StopTheDrugWar.org writes that regulation and taxation of marijuana could produce up to six billion dollars in additional tax revenue, according to economic studies linked from their web site LetUsPayTaxes.com. In addition, it could save up to ten billion dollars in enforcement costs. “That is a conservative estimate,” said Schaffer, spokesman for Let Us Pay Taxes. “By other estimates, the revenues could be five times that. The economists are with us all the way on this one. Marijuana prohibition is an economic disaster.”

So, what's the problem? The problem began with Reefer Madness and marijuana tax stamps in the earlier part of last century. The Drug Czar John Walters continually states that money from marijuana transaction goes into the hands of terrorists and criminals. Is this guy for real? Of course it is! I mean, in terms of anyone who touches marijuana is a criminal! (ok, that may have been a small exaggeration). But, the prohibition Walters is supporting creates the monetary flow from good, hard working citizens who just want to relax, or escape disease-related pain to black market criminals who, in a lot of cases, will do anything to make a buck.

I believe this is where the belief that marijuana is a gateway drug comes from. I mean, where marijuana is outlawed, good people must look toward the streets for relief, because they know that marijuana is not bad. But, a lot of these street dealers are only capitalizing on these people, and introducing them to their other 'wares', so they make more money!

I truly think that if people were able to grow their own cannabis, or buy it from regulated dealers, they would be extremely happy! And, the possibility of the marijuana being 'laced' with other potentially hazardous substances, such as cocaine, would be slim to none. AND the country would have much more coming in from taxes to be applied to other things. Well, maybe we should wait until after Bush is out of office, then it would go toward causes for the people, of the people, and by the people.

Let Us Pay Taxes calls upon all US citizens to sign their petition at their web site LetUsPayTaxes.com and press the issue with their lawmakers. “Take the money, please,” said Schaffer. “These people want to contribute. Now it is up to our politicians to tell us why they want to send those billions to foreign criminal gangs rather than to their own voters." Press Release

Presidential Candidates and LGBT Issues

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has released a comprehensive analysis (pdf) of the top 19 candidates for the 2008 presidency and their positions on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues.

The good news is, all the prominent Democratic candidates are supportive of the majority of LGBT issues analyzed. All of them are in support of some kind of partnership recognition rights (such as civil unions) - though only two Democratic candidates support completely equal marriage rights (Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich). Kucinich is the only 2008 presidential candidate who has publicly supported all eight LGBT issues. All of the other candidates, including my favorites, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, are 7/8 - except Gravel, whose positions on three issues, including LGBT adoption, are unknown.

The Executive Director of the Task Force, Matt Foreman had this to say:

"The differences between the Democratic and Republican fields of candidates on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues are shockingly stark and profoundly depressing. Over time, the majority of Americans have moved to support basic fairness for LGBT Americans, including nondiscrimination and hate crimes laws, repeal of 'Don't Ask Don't' Tell,' and protections for our families. Sadly, the Republican field has gone in the opposite direction, still clearly pandering to the venom of the so-called 'religious right...' The public statements and voting records of the Democratic candidates show that they are clearly light years ahead of the Republicans on almost every issue important to the LGBT community. Nevertheless, the lack of courage on marriage equality is disturbing on both political and moral grounds..."

Ah, yes, I'd almost forgotten about the Republicans...

"Across the board, Republican candidates were in opposition to the majority of LGBT issues, with most publicly opposing lifting the military's ban on openly lesbian, gay and bisexual service members. Ten of 11 Republican candidates also oppose any partnership recognition for same-sex couples, whether it be marriage equality, civil unions or domestic partnerships..."

If you were curious, there was one candidate who has publicly opposed all eight LGBT issues: Mitt Romney, who receives my award for Right-Wing Ass-Hat of the Week. Congratulations, douchebag.

Who Guessed Weapons Would Come Up Missing?

Weapons missing? Yep-that's right! According to a report by the Washington Post today, the Pentagon has lost track of about 190,000 AK-47 assault rifles and pistols given to Iraqi security forces in 2004 and 2005, according to a new government report. Honestly, I really can't even begin to be surprised. Oh, yes, the report goes on, to say that there are fears now that these weapons might possibly be in the dangerous, destructive hands of the very same insurgents that the US troops are fighting!

How dare those Iraqi insurgents! Every good American knows that you aren't supposed to actually USE the weapons a country gives you, especially not towards them. And, ESPECIALLY not when you are at war with them! And, every good Iraqi knows that YOU DON'T GIVE WEAPONS TO COUNTRIES YOU ARE AT WAR WITH! Especially when you are in their country, meddling in their business!

Although, all this is just speculation. No one can really say for sure where almost 190,000 AK-47 rifles and pistols went off to, they are just missing, according to the Government Accountability Office (we have one of those?). What else does the GAO have to say? Well, they need to put the blame on someone. According to the GAO, weapons distribution was haphazard and rushed and failed to follow established procedures, particularly from 2004 to 2005, when security training was led by Gen. David H. Petraeus, who now commands all U.S. forces in Iraq.

If I were over in Iraq, I think I would have some kind of problem letting Gen. Petraeus run things. If he was in charge of security training, why are almost 190,000 weapons MIA? Oh, and that is up from only 14,000 last year.

Controls have been tightened since 2005, because of previous errors and unaccountability, but it seems serial numbers are too much for the Pentagon to handle. Without tracking which serial numbers were given to whom, it is nearly impossible for the US military to know whether it is battling an enemy equipped by American taxpayers.

I can only guess what kinds of unaccountability's, inconsistencies, errors, miscalculations and other misc. happenings are going on with the security back in the homeland. On second thought, I'll just leave it to Bush.

Examining "Pro-Life" Propaganda

Planned Parenthood is opening a new full service health center in Aurora, Illinois. Joseph Scheidler, the head of a group called the Pro-Life Action League, sent out this truly disturbing fundraising letter, which outlines their crusade against the Aurora clinic.

In the letter, Scheidler refers to Planned Parenthood as an "abortion mill" and a "killing chamber." He makes no mention of the numerous other health services that Planned Parenthood provides to women and girls. He describes plans to try to convince contractors not to work on the building. He brags about his son taking photos of the contractors' vehicles. He writes about hiring lawyers to try to find a zoning ordinance or other flimsy excuse to keep the clinic from opening. He also writes about his other expenses:

"Bills from my printer alone are staggering. We have to print literally tons of leaflets, brochures and pamhlets to get the word out about abortion. Of course, it's all worth it, because we're saving babies with those pieces of paper."

But is "saving babies" really the PLAL's goal? Or is their goal to terrorize women, threaten healthcare providers, and enforce their personal views on morality?

The next section of Scheidler's letter mentions "sidewalk counseling" - in other words, protesting. Screaming at and threatening clinic personnel and customers. Waving gruesome banners and trying to frighten women with threats of eternal damnation and sometimes, physical violence. He even has a name for volunteers who try to protect these women from their "counseling": deathscorts.

This is what the "pro-life" movement is. Threats. Intimidation. Manipulation. Moral superiority. They offer no practical solutions for preventing abortions, only ways to make it harder for women in a desperate situation to receive the medical care that they need.

Planned Parenthood is doing more to prevent abortions than any so-called "pro-life" group. Planned Parenthood educates the public about sexuality and pregnancy and STI prevention. Planned Parenthood distributes birth control. Planned Parenthood prevents unwanted pregnancies. Fewer unwanted pregnancies means fewer abortions. Yes, they provide abortions, but they are first and foremost an organization dedicated to the prevention of unwanted pregnancies.

People genuinely interested in preventing abortion should be interested in preventing the causes of abortion. But most prominent "pro-life" organizations are actually opposed to comprehensive sex education and birth control. I've been reading How the Pro-Choice Movement Saved America: Freedom, Politics, and the War on Sex by Christina Page, which has shocking details about this phenomenon. I think it's one of the most important books you could ever read, no matter how you personally feel about abortion.

To help Planned Parenthood continue to fight for reproductive choice and women's autonomy, you can donate locally or nationally. Scheidler can probably get a lot of donations by claiming that he's trying to "save babies." Planned Parenthood has the truth on their side, but unfortunately, the truth isn't always what makes people get out their checkbooks.

When is Murder Not Murder?

Murder. Think about that word, and what it means to you. To me, it means to kill someone. Now, obviously, there are a lot of different killings going on. A big one, the war in Iraq, the recent crumbling of the bridge, people killing people out of rage, revenge, all sorts of different circumstances. The question is, is one better than the other?

I'm looking at the Huffington Post's article about Sgt. Lawrence G. Hutchins III, who received 15 years in prison, was dishonorably discharged, reduced in rank to private, and also given a written reprimand this last Thursday in Camp Pendleton, Cal. The jury sentenced Hutchins Friday for the murder of an Iraqi civilian during a search for an insurgent.

Hutchins says he was only carrying out what he thought his superiors wanted. And I ask, how would one not be confused? Reflecting on the story about suspected terrorist activities in a junk-submarine (sorry to the men who made it), and the recent stories about suspected 'dry-terrorist runs' in the airport, where 65 year old woman are being asked if they know Osama bin Laden, I mean, are supposed to think the terrorists are everywhere?

My next question is, Hutchins and the rest of the brave soldiers in Iraq, are they not sent there to kill? What makes one right and the other wrong? Is the only difference that President Bush didn't say to kill 'that guy'? If I were Christian, I would think that the 6th commandment "Thou shall not KILL", would mean that thou shall not kill. Apparently, however, the bible, along with our constitution, is up for interpretation by the Bush administration.

Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations said, "If there is a perception that our soldiers can commit these crimes and only get a slap on the wrist, that's not going to send a very good message." But going into Iraq, meddling in their business, getting our soldiers killed, and killing other people, this is a better message? Interesting.

Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies, The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for own goodwill torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. - C.S. Lewis

River Rat Terrorists?

Yesterday, police officers saw a suspicious submarine in the East River in NY, dangerously close to the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship. Suspecting terrorism, the brave NY officers arrested the 3 men-only to find out there was no threat of terrorism, not even a threat at all! (Sound familiar?). It turned out the three men had created this sub in an attempt to replicate an earlier version of a submarine. According to WNBC, the police are saying this was 'marine mischief'. No charges yet, but it is possible, if 'marine mischief' can be considered a charge, especially if there was no 'actual evidence of mischief of any kind!'

My question is, what kind of society are we living in now? I mean, a floating submarine can't possibly be a priority for the brave, tough officers of Long Island, can it? And, I mean, to them, a terrorist (or so we think) attack is hi-jacked planes crashing into the tallest towers in the world, blowing them up and leaving horrible scenes, death, destruction and asbestos.

They know that the terrorists were obviously smart enough to high-jack 2 planes, so do they think they would plan an attack in a not-so-good-looking home made submarine and kind of just float around a cruise ship? Or, is this just the adminsitration's attack on good old American innovation, creativity and integrity? I don't know. You tell me!

FBI Spyware: Is It In You?

A ruling this month by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is allowing the FBI to search your computer-without any type of warrant. And it goes beyond free music downloads or porn. It goes through everything.
In an affidavit seeking a search warrant to use the software FBI agent Norman Sanders describes the software as a "computer and internet protocol address verifier," or CIPAV.

Oh yes. The FBI is now able to (and has been for some time) enter your virtual property, and physical property at the same time, with or without warrants! And what does this CIPAV do? It hides in your computer, like a trojan virus and records everything. Sanders wrote that the spyware program gathers a wide range of information, including the computer's IP address; MAC address; open ports; a list of running programs; the operating system type, version and serial number; preferred internet browser and version; the computer's registered owner and registered company name; the current logged-in user name and the last-visited URL.

WOW.

And what are they looking for? The source of e-mailed bomb threats against a Washington high school which took place last month. Kevin Poulsen, of Wired reports that "the code [virus] led the FBI to 15-year-old Josh Glazebrook, a student at the school, who on Monday pleaded guilty to making bomb threats, identity theft and felony harassment".

This technology has been in use by the FBI since 1999, and has only improved since then. when will they start putting cameras in the monitors to watch what you are doing? Or turn on your webcams or microphones and listen to you and watch you without your knowing? Where should we draw the line? I say, draw it at the front door.