Friday, September 26, 2008

HBO: Taxi to the Dark Side

Taxi to the Dark Side Premieres Monday, September 29 at 9pm

Winner of a 2008 Academy Award®, this acclaimed film takes a disturbing in-depth look at the questionable interrogation practices used by U.S. military guards on prisoners in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay in the years following 9/11.

The Trailer


In the year following 9/11, the Bush Administration's promise to root out terrorists abroad took a perverse, unsettling turn, with the U.S. military embarking on a policy of humiliation and deprivation designed to get political prisoners to talk. The appallingly inhumane tactics used by military prison guards in Abu Ghraib, Bagram and Guantanamo Bay flaunted the Geneva Conventions while killing untold numbers of prisoners - including innocents like Dilawar, a young Afghan taxi driver whose only "crime" was to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. This is the story of how America lost its dignity in its zeal to win the War on Terrorism: Taxi to the Dark Side. Premieres Monday, September 29 at 9pm ET/PT. Read more.

Debate: Foreign Policy & Security {Or No Debate} Video's

Everyone knows that the first Presidential Debate is supposed to take place tonight, but once again we have a member of the GOP trying to put the skids on Democracy, read the 2000 election and the supreme's, by refusing to show because, admitted himself he understands little about economics, he's going to save Wall Street Bankers and the Country from Collapse. Now he's coming to the rescue some 10 or so days after all the bad economic news started survicing, but for Our Savior "Better late than never, Not!".


My guess is that if there is a Debate tonight it won't be on the main subject lines it was to cover: Foreign Policy and National Security. It will be covering the economy or at least much of it will be because of the News that has sucked the air out of everything else.


But wether it covers the intended subject matter, tonight or in another, or not, just in case there are extremely important things to be brought to the Debate about our now lack of a Foreign Policy especially as to our National Security.


The debate will, or will not, take place at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, known colloquially as Ole Miss. NPR has a very good writeup as a leadin: Site Of Presidential Debate Has Come Far From Past for this historic event in more ways than one.


We are a Nation and People that seem to like to use 'God' an awful lot, we say we are a Tolerant Nation, and a Peaceful Nation, we Condemn others for not being so and for practicing Inhumane Treatment of others.


But instead of following what we preach we have many, some elected and large portions of the population, that think we can go and Destroy and Occupy other Countries and somehow be Secure in the fact that we've Killed and Maimed others, instead of leading by example and word and making friends of others we Enhance the Hatreds and Create Enemies than call ourselves Secure. Through our actions even those that allie with us have Little Respect for us, not just our government but Us.


Lets look at the why our National Security is now in jeapordy for possibly decades to come and why the World has lost any remnants of Respect they once gave us:


Introducing Iraqi Refugee Stories:


Voices Missing From Media Describe Life in Exile


Watch "Hiba's Story," one in a powerful new series of video accounts by Iraqis who have had to flee their home.





Beyond the violence and instability of Iraq is the largely untold story of Iraqi displacement and exile and its enormous human consequences. A new website, Iraqi Refugee Stories, is now giving voice to the growing crisis and providing concerned individuals viable avenues to take action.

"The silent story of Iraq has been that of the millions who've been displaced within their country or who have fled to neighboring countries and are now living in limbo. In countries like Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, Iraqi refugees can't work legally and are often hiding at home for fear of deportation because they're unable to renew their visas," said Jennifer Utz, a video journalist, founder and creator of Iraqi Refugee Stories. "The media coverage of the issue has largely focused on the plight of military interpreters, while countless other vulnerable individuals have virtually gone unnoticed, such as single mothers, members of minority religions, the elderly and those in need of serious medical assistance."

In this video clip, a young woman named Hiba, whose family fled Iraq in 2003 only to be denied entrance to Jordan, describes the four years they spent living in a tent in Ruwayshed, a refugee camp on the border, saying that she often thinks about her classmates and wonders whether they lived or died.

To learn more, visit Iraqi Refugee Stories.



Or how about one of the main reasons the violence has dropped, even though Iraqi's and Soldiers are still being killed and maimed:


After Siege, Wall Sadr City’s New Oppression - 09.22.2008



Iraq, Baghdad/Sadr City – After the failure of many security plans proposed by the Iraqi government and US military strategists, a recent plan, hand-in-hand with the so-called “Surge,” was designed. It was a desperate attempt by the US and Iraqi military forces to control the Sunni-Shia militia. At the suggestion of military leaders, the Iraqi and US governments decided to build walls to separate neighborhoods and to control militias and insurgents from entering or exiting any neighborhood without passing a checkpoint. The first wall was built in Adhamiya, in April 2007. Despite protests and opposition, United States military and Iraqi National Guard forces began to erect a wall surrounding the neighborhood of Adhamiya. The people living in the neighborhood engaged in several demonstrations against building the wall, and even Prime Minister Maliki, a Shi’a critical of the neighborhood, publicly protested the plan. Despite his intervention and public discontent, the wall was built and finished by late April 2007.

These walls tend to be approximately 3 meters in height and made from concrete. In some areas the top of the wall is covered with concertina wire to prevent intruders from climbing over the wall. There are patrols set to guard the wall and they are present around the wall daily, and at all hours, to protract the wall from being attacked or bombed by insurgents.

Another wall built at end of April 2007, but this time in Ameriya, this wall is approximately 10 kilometers in length and again 3 meters high. In September 2007 yet another wall was built in the Saidiya neighborhood. The wall surrounding that district was 23 kilometers, and by the end of 2007 there were over 50 different walls built around different neighborhoods across Baghdad.

In May 2008 a wall was built in Sadr City after battles between the US military and the Mahdi Army. There are approximately two million citizens living inside the area now known as Sadr City, probably the largest single group impacted by one of Baghdad’s walls. Previously they could come and go via nine major entrances. Many shops were force to close because of the wall, the shop owners found they could not complete there work anymore due to the wall sitting just in front of their shops.



Or how about Getting to School in Iraq





Would you want to live like this, Would you want your children to live like this, Would you want to live in a Destroyed and Occupied Country, Would you develop growing Hatred for being forced to live like this in your destroyed country, Would you search for retribution for the loved ones, friends, and killed and maimed, and your country destroyed, in an occupation by an outside military force, What Would You Do??


And what happens in Wars of Occupation and Wars of Choice, the Soldiers know:


Winter Soldier: OIF and OEF Soldiers the Book


Back in March of this year History repeated itself. A history many of us Vietnam Veterans felt would never be repeated for we swore we wouldn't allow the country we served to ever allow itself to be led into another debacle of human destruction, a War Of Choice, an Occupation Of Innocent Others!! The country, back than, even seemed to grasp the huge mistake we had made in the policies set forth by those we elect to lead, they themselves said "We will learn from the mistakes made!", we didn't, and others don't neither!


Book Exposes Iraq Occupation Through US Soldiers' Eyes


Aside from the Iraqi people, nobody knows what the U.S. military is doing in Iraq better than the soldiers themselves. A new book gives readers vivid and detailed accounts of the devastation the U.S. occupation has brought to Iraq, in the soldiers' own words.

Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan: Eyewitness Accounts of the Occupations, published by Haymarket Books Tuesday, is a gut-wrenching, historic chronicle of what the U.S. military has done to Iraq, as well as its own soldiers.

Authored by Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) and journalist Aaron Glantz, the book is a reader for hearings that took place in Silver Spring, Maryland between Mar. 13-16, 2008 at the National Labour College.

"I remember one woman walking by," said Jason Washburn, a corporal in the U.S. Marines who served three tours in Iraq. "She was carrying a huge bag, and she looked like she was heading toward us, so we lit her up with the Mark 19, which is an automatic grenade launcher, and when the dust settled, we realized that the bag was full of groceries. She had been trying to bring us food and we blew her to pieces."

Glantz admits that it would be difficult for the average U.S. citizen to read the book, and believes it is important to keep in mind while doing so what it took for the veterans to give this historic testimony.

"They could have been heroes, but what they are doing here is even more heroic -- which is telling the truth," Glantz told IPS. "They didn't have to come forward. They chose to come forward."



Few are Sacrificing yet there are still many, who aren't, that support our aggressive actions towards others and seem to relish in making the tens of thousands of enemies that will only take a few to destroy any feeling of a strong national security, for the country or the citizens wherever they travel.


The Brave New Foundation, for the past thirteen weeks, have had a series of very important online inner active Video Shows called "In Their Boots".


The last three weeks have covered a group who have Sacrificed Everything, their Spouses, but are coming together to move on with their lives and give meaning to the loss of their loved ones.


You can watch the video's here, they are about a half hour each, or at the site, where you can catch the previous important episodes and sign up to be notified prior to the wednesday evening coming episodes, But These Three Are Extremely Important, Especially For Those Not Sacrificing Anything!!


Topic: The American Widow Project We Regret to Inform You Chapter 1
Originally aired on September 10th, 2008


Led by Taryn Davis, a group of young military widows band together in a new peer support network called the American Widow Project.


Taryn Davis
War Widow


James Sheeler
Author
Final Salute Site: A Story of Unfinished Lives
Jim's Book: Final Salute: A Story of Unfinished Lives






Taryn Davis
Last year, 22-year-old Taryn Davis' world crumbled. On May 21, 2007, Taryn was told her husband, Army Cpl. Michael W. Davis, had died from wounds sustained from an IED explosion in Iraq. She was crushed. Unable to find the peer support she needed from other recently widowed military spouses, Taryn founded the American Widow Project four months later to help her cope with the loss of the love of her life. Using the power of the internet, Taryn has been able to reach out to over 100 young military widows (the majority of which are under 30), offering them peer support and help with whatever they might need.

Nicole Hart
Nicole Hart, found her soul mate when she was 16-years-old and married him three years later. Then, this past winter she lost him. On January 8, 2008, Army Sgt. David J. Hart was killed while trying to help one of his wounded men. Nicole, now a 23-year-old widow, didn't know life could go on without David, and sometimes she still doesn't understand how the earth continues to rotate. But, with the peer support from her new friends at the American Widow Project, she's realizing that if she gets into her wedding dress on her anniversary and flips through wedding photos, she's not weird, and she's not alone.

Windy Link
Windy's husband Sgt. Joey Link died while serving in Quatar as Air Support for the war in Iraq. Not only did he leave behind his wife Windy, but he also left behind two sons, and their baby daughter, Rylee. This summer, Windy left Rylee for the first time to travel to Austin, Texas to hang out with, and lean on, her new friends with the American Widow Project.



Topic: The American Widow Project ***** We Regret to Inform You Chapter 2


Originally aired on September 17th, 2008


Nicole Hart

Ami Neiberger-Miller
Communications & Public Affairs Officer
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)






Topic: The American Widow Project**** We Regret to Inform You Chapter 3


The Women of the American Widow Project


Originally aired on September 24th, 2008





We Regret to Inform You Chapter 3


The Women of the American Widow Project


And a short clip of these young widows moving on together.


American Widow Project--A Light-Hearted Video Clip


In Their Boots: We Regret To Inform You - Surfing



Visit their site and show your support to these Military Widows and their families

Brave New Foundation: In Their Boots Webcast 13

Topic: The American Widow Project**** We Regret to Inform You Chapter 3

The Women of the American Widow Project

Originally aired on September 24th, 2008



We Regret to Inform You Chapter 3

The Women of the American Widow Project

Taryn Davis
Last year, 22-year-old Taryn Davis' world crumbled. On May 21, 2007, Taryn was told her husband, Army Cpl. Michael W. Davis, had died from wounds sustained from an IED explosion in Iraq. She was crushed. Unable to find the peer support she needed from other recently widowed military spouses, Taryn founded the American Widow Project four months later to help her cope with the loss of the love of her life. Using the power of the internet, Taryn has been able to reach out to over 100 young military widows (the majority of which are under 30), offering them peer support and help with whatever they might need.

Nicole Hart
Nicole Hart, found her soul mate when she was 16-years-old and married him three years later. Then, this past winter she lost him. On January 8, 2008, Army Sgt. David J. Hart was killed while trying to help one of his wounded men. Nicole, now a 23-year-old widow, didn't know life could go on without David, and sometimes she still doesn't understand how the earth continues to rotate. But, with the peer support from her new friends at the American Widow Project, she's realizing that if she gets into her wedding dress on her anniversary and flips through wedding photos, she's not weird, and she's not alone.

Windy Link
Windy's husband Sgt. Joey Link died while serving in Quatar as Air Support for the war in Iraq. Not only did he leave behind his wife Windy, but he also left behind two sons, and their baby daughter, Rylee. This summer, Windy left Rylee for the first time to travel to Austin, Texas to hang out with, and lean on, her new friends with the American Widow Project.

American Widow Project--A Light-Hearted Video Clip

In Their Boots: We Regret To Inform You - Surfing


Visit their site and show your support to these Military Widows and their families

Thursday, September 25, 2008

The Next Financial Mess!!

Dealing in Debt!!


Everyone, almost, is in a complete Rage at what is happening, and has been allowed to happen by not only soft regulation but the ease on any regulation in the Banking Industry, Morgage Industry, Wall Street, and in a Rage you should be.


But want a better picture of the who got us here any why, leave your computer and go to the nearest mirror and take a Good Hard Long Look at the reflection coming back, Yep Folks, it's most of you, and the rest of the shit hasn't yet hit the fan, but it's quickly coming!


Remember the clowns you hire to represent you in Washington, and local and state, are your clowns, you pay them.


Have been wondering why this hasn't been touched on in the Financial Crisis and Greed that's bringing down the House of Cards known as Wall Street!


ABC 'Nightline' finally brings it out in the light of day


Are Credit Card Companies Dealing in Debt? MBNA Insiders Question Former Employers' Practices.


But they only cover one side of this coin, the side us individuals only want to see, the other side.


You hear about the mortgage meltdown all the time, but as more and more Americans become saddled with huge credit card debt they cannot pay, the next crisis point may come in plastic. Last night, we brought you exclusive interviews with former credit card company employees trained to lead customers to take on more debt -- even if they couldn't handle it. Tonight, ABC News correspondent Vicki Mabrey takes a close look at what consumers need to do to protect themselves from a credit card crisis.






You can find the same video at the 'ABC Night Line' site link above.


Colombo said employees worked 10-hour shifts, four days a week and had set goals -- sell $25,000 an hour, which translates to $250,000 a day, $1 million a week, $4 million a month.



While these snakes go about their business, admit it folks, some of you welcome these offers of jacking up your line of credit, or quick borrowing, makes you feel richer and able to pickup more crap, or do things, that you don't need or couldn't do nor thought of doing.


How many of you have the newest do-dad that just came down the pike and is agressively advertised as a must have without telling you the why you must have while charging you a monthly fee that you seem to always be going over.


Americans owe $960 billion in credit card debit, according to the consumer advocacy group Americans for Fairness in Lending
.


While some are extremely wasteful it causes others to get into financial trouble just trying to exist:


On the other end of the phone were people like Josh and Jennifer Grant, parents of two young girls, Sierra and Sydney, who live in Waterville, Maine. Josh Grant is a self-employed trucker, Jennifer Grant works at a local hospital. They're $28,000 in debt.

Sitting at the family's kitchen table, Josh Grant pulled out his latest bill -- every few days he spends hundreds of dollars on fuel for his 22-wheel truck. He pays his bill weekly -- a total of $6,600 last month. But he spent $7,299 on fuel. That's how his bill grows -- not from spending on lavish dinners or expensive vacations, but from the high cost of diesel as he tries to make a living.

As he's showing"Nightline" the bill, we discover that he has gone $54 over his $21,000 credit limit -- and been charged a $39 over-limit fee.

"I didn't even see that, to be honest with you," he said. "When you get charged for being $50 over it's tough to swallow." They hope to pay off their debt in five to ten years. "That would be a good scenario," Jennifer Grant said.



Hitting Those Who Sacrifice for Country:


But what bothered Colombo most, she said, was being discouraged from telling military families that they were eligible -- by law -- to have their interest rates frozen at prime, currently 5 percent.

"We were told you cannot offer the Soldiers and Sailors Act rate unless they specifically ask. They must say 'Hi, I'm calling, my husband's on active duty, I'm aware of Soldiers and Sailors Act. What do I need to do?' But most Americans aren't aware of it," Colombo said.



Everyones got their stories and those are growing in numbers, rapidly, in the negative territory, and will only keep growing!


Those who fall for these economic policies, especially coming from the Right, Reagonomics, Trickle Down, Applauding the Wealthy as economic hero's as they grow even more so, are either totally ignorant of how this country and it's economy was built or understand that but think there's an easier way, with alot less physical and mental work, and we can spend spend spend without worries of bills bills bills.


Even the fools in residence, the White House and Much of Congress, thinks the World is always going to be Economically Rosy, No Problems.


Have a devestating Criminal Terrorist Attack, killing and maiming, "Hey Go Shopping Folks!".


Have Wars of Choice and Total Destruction of Others while Occupying, killing and maiming, "Hey Go Shopping Folks!".


Have everything Finally start collapsing, the house of empty air and cards falling, "Hey Go Shopping Folks!".


We once had an economy and workforce that was the envy of the world, we still live like we have that, actually we live and act like we have even more than that, but the facts prove different, but "Hey Go Shopping Folks!"
.

There's two political parties that share the power, which one preaches the false economics now collapsing, and have for years and implemented as they had the power, and which one enables!!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Veterans Occupy National Archives Building and Much More

"Arresting Bush and Cheney for war crimes will honor our oath to the Constitution," vets say.





9-23-2008


11 AM Yesterday, A Snippet:


Adams said they have been receiving a lot of waves of approval from passersby. Will continue to update.







2:20 PM Yesterday, A Snippet:


Kauff reports that the City Police have been handling the situation very well. Would like them to come down, but are respecting their First Amendment Rights. One officer told them they could "stay up there all month if they wanted." The National Archives security are not as supportive as they see it as a security breach, but are not currently taking action.



5:30 PM Yesterday, A Snippet:


Eight hours into their occupation of the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C., Veterans For Peace members report they have called all 40 members of the House Committee on the Judiciary, urging them to actively support impeachment hearings.






9:15 PM Last Night, A Snippet:


Regarding exchanges with authorities Elliott reports, "We’ve had a few more proposals of the ‘great deal’ we could get if we’d just get off the damn ledge. We respectfully declined."

Plans for the night? "We’re on the ledge trying to settle down. We’ve got lights on the banner. We’ve setup five two-hour watches so we’ll have somebody on watch all night, we brought up sleeping pads and space blankets." Elliott reported a steady stroll of curious onlookers and folks on the ground handing out flyers.

He continued, "The Archive guards have mounted a watch on us to make sure we don’t do…whatever...but, the other police forces have shown up periodically. It was pretty funny, for a long time they were trying to figure out who had jurisdiction.



Ret. Col. Ann Wright



More updates will probably be posted at this site page, coming in to today.


You Can Digg The Above Here


We are having the first of the Presidential Debates this week, on friday night, it will take place at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, known colloquially as Ole Miss. NPR has a very good writeup as a leadin: Site Of Presidential Debate Has Come Far From Past for this historic event in more ways than one.


What does this have to do with the purpose of this post and my Brother/Sister Veterans now occupying a ledge outside of the National Archives Building?


Well this first, even with all the news riveting on the financial collapse, will focus on Foreign Policy and National Security of this country. A foreign policy followed these last eight years that has greatly damaged our countries standing and leadership, as a democracy of peace, freedom, tolerance and diplomacy, even amoung those who consider themselves our allies. A foreign policy that has placed this country and it citizens in grave danger as to national security for decades to come, not only us but any who align with us!


There will probably be a number of questions on the policies followed in this so called War on Terror especially as to the two theaters it is being fought in. Some of those questions I'm sure will cover the false propaganda being fed on how the policy of Counter Insurgency 'the surge' in Iraq has worked so well, It Hasn't! The goals of the 'surge' have not been met, just ask the people of Iraq:


Introducing Iraqi Refugee Stories:


Voices Missing From Media Describe Life in Exile


Watch "Hiba's Story," one in a powerful new series of video accounts by Iraqis who have had to flee their home.





Beyond the violence and instability of Iraq is the largely untold story of Iraqi displacement and exile and its enormous human consequences. A new website, Iraqi Refugee Stories, is now giving voice to the growing crisis and providing concerned individuals viable avenues to take action.

"The silent story of Iraq has been that of the millions who've been displaced within their country or who have fled to neighboring countries and are now living in limbo. In countries like Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, Iraqi refugees can't work legally and are often hiding at home for fear of deportation because they're unable to renew their visas," said Jennifer Utz, a video journalist, founder and creator of Iraqi Refugee Stories. "The media coverage of the issue has largely focused on the plight of military interpreters, while countless other vulnerable individuals have virtually gone unnoticed, such as single mothers, members of minority religions, the elderly and those in need of serious medical assistance."

In this video clip, a young woman named Hiba, whose family fled Iraq in 2003 only to be denied entrance to Jordan, describes the four years they spent living in a tent in Ruwayshed, a refugee camp on the border, saying that she often thinks about her classmates and wonders whether they lived or died.

To learn more, visit Iraqi Refugee Stories.



Or how about one of the main reasons the violence has dropped, even though Iraqi's and Soldiers are still being killed and maimed:


After Siege, Wall Sadr City’s New Oppression - 09.22.2008



Iraq, Baghdad/Sadr City – After the failure of many security plans proposed by the Iraqi government and US military strategists, a recent plan, hand-in-hand with the so-called “Surge,” was designed. It was a desperate attempt by the US and Iraqi military forces to control the Sunni-Shia militia. At the suggestion of military leaders, the Iraqi and US governments decided to build walls to separate neighborhoods and to control militias and insurgents from entering or exiting any neighborhood without passing a checkpoint. The first wall was built in Adhamiya, in April 2007. Despite protests and opposition, United States military and Iraqi National Guard forces began to erect a wall surrounding the neighborhood of Adhamiya. The people living in the neighborhood engaged in several demonstrations against building the wall, and even Prime Minister Maliki, a Shi’a critical of the neighborhood, publicly protested the plan. Despite his intervention and public discontent, the wall was built and finished by late April 2007.

These walls tend to be approximately 3 meters in height and made from concrete. In some areas the top of the wall is covered with concertina wire to prevent intruders from climbing over the wall. There are patrols set to guard the wall and they are present around the wall daily, and at all hours, to protract the wall from being attacked or bombed by insurgents.

Another wall built at end of April 2007, but this time in Ameriya, this wall is approximately 10 kilometers in length and again 3 meters high. In September 2007 yet another wall was built in the Saidiya neighborhood. The wall surrounding that district was 23 kilometers, and by the end of 2007 there were over 50 different walls built around different neighborhoods across Baghdad.

In May 2008 a wall was built in Sadr City after battles between the US military and the Mahdi Army. There are approximately two million citizens living inside the area now known as Sadr City, probably the largest single group impacted by one of Baghdad’s walls. Previously they could come and go via nine major entrances. Many shops were force to close because of the wall, the shop owners found they could not complete there work anymore due to the wall sitting just in front of their shops.



Would you want to live like this, Would you develop growing Hatred for being forced to live like this in your destroyed country, Would you search for retribution for the loved ones, friends, and killed and maimed, and your country destroyed, in an occupation by an outside military force, What Would You Do??


And what happens in Wars of Occupation and Wars of Choice, the Soldiers know:


Winter Soldier: OIF and OEF Soldiers the Book


Back in March of this year History repeated itself. A history many of us Vietnam Veterans felt would never be repeated for we swore we wouldn't allow the country we served to ever allow itself to be led into another debacle of human destruction, a War Of Choice, an Occupation Of Innocent Others!! The country, back than, even seemed to grasp the huge mistake we had made in the policies set forth by those we elect to lead, they themselves said "We will learn from the mistakes made!", we didn't, and others don't neither!


Book Exposes Iraq Occupation Through US Soldiers' Eyes


Aside from the Iraqi people, nobody knows what the U.S. military is doing in Iraq better than the soldiers themselves. A new book gives readers vivid and detailed accounts of the devastation the U.S. occupation has brought to Iraq, in the soldiers' own words.

Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan: Eyewitness Accounts of the Occupations, published by Haymarket Books Tuesday, is a gut-wrenching, historic chronicle of what the U.S. military has done to Iraq, as well as its own soldiers.

Authored by Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) and journalist Aaron Glantz, the book is a reader for hearings that took place in Silver Spring, Maryland between Mar. 13-16, 2008 at the National Labour College.

"I remember one woman walking by," said Jason Washburn, a corporal in the U.S. Marines who served three tours in Iraq. "She was carrying a huge bag, and she looked like she was heading toward us, so we lit her up with the Mark 19, which is an automatic grenade launcher, and when the dust settled, we realized that the bag was full of groceries. She had been trying to bring us food and we blew her to pieces."

Glantz admits that it would be difficult for the average U.S. citizen to read the book, and believes it is important to keep in mind while doing so what it took for the veterans to give this historic testimony.

"They could have been heroes, but what they are doing here is even more heroic -- which is telling the truth," Glantz told IPS. "They didn't have to come forward. They chose to come forward."



Visit Winter Soldier: Iraq & Afghanistan where you find links to the following:


* Watch testimony video
* Listen to audio archives at warcomeshome.org (a project of KPFA)
* High-quality video of Winter Soldier is available - click here for more information.
* Winter Soldier media coverage and press information
* Winter Soldier Liveblog
* Winter Soldier on the Hill (May 15th) on CSPAN
* Winter Soldier on the Hill (May 15th) audio from KPFA
* Winter Soldier on the Hill PBS NewsHour coverage
* More info on Winter Soldier on the Hill


The PBS NewsHour covers Winter Soldier on the Hill, where IVAW members testified before Congress on the Rules of Engagement.



UpDate on Archive Occupation


Veterans For Peace END ARCHIVES OCCUPATION ON HIGH NOTE


"We may be back again soon," Vets add.


Washington -- Five military veterans, all members of Veterans For Peace, are breaking camp from their perch on the National Archives building this morning, taking with them their 22x8-ft. banner demanding “DEFEND OUR CONSTITUTION. ARREST BUSH AND CHENEY: WAR CRIMINALS!” that has overlooked their 24-hour action on a narrow ledge 35 feet above Constitution Ave.

Tarak Kauff, 67, former Army Airborne, who provided ground support throughout, said in a phone interview, "We're always told to 'write your Congressman,' and we have. Only this time we brought a letter they couldn't miss. We've made our point writ large that Bush and Cheney are war criminals and must be arrested and prosecuted. Impeach them if we can, but we're not holding our breath for Congress to act. The kingpins of this criminal administration will be brought to justice, along with many of their lieutenants."

Elliott Adams, VFP president, by phone from his spot on the ledge overlooking the entrance to the Archives Building, said "This turned out excellent. We're very happy with the response we've gotten to arrest Bush and Cheney for war crimes. We considered staying longer this time but we are not prepared for longer than this...although we may be back again, soon."

VFP members participating in the Archives action are: Elliott Adams: 61, NY, VFP President and former Army paratrooper in Viet Nam; Ellen Barfield: 52, MD, former U.S. Army Sgt., full-time peace and justice advocate; Kim Carlyle: 61, NC, mountain homesteader, former Army Spec 5; Diane Wilson: 59, TX, shrimp boat captain, former Army medic; Doug Zachary: 58, TX, VFP staff, former USMC LCpl discharged as a conscientious objector; and Tarak Kauff (ground support) 67, NY, painting contractor, former U.S. Army Airborne.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

FIVE VFP MEMBERS OCCUPY NATIONAL ARCHIVES BUILDING

On Tuesday morning, September 23, 7:30am, at the front of the National Archives Building on Constitution Ave. in Washington, D.C., five military veterans will risk arrest as they climb a 9-foot retaining fence and occupy a 35-foot high ledge to raise a 22x8 foot banner stating, "DEFEND OUR CONSTITUTION. ARREST BUSH AND CHENEY: WAR CRIMINALS!"



Those participating are Veterans For Peace Board President Elliott Adams, Board Member Ellen Barfield, staff member Doug Zachary, Kim Carlyle, Diane Wilson, and Tarak Kauff.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Tonight: Live Panel Discussion, RNC Arrests, 9-22-08

Media and Law Enforcement at the Republican National Convention‏

The Real News Network, with thanks to TheUptake.org will live stream a panel discussion tonight from St. Paul Minnesota.

During the Republican National Convention this month, over 800 people were arrested by St Paul police for participating in protests. Over two dozen media were also arrested for being caught up with the protests while filming or recording the events.

Tonight from 8pm EST (North America) there will be a panel discussion from St. Paul with:

Mara Gottfried, Pioneer Press

Jonathan Malat, KARE-11

Asst. St. Paul Police Chief Matt Bostrum

St. Paul Dep. Mayor Anne Mullholland

The panel will be moderated by Al Tompkins from the Poynter Institute.

Visit TheRealNews.com and click on the banner link at the top of the website to join the discussion and live chat.

My guess would be that the Real News Network will have this Archived at their site also, some time after.

You Might Enjoy This Also:

If you didn't catch the PBS News Hour tonight you might want to listen in, to bad they don't have the video, to this and also read the transcript:

In the first of a series of reports on the leadership qualities of the presidential candidates, Judy Woodruff talks to colleagues of Sen. John McCain about how the GOP hopeful makes decisions and how his governing style would translate in the White House.


A couple of cuts of the transcript, who does this remind you of:

SEN. JON KYL (R), Arizona: I think, partly as a result of his background in the United States Navy and partly because of his personality and his disposition, John goes a lot on instincts. He's peripatetic. He covers a lot of ground in a short period of time.

And so he's not one to sit around, and ponder, and wring his hands, and try to figure out what the right thing is. He's got an idea right off, and then he'll take advice from his advisers, his staff, and others around him, but he makes a judgment relatively quickly, sticks with it, doesn't look back.

And in that sense, he's a leader that bases a lot of what he decides on his instinct, on his judgment, and his sense of what's right and wrong and proper.


And this:

FORMER SEN. GARY HART (D), Colorado: On a scale of pure intuitive, pure impulsive versus pure cerebral, pure analytical, I'm putting him very much on the former end.

Now, he's a smart guy or he wouldn't be where he is, but I don't think -- I think he'd be the first to say he's not a rocket scientist or a pure analytical brain, if you will. I think he, John, reacts to things.

JUDY WOODRUFF: Hart says he has great respect for McCain but is supporting Barack Obama for president.

GARY HART: I have hesitation, probably would have were John McCain a Democrat, about a personality in the Oval Office who is more impulsive and intuitive, if you will, than analytical and thoughtful.

Now, John McCain is not seat-of-the-pants. I'm not -- I don't want to give the impression that he just -- whatever he had for breakfast makes the decision of going to war.

It's not quite like that. But I think, again, on a scale, I'd prefer somebody who's a little more thoughtful, a little less impulsive, and a little more analytical.


You can listen with this mp3 download or at the site link above.

Barack's will be on tomorrow night!!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Another Very Troubling Extremely Tragic Incident { Sad UpDate}

There's an Extremely Tragic episode of the possible results of serving in Iraq playing out in Caldwell County NC.

Not much known as yet, just one police officer killed, another shot three times but saved by his bulletproof vest, the cop killed was shot in the head according to reports.

This is all that's out right now:

This from the Charlotte Observer:

Deputy killed, another injured
More than 150 officers search for Iraq War vet after a Caldwell County shooting police say was an ambush.

Friday's shooting would appear to be the latest in a string of violent incidents involving veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Earlier this year, The New York Times highlighted 121 cases where those veterans committed a killing in the United States, or were charged with one, after their return from war. In many of those cases, the newspaper reported, combat trauma and the stress of deployment appear to have set the stage for the violence.


And this from a local TV station, no video report:

Those who know the suspect say they're surprised by this, but they're being cautious nonetheless. "I would never have expected this. He's well-rounded, nice guy.


UpDate:

Caldwell killing suspect known as peaceable
Iraq war vet was building a house and was considered a ‘perfect neighbor.'

Brinkley, an S.C. native who recently changed his name from Larry Wayne Brucke Jr., had given neighbors no inkling of a violent nature.

In fact, his neighbor across the road, Elaine Hatley, said he wanted to shield his family from harm, recently mentioning to her that he didn't want anybody hunting on his property “because he didn't want guns around his children.”

News of the shootings stunned Hatley. “I never saw this side of him,” she said, “and as far as I was concerned, he was the perfect neighbor to me.”


Sad Ending to Tragedy!!!

Suspect in deputy's shooting found dead

OAK HILL The body of a Caldwell County man wanted for killing a sheriff's deputy last week was found in a secluded area of his property today, the victim of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said.

Searchers found the body of Skip Brinkley on his 35-acre farm in rural Caldwell County at the same time that mourners were holding a funeral service for the deputy, Adam William Klutz, in another part of the county.