The Rally in Philly

I went to the UFPJ rally in Philly this past weekend to hang out with some vets, talk to counter-protestors, and because, well, if not really that useful, big protests are fun! So since there was a caravan from Arlington Cemetery up to Philly being led by IVAW Bus (Yellow Rose of Texas Bus For Peace, driven by Jim “Captain Jim” Goodnow) I joined in with my Bronco. I would have ridden in the bus, but I was staying in Philly until Monday since I was speaking at Moorestown Friends School in New Jersey on Monday afternoon, and that gave me the chance to hang out with my IVAW buddies in Philly and check out the national office on Monday.

We pulled up in Philly as the march was “picking up the links in the human chain” about half way down its route and I snuck in front of the police escorts with the bus. After a while of driving at the pace of a peace march, I decided to ditch the Bronco in a garage, then run and catch up with the bus. I made it just as the bus was pulling up to the rally point.

The crowd was a bit disappointing, but still solid given the weather. I got to meet up with some friends from Veterans For Peace and some student organizers I’ve worked with just before Kelly Dougherty, the IVAW Executive Director, got on stage to speak. Despite having a very sweet demeanor and voice for an Iraq vet, she has a way of always getting people riled up and passionate about direct action, which she did.

I did a couple TV interviews when the caravan stopped in Baltimore to pick some people up at a church, and said that this day of protests was one for the movement, one for the people. We’re deliberately not doing something in DC because we are sick of asking for them to end this war. We the people have to stand up and stop this war for ourselves. Fortunately, I think this theme was reflected in a number of speakers, most notably Kelly, the Reverend Lennox Yearwood, and Desiree Fairooz of CodePink, who all strongly encouraged listeners to step up their game and rise to the occasion.

I was fortunate enough to catch one former Devil Dog who was there by himself and didn’t know about IVAW. He had come wearing his green digital blouse, clearly wanting to represent himself as an anti-war veteran, but having no idea what that meant. We chatted for a while about what he was going through in terms of PTSD and being home with his buddies, one of whom is missing his legs due to an IED, and is struggling with the idea of whether it was worth it or not, desperately clinging to the hope that it was.

Kelly came over, and organized as she is, had a membership application for him right there. He took it and said he would send it in when he got home. About an hour later, our paths crossed again as we were leaving. He had been walking back towards the protest when one of the cops started giving him a hard time. He made the right choice to walk away, but was a bit shaken when he ran into me. I told him it just comes with the territory, just part of the struggle. We all get used to it.




Me, Jim Goodnow, and Executive Director of Delaware Valley Veterans for America, Bill Perry

A REAL TWO-STATE SOLUTION FOR THE MIDEAST

By John Judge

Stage One – Define all areas where Israelis and Palestinians currently live and consider as their homeland, excluding other surrounding nation state boundaries and ceding those uncontested areas for a resolution, dropping all claims for the land by outside states.

Stage Two – Within the defined area, identify by satellite, ground reconnaissance, scientific exploration and common usage all useable and sustainable resources in the area, including water, arable land, amenable or untenable habitat, access to roads and various areas. Draw a clear map of those resources and the area.

Stage Three – Divide as practicably and fairly as possible all those various resources by drawing a line and building a very high wall separating the two states, create one secured gate along the wall, with no other openings, and install a metal detector which is linked to timed movement of impenetrable barriers at either side of the opening.

Stage Four – Isolate and disarm or destroy all weapons of mass destruction, long range weapons, large scale explosives and aircraft or large vehicles usable for warfare currently within the whole area, leaving small arms and munitions intact. Assign this task and future security in this regard to members of the Israeli peace and military resistance communities and Palestinians who also have worked for peace, with transparency and oversight.

Stage Five – Create two states on either side of the walled divide. One state will be made up of Palestinians and Israelis who are sick of fighting, and one state will be made up of Palestinians and Israelis who wish to continue fighting. Allow free choice at any time for anyone to choose or change states, using the single gate, but not allowing passage of weapons. That is the purpose of the metal detector.

Stage Six – Surround the entire area of both states with an international ground, water and air based peace keeping force which cannot enter, provide weapons or use weapons within either state, and whose purpose is to secure those borders from passage of any weapons or combatants into either state or persons who are not already part of the citizenry or legal immigrants based on ethnic heritage. Create a form of identification for both Palestinians and Israelis that will allow them to travel outside the two states freely, but not to return with weapons.

Stage Seven – Reach an agreement with the surrounding states and international community that no military aid of any kind can be sent to either state, and that all humanitarian aid be distributed and delivered at secured points into both states fairly and in response to real needs. Prevent any use of international banking or funding to create or support training, recruitment or support for any combatant.

Stage Eight – Support and assist the creation of a fully democratic society within the larger peaceable state area. If serious conflicts arise, offer both sides the option to cross the wall and settle their differences.

Stage Nine – When the final individual or small group comes to the single gate to declare a complete victory from inside the combative state, it will be verified independently from satellite and unarmed air reconnaissance, as well as any other practicable method. At that point, provide medals for the “winning” side, let them return to the peaceable state without weapons and upon agreement that they will not renew in or engage in combat or hostilities. Let them name the new country, then remove the wall and restore the infrastructure to allow settlement of all originally designated lands by both Israelis and Palestinians in a democratic society. Get back to business.

Stage Ten – Bring international pressure to bear for full recognition and peace treaties with all surrounding states, membership in the United Nations, any cooperative regional bodies and international support for the new state. Send the peacekeeping forces home. Restore trade and open borders and broader immigration into the new combined state with the provision that combative elements will immediately be deported.

Let peace live, for without it the planet will die and all of us with it.

Proposed by John Judge
The Real Democracy Project
PO Box 722
Washington, DC 20044

Jason Mattera interviews Adam Kokesh at GWU

This was a fun discussion I had with Jason Mattera last night outside of the "Pray for Peace" event after Horowitz spoke across the street. I have never said that Horowitz shouldn't be allowed to speak, but it's funny that people have taken it that way. Horowitz's whole shtick is to say "the left does this," and "the left does that." He has said repeatedly that white conservatives are under attack on college campuses. He's right. I'm a white conservative. Ned Goodwin who helped put up the fliers is a white conservative. Horowitz, a former communist himself, has accused us of being communists, liberals, leftists, and moonbats. He has called for us to be expelled. Apparently, Horowitz is attacking white conservatives! Ironic, isn't it?

IF YOU'RE IN DC FRIDAY NIGHT!

CBO estimates $2.4 trillion long-term war costs

Comments here courtesy of Mike Ferner:

Costs not included:
Long-term V.A. costs to care for the terribly wounded;
Survivors' benefits;
Medical, criminal justice and social costs when a vet with PTSD has problems 10 years later;
Loss of productivity of permanently disabled vets;
Broken marriages;
Health effects from exposure to depleted uranium;
Cost to society when the researcher who would've found a cancer cure, a youth leader, teacher, etc. are killed in their youth.

As Iraq Veterans Against the War says, "War is not a game."

REUTERS U.S.

CBO estimates $2.4 trillion long-term war costs http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN2450753720071024?pageNumber=2#sl_CommentsInputAnchor
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan could cost taxpayers a total of $2.4 trillion by 2017 when counting the huge interest costs because combat is being financed with borrowed money, according to a study released on Wednesday.
With President George W. Bush indicating a large contingent of U.S. troops likely will be engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan for many years to come, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated the total tab for the wars from 2001 through 2017.
CBO estimated that interest costs alone from 2001-2017 could total more than $700 billion.
So far, Congress has given Bush $604 billion for the two wars, with about $412 billion spent in Iraq, according to CBO, which is Congress' in-house budget analyst. In Iraq alone, the United States is spending about $11 billion a month, with costs escalating.
Bush is seeking another $196 billion for combat in Iraq and Afghanistan through September 30 and Congress is expected to debate that request over the next few months.
CBO estimated that between 2008 and 2017, the wars could cost slightly more than $1 trillion, assuming overall troop strength is cut to 75,000 by 2013.
Currently, there are about 170,000 U.S. troops in Iraq and another 26,000 in Afghanistan.
Finance charges for the money already spent on the war will total $415 billion from 2001 to 2017, according to CBO. For the next decade, "interest outlays would increase by a total of $290 billion over that 10-year period," CBO told the House Budget Committee, which is reviewing long-term war costs.
"To put it all on our credit cards with no accountability, with no plan to pay for it, I think is the height of irresponsibility," said Rep. James McGovern, a Massachusetts Democrat who serves on the budget panel and is an outspoken war critic. "It will be just one more toxic legacy of this disastrous war we will have to leave our kids to clean up."
With national elections about a year away and public discontent with the Iraq war running deep, Democrats are highlighting the huge costs of the Iraq war as they seek $22 billion more than Bush wants for domestic social programs such as health care and education.
Bush has vowed to veto the added funding.
CBO estimated that of the $2.4 trillion long-term price tag for the war, about $1.9 trillion of that would be spent on Iraq.
© Reuters 2006

National Project to Defend Dissent & Critical Thinking in Academia

National Project to Defend Dissent & Critical Thinking in Academia put out an "URGENT call to support students opposing IFAW at GWU"

On Monday October 8, 2007, 7 students from George Washington University took the initiative to counter David Horowitz's "Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week". As part of a creative effort to inspire an apathetic study body, they created satirical flyers of a "typical" Muslim terrorist. The bottom of the flyer clearly indicated their satirical intent, highlighting a link to The Power of Nightmares, a powerful BBC documentary exposing the politics of terror and the erroneous equation of Islam with terrorism.

This intervention was meant to raise awareness, reveal the faulty assumptions of Horowitz's divisive campaign, and motivate students to oppose the organized celebration of racism. With fervor that only right-wing interest groups seem able to muster these days, the protest action itself was condemned as "racist" and used as political fodder to suppress criticism of the week.

As a result, the students have been unfairly tried in the court of public opinion and this week face internal disciplinary charges by GWU's Student Judicial Services, while the sponsors of and speakers scheduled for "Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week" remain unchallenged.

Please circulate this call to your lists, and e-mail both the GWU President and Student Judicial Services, urging them to drop any punitive actions against the 7 students for their attempts to highlight the dangerous presumptions underlying Horowitz's campaign and asking President Knapp to join the many institutions around the country who have refused to support "Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week".

GWU President Steven Knapp: sknapp@gwu.edu

Student Judicial Services: sjs@gwu.edu


Thank you for joining us in countering yet another attempt at silencing dissent.


And a great poem that appears on the sidebar of that page:

In Praise of Doubt

There are the thoughtless who never doubt.
Their digestion is splendid, their judgement infallible.
They don't believe in the facts, they believe only in
themselves.
When it comes to the point
The facts must go by the board.
Their patience with themselves
Is boundless. To arguments
They listen with the ear of a police spy.

The thoughtless who never doubt
Meet the thoughtful who never act.
They doubt, not in order to come to a decision but
To avoid a decision. Their heads
They use only for shaking. With anxious faces
They warn the crews of sinking ships that water is
dangerous.
Beneath the murderer's axe
They ask themselves if he isn't human too.
Murmuring something
About the situation not yet being clarified, they go to bed.
Their only action is to vacillate.
Their favorite phrase is: not yet ripe for discussion.

* * *

Therefore, if you praise doubt
Do not praise
The doubt which is a form of despair.

What use is the ability to doubt to a man
Who can't make up his mind?
He who is content with too few reasons
May act wrongly
But he who needs too many
Remains inactive under danger.

– Bertolt Brecht.

CAPTAIN KOPEIKIN

My name is Captain Kopekein, I will not go away,
I´ve served in many armies but it is Iraq today--
Civilians have me in their sights and have me in their pay,
But when it comes to benefits,
Then it´s--
"What´s that you say?"

"Cannon" destroyed my ears and scrambled all the brains inside,
But politicians label me a nation´s foremost pride;
Alas the springs of sympathy have all gone up and dried,
For when it comes to benefits
Then it´s
"Good lad, abide."

"Soldier abide" they tell me but I´ve been abiding long,
Can´t get no work; but I am broke that once was manly strong,
Yet though parades call up my name when there´s a motley throng,
When it comes to my benefits
Then it´s
"Is something wrong?"

It´s hard to hobble half a man but I am growing old,
Perhaps I have sweet children to be sheltered from the cold,
And though they might be gratified their father "was so bold"
When it comes down to benefits
Then it´s
Patience to hold.

You sent me to Fallujah when I couldn´t find no job
At home--it´s robbing Peter whereby Paul so as to rob,
But even in Iraq a-firing shots into the mob
Has brought me meager benefits,
When it´s--
Corn on the cob.

God bless you--all so civilized--as I tried to uphold
Your words of truth and beauty; thought your words were good as gold,
In which I was mistaken--that am no more thought-controlled,
For now I know the benefits
Of it´s
Less than extolled.

As Captain Kopeikin I cannot die or go away,
But rest upon your conscience, even while the children play,
For my wounds grieve me less than must your own auto-da-fe,
For when it comes to benefits
Then it´s
Your hell to pay.

--I.M. Small

Thanks to the anonymous poster who left this as a comment on the previous post.

The trailer for Veterans Against the War

The trailer/demo reel for Veterans Against the War (working title): a documentary produced and directed by Katherine Niemczyk about soldiers speaking out about past and present war experiences. Look for the completed documentary at the end of 2008!

Another Great Video From September 15th

The David Horowitz Machine Strikes Back!

Someone at Horowitz's FrontPageMag has decided to fight satire with satire. I guess it's better than the lies the rest of the "right wing blogosphere" has been spreading about me lately. The only problem is, this isn't based on a real event. But hey, good on you for having a sense of humor.

Who Hates Americans?
By Ishmael Vera
FrontPageMagazine.com Monday, October 15, 2007

The campaign mounted by campus leftists against Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week, which is scheduled to take place on more than 100 campuses during the week of October 22-26 has taken a new turn with the announcement of a counter-protest at the Washington Monument. The protest, which will be called “American Fascism Awareness Day” is being organized by Adam Kokesh of Iraq Veterans Against the War, the Revolutionary Communist Party, Students for Justice In Palestine, and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee among others and will feature speakers such as congressman Dennis Kucinich and presidential candidate Ron Paul, anti-war activists Cindy Sheehan and Harry Karry and actor Sean Penn. According to a spokesperson for the Revolutionary Communist Party, one of the sponsors of the event, “This is an answer to the Jew Horowitz and the neo-conservative Zionists who dragged us into an imperialist war in Iraq and are spreading hatred against Muslims to support their war plans against the Republic of Iran.”
Flyers for the American Fascism Awareness Protest were distributed on at least ten campuses which are scheduled to hold Islamo-Fascism Awareness Weeks in 9 days. (The text of the flyer is reprinted below.) Many Americans contacted by Frontpagemag.com were outraged over the announced protest. Latisha Freeman, an African American student at one of the campuses that was flyered commented that all Americans were not racists and that the flyer was generally “unpatriotic and unfair.” American Legion commander K. “Ike” Landsman, was blunter. “These are communist ingrates who don't appreciate this great country and they ought to be deported to Iran or Afghanistan where they would be welcome." Fox News Channel anchor Alan Colmes, had a different take. “Lighten up,” Colmes said when he was shown the flyer; “this is a parody of views that liberals actually have. No one should get upset. This is just free speech in action.”
Who Hates Americans? We Do.
Your typical American is:
Ø A racist. A sexist. A homophobe.
Ø An Islamo-phobe.
Ø Is willing to invade other countries for oil and pleasure.
Ø Is easily manipulated by Rush Limbaugh and Jews.
Ø Is the cause of global warming.
Join Us For American Fascism Awareness Day
Place: Washington (Slaveholder) Monument
Date: November 31, 2007
Time: 12PM-2:00 PM
Speakers:
Dennis Kucinich, Ron Paul, congressmen

Adam Kokesh, Iraq War veteran

Chris Hedges, journalist

Cindy Sheehan, Harry Karry, peace activists

Michael Moore, Sean Penn, film-makers
Sponsors:
Peace and Social Justice Crusade, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Code Pink, Muslim Students Association, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Students for Justice in Palestine, Revolutionary Communist Party, International A.N.S.W.E.R., Moveon.org, DailyKos.com, Indy-Media.org, HuffingtonPost.com, Ivorypower.com

Frankly, I would be honored to share a stage with Kucinich and Paul. For Kucinich, I'm not so much a supporter as I am an enthusiast. He is one of the few members of Congress who still have principles and stick to them. I'm much more a supporter of Paul because I think his principles about the Constitution and limited government are closer to my own, but I have the same respect for both of them. It's funny to note that Paul is now lumped in with this communist slur when his (our) views of limited government are really the opposite of communism. It also says "congressman Dennis Kucinich and presidential candidate Ron Paul" when they are actually both congressmen and both presidential candidates.

I have never accused anyone of being a Zionist, but I would agree that there are people who "are spreading hatred against Muslims to support their war plans against the Republic of Iran.” As we have seen Alan Greenspan's pronouncement, “I am saddened that it is politically inconvenient to acknowledge what everyone knows: the Iraq war is largely about oil," vindicate those who used to shout, "No blood for oil," (which even I thought was silly) I think I will be vindicated on this one in time. But I hope not, as that would mean some kind of military strike on Iran, which I pray isn't necessary.

We at Students for Neo-Conservativo Fascism Awareness (SNCFA) were actually tossing aroung the idea about putting up fliers for a "Christiano-Fascism Awareness Week" to call attention to the parallel hijacking of the Christian faith in America by Bush, the Neocons, and the religious right. Of course, there wouldn't be a real event, but we could direct people to a website expounding on the flier.

We have a venue now for my speech for next week. I will be going on the day after Horowitz in the room (a larger room) next door in the Marvin Center at GWU. The flier reads:

RECOVERING
FROM RACISM

On the effects of war on racism and the dehumanization of the Iraqi people

Adam Kokesh served as a Sergeant on a Marine Corps Civil Affairs Team in the Fallujah area from February to September of 2004. “Racism is inevitable when we go to war with people ethnically different from us. This racism has led to the horrific treatment of Native Americans, the death of one million Filipinos, internment of Japanese-Americans, the dropping of two atomic bombs on Japan after they were ready to surrender, the killing of over a million noncombatants in Vietnam, the mass round up of Arab-Americans, and the torture at Abu Ghraib. I had to go out to a checkpoint at a Civil Affairs facility after the Abu Ghraib scandal broke and convince the Iraqi people that we were there to help them. This racism is bad for the troops and bad for the world. It should be studied and opposed, not celebrated as it is now in its latest form: Islamophobia. Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week, being brought to campuses nationwide by the David Horowitz Freedom Center, is the epitome of this racism.”

Friday, October 26th, 7-9pm
Marvin Center, Room 405, 21st and H St NW

Brought to you by GWU Campus Anti-War Network

Letter to the Chairman of the IVAW Board of Directors and His Reply

SPC GARETT REPPENHAGEN,

SPC REPPENHAGEN, I am SFC FRANK TOSTANOSKI, assigned as an Army Reserve Career Counselor with RRTO, Region 7.

SPC REPPENHAGEN, I am certain that you are aware of the fact that you are a member of the Individual Ready Reserve and that we are seeking individuals that are interested becoming part of our organization. Currently the Army Reserve is offering a couple of Incentives to those who elect to join that may interest you. One Incentive for joining is a $10,000 Affiliation Bonus. Current members of the IRR who elect to take advantage of this incentive will be required to service in the Army Reserve for a period of only three years. The Army Reserve is offering 24 Month Stabilization from deployment for those interested in the Army Reserve but feel that possible deployment would hinder their civilian pursuits. In addition, you may qualify to have your Military Service Obligation reduced in half; shorting your obligation by up to 24 months.

SPC REPPENHAGEN, there are a variety of career fields that can be found in the Army Reserve near your home that include; Medical, Computer Tech, Civil Affairs, Drill Sergeant, ROTC, Formal Trainers/Instructors, Chemical, Military Intelligence, Engineer, Law Enforcement, Accounting, Legal, Personnel Management, Public Affairs, CID, Watercraft Marine Operations, Communications, Military Police, Fire Fighter, Transportation, Fire Fighter, Mechanic, Aviation, Petroleum, Logistics, and Linguistics to name a few.

Members of the Army Reserve also are able to participate in two week Active Duty exercises each year in places such as; Alaska, Asia, Europe, Hawaii, and throughout the U.S.

Below is a rollup of some Incentives, Entitlements and Benefits of being a member of the Army Reserve. Please consider your options:

· PART-TIME work with FULL-TIME Benefits
· MSO Reduction
· 24 Month Stabilization
· $10,000 Affiliation Bonus for IRR’s joining a Reserve Unit
· Command Assignments Available
· 100% Tuition Assistance (Allowed to be combined w/ Select Reserve GI Bill)
· Selective Reserve GI BILL
· MOS Re-class options available
· FULL-TIME Soldier Program, AGR
· Post and Base Exchange access
· Commissary access
· $400,000 SGLI
· Dental Coverage
· Medical Coverage
· Free Military Airlift for Space Available Travel
· Earn Retirement Pay for part time work

When you are considering your benefits with the Army Reserve; remember to consider some of the intangibles as well: continued service, pride, patriotism, character, leadership and friendships.

SPC REPPENHAGEN, if you are interested or have questions please feel free to contact me at (206) 941-8453. Thank you for your service and consideration.


Garett's Reply:

Dear SFC Tostanoski,

I would like to inform you of an amazing opportunity to help bring the soldiers in Iraq home immediately, take care of the veterans who sacrificed for this war, and assist the Iraqi people rebuild their destroyed and exploited country and culture. The veterans and active duty service members are organizing in a powerful organization that is working effectively to have an impact on these critical issues. many of our nation's service members would like to see an America that lives up to it's potential to be the democratic and just leader of the world. The most important steps is admitting our failures and being courageous enough to do what is in our power to set them right. I would like to invite you to help this new GI movement directly by joining Iraq Veterans Against the War at http://www.ivaw.org/

Thanks for the letter explaining my IRR options.

Sincerly,

Garett Reppenhagen
Board of Directors
Iraq Veterans Against the War
Colorado Springs

Garett, that's why I love you, buddy. I'm sure this letter has nothing to do with them needing people to go to Iraq. You should do it. IVAW could really use the money. And they practically promise to not "hinder your civilian pursuits."

Why I Oppose "Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week"

This is going on a flier for a speech I will be giving at GWU next week:

“Racism is inevitable when we go to war with people ethnically different from us. This racism has led to the horrific treatment of Native Americans, the death of one million Filipinos, internment of Japanese-Americans, the dropping of two atomic bombs on Japan after they were ready to surrender, the killing of over a million noncombatants in Vietnam, the mass round up of Arab-Americans, and the torture at Abu Ghraib. I had to go out to a checkpoint at a Civil Affairs facility after the Abu Ghraib scandal broke and convince the Iraqi people that we were there to help them. This racism is bad for the troops and bad for the world. It should be studied and opposed, not celebrated as it is now in its latest form: Islamophobia. Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week, being brought to campuses nationwide by the David Horowitz Freedom Center, is the epitome of this racism.”

I've Been Doing Some Anti-Racism Activism On The Side

Our statement that was released to the Hatchet:

Dear President Knapp, Students, and GW Community,

We hereby take responsibility for the flyering incident that occurred on Monday morning. This creative political action was part of a rich American tradition of raising awareness, in this case, about Islamophobia. We exposed the upcoming Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week sponsored by the GWU Young America’s Foundation for the celebration of racism that it is. This is a real event that is being hosted at our campus. Most people who saw the fliers were offended, but with a second glance, saw that the absurdity of the message was clearly a horrific exaggeration of the racism that is behind this event.
We regret that some people were unable to discern the intent of these posters and took offense. We wanted to counter the true hate speech that is embodied by the upcoming Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week. We hoped students would feel outraged and come together (much like they did Monday night) and work to counter systemic Islamophobia and the equation of Islam with terrorism. It was inspiring to see that students directed their attention to the real threat. We want to reach out to our Muslim brothers and sisters in the Holy Month of Ramadan in hopes that they will embrace our misrepresented, but honorable stand against racism.
Campuses allied in their commitment to a hate-free environment and critical thinking should not allow Islamo-Fascism Awareness week to take place. The institutionalized and glorified type of Islamo-phobia of this event being imposed upon us from outside forces (The David Horowitz Foundation) is a dangerously divisive force. Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week is the real threat to our community. We hope that the students who take offense to this and hear the call to action will do something to protest Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week.
It is to our great dismay that the student body and the media missed the clear, if subtle, message of our flier: the hyperbolic nature of the flier was aimed at exposing Islamophobic racism. As such, it is imperative that we unequivocally condemn racism (especially in its most egregious organized forms) on our campus. We hope that as a community we can come together to oppose the true racist propaganda that we initially set out to expose: Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week.

Signed,

Students for Conservativo-Fascism Awareness
Adam Kokesh
Yong Kwon
Brian Tierney
Ned Goodwin
Maxine Nwigwe
Lara Masri
Amal Rammah

It seems we were so effective with this action that now we are discussing the racism of Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week on national TV! Of course, Students For Conservativo-Fascism Awareness is working with a number of groups to organize an alternative week of activities at GWU including speakers, movie screenings, and a candle-light vigil and prayer ceremony. I will be giving a speach called "Recovering From Racism" about the effects of war and occupation on racism and my experience with the dehumanization of the Iraqi people. I wish I could give you all more details about this action but since the university is "still investigating," there are certain things I shouldn't discuss.

Taking Advantage of a Great Opportunity to Make Fun of Democrats:

In light of the "leadership" exhibited recently by Pelosi and her cronies, this cartoon is particularly appropriate. Pelosi has said that she would begin the impeachment process if it were a bipartisan effort. Surely she knows what it means to actually lead. But by her logic, she can only do the right thing if the Republicans say it's the right thing to do. This is ludicrous.

What this is really a reflection of is the absolute corruption of the Democratic party that has come to value preserving its own power over any principles or morals. At least Republicans, corrupt as they may be, were actually effective at changing things when they were in power. This corruption of Democrats is epitomized by their handling of the vote on the floor that they tried to overturn a couple months ago regarding and Agricultural Department spending bill. This video captures the moment nicely:

Funny:
Scary:

Best Recruiting Video Ever

I must say, I especially love the line, "from corrupt politicians who have never seen combat themselves." However, the entire thing is just genius. I suppose that when I joined the Marines, it was possible to believe that things were like they are portrayed in the commercials, but I always thought the shit with the monsters and diamonds and lakes of fire and whatnot were just silly as all hell.

45 REPUBLICAN PEDOPHILES

This is horrendous, but something we've known for a while. It's just nice to see a list like this to show to those that would deny it. Remember, this is only pedophiles. Larry Craig isn't even on this list nor are the countless cases of "anti-gay" closet-cases in the Republican Party. Guns, God and Gays? Sounds like a description of the party rather than just a set of wedge issues now.

Please bear in mind, I'm an equal opportunity basher of both halves of our main political party and would like to take this opportunity to point out that having censured MoveOn.org, the Democrat controlled Congress has done more to silence war critics than to end the war, or at least give us a new direction in Iraq.

Also note that it is usually those who support the war who would like to spend time talking about people talking about the war (slandering war critics, usually) rather than talking about the war itself. While Rush Limbaugh's recent comment about soldiers who oppose the war being "phony soldiers" was offensive to me personally, it didn't result in a censure of Rush, or nearly as much attention as the MoveOn.org ad about Petraeus. I think they know that if they spent more time informing their viewers about what is actually going on in Iraq, they would be much more likely to disagree with them when they see for themselves how fucked up things are.

Courtesy of Lilia Adecer Cajilog

* Republican anti-abortion activist Howard Scott Heldreth is a convicted child rapist in Florida.
* Republican County Commissioner David Swartz pleaded guilty to molesting two girls under the age of 11 and was sentenced to 8 years in prison.
* Republican judge Mark Pazuhanich pleaded no contest to fondling a 10-year old girl and was sentenced to 10 years probation.
* Republican anti-abortion activist Nicholas Morency pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography on his computer and offering a bountyto anybody who murders an abortion doctor.
* Republican legislator Edison Misla Aldarondo was sentenced to 10 years in prison for raping his daughter between the ages of 9 and 17.
* Republican Mayor Philip Giordano is serving a 37-year sentence in federal prison for sexually abusing 8- and 10-year old girls.
* Republican campaign consultant Tom Shortridge was sentenced to three years probation for taking nude photographs of a 15-year old girl.
* Republican racist pedophile and United States Senator Strom Thurmond had sex with a 15-year old black girl which produced a child.
* Republican pastor Mike Hintz, whom George W. Bush commended during the 2004 presidential campaign, surrendered to police after admitting to a sexual affair with a female juvenile.
* Republican legislator Peter Dibble pleaded no contest to having an inappropriate relationship with a 13-year-old girl.
* Republican activist Lawrence E. King, Jr. organized child sex parties at the White House during the 1980s.
* Republican lobbyist Craig J. Spence organized child sex parties at the White House during the 1980s.
* Republican Congressman Donald "Buz" Lukens was found guilty of having sex with a female minor and sentenced to one month in jail.
* Republican fundraiser Richard A. Delgaudio was found guilty of child porn charges and paying two teenage girls to pose for sexual photos.
* Republican activist Mark A. Grethen convicted on six counts of sex crimes involving children.
* Republican activist Randal David Ankeney pleaded guilty to attempted sexual assault on a child.
* Republican Congressman Dan Crane had sex with a female minor working as a congressional page.
* Republican activist and Christian Coalition leader Beverly Russell admitted to an incestuous relationship with his step daughter.
* Republican congressman and anti-gay activist Robert Bauman was charged with having sex with a 16-year-old boy he picked up at a gay bar.
* Republican Committee Chairman Jeffrey Patti was arrested for distributing a video clip of a 5-year-old girl being raped.
* Republican activist Marty Glickman (a.k.a. "Republican Marty"), was taken into custody by Florida police on four counts of unlawful sexual activity with an underage girl and one count of delivering the drug LSD.
* Republican legislative aide Howard L. Brooks was charged with molesting a 12-year old boy and possession of child pornography.
* Republican Senate candidate John Hathaway was accused of having sex with his 12-year old baby sitter and withdrew his candidacy after the allegations were reported in the media.
* Republican preacher Stephen White, who demanded a return to traditional values, was sentenced to jail after offering $20 to a 14-year-old boy for permission to perform oral sex on him.
* Republican talk show host Jon Matthews pleaded guilty to exposing his genitals to an 11 year old girl.
* Republican anti-gay activist Earl "Butch" Kimmerling was sentenced to 40 years in prison for molesting an 8-year old girl after he attempted to stop a gay couple from adopting her.
* Republican Party leader Paul Ingram pleaded guilty to six counts of raping his daughters and served 14 years in federal prison.
* Republican election board official Kevin Coan was sentenced to two years probation for soliciting sex over the internet from a 14-year old girl.
* Republican politician Andrew Buhr was charged with two counts of first degree sodomy with a 13-year old boy.
* Republican politician Keith Westmoreland was arrested on seven felony counts of lewd and lascivious exhibition to girls under the age of 16 (i.e. exposing himself to children).
* Republican anti-abortion activist John Allen Burt was charged with sexual misconduct involving a 15-year old girl.
* Republican County Councilman Keola Childs pleaded guilty to molesting a male child.
* Republican activist John Butler was charged with criminal sexual assault on a teenage girl.
* Republican candidate Richard Gardner admitted to molesting his two daughters.
* Republican Councilman and former Marine Jack W. Gardner was convicted of molesting a 13-year old girl.
* Republican County Commissioner Merrill Robert Barter pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual contact and assault on a teenage boy.
* Republican City Councilman Fred C. Smeltzer, Jr. pleaded no contest to raping a 15 year-old girl and served 6-months in prison.
* Republican activist Parker J. Bena pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography on his home computer and was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and fined $18,000.
* Republican parole board officer and former Colorado state representative, Larry Jack Schwarz, was fired after child pornography was found in his possession.
* Republican strategist and Citadel Military College graduate Robin Vanderwall was convicted in Virginia on five counts of soliciting sex from boys and girls over the internet.
* Republican city councilman Mark Harris, who is described as a "good military man" and "church goer," was convicted of repeatedly having sex with an 11-year-old girl and sentenced to 12 years in prison.
* Republican businessman Jon Grunseth withdrew his candidacy for Minnesota governor after allegations surfaced that he went swimming in the nude with four underage girls, including his daughter.
* Republican director of the "Young Republican Federation" Nicholas Elizondo molested his 6-year old daughter and was sentenced to six years in prison.
* Republican benefactor of conservative Christian groups, Richard A. Dasen Sr., was charged with rape for allegedly paying a 15-year old girl for sex. Dasen, 62, who is married with grown children and several grandchildren, has allegedly told police that over the past decade he paid more than $1 million to have sex with a large number of young women.

Two More Members of the Gathering of Pigeons On My Shitlist

Meet Fred Peterson:

Apparently, he scuffed his elbow while beating up on Carlos Arredondo.

I'm not even going to comment on this, but please note the use of the word "liberated."

From an anonymous poster at After Downing Street:
Cut and paste from the GOE forums.
From the pen of Fred Peterson:
I was leaving Capitol Grounds. The activity there had just about ended with the arrest of over 600 provocateurs and agents 'anti-war' of violence. There, we Eagles had organized teams of six men - mostly veterans- to protect the safety of Gold Star Moms (and Dads) from the physical threats and insults of hard-edge left socialists, Seattle anarchists, random lefty Raggamuffins and reflexive anti-Americans who made up the ANSWER Coalition …
My teams broke up at the Capitol, mission accomplished, and I was walking alone back to the Mall when I saw the photo-image of a proud young Marine in dress blues being held hostage in company not of his own choosing and affixed to a coffin not his own.
The insult to his honor and disrespect to his Corps and cause by his captors was immediately obvious and intended. These same peddlers of provocation are paid to push their coffin-prop all over the country they revile. They subvert a common will and undermine the cause and country for which this hostage-Marine had sacrificed his very life.
The captive Marine was not among his own. He was surrounded and outnumbered by those who shamelessly exploit his image and memory, disgrace his uniform, his brothers in arms, and his willing sacrifice. He would never choose such company. He needed a rescue…
I liberated his image from the midst of the hostile crowd, intending to replace it in a position of honor Arlington, where he would rest with heroes and among his own …I respectfully carried the image of the fallen Marine and was not opposed nor confronted in any way until I has walked perhaps 25 yards down the sidewalk. There, I was attacked without warning and tackled from behind by a demonstrator who crashed into my back at a full run. I went down forward, tearing pants knees and shirt sleeve and five separate wounds requiring hospital attention. The Marine's image, along with camera and sunglasses were smashed into the pavement. Before I could respond, six or so Eagles-vets were immediately pulling me away from the anti-war attacker.
Police Interviews were conducted and Eagles were asked if they wanted to prefer charges…No charges were filed by Eagles, who are unaccustomed to whining about minor injuries when they stand in defense of larger principles unappreciated - uncomprehended - by their attackers.
Two Gold Star Mothers who witnessed the entire episode and gave police statements said, "I am so proud of what you did! I wanted to do it myself …That coffin is such a disgrace to my son and all the others who have died to help others be free. Thank you so much! It made my day."
Well, actually, - those few precious words, from one who has given the full measure of issue from her own body to the defense ofour country, 'made my day' also …

Let me get this straight. By wingnut logic, this guy didn't deserve to have a picture of his own son. So this thug, Peterson, decides to steal the picture, with about five other goons as backup?
Then he plays the martyr angle, when he gets tackled trying to make his getaway. And he claims to be noble for not going to court.
Am I reading this right?

Meet Asshole Number Two:

DC BrownShirt #2: ASSholes' BLOG MODERATOR "RORY"
Submitted by Matty on Wed, 2007-09-19 17:40.
Yes, I did take a look at that "must-read" thread - where I ALSO happened to notice the following "avatar" - the little, signature picture - for the following blogger who is their forum moderator:
LogOn: "SpockWasRight"
Does that pus look familiar; from the above pics of the assault on Arredondo? You be the judge:Here it is (left); scaled to more or less the same height as a headshot cropped from one of the above, Arredondo assault pics. Same nose, same style sunglasses, same (potato-) shaped head.
Who is this prick? Well, on his personal profile page he self-identifies as "RORY" FROM CONNECTICUT.
So this guy who assaulted Arredondo is obviously from within the inner circle of the Gathering of ASSholes; he is not just some random, pissed-off neighbor. And his (first) post above smacks of pure CIA-type psy-op - just exactly the kind of professional shit-stirring you'd expect from a spook with "extensive post military travel to and residence in some 23 different countries", as claimed in his profile.
This guy - and clearly, the leadership of the Gathering of DipShits - are TRUE, PAID PROVOCATEURS - precisely that which they accuse the protesters of being - except these people truly are from a government conspiracy - probably straight from the CIA itself.
"Rory"'s profile names his "Industry" as "Communications or Media". No fucking doubt! Why, here he is "communicating" in his preferred "medium" - attempted intimidation - in DC last Saturday:It's hard to know just exactly what he was screaming, but I daresay it couldn't have been much other than: "SOMEBODY PLEASE LOCK ME THE FUCK UP AS I AM A LUNATIC GOON, WORKING FOR A FUCKING LUNATIC GOVERNMENT!"
I take one look at this asshole and I say only this:

Fortunately, an effort is under way to track down and hold these men accountable. Pray to whatever you believe in that they are brought to justice. And I don't just mean by a judge . . .

Heaven Help This Guy If I Run Into Him On The Street

(Because if I do, I'm going to scream, and point, and yell, "Look everyone! This is the guy that beat up a gold-star father!")

Courtesy of David Rubinson

The Bastard Who Jumped Carlos

Here is the bastard from Gathering of Eagles who jumped Carlos on Sept 15, seen here with his biggest supporter and good friend and pal GWB, at a White House breakfast hosting The G.O.E. and Chris Hill three days AFTER they attacked Carlos, in full knowledge and clear support for what had been perpetrated.
We can have no illusions about what we are fighting -
These are the hired Brown Shirts, organized and financed by we all know Who.
This is all part of The Plan, part of business as usual.
It's time for business as usual to be stopped.
As Cindy just wrote: Imagine.......
Chris Hill ('National Director of Ops' for the Gathering of Eagles, a pro-war advocacy group) and other members of his group verbally and physically attacked a Gold Star father of a fallen soldier who was participating in a anti-war march on 9/15. The Gold Star father, Carlos Arredondo, was marching with a picture of his fallen son when Hill and members of the pro-war group began verbally harassing him and then physically confronted him to take away the photo of his son. In the process Mr. Arredondo was knocked to the ground and kicked. Hill wrestled the photo of Mr. Arredondo's son, Alex, away from Gold Star father, claiming to have liberated it. The Gathering of Eagles Group had attended the anti-war march for the purpose of harassing and intimidating the protesters.
Three days later, the President, his wife Laura, Condi Rice, Karen Hughes, and, of course, fellow chicken-hawk Dick Cheney hosted a breakfast on the south lawn of the White House to honor pro-war groups, including the Gathering of Eagles, who they consider to be properly "supporting the troops." Although the attack on the Gold Star father was well known at the time, the President proudly takes a photo with Chris Hill to show that this is his kind of guy.
The attached photos are of Chris Hill posing with Bush on the WH lawn, and Chris Hill and fellow G.O.E. at the anti-war march.

Are you now, or have you ever been a terrorist?

We had our pretrial hearing today for the "defacing public property" (Tina Richards and I) and "assaulting a police officer" (Ian Thompson) and we all rejected the plea bargain. Trial date is set for January 3rd. You can see the video of the incident here.

September the 15th in Photos

Adam Kokesh at a press conference at the

ANSWER office after the arrest for putting

up posters promoting the rally.

Adam Kokesh putting signs together in the ANSWER workshop.

The ANSWER workshop from above.

Adam Kokesh speaking at the press conference at the

National Press Club announcing the rally, march, and

week of actions.

Reverend Lennox Yearwood of the Hip Hop Caucus and

Iraq Veterans Against the War supported by IVAW

members Adam Kokesh and Geoffrey Millard. The Rev

was walking on crutches after ligaments in his ankle were

torn when he was tackled by the Capitol Police.

Carlos Arredondo, Dede Sheehan, Adam Kokesh, Lennox Yearwood,

Brother Ali, Cindy Sheehan, Tiffany Burns, and Carley Sheehan.

IVAW member Dan Black on his way to the rally.

I had the pleasant surprise of meeting my hero Scott Camil

before the rally. I offered him my extra cammie top that I

wore in Iraq for the die-in and it is now among his most

prized posessions and this moment among my most

cherished memories.

Adam Kokesh on stage before the rally introducing fellow

member of IVAW DC, Awall.

Adam Kokesh giving his speech on stage with IVAW members

from across the country. Outside of our annual conventions,

this was the largest ever gathering of IVAW members.

The "Corporate Color Guard" leading the march.

A few of the people that decided to march with us.

Geoffrey Millard at the front of the "Corporate Color Guard"
with the formation behind it. We always put him out front
because he's the prettiest.

Adam Kokesh calling the commands for the ceremony.
"Present arms! Ready, aim, fire!"

Adam Kokesh got pulled down off the wall and thrown
to the ground after trying to address the crowd at the capitol.

A female cop smiles while pulling Adam Kokesh down by
his junk. We were all charged with "crossing a police line"
but I was pulled across it.

After a while, the cops realized that they would have less

paperwork to do if they just pushed people on the wall

back into the crowd.

They hauled us up the stairs and after cuffing and frisking,
sat us down in front of the capitol. After a while, we really
started piling up. I scooted over to my hat lying next to me
with all my belongins and grabbed my cell phone. Holding
it behind my back, I managed to send my lawyer a text:
I might be needing you later.
Because by then, I had decided that we would continue to
resist by standing up and trying to walk down the steps.

After I got up, a number of people to joined me and I
began to walk towards the steps. Three cops came running
up and started pushing us back while I pushed back with
my chest while holding my hat in my cuffed hands behind
my back until finally one grabbed me by the arm and turned
me around and led me around to the back of the building. But
at least that got me to be number 23 out of nearly 200 arrested.

Garrett Reppenhagen managed to get to the top of the
steps to the great delight of the crowd below before
getting turned around.

After the rucus, the beautiful [name removed] found a moment
to pose for the camera.

These last photos were taken by Dan Black, who managed to slip out of his handcuffs. After the cops noticed him taking pictures, he had to ditch the camera, but Tassi managed to pick it up and we got it back to him.

They loaded us all on to buses and took us to the processing warehouse. Ken Mayers did a great write-up of the whole action here. After I left the warehouse around 1am (to a surprising great cheer and echo of my "Power to the people!") with my court date, the fun really started. Geoff did a stand up routine making fun of the cops standing around and they even did a perfect human wave. It took until about 7am the next morning to get everyone processed out. On of the cops I chatted with said that we had "really done us a solid" because they were getting so much in overtime. I waited outside until almost everyone was released and then took a nap before going to the Dave Cline memorial ceremony at the Vietnam memorial.

Resume for George W Bush (courtesy of my personal hero, Scott Camil)

RESUME

GEORGE W. BUSH
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 20520

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
-Law Enforcement: I was arrested in Kennebunkport, Maine, in 1976 for driving under the influence of alcohol. I pled guilty, paid a fine, and had my driver's license suspended for 30 days. My Texas driving record has been "lost" and is not available.
-Military: I joined the Texas Air National Guard and went AWOL. I refused to take a drug test or answer any questions about my drug use. By joining the Texas Air National Guard, I was able to avoid combat duty in Vietnam.
-College: I graduated from Yale University with a low C average. I was a cheerleader.

PAST WORK EXPERIENCE: I ran for U.S. Congress and lost. I began my career in the oil business in Midland, Texas, in 1975. I bought an oil company, but couldn't find any oil in Texas. The company went bankrupt shortly after I sold all my stock. I bought the Texas Rangers baseball team in a sweetheart deal that took land using taxpayer money. With the help of my father and our friends in the oil industry (including Enron CEO Ken Lay), I was elected governor of Texas.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS GOVERNOR OF TEXAS:
- I changed Texas pollution laws to favor power and oil companies, making Texas the most polluted state in the Union. During my tenure, Houston replaced Los Angeles as the most smog-ridden city in America.
- I cut taxes and bankrupted the Texas treasury to the tune of billions in borrowed money.
- I set the record for the most executions by any governor in American history.
- With the help of my brother, the governor of Florida, and my father's appointments to the Supreme Court, I became President after losing by over 500,000 votes.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS PRESIDENT:
- I am the first President in U.S. history to enter office with a criminal record.
- I invaded and occupied two countries at a continuing cost of over one billion dollars per week.
- I spent the U.S. surplus and effectively bankrupted the U.S. Treasury.
- I shattered the record for the largest annual deficit in U.S. history.
- I set an economic record for most private bankruptcies filed in any 12-month period.
- I set the all-time record for most foreclosures in a 12-month period.
- I set the all-time record for the biggest drop in the history of the U.S. stock market. In my first year in office, over 2 million Americans lost their jobs and that trend continues every month.
- I'm proud that the members of my cabinet are the richest of any administration in U.S. history. My "poorest millionaire," Condoleeza Rice, has a Chevron oil tanker named after her.
- I set the record for most campaign fund-raising trips by a U.S. President.
- I am the all-time U.S. and world record-holder for receiving the most corporate campaign donations.
- My largest lifetime campaign contributor, and one of my best friends, Kenneth Lay, presided over the largest corporate bankruptcy fraud in U.S. History, Enron.
- My political party used Enron private jets and corporate attorneys to assure my success with the U.S. Supreme Court during my election decision.
- I have protected my friends at Enron and Halliburton against investigation or prosecution. More time and money was spent investigating the Monica Lewinsky affair than has been spent investigating one of the biggest corporate rip-offs in history. I presided over the biggest energy crisis in U.S. history and refused tointervene when corruption involving the oil industry was revealed.
- I presided over the highest gasoline prices in U.S. history.
- I changed the U.S. policy to allow convicted criminals to be awarded government contracts.
- I appointed more convicted criminals to administration than any President in U.S. history.
- I created the Ministry of Homeland Security, the largest bureaucracy in the history of the United States government.
- I've broken more international treaties than any President in U.S. history.
- I am the first President in U.S. history to have the United Nations remove the U.S. from the Human Rights Commission.
- I withdrew the U.S. from the World Court of Law.
- I refused to allow inspector's access to U.S. "prisoners of war" detainees and thereby have refused to abide by the Geneva Convention.
- I am the first President in history to refuse United Nations election inspectors (during the 2002 U.S. election).
- I set the record for fewest numbers of press conferences of any President since the advent of television.
- I set the all-time record for most days on vacation in any one-year period. After taking off the entire month of August, I presided over the worst security failure in U.S. history.
- I garnered the most sympathy ever for the U.S. after the World Trade Center attacks and less than a year later made the U.S. the most hated country in the world, the largest failure of diplomacy in world history.
- I have set the all-time record for most people worldwide to simultaneously protest me in public venues (15 million people), shattering the record for protests against any person in the history of mankind.
- I am the first President in U.S. history to order an unprovoked, pre-emptive attack and the military occupation of a sovereign nation. I did so against the will of the United Nations, the majority of U.S. citizens, and the world community.
- I have cut health care benefits for war veterans and support a cut in duty benefits for active duty troops and their families in wartime.
- In my State of the Union Address, I lied about our reasons for attacking Iraq and then blamed the lies on our British friends.
- I am the first President in history to have a majority of Europeans (71%) view my presidency as the biggest threat to world peace and security.
- I am supporting development of a nuclear "Tactical Bunker Buster," a WMD.
- I have so far failed to fulfill my pledge to bring Osama Bin Laden to justice.
- Yet, I am the favorite of the religious right and God sent.

RECORDS AND REFERENCES:
-All records of my tenure as governor of Texas are now in my father's library, sealed and unavailable for public view.
- All records of SEC investigations into my insider trading and my bankrupt companies are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public view.
- All records or minutes from meetings that I, or my Vice-President, attended regarding public energy policy are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public review.

Email from an active duty SSgt and response

This email is from an active duty Staff Sergeant of Marines who was working at the Marine Corps Mobilization Command in Kansas City when I had my hearing back in June. If I remember correctly, he was the only working Marine who would shake my hand outside the building and he said he remembered me from when he was working with the CAG in Iraq.

Mr. Kokesh,

I was here when you court martial took place in June, your caravan conducted themselves with a lot of class for the most part. Maybe some people don't, but I respect the fact that you served forward deployed voluntarily, there are still quite a few Marines on active duty who seem to slip through the cracks when it comes to serving in combat. As far as wearing your digitals that probably wasn't the smartest thing to do, it drew attention to yourself and I'm pretty sure that was the point of the demonstration but I think your point would have been just as well received if you threw on a pair of old woodlands. I don't have a problem with that aspect the issue I was most angered with was the disrespect. The Major was assigned the task of investigating your infraction chewed up the same ground you did, telling a Bronze Star recipient to go f#ck himself was wrong, that man is one of the most down to Earth officers I have ever met. That was wrong and you know it but that still doesn't take away the fact that put your life on the line for the people in this country, your error in judgment or the ruling at the court martial will never take away that. I spent 10 years on active duty all my time has been with Infantry units, I to have served in Fallujah if I want to express my opinion about this conflict when I'm out I feel I have every right to do so. So I guess I'm saying you probably should have thought it through a little more before you pressed the send button but hey what's done is done I thank you for your service.

***********************************************

SSgt V****,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I am sorry it's been so long toget back to you as I've been struggling to get out from under a mountain of emails recently. I don't hold anything personally against the Major, nor did I mean to personally attack him. He was acting in his official role as an instrument of bad policy, and I reacted to that. Maybe I was just trying to assert my rights and emphasize that I was acting in an unofficial role.

You said, "if I want to express my opinion about this conflict when I'm out I feel I have every right to do so." While I agree, I'm afraid it's more than that. Your opinion based on your experiences has a certain value to this country in shaping policy at this point. Policy that is a matter of life or death. While there are appropriate restrictions on that expression while you are on active duty, if you think that lives MAY be lost needlessly as a result of current policy, you have a DUTY to share your opinions.

Semper Fi,

PFC Kokesh