tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83547593656405324872024-03-05T05:51:12.432-05:00Adam Kokesh - Revolutionary PatriotAdventures and essays of a proud veteran and member of Iraq Veterans Against the WarRevolutionary Patriothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15349669505358391274noreply@blogger.comBlogger239125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-26983505244177357672011-10-10T15:14:00.002-05:002011-10-11T01:15:06.753-05:00New show!So I haven't updated this blog in ages, but now that it's public again, I'll use it to promote the new show on the new website! Check it out!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://adamvstheman.com"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_-laZbb9aAA-sDQf-4yVCSj4EFXxUAy9tjqNvPV_PW8vxU4i9RS2VzVEK3REjE5QY9OaqtFt0k2gF1gFPLoXX4uHH1aZvkK31LKW1Gfzv9CpPFEU0asfneIbZ3ImoaCcp8QDi_g0h1Cc/s400/Adam-vs-The-Man-hi-res.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662113269370804946" border="0" /></a>Adam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-49846926437530561392009-06-01T14:04:00.002-05:002009-06-22T03:03:34.966-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.kokeshforcongress.com"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYY2-KdZjFuWop3_oNVOTrhJtoOqjbDczGzLuHLrH7a6cWQgrtmg4Z3XRTJH8oKeNNzK3xroEUxHSPi4Oq4H2Ymja7ZPUFyVTQQ8a8kV33spCBpW5BxXaBym8reQPZH-3rN6g8tcjpGnO/s400/kfc.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344292716041615490" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This blog is no longer active! From now on, I will be blogging at the site for my Congressional Exploratory Committee at <a href="http://www.kokeshforcongress.com/">kokeshforcongress.com</a>. Please check it out, sign up to receive our weekly newsletters, and if you really want to get involved, check out the <a href="http://www.kokeshforcongress.com/node/36">FTW-112 Communicator</a>.<br /><br />Love, faith, respect,<br /><br />Adam KokeshAdam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-39883165481640509102009-05-29T21:43:00.002-05:002009-05-29T21:48:27.678-05:00Letter From Kevin BendermanSubject: Adam Kokesh<br /><br />To: whom it may concern<br />RE: Adam Kokesh<br /><br /><br />I am writing this to give my endorsement to Adam Kokesh as he attempts to gather enough support in an attempt to run for a congressional representative in the state of New Mexico.<br /><br />It is past time that WE THE PEOPLE had someone in congress who is as concerned with doing the work of the American people as those currently “serving the people” are in accepting kickbacks and taking bribes from large corporations. It is time that WE THE PEOPLE started looking at the people who want to serve in government with a more critical eye. It is time to start being more involved in the running of our country and I believe that by Supporting Adam Kokesh we will be supporting someone who fully believes in the true authority of the United States as not being in the hands of the few, but is in the hands of the people.<br /><br />I would ask that you take a look at what Adam Kokesh has to say about constitutional authority and his approach to how government should work in our democratic republic. I have heard some of his positions on constitutional authority as belonging to the people and this is the mindset we need in Washington and throughout our state and local governments as well.<br /><br />So, if you believe the current system we have is broken and needs to be fixed, get involved, get informed, and become the true solution to the problems we face.<br /><br />I believe that by Supporting Adam Kokesh and others of like mind, we will be moving our country in the direction it needs to move; back to government of the people, by the people, and for the people.<br /><br />Support Adam as he attempts to bring the voice of the people and the laws of the land back to Washington.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Kevin M Benderman<br />Concerned United States Citizen<br />Former Army Sergeant, Iraq Vet, and Conscientious ObjectorAdam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-61728323460540951512009-05-29T16:31:00.002-05:002009-05-29T16:34:38.772-05:00IT'S HERE!!!<div align="center"><object width="580" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IemsmtSwQ6g&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IemsmtSwQ6g&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360"></embed></object></div><br /><br />Please share this, repost it, put it on your facebook status, etc. We're not starting the r3VOLution without you, but you don't want to get left behind! We can't do this without you . . .Adam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-70603915261925036952009-05-28T04:01:00.003-05:002009-05-28T10:44:28.053-05:00More Coverage From the New Mexican . . .. . . of the <a href="http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/New-Mexico--Hispanic-women-in-law-talk-of-pride">Sotomayor nomination</a> that is. But apparently, I've reached local talking head status:<br /><br /> Adam Kokesh, a libertarian-leaning Iraq war veteran considering a run for Congress<br /> in New Mexico's Third District, said Tuesday: "It's just sad that we're not discussing<br /> how capable (nominees) are to interpret the constitutionality of legislation and their <br /> commitment to those principles. ... In terms of faithfully upholding the constitution<br /> (Sotomayor's) record is tragically deficient in terms of her views on general government<br /> intervention and her disregard for the Second Amendment."<br /><br />I would say I was misquoted, since I'm sure what I said was far more eloquent than that, but the points conveyed were exactly what I intended, and I got the last word in <a href="http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/New-Mexico--Hispanic-women-in-law-talk-of-pride">the story</a>!Adam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-18957971337722774612009-05-28T01:18:00.005-05:002009-05-28T03:21:18.360-05:00More Support From Our Very Talented Movement!Someone just sent me the link to this video today and it was very exciting to see that our movement is really starting to gear up for 2010 and put its creative talents behind our viable candidates. I am honored to be counted among them.<br /><br />While supporters are gearing up for a July 4th money bomb, we're gearing up for a huge Independence Day weekend here in Santa Fe. We'll have more details about that with the launch of the full site on June 1st. I also just saw the first draft of a video to promote the money bomb that should be coming out on Monday with the launch of the new site at kokeshforcongress.com from <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Claytrainor">Clay Trainor</a>. If you thought his previous videos were good, this one is going to knock your socks all the way to next November.<br /><br />***EDIT: The crew from <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/repfreedomforce?feature=chclk">REP Freedom Force</a> is also working on a video that will have significant footwear removing capabilities. Standby to be fully blown away as soon as tomorrow evening!***<br /><br /><a href="http://randpaul2010.com/">Rand Paul</a>'s supporters are also gearing up for a "<a href="http://www.humblelibertarian.com/2009/05/june-1st-rand-paul-money-bomb.html">mini money bomb</a>" for June 1st. I just donated and you should too! While having folks like myself, RJ Harris, or BJ Lawson standing behind Ron Paul in the House would be a giant leap forward for liberty, imagine our movement occupying a Senat seat! It's also looking more likely that <a href="http://www.schiff2010.com/">Schiff</a> will be entering the race to take Dodd's Senate seat in Connecticut. With Ron Paul considering backing a "10 in 2010" slate, this is looking to be a good time to be fighting for freedom!<br /><br /><div align="center"><object height="364" width="445"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NpvME_sa9uU&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NpvME_sa9uU&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="364" width="445"></embed></object></div>Adam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-78939993740422033422009-05-23T09:19:00.001-05:002009-05-23T09:22:21.270-05:00Adam Kokesh at the Jekyll Island Project<div align="center"><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lBNhyADvRv8&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lBNhyADvRv8&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object></div>Adam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-51354119458765790512009-05-18T22:05:00.002-05:002009-05-18T22:15:30.192-05:00Ron Paul Weighs InDear Friends,<br /><br />Adam Kokesh has been a tremendous supporter - of both me AND you! As a leader of Iraq Veterans Against the War, Adam has spent years traveling the country to spread our message of peace, a strong national defense and limited government. Adam has tremendous credibility because of his service in the United States Marine Corps and I have deep respect for his commitment to principle.<br /><br />And now, Adam Kokesh needs our support.<br /><br />Adam has formed an exploratory committee to run for Congress in his home state of New Mexico. Sending Adam Kokesh to Congress would be a tremendous victory for the Freedom Movement, and if we come together and stand behind him, he has a real chance to win.<br /><br />This race will be difficult, but I know Adam has the energy and drive to be successful and pour every ounce of himself into this effort. I urge you to go to <a href="http://cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?6P1K-3xrj-5errD4" target="_blank">www.KokeshforCongress.com</a> and support him in anyway you feel comfortable. Whether it is making a financial contribution, volunteering or getting more information share with your friends and family, Adam needs your support now so he can start down this long journey with momentum and a strong wind at his back.<br /><br />We have a chance to help a real patriot and lover of liberty join me in Washington. Again, I hope you will help me support Adam Kokesh for Congress.<br /><br />In Liberty,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33iAqmJAscXCk_u-Qf6E2ThudM4ZnG5Kff8cUVSXkpF2pnD6lsvWyo7AtQGeiPRr9D2edcgq8D6RDtcAdA2wDCucDgO-ML7hm8zRJmOGwAPSlAtRFaGPDlbkckaQSp4snlcl55LQOVRo1/s1600-h/ronsig.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 51px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33iAqmJAscXCk_u-Qf6E2ThudM4ZnG5Kff8cUVSXkpF2pnD6lsvWyo7AtQGeiPRr9D2edcgq8D6RDtcAdA2wDCucDgO-ML7hm8zRJmOGwAPSlAtRFaGPDlbkckaQSp4snlcl55LQOVRo1/s200/ronsig.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337367259837818690" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Ron PaulAdam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-54646901872121465132009-05-17T20:05:00.001-05:002009-05-19T02:19:35.095-05:00Matthew Dobbs, Human BeingMy name is Matthew Dobbs; I am not a Constitutionalist yet an advocate of the Constitution. I have the rank human being, I carry military rank no longer for I am no longer shackled to a system that no longer represents me, that to be a part of this species is honor enough. I am a veteran of the Afghanistan campaign, and also a concerned citizen of the United States. I believe America is at a cross roads, we are at one of those moments in history that define a people. We have immoral wars and corrupt leaders, we have corporations as war profiteers and bankers as policy makers, and we have a seemingly confused and therefore apathetic people. We also have strength and courage to oppose those who would tell us that we need to be silent and silenced, we have a determination to say no, not me, I have been used for too long, I will not be the excuse of why our republic was destroyed by Imperialism and propaganda spewed at us and told it is for our own good. So what is to be done? There is a stranglehold on our economy and veterans who speak out of line and patriotic peace loving people are becoming marked targets. We have a system where all you need is the backing of corrupt individuals and corporations, and a willingness to sell your own peoples souls to become president. We have to stop waiting for the power elite to present us with leaders that we can not only we can live with but guide us toward a greater destiny. America has sat on its hands for nearly 60 years before ever realizing we have been lied to. I can’t think of a president besides Eisenhower or Kennedy that has even believed in the concept of Republic. These corporations and banks have no bid contracts not just in Iraq and Afghanistan but on Capitol Hill and right down the street in Austin. We look to the few Politician’s who still do right by their constituents, they are few and far between, but there are still some who have the intestinal fortitude to stand up and expose the lies of our blackened kleptocracy that was once a proud Republic. So I ask again what is to be done. Do we toe the line with the people and systems that we know are hanging us out to dry? I would like to think not. Nor should we stand to the side and point fingers at the people at the top or whisper to our friends the responsibilities of the Government, one which is no longer ours. I present another question. What is the Patriots’ responsibility? In my humble opinion it is to spread the seeds of a Revolution of thought and the creation of a spirit of individual responsibility. Education for the people who no not of the destruction that Empire brings and the trust and compassion of a true Democracy. We need to throw to the curb the truths of yesterday where we defined our allies and enemies in broad strokes to fool ourselves and the masses into tight boxes of black and white. The inspired message of unfettered diplomacy amongst us all. Too long have we distrusted our neighbors even here in the heart of Texas, we need to conquer our fear and stop deceiving ourselves into thinking peace is too hard or a flight of fancy of fools. Conquer your fears and then we can march toward victory together. Someone once told me the least effective way to Influence an organization is to leave it, the most effective way to change one is from the inside. We need to support and vote for the ones who believe in peace and responsibility. The Revolution is here we now need to back and support those who are willing to do battle. We need not to just get involved with the political process but take it and make it ours once again. This is an ambitious and harrowing undertaking for those who are willing, but this course is better than fighting in the streets or capitulation to a monster we have let roam our country side and cities for far too long. John F Kennedy once said<br /><br />"A revolution is coming - a revolution which will be peaceful if we are wise enough; compassionate if we care enough; successful if we are fortunate enough - but a revolution which is coming whether we will it or not. We can affect its character; we cannot alter its inevitability."Adam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-41656396346605280712009-05-15T13:49:00.002-05:002009-05-15T13:56:55.327-05:00ATTN: AMERICA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RhqmMt9q2KOI6F_UxEskG9iqJnLcOS2yarkfIKNDfqQ57BYmQEygWtUZQebjrRgYe3w0I0FW3VoxTNeLS3LEZkHajycLOot1w7ckhJj4TPEvHKXS7Pd3NERYIdXRk4WwIMQFjqYjNw0M/s1600-h/Jordan+Page+-+The+Pendulum.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RhqmMt9q2KOI6F_UxEskG9iqJnLcOS2yarkfIKNDfqQ57BYmQEygWtUZQebjrRgYe3w0I0FW3VoxTNeLS3LEZkHajycLOot1w7ckhJj4TPEvHKXS7Pd3NERYIdXRk4WwIMQFjqYjNw0M/s320/Jordan+Page+-+The+Pendulum.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336126211582664402" border="0" /></a>Submitted by Jordan Page<br /><br />“If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin.”<br />- Samuel Adams, 1780<br /><br />My fellow Americans, the time has come. Undoubtedly we stand at the edge of a great abyss, with our most cherished liberties in jeopardy. We live in a time when the people of once free nations have no voice, and live in fear of repression by dark forces aligning against them. We live in a time when laws that dissolve the security and sovereignty of our country are passed without public debate and those who swear public oaths to defend it blatantly attack our Constitution. We live in an era when ruthless men atop mountains of wealth control all mainstream information outlets, thus creating false reality and proving that money is stronger than truth.<br /><br />Our unaccountable elected and selected officials in Washington DC have squandered our inheritance, and given themselves immunity. They have allowed and perpetuated unsound monetary, legislative, and foreign military policies, which have led us down the path to untold human suffering. We have survived the eight long years of smug arrogance and hypocrisy that defined the Bush presidency and changed the face of the world forever, only to be swept up by the fervor of the idea of change personified by one man, whom I believe to be under the thumb and shield of the upper echelons of high finance. I remain, thoroughly unimpressed. I anxiously wait for a true voice of the people to emerge from out of the mire that is our Congress and bring sanity and humanity to our nation’s capital.<br /><br />Please join me in your support for my friend, Adam Kokesh, a true American Patriot, in his quest for a seat in the United States Congress. The issues that we as a nation face have evolved beyond party affiliation, and political terminologies. We are no longer red and blue states. We are all Americans who believe in the idea of freedom and we must put forth our best efforts to protect it. Please visit <a href="www.kokeshforcongress.com">www.kokeshforcongress.com</a>, sign up and donate to Adam’s campaign. There will be a money bomb event on Independence Day, July 4th 2009, so please show your support, pledge $10 at <a href="http://www.thisjuly4th.com">thisjuly4th.com</a> and help spread the message. I know Adam personally and am thrilled that someone is running for public office who genuinely believes in and fights for the ideals upon which this country was founded.<br /><br />Adam Kokesh is a former Marine and outspoken voice for Iraq Veterans Against the War. I support his mission to bring passion and dedication to the table. We must have people of this caliber battling our domestic enemies in government and finance on the battlefield of the high political arena. This is a most desperate hour, and we are in need of experienced patriots to prevent our ruin.<br /><br />Jordan Page, musician/activist<br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.myspace.com/jordanpagemusic">www.myspace.com/jordanpagemusic</a>Adam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-16228142382160925232009-05-06T00:41:00.002-05:002009-05-06T00:49:20.748-05:00Motorhome Diaries in Santa Fe!The Motorhome Diaries crew stopped by my place in Santa Fe Sunday for a brief stay that included a meetup, an interview, and a showdown in the high desert. The videos are below. Check out what these guys are up to and how you can support them to spread the message of liberty throughout America. <br /><div align="center"><object width="580" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eWXbw0N664M&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eWXbw0N664M&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360"></embed></object></div><br /><div align="center"><object width="580" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aMOrLMRS2X8&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aMOrLMRS2X8&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360"></embed></object></div>Adam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-28118754927389050782009-05-04T15:34:00.002-05:002009-05-04T15:39:29.325-05:00Once A Marine, Always a MarineContributed by Tina Richards<br /><br />I was so excited on Saturday when I opened up my email and found a link to the New Mexican's article about Adam's possible Congressional run. I expect there will be many more articles if he jumps in the race. While I thought the piece was fair on balance, their were a couple of items that I felt should be addressed.<br /><br />First, I was caught off guard by the title of the article calling him an "Ex-Marine." As the mother of a Marine, I know that there is no such thing as an "EX"-Marine. A Marine who has left the Corps still holds the title, and if you have to, you can call Adam a "former Marine." Especially for a Marine who has served in combat in one of Iraq's toughest battles. My son was there too, Fallujah, April, 2004 in what has become known as the "Siege of Fallujah". A mother's worse nightmare and one of the defining moments of Adam's life. Once a Marine, always a Marine. Semper Fi!<br /><br />In addition, I would like to set the record straight as to the results of the last election. The article reported that Lujan received 65% of the vote. As that would be almost 2/3's of the votes cast, that would truly be an uphill climb for any Marine. However, I found that the New Mexican just got the facts wrong. Lujan received 56% of the vote, although a strong showing, this is hardly the deep blue that the article described. <br /><br />Adam Kokesh, regardless of what party banner he may run under, represents a powerful new political ideology that serves the people, not the political structure. Within hours of his announcement, he received endorsements from Democrats, Republicans and Independents. The wide appeal from across the political spectrum, truly shows that with Adam, labels do not apply.<br /><br />Apparently, Congressman Lujan recognizes how formidable Adam will be. I've never heard of a sitting congressman responding to a potential adversary 18 months before the election, especially since we don't even know what party Adam will run with yet. Lujan sees the threat. On that point, I completely concur.<br /><br />Tina Richards<br />Media Relations<br />Kokesh Exploratory CommitteeAdam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-31545430579239030462009-05-04T03:11:00.001-05:002009-05-04T03:12:31.622-05:00It's Here!The first grassroots-generated video in support of the exploratory committee:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bk7HLFfdNBo&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bk7HLFfdNBo&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Adam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-78672772306813255062009-05-03T01:12:00.001-05:002009-05-03T01:14:08.946-05:00A Touching Response to My Last PostNicely written and inspiring Adam,<br /><br />As the power elite and their lackeys push us toward and ever increasing<br />state of oppression under the "police state" and suffocate us with<br />un-Constitutional laws and morph the occupations while spending our money at<br />an unprecedented rate, I have become increasingly more disaffected as a<br />federal employee. I fear that sticking it out to retirement may be for<br />naught for the possibility that my retirement benefits may be held ransom in<br />exchange for my loyalty to the system or, that once we've reached a breaking<br />point, I may be unable to claim and enjoy those benefits for risk of<br />exposing myself to confinement as an "Enemy of the state".<br /><br />In recent days I have done a serious soul searching and find that the time<br />may be close that I should leave the safety of the federal nest. This is not<br />an easy pill to swallow as I have grown accustom to the security and<br />standard of living which my employment provides. I have grown fat and lazy<br />while living off the public dole, wasted the talents and ability that<br />Providence has provided while selling out the Birth Right bequeathed me by<br />our Forefathers. At the same time I have grown weary of the low<br />energy-sleepy pace of this pitiful existence.<br /><br />While you announce an Exploratory Committee for public office, I announce an<br />exploration of my own and myself in search of a mission loyal to the cause<br />of Liberty, worthy of my existence, and the trials endured and sacrifices<br />made by those who left us so much.<br /><br />I care not what the call may be; whether as a cog in the political machine<br />to grind away at our fiat government and it's hidden masters, a voice in the<br />wilderness of sheep in denial or, as a last resort, a soldier risking life<br />and limb in defense of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. I stand<br />committed and willing to defend, at all costs, those ideals which made our<br />Federation of States what it once was and can be again. Long live Liberty!<br /><br /><br />In Liberty,<br /><br />Bill *****Adam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-3650643416979292542009-05-01T06:00:00.002-05:002009-05-01T06:55:27.193-05:00Kokesh for Congress Exploratory CommitteeMy fellow patriots,<br /><br />Thank you for all you have done to help me in my journey over the past years. It has been an honor to stand shoulder to shoulder with you. Slowly but surely, in our struggle for freedom from authoritarianism, we are making progress. As long as we continue to hang together, we will not hang separately!<br /><br />After leaving the Marine Corps, I joined the monumental fight to end the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, bring our troops home to defend America, and restore a Constitutional foreign policy. Having won the public to our side, it is time we take the fight to the capitol, to the real enemies of the Constitution. Posturing against war while voting to fund it is unacceptable! Tragically, we still have a government that behaves like it owns us, rather than serves us.<br /><br />Since I was first politically active, people have been encouraging me to run for Congress, including a recent effort to “draft” me to run (<a href="http://draftkokesh.com">draftkokesh.com</a>). We need rallying points to keep our movement invigorated and growing, and if a run for Congress from my home town of Santa Fe can serve as one, I will gladly step up. In that spirit, I am excited to announce the formation of the Kokesh for Congress Exploratory Committee.<br /><br />While I am asking for your financial support in this effort, I want to make it clear that I am willing to make the personal sacrifices necessary to raise the standard of our national leadership. If elected, I will not accept the Congressional salary of approximately $170,000, but only the national average income. It is unbearable in these difficult times, for Congress to tell the American people what is best for us economically while they vote themselves another pay raise and burden our children with impossible debt. Enough is enough!<br /><br />There is a temporary website up now at <a href="http://kokeshforcongress.com">kokeshforcongress.com</a>. Please sign up and donate there as we prepare for the launch of a complete site on June 1st.<br /><br />It is time once again to draw the line between patriots and loyalists. I am a patriot because I am committed to the ideals of liberty and equality this country is destined to achieve, loyal to no false authority. I know that much more than political resistance is required to achieve a paradigm shift, but we can do no wrong standing up for what we know to be morally right. Regardless of my decision, I remain eternally committed to the cause of liberty.<br /><br />Love, faith, respect,<br /><br />Adam KokeshAdam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-3305722546952895712009-04-30T01:25:00.002-05:002009-04-30T01:28:32.692-05:00Flag Draped Coffins<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSs-gWQNxo_0he6PbegzhAB0mFYhAJt4-wZwhBHiDcK0dEM0fpI-sK_HRCaz3fBdWaQ94Qz9whyphenhyphentN4oHFfQHL4jUSMVa4OJcseVWBmj39P7z52k-tWi9L4bBSPYHrEbUyff8O0CWGOnFM/s1600-h/coffins.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSs-gWQNxo_0he6PbegzhAB0mFYhAJt4-wZwhBHiDcK0dEM0fpI-sK_HRCaz3fBdWaQ94Qz9whyphenhyphentN4oHFfQHL4jUSMVa4OJcseVWBmj39P7z52k-tWi9L4bBSPYHrEbUyff8O0CWGOnFM/s400/coffins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330367451870087970" border="0" /></a><br />by Tina Richards<br /><br />US flagged draped coffins<br />our children inside,<br />Iraqi flagged draped coffins<br />their children inside,<br />Afghani flagged draped coffins<br />their children inside<br /><br />As I hold a lily to place on our children’s coffin,<br />my heart is torn.<br />So many Marines I have broken bread with,<br />Thanksgiving dinner,<br />Christmas dinner<br />I remember their eyes with so much innocence<br />Their families spread far and wide<br />For that day,<br />we became their family<br />I became their mom<br /><br />These children who returned home in flagged draped coffins.<br />Not knowing what war and occupation would bring them<br />Conflicted<br />I mourn for what should not have been,<br />what should not be<br /><br />Trusting their government not to lie<br />Not to send them into harm’s way,<br />unless it was absolutely necessary<br />I see their innocent faces each time I see a flagged draped coffin,<br />I go to lay a lily upon them<br /><br />But then I hesitate<br /><br />I hear my son’s words<br /><br />“Mother,” he told me with a tear stained face,<br />Innocence no longer there<br />“I thought what we were doing was right,“<br />“I was told we were going to liberate the Iraqi people.”<br />“I trusted our leaders.”<br /><br />“Baghdad,”<br />“We set it free,”<br />“We set it free by shelling them with our artillery.”<br />“As we began to secure the city,<br />to safeguard the innocent civilians,”<br />“I saw three children playing,”<br />“I thought, ‘Yes that is why we are here.’”<br />“I saw a girl, maybe ten or eleven,<br />just the age of my sister,<br />playing with her younger brother and sister”<br />“Twirling something in the air.”<br />“Pink and Purple streamers she twirled it by.”<br />“Her brother and sister laughing.”<br />“Laughing at the pretty toy,”<br />“Delivered by the US military. “<br />“I realized at that moment,<br />it was a bomblet from our artillery.”<br />“Unexploded ordinances.”<br />“Cluster bombs.”<br />“In the moment I went to run,”<br />“to scream,”<br />“to shout, “No, No’”<br />……it detonated.<br />“In an instant,<br />half her face and arm gone.”<br />“Her brother and sister lay dead before her”<br />He said, “At that moment, I knew all I had been told was a lie”<br />“You cannot liberate or bring democracy with a howitzer,” he cried.<br />That thought would haunt him for years,<br />as he would bring a gun to his mouth<br />and call me to say he didn’t deserve to live.<br />Not live with the guilt of all the children killed<br /><br />I think of that little girl,<br />Her brother<br />Her sister<br />I am so overwhelmed with sorrow and shame.<br />That our soldiers and Marines so trusting,<br />so patriotic,<br />have been so mislead<br />I brought my sons up to be Patriots<br />The occupations are not patriotic,<br />There is no honor<br />It is genocide.<br /><br /><br />As I lay the lily on the Iraqi coffin,<br />I make a vow<br />We must stop the killing of all these innocents,<br />perpetuated by the war profiteers,<br />military industrial complex,<br />our government<br />No more “patriots” will I raiseAdam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-16889129007862409632009-04-27T19:54:00.002-05:002009-04-27T20:24:47.215-05:00Rick Reyes Calls Out John KerryFormer Marine Corporal Rick Reyes testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee chaired by Senator John Kerry. Of course, Kerry has come a long way since he was in Rick's position, testifying himself about the war crimes of Vietnam. He has sold out. Kerry composed a panel of four veterans expecting them all to support Obama's criminal escalation in Afghanistan as he has. Fortunately, Rick was there to point out his great failure. John Kerry went from being a principled anti-war activist, to being a presidential candidate who, regarding the Iraq war, "voted for it before voting against it," and now is supporting Obama's interventionism. Thank you Rick Reyes!<br /><br />The video here from Brave New Films doesn't go quite as far as I have in pointing out the great hypocrisy of Kerry, but is still quite informative, and a nice juxtaposition of the two veterans.<br /><br /><div align="center"><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/a4jaY-K73bI&hl=en&fs=1&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/a4jaY-K73bI&hl=en&fs=1&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object></div><br /><br />Here is Rick's full testimony. You can see Kerry looking extremely bored around 2:00.<br /><br /><div align="center"><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ypwrq4mbiQw&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ypwrq4mbiQw&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object></div><br /><br />I think Reye's predictions about Afghanistan are right on, and simple observations of history (recent and not so recent) back them up. But let me go one step further, because Reye's predictions about Afghanistan are "if" predictions. I predict the Democrats will continue to posture against war while voting to fund it. The precedent of the last two years of the Bush Administration highly support this prediction. Obama will keep his campaign promises (especially those to Wall Street and the Military-Industrial Complex) and maintain the American empire of exploitation. I hope I'm wrong!Adam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-46786522804901752562009-04-22T00:45:00.003-05:002009-04-22T01:49:57.083-05:00Matthis Vindicated!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdO3lnwkXyKxMbEBA5dQzFM8wregPiyPZdytLIRpV0l3d9Xxet_Mh4DL0SfbEv5tV6M_H_U1nxsFdj3fTGevaZGtCkGjhy2rHCG-YmW6pVzKxVJEfOPNGGm1rD1FSBwLPRSUpbIyuBetO/s1600-h/Matthis.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdO3lnwkXyKxMbEBA5dQzFM8wregPiyPZdytLIRpV0l3d9Xxet_Mh4DL0SfbEv5tV6M_H_U1nxsFdj3fTGevaZGtCkGjhy2rHCG-YmW6pVzKxVJEfOPNGGm1rD1FSBwLPRSUpbIyuBetO/s400/Matthis.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327390601037229650" border="0" /></a><br />A letter from Matthis today about his hearing. Be sure to watch the video, he's brilliant in it!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good Things Come to Those Who Struggle</span></span><br /><br />Today, I stood before the Army. I looked a board of officers in the eyes, and I told them I thought they were sending people off to participate in war crimes. And what did they say? Get out of here, Sergeant, and keep your damn G.I. Bill!!!<br /><br />Indeed, folks! The Army awarded me a recommendation for a general discharge under honorable conditions from the Individual Ready Reserve for my refusal to deploy to Iraq last summer. This landmark decision means not only am I a free man, I’m free to continue school this fall with the “new” G.I. Bill that I earned while on active duty.<br /><br />Though this discharge is identical to the one I refused in exchange for having this hearing, I can now rest easy knowing I never submitted, I never backed down and the Army has heard my story.<br /><br />And not just my story, but the stories of those brave veterans at Winter Soldier and those who’ve participated in IVAW’s Warrior Writers’ program. Full texts of both books were submitted to the Army this morning, and I can only imagine the fun they’re having transcribing them into the record.<br /><br />I testified, Marjorie Conn, the president of the National Lawyers’ Guild, testified, and my mother Patricia testified as to why my refusal to deploy was quite legitimate and not deserving of attack by the military.<br /><br />Though Maj. Laws, the prosecution, did everything he could to keep my legal arguments from the ears of the board (he even prevented me from reading to them from my Constitution calling the document irrelevant), our voices were heard loud and clear by a board of gentlemen who’ve given me a new respect and hope for our nation and servicemembers world-wide.<br /><br />The hearing, which lasted around four-and-a-half hours, cemented in my mind that not only is military resistance to our illegal occupations righteous, it is finding new breath amongst troops who are fed up with the status quo.<br /><br />This all came after a provocative appearance this morning on the local Fox News Channel (<a href="http://www.fox2now.com/ktvi-ap-soldier-on-trial-042109,0,1094348.story">http://www.fox2now.com/ktvi-ap-soldier-on-trial-042109,0,1094348.story</a>) in which I wore a patriotic symbol of distress (an upside-down flag) on my uniform.<br /><br />During the hearing, my girlfriend Alexandra among others were present in the board room to offer moral support. Having them there made all the difference as I squared off with the military over human slaughter that we’ve all been forced to bow down to.<br /><br />So what does this mean for the military? RESIST!!!! Now’s the time, ladies and gentleman. The flood-gates are open. Your leaders are listening, and more and more, they are agreeing. Resisters are moving away from being the exception, and slowly becoming the norm.<br /><br />If I can refuse to go to Iraq, climb monuments, march into presidential debates, lobby congress, face the military, not go to jail and not even loose my G.I. Bill, we just don’t have any excuses anymore! Resistance is rising, and IVAW will stand firm underneath it. My story is now history, and I humbly pass the torch.<br /><br />More to follow soon on my testimony at Winter Soldier and the juicy details of my hearing. Now, I’m going to sleep like I haven’t in a year!<br /><br />Peace and Solidarity,<br /><br />Matthis Chiroux<br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Matthisresists.us">Matthisresists.us</a>Adam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-80081554637885277492009-04-18T02:39:00.003-05:002009-04-18T02:51:21.938-05:00Obama Looks Forward, Sees More Torture<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34kpzLaGvdK7Vvl4X8mXa0iS4eJM91OyRDiAxtaX7SEuqc6mtH8K-Dza387A0WFPNDwMDcAxzy8cnza5KS5BkoSRhy0O8IW451NvZjUocNYn-b5zf8ftNxrmZ7wuXelYDZz4EDsn79_mT/s1600-h/bush_obama_shadow_govt.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34kpzLaGvdK7Vvl4X8mXa0iS4eJM91OyRDiAxtaX7SEuqc6mtH8K-Dza387A0WFPNDwMDcAxzy8cnza5KS5BkoSRhy0O8IW451NvZjUocNYn-b5zf8ftNxrmZ7wuXelYDZz4EDsn79_mT/s320/bush_obama_shadow_govt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325932970836971522" border="0" /></a><br />The Obama mantra on crimes of the Bush administration since before he was elected has always been, “We're looking forwards, not backwards.” This is why people think Obama is arrogant, because he must think we are all idiots. Pointing out the logical absurdity of this statement is not enough when the intent is clear: Obama is arguing for immunity for his own continuation of the crimes he is trying to cover up.<br /><br />In Obama's recent statement regarding Bush Administration torture memos, he said, “In one of my very first acts as President, I prohibited the use of these interrogation techniques by the United States because they undermine our moral authority and do not make us safer.” After a few paragraphs waxing about how none of this matters anymore, as in, “I fixed it, you can all feel better and go back to sleep now,” he concludes by saying that, “The United States is a nation of laws. My Administration will always act in accordance with those laws, and with an unshakeable commitment to our ideals. ... That is why we have taken steps to ensure that the actions described within them never take place again.” So the Bush Administration does something that is not moral and makes us less safe, and we're supposed to believe that by releasing a few memos and waving the magic Obama wand, everything is just going to be ok? Not only is Obama derelict in his duties to support and defend the Constitution, he is criminally obstructing justice.<br /><br />Of course there is something much more insidious here. Yes, we should be outraged that Obama is letting Bush and his cronies off. We should be outraged that there will be no justice for the innocent detainees at Guantanamo. We should be outraged, that on behalf of those doing the torturing, Obama has intervened with the defense that was rejected at Nuremberg so long ago, “We were just following orders.” But there is something far worse to be outraged about.<br /><br />Please consider for just one second why Obama would not seek accountability and establish precedent that torture will not be tolerated. It is because he plans to continue the same basic policies! Obama is working to deny detainees at Bagram their right to habeas corpus. Obama is keeping open secretive prisons within the US called Communcation Management Units in Indiana and Illinois which inmates refer to as “little Guantanamos.” Obama has declared his intent to continue the practice of rendition of victims to other countries to be tortured. His largely symbolic closing of the facility at Guantanamo will do nothing to change our image around the world when our travesty of a justice system continues to produce torture victims. Perhaps Bush did not know better, but as a scholar of Constitutional Law, Obama must know that he is crossing numerous lines. Even the most deeply “immoral” and “dangerous” policies created by the Bush Administration have not changed with the election of a President at least as immoral and dangerous.Adam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-86659126660570105062009-04-14T18:26:00.005-05:002009-04-15T01:21:56.587-05:00Tea Party posters, poseurs, lions, tigers, and infiltrators, oh my!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyrSNn4oSTvfof5Ie9sX6gjCE1KJiXwaCuB8Q0dC3rKFnRrVvF2RrP_ObOjZ38norGWc7jUUTe7sTXkF4Vh45Y9ET1911u3HsjPdhYJBE4fLZ8G-iwFyNcrKw3jj3lLciz5gTGPcaQILY/s1600-h/RTR+Poster+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyrSNn4oSTvfof5Ie9sX6gjCE1KJiXwaCuB8Q0dC3rKFnRrVvF2RrP_ObOjZ38norGWc7jUUTe7sTXkF4Vh45Y9ET1911u3HsjPdhYJBE4fLZ8G-iwFyNcrKw3jj3lLciz5gTGPcaQILY/s400/RTR+Poster+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324798930724072322" border="0" /></a><br />Trouble is brewing, and the movement of patriots demanding individual economic freedom is being infiltrated, co-opted, and derided. But fear not. <a href="http://www.restoretherepublic.com">Restore the Republic</a>, a truly grassroots, unregistered organization of freedom fighters is going to be there to ensure that the true message of liberty will be heard. For my contribution to the effort, I designed a series of posters for them that you can download <a href="http://www.restoretherepublic.com/tea-party-posters/">here</a>.<br /><br />The Tax Day Tea Parties that began as a grassroots effort have been somewhat co-opted by big money sponsors and "neocon types." If they want to invest in a message that is important to us, I say let them. This may not be a day for our movement, but it could be a day for a much broader coalition to form. In <a href="http://www.santafeteaparty.blogspot.com/">Santa Fe, we even have a former Democrat State Senator speaking</a>.<br /><br />It is for this co-option (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLJBcnVbYLY">and her obsession with our tongue-in-cheek use of the verb "to teabag"</a>) that they have been derided by Rachel Maddow. She claims Obama is going to be cutting taxes for most people present, and only raising them for the rich sponsors of some of these events. Oh Rachel. If only you were paying attention when <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT0txlTod8w">Bernanke himself admitted to Ron Paul</a> in a Congressional hearing that inflation constituted a tax. In fact, it is the most insidious and regressive tax there is.<br /><br />There have been reports that ACORN reps plan to infiltrate these events and gather signatures of people who like to sign things without reading them, only to tell Obama they were collected from people who support his economic policies.<br /><br />And on top of all that, a number of movement insiders are calling the whole thing an exercise in controlled opposition. I suppose if they have us building coalitions at rally after rally (the 25th End The Fed followed by 4th of July Tea Parties) we won't have time to build a real resistance. I don't think so. Rallies will always have their place in any movement, even if they only become really effective in places like France and Thailand. Those guys know how to shut a country down! Maybe the rallies are helping our movement build towards 2010 and 2012. Believe me, the opposition our movement puts forth in 2010 and 2012 will be nowhere near controllable!Adam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-66417416193629716952009-04-07T14:30:00.004-05:002009-04-07T14:39:29.489-05:00SANTA FE TEA PARTY!<div align="center">The taxman is coming: 090415. RESIST TODAY!</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.santafeteaparty.blogspot.com">santafeteaparty.blogspot.com</a></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.reteaparty.com">reteaparty.com</a></div><br /><div align="center"><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JJFjJZiNoaU&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JJFjJZiNoaU&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object></div>Adam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-30744407033403153442009-03-31T03:37:00.006-05:002009-03-31T03:59:25.055-05:00What Caused Me To Become "Anti-War"A message I received via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/AdamKokesh">YouTube</a>:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8idiBa89odoOwg8pzfWrYYxzfwuyllfuJ05_vE7vQX8GduwWCI1xbD4FuNjXrOHSEcrRVZHj2wKeeIPRT18zaFZEv8gUMXxsg-KIew4QkEYPzL5dponKBlYKL4jMbPA40sITZQXEUsYba/s1600-h/i_love_my_devil_dog_tshirt-p235568104198320155c1m0_400.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8idiBa89odoOwg8pzfWrYYxzfwuyllfuJ05_vE7vQX8GduwWCI1xbD4FuNjXrOHSEcrRVZHj2wKeeIPRT18zaFZEv8gUMXxsg-KIew4QkEYPzL5dponKBlYKL4jMbPA40sITZQXEUsYba/s320/i_love_my_devil_dog_tshirt-p235568104198320155c1m0_400.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319273311661953858" border="0" /></a>Hello, I am not for nor against your beliefs..I respect everyone's, and every Marine's opinion. I was just curious, and if you don't want to answer I understand, but what event and such caused you to become "anti-war" (please don't take that the wrong way)? I'm not saying that I necessarily agree or disagree with the conflict in Iraq, but I volunteered to serve in the USMC and understood that it meant I could go to war and fight and possibly die, I never questioned it...But I don't know, I guess what I'm looking for is another prospective from someone who did. Again, I understand if you don't want to discuss it. Thank you for at least taking the time to read this and for volunteering for my beloved Corps. Semper Fidelis.<br /><br />In response:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DxSPMfcnXEsYo8h3FQ3DbvmTjdJMk2j7PlSnmRoSZm7deiTNlv-KaOO1g6utNNCL7qfw0A4mKUZMWVe1uOW_TaccRmIvhI4iKS5HWHgnj9UF8SiG_jard8iRV1A292QcdAZ4YNCOlh4b/s1600-h/kokesh.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DxSPMfcnXEsYo8h3FQ3DbvmTjdJMk2j7PlSnmRoSZm7deiTNlv-KaOO1g6utNNCL7qfw0A4mKUZMWVe1uOW_TaccRmIvhI4iKS5HWHgnj9UF8SiG_jard8iRV1A292QcdAZ4YNCOlh4b/s320/kokesh.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319273684996679394" border="0" /></a>There was no one particular event and there was no regret for me in facing the hardships of war. I never questioned my duty, but I have since questioned the morality and Constitutionality of the war in Iraq. Remember, we swore an oath to the Constitution first, and obeying unconstitutional orders is contrary to that oath. Then there was Ronald Reagan, who said that resorting to war was essentially a sign of weakness. "Peace is not the absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means."<br /><br />My disillusionment about Iraq in particular began as a slow process with the "handover of power" on June 28th, 2004, when I was in Fallujah. There was no such handover, and there was no expected draw-down when I left. When the reality failed to meet the rhetoric, I started questioning.<br /><br />Then there was the sinking feeling in my stomach when I realized (and was emotionally ready to accept) that we had been lied to. It didn't help when Allen Greenspan finally admitted, "the war was largely about oil," but it did help me to stop doubting myself.<br /><br />We should all, as human beings, be "anti-war." What is war but the widespread, systematic destruction of human bodies by machinery? Who could be for that? Only those who are missing a part of their humanity. Sometimes the experience of war or the bloodlust of the military can take that away, but it is always ours to reclaim.<br /><br />I am against this war because it is bad for America. It is bad for our security, it is bad for our military, it is bad for our economy, it is bad for our reputation abroad, and it is bad for our brothers and sisters who continue to loose their lives for lies. I am against war because I am a human being. I believe in the right to self-defense, and even collective self defense, but we should never take joy in even the most righteous acts of causing pain and suffering for fellow human beings.<br /><br />Semper fidelis,<br /><br />AdamAdam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-48387695394741762142009-03-28T11:30:00.005-05:002009-03-28T11:46:28.341-05:00I Am a Domestic TerroristRight now, I am listening to Tom Woods at the first <a href="http://www.campaignforliberty.com/event/2009stlouis.php">Campaign for Liberty regional conference in St Louis</a>. They think we're terrorists here. A report recently released by the <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/13290698/The-Modern-Militia-MovementMissouri-MIAC-Strategic-Report-20Feb09-">Missouri Information Analysis Center</a> equates Ron Paul supporters, tax resistors, militia members, and flyers of the Gadsden flag as “terrorists.”<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23q2tYHke3MCjHzjnPWoQPOHUEQefucqCnBHnmtRr924iSduXkj39nhVpgVGJY_H905CHhuWPlrtYdMWWj-a1xqKzRmDfnJx5hv-10nbppQeKhRbRG8iNQ0LD9VliPp7tIJJXyNuHvyXi/s1600-h/Dom+Ter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23q2tYHke3MCjHzjnPWoQPOHUEQefucqCnBHnmtRr924iSduXkj39nhVpgVGJY_H905CHhuWPlrtYdMWWj-a1xqKzRmDfnJx5hv-10nbppQeKhRbRG8iNQ0LD9VliPp7tIJJXyNuHvyXi/s400/Dom+Ter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318279063658916930" border="0" /></a>According to Merriam-Webster, <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrorist">terrorism</a> is “ the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion.” It also defines terror as “a state of intense fear.” The definition that I learned in school is even more specific: the threat or use of violence to incite fear by non-state actors to influence the actions or policies of governments.”<br /><br />So terrorism can go two ways in directing its threat or use of violence, by either terrorizing a population or terrorizing the government directly. The moral choice is to attack the transgressors of individual rights, the violators of the peace, and the organized criminals that are always to be found within the government, and not in the general population. What more righteous cause could there be than to strike fear into the hearts of those who think and act like they can control by force the lives of others?<br /><br />As a political movement, we are calling out the abusers of power, the tramplers of the Constitution, the servants and lackeys of the truly powerful, and we want them to be afraid! We want them to be afraid first because we are a political force. We are young, we are strong, we are calling for no less than a revolution, and we are not going anywhere until we get it!<br /><br />The revolution that we speak of is a revolution of values, a paradigm shift, and a renewed commitment among the American people to patriotism, not loyalism. Our patriotism is resisting state power and being ever-ready to defend this country . . . from the government. This is in direct opposition to the current propaganda driven definition that has perverted patriotism into loyalism, the worship of power and authority and willingness to cede the rights of self-ownership to an external power that is the source of all unjust powers in the world. As a political force, they should fear us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrZNGgG2KxoulTt9ZUj0V4bVwx4IgboC528v2Aa27kTImYRE_w7zaUYaz_9oi7nJcwlIxnLPCbiv4VR0sKi10TsZ-NrJdfpeY2JFLMFAe1vw5hqglK8O9RG_huwH0Fojl2b_NVF4WHcd1/s1600-h/POWER+TO+THE+PEOPLE.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrZNGgG2KxoulTt9ZUj0V4bVwx4IgboC528v2Aa27kTImYRE_w7zaUYaz_9oi7nJcwlIxnLPCbiv4VR0sKi10TsZ-NrJdfpeY2JFLMFAe1vw5hqglK8O9RG_huwH0Fojl2b_NVF4WHcd1/s400/POWER+TO+THE+PEOPLE.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318279237772020610" border="0" /></a>The core of our philosophy is non-aggression, but we do not cede the right to self-defense and collective self-defense. As Judge Napolitano said here just last night, “The dirty little secret about the second amendment, is that it was written that way so that you could shoot at the government!” The assertion of the human right, the natural right, or God-given right, to keep and bear arms is the utmost manifestation of that old rallying cry, “POWER TO THE PEOPLE!”<br /><br />Thomas Jefferson said, “The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.” We live in an era of uncanny increases in tyranny in the United States and never has it been more important, despite the heightened difficulty, to assert the right to keep and bear arms. John F. Kennedy astutely observed, “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.”<br /><br />To go back to Jefferson, “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” Make no mistake, the first blood of this era's revolution has already been spilled. The victims of a violent statism are all around us. We are far from ruling out the possibility of peaceful revolution, but we bring that same commitment that our founders did to today's cause of liberty, and if you would use the force of government to trample the rights of others, you should be very, very afraid!<br /><br />If you want to be respected as an individual, if you want to respect the rights of others, you have nothing to fear. If you believe that our government is no longer serving the people, join us. As a member of this movement I am fighting for no less than the highest values of humanity that this country was founded on. That makes me a patriot. Some of us found out the hard way that the greatest enemies of the Constitution that I celebrate only as a means of restraining government power, are not to be found in the sands of some far off land, but rather right here at home. We know who our common enemies really are, and I want them to be scared. So I guess that makes me a terrorist. I am a domestic terrorist for freedom!Adam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-83780766733311302352009-03-26T07:49:00.003-05:002009-03-26T07:54:19.096-05:00Hey Adam!Hey Adam-<br /><br />Just wanted to let you know that "Is It Time" Hit over 6000 plays this week!<br /><br />Though it's been out since January - I continue to get great responses to it, and the message just becomes more powerful with each passing day.<br /><br />Here it is on my Myspace:<br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.myspace.com/jerm073">www.myspace.com/jerm073 </a><br /><br />and here is the Free Download link:<br /><a href="http://www.divshare.com/download/6221713-855">http://www.divshare.com/download/6221713-855</a><br /><br />I think it's a powerful message that everyone should hear - which is why I had to put it to music.<br />It's an easy format to burn and pass to fellow Americans. Motivational!<br /><br />Hope you're well, man! Must go back to work. Thanx much again for spreading the truth & continuing to fight for freedom!<br /><br />In solidarity-<br />Jeremy / jermAdam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8354759365640532487.post-81438891617440914552009-03-25T17:00:00.001-05:002009-03-25T17:06:48.030-05:00Lots of Beautiful People Protest Occupations - Only One Obama Shirt PresentThis was the hard-core. The remnant of the anti-war movement. The non-Koolaid drinkers. As in the Obama Koolaid. The <a href="http://answer.pephost.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ANS_homepage">ten thousand or so people</a> that joined <a href="http://www.ivaw.org/">IVAW</a> and the <a href="http://answer.pephost.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ANS_homepage">ANSWER Coalition</a> to protest the occupations last Saturday were there because they meant it. This was no Obama rally. We had a great time setting up "Operation Not Change" at the rally and became the focus of the attention of the "<a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/photo.php?pid=33293326&id=13303243">Pro-War Blogosphere</a>" contingency. I even got to do an interview with Uncle Jim from Blackfive. Enjoy:<br /><br /><div align="center"><object height="315" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LIQ2rF8RlQM&hl=en&fs=1&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LIQ2rF8RlQM&hl=en&fs=1&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="315" width="500"></embed></object></div>Adam Kokeshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15809782038750140416noreply@blogger.com0