Got an email from Michael, and yes, hes being harassed

[Mari333]

for the article I wrote. A few of the guys in his unit didnt like it, and he asked me not to write any more articles about being anti war in the local papers for a while. I wont, because I dont want him to suffer in any way. Hes alive, but I wont put him thru any hassles, he has enough to think about and be worried about.
Ill stick to writing articles and letters to places outside of this local area.
sigh. Im angry, and he doesnt need this shit. I feel really bad now.
PS he agrees with me, he just doesnt want to get hassled anymore.

[Qanisqineq]

1. that sucks

that he is getting harassed. How did they find out? Did some wife let them know?

[librechik]

2. don't get down on yourself, Mari

it's not your fault that the censorship philosophy has trapped your stepson in a no-win situation. You were trying to help him, and trying to help the cause of peace--nothing to be ashamed of there.

We all feel bad that our troops are overseas and democracy is being slaughtered at home. You are not alone.

[DrWeird]

3. Mari, don't give in to terrorists.

That's what got us in Iraq in the first place.

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. Just hang in there, Mari

You are doing what you think is right and taking care of someone you love the way you think is best.

[AP]

5. Too bad you can't call the families of the people harassing him...

...and exaplain "up" and "down" to them.

[vi5]

6. This may be a weird question...

But how are articles from your local area getting to the people in his unit. Aren't units made up of people from different areas?

[Mari333]

8. The wives of some of the unit soldiers saw my anti war articles

and they got mad, found my phone number, and harassed me and my husband, then called their soldier husbands and told them about the article I wrote in the local news.
Im going to stay out of writing locally now. and keep my letters at a non local level.

[geniph]

30. One more antiwar voice silenced.

That is so wrong. I don't blame you for being worried for your son, Mari, it just makes me ill that we can be terrorized and browbeaten into conformity in this supposedly free society.

[Lisa]

35. they must be feeling rather insecure themselves ...

Or they wouldn't take it out on you so viciously.

Thinking good thoughts for you and your family ...

Lisa

[opiate69]

38. Units are, as a necessity, stationed together..

They may all originally be from every corner of the country, but the units are based at specific bases. Locally, we have Fort Lewis Military Reserve and McChord Air Force Base. The Stryker Brigade is based at Ft Lewis, and is comprised of men and women from all over the country.

[JCMach1]

7. I would write one more article-- exposing the harassment

but that's me.

I feel for your position mari...

[libertad]

18. you don't want to get him killed.

I know a couple of servicemen who have been murdered by other servicemen.

[GOPisEvil]

9. Nothing like "fighting for freedom" and being hassled when your family

exercises it.

:eyes:

[FlaGranny]

10. Maybe he can bring charges of harrassment when

he returns. This is just not right. This country is going right to hell as far as first amendment rights. Evidently a good part of the population only believes in their own rights and no one elses.

[Catherine Vincent]

11. That is so sad.

I feel so bad for you and your son. But you shouldn't feel bad for voicing your opinion. This is America for god's sake.

[Az]

12. A psuedoname (ie Mari33)

Makes a lovely shield from bullies like those. And in fact the very need to use a psuedoname makes a statement in and of itself.

[ninkasi]

13. We're all pulling for you

Mari, everybody here at DU is in your corner, and Michael's. I know how much anguish this whole thing has caused you. From the way you describe him, Michael knows that you would never do anything to cause him any harm.

I know that what you are doing is not only for Michael, but also for every other son and daughter over there. You are a woman of great strength and courage, and I pray daily for you and our loved ones who are in harm's way.

There is no pit of hell deep enough, or hot enough, to give * and his thugs the punishment they deserve. At least we can vote him out of office soon, and let the world and our country begin to heal.

[IrateCitizen]

14. Mari, please check your inbox again...

I have a few suggestions for you on this, as someone who is rather familiar with the "system".

[Supormom]

15. Which local paper?

Perhaps a few DUers from your state could help by writing letters in your place.

[Mari333]

24. No I cant say what paper I dont want Michael to be attacked or

put into any position of harm. I have to do this very carefully. And do it with a lawyer behind me and someone who can protect Michael also.

[atreides1]

16. I Guess Defending...

...the Constitution isn't very important to his fellow soldiers. This is what makes the US different from the insurgents, they are willing to die for their beliefs, while we are not.

I've said this to friends of mine, that the oath of enlistment is nothing more then a bunch of words to most of the current military,
they say them because they have too, not because it means anything to them.

I could label them as traitors for swearing an oath that they had no intention of upholding, but in this case I will allow some leeway. They are scared and for the most part don't have a clue.

And before the flaming begins, my wife is currently deployed over there, so don't even start.

So much for the military protecting our freedoms.

[Desertrose]

17. what a bummer for both of you Mari333

I am a "scrapper" too, but am thinking maybe its best to just let this calm down for now....as for others writing letters...I would say just let it all fade for your son's sake. This is not helping him and lord knows he's sacrifiing enough just by being over there. The main thing is to keep him as safe as possible and not inflame things further. I'm sure something else will come up to divert their attention from this.

Yes...by all means write letters...post them here or other places...use a pseudonym just to be on the safe side til he comes back...then if ya wanna let it rip- I'd go for it then.


I heard your call on Guy James and my heart goes out to you & all others in the same situation......the main thing at this point IMO is to keep your son safe from Americans as well as the situation there in Iraq. *sigh*

Peace & :hug: to you
DR

[qb]

19. Don't be hard on yourself -

Voices like yours will help to bring the troops home sooner.

[Mari333]

20. Ill speak out on a non local level

and be less specific about who he is . I can still do that. Michael said I might get a call from the unit commader about my anti war stance. So I called a lawyer who is in charge of constitutional rights and hes going to call me back. They are doing this, I guess, to other people in the military who speak out against the war. Having other unit members call anti war parents and tell them to shut up.
Its an epidemic, one lawyer told me.

[Catherine Vincent]

21. You know, I think you should continue what you are doing.

If you stop it, then those whiney bitches that complained would win. I think you should reconsider.

[tom_paine]

22. I'm not sure but I think I agree with cat_girl25, Mari

I understand your pain and that of your son. My God, but do we dare back off an inch and let Totalitarian Monsters win yet ANOTHER ONE?

I don't know. No one can tell you to do something that will cause your son pain, but My God, intimidation is how the Busheviks and Imperial Amerika work!

If EVEN YOU, Mari, can be cowed then maybe there is no hope left for us all and we should just report to the Gulags...

[Mari333]

23. I wont stop speaking out

but Ill be less specific about the unit and Michaels name...I just dont want him to be in any more of a position of danger. I called the Center for Constitutional rights, and a lawyer who works with cases such as this. I dont want Michael to be hassled.

[Skittles]

25. I think that's the way to do it, Mari

you cannot risk any adverse affects for your boy in Iraq. But you do not have to be quiet either. Keep going.

[tom_paine]

27. Skittles, you are the voice of reason on this matter

And though it doesn't matter, the only thing that matters is what Mari feels is best for herself and her son...I agree with her course of action.

[Catherine Vincent]

33. Okay, well you do what you have to do to protect your son.

I just had that those idiots think they can shut someone up. That's a good deal that you have the lawyer working for you.

Good luck.

[Mari333]

26. Here is part of his email to me:

well, i am getting some problems from that article, i had to talk to the
first sergeant and our captain, but i am in no way getting any dishonorable
discharge. they are just a little pissed that there was an article in the
paper that was anti bush. you know, republicans and all. i, for one,
support what you are doing with the interviews, and the articles, but if
they keep reading it over here, it is only going to make my stay harder in
this place.

my squad leader, and he doesn't harbor any ill will against me, as
a matter of fact, he is actually one of the better sergeants i have met.
his wife called because she is in charge of the family readiness group, and
she was concerned with the article somehow contradicting what the people
here are reporting back to their families. she is exaggerating with the
whole thing, i mean, we were told to tell you exactly where we are, and
anything i told you was already brought up as harmless. i am in no trouble
at all, but once again, it is only a comfort issue.

there was a problem the day after the article was published. threats were
made, and people were pissed, but only because they thought that i was
giving you false information about this place as a center of attack. that
quickly blew over, and i made my case clear, so the mob withdrew. i have
had no more trouble with anyone here, and if i do, i will take care of it
with my kung-fu grip.

all i ask you both to do is lay low for a little bit, and anyone who calls
or emails, such as my first sergeant, about the article, just take
gracefully. as soon as this is over, you can have at them all you want. i
am going to get the hell out of this backstabbing unit, and go into the air
guard, or the coast guard. just try to make my stay as comfortable as
possible while working to get us home early. i will do my part over here by
voting numbnuts out, you do what you can over there, just keep it on the
downlow for a bit until this blows over.

now, for something completely different. you might want to keep your eyes
peeled for any news stories on this place, i was in front of cnn cameras
today, and various other news, and media cameras. it may take some
browsing, but i think you should be able to see it on one of the news
networks tonight, or today. if not, it'll be on the internet soon enough.

well, other than that, it's been an easy couple of days. half-day today,
and off a couple of days ago. back to work tomorrow.

well, i am off to shower, god knows i need it.
i love you

[BiggJawn]

28. "My Husbands fighting for YOUR Freedom, so you need to STFU..."

And her HEAD didn't explode from all the Logic jumping the rails?

Doesn't that just SUCK? I sure hope he can get out of that outfit and maybe get into the CG.
:hug:

[Union Thug]

39. What a crock...

... there hasn't been a war in the past 50 years where these guys were 'fighting for my freedom'. Give it a rest.

[BiggJawn]

40. Amazing, isn't it?

I feel more of a threat to my "Freedom" from Calico Johnnie Ashcroft and his Taliborn-Again legions than I did from So-Dumb Insane.

How did Hussein "threaten my Freedom"? He didn't.
Ashcroft, USA PATRIOT Act, PA Part Deux, Admiral "Felony" Poindexter and his DARPA bunch, THOSE are the true threats to our Freedoms!

I'm working to get Bush thrown out of office this fall. *I'M* "Fighting for my Freedom"!

[Mari333]

29. Okay now Im even more angry check this email out

they are even trying to keep my stepson from getting his specialist status if I dont shut up
this email was sent to my other son today:

do me a favor. i know your mom is getting a lot of positive attention from
>the articles she is posting in the papers, but i am hearing some shit here
>about it. i had to answer to the first sergeant and the commander about
>the article. they think i am giving some info to my dad
>and mari, so try to talk to her about easing off for a little bit. i
>don't need that kind of attention here, i am supposed to make specialist
>sometime soon, and this might ruin it. all i need is for her to go on the
>downlow for a little.
you know, this HAS to be against SOME army law???? dont you think???

[Columbia]

32. I don't see any of that from the email

"they are even trying to keep my stepson from getting his specialist status if I dont shut up"

"i am supposed to make specialist sometime soon, and this might ruin it."

No one is trying to do anything here. All your stepson is saying is that your activities may reflect negatively on his work over there. Nothing you do can directly affect his promotion, however your stepson does not need any more attention from his superiors. He should be looked at for his merits and if there is a lot of hoopla about what a stepmother may or may not be doing stateside, that will only draw attention away from his work. Do him a favor and follow his advice.

[bearfartinthewoods]

31. thank goddness it isn't an either/or situation

i'm very sorry your son is getting heat but glad to see you have found the middle ground that will still allow you to protest while shielding him from side effects.

[vincenzo]

34. I don't know how bad our officers are but . . .

I've been following this discussion and would like to add a story from Central America.

20 years ago, I was dating a woman who used to get calls from a cousin in a Central American army. To his young cousin in the U.S. he used to say that he never did any of the hossible things reported in the press but to his aunts and uncles he would say that he didn't know if he could live with the things he had done and and that he always dreamt of blood. He than became active in the anti-government movement. One Christmas his commanding officer told his mother that he predicted her son would die in battle. Sure enough. Whether he was sent on a suicide mission or shot in the back of the head was never known.

Are our officers this evil? I don't know. However they do expose even their own troops to DU ammunition. And they have assigned occupation duties to combat trained troops knowing full well that they will be blowing away innocent civilians, including entire families, at check points.

Good luck to you and your family. I'm afraid all families involved, American and Iraqi, are in for a long haul.

[Mari333]

36. I am not going to write any more letters

I am not putting Michael in harms way. I am in a Cath 22 situation. Ill be honest with you all, at this point my hands are tied. I can either continue screaming out against this war, or not. I will, but I have to be careful now. I cannot jeopardize Michaels safety. I am about to seriously leave the country, and I am mulling this over tonight. This is now becoming the straw that is breaking my back.
My husband doesnt seem to want to leave as badly as I do, well, I will do whats good for me and leave.
I dont want to be part of this country anymore. I am going to leave, and thats it. I wont live in a place where my freedom to speak out is curtailed by fear.
Its that simple. I have been warned now, with my own sons life on the line, to shut up.
I wont stay in a country that does that to me.
Thats tyranny and folks, we are living in it.

[Union Thug]

37. <sigh>

This is why I hate these hypocritical 'tough guys'. Oh, the big rough and tough soldiers gang up on a person for a statement of thier opinion. Fuck these guys. They're punks and no better than the 5th grad bullies who take milk money from the first graders. Fuck 'em.