Iraq Vets Turn War Critics: a whisper in a swarm of propaganda

[G_j]

Iraq Veterans Turn War Critics
http://www.truthout.org/docs_05/012405Y.shtml

Few but Organized, Iraq Veterans Turn War Critics
By Neela Banerjee
The New York Times

Sunday 23 January 2005

Sean Huze enlisted in the Marine Corps right after the Sept. 11 attacks and was, in his own words, "red, white and blue all the way" when he deployed to Iraq 16 months later. Unquestioning in his support of the invasion, he grew irritated when his father, a former National Guardsman, expressed doubts about the war.

Today, all that has changed. Haunted by the civilian casualties he witnessed, Corporal Huze has become one of a small but increasing number of Iraq veterans who have formed or joined groups to oppose the war or to criticize the way it is being fought.

The two most visible organizations - Operation Truth, of which Corporal Huze is a member, and Iraq Veterans Against the War - were founded only last summer but are growing in membership and sophistication. The Internet has helped them spread their word and galvanize like-minded people in ways unimaginable to activist veterans of previous generations, who are also lending help.

"There's strength in numbers," Corporal Huze said. "By ourselves, we're lone voices, a whisper in a swarm of propaganda out there. Combined, we can become a roar and have an impact on the issues that we care about."

..more..

---------
George Solomou | Why I'll Refuse to Fight in this Immoral War
http://www.truthout.org/docs_05/012305Y.shtml

Why I'll Refuse to Fight in This Immoral War
By George Solomou
The Independent U.K.

Friday 21 January 2005

Every individual soldier has the moral right to decide whether he will put his life on the line.
Earlier this week, I came out publicly against the war in Iraq. I'm not the only member of the Labour Party to be opposed to our military participation in this American-led adventure, nor am I the only soldier. In fact, there growing vocal minority within the Territorial Army that is against the war. Nonetheless I am the first one to make it clear, in public, that if called to serve in Iraq, I will refuse.

This has not been a decision arrived at impulsively. I have never believed in the rightness of this war; in fact I was on the big anti-war March in February 2003. Even then - before the absence of the weapons of mass destruction that Prime Minister Blair and President Bush cited as the principal reason to rush to war was admitted by all - I was astounded that they could take us to war when it was clear the majority of the population was opposed. Members of the Labour Party at the time were talking about practicing an "ethical foreign policy", and yet there was nothing ethical about the way this was being planned and sold to the public.

..more..

---------
Howard Zinn | Support Our Troops; Bring Them Home
http://www.truthout.org/docs_05/012305V.shtml

[opihimoimoi]

1. Read MOTHER JONES, Nov/Dec 2004, edition. Mike Hoffman,

co founder of Iraqi Veterans against the war....

"Now, you realize that the people to blame for this aren't the ones you are fighting. Its the people who put you in this situation in the first place. You realize you wouldn't be in this situation if you hadn't been lied to. Soldiers are slowly coming to that conclusion. Once that becomes widespread, the resentment of the war is going to grow even more."

and the arrogance goes on and on and on... Bush Co. is fucking with our great Nation in a most horrible way...wasting blood and treasure for selfish gain. Despicable.

[Karenina]

2. WHAT IS TAKING SO LONG????

:argh: :argh: :argh:

I am THRILLED to see brave souls standing up to the *atrocity in which they, their families and communities are being shredded. It's just SUCH a long time coming...

[antigone382]

3. It's going to take soldiers a lot longer to decide that it's wrong.

It goes against everything their military higher ups have been telling them, over and over again, for years; you have to swallow a whole lot of pride to admit you've been conned, especially when the consequences are as large as theirs are. Admitting that the war is wrong will force a lot of soldiers to deal with tremendous amounts of guilt resulting from the participation in this war (a guilt which they don't deserve, and for which Mr. Bush and his warhawks bear sole responsibility). You're talking about a huge shift in their worldview, with long-lasting personal ramifications. Give the soldiers time.

[Karenina]

5. Oh... I know, Antigone,

Thank you for your post. I needed that :hug: as I'm simply at my wit's end anytime the thought of the true cost to humanity this *corporate military action has triggered enters my mind. My happily-ever-after scenario is that the more mature Guard Libruls & PATRIOTS DAMMIT scavenge themselves a BIG OL' BULLHORN and BLOW the *BUSHIT out of the water. Many of them and their families have been financially DE$TROYED in $ervice to *co. WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR FOLKS TO GET A CLUE??? :VERY DEEP SIGH:

[annabanana]

4. It's a lot quicker

than it was the first time around ('nam).... Maybe more lives can be spared this time.