We just passed the grim milestone of 4,000 U.S. military members killed in Iraq since the invasion five years ago. Still, the death toll climbs.
Typically unmentioned alongside the count of U.S. war dead are the tens of thousands of wounded (not to mention the Iraqi dead). The Pentagon doesn’t tout the number of U.S. injured, but the Web site icasualties.org reports an official number of more than 40,000 soldiers requiring medical airlifts out of Iraq, a good indicator of the scale of major injuries. That doesn’t include many others. Dr. Arthur Blank, an expert on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), estimates that 30 percent of Iraq veterans will suffer from PTSD.
Tomas Young was one of those injured, on April 4, 2004, in Sadr City. Young is the subject of a new feature documentary by legendary TV talk-show host Phil Donahue and filmmaker Ellen Spiro, called “Body of War.” In it, Young describes the incident that has left him paralyzed from the chest down:
“I only managed to spend maybe five days in Iraq until I got picked to go on my first mission. There were 25 of us crammed into the back of a two-and-a-half-ton truck with no covering on top or armor on the sides. For the Iraqis on the top of the roof, it just looked like, you know, ducks in a barrel. They didn’t even have to aim.”
The film documents his struggle, coping with severe paralysis and life in a wheelchair, its impact on his psyche, his wrecked marriage, his family and his political development from military enlistee into a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War.
Donahue has his own personal link to the anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. It was just weeks before the invasion that his nightly program, MSNBC’s top-rated show, was canceled. As revealed shortly thereafter in a leaked memo, Donahue presented a “difficult public face for NBC in a time of war. He seems to delight in presenting guests who are anti-war, anti-Bush and skeptical of the administration’s motives … at the same time that our competitors are waving the flag at every opportunity.”
Tomas Young enlisted in the military soon after Sept. 11, 2001. Earlier this week, Vice President Dick Cheney said: “The president carries the biggest burden, obviously. He’s the one who has to make the decision to commit young Americans, but we are fortunate to have a group of men and women, an all-volunteer force, who voluntarily put on the uniform and go in harm’s way for the rest of us.”
Young, speaking to me from Kansas City, Mo., where he lives, responded to Cheney: “From one of those soldiers who volunteered to go to Afghanistan after Sept. 11, which was where the evidence said we needed to go, to [Cheney], the master of the college deferment in Vietnam: Many of us volunteered with patriotic feelings in our heart, only to see them subverted and bastardized by the administration and sent into the wrong country.”
“Body of War” depicts the personal cost of war. In one of the most moving scenes in the film, Young meets Sen. Robert Byrd, the longest-serving senator, with the most votes cast in Senate history (more than 18,000). Byrd said his “no” vote on the Iraq war resolution was the most important of his life. Young helps him read the names of the 23 senators who voted against the war resolution. Byrd reflects: “The immortal 23. Our founders would be so proud.” Turning to Young, he says: “Thank you for your service. Man, you’ve made a great sacrifice. You served your country well.” Young replies, “As have you, sir.”
Amy Goodman is the host of “Democracy Now!” a daily international TV/radio news hour airing on 650 stations in North America. Her new book, “Standing Up to the Madness: Ordinary Heroes in Extraordinary Times” (co-written with her brother, David Goodman), is out in April.
© 2008 Amy Goodman
So?
Meanwhile, back at the yacht, the vice president and the sultan of Oman go fishing.
Amy used sound from the documentary on Tuesday’s show. I started to sob during Sen. Byrd and Michael reading the names of the senators who voted ‘NO’ in 2002. The sound was juxtaposed to rather propaganda-ized military music (and it worked!) and the 170+ ‘AYE’ votes. I know that Body of War will be in S.F. soon. I will be there.
“From one of those soldiers who volunteered to go to Afghanistan after Sept. 11, which was where the evidence said we needed to go…”
EVIDENCE? WHAT EVIDENCE POINTS TO AFGHANISTAN? The evidence points to ISRAEL!. What happened to Pat Tillman?
I wish these documentaries wouldn’t be so poorly distributed. I’ve been frustrated trying to get venues to allow ONE screen for these kinds of important films for people to see… “Beyond Belief” is also brilliant (2 9/11 widows help Afghanistan widows), and I can’t wait to see “Beyond The War”! Please come to Boston…
How does the anti-war movement justify supporting Barack (war is o.k. in Afghanistan, Pakistan, maybe Iran, some other countries; slow pullout from Iraq in the DISTANT future) Obama? Shame on anyone supporting this imperialist pro-war candidate!
“Meanwhile, back at the yacht, the vice president and the sultan of Oman go fishing.”
Along as he doesn’t take him duck hunting Oil prices will be jus’ fine [sic]….
Agreed, Afghanistan is NOT the “good war”. Invading and bombing Afghanistan was NEVER was justified.
From the moment it was proposed on Sept 11, I regarded the idea of invading a desperately poor country that needed food, not bombs, in order to apprehend stateless international terrorists, was an utterly senseless idea. Invading any sovereign state that was not threatening us or harming us in any way is never justified.
It was also a preposterously unproductive way to capture stateless, international terrorists (none of whom were Afghani, or even spent any time there) and the terrorsits that were there would only benefit enormously from the chaos and bitterness generated under the US bombs.
I vigorously opposed any Afghan invasion over the next few monnths, recieving quite a lot of hostility in the process. The US should have engaged with the Taliban government, which was only making the perfectly reasonable request that the US furnish some evidence that Bin Laden was connected to the attacks.
Now, seven years later it looks like I was 100% correct. Now, how is it possible that someone totally ueducated in foreign relations, statcraft, diplomacy, military science, etc. could be so right, and someone like Condoleeza, who holds a PhD in these subjects, could be so wrong?
“Now, how is it possible that someone totally ueducated in foreign relations, statcraft, diplomacy, military science, etc. could be so right, and someone like Condoleeza, who holds a PhD in these subjects, could be so wrong?”
Three Words
How is it that college graduates are mostly motivated by only money? How is it that police academy’s routinely graduate students who have never heard of J. Edgar Hoover?
Who shot Kennedy. How come the janitors were the first to be let go at Enron? Why do people still think They need Microsoft products?
How will I ever be able to respect a university graduate again? How will I ever regain respect for elected public servants. Man - there’s a lot I don’t know.
Who shot Kennedy?
From one of those soldiers who volunteered to go to Afghanistan after Sept. 11, which was where the evidence said we needed to go
I agree with Hetware’s statement: WHAT EVIDENCE? OBL has not been linked in any way to 9/11. No money trail, no nothing, just a grainy video of OBL “claiming” A-Q responsibility. If you look at the FBI Wanted list, 9/11 is not mentioned in the charges against OBL. And it was the presence of OBL in Afghanistan and the Taliban’s refusal to hand him over is what took us to war there.
http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/terrorists/terbinladen.htm
This 4,000 number is bogus. It only includes the ones who died immediately in theater, not the ones who were mortally wounded and airlifed to hospitals where they then died of their injuries. It also doesn’t include those who have died from certain “mysterious” maladies that should be attributed to depleted uranium and other bioweapons exposure. If Amy Goodman and others who continue to use official Pentagon numbers were to do their homework (remembering that war casualties have always been underreported by officials) they could easily determine that the number is well over 10,000.
The administration’s refusal to allow independent photographers to be present when coffins are flown in helps disguise the real number as well.
Veritas — Very true. I read a couple years ago that the proposed figure was really about 35,000 soldiers who died enroute to Germany or at the hospital in Germany. Those aren’t counted as dying from the war.
They picked up this ‘loop hole’ (aka LIE) when the public couldn’t take it anymore hearing the large number of soldiers killed in Vietman. So they made up this skewed and dishonest way of counting the dead. Also, the Iraqi people are not counted as all.
The slimey deceiving b*stards. They can’t lie to GOD. And they can’t bring their lawyer with them when they get to the other side.
Sen. Byrd to Young: “You served your country well.”
What total bullshit. He served the military. He served a war criminal president.
He made people, including his countrymen, less safe by increasing world terrorism. He blew the taxpayers money so that more poor people would die due to lack of social services, and so not be able to vote.
Young betrayed his country. Most likely out of ignorance, but he betrayed his country.
Don’t forget that the Taliban offered to turn OBL over to a Muslim country for trial as soon as the US offered some evidence as to his involvement. That was not good enough for Bush because then we would not get the oil routes sewn up.
Face it, OBL has been a red herring from the start. He most likely died years ago. Only he is too useful as an icon for both sides to give up on. He is the Emanual Goldstein of Orwell’s 1984: The person towards which the government allows its citizens to channel their hate (so that we remain distracted from the crimes of our own leaders).
4000
4001
4002
4003
4004
but who’s counting
I’m glad to see that more people are waking up to the realization that 9/11 was an inside job. It’s kind of frustrating to see the Truth so clearly before our eyes and yet so few people are willing to see it. Are they waiting for the talking heads to tell them that what they see with their own eyes is real?
I kind of like what I came up with earlier. “The first casualty, when war comes, is Truth” ~ US Senator Hiram Warren Johnson
The first casualty, when Truth comes, is war. 9/11 was an inside job!
Anybody who opposes the war, but does not support 9/11 Truth should not be taken seriously. I have the sense that a lot of “Progressives” actually revel in the war because they see it as a cause for self-righteous indignation.
I heard about this show by listening to Alan Colmes on AAR.
Sounds like it would be awesome. I going to have to look for it. I have no cable TV but have PBS Denver Channel 6. They played the recent Front Line Bush’s War recently. Who knows.
4000 dead is just a media figure. Of course many more died and just failed to make the list. The coffins are not photographed. I read the book Blackwater by Jeremy Scahill. There are some 100K plus mercenary soldiers out there as well. When one of them gets killed it simply isn’t reported. I am not a major 9/11 conspiracy buff. I believe that GWB got reports that a major attack was coming and just went to sleep and let it happen. It was in his best interests.
“Meanwhile, back at the yacht, the vice president and the sultan of Oman go fishing.”
Fishing in the region could be rather hazardous! This follows the killing of an Egyptian civilian by U.S. troops on board a merchant ship in the Suez Canal. Yes, you read it correctly: ON BOARD A MERCHANT SHIP! (see my blog for details)
So now the American navy has warships everywhere in the Middle East PLUS security detachments on privately owned ships. The region is ‘alive’ with the means of war. Hallelujah!
You’d almost think that a war was coming, wouldn’t you?
www.dangerouscreation.com
There’s a political technique that dates back to at least both the Nazis and the Communists in the 1920’s and 30’s. That is they’d send people in to break up the meetings and discussion of any opposition groups.
When I read this comment string, I feel like I’m seeing exactly the same techniques in operation on the internet today. Note the large number of comments who’s only real purpose is to distract and deflect the discussion away from the real topic.
Note the people who act like 9-11 conspiracy nuts who have to post to try to distract the conversation. Or note the people who appear every time the number of 4000 dead is mentioned who have to try to deflect the discussion to whether or not that number is accurate.
I was lucky enough to see the beginning of this movie on Ms. Goodman’s show the other morning. That piece alone is incredibly moving. Find a way to see this. The part I saw I’m sure can be seen on the DN! website (link at bottom of article).
Focus on what’s happening. Focus on how this person’s life has been made incredibly difficult. Focus on all the other bits of death and destruction and maiming and torturing and killing that go along with these wars. Don’t let people distract you from that. That’s their goal. Because if people focused on what these wars really mean, they might actually stop them. So there’s people who’d rather deflect everyone’s attention to something else.
The fun part is to watch the number of such posts that are deflecting and disrupting and then use that to get a feel for how important the real topic of the article was.
If you want real information about seeing this film, visit www.bodyofwar.com.
I do wish they’d immediately start DVD distribution. That enables more of a grassroots effort of showing the film to as many people as possible. And it helps avoid the above mentioned issues of trying to get local theaters to show the film. If they’d start selling DVDs right at the release of the film, then anyone could get one and see it themselves or show it to their friends and neighbors.
Ignorance kills.
COMarc March 27th, 2008 4:53 pm
“There’s a political technique that dates back to at least both the Nazis and the Communists in the 1920’s and 30’s. That is they’d send people in to break up the meetings and discussion of any opposition groups.”
“There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
The root of the “War on(sic) Terror” is 9/11 and 9/11 was an inside job!
“Meanwhile, back at the yacht, the vice president and the sultan of Oman go fishing.” AND planning the bombing of Iran! What will happen when the wind blows the fallout over all the ME countries? Then not only Iraq will be suffering fron uranium poisoning (Iraq has had 5 years of depleted uranium being used by the US military.)
USAn: You were right. I was wrong. I thought it wa a good idea to attack Afghanistan because I thought it would be good for women. I was wrong. i realize now that war is simply a bad idea. I got carried away by 9-11 and thought it was necessary to attack Afghanistan. I see clearly now and regret my position. You didn’t fall for it, I congratulate you.
If Sen. Byrd understands our country’s governance crisis, like he indicates to Amy Goodman he does, why the hell didn’t he vociferously - nay lead!- congressional efforts to indict (impeach) Bush & Co.?
Since the last vestiges of our democratic republic, including how government has failed to regulate our society’s now TASS-like News Media, are being ground into irretrievable dust, what the hell did Bryd have to loose?
I’ve read his book[s] and speeches denouncing the rottenness of the neocon agenda, and the likely end of meaningful democracy in the USA, and Byrd obviously understands what is happening.
But his [unexercized] options for more strenuous senatorial action, to correct the situation, don’t square with his words.
Apparently, Byrd thinks its impolite to do anymore more than verbally wring his hands.
In the end, both his fiery word and milkquetoast conduct amount to bullshit.
I am sorry but I can’t develop much sympathy for an injured US soldier. Their injuries seem like justice to me.
Rich Griffin (fifth comment above):
Barack Obama was against invading Iraq from the beginning although he wasn’t yet in the Senate at the time. If elected president, he would redeploy two brigades a month out of Iraq until all are out in about 16 months. I favor immediate withdrawal but maybe his approach is more prudent.
He is definitely NOT an “imperialist, pro-war candidate.” You’re either stupendously ill-informed or a shill for Faux News. Come to think of it, you’re likely both!
The question was: “Who shot Kennedy?”
The Answer is: “LBJ and Friends”.
Just watch this and you’ll see.
http://tinyurl.com/2ofm7p
The Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting organization has issued an ALERT about National Public Radio. Apparently, NPR has been (significantly) inaccurate in reporting the number of deaths of US soldiers and Iraqi civilians. Here is the web address:
http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=3326
Or you can go to AntiWar.com and scroll down to the article title “NPR Underreports Iraq Deaths”
elmysterio March 27th, 2008 5:59 pm:
The question was: “Who shot Kennedy?”
The Answer is: “LBJ and Friends”.
Just watch this and you’ll see.
http://tinyurl.com/2ofm7p
I’ve gone through that video fairly carefully. I suspect there is worth in what she says. Have you seen JFK II?
“Oh yeh, [E. Howard] Hunt was there [in Dealey Plaza] alright. He and [George Herbert Walker] Bush were in charge of the shooters [assassinating JFK]. But they weren’t really in charge. They were just taking orders from civilians Like Allen Dulles and the Rockefellers” ~ DCI William Egan Colby
Poppy was in Dallas on November 22, 1963
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
Memorandum
TO: SAC, HOUSTON DATE:11-22-63
FROM: SA GRAHAM W. KITCHEL
SUBJECT: UNKNOWN SUBJECT;
ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT
JOHN F. KENNEDY
At 1:45 p.m. Mr. GEORGE H. W. BUSH, President of the Zapata Off-Shore Drilling Company, Houston, Texas, residence 5525 Briar, Houston, telephonically furnished the following information to writer by long distance telephone call from Tyler, Texas.
BUSH stated that he wanted to be kept confidential but wanted to furnish hearsay that he recalled hearing in recent weaks, the day and source unknown. He stated that one JAMES PARROTT has been talking of killing the President when he comes to Houston.
BUSH stated that PARROTT is possibly a student at the University of Houston and is active in political matters in this area. He stated that he felt Mrs. FAWLEY, telephone number SU 2-5239, or ARLINE SMITH, telephone number JA 9-9194 of the Harris County Republican Party Headquarters would be able to furnish additional information regarding the identity of PARROTT.
BUSH stated that he was proceeding to Dallas, Texas, would remain in the Sheraton-Dallas Hotel and return to his residence on 11-23-63. His office telephone number is CA 2-0395.
And for some real fun try PERMINDEX+Halliburton.
Lobo 72
Obama came to CT to support Joe Lieberman the war candidate over Ned Lemont whoes candidacy was set up to be the anti war candidate for the US senate, but OBOMB-EM supported Lieberman who now supports McCain -now you teell me how OBOMB-EM is an anti war candidate??????????
COMarc:
I couldn’t agree more with you in regards to your comments about people being hired to purposefully deflect and distract progressive conversation from the topic at hand.
I also feel that these types are trying to shed a bad light on sites like CD and the people who post comments in hope that people will begin to think that these sites are only read by paranoid hacks.
I wish the moderators would be more on the ball, but it’s a slippery slope towards censorship of free speech. I guess it’s just a reality we have to deal with, but people should be keep in mind that undermining forces are amongst us.
wtf - for what it’s worth, the Taliban did not refuse to hand over Bin Laden. They agreed to, if the US would provide evidence of his involvement. Bush just wouldn’t take “yes” for an answer.
Zounds: Impeachment proceedings are initiated in the House of Representatives, tried in the Senate, with the Chief Justice presiding, and requiring a two-thirds majority to convict. It may have been a long shot to get seventeen GOP Senators to vote to impeach, but with the proceedings on television, I’d hope the American people would be so outraged that they would flood their senator’s offices with letters, emails and calls.
Pelosi’s refusal to put impeachment on the table is inexcusable, an abrogation of her duty. For this she must be replaced. Goldwater Republican John Dean from Nixon’s administration and conservative Constitutional scholar Bruce Fien both passionately agreed that Cheney, then Bush should be tried. If there is any justice, they would have been found guilty and removed from office.
It’s not too much of a stretch to imagine they will be brought to the Hague as war criminals; but then again, Kissinger wasn’t.
I listened to DN’s airing on the radio on Monday and was deeply moved. Emotion is what hits the raw nerves of people, initiating action. This is a must see, but I will have to wait for DVD release.
Who, and or, which organization would have to bring charges against Bu$h and Co. to have them stand trial in The Hague?
What is the process to start the ball rolling?
And then this is my second post here.
liveandlearn, nice handle, and a modest way to conduct one’s life. But do you really feel people other than Cd’er read these comments? I mean really? Barack and Hillery stopping in after a hard day campaigning, lurking though the comments, to ‘keep abreast’ of all those ‘progressives’. Cute.
And the idea that paid government folks are attempting to disrupt this very small, private conversation? Absolutely! But then again, why? Beyond the self congratulatory part of that, what kind of a government would have the concerns, the time and the money? Of all the thoughtful things i have read on CommonDreams over the past 6 years, I do not think any of you regulars really have the inkling of a clue to the true answer to this. A true paradox for thought. Most groups i ask these questions fail. People are not very adept outside their “comfort”"familiar” realm.
Last month, I posted heavily about the ‘Body of War’ on a pro-gun site, full of current Iraq serving personnel. I was called for my efforts: “unpatriotic”. I, like doom and gloom, live in KC, where the opening was held last month. A hundred responses from my postings, all referring to the wounded soldier as a ’sell out’, and Phil as a ’socialist instigator’. That is a world folks here don’t understand very well. They gladly eat their own, in the real america.
Hope you enjoy my new posting interest, we’ll see what you can make of it. A very long time CD’er, quite well connected, with absolutely no one paying for my free words.
It takes a lot of personal soul searching, honesty and courage for those who joined the military to acknowledge the lies that were told to them and to publicly confront this lawless Bush-Cheney administration.
As an anti-war activist from Vietnam times on, I’m into people walking the walk. Talk is cheap.
If the peace movement is going to get things done, it has to reach beyond the choir, connect American military, foreign and economic policies. And we need all voices speaking truth to power.
I write in reply to a completely false comment by user “WTF”
who said:
“#
WTF March 24th, 2008 12:47 pm
… I believe OBL is alive and very well, gleefully watching the US bleed, as was ALWAYS his desire. He is revered by much of Islam as a hero-warrior, up there with the great Salah Ad-din Yusuf Ibn Ayyub (aka Saladin). As such, he will be protected from stool pigeons. He will probably go down in Arabic history as the most famous muslim in recent times.”
OBL is NOT a hero nor is he “revered by much of islam”. On the contrary , repeatedly the major sheikhs and imams have condemned him and his actions; the old and young generations of Arabs have repeatedly renounced him and recognized him for nothing but an unmitigated disaster on the arab world (a reason that makes most intellectuals - american arab and european - question whether he isn’t a manufactured casus belli to rape the arabs)
I don’t know where WTF gets his information (misinformation more like it) but this is the kind of lie that inflames americans against muslims and arabs.
It is unfair to spew such lies when arabs have done much to publicly renounce those crminals and pursue and imprison them, yet american media turns a blind eye to those efforts
Muslims and arabs recognize OBL for the dangerous criminal that he is. He has no mandate, no holiness, no religious formal training, no authority , and certainly no right to commit any crime, and no right to pretend to speak for them.
Terrorism patently violates muslim rules of war , peace and international relations. it violates the letter and precedent of muslim beliefs and jurisprudence. And many scholars have said so publicly on numerous occasions ranging from weekly sermons, TV programs to publicized letters to the popes by major muslim figures and representatives.
Arabs + muslims reject terrorism and terrorist means and OBL in no way represents arab or muslim interests or aspirations. He is a criminal and he is the creation of the US .
I hate the way the media props him up and reports his “messages” as if they matter.
Get your facts straight WTF, OBL is a low life outlaw and don’t go conflating such a low life criminal created by your government with muslim historic leaders who were on par to parlay and negotiate war and peace with Richard Lionheart .
WTF’s message is very insulting and demeaning and defamatory of muslims today.
Cheers.
natneroc,
I see OBL as a product of lunatic fringe Islam. I agree that most Muslims denounce terrorism. I question however, why is there no movement within the Muslim community to try to stop this lunacy? Why is there no movement in the Christian community to stop the lunatic fringe Christians?
Amy,
The Neozio Fascists have taken over all of the Mass Greedia.
They hunger for the last 1%.
Indy Media.
Why give them more air time on your show to spew more Propaganda?
They sit there and lie.
Do we really need to listen to any more lies?
It is conditioning.
Pure and simple.
Say the same lie a thousand times and people will begin to believe it’s true.
Study,
REFRAMING or read:
The Hypnotic Agenda.
These are Professional liars and Mind control experts that have killed and maimed millions.
There is a need for Progressive Programming which can present a way out of this: Corpirate Fiasco
We are up against a ruthless, relentless, thorough and very well funded Adversary.
This is what: We the People are up against.
There is a catastrophic Food, Energy, Climate and Economic Crisis happening NOW!
They created it.
I appreciate everything you are doing in helping to provide a way out.
How about taking it one step further?
Eliminate any additional outlets for their lies.
When they give us our Airwaves and air time back on the other 99% of The Mass Media,
We will give them theirs on our 1%.
The time for BU__! SH__! is over.
How about a five minute segment on:
Renewable energy, Organic farming, Local manufacturing, Energy conservation and positive alternatives to The Corpirate System.
People need the good example to emulate and
A positive creative way out of this mess.
Lies have gotten us here and
The Truth will provide the way out.
Regards,
William Eon
COMarc said:
“There’s a political technique that dates back to at least both the Nazis and the Communists in the 1920’s and 30’s. That is they’d send people in to break up the meetings and discussion of any opposition groups.
When I read this comment string, I feel like I’m seeing exactly the same techniques in operation on the internet today. Note the large number of comments who’s only real purpose is to distract and deflect the discussion away from the real topic. ”
Here’s another thanks to you for that comment COMarc, and you said it better than I would have.
It did feel like it was spinning in here. Feels *ugh* neocon republican. I’ve seen it done again and again, like you. I want to comment, and all the other comments are other topics. Stories about soldiers speaking up, and then folks posting as if they really don’t care. They don’t care to discuss the thousands of people dead and wounded…they’d rather talk about something else.
Rather talk about something else. Not a single kind word for these people!! Not a thought that one or two of them might be reading, not a thought about what that might do to them. As if enough hasn’t been done to them already. As if their lives don’t matter. They’re forgotten before the first sentence. Written off as soon as they put on a uniform, just like the military did to them, these people want to do too.
I thought it was just me getting this impression. But to think of people doing it intentionally, professionally even, what a horrible thought…that I believe is entirely likely. If so, they’re doing exactly what everyone will accuse these soldiers of doing, blindly following orders.
But, of course for these writing pukes, THEIR lives and families were never at risk, so it’s all good. The money is probably better too, think these writers qualify for Food Stamps, like the enlisted ranks do?? Bet they’re proud of their skills, don’t you think? I imagine they think they’re pretty smart (to include the need to prove it rudely to others, frequently, to feed their pathetic egos, I imagine much smug rudeness throughtout their lives), throwing people off, as policy. Supporting the cause. So the killing can continue. So the sons and daughters of friends and neighbors can be run through the meat grinder without notice.
Well. They’re as bad as the one’s that got us into all these wars, aren’t they. Fancy that. Traitors of the worst kind. Everywhere. It just figures.
I wish I could get through to them, but I’m sure there isn’t a patriotic bone in them. Not much humanity going on there, or they’d never stoop so low as to kick people when they’re down, just to make a buck. Rove wannabes. These are the ones that would sell their own daughters, these are the one’s that would shelter murderers and rapists, these are the tories.
Hear that, you pond scum shills? One day, you will feel EVERY BIT as horrible as these soldiers feel about what they’ve done. But some of us know how much MORE horrible you really are for what you are doing. Because you know better, and these guys didn’t. They were set up, and you are part of it. Understand? Your families and friends will condemn you, someday, when you’re found out. There is no loyalty, and YOU will be the scapegoats. You’re a bunch of tories. Look it up.
Here, let me help, I know you’re busy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Tory_Party
There. Another much-too-long comment, but now that I realize the purpose of those OTHER much-too-long comments, I don’t feel so badly. Least I’m on topic. Least I give a shit about all these thousands of guys messed over by BushCo/IraqGate. Least I realize this story by Amy (Bless her heart!) was about them, and that it matters, and that THEY matter.
And
“lizard March 27th, 2008 5:34 pm
I am sorry but I can’t develop much sympathy for an injured US soldier. Their injuries seem like justice to me.”
Because…you’re a fool that I won’t have much sympathy for. Right? I imagine there isn’t much sympathy in you for the less advantaged either, right? The poor, it’s all their fault, and they should be condemned for joining the military, even if everyone they know and everything they see supports the war…they ought to be figuring this stuff out before they get there. Forget the opportunities dangled in front of them, because, you know, poor people don’t have the right to be stupid. Or even average.
Or the less intelligent, hell with them too, no sympathy. Who needs stupid people? Or even faintly average people?
Basically lizard, what you don’t realize is that you just wrote yourself off. Because, my foolish friend, you’re too stupid to realize it, and so fell into your own category.
You go figure it out kid, Someone might feel sorry for you. But not me!
whatever4:
very good!
simply put: Speak Power to all these A**Holes.
Oil is only a payoff for the West’s efforts at providing PROXY COMBATANTS for Israel–for protecting Israel from expanding, encircling Islamic Arabism; a Jewish nation-state having supporters throughout the West willing to destroy the entirety of Western civilization for Israel’s sake. That’s the gut-wrenching truth of why Western democracies are sacrificing blood and treasury in the Middle East; especially the U.S., which has enough off-shore and on-land oil reserves to last 300 years at her present rate of consumption, and which reserves were PURPOSELY capped and/or not drilled because Israel’s supporters poured millions of dollars into ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT groups’ coffers, to work at keeping America from oil/energy independence and tied to Israel’s interests in the Middle East. That’s the truth you’ll NEVER see nor hear reported in Western mainstream news media, because Israel’s supporters control what’s fit to be said or printed about why the West wars with Islamic Arabism.
nolieplease - I’m aware of the Constitution’s impeachment procedures. My point about Sen. Byrd: He like most other congresspersons who’ve publicly excoriated Bush & Cheney for years, still fail to announce equally-public support for off-and-on again impeachment-initiation efforts in the House - which is why, maybe, these House efforts keep faltering. There’s no reason a US Senator can’t comment on and urge public support for a House measure……
USAn March 27th, 2008 12:49 pm
I agree. There is no “bad” Iraq war and “good” Afghanistan war. There is no “victory” possible in Afghanistan and the invaders from NATO are simply committing long-range genocide against a nationalist resistance that they conveniently label “Taliban”. Bush getting the French on side does not change the basic situation one bit.
I can’t believe the arrogance of Westerners who are in Islamic countries trying to change their culture by military might. But maybe I shouldn’t be too surprised when I remember hundreds of years of Western colonial domination of the world…Is there any evidence that Western world domination has ended? And what about that massive lie being pushed by the war-mongers that it is Islam that threatens Western “civilisation”. Talk about the ‘pot calling the kettle “black”‘
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Thank you, Phil Donahue and Amy……..The American People need to see the effects of the National Media´s brainwashing.
America wanted revenge for the attacks of 9/11 and the neo-Conservative Cabal was ready with their plans of “Invasion” and enforcement of the “Patriot Acts”.
DOD sold the soldiers 9/11…..Posters of the towers being hit were on everyone´s lockers. Too bad no one knew about World Trade Center #7 and the men behind the planting of the explosives.
No, none of those soldiers deserved to be killed in action. No, none of those soldiers deserve to be maimed for life. No, none of those 123 peopled killed by returning Iraq Veterans deserved their fate.
“The Surge” did not work. The National Media was told to go home and stop reporting and they did. Up to 1.2 million Iraqis have died. Up to 4 million Iraqis are living in “Refugee Camps” inside and outside Iraq. The Invasions have cost the American People, at least 3 trillion dollars and that does not include the 2 trillion dollars worth of materials and supplies lost by Department of Defense (Donald Rumsfeld news conference in 2002) and another 1 trillion dollars of lost arms and supplies (GAO Report 2003).
Two of my friends who served in Viet Nam died from cancers they contracted from contact with “Agent Orange”. The soldiers and Iraqi people have been exposed to the dust remains of depleted uranium weapons…..many have already felt the effects……It will be decades before the cancers start taking their lives.
No study has been done on deaths of veterans of the Viet Nam War in the past two decades and none will be done on the Iraq/Afghanistan Invasions.
What is tragic is that the American people are deprived of the information they need to know. They need to see more films like “Body of War”, “Redacted”, and “Uncounted”. They need the information to get angry at the “Political Elite” and the governments that they have controlled.
JHC! “But to think of people doing it intentionally, professionally even, what a horrible thought…that I believe is entirely likely. If so, they’re doing exactly what everyone will accuse these soldiers of doing, blindly following orders.”
They’re everywhere! They’re everywhere!
Sheesh.