From the newsletter of March Forward! We join the military for many different reasons. Some of us want to have access to a college education. Some of us want job training and a steady paycheck. Some of us join to get U.S. citizenship. Some of us need to get out of debt or need to get off a destructive path. Some of us join out of pride, patriotism and a genuine desire to be a part of some greater, collective good. Many of us made the decision early-while still in high school, enticed by recruiters' promises of cash bonuses, adventure and opportunity-while some of us joined after years as a worker, drawn by the military's full health care and housing benefits.
Whatever the reason, we all found ourselves wearing the uniform of the U.S. military. What did we actually join? What is the role of the U.S. military in the world? What does it mean to be a soldier following the dictates of U.S. foreign policy? When we sign ourselves away to the military, what are we being used to do?
In recent years, many of us ended up in Iraq or Afghanistan. We are told that as a soldier in the U.S. military we are defending the interests of the United States. This does have an ounce of truth-but only an ounce. We are defending the interests of a particular class in the United States. It is only a wealthy minority whose interests are being defended in Iraq, Afghanistan and the more than 130 countries where U.S. troops are stationed.
Only end of occupation can restore self-determination! The author is an Iraq war veteran.
On the heels of the Status of Forces Agreement, the Iraqi flag was raised for the first time since the 2003 invasion in a symbolic handover of the Green Zone to the Iraqi government.
The Green Zone is a 5.6-square-mile community along the west side of the Tigris River in central Baghdad. It is home to roughly 30,000 residents, including 14,000 U.S. and coalition forces. For nearly six years, the Green Zone has been used to paint a picture of stability and U.S. success in Iraq. When U.S. and foreign politicians visit occupied Iraq, they stroll around the Green Zone, being shown beautiful gardens and lavish palaces that paint a picture of a safe and successful occupation.
But the Green Zone itself is nothing more than a public relations prop and a headquarters for the military brass, private military contractors, and Western corporations to conduct their affairs in luxury. It is off limits to most Iraqi citizens.
As the world watches the combat in Israel and Gaza, in every corner of the Earth, people await peace, or at least the prospect of a cessation. However, it seems harmony is not likely. Be it in the Mediterranean or here in the States, persons are quick to pounce. Caustic conversations fill the airwaves. In the ethereal sphere, the Internet, one might hear, 'Palestinians must be our priority.' Others say, "No. Israel is right. It is possible to respect the Arabs who reside in Gaza and still bomb Hamas into oblivion."
Each stance denies a truth Joe Goedereis expresses in what I believe is a brilliant essay. We are all people. For Mister Goedereis, peace is not possible if we, individuals on either side of the issue, exclaim "Enough is enough!" Joe Goedereis invites us to ponder the conflict from another perspective, a humanitarian truth.
Sorry, but I'll take the words of Naomi Klein and Graham Greenwald any day over the sentiments of one who endorses the actions that brought about an unnecessary war. I firmly believe that the Western media is not reporting this whole conflict fairly and is biased in favor of Israel. It has been biased in favor of Israel for years because of our close friendship and international relationship with this country and finally the world community is calling Israel out for its actions - something it should have done long ago for the treatment of the Palestinian PEOPLE. Notice I said PEOPLE, not Hamas. There seems to be this sentiment that Hamas are the only people in the Palestinian territories and that is not the case at all.
For the past several years I have been a member of the local peace group, Pacem in Terris. One outgrowth of membership and action with the group was my recent political campaign. The driving force for political action was then and remains today my staunch opposition to the ongoing occupation of Iraq. Our nation has many issues to be resolved today. We will not be able to address many of those issues so long as we continue to borrow and spend $10 billion a month in Iraq.
A soldier's story is our story. On this April afternoon, I attended a memorial. Americans in my local community, as well as those in every other region of the country, mourned the recession. People pondered the reality; this war affects our daily lives and our fiscal stability. In my neighborhood, Michael Prysner, an Iraq War veteran offered his theory on the theme, Recession and the Iraq War; A Soldier's Story. I share an introduction to his tale and an invitation. Please peruse the musings of Michael Prysner.
In the first 90 days of 2008 the United States reports 103 troop deaths in Iraq. Since the invasion we have commemorated the 5th anniversary we have commemorated 5 years and more than 4000 soldiers lost. Today we hear of costs near $12 billion per month and estimates of $3 trillion overall before all is said and done.
Meanwhile our mainstream media continues to play down the ongoing failure with barely a mention any more of the deaths let alone stories of the families and friends left behind. The death count also fails to reflect the numbers of US contractors killed in country. No mention is made of the many thousands of life altering injuries such as limbs or eyes lost. Nor do we hear much of the many minds broken beyond repair. Suicides related to service time are also not counted and often not mentioned. Coalition losses are not counted in the total. The Iraqi losses count many thousands more, yet those are dismissed often without a thought. Every death rends the fabric of humanity a bit more.
On Saturday, the 22nd of March, Delaware Pacem in Terris organized a pair of vigils to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq. The theme of the events was remembrance of the fallen.
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