ShelfLife@Texas

I wish he could join with Anti-war veterans to testify in Texas on February 28th, 2009

Winter Soldier comes to Austin, Texas

Eyewitness Accounts by Iraq Veterans Against the War

February 28th, 2009
1pm to 5pm

Central Presbyterian Church
200 East 8th Street
Austin, TX 78701

http://austinivaw.wordpress.com

Veterans from Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma share their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan and present an evidential case as to why these bloody occupations are illegal, immoral, and Un-American. The testimonies will begin at 1PM and end at 5PM followed by a march to the capitol to protest the now static bloodshed that this quagmire has brought our fellow people in Iraq, Afghanistan, and America.

Bush is (fixin’ to be) gone from office, but his foreign policy is still here. The U.S. is involved in prolonged, bloody occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, with no clear end in sight. Iraq Veterans Against the War has called for immediate and unconditional withdrawal from Iraq.

Many people’s hopes have been ignited by the election of the first black president, who was seen as an anti-war candidate. Since election day, it has become apparent that there is no sweeping change in foreign policy on the way. Similarly, at home there is the urgent need to address issues of injustice facing people of all colors, creeds, nationalities, genders, sexualities and social status. This action aims to bring activists from all backgrounds together to resurrect an anti-war movement for real change. For that reason we want to build a city wide coalition that unites around local demands. We are relying on ourselves, not politicians or their advisers, to determine the direction of our nation.

Mike Nordstrom
Greg Foster
IVAW Chapter 28

Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) is a group of men and women who have served or continue to serve in the U.S. military since September 11th, 2001.
We are calling for:

* Immediate withdrawal of all occupying forces from Iraq; and
* Reparations for the human and structural damages Iraq has suffered; and
* Full benefits, adequate healthcare (including mental health), and other support for returning servicemen and women.

IVAW welcomes all post-9/11 veterans and active duty servicemen and women from all branches of military service, National Guard members, and reservists who support this mission to join our ranks.

The first “Winter Soldier Investigation” was a media event sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans Against the War from January 31, 1971 – February 2, 1971. It was intended to publicize war crimes and atrocities by the United States Armed Forces and their allies in the Vietnam War. The VVAW challenged the morality and conduct of the war by showing the direct relationship between military policies and war crimes in Vietnam. The three-day gathering of 109 veterans and 16 civilians took place in Detroit, Michigan. Discharged servicemen from each branch of military service, as well as civilian contractors, medical personnel and academics, all gave testimony about war crimes they had committed or witnessed during the years of 1963-1970.

With the exception of Pacifica Radio, the event was not covered extensively outside Detroit. However, several journalists and film crews recorded the event, and a documentary film called Winter Soldier was released in 1972. A complete transcript was later entered into the Congressional Record by Senator Mark Hatfield, prompting the Fulbright Hearings in April and May 1973, convened by Senator J. William Fulbright, chair of the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_Soldier_Investigation

January 25, 2009

Hello,

Being a comic book collector myself, I find this article interesting as it is not only putting in art form what this marine has experience working within our military, but what it was like serving in Iraq.

The first post by Carl Webb is right on target though – the government is using fear tactics to occupy foreign lands for no reason at all but to create their empire.

That’s why we are getting flack from the east is because they are tired of the U.S. Govt. coming in there and taking over their land. That is not foreign policy but takeovers – plain and simple.

For some reason I couldn’t go to the link for the comic site. Maybe it’s down or no longer there. If so, you might want to note that or take the link off.

Semper Fi,

Patrick

November 18, 2009