Americans: Defund the Iraq War

[Pathless]

"Winter Soldier" mock trial and gathering to be part of the action in DC next weekend:

Originally Posted by Aaron Glantz

Iraq Veterans Against the War argues that well-publicized incidents of U.S. brutality like the Abu Ghraib prison scandal and the massacre of an entire family of Iraqis in the town of Haditha are not the isolated incidents perpetrated by "a few bad apples," as many politicians and military leaders have claimed. They are part of a pattern, the group says, of "an increasingly bloody occupation."

"The problem that we face in Iraq is that policymakers in leadership have set a precedent of lawlessness where we don't abide by the rule of law, we don't respect international treaties, so when that atmosphere exists it lends itself to criminal activity," argues former U.S. Army Sergeant Logan Laituri, who served a tour in Iraq from 2004 to 2005 before being discharged as a conscientious objector.

Laituri told IPS that precedent of lawlessness makes itself felt in the rules of engagement handed down by commanders to soldiers on the front lines. When he was stationed in Samarra, for example, he said one of his fellow soldiers shot an unarmed man while he walked down the street.

"The problem is that that soldier was not committing a crime as you might call it because the rules of engagement were very clear that no one was supposed to be walking down the street," he said. "But I have a problem with that. You can't tell a family to leave everything they know so you can bomb the **** out of their house or their city. So while he definitely has protection under the law, I don't think that legitimates that type of violence."

Iraq Veterans Against the War is calling the gathering "Winter Soldier," after a quote from the U.S. revolutionary Thomas Paine, who wrote in 1776: "These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."
Organizers say video and photographic evidence will also be presented, and the testimony and panels will be broadcast live on Satellite TV and streaming video on ivaw.org.

AlterNet: War on Iraq: Vets Break Silence on Iraq War Crimes

[Muslimwoman]

Here is my suggestion for what it's worth. The US and UK blew the poo out of Iraq, our countries failed abysmally to understand that toppling Saddam would start a civil war (something that was common knowledge over here) and the people do not trust us or want us there.

The continued reports about the money for infrastructure rebuilding going missing never ceases to pee me off.

So what about we let the people of Iraq vote for what they want and we take no part or try our little games to get things the way 'we' want them. Draw up a realistic timetable for withdrawal and then let the Iraqis use that timetable to try to find some stability. We then hand the money for reconstruction to a group of independent countries (with no "you have to employ US companies" strings) and allow them to rebuild the infrastructure. We have to pay financially for what we did there (based on lies from our governments) but while we hold the purse-strings and continue to "want what is best for Iraq" (as long as that is what we want) then nothing will improve for the man on the street in Iraq. Homes will not get water or electricity to the standard of pre war years and the factions will never find peace - because we just have to have our say in everything!!

Just a thought.

[Pathless]

Resist In March | Peace on Earth in 2008

March 19th marks the fifth "anniversary" (let me coin a new word: criminaversary) of the U.S.'s illegal shelling and occupation of Iraq. There are many things happening in DC and all over the country. Check out how you can be involved:

Resist In March | Peace on Earth in 2008

Find local events:

http://5yearstoomany.org/

[Pathless]

Originally Posted by Pathless

"Winter Soldier" mock trial and gathering to be part of the action in DC next weekend:

AlterNet: War on Iraq: Vets Break Silence on Iraq War Crimes

More on Winter Soldier:

How to watch and listen to Winter Soldier | Iraq Veterans Against the War

YouTube - Iraq War Veterans: Commanders Encourage War Crimes