Bring Them Home - NOW

Doing - But not writing too much

2007-04-08T13:52:00.000-05:00

For the last several months, I have not been blogging very much. Many things have happened and so I will post a quick update.

In early December, my son came home from Afghanistan with his unit. He was slightly wounded during the summer campaign. My first impression was how angry he was - a complete change from the young man that had left late last winter. He spoke about his friend that had died and guys that were severely wounded. He discussed the early partnering with the NATO force and how innefectual it had seemed to him. He discussed his feelings about the campaign and his part in it. He has made a decision not to remain in the military beyond this contract date. Many of the things we discussed can not be published here due to OPSEC rules and his right to privacy. But suffice to say, he is no longer a true believer.

We had a nice family gathering to welcome him home in late December at his favorite Italian joint with aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. The dinner and lively discussion (including teasing and jokes) was fun and helped remind all how lucky we were to have him home and in one piece.

During his redeployment phase - I helped him buy his first car: A VW Rabbit. This was a huge change from the car wish list that had come from Afghanistan which included many fast cars. With the "surge" plan we don't know how much time he will have to enjoy his new car. Rumors abound about a new deployment - but again they are only rumors.

Our candidate did not win in November - but his message was picked up loud and clear across the US: Get the US the hell out of Iraq. The newly elected Congress has addressed the issue in fits and starts over the last few months. They remain largely ineffective in changing the course despite the overwhelming desire of the American people to end the war, bring our troops home now and take care of them when they get here.

In December, I was elected to the Board of Directors of Military Families Speak Out. I look at this as an opportunity to push hard to get our world right again. On a personal level, this is very important as my oldest son is planning to marry later this year and my daughter is expecting her first child - my first grandchild. I want a world that nurtures these new beginings in an atmosphere of peaceful security and not war without end.

In January, I was back in Washington DC for a massive mobilization called for by United for Peace and Justice. Tens of thousands of people filled the mall on a bright and suprisingly warm day to call on Congress to stop funding the war in Iraq. We participated in a citizens lobby day and visited several Illinois congressional offices making the point that the only way to end the war was to stop paying for it. The emergency supplemental, unfortunately was passed calling for a withdrawal of COMBAT troops in August of 2008 in the House bill and a non-binding end to combat operations in the Senate bill. Again, the Congress still fails to listen to the people - instead choosing to follow the corporate path to war without end.

In March, Chicago mobilized to mark the begining of the fifth year of the invasion and occupation of Iraq. The mission still remains poorly defined and according to most experts, unattainable but we continue to send young people off to war in an effort to provide the President with a legacy.

And here it is April - cold for Easter but at least in Chicago, no snow. Happy Easter to all and I will try to blog a bit more often.

Melissa McBeaney

2006-09-19T19:35:00.000-05:00

Well - I finally got a picture of that elusive "donkeyphant" and her handler! Melissa McBeaney is the brainstorm of the Scheurer for Congress campaign to show the similarities between the party candidates in the 8th District.

Since both party candidates have HUGE budget...and the Scheurer campaign is cash poor, creativity is the key. McBeaney attends some of the Flash Parties that the campaign hosts to draw attention to their campaign. Both seem to be a welcome change to voters since they use fun ways to tell Bill's story rather than the attack ads and mailers so often used in elections today.

The Oak Park Peace Fair

2006-09-19T19:22:00.000-05:00

On a cloudy Saturday afternoon, I helped table for MFSO-Chicago at the Oak Park Peace Fair. Many groups from the Chicago area had tables: Code Pink, The Green Party, several faith based Peace and Justice groups, Veterans Groups, etc. It was a bittersweet afternoon since I was finally able to meet Katy and Rosemarie in person. I have been "talking" to both for a while both on internet groups and by phone. Rosemarie's son was killed in a helicopter crash in Iraq and Katy's son was severely injured in Iraq in 2005. Our good friend Georgia from MFSO Wisconsin was a featured speaker. She was instrumental in House Calling several Illinois politicians during the DC phase of Operation House Call.

This will be "it" for a couple of weeks since I am preparing to leave town for a cabin in the woods...to watch the leaves turn beautiful colors and read tons of books that I have not had time to read in several months.

A bit of fun

2006-09-05T01:11:00.000-05:00

This weekend was a bit of fun in a very serious world.

On Sunday, I went to a concert to table the event for MFSO. I met a new MFSO friend who also "worked" the table. For the most part, we were singing to the choir...but at that particular event, the choir was pretty big indeed. The band was Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young...and the featured music was Young's recent "Living with War"...although much of CSNY's older music was played as well. The song "Flags of Freedom" never fails to bring tears to my eyes.

On Labor Day Monday, I anchored a spot in a parade for "Scheurer for Congress" in the town in which I grew up. It poured for much of the time we marched in the largest Labor Day parade in the county (their billing, not mine) but that didn't dampen the spirits or enthusiasm of Team Scheurer or the crowd gathered. Our contigent featured live actor political satire...yellow umbrellas, shades of purple and just plain fun as we promoted our serious message of withdrawal from Iraq, caring for our troops when they get home, working to strenghten working families, and balancing our budget. Many damp parade goers were very responsive to our message of peace, hope and strength and interested in a candidate who presented that message with humor...and a bit of fun.

I gotta quit reading.....

2006-09-01T20:05:00.000-05:00

I simply gotta quit reading about all of the good things that we are doing in the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, for instance the headlines scream about the gloomy reports on Iraq:

The core conflict in Iraq has changed from a battle against insurgents to an increasingly bloody fight between Shi'ite and Sunni Muslims, creating conditions that could lead to civil war, the Pentagon said in a report on Friday.

The congressionally mandated report provided a sober assessment of Iraq over the past three months, saying overall attacks rose 24 percent to 792 per week -- highest of the war -- and daily Iraqi casualties soared 51 percent to nearly 120.

The rest of the story which has been picked up by multiple papers can be found here.

In Afghanistan the reports are equally bad:

The U.S.-backed strategy to fight Afghanistan's massive drug trade has been unsuccessful in stemming opium cultivation, which is expected to hit record levels this year, a senior U.S. official said Thursday.

"It's bad news and we need to improve it," said Thomas Schweich, principal deputy assistant secretary of state for international narcotics. "But we don't feel it's a hopeless situation, and we don't think the overall strategy is the wrong strategy."

The rest of the story can be found here.

And then there is the obvious fact that we still haven't caught the guy who claimed responsibility for 9/11....you all remember Osama...er what's his name again? Oh yes...

Five years after the Sept. 11 attacks, the most publicized manhunt in history has drawn a blank. The CIA has dismantled its unit dedicated to finding the al-Qaida chiefs. And the American military's once-singular focus is diffused by the need for reconstruction and a growing fight against the Taliban, the resurgent Afghan Islamic movement that once hosted bin Laden.

American soldiers climbing through the forested mountains of Afghanistan's Kunar province — where in the 1980s bin Laden fought in the U.S.-backed jihad against the Soviets — still hope to catch or kill him. But they say bolstering the Afghan government is their primary mission now, amid the worst upsurge in Taliban attacks in five years.

"It is like chasing ghosts up there," said Sgt. George Williams, 37, of Watertown, N.Y., part of the Army's 10th Mountain Division pushing into untamed territory along the border with Pakistan. "Osama bin Laden is always going to be a target of ours as long as he is out there, but there are other missions: to rebuild Afghanistan and attack the militants still here."

The rest of that story can be found here.

Hmmmm and the President says I am confused about this mess? I think that is the only true thing I heard from the press reports from his speech yesterday.

Just what course are we to be staying? Civil war in Iraq? A War on Drugs complicated by a resurgence of Taleban violence? Hunting for the guy we were going to get "dead or alive" following 9/11?

What "victory" are we looking for, here Mr. President? For what noble cause have the sons and daughters of people I call friends died or been maimed for? Why is my kid sitting on some damn rock in the middle of nowhere counting down the days till a bullet or a bomb catchs up with him?

I don't know a whole lot about military affairs...and I am certainly no politician. However I can recognize a clusterf**k as well as the next guy.

Want a legacy....buy another baseball team and win the World Series. That, at least, doesn't kill people. Want to help your friends win the midterm elections...well I am not sure that is possible - all of the big business money in the world isn't going to cover up this mess. There is no electoral college in Congressional races...and Tom DeLay isn't around any more to hack for you.

Better yet, do the frogmarch out of the White House on your own...and take a flight to the Hague - turn yourself in and face up to what you have done: to your own country and to theirs. That would be accountability and require integrity, I know. Tough to take. But the unpatriotic wimps who tried to tell you fighting an idea was simply bad policy are going to have some cleaning up to do: First in the Congress....and then in the White House.

We are pissed off, motivated and ready. Bring em on, Mr. President.

Stirring the Pot in the 8th

2006-08-31T01:40:00.000-05:00

Our Congresswoman has done nothing on Iraq during her tenure in the house.

So on Sunday, the Peace People (MFSO, the Peace Partners and friends) paid a little visit on the Party People (Lake Co Dems, McHenry Co Dems and EDDI) in hopes of having a dialog with the Congresswoman about her record on Iraq.

Well with 8 well behaved (and smiling) Peace People, 4 signs, 1 pair of empty boots and a bunch of flowers, the Peace People appeared to have frightened the Congresswoman off...before she spoke at her own event even. Perhaps it was because she didn't have anything to say about 2,631 empty pair of boots...and the lives that have been shattered by the loss of those who wore them. After all, it is a tough thing to tell voters you are doing your job as US citizens die everyday in a war of choice that you voted to support in June.

One of my Gold Star Mom friends tells me her son was murdered by the Bush Administration and Congress...they sent him to war in a helicopter that was meant for civilian use...not for use in combat. He was in the National Guard.

The Party People tell us it is all about getting Democrats elected. The Peace People believe it is all about ending this war of choice before one more kid dies. And taking care of those Troops who return promptly, appropriately and with the same dedication they have shown to us.

The Congresswoman says nothing. I guess given her voting record on Iraq, she really can't say too much.

Check out the MFSO-Chicago blog here for the story.

Vacation ALMOST Over

2006-08-26T14:05:00.001-05:00

My vacation from being an "active activist" is nearly over. I plan to return with a bang...and bring a some of my good friends with me.

Keep an eye out. I will post pictures (maybe from jail - but I hope not)and a story early next week once the action is complete.

The press will be there...let the party begin!

Taking a break

2006-08-13T10:14:00.000-05:00

I have been taking a break for the last few weeks...and plan on taking at least one more week off from activism. Sometimes, one must step back a bit from what seems to be a head-banging struggle to gain perspective. I am doing just that.

In my spare time...which suddenly, it seems I have found, I have been out photographing - mostly beautiful scenery colored with nature's beautiful summer pallete. An assortment of pictures can be found on http://www.flickr.com/photos/army_mom/

Enjoy the pictures...as I enjoy the rest.

The Accidental Activist - And Why I Like Dogs Better

2006-08-05T02:20:00.000-05:00

Over the last couple of weeks, life has been busy teaching me a lesson. As I go through this rocky journey, small blessings are the ones that are the most important. My picture in the previous post was taken in my own front yard. The baby has now fledged and is hopping around yelling for his mother to feed him. He is much larger than his mother who is skinny and worn out from caring for her young.

After spending what can only be described as a horrible few weeks, I came to understand that my spirit was getting pretty skinny and worn out as well. Neil Young got it pretty close in his song "Living with War"...but not right on. The emotional toll is exhausting robbing joy from nearly every aspect of life.

Well NO MORE. It is time for the people who are responsible for this mess to shoulder some of the burden and accountability for it. And I am talking not only the Administration - I am talking about every American who has staked their personal security on the back of the brave young men and women serving in the Armed Forces. It is time to ante up and act like Americans. Don't believe we should be involved in Iraq? Write your rep...and tell him/her. Think that extending deployments, multiple deployments and the like are plain wrong - again make your thoughts known. Griping about gas prices - well remember that in previous wars, gas was rationed to provide fuel for military purposes.

I am of the belief that it is time for the folks who say that the President and Congress are doing the wrong thing and the country is heading in the wrong direction to actually participate in the decision making process. All too often, I hear that the constituents in this district AGREE with what I am doing from lawmakers we approach with a bring em home now message.

I came upon this activisim thing quite by accident: my kid enlisted. Almost immediately, I began to research the reasons for Iraq...and our effectiveness in occupying that country. Some of the things I learned (and not from main stream media sources) were quite shocking. I have read declassified Army reports, reports on how people's lives in Iraq are affected by this war, the way others in this world view the US and her troops, as well as similar reports and analysis regarding Afghanistan. Most of this stuff is online...and accessible to the public.

Don't know much about Iraq and Afghanistan - well look it up. The lives of thousands of US Servicemembers depend on good public policy...and in our system of government, that starts with public involvement.

Go Away

2006-07-30T22:09:00.000-05:00

Go Away

This baby looks kind of like I feel today. GO AWAY he seems to say as he tries to catch a breeze on a 90 degree day.

Deployment Extended

2006-07-30T11:15:00.000-05:00

Last night I read that my Soldier's deployment would be extended beyond the NATO takeover date. I know given the heavy casualties his company took over the last couple of weeks, he sounded subdued - at best. The knowledge that he would come home soon helped sustain him during the very difficult campaign that is currently ending. In early June - he said "Only about 6 more weeks, Mom!"

Now, according to the publication "Stars and Stripes", they are aware that they will be staying and for the next few weeks, that stay will be at best "uncomfortable." They have been moved into temporary housing where their "supply officer" is trying his best to find a bed for everyone - even if that bed is in an unconditioned tent in temps that exceed 120 degrees most days. Lines for showers, chow, and other necessities will increase. The ability to communicate with family - poor to begin with - will become even worse with the increase in personnel housed at this small operating base.

NATO has a different "strategy" for dealing with the insurgency - building rather than bombing. My Soldier did express some concerns over the differing attitudes of the NATO force as they entered the theater. He has expressed nothing but praise for the Afghan forces but felt that the NATO force's peacekeeping strategy was a bit "inexperienced" given the conditions on the ground - where increasingly suicide bombers, bold raids on government facilities and ambushes have become commonplace.

It is getting kind of hard to tell a young man to "do his job...and stay focused" when the planning for the "Global War on Terror" is so obviously neglected. Friends with family serving in Iraq are dealing with similar feelings with the announcement that the 172 Stryker will be extended and sent to Baghdad to quell the sectarian violence there.

Politicians in both parties are busy "chest thumping" about who can best "manage the War on Terror" - but in reality, most are simply engaged with getting re-elected while brave young men and women die.

Operation "Mountain Thrust"

2006-07-29T07:10:00.000-05:00

Today, I read that Operation Mountain Thrust is "wrapping up" in Afghanistan. I do not know if the Military considers it a "success" or not. What I do know is that many lives were lost and many people were injured in another occupation that appears to be going badly. After five years of primarily US occupation, Afghanistan is, by our own assessment, a failed state that produces 90% of the worlds heroin and has a government that is in business for itself - not for her people. Women are still forced to cover themselves fully to avoid harrassment from others, children who try to attend school face threats of death along with their families, most of the country still lacks basic health care and most face severe economic depression and threats of daily violence.

My Soldier was involved in "Mountain Thrust." When his task force returns, they will have lost two Soldiers - permanently. Both men were fathers - with six kids between them. In addition, at least three Soldiers have been severely wounded - and although all are expected to make it, rehab will be extensive with no guarantees on the long term prognosis. Several others were wounded with a good chance for a full recovery.

We have heard the violence in Iraq has increased dramatically. The country reports 100 deaths from violent causes each and every day. Many in Iraq and the US believe that Iraq is in a state of civil war. The Iraqi Prime Minister came to the US to ask us to help "secure" Baghdad. As a result, one Battalion has been "extended" for four months, others have been deployed to provide "overlap" coverage, effectively increasing our force by some 15,000 troops.

We have "taken sides" with Israel in her war with Hezbolla and by extension Lebanon. Thus far, many innocent civilians have been killed or displaced as bombs fall and tanks shell cities and villages - on both sides of the border. Iran supplies Hezbolla with arms - we supply Israel with arms and rhetoric.

At home, stressed by deployments and Troops returning with physical and emotional scars, Military Families struggle under the weight of "stay the course" policy. In our own small group, the infant child of one Soldier died while he was deployed, a wife fled due to battering, and parents of Soldiers agonize over the safety of their kids - on the battlefield and here in the U.S. We worry about the future - since we know that even if our Soldier comes home from this deployment unhurt and psychologically intact - he/she is only doing so to prepare to hit the next hot zone in rotation and the cycle of worry will only begin again.

There is an old maxim that states: "Violence begets violence - killing begets only more killing." I do not know the source of this statement - but along with 60% of American voters, I know it to be true. Too bad our leadership doesn't "get it." But then, they are too busy fundraising to keep their jobs to pay much attention.

Fuchsia Hair

2006-07-16T12:21:00.000-05:00

Well, it seems that I am getting much closer to needing to dye my hair. When my son was home last summer, I informed him that I had no intention of being a "blue haired" little old lady when his job caused my normally brownish hair to turn to shades of white. My grandma used to use bluing in her white hair to enhance the "whiteness" often turning it a very pretty shade of blue.

I am NOT my grandma. I love the color pink...the brighter and bolder - the better. So I told him that he will be responsible for the rest of my life to keep me in vogue with hair dye to keep me in the pink.

So bud, if you read this, know that every day, I am finding new white strands popping up. When I hit about 50%, the dying will need to start for sure. Don't make too many plans for that cute little sports car you have been emailing me about - think PINK!

When I go pink, I WILL post pictures. Wonder what my boss will think. He already knows I am a bit off.

I AM ALIVE

2006-07-06T17:55:00.000-05:00

Last October, Rolling Meadows native Bryan Anderson lost three limbs when a roadside bomb demolished his Humvee. His story since is remarkable.

By David Zucchino
Tribune Newspapers: Los Angeles Times July 6, 2006

FT. HOOD, Texas -- Bryan Anderson emerged from an elevator in the airport terminal here, a diminished figure in a wheelchair. Both legs were gone, and most of his left arm -- all severed when a roadside bomb demolished the Humvee he was driving in Baghdad last fall.

Anderson, of Rolling Meadows, Ill., was never a big man -- 5 foot 6, 125 pounds. Now he was down to 80 pounds as he rolled through the terminal in late May to begin a 10-day visit with the soldiers who were with him the day his life changed.

Those men -- who had dragged him from the Humvee and stopped his bleeding Oct. 23 -- would see more than a fragile young man in a wheelchair. They would see a willful survivor who had transformed their lives, and his own, in a way none of them could have imagined.

To read the rest of the story, please click here.

To view the accompanying flash presentation where Bryan Anderson discusses his injuries and recovery, please click here.

Forgotten Sacrifice

2006-07-05T10:52:00.000-05:00

By F. John Duresky
Wednesday, July 5, 2006; A13

A few days ago, as I do every day in Iraq, I listened to the commander's battle update. The briefer calmly and professionally described the day's events. Somewhere in Iraq, on some forgotten, dusty road, an insurgent fighting an occupying army detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) under a Humvee, killing an American soldier. The briefer fielded a question from the general and moved to the next item in the update.

The day before that, in America, a 15-year-old's incredibly rich parents planned the biggest sweet 16 party ever. They will spend more than $200,000 on an opulent event marking a single year in an otherwise unremarkable life. The soon-to-be-16 girl doesn't know where Iraq is and doesn't care. That same day an American soldier died in Iraq.

Two days earlier, a 35-year-old man went shopping for home entertainment equipment. He had the toughest time selecting the correct plasma screen; he could afford the biggest and best of everything. In the end, he had it installed by a specialty store. He spent about $50,000 on the whole system. He has never met anybody serving in the military nor served himself, but thinks we should "turn the whole place into a parking lot." That day, another American soldier died in Iraq.

Three days earlier, some college students had a great kegger. There were tons of babes at the party, the music was awesome. Everybody got totally blitzed, and many missed class the next day. The young men all registered for the draft when they were 18, but even though our nation is at war, they aren't the least bit worried about the draft. It is politically impossible to conscript young people today, we are told. That day, another American "volunteer" died in Iraq.

Four days earlier, a harried housewife looked all over town for the perfect accessory for her daughter's upcoming recital. Her numerous chores wore her out, but she still found herself preoccupied. Her oldest son is having trouble in his first year of college, and he has been talking of enlisting in the Army. She is terrified that her child will go off to that horrible war she sees on TV. She and her husband decide to give their son more money so he doesn't have to work part-time; maybe that will help with his studies. That day, another soldier died.

Yesterday millions of Americans celebrated Independence Day. They attended parties and barbecues. Families came together from all across the country to celebrate the big day. Millions of dollars were spent on fireworks. At public events, there were speeches honoring the people who served and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. These words mostly fell on bored ears. While the country celebrated its own greatness, other Americans were still fighting in Iraq.

Today Americans go back to their normal business. The politicians in Washington have made sure the sacrifices of the war are borne by the very smallest percentage of Americans. They won't even change the tax rates to prevent deficits from running out of control. Future generations will pay the cost of this war.

Many Americans feel strongly about the war one way or another, but they aren't signing up their children for service or taking the protest to the streets. What can they do? It is they whom we in the military trust to influence our leaders in Washington.

Today, as on every other day in Iraq, American servicemen are in very real danger. Our country is at war. Mothers, fathers, wives, husbands and children are worrying about their loved ones in a faraway land. They all hope he or she isn't the one whose luck runs out today.

The writer is an Air Force captain stationed in Iraq.

Original Article from the Washington Post can be linked here.

Happy Independence Day - From Afghanistan

2006-07-05T05:40:00.000-05:00

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin Freakley, Combined Joint Task Force – 76 commander (left) congratulates Army Spec. Ahmed John during a special July 4 naturalization ceremony here. John, a native of Kabul , Afghanistan , was one of 27 U.S. Soldiers serving on the front lines of the war on terror in Afghanistan who took the Oath of Allegiance on America ’s 230th birthday. (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Robert R. Ramon, 345th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Rather Cool. Thanks for your service, Specialist John.

Please Leave a Message

2006-07-04T18:17:00.000-05:00

I spent a couple of days feeling kind of guilty. I actually MISSED a couple of calls from my Soldier! (Bad Mom...bad, bad, bad!)

Of course, there is no way to hit redial to Afghanistan...and I am not at my best first thing in the morning especially when traveling. When we got home, the kid placed a call to the home phone very early in the morning - it rings much louder than the cell.

When we finally connected, we discussed a few of the emails we have exchanged in the last few weeks. The first was a confirmation that quite likely, the file on the stolen VA computer was never opened...and all of our financial records were safe. The second was a condition report on a Soldier that was critically hurt in Afghanistan. I had talked to family...and passed the information along. His gym buddy will make it but has a long rehab in front of him.

Then he discussed in broadest terms what is up. The temperatures are very hot, and indeed as the press reports, dehydration requiring the use of IV fluids in the field is pretty commonplace. There is an increase in IED attacks and there is often fierce battles between various units and the Taliban. Due to OPSEC regulations, he is unable to discuss much else - except to say that the mission is quite intense right now.

I can safely make the assumption that the "rocket's red glare" has a whole different meaning in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan than what it has here...as the U.S. celebrates Independance Day.

We made a date for me to buy...two rounds of ice cold beer, when he returns at the dive of his choice, anywhere in the U.S. He laughed hard saying "But Mom, you don't drink." I figure I can evolve. Just no cheap stuff, please.

Elected Officials

2006-06-30T01:52:00.000-05:00

In the last few weeks, I have been attending political "candidate" forums. It is pretty sad, really. The war in Iraq is like the 9,000 ton elephant in the room: ever present - but no one wants to talk about it.

Last night, the incumbent representative from our Congressional district sent a young aide to read her position on issues. Until I asked the incumbant's position on Iraq, the subject was not raised. Of course, I already knew what it was - "Stay the course" and ignore...ignore...ignore.

Sadly, this is in an effort to get elected, actually standing up and taking a position reflective of the voters wishes is rather foreign to both parties. It is all about "winning" as brave young men and women are killed, horribly maimed or left with deep psychological scars that will last a lifetime.

Dirty political tricks are the soup de jour in American politics if someone dares to challenge the party politics and ask why or dares to challenge the status quo. A primary example of that can be found in the political calculation undertaken in the IL 8th district. An anti-war candidate mounted a petition drive to get on the ballot for the fall election. The Republican challenger, welcomed the candidate to the ballot because his political calculus tells him it may help him win this party financed seat. The Democratic incumbant and her party was not nearly so welcoming and possible political dirty tricks in the fine tradition of Chicagoland machine politics and the courts may decide if this grassroots campaign takes flight.

In the mean time, largely unnoticed and seemingly unimportant (except when campaigning), young men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan struggle on under nearly impossible conditions, suffer horrible wounds and are honored under the cover of darkness as they are shipped home in a body bag to shattered families.

Support the troops...as long as we win!

Mom---You gotta help me out!

2006-06-17T01:29:00.000-05:00

In our most recent communications, finances were the topic of concern. It seems that my son learned of the recent, severe data breach that occurred in the VA system that placed sensitive personal information for some 26.5 veterans, family members and active duty soldiers at risk.

Of course, we had been aware of it by virtue of the news sources in the US. My husband is a vet who is involved...and my son's information was identified at risk. The soldiers serving in many places are not up on US news for obvious reasons. My son has been remotely located in Afghanistan for months - communication is sketchy at best and often strained because phone calls home are monitored on a 5 second delay using DOD equipment for operational security reasons.

On this issue, however, I was ahead of the game. I had already notified his bank to monitor transactions - specifically withdrawals since there would be few of them. An infantry soldier has little contact with the ATM while doing his job.

It is pretty sad to think that with all of the stresses placed on our service people in dangerous spots in the world, they must be concerned with being ripped off through identity theft because agents of our government lose their personal identification due to incompetence.

On Haditha

2006-06-03T01:14:00.000-05:00

President Bush has described the incident in Haditha as "troubling". I beg to differ. As the Commander-in-Chief, Mr. Bush ought to have portrayed a realistic view of what war is really about to the American public before he ordered young men and women into harms way. That was his job.

Haditha is now being described in the press the My Lai of Iraq. Once again, as was the case 30 years before, American citizens do not understand how valiant young Americans can act so brutally.

Consider the following, taken from the publication NRO and written by W. Thomas Smith, Jr. an experienced Marine:

Let’s consider a frequent and typical attack on a Marine or Army patrol as an example: When a Humvee is hit by a mine or an IED, the result is nothing like what one might see in a movie. It’s not simply a blast and people are dead. No chest-clutching John Wayne departures with inspirational music. There is no glory. No adventure. It’s just the worst sort of human drama imaginable.

The vehicle, if close enough to the blast, flips into the air, snapping necks and spinal cords. Heads and limbs are torn from bodies. Gasoline ignites and ammunition cooks off, burning any survivors to a crisp.

Those soldiers and Marines (many of whom are still teenagers) who witness the action are instantly shocked, physically sickened, grief-stricken, and enraged over the horror of having watched buddies—who have become closer than any sibling might ever hope to be—torn to pieces. Badly wounded buddies are screaming in agony. Yet the ones uninjured or with minor injuries have to respond as trained. They are dismounting from vehicles, simultaneously removing safeties from weapons and racing for cover or assaulting in the direction of the ambush where seen or unseen forces are shooting at them. The counterattack often requires the instant establishment of a base of fire by one group while an enveloping force prepares to overwhelm the enemy. Blood-pressure is peaking. Adrenaline is pumping.

Surviving officers and NCOs (most of whom are in their twenties) are even busier. They are reporting their position, calling for supporting fires (if needed) and medical assistance. They also are shouting commands, directing troops, and generally trying to maintain order in the midst of chaos, and attempting to simplify what has in an instant become extraordinarily complex.

(full article can be found here)

Faced with the horror of seeing their buddy, a young Marine, dead, with half of his face blown off (as described by his best friend who was ordered to "clean up" after the incident), it is not hard to imagine that grief, mixed with healthy doses of fear...and anger could quickly turn to rage. Many of our Soldiers and Marines have served multiple deployments into these conditions and some are returning before the trauma of previous deployment has been effectively diagnosed or treated - if such treatment is possible.

As the author points out, many of these Marines were young men, many with no other life experience beyond high school than the Military. And no matter how it is marketed, the mission of the Infantry in both the Marines and the Army is to destroy the enemy before they destroy you. Bringing "freedom and democracy" is a political objective - not a military objective. In Iraq and Afghanistan, unlike the wars against Japan and Germany, the enemy does not wear a uniform that distinguishes them from civilians.

Was murder committed against innocent civilians in Haditha - almost certainly so. Who is legally responsible? That is a matter for the courts and our system of justice. Who is morally responsible? That question is more easily answered: We all are.

As these issues go forward in the press and remain in the public eye, I think it is important that a full examination of the incident is undertaken by voters. Americans tend to scapegoat incidents that make us "look bad" and "feel uncomfortable" when our beliefs are challenged.

Neither the press or the government do the American public any favors by portraying war as a valiant and noble cause. It is not. War has real casualties - on both sides. There is no background music save the agonizing screams of survivors and the tears of families and friends of those who perish. The flags on Main Street are half a world away and the yellow "Support the Troops" magnets are not in evidence on the blown apart Humvee. There is no bugle blowing Taps on the battlefield as our soldiers die. Often their final companion is a terrified and shocked teenaged warrior that tries to provide comfort and hope as he watches the life drain from the eyes of his buddy. He may have never seen death before...and certainly not one so violent. And then he must get up and "do his job."

Could you?

Could the President? After all, he set the tone: "Bring em on!"

Listen to the Diane Rehm (WMAU.org) interview regarding the investigation here

Hmmm.....

2006-06-01T17:51:00.000-05:00

We have many official "government watchers" also called spys in this country. There is the NSA, CIA, Military Intelligence, etc, etc, etc.

Stories swirl all over the media regarding spying on US citizens in their own homes by using phone company records, trapping internet communications, et al. My hubby and I always end our phone conversations by wishing our invisible spy, Joe, a pleasant day (evening, night - you get the picture.) I often laugh saying that an ice cream truck with a really tall antenna can often be seen in places I frequent - keeping tabs on me. Why the paranoia? Simply put, I have a really big mouth and plenty opinions on how to operate in a democracy in time of war.

Readers to this blog can't help but determine that I am against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Shoot, I post pictures and give the rant from my perspective frequently. I have literally dozens of copies of letters that I have sent elected representatives expressing my views and I always send them with proper contact information. When I don't get an answer, I am frequently known to resend the letter. My first letter campaign was about outdated body armor that was issued to protect our soldiers in battle. I was given polite platitudes from most reps who responded...making me even more angry.

You see, each and every American is $30,000+ in debt, in large part because of the defense budget and the "emergency supplemental" bills that have paid for our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As an accountant, I am trained to assess the effectiveness of budgetary expenditures. I think that most of our money is poorly spent. And like every other taxpayer in this country, I contribute to the very large pot that supports the wars...how the US represents itself in the world, how we trade off the often promised "peace dividend" to wage more wars, etc. And it makes me both angry and concerned.

As a Mom, I have a kid in harms way. You bet your sweet butt that I wish to see him protected. It isn't good enough to have a Senator write back "we are trying" to get proper gear to the soldiers we sent to face bullets and bombs. I DON'T AGREE WITH PRE-EMPTIVE WAR...as a matter of fact, I think that ALL WAR is inherently evil. I respect my kid's choice to give something of himself for his country - but I wish it would have been with the Peace Corps as opposed to the Military. That is an opinion..and was not a demand to him. Unlike so many politicians, we were able to disagree - agreeably. We are able to respect our differences...and celebrate the fact that we both work to change our country and the world for the better in our own ways.

Why the rant...that started out with spying and ended up with an airing of family matters? Simply put, this blog had a visitor today - from Pentagon.mil. I think their time would be better spent doing their job - ensuring that the troops are properly supplied, educated and cared for than wasting their time looking at the blog of an Army Mom who disagrees with the current political leanings of this country and sets about in legal ways to sway public opinion and bring about change.

Should you visit again...and choose not to read this entire (and very long post) - I will condense it for you:

BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW. TAKE CARE OF THEM WHEN THEY GET HERE. NEVER SENT THEM INTO HARM'S WAY AGAIN BASED UPON THE POORLY FRAMED INTELLIGENCE AND/OR LIES THAT HAVE COST THE LIVES OF SO MANY GOOD AND HEROIC CITIZENS...HERE AND IN IRAQ.

MFSO and LAPP at the Wauconda Memorial Parade

2006-05-31T23:33:00.000-05:00

Memorial Day in the US

2006-05-31T23:05:00.000-05:00

On a hot and sunny Memorial Day, Members of Lake Area Peace Partners and Military Families Speak Out marched in support of Bill Schuerer's campaign for Congress. Bill, a member of Military Families Speak Out, is running an independant campaign in an effort to give voters a choice. The incumbant Democrat in the district is essentially right of center on issues that matter to many - especially the war in Iraq...as is her Republican opponent.

We marched behind a group of antique cars and ahead of a Catholic Grade School. The parade was well attended. We met an Illinois Guardsman who will deploy with his unit next month to Iraq.

A Gold Star Mom from the western suburbs wrote an excellent piece for the Tribune for the holiday. The link can be found here.

Another MFSO Mom marched with Rep Jan Shakovsky on the North Shore.

Unfortunately, our MFSO member scheduled to speak at the Chicago VVAW event broke her leg (ouch!) and a substitute speaker could not be found. We wish her a speedy recovery.

Pictures from Wauconda will be posted above.

Memorial Day Weekend in Afghanistan

2006-05-30T20:04:00.000-05:00

I have heard from my son over the past few days. Initially, he was tired, hoarse and distracted on the phone. He is not permitted to tell me where he is...and his only comment on his activities is "I am doing my job."

The next phone call revealed that he is still able to gripe about his three favorite topics: FOOD (not enough, stinks, etc.), WEATHER (hot, dusty, dirty) and FATIGUE. Later he added BOREDOM to the list. Now, I LIKE BOREDOM. It sounds a lot like "doing nothing"; resting and recharging. The "doing my job" part is very frightening.

Baghdad ER

2006-05-28T22:25:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine taped this documentary for me. It was both awful...and amazing.

I am not unfamiliar with trauma, having had a long career as an ICU tech but seldom in a civilian hospital do we see such horrific injury. And with amazing grace and skill under the most difficult of circumstances, these medical teams pull out 90% of the Soldiers, Sailors and Marines they treat.

The documentary hinted at the cost to these doctors, nurses and medics but it did not delve into it. In order to be effective in these jobs, one must be driven, creative and fearless. The downside to that is the fact that no matter how good and how skilled you are - you simply can't save everyone. The loss of a patient is always personal especially when that patient is young and healthy. Doing that job day in and day out for a year where the vast majority of the people you treat are young healthy people must grind upon their souls.

Thanks guys for what you do. Thanks for always giving 200%.

The News is Not Good

2006-05-24T22:00:00.000-05:00

For several days we have heard stories of fierce fighting in various areas of Afghanistan. Many people have lost their lives. Since I no longer know where my son is, all of the headlines make me kind of crazy.

The pundits are having a field day (from a long and safe distance) quarterbacking the news stories. Some are now on board with the fact that Afghanistan is a "failed state." Well no duh! The country has been occupied for 5 years, living conditions for many people are desperate...and not improving much. The largest cash crop produced in this agricultural country is the opium poppy and despite the talk of "spreading freedom" that comes from Washington, I am pretty sure that the average person would settle for no bombs in their country...and perhaps food to feed their family.

And so the reporters will report - using the most eye catching language possible; the politicians will thump their chests about "freedom and democracy" and the boots on the ground will surely continue to die...along with many poor Afghan civilians.

Bring Em On...huh George?

Mother's Day Phone Call Home - Sort of

2006-05-16T01:00:00.000-05:00

A hasty phone call home to say "We are moving - I probably will not be able to call for a while" and a hastily written email "Please call Grandma and tell her Happy Mother's Day - I won't have time".

My Soldier hasn't been home for three Mother's Days now...He will miss Father's Day, The Fourth of July, Family Birthday's and all of those small celebrations that is the glue that binds a family together.

Simply put, we miss him...

Gold Star Mom Sits By Her Son's Boots

2006-05-16T00:57:00.000-05:00

Gold Star Mom and Iraq Vet Add Boots to Exhibit

2006-05-16T00:45:00.000-05:00

2006-05-15T15:09:00.000-05:00

8th Grade Class Walking through Exhibit

2006-05-15T15:03:00.000-05:00

Row upon Row of Empty Boots

2006-05-15T14:57:00.000-05:00

2006-05-15T14:56:00.000-05:00

Silence of the Dead - Voices of the Living

2006-05-15T13:58:00.000-05:00

On Mother's Day weekend, Gold Star Families, Vets from Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam and other conflicts, Military Families, Surviving Family Members from 9/11 and the American Friends Service Committee brought a human face of the current War in Iraq to the Mall in Washington DC.

As I got off of the Metro at the Smithsonian Station on Friday afternoon, I saw row upon row of empty combat boots. These boots, placed at precise intervals, represented the 2437 members of the Military that had given their lives in Iraq. In several winding paths, hundreds of empty shoes, many woman's and childen's shoes, represented the innocent Iraqi civilians who have died. In the center of the display, stood a large pictogram featuring portraits of Iraqi people, smiling and going about the business of life. The inside of the pictogram told the story of war and occupation.

On the stage, volunteers read the names, American and Iraqi who have died in a war of choice, based upon "faulty intelligence" and/or intelligence poorly used by our leadership. Visitors to the Mall wandered through the boots and shoes - many taking the time to read personal momentos left by family and friends to honor their loved ones - now gone. I saw several grade school groups go through the exhibit - with the exuberance of youth giving way to a somber moment as they reflected upon what those boots and shoes meant. Many were on their way to other monuments on the Mall...honoring American's who during other conflicts had lost their lives in the service of their country.

I could not read names that day...the sadness was almost overwhelming. I had not met any of the people who once had inhabited those boots or shoes, but I do know some of their family members and they have shared their stories with me.

My room mate for the weekend was a Soldier's Mom from Oregan. Her daughter was riding in a helicopter that was shot down in Iraq in 2004. She survived the incident but sustained a badly broken leg that sadly, has not been properly cared for...and has resulted in permenant damage to the leg. These stories are common: one family had lost their son to suicide a year after returning from Iraq. He suffered from extreme PTSD and was not afforded care through the VA.

Despite both email invitations and those sent via "snail mail" none of my elected Representatives chose to visit the Exhibit. I guess it is difficult to see the human lives impacted by the policy you vote for. Some family members met with their elected representatives...I hand delivered letters to the offices of Barak Obama and Richard Durbin from people in the area who had kids serving...and others simply concerned with the death and destruction brought about by this war of choice.

On Saturday, led off by members of Iraq Vets Against the War, we marched to the Capitol in silent protest. Along the route, I saw many people embrace and a few cried as we approached. Some flashed peace signs and some bowed their heads.

When the March finished up, several Vets, Family members and others spoke to the crowd that had gathered. Each spoke to the personal cost of the policy approved by our elected representatives. Most spoke of loss. Sadly, we had to add several pairs of boots to the display that weekend - including a pair representing the son of a long time MFSO member. Her son died of injuries sustained in combat in the Military Hospital in Germany. His funeral will be held at the National Cathederal in Washington DC...and he will be buried in Arlington with other sons of MFSO members.

Because of predicted bad weather, a decision was made to strike the Exhibit a day early. Carefully, volunteers stuffed the boots with newspaper to absorb the rain. A few people from Illinois joined me in caring for the boots from those who had died from Illinois. We cared for 94 pairs of boots.

Tragic Events

2006-05-10T21:58:00.000-05:00

On May 5, a helicopter crashed in the mountains of northeast Afghanistan. 10 Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division from Ft. Drum died in the crash. One of the soldiers was from downstate Illinois. Prayers and heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of these brave Soldiers...and thanks to those who undertook the difficult task of recovering them from the rugged and difficult area in which the crash occurred.

Good News

2006-05-06T21:56:00.000-05:00

The son of one of our Chicago MFSO members came home from Iraq...safely.

Operation Dog Wash

2006-04-26T21:34:00.000-05:00

The three dogs left by the departing Troops from my son's Forward Operating Base were in dire need of some grooming. As my son put it, "they smell worse than we do after not bathing for 3 weeks." So..a few dedicated Soldiers set out to rectify the problem, after discussing proper doggy bathing techniques over with the most knowledgable person my kid knew of -- me.

The best advice I could give was to make sure to muzzle the dogs as I was pretty sure their canine pride would be injured in the process and no accidents were needed. Operation Dog Bath went off with no injury to Canines or Soldiers.

The next day, local villagers brought a gift to the Soldiers - 2 young puppies. Smelly puppies. And so Operation Dog Wash II was intitiated.

2006-04-07T21:32:00.000-05:00

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Camp Bring Em Home

2006-04-07T21:00:00.000-05:00

On Sunday - after trecking all around the City of Chicago MFSO Chicago member, Marge spoke at the opening of a community display to bring to the public's attention the human cost of war. A small display was erected in the park just off of the commuter line in Highland Park. Along with North Shore Neighbors for Peace, NPR personality, Aaron Freeman and local community members, we seek to educate and inform the public on what is largely a drive-by war for much of America.

Following that, we kicked off Camp Bring Em Home on Chicago's north west side. The coalition Anti-War Majority held a week long vigil near the office of Democratic Representative Rahm Emanual because of his refusal to take a stand on ending the occupation in Iraq and bringing our sons and daughters home from Iraq.

As part of this, Coalition members posted leadership goals each day for Rep Emanual daily...and read the names of the dead - American Soldiers, Sailors and Marines as well as innocent Iraqi civilians.

As I prepared to speak, I learned of the death of a US Soldier in Afghanistan. It was a very long and agonizing day of waiting and wondering...and praying for the safety of my son even as I felt guilty because I knew that another family would be shattered with the tragic and unnecessary news. Later I had an email from my son.

2006-04-06T20:46:00.000-05:00

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Festival of Rights March - Magnificent Mile

2006-04-06T20:33:00.000-05:00

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2006-04-06T20:28:00.000-05:00

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Union Park Rally

2006-04-06T20:03:00.000-05:00

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2006-04-06T19:57:00.000-05:00

MFSO Chicago!

2006-04-04T19:43:00.000-05:00

We are trying hard to organize. Our first MFSO Chicago event surrounded the 3rd Anniversary of the War March and Rally held in Chicago on March 19. We started on the Federal Plaza where we met up with several peace groups from the city. MFSO spoke calling for our troops to be brought home now...and for Congress to act to take care of them when they get here. Then we lead the group on a march to Union Park. On that march, we were joined by students from the University of Chicago.

Recent Blog Blackout

2006-03-26T08:30:00.000-06:00

I have chosen not to update my blog over the last several weeks due to my son's deployment. The unit has deployed to Afghanistan and most of the soldiers are in their duty stations.

I heard from my Soldier when he was in about 4 hours out of Kabul preparing to enter Afghanistan via military transport. They were tired since the flight was very long and crossed several time zones.

Recently, I heard from him again - by phone and email. He is "somewhere in the mountains" of Afghanistan in a remote operating base. The Soldiers have assumed the care of three dogs who were adopted by the Soldiers that just left Afghanistan to come home. The dogs accompany the Soldiers on patrol and assist in guard duty patroling the wire at night. He describes the area as ruggedly beautiful and the people as poor and very uneducated.

On the first patrol, many of the Soldiers contracted a mild food poisoning and plan to schlep a refridgerator to improve sanitary conditions at their remote outpost. During the winter months that was not necessary because perishables could be kept in an underground locker but with the weather warming, that appears to be a bad idea. When they are not patrolling, they are working to improve their temporary outpost.

As he does his job in Afghanistan, I am pleased to say that the peace work at home has not stopped. Chicago held a large peace demonstration last week. It was significant because the march was held on the Mag Mile where activists were arrested last year because the City of Chicago had forbidden access. We were well guarded by hundreds of police in riot gear in what can only be described as a show of intimidating force. There were no arrests according to the Chicago Police. Prior to the Chicago March, a weeklong vigil dubbed Camp Bring Em home was staged by a new Chicago peace Coalition called the Anti-War Majority at the office of Dennis Hastert. Following the march for the next week Camp Bring Em Home was moved to the offices of Rahm Emanual. One of the anchor groups of the Anti-War Majority, the Christian Peacemaker Teams, received the news that three of their members held hostage in Iraq were rescued...and on their way home to their families. The fourth, Tom Fox an American citizen, had been found dead in Baghdad a few weeks ago.

I will post pictures of the activities in Chicago as I have time.

Deployment and the State of the Union

2006-02-05T22:27:00.000-06:00

On Friday January 27, my son's unit had their deployment ceremony. In typical Army fashion, it was not announced until two days prior. The unit, although primarily still in the US, is now considered deployed according to the post's website.

On Tuesday, January 31, the President gave his State of the Union address. I went to a "watch" party. I am not now...nor have I ever been a fan of Mr. Bush. This speech, in particular, was grating. His same old platitudes were a bit tough to take: "Freedom is on the March", "The road home for our troops is victory" et al. It is really too bad that he is so oblivious to the will of the people who elected him. I believe that more than 60% consider the war a mistake - and nearly half are calling for immediate withdrawal.

But as I mentioned, it was a party. Some of the people there were even MORE upset with his remarks than I was.

Back to the Base...And What Comes Next

2006-01-08T12:00:00.000-06:00

Last evening, I took my son to the airport to return to base following leave. He said that he had a great time even though he complained bitterly about the myriad of Christmas gatherings my family has...and has always had because well, we believe in keeping Christmas.

He and several friends spent New Years in the City, watching fireworks and "clubbing." Since he is not all that familiar with the City, he managed not only to lose his car...but the entire parking garage it was parked in. He said it took several hours to locate it on New Years Day - and then he got lost leaving the city.

Our last celebration was on Thursday - a gathering of close family members in a favorite Italian joint to say goodby. He will deploy in the next several weeks and this was a last trip home even though he requested that I not point that out. "No tears, please Mom. I will be OK." I hope that is true. I pray that he comes back unscathed. I have been to too many "vistiations"...and have written too many letters of support for those that have not.

On his last day of freedom, he flew into Houston, to buy a buddy a beer (or several, who knows). They will drive back to base together today. Final preparations will begin tomorrow. Lockdown will occur in the next few weeks. He will be busy for a few weeks but once all equipment is gone, they will be bored while waiting for their transportation - so I expect I will hear from him often. He told me not to fly down for the deployment ceremony since he will be confined to post both before and after. I guess this is to minimize the possibility of desertions.

No one knows how long the deployment will be - I guess like so much else, it is "classified." Nor can I write of where he will go because that violates OPSEC rules. I can say that his mission is reclassified from what it was originally intended to be. I do not know if that is positive...or negative. And I have really never liked not knowing. It kind of goes against everything I learned as a parent...information, no matter how bad is always better than uncertainty. And despite the fact that my son no longer needs a parent, it does not minimize my need to be one.

So the next time I see my son, he will be a combat veteran. May God keep his burden light.

2005-12-24T20:07:00.000-06:00

Today is Christmas Eve. I have a miserable cold...or possibly the flu. My husband has been sick for a week. But with that said, once again I anticipate sharing Christmas with all members of my family around the table although happily, that celebration won't occur until December 26 giving me a bit of time to recover from my least favorite and totally unreturnable Christmas "gift."

Yesterday, I picked my son up at the airport - complete with his usual travel drama stories and conversation peppered with bad language and Army lingo. He still has not figured that you attract more flies with honey when it comes to dealing with stressed out O'Hare employees who would rather be home with their families than dealing with stressed out and unhappy travelers. He wanted to talk into the wee hours of the morning...but with a snort and a sneeze, I slinked into my warm bed - complete with three down comforters and a heating pad for my back. I considered putting on my fleece hat but decided it was really taking the sympathy thing a bit far.

As I write this, my boys, now young men and my daughter...still the mature one have taken my folks to church after trying to get me "better" all day. I refused to be typhoid Mary to all of those who gathered today to pray for peace and goodwill among all peoples to honor the birth of Christ and will watch the midnight services on television with my box of kleenex, vaporizor and bottle of aspirin close by and my dogs who will lie strategically on my bed to keep me toasty warm. And I will dream of first Christmases with tiny babies - toddlers running around the tree with eyes full of wonder - school aged children who learned that giving was indeed as good as getting on Christmas.

With all of my heart, I will pray that next Christmas will see all of us gathered around the table again - safe and healthy (and perhaps without a cold but what can I say?). I will say a prayer for the thousands of families who have loved ones in dangerous spots and I will pray for comfort for those who will always have an empty place at the table and in their hearts.

Happy Christmas and Peace on Earth - Goodwill to all of God's Children.

2005-12-17T16:05:00.000-06:00

This picture first published as a Christmas card in 1917 shows a little girl waiting by a Service Flag for a loved one serving a world away. As we celebrate the upcoming holidays, I believe it is important to remember the families of those who serve...especially the children.

May their fondest wish be granted and their absent loved one be safe over the holiday...and on their way home soon so they will be present for all of those important family events and celebrations.

Elections

2005-12-17T15:22:00.000-06:00

On Friday, the Iraqis voted in large numbers to elect their own parliament. I applaud their courage and hope that those elected representatives show the same courage as their supporters.

It is my belief that we, in this country, ought to demonstrate the same democratic principles that we are encouraging from the Iraqi people. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Congress passed a bill forbidding inhumane treatment of any prisoner held by ANY U.S. entity and clarified in the Military field manuals what proper interrogation procedures entail. It is sad that our government did not appear to know any better when it scuttled the Geneva Conventions as they pertained to Iraq and Afghanistan. Extraordinary Renditions, CIA torture planes and sending people off to states where torture is permissable are not American values...and have proven to be poor substitutions for good intelligence.

This week the New York Times reported that the President had approved spying on Americans living in the U.S. Following the scandals of the Nixon era, laws were passed to stop that behavior. Appearantly, once again, our President feels himself "above the law" because on the extraordinary threat of terrorism. No public official is above the law and it is my strong hope that the Congress will inquire into this matter and sanction any violations of our laws in a non-partisan manner.

Closer to home, a group of 12 citizens delivered a petition from residents in our congressional district to our congresswoman who has stated that this district supports the President's mission in Iraq. Our petition requested an open debate to honestly discuss Congressman Murtha's proposal to withdraw troops back to a position that would protect innocent Iraqi citizens while giving the new elected government more room to establish its leadership role. Among those chosen to deliver this petition were 5 Military Family members representing all branches of the military, 1 Active Duty Military member, three vets representing service to this country since Korea, a flight attendant who serves on flights that take our young servicepeople to Kuwait and assists in bring wounded soldiers back from Germany and four peace activists representing different groups in the district. The petition had signatures of several hundred residents who live in the district. Similar petitions were delivered all over the U.S. to the offices of Congressional Representatives. We will have to wait and see what, if any impact, the petition will have on our hawkish Congresswoman. Happily, the district is fielding a couple of candidates who feel that war is not the first option of diplomacy.

On a personal level, rumor and speculation abound that deployment orders and dates will be cancelled and/or delayed while we re-evaluate our presence. My son's unit was one mentioned by name as slated for cancellation. However, they continue to pack their gear in preparation for war in anticipation of deployment early next year.

Hopefully, 2006 will be marked by peace and diplomacy in Iraq and Afghanistan....and the U.S.

It is time to bring our soldiers home. Merry Christmas, Happy Chunakah, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year to all. May it be marked with peace, prosperity and hope.

Strategy - What Strategy?

2005-12-04T21:49:00.000-06:00

The Administration published a booklet called the "National Strategy on Victory in Iraq" (available on the whitehouse.gov site). All I can say after reading all thirty five pages is "wow, are we really paying these guys for putting out this stuff?" Basically, it was a neatly bulleted document encouraging the public to "stay the course" even as the Congress moves to cut funding to programs that benefit the poor and elderly in this country.

Further, there was no explanation of what victory looked like. It is important in a strategy to have a clear goal in mind. There was no explanation of how that victory will be achieved and who is going to achieve it. If it is the Military, that could be a problem: reports indicate an ongoing decline in recruitment which has lead to decreasing standards for enlistees. National Guard units will not, under law, be permitted to return to combat IF they have already spent a specified time away. Congressman Murtha, who is quite knowledgable about Military Affairs, has stated that the Military is tired...and reaching a breaking point. Others in Washington state that within 6 months, the numbers deployed will HAVE to be cut back...citing lack of adequately trained replacements, fatique and other issues

If victory is to be achieved politically, that too presents a problem. In case the reader has missed it, our President is unable to go anywhere in the world without protesters following. Even in carefully venued places in the US, opposition voices are heard. The Vice President is hardly ever heard from. Rice is going to face the hot button issue of CIA secret prisons in European countries who face expulsion from the EU if found complicit.

And then there is the ongoing loss of life in Iraq...on both sides. And for what? An incomplete strategy that only serves to document the inadequacies of this Administration? A strategy that goes against the will of the majority of Americans?

It is time for both new leadership...and a new strategy. It is time to bring our soldiers home and care for them when they get here.

Thanksgiving...and after

2005-12-01T22:22:00.000-06:00

I know that I don't talk in specifics about my son...and where he is or where he is going. He will be deployed within the next couple of months...and that is scary. His job will put him in danger since he is an infantry soldier.

However, due to some good fortune (at least to my way of thinking) he was home unexpectedly for Thanksgiving this year. My son is a drama king when it comes to travel, however. His travel arrangements never work out as planned and this trip was no exception. On the day before Thanksgiving, the busiest travel day of the year, he arrived at the airport 10 minutes AFTER his flight was scheduled to depart, due to car problems. Since there was bad weather in various places in the US, the flight was delayed and he made it home to the most traveled airport in the country. Picking him up was a challenge.

But this year, his chair was occupied at Thanksgiving and for that I am grateful. Too many friends have chairs at their Thanksgiving tables that will be permantly empty.

It is time to bring our soldiers home.

"Cooked Hard Drives"

2005-11-17T23:24:00.000-06:00

I have always known that stuff breaks only when you need it the most. Therefore, all I can say is when it comes to computers, back it up!

Mine broke as I worked to research information for an event to "Honor the Troops but Not the War". My talk was the "warm up" to a Gold Star Dad - whose elloquence was not in what he said - but rather in the fact that he said anything at all.

He spoke of his beautiful young son with a life yet unlived taken from his family and the young woman he planned to marry. He spoke with pride of his son's accomplishments: graduation from college, passing the certification test to become a Certified Public Accountant after first serving his country in Kosovo. He spoke of his son's last call home - making plans to leave for the US in just 12 days...but returning instead in a flag draped coffin. He spoke of the mystery surrounding his son's death...on an American airbase in the shower.

And then he told the audience why he now speaks out against the war. To honor his son's life, he believes he must "adopt" his son's comrades and become responsible for their lives. He believes that he must work to educate young people about military service and caution parents of the possibly devastating outcome.

Although he was not born in this country, he and his family have paid the ultimate price for living the American dream. He is a patriot and a friend.

2000 Dead, SCOTUS Nominee Withdraws and Scooter Lies

2005-10-29T11:14:00.000-05:00

2000 Americans Dead....Two Parents grieving their children and honoring others at Arlington National Cemetery

On Wednesday communities from all over the US came together to mourn our fellow citizens who have been killed in Iraq. Along with the American Friends Service Committee, Military Families Speak Out, Gold Star Families for Peace, Vets for Peace and Iraq Vets Against the War called for "Not One More Death - Not One More Dollar" for war in Iraq.

Mr. Bush, appearing in front of a group of Air Force wives in Virginia once again stated that we must "stay the course" to honor our fallen citizens. He was faced both by a demonstration outside his event as well as hecklers during his speech - one with the same theme echoed in earlier speeches.

His nominee for the Supreme Court withdrew her nomination under pressure from his own party. I guess she, like many of us, are having a difficult time seeing exactly what the course is...

And on Friday, "Scooter" Libby and the rest of the country learned that lying to the FBI and to the Grand Jury has legal and professional consequences. He was indicted in the Plame case and resigned to professional "atta-boys" from the President and Vice President. However the legal charges pan out, his willingness to lie simply shows the length the Administration will go to silence critics and protect themselves. And since official statements made before this indictment by the White House denied any involvement of Rove and Libby in the case at all, it shows that lying is an acceptable strategy to get out of tight spots and to avoid criticism: Rather like WMDS and Saddam's alleged involvement in the events of 9/11.

One thing is certain - more Americans have died and will continue to die as long as this country tolerates lying from public officials. It has already happened. The last I heard, the American death toll had risen by 12 since our vigils on Wednesday.

It is time to bring the troops home and care for them when they get here.

2005-10-01T16:56:00.000-05:00

And the people just kept on coming...estimates ranged wildly from "more than 100,000 to 1/2 million. I only know it was more people in one place than I have ever seen take to the streets

2005-10-01T16:54:00.000-05:00

Large Peace Dove Puppet carried by a faith based group

2005-10-01T16:53:00.000-05:00

Vets and Military Familes carry flag draped coffins to the White House

2005-10-01T16:51:00.000-05:00

Military Families

2005-10-01T16:49:00.000-05:00

Vets for Peace

March Pictures

2005-09-30T07:55:00.000-05:00

MFSO Steps Off

Good Press Story About the March

2005-09-30T07:28:00.000-05:00

The People visit Mr Bush and he leaves town

Diverse Anti-war Protests Largest in DC Since
Vietnam
by Benjamin Dangl (bio)
and Brendan Coyne (bio)

Demonstrators from a variety of backgrounds and representing
numerous causes came together Saturday by the tens of thousands with a unified
message demanding an end to US military involvement in Iraq.

Washington, DC, Sep 25 - Kicking off three days of actions aimed
ultimately at pressuring the US government to pull troops out of Iraq, scores of protesters converged on Washington, DC yesterday for an all-day protest that included an array of speakers, a march past the White House and a concert that lasted well into the early morning hours. Estimates of the demonstration's size ranged from 100,000 to 300,000 protesters.

Participants from across the country spent long hours riding overnight
on buses and in caravans to take part in the largest anti-war event the nation's capitol has seen since the Vietnam War era. Groups began assembling on the Ellipse in front of the White House early yesterday.
In preparation for the event, police blanketed the Ellipse, Federal Triangle and the grounds of the Washington Monument with a confusing maze of orange-plastic and wooden fences, closing many roads to both automobile and pedestrian traffic.

Billed by organizers as a rally and march to end the war on Iraq, a
variety of groups and causes were represented both by speakers on the stage and in the crowd. Orators and demonstrators alike highlighted the interconnectedness of their causes, and it was clear that different issues had spurred people to attend the protest, though the message was overwhelmingly anti-war. Ruiz Santiago, 21, a Bronx, New York native studying politics at City College in New York tied his family's experience in Colombia to the Iraq war.

"Colombia is being used, by companies and Bush's friends, for money,
just like Iraq," he said. "The companies and the private military – they all don't care about the poor people in Colombia, they just let them die. It is, I think, worse in Iraq because nobody is in charge."
Santiago said this was the first time he visited Washington, and the second time he had participated in a protest, the first being the counter-convention during the Republican Party's gathering in New York City last September. The enormity of that crowd and the
variety of events and people participating there had inspired Santiago to become active in political causes, he said.

The march, which was scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m., did not step off
until after 1 o'clock, due to the mass of participants. Shortly before 2 p.m., with marchers having made little forward progress, an event organizer told the crowd filling the Ellipse and lining Constitution Avenue that logistical problems at the front, owing to the number of people in attendance, was keeping the march from rolling.

Saturday's demonstrations were spearheaded by a pair of anti-war
coalitions, International ANSWER and United for Peace and Justice, though local groups and unaffiliated activists from around the country pitched in to pull off the massive undertaking.

Some demonstrators carried signs and banners addressing economic
causes, such as advocating for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and tenants rights. A large contingent marched under the banner of US Labor Against War. The idea that the Bush administration's military ventures are draining much-needed resources on the domestic front was well-represented.

Joan from Baltimore, MD, who originally supported the Iraq war, was
attending her first peace demonstration. "This hurricane put me over the edge," she said. "Why are we using the troops in Iraq when we have enough to do in our own country?" She continued: "I thought Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. I thought they were a threat, but we had bad information."

Angela Kelly, who works with Student Peace Action Network, a DC-based group that organizes around anti-war and human rights issues, said, "A lot of students who are plugging into counter-recruitment efforts realize that it's poor people that are being targeted by recruiters and forced into the military." She added, "Katrina has brought a lot of economic justice and racial issues to the forefront…, and it adds fire to our movement."

Glen Sandberg, a long-time peace activist, organized a group to come
from his home in Gulf Port, Mississippi, where much of the area was destroyed by Katrina. "The way Bush handled the Katrina disaster was another disaster," he said.

Diane Spencer marched with the US Labor Against War contingent. "Seeing all these people today, this is great," she said. "Maybe we'll get somewhere out of this. Maybe all these diverse groups coming together means more than what we see in our own cities and towns," Spencer added, noting that, at the very least, the size of national convergence should encourage local groups to be more active.

Spencer and her cohort Tim Thomas had traveled to Washington on one of two buses from Chicago chartered by three area unions, Service Employees International Union Locals 4 and 20 and United Auto Workers Local 550. Neither protester had previously been very involved in activism outside of union efforts, they said.

"It's great to come out and see the diversity of people, the diversity
of ideas and the goodwill being represented here," Thomas told The NewStandard. "After seeing and being a part of this, we're definitely going to go back and do more anti-war and anti-Bush organizing locally. I think that with labor working with all these other groups to end this war and call the President to account, things can get done."

Kermit Leibensperger, who works two jobs as an electrician and teacher
and has been an activist since 1967, is already looking toward the next protest, one he believes will allow people to participate wherever they live, instead of limiting action only to those who can travel for large protests in faraway cities. He is helping organize a nationwide "Rosa Parks Anniversary Strike" against poverty, racism and war on December 1.

"If everyone came who wanted to come to this protest, there would be
millions here today," Leibensperger said.

"Iraq has slipped onto the backburner and we felt compelled to do
something," said Laurie Sargent, a musician from New Hampshire who was part of "Testy Goyls," a group of mothers, teachers and friends who had banded together for peace vigils and Democratic fundraisers in their home town to protest the Iraq war.

"We had goose bumps all the way down on our trip to DC," said Gail
Erdos Belmon, also a member of the group.

The Matriots, from Western Massachusetts, were dressed up in colorful
wigs, clothing and jewelry. Group member Sarah Acker explained: "We're mothers and feminists and we didn't raise our children to be killed in a war. We want to bring the mother-woman balance to the male-dominated world."

The slogan of group, painted on a large sign they carried, declared,
"We want for the world what mothers want for their kids."

Tatiana Lam is a high-school student and anti-war organizer who does
counter recruitment work in schools. "I hope people learned about things they didn't know about before," she said, "and gain a better sense of awareness and that people go home and do outreach and organizing work."

Along the March route, two members of the National War Tax Resisters
Coordinating Committee stood in front of the Internal Revenue Service calling on people to stop supporting the US war machine.

"Watch your pockets, folks, you're passing the IRS," Daniel Woodham, of Greensboro, North Carolina, called as marchers neared the end of the route. He and a colleague, Rob Randall, both of Brunswick, Georgia, handed out flyers directing people to a website with detailed information on war-tax resistance.

A handful of counter-protesters showed up along the route, but they
were barely noticeable among the throngs of anti-war activists. Jeremiah Baldwin, of the Open Air Gospel Ministry in Jacksonville, Florida said, "We support the war and the troops and freedom in Iraq, freedom for women to vote… we're Christians and we stand up for Jesus, too."

Mobilization for Global Justice, an organization of activists demanding
an end to the World Bank and IMF's economic policies, organized a feeder march from Dupont Circle under the banner, "Another World is Under Construction." The feeder march, scheduled to leave Dupont circle at 12:30, met up with the main anti-war demonstration later in the afternoon.

Participants made the connection between the Iraq war and the policies of the World Bank and the IMF, which are actively involved in transforming modern Iraq. Virginia Setsheti of the Anti-Privatization Forum in South Africa told InterPress Service, "It is not just about war. It is about how many people die around the world because of unfair policies and actions – a large part of which are economic. "

Law enforcement officials declined to provide official crowd estimates
but DC Police Chief Charles Ramsey noted that organizers had probably met their goal of attracting 100,000 people to the event. Organizers put the number at about 300,000. The spread-out nature of the demonstration made a crowd estimate difficult.

Today, organizers planned interfaith services, town hall-style
meetings, workshops and vigils. With politicians scheduled to be working in the nation's capitol Monday, groups are planning non-violent direct action and lobbying.

© 2005 The NewStandard.

link

2005-09-30T07:23:00.000-05:00

Casey's banner comes to the Washington Mall

2005-09-28T23:14:00.000-05:00

Bring Them Home NOW!

2005-09-28T23:01:00.000-05:00

1900+ Crosses to remember those who have died in Iraq

Camp Casey, DC

2005-09-28T22:49:00.000-05:00

Camp Casey is now on Constitution Ave at the foot of the Washington Monument. Crosses representing the over 1900 soldiers who have died in Iraq have been erected. Boots lie on the corner....empty sentries watching over the camp. It is very hot...and has been since my arrival. Several people are milling about. There is a large map for visitors to sign. Above are several pictures around the camp.

Shelter from the Storm

2005-09-28T22:44:00.000-05:00

I came to Washington concerned for my soldier. He is possibly in the path of Rita and scheduled to leave the area for NY on Sunday. I think he attracks hurricanes - last year it was Charley, Jeanne and Ivan. This year Katrina and Rita.

Anyhow, I guess the Army felt that Rita could be a bigger force than they and therefore changed his travel plans. On Friday evening, I spoke with him -- safely but rather sleepy in Syracuse.

More Candlelight and Prayers

2005-09-27T16:30:00.000-05:00

At The Wall Friday Evening.

2005-09-27T16:22:00.000-05:00

Friday Vigil

2005-09-27T16:15:00.000-05:00

Vigil goers marching from Camp Casey to the Wall

Candlelight and Prayers

2005-09-27T14:28:00.000-05:00

September 23 Candlelight Vigil

Demonstrators came by plane, train, automobile, bus and bike....and there were thousands. The DC police estimated the crowd at "over 100,000" for the march and rally. Over the next few days, I will post more pictures and stories from the weekend.

On Friday evening, Military Families and various Veterans groups met on the grounds of Camp Casey to pay our respects and to grieve for our young men and women who had died in the Global War on Terror. Gold Star Families shared shared stories of their loved ones lost. Prayers were offered to seek comfort for those who had lost so much...and those assembled walked from Camp Casey to The Vietnam War Memorial on the Mall to honor those who had served and died with our assembled Vets for Peace. There were about 250 people who participated - primarily from Gold Star Families for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, Vets for Peace, Iraq Vets Against the War, and Viet Nam Vets Against the War. Virtually every state in the US was represented.

To DC With A Question

2005-09-17T09:59:00.000-05:00

A Question for the President

A week from now, Military Families, Gold Star Families and Veterans will be joined by thousands of Americans in Washington DC on the Mall to demand that the troops be brought home now. We expect that those who served our country will be honored. We expect that those wounded in the service of our country will be cared for properly. We expect that the nation will rally around the families of those soldiers who have given their lives.

In the hurricane ravaged areas of this country, there is a need for families to be reunited to begin the process of starting anew. Sadly, many of our first responders remain in Iraq and Afghanistan even as they do not know the condition of their own families and homes.

It is time....NO it is PAST time to stop the bloodshed and begin the process of healing -- our own country and the countries we invaded. It is time to BRING THEM HOME...NOW!

I will see you in DC.

Resolutions

2005-09-16T20:38:00.000-05:00

Many have wondered if Camp Casey would carry through to bring meaningful change. The jury is still out on that but signs of progress can be seen.

The tour group left last week. This week the City Counsels of Evanston and Chicago approved resolutions to encourage the President to order the speedy and orderly withdrawl of our troops now serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Polls show that the people of the United States no longer see a strategic benefit for our involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan particularly following the biggest natural disaster in the history of the nation. With the reports out of the Gulf Coast indicating a rising death toll hundreds of thousands of people displaced, our resources....all of them... are needed at home to help our neighbors. The task of rebuilding will be huge and our people need to be the priority.

Today, the tour was in Philadelphia. The City Council welcomed the group with a resolution that both welcomed them to the City of Brotherly Love AND offered encouragement to the federal government to bring our troops home quickly.

In a week, people from all over the country will gather on the Washington Mall to express to the President that we want the troops home - NOW! Join us. It promises to be a historic event.

2005-09-08T23:29:00.000-05:00

Flags, flowers....we will never forget!

2005-09-08T23:27:00.000-05:00

Moms respond

2005-09-08T23:26:00.000-05:00

Blue Star Mom, Sherry addresses the crowd

2005-09-08T23:25:00.000-05:00

Need we say more?

2005-09-08T23:24:00.000-05:00

Gold Star Dad, Al addresses the crowd

2005-09-08T23:22:00.000-05:00

Shoes representing the Iraqi child victims of war

2005-09-08T23:21:00.000-05:00

Louisiana....Wisconsin

Bring Them Home Tour visits Highland Park

2005-09-08T23:20:00.000-05:00

Eyes Wide Open in Highland Park

On the final day of the Bring Them Home tour in Chicago, the bus visited the memorial display of Eyes Wide Open in Highland Park. This memorial has been up for several weeks and has sparked conversations in a newly created public forum area in the town. Prior to their visit to the display, Cindy Sheehan and other Gold Star Family members met with the staff of Mark Kirk at his Deerfield office. They issued an invitation for Mr. Kirk to pay them a visit during the upcoming demonstration in Washington DC.

The names of all of the soldiers killed in Iraq are displayed behind the boots and shoes - the boots represent the soldiers who have been killed...and the shoes represent innocent Iraqi victims of the war. Scattered throughout the display are red and purple poppies to symbolize the countless severe injuries that too, are part of the war. The members of the tour read the names of those killed in the last 12 days accompanied by the haunting strains of a bagpipe dirge. After all of the names were read, student from the local high school played Taps.

All members of the bus tour spoke...and then asked me to make an ad hoc speech. (scary!)

After many hugs...we said goodby to the North Bring Them Home tour. I will be meeting up with them in Washington later this month.

2005-09-08T00:08:00.000-05:00

More light in the darkness

2005-09-08T00:06:00.000-05:00

Iraq Vet, Cody

2005-09-08T00:05:00.000-05:00

Gold Star Dad, Juan speaks of shattered dreams and a beloved son.

2005-09-08T00:04:00.000-05:00

Gold Star Mom, Karen asks "For What Noble Cause?"