Iraq Veterans Against the War

Today, I want to write about a group of proud Americans who are standing tall against the hateful war(s) that the Bush Administration has thrust upon us for the last five plus years.

The Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) held a “Winter Soldier” convention last March in Washington, D.C. These brave men and women, along with the relatives of other soldiers who died or served, came forward to tell their tales of horror while in the war zones of both Iraq and Afghanistan.

I can’t begin to tell you the shocking stories of what these men and women endured and the tragic accounts of relatives who watched their sons and daughters come home completely different than when they left, some resorting to suicide.

Of course, the Mainstream Media virtually ignored this event. I heard that a LexisNexis search (the Mother of all media search engines) on the Convention retrieved one(!) reference - an article in a Washington, D.C. newspaper - and that was in the Metro section! Fortunately, Free Speech TV had extensive coverage so at least those who knew about it were able to see it.

Now, IVAW has taken to the streets of Denver during the Democratic Convention to try to crack through the Media blackout of their grievances. They are performing Guerilla Theatre up and down the avenues showing the public what it’s like to patrol the streets of Baghdad. They demonstrated the raiding of a house and the terror it invokes to the residents. Good for them! Independent News footage show the citizens of Denver somewhat taken aback as these veterans “patrol.” Think how the Iraqi and Afghani citizens must feel in the reality.

The IVAW has three demands that they are placing upon the Powers That Be (whoever they are/will be):

1. The United States immediately withdraw all occupation forces from Iraq. This of course means U.S. combat troops, but also includes U.S. contractors and mercenaries who are exploiting the resources of Iraq. This demand is made with the understanding that the U.S. presence in Iraq contributes directly to the instability of the war-torn country.

2. The United States ensure all veterans receive a comprehensive care plan upon their discharge from the United States Military. This comprehensive care plan must include healthcare, education, and housing, the three of which are currently unaddressed in a sufficient manner.

3. The United States Government agrees to pledge reparations to Iraq for the destruction caused since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. While it would not be feasible to meet this demand immediately, it is necessary that the U.S. Government formally agree to deliver compensation once Iraq establishes a stable government free of American domination.

This should be the demands of all the people of the United States, not just the IVAW. I wish them success and support them one hundred percent.