Winter Soldier

The inspiration and motivation of the American Revolution came out of Common Sense. Thomas Paine also wrote in a series entitled “The American Crisis” in December 1776. George Washington proudly had this series read aloud to the soldiers.

These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.

This series was commissioned to shore up the morale of the American soldiers fighting for independence from Britain. Britain who was taking unfair advantage of her subjects in the colonies. Britain that wanted her subjects in the colonies to pay for failed war. Britain who was not acknowledging the individual liberties of her subjects in the colonies. The soldiers of the American Revolution believed the acquisition of liberty to be their utmost goal.

This one point in our history could have brought the egalitarian potential of democracy into full manifestation, if the First Nations and present African slaves were included in this quest toward individual freedom and liberty from tyrannical rule. Perhaps, if this leap was taken, the U.S. wouldn’t have sullied her reputation by invading southern nations for their resources. We are still fighting a North|South conflict today. Northern countries raid the resources of the southern countries.

Today, U.S. citizens, are being taken unfair advantage of by their government. Today, U.S. citizens, are paying for a failed war charged by their government. Today, U.S. citizens, are being stripped of their individual liberties by their government. Today, U.S. soldiers and citizens, are being infected by extreme prejudice against those whose heritage lies within a Southern country.

In Maryland this past weekend, hundreds of veterans of the American Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan gathered along with other Veterans Groups to provide personal testimony and confessions of what they have experienced in these wars in an event named Winter Soldier II. Not one corporate media in the United States covered this event. Not one.

One method that is being used to infect American soldiers with extreme prejudice is through the theft of the term hajii. Hajii is a honorific term used to respect Muslims who have made the pilgrimage to Mecca. This is considered the most important part of a Muslim’s spiritual life. The American military has stolen this term to promote “otherness” most vital to murder. A soldier’s “enemy” is best fought when they are considered extremely “different” than yourself.
The Winter soldier testimony of Hart Viges:

“And then we went to Baghdad and pretty much ran that town into the ground. You know, there was no real structure there, no police, no authority except for us. And we took full advantage of that in the treatment of the people and in just overall viewpoints. I mean, myself, I never really consider myself a racist person, but everything was “haji this,” “haji that,” “haji smokes,” “haji burger, “haji house,” “haji clothes,” “haji rag.” “Haji” is the same as “honky.” It’s the same thing. I had to catch myself.”

The Winter soldier testimony of Geoff Miller:

“It’s no surprise for anyone who’s been in the military since September 11th, especially not for those of us who have been deployed since September 11th, that the word “haji” is used to dehumanize people not just of Iraq and Afghanistan, but anyone there who is not us. We bought haji DVDs at the haji shops from the hajis that worked there. The KBR employees that did our laundry that were from Pakistan became hajis. The KBR employees who worked inside of our chow halls became hajis. Everyone that was not a US force became a haji, not a person, not a name, but a haji. I used to have conversations with members of my unit, and I would ask them why they use that term, especially members of my unit who are people of color. It used to shock me that they would. And their answers were very similar, almost always, and that was, “They’re just hajis. Who cares?”
And that came from ranks as low as mine, sergeant, all the way up to lieutenant colonel in my unit. The highest-ranking officer that I ever heard use these words was the highest-ranking officer during my deployment in Iraq: General Casey. During a briefing that my unit, the 42nd Infantry Division Rear Operations Center at FOB Speicher, gave to General Casey, I heard him refer to the Iraqi people as hajis. I have heard several generals, including the 42nd Infantry Division Commander, General Taluto, and my own general that I worked for, Brigadier General Sullivan, use these terms in reference to the Iraqi people. These things start at the top, not at the bottom.”

In 1971, Veterans from the American War in Vietnam conducted the first Winter Soldier hearings in front of Congress. The testimony was entered into the congressional record and covered widely. Remember the footage of John Kerry testifying? This testimony of Kerry’s was meant to show him as the truest patriot of all. A soldier that did not shun service, like our dishonorable President , but when he became aware of the lies and policy enforced massacres dissented.

What does it say when today’s veterans’ are silenced and ignored?

The corporate media not covering these true patriots are following a policy, across the shameful industry editors and producers are falling in line. The three “accepted” candidates for President are all senators. They are not seeking an audience with these patriots. These candidates are perhaps following a policy where all “accepted” parties are falling in line. Linda Millazo asks: Corporate Media Ignored Winter Soldier. Senators Biden and Kerry will you? I add Senators Clinton, Obama and McCain to this inquiry.

Being the media, has shown itself to be a necessity in this Nation. Democracy Now has dedicated this week to the Winter Soldier Hearings. Read the transcripts, watch or listen to the shows in a variety of formats and donate to this independent, most valuable media.

Monday’s Show, Tuesday’s Show, Wednesday’s Show,

The BBC covers important issues concerning America better than our corporate media does. This is ridiculous.

I am participating in today’s Blogswarm attempting to do my part in keeping our attention trained on what is most important in today’s world. Corporate America is dedicated to keep us distracted, and cynical.

Are you going to accept it?

I urge you to participate in today’s Blogswarm and protest in your own way the usurpation of human rights worldwide during the fifth anniversary of America’s aggression.

We are constantly reminded that we must support our troops. The best way that we can accomplish this is by extending a civil measure of respect by listening to their stories. They are on the front lines. They experience this war and their souls are becoming damaged. If we want to heal the damage to our soldiers, to Iraqis and to Afghanis we must listen and ACT.

What can you do?

1. Sign this petition to End the Wars
2. Write a letter to the editor of your newspaper
3. Join the Blogswarm
4. Demand the “accepted” candidates and your public officials to start ending the war, NOW
5. Join a protest this week
6. Stop consuming the goods and services of corporate media and their sponsors
7. Speak truthfully to your children about war, prejudice and violence, TODAY
8. Share this article at StumbleUpon, Digg and/or Reddit {Links under the title of this post}

Learn more, Do more, Be more:

• This anniversary don’t let the candidate’s off the hook.
• Tom Hayden speaks to Bay Area Groups on ending the War.
• Iraq Veterans Against the War
• Five Years Later
• Poets Against War
• Artists Against War
• 4,ooo Americans, Innumerable Iraqis, 3 Trillion
• Winter Soldiers: Nation must heed the horrifying words of those who have returned from the front lines by Madeleine Mysko
• Unsung Heroes and Alternative Voices
• Another year, Another $300 Billion
• American Friends Service Committee
• War Resisters League
• AntiWar.com
• Modern Musings’ Peace|War

What are you going to do?

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