End the war in Iraq

In the wake of last week’s violence, please come out to share and support the Fort Hood IVAW Chapter on Veterans Day, or consider sending letters of support to Fort Hood. Here are some of the details about this week’s events:

FORT HOOD LIVING MEMORIAL
Veterans Day Veterans Speak & Silent Processional
At Under the Hood Cafe: 17 S. College St. Killeen, TX 76541

Veterans Day, November 11, 2009
GI and Veteran Writing Workshop 4 – 7PM
Open mic and Memorial 8 – 9PM
A silent Processional (Candle light vigil)

November 12, 2009
Extended writing workshop for veterans 4 – 8PM

The Warrior Writers Project is going to Fort Hood to heal, to listen, to build, to support. To stand by, to depend upon. To be there.

Warrior Writers and Iraq Veterans Against the War knows too well the violence and pain of surviving times like these. Our intentions are deep and our hope is growing. While the world around us spins around in violence, in greed, in destruction, – we build. we create. we grow. please join us. Please send letters of support to IVAW Fort Hood.

Warrior Writers
c/o Under the Hood
17 S. College St.
Killeen, TX 76540

The Warrior Writers Project brings together recent veterans and current service members to be in creative community and utilize art-making processes to express themselves. There is a deep necessity for veterans to create when so much has been shattered and stolen. A profound sense of hope comes from the ability to rebuild and transform. Our workshops and events utilize (but are not limited to) writing, drawing, photography, papermaking and music. We also compile artwork into books, performances and exhibits so civilians can begin to better understand veterans’ experiences.

www.warriorwriters.org

www.underthehoodcafe.org

www.ivaw.org

This Is Where We Take Our Stand is a web documentary about the IVAW Winter Soldier Project, where soldiers came to DC to share their experiences in war. Some courageous men and women were speaking out for the first time. Their testimony is very moving, very powerful. The raw footage is available at the IVAW website above.

I am extremely grateful to have been able to contribute to this project. I wrote a little about it back when we were organizing in spring ‘08. Since I got to be an organizer working with the national level, at pretty intense meetings… you can play seven exciting minutes of “I Spy Wembleyheads” in Episode Three: Why We Fight:

Flashback to January, three months before Winter Soldier. How do you bring hundreds of veterans to Washington DC, to tell their stories? An IVAW national planning meeting reveals sharp differences among the members. Is the point of Winter Soldier to show how these wars are hurting America, or the destruction America is bringing to the people of Iraq and Afghanistan? Is the goal to strengthen the military, or weaken it? Despite the differences, a deep unity is built because, as Geoff Millard declares, the bottom line is “No one can hear our stories and still support this shit.”

Well, while I a may be a moviestar now ::bats eyelashes:: I am actually hoping that you get intrigued and completely hooked and watch the first two episodes, and stay tuned for future episodes… and eventually feature length film… :D

That is how much the occupation is costing.
Could you spend that money better?

We hear about the war. We hear from tv, from politicians, from generals. Do we ever hear from the soldiers who were actually on the ground? Do we hear from the people who live there? Who better to talk about what is really happening?

From Thursday through Sunday, soldiers and veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are gathering in Washington DC to tell their side of the story.

The name Winter Soldier draws upon a Thomas Paine quote:
“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”

In this crisis, these men and women are anything but shrinking. They believe it is their duty to speak out and witness. It is our duty to listen.

To support the troops:

Do them the service of listening to what they have to say. You can watch streaming video online, listen to KPFA (Pacifica radio), or see it on Dish Network channel 9415. Details here.

Check out the preview video.

You could support in other ways by getting the word out to other veterans, organizing in your own community, and more.

I’m really fortunate to be working at this event.
Please make the time to tune in for a moment.

Peace,
wembles

on post-traumatic stress and violence in young veterans from the NY Times.

War Torn
“A series of articles and multimedia about veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who have committed killings, or been charged with them, after coming home.”

Part 1: Across America, Deadly Echoes of Foreign Battles

President Woodrow Wilson pleaded for an end to war in Europe, calling for “peace without victory.”

I don’t know how I feel about MoveOn or the utility of petitions to Congress in general, but it’s free and painless to sign, and very pertinent. Their little blurb is below. Do as you see fit—

Did you see the New York Times editorial today? Here’s how it starts:

“President Bush is discussing a new agreement with Baghdad that would govern the deployment of American troops in Iraq. With so many Americans adamant about bringing our forces home as soon as possible, a sentiment we strongly share, Mr. Bush must not be allowed to tie the hands of his successor and ensure the country’s continued involvement in an open-ended war.” (1)

I’ve signed a petition demanding that Congress stop President Bush from tying us down in Iraq.

Representative Rosa DeLauro and Senator Hillary Clinton have introduced legislation to do just that. This editorial will build momentum for action—now we need to push it over the top. If we can reach 250,000 signatures this week, the petitions will go straight to Congress on Monday.

Will you join me in signing the petition? Click here.

“Congress must not let President Bush commit America to an endless military presence in Iraq.”

This agreement that could include permanent bases and a massive military presence for years! This is a pivotal moment—the agreement is still in the planning stages and if we don’t act now, we could be stuck in Iraq for decades.

1. “Don’t Tie the Next President’s Hands,” New York Times, January 17, 2007.

_{paraphrased from Courage to Resist website}

Courage to Resist is an organization that supports GI resistance. Currently they are campaigning for Canada to allow US war resisters to stay without facing deportation.

Yesterday Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Committee voted 7 to 4 to recommend that the Canadian government immediately implement a program to allow Iraq War resisters (and resisters of any war not sanctioned by the United Nations) and their families to stay in Canada. (click for more)

This does not yet mean resisters can stay; it does offer a political opening for change. The resolution must now be taken up by the full House of Commons when it returns from winter break in early February.

Please consider signing a statement of support to encourage Parliament to pass the resolution.

This Sunday here in Chicago we are having a concert for Iraq Veterans Against the War. Please consider coming out to support them. It will be a fantastic show. Any questions feel free to ask! Would love to see you there. :)

Sunday 18 November
starting at 6:00pm

The Hideout
1354 W Wabansia

Theatrical Performance by
Theater Oobleck

Musical Performances by
Undertow
and
Devil in a Woodpile

Speakers from IVAW

Suggested donation $20

In Country: A Benefit for Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW)

WHEN: Doors at 7pm, show at 8pm
WHERE: Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N. Broadway (next to Green Mill)
COST: Suggested donation of $10 with all proceeds going to IVAW

Performers include:
TJ Jagadowski (iO’s TJ and Dave)
Mick Napier (Annoyance Theater)
Aaron Hughes (Local artist and IVAW member)
Beau Golwitzer (iO’s The Reckoning)
Patty McCann (IVAW member)
Sue Gillan (Second City, Annoyance Theater)
Rebecca Sohn (Annoyance Theater, Second City)
Eugene Cherry (IVAW member)

They are also going to release a compilation CD. Should be a fun evening! Please join us if you are in the area.