A Soldier's Declaration

I am making this statement as an act of willful defiance of military authority because I believe that the war is being deliberately prolonged by those who have the power to end it. I am a soldier, convinced that I am acting on behalf of soldiers. I believe that the war upon which I entered as a war of defense and liberation has now become a war of aggression and conquest. I believe that the purposes for which I and my fellow soldiers entered upon this war should have been so clearly stated as to have made it impossible to change them and that had this been done the objects which actuated us would now be attainable by negotiation.

I have seen and endured the sufferings of the troops and I can no longer be a party to prolonging these sufferings for ends which I believe to be evil and unjust. I am not protesting against the conduct of the war, but against the political errors and insincerities for which the fighting men are being sacrificed.

On behalf of those who are suffering now, I make this protest against the deception which is being practised upon them; also I believe it may help to destroy the callous complacency with which the majority of those at home regard the continuance of agonies which they do not share and which they have not enough imagination to realise.

Lt. Siegfried Sassoon.
3rd Batt: Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
July, 1917.

NOTE: After this was published in the London Times Lt. Sassoon was treated for shell shock [PTSD] instead of being court martialed.

THEY LIE - WE DIE

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At 0635: "I find it rather difficult to think that anybody in this country would believe that people in charge of their government...would commit our blood and our treasure to a cause if they didn't truly believe in their heart and their mind that it wasnt to protect America. I just reject that notion."

At 0817: "It's a pretty radical conclusion to suggest that the men and women entrusted with the safety of this country would predicate a decision upon any other basis other than keeping America safe."


Tom Ridge's interview is simply amazing. It is a small demonstration of how people who serve in government at his level develop reality blinders and will sometimes go to the grave believing the lies and manipulation that take us to war were just and correct.

Tom Ridge conveniently forgot that his tour of duty in Viet Nam was built on such lies. Defense Secretary McNamara admitted as much in the documentary FOG OF WAR.

Anti- Anti-War

It's official.

I will stop using the phrase anti-war.

So, what's wrong with being/saying/using anti-war? Isn't that a good thing?

The phrase Anti-war says nothing and means even less. It is, however, catchy, less a mouthful than Anti-militarism and will give you 7 more spaces on Twitter . Being Anti-war induces one to be against the thing (war) and not the factors that are its root cause. Once the thing (war) is over we are lulled into a sense of accomplishment that we have eliminated it.

War is a racket. Eliminate the racket and the war will follow.

Ending DADT - The Nuclear Option

Time to deploy the "nuclear option" in the struggle to eliminate DADT.

My apologies to all who disagree with my use of military terminology but I believe it's warranted and appropriate in this situation.

THE SITUATION: President Obama has promised to end the Don't Ask, Don't Tell discriminatory policy. The president says he's waiting for congress to act, congress is waiting for military leadership to lead, and the military leadership is looking to their commander-in-chief Obama to tell them what to do. Hearings are scheduled, votes are courted and counted, committee meetings are convened, and politicians continue to declare their support for ending DADT.

THE SOLUTION: Missing from the cacophony of empty rhetoric and political promises are the voices that matter. The voices of the LGBT service members who are blackmailed into silence by regulation. In the tens of thousands these voices, unleased together, would evaporate DADT. If on every ship, on every base, in every unit, officer and enlisted, these men and women declared their identity their collective power would be felt.

Waiting for government alone to bestow your civil rights is a gamble. Montgomery in 1955 is a lesson that should not be lost. The power of change lies in the hands of the people most affected. In 1955 Black Americans, with the help of many, chose not to ride the segregated buses. Their collective power eliminated that hateful practice.

The voices of many can overcome hate.

The CINC has been Sunk

Bill Clinton's unscripted address of the DADT issue during his keynote speech at the recent Netroots Nation 2009 conference illustrates how sitting presidents succumb to political pressure and make policy that conflict with their better judgment. President Obama is sitting in the exact same seat and chances are great that his decision about ending DADT will be no different. And, make no mistake, a President, as Commander-In-Chief (CINC), has the legal power to initiate the end DADT. True, today's social and political climate is more accommodating to LGBTQ concerns but in reality "THE MILITARY" is a world and culture all unto itself. It is impervious to logic, politics, public opinion and immediate congressional or legislative interference.

President Obama is reluctant to fiddle under the military hood and fix what's wrong for the same reason Clinton was unable to block DADT - they both have not served in the military. There is a peculiar American urge to hold everything military in complete awe. If you have not served (complete disclosure - I have) the tendency is to let "them" handle it. "Them" being the generals in charge at the Pentagon. Many non-veterans believe only veterans can make good informed decisions about military matters because, well, because they were in the military and you weren't. And this is where it gets sticky. "They", the folks in charge - the big boys and girls with the stars on their shoulders - will not, can not make an independent move unless the Commander-In-Chief gives the order. But don't just take my word for it. Notice that Generals, as a rule, do not express their opinion until after they're retired. Also note that the fight in congress to repeal DADT has only started to gain serious attention with a veteran walking point for the first time.

Don't believe for a second that petitioning or stalking your congressional rep to repeal DADT will have any effect. Political elephants like the Health Care Bill, fixing the economy and two wars have already sucked the remaining oxygen out of Washington. There is a solution, however.

Retreat for Female Service Members and Veterans

October 8 - 11, 2009 Women veterans who have served in the military since 9/11/01 are invited to apply for a NO COST retreat sponsored by The Coming Home Project. Their home page describes "The Coming Home Project [as] a non-profit organization devoted to providing compassionate care, support and stress management tools for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans...Guard, Reserve and Active Duty are also eligible. Single veterans and wounded warriors are most welcome."

IF YOU ARE A RETURNING WOMAN VETERAN here is your opportunity to spend a 4 day weekend healing and sharing with other women vets in Tomales Bay, Northern California.

Hey... just being in Tomales Bay is a healing experience. Don't miss this opportunity to Come Home and give your soul some peace. If you attend share your experience with us. We'd love to hear from you.

FUK DADT - The End of DADT