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

Guantanamo and Geronimo

The Wiki entry for Fort Sam Houston states it housed a captured Geronimo during the Indian Wars in the late 1800's until the U.S. government could decide if he was a military prisoner of war or a common criminal. Of course, that opinion depends on which side of the handcuffs you're on.

Seems our government has a long history of not knowing what to do with tribes and other combatants who fight U.S. troops but don't belong to a "traditional" nation-state. The grand-children, great-grand-children and great-great-grand-children of those original American tribes are still living in their "gitmo's" [reservations].

Call for CO Medics trained at Fort Sam Houston

If you were a conscientious objector and served in the military between 1954 and 1973, chances are you recognize this picture. If so....please check out this website and send what pictures, stories and memories you have. It is vitally important to save conscientious objection history.

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS
IN THE MILITARY??

Servicemembers and civilians probably do not realize that you can be a conscientious objector and still serve in the military. You cannot enlist as a CO these days, however, you can apply for CO status (1-A-0) if you're active duty....meaning you still serve but will not handle weapons.

LITTLE KNOWN FACT: Two conscientious objectors have received the Medal of Honor for valor under fire.