Military Resistance 7J15

[GI Special]

[Thanks to Phil G, who sent this in.]

59% Of Americans Now Oppose Sending More U.S. Troops To Afghanistan

Comment: T

The shift since January continues to gather momentum, and it would be reasonable to find a majority for withdrawing all U.S. troops by Summer 2010, if not before, a position already 28% among civilians opposed to sending more troops. 

More significant, the civilians lag behind the troops in loathing the war in Afghanistan; a far more deep, generalized and bitter loathing by those serving there than was expressed previously by troops in Iraq, as the stories reported in Military Resistance over the past few days so abundantly document. 

The forces that can end the war from below, civilian and military, are beginning to move together along parallel tracks, picking up speed and heat. 

Those forces do not include the liberals for whom political life revolves around Obama.  They will make a great show of complaining and objecting, but they will not take effective action. 

Hope for the future rests with the active who are dedicated to forging links between increasing numbers of civilians who understand they derive no profits from the Empire but must pay the bill for those who do, and those who have changed history before and can do so again: armed forces defying orders to die in Imperial war.

Conscious of what is necessary, and acting together, these two converging social forces can achieve our common liberation.

******************************************

[Thanks to Phil G, who sent this in.]

October 19th, 2009 (CNN)

A slight majority of Americans think that the war in Afghanistan is turning into another Vietnam, according to a new national poll which also indicates that nearly six in 10 oppose sending more U.S. troops to the conflict.

According to the poll, 59 percent of people questioned opposed sending more U.S. troops to Afghanistan with 39 percent in favor.

Of the 59 percent opposed, 28 percent want Washington to withdraw all U.S. troops, 21 percent are calling for a partial American pullout, and 8 percent say the number of troops should remain the same.

DO YOU HAVE A FRIEND OR RELATIVE IN THE MILITARY?

Forward Military Resistance along, or send us the address if you wish and we’ll send it regularly.  Whether in Iraq or stuck on a base in the USA, this is extra important for your service friend, too often cut off from access to encouraging news of growing resistance to the wars, inside the armed services and at home.  Send email requests to address up top or write to: The Military Project, Box 126, 2576 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10025-5657.  Phone: 888.711.2550

IRAQ WAR REPORTS

U.S. Soldier Killed By Ninawa IED;

Two More Wounded

October 20, 2009 Multi National Corps Iraq Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory RELEASE No. 20091020-01

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, TIKRIT, Iraq - A Multi-National Division - North Soldier was killed and two were wounded when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle in Ninawa province, Iraq, Oct. 19.

Resistance Action

Oct 17 (Reuters) & 10/19/09 Reuters & Oct 20 (Reuters) & Oct 21 (Reuters)

Armed men attacked an Iraqi army checkpoint and stabbed a soldier to death on Tuesday in central Falluja, 50 km (32 miles) west of Baghdad, police said.

A roadside bomb wounded two Iraqi soldiers when it struck their patrol in western Mosul, police said.

A car bomb killed two policemen in a town outside of Falluja

A roadside bomb wounded one soldier when it struck an army patrol in northern Baghdad, police said.

A roadside bomb targeting a police patrol wounded one policeman in eastern Baghdad on Monday, police said.

Iraqi troops killed an insurgent in a raid that wounded one soldier in western Mosul on Monday, police said.

A bomb attached to the car of an Interior Ministry officer wounded the official in the Yarmouk district of central Baghdad, police said.

A roadside bomb targeting an Iraqi army patrol killed four soldiers and wounded 10 near Falluja, 50 km (32 miles) west of Baghdad, police said.

Insurgents shot dead a policeman in central Mosul, 390 km (240 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.

A roadside bomb targeting an Iraqi police patrol killed one policeman in western Mosul, police said.

A mortar round landed on an Iraqi army recruiting station, wounding four in northern Mosul, 390 km (240 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.

A car bomb targeting a police patrol wounded four policemen in Garma, 30 km (20 miles) northwest of Baghdad, police said.

A bomb attached to a police colonel's vehicle wounded two of the officer's bodyguards in central Kirkuk, 250 km (155 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.

IF YOU DON’T LIKE THE RESISTANCE

END THE OCCUPATIONS

AFGHANISTAN WAR REPORTS

California Soldier Killed By IED In Argahndab

October 20, 2009 U.S. Department of Defense News Release No. 817-09

Spc. Michael A. Dahl Jr., 23, of Moreno Valley, Calif., died Oct. 17 in Argahndab, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

California Soldier Killed In Kandahar

U.S. Army Spc. Jesus O. Flores Jr. of La Mirada, Calif., 28, died of injuries suffered in an attack in Afghanistan Oct. 15, 2009 in Kandahar province after his vehicle was struck with a bomb. Assigned to the 569th Mobility Augmentation Company, 4th Engineer Battalion at Fort Carson near Colorado Springs, he was stationed in Iraq from Feb. 15 through May, when he was sent to Afghanistan.  (AP Photo/U.S. Army)

Two Texas Soldiers Killed In Wardak

This Oct. 2009 photo provided by Monteigne Staats and taken by Sgt. Alexander Stewart, shows Texas Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Christopher Staats, 32, of Boerne, Texas, left, and Sgt. Anthony G. Green, 28 of Yorktown, Texas.  Both died of wounds suffered when their vehicle was attacked with an improvised explosive device in Wardak province Afghanistan on Oct. 16, 2009.  Both were assigned to the 143rd Infantry Detachment, Austin, Texas.  (AP Photo/Courtesy of Monteigne Staats, Sgt. Alexander Stewart)

Pennsylvania SSG Killed In Kandahar

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Glen H. Stivison Jr. of Blairsville, Pa., 34, died of injuries suffered in an attack in Afghanistan Oct. 15, 2009 in Kandahar province after his vehicle was struck with a bomb. Assigned to the 569th Mobility Augmentation Company, 4th Engineer Battalion at Fort Carson near Colorado Springs, he was stationed in Iraq from Feb. 15 through May, when he was sent to Afghanistan.  (AP Photo/U.S. Army)

Illinois Sgt. Killed Near Kandahar

Oct. 19, 2009: U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher Rudzinski, 28, of Rantoul, Ill., died Oct. 16, 2009, near Kandahar, Afghanistan, after being wounded when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 293rd Military Police Company, 385th Military Police Battalion, 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne) out of Fort Stewart, Ga.  (AP Photo/Department of Defense)

Ohio Marine Killed In Helmand

October 21, 2009 NewsNet5 & U.S. Department of Defense News Release No. 821-09

PAINESVILLE, Ohio -- Lance Cpl. David Raymond Baker, 22, of Painesville, was killed in Helmand province Afghanistan on Tuesday.

Marine officials told his mother that was killed by an IED. He was due to come home Nov. 29.

He leaves his mother, Laurie, his father, Mark, a brother and twin sisters, one of whom is in the Army Reserve.

Baker graduated from Riverside High School in 2006.

He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Rochester Soldier, 22, Dies In Afghanistan

Daniel Rivera, 20, who served in the U.S. Army

October 19, 2009 Victoria E. Freile – Staff writer; Democrat and Chronicle

A Rochester soldier who was killed yesterday in Afghanistan was known as a thoughtful and religious young man, according to his family.

Daniel Rivera, 22, who served in the U.S. Army, was killed while serving his first tour of duty, said his aunt Maria Rivera of Rochester.

"He was a really good kid and was a great uncle to his numerous nieces and nephews," she said. "We really loved him and will really miss him."

His aunt Sandra Quinones of Rochester described Daniel as a caring and giving young man. He loved God and was active in his church.

"He took every minute and spent it with his family," she said. "He loved his family so much."

Daniel Rivera graduated from Victor High School. Maria Rivera said he joined the Army about a year ago.

He was expected to return to western New York in November, in time to spend the holidays with his large family, many of whom are in the military.

"He was already packed," Maria Rivera said.

Maria Rivera said her sister Myrian Rivera learned the news last night from Army officials and the Department of Defense. The family is expected to gather later today to plan funeral arrangements.

Details of Daniel Rivera’s death were not immediately available.

In addition to his mother, Daniel Rivera was survived by his brother, David Walker, and sister, Shadel Rivera; his grandparents Efrain and Miriam Rivera; and numerous other family members.

"He was a big brother and said he wanted to be a role model to his younger cousins," Maria Rivera said. She said Daniel last visited in July, "catching up with family and catching up and enjoying life."

Resistance Attack Destroys 15 Truck Occupation Military Supply Convoy;

Guerillas Control The Area, Posing For Pictures

Nationalist Afghan fighters in front of burnt supply trucks in Ghazni province October 19, 2009. The militants set fire to 15 trucks carrying supplies to a military base in eastern Ghazni province, according to local official Sahib Khan.  Photo: REUTERS/Mustafa Andalib

Oct. 19, 2009: Destroyed trucks after militants burnt the vehicles, on main Ghazni-Kandahar highway in Ghazni, west of Kabul, Afghanistan. Nationalist forces set fire to 15 trucks carrying supplies to a military base in eastern Ghazni province, according to local official Sahib Khan.  (AP Photo/Rahmatullah Naikzad )

Oct. 19, 2009, Military supply trucks burnt by militants on main Ghazni- Kandahar highway in Ghazni, west of Kabul, Afghanistan.  Militants set fire to 15 trucks carrying supplies to a military base in eastern Ghazni province.  (AP Photo/Rahmatullah Naikzad)

Oct. 19, 2009: Afghan nationalist fighters stand near a burnt vehicle of Afghan government, right, as Afghan citizens gather around in the background to watch, in Ghazni, west of Kabul, Afghanistan. Taliban militants burned 15 trucks carrying supplies to a military base in eastern Ghazni province,.  (AP Photo/Rahmatullah Naikzad )

"'People Here Hate Us,’ Says Specialist Jonathan Moody"

"The Villagers Simply Stare At The Convoy, Exuding Hostility — Not Even The Children Wave"

"All But Two Of The Men Have Been Blown Up In Their Vehicles — Some Two Or Three Times"

"The 50-Mile Round Trip Took 12 Hours, And Required A Huge Amount Of Manpower And Equipment — All To Resupply One Tiny Outpost"

October 19, 2009 The Times [Excerpts]

The sun was dipping behind the mountains and the US convoy was just leaving the beautiful but deadly Tangi Valley when the alert sounded over the radio in Lieutenant Christopher George’s armoured vehicle: "IED! IED!"

The young officer’s face fell.

For hours, his team of roadside bomb searchers had successfully guided the convoy through one of the most hostile places in Afghanistan — and now this.

Somewhere behind him, a vehicle had been hit because his men had missed an improvised explosive device (IED) buried in the road. "This is one of my biggest fears," he said.

Lieutenant George, 25, and just three years out of college, leads 12 Alpha Platoon — two dozen combat engineers who call themselves "The Pirates" and have a uniquely dangerous mission.

In nine months, working from Forward Operating Base Airborne in Wardak province, this close-knit group has found more than 50 roadside bombs — the Taleban’s most lethal and effective weapon.  Around 20 of these have exploded.

All but two of the men have been blown up in their vehicles — some two or three times.

Five have been flown home or given desk jobs because of serious injury, a dozen have qualified for Purple Hearts, and most have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

"Everyone tries to run away from bombs and explosions. We’re the only ones that go looking for them. Somebody has to do it," says Staff Sergeant Merlin Quiles, 24. Sergeant Arthur Perralta, 27, adds: "It sucks, but I love the fact we’re saving lives."

Their work is also well-recognised further up the chain of command: "What they do every day is humbling, awe-inspiring," says Lieutenant Colonel Kimo Gallahue, commanding officer of the 10th Mountain Division’s 2-87 infantry battalion to which The Pirates are attached.

On this particular day, their mission is to lead a supply convoy to a US outpost in the heart of Tangi Valley — an infamous insurgent stronghold that links Wardak and Logar provinces.

An entire Soviet division was ambushed and destroyed here in the 1980s. US soldiers have frequently been attacked, and last year one was dismembered after being ambushed.

Afghan lorry drivers employed by the US military have sometimes refused to enter a place dubbed Death Valley or IED Alley.

Before leaving Airborne, the convoy’s soldiers huddle in prayer. "Lord, we ask you to be with us today," intones Specialist Charlie Bunch, 23, from Ohio. "Be with us as we go to Tangi, and be with us on these dangerous roads."

Nearby are the charred wrecks of several Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs) that were hit by recent IEDs.

The Pirates stay aloof, more concerned to protect than be protected, but they have their own superstitions. Lieutenant George, for example, wears a bracelet made with the command wire of a bomb that destroyed his vehicle in Tangi last summer — he refused to be flown out for medical treatment because: "I kinda love my guys and wanted to be with them."

Some do not tell their families what they do.

At 7am — with Led Zeppelin playing on their headphones — The Pirates lead the convoy of nearly 30 armoured vehicles and lorries out of Airborne and rumble south through the desert on the Kabul to Kandahar highway, forcing all oncoming traffic off the road.

The Pirates’ vehicles possess a formidable array of high-tech equipment for detecting hidden bombs, but there is no substitute for men on the ground. At known hot spots they dismount and walk, scouring the roadside for the "snail trails" that conceal command wires.

Progress is painfully slow. The Pirates shoot the lock off a hut to search it. They question and photograph some Afghans loitering by a culvert beneath the road.

The convoy detours around a blown-up bridge and passes the crater where a bomb destroyed a Pirate MRAP five days earlier, wounding three men.

The Pirates say the IEDs have become steadily bigger and more sophisticated, with some now containing 300lb of explosives.

It takes three hours to cover the 18-odd miles to the Tangi turn-off.

The convoy then heads east through a low pass and suddenly enters a veritable Garden of Eden.

Between barren brown mountains lies a breathtaking lush green valley. A river meanders between apple orchards, fields and pretty, mud-walled villages.

"Welcome to Tangi," says Lieutenant George. "It’s like getting kissed by the devil."

The Pirates now lead the convoy on foot. 

They check every bridge and culvert.  They fan out through the apple trees and fields laced with irrigation channels, searching for command wires, mines and snipers.

It is a lovely autumn day, the air is scented with ripe fruit, and the beauty is seductive, but their caution is imperative. The road through this perilous paradise is riddled with IED craters.

The villagers simply stare at the convoy, exuding hostility — not even the children wave.

The US military has imposed a night-time curfew to foil the bomb planters.

"People here hate us," says Specialist Jonathan Moody, 22, who was blown up in Tangi last May — he remembers being ejected from the gun turret and re-entering it upside down.

It takes two more hours to cover the seven miles to Combat Outpost Tangi, which resembles a Wild West fort.

It has walls of huge sand-filled sacks instead of wooden palings, watchtowers, gun emplacements and a Stars and Stripes fluttering over rows of khaki tents.

As the convoy unloads food, water and ammunition,

The Pirates hear that the Afghan National Army has found a bomb a mile down the road. They hurry to the spot, only to find that insurgents removed the IED when the Afghan soldiers inexplicably left to report it.

All that remains is a command wire leading to a nearby cemetery and a rocket-propelled grenade that The Pirates blow up.

The convoy leaves again at 3:40pm. They want to be out of Tangi before dark, and all goes well until the convoy reaches the head of the valley. There the lead vehicles spot a man ducking into the last trees before the land reverts to desert. A minute later comes the call: "IED! IED!"

The convoy halts. The Pirates rush back, checking for ambushes and secondary bombs. Then they discover their good fortune. The primer exploded as an MRAP passed over it, but failed to detonate the 75lb of explosive buried beneath in a blue plastic container. "It’s God’s good will," exclaims a soldier.

That The Pirates had missed the bomb was hardly their fault.

It was buried deep in the filled-in crater of a previous bomb, and the 25-metre command wire was concealed in the bed of a stream. "You can’t find everything," said Lieutenant George as the convoy drove on to the safety of Airborne.

"We frigging do our best. My guys bust their asses every day to find these IEDs . . . I couldn’t ask for a better group and I’m dead serious about that."

This time the Taleban were foiled, but they could still claim victory of a sort. The 50-mile round trip took 12 hours, and required a huge amount of manpower and equipment — all to resupply one tiny outpost.

U.S. Occupation Dictatorship Shows The World There Is No Government Of Afghanistan:

Acting Through Their U.N. Agent Siddique, The Occupiers Fire 200 Of 380 District Election Chiefs From The Afghan Government-Appointed "Independent" Election Commission

[Looks like the silly Pretend-President Hamid Karzai is at serious risk of getting pushed out the door by the U.S. military dictatorship in control of Afghanistan.

[In case you missed it someplace along the way, Karzai, the U.S. employee Bush hired to run the Afghan collaborator "government," which governs nothing, is a former employee of Unocal Corporation, the parent company of Union Oil Company of California.  It would be only natural for Emperor Obama to want his own employee in and Bush’s out.  T]

Oct 21, 2009 KABUL (Reuters)

Half of the most senior Afghan district election officials will be fired, U.N. officials said on Wednesday, to prevent more fraud in a run-off presidential poll crucial to the country's credibility and foreign support.

Aleem Siddique, a spokesman for the U.N. mission, said 200 of 380 district election chiefs from the government-appointed Independent Election Commission (IEC) were being replaced after the watchdog found evidence of widespread fraud and vote-fixing.

In Kabul, Siddique said NATO and the IEC would meet to discuss preparations for the second round, adding that the distribution of ballot materials would start on Thursday.

As part of efforts to prevent fraud, he said polling stations in areas where first-round turnout was low due to bad security and where a lot of fraud took place would not open. Voters would be encouraged to cast ballots in nearby locations, he said.

He said he hoped about 16,000 polling stations would open this time. About 25,000 stations were open in the August 20 vote.

BEEN ON THE JOB TOO LONG:

COME ON HOME, NOW

Soldiers from the U.S. Army's Charlie troop, 371 Cavalry, 3rd brigade of 10th Mountain Division based in Fort Drum, New York, leave Cop Cherokee base to go on patrol in Kherwar district in Logar province October 6, 2009.  REUTERS/Nikola Solic

Soldiers from the U.S. Army's Able troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry, of the 10th Mountain Division based in Fort Drum, New York, walk trough village of Chehel Tan, Baraki Barak district in Logar province October 12, 2009.  REUTERS/Nikola Solic

"Down With America"

Pissed-Off Afghans Burn U.S. Flag & Stomp On Obama

A university student burns a US flag, as others set fire to an effigy of Obama, during a demonstration in Jalalabad, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, Oct. 19, 2009.  Hundreds of Afghans protested against the desecration of Holy Quran by occupation soldiers during an operation in central Maidan Wardak province.  (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

University students hold a banner which says ' Down with America' during a demonstration in Jalalabad, Nangarhar province east of Kabul, Afghanistan Oct. 19, 2009.  Hundreds of Afghans shouted anti-US slogans and burned effigy of the U.S. President Barack Obama during a protest against the desecration of Holy Quran by occupation soldiers during an operation in central Maidan Wardak province.  (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

A university student stomps on the half burned effigy of Obama during a demonstration in Jalalabad, Nangarhar province, east of Kabul, Afghanistan Oct. 19, 2009.  Hundreds of Afghans shouted anti-US slogans and burned effigy of the U.S. President Barack Obama during a protest against the desecration of Holy Quran by occupation soldiers during an operation in central Maidan Wardak province.  (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

OCCUPATION ISN’T LIBERATION

ALL TROOPS HOME NOW!

SOMALIA WAR REPORTS

Insurgents Attack Somali Government Troops Around The Presidential Compound

19 October 2009 Hassan Osman Abdi, Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu) & Oct 20 (Garowe Online)

Al Shabaab insurgents attacked Somali government troops and African Union peacekeepers (AMISOM) [translation: U.S. government supported occupation troops] at bases around the Villa Somalia presidential compound, witnesses said.

The bodies of 2 Somali government soldiers were seen at the scene of the fighting. Al Shabaab insurgents, who claimed responsibility for the attacks, have not spoken publicly.

Mogadishu — Land mine explosion has been targeted to one of the AMISOM [U.S. Government-backed occupation] troops' military vehicles at around Kulliyada Jalle Si'ad, a base for Burundian troops in the capital, officials said on Monday.

Chauvin, the spokesman of the Burundian told Shabelle radio that one of their military vehicles was damaged in the blast targeted to one of their convoy traveling around Kulliyadda Jalle Si'ad near their base in Mogadishu denying that there were no other casualties reached on their side.

Reports say that fighting between the Islamist fighters and the Burundian soldiers had started after the explosion which continued for a while and caused to halt the movement of the traffic and people in the area.

Residents told Shabelle radio that they could see one of the AMSIOM troops' truck which was heavily damaged adding that there were also more AU troops around the area of the explosion who were firing bullets to each directions as the blast occurred.

It is unclear the real casualties of the land mine explosion.

But Harakat Al-shabab Mujahideen officials who contacted with Shabelle radio claimed the responsibility of the landmine explosion saying that they killed more troops pointing out they also inflicted more casualties to the Burundian troops and attacked them once again.

Unmanned Secret Agent Plane Shoot Down By Resistance In Kisamyo Town

19 October 2009 By Mohammed Omar Hussein, Somaliweyn Media Center

The Islamic administration in the southern seaport town of Kismayo, has on at exactly 12:00pm on Monday shoot down, unmanned spy plane, as the security officials of the town has told the press on Monday.  

"Today we with the might of Allah the master of this universe have succeeded in shooting down, unmanned spy plane, and our security personnel have used a very advanced method in brining down this unmanned spy plane, and I hope the western countries will nor dare again to send their spay planes in our territories" said an officer in the security department of Kismyo.

The officials also added that they have used anti-aircraft missiles to bring down the plane.  There are several unmanned planes hovering in the atmosphere of Somalia since the Islamists have dominated in most of the regions in Somalia.

"Lawmaker Accused Government Security Forces Of Robbing Civilians And Government Employees"

MOGADISHU, Somalia Oct 17 (Garowe Online)

A lawmaker named Dahir Abdikadir Muse accused government security forces of robbing civilians and government employees, Radio Garowe reports.  MP Muse told reporters on Saturday that he was robbed by soldiers in a government-controlled section of Mogadishu, the capital.

"I was robbed by government soldiers and they pointed at me weapons intended to defend the people and country," the lawmaker told reporters.

MP Muse accused government soldiers of "setting up illegal checkpoints" to forcefully collect money from civilians and government workers alike.

"They took my mobile phone and this is a big embarrassment for the Somali government," MP Muse said.

TROOP NEWS

THIS IS HOW OBAMA BRINGS THE TROOPS HOME:

BRING THEM ALL HOME NOW, ALIVE

The casket of Army Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Westbrook at Four Corners Regional Airport Oct. 15, 2009.  Westbrook died at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington on Oct. 7.  He was wounded in Afghanistan on Sept. 8 when insurgents attacked his unit.  (AP Photo/Rebecca Craig, The Daily Times)

The New Issue Of Traveling Soldier Is Out, Featuring:

1. Fun Times at Fort Drum: My Story

http://www.traveling-soldier.org/10.09.paul.php

2. Mailbag: Mass Casualties

http://www.traveling-soldier.org/10.09.mail.php

3. "If You Are A Private, You Are Treated Like Complete Dog Shit"

http://www.traveling-soldier.org/10.09.dogsh.php

4. Veterans Call For Immediate Withdrawal From Afghanistan

http://www.traveling-soldier.org/10.09.ivaw.php

5. "Vietnam Without Napalm"

http://www.traveling-soldier.org/10.09.napalm.php

6. Download the new Traveling Soldier to pass it out at your school, workplace, or at nearby base.

http://www.traveling-soldier.org/TS25.pdf

National Guard Soldiers Sues KBR For Damage From Afghanistan Burn Pit Injuries

Oct 8, 2009 The Associated Press

ENTERPRISE, Ala. — A National Guard soldier has filed suit contending his health problems were caused by a contractor who burned vast quantities of unsorted waste in pits near where soldiers were living in Afghanistan.

The Dothan Eagle reported Thursday that Richard Guilmette’s suit is one of at least 17 against KBR Inc., claiming the company "knew or should have known" that the burn pits put soldiers and contractors in danger. KBR denied the allegations.

Guilmette said that after a month in Kandahar in 2004, he began to experience breathing difficulties, stomach problems, headaches and dizziness, even extreme fatigue during normal exertion.

Guilmette said the pits were close to the soldiers’ living quarters, and that winds often sent a large, black cloud of smoke over the tents.

Troops Invited:

Comments, arguments, articles, and letters from service men and women, and veterans, are especially welcome.  Write to Box 126, 2576 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10025-5657 or send email to contact@militaryproject.org:  Name, I.D., withheld unless you request publication.  Same address to unsubscribe.  Phone: 888.711.2550

FORWARD OBSERVATIONS

"At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed.  Oh had I the ability, and could reach the nation’s ear, I would, pour out a fiery stream of biting ridicule, blasting reproach, withering sarcasm, and stern rebuke.

"For it is not light that is needed, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder.

"We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake."

Frederick Douglass, 1852

"Hope for change doesn't cut it when you're still losing buddies."

-- J.D. Englehart, Iraq Veterans Against The War

I say that when troops cannot be counted on to follow orders because they see the futility and immorality of them THAT is the real key to ending a war. 

-- Al Jaccoma, Veterans For Peace

"While there is a lower class I am in it; while there is a criminal element I am of it; while there is a soul in prison, I am not free"

-- Eugene V. Debs

One day while I was in a bunker in Vietnam, a sniper round went over my head.  The person who fired that weapon was not a terrorist, a rebel, an extremist, or a so-called insurgent.  The Vietnamese individual who tried to kill me was a citizen of Vietnam, who did not want me in his country.  This truth escapes millions.

Mike Hastie

U.S. Army Medic

Vietnam 1970-71

December 13, 2004

Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth.

-- George Washington

Admirable Anniversary:

October 18, 1648:

Americans Organize For Self-Defense

Carl Bunin Peace History October 15-21

The Shoemakers Guild of Boston became the first labor union in the American colonies.

October 21, 1837:

Betrayal And The Stain Of Foul Dishonor:

Courtesy Of The United States Army

Osceola ("Black Drink") (circa 1804-1838) Seminole leader

By George Catlin, 1838

Carl Bunin Peace History October 15-21

The U.S. Army, enforcing Pres. Andrew Jackson’s Indian Removal Act, captured Seminole Indian leader Osceola (meaning "Black Drink") by inviting him to a peace conference and then seizing him and nineteen others, though they had come under a flag of truce.

The Seminole had moved to Florida (then under the control of Spain) from South Carolina and Georgia as they were forced from their ancestral lands, then forced farther south into the Everglades where they settled.

Under the law Jackson urged on Congress, they and the others of the "Five Civilized Tribes" (Choctaws, Chickasaws, Creeks and Cherokees) were to be moved, by force if necessary, west of the Mississippi (Arkansas and Oklahoma).

********************************

Npg.Si.Edu [Excerpt]

Although neither a hereditary nor an elected chief, Osceola was the defiant young leader of the Seminole in their resistance to Indian emigration.

In 1835 he plunged his knife into the treaty he was asked to sign that would move his people from their swamplands in the Southeast to the unoccupied territory west of the Mississippi.  This action precipitated the Second Seminole War--a seven-year game of cat-and-mouse in the Florida swamps against federal troops.

Tricked into talking peace, Osceola was captured in 1837 while carrying a white flag of truce and was imprisoned in Fort Moultrie, South Carolina.

This treachery so outraged George Catlin that he went immediately to the prison. He and Osceola became friends, and Osceola willingly posed for his portrait. 

"This gallant fellow," wrote Catlin, "is grieving with a broken spirit, and ready to die, cursing the white man, no doubt to the end of his breath."

Soon after this portrait was completed, Osceola died of malaria.  Osceola’s name was derived from the Indian term "Asiyahola," the cry given by those taking the ceremonial black drink that was supposed to cleanse the body and spirit.

DANGER: POLITICIANS AT WORK

POLITICIANS CAN’T BE COUNTED ON TO HALT THE BLOODSHED

THE TROOPS HAVE THE POWER TO STOP THE WARS

CLASS WAR REPORTS

Goldman Sachs breaks record with $16.7bn bonus pot

Steve Bell: The Guardian

Military Resistance Looks Even Better Printed Out

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