PINKtank

Although I feel you willnot admit this…I (and many others who have mixed feelings about the war in Iraq and/or Afghanistan) do not think you fully educate the younger troopers that you help to influence and eventually cause them to speak out publicly about the war. under the Hood Cafer has been directly responsible for Soldiers being sent to jail by supporting them when they defy the orders of their superiors. most (if not all) of these young people joined the Military knowing they would be sent to war…then when the horrors and shock (reality) of war hit them head on, who is there to help influence their thoughts? Under the Hood Carfe and to a slightly lesser extend, IVAW. Why should you promote peace by sending these young troopers to jail so YOU can get publicity for your cafe?

WE do not send “these young troopers to jail” — we support them morally and (a bit) financially when they make, for many reasons and with the guidance of GI Rights Hotline, Courage to Resist (www.couragetoresist.org) and other organizations, the difficult decision to refuse to redeploy, seek conscientious objector status, etc.

I have met a few of the young resisters and they deeply appreciate the support they have received from codepinkers and others who act in opposition to the wars of occupation. I have personally heard some of them reflect on their lives after refusing to continue to “serve” and how glad they are not to be killing or helping others kill; how relieved they are. We respect their moral courage and look to them for leadership. We are not concerned about “publicity for our cafe” — we are concerned about them and all the mostly very young men and women in harm’s way for corporate gain and generals’ vanity and careerism.

The US government needs to recognize that its policies in Iraq and Afghanistan, now stretching over most of a decade with no true exit strategies, have seriously deteriorated the condition of the military, especially the Marines and the Army, and bring to an end these terrible misguided wars of choice. The US military needs to stop redeploying troops who have traumatic brain injury, PTSD, suicidal tendencies; needs to end the terrible practice of stop-loss; needs to take care of its own, including military families. In the meantime, soldiers and marines will continue to go AWOL, go to Canada, refuse to deploy or redeploy, speak out, join IVAW, refuse to re-enlist… and sadly, all too many will continue to commit suicide.

What are you willing to do to help them?
Check out Courage to Resist: http://www.couragetoresist.org.
Janet for CODEPINK

Great post, newspaper will have to change and get with the online media revilution or dieبروكسي. It will be a difficult transition for some but an opportunity for othere.