Aaron Glantz' "Iraq War Resisters to Get Boost from Veterans Group" (One World) reports on some of the focus for Iraq Veterans Against the War at the Veterans for Peace conference in St. Louis that ran from last Wednesday through Sunday. Camilo Mejia (who tells his story in Road from Ar Ramaid: The Private Rebellion of Staff Sergeant Mejia which the New Press published in May) is now the chair of IVAW's board of directors as a result of the elections held this weekend. Garrett Rappenhagen explains that IVAW "decided to make support of war resisters a major part of what we do." Mejia declares, "There's a sort of revolution taking place in the streets. It's not being reported by the mainstream media, but we in the antiwar movement know what's going on. There is a rebellion going on in the ranks of the military that is not being reported." Glantz also notes IVAW's big success in Fort Drum where the local chapter is up and running and now claims 20 members and, of course, has the first GI coffeehouse in the nation (for this illegal war) with Different Drummer. Glantz notes other actions as well including that September 17th IVAW will kick off Truth in Recruiting. And, of course, their "funding the war is killing the troops campaign" is ongoing as well.
And what of funding and backing the puppet? AFP reports that US Senators Carl Levin and John Warner have released a joint statment calling for Nouri al-Maliki's government to be given one last chance: "We believe that the recent high-level meetings among Iraqi political leaders could be the last chance for this government to solve the Iraqi political crisis. And should it fail, we believe, the Iraqi Council of Representatives and the Iraqi people need to judge the government of Iraq's record and determine what actions should be taken - consistent with the Iraqi constitution - to form a true unity government to meet those responsibilities."
al-Maliki is the US installed and supported puppet. He has not represented Iraqis and why he's being given yet another chance is anyone's guess? For an Iraqi point of view on the puppet, click here.
There's at least one non-Iraq related item that will go in the snapshot that was e-mailed to the public account. It will go in because I don't have time for it now. Members are encouraged to use the private e-mail accounts. I'm trying to make sure no one has to go through the continued filth (from guess who) that continues to pour into the public account. As such, I'm way behind this morning. There's at least three e-mails from Friday to the public account that need a reply and more over the weekend. If you're a visitor who e-mailed give it a day or two before reminding me.
The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.
camilo mejia
iraq veterans against the war
mcclatchy newspapers
