While listening to the very moving and very courageous testimony of the representatives of Winter Soldiers 2008, many thoughts come to mind:

1. Each one of these testifiers is more honest, moral and articulate than the so-called leaders in power.

2. Please : Everybody talk to Everybody - Anybody - about the implications of a John McCain presidency! A continuation of a militaristic, imperialist, Christian fundamentalist, neo-conservative regime.. Watch Bill Moyers' program of March 7, 2008 which you will find at
www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/archives
And watch the video.

3. My father was sent into Hitler's war against Russia and came back to his family a different man. He never spoke about his experiences and, unfortunately, never got any help coping with them. I am thinking of what he and his comrades went through ..

Thank you again for your broadcast; it needs to be spread around the country to eliminate ignorance. -

I took the suggestion of another listener to let media know we note their absence, by emailing to all the NYTimes editors he suggested. Could other listeners do the same? My text follows:

I have been listening to streaming audio of the Winter Soldier Conference that began today in Silver Springs, MD. I understand that The New York Times has refused to send a reporter to observe the testimony of these American soldiers who served in Iraq and/or Afganistan. It is incredible that a major American newspaper has so little interest in reporting experiences that do not square with the dominant war discourse peddled by the Bush/Cheney prevaricators.

Could this be one reason that newspapers are steadily losing readership and trust. Many of us who used to rely on print media are turning to the Internet for sources of news that range far beyond the "embedded" reporting of the dominant American media. Every time you defer to government secrecy and withhold stories for months or years, you will lose credibility. If you fail to cover important dissident views, we the public will turn to other sources. When you fail us, you undermine the function of a free press in a democracy.

I accidentally found this broadcast while flipping through the channels, and I was gripped by the emotional testimonies of the marines. Listening to them describe missions and the less than palatable events that transpired in them makes me realize how real the war is. It's so easy to bury it in the back of my mind, continuing with my daily school routine oblivious to the world outside. The biggest thing on my mind is graduating, but knowing there are marines out there that are my age experiencing things/doing things that no one should have to is very sobering. Thanks for opening my eyes.

Thank you, Aaron and Aimee, for helping these heros continue to defend our country.

i was listening to the winter soldier conference in my car earlier in the day, and as i passed a gas station, a big red suv was pulling out with a bumper sticker proclaiming "proud to be an american". this conference (or even just an hour of it) should be required listening for all "real americans"

This day of testimonies has been the most powerful, compelling accounting of these two wars to date. I am deeply moved by what these soldiers have shared. I am outraged at what this government and military leaders have wrought, and I am inspired to continue to work for an end to war.
It is an abomination that all the major media outlets are not covering these testimonies. I have contacted MoveOn to request that all members be made aware of Winter Soldier; I have also sent emails to several reporters with the New York Times and Washington Post regarding the incredible importance of covering this event; an extremely rare opportunity to hear from our veterans. Everyone in Congress should be there!

I'm not a vet. But I'm a survivor of childhood sex abuse and dealing with a lifetime of severe PTSD. I have a blog where I talk about my day-to-day struggle with it. Could you put this on the air? I hope this helps both vets and civilians alike:

http://www.ptsdsurvival.blogspot.com

Peace,
Tom

You and your many witnesses to the atrocities are helping this nation to find hope of healing. This is the only way that it can happen. It has been so hard for many of us to see the deterioation of this country.
Because of your witness and honesty you help those of us that are trying to heal.
keep it up,
thanks,
Sabrina

My friend’s son was with 1/5 Marines for the fall of Baghdad. His first words about what it was like for him were, "We killed people for no reason."

He was written about (though not by name) as earning an award for service in a firefight when his Bradley was hit by an RPG in this book (A Table in the Presence: The Dramatic Account of How a U.S. Marine Battalion Experienced God’s Presence Amidst the Chaos of the War in Iraq by LT. Carey H. Cash)

His fellow Marine’s face was blown half off. He provided first aid as he returned fire. He despises the GOP knuckleheads who sent him there based on lies without proper gear or mission planning (Marines know the 6 P’s - piss poor planning prevents proper performance). There’s a lot more to being patriotic than just waving the flag and letting someone else fight (and die) in your battles.

One of the other testimonies I heard reminds me of what he encountered. He was manning a checkpoint and was ordered to light up a rapidly approaching vehicle and he did. Turns out is was full of women and children and he had to tend to the wounded amongst the screaming and terrified children (some wounded) amongst the rest of the dead. He handles his own trauma well but I know he has scars.

Thank you for this broadcast and the line-up of incredibly courageous and moral truth-tellers.

I have been listening to the Winter Soldier confessions and have been horrified to hear what has been done to innocent people in my name. I also salute all of you who have had the courage and fortitude to come forward and publicly expose yourselves to the horrors you've committed.

Perhaps most devestating is to know that the crimes committed were carried out by soldiers who had been lied to, manipulated, brain-washed, and used by those in power in the name of freedom, patriotism, and democracy. After living a long life, I can't say these truths are new to me, yet this presentation brings it home in a way that hits hard and deep.

I haven't much money to donate, but I have time and eagerness to help in the effort in some way. I would appreciate hearing from you about how I might help.

I've been listening to KPFA's broadcast via KBOO radio here in Portland since around 8:30 this morning. I am so moved and saddened to hear these stories from the soldiers and Iraqi civilians who have been in the occupation. Currently I am reading Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown and published in 1970. It is stunning to see the similarities between U.S. occupation of Iraq and the U.S. invasion and occupation of Native American lands. I wonder if this book was taught in U.S. high schools if fewer young people would want to enlist in the military.

The speakers at this conference make it clear to me how soul-destroying war is. I hope for healing for these individuals and for this country.

Thank you for Winter Soldier 2008's moving presentations from the National Labor College in Washington, DC. I have lived through every US war since WWII and heard all the patriotic slogans that have driven them. The realities brought out in today's testimony -- the cruelty of war -- the pressure of empire -- the corporate greed which drives the process -- are the real face of war rather than the glamor and false camraderie use to sell war to the public. I hope your effort succeeds in bringing the US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to a close as did the Winter Soldier hearings in 1971. Wishing you all the best and pledging to do what I can to speak out, I am, Joan W. Drake, Member of the Women's International League for Peace & Freedom, Washington, DC Branch

Nevermind, we can download it.

Can we legally produce and distribute the material?

The New England man---not sure if I got his name correctly---who ended his presentation by saying, "I'm no longer the monster I once was" BEGAN his speech with the single most unforgettable remark I have ever heard in my 60-plus years.

He referenced the common notion that "once a Marine, always a Marine." And then he threw off his dogtags and said, "I don't work for you no more."

"I don't work for you no more."

If I live to be 120, I will never forget that. Thank you, sir. That is about the bravest thing I ever heard a man say.

I wish you what I know you cannot have, which is peace. Whatever peace I have, I send to you. Laugh if you like---it is probably good for you---but I hope you have a dog or cat, or get one. Four feet and some fur can be good for peace.

Emily Nelson

Thank-you for sharing your testimonies. You are all true hero's.

Apart from the empire lust of our elite, the reason the Iraq war is necessary is that we as Americans have established a way of life that requires 25% of the world's oil. Unless and until we decide to change that, and insist that we change the way we live, and reject the "American dream" that we are being sold, there will be war and we are complicit. There's no other way to understand what is happening.

i cannot possibly thank you enough for this... and, in spite of john kerry and other politicos are not present, i suspect that they have "STAFF" listening intently...
PLEASE keep this going....
katharine hunter,
reston, va

We will hit the streets and raise our voices in protest. I will never leave any of you.....I support you all the way. We the people of this country will join you in raising your voices of protest.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE! I am so grieved for your pain....let us join you please!

Be safe. Forgive yourselves...it helps the pain.

Isn't there a video stream from IAVA? Anyone know? I can' t find it at their site. A google search floored me with it's lack of results. Thanks.

Thank you KPFA. So glad to be back in the Bay Area. Just back from Keesler AFB, MS. My husband is on his way to Iraq. These hearings tear my heart out, but they must be heard. I have posted a direct link to the hearings at my site. Thank you KPFA and IAVA and the brave soldiers who now speak truth to power.

Thank you to KPFA and especially to IVAW for all you have done and all you are still doing to try to bring sanity to our country. We need it desperately.

I am a former Officer of Marines who wishes comment on this misadventure in Iraq, and to also make some comments that will no doubt be controversial.

There is a reason why not too many former officers speak up, and it has to do with simple survival. Those on active duty, of course, risk the end of their careers. But those of us who are retired tend to gravitate toward the corporate world, who by the way, are the greatest beneficiaries of this war. Speaking from my own personal experience, to openly speak up against the war risks termination from employment, potential bankruptcy, and social ostracism.

I will also bring something that has also been on my mind, and that is the anti-war movement itself. While I myself vehemently oppose this misadventure, I am still not a pacifist, and have many disagreements with the leadership of the organizations who have taken it upon themselves to coordinate this movement. They tend to come from a leftist radical perspective, and take stands and actions that alienate many people who would otherwise support us. Disagreeing with them brings rebukes which rival those of the right wing war supporters. To be effective, the anti-war movement has to free itself from the clutches of these professional protesters.

But further, I will say that the American public itself is to blame for this war. Our so- called "lifestyle" is at the root of this. The American economy's dependence on cheap oil, and the consumer economy that goes with it, require wars like this to occur. Even in communities such as Berkeley and San Francisco, who call themselves "progressive", you see the same hyper-consumptive way of life which perpetuates these wars. And these same people do not want to make the connections, because it would call into question their very existence. As a result, brave men and women lose their lives, their limbs and their sanity so some spoiled liberal can drive to their Volvo to their weekend anti war rally, scream their outrage, and feel they have done something good. Simply put, the American people will not make the sacrifices necessary to prevent wars like this one from occurring.

I will end with a question. Has any thought been given as to prevent the massive campaign of public amnesia that occurred after the end of Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm? This occurs after every conflict, and is always the prelude to the next one.

Finally, it makes me quite happy that KPFA has taken the time and opportunity to give Iraq veterans a voice that is not heard in the corporate media.

Sincerely,
John F. Davies
1st Lieutenant, USMC (ret)
1977-1985

Question for the War Comes Home program:

Is there a segment that covers Depleted Uranium (DU) in Iraq and Afghanistan (and Bosnia in previous conflicts).
Are there any reports in the media of soldiers being tested for DU in the body?

DU may be the key to the high disability rate as reported to the VA. The birth defects in offspring from soldiers coming back from shelled areas is another clue to DU exposure.

Last summer I interviewed (audio) Gabriel Cousens, M.D. on detoxification and reducing depleted uranium in the body.
If there are those in media who would be interested in getting a copy of this interview, contact me at pdxor@intergate.com.
Dr. Cousens is the founder of Tree of Life org. in Arizona and can be found by searching on the internet.

- mel

What would it take to get the soldiers in Iraq and Afganistan to simply put down their guns and refuse to blindly follow the commands from the corrupt top officials?