A SOLDIER'S PERSPECTIVE
THE WEB'S LEADING MILITARY BLOG SINCE 2004
I wanted to first bring something out I’m not sure many people caught. First, listen again to THIS audio of Brian Becker, member of International A.N.S.W.E.R.’s steering committee and a front group for the Communist Workers World Party (WWP). Pay attention to what he says in the middle of the clip.
“Let Bush and the Pentagon and their puppets (I’m a puppet) know that the people of this country are sick and tired of this [expletive deleted] war. LET’S BRING THE WAR HOME!!”
This is something I want everyone to understand. He doesn’t say “let’s bring the troops home.” They don’t support the troops. If they did, we wouldn’t be seeing this in Portland:
From Little Green Footballs
He said this while he was trying to get everyone to move up to make their numbers look more bloated. They aren’t interested in any victory. They want the terrorists here in this country. If he had his way, he’d pay for a state visit for Bin Laden. Those five little words say more than any speech ever could. Yet, even though every news outlet known to man was licking their shoes, this wasn’t mentioned anywhere.
Second, I had a good time playing off some of the signs those guys were showing. So, Kit thought it would be a good idea if I shared some of my one-liners with you. They’re borderline offensive, but I swear I never once used a profanity.
In response to some signs calling for a pull out of US troops: “If your dad had pulled out too early, you wouldn’t be carrying that sign!”
In response to a sign that said “Kisses for peace”, I bent over and slapped my arse yelling: “GIVE ME SOME PEACE!! GIVE ME SOME PEACE!!”
In response to all the anarchists wearing scarves over their faces: “Thanks for not breathing on me.” “Fight global warming; wear a scarf.”
In response to them lowering it to smile or smirk at me: “NO, STOP!! PUT IT BACK ON. YOU WERE HOTTER WITH IT ON!!”
In response to a flower child boy blowing kisses and mouthing “I love you” at the veterans as he passed by: “Will you make love to me? Together we can make war and peace!!” (actually, I think he almost wanted to take me up on it. I only used that one once)
I think Kit’s favorite was a guy next to us yelling: “Get your burkas; you’re going to need them soon!”
There were a lot of environmental protestors there too. I found it ironic how much moonbat trash was floating around in the wind all over the streets. Communist and Socialist newspapers hung from tree branches, wrapped around bushes, and clogged gutters.
Here’s a picture Kit took of my interview with the SDS (remember the “race war” interview?):
Finally, I want to share a picture of me and my blogger friends who were all there to record the event for future generations so that they get the truth 40 years from now. From left to right: Shane from Cajun Tiger, Tania from Midnight Blue, Kit from Euphoric Reality, and CJ from A Soldier’s Perspective.
The thing that will stick out in my mind is how the media tries to convince us that vets are so opposed to this war. ANSWER produced about ten total. The Gathering of Eagles produced more vets than non-vets. They came out in the thousands. And yet, in almost every interview you read from the MSM, they quote that ONE vet who is on the fence about the war. Don’t believe me? The largely plaguerized AP report quoted only this, ignoring the thousands of other who felt differently:
Veterans lined up at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and waved U.S, POW-MIA and military-unit flags. Not all were committed to the U.S. course in Iraq, however.
‘‘I’m not sure I’m in support of the war,’’ said William ‘‘Skip’’ Publicover of Charleston, S.C., who was a swift boat gunner in Vietnam and lost two friends whose names are etched on the memorial’s wall. ‘‘I learned in Vietnam that it’s difficult if not impossible to win the hearts and minds of the people.’’
I didn’t go to GOE to take part in anything. I went to cover the story and make sure that the real story was told. I went there as a blogger, a “reporter”. I stayed out of trouble and minded my manners. If you’d like to see ALL my pictures, including the ones I didn’t post, HERE is the link.
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I am posting this in case someone by the name of susan just goes to th
sealpatriot
I can’t stand that picture either, CJ. However, it’s people like hose in our military who gave these people to go out and talk about the military like it’s commiting crimes a majority of the time. Then go out and do things like hurt people (emotionally, and sometimes physically) by burning the flag or whatever other strange garbage they come up with.
L40carruth
Great coverage CJ. You and so many bloggers have done a heck of a job telling the truth. I was there as an American who loves her country and supports the troops AND the mission. It is truly amazing how much differently the MSM reported (if they did at all) than what I saw and heard that day. Unfreakin’ believable.
What an honor it was to stand with our Veterans, current military personnel who came (NOT in uniform like a couple were with the other side) and so many amazing American patriots. No need for me to go on and on and on since you all covered all of the angles and aspects so well. I’ll just end by saying – WELL DONE!!!
ProudGulfWarVet65
Outstanding series, CJ-thanks!
Terri
Very good job at covering the story CJ. You did a darn good job and covered it MUCH better than the so-called professionals.
Tracy
CJ you did a great job coveing the GoE. Like I said in an earlier comment, without the bloggers I wouldn’t have even known about GoE. That is shameful. The MSM is basically useless.
Tracy
Oh, and CJ, you you had me laughing with the “actually, I think he almost wanted to take me up on it. I only used that one once” comment!
wordsmith
Thanks for taking so much time and effort in covering this and giving us your perspective. Your voice makes a difference, CJ.
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Mainer
Thanks, CJ, for reporting. When I heard a news article on the GOE the first time, I laughed at the comment that very few in the country support the war in Iraq! Maine sent down a full bus of people in support of GOE. It was nice to see that the Patriots far outnumbered the idiots!
CriticalFacts
This all well and good, and I enjoyed reading through the posts and commentary. But, let’s not forget that protests have occurred throughout the US and the world over this past weekend and the days leading to the 4th anniversery of Bush’s war. These many protests were attended by former military persons, were met with very little resistance to the protesters’ message, and were extremely critical of the Bush administration and the lies and misrepresentations that brought us into this war.
CJ
CF, this isn’t Bush’s war. This is America’s war. This is freedom’s war. Bush happens to be the only person in the past 18 years who gave a damn that we’ve been getting hit time and again without resistance.
As to all the protests, there were just as many pro-troop rallies attended by far more former military person, we call them veterans here, all over the country. I’m well aware of all the protests. The media ensures I don’t forget there are people who hate Bush (and the troops).
Terri
CF, I posted about one such Pro-Troop rally over on A Soldier’s Mind. This particular rally was organized by 2 teenage girls. I find it a shame that these 2 teenagers have a hell of a lot more patriotism that a lot of adults in this country.
L40carruth
Amen to CJ and Terri. Amen to CF’s nonsense.
CriticalFacts
Terri,
I look forward to reading about the teenagers at your site. But some of us patriots simply get tired of the misrepresentations and omissions coming from the white house and the catastrophic results. If that means I must support the troops as a non-patriot, then so be it. But support them I will.
Terri
Unfortunately CF there are WAY too many out there who’s hate of the Bush administration spills over onto our troops. A fine example of that is the anti-war rally held out West where an effigy of a soldier along with the US Flag was burned. I do have a question of you though…. You say you support the troops, though you don’t support their mission. In what ways do you show your support of the troops?
Donna
CJ,
I say it again, you did a great job on covering the GOE and also the anti-war group! We appreciate all the work that you put into this project. I’m so thankful that there are so many people out there who support our troops and vets! You guys deserve the very best support that we all can give you!!
I hate that first pic that you showed of the guys burning the effigy of the soldier and the burning of our flag. These people don’t even deserve to be citizens of this great country of ours! If they hate this country and it’s soldiers so much, why don’t they just leave but then they couldn’t do their “protests” over there and still stay out of prison!
CriticalFacts
Burning the effigy was an outrage. But attributing that act to all war-protesters is like attributing the words of Anne Coulter (Edwards is a “faggot”) to all conservatives. It’s truly a non-starter, yet raising that image first and foremost on the post puts us in near the same vein as the MSM – find something overly shrill or offensive to rally the anti-anti-American crowd and run with it. You’ll work them up good!
Terri,
What did you do today to support MADD? Nothing?? Well, then, I guess you support drunk drivers, don’t you? You can see where the logic is headed in response to your question. Nevertheless, I support troops through taxes, continuing, but dwindling patience with the diaster bush/cheney (I do not yet support the call for impeachment, although I believe it is warranted) and a hello or pat on the back when I see uniformed soldiers in airports or grocery stores. What else would you have me do?
CJ
CF, if I saw anything positive coming from the war protestors this past weekend, I would have posted it. You say that all war protestors don’t believe in that. Guess what? No one stopped it. No one said anything. No one put out the fire. It’s called passive agreement. Just because you aren’t burning the effigy, doesn’t mean you don’t support it.
Hell, when I was getting shouted down at Greenbelt by “peaceful” people who surrounded my children and hurled words, insults, and accusations at me, I didn’t see any anti-war people coming to my aid. Nope, it was a Freeper. Anne Coulter is a moron and a FAR right wing nutjob. She’s ONE person, so your analogy doesn’t hold water. I see “effigies” at just about every rally I go to, whether it’s a burning uniform or a flag-draped coffin. So, it’s not a non-starter and it’s not sensationalistic to use that picture up front. It’s common and it’s the anti-war message.
As far as supporting troops by paying taxes, I guess it beats going jail. If that’s your motivation for supporting the troops…
CriticalFacts
CJ,
Reread my comment. What have you done today to support the NAACP? Nothing? Then I guess you must not support black people. Ridiculous, I know, but that is what it sometimes feels like with all this what did you do today to support the troops nonsense. I do alot, in my way, and I feel it shameful for some to assert that if my methods do not stand up to a certain standard bearer, then I must be failing and, therefore, do not support the troops. Just ain’t the case.
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ProudGulfWarVet65
Hello, all. Critical Facts, you SPUN Terri’s question, which was: “In what ways do you show your support of the troops?” Where is the word ‘today’ in there? Never mind the suggestion that supporting the NAACP today or any OTHER day has anything to do with supporting EQUAL rights for all (which, if I’m not much mistaken, was the goal of Martin Luther King, Jr.-not SPECIAL rights); nor does a failure to ‘do’ anything ‘today’ to support MADD constitute condoning drunken driving. That much you’ve stipulated. But you evaded the question, so I’ll ask it more directly: How many care-packages and/or letters of support have you sent to our troops in harm’s way, regardless of how you feel about their being there/how they got there? It’s a simple question, I believe, and you could even answer it in a yes/no format…HAVE you sent care-packages and/or letters of support to our troops in harm’s way?
CJ
CF, first of all, I don’t support the NAACP. I think it’s racist just an organization called the NAAWP would be. Notice how easy it is to answer that question. I’ve written letters to MADD on a few occasions – both in support and opposition to their stands. Covered that one as well pretty easily. It’s not a tough question we’re asking CF. You just don’t want to admit that you haven’t DONE anything to support the troops – just talked about it “in your own little way”. I’m talking action, not words.
CriticalFacts
“It’s a simple question, I believe, and you could even answer it in a yes/no format…HAVE you sent care-packages and/or letters of support to our troops in harm’s way?”
I have done neither. As stated previously, I have, however, discussed political matters with soldiers – those that I know personally or that I have met through others – and have assisted soldiers – pro bono I might add – with tax matters, divorce actions and fending off bill collectors intent on driving soldiers into bankruptcy or worse while in faraway lands. Can’t think of anything else at the moment.
CJ
CF, then I will no longer say that you don’t support the troops. I appreciate the assistance you given to help military marriages (action). We have enough to worry about without having to fight to save our marriages as well. I will also defend you against any such further attacks. So, thank you.
Terri
What have I done to support MADD? Well for starters I’m a certified Drug and Alcohol counselor and I worked in the field for well over 5 years. I’ve worked as a police officer and arrested those who drive drunk. When I asked what you did to support the soldiers, all you had to do was say what took you several posts to say. Too many times, we hear “I support the Troops, but not their mission” yet the vast majority of those people do nothing to show their support of the Troops. They don’t take the time to Thank a soldier when they see them, they don’t take the time to send a letter or care package to the Troops who are deployed. Too many times, that “support” is nothing but hollow words. Which is why I asked you that question, to see if you were one of those, or one who by their actions showed that they truely Suport The Troops.
sealpatriot
I think I am the only one here to say that “CF doesn’t support the troops”, and I apologized for it. So I don’t think people here ever said that CF supports the troops.
sealpatriot
Okay, just trying to end this topic in a positive note, Alright? There is no doubt that there we’re plenty of protests worldwide, and not just the United States. All the while, the opinion of others matters just as much as our right to have and voice our opinion. However, it is truly a valid point to bring up the fact that the Gathering Of Eagles was a tremendous success, and the two protests that took place the capitol over the past weekend were in fact probably one of the largest ones occuring as of lately. Still, it doesn’t make those who disagree with the majority wrong or ignorant of the world around them, and being the majority doesn’t make you right or wrong. If the majority of the world had followed the plan that Woodrow Wilson had presented to the League Of Nations after World War One then there possibly wouldn’t have been a World War Two. Our allies may not like our stances on the Global War On Terror, but our leaders must take action accordingly to what they feel is best for this country and the world around it. The popularity of a war is never the justification for pulling out of it. In fact, if a war is unjust, then fighting to end it is just.