Iraq

The Iraq Veteran's Against the War (IVAW) hosted a rally last Saturday, March 19 on the 8th anniversary of the Iraq War. Todd E. Dennis, former nuclear machinist mate on an attack submarine and current Madison Chapter President for the IVAW was one of several responsible for organizing the event. The rally began at the library mall on the campus of UW-Madison. Songs and speeches were shared as people from all over the state assembled. 

No Longer a Monster from Displaced Films on Vimeo.

Veterans testifying at Winter Soldier hearings, reveal the truth about Iraq and Afghanistan in a six-part web series. Watch the moving final episode.  Earlier episodes here.

Here's just a taste:

On May 1, 2003, Richard Perle advised, in a USA Today Op-Ed, "Relax, Celebrate Victory." ...

Chris Matthews on MSNBC called Bush a "hero" and boomed, "He won the war. He was an effective commander. Everybody recognizes that, I believe, except a few critics." He added: "Women like a guy who's president. Check it out. The women like this war. I think we like having a hero as our president. It's simple."

PBS' Gwen Ifill said Bush was "part Tom Cruise, part Ronald Reagan." On NBC, Brian Williams gushed, "The pictures were beautiful. It was quite something to see the first-ever American president on a -- on a carrier landing."

And then there's this:

Despite forecasts of sub-zero temperatures and severe wind chills, Wisconsin activists say they will proceed with outdoor street corner vigils across the state. Wisconsin has more actions scheduled this month than any other state.

Organizers also encourage individual activity, from wearing a button to writing a letter or email to Congress to donating to an antiwar group on Friday.

This month, with the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama just days away, the Iraq Moratorium suggests that people ask Obama, through his transition website ( http://change.gov:80/page/s/iraq ), to act at once to begin the process of withdrawing US troops.

Since it began in September 2007, more than 1,500 actions in 43 states and 260 communities have been organized under the Iraq Moratorium umbrella and listed on its website, www.IraqMoratorium.com , which serves as a clearinghouse for event listings and reports, photos and videos afterward.

The Lame Duck probably expected his path to be strewn with rose petals and be welcomed as a liberator on his final visit to Iraq, but it didn't quite turn out that way. WashPost:

But during a press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Bush received a taste of the immense resentment many Iraqis feel toward his policies: Just after Bush finished his remarks and said "Thank you" in Arabic, an Iraqi journalist took off his shoes and hurled them both at Bush, one after the other. The incident lent an air of chaos and farce to a trip intended to highlight improving security conditions in the war-torn country.

"This is a farewell kiss!" the man, identified as Muntadar al-Zaidi, a reporter with the Cairo-based network Al Baghdadia Television, yelled as he threw the shoes. Bush had to duck out of the way, and narrowly missed being hit, according to on-scene reports. Maliki reached out his hand to shield the president.

The Third Friday of every month is designated as a day to interrupt our daily routines and take some action, individually or collectively, to call for an end to the war and occupation of Iraq.

In Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Coalition for a Just Peace and Peace Action-Wisconsin sponsor a rush hour downtown vigil from 5 to 6 p.m. at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Water Street. People fill all four corners, hold signs, flags, and banners, leaflet pedestrians, and interact with drivers who show their support for getting out of Iraq.

 If you can't do that, consider taking some individual action. There are lots of ideas on the Iraq Moratorium website: http://www.iraqmoratorium.com/indiv_actions.htm

The Milwaukee action is one of a dozen or more across Wisconsin, which are listed here: http://iraqmoratoriumwis.blogspot.com/

You'll find a full listing of events across the country here: http://iraq-moratorium.blogspot.com/ 

Since it began in September 2007, there have been nearly 1,500 Iraq Moratorium actions in 42 states and 236 communities.

Join us.

Scott Ritter, the former UN weapons inspector and a harsh critic of Bush-Cheney policies in Iraq and Iran, who has authored three influential books on the subject, will speak in Milwaukee tonight.

 Ritter has warned since last spring that Bush and Cheney are likely to attack Iran during their remaining days in the White House.

This interview with Matt Rothschild, editor of The Progressive, explains why he believes that "we've never been at a greater risk of American military action against Iran."

 Ritter speaks at 7 p.m. Friday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 3022 W. Wisconsin Ave. The talk is sponsored by Peace Action-Wisconsin. A $10 donation is suggested; student admission is free. Ritter will sign books afterward.

Ritter also will speak Saturday at Fighting Bob Fest at the Sauk County fairgrounds in Baraboo.