Military families preparing for new push against Iraq occupation

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.yubanet.com/artman/publish/usa.shtml#18239

On Feb. 15, 2003, as millions of people worldwide took to the streets to protest the imminent U.S. invasion of Iraq, Marine Lance Cpl. Michael Hoffman was in Kuwait, awaiting deployment to Baghdad.

Two years later, Hoffman, 25, is a civilian on the lecture circuit, introducing himself as an Iraq Veteran Against the War. On March 19, when war opponents plan to converge near Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C., to mark the date of the invasion, Hoffman, who co-founded the Iraq veterans group, will be one of the lead speakers.

"I disagreed with the war before I went over," said Hoffman, the son of a steelworker from Allentown, Pa. "But now, I can talk about the reality of war -- what it's really like, the lack of support the troops have, the civilians being killed. The biggest problem with Iraq right now is the occupation."

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[AmandaRuth]

1. I admire him greatly for what he is doing

but I sure hope he is not planning on running for public office 30 years from now.

[bluestateguy]

2. Indeed

Somewhere tonight a chickenhawk fratboy is out partying with his buddies. That man would likely be this guy's opponent.

[Supersedeas]

3. Keep it simple: US occupation is the problem

[flygal]

9. Stupid question - be gentle

Are the troops there for the "protection" of the govt. contract workers?

[Supersedeas]

10. We have govt. contract workers in lots of countries w/out an occupation

force...but your question is a valid one and one that ought to provoke further questioning.

[hadrons]

4. good reminder that not all troops are Bush-loving idiots

[ConcernedCanuk]

5. They could raise quite a stink - Good for them!

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More from the Posted Article:


"We're just in the beginning of this process; until recently, there hasn't been any conversation about ending the war," said Andrea Buffa, a spokeswoman for United for Peace and Justice, an umbrella group of more than 800 antiwar organizations.

In a way, the antiwar groups' task is easier than it was before the U.S. invasion, when the idea of then-Iraqi President Saddam Hussein attacking the United States with weapons of mass destruction convinced many people that a preemptive strike was necessary. Polls show that support for the war has eroded as its cost in lives, the economy and the social fabric of communities throughout the nation has climbed.

Politicians from both major parties want to know if there is an exit strategy. The Jan. 30 elections in Iraq bolstered support for the war, but Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), a member of the Foreign Relations and intelligence committees, said the elections, while significant, did not change the fact that the war is forcing great sacrifices for the United States and Iraq.

"Americans need to see more tangible, meaningful developments to answer whether the sacrifice is worth it," Hagel told the Associated Press after Iraqis voted. "Over 1,400 Americans are dead, 11,000 are wounded, and we've spent over $100 billion. Is that sacrifice worth what we're getting?"



Isn't that $100 billion a little low?

I thought it was alot more than that.

:shrug:

[OneBlueSky]

6. I was just wondering about this earlier today . . .

every morning, my local paper includes a half dozen or so mini-bios of American killed in Iraq, most with photos . . . for the past two years, this has been a daily reminder of the true costs of this illegal and immoral war . . . the total of American war dead is close to achieving critical mass vis-a-vis people getting really pissed off . . . what I was pondering as I read today's bios was how long will it take for the families of these casualties to come together and say "Enough!" . . . I was thinking that it would probably happen sooner rather than later . . . thankfully, it seems I was right . . . such a waste of such promising young lives, and for what? . . . that's what I'm thinking, and that's undoubtedly what many, many of the surviving families are starting to think . . .

[hezekkia]

7. Bravo, Cpl. Hoffman!

Keep spreadin' the truth.

:yourock:

[ausiedownunderground]

8. Lack of support for the troops!! WTF!

In America, we of the "Rest of the World" were bombarded with Americas's great "Crusade" on our MSM. We were told that America was "Just" revenging 9/11! Now it's all different. Who Knows what American forces are doing now. But as long as its Muslims their "Killing" who in the Anglo-Saxon world cares.! Thats what the "Freepers" are hoping?
But, trust me, They are soooooooooooooooo wrong! WE do care! And we will "Retaliate"!!