Comments on: Iraq Veterans Against the War. Winter Soldier

By: Jansen

Jansen — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:58:08 +0000

It has always seemed wasteful and perhaps shameful that we can do little more than play Taps for those who have died for our pleasures and riches (politicians usually call them our ‘rights’ or ‘freedoms’) - but I think our dead and maimed are much better honored when we erect monuments and institutions for peace in their names. IVAW is one veterans group still in the fight … (hand salute!)

By: Army Sergeant

Army Sergeant — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 01:48:49 +0000

I’m not sure if you’re aware, but we are inviting bloggers to cover the event! If you’re interested, or know someone else who would, or would be interested in posting about it, full details are at http://activedutypatriot.blogspot.com/2008/01/wanted-bloggers-especially-military.html

I’d definitely appreciate if you could spread the word: and regular bloggers are allowed, too, vets and active duty military just get preference.

By: Bob Morris

Bob Morris — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:54:19 +0000

I too think a march would add to, not detract from, what IVAW is doing. But even if one could be arranged, it’s getting late, big DC marches take months to organize and build for, and we only have two months left.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 19:27:56 +0000

I think a huge march on the anniversary of the war would have been a perfect compliment to Winter Soldier. It doesnâ€™t make sense that a mass mobilization the same weekend would detract from the IVAW. Tens or hundreds of thousands of people in the streets would only enhance the urgency of Winter Soldier and focus attention on the movement. I think the IVAW missed a big opportunity to bring a lot of attention to the anti-war movement.

By: dj

dj — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 17:56:49 +0000

“Selfishness– self-centeredess: that we think was the root of our troubles…” I know I read those words somewhere.

By: Bob Morris

Bob Morris — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 03:29:09 +0000

Absolutely. Sometimes the Left gets too absorbed in building the Left and misses the big picture.

By: dj

dj — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 23:50:03 +0000

Let’s rephrase that: if the Left wants to lead this process, they will need to open it up to include everyone.

By: Bob Morris

Bob Morris — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 04:22:48 +0000

IVAW is interesting in that some members are not Left, viewing themselves as Right wing patriots appalled by what’s happening in the country.

Not unlike one of my uncles, a retired Army Colonel who probably thinks Limbaugh is a liberal. He’s furious about the substandard treatment injured vets receive now. The Army he spent 30 years in didn’t do that.

Yes, inclusivity is a key. Everyone needs to be engaged in the process, not just the left.

By: dj

dj — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 16:28:20 +0000

There’s an episode of “The West Wing” in which a pollster tells President Bartlett that most Americans support a an Anti Flag Burning ammendment, so he’d better get on board if he wants to win. Then a second pollster tells him, well, most Americans DO support such an amendment, but tghe fact is it’s not important enough for them to change the way they vote.

I think the difference between the Vietnam-era protests and todays have to do with the level of involvement: In the 1960s, the anti-war front represented a large mass of society and the war was seen as part of a larger problem. Today, most people oppose the war, but not enough to do anything about it.

The anti-war front is relatively small, and most people don’t identify with it– for two reasons: first, it’s led largely by the hard Left, which has little attraction for the average American, and second, the results of the Vietnam anti-war movement are still being fought and people are tired.

This leads to some logical strategic directions: first, the anti-war movement needs to find ways to capitalize on the anti-war opinions of the populace, which it currently is unable to do.

One obvious solution is to make itself more relavent: HOW does the war adversely affect Americans today? What other negative characteristics of society does the war represent? There are plenty of answers, but you’ll need to bring them home to the average American to get them passionate about it.

Another is less obvious but equally important: The Vietnam anti-war mvoement used the tools of conflict to end a conflict. In essence, it brought the war home, where it’s still being fought. People don’t want another culture war. The tools of inclusivity (a la Sharif Abdullah) are more likely to get you what you want.