Much of this is in review, is duplicated elsewhere; this section will likely be integrated/parts weeded/removed later IN THIS SECTION: LINKS LIST (separate page) Excerpted Links OIF/Operation Iraqi Freedom Fallujah/OIF (Op. Iraqi Freedom)/ Battles 1&2 Fallujah/PTSD Victims (Marlboro Marine, Tan Mai) Fallujah- US Marine Death Dealers New Dawn Inherent Resolve Clay Hunt (suicide bill) See also -New separate Iraq Section Veterans Positive Constructs Veterans Resources Veterans Vietnam/Agent Orange Veterans Medal of Honor TBI See also - Middle East topics: Afghanistan Arabian Nights Effect Hamas Iraq Islam-Various Topics Islam-Names of Terrorists Mesmerism in Muslims Muslim Mafia Fort Hood Killer Lopez, Ivan (Army Truck Driver) https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/04/03/why-the-iraq-war-has-produced-more-ptsd-than-the- conflict-in-afghanistan/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.e8691776bcce https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/01/23/army-details-the-downward-spiral-of-the-fort- hood-shooter-ivan-lopez/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.8869a3c22eaf The Fort Hood shooter, an Army truck driver named Ivan Lopez, was reportedly undergoing evaluation for PTSD. (Washington Post (2014/04/03) OPERATION NEW DAWN (2010) Army dot mil: Operation New Dawn https://www.army.mil/article/44526/operation_new_dawn CNN: (2013/10/30) On 17 February 2010, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced that as of 1 September, the name "Operation Iraqi Freedom" would be replaced by "Operation New Dawn". https://www.cnn.com/2013/10/30/world/meast/operation-iraqi-freedom-and-operation-new-dawn-fast- facts/index.html OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE (OIR) American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–present) https://en.wikipedia dot org/wiki/American-led_intervention_in_Iraq_(2014%E2%80%93present) Wikipedia: Operation Inherent Resolve https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Inherent_Resolve (OIR) is the U.S. military's operational name for the military intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIL, in the vernacular, Daesh),[106] including both the campaign in Iraq and the campaign in Syria. Since 21 August 2016, the U.S. Army's XVIII Airborne Corps has been responsible for Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Inherent_Resolve Inherent Resolve dot mil: http://www.inherentresolve.mil/ Please notice the symbol for Inherent Resolve: Some recent activities as of July 2018: Daesh has no safe haven in Iraq July 17, 2018 - SOUTHWEST ASIA - Iraqi Security Forces, including the Peshmerga, conducted coordinated clearance operations July 16 to eliminate Daesh presence in Iraq. Maghawir al-Thowra Captures Eleven Daesh Fighters in Southern Syria July 13, 2018 - SOUTHWEST ASIA – The Maghawir al-Thowra, an Operation Inherent Resolve partner force in Syria, detained 11 Daesh fighters inside the 55-kilometer deconfliction zone in southern Syria, July 10, 2018. Coalition and Iraqi artillery supports Operation Roundup July 13, 2018 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- South of Sinjar, Iraq near the Syrian border, Iraqi and Coalition troops lived and worked side-by-side for more than a month as they shelled Daesh in Syria. Maghawir al-Thowra Captures Daesh Fighters in 55km Deconfliction Zone July 7, 2018 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The Maghawir al-Thowra, an Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) partner force in Syria, detained nine Daesh fighters who were traveling through the 55-kilometer deconfliction zone (DCZ), located in southern Syria.U.S. senators see Coalition and partner security efforts, need for international stabilization efforts in Iraq and Syria July 6, 2018 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Three United States senators and key staff joined Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria this week. Guardian: (2014/10/16) Operation Inherent Resolve ISIS War Name https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/16/operation-inherent-resolve-isis-war-name-us-military La Times (2014/10/15) Operation Inherent Resolve ISIS http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-operation-inherent-resolve-isis-20141015-story.html Clay Hunt Obama White House Archives: Clay Hunt Act What President Just Signed (02/12/2015) https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2015/02/12/clay-hunt-act-what-president-just-signed Excerpt: Today, President Obama signed the Clay Hunt Act into law in the East Room of the White House. The new suicide prevention law is named in honor of Clay Hunt, an extraordinary young Texan and decorated Marine who served with distinction in Iraq and Afghanistan. Like too many of our veterans, Clay struggled with depression and post-traumatic stress after he came home. Sadly, Clay’s life ended much too soon when he tragically committed suicide in 2011 at the age of only 28. The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act is a testament to the type of man that Clay Hunt was — even after his death, his legacy of helping veterans lives on. In America, our veterans and troops are still struggling. As a country, we must do more to help our veterans deal with injuries like post-traumatic stress and depression. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2015/02/12/clay-hunt-act-what-president-just-signed CBS: The life and death of clay hunt Byron Pitts is the correspondent. David Schneider, producer.(03/13/2013) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-life-and-death-of-clay-hunt/ One of the leading causes of death for American military forces right now is suicide. In 2012, 349 active members of the Armed Forces took their own lives, more than who died in combat. When you add the suicides among veterans, the numbers are staggering. The VA estimates that as many as 22 veterans a day die by their own hands. Twenty-two each day. This is the story of one: Clay Hunt from Houston, Texas, a Marine veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. After four years of a downward spiral, he took his own life in 2011. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-life-and-death-of-clay-hunt/ https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/203 IAVA:Campaign to Combat Suicide: Clay Hunt SAV Act Update. By Jackie Maffucci (11/15/2017) https://iava.org/blogs/campaign-to-combat-suicide-clay-hunt-sav-act-update/ In IAVA’s most recent member survey, 65 percent of IAVA members said they know a post-9/11 veteran who has attempted suicide while 58% know a post-9/11 veteran that has died by suicide. These numbers are up 12 percent and 13 percent respectively since 2014. Thirty-seven percent told us they themselves have considered suicide since joining the military. These data highlight just how critical this issue is to our members… it’s personal. Over my tenure as Research Director, for four years running, IAVA members have identified suicide prevention and mental health as the most important issue for post-9/11 veterans.These are the data that led to the development of IAVA’s Campaign to Combat Suicide in 2014, and our advocacy on behalf of the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act (SAV Act), passed into law in February 2015. Since its passage, IAVA has been monitoring the implementation of this bill. Below is an update as of 3rd QTR FY 2017: https://iava.org/blogs/campaign-to-combat-suicide-clay-hunt-sav-act-update/ EXCERPTED LINKS IAVA https://iava.org/ Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, is a nonprofit 501c3 veterans organization founded by Paul Rieckhoff, an American writer, social entrepreneur, advocate, activist and veteran of the United States Army and the Iraq War. 2017 was the 13th year since IAVA’s founding and one of solid impacts. In the first half of the 115th Congress, despite the nastiest, most divisive time in recent memory, we scored several important legislative victories for veterans that will serve to connect, unite and empower Post-9/11 veterans for many years to come. But there is much more to be done in 2018. As over 3 million men and women have now served since 9/11, this is a pivotal year for America to invest in their potential to take our nation forward for the next generation. The Big six - IAVA’s policy priorities for 2018L: 1. sustain Campaign to Combat Suicide Among Troops and Veterans 2. Sustain Campaign to Recognize and Improve Services for Women Veterans 3. Defend Veteran and Military Education Benefits 4. Defend and Reform Government Support for Today’s Veterans 5. Initiate Support for Injuries from Burn Pits and other Toxic Exposures 6. Initiate Empowerment of Veterans Who Want to Utilize Cannabis https://iava.org/ IVAW-American Veterans against the war http://www.ivaw.org/ (2017) IVAW Statement on Syria Strikes -Posted to: Staff April 12, 2017 Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) condemns in no uncertain terms the bombing of Sharyat airbase in Syria six days ago by Donald Trump’s administration. As veterans of the unending and expanding wars conducted over the last 16 years, we know intimately that U.S. military intervention exacerbates and further militarizes conflicts overseas and that the people who pay the greatest price are the everyday people of occupied nations. We also know that this is not the first time our military has been used in the Syrian conflict. U.S. bombs have been dropped on Syria under both the Trump and Obama administrations, resulting in more than a thousand civilian deaths. http://www.ivaw.org/ Columbus Dispatch: Are burn pits the new Agent Orange? As Iraq veterans suffer, the comparisons grow http://www.dispatch.com/news/20180607/are-burn-pits-new-agent-orange-as-iraq-veterans-suffer-comparisons- grow Huffington Post: How Many U.S. Soldiers Were Wounded in Iraq? Guess Again. By Dan Froomkin (2012/02/29) https://www.huffingtonpost.com/dan-froomkin/iraq-soldiers-wounded_b_1176276.html Japan Times15 years on, for many Iraq War veterans the effects of trauma are an ongoing battle https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/03/23/world/many-iraq-war-veterans-debilitating-effects-trauma-ongoing- battle/#.W0pCMdJKhJk U.S. Marines stand guard outside the Ministry of Oil in Baghdad, Iraq, on April 19, 2003, soon after the start of the Iraq War. Millions of veterans now deal with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, which has been especially prevalent after brutal urban fighting in the conflict that began 15 years ago this month New York Times: (2012) US Military Deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan: (2012/02/28) https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/28/us/us-military-deaths-in-iraq-and-afghanistan.html The Department of Defense has identified 4,477 American service members who have died since the start of the Iraq war and 1,888 who have died as part of the Afghan war and related operations. VETERANS COMMENTARY Note by PF/RG 2020/02/05 this Commentary was written quite awhile back at the start of the website; many changes since then. Some points from OIF I feel should have happened: 1. Pull Out and Assess. 2. Less time on Civilian Politics Using Nation Building distractions - More Time on Securing a Strong Core: 3. Infrastructure, Infrastructure, Infrastructure: Key City Strongholds with Infracture Sustaining and Building Here are some factors which could be part of the problem in pulling out and infrastructure building and maintenance: 1. Middle Eastern and other culture and media - pulling out might be seen as weakness, as losing and cowardice, and might be exploited by the media in this regard. 2. Pulling out completely might have resulted in a Shiite mass killing of the minority of Sunnis as genocidal warfare. 2. Infrastructure building and maintenance cannot be done when people are being constantly hammered by terrorist attacks. Here is a more extended evaluation of the same material listed more briefly above: Note by PF/RG 2020/02/05 the original Commentary was written quite awhile back closer to the start of the website; many changes since then. I am still working on the historical review. The reason I feel this is important is because many of the problems we have been seeing inside the United States relate to what happened in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is easier to recognize certain tendencies and trends after seeing how similar things happened there. One of these would be the “Black Lies Matter” concept mentioned in a book on Police Factor in the past month (the book is listed in the Notes/News, etc. section for Jan. 2020) the past month. Some points from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) which I feel should have happened: 1. Pull Out and Assess. This was something leadership should have done once they realized they could not contain the guerilla warfare including EFP, suicide and other bombings with large tallies of American and allied deaths and injuries. The large numbers of military losses and maimings should have been a sufficient wake-up call to take a breather, draw in and re-assess. 2. Less time on Civilian Politics Using Nation Building Distractions - More Time on Securing a Strong Core. It is suggested that too much time was spent early on trying to make Iraq a democracy, to appoint low quality and highly questionable Iraqi and Middle Eastern leaders in Iraq and to try to appease them before getting a good grip on Iraq after the first success in toppling Saddam. Although Iraqis and Americans both were trying to set up an election process, the problem with this was that the Sunnis had a minority position in any electoral or raw count voting scenario. Kurds also felt left out. Although it is far too easy to sit back in a protected space with hindsight, I think we should at least use a mental exercise about what could have been done, but was not done. With every well-intended idea on paper, a variety of things can go wrong in the real world. The Saddam run country of Iraq had come out of a decades old ordeal. People were used to hostile and dishonest ways. There were others frothing at the bit to move in once the tyrant was gone. Generally when we refer to strong men, we mean tyrannical thugs, even ones with mafia ties. In this discussion, strong men instead refer to interim leadershipk but not necessarily completely brief or temporary; they are going to be there as long as it takes to regroup, secure and insure a solid leadership. What we had in Iraq was a very brief interim leadership (largely Bremer and Sanchez) followed by a temporary Middle Eastern front, followed by a supposedly elected Middle Eastern group, which after several years was re-elected, only after a followup voting count shifted the results. Although technically we were largely monitoring and steering the Iraqi prime minister Maliki, he was under influences and also had certain personal tendencies which slipped and slid beyond American/allied radar, often in corrupt and devastating ways involvilng Iraqi police and an Iraqi wing of the military. It made the Americans look bad, it very well could have influenced some Americans to participate or look the other way, and it also deflected the overall American goal to make Iraq a democratic sister of western nations. Strongmen would have identified that in this transitioning, unformed, chaotic and volatile space, while democracy was the goal, other expediencies precluded being too nice and soft. There had to be firm rules and boundaries; a strong listing of expectations; and decisive action about which groups would lead the most vital survival-based infrastructures so that life could go on while people’s civil rights were not being violated. The distractions were in trying to set up an election-based government when Iraq probably needed American and allied strongmen for some time longer. t is possibleI an American/allied strong force of a few civilian and military leaders, with things kept simple ad direct. Under this leadership there would have been a trial period with Iraqi acolytes as leaders in the making. This small group of prospective leaders could have been brought in to be watched, trained and to earn stripes before being turned over as leadership of Iraq. With as sensitive and precarious a situation as a long-term dictator removed, along with his supporting networks, something has to be put in that fills the void effectively. This qualifying period would have better weeded out the corruption and weakness found in Maliki and others; it would have deterred the preferential treatment of certain groups over others (ie Shiite over Sunni), and it would have assured the population that the country was in capable (even if not particularly wanted) hands. Infrastructure like the various “Ministries” - Finance, Health, etc. - witnessed a terrible influx of corruption, often along sectarian lines. In summary, the Americans and their allies probably needed to stand and hold firm for awhile longer before turning things over to the Iraqi government. Maliki came in with a predisposition for anti-Baathist sentiments from his earlier time in Iraq, with a certain style of Shiite leaning, although he did eventually turn on Shiite Sadrists, a major problem early on. Maliki and his group were running a shadow operation behind American backs which made it more dangerous for both Americans and certain groups (usually Sunnis) in Iraq. In my opinion, Maliki needed to be replaced early on, and should not have been put in power in the first place. American leaders in the area at the time were reporting back to Gates, Bush and others to the effect that they just were not sure about Maliki. The equivocating likely suspended reality and left problems unchecked. People were already sensitive, tense and upset anyway trying to appease the Iraqi leadership and populace. There are times people need to take charge and say, This is just the way it is. 3. Infrastructure, Infrastructure, Infrastructure: Primary focus of Gaining Key City Strongholds with Infrastructure Sustaining and Building. This included medicine, water, electricity, plumbing, roads, rebuild projects etc. Here are some factors which could be part of the problem in pulling out early, as well as with infrastructure building and maintenance: 1. Middle Eastern culture (as well as certain other cultures) and media - pulling out might be seen as: a. weakness, as losing and cowardice, b. might be exploited by the media in this regard; media can be exploited by certain Islamic groups to taunt and to make the other guy (the USA) look bad With both of these points, there might be a tendency for Islamic extremists (as well as others) to take more risks and increase violence against the USA and its citizens abroad and at home. 2. Pulling out completely might have resulted in even more Shiite mass uprisings against the Sunnis with the result being genocidal extermination. 2. Infrastructure building and maintenance cannot be done when people are being constantly hammered by terrorist attacks. Looks good on paper, hard to do with non-stop or frequent intermittent bombings. 3. Pulling out early might abandon successes and projects already started. Things midstream which were showing signs of a positive ending (like the Marine operation in Fallujah I in the spring of 2004) also might be prematurely quit just when they were getting close to a turning point. It could feel like ground gained, people killed or injured, sacrifices made, vast sums of money spent, hours spent in planning and training… all would be for nothing if the situation is not seen from start to end. These two books are major resources which have helped me connect the dots and spur my my current (yet early) line of thinking. I still have more reading to do, but this is where I stand on the subject at this point. The resources are listed in Books in the Iraq page one section. I am currently reading Bolger’s work. (2012) The Endgame: The Inside Story of the Struggle for Iraq, from George W. Bush to Barack Obama. By Michael R. Gordon and General Bernard E. Trainor. Note by RG/PF: Read this and recommend it. Good as a resource using the index and maps. Didn’t care for the sections covering SOFA later in the book, felt it was tedious. Bolger, the author below, gets only brief (although not negative) coverage on a few pages including the drawdown period. Kershaw (listed elsewhere in this section) positively commented on by the author(s) regarding his tactical abilities. (2014) Why We Lost: A General’s Inside Account of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. By Daniel P. Bolger. Note by RG/PF: Currently reading this as of 2020/01/31 and recommend it so far. In reading this so far, Bolger is telling us that he feels he is partly to blame for the lack of success in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He gives a quick overview of Desert Storm and buildup to 9/11 by covering two embassies being bombed, Mogadishu, USS Cole bombing by Al Qaeda; his is one of the best descriptions of what actually happened the day of 9/11 I have seen so far. Positive Constructs Commentary - Some Alternative Views on Veterans It is fully American to question 9/11; if we know what happened, we should speak up; if we were participants in the act or cover-up, we should admit it; veterans who were part of 9/11 - as well as active duty personnel - should admit it. See Veterans - Resources (Human Issues Section) War starts with violence; violence starts with abuse, neglect and non-positive thought patterns. Thought patterns come from society, home and religious influences. Wars usually are fought over: vindictive retaliation (tit for tat); land; money; goods/products; religion, fear of encroachment, expansion or secret plots; and differences in cultural orientation. Discussion: The Wild Gait of the Mutiny; The Antithetical American Veteran; Post or Current Military Let Downs Behind Reprisals, Depression, Suicides; Who Is Really Running the Show? Veterans Forced to Keep Riding Old Politics After the Horse Has Died; Black Box Agendas; Fodders of War Peace Organizations Should Not Be Seen As Threat To Veteran Needs And Interests War Often Considered The Price For Peace Discussion War is something most people would rather avoid. There really are no words to express its intensity and damaging aftermath. Many times the pros and cons about war before going into one are weighed heavily by governments. We generally expect an open and fair play of discussion and votes by a diverse group of leaders put into office to reflect the citizenry. Expansion or secret plots by another country require blocking or nipping in the bud before things get worse, but sometimes the negatively escalating situations in other countries now requiring intervention had help from the United States before things got out of hand. In these cases, we wind up fighting people who have guns and other weapons we ourselves sold to them. In other cases, it seems the CIA or big business tweaks things overseas to foment discontent which then forces the US military to have to go in and do a patch job. The tactics that were meant to create chaos for the “bad guys” and training for the “good guys” (like in Nicaragua) can be loaded with additional hidden agendas (like drug profits) and broader organized crime systems which are then turned on the US as part of an overall hidden scheme of defiling the US and the takeover of its Constitutionally sincere and legitimate functions. The Wild Gait of the Mutiny When a country’s government and military uses its people for agendas not openly disclosed, we find large numbers of victims called veterans - often dead, wounded, or emotionally injured for the rest of their lives. We also currently might be witnessing a divided veterans group with one of the divisions requiring US intervention from within. This is a rogue group in mutiny against the United States. It’s what you are seeing in all of the police abuse scandals, the surveillance abuse and the growing sense of Big Brother. The rogue groups, including a certain sector of the veteran population, have infiltrated various levels of the military-police-big business composite. It is a difficult topic, one that many veterans would prefer to avoid. We should look for intricate veteran network connections with a variety of anti-USA organizations and countries. Understand that these veterans have their own self-driven agendas, do not represent the full body of diverse veterans, and that they do damage to the large bulk of well-meaning and non-complicit veterans from all decades of our country’s history. This rogue group has initiated a mutiny against our country, and it is a very real mutiny and must be taken seriously. What is a mutiny against a country? It is about trying to force everyone to believe one thing and to aspire to one code or system. It is a covert battle for a totalitarian system, one that is not what the American system was set up to be. Any deviation from the real meaning behind the American Constitution is a mutiny. The Constitution was designed to protect us from tyrants who abuse power. The mutiny distracts from positive constructs for veterans. Some veterans need to be left alone to heal and contend with old age without dealing with all of the problems associated with a mutiny and system abuse. Other veterans feel the calling to jump in and try to help stop the mutiny in some way. Either way, we must support these veterans as a country and not let them fall prey to the bad press surrounding the “military-police” problem. We need to distinguish between mutineers and veterans caught in the middle or on the side. The Antithetical American Veteran In other words, the mutiny against our country is about veteran needs, complaints, frustrations and goals - not necessarily non-American yet still anti-American. The mutiny represents certain values and goals that have an American background but do not represent the full scope of what it means to be American. It can include things like the Religious Right, neo- Nazis and male dominated orientations. We then have yet other veterans of mixed persuasions and goals, but many smart enough to realize a mutiny is not where it’s at; some of these veterans are trying to alert the public about what is really going on in government and in the military- police problem or are trying to stay out of it because they have their own problems. The ones willing to step forward and help are vital to our country’s safety and our world in general. Non-mutiny veterans must be assisted as much as possible or healing and financial help. Veterans with background information on the mutiny must be allowed to safely get their messages out to the public. In addition, we need these people for their skills, experience and background knowledge in fighting the shadow government agendas which include blatant bypassing of American Constitutional laws and principles and organized crime types of activities. This includes illegal drug sales, thievery (local and large scale), violence and murder. It includes information like “The Mossad did 9/11” and what went down at Abu Ghraib as well as other things. It can even be information on hidden networks in small towns, not just big cities. In terms of the rogue veteran group, we can look for discontented patriarchal systems including right wing Christianity, anti-homosexuality, anti-unemployed/homelessness/itinerants, conservative Mormonism, connections to KKK, Third Position, Nazis and an overall pro-male orientation. Women who follow the ways of these men or organizations tend to have discernible characteristics themselves with at least a few types possible: deferring (demure) wife, helpful wife with an active supportive and secondary authority/military approach, non-white member of a terrorist organization, and an active gun-wielding military type participating in things like drug and gun sales and/or minority (ie, South America, South Africa) Communist motivations. Women run the gambit from religious right affiliations to politically charged anger with the United States. Obviously, these categories are far too simple, but the real point in bringing this up is to stimulate the creative thinking needed to appreciate both the general trends of the religious right rogue group but to stay flexible about how diverse the affiliates and their agendas can be. The patriarchal anti-female thing among the religious right and certain not particularly spiritual types is very real, though, and should not be ignored. There is a link in anger toward women or a dislike of them among certain members of the rogue group. How women themselves get caught up in the negativity toward women is a subject addressed several times on this website because it is a complex psychological phenomenon. One of the examples of this totalitarian system problem is Chinese police officers or prison guards beating up on other women. Women can be their own enemies. Astute women of all colors and political persuasions know that The Mutiny will take them down a dark and dangerous hole with no return. Post or Current Military Let Downs Behind Reprisals, Depression, Suicides, Etc. In addition, both categories of veteran victims as described above often feel duped or taken; people may then go into denial or depression over the fact their lives were treated so carelessly and thoughtlessly. In that case, they might feel their lives were taken up for agendas which were not what they were represented to be. The war agendas were to the advantage of certain groups of people for whom these soldiers would never have gone to war if the truth had been disclosed. It seems in this country that it is only later that we learn the veterans had no real power of choice; they went into war with basic assumptions and came out on the other side learning later just exactly why they were sent into such terrible places. How many of us really in our heart of hearts feel our lives are worth protecting Big Business interests? Beyond these things, often the post-war support is inadequate or non-existent. Who Is Really Running the Show? People who are comparatively safely out of the way of direct battle zones in the White House or other political chambers make the decisions to send others into deadly situations. These political officials might have personal economic and power agendas not disclosed to the average soldier or citizen. Beyond that, their affiliations might be publicly known and their agendas assumed based on that, but how far they will go for narrow directives not fully disclosed might show up later. They could be backed by wealthy people hiding in the shadows, steering programs and government officials as cast members in a play. In addition, they might have income or loyalty ties to things like oil and gas or militant groups with agendas linked to racial or world power issues. Just One Of Us Dumb Niggers Sometimes a past affiliation with one of these groups, or even a weak link like a racial similarity, could make a person a potential target both as a victim and as someone these groups want to use to further their agendas. For example, African Americans who have only tinkered with Black Power groups in the past might be considered a useful pawn by that group far into the future, especially if that person is in public office. An interesting thing to consider is how minority groups in demanding power for themselves might project victimhood onto others; they might dig in harder or target victims in their same real or perceived class (skin color, religion, ethnic group, etc.) In other words, by figuring others are “just one of us low lives” they might be especially hard on what they figure are fellow victims. So you can be African American and targeted by Black Supremacists just because you are a person of the same general type of color or race. This might sound crazy, because we might expect sensitivity or extra support based on skin color but it can also go the other way. If you are “just” one of us, and we are working on the other side of the line in terms of group violence, things can take on reverse connotations. Abuse Among a Class Because of the Class, Not Despite It Abused people might abuse themselves first because that’s all they’ve known, or it’s violence turned inward. People might go after their own kind first to force network help in terms of a take-over. It’s kind of a “we’re all just a bunch of dumb niggers” attitude where the subgroup rubs the perceived mud into other subgroup types. There might be an increased chance for rape, abductions, and focused brutality with anyone who seems to be a likely same-category victim by the group trying to make a statement in a country and/or to the world. We used African Americans and international African types as an example here, but we could use any group that feels it has something to say to the world through violence and sees other people as part of their group type in some way. We could just as easily talk about Irish Catholics, Muslims, Jews and many other group types in this discussion. Class Distinction Demands Group Favors In the scenario above, there might be increased chances for abductions, telepathic interference, and efforts at offering funds in return for group favors. We are also told group affiliations occur among the nation’s elite through prestigious universities; how much that still goes on to this day is debatable after all the media attention, but there does seem to be a basis in truth that certain wealthy groups have had a subversive mind control operation running through them to the point it interferes with and controls politics, business and the military. When those kinds of hidden programs and agendas interface with world events and American international programs, military programs are right there in the middle of it all. Utopian ideals, Totalitarian Reality: No Rainbows On the Horizon Minority groups might be sung a song of utopia only to get another totalitarian system at the end of the rainbow. Taking advantage of low education or inadequate insights into the full human condition - not just that of minorities - can lead to an exaggerated sense of self-importance and justification for rebellion. When it is all said and done, the new leaders might be worse than the old system with no one safe, anywhere. It is better to stay put and fix the current system than bet on an unknown leadership and system, especially if extreme violence was the modus operandi for change during times that were not currently that bad, but just a reprisal for previous bad times. In other words, taking it out on people after the fact and not as a means for defense is violence for the sake of violence and does not bode well for a truly balanced and healthy government of the future. Veterans Forced to Keep Riding Old Politics Long After the Horse Has Died. Black Box Agendas. Fodders of War What happens to politicians has a direct bearing on what happens to veterans before, during and after a war or other battle-ridden operations. We have to realize that people directing power for themselves in one decade can impact a veteran for many more decades to come, even after that president is long deceased, or the influence of the political group greatly reduced. In addition, there are a number of advanced hidden approaches to manipulate those in power as puppets - so even if those officials had good intentions in the first place, they might be used by hidden forces back behind the scenes - things like mind control, drugs, abuse, technologically advanced implants and psychic invasion. There are many black box scientific experiments past and present raising the level of ability to invade and destroy which most of us are not aware of; we might suspect something’s out there, but we don’t know exactly what it is. Even the things we can access without security clearances are mind boggling and show clear indications that those with money and power could have the ability to abuse humanity and the globe if so chosen. These forces can work on any of us - not just those within the political or media limelight. Vast numbers of young people who have not yet developed critical thinking skills and life experiences to question their military or government are the bulk of the ones used as fodder in war. By the time they realize they are being manipulated and lied to, it is often too late. It can take some of us years to figure out that there truly are corrupt politicians and business people with well-planned strategies to exploit others for their personal agendas. Peace Organizations Should Not Be Seen As A Threat To Veteran Needs And Interests Promoting peace is not in any shape, size or form downplaying veterans who have been or continue to be in battle zones. We are all caught up in things which often seem bigger than we are, and when called to war, many of us go for one reason or another, whether voluntary or not. A veteran is a veteran, and in most cases deserves our respect, concern and sincere support. Most veterans who come out of battle zones realize that violence begets violence. The voices of peace which come from both within and outside the veteran arena are worth our attention. Many times these people share insights and opinions which take us out of the normal roles dished out to us by those who would want to make joining or being a member of the military a “Rah Rah” thing, complete with yellow ribbons, bumper stickers and showing off who serves or served in which branch of the service. When we see these things next to football banners with slogans, we can pretty much interpret that war has become a served up dish of false glory and image, caught up in the land of advertisement and the superficial playing on people’s emotions. Just remember the wealthy people behind the scenes making money off those advertising gambits in one way or another, and the whole thing can become more sobering. This type of media hype sparks people’s quick gut responses and discourages them from thinking things through more carefully. It encourages a mentality which gives people the assurance that they belong to the right groups and are all on the same right wavelength. The advertising numbs people from the real horrors and dangers of war by giving them an artificial sense of safety and inclusion. People can feel cute driving around with their bumper stickers advertising their connections to the military up to the point they are hit by a missile or body bomb; then it’s no longer so much fun Updates: 2020/05/08 older material moved from River Gold to Police Factor-needs review and revamping; 2019/01-02) Fallujah PTSD Victims- Marines;2018/09/02-clay-hunt;08/26/2018 Fallujah battles added; 07/19/2018 Iraqi Freedom deaths American military Iraq; 07/17/2018Page started 07/14/2018
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