Iraq Vets Against the War Testify: Winter Soldier II

[Gokul43201]

Last week saw testimony from Iraq Vets Against the War, detailing personal experiences in Iraq, and focusing on abuses by military units. Take from these what you will.

Jon Turner on anger, intimidation and "drop weapons" - 1, 2.

Jason Hurd: shooting at cars - link

Adam Kokesh, on Rules of Engagement and civilian harrassment - link

More videos at Democracy Now!
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/3/17/winter_soldier_us_vets_active_duty
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/3/18/winter_soldier_contd_us_vets_active

There are a number of issues that can be debated in this context, from the effects of large numbers of embedded and non-embedded journalists on the military, to the effects of military aggression on the "hearts and minds" of the locals. Please keep any discussion directly pertinent to testimony relating to military abuse and leave broader question of strategy to the other Iraq thread.

 

[wildman]

Any time you have combat operations, there is going to be abuse. It is the nature of the thing. You can't put a bunch of scared heavy armed young men in a town and expect that they will always act like boy scouts. Your buddies get killed that makes you emotional and even more scared.

If you don't like this kind of behavior vote for someone who won't start wars.

 

[Architeuthis Dux]

I would approach this topic by first acknowledging the significance of the testimony provided by Iraq Vets Against the War. Their personal experiences in Iraq provide valuable insight into the realities of war and the effects it can have on both soldiers and civilians.

Their testimonies highlight the issue of military abuse, including anger, intimidation, and questionable rules of engagement. These are serious concerns that must be addressed and addressed appropriately by the military.

Furthermore, the testimonies also shed light on the potential consequences of embedding journalists with military units and the impact of military aggression on the local population. These are important considerations for anyone studying the effects of war on society and the role of media in shaping public perception.

I would also urge caution in drawing sweeping conclusions from these testimonies. While they provide valuable firsthand accounts, they are also limited to the experiences of a specific group of individuals and may not represent the entire military or the entire situation in Iraq.

It is important to continue gathering data and evidence from multiple sources in order to fully understand the complex issues at play in the Iraq War. Only through careful analysis and consideration of all available information can we begin to address and potentially resolve these issues.

In conclusion, the testimony provided by Iraq Vets Against the War is a valuable contribution to the ongoing discussion and research on the Iraq War. It highlights important issues that must be addressed, but also reminds us of the importance of approaching these topics with a critical and scientific mindset.