Video Reveals US Air Crew Gunning Down Civilians, Journalists and Children

This is a sickening display of cowardice. The video shows American soldiers high above hovering in a helicopter shooting and killing civilians and journalists. The story was that they encountered a firefight and engaged. As you can see by this video they shot unnarmed journalists and civilians and then laughed about, joking about dead children. This chilling video needs to be seen by everyone so we can bring this war and the Afghanistan war to a speedy end.

Obama's War

Now, that healthcare is over, let us dedicate our energy to ending these wars.

Patrick Kennedy Blasts the Press

Congressman Kucinich: "I Will Not Vote for the Expansion of War"

WASHINGTON - April 29 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today issued the following statement after voting against H.Con.Res 13, setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for the fiscal year 2010:

"I am committed to doing everything I can to put our community and our nation on the path to economic stability. I led opposition to the bank bailout program TARP, I worked vigorously in favor of the stimulus package, and I have worked to save the automotive, steel and aerospace industries in America.

"I will not vote for a budget that ties military spending to the operational funding of our government. This year, the budget includes $130 billion for war funding. We are ramping up the war in Afghanistan, and have yet to find an end to the war in Iraq. Recent media reports indicate that we may double our troop levels in Afghanistan by 2010. This budget helps to authorize that expansion, and I will not endorse a budget that sends more of our brave men and women to a war without an end in sight."

the faces of occupation

thought i'd share some beautiful photos from my cousin serving in afghanistan, as part of an "Effects Working Group" that conducted a site visitation at a school in kabul and where a new wing of the school was built with US army funding. let's hope we end this occupation soon, but continue the progress of building schools and infrastructure in this beautiful country. understood that the true effects of war and rebuilding this country are in the people of afghanistan and are reprsented in these photos.

see more photos by my cousin and the "official" story at the department of defense website. sift through the propaganda if you will.

if you haven't heard of greg mortenson and his mission to educate children in afghanistan and pakistan, take a look at three cups of tea. this is the real thing.

The Forgotten War

Thirty-nine coalition forces have been killed in Afghanistan this month. A roadside bomb killed three service members and a local-national interpreter in a coalition convoy in eastern Afghanistan, the U.S.-led coalition said.

Since we have family in Afghanistan this is disturbing to say the least. Iraq is just about off the front pages of the newspapers, though there is evidence Iraq is becoming un-surged. Nearly 30 soldiers in Iraq this month, while over 50 ordinary Iraqis died yesterday alone. What is the Democratic Congress' answer to this? A $162 billion war spending bill with no timeline, virtually nothing, but a blank check. Of course the package includes something for us. It was approved 92-6 in the Senate and includes a doubling of GI Bill college benefits for troops and veterans. It also provides a 13-week extension of unemployment benefits and $2.7 billion in emergency flood relief for the Midwest. Should we not have these benefits as Americans anyway in times of crisis and need? Why should they be tied to more war in Iraq and Afghanistan?

I believe truly that Obama and the Democrats want to stop this war, but how many people will die until January 20, 2009? How many? Is it worth not showing a spine right now with the hopes of getting a Democrat elected to the White House? How many more times will we make this mistake?

Here are pictures from our cousin's stay in the war riddled country of Afghanistan.

A Real Journalist on Iraq and Afghanistan: Lest We Forget

kabul update

kabul snapshots, from my cousin serving in afghanistan:

Village children

Village elder bringing the children in from one of the fields.

report from kabul

my cousin's latest news from afghanistan...

pix taken by his unit in downtown kabul during a "parade ... celebration to mark 16 years since the overthrow of the country's Soviet-backed rule."

the BBC news reported that "at least two people have been killed and 11 were hurt in an attack on a military parade in Kabul attended by Afghan President Hamid Karzai." the taliban claimed responsibility.

see the BBC video here.

camp phoenix, afghanistan

two photos from my cousin robert, stationed recently at camp phoenix in afghanistan

(near kabul) where he is gearing up for his mission.

Cousin Robert Goes to War

As part of the "Afghanistan surge" our cousin is heading to war. He has a young ten year old daughter. He is pictured here speaking to Governor Spitzer with his marvelous daughter discussing with him the need for the government to provide assistance to grandparents who take care of the children of soldiers who are headed to combat. You know our government, a photo opp with a soldier headed to war is good politics. But, taking care of our soldiers in war and after war is not a priority. His wife is also a soldier.

We wish him safety, honor and a safe return to his family. And we hope Governor Spitzer delivers on his promise to find help for grandparents who care for their grandchildren.

Iraq and Afghanistan: A Different Perspective

This morning I woke up with a different perspective on the wars. NPR reported this morning about a bombing of the Taliban in Afghanistan, but the residents are disputing this claim - that they were civilians. Welcome to another day in Afghanistan. But, is it?

This morning I also have family going to the region of Afghanistan. Two parents, a husband, a wife, a mother, a father, a brother, a sister, etc. They have a little girl who since hearing the news is physically shaken, unable to stop shivering. The news is different when you know someone there, when they will be placed in harm's way, defending liberty? freedom? What? They will be searching for mines and training police in the region, but in harm's way. Will they come home safely? Those reports of suicide bombers, is that in their region? Every day is a struggle.

I have been against this war from the beginning, but what happens when someone doesn't come home? A widow, a widower, an orphaned little girl, parents that will miss their sons and daughters. These are unspeakable thoughts that must be spoken. The stories are tragic and harrowing. These boys and girls must come home to their families. All of them. Every time another casualty, is another death for what? I don't understand it. Will someone please explain it to me.