R.D.,
The local newspaper here is controlled by some very nasty right-wingers. They are notorious for their neanderthal approach to the world, and their complete disrespect for the truth and honesty.
In fact, not only did the Bulletin reporter decide to not mention my effort, she also failed to mention the efforts of a local history Ph.D who took great pains to relate the history of American imperialism since the invasion of the Philipines in 1898 (Nick, however, was prominently featured on our local TV news later that evening). Nor did the Bulletin, aka the Bullshitin', report that the important point that Lietta Ruger was trying to make in her talk was that there are actually ~4,000 dead U.S. service personnel due to Bush's illegal invasion of Iraq. She patiently explained that the Pentagon is lying by only admitting to the death of personnel who actually succumb in Iraq. If a soldier dies en route to the hospital in Germany, or in hospital, they are listed as injured, rather than KIA, according to the arcane lies of the Pentagon.
This point was also entirely suppressed by the Bullshitin's reporter and her editor.
So, it was not just my efforts that were suppressed. Any controversial information contrary to the official lies of the fascist Bushies were not allowed to be printed by the propaganda apparatchiks.
***
What follows is the calculation of actual deaths of U.S. service personnel due to the illegal Iraqi occupation, as provided by the North West Military Families Speak Out. The following is the data provided by Lietta Ruger on Saturday. It was heavily censored by the Bulletin:
coastalrain.tripod.com
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Pacific Northwest MFSO families work collectively in our two states in partnership with Gold Star Families for Peace, Veterans for Peace and other regional peace, faith-based and activist groups in our efforts to call for an end to our troops deployments in Iraq.
-- It has been 2 years since our military troops were deployed to Iraq;
-- The President announced Mission Accomplished;
-- There have been elections held in Iraq and still there is no timeline given as to when the troops will be returned home.
-- It is clear that the reasons given for taking the troops into Iraq were misleading and no substanative reason has yet been cited for war and combat action in Iraq.
-- At this time data indicates a known 1,500 + American soldiers have been killed in Iraq. Another unreported 2,500 soldiers mortally wounded in Iraq and flown out of the combat theatre and died en route or in hospital have not been counted among the casualties killed in Iraq. That gives a more realistic 4,000 American soldiers killed in Iraq.
-- At this time 11,220 American troops have been wounded in Iraq. The word wounded does not begin to account for the trauma scope of maiming with multiple lost limbs, brain damage sometimes irreparable, nor for the uncounted mental health stressors which naturally accompany sustained combat in war zone.
-- At this time there is an uncounted number of Iraqi casualties which include women, children and families. The Lancet study puts that number at 100,000.
Our work in the Pacific Northwest and as member families of MFSO is
- to support our beloved troops with an authentic voice;
- to address their undermet needs;
- to encourage an end to the undeclared war in Iraq;
- to put in place the resources our troops in combat will need upon return;
- to call attention to the use of back door draft strategies to fill an underfilled all volunteer military;
- and to encourage citizens to a civilian duty to question and challenge the reasons the troops continue to be deployed.
We are engaged to share our personal stories as military families and explore the different ways in which we can be involved in efforts to support the troops and speak out to bring the troops home.
We understand that in the tradition of military culture, military families are taught and enjoined to show support for the troops with a silent voice, yet we choose to show support for our troops with our own voices. We do not dishonor our troops in doing so, rather speak to challenge the reasons our troops are taken into combat, not to challenge the troops courageous sacrifices.
We encourage and welcome you to contact us directly.
For details and other information for activities of Pacific Northwest MFSO Contact:
Lietta & Arthur Ruger |
