Winter Soldier pictures - final day

[proud2BlibKansan]

Today was the final day and again, more horrific stories. But also wonderful to see so many young vets getting their stories out there. Sure wish the media had not largely ignored this wonderful event.

The Iraq vets were recognized





More compelling testimony. This is the final panel.





Security was very tight. No name tag, no entrance. No exceptions. (I covered up my name :) )





Right around the corner from our hotel, as we were coming back from the event, the route of all the evil. Or should I say ONE root of the evil that created this mess:

[babylonsister]

1. Thank you, proud. I didn't know you went! I'm glad you

especially had the opportunity to bear witness. I heard the stories are beyond sad. :-(

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Yes the stories are horrible

I will admit we were not here for the first day and had to walk out several times while listening to the ones we were present for.

We will be here all week. There are many events surrounding the 5th anniversary. Going to a Code Pink party tonight. Oh and I have hugged and thanked every single Code Pinker I have seen for that wonderful picture from the Condi testimony the other day.

[seemslikeadream]

16. It's in my sigline now

:hi: :hug:

[proud2BlibKansan]

18. I love it!!

What a great idea. :hug:

[barbtries]

2. i've been watching all weekend,

listening at work on friday. missed thursday. i missed some of the panels and want to see it gavel to gavel. any links?

i would have dearly loved to have been there. i have been incredibly affected not just by the stories that were told but by the courage and the love that brought these soldiers to testify. even typing this right now is making me cry.

and i have resolved to make the effort to change my vocabulary and begin to refer to the actions under discussion rightly as occupations as opposed to war. to militate continuously and as vigorously as i can to bring the occupations to an end. after five years - and i was against the actions before they commenced (even Afghanistan, on the philosophical platform of being against war, period) - i get discouraged very often. it seems at times that the right wing agenda is a done deal, and nothing i do or say can possibly make a difference. i think about emigrating from this country more and more. this weekend's hearings have given me new hope.

i cannot say enough about the courage of the speakers. true heroes each and every one of them.

please share more about your first hand experience at the winter soldier hearings of 2008.

peace

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. They are making a documentary

You can also see much of the testimony online at the IVAW site. But they apologized over and over for the problems people are having watching it. The site is just overwhelmed with traffic. But that's a good problem.

The Gathering of Eagles (Michelle Malkin's group) was supposed to have a march today but they were nowhere to be seen. Maybe I just missed them. But they blew a lot of hot air online for weeks before WInter Soldier and predicted "thousands" of war supporters would be across the street counter protesting. And all of 38 were there on Friday. Yes, thirty eight. Yesterday there were maybe three. And today I saw none. :)

[barbtries]

7. i just watched the video on WP

we're so polarized. but it galls me to hear them say that these veterans are "demoralizing and denigrating our troops." how blind can they be? it's so sad.

i have checked the page like a hundred times to try and catch up on the testimony i missed. it is a good problem that it is overwhelmed with traffic. i think it should be required watching for every adult in this country. i will definitely buy the DVD as soon as it becomes available even if i do find a way to see it all before then. i may buy a dozen copies to send to my friends and family members.

perhaps if the protesters heard the testimony - no, certainly if they did, their views would change. their views would then be based on the reality of what the occupation is about and who it is who is NOT supporting the troops.

peace

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. Here are some more videos

http://therealnews.com/web/index.php?thisepisode=127

[barbtries]

10. great - thank you n/t

[ThatsMyBarack]

12. Oops! Double post.

Forgot the video link for the first one...

[ThatsMyBarack]

13. Thanks for this link!

This guy's story tells it all. He has a little trouble talking, but his facial expressions say it all.

http://therealnews.com/web/index.php?thisdataswitch=0&thisid=1139&thisview=item

[Tom Joad]

14. actually, we need also to bear in mind that this war/occupation goes back

to Bush the Elder, and through the terrorist clinton years (deadly sanctions and bombings by Bill the C, for those who are too young or too naive to know)

[seemslikeadream]

17. WE ARE INTO THE 18TH YEAR OF THIS WAR

NO DOUBT

[JeffR]

4. Great photos

:applause:

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. Thanks Jeff, here are yesterday's pics

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3015579

[JeffR]

9. Thanks

I'd missed those. Good work!

[ThatsMyBarack]

11. Gathering of Eagles are losers.

Thanks for not showing pics of those!

[Tom Joad]

15. These are the people who will end the war, not lame politicians,

(not going to name the lame ones now, but one sounds like "Hillary" the other sounds like "Barack".

The politicians, at best, will only follow the leadership of citizens like this, and only when they know they have little choice.

[Disturbed]

19. Of course the US Corp Media has scant coverage of this event.

It goes against their financial interests.