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STOP THIS WAR – SUPPORT THE UKS HUMAN SHIELD MISSION TO IRAQ
Are you a person who sees the world going terribly wrong? Are you unable to devote your life to worthy causes you feel most passionate about? Then please look at this proposal, those of us who are able and willing need your support to stop this war that threatens to launch World War III.
U.S. Gulf War Vet Calls for Support for the Universal Kinship Societies Human Shield Mission to Iraq
Strategy
It is the intent of the Universal Kinship Society to purchase or acquire a bus that can carry as many as 40-50 people to Iraq in order to act as “Human Shields.” This bus will be used to transport volunteers to and from Iraq and later used for similar missions to Palestine and/or Chechnya after the Iraq campaign. The strategy being to carry peoples (especially Western people) to “hotspots” where war and oppression dominate. This “Direct Action” is intended to prevent further crimes and highlight global complicity with these crimes by our (Western) governments. Voting and recycling is clearly not enough, so those of us who truly care can now join this action and employ the same principles Gandhi employed to defeat the tyrannical British Empire. Our strategy is ambitious and potentially dangerous but in our opinion valid and necessary if we are truly seeking a better world. Our hope is that our numbers (power) will grow as our mission(s) become well known and successful. What is most important is that we try and try intelligently to stop war, Gandhi is the example that we will refer to most. Ultimately the goal is to spread Western lives around the planet, which would go a long way to eliminating war as such an easy option for tyrants. It will also serve to provide ambassadors of peace from the West so that non-Westerners understand that despite the policies of our governments, we see ourselves as brothers and sisters in the human family. It is up to us, as the originator of this action I give my word that I will pursue these goals even if it means that I am to lose my life. I cannot make any greater commitment than that and I am not alone, what we need is the resources to compliment our determination.
Budget
The costs associated with our Human Shield Mission to Iraq are fluid and impossible to pinpoint at this moment. This is true because we cannot know at this organizational stage how many people will participate, and therefore the size of the vehicle(s) needed, and the food required to feed our volunteers. So the following budget is an estimate that strives to be realistic first and foremost. It is important to note that any funds remaining are to be used to provide direct humanitarian aid to the Iraqi people with no middleman whatsoever, in other words the money will go directly to the cause.
Travel Costs (Necessary)
I know that we can obtain a bus that will suit our needs for as little as 3000-6000 Euro. Of course with more funds we could acquire a better (more reliable) bus, but our primary concern is to get the least expensive bus that can do the job we require. Fuel costs are estimated to be under 1500 Euro. This is based on a 5000-kilometer journey from London to Baghdad via several European cities along the way. We are hopeful that we can find a volunteer who is a licensed bus driver and that is being pursued but if we are unable to find a driver we will later budget at least 1000 Euro. Food costs are only for the journey, once in Iraq food will be supplied for volunteers. Food costs are therefore minimal. Based on 5 Euro per day per person for a two week period the cost per 20 volunteers will be 1400 Euro. But this should be reduced further as we can expect donated food to the point that our food costs will be greatly reduced.
Desired Items
GSM Phone with International Service. Cost is 100 Euro per month, 1 Euro per minute for incoming minutes, 2 Euro per minute for outgoing minutes anywhere in the world. Lap top and Data service is also available and this will allow access to critical contacts such as international media and others. I for one will be on the streets if/when the bombing and invasion occur and I will give instant reports of what is going on. Not only will this communication ability be useful for reporting purposes but also for safeties sake it could save lives. Therefore this phone(s) is quite critical and could easily be listed as a Necessary Item instead of “Desired.” But first and foremost is to get there, so it is listed accordingly.
Late Model Laptop Computer (1200-2000 Euro). As a webmaster myself I will also be posting daily updates to our website (http://www.uksociety.org) if the ability to do so exists. We need a laptop for this and also to keep lower cost communication (email) with those in the world who are supporting our action. Also a very important item.
Three Chip Digital Camera (2500 Euro). I have a lesser quality digital camera but its abilities in low light is not desirable, aside from this I would rather use it as a backup. Things can go wrong with cameras and it is always wise to have a backup. We may have professional journalists/filmmakers with us, in fact this has been proposed by at least two such parties and may easily become more. However, it is still wise for us to have our own documentary abilities so there will be no relevant information “edited” out of the story.
Misc
As with all things in life, things go wrong, unexpected costs arise and therefore it is wise to have some funds in reserve. I believe that 1000 Euro is the minimal amount we should carry for this purpose on this action.
Totals
Travel Costs 5900-8900 Euro
GSM Phone with International Service 600-1000 Euro (two months)
Late Model Laptop Computer 1200-2000 Euro
Three Chip Digital Camera 2500 Euro
Misc 1000-2000 Euro
Total Expenses (Necessary) 6900-10900 Euro
Total Expenses (Desired) 12200-18400 Euro
Additionally, the Universal Kinship Society is a tax-exempt non-profit organization with a status classification of 509(a) (1) under the Internal Revenue Code of the United States. I am the acting president of the Universal Kinship Society so I am therefore in a legal position to accept funds and provide receipt of said funds. Under U.S. law all donations from U.S. citizens are tax-exempt therefore any donation will be deducted from your federal tax debt at the end of the tax year. As of this moment I do not know the laws of European nations with regard to tax exemptions but I would be extremely surprised if a donation to our organization is not at least partially a tax write off. Of course some of you may want to donate anonymously, if that be the case everybody will have their privacy honored.
For The Record - The Universal Kinship Society was set up to produce documentaries about ethical and ecological movements around the world from an “active participant” perspective. Accordingly, all of the donations we receive will be used for that purpose.
At this point international press including the London Times and Guardian are publishing stories and considering sending their own journalists on our mission. Independent media are being notified around the world and we have only just begun our preparations. More and more people are contacting to volunteer or support each day and I am eminently confident that this action will be more than just inspirational, I intend to see it grow to its full potential. Considering how much money is going into bureaucratically controlled efforts I would argue that this action is an admirable investment with direct returns that few such efforts could hope to provide. I and others honestly believe that this type of Direct Action in mass, has every capacity to stop all the wars we may be facing. Once again, I would refer to Gandhi, who would have thought his non-violent principles could have achieved what they did.
It is my deep hope that those of you who see the worth of this action will contribute immediately. As much as I do not care about money it is necessary for life in this world and certainly for the action we commit ourselves outlined above. Please contact us immediately if you have any questions at 31(0)6 2220 4574 (Holland) or by email at uksociety [at] hotmail.com.
Sincerely,
Ken Nichols O’Keefe
Universal Kinship Society
Universal Kinship Society information:
Employer Identification Number 99-0344439
DLN Number 17053295007049
Foundation Status Classification 509(a) (1)
Donations Made Out To The Universal Kinship Society & Sent To:
MR DRS P.B.PH.M BOGAERS
ATTN; Ken Nichols O'Keefe
Schakelstede 1-3
3431 HB Nieuwegein
Netherlands
It is imperative that these funds are received by immediately or by January 18th at the very latest.
Latest News on Human Shield Mission Iraq
By Ken Nichols O’Keefe email – uksociety [at] hotmail.com phone Holland 31(0)6 2220 4574
Plan of Action as of Dec. 26
If you are ready to join our action we need to have your information that is required for Iraqi visas. Approval for our Human Shield Mission into Iraq has been obtained by Iraqi officials. Having said that I say categorically that our action is not in support or supported by the Iraqi Government. This action was initiated by people who reject war and feel strongly enough about this that they are willing to risk their own safety in defense of innocent Iraqi lives. If you are ready to commit we need to have your full name, date of birth and nationality for the visa and we need this immediately.
We request that each one of you also write a short (or longer) statement as to why you are joining this action. This is requested in the interest of negating the inevitable accusations that in doing this we are supporting Saddam Hussein, of course that is patently ridiculous but we cannot completely stop corporate media from saying it. Please take the time to do this, then we can expose corporate media for what they are if they try to falsely associate our action with Saddam Hussein. After doing this (only if you approve) we will post these statements on the Universal Kinship Society website (http://www.uksociety.org). We will also have a written form that is mandatory for each person to sign that declares whether they are involved in investigations or associated with in any way such agencies as the CIA or other “intelligence” agencies. If you are, YOUR ARE NOT WELCOME! We cannot stop such cowards from seeking to infiltrate a good cause such as ours but we can prove them to be the criminal liars and killers that they all too often are.
Thus far British, Spanish, Canadian, American and Dutch media are posting our action and we just began the organizing little more than one week ago. I am getting contact from major corporate media such as the London Times and Guardian as well as independent media and they want to talk with you (if you are committed to joining this action). If you are willing to talk with them then call me or email me immediately.
If you are not willing to commit you can still very much help us on our mission, PLEASE DO! Contact everyone you know on your email list and post your view of our mission on IndyMedia. Contact NGO’s and ask if they will post notices on their email lists and if they can help fund this action. We desperately need a bus and quite possibly busses. We need organizers, we need fundraisers, we need medical supplies and clothing (for the Iraqi people), we need all the help we can get!
As things stand right now our departure date is tentatively set for January 18, 2003 from London, but this is subject to change due to the evolving situation. We plan to travel through Europe via London, Brussels Amsterdam, Paris, Dachau Concentration Camp, Zurich, Milan, Sarajevo, Istanbul, and Halab and ultimately to Baghdad. We may very well need/choose to add or delete cities along the way again depending on the situation at the time, our main concern is to get there before any war begins but at the same time we want maximum participation and awareness. All things going as planned we will conduct brief rallies and pick up more Human Shield volunteers along the way. If you know people in these cities we desperately need organizers to set up a meeting point and rally for each city. We also need liaisons back in the West to monitor our efforts and post updates on websites and with IndyMedia. This support base is critical to the effectiveness of our mission.
Once in Baghdad we will strategically place ourselves with the most vulnerable people such as families and children, hospitals, etc. Iraqi people and government are overwhelmingly supportive of this for obvious reasons. Everyone will of course ultimately determine where he or she will be once in Iraq so those who are willing to take greater risks can do so while others will do as they feel, everyone will be respected in being there period.
As an ex-U.S. Marine who “fought” in the 1st Gulf War I feel a special need to do more than probably most, while in Iraq I intend to visit victims of depleted uranium and the economic sanctions. I will be documenting this on video to make a short documentary. Anyone with documentary experience or other related skills is invited to join in this effort. Assuming the war does happen I once again feel a special need to document the treatment of Iraqis by the invading forces. This will be extremely dangerous and I expect nobody to participate in this unless they are extremely comfortable with their mortality. If you do want to participate in this you can let me know at any time.
When each person leaves Iraq is impossible to determine. For those who want to be able to leave at any time you must have the money to do this independently. We will however have transportation at some point where our presence is no longer useful or it becomes impossible to stay. Of course it is our desire/mission is to stop this war and protect innocent life. So as long as we serve to prevent war and death we should be committed to staying. For those who have definite time limits of course that is fine.
The organization and effectiveness of this mission will depend on all of us who participate. Those of you who are serious need to call/email me now, the organizational realities are overwhelming without support and that is a job we call all contribute to right now.
I am honored to be in the company of people who will take the steps that you are. I would rather be with you and the Iraqi people at this pivotal time in history than with anyone else. I am inspired by your commitment and I am sure that I will be making many dear friends. I am extremely thankful to you all.
Thank you all once again.
Peace Love Aloha,
Ken Nichols O’Keefe
Strategy
It is the intent of the Universal Kinship Society to purchase or acquire a bus that can carry as many as 40-50 people to Iraq in order to act as “Human Shields.” This bus will be used to transport volunteers to and from Iraq and later used for similar missions to Palestine and/or Chechnya after the Iraq campaign. The strategy being to carry peoples (especially Western people) to “hotspots” where war and oppression dominate. This “Direct Action” is intended to prevent further crimes and highlight global complicity with these crimes by our (Western) governments. Voting and recycling is clearly not enough, so those of us who truly care can now join this action and employ the same principles Gandhi employed to defeat the tyrannical British Empire. Our strategy is ambitious and potentially dangerous but in our opinion valid and necessary if we are truly seeking a better world. Our hope is that our numbers (power) will grow as our mission(s) become well known and successful. What is most important is that we try and try intelligently to stop war, Gandhi is the example that we will refer to most. Ultimately the goal is to spread Western lives around the planet, which would go a long way to eliminating war as such an easy option for tyrants. It will also serve to provide ambassadors of peace from the West so that non-Westerners understand that despite the policies of our governments, we see ourselves as brothers and sisters in the human family. It is up to us, as the originator of this action I give my word that I will pursue these goals even if it means that I am to lose my life. I cannot make any greater commitment than that and I am not alone, what we need is the resources to compliment our determination.
Budget
The costs associated with our Human Shield Mission to Iraq are fluid and impossible to pinpoint at this moment. This is true because we cannot know at this organizational stage how many people will participate, and therefore the size of the vehicle(s) needed, and the food required to feed our volunteers. So the following budget is an estimate that strives to be realistic first and foremost. It is important to note that any funds remaining are to be used to provide direct humanitarian aid to the Iraqi people with no middleman whatsoever, in other words the money will go directly to the cause.
Travel Costs (Necessary)
I know that we can obtain a bus that will suit our needs for as little as 3000-6000 Euro. Of course with more funds we could acquire a better (more reliable) bus, but our primary concern is to get the least expensive bus that can do the job we require. Fuel costs are estimated to be under 1500 Euro. This is based on a 5000-kilometer journey from London to Baghdad via several European cities along the way. We are hopeful that we can find a volunteer who is a licensed bus driver and that is being pursued but if we are unable to find a driver we will later budget at least 1000 Euro. Food costs are only for the journey, once in Iraq food will be supplied for volunteers. Food costs are therefore minimal. Based on 5 Euro per day per person for a two week period the cost per 20 volunteers will be 1400 Euro. But this should be reduced further as we can expect donated food to the point that our food costs will be greatly reduced.
Desired Items
GSM Phone with International Service. Cost is 100 Euro per month, 1 Euro per minute for incoming minutes, 2 Euro per minute for outgoing minutes anywhere in the world. Lap top and Data service is also available and this will allow access to critical contacts such as international media and others. I for one will be on the streets if/when the bombing and invasion occur and I will give instant reports of what is going on. Not only will this communication ability be useful for reporting purposes but also for safeties sake it could save lives. Therefore this phone(s) is quite critical and could easily be listed as a Necessary Item instead of “Desired.” But first and foremost is to get there, so it is listed accordingly.
Late Model Laptop Computer (1200-2000 Euro). As a webmaster myself I will also be posting daily updates to our website (http://www.uksociety.org) if the ability to do so exists. We need a laptop for this and also to keep lower cost communication (email) with those in the world who are supporting our action. Also a very important item.
Three Chip Digital Camera (2500 Euro). I have a lesser quality digital camera but its abilities in low light is not desirable, aside from this I would rather use it as a backup. Things can go wrong with cameras and it is always wise to have a backup. We may have professional journalists/filmmakers with us, in fact this has been proposed by at least two such parties and may easily become more. However, it is still wise for us to have our own documentary abilities so there will be no relevant information “edited” out of the story.
Misc
As with all things in life, things go wrong, unexpected costs arise and therefore it is wise to have some funds in reserve. I believe that 1000 Euro is the minimal amount we should carry for this purpose on this action.
Totals
Travel Costs 5900-8900 Euro
GSM Phone with International Service 600-1000 Euro (two months)
Late Model Laptop Computer 1200-2000 Euro
Three Chip Digital Camera 2500 Euro
Misc 1000-2000 Euro
Total Expenses (Necessary) 6900-10900 Euro
Total Expenses (Desired) 12200-18400 Euro
Additionally, the Universal Kinship Society is a tax-exempt non-profit organization with a status classification of 509(a) (1) under the Internal Revenue Code of the United States. I am the acting president of the Universal Kinship Society so I am therefore in a legal position to accept funds and provide receipt of said funds. Under U.S. law all donations from U.S. citizens are tax-exempt therefore any donation will be deducted from your federal tax debt at the end of the tax year. As of this moment I do not know the laws of European nations with regard to tax exemptions but I would be extremely surprised if a donation to our organization is not at least partially a tax write off. Of course some of you may want to donate anonymously, if that be the case everybody will have their privacy honored.
For The Record - The Universal Kinship Society was set up to produce documentaries about ethical and ecological movements around the world from an “active participant” perspective. Accordingly, all of the donations we receive will be used for that purpose.
At this point international press including the London Times and Guardian are publishing stories and considering sending their own journalists on our mission. Independent media are being notified around the world and we have only just begun our preparations. More and more people are contacting to volunteer or support each day and I am eminently confident that this action will be more than just inspirational, I intend to see it grow to its full potential. Considering how much money is going into bureaucratically controlled efforts I would argue that this action is an admirable investment with direct returns that few such efforts could hope to provide. I and others honestly believe that this type of Direct Action in mass, has every capacity to stop all the wars we may be facing. Once again, I would refer to Gandhi, who would have thought his non-violent principles could have achieved what they did.
It is my deep hope that those of you who see the worth of this action will contribute immediately. As much as I do not care about money it is necessary for life in this world and certainly for the action we commit ourselves outlined above. Please contact us immediately if you have any questions at 31(0)6 2220 4574 (Holland) or by email at uksociety [at] hotmail.com.
Sincerely,
Ken Nichols O’Keefe
Universal Kinship Society
Universal Kinship Society information:
Employer Identification Number 99-0344439
DLN Number 17053295007049
Foundation Status Classification 509(a) (1)
Donations Made Out To The Universal Kinship Society & Sent To:
MR DRS P.B.PH.M BOGAERS
ATTN; Ken Nichols O'Keefe
Schakelstede 1-3
3431 HB Nieuwegein
Netherlands
It is imperative that these funds are received by immediately or by January 18th at the very latest.
Latest News on Human Shield Mission Iraq
By Ken Nichols O’Keefe email – uksociety [at] hotmail.com phone Holland 31(0)6 2220 4574
Plan of Action as of Dec. 26
If you are ready to join our action we need to have your information that is required for Iraqi visas. Approval for our Human Shield Mission into Iraq has been obtained by Iraqi officials. Having said that I say categorically that our action is not in support or supported by the Iraqi Government. This action was initiated by people who reject war and feel strongly enough about this that they are willing to risk their own safety in defense of innocent Iraqi lives. If you are ready to commit we need to have your full name, date of birth and nationality for the visa and we need this immediately.
We request that each one of you also write a short (or longer) statement as to why you are joining this action. This is requested in the interest of negating the inevitable accusations that in doing this we are supporting Saddam Hussein, of course that is patently ridiculous but we cannot completely stop corporate media from saying it. Please take the time to do this, then we can expose corporate media for what they are if they try to falsely associate our action with Saddam Hussein. After doing this (only if you approve) we will post these statements on the Universal Kinship Society website (http://www.uksociety.org). We will also have a written form that is mandatory for each person to sign that declares whether they are involved in investigations or associated with in any way such agencies as the CIA or other “intelligence” agencies. If you are, YOUR ARE NOT WELCOME! We cannot stop such cowards from seeking to infiltrate a good cause such as ours but we can prove them to be the criminal liars and killers that they all too often are.
Thus far British, Spanish, Canadian, American and Dutch media are posting our action and we just began the organizing little more than one week ago. I am getting contact from major corporate media such as the London Times and Guardian as well as independent media and they want to talk with you (if you are committed to joining this action). If you are willing to talk with them then call me or email me immediately.
If you are not willing to commit you can still very much help us on our mission, PLEASE DO! Contact everyone you know on your email list and post your view of our mission on IndyMedia. Contact NGO’s and ask if they will post notices on their email lists and if they can help fund this action. We desperately need a bus and quite possibly busses. We need organizers, we need fundraisers, we need medical supplies and clothing (for the Iraqi people), we need all the help we can get!
As things stand right now our departure date is tentatively set for January 18, 2003 from London, but this is subject to change due to the evolving situation. We plan to travel through Europe via London, Brussels Amsterdam, Paris, Dachau Concentration Camp, Zurich, Milan, Sarajevo, Istanbul, and Halab and ultimately to Baghdad. We may very well need/choose to add or delete cities along the way again depending on the situation at the time, our main concern is to get there before any war begins but at the same time we want maximum participation and awareness. All things going as planned we will conduct brief rallies and pick up more Human Shield volunteers along the way. If you know people in these cities we desperately need organizers to set up a meeting point and rally for each city. We also need liaisons back in the West to monitor our efforts and post updates on websites and with IndyMedia. This support base is critical to the effectiveness of our mission.
Once in Baghdad we will strategically place ourselves with the most vulnerable people such as families and children, hospitals, etc. Iraqi people and government are overwhelmingly supportive of this for obvious reasons. Everyone will of course ultimately determine where he or she will be once in Iraq so those who are willing to take greater risks can do so while others will do as they feel, everyone will be respected in being there period.
As an ex-U.S. Marine who “fought” in the 1st Gulf War I feel a special need to do more than probably most, while in Iraq I intend to visit victims of depleted uranium and the economic sanctions. I will be documenting this on video to make a short documentary. Anyone with documentary experience or other related skills is invited to join in this effort. Assuming the war does happen I once again feel a special need to document the treatment of Iraqis by the invading forces. This will be extremely dangerous and I expect nobody to participate in this unless they are extremely comfortable with their mortality. If you do want to participate in this you can let me know at any time.
When each person leaves Iraq is impossible to determine. For those who want to be able to leave at any time you must have the money to do this independently. We will however have transportation at some point where our presence is no longer useful or it becomes impossible to stay. Of course it is our desire/mission is to stop this war and protect innocent life. So as long as we serve to prevent war and death we should be committed to staying. For those who have definite time limits of course that is fine.
The organization and effectiveness of this mission will depend on all of us who participate. Those of you who are serious need to call/email me now, the organizational realities are overwhelming without support and that is a job we call all contribute to right now.
I am honored to be in the company of people who will take the steps that you are. I would rather be with you and the Iraqi people at this pivotal time in history than with anyone else. I am inspired by your commitment and I am sure that I will be making many dear friends. I am extremely thankful to you all.
Thank you all once again.
Peace Love Aloha,
Ken Nichols O’Keefe
For more information:
http://www.uksociety.org
Add Your Comments
Comments
(Hide Comments)
If you'd rather not wait for the chance that there might be an armed conflict in Iraq, you can volunteer to be a human shield against aggression today, in Israel.
It's more comfortable too, because you can just ride a bus or go to a market instead of finding a weapons site to sit around at all day.
It's more comfortable too, because you can just ride a bus or go to a market instead of finding a weapons site to sit around at all day.
Be sure you stay in a city holy to Arabs. Like jeruselem. Saddam might just nuke haifa. It has no importance to them. Just picture the last war, scuds are innacurate second rate pieces of shit but with 1 megaton or a little vx how accurate do you need to be? If any nukes, bugs, or drugs come in to play I think Saddam will take as many jews with him as he can.
Have a nice visit. Ps avoid malls, bus stations, or anywhere you can get splattered by some guy trying to line up a 72 way gang bang in the after life..
Have a nice visit. Ps avoid malls, bus stations, or anywhere you can get splattered by some guy trying to line up a 72 way gang bang in the after life..
when those muslims idiots blow themselves up, they scatter their bits all over. no body left to enjoy 72 virgins.
plus, fornication is a human earthly thing. Spirits if there is a spirit in us, have no need to fornicate in heaven, much less drink 'rivers of wine' and eat from 'boughs laden with fruits'. The 'pearly boys' in Mohammed's heaven might appeal to the gay community, but that brings back the question of spiritual fornication. Mohammed was just a delusional phycopath, anyone who looked at the koran, and spent time studying it like I did, would know this. Seems most muslims don't even read their own book though.
it's nothing but a blood cult.
plus, fornication is a human earthly thing. Spirits if there is a spirit in us, have no need to fornicate in heaven, much less drink 'rivers of wine' and eat from 'boughs laden with fruits'. The 'pearly boys' in Mohammed's heaven might appeal to the gay community, but that brings back the question of spiritual fornication. Mohammed was just a delusional phycopath, anyone who looked at the koran, and spent time studying it like I did, would know this. Seems most muslims don't even read their own book though.
it's nothing but a blood cult.
Brahahahahahaha!!!!!
Canadian peace activist killed in car accident in Iraq
Monday, January 6, 2003
(01-06) 20:36 PST TORONTO (AP) --
A Canadian peace activist stationed in southern Iraq was killed Monday in a car crash apparently caused by a blown tire.
Two American members of the Chicago-based Christian Peacemaker Teams were hospitalized for injuries including a broken nose and broken ribs, according to a statement issued by the group's Toronto office.
The activists were scheduled to leave Iraq on Thursday after a mission that began in October.
Killed was George Weber, 73, of Chesley, Ontario, while the injured were Michele Naar-Obed of Duluth, Minn., and Charlie Jackson of San Antonio, Texas, the statement said. Naar was later released from hospital.
Jim Loney, another Canadian activist who was in the car but not seriously injured, said the rear left tire "sort of exploded" as the car was on a six-lane highway in clear conditions north of Basrah.
The vehicle rolled at least once and came to rest on its roof, Loney said. Weber was sitting in the back seat and was thrown from the vehicle, dying instantly, he said.
Doug Pritchard, Canada coordinator for the group, said the cause of the crash was being investigated.
The organization trains nonviolence volunteers to intervene in conflict zones.
Canadian peace activist killed in car accident in Iraq
Monday, January 6, 2003
(01-06) 20:36 PST TORONTO (AP) --
A Canadian peace activist stationed in southern Iraq was killed Monday in a car crash apparently caused by a blown tire.
Two American members of the Chicago-based Christian Peacemaker Teams were hospitalized for injuries including a broken nose and broken ribs, according to a statement issued by the group's Toronto office.
The activists were scheduled to leave Iraq on Thursday after a mission that began in October.
Killed was George Weber, 73, of Chesley, Ontario, while the injured were Michele Naar-Obed of Duluth, Minn., and Charlie Jackson of San Antonio, Texas, the statement said. Naar was later released from hospital.
Jim Loney, another Canadian activist who was in the car but not seriously injured, said the rear left tire "sort of exploded" as the car was on a six-lane highway in clear conditions north of Basrah.
The vehicle rolled at least once and came to rest on its roof, Loney said. Weber was sitting in the back seat and was thrown from the vehicle, dying instantly, he said.
Doug Pritchard, Canada coordinator for the group, said the cause of the crash was being investigated.
The organization trains nonviolence volunteers to intervene in conflict zones.
They have killed over 120,000 of us - why is no human shield coming to help. Shame on you selfish people.
ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) -- Assailants shot to death a mayor and his top aide, part of a surge in violence this weekend by Algeria's Islamic militants, national radio reported Monday.
Hassan Ghazaili, mayor of Chetaibi, about 600 kilometers (370 miles) east of Algiers, and his assistant, Hassan Ayadi, were gunned down Sunday at a roadblock, the report said. The gunmen set fire to their bodies and the car and fled.
Two others, a driver and another mayoral assistant, were injured in the highway attack, radio reported.
In a separate killing, a soldier was killed by a bomb explosion Sunday near Ain Defla, 145 kilometers (90 miles) west of the capital, El Watan newspaper said. Five other soldiers were injured.
More than 120,000 people have been killed in more than a decade of civil strife in Algeria, where Islamic militants have staged massacres against civilians, soldiers and officials since they were shut of out parliamentary elections in 1992.
The army has been hunting down rebels who refused to turn in their arms in a government-sponsored amnesty program, and officials have claimed the violence has been brought largely under control in the past few years.
Two massive attacks this weekend dealt a blow to their claims.
Some 43 soldiers were reported killed in an ambush Saturday, the deadliest assault suffered by the Algerian military in at least five years. In another attack, Islamic militants killed 13 people from two families, reports said.
Liberte newspaper reported that the attack on the military was carried out by the Salafist Group for Call and Combat, or GSPC. The GSPC is on a U.S. list of terrorist organizations and reportedly has links with Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida terror network.
Without citing sources or providing further details, the newspaper said several foreigners affiliated with al-Qaida had been working with the group.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/01/06/algeria.violence.ap/
ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) -- Assailants shot to death a mayor and his top aide, part of a surge in violence this weekend by Algeria's Islamic militants, national radio reported Monday.
Hassan Ghazaili, mayor of Chetaibi, about 600 kilometers (370 miles) east of Algiers, and his assistant, Hassan Ayadi, were gunned down Sunday at a roadblock, the report said. The gunmen set fire to their bodies and the car and fled.
Two others, a driver and another mayoral assistant, were injured in the highway attack, radio reported.
In a separate killing, a soldier was killed by a bomb explosion Sunday near Ain Defla, 145 kilometers (90 miles) west of the capital, El Watan newspaper said. Five other soldiers were injured.
More than 120,000 people have been killed in more than a decade of civil strife in Algeria, where Islamic militants have staged massacres against civilians, soldiers and officials since they were shut of out parliamentary elections in 1992.
The army has been hunting down rebels who refused to turn in their arms in a government-sponsored amnesty program, and officials have claimed the violence has been brought largely under control in the past few years.
Two massive attacks this weekend dealt a blow to their claims.
Some 43 soldiers were reported killed in an ambush Saturday, the deadliest assault suffered by the Algerian military in at least five years. In another attack, Islamic militants killed 13 people from two families, reports said.
Liberte newspaper reported that the attack on the military was carried out by the Salafist Group for Call and Combat, or GSPC. The GSPC is on a U.S. list of terrorist organizations and reportedly has links with Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida terror network.
Without citing sources or providing further details, the newspaper said several foreigners affiliated with al-Qaida had been working with the group.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/01/06/algeria.violence.ap/
Truck loads of Shields, the only protection that may actually do any good for the Iraqis and the people around. Or, if you do insist on becoming a human one, simply slide one over your head now and spare the travel expense.
Don't like the idea of a war? Who does? You may not like changing dirty diapers, either. But every now and then it HAS to be done to clean up the mess because you cannot just leave it.
If you are concerned about war and killing, and want them to cease, why not mobilize a band of human shields to ride every bus every day for the next year in Jerusalem? My guess is that you won't be doing so any time soon, and the reason is you know that the United States and Israel go to extraordinary lengths to ensure no innocents are killed while your beloved Hamas and Islamic Jihad and Saddam Hussein go to extraordinary lengths to ensure as many innocents as possible are killed.
"If you are concerned about war and killing, and want them to cease, why not mobilize a band of human shields to ride every bus every day for the next year in Jerusalem? "
We do something similar - we pay them billions of our tax dollars. The foreign workers already paid with their lives. We aren't giving billions to Palestine or Iraq.
But I'd suggest a better idea: mobilize more Americans to cut funding to Israel as long as Sharon is in power and once he's out and the settlements are declared illegal and dismantled, the killing will stop.
We do something similar - we pay them billions of our tax dollars. The foreign workers already paid with their lives. We aren't giving billions to Palestine or Iraq.
But I'd suggest a better idea: mobilize more Americans to cut funding to Israel as long as Sharon is in power and once he's out and the settlements are declared illegal and dismantled, the killing will stop.
just wanted to wish you good luck, the people of the uk dont support this war and hopefully u should get alot of support,i hope you inspire people to follow your lead,i cant offer anything other than good wishes and say thankyou for being a voice on behalf of all the people who oppose war .irene
"once {Sharon} out and the settlements are declared illegal and dismantled, the killing will stop.
What about the right to return for the so called Arab "refugees" that haven't been assimilated into any other Muslim nation. You know the same sticking point that Arafat used to stall the last peace attempt. Even is Israel did dismantle the settlements, (which it should at some point) the killings will continue; only the so called excuses will chase.
What about the right to return for the so called Arab "refugees" that haven't been assimilated into any other Muslim nation. You know the same sticking point that Arafat used to stall the last peace attempt. Even is Israel did dismantle the settlements, (which it should at some point) the killings will continue; only the so called excuses will chase.
Hurry up, you peace nut activsts, the war is going to start in less than a month. I hope as much of you as possible get to Iraq, so when I am watching my Gulf War 2, on CNN each time I see Iraqi site destoryed, I will also no one of you anti-war scum was wiped off the face of the world.
No, Mark, you cannot advertise your rightwing propaganda site here, not for free, not for money, not at all. Go away.
Now is the time to terminate war and military aggression and only the Christian church can do it as our obligation to the founder of our religion, Jesus of Nazareth, Messiah of Israel and the Son of the Living God.
Peace Church Challenge is a ministry dedicated to return Christianity back to its Apostolic roots by turning churches and denominations toward religious objection to war and military aggression. Visit the website:
http://www.peacehost.net/peacechurch
For a free copy of the book Conflict of Ages, email your name and address to peacechurch [at] jps.net
Peace Church Challenge is a ministry dedicated to return Christianity back to its Apostolic roots by turning churches and denominations toward religious objection to war and military aggression. Visit the website:
http://www.peacehost.net/peacechurch
For a free copy of the book Conflict of Ages, email your name and address to peacechurch [at] jps.net
For more information:
http://www.peacehost.net/peacechurch
Where were the human shields when saddam was murdering the kurds with his
chemical weapon's?...not such a hot idea then eh?
what would be really funny is if saddam lined you all up and shot you on live t.v. Do you think he's not capable or willing to if it suits his need?
steven
chemical weapon's?...not such a hot idea then eh?
what would be really funny is if saddam lined you all up and shot you on live t.v. Do you think he's not capable or willing to if it suits his need?
steven
GO TO HELL
First let me applaud Mr. Nichols and his group. The courage and intelligence being displayed are wonderful. What Americans specifically need to understand is that these wars are avoidable and should be avoided. The World Wars were fought to stop an aggressive regime which was bent on dominating a region. The proof was there before action was taken. While Mr. Hussein is guilty of attrocious acts against humanity there is no proof that he is bent on dominating a region outside of Iraq. Though he quite possible would like to do this, he just doesn't have the resources. YES, his regime needs to be changed. NO, a war is not the way to do it. Instead of increasing the suffering of the innocent, i.e. Iraqi civilians, Allied soldiers, why can't a government as powerful as the United State's, with the incredible resources that it has, find a better solution? I'm afraid this war is about greed, politics, and hidden agendas, i.e. inane attempts at reducing environmental controls and affirmative action. Let's all follow Mr. Nichols example and do somthing to stop this insanity. People, evolution NOT regression
France,Germany and Russia had have been making deals with Saddam in the past helping him build WMD for thier own profits.In fact when Saddam invaded Kuwait he offered to sell his oil at a fair and reasonalbe price.Also the sanctions against Iraq help the other gulf states sell thier oil without Iraqi compatition.
A free Iraq will create an oil glut dropping the price of oil.If anything money will be lost and nothing gained.
A free Iraq will create an oil glut dropping the price of oil.If anything money will be lost and nothing gained.
"France,Germany and Russia had have been making deals with Saddam in the past helping him build WMD"
And Dick Cheney and Halliburton didn't?
....Loki?
Was it not a company associated with Neil Bush that was slant drilling from Kuwait into Iraq prior to the conflict that led to the U.S. approved invasion of Kuwait?
Loki?
Who used WMD to destroy the Iraqi water treatment capabilites resulting in the murder of at least 500,,000 Iraqi children?
Loki?
Who overthrew the democratically elected government of Iran in 1953?
Loki?
Who gave you the right to determine who can defend themselves?
And Dick Cheney and Halliburton didn't?
....Loki?
Was it not a company associated with Neil Bush that was slant drilling from Kuwait into Iraq prior to the conflict that led to the U.S. approved invasion of Kuwait?
Loki?
Who used WMD to destroy the Iraqi water treatment capabilites resulting in the murder of at least 500,,000 Iraqi children?
Loki?
Who overthrew the democratically elected government of Iran in 1953?
Loki?
Who gave you the right to determine who can defend themselves?
Whenever good questions arise, a fraud arrives with appeal to ridicule.
repeat:
printable version anti-war news
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STOP THIS WAR – SUPPORT THE UKS HUMAN SHIELD MISSION TO IRAQ
by Ken Nichols O’Keefe • Thursday December 26, 2002 at 11:54 AM
uksociety [at] hotmail.com
Are you a person who sees the world going terribly wrong? Are you unable to devote your life to worthy causes you feel most passionate about? Then please look at this proposal, those of us who are able and willing need your support to stop this war that threatens to launch World War III.
huma-shield-12-26-02.jpg, JPG image, 550x225
U.S. Gulf War Vet Calls for Support for the Universal Kinship Societies Human Shield Mission to Iraq
Strategy
It is the intent of the Universal Kinship Society to purchase or acquire a bus that can carry as many as 40-50 people to Iraq in order to act as “Human Shields.” This bus will be used to transport volunteers to and from Iraq and later used for similar missions to Palestine and/or Chechnya after the Iraq campaign. The strategy being to carry peoples (especially Western people) to “hotspots” where war and oppression dominate. This “Direct Action” is intended to prevent further crimes and highlight global complicity with these crimes by our (Western) governments. Voting and recycling is clearly not enough, so those of us who truly care can now join this action and employ the same principles Gandhi employed to defeat the tyrannical British Empire. Our strategy is ambitious and potentially dangerous but in our opinion valid and necessary if we are truly seeking a better world. Our hope is that our numbers (power) will grow as our mission(s) become well known and successful. What is most important is that we try and try intelligently to stop war, Gandhi is the example that we will refer to most. Ultimately the goal is to spread Western lives around the planet, which would go a long way to eliminating war as such an easy option for tyrants. It will also serve to provide ambassadors of peace from the West so that non-Westerners understand that despite the policies of our governments, we see ourselves as brothers and sisters in the human family. It is up to us, as the originator of this action I give my word that I will pursue these goals even if it means that I am to lose my life. I cannot make any greater commitment than that and I am not alone, what we need is the resources to compliment our determination.
Budget
The costs associated with our Human Shield Mission to Iraq are fluid and impossible to pinpoint at this moment. This is true because we cannot know at this organizational stage how many people will participate, and therefore the size of the vehicle(s) needed, and the food required to feed our volunteers. So the following budget is an estimate that strives to be realistic first and foremost. It is important to note that any funds remaining are to be used to provide direct humanitarian aid to the Iraqi people with no middleman whatsoever, in other words the money will go directly to the cause.
Travel Costs (Necessary)
I know that we can obtain a bus that will suit our needs for as little as 3000-6000 Euro. Of course with more funds we could acquire a better (more reliable) bus, but our primary concern is to get the least expensive bus that can do the job we require. Fuel costs are estimated to be under 1500 Euro. This is based on a 5000-kilometer journey from London to Baghdad via several European cities along the way. We are hopeful that we can find a volunteer who is a licensed bus driver and that is being pursued but if we are unable to find a driver we will later budget at least 1000 Euro. Food costs are only for the journey, once in Iraq food will be supplied for volunteers. Food costs are therefore minimal. Based on 5 Euro per day per person for a two week period the cost per 20 volunteers will be 1400 Euro. But this should be reduced further as we can expect donated food to the point that our food costs will be greatly reduced.
Desired Items
GSM Phone with International Service. Cost is 100 Euro per month, 1 Euro per minute for incoming minutes, 2 Euro per minute for outgoing minutes anywhere in the world. Lap top and Data service is also available and this will allow access to critical contacts such as international media and others. I for one will be on the streets if/when the bombing and invasion occur and I will give instant reports of what is going on. Not only will this communication ability be useful for reporting purposes but also for safeties sake it could save lives. Therefore this phone(s) is quite critical and could easily be listed as a Necessary Item instead of “Desired.” But first and foremost is to get there, so it is listed accordingly.
Late Model Laptop Computer (1200-2000 Euro). As a webmaster myself I will also be posting daily updates to our website (http://www.uksociety.org) if the ability to do so exists. We need a laptop for this and also to keep lower cost communication (email) with those in the world who are supporting our action. Also a very important item.
Three Chip Digital Camera (2500 Euro). I have a lesser quality digital camera but its abilities in low light is not desirable, aside from this I would rather use it as a backup. Things can go wrong with cameras and it is always wise to have a backup. We may have professional journalists/filmmakers with us, in fact this has been proposed by at least two such parties and may easily become more. However, it is still wise for us to have our own documentary abilities so there will be no relevant information “edited” out of the story.
Misc
As with all things in life, things go wrong, unexpected costs arise and therefore it is wise to have some funds in reserve. I believe that 1000 Euro is the minimal amount we should carry for this purpose on this action.
Totals
Travel Costs 5900-8900 Euro
GSM Phone with International Service 600-1000 Euro (two months)
Late Model Laptop Computer 1200-2000 Euro
Three Chip Digital Camera 2500 Euro
Misc 1000-2000 Euro
Total Expenses (Necessary) 6900-10900 Euro
Total Expenses (Desired) 12200-18400 Euro
Additionally, the Universal Kinship Society is a tax-exempt non-profit organization with a status classification of 509(a) (1) under the Internal Revenue Code of the United States. I am the acting president of the Universal Kinship Society so I am therefore in a legal position to accept funds and provide receipt of said funds. Under U.S. law all donations from U.S. citizens are tax-exempt therefore any donation will be deducted from your federal tax debt at the end of the tax year. As of this moment I do not know the laws of European nations with regard to tax exemptions but I would be extremely surprised if a donation to our organization is not at least partially a tax write off. Of course some of you may want to donate anonymously, if that be the case everybody will have their privacy honored.
For The Record - The Universal Kinship Society was set up to produce documentaries about ethical and ecological movements around the world from an “active participant” perspective. Accordingly, all of the donations we receive will be used for that purpose.
At this point international press including the London Times and Guardian are publishing stories and considering sending their own journalists on our mission. Independent media are being notified around the world and we have only just begun our preparations. More and more people are contacting to volunteer or support each day and I am eminently confident that this action will be more than just inspirational, I intend to see it grow to its full potential. Considering how much money is going into bureaucratically controlled efforts I would argue that this action is an admirable investment with direct returns that few such efforts could hope to provide. I and others honestly believe that this type of Direct Action in mass, has every capacity to stop all the wars we may be facing. Once again, I would refer to Gandhi, who would have thought his non-violent principles could have achieved what they did.
It is my deep hope that those of you who see the worth of this action will contribute immediately. As much as I do not care about money it is necessary for life in this world and certainly for the action we commit ourselves outlined above. Please contact us immediately if you have any questions at 31(0)6 2220 4574 (Holland) or by email at uksociety [at] hotmail.com.
Sincerely,
Ken Nichols O’Keefe
Universal Kinship Society
Universal Kinship Society information:
Employer Identification Number 99-0344439
DLN Number 17053295007049
Foundation Status Classification 509(a) (1)
Donations Made Out To The Universal Kinship Society & Sent To:
MR DRS P.B.PH.M BOGAERS
ATTN; Ken Nichols O'Keefe
Schakelstede 1-3
3431 HB Nieuwegein
Netherlands
It is imperative that these funds are received by immediately or by January 18th at the very latest.
Latest News on Human Shield Mission Iraq
By Ken Nichols O’Keefe email – uksociety [at] hotmail.com phone Holland 31(0)6 2220 4574
Plan of Action as of Dec. 26
If you are ready to join our action we need to have your information that is required for Iraqi visas. Approval for our Human Shield Mission into Iraq has been obtained by Iraqi officials. Having said that I say categorically that our action is not in support or supported by the Iraqi Government. This action was initiated by people who reject war and feel strongly enough about this that they are willing to risk their own safety in defense of innocent Iraqi lives. If you are ready to commit we need to have your full name, date of birth and nationality for the visa and we need this immediately.
We request that each one of you also write a short (or longer) statement as to why you are joining this action. This is requested in the interest of negating the inevitable accusations that in doing this we are supporting Saddam Hussein, of course that is patently ridiculous but we cannot completely stop corporate media from saying it. Please take the time to do this, then we can expose corporate media for what they are if they try to falsely associate our action with Saddam Hussein. After doing this (only if you approve) we will post these statements on the Universal Kinship Society website (http://www.uksociety.org). We will also have a written form that is mandatory for each person to sign that declares whether they are involved in investigations or associated with in any way such agencies as the CIA or other “intelligence” agencies. If you are, YOUR ARE NOT WELCOME! We cannot stop such cowards from seeking to infiltrate a good cause such as ours but we can prove them to be the criminal liars and killers that they all too often are.
Thus far British, Spanish, Canadian, American and Dutch media are posting our action and we just began the organizing little more than one week ago. I am getting contact from major corporate media such as the London Times and Guardian as well as independent media and they want to talk with you (if you are committed to joining this action). If you are willing to talk with them then call me or email me immediately.
If you are not willing to commit you can still very much help us on our mission, PLEASE DO! Contact everyone you know on your email list and post your view of our mission on IndyMedia. Contact NGO’s and ask if they will post notices on their email lists and if they can help fund this action. We desperately need a bus and quite possibly busses. We need organizers, we need fundraisers, we need medical supplies and clothing (for the Iraqi people), we need all the help we can get!
As things stand right now our departure date is tentatively set for January 18, 2003 from London, but this is subject to change due to the evolving situation. We plan to travel through Europe via London, Brussels Amsterdam, Paris, Dachau Concentration Camp, Zurich, Milan, Sarajevo, Istanbul, and Halab and ultimately to Baghdad. We may very well need/choose to add or delete cities along the way again depending on the situation at the time, our main concern is to get there before any war begins but at the same time we want maximum participation and awareness. All things going as planned we will conduct brief rallies and pick up more Human Shield volunteers along the way. If you know people in these cities we desperately need organizers to set up a meeting point and rally for each city. We also need liaisons back in the West to monitor our efforts and post updates on websites and with IndyMedia. This support base is critical to the effectiveness of our mission.
Once in Baghdad we will strategically place ourselves with the most vulnerable people such as families and children, hospitals, etc. Iraqi people and government are overwhelmingly supportive of this for obvious reasons. Everyone will of course ultimately determine where he or she will be once in Iraq so those who are willing to take greater risks can do so while others will do as they feel, everyone will be respected in being there period.
As an ex-U.S. Marine who “fought” in the 1st Gulf War I feel a special need to do more than probably most, while in Iraq I intend to visit victims of depleted uranium and the economic sanctions. I will be documenting this on video to make a short documentary. Anyone with documentary experience or other related skills is invited to join in this effort. Assuming the war does happen I once again feel a special need to document the treatment of Iraqis by the invading forces. This will be extremely dangerous and I expect nobody to participate in this unless they are extremely comfortable with their mortality. If you do want to participate in this you can let me know at any time.
When each person leaves Iraq is impossible to determine. For those who want to be able to leave at any time you must have the money to do this independently. We will however have transportation at some point where our presence is no longer useful or it becomes impossible to stay. Of course it is our desire/mission is to stop this war and protect innocent life. So as long as we serve to prevent war and death we should be committed to staying. For those who have definite time limits of course that is fine.
The organization and effectiveness of this mission will depend on all of us who participate. Those of you who are serious need to call/email me now, the organizational realities are overwhelming without support and that is a job we call all contribute to right now.
I am honored to be in the company of people who will take the steps that you are. I would rather be with you and the Iraqi people at this pivotal time in history than with anyone else. I am inspired by your commitment and I am sure that I will be making many dear friends. I am extremely thankful to you all.
Thank you all once again.
Peace Love Aloha,
Ken Nichols O’Keefe
http://www.uksociety.org
add your comments
Don't wait, do it now!
by Tom Ammiano • Monday January 06, 2003 at 08:41 PM
If you'd rather not wait for the chance that there might be an armed conflict in Iraq, you can volunteer to be a human shield against aggression today, in Israel.
It's more comfortable too, because you can just ride a bus or go to a market instead of finding a weapons site to sit around at all day.
add your comments
Be c areful in isreal
by Radian • Monday January 06, 2003 at 08:55 PM
Be sure you stay in a city holy to Arabs. Like jeruselem. Saddam might just nuke haifa. It has no importance to them. Just picture the last war, scuds are innacurate second rate pieces of shit but with 1 megaton or a little vx how accurate do you need to be? If any nukes, bugs, or drugs come in to play I think Saddam will take as many jews with him as he can.
Have a nice visit. Ps avoid malls, bus stations, or anywhere you can get splattered by some guy trying to line up a 72 way gang bang in the after life..
add your comments
the funny thing is
by dumb muslims • Monday January 06, 2003 at 09:10 PM
when those muslims idiots blow themselves up, they scatter their bits all over. no body left to enjoy 72 virgins.
plus, fornication is a human earthly thing. Spirits if there is a spirit in us, have no need to fornicate in heaven, much less drink 'rivers of wine' and eat from 'boughs laden with fruits'. The 'pearly boys' in Mohammed's heaven might appeal to the gay community, but that brings back the question of spiritual fornication. Mohammed was just a delusional phycopath, anyone who looked at the koran, and spent time studying it like I did, would know this. Seems most muslims don't even read their own book though.
it's nothing but a blood cult.
add your comments
Martyr For Sadaam
by Chuckles • Monday January 06, 2003 at 09:43 PM
Brahahahahahaha!!!!!
Canadian peace activist killed in car accident in Iraq
Monday, January 6, 2003
(01-06) 20:36 PST TORONTO (AP) --
A Canadian peace activist stationed in southern Iraq was killed Monday in a car crash apparently caused by a blown tire.
Two American members of the Chicago-based Christian Peacemaker Teams were hospitalized for injuries including a broken nose and broken ribs, according to a statement issued by the group's Toronto office.
The activists were scheduled to leave Iraq on Thursday after a mission that began in October.
Killed was George Weber, 73, of Chesley, Ontario, while the injured were Michele Naar-Obed of Duluth, Minn., and Charlie Jackson of San Antonio, Texas, the statement said. Naar was later released from hospital.
Jim Loney, another Canadian activist who was in the car but not seriously injured, said the rear left tire "sort of exploded" as the car was on a six-lane highway in clear conditions north of Basrah.
The vehicle rolled at least once and came to rest on its roof, Loney said. Weber was sitting in the back seat and was thrown from the vehicle, dying instantly, he said.
Doug Pritchard, Canada coordinator for the group, said the cause of the crash was being investigated.
The organization trains nonviolence volunteers to intervene in conflict zones.
add your comments
Please Send Human Shield
by Ahmad • Monday January 06, 2003 at 09:56 PM
They have killed over 120,000 of us - why is no human shield coming to help. Shame on you selfish people.
ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) -- Assailants shot to death a mayor and his top aide, part of a surge in violence this weekend by Algeria's Islamic militants, national radio reported Monday.
Hassan Ghazaili, mayor of Chetaibi, about 600 kilometers (370 miles) east of Algiers, and his assistant, Hassan Ayadi, were gunned down Sunday at a roadblock, the report said. The gunmen set fire to their bodies and the car and fled.
Two others, a driver and another mayoral assistant, were injured in the highway attack, radio reported.
In a separate killing, a soldier was killed by a bomb explosion Sunday near Ain Defla, 145 kilometers (90 miles) west of the capital, El Watan newspaper said. Five other soldiers were injured.
More than 120,000 people have been killed in more than a decade of civil strife in Algeria, where Islamic militants have staged massacres against civilians, soldiers and officials since they were shut of out parliamentary elections in 1992.
The army has been hunting down rebels who refused to turn in their arms in a government-sponsored amnesty program, and officials have claimed the violence has been brought largely under control in the past few years.
Two massive attacks this weekend dealt a blow to their claims.
Some 43 soldiers were reported killed in an ambush Saturday, the deadliest assault suffered by the Algerian military in at least five years. In another attack, Islamic militants killed 13 people from two families, reports said.
Liberte newspaper reported that the attack on the military was carried out by the Salafist Group for Call and Combat, or GSPC. The GSPC is on a U.S. list of terrorist organizations and reportedly has links with Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida terror network.
Without citing sources or providing further details, the newspaper said several foreigners affiliated with al-Qaida had been working with the group.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/01/06/algeria.violence.ap/
add your comments
Rubber man
by Dr. Laura • Monday January 06, 2003 at 11:12 PM
Truck loads of Shields, the only protection that may actually do any good for the Iraqis and the people around. Or, if you do insist on becoming a human one, simply slide one over your head now and spare the travel expense.
add your comments
THE WAR
by GET REAL • Tuesday January 07, 2003 at 01:44 PM
Don't like the idea of a war? Who does? You may not like changing dirty diapers, either. But every now and then it HAS to be done to clean up the mess because you cannot just leave it.
add your comments
Simple
by Simple Simon • Tuesday January 07, 2003 at 04:49 PM
If you are concerned about war and killing, and want them to cease, why not mobilize a band of human shields to ride every bus every day for the next year in Jerusalem? My guess is that you won't be doing so any time soon, and the reason is you know that the United States and Israel go to extraordinary lengths to ensure no innocents are killed while your beloved Hamas and Islamic Jihad and Saddam Hussein go to extraordinary lengths to ensure as many innocents as possible are killed.
add your comments
Better still
by bov • Tuesday January 07, 2003 at 05:03 PM
"If you are concerned about war and killing, and want them to cease, why not mobilize a band of human shields to ride every bus every day for the next year in Jerusalem? "
We do something similar - we pay them billions of our tax dollars. The foreign workers already paid with their lives. We aren't giving billions to Palestine or Iraq.
But I'd suggest a better idea: mobilize more Americans to cut funding to Israel as long as Sharon is in power and once he's out and the settlements are declared illegal and dismantled, the killing will stop.
add your comments
miss
by irene saunders • Tuesday January 14, 2003 at 03:55 AM
hairfairys [at] hotmail.com
just wanted to wish you good luck, the people of the uk dont support this war and hopefully u should get alot of support,i hope you inspire people to follow your lead,i cant offer anything other than good wishes and say thankyou for being a voice on behalf of all the people who oppose war .irene
add your comments
Appeasement doesn't work
by Arafat is a terrorist • Wednesday January 15, 2003 at 12:55 PM
"once {Sharon} out and the settlements are declared illegal and dismantled, the killing will stop.
What about the right to return for the so called Arab "refugees" that haven't been assimilated into any other Muslim nation. You know the same sticking point that Arafat used to stall the last peace attempt. Even is Israel did dismantle the settlements, (which it should at some point) the killings will continue; only the so called excuses will chase.
add your comments
Two rocks with one stone
by Everyone sign up • Wednesday January 15, 2003 at 01:00 PM
Hurry up, you peace nut activsts, the war is going to start in less than a month. I hope as much of you as possible get to Iraq, so when I am watching my Gulf War 2, on CNN each time I see Iraqi site destoryed, I will also no one of you anti-war scum was wiped off the face of the world.
add your comments
A comment by "Mark Williams" was hidden
by one of the editors • Wednesday January 15, 2003 at 01:04 PM
No, Mark, you cannot advertise your rightwing propaganda site here, not for free, not for money, not at all. Go away.
add your comments
free book on Christian objection to military service
by Dan Shubin • Friday January 17, 2003 at 03:48 PM
peacechurch [at] jps.net
Now is the time to terminate war and military aggression and only the Christian church can do it as our obligation to the founder of our religion, Jesus of Nazareth, Messiah of Israel and the Son of the Living God.
Peace Church Challenge is a ministry dedicated to return Christianity back to its Apostolic roots by turning churches and denominations toward religious objection to war and military aggression. Visit the website:
http://www.peacehost.net/peacechurch
For a free copy of the book Conflict of Ages, email your name and address to peacechurch [at] jps.net
http://www.peacehost.net/peacechurch
add your comments
Mr
by Steven Brunner • Tuesday January 21, 2003 at 08:20 PM
sbrunner [at] viaccess.net
Where were the human shields when saddam was murdering the kurds with his
chemical weapon's?...not such a hot idea then eh?
what would be really funny is if saddam lined you all up and shot you on live t.v. Do you think he's not capable or willing to if it suits his need?
steven
add your comments
DEAR KEN
by H.K. KREUTZFELD • Sunday January 26, 2003 at 01:21 AM
GO TO HELL
add your comments
Human
by HumansForProgression • Sunday January 26, 2003 at 01:24 PM
onestep2evolve [at] aol.com
First let me applaud Mr. Nichols and his group. The courage and intelligence being displayed are wonderful. What Americans specifically need to understand is that these wars are avoidable and should be avoided. The World Wars were fought to stop an aggressive regime which was bent on dominating a region. The proof was there before action was taken. While Mr. Hussein is guilty of attrocious acts against humanity there is no proof that he is bent on dominating a region outside of Iraq. Though he quite possible would like to do this, he just doesn't have the resources. YES, his regime needs to be changed. NO, a war is not the way to do it. Instead of increasing the suffering of the innocent, i.e. Iraqi civilians, Allied soldiers, why can't a government as powerful as the United State's, with the incredible resources that it has, find a better solution? I'm afraid this war is about greed, politics, and hidden agendas, i.e. inane attempts at reducing environmental controls and affirmative action. Let's all follow Mr. Nichols example and do somthing to stop this insanity. People, evolution NOT regression
add your comments
peace is about greed too
by Loki • Sunday January 26, 2003 at 04:05 PM
France,Germany and Russia had have been making deals with Saddam in the past helping him build WMD for thier own profits.In fact when Saddam invaded Kuwait he offered to sell his oil at a fair and reasonalbe price.Also the sanctions against Iraq help the other gulf states sell thier oil without Iraqi compatition.
A free Iraq will create an oil glut dropping the price of oil.If anything money will be lost and nothing gained.
add your comments
Grand Hypocrisy of the Reich
by ®eich turn™ • Sunday January 26, 2003 at 04:30 PM
rummyhussein.jpgi83396.jpg, JPG image, 468x240
"France,Germany and Russia had have been making deals with Saddam in the past helping him build WMD"
And Dick Cheney and Halliburton didn't?
....Loki?
Was it not a company associated with Neil Bush that was slant drilling from Kuwait into Iraq prior to the conflict that led to the U.S. approved invasion of Kuwait?
Loki?
Who used WMD to destroy the Iraqi water treatment capabilites resulting in the murder of at least 500,,000 Iraqi children?
Loki?
Who overthrew the democratically elected government of Iran in 1953?
Loki?
repeat:
printable version anti-war news
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STOP THIS WAR – SUPPORT THE UKS HUMAN SHIELD MISSION TO IRAQ
by Ken Nichols O’Keefe • Thursday December 26, 2002 at 11:54 AM
uksociety [at] hotmail.com
Are you a person who sees the world going terribly wrong? Are you unable to devote your life to worthy causes you feel most passionate about? Then please look at this proposal, those of us who are able and willing need your support to stop this war that threatens to launch World War III.
huma-shield-12-26-02.jpg, JPG image, 550x225
U.S. Gulf War Vet Calls for Support for the Universal Kinship Societies Human Shield Mission to Iraq
Strategy
It is the intent of the Universal Kinship Society to purchase or acquire a bus that can carry as many as 40-50 people to Iraq in order to act as “Human Shields.” This bus will be used to transport volunteers to and from Iraq and later used for similar missions to Palestine and/or Chechnya after the Iraq campaign. The strategy being to carry peoples (especially Western people) to “hotspots” where war and oppression dominate. This “Direct Action” is intended to prevent further crimes and highlight global complicity with these crimes by our (Western) governments. Voting and recycling is clearly not enough, so those of us who truly care can now join this action and employ the same principles Gandhi employed to defeat the tyrannical British Empire. Our strategy is ambitious and potentially dangerous but in our opinion valid and necessary if we are truly seeking a better world. Our hope is that our numbers (power) will grow as our mission(s) become well known and successful. What is most important is that we try and try intelligently to stop war, Gandhi is the example that we will refer to most. Ultimately the goal is to spread Western lives around the planet, which would go a long way to eliminating war as such an easy option for tyrants. It will also serve to provide ambassadors of peace from the West so that non-Westerners understand that despite the policies of our governments, we see ourselves as brothers and sisters in the human family. It is up to us, as the originator of this action I give my word that I will pursue these goals even if it means that I am to lose my life. I cannot make any greater commitment than that and I am not alone, what we need is the resources to compliment our determination.
Budget
The costs associated with our Human Shield Mission to Iraq are fluid and impossible to pinpoint at this moment. This is true because we cannot know at this organizational stage how many people will participate, and therefore the size of the vehicle(s) needed, and the food required to feed our volunteers. So the following budget is an estimate that strives to be realistic first and foremost. It is important to note that any funds remaining are to be used to provide direct humanitarian aid to the Iraqi people with no middleman whatsoever, in other words the money will go directly to the cause.
Travel Costs (Necessary)
I know that we can obtain a bus that will suit our needs for as little as 3000-6000 Euro. Of course with more funds we could acquire a better (more reliable) bus, but our primary concern is to get the least expensive bus that can do the job we require. Fuel costs are estimated to be under 1500 Euro. This is based on a 5000-kilometer journey from London to Baghdad via several European cities along the way. We are hopeful that we can find a volunteer who is a licensed bus driver and that is being pursued but if we are unable to find a driver we will later budget at least 1000 Euro. Food costs are only for the journey, once in Iraq food will be supplied for volunteers. Food costs are therefore minimal. Based on 5 Euro per day per person for a two week period the cost per 20 volunteers will be 1400 Euro. But this should be reduced further as we can expect donated food to the point that our food costs will be greatly reduced.
Desired Items
GSM Phone with International Service. Cost is 100 Euro per month, 1 Euro per minute for incoming minutes, 2 Euro per minute for outgoing minutes anywhere in the world. Lap top and Data service is also available and this will allow access to critical contacts such as international media and others. I for one will be on the streets if/when the bombing and invasion occur and I will give instant reports of what is going on. Not only will this communication ability be useful for reporting purposes but also for safeties sake it could save lives. Therefore this phone(s) is quite critical and could easily be listed as a Necessary Item instead of “Desired.” But first and foremost is to get there, so it is listed accordingly.
Late Model Laptop Computer (1200-2000 Euro). As a webmaster myself I will also be posting daily updates to our website (http://www.uksociety.org) if the ability to do so exists. We need a laptop for this and also to keep lower cost communication (email) with those in the world who are supporting our action. Also a very important item.
Three Chip Digital Camera (2500 Euro). I have a lesser quality digital camera but its abilities in low light is not desirable, aside from this I would rather use it as a backup. Things can go wrong with cameras and it is always wise to have a backup. We may have professional journalists/filmmakers with us, in fact this has been proposed by at least two such parties and may easily become more. However, it is still wise for us to have our own documentary abilities so there will be no relevant information “edited” out of the story.
Misc
As with all things in life, things go wrong, unexpected costs arise and therefore it is wise to have some funds in reserve. I believe that 1000 Euro is the minimal amount we should carry for this purpose on this action.
Totals
Travel Costs 5900-8900 Euro
GSM Phone with International Service 600-1000 Euro (two months)
Late Model Laptop Computer 1200-2000 Euro
Three Chip Digital Camera 2500 Euro
Misc 1000-2000 Euro
Total Expenses (Necessary) 6900-10900 Euro
Total Expenses (Desired) 12200-18400 Euro
Additionally, the Universal Kinship Society is a tax-exempt non-profit organization with a status classification of 509(a) (1) under the Internal Revenue Code of the United States. I am the acting president of the Universal Kinship Society so I am therefore in a legal position to accept funds and provide receipt of said funds. Under U.S. law all donations from U.S. citizens are tax-exempt therefore any donation will be deducted from your federal tax debt at the end of the tax year. As of this moment I do not know the laws of European nations with regard to tax exemptions but I would be extremely surprised if a donation to our organization is not at least partially a tax write off. Of course some of you may want to donate anonymously, if that be the case everybody will have their privacy honored.
For The Record - The Universal Kinship Society was set up to produce documentaries about ethical and ecological movements around the world from an “active participant” perspective. Accordingly, all of the donations we receive will be used for that purpose.
At this point international press including the London Times and Guardian are publishing stories and considering sending their own journalists on our mission. Independent media are being notified around the world and we have only just begun our preparations. More and more people are contacting to volunteer or support each day and I am eminently confident that this action will be more than just inspirational, I intend to see it grow to its full potential. Considering how much money is going into bureaucratically controlled efforts I would argue that this action is an admirable investment with direct returns that few such efforts could hope to provide. I and others honestly believe that this type of Direct Action in mass, has every capacity to stop all the wars we may be facing. Once again, I would refer to Gandhi, who would have thought his non-violent principles could have achieved what they did.
It is my deep hope that those of you who see the worth of this action will contribute immediately. As much as I do not care about money it is necessary for life in this world and certainly for the action we commit ourselves outlined above. Please contact us immediately if you have any questions at 31(0)6 2220 4574 (Holland) or by email at uksociety [at] hotmail.com.
Sincerely,
Ken Nichols O’Keefe
Universal Kinship Society
Universal Kinship Society information:
Employer Identification Number 99-0344439
DLN Number 17053295007049
Foundation Status Classification 509(a) (1)
Donations Made Out To The Universal Kinship Society & Sent To:
MR DRS P.B.PH.M BOGAERS
ATTN; Ken Nichols O'Keefe
Schakelstede 1-3
3431 HB Nieuwegein
Netherlands
It is imperative that these funds are received by immediately or by January 18th at the very latest.
Latest News on Human Shield Mission Iraq
By Ken Nichols O’Keefe email – uksociety [at] hotmail.com phone Holland 31(0)6 2220 4574
Plan of Action as of Dec. 26
If you are ready to join our action we need to have your information that is required for Iraqi visas. Approval for our Human Shield Mission into Iraq has been obtained by Iraqi officials. Having said that I say categorically that our action is not in support or supported by the Iraqi Government. This action was initiated by people who reject war and feel strongly enough about this that they are willing to risk their own safety in defense of innocent Iraqi lives. If you are ready to commit we need to have your full name, date of birth and nationality for the visa and we need this immediately.
We request that each one of you also write a short (or longer) statement as to why you are joining this action. This is requested in the interest of negating the inevitable accusations that in doing this we are supporting Saddam Hussein, of course that is patently ridiculous but we cannot completely stop corporate media from saying it. Please take the time to do this, then we can expose corporate media for what they are if they try to falsely associate our action with Saddam Hussein. After doing this (only if you approve) we will post these statements on the Universal Kinship Society website (http://www.uksociety.org). We will also have a written form that is mandatory for each person to sign that declares whether they are involved in investigations or associated with in any way such agencies as the CIA or other “intelligence” agencies. If you are, YOUR ARE NOT WELCOME! We cannot stop such cowards from seeking to infiltrate a good cause such as ours but we can prove them to be the criminal liars and killers that they all too often are.
Thus far British, Spanish, Canadian, American and Dutch media are posting our action and we just began the organizing little more than one week ago. I am getting contact from major corporate media such as the London Times and Guardian as well as independent media and they want to talk with you (if you are committed to joining this action). If you are willing to talk with them then call me or email me immediately.
If you are not willing to commit you can still very much help us on our mission, PLEASE DO! Contact everyone you know on your email list and post your view of our mission on IndyMedia. Contact NGO’s and ask if they will post notices on their email lists and if they can help fund this action. We desperately need a bus and quite possibly busses. We need organizers, we need fundraisers, we need medical supplies and clothing (for the Iraqi people), we need all the help we can get!
As things stand right now our departure date is tentatively set for January 18, 2003 from London, but this is subject to change due to the evolving situation. We plan to travel through Europe via London, Brussels Amsterdam, Paris, Dachau Concentration Camp, Zurich, Milan, Sarajevo, Istanbul, and Halab and ultimately to Baghdad. We may very well need/choose to add or delete cities along the way again depending on the situation at the time, our main concern is to get there before any war begins but at the same time we want maximum participation and awareness. All things going as planned we will conduct brief rallies and pick up more Human Shield volunteers along the way. If you know people in these cities we desperately need organizers to set up a meeting point and rally for each city. We also need liaisons back in the West to monitor our efforts and post updates on websites and with IndyMedia. This support base is critical to the effectiveness of our mission.
Once in Baghdad we will strategically place ourselves with the most vulnerable people such as families and children, hospitals, etc. Iraqi people and government are overwhelmingly supportive of this for obvious reasons. Everyone will of course ultimately determine where he or she will be once in Iraq so those who are willing to take greater risks can do so while others will do as they feel, everyone will be respected in being there period.
As an ex-U.S. Marine who “fought” in the 1st Gulf War I feel a special need to do more than probably most, while in Iraq I intend to visit victims of depleted uranium and the economic sanctions. I will be documenting this on video to make a short documentary. Anyone with documentary experience or other related skills is invited to join in this effort. Assuming the war does happen I once again feel a special need to document the treatment of Iraqis by the invading forces. This will be extremely dangerous and I expect nobody to participate in this unless they are extremely comfortable with their mortality. If you do want to participate in this you can let me know at any time.
When each person leaves Iraq is impossible to determine. For those who want to be able to leave at any time you must have the money to do this independently. We will however have transportation at some point where our presence is no longer useful or it becomes impossible to stay. Of course it is our desire/mission is to stop this war and protect innocent life. So as long as we serve to prevent war and death we should be committed to staying. For those who have definite time limits of course that is fine.
The organization and effectiveness of this mission will depend on all of us who participate. Those of you who are serious need to call/email me now, the organizational realities are overwhelming without support and that is a job we call all contribute to right now.
I am honored to be in the company of people who will take the steps that you are. I would rather be with you and the Iraqi people at this pivotal time in history than with anyone else. I am inspired by your commitment and I am sure that I will be making many dear friends. I am extremely thankful to you all.
Thank you all once again.
Peace Love Aloha,
Ken Nichols O’Keefe
http://www.uksociety.org
add your comments
Don't wait, do it now!
by Tom Ammiano • Monday January 06, 2003 at 08:41 PM
If you'd rather not wait for the chance that there might be an armed conflict in Iraq, you can volunteer to be a human shield against aggression today, in Israel.
It's more comfortable too, because you can just ride a bus or go to a market instead of finding a weapons site to sit around at all day.
add your comments
Be c areful in isreal
by Radian • Monday January 06, 2003 at 08:55 PM
Be sure you stay in a city holy to Arabs. Like jeruselem. Saddam might just nuke haifa. It has no importance to them. Just picture the last war, scuds are innacurate second rate pieces of shit but with 1 megaton or a little vx how accurate do you need to be? If any nukes, bugs, or drugs come in to play I think Saddam will take as many jews with him as he can.
Have a nice visit. Ps avoid malls, bus stations, or anywhere you can get splattered by some guy trying to line up a 72 way gang bang in the after life..
add your comments
the funny thing is
by dumb muslims • Monday January 06, 2003 at 09:10 PM
when those muslims idiots blow themselves up, they scatter their bits all over. no body left to enjoy 72 virgins.
plus, fornication is a human earthly thing. Spirits if there is a spirit in us, have no need to fornicate in heaven, much less drink 'rivers of wine' and eat from 'boughs laden with fruits'. The 'pearly boys' in Mohammed's heaven might appeal to the gay community, but that brings back the question of spiritual fornication. Mohammed was just a delusional phycopath, anyone who looked at the koran, and spent time studying it like I did, would know this. Seems most muslims don't even read their own book though.
it's nothing but a blood cult.
add your comments
Martyr For Sadaam
by Chuckles • Monday January 06, 2003 at 09:43 PM
Brahahahahahaha!!!!!
Canadian peace activist killed in car accident in Iraq
Monday, January 6, 2003
(01-06) 20:36 PST TORONTO (AP) --
A Canadian peace activist stationed in southern Iraq was killed Monday in a car crash apparently caused by a blown tire.
Two American members of the Chicago-based Christian Peacemaker Teams were hospitalized for injuries including a broken nose and broken ribs, according to a statement issued by the group's Toronto office.
The activists were scheduled to leave Iraq on Thursday after a mission that began in October.
Killed was George Weber, 73, of Chesley, Ontario, while the injured were Michele Naar-Obed of Duluth, Minn., and Charlie Jackson of San Antonio, Texas, the statement said. Naar was later released from hospital.
Jim Loney, another Canadian activist who was in the car but not seriously injured, said the rear left tire "sort of exploded" as the car was on a six-lane highway in clear conditions north of Basrah.
The vehicle rolled at least once and came to rest on its roof, Loney said. Weber was sitting in the back seat and was thrown from the vehicle, dying instantly, he said.
Doug Pritchard, Canada coordinator for the group, said the cause of the crash was being investigated.
The organization trains nonviolence volunteers to intervene in conflict zones.
add your comments
Please Send Human Shield
by Ahmad • Monday January 06, 2003 at 09:56 PM
They have killed over 120,000 of us - why is no human shield coming to help. Shame on you selfish people.
ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) -- Assailants shot to death a mayor and his top aide, part of a surge in violence this weekend by Algeria's Islamic militants, national radio reported Monday.
Hassan Ghazaili, mayor of Chetaibi, about 600 kilometers (370 miles) east of Algiers, and his assistant, Hassan Ayadi, were gunned down Sunday at a roadblock, the report said. The gunmen set fire to their bodies and the car and fled.
Two others, a driver and another mayoral assistant, were injured in the highway attack, radio reported.
In a separate killing, a soldier was killed by a bomb explosion Sunday near Ain Defla, 145 kilometers (90 miles) west of the capital, El Watan newspaper said. Five other soldiers were injured.
More than 120,000 people have been killed in more than a decade of civil strife in Algeria, where Islamic militants have staged massacres against civilians, soldiers and officials since they were shut of out parliamentary elections in 1992.
The army has been hunting down rebels who refused to turn in their arms in a government-sponsored amnesty program, and officials have claimed the violence has been brought largely under control in the past few years.
Two massive attacks this weekend dealt a blow to their claims.
Some 43 soldiers were reported killed in an ambush Saturday, the deadliest assault suffered by the Algerian military in at least five years. In another attack, Islamic militants killed 13 people from two families, reports said.
Liberte newspaper reported that the attack on the military was carried out by the Salafist Group for Call and Combat, or GSPC. The GSPC is on a U.S. list of terrorist organizations and reportedly has links with Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida terror network.
Without citing sources or providing further details, the newspaper said several foreigners affiliated with al-Qaida had been working with the group.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/01/06/algeria.violence.ap/
add your comments
Rubber man
by Dr. Laura • Monday January 06, 2003 at 11:12 PM
Truck loads of Shields, the only protection that may actually do any good for the Iraqis and the people around. Or, if you do insist on becoming a human one, simply slide one over your head now and spare the travel expense.
add your comments
THE WAR
by GET REAL • Tuesday January 07, 2003 at 01:44 PM
Don't like the idea of a war? Who does? You may not like changing dirty diapers, either. But every now and then it HAS to be done to clean up the mess because you cannot just leave it.
add your comments
Simple
by Simple Simon • Tuesday January 07, 2003 at 04:49 PM
If you are concerned about war and killing, and want them to cease, why not mobilize a band of human shields to ride every bus every day for the next year in Jerusalem? My guess is that you won't be doing so any time soon, and the reason is you know that the United States and Israel go to extraordinary lengths to ensure no innocents are killed while your beloved Hamas and Islamic Jihad and Saddam Hussein go to extraordinary lengths to ensure as many innocents as possible are killed.
add your comments
Better still
by bov • Tuesday January 07, 2003 at 05:03 PM
"If you are concerned about war and killing, and want them to cease, why not mobilize a band of human shields to ride every bus every day for the next year in Jerusalem? "
We do something similar - we pay them billions of our tax dollars. The foreign workers already paid with their lives. We aren't giving billions to Palestine or Iraq.
But I'd suggest a better idea: mobilize more Americans to cut funding to Israel as long as Sharon is in power and once he's out and the settlements are declared illegal and dismantled, the killing will stop.
add your comments
miss
by irene saunders • Tuesday January 14, 2003 at 03:55 AM
hairfairys [at] hotmail.com
just wanted to wish you good luck, the people of the uk dont support this war and hopefully u should get alot of support,i hope you inspire people to follow your lead,i cant offer anything other than good wishes and say thankyou for being a voice on behalf of all the people who oppose war .irene
add your comments
Appeasement doesn't work
by Arafat is a terrorist • Wednesday January 15, 2003 at 12:55 PM
"once {Sharon} out and the settlements are declared illegal and dismantled, the killing will stop.
What about the right to return for the so called Arab "refugees" that haven't been assimilated into any other Muslim nation. You know the same sticking point that Arafat used to stall the last peace attempt. Even is Israel did dismantle the settlements, (which it should at some point) the killings will continue; only the so called excuses will chase.
add your comments
Two rocks with one stone
by Everyone sign up • Wednesday January 15, 2003 at 01:00 PM
Hurry up, you peace nut activsts, the war is going to start in less than a month. I hope as much of you as possible get to Iraq, so when I am watching my Gulf War 2, on CNN each time I see Iraqi site destoryed, I will also no one of you anti-war scum was wiped off the face of the world.
add your comments
A comment by "Mark Williams" was hidden
by one of the editors • Wednesday January 15, 2003 at 01:04 PM
No, Mark, you cannot advertise your rightwing propaganda site here, not for free, not for money, not at all. Go away.
add your comments
free book on Christian objection to military service
by Dan Shubin • Friday January 17, 2003 at 03:48 PM
peacechurch [at] jps.net
Now is the time to terminate war and military aggression and only the Christian church can do it as our obligation to the founder of our religion, Jesus of Nazareth, Messiah of Israel and the Son of the Living God.
Peace Church Challenge is a ministry dedicated to return Christianity back to its Apostolic roots by turning churches and denominations toward religious objection to war and military aggression. Visit the website:
http://www.peacehost.net/peacechurch
For a free copy of the book Conflict of Ages, email your name and address to peacechurch [at] jps.net
http://www.peacehost.net/peacechurch
add your comments
Mr
by Steven Brunner • Tuesday January 21, 2003 at 08:20 PM
sbrunner [at] viaccess.net
Where were the human shields when saddam was murdering the kurds with his
chemical weapon's?...not such a hot idea then eh?
what would be really funny is if saddam lined you all up and shot you on live t.v. Do you think he's not capable or willing to if it suits his need?
steven
add your comments
DEAR KEN
by H.K. KREUTZFELD • Sunday January 26, 2003 at 01:21 AM
GO TO HELL
add your comments
Human
by HumansForProgression • Sunday January 26, 2003 at 01:24 PM
onestep2evolve [at] aol.com
First let me applaud Mr. Nichols and his group. The courage and intelligence being displayed are wonderful. What Americans specifically need to understand is that these wars are avoidable and should be avoided. The World Wars were fought to stop an aggressive regime which was bent on dominating a region. The proof was there before action was taken. While Mr. Hussein is guilty of attrocious acts against humanity there is no proof that he is bent on dominating a region outside of Iraq. Though he quite possible would like to do this, he just doesn't have the resources. YES, his regime needs to be changed. NO, a war is not the way to do it. Instead of increasing the suffering of the innocent, i.e. Iraqi civilians, Allied soldiers, why can't a government as powerful as the United State's, with the incredible resources that it has, find a better solution? I'm afraid this war is about greed, politics, and hidden agendas, i.e. inane attempts at reducing environmental controls and affirmative action. Let's all follow Mr. Nichols example and do somthing to stop this insanity. People, evolution NOT regression
add your comments
peace is about greed too
by Loki • Sunday January 26, 2003 at 04:05 PM
France,Germany and Russia had have been making deals with Saddam in the past helping him build WMD for thier own profits.In fact when Saddam invaded Kuwait he offered to sell his oil at a fair and reasonalbe price.Also the sanctions against Iraq help the other gulf states sell thier oil without Iraqi compatition.
A free Iraq will create an oil glut dropping the price of oil.If anything money will be lost and nothing gained.
add your comments
Grand Hypocrisy of the Reich
by ®eich turn™ • Sunday January 26, 2003 at 04:30 PM
rummyhussein.jpgi83396.jpg, JPG image, 468x240
"France,Germany and Russia had have been making deals with Saddam in the past helping him build WMD"
And Dick Cheney and Halliburton didn't?
....Loki?
Was it not a company associated with Neil Bush that was slant drilling from Kuwait into Iraq prior to the conflict that led to the U.S. approved invasion of Kuwait?
Loki?
Who used WMD to destroy the Iraqi water treatment capabilites resulting in the murder of at least 500,,000 Iraqi children?
Loki?
Who overthrew the democratically elected government of Iran in 1953?
Loki?
In response to those who assert that the Prophet Muhammed was a psychopath, violent etc., I urge those to read about the life story of the Prophet which will then place the reading of the Quran within its proper context. It is worth noting that the three main principles of the Quran are the Unity of God, the Last Day (being accountable for what we do and say is an amazingly scary thing, and helps explain why the Muslim faith is so uncompromising and direct) and Justice (social and economic). The latter idea of Justice is not immutable and work needs to be done to ensure the measure of justice propounded in Quranic times is identically reflected in every society and every time, i.e. just solutions and laws can differ between societies and times.
Finally, there are those who claim reward in heaven in form of 72 virgins: this whole issue revolves around the proper acceptance and dissemination of the history of the development of Islamic laws, of the sayings/practices of our Prophet; forgetting the precise heavenly rewards, martyrdom is still a sacrifice which will be recognised and those who die to save Jersulem and prevent the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians are surely martyrs.
Finally, there are those who claim reward in heaven in form of 72 virgins: this whole issue revolves around the proper acceptance and dissemination of the history of the development of Islamic laws, of the sayings/practices of our Prophet; forgetting the precise heavenly rewards, martyrdom is still a sacrifice which will be recognised and those who die to save Jersulem and prevent the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians are surely martyrs.
Brave peace activists,
I give all my respect for the needful actions as they will hopefully force/enable us all to confront the war from humanitarian aspect instead of political talking and another tv series watched on our warm and cosy sofas.
Violence raises violence, peace will not be achieved. The one who is suffering the most in the end will be you and me, the twist of violence will turn around.
The silent mass of innocent civilians.
I also hope to hear about your actions here in Finland, this far the main newspaper has written a short story of eleven activists going to Iraq (with you). The point of view seems to be suspicious as the activists might end up to be used in Hussein's propaganda.
Hope you all the best on your way to change the future!
I give all my respect for the needful actions as they will hopefully force/enable us all to confront the war from humanitarian aspect instead of political talking and another tv series watched on our warm and cosy sofas.
Violence raises violence, peace will not be achieved. The one who is suffering the most in the end will be you and me, the twist of violence will turn around.
The silent mass of innocent civilians.
I also hope to hear about your actions here in Finland, this far the main newspaper has written a short story of eleven activists going to Iraq (with you). The point of view seems to be suspicious as the activists might end up to be used in Hussein's propaganda.
Hope you all the best on your way to change the future!
Dear Mr O'Keefe,
I am deeply impressed with what you are suggesting to do and would be very interested in making a documenatry about it. I work at Angelika Productions in New York, a company which specialises in controversial films (http://www.angelikafilm.com). Please contact me at tbannister [at] angelikafilm.com as ur hotmail account is inaccessible!
Dear Mr O'Keefe,
I am deeply impressed with what you are suggesting to do and would be very interested in making a documenatry about it. I work at Angelika Productions in New York, a company which specialises in controversial films (http://www.angelikafilm.com). Please contact me at tbannister [at] angelikafilm.com as ur hotmail account is inaccessible!
Group of British "human Shields" Heads Home, Cites Safety Fears
The Associated Press
Published: Mar 2, 2003
LONDON (AP) - A dozen peace activists who went to Iraq to serve as human shields in the event of war returned home amid fears for their safety, a spokesman said Sunday.
The protesters were among a group of mostly European activists who drove from London to Baghdad in two double-decker buses last month, intending to guard civilian sites from a U.S.-led military attack.
Those who returned home had safety or financial concerns, spokesman Christiaan Biggs said. About a dozen British citizens were among several dozen human shields who remain in Baghdad.
"The aim was always a mass migration and if we had had five to ten thousand people here there would never be a war," he said. "We do not have those numbers."
Briggs told Britain's Press Association news agency that Iraq limited the sites that human shields could visit. "Now we are being told we cannot go to certain sites, such as hospitals, so we are reassessing our strategy," he said.
U.S. officials have said that it is a war crime to use civilians as human shields and that there's no way of guaranteeing their safety.
On Friday, the head of Sweden's largest peace organization urged human shields to leave Iraq, saying they were being used for propaganda purposes by Saddam Hussein.
Maria Ermanno, chairwoman of the Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society, cited reports that Iraqi officials were arranging transportation, accommodations and news conferences for the human shields.
"To go down to Iraq and live and act there on the regime's expense, then you're supporting a terrible dictator. I think that method is entirely wrong," Ermanno told Swedish Radio.
AP-ES-03-02-03 1027EST
The Associated Press
Published: Mar 2, 2003
LONDON (AP) - A dozen peace activists who went to Iraq to serve as human shields in the event of war returned home amid fears for their safety, a spokesman said Sunday.
The protesters were among a group of mostly European activists who drove from London to Baghdad in two double-decker buses last month, intending to guard civilian sites from a U.S.-led military attack.
Those who returned home had safety or financial concerns, spokesman Christiaan Biggs said. About a dozen British citizens were among several dozen human shields who remain in Baghdad.
"The aim was always a mass migration and if we had had five to ten thousand people here there would never be a war," he said. "We do not have those numbers."
Briggs told Britain's Press Association news agency that Iraq limited the sites that human shields could visit. "Now we are being told we cannot go to certain sites, such as hospitals, so we are reassessing our strategy," he said.
U.S. officials have said that it is a war crime to use civilians as human shields and that there's no way of guaranteeing their safety.
On Friday, the head of Sweden's largest peace organization urged human shields to leave Iraq, saying they were being used for propaganda purposes by Saddam Hussein.
Maria Ermanno, chairwoman of the Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society, cited reports that Iraqi officials were arranging transportation, accommodations and news conferences for the human shields.
"To go down to Iraq and live and act there on the regime's expense, then you're supporting a terrible dictator. I think that method is entirely wrong," Ermanno told Swedish Radio.
AP-ES-03-02-03 1027EST
...does that make them a terrible dictator?
Only a handful left.
I hope that after U.S. bombs kill Hussein and his cronies, the Iraqi people will hunt down and kill all those who supported his reign of terror, including the "human shields" who sought to protect him and his military forces.
They weren't protecting shit. They went because they're toddlers begging for attention. The cowards found out death was a very real possibility, and that Daddy Hussein didn't give a damn for their life. It's so funny how you take up for them, how you pathetically attempt to paint idiots as "noble". If you or they wanted to protect Iraqi people you would've been screaming about the human rights travesties of Iraq, but you're too busy shooting the messenger instead. Little girls getting drill bits run through them ain't worth your time, I guess.
Most of them are still there. When they are killed, it will be by Bush's order, not Saddam's. This doesn't make Saddam any less evil, but it is the fact of the matter.
Keep putting your idiot friends on a pedestal, no matter. The blood is NOT on Bush's hands, and only a fool desperately trying to keep a house of cards of HATE would grasp at such "logic'. Bush didn't tell them to go over there. In fact, they've had ample warning that their safety can't be guaranteed.
You ca't absolve idiots from all personal responsibility. But try again, if you want.
You ca't absolve idiots from all personal responsibility. But try again, if you want.
tens, perhaps hundreds, or thousands of innocent civilians will die. Most, but not all, will be Iraqis. Some will be human shields. Their blood is on Bush's hands, and on your's if you support him.
They've been dying by the thousands for years under Hussein, and you supposed human rights champions have been silent. You hate Bush more than you care for their lives, and would rather see America fail than succeed. Spare us your pious baloney. You people prefer innocents to die by torture so you can keep HATE for Bush alive. End of story.
okay - so it's antiwar protesters fault that Hussein is a dictator? Then I guess it's your fault that thousands of people are imprisoned in gulags in China pretty much equivalent to those of the USSR, and that Tibet is occupied, and there are horrible wars going on in Sierra Leone and the Congo, and people are dying of AIDS in SE asia, and Pakistan is ruled by a dictator, because we don't hear you complaining about these things or insisting that we invade these countries also. That's a pretty heavy weight on your conscience.
Wow. You're going to try and convince me that all of a sudden you care about the Congo or Sierra Leone, when you can't even show your support for the liberation of tortured Iraqis. You're very selective, don't you think?
Nice try, attempting to change the subject, but your HATE still shows.
Nice try, attempting to change the subject, but your HATE still shows.
They're not going to be "liberated." They are going to be slaughtered wholesale. Many, many times more people will die than Saddam has killed. The survivors will be enslaved under a different regime, one more willing to do Bush's bidding.
Hate for Bush keeps itself alive. The world despises this man and we can only expect them to take it out on innocent American civilians.
You're going to try and convince me that all of a sudden you care about the Iraqi Kurds, when you never cared about the Turkish Kurds, that all of a sudden you care about the Iraqi Shi'ites, when you never cared about the Iranian Shi'ites!?!
Give it up. We don't don't believe your crocodile tears. You're a frikkin hypocrite, and an embarrassment to every American. Do us all a favor. Die off. Quit wasting air.
Hate for Bush keeps itself alive. The world despises this man and we can only expect them to take it out on innocent American civilians.
You're going to try and convince me that all of a sudden you care about the Iraqi Kurds, when you never cared about the Turkish Kurds, that all of a sudden you care about the Iraqi Shi'ites, when you never cared about the Iranian Shi'ites!?!
Give it up. We don't don't believe your crocodile tears. You're a frikkin hypocrite, and an embarrassment to every American. Do us all a favor. Die off. Quit wasting air.
My oh my, so full of HATE. You want me to stop breathing? Are you a Bushie, by chance?
And as far as "innocent" American civilians, those complete idiots went there on their own, actively seeking trouble. And once again you enable people too stupid to take responsibility for their actions. Their deaths are nobodys fault but their own, and I won't feel one bit of guilt if they're blown to Hell. If you want, sob for them, moron. Waste everyones air doing it.
And as far as "innocent" American civilians, those complete idiots went there on their own, actively seeking trouble. And once again you enable people too stupid to take responsibility for their actions. Their deaths are nobodys fault but their own, and I won't feel one bit of guilt if they're blown to Hell. If you want, sob for them, moron. Waste everyones air doing it.
They're not going to be "liberated." They are going to be slaughtered wholesale. Many, many times more people will die than Saddam has killed. The survivors will be enslaved under a different regime, one more willing to do Bush's bidding.
Slaughtered wholesale? If you think that American men and women are going to be murdering large numbers of Iraqi citizens, then I'm afraid you've done a fine job of swallowing large amount of anti-American propaganda. Will civilians die? Yes, it's unavoidable, and one of the reasons why war is so despicable. But this is a far cry from "wholesale slaughter".
And "enslaved"? I think you've let your enthusiasm get the best of you.
Slaughtered wholesale? If you think that American men and women are going to be murdering large numbers of Iraqi citizens, then I'm afraid you've done a fine job of swallowing large amount of anti-American propaganda. Will civilians die? Yes, it's unavoidable, and one of the reasons why war is so despicable. But this is a far cry from "wholesale slaughter".
And "enslaved"? I think you've let your enthusiasm get the best of you.
Hate for Bush keeps itself alive. The world despises this man and we can only expect them to take it out on innocent American civilians.
I find it strange that you don't complain about this. If so many people in the world are actually trying to take it out on innocent American civilians, isn't the rest of the world the evil ones, then?
You're going to try and convince me that all of a sudden you care about the Iraqi Kurds, when you never cared about the Turkish Kurds, that all of a sudden you care about the Iraqi Shi'ites, when you never cared about the Iranian Shi'ites!?! Earlier non-action does not preclude future action. In other words, just because nothing was done in the past doesn't mean that nothing should be done in the future. In fact, just the opposite. The past injustices done to the Iraqi people should be greater evidence towards removing Saddam Hussein's regime, to ensure that these same injustices do not happen in the future. As to the Turkish Kurds and Iranian Shiites, their time will come.
Give it up. We don't don't believe your crocodile tears. You're a frikkin hypocrite, and an embarrassment to every American. Do us all a favor. Die off. Quit wasting air.
Your senseless insults do nothing to make your point. If you wish to be convincing, then perhaps you should do so with dignity. Dissent is the American Way, but please, do it with class.
A shame they aren't allowed to hang out around the hospitals. I'm sure they was almost out of Paxil.
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
"Hitler never had the power to destroy humanity at the push of a button. Bush does."
For one thing, do you know Hitler wouldn't have used it? And for another, why hasn't Bush used it already? Sodom by the Bay would be a good target to begin with. Small potatoes, you understand. Use it on flotsam nobody would miss. And for a third, tell us about all those people dying.
Tell us why Hussein took the money from the oil he was allowed to sell, supposedly for food and medicine, etc, for his people, and put it to his palaces instead.
Give us absolute and irrefutable proof, instead of reading verbatim from the A.N.S.W.E.R. Handbook.
For one thing, do you know Hitler wouldn't have used it? And for another, why hasn't Bush used it already? Sodom by the Bay would be a good target to begin with. Small potatoes, you understand. Use it on flotsam nobody would miss. And for a third, tell us about all those people dying.
Tell us why Hussein took the money from the oil he was allowed to sell, supposedly for food and medicine, etc, for his people, and put it to his palaces instead.
Give us absolute and irrefutable proof, instead of reading verbatim from the A.N.S.W.E.R. Handbook.
Oh, so now it's irrelevant, when you have no rational answer. Reading from that ragged and dog-eared handbook, aren't you? Or did David Clennon cum in your ear?
This war has already killed at least half a million, some say two million, Iraqi civilians. When asked, the American Secretary of State, speaking on behalf of the government, said it was "worth it."
"This war"? There isn't a war going on currently. Perhaps you mean the Economic Sanctions, but that's not a war. Maybe if you supplied some references it might be easier to follow what you say.
"This war"? There isn't a war going on currently. Perhaps you mean the Economic Sanctions, but that's not a war. Maybe if you supplied some references it might be easier to follow what you say.
If you think Bush's blitz wont slaughter civilians wholesale, you are either pitifully naive or deep in denial. The wholesale slaughter of Iraqi civilians is America's policy, and has been since Bush the Elder.
Again, I'm curious to see what your references are. If you're just asserting these things, then that makes for a very odd argument technique.
hehe, when its go time, they crumble
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2812677.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2812677.stm
>What makes Bush more dangerous than Hitler is not his moral character, or lack thereof. It’s his power
so the one you replace him with will lack power ?
I mean if we over throw authority/order in the USA we are just going to get china or somthing as our new government / impreialist and it would just be a big waste of time. Assuming you dont just kick bush junior out to be replaced by another Bush later on. Anyway that will just ruin your big power base in the USA (I dont see a big protestor force in china anymore).
>There is no protection against a determined terrorist. They are determined and failing now have u been terrorize lately? do you think they are going soft on us?
Because he’s evil. So what? He’s no more evil that Putin, Hu or Musharef. We don’t see Bush attacking them, do we? Why not?
easy one here
A) do you want to be nuked?
B) even if that was not the case - one at a time please
C) Show how they are "just as bad"
D) we have un resolutions against iraq and more than a decade of history of demands for co-operation
E)He invded kwait and saudi arabia believed they were next.
F)Its just so easy well it was last time)
G) the armies are there anyway
H)no one likes him anyway
I) the sanctions thing has a weird unsustainable nature to it with no fly zones and all
so the one you replace him with will lack power ?
I mean if we over throw authority/order in the USA we are just going to get china or somthing as our new government / impreialist and it would just be a big waste of time. Assuming you dont just kick bush junior out to be replaced by another Bush later on. Anyway that will just ruin your big power base in the USA (I dont see a big protestor force in china anymore).
>There is no protection against a determined terrorist. They are determined and failing now have u been terrorize lately? do you think they are going soft on us?
Because he’s evil. So what? He’s no more evil that Putin, Hu or Musharef. We don’t see Bush attacking them, do we? Why not?
easy one here
A) do you want to be nuked?
B) even if that was not the case - one at a time please
C) Show how they are "just as bad"
D) we have un resolutions against iraq and more than a decade of history of demands for co-operation
E)He invded kwait and saudi arabia believed they were next.
F)Its just so easy well it was last time)
G) the armies are there anyway
H)no one likes him anyway
I) the sanctions thing has a weird unsustainable nature to it with no fly zones and all
er if you ever took nessie seriously see if you agree with the fesibility of his plan above...
ermm..it just aint gonna work bro and you would end up killing most of us just to find that out.
ermm..it just aint gonna work bro and you would end up killing most of us just to find that out.
nessie says the stupidest things just so people will drive by and bitch slap him. That's how pathetically lonely the mental ward has become.
"The end justifies the means, as the means must justify the end." -- Niccolo Machiavelli.
In regards to the TJP Human Shield Mission, their end is equally seen world-wide. Nobody really wants war. However, their means to "ending" and protesting against this potential war is stupid and rediculous. They should each earn a Darwin Award for their demise. They figure it's like living in the Western World where if you place yourself in front of traffic, people will take the effort to avoid hitting you. But, as I said, they're stupid so they assume people in the Middle East will commit to the same action and thus, avoid them. This is war, not a traffic intersection.
However, there is one good thing about the Human Shield Mission members sacrificing their lives in such an unjustifiable fashion -- they create more room for more worthy immigrants to flee to.
Cheers.
In regards to the TJP Human Shield Mission, their end is equally seen world-wide. Nobody really wants war. However, their means to "ending" and protesting against this potential war is stupid and rediculous. They should each earn a Darwin Award for their demise. They figure it's like living in the Western World where if you place yourself in front of traffic, people will take the effort to avoid hitting you. But, as I said, they're stupid so they assume people in the Middle East will commit to the same action and thus, avoid them. This is war, not a traffic intersection.
However, there is one good thing about the Human Shield Mission members sacrificing their lives in such an unjustifiable fashion -- they create more room for more worthy immigrants to flee to.
Cheers.
Nessie wrote:
"That's my point exactly. Our resistance must be global and simultaneous. Only then can we rid ourselves of power’s yoke. No rebellion confined to a single geographic locality can succeed. Our masters rule is global. So too must be our resistance."
Your resistance is failing like Vietnam:
There is evidence, however, that the protests lengthened the war and that more people were killed on account of them.
How so? Political scientists talk about the phenomenon of a "negative follower group,” which is defined basically as any group that ticks others off to the point that they become the friend of that group’s enemy. All the data we have from the time, and since, show that the obscenity, illegality, and raging anti-patriotism of the antiwar protesters made them the most hated group in America during the late 1960s and early 1970s. When police beat up protesters in the park across from the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1968, most people who were watching on television sympathized with the police.
The backlash had significant repercussions on the national political scene. Without the antiwar protests, which were associated in the minds of the “silent majority” with a militarized black power movement that had somehow metastasized from the civil rights movement, George Wallace could never have become a national political figure, if only for a while. Nor would Richard Nixon have won the White House in 1968. Furthermore, the antiwar movement undermined the Democratic Party and hurt Hubert Humphrey’s bid for the presidency in a very tight election.) The political reaction to the radical antiwar protests aided both the Johnson and Nixon administrations' efforts to manage growing public disquiet over the war. More Americans would have opposed the war sooner had they not been put off by radical protest tactics.
The truth is that the antiwar movement actually helped elect Richard Nixon to the presidency not just once, but twice. By 1972, the movement had gained enough power in the disheveled Democratic Party to see that George McGovern was nominated instead of a more mainstream candidate who might have kept the party’s labor and middle-class constituency intact. And who believes that a Humphrey administration or a Humphrey- like Democratic administration that would have begun in 1969 or 1973 would have fought the war in Vietnam with the intensity that the Nixon administration did, looking for a "peace with honor” that fell to ashes on April 30, 1975?
Yes, the American people did turn against the war, but not because of protests in the streets.
http://www.fpri.org/ww/0108.200006.garfinkle.mythedopportunities.html
"That's my point exactly. Our resistance must be global and simultaneous. Only then can we rid ourselves of power’s yoke. No rebellion confined to a single geographic locality can succeed. Our masters rule is global. So too must be our resistance."
Your resistance is failing like Vietnam:
There is evidence, however, that the protests lengthened the war and that more people were killed on account of them.
How so? Political scientists talk about the phenomenon of a "negative follower group,” which is defined basically as any group that ticks others off to the point that they become the friend of that group’s enemy. All the data we have from the time, and since, show that the obscenity, illegality, and raging anti-patriotism of the antiwar protesters made them the most hated group in America during the late 1960s and early 1970s. When police beat up protesters in the park across from the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1968, most people who were watching on television sympathized with the police.
The backlash had significant repercussions on the national political scene. Without the antiwar protests, which were associated in the minds of the “silent majority” with a militarized black power movement that had somehow metastasized from the civil rights movement, George Wallace could never have become a national political figure, if only for a while. Nor would Richard Nixon have won the White House in 1968. Furthermore, the antiwar movement undermined the Democratic Party and hurt Hubert Humphrey’s bid for the presidency in a very tight election.) The political reaction to the radical antiwar protests aided both the Johnson and Nixon administrations' efforts to manage growing public disquiet over the war. More Americans would have opposed the war sooner had they not been put off by radical protest tactics.
The truth is that the antiwar movement actually helped elect Richard Nixon to the presidency not just once, but twice. By 1972, the movement had gained enough power in the disheveled Democratic Party to see that George McGovern was nominated instead of a more mainstream candidate who might have kept the party’s labor and middle-class constituency intact. And who believes that a Humphrey administration or a Humphrey- like Democratic administration that would have begun in 1969 or 1973 would have fought the war in Vietnam with the intensity that the Nixon administration did, looking for a "peace with honor” that fell to ashes on April 30, 1975?
Yes, the American people did turn against the war, but not because of protests in the streets.
http://www.fpri.org/ww/0108.200006.garfinkle.mythedopportunities.html
The comment above is by someone using my usual handle probably in an attempt to sow confusion.
The victims of our empire have no way to stop what the US government does.
It is our responsibility through protests, civil disobedience, and strikes to raise the cost of such wars. This is the only chance the people of Iraq and Palestine have.
BTW, I think it is absolutely important for anyone opposed to this war to be equally opposed to Israeli occupation and for real justice for the Palestinians (meaning place sanctions on Israel, end all our aid to Israel, and force the Israelis to pay REPARATIONS to Palestinians and give them equal rights).
I was real disappointed when listening to ANSWER's speakers to hear not one word on Israel's Occupation or Palestine. That was so frustratingly disappointing.
Such a commitment to the Palestinians would make the war planners (like Richard Perle, Paul Wolfowitz, Douglas Feith, ad nauseam) think twice next time before trying to declare war against another one of Israel's enemies (Iran, Syria, Libya, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and on and on, endlessly).
It is our responsibility through protests, civil disobedience, and strikes to raise the cost of such wars. This is the only chance the people of Iraq and Palestine have.
BTW, I think it is absolutely important for anyone opposed to this war to be equally opposed to Israeli occupation and for real justice for the Palestinians (meaning place sanctions on Israel, end all our aid to Israel, and force the Israelis to pay REPARATIONS to Palestinians and give them equal rights).
I was real disappointed when listening to ANSWER's speakers to hear not one word on Israel's Occupation or Palestine. That was so frustratingly disappointing.
Such a commitment to the Palestinians would make the war planners (like Richard Perle, Paul Wolfowitz, Douglas Feith, ad nauseam) think twice next time before trying to declare war against another one of Israel's enemies (Iran, Syria, Libya, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and on and on, endlessly).
Human shield? You people are truly insane. People need to support, not protest. America is putting the lives of brave troops between deadly chemicals and YOU. Imagine one of your children being killed from VX gas or Anthrax, all because saddam sold it to some terrorist. Those soldiers are doing a great service to the world by getting rid of those chemicals and germs. They are also freeing the people of Iraq by getting rid of saddams government.
For more information:
http://N/A
"It would make my day to see a huge number of my fellow humans massacred by U.S. weapons", spewed the zionazi in yet another flagrant and unsettling display of pure hatred.
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