Anti war protest against Recruiters @ Cabrillo

event time changed from 11:15 AM - 11:15 AM to 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM.

i would like to know what the war machine is?

The war machine is all the bureaucrats, politicians, weapons companies, and military & economic structures that have been built to thrive off of war. They create war and war makes them stronger. It's beyond any individual person, so the result is destructive and unnecessary wars and no one is directly responsible.

We're all part of these structures, and we are all guilty of these wars unless we actively resist.

I dont want to be against the military because everyone in my family has served and it has done all of them well. None were ever hurt or injured and they had great benefits. They are paying for me to go to college right now and that is thanks to the government. I dont think our soldiers should be called war machines, its not nice. My family serves their country proudly and they should not be considered war machines . I dont believe in war though its not nice either. What should I do if I dont want my family made at me but i dont want to support there war?

I'm working to build a world where no one will have to join a military to get benefits or college money. Until then, I think it's important for anti-military folks to recognize that for some people, the military is the best choice. The military can offer citizenship, some college benefits, it's offered to many as an alternative to prison time, or as a way out of drug addictions or poverty. The military also tests drugs on troops without their consent, exposes them to depleted uranium, teaches violence, and can forcibly extend their contract up to eight years. Many veterans of the Iraq War are coming back with physical and emotional injuries and the government is not doing nearly enough to provide medical and psychological care.

For now, we still live in a world with prisons, racism, poverty, and war. I think our best strategy is to tell young people the truth about the military, recognize our own complicity in oppressive structures, to ask questions, and not be afraid to disagree.

I've learned a lot working with anti-war Iraq veterans. Check out ivaw.org.