Web Letters: Winter Soldier

I was brought to tears while watching/listening to some of the winter soldier testimony. Of course, the tears preceded the anger and frustration that accompanies my engagement with the issue of the Iraq war. In a country whose government openly neglects the voices of the populace, these voices are desperately needed.

I recently watched an exciting documentary detailing the presence of veterans against the war in the Vietnam era. The documentary, Sir, Yes Sir discussed the overwhelming number of veterans whose experiences at war had resulted in their speaking out against it. They organized and produced their own newspapers and journals. I had no idea that the silencing of those voices came at a deadly cost.

To hear Iraq veterans speak out was incredibly emotional. But their speaking out also demonstrates a critical awareness and intelligence, beyond emotion, that all of us need to be aware of and embrace. It's easy to get dulled or softened by the distance that war and media put between people and veterans. Thanks for making this story available. I will pass it on to everyone I know.

Erin Moore

Davenport, IO

Thank you to the other letter writers for your passion. One thing we might have anticipated during the scripted scenario that led us into the Iraq War was the emergence of new voices.

That this is happening now, with repetitive occurrence historically, should clue us to the resilience of this anti-imperialist cultural phenomenon. Iraq Vets Against the War, Gold Star Mothers for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, all new forces for change, and the public awareness has been enhanced.

Whether this is enough to effect a sea change is what is on the line this time.

Jim Willingham
Viet Vets Against the War

St Petersburg, FL

As they did during the Vietnam War, it is the veterans--and those still in uniform--who must take the lead in demonstrating against the war. This criminal, arrogant Administration is not going to listen to anything the civilian population says or wants--just witness Cheney's typical "So?" response to the two-thirds opposition. It is a well kept secret that it was the troops on the ground that really ended the Vietnam War, so massive was the rebellion against it. And only a concerted, unified rebellion today will end this current occupation.

John Giarratana

Jersey City, NJ

Every American needs to be aware of the winter solider testimony. It must be at the forefront of any discussion about US military action in Iraq. The lack of media coverage is infuriating. Starting March 16 Democracy Now! devoted a significant part of their hour broadcast to airing the testimony. The acts described are more atrocious than the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse and water boarding. Hearing a solider describe two moods of behavior, one in the presence of media and one in their absence, highlights the shortcomings of embedded journalist. It calls into question the journalistic integrity of presenting the public an illusory reality that existed in front of the cameras.

Michael Brungger

Brooklyn, NY

How long must this go on? We are destroying the lives of very young men and women who were naïve enough to trust our government. Who were naïve enough to believe that they wouldn't be placed in a situation that continually and relentlessly tests their humanity. A couple of days ago Vice President Dick Cheney's response to public opinion was "So?" We are no longer a representative democracy. How do we take our country back so we can bring these young people home? Who is going to be there for them to help them return to "normal" life? How do we help them to heal?

How many more have to die? How many more have to turn into killers?

When do we actually become a civilized nation who uses words to make change? Our words are much more powerful than our guns could ever be.

Angela Alvarez

Baltimore, MD