Central Coast News Mission Leggs Ortiz

The One Who Served vs the Privileged One Who Did Not

2005-11-29T13:25:00.000-08:00

Congressman Bill Thomas Gets a Dose of Reality
by Tim Goodrich from Iraq Veterans Against the War

Tonight, Representative Bill Thomas held his annual Academy Forum for high school students interested in going to one of the military service academies. This is the same Bill Thomas who has an abysmal voting record when it comes to Iraq. He has also refused to meet with Bill Mitchell, father of Mike Mitchell who was killed in Iraq on April 04, 2004, despite repeated attempts for meetings and going to his office in Washington DC five separate times.

Naturally (and since it doesn’t appear Mr. Thomas likes to meet with his constituency), we thought a protest was in order to let him know how The People feel about the war in Iraq. Upon our arrival in Bakersfield from Los Angeles, there was representation from Iraq Veterans Against the War, Gold Star Families for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, Veterans for Peace, Code Pink, and other concerned citizens. There were approximately 40 individuals standing outside of the Kern County Administrative Center letting passerby know that the best course of action is to Bring Them Home Now.

As the time to start the forum drew near, it was decided that five people would enter in order to hear what would be said and to possibly face Rep. Thomas about his support for an illegal and immoral war. About half way through the program, I removed my button down shirt to reveal my IVAW t-shirt underneath, stood up, and asked, “Mr. Thomas, as an Iraq veteran I demand to know why you’re sending these kids off to die for a lie.” At that point, the other four people stood up and joined in chanting “Bring the Troops Home Now.” This continued until, and as, we were escorted out of the forum.

Needless to say Rep. Thomas and the spectators were a bit surprised. However, I guarantee you that there are about 60 kids at home reflecting upon what they saw tonight. They are asking themselves what had to occur in order for a returned veteran to be so against the war that he took such a step to protest it. They’re also wondering if joining the military while the war in Iraq is happening is really the right thing to do. After all, if things continue the way they have been, these kids will be fighting over there in about six years; after they graduate from the academy and complete their training. What will remain the same is that people will be dying for lies. The only difference will be that the body counts will be much higher on both sides.

My job, and the job of my fellow Iraq Veterans Against the War, is to make sure we don’t get to that point.

Congressman Thomas, it’s time to wake up and smell the reality. It’s time to Bring the Troops Home Now.

The Scourge of VD Hanson

2005-10-30T08:36:00.000-08:00

It has been over a month since I blogged---and I found out that on occasion, someone actually reads this stuff! Let's just say this month has been full and successful in many ways - thanks to fantastic friends and associates: I Care International raised over $5K at our Swing into Fall Dance; CodePink has been growing in numbers and in funds; P-tec posted a record month and Georgia attended AstroCamp and her soccer team is 5-1!

What got me going today was the usual Sunday commentary in the San Luis Obispo "Tribune" newspaper. Ugh. Can't they find a conservative that isn't such a bombast? Victor Davis Hansen is who I am referring, in case anyone needed any further description. In my own subtle and oh so sweet manner, I like to refer to him as "V.D. Hanson" as he ravages and devastates the current geopolitical landscape with his contrived opinions.

Supposedly V.D. has a successful following and career, according to the people at the Hoover Institute - because of his vast historical knowledge. To me, he is a prolific writer that appears to have the wondrous ability of disconnecting all the dots and duly misinform readers. VD Hanson is a no body, with less than impressive credentials which further illustrates his lousy interpretation of history.

Every week we get subjected to the rants of VD Hanson - today it was about moralizing. That's rich. Read the column carefully - all he does in it is spew perverted views of respectable allies, institutions and individuals. Whether it is Knight Ridder, The Tribune or the Op Editor, how about trying out some other conservative writers with depth and relevancy rather than this pseudo scholar with the impertinent writing skills of a young Republican on campus? (That's Fresno State, by the way, home to VD Hanson) - Hoover Institute at Stanford, you ought to be ashamed.

Vietnam vs Iraq: Similarities and Differences

2005-09-30T11:26:00.000-07:00

I believe there are many similarities:

Not knowing your "enemy"; including underestimating human nature - would any country capitulate to an invading force?
Not having a game plan beyond bombing the heck of out civilians;
Not preparing for the worse, only expecting the best - hey, we won WWI & II didn't we?
Armed forces made of up mostly of financially underprivileged and minorities; this is not the "citizens army" who went to WWI & II - everyone went;
A fully capitalized defense industry that promotes "new products" whether they are fully tested or not, out in the field - with no accountability on who and how they damage;
And probably the biggest similarity- divided the country in two
I guess I could go on ...

The difference

There is one enormous difference that came to me this week while watching KCET's specials on the 60's and the early life of Bob Dylan: every night - and I mean every night, America sat and watched horrific images of villages being burned, women and children running for their lives, young American soldiers often wounded and stunned or dragging themselves and their equipment through a swamp or jungle, not knowing what would happen next. And endless images of dead people, burnt people, crying people.

We do not see this every night. We don't see it any night! No, indeed, America has progressed. Now, we can now go to war and have our celebrity weddings, make-overs, fast car races and beer commercials without the bother of those dirty and disturbing images. Isn't that convenient?

I know this much - in 1968, I was 9 years old and I remember vividly watching the suffering, the seemingly endless battle for what - I wasn't sure. I remember asking myself and adults, "why can't they just stop and talk it out? What could possible be worth this? Why do they have to hurt the people if they are trying to do something good for them?"

Those evenings made me who I am today. I have never forgotten how bad war looked on TV and how absolutely horrible it must have been in real life. It made me want to understand history, "government" (as the class was called in those days) and what became my greatest love - political science.

No, in the 2.5 years we have been in Iraq, we are left wondering what 1920 dead soldiers look like, or the tens of thousands of Iraqi mothers, fathers, grandfathers and grandmothers, and sons and daughters all victims of our invasion. Young and old are often clueless to these realities. Yes, they know it is going on, but do they know?

War, Polls & Action

2005-09-23T22:04:00.000-07:00

Anti-War rallies: Vets Hall, 11:00 AM, Monterey and Grand Street in SLO
Three buses leaving Central Coast for San Francisco
Watch CNN for coverage of Washington, DC - all weekend long

Tomorrow, September 24th, is the day set for a mass mobilization in cities around the world to once again hit the streets and let all the elected officials know, particularly the Bush Administration, that we the citizens of the world, are not going away. We demand the removal of U.S. soldiers occupying Iraq, by Christmas. We know that the Iraqi husbands, brothers, sons, sisters, mothers and daughters are worse off with us there. Anyone, and I mean anyone, who is really paying attention realizes this fact, so obvious. The puppet George and the other neo-cons can stand there all day long and lie about this fact. Hoping that this lie will stick like all the other ones they havemade. However the results of this week Gallup Poll indicates

That 67% of the Americans polled believe that Bush has handled Iraq horribly, 63% want the troops home sooner than later. 34% have no faith in ever winning, and even 30% of those who thought the war was a good idea, now say there is no chance of "winning". The definition of winning is not defined, similar to the Bush policy in Iraq. I think the game plan must have looked like this:

1. Go in, get Saddam - (make a big deal, even tho he was his worse when U.S. helped him kill the Kurds)

2. Get the oil (wear flight suit somewhere in there)

3. Get richer (pretend to care about Iraqi democracy) ..

4. ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? duhhhh Karl??? Think of something!!!!

Last night in LA, I saw the fabulous Mr.George Galloway, the British MP who turned the tables on the U.S. Senate sub-committee this summer regarding the U.N. food for oil scandal (www.mrgallowaygoestowashington.com for more on that..). Mr. Galloway has the ability to think on his feet, and make a speech that is invigorating and informational. He had over 1000 listeners cheering and laughing and gasping with dread during his 1.5 hour speech. Without notes. Something we have not seen in this country for a very, very long time.

What I want to remember from last night is how Mr. Galloway clearly demonstrated the most important aspect of why Islamic extremism exists and continues to grow. How Osama Bin Laden is not a friend of the anti-war community rather a monster created in swamp of U.S. and British policies in the Middle East over the past 50 years.

For example...
Most Americans do not know, or even perhaps care that 500,000 Iraqi children died during the embargo years (1991-2001). These deaths were not caused by guns, but due enormous lack of goods needed to live. Nourishing foods, medical supplies, daily household supplies - all the things people need to live and flourish. During the embargo years Iraq could not import bleach to clean, sterilization fluids, sheets, cotton, pencils and the list goes on. Air conditioning equipment - at all - so hospitals where surgeries were conducted had to keep windows open, during the 120 degree heat. This does not include the adult deaths, also totaling in that range.

From this policy (which was strongly endorsed by most Democratic party leaders -without any hesitation on the cost of innocent lives) - a bitter and angry Muslim population has been created throughout the world. WE may not consider this an important piece of recent history - but every Muslim in the world does. Why did we punish innocent people because our government had a falling out with a once close dictator?

The House of Saud is another example of double standard policies. We boast of democracy and freedom in the middle east. But for average Saudi citizens, this means nothing - they almost laugh except their pain of watching the royal family burn through their resource wealth with lavish and decadent lifestyles of gambling, spending and indulging the U.S. with enormous weapon contracts actually impacts the lives of Saudis not part of the royal family. And that would mean a population that lives on less, where women have no rights, where beheading happen on the street, We don't realize the impact of our actions in supporting the Saudi regime - but every Muslim in the world does.

The U.S. support of Israel is another double-standard policy ($10M a day folks to Ariel Sharon) has created incredible pain and misery for Palestinians. We may not realize that every bullet used to kill young men on the Gaza strip represents something paid with U.S. $ dollars. Muslims in the world know it. They realize that Israel's defense budget is billions, while the Palestinians have less than $1M dedicated to defense, of a country that they can't even exist freely in ( another Democratic moment). They realize that for all our talk of nuclearn weapons, controls, Israel has one, much to the dismay of the U.S. and stuck their fingers at us when we asked...And has even been caught spying on us a number of times. Muslims realize the strong arm tactics of Sharon's Zionist state are the reason many more Palestinians have been killed than Israelis. They also know that the recent move of the Jewish settlers off of originally stolen land, had financial backing from the U.S. Each settler was given $250K in reparations, plus, I believe a home in a new settlement in Jerusalem - and this chunk of change came from the U.S. treasury. How do you feel about that folks? Any double standard there?

I could go on - Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, the list of double standards is so long and ugly. I am sorry to say it. Very sorry.

Now it is time for us to take our foreign policy in our hands. Criminals like George Bush, Dick Cheney and even some of our so called liberal friends - have not the same regard as we - when it comes to value of life on this planet, including natural resources. We are just cockroaches to them. The Iraqi people do not matter. The Palestinian people do not matter. The Pakistani people do not matter. And certainly, the Afghan people do not matter. So why do many people still think that George Bush acts in their best interest? People, you do not matter either...

Oh, except it is your tax dollars that finances this bizarre, evil and utterly stupid road to self destruction. Did he really mention Iran today? Oh mercy me...

Can We Have Our Own Party or What?

2005-09-13T06:50:00.000-07:00

CodePink Grows...
Last night we had two meetings:
The general monthly meeting -- 24 people showed up! We have a nice calendar of events for September (see below...) and we have lots of people who want to participate in ending the war and other positive actions

The "Alternative to Military Futures" Committee-- 14 people attended to work on high school campuses to help students make informed decisions about recruitment and other career choices. This is a growing movement around the country as well as our region.

CodePink, Women for Peace Calendar
September 24 - Mass Mobilization: The March on Washington, DC
(3) Buses will leave SLO for San Francisco's March for the day and...
A March thru downtown SLO is also planned, starting at Mitchell Park

September 25th - CodePink "Bottled Poetry" Fundraiser at Tolosa Winery 3-5 pm
$10 will get you 2 glasses of fantastic Tolosa Wine along w/ music by our good friends Kristin Black & Carol Lowell, and poetry readings from our own Dian Sousa.

September 30th- CodePink & HopeDance Media present "The Life of Rachel Corrie" - 7:00 movie & desserts at SLO Library. This film is about the life and the death of Rachel, in a story that not well known or publicized. Learn how this young American stood up against the injustice of Israeli government and their treatment of Palestinian families.

October Line-up
October 8th - "Swing into Fall" Dance for I CARE International at Avila Bay Club
6-9 PM, wine, food, live band & dancing - all funds raised go for eye services to the underserved people in the world. See www.icareinternational.org or for tickets: 440-3433

October 15th - 2nd Annual Green Festival - Innovative speakers, booths, connections - all relating to living, breathing and working in a green way! All day and night - at the Veteran's Building in SLO - go to www.hopedance.org for more info..

That's all for now folks...

"America's Sunshine"

2005-09-11T08:04:00.000-07:00

That is the phrase Dave Congalton suggested to Matt Kokonnen use for his 9/11 memorial BBQ, rather than "America's Thunder". On the "Big Broadcast" last week (920 AM, KVEC 3-7pm) Dave asked Matt why does it have to be thunder? Matt stated something about strength and overcoming the enemy and showing the world up...

You would think that would get the phone lines lit up with supporters. But that's not what happened. With the exception of two staunch Bush supporters, every caller in that day basically said "Matt, we are tired of this macho pretense of America saving the day by sacrificing young lives in order to promote an agenda that isn't serving anyone except the inner circle of the House of Bush".

I wonder about Matt's homeland of Finland - is Matt trying hard to prove to his countrymen that he did make the best move by coming here? Actually, our family hosted a nice Finnish boy as an exchange student back in Illinois, years ago. Yes, he was used to dry fish and boring clothing, but even then, Veli Mati Kristo gave us a rude reminder of our education system. Veli was a sophomore, and he had only studied English for a few years. When Veli tested for his placement in our high school, he scored higher than anyone his age, or for that matter, the next class level. He was ready to do 4th year English, while the rest of his American counterparts struggled along reviewing the basics. Sorry Matt. True story.

In the earlier hour of David's show that same day, author and financial columnist Paul Farrell blew more holes in the House of Bush calling the state of America's finances "faith-based economics" - meaning that we hope the money will be there for the budgetary requirements to run the nation. At this point, we can only hope, since the surplus has been replaced by a trillion dollar deficit, personal incomes dropping, prices rising, no savings of any sort and 45 million without health insurance, along with my favorite expenditure - the $ 419 Billion Defense Budget for FY '06.... it would be nice to hear Mrs. Blakeslee address this issue on her radio advertisement, as her firm sponsored Paul at yesterday's Author & Book Festival in Mission Plaza.

The Caucas
Which brings me to the phone call to Sam Blakeslee's chief of staff the other night. Code Pink Calfornia worked the entire month of August to bring the California National Guard home from Iraq & Afghanistan. (That means we gathered hundreds of signatures, met with the staff of local elected officials (Blakeslee and Maldonado) and showed how vunerable we are in the case of a disaster as well as the hardship that National Guard families are having with this extended FOREIGN DEPLOYMENT. That night, the last night of the current session, there was a chance for some legislative action - thus my call to Sam's office and direct request to his Chief of Staff. She was terrific to talk to as she laid down the truth - if the Republican Caucus says no - the answer is NO. I won't bore you with what you already know... both parties are at a stalemate on almost every issue, thus nothing is being accomplished. And this was the case for Sam to try and do the right thing by bringing the Guard home. He couldn't vote to bring the Guard home because the caucus knows that if an actual vote in California assembly came up, the Democrats may succeed and if the Republicans voted no (especially after NOLA situation ) it would make the Republican national party look bad and that is too scary for words.

Let me ask everyone...what is more important to you? Looking bad or doing the right thing for your employer?

Believe me, I don't have much faith in the Democrats doing anything for us either. Not just in this issue but with taking any bold step at turning this sinking ship around.

H.R. 375
Perfect example is this Joint House Resolution of Inquiry to the Downing Street Memo. Fresh off the www.hopedance.org global listserv: a vote for committee may come up on Wednesday...and Lois Capps has signed on to co-sponsor the Resolution...YEA!!!! Hey, it's a start.

Who is scared?
Isn't that the MO - fear - for why our country produces, exports and then buys the most munitions of any country in the world? Way more than the other top 3. Yet, I have never seen such a bigger bunch of cowards and ass kissers as we have in almost every elected sector of our government. Oh, there are a few who have the guts and decency to do what is right. All toll - probably 10 -in the entire nation.

Yes, today is 9-11...and whether you like it or not, and www.michealmoore.com reminds America of a few things...perhaps we should suggest Matt call today's 9-11 BBQ, "America's Sunset".

"Democracy Now" - the War and Peace Report

2005-09-09T12:17:00.000-07:00

Kudos to KCBX & Mark Phillips

I want to thank KCBX and Mark Phillips (who lobbied) for making "Democracy Now" available to listeners in our area. It is offered at 12:00 Noon during the week, except Tuesday @4:00 pm. If you haven't taken the opportunity to listen to a broadcast, I encourage you to do so asap. Also, for those not near KCBX range: www.democracynow.org

Democracy Now's coverage of national and international events is so far ahead of almost any other newscasts. The interviews, discussions and perspectives are wide and far reaching in their analysis. It offers more than a bite or a spin - but information that you can then go reference and develop your own opinion.

I would like to ask you what you think of Amy Goodman and her staff's work. If you like it, tell me...and then remember to keep contributing to KCBX! We brings me to...

How are we going to pay for everything?

Doesn't it seem like everyone needs money? I know most have contributed to the hurricane situation. We are sending supplies, and even bigger efforts such as hosting families, etc is happening. Georgia is taking part in "Box brigade" a child to child effort led by Spencer Neuhouse. Then, we have good corporations, such as Mid-State Bank which is sending a "fairly large" contribution to the relief efforts - thanks to employees, customers and corporate matching funds.

On top of that... we are located in the most generous county - many people I know working on innumerable causes and needs. Almost any and every weekend we could attend a "fun" fundraiser to helping those less fortunate. I believe we all really try to do as much as possible, and with pleasure and gratitude for having the ability to help.

However, for the next 2 wks, many of our kids from the public school districts are out selling wares (gift wrapping paper, chocolates, etc.) for PTA funds. The money raised, in my opinion, should be in the budget without having to push our children out the door to become sales kids. I am sorry, but I don't like it. I don't mind students organize car washes, bake sales, etc. to raise money for a special trips, but to have our children hit the streets to buy equipment for their learning process - pitiful. I don't blame the schools or administrators - I just think this is another example of our country's wayward path into the lower ranks of industrialized nations.

That's enough for now...I have to go and sell tickets to the I CARE dance at the Avila Bay Club on October 8th, pick up supplies for our troops care packages, send the box of relief goods to Houston for the CODE PINK sisters there and help Georgia sell more wrapping paper, make my KCBX donation and the find a cheap bottle of wine to wind down tonight!

Oh except, Mr Cheney, what have you done today to help your fellow citizen you fat @#@X!@#$?

So Much to Do, So Much to Read...

2005-09-06T22:00:00.000-07:00

My motto used to be much different. Anyway...

Favorites of the day:

www.alternet.org / george lakoff
He framed what I tried to express below in My Own Personal.. piece. Lakoff is a stud as far as I am concerned. And I do know something about studs. His premise is that this catastrophe fully demonstrates the value differences between the progressive liberals and the typical right wing conservatives. Read it and send it to every one of your elected officials.

www.bringthemhomenow.org
The website of the traveling Camp Casey tour. According to sites and word of mouth, the Iraq Vets Against the War, along with other volunteers are now in Covington, LA. This is how far the truck carrying the remaining Camp Casey items could go at the time. It is now being utilized by citizens of the region. They need supplies, as does everyone, and there is an address where to send the basics.

They have a slogan "Same Camp...Different Ditch".

This group of individuals exemplify the difference between our country's cultural divide in that Camp Casey grew strong and grew great because it is real. A community was born out of desire to be born, not manufacturered by pollsters, hucksters or consultants. Gifts were given, without request, because people wanted to be a part of it. May it continue on until we BRING THEM HOME.

A plug and a prayer for our Code Pink sisters in Houston, who have now inherited the task of helping those so desparately in need. If you go to www.codepinkalert.org, you will find the information to help them as well. They need it.

A big prayer and a big effort for all those guys and gals from the Gulf States, who are stuck in Iraq or Afghanistan...who are unable to know what is happening at home, may you be given the ability to get home to be together with your loved ones . We are working on that as hard as we can to get you back here.

My Own Personal Hurricane

2005-09-04T08:31:00.000-07:00

Is anyone else having a difficult time sleeping these past few days after watching the images of distraught, wounded and stranded people on your TV screen? Do you feel guilty for your full stomach, 5 Gal water tank full in your home or the ability to get in your car and go for whatever it is that you need?

Good. I think we are getting somewhere then.

I suppose one could call that a radical left wing thinking type of response. Similar in nature to the statements made by the nut cases in the far right Christian camp - that New Orleans was devastated due to their sinful ways. That is up to you. This is what I mean...

The catastrophic event of the past week has shaken the foundation of this country. And with good reason. Let it be known, from this point on, that America demands accountability, answers and action.

That doesn't mean I am looking for welfare type thinking. We can do it ourselves. We do not need the Congressional body who sits on their hands, fills their pockets or blah-blah-blah on the screeen. We do not need the Supreme Court, in all their royal isolationism, grant us what is rightfully ours. What we are seeing in people coming together, working together and making it happen is who we are as humans - not just Americans.

However...there is only one major piece we do need from "them" --- we need our money back. I want Dick Cheney to give up every red cent he has earned, either directly or indirectly for all the graft, corruption and stealing he has done since he walked into Washington 30 years ago. I want Dubya and the entire House of Bush to give up their "inherited" billions, that has made off the backs of Americans and foreign nationals alike, thieves and butchers are what they are. I want the tit suckers at the Pentagon (that would be Lockheed Martin, Westinghouse, et al) refund all our tax dollars for all the equipment that either does not work, has injured a solider due to faulty design or was priced 1000% too high.

I want to see the Troops out of Iraq now - because what we saw happen in New Orleans has been happening in cities in Iraq for over 2.5 years now. They don't have water, food, safe shelter --- and it isn't ending for the good people of Iraq. Until we leave and take our bases and our B.S. with us.

So, if you had to see similar scenes on your TV with Iraqi children, women, men and elders deeply suffering from loss of life and home - would you feel the same way? I have a feeling the answer would be yes. Let me know.

Trip to Camp Casey II

2005-09-01T13:44:00.000-07:00

There were five of us that ended up flying to Crawford from SLO: Vivian Longacre, Dawn Legg, Dick Kresja, Susan Pyburn and Lynn Levine. We flew into Austin arriving late on Wednesday, the 24th of August.

The Code Pink Crew

During the first leg of our journey, Dawn and I were sitting across the aisle from Susan and a young woman. The woman kept looking at our CodePink shirts and buttons and she finally asked Susan what the pink shirts meant.

Susan explained the women for peace bit, and then the young woman started crying. She began telling Susan she was in the Air Force and was being deployed next week to Qatar for six months. She is based in Mississippi and was in SLO to drop off her husband and eight-month old baby with her in-laws who could help out while she was deployed.

We all started talking at this point and assured her we supported her and wanted her to get home safely. She expressed her thanks for the work we were doing and said to keep it up! Many in her division felt the same way about this war, and after this tour she would end her military career. It was an interesting start for our short trip.

On The Road To 100 Degrees

While getting our rental van, we met Edwina from Arizona, and we collectively decided she should ride along with us instead of renting her own car. We split up into two hotel rooms and got some rest before heading out for our two-hour drive to Crawford, the next morning, with the heat rising quickly, 100 degrees flavored with 80% humidity.

We easily found the Crawford Peace House. While we waited for a shuttle van to follow out to Camp Casey, the Peace House was full of hustle and bustle. It was obvious that the volunteers from all over the country were tired and could use some help. There was a makeshift kitchen outside the house and this is the main storage area for all the water, food, and ice for both Camp Casey I and II.

The shuttles are rented vans or personal vehicles that are driven by volunteers who have come to help. The shuttle arrived and we headed out to Camp Casey II, about 15 miles outside of town. The landscape is flat with low-lying bushes and an occasional tree, but green and actually quite scenic. As we approached, a huge white tent was immediately visible--like an oasis of sorts…a very special place to find relief from the baking sun in the midst of a war conscious population. Real people with hearts, tears and knowledge of what we all know--we are a country at war and people are dying.

It's the Real Thing

Pulling into Camp Casey one immediately realizes this a full-blown operation. Volunteers directing traffic to insure that no one pisses-off locals with errant parking, volunteers greeting newcomers and media alike, with everyone signing in, and the list was long and interesting--Sweden, France, Italy, Spain, Reuters, Newsweek, etc.

CNN’s large van with satellite dish sat there prominently along with other supply trucks parked near the site with a row of port-a-potties along the edge of the area. In front of the Casey II encampment, there is Arlington South, with various adornment and honors, some with the empty boots of fallen soldiers in front of their crosses.

The tent is open on all sides and had large banners representing the coalition of supporters, Veterans for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, and signed messages on bed sheets, from locations around the U.S., including a variety of painted canvases brought all the way from Homer Alaska (see http://alaskagyrl.blogspot.com/).

There is a large stage at one end and a makeshift outdoor kitchen with tons of supplies. The area in between is filled with large round tables and chairs, with numerous people chatting, blogging, resting and mourning. Personal tents are scattered all around the back edge decorated with signs, messages, MIA flags and flowers.

Volunteers With Commanding Talent

Note from Cindy’s blog: This camp is being managed by Colonel Ann Wright, a lawyer with a master's degree in national security affairs from the U.S. Naval War College and 29 years in combined Army/Army Reserve service time and a veteran foreign service officer who has worked in Grenada, Nicaragua, and Somalia, among other places.

In late 2001 she was among the diplomats who arrived in Kabul to reopen the U.S. Embassy. In 2003, she resigned her post as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Mongolia because of her strong belief that Bush administration policies are making the world not safer, but more dangerous.

Cindy Sheehan was just finishing a Press Conference and greeting visitors. As the crowd thinned out, we went over and reintroduced ourselves and hugged. We headed over to the CodePink table and said hi to Tiffany and the rest of the CP LA group that we had met when we traveled to the Salinas Read-In. The booth was being womanned by Nina Utne and her son, but she was on her way out, so Dawn, Lynn and I took over (what else is new?).

Most of the day was spent here talking to interested visitors, selling t-shirts and buttons. Notably, there were many women, of all ages, coming from all over Texas who were as surprised to see us come from California as we were to see them here supporting Cindy. Two women were AIDs Drug Assistance Program case workers, coming to share their story that the funding for their program had just been but from $323M to $10M, thereby insuring that the lack of medicine made AIDs patients more contagious as the viral load goes up--one more example of the collateral damage.

We met so many fantastic women from Texas--it was an eye opener. Our Code Pink sisters from Austin were grateful that we could take over for a few days so they could go home, organize and return for the big weekend. Dick and Susan spent the day being photojournalists between Camp I and Camp II.

At The Camp Where It All Began

In the late afternoon, Lynn and I decided to head over to see what the original camp, Camp Casey I was all about. Dawn was feeling a little overwhelmed by the heat and decided to hang back and take care of the booth.

We took a shuttle bus over to Camp Casey I, going right by the entrance to “western White House”. This was barricaded and a Secret Service vehicle sat in front of the barricade. Camp Casey I is the original camp and is set-up along the 6-foot wide public domain of the road. They have a couple easy-ups for shade and the food. They also have the first Arlington South set-up on one side of the road.

On the other side of the road is a small encampment of Pro-Bush supporters. Please note, all of their placards were typical--mass produced, lots of flags and W’s on them and the word FREEDOM everywhere. Their numbers were increasing from 25 or so the first day to 75 or so on Friday. They never slept there, never faced the biting fire ants or the humid nights, they didn’t have anything interesting at all in their encampments, just pictures of themselves with flags.

From Nothing To Everything To Say

As we walked along the road we came upon a young Iraqi war veteran being filmed by an independent news or filmmaker. Lynn and I sat and listened to him recount his year in Iraq. The experience left him emotionally scarred.

The evening was spent back at Camp Casey II, near the CodePink table. We ate a delicious dinner prepared on site and served to all in the camp. They serve three meals a day here at Camp Casey II. At dusk, Cindy came out into Arlington South with Joan Baez and another military mom. A young veteran played Taps on his trumpet and then Joan Baez led us in the song, "America the Beautiful."

It was beautiful as the sky was lit up with the colors of the fading sun. Afterwards, the evening’s activities were announced and we were treated to the film, "The Ground Truth" followed by a question and answer session with the filmmaker.

Code Pink And Bush's Brain

The next day, Dawn and Lynn went to work at the CodePink booth where they sweltered all day long. It seemed every time Lynn took a break from the CodePink table she was giving an interview to somebody new. Dawn couldn’t figure out who this one guy was…and it hit her that it was Glenn Smith from “Bush’s Brain” movie.

Glenn is now the co-director of drivedemocracy.org and he is playing an instrumental role in the strategy to make this campaign last. You will note that the first stop on the way to Washington is Tom DeLay’s office, keeping the pressure on all elected officials.

Dick, Susan and Lynn had spent the afternoon in Peace Training, conducted by the Rev. Johnson of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Rev. Johnson came to prepare the camp for the pro-war onslaught, predicted for Saturday. Vivian was asked the previous evening to work with Jane Hirschmann, the New York city director for United For Peace and Justice, on lining up contacts for the three bus tours leaving Camp Casey: the "Bring them Home Now Tour" (see unitedforpeace.org or veteransforpeace.org).

Movement Organized From Inside

Between meetings with the lead staff at Camp Casey II and calling people all day, Vivian was hardly seen. It was during these meetings that Vivian caught glimpses of the inner workings of this movement. Cindy Sheehan started this with the Veterans for Peace and a few other dedicated individuals, but now it is a well-run marketing and political machine. There are numerous people behind the scenes working to keep this movement alive. It was a great day but over too quickly as by 5:30 pm, we left to catch our flight from Austin.

At the airport, we had the great fortune to meet Rahual Mahajan, author, activist and all around smart guy. His knowledge on the current situation in Iraq was disturbing--in that there is no way for anyone to know how many Iraqis are being killed daily, since there is no real media coverage, other than embedded with the military, mostly holed up in the Green Zone. Please check out his website at empirenotes.com.

Back To The West Coast And The SLO Life

It was a quick trip but I would not have missed it for the world. There was plenty of work to be done and Dawn and Vivian had not gotten enough! All of us lamented that the best was yet to come on Saturday and Sunday. We made some great new friends and SLO County was very well represented, as Bill Mitchell joined up with us on Thursday and we ran into Katie Kupper and Jim.

This is only the beginning, onward to Washington, DC for the September 24 mobilization. Donations are needed as well as hosts for the three buses traveling through the Midwest and east coast.

PS: Just read the latest entry from Scott Galindez’s blog on Truthout.org on what happened on Monday night. This is the best way to end this story.

What's Going On?

2005-08-14T10:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, August 13, 2005 was the annual 'Day of Creative Women' event. It was held in downtown SLO at the Misson Plaza. There were locals and tourists roaming around the various booths.

The The SLO CHAPTER of Code PINK, Women for Peace booth, draped in HOT pink colors, strewn with pink merchandise and information was a busy place! We had so many people, of all backgrounds coming up to our booth. They wanted to sign our Declaration to bring the California Guard Home. They wanted information on military in the schools. The bought all of our PINK shirts and hats! The talk was bold, the common theme was OUT OF IRAQ NOW and everyone was energized by the actions of Cindy Sheehan, including our dear friend Bill Mitchell, as well as our sisters and brothers from Veterans for Peace, Code PINK chapters all over America, Iraq Veterans Against the War and many other groups.

We felt validation from all walks of life, from the tourists from Arizona to the Dads and Grandfathers, young families and ladies out shopping - all coming by to show solidarity with our efforts.

Since the start of the invasion of Iraq, I have never seen mainstream America respond to our anti-war, anti-Bush message like yesterday. America has no more patience for "political correctness" as the day of reckoning has come. We must pull out of Iraq now. We must hold the Bush Administration accountable for a number of crimes against humanity as well as the fiscally irresponsible actions of harming our national security.

Code PINK is in this for the long haul. We have each other and we continue to grow in numbers. We had a mother visit our booth that broke down crying because her son was in Iraq. He had joined the military for the money to pay for his university education. He was almost done, but had created large debt and was worried about it. His mother tried to talk him out of it, but he said he didn't want her to worry about the money and he received a signing bonus. She was so overwhelmed with sadness that he had done this - and now- she fears for his life.

We at Code PINK are very, very tired of having mothers come and tell us that due to the cost of higher education, their children are enlisting to "hopefully" pay for their school as they see no other choices to become educated. This is an outrage and a national disaster. The money to educate our citizens is available. We just have to tear it away from Lockheed Martins, the Kellogg, Brown & Root and Halliburtons of the country. These entities have their greedy snouts prominently placed in the trough of the DOD, funded by our tax dollars. WE WANT IT BACK NOW. AND WE WANT THE DEATH MACHINE TO STOP.

The Hot Month of August

2005-08-10T20:27:00.000-07:00

The most exciting day of the year has come. Cindy Sheehan is everywhere you turn. Everyone is talking about her and people are joining the voices of Americans who are ready for accountability in the White House. I go between raging madness and simple silence on the subject of Iraq, the Dept of Defense Budget, being an American, the Energy Bill and life in general. (Being a Midwesterner I always feel guilty if I don't mention "WORK") -...And yes, my work. Ok.

Cindy spoke here, in San Luis Obispo. Mother, Father and I had a chance to speak to her at the rally on April 16th, 2005. She gave her best that day, as she has every day since she started coming to conclusions about Casey's death and her role as his Mother. She was straight forward, sincere and sad. Nation magazine covered her early on, before our event in April. It was clear that prior to the moment of his death, Cindy was a law abiding, generally all for the red, white and blue American. Typical of many citizens...not really knowing enough to say anything, yet steadfast in the belief that what our country does is in the "best interest" of our country. That has changed forever for Cindy and appears to be changing for many Americans.

When one starts to pull the veneer off the shiny finish, one may find alot of disturbing blemishes. These are both fresh marks and old scars. Not all bad scars - we can learn from them.

Some may say that people like me, critical and skeptical of U.S. policies are "america haters" ...angry, frustrated, left wingers who hate to lose. Well, that certainly would be part of the story. If you are not angry and frustrated at what is going on, there is something wrong.
Let me say, I can understand many peoples reaction of just "turning if off" as a protection mechanism...because one can do internal damage from the stress of not being able to, what feels like, make a difference.

Some how I like to suffer and rant and try to take on the impossible. What good does it do? I think very little really. But what it says is this: I believe in the foundation of the United States and that it is worth fighting for indeed. I believe in sharing of powers, checks and balances, separation of church and state, personal responsibility, the good of the "commons", public education, to help those in need to be able to help themselves, fair and equal taxation, compromise and that just because we are a good country, doesn't mean we are perfect. Obviously, none of us, nor any country "knows it all".

As my friend Mik used to say, America is like the wild teenager, who is smart and strong, but often bold and brash and occassionally out of control. It takes a long time to become a grandfather. And right now, our country is out of control and offending alot of fellow humans.

Back to Cindy...Wow. Her questions are valid - what noble cause did my son die for? That is what she wants to know...Filling Dickless Cheney's pockets? We believe this maybe one of them. World domination for Rummy and his old friends? This reason does have merit in the eyes of your every day neo-con.

Did Mick Jagger really write a song about these sons of guns? Now that rocks my boat. I was wondering how anyone, in their right mind can support this national suicide mission. And darn it, my parents, grandparents and great-grandparents didn't work their butts off and give us a better life so a bunch lying thieves could take it all away- as we go backwards into the future with Bush and Company.

But with Cindy out there, let a new day of going forward into the future begin.

Keep a going...

2005-07-14T11:28:00.000-07:00

That is what Newstand Greg says about the blog system...one must go in and update and continue the conversation, so it is on-going. Agreed. I think I am going to read the others and see what they are all talking about...

The only thing I would like to mention is:

The I CARE Swing into Fall Dance has changed dates to October 8th, 2005, at the Avila Bay Club. It is going to be a blast - dancing, wine, food, fantastic photos...and all for the cause of providing eye care to the underserved populations around the globe and even in the U.S. of A.
Let me know if you would like to buy a ticket @$45 and join in the fun. You can email me at dawnortizlegg@charter.net. That's how you can learn more as well!

Dawn