PEACEFUL WARRIOR (you should read this,one of us has fallen)

[midnitemoleman]

PEACEFUL WARRIOR
by Chris Strohm and Ingrid Drake
A U.S. Marine who voiced his antiwar stance before his deployment to Iraq has been killed, fighting for a country he loved in a war he hated.
http://www.tompaine.com/feature2.cfm/ID/8341

[northernsoul]

1. Dammit!

"With chilling foresight, John predicted that much could go wrong in a war with Iraq, saying the outcomes outlined by the administration were based on highly optimistic and rosy scenarios. He said it was unlikely that Iraqis would cheer the arrival of a U.S. occupying force, and that long-term urban combat could be a likely outcome.

Yet he went to Iraq, believing it to be his duty. And continued, even in the midst of combat, to exercise his belief in nonviolent resolution. One of his commanders wrote a letter after his death explaining a situation in which John negotiated a peaceful settlement to a potentially deadly situation. A group of Baath Party officials were found inside a house. Because he spoke Arabic, John entered the house and talked with the officials until he negotiated a surrender. His actions potentially saved the lives of both U.S. soldiers and Iraqis.

In letters home, John described the peace movement as "awesome," and said he hoped it would grow larger, never relent against the Bush administration, and help bring an end to the war."

Let's all do what we can to honor this fine young man and serve justice to those who betrayed him.

[Serial Mom]

2. My heart aches

for the loss . . and for his family & friends

How sad and senseless!

[Paschall]

3. Thanks

Here's a link to http://www.mfso.org">Military Families Speak Out.

[buddhamama]

4. DemocracyNow

had Ingrid Drake on the show last week speaking about him. Amy played parts of an interview with him, very moving very sad.

[JanMichael]

5. Another day another outrage. Will it never cease?

"That I have died means I have failed to achieve the one thing in life I truly longed to give the world -- peace," the letter reads. "The plight of human suffering consumed me and I dedicated much to trying to find the ideas that might lead humankind toward alleviating it for all. It was a quest which was inextricably intertwined with my quest for freedom. If you know anything about me you know that. Understand it and come to understand how the suffering of others tormented my soul. Then seek to honor my memory by trying to achieve what I could not."

If that doesn't make one pause and think...

[Melinda]

6. Writing thru tears, my heart breaks for this young man & family...

It is all too sad. This story has the potential for huge impact, however I'm sure the need for anonymity will prevent that. Very, very sad on many, many levels.

Sleep in peace, brave young soldier.

[deutsey]

7. Link to interview (re-broadcast on Democracy Now!)

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=03/07/08/1458258

[protect freedom impeach bush now]

8. a real patriot died because Bush lied.

Bush killed him by W's lying to start his Bush
family "PNAC war".

There is no greater case for Impeachment & treason than the deaths
of American soldiers.

Bush Lied and 1000s died.

When will we ever learn..........

[proud patriot]

9. Heartbreaking

These stories are so important .