Winter Soldier LiveBlog: Racism and War

[proud2BlibKansan]

Winter Soldier LiveBlog: Racism and War; Bryan Casler

by Justin Cliburn <http://ivaw.org/member/justin-c-cliburn> | Sat,
03/15/2008 - 11:31am

Brian Casler was a Marine during three combat tours in Iraq and
Afghanistan. He is not proud of what he saw in the Marines. 90% of the
minorities in his company were put in one platoon with white leaders. To
me, this relates well to what we learned about "cracking and packing"
(gerrymandering) in my political science class back in Oklahoma.

In 2003, Brian was in Iraq for the invasion; his unit was to protect
General Tommy Franks. On the road to Baghdad, Marines defecated in MRE
bags and threw them at civilians. They passed out MRE heaters to
children to eat. Casler witnessed destruction of Babylonian ruins, as
well as looting of said ruins. Humanitarian MREs that were supposed to
be given to Iraqis were being hoarded by Brian's fellow Marines.

During his tour of Afghanistan, Brian's Marines drove government vans at
high rates of speed through the city for joyrides. Two Afghans were
killed and no one knows if any reparations were made to their families.

In Fallujah, Brian's unit made a man destroy the entire birth record of
Fallujah as punishment. Without a defined mission or constant
supervision, Brian says that a Marine infantry squad will always fall
back on their aggressive, hostile training.

[unhappycamper]

1. I was at the testimony and am still trying to process what I saw and heard.

This is the same shit we did 37 years ago. Substitute dry heat for humid heat, jungle for sand and add a bunch of zeros to the cost.

I spoke with most of these Winter Soldiers over the four days I was there and am very impressed. They are articulate and committed to ending the occupations.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. I was there this weekend

Sorry I missed seeing you! :hi:

[blm]

5. thank you.... will you be writing a summary?

.

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. I posted a few pictures

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3017947

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3015579

[blm]

10. Appreciate it.

Can't help but thinking about Margaret Mead's quote about a small group of thoughtful individuals and their ability to change the world.

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. That quote gets me out of bed in the morning

:)

[blm]

12. that quote sustains my commitment to open government, as well. And undergod knows

the corporate machinery and its media do not make that an easy task.

[dailykoff]

2. Too sickening for words.

This holocaust is what we'll be remembered by.

[tuckessee]

4. Kick for these brave souls. n/t

[Orwellian_Ghost]

6. Keep kicked all day

K&R

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. Good idea!

:)

[Orwellian_Ghost]

8. Amazing and disturbing

Everyone needs to hear these stories and then act.

[tuckessee]

13. Too bad none of the candidates would be associated with these guys. n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. Sickening

But I guess Obama's preacher is more important.

[Orwellian_Ghost]

15. Kicking