Iraq Veterans Against the War

Most Recent Comment

discount shopping

The demands here seem right on target. However, I would like to read the text of the the UR-Peaceful Investing Initiative" and learn about its history. Also, I'd like to see an humanitarian aid for Gaza campaign in my area (Ithaca and environs), and would like suggestions on which groups/aid agencies we should look at. The twinning with Gaza University and scholarships for Palestinian students are splendid, positive, and practical demands that forge and carry forward a relationship. If it takes a building occupation to bring serious action on these demands, then so be it. I hope the support broadens and this serves as a model on other campuses as well.

Recent blog posts

Sat Aug 7th

Rochester IVAW updates.

Wed Jul 29th

Fri Jul 10th

Back From Iraq... With A Traumatic Brain Injury

Thu Mar 26th

US Army Veteran Billed $3,000 For War Wounds

Ithaca Common Council members support AWOL Soldier Trevor Loope

Posted Thu, 12/04/2008 - 12:31 by Bryan Casler

Sp/4 Trevor L. 22, of Austin, TX served 15 months in Afghan combat with the 3d Brigade, of the 10th Mountain Division. Upon returning to Ft. Drum in 2007 he was unable to obtain adequate treatment for mental health issues. This caused him to leave the base in search of effective treatment.

IVAW takes question from a 6th grade class

Posted Wed, 12/03/2008 - 10:35 by Bryan Casler

Here is a list of questions asked by a 6th Grade class to members of IVAW during a Veterans day event. There were many questions about the "topography" of the battlefield, they came in such volume that it must have been suggested by a teacher. In the list below I've eliminated duplicates, but retained the students grammar.

The fleecing of our Veterans while they're still deployed

Posted Tue, 12/02/2008 - 12:49 by Bryan Casler

Take an inside look at the fleecing of Soldiers while they are deployed to Iraq. Every single day Soldiers are suckered out of their money by major corporations which tempt the young enlisted “Joe” to spend, spend, spend. All of these businesses are here in Iraq with permission of the U.S. Government, a willing partner in the race to make as much money as possible. See as I go undercover into these stores to give you the proof of these acts. Also see as Soldiers must bathe right next to air conditioning units and wash their hands and brush their teeth with brown water.

AWOL War Vet Seeks Support from Ithaca Common Council

Posted Tue, 12/02/2008 - 11:25 by Bryan Casler

Pvt. S. Trevor L. formerly of Ft Drum, NY will speak at this meeting requesting the Common Council's active support when he returns to the base to potentially face criminal charges for being AWOL. On October 1st, the council unanimously proclaimed Ithaca to be a "Community of Sanctuary"..."which respects the right of its residents to support lawfully and proactively military personnel... who are organizing to stop the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan."

2011 Patrolling Baghdad to Patrolling NYC

Posted Mon, 12/01/2008 - 13:20 by Bryan Casler

I know where all those "Withdrawn" troops from the new US / Iraqi security pact we signed will be going. Unfortunately there is no mention of its effect on US Private Contractors, who still out number US troops in Iraq. It's stunning in scope what our military is being used and abused to do.

Memories of Afghanistan

Posted Mon, 12/01/2008 - 02:14 by Bryan Casler

While watching the TV documentary "Nazi Scrapbook From Hell" it came to my attention that the Marine Scout Sniper symbol (official or not) looks an awfully lot like the Nazi Waffen SS Symbol. Both logos mirror each other with their distinct lighting bolt S's and often Marine Scout Sniper's include the same presence of a skull.

Charges Dropped Against Hempstead 15!

Posted Thu, 11/27/2008 - 03:12 by Bryan Casler

In a remarkable reversal, the Nassau County District Attorney's Office has agreed to dismiss all charges against the Hempstead 15 following a six month adjournment in what's called an "ACD" (Adjournment to Contemplate Dismissal).

Additionally, they have agreed to consolidate all of our court cases on one date (TBD) so that we and our supporters may be seen and heard together as we prepare to move forward now to federal court where our lawyer, Jonathan Moore is filing a civil case on behalf of Nick Morgan and others.

Recap of North East Winter Soldier

Posted Thu, 11/20/2008 - 12:00 by Bryan Casler

North East Winter Soldier brought more than 250 people to Monroe Community College (MCC) in Rochester, N.Y., on October 4th. They came to hear firsthand accounts of boots on the ground in Iraq. The day’s events started with guest speakers Michael Schwartz, Elliot Adams, and Tod Ensign. Far from stuffy and academic, the speakers electrified and entertained the crowd covering such heady ground as how to oppose the “War on Terror”, the real motivations for Bush’s maneuvers in the Middle East, and why opposing the Iraq war is only the beginning of a long but promising fight for justice.

Assessment of Local Anti-War Movement

Posted Wed, 11/19/2008 - 17:24 by Bryan Casler

The Anti-War movement is victim to up and down cycles . The down cycle in Rochester’s Anti-War movement coincides with an economic recession and a looming winter season. The movement has been stretched thin and the gap between time being spent in meetings verses time spent in actions continues to widen .