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Surprise in Coronado
By Barbara Cummings
Janis Karpinski of Abu Ghraib fame or noteriety spoke tonight at the library in Coronado Ca. It is joked that Coronado has more Admirals per square foot than any other town in the US. Property is the highest per square foot than anywhere else in Ca. There are 2 huge military bases there, North Island Naval Air Station and Coronado Amphib Base.
The library was filled to capacity and more. The crowd was 90% over 55. Very few 20 and 30 somethings. Many senior military ret. Some with walkers and canes. A very conservative crowd, or so you would think.
I sat in the back putting stickers on my toy soldiers and getting baggies ready for any who wanted them. The audience was quiet and never interrupted Ms Karpinski. She spoke for 40 minutes and then offered to take questions. I just knew someone would blast her right away as she had nothing but distain for Bush, Rummy, Ricardo Sanchez and Geoffry Miller. Miller recently took the 5th and resigned his commission.
The second questioner was literally shaking with anger for Bush. He gave more of a raging statement than a question. Recounted the usual litany of offenses, ennumerated the outrages we all feel. He said the I word. I was watching and looking around, waiting for the boo-ing to start. Suddenly one person clapped, then a few more then almost the whole room! They clapped loud and long. I was absolutely astounded. Not one single person in the whole room stood for the Pres. The question and answer period went on for another half hour and still, no one challenged Ms Karpinski or tried to offer excuses for the military brass.
In Coronado! Their Dem club had only a dozen members when I was last there. And I know these wre locals beccause no one drives over the bridge at rush hour unless the freeway is closed. As I was giving out my baggies of soldiers, I got an invitation to come to their meeting on Saturday and talk about campcasey and individual activism. In Coronado, the reddest of all cities in the state! Something is happening!
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.
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Did anyone ask the admiral why she is making excuses for the torture that goes on in the name of all of us Americans?
That is what she is doing isn't it?
I am amazed that there were so many people in Coronado who would feel the way I do.
Thanks for going Barbara.
Its good to know desipte the lies, the truth is being heard.
Thank you for sharing this inspiring story.
I am not a veteran, but I would have served if the stigma of Vietnam had not repelled me from following a military career.
My "Career Aptitude Test" my junior year of high school, 1974, gave me a 99% fit with the general characteristics of a "Military Officer" career. I had a 95% with "Catholic Priest."
I became a teacher.
Nevertheless, the military is the key to saving our country. Fuck Iraq. What about "freedom" in the United States?
As long as the Republicans satiate the Pentagon's lust for taxpayer dollars, the Pentagon will pull all their strings--visible and invisible--to keep the elephants on top.
But, if the rank and file can join forces with the population and insist on the restoration of civil values--not merely economic ones--to our civilization, we will have another chance to have a democracy here.
I'm not advocating open rebellion, just democracy, even for the military. We political activists need to find a way to inform and encourage the armed forces personnel to do some soul searching.
What are you fighting for, what would you die for, really?
Is this the country our progenitors labored, bled and died to secure for us?
What do we have to do now as soldiers and officers to protect and defend our Constitution and our democratic way of life?
God help us, our country is in the grip of a fascist oligarchy and they control the media and the armed forces!
If democracy is to be saved in this country, it must be the will of the armed forces.