Listen to or download The Wartime Experience: from Middle East to the United States
Karen Button reports from Amman, Jordan on the growing Iraqi refugee crisis in the Middle East and, this week, focuses on the plight of refugees in Lebanon.
Director Richard E. Robbins discusses his film, Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience showing at the Red Vic Movie House from May 27 - 29. Meet the movie crew on Memorial Day, May 28 at a special matinée. For showtimes and details about the movie, visit www.redvicmoviehouse.com.
Listen to an audio excerpt from the film Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience.
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Sunday, May 20, 2007
Thursday, May 10, 2007
May 14: Recognizing Conscientious Objectors on International Conscientious Objectors' Day
Download or listen to the show: Recognizing Conscientious Objectors on International Conscientious Objectors Day
David Harris was at Stanford University in early 1965 when he joined the embryonic movement against the Vietnam War. In 1966, he was elected Stanford Student Body President on a “radical” platform that called for an end to the war, equal rights for men and women students, and student control of student regulations. Shortly after that Harris refused a student deferment from military conscription, announced that he would not cooperate with the conscription system, and helped found the draft resistance movement devoted to civil disobedience against forced military service. A leading figure in the anti-war movement who refused to report for military service he was tried and convicted in San Francisco and imprisoned for twenty months.
After peace agreements were signed in 1973, David Harris began a career in journalism. Author of ten books, David writes about national and international issues and has reported from the United States, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Panama, Germany, France, and Lithuania.
Aimee Allison is a 14-year Oakland resident and holds a BA and Masters from Stanford University where she was student body president. She was a Conscientious Objector in the Persian Gulf War. Attracted by the army’s offer of education, she enlisted as a combat medic in order to pay to attend Stanford. As an undergraduate, she developed a strong commitment to pacifism while caring for veterans at the Palo Alto VA Hospital.
For more than a dozen years, Aimee has been a counselor to military personnel who are seeking CO status, a public speaker against war, and a non-violence trainer. She has been featured in the documentary Blood Makes the Grass Grow. As the lead organizer for the Defense Committee of Stephen Funk, the first openly gay Conscientious Objector, Aimee worked closely with Out Against the War, Asian Pacific Islander Coalition Against War, and Veterans for Peace.
Camillo Meija is a former Staff Sergeant of the Florida National Guard and an anti-war activist. Camillo spent six months in Iraq, then returned for a 2-week furlough to the US after which he did not return for duty. He was charged with desertion and sentenced to one year in prison. In March 2004 he turned himself in to the military and filed for conscientious objector status. He claimed that he left his post in order to avoid duties that could be considered war crimes. One of his attorneys, former United States Attorney General Ramsey Clark, claimed that Mejia was thus protected from desertion charges by international law. Nevertheless, Mejía was placed under court-martial.
On May 21, 2004 Mejía was convicted of desertion by a military jury and sentenced to a year in jail and a bad conduct discharge. During his time in custody he was recognized by Amnesty International as a prisoner of conscience and was awarded by Refuse and Resist with its Courageous Resister Award. His just published book, "Road from ar Ramadi; The Private Rebellion of Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejía," gives an insider view of being a soldier on the ground in Iraq.
Agustín Aguayo applied for a conscientious objector discharge from the Army three years ago and served for one year in Iraq as a medic, all the while refusing to load his weapon. He was convicted of desertion and missing movement March 6, 2007 in a U.S. military court in Germany. Although he faced a maximum of seven years in prison, Agustín was sentenced to eight months in the brig for following his conscience and refusing to participate in war. Having been imprisoned pending trial since September 2006, he was released from the brig on April 18, 2007.
Agustín is currently on leave from the military although still active duty. He is on a speaking tour sharing his experiences.
Background info:
Definition of CO; History of CO Day; Partial list of COs around the world
Playlist:
Universal Soldier, Buffy St. Marie
Blowin' in the Wind, Bob Dylan
Subscribe to Raising Sand Radio
David Harris was at Stanford University in early 1965 when he joined the embryonic movement against the Vietnam War. In 1966, he was elected Stanford Student Body President on a “radical” platform that called for an end to the war, equal rights for men and women students, and student control of student regulations. Shortly after that Harris refused a student deferment from military conscription, announced that he would not cooperate with the conscription system, and helped found the draft resistance movement devoted to civil disobedience against forced military service. A leading figure in the anti-war movement who refused to report for military service he was tried and convicted in San Francisco and imprisoned for twenty months.
After peace agreements were signed in 1973, David Harris began a career in journalism. Author of ten books, David writes about national and international issues and has reported from the United States, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Panama, Germany, France, and Lithuania.
Aimee Allison is a 14-year Oakland resident and holds a BA and Masters from Stanford University where she was student body president. She was a Conscientious Objector in the Persian Gulf War. Attracted by the army’s offer of education, she enlisted as a combat medic in order to pay to attend Stanford. As an undergraduate, she developed a strong commitment to pacifism while caring for veterans at the Palo Alto VA Hospital.
For more than a dozen years, Aimee has been a counselor to military personnel who are seeking CO status, a public speaker against war, and a non-violence trainer. She has been featured in the documentary Blood Makes the Grass Grow. As the lead organizer for the Defense Committee of Stephen Funk, the first openly gay Conscientious Objector, Aimee worked closely with Out Against the War, Asian Pacific Islander Coalition Against War, and Veterans for Peace.
Camillo Meija is a former Staff Sergeant of the Florida National Guard and an anti-war activist. Camillo spent six months in Iraq, then returned for a 2-week furlough to the US after which he did not return for duty. He was charged with desertion and sentenced to one year in prison. In March 2004 he turned himself in to the military and filed for conscientious objector status. He claimed that he left his post in order to avoid duties that could be considered war crimes. One of his attorneys, former United States Attorney General Ramsey Clark, claimed that Mejia was thus protected from desertion charges by international law. Nevertheless, Mejía was placed under court-martial.
On May 21, 2004 Mejía was convicted of desertion by a military jury and sentenced to a year in jail and a bad conduct discharge. During his time in custody he was recognized by Amnesty International as a prisoner of conscience and was awarded by Refuse and Resist with its Courageous Resister Award. His just published book, "Road from ar Ramadi; The Private Rebellion of Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejía," gives an insider view of being a soldier on the ground in Iraq.
Agustín Aguayo applied for a conscientious objector discharge from the Army three years ago and served for one year in Iraq as a medic, all the while refusing to load his weapon. He was convicted of desertion and missing movement March 6, 2007 in a U.S. military court in Germany. Although he faced a maximum of seven years in prison, Agustín was sentenced to eight months in the brig for following his conscience and refusing to participate in war. Having been imprisoned pending trial since September 2006, he was released from the brig on April 18, 2007.
Agustín is currently on leave from the military although still active duty. He is on a speaking tour sharing his experiences.
Background info:
Definition of CO; History of CO Day; Partial list of COs around the world
Playlist:
Universal Soldier, Buffy St. Marie
Blowin' in the Wind, Bob Dylan
Subscribe to Raising Sand Radio
Thursday, April 26, 2007
April 30: War and the Environment
Listen to or download show, "War and the Environment"
An update from Ngo Thanh Nhan on an upcoming court case in the U.S. regarding victims of Agent Orange and looks at if, and how, it may relate to Depleted Uranium contamination in Middle East
In the KZSU studio: Nadya Williams, Veterans for Peace Associate, with perspective of AO and Depleted Uranium
An update from Karen Button in Lebanon regarding oil contamination in the Mediterranean from the war of summer 2006
Background:
Remembrance Day for All Victims of Chemical Warfare
Vietnam Agent Orange Relief & Responsibility Campaign
Background on Depleted Uranium Depleted' Uranium and Casualties of the Gulf Wars
Read Letter to U.S. Sec. State Rice re... "request for U.S. introduction and support of a Resolution at the United Nations Security Council condemning excessive military force...."
Playlist:
Nawal El Zohgby from Lebanon
Also, music from Egypt (performers to be announced)
Subscribe to Raising Sand Radio
An update from Ngo Thanh Nhan on an upcoming court case in the U.S. regarding victims of Agent Orange and looks at if, and how, it may relate to Depleted Uranium contamination in Middle East
In the KZSU studio: Nadya Williams, Veterans for Peace Associate, with perspective of AO and Depleted Uranium
An update from Karen Button in Lebanon regarding oil contamination in the Mediterranean from the war of summer 2006
Background:
Remembrance Day for All Victims of Chemical Warfare
Vietnam Agent Orange Relief & Responsibility Campaign
Background on Depleted Uranium Depleted' Uranium and Casualties of the Gulf Wars
Read Letter to U.S. Sec. State Rice re... "request for U.S. introduction and support of a Resolution at the United Nations Security Council condemning excessive military force...."
Playlist:
Nawal El Zohgby from Lebanon
Also, music from Egypt (performers to be announced)
Subscribe to Raising Sand Radio
Sunday, April 22, 2007
April 23: Fastest growing refugee crisis in the world...
Listen to or download show: The fastest growing refugee crisis in the world...
Karen Button in Damascus speaking about the UNHCR's refugee processing facility outside Damascus struggling to keep up with the flow of refugees from Iraq.
Elsa Rassbach in Germany with a brief report back on the 5th Cairo Conference and 3rd Cairo Social Forum held from March 29 to April 2, 2007.
Playlist:
Lyrics to Iraqi music video with Ahmed Adrapo: "Oh, Baghdad, they killed you"
They said daylight would come on their bloody swords of death
And now we see but destruction in the eyes of dying children
Oh, Baghdad, they killed you...
Ask not the devil why they are killing us
But, instead, ask the brothers who sold us
Where are the Arabs?
Where are the Muslim People?
Where is the anger for our brothers' blood and ours?
Where are the faithful soldiers?
Dave Rovics: "Who will tell the people?"
Background info:
PBS Special: "Gangs of Iraq"
BBC News: UN urges help for Iraqi refugees
Karen Button Blogspot: Escaping Baghdad for Damascus
Subscribe to Raising Sand Radio
View music video:
Karen Button in Damascus speaking about the UNHCR's refugee processing facility outside Damascus struggling to keep up with the flow of refugees from Iraq.
Elsa Rassbach in Germany with a brief report back on the 5th Cairo Conference and 3rd Cairo Social Forum held from March 29 to April 2, 2007.
Playlist:
Lyrics to Iraqi music video with Ahmed Adrapo: "Oh, Baghdad, they killed you"
They said daylight would come on their bloody swords of death
And now we see but destruction in the eyes of dying children
Oh, Baghdad, they killed you...
Ask not the devil why they are killing us
But, instead, ask the brothers who sold us
Where are the Arabs?
Where are the Muslim People?
Where is the anger for our brothers' blood and ours?
Where are the faithful soldiers?
Dave Rovics: "Who will tell the people?"
Background info:
PBS Special: "Gangs of Iraq"
BBC News: UN urges help for Iraqi refugees
Karen Button Blogspot: Escaping Baghdad for Damascus
Subscribe to Raising Sand Radio
View music video:
Monday, April 16, 2007
April 16: Peace is more than just the absence of war
Listen or download show, "Peace is more than just the absence of war" Show title quoted from Peaceful Revolutions
Captain Paul Chappell, US Army and soon-to-be author of Peaceful Revolutions
"Tom" - AWOL and soon-to-be-discharged soldier, US Army
Also, Jack Hirschman, poet laureate of San Francisco, recites, "Wanted you to know it"
Playlist
Dave Rovics: "After we torture our prisoners"
Sara Thompsen: "Is it for freedom"
Background:
Follow the progress of Capt. Chappell's book Peaceful Revolutions at Ten Speed Press
Article: "The Biggest Gang in the World"
Subscribe to Raising Sand Radio
Captain Paul Chappell, US Army and soon-to-be author of Peaceful Revolutions
"Tom" - AWOL and soon-to-be-discharged soldier, US Army
Also, Jack Hirschman, poet laureate of San Francisco, recites, "Wanted you to know it"
Playlist
Dave Rovics: "After we torture our prisoners"
Sara Thompsen: "Is it for freedom"
Background:
Follow the progress of Capt. Chappell's book Peaceful Revolutions at Ten Speed Press
Article: "The Biggest Gang in the World"
Subscribe to Raising Sand Radio
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
April 9, 2007: Vietnam, then and now: three perspectives
Listen to or download show
Minh-Hoa Ta is Director of the Asian Pacific American Student Success Center. After fleeing Vietnam in 1978 Minh-Hoa returned in 1989. Since 2000 she has been regularly visiting Vietnam and taking groups of students and friends.
Tony Luong is an artist and writer who is rediscovering the land of his birth from an American perspective.
Steve Morse is a former Vietnam war veteran and war resister who returned to Vietnam in 2006 for the first time since the war ended.
Background information:
Learn more about the tours and Minh-Hoa's work: www.ccsf.edu/apass - select "Study Tour"
Tony Luong's writing: "AS IS: A collection of visual and literary Works from Vietnamese American artists" available from Amazon.com and "Yellow Journal" - free from SF State Asian American Study Department.
GI Rights Hotline - 1800-394-9544
Search online for "Friendship Village" to learn more about efforts at reconciliation by Vietnam vets in Vietnam.
Recent news about Agent Orange (AO):
The Koran Vietnam vets, victims of AO, have established two branch offices in Vietnam, one in Hanoi and one in HCM City,
The Vietnam Association for Victims of AO/Dioxin in Vietnam is on a trip to South Korea today... Reported by Joong Ang Daily.
Learn more on the Vietnam Relief and Responsibility Campaign website.
Subscribe to Raising Sand Radio
Minh-Hoa Ta is Director of the Asian Pacific American Student Success Center. After fleeing Vietnam in 1978 Minh-Hoa returned in 1989. Since 2000 she has been regularly visiting Vietnam and taking groups of students and friends.
Tony Luong is an artist and writer who is rediscovering the land of his birth from an American perspective.
Steve Morse is a former Vietnam war veteran and war resister who returned to Vietnam in 2006 for the first time since the war ended.
Background information:
Learn more about the tours and Minh-Hoa's work: www.ccsf.edu/apass - select "Study Tour"
Tony Luong's writing: "AS IS: A collection of visual and literary Works from Vietnamese American artists" available from Amazon.com and "Yellow Journal" - free from SF State Asian American Study Department.
GI Rights Hotline - 1800-394-9544
Search online for "Friendship Village" to learn more about efforts at reconciliation by Vietnam vets in Vietnam.
Recent news about Agent Orange (AO):
The Koran Vietnam vets, victims of AO, have established two branch offices in Vietnam, one in Hanoi and one in HCM City,
The Vietnam Association for Victims of AO/Dioxin in Vietnam is on a trip to South Korea today... Reported by Joong Ang Daily.
Learn more on the Vietnam Relief and Responsibility Campaign website.
Subscribe to Raising Sand Radio
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
April 2, 2007: The world of war tax resistance
An interview with Susan Quinlan on war tax resistance: what it is, why to do it, how to do it, and what are the consequences. Also, views from war tax resistors, Dave Gross, Scott McCandless, and Elizabeth Boardman.
San Francisco Chronicle, April 3, 2007 The tax bucks stop here: Resisters withhold payment in protest of U.S. sending troops to Iraq
Also see, http://www.irsdetermination.us
Northern California War Tax Resistance: 510-843-9877
War Resisters League: 212-228-0450
Show playlist:
Taxman: Junior Walker
More than a paycheck: Sweet Honey in the Rock
Money: Pink Floyd
Learn more:
Can we NOT pay for the WAR with our Tax Money? How? Come & learn how you can withhold your war tax
War Tax Resisters Support and Information Meeting: Tues. April 10th 7:00 p.m.
San Jose Peace Center, 748 S. 7th St., San Jose.
Speakers: Susan Quinlan, a Bay Area organizer for the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee (NWTRCC) tells what to expect and how to prepare if you want to withhold your tax dollars from the Pentagon.
Rich Wood: Will tell you about his personal experiences in last several years how he withhold his War Taxes
If You have any doubt about why we should NOT pay for this War see this
http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2007/03/30/portada.pdf
Background documentation:
Web site suggested by Dave Gross: http://sniggle.net/Experiment/
Suggested book titles and where to get them from Scott McCandless: Cracking the code: The fascinating truth of taxation in America, http://www.nwtrcc.org; order Ed Hedeman's book, Guide to withholding your support from the military at http://www.losthorizons.org ;
San Francisco Chronicle, April 3, 2007 The tax bucks stop here: Resisters withhold payment in protest of U.S. sending troops to Iraq
Also see, http://www.irsdetermination.us
Northern California War Tax Resistance: 510-843-9877
War Resisters League: 212-228-0450
Show playlist:
Taxman: Junior Walker
More than a paycheck: Sweet Honey in the Rock
Money: Pink Floyd
Learn more:
Can we NOT pay for the WAR with our Tax Money? How? Come & learn how you can withhold your war tax
War Tax Resisters Support and Information Meeting: Tues. April 10th 7:00 p.m.
San Jose Peace Center, 748 S. 7th St., San Jose.
Speakers: Susan Quinlan, a Bay Area organizer for the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee (NWTRCC) tells what to expect and how to prepare if you want to withhold your tax dollars from the Pentagon.
Rich Wood: Will tell you about his personal experiences in last several years how he withhold his War Taxes
If You have any doubt about why we should NOT pay for this War see this
http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2007/03/30/portada.pdf
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