Voicing Your Opinion on Military Operations

There is an old saying: “Opinions are like noses, everyone has one.” This is true of any subject, including military operations, and no two are going to be alike. You may have strong feelings about the War in Iraq or other military operations that our American service personnel are involved in right now, but aren’t quite sure how to go about voicing them. Thanks to austinagainstwar.org, you have a forum for letting others know how you feel. You can speak your mind about either your support or opposition; we want to hear both sides.

No matter where you stand, however, the fact remains that our service personnel need support. Many of them are returning from Iraq and other places—some with injuries you can see; others with injuries that aren’t so evident. Some may be having trouble getting the proper treatment for these injuries, while others may know about treatment options but may not know how to go about taking advantage of them.

This is where you can come in. You can help returning veterans take advantage of the programs offered by various government administrations. austinagainstwar.org can provide information on these and how to get in touch with them.

If you do help someone find the treatment needed and you can, take it one step further. Offer to help that person get to and from the treatment site. If you can’t do that, ask if you can help with family situations such as child care or meal preparation so that a family member can be free to provide the transportation and support.



Filed Under: Operation Freedom, Training Tagged With: , ,

Peaceful Protest in Baghdad

Often times the news reported out of Iraq and Afghanistan is littered with violence, assassinations and other clear signs of war. However there are those, though they may not receive the spotlight, which seek peace and hope for change in non-violent ways.

On Monday, February 14, 2011, about 200 such peaceful protesters gathered in Tahrir Square in Baghdad Iraq to demonstrate their hope for change in a Valentine’s Day protest. This square is a small plaza located next to a traffic circle. Soldiers and policemen were present in case violence broke out. But there was no need. In the place of guns and homemade bombs, the protesters peacefully waved red balloons and silk roses in the air. Their cries were of love for Iraq and the necessity of economical change.

It is reported that the demonstrators’ goal was not violence or to overthrow the government administration. Instead, they admitted they could live with the current government, but they want employment, more consistent electricity, cleaner streets and better security.

It is reported that one out of every five Iraqis is unemployed. They only get electricity a few hours a day. There call is for the government to truly mean the necessities of the people.

At the same time some speculate trouble since the majority of the unemployment is among the youth. With the current news of violence in surrounding countries, many wonder if the youth of Iraq may follow suit. They often vent their feelings on Facebook and have organized Facebook groups with names such as “Blue Revolution” and “Streets of Baghdad for Change.” As the newly established government takes full reigns and listens to these chants for better jobs and electricity, change can be peacefully brought about.

These protesters stance is a symbol that people can express their feelings in non-violent ways and still gain the attention of the press. While some may feel that the only means of turning a tide is through weapons or damaging actions, there are many that do believe that peaceful organization can help change the world and overcome the need for war.

Filed Under: Protests, War Tagged With: , ,

Why should we make peace?

Based on :Image:Peace Sign.svg, drawn with thi...
Image via Wikipedia

If you have kept up with the news, it is a fact that soldiers are dying daily due to the war in Iraq. You might believe that soldiers are meant to be tough. It surely is a shocker to learn that the number of soldiers who are dying in the war is on the rise. Regardless, the chance for the soldiers to die in a war is 100 percent higher than the civilians. The truth is that the war has not really been solving any problems at all. Remember the lyrics of the song, “War”, by Ugly Rumors? “War, what is it good for? Absolutely Nothing …” completely describes the situation.

Although all the damages and losses from the war in Iraq have brought to everyone’s attention, the situation does not stop or ban the military branches from playing their recruiting advertisements on television. As a result, plenty of soldiers who are newly recruited can look forward to get killed in Iraq very soon. No wonder organization like the United for Peace and Justice exists in order to spread out the anti-war message to everyone. The UFPJ holds different kinds of events to promote peace such as: protests, educational events, vigil, legislative action, etc. all over the world.

You might get an impression that most of the veterans are in a much better position than the soldiers in Iraq. No one can deny that the veterans are totally done and over with the war. However, many of them are suffering from PTSD. It is a non-curable mental disorder which can last for months, or maybe for years to come. Besides having PTSD, what happen to those veterans who have prosthesis due to severe injury? They will have a much harder time getting over with PTSD when looking at their prosthesis.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Training, Weapons Tagged With: , ,

The Prevalence Of The “Make Peace, Not War” Sentiment

Based on :Image:Peace Sign.svg, drawn with thi...
Image via Wikipedia

The struggle for peace in an ever changing political climate is constantly relevant. The slogan “Make Love, Not War” first appeared during the 1960′s at the heat of the Vietnam War, but similar slogans such as “Make Peace Not War” have cropped up with equal fervor, both from individuals who are at the forefront of the anti-war movement, and those who are open to exploring other options besides war to accomplish things.

The “Make Peace, Not War” slogan is simplistic in its meaning, yet powerful in its resonance. It has been present in pop culture through films, books and television. Additionally, it is commonly seen on articles of clothing and jewelry. There are numerous options for a person to display this slogan through their clothing choices, depending on if they want to show the slogan boldly, or in a quieter manner.

There are also several organizations who are intent upon spreading the slogan through videos and compact disc releases. The popularity of websites such as YouTube, combined with the fact that most digital cameras and cell phones have the capability to record video make it easier than ever for pro-peace activists to show their point of view in a way that is engaging and memorable, then broadcast it to the world at large.

Finally, there are a growing number of merchants who strive to specialize in selling items that promote a theme of peace as opposed to war. Street vendors and well-known store chains alike have been known to sell items with a “Make Peace, Not War” theme. Some websites even teach the public how to make their own crafts at home, all featuring a message of peace for all.

It is clear that the message of peace rising above war is far from an idealism that was only present in the 1960′s. Rather, its tenacious spirit and positive message will continue to live on indefinitely.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Operations Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Work Together to Promote Peace

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 07: Peace groups protest t...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

In order to promote peace, people must make an effort to understand and empathize with one another. The ongoing war in Afghanistan is one example of a war that needs the attention and understanding of many so it can end and the peace process can begin.

Peaceful protests are one way people can reach out to each another and show they believe in a world without war. Protests are one of the few ways that just a few people can reach hundreds or thousands of others to promote peace. In their quest for a world without war, protesters should be careful to model the peaceful behavior they wish to see from humankind. Violent protesters detract from the message of peace they are trying to promote.

There is strength in numbers and people that wish to live in a world without war should band together and support each other. Volunteer organizations can play a huge role in the road to peace if supporters take advantage of them. By taking an active role and contributing to the group, a single person can have a huge impact on the organization’s mission. Those seeking to promote peace should work to build a volunteer group to promote peace if there is not one in their area.

Military families bear much of the brunt of war. Since 2001, many military parents have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, forcing them to leave their young children for weeks, months or even years at a time. Husbands and wives are separated, placing strain on marriages. Supporters who wish to promote peace must remember these families and look for ways to help them.

A world without peace is possible, although it will take many compassionate people working together to become a reality. People cannot rely on their leaders to promote peace, they must promote it themselves by setting good examples for others and actively working toward their goal of a peaceful world.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Volunteering Tagged With: , , , , , , ,