We are very happy to report that we have received funding from the Independent Television Service (ITVS) to create an hour-long documentary for Public Television.
“There are no more authoritative voices to speak out about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan than the people who have been there under fire,” declares singer Tom Morello (The Nightwatchman, Rage Against the Machine), as he leads an intense celebration of three days of intense, painful, and liberating testimony. And while James Gilligan reveals [...]
For the first time in history, women have combat and other front-line roles in the U.S. military, yet the military today is rife with sexual harassment…
Why are so many veterans coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan psychologically damaged? Is it the natural trauma of war, or the product of military whose mission is to occupy and suppress the civilian population? Zollie Goodman recounts the racism against Iraqis imbued in his unit, while Kris Goldsmith reveals the hatred that finally made [...]
An Open Letter to Iraq Veterans Against the War Members and Supporters
From David Zeiger, Director of This is Where We Take Our Stand and Sir! No Sir!
Dear Friends,
As I write this, we are getting ready to post the fourth episode of This is Where We Take
Our Stand, our six-part web series about last year’s Winter [...]
As testimony continues, the question “What about the Iraqi people?” takes center stage. When you are part of an occupying army and most of them want to kill you, who do you blame?
March 13, 2008: As hundreds of veterans and over a thousand supporters gather just outside Washington, DC for three days of testimony…
Where’s the debate? Are we watching passively while Barack Obama carries out the same policies as George W. Bush….
March 13, 2008: As hundreds of veterans and over a thousand supporters gather just outside Washington, DC for three days of testimony, the pressure is high and questions intense. How is the testimony verified? What will people think of veterans and soldiers for being here? What good will this do? Without hesitation Geoff Millard (US Army National Guard), Steve Mortillo (US Army), and Adam Kokesh (US Marine Corps) respond to “those who would judge me” with a clear purpose and their chilling stories.
Where’s the debate?
Are we watching passively while Barack Obama carries out the same policies as George W. Bush?
When an American bombing raid this May killed over two hundred civilians in a village in Afghanistan, it was met with a deafening silence. When Obama’s promised “withdrawal” from Iraq leaves 130,000 troops there for at least two more years and 50,000 permanently, it’s hailed as an end to the occupation. And who is demanding to know just what the mission really is when 30,000 more troops are sent to Afghanistan?
Where’s the debate?
In March of 2008, two hundred and fifty veterans and active duty soldiers marked the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq by gathering in Washington, DC, to testify from their own experience about the nature of the occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq. It was chilling, horrifying, and challenging for all who witnessed it. Against tremendous odds, they brought the voices of the veterans themselves into the debate. That was then.
This is now. Today, we present to you This is Where We Take Our Stand, the inside story of those three days and the courageous men and women who testified. And we present this story today, told in six episodes, because we believe it is as relevant now as it was one year ago. Maybe more.
Here is our challenge to you: Watch the series; spread it far and wide; and ask yourself is this about the past, or the present and future. Then add your voice.
If you are a veteran or active duty, present your own testimony. If you are not, but you are still a living, breathing member of the human race, then do whatever you can to join and fan the flames of debate.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Episode Release Schedule!…..could not link to venue screening 1st episode..
Our VFP chapter (112) is interested in having/hosting/or screening these episodes in or around the Calif. Central coast much like Pasadena City College did.recently….. In Solidarity, Joe
July 13th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Good work, David. Doesn’t make happy viewing but this stuff needs to be heard and debated. Liz
July 13th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
These episodes are only being aired online at the This Is Where We Take Our Stand site. There are no official venues. Thanks for the support.
July 13th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Having trouble with quality of sound/video - very choppy. Are there settings for getting better quality? Anyone else having this problem. I am using high speed cable and mac. Very happy to see this getting out!
July 13th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Thanks for putting this together. It was great to see these vets tell their stories and what an important story. I hope everyone that views it is able to send onto others to help spread the word. The debate really needs to happen. We may be in the midst of one of many ongoing wars if the U.S. wants control of the oil resources. How many must suffer and die, ie.vets, civilians, families, friends…
July 16th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
There’s no good or easy answer to this. The stories these vets tell bring back the memories of the impact on us lucky civilians during the Vietnam War — or at least those of us who only listened and advocated for peace and didn’t face the dangers of the war or the losses at war of people we loved. That was a terrible time. The last 8 years have also been terrible and there seems to be no end in sight. Iraq, Afghanistan … and where next? We shouldn’t keep on there, but what would be the fallout if we simply up and leave? We vote with hope for someone we think will find a way of ending the situation, and he gets caught in mire in ways that we can’t understand. But yes … keep on telling your experiences.
July 17th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Thanks a bunch for what you all are doing! I posted a link at my blog and embedded the video.
July 27th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
It is pretty clear to one who has not been there, that you all were doing what you were ordered to do (under rules of engagement) or what you had to do in a split second decision. War is not good when our government occupies a sovereign nation and puts our soldiers in the positions that you experienced. Howard Zinn, a noted author and professor says ‘there is no flag big enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people’.
Thanks for telling your stories, and thanks for serving in Iraq under the ideals of defending our constitution. Your stories are important to this country. We can only hope that these occupations end soon, and that we can have peace.
You may not think you are heroes, but you are outstanding Americans to come forward with your views. Don’t stop, please!
August 10th, 2009 at 12:02 am
I love you ALL for what you are doing, keep it up and keep getting the word out.
August 14th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Another wonderful and inspiring project from my old friend David Zeiger. The similarities of Vietnam and Iraq bring back haunting stories of my three tours in Vietnam.
Great job David.
Dave Rabbit
Radio First Termer
Saigon, Vietnam 1971