I called and spoke to John Scripsick. His son Brian was a Marine also at Camp Pendleton like my 'sun' Alex. It's too small a world. His son's friend
http://www.michaelmoore.com/mustread/index.php?id=1045
Gold Star Families to Protest Bush's McCain Event in Oklahoma City
Thursday, September 11th, 2008
Gold Star Families Protest Bush - McCain Event in Oklahoma City, Friday, Sept. 12.
Three Gold Star parents will protest President George W. Bush's visit to Oklahoma City on Friday, September 12. The event is being held to raise money for Republican candidate John McCain and the Republican National Committee.
Warren Henthorn, of Choctaw, Kay Henthorn, of Oklahoma City and John Scripsick of Wayne, OK. consider it their patriotic responsibility to show up to ask questions of President Bush about his mishandling of the war that cost their son's lives. In desperate economic times, many people, who do not have family members or friends serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, are paying little attention to the killing and suffering that is taking place on a daily basis so far across the world.
The fundraiser, being held on the northeast side of Oklahoma City at a private home, will give those attending the opportunity to donate $5,000 to have their photograph taken to memorialize their support of George Bush.
These Gold Star families will not be donating or attending, but will be speaking out against the war which they say is both illegal and immoral and should be brought to an end. Their concern is for the other troops serving, those who will be deployed in the future and those returning, who are seeking medical care, along with the families that also undergo the hardships of war.
Henthorn and Scripsick have sought the advice of legal council to make sure their first amendment rights are secure and observed in demonstrating that morning at the event which takes place at 9200 N. Sooner Road, near Britton Road. They plan on arriving at 9:00 am as the doors open at 10:00 am and will close at 11:00 am.
"I’m sure standing on a corner this Friday, outside the fundraiser, will not get my questions answered. But maybe the right person will hear the message. I do know that doing nothing will produce nothing." Scripsick stated.
John Scripsick recently observed the one year memorial of his son’s death on September 6, 2007.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/mustread/index.php?id=1045
Generated on: Thursday 11th of September 2008 04:45:58 PM
Site Created by Plank
9.11.2008
My Response to Meghan McCain ...by Melida Arredondo
MichaelMoore.com
Must Read
http://www.michaelmoore.com/mustread/index.php?id=1044
My Response to Meghan McCain ...by Melida Arredondo, Stepmom of Soldier Killed in Iraq
September 11th, 2008
September 9, 2008 - Meghan McCain: 'No One Knows What War Is Like Other Than My Family' "I mean, my family — I have two brothers serving in the military. One is about to redeploy to Iraq," McCain said. "My father is obviously a famous war hero. No one knows what war is like other than my family, period."
I respond...
Meghan McCain was born in 1984 and has the opportunity to speak to the media. My stepson Alex also was born in 1984. He cannot speak to the media. Why? Because he was deployed to Iraq twice and killed on his second tour. He returned from his first tour of duty very much impacted by PTSD, yet returned to be with his troops to be at their side.
We also have a nephew who is currently serving in Afghanistan in the army.
My family has more than an idea of what war is like. We live the war every day. When we have a holiday, there's a place set for Alex.
What my husband and I do not have an idea of is what it would be like to hold our 24 year old son in our arms again since he was killed at the age of 20. Period.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/mustread/index.php?id=1044
Generated on: Thursday 11th of September 2008 04:40:32 PM
Site Created by Plank
Must Read
http://www.michaelmoore.com/mustread/index.php?id=1044
My Response to Meghan McCain ...by Melida Arredondo, Stepmom of Soldier Killed in Iraq
September 11th, 2008
September 9, 2008 - Meghan McCain: 'No One Knows What War Is Like Other Than My Family' "I mean, my family — I have two brothers serving in the military. One is about to redeploy to Iraq," McCain said. "My father is obviously a famous war hero. No one knows what war is like other than my family, period."
I respond...
Meghan McCain was born in 1984 and has the opportunity to speak to the media. My stepson Alex also was born in 1984. He cannot speak to the media. Why? Because he was deployed to Iraq twice and killed on his second tour. He returned from his first tour of duty very much impacted by PTSD, yet returned to be with his troops to be at their side.
We also have a nephew who is currently serving in Afghanistan in the army.
My family has more than an idea of what war is like. We live the war every day. When we have a holiday, there's a place set for Alex.
What my husband and I do not have an idea of is what it would be like to hold our 24 year old son in our arms again since he was killed at the age of 20. Period.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/mustread/index.php?id=1044
Generated on: Thursday 11th of September 2008 04:40:32 PM
Site Created by Plank
Seven years since...
That day so pretty in Boston
I sat with Katie and Matt
Then 8:47 am changed my day
When evil hit us all
Stunned I was, still am
An arrow between my eyes
Sounds of peace from no planes
Days after without airplane tracks overhead
Airspace returned to the heavens
Many lives sacrified to the Gods of retribution
An eye for an eye rhetoric turned hearts to stone
A vulnerable nation turned to hatethought
More US troops have been killed in Iraq than that day
'Remember 9-11' as justification given to the mourners of dead soldiers
Iraqi and Afghan citizens' blood as holy water for the converts to Jihad a la USA
Tears purify my open wounds
My 'sun's' death began on 091101
At 17, his beauty dimmed by duty and honor for his nation
Following the commander in chief into a web of 'why he must serve'
At 20, still beautiful and dead in his Marine dress blues lying in state -
Almost three years since towers and airplanes fell from the sky
Our sacrifice to 9-11 felt profoundly by kin around the globe
His breath stilled, our hearts tearing, a nation still not healed...
I sat with Katie and Matt
Then 8:47 am changed my day
When evil hit us all
Stunned I was, still am
An arrow between my eyes
Sounds of peace from no planes
Days after without airplane tracks overhead
Airspace returned to the heavens
Many lives sacrified to the Gods of retribution
An eye for an eye rhetoric turned hearts to stone
A vulnerable nation turned to hatethought
More US troops have been killed in Iraq than that day
'Remember 9-11' as justification given to the mourners of dead soldiers
Iraqi and Afghan citizens' blood as holy water for the converts to Jihad a la USA
Tears purify my open wounds
My 'sun's' death began on 091101
At 17, his beauty dimmed by duty and honor for his nation
Following the commander in chief into a web of 'why he must serve'
At 20, still beautiful and dead in his Marine dress blues lying in state -
Almost three years since towers and airplanes fell from the sky
Our sacrifice to 9-11 felt profoundly by kin around the globe
His breath stilled, our hearts tearing, a nation still not healed...
9.05.2008
08.31.08 - 9.2.08
Pen and Paper
08/31/2008 - Nerves are raw. Eyes quick to tear. Sunday we march with vets. Stood eye to with the armed-to-the-hilt rent - a - cops.
Marches across the 'approved' zone into unknown and illegal territory. Why? As the chant says - 'Our streets, Their war'...
March #1 - Colonel Ann Wright held our huge US flag and marched into the danger zone with us. 
Democracy Now's Jeremy Scahill asked us why. Carlos' response: "It's my obligation as a father to honor my son; it's my obligation as a citizen to speak out". I stated that "flag is colored red to remember the troops of paid the ultimate sacrifice for this nation. This includes Alex. Yet, Alex and others did not spill his blood to become a part of a presidential political platform and justification for continues killing".
Democracy Now's Jeremy Scahill asked us why. Carlos' response: "It's my obligation as a father to honor my son; it's my obligation as a citizen to speak out". I stated that "flag is colored red to remember the troops of paid the ultimate sacrifice for this nation. This includes Alex. Yet, Alex and others did not spill his blood to become a part of a presidential political platform and justification for continues killing".Then we went for lunch with MFSO-Minnesota. Here's a snapspot....
March #2 - 09/01/2008 - We report to duty at 0730 hours in front of the St. Paul Capitol to march side-by-side with IVAW. This march is smaller but more significant. They will deliver their message to the Republican National Convention. No arrest. Mission accomplished. Then IVAW does something Carlos and I do not xpect. They unite in saluting Lcpl. Alexander Scott Arredondo. I have tears in my eyes. We are both extremly grateful. Carlos runs with the large American flag to be with IVAW where some press have convented. Tom Swann, a blind US Marine vet, Ian LaValle and Jabbar McGruder aid me in rolling the memorial back to the capitol.
March #3 - Still 09/01/2008 - Yes, two marches in one day. My feet hurt, I'm hungry but here we go. Between the marches, the press surround like bees to honey. Here are some pictures.
Carlos and the Memorial, Juan Torres and I are in the front of the line. VFP / IVAW are behind us. We are surrounded by media. When we return from Excel Center, we see the view of people. This is not a small march. There are 30 - 40,000 people marching! What a site.
At this point, I must acknowledge Pat and Jenny who housed both Carlos and me in Minneapolis. What wonderful souls. They took us in the first day we arrived at VFP convention where they were volunteering. So, as soon as the convention was done, we had housing. We had not planned on staying this long. Therefore, it was a pleasant bit of home provided by strangers who took us in as family members.
They sent us fed with breakfast in our bellies, with coffee in a thermos each day, freshly backed cookies and even sandwiches. Then we would head back to their home for a nice dinner.
God has a place for people such as these called heaven.
09.03.2008 - March #4 - My feet are begging for mercy. I'm tired despire sleeping in this a.m. I'm hungry even if I've eaten. These are my nerves talking to me and trying to take me down.
Carlos is also anxious. The conflicts in the streets the day and night before really upset us. All of these marches are turning me into one in blurry, tired, anxious fatigued woman.
In addition, Amy Goodman, colleague, friend and host of DemocracyNow, and her staff were attacked. Civil liberties have been shat upon. Is it no wonder than I'm a little cantankerous today.
So Carlos and I head out to the Poor People's March on the RNC. (more information here - http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/2008/09/99688.html). It's hard to park in St. Paul due to all of these events. We manage to find a spot about a block away from the start of the march.
Michael McPherson honors us by carrying the US flag.
Mothers, children, memorial to the fallen, Carlos and I lead this march as well...
All went well for this march. However, we left in the nick-of-time since the rent-a-cops pepper sprayed the crowds when they would not disburse in a "timely" manner. Little kidz were pepper sprayed. Sick stuff!
As stated earlier, check out http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/2008/09/99688.html for further information on the realities of RNC repression.
Oorah Marine!
Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) Nat'l Board member Adam Kokesh, caught live, by CNN & MSNBC, at the Republican Convention, in St Paul...
DURING McCain's speech, Thursday night, 9/4
AK is a 2004 Marine Veteran of Falujah, and Prez of IVAW's DC Chapter
DURING McCain's speech, Thursday night, 9/4
AK is a 2004 Marine Veteran of Falujah, and Prez of IVAW's DC Chapter
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) give John McCain an "F" on their Legislative Report Card ( Correct vote 20% of the time )
McCain's Voting Record on Vets
About McCain:
His voting record should be front and center but the heart-string-pulling stories are what the American people get their feelings worked up over.
Apparently many like being told warm and fuzzy flag wrapped stories with which to shape their views rather than the cold hard truth about McCain; as evidenced last night at the RNC.
His "Nay" and "Not Voting" on Veteran's Issues are where we get a better idea of who he really is:
– Voted AGAINST an amendment providing $20 billion to the VA’s medical facilities. [5/4/06]
– Voted AGAINST providing $430 million to the VA for outpatient care “and treatment for veterans,” one of only 13 senators to do so. [4/26/06]
– Voted AGAINST increasing VA funding by $1.5 billion by closing corporate loopholes. [3/14/06]
– Voted AGAINST increasing VA funding by $1.8 billion by ending “abusive tax loopholes.” [3/10/04]
http://www.votesmart.org/voting_cate...o.x=11&go.y=11
His voting record should be front and center but the heart-string-pulling stories are what the American people get their feelings worked up over.
Apparently many like being told warm and fuzzy flag wrapped stories with which to shape their views rather than the cold hard truth about McCain; as evidenced last night at the RNC.
His "Nay" and "Not Voting" on Veteran's Issues are where we get a better idea of who he really is:
– Voted AGAINST an amendment providing $20 billion to the VA’s medical facilities. [5/4/06]
– Voted AGAINST providing $430 million to the VA for outpatient care “and treatment for veterans,” one of only 13 senators to do so. [4/26/06]
– Voted AGAINST increasing VA funding by $1.5 billion by closing corporate loopholes. [3/14/06]
– Voted AGAINST increasing VA funding by $1.8 billion by ending “abusive tax loopholes.” [3/10/04]
http://www.votesmart.org/voting_cate...o.x=11&go.y=11
8.31.2008
08.30.2008
Not my best blog entry...
By now you may have noticed that I am typically behind in doing these entries. There's 'mucho' going on, a lack of sufficient sleep, too much coffee (but good coffee), etc. You get the idea. So my writing to me is disjointed...Joycian... I would say Stream of Conscious...
There have been raids going on here in the Twin Cities. Watch or listen to Democracy Now (democracynow.org) for actual footage and report on Monday. Amy is here reporting it all. It may also get on Free Speech TV. I hope for a wider broadcasting. However, as you know, that might not occur. We hope NOT to go to jail (realy, that could make me miss my flight and due date back to work). However, it's gotten hairy already.
Last night, Carlos and my work was acknowledged by Jeremy Scahill in his speech (i.e. Author of Blackwater expose on mercenary forces). People gave us a standing ovation. Um, I didn't feel good about that and sort of shrank into my seat. That was humbling. I felt like shouting "Please people. We are just 'normal' people doing what we have to do to get through abnormal times." This is all about Alex and not losing our minds from all the stress, grief, anguish. Truly, I was and continue to be conflicted.
I have been thinking and praying over Brian. He is my stepson and my sun! However, he's been so out of it. I worry. Brian was the first one to love me unreservedly when he was six. I pray for him and his present and future....
Today we stay with elder Minnesotans Patrick and Jenny - Both are cute as buttons! Juan Torres is staying with them as well. However, first we do a memorial march to the RNC site. Of course, isn't that you typically do on your sunny Sunday in MN?
Carlos goes to Chicago after DNC to see Tomas Young. Then onto Cleveland...Then home by next weekend.....Miss my dogs....There were two puppies here last night that gave me love....
By now you may have noticed that I am typically behind in doing these entries. There's 'mucho' going on, a lack of sufficient sleep, too much coffee (but good coffee), etc. You get the idea. So my writing to me is disjointed...Joycian... I would say Stream of Conscious...
There have been raids going on here in the Twin Cities. Watch or listen to Democracy Now (democracynow.org) for actual footage and report on Monday. Amy is here reporting it all. It may also get on Free Speech TV. I hope for a wider broadcasting. However, as you know, that might not occur. We hope NOT to go to jail (realy, that could make me miss my flight and due date back to work). However, it's gotten hairy already.
Last night, Carlos and my work was acknowledged by Jeremy Scahill in his speech (i.e. Author of Blackwater expose on mercenary forces). People gave us a standing ovation. Um, I didn't feel good about that and sort of shrank into my seat. That was humbling. I felt like shouting "Please people. We are just 'normal' people doing what we have to do to get through abnormal times." This is all about Alex and not losing our minds from all the stress, grief, anguish. Truly, I was and continue to be conflicted.
I have been thinking and praying over Brian. He is my stepson and my sun! However, he's been so out of it. I worry. Brian was the first one to love me unreservedly when he was six. I pray for him and his present and future....
Today we stay with elder Minnesotans Patrick and Jenny - Both are cute as buttons! Juan Torres is staying with them as well. However, first we do a memorial march to the RNC site. Of course, isn't that you typically do on your sunny Sunday in MN?
Carlos goes to Chicago after DNC to see Tomas Young. Then onto Cleveland...Then home by next weekend.....Miss my dogs....There were two puppies here last night that gave me love....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
