Activism

The Sickness Unto Death

Activism, Anti-war, US politics, War on Iraq
Published on 1 Comment on The Sickness Unto Death

As the crowds march against the war in Washington Majikthise finds this story of a soldier who died of despair at what he was asked to do by his superiors in Iraq:

Military ethicist lashed out at Gen. Petraeus in suicide note

New evidence has come to light about the suicide of Col. Ted Westhusing a military ethicist who committed suicide in Iraq in 2005, asserting that he would rather die than dishonor himself any further in a profit-driven war:

Now, a new article reveals — based on documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act — that Westhusing’s apparent suicide note included claims that his two commanders tolerated a mission based on “corruption, human right abuses and liars.” One of those commanders: the new leader of the “surge” campaign in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus. [E&P]

Robert Bryce of the Texas Observer obtained Westhusing’s suicide note which reads:

Thanks for telling me it was a good day until I briefed you. [Redacted name]—You are only interested in your career and provide no support to your staff—no msn [mission] support and you don’t care. I cannot support a msn that leads to corruption, human right abuses and liars. I am sullied—no more. I didn’t volunteer to support corrupt, money grubbing contractors, nor work for commanders only interested in themselves. I came to serve honorably and feel dishonored. I trust no Iraqi. I cannot live this way. All my love to my family, my wife and my precious children. I love you and trust you only. Death before being dishonored any more. Trust is essential—I don’t know who trust anymore. [sic] Why serve when you cannot accomplish the mission, when you no longer believe in the cause, when your every effort and breath to succeed meets with lies, lack of support, and selfishness? No more. Reevaluate yourselves, cdrs [commanders]. You are not what you think you are and I know it

COL Ted Westhusing

Life needs trust. Trust is no more for me here in Iraq..

Bryce confirms earlier reports Westhusing was particularly distraught by the corruption of the private military contractors.
Continue reading “Military ethicist lashed out at Gen. Petraeus in suicide note” »

There’s not really a lot to add to that is there?

We’ll Stop The Red Flag Nose Flying Here

Activism, Civil liberties, Culture, UK politics, War on Terror
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I’m not the world’s greatest Tim Ireland fan, but I see no reasoj why he’d make up this story. So I’d better get rid of that plastique red nose I’d been saving if it is true…

Via the The Parliamentary Protest Blog Ireland says that if you wear a red nose anywhere near the Houses of Parliament you’re risking arrest:

Tim Ireland from Bloggerheads warns about Red Nose Day on Friday 16th March 2007:

This is the first Red Nose Day to take place since the introduction of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.

It is now illegal for you to wear a red nose or promote Red Nose Day in any way within the designated area surrounding Parliament if you do not first seek permission from the Metropolitan Police Commissioner.

Simply wearing a red nose could result in a fine of £1,000.

Organising a Red Nose Day event that takes place within the designated area could result in a fine of £2,500 and/or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks.

No, I am not pulling your leg.

This ‘war on terror’ is getting silly, getting really very silly indeed.

“IMPEACH!”

Activism, Blinded by Science, creative direct action, Oh Those Crazy Cloggies
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Imagine the fun a geek with something to say could have with one of these from your friendly neighborhood artactivist collective Graffiti Research Labs, seen here recently lighting up Art Rotterdam:

Lasertagged Rotterdam

Graffiti Research Labs Mark Up Buildings With L.A.S.E.R.TAG

The tech-savvy artists over at Graffiti Research Lab hacked together a large-scale tagging projector using a standard notebook computer, 5000 ANSI DLP projector, a 60mw green laser (apparently super illegal in a lot of places and very dangerous), an astronomer’s camera, and some other random crap.

The L.A.S.E.R.TAG tracks the motion of the green laser through the camera and then projects the ‘ink’ onto any large flat surface—like in this case, the side of a large building.

The lab has instructions on how to get started with creating your own tagging projector, and they’ve thankfully released the source code to help you on your way. But remember, even if you get one successfully built, you still need some art skills to properly do graffiti. – Alexander Yoon

Via Gizmodo Project details, pictures, video and source code here.