Looking out my window...

War Veteran Wounded By Police At Occupy Oakland, Stun Grenade Thrown At Folks Helping Him

The following is from MOVEON.ORG.Democracy In Action 

This is just insane.

 

 

 

Scott Olsen, a protester who’s done two tours of duty in Iraq and is now involved in Veterans For Peace, was critically wounded during an Oakland police raid by police projectiles. When people tried to help him, an officer lobbed a flash bang grenade right into their group. Olsen is currently hospitalized with serious injuries and is reported to be in critical condition.

If you’re as horrified by this as we are, please sign this petition to Oakland’s mayor and then share this page with everyone you know.

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This is how peaceful demonstrations are met...with violence...billy clubs, tear gas, smoke bombs, water hoses, dogs, sabers, guns. These are the standard weapons used in non-provoked violence. If the soundtrack was not in English, would you know where we were? Greece, maybe?

It happened in Chicago in 1968, but worse. It was the Democratic Convention. It was a peaceful demonstration against the Viet Nam War.

It happened during the Freedom Marches led by the Rev. Martin Luther King.

Now it has happened in Oakland. It will happen again.

How Dogs Support Our Troops

18 Veterans commit suicide a day. 4 Million dogs are euthanized every year. Dogs help Vets with PTSD (retrieved from @DustyRice on Twitter).

   

Powerful stories told here. Visit http://WWW.P2V.ORG/ for more information on the wonderful program.

Dogs can be a friend like no other living creature. They are always there when you need them. They snuggle and keep you warm. And, they don't gossip about anything you tell them.

Our best friend is Copper. You've met him before, but here he is again.

 
Copper The Cock-a-poo.
Picture by Sharon.

Copper is 7 years old this month. Since the Chief  retired, Copper has been his co-pilot on errand road trips. If you see one, you'll likely see the other.

Copper is the one wagging his tail.

Pacifism And Supporting Our Troops

 
Vietnam Veterans Memorial

I was pretty much raised as a pacifist. I knew that should I ever have a baby boy I would, as soon as possible, register him as a conscientious objector.

It was the age of non-violence. Go to jail rather than fight in a war. Especially if the war was wrong. And, what war wasn't. All wars have been based on greed and/or creed, as much as I can figure anyway. Many of the recent ones were sold to the people with lies.

And yet...the big "thing" today is to remember our veterans, support our troops, recognize and acknowledge what our veterans have fought and died for, even when they have fought and died for the wrong reason.

As a pacifist can I support our troops and veterans...our warriors?

Yes, I believe I can. And, I do. They went as they were told: fighting for our freedom, our country, our honor, our safety, and our children's children. They fought for all that, despite the wrong calling they answered.

The good they thought they were doing is not forgotten.

Thank you for your service.