About the Author
The Author
Andrew Heyman lives and works in Seattle Washington USA. His true vocation is political writing and agitating for the radical idea that a society that is governed by, and serves the needs of the people is best.
Andrew is also the member of a wonderful family with his loving wife, Pam, and the proud father of 2 wonderful children, Josie and Adam. They all keep him from becoming immersed in blogging to an unhealthy degree, and remind him of why he cares about what is going on in this world in the first place.
You can email him at kiacyclic-AT-gmail.com.
Tales of Real Courage: Matthis Chiroux
Just in case you forgot there is a world outside the presidential election, here is someone who has real real political courage, Matthis Chiroux:
On Thursday, Matthis, joined by members of the nonprofit organization Iraq Veterans Against the War, publicly announced in Washington, D.C., his plans to ignore the Army’s orders to report to Iraq on June 15.
In a press conference held in the Cannon House Office Building, Matthis read a statement that said, in part:
“As an Army journalist whose job it was to collect and filter service members’ stories, I heard many stomach-churning testimonies of the horrors and crimes taking place in Iraq. For fear of retaliation from the military, I failed to report these crimes, but never again will I allow fear to silence me. “Never again will I fail to stand. … This occupation is unconstitutional and illegal, and I hereby lawfully refuse to participate, as I will surely be a party to war crimes. …”
Mr. Chiroux is facing serious consequences for making a moral choice, one that he shouldn't have to make. We are supposed to honor the freedom of dissent in this country, and the rule of law. The truth however is that the rule of power and privilege have always had a greater say, the exception being when ordinary people stand-up against it.
He stance is admirable also because the crimes of our government are not only on-going, but are deepening:
The Pentagon is moving forward with plans to build a new, 40-acre detention complex on the main American military base in Afghanistan, officials said, in a stark acknowledgment that the United States is likely to continue to hold prisoners overseas for years to come.