It is very unfortunate that our soldiers must die.

But most American’s suck it up and say “that’s what they signed up for”. That is total bullshit.

They signed up to make this world a better place by putting their life on the line to defend this great nation, not to be shuffled around the world in the “war on terror” while our leaders sip drinks at fund raisers. Why does a man who risks his life dodging bullets go unrewarded while another man shifting numbers in his pocketbooks lives a lavish life of affluence?

Family values and morality our war-hawks preach; the irony escapes many.

Unfortunately, many American citizens feel that supporting the war is right. They feel a strong sense of patriotism inside when they slap a yellow ribbon on their Ford Expedition. (Or is it nationalism? I doubt many citizens know the difference).

To me, I feel like I can best support my country by making a personal commitment to educate myself. I have been reading lots of personal stories written by soldiers, and there is some compelling points that should not go unheard.

One of these soldiers is Smedley Butler. He was one of the most decorated Marines in his time (1900-1925) and author of “War is a Racket“, a short writing about war-profiteering in his day (but still very relevant to modern times). Excerpt from his short work: –>

You have no honor you muslim scum. To strike down a 17 year old girl for the crime of “falling in love” with a person of a different religion… and then celebrate it… is this real? Isn’t this 2007?

Unfortunately, shit like this happens all to much. 10,000 honor killings in the past 10 years in the Kurdish region alone. 5,000 a year worldwide. Almost all were women.

For those who are unsure as to what they are:

Honor crimes are acts of violence, usually murder, committed by male family members against female family members, who are perceived to have brought dishonor upon the family. A woman can be targeted by (individuals within) her family for a variety of reasons, including: refusing to enter into an arranged marriage, being the victim of a sexual assault, seeking a divorce — even from an abusive husband — or (allegedly) committing adultery. The mere perception that a woman has behaved in a specific way to “dishonor” her family, is sufficient to trigger an attack.

Romeo and Juliet were of families who hated each other, but that was romantic fiction. This is real life, 21st century earth in a backwards muslim state ran by religious law. In present day Iraq, a girl now lays in a pool of her own blood. Her own family helped with her murderous ‘punishment’.

To moderate muslims: you better not condone these actions, for if you do, you are supporters of brutality and injustice. Your religious law is as backwards as can be. If you disagree with it, step up and defend your your opinion. Do it for humanity and equality, or even personal morals.

To the “moral majority” (ie, the christian right): so, which is more important, hating gays, or stopping injustice and promoting women’s rights around the world? Republicans and fundamentalists, put your money where your mouth is. You claim to the morally superior; now show me. Show me that your morals mean more than hating gays, promoting censorship, and bombing abortion clinics. I may be “morally bankrupt” in your eyes, but show me that you care about injustice, equality, and human suffering. Because I have seen very little that shows me otherwise.

I shall go on the record on this issue: fuck honor killings. Take your dark age bullshit and shove it, because you all will be remembered for being barbarians rather than moral crusaders. –>