The anti-war association Iraq Veterans Against the War has been staging guerrilla theatre warfare in cities all over the U.S. for the past year. They call it Operation First Casualty…and they most recently brought the battle to the streets of Denver, CO, where the Democratic National Convention is meeting this week. This video is of one of their earlier operations in Chicago, but it shows the strange juxtaposition of everyday American life in “wartime” with the everyday life of Iraqis in wartime. Same war, very different experiences. It’s funny watching people lined up for the bus - because gas is so expensive - and seeing their day interrupted by the reason for the gas and food price hike. At least you are not being tackled at gunpoint in your own home before you even leave the house to catch the bus!
The veterans who form I.V.A.W. set an example for all of us - they have committed acts of violence and murder that most of us never will, and they are taking responsibility for their actions, even though the government tells them they are wrong for doing so. In fact, even Obama, who has repeatedly, if unconvincingly, claimed he will withdraw all troops from Iraq, won’t meet with them. Check out www.democracynow.org for more details about IVAW, footage from the recent Operation Casualty in Denver, and their request to meet with Obama and other major Democrat representatives.
