 Book Review -- |
From Warriors to Resisters: U.S. Veterans on Terrorism |
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This book contains the personal narratives of ten U.S. vets active in SOA Watch [SOA is the School of the America's, Ft. Benning, GA, U.S. Terrorist Training Camp-Ed.] who explain how they awoke to the reality of U.S. foreign policy and why they have become resisters. Written after September 11, these resisters note that the current "war on terrorism" rhetoric still does not square with reality. Each resister tells their own story of how they came to see and oppose U.S. militarism. From Laura Salttery's story of breaking free of her "internal continuum of solider on one side and protester on the other" to narratives from Father Roy Bourgeois, Charles Liteky and Ellen Barsfield. This book provides powerful exposure for anyone fighting against today's never-ending war on terrorism. Most inspiring is the stand of SOA activists in the face of Sept. 11-when some activists called upon others to tone down opposition to the system. The following is from Father Roy Bourgeois' narrative: "After the September 11 attacks, the commanding officer of Fort Benning and the mayor of adjacent Columbus said that the U.S. was at war with terrorists, and they requested that the SOA Watch call off its annual protest in front of Fort Benning. But the tens of thousands in the movement said it was more important than ever to protest. After all, President Bush has repeatedly said that we are at war with terrorism and should go after those training camps for terrorist wherever they are. A good place to start is on our own soil at the SOA/WHISC." SOA Watch in D.C., www.soaw.org
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In light of the changed social and political climate following September 11, and considering our current wars against drugs and terrorism, it is critical that we listen to our veterans. They have "been there," have experienced U.S. militarism from inside the system, and in many cases have encountered the "enemy" personally.