I stepped in another pile of IVAW this morning.
Meet Reagan Sullivan on left, one of the masterminds of the noted think tank that is IVAW.
Reagan Sullivan [Iraq Veterans Against The War]
Branch: United States Army (USA) [Ed: Canon Cocker]
Home: New Mexico
I served 3 years in the ARNG, 3 years active duty. Spent one year in Iraq (OIF1).
I had resolved last week not to do anymore posts on IVAW, but sometimes they just make it necessary. I’m going to repost his post from IVAW under Fair Use, and sprinkle in my comments.
Anyway, Reagan was supposed to testify at WSI, but I don’t remember it if he did, although he was obviously there from the picture.
Sullivan says he’ll testify on the role of civilian contractors like KBR, which built and ran the mess hall on one of the bases where he was stationed. “They brought in Filipino women and Pakistani men to actually work in the chow hall, so they’re getting pennies a day basically, while KBR is bringing in all the cash.”
Sorry I missed that testimony, it must have been riveting. Now, with further ado:
Vet’s for Freedom biggest joke I have ever seen.
So, I saw one of their commercials just now, I almost shit my pants from laughter.
Incontinence in one so young is rather unusual. The VA can probably help you with that.
I went to their website to see what they were all about… basically they are a PAC and they are trying to get warmongers elected into congress… some of their candidates never served, and I saw one or two that are young enough to serve.
Unfortunately, the VA cannot help you with reading comprehension and analytical reasoning. VFF has endorsed 16 candidates.
Mike Rocque: USA, 20 yrs, Special Forces, Delta Force.
Allen West: USA, 20 yrs, COL, Desert Storm (DS), OIF, OEF
Jim Marshall: USA, Ranger Hall of Fame, Vietnam
Will Breazeale: DS, OIF, OEF
Jeff Beatty: USA, Delta Force, FBI Hostage Rescue, CIA
Lee Zeldin: OIF, currently in reserves
Steve Stivers: NG, COL, OIF
Duane Sand: USNA, OIF
Tom Rooney, Army Jag
John Cornyn, USMC, currently on Senate Armed Services Committee
Duncan Hunter III: USMC, CPT, currently in OEF
Vince Micco: USA, 9 yrs Counter Intel
Kent Greenough: USMC, 6 yrs
Tom Manion: USMC, 30 yrs, COL, Gold Star Dad, Lost his son in OIF.
He is right that two candidates did not serve, Mark Ellmore and Dean Andal. Mark is 50, and has a son in the Air Force, Dean is 47 and serves on the Employer Support for Guard and Reserve in CA. Which of those two is it you think ought to be enlisting Reagan?
IVAW doesn’t do endorsements, but they had a Member of Congress at their Winter Soldier, and they had several at their Farce on the Hill event:
Dennis Kucinich: No service, but does want to replace the DoD with the Department of Peace.
At the farce on the Hill:
LYNN WOOLSEY, CA: No service
BARBARA LEE, CA: No service
MAXINE WATERS, CA: No service
SHIELA JACKSON-LEE, TX: No service
MARCY KAPTUR, OH: No service
KEITH ELLISON, MN: No service
DONALD PAYNE, NJ: No service
So, it brings up the question, if their goal is to win the war of terrorism, why are they wasting time running for congress and running around campaigning for their candidates? Just go back into the service and get the job done yourself!
Well, as you can see, some of the candidates ARE currently serving, or are you referring to VFF in general? Because many of the VFF members are ALSO SERVING, like the Exec. Dir. Pete Hegseth. As for me, I can’t serve because of medical issues, however, I am actively trying to get back in a civilian capacity, thanks for asking.
They seem to think the cost of withdrawing troops will be devastating, I guess they never looked at any war funding bill?
Actually, not only have I read it, I helped lobby for portions of it. How about you?
Well, I’ll take 1200 + well informed dissident troops over 25,000 idiots!
Really? Do you honestly want to compare brain pans?
Category: Iraq Veterans Against the War, Support the troops
Reagan Sullivan spewed:
So, it brings up the question, if their goal is to win the war of terrorism, why are they wasting time running for congress and running around campaigning for their candidates?
Isn’t it something that a guy who’s named after one of the greatest Presidents of all time, Ronaldus Magnus Reagan, is such a sell-out to his country! He also doesn’t have a clue on how our government works either. The most effective way of winning the war on terrorism besides having boots on the ground, knowledgible and inspiring leadership and effective strategy is by electing officials who will support the war effort, such as those endorsed by the VVF.
“They brought in Filipino women and Pakistani men to actually work in the chow hall, so they’re getting pennies a day basically, while KBR is bringing in all the cash.”
DUMB ASS. Best of my knowledge, those were cost reimbursement contracts, so there’s no “profit” to be made by paying lower wages.
Once again, Winter Soldier 2.1 parallels Winter Soldier.
There were conflicting numbers given out about how many people “testified”. I have the VVAW’s “media guide” from WS 1.0 that lists a lot of people who you’ll find listed in the WS 1.0 accounts.
Turns out a lot back then were from Philadelphia, while today the national IVAW rat’s nest is located in Philadelphia.
Jonn wrote: I just emailed TSO about that. Here’s the panel he would have been on;
I just don’t see him there. I think it was a lie he told his local newspaper.
And there’s a lot like this puke who you can’t find else where.
Thanks for the IVAW updates, TSO.
I guess there’s an element of masochism to keeping tabs on these Winter Poseurs, but hey, it can’t be as painful as looking at the picture of Ghey-Rod that darkened the pages of The Sniper yesterday…
TSO: [nodding] you speakum much troof white man.
Jonn, I hope you keep it up on IVAW as well as Code Pink. I found this site when you covered the Winter Soldiers hearings and appreciated the way you did not allow them to go unanswered. I hate to tell this schmucktelli, but KBR is not a non-profit organization and I met alot of retired or prior service employees of KBR in Iraq. Also, a number of the older KBR Rep’s I dealt with, had kids in the military. All the members of VFF I have met have seen service in Iraq or Afghanistan unlike some of the members of IVAW, according to their listed profiles.
I am actively trying to get back in a civilian capacity, thanks for asking.
I actually thought I was going as a civilian a couple of years ago. I’m tooooo old to re-join and was in contact with someone supposedly arranging for music groups to do a tour. The guy turned out to be a con man and a poseur. He’s in jail last I heard.
Gonna assume something so lame won’t be in your future. If so send post cards.
I helped lobby for one portion-the GI Bill.
I am a little confused though. You list people as currently serving that you endorse for Congress. I thought it was illegal to run for office while still a current member of the Armed Forcces?
TSO: You are referring to the Hatch Act. It is illegal to be active duty and do so in uniform, but if you are reserves you can do so provided you do not do so IN uniform. Which is why occassionally you hear about wives making appearances for the candidate if he is on active duty status, or overseas. Three immediate people (Sen Graham, Rep Buyer and Rep Shimkus) I know have all been in the reserves and been in Congress.
Jonn wrote: Not to mention, more famously, John Murtha.
Jonn,
It’s been years since Murtha has been on Team America, so does the Hatch Act still apply to those who have switched sides?
Jonn wrote: I’ve learned over the last few years that no laws apply to Mr. Murtha.
Hey “army” “sergeant”, those of us who serve in the National Guard and reserve components CAN run for political office…AND WIN!
Example; Rep. Steve Buyer of Indiana is/was a JAG in the Guard or Reserve (not sure which) at the same time he served in Congress!
Seems to me you need to study your interpretation of the UCMJ some more!
[…] This ain’t Hell stepped in a steaming pile of IVAW […]
Paul Couturier,
Perhaps A/S should give AR12-381 a browse too. If not the whole thing, perhaps the definition of “Subversion”.
jonn if you didn’t write about them and all their deceptions some of us might not hear about it. thanks for doing it.
Zoey
I stand corrected-shows me how much I focus on my active duty stuff, I need to remember guard and reserve have different rules.
That said, “army” “Sergeant”? What part of those is debatable, Coutourier? Do you want to see my promotion orders?
TSO: No, we don’t need promotion orders. We will however require you to relocate to Ft Benning, and climb on top of Iron Mike while displaying a copy of today’s Stars and Stripes. Failure to comply will result in quotation marks around your name. (To everyone else, yeah, she’s in the army, and also a SGT. Unless she is a master of breaking into AKO.)
I’m inclined to think Army Sargent might be a bit hot under that collar..
*blink* *blink*
Do you want to see my promotion orders?
Even Benedict Arnold received a promotion, AS. All I want is a properly filled out SF-180.
Jonn wrote: Actually, she can’t fill out an SF-180 until she’s been discharged. Not that it gives me any pleasure, but I can vouch for AS’ active duty status having spoken with Army officials in their military capacity about her and that status.
I see that Robin stepped into some Dahr Jamail over the weekend:
http://chickenhawkexpress.blogspot.com/2008/07/but-but-dahr-jamail-said-fallujah-is.html
And she is still employed by the military, Jonn? What a waste of my tax dollars.
I agree Skye!
If I were her Commander, I’d be on her like a blanket. One slight violation of the UCMJ (the REAL one, not her interpretation of it) and she’d be a civilian again!
Of course, I’m still wondering what the hell she’s waiting for to do the right thing, and do the nation a favor, and get out of the Army!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are referring to the Hatch Act. It is illegal to be active duty and do so in uniform, but if you are reserves you can do so provided you do not do so IN uniform.
This really puts a hamper on the “LT Nixon For Galactic Emperor of the Milky Way” campaign. Damn you, TSO, and your fancy law speak.
Jonn wrote: I don’t think the Hatch Act has any provisions for intergalactic political office, so you may be on steady ground in that respect – for the time being.
Just to clear some things up. I never said I was going to be on a panel, there were many other members who had their testimony recorded elsewhere with tape recorders to be compiled for the congressional records. There was no way to fit everyone on a panel or else Winter Soldier would have been a month long.
As far as my war funding bill comment, it was a reaction to VFF stating that losing the war in Iraq would be costly, as if the war doesn’t cost enough.
Everything else I said is opinion or things I notice.
Oh, next time you want to bring up one of my members speak posts, post the whole thing.
TSO: However, once again you failed to note which of the 2 individuals who have not served, aged 50 and 47 respectively, you would have serve.
My bad you did post the whole thing, I was looking for the teaser. Here is the teaser, I eagerly await your remarks.
“So, you can join Vet’s for Freedom without even being a veteran. That must be why they can boast a 25,000 member count. How many chickenhawks do you think they have?”
Well then, Mr. Coutourier, it is perhaps fortunate that my commanders have better things to do than invent spurious charges to drum me out of the military.
Also, Reagan Sullivan is right: those at Winter Soldier should be able to testify to the frenetic pace of the hearings, and there simply was no way to fit everyone on. No way at all. The program managers tried their best, but there were simply too many people coming forward with testimony to accomodate all of them.
SO, when Reagan got home he went straight to the newspaper and told them to print a retraction because he didn’t get to testify?
AS, you should also tell Reagan that the IRAQ VETERANS Against the War have members that have never served in Iraq or Afghanistan, despite the implication of the organization’s actual title, so folks living in glass houses….
I rarely use that little fact, unless I’m faced with an actual member of the IVAW who never served in any combat zone, but Reagan likes to paint a whole organization as “chickenhawks” even though we all know most of the members have indeed served in this war.
Me? I can’t join either organization even though I have been an infantryman in combat in Iraq.
TSO: In point of fact, 2 of the Board Members on IVAW, and the Treasurer have never served in Iraq. Which is why I don’t even bother responding to the VFF Membership issue. Well that and I have no say over it either way. But love the classic transference.
SO, when Reagan got home he went straight to the newspaper and told them to print a retraction because he didn’t get to testify?
“No, I knew before going to WS that I was not going to be on a panel. When I had the conversation with the journalist it was over the phone while I was at WS. You will not find anything implying I ever said I was on a panel, I don’t know if I can make that any more clear. And yet again, I testified outside of the conference room in a one on one interview.”
AS, you should also tell Reagan that the IRAQ VETERANS Against the War have members that have never served in Iraq or Afghanistan, despite the implication of the organization’s actual title, so folks living in glass houses….
“DUH! We allow any servicemember who served on or after September 11th, 2001, or in other words, we don’t allow non-veterans into the organization as members, we do have civilians that work for us though.”
I rarely use that little fact, unless I’m faced with an actual member of the IVAW who never served in any combat zone, but Reagan likes to paint a whole organization as “chickenhawks” even though we all know most of the members have indeed served in this war.
“No, I didn’t paint the whole organization as chickenhawks, merely pointing out that they allow non-veterans to join, and most non-veterans who beat the war drum, well, they are chickenhawks.”
Me? I can’t join either organization even though I have been an infantryman in combat in Iraq.
“Oh, but again, you forget, ANYONE can be a member of VFF!”
TSO: You cling to that my man. Don’t let anyone get you off your talking points ok? Never mind defending the obvious fallacies of your statements, you just stick to the Chickenhawk meme until you can effectively beat it into the ground.
So, Reagan, where can I find a record of this one-on-one testimony? I think I have a right to see it, along with the rest of the testimony I’ve listened to and read. My function in this endeavor is to weed out the liars and phonies. Non-liars and non-phonies have nothing to fear.
I’ve searched the internet and all I’ve found is pointless ramblings similar to what you’ve posted here about how you don’t like the VFF. It sounds more like penis envy than rational discussion, though.
Just your presence at Winter Soldier doesn’t prove anything – I was there, too. Does that make everything I say truthful as well? Let’s see this testimony of yours.
Added: Kokesh didn’t think it was fun when he was here, what makes you think it will be fun?
You’ll just have to wait until all the testimony is published.
TSO: Well, that’s a shocka!
In fact, let me find out if and or when the testimony is published.
Reagan Sullivan,
VFP is IVAW’s Sugar Daddy. By their own stats, it’s for sure 25% CHICKENSHITS (Associate members) perhaps 40% when you add in unverified “veterans”.
A/S,
“The program managers tried their best, but there were simply too many people coming forward with testimony to accomodate all of them.”
Well thanks for giving the Revolutionary Communist Party’s Barry Romo priority over the others. And the Vietnam era guy from the Army Band at Fort Hamilton…Cortright.
Both were on the “VVAW Reliving The Glory Days” panel. And then there was Tod Ensign, key personnel for both the CCI and Winter Soldier events, with CCI stocked with so many clear phonies that a NY Time Book editor could identify them.
YatYas,
KBR probably has a cost reimbursement contract with either a fixed fee or incentive fee as what laymen would call “profit”. A lot of stories I’ve heard told about KBR don’t fit the actual situation.
Right. For example, shame on those people saying KBR kills troops! KBR doesn’t kill troops, KBR electrocutes troops! The electricity kills the troops!
Screw KBR.
TSO: And that bastard Ben Franklin. I’d like to take that kite and shove it up his arse for that!
A/S,
How many times have troops been electrocuted by generators set up and operated by other troops? How mant times have the troops been run over because someone didn’t use a vehicle guide? How many times have other fatal accidents been traced back to military folks.
And a lot of it happens during training. The military is a dangerous job even in peacetime.
Screw KBR? Screw you.
Now, now, people, can’t we all just get along?
(Last dude that said that got like millions of dollars, so this may be my ticket out of here.)
KBR and high deployment rates that the IVAW and peace pukes like to whine about because “they support the troops too” only exist because the peace pukes were relentless about cutting the military.
Include the whining about the guard and reserve deployments too.
So we did what they wanted, yet now they won’t take ownership of their mistakes.
“Peace” is the “dividend” on our military investment.
TSO: I generally agree with you. As I do here. An interesting look at the actual numbers. AS- If you could, explain to me which of these you blame on KBR, and which you do not:
In a written response to several questions Casey raised on the issue during an April 8 hearing, Gen. David Petraeus, commanding general of Multinational Forces-Iraq, said the 13 electrocution deaths in Iraq “occurred under the following circumstances: five died from contact with power distribution lines, two installing communications equipment, two performing maintenance on generators, two taking a shower, one while power-washing equipment and one while swimming. The only two events that occurred inside billeting facilities (both while taking a shower) were on different bases in Iraq and occurred 3 1/2 years apart (May 2004 and January 2008).”
TSO: To cut it down more finely, I’d need to be in those hearings and asking questions. That’s somewhat of a dodge, I’ll grant-the real answer is that I’d have to go back into the Stars and Stripes I first read these stories in, and I am really not in the mood to do research on which deaths I condemn and which deaths I don’t. I condemn all preventable deaths.
Raoul: When have I ever supported the drawdown of the military? I think the military should never have been drawn down in the fashion it was, and we should have prepared in peace for times of war, kept our standards high, and stopped the privatization of our military and stopped hiring civilians to do what well-trained soldiers can do better. Also, many of the accidents you cite took place because of poor training from an underfunded military that was spending too much of its money on space-age pies in the sky and too little on the meat-and-potatoes stuff.
I never asked for a weakened military. Why do you say it’s “what I asked for?”
A/S,
Stop playing the Virgin Mary around here. You’re working cheek by jowl with the people who did do that and continue to do that. Let’s see you condem them for what they did that underfunded and weakened the military. Just look around at the signs next ANSWER/UFPJ/WCW march you’re asked to front, “Money for [insert social cause here] Not for war.”
I’ll wait…
In the mean time, which one of these deaths from electrocution was KBR’s fault, hitting an overhead wire with the crane used to move barricades, hitting a live overhead with a metal ladder when running a TA 312 wire, or contacting something live while doing maintenance on a running generator?
Knock off the “military toys” line of BS too. High tech saves lives and the flea bitten dogs you lay down with mock life saving high tech as either unnecessary overkill. The day they allow those acquisition funds to shift to O&M, schools in Hell will close due to snow.
A/S,
Yeah, you’re not in the mood to deal with reality.
AP story in Stars and Stripes –
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IRAQ_CONTRACTORS_ELECTROCUTIONS?SITE=DCSAS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-07-11-15-12-15
Boston Globe EDITORIAL – Fact Free Opinion (Sounds Based on AP BS)
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2008/07/22/wired_for_death_in_iraq/
NY Times Account
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/04/world/middleeast/04electrocute.html?_r=4&oref=slogin&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
That NYT article says KBR sent the govt a list of shoddy work. Who’s shoddy work? Evil KBR would report themselves? Lack of skilled personnel? Your friends were complaining all the big firms got the work and not poor local Iraqis.
I’d love to know who’s generator (KBR vs USG) wasn’t grounded and killed the Soldier power washing the Humvee?
I have yet to see any investigation that assigns blame for any of these deaths to KBR, yet you’re perfectly happy signing the Moonbat Fight Songs. I went through half the reports on these deaths and eliminated KBR from about half very quickly.
So eager to point a finger at evil Halliburton…
I love the “I joined the reserves or guard but I did know I would go to war.” crap I see with some of these people.
You raised your hand and swore to “Defend and Protect” the Constitution of the US and “Obey” the orders of the President.
I believe, and I may be streching for this one, that includes WAR dumbass! You thought you were going to come in and work with computers, and give out some food during disater, then go to school on the GI bill. WRONG! You have an obligation you raised your hand for. Deal son, just deal with it.
If it were as easy to join IVAW as VFF, we’d have 25,000 members too. It’s not. See for yourself. Membership in IVAW requires filling out a lengthy application and submitting proof-of-service. Now, I know some of you like to keep bringing up Jesse MacBeth, who was booted from the organization as soon as it was discovered that he was misrepresenting his military service. (Misrepresentation of one’s service record is in violation of IVAW’s code of conduct.) But seriously, Mr. Deming, you sounded like a whiny brokedick private that day in Bryn Mawr. You looked a sorry sight, you and Silent Bob all by your lonesome. Tired, potbellied, useless old farts trying to heckle veterans who were conducting a 25-mile road march. And where was your great Gagglefuck of Beagles the next day? Aren’t you supposed to be defending war memorials from defacement? You had quit your post without being properly relieved. You weren’t there to protect the memorial arch at Valley Forge, and two Marines desecrated it by holding a pull-up competition. Jonn wrote: Let’s put all of this membership competition to rest. IRAQ VETERANS Against the War presents itself as a group of IRAQ VETERANS who oppose the war, but that’s not true of the entire membership. The Vets For Freedom do not present themselves as Veterans of the Iraq War and it’s not in their title. VFF admits that although they were founded by veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, they welcome membership from all veterans, their families and their supporters. To wit; Vets for Freedom is a nonpartisan organization established by combat veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our mission is to educate the American public about the importance of achieving success in these conflicts by applying our first-hand knowledge to issues of American strategy and tactics in Iraq. We support policymakers from both sides of the aisle who have stood behind our great generation of American warriors on the battlefield, and who have put long-term national security before short-term partisan political gain. Vets for Freedom is the leading voice representing troops and veterans from… Read more »
Salvatjion army sergeant – “Well then, Mr. Coutourier, it is perhaps fortunate that my commanders have better things to do than invent spurious charges to drum me out of the military.”
In other words, they’re perfectly content to allow gutless, hate-filled, anti-military TRAITORS like yoursekf to spreag your gutless, HATE-FILLED LIES all around Fort Drum?
I doubt it!
Like I said, just be happy that I’m not you’re Commander!
Sholom –
“I”VAW’s recruitment problem is hardly a secret. I am not the only one here who vividly recalls when “Iraq” Veterans Against the War accused their brothers and sisters in arms of engaging in systematic brutality in Iraq when “I”VAW posted their initial WSI2 announcement on their website. No doubt Army Sergeant can recall it, as well, since we discussed this long ago over at Obiter Dictum before “I”VAW scrubbed it off their website.
Mr. Coutourier: With as much venom as you express, I hope to god you’re not anyone’s commander, because I’d be really sorry to see the poor troops led by you.
Shalom,
Too bad that the IVAW rallied behind McBeth until it was untenable and absolutely clear he was a phony.
People on the outside had to take out IVAW’s trash.
Shalom,
Did you get a chance to sing “The Ballad of Ho Chi Minh” with Joe Bangert that weekend? Did he give IVAW any pointers on how to suck up to the enemy?
A 25 mile road march? You guys are slackers. If you’re going to re-enact Operation RAW, re-enact Operation RAW. But 80 miles over 4 days would be too much to ask of the IVAW posers.
Bangert is a real bastard. Did you ever read his Winter Soldier “testimony”?
JONN,
The “Highest Ranking IVAW” Luis Carlos DePlaneBoss DePlaneBoss claims he witnessed waterboarding.
http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/3800/promoting_incompetence_in_iraq/
Mike,
IVAW are the VVAW puppets. VVAW calls the shots, VVAW proves the script.
(Misrepresentation of one’s service record is in violation of IVAW’s code of conduct.)
Is that true of guys like Massey and Camillo? Because I have pointed out statements made by each that are mutually exclusive of other comments they have made. How does that not violate the code of conduct? FOr instance, Camillo in various places has stated that he engaged in mock executions, and in others expressly stated that they did not, for lack of a pistol. Does this not violate the code of conduct?
Sounds to me like the CoC is the same one that Millard said I signed to go to WSI which I never signed, and which did not say what he purported to say that it did.
Luis Montalvan is not the highest ranked IVAW member, I’m not sure where they got that idea. I believe it’s a lieutenant colonel.
“Vets” for Freedom isn’t even all vets, but it is in the name of the org?
Hello pot, this is kettle.
TSO: And I even heard there were members of Red Sox Nation who are not Red Sox! Frankly, I disagree with the VFF policy, however, you don’t think there is a difference between having people on the Board who are not Iraq vets and allowing people to sign up to receive the email alerts? Is there someone on the Board at VFF who is not a veteran? If so, I am unaware. Certainly doesn’t look that way to me.