The bravery of anonymity
Ever wonder how you can call yourself brave without having to identify yourself? Well, James Branum, lawyer to more imprisoned soldiers than anyone else would be proud to represent, has it all figured out. He puts a prospective client on YouTube wrapped up in some really snazzy duds;
Of course, Branum begins the video with a commercial for more money. Probably because he’s run out of people from whom he can leach. This particular person (I won’t call him a soldier because he’s not brave enough to identify himself, so we don’t know if he’s really a soldier or not) tell us that he just returned from Iraq and he’s filing for conscientious objector and a medical discharge.
Here’s some unsolicited advice; If you just returned, apply for CO status now – you don’t even need Branum. You have lots of time to get it approved (if you’re really a CO) so you don’t have to go AWOL the day of the deployment and get tossed in jail like Travis Bishop.
He claims he’s anonymous to avoid retribution – well, if you don’t tell anyone who you are, how are you going to file for CO status? That’s just ridiculous – who is going to attack him? Me? It sounds like Branum is using the Matthew Alexander technique to hide something.
The veil represents all of those soldiers who have come to the realization that our current wars and all future wars aren’t worth human life. The veil covers his conscience. WTF? The veil represents his fear…period. He claims that he speaks for “many” soldiers. So I guess he thinks he’s the only one smart enough and brave enough to hire James Branum to screw up his young life.
The rest of the diatribe of this fellow basically calls the troops racists and murderers – well, not the troops specifically but he blames “the Army” who makes us racist and blood thirsty killer. He says he’d return to Iraq “to make [Iraqis] lives better” – looks to me like we’ve done that and there’s very little fighting going on in Iraq now. So what is he opposed to about our mission there now? Since we don’t know who he is and what unit he “recently” served with, we don’t even know what he’s talking about, do we?
Branum is also using this fellow for raising funds on Facebook, and says the guy is an active duty Iraq Veterans Against the War. More than likely in Fort Hood and a member of the coven of Coffee Strong Under the Hood. The word is that Coffee Strong Under the Hood, and their mentor Cindy Richardson Thomas has swung over completely into the activism camp and their concern for soldiers is over shadowed by the anti-war aspect.
Thanks to Casey Porter for the links. He wanted to write this post, but I couldn’t resist since Branum is so eager to use this as a fund raiser and is so set on screwing this guy to the wall (if he’s a real vet).
Category: Antiwar crowd, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Usual Suspects
The yin-yang scarf was the first tip-off….
I had to tap out when he was praising his own bravery.
Total coward. Doesn’t even have enough courage to back his own convictions. Hope he gets the hell out of the army fast, because we don’t need momma’s boy pussies like this.
A few things bother me about this.
First, when did Under the Hood change their name to Coffee Strong (How very original)?? Or, are they 2 different places?
Second, The Iraq war is winding down big time, so I don’t really know what this onionhead is going to be a CO about, but the fact that he’s pounding his chest while crying like a pussy makes me wonder if he’s another Matthis type.
Third, If CS and UTH are the same place, I have been saying for a while that they are nothing but a front for the twisted peace pansy movement and are using soldiers as pawns for their own means, not unlike what they blame the military for doing to the soldiers.
Sorry, OT, I always get those two mixed up. Coffee Strong is at Ft Lewis. Fixed it, thanks.
No problemo, Jonn, since they are interchangeable in that respect, I can understand where this mix up can happen.
As I said, it’s not about the troops, but a bunch of old bitties and juvenile 60’s hippies that needed a fresh batch of impressionable types to grab onto for their own devices. They feed on these troops, who may have come back from a deployment a little disillusioned about what they experienced and have underlying issues that need to be dealt with, so they are ripe for the old farts to influence. Some, it’s the opposite, they are young, scared that the oath they took and the contract they signed is now coming due for the college money, or other bennies they thought they were getting for free, so they wander in to grab a cuppa joe and the influencing starts from there. The next thing you know, you are smiling while 2 old hippie hags that are still stuck in ’68 are draped over both your arms and someone is posting that picture and you are spouting their stupid commie shit they were spouting in San Fran 42 years ago. The difference is; they never served back then and they aren’t the ones facing the consequences now.
Fucking bottom feeders.
What I put on my personal blog: Look out world! It’s The Masked Objector and his slow moving trial loosing side-kick The Minnow! Because you know he’s no Denny Crane. That’s right folks! James Branum is at it again! You are being scammed. Yeah, that’s right, scammed. Some of you have joined a support page for the “Soldier” wearing a mask and claiming he is trying to get out of the Army on conscientious objection and medical grounds. For those of you who have not seen the video, here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oikp0IsWroQ Is he even a real Soldier? Who knows? He could very well be. But here is where the scam part of it comes in: James Branum wants you to give him money for a legal defense fund that is not even needed. That’s right, you do NOT need a lawyer for this. If what this Soldier says is true, that he just came back, then now is the time to file your CO paper work. There is nothing wrong with consulting JAG or EXPERIENCED legal counsel, but no need to pay someone for it. Branum most likely knows this, but where there is a chance to make money, Branum will be there to help you get the max sentence. He prays on your lack of knowledge about the Army and the Military legal system to scam donations from you. Once again, let me be clear on this: You do NOT need a lawyer for a CO/Medical discharge. Now, about The Masked Objector… the fact that he is going public in this manner will only make things worse for him. But I do not feel sorry for him in the slightest. Am I still against the war in Iraq? Without a doubt the answer is YES! But this kid is a coward. If you take a stand, you take it without covering your face and put your name to it. Not everyone agrees with me speaking out against the war, or going after IVAW like I have, but I never hide. People will support this kid and give money,… Read more »
What kills me, is that I have no problem with someone applying for CO status. If they really and truly believe that that is who they are, then that’s fine with me, because I honestly wouldn’t want them out in the field where they’ll likely get someone hurt or worse.
There’s a procedure in place, and they should follow it, and those that do won’t piss me off. I might not understand their motivations, or share in their convictions, but if they are putting their beliefs up front, and following the established protocol, then I have no truck with that.
Dare I say it? Me and OldTrooper agree! I believe satan is wearing a coat today. lol
Forgive me while I make a test post here.