IVAW’s Ghost Numbers [Casey J Porter]
There has been a lot of talk about IVAW’s membership numbers and why, if they are over a thousand strong, do we keep seeing the same faces of never deployed attention mongers like Matthis “The Army made me a rapist” Chiroux and other non-combat vets. Is IVAW lying about their numbers? While I wouldn’t put much past them in terms of integrity, I don’t think they are flat out lying. The answer is something much more personal. Many true Iraq Veterans who where a part of the organization have simply stopped being active. They do not consider themselves in the organization anymore, but don’t write big long resignation letters like I did, they just walked away.
The kind of people I met who were a part of IVAW when I joined where good people. I met many good vets who, while disagreeing with war, where not Anti-American, burn Capitalism to the ground, stand on the flag, and make a spectacle of yourself types. They didn’t hate the U.S. and A., they just hated what we where doing in Iraq because they had seen it first hand and acted on their moral courage and integrity. So if they feel so strongly about it, then why pack up shop and move on?
Because IVAW and the anti-war “movement” is rife with people seeking to use Service Men and Women to further other agendas altogether, or worse yet, to make money from them. You can’t bring these issues up with out bring up the International Socialist Organizations strangle hold on all things anti-war movement. I don’t hate people because they believe Socialism is a better way of life and advocate for it. I think they should be allowed to peruse what they believe in without interference. However, the ISO doesn’t feel the same way towards Veterans. We are nothing but a means to an end. Once again, I do not think all the Socialists I have met are evil or bad people. But they do belong to an organization that clearly uses subversive tactics to take over other groups. Clearly this is what has happened to IsoVAW… Oops, I mean IVAW. By their repeated actions IVAW has shown itself to be an organization that does not respects Veterans.
It’s easy for Chiroux and other non-combat vets to holler about how evil the war is because they do not have to re-live anything. When someone like myself, and other true vets of the war, set out to speak out it is because we care about the people in Iraq, and absolutely care about our friends who died. It takes a lot out of you and is very draining. Imagine having to tell and relive horrific stories over and over again in the hopes that it will amount to something positive just to see it used by others to give themselves a sense of self-worth and to push another, completely different agenda. I know a lot of real vets that are against the Iraq war, but don’t give a damn about Capitalism vs. Socialism. They want to shut this mess down, and get help for Soldiers, i.e. medical care, and move on with their lives.
I know some Service Members feel betrayed by the Military once they went to Iraq and saw the deal for themselves. But the anti-war movement betrays them again by using them to push another agenda. Sad thing is, the “movement” doesn’t see a problem with their actions. Proof of this can be found in their shinning endorsements of lawyers like James Branum, who destroys Soldiers futures, or Matthis Chiroux, who claims PTSD because he heard scary stories. How disrespectful to the real Vets out there who speak out the right way while on active duty, who do suffer from REAL PTSD, just to have their concerns and experiences tossed to the side in favor of not doing what is right to end the war, but to further the movements agenda.
So to avoid a mountain of hate mail, and yet another fight to right a wrong, many good people have chosen to move on. They still help other Vets, but not as a member of an organization. So yes, IVAW may have at one point been over a thousand strong, but it clear most people have chosen to leave quietly and put their association with them in the past. I think IVAW national knows this, but doesn’t really care. It also reflects in their numbers when they vote for board members. I brought up many of these issues time and time again in private with IVAW before I left. My concerns where treated with the same amount of consideration as Tiger Woods gives to martial fidelity.
Not all people in the anti-war movement are bad people. I’ve met many great people who truly care for Soldiers. However, the movement seems dominated by the negative classless grandstanders.
These wars will end, not in the way some want, but they will end. An added bonus to Peace is that all these people who use these wars to take in donations and pump themselves up will end up twisting in the wind. Their sense of self-worth will crumble. True, they will probably go out and protest other things, but where they stood out before, they will just be another anonymous protestor, nothing special anymore.
For us that risked and fought for our consideration and love for others, we will continue to move forward and kick mucho el ass-o in everything we do. Especially me.
Casey J Porter
Category: Politics
Casey, Although I appreciate your points I would ask whenever and wherever possible to refer to my son simply as “Matthis”. His name is unique enough for all to know exactly to whom you refer. The rest of the Chiroux family has served this country honorably for every generation we have been citizens of this great country and it collectively pains us every time we are reminded what Matthis has done to “our” family name. I am sure you understand our name is uncommon enough for this to be an issue. It is a respectful and not unreasonable request. My Best, Dr. Robert C. Chiroux
Sure, I don’t have a problem with that. Thanks for letting me know.
Sorry but I have to totally disagree with you. First of all I think it is fair for you to know a little about who I am since this is the first time I have commented on your site. I am a US Navy combat veteran who served with honor in OIF, OEF Afghanistan, and OEF Horn of Africa. I am also a %70 service connected disabled Veteran who is waiting on a decision from the VA to get my disability increased to %100. Unlike the vast majority of IVAw’s “vets” I am not a REMF nor a disgusting civilian stealing valor to claim I am something I am not to advance a political agenda. IMO IVAW since day one has been an disgusting and foul political organization whose main objective was not to “end the war” or, “bring the troops home” but IVAWs goal since day one was to demoralize the American military and attack Republicans. Since I came off of active duty and went into IRR status I have watched the antiwar movement and recorded their vile attacks on America and the military. Sorry Casey but the cliche “If you do not support the mission, then you do not support the troops” rings very true. It also rings true if you are a veteran of said wars. While I commend this site for taking part in exposing fake veterans I am also weary of ANYONE who states they are against the war on terror then at the same time says they support the troops and support the United States. Perhaps you are just confused and ill informed at best. At worst you may just be a subversive who may be a veteran but who has now turned their back on the USA. For now I will choose the former. While you seem to understand that IVAW is controlled by commies and America haters it remains to be seen what the Antiwar crowd really thinks of you. The antiwar movement thinks that any veteran is just a knuckle dragging idiot and deep in their heart they hate you just… Read more »
“The bottom line is that the only ones who REALLY care about you is your family, your friends, and those veterans who you have walked in the same boondockers as they.”
I agree with that last sentence. I don’t agree with a lot of what you said, and you took a couple of shots at me, which is fine. I expect that when I post here. However, you will find that while I am against the war in Iraq, the anti-war movement in a large part hates my guts for calling them out on their B.S. I understand you do not fully know who I am and that’s fine, but please, a statement like this:
“At worst you may just be a subversive who may be a veteran but who has now turned their back on the USA. For now I will choose the former.”
Well, it’s really reaching and over the top. It is also silly seeing is how in my posting I am blasting people who hate the U.S., disrespect the Flag, etc etc. If I hated the U.S.A. I would be pals with people like Carl Webb, instead of leading the charge for him to be expelled from IVAW a few months back.
I don’t agree with Legand’s conclusion that people who “are against the war on terror then at the same time say they support the troops and support the United States” are ill-informed at best, or subversive. Indeed, I think that view in itself the result of being ill-informed or confused, and is certainly a reflection of living in a too-small and narrow world in which the full range of voices speaking, whether audibly or silently without words, are not heard. However, I can understand that this would be a reasonable response if the only voices you paid attention to were those in the visible antiwar movement. I think Legand’s exposure has truly been very limited. When you’re in the military and you go to war, it doesn’t matter what you think about the politics of the war; what matters is the guy next to. That’s as it should be. Even I would be that way were I thrust into a combat environment, and I have disagreed with this war from the get go. But away from that environment, patriotic hearts and minds who DO serve this country, or did in the past, do not all agree that this war is a good thing. You can close your eyes and deny it, but that is the reality. I’m just telling it like it is; you can take it or leave it.
Oh…I almost forgot the reason I was going to comment in the first place: Excellent post, Casey.
Casey thank you for taking the time for your response. I think you misunderstood a bit so I will reply to that.
When I said “At worst you may just be a subversive who may be a veteran but who has now turned their back on the USA. For now I will choose the former.”
Please look at the first two words. “At worst” I did not mean to imply that is what you are doing at all, I just said that AT WORST it could be a underlying motive. The reason for this is because of prior experience with those who consider themselves antiwar.
If the antiwar movement hates you then you must be doing something right.
Lastly I did not read your past blog posts, I found your website from a story in the Army Times which instead of taking me to the post on busting the stolen valor scumbag which I was interested in it took me to this. Like I said I do not know you personally and you may be the only antiwar guy in the world that actually still loves America. I have never talked to someone who considers themselves part of the antiwar movement who actually respects those who serve and have served in the military.
IAVW with their poster boys like jesse macbeth and collusion with traitors like code stink ( who have actually given aid and support to our enemy by means of funds) and others. Why even bother yourself with a group like IVAW? It only can drag you down, and do your name harm.
Legrand, that was a very nice response and, while I don’t know if you read my comments or not, I apologize that I also mistook your words. There ARE people who disagree with the war who love America; certainly Casey is one and I am another. I can understand what your’e saying.
Actually take back my comment to you Casey since your bootlicking bitch debra had not put up her attack against me until after I was writing my response to you.
The fact is that you choose to associate yourself with antiamerican subversive groups like IVAW (and their scum like Jesse Macbeth)
I am much too busy to give fucknuts like you my time and it is obvious that I have given too much of my time trying to give you a chance that was obviously wasted.
So retards you can talk all the shit you want because I am not going to play games with traitors like you. So Casey and Debra you just keep bowing down to the islamists and our enemies. See where that gets you. Hopefully it gets you killed.
I will respond to these comments further in tomorrow and in more detail. However, I was raised Old School and as a proud man, like yourself Legrand, calling a woman a “bootlicking bitch” is unbecoming a current, or prior service member. I do not run this site nor do I know Debra on any personal level, but damn, comments like that are uncalled for.
To say that it is tantamount to treason to disagree with the policy level decisions made by politicians in a republic is just plain stupid. That may be the case when you’re talking about active duty military, people who have agreed to follow legal orders, but Casey and most of the people to whom he refers are all now just regular old civilians. There is absolutely nothing inappropriate about citizens of a republic engaging in the political process of their government, and that includes engaging in discussions about policy decisions having to do with war. As long as we’re talking about actions designed to convince the policy makers through peaceful, legitimate means to change their opinions and support other policies, then there is no reason to be hostile. Calling that treason is just reactionary nationalist bullshit. Back when I was still active with IVAW, I had access to their membership list for the southeast region. Based on that experience, I think it is extremely generous to credit IVAW with having even something as high as 50% Iraq veterans in their membership. Shit, less than half of the names I saw had the box checked in Excel for having proof of service on file. It would be one thing if some folks fell through the cracks but the leadership had legitimacy, but it is something else entirely when the figure heads of the organization never served in Iraq and are just using that service done by others to gain legitimacy for their political movements. I think that is in large part Casey’s point. On the Matthis PTSD front, I recently watched a BBC episode on “Generation Jihad” in Europe. One of the people they brought in to discuss these young terrorists said that most of them suffer from “self-inflicted PTSD.” They’re rich and well educated muslim kids sitting in suburban Europe, but all they do is watch traumatic video of other muslims getting shot or blown up. All this negative reinforcement and exposure to trauma radicalizes them, but the irony is that it is all self imposed. I spent a lot… Read more »
Legrand, I can see that my words were useless and only enflamed you, whereas perhaps progress would have been made had I posted nothing. For that reason, I regret my comments, however, it still remains there is no justification for your language, which I’m sure you know yourself is not the proper way to speak to people. You may have your reasons for being angry, but before you write ugly words like that with anger and hatefulness, you might want to think about the fact that there are real people on the other end who are affected by those words. Even if you don’t care about that, it’s just not good conduct.
I apologize that I inadvertently misspelled your name in my first comment.
I will leave the discussion now as I’ve obviously frustrated you and perhaps things will improve.
“These wars will end, not in the way some want, but they will end. An added bonus to Peace is that all these people who use these wars to take in donations and pump themselves up will end up twisting in the wind. Their sense of self-worth will crumble. True, they will probably go out and protest other things, but where they stood out before, they will just be another anonymous protestor, nothing special anymore.”
Those words simply remind me of people like Cindy Sheehan. Her son died and she cannot get past wanting to blame someone. And there are others who understand their children’s choice and upon the ultimate sacrifice do much more good.
whoa, Debra really attacked that Legrand, how dare she respond to leGRAND! why is is people post on the internet but can’t take it when someone replies back?
The bottom line of Legrand is that he clearly has thin skin and has not respect for others. Debra, I think he walked out the door before you did.
CRassi, I understand reviewing graphic footage over and over again can lead to problems. I’m not doubting your sincerity, but I think Matthis can’t claim the same thing.
Also, CRassi, I’ve gotten a lot of e-mails in regards to the numbers you talked about from people who left, or just stopped being active. Seeing the way IVAW national conducts itself, it doesn’t surprise me that they don’t have it together.
I’m also curious why Selena (Army Sergent) has not weighed in on this yet.
Could this qualify as proof that he was probably never a medic? Even if butthead didn’t deploy, but went through training, he would know that Medics are on the battlefield.
Casey: A Nikon D40.
Dirty Nikon user! CANON all day everyday! hahahaha
The Nikon beat Canon when the SD card in the Nikon fit the slot in my laptop and with the Canon I had to carry around yet another cable.
AS hasn’t weighed in on it yet because she has three billion other things that take priority over dealing with ridiculous and inaccurate statements on TAH.
Raissi, I did it physically, one member at a time, a few months ago. It was well, well over that at that time. Vast majority. It was an exhaustive process. If you want to think I’m lying, that’s cool, but I’m saying my eyes-on thing pulled up high stats for deployment.
SD cards are universal, I should be able to put my card in a Nikon, or a Canon, depending on the model. Now there different types of cards, but they are not SD’s.
Selena… ouch! lol I’m not saying you are liar, but IVAW never responds to anything with solid proof. It’s not what Jonn or others say that has given me pause, it’s how IVAW and it’s members reply. They are questioning IVAWs integrity, if they questioned mine, well, you’ve seen my reply to such things in the past. I would go out of the way to stand up for myself with facts and proof. Because all you need is one take-down, and most of the time people back-off. I’m not targeting you, but why aren’t any of these numbers posted on the IVAW site to shut the naysayers down? Me and you have talked in the past and that has always been an issue with me, even when I was a member. There is no transparency when there should be. I only ask this of others because I do it all the time, including when I was making my Iraq films. I never gave vague answers, only straight up ones. The original post above is to illustrate how IVAW has let many real Vets down, which, in many respects, they have. It’s just that they want to move on and put in the past. But many of them think and feel as I do.