GI Special 4J9: Terrorist Refrigerator Defeated - October 9, 2006
Thomas F. Barton
Jody Casey, formerly a 19 Delta Cavalry Scout sniper now organizing with Iraq Vets Against the War (IVAW), set the tone of our conversation, "I wasn't ready for re-entry. I wasn't briefed about anything regarding re-entry. So, on top of dealing with the anger and isolation of being back, I also had to be my own advocate."
Casey advocated for work, securing mental and physical health care in a society that does not understand the realities of war.
Counseling programs "were pushing all these pills my way without even hearing what I was going through, then they set me up with a counselor who has never known combat."
He faced similar frustrations when looking for employment.
"The job on the top of the list was to be a teller at Wal-Mart. No offense to anyone who works there, it's just that I felt unseen, insulted, and under-valued... They trained us only to re-enlist or work for Black Water Security or KBR." (Kellogg, Brown and Root is a former subsidiary of Halliburton)
Both are mercenary war-profiteer subcontractor companies currently patrolling, fighting, and "providing security" at a much higher pay rate than U.S. soldiers receive in Iraq.
Casey stressed the enormous need for worker retraining programs and a modified GI bill that includes part-time and vocational students. "I only got trained to kill and be a solider."
Casey matter-of-factly shared some ideas about how a worker re-training program could look. He suggested vocational training, something akin to "helmets to hardhats," utilizing an apprenticeship model, but provided by the Army. "Such a program could help you retrain from war on many levels because right now they are unleashing unstable people back into society." >>>cont
U.S. OCCUPATION TROOPS ATTACK, DEFEAT TERRORIST REFRIGERATOR
House owner Majid Nawaf picks u
p a fridge door broken in a US raid in Baghdad's al-Jihad area Oct. 7, 2006. Nawaf was arrested along with his brother in a raid by the US forces Friday morning and released 24 hours later. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
p a fridge door broken in a US raid in Baghdad's al-Jihad area Oct. 7, 2006. Nawaf was arrested along with his brother in a raid by the US forces Friday morning and released 24 hours later. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)“This Is Not About Liberation”
“It’s About A Few People Making A Lot Of Money On The Back Of The Poor And Now People Like Me Have To Pay For It With Their Whole Selves”
“It’s About A Few People Making A Lot Of Money On The Back Of The Poor And Now People Like Me Have To Pay For It With Their Whole Selves”
September 6, 2006 By Izzy "Socket" Klatzker, Clamor; Alternet.org [Excerpts]
Jody Casey, formerly a 19 Delta Cavalry Scout sniper now organizing with Iraq Vets Against the War (IVAW), set the tone of our conversation, "I wasn't ready for re-entry. I wasn't briefed about anything regarding re-entry. So, on top of dealing with the anger and isolation of being back, I also had to be my own advocate."
Casey advocated for work, securing mental and physical health care in a society that does not understand the realities of war.
Counseling programs "were pushing all these pills my way without even hearing what I was going through, then they set me up with a counselor who has never known combat."
He faced similar frustrations when looking for employment.
"The job on the top of the list was to be a teller at Wal-Mart. No offense to anyone who works there, it's just that I felt unseen, insulted, and under-valued... They trained us only to re-enlist or work for Black Water Security or KBR." (Kellogg, Brown and Root is a former subsidiary of Halliburton)
Both are mercenary war-profiteer subcontractor companies currently patrolling, fighting, and "providing security" at a much higher pay rate than U.S. soldiers receive in Iraq.
Casey stressed the enormous need for worker retraining programs and a modified GI bill that includes part-time and vocational students. "I only got trained to kill and be a solider."
Casey matter-of-factly shared some ideas about how a worker re-training program could look. He suggested vocational training, something akin to "helmets to hardhats," utilizing an apprenticeship model, but provided by the Army. "Such a program could help you retrain from war on many levels because right now they are unleashing unstable people back into society." >>>cont
posted by Kangaroo Brisbane Australia at 2:54 PM
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