Trump’s War with Iran will be a Final Blow to the American Empire by Rainer Shea + Chris Hedges: Iran Hit Obvious Targets to Avoid Spiral of War + Will Griffin: No Evidence Iran Killed Americans in Iraq

Image by Susan Melkisethian via Flickr

by Rainer Shea
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Rainer Shea: Anti-Imperialist Journalist, Jan. 6, 2020
January 9, 2020

When the imperialists carry out reckless actions like the recent assassination of a top Iranian military official, aren’t they at least partly conscious of the ways this endangers their power structure? Don’t they see that the more resources the American war machine consumes and the worse proletarian living conditions become as a result, the greater the likelihood becomes that a revolution will happen? Don’t they see the obvious and growing signs of the U.S. empire’s collapse? Don’t they see that the more the neoliberal order exacerbates climate change and destabilizes the economy, the more the bourgeois power structure comes under threat?

The Sleeping Giantess: My Statement Opposing the Expansion of the Military Draft by Rivera Sun

Image by kreetube via Flickr

by Rivera Sun
Writer, Dandelion Salad
November 17, 2019

Rivera Sun on Nov 13, 2019

If you wish to make a comment before Dec 31, 2019, here is where to do so.

Testimony for the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service + Draft Registration Will Be Either Ended or Imposed on Women by David Swanson

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by David Swanson
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Let’s Try Democracy
April 17, 2019

I was more surprised that your commission contacted me with a kind-of, sort-of invitation to speak than that you ultimately decided not to include me. I thank you for inviting me to submit testimony.

Chris Hedges: Daniel Berrigan’s Play: The Trial of the Cantonsville Nine

Screenshot by Dandelion Salad via Flickr
Watch the video below

Dandelion Salad

with Chris Hedges

RT America on Jan 19, 2019

The nature and cost of civil disobedience is explored in the play “The Trial of the Cantonsville Nine,” written by the Catholic priest Dan Berrigan.

They Went to Jail for Justice by David Swanson

Image by Wystan via Flickr

by David Swanson
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Let’s Try Democracy, July 9, 2018
December 12, 2018

C.J. Hinke has produced probably the best collection I’ve read of writings by and about conscientious objectors and war refusers behind bars. It’s called Free Radicals: War Resisters in Prison.

Underestimating The U.S. Military Budget, Altruism and Sadism by David Swanson

Image by Danny Hammontree via Flickr

by David Swanson
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Let’s Try Democracy
June 25, 2018

There are three things that are almost always underestimated: the U.S. military budget, altruism, and sadism.

First, the military budget.

Women’s Draft? Sign Me Up To Abolish War by Rivera Sun + Feds Extend Deadline for Public Comments on Future Draft

Image by Wystan via Flickr

by Rivera Sun
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally published June 21, 2016
May 22, 2018

For too long, the women of this nation have been complacent while our brothers, sons, husbands, and fathers are sent to kill, maim, brutalize, destroy and even die in defense of our alleged liberty.

Plutocracy III: Class War (must-see)

Screenshot by Dandelion Salad via Flickr
See video below

Warning

This video may contain images depicting the reality and horror of war/violence and should only be viewed by a mature audience.

Dandelion Salad

Scott N June 2017

Women’s Draft? Sign Me Up To Abolish War by Rivera Sun

Image by Teacher Dude’s BBQ via Flickr

Blog post has been updated, please read: Women’s Draft? Sign Me Up To Abolish War by Rivera Sun + Feds Extend Deadline for Public Comments on Future Draft

by Rivera Sun
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Republished with permission from Peace Voice
June 21, 2016

For too long, the women of this nation have been complacent while our brothers, sons, husbands, and fathers are sent to kill, maim, brutalize, destroy and even die in defense of our alleged liberty.

The Casey Sheehan “End to War” Bill by Cindy Sheehan

by Cindy Sheehan
Featured Writer
Dandelion Salad
Cindy Sheehan’s Soapbox Blog
Cindy Sheehan’s Soapbox
July 20, 2010

My son, Casey, joined the military in 2000, shortly before his 21^st birthday, to help pay for college. He had already completed everything he could take at the local JC and was eager to move on—but he had a fulltime job, and even though we (his dad and I) helped out as much as we could, Casey also had three younger siblings and our family was firmly ensconced in the working-class.

Well, 16 months after he enlisted was September 11, 2001—and no matter what really happened that day—I had a horrible sense of foreboding that it would lead to my son’s early death—and no matter how much I prayed, or cajoled him not to go, or worried—my worst fears were realized and Casey was killed just hours after arriving in Iraq on April 04, 2004.

Lies About the War and Lies About Ourselves by Daniel N. White

by Daniel N. White
Featured Writer
Dandelion Salad
February 19, 2010

My younger brother the attorney has a friend from high school I know reasonably well who is also an attorney–he’s worked in the biggest state’s AG’s office doing appellate criminal for a quarter century now, and is at the top of the legal food chain there. Let’s call my brother’s friend Bill. Bill has an adult son I met for the first real time two and a half years ago during their last visit to Austin. Bill’s son had been getting in trouble in his home town and the final straw was his stealing a senior police officer’s bicycle and riding around him in circles taunting him. That part might be sort of funny but the other stuff he was up to wasn’t, and the law had been gunning for him, so even with a daddy who had no small amount of legal clout he was in serious trouble and the judge was giving him the choice of the military or prison. The boy took the military, and the Army was giving what sounded to him and his folks the best deal–two year enlistment, but you’d be going to Iraq for one of those years. Boy took the deal; his parents signed off on it.

Bill Moyers Journal: Bill Moyers Essay: Bring back the Draft!

Dandelion Salad

PBS
October 30, 2009

Restoring Accountability for Washington’s Wars

Obama’s chief of staff choice favors compulsory universal service

Dandelion Salad

by J.D. Tuccille
http://www.examiner.com
Nov. 6, 2008

Rep. Rahm Emanuel of  Illinois, President-Elect Barack Obama’s choice for chief of staff in his incoming administration, is co-author of a book, The Plan: Big Ideas for America, that calls for, among other things, compulsory service for all Americans ages 18 to 25. The following excerpt is from pages 61-62 of the 2006 book:

Obama: Change You Can Believe In–Not Part 2: Foreign Policy

by Kellia Ramares
Speaking Truth to Power
Oct 28, 2008

[In Part Two of her series on an Obama presidency, Kellia Ramares reveals appalling connections between Obama and his foreign policy advisors that spell anything but change in America’s imperial, geopolitical relationships.–CB]

Political Equivalence by Ralph Nader

by Ralph Nader
The Nader Page
Monday, October 27. 2008

I wish to declare the principle of political equivalence as grounds for the moral authority to govern through shared benefits and sacrifices between these in Washington, D.C. who rule and the citizens who are ruled.