Dahr Jamail , Unembedded Citizens and An End to Current U.S. Abominations
by OXZ (Richard Martin Oxman)

“…igniting a powder keg of terrible rage.” — James Hillman excerpt from Dahr Jamail’s Chapter 1 of Beyond the Green Zone: Dispatches from an Embedded Journalist in Occupied Iraq

“If what he has seen could be conveyed to all Americans, this ugly war in Iraq would quickly come to an end.” — Howard Zinn, talking about Dahr Jamail

Howard’s spot on. So what’s holding up the works?

Howard Zinn is one of TOSCA’s most enthusiastic supporters (http://oxtogrind.org/archive/336), but I’m still waiting to hear back from him on a number of crucial issues related to our unique plan for ending U.S. abominations abroad (http://oxtogrind.org/archive/364). That’s one temporary snag. The Waiting for Godot dynamic.

Another thing that’s forcing TOSCA to move at an arthritic snail’s pace is the fact that very well-intentioned, dedicated groups such as IVAW are following old paradigms for change. For example, on the IVAW site there’s a plea for people to contact Hillary Clinton to… well, you take a look at what they’ve posted:

“Have more time? Look at our active petitions
Petition Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Support Iraqi Worker Rights”

Now PLEASE do not misunderstand me. I am totally in awe of what IVAW is all about, and I completely respect their efforts and accomplishments. That said, my admiration for their thrust, their fundamental agenda has zero to do with honoring their approach. I mean, are we really expecting anything from the likes of Hillary Clinton? It all begs the question of whether or not one’s heartbeats –they are limited, yes? — could be better spent dealing with our anti-war challenge from another angle. Like… forcing the likes of Hillary Clinton & Co. to do the right thing. To get out of Afghanistan and elsewhere. To support reparations, etc. In short, to embrace the agenda of IVAW, and the priorities of groups concerned with the the lives of others.

I respect IVAW’s felt need to fund raise, another spotlighted point on their site. However, I submit that they can get done what they need to get done without funds. Details upon request.

I look forward to meeting with those good guys and gals before and/or after Dahr Jamail’s upcoming appearance in Santa Cruz, CA on October 14th. I look forward to getting them on board with TOSCA, alongside Howard Zinn and other high profile figures worldwide. To expeditiously move ahead with “taking over” the State of California… legally and nonviolently… for the purposes of advancing the cause of peace and justice. Not only within California, but all over the world.

It is a no-brainer, being able to share what Dahr Jamail has seen and described in the near future with virtually all citizens*. That can be accomplished quite easily from the gubernatorial office of California, with its far-reaching imprimatur, influence.

*Actually I consider that to be — for all practical purposes — the only way for the country to change gears. Such widespread imagery is necessary for the public to self-educate, transform. And without them our expressed passion will be… bootless cries. Repeated (limited) dissemination from all the available alternative media outlets will not turn the trick.

I pray that people reading this won’t jump onto that tired old argument about how non-profits have to be careful about associating with anything political. That’s a snag that the powers that be make sure that well-intentioned citizens sign on to… in order to have a certain status within society. In order to control their actions. It’s quite the scam. Like elections themselves, as a rule. But it’s easily circumvented. Again, details upon request.

What I pray that people will do who are reading this is to eliminate ALL the snags that are holding up the works. All the self-imposed obstacles. All objections to taking over.

It is the powers that be who should be running from you and me. Soldiers with their heads and hearts in a healthy place should not be forced to hide, not be put in a position to need help… to simply do what’s right.

We don’t need no stinking military. Actually, as things stand, we can’t afford a military force even if it’s squeaky clean. For ethical, environmental… and many other reasons.

All of us — absolutely — must embrace the quotation from James Hillman with which Dahr Jamail opens his BEYOND THE GREEN ZONE: DISPATCHES FROM AN UNEMBEDDED JOURNALIST IN OCCUPIED IRAQ. Its thrust. I won’t give it to you here ’cause I want to encourage you to get the book. To get with the “terrible rage.” The whole Hillman book, A TERRIBLE LOVE OF WAR, I’d say is essential reading for anyone in so-called progressive Santa Cruz. Reasons… upon request.

Blessings in solidarity,
Richard http://oxtogrind.org/archive/378
831-688-8038 in Aptos, CA
P.S. Funny how sometimes you can bet your life that something is going to be worth your heartbeats. Like The Will to Resist: Soldiers Who Refuse to Fight in Iraq and Afghanistan, Dahr’s latest book. Also… if you’re into lyrical, off-the-charts treatments of what we all have to address… feel free to check out http://oxtogrind.org/archive/409, my edgy Dahr Baton Dream.