Really want peace?

I don't protest in the streets.  You won't really ever see me carrying a sign in a political protest.  I probably will never sing songs of revolution and protest.  Personally, I'd rather just smoke a joint.

Sure, it feels good to go yell in the streets, intimidating your opponents.  Show your numbers.  Show that your willing to fight.  I say,"Why fight?  Why yell?".  They expect us to do this.  This, in history, is normal.  When you do this, you are just imitating them.  They march in the streets.  They attempt to intimidate all that oppose them.  Fighting fire with fire...only makes it hotter.

Water.  Douse it out.  

You want to end war on earth?  Well, a good start would be by ending it in your own mind.  If you openly live a life free of conflict, in all forms, it will spread.  Good things catch on.  People will notice, and in response, they too will begin to morph into peaceful beings.

The quote from A.J. Muste says it all:

"There is no way to peace; peace is the way."

That's it.  You see the goal?  Go for it.

Music, Psychedelics, and the Quest for Ultimate Truth

People are constantly asking me," What has happened to you?  You are so different compared to when you came to Canada."

My answer is simple:  When I came to Canada, I was a soldier.  I was a soldier for the first 9 months in Canada.  After 9 months, and a life-changing experience, I became aware of the problem... and fixed it.

Some say that I am very lackadaisical and carefree.  They say that I don't care anymore.  But that is the farthest thing from the truth.  I care more for humanity now than I ever have before.  And I think that I am pursuing that love now, in the way that I am living.

Love all, hurt no one.  We must live this.  

From here on out, I will be attempting to spread any tips I come up with in aiding us in achieving ultimate love.

So, where is Brad?

I'm still here people, just quite busy. On my second month at a new job. New girlfriend. New place to live. Kinda starting anew, dig?

Had some life changing experiences though. Beginning in late June, I stepped through the doorway into a new realm of perception. Things here are much more clear, but seem to have a green glow to them.

I lost a dear friend. Michael Whitehead. I miss you man, and I hope your family is dealing with your loss in a good way. You were and still are loved brother.

I'm also planning several large events for the Vancouver area. Be on the lookout for some funky gatherings through the Winter.

I'll be on here a bit more. New stuff. Old stuff. Groovy.

See ya soon beautiful people,
Brad

Celebration...

So, last week, Parliament here in Canada decided that war resisters should be allowed to stay in Canada without fear of deportation.

A huge step, yes.  But, the work is not complete friends.  We must still convince the Harper Govt. to abide by the will of Parliament.

F.T.A.

Beware of Sinbad! The Arabian horror!

I recently had a conversation with a family member about the current situation of America and why I am where I am in it all.  I was startled at what I heard.

"If Obama becomes president, then the Iraqis will come over here and try to kill us all."

Without wasting time, or words, I'm just going to get straight to the point.

This is exactly what the US Government wants it's people to believe.  Fear.  That image of a big, bearded, sword-wielding Arab bursting into a suburban home to kill everyone that isn't at soccer practice.  

How scary. 

So, I decided to pursue the topic even further, knowing full-well that I wouldn't achieve much in the way of swaying the said person to my side.  

I thought for a moment I was listening to Fox News.

"Saddam and...what's it called...oh yeah, Al Qaeda.  They hated America, and bombed us on 9/11.  That's why we went over there."

Now, I'm sorry to say it, but this is pure ignorance from my own flesh and blood.  The biggest shock though is that most Americans feed into this bullshit. 

What do we do now?  Where to go from here?  What happened to people that actually found out for themselves what they would believe or not believe.  It seems that America has become lazy, even with their own moral standings.  We sit down at night, and let some Rupert Murdoch crony tell us what is right and what is wrong.

So, tonight, as you sit down to eat, be thankful.  Not for the over-abundance of food on your table, nor for the nice clothes on your back.  But be thankful that there are men and women, your fellow countrymen, dying, and killing, so that a guy named Sinbad isn't slitting your throat whilst you sit in your Lazy-Boy watching American Idol.  Be thankful America.  

The world suffers...so that you can gas up your Suburban(so that you can drive 4 blocks to the super market).

UPDATE...

So, I recieved a Canadian work permit yesterday.  So, I am now an new addition to the Canadian workforce.  

But, to be completely honest, I'm kind of scared.

Lacking comprehension, fair reader?

Well, I'll put you in my size 12s.

I've been in Canada for roughly 6 months now.  I have not been able to legally work since being here.  Yeah, sure, a random odd-job here and there, but nothing regular.   Instead, I have been doing political work, when needed, and other than that...nothing.

I'm also coming from the Army.  Still dealing with the attempted brainwashing to "kill, kill, kill" and still recovering emotionally from the trauma recieved in my days leading up to coming to Canada.

I'm in shock.

Can I still function with normal people in a fairly normal work environment?  Can I complete somewhat menial tasks that once came easy?  

I don't know.  I guess I'll soon find out .

Later,

Brad

New Mission

Peace.  

That's it.  

Peace.  

WE SHALL OVERCOME.

The Rise of an "Insurgent"

A mourning mother.  She has lost her husband and both sons.  Her name is Um Saad.

Why did this happen to her?  Why is this happening to thousands of Iraqi citizens everyday?

Here is the article.  

DESTROY ISLAM!

no, i'm not saying this for myself, i am simply quoting pastor rod parsley, respected right-wing christian leader and mega-church developer.  also, as a note, he's considered to be john mccain's "spiritual advisor".  

so, why would a guy that believes that there is current war being waged between christians and muslims be supportive of mr. mccain?

well, john wants to destroy iraq.  he also wants to destroy iran.  he pretty much hates anyone that isn't american.  

so...rod meets john, they talk, and they realize that they are both fascist dicks, so naturally, they become buddies.  so, when john decides to try and take over america, he calls on rod, his trusted fascist buddy to continue brainwashing the masses with his bullshit, but also to add a little bit of mccainism in to his sermons. 

here's a much better written article on the subject:

http://motherjones.com/washington_dispatch/2008/03/john-mccain-rod-parsley-spiritual-guide.html

WE SHALL OVERCOME. 

Poetry

You just don't realize,

The damage your really inflicting.

You say you're doing your job,

But I know, your really creating pain

and suffering.

You wake up at 4 in the morning,

Preparing for a brand new day,

In this hell that they've put you in.

All these people are creating is enmity,

and suffering.

You've signed the dotted line,

Thinking you are fighting for life,

God,country, democracy, and family.

But your just fighting to increase hate,

and suffering.

"Who are you to be questioning my job?"

You ask me this in all sincerity.

"You have know idea how it feels,"you say,

"It's just war, and war causes death,

and suffering."

But, my friend, my friend,

I do know, for I have been there.

I am you, afterall, and I want you to know,

There is no real reason for all the killing,

and suffering.

I've woken up at 4 in the morning,

I've been through the drills.

I know what makes a soldier tick,

And I know that a soldiers life is full of pain,

and suffering.

Brad McCall

Poetry

I caught myself again,

Looking for places to sleep.  

I was walking around the city, thinking about my life,

And by chance I wondered, "Will I one day be without a home,"

"Experiencing pains I have never known?"

And I looked.  I looked for places where I might sleep,

If it were such as me being homeless.

I thought about things, and I honestly thought,

"Will people remember me?  When this horrid war is thru,"

Will they consider me, and keep to me true?"

But I know not, for war is a tricky thing.

With death it begins, and with death does it end.

For I have met hundreds of souls, keeping in mind,

Considering and pondering,"Friends are temporary,"

"But how does One turn friends to family?"

For a friend is lost in the tide,

Conforming to the tides of conformity.

Then I think about the family God gave me,

I question and say,"Have you made a mistake?"

"How much work does a family really take?"

And I realize, family lasts

Even when the leaves are falling, the branches stay on the tree.

So, I no longer wonder, 

I no longer think,

I know longer ponder,

About places I may have to sleep.

Brad McCall

Army Sniper Only Gets 10 Years for Committing Murder

BAGHDAD - A military jury on Feb. 10 convicted an Army sniper of murder and sentenced him to 10 years in prison for killing an Iraqi civilian who wandered into the hiding place where six Soldiers were sleeping.

Sgt. Evan Vela, 24, was found guilty of murder without premeditation, of aiding and abetting in planting an AK-47 on the dead man's body and of lying to military investigators about the shooting. He had faced a possible life sentence.

Vela showed no emotion when the verdict was read, but he asked the jury for mercy before it broke to decide his sentence. He apologized to the court, the Army and one of the sons of Genei Nasir al-Janabi, the man he shot with a pistol in May.

"When I came to Iraq, I didn't come to do anything wrong," Vela said, reading from a handwritten statement. "I failed my standards, your standards and the standards of the Army. All I can say is I'm sorry and ask for mercy."

Vela has been in confinement in Kuwait since July 1. That time will be credited to his sentence, the judge said. He also was sentenced to forfeit all pay and allowances and will receive a dishonorable discharge. The case was automatically referred to a military appeals court.

Vela's trial was the last of three snipers in the unit accused in a series of shooting deaths south of Baghdad that defense lawyers said happened under command pressure to increase kill counts and, perhaps, employ questionable tactics in doing so.

In September, Gary Myers, then an attorney for Vela, claimed that Army snipers in Iraq were under orders to "bait" their targets with suspicious materials, such as detonation cords, and then kill whoever picked up the items.

The Army has declined to confirm that any such program existed, saying it does not discuss tactics used in the field.

While it does not appear the alleged baiting played in this case, James Culp, Vela's attorney, and others have argued the program may have encouraged the Soldiers by blurring the legal lines in a complex war zone.

Vela and several of his fellow Army snipers testified that they were confused and exhausted after more than two days of trekking in high temperatures through the rough terrain near Iskandariyah, a mostly Sunni Arab city 30 miles south of Baghdad.

On the morning of May 11, the six Soldiers had gone to sleep inside their "hide" - where snipers can observe targets without being seen - when al-Janabi stumbled upon them, they recounted.

The snipers detained al-Janabi and the man's 17-year-old son Mustafa. They freed the boy, but minutes after he walked off, the commander ordered Vela to shoot the father. The Soldiers said al-Janabi was making noise and they feared he was trying to attract the attention of a group of military-age males they thought they saw nearby.

"It's a simple case," said Capt. Jason Nef, one of two military prosecutors. "The reason is because Vela confessed on the stand that he lied. He confessed he killed an unarmed Iraqi."

Culp said the case was anything but simple because of the extreme mental and physical fatigue that affected the snipers' actions.

"This was an accident waiting to happen," Culp told the jury of seven men and one woman in his closing argument. "These men were extremely, extremely sleep deprived and nobody was thinking clearly."

After the verdict, Mustafa, who had testified at the court-martial, said he was impressed with the U.S. military court system.

"I find the Americans have more fairness than the Arabs," he said. "Their system is so fair that even if the judge were (Vela's) family member, he would have been convicted."

Mustafa reminded jurors before they began sentence deliberations of the pain he, his mother and five siblings have endured.

"I know this criminal has a family, a wife and children," he said. "Just like they will miss him, we also miss our father. So I hope you will consider that and please not forget about us."

Asked whether the killing of his father might prompt him to join the insurgency, Mustafa shook his head, saying he only wanted to harm "that one person who killed my father - I would cut him to pieces.

"But not all Americans. The Soldiers like those working in the court and those who have escorted us around here, I would never wish any harm on them," he said.

Two other members of Vela's unit were acquitted of murder charges in al-Janabi's shooting or other killings that occurred around the same time.

Jorge G. Sandoval, who was a specialist at the time but had his rank reduced to private as part of his sentencing, was found not guilty in September of killing two unarmed Iraqis in April and May. He was convicted of planting evidence on one of the men.

Sgt. Michael A. Hensley was acquitted of murder in all three deaths, but he was convicted of planting evidence by placing a rifle with al-Janabi's body.

Hensley said the unit had been pressured by his commanders to wrack up kills. His unit had been in Iraq for only a few months and had taken up to 25 casualties without inflicting much damage on insurgents, he said.

"They were tired of people getting killed and us not getting any kills in return," Hensley said. "There was definitely some pressure. If we came back from a mission and we didn't get kills, we were talked to."

Vela is the latest U.S. service member convicted of killing civilians. In one of the most prominent cases, four Soldiers were found guilty in the March 12, 2006, rape and slaying of an Iraqi girl and the killings of her parents and sister in Mahmoudiya, about 20 miles south of Baghdad.

Source:  Associated Press

So, an Iraqi is only worth 10 years?  

After reading this article, I came across a conversation board on the topic.  What I read shocked me.

"its collateral damage for pilots....murder for soliders on the ground"

"If he hadn't lied and tried to cover it up, his sentence would have been much lighter (about 2 years).

The baiting of Iraqis into American sniper traps is not relevant to this case. The Army Medical Corps report, issued May 6, 2007, is."

"And if the iraqi went in there with a bomb straped to his waist and detonated it, The soldier would be charged with deriliction of duty for not doing his job. UN EFEN BELIEVABLE.. ITS WAR DAMN IT."

It is clear how these people feel.  Keep in mind, the people that I have quoted are either military or ex-military.

War is no excuse for committing murders.  It is no excuse to bait innocent civilians.  This sniper should get the same treatment that he would recieve if he had committed this act stateside.  

That's my opinion.  Take it as you will.

WE SHALL OVERCOME.

a PETTY officer's objection

“You are a disgrace not only to your country but I'm sure your family is so proud of their deserted son. You know, since your father and grandfater were proud to serve. Keep your ass in Canada. What a loser you are. Guess you forgot about all the others that died to give you this great country. Oh, and by the way dont drop the soap when you get to Levenworth.

 

Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel Driggers (USCG)”

 

Well, petty officer 1^st class Driggers, I do apologize that you feel so, but in defense of myself, let me debunk everything that you just said.

 

1.  “You are a disgrace not only to your country but I’m sure your family is so proud of their deserted son.”:  I am protecting my nation by doing what I have done.  I am also supporting my fellow soldiers that are   serving in this war.  By leaving and making it clear that I will not conform to this act of hate committed by my government, I make it clear that there are soldiers with conscience and that we (soldiers) should be kept safe in our own borders, and not in some country that we have no business in.  And no, my family aren’t supportive.

 

2.  “You know, since your father and grandfater were so proud to serve.”:  Well, Daniel, I refuse to make the same mistakes that past generations have made before.  “One that does not know history is bound to repeat it.”  I try my best to learn from my family’s past, and it is in my family’s interest that I not go to another country and commit war crimes, possibly dying or coming back as most do, suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.  My life and sanity are worth more than a politician’s salary.  Also, my father never served. 

 

3.  “Keep your ass in Canada.  What a loser you are.”:  You got it buddy.  I love Canada, and I will probably choose to stay here as long as I can.  And whether I am a loser or not is up to you. 

 

 

4.  “Guess you forgot about all the others that died to give you this great country.”:  You probably believe The Vietnam War was for the protection of democracy, don’t you?  America has never participated in a Just war other than The Second World War, if that.  In fighting against the War in Iraq, I am honoring those that have needlessly lost their lives.

 

5.  “Oh, and by the way don’t drop the soap when you get to levenworth.”:  Daniel, this is probably the most original and hilarious warning I’ve ever been given.  You, my friend, should probably just stay in the Gulf of Mexico where you can do our nation some good by keeping alcoholics from piloting boats.

 

Despite this man’s objections…

 

WE SHALL OVERCOME.

"Here's the deal with the situation in Iraq.  I don't believe in our reasons for being over there.  I don't believe in our reasons for staying over there, but the fact remains that we ARE over there, and there are young American soldiers dying over there."

This is a direct quote from an e-mail I recieved from another soldier in my unit, who is still in the unit awaiting deployment to Iraq.  Here's some more of what he said...

"I know you're a 'good guy' McCall, and I know that insurgents are pissed cuz we're over there and want us to leave.  Personally I don't want to go over there, I'm trying to go to West Point and get some college in man and avoid dying unnecessarily.  I don't want to die in Iraq and have my tombstone say

'Private H******

American Soldier

Died in Iraq from IED while serving with A Co 1/67'"

This is the mindset of an American soldier?  Why is he fighting?  He is fighting because it is all he understands.  He has been trained to do a job...no questions asked.  He thinks that by doing his job, no matter what the situation, everything is fine.  Afterall, he did sign a contract.

But, he has a conscience.  Yes, that conscience is qualmed by the training that he has recieved...just for that reason...but it is obvious that he is doubting what his job pertains to.  He is on the brink of making the right choice.

But will he make that choice?  Honestly, I doubt it.  You see, the military is built so that men, and women, have no chance to speak out against what is obviously wrong.  In the Army there was this saying: "Out of sight, out of mind". Most lower ranking soldiers live on that principle.  They believe that the quieter they stay, the smoother they will flow through, and essentially, the quicker they will get out.  They are afraid to speak out.  They know what can happen.

I knew what would happen when I spoke up.  I knew that when I requested Conscientious Objector status I would be made into a mockery.  And it came to fruition.  As soon as news got out, the fun started.  "Hippy", "Commie", "Shit-bag", and "Faggot" were only a few.  But I kept fighting.  I knew what had to be done, and I also knew that as a soldier, standing up for right was the way to go.

Why can't more men go the route that I have taken?  Because it is a hard, hard road to travel down.  Losing all rights in the nation of one's birth is only the beginning, and losing the support of one's family certainly isn't the end.

WE SHALL OVERCOME.

So...

I recieved my first notice to appear before a Canadian court today.  So, I'm pretty bummed.  Oh, yeah, and my family are being very, well, unsupportive.  So, it's just a horrible day.

So, I'm going for a bike ride.  A long bike ride.

Sorry

To those of you that have been to my site recently, I do apologize for being a lazy bastard.  I've been pretty busy, but, that is no excuse.  To assure you, so that you may have a reason for coming back to my site, I am working on some new stuff to post...so, by Monday there will be a few new thingys to check out.

Trust me.

WE SHALL OVERCOME.

Brad

To whom it may concern

This is a post directed to those of you that hate me.  You know, the ones out there telling me to commit suicide, or saying that I  should be "hogtied" and "dumped at the border".

First off, to address these threats, I openly invite you to make an attempt at hogtying me and dumping me at the US border, for you will, my dear friend, not succeed in this attempt.

Nextly, in defense of myself: I am a deserter.  I willingly admit this.  I am fighting for my beliefs.  I will not back down.  You ask why I do not just serve my time in Ft. Leavenworth?  Well, friends, I know, as well as you do that if I subjected myself to that punishment, I would be completely ineffective in fighting for the cause of the anti-war movement.  So, I will fight going to prison as long as I can.  I have a voice, and I will be heard.

Also, who are you people to question my word?  Have you been in the US Army?  Have you heard men laughing about murder?  Have you been laughed at when you attempted to report war crimes?  Your answer is more than likely, "no".  

So, fuck off.  I refuse to be held back by your Fascist views.  If you are so angry about my desertion, then go to your nearest recruiting office, and sign the dotted line. 

http://dustmybroom.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1620&Itemid=1

PATRIOTISM: A Necessary Evil

Am I a coward?  

Am I less of a man for doing what I've done?

Am I guilty of treason, desertion, and anti-patriotism?

Me.  I am a 20 year-old male.  I'm six feet two, and I weigh in at a whopping one-ninety five.  Currently I am munching on organic chocolate chips, sitting in my girlfriends room, trying to figure things out.  So, I write.  I am going to write.  I will work this out.

I came to Canada with approximately thirty-five dollars in my pocket, a half-empty tank of gas, and a trunk full of clothes.  I was arrested at the border, intimidated by police officers telling me to return home, and jailed for two days.  I knew no one in Canada, and had never even been outside of the United States.  I was running from prosecution, as well as persecution.  I didn't even fully understand why I was doing what I was doing.  I just knew that it was right, and that I had to stand against whatever it was I was fighting.  Now, looking back, I fully comprehend exactly what my enemy is.  It is evil.  It is everything that causes hate in this world.  It is patriotism.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines patriotism quite simply as love for or devotion to one's country.  

So, is patriotism a bad thing?  Well, seeing that it is the cause of millions unnecessary deaths throughout the course of human history, I would say yes.  Think about it.  Without patriotism, would war exist?  Would nations exist?  

So, my next question is this:  Is it possible to live in a world without patriotism?  I think not.  Without patriotism, nations would not exist, nor would tribes, nor would any sort of society.  The world would be one of chaos.  

So, in conclusion, am I to be considered just a Utopian-minded dreamer, or is there really a chance in my "whimsical" thinking?

Maybe.  Just maybe.