Iraq War Song (A Lesson)

A song inspired by a true story of a U.S. soldier who left the army after witnessing atrocities during a two year tour of duty in Iraq. He has since joined the ranks of soldiers in the 'war resister' movement.

"A Lesson" is based on an actual account of a U.S. soldier whose experiences were reported in a local newspaper as well as in a public speaking engagement. At his request, I have kept his name anonymous. He has since joined the ranks of an ever-expanding league of soldiers in the 'war resister' movement, whose fight is now for truth, justice, freedom and peace.

"From World War I to Korea and Vietnam, presidents have lied to the American people because they believed that if the public knew the truth, they would not support the move for war. The track record of the U.S. news media in the 20th century is one of regularly going along with fraudulent efforts to get the nation into one war or another by the administration in power." Robert McChesney and John Nichols - world renowned authors.

"To oppose the policies of a government does not mean you are against the country or the people that the government supposedly represents. Such opposition should be called what it really is: democracy, or democratic dissent, or having a critical perspective about what your leaders are doing. Either we have the right to democratic dissent and criticism of these policies or we all lie down and let the leader do what is best, while we follow uncritically, and obey whatever he commands." Michael Parenti - American political scientist, historian, and media critic.

"The point of public relations slogans like "Support Our Troops" is that they don't mean anything. That's the whole point of good propaganda. You want to create a slogan that nobody's going to be against, and everybody's going to be for. Nobody knows what it means, because it doesn't mean anything. Its crucial value is that it diverts your attention from a question that does mean something: Do you support our policy? That's the one you're not allowed to talk about." Noam Chomsky - prolific author, philosopher, educator and political activist.


Thanks to Norm Strauss and E.S. of Kelowna, BC for their significant role in the recording of this song.

"War, we have come to believe, is a spectator sport. The military and the press have turned war into a vast video arcade game. Its very essence - death - is hidden from public view." Chris Hedges - Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for New York Times.

"The greatest threats to U.S. society are not coming from "terrorists" or "rogue nations" abroad. They are coming from the words and actions of elected officials here at home. Actions of the Department of Justice - emboldened by the USA-Patriot Act passed by Congress last fall - threaten to turn the U.S. into a permanent security state. Likewise, the greatest threats to global peace - and to human development and security worldwide - are coming from U.S. policymakers carrying out their lawful duties." Friends Committee on National Legislation

"From World War I to Korea and Vietnam, presidents have lied to the American people because they believed that if the American people knew the truth, they would not support the move for war. The track record of the U.S. news media in the twentieth century is one of regularly going along with fraudulent efforts to get the nation into one war or another by the administration in power." Robert McChesney and John Nichols - world renowned authors.

"To oppose the policies of a government does not mean you are against the country or the people that the government supposedly represents. Such opposition should be called what it really is: democracy, or democratic dissent, or having a critical perspective about what your leaders are doing. Either we have the right to democratic dissent and criticism of these policies or we all lie down and let the leader, the Fuhrer, do what is best, while we follow uncritically, and obey whatever he commands. That's just what the Germans did with Hitler, and look where it got them." Michael Parenti - American political scientist, historian, and media critic.

"The point of public relations slogans like "Support Our Troops" is that they don't mean anything... That's the whole point of good propaganda. You want to create a slogan that nobody's going to be against, and everybody's going to be for. Nobody knows what it means, because it doesn't mean anything. Its crucial value is that it diverts your attention from a question that does mean something: Do you support our policy? That's the one you're not allowed to talk about." Noam Chomsky - prolific author, philosopher, educator and political activist.

"Why of course the people don't want war. But after all it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger." Hermann Goering - German politician and military leader.

IRAQ VETERANS AGAINST WAR

SOLDIER SAY NO

COURAGE TO RESIST