Iraq Veterans Against the War

Iraq Veterans Against the War Video

In looking for a video related to the readings and the myth of American innocence and victimization, I found this video, which is an ad of sorts by an organization called Iraq Veterans Against the War. The video is short and straightforward, and simplifies the war in Iraq to several main issues: it is costing the U.S. a ton of money, people are still dying on both sides of the conflict, and the reasons for invading were long ago proved false (WMDs). The video ends with this sentiment: "Because occupying Iraq doesn't make us any safer at all." The message is clear and concise, and probably aligns well with many people's sentiments about the war now, even as Obama is finally pushing to get the troops removed.

What is interesting is that it is from the Iraq Veterans Against the War, not only that there are veterans from the conflict against the war, but also that there is an organization dedicated to this cause. I suppose given the history of other unpopular conflicts, like Vietnam, it is not surprising that veterans would come back from Iraq and feel that what they had been fighting for--killing and dying for--was not worth it. It is not unusual, I suppose, to return from war and be disillusioned with the supposed glory or justifications of it all and only be affected by the carnage.

However, the reading about post 9/11 TV production reminded me of how the invasion was initially received and how national sentiment was such that dissenting from the war (which was never formally declared, if I am not mistaken) was considered tastelessly and dangerously unpatriotic. In the aftermath of 10 years though, even some of the veterans themselves have given up on the politics of the war and are disseminating anti-war propaganda--and these are people who chose to join the military (but not necessarily the conflict that the government chose). Their point that occupying Iraq does not make us safer is important as well, because that was a huge part of invading in the first place as well as remaining so long. The longevity of the conflict and the slow process of pulling out also serve to remind us that our actions have consequences that are much further reaching and take more time than our shifts in political mood.