Wounded Veteran's letter to George Bush and Dick Cheney

An injured veteran of the Iraqi war has written a grievance letter addressed to George Bush and Dick Cheney. I think his words speak for many Americans and for people around the World about how we feel towards the actions these men have taken.

If you agree, please share this letter with your friends and family. This needs to be read by all.

Link

To: George W. Bush and Dick Cheney
From: Tomas Young

I write this letter on the 10th anniversary of the Iraq War on behalf of my fellow Iraq War veterans. I write this letter on behalf of the 4,488 soldiers and Marines who died in Iraq. I write this letter on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of veterans who have been wounded and on behalf of those whose wounds, physical and psychological, have destroyed their lives. I am one of those gravely wounded. I was paralyzed in an insurgent ambush in 2004 in Sadr City. My life is coming to an end. I am living under hospice care.

I write this letter on behalf of husbands and wives who have lost spouses, on behalf of children who have lost a parent, on behalf of the fathers and mothers who have lost sons and daughters and on behalf of those who care for the many thousands of my fellow veterans who have brain injuries. I write this letter on behalf of those veterans whose trauma and self-revulsion for what they have witnessed, endured and done in Iraq have led to suicide and on behalf of the active-duty soldiers and Marines who commit, on average, a suicide a day. I write this letter on behalf of the some 1 million Iraqi dead and on behalf of the countless Iraqi wounded. I write this letter on behalf of us all—the human detritus your war has left behind, those who will spend their lives in unending pain and grief.

I write this letter, my last letter, to you, Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney. I write not because I think you grasp the terrible human and moral consequences of your lies, manipulation and thirst for wealth and power. I write this letter because, before my own death, I want to make it clear that I, and hundreds of thousands of my fellow veterans, along with millions of my fellow citizens, along with hundreds of millions more in Iraq and the Middle East, know fully who you are and what you have done. You may evade justice but in our eyes you are each guilty of egregious war crimes, of plunder and, finally, of murder, including the murder of thousands of young Americans—my fellow veterans—whose future you stole.

Your positions of authority, your millions of dollars of personal wealth, your public relations consultants, your privilege and your power cannot mask the hollowness of your character. You sent us to fight and die in Iraq after you, Mr. Cheney, dodged the draft in Vietnam, and you, Mr. Bush, went AWOL from your National Guard unit. Your cowardice and selfishness were established decades ago. You were not willing to risk yourselves for our nation but you sent hundreds of thousands of young men and women to be sacrificed in a senseless war with no more thought than it takes to put out the garbage.

I joined the Army two days after the 9/11 attacks. I joined the Army because our country had been attacked. I wanted to strike back at those who had killed some 3,000 of my fellow citizens. I did not join the Army to go to Iraq, a country that had no part in the September 2001 attacks and did not pose a threat to its neighbors, much less to the United States. I did not join the Army to “liberate” Iraqis or to shut down mythical weapons-of-mass-destruction facilities or to implant what you cynically called “democracy” in Baghdad and the Middle East. I did not join the Army to rebuild Iraq, which at the time you told us could be paid for by Iraq’s oil revenues. Instead, this war has cost the United States over $3 trillion. I especially did not join the Army to carry out pre-emptive war. Pre-emptive war is illegal under international law. And as a soldier in Iraq I was, I now know, abetting your idiocy and your crimes. The Iraq War is the largest strategic blunder in U.S. history. It obliterated the balance of power in the Middle East. It installed a corrupt and brutal pro-Iranian government in Baghdad, one cemented in power through the use of torture, death squads and terror. And it has left Iran as the dominant force in the region. On every level—moral, strategic, military and economic—Iraq was a failure. And it was you, Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney, who started this war. It is you who should pay the consequences.

I would not be writing this letter if I had been wounded fighting in Afghanistan against those forces that carried out the attacks of 9/11. Had I been wounded there I would still be miserable because of my physical deterioration and imminent death, but I would at least have the comfort of knowing that my injuries were a consequence of my own decision to defend the country I love. I would not have to lie in my bed, my body filled with painkillers, my life ebbing away, and deal with the fact that hundreds of thousands of human beings, including children, including myself, were sacrificed by you for little more than the greed of oil companies, for your alliance with the oil sheiks in Saudi Arabia, and your insane visions of empire.

I have, like many other disabled veterans, suffered from the inadequate and often inept care provided by the Veterans Administration. I have, like many other disabled veterans, come to realize that our mental and physical wounds are of no interest to you, perhaps of no interest to any politician. We were used. We were betrayed. And we have been abandoned. You, Mr. Bush, make much pretense of being a Christian. But isn’t lying a sin? Isn’t murder a sin? Aren’t theft and selfish ambition sins? I am not a Christian. But I believe in the Christian ideal. I believe that what you do to the least of your brothers you finally do to yourself, to your own soul.

My day of reckoning is upon me. Yours will come. I hope you will be put on trial. But mostly I hope, for your sakes, that you find the moral courage to face what you have done to me and to many, many others who deserved to live. I hope that before your time on earth ends, as mine is now ending, you will find the strength of character to stand before the American public and the world, and in particular the Iraqi people, and beg for forgiveness.

—Tomas Young

I am proud of this man. Not just for his service to our country. But for his courage to speak out against the wrongful acts he was a witness to. I fully agree with his viewpoints and I feel that the lies that were told to the American people to justify the war in Iraq should be considered a crime and they should be held accountable.

Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and all the people involved with PNAC should be under investigation and put in prison for their crimes against humanity. In my opinion 9/11 was allowed to happen (possibly they were directly involved even) as a part of these men's Project for a New American Century.

I hope that one day the truth behind 9/11 and the lies about the war in Iraq are finally brought to light and the history books will show just how greedy, corrupt and evil those who were involved are.

Someone will come here to tell you it already has been posted, will probably tell you to learn how to use the search feature and will link the thread regarding this subject. But I read your post and thank you for your contribution.

reply to post by ParovStelar


Or you have helped the OP by using the search engine. I did a check on the name used in the source and could not see a thread.

To the OP, no matter what, this is one of the few threads that should count and matter on this web site, but I fear it will get lost in the vast amount of chatter threads.

S & F

reply to post by Freedom ERP


Indeed, I did do a search before I posted this and it showed no results.

on topic : Even though it's been over 10 years since 9/11 and the Iraqi war began. There is no statute of limitations on murder. The American people must never give up speaking out and asking questions. Eventually, we may get a thorough and proper investigation. One day the truth will come out.

Reply to post by MagicWand67

Then you didn't look very hard. Here you go.

m.abovetopsecret.com...


Posted Via ATS Mobile: m.abovetopsecret.com

reply to post by Freedom ERP



I did not even check the search engine since it it the most discussed thread in new topics.

reply to post by MagicWand67


I gave you a star and a flag because I'm a rebel

reply to post by ParovStelar


Well once again the new search function has failed to do it's job correctly.

Thanks

reply to post by MagicWand67


You have to respect veteran's who speak out against some of our foreign policies. This veteran's letter laid it out clearly and held nothing back. Politicians are too quick to sacrifice our sons and daughters in conflicts that have no immediate threat to the U.S.. The use of fear to rally support for the Iraq war was deceitful. and I too feel Bush and his cronies should have been put on trial.

Our politicians left no stone un-turned to put a president on trial for lying about an extramarital affair, yet they turned a blind eye to a lie that cause 4,800 of our young men and women to die. There was no outrage by our politicians, and both parties were equally guilty for not pursuing charges against Bush and his administration.

How can we ever trust our elected officials when they ignore or give our wounded soldiers below par medical help. These courageous young men and women are used like pawns, and when they come home politicians turn their backs on them. We can only blame ourselves for allowing these injustices to take place.

Are you really sure that Bush lied? I know, I know, it's been on a hundred million bumper stickers and protest signs, but did he really know that he was saying something that was false?

If so, why are we not attacking Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Bill Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, Ted Kennedy, Al Gore and others?

“Iraq does pose a serious threat to the stability of the Persian Gulf and we should organize an international coalition to eliminate his access to weapons of mass destruction. Iraq’s search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to completely deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power.” — Al Gore, 2002

“As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I am keenly aware that the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons is an issue of grave importance to all nations. Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is, a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process.” — Nancy Pelosi, December 16, 1998

“In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including Al Qaeda members, though there is apparently no evidence of his involvement in the terrible events of September 11, 2001. It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons. Should he succeed in that endeavor, he could alter the political and security landscape of the Middle East, which as we know all too well affects American security.” — Hillary Clinton, October 10, 2002

“There’s no question that Saddam Hussein is a threat… Yes, he has chemical and biological weapons. He’s had those for a long time. But the United States right now is on a very much different defensive posture than we were before September 11th of 2001… He is, as far as we know, actively pursuing nuclear capabilities, though he doesn’t have nuclear warheads yet. If he were to acquire nuclear weapons, I think our friends in the region would face greatly increased risks as would we.” — Wesley Clark on September 26, 2002

There are more, similar quotes. Here's a start: www.snopes.com... Snopes, by the way rates these as TRUE.

But did Bush lie? Apparently not. He was working with the reports from the intelligence agencies. Judge Laurence Silberman, a federal judge for the D.C. Circuit was part of the Silberman-Robb Commision that reviewed the intelligence product.

During a recent interview with me, he spoke freely about his views for the first time. "As a federal judge I am very careful to stay out of politics," Silberman says. "But [now that several years have passed] I am inclined to think that ... [for] historical purposes I can give an opinion."

The intelligence agencies, Silberman says, "clearly indicated that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction. They made that clear to both President Clinton and President Bush. They made that clear in the national intelligence estimate of 2002." How did the intelligence agencies get such a basic, vital question so thoroughly wrong? "A lot of fundamental and almost amateurish mistakes."

www.forbes.com...

Was Bush wrong? Yes. Did he lie? No.

reply to post by charles1952


In my opinion, I am positive that Bush lied. Not just about the WMD's in Iraq. But about 9/11 as well. Bush is on record stating that "we never cold have imagined that terrorists would use planes as missiles" That has already been proven to be a complete and outright lie.

Bush's ties to Saudi Oil and the Bin Laden family. Cheney and his connections with Hali Burton. The deals to rebuild, the deals to supply private security forces. The fact that Bush Sr. led the first war in Iraq to protect Kuwait. Too many deals were made behind the scenes that made these perpetrators and their friends even richer.

I have no problem with placing further blame and responsibility on intelligence agencies, other members of congress and the politicians who may have endorsed the invasion. But the blame has to begin at the top with the man in charge. That person was George W Bush.

reply to post by MagicWand67

Dear MagicWand67,

It may be that I was too narrow in my post. I was only looking at the question, "Did Bush know the truth about the WMDs, then purposely say something he knew was false?" It seems that what he knew was false, and he used that as the rationale behind his actions. Therefore, no lie.

I agree that the man at the top is responsible for anything he or his subordinates do. That's a principle that every good leader knows. But, remember that his intelligence agencies and the opposition party were all telling him the same things. Responsible? Absolutely. Bush is responsible for the Iraq war. Dishonest? It doesn't look like it.

(This is not a key point, and I don't want to sidetrack the thread, but I wish Obama would take responsibility sometimes. He's been relected, it can't hurt him to admit mistakes, and would make him look a little less slimy.)

With respect,
Charles1952

P.s. Oh, that "We never could have imagined" quote? Do you mean this one?

As then-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice testified to the 9/11 Commission: "No one could have imagined them taking a plane, slamming it into the Pentagon ... into the World Trade Center, using planes as missiles."

If so, then not Bush. But I agree he is responsible for anything his subordinates do.
www.foreignpolicy.com...

reply to post by charles1952

Responsible? Absolutely. Bush is responsible for the Iraq war. Dishonest? It doesn't look like it.

I respectfully have to disagree.

It's my opinion that Bush and his cohorts had an agenda. They then created the scenarios to carry out that agenda. I think they used whatever means necessary. From ignoring terrorist threats, to creating false reports of WMD's. If there is any connection to be found with Al Qaeda and terrorism. It's not with Saddam Hussein and Iraq but with George Bush Sr. and the CIA.

I wouldn't put it past the Bush administration to have knowingly perpetrated a fraud on the entire American public. They invented what they needed to gain support for the war in Iraq. I call that a lie by any definition. Trying to drag Obama into this debate is completely off topic and an obvious attempt to change the subject of this thread.

reply to post by charles1952

P.s. Oh, that "We never could have imagined" quote? Do you mean this one?

@ 2:30 second mark of this video

reply to post by MagicWand67

Dear MagicWand67,

Thanks for sending along the video, I like learning things.

As I get older my mind loses some of it's agility, it's a little hard to keep up with you. Forgive me if I try to summarize my understanding of what you said.

Bush wanted a war in Iraq (I'm not sure why). He told the CIA to come up with false intelligence reports and told them what to put in the reports. The agency was also to persuade Britain that the reports were valid (I'm not sure why).

Bush also arranged through his father and the CIA to have the WTC attack committed and made to look like Iraq was involved. Or, perhaps the WTC attack was just a coincidence that Bush used and neither he nor the CIA had anything to do with it?

Then he showed Congress the false reports which he created to get them to support a war (although, after 9/11 just about everybody was ready to go to war, Bush didn't have to add anything). I think I understand your position.

But I've always wondered what Bush got from all of that. It derailed his Presidency, destroyed his legacy, and cost his party a lot. Money? No, he's not noticably better off, he's always had enough money to do what he wanted.

I understand that you have your interpretation, but it's a lot simpler to listen to Judge Silberman's position: the CIA made some dumb mistakes, everybody believed them, and they went to war based on it.

With respect,
Charles1952

P.s.

Trying to drag Obama into this debate is completely off topic and an obvious attempt to change the subject of this thread.

Ease up a little. I put it in parentheses, and let the world know that I didn't want it to derail the thread. It was just a thought I had which was related to the topic, but I wasn't trying to change the subject. You had to have seen that, didn't you?

If you want another example of a related thought that I don't want to derail the thread, remember Hillary asking her questioners "What difference does it make now?" And Benghazi wasn't ten years ago. - C -

reply to post by charles1952

Dear MagicWand67,

Thanks for sending along the video, I like learning things.

As I get older my mind loses some of it's agility, it's a little hard to keep up with you. Forgive me if I try to summarize my understanding of what you said.

You're welcome. Your summary is a bit off but I forgive you.

Bush wanted a war in Iraq (I'm not sure why).

He wanted to finish what his father had started during Dessert Storm.

He told the CIA to come up with false intelligence reports and told them what to put in the reports.

Close enough. Perhaps, exaggerated reports to create a false sense of urgency, is a better way to say it.

The agency was also to persuade Britain that the reports were valid (I'm not sure why).

We needed support in the global community.

Bush also arranged through his father and the CIA to have the WTC attack committed and made to look like Iraq was involved. Or, perhaps the WTC attack was just a coincidence that Bush used and neither he nor the CIA had anything to do with it?

Perhaps, but not exactly. And this area of the extent of involvement in the attacks on 9/11 still remains unknown. At the very least, major threat warnings were ignored on purpose.

Bush Sr. and the CIA initially helped create and support Al Qaeda many years ago to fight against Russia on the Afghan border. They were provided with weapons, funding and expert military training.

Then he showed Congress the false reports which he created to get them to support a war (although, after 9/11 just about everybody was ready to go to war, Bush didn't have to add anything). I think I understand your position.

The war in Iraq did not have the support of the United Nations and many NATO countries. There was no connection between Iraq and the 9/11 attacks. Bush needed to justify invading Iraq by falsifying the WMD reports. You have a deep, almost comical, misunderstanding of my position.

But I've always wondered what Bush got from all of that. It derailed his Presidency, destroyed his legacy, and cost his party a lot. Money? No, he's not noticably better off, he's always had enough money to do what he wanted.

He received money and power for himself and his supporters. He furthered the Globalists agenda and solidified the plans laid out in the PNAC documents. It did not derail his presidency. Quite the opposite in fact. It got him re-elected and his whole presidency was based on the war on terror. If you truly believe he and his associates didn't make money off the war in Iraq you are extremely misinformed.

I understand that you have your interpretation, but it's a lot simpler to listen to Judge Silberman's position: the CIA made some dumb mistakes, everybody believed them, and they went to war based on it.

You're entitled to your opinion of course. But in the case I would suggest you re-evaluate your position. Your belief in Judge Silberman's position is naive at best and it ignores blatant facts. That if looked at with common sense and reasonable unbiased judgement. Even a person of average intelligence can connect the dots and rationalize a basic understanding of the actual situation that took place.

Originally posted by charles1952
Are you really sure that Bush lied?

Not entirely - I personally think he wasn't in the loop at all, just a buffoon of a figure head without a lick of sense. I think he just said what he was told to say. If you're the mouthpiece for a lie - I think you are just (if not more) guilty

reply to post by MagicWand67

Dear MagicWand67,

Thanks for clearing things up for me. If I understand, your two main points were mentioned in this paragraph:

The war in Iraq did not have the support of the United Nations and many NATO countries. There was no connection between Iraq and the 9/11 attacks. Bush needed to justify invading Iraq by falsifying the WMD reports.

The war did have the support of many nations, at least the Wiki article on "Coalition of the Willing" reports it as true:

The Bush administration briefly used the term "Coalition of the Willing" to refer to the countries who supported, militarily or verbally, the 2003 invasion of Iraq and subsequent military presence in post-invasion Iraq. The original list released in March 2003 included 46 members. In April 2003, the list was updated to include 49 countries, though it was reduced to 48 after Costa Rica objected to its inclusion. Of the 48 states on the list, three contributed troops to the invasion force (the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland). An additional 37 countries provided some number of troops to support military operations after the invasion was complete.

But why do we require the UN's approval to go to war? Or NATO's for that matter?

There were other reasons to depose Saddam Hussein besides the WMD issue. Iraq's use of chemical weapons throughout the '90s and beyond, his support for Al-Qaeda leaders, the torture and killing of his opponents, terrorist activities planned in the US and Europe.

I found this list (including sources) to be useful: www.reasons-for-war-with-iraq.info...

For those reasons I'm having trouble agreeing with you completely, but I'd be glad to learn otherwise.

With respect,
Charles1952