Matt has developed an amazing series of modern art, by bringing to life the personal thoughts and images of some of us who have been to the most recent wars in the Middle East. In my own experiences it is clear that our senior leadership was completely out of touch with what was really going on in the war and what it would take to win the war. This has resulted in our still being in a quagmire. With Gen Patreus taking command, we have a chance to change the tone of the way this war is being waged... It is a small chance. The military needs a major change in philosophy in order to understand modern warfare. Those that try to engage the local populace as a primary means to establish security and stability have been chastised for doing so. This is my story and how COL Kevin Stramara of the 4th ID ended my career, by refusing to embrace the right way to win in Iraq and discriminating against me for generating results without killing or mistreating Iraqis. His techniques resulted in increased violence and Abu-Graib-like treatment of detainees. Tragic. I'm glad his career is over after 5+ investigations into his conduct and poor leadership during the war. As for me, I'm glad to be moving on with the final stages of my career and on to the next chapter in my life without compromising my integrity or honor. There is no honor in people like Stramara. At least I can look in the mirror each morning when I shave.

I’m a combat veteran and all of my friends and I live our life with post traumatic stress syndrome. The lives of everyone we have ever associated with, family, loved ones and even acquaintances have in some way been affected by this. This war as with our war (Vietnam) was initiated by the lies and deceit of a corrupt government. All our life we have been taught to be patriotic, that we live under the greatest system in the world, a government by and for the people, one nation under god. Were raised as good Christian children.Then were sent to some third world country, one inhabited by some godless people you know Communists, Muslims, Indians or the like. We go and fight our wars for god and country only to return to a country that has little or no use for it’s good Christian warriors any more. The government we so love and cherish now sees us as a liability and John Q public dispose of there support the troops magnets and now see us as those crazed vets. We spend the next thirty or so years fighting the VA for care for our cancers war wounds and depression. We watch our friends die of cancers caused by exposure to some chemical sold to our government for use on these godless lands, and we watch the corporations responsible shirk there responsibilities only to make the public foot the bill. We spend the years after our wars studying, trying to find the reason for our war only to realize it was a war for profit. The profit of people whose children never have to fight these wars. We finally realize that all of our wars have been for the profit of these people, the same people that are stealing the natural resources from every country we conquer, control or occupy. The same people we elect to govern this fine country, and the cause and reason we have terrorism. Finally we realize the cause of our post traumatic stress syndrome, and as long as the people that perpetrate this are allowed to continue unpunished our lives have and will continue to be a lie.
(Now it finally gets naked. We're really fighting for the same thing the same way as all the other conquistadores were.

Use the sword to control the land. Use the bible to "save" their souls, control their minds and justify every thing. Then apply capitalism and demockcracy to seal the deal.

It works. And, the right people get the power, the natural resources, the money and everyone is happy.


Aslong as the communion wine and kool aid last.


--Hc)