(deadissue) This post is on behalf of a soldier in Iraq, but also to provide the readers here at KOS a close-up on what is going on with some soldiers who are currently enlisted. There are support networks in place for these people, but having one reach out prior to going AWOL or suffering from a breakdown is rare for the most part. They're going to put the screws to this soldier, regardless of how successful the community's advocacy strategy turns out. But because he reached out when he did, he could come out of this alive. Because it is exposure that cripples the machine, and in situations like this, it will spit out a cog or two rather than risk the effect that prying eyes can have. Posted on Soldier Voices Forum - this is a soldier who is in need of some help.
I've neglected the email chain that alerted me to this for about a day now because of school, but now that I've read it, I hope that my fellow bloggers can help spread his story around. The ethical questions I've been hung up on for an hour or so all seem moot, as it would be me (and hopefully you) acting on this person's behalf, and doing what he hopes would be done.
Things have escalated in the last 12 hours, and I need your (and anyone else who cans) help. I have finally sided with my conviction, and voiced my beliefs about the governments involvement in 9/11, and my belief that this "war" was staged. My company commander responded by acting as though he was going to attack me, he came across as seriously unstable and violent, initially they took my weapon and ganged up me. Things have only gotten worse.
I have told them that I will no longer play a "combat role" in this conflict or "protect corporate representatives", and they have taken this as "violating a direct order". I may be in jail or worse in the next 24 hours.
Please rally whoever you can, call whoever you can, bring as much attention to this as you can. I have no doubt that the military will bury me and hide the whole situation if they can. I'm in big trouble. I'm in the middle of Iraq, surrounded by people who are not on my side. Please help me. Please contact whoever you can, and tell them who I am, so I don't "disappear".
Eleonai Israel, JVB, Bco 1-149INF, Camp Victory, Baghdad Iraq This is his e-mail address eleonai.israel@yahool.com and his friend Crystal's e-mail is crystal4cali@aol.com
Lisa Cantu (Soldier Voices Forum): And this was made available in a public forum so I'm figuring it's ok to repost.
rystal: Eli? eleonai.israel: hey, did you get my message crystal: i just read it. what the fuck? crystal: my heart is in my throat eleonai.israel: things are bad eleonai.israel: I need help eleonai.israel: I don't have a phone, or anything eleonai.israel: I can't call anybody eleonai.israel: and in the morning the "hammer" is going to fall crystal: WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED? crystal: omigod crystal i'm sending to as many people as i can right now eleonai.israel: I've been struggling with my conscience for weeks now. Having a harder and harder time playing a role in this "war", knowing the truth. Today, my Squad Leader tried to "throw me under the bus" (sacrifice me on an issue to save his own reputation). This involved "punishing me". I refused. I then refused to show submission to him and "stand at parade rest". It was like watching a pack of rabid dogs. These people are not stable. I thought I was going to have to fight them. crystal: I'M LISTENING...JUST MESSAGING PEOPLE eleonai.israel: During this "discussion" I told them my feeling about 9/11 crystal: OH MY crystal: what about your parents? do they know? crystal: Eli? eleonai.israel: no, and I'm honestly afraid of their reaction eleonai.israel: they don't understand eleonai.israel: I don't have anybody on this Crystal. Please help me. crystal: i'm trying... crystal: i'm sending it out to the "bigger ups"....to see if they can give me advice... honey, i'm so sorry. eleonai.israel: I wonder if Alex Jones would help crystal: i sent it to him eleonai.israel: He had the father of a soldier who was taking a similar position on his show a few days ago, but I think the soldier was back in the states. I'm here, much easier to "hide" crystal: did u contact gravel?? eleonai.israel: no eleonai.israel: but I should crystal: i will right now...just so they know....u too eleonai.israel: brb crystal: U JUST TELL THEM YOU'VE ALREADY SPOKEN WITH PEOPLE AND THEY KNOWW eleonai.israel: I'm chatting with Mike Grant from the Gravel campaign right now. eleonai.israel: Try writing alex on the gravel website "contact" page, tell him who it is, he knows who I am eleonai.israel: brb crystal: the best thing that can be done is to get the story to the mainstream.
call radio shows and get attention brought to it.
the safest place to hide in hell, is right in the light.
hope it helps eleonai.israel: yes, exactly eleonai.israel: they don't want people to know eleonai.israel: brb eleonai.israel: tell them that I stumbled across AR 210-35 and was horrified. crystal: OKAY...COMP IS SOOO SLOW. are you getting this out? crystal: TO AS MANY AS U CAN DEAR eleonai.israel: i'm trying crystal: "I'll contact who ever i can so hang in there, Eli needs you so keep it together."
crystal: where are you? crystal: someone wants to talk to you eleonai.israel: who's that eleonai.israel: yeah crystal: some guy crystal: i already sent it...i'm trying my best eleonai.israel: are you there? crystal: yes of course i'm here crystal : what's up? crystal: i'm sending and sending it out to news people and senators.... others eleonai.israel: I'm chatting with mike still eleonai.israel: he is talking on the phone with an attorney crystal: good eleonai.israel: he said he is even going to talk to Senator Gravel about it in a couple hours eleonai.israel: I honestly don't know how much support I can expect crystal eleonai.israel: I am refusing "orders" crystal: anything? eleonai.israel: waiting on an email crystal: from? eleonai.israel: an attorney eleonai.israel's status is now "Idle". (6/19/2007 9:51 AM) eleonai.israel: i'm here, sorry, my squad leader came to talk to me crystal: anddddd? eleonai.israel: things are not ok crystal: ???? crystal: talk to me eleonai.israel: they are saying they acknowledge my moral convictions, but are fully prepared to charge me with everything they can if I follow my moral position crystal: what are u going to do? crystal: can u get out of there now? eleonai.israel: I don't know, they have made it clear that there goal is to intimidate me into continuing to be a part of the war crystal: what are u going to do Eli? eleonai.israel: i don't know crystal eleonai.israel: i'm sure they want me in jail crystal: Have you heard from the lawyer? crystal: someone said u need to contact your states congressman ... I will do that for you. They said that's the only thing you can do.
One of the messages Eleonai received back:
Eleonai,
You are going to be ok my man. My name is Liam, I am a former Marine and I'm with IVAW.I did similar things when I was enlisted, except I wasn't in Iraq. My first advice is to get a JAG. Second if they ask you anything say you want a lawyer. DO NOT TALK WTHOUT A LAWYER! Third, I would maintain the high road that you are on and say you refuse to participate in a war, which by the Nurnberg standards (also the UN charter and Geneva convention) is a war crime and a war of aggression. This is a legal ground that is impossible for them to defend.
Can you get us some email addresses for people in your chain of command? we can ensure they don't disappear you by writing them and letting them know we have notified some lawyers etc. Do you want to go to the press? It is your call, but adding them to the mix puts alot of pressure on the brass and is also inspiring to alot of people in the ranks who feel the way you do. Publicity would make me feel a little safer because they can do whatever they want when no one is looking.
I will contact my lawyer at the ACLU if you want, they are free and good. I want to help man, Let us know if you want the ACLU?legal help and or the press we can call?
Peace,
PS You are doing something humanity needs more of. Thank you, never regret this decision bro, you are doing a great thing.
Liam Madden IVAW Appeal for Redress
(6.22.07) UPDATE: A message from Eli
"an update from me"
I continue to thank everyone for your support. I can't say a lot at this point, but I can say that I am not currently being charged, I have been moved to a non-combat role (maintenance, changing tires, etc), and I have officially filed as a conscientious objector. I am unable to respond to all the emails I am getting, and unable to approve all the friend requests I have recieved. I promise you that as long as you are not "spam" I will approve you as soon as I can. I know you guys understand that I am in a very difficult position, and am glad to be able to continue to access the internet or use the phone at all. It has not been easy. You can continue to contact my dear friend Crystal as a point of contact as well. She is pretty in the loop, and has contact with my attorneys etc. In case any of you missed my "official statment" yesterday, this is it:
"Thank you for your support. I am currently "OK", thanks in no small part I'm sure to the voices that have spoken up in the name of Peace. I don't know what the military's next steps are going to be, but my deeply held beliefs prevent me from participating in this or any other war. I will be in contact through my attorneys, and try my best to keep you updated. God Bless, Eli"
I want everyone to understand that this is not a political decision, and that I care deeply for many of the good hearted and well intentioned people who are in the military, who like me, joined for all the "right reasons". For those of you who don't know, I have been in Iraq for over a year. I have served in combat. I have been awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, for my actions in Combat. I have been recommended for other medals, that I will now probably never see (nor do I want). I regret having ever taken part in a war.
I don't know how often I will be able to keep you all updated with what is going on, but I am doing my best. There are things that I will have to do, legally, as a conscientious objector with paperwork etc, that are going to take time. I hope that all of you stick with me as I go through this process. This "tour" in Iraq, is scheduled to end in a couple of months.
The hope, and what should happen, is that I will still be allowed to demobilize no later than the rest of my KY Guard Unit, and should be back in the states no later than August. I am actually "scheduled" to take my first vacation home in a few weeks. It would have been a lot "easier" for me to simply keep doing combat missions for a couple more weeks, and be done with things. Moral convictions are not based on timing or convenience, and I thank all of you for your being here for me now.
Peace, Eli