Antiwar icon brings message home (Marine who appeared in Fahrenheit 9/11)

[Barrett808]

Abdul Henderson came to oppose the U.S.-led war in Iraq while fighting there as a Marine. He vowed not to return, even if ordered.

He became a pre-election figure for the antiwar movement after appearing in Michael Moore's film "Fahrenheit 9/11" and testifying before congressional panels on Capitol Hill. Henderson said he is an American citizen first and a Marine second, and is opposed to the war because its justification was built on false pretenses.

Speaking to about 150 people in Old Town Square on Sunday, Henderson told the crowd that, despite political losses in November, Americans against the war in Iraq should not stop protesting because they are the only ones left willing to voice dissent.

Henderson said he opposes the war because a decision to invade was based on false intelligence that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. No such weapons were ever found.

"We're spending a billion dollars a week to secure a country that was not an imminent threat to us," Henderson said.

(more)

http://www.coloradoan.com/news/stories/20041206/news/1702147.html

[goddess40]

1. I hope he gives courage to other to speak out

like the young man that is refusing to go to Iraq.
http://www.10news.com/news/3974063/detail.html

[PROGRESSIVE1]

2. This couragous young man is a national icon.

He needs to convince others to speak out about the horrors of this war.

[Just Me]

3. An "American first", indeed!!!

Isn't that what all those whose job is to protect us are supposed to be?

Or,...are they so "owned" by the CIC that they have no choice about whether to be an "American first"?

Very distressing times we live in.

[stepnw1f]

4. Thank You Abdul!

Silently many applaud you I'm sure. You may give them more courage than you think or see.

[leftchick]

5. Photo of Abdul Henderson ....

PASSIONATE: Iraq war veteran Abdul Henderson speaks about how his experiences in Iraq led him to oppose the U.S. occupation during a rally Sunday in Old Town Square. About 150 people attended the rally, which was sponsored by the Center for Justice, Peace and Environment, or CJPE, and Strength Through Peace, or STP.


... He is such a hero... :)

[Downtown Hound]

6. That's a marine

who makes me proud to be an American.

[belab13]

7. He seemed so reticent in the film, though I'm very impressed with his

statement. He's definitely a hero in my book.

[intheflow]

8. I was there! So glad to see the press covered it!

Abdul Henderson was great. He was soft-spoken but spoke the Truth with a capitol "T". Said it was upto us to take to the streets and defend our democracy.

My favorite thing he said (paraphrased here):

"I enlisted because I love my country. I am willing to fight and die for my country. I consider my speaking tour encouraging others to resist this administration is because I love my country and am willing to fight and die for it."

He was wonderful.

[Maat]

9. He's a true American!

A courageous marine willing to dissent and state the truth - as only he can. Bless him and his family! He has credibility - he is willing to protect his country, when necessary, and he understands that dissent is patriotic (and what our founding fathers expected from us when they spoke of the marketplace of ideas).

[DemoTex]

10. Hmmm. He reminds me of someone. Who could it be?

Oh yes, the young VVAW John Kerry. Focused, articulate, deliberative. Mr. Henderson is a breath of fresh air in the midst of this fetid quagmire.

[yorkiemommie1]

11. yes and if he should ever choose to run for office

in the future...let us hope that he will be accorded the respect that he deserves.


courageous young man.

[Barkley]

12. Ron Kovic predicted that as the war went on more GI would resists

I heard him say that at a L.A. anti war rally last year.

I didn't believe him then, but I do now.

I am so thankful for people like Henderson who are coming out for justice, truth and peace.

Every Sunday Vets for Peace put up crosses at Santa Monica Beach in CA for the fallen GIs.

8 GIs are suing the government for the stop-loss slavery imposed on them by their own government.

Bush took us to war against a country that was no threat to our security.

We went war for oil not WMD, not Saddam, not terrorism or democracy.

But O-I-L!

Many other GIs know what's going on; the public appearence of Abu Ghraib photos shows that there's some fundamental disagreement within the military ranks.

[NVMojo]

13. may this man be protected from the evil doers who would

try to silence his dissent. He speaks for so many.

In the film, it really got to me when he talked about going over their to kill other poor people of color who had done nothing to us.