January 2
GUEST: Tarak Kauff, US Army Veteran, Editor of "Peace in Our Times, and board member of Veterans for Peace, talks about his history of organizing nonviolent direct action for peace in Washington DC, Korea, Okinawa, and Ireland.No Country For Old Men: Two US Veterans Go MIA in Ireland
After a number of nonviolent direct actions at the White House, New York City, Korea, Okinawa and the West Bank, Tarak met his match in Ireland. The Irish people got his message against US imperialism, at least 8 month of it because the Irish government wouldn't let these two vets, Tarak and Ken, go back home.
Tarak, a perpetual optimist, thinks that his extended visit was a window of opportunity. The vets spent two weeks in jail, but the rest of the time marching, holding banners and passing out flyers in this "neutral" country.
So if Ireland is in fact neutral, why are US troops bound for the Middle East stopping at Shannon Airport? It is not that the Republic of Ireland doesn't know about colonialism. The Irish people will always remember the centuries they spent under the boot of an occupying army, intent on robbing and humiliating them. Why would this proud country help in the invasion and occupation of the Middle East?
Tarak and Ken went about the countryside asking that question. Maybe it is a question that should be asked in more countries. Since World War II, the US has overthrown at least 36 governments, interfered in at least 84 elections and attempted to assassinate over 50 foreign leaders. We have bombed people in over 30 countries. With 800 overseas bases, we are the world's most active killing machine. At least that is what the vast majority of earth's citizens think; they consistently name America as the biggest impediment to peace in the world.
The rest of the world gets it, of course. Tarak and Ken spent eight months in Ireland trying to educate the American people. The empire will continue until US citizens put a stop to it by getting rid of the two war parties and starting a national media that respects human rights over Wall Street profits. Only then will the sorrows of empire cease.
