"You can check out anytime you like but you can never leave"

We are told that our troops support the "mission in Iraq."  We are not told what happens to them if they don’t.

Mark Wilkerson:
"When we went, our general mission was to win the hearts and minds of the people," he recalls. "But when I got there, and I saw the people and how we were treating them, I thought, 'We're doing exactly the opposite.'"

Those who advocate the extension of the disaster that is Iraq have persistently invoked the honor and memory of our troops. When Casey Sheehan spilt his blood on Iraqi soil, those who objected to his mother’s opposition to the war maintained that Casey was a volunteer. What is not mentioned is that these volunteers are not free to un-volunteer.

A few years ago, I spoke at a Veterans for Peace conference.  I didn't know why they invited me.  Staff Sgt. Camilo Mejia, who faced court-martial for refusing to return to Iraq, told me: "You are a conscientious objector on the civilian side."  Spc. Mark Wilkerson, who is to be sentenced today for refusing a second tour to Iraq, echoes my reasoning in blowing the whistle.  Please support him and his family.

Our troops are speaking, and this time directly to Congress.  In campaign 'Appeal for Redress' the numbers of active duty troops signing the appeal is increasing daily, if not hourly.  How many U.S. Troops killed in Iraq this month - 91 - and the month is not yet over. How many other courageous soldiers have demonstrated the courage to 'speak out' publicly via media in recent months?

WASHINGTON (Reuters) More than 200 active duty U.S. armed service members, fed up with the war in Iraq, have joined an unusual protest calling for withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country, organisers said on Wednesday.

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