RESISTANCE – Of Hoisting and Petards
RESISTANCE
Of Hoisting and Petards
BY Stan Goff
“I have learned from first hand experience that war is the destroyer of everything that is good in the world, it turns our young into soulless killers and we tell them that they are heroes when they master the ‘art’ of killing.”
-Kevin Benderman
“I cannot tell anyone else how to live his or her life but I have determined how I want to live mine–by not participating in war any longer…”
-Monica Benderman
“Quit saying that U.S. troops died for a noble cause in Iraq, unless you say, ‘well, except for Casey Sheehan.’ Don’t you dare spill any more blood in Casey’s name. You do not have permission to use my son’s name.” (To President George W. Bush)
-Cindy Sheehan
On July 29th, Sergeant Kevin Benderman was sent to prison for 15 months for filing a conscientious objector application with the Army. This did not come out in his court martial because the court ruled early on that not one word was to be spoken in his defense that relied on his moral objection to the war in Iraq and – for Benderman – all wars of aggression. Because the court could not convict Benderman directly for conscientious objection, a right guaranteed by federal law, they rejected his application without showing adequate cause and forced him to refuse – in accordance with his stated moral objection to the war – redeployment to Iraq. They then multiply charged him with preposterous accusations – including larceny and desertion – in an attempt to intimidate him with the possibility of seven years in prison. At the end of the day on July 29th, only one charge stuck – intentionally missing movement – for which they gave him a stiff 15 months at the Fort Lewis, Washington stockade. The missing movement charge itself had to be trumped up with a series of shifting statements from a senior NCO about the verbal content of a 45-minute meeting. Even the normally timid Amnesty International has publicly acknowledged that Kevin Benderman is “a prisoner of conscience.â€
Monica Benderman, Kevin’s life-partner, has been an active and articulate political-partner throughout this drama – a drama that, despite the Pentagon’s efforts to spin, conceal, and minimize, has only served to highlight the dignity of exercising real freedom from within a cell and the utter decadence of those who never cease talking about freedom as an abstraction while they try to bomb and imprison their way out of another resistance.
Neither the administration nor the Pentagon wants anyone to understand this paradox of freedom – real freedom, the existential kind, not that bombast flowing out of Rove’s beleaguered office like an overflowing toilet.
Soldiers and soldier’s families are constantly instructed on something called courage. People can only hear that word so many times before they begin to actually reflect on what it means; and the briefest reflection reveals something much deeper than the pumped-up physical bravado required to engage in gunfights with strangers.
This administration knows now that the very training and indoctrination that prepares troops for battle can slip the leash and provide the will to face first the truth, and then themselves, and then even prison.
That really sucks for them, for Bush and Rumsfeld, who can never understand anything but the bravado of the rich bully. Because history will be far kinder to Kevin and Monica Benderman than it will be to George W. Bush and Donald Rumsfeld.
Back when warfare was not digital, and not even mechanized, there was a weapon used to blow holes in walls – an explosive device called a petard. From that era we get the chestnut about being “hoisted on his own petard.†It’s when one gets blown up by his own bomb… a kind of grim poetic justice. In Iraq, as in Vietnam, the people themselves are the potentially faithless weapons.
It was Brecht who wrote:
General, your tank is a powerful vehicle
It smashes down forests and crushes a hundred men.
But it has one defect:
It needs a driver.
General, your bomber is powerful.
It flies faster than a storm and carries more than an elephant.
But it has one defect:
It needs a mechanic.
General, man is very useful.
He can fly and he can kill.
But he has one defect:
He can think.
Perhaps this is why Donald Rumsfeld is hell-bent on building robot armies; but even still, as an Iraqi man tells a US infantry lieutenant in the upcoming (an d highly recommended) film Occupation: Dreamland, “America is very powerful. It can build nuclear rockets and put people on the moon. But we are the people. America cannot make the people. Only we can make the people.â€
So Rumsfeld and Cheney’s ventriloquist dummy Bush are now looking at their nasty little petard and beginning to realize that it is made with an unstable explosive.
Benderman is the latest in a series of military resisters to face prison, both from the ranks and from the families – because we have to point out that a Monica Benderman is engaging in the same resistance as a Kevin Benderman, and her sacrifice is shared with Kevin’s. The families, unlike during the GI resistance of the Vietnam era, are far more directly and aggressively involved in this resistance.
The one time that the sacrifice is not shared between family member and soldier is when the soldier is killed. Then only those who most loved the soldier are left behind with that terrible irreversible absence. The Bush administration doesn’t want to talk about that either.
On the back of my old Veterans for Peace tee-shirt, there is a poem by Vietnam Veteran George Swiers:
If we do not
speak of it others
will surely rewrite
the script. Each
of the body bags
all of the mass
graves will be
opened and their
contents abracadabraed
into a noble cause.
Thus are the powerful now trapped in the starched and coiffed, securitized and scripted abracadabra of trying to make their war a noble cause, while Benderman sits in prison a free man because there is nothing they can take away from those who learn to walk past their fear.
The administration cannot talk about Kevin and Monica Benderman’s sacrifice without putting Benderman’s freedom on display – emboldening others to do the same – and they cannot talk with the aggrieved who have lost their flesh and blood in Iraq – like Cindy Sheehan.
Cindy Sheehan’s son Casey was killed on April 4, 2004, during the Sadr rebellion – a rebellion provoked by the Coalition Provisional Authority’s decision to bring democracy to the slums of Baghdad by closing their most popular newspaper, al Hawza. When demonstrators protested, American troops opened fire, killing several unarmed people and sparking the armed rebellion that killed Casey Sheehan.
Six days after Kevin Benderman went to prison and Monica started to look for a place in Washington State, Cindy Sheehan, who had come to Dallas for the Veterans for Peace Annual Convention, decided to interdict George W. Bush’s vacation at the Crawford “Ranch†two and a half hours away.
She and about 50 conventioneers, including a squad of newly joined Iraq Veterans Against the War, loaded up an “Impeachment†bus and deposited Cindy in a tent adjacent to the Crawford snake and gopher ranch. Cindy said she will stay there until the police drag away a bereaved mother, until the President answers her one question face-to-face, or until Bush leaves Crawford:
“Why did my son die? What was the noble cause that he died for?â€
Abracadabra.
Cindy Sheehan and Kevin Benderman and Monica Benderman, and the host of other Gold Star families and military resisters – many of whom were with us at the VFP Convention in Dallas last week, may not be able to wear the expensive clothes, or sport the expensive coifs, or ride in the armored and body-guarded limousines of those powerful men who are trapped in their abracadabra scripts and their tail-spinning agendas, but when you look at them you can see the straight line from freedom to dignity, how something real is inside these ordinary people who have discovered courage in extraordinary circumstances… people like the Bendermans and Cindy Sheehan. Alongside them compare the Bushes and the Rumsfelds and the Cheneys and the Roves – buffoons made dangerous with power, the C-Team of a ruling class in an epoch when their power is hemorrhaging through the wounds being opened by resistance from Baghdad to La Paz, men (and a few women) encircled by the demands of governance and fearful of even the tiniest truths.
Abracadabra… who is nobler than the nobles now?
Virginia Rodino:
This article demonstrates clearly the lead role that military families have in fighting the illegal occupation of Iraq. I appreciated reading the powerful quotes of Cindy Sheehan — powerful because of their raw emotion and honesty: raw emotion most of us cannot begin to understand, generated from a mother’s deep pain because of the tragic UNNECESSARY loss of her son. The injustice, too, of Kevin Benderman’s imprisonment must be a reminder of the topsy, turvy “abracadabra” wave of the wand, where the warmongers are free to terrorize the rest of us: domestically and abroad, while people of conscience sit behind bars — or are left weeping without their children. With Cindy’s brave actions speaking out, culminating in her vigil in Crawford, she once again leads the anti-war movement, giving us powerful motivation to demand the immediate withdrawal of troops, and an end to the occupation.
9 August 2005, 10:04 pmRhisiart Gwilym:
Siwmae Stan! Reading this, I’m moved to say – as I’ve said before – that you have a special gift as a writer and – well, as a soothsayer: one who pierces through to the underlying truth and tells it with ultimately exhilarating vigour. It’s an inestimable service. In time to come, after we’re all dead, you could well find yourself spoken of in the same breath as such as Tom Paine. Power to your arm, buddy! Keep punching! — Rhisiart Gwilym, Cymru, Britain.
10 August 2005, 2:04 amMac:
What a beautifully written piece! Eloquent and graceful, yet stunningly powerful as a gut level indictment of the machinations of power hungry men.. I’ve copied the Brecht quote to keep handy.
10 August 2005, 7:02 pmjay taber:
Newshounds claims Clear Channel is sponsoring a beer and barbecue anti-Cindy fest at Rancho Crawford. If true, I’m sure they’ll escalate this into a memorable if despicable spectacle for all to remember. But it would also make something else clear–just whose side corporate media is on. As long as she has adequate security, I guess we might say “Bring it on.” Be nice if some of those clergy against the war showed up, though.
10 August 2005, 7:03 pmJohn Eden:
Great stuff, Stan!
10 August 2005, 7:41 pmJohn Eden:
Finally discovered that my computer doesn’t like your site, but using my wife’s machine, I can leave a comment… “great stuff” hardly does justice to how much gratitude I feel to you for the wonderful support you express for Kevin and Monica, and for Cindy Sheehan. You express the things I want to scream to the world. I also want to thank you for the “Economics as Pseudo-science” lectures – excellent analysis and presentation. I’m burning copies, trying to get people to listen!
10 August 2005, 7:50 pmMadzionist:
Quislings. Thank God the majority of our troops are patriotic and believe in fighting our enemies rather than their own country. Glad Benderman is in jail and hope the rest of the subversives who agree with him join him there real soon.
11 August 2005, 9:36 amStan:
Quislings? This from someone who calls himself Mad Zionist?
Hmmmm.
11 August 2005, 11:39 amnuttymango:
Madzionist,
Our patriotic troops are being badly mis-used by the the most corrupt administration in U.S. history. Lt. AWOL and 5-deferments Cheney have consistently mislead the American people, including the troops, into fighting a war that is more about controlling another country’s oil resources, putting bases, on their land, and generating profit opportunities for Cheney’s company.
If another country invaded the U.S. to cotrol our resources, steal our land for military bases, and bring in their corporations to profit from the destruction, I hope you would have the balls to fight them.
Everyone is glad Saddam is gone. What the hell are we doing in Iraq now? Do you seriously think you can force democracy at the point of a gun? If you succeed you haven’t brought freedom at all. You’ve forced something on someone against their will.
While the madness continues in Iraq, the people responsible for 9/11 are ignored. In spite of the ignorance of our president, and Clint Black, the Iraqi people did not attack us on 9/11. The hijackers were from Saudi Arabia. That’s right, the corrupt monarchy that has beheaded over 60 people so far this year. You remember Prince Abdullah, the guy Bush was holding hands with on national TV?
Pay attention: There were 19 hijackers, 14 from Saudi Arabia, 4 from Egypt, and 1 from the U.A.E. Pull your head out man. Turn off Rush Limbaugh and Fox News for awhile and see what real journalists are saying. See what real patriots are saying, the people who support the U.S. Constitution in the face of Bushco’s tragic attachment to detention without trial.
Democracy requires you to gather your information from places other that propaganda outlets. Wake up and support democracy.
11 August 2005, 2:22 pmConsumer:
Quislings eh? That’s rich, Madzionist. If a quisling is someone who is a traitor to their country then what do you call the Bush gang? Sending sincere patriots to kill and die for personal profit, that’s treasonous. It should be gibbets and crows for the lot of them.
12 August 2005, 12:40 amMadzionist:
Sheehan’s connections with Communist Party USA say it all. The sob story about her son is the perfect front for her to advance the treacherous ambitions of the radical left. Just as NARAL had to pull their fraudulent ads in shame, so too will Sheehan and her gang of communists be yanked from the public eye in disgrace as the truth continues to surface about what a shameless opportunist she really is.
-MZ
12 August 2005, 8:58 amStan:
I leave the past flame-post just so folks will know exactly why Mad Zionist will not be posting here any more. I don’t tolerate attack-trolls. There is no content here, merely name callikng and red-baiting.
Bye, Mad… or as they say don’t go away Mad, just go away.
Get thee back to Free Republic.
12 August 2005, 10:14 amDrake Charvat:
Cindy, you are one of Americas true heros! i give you the highest merit possible for standing up against bush!!bush is the worlds biggest terrorist, the only differance between him and the others is that he wears a tuxedo, and uses a cell phone, cruise missiles and smart bombs to murder tens of thousands of innocent iraqis! I am rather glad that more and more Americans now smell the STENCH of his LIES! i can only hope more americans come out of denial of his LIES, and stop fooling themselves about this war! this war is not about our safety! its about greed and oil, if anything bush has created a whole world of anti-america hate! which sadly, someday we will have to face on our homeland! and let me tell you that it is not about terrorist who are afraid of our freedom, it will be about the crimes that our president has committed to the arab world! as always replies are welcome
12 August 2005, 11:07 pmRichard Emmons:
Cindy Sheehan and I have been engaged in almost daily e-mail conversation for much longer than she has been in the public eye. She is a genuine, honest person, as much concerned for the lives of other military men and women as she is for her departed son. If you believe in what she is trying to accomplish, you must actively speak out against George Bush and his cohorts . . . not just once in awhile, but every day of your life, and regardless of the former friends who will abandon you, and those who will revile you. Only when tens-of-millions of us raise bloody hell with the current administration and all of both houses of congress who stand mute, will we end the madness. Or, you can opt for status quo until it is your turn to feel the yoke of slavery.
13 August 2005, 7:57 ammonica benderman:
thank you stan. i read much of your article to kevin. he wanted to thank you as well. kevin and i both appreciate all the support that everyone has been giving to us. we know that not everyone will agree with what kevin is standing for, but that’s their choice. we believe in what we are doing, because it is right for us. if it helps others to think … then we feel that we have made a difference. we watch what is happening in our country, and because of our country, and we have to ask.. what exactly does it mean to be a human being these days? what happened to make people forget their minds, hearts and the real value of life. there is no glory in death, there is only glory in a life well lived.
13 August 2005, 9:05 amBernie Maopolski:
I wish I could go to Texas to join the protest as this may be the turning point. Is there a website or way to send money to Cindy to keep the protest growing?
Can we bring that protest to the planned Sept 24th protest in D.C.?
That should bring media attention to the anti-war and impeachment movement.
Bernie
13 August 2005, 9:59 amKim Bax:
What’s Bush going to do? He’s stuffed if he meets Cindy, and stuffed if he doesn’t . . . . .Interesting dilemma. It’s a Gandhi moment. She has the power to galvanise immense forces . . . And if they have a shred of sense left, the psychopaths running the US should be shit scared. Good on ya Cindy.
13 August 2005, 10:00 amStan:
Donations toward Cindy and GSFP can be sent via http://gsfp.org/
13 August 2005, 12:44 pmStan:
To Monica,
Well said!
13 August 2005, 1:10 pmDaniel J. Lavigne:
Cindy Sheehan has issued an insurmountable challenge. Either President Bush tells America the truth about the lies used to justify the murder of thousands of innocents, including children (In or out of uniform); or deal with the growing numbers of Americans who, as Cindy, have stated they will never again pay taxes until America is told the truth, the troops are brought home, and Bush et al are tried as war criminals. I congratulate her, and all others who dare to stand up and be counted; whatever the costs or consequences.
13 August 2005, 3:18 pmnuttymango:
Monica,
It took a lot of guts for Kevin to do what he did. I hope word of his courage, and the price he paid gets around. Some active duty folks have been granted CO status. I guess it’s all in the roll of the dice and who the higher ups decide is worthy of being made an example.
15 August 2005, 3:58 pmSolarcell:
Stan’s writing is one of the catalysts that branched me from my enviornmentalism into the political arena after 9/11 and now im glad to see with the new site other people are able to see what he has to offer past secondary sites like counterpunch.
Guys like kevin are the true patriots because they do not compromise the truth.
Truth is the most powerful weapon a human being can weild in society and people who do not stray from it retain not only their dignity but the power that resides within it.
A popular quote from Hermann Goering that is spread around the left:
“But, after all, it is the leaders of the
country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to
drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist
dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship.”
True,were in it now but he doesnt mention what happens when people within the machine like stan,kevin,cindy and others see the lies and refuse to continue contributing to it.The 3rd reich fell for military reasons but the aftermath in german society was NEVER AGAIN.
16 August 2005, 12:01 pmI just hope when this reich falls we will politically place ourselves in the same positions germans did after ww2.They were heavily penalized,maybe that is what is needed for us as well but i salute all those who defy the machine in the name of truth.
Jennie Johnstone:
Oh, Mad Zionist. You obviously are product of the corporate media’ (that would be virtually ALL of the networks) You don’t even know that rule: The Golden Rule. He with the gold rules. That goes further than you could imagine. Those making gargantuan profits are tightly tied in with these networks. You are giving up your capacity for independent thought if you allow those networks which extends to radio, and most newspapers. I applaude you for at your willingness to come here to this site. Stan has a wealth of knowledge. I suggest you go over this web site like a text book with our democracy depending on it. All of the knowledge presented here is a stark truth that more and more people are catching on to. You ought to as well. Or, just let the corporate networks sculpt your thoughts to thier advantage. In other words: Don’t worry your pretty little head about it. You’ll be thier lil puppet. Question, research, and then be willing to fathom the corruption. What is going on now is mind boggling.
28 August 2005, 5:48 pm