I joined Kos in February 2006. I had been an anti-war activist since returning from Korea in 1952 and I liked the concept behind Daily Kos. I saw many good writers and this was clearly a peace and justice site. Often I would read facts and popular opinions that defined the racism and evils of wars. That seems to be no longer the case. With age, Kos has lost its anti-war vigor.
Soldiers are no longer called plain soldiers, they are all heroes. We now constantly thank all those who serve, or have serve in Iraq and Afghanistan. The corporate media claims that they are protecting our freedom and safety. I strongly opposed the two Iraq wars on the streets, on the phone to politicians, and in many letters. So why should I thank anyone having anything to do with these wars---or the next war? It makes no sense unless you want to promote another criminal war.
I understand that there are many good people in the military. But there are also sadists and racists in the military--just as there is in all of society. I carried the bodies of real heroes who died in North Korea, and calling everyone that wears a uniform a hero devalues the life that were lost (not given) for a war that no one understood.
There are no voices to speak for peace in the media. It's all pro-war propaganda. For how can the people be critical of any war when it's being fought by all heroes. Countries with relatively tiny and weak militaries are demonized and the propaganda pictures them as a danger to the entire world. It's all a monstrous lie that defies intelligence to benefit war profits for the 1%.
It seems that the take-over of a free press by large corporations that profit from wars has been completed. They can decide what news will be given spin or completely blacked out. The pro-war terminology used in the corporate media now seems the norm on Kos. Never mind that our idiotic militaristic expenditures are bankrupting our country, and taking away needed funds for hundreds of worthwhile causes that are often written about here.
We are involved in at least two more TV wars that are being distorted in the corporate media--In Syria and in Iran. In Israel, Netanyahu and Barak are threatening to attack Iran with their arsenal--much of it being supplied by American taxpayers. In the corporate media the same talking heads and politicians who lied about WMDs in Iraq are now lying about Iran. There is never any talk or concern about the massive civilian casualties involved. War profits are more important than the lives of millions of innocent civilians. Safely positioned away from the bombs, the profiteers don't even care for the lives of their own soldiers.
The pro-war coalition has no care for Muslim women and their little brown babies. American are spared pictures of their killings, unless it's sometime done by the other side. If any reader wants to be more informed, I would suggest a reading of The Human Cost of War on Iran by Elizabeth Murray. http://consortiumnews.com/...
A petition by Daniel Ellsberg against war on the people of Iran is at RootsAction: http://act.rootsaction.org/...
Wars are the worst of all terrorism. Speak up and act now, before the nuclear Bunker Busters are dropped. Kos should not promote pro-war crap. The results of an attack on Iran could end or precious world.