As soldiers endure their fifth summer in temperatures that exceed 120 degrees in Iraq’s interior, Las Vegas antiwar protesters called on Members of Congress to show solidarity with the troops by turning off their own air conditioning until the war is over. It seems little to ask the lawmakers who bluster about courage and resolve to share the sacrifice they demand of the men and women who swore to protect and defend the Constitution. Could they forego AC for a few weeks? We’re not asking them to drink brackish water from a CamelBak. Or patrol for hours under a 30 pound pack wearing a Kevlar vest. Or travel in a scorching metal vehicle. Or risk heat stroke which killed Pfc. Henry G. Byrd of New Mexico on June 24.
Like every other aspect of this tragic misadventure, the Pentagon failed to plan for adequate water supplies and heat acclimatization after the invasion; several soldiers succumbed to heat illness in the summer of 2003 . Some died in their sleep, which suggests they were housed in non-air conditioned quarters, so had no respite from the day’s heat stress. In fact, before the supply lines were established, water had to be rationed. Soldiers asked families to send water filters and even iodine tablets so they could use untreated water sources. Gradual exposure to increasing intervals of exercise in heat helps the body to adapt by sweating more and conserving salts, but adequate hydration is essential for this to work. And some people are unable to adapt well to heat.
Baghdad gets fewer hours of electricity since the invasion, so homes and hospitals go uncooled most of the day, which causes excess deaths among the civilian population.
About fifty tough, patriotic protesters expressed themselves on a day that hit 115, one degree short of the record for that date.
We chose the Fourth of July as a perfect day to exercise our freedom to speak out, assemble in public and conscientiously oppose the murderous policies of an administration which would strip us of those rights in a heartbeat. Response from passing motorists was overwhelmingly positive—lots of honks and thumbs up. Only a couple of MAMs (military aged males) shouted obscenities. I wonder if they comprehend the irony of cheerleading a war they are too busy to fight.
The NBC and ABC affiliates and KINC, the Spanish station, covered our message. The KINC crew spent a lot of time with us and produced a great segment. They get vivid Iraq combat footage from Reuters.
One demonstrator, a 22 year veteran whose son is in Iraq, wrote this soon after the rally:
It was hot on the street in Las Vegas and it is hotter in the Iraqi desert. Let our leaders who are willing to let our children, brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers die in the heat to serve the interests of U.S. oil companies and Halliburton's profit margin understand a little of the suffering our troops face. TURN OFF YOUR DAMN AIR CONDITIONING, CONGRESS, UNTIL YOU END THIS ILLEGAL WAR OF AGGRESSION.
How does this concept--no AC in DC until the troops come home--strike you as an antiwar theme? We intend to display the banner on street corners for the rest of the summer.
Two national campaigns are underway that may be active in your area. Americans Against Escalation in Iraq is targeting thirty Republican Members of Congress, including my own Jon Porter, R- Shameless War Apologist. The strategy to beat Republicans is not necessarily congruent with pressuring the Democratic majority to release funding only for a withdrawal to begin on a date certain. But I'm on board with both tracks. We will both challenge Porter and continue these demonstrations directed at the entire Congress.
The Iraq Moratorium begins on Friday, Sept. 21. I'm hoping for a teach-in, freeway blogging and rally with at least one presidential candidate in Las Vegas.
Update: Here is the link to our website. I invite Las Vegas Kossacks to check it out and sign up for the mailing list:
lasvegasantiwar .