ASYLUM UPDATE

Hello again everyone!

Well the last week was, to put it in perspective, really intense! By Friday evening I was so worn out, I needed to take a few days off just to get my mind back in order. After a weekend rest and relaxation, I am ready to get back down to business. Hope the weekend was as good for all of you as it was for me.

On Wednesday February 4, I met with the German Bundesamt to present my case. That day was the most important day so far, as it was my only chance during the initial process to tell my complete story. The session lasted around nine and a half hours as we covered the period from the year two thousand up until the present day. The officer that questioned me was very professional and from the impression I got, the case was well received. Dr. Marx (my lawyer) also said that the hearing went very well. Personally I feel that my case has a strong chance of success. This was a huge first step; however there was no indication from the Bundesamt as to what the decision might be. I also did not get a timetable as to when a decision might be reached. It looks like it’s going to be a long wait.

I must take this time to thank everyone for all of their prayers and support. The response to the letters of solidarity circulated by Connection E.V. was overwhelming. Hundreds of letters poured in from around the world from people who understand what the stakes are and have expressed their encouragement. It is very uplifting to read these letters, particularly the ones from the USA and Germany. Actions like this reinforce the notion that we are not alone in our struggle to stop the imperialism that our once great country has chosen to undertake. It is my sincere hope that our efforts will one day reverse the destructive course of our nation, and we will once again be the beacon of freedom and prosperity. Many thanks to organizations such as the Military Counseling Network, Iraq Veterans Against The War, Connection E.V., Tübingen Progressive Americans, Munich American Peace Committee, DFG-VK, and many others for their tireless efforts to help make this endeavor successful. I cannot express to you how difficult it would have been had it been not for your great work.

Vice-President Joe Biden was in Munich last weekend attending the annual NATO Security Conference. For those of you who do not know, the basic point of this conference is to figure out where to next wage war and to whom the lucrative military contracts are awarded to. Of course this isn´t the only conference by far, however I have learned from my sources that this particular conference is extremely important. Anyway, Mr. Biden apparently is under the impression that NATO should send additional troops to Afghanistan in order to improve the security situation there. I don´t know about the rest of you, but since when does sending in more military personnel equate to LESS war? Please do not talk to me about the “success” of the Iraqi surge, because upon closer inspection you will find that is a fantasy perpetuated by the Pentagon and the Lame Stream Media. An increase in the troops in Afghanistan at this stage is going to trigger more battles and more casualties. I also suspect that the bombing campaign that has increased in recent years will continue unabated, thus creating even more civilian casualties for the Afghanis and Pakistanis. We don´t even have to mention that more Soldiers and Marines will be further killed and maimed as well. Whatever happened to the promise of “change” by the Obama Religious Network, I mean campaign? If the plan is to bring stability to the region as the talking heads keep referring to, then a DIPLOMATIC solution is the only way to accomplish this. We need to bring together EVERYONE, which would have include the Karzai Government, the Pakistani Government, the Warlords, and yes even the Taliban to figure out how to handle this mess. The people there need basic necessities, not more bullets. One can´t gain the trust and support of a people if you continuously bomb them into the Stone Age.

(Sigh) I really hope that sanity returns to the U.S. Government real soon. Until then we need to keep up the good work of resisting the call to fight in these God forsaken conflicts. We need to get the word out that we are not just shock troops for the Corporate Gangsters who falsely believe they rule the world. If they want to get themselves killed to try and pacify other nations for their own benefit, there would be no one stopping them. Just leave myself and the six billion other souls who want to live in peace out of it. See you next time.