David discusses a bit about his organization, World Beyond War, along with discussing violence caused directly by veterans. Veterans live under a halo of protection in the United States, but they shouldn’t. Even America’s ostensible heroes should be above the law. It’s a short but good one.
Leave us a voicemail at 860-598-0570. We might even play it on the podcast!!!
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A special thanks to our honorary producers Matthew Hoh, Will Ahrens, Gage Counts, Fahim Shirazee, James Higgins, James O’Barr, Adam Bellows, Julie Dupris, Paul Appel, Eric Phillips, and Matt the Virgin Slayer. Without you guys, we couldn’t continue our work. Thank you so much!!!
Not up for something recurring like Patreon, but want to give a couple bucks?! Visit Paypal.me/fortressonahill to contribute!!
Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.
Conscientious objection is a time-honored part of military service. After reading about its history a bit, I decided we needed a closer look from the only people who can tell it right from the horse’s mouth: objectors themselves. Here, I chat with three of them, all with different backgrounds, but one overwhelming consensus among them: military service was unacceptable to their conscience. Here, we find out a few clues why.
Clifton Hicks enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of seventeen and served as an M1 Abrams tank crewman with C Troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division in Iraq 2003-2004. In 2005 he was honorably discharged as a conscientious objector. He went on to earn a degree in anthropology from Appalachian State University and currently works as a musician and music teacher.
Rosa del Duca is a writer and musician. She grew up a tomboy in rural Montana, where she joined the Army National Guard when she was seventeen. During her six-year contract, she became not only a conscientious objector, but a feminist and unlikely rebel. That tumultuous time is the focus of her memoir, Breaking Cadence: One Woman’s War Against the War, forthcoming from Ooligan Press in May, 2019, and her companion podcast,Breaking Cadence: Insights From a Modern-Day Conscientious Objector.
Jorge Javier (JJ) Rodriguez is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, where his time spent as a cadet solidified his stance as a conscientious objector. He is now stationed at Fort Campbell, KY, where he is going through the process of the Army’s conscientious objector program. For his full bio and a better look at his situation, click here.
Ramon Mejia enlisted in the Marine Corps out of economic necessity. He served in Supply Ops. and participated in the initial invasion of and deployment to Dhi Qar Province, Iraq in 2003. As a result of his experience in Iraq, he converted to Islam in 2008. He has been an active organizer in countering local manifestations of hate and racism by neo-Nazis and paramilitary groups in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Ramon is a Social Studies teacher and one of the founding organizers of #VetsVsHate, a national veteran grassroots initiative pushing back against racism and bigotry. He was recently recognized as part of the ‘MPower 100–Muslim Social Justice Leaders Building Power Across the United States.
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A special thanks to our honorary producers Matthew Hoh, Will Ahrens, Gage Counts, Fahim Shirazee, James Higgins, and James O’Barr. Without you guys, we couldn’t continue our work. Thank you so much!!!
Not up for something recurring like Patreon, but want to give a couple bucks?! Visit Paypal.me/fortressonahill to contribute!!
Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.
Today is our final episode for the year. We discuss the HUGE pile of recent military news that has occurred within the last week, to include Jim Mattis’ resignation, 4k troops departing Syria, half of the current deployment in Afghanistan redeploying, and so on. For that who haven’t heard, Fortress On A Hill has a new cohost: BT Hampton. He’s an OIF / OEF veteran like Danny and myself and we’re pumped to have him as part of our tiny circle of self destruction. You can find his blog and personal podcast here.
Leave us a voicemail at 860-598-0570. We might even play it on the podcast!!!
Not a contributor on Patreon? You’re missing out on amazing bonus content! Sign up to be one of our contributors today! – www.patreon.com/fortressonahill
A special thanks to our honorary producers Matthew Hoh, Will Ahrens, Gage Counts, Fahim Shirazee, and James Higgins!! Without you guys, we couldn’t continue our work. Thank you so much!!!
Not up for something recurring like Patreon, but want to give a couple bucks?! Visit Paypal.me/fortressonahill to contribute!!
Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.
I’ve decided to start doing a monthly roundup of Danny’s writing pieces. It will help give a better single spot to check for specific articles.
Start with Danny’s American History for TruthDiggers series, an ongoing project examining US history from a more detailed and history based perspective. The most recent addition (part 21) discussed the lost history of World War I and how its peace didn’t last, despite the overwhelming horror of the conflict.
Danny and I are proud members of About Face – Veterans Against The War. The group is currently holding their fall fundraising drive, which provides funds for veterans to conduct outreach about militarism and endless war, to include protesting President and Mrs. Bush receiving the Liberty Medal at the National Constitution Center. I’m so proud of the great work they did in Philadelphia. $5 is amazingly helpful, so please give and help About Face continue the fight!!
Today, Danny and I present part 2 of our sitdown with Scott Horton, host of Anti-War Radio on KPFK 90.7 FM in Los Angeles, which is also known by its podcast name, the Scott Horton Show. Scott has hosted Anti-War Radio since 2003 and has done several thousand interviews with war correspondents of all stripes. His book, “Fool’s Errand: Time to end the war in Afghanistan” is an amazing collection on the history of war in Afghanistan, how presidential decisions from Carter to Trump have destroyed the greater Middle East, and how the American people were deceived by the leaders about both the premise of the war and the history of it, now just past its 17th anniversary. Scott is also managing director of the Libertarian Institute at LibertarianInstitute.org and editorial director of Anti-war.com, where both Danny and myself, but mostly Danny, have published pieces on the American war state. The man has an amazing mind and recalls even the tiniest of details about his research and reporting on Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, and so forth. Please do listen to his show on 90.7 if you’re in the Los Angeles area. If not, grab your podcatcher app and add the Scott Horton show to your podcasts.
Leave us a voicemail at 860-598-0570. We might even play it on the podcast!!!
Not a contributor on Patreon? You’re missing out on amazing bonus content! Sign up to be one of our contributors today! – www.patreon.com/fortressonahill
A special thanks to our honorary producers Matthew Hoh, Will Ahrens, Gage Counts, and Fahim Shirazee!! Without you guys, we couldn’t continue our work. Thank you so much!!!
Not up for something recurring like Patreon, but want to give a couple bucks?! Visit Paypal.me/fortressonahill to contribute!!
Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.
Today, Danny and I present part 1 of our sitdown with Scott Horton, host of Anti-War Radio on KPFK 90.7 FM in Los Angeles, which is also known by its podcast name, the Scott Horton Show. Scott has hosted Anti-War Radio since 2003 and has done several thousand interviews with war correspondents of all stripes. His book, “Fool’s Errand: Time to end the war in Afghanistan” is an amazing collection on the history of war in Afghanistan, how presidential decisions from Carter to Trump have destroyed the greater Middle East, and how the American people were deceived by the leaders about both the premise of the war and the history of it, now just past its 17th anniversary. Scott is also managing director of the Libertarian Institute at LibertarianInstitute.org and editorial director of Anti-war.com, where both Danny and myself, but mostly Danny, have published pieces on the American war state. The man has an amazing mind and recalls even the tiniest of details about his research and reporting on Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, and so forth. Please do listen to his show on 90.7 if you’re in the Los Angeles area. If not, grab your podcatcher app and add the Scott Horton show to your podcasts.
2:59– Scott discusses how he got started on being an anti-war advocate
17:14– Scott discusses the impact of high ranking US government officials, even cabinet members, keeping certain information away from the president to demonstrate a specific narrative on foreign policy
27:36– Scott on the current horrifying situation in Afghanistan
36:02– Scott on future predictions for Afghanistan
Leave us a voicemail at 860-598-0570. We might even play it on the podcast!!!
Not a contributor on Patreon? You’re missing out on amazing bonus content! Sign up to be one of our contributors today! – www.patreon.com/fortressonahill
A special thanks to our honorary producers Matthew Hoh, Will Ahrens, Gage Counts, and Fahim Shirazee!! Without you guys, we couldn’t continue our work. Thank you so much!!!
Not up for something recurring like Patreon, but want to give a couple bucks?! Visit Paypal.me/fortressonahill to contribute!!
Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.
Got news to share about our military or veterans?! Or just need to cuss at us for a bit?! Contact us direct by email at fortressonahill@gmail.com
Leave us a voicemail at 860-598-0570. We might even play it on the podcast!!!
Not a contributor on Patreon? You’re missing out on amazing bonus content! Sign up to be one of our contributors today! – www.patreon.com/fortressonahill
A special thanks to our honorary producers Matthew Hoh, Will Ahrens, and Gage Counts!! Without you guys, we couldn’t continue our work. Thank you so much!!!
Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.
Spenser Rapone joins us on the podcast as we discuss growing up in the aftermath of 9/11, Spencer’s time at West Point, his thoughts about the anti-war movement, and his new podcast Eyes Left. Enjoy!!!
Got news to share about our military or veterans?! Or just need to cuss at us for a bit?! Contact us direct by email at fortressonahill@gmail.com
Leave us a voicemail at 860-598-0570. We might even play it on the podcast!!!
Not a contributor on Patreon? You’re missing out on amazing bonus content! Sign up to be one of our contributors today! – www.patreon.com/fortressonahill
A special thanks to our honorary producers Matthew Hoh, Will Ahrens, and Gage Counts!! Without you guys, we couldn’t continue our work. Thank you so much!!!
Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.
It’s been sixteen years since I sat in a recruiter’s office. I remember visiting there many times (even after I was signed up to join) and asked all kinds of questions. What was basic training like? How was the food? Did they like their non-recruiter MOS? Did I have to make that MANY trips to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station – Super boring)? I heard a lot about Army values, doing PT (physical training) until you puke, being yelled at by drill sergeants, and a tid bit about deployments, but looking back on my six years in service, the recruiters shared very little real information. I didn’t hear about deaths in training accidents, moving heavy equipment by hand from one place to another OVER AND OVER AND OVER, blowing out your knees from heavy running, getting odd diseases that are both rare and debilitating, and sharing an 80 sq ft room with another guy who seems to have soap aversion issues.
Recruiters are the car salesmen of the US military and by their very nature, they water down much of the downsides in what they’re selling. But when a teenager is trying to decide whether to enlist or a parent is asking questions about their child’s future, should this be one of those times to have some actual ‘truth in advertising?’
00:37 – Danny’s breakdown of ‘12 Strong’
10:21 – Tactics and methods of US military recruiters
30:41 – Nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh for US Supreme Court
Got news to share about our military or veterans?! Or just need to cuss at us for a bit?! Contact us direct by email at fortressonahill@gmail.com
Leave us a voicemail at 860-598-0570. We might even play it on the podcast!!!
Not a contributor on Patreon? You’re missing out on amazing bonus content! Sign up to be one of our contributors today! – www.patreon.com/fortressonahill
A special thanks to our honorary producers Matthew Hoh and Will Ahrens!! Without you guys, we couldn’t continue our work. Thank you both so much!!!
Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.
