Kevin leaving Court-Martial after verdict, July 29, 2005. (photo: Maritza Mejía )

By Monica Benderman
www.bendermandefense.org

War is promoted. Anti-war responds.

Anti-war protests. War counters.

Somewhere in the middle is the truth.

Peace.

Freedom to make a choice.

Sgt. Kevin Benderman sits in confinement at Ft. Lewis, Washington. His crime? Making a choice. He chose Peace.

Our friend Vicki Johnson has sent Voices the following 2 poems about our other friends Um Haider and her son Mostafa who live in Basra, Iraq.

Vigil on behalf of 3 “prisoners of conscience” to be held in Lawton, OK — Event is planned to show support for soldiers being jailed for refusing to fight in Iraq.

See Calendar for complete information

This latest Iraq Health and Infrastructure Digest #13 is a compilation of 9 articles covering a wide range of issues facing people in Iraq. Summaries are given as well as the full, or relevant portion of the articles.

Digest by David Smith-Ferri, Voices in the Wilderness

Jo Wilding with Circus 2 Iraq (© 2005 Year Zero Films)

Director Julia Guest of Year Zero Films has created a powerful new documentary about Jo Wilding’s journey in Iraq.

Jo Wilding? Let’s start near the end.

“In the morning I make balloon dogs, giraffes and elephants for the little one, Abdullah, Aboudi, who’s clearly distressed by the noise of the aircraft and explosions. I blow bubbles which he follows with his eyes. Finally, finally, I score a smile.” [1]

A Letter to the Prime Minister: Jo Wilding’s Diary from Iraq, documents Wilding’s journey of witness: from the quiet brutality of the sanctions afflicting ordinary Iraqis to the siege of Fallujah, which she shared with Fallujans in April, 2004.