 |
November 2008 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Iraq War vet turns anti-war, seeks office |
|
|
Monday, 25 August 2008 |
Thomas Hermann running is running for congress as a Progressive candidate. He wore a shirt that says “Iraqi veterans against the war” while guest speaker at a Northeast Kingdom Peace and Justice Group meeting. (Photo By Laura Carpenter)
By LAURA CARPENTER
Express Staff Writer
Thomas Hermann supported the Iraq War when he enlisted in the Army. He’s now a war veteran opposed to it.
Hermann, of Barre, now wants to become a congressman to do all he can to end the war. He has begun his campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives, challenging Democratic incumbent Peter Welch. Hermann is running as a Progressive.
Speaking at a meeting of the anti-war group, the Northeast Kingdom
Peace and Justice Group, Saturday morning, Hermann accused Welch as
being weak on taking a stand to end the war in Iraq. He said Vermont
needs a candidate who will answer to the Constitution and his Vermont
constituents, and not those who keep funding the war.
Lack of media coverage of the war was cited as the reason many
Americans are not protesting the war in Iraq like they did during the
Vietnam War, said Hermann. “The press has dropped the ball totally,”
said Hermann.
Although Hermann did not see atrocities being committed in the Middle East, he did see the horrific aftermath, he said.
Hermann also described problems with civilian contractors over in Iraq,
and unqualified people performing work for lower wages, citing soldiers
who were killed from botched electrical work while showering.
Hermann was a specialist in the Army. He said when he first entered
the military he was conservative, and pro war. While he served his
16-month stint in Iraq, he said his views changed drastically after
seeing, hearing, and experiencing what was happening over there.
“There’s not enough outrage in this country,” said Bob Castle of Holland, who was present for the meeting.
“What advice do you have for us?” asked Judith Henault, of Newport.
“Citizen engagement. It’s your job as a citizen,” Hermann replied.
The people need to join together. Thomas Jefferson warned in one of
his letters that if the people become apathetic the leaders become
wolves, and that is what is happening right now, he asserted.
“It is our duty and responsibility to throw off that government,” Henault quoted Thomas Jefferson.
“It’s time the American people take back ownership of this country,”
Hermann said. “The government is supposed to be a public servant, not
master.”
The cost of the war, thousands of casualties, the mental and emotional
illness in the aftermath including the high rate of suicides, and the
billions of dollars spent was also a topic of conversation.
Those in power do not want to lose their power or give it up, but it is up to the citizens, Hermann said.
Although unions have been shown in a negative light in the media,
unions are very powerful, said Hermann. People need to band together
for change, and for what is just and right, he continued.
After Hermann was discharged from the Army he moved to Florida. He
felt a lack of community there, and decided to move to Vermont for
“beer and politics.” He heard that Vermont officials were trying to
impeach government officials, and he wanted to be apart of the Vermont
way of life.
Hermann works on an organic dairy farm in Barre, and is turning to
full-time politics, he said in an interview following the meeting. He
said he is receiving overwhelming support.
He is a strong proponent for voting. “Don’t vote the lesser of two
evils,” he said, and suggested Ralph Nader as an optimal choice.
Dianne Peel with the NEK Peace and Justice Group invited Hermann to
speak. She is the “counter recruitment” spokesperson at the high
school. The Supreme Court ruled that if military recruitment is to
take place in the education system, counter recruitment is promoted as
well, she said.
|
|
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 02 September 2008 )
|
|
|
|
