March 17, 2009
I believe it was a couple of days ago when I had passed the TV room and noticed that one of those “mainstream” news channels was on. So I doubled back and read the ticker at the bottom of the screen. That’s where most of the real news is at most of the time. After a short while something along the lines of “sexual abuse reports on the rise in the military” scrolled across the bottom.
And my heart sank, I shook my head. I spoke out loud “Not on the rise, just cannot be covered up any longer.” I walked out a second later, reminded that I still needed to do this second post. I felt overwhelmed, so many people to reach out to and help… I am not afraid to offer help. I am not afraid to speak up for victims. I am not afraid to apply real pressure.
So many people I am trying to help bring light to. So many people I am trying to strengthen. I am trapped. Yes, I am in prison, but that does not excuse me from upholding my own sacred honor- even if I must face the danger alone. And in here it feels as though I am alone.
That’s how I get to feeling lonely… Feeling overwhelmed… But god damnit, I am one stubborn motherfucker! I will not give up. No matter how lost I feel. No matter how heavy my brothers and sisters become, I am not letting go. I will continue moving forward, even if I must struggle one baby step at a time.
Which brings me to my next issue, suicide. Now some of you may know this, but the American public is wholly unaware of the suicide epidemic of both our active duty and military veterans.
While in Iraq (2006), on the base, there was roughly a soldier suicide every 4-6 weeks. Of course, as any active or prior service member can tell you, every branch of the military will cover up any and everything that would cast a negative view on itself. Especially when it deals with individuals conscious/purposeful actions. For instance harming a fellow service member, or something like suicide. I remember hearing about the third suicide in just about as many months and thinking “that’s too high.”
But then again, everything negative is seriously under-reported. Or categorized under something- anything- else. Many times it is done willingly, openly and by many; which in turn makes it difficult (if not impossible) to reveal the truth. In some cases it’s even dangerous to expose the truth.
They say the truth will set you free. These days, I believe they mean the truth will set your spirit free, free from your body. These days, that’s not what I’m talking about while referring to my release. I like my body; I have really grown attached to it.
Which sort of brings me back to the issue of suicide once again. Again, specifically our veterans; did you know that during 2005-2006 the veteran suicide rate was around fifteen a day (on average)?
Awhile back I was discussing these figures when a bystander made a comment out loud, seemingly directed at no one and everyone all at once. A few people smiled, a few laughed. Others repeated it aloud themselves. I was speechless as I carefully thought about the words “better a homicide than a suicide.”
I was quickly reminded of my lobby efforts in Washington D.C. (2007) to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I spoke personally with congressmen and senators about my personal knowledge and experiences in Iraq. Of how the soldiers I had spoken with expressed disagreement with what they were being forced to do. How they felt abandoned by the American public, because the public was not protecting the service members from this unjustifiable murdering mess that the U.S. federal government ordered them into.
The words I spoke to one of the “War Aids” (of a senator) came back to me. I warned him “You all are treating my brothers and sisters in arms like dogs. And like ‘good’ guard dogs they will attack when ordered to. But when pressed too far, they will snap, they will go crazy; you will break them. Then our soldiers will come back home, and those who don’t already know the truth, and trust me a lot of them know the truth, they will begin to reflect on what happened and why it happened. They will figure it out. Then they will want answers to the obvious questions, and demand the accountability of those in the established government, as accountability was demanded of them. And my friends are the trigger pullers. They are not the kind of people you want sitting around thinking…”
It was at this point that I realized the government had no real intention of bringing our boys and girls home- not alive, not in good health, not expected to live long enough. Its amazing what you can learn when you confront authority face to face with the truth, then look into their eyes, see the reaction on their face and read their body language… Out of a group of 30-40 people who showed up with their own reasons why the wars must be ended, everyone had suits or beautiful dresses with great looking hats… I had on a dark t-shirt and cargo pocket pants with combat boots- the same ones from Iraq.
When everyone else talked they were shut down- rudely- I will add. Everyone, every last one of them. I went last. I went last on purpose. I saw that same “shut up” tactic used before and it was being applied to them again. I went last on purpose.
Some congressmen, aids and officials tried to shut me down, tried to shut me up. And every time they tried I took more ground from them! I kept the pressure on; I raised my voice over their tones of authority. They are public servants. Servants do not tell their masters to shut up. I was speaking for my brothers and sisters in arms. Our voice was going to be heard!
When security tried to sneak up behind me, I called them out. When “they” tried to intimidate me, I told them to do something or back off. They backed off.
When I left all those offices, the others (activists) commented how “they” (the congressmen and senators) LISTENED to me. It felt good to hear it; at first. Afterwards I wanted to yell at them, “Why can’t you do the same!?!”
Sorry, I am cutting this short. I got two “You’ve been flagged” notices in the mail today. One was “This letter contained correspondence that describes/depicts a group disruption.” The other one was “This correspondence is detrimental to the security, good order, or discipline of the institution.” So I want to get this out before “they” find a reason to hold this entry back.
It’s getting harder for me to write. I want to be free in my speech but I’m not allowed. I will continue to be careful so I may continue to reach out. I need help helping you. No one can do this alone. No one.
I will try to write more on my experiences in Iraq and their related actions back in the U.S. soon.
Later,
Reno
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Its My Birthday!
March 15, 2009
Hello,
Today is my birthday. March 15, the “Ides of March!” You know what they say, “Beware those born on the Ides of March!” Ok, so maybe I made that quote up myself. Hey, a quote has to begin somehow. Besides, it is my birthday- I can do what I want! It’s a family tradition thing.
I was told this morning that “a lot of people” were sending me well wishes, thank you’s, and other such things that comfort me in a positive way. So I thought, “Why not write to them today?” So here I am, pen in hand, upon my bunk, writing to you (obviously). Waiting for chow call (lunch), and wondering if I am going to get to put my wash into the dryer before I leave the building to go and eat. Oh, there’s the call now, be right back!
Ok, back! And guess what?! On my way to chow I stopped to check on my clothes, and do you know what I found? I found nothing! My clothes were missing! I say “were” because I found them. They were in the dryer already; how cool was that? So by the time I had returned from eating, my stuff was all done.
What was not cool was that my cell was “tossed.” The funny thing about being locked up is all these rules that the corrections officers are in charge of enforcing. Such as having our beds made. But, then on days like today, when we return we find our beds in disarray because said C.O.’s have searched (tossed) through it. Then leaving it a mess on the way out to fuck up someone else’s made bed. But if your bed wasn’t made up, “they” do not search it and they yell at you instead (write you up, take you to the hole, something along those lines).
Anyways, I did have to re-make my bed and straighten my locker out. So let’s recap the day so far: Inmates/convicts help me out this morning, and a C.O. fucks up my cell, because that’s their job. Funny how that works out, right?
I don’t know, maybe you had to be here…
If you were here, then perhaps you would notice the tension in “the yard.” The gangs here are tightening up their slack. Today, yesterday, and the day before it was noticeable. Well, at least for me it was. But I am paranoid, so I am always on alert; but I am not crazy or even borderline. I am not “hyper-alert” like our vets though. Those who cant get rid of the “survival head” even after being home for a bit.
Which reminds me, I have not forgotten about the second part of the Iraq blog. I have not written it yet because “somehow” my mail is being delayed or flat-out kept from me. Which in turn keeps me in the dark about if my work reaches its destination or not.
But anyways, back to this “warzone.” If you did not notice the tension the first day, then yesterday you would have because of the C.O’s actions throughout the day. “Wanding” people down, at least a certain ethnic group. Calling our mass movements at different times, all sorts of dead giveaways. But these are all observations on my part. I am not in a gang, so I do not have “inside information” on any of this, which makes my survival here a little more interesting.
You see, I am what we on the inside call an “Independent.” I am not affiliated with any gangs. Of course, that does not mean that I have never spoken with those individuals who choose to participate in such associations or comradeship. I only focus on concentric ideals and issues; beyond that for the time being, I do not concern myself with.
Well it is evening now, supper has come and gone. Just a couple of hours left before lockdown for the night. I spoke with my father earlier, he shared with me all the well wishing, thanking, and comforting words that continue to come in.
We briefly spoke of an idea to secure my release by using public (that’s you!) support to pressure the courts to follow the laws of the state of New Hampshire, the United States code (federal law), and most importantly the supreme law of the land- our country’s CONSTITUTION. They claim to enforce said laws while they are operating illegally themselves!
While the “shills” for the government (and those with self-serving reasons) would have you believe that my support base is only “teenagers and college students,” those who have been with us from the beginning know that I have worked hard to break every barrier that presented potentially major challenges to the movement’s forward progress. Racism, sexism, classism (Is that a word? You know what I mean though; give me a break! It’s my birthday!), and cultural differences between the ages. Civilians, military, veterans, protestors, demonstrators, militia, peace activists, Muslims, Christians- Everyone working together now…
And the best part? We continue to learn and grow, share and grow. As I like to say, “Knowledge is power; power to the people.”
I feel (we feel) that things are beginning to heat up. With my case, with the situation the federal government is putting itself in… My release should be granted or flat out ordered for many legal reasons. At this point, all we (I) need is public support, public pressure. And that’s being pushed out there already.
I just keep spreading the truth the best way I can.
I need to get ready for bed now. I spent most of my day writing you all (or explaining to others why I needed to write today). So for those that thought of me today, I spent my birthday thinking about you. Thank you for making my birthday in prison a happy one. This is the best I can do to say thank you for your support.
You all take care out there. Keep your spirits and hopes up. More importantly, keep speaking up for your rights. “True freedom” is my goal, not just my release.
Again, thank you.
Later,
Reno
Hello,
Today is my birthday. March 15, the “Ides of March!” You know what they say, “Beware those born on the Ides of March!” Ok, so maybe I made that quote up myself. Hey, a quote has to begin somehow. Besides, it is my birthday- I can do what I want! It’s a family tradition thing.
I was told this morning that “a lot of people” were sending me well wishes, thank you’s, and other such things that comfort me in a positive way. So I thought, “Why not write to them today?” So here I am, pen in hand, upon my bunk, writing to you (obviously). Waiting for chow call (lunch), and wondering if I am going to get to put my wash into the dryer before I leave the building to go and eat. Oh, there’s the call now, be right back!
Ok, back! And guess what?! On my way to chow I stopped to check on my clothes, and do you know what I found? I found nothing! My clothes were missing! I say “were” because I found them. They were in the dryer already; how cool was that? So by the time I had returned from eating, my stuff was all done.
What was not cool was that my cell was “tossed.” The funny thing about being locked up is all these rules that the corrections officers are in charge of enforcing. Such as having our beds made. But, then on days like today, when we return we find our beds in disarray because said C.O.’s have searched (tossed) through it. Then leaving it a mess on the way out to fuck up someone else’s made bed. But if your bed wasn’t made up, “they” do not search it and they yell at you instead (write you up, take you to the hole, something along those lines).
Anyways, I did have to re-make my bed and straighten my locker out. So let’s recap the day so far: Inmates/convicts help me out this morning, and a C.O. fucks up my cell, because that’s their job. Funny how that works out, right?
I don’t know, maybe you had to be here…
If you were here, then perhaps you would notice the tension in “the yard.” The gangs here are tightening up their slack. Today, yesterday, and the day before it was noticeable. Well, at least for me it was. But I am paranoid, so I am always on alert; but I am not crazy or even borderline. I am not “hyper-alert” like our vets though. Those who cant get rid of the “survival head” even after being home for a bit.
Which reminds me, I have not forgotten about the second part of the Iraq blog. I have not written it yet because “somehow” my mail is being delayed or flat-out kept from me. Which in turn keeps me in the dark about if my work reaches its destination or not.
But anyways, back to this “warzone.” If you did not notice the tension the first day, then yesterday you would have because of the C.O’s actions throughout the day. “Wanding” people down, at least a certain ethnic group. Calling our mass movements at different times, all sorts of dead giveaways. But these are all observations on my part. I am not in a gang, so I do not have “inside information” on any of this, which makes my survival here a little more interesting.
You see, I am what we on the inside call an “Independent.” I am not affiliated with any gangs. Of course, that does not mean that I have never spoken with those individuals who choose to participate in such associations or comradeship. I only focus on concentric ideals and issues; beyond that for the time being, I do not concern myself with.
Well it is evening now, supper has come and gone. Just a couple of hours left before lockdown for the night. I spoke with my father earlier, he shared with me all the well wishing, thanking, and comforting words that continue to come in.
We briefly spoke of an idea to secure my release by using public (that’s you!) support to pressure the courts to follow the laws of the state of New Hampshire, the United States code (federal law), and most importantly the supreme law of the land- our country’s CONSTITUTION. They claim to enforce said laws while they are operating illegally themselves!
While the “shills” for the government (and those with self-serving reasons) would have you believe that my support base is only “teenagers and college students,” those who have been with us from the beginning know that I have worked hard to break every barrier that presented potentially major challenges to the movement’s forward progress. Racism, sexism, classism (Is that a word? You know what I mean though; give me a break! It’s my birthday!), and cultural differences between the ages. Civilians, military, veterans, protestors, demonstrators, militia, peace activists, Muslims, Christians- Everyone working together now…
And the best part? We continue to learn and grow, share and grow. As I like to say, “Knowledge is power; power to the people.”
I feel (we feel) that things are beginning to heat up. With my case, with the situation the federal government is putting itself in… My release should be granted or flat out ordered for many legal reasons. At this point, all we (I) need is public support, public pressure. And that’s being pushed out there already.
I just keep spreading the truth the best way I can.
I need to get ready for bed now. I spent most of my day writing you all (or explaining to others why I needed to write today). So for those that thought of me today, I spent my birthday thinking about you. Thank you for making my birthday in prison a happy one. This is the best I can do to say thank you for your support.
You all take care out there. Keep your spirits and hopes up. More importantly, keep speaking up for your rights. “True freedom” is my goal, not just my release.
Again, thank you.
Later,
Reno
Friday, March 27, 2009
My Time in Iraq
March 4, 2009
My “Editress” has advised me to keep in mind “Don’t scare people away!” I cannot remember if I promised that I would not, but I do remember that I did express a sincere desire not to. I try.
I also read a comment of “Move slowly, sheep scare easily.” More sage advice to remember as I begin here; now…
My intention at this point was to speak out on my experiences in Iraq. My experience of being a Department of Defense contractor; working directly for the U.S. Army as a weapons repairer and instructor for both the military forces and security forces operating in northern Iraq.
How does one talk about being in a war zone without scaring people?
How would you go about describing being woken up at night by a helicopter firing “Hellfire” missiles at nearly point blank range over and over and over again? Then realizing that you are in range of small arms fire. What do you do? Hide in your Harden shelter full of mud, or return to your “hooch” for your body armor then hide in the Harden shelter? Or do you go back to bed?
I went back to bed- of course not before I put my body armor on…
How would you go about describing walking back from chow, on your way back to work when all of a sudden you hear mortar shells blasting on impact, followed by another blast, followed by another blast, followed by another blast and another and another… Knowing full well that shells are being “walked” across the camp; someone was going to get killed. You just knew it.
How would you go about describing such things without scaring anyone? And honestly, what is scary? Would you be scared in those situations? I’m not really a hardcore bad ass motherfucker, but I was there and I was not scared. In all honesty, I was excited. I felt alive and my will to live was renewed. Pardon my analogy if you find is offensive, but it was like falling in love physically- fast heartbeat and all. And mentally, you are hyper-aware. Imagine cheating death…
Oops, am I scaring anyone? That was not my intention. I was just trying to explain my- I mean share how- it’s involved.
Let me back up just a bit, switch gears and try this again. Ok, here it goes…
Most people who first learn of me and the endeavors I have taken to task often believe that the path on which I struggle was determined by my experiences in Iraq. Such understandings are both true and false. False, because I knew full well what I was looking to investigate once I began the application process. Yet still, it could be said to be true due to the fact that the “issues” I had investigated were in fact true and even worse, much worse, than I expected.
The money I earned while in Iraq was what provided my resources. All of my earnings from Iraq commissioned my fight for what is right. For those of you wanting a number- $47, 000+.
So in a sense yes, Iraq did catapult my efforts to affect change in our “established” government. That those who were aware of the raping of the spirit of our Constitutions (state and federal) be held accountable.
I get many questions about what I saw and heard in Iraq. Lost of them… I want to go into that but I am supposed to “move slowly” and ease into issues. But how?
What words could be substituted for the raping of both military and civilian women? And this ON BASE. How many of those who say “Support Our Troops” are even aware of the fact that women are strongly discouraged from walking alone after dark? Hell, even men are raped both on and off base. So many factors and excuses can be pointed at. But I ask why were our boys and girls, my brothers and sisters in arms there in the first fucking place!?
Fuck all the bullshit lies of “terrorists,” “weapons of mass destruction,” “they hate our freedom,” by the way if you really believed that one (be nice Reno, be nice)…never mind. And the whole “we are expanding DEMOCRACY.” Ok, this one I cannot let go. The United States of America is a REPUBLIC! Just like every state inside it is a REPUBLIC. At least they were.
America has been hijacked. Yet our troops are practicing regime changes elsewhere. And by what Right? If the Iraqi people wanted to overthrow their government, that is for them to do. When the American people move to stop the tyranny here on our soil…
Whoa! I’m sorry S.I.S.* I was not saying anything ANTI-GOVERNMENT. I know it looked like I was about to, but I was not. I would not because I like to be able to use the phone and receive letters. I like to be able to order canteen for my needed items. I do not like the idea of being put in S.H.U. (special housing unit). The idea of getting only two cold showers a week does not appeal to me at this point in time. I’d rather not be cuffed and shackled up so I may “fall” and “hurt myself.”
*For those of you who do not know, S.I.S. stands for Security Investigation Service for internal prison functions. According to our friend Keith Champagne: In its “Special Investigative Supervisors Manual” (SIS Manual), the BOP (Bureau of Prisons) encourages a proactive approach to deterring criminal conduct by inmates. The SIS Manual directs SIS staff to use threat analysis, risk assessment, analysis of connections between inmates, and intelligence sources to prevent illegal conduct by inmates while still in the planning stage. The manual also states that the SIS should determine which inmates are engaged in activities that pose a threat to the welfare of the community. The SIS Manual provides examples of how the current version of ITS can assist staff in this task. Cirino is currently under investigation by the S.I.S.
See, look, I’m going back to talking about obeying the Constitution, the supreme law of these lands. What could be more American than that?! Oh that’s right, protecting our unalienable rights.
Wow, I am all over the road aren’t I? There are so many things to say, and even more issues that tie into them. And then even more emotions attached to that...
Soldiers complaining about rashes on their bodies but no one listening. Only to find out that a contractor gave warning to his company months in advance only to be ignored and silenced. Then when the truth does come out about the water being contaminated, it gets dropped from the public’s eye just as quickly as it appeared.
There is too much to go into. Where do I begin? The frauds being committed by the military? The frauds being committed by the companies? The wasteful actions of the military? The wasteful actions of the companies? Or how about the abuses being committed by the military on military personnel? Or by the military on civilian personnel? I believe you see a theme here…
I have not even started and I feel exhausted, saddened… so many lives destroyed.
Where do I begin? Well, I suppose since the company I worked for/was hired by denies that I ever worked for them as a sub-contractor (thereby committing the crime of falsifying a government document in the course of the Department of Justice’s investigation of me) I will start with them.
You are welcome to research my employment with L.S.I. I as processed into the company in January 2006 (hired in December 2005) in Texas. On the fourth of July, 2006 I was returning to the United States from Iraq. I had voluntarily quit to be “fired” due to the military’s reductions across the board. My “package” included a free month of dental and medical after my employment ended. There were other details but I will hold off on that for now.
I also “voluntarily” quit to be “fired” due to a conflict between the company and myself which had been ongoing for awhile. Threats of being killed began at the end. Even my “friends” there warned/advised me to let my conflict/issue go or else something…
The problem I had was that the company’s “higher ups” were no longer enforcing quality assurance and quality control procedures.
Before I forget (and by chance you do not know) my name is Cirino Gonzalez, a.k.a. “Reno.” Camp Diamondback was my main A.O. (area of operation). This is located in Mosul, Iraq.
The main issue was when the shop repaired a weapon, QA/QC (a procedure to ensure that proper procedures were done and double-check work/repair completion) was at the time being signed off “completed” by personnel who had no weapons training to begin with! Nor had they ever been in the military, period! In fact, I once caught an L.S.I. “higher up” signing off a stack of worksheets without the weapons even being present!
Allow me to explain why this is so important and a touchy issue for me. Negligent homicide could easily occur due to these practices. A weapon could malfunction and fire when it is not supposed to, possibly injuring or killing someone. It could not fire when needed, again possibly causing a death due to lack of defense. Hell, the weapon could malfunction and damage itself, injure, or even kill the operator. Now do you understand why I had a problem with this neglectful behavior?
Can you now see why it is important for the company to lie about my employment with them, even though my passport is stamped “Iraq”? Even though I received three awards while there in Iraq, one given to me personally by S.F. (Special Forces). I even received a beautiful letter of recommendation from the U.S. Army (I have that one posted online). Secret level clearance, pay stubs, airline tickets… I can prove what I say, and L.S.I. can simply deny it and that’s the end of it? Well not for me it ain’t…
Of course none of this was so cut and dry. I made many complaints. More than a few recorded by the company itself. I made the Army aware too. When I refused to turn my back on the problem, a memo came down from the top. No more weapons training. This even upset some of the sub-contractors who were turning a blind eye to the incorrect procedures.
You would never imagine some of the situations I have personally seen. Such as a couple of soldiers walking in and placing a 240 system on the work bench in front of me and saying “We just got assigned to go out tonight with this. How does it work?”
Or how about this one: a soldier carries in a Mark 19 automatic grenade launcher (40mm), places it on the center table and then says “I have to teach a class tonight on how to operate this ‘bad boy’.” My reply was “Why? You all are not even allowed to use those out here anymore because of all the collateral damage it causes.” He shrugs. Collateral damage = innocent people’s deaths, in case you never understood that cool sounding phrase.
Oh I could go on and on, but I must break here for now. Nobody got scared right? Now that we have “eased into it” this next part should be really fun.
Later,
Reno
I also read a comment of “Move slowly, sheep scare easily.” More sage advice to remember as I begin here; now…
My intention at this point was to speak out on my experiences in Iraq. My experience of being a Department of Defense contractor; working directly for the U.S. Army as a weapons repairer and instructor for both the military forces and security forces operating in northern Iraq.
How does one talk about being in a war zone without scaring people?
How would you go about describing being woken up at night by a helicopter firing “Hellfire” missiles at nearly point blank range over and over and over again? Then realizing that you are in range of small arms fire. What do you do? Hide in your Harden shelter full of mud, or return to your “hooch” for your body armor then hide in the Harden shelter? Or do you go back to bed?
I went back to bed- of course not before I put my body armor on…
How would you go about describing walking back from chow, on your way back to work when all of a sudden you hear mortar shells blasting on impact, followed by another blast, followed by another blast, followed by another blast and another and another… Knowing full well that shells are being “walked” across the camp; someone was going to get killed. You just knew it.
How would you go about describing such things without scaring anyone? And honestly, what is scary? Would you be scared in those situations? I’m not really a hardcore bad ass motherfucker, but I was there and I was not scared. In all honesty, I was excited. I felt alive and my will to live was renewed. Pardon my analogy if you find is offensive, but it was like falling in love physically- fast heartbeat and all. And mentally, you are hyper-aware. Imagine cheating death…
Oops, am I scaring anyone? That was not my intention. I was just trying to explain my- I mean share how- it’s involved.
Let me back up just a bit, switch gears and try this again. Ok, here it goes…
Most people who first learn of me and the endeavors I have taken to task often believe that the path on which I struggle was determined by my experiences in Iraq. Such understandings are both true and false. False, because I knew full well what I was looking to investigate once I began the application process. Yet still, it could be said to be true due to the fact that the “issues” I had investigated were in fact true and even worse, much worse, than I expected.
The money I earned while in Iraq was what provided my resources. All of my earnings from Iraq commissioned my fight for what is right. For those of you wanting a number- $47, 000+.
So in a sense yes, Iraq did catapult my efforts to affect change in our “established” government. That those who were aware of the raping of the spirit of our Constitutions (state and federal) be held accountable.
I get many questions about what I saw and heard in Iraq. Lost of them… I want to go into that but I am supposed to “move slowly” and ease into issues. But how?
What words could be substituted for the raping of both military and civilian women? And this ON BASE. How many of those who say “Support Our Troops” are even aware of the fact that women are strongly discouraged from walking alone after dark? Hell, even men are raped both on and off base. So many factors and excuses can be pointed at. But I ask why were our boys and girls, my brothers and sisters in arms there in the first fucking place!?
Fuck all the bullshit lies of “terrorists,” “weapons of mass destruction,” “they hate our freedom,” by the way if you really believed that one (be nice Reno, be nice)…never mind. And the whole “we are expanding DEMOCRACY.” Ok, this one I cannot let go. The United States of America is a REPUBLIC! Just like every state inside it is a REPUBLIC. At least they were.
America has been hijacked. Yet our troops are practicing regime changes elsewhere. And by what Right? If the Iraqi people wanted to overthrow their government, that is for them to do. When the American people move to stop the tyranny here on our soil…
Whoa! I’m sorry S.I.S.* I was not saying anything ANTI-GOVERNMENT. I know it looked like I was about to, but I was not. I would not because I like to be able to use the phone and receive letters. I like to be able to order canteen for my needed items. I do not like the idea of being put in S.H.U. (special housing unit). The idea of getting only two cold showers a week does not appeal to me at this point in time. I’d rather not be cuffed and shackled up so I may “fall” and “hurt myself.”
*For those of you who do not know, S.I.S. stands for Security Investigation Service for internal prison functions. According to our friend Keith Champagne: In its “Special Investigative Supervisors Manual” (SIS Manual), the BOP (Bureau of Prisons) encourages a proactive approach to deterring criminal conduct by inmates. The SIS Manual directs SIS staff to use threat analysis, risk assessment, analysis of connections between inmates, and intelligence sources to prevent illegal conduct by inmates while still in the planning stage. The manual also states that the SIS should determine which inmates are engaged in activities that pose a threat to the welfare of the community. The SIS Manual provides examples of how the current version of ITS can assist staff in this task. Cirino is currently under investigation by the S.I.S.
See, look, I’m going back to talking about obeying the Constitution, the supreme law of these lands. What could be more American than that?! Oh that’s right, protecting our unalienable rights.
Wow, I am all over the road aren’t I? There are so many things to say, and even more issues that tie into them. And then even more emotions attached to that...
Soldiers complaining about rashes on their bodies but no one listening. Only to find out that a contractor gave warning to his company months in advance only to be ignored and silenced. Then when the truth does come out about the water being contaminated, it gets dropped from the public’s eye just as quickly as it appeared.
There is too much to go into. Where do I begin? The frauds being committed by the military? The frauds being committed by the companies? The wasteful actions of the military? The wasteful actions of the companies? Or how about the abuses being committed by the military on military personnel? Or by the military on civilian personnel? I believe you see a theme here…
I have not even started and I feel exhausted, saddened… so many lives destroyed.
Where do I begin? Well, I suppose since the company I worked for/was hired by denies that I ever worked for them as a sub-contractor (thereby committing the crime of falsifying a government document in the course of the Department of Justice’s investigation of me) I will start with them.
You are welcome to research my employment with L.S.I. I as processed into the company in January 2006 (hired in December 2005) in Texas. On the fourth of July, 2006 I was returning to the United States from Iraq. I had voluntarily quit to be “fired” due to the military’s reductions across the board. My “package” included a free month of dental and medical after my employment ended. There were other details but I will hold off on that for now.
I also “voluntarily” quit to be “fired” due to a conflict between the company and myself which had been ongoing for awhile. Threats of being killed began at the end. Even my “friends” there warned/advised me to let my conflict/issue go or else something…
The problem I had was that the company’s “higher ups” were no longer enforcing quality assurance and quality control procedures.
Before I forget (and by chance you do not know) my name is Cirino Gonzalez, a.k.a. “Reno.” Camp Diamondback was my main A.O. (area of operation). This is located in Mosul, Iraq.
The main issue was when the shop repaired a weapon, QA/QC (a procedure to ensure that proper procedures were done and double-check work/repair completion) was at the time being signed off “completed” by personnel who had no weapons training to begin with! Nor had they ever been in the military, period! In fact, I once caught an L.S.I. “higher up” signing off a stack of worksheets without the weapons even being present!
Allow me to explain why this is so important and a touchy issue for me. Negligent homicide could easily occur due to these practices. A weapon could malfunction and fire when it is not supposed to, possibly injuring or killing someone. It could not fire when needed, again possibly causing a death due to lack of defense. Hell, the weapon could malfunction and damage itself, injure, or even kill the operator. Now do you understand why I had a problem with this neglectful behavior?
Can you now see why it is important for the company to lie about my employment with them, even though my passport is stamped “Iraq”? Even though I received three awards while there in Iraq, one given to me personally by S.F. (Special Forces). I even received a beautiful letter of recommendation from the U.S. Army (I have that one posted online). Secret level clearance, pay stubs, airline tickets… I can prove what I say, and L.S.I. can simply deny it and that’s the end of it? Well not for me it ain’t…
Of course none of this was so cut and dry. I made many complaints. More than a few recorded by the company itself. I made the Army aware too. When I refused to turn my back on the problem, a memo came down from the top. No more weapons training. This even upset some of the sub-contractors who were turning a blind eye to the incorrect procedures.
You would never imagine some of the situations I have personally seen. Such as a couple of soldiers walking in and placing a 240 system on the work bench in front of me and saying “We just got assigned to go out tonight with this. How does it work?”
Or how about this one: a soldier carries in a Mark 19 automatic grenade launcher (40mm), places it on the center table and then says “I have to teach a class tonight on how to operate this ‘bad boy’.” My reply was “Why? You all are not even allowed to use those out here anymore because of all the collateral damage it causes.” He shrugs. Collateral damage = innocent people’s deaths, in case you never understood that cool sounding phrase.
Oh I could go on and on, but I must break here for now. Nobody got scared right? Now that we have “eased into it” this next part should be really fun.
Later,
Reno
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