Ethan McCord: Right. And we state that in our letter to Iraq. Now, a part of the so-called gallows humor that you hear on the Apache, that's something that's--it's a way of self-justifying what you just did. Now if you notice when the soldiers find out that there were children, the first thing they say is, "Oh, damn." You know? But then immediately the other guy in the helicopter is, you know, "Well, you know, it's their fault for bringing kids to a battlefield." You know, it's a way of self-justifying. It's something that's taught by the Army very well, you know? It's your job.
Cindy Sheehan: Well, demonization of other people is one of the reasons that things like this can happen, and you know unfortunately I'm, you know, really sorry that you've had to experience this and that, you know, people like my son are dead, and people are wounded physically and mentally, but you know it's the reason that our empire gets to thrive, because we don't think that people like the Iraqis or Afghans or Vietnamese are fully--or really, for that matter, Americans, you know, Native Americans--are fully human beings.
Ethan McCord: Right. Yeah, it's a--you know, racism is rampant in the military and in the government. You know? Everything is--you're taught from day one in the military is racism against, you know, other countries. We were marching to cadences in basic training that went like, "We went to the market where all the Hajis shop," you know, "Pulled out our machete and begin to chop."
Cindy Sheehan: Oh, wow.
Ethan McCord: Or, "We went to the playground where the--" Yeah. "We went to the playground where all the Haji babies played," you know, "Pulled out our machine gun and we begin to spray." You know, it's rampant in the military. Everything that's taught to you has to do with racism, hatred, dehumanization of anybody who's not--actually, you know, with, in the infantry especially, anybody who's not infantry is dehumanized, because infantry is the best. You know, we're taught to dehumanize anybody who's not a soldier. That included civilians, you know?
[phone announcement]: Dr. Jud Newborn has arrived.
Cindy Sheehan: Sorry, Ethan. Um, Jud?
Jud Newborn: Yes, hi, it's Jud here.
Cindy Sheehan: Hi, this is Cindy, I'm going to finish up with Ethan really quick and then we'll start with your interview, okay? This'll probably be like two more minutes, if you can just hang on for two sec-- two minutes, okay?
Jud Newborn: No problem.
Cindy Sheehan: Okay, thank you. Sorry about that, Ethan. So--yeah, we're going to have to wrap this up, so I'm going to give people--I'm going to give you an opportunity to tell people where they can find the letter that you and Josh wrote, and more information, okay?
Oh, Ethan, I'm sorry, we're running out of time, but can you tell--I wanted to talk more about the letter that you and your fellow soldier, Josh Stieber, wrote to the Iraqi people looking for reconciliation. But can you tell my listeners where they can find that? Because I believe that they can also sign it, right?
Ethan McCord: Yes they can. You can go to http://www.lettertoiraq.com and get on there and sign it, and I believe we have over 3500 signatures right now.
Cindy Sheehan: I'm on it right now. You have 3,767 signatures. And Ethan, I just want to thank you for your important work, and I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you in Albany, New York, but I'm sure our paths will cross soon. And I hope so, because I've just been really honored to have you on Cindy Sheehan's Soapbox today.
Ethan McCord: I'm honored to be on, thank you.
Cindy Sheehan: And I hope you feel better. I know you have a cold, so thank you for taking the time.
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