Ken O'Keefe : A Hero For Our Times !!!!

[Negentropic]

http://humanrightstv.blogspot.com/2010/06/defenders-of-mavri-mamarra.html


[youtube:3e2yo98r]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z82VocK-C8c[/youtube]3e2yo98r]

[youtube:3e2yo98r]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmjSVrjJa5U[/youtube]3e2yo98r]

[youtube:3e2yo98r]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arYKV1KiCUA[/youtube]3e2yo98r]

[youtube:3e2yo98r]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsbkovJ1iVU[/youtube]3e2yo98r]

[youtube:3e2yo98r]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ac3hhxEql4[/youtube]3e2yo98r]

[youtube:3e2yo98r]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYPJoj1bAJU[/youtube]3e2yo98r]

[youtube:3e2yo98r]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFTcxzMxXhE[/youtube]3e2yo98r]

[youtube:3e2yo98r]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqRuY-cdTIo[/youtube]3e2yo98r]

[Negentropic]

Of course, now they're calling him a terrorist too:

[youtube:661azchd]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx03ZTt7Zuk[/youtube]661azchd]

http://www.counterpunch.org/okeefe06072010.html

Reflections by a Former US Marine on the Mavi Marmara
On Cowardice and Violence

By KEN O'KEEFE

Istanbul

In 2002 I initiated the TJP Human Shield Action to Iraq because I knew that the  invasion of Iraq had been planned well in advance, that it was  part of a 'Global Spectrum Dominance' agenda as laid out by the  Project For A New American Century.  I knew that protests had no chance of stopping the invasion, and that largely these protests were just a way of making us feel better about the coming mass  murder; by being able to say "I protested against it." With that understanding I argued that the only viable way to stop the  invasion was to conduct a mass migration to Iraq.  A migration in which people from around the world, especially western citizens,  would position themselves at sites in Iraq that are supposed to be  protected by international law, but which are routinely bombed  when it is only Iraqi, Palestinian, generally non-white, western  lives who will be killed.  I felt 10,000 such people could stop the invasion, or at the very least, expose the invasion for what  it was from the start, an act of international aggression, a war  crime and a crime against humanity.

I have for many years understood that we, people of conscience,  are the true holders of power in this world.  Frustratingly however we have largely relinquished that power and failed to  reach our full potential.  Our potential to create a better world,  a just world.  Nonetheless I have conspired with others of like  mind to reveal and exercise our true power.

When our two double decker busses travelled from London to Baghdad  through Turkey, it was ever clear that the people of Turkey also  could sense the power of this act, and they were the biggest  participants in it.  In the end we did not get the numbers  required to stop the war, with at least one million Iraqi's dead  as a result, but I remain convinced that it was within our power  to prevent the invasion.  A massive opportunity lost as far as I  am concerned.  

In 2007 I joined the Free Gaza Movement with its plan to challenge  the blockade of Gaza by travelling to Gaza by sea.  From the  moment I heard of the plan I knew it could succeed and ultimately  I served as a captain on the first attempt. The Israeli  government said throughout our preparation that we were no better  than pirates and they would treat us as such.  They made clear we  would not reach Gaza.  And still I knew we could succeed.  And we  did.  Two boats with 46 passengers from various countries managed  to sail into Gaza on August 23, 2007; this was the first time this  had been done in 41 years.  

The truth is the blockade of Gaza is  far more than three years old, and yet we, a small group of  conscientious people defied the Israeli machine and celebrated  with tens of thousands of Gazans when we arrived that day.  We  proved that it could be done.  We proved that an intelligent plan,  with skilled manipulation of the media, could render the full  might of the Israeli Navy useless.  And I knew then that this was  only the tip of the iceberg.  

So participating in the Freedom Flotilla is like a family reunion  to me.  It is my long lost family whose conscience is their guide,  who have shed the fear, who act with humanity.  But I was  especially proud to join IHH and the Turkish elements of the  flotilla.  I deeply admire the strength and character of the  Turkish people, despite your history having stains of injustice,  like every nation, you are today from citizen to Prime Minister  among the leaders in the cause of humanity and justice.  

I remember being asked during the TJP Human Shield Action to Iraq  if I was a pacifist, I responded with a quote from Gandhi by  saying I am not a passive anything.  To the contrary I believe in  action, and I also believe in self-defence, 100 per cent, without  reservation.  I would be incapable of standing by while a tyrant  murders my family, and the attack on the Mavi Marmara was like an  attack on my Palestinian family.  I am proud to have stood  shoulder to shoulder with those who refused to let a rogue Israeli  military exert their will without a fight.

And yes, we fought.

When I was asked, in the event of an Israeli attack on the Mavi  Marmara, would I use the camera, or would I defend the ship?  I  enthusiastically committed to defence of the ship.  Although I am  also a huge supporter of non-violence, in fact I believe  non-violence must always be the first option.  Nonetheless I  joined the defence of the Mavi Mamara understanding that  violence could be used against us and that we may very well be  compelled to use violence in self defence.  

I said this straight to Israeli agents, probably of Mossad or Shin  Bet, and I say it again now, on the morning of the attack I was  directly involved in the disarming of two Israeli Commandos.  This  was a forcible, non-negotiable, separation of weapons from  commandos who had already murdered two brothers that I had seen  that day.  One brother with a bullet entering dead center in his  forehead, in what appeared to be an execution.  

I knew the commandos were murdering when I removed a 9mm pistol from one of  them.  I had that gun in my hands and as an ex-US Marine with training in the use of guns it was completely within my power to  use that gun on the commando who may have been the murderer of one  of my brothers.  But that is not what I, nor any other defender of  the ship did.  I took that weapon away, removed the bullets,  proper lead bullets, separated them from the weapon and hid the  gun.  I did this in the hopes that we would repel the attack and  submit this weapon as evidence in a criminal trial against Israeli  authorities for mass murder.  I also helped to physically separate one commando from his assault  rifle, which another brother apparently threw into the sea.  

I and hundreds of others know the truth that makes a mockery of the  brave and moral Israeli military.  We had in our full possession, three completely disarmed and helpless commandos.  These boys were at our mercy, they were out of reach of their fellow murderers,  inside the ship and surrounded by 100 or more men.  I looked into  the eyes of all three of these boys and I can tell you they had  the fear of God in them.  They looked at us as if we were them,  and I have no doubt they did not believe there was any way they  would survive that day.  They looked like frightened children in  the face of an abusive father.  

But they did not face an enemy as ruthless as they.  Instead the  woman provided basic first aid, and ultimately they were released,  battered and bruised for sure, but alive.  Able to live another  day.  Able to feel the sun over head and the embrace of loved  ones.  Unlike those they murdered.  Despite mourning the loss of  our brothers, feeling rage towards these boys, we let them go.    

The Israeli prostitutes of propaganda can spew all of their  disgusting bile all they wish, the commandos are the murderers, we  are the defenders, and yet we fought.  We fought not just for our  lives, not just for our cargo, not just for the people of  Palestine, we fought in the name of justice and humanity.  We were  right to do so, in every way.

While in Israeli custody I, along with everyone else was subjected  to endless abuse and flagrant acts of disrespect.  Women and  elderly were physically and mentally assaulted.  Access to food  and water and toilets was denied.  Dogs were used against us, we  ourselves were treated like dogs.  We were exposed to direct sun  in stress positions while hand cuffed to the point of losing  circulation of blood in our hands.  We were lied to incessantly,  in fact I am awed at the routineness and comfort in their ability  to lie, it is remarkable really.  We were abused in just about  every way imaginable and I myself was beaten and choked to the  point of blacking out... and I was beaten again while in my cell.   In all this what I saw more than anything else were cowards... and  yet I also see my brothers.  Because no matter how vile and wrong  the Israeli agents and government are, they are still my brothers  and sisters and for now I only have pity for them.  Because they are relinquishing the most precious thing a human being has, their  humanity.  

In conclusion; I would like to challenge every endorser of Gandhi,  every person who thinks they understand him, who acknowledges him  as one of the great souls of our time (which is just about every  western leader), I challenge you in the form of a question.  

Please explain how we, the defenders of the Mavi Mamara, are not  the modern example of Gandhi's essence?  But first read the words  of Gandhi himself.   I do believe that, where there is only a choice between cowardice  and violence, I would advise violence.... I would rather have  India resort to arms in order to defend her honour than that she  should, in a cowardly manner, become or remain a helpless witness  to her own dishonour. – Gandhi   And lastly I have one more challenge. I challenge any critic of  merit, publicly, to debate me on a large stage over our actions  that day.  I would especially love to debate with any Israeli leader  who accuses us of wrongdoing, it would be my tremendous pleasure  to face off with you.  All I saw in Israel was cowards with guns,  so I am ripe to see you in a new context.  I want to debate with  you on the largest stage possible.  Take that as an open challenge  and let us see just how brave Israeli leaders are.

Ken O'Keefe is a former US Marine and Gulf War veteran.



"We die only once but for such a long time! " -- Moliere


"One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we've been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We're no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It is simply too painful to acknowledge -- even to ourselves -- that we've been so credulous [i.e. gullible]." Carl Sagan

"May your shit come to life and kiss you on the face."
-- Frank Zappa, to Mrs. Gore about parental advisory labels on album covers