Two thugs, Evan M. Knappenberger and Jonathan De Wald, who belonged to the IVAW (Iraq Veterans Against the War) were given their walking papers this week.
This was after both of them made death threats against some prominent bloggers as well as the patriotic group, the Gathering of Eagles, who plan to demonstrate in opposition to the IVAW at the upcoming “Winter Soldier II” circus in D.C.
I blogged about that here:
Apparently, their little jihad was a wake up call for the founder, who published a formal apology:
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Official Statement and Apology: UPDATED:The previous actions were in fact a temporary measure until our internal process of handling disciplinary actions could complete. That process has resolved, and the final decision is as follows:
Jonathan De Wald’s membership has been terminated, and he is no longer a member of IVAW.
Evan Knappenberger’s membership has been indefinitely suspended.
We are currently working on getting these people the peer support and assistance that they need to preclude future incidents from occuring. Peer support and assistance will also be available at Winter Soldier, for any members or veterans who may be suffering from PTSD or anger-related issues which are surfacing or worsening through this intense process.
While this blog is not primarily an official blog, and often veers into the personal, I would like to put my official hat on and make the following statement on behalf of Iraq Veterans Against the War. The sentiments and official position are IVAW’s, the wording is mine. I am currently travelling with little internet access, and will be unable to respond to posted comments. If you would like a personal response or have questions or concerns about this post, please email armysergeant (at) ivaw (dot) org, and I will be able to email you a response promptly.
Iraq Veterans Against the War does not condone threats of violence or violence against idealogical opponents, for Winter Soldier or for any other event.
Iraq Veterans Against the War and I personally have invited a number of military and veteran bloggers to attend Winter Soldier, because it is an event for military and veterans. Some of those bloggers support the war in Iraq. Some do not. All of these bloggers will be safe and welcomed at Winter Soldier as fellow servicemembers and veterans. They will be blogging from an enclosed space with controlled access, and security personnel will be there for their safety and to help alleviate any concerns. I will also give my personal word of honor as a non-commissioned officer as a guarantor for the safety of any bloggers under my charge.
It is unfortunate that certain individual members of IVAW have chosen to make threatening statements on the internet. These statements were made by individuals and are not representative of IVAW. While many were in fact likely spurred by anger at an assortment of threats made by Gathering of Eagles members, among other pro-war individuals (though I do not currently have time to list them, I am aware of the request made by a pro-war blogger and will in fact update this post with specifics by COB tomorrow), that only explains but does not excuse the conduct. We still hold all of our members to a high standard, and all attendees for Winter Soldier must read and follow the Code of Conduct.
Two members have been identified as making personal threats recently. One has been requested not to attend Winter Soldier, and the other situation is currently being handled internally.
Those of you who have served in the military know that you accept responsibility for all under your command, even actions specifically against your wishes or orders. As such, though the situations are far less exact than I would like, I would like to apologize both personally and professionally to Michelle Malkin, Robin, Nicki, Thus Spake Ortner, and Jonn Lilyea and others for the actions of these members, and assure the public that steps are being taken to ensure this does not occur again.
Posted by Army Sergeant
http://activedutypatriot.blogspot.com/2008/03/official-statement-and-apology.html
It’s very strange how this menagerie of malcontents opine about this country, the military, and the war against Islamofascism, yet they portend to practice military decorum within their own ranks….
Lots of war veterans suffer from “PTSD”, but that doesn’t give them a license to take their anarchistic animosity out on those who still understand that we, as a civilization, are in a fight for survival against Islamofascism, and that Iraq and Afghanistan are just two battlegrounds in that fight.
The IVAW is comprised of a bunch of disgruntled, aimless, misfits who never adjusted to the military.
This group and those like it, need to be under constant scrutiny.
….from all enemies foreign and domestic.