Listen to a reading of this article (reading by Tim Foley): There’s a deeply moving interview on Democracy Now with a friend of Aaron Bushnell, the US airman who fatally self-immolated outside the Israeli embassy while screaming “Free Palestine” in protest of his government’s facilitation of the genocide in Gaza.
Beautifully stated! At 87, I will continue to protest Israel’s genocide of the Palestinians, but, also, US Governments evil foreign policy, policymakers, and domestic policies that ignore human needs, that harm humans and the environment. Others that I know are doing the same. America needs a cease and desist, then a complete overhaul! I would have to say that Britain and Canada are in the same immoral, inhumane boat. Aaron, is every good mothers son.
The attention to detail (his words, last post, leaving money to Palestinian children in his will), the strategic brilliance, and the calm with which he carried out this act support what you're saying, Caitlin.
I think it's really sad that someone at the young age of 25 took his own life, but I get that it was an act of protest, the most effective he could muster.
If Aaron Bushnell had been in a war zone and jumped in front of a child to save the child from a bullet, would the military and public think that he was committing suicide and was mentally ill? I think not. He would be considered a hero. And he was trying to save far more than one.
AS soon as I learned of Aaron Bushnell's brave sacrifice of his life so the People of Gaza can live on Monday, I sent this to Jake Sullivan, Biden's National Security Advisor.
@JakeSullivan46
You and the President are responsible for the Death of US Serviceman Aaron Bushnellls self immolation in protest of the Israeli genocide in Gaza as you blame Putin for the death of Navalny. The SOB President has the Power and leverage to stop the genocide. Do it
Thank you for reiterating this. It's beyond patronizing and insulting to imply he had depression or was suicidal. Self-immolation as a political act is many things but mostly it's pointing eyes in the direction of great injustice. There's pathological behavior on display but not from Aaron Bushnell.
He was unbelievably moral, ethical and above all courageous. He gave the greatest sacrifice to try and motivate a change. So sad that such a good person felt the need to do this to try and stop this sick, ongoing tragedy.
They/MSM at they behest of the State Dept. were too quick to make it about suicide. They know. Aaron Bushnell pointed out the abomination’s abject failure and lies of the City on the Hill and its claim of “In God We Trust.” It’s inability to be an example, let alone to serve and protect. Apparently,they believe nothing is expected of those given and claiming so, so much. Had to vent. Thanks, Caitlin, as always.
Thank you for reviewing the heartbreaking interview … never a more sincere interview - how could you not weep - I posted it but felt such remorse that it is, too soon, to be lost and forgotten - so thank you so much for keeping this dear tribute to Aaron, from a true friend, in the atmosphere.
" Neither of them belonged there, and they each took their exit in their own way."
I think Aaron's lasting legacy will be the realization that NO ONE belongs in an organization that ruthlessly slaughters children and babies in incubators. As soon one finds oneself entangled in any organization that does just that or condones the murders of innocents, then it's imperative to get out and let others know why you did leave. RIP Aaron.
"Neither of them belonged there". Does anyone belong in the US army? His act was, as he described, an extreme act of protest. I wish he were still alive, but his protest did draw a lot of attention to the genocide that is happening in Gaza. He was a brave man hoping to inspire justice.
TY once again Caitlin. TY for the reminder of the murders in El Salvador -as one priest said before being killed: “such a waste, such carnage.” We must choose life to keep going.
> He was no more suicidal than a rescue worker who died trying to save the lives of others.
That is exactly the reply that needs to be given to all those ZioNazis who keep defending their beloved racist cesspool in its genocide.
Oh, and another thing they need to be held to their face: if what is happening to the Gazans would be happening to Jews, they would have the whole world, the Western one in front, on its hind legs protesting and dominating all the MSM screaming bloody murder.
The ZioNazi scum needs to be confronted with this over and over and over again.
Thanks, Caitlin, for this very insightful article, it is good to have exposed Aaron's true psyche through his friend.
Aaron is/was a masterful artist; a "performance artist" of the highest level. He chose agit-prop street art as his canvas, and put all of his angst-filled soul into a single performance. He chose the stage, he chose the costume, he prepared his text, and his camera angles, assiduously sending out notifications and invites to maximize his audience. He prepared for his performance as any great artist would; with maximal respect for his message.
What sets Aaron apart from many others who have purposefully chosen death to make their point (think Joan of Arc, Socrates, maybe even Jesus) was that Aaron was his own executioner. His performance has had such a profound effect on us; just as did that of Thich Quang Duc, whose self-immolation 61 years ago, turned this 18 year old into a Vientnam refusnik, changing my life.
I stand in awe of Aaron Bushnell, and will always cherish his singular act of ART. RIP.
Beautifully stated! At 87, I will continue to protest Israel’s genocide of the Palestinians, but, also, US Governments evil foreign policy, policymakers, and domestic policies that ignore human needs, that harm humans and the environment. Others that I know are doing the same. America needs a cease and desist, then a complete overhaul! I would have to say that Britain and Canada are in the same immoral, inhumane boat. Aaron, is every good mothers son.
The attention to detail (his words, last post, leaving money to Palestinian children in his will), the strategic brilliance, and the calm with which he carried out this act support what you're saying, Caitlin.
I think it's really sad that someone at the young age of 25 took his own life, but I get that it was an act of protest, the most effective he could muster.
If Aaron Bushnell had been in a war zone and jumped in front of a child to save the child from a bullet, would the military and public think that he was committing suicide and was mentally ill? I think not. He would be considered a hero. And he was trying to save far more than one.
AS soon as I learned of Aaron Bushnell's brave sacrifice of his life so the People of Gaza can live on Monday, I sent this to Jake Sullivan, Biden's National Security Advisor.
@JakeSullivan46
You and the President are responsible for the Death of US Serviceman Aaron Bushnellls self immolation in protest of the Israeli genocide in Gaza as you blame Putin for the death of Navalny. The SOB President has the Power and leverage to stop the genocide. Do it
Thank you for reiterating this. It's beyond patronizing and insulting to imply he had depression or was suicidal. Self-immolation as a political act is many things but mostly it's pointing eyes in the direction of great injustice. There's pathological behavior on display but not from Aaron Bushnell.
He was unbelievably moral, ethical and above all courageous. He gave the greatest sacrifice to try and motivate a change. So sad that such a good person felt the need to do this to try and stop this sick, ongoing tragedy.
They/MSM at they behest of the State Dept. were too quick to make it about suicide. They know. Aaron Bushnell pointed out the abomination’s abject failure and lies of the City on the Hill and its claim of “In God We Trust.” It’s inability to be an example, let alone to serve and protect. Apparently,they believe nothing is expected of those given and claiming so, so much. Had to vent. Thanks, Caitlin, as always.
Thank you for reviewing the heartbreaking interview … never a more sincere interview - how could you not weep - I posted it but felt such remorse that it is, too soon, to be lost and forgotten - so thank you so much for keeping this dear tribute to Aaron, from a true friend, in the atmosphere.
" Neither of them belonged there, and they each took their exit in their own way."
I think Aaron's lasting legacy will be the realization that NO ONE belongs in an organization that ruthlessly slaughters children and babies in incubators. As soon one finds oneself entangled in any organization that does just that or condones the murders of innocents, then it's imperative to get out and let others know why you did leave. RIP Aaron.
"Neither of them belonged there". Does anyone belong in the US army? His act was, as he described, an extreme act of protest. I wish he were still alive, but his protest did draw a lot of attention to the genocide that is happening in Gaza. He was a brave man hoping to inspire justice.
The media is doing the same thing to George Galloway right now that they did to Aaron, and for exactly the same reasons:
https://consortiumnews.com/2024/03/02/msm-target-galloway-at-victory-party/
They did the same thing to Assange, Manning, Snowden, Hersh, .......
TY once again Caitlin. TY for the reminder of the murders in El Salvador -as one priest said before being killed: “such a waste, such carnage.” We must choose life to keep going.
> He was no more suicidal than a rescue worker who died trying to save the lives of others.
That is exactly the reply that needs to be given to all those ZioNazis who keep defending their beloved racist cesspool in its genocide.
Oh, and another thing they need to be held to their face: if what is happening to the Gazans would be happening to Jews, they would have the whole world, the Western one in front, on its hind legs protesting and dominating all the MSM screaming bloody murder.
The ZioNazi scum needs to be confronted with this over and over and over again.
Thanks, Caitlin, for this very insightful article, it is good to have exposed Aaron's true psyche through his friend.
Your reinforcement of A. Buhnell's intentional action of profound protest is entirely o oint. Thank you and Tim for your work..
Aaron is/was a masterful artist; a "performance artist" of the highest level. He chose agit-prop street art as his canvas, and put all of his angst-filled soul into a single performance. He chose the stage, he chose the costume, he prepared his text, and his camera angles, assiduously sending out notifications and invites to maximize his audience. He prepared for his performance as any great artist would; with maximal respect for his message.
What sets Aaron apart from many others who have purposefully chosen death to make their point (think Joan of Arc, Socrates, maybe even Jesus) was that Aaron was his own executioner. His performance has had such a profound effect on us; just as did that of Thich Quang Duc, whose self-immolation 61 years ago, turned this 18 year old into a Vientnam refusnik, changing my life.
I stand in awe of Aaron Bushnell, and will always cherish his singular act of ART. RIP.
An act of fucking love for Gaza, for us who do not see this as IN Our FUCKING name.
Young guy, fucked up by Military Dissiervice, but an act of devine something, and I am an atheist.
Throughout the military mercenary disservices, they are fucking making fun of the man. Every fucking sick joke in the book.
You are what you think, say, eat, read, watch, believe, hold true, imagine, dream, drink, salute to.
https://paulokirk.substack.com/p/pressed-into-disservice-fighting