As the economy collapses, one industry is booming – one of the few sectors that consistently lowers its hiring criteria. Last quarter, the U.S. military exceeded its recruitment quota, as people are signing up for the only jobs available. At Austin’s Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan public hearing, held Feb. 28 at the Central Presbyterian Church by Iraq Veterans Against the War, there was a different argument: that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan aren’t an economic solution but a big part of the problem.

The event was part of a national series of Winter Soldier events and a weekend of local peaceful protest, continuing with a march to City Hall and culminating with a trip to Killeen for the opening of the new GI resistance coffee shop, Under the Hood. The sometimes raw and passionate hearings gathered together seasoned local anti-war campaigners, such as Iraq veteran and IVAW Austin chaplain Hart Viges, national figures such as ex-marine and IVAW board member Adam Kok­esh, and newer protesters such as Marie Combs, who left the Navy two weeks ago after eight years of service. “I have a bunch of uniforms in my closet that I have no clue what to do with,” she said. She talked to the packed church about how overstretched the whole U.S. military has become, even for basic medical provisions, because of the war. “Funds are taken away, and treatment is not available when we need it,” she said. “If this war is going to continue, I don’t want it to be because I was afraid to speak.”

Aside from the testimonials and personal experiences, there was discussion of peaceful anti-war and counterrecruitment techniques, as well as fundamental criticism of U.S. military adventurism and the continuing absence of real troop drawdown under President Barack Obama. However, Gold Star father John Scripsick, who had earlier told the story of how he was misled by the military about the details of his son Bryan’s death, summed up a common feeling when he reminded everyone who had started the Iraq war. He even had a peaceful suggestion for what to do with them. He said, “Let’s take up a collection, buy Dick Cheney and George Bush a half-acre of land by the Euphrates [River], give ’em a handful of seeds, and tell ’em to have a good life.”

This article appears in March 6 • 2009.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.