Topic: Iraq War Veteran

The hosts open Episode 1707 of No Agenda from the Texas Hill Country and Northern Silicon Valley, acknowledging Veterans Day. Reflections are shared regarding the physical and mental scarring of veterans, specifically referencing a ten-day trip to Iraq in 2003. A brief discussion follows regarding the decline of poppy-wearing traditions in California.

Producer "Gummy Nerds" shares his experience as a combat infantryman in Iraq and promotes a new podcast titled *Before I Forget*. The show features two US Army veterans discussing their perspectives on life before and after 9/11 and their experiences during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Gummy Nerds requests "combat karma" for all those affected by war.

During a protest in Chicago, members of Iraq Veterans Against the War publicly discarded their military medals to protest the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Veterans criticized the "Global War on Terrorism" as a "war on an adjective" and accused the U.S. government of war crimes and drone attacks. The event received minimal mainstream media coverage despite the significant number of participants.

Oakland Police utilized tear gas, beanbags, and a sound cannon to disperse a crowd of approximately 1,000 protesters, resulting in over 100 arrests. An Iraq War veteran is in critical condition with a fractured skull following the confrontation. Reports indicate the use of sound weapons, which can cause permanent hearing loss and concussions, has been suppressed in local media.

Local news coverage highlights a cross-section of protesters, including Iraq War veterans struggling with unemployment and homeowners facing foreclosure. While the media portrays these individuals as demanding more government assistance, the hosts argue this reinforces a cycle of state dependency. A 2009 clip from Reverend Manning is featured, predicting that Americans will eventually reach a breaking point and riot against political leadership.