American college kid joins Libya rebels for 'vacation'.

[Le Socialiste]

'This is one of the few real revolutions,' says Chris Jeon, who is hanging out with Libya rebels at a desert outpost. 'I just thought I’d come check it out.'


Al Nawfaliyah, Libya At this rebel outpost in the middle of the desert near the front lines of the fight with Muammar Qaddafi (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Moammar+Gadhafi)’s loyalists, a gaggle of rebel fighters gathers in a circle, laughing, cheering, and filming with their mobile phones.

http://www.csmonitor.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/images/0901-world-okid/10669261-1-eng-US/0901-world-okid_full_238.jpg (http://www.csmonitor.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/images/0901-world-okid/10669261-1-eng-US/0901-world-okid_full_600.jpg)


In this photo, American Chris Jeon(c.) is seen with rebel fighters at an outpost in the Libyan desert.
Kristen Chick

In the center stands a 21-year-old American college student from Los Angeles (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Los+Angeles).
Chris Jeon wears a cobalt basketball jersey emblazoned with the words “Los Angeles” and the number 44, camouflage pants, and black and white Converse sneakers (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Converse+Chuck+Taylor+All-Stars). Around his neck hangs a spent ammunition casing on a string, and a black and white scarf is wrapped around his head, courtesy of the rebel fighters.
IN PICTURES: Rebels take Tripoli (http://www.csmonitor.com/CSM-Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Rebels-take-Tripoli)

Why is he here?
“This is one of the few real revolutions,” he said. “I just thought I’d come check it out.”
It’s an unusual summer break for a college student, especially for a math major at University of California, Los Angeles (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/University+of+California-Los+Angeles), who says he spent his last spring break in Quebec (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Quebec). But Mr. Jeon is near the front lines of a conflict that has already taken thousands of lives, and is likely to cost many more if rebels launch a planned assault on Mr. Qaddafi’s hometown of Sirte.
Jeon doesn’t seem worried.
“I just go and see what happens,” he said. “At spring break I told my friends a 'sick' vacation would be to come here and fight with the rebels.”
He spent $800 on a one-way ticket from L.A. to Cairo (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Cairo+(Egypt)), then traveled by land across the border into Libya (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Libya), where he has now been for nearly two weeks. His parents do not know he is here. He speaks no Arabic, and has been staying with fighters and families in the area.
“I haven’t spent a dollar in weeks,” he says, because the people of Libya have extended such hospitality.
He has no way of contact with the outside world, and on Tuesday was unsure of the date. Yet he seemed to be having the time of his life.
At the rebel checkpoint about 80 miles from Sirte, he held a Russian-made shotgun the rebels had given him, appearing to be unfamiliar with it. Then a rebel handed him an AK-47 (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/AK-47+Assault+Rifle), and he awkwardly fired several rounds into the air. The fighters cheered and laughed before quickly taking the gun back.

The boisterous rebel fighters, clearly enjoying this foreigner who had joined their ranks, shouted competing offers for him to join their respective brigades. Jeon needed translation to understand what they were asking. He communicates with sign language, and broken Italian.
IN PICTURES: Rebels take Tripoli (http://www.csmonitor.com/CSM-Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Rebels-take-Tripoli)

He said the rebels had bestowed upon him an honorary Libyan name: Ahmed El Maghrabi Saidi Barga (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/Ahmed+Maghrabi+Saidi+Barga). As he said it, the rebels roared in approval.

Jeon said he was “helping” the rebels, though he didn’t appear to be using firearms.
He was among the first rebel fighters who drove into Nawlifyia to take it from Qaddafi troops, he said. And he’s not worried about staying safe amid the possible battle for Sirte – the rebels have set a Saturday deadline for Qaddafi loyalists there to surrender, before they attack.
“I believe in destiny,” he said.

His plan is to head back to California (http://www.csmonitor.com/tags/topic/California) the day before school starts at the end of September.
How will he buy his ticket? “I have a credit card,” he said.


http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2011/0901/American-college-kid-joins-Libya-rebels-for-vacation

[GPDP]

I don't even know where to begin.

[Le Socialiste]

I don't even know where to begin.

That's exactly where I am.

[CommieTroll]

I think it is typical for an American to be against Gaddafi but you have to admit, that is pretty cool what he did.

[thesadmafioso]

I think it is typical for an American to be against Gaddafi but you have to admit, that is pretty cool what he did.

What? Throwing 800 dollars on his parents credit card so that he could play 'revolutionary' for a few months with real guns? I'm afraid I don't quite see how that can be considered cool, really.

[CommieTroll]

The fact that he even went to a combat zone in the first place but yes, I guess your right.
He must be stupid or insane, maybe both

[Dzerzhinsky's Ghost]

I definately lol'd at reading this. Got more bollox than some.

[A Revolutionary Tool]

Oh gosh he listened to "Holiday in Cambodia" and took it to heart.

[Os Cangaceiros]

There was some story about an Irish teenager turned sniper for the Libyan rebels that I posted in the newswire thread a while back, too.

[Rusty Shackleford]

its not even revolutionary tourism. its imperialism tourism. :lol:

[#FF0000]

There was some story about an Irish teenager turned sniper for the Libyan rebels that I posted in the newswire thread a while back, too.

Well that I can accept, I think. He's a fucking sniper.

This tool is basically a military mascot. He's the Libyan equivalent of an American unit's puppy.

[Os Cangaceiros]

Well, we all hear about the colonel's supposed Colombian and Serbian fighters, so I guess it's only fair.

TBH I've gotten tired of trying to figure out exactly what's happening in Libya. Every thread on this site about the conflict ends with me pinching the bridge of my nose and gritting my teeth.

[jake williams]

What a tool.

I kind of hope he dies. It'd be a bit of a Steve Irwin moment. American kids seem to have this idea that they can go wherever the fuck they want in the world and do whatever the fuck they want, for shits.

[black magick hustla]

why arent there braindead marcytes joining glorious colonel gadaffi and doing the same shit you cowardly motherfuckers at least this guy is a bit more real why u guys are just writing robotic manifestos baying for rebel blood

[Red Commissar]

What? Throwing 800 dollars on his parents credit card so that he could play 'revolutionary' for a few months with real guns? I'm afraid I don't quite see how that can be considered cool, really.

Remember "strong leftist mercenaries?":laugh:

[Salyut]

What? Throwing 800 dollars on his parents credit card so that he could play 'revolutionary' for a few months with real guns? I'm afraid I don't quite see how that can be considered cool, really.

I'm pretty sure that's cheaper then most spring break vacations to be honest...

[L.A.P.]

why arent there braindead marcytes joining glorious colonel gadaffi and doing the same shit you cowardly motherfuckers at least this guy is a bit more real why u guys are just writing robotic manifestos baying for rebel blood

Even if there are some stupid enough to do that, I doubt they would let people know considering they would be wanted for treason. Nice attempt at a cheap shot though.

[A Revolutionary Tool]

I wouldn't be so hard on the guy, I mean if I had the opportunity to go to a country and cheerlead for some group I supported would. I wanted to visit Greece when shit started popping off this year, I would have liked to at least seen Spain during the Civil War if I couldn't fight, I would have liked to be there when the Winter Palace was taken even if I was just on the sidelines. Wouldn't we all? This lucky guy has enough money to pay for it. My bets are that if it was a struggle most of us supported people would be saying "lucky, I want to go" instead of "I hope he dies".

[jake williams]

My bets are that if it was a struggle most of us supported people would be saying "lucky, I want to go" instead of "I hope he dies".
Well, there's a big difference between a progressive struggle and a reactionary struggle. That he thinks something that is clearly the latter rather than the former makes him a dumbass.

Also, it's clear from the context that he's doing it for a drinking story, and doesn't give a shit about the politics. If he went anywhere that a real progressive struggle was going on, but he went there because there were guns and it was fucked up, he'd still be a tool, whether or not the actual struggle was progressive. RevLeft might not call him out for it, but then again, there are a lot of people who do simply support different leftist causes because it's cool and they have guns/tanks etc. and the real left, including this website, does give them shit for it. So, while there probably is more hostility to someone supporting reactionary thugs stupidly than someone who would support leftist guerrillas stupidly, which I think is appropriate, he's still a dumbass.

That he thinks it's progressive makes no difference. If he went as a volunteer for the IDF because he thought Israeli colonialism was a progressive struggle, he'd also be a fucker.

[Susurrus]

This is weird for me, because I actually considered doing the same thing myself(obviously not as a "vacation"), and had I been older I would have unquestionably.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

I wonder how seriously he considered the possibility of getting shot. 21 years old? What's the likelyhood he might actually be younger?

[PhoenixAsh]

Mwah...he could lose his citizenship over this. fighting in the amrmed forces of another nation could get you kicked out of your own. And the US has done this once or twice even when somebody was fighting for friendly nations.

But the most brilliant part of the interview is left out...he ended the interview with:

whatever you do, don't tell my parents! They dont know I am here.

[Sensible Socialist]

I'm not going to shit on this kid as a lot of people here are doing. At the very least, he's experiencing something none of us will. Maybe he'll do some maturing and see the attrocities being committed on both sides. Either way, it's better than getting drunk at the beach during a vacation.

I think people are a little jealous they're not off playing revolutionary. :rolleyes:

[black magick hustla]

Even if there are some stupid enough to do that, I doubt they would let people know considering they would be wanted for treason. Nice attempt at a cheap shot though.

lol wanted for treason by whom?

[Princess Luna]

What a tool.

I kind of hope he dies. It'd be a bit of a Steve Irwin moment. American kids seem to have this idea that they can go wherever the fuck they want in the world and do whatever the fuck they want, for shits.
Fuck you, it's not like he got there and said "Oh shit!! people are shooting at me!!" than called his parents and got a flight back. He actually seems to accept the fact he could die, but views the risk as worth it to be in the middle of a historical event and for that he has more balls (for lack of a better expression) than everybody on this site combined.

[Tablo]

I'm not going to shit on this kid as a lot of people here are doing. At the very least, he's experiencing something none of us will. Maybe he'll do some maturing and see the attrocities being committed on both sides. Either way, it's better than getting drunk at the beach during a vacation.

I think people are a little jealous they're not off playing revolutionary. :rolleyes:
I'd rather be drunk.

[jake williams]

Fuck you, it's not like he got there and said "Oh shit!! people are shooting at me!!" than called his parents and got a flight back. He actually seems to accept the fact he could die, but views the risk as worth it to be in the middle of a historical event and for that he has more balls (for lack of a better expression) than everybody on this site combined.
So does Anders Behring Breivik.

[CleverTitle]

What a tool.

I kind of hope he dies. It'd be a bit of a Steve Irwin moment. American kids seem to have this idea that they can go wherever the fuck they want in the world and do whatever the fuck they want, for shits.
If he dies it'll just be sensationalized in the worst way. "He wanted to fight for their freedom!" Bleh.

I hope he gets shot in the leg or something.

[Tablo]

Why the fuck do you guys care if some dude went to Libya to hang out with some rebels? Who gives a fuck?

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

Even if there are some stupid enough to do that, I doubt they would let people know considering they would be wanted for treason.

Treason - The crime of betraying one's country, esp. by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government.

He's not Libyan.

I don't think he's broken any laws. The only thing that seems applicable to me is the Neutrality Act, and it doesn't apply.

"Whoever, within the United States, knowingly begins or sets on foot or provides or prepares a means for or furnishes the money for, or takes part in, any military or naval expedition or enterprise to be carried on from thence against the territory or dominion of any foreign prince or state, or of any colony, district, or people with whom the United States is at peace, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both." - http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00000960----000-.html

[Rusty Shackleford]

why arent there braindead marcytes joining glorious colonel gadaffi and doing the same shit you cowardly motherfuckers at least this guy is a bit more real why u guys are just writing robotic manifestos baying for rebel blood
rabble rabble rabble.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

So does Anders Behring Breivik.

Brievik is a murderer whose actions were driven by an insane, paranoid "ideology". Where is your evidence that this man has done anything remotely comparable?

[manic expression]

why arent there braindead marcytes joining glorious colonel gadaffi and doing the same shit you cowardly motherfuckers at least this guy is a bit more real why u guys are just writing robotic manifestos baying for rebel blood
lol cuz lyk marxiztz haf lyk 0thr thngs 2 du lolz0rz (http://lmgtfy.com/?q=marxism).

[jake williams]

Brievik is a murderer whose actions were driven by an insane, paranoid "ideology". Where is your evidence that this man has done anything remotely comparable?
The point is, it's not admirable, abstractly, to "have balls". Of course they're not comparable - what I'm saying is, if we're going to respect the guy because "[h]e actually seems to accept the fact he could die, but views the risk as worth it to be in the middle of a historical event and for that he has more balls (for lack of a better expression) than everybody on this site combine," then we would have to accord the same to Mr. Breivik, for the same reasons, which would be absurd.

[human strike]

Spectacular

[Rafiq]

I'm fucking sick of the word 'revolution' being tossed everywhere by Liberal fucks and brain dead college asswipe piss brains.

[Princess Luna]

I'm fucking sick of the word 'revolution' being tossed everywhere by Liberal fucks and brain dead college asswipe piss brains.


Noun

revolution (plural revolutions (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/revolutions#English))


A political upheaval (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/upheaval) in a government or nation state characterized by great change.
The removal (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/removal) and replacement (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/replacement) of a government.
Rotation (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/rotation): the turning of an object around an axis (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/axis).  [quotations ▼]
A rotation (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/rotation): one complete turn of an object during rotation.  [quotations ▼]
In the case of celestial bodies (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/celestial_body) - the traversal of one body through an orbit (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/orbit) around another body.
A sudden, vast change (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/change) in a situation, a discipline (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/discipline), or the way of thinking and behaving.


http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/revolutionLike it or not, the Libyan conflict fits #1 and #2.



The point is, it's not admirable, abstractly, to "have balls". Of course they're not comparable - what I'm saying is, if we're going to respect the guy because "[h]e actually seems to accept the fact he could die, but views the risk as worth it to be in the middle of a historical event and for that he has more balls (for lack of a better expression) than everybody on this site combine," then we would have to accord the same to Mr. Breivik, for the same reasons, which would be absurd.Except the kid in Libya, isn't out to kill as many people as possible in hopes of putting a end to multiculturalism, maybe I am going out on a limb here, but I think that's a pretty damn big difference. Now if someone other than Breivik had done the shooting in Norway, and Breivik just showed up several hours later to see what the commotion was about, than you could make a valid comparsion between him and the kid in Libya.

[Rusty Shackleford]

by example 2. the US has a revolution every 4-8 years.

[Princess Luna]

by example 2. the US has a revolution every 4-8 years.
No the government stays the same, but the people involved change.

[Rafiq]

Like it or not, the Libyan conflict fits #1 and #2.


Oh yes, why don't you pull the fucking dictionary for the definition of class, too.

Those are Bourgeois-Liberal conceptions of revolution.

A revolution includes the overthrowing of one class by another, instilling the interests of the triumphant revolutionary class.

Not a bunch of Racist butcher thugs replacing one shit regime with an even worse one.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

The point is, it's not admirable, abstractly, to "have balls". Of course they're not comparable - what I'm saying is, if we're going to respect the guy because "[h]e actually seems to accept the fact he could die, but views the risk as worth it to be in the middle of a historical event and for that he has more balls (for lack of a better expression) than everybody on this site combine," then we would have to accord the same to Mr. Breivik, for the same reasons, which would be absurd.

Even if you don't think this young man "has balls", even if you think what he is doing is stupid and foolish, how does bringing up the name of a racist murderer serve any purpose other than to poison the well? The biggest danger he presents is to himself.

[Sensible Socialist]

Why do you people care? Don't you people have anything better to do than shit on some kid for seeing different parts of the world? Jesus Christ people, get a hold of yourselves. He's not murdering peasants in a third-world nation, he's examining a signifigant event in our history.

[jake williams]

Even if you don't think this young man "has balls", even if you think what he is doing is stupid and foolish, how does bringing up the name of a racist murderer serve any purpose other than to poison the well? The biggest danger he presents is to himself.
I was simply arguing that the idea that we should abstractly respect someone for putting themselves in danger for their political beliefs is absurd. I don't think that should be controversial. In some cases police breaking up strikes face real risks. We shouldn't respect them for it.

The reality of course is that the only reason we're having this discussion is because there are a lot of people who either still support or at least did support NATO's "rebels", and they're sympathetic to the guy's political views about the "Libyan revolution". Were that not the case, no one would be arguing that we should respect this guy. Which is precisely my point, but since people want to pretend this is an abstract issue of respecting someone for putting themselves in danger, we might as well respect everyone for putting themselves in danger.

[The Douche]

The fact that he even went to a combat zone in the first place but yes, I guess your right.
He must be stupid or insane, maybe both

You think combat is cool?


Grow the fuck up.


That is the least offensive thing I can possibly think of, to say to you. I find your comment absolutely disgusting.

[praxis1966]

You think combat is cool?


Grow the fuck up.


That is the least offensive thing I can possibly think of, to say to you. I find your comment absolutely disgusting.

^Listen to this guy. He's one of the only people on this site who has actually been there. I've known a ton of soldiers and such having grown up in a town with two military bases in it and the only guy I ever heard say that he enjoyed combat was Marine who was a certifiable sociopath before he ever joined the Corps.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

I was simply arguing that the idea that we should abstractly respect someone for putting themselves in danger for their political beliefs is absurd. I don't think that should be controversial. In some cases police breaking up strikes face real risks. We shouldn't respect them for it.

Again your analogy is broken. Cops are class enemies, tools of the ruling class used directly against the workers, while on the other hand this young man is little more than a spectator.


The reality of course is that the only reason we're having this discussion is because there are a lot of people who either still support or at least did support NATO's "rebels", and they're sympathetic to the guy's political views about the "Libyan revolution". Were that not the case, no one would be arguing that we should respect this guy. Which is precisely my point, but since people want to pretend this is an abstract issue of respecting someone for putting themselves in danger, we might as well respect everyone for putting themselves in danger.

Difference is, Anders Breivik and cops endanger more people than themselves.

[Obs]

You think combat is cool?


Grow the fuck up.


That is the least offensive thing I can possibly think of, to say to you. I find your comment absolutely disgusting.
http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/6763/unavngivetit.jpg

50000 hours in MS Paint. At least, this has been my experience in life.

[black magick hustla]

nice inverse square relationship very scientific

[danyboy27]

Mwah...he could lose his citizenship over this. fighting in the amrmed forces of another nation could get you kicked out of your own. And the US has done this once or twice even when somebody was fighting for friendly nations.

But the most brilliant part of the interview is left out...he ended the interview with:

whatever you do, don't tell my parents! They dont know I am here.
Not really, its a crime to serve in the armed forces of a country the U.S is at war with, not allied with.

We got something like that in the canadian criminal code, we are prohibited to join a conflict oversea or to receive training in a country we are at war with. there is nothing in it about siding with those who are on the side of your country.

A guy at my job come from columbia, he received his military training in columbia, and even tho he live in canada and is almost a citizen, he could be called anytime by the columbian army to be incorporated in a unit of the situation demand it (a total war)

Hell, if the guy wanted to he could even join our armed forces.

[Sperm-Doll Setsuna]

No the government stays the same, but the people involved change.

That's not all that off from a description of what's been happening in Libya, either, actually.

[SHORAS]

Spectacular

That's what I thought.

“I just go and see what happens,” That summed it up for me. This is the society we're living in. How long is it before he or someone else is posing with dead bodies while someone writes about the clothes he is wearing and where he got them? (that's probably already happened) We're moving ever closer to a Nathan Barley world.

Though it isn't too absurd. I remember hearing a Welsh travel agent who went to fight in Spain for the fascists as an adventure, just something to do, some excitement. That's what he said anyway.

[gorillafuck]

brain dead college asswipe piss brains.yeah he's a real dumb fuck shit stain ass shit.

but seriously, I don't get the outrage some people have. boy from los angeles agrees with viewpoint held by majority of americans on libya, spends surprisingly small amount of money on plane ticket to go support cause despite knowing risks. I don't see why anyone would think twice about this.

[dodger]

I really start to feel my age, sometimes. I mean to say. Actually no I am lost for words. Yet I once met an interesting lady . She had gone to Mexico at he time of the revolution there. She had travelled to Turkey and seen Sultan deposed ,wandered around hareem.Talked to discarded wives and concubine. Even an English wife. She had then gone on to buy a £12 ticket, and gone to Russia just after the revolution. Travelled down the Volga by steamer. Met Stalin, who said she was 'salt' and offered her a job as a Nanny to his children. Now that lady was interesting, not least because she had gone to Oxford under scholarship. Refused earlier admission to Grammar school, after passing the exam, because she wore hob-nailed boots.i.e. working class. Perhaps I am being unfair comparing the two. but I just cannot help myself. Now she was an adventurer, and all under her own steam too. Academic breaks are what yer make'em.

[Obs]

I really start to feel my age, sometimes. I mean to say. Actually no I am lost for words. Yet I once met an interesting lady . She had gone to Mexico at he time of the revolution there. She had travelled to Turkey and seen Sultan deposed ,wandered around hareem.Talked to discarded wives and concubine. Even an English wife. She had then gone on to buy a £12 ticket, and gone to Russia just after the revolution. Travelled down the Volga by steamer. Met Stalin, who said she was 'salt' and offered her a job as a Nanny to his children. Now that lady was interesting, not least because she had gone to Oxford under scholarship. Refused earlier admission to Grammar school, after passing the exam, because she wore hob-nailed boots.i.e. working class. Perhaps I am being unfair comparing the two. but I just cannot help myself. Now she was an adventurer, and all under her own steam too. Academic breaks are what yer make'em.
Dodger sometimes I can't tell if you're actually an old guy or just really stoned. Either way I like you.

[dodger]

Dodger sometimes I can't tell if you're actually an old guy or just really stoned. Either way I like you.

Believe me Obs, if I could blame my posts on drugs, I would seize the opportunity with both bongs. Thank you for your kind words Obs you are most generous. I like you too. You only have to listen to the song, to know that.....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfBpvow2G-s



:wub::wub::wub::wub::wub:

[dodger]

Trying to keep it real here. Links to one of yours who most definitely became one of ours. Took 'the Queens Shilling'. Albeit as he ruefully told me a subject of her majesty.
In his 90's and still fighting fascism.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjlifPxfMzo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2As0q1ATiU

http://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=william+ash+marxist&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FWilliam _Ash_(pilot)&ei=om01T9yQAcyamQWK5NGTAg&usg=AFQjCNGeBG_96PfnL1tm7IZwPVUTENKw1A

http://www.amazon.com/Under-Wire-Adventures-Legendary-Escape/dp/0312338325/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Hope the above is of some interest !


***********