The VIEW FROM THE TRENCH Honor Roster, represents a list of past individuals recognized as VIEW FROM THE TRENCH Heros.  Stories were originally featured in full on the TRENCH main page.  Please accept my apology if any of the links to the whole story are no longer active.

NOTE:  The decision to recognize an individual as a past or present Hero does not necessarily mean that VIEW FROM THE TRENCH has taken a position with a certain side of a conflict. From time to time, VIEW FROM THE TRENCH has recognized a person or organization that has gone beyond the call of duty, to make a difference in the world that we all live in. Most conflicts or causes have many sides; and often good and bad, like Heros and also Villains are found in each of them. 

September 29, 2004

U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero, stood up to the Federal Government, and the abuses of personal freedom and liberty by the Justice Department, and the Patriot act, and struck down provisions of the act which had authorized the FBI to involuntarily compel both phone companies and internet service providers to turn over access to customer accounts, records and other information.  The same ISPs and Phone companies were also prohibited from ever telling the customer that the search was being requested or had taken place.

In addressing the needs of the Government and of National Security, the Judge stated that National Security was of "paramount value;" but he made a comparison, and stated that personal security was of equal importance, and "especially prized in our system of justice."

The Court stated that the law violated the Fourth Amendment, on the grounds, in part,  because it bared and detered any judicial challenge to the Government's search.  The Court went on to state that the law also violated the First Amendment; because it included a permanent ban of any disclosure to the customer that a search had been requested or had taken place.

Judeg Marrero noted that the Supreme Court recently said that a "state of war is not a blank check for the president when it comes to the rights of the nation's citizens."

Marrero stated: "Sometimes a right, once extinguished, may be gone for good."

RACHEL CORRIE, age 23, of Olympia, Washington.  She gave her life for her belief's, and View From The Trench Salutes her courage, her spirit, and her memory.

On March 17, 2003, it was reported by CNN:

Israeli bulldozer kills American protester

RAFAH, Gaza (CNN) -- An Israeli bulldozer killed an American woman Sunday who had been protesting its use to destroy Palestinian houses in Rafah.

A link to an email that Corrie sent to her parents on Feb. 7, 2003.  It is excellent material, and a real insight into the heart and mind of this View From The Trench Hero. http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0319-01.htm

http://www.counterpunch.com/niva03172003.html

http://bbsnews.net/bw2003-03-17a.html

http://www.awitness.org/news/july_2001/palestinians_american_indians.html