The SEMA show is the largest Auto Trade Show in the world. It's not open to the public, but you can get in right here! Featuring interviews with Vic Edlebrock, Myles Kovacs (founder of DUB Mag), Jason Debler, Chris Frezza, Tim DeYoung, Lisa Angeline, and John Fitzpatrick. From a Corvette car chase to plenty of super-models, this is one of the best insider views into the SEMA Show.





But it doesn't end with this one film. Over the next few weeks I will be uploading a massive amount of pictures and even more HD footage from the show featuring classic Hot-Rods, and the latest innovations from the automotive world. Oh, and yes, there will be even more supermodels.


For those with a strong connection and computer, check out this film in it's best resolution here:

SEMA 2009 from Casey J Porter on Vimeo.

Would love to hear feedback from you!

This is the first look at my new film SEMA 2009.  It features Vic Edelbrock, Myles Kovacs (founder of DUB Mag), Jason Debler, Chris Frezza, Tim DeYoung, and John Fitzpatrick.  There is also a really cool Corvette car chase and tons and tons of models.

SEMA 2009 online Dec/ 14th!

YouTube:




For those with a strong connection and good computer, the Vimeo link:

It's a term I had never heard of until my friend Nathan Kennedy called me. He had to make a film for class and Food Insecurity and the Capital Area Food Bank. He called because he knew this guy that makes movies, and has excellent taste in music. Yes, of course, it was me. So the music in it is great! It's an excellent short flick and something I encourage you to share with your friends.

Food Insecurity:

Well, at last IVAW has released a statement in regards to the Carl Webb removal.  I had a general statement ready to go and was only going to make minor changes depending of IVAW's Board of Directors statements.  But after reading it, I decided just to start over.

First, let me thank IVAW Executive Director Jose Vasquez.  His constant professionalism was clear in every conversation we had.  While he may not agree with everything that I did, he was cool and levelheaded throughout or dealings with each other.

However the Board of Directors once again proves that they can't let it go without letting you know their feelings got hurt.  In their brief statement, which took days to write, ( no wonder the anti-war movement can't get anything done ) they referred to me as being as divisive as Webb himself.

"Subsequently, the Board voted a lifetime ban on former member Casey Porter. Mr Porter was as destructive to IVAW with his attempts to have Mr Webb removed as Mr Webb was with his own divisiveness. Therefore the Board felt it necessary to make it very clear to all members (or former members) that tactics meant only to divide IVAW will not be tolerated."

First, the forgot the "J".  Probably on purpose.  While this will be my last letter in regards to this, I'd like to know how they came to that conclusion?  There has been some false information going around that I asked people to leave.  While I did forward on letters to the board from other people calling for it, I made it clear not only to them, but Jose Vasquez and Selena Coppa, that it was not my intent or mission to do so.  I also texted Mr. Vasquez reaffirming it.  So let me say it again: I did not ask or advocate anyone leave IVAW over Carl Webb.  What I did is what the board should have done; the right thing about Carl, and keeping their membership informed.

It also leads me to wonder if this is a reply because they don't know how to really reply to all of this?  They feel that they must say something, no matter how out of kilter with reality?  Is it a childish attempt to take a shot at me?  Perhaps it's meant to anger me?  Well, it doesn't.  I've stated time and time again that I think a lifetime ban on a member who resigned months ago is funny.  I am absolutely sincere  when I say that when I was informed about this I really did laugh myself silly.

IVAW's BoD demonstrates double standards often, all I did is what I've always done:  Called people out on their behavior.

Why was "YES" taken down?  If Carl Webb was removed I told Mr. Vasquez that I would take it down.  This was not a deal that was brokered, I simply told him if the board did the right thing, I would take it down.  There is no sense in keeping it up and having them field phone calls and questions for a matter that was already resolved.  True to my word, I took it down.

Some people will call this "my" victory.  But it is far from that.  If it had not been for all of you, this would not have happened.  I take it very seriously when you take action on my part.  I will never steer you wrong or lie to you, and it's a reputation I've worked very hard to build.  I won't let you down.  So to my family, friends, fans, and supporters: Thank You.


Casey J Porter

P.S.  I'm still better looking than all the guys that helped.  Just want to be clear on that.


Below is IVAW's complete statement:
 
A letter from the Board on recent violations to the Code of Conduct.
Posted Fri, 12/04/2009 - 12:36pm

Dear members of IVAW,

The Board voted on Tuesday, 01 December 09, to revoke the membership of Carl Webb for continued violations of the Code of Conduct (section 1, (a) divisive behavior towards a fellow member, employee or volunteer, as well as, (f) Refusal to follow official policies set forth in the bylaws or by the Board ) . Mr Webb has been given many chances to comply with our Code of Conduct to include an official written letter from the Board in the early summer of 2009. This vote had nothing to do with any of Mr Webb's political opinions but rather his stated aims to divide IVAW and force other members to quit.

Subsequently, the Board voted a lifetime ban on former member Casey Porter. Mr Porter was as destructive to IVAW with his attempts to have Mr Webb removed as Mr Webb was with his own divisiveness. Therefore the Board felt it necessary to make it very clear to all members (or former members) that tactics meant only to divide IVAW will not be tolerated.

Also the Board voted to give a letter of warning to another member who has violated the Code of Conduct but in a manner that the Board felt was not purposeful or hurtful in intent. Furthermore the Board has voted to review the Code of Conduct and ensure that it is a living document that is known and respected by the membership. In accordance with that idea the Board voted to form a committee to review and amend the Code of Conduct for presentation to the membership for a vote at our next convention. Please email Board@ivaw.org if you would like to be on this committee.

The Board of Directors feels it imperative that IVAW be a safe space for all of our members, staff, and allies so please feel free to review the Code of Conduct in the documents section of the members area of our website.

In Solidarity,

Board of Directors
Iraq Veterans Against the War

From Chuck Luther:

To IVAW Board Members and Director,

My name is Chuck Luther from FT HOOD, Texas. I am a real combat veteran and have documentation of every claim that I make. I joined IVAW officially in the fall of 2007 after being thrown away after being used up by the U S Army. I was contacted a couple of times by Brian Hannah about attending a meeting. I was unable to do so because of my work schedule. I stayed as a member but not actively participating for lack of knowledge of what to do to help or further the group. I founded and currently direct Disposable Warriors, Soldiers Advocacy Group here in FT Hood for soldiers rights and the policing of the Army commanders. I handle currently around 60 active cases, and have over 70 resolved. I met Mike Kern and Cindy Thomas in the spring of this year(2009) and joined forces with Mike to stand up the FT Hood chapter again for IVAW. I believe that FT Hood is crucial in the success of continuing the mission of IVAW, the only problem what I have seen of IVAW as a whole is a small group of individuals that have a mission and goal, but the whole does not communicate or support. I see that the chapters seem to be doing there own thing and the organization seems fractured and broke. The name recognition is there for IVAW, but yet the respect or credibility is not. Here at FT Hood for example, the commanders think of IVAW as a trouble making, terrorist loving, chaotic group. This is not what I believed IVAW to be when I joined. I am very saddened by comments that have been made by member Carl Webb. I agree that the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan are illegal and worthless, but I would never take joy of a fallen brother or sister. I work with a lot of senators and congressman along with the Chief and Vice Chief of Staff of the Army and the Secretary of Defense on issues regarding our troops and family members. I cannot allow my own reputation or credibility to be affected by people like Carl Webb. I do not expect IVAW to lose sleep over just my resignation, but if you look closely there are a lot of members like me that have left or will be leaving due to this type of behaviour. I think that the mission is to take care of our soldiers and bring change to this military usage. The only thing that we as a whole at IVAW are doing as of now is hurting our soldiers and losing any attention that we may have to help stop these occupations. Thank you for your time and I encourage the board to force the resignation of Carl Webb and others like him before IVAW is damaged beyond repair


V/R

Chuck Luther
Founder/Executive Director
DisposableWarriors
S.A.G. ( Soldiers Advocacy Group)
FT HOOD, TX
202-465-2059
www.disposablewarriors.com

I am former member of Iraq Veterans Against The War (IVAW).  I resigned from IVAW a couple months ago when I noticed the organization as a whole going downwards.  I feel now I should tell everyone why I left IVAW since there is an important vote on Tuesday by the board members of IVAW on weather to keep or kick Carl Webb out of the organization.  I know some members may be aware of this situation and I also know a great percent have no clue what is or has gone on in IVAW.  Many of you joined IVAW got a t-shirt and that was the last you heard from IVAW.  IVAW has a set of rules know as the Code of Conduct which all members must abide by and the board members must enforce, but during my time in the organization I noticed neither of these things where going on.  The Code of Conduct goes like this in IVAW:  If we like you and we agree with your politics and you get media attention for yourself or IVAW its ok if you break the Code of Conduct. But if we don’t like you or agree with your politics or you don’t get media attention we are going to punish you for violating the Code of Conduct.  I know of a couple incidents where this happened.

Board member Matthis Chiroux “The IVAW War Hero” is a fraud and a liar  He has also admitted to having knowledge of the raping of women, and he himself has confessed to this crime as well.  Matthis claims he is against the war because he has seen the horror of war, but in reality he never served in a combat zone for the most we know he spent 5 days in Afghanistan with a General eating at Burger King.  He also claims he has PTSD.  PTSD is nothing to joke around with its not the cool thing to have like some people like Matthis and Carl Webb would like to believe.  I, like many other Veterans suffer from this and I find it a slap in the face for a piece of shit like him to claim he has PTSD.  How he got this I only can guess.  I guess you, Matthis, got PTSD from raping women.

Matthis also broke the  IVAW Code of Conduct section D.

D.  Mismanagement of misappropriation of IVAW funds.

On Saturday July 19,2008 Matthis held what he called a State of the Union fundraiser for IVAW, but he clearly states in the description “All proceeds from the BBQ will go to Matthis emergency rent fund with the extra going to IVAW” Here is the link to the facebook event.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=19072868538&ref=share

I emailed the board and some other members numerous times about this and guess what happened?  Not a damn thing.  The response I got was nothing, but the response another member got from Camilo about this issue was “I know for sure that at the time Matthis raised the funds he was working full time on his IRR campaign, and he clearly said he would use some of the money to pay for his rent. It was front center on the event's flyer. So, at the very least we know he was honest.”

So I took this response as if you where honest about using the IVAW name to raise funds it was ok.  So before I left IVAW I held a fundraiser at Treasures, a local strip club in Houston in which I raised money and gave it to the members of IVAW Houston to pay bills, but at least I was honest about it, right?

There was an incident a while back with a former board member in which she was removed from the board in a quick manner.  Selena Coppa was removed from the board and was threatened with possible removal from the organization as a whole due to the fact she made a post about some members of IVAW (Camilo Mejia) on her personal blog.  Then she was instructed to apologize for this post which she did, but not to the liking of some of the board members.  It is claimed that she broke the Code of Conduct and according to the board it was due to the slanderous nature of the blog, directed at several individuals (Camilo Mejia). She was removed within days not weeks or months, but days.

It’s funny though that she was held in violation of the Code of Conduct when that incident started with Camilo Mejia’s own violation of the Code of Conduct.

Section H in the IVAW code of conduct which states “any act that
constitutes discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin,
gender, sexual orientation, disability, religious belief, or political
orientation.”

It is my belief that Camilo violated this code when he wrote such a disrespectful letter to a member mocking that member’s political beliefs.   What he stated in his letter to Selena was to check out other organizations who “loooove the constitution”, he also accused her of being “out of touch” because she loves the constitution and that she needs to leave IVAW.  I take it that IVAW is being run by a bunch of radicals?  What happened about this?  Nothing will ever happen  Why won’t it?  Because he got media attention and he is friends with all the board members... oh and yeah hes a socialist.  So are several board members.

On to the main reason I typed this letter up: Carl Webb.  First, and foremost no one knows for sure that he is even eligible to be a member of IVAW.  People have seen his military records and there is nothing there since 1992.  Many members and former members like myself emailed and contacted national about this and we where also told we will get that to you.  Well it’s been a year and nothing from the IVAW national office has never confirmed they even have a correct DD214 for him.  Sounds like to me that are hiding something.  Carl also supports the killing of American troops.  Hear it in Carl’s own words in Casey J Porter’s latest film “Yes”


 
He also told a disabled female veterans “I’d rather see your kids be orphaned and not Iraqi kids” see for yourself.

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp359/CaseyJPorter/Carl%20Webb/Webb.jpg

Tuesday the board will vote to keep Carl Webb or kick him out of the organization.  I firmly believe this vote would not even be taking place if it was not from the pressure that some members, former members, and supporters of IVAW are putting on Board of Directors.  Is Carl Webb the type of person you want representing you?  If the answer is no call and email the board let them know Carl needs to be removed from the organization immediately.  Many of use have friends or know of people who have been killed in these wars and Carl Webb supports there deaths.  How does that make you feel?

As IVAW continues to support the likes of Matthis Chiroux, Camilo Mejia, and Carl Webb they are supporting many other things.  They are saying its ok to rape, it’s ok to support the killing of American troops, and we support you if you are socialist.  By supporting these values IVAW might as well spit in the face of the families of the loved ones that have lost a family member in war zone because there members support the killing of American troops.

If you are truly against the war and really want to help service members and veterans receive the care they need leave IVAW.  It has become pseudo-radical and will continue to further go that way.  It won’t be long before IVAW will be listed as an extremist group with the views and speech many of the members put out.  You don’t need IVAW, IVAW needs you.  Trust me, your voice will be louder and more respected without the backing of an organization as IVAW.

Please do the right thing.

Sincerely,
Brandon Neely

During my last deployment, within my Battalion, innocent civilian lives were lost.  Not that is new news, but unlike so many stories we hear, this was has proof to back it up.  During a fire mission last year an order was ignored to pull back 200 meters and U.S. rounds impacted a village killing civilians.  There were Soldiers filming the event, and they also sat down, while still in Iraq, to confirm the footage they shot.  I hope that you not only take the time watch it, but contact the Department of Defense, your Reps, and the U.S. Army.  The Battalion leadership info is in the very beginning of the film.

Fire Mission:



I've gotten mostly positive feedback in regards to my e-mails about Carl Webb.  Others has voiced their anger and the question of why should it matter?  After talking to my attorney some time ago about him, he laid it out.  My lawyer has defended many Soldiers against injustice within the Army.  But before that he was an Army Prosecutor.  Many in the anti-war movement want to see more Active Duty Service Members "resist" going overseas.  If any of these service members are in IVAW it creates a massive legal problem for them, and for IVAW as a whole.  The Service Member could be 100% peaceful, but all that prosecutor has to do is show Webb's posts about sabotage and you might as well call it quits for that Soldier.  It could, and will probably at some point lead to IVAW being labeled as radical and dangerous by at least the Army.  Think I am overstating things?  While I don't burn sources, I can tell you that the Army has given it serious thought.

I am not a legal professional, but my lawyer is not the only one shares this opinion.  Many have contested this fact because other lawyers disagree.  These lawyers almost always descend from The National Lawyers Guild and are activist-lawyers, not lawyers.  Don't let the urge to be told what you want to hear cloud you from the truth.

Carl Webb has disrespected disabled Female Vets:
http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp359/CaseyJPorter/Carl%20Webb/Webb.jpg

Has clearly violated IVAW's Code of Conduct:
http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp359/CaseyJPorter/Carl%20Webb/carl1.jpg
and
http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp359/CaseyJPorter/Carl%20Webb/carl2.jpg

Proof of advocating sabotage:
http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp359/CaseyJPorter/Carl%20Webb/CarlWebb4.jpg

I know many of you out there don't like me.  Do not ignore the facts in Fire Mission or the threat Carl poses to IVAW and your movement as whole just because you don't like me.

Tuesday is the day the vote on Webb.

board@ivaw.org / 646.723.0989

Thank You,
Casey J Porter

If I am going to put someone like Carl Webb, and IVAW, on blast for things that
are wrong, I will also highlight the positive.

Today I was sent a link to the following petition written by IVAW Member T.J. Buonomo:


Petition to IVAW BoD to Prohibit Encouragement of Violence
Posted Thu, 11/19/2009 - 4:02am - Thomas J. Buonomo

IVAW Members,

A number of you have expressed your disapproval of numerous statements made by IVAW Member Carl Webb encouraging or expressing support for the use of violence against U.S. troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

While I recognize the right of all peoples under occupation to engage in resistance using whatever means they deem necessary, I feel that it is distasteful to encourage or express support for the killing of our troops, the vast majority of which I believe are doing their best to fix the consequences of disastrous and immoral decisions made by the previous political administration.

I believe that individuals guilty of war crimes should be held accountable according to the rule of law regardless of their position in the chain of command but we should not engage in blanket condemnation of our troops, most of whom have a limited understanding of the political objectives involved in these conflicts and are operating to their best ability according to the laws of war.

Encouragement or expression of support for violence against our troops is furthermore not in the interests of our organization. Statements such as those which Carl Webb has made are without a doubt a political liability as well as a legal and security risk, particularly in the aftermath of the Ft. Hood massacre and the knowledge that the shooter was in contact with a militant Yemenese cleric prior to the incident.

During my short time on the Board I attempted to have the Code of Conduct amended to prohibit such statements but my proposed amendment was overwhelmingly opposed. I subsequently resigned in protest and am now appealing to you as a member to pressure the Board to reconsider its decision. The Board's implicit sanction of Carl Webb's statements places them in potential legal jeopardy and, more urgently, presents a security risk to all of us, regardless of whether or not we sympathize with Carl's views. If an incident similar to what happened at Ft. Hood were connected to our organization it could invite physical retaliation against us by self-appointed vigilantes. For all of these reasons I implore you to support this petition.

My goal is to obtain the signatures of at least 100 IVAW members, including as many of the founders of the organization as I am able to contact. The petition is simple: if you agree that the Board of Directors should amend the Code of Conduct to prohibit the "encouragement or expression of support for the use of violence in pursuit of IVAW's mission, goals and objectives" then respond to this email accordingly with a 'yes'. If you disagree then you are not required to do anything.

If I cannot obtain the minimum number of signatures I am seeking I will likely resign from the organization and would encourage you consider doing the same. This decision would pain me, having been a member for over two years and having served in the National Office and on the Board with people I deeply admire and respect, but I am not willing to associate myself with what I regard to be a group of extremists who, in their pursuit of justice, are willing to embrace a set of morally dubious values.

To reiterate, if you agree that the Board should prohibit "encouragement or expression of support for the use of violence in pursuit of IVAW's mission, goals and objectives" please respond with a simple 'yes' or 'yea'. I would also encourage you to call and email Board members collectively and individually to express your support for this motion. Lastly, please also pass this along through private channels to other members whom I may not have contact information for.

Thank you for reading and I look forward to your responses.

T.J. Buonomo
Former Military Intelligence Officer, U.S. Army
Member, Iraq Veterans Against the War
tj@ivaw.org