Interview: Corporal Jayel Aheram, Iraq War Photographer

[arraignloq]

what is everyones chosen weapon? i like the rpg personally. its simple to be able to obliterate every body with it! my roomie calls me a noob for using it however who cares. i am somewhat unique perhaps! however at the very least i didnt have to pay for the game. i downloaded it absolutely free by mw2forfreeZinfo (replace Z with . ) a couple of days ago

[bobitsuki]

Such a fine a man!

[benito1188]

cute pinoy accent

[wcduke]

Wow, I'm having a lot of difficulty with this video. So many thoughts. First, I know nothing of this young man except what I've seen here, so maybe he has some talent, I don't know. When Sam was going through the list, defining "creativist", the word "killer" was used. THIS IS A GOOD THING? In my mind, this negates most, if not all, of the other positive words in his description, regardless of the fact that it was during a war. His only experience is an unjust war, so who has he killed? This...

[wcduke]

...entire video felt like an affirmation of this young man who is very misguided, in my opinion. As a person who also grew up in a military family, I can assure you, it's a very different world. War and violence are glamorized. It is inescapable. It can't NOT affect you. His views today have been informed by this attitude, I guarantee it. I've written before in Sam's WOW forum that we need to change the paradigm in this country. The military should not be unquestionably admired. It is...

[wcduke]

..."old school thought" that needs to change. How about admiring/respecting the Peace Corp? How about encouraging our youth to affect change this way, instead of the military? The military's purpose is NOT peace-keeping, don't fool yourself. Sam, "sometimes you gotta punch someone in the face"? Wow, very disappointing. Instead, he could have talked to the guy and explained how he was wrong. Couldn't it be said that punching someone in the face is an act of war? Violence is NEVER the answer.

[wcduke]

This young man is just that - young. His experiences are actually not that worldly, his whole life has been centered around the military which offers a VERY narrow view. Everyone reading this should look up the word "jingoism" if you're not already familiar with it.

[ladolcevita210]

@wcduke id like to punch you in the face. why you gotta be so disrespectful, so people should unquestionably respect the peace corp when nobody even knows what the fuck they do.

[sekydsined]

What a beautiful, positive, talented young AMERICAN man! A wonderful example of a member of our military!  Makes me even more than ever want to be supportive of our troops! Thank you, Sam, and Thank you, Jayel.

[ivyshoots]

Jayel, what a wonderful, positive, interesting person you are! This video really made my day; your outlook on life and the world is so inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing your art and thoughts with the rest of us and thanks to Sam for introducing us to Jayel! (And a woo-hoo for Ron Paul!)

[SpiritLightWorks]

God Bless you my dear and keep you safe. Thank you for all you are doing for our country and the rest of the world in the cause for freedom and peace for us all. xoxox

[christopherinsc1981]

Wonderful pictures and a great interview!

[robertantonnyc]

there is so much going on Sam. Thanks Jayel for sharing your time with us.

[iluv2singnchoir]

Thank You for all that you do, Jayel.

-Nancy

[LynNetterBug]

Thank you Sam for this wonderful interview of Jayel, he is an incredible person.

[yayayoga]

Jayel, I love your work. Sam, thank you for bringing him to your vlog people! I look forward to seeing his work all over the place in the future. xoxo

[MidgeDog]

Great FF Sam. Jayel is interesting, talented, passionate and very cute. His photos are very inspiring.

[SitiHarold]

Thank you for this excellent interview =) This guy is the same age as I am and can I just say that he's wise beyond his years, wiser than everybody I know. And he's smart and intelligent and creative and handsome. Basically, he's a catch. Lucky girl whoever gets him =D

[pennyronning]

Wonderful interview. Thank you, Sam and THANK YOU, Jayel. I am glad to know, Jayel that you want to take advantage of the new GI bill and return to school! Good for you! My prayers will be with you as they are with all of our troops and the Iraqi people.

[ElfBoyProduction]

Sam I love the passion you have when interviewing, cant wait for the tv show.

Jayel Aheram WOW very interesting, humble and handsome. Is he married?

[Jaromani]

Cool guy. :D

[ccm800]

boy oh boy oh boy is he handsome

[Novlover]

As a retired librarian, I wish I had more students like you. Jayel you would never have been banned from my library. You are a talented, sensitive, wise beyond your years young man. May you have a safe and happy life.

[onepeacenow]

Thank you, Jayel. You're balance is an inspiration. I admire that you recognize that as with all art, as with all of life,

all is open to be tasted through perception.

You illuminate the qualities of a mindful, peaceful warrior.

Infinite Blessings to you.

Sam, thank you for this wonderful interview.

xoxo Tresa

[romydale]

Thank you Jayel

[bcdoula]

Great interview....such a wise young man. Thanks for introducing him to us!!

[bulbheadmyass]

Thank you, Jayel, and wishing you a safe holiday.

[mindya12]

Yes!!!! OH yes.  Thank you so much Jayel for protecting and serving for our country. I'm so sorry I didn't mention that. Blessings always.

[dawnzafar]

Sam & Jayel- I love Friend Friday today. Wonderful interview and both of you are too cute for words.  Thanks for giving us the vlog today. Love you both from a Canadian. LOL!

[rainyjane10]

What a talented young man! Michael said you are checking comments for questions, marraige proposals, etc. :-) so how would you feel about being "kept" by an older woman??? Just joking. Your photography is amazing. Thank you for sharing.

[Raykelaz]

What an amazing young man! And can we be done with the whole "real American" crap now? I think someone who's actually fought to defend our country has a bigger claim on being a "real American" than the rest of us combined.

God bless, Jayel!

[sign543]

Wonderful work, Jayel and a wonderful choice for a Friend Friday segment. He could be David Archuleta's older brother!

[rextrek]

very nice interview- and what a cute guy..too -- and you too sam! Peace- Rex

[mindya12]

24 years old!! He's all those things and have seen so many things! A Creativist! AMEN! He's an articulate, brilliant young man, and he gives me hope for the future. I hope all other young people follow his lead, he's going to be very successful in his life. Thank you for introducing him to us Sam. Great FF!!!

[ermfine2]

BRAVO Jayel great interview! I learned that you and I have some core things in common. I love your work but I respect your views and openness. Congrats on all your success.

~Liz F. :)

[VLPRESL]

jayel is amazing on so many levels. his passion for his craft of photography certainly shows through in his photos. he is so well spoken and certainly sets a great example for the young people of today. thank you so much sam for giving us the opportunity to get to know jayel, and with his amazing talent, i know he will have a very bright future! xoxo-vicki

[rts12a]

The way Jayel's eyes side looked at you, he either appeared he was in awe of you, or he was afraid.

[aheram]

Intimidated. But I should not have been, because he really was nice.

[mindya12]

You are amazing and Sam is amazing so you were in perfect company Jayel. You are so talented and so intelligent, no one should ever intimidate you. You stand tall and proudly all on your own. I love your work. I myself am an amateur photographer. I will send you my link. You are going to be a huge success! Blessings!

[VLPRESL]

jayel, my daughter is majoring in photography at the sanfrancisco art institute. if she can have half of the passion,creativity, and talent that you have, i know she will be successful too, in this field:-) -vicki

[VLPRESL]

jayel, the most important thing that i didn't mention was thank you so much for serving our country! you, and all of our men and women in the military are our TRUE heroes. -vicki