Who is ElbyJames?
ElbyJames is an American disabled combat vet exiled in the UK—a PTSD survivor. He deployed to al-Anbar Provence in support of OIF III in 2005. He survived.
He’s a social & cultural critic who writes about Americana from the outside through his lowbrow take on life.
Elby’s a Free Speech absolutist; you have to be if you’re to succeed in journalism or writing or life in general. The core of a free speech absolutist’s belief is the idea that only through a free exchange of views can we reach the “truth.”
Free speech is more than just the right to speak your mind and express your opinions. It’s also about the right to persuade, to listen and to be heard, to deliberate with fellow citizens, and to seek and find the truth in democratic self-government.
ElbyJames’ Reality
He’s lived all over the United States. He grew up in Japan for just over three years. He’s lived and worked in Iraq.
ElbyJames has been deployed to Iraq in 2005 in support of OIF III then redeployed for two years to the streets in 2008. The new enemy was post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, and mental health in general.
He now presently lives in London.
Accolades?
ElbyJames has been a guest blogger for the HuffPost and had story’s featured in Slate and The New York Times. He’s also been featured in the Aspect, the Startup, and The Writhing Cooperative.
He was even interviewed by Canada's NewsTalk 1010. You can listen to it here.
Occasionally Elby’s a Top Writer.
My Three Favorite Posts
“Don’t tell me what I want to hear, tell me what I don’t want to hear.” —Elby
