Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Catastrophe or Victory??

In a recent speech to the American Legion convention, Donald Rumsfeld quoted Clemenceau saying, “War is a series of catastrophes resulting in victory.” When are we going to see any evidence of the victory we have been promised so many times? We, the American public, have waited patiently while our soldiers die in increasing numbers. We have seen Iraq deteriorate into a vicious civil war in which the occupying troops are caught in a crossfire. How many more catastrophes must we endure before we see “victory?”

We must all demand an immediate end to this fantasy the administration has created in their own minds. Maybe President Bush and his advisors cannot see the truth but anyone else surely can. The daily reports of violence and instability along with the daily losses suffered by American forces are enough to tell any reasonable person that victory is not on the horizon. The time has come to change course and withdraw from Iraq. Only by leaving the country to the Iraqis is there any hope of ending the catastrophe that is our occupation.

We Are In Danger of Losing Our Country

Democracy itself is being challenged by ongoing world events. Today the effort to impose democracy from without (America in Iraq) is most often equated with death by military action or from improvised bombs. Very little benefit can be seen to date to the continuing occupation and the damage to both Iraq and to America continues to grow. In this venture our government has alienated many of our foreign allies, spent untold billions of dollars much of which is unaccountable, and cost the lives of more than 2600 of our soldiers. The American military is stretched to near the breaking point as troops are repeatedly reassigned to Iraq. The ready reserves including men in their 50’s are being recalled to active duty. By allowing terrorism to overshadow all other national concerns we are failing as a country.

We can no longer afford to continue down this path. The sooner we withdraw from Iraq the sooner we can begin to restore some measure of both domestic and international tranquility. The handwriting is on the wall. We are pursuing a failing course which is worsening with time. The costs are simply too high. We have no more children to lose. We are in danger of losing our country as we knew it if we fail to change course very soon.

Sunday, August 27, 2006

Support the Troops--Bring Them Home Today

The time has come to support our troops with real certitude and with unfailing dedication. No longer can we sit by and watch our military members sent back for deployment after deployment in Iraq. No longer can we allow the reserve and national guard members to be taken from families and jobs to face an uncertain future in Iraq. Such ongoing misuse of our troops is unconscionable if we aim to support our troops.

We must insist on withdrawal from Iraq as soon as possible. We find ourselves today occupying a country in the midst of a civil war. American and other foreign troops are caught in the crossfire. The longer we stay the higher will be our casualty numbers. The more often a soldier is assigned a risky chore, the more likely an injury or death.

If we wish to support our troops we need to take action today. Write or call your Congressional representatives. Send a letter to the editor of any newspaper. With concerted action we can give our troops the support they so soundly deserve. To support to any lesser degree is not an option.

No Permanent Bases in Iraq

President Bush and his advisors continually use the expression “cut and run” as criticism for opponents of the Iraqi occupation. The opposite of “cut and run” is permanent occupation. With the building of an impressive compound in the Green Zone along with several permanent bases in other parts of the country we are embarked on a course of permanent occupation. This is one more part of the current “stay the course” strategy that needs to be changed.

Our troops are dying on a daily basis. More than 2600 are dead to date and many thousands injured too badly to return to duty. Hundreds will require a lifetime of care as a result of their injuries. Will we, the American, public allow such injuries and deaths to continue for an indefinite future? The installation of permanent bases in Iraq guarantees the exposure of our troops to ongoing risks. Only by withdrawing all our troops and leaving those established bases can we stop the blood shed.

Leave Iraq to the Iraqis

Day by day we see the failure of military force in Iraq. Since the initial invasion terrorist attacks against both foreign military members and against Iraqi forces have increased steadily. Every hallmark of progress as reported by the administration and touted in the press has been followed by increasing evidence of failure on the ground. One only look to the recent looting of a British base once the troops left as an example of the abject failure to ready the Iraqis for defense of their own country.

Given the apparent increasing failure of military force, the single prudent course left for pursuit is complete withdrawal of foreign troops. Once that withdrawal is accomplished the Iraquis will have an opportunity to establish their own independent society. So long as an occupying force continues its presence the Iraqis have little or no incentive to make progress on their own.

Cleaning up the Mess in Iraq

In our households as well as in our international affairs cleanup is a messy but necessary affair. In the ongoing occupation of Iraq, cleanup is not possible. The threat to anyone involved in positive events is too large. International groups offering aid are often attacked. Civilians involved in various humanitarian efforts are highly at risk of kidnapping or murder. To stay the course is to continue or worsen the messy situation. We, the American public, need a new and different plan.

On the surface it appears the continued presence of foreign troops acts as a catalyst for terrorists. The foreigners are an easy target with their uniforms and vehicles. Only inside the fabled Green Zone are troops and foreign civilians safe from attack. When one cleans a kitchen made a mess by the children, one begins by removing the children from the area. Removing our troops from Iraq would allow the locals to being the process of cleaning up the mess we have made. With help from outside agencies that cleanup may be a successful venture. So long as the children stay in the kitchen the mess cannot be cleared.

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

We Must Leave Iraq NOW

In a news conference this week President Bush clearly stated what has been widely accepted earlier that Iraq had no part in the events of 9/11. The primary reason for the war as stated more than once was the removal of Saddam Hussein and the subsequent democratization of the Middle East. News reports continually demonstrate just how unsuccessful this course continues to be.

Democracy has never been instilled by military force. We are seeing a rising resistance to American occupation as measured by ever increasing numbers of insurgent attacks on our forces. In addition the numbers of Iraqi civilians killed is growing steadily. How can anyone expect democracy to arise from such a course?

Saddam Hussein has been deposed. An elected government is his replacement. And yet the President tells us the American presence must continue at least until the end of his term. To what end will we continue the occupation? Will an unending occupation insure peace and democracy in the Middle East? Or will the occupation just lead to more American deaths and end in civil war in the country?

We must leave Iraq as soon as possible if we are to have any hope of real peace in the Middle East. Our presence in Iraq is an ongoing irritation that serves as a focus of Arab and international anger directed toward our country. If we are to begin rebuilding international relations and begin once again to lead in the world we must begin by ending the occupation of Iraq.

Civil Disobedience

First Liet. Ehren Watada, an infantry officer, stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington, has taken a strong personal stance against the war in Iraq. Watada has refused to deploy with his unit and as a result faces charges that may lead to time in jail and a dishonorable discharge under military law. Watada argues that the invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq was “manifestly illegal” in violation of international treaties and conventions. The taking of such a stance is a mark of personal honor and integrity few others of us display today.

In the past civil disobedience brought changes in both the law and in our society as a whole. One only need think of the bus boycott in Birmingham, AL, and the subsequent changes in civil rights in that city. If more citizens took a personal stance in opposition to the occupation of Iraq we, too, could change the future. Doing nothing insures a continuation of the present course and is no longer an acceptable position.

Sunday, August 20, 2006

The Cost of Iraq is Too High to Afford

The current war in Iraq is now more than 4 years in length. Even World War II was shorter in duration. What do we have to show for all this time in fighting? In excess of $500 billion has been spent. More than 2600 Americans are dead and more than 15,000 wounded, many too severely to return to the military. Uncounted thousands of Iraqi citizens including many hundreds of women and children have died. Basic services such as electricity, food, and clean water are at a premium in most areas of Iraq. Osama Bin Laden remains on the run as a result of our leaving Agfhanistan to pursue the invasion of Iraq. Attacks directed at American forces are steadily increasing in both number and in deadly effect.

How much longer must we subject ourselves to this course? What price are we, the American public, willing to pay for this unending war? The administration continues to assure we are making progress while we are also reminded the war has no end in sight. This is unconscionable. We must demand an end to the occupation with rapid withdrawal of our forces. Otherwise we face an unending loss of lives, property, and dollars. Our society can no longer afford the price of this occupation.

Saturday, August 19, 2006

Paying the way in Iraq

Recent news reports put the costs of the ongoing occupation of Iraq at as much as $250 million per day. How many children could be sent to college for that amount? How many people could be given free or reduced price health care for that price? How much of the Katrina damage could we rebuild with a few days worth of that money? Overall how much good could this country be doing with massive amounts of money continuing to be spent in a failing occupation?

We as a country need to take a good look at our course and see if or not we are on the right path. We as citizens are responsible for learning where our money is being spent and for seeing that our representatives in Congress follow our wishes. We should not allow ourselves or our country to follow any course that goes against the common good.

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Gambling on Iraq

Gambling has the potential to be either a losing or a winning proposition. In the instance of Iraq the invasion was something of a gamble. The only real gain, the overthrow of Saddam Hussein’s regime, is overwhelmed by the losses in life and property. The chaos and suffering that is Iraq today is far worse than the circumstance under the former repressive regime.

“Staying the course” as President Bush and his advisors continue to suggest is just bringing more misery and more lost lives. This war is a losing gamble. The sooner we admit our mistake and bring our troops home the sooner we can hope to begin a winning course. We have no more children to lose neither our own nor Iraqi.

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

The War on Terror is Self-Defeating

War by its very nature creates innocent victims. Women and children are the most likely to suffer in any military action in civilian zones. We have seen this happen in Iraq and more recently in Lebanon. The so-called war on terror is the driving force for the ongoing occupation of Iraq and in itself creates victims on a daily basis.

The victims of the war on terror include not just the terrorists killed but the civilians who are “collateral damage” in the ongoing conflict. In addition America as a country is an innocent victim as we see our monetary and military resources squandered in an ongoing occupation of what was an innocent country before the invasion. In addition the creation of increasing numbers of terrorists in reaction to American actions in the world make our country less safe than ever before.

Staying the current course is self-defeating. We must change direction to restore America to its former greatness as a leader of the world. We should focus on capturing and isolating the world leaders of terrorism through basic intelligence activity. We must put our resources toward job creation and changes in fundamental economic circumstances such that people have hope for their futures. So long as we continue the occupation of Iraq and continue our military domination of the world, terrorism will arise in direct reaction to our actions. The current course guarantees failure and an everlasting war.

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

The War to Nowhere

In Iraq “staying the course” as is recommended by many in Congress might better be described as “the war to nowhere.” There are no WMD in Iraq. A democratic government has been installed following an election. We have spent nearly $600 billion to fund the war. Our troops are under constant threat of attack by roadside bombs, small arms fire, and mortars with no clear enemy position to attack in defense. Our troops have done their duty and done it very well.

The time has come for a real change of course. We need to take on a course of diplomatic intervention along with real social and infrastructure support. No substantive change can be made so long as the American occupation continues. Once the troops leave the country support for internal functions such as electricity, potable water, schools, and hospitals will be needed. Such support has the potential to undermine the terrorist support now fueled by a foreign occupation. Only by major change in direction do we have any hope of defeating the terrorists of this world.

Sunday, August 13, 2006

How sad, but they are dying in vain

Americans are dying in Iraq on a daily basis. Don't tell anyone but the icy truth is they are dying in vain. Iraq is in the throes of a civil war. Basic services such as food and electricity are in short supply. Life on a daily basis is very dangerous for the average citizen. Schools, hospitals, and other public facilities are struggling or closed. Such are the rewards of “staying the course.”

How much longer can we allow this deteriorating situation to continue? How many more of our children must die before we call and end to the occupation? Just what price are we willing to pay for the mistakes of our leaders in invading Iraq in the first place? We must all speak up and call for an immediate end to the occupation of Iraq. Only by bringing our troops home can we hope to end the losses.

The real way to fight terror

President Bush continues to assure the American public that we are fighting and winning a “war on terrorism.” This from the same administration that ended the search for Osama Bin Laden in order to invade Iraq. Now we see a fine demonstration of one way not to win a war against terror. The ongoing occupation of Iraq is creating a new generation of terrorists in reaction to the American presence and military activity. Doubtless some of those young people will find new and more inventive ways to kill the people whom they oppose.

We must end our policy of armed aggression in th name of spreading democracy. Underlying social change is important if we are truly to fight terrorists. Until all people feel entitled to freedom and the opportunity to live in safety and relative comfort we will continue to have a source of unrest. That unrest too often takes the course of terrorism in attacks against a purported suppressor.

The US can change course today. We can start to support economic development in all countries of the world. We can support real worldwide trade agreements that allow people to support their families instead of the ones that only support America. The time to start is today. We may be late, but still we are better late than never.

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Terrorist Investigations and the Law

The foiling of an apparent terrorist plot in England is a stark reminder of just how the world is changing today. Terrorists of the sort found in London are a new breed seen only in the past few years. More may be expected to be found in years to come.

The most important point of the story is the spoiling of the plot with legal means of investigation. Wiretaps and surveillance were used widely by British police both in England and in America according to news reports. No illegal activity of the sort carried out by the Bush administration was found to be necessary.

That such a successful investigation is possible in a legal environment should serve as a real reason to forego the administration's attempts to widen the current surveillance laws. No such widening seems to be necessary in the light of this most recent investigation. If the British can do this surely Americans can do the same or better.