News reports and various analyses of the situation in Iraq paint a worsening scenario with little or no hope on the horizon. The British have been defeated in Basra leaving the province in the control of Shiite and extremist Islamic groups. In Baghdad the police and local military forces are unable to bring even a modicum of peace to large areas of the city. The American military controls the Green Zone but most parts of the remainder of the country are out of control.
As the violence continues to escalate and the situation spirals out of control President Bush seems either unable or unwilling to accept the facts. His continued posture of “we will stay until we finish the job” is no longer acceptable. The price in American dollars and US lives is much too high. We each and every one should insist upon full and immediate withdrawal of our forces as soon as possible. Otherwise we will remain on hand to witness further escalation of violence and a worsening situation.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Civil War or Not We Must Withdraw from Iraq
The ongoing occupation of Iraq continues in the face of increasing violence between Iraqi groups and increasing American deaths. In the meantime the media and the administration seem more concerned about calling the situation a “civil war” or not. The point is not if or not this is a civil war. The point is the initial invasion and the current occupation were and continue to be illegal by all standards of international law.
President Bush continues to assert his stand that we will stay the course until the deed is finished. How many more must die before our Congress and the administration recognize the futility of our staying? The longer we continue this illegal action, the more we stand to lost in the international community let alone the more of our troops will come home dead or injured. The time has come for withdrawal. The Iraqi people must be given a chance to resolve the situation in their own time and their own way. An American occupation only serves to fuel the ongoing violence.
President Bush continues to assert his stand that we will stay the course until the deed is finished. How many more must die before our Congress and the administration recognize the futility of our staying? The longer we continue this illegal action, the more we stand to lost in the international community let alone the more of our troops will come home dead or injured. The time has come for withdrawal. The Iraqi people must be given a chance to resolve the situation in their own time and their own way. An American occupation only serves to fuel the ongoing violence.
I Am Not A Traitor!!
For many months now a group of local folk have stood on the same street corner every Friday night in protest of the war in Iraq. We stand vigil in memory of those who have died and in support for those who remain in the war. We want all our children to come home alive. The usual group includes two and sometimes three of us Vietnam veterans, an Austrian woman who survived the Nazi occupation in WWII, and an assortment of other folk. We stand vigil for an hour during which the response from passersby is generally very positive indeed. Black Friday was a different event in some ways. Follow across the fold, around the bend, and come stand on the bridge for the possum’s tale of the Friday night vigil.
The group standing vigil this week was somewhat larger than usual and included one couple who brought their children along with a granddaughter. We were spread along a city block standing on an interstate overpass just where we have stood for nearly two years. Earlier on, just after the invasion of Iraq, the vigil was held at another corner, but we moved for more traffic exposure. On any given Friday night the response is generally a positive one with a majority of drivers honking their horn in support. Sometimes people yell in support and some simply wave their hands. We in turn wave in response to all who acknowledge our group.
On Black Friday traffic was notably light. We presume many people were traveling and others had a vacation from work. The response to our presence was not our usual. Of course we had a majority of positive responses from drivers, but an unusual number were yelling negatives. We were called "traitors" and "ungrateful Americans." At least one man called George Bush "a great man." Multiple uplifted middle fingers were pointed our way along with at least one closed and upraised fist gestured in an angry way. These suggestions were in addition to the usual recommendations that we "get a job" or "go back home."
For months now the number of negative responses has been small (usually less than five in an hour). This night there were about double the usual number and the invective seemed unusually strong. We were struck as a group both by the unusual numbers of negative responses in addition to the group of individuals offering such retorts. Nearly every negative rejoinder came from young men (under 30 or so and all were caucasian). Many of the rejoinders came from cars filled with such young folk. I presume most were college students from their age and manner of dress. How such a group could feel such a strong negativism none of us could understand.
What have we done wrong in this country to have our young feel and act so strongly in the face of a simple protest group? Have we failed to teach them the rights our first amendment guarantees? Do they not know that men and women of their same age are dying on a daily basis in Iraq? Were they not taught basic civility by their parents? Or do they feel somehow released from civil behavior by virtue of being in a car with their friends?
We as a group of peace activists will continue to stand in quiet protest until all current and future war involvement is ended for our country. Until that time we will continue to act in what we consider to be the best interest of our country. We are every one very conscious of our rights and privileges as Americans and for that we are very grateful. We consider ourselves to be patriots of the highest form. Than anyone would honestly consider us traitors remains very painful to consider.
Crossposted at DailyKos and NION.
The group standing vigil this week was somewhat larger than usual and included one couple who brought their children along with a granddaughter. We were spread along a city block standing on an interstate overpass just where we have stood for nearly two years. Earlier on, just after the invasion of Iraq, the vigil was held at another corner, but we moved for more traffic exposure. On any given Friday night the response is generally a positive one with a majority of drivers honking their horn in support. Sometimes people yell in support and some simply wave their hands. We in turn wave in response to all who acknowledge our group.
On Black Friday traffic was notably light. We presume many people were traveling and others had a vacation from work. The response to our presence was not our usual. Of course we had a majority of positive responses from drivers, but an unusual number were yelling negatives. We were called "traitors" and "ungrateful Americans." At least one man called George Bush "a great man." Multiple uplifted middle fingers were pointed our way along with at least one closed and upraised fist gestured in an angry way. These suggestions were in addition to the usual recommendations that we "get a job" or "go back home."
For months now the number of negative responses has been small (usually less than five in an hour). This night there were about double the usual number and the invective seemed unusually strong. We were struck as a group both by the unusual numbers of negative responses in addition to the group of individuals offering such retorts. Nearly every negative rejoinder came from young men (under 30 or so and all were caucasian). Many of the rejoinders came from cars filled with such young folk. I presume most were college students from their age and manner of dress. How such a group could feel such a strong negativism none of us could understand.
What have we done wrong in this country to have our young feel and act so strongly in the face of a simple protest group? Have we failed to teach them the rights our first amendment guarantees? Do they not know that men and women of their same age are dying on a daily basis in Iraq? Were they not taught basic civility by their parents? Or do they feel somehow released from civil behavior by virtue of being in a car with their friends?
We as a group of peace activists will continue to stand in quiet protest until all current and future war involvement is ended for our country. Until that time we will continue to act in what we consider to be the best interest of our country. We are every one very conscious of our rights and privileges as Americans and for that we are very grateful. We consider ourselves to be patriots of the highest form. Than anyone would honestly consider us traitors remains very painful to consider.
Crossposted at DailyKos and NION.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Children Are Dying in Iraq Every Day
The news from Iraq continues to be that of increasing violence on all sides. Increasing numbers of Iraqis are dying daily in sectarian attacks. New reports of American inflicted casualties are beginning to surface today. Military spokesmen confirmed today the death of five Iraqi children in a US raid in Ramada. The military claims the raid was in response to insurgent use of the house. After an extensive bombing campaign against the dwelling, only the bodies of the children were found.
Such events are tragic to the maximum degree. What military force can hope to have the support of the population when such reports become widespread? How can we not expect the relatives of those children not to react in anger at the presence of American troops? The only reasonable solution is to withdraw our troops and begin the humanitarian effort necessary to stabilize and rebuild Iraq. We must withdraw now. We have no more children to lose.
Such events are tragic to the maximum degree. What military force can hope to have the support of the population when such reports become widespread? How can we not expect the relatives of those children not to react in anger at the presence of American troops? The only reasonable solution is to withdraw our troops and begin the humanitarian effort necessary to stabilize and rebuild Iraq. We must withdraw now. We have no more children to lose.
The Deaths Continue in Iraq
According to United Nations estimates more than 100 Iraqi citizens have been killed every day since the bombing of a Shiite shrine in February. The violence is the direct result of sectarian reactions and tit for tat killing of members of one sect by the other. During the same time period the US military averages more than 2 deaths per day. The violence is apparently escalating in all venues over the course of time.
Just how much longer are we, the American people, willing to allow this senseless violence to continue. Given the failure of the American military to stop the continuing sectarian violence the reasonable step seems to be to bring them home before any more die. Staying the course for the past few years has led to more American deaths without any obvious increase in security in either the US or in Iraq. We must bring our troops home and bring them home now. Tomorrow may be too late for a few more young Americans who do not deserve to die.
Just how much longer are we, the American people, willing to allow this senseless violence to continue. Given the failure of the American military to stop the continuing sectarian violence the reasonable step seems to be to bring them home before any more die. Staying the course for the past few years has led to more American deaths without any obvious increase in security in either the US or in Iraq. We must bring our troops home and bring them home now. Tomorrow may be too late for a few more young Americans who do not deserve to die.
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