[Peace-discuss] Re: [Peace] See you tomorrow

[C. G. Estabrook]

This should be the opening talk thru the bullhorn.  --CGE


On Fri, 24 Oct 2003, Ricky Baldwin wrote:

> Folks-
> 
> Tomorrow's the big day.  We'll see what International ANSWER and
> United for Peace and Justice can do together - and AWARE, PRC and
> Student Peace Action - in this nominally post-war climate of
> disillusionment and deepening deception.
> 
> The pro-war folks have little left to bolster their martial spirits
> outside the tranparent lies and blind obedience to authority that got
> them this far.  They are clinging with increasing desperation to these
> now, more afraid than ever as the great nightmare of an Iraqi quagmire
> comes all-too true.  How much more terrifying even than image of
> America alone and surrounded by a sea of terrorists and terrorist
> sympathizers must be the image of such an America as it loses its
> foothold in the starving, bombed-out ruin we've made of Iraq.
> 
> If we can't even win there, where can we?  Somalia?
> 
> They are looking to the anti-war movement to cheer them up: by
> failing, flopping, petering out, staying home, moving on.
> 
> But millions of others are looking to us, too.  They opposed the war
> because the lies were so clear, and now it's unimaginable that the
> lies are still being repeated.  Aren't people supposed to be ashamed
> when their self-serving lies are exposed?  Are we the only sane ones,
> or are we the crazy ones?
> 
> It's up to us to show that there is hope, that Americans and citizens
> of other nations can stand together for peace, against tyranny in Iraq
> or America, and for sanity.  It's up to us to articulate a message of
> fairness and freedom for everyone, regardless of their nationalities,
> and to show that we do care for American reservists and regulars being
> killed and wounded in Iraq (and mistreated at the VA if they make it
> home), that we do care for those killed on 9/11/01 by a handful of
> lunatic criminals, and that that caring is not inconsistent with
> caring for Iraqi and Afghani and Palestinian children, old people,
> draftees and hospitalized civilians, or others bombed or shot by US
> and allied forces.  In fact, we need to show that the two cares are
> inextricably linked.
> 
> How?  We do it with our bodies, by showing up, holding signs and by
> peacefully expressing our opposition to the current madness.
> 
> Calls have been made, flyers posted, PSAs and press releases sent, an
> article posted to the IMC site.  All we can do now is show up.
> 
> See you there!
> 
> Ricky
>