[Peace-discuss] Fwd: Open letter

[Alfred Kagan]

>FYI
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>OPEN LETTER TO JOHN KERRY AND DEMOCRATIC PARTY ORGANIZATIONS
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>from formerly proud Democrat Jim Dwyer
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>Dear Senator Kerry:
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>             I greatly admire your courage for first serving in Viet Nam
>and then helping lead resistance against it. It's high time for you to
>show similar courage regarding Iraq. While you mildly criticize Bush's
>position, you haven't offered any real alternatives. You've minced your
>words and waffled around so much I'm not even entirely sure what your
>position is, but it doesn't sound remotely like what might be considered
>a peace alternative.
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>             The latest ABC/Washington Post poll showed 60% of the public
>opposing Bush's policies on Iraq. Another recent poll showed the vast
>majority supporting a definite pullout date for U.S. forces. June 30
>would be ideal. The next largest group supported an IMMEDIATE
>withdrawal, the third group wasn't sure, and only a tiny percentage
>supported the "stay the course" alternative. A variety of polls reveal
>that while you are very slowly gaining on or surpassing Mr. Bush that
>Ralph Nader's support is climbing faster, now up to 6% in some polls and
>possibly enough to cost you the election. A few pieces of good news or a
>few convincing lies by Bush in October could swing it back his way if
>you haven't established a convincing lead. If you don't quit
>pussyfooting around and offer a real exit strategy on Iraq it can and
>should cost you the election. Bush is raising money much faster than
>you, partly because of wealthy supporters, but partly because his
>position is clear. Give people a real reason to send you money!
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>             I'm also deeply disturbed by your position on Israel and
>Palestine and lack of positive alternatives in that area. Our federal
>government's continuing support of Zionist aggression against Palestine
>makes us an international pariah and a target for hatred and terrorism.
>George Bush said "Bring it on." No need to; we've been going it alone in
>the world and "bringing it" on ourselves for decades! If our essential
>policy does not change we have no hope to make any progress against
>terrorism. Indeed we will only provoke more hatred for America.   
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>             Bottom line: at this point I may hold my nose and vote for
>you or I may hold my nose and vote for Nader. I had already made one $50
>donation to your campaign months ago and had planned to donate $50 every
>month until the election, but I cannot in good conscience send one red
>cent to any candidate who doesn't offer a strong peace alternative on
>Iraq and Palestine. If you offer an alternative, I donate and campaign
>my tail off. Otherwise, while I will continue supporting individual
>Democratic candidates, I will donate the money I had planned to send you
>to organizations working for peace. Such a shame that the Democratic
>Party does not qualify at this time.
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>Sincerely, but not yours at this time,
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>Jim Dwyer
>Bibliographic Services Librarian
>CSU-Chico
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>"I think, generally speaking, people chose to miss the point when they
>sense that their self -conception or reality is either threatened by the
>truth or fed by falsehood. Knowing how to work this human tendency to
>one's advantage is the beginning of all great marketing, mediocre art
>and demagogic politics."--Mick LaSalle, SF Chronicle
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>----- End forwarded message -----


-- 


Al Kagan
African Studies Bibliographer and Professor of Library Administration
Africana Unit, Room 328
University of Illinois Library
1408 W. Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801, USA

tel. 217-333-6519
fax. 217-333-2214
e-mail. akagan at uiuc.edu