[Peace-discuss] Any more input on Matt's flyer for March 19th?

[carol inskeep]

Folk, Matt integrated changes we suggested at the meeting on Sunday, but I wonder if anyone else has changes to recommend.  Please email me any ideas.  Thanks!  cpi

Isn’t it unpatriotic and harmful to our troops to protest the war?

Many soldiers and top brass oppose the war. Every news source agrees that the war was launched on false premises and outright lies. As Iraq War veteran, Marine Sean Huze has said, “Sending us in harms way for a lie amounts to a betrayal.” Opposing the architects and leaders of this war and demanding an end to the occupation of Iraq is the patriotic right of every concerned citizen.

Hasn’t this war made us safer against the threat of terrorism?

Even the CIA has concluded that the Iraq war is strengthening existing terrorist networks and creating ranks of new requits. In January 2005, David Low, CIA national intelligence officer for transnational threats reported to Congress that the Iraq War has provided terrorists with "a training ground, a recruitment ground, [and] the opportunity for enhancing technical skills." (as reported in the L.A Times and Washington Post)

The war may have been wrong, but won’t withdrawal now lead to complete chaos?

There's no clear answer as to what will happen when the US withdraws, but the presence of the US military has increased violence and chaos in Iraq. US firepower is responsible for most of the 15,000-100,000 Iraqi civilians killed since the invasion, and it is the US military that has carried out illegal detentions and torture of Iraqis as seen at Abu Gharib. Even before the torture scandal broke, 82% of Iraqis polled by the US occupatIon authorIty disapproved of the US occupation of Iraq. (Washington Post, May 2004) The US should withdraw its troops, involve the international community, and pay reparations for losses of life and property.

Okay, so what should the US do to stop terrorism?

Stop military agression. Join international bodies such as the International Criminal Court. Stop supporting dictatorships such as in Egypt and Pakistan. Stop uncritical support of Israel. Work to reduce all nuclear weaponry—even our own. Stop torture and illegal detentions. Invest our foreign and domestic spending in health care, job creation, building infrastructure, cultural exchange, and education instead of arms trading and war.

I’m still not sure I trust your information. Where can I find out more and make up my own mind?

Check out the following web sites and decide for yourself

www.commondreams.org (collection of news articles and essays)

http://optruth.org (web site of veterans from the war)

http://www.mfso.org (military families who disagree with the war)

http://www.ivaw.net (Iraq veterans against the war)

http://www.occupationwatch.org (Baghdad based web sIte on the occupatIon)


		
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