[Peace-discuss] A divot in the astroturf

[C. G. Estabrook]

[Some of us in AWARE were seen as ungenerous when we objected last 
summer to the well-funded Democratic party front groups -- MoveOn.org 
and Americans Against Escalation in Iraq, notably -- as astroturf (i.e., 
fake grass-roots) groups more interested in party advantage than ending 
the war. The following is the account of a Philadelphia-area legislative 
director for AAEI. --CGE]

	The anti-war phonies
	By JOHN BRUHNS, Philadelphia Daily News

I CAME HOME from Iraq in February 2004 and since then have fought tooth 
and nail for an end to the war.

I did so because I believe the war is immoral and illegal. I aligned 
myself with some high-profile lobbying organizations who I believed 
would have the most significant impact on ending the war. In doing so, I 
detached myself from the people of this country who are honestly 
committed to ending the war.

I traded my convictions for "special interest" groups who sometimes seem 
to be in place simply to smear those who disagree with their political 
agenda. But the agenda is not anti-war. The war is used by these 
organizations as ammunition against political foes - primarily 
Republicans. They are the enemy despite the fact that many Democrats 
vote the same way.

It was very hard for me to go "off the reservation." I didn't want to 
face the fact that these anti-war groups had other aims.

We watched as legislation that had no substantial impact on ending the 
war was debated. There ARE anti-war resolutions still floating out there 
that call for a real end to the war, but the groups I worked for 
wouldn't spend one dime to promote legislation considered out of the 
mainstream of the Democratic Party.

Any genuine anti-war message was filtered through media consultants who 
provide politically correct "talking points" to veterans for them to 
carry out a phony message that is beneficial to the campaign.

We threatened Republicans with "political extinction" if they didn't 
change their votes on Iraq. It was a partisan tactic that got us nowhere 
fast.

When I worked with these organizations, I did nothing to actually stop 
the war. I only put on a good show that would catch the attention of the 
media. We focused on America's desire for entertainment rather than the 
core issue of ending the war.

Our troops are still being killed on a daily basis and the main agenda 
of these well-financed anti-war groups, I think, is nothing short of the 
prolonged character assassination of all those who disagree with their 
message. In my eyes, it's just as bad as those who fight for a 
continuation of the war, and I'm no longer able to distinguish between 
the two sides.

I was not honest when I walked away and pursued the "lone wolf" route. 
Instead I painted a rosy picture of my departure in order to preserve my 
credibility and longevity within the establishment. This confession is 
the only way to restore my integrity. So I can go on to continue to 
fight against the war in Iraq with a clear conscience.

I didn't commit eight years of honorable military service to this 
country to be an indirect proxy of one political party. I saw the damage 
done to our country for most of the last seven years with the 
Republicans in control of the executive, legislative and judicial 
branches. There was no political balance whatsoever to keep our 
democracy pure. That's why we are so divided as a nation, and I'm not 
about to fight for the same partisan domination for the Democrats - even 
though that is my party affiliation.

THE Democrats promised they would bring change if given a majority in 
Congress. It didn't happen, and I'm not going to be fooled again. There 
are many courageous Democrats who vote to end the war in Iraq. But there 
are many who do not.

Republicans in Congress, for the most part, would follow George W. Bush 
to the gates of hell. And because of their unity, they are able to keep 
prevailing despite being in the minority of both houses of Congress.

If any candidate wants my vote, they first and foremost need to convince 
me that they will end the war in Iraq.

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