Fight for Peace!

 Who said this, and when?

“I think you can anticipate, until the moment the President gives a speech, there will be continued discussions around the edges. But the President knows what he wants to say. And, as I indicated, the Middle East for too long has been an area of the world in which there have been two steps backward for every step forward. On a good day, sometimes there’s one step forward, one step backwards. And on a rare day, it’s two steps forward, one step backwards. The President wants to contribute and do everything in his power to an environment which it is steps forward, not backward.

So the President will, when he determines the time is right, have more to say about how to bring about more accountability for security, how to help build institutions that are necessary to develop peace. And when the moment is right, the President will announce that and then you will hear from the President…”

White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, January 2007? No, that’s former White House spokesman Ari Fletcher at the lectern back in 2002, before the start of the Iraq war!

I want to be optimistic, but I’ve watched President Bush’s kabuki far too many times. Tonight, though the casualties keep mounting and a record-low 26% of the American people support the Commander in Chief’s decision to send more troops to Iraq, he’s setting the stage for a New Way Forward an escalation. You gotta wonder who, besides Barney and Laura, are standing with him.

How much are we willing to sacrifice — lives, liberties and treasure — before we take our Cheetos-stained fingers off our TV remotes and take to the streets? If we truly want peace, I now believe with all my heart that American citizens are going to have to wage war on the White House. 

No stomach for politics, no time for battle? Surely, you’ve got sufficient courage and a few moments available to call or write your Representatives. Pray for peace, and fight to make it happen.

37 Comments

  2. “Pray for peace, and fight to make it happen.”

    That is what I’d like to think they are doing over there. Fighting to ensure that one day, we have peace, and that we always have freedom over here. Even if we pull out, there still won’t be peace. It’s like creating a life…pulling out is just the beginning… 🙂

    • I’d like to think that, too. But you know, having witnessed the ever-shifting rationale for this war and its disastrous execution, I believe I now have a more realistic perspective. Waging a War Without End for a promise of peace? That’s wishful thinking.

      My opinion, anyway, which is why I’m willing to put words and action behind my beliefs. However, I certainly stand behind your choice to believe otherwise, and I appreciate your weighing in with your perspective. Thanks!

      • In a perfect world, I love the “There is no way to peace. Peace is the way” approach. But it doesn’t work unless everybody believes in and practices it.

        When it comes right down to it, I know we both want the same thing– to preserve our way of life. We just have differing opinions on how that should be achieved. That is what I love about this country. I know mine might be an unpopular opinion and that I am probably the only conservative writer-type on LJ, but I admire people for coming out and being passionate for the causes they believe in. Because what is life without passion?

    • I’m shaking my head. Fighting over there to create peace and freedom here?! How? By killing people as we occupy their country, destroy their homes and communities, destroy their infratstructure so that raw sewage runs in the streets and electricity runs just several hours per day, build 12 permanent military bases on their soil, exploit their natural resources to line the pockets of the already-rich oil companies, etc.

      I’d like to think that’s NOT what we’re doing over there but I’m paying attention and realize it’s the tragic truth.

      • And I’m shaking my head right back…

        Not to “create” freedom but to preserve it here. And do you honestly think things were better off in that country ten years ago? I’m paying attention too, actually reading between the lines and seeing past what the liberal media wants us to see.

        • Thought you might be interested in reading this excerpt from a blog called Baghdad Burning (http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com/), written by a young Iraqi woman. The post is called The Rape of Sabrine:

          “And yet, as the situation continues to deteriorate both for Iraqis inside and outside of Iraq, and for Americans inside Iraq, Americans in America are still debating on the state of the war and occupation- are they winning or losing? Is it better or worse.

          Let me clear it up for any moron with lingering doubts: It’s worse. It’s over. You lost. You lost the day your tanks rolled into Baghdad to the cheers of your imported, American-trained monkeys. You lost every single family whose home your soldiers violated. You lost every sane, red-blooded Iraqi when the Abu Ghraib pictures came out and verified your atrocities behind prison walls as well as the ones we see in our streets. You lost when you brought murderers, looters, gangsters and militia heads to power and hailed them as Iraq’s first democratic government. You lost when a gruesome execution was dubbed your biggest accomplishment. You lost the respect and reputation you once had. You lost more than 3000 troops. That is what you lost America. I hope the oil, at least, made it worthwhile.”

          • It’s sad you’re still dwelling over this after so many weeks. YOU WILL NOT CHANGE MY MIND, and neither will the opinion of this idiot. To me, anyone who thinks we should just give up and go home is a disgrace to this country and to so many generations of men and women of America who have fought so hard to keep us safe. If we listened to people like you in the 40’s we’d be saluting Hitler in schools today instead of the stars and stripes. So give it up.

          • Cyn, I see that you feel emotionally invested in your opinion, which you have every right to be. However, I’d ask that you please not insult our right to public discourse by disparaging those who have a different opinion than you do. The foundational principles of our democracy are based on every citizen’s voice being heard; even when we don’t agree, we must agree with every American’s right to speak his/her mind. And as fodder for thought, nearly 70% of Americans now believe we should withdraw our troops from Iraq. Maybe the only true debate here and now is how we can do that without further endangering the troops we’ve put into harm’s way. Together, let’s work toward peace.

          • If the basis of this country is for everyone’s voice to be heard, that is exactly what I was doing. I was responding to the opinion of the original blogger who called anyone who still wonders whether we should be in Iraq a “moron”. So therefore, your same argument should be made toward tracyworld, who is spreading that disparaging garbage. My opinion won’t change so it’s worthless to attempt to sway me. And as further fodder for thought, a survey can be twisted any way you like.

          • You mean you weren’t flattered when you were the first person who came to mind as I read that entry? And believe me, I have no delusions about changing your mind; I’m just a big believer in putting the info out there in hopes people put down the Kool-Aid long enough to read it.

            So I guess your continued support for the occupation and escalation means you’ve enlisted? At this point, putting your own body on the line is really the only truthful way to prove your support for this debacle.

          • Ah, so now you are dismissing anyone who has a different opinion from you as using mind-altering drugs? Unreal.

            I am raising our young daughter, but would otherwise happily enlist and 100% support all of my family members and friends who have with letters, and donations, since that is the best I can do. Sadly, so many people out there do not. If the shoe fits…

          • You’re raising a daughter? Certainly her father or another relative would care for her while you go to Iraq. Many military families are relying on relatives to raise their children while they’re in Iraq. A quick Google search revealed that as of Dec 2004, nearly 900 U.S. children had lost a parent in Iraq. That number has probably doubled by now.

            Unless you’re willing to put your body on the line, you’ve got no business asking anyone in the U.S. military to stay in Iraq and put their lives at risk. Much less support an escalation in troops.

  3. Melodye, I called my two senators and one rep this morning and spoke to their staffers. Sen Allard continues to walk lock-step with the delusional, arrogant Bush administration, Sen Salazar opposes the Bush plan to escalate, as does Rep Perlmutter.

    I spent much of today weeping. It’s time to dry my eyes and grab that torch and pitchfork.

    • Good on you for calling. It’s important in so many ways that our voices be heard! No time for tears, though, Tracy…it IS time to take to the streets! I hope the mob goes wild when they hear this and that they storm the gates of Versailles, er, the White House:

      Troop Surge Already Under Way

      90 Advance Troops from 82nd Airborne Arrive in Baghdad
      by JONATHAN KARL

      BAGHDAD, Iraq, Jan. 10, 2007— – President Bush’s speech may be scheduled for tonight, but the troop surge in Iraq is already under way.

      ABC News has learned that the “surge” Bush is expected to announce in a prime time speech tonight has already begun. Ninety advance troops from the 82nd Airborne Division arrived in Baghdad today.

      An additional battalion of roughly 100 troops from the same division are expected to arrive in Baghdad Thursday.

      It is the first small wave of troops in a new White House strategy that is expected to put more than 20,000 additional U.S. troops on the ground in Iraq and likely require new call-ups of the National Guard. […]

          • Good question: so far I’ve signed every petition I can find, I’ve made calls to reps (though I have an idea those go into the electronic round file) and I’m ready to march…but here’s where I fall down: someone has to organize it, and I do not even know where I would begin. Back in the seventies, I was a follower and not a leader, I am even more fumbling now.

  4. Thankfully I have WG tonight, cause I don’t have the stomach for what Bush is going to say tonight….not that I can avoid it forever. But…the reality his choices have caused all of us to live with is so terrifying. I seriously am concerned.

    • I’m afraid, too, but together…

      …we can make a difference! Please email or call your Representatives…let your concerns be heard! I really do think it matters, now more than ever.

  5. I called my reps and senators. Also writing to them.

    Many of them are new to the Hill, and this is a perfect time to LET THEM KNOW – otherwise they’ll rely on the gauge of public reaction from so-called think tanks (they’re policy meetings)that dictate our actions as a country, our laws, and our media quotes them – drowning out the voice of the public unless they contact their reps directly.

    To be active is our right, and we have every reason to speak up now…..

      • I agree that it’s our obligation. We just can’t take it for granted that our politicians will do the right thing. They need constant reminding that we voted them into office and we’re paying their salaries. (Besides the lobby money we have to shout over to be heard.)

  6. From Dylan:

    Come you masters of war
    You that build all the guns
    You that build the death planes
    You that build the big bombs
    You that hide behind walls
    You that hide behind desks
    I just want you to know
    I can see through your masks

    [snip]

    And I hope that you die
    And your death’ll come soon
    I will follow your casket
    In the pale afternoon
    And I’ll watch while you’re lowered
    Down to your deathbed
    And I’ll stand o’er your grave
    ‘Til I’m sure that you’re dead

    • This is such an amazingly precient song. I tear up every time I read/hear it. Thank you, Doc.

      It’s a night of mourning, but tomorrow, we need to organize and take to the streets!

  7. Well said. Watching that speech tonight made my stomach turn. Of course, the last 6 years have made my stomach turn. But when he stands up there, speaking about sacrifice, I want to punch something. He’s not making any sacrifice whatsoever. He’s sending thousands of our men and women to die in his war of choice, his war of corporate profiteering. I want these people, Bush, Cheney, Rice, Wolfowitz, Pearl, Fief, Rumsfeld… all of them, tried for war crimes. My Rep and Senators probably know me by name now… at least their staff does. I’m hoping that the Democrats can stump Bush’s plan for escalation by not funding it. But you’re right, the apathetic sheep in this country need to get off their butts, turn off American Idol and get involved. This Administration is out of control and they’re criminals. The whole lot of them.

        • Check out moveon.org Lots of protests, country-wide, are planned for this evening. And yes, I’m in CA. You, too, I presume? Hi, neighbor!

          In my latest post, I mention the one I’m attending this evening (Laguna Beach, 5:00)

          • My next post talked about the protest…did you take a peek? It felt really good to be surrounded by like-minded people and to challenge fence-sitters and the 28% of people who still believe we belong in this war.

            In Long Beach, eh? That’s not far at all!

            I can’t get over that icon. It’s great!

          • I am going to go and take a peek as well as friend you too! Yeah, it is great to be surrounded by like-minded people. It makes you feel that you’re not so alone and actually sane! It’s those 34% of the people that still support Bush that are the crazy ones. It’s unbelievable that he still has double digit support in the polls after everything he’s done.

            Nope… not far at all! Shouting distance.

            And yeah, I love this icon. One of my favorite movies and oh so timely, wouldn’t you say? 🙂

  8. Just this morning, after reading the ever-disturbing headlines, I longed for a peace rally. Portland’s been too quiet on that front lately, and I’m ready to get back out there and march for PEACE. But all is quiet in the streets at the moment, so I’ll email reps. Thanks for the push.

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