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Talking PointsIn order to promote peacemaking in Iraq, it is essential to end the Occupation. The War in Iraq promises to be the central issue in the midterm elections this Fall, so right now it is especially important to argue the case against "staying the course". By writing to newspapers, on websites, calling radio programs, speaking to our co-workers and associates, we can further turn the tide of public opinion in favor of a timetable for military withdrawal. I offer for your consideration two resources, from which you may draw some talking points. I'd like to read what others may have to offer as well. Please contribute your thoughts and ideas! First, a great article from "Foreign Policy" magazine, the current issue, by retired Lt. Gen. William Odom. It's unfortunate that in our nation today, former war-makers command so much more credibility than do peacemakers, but on the other hand very heartening when a war-maker of great renown says "enough! stop the killing now!" And especially when it is said well. Such is the case with Odom, who served under Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan, lastly as head of the NSA. These are some of the best talking points I have seen on the matter: The whole essay is only 1,000 words. Excerpt: Two facts, however painful, must be recognized, or we will remain perilously confused in Iraq. First, invading Iraq was not in the interests of the United States. It was in the interests of Iran and al Qaeda . . . . Second, the war has paralyzed the United States in the world diplomatically and strategically. . . . . Tied down like Gulliver in the sands of Mesopotamia, we simply cannot attract the diplomatic and military cooperation necessary to win the real battle against terror.
The second resource is much shorter. It's a letter to my local newspaper. They limit letters to 200 words: The current debate about the continued US occupation of Iraq seems to boil down to one ineffable phrase: "Stay the course".
What is "the course"? It couldn't be deposing Saddam. That "mission" was accomplished long ago. It couldn't be the WMD's. It's long since been established that Iraq's pathetic arsenal was not a threat. It couldn't be "establishing democracy", that's old news too. It couldn't be "stopping the spread of terrorism", because with each day under Occupation, terrorism spreads further in Iraq. "Stay the course". Over $300 Billion has already been spent. Where has the money gone? 2500 American lives, scores of thousands of Iraqi's, the Middle East in turmoil, who has profited? The dead, the crippled, the orphaned, the displaced? Taxpayers, workers, the face of America in the eyes of the world? Who has profited? The weapons-makers, Big Oil, the Carlyle Group, Halliburton, that's who has benefited from this disaster. A political philosophy: world dominance through fear, recrimination, and brute force. "Stay the course". When we hear those words, we know the course: perpetual conflict, perpetual instability, perpetual insecurity, to the benefit of what former President Eisenhower dubbed "the military-industrial complex". Beware! he warned us. Beware! Beware of "stay the course".
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Aggressive*Conflict
Corruption, greed and hate are the basic parameters of control which aggressive conflict uses, and in any situation this control can ultimately achieve only one goal, the temporary oppression of the conquered.
Therefore aggressive conflict will always create as its inevitable byproduct a force of opposition that will simmer, stir and grow from within its own ranks until that force either continues the cycle of conflict by over throwing the oppressor or ultimately begins forcing the society to cooperate within the parameters of the oppressed it refused to understand, for conflict and aggression can never assimilate that which operates within the parameters of tolerance, compassion and relationship.
Cooperative*Coexistence enabling collaborative assimilation, is the only possible continuum that will not destroy itself.
©Bruce Larson*Moore
The Last*War