Group lists reasons for continued opposition
Published 12:40 am Friday, October 3, 2008
With our nation at war – is continuing “patriotic opposition” an oxymoron? We, your neighbors still showing up at the North Bend Post Office every Saturday to demonstrate our dismay over the tragedy in Iraq, don’t think so. Here is what we think.
First, getting our troops to withdraw as they tighten the noose around Baghdad is not going to happen, so do not think we think our opposition can stop the war before regime change is accomplished.
Second, we wish a safe, successful return for our soldiers in Iraq. They don’t start wars. Politicians send them to war.
So why are we demonstrating?
* One of our convictions is that the future of America depends on our capacity to continue to be an open society. Zealots favoring this war are calling us unpatriotic and traitors to our country in their effort to squash our dissent. Were they to succeed, wouldn’t our nation be diminished? We believe continuing to exercise our right to protest the actions of our government in appropriate ways is supporting the preservation of our freedoms. It is showing by example that America is still a nation to be admired and envied in other parts of the world.
* We want Mr. Bush to honor his commitment to a democratic Iraq. A similar pledge to Afghanistan is not being kept as the administration has fallen far short of its promise by transferring its attention to regime change in Iraq. When this is accomplished, will the president move on another nation in a similar fashion? Will he invoke the same unconvincing reasons for proceeding to our next war? We oppose pre-emptive war not meeting the definition of a “just war.”
* We think it is important for America to actively support the global community of nations. Cooperative membership in the United Nations remains critical to securing world peace.
* We stand against tax cuts reducing our national capacity to support health and human services at home and abroad. Millions of the world’s children are in dire need. The president asks for billions for the military and a pittance for humanitarian purposes. We hold a reversal of those priorities might actually make the world safer for Americans.
Summing up, we can’t stop the war, but it is important to continue our opposition to the president’s policies in the hope this will help ensure what follows this war is actual peace!
Eric Ellison, Molly and Kevin Haggerty, Margo Polley, Rev. Mary Brown, Karol Kimmett Goff, Ellen Matthew Goff, Dan McCrea, Katherine and Bill Hayden, S. Lee Brennan, Scott Goff and Dave Olson.
Upper Snoqualmie Valley
For all the letters this week, pick up a copy of the Valley Record
