Progressive Ponderings: Iraq
By Joe Mayer
Congressman Timothy Walz, 1st District, Minn., is holding forums on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq in his district beginning with two of the largest cities, Mankato and Rochester. Representative Walz is a first term Democrat elected as part of the new democratic majority with a mandate — many believed — to get the United States out of Iraq. Congressman Walz is to be commended for offering a forum to discuss the largest concern of the American public. But we are still in Iraq with no exit policy and all of his votes have not been consistent with anti-war critics now constituting a majority of Americans.
Forum discussions on Iraq in this 1st District and elsewhere might include the following talking points.
Iraq — we broke it with bombing and violence; we claim we are fixing it with bombing and violence. Could a definition of insanity include "continuing the same actions and expecting different results?"
One of the myths offered to justify our preemptive attack on Iraq was the need for "regime change" because of Saddam's violence to the people of Iraq. Our coup accomplished "regime change" with "mission accomplished" two months later. The violence on the people is now greater — one million killed, more injured, and four to five million refugees.
"Freedom" and "democracy" continue to be floated as accomplished and supported by occupation. How are "freedom" and "democracy" possible under occupation?
Timothy McVeigh, when asked about the children killed in the Oklahoma City bombing answered "collateral damage." Our government refuses to tell us of the "collateral damage" in Iraq. "We don't do body counts!" Before World War II, the majority of people killed in wars were combatants. Since then technology has changed war so that now the majority killed are civilians — men, women, children, elderly. Americans reacted to 9/11 with hatred and vengeance. Do we expect the civilians of Iraq who have lost loved ones to react in a different manner?
"Regime change" brought in Paul Bremer as dictator. His 100 Orders reorganized Iraq's economy with the privatization (theft) of its infrastructure and basic industries. This was never mentioned as a reason for invasion. 100 Orders include the privatization of Iraq's oil and is still being sought as one of the "goals" Iraqis must meet. Immunity for privatizers, occupiers, and mercenaries from being prosecuted is also one of the Orders. How would we react to such a law system?
The Iraq Study Group members were nearly all in favor of the Iraq invasion and endorsed most of Bremer's orders. Congress, Republicans and Democrats, pushed the administration to follow the Study group's recommendations.
Only Congress can approve of spending federal dollars. When Democrats approved war spending they bought into the war completely. Democrats refuse to use this veto-proof spending power.
Korea, Vietnam, Nicaragua, Panama, Grenada, Serbia, Afghanistan, Iraq — and now Iran? When Congress approved the last military budget Democrats even added more spending than Bush requested. Getting out of Iraq will not stop our militarism. Our "righteousness" allows us to believe the lie that war brings peace.
As we pursue "freedom" and "democracy" in Afghanistan and Iraq, how did we get to the point of hiring contractors to carry out the functions of the State Department, the Intelligence Community, and the military? Was there any discussion in this American "democracy" about hiring mercenaries exempt from law? Will "for profit" contractors have our security and freedom as a top priority?
After 9/11 the United States received the sympathy and goodwill of the majority of nations and peoples of the world. Our preemptive violence has turned world opinion 180 degrees.
Why is it that the United States, with the world's largest military budget and the most aggressive foreign policy, has a citizenry that is the world's most fearful? After six years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq, do we feel more secure, more safe, more united? It's time to change our whole foreign policy and become a citizen of the world. The rest of the world understands this. When will we?
Congressman Timothy Walz, 1st District, Minn., is holding forums on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq in his district beginning with two of the largest cities, Mankato and Rochester. Representative Walz is a first term Democrat elected as part of the new democratic majority with a mandate — many believed — to get the United States out of Iraq. Congressman Walz is to be commended for offering a forum to discuss the largest concern of the American public. But we are still in Iraq with no exit policy and all of his votes have not been consistent with anti-war critics now constituting a majority of Americans.
Forum discussions on Iraq in this 1st District and elsewhere might include the following talking points.
Iraq — we broke it with bombing and violence; we claim we are fixing it with bombing and violence. Could a definition of insanity include "continuing the same actions and expecting different results?"
One of the myths offered to justify our preemptive attack on Iraq was the need for "regime change" because of Saddam's violence to the people of Iraq. Our coup accomplished "regime change" with "mission accomplished" two months later. The violence on the people is now greater — one million killed, more injured, and four to five million refugees.
"Freedom" and "democracy" continue to be floated as accomplished and supported by occupation. How are "freedom" and "democracy" possible under occupation?
Timothy McVeigh, when asked about the children killed in the Oklahoma City bombing answered "collateral damage." Our government refuses to tell us of the "collateral damage" in Iraq. "We don't do body counts!" Before World War II, the majority of people killed in wars were combatants. Since then technology has changed war so that now the majority killed are civilians — men, women, children, elderly. Americans reacted to 9/11 with hatred and vengeance. Do we expect the civilians of Iraq who have lost loved ones to react in a different manner?
"Regime change" brought in Paul Bremer as dictator. His 100 Orders reorganized Iraq's economy with the privatization (theft) of its infrastructure and basic industries. This was never mentioned as a reason for invasion. 100 Orders include the privatization of Iraq's oil and is still being sought as one of the "goals" Iraqis must meet. Immunity for privatizers, occupiers, and mercenaries from being prosecuted is also one of the Orders. How would we react to such a law system?
The Iraq Study Group members were nearly all in favor of the Iraq invasion and endorsed most of Bremer's orders. Congress, Republicans and Democrats, pushed the administration to follow the Study group's recommendations.
Only Congress can approve of spending federal dollars. When Democrats approved war spending they bought into the war completely. Democrats refuse to use this veto-proof spending power.
Korea, Vietnam, Nicaragua, Panama, Grenada, Serbia, Afghanistan, Iraq — and now Iran? When Congress approved the last military budget Democrats even added more spending than Bush requested. Getting out of Iraq will not stop our militarism. Our "righteousness" allows us to believe the lie that war brings peace.
As we pursue "freedom" and "democracy" in Afghanistan and Iraq, how did we get to the point of hiring contractors to carry out the functions of the State Department, the Intelligence Community, and the military? Was there any discussion in this American "democracy" about hiring mercenaries exempt from law? Will "for profit" contractors have our security and freedom as a top priority?
After 9/11 the United States received the sympathy and goodwill of the majority of nations and peoples of the world. Our preemptive violence has turned world opinion 180 degrees.
Why is it that the United States, with the world's largest military budget and the most aggressive foreign policy, has a citizenry that is the world's most fearful? After six years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq, do we feel more secure, more safe, more united? It's time to change our whole foreign policy and become a citizen of the world. The rest of the world understands this. When will we?
Powered by Blogger
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home