I , like many in this country, have put our hope on Barack Obama to end this nerve-wracking, senseless war. I hope that he will do what early on in his campaign he said he would do: an exit strategy over the span of sixteen months , I believe it was.
I don't mean to burst anyone's bubble over Obama's victory; I share in your hope and enthusiasm. But I think those of us who value peace need to be ever vigilant that our new president will not let us down in helping to end this war and decreasing American -led conflicts that serve to alienate us further from the world community.
Lastly, I'm posting the video below not to be divisive but to help shed some light on a perspective that rarely makes it to the corporate media. And, I happen to see value in it, too.
Sorry about the double video - I'm stuck with it; blogger won't let me delete it.
ReplyDeleteBlogger's like that.
ReplyDeleteHe is so right - "You cannot win an occupation." I've already sent one letter to Obama, quite a while ago. Will send others I am sure. Avaaz asks us to do this, and other organizations are asking their members to do it, and we can do it on our own. The pressures on Obama will be great, and we, out here, have to add our pressure, for so many reasons. Refraining from war should top the list.
Amen, Bobbie. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI came here to quote that same phrase, "You cannot win an occupation." I've never read of anyone doing it. Some occupations have lasted decades, some even for centuries (seeing Northern Ireland from the rest of Ireland's point of view) but none have been successful, and all have been the cause of bloodshed for the entire course of the occupation. Bloodshed on both sides.
ReplyDeleteI also liked the video comments about who are the real enemies of the Constitution. Defending the interests and lives of Americans abroad might make some sense - but it isn't why the Constitution provided military strength, or the mandate to use it. And while it makes sense for Americans to sacrifice to defend the lives and freedoms of Americans in general, it does not makes sense for Americans in uniform to be asked to die for the interests and assets of specific Americans, where life and liberty are not at stake. I'm pretty confident our founding fathers would have seen that as an abuse of the military, and against the spirit and even the letter of the Constitution.
Oh what a good post. We must be ever vigilant about waging peace, real peace.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reminder.
Davis gets right to the point, doesn't he? And his palpable outrage represents what's in my heart better than most anyone else ever has.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this; it's cathartic.