5 years later...

Wednesday was the fifth anniversary of Bush's imperialistic invasion of Iraq which supposedly was going to protect us against terrorist attacks by securing as many oil interests as possible for his oil buddies in Texas and by creating billions of dollars worth of business for Cheney's Halliburton.

Oops, I don't sound bitter, do I?

A few weeks after the invasion, Bush stood in front of a banner proclaiming "Mission Accomplished". Guess that means he'd accomplished his mission of creating a quagmire of military conflict that would take years to resolve, cost billions of dollars and thousands of American soldiers' lives, while enriching the oil companies and the military-industrial complex beyond their wildest dreams. If that was what he meant, then yeah, Mission Accomplished.

But something on the local news warmed my heart: there were about half a dozen candlelight vigils and protests against our continued presence in Iraq. Peaceful demonstrations organized by folks just like you and me, who have had enough and are ready to make their voices heard. These people gave up an evening to make a statment, to speak out for change, to demand peace, and apparently enough of them did so to warrant a litttle media coverage of their own (which has been really rare lately). What they did was such a wonderful start, and we need to keep it going. We need to make our voices heard clear to Washington and around the world, to call for an end to the US occupation of Iraq and withdrawal of US troops as quickly as possible.

Please be clear about this right up front: I am not advocating violence. Sometimes I worry that in my passion my words may be mistaken for a call to arms, instead of a call to action. The only way to create peace is through peaceful means. I am advocating peaceful protest, opportunities in which average folks can come together and unite their voices in a call for peace and for change.

In a conversation with a colleague yesterday I was reminded that there are so many people out there who are dissatisfied with the course that our country is taking, and who would like to work together for change, but just don't know where to start. I think many of us are struggling with the same questions, namely "What can I do to make a difference? How can I get involved?" I include myself in that number because I don't have the answers either. I use this blog as a tool, a sounding board on which I post thoughts and await reactions, positive or negative. Let me give you one idea of a place to start: get signed up with MoveOn.org and get on their e-mail list for local events, because most of the protests on Wednesday that made the news were organized by MoveOn.org members. This will let you find out about upcoming events in your area that you can help with, or you can even organize your own events and publicize them locally through MoveOn.org.

On the subject of ending the war in Iraq, I must point out that Barack Obama has proposed a plan to get US troops out of Iraq within the first 16 months of his presidency. This isn't some pie-in-the-sky claim, he gave details on exactly how he intends to do this. It is too long to reproduce here, but complete text of his speech may be found on his website, www.barackobama.com, or on www.moveon.org I urge everyone to go and check it out. This is the first reasonable exit strategy I've heard anyone present, and it certainly beats McCain's ideas of perpetual war, and Hillary's any-way-the-wind-blows support of ending the war. Also check out Obama's five-point plan for restoring America as a center of growth, advancement, positive change and international respect. I cannot do justice by paraphrasing, so I have reproduced a summary of Obama's plan below (emphases are mine).

"First, in addressing global terror and violent extremism, we need the kind of comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy I called for last August. We need to strengthen security partnerships to take out terrorist networks, while investing in education and opportunity. We need to give our national security agencies the tools they need, while restoring the adherence to rule of law that helps us win the battle for hearts and minds. This means closing Guantanamo, restoring habeas corpus, and respecting civil liberties. And we need to support the forces of moderation in the Islamic world, so that alliances of convenience mature into friendships of conviction.

Second, the threat of nuclear proliferation must serve as a call to action. I have worked across the aisle with Richard Lugar and Chuck Hagel in the Senate to secure dangerous weapons and loose nuclear materials. And as President, I will secure all loose nuclear materials around the world in my first term, seek deep cuts in global nuclear arsenals, strengthen the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and once more seek a world without nuclear weapons.

Third, the danger of weak and failed states risks spreading poverty and refugees; genocide and disease. Now is the time to meet the goal of cutting extreme poverty in half, in part by doubling our foreign assistance while demanding more from those who receive it. And now is the time to build the capacity of regional partners in conflict prevention, peacekeeping, and the reconstruction of ravaged societies.

Fourth, the catastrophic consequences of the global climate crisis are matched by the promise of collective action. Now is the time for America to lead, because if we take action, others will act as well. Through our own cap and trade system and investments in new sources of energy, we can end our dependence on foreign oil and gas, and free ourselves from the tyranny of oil-rich states from Saudi Arabia to Russia to Venezuela. We can create millions of new jobs here in America. And we can secure our planet for our children and grandchildren.

And fifth, America's sluggish economy risks ceding our economic prominence to a rising China. Competition has always been a catalyst for American innovation, and now should be no different. We must invest in the education of our children, renew our leadership in science, and advance trade that is not just free, but fair for our workers. We must ensure that America is the economic engine in the 21st century just as we were in the 20th."

It is time for us to reclaim our country, to make it once again a government by the people, of the people and for the people. It's time for us to restore democracy, take back our civil rights, end prisoner abuses and torture at Guantanimo Bay, and demand the withdrawal of our troops from Iraq. It's time for liberty and justice for ALL, not for some. We are at a pivotal crossroads in history, and the choices we make now will have lasting repercussions on the type of world our descendants inherit. It's time for change.

"I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington... I'm asking you to believe in yours." - Barack Obama

Peace,
AuntieM