October 1, 2005
Recent weeks have been mostly good news for the anti-war movement
and mostly bad news for the 'stay the course' occupiers. The recent
successes of the anti-war movement provide a foundation on which to
build, too escalate efforts and let politicians who support the war
know that their political careers are jeopardized by the failed Iraq policy.
President Bush is predicting more violence
in Iraq - he called an escalation likely but not to worry according to
the 'bring them on' president: "Our troops are ready for it." And Army
Gen. George Casey, Jr. who had suggested this summer that the U.S.
could begin a "fairly substantial" withdrawal of troops early next year
took back that promise this week saying "we're in a period of a little greater uncertainty." In a closed door meeting with members of Congress he told them
the number of Iraqi army battalions that can fight insurgents without
U.S. and coalition help has dropped from three to one. The obvious
reality is the U.S. is losing ground in Iraq.
And, U.S. allies in
the Middle East are warning of a crumbling situation in Iraq. Saudi
Arabia's foreign minister publicly predicted Iraq's dissolution and a
civil war in a press conference in Washington last week. Desperate for
a victory the Bush administration announced the killing of the supposed
#2 man for Al Qaeda in Iraq - but it turns out Newsweek reports that he may not have been as important as originally proclaimed. And
popularity for the war and President Bush's handling of it are moving
strongly in favor of withdrawal. This is likely to worsen as a federal court ordered the release of more than 70 photographs
and three videos depicting abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison in
Iraq. This will further demonstrate the absurdity of the "stay the
course to finish the job" position - as it highlights how it is impossible for the U.S. to bring stability to Iraq.
In
addition to the torture photos, also coming out are gruesome photos
taken by U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. The soldiers show pride
in their 'kills' and people, seemingly some U.S. soldiers, make
sarcastic comments, e.g. a photo of a head blown off saying "he lost
his head" or "what a headache." These photos and comments can be viewed
but are incredibly gruesome so if you do not have a strong stomach or
if there are children nearby don't go to the hyperlink. I share these
because it is important that we know what is being done in our name and
with our tax dollars. These photos also help explain why up to 30
percent of returning soldiers will face severe mental health problems.
No doubt these photos are being shared around the world and creating
enemies for Americans - we should not be surprised when Americans are
attacked. There can no longer be an excuse for not knowing "why do they
hate us?"
At the same time the
anti-war movement had a major success in Washington, DC with a massive
demonstration of hundreds of thousands of people. The crowd crossed
generations, races and ethnic backgrounds and was a cross-section of
America. It highlighted veterans of the Iraq War, military families and
religious leaders. In addition to the massive demonstration there was a
United for Peace and Justice sponsored
lobby day where more than 700 people lobbied elected officials. And,
the several days of activities included civil disobedience where 40
people were arrested at the Pentagon and more than 370 people were
arrested at the White House - three times larger then the previous
record for arrests for civil disobedience at the White House.
In recent months, anti-war Democrats have gotten organized and are speaking out more effectively than they had been through the 'Out of Iraq Caucus' in the House. In the Senate Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Robert Byrd (D-WV) have spoken out for bringing U.S. troops home. And, the anti-war movement has begun to see some breakthroughs in the Republican Party
- most notably Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) and
Ron Paul (R-TX). And, votes in the House of Representatives on whether
to develop an exit strategy have come within 100 votes of winning majority support.
But, the anti-war movement has been unable to break into mainstream Democratic
Party leadership in either the House or the Senate. These "leaders"
recognize the disaster of Iraq - know the war is not winnable - but
seem to believe it is best to let the Bush Administration wallow in the
failure rather than help lead the country out of it. This immoral
position results in the needless deaths of Americans and Iraqis and
will come back to haunt the Party. The anti-war movement needs to
breakthrough the next level of political support for the war. A
particular focus should be put on Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) whose district is
strongly anti-war and out of step with her views, and John P. Murtha (D
- PA) the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Defense Appropriations,
who was recently in Iraq and knows the situation is deteriorating, is
untenable and will end with the U.S. withdrawing.
The
Iraq War is undermining the morality of the United States and
destroying our great noble purpose of protecting human rights and
encouraging democracy around the world. It is creating enemies for the
United States that will last generations and sapping the precious
resources of American lives while bleeding our treasury of resources
much-needed at home for the so-called rebuilding of Iraq which is more so
institutionalized corruption. Not only is the anti-war movement right -
but it must demonstrate that this is the defining issue of our times
and therefore must get more aggressive with those who want to stay the
immoral course of occupation.
The
anti-war movement should follow the lead of Cindy Sheehan who is
focusing her attention on those in Congress who continue to oppose
withdrawal from Iraq. She has not limited herself to Republicans like
John McCain but has also focused on Democratic leaders like Nancy
Pelosi (D-CA), Hilary Clinton (D-NY) and John Kerry (D-MA). These
elected representatives need to be pressured from all angles. Activists
should be sitting in their offices in protest, hounding them wherever
they appear in public, funders should be withdrawing their support and
candidates should be challenging them in the primary and general
election.
Most important, the
anti-war movement should not repeat the mistake of 2004 where many of
its leaders supported the pro-war Kerry. People should refuse to
support any candidate who continues to vote for funding the illegal
occupation of Iraq. The immoral quagmire of Iraq cannot be justified
and anyone who votes to continue it is not fit to hold office.
The
2006 election year should be the anti-war election year. Anti-war
activists should target key war supporters from both parties to let
them know that their political careers are at risk. As Frederick
Douglas said: "Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did
and it never will." We must challenge those in power and not be
disheartened by their opposition for, as Douglas also said: "The
resistance encountered now predicates hope . . . only as we rise . . .
do we encounter opposition."
The
movement to withdraw U.S. troops, contractors and corporate interests
from Iraq is gaining speed but must go from strength to strength and
escalate efforts to end the occupation. Integrity, patriotism and
common sense are on the side of withdrawal - now the political will
must be developed so the United States can regain its standing in the
world and our sense of morality at home.
Kevin Zeese is director of Democracy Rising and a candidate for U.S. Senate
Courtesy and Copyright Kevin Zeese
