Debra Smith / The World Can’t Wait – 2011-04-08 01:53:25
http://www.worldcantwait.net/index.php/home-mainmenu-289/7077–are-the-us-wars-on-the-middle-east-wrong-because-they-cost-so-much
This Weekend: March Against the Costs of War
Debra Smith / The World Can’t Wait
Are the US Wars on the Middle East Wrong Because They Cost so Much?
Or are they just wrong, immoral, unjust, and against humanity’s interests?
US occupations, bombs, and secret operations have wreaked havoc in the Middle East since 2001, sold to the public on the basis of being in the “United States’ national interest.”
Rolling Stone reported that in 2010 the 5th Stryker Brigade’s “Kill Team” went on a shooting spree, killing unarmed Afghan civilians and mutilating corpses for fun, while US NATO bombing raids kill even more civilians this year than last. The US detains hundreds of Afghans in Bagram, without charges, lawyers, or rights… and Guantanamo remains open, in spite of Obama’s declaration over two years ago that he would close it as a stain on America’s conscience.
The US occupation of Iraq caused the worst humanitarian crisis of our time: over 4.1 million refugees over the last 8 years; 1.2 million killed; the wholesale destruction of the infrastructure, agriculture, electrical, and educational systems. Still in Iraq are 50,000 troops re-branded from “combat” to “advisers” and tens of thousands of private mercenaries at 17 permanent bases.
Obama has increased unmanned drone attacks and secret operations in Pakistan and Yemen, killing hundreds of civilians. The administration of the Nobel Peace Laureate continues to support repressive regimes in Yemen and Bahrain, against the demands of their people, but mounted a $1 billion bombing and secret operation in Libya, under cover of “humanitarianism” and with the collusion of the former colonial powers France and Britain, using the same weapons that could be used in an often-threatened attack on Iran.
It’s an outrage that this government spent $2 trillion on military aggression, more than all the other countries combined while, officially, one in seven, live in poverty and the richest 1% increased their income during this recession. Homelessness, criminal lack of healthcare, and 2.4 million poor people imprisoned are the “American way” as much as US domination of other countries and the wanton exploitation of the earth’s resources.
But, if the richest country in the world provided jobs, education, healthcare for all the people living here, would it be OK to kill people indiscriminately and in protracted occupations for empire?
If we oppose this war purely because it is not in our financial interests, how are we any different than those who wage these wars because it is in their financial interests? We must stand up for the whole planet, stop thinking like Americans and start thinking about humanity.
Protest War & Occupation This Weekend
“THEY are the government, corporate, and financial powers that wage war, ravage the environment and the economy and trample on our democratic rights and liberties.
WE are the vast majority of humanity who want peace, a healthy planet and a society that prioritizes human needs, democracy and civil liberties for all…”
New York April 9: Rally at Union Square. March leaves Union Square going south down Broadway at about 2:30 to Foley Square. The end rally is at the Fountain at Foley Square until 5 PM.
San Francisco April 10: Dolores Park — gather at 11; noon rally. March to follow. Featured speaker: Malalai Joya, “the bravest woman in Afghanistan.”
Join the World Can’t Wait contingents against endless occupation, indefinite detention and drone bombs. Help bring the message: Free Bradley Manning!
‘Tea-Partiers for Torture’ Met with Righteous Protest: Report from SF Bay Area Chapter
Curt Wechsler / The World Can’t Wait
Tuesday night April 5, World Can’t Wait and members of Code Pink, Progressive Democrats of America and 9/11 Truth mixed it up with teapartiers in Mountain View, California.
The Conservative Forum of Silicon Valley was hosting a speech titled “Presidential Power in time of Crisis” by John Yoo, the sometimes-professor of law at UC Berkeley (he spends most of his time hawking a book). Hardly the “conservative” organization it pegs itself as, this group espouses radical ideas of unlimited executive power and a rewriting of the US Constitution. Yoo has been traveling the country in a fierce attempt to rehabilitate the history of his part in establishing the state torture program employed by the Bush Regime.
Scattered throughout a crowd of about 200 of enthusiastic torture supporters, 10 activists interrupted the proceedings in as many times, identifying John Yoo as a War Criminal and calling for his arrest.
Yoo delivered his stock “presidential popularity” speech, focusing on the importance of the use of war to maintain American imperialist superiority, and lauding those who defied Article 1 of the Constitution to impose martial law and suspend habeas corpus.
Endorsing the current administration’s undeclared war on Libya, the Torture Professor citied Obama’s support of war and the President’s adoption of Bush policies as vindication for Yoo’s “Unified Executive” theory.
Unpleasant as last night’s entrance into the “belly of the beast” was, it was instructive to observe the disparate nature of the right-wing reactionaries. These not-so-rich Republican wannabees are looking for a piece of the pie which they themselves have been denied. The danger lies in their methods and determination to destroy anything in their path, people or institutions that work for the interests of humanity.
