As someone who has been urging focused citizen activism for some time now, I find it heartening that there are those in the United States who put action to words and seek to lead by example. This is the case with Chicago Alderman Joe Moore, who, together with seven of his 49 colleagues (Toni Preckwinkle, Sandi Jackson, Eugene Schulter, Robert Fioretti, Freddrenna Lyle, Ricardo Munoz and Mary Ann Smith), has prepared a resolution for the Chicago City Council opposing war on Iran. By itself, this resolution most probably will not serve to alter the policies currently being pursued by the Bush administration. But when a great American city such as Chicago takes the lead in expressing its rejection of irresponsible national policy, other cities should, and will, take notice.
I have been asked to be a witness, together with other experts on Iran and U.S. Middle East policy, before the City Council as it considers this resolution. I think it is of great importance that the representatives of the people of Chicago vote to adopt it in its entirety. I would also encourage other municipalities to consider similar resolutions opposing war on Iran, and to express their concern through the adoption of resolutions which, collectively, might serve as a notice to the United States Congress, as well as the administration of President Bush, that a war with Iran would not be supported by the citizens of this land.
In preparing for my role as witness, I carefully considered the Chicago resolution in its entirety, and offer my analysis of its content as a primer for interested parties. I sincerely hope that the leadership and courage exhibited by the Chicago council members can be replicated across America in a timely fashion, and that the resultant will of the people is recognized by the Congress in time for effective legislation to be drafted and passed which reduces the threat of U.S.-Iranian conflict.
“WHEREAS, The Bush Administration and its Congressional allies are engaging in a systematic campaign to convince the American people that the Islamic Republic of Iran poses an imminent threat to the American nation, American troops in the Middle East and U.S. allies.”
The propaganda war being waged by the Bush administration in this regard has been as intense and relentless as any in recent memory. Either directly or through proxy, the administration has painted a one-sided portrait of Iran which is inaccurate and misleading in the extreme. To have a nation of nearly 80 million people, possessing a history and culture several thousands of years old, suddenly personified in the image of a single individual, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is a gross misrepresentation. Imagine if one tried to characterize the entire American people in the form of George W. Bush. Iran is a diverse nation, with numerous political and social constituencies which compete across a broad spectrum of forums, governmental and nongovernmental alike. To take the words and deeds of one man, out of context in some cases and inaccurately in others, and use them to paint a picture of national policy is as wrong as it is deceitful.
Iran today poses no threat to the American nation, its allies (including Israel) or American troops in the region. To the extent that U.S. service members are threatened in Iraq, one must consider the reality of a genuine popular resistance by Iraqis to a brutal and illegitimate occupation. It should also be noted that Iran is primarily interested in securing a stable Iraq in the post-Saddam period, a policy requiring Iran to back the current Iraqi government, a Shiite-dominated government which the United States helped empower and which the United States currently supports.
The fact that the current Iraqi government is drawn primarily from two political entities (the Da’wa Party and the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq) that are closely allied with the Iranians not only belies the U.S. claim that Iran seeks to undermine security in Iraq (since to accept this proposition one would have to embrace the premise that Iran is fighting itself), but also illustrates the inherent inconsistency of the U.S. position in Iraq, which is to oppose the one regional power which supports the stated U.S. objective of empowering the Shiite-dominated government in Baghdad. The reality is that it is bad U.S. policy, not any concerted action on the part of Iran, which serves as the greatest threat to U.S. forces in the Middle East.
“WHEREAS, This campaign bears a strong resemblance to that waged during the lead-up to the Iraq War and occupation, with the use of unreliable sources, exaggerated threat assessments, the selective use of information, unsubstantiated accusations about Iran’s nuclear program and its supply of weapons to Iraqi forces as centerpieces of their case to the American people for aggressive action against Iran.”
If the current war in Iraq has taught the American people anything, it is that we can never again have our nation led to war based upon unsubstantiated data, rumor and speculation. Effective congressional oversight could have retarded the Bush propaganda on Iraq, especially concerning the WMD issue and the allegations of ties between Saddam’s regime and al-Qaida. The fact that Congress accepted, without question, every negative story produced by the Bush administration, and that the product of this abrogation of constitutional mandate was parroted as fact by a too-compliant media, should serve as a wake-up call that past patterns of behavior are repeating themselves today, this time in the case of Iran.
If one replaces Ahmed Chalabi and the Iraqi National Congress with Alireza Jafazadeh and the Mujahedeen Khalq, and “Curveball” (the disgraced INC-planted intelligence source cited by then-Secretary of State Colin Powell in his infamous February 2003 presentation before the U.N. Security Council) with the “magic laptop computer” (provided by the MEK to U.S. intelligence, and cited by the U.S. as the sole source for many of its claims concerning an ongoing Iranian nuclear weapons program), it is clear that there is much to be suspicious of regarding the Bush administration case against Iran.
When the United States cites the capture of alleged Iranian “Quds Force” officials as proof of Iranian perfidy inside Iraq, and then releases these same individuals months later, citing a lack of intelligence value and the fact that these prisoners pose no security threat, it becomes clear that the U.S. case against Iran is built primarily upon ideologically motivated smoke and mirrors. The Congress must never again allow itself to be used as a rubber stamp for unnecessary war, but it will act only when pushed to do so by an alarmed and awakened constituency.
“WHEREAS, Iran has not threatened to attack the United States, and no compelling evidence has been presented that Iran poses a real and imminent threat to the security and safety of the United States that would justify an unprovoked unilateral pre-emptive military attack.”
In fact, there is overwhelming evidence that Iran, rather than conspiring against the U.S. in the Middle East, has actively reached out to Washington in an effort to normalize relations. Iran was the first Islamic nation to condemn the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attack on the United States, and Iran coordinated with the U.S. military on certain aspects of the American military response in Afghanistan. Likewise, Iran was supportive of the U.S. drive to remove Saddam Hussein from power.
In May of 2003, Iran made a bold diplomatic approach to the United States which sought to resolve outstanding issues such as the Iranian nuclear program, Iranian support for Hamas and Hezbollah, and Iran’s relationship with Israel. It was the United States which rejected this outreach, not Iran. The fact is that it is the unilateral policy objectives of the Bush administration, which revolve around regime change in Iran, which serve as the principal threat to regional peace and security in the Middle East today. Iran poses a threat to no nation, least of all the United States.
“WHEREAS, We support the people of Iran who are struggling for freedom and democracy, and nothing herein should be construed as supportive of their government, the Islamic Republic of Iran, but a unilateral, pre-emptive U.S. military attack on Iran could well prove counterproductive to the cause of promoting freedom and democracy in that country.”
We should never forget that while Iran functions as a theocracy in terms of ultimate constitutional authority, both its legislative and executive branches are a product of democratic processes. The best course of action American policy could take would be to create the conditions inside Iran where the genuine will of the people can be expressed through the existing democratic structures. This is best accomplished by creating increased opportunities for interaction between Iran and the rest of the world. Such interaction would go far to moderate the theocratic structures inside Iran. The current policies of economic sanctions and political isolation of Iran are counterproductive in this regard, and serve to strengthen the political power of those conservative institutions that Americans hope would be undermined by an Iranian population moderated by international interaction.
“WHEREAS, A 2007 National Intelligence Estimate (NIE), representing the consensus view [of] all 16 U.S. intelligence agencies, concluded that Iran froze its nuclear weapons program in 2003, and an earlier NIE concluded that Iran’s involvement in Iraq “is not likely to be a major driver of violence there.”
While the United States has been plagued by the increasing politicization of intelligence-prime examples being the October 2002 National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq and the creation within the Pentagon of a special intelligence entity (the Office of Special Programs, under the guidance of Douglas Feith) whose sole purpose was to introduce into the policymaking body data and information which had been rejected by the intelligence community as unfounded-the entire work of the intelligence community cannot be dismissed out of hand, especially when it publishes a major finding which clashes with the position held by an activist administration. The fact that the U.S. intelligence community and the Bush administration do not agree on the specifics of how Iran constitutes a threat to America in and of itself begs intervention in the form of congressional oversight. It is not unpatriotic for Congress to hold hearings for the purpose of discerning the facts surrounding a given policy. When such policies involve war or the threat of war, the need is even more imperative, and the failure of Congress to act accordingly represents a dereliction of duty which must not be ignored by the American people, whom Congress purports to represent.
“WHEREAS, an attack on Iran is likely to cause untold thousands of American and Iranian casualties, lead to major economic dislocations, and threaten a much wider and more disastrous war in the Middle East.”
While it is currently in vogue for ideologues and proponents of neoconservative ideology to promote a “limited airstrike” against Iran, anyone with any military experience will point out that no plan survives initial contact with the enemy. The Iranian government will have a say in how it will choose to respond in case of an unprovoked American military strike, however limited it might be. Any Iranian retaliation might prompt an American counter-retaliation, and one might find a limited strike quickly spiraling out of control and threatening full-scale conflagration. The American economy has been bankrupted by the war in Iraq, and the American military, especially the Army and Marines, is stretched to its breaking point. While an argument can be made that any limited strike would rely primarily on the resources of the Air Force and Navy, if the conflict escalates, this will no longer be the case. Given the fact that any attack on Iran would represent an elective war rather than a war of national security, there is no compelling reasoning which cites the so-called national interest for the United States to consider any military action against Iran, either now or in the future.
“WHEREAS, a pre-emptive U.S. military attack on Iran would violate international law and our commitments under the U.N. Charter and further isolate the U.S. from the rest of the world.”
Most Americans remain ignorant of the laws which govern our nation, and the document which serves as the foundation of these laws. The United States Constitution, in Article 6, declares that international treaties and agreements ratified by a two-thirds vote in the Senate become the supreme law of the land. The United States is a signatory to the charter of the United Nations, and the charter has been ratified by the U.S. Senate. As such, the United States is bound by international law and its own Constitution to not only reject pre-emptive warfare (a notion cited by the Nuremburg tribunals as the greatest of all war crimes, since it is from pre-emptive war of aggression that all other war crimes are born), but note that the United States can justify going to war only as a result of legitimate self-defense (i.e., in response to an attack), per Article 51 of the U.N. charter, or as a result of a Chapter VII resolution of the United Nations Security Council authorizing the use of military force.
The Bush administration violated every legal principle the United States claims to represent, internationally and domestically, when it pre-emptively invaded Iraq in 2003, without provocation and void of any Chapter VII authorization. Two wrongs do not make a right, and it is imperative that the Congress take action to make sure that the administration is not permitted to embark on a similarly illegal and illegitimate course of action regarding Iran.
“WHEREAS, An attack on Iran is likely to inflame hatred for the U.S. in the Middle East and elsewhere, inspire terrorism, and lessen the security of Americans in Chicago and worldwide.”
The reputation of the United States has been severely harmed by the irresponsible actions of the Bush administration in Iraq. Without condoning the actions of groups such as al-Qaida, it is important to understand that irresponsible American action abroad does manifest itself in a backlash, and that often this backlash comes in the form of terrorism. Any U.S. attack on Iran would only reinforce the opinions of those in the world already disposed against the United States, and draw many more into their ranks. The only way to truly win the war on terror is to identify the point at which an individual decides to embrace terror as a means of achieving an objective, along with the means for which such a decision was made, and then to take actions to prevent that point from ever being reached. To operate as if American policy and actions in Iraq, and the potential of similar actions and activities in Iran, do not influence this equation is simply to ignore reality and embrace ignorance.
“WHEREAS, The Iraq war and occupation has already cost the lives of over 4,000 American soldiers, the maiming and wounding of over 38,000 American soldiers, the death and maiming of over one million Iraqi civilians.”
The war in Iraq has already killed far too many people, American and Iraqi alike. This war is widely recognized as being unsustainable. The key question that must be answered by those who champion a “stay the course” approach is, “How big do you want the Iraqi War Memorial to be?” It is already 4,070-plus names too big. Expanding the conflict to include Iran would not only extend this unwinnable (and unjustified) war, but it would also expand the size of whatever memorial is eventually built to commemorate this national folly. And while America will probably never construct a memorial to the Iraqi people we are responsible for killing and wounding, it should be understood that these people will never be forgotten by their fellow Iraqis, and indeed the rest of the world. To extend this human suffering and tragedy into Iran would be to create a level of suffering for which America can never, and should never, be forgiven.
“WHEREAS, According to the nonpartisan National Priorities Project, the Iraq War and occupation has cost American taxpayers more than $500 billion, the citizens of Chicago nearly $5.2 billion, and the citizens of each of Chicago’s 50 wards an average of $104 million, and
“WHEREAS, Any conflict with Iran is likely to incur far greater costs and divert more precious national resources away from critical human needs in Chicago and its 50 wards.”
As the American economy continues to suffer under the strains of the second most expensive war in U.S. history (after World War II), and as the Pentagon continues to consume national treasure which is sorely needed for domestic programs involving the health, education and general welfare of the people, it must be recognized that, in going to war against Iraq, President Bush actually declared war on the American people. Any military action against Iran would only magnify the economic consequences of this criminal folly.
“BE IT RESOLVED, That the City Council of the City of Chicago does hereby urge the Illinois Congressional delegation to clearly express the will of the people of Chicago in opposing any U.S. attack on Iran, and urging the Bush Administration to pursue diplomatic engagement with that nation, and
“BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of the resolution be forwarded to President George W. Bush and all members of the Chicago Congressional delegation.”
America claims to be the greatest functioning democracy in the world today. While our system is in reality a democratic republic, the will of the people is in fact expressed through those whom they elect to represent them in higher office. The resolution of the Chicago City Council opposing war on Iran is as strong a statement as can be made by a free people outside of an election. For this resolution to have any real meaning, it must be made clear to those in the Illinois congressional delegation, especially those representing the people of Chicago, that this resolution is not simply a collection of words, but rather a collection of political will, and that any representative who fails to act in a manner reflective of the serious intent of this resolution will be held to account. Such accountability is what completes the cycle of representative democracy, and if those whom the citizens of Chicago elect to represent them in Congress fail to respond to the collective resolve of their constituencies, then they must do so at their own political peril if this resolution is to have any meaning.
I am proud of the City Council members for standing up in defense of the ideals and values of not only the citizens of the great city of Chicago but also for setting an example that all cities, towns and villages across America should follow in the coming weeks so that the collective will of the people can resonate within the halls of Congress, and a senseless and illegal war with Iran can be averted. I have always believed that the true strength of America is best measured by the principled action of its people. Chicago is leading the way by taking a principled stand. It is now up to the rest of America to follow suit.
Scott Ritter was a Marine Corps intelligence officer from 1984 to 1991 and a United Nations weapons inspector in Iraq from 1991 to 1998. He is the author of numerous books, including “Iraq Confidential” (Nation Books, 2005) , “Target Iran” (Nation Books, 2006) and his latest, “Waging Peace: The Art of War for the Antiwar Movement” (Nation Books, April 2007).
Copyright © 2008 Truthdig, L.L.C.
Whereas gw bush has no grasp of reality he’ll unleash the dogs of war again as he loves the idea of leading a country in war. Damn shame the fool wouldn’t know how to lead a horse to water, let alone lead a country in effectivly fighting a war. Why would the neocons give a damn at this stage what the people think, they’ve been rather successful at getting the media to tell people what to think so far, haven’t they?
The political candidates will fall right in line.
Yes yes to israel!
No no to iran.
etc
Please God, lets hope sanity prevails. I don’t believe Americans would stand for an attack on Iran.
RIDDLE: When is the Constitution NOT the Constitution?
ANSWER: When it’s not enforced.
We can throw all the resolutions and laws we want at the administration. But if no one enforces them, or acts upon them, then it’s a waste of time. The only means of enforcement we seem to have left is the military, and by that I mean, the soldiers on the ground need to say NO. NO to their politically emplaced commanders, and NO to the administration. Short of that, it’s just so much hot air.
Sorry Thomas More, the US economy keeps becoming more dependent on war and more war. Whoever slows the war machine down will be blamed for destroying the US economy.
so that the collective will of the people can resonate
If the Chicago City Council is interested in the collective will of the people then why isn’t it taking action against the Chicago Commodities Exchange, which is so involved in illegally dumping commodities in Mexico, driving Mexican farmers off their land, forcing them to migrate north for oppressive work?
Why isn’t the Chicago City Council looking at the political forces centered in Chicago that manipulates agriculture production in the US against the better interests of US farmers, US consumers, and farmers and people worldwide? Why isn’t the Chicago City Council working to reduce the role of the Chicago Commodities Exchange in manipulating markets for the benefit of rich investors, effectively enslaving the people?
The Chicago City Council is trying to focus negative attention off the hugely destructive commodities control racket based in Chicago, and onto something else.
Bush is not so gung-ho about attacking Iran, however Cheney and his inner circle believe the U.S. must strike before a new president arrives. Therefore the question is whether Bush can be persuaded that Corporate America and the Neo-Cons can get away with one more imperialistic money grab. Of course the invasion would be framed in the context of ‘The War on Terror’ and our governments imaginary concern for the spreading of democracy to this particular nation at this particular time. (Just a coincidence)
To lessen the chance of a new conflict, some politician out there has to have the guts to explain to Bush et al that criminal proceedings will follow immediately upon the changing of the guard if such a criminal act occurs. Because our current Congress has allowed the Bush Administration to get off scott free for the Iraqi assault and occupation, most Neo-Cons feel Americans are apathetic enough thAT THE USUAL SUSPECTS can successfully hoodwink them yet once again. Are they right?
Did the Senate ratify the UN Charter with 2/3s the vote (as what is implied by scott’s earlier statement)? If so, then the Iraq War is now unconstitutional on ANOTHER level haha.
1) Whereas the Bush Aministration on many occasions carefully did NOT directly state Iraq posed an ‘immanent threat’ (though they did indeed say as much on a few occasions), they technically did not have the War Powers Act of ‘69 authorization for a President to declare war. (you can’t have it both ways; but that was the Cheney ‘quantum universe 4th branch of government’ strategy).
2) Whereas the War Powers Act of 1969 is Constitutionally illegal a President in fact cannot start (declare) a war (pre-emptive invasion) on a sovereign nation regardless of what lilly-livered congressional act Congress tries to use to excuse themselves from culpability.
Therefore, Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Pearl, Wolfowitz, Feith, Bremmer and the bunch are all likely guilty of treason.
And Therefore, acually, by extension, all of congress that voted for the Iraq invasion are essentially just as cupable.
The question is, how many times can the Bush chicken-hawk nutto-cons get away with unilateral illegal invasions?
Even Afghanistan was over-done as far as infrastructure destruction. Recall Iraq was bombed and detroyed repeatedly, only most notably during the H.W. Bush war to protect the western protectorate Kwaiti Inc. oil port, and then again during G.W.’s ‘reign of incompetancy.’
The American people have been so brainwashed and propagandized they don’t even (as a whole) seem to understand what a true democratic country that advocates peace could be like. Everything becomes a nail for the hammer of the military, now twice the size of the next 5 countries’ militaries combined.
Unbelievable.
I hope this country grows up before we lead the world to total annihilation.
Of course we Americans will stand for war with Iran. We are collectively just too damn lazy to get in the street…or even support a general strike. Funny how other countries have citizens who participate in that way and we cannot seem to organize a decent demonstration no matter what this government does. I bet if President Shit for Brains started burning witches, the best we’d come up with would be a cheering crowd.
Veteran ‘66-68
“Scott Ritter was a Marine Corps intelligence officer…”
The most important purpose for which the intelligence corps are organized is to foment war, environmental destruction and economic privilege and inequity. Scott Ritter has played his part in this and knows it well.
We are an empire-based society… which means we are a society that lives by war-making and the deceptions and institutions of deception that conceal that overwhelming truth.
Peace is the result of living in accord with natural principles and respecting the rights of all others to do so as well. http://allinharmony.org
Peace can never be achieved by institutions and methodologies that are designed to protect and extend supremacism and genocide through deceit.
“While our system is in reality a democratic republic, the will of the people is in fact expressed through those whom they elect to represent them in higher office.”
What total rubbish! I have known a fair share of officials, local and national. What they represent, one and all, are special interests. And, ‘The will of the poeple’ is recreated each night via TV and other outlets designed for social control through mass deceptions.
(The Iranian hostage taking being one deception script that continues to have bearing on our completely false assumptions about our relationship with Iran.)
If you want to stop wars, take note of the war-making industries and outlaw their activities (they are all playing on the same team). Furthermore, outlaw the activities of secret operators (especially military) whose functions are always anti-life and help keep alive justifications for the military/industrial world-wide imperial complex.
Everyone in the ‘intelligence’ fields lives by deception and involvement with and support of crimes against humanity (and the rest of life) for reasons that they alone consider themselves ‘worthy’ to know and conceive.
No one in the ‘intelligence’ corps is even allowed to state the truth and purposes of their activities. Scott Ritter is a fake anti-war activist. What a travesty of the truth that such a person should be elevated to the status of anti-war spokesperson!
Dozens of city and town councils in the US passed resolutions prior to the March 2003 US ground invasion opposing a US attack against Iraq: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Syracuse, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Atlanta, many others. That these resolutions were largely ignored doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be passed again in regard to Iran, and for that matter the rest of the world.
On the other hand, maybe something more sweeping is needed. Maybe cities and municipalities across the US should pass a new Declaration of Independence from King George the II and both corporate political parties, maybe in fact it should simply re-use and update much of the language of the original Declaration of Independence, while including and reaching out to all the Americas, and beyond, and be called a Declaration of Emancipation to reflect the emancipation manifestos and legislation freeing the Russian serfs and US slaves. Maybe something like this:
Declaration of Emancipation
When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for people to dissolve the political and legal bonds which have connected them with others, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the free and equal station to which the laws of nature entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of people everywhere requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to liberty.
We Americans - we peoples of the Americas - from Tierra del Fuego to Point Barrow and every point in between - hold these truths to be self-evident, that all people are created equal, that they are endowed with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life and liberty, as well as just and equitable conditions of life. That whenever any form of government - be it corporate or statist or otherwise - becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute various forms of democracy and free association that function to secure these inalienable rights, and that work to create a flourishing and relative equality of condition, without which these inalienable rights can neither be met nor fulfilled. When a long train of abuses and usurpations designs to oppress people under various forms of despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off corporate and state governments and other oppressors, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of the people of the Americas, and beyond; and such is now their need to alter the oppressive systems of corporate and state authoritarianism and malicious neglect. The history of the present corporate-state systems of rule is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an intolerable tyranny over the people. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.
The private and public governments that take the forms of corporations and states and related foundations and other organizations and actors, henceforth known as mendacious (or malicious) entities (ME), have refused to operate in the most wholesome and necessary ways for the public good….
http://apragmaticpolicy.wordpress.com/2008/05/11/declaration-of-emancipation/
I am so impressed by and PROUD of Scott Ritter for this important speech. I’d love to see HIM promoted in the military as he understands the difference between viable conflict and that which is done for all the wrong reasons. In short, he IS an enlightened warrior.
Mr. Ritter, born July 15 is a sun-sign Cancer, as is our July 4, nation. So, too, is Bush JR and Cindy Sheehan. It’s interesting they are all in the spotlight but represent diametrically opposed perceptions of what love of nation/patriotism amounts to. Cindy and Scott are also both dealing with the arc known as the TRINE from the rebel-planet Uranus. Ruler of the sign of Aquarius, Uranus is the chief planetary proponent of TRUTH and I mean Truth with a capital T, the type that resonates with the Eternal Verities rather than the pre-fab fixed case cause du jour. Uranus is bringing limelight to these mavericks as they SPEAK for Truth. We can only hope Truth takes down the likes of Bush and his ilk who have shown and continue to show DEPRAVED INDIFFERENCE to human life, sustainable ecology and all things that matter. They and their born again buddy Mr. Prince, head of Blackwater, are doing decidedly what Jesus would not. Yet they claim the Master’s name. Blasphemy has its consequences.
ANDERSONDL: Desperate times call not for desperate measures, but a new paradigm. LOTS of jobs could be created causing a boost to this nation’s sagging economy if people were employed in a Roosevelt style back-to-work program that retrofitted homes with solar panels, built wind towers, engineered some desalination water plants, used abandoned inner city property to build community gardens, worked with existing infrastructure to upgrade energy efficiency, sent volunteers into schools to teach conservation and survival skills of a peaceful sort, ETC.
One reason for the Great Depression was that fear set in. The same resources, the same net manpower hours, the same potential for implementing new initiatives always existed. We still have so much to work for and with… it’s HOW we use THE force!
RT DRURY: One battle at a time, please! Starting with the rot at the top is not a bad idea. We must choose our battles wisely as there is so much to fix and/or fight to right!
I have to admit that I am not a fan of Scott Ritter though I agree with him on this.
By the way, it was liberal ‘hippy’ towns like Arcata, CA that first issued these types of proclamations years ago. Politics should be about inclusiveness rather than excluding people.
Why should politics have different standards then what we would expect from society? We want truth, fairness, protection of human rights. Justice cannot happen if it is based on lies.
so it goes…
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. ~Margaret Mead
Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth. ~Albert Einstein
Anyone who has the power to make you believe absurdities has the power to make you commit injustices. ~Voltaire
Does this sound like the way that the brave men and women who are fighting for our country’s security should be treated?
“In Camp Ar Ramadi, we often ran out of water. When our water tanks ran out, we were told we’d have to wait for KBR to come and empty out the bad water and refill our non-potable water. Some days the water smelled like sulfur, other days it smelled like straight sewage. They told us to make sure we kept our mouths closed in the showers when we complained about the smell. I can’t count the number of days I left the showers feeling dirtier than when I went in and many others shared those feelings. I know many soldiers used the water for brushing their teeth or shaving and others even used it for coffee and hot chocolate.”
I don’t think so, and neither does Rachel, the former soldier who provided this first hand account of the dangerous negligence that results from the complete lack of accountability for private contractors like KBR and Blackwater.
Rachel approached us and is ready to tell her very moving and provocative story of the contractor abuses she witnessed — everything from abominable pay discrepancies to unsafe water to electrocution due to KBR’s bad wiring.
I hope you’ll join us for a very special blog series featuring Rachel’s story. The series will be in 5 parts, Monday through Friday of this week, on our blog, Building a Progressive Future. You can subscribe to our blog through the RSS feed to stay updated on Rachel’s story and more developments on contractor behavior. Click here to subscribe: http://progressivefuture.org/blog.rss
You probably won’t be that surprised to hear about the things that Rachel witnessed — people in progressive, active circles have been talking about this serious issue for a while now. But this story has been so buried in the media that the average American doesn’t realize how widespread and severe the negligence really is. In fact, Rachel has been pressured and manipulated into keeping her story out of the media. This blog series gives us the opportunity to make this story accessible and available to everyone — not in the form of a dissociated news story, but in the words of a former soldier who saw it with her own eyes. I hope you’ll invite your friends and family to read Rachel’s story as well; you can click here to spread the word: http://www.progressivefuture.org/contractor-accountability/rachel
Thank you for your support, and we hope you’ll join us for this special event.
The military has never been composed entirely of warmongers and aggressive troglodytes. Occasionally you get a George C. Marshall and the enlisted men who denounced the occupation of Iraq in (I think it was) the NYT. Scott Ritter is one of these exceptions. The problem is there simply aren’t enough of them.
Unless all this interesting dialog can be put into the mainstream media, we are just preaching to the choir. We must expose the government control of media. It is the only lesson the government learned from the illegal NAM conflict. Never engage in a illegal war without the media on your side. Sites like this are interesting to those of us that understand, but do nothing to wake up the dumbest among us.
“…he understands the difference between viable conflict and that which is done for all the wrong reasons. In short, he IS an enlightened warrior.”
So sad… so very sad that we have not yet understood the ways in which all conflicts are orchestrated/staged, terrorists (calndestine operators) are trained, officials on opposing sides are compensated, etc.
“By deception, you will make war.”
There are simply no exceptions. ‘Enlightened’ warriors in this context only means those who are best at this horrific game of deception.
The Iran case is certainly a good example of imperial machinations and the genocidal wars (and ‘low-intensity’ operations such as ’sanctions’) that principally affect the poor and also provide cover for the removal of the real and often progressive intelligentsia.
“The military has never been composed entirely of warmongers and aggressive troglodytes. Occasionally you get a George C. Marshall and the enlisted men who denounced the occupation of Iraq in (I think it was) the NYT. Scott Ritter is one of these exceptions. The problem is there simply aren’t enough of them.”
Military organizations operate on military principles, not individual preferences. And the guiding principle of a military organization is to extend and maintain imperial power and control by the use of (or threat of) violence and deception. Furthermore, it is a rule-based society, not a democracy. One man’s decision can easily dictate the focus and purpose of the activities of thousands.
Military intelligence operators are in the business of making conflict look natural. My family was in the business, I know.
If you are in any military organization, your function is to support military operations, and they are never nice.
“Occasionally you get a George C. Marshall…”
The true story of Marshall and the genocides he supported should be written.
Suffice it to say, WWII was itself a deception script writ large in which many high ranking US officers were fully complicit and aware, Marshall was certainly one of these.
“Occasionally you get a George C. Marshall…”
The ‘war’/genocide (that successfully opposed self-determination for the peoples of the Phillippines)in which Marshall ‘cut his teeth’…
(excerpts below from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine-American_War)
Casualities:
In the official war years, there were 4,196 American soldiers dead, 1,020 of which were from actual combat; the remainder died of disease, and 2,930 were wounded.[2] There were also 2,000 casualties that the Philippine Constabulary suffered during the war, over one thousand of which were fatalities. Philippine military deaths are estimated at 20,000 with 16,000 actually counted, while civilian deaths numbered between 250,000 and 1,000,000 Filipinos.
American Atrocities
U.S. attacks into the countryside often included scorched earth campaigns where entire villages were burned and destroyed, torture (water cure) and the concentration of civilians into “protected zones” (concentration camps). Many of the civilian casualties resulted from disease and famine.
___________
Please follow link above. It is another window into the nature of ‘America’s’ wars at the service of established European imperial interests.
Marshall was also complicit in keeping Admiral Kimmel and General Short in the dark about the attack on Pearl Harbor.
It was not the surprise we have all been asked to believe.
See Harry Elmer Barnes - PEARL HARBOR AFTER A QUARTER OF A CENTURY - chapter 5
andersdl May 12th, 2008 1:55 pm
I certainly hope you are wrong.
itsaNaziWorldOrder May 12th, 2008 5:57 pm
I’ll have to disagree with you on this. Our military has done many good things through the years, just as they are helping in Burma now.
Many confuse the military with its commanders who are all civilians. Blame the men and women who serve for their mission that is dictated by civilian bosses.
Imperial? Hardly. Genocide? Where? Iraq? I would suggest to you that our unjustified attack on them, though criminal in Bush/Cheney’s rush to war, by no means meets any definition of Genocide.
65-67
69-70
First, I think it is important to continue getting the word out (via Chicago’s declaration, etc) because it is taking a long time for America to come out of it’s post-9/11 traumatic stress. Some of you have never thought our response to 9/11 was anything less than a neo-con grab for resources, while others have had to totally unwind and rewind their view of reality to come to this conclusion.
Second, while I believe telling the truth over and over is important,(many of you have pointed out the courageous cities who declared against invasion of Iraq) for those of us who have been blessed/cursed with earlier insight into the workings of the military industrial complex and political motivations for war, this type of action is not OUR work.
I believe those further along in their acceptance and understanding of some horrible truths about the big picture are called upon to say and support and, where possible, take all non-violent means to stop this threat of the illegal invasion of Iran. We can work on many different fronts at the same time. This is not a zero-sum game. We all need to find an appropriate place to put our knowledge and energy to work to stop this. Our efforts at all levels build the momentum required to stop this juggernaut.
I felt encouraged when I read another article in CD today detailing the actions of the National Lawyers Guild who have called for a Special Prosecutor to investigate the Bush Admin and their lawyers who wrote the torture memos. NLG clearly points out that all of them are legally liable and should be held accountable.
I am sorry for sounding “preachy” but my reminder to myself and anyone else for whom this post makes sense, is to try not to get cynical and defeated when you see the same methods used vis-a-vis Iraq used again for Iran. If the same people were doing these things over and over, it would be insane. But I think a lot of “new believers” are on board and demanding accountability and
transparency from Bushco.
I know that it is possible some among us are trying to keep us distracted by offering phony or worthless movements to keep us “busy” while they murder and rob the world blind. But at the same time, the scope of work being planned and done to stop this administration and hold them accountable offers us hope.
Adm. Fallon on illegally attacking Iran:
“Get serious. They’re ants. WHEN the time comes, we’ll crush them.”
WHEN, he said, did you hear? WHEN. Not “if.” That’s called a time-table.
The largest anti-illegal Iraq invasion protests in history proved wholly ineffective against tyrants who simply could give a shit about what We The People think or feel.
These city resolutions are such a waste of time and effort. For example, traitorous war criminals are still in charge, even though:
“So the vote of West Hollywood to call for the impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney makes the Southern California city the 80th city or township in the nation to make such a declaration, following similar symbolic votes in Michigan, Ohio and Vermont.”
That number could be 800 and it still wouldn’t matter - there will never be an impeachment, indictment or even a slap on the wrist for this gang.
And - here’s the really twisted part - the more cities that pass “resolutions against illegally attacking Iran,” the more likely said traitors in charge will do it, because they absolutely love giving us the finger at every opportunity…
The viewing public will not get behind a war on Iran because it’s a repeat of last season’s program. Ratings are down. The producers going to need a fresh, new angle if they want to revive the show. Will they go for the capture and rape of an American soldier by Iranians? Will it be a huge death toll in the green zone from Iranian bombs? The simple sinking of an American ship?
What will bring the ratings up?
Or have the sponsors pledged to continue supporting the show even in the face of terrible ratings?
Please remember that Hillary Clinton signed the Kyl-Lieberman Amendment that designates the entire Iranian military as terrorists and gives Bush the go-ahead he needs to do this.
Most of us, seeing the name “Lieberman” in the amendment’s title, would have seen the setup, as the Senator (I-Tel Aviv) has been beating the war drums for some time now and would have declined to put our own name to it. Indeed, Clinton’s rivals at the time, Biden, Dodd, Edwards, Richardson, Obama and Kucinich all refrained.
Tells you something.
ITS a NAZI WORLD ORDER: I find many of your comments intelligent, but you make one mistake: you can’t seem to see or fathom NUANCE. Any organization may have its spoken and unspoken credo, but that hardly means it’s a 100% uniform organism. If you want to argue for a black-white world view that leaves no room for variation, permutation, possibility or miracle, fine. I do NOT agree. You can’t paint with a brush with ONE stroke alone and expecto produce a convincing design.
With the economy so bad that the goverment invests bllions to give every America, even kids and seniors money to blow, the ’stimulus’ and while we are yet in the middle of two wars, what more damage could ‘peace’ do?
If indeed this is a war structored economy, what happened? Are not two wars enough, or do we need a third?
How many wars do we need, to have a good economy, or do we just need to change the war mentality in Washington DC, as Barack Suggested?
NAZI ORDER; And by the way, the whole point here is that Scott Ritter is making a case NOT for war. That is why I offered the designation that he is an enlightened warrior. I don’t recall where I found the quote but it was penned in relation to the fact that Europe, having experienced the ravages and unspeakable losses of a world war is far less keen on getting into another one. The US which has pretty much been blessed by geography and industrial inventiveness, has not dealt with that calamitous circumstance (particularly if 911 was an inside job) and thus has not come to a state of enlightenment.
The warrior who sees the bleeding broken once men he shared his life with on the field may come to look at the whole basis for conflagration under a more peace-seeking light. THAT is Ritter and THAT is enlightenment in my book! Given that we have FEW arguing FOR sanity these days, I’ll support those persons who speak against war whatever uniform they are wearing or not otherwise!
“I’ll have to disagree with you on this. Our military has done many good things through the years, just as they are helping in Burma now.
Many confuse the military with its commanders who are all civilians. Blame the men and women who serve for their mission that is dictated by civilian bosses.
Imperial? Hardly. Genocide? Where? Iraq? I would suggest to you that our unjustified attack on them, though criminal in Bush/Cheney’s rush to war, by no means meets any definition of Genocide.”
I began my war-protesting in the sixties… and failure found me hitting the history books hard… seeking answers.
No reasonable account of US military involvement in the past and present century can come to any conclusion other than that the military (in all its branches and supporting services) is an institution established for purposes of maintaining and extending imperial power by virtue of genocide.
Genocide is not only mass slaughter to affect political, economic and sociological outcomes, it is also ‘low-intensity warfare’ programs (economic, bio-terror, etc.) such as the one unleashed in Argentina a few years back.
The press, both here and in Argentina cited corruption in Argentina as the principal reason that the peso collapsed, and small farmers and many others lost their businesses and homes. I was there not long after the collapse. It was shocking to see the goings on… the people suddenly homeless and poor… and the deal makers; CIA and US military, British and other Euro partners picking over the spoils… finally, one ex US Naval officer (married to a member of the US diplomatic corps) excitedly confided that it was his idea (successfully implemented) to bring about a collapse of the Argentine peso!
(He had just driven us out to the grand estate he acquired for pennies on the dollar and taken us on tour of his newly acquired winery… )
What about the Iran Iraq war? How many children died? Do you know how the war was started, who orchestrated it? Did you know that the US military ran the program in Iraq and their German partners ran it in Iran? Did you know that Brezinski was involved in the planning to take the Americans hostage in Iran and Bush, Sr. conspired to keep them in ‘custody’ until Reagan was in office?
“By deception, you will make war”
The role of the military agencies in supporting supremacist rule by defeating the legitimate rights of the majority is too well established throughout history. The role of the US miltiary in many genocides is so well-established, I am surprised that there are any ‘progressives’ that could even question it.
Here is just one glimpse into the kinds of genocidal programs that our military not only engages in and supports, but dreams up for future genocides:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8674401787208020885&q=biowarfare+cancer+video+Horowitz&total=1&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0
And, the answer isn’t National Security! My father was an arms and technology smuggler. The ’sovereign nation states’ hoax is just another war-makers trick! Policies in Russia, China, Indonesia, Argentina, etc. are all being written by an international elite… and they like war (and its ability to defeat the aspirations of the majority) so war there will be!
Think of war policy as a means to keep poor people pruned (devoid of leaders, hope and vitality) and in their place, and you will have a better understanding of those who decide where, when and against whom to go to war, or more correctly, involve in a war.
These policies work just as effectively on communities in this country to thwart any possibility that they will attain sustainable programs independent of the military corporate order… study COINTELPRO operations against Black communities in the sixties.
So, you are right and you are wrong. Many involved in setting the stage for wars(genocides) are not actually in the military. But, the military is organized to serve their interests and that is what my comments are in reference to: military orders exist to commit genocide in support of the programs, interests and control paradigms dictated by the world’s international corporate elite.
To news of this resolution, if passed, we can expect Cheney to reply, “So?” It’s clear that the administration, and even the Congress, are heedless of public opinion.
“ITS a NAZI WORLD ORDER: I find many of your comments intelligent, but you make one mistake: you can’t seem to see or fathom NUANCE. Any organization may have its spoken and unspoken credo, but that hardly means it’s a 100% uniform organism. If you want to argue for a black-white world view that leaves no room for variation, permutation, possibility or miracle, fine. I do NOT agree. You can’t paint with a brush with ONE stroke alone and expecto produce a convincing design.”
My experiences tell me that when we live inside a pyramidal structure (which we do), those of us arguing (and creating) against the policies of the minority (ruling elite)… are ALWAYS defeated!
I NEVER give up. Miracles are welcome. But, not understanding the lay of the present geopolitical landscape benefits no one. It is totalitarian and those in control have no sense of being in danger due to our activities… they are not expecting our miracle… my hope is that since we are all in a box here (rulers and handmaidens)…
the unexpected is expected:) I listen for it each morning…
“NAZI ORDER; And by the way, the whole point here is that Scott Ritter is making a case NOT for war. That is why I offered the designation that he is an enlightened warrior. I don’t recall where I found the quote but it was penned in relation to the fact that Europe, having experienced the ravages and unspeakable losses of a world war is far less keen on getting into another one.”
Yet, Europeans are involved in many ‘wars’ occurring not so close to home.
Again, it is not the soldier who is at fault. It is though the structure and the reasons for that structure that is causing the problems we are experiencing.
Ritter is more aware of that structure and its purposes than he is disclosing.
“The reputation of the United States has been severely harmed by the irresponsible actions of the Bush administration in Iraq. Without condoning the actions of groups such as al-Qaida, it is important to understand that irresponsible American action abroad does manifest itself in a backlash, and that often this backlash comes in the form of terrorism. Any U.S. attack on Iran would only reinforce the opinions of those in the world already disposed against the United States, and draw many more into their ranks. The only way to truly win the war on terror is to identify the point at which an individual decides to embrace terror as a means of achieving an objective, along with the means for which such a decision was made, and then to take actions to prevent that point from ever being reached.”
This is pure military disinfo. People in the know, such as Ritter, who willingly promote this type of deception script can never assist Americans in developing the understandings that alone can engender a world-wide culture of peace and prosperity.
All we need to elect McBush III is to start bombing Iran. Who would want an untested new greenhorn to be running another war and “protecting” us from terror? For the answer, look back to 2002 and 2004.
When I hear the word “peace” I reach for my pistol. R Cheney
When I hear the phrase “public opinion” I reply SO?
War against Iran will only be some random bombing of suspicious sites. No big thing. Too big a country for boots on the ground.
Peace in the Middle East will arrive when the last dictator is oil-boarded by the last al Queda terrorist.
Scott,
You are admired. However, it is not the policies of this nation which are flawed, it is the system of government.
The system is corporate controlled fascism.
Until the system is corrected to reflect the will of the people, nothing can or will change.
It is a waste of time to struggle to manipulate this government. The people have no control over it.
The constitution must be amended to take power from the ruling elite and putting it where it rightfully belongs, the people.
ITS A NAZI WORLD ORDER: I appreciate your responses. Indeed, I am well aware of the subtle orchestrations of fascism underway in our nation. I do believe that a crack can and will occur in the death machine. There are a great many variables that transcend the will of men, even men who presume to own absolute power.
The essence of what Scott Ritter and others are trying to do is stop another preemptive war based on lies. There has been talk from congressmen of starting impeachment procedings against Bush/Cheney if an attack on Iran occurs. By then it will be too late. I don’t know what the answer is, but certainly resolutions such as Chicago’s should make a difference, especially if local politicians are told to do the will of the people who they represent or their ass is on the line. Massive protest marches, political pressure on local congress people, letters to the editors, non support of military/corporate entities should make a difference. Ridding the halls of congress of lobbyists would be a happy day. And of course, if the military stood down and opposed another suicidal action would be an act out of this world. But according to another recent article by Scott Ritter, the Air Force is heavily infiltrated by evangelistic right wing nut cases. Where are our inspired leaders? I have this sense of doom, but still hanging on to hope.
itsaNaziWorldOrder May 12th, 2008 11:12 pm
Well, I expect we will agree we are half right and half wrong. We just disagree on which half of things are correct. And as pointed out above, even that half has nuance in degree.The military serves a need and a purpose, I just believe you cannot blame it or its soldiers when they are ill used. So on some things we’ll just disagree. And thank you for clarifying some of your thoughts.
Genocide in the difinition I know doesn’t fit many of the things you apply it to, but that is a matter of semantics thats not critical. It just indicates your intensity of feeling.
“The role of the US miltiary in many genocides is so well-established, I am surprised that there are any ‘progressives’ that could even question it.”
This is the definition of genocide to me. “Genocide is the deliberate and systematic destruction of an ethnic, racial, religious, or national group.”
If you use the United Nations definition which means that even if you kill just a few in a group you’ve just commited Genocide. I suspect thats the legal definition you are using. I believe its too broad. Doesn’t make me right or wrong. Just makes it confusing till we know what the other person means for sure.
Many Progressives question many claims made about things like this. Ideology must never rule in any group or it dies. I’m a Progressive but I don’t hold the same views you and others do about everything. I never think we are always right and Conservatives (even Neocons are right about once in a blue moon God help me), Republicans, Moderates are always wrong. Its just not true.
Here’s an example. Many claim our system of government is out of our control. If so, how does one explain the defeat of the Illegal Immigration bill last year? Corporate America was desperate to pass it, racist organizations were in high gear and it had support from the “one worlders,” the Democratic Congress was pushing it, even Bushie Boy was pushing it. So how was it defeated if not by the wish of the majority of our citizens opposing it 3 to 1?
I feel its a case of our citizens not becoming involved. There is nothing wrong with our system of government. Whats wrong is our government in my opinion.
I do believe the truth usually resides somewhere within shouting distance of the center. Far left and far right are invariably wrong as extremist’s usually are. You can see the evidence of control by extremist’s for the last 7 1/2 years. Enough of that! And I know you and I agree on that!
Pagan idolatry? You are really Neanderthal… I will NOT respond to any more of your comments. If you want to argue FOR your limitations and show a lack of genuine mental curiosity (i.e. respect for learning) to boot, then have it YOUR way. It’s a waste of MY precious time to even deal with your type of thought process.
“This is the definition of genocide to me. “Genocide is the deliberate and systematic destruction of an ethnic, racial, religious, or national group.”
And this is also my definition. Previously I stated:
“Think of war policy as a means to keep poor people pruned (devoid of leaders, hope and vitality) and in their place,…”
Sometimes the killing is random and involving huge numbers… the shock and awe version that was unleashed throughout Southeast Asia in the sixties, China in the thirties, etc., and sometimes it is more selective and tactical… such as the case of the attacks on US Blacks in the sixties and Gladio operations throughout Europe in the fifties and sixties…
“Here’s an example. Many claim our system of government is out of our control. If so, how does one explain the defeat of the Illegal Immigration bill last year? Corporate America was desperate to pass it, racist organizations were in high gear and it had support from the “one worlders,” the Democratic Congress was pushing it, even Bushie Boy was pushing it. So how was it defeated if not by the wish of the majority of our citizens opposing it 3 to 1?”
Much can be said in response to this but part of it I already wrote in a comment to an article on GMO’s regarding what one right wing corporate leader told me about how he deals with those who oppose his projects:
“We know they will oppose our development so we open with a completely outrageous proposal that attacks many additional things they care about… then we fight for all of these things we actually don’t want but we included just to have plenty to ‘give up’. We end by accepting ‘a compromise’ that allows us to do what we wanted in the first place… “
itsaNaziWorldOrder May 13th, 2008 5:29 pm
Points taken.
We end by accepting ‘a compromise’ that allows us to do what we wanted in the first place… “
They didn’t get a compronmise though did they? Unlikely to next time. More important to more people now because of our economy and a lot of folks are just finding out exactly how expensive illegals to each American no matter where they live. Its a bill we can’t afford anymore.They won’t get their legalization of status. They don’t care one whit if these poor slave laborers get citizenship or not.
But your point on their method is well taken. Sorry to get off topic so much. Thanks.
Kane Jeaves got it right.
They are not “citizen soldiers”.
They are mere consumers ignorant of the facts and devoid of any vestiges of what could be called “civic courage”.
Those who willingly follow Custers have no voice here.
Their suffering is of no relevance whatsoever to me when compared to the horrors they have willingly inflicted on the innocent… for a paycheck… and they have created their own nightmares by their own puny lack of human character.
Somebody said something about Marines, but all I see are… morons.
Scott Ritter is one of America’s unsung heroes. The republican media had this fine man scorned and ridiculed causing many to see him as they wanted him painted. We now know that Ritter was doing an important job. He continues to stand up against Bush and the republican machine that wants a war with Iran.
“Scott Ritter is one of America’s unsung heroes. The republican media had this fine man scorned and ridiculed causing many to see him as they wanted him painted. We now know that Ritter was doing an important job. He continues to stand up against Bush and the republican machine that wants a war with Iran.”
This is not a matter of Dem vs Repub. Study the history of the Middle East… go back just 90 years or so. (It is not Dem sanity vs Repub insanity, it is CIA and MI6 style machinations in the service of a corporate elite vs. the majority in these countries and elsewhere.)
This matter is one of empire and what needs to be understood is the role of the disinfo corps (the ‘Scott Ritters’) in the furtherance of empire by deception ploys. Party politics, the absurd blame game that avoids revealing the elite international power brokers, needs to end.
Beowulf May 14th, 2008 12:35 pm
Speaking of Morons……
Siouxrose said: “LOTS of jobs could be created causing a boost to this nation’s sagging economy if people were employed in a Roosevelt style back-to-work program that retrofitted homes with solar panels, built wind towers, engineered some desalination water plants, used abandoned inner city property to build community gardens, worked with existing infrastructure to upgrade energy efficiency, sent volunteers into schools to teach conservation and survival skills of a peaceful sort, ETC.”
Yes yes yes - we have to imagine such beautiful things. They could happen. Let us spread these positive ideas and hope they take root and crowd out the noxious impulse toward attacking our beautiful brothers and sisters in Iran.