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Bush Policy has Failed NationManchester Area People for Peace formed one year ago in response to plans by the Bush Administration to pre-emptively attack Iraq, a policy without precedent in American foreign relations. We were convinced, along with millions of other people around the world, that this was an unjust, unnecessary war. It would increase hatred for the U.S. and divert resources that were desperately needed to address problems at home. As the strongest, most influential nation on the face of the earth, what have we accomplished in the last year? Ask yourself these questions. Are we safer from the threat of terrorist activities? Have we found weapons of mass destruction in Iraq? Have we strengthened our relations with the international community? Have we worked to bring a just and equitable solution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict? Have we rebuilt Afghanistan and prevented the resurgence of the Taliban? Have we captured Osama bin Laden? Have we practiced fiscal responsibility in order to reduce the deficit and guarantee funding for education, health care, and social security? Have we protected/preserved our civil liberties? Have we protected our environment from polluters and corporate marauders? As the leader of the world, have we worked to promote peace? The very sobering answer to all of these questions is NO. Events of the past year make it clear that if our democracy is to survive, the actions of government must be questioned vigorously and debated publicly in Washington, in the press, and most importantly in cities, towns and villages across the land. During our attempt to start a public dialogue in Manchester questioning the need for a pre-emptive war against Iraq, we heard a number of well-meaning people including local leaders say that “it is not our place to question or go against our leaders…we must assume that our President knows more than we do.” The most shameful episodes in human history have occurred when people unquestioningly followed their leaders. We have now made that mistake. In the aftermath of September 11th, we have not acted like a free people. Instead we have acted out of fear and misinformation. On March 20th, 2003, the United States attacked a sovereign nation that posed no imminent threat to this country. The evidence used to make the case for this war was based on lies, exaggerations, and the shameful exploitation of the events of 9/11 to spread fear and misinformation among the American people. The people put blind allegiance in their leaders—and truth and justice were casualties. Our system failed: congress and the press abdicated their responsibilities and the American people failed to question the actions of their government. Bush now talks of imposing democracy on all the countries of the Middle East. We must oppose the Bush foreign policy that seeks to impose our values through force on other sovereign nations --a policy that the rest of the world sees as arrogant, threatening, and dominating. We must demand accountability from the Bush Administration for the misinformation used to justify the war against Iraq. We must demand an immediate exit strategy that will relinquish control of Iraq to the United Nations and begin the replacement of U.S. troops with a multinational force. Our soldiers are relying on us to help them because, although many of them no longer trust their leaders, their military status prevents them from speaking for themselves. If you support the troops, contact your representatives and senators now. Eileen Parker for Manchester Area People for Peace |
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