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The
invasion and occupation of Iraq started at the
time that the Living Wages
at Camden Yards Campaign was taking root. I decided
to remain focused on this campaign, rather
than
focus on organizing against the war. This
was a difficult decision, since I knew from the
start of the war that hundreds of thousands would
die. But the conditions at Camden Yards were
right, and I did not want to get sidetracked
by the agenda of the Right. I did not want to
be part of the cycle where many in the US
Left
move
from
reacting to disaster after disaster, all from
an agenda created by our political opponents.
This decision
did not diminish my deep
opposition
to the war,
nor did it diminish the emotional toll that I
experienced as remote witness to mass murder
done in my name.
I supported the work of organizers as a participant
in rallies and other venues for expressing opposition
to the invasion and occupation. The
following letters to the editor express some
of my outrage
as I
looked on and
as my government
ravaged the people and country of Iraq. Of
course, the occupation continues to rage on,
and my outrage grows each day. Clearly the United
States
has
lost not only part of our soul from this war,
but also we have also lost much of our democracy.
Even with widespread opposition, the war continues
out of control from the people and the conscience
of the nation.
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Confirming Bush choices confirms his policies, too
Letter
to the Editor, Seattle Post Intelligencer (Jan.
30, 2005)
I am deeply disappointed with Sens. Patty Murray
and Maria Cantwell. Voting to confirm Condoleezza
Rice to serve as this nation's top diplomat validates
the illegal, immoral and dangerous actions of the
president under the direction of his top advisers,
including Rice.
These are not ordinary times. More than 101,000
U.S. troops and Iraqis have died in a war of aggression
sold to the Congress and the American people on lies.
Voting yes on Rice's confirmation sends the wrong
message about the solemn trust broken by the commander
in chief when he sent American soldiers into harm's
way for a war of choice.
Wars of aggression not only violate U.S. law under
our treaty obligations, but also make the entire
world less safe, less stable, and less secure.
Now I pray and wait. I wait to see if either of
my senators will stand up to the next major confirmation
before the Senate. And I pray that they will vote
no, because if they vote yes to confirm Alberto Gonzales
as attorney general, both senators will have voted
to approve barbaric torture and wars of aggression
-- in less than one week's time.
Tom Kertes
Seattle
Vetoing the pullout: another decision in
conflict with Americans
Letter
to the Editor, Seattle Times (May 3, 2007)
Editor, The Times:
With the stroke of a veto pen, President Bush turned
his back on both the American troops and the will
of the American people Tuesday. He did so by refusing
to admit defeat and bring our soldiers home.
President Bush's war in Iraq was sold on lies because
Americans are reluctant to use force unless there's
an absolute need for it. We had neither the need
nor the right to invade and occupy Iraq, and more
than 3,000 American soldiers and hundreds of thousands
of Iraqis have paid the highest price for the president's
illegal occupation of Iraq. We are now trapped in
a civil war in a distant land, with no end in sight.
It's time to change the course. That starts by returning
American troops home before our continued presence
in Iraq makes matters even worse.
President Bush is not alone in blame or responsibility
for the tragic outcome of the occupation of Iraq.
The Democrats who refused to stand up to the president's
lies and who stood by when the war was before Congress
share in Bush's blame. Thankfully, the Democrats
are facing their mistake head-on, and are doing what's
required to correct it.
Just because we made a mistake does not require
that we continue it.
I pray the Democrats hold their ground by refusing another penny for Bush's
war until there's a firm plan to do the right thing and bring our troops home.
Tom Kertes, Seattle
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