War [View All]

From the speech by Haile Selassie in California on 2-28-1968:

"Until the philosophy which holds
one race superior and another inferior
is finally and permanently discredited
and abandoned
That until there are no longer
first class and second class citizen
of any nation
Until the colour of a man skin
is of no more significance than
the clour of his eyes
That until their basic human rights
are equally guarenteed to all,
without regard to race

Until that day,
the dream of lasting peace, world
citizenship and the rule of
international morality
will remain in but a fleeting illusion
to be pursued, but never attained .....

Until bigotry and prejudice,
malicious and human self-interest
have been replaced by understanding
and tolerance and goodwill
Until all (people) stand and speak
as free beings equal in the eyes
of the Almighty ....
there will be war."
(Put in song-form by the prophet Bob Marley as "War.")

Until we put an end to the Bush/Cheney aggressive violence around the globe, there will be no chance of: (1) democracy in Iraq or Ohio; (2) money for "no child left behind"; (3) a sane energy policy; (4) an end to religious strife; (5) an end to racism, sexism, and nationalism; (6) a war on poverty, ignorance, and/or disease; (7) you fill in the blank.

If Americans do not begin a serious anti-war effort, the administration will not only continue on its insane policy in Iraq, but will participate in strikes inside of Iran. The administration lacks the moral capacity to stop being violent. The congress lacks the will to address the war.

Yet every poll shows the majority of Americans are convinced that the American policy in Iraq is wrong. Yesterday, more Americans were killed in Iraq than on any other day. It is a shame that we have no idea how many Iraqis died yesterday.

I think that discussions about who should be the democratic candidate in 2008 are a distraction from the single most important issue that we need to address immediately. It's as much of a distraction as wasting time debating who should be the candidate in 2020, or Sponge Bob's sexual desires.

Perhaps we could discuss what people can do, as democrats at the grass roots level, to organize the anti-war effort.