The tide has turned on Iraq

A LTTE in the Kennebeck Journal today:

The tide has turned on Iraq


Early demonstrations against the Iraq war bore mixed results. As motorists circled the Augusta rotary an occasional horn would sound or a peace sign would flash. Often there would be an uglier hand gesture accompanied by a shouted obscenity. Men bellowed that we weren't supporting the troops; women glared stonily ahead and refused to acknowledge our presence. A staggering array of American flags fluttered from hoods, trunks, radio antennas, rear windows -- the environment was definitely unfriendly toward anyone who wasn't walking in lockstep. Yet people persevered, formed alliances and e-mail lists.

Recently we mustered again: One afternoon to protest the Senate Republicans' filibuster against the bill to end the war; one evening to stand in the rain with Veterans for Peace. We read the names of American war dead in front of the Muskie Building; we marched with Women in Black in the Old Hallowell Day Parade.

There has been an undeniable sea change since those early days. Although this is a strictly unscientific measurement, I find it telling. Once one motorist in 20 might signal support; now easily six out of 10 honk their horns, send us a peace sign or a thumbs up, or simply smile.

Despite the Bush administration's lies, misdirection and abuse of power, there are hundreds of thousands of good people across America putting up signs, carrying banners and candles, plodding over miles of pavement -- espousing sanity.

And the horns keep sounding. It's music to my ears.

That is what we have found at our weekly peace vigil in Arvada, Colorado.

See: Colorado Citizens for Peace

It is gratifying to see that the majority of the American people understand now the truth about the U.S. occupation of Iraq.

If only the politicians would act upon this turn of the tide.

is now, "We belong in that area of the world and we ain't leaving. So there!" He is no longer trying to think of excuses to be there. He wants to be there - probably believes it's a divine mission, so he is daring the Congress to cut off funds. I bet he knows they won't do it. We will probably be in Iraq for a very, very long time. If we did somehow miraculously leave and people went in there and actually saw what he and the many corrupt contractors had done, I mean EVERYTHING, Bush and all his cronies would have to disappear to that rumored Paraquay hideout. Then again, he might be lucky enough to have a Democratic candidate elected that agrees with him about Iraq. Hmmmmm.