We need a national movement - "Bring Our Troops Home Now"

Those DU'ers old enough to have experienced the Vietnam War remember well the national protest movement. Sad as it is, the only way will get the attention of the media and the politicians is to start another national movement. That means posters, bumper-stickers, leaflets, rallies, and a strong national organization to pull it all together.

We need to communicate to the American people that this was an illegal military action. Not only does it violate international law, it violates the spirit and intent of the Congress in granting limited approval for it. Our troops have no business in Iraq and we need to bring them home now before more of them die senselessly.

It is time to channel our anger and frustration and make our voices known in unison and in large numbers. It is not enough to quietly grumble about this we must shout it from the rafters.

And then on January 20, 2005, in front of W on while giving his inauguration speech give the order to bring everyone home.

I'm on the national steering committee of Bring Them Home Now! a campaign of military families, veterans, active duty personnel, reservists and others opposed to the ongoing war in Iraq and galvanized to action by George W. Bush's inane and reckless challenge to armed Iraqis resisting occupation to "Bring 'em on."

Our mission is to mobilize military families, veterans, and GIs themselves to demand: an end to the occupation of Iraq and other misguided military adventures; and an immediate return of all US troops to their home duty stations.

The truth is coming out. The American public was deceived by the Bush administration about the motivation for and intent of the invasion of Iraq. It is equally apparent that the administration is stubbornly and incompetently adhering to a destructive course. Many Americans do not want our troops there. Many military families do not want our troops there. Many troops themselves do not want to be there. The overwhelming majority of Iraqis do not want US troops there.

Our troops are embroiled in a regional quagmire largely of our own government's making. These military actions are not perceived as liberations, but as occupations, and our troops are now subject to daily attacks. Meanwhile, without a clear mission, they are living in conditions of relentless austerity and hardship. At home, their families are forced to endure extended separations and ongoing uncertainty.

As military veterans and families, we understand that hardship is sometimes part of the job. But there has to be an honest and compelling reason to impose these hardships and risks on our troops, our families, and our communities. The reasons given for the occupation of Iraq do not rise to this standard.

Without just cause for war, we say bring the troops home now!

Not one more troop killed in action. Not one more troop wounded in action. Not one more troop psychologically damaged by the act of terrifying, humiliating, injuring or killing innocent people. Not one more troop spending one more day inhaling depleted uranium. Not one more troop separated from spouse and children. This is the only way to truly support these troops, and the families who are just as much part of the military as they are.

Bush says "Bring 'em on." We say "BRING THEM HOME NOW!"

in psychotherapy, that most people do not change until they are confronted with a real crisis. Well, here you go, the beginnings of one real, clear and unambiguous crisis.

I find myself looking forward to the coming day when this country goes "tilt". I am starting to sincerely believe that we are gonna have to go through hell and come out the other side, before we, as a country, wise up. I don't think that much else is gonna cut the ice.