Vietnam, Iraq, Protest and Patriotism

[Q]

- RWingers don't like to bring up the past when it comes to the malfeasance of Republican presidents...but they LOVE to spit and spew about the 'traitors' who protested against the Vietnam 'police action'.

- But something the Republicans have ALWAYS gotten wrong is why Americans protest against wars. It's all about UNNECESSARY death and destruction when there are other means to resolve differences. It's about..for once...waging peace instead of war.

- It's also about the LIES that take us to war and keep them going beyond reason. No one should have to die for a lie. That includes American soldiers, Vietnamese or Iraqis.

- To this day...Republicans moan and complain about those who protested against the Vietnam war...but hardy ever mention the tens of thousands who lost their lives over that last lie that took us into unnecessary war. They seem more offended by dissent than unnecessary death.

- Vietnam AND Iraq show what happens when the dissenting voice of those who must fight these wars are labeled as 'unpatriotic' or disregarded as 'focus groups'. Neither Vietnam or Iraq had anything to do with defending our country. The Constitution / Bill of Rights gives us the duty and responsibility to assemble and address grievances when we believe our government is in the wrong and making bad decisions in the name of the people.

- The attack and occupation of Iraq is wrong on many levels. But most of all it's wrong because of the unnecessary death of Americans and Iraqis.

[Q]

1. We're seeing a great example of RWing double-standard...

...when they complain about the Clinton vs. Bush* military service. It's not really about Clinton's lack of service...they hate him because he protested the Vietnam war (police action).

- In other words...nationalism is more important to the Right than killing for no good reason.

[G_j]

2. DEAD: 58,000 Americans, 3 Million Vietnamese

I guess they think this represents American values.

Sorry, the highest and best American values are represented by those who wage peace, and have the courage to speak out.

**Mass Peace Mobilization, March 20
see, www.unitedforpeace.org

[LeahMira]

3. Maybe they ought to tell the truth...

- It's also about the LIES that take us to war and keep them going beyond reason. No one should have to die for a lie. That includes American soldiers, Vietnamese or Iraqis.

I wonder how many Americans would have supported the invasion of Iraq if Bush had just said, "Listen people. We don't have enough oil in this country to keep us going for much more than a few months or a year. Now we are perfectly happy to buy oil from Iraq and the other Middle East countries, but they keep asking a really high price and that price keeps going higher. So, we can either pay what they ask, which means that the price of just about everything is going to go sky high, or we can spend a bunch of money now, go in and take over their oil fields, and keep the prices low in this country for the rest of your lives and probably your children's lives too. Of course me and my buddies in the oil business will be getting the billions that the sheiks are getting now, but while you guys in the street won't get rich, you won't be any worse off than you are now."

I wonder how many Americans would fight to maintain the style of living to which they have become accustomed. I'm feeling pessimistic, I guess, but I really think that there are a lot of Americans who feel that two SUVs and a TV in every room of their single family home is their right just because they are Americans and to hell with the rest of the world. I say that because I've heard some people insist that they shouldn't have to pay for someone else's medical care and that if the someone elses haven't saved enough to pay for their own over their lifetime it's their problem, not the speaker's.

I also think that somehow these people have to be convinced that when one of us goes down it only brings each of us closer to the time when we will also go down.