U.S. VETERANS FOR PEACE MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE OF IRELAND
Please extend my greetings and solidarity with the people who have gathered to protest the visit of G.W. Bush to the Emerald Isle.
In the four years that Mr. Bush has occupied the office of President he has done immeasurable harm to the United States of America, which has meant great disorder for the world community.
In the aftermath of the terror attacks of 9-11, when our country had the overwhelming support of the peoples of the world, the Bush administration has squandered that sympathy and has set the United States on a course of deceitful military adventures abroad and assaults on civil liberties at home.
Already we have seen almost 1000 American and other “coalition” soldiers and over ten thousand documented Iraqis killed. How many more Iraqis have died remains unknown.
Many other thousands of soldiers and civilians have been maimed while Iraqi citizens have been tortured and abused. How many thousands will suffer the aftereffects of the use of Depleted Uranium weapons and other military toxins? How high will the “body count” get?
How long will this continue before we say ENOUGH!
Military veterans know the bloody realities of war not the flag waving rhetoric or controlled media images. We also know that very dollar spent for this unjustifiable and illegal war is another dollar that is denied for social needs at home including taking care of veterans after they come home.
It is not anti-American to oppose these retrograde policies or their authors. Many US citizens stand with you and gain encouragement from your protests. It is real international cooperation and solidarity when people throughout the world say NO to the Bush agenda.
As a disabled Vietnam veteran and an American patriot and citizen of the world, I say it is time to end the occupation and bring our troops home now, to treat them right when they get back, to let the Iraqi’s run their own country and to help them rebuild. Until the US government changes direction, our struggle is far from over.
David Cline
National President, Veterans For Peace
Coordinator, Vietnam Veterans Against