By Barbara Jezioro
Buffalo, NY – Since the United States invaded Iraq, peace activists across the nation have been vilified and accused of not supporting our troops, of being unpatriotic and un-American.
I am a peace activist. I work, I vote, I pay my taxes, and I will speak my mind.
When I see a nation being duped into believing there is a connection between the tragedy of September 11th and the government of Iraq, I will speak my mind. None of the terrorists were Iraqi nationals and there is still no evidence of a connection between al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein. Bush's war has not only increased anti-American sentiment worldwide but, according to our own intelligence agency, it has raised the chances of more terrorist attacks at home.
When I see a public policy of aggression made from the safety of government offices by chicken hawks with no real military background, I will speak my mind. Vice President Dick Cheney had not one, but five military deferments and President Bush has an unexplained gap of some 18 months in his National Guard tour of duty.
When my country, certainly the most powerful war machine on earth, invades a third world nation with a dilapidated army, I will speak my mind. The U. N. charter requires members to settle their international disputes by peaceful means. War can only be used as a last resort and only under the direction of the Security Council. By initiating the attack on Iraq, President Bush violated not only the U.N. charter, but Article VI of the Constitution of the United States which states that "all treaties made or which shall be made under the Authority of the United States shall be the supreme law of the land."
When I hear the catch phrases "smart bombs" and "collateral damage," I will speak my mind. During the 1991 Gulf war, only two-thirds of the so called smart bombs hit their targets and thousands of civilian Iraqis were killed. With electrical, water, and sewage systems destroyed, many more thousands died in the chaotic aftermath. One can only wonder how many more will die given the fact that in the present engagement, over 9,000 bombs have already been dropped.
When I see a war used to divert public attention from reckless economic policies, I will speak my mind. After inheriting big budget surpluses from the Clinton era, Bush is leading the country into a period of record deficits on top of an initial war bill of approximately $80 billion.
When I am accused of not supporting our troops, I will speak my mind. The Bush budget provides large tax cuts for a wealthy elite and at the same time cuts billions from veteran's medical benefits. Is this the right way to support our troops?
When I am labeled "unpatriotic" I will speak my mind. The lives of our brave men and women must not be sacrificed for the political gains of a few. In the spirit of true patriotism I believe the very best thing we can do for our troops is to bring them home where they belong.
As long as it proceeds, I will continue to speak out against this immoral, unjust war. As a peace activist, I will not be silenced.
Listener-Commentator Barbara Jezioro is an environmental engineering technician who lives in Buffalo.