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OCTOBER 2, 2002
The major themes in this congressional race are violence, greed and
leadership; and Iraq is a case study. The incumbent Congresswoman and
her Republican challenger have not challenged the violence and greed of the
Bush Administration's policies concerning Iraq. I am especially disappointed
in Rep. DeLauro, who is supposed to be a congressional leader. Why hasn't
she spoken out on this issue? As the independent Green candidate for
Congress, I am here today to talk common sense about Iraq to voters in the
Third District and our leaders in Washington.
First, the Bush Administration's new doctrine of pre-emption is not just
about our government's policy toward Iraq. This new doctrine, about to be
adopted with little public debate, radically alters the policies of
deterrence and containment, which have been the foundation of US foreign
policy since the end of World War II. If these policies have worked well
for over 50 years, why change them now?
Second, any invasion of Iraq without the support of the UN Security Council
constitutes aggression and is a violation of international law and the UN
Charter. The Bush Administration's policy of aggressive unilateralism
undermines not only the legal, moral and political authority of the United
Nations, but also our important alliances with the European Community and
the Arab world. Whatever weapons of mass destruction Iraq allegedly may
have or be able to acquire, there is no evidence that Iraq has the capacity
to use them against the US.
Third, in my opinion, the terrorism of Al Qaeda presents a much greater
threat to US security than does Iraq's alleged arsenal. And the Bush
Administration has provided no credible evidence that Hussein's government
is aiding and abetting Al Qaeda. Iraq's secular Muslim leadership has no
alliance or even any affinity with the Islamic extremists that control Al
Qaeda. An invasion of Iraq will jeopardize the fight against Al Qaeda by
diverting resources and attention from the Administration's "war" on
terrorism, which so far has been an embarrassing failure. Finally, the
massive bombing of another Muslim nation and the inevitable large and
indiscriminate civilian casualties will only increase anti-American
sentiment around the world and foment even more terrorism.
Bush's proposed war against Iraq is not in our national and international
interests. Invading Iraq will aggravate, not expedite, the campaign against
terrorism. So what then is the Bush Administration doing? In my opinion,
Bush and Cheney want access to Iraqi oil. For the last several years, 80%
of Iraqi oil had end users in the US. The Bush Administration and its
political cronies are concerned about dwindling domestic oil reserves and
increasing US dependence on imported oil. Instead of proposing conservation
measures to decrease this nation's dependence on foreign oil, they want to
start a war to take control of Iraqi oil reserves. This is where the
politics of greed surface and how the politics of greed then fuels the
politics of violence.
I recently spoke about Iraq with a Vietnam Vet at the West Haven VA
Hospital. He told me that, since 9/11, he no longer recognized the country
he once served and was disgusted with our political leaders in Washington.
If you too are disgusted with the politics of violence and greed, then send
a message to both major parties. Vote for an independent Green leader in
November. Send me to Washington to represent you. I will be glad to give
the Republicans and Democrats your message.
PRAYER FOR PEACE IN IRAQ
THE LORD IS OUR SHEPHERD
WE SHALL NOT WANT NOR DESPAIR
GOD MAKES US LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES
GOD LEADS US BESIDE STILL, PEACEFUL AND HOPE-FILLED WATERS
GOD LIFTS UP OUR HEARTS AND RESTORES OUR SOULS
GOD MAKES US WALK TOGETHER IN THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
AND TRUTH TO GLORIFY GOD'S HOLY NAME
YEA, THOUGH WE WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF
DEATH, AND VIOLENCE AND GREED, HERE IN AMERICA, NEW HAVEN,
WASHINGTON, D.C., IN THE MIDDLE EAST, IN AFGHANISTAN, IN COLOMBIA
AND NOW IN IRAQ, THE LAND OF EDEN
WE SHALL FEAR NO EVIL, FOR YOU O GOD ARE WITH US, AND WITH ALL YOUR CHILDREN
YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF, YOUR LOVE AND YOUR HOLY SPIRIT,
SHALL COMFORT AND PROTECT US
YOU PREPARE FOR US A TABLE TO WHICH WE SHALL INVITE OUR
ENEMIES TO TALK AND BREAK BREAD, AND BECOME OUR NEIGHBORS
AND OUR FRIENDS
YOU ANOINT OUR HEADS,
NOT WITH THE OIL OF TEXAS AND IRAQ,
NOT WITH THE OIL OF VIOLENCE AND GREED,
BUT WITH THE OIL OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE,
OUR CUPS OVERFLOW WITH YOUR LOVE AND COMPASSION
SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY, JUSTICE AND PEACE, AND THE SPIRIT
AND MESSAGE OF NONVIOLENCE SHALL FOLLOW US, AND LIFT US, AND
BRING US TO A NEW DAY
AND WE, THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND THE PEOPLE OF
IRAQ, AND OUR FATHER ABRAHAM, AND OUR MOTHERS SARAH AND
HAGAR, AND OUR BROTHERS ISAAC AND ISHMAEL, AND JACOB AND
ESAU, SHALL DWELL TOGETHER IN PEACE, AS BROTHERS AND SISTERS,
IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, WHICH SURELY HAS ROOM FOR ALL GOD'SCHILDREN
THIS DAY, AND FOREVERMORE
AMEN
Offered by Charlie Pillsbury
Green Party candidate for Congress.
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