From: "Pope, Karen O." <POPEKJ@uwec.edu> Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:46:11 -0500 Subject: RE: 5 Years of War! Message-ID: <4F19260FE7477F4DA03B00B62E7F63903E22FA0171@CHERRYPEPSI.uwec.edu>
Dear SFPJ:
I've been working with Gaylord on this a bit and his computer would not open the more detailed flyer, which I attach as a printable 1/2 sheet if you would please print and post. People don't often read the numbers and details even if you include them, but the message inherent in them is that WAR IS TERRORISM. Unfortunately, also, many passers-by simply *are* more interested in the children of their neighborhoods and churches who are caught up in this awful quagmire of endless war and occupation--using numbers of American military deaths is one way to demonstrate the awful waste inherent in war and bring that message *home* so people might finally pay attention and demand policy changes. It's an incomplete picture, certainly. Neither do numbers speak to the environmental tragedy of munitions manufacture and use of cluster bombs, poisoned drinking water, ruined ecosystems, degradation of landscapes and communities. But we know it's there.
Let me just say a few more things here:
A contingent has been standing weekly on Peace Corner for years, and their intent is *always* to draw attention to the horrors and effects of war. Vets are in a unique place to understand the insidiousness of the military/industrial/congressofacism complex in this country and its ripple-effects worldwide. They also lobby, write letters, etc. just like the rest of us.
The Vets for Peace have a larger agenda than American military service members killed, including DE-funding invasion and occupation, RE funding health and medical care for victims of war, including, but not limited to vets. They are clearly on the side of the IRAQIS and all victims of wars. They are cosponsoring the March 31st event to hear from Sami Rasouli whose message is loud and clear: WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER; WAR IS NEVER THE ANSWER.
Thanks for reading and I hope you will march on Thursday with the PSA students @ 11:30 and stand with the Vets on Saturday. Bring some children's shoes for the "eyes wide open" display. I'll see you there.
I appreciate the passion and concern of those on the list. Thank you.
~karen
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From: sfpj-request@listserve.uwec.edu [sfpj-request@listserve.uwec.edu] On Behalf Of Wahome, Kimamo [WAHOMEK@uwec.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 9:34 AM
To: Richmond, Rick; Hale, C. Kate; SFPJ
Subject: RE: 5 Years of War!
Thanks & this is much appreciated. I just did not want the Iraqis to be an afterthought, because this is exactly what they have been, plus it just reinforces nefarious imperialistic myths which suggest 1 America life is worth more than 1 Iraqi life.
-----Original Message-----
From: Richmond, Rick
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 9:28 AM
To: Hale, C. Kate; Wahome, Kimamo; SFPJ
Subject: RE: 5 Years of War!
I've relayed the concern to Gaylord - I'm sure it wasn't his intent to ignore the sufferings of the Iraqi people. Perhaps we can figure out how to acknowledge them on Saturday: a start might be to show up at Peace Corner at 11am.
rr
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From: Hale, C. Kate
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 09:24
To: Wahome, Kimamo; Richmond, Rick; SFPJ
Subject: Re: 5 Years of War!
I see your point, and I wouldn’t argue with the intent of your comment, in any case.
Peace out (as my 19 year old says)--
On 3/11/08 9:11 AM, "Wahome, Kimamo" <WAHOMEK@uwec.edu> wrote:
Perhaps the “Far too many” was ambiguous at best, “ clarification later in the e-mail, “to honor those Americans who have died as a result of this war,” is not, so my initial point still stands ☺
From: Hale, C. Kate
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 9:03 AM
To: Wahome, Kimamo; Richmond, Rick; SFPJ
Subject: Re: 5 Years of War!
Also with all due respect: when Gaylord refers to “Far too many” as having died, I DO assume he is honoring the innocent Iraqi lives that have been snuffed out—not “just” US military deaths. Nothing in the past history of these protests would make me think otherwise.
On 3/11/08 8:50 AM, "Wahome, Kimamo" <WAHOMEK@uwec.edu> wrote:
With all due respect, can we also honour the hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi lives that have been extinguished by this illegal & immoral Anglo-American invasion?
From: sfpj-request@listserve.uwec.edu [mailto:sfpj-request@listserve.uwec.edu] On Behalf Of Richmond, Rick
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 8:27 AM
To: SFPJ
Subject: 5 Years of War!
A note from Gaylord Oppegard & Vets for Peace - Join them in Chippewa Falls this Saturday!
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From: Gpoppegard@aol.com [mailto:Gpoppegard@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 10:11 PM
Subject: 5 Years of War!
Friends,
The 5th anniversary of the illegal invasion of Iraq by gw bush is upon us. A large group of us plan to make sure that this anniversary is not forgotten! Far too many have died in a war which should never have been started. We are pouring at least $12 billion into this mess every month with no end in sight. In fact John "Mc Bush" says we may be there for 100 years!
We invite you to join Veterans For Peace along with several other peace loving groups and individuals in the area, on Peace Corner in Chippewa Falls on Saturday, March 15 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM to speak out against this war of aggression. Peace Corner is on the corner of Bridge and River Streets in Chippewa Falls.
Bring friends and bring an extra pair of shoes or boots for a display in the parking lot to honor those Americans who have died as a result of this war. We have some signs for peace, however, it would be good if some of you would bring your own signs with a theme of ending the war as well.
I believe we will have at least 100 people present on Peace Corner on Saturday. Please join us and be one of them.
Thanks, Gaylord