Sunday, July 6, 2008

On the Brink of ANOTHER War?

With a heavy heart I hear the numbers: over 4,100 American soldiers killed in Iraq. Over 1.2 million Iraqis killed. A cost so far of over $3 trillion for our current wars. How many familes have we wrecked? How many women have been raped? How many people have been tortured? How can we see this as right? How can we keep fighting this war? But scariest of all: how can we even consider ANOTHER war? Senate Resolution 580 and House Resolution 362 call "imposing stringent inspection requirements for all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains, and cargo entering or departing Iran; and prohibiting the international movement of all Iranian officials not involved in negotiating the suspension of Iran's nuclear program." I try to imagine what the American reaction would be if Iran even SAID they were going to board our planes and ships and not allow our officials to travel. We would be violently opposed to such action. We would attack. In fact, by international law, the proposed blockade and sanctions are an act of war. I cannot believe it but know that we are sitting on the brink of yet ANOTHER war. According to the NIE (National Intelligence Estimate put out by our 16 intelligence agencies) Iran does not have nuclear weapons and is not attempting to create them. Deja vu: NIE told Bush Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction. We went to war. NIE tells Bush Iran does not have nuclear weapons or intent of any. Will we go to war? I have such a sense of urgency and panic! I cannot afford books for my students next year in public school but we can afford another war?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

My good friend Jennifer Teguia has it right; we cannot consider another war when the financial needs of our children are not even being met.
To a greater and more important extent, Teguia touches upon the human cost of conducting such wars. We cannot grow as a species unless we demand an end to violence as a method of maintaining social and cultural standards and values, unless of course, our values are destruction.
Keep up your words and actions Teguia...you inspire me!
Jeanmarie Dollard