“There come moments that decide the direction of a country and reveal the character of its people. We are now at such a moment”. George W. Bush, September 13, 2007
“The Bush regime is setting out to radically remake society very quickly, in a fascist way, and for generations to come. We must act now; the future is in the balance.” From the World Can’t Wait Call to Drive Out the Bush Regime
The Bush Regime is several weeks into a carefully orchestrated public relations offensive aimed at winning support for its plans to continue the utterly unjust war in Iraq, and possibly extend it to other countries in the region. Much media attention has focused on some possible, and very limited, troop withdrawals proposed by Bush, General David Petraeus, and others in the Bush Regime.
But the plan being proposed by Bush & Co. is explicitly and openly aimed at sustaining the U.S. occupation of, and war in, Iraq for years to come, and adjusting the assignments and stance of the U.S. military to be better able to dominate the entire region of the Mid East and Central Asia. It is in no way a concession to the tens of millions of people in this country and throughout the world who want an immediate end to the war. It is in now way in indication that Bush intends to step back, or “draw down”, from the ruthless aggression unleashed upon the people of Iraq 4 ½ years ago.
Bush’s speech was founded on monumental deceit and lies. His regime and its bloody wars have brought the Iraqi people rivers of blood and a country in ruins, not “trust in the United States” and “real improvements in daily life”. Iraq is a country that is under savage and murderous military occupation, not a land where “freedom” prevails and U.S. sponsored “liberation” is underway. Recently in Australia, Bush revealed how he actually looks at the situation: “we”re kicking ass”, he said.
But mixed in with the lies were a glimmer of Bush’s actual objectives. In December, possibly, Bush says there will be approximately 155,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, rather than the current 160,000. In six months, Bush aims to have the U.S. military presence in Iraq about the same as it was six months ago. Then, he says, the U.S. “mission in Iraq will evolve. Over time, our troops will shift from leading operations, to partnering with Iraqi forces, and eventually overwatching those forces. As this transition in our mission takes place, our troops will focus on a more limited set of tasks, including counterterrorism operations and training, equipping, and supporting Iraqi forces” And in all we do, I will ensure that our commanders have the troop levels and resources we need to meet our national security objectives”. All this is the core of a Bush’s regional strategy: “The success of a “free Iraq” is critical to the security of the United States. A free Iraq will deny al Qaeda a safe haven. A free Iraq will counter the destructive ambitions of Iran. A free Iraq will marginalize extremists, and be an anchor of stability in the region.”
In short, the unjust war will continue. The death toll will climb beyond the ¾ of a million people already killed directly or indirectly by the US invasion and occupation. The dislocation of huge sections of the Iraqi people and the destruction of entire cities and neighborhoods will go on. The bodies of countless people will still be mangled and maimed by U.S. bombs and bullets. Bush will call this “progress” and “freedom” if more Iraqis are doing this at U.S. behest and direction. U.S. forces will occupy Iraq for the foreseeable future. Other U.S. forces in and around Iraq will be poised for wreaking similar death and destruction on nearby countries, especially Iran, in the name of “security”, and “freedom”.
Think of the carnage that has already taken place, and think of the carnage Bush is telling us he intends to continue and extend. And think about your responsibility to stop it.
Bush will be in New York on September 25 to deliver a speech at the United Nations. The whole world will be watching to see what happens. What will New York look like to them? Will it be filled with people who are going about their routine, keeping their anger to themselves or maybe expressing it to some friends, with a protest off to the side perhaps? Or will it be pulsating with massive political resistance, filled with defiant people wearing orange and putting it up everywhere, letting the entire world know our determination to Drive Out the Bush Regime?
There is no savior arriving to change this situation. There are no Democrats who in any fundamental way question or challenge the horrific agenda Bush is shoving down the world’s throat, because they are in agreement with its basic aims and methods. To everyone who wants the Bush madness to end – we are what we”ve been waiting for.
Be in New York on September 25; join in the massive resistance called by World Can’t Wait and others. If you live far away and can’t get there, wear orange, display orange, distribute orange, and join with others to build resistance everywhere. The future really is in the balance.