Are There
Really Any Words Left? A Time For Resistance In Action
By Jill McLaughlin, World Can’t Wait
“So”.
That was the word that flew out of Cheney’s mouth when an ABC news reporter
pointed out that with regard to the illegal and immoral occupation of Iraq
“two-thirds of Americans say it’s not worth fighting for”. “So” as if not even
Cheney himself had any words left to let us know that he cares nothing about
what the people think or say of the Bush Regime’s blatant war crimes.
“So”
is such a tiny word yet it seems to sum up the Bush Regime’s attitude about the
horrors it has wrought the last seven years. And it also sums up the attitude
of the Democratic leadership as they refuse stop it all even when many people
have pleaded with them to do so. The mainstream media mimics this attitude by
either not adequately covering the horrors of the Bush Regime or when it
decides to cover the horrors, reducing the coverage to a discussion of legal
questions rather the than moral questions about the actions of the Bush Regime.
In
just the last couple of days Americans have learned that the highest officials
in the Bush Regime authorized the use of torture. The Bush Regime seems to be
responding in much the same way it always does. As if to say, “So it’s no big deal
to us so why should it be a big deal to you. After all we are saving lives
here. This is what we have to do to fight terrorism.” It’s as if Bush and
Cheney are trying to soften the moral fortitude of the American people towards
the use of torture much like the way detainees are softened up through torture
before and during interrogation.
So
in light of the aforementioned where is the resistance of the American people?
Is it all caught up in election madness? How can this be when there are still
people being killed, raped, and tortured in our name on daily basis even as
this election is approaching? This election does not stop the killing, the
raping, and the torturing of the Iraqi people now. And it does not stop the
threat to the Iranian people of having to suffer the same fate now. I know the
resistance is somewhere in the hearts and souls of the American people, but it
has yet to be unleashed in a way that challenges all of this and brings it to a
halt. The number of religious leaders, educators, and community leaders who
could, through example unleash the resistance that is needed is sorely lacking.
So
is it any wonder that on Easter Sunday that six young men and women decided to
take an action to get the attention of a well known religious leader and his
parishioners by driving the reality and the horror of the war crime of the
occupation of Iraq
and its resulting war crimes home? Read more here about their courageous
actions and sign
the petition.
Words
and simply being against this illegal and immoral occupation and torture are no
longer enough. They are not enough for the Iraqi people whose home we have
destroyed and illegally occupy and those of Middle East
who have been tortured in our name. Words are not enough for the over 4000
troops who have died. Words are not enough and the Iraq Vets Against the War at
the Winter Soldier Investigation aptly testified to that. Words are not enough
for the scores of troops who have been wounded, the scores suffering from PTSD,
and the scores still in Iraq
who hate this war and need us to act.
So
finally it would seem that there are no words left to fight these outrages of
the Bush Regime. And I believe that the Holy Name 6 sensed this too when they
decided to act. I feel so strongly that there are no words left that I wonder
if this particular writing is all in vain. But I’m pushing myself to write this
because 6 young people who had the courage to stand up to this madness are
facing felony charges that could result in five years of prison when so many
people are seemingly choosing to say “so” in the face of this madness. I’m
writing this in hopes that the two-thirds of Americans who are against this illegal
and immoral occupation will put their sentiments to action and demonstrate
resistance.
More
signatures are needed on the petition to support the Holy Name 6. By signing
this petition you are both supporting the Holy Name 6 and inspiring further
acts of resistance. Sign the petition and circulate it widely, wear orange as
the color of resistance, and join in acts of resistance.
We
are what we have been waiting for.
Friday
April 18 the World Can’t Wait Chapters across the country will observe the Iraq
Moratorium by protesting the military recruitment centers. Check out www.worldcantwait.org and join the actions to drive recuiters from our campuses and schools.