People Power lead the Ascent 20th January 2005

[Sacredstar]

This release from the US made my heart overflow with joy today.

From the Desk of Charles Mercieca

Millions from Around the World Viewing
January 20, 2005 as a Day of Mourning

The vast majority of the world was very upset with the re-election of George W. Bush for a second term in office as US President. His apparent determination to solve all the problems of the world through the military and the manufacture and deployments of more sophisticated of weapons of mass destruction, has alienated many nations along with millions of Americans.

Plans for January 20, 2005

Many peace organizations plan to be in Washington, DC on January 20 to protest against the war policies of the current US president. Many around the world are planning to protest in front of US embassies and to wear either a black tie or a black sash around their arm as a sign of sadness and mourning. Many plan to raise flags at half mast. Besides, millions of Americans plan to boycott the products of all US corporations by buying absolutely nothing on January 20, 2005. In addition, a substantial number of people plan to write letters to their respective newspapers and contribute articles to this end.

One of the outstanding women of our time, Dr. Reese D. Kilgo, a retired professor from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, wrote a typical letter that for newspapers that a many could follow. It may be read here below. It was sent on January 14, 2005 to the Huntsville Times, the largest news paper in north Alabama.

The writing of such letters were urged by United for Peace and Justice, an organization that is seriously interested in the welfare of all people without exception. Our goal and that of the whole world is to have all American troops leaving Iraq as soon as possible with the speed of light, and never again to become engaged in another war. If politicians cannot solve international problems through diplomacy, then they should resign from office and let others who are blessed with tact and diplomacy take over.

More than ever before, at this stage of history war of any kind is viewed as an act of barbarism. In fact, if we were to compare the mess created by tsunami in Indonesia and other nations recently, and the mess created in Iraq with American weapons, we find the result to be identically the same. Thousands were killed by tsunami and thousands were killed by American weapons; whole cities were destroyed by tsunami and whole cities were equally destroyed with American weapons; many children became orphans by tsunami and many children became equally orphans with American weapons.

Besides, thousands of married couples lost their spouse because of tsunami and thousands of couples lost their spouse because of Americans bombings; tsunami destroyed the infrastructure of whole regions, American weapons destroyed equally the infrastructures of whole regions in Iraq as well as in Afghanistan. In other words, while we could not avoid the carnage of tsunami, we could have avoided the carnage of the Iraqi war, which was instigated by the United States, as stressed by Pope John Paul II, Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Oscar Arias of Costa Rica, the United Nations and millions from across every continent

Typical Letter Sent to Newspapers

Dear Editor:

On January 12, sixteen members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to President Bush calling for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

This is a clear reflection of the antiwar sentiment across the country, and a sign that the demand to bring the troops home now is gaining more and more mainstream support.

Every day brings news of more defections from Bush's "stay the course" policy:

Republican Rep. Howard Coble, head, House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, declared January 8 "it's time for the U.S. to withdraw."

The latest U.S. polls indicate that a majority of the U.S. people believe invading Iraq was wrong or not worth the price.

Mel Gibson, hero of many conservatives, shocked his fans after the People's Choice awards January 9 by declaring he liked Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 911" and exclaimed: "What are we doing in Iraq? No one can explain to me in a reasonable manner that I can accept why we're there, why we went there, and why we're still there."

The overwhelming majority of the Iraqi people and the overwhelming majority of the world's people want the U.S. out.

Soon Bush will be asking Congress to approve additional funds for the war in Iraq -- $80 to $100 billion! We have to halt this deadly use of our tax dollars.

How many more of our children must come home in body bags before we stop this slaughter, this destruction?

Reese Danley-Kilgo
7321 Chadwell Road
Huntsville, AL 35802
Tel. 256-881-3062

[I, Brian]

Did the demonstrations ever take place?

And how closely does all this mirror Vietnam?

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by Sacredstar

This release from the US made my heart overflow with joy today...

Dear Sacred,

Not everything is as it is written, or spoken, or as it seems. And the "peace loving" peaceful protesters aren't all they're cracked up to be either. You didn't mention the 200 or so protestors who began to get violent (not to the police or military), to the common citizens who merely wanted to watch history and be part of it. Perhaps you were not aware of that.

While I stood guard I was spit upon by some of the "peace loving" peaceful protesters, and I didn't do anything but my duty to stand guard. One young lady even screamed that I was a baby killer (I've spent my carreer saving lives, searching and rescuing...). That's ok though, because the general crowd admonished and shooed those people away with strong rebuke, then tried to apologize for the behavior.

I just smiled and nodded, but it was a sad moment just the same. The irony was that my uniform was now blemished, but not by me. It was by some of those I've sworn to protect (all my adult life). And the look in their eyes told me it was personal.

In Iraq there are 18 Provinces I believe, but only three of them are the troubled hot spots. Life is apparently improving at a rapid rate for the majority of the provinces. The three trouble areas are dominated by Sunnis who fear losing power, and worse (if you know anything about the middle eastern way of life, they may have good reason to). But outside of that arena, the US is being told (along with the rest of the coalition), do not leave until we (Iraq) are on our feet and walking.

The House of Representitives has 435 members. That means that about 3% or 16, as you stated, submitted a letter demanding the withdrawl of US troops from Iraq/Middle East.

The "poll" that really matters is the one conducted on 2 November 2004. The "majority" of the United States citizens voted and the results were shown to the world yesterday in Washington, DC.

Finally, the United States Military is not having trouble recruiting citizens and wanna be citizens from enlisting or receiving comissions, or warrants. The trouble is with National Guardsmen, and Reservists who have not had to go on prolonged active duty since WWII. That has been a shock to them, their families, and businesses that employ them normally. And it has been handled badly. We forgot how to treat them and their concerns, and they forgot that they swore an oath (not all of course, nor even a great many of them). The media just loves to captalize and expound upon that "fact"...

Finally, I have two strapping sons, who are intelligent, well versed, mannered and educated. I figured since I spent my adult life as a military man, that my "family" had paid our dues to serving the people of the United States.

My sons, had different ideas. They now wear the uniform and serve "over there". Am I concerned? You bet. Do I have fear? Yes. But I am grateful and so proud that my children think enough of their homeland and Nation, to choose to give up some of their rights, so that the rest can enjoy theirs. They also believe in the cause of letting freedom flow, and setting an example for others to follow.

And no, they did not ask my permission, they just did it, then told me about it (little b%$^@rds...)

Sacred, our family is like a microcosym of the US. My parents and brother are against Bush, my other brother and sisters, my wife and I are for Bush (but not insanely so), and our sons are split. But both felt a need to reach out, and be an extension of the US towards the world.

What appeals to me about Mr. Bush, is the exact same thing that others fear him for. What you see is what you get. He means what he says, and says what he means, and makes no bones about the fact that he looks to God for guidance in his duties as one of the most powerful humans on Earth.

A healthy view of God makes for a great governor on the "engine" or driving force of a dynamo. Bush doesn't push the God slant, but he never tries to cover it up or wish it away.

Your concerns are deeply held by all to some extent or another. We all fear power run amok, history is resplendit with it. So we all stay vigiliant, stay involved, speak our minds...but in the end we must work together for success.

However, soldiers could do without being spit upon by their own citizens, especially when no wrong was done to them...

Brian, visions of Vietnam?...time will tell. Insulting one's own military is not a good start.

v/r

Q

[Faithfulservant]

It just amuses me. I cant even get up the enthusiasm to post about this topic anymore. The media is so biased. They feed on anything in a frenzy like sharks that they are.. and the people just eat it up like the puppets they are. My father did two tours of vietnam he came home and was spit on and screamed at called a babykiller and his main purpose being over there was working on and servicing the aircraft. So there are people like some posters on this site that I dont need to name that have their heads up their self righteous holy rear ends and dont consider that most of our military personnel joined to support their families and support their country. Many of the protesters could give a damn about anything other than their own self righteous holy rear ends.. getting up on their high horses to make a stand against THE MAN. Get a life. Go find a cure for AIDS 18,000 people die a day from AIDS why arent these people spending all this time and energy on THAT subject? Watch the media and watch the people.. it all goes together in some sick way. Media = puppetmasters... fill in the blanks.

I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free,
And, I won't forget the ones who died
who gave that right to me.
And I'll gladly stand up
next to you
and defend her still today.
Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land...
God Bless the U.S.A.!

[mirrorinthefog]

I've been on the business end of this administration, but there's nothing I can do about it. Bush won't step down because I or someone else went to his inaguration and held up a sign or threw eggs at his limo. The system is diseased, as is most of modern society. Bush, Iraq, these are all merely symptoms of the problem.

I don't understand, however, why we are constantly being told otherwise. It's insulting. We now have the best administration money can buy, and that's fine, as long as we are all aware that that is how things are going to run. This has nothing to do with Christian values or "freeing the world for democracy" or abortion or civil liberties or national security, any more than the Crusades had to do with religious sovereignity or saving the world for the righteous. There are several sides to these stories, but we shut these out, and dilude oursevles into believing we have the right to wield power over the world.

We are in many senses the modern Rome, (we certainly have the arrogance) but does that make us mandates of God? Is there no room for doubt, for objectivity? Obviously not. We think ourselves supreme and we can do no wrong. I don't think I need to elaborate on why that stance is dangerous, however, I despise the rhetoric fed to us to mask this approach more than the approach itself-as I said before it's insulting. And again, if the administration wishes to declare itself the master of the universe, by all means, let them do so, and let them suffer the consequences of international resentment, as they are doing now.

But please, please don't applaud their lying to the public, and let us not fool ourselves into thinking that this is somehow justified by the laws put forth by our predecessors. This is a one-sided, unilateral, preemptive, self-serving administration, as just about every other administration before it was, and its policies will reflect that. Might makes right as far as they are concerned, and as long as we cannot match their power we have nothing we can do about it. Lying to appease the people only shows they assume us to be fools on top of being weak.

PS: I've lived on military bases for the formative years of my life, many of my relatives were in the military, and indeed in Vietnam. I agree there is no point in insulting them...They aren't the problem. However, people seem to group people who are against war with people who are against the military as a whole or against national security, and that is just as closed minded, ignorant and arrogant as those who clump all military personnel together and slap a big "baby killer" label on their forehead. Let us try to consider what is being protested and what is being supported-not the idiots who are self righteous on either side.

[Quahom1]

Hello Mirror,

I too am a military brat, and then became a military man, and the father of two "brats" who are now military men. I've also served in DC for almost a decade. I can tell you with absolute certainty that the "system" is not deseased, some of the people we "elect" to fill the positions to run the system are.

The "system" is the best there is in the world, though not perfect. It is however, pretty damn good.

Society as a whole is not deseased, but a great many people are muddled in their way of thinking. Many are very self centered and selfish. They want what they want, and damn the rest.

In the 32 years since 1973, when Roe v. Wade became the law of the land, more than 45,500,000 unborn children in America have been sacrificed to the gods of selfishness, hedonism and personal convenience. That comes out to well over 4,000 infanticides per day for three-plus decades. Put in historical perspective, the abortion industry in America has slaughtered seven times as many helpless children as Adolf Hitler murdered Jews during his infamous Final Solution. What is the difference between Hitler and abortion? The world banded together and stopped Hitler. Talk about sick minds.

That isn't the US Government in action. That is American women in action, the "citizens" and residents of this country, the "nurturers"

Activists and groups have in less than 30 years, destroyed any shred of moral turpitude that we as a society are supposed to bestow upon our children. And now they attempt to strike it from the privacy of the family home.

And you are off a bit on your assessment of the power we wield, I think Mirror. We have the power to "destroy" this world three times over, and no one could stop it, not even the rest of the world combined could stop the US from making the planet dead.

The US alone could also "feed" the world three times over, and not just flour or rice, but ptotiens, (meat, fish, fowl).

But that is all irrelevent. What we can do is irrelevent. What we actually do is all that matters, agreed?

The United States gave 10 times more than its nearest "competitor" (the European Union), in charitable funds, and grants (not loans).

We give more to help the impoverished and trauma stricken than all the rest of the world put together. Last year alone, Americans accounted for 45% to 55 % of the worlds donations to charity.

The Japanese have several ships, along with the Dutch I believe, and even Taiwan, helping over in the Southeast of Asia. The United States has an entire fleet over there. Most countries try to give financial aid and are generous (relatively speaking). The United States not only gives money, but manpower, logistics, and lives.

We go where angels fear to tread. No other nation does that, not even the United Nations can stomach losses, for the ultimate gain.

This country is nothing like the Roman Empire. This country is a God blessed one, and is held accountable by God. If anyone has a problem with those in authority over the USA, they'd better take it up with God. He put them in their positions.

This nation is indeed divided. And I'm glad that the apparent majority is who I identify with.

I hope you are glad that I fight for your right, to hold our country in contempt. There are alot more like me at "home".

v/r

Q

[mirrorinthefog]

Hi Quahom

Nobody is arguing, as I said, that there aren't or shouldn't be people out there who fight for our right to our views. But those rights are slowly being taken away from us under various guises, and people are being sent to die for personal gain. I have to object to this.

And yes, I believe our society is diseased, and it's not because so called "morals" that as far as I'm concerned never really existed have been systematically eliminated by the Big Bad Secularists. Morality is subjective, and should remain as such. There is something deeper in modernity that, along with the good, has its drawbacks and its dark side. We suffer from it, whether we are aware of it or not, as others before us have suffered from other man-made systems throughout history. There is always a victim in every society. What I don't like is when someone tries to come along and convince us otherwise. There can never be a utopic world or an ideal, flawless rule. To attempt to achieve this is ridiculous, and a misguided effort at best. To try to persuade thousands to die in the name of it, when obviously that is not the reason our Powers that Be wish for conflict, is massacre.

As for being mandates of God, that's exactly the attitude that leads to catastrophe. God also put Hitler in power, and Stalin, and let's not forget we are the reason Saddam was in power in Iraq. That aside, however, religion is a personal and private matter, and should be kept that way. Elusive and self-styled religious doctrines and commands are not, and should never become the laws of the world. Otherwise we are no longer secular nor democratic.

Abortion is also an issue that is highly controversial and should not be taken so one-sidedly. There are valid arguements for and against. It's counter productive to ban something or support it fervently without considering all the facts.

Of course these are my opinions, nobody has to agree with what I say, and in fact most people don't, as you've pointed out. (I'm used to being a virtual minority in every aspect of life so I'm not disturbed by being the odd one out. But that doesn't-and should NOT-make me wrong by default and I strongly resent it when my patriotism is questioned when I disagree with the status quo, as it so often is.)

[Quahom1]

Hello Mirror,

Perhaps on these issues it would be best that we agree to disagree, and let it be.

Our feelings are very strong, and I think it not wise to continue dialogue on these particular issues (personally).

Peace be unto you Mirror.

v/r

Q

[mirrorinthefog]

Agreed. I don't want to create needless friction either.

Peace to you as well, Quahom

[Sacredstar]

Thank you for your contribution mirrorinthefog in my recent experience many other americans and people around the rest of the world agree with you.

Dear All

I read a wonderful post by an american a few weeks ago, he said 'when we start singing GOD bless the world instead of ourselves then we will be making real progress, we will become a planetary people instead of dictators to people and overpowering their countries.'

GOD said 'Thy shall not kill' and no man or woman can jusify going against this commandment, no matter how they dress it up to suit their own pride and arrogance. Those that support war and the act of killing have blood on their own hands.

As Mahatma Gandi said 'an eye of an eye makes everyone blind'.

May peace reign for all, one planet, one people, one heart, through love, in love, being love.

Dear Brian

Another Vietnam I feel so, not forgetting the damage done to Afganistan and its people.

When the power of love
is more powerful then the love of power
then peace will reign on earth.

Sacredstar

[Faithfulservant]

lol