Comments by Mid-Missouri Peaceworks Director Mark Haim at the January 27 Town Hall Meeting on the Iraq War

In order to understand the Iraq War, and not only to end it, but to prevent similar future episodes, we need to put the current conflict into a broader context, looking at U.S. foreign policy more generally, and historically. To do so, let me start by sharing a little personal history.

As a kid back in the early 1960s I, like most young Americans, had accepted the mainstream political perspective on Cold War issues like Cuba or Vietnam. Thus, I initially supported the War in Vietnam. I saw the war as necessary to prevent the spread of “evil Communism.” In 1967, when I was a senior in high school the Vietnam War was clearly going very poorly indeed and more and more people—myself included—who had been supporters, began turning against the war.

It became clear to me when I was 17 that we’d “made a mistake in Vietnam.” That was how it was phrased, “Vietnam was a mistake.”

Just six months or so later I was off to college. It was here, during my freshman year, that I was disabused of my naive belief that the Vietnam War was a “mistake.” Talking with some of the older activists (they were perhaps 20 or 21) I came to understand a bit more about the U.S. role in the world, and came to realize that wars like the one we were involved in then—or like the Iraq War today—are logical outgrowths of our economic system. I also learned that there is a name for the way we relate to the developing world and that is imperialism, or neo-colonialism.

I came to understand that the country I’d grown up in, while it defined itself to its citizens as a force for good in the world, a promoter of freedom and democracy, was instead all too interested in controlling and dominating other nations and their resources. I learned that this was the case especially throughout Latin America, Africa, South Asia and the Middle East.

I learned, over the next several years, of the many dozens of interventions, overt and covert, all around the world, that our country had engaged in for literally more than a century. If you’re not aware of these, I suggest Howard Zinn’s People’s History of the United States, William Blum’s Killing Hope, or Noam Chomsky’s Hegemony or Survival.

I came to realize that the Cold War and anti-Communism were ideological constructs used to justify policies that long predated Communism (just think of the Monroe Doctrine and the Mexican War for example.). And, it is worthy of note that these policies have now have outlived the fall of the U.S.S.R. and the Warsaw Pact.

I also today recognize how today the so-called War on Terror has taken the place in our ideological framework of anti-Communism.

Back then I came to understand, further, that the imperialism I’m speaking of is primarily a system of economic control by transnational corporations, but that it was backed up by the force of militarism and the constant threat of the use of America’s military power.

Learning then that Vietnam was not a mistake, but rather was a logical outgrowth of the system, led me to understand that we needed to do more than just end the war, we needed to change the system at the root.

I remember as a college student being so angry and frustrated with John Lennon when he came out with what at the time I considered a ridiculous song. Lennon told the world “All We are Saying is Give Peace a Chance.” I knew, however, that we were saying so much more than that.

Since then, I’ve learned to like the song in spite of it’s reductionist lyrics. Along the way I’ve also learned more about the U.S. role in the world. What I’ve learned has reinforced my understandings of nearly 40 years ago. I believe just as firmly today that we need to work for a thoroughgoing paradigm shift, a “to the root” redirection of the U.S. economy, our values, priorities and institutions, as well as our foreign policy.

While many see the Vietnam War era peace movement as one of the great progressive success stories in recent history, the flip side that we must acknowledge is that as the war wound down, the movement stood down. Instead of pushing en masse for a radical societal redirection, as the body bags stopped coming home, most people in the peace movement stopped turning out.

The failure of the Vietnam era peace movement to bring about real change in the U.S. social order or the American role in the world leads directly to where we find ourselves today:

• Our nation today has 4.6% of the world’s people, but we spend fully 48% of the world’s military budget.

• Virtually every other nation with a significant military budget—I’m talking perhaps 4% of the world’s total now—is either a formal ally, like the UK, France, and Japan, or a nation we have major economic ties to, like China or Russia. All the so-called Axis of Evil states and other official enemies, like Cuba, have negligible military budgets and constitute absolutely no meaningful threat to our national security. We could actually cut our military spending by 80% and still have by far the world’s strongest military.

• Our nation is also blessed with allies on our borders north and south, and vast oceans to the east and west. No nation has invaded our country since the War of 1812, and none threatens us today.

• While young men and women are recruited and urged to enlist to “defend the nation,” the American military has very little to do with defending our so-called “Homeland.” Rather, it has everything to do with projecting power around the world.

• The American military has a presence of some sort in 130 countries, on every continent, on every ocean and in the heavens.

• Moreover, the U.S. military is not positioned to defend our nation against foreign threats, but rather to control geopolitically strategic regions of the world.

The foremost of these is the Persian Gulf. This region, which according to the CIA’s annual Fact Book is home to 65.5% of the world’s proven oil reserves, has been an area of primary concern in U.S. foreign policy since the Roosevelt administration. The policy of attempting to control the Gulf region has been bipartisan. It’s been the objective of every single U.S. administration throughout my lifetime. Just as, I should note, the Cold War was bipartisan and the so-called War on Terror is now bipartisan.

Our government has installed and removed governments in the Middle East at its choosing. It has engaged in covert actions, like the 1953 coup that removed the democratically elected government of Iran under Mossadegh, installing in its place the brutal Shah. It has supported tyrants and despots, including of course Saddam Hussein, as well as anti-democratic feudal aristocracies like the Saudi royals and the various Gulf emirs.

Our military has been sent in numerous times, but more often the U.S. has operated through proxies, like Egypt, Jordan or Morocco, whose militaries our government arms and trains.

It is clear that we will only outgrow our obsession with the Gulf and with the other oil rich regions of the world when we take the needed steps to make our economy energy efficient and move to sustainable, renewable alternatives.

Our hopes for a more peaceful, just and sustainable future are meaningless until we recognize the nature of the problem. Certainly, we must end the immediate and vast suffering that the Iraq War represents, but we must also challenge our fellow citizens to rethink the role of our nation in the world.

As long as the so-called “opposition” politicians keep saying things like “I hope that when you hear the debate in Washington that you understand that whatever our differences over the means, we are all agreed on the end,” they offer us no alternative to speak of. That was Hillary Clinton, by the way, speaking to U.S. troops in Afghanistan earlier this month. And as long as the “opposition” calls for a larger military, rather than dramatic cuts in military spending, they are not an opposition at all.

It’s high time for a redefinition of the role of the U.S. military to simply defending our nation’s borders, and for building real security through promoting a sustainable and economically just future here and around the world. We in the peace movement need to figure out how to make this, not what our troop levels in Iraq should be, the primary focus of political debate.

As we move to the public comment period of this town hall meeting, I challenge you to address not simply how can we end the Iraq War, but the more basic question: how can we outgrow and transcend the American Empire? How can we bring our nation into balance, devoting our resources toward creating a just, sustainable and prosperous future for all, rather than attempting to control and dominate through economic coercion and military bullying?

I leave these questions to you and look forward to hearing your responses.

An Appeal for Redress from the War in Iraq

A letter from a Peaceworks volunteer and staff sergeant in the Army National Guard: We've nearly 1,200 Armed Forces women and men now who've signed the Appeal for Redress calling for an exit from Iraq. I am very encouraged by this and am also very pleased to see 2 new endorsements come from Congressman Raul Grijalva of Southern Arizona, and Representative John Lewis of Georgia.

Please pray for and think of us as we continually seek out other supporting elected officials.

As always, here's What you can do:

1. Contact your representative and senator and let them know that you support a graceful exit from Iraq and you support the women and men who have signed the Appeal for Redress.
   
   I would strongly encourage you to call them as it's simple, efficient and not as easy to ignore as an email. Of course, email works also, but calling is much more effective. Snail mail works but takes longer and time is of the essence; that said, please take 1 minute to call and voice your opinion.


2. Think long and hard of who you know; go through your address book, email list, and cell phone and contact other Service Members who are still within their contract ( i.e. Active Duty, Active Guard and Reserve, Individual Ready Reserve). Encourage them to visit the website: www.AppealForRedress.org and remind them that they are protected under law to speak freely with their elected officials.

Next Saturday, Jan. 27, peace advocates from around the nation will be converging in Washington to deliver a message to Congress, DON'T ESCALATE, END THE WAR NOW. Locally, the Columbia Peace Coalition, of which Peaceworks is a member, will be hosting an Iraq War Town Hall Meeting, beginning at 1:30 p.m., in the Commission Chambers of the Boone Government Center, at 8th & Ash. We really hope you will attend and invite friends to come out as well.

This indoor event will give all of us an opportunity to make our voices heard on the war. All present will have the opportunity to speak out at the mic. But even those who don't choose to speak can show their concern by their presence. People of all perspectives will be welcome to speak. We hope that many anti-war citizens will share their concerns and their ideas as to how to end this tragic war. We are, of course, inviting the media. We hope that a strong showing of concerned citizens will help convey to others that they are not alone in their feelings and that now is the time to get our government, particularly our Congress to act on this.

Please note that if you are driving, there is free parking in the 8th & Walnut Parking Garage, less than a block from the Government Center.

Want to go to Washington instead? United for Peace & Justice, the national peace coalition that Peaceworks is a member of is holding a major March on Washington next Saturday, Jan. 27. While we in Peaceworks generally keep our focus on local action, we do encourage those who wish to travel to join in this massive mobilization. You can get more info on the Washington march at www.unitedforpeace.org. Our allies in St. Louis, the Instead of War Coalition, have already filled a bus going to DC, and are working on arranging transportation for others, including possibly a second bus. If you are interested, you can get details at: www.insteadofwar.org or by calling them at 314-725-5303.


The Peace Nook is a unique non-profit store. It's staffed primarily by volunteers and all proceeds from the Nook help fund Peaceworks' efforts for peace, sustainability, safe energy and social justice. We currently are recruiting volunteers for the winter semester. We look for two hours per week at a regularly scheduled time. We provide training, useful work experience, much appreciation, a supportive environment to volunteer in, and a modest discount on purchases.

Currently we have openings during the following hours:

Mondays: 10-12, 12-2 & 4-6
Tuesdays: 10-12 & 12-2
Wednesdays: 10-12, 12-2 & 7-9
Thursdays: 12-2, 5-7 & 7-9
Fridays: 10-12 & 12-2

If one of these shifts would work for you, please let us know. If you'd like to volunteer, but can't do one of these times, please contact us and we can likely work out a mutually good time.



Four years ago this week, on a cold and blustery January day, more than 500 of us here in Columbia marched in opposition to a U.S. attack on Iraq. We decried the impending aggression and laid out our concerns about the likely consequences if the Bush administration proceeded with their plans for an illegal invasion.
Sadly, the mass mobilization of many millions of peace activists across the nation and around the world did not stop Bush & Co. We all are keenly aware of the tragic consequences of our collective failure to prevent the Iraq War. Hundreds of thousands have died, millions more have had their lives torn asunder, hundreds of billions have been squandered, and today we are less—not more—secure than we were four years ago. Many will say this is all water under the bridge and there’s nothing we can do about it at this late date.

In point of fact, however, we now stand at a new decision point, and this time, with sufficient participation, our prospects for success are much greater.
Current Realities

Consider the present situation. The administration has ignored the will of the voters and all expert advice to lower troop levels, instead opting for escalation, sending in an additional 21,500 to ratchet up the combat. They are also rattling sabers anew, threatening both Iran and Syria.

On the other hand, the American people, who in 2003 were still traumatized by the crimes of 9-11, are not buying Bush’s fear mongering this time. The polls are showing solid majority opposition to the current Iraq policy and overwhelming opposition to an escalation or a widening of the war.

What we need to do now is translate the will of the people into the actions of our government. This means making it clear to those who are supposed to represent us in Congress that we expect them to act to:

• Halt the escalation in its tracks by refusing to fund an increase in troop levels.
• Put the administration on notice that bellicose behavior and a wider war will not be supported.
• Vote to require the administration to begin bringing the troops home NOW.
• Support a political settlement of the Iraq conflict that is inclusive of all parties; requires the U.S. to abandon all imperial ambitions, economic concessions, bases, etc. in Iraq; and provides for U.S. financial reparations to Iraq and U.S. funding of international peacekeepers to help facilitate the transition.

What We’re Asking YOU to Do

Ending the Iraq War and preventing a wider war will take a significant commitment of time and energy from each of us. We urge you to do as many of the following as you can:

• Contact your U.S. Senators and Rep. today.
  Senator Claire McCaskill: 202-224-6154
  Senator Kit Bond: 442-8151 or 202-224-5721
  Rep. Kenny Hulshof: 449-5111 or 202-225-2956
  If you have a different U.S. Rep. than Kenny Hulshof, you can find the contact info for your Rep at www.mosafeenergy.org/officials. We suggest calling, as calls are harder to ignore than e-mails, or faxes. If you would like to write instead, you can find contact info at the link above. We also suggest sending any letters you pen as open letters-to-the-editor.


• Come to the January 27 Iraq War Town Hall Meeting.
  Show your concern. Please attend this community gathering and speak-out. 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, Commission Chambers, Boone Gov’t Ctr. 8th & Ash, Downtown Columbia (Free parking in 8th & Walnut garage.)
  
  This important gathering will include short presentations on the situation in Iraq, war crimes, and U.S. role in the world followed by an open speak-out session. All perspectives are welcome. We’re interested in dialogue and are looking for constructive ideas for resolving the current crisis.


• Make your voice heard for peace. Speak out wherever you can: at work, at school, at your house of worship, in letters to the editor, by calling in to talk radio shows, in conversations with friends, neighbors, family, etc.


• Become more visible in your support of peace. Attend the Rush Hour Peace Demo or any of the other peace vigils as often as you can (see list below). Plan to attend the March 18 End the Iraq War demonstration (details forthcoming). Display a peace yard sign; wear peace pins; put peace stickers on your car; generally get your candle out from under the bushel. Also, please join in weekly peace demonstrations.

Tonight, President Bush is scheduled to give an address outlining a "new direction in Iraq." Unfortunately, the new strategy is expected to be an increase of 20,000 troops on the ground. We need to make it clear that we don't want more troops in Iraq. It's time to bring them home! We urge you to contact your elected representatives and the White House comment line to let them know your feelings about this new strategy. Many calls can make a big difference.

Senator Claire McCaskill (202) 224-6154
Senator Kit Bond 442-8151 or 202-224-5721
Representative Kenny Hulshof 449-5111 or 202-225-2956
President Bush 202-456-1111

If you have a different U.S. Rep than Kenny Hulshof, you can find the contact info for your Rep at www.mosafeenergy.org/officials.

We suggest calling, as calls are harder to ignore than e-mails, or faxes. If you would like to write instead, you can find contact info at the link above. We also suggest sending any letters you pen as open letters-to-the-editor.


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