PACIFICA COMMENTARY FOR FEBRUARY 10, 2003

Hello, this is Blase Bonpane with a comment. Here is a letter from Father Roy Bourgeois,

the founder of the School of the Americas Watch at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Brothers and Sisters in the Military:

You are being ordered to prepare for a war with Iraq to stop the spread of terrorism. Years ago I went to war in Vietnam to stop the spread of communism. I did not question our leaders who told us our cause was noble.

The violence, death and destruction had a great impact on my life. Today, I see war as evil and a crime against humanity. As a person of faith, I believe a loving God calls each of us to be healers and peacemakers in our world. Psalm 33 says it very well:

Rulers are not saved by their armies.

Nor can they find hope in their weapons.

Despite their power, they cannot bring peace.

I respectfully ask you to think seriously about not going to war. Refuse to kill! For those you kill will be your brothers and sisters. I plead with you as Archbishop Oscar Romero, assassinated by soldiers trained at the School of the Americas, pleaded with the military of El Salvador:

When you hear the words of a man telling you to kill,

remember the words of God: 'Thou shall not kill!'

No soldier is obliged to obey an order contrary to the law of God.

In the name of God, in the name of our tormented people who have

suffered so much and whose laments cry out to heaven, I beseech you,

I order you in the name of God, stop the repression!

I know what I am asking you has serious implications for each of us. I also know that following the ways of God can bring us peace, hope and deep inner joy. Following those who send us to war will only bring death and destruction.

Our hearts and homes are open to you. Please contact:

Roy Bourgeois, M.M. 706/682-5369

Jonah House 410/233-6238

Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Community 202/882-9649

Please join us on Saturday, February 15th. We will assemble at Hollywood and Vine at 1:00 PM and march to the Military Recruiting Station at Sunset and La Brea. The Bush Administration is moving ahead with its plans for an all out war on the people of Iraq, including the possible use of nuclear weapons. We the people are the only thing that can block it.

For a free copy of this commentary call 323/852-9808….323/852-9808.

This is Blase Bonpane.