Pacifica Commentary for April 29, 2003

Hello, this is Blase Bonpane with a comment.

The international movement for justice and peace suffered a loss as a result of the

recent assault on Iraq. Yes, we lost a battle. But we have been victorious in the

international battle for public opinion. We have been identified as the Second Super-

Power. Tens of millions made a powerful and indelible statement against war in Iraq

and against war itself.

The Pyrrhic victory of US British forces in Iraq has created enemies that may turn and

strike at any time in the days, weeks months and years ahead. But the peace and justice

movement has created friends and solidarity throughout the world.

The Pyrrhic victors in Iraq are divided and contemptuous. Some are so addicted to the

chronic failure of war they are plotting to attack, Syria, Iran, and North Korea.

These people desperately need therapy. Their disease is called necrophilia, it is a

contagious love of death. The movement for justice and peace, however, is promoting

biophilia or love of life. This blessed movement does not use the toxic catalyst of fear. In

fact this movement is aware that perfect love casts out fear.

Some people have tried to prove that the Bush Administration was responsible for 9/11.

Well, just as the effort to find out who killed John Kennedy, this effort might take years

to prove or to disprove. But what does not take years to prove is that the Bush

Administration is responsible for the assault on Iraq including the death and injury of our

troops including those who come home with Gulf War Syndrome. It is also responsible

for the deaths of innocent Iraqi men, women and children. We have absolute proof of

this. We do not need to pursue any alleged conspiracies. Our case is thoroughly

documented.

We were deliberately lied to by our president who used the threat of nuclear war by Iraq

as a reason for the war. Keep in mind that his rogues gallery of advisers will use this

specious reasoning to promote any war.

While the whole world is looking for constructive 21st century leadership we are

practicing 19th century colonialism. The world is waiting for us to lead in

abolishing weapons of mass destruction internationally.

Rather than giving attention to moral leadership, the administration is focusing

on the distribution of cushy contracts to industrialists embedded in our

government.

But wait, are we not forgetting that an evil dictator has been removed? Yes, but the

proper removal of such people as Saddam is the rightful function of the very International

Criminal Court which our administration opposes.

150 people demonstrated in Fallujah, Iraq this week. Our troops shot 15 dead and

wounded another 75. A follow-up demonstration at this outrage was marked by more

killing. Are we trying to compete with the methods of Saddam?

A word from President Theodore Roosevelt might help:

To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by

the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but it is morally

treasonable to the American public.

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

This is Blase Bonpane.