Rev. Gents:
Thanks for some reasoned, if impassioned as well, reflections on the current
diplomatic imbroglio. They have helped me to say my prayers.
Two other items have helped as well, too.
1.) There is a rather hawkish email going around with a transcript of the
Ollie North interview in Congress during the Iran-contra episode. Someone
asked him why he spent $60,000 on a secrity system for his home, and he
attributed the perceived threat to one Osama bin Laden. As you can well
imagine, the transcript (which I guess is accurate) is being used to argue
for shooting at anyone on bin Laden's mailing list.
2.) A story ran here (in the Wilmington MORNING STAR) yesterday about the
Iraqi efforts to develop all manner of weapons. Many of its chemical and
biological reagents were given by or purchased from the US, specifically
under the Reagan administration. The idea was that a more secular Iraq
could be trusted with such things in its war against the more militantly
Islamist Iran. It is hard not to feel ashamed at such things.
Both of these snippets have shown us to be less than innocent of the actions
of evil people and less than deliberate in giving them sufficient attention.
It ought to be of concern to us who pray for our country and pray for peace
as part of our vocations that our country has contributed to the current
state of affairs. Part of being right is owning up to what we have done
wrong, either positively by commission (2, above) or negatively by omission
(1, above).
It is to be lamented that the Byrd/Warner exchange last week in the Senate
did not contain more of such fessing up. We should laud our leaders who do
so without fear, as the Democrats allowed Bush a reversal on
"nation-builidng."
Paul Blankinship+
PS, Thanks for all of your many good wishes.
----- Original Message -----
From: <gdvw@...>
To: <faithandlife@...>
Sent: Monday, October 07, 2002 8:00 PM
Subject: Re: [FaithandLife] D DAY FOR THE DEMOCRATES?
> > Very Rev Sir: Thanks for a most thoughtful and realistic response to
> the war hysteria being fired up to detract from real issueslike the
> economy, healthcare and the like. Its more and more like Orwell's 1984
> by the day. The simple truth is that given the mindset of the present
> incumbent (and his manager-rulers/special interests/loyalties)if 'the
> axis of evil' did not exist it would have to be invented (come to think
> of it that is just about what happened).Johnson's maxim about patriotism
> being the last refuge of the scoundrel applies here, sorry to sayand
> like 1984 the 'war on terror' will goon forever and ever unless and
> untill someone rises up and says STOP! Sorry but the sky is NOT falling
> and the proverbial asteroid will miss Earth by severalmillion miles! I
> have been reading some 'reviews'of thelast 12 months and what has struck
> me over andover again is that all of the 'threats' announced never
> materialise and 90% ofthose taken into custody by Ayatollah Ashcroft
> (et.al.) are quietly released when no evidence is presented.Their lives
> are ruinedof course but no case is evermade. Scapegoating seems to be
> the orderof the day-witness John WalkerLindh. I am still trying to find
> out what specific act or crime he committed worthy of 20years hard time.
> Itis said, for example, that he joined the Taliban. So what? What about
> those who aid and abetthe IRA/REAL IRA etc? None of them are ever even
> threatened with arrest and the IRA (and yes the other side too) have
> killed more people than perished on 11 September 2001 bother numerically
> and as a percentageof population. the Basque ETA have been at it in
> Spain for decades and Ihave no doubt that they have received aid and
> comfort from those outside Spain who support their agenda. Number of
> arrests, etc? None that I know of. Later today 'Dubyah' is supposed to
> wax eloquent (oxymoron?) in your home state about the wickedness of
> Saddam et.al. Will be be shown concrete specifics? I doubt it. I watched
> the CSPAN when Tony Blair 'told all'. He had nothing to say. Dr Hans
> Blick of Sweden and ScottRitter (former Marine officer) have both said
> to all who will listen that things are somewhat other than the White
> House averrs and they, unlike Bush, cite chapter and verse. And then
> there is the final proof that this thing is smoke and mirros: Jerry
> Foolwell is ranting and raving about 'the Rapture' et.al. and how his
> constsituency(he claims 70 million!) will keep Bush's feet to the fire
> in this e.g. themore violence in the Levant the better because it speeds
> 'theend of the world'. We all need to take a series of deep breaths,
> maybe a cold shower or two and ask ourselves just what in Heaven is
> going on. I have an acquaintance who is 4 months in the Army (he wants
> to become an MD something that can happen in the Army). His life is not
> worth a trip to the desert of Saudi Arabia. My wife had someone on her
> service whose daughter died in the Gulf War I along with 30 others in a
> barracks explosion when a SCUD missile blew up prematurely (so we are
> told). Neither of these young people deserved to be sacrificed for the
> reality this proposed conflict is being arranged. Thank you, Charles,
> for asking some very good questions.The Democratic Party's performance
> in this whole scary scenario is a thundering disgrace. I'm npot even
> going to try to reply to the Bush's Germanophobia!Idiots! Criminals! You
> decide. Blessings. GDVW+
> > A DEFINITIVE DAY IN DEMOCRATIC HISTORY
> >
> > Today may be the last chance for Democratic Party Leaders to stand up
> > and be men, if they have any legs left to stand on.
> >
> > In my not so humble opinion, Tom Daschle has already shot himself in the
> > foot by (1) wimping out on the Iraq War II issue hoping to get it off
> > the table before November and making the economy the issue; and (2)
> > Making his hysterical speech that the President had accused Democrats
> > of being unpatriotic (there is nothing new about that, the Dems were
> > constantly charged with being soft on Communism in the last century).
> >
> > Daschle and the Democrats whether in the Senate or the House have failed
> > to stand united on any principle.
> >
> > They haven't said loudly enough "where's the proof?" nor have they said
> > "its the economy stupid," nor have they said we should not go it alone
> > in this crusade against Sadam. With no discernable cohesive message,
> > they have left themselves vulnerable to the Republican position that is
> > focused on getting rid of Sadam. Presidential spokesman Ari F can get
> > by with advocating assassination of a head of state, which, in view of
> > our history and avowed foreign policy, is a peculiar thing for him to
> > say.
> >
> > Al Gore and Ted Kennedy may have blown off Daschle's other foot by
> > putting the War issue firmly back on the table. However, neither of
> > those gentlemen have the confidence of the public, and their messages
> > may be ignored.
> >
> > IMHO here are questions that a loyal opposition should bring today, if
> > any Democrat (or Republican) has courage to bring to the President, the
> > Congress, and the Country.
> > 1.) Is there credible evidence that Saddam Hussein can launch missiles
> > reaching more than 400 miles from Iraq? (That was the proof that Tony
> > Blair brought to the UN.) If there is no evidence that he can do so,
> > what is the immanent danger to the U.S. that justifies a first strike
> > and a "go it alone" policy?
> >
> > 2.) How can the only remaining Super Power justify a "first strike go
> > it alone" policy against any nation, especially a weak, nearly
> > subjugated 3rd world country with very limited military capability.
> >
> > 3.) If Tony Blair's presentation was accurate, and Saddam does pose a
> > threat within a 400 mile range of Iraq, shouldn't Greece, Turkey, Iran,
> > Saudi Arabia and others be the nations to lead a war on Iraq? We could
> > offer aid, but why should we be acting the part of world bully by taking
> > the lead?
> >
> > Our President is able to bring about compromise and co-operation. If
> > there were a Democrat with enough strength to stand up and be counted,
> > I think millions (perhaps a majority) of Americans would cool down the
> > war fever that has infected this nation and President Bush would be
> > willing to let other nations take the lead in this matter. He is to be
> > congratulated for making the case before the UN that the Iraq issue
> > must be addressed, but I do not feel he has made the case that we
> > should strike first.
> >
> > The only remaining super-power does not need to take the lead in this
> > situation. The nations of Europe and the Mid East apparently have a
> > bigger stake in this game and it would be easier for the US to aid in
> > the rebuilding of the area after Iraq War II if we did not incite more
> > hatred of us by launching a first strike and invasion of Iraq.
> >
> >
> > Charles
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
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