FREEDOM, AS BROUGHT TO IRAQ BY THE US MILITARY.

Whatever the “good intentions” at the time, I think we can all agree that it hasn’t exactly turned out as planned. G.W.B. said in May 2003 that “in this battle, we have fought for the cause of liberty, and for the peace of the world…our nation is more secure…the tyrant has fallen, and Iraq is free” (1). Yet here we are, five years later, still killing and being killed in the newly improved democratic Iraq.

US SOLDIERS IN IRAQ

The beauty of a democracy is that we have a voice. In the US, we pride ourselves on being free to express our political opinions - but how can we be proud when so many of us don’t use that freedom? The mantra behind most of this century’s crusades has been to bring our free and democratic way of life to others. While this is definitely not the bottom line for the many military occupations in Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East, it is still a noble thought. However, the best way to do this is not by military force, but by example.

PROTESTERS IN THE PHILLIPPINES

Democracy means speaking out against injustices, especially when they are perpetrated by your own government and military. It means taking the power away from a corrupt leader and government, and putting it in the hands of the people. Truly democratic actions happen in places that the White House tells us are dictatorships - for example, the mass protests in Venezuela that brought Chavez back into power after the US backed a military coup in 2004.

Let’s follow this example this Saturday the 15th, and leave our comfy homes & routines for a couple of hours to express our opinions. In cities all across the US and the world, there will be demonstrations against the continued occupation of Iraq. If you believe there’s something wrong with the 1,185,800 Iraqi children & adults that have been murdered and the 3,987 American soldiers that have been killed since the war began (2), then go out and do something about it tomorrow!!!!!!

If you are STILL not convinced you need to act, take 5 minutes to watch this:
OCCUPIED

For a list of demontrations in the US, go to answer.pephost.org

For demonstrations in Canada, go to www.acp-cpa.ca

For demonstrations around the world, go to www.theworldagainstwar.org

Sources:
1 http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/05/20030501-15.html
2 http://antiwar.com/casualties/