How do we win peace?
I take it for granted that readers agree that the Iraq war, as well as all aggressive wars are illegal and immoral and should be stopped immediately. Yes, we all know by now that the war was about oil. And we all know by now that the media led a propaganda campaign to try and convince the public that invading Iraq was the right thing to do. Most realize that the media continues to support occupation all while lamenting how the war was such a costly mistake.
Even though a majority is now against the war, most of us are still left out or alienated from the anti-war movement. War is an issue that affects everyone, and working people pay the biggest price. How then can we build an inclusive movement that is accessible by working people?
What do we want instead of endless war, and how do we plan to get there? How can we build a movement that empower individuals instead of asking folks to follow marching orders?
I don’t want another good-intentioned person to hand me a flyer that details the Bush regime’s war crimes–I know these by heart now. I don’t want to go to another anti-war meeting that makes me feel like I’m in high school all over again–where I have to be quiet while the leader tells us what to think and do. I don’t want to go to another demonstration that treats it’s participants as just additional bodies to hold signs and in the end leaves us feeling more isolated and alone. I know this isn’t everyone’s experience with the anti-war movement, but I have a feeling that I am not alone.
It is clear that the peace movement is falling way short of what it could and what it must accomplish. I think we need honest discussion on how we can build a movement that can really end this war, and not just that but discussion on how to build a movement that can go further and start to address peoples needs by winning change in all aspects of life.
October 16th, 2007 at 11:34 pm
Perhaps I’m becoming less revolutionary in my old age, but I’m looking at the peace movement as being hugely flawed by its tactical fights. I could see so much more being done if the movement was willing to work within and appreciate the system a bit more.
There used to be such things a checks and balances, where Congress had to vote to approve acts of war. And congress is somewhat more accountable to the people than the executive branch. Not that this has necessarily prevented every war from happening the the past, but at least there were institutions and norms that accounted for opinions outside of the executive level of government.
Perhaps the focus of the peace movement should be exposing the way the current presidential administration has crushed many foundational principles of the US Constitution–including granting supreme decision making to the executive branch.
The Patriot Act is just one example among countless that has silenced any check on the power and decisions of those in the white house. We as an anti-war movement should be fighting to re-instate those checks and balances so that our peace constituency can have an avenue through which to be heard and accounted for.
October 17th, 2007 at 11:22 am
Interesting perspective. I think groups like GPJC try and work heavily within the system. Anti-war blogger David Swanson (http://www.davidswanson.org/) writes almost exclusively about Congressional matters like impeachment, bills calling for withdrawal, etc. Still, perhaps there needs to be more popular education on these topics?
Congress still has the power to stop the war. All they have to do is stop funding it. They aren’t interested in doing that though. Obama, Clinton, and Edward just agreed in refusing to pledge to withdrawal the troops before 2013. Kucinich seems to be the only representative (and presidential candidate) serious about ending the war.
I think the peace constituency is being heard, I just don’t think it is large or loud enough yet. The anti-war movement has to create costs for the managers of democracy that outweigh the costs of a free Iraq and Iran.
February 15th, 2008 at 1:11 am
McCain, like his predecessor Cain of Genesis, does indeed understand and submit to the iron doctrine of radical militarism: Eternal War and Imperialistic Occupation of Sovereign Lands.
McCain does not understand why continual war, invasion, regime change, and occupation is wrong. He is against torture however, and I applaud him for wanting to destroy Guantanomo prison camp.
Jesus would not torture, bomb, or waterboard anybody. Jesus cursed the military by pronouncing: “blessed are the peacemakers”.
Victory? In a war that consists of bombing a nation, imposing our regime, occupying it, and setting up bases for permanent colonization? You want to succeed in that? You want victory in this wicked mess?
That’s like catching a rapist in the act, and letting him finish the job, since he’s already there.