An Open letter to Barack Obama
July 17, 2008 by Fran
An Open Letter to Barack Obama:
You did not stand before 75,000 Oregonians & say you would vote to support warrantless wiretapping & grant immunity for those who give access to wiretap. You did not promise to shift gears to have a different war in Afghanistan, and add 10,000 troops, when speaking to the people at the historically largest gathering of a presidential candidate, or the many crowds & gahterings throughout the country.
Why now? I was following the promise of change, by the alleged Champion of Civil Rights & someone who would uphold the Constitution. Going after Al Queda is a fruitless effort.
Our country is bankrupt. We can not afford more war either financially or ethically.
I don’t want to HOPE for real change– I want REAL CHANGE. Your recent FISA vote & this announcement for war horrify me. Don’t think you have secured the progressive base & can now tap dance over the center line, into a spineless war monger, more of the same 9-11 to the world, violence based diplomacy?
Have we not learned lessons from all these years of war?
The Obama bio says you have studied Gandhi & MLK & their non violent leadership. Neither of them would support this idea of more troops in Afghanistan- or anywhere. More war, death, killing, & suffering will not yield the security we seek.
After 8 long years of the Bush regime, and perhaps the United States most deadly and unethical behavior ever, I have no tolerance or patience for any semblance of more of the same- particularly in regards to war, occupations, violence, and disregard for the Constitution. The ship has sailed for those items to have been unleashed to see just how bad and wrong things can go.
Blogger B. Perdue wrote this:
“The good news is that the antiwar movement isn’t fooled by either party’s posturing and is preparing antiwar demonstrations at the conventions of both pro-war parties. That’ll be followed up with a major organization drive beginning this December. As soon as Obama (or McCain) takes a seat in the Oval Office they’ll be on the hot seat and answerable to a militant and demanding antiwar movement with a growing GI component.
We should do all we can to support the antiwar movements determination and begin formulating our own campaigns for federal anti-discrimination and anti-violence legislation”
People are watching & listening closely. I have been an avid supporter, but these actions have me questioning my support & feeling the need to convey my grave disappointment. How could you betray the people in this way?
Smedley Butler, most decorated Marine in US history
Dearest Fran,
Before I write what I feel compelled to in this comment let me just say I truly loved your letter.
answerable to a militant and demanding antiwar movement
The Obama bio says you have studied Gandhi & MLK & their non violent leadership. Neither of them would support this idea of more troops in Afghanistan- or anywhere.
After 8 long years of the Bush regime, and perhaps the United States most deadly and unethical behavior ever, I have no tolerance or patience for any semblance of more of the same- particularly in regards to war, occupations, violence, and disregard for the Constitution.
As I said, I did love the letter it was full of passion and truth and commitment, yet I am not so sure about the use of the hyperbolic word “militant” after your powerful call for “change”… (Militant, as I am sure you are quite aware, primarily means ”extremely active in the defense or support of a cause, often to the point of extremism” and also “fighting” or “warfare”. I know it is a strong word, a sweeping word, a word that sends a very strong and clear message, but “aggressive”, “insistent”, “far-reaching” could have filled the void just as easily.
MLK had that word, “militant”, thrust upon him for his words and actions, too.
One would doubt that any person would have placed the adjective “militant” upon Gandhi… but they did.
With that said… I still thought your letter was very moving and worthy and will likely, if read, get Barack’s attention. I do hope you understand that, being a man of words myself, that this is not a slam upon you, just a cautionary, and perhaps unneeded, comment on the use of one word.
“People are watching & listening closely” in both camps…
Peace,
Mark (thepoetryman)
thepoetrymans last blog post..WAR ON THE ONE-EYED KINGS
Dearest Poetry Man: Please note I was quoteing another blog comment that included the word militant- which did not seem in line with the desire for peace.
So we are in total agreement- I was quoting another who rightfully charged that BOTH PARTIES have a hand in perpetuating the war/violence. The majority of Democrats in Congress failed to use the power of the purse or work together to override Bush’s vetos. They made some noise, then gave their stamp of approval
to the tune of billions– bankrupting both the finances & ethics of our country.
Certainly a militant peace activist does seem contradictory.
Thich Nhat Hahn~ Zen Master has said you have to be peace to have peace ~ be peaceful. I agree.
Howard Zinn has said it will take a revolution to turn the US Government around, but did not comment on what form the revolution will take.
In any case, I think it is important that Peace & Progressive communities unite to not let these kinds of plans go by unchecked.
To me,such a plan would be a continuation of the current regime.
I don’t want to her about change in rally speech, then have actions that are the opposite.
Peace NOW!