Why Veterans for Peace?
We Veterans for Peace are calling for total withdrawal of all troops from Afghanistan now and an end to the war buildup against Iran. Not fake withdrawal, but a real one. Why do we call for peace and why now?
Wars of choice against Iraq and Afghanistan have been disasters. Many thousands of U.S. soldiers have been killed and maimed. Far greater numbers of civilians in the countries we have occupied have been killed, injured and displaced. Afghanistan promises to drag on indefinitely. There is no sensible choice but to leave and let the chips fall where they may.
Obama promises an end to our involvement in Afghanistan in 2013, but the war there is only being transformed into one of special operations and drone strikes. It is being repackaged, not ended.
Now there is an undeclared cold war against Iran, which can go hot any minute.
The Global War on Terror if measured by its own justification to stop the threat of terrorism is a failure. Killing civilians in countries we occupy is only creating more terrorism and increasing the likelihood of attacks against us Americans overseas and at home.
These wars and war preparations are bleeding us dry economically. America is in a crushing depression and we cannot afford permanent war and the largest military on the planet. We must have money for our own country's serious problems which are going unaddressed and getting worse.
Our troops are returning home from occupied countries with horrific physical wounds, brain injury from exploding ordnance and mental trauma from the ruthless nature of counterinsurgency. According to the Army Times and Department of Veterans Affairs, 18 veterans a day who are in some kind of treatment are attempting suicide. This is a silent ongoing disaster right in our midst This is the price we are paying.
We who are promoting peace need help. Nothing will change without large numbers of people like you getting into the streets and making demands. Step out of your comfort zones. Feel the fresh air of freedom. If you see a peace protest or an OccupyBoston event, join it. Go to a meeting. Insist your church or union become more active in promoting peace. If you are a veteran, join the veterans' peace movement. Contact information:
Veterans for Peace - www.smedleyvfp.org
Dorchester People for Peace- www.dotpeace.org
OccupyBoston - www.occupyboston.org
United for Peace and Justice - wwM.unitedforpeace.org
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