Country ... USA
War on Terrorism ... The Iraq War

2003 ... Note our opportunity to be in March for Peace against War in Iraq on Jan 18th. Thank you

COMMENTARY
How quickly we forget ... or is it more that advertising and political PR and a rewritten history pro-actively bury our memories.

One of my concerns is that big issues get high level attention among both the 'leaders' of society, business and politics with a big level of photo op activities, and then nothing of significance can be seem as soon as the media hype has dies down.

A large proportion of the US population was against the Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld initiative to attack Iraq because of its danger to the world. The anti-war protests were large, but nobody in the administration took notice. I cannot understand why not ... unless it was sonmething to do with corporate profit, an example of the dangerous military/industrial complex that President Eisenhower talked about in his presidency ... or an administration that was deaf and incredibly dumb. Cheney's old company Halliburton certainly became a huge beneficiary of the War on Terror, and it is very difficult to see the connection and not be concerned about the decisions that got made.
Peter Burgess

Subj: Note our opportunity to be in March for Peace against War in Iraq on Jan 18th. Thank you 

Date: 12/20/2002 11:10:36 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: lindamcglathery@earthlink.net
To: carolsarchet@earthlink.net, beatricetreat@aol.com, jec@law.com, beam@bestweb.net, carvethmartin@earthlink.net, johnvqz@hotmail.com, krauset@emu.edu, rwkgee@earthlink.net, Kathytodd@aol.com, Yillina1@aol.com, srogers@smtp.aed.org, sramsey@concord.com, aman1@attglobal.net, ritairons@worldnet.att.net, haddad@stbarts.org, k_swansong@hotmail.com, GERALD@theIRC.org, chuckul8@yahoo.com, sidebotham@stbarts.org, Kmarshall@worldbank.org, elledalton@aol.com, profitinafrica@aol.com, sallyarmstrong1@hotmail.com, gsanborn@nyc11.com, mtashji@yahoo.com, sirjdwall@erols.com CC: johnanne@netvoicemail.com, simmons@stbarts.org, haddad@stbarts.org

I am urging you search your heart to explore anew what the complexity of world events and implications mean to you at this time and your own engagement - or actions that could be meaningful. From the heart our sincere gratitude to Gerry Martone of International Rescue Committee for sharing with us last night in detail the overwhelming impact of war on human beings in the region, as well as briefing us on other pertinent issues.  We pray for Gerry and his safety, as he returns to Iraq as early as Jan first and await his next update on his return.

His personal request is that we at ST Bart's continue to explore what it means to be aware of the world situation and our own potential for making a difference.  I second this and commit you and your hearts... many of which are troubled at this time to our loving Lord, who does care for us and answer prayer.  Merry Christmas to you and a blessed 2003. Bear Witness to Peace on January 18th

The Just Peace: Middle East Advocacy Group and St Bart's and the World invite all 'to strive for justice and peace among all people,' as your baptismal vow states it, by setting aside Saturday, January 18, for the National March Against War on Iraq in Washington DC. 

Phoebe Griswold, wife of our presiding bishop, recently wrote to President Bush and other U.S. officials, in a letter signed by 73 other bishops' spouses, which said in part, 'Our Christian gospel teaches us to actively seek reconciliation with our enemies. Peace is not a passive process or a by product of war, but the result of active engagement.'  

Actively engaged Christians and other citizens are marching that day in the many tens of thousands, against aggression against Iraq, and in support of redeploying some of our $400 billion annual war budget to human needs.  

Join us on the bus ($36, leaving at 6am, returning at 10pm) for this legally permitted rally, timed to honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's anti-war legacy. His statement, 'The greatest purveyor of violence on the planet is my own government,' is arguably truer now than during the Vietnam War, given our new policy threatening first use of nuclear arms.  To reserve your seat, contact Rev. Charles Simmons at simmons@stbarts.org or 212-378-0200