What Can We Say To The Supporters Of This War?

by Ron Burley

At September's Peace Rally in Eugene, I was one of two people scheduled to speak on behalf of the DPLC. At the last minute, I was asked to read aloud a letter written in support of the rally by Oregon Congressman Peter Defazio.  It was a surprise, and an honor . Standing there on the steps of the Federal Building, I had been prepared with some announcements, and a brief speech of my own. I found those words on my desk recently, and thought they might still be worth sharing. Had I not been the voice for our Congressman's heartfelt words, this is the speech I would have read that day:

As I have watched the evolution of this appalling conflict—from WMD’s to jailer travesties— I have been forced to admit that the other side is very good at presenting their message.  So good, that despite evidence of an incredible deception perpetrated upon the American people, many of our fellow citizens still believe this a just war.  I ask myself, "How can that be? What can we say to them that will help them see beyond the simplistic propaganda?" 

After giving it some thought, I've come up with a few suggestions.

When they ask, “Don’t you support our troops?” We need to restate the question. Instead of allowing them to dehumanize the war with vague words like troops and casualties, ask them, “Don’t you think enough American children have died to protect Corporate Oil?

When they insist that you are not a patriot if you speak-out against the war.  Remind them that the founders of this great nation understood that dissent is patriotic. They believed freedom of speech so important they made it the first of all individual rights granted to each-and-every American.  Ask those supporters of this war… when, if not now, should we question the decisions of our leaders? Would they prefer we only ask questions about sexual preferences? Or drinking habits?  What more compelling time or reason can there be to question our leaders:

• Than when our children are dying in a purposeless war?
• Than when our government’s policies are causing the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians?
• Than when our history is being rewritten to justify failed policies?

Yes, these are the times to question.  These are the times when we must ask, “What the hell is going on here?”

Finally, when that supporter of this war is standing in front of you, her face puffed-up with ignorant self-righteousness. Ask her one last question about this war—that even the White House admits will last… six… more… years.

Ask her to go with you any Saturday afternoon to a middle school soccer field. Ask her to pick any one of those precious twelve-year-olds. Ask that supporter of this war to find that child’s parents along the sidelines, to look them in the eye and explain why it will be important—six years from now— for them to sacrifice their beautiful, bright-eyed, perfect child to this war.  Then, tell that obedient disciple of this President to go buy a shovel, so that she can be ready to spread the first layer of dirt over that child's casket as it is lowered into the ground.

Look around you.  We have a voice. We have message. We have found the words. We must,
STOP THIS WAR.