Sunday, July 30, 2006
Green Candidates speak on Iraq
DC Statehood Green Party member Dean Murville has put together quotes from a number of high profile Green candidates. These tasty tid bits are waiting for you behind the "Read more!" link...
EXCERPTS FROM GPAX 2006 CANDIDATE PEACE PAMPHLET
Compiled by GPAX Member Dean Murville (DC)
From Pat LaMarche, 2006 Candidate for Governor of Maine, 2004 Vice Presidential Candidate:
The continuing and unnecessary loss of lives in Iraq is a tragedy. As the most powerful nation in the world, we must devote ourselves to justice. The lives of innocents all across the globe depend on our diligence. During the 2004 presidential campaign, speaking out against this illegal and immoral war was a cornerstone of our campaign.
From Aaron Dixon, Candidate for US Senate, Washington State:
America should be a nation based on peaceful democratic relations with others, not an Empire based on military intimidation and economic bullying. There can be no doubt, the war in Iraq is a colossal injustice. While [US Senator] Maria Cantwell says she has "no regrets" for authorizing Bush's war, I say "BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW!"
From Howie Hawkins, GP Candidate for US Senate, New York:
This unconscionable and unconstitutional war provokes hatred for our country abroad and hopelessness at home, as common people's pressing needs continue to be sidelined. According to current polls, 65% of the American people disapprove of the way the Bush administration is handling the situation in Iraq, while 55% feel that going to war was a mistake. I stand with the majority. I would vote to stop all offensive operations in Iraq, to end this war, and to end this occupation. I would vote to begin the immediate withdrawal of US troops and military equipment from Iraq and to bring them home.
I also am in support of those brave individuals that are putting their freedom on the line by defying orders of deployment to Iraq, including Sgt. Kevin Benderman, Spec. Susan Swift, and Lt. Ehren Watada. These individuals are lighting the path forward for the many soldiers who will eventually join them in refusing an illegal war. In the meantime, these individuals and those like them should be allowed to peacefully resign from the Armed Services, without suffering dishonorable discharges, or imprisonment.
From Todd Chretien, GP Candidate for US Senate, California:
The US invasion and occupation of Iraq has created nothing but disaster and death. Over 150,000 Iraqi people have died along with 2600 American soldiers. Far from bringing "peace and democracy" to the Middle East, we are now witnessing the spread of the war into Lebanon and Gaza in the form of twin Israeli assaults. While the mics were live at the G8 Summit, President Bush told Prime Minister Blair that he wished Hezbollah and Syria would stop all their "shit." Of course, he didn't mean to swear in public, but his actions against the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti and Venezuela, and his connivance with Israel's actions against the people of Palestine and Lebanon are far more obscene than anything that dribbles from his lips. As if all these crimes weren't enough, President Bush - along with Senators Feinstein and Clinton - are threatening Iran's people with bombs and starvation.
Now, more than ever, the Green Party must reassert its support for the unconditional, immediate withdrawal of all US troops from Iraq, an end to the colonial occupation of Afghanistan and the importance of the Green Party's Proposition 190, which stands in solidarity with the people of Palestine. The Democratic and Republic parties fight side by side to maintain American corporations' dominance over the oil resources of the Middle East. Even so-called "liberals" like Sen. Russ Feingold are cheering on the Israeli destruction of Gaza and Lebanon. The Green Party is the only electoral party to base its policies on the interests of the overwhelming majority of the people of the world and their desire for peace, equality and the defense of our planet's environment.
From Malachy McCourt, New York Green Candidate for Governor:
Fighting Words: Outside of working people voting conservative, war has to be at once the most stupid and insane activity indulged in by humankind. Picture a group of middle-aged rich men with erectile dysfunction sitting around wondering how to get richer without taxes and without putting their heirs in danger. Aha, let's make weapons of war, get our men elected, find a useful enemy, sell the weapons to the government, get the working classes excited about patriotism and possible attacks on our country, get their children to join the Army, and send them off to be maimed and killed for corporate profits. Of course, it is important that it be called a noble cause and a defense of all we hold sacred.
I say I love my country too much to kill another human for it. I was taught never to hit another child and when I grew I was told thou shat not kill women, children and other people. I will decide who my enemies are and how to deal with them even if it means forgiving them, but that's my business. One of America's great enemies at the present is the acting president, who has declared war on America and everything it has stood for since independence. War is hell and may hell be the destination of the warmongering, lying profiteer who declared war. Peace, McCourt
From Michael Berg, Green Party Candidate for Congress, Delaware:
Many of you know me as the father of Nick Berg. Nick was seeking a government contract in Iraq for his young radio tower service company. He was kidnapped and brutally murdered in retaliation for the murders, rapes and torture of Iraqis in the Abu Ghraib prison. Since that awful moment, I have taken every opportunity to work to end the war that took my son from us. Two days after we got the terrible news, I
told the media who had surrounded our home, "Nicholas Berg died for the sins of George Bush and Donald Rumsfeld."
I've decided to take personal political responsibility for democracy and peace by running as a Green. I have discovered that the Green Party offers the best chance we have to build the electoral arm of the peace movement. You simply will not find a political party with a better record of pursuing peace, building the peace movement, and demanding an end to wars of aggression.
From Rae Vogeler, US Senate Candidate, Wisconsin:
Congress is a rubber-stamp for Bush's war agenda. Passage of the 2006 Defense Appropriations Act, which mandates another $50 billion for war in Iraq and Afghanistan represents even more reckless spending from Capitol Hill on the war. Where is the fiscal responsibility? The American people have already footed a $311
billion tab for war; our national debt is out of control. Bush and the Congressional leadership are spending away our children's future. Bush and Congress are taxing working families to spend recklessly on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
War is big business, and some very powerful people are making enormous profits at taxpayer expense. As Senator, one of the first bills I would introduce would be to make it illegal for corporations to profit from war. Our government's spending priorities are way off. Why is there always money for bombs but never for health care? We need money for jobs and education, not endless wars across the globe.
From Aimee Allison, Candidate for Oakland, CA City Council:
As one of the co-authors of the book "10 Excellent Reasons Not to Join the Military"
(edited by Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg, New Press 2006), Oakland City Council candidate Aimee Allison talked about trying to dissuade a young woman from paying for college by joining the armed forces. Allison, a medic in the Persian Gulf War who received an honorable discharge, contends in her chapter that the military is openly racist, misogynist, and homophobic. Also contributing to the book is activist Cindy Sheehan: she tells the story of her son Casey, a 24-year-old who died four days after landing in Iraq. She called for the immediate withdrawal of American troops from Iraq and for a trial of the nation's leaders for war crimes.
From Kevin Zeese, Candidate for US Senate, Maryland:
The Iraq occupation embedded US corporations into the Iraq economy, satisfying a multi-decade design on Iraq's oil wealth. The roots of the economic takeover of Iraq are long and deep. They became more aggressive after the strongest US ally in the region, the Shah of Iran, was deposed in 1979. The roots of the quest of dominance of the oil-rich region are found in both the Democratic and Republican Party, but the most aggressive pursuit has been by George W. Bush.
A new national poll shows that a near majority of voters either strongly or somewhat agree with a pledge not to vote for pro-war candidates. This makes the anti-war movement's potential impact on elections larger than pro-gun, anti-abortion, or anti-gay marriage voters. Politicians will have to pay heed to this new political force. The Voters for Peace Pledge states: "I will not vote for or support any candidate for Congress or President who does not make a speedy end to the war in Iraq, and preventing any future war of aggression a public position in his or her campaign."
EXCERPTS FROM GPAX 2006 CANDIDATE PEACE PAMPHLET
Compiled by GPAX Member Dean Murville (DC)
From Pat LaMarche, 2006 Candidate for Governor of Maine, 2004 Vice Presidential Candidate:
The continuing and unnecessary loss of lives in Iraq is a tragedy. As the most powerful nation in the world, we must devote ourselves to justice. The lives of innocents all across the globe depend on our diligence. During the 2004 presidential campaign, speaking out against this illegal and immoral war was a cornerstone of our campaign.
From Aaron Dixon, Candidate for US Senate, Washington State:
America should be a nation based on peaceful democratic relations with others, not an Empire based on military intimidation and economic bullying. There can be no doubt, the war in Iraq is a colossal injustice. While [US Senator] Maria Cantwell says she has "no regrets" for authorizing Bush's war, I say "BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW!"
From Howie Hawkins, GP Candidate for US Senate, New York:
This unconscionable and unconstitutional war provokes hatred for our country abroad and hopelessness at home, as common people's pressing needs continue to be sidelined. According to current polls, 65% of the American people disapprove of the way the Bush administration is handling the situation in Iraq, while 55% feel that going to war was a mistake. I stand with the majority. I would vote to stop all offensive operations in Iraq, to end this war, and to end this occupation. I would vote to begin the immediate withdrawal of US troops and military equipment from Iraq and to bring them home.
I also am in support of those brave individuals that are putting their freedom on the line by defying orders of deployment to Iraq, including Sgt. Kevin Benderman, Spec. Susan Swift, and Lt. Ehren Watada. These individuals are lighting the path forward for the many soldiers who will eventually join them in refusing an illegal war. In the meantime, these individuals and those like them should be allowed to peacefully resign from the Armed Services, without suffering dishonorable discharges, or imprisonment.
From Todd Chretien, GP Candidate for US Senate, California:
The US invasion and occupation of Iraq has created nothing but disaster and death. Over 150,000 Iraqi people have died along with 2600 American soldiers. Far from bringing "peace and democracy" to the Middle East, we are now witnessing the spread of the war into Lebanon and Gaza in the form of twin Israeli assaults. While the mics were live at the G8 Summit, President Bush told Prime Minister Blair that he wished Hezbollah and Syria would stop all their "shit." Of course, he didn't mean to swear in public, but his actions against the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti and Venezuela, and his connivance with Israel's actions against the people of Palestine and Lebanon are far more obscene than anything that dribbles from his lips. As if all these crimes weren't enough, President Bush - along with Senators Feinstein and Clinton - are threatening Iran's people with bombs and starvation.
Now, more than ever, the Green Party must reassert its support for the unconditional, immediate withdrawal of all US troops from Iraq, an end to the colonial occupation of Afghanistan and the importance of the Green Party's Proposition 190, which stands in solidarity with the people of Palestine. The Democratic and Republic parties fight side by side to maintain American corporations' dominance over the oil resources of the Middle East. Even so-called "liberals" like Sen. Russ Feingold are cheering on the Israeli destruction of Gaza and Lebanon. The Green Party is the only electoral party to base its policies on the interests of the overwhelming majority of the people of the world and their desire for peace, equality and the defense of our planet's environment.
From Malachy McCourt, New York Green Candidate for Governor:
Fighting Words: Outside of working people voting conservative, war has to be at once the most stupid and insane activity indulged in by humankind. Picture a group of middle-aged rich men with erectile dysfunction sitting around wondering how to get richer without taxes and without putting their heirs in danger. Aha, let's make weapons of war, get our men elected, find a useful enemy, sell the weapons to the government, get the working classes excited about patriotism and possible attacks on our country, get their children to join the Army, and send them off to be maimed and killed for corporate profits. Of course, it is important that it be called a noble cause and a defense of all we hold sacred.
I say I love my country too much to kill another human for it. I was taught never to hit another child and when I grew I was told thou shat not kill women, children and other people. I will decide who my enemies are and how to deal with them even if it means forgiving them, but that's my business. One of America's great enemies at the present is the acting president, who has declared war on America and everything it has stood for since independence. War is hell and may hell be the destination of the warmongering, lying profiteer who declared war. Peace, McCourt
From Michael Berg, Green Party Candidate for Congress, Delaware:
Many of you know me as the father of Nick Berg. Nick was seeking a government contract in Iraq for his young radio tower service company. He was kidnapped and brutally murdered in retaliation for the murders, rapes and torture of Iraqis in the Abu Ghraib prison. Since that awful moment, I have taken every opportunity to work to end the war that took my son from us. Two days after we got the terrible news, I
told the media who had surrounded our home, "Nicholas Berg died for the sins of George Bush and Donald Rumsfeld."
I've decided to take personal political responsibility for democracy and peace by running as a Green. I have discovered that the Green Party offers the best chance we have to build the electoral arm of the peace movement. You simply will not find a political party with a better record of pursuing peace, building the peace movement, and demanding an end to wars of aggression.
From Rae Vogeler, US Senate Candidate, Wisconsin:
Congress is a rubber-stamp for Bush's war agenda. Passage of the 2006 Defense Appropriations Act, which mandates another $50 billion for war in Iraq and Afghanistan represents even more reckless spending from Capitol Hill on the war. Where is the fiscal responsibility? The American people have already footed a $311
billion tab for war; our national debt is out of control. Bush and the Congressional leadership are spending away our children's future. Bush and Congress are taxing working families to spend recklessly on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
War is big business, and some very powerful people are making enormous profits at taxpayer expense. As Senator, one of the first bills I would introduce would be to make it illegal for corporations to profit from war. Our government's spending priorities are way off. Why is there always money for bombs but never for health care? We need money for jobs and education, not endless wars across the globe.
From Aimee Allison, Candidate for Oakland, CA City Council:
As one of the co-authors of the book "10 Excellent Reasons Not to Join the Military"
(edited by Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg, New Press 2006), Oakland City Council candidate Aimee Allison talked about trying to dissuade a young woman from paying for college by joining the armed forces. Allison, a medic in the Persian Gulf War who received an honorable discharge, contends in her chapter that the military is openly racist, misogynist, and homophobic. Also contributing to the book is activist Cindy Sheehan: she tells the story of her son Casey, a 24-year-old who died four days after landing in Iraq. She called for the immediate withdrawal of American troops from Iraq and for a trial of the nation's leaders for war crimes.
From Kevin Zeese, Candidate for US Senate, Maryland:
The Iraq occupation embedded US corporations into the Iraq economy, satisfying a multi-decade design on Iraq's oil wealth. The roots of the economic takeover of Iraq are long and deep. They became more aggressive after the strongest US ally in the region, the Shah of Iran, was deposed in 1979. The roots of the quest of dominance of the oil-rich region are found in both the Democratic and Republican Party, but the most aggressive pursuit has been by George W. Bush.
A new national poll shows that a near majority of voters either strongly or somewhat agree with a pledge not to vote for pro-war candidates. This makes the anti-war movement's potential impact on elections larger than pro-gun, anti-abortion, or anti-gay marriage voters. Politicians will have to pay heed to this new political force. The Voters for Peace Pledge states: "I will not vote for or support any candidate for Congress or President who does not make a speedy end to the war in Iraq, and preventing any future war of aggression a public position in his or her campaign."
// posted by Gregg Jocoy @ 3:12 PM 
