The following is an archived copy of a message sent to a Discussion List run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
Views expressed in this archived message are those of the author, not of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
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On Fri, 15 Aug 2003 09:33:33 EDT VnStroope@aol.com writes: > >[ Presenting plain-text part of multi-format email ] > >In a message dated 8/15/03 5:21:15 AM Central Daylight Time, >dzepplin@charter.net writes: > > >> Especially the ones that boast this 'holier >> than thou, peace & love' bullshit. > >Clearly you are "here" on CASI for one purpose, to stir >up trouble. Yeah -- this is typical of a lot of what I have heard during "discussion" with supporters of Bush while on vigils and such: strong opinion from true believers who have apparantly not done even the fundamental research, but are driven purely from emotional reaction. I must admit I found the characterization of Secretary Albright as incompetent rather amusing -- although I doubt she (or many other world leaders) would agree with it. <G> Misguided, even with a touch of evil, perhaps, but hardly just some "old lady". But we should pay attention to what "dzepplin" said, for it is fairly typical of many who support the war and occupation of Iraq, and lap up the propaganda and distortions that the "Rove"s and "Wolfowitz"s manufacture. Because of the sort of highly educated and analytical people we generally relate to on list like this, it is easy to forget that such "dialogue" all too closely epitomizes the "average" American, who have been "educated" out of the instinct to question and delve for the truth. You can bet that Karl Rove doesn't forget it! This also points to one of weaknesses of discussion lists like this: much of it "preaches to the choir" -- those who HAVE done the research. The understanding of the facts and underlying forces is good to have, but it tends not to get into the mainstream awareness, or even the popular media. We -- and the Iraqis -- are not heard: the militant idealogues do not want to hear. Some, as they age and become more experienced, or find themselves plunged into war and in direct contact with the situaion and people, will change theri minds, but even that often takes time and reflection, and some never will but harden their hearts and minds. A critical strategy then, I think, is two-fold: first, aim to inform those who are *only* ignorant of the facts and not emotionally committed to the idealogy, and second, emphasize the secondary effects of warmongering such as economic losses, casualties, and damage to domestic security. For instance, the figure of $50 million being estimated today of what it would have cost to modernize the US electrical system would have been more than covered by just the initial budget for attacking Iraq. Even now it could be paid for in the next year by the withdrawal of occupying US troops -- just figuring the military costs. Do Americans want to spend their money to torture and kill Iraqi civilians, or do they want reliable electric power? Living in the dark literally is more disagreeable than doing it figuratively (and THAT'S something the people in Baghdad can attest to!). ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk