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Peace Protester Meets Military Men; Perceptions or Promise

copyright © 2007 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

This morning, as I approached the peace corner, two of my fellow demonstrators made mention of the soldiers across the street. Weekly, a throng of Iraq war dissenters stands and pickets on the south side of the street. I position myself on the North end of the avenue. I stand alone. On this afternoon, two young men dressed in Army fatigues, soldiers, situated themselves on the median, yards from where I position myself. They carried plastic bins; patriotic banners were pasted onto these containers. American flags and pamphlets graced their station. The military men collected money from passers-by. They distributed literature. They did their work from the same side of the street I favor.

A Climate of Fear Permeates; Morton High School Students Protest

Climate of Fear

copyright © 2007 Betsy L. Angert. BeThink.org

"The tragedy of our day is the climate of fear in which we live and fear breeds repression. Too often, sinister threats to the Bill of Rights, to freedom of the mind are concealed under the patriotic cloak of anti-Communism [terrorism, nationalism, or compassionate Conservatism.] It's far easier to fight for principles than to live up to them." ~ Adlai Stevenson. 1952 [Governor of Illinois, Democratic presidential candidate]

It was a quiet day in America; yet, the feeling of fear was palpable. Oceans away, in Baghdad, the air was filled with the smell of napalm. Frightened, as the young contemplated their future, seventy some courageous and committed students filed into the Morton West High School cafeteria in Berwyn, Illinois. Trepidation for their lives, and the lives of friends, family, and those innocent Iraqi citizens they never met prompted these pupils to take action. The young and eligible enlistees protested the war in Iraq.

War of Words. Bloggers, Broadcasters, Rappers Code of Ethics

Oprah on Imus (Public forum with Russell and others) 2

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert
In this tome, I am not advocating autocratic censorship. I ask each of us to look within and consciously choose an empathetic ethical code.

"There is a problem." However, Americans do not agree what the problem is. Sexism, racism, homophobia, violence, or the words we use to promote such social ills. For weeks, language has been in the news, on the blogs, in the airwaves, and in music-industry executives meeting rooms. Free speech is the topic in question, as is the power of words. As children, we learned that "Sticks and stones may break our bones; but names will never hurt me." In fact, the opposite is true. Words and the inferences can cause greater, and more last injuries than twigs or rocks might. The body heals far better than the heart does.

Iraq Dissenters Peacefully March. Request 'Power to the People'

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert More than four years ago, an arrogant American nation concluded we have the right to trample on the flag of a sovereign nation. Today, Iraqis' tread on ours.

In 2003, American occupiers marched into Baghdad, and forcefully changed the Iraqi regime. United States officials proclaimed they took this action in the name of democracy. When, on April 9, the statue of the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein fell, American President George W. Bush [or the Navy] announced, "Mission Accomplished." The war was a success. At present, we cannot be certain who postulated the theory. The Administration tells us the Navy was responsible for this assertion. The maritime services say the White House made the banner famously seen in the background while President acknowledged a United States victory. Although, we do not know who avowed our triumph, we recall who contended the Iraq war was in its last throes.

Million Man and Woman March Against Iraq War

© copyright 2007 Betsy L. Angert

In order to attend the January 27, 2007 rally, a family from Florida, not mine, though I wish it were, drove up to Washington District of Columbia. They wanted to be part of the newer "Half Million Man and Woman March." This protest did not focus solely on civil rights at home. It addressed sacrifices and privileges of the people worldwide. Foreign and domestic policy was in question. The American public was requesting a return of the troops. People, individuals, and groups were saying, "Give Peace a Chance!"

Political Extremism. When Will It End? ©

Today I received an electronic communiqué that stimulated great thought. Specifically the correspondence addresses the Holocaust. The author asks us to remember what was, what is, and will be, as the result of political extremism.

Personally, I cannot forget. I believe we are mired in government-imposed radicalism today. Neoconservatives believe that democracy can be spread in a brutal fashion. Dictatorial acts pass for nationalism. Consider the Patriot Act circa 2001.

We might look to foreign lands and question the sanity of their leaders. President George W. Bush does. He postulates there is an "axis of evil." Nations such as North Korea, Iran, and Iraq are in his sight. I inquire; might Mister Bush look in the mirror. Which country has the greatest arsenal? Who is prepared to use Weapons of Mass Destruction. What nation state does colossal damage daily then terms it "collateral"?

I sigh and state . . .
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
~ George Santayana [The Life of Reason, Volume 1, 1905]

Civil Disobedience, Thoreau, Anti-Iraq War Tax Resisters, Mary McCarthy ©

On income tax day, I was wandering about and discovered a post that brought me joy. Steven Josselson, of Troubled Times: An Online Journal of Policy and Politics, offered a commentary that I found invigorating. It stimulated my mind.

The topic was, “Refusing to Pay Taxes: Civil Disobedience and the Iraq war.” I read. Then I began pondering the actions of these “defiant” peace protesters. Many of the persons discussed in this essay were not willing to contribute their tax obligation to a country engaged in war; yet, they were willing to give their funds to charities. These individuals consciously choose to donate their tax duties to organizations that embody a civic-minded philosophy. However, society labels them civilly disobedient. I wonder.

Since that day, my mind has been absorbed in the idea of Civil Disobedience. Today, I think of the dismissed Central Intelligence agent, Mary McCarthy. I read the papers, listen to the news, and I ponder. Is the phrase a misnomer? When we peacefully act in accordance with the founding principles of our forefathers, are we civilly disobedient or caring and concerned citizens? I believe we are the latter.

Currently Mary McCarthy, a senior intelligence officer once assigned to the White House, is in the battle of a lifetime.