Just recently Nancy Pelosi, the Democrat who is the House Leader, gave anti-war activists the advice they should leave Democrats alone, and focus their efforts on Republicans.
We should all be looking to see which politicians join in the anti-war demonstrations on October 27.
When I spoke at an anti-war rally a while back and noted that there was not a single politician present, and I asked, "Where is the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party today? (I then began naming a few politicians)" there was swift retorts from politicians.
I was later approached by a number of these politicians who said I had taken an uncalled for cheap shot at them because I had not invited them to the demonstration.
This criticism is fair enough; although, not completely true, since I had sent out an e-mail to each and every member of the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party State Central Committee of which I am an elected member... a Committee which automatically includes every single state and federal elected politician in Minnesota.
So, while I had not personally invited any of these politicians, many of whom respond to my e-mails quite regularly, so I know they are reading them... they, in fact, had been invited to participate.
Now, since I am sending this blog posting to each and every member of the MN DFL State Central Committee I should not be hearing similar excuses from these politicians this time around.
In fact, I would encourage each and every person reading this blog posting to give your elected officials a call, and send them an e-mail, suggesting they make their views known on this dirty imperialist war for oil on October 27.
If doing nothing more than writing a letter to the editor of each and every newspaper within their constituencies stating that they are opposed to the war in Iraq; explaining to their constituents how they are working in league with peace activists.
This way, Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats can show they are part of the peace movement, which now gains its strength from the majority of the people in this country who are opposed to this dirty war. Right now it simply is very unclear where Democrats, with a very few notable exceptions, really stand on putting an end to the war in Iraq.
In fact, the positions of most Democrats is so ambiguous, one has to wonder how it is Nancy Pelosi would have the gall to suggest that peace activists should leave Democrats alone and focus only on the Republicans.
How would any peace activists conclude they really do need to continue to keep the pressure on Democrats AND Republicans? One only has to listen to what these Democrats say. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards are all on record that they will not make a commitment to bring this war to an end in their first term in office if elected; this is reason enough why pressure should continue to be brought on Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats, together with the Republicans.
In fact, this is neither a Democratic or Republican war. This is an imperialist war for oil and regional domination which has been supported from the very beginning by both Democrats and Republicans; we all know that.
If Democrats truly wanted to end this destruction, bloodbath and carnage in Iraq they could do so today... right now. They could simply cut off all funding for this war. The United States Constitution gives the Congress the "power of the purse."
Until Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats decide to exercise the "power of the purse" to put an end to this dirty war I hope mothers for peace will continue congregating in front of Nancy Pelosi's homes in California and Washington D.C. hanging dirty diapers on the branches of trees... and, I hope her neighbors continue to complain loudly.
The stench of dirty diapers which so offends Nancy Pelosi and her well-heeled neighbors is nothing compared to the stench of death lingering over Iraq.
So, invite your state and federal elected officials to participate with you in demonstrating against this dirty war in Iraq on October 27.
No excuses; all anyone has to, including any politician, is do a simple Google search for:
october 27 anti-war demonstrations
and a demonstration for an anti-war activity can be found in your area.
Although, if there isn't an anti-war activity a politician or any one else for that matter finds convenient or appropriate, they can at least be a little creative and initiate some kind of activity on their own.
Here are a few ideas if you can't find something of interest by doing the Google search for:
october 27 anti-war demonstrations
* Write a letter to the editor
* Distribute a leaflet at your local supermarket telling people why you oppose the war
* Organize a gathering at a local community center... have a forum or debate on the war (invite a politician)
* Get a few friends together and hold up anti-war signs on a busy street corner
* Take a camera to what ever peace activity you decide to participate in on October 27... take a picture of each politician participating.
* Write up your experiences demonstrating against the war on October 27 and blog your experiences.
* Ask people you work with to sign a letter or statement calling for an end to the war.
All the resources, financial and human, being squandered on this war in Iraq could be used to:
- Fund public education
- Finance a world-class, comprehensive, no-fee, single-payer, universal healthcare system
- Re-tool the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant and bring it under public ownership saving 2,000 jobs and creating an additional 12,000 jobs
- Repair bridges, roads, and infrastructure which would put thousands to work
Every dollar spent on death and destruction could be spent making this world a better place to live.
Just do something on October 27 to demonstrate your opposition to this senseless, immoral, unjust, and illegal imperialist war for oil and regional domination.
Join with Minnesotans for Peace and Social Justice and in some way, make everyday, in every community, a demonstration against the war in Iraq... in a way we are each like one little snowflake in this struggle for peace and social justice... one little snowflake doesn't amount to much... but, a Minnesota blizzard is something else.
Pass the link to this blog on.
