Are There Really Any Words Left? : A Time For Resistance in Action

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Are There Really Any Words Left? : A Time For Resistance In ActionBy Jill McLaughlin, World Can’t Wait “So?” That was the word that flew out of Cheney’s mouth when an ABC news reporter pointed out, that with regard to the illegal and immoral occupation of Iraq, “two-thirds of Americans say it’s not worth fighting for.” “So,” as if not even Cheney himself had any words left to let us know that he cares nothing about what the people think or say of the Bush Regime’s blatant war crimes. “So” is such a tiny word, yet it seems to sum up the Bush Regime’s attitude about the horrors it has wrought the last seven years. And it also sums up the attitude of the Democratic leadership, as they refuse stop it all, even when many people have pleaded with them to do so. The mainstream media mimics this attitude by either not adequately covering the horrors of the Bush Regime, or, when it decides to cover the horrors, reducing the coverage to a discussion of legal questions rather the than moral questions about the actions of the Bush Regime. In just the last couple of days Americans have learned that the highest officials in the Bush Regime authorized the use of torture. The Bush Regime seems to be responding in much the same way it always does. As if to say, “So it’s no big deal to us so why should it be a big deal to you. After all we are saving lives here. This is what we have to do to fight terrorism.” It’s as if Bush and Cheney are trying to soften the moral fortitude of the American people towards the use of torture, much like the way detainees are softened up through torture before and during interrogation. So, in light of the aforementioned, where is the resistance of the American people? Is it all caught up in election madness? How can this be when there are still people being killed, raped, and tortured in our name on daily basis, even as this election is approaching? This election does not stop the killing, the raping, and the torturing of the Iraqi people now. And it does not stop the threat to the Iranian people of having to suffer the same fate now. I know the resistance is somewhere in the hearts and souls of the American people, but it has yet to be unleashed in a way that challenges all of this and brings it to a halt. The number of religious leaders, educators, and community leaders who could, through example, unleash the resistance that is needed is sorely lacking. So is it any wonder that on Easter Sunday that six young men and women decided to take an action to get the attention of a well known religious leader and his parishioners by driving the reality and the horror of the war crime of the occupation of Iraq and its resulting war crimes home? Read more here about their courageous actions and sign the petition.http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1170/t/3151/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=984. Words and simply being against this illegal and immoral occupation and torture are no longer enough. They are not enough for the Iraqi people whose home we have destroyed and illegally occupy, and those of the Middle East who have been tortured in our name. Words are not enough for the over 4000 troops who have died. Words are not enough, and the Iraq Vets Against the War at the Winter Soldier Investigation aptly testified to that. Words are not enough for the scores of troops who have been wounded, the scores suffering from PTSD, and the scores still in Iraq who hate this war and need us to act. So, finally, it would seem that there are no words left to fight these outrages of the Bush Regime. And I believe that the Holy Name 6 sensed this too when they decided to act. I feel so strongly that there are no words left, that I wonder if this particular writing is all in vain. But I’m pushing myself to write this because 6 young people who had the courage to stand up to this madness are facing felony charges that could result in five years of prison when so many people are seemingly choosing to say “so” in the face of this madness. I’m writing this in hopes that the two-thirds of Americans who are against this illegal and immoral occupation will put their sentiments to action and demonstrate resistance. The signatures on the petition to support the Holy Name 6 have been topped out in the 1350s for the last couple of days. C’mon, we can do better than this. They need your support and the charges need to be dropped. By signing this petition you are both supporting the Holy Name 6 and inspiring further acts of resistance. Sign the petition and circulate it widely, wear orange as the color of resistance, and join in acts of resistance. We are what we have been waiting for. This Friday April 18th the World Can’t Wait Chapters across the country will observe the Iraq Moratorium by protesting the military recruitment centers. Check out www.worldcantwait.org and www.Iraqmoratorium.org and join us Friday.

I have been involved with World Can't Wait since July 2006 and have written a number of essays for the World Can't Wait website. I currently sit on the Chicago Chapter and National steering committees of World Can't Wait

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