three years in

This is (approximately) the third anniversary of the United States's invasion of Iraq. What a terrible, terrible waste.

From United for Peace and Justice:
The human cost of the U.S. war in Iraq is staggering:

Over 2,300 U.S. military men and women have lost their lives in Iraq.

Over 30,000 -- and possibly as many as 100,000 -- Iraqi civilians have been killed since the invasion.

Over 16,500 U.S. military men and women have been wounded in combat.

Over 4,000 U.S. military men and women have been seriously maimed in combat.

Over 4,000 Iraqi police and military men and women have been killed.

The war in Iraq has already cost the United States $251 billion.

The estimated long-term bill for Iraq will exceed $1 trillion.

The infrastructure of Iraq has been devastated with no rebuilding in sight.

The Iraq war has created "a training and recruitment ground (for terrorists), and an opportunity for terrorists to enhance their technical skills." (source: U.S. National Intelligence Council), and led to "accelerated recruitment" for Al Qaeda (source: International Institute for Strategic Studies)
Actions and demonstrations are planned all over the world this weekend, including a few blocks from me in Mississauga. I hope you'll join with other peace-minded people in saying no to war.

For something simple you can do from home, click here to sign a petition calling on Congress to stop funding this immoral war.

I have one request. If you feel signing a petition is worthless and choose not to do it, I don't need to know. I'm aware of the challenges we face, the deaf ears of Congress and who profits from this war. I still believe in the value of raising our voices in protest. If it's all we have, we'd better use it. Your mileage may vary, but I'd rather not argue about it. Thanks in advance for respecting this.

Comments

  1. Anonymous20 March 2006 at 09:07

    I don't know if you saw the Globe and Mail weekend edition, but Paul William Roberts wrote a fantastic essay about the anniversary of the war, and future implications. Also, there was a terrific piece on the lack of an effective protest movement, and those fighting to establish one.

    If you haven't seen them, the articles are online on G&M, but in subscriber form only. However, if you stop by - you guessed it -your local library, the weekend paper will be there.

    PS I saw your essay in G&M last week, but didn't get around to sending an email or commenting on it - so I will do that here - well done and wonderfully written! That was an excellent description of Canadian values, one I could not have said any better. Thank you for that!

    ReplyDelete
  2. laura k20 March 2006 at 10:36

    Thank you, G! I really appreciate that.

    I did see that story in Saturday's G&M, but didn't take much notice. I was so dispirited about this war anniversary, I was avoiding news of it. Now I'll go back and read it. Thanks for the tip.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Granny20 March 2006 at 20:05

    I sign whatever shows up in my mailbox. I don't know if they help or not just as I don't know if our tiny weekly vigil makes any difference but it sure beats doing nothing.

    Been out of town forgetting about everything and enjoying myself for two whole days (with kids).

    Photos on blog but know you're busy.

    ReplyDelete

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