Letter to Obama, Congress re. Iraq and Afghanistan

(From my local newspaper)

In March 2003, the United States invaded Iraq with the blessing of a misguided U.S. Congress. Today it is widely acknowledged by the world that the case made for our invasion was a fabrication of lies and propaganda at the highest level of government.

Today there are over 150,000 U.S. troops remaining in Iraq and more than 50 military bases. Our troop withdrawal has been extended to August 2010 and we will continue to have a large number of our troops in Iraq far into the future.

Life in Iraq is a grim proposition for millions who are grieving dead and injured family members. Massive bombing has caused irreversible destruction. Many are still without electricity, clean water, sanitation, medical care and even basic shelter. Schools have been destroyed and advanced education interrupted.

Recent reports from Iraq describe a tragic situation where hundreds of thousands of war widows and orphans are destitute and forced into begging and prostitution.

Their reality is in sharp contrast to the country club-like atmosphere of the Green Zone where American and foreign opportunistic business is conducted. Visiting congressional and military leaders often have no contact with the average Iraqi.

The United States plans to greatly increase troops in Afghanistan. Many thoughtful scholars, who understand the history of this area and its diverse tribal leadership, believe that massive military escalation is not the way to win the people's hearts and minds. It is equally disturbing to hear of the many U.S. bombings inside the border of Pakistan. Civilians are the frequent "accidental" target in both of these regions.

Members of Voices of Peace of Battle Creek are asking Congress to rethink the use of military force in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Iraq war has wasted hundreds of billion of dollars and caused countless deaths and suffering.

Instead, direct our U.S. government's resources toward peaceful negotiation and humanitarian work and towards building an international partnership to help these people reconstruct their lives, country and government.