INTERVIEW WITH A PEACE PATRIOT

"We're still waiting for the legendary Shia 'uprising,' for the happy hordes to stream out of the city and rain roses and hosannahs on the 'liberating' army. Where are the hordes? Don't they know that television productions work to tight schedules? (It may well be that if Saddam's regime falls there will be dancing on the streets of Basra. But then, if the Bush regime were to fall, there would be dancing on the streets the world over.)" http://www.guardian.co.uk/

GG: Thank you for agreeing to do this interview. We understand that you came to this country from Iraq many years ago while still a child and became a citizen. This war must create a dilemma for you. Are you surprised that you are at war with the country of your birth?

PP: It is troubling, yes. To me and many Americans. But it has not come as a surprise. There were indications that this would happen. Perhaps 9/11 just moved the timetable up a bit.

GG: But you must be relieved too that your family and friends in Iraq will be free of the evil Dictator Saddam, and will soon be able to live in a democracy.

PP: Yes, but one must wonder at just what is the lesser of two evils. Surely Saddam is an evil man, but what sort of democracy? I have had reason to ponder just what this means.

GG: Surely you know since you have been living most of your life in one. But what troubles you about it being introduced into Iraq?

PP: It's who is introducing it that concerns me and what they will introduce. We know from the media that Saddam has sons who are, if possible, even more evil and cruel than he is. The same appears to be true here.

GG: What do you mean?

PP: Following the first Gulf War, President George H. W. Bush urged the Iraqi people to rise up and overthrow Saddam implying that help would come from America if they did. Instead, Bush allowed Saddam to put down their rebellion using horrible methods. Bush turned his back on the plight of the Iraqi people.

Now we have son of Bush and indications that he is even worse than his father is. Also, very troubling is how the national character of our American democracy has changed. We wonder, is this what we want our friends and family in Iraq to be forced to live under?

GG: Yes, the first George Bush's actions are a matter of history but what makes you think son of Bush will be worse? He has sent troops in to liberated Iraq. He has promised so much to the Iraqi people like food, medicine and help in rebuilding their country. He has pledged to stay in Iraq as long as it takes to establish a stable democracy.

PP: I have heard his promises, just as I heard his promises when he was campaigning for election. He has broken so many of them made to us and to Afghanistan so why would it be different for Iraq?

GG: But you seem to indicate that it is more than the possibility of broken promises that bother you. How do you see that democracy in America has changed?

PP: The clouds of change gathered during the last presidential election. There were so many voting irregularities in one state, Florida, that the selection of the president was snatched from the will of the majority and given to a Supreme Court that is partial to Republicans.

The media, whose function is to protect the democratic process, turned a blind eye to these voting irregularities. It became both a cheering squad and a propaganda machine for son of Bush. Democracy stumbled badly.

Following the horror of 9/11, our democracy took several body blows. Already weakened by VP Cheney's insistence on secrecy, the son of Bush's Patriot Acts I and II have severely damaged it. Despite the tenet of free speech, those of us who advocate peace are vilified and accused of committing treason.

GG: Has this caused a lot of problems for you?

PP: I love my country, America, and I will support those who defend it, but I still feel that the invasion of Iraq will lead to more wars and horrendous problems. Other Americans, both native and foreign-born like myself feel the same way. We are Patriots who advocate peace.

Will I suffer arrest and prosecution under the Patriot Acts because of where I was born? It is possible and I am very afraid. Hopefully more and more Americans will put the Patriots for Peace posters in their home and car windows. In our unity there will be strength to withstand the current assault on the First Amendment.

GG: I've seen those posters in windows around my neighborhood. They are specific for each state and also for many countries around the world. GenderGappers' poster reads, "VERMONT PATRIOTS FOR PEACE."

PP: The posters for each state and other countries can be downloading at: http://patriotsforpeace.org I urge everyone to go to that website and read about others who see alternatives to the horrors of war. Show your colors for peace.

GG: Thank you. Be safe and well.

twanda@sover.net

2003-014

Copyright 2003 Renee T. Louise and Ruth M. Sprague, Ph.D. These articles may be republished for noncommercial use only, provided that they are copied intact, and that this copyright notice is attached. Address all queries to: twanda@sover.net.