The often repeated statement that "one cannot simultaneously support the troops and criticize US foreign policy in general & the U.S. invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan in particular" is false. False: completely arbitrary without any solid evidence to prove its (unsubstantiated) claim. This contrived rhetoric serves to silence the faithful, patriotic voice of dissent.
Having now worked with a generation of Vietnam veterans, I can understand the fear around mistreatment of soldiers. However, most of the same veteran voices mourning their own mistreatment in the 60's, severely critique the senseless violence being perpetrated in the Middle East.
The U.S. wars waged in Afghanistan & Iraq are colonial occupation, period. They have been wrong from day one. This violent destruction continues, in part, because much of the American public remains stuck, not knowing what to say or what to do. I understand that and relate to it on some level. However, we have a new president entering the White House and according to his theory/campaign slogan, it's time for change. (Let us not forget that Obama ran on an anti-war ticket and many of us got him elected for that reason). The exit of U.S. troops from Iraq and Afghanistan should come second only to domestic economic repair--and if we are being totally honest with ourselves, we know the two go hand in hand.
So let the voice of reason and the actions of liberation come back into the public square.
**Comments suggesting concrete resistance strategies--especially from academics and clergy--welcome.
1 comment:
A few suggestions come to mind: support the voices of veterans, in private and in public, who can best articulate the difference between supporting troops and critiquing foreign policy. So many veterans also complain about those ubiquitous yellow ribbon magnets - meaningless unless backed by action. Letting ourselves be led by veterans in this area. Call for human-centered and community-centered approaches to foreign policy. When speaking, articulate human-centered values and acknowledge the complexity of the issue - the lasting pain of our Vietnam (and WWII and Korea) veterans, as well as the risk for more pain of our recent returning vets. Have you seen the TV ad where the lone soldier walks the streets until another one shakes his hand? It makes me cry every time.
The one I can't figure out all the time: be careful about blame. Who is responsible for creating and declaring war (vs. who carries it out)?
There's a few somewhat concrete examples. Let me know what you think.
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