Happy to vote 'for' and not just 'against'

The following letter was published on September 26, 2004 by
The Cape Cod Times
Cape Cod, Massachusetts

It’s never too late to take a stand on principle. It has been long over due, finally, from John Kerry. Many of us have stood by too long watching George Bush “sugar coat” the Iraq war. Now that John Kerry is going down that path to challenge the fantasy aspect of George Bush’s portrayal of the Iraq war, many of us can safely say we will not just vote against George Bush, but are voting for John Kerry.

Checkmate

When you hear that both presidential candidates are making preparations for the debate on the horizon, think of it as a chess game in progress, and a major move is being contemplated on.

From my vantage point of this political chess game, two pawns on John Kerry’s side of the board have become casualties of the smoke and mirrors shown at the Republican National Convention. John Kerry’s side of the board is still strong and lethal. All he has to do is wake voters up to the idiosyncrasies involved in the rush to war.

John Kerry’s opening move and question from my view should be: “Mr. President before you invaded Iraq, did you make any attempts to do an in depth study of the culture and the surrounding cultures”?

If the president in fact did do an in depth study be- for invading Iraq, he should be asked to give his sources.

The second leading question from my view should be asked by Mr. Kerry: “Mr. President can you define distinct differences and characteristics between a mature democracy and a medieval theocracy with modern features”?

The answer to the above question should put the president in check. Given what is known about some of the practices by some of the governments in the middle east, the severing of hands, and beheadings, challenges the whole concept whether any kind of democracy is sustainable in that part of the world.

The havoc caused by the invasion and occupation is a result of an arrogance and ignorance. The staying power of a democracy in its infancy co- existing with deeply planted roots of a theocracy is a fantasy. John Kerry should make it clear the story concerning how the shah in Iran was over thrown in 1979.

In retrospect, John Kerry has the intellect to bring clarity to the question: how long can a country go down a quick sand path following a fantasy that is draining blood and resources?

In retrospect, if the focus is narrowed down to what knowledge and understanding George Bush has of the Middle East culture, I believe Kerry’s intellect will score a checkmate.

Sunset inside Scargo Tower

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www.alwaddell.com

A choice

We all have a choice to make on that day in November. We can vote for the man that might be getting answers from the blowing of the wind or tea leaves. Or, we can vote for the man with his hand on a cocked trigger, waiting for someone to look at him cross eyed.

Even though the above characterizations are a bit extreme, they are both fitting for the badge both men wear. The first man was in the company of the man that authored the book “Profiles And Courage”. Also, the first man is a friend of that author’s brother.

The second man is promoted by the Rush Linbaughs and the Jerry Falwells in the country. The second man gave a tax break to the rich, questioned the legitimacy of “Global Warming”, claimed “Affirmative Action” didn’t square with the constitution, and started a blood draining expensive war.

It is an absolute certainty that one of these men lack the skills and temperament to work toward what the world needs the most; sanity and peace.

"The blind leading blind"

Many of us that watched in on the last night of the Republican National Convention might have had temporary momentary bouts with guilt. Using 9/11 to rally supporters around George Bush to tie in a justification for invading Iraq, conveyed a sort of surreal madness. It was a party serving a false sense of compassion and heroism, while beating the drums of war. Tears were seen dripping from faces in the audience as if George Bush was the embodiment of courage.

Apparently, this artificial sense of gaiety resonated with some viewers who watched the RNC. It is said, George Bush’s poll numbers went up in the double digits. The repeating pounding themes; will not waver, stand firm, capture and kill the terrorists, many would say, energized that base that seems to be byproducts of selective religious teachings.That base represents the constituents that gives life to the Bush administration.

That entity that described himself as meek, humble, and lowly that most of Bush’s constituents are followers of, also said, “ Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall become sons of God”.

Voters on the fence

Monday’s opening performance was laced with sorrow and joy. The three women told heart wrenching stories of their love ones lost in the 9/11 plot. The Iraqi woman with the head wear on, thanking America for its sacrifice in its attempt to bring democracy to Iraq, along with two unique republican leaders justifying the war in Iraq, gave a sort of cohesiveness to the Republican National Convention that might resonate with those voters that are on the fence.

John Kerry is known for rising out of the ashes of the political dead. It is time for Kerry and Edwards to say something different about the Iraq war that would attract voters that are being swayed by John McCain and Rudy Giuliani. We know those two can’t get the anti-war vote. They can however get that ‘support the president wrapped in the flag vote’. Real stories from maimed soldiers, mothers of dead sons and daughters, and a real in depth look at the survival of a democracy in Iraq might make the whole Illusion justifying the Iraq war more transparent. The RNC is making its main theme and focus on the way George Bush has conducted the war on terrorism.

If Kerry can’t come up with a real way to attack George Bush’s short sightedness, then the depressing thought of four more years of George Bush will become a reality that many of us dread.

Brace for onslaught: November is near

The following letter was published on September 2, 2004 by
The Cape Cod Times
Cape Cod, Massachusetts

All our political parties, veterans, and non-party affiliates, let's brace ourselves for the onslaught. November is near. Let's keep our eyes on the ball. The ball is what we were told that is not so.

Look at Iraq as a giant power plug, plugged into the US, draining on our resources and blood with no end at sight. Let's not let the “Swift Boat Saboteurs” detract us.

The man living on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., told us we were in imminent danger of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. He knows November is near.

Making the rush to war look right

Monday’s opening performance was laced with sorrow and joy. The three women told heart wrenching stories of their love ones lost in the 9/11 plot. The Iraqi woman with the head wear on, thanking America for it’s sacrifice in it’s attempt to bring democracy to Iraq, along with two unique republican leaders justifying the war in Iraq, gave a sort of cohesiveness to the Republican National Convention that might resonate with those voters that are on the fence. John Kerry is known for rising out of the ashes of the political dead. It is time for Kerry and Edwards to say something different about the Iraq war that would attract voters that are being swayed by John McCain and Rudy Giuliani. We know those two can’t get the anti-war vote. They can however get that ‘support the president wrapped in the flag vote’. Real stories from maimed soldiers, mothers of dead sons and daughters, and a real in depth look at the survival of a democracy in Iraq might make the whole Illusion justifying the Iraq war more transparent. The RNC is making it’s main theme and focus on the way George Bush has conducted the war on terrorism. If Kerry can’t come up with a real way to attack George Bush’s short sightedness, then the depressing thought of four more years of George Bush will become a reality that many of us dread.