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CounterPunch
January
30, 2003
Who Would Jesus
Bomb?
10 Reasons to
Oppose War with Iraq
by JOSH FRANK
1. War with Iraq won't
make us safer.
A unilateral attack by the United States
will inflame anti-U.S. sentiment, feeding right into Bin Ladin's
own evil rhetoric, and may stimulate more attacks by fundamental
extremists.
2. There is no imminent
threat.
There is no hard evidence that Iraq has
nuclear weapons. Recent UN reports suggests inspections have
shown no evidence that Saddam's robust nuclear program of the
1990s has continued. According to these same reports the United
Nation's believes Iraq has little means to deliver chemical and
biological weapons to threaten countries in the Middle East,
let alone the U.S.
3. A preemptive attack
violates the U.N. charter.
The U.N. Charter forbids member countries
from attacking another country except in self defense. If the
U.S. puts itself above international law it will further encourage
other nations to do the same. Not to mention the contradiction
of the United States in relation to the numerous U.N. resolutions
Israel has broken with their dealings of occupied territories
of Palestine. While Israel continues to receive the majority
of US foreign aid, totaling a staggering 1.6 trillion dollars
since 1973, with over 50% supporting Israel military operations
in Palestine.
4. Our allies don't support
us in this war.
U.S. allies in the Middle East oppose
a U.S. attack on Iraq. Our European allies have urged the U.S.
to work through the U.N. An invasion of Iraq would isolate the
U.S. from the rest of the world and shatter the principles of
international cooperation and mutual defense that are key to
U.S. and global security.
5. Thousands of innocent
people may die.
Pentagon estimates say that an invasion
of Iraq could lead to the deaths of 10,000 innocent civilians.
The CIA also reports that if Saddam does possess biological weapons,
he is more likely to use them in defense if attacked by the US,
putting even more of Iraqi civilians and US troops at risk of
death.
6. Young American men
and women will fight and die.
U.S. military action and possible occupation
is likely to produce far more casualties than the previous Gulf
War or the war in Afghanistan. Many combatants will suffer physical
and psychological repercussions for years after the war ends.
7. Funding for education,
environment and health care is already being cut in order to
pay for the "war on terror."
Estimates put the cost of a war with
Iraq at $60-$100 billion with ongoing billions for occupation
and rebuilding Iraq, a drunken thought if one realizes our economy
is currently suffering an awful recession. Also the environmental
impact of another Gulf War could potentially threaten even more
oil reserves, and endangered species (if set on fire like the
first Gulf War), as well as contributing greatly to global warming-
which Bush after his 2003's State of the Union address- is acknowledging
actually exists.
8. Things may not be
better after a war.
We have no guarantee that a new regime
in Iraq will make life any better for the Iraqi people, who already
live under a tyrannical dictator. Or that Iraq will be any friendlier
to the U.S. than Saddam currently is. The Taliban were once our
allies in Afghanistan. Will the new regime in Iraq become our
enemy after a few years as well?
9. There are other options.
The U.S. can work through the U.N. using
mechanisms such as the resumption of weapons inspections, negotiation,
mediation, regional arrangements, and other peaceful means. Most
significantly trying Saddam in an international court of law
for War Crimes, such as was done post-Bosnia conflict for Slobodan
Milosevic, is an option. This may also entail prosecuting certain
United State's officials and companies who openly supplied Saddam
with biological components.
10. The American people
have deep misgivings about this war.
Many people know deep down that this
war makes no sense. They are starting to speak up and make themselves
heard. You can add your voice to activities in your own community.
In the rhetoric of our President Bush, a proclaimed Christian,
one must wonder, has he ever thought-"Who would Jesus bomb?'
The response surely would not be the innocent people of Iraq
who have already suffered greatly because of Saddam, along with
the U.N. sanctions supported and controlled by the United States.
Josh Frank
is a 24-year-old writer and activist living in Portland, Oregon.
He can be reached at: frank_joshua@hotmail.com
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