[Kerry's Group] Vietnam Veterans Against the War Statement on September 11 Attacks

Vietnam Veterans Against the War ^ | September 27, 2001 | N/A

[Hon]

Vietnam Veterans Against the War Statement on September 11 Attacks

The terrorist attacks on September 11 horrified and outraged people throughout this country and the world. Within hours, the World Trade Centers' twin towers and part of the Pentagon lay in flaming ruins with many thousand injured, missing or killed. Firefighters, EMS workers, police and ordinary citizens mounted a heroic rescue effort but sadly, the death toll is now approaching 7000**.

After the initial shock and disbelief wore off, angry voices began calling for retaliation and revenge. The President declared war against international terrorism and Congress quickly voted to give the White House unrestricted authority to respond. But who was responsible? Who are we going to war with?

Government spokesmen quickly pointed the finger at the Al Qaeda network and its leader, Osama bin Laden, living in Afghanistan. The President demanded that the Afghani government surrender bin Laden and his lieutenants or face attack while the Pentagon began deploying troops, aircraft and ships to the region.

Events are moving quickly and directly toward major US military action against Afghanistan. It is time we take a look at the road the government is taking us down. Will war bring those responsible for these criminal attacks to justice? Can massive military action protect us from further attacks?

We agree with Congresswoman Barbara Lee that "military action will not prevent further acts of international terrorism against the United States". The use of massive military power will only escalate the cycle of violence, spreading more death and destruction to more innocent people with no end in sight.

Afghanistan has already been destroyed by 20 years of foreign occupation, civil war and religious repression. Both the British and Soviet armies were unable to conquer that country. We see many parallels between Vietnam and Afghanistan but the lessons we should have learned from the war in Vietnam are being ignored today.

We are an organization of veterans of the armed forces of this country. We have been to war and have seen what military power can and cannot accomplish. We know what war does to those who fight it and those who live where it is fought. We hear our government loudly pledge support for our servicemen and women as they are sent into battle but have seen it turn its back on many when they returned, suffering physical and mental wounds, from the Vietnam and Gulf wars.

We speak out of duty to our country and the world, solidarity with those serving in the military and love of our families and friends when we take this stand:

*We condemn the criminal attacks of September 11 and demand that those responsible be held accountable and brought to justice.

*We mourn for the victims and offer our heartfelt sorrow and sympathy to the families and friends of those we lost.

*We condemn bigotry and violence against Arabs, Muslims and immigrants which threaten these communities because of their race, nationality and religion.

*We oppose efforts to curtail our basic civil liberties and democratic rights and must defend the Constitution from those who are undermining it.

*We do not believe that militarism and war will provide justice or security and oppose major US military intervention in Afghanistan or other countries.

On a more fundamental level, our country has to address the reasons behind the violence that has now come to our shores. The seeds of this anger and hatred were sown over many years.

For over a century, Western corporations have dominated the Middle East to profit from its oil. For the last 50 years, the United States has supported Israel's occupation of Palestinian lands and has helped prop up corrupt regimes in some Arab countries. The continued American troop presence in Saudi Arabia and the suffering of the Iraqi people under economic sanctions has added to this resentment.

As long as US foreign policy continues to be based on corporate exploitation and military domination, we will continue to make more enemies in the poor, underdeveloped countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America. We can achieve enduring security and lasting peace only through domestic and foreign policies based on social and economic justice. That will come about only when the American people demand it.

September 27, 2001

** under 3000. "Estimated number of Afghan civilians killed by U.S. bombing last year: 3950" - Harper's Magazine - March 2002, Harper's Index page 13

[Hon]

This is the war protester site that Kerry helped found and led. I'm not sure if he is still involved with them, but their views on more current events are informative.

[bulldogs]

Informative on WHAT?

[spectre]

"We agree with Congresswoman Barbara Lee..."

That's where I stopped reading.

[Tennessee_Bob]

We speak out of duty

We condemn

We mourn

We condemn

We oppose

We do not believe

...so, what, if anything, did they ever propose that We (not they) do about this? It's painfully obvious that they wanted to sit back and not do anything.

[Hon]

You notice who they blame for 9/11:

"On a more fundamental level, our country has to address the reasons behind the violence that has now come to our shores. The seeds of this anger and hatred were sown over many years.

For over a century, Western corporations have dominated the Middle East to profit from its oil. For the last 50 years, the United States has supported Israel's occupation of Palestinian lands and has helped prop up corrupt regimes in some Arab countries. The continued American troop presence in Saudi Arabia and the suffering of the Iraqi people under economic sanctions has added to this resentment.

As long as US foreign policy continues to be based on corporate exploitation and military domination, we will continue to make more enemies in the poor, underdeveloped countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America. We can achieve enduring security and lasting peace only through domestic and foreign policies based on social and economic justice. That will come about only when the American people demand it."

Us--and the Jews.

[visualops]

domestic and foreign policies based on social and economic justice

read: communism.

[doug from upland]

Hats off to Vietnam veterans. Many of them went through hell to defend this nation, and we are forever grateful. That does not mean, however, that such service prevents them from being really, really, really stupid about how to defend this nation in the Age of Terrorism.

[bulldogs]

As long as US foreign policy continues to be based on corporate exploitation and military domination,........ We can achieve enduring security and lasting peace only through domestic and foreign policies based on social and economic justice.

Yeah. let's all sing kumbayah, and I think we should raise taxes and give it to the poor. What do you think we should do so we are in a secure utopia? Should we let the UN help us figure out how we can be more loved?

[oldtimer]

I would bet some black chips that it is going to be "Lurch" Kerry to take the leftist, rat flag, and try to sell it to the American sheeple.

[M Kehoe]

Ping.

5.56mm

[rogue yam]

dfu - Keep in mind that this organization does not speak for "Vietnam Veterans." Rather, they are a tiny, self-selected group drawn together to promote socialistic world govenment through the undermining of American resolve and using their (presumed) service as a smoke-screen for their unpatriotic agenda. Of course, any person who honorably wore the uniform of the United States of America deserves respect and gratitude for that service. But if someone today is acting against our sovereignty and freedom, then they are to be condemned and opposed regardless of how they label themselves and/or what they might have done in the past. No one earns a bye when it comes to our national interest.

[smoothsailing]

I'm a combat veteran of Nam.

I agree with you.Veterans are like anybody else. They can confuse principles with politics.

Kerry was more blatant, knowing he could gain national attention.He marched with Angela Davis,an avowed Communist.

He led the VVAW, a communist front group at the time.

His military service was noble.

His self-serving abandonment of principle is no better than treason.

[doug from upland]

Good grief, I didn't know he marched with Angela Davis. Do you have a reference?

[Salvation]

Thanks for the ping!

[Salvation]

More information here:

What You Don't Know about John Kerry

[Salvation]

[backhoe]

Cross-link:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1062437/posts
John Kerry- some selected, informative links...
various FR links | 01-21-04 | The Heavy Equipment Guy

[smoothsailing]

Thank You.

I'm glad you know.

[smoothsailing]

Link

[doug from upland]

Coincidentally, I saw that link today and posted it for kitkat on another thread.

[MEG33]

I think we need to remember that the vast majority of Vietnam vets are proud of their service.The dissenters make noise ,the others live their lives,raise their children and aren't vocal.

[MEG33]

Link not working for me.

[MEG33]

I think that cover is hard to find now.Love the mocking of the flag raising on Iwo Jima with an upside down flag....;(

[Mo1]

Would this be the same Veterans Group that Kerry is claiming that supports him for President??

[Mo1]

"Good grief, I didn't know he marched with Angela Davis. Do you have a reference?"



I didn't either .. I just did a google on it

http://www.time.net.my/channel/news/article.cfm?Types=International&Related=People&ID=85931
(snip)
Kerry helped organize a huge anti-war protest outside Congress in Washington in 1971, appearing alongside Black Panther Angela Davis and earning a place on president Richard Nixon's notorious "enemies' list."


http://209.157.64.200/focus/f-news/1064640/posts?page=7#7
To: jokar; armymarinemom
My memory had it being at one of the anti-war rallies where they were caught together. Mom, the Angela Davis photo would be cool, too.

Both would play real well with patriots in both red and blue america.

7 posted on 01/24/2004 4:56:24 PM PST by xzins (Retired Army and Proud of It!!)

[Salvation]

That cover is in this thread along with other pictures, including Kerry with Daniel Ortega.

What You Don't Know about John Kerry

[MEG33]

That's a great thread.I had missed some of that,thanks!

[blackbart.223]

"We condemn the criminal attacks of September 11 and demand that those responsible be held accountable and brought to justice."

And how do they propose to do that without force?

[McGavin999]

This is precisely why we must never allow the draft to be instituted ever again. There are men who served who were never fit to serve. They lacked the moral strength of character to be warriors. We thank them for their service, but they were not fit to serve. They should have remained civilians, pumping gas or clerking in banks, but they had no business ever being soldiers.

[XHogPilot]

bump