END THE WAR
The Iraq war and occupation have now passed the five-year milestone. The tragic toll includes over 4,000 American soldiers killed and tens of thousands more wounded; Iraqi civilian casualties numbering in the hundreds of thousands; millions of Iraqis displaced from their homes; and over a trillion dollars of war and occupation-related costs paid by U.S. citizens.
General David Petraeus, commanding general of the multi-national force in Iraq has himself acknowledged that “There is no military solution to a problem like that in Iraq.” Despite the often-lauded “surge” ordered by President Bush over a year ago to create “breathing space” for political reconciliation, there is precious little progress to report on that front. Meanwhile, large citizen majorities in both the United States and Iraq are eager to see an orderly and responsible withdrawal of U.S. troops. And yet Washington remains stuck in neutral at best, with no clear strategy for ending or even reducing U.S. military involvement in the region.
At times like these, it’s important to identify and support individuals and groups willing to stand up and speak out against this destructive status quo. PsySR offers here a very abbreviated list of such people and organizations (suggestions for additions are welcome).
Collateral Repair Project
The Collateral Repair Project is a grassroots movement, created to address the catastrophic displacement of over four million Iraqis forced to leave their homes and communities because of the violence and instability resulting from the invasion and occupation of
their country.
The Iraq Moratorium
The Iraq Moratorium is a national campaign that seeks to promote grassroots citizen engagement against the war through vigils, protests, boycotts, and other locally-based events.
Iraq Veterans Against the War
IVAW was founded by a group of Iraq war veterans to give a voice to the large number of active duty service people and veterans who are against this war, but are under various pressures to remain silent.
“A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq”
A group of national security experts, retired generals, and political candidates has recently produced a new and detailed proposal. The plan and an opportunity to endorse it are available on their website.
Win Without War This coalition of national organizations advocates that international cooperation and enforceable international law provide the greatest security for the United States and the world. It has recently launched a national campaign to stop congressional war funding.