Readers Speak Out on Alaska Delegations' Iraq Positions

[Blue_In_AK]

On Sunday our local newspaper published position papers from our three Congressional delegates (all spouting the party line, of course) and requested feedback from the readers. Eight out of 10 letters today were opposed. Here are a few samples...

I disagree with our congressional representatives on the Iraq war. We need to get out of Iraq as soon as we can, but we have a moral obligation to do right by the millions of Iraqi refugees suffering because of the war that was started in our name and based on lies. We have a moral obligation to the troops, and we need to keep up the pressure on our government to take care of them and their families. We cannot take it for granted that our government will do the right thing or even do it competently.

Americans need to be hyper-vigilant lest we find ourselves in another pre-emptive war based on lies with Iran. Beware of the Bush/Cheney mantra that Iran and Syria are the key bad actors. We saw this tactic after 9/11 with Iraq (Google Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the L.A. Times). How would the Alaska delegation vote if the president asked permission of Congress to wage war against Iran? I want them to vote no.

I want my government to have a smart diplomatic strategy in the Middle East, focused on peace and justice and pursued by honest and honorable representatives of the United States. Our only hope is if Congress does its duty as a co-equal branch of government and keeps the president in check until January 2009.

---- Barbara Belknap

Juneau

Big Oil runs Alaska and our congressional delegates. Big Oil is in favor of gaining control over Iraq's oil fields and, to this end, one of the required "benchmarks" is for the Iraqi government to open its oil fields to international oil companies. Of course our congressional delegation supports this! Alaska gets tons of military money also! Win-win!

U.S. presence in Iraq has been the answered prayer to any and all terrorists who (often rightly) resent America. We have created new enemies, slaughtered innocents, refused to report on the invasion accurately, presented an enticing target with our troops, and destroyed both Iraq's infrastructure and its governing bodies. We have sent millions of innocent Iraqis scrambling for safety while devoting very little money or energy toward their protection. We are committing similar mistakes and horrors in Afghanistan.

Yes, the U.S. should immediately withdraw both military and private contractors from Iraq. We should pay reparations for the damage done. I do not believe the chaos that will inevitably follow our leaving will be any worse than the chaos that is now in full swing with our military and private contractors present. We may not like the government that wins control, but I do not believe the U.S. has a right to control foreign governments or grab resources simply because we are more powerful.

---- Robyn Lauster

Anchorage

I emphatically say it is way, way past time to throw the bums out, as this tired old delegation doesn't reflect, in the least bit, my total and solidly American and Alaskan values, either in terms of individual liberty or freedom. But instead, they rather emphatically reflect an ideology much, much closer to fascism and imperialism, as they obediently and blindly lend their fervent support to old "King George" and his egomaniacal behavior.

---- Alan R. Munro

Juneau

Sen. Ted Stevens, Rep. Don Young and Sen. Lisa Murkowski just repeat the tired old Republican party line(s). No mention of the dishonest way we got into this mess, or all the missteps since its start. They repeat the "we just have to see this thing through" line. No, we do not.

The reasons given by this administration, and its supporters, why the U.S. military must continue killing and being killed, maiming and being maimed, change as it becomes evident the previously given reason is not carrying the day. Just some of those reasons include: We have to stay or the "evildoers" will get the oil. If we leave there will be genocide. We must stay to honor the service of our troops. And, of course, they just cannot give up their stated link between Iraq and al-Qaida and 9/11. All of these are either false or beyond the control of our government and military.

Yes, it is time to bring the troops home and let the Iraqis deal with their own problems. Yes, doing so will likely cause chaos in the area. Yes, our inevitable departure from this unfortunate country may leave would-be terrorists stronger.

My view is that the president should be impeached and our delegation should be voted out of office for its part in supporting and prolonging this war.

---- Charles Wade

Willow


Impeach Bush and Cheney; end this imperialistic folly

I have been against this illegal invasion since the corporate media began grooming the American people into complicity in mid-2002. I read the so-called smoking gun dossier and was appalled at how vague the document was. I watched how Fox News, CNN and other major networks used double-speak to spread the lies President Bush and Vice President Cheney wanted us to believe. In October 2002, I took my son to our first peace rally. On March 19, 2003, I collapsed to my knees sobbing, realizing our country was embarking on a dangerous road of no return -- one that would cost our nation lives, credibility with the world and economic stability. On Jan. 27, 2007, I stood with over a half million people on the National Mall, demanding immediate troop withdrawal from Iraq and the impeachment of Bush and Cheney.

The only way we can make our way back to some kind of respectable position in the eyes of the world is to withdraw troops now and impeach Bush and Cheney. End this imperialistic folly, offer compensation to Iraq and ask the world for forgiveness. We the people of the United States must hold our elected officials accountable for the murder of thousands of innocent people. The apathy of many kills daily. The world is watching and counting on us to stop this insanity.

---- Katy Parrish

Anchorage

More here: http://www.adn.com/opinion/letters/story/9163926p-9080414c.html



When there's this much dissension here in red Alaska, the Republicans are in BIG trouble.

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Those are all excellent letters from people who have been paying attention!

[efhmc]

2. I wish we could get this type of response in Texas.