Coming Soon: Iraq Veterans Memorial Video

This is a preview - an announcement - and a request.

The fourth anniversary of the start of the Iraq conflict is March 19th. Four years. Over 3,200 U.S. servicemen and women dead. Thousands more wounded. Uncounted Iraqi civilians killed and injured as well.

Here's a way to remember and honor all those U.S. servicemen and women who have been killed in Iraq. Take a moment and watch the preview (just click on the arrow to view the YouTube video preview):



On March 17, people all over the world will simultaneously upload the Iraq Veterans Memorial video to their web sites and blogs. If you're a vet, or loved a vet who was killed, visit Iraq Veterans Memorial to find out how to share your story.

Be well.

"Stand Up Against the Surge" - Molly Ivins

Oh, no.

Molly Ivins died yesterday. Her column "Stand Up Against the Surge" was my catalyst for re-starting this blog, and for the political protest I am making in my own small way.

Here's the column: "Stand Up Against the Surge" by Molly Ivins.

If you don't have time for the whole column, just read this. Molly wrote:

"We are the people who run this country. We are the deciders. And every single day, every single one of us needs to step outside and take some action to help stop this war. Raise hell. Think of something to make the ridiculous look ridiculous. Make our troops know we're for them and trying to get them out of there. Hit the streets to protest Bush's proposed surge. If you can, go to the peace march in Washington on January 27. We need people in the streets, banging pots and pans and demanding, 'Stop it, now!'"

OK, now. In honor of Molly, get up and walk away from your computer. Buy a yard sign. Start a petition. Call Congress. Do something, anything, to show that you believe the war is wrong.

Molly Ivins, you were a heckuva writer. And an inspiration to us all. Rest in peace.

Join the Virtual March today

It's time to stand up and be counted. We have to let Congress know we are opposed to escalation of any kind in Iraq.

And here's one way you and I and everyone we know can do our part: join the Virtual March at MoveOn.org today. Here's the link: VIRTUAL MARCH Calling your Senator's office is not as scary as it might seem. In fact, it is our right — our privilege — our duty to keep the democratic process rolling. In my case, it took me just a few minutes to call both Senator Murray and Senator Cantwell's offices. Both phones were answered almost immediately and I was able to leave my message. It doesn't have to be a long message, although the staffers are prepared to answer questions if you have them.

MoveOn.org provides the phone numbers. They've made it so simple. And once you've made the call, there's a link to click on the MoveOn.org web page, to share your results. They're counting calls and you can scroll over their map and see how many people have actually made phone calls in your Congressional District. Add yourself to the number. Do it now.

Diplomacy. Not.

The other day I said I was going to call my Congress-people daily about the Iraq war. I realized later — of course — that calling every single day would be a good way to be labelled a "flake" and have people pay no attention to me at all. New plan: I'm following legislation as closely as I can, and calling when I have specific questions.

Today, I called Senator Maria Cantwell. Her staffer was very polite, and said that Sen. Cantwell is opposed to the President's plan for escalation (good news), and that she is looking toward a diplomatic solution. I asked for more details about the "diplomatic solution" but the office is making no formal statements at this time. Also no comments on the various Iraq-related bills being proposed by other senators.

A statement on Sen. Cantwell's web site says:

"The president’s statement tonight hangs our Iraq policy moving forward on 20,000 troops to stabilize Baghdad. Our strategy must be to significantly change the course by holding Iraqis to sooner timetables on taking security control, passing an oil law, and making the other political compromises necessary to ease disagreements among Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds.” (posted on January 10th, 2007).

I don't undestand how we will ever "do diplomacy" in a country that neither likes nor respects us. It's as though we took a baseball bat to a hornet's nest, and now we want the hornets to sit still and quit being so angry. (Way too simple, but you get my point.)

The thing is: while we're doing all this talking, people are dying. Even more people are returning home maimed — whether their homes are in Baghdad or Boston.

Last week, Danny Westneat, one our local columnists, wrote about some protesters who have finally given up their protest, due to lack of participation. Read it here It was heart-wrenching to read. The kids and I have actually saluted that ever-dwindling group of protesters while walking the Very Large Dog. Now they're gone. What does that say?

If there are so many of us who care about the war — ending it, that is — that we actually succeeded in overturning the balance of power in Congress, why have things seemingly come to a standstill? What should we be doing? Any ideas out there?

(Gratitude... oh, gosh. It's hard today. But: it's not snowing. It's not raining. And I think some crocuses are coming up in my front yard.)

Contacting My Congresspeople

Yesterday, I did two things about the war, my two small drops in the bucket. I'm aware that there are several bills (some binding, some nonbinding, some even bipartisan) working their way through the Senate and the House.

This statement from Sen. Ted Kennedy is a start: "Our bill will say that no additional troops can be sent and no additional dollars can be spent on such an escalation, unless and until Congress approves the President’s plan." Read more about Kennedy's bill here.

Read about several other bills and resolutions about the war here.

So here's what I did:

First, I called Senator Patty Murray's office in Washington, D.C. My previous conversations have been very quick. I say: "I'd like to register my support for SB Number -- whatever --" They say: "Thank you." and that's it. I always have the sense that the aides who answer the phone are sitting there with some sort of tally sheet. (I'm old enough to visualize a handwritten tally on a legal pad, but it's probably electronic, now that I think of it).

Yesterday, I wanted more details. I asked what Senator Murray was going to do regarding Senator Kennedy's bill, among others. The aide said that Senator Murray was not going to issue any statements until the language of those bills (and others) was finalized. I suppose that's wise, politically. I guess I'll have to watch the news, and call back as things progress.

Next, I took my own picture with a clear message to Congressman Jim McDermott. On the day before the "war" began, my family met Congressman McDermott following a giant protest at Green Lake. We walked together and told him we opposed any military action in Iraq. It's time to send him a message again. MoveOn.org is collecting photos like this for a photo petition they'll be delivering soon. (You might want to check that out, too, and participate!)

Gratitude today? I suppose I'm grateful for our political process. But I really, really want it to work. "Checks and balances" will be my mantra as I walk the Very Large Dog.