An open letter: Unite for Peace

Unite for Peace 
by Amy Branham

Dear Fellow Citizens,

Early last August I joined Cindy Sheehan on her march to King George’s ranch.  We wanted to ask him what the noble cause was that our sons had died for.  In a speech earlier that week, King George stated that the sons and daughters of America who were fighting and dying in Iraq where there for a noble cause. 

Those of us who where there that fateful afternoon, marching in the ditches and the hot Texas sun were united in the belief that George Bush and his administration had waged an unjust war on the Iraqi country and Her people.  We believed that the lives of the Iraq people were not better off at that time, as we had been told, but were even worse off than they were when the whole thing began.  We still believe these things…

As you all know, we never got the meeting we requested.  George Bush never answered our question and he has not looked any of us in the eye and given an acceptable explanation as to why America’s sons and daughters are dying. 

And now — now we hear rumors of impending war in Iran, possibly with nuclear weapons.  I find this news greatly disturbing on so many levels, so wrong in so many different ways. 

It is time to ask other important questions of this administration and of those who support it, which are these:  Why in the world would you want to bring about World War III by starting a war with Iran?  How could you ever, in the most remote corners of your imaginations, even begin to think something good could come of this for the world, much less the citizens of the United States of America? 

Iran is not a threat to the United States of America at this time.  I strongly encourage all clear-thinking, sane citizens of this country to contact their Representatives, contact the media, contact the President and all members of his administration and tell them that war with Iran is not acceptable for ANY reason whatsoever.  A pre-emptive strike against Iran is not acceptable.  Regime change by the United States is not acceptable.  Most of all, the use of any kind of nuclear weapon is not acceptable.

At a time when our troop numbers are already stretched thin and recruitment numbers are down, we cannot possibly think about getting involved in another war.  Our soldiers have served their country honorably and it is time to bring them home — not into another battle. 

Diplomacy can and should be used for as long as is necessary to resolve whatever threat, real or imagined, Iran may be.  Nuclear strikes should never be used, much less threatened. 

It is my prayer, my hope that the American people will stand up and be united against a war with Iran.  Let us be united as one for peace, not war.