Cost of the War in Iraq
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Newton Dialogues on Peace and War

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"Today I weep for my country. I have watched the events of recent months with a heavy, heavy heart. No more is the image of America one of strong, yet benevolent peacekeeper. The image of America has changed. Around the globe, our friends mistrust us, our word is disputed, our intentions are questioned." This is a speech made by Senator Byrd several months ago, but it remains a very moving and dramatic criticism of US Policy. Click Here to read "The Arrogance of Power"

When you are most discouraged about the lack of progress in our search for peace, Click Here to read this speech by Dr. Robert Muller, former assistant secretary general of the United Nations.
 

"Silence is Betrayal"  Speech by Martin Luther King, 1967

A magnificent speech by King given during the Vietnam War resistance is still very relevant to today's crisis.  Click Here  to read part of this speech.  He begins with words that speak to our present condition:  "A time comes when silence is betrayal. Even when pressed by the demands of inner truth, men do not easily assume the task of opposing their government's policy, especially in time of war. Nor does the human spirit move without great difficulty against all the apathy of conformist thought within one's own bosom and in the surrounding world."

Former President Carter makes a compelling argument that a war with Iraq would be just a war and not a "just war"  According to Carter, profound changes have been taking place in American foreign policy, reversing consistent bipartisan commitments that for more than two centuries have earned our nation greatness. These commitments have been predicated on basic religious principles, respect for international law, and alliances that resulted in wise decisions and mutual restraint.  Click Here  to read Carter's analysis of the definition of a just war and how the Iraq war fails to meet the fundamental requirements for a just war

There was an advertisement in the March 18 issue of the Newton Tab sponsored by Newton Dialog. Thanks very much to those of you who contributed so generously.

 

Senator Byrd Speaks Out. A few months ago Senator Byrd made a excellent and provocative speech on the floor of Senate about the problems with the present course of US action - These words still ring with truth. Click Here  to read them.   If only we had more senators like him.

There was an excellent op-ed article by Jim Carroll in the Feb 11 issue of the Boston Globe. He includes a quotation from John Kennedy which we should all remember: "Now the trumpet summons us again -- not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need, not as a call to battle, though embattled we are, but the call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out . . . a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.''   Click Here  - Highly recommended.

"Must U.S. patriots support war?"

   Stephen Nathanson, one of the founders of Newton Dialogues on Peace and War writes in a recent article: "Patriotism isn't loyalty to the president or to any other political figure, party, or group within the country. Patriotism, as the dictionary tells us, is love of and loyalty to our country. A fancier elaboration of this is that patriots are people who have a special affection for their own country, a special concern for its well-being, a sense of personal identification with the country, and a willingness to make sacrifices to promote its well-being." A   Click Here  to read this article

Dr. Bernard Lown gave a provocative and eloquent talk on the issues and challenges of the US stance on nuclear weapons at our open meeting on March 9.    Dr. Lown is a Newton resident and co-founder of both Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) and International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW - Nobel Peace Prize, 1985).   Click Here  to see a recent letter from Dr. Lown describing the medical concerns of Iraq and the likely effect of the "collateral damage" (the US term for civilian carnage) of a war.

Resolution by Newton Aldermen -

One of our fellow vigil participants, Brooke Lipsitt, President of the Newton Board of Aldermen, introduced and led the promotion of adoption by the Newton Board of Aldermen which started with words that unfortunately have proven too true: "Whereas, the Honorable Board of Aldermen of the City of Newton believes that restraint and due deliberation are proper and fitting prior to committing our troops to war with Iraq, an action with potentially wide-ranging, dangerous, and largely unpredictable consequences;"  Click Here  to read the resolution.
 

- - Congressman Barney Frank spoke in Newton at Brown School-

Congressman Barney Frank On November 6, spoke to an audience of approximately 400 citizens. He gave a searching and provocative talk on the topic "Why War? Why Iraq? Why Now?" Congressman Frank has an excellent web site (www.house.gov/frank) which states his views on Iraq as f September 2002.   Click Here to see a statement of his views opposing a U.S. attack against Iraq