>Sender: >To: >X-Original-Message-ID: <002001bf2f4c$436f2280$9acf69cf@pacbell.net> >From: "Peter McWilliams" >Subject: Reasons not to go to War >Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 01:31:58 -0800 >X-Mozilla-Status: 8001 >X-Mozilla-Status2: 00000000 > > >If only General McCaffrey would listen to commentators from Walter Cronkite >to Bill Moyers to Geraldo Rivera to John Stossel who have called the War on >Drugs "another Vietnam." > >If only Drug Czar McCaffrey would listen to Vietnam War Veteran McCaffrey >(from McCaffrey's speech November 11, 1997): > >"Nearly three decades have passed since >our time in Vietnam. The historians may >still be sifting through mountains of documents. >However, most of us assembled here >already know what we learned from the War. > >"1st-We must not commit our youth to war >without the support of the American people. >For in a democracy, lack of such support >produces catastrophic divisiveness and weakening >of national will, which are essential to >winning. > >[Amen!] > >"2nd-We must not send our sons and daughters >to war without a clear understanding of >national aims and the costs for achieving >them. For failing to articulate these requirements >leads to flawed strategies and higher >casualties. > >[Amen! Amen!] > >"3rd-Victory will be paid for in blood by >the men and women who serve and by loved >ones at home who must bear separations, recoveries >from wounds, and ultimate sacrifices. > >[Such as life sentences without possibility of parole for drug offences.] > >"And 4th-As individuals, we learned that to >survive and succeed when conditions are appalling >and your life is on the line requires: >moral and physical courage, competence, >self-discipline, and trust in your buddies." > >[I feel the trust; I'm not sure I have the other qualities in sufficient >quantity to stand up to the $50 billion Drug War Machine, but I'm doing my >best.] > > >But did McCaffrey listen? No. Here's what General Drug Czar McCaffrey asked >of America as he stood before the Vietnam Memorial: > > >"Our nation needs your help: > >"1st, Help Vietnam Veterans in need. Get >involved in state, local, and Veteran organizations. >offer your energy, time, money, and >support. > >[Help get B.E. Smith out of prison, for example.] > >"2nd, Battle the evil of illegal drugs. Get involved >in state, local, and community anti-drug >efforts. > >[There are none so blind as those who dare not see.] > >"3rd, Improve your community. Get involved >in other activities to make your community >better. Our nation's leadership system >works from the bottom up." > >[Except when it comes to medical marijuana initiatives, of course.] > >McCaffrey whisks past ironic, glides by hypocritical, and winds up in >endless orbit around arrogant ignorance. > >Enjoy, > >Peter > > > > > >================================================================ > >This message is sent to you because you are subscribed to > the mailing list . >To unsubscribe, E-mail to: