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>From: "Peter McWilliams" <peter@mcwilliams.com>
>Subject: Reasons not to go to War
>Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 01:31:58 -0800
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>
>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
>
>
>
>
>
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