WITNESS AGAINST WAR 2008: From Chicago to St. Paul
By Josh Brollier
July 25 2008
We woke this morning to less than sunny skies, but it was a near perfect day to be on your feet and exploring the countryside of Wisconsin. The weather was cool and the group seemed to be re-energized and ready to tackle the stretch of highway set before us.
We arrived at Commons Park in Lake Mills before noon, enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere of the large trees, and shared a leisurely lunch while the town of Lake Mills was preparing for their Race for the Cure. Though our messages were not one in the same, there was definitely a common thread linking the groups and it felt good to be among people who were actively pursuing a cure and life for themselves, their loved ones, and humanity.
Last night we were shuttled to this very same park where Jeff Leys was asked to speak at an event for The Democrats of Jefferson County. This sort of event is a bit out of the norm for Voices, but it was a good chance to meet people of all kinds and to gauge the political environment leading up to the election. Jeff delivered a very relevant and well spoken message, challenging the crowd to continue to organize for peace no matter who may be elected in the next year. I had one particularly moving conversation with a veteran who fought in Vietnam and “the first” Gulf War. Cliff described to me his struggles with PTSD and the mysterious Gulf War Syndrome that he acquired from working in the chemical weapons containment field while in Iraq.
As we prepare to continue on our journey and the “Race for the Cure” takes off into the streets of Lake Mills, I am reflecting on the cancer that war is to humanity. Our weapons not only produce real cancerous side effects like “Gulf War Syndrome” and birth defects, but war leaves a deep psychological and spiritual scar on all who are affected. Many veterans from World War Two and Vietnam, like Cliff, are just now starting to be able to speak of what they experienced. How long will it be before our current troops are able to open up and let out the madness they have seen and experienced? How long will it be before Iraqi and Afghani kids are able to process the violence that has consumed their countries as a result of our invasions?
What message will we send to our soldiers if the leaders who deliberately deceived the nation and put them in harms way are not held accountable? -That their lives are an expendable tool for corporate interest…
What message will we send to the youth in America, Iraq, and all across the globe if our foreign policy continues in its present destructive course? -That might makes right and the strongest and greediest will always win… I came across a kid in the park the other day who accurately described our foreign policy as “Don’t f*&k with America”- he was more than ready to imitate our aggressive stance.
We listened to an Obama speech last night where he vowed to never go to war “without enough troops to win”. I am proud to be a part of this Witness Against War and advocating for a deeper change that addresses one of the core problems facing humanity- our acceptance of violence as a means for bringing about a better society.
Hopefully we will embody the message of love and non-violence as we seek to hold ourselves and both political parties accountable for the misery that has been brought the people of Iraq and Afghanistan. Hopefully our message will be heard.
