BinZiad
19-11-2002, 16:28
Subject: Dissent in the USA
The true spirit of America
Monday November 18, 2002
The Guardian
Despite appearances, there are also Americans who believe George Bush is the
real threat to world safety (One in three say Bush is biggest threat, November
14). While our congressional elections paint the picture of a fanatical,
war-drum beating US public, cheering on our leaders as they begin the march into
Bagdhad, let me assure you there are Americans who are as disturbed as our
brothers and sisters in Britain by what is happening.
It seems the American people have become almost totally paralysed by fear since
the September 11 attacks. The Republicans capitalised on this fear by
campaigning hard on a platform of security hysteria, tax cuts and little else.
We awoke two weeks ago with our gravest suspicions confirmed: the US has moved
decidedly towards the right and unilateralism.
What will it take before Americans realise that our "war on terror" is a
terrible mistake? Will it be a drawn-out Iraqi conflict, where US soldiers
return in body bags in numbers to rival those of Vietnam? Continuous attacks on
US interests and citizens abroad, to the point where no American feels safe
travelling? Will it be another horrible terrorist attack on our own soil?
I fear all of these things, and I am afraid that every day the bellicose,
arrogant rhetoric continues, we make ourselves more vulnerable. I love America
and am proud to be an American, which makes me all the more frightened by the
direction my country is moving in.
Dave Demerjian
Boston, Massachusetts
The true spirit of America
Monday November 18, 2002
The Guardian
Despite appearances, there are also Americans who believe George Bush is the
real threat to world safety (One in three say Bush is biggest threat, November
14). While our congressional elections paint the picture of a fanatical,
war-drum beating US public, cheering on our leaders as they begin the march into
Bagdhad, let me assure you there are Americans who are as disturbed as our
brothers and sisters in Britain by what is happening.
It seems the American people have become almost totally paralysed by fear since
the September 11 attacks. The Republicans capitalised on this fear by
campaigning hard on a platform of security hysteria, tax cuts and little else.
We awoke two weeks ago with our gravest suspicions confirmed: the US has moved
decidedly towards the right and unilateralism.
What will it take before Americans realise that our "war on terror" is a
terrible mistake? Will it be a drawn-out Iraqi conflict, where US soldiers
return in body bags in numbers to rival those of Vietnam? Continuous attacks on
US interests and citizens abroad, to the point where no American feels safe
travelling? Will it be another horrible terrorist attack on our own soil?
I fear all of these things, and I am afraid that every day the bellicose,
arrogant rhetoric continues, we make ourselves more vulnerable. I love America
and am proud to be an American, which makes me all the more frightened by the
direction my country is moving in.
Dave Demerjian
Boston, Massachusetts