|
|||||||||
Posted April 6, 2003
Questions About Antiwar.com
Josh Coupe: I find your "mission statement" interesting. However I find a theme that I would more readily associate with a liberal ideology.
Student Coordinator Mike Ewens: Liberal? What is liberal (in the modern sense of the word of course) about "nonintervention at home and abroad" that we advocate? Or our mission to focus on an "opposition to a new imperialism that masks ... ambitions in the rhetoric of 'human rights, 'humanitarianism,' 'freedom from terror' and 'global democracy'"? Modern liberalism is an ideology that promotes, amongst other things, equality (usually forced) and a large paternal government. If anything, we would call ourselves "Classic Liberals," advocates of minimal government, free trade and an inward-looking foreign policy.
JC: I see quite of bit of opposition and criticism, however do you have any ideas?
Mike Ewens: We sure do:
1. Bring ALL our troops home. From South Korea, Kosovo and Japan to Germany, Italy and Columbia. The more troops outside our borders the more offensive the government's policies become and more Empire like the government acts.
2. "War is the Health of the State." In other words, war is bad not only for humanitarian and economic reasons, but for its costs on the intrusive growth of the State that is coupled with it. Ludwig von Mises sums up our sentiment perfectly:
The worst evils which mankind has ever had to endure were inflicted by bad governments. The state can be and has often been in the course of history the main source of mischief and disaster.
...and war is the ultimate source of bad government, for as H.L. Menken once wrote:
Government is actually the worst failure of civilized man. There has never been a really good one, and even those that are most tolerable are arbitrary, cruel, grasping and unintelligent.
3. Free-markets. With free trade and open economic borders comes peace. Capitalism is the best foundation on which a society – one which demands high standards of living, peace and freedom – should rest.
JC: Needless to say war, and the decision to go to war, is serious business. The decision is made when those in the seat of power feel there is no other reasonable option to affect the desired outcome. Do you have a plan that we should have followed?
ME: Concerning the three important points above...we demand a cessation of all non-defensive military activities abroad (of course, with the safety of our troops in mind). This criteria would essentially eliminate all current excursions of the US military. Concerning Iraq, we opposed all action and maintain today that it is not in the interest of America to invade a foreign nation, dare say, doing so is a threat to our interests. Saddam Hussein could have been "contained" in the same way that we contained the USSR for those many years of the Cold War. Moreover, the terrorist threat is best alleviated by performing simple historical introspection. Asking "why did the terrorist fly into the WTC?" does not excuse their actions, rather the question attempts to explain them. Upon doing so, it is readily apparent that US foreign policy has inflamed a large portion of the world to an incessant hatred of our government. The military's hundreds of interventions abroad have given peoples of the world the impression of America as a hegemonic power. Correct or not, this assessment does guide a simple change in US foreign policy, one harking back to the traditions of this great nation:
“America goes not abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well wisher to the freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and vindicator only of her own. She will recommend the general cause by the countenance of her voice, and the benignant sympathy of her example."
Second, we call for a return to a constitutional Republic – one that puts the power to declare war back in the hands of the Congress. Third, a fundamental reduction in the overall size of the government. Coupled with this would be a lessened role of government in the day to day economic activities of its citizens and firms.
JC: Do you have realistic options and strategies? Or do you only offer the easy thing: criticism?
ME: I think that I have answered this above. I agree, criticism is not enough. Namely, one implicitly assumes a certain type of world when they criticize the one we are in now. One of our strategies, and my work at the moment, is forging a new student movement that demands minimal government and an end to war: "Students for a Libertarian Society."
I hope that my short description was enough to answer your questions and lead you to conclude that we here at Antiwar.com are principled advocates of a freer and more peaceful world.
Boycott Oil
It is clear that Bush is not listing the voices for peace from around the nation and the world. He is an oil man. If we threaten the future of oil profit we will get his attention.
The profit margin of most large companies is less than 10%. Thus, if we cut our oil consumption by 20% these companies run at a loss.
We need to begin riding bikes, walking, catching public transportation, and car pooling. This will make a difference!
~ Andrew D. Jones, Jr., Ph.D., Chairman, Department of Mathematics, Florida A&M University
Regarding "World War IV" by Justin Raimondo:
I always find your articles thoughtful, intelligent and consistent. While I disagree with some of your theories (i.e., the Israeli connection to 9/11/01 – I think there was one, but my theory is that Israeli operatives provided information to American government officials, who ignored it – and that Sharon is using this fact to blackmail Bush into compliance with the Likudnik-fascist policy for the Palestinians), I have never written you before. I felt compelled to write you concerning your charge that Woolsey and the neocons are declaring war on the Arab world.
Iran is not an Arab state. The Iranians I know in LA would take umbrage to being called Arab. The war is against Islamic countries who do not bend to the will of the United States, since these countries are the only bloc that has offered resistance to American policy since the fall of the Soviet Union. Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan and other Arab countries who are compliant with American imperial dictates are not being targeted, and as long as their governments stay in line with imperial dictates, I doubt that they will be targeted.
Woolsey's law firm, as you are probably aware, represents the Iraqi National Congress and a number of transnational corporations who will benefit financially from an Anglo-American takeover of Iraq (at the US taxpayer's expense – unless we charge the Iraqi people and take all the oil revenues to "repay" us for the cost of the war and the rebuilding process, which may be what the US government means when talks about the oil belonging to the Iraqi people).
In this piece, Raimondo refers to Stephen Schwartz as a "convert to Mohammedanism." "Mohammedanism" is a term insulting to Muslims: Islam is a religion of submission/surrender to Allah (God), not a religion that worships the prophet Mohammed. Of course, I am aware that Raimondo may knowingly have used the term in an insulting and provocative fashion.
(Let me
add that Raimondo has become my favorite political
columnist/commentator anywhere – off-line or on-line. I love his
work.)
Great to read your stuff. I think you're a bit optimistic about the "neocons" paying for their sins, though. Unless it's via historic pronouncement. The worldwide conflagration coupled with the global depression this is all leading up to will act as an effective smokescreen, I think. When do the guilty ever really get punished? In the realm of political power, anyway?
I found your site on Capitalstool.com. It's a "traders" site. Someone posted an antiwar article from your site, and I liked it. Keep fighting, that's all I can say. I like the fact that you elucidate the many flavors of the "Right." I thought I was coming from the "Left," but I keep finding all these similarities in positions between righties and lefties, that I no longer know from whence I hail. Don't really care, either. Complexity and diversity is great, unless you're a monomaniac.
The Real Game Plan?
It would appear that the much ballyhooed "Shock and Awe" can now be seen for what it truly was intended to be all along "Pawed and Mauled."
After the total destruction of Iraq's army, (as we see, they'd prefer to die protecting their land ... and resources from outside invaders), the Coalition of Thieves will conveniently set up permanent military bases to protect US oil interests – sorry, I mean Iraq's territorial integrity.
It seemed a little far-fetched; sneak into Iraq, change the regime, destroy their entire army, then leave the country controlled by US – sorry, Ameraqian civil servants.
Especially with the hungry wolves of Turkey, Syria, and Iran, salivating at the prospects of instigating enough civil unrest in Iraq, to boot the victor's puppet out, and reap the oils – sorry, spoils.
It would appear that Hussein has succeeded, where Bin Laden failed, he has American boots, on Arab soil – sorry, the 'quicksands' of Babylon.
Really, with all the razzle dazzle, high tech crap that the Yanks claim to have, and they couldn't take out Hussein? Bin Laden can take out Massood, and the Yanks can't take out Hussein. What's wrong with this picture?
Footnote: It was interesting to learn from a recent CBC interview, that not only was Russia developing Iraq's oil fields, they were in heavy negotiation to develop Kuwait's oil fields also. ...
The 'Bear' has a few tricks left yet.
~ Malcolm G. Ratcliffe, Canada
Mysterious Virus Infects Millions in United States
It would seem that our great all-knowing media has made a grave faux pas. I keep watching and reading. There's plenty of coverage on the War and even some on those opposed to it. There's even growing coverage on the "Mysterious Deadly Virus: SARS" taking over parts of Asia and Canada. However, what has failed to be mentioned, is the mysterious deadly virus that is infecting Americans everywhere. It IS airborne, highly contagious and extremely dangerous. My neighbors, friends, city officials and even some of my family have been infected.
I feel that we, those free of the virus, must call for a nationwide quarantine of everyone infected. We must protect ourselves and our country. The antidote, though a definite cure, is difficult to administer and even more difficult for the patient to ingest. It will undoubtedly cause bouts of anger, pain and upset. Some side effects could include (but are not limited to) elevated blood pressure, shortness of breath, dizziness and in some cases migraine headaches. So what is this deadly virus infecting America and how do we cure it?
The virus: blind patriotism
The cure: knowledge!
~ Stassi Strang, Orlando, Florida
Heart of Darkness
While trying to escape from a day's worth of sifting through photos of death and carnage in Iraq, I took a moment to scan my shelves of classical fiction that I so cherished while in school. I came upon Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" and vaguely remembered a certain quote from Marlow. He was talking about the Roman empire:
"They were conquerors, and for that you want only brute force – nothing to boast of, when you have it, since your strength is just an accident arising from the weakness of others. They grabbed what they could get for the sake of what was to be got. It was just robbery with violence, aggravated murder on a great scale, and men going at it blind – as is very proper for those who tackle a darkness. The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much. What redeems it is the idea only. An idea at the back of it; not a sentimental pretense but an idea; and an unselfish belief in the idea – something you can set up, and bow down before, and offer a sacrifice to...."
As America enters it's own heart of darkness, I thought this quote was worth sharing.
~ Jennifer Gritt, Appleton, Wisconsin
Regarding "Seeking Scapegoats" by Nebojsa Malic:
I enjoy (for lack of a better word) all of your articles in Antiwar.com. They are all so true, and so damn depressing!
Thanks for analyzing and putting this whole world mess into perspective – from the Balkans looking up. My husband (Serb from Serbia) told me years ago there was a conspiracy against the Serbs and I told him he was a sick paranoid – that the US and the US media could care less about the insignificant Serbs. Unfortunately, I have come around to his point of view, and your articles put substance to the theory. Keep writing.
~ Marsha
Jovanovic, San Diego, California
Nebojsa
Malic replies:
I regret that my articles are depressing, but that is merely a reflection of the very depressing Balkans reality. I am glad you find them helpful, though.
Again, your column has numerous distortions of fact and plain old lies.
You state:
"But why would Milosevic, or anyone close to him, execute someone as politically harmless as Stambolic, but leave Djindjic, Kostunica and the rest to successfully overthrow the government? That's a question no one in Serbia is asking."
Wrong. In fact, this point is analyzed in the newest issue of "Nin" magazine by author Slavoljub Djukic. You can read it at: www.nin.co.yu
But let's go on. You state:
"The latest victim of this insanity was retired general Nebojsa Pavkovic, arrested Tuesday under a flimsy pretext of Army participation in an unspecified murder attempt."
Again, you are wrong. It is a fact that the Army, under Pavkovic's command, provided a helicopter to Mile Lukovic Kum and the other assassins to travel to Montenegro in 2000 when they tried to assassinate Vuk Draskovic in Budva. THAT'S why Pavkovic has been detained – and rightly so.
But you prefer to obfuscate the facts and distort the truth. Reading your column is like reading "the New York Times".
But let's go on with exposing your lies:
"Projecting blame and taking frustrations out on the powerless is entirely typical for an empire."
Excuse me? Who is powerless, Milorad Lukovic Legija and his crew of assassins and drug dealers? The self-perceived "great" Legija, the thug, murderer and bully who struck fear into every normal Serb if he so much as looked at him in the wrong way?
MR. MALIC, YOU ARE SIDING WITH DRUG DEALERS AND COLD-BLOODED MURDERERS, WHO HAVE RAPED INNOCENT SERBIAN WOMEN AND MURDERED INNOCENT SERBIAN MEN BECAUSE THEY WERE "IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME", AND GOTTEN AWAY WITH IT, UP TO NOW, UNPUNISHED. YOU ARE EITHER BEING PAID FOR YOUR WORK BY THESE LOW-LIFE DRUG DEALERS AND TRAITORS OF SERBIAN PEOPLE TO DO THIS OR YOU ARE A BRAINWASHED PUNK. WHICHEVER IT IS, SHAME ON YOU!!!!
Nebojsa Malic replies:
I cannot be held responsible if you choose to read my statements maliciously and out of context. For example, the 'powerless' to which I referred were the Bosnians – unless you believe that which I call the Empire is Serbia.
Here's the problem, and your letter is a perfect example. Serbia is angry, frustrated at being bullied, beaten an humiliated for years, even decades, at the hands of the government, thugs (affiliated with the government or not) and the world. Given that, who wouldn't be angry? But the government is exploiting that anger, using it to maintain support for establishing what amounts to institutional tyranny. And that has always worked oh-so-well. For all I know, all those arrested are really guilty of something. But how do we know, when all we have is statements from a government that has lied consistently, and has effectively banned dissent? And how do we know before these people are put on trial, and the government's case is presented in the proper manner? Oh, it is so much simpler to resolve things through media lynchings and mob rule, but that's hardly a mark of civilization, won't you agree? It's mighty convenient for the government and most people, but what if you are arrested on some specious charge? What rights will you have, and why will protect them? It's easy to bay for blood when it's someone else's. You claim I'm a liar and a paid agent of organized crime, but offer no evidence. Or is evidence no longer necessary in the Brave New Serbia?
Not that this is anybody's business, but I am not paid by anyone. Not even Antiwar.com. And I certainly do not champion any cause but liberty. If you wish to disagree with me, based on information you have and believe is more accurate than mine, I'll respect that. But to mouth off angrily as you do makes you no better than the thugs you hate so much.
Regarding Nathan Ewell's letter posted April 3:
I have two suggestions for you –
Firstly, learn to use punctuation.
Secondly, take your "American Dream" and keep it in your own country. The rest of the world doesn't want it.
I like your view of democracy – "those who disagree with me should be shot".
Grow up and wake up.
~ KV, Johannesburg, South Africa
If Nathan Ewell really does represent the majority in this country, we are in REAL trouble, especially if we discover his education extended beyond second grade. Not due to the war but to the fact that our educational system is turning out HIM.
"Stupidity is the only capital crime" – Robert H. Heinlein
~ Carter Mitchell, Gurnee, Illinois
Ask Eric
I enjoy using your site and appreciate a source of truth instead of spin.
I wanted to recommend a change that might encourage more visitors to your site. After I finish reading a great article by one of your contributors, I often wish to pass it along to my friends who may, in time, become regular visitors or even financial supporters. To do this, I currently have to copy and paste the entire article in an email program that I have to open. This can take some time.
What would be far easier and encourage more readers to pass along articles is a link close to the end of the article which says "Email article to a friend." That would be superb. Is that something that could be done in the future?
Webmaster Eric Garris replies:
We do have this feature on all articles appearing on our site (as opposed to ones we link to).
There are a series of 4 buttons, either under the headline (for non-columns) or on the top of the right-hand column (of regular columnists): save this, email this, print this, and most popular.
Could we have a webpage on the site that has an ongoing list of the nations that have "joined the coalition" or that are giving support?
Eric Garris relies:
Here is a list at the White House site from last week, but Tonga has since joined, and the Solomon Islands has denied being a member: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030321-4.html.
You people (Hippies, Liberals) make me sick. You claim you are about peace, yet you throw rocks and start fights at antiwar rallies. We all know that the only reason you are antiwar is because you don't like President Bush. If this were Clinton you would be on his side. Our troops our over there in Iraq risking their lives defending our country and the Iraqi people. They are saving the Iraqi people from a future of Torture, Rape, and Genocide. And all you do is rant and rave about your brainless conjectures you have on this country and its leader. If you hate this country and its leader so much then just leave. This country would be better off without you tree hugging anti-American freedom haters. You scream save life yet you support abortion. You all are screwed up in the head; you're just a bunch of fence sitters. And America is sick of the sight of you. 76% of Americans are pro-war and that 76% of Americans are crazy? I would say the other 24% are crazy. All of your beliefs are based on conjectures and I think you need to rethink your position on political issues. If you're so peaceful, move to Japan or China or Greece and become a monk. This war will continue to go on whether you protest or not. Argument I assure you is fruitless in this situation. If you take a look at the people who are for the war and people that are against it you will see that pro-war advocates are the smarter of the two. So that makes you stupid. Right? YES! I think you just need to shut the f*ck up and support our troops when they need it most and support our president. You need to realize that the 60's are over and this is a completely different world we live in now. And all of you burn outs need to crawl back in the hold from whence you came.
Eric Garris replies:
Wrong. You didn't read our site. We started Antiwar.com in 1995 to protest Clinton's wars: Bosnia, Desert Fox, and Kosovo.
Here is a piece broadcast on PBS in 1999 about our opposition to Clinton's foreign interventionism.
I have been on the Republican State Committee for 20 years. I am still convinced that Gore would have been a far-worse warmonger. Democrats always are.
You can criticize all you want, but it would help your credibility if you had a clue about who you were writing to.
I was wondering if you had a chance could you please let me know how often your page is visited per day(how many hits). It appears that your page has been very busy or you have a slow server. If the number of people visiting your page is high could you recommend a slow time? I visit your page often but most of the time it takes a while for a page to load even though I have DSL.
Eric Garris replies:
We just changed hosting companies, so it should be a lot better. Our traffic has gone way up. We are currently getting 150,000-200,000 page views a day.
Before 7 am or after 8 pm (Pacific Time) is best, but there are peaks and valleys during the rest of the time.
Antiwar Strategy
Not much protesting happening here in Japan, and not the same culture that I'm used to, otherwise I would try this myself. Baby Bush is using "shock and awe" to win the war and to send a message to Iran and N. Korea. The antiwar movement should use the same tactic. Pictures of the causalities of war, both Iraqi and especially coalition. People won't understand why we oppose the war until they see what the major news networks aren't showing.
War will happen again if we don't work hard, and I think more people will join us if they see what our citizens are being exposed to when they go to war.
Regarding Grace B.'s letter posted April 3:
You dear sweet darling! Please know that all us antiwar "folk" are committed to peace, which is, after all, what the "Prince of Peace" Jesus himself stands for.
My dearest Virginia, in light of your desperate letter, I felt compelled to respond. I am deeply saddened that your husband was sent to battle whilest leaving you and your babies behind. As an avid supporter of Antiwar.com I am:
1/ An avowed Bush Bashing liberal, and proud of it! I turn off the radio or T.V. as soon as his voice or image appear, his speech pattern and tone are far too painful for my ears and intellect
2/I am against killing oppressed (or surpressed) people in general.
3/ I am indeed pro-choice. I don't advocate killing anything that isn't intending to harm me, or anything I don't intend to eat. I don't kill any thing for sport. Please don't tell me my wife can't get an abortion if she gets raped. ...
4/ I don't intend to leave my country for two reasons. The first is that it IS MY COUNTRY! The second is I'm too god damned buried in debt to leave. Besides, Australia and Bermuda don't need my blue collar talents.
5/ This is something many have apparently forgotten, The Constitution guarantees my right AND yours to free speech. I thought this is why some think invading Iraq was justified, to free "surpressed" people.
I'm sorry your husband was sent to war. I'd a dad, and I work away from home often. It SUCKS! I hope he comes home soon, real soon, and real safe!
Regarding "Revulsion, Disgust in India at the War" by Praful Bidwai:
It is great to read shared opinions from people around the world. India is becoming an extremely important player in the resistance movement against corporate and imperialist globalisation. I already had the opportunity to hear the inspiring thoughts and actions of Mrs. Vandana Shiva and Mrs. Roy, and now I find these superb articles by Mr. Bidwai. Next year India will also be hosting the World Social Forum, which I'm hoping will be a great success.
I do want to encourage people from around the globe, committed to fight this unjust war in a pacifist manner, to seriously consider promoting the boycott of American corporations that supported the Bush administration's victory. We are organising one here in our small country Belgium, where many cultural centres and adult education centres have already banned Coca-Cola products from their soft drink machines. Individuals remain sometimes hard to convince, but many thousands are already participating. ...
~ Dimitri Thienpont, MotherEarth.org, Belgium, Europe