Saturday, March 19, 2005
Vigil for Peace with Justice
Second Anniversary of the War on Iraq Vigil for Peace with Justice Tampa Bay Network for Peace with Justice March 18,2005
"Speak up for the poor and needy, and see that they get justice! - Proverbs 31:9 (Living Bible)
We were viciously attacked on September 11. In response we have attacked back with overwhelming military power. That is the old way, "An eye for an eye." An eye for an eye always creates a spiral of violence. It is not a practical way to build security. Ask yourself, are you more secure today than two years ago? What would turn it around? What would really work?
"Never pay back evil for evil. Instead feed your enemy, if he is hungry. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. Don't let evil get the upper hand, but conquer evil by doing good." -Romans 12:17,20,21
We are people of many faiths. We envision using our nations wonderful human, organizational, and material resources to get at the root causes of terrorism. People respect, even revere nations that respond with actions of great good when they have been harmed. We know that real global security is rooted in the moral values of human rights, ending hunger and poverty, and vigorously pursuing peace between warring parties.
And what is happening here in the United States? Cuts in Head Start, affordable housing; cuts in jobs training, veteran' services... what do they have in common? War. The huge cost of war on Iraq is sucking air out of almost every effort to help Americans with lower incomes help themselves. Do you have any idea what 200 billion dollars would do to improve the lives of Americans? In contrast, who benefits from this war? Super rich war contractors and corporations.
We Americans need to connect the dots. We mark the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq today. Every anniversary of this war means we are losing a better life for millions of American families who work hard, and play by the rules. This is a rich man's war, and a poor person's loss. It is time, Mr. President, to invest in America. Internationalize the situation in Iraq so that efforts for democracy are protected. Support our low and moderate income families and our low and moderate income troops. Bring them home! Then use the cost of that war to address the huge holes on our society.
After two years of war in Iraq, the time has come for a new vision for America. We base our vision on the teachings of Jesus, Judaism, Islam, and many of the world's religions. We call today for the United States to chart these new directions: peacemaking, economic justice, human rights, civil rights, and ecological sustainability.
Comments by Dr. Warren Clark. Pastor First United Church (UCC) of Tampa
"Speak up for the poor and needy, and see that they get justice! - Proverbs 31:9 (Living Bible)
We were viciously attacked on September 11. In response we have attacked back with overwhelming military power. That is the old way, "An eye for an eye." An eye for an eye always creates a spiral of violence. It is not a practical way to build security. Ask yourself, are you more secure today than two years ago? What would turn it around? What would really work?
"Never pay back evil for evil. Instead feed your enemy, if he is hungry. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. Don't let evil get the upper hand, but conquer evil by doing good." -Romans 12:17,20,21
We are people of many faiths. We envision using our nations wonderful human, organizational, and material resources to get at the root causes of terrorism. People respect, even revere nations that respond with actions of great good when they have been harmed. We know that real global security is rooted in the moral values of human rights, ending hunger and poverty, and vigorously pursuing peace between warring parties.
And what is happening here in the United States? Cuts in Head Start, affordable housing; cuts in jobs training, veteran' services... what do they have in common? War. The huge cost of war on Iraq is sucking air out of almost every effort to help Americans with lower incomes help themselves. Do you have any idea what 200 billion dollars would do to improve the lives of Americans? In contrast, who benefits from this war? Super rich war contractors and corporations.
We Americans need to connect the dots. We mark the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq today. Every anniversary of this war means we are losing a better life for millions of American families who work hard, and play by the rules. This is a rich man's war, and a poor person's loss. It is time, Mr. President, to invest in America. Internationalize the situation in Iraq so that efforts for democracy are protected. Support our low and moderate income families and our low and moderate income troops. Bring them home! Then use the cost of that war to address the huge holes on our society.
After two years of war in Iraq, the time has come for a new vision for America. We base our vision on the teachings of Jesus, Judaism, Islam, and many of the world's religions. We call today for the United States to chart these new directions: peacemaking, economic justice, human rights, civil rights, and ecological sustainability.
Comments by Dr. Warren Clark. Pastor First United Church (UCC) of Tampa
