The following is an archived copy of a message sent to a Discussion List run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
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Dear Elga and List Many thanks for your response. It does make me feel that I am not alone. I think there are military forums very frequently visited by people serving in the US military (both domestically and overseas). No, I don't think D. Rumsfeld or C Powell will visit these forums and read my message but a war depends on those who actually fight it (I assume). I did write to one of these forums about the DU issue (because it directly affects and has already affected these servicemen and women); and yes, I got tons of verbal assualt for politely pointing out to them the potential danger of this kind of weaponry (to them and to the Iraqis) but I also got one or two sympathetic ears. Who knows what is the effect of it? At worst it has no effect. But maybe it inspires people to find out more about Mr Bush's moral basis for this war and you got a desertion case and creates lots of publicity. Or maybe words spread and undermine the general morales of the US military. OK, maybe I am a dreamer. But there must be someone out there who shares our feelings towards this war and is from the field of marketing/publicity/consumer psychology who can do a better job than me in talking about these things and convincing poeple? Anyone? I am thinking about these things because I am desperate. I'd try anything. I suspect I made my proposal on a "united front" for different religions lightly because I am not religious. But if Khomenei can issue a execution order on Salman Rushdie, why can't the Pope or whoever leads Mr Bush's church issue something gentler - a public censure; I don't know, a ban on him to enter the church? Sorry to say this; again, I am brainstorming in desperation. I would be interested to know more about the consumer campaign you were talking about and how it works. Let's come together and DO SOMETHING WHILE WE CAN! Jiale --- H Sutter <citext@chebucto.ns.ca> wrote: > > Dear Jiale and List, > > I agree with you that writing to a potentially > hostile > audience could be worthwhile. But no matter how > skilful > you write, the chances of getting through to > military > personnel is probably nil. > > By contrast, the propaganda the US is dumping on > Iraqi > military and civil servants has a blackmail effect: > "Failing to do so will lead to grave personal > consequences." > This is meant to demoralize - not to persuade. > > The US propaganda is dumping on the Iraqi people via > the > airwaves is worth than useless, I'd think. For > example: > "UNSCR 1441 has clearly strengthened the cause of > peace > throughout the world. We can only hope that Saddam > Hussein > seizes the opportunity to begin the end of the > isolation and > suffering that his non-compliance with past UN > resolutions > has brought on the Iraqi people." - Such cynicism is > merely > contemptible: The Iraqi people know only too well > who is > responsible for their "isolation and suffering". > > As for posting to CASI itself: I myself find it > encouraging > to read posts about peace efforts or > condemnations/corrections > of war propaganda. It makes me feel I am not alone. > (I don't > get much support where I live.) Besides, not > everyone on the > list is necessarily anti-war or anti-sanctions, it > seems. > > I just read a book about the Resistance in France > during WWII. > Mutual support was very important for morale. This > may be > true for CASI too. And remember, war proponents too > are aware > of its effect. They just choose to ignore it. > > : I also wonder if anyone know of any joint effort > : between different religions to condemn the > proposed > : war (I just heard that the Pope is against it). > [...] > : Is anyone interested in discussing these things > further? > > I am not religious either, and I don't know how > effective > (and sincere) condemnations of war by religious > groups are. > Merely condemning war on moral grounds may have > little effect. > > But I know of some temporal (economic) measures to > dampen the > enthusiasm for war. If this has a chance of gaining > momentum > it could be very effective. There are several > (small) groups > trying to get this started. The theory is that the > economy > relies to two thirds (?) on consumer spending. So > the majority > can wield a lot of power, if it chooses to use it. > > Another way is appeal to image. The US is spending > millions > on PR efforts to win "hearts and minds" for their > wars. A > concerted email-blitz telling them (tactfully) that > they > are actually losing could help. > > But is it feasible? Can you get enough people to > join? What > existing activist groups would join in - or take up > these > ideas? Right now I am trying to find out. And I > would like > discuss this with anyone who is interested. > > in peace, > Elga Sutter __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk