by Philip A. Farruggio
Featured Writer
Dandelion Salad
September 21, 2010
Image by Dandelion Salad via Flickr
Remember the song “Give Peace A Chance”? Yesterday they held an international day for peace throughout the world. In New Smyrna Beach around 100 people came to lobby for peace. A great occasion with many noble souls attending. A few days earlier we held a progressive discussion group on activism, at the Port Orange library. We were lucky to attract 8 people. The main topic of our discussion was the Military Industrial Complex and how it controls our government (both major parties, including the tea sippers). This group, the one that Eisenhower (a cold warrior himself) warned us about in his 1961 Farewell Address, is responsible for the current two phony wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many Americans of good conscience do not buy into the propaganda of “Fight them there so they won’t come here” and “They attacked us on 9/11…. It’s payback time!” Question is: What are they doing about it?
If one watches Peter Davis’s 1974 documentary Hearts & Minds about the Vietnam conflict (I refuse to use the word “War”) all one needs to do is substitute “Iraq” for “Vietnam” in the film, the parallels are now that great. For those of you who either a) were not around then or b) lost your memory, it was a massive anti-war and peace movement that took to the streets in (peaceful) protest that helped bring our troops home from Vietnam. Things especially speeded up when middle-aged Americans joined with youthful protestors… our government leaders then took real notice. Well, I say to those 100 good and decent folks who showed up yesterday for peace, and to all in our community who do not want 48 cents of each federal tax dollar to continue going for military spending: Come stand with us on the street corners of our towns when we return to peaceful protest beginning October 2nd. This mindset of empire has helped to bankrupt our cities and states. Isn’t it time to tell both political parties that Enough is enough? “All we are saying is give protest (and peace) a chance!”
Philip A. Farruggio is son and grandson of Brooklyn NYC longshoremen. He is an activist leader and free lance columnist. Since the 2000 elections, he has written over 150 columns, many posted on various sites worldwide. Recently, he is finding a home at www.dandelionsalad.wordpress.com, or at his own blog atwww.opensalon.com. Philip can be reached at paf1222@bellsouth.net.
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[DS added the video]
Warning
This video may contain images depicting the reality and horror of war/violence and should only be viewed by a mature audience.
Hearts and Minds (1974)
Burton Brother Productions on Sep 8, 2014
see
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There are a number, however, who maintain that it was the fact that we had a draft and that many were thus directly affected by Vietnam that brought protesters out in droves. Of course the publicity of the costs today might do the same. One can hope!
Thanks so much for putting your comment here, B. And very good point, too. The people are starting to wake up about the costs of the wars and how that money could be better used in their local communities. It’s unfortunate that they don’t see the human cost as well as the environmental and cultural costs for being in perpetual wars.
yes, if we did have a draft as in the 60s and early 70s, the street corner where i stand now would have 20 times more folks ( mostly younger ones ) standing with us each week.
sad how many only react when it affects them personally.