Hit First, Ask Questions Later
04/07/2006

Hit First, Ask Questions Later  
Let’s Hold our Elected Officials Accountable
A Column By Marilyn Aligata

Right to ask first? A report issued by President Bush renewed his administration’s “strike-first” policy against terrorists and other U.S. enemies.  

God help us! What other U.S enemies is Bush talking about? Iran? Cuba? North Korea? Venezuela? Are we talking the world here?  

The report is an updated version of one President Bush issued in 20002 that outlined the pre-emptive policy, making an end of a deterrent military strategy that dominated the Cold War according to the Associate Press. 

This kind of talk is intimidating and it’s scary, especially with the abounding “weapons of mass destruction” we and other nations of the world have on hand. And we wonder why more countries want nuclear weapons?  

The people I talk to cannot fathom the prospect of nuclear war in this country. That can’t happen here they think. When I talk about the idea of nuclear weapons striking America all but the few shut down. They turn completely off as if they didn’t hear me. The fact is, they didn’t or they would want to do something to stop it. The thought of a nuclear holocaust in the cities or towns of this great country is just too horrifying to even think about for most people.  

When our government frightens people about the need to defend our country with a “strike-first policy” we think its good. But we aren’t told the consequences of such an act.
Retaliation.  

Americans make a mistake in assuming information we are given by our government is correct- like Iraq’s “weapons of mass destruction”. That was pretty scary wasn’t it? To think Iraq had nuclear and biological weapons that may be used on us at any time. I love my country, but I don’t love my government for putting America in such a dangerous position based on information that wasn’t true, and for allowing over 2,300 military men and women to die, and over 17,000 to suffer wounds inflicted by participating in this war. I don’t love the fact that 30,000 to 100,000 civilians- men, women, and children of Iraq have died either.  

Our government has violated the rights of citizens, performed atrocities in the name of national defense, and spent $250 billion of my tax dollars on a war I don’t agree with and believe not to be in our nation’s or the world’s best interest. War is no ones best interest except those who gain power or profit from it. Look at Vietnam, 55,000 men died there and have you ever asked yourself, for what?  

It appears that many of the people we elect to run our government are self-serving and owe their loyalty to the big corporations and special interest groups- the people with the money, and not the citizens they are elected to serve unless it’s election time and they want our votes.  Of course, fear must be instilled in Americans so we will go along with a military action. The destruction of the towers on 9/11 was just what was needed to put fear into us. I for one just wanted to stand back and ask- Why?

Why do these people hate us so much? What have “we” (our government) done to produce such strong feelings? What do terrorists want? Why did they have to fly a plane to New York and destroy the World Trade Towers to get us to listen? What didn’t take the opportunity to listen, instead we attacked Iraq. I would have wanted our representatives in Washington to have the courage and try to find diplomatic ways to solve this crisis. I would have wanted our elected officials to humble themselves and ask us how can we make this better? What have we done? Instead, our government officials are so arrogant and our President so stubborn, we justified an attack on another country.

This could have been a chance to talk about the problem. The problem certainly hasn’t gotten better has it? We are more vulnerable now than ever before and we have fewer friends in the world.  

The anti-war demonstrations last month were smaller than anticipated, although it’s said that 70% of American people do not think the War in Iraq is a good idea and 85% of the Iraq people want us to leave.  

Albert Einstein said, “We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if mankind is to survive”. Well folks, what’s it going to take for us to have a new manner of thinking- a nuclear bomb? War is not an option anymore. We can be the first generation to realize this by getting off our duffs and call or write President Bush and our representatives in Washington. Wake up people before it’s too late. Don’t continue to go about your everyday business and not act on this matter of our survival. Tell them you are frightened about a nuclear war or that you at lest thought about the possibility and are concerned.

Say you want something done to make this a safer world and insure the survival of the planet earth.  

In the name of our children, grandchildren and future generations act now! Here are the addresses and phone numbers of those elected to represent YOU! Make them listen!

•John B. Larson, Connecticut-1st, Democrat 1005 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515-0701
Phone: (202) 225-2265
•Rob Simmons, Connecticut-2nd, Republican, 215 Cannon HOB,
Washington, DC 20515-0702
Phone: (202) 225-2076
•Rosa L. DeLauro, Connecticut-3rd, Democrat, 2262 Rayburn HOB,
Washington, DC 20515-3661
Phone: (202) 225-3661
•Christopher Shays, Connecticut-4th, Republican, 1126 Longworth HOB,
Washington, DC 20515-0704
Phone: (202) 225-5541
•Nancy L. Johnson, Connecticut 5th, Republican, 2409 Rayburn HOB,
Washington, DC 20515-0705
Phone: (202) 225-4476
•Senator Chirstopher J. Dodd - (D-CT),
448 Russell Senate Office Building,
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2823
•Senator Lieberman, Joseph I.-(D-CT)
706 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-4041
•President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20500

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