Re: Iraq - very short

["Jon Campbell" <jon@cqs.com>]

John,

       Thank you for expressing so eloquently what I believe as well. I was
trying to make the point that some environmental activists do not
necessarily feel the same way as the two of us obviously do about our
stewardship of the earth and all its inhabitants, and to make that
connection.

       War is an outdated method of dealing with political problems. It
treats humans and the environment in the same way that the chemical
companies treat humans and the environment - as expendable commodities for a
"greater" purpose.

       For a real awakening regarding US policy in the Gulf War, including
destruction of civilian infrastructure and environment, read "The Fire This
Time" by Ramsey Clark, former Atty General.

       If we want Saddam Hussein to decommission whatever "weapons of mass
destruction" that he has, which are nary a blip compared to our nuclear
arsenal, then all we probably need to do is actually lift the economic
embargo.

Kind regards
Jon

-----Original Message-----
From: John Thomas <jnthomas@infinet.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list <dioxin-l@essential.org>
Date: Monday, February 09, 1998 8:50 PM
Subject: Re: Iraq - very short


>I am a peace activist, not an environmental activist!  I fight for the
>environment not because I like birds, bugs, and trees, but because I
>believe that in life we must respect life.
>
>The minute we choose to harm life, the minute we accept 'collateral
>damage,'
>
>be it in human life, as in Iraq,
>
>or in the fouling of streams for industrial advancement,
>
>the minute we accept these terms we have created a world which each day
>moves closer to the brink of destruction.
>
>If I love the animals, the trees, the soil I stand on, and the air I
>breath - then I must love the Iraqi people and I cannot imagine harming
>them as I would not consider harming the dirt under my feet.
>
>If we can't learn to love each other then how are we ever going to learn
>to love rocks?  If we can justify killing other people then it will be so
>much easier to justify killing the natural world.
>
>With Respect, in Gentleness and Peace.
>
>
>John Thomas
>
>
>
>