Last Saturday, I participated in the Arlington West Memorial here in my Oceanside, CA hometown. Two young Marines came by and asked what we were doing. I told them that we were honoring the troops who had fallen in Iraq and pointed out that there was a name on each marker for everyone of those who had died in Iraq. "Everyone?" the one young man asked?
"All 2600," I replied as I looked over the expanse of markers, flags and votives in the sand. "Is there someone in particular you are looking for?" I asked. He nodded and I brought him over to the table where we had a list of all of the names. He flipped over to the "D's", his finger moved deliberately down the list of names and stopped midway. "He's my brother," he said.
My heart ached as I thought of his mother, losing one son and now, this one, only 19, who told me that he too is scheduled to go to Iraq. I promised him that I would do everything in my power to end this war so his name wouldn't be listed there with his brother. He looked me straight in the eye and thanked me.
A Zogby poll in March 2006 found that 72% of US soldiers in Iraq say the war should be ended in 2006, and a quarter say that all troops should be withdrawn immediately. I live in the shadow of Camp Pendleton and talk to Marines every day. I know that poll is accurate.
How can we the people, the majority who don't think our continued presence in Iraq is worth the loss of American lives, exert influence on the leadership in this country that at this very moment are considering compounding the horrific mess in Iraq by attacking Iran? How do we overcome the influence of power, greed and corruption that is currently controlling our decision makers?
These are the questions I was asking when I thought of the Peacemaker Pledge. We are the deciders! We the voters have an opportunity this November to make our voices heard. We can define the issue that takes precedence over all others by insisting that we will only vote for Congressional candidates who are committed to ending the U.S. occupation of Iraq in the near future. I am inviting every candidate to join me in making the Peacemaker Pledge that says:
I pledge to make it a priority to work with my colleagues in the 110th Congress to enact legislation calling for the speedy withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.
It doesn't define how to end the occupation or set any specific timelines. It simply asks for a commitment to make an end to this nightmare, to stop sending our troops to die for nothing, stop draining our economy, stop breeding terrorism and start paying attention to the domestic needs of our nation.
The first step to achieve any endeavor is to have the will to do it. Some may say this is over simplifying the situation but I subscribe to the KISS strategy Keep it simple, stupid. As Bush likes to say, "Either you're with us or you're against us." Now, the tables have turned and it's we, the American majority, who are asking our leaders that question.
You know where I stand. If you've read my account of my meetings with Iraqi leaders in Jordan earlier this month, you know where the Iraqi people stand. If yo are watching the polls, you know where your neighbors stand. Every candidate who signs the pledge can display the Peacemaker Pledge emblem on their website and printe materials, so now you'll know where they stand.
Now it's up to you. Tell your candidates that you are the decider and they won't get your vote unless they make the Peacemaker Pledge. To see who has signed the Peacemaker Pledge, go to www.Peacemakerpledge.com. If you don't see your Congressional candidate listed there, ask them why. Then invite them to send me an email at jeeni@jeeniforcongress.com for access to the sign up page.
And if you want to see me taking the initiative for peace and for people in the 110th Congress, visit my website at www.JeeniForCongress.com and consider leaving a few dollars
in the donation jar at the door. Your contribution WILL make a difference.