I sent this e-mail to 34 of my friends, family and acquaintances, even people I know are Republican and even those I know are apathetic. Feel free to crib from it or copy it and send it to
. Cause
DON'T GO TO WORK OR SCHOOL ON DECEMBER 7, THE NATIONAL STRIKE FOR TRUTH DAY
To my friends, family and acquaintances,
Killing and torture are being committed around the world in YOUR NAME. And IT'S NOT OKAY.
This week, Senate Democrats forced a shutdown to try to get to the bottom of "Phase II" of the Senate Intelligence Committee's report on intelligence used in the Iraq War. Why has Republican Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas stalled on Phase II? Probably because the purpose of Phase II is to investigate whether anyone in the current administration deliberateiy manipulated intelligence to justify an invasion of Iraq.
The evidence is out there - intelligence from the "aluminum tubes" to "uranium ore" from Niger suggested that Saddam Hussein had the capability to use nuclear weapons against the US. However, those claims have been debunked by numerous national and international experts, and the uranium ore allegation came from documents found to have been forgeries.
Colin Powell's chief of staff, Col. Lawrence Wilkerson, has come out and said that Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld led a cabal that stovepiped intelligence to use to support the invasion. It doesn't get more credible than that. After all, Colin Powell was notoriously used to give a speech to the United Nations that was rife with unfounded allegations. Where are the WMDs?
If you think it's not important, remember that just last week the 2,000th American solider was killed in Iraq, and already we are up to 2,035. The killing is not going to stop and will likely only get worse. This for a war based on lies. This should disturb you no matter your party affiliation. These men in the White House said they would bring back honor and integrity. Instead, they have American and Iraqi blood on their hands...all stemming from lies and manipulations. George W. Bush can't even muster the courage to explain himself and his administration to the American people after one of their own - and possibly another - is facing criminal charges. No apology, no explanation - nothing. Just business as usual.
It's not just Senate Democrats making these moves - Republicans who are loyal to the country first, not the party, have called for Phase II of the investigation. It's been stalled for more than a year. It's time for Americans to know the truth about what happened and what led us into this quagmire of a war. A war that has distracted us from the real war, pursuing the people who attacked us on 9/11.
IT'S NOT OKAY.
It's time for Americans to WAKE UP. Killing and torture around the world are being committed in OUR name, being conducted with OUR tax dollars. Your tax dollars have gone to Iraq and are missing - more than $12 billion is unaccounted for. Sacks of $100 bills have been flown in and dumped into trucks, never to be seen again.
IT'S NOT OKAY.
What was the justification for this war in Iraq? WMDs? Where are they? How come none have been used on our soldiers? Regime change? Well, we got Saddam and he's on trial. Why are we still there? To bring Iraqis democracy? Their second vote just passed and a vote is coming up in December. In all likelihood Iraq will result in an Islamic state, the same type of governance we were supposedly trying to stop after 9/11. Why are we still there? To protect Iraqis from "insurgents"? Sorry - the insurgents are in Iraq because we are in Iraq. They are fighting us. There have even been reports that Shiites are joining the military for the sole purpose of fighting U.S. troops once they get the go-ahead from the clerics. Why are we still there?
IT'S NOT OKAY.
So join the National Strike for Truth on Dec. 7. Read on, and forward this message to at least 10 people. Even if you disagree with me - how that could be, I don't know - send it to people anyway. PLEASE. Write to me if you want links and articles about any topic in this e-mail.
Thanks,
[missreporter]
*************************
Our Purpose Is Just
The Bush administration and Republican co-conspirators in Congress have hijacked truth to serve their personal interests and twisted view of America's role in the world. It's 1984 all over again. But this week the most-magnificent Senator Harry Reid resorted to extraordinary measures to stop the lying - and now it's our turn. There will be no business as usual until the truth is out.
.
.
Why Truth Instead of Peace
Without the truth there will be no peace. Without the truth there can be no government of, by and for the people.
.
.
Why December 7
December 7 is a "day of infamy" - and there is no better time to demonstrate out our ethically challenged president. Almost everyone agrees that the attack on Pearl Harbor pulled America into a war that was just and honorable. We were indeed defending ourselves from a real threat. Contrast that scenario with the disaster of Bush's War of Choice in Iraq - a tragic war waged with a stunning combination of incompetence and lies. The juxtaposition of these two momentous actions is a perfect backdrop for our demand for truth.
.
.
Here's What We're Asking
- Make a personal commitment to the National Strike for Truth . . . to making December 7 a day of mourning for the loss of integrity and a day of truth.
- Do not work or attend school that day. You might need to take vacation, call in sick, cut classes, whatever. Just make sure it's not business as usual.
- Organize a vigil or protest at your local city hall. Demand that your local elected officials pass a resolution calling on Bush to tell the truth and end the war in Iraq.
.
.
How Else Can You Help?
- Graphic designers. Make up posters and bannersand post them for us to use and distribute.
- Writers. Develop talking points and guides people can use in conversations with friends and media.
- PR professionals. Draft a press release people can adapt for local use.
- Web designers. Develop a National Strike for Truth web advertising campaign.
- Bloggers. Run the ads they design for free.
- Everyone. Forward this e-mail to anyone and everyone. It will make a difference.
- Religious leaders. Get your congregations involved.
- Union members. Get your union to support the strike.
A number of committed truth-seekers are already signed on to this effort. You'll hear different perspectives and personal views about this National Strike for Truth as the days go by. Please join us if you can. Spread the word. Cross-post on blogs like crazy. Anything and everything you can do will make a difference.
We're not asking for money . . . just for commitments to join this cause for truth and spread the word. Our first goal: 50 million strikers worldwide. Our ultimate goal: a responsible government worthy of our trust.
.
.
.
National Strike Countdown: 33 days
