Part of the system
I certainly appreciated Sam Webb’s centerspread article “A threat to humanity: Bush’s new military doctrine.” (10/19) I think the article could have emphasized the “why” of the ruling class obsession with aggression even more.
A lot of Americans think the ruling class is becoming more aggressive simply because they want to and because they think they can get away with it. The article would be even stronger if it confronted that notion bluntly and more fully emphasized the fact that the capitalist ruling class is experiencing a severe economic crisis of international proportions.
In other words, they are doing what they are compelled to do by the very nature of their capitalist, expansive, imperialistic, economic system. They want to invade other countries in order to exploit them more fully, just as they are cranking up their exploitation of the working class at home. At home and abroad they are driven by the same frenzied need: to try to resolve their underlying capitalist economic crisis.
Jim LaneDallas TX
Vet says ‘No war for oil!’
I am a World War II veteran. I flew 30 combat missions with the U.S. 8th Air Command, as a gunner and radio operator on the B-17 Flying Fortress, attached to the 401 Bombardment Group.
I know first hand the harsh meaning of war. But I supported that war with the full understanding of why we were fighting. We were fighting enemies who were aggressive and planning to put the whole world under its iron fist of fascism. They brought us into the conflict by raining havoc, destruction and death upon us at Pearl Harbor. I enlisted to fight.
Today the story is different. The real purpose is not for freedom or against terrorism but the desire of some to capture the lucrative oil of the Middle East.
George FeigenbaumPompano Beach FL
Joking around
I saw this one and wanted to share it with your readers:
A woman dies and goes to heaven. As she stands in front of St. Peter at the Pearly Gates she sees a huge wall of clocks behind him.
She asks, “Why do you have all those clocks there on that wall?”
St. Peter answers, “Those are Lie-Clocks. Everyone has a Lie-Clock. Every time you lie, the hands on your clock will move.”
“Oh,” says the woman, “whose clock is that?”
“That’s Mother Teresa’s. The hands have never moved indicating that she never told a lie,” St. Peter said.
“Whose clock is that?” the woman asks.
“That’s Abraham Lincoln’s clock. The hands have only moved twice telling us that Abe only told two lies in his entire life.”
Looking around the woman asks, “Where’s George W. Bush’s clock?”
“Oh that one’s in my office. I’m using it as a ceiling fan.”
Jenny Gordonvia e-mail
Can someone help me?
Who was the retired Marine officer who said something like, “Al Capone was a piker. He only ran three counties in Illinois. I made all of Central America safe for United Fruit!”
I’m battling with a few right-wingers at our local newspaper’s online site today. Most folks here support peace and oppose “Bush the Little” but, I’d like to be able to give an accurate quote and source.
Ed CampbellSanta Fe NM
Editor’s note: If anyone has the source of that quote please send to pww@pww.org
New Haven says no to war
On Oct. 21, by a vote of 24 to 2, with 1 abstention, the New Haven Board of Aldermen approved a resolution submitted by Alderman John Halle opposing any U.S. military intervention in Iraq. In the weeks prior to the vote, public opposition to the war expanded in the city with a large rally on the New Haven Green addressed by elected officials and religious and academic leaders, and a public hearing called by the City of New Haven Peace Commission which heard strong testimony against invasion of Iraq. Several weekly vigils have been held continuously for many months.
A readerNew Haven CT
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