"WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER": WESLEY CLARK

[capi888]

Just posted on WesPac Site...please read and respond: This is very important!!




All Americans want to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons and interfering on the ground inside Iraq.

Yet, President Bush's continued saber rattling gives the US little additional leverage to engage and dissuade Iran, and, more than likely, simply accelerates a dangerous slide into war. The United States can do better than this.

Whatever the pace of Iran's nuclear efforts, in the give and take of the Administration's rhetoric and accusations, we are approaching the last moments to head off looming conflict. Surely, it is past time to urge President Bush to exercise leadership and start to work now to avoid a widening of the conflict in the Middle East.

That's why today, I'm joining Jon Soltz, Chairman of VoteVets.org, the preeminent organization representing Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, to launch StopIranWar.com.

Visit StopIranWar.com. today and sign the petition to President Bush. War is not the answer.

StopIranWar.com.

StopIranWar.com is a one-stop resource for all Americans to help stop the looming conflict with Iran. With the latest news on Iran and online tools to contact President Bush, lobby your members of Congress, and write letters to the editor to local and national print media, StopIranWar.com will help us create the groundswell of support needed to stop another dangerous war in the Middle East.

Americans and their elected officials in Congress must work together to demand that President Bush stop the rush to war with Iran. The United States must use every option available to defuse tensions with Iran -- diplomatic, political, and economic -- before even considering military force. Military force must be viewed as the last resort -- not the first option.

Cannot the world's most powerful nation deign speak to the resentful and scheming regional power that is Iran? Can we not speak of the interests of others, work to establish a sustained dialogue, and seek to benefit the people of Iran and the region? Could not such a dialogue, properly conducted, begin a process that could, over time, help realign hardened attitudes and polarizing views within the region? And isn't it easier to undertake such a dialogue now, before more die, and more martyrs are created to feed extremist passions?

Visit StopIranWar.com. today and sign the petition to President Bush. War is not the answer.

http://StopIranWar.com

War with Iran is not the answer. We must work with our allies, talk with Iran, and use all diplomatic, political, and economic options at our disposal. Military force against Iran is not the solution now, and if we adopt the right strategy, perhaps it need never be.

Sincerely,



Wes Clark

( see all Active Petition Campaigns | Iran | Middle East )
Three Words

[AX10]

1. k/r

[welshTerrier2]

2. what more needs to be said?

k&r !!!

[Dinger]

4. Indeed (nt)

[Jackpine Radical]

3. What was the question?

"War with Iran is not the answer."

[capi888]

7. This is not a Political Statement...

Its a plea for all Americans, to support peaceful means through diplomacy, and political avenues, as a resolution. War is last, last, last, resort!! Clark isn't a candidate, as of yet, but is more concerned to save the USA and the World of another catastrophic Bush Blunder. Think positive and remember, we are in a crises that needs people to jump to their feet and demand NO MORE WAR!!!

[Sparkly]

8. The question is clear.

"How can we stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons and interfering on the ground inside Iraq?"

[Larry in KC]

15. Well, unless the question is...

something along the lines of "what would be a foreign-policy disaster that would make the war in Iraq shrink in comparison?", then "War with Iran" is NOT the answer.

[FrenchieCat]

20. My letter to Bush....as I edited the body of my petition letter......

President Bush, I demand that you stop the escalation of U.S. rhetoric against Iran regardless of what Iran has said or done. Whatever the situation is, War is not the answer! Sit down like a real world leader and hear out what Iran has to say. We are a super power, and therefore it is our duty to this world to take a calm and peaceful approach to whatever the issues between Iran and the United States and the World community are. Stop the madness of escalating childish sabre rattling. Diplomacy should be our only recourse, and we need to start it now.

[Kablooie]

38. War IS the answer!

The question was:

What does the "W" stand for?

[Jackpine Radical]

39. My point was simply that war

generally isn't the answer to anything. (No matter what the question, war isn't the answer.)

[Stinky The Clown]

5. That's pretty unambiguous

[jobycom]

6. Cudos to the General.

:thumbsup:

[JoseNarof]

9. God I hope he runs!!!! n/t

[Adelante]

10. Oh, well, more important what Geffen says about Obama

And what Hillary's camp says back. :crazy:

I have a headache.

[Texas_Kat]

14. As Matt Stoller has said

"PRIORITIES PEOPLE!"

[Fire Walk With Me]

11. "War is MONEY" -Jello Biafra, and this is the problem.

Kudos to those who work to avert the war.

[ArkySue]

29. Well, W sez...

"Sometimes money trumpspeace. Heh, heh." <smirk></smirk>

[ripple]

12. Powerful words

:kick:

[Adelante]

13. Post your own video or audio statement against war in Iran

On the StopIranWar site:

http://www.stopiranwar.com/?page_id=6

[FrenchieCat]

16. Some folks are getting confused as to what the REAL issue is.....

some believe that the issue is that U.S. has no "right" to request anything of Iran....and that there is no "proof" as to what Iran is doing in reference to its nuclear program....such as this post: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3124002&mesg_id=3125009

Unfortunately for poster, that is not the issue at hand.....

The issue is whether the escalation in words between the two countries will rise to level of no return.....and the real possibility that it can only bring us closer to an unreconciliable conclusion that could easily result in violence (knowing the Bush admin)....with the U.S. claiming to be "justified" either by concocting some action that Iran has taken, etc....(This administration likes to make shit up as you know...and the truth these days is sadly impossible to get at).

Sitting down and discussing the differences that the U.S. and Iran have it is the only answer and is a far more effective manner of dealing with this subject matter. We cannot sit on the sideline and continue to watch the escalating rhetoric and hope for the best.....because that isn't good enough!

That is what Wes Clark is requesting from us...not to sit there and wait for the shit to go down....and then get mad about it! Preventive action from us as citizens is 100% better than hindsight after questionably justified "preventive" war takes place at Bush's behest.

It took 3 years for the Citizens of this country to understand that going into Iraq was not the answer.....as war is never the answer.

How long will it take for the Citizens of this country to understand that whatever Bush has in mind for Iran is also not the answer as long as he refuses to consider diplomatic discourse with them.

Clark is advocating the right course. We get in Bush's face and let him know that he needs to quit it and start acting like he's got some sense. Right now, I do believe that the sabre rattling on both sides is coming to a dangerous head, and it needs to stop, regardless of who's wrong and who's right. Period.

[IndianaGreen]

17. Why can't Wes Clark announce for President?

His voice must be heard! Clark advises reason and caution, unlike those in both parties that are feeding the drums of war.

[Adelante]

18. My impression

He feels there is time for the primaries, but there may not be time enough to stop another war.

[IndianaGreen]

19. I am also very concerned we are rushing towards war and that it will begin

as a result of US provocations.

[CarolNYC]

21. IG, I share your concerns...as does Wes

It is exactly because Wes is so concerned about this that he hasn't made an announcement on whether he'll run or not.

He thinks that if he's an official candidate it will dilute some of his effectiveness as he works to stop this madness. We know he's been advising Congress. Maxine Waters said as much on Hardball a couple of weeks ago. Wes has said he fears that if he's a candidate, everything he says will be viewed through a political lens and that this shouldnt be a political issue. It's too importnat for that.

So, he's putting his future plans on hold to work on the present. Will it hurt him in the long run if he does choose to run? Some here think it will. I don't know. But I do know that for him, stopping this madness is more important than his political ambitions. Our future is more importnat to him than his. Thank God for that. I wish more politicians thought the same.

[IndianaGreen]

22. Thank you for your response, CarolNYC

An attack on Iran will make the Iraq disaster pale by comparison, and will put our troops in Iraq in great danger of Shia retaliation.

[CarolNYC]

25. I think you're right

I've seen Wes speak about this at every event of his I attended throughout the last year or so, fundraisers, campaign events with Dems running in '06. He's very worried about what could happen if we don't stop this now. It was seeing the intensity and the urgency with which he spoke of it that made me realize just how serious this is.

I remember when Wes and George Soros spoke of the US attacking Iran at the WesPAC fundraiser Soros hosted last spring, I think it was. It was really chilling. I think that's when it was first brought home to me how bad this could all be.

[Clark2008]

37. He's damned if he "do" and he's damned if he "don't."

The media won't pay attention to his statements since he's not running, but if he was running, then they'd all be saying he was doing it for political reasons.

Stupid media climate we live in. :(

[Jai4WKC08]

23. VoteVets.org

I am SO glad to see this organization is still functioning after the 06 election. They did such great ads against Repub congress-critters -- no doubt in my mind that they helped win back Congress. Their ad against Bush's escalation is a winner too, and they've been helping to expose the atrocity at Walter Reed.

I look forward to what they'll be able to contribute to getting a Democrat in the White House in 2009.

Please, if you've got a few extra bucks laying around, contribute to this excellent organization.
http://www.votevets.org/

[CarolNYC]

24. Blog Talk Radio Thursday

Wes and Jon Soltz of VoteVets will be on Blog Talk Radio on Thursday at 1:30PM...

SEGMENT DETAILS

segment date/time Feb 22, 1:30PM

segment title General Wes Clark Heads Left.

segment description General Wes Clark and Jon Soltz of VoteVets.org join us and discuss their new project, www.stopiranwar.com

segment duration 30

http://blogtalkradio.com/hostpage.aspx?show_id=13467

(edited to change Friday to Thursday.....)

[Texas_Kat]

26. And on Ed Schultz tomorrow

No specific time posted but the show runs 12N-3PM ET

http://www.bigeddieradio.com/listen/index.asp

[FrenchieCat]

33. Heard that Schultz is suggesting that we need to attack Iran

or some shit like that! :wtf:

[Texas_Kat]

34. Wait till Wes gets through with him

Ed will go sign the stopIranWar.com petition!

http://ga4.org/campaign/stopiranwar

[dogman]

36. More propaganda from those who don't like Ed.

What he really said was that there is more evidence for a case being made to attack Iran than there was for attacking Iraq. Obviously debatable, but not a call for attack. He has been playing clips and commenting on the different approaches to Iran policy by the various Democrats. Listening, like reading, is a skill that is easily confused by preconceived ideas. Like DU it is a forum for ideas and discussion. Many only want their gospel to be preached.

[Texas_Kat]

43. Ah, that's what I get for believing what gets post 'round here

and not hearing for myself

[jen4clark]

27. K & R

I know there are many, as I've been reading on HuffPo and kos that think this is ALL General Clark is doing to stop the next war NOW.

Frenchie Cat put together a brilliant post yesterday, documenting everything Clark's been doing for the past several years to wake people up to PNAC's mad plans.

It's pretty obvious General Clark has priorities -- saving us and the world from the neocon's madness is a big one.

What has WES CLARK Done? IRAN: A Work in Progress

[mod mom]

28. but Marvin Gaye said it first:

“War is not the answer, because only love can conquer hate”

:hi:

[Donna Zen]

31. That song & Wes Clark

I believe that was the song that Wes Clark chose for his entrance at the Democratic Convention.

[Clarkie1]

30. No other candidate is speaking this forcefully against war with Iran.

No other candidate can...or has the political fortitude.

[Adelante]

32. 7760 signers - PUMP IT UP

:kick:

[Texas_Ox]

42. 10,257 signers!

Are you on the blue side of the donkey, standing around?
Or the red and white side of the donkey, with your name on this petition?

:kick:

[Tom Rinaldo]

44. 12,543 signers now. I hope the media letters are getting written also

Want Peace? Time to fight for it.

[acmavm]

35. Signed. Would be insane not to sign.

Does anyonet think the Idiot-in-chief even reads or knows about this stuff?

I certainly hope so.

[Tom Rinaldo]

40. There are also links to media and Congress

Emails to the White House are only part of it. This campaign is designed to reach beyond the ranks of political activists. For many typical voters, signing a petition tot he White House is a decisive act. It is to be encouraged. We want our neighbors to be emailing their neighbors with this web site: www.stopiranwar.com as a way to opne up a debate inside our country about the current drive to war with Iran. PASS IT ON!!!

[Adelante]

41. KICK

:kick: