“Get this war over with,” he said. “They are too young to be soldiers. They’re killing the cream of the crop. He [Bush] told us the war was over a while back and it’s not over.”
– <a href="WWII Navy veteran Thomas Foeorene of Virginia who said “too many soldiers are dying and that the cost of the war is reeling out of control and hurting the U.S. economy.”
I just checked the Salt Lake Tribune for the latest on SL City mayor Rocky Anderson’s call for an anti-war demonstration today during Bush’s appearance at the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention. Instead, I found this:
Visiting vets want troops to come home
The Salt Lake Tribune, Aug. 22, 2005
Veterans from World War II through Desert Storm have varied opinions on the Iraq war, but many attending a national convention today … agree that the United States should bring its troops home soon – but only after completing their mission. MORE BELOW:
Update [2005-8-22 11:36:49 by susanhu]: Bush speaks at 1:30pm ET, CNN. Demonstration details below:
… Korean War Air Force veteran Cartatl Parrott said he wants to hear from President Bush today during his address to the Veterans of Foreign Wars at the Salt Palace Convention Center.
“I’d like to see him get it over with and get our veterans back home,” Parrott said. “I don’t want to see it drag out like Vietnam or Korea.”
[Parrott, a Heber Springs, Ark., resident,] said he was unsure about the war after the U.S. government failed to produce evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. But, now that troops are committed, Parrott said he believes the country should finish what it started.
“They ought to not leave there until the new government is in place,” Parrott said. “But it seems like it’s dragging on a little slow.”
In his speech, Bush is expected to reaffirm his plan for Iraq and try to bolster flagging support for the 2 1/2 -year-old war.
Desert Storm veteran James Stewart, of Ohio, said he supports the troops serving in Iraq now, but “I don’t necessarily support the war.”
Stewart said the main difference between the first Gulf War and this one is that Desert Storm had a clear objective: To get Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait. “And in my opinion we had a true coalition of forces,” he said.
Other veterans attending the convention favored the president’s war plan. …
“War is not the answer.
“Only love can conquer hate.
“If Bush is right, then Marvin [Gaye] was wrong.
“If Bush is right, then Mohandas Gandhi was wrong.
“If Bush is right, Henry David Thoreau was wrong.
“If Bush is right, Martin Luther King Jr. was wrong.
“If Bush is right, Jesus of Nazareth was wrong.”
– Rev. Peter Johnson, former head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), speaking on August 20, 2005 in Crawford, Texas at Camp Casey. (Audio.)
Update [2005-8-22 12:5:18 by susanhu]:
[UDPATE]
From Utah IndyMedia.org:
Reminder of Rally in SLC on Monday!
by utahpeace Sunday August 21, 2005 at 07:08 AM
info@utahpeace.org
801-502-8556END THE UNJUST WAR!
Monday, August 22nd, 11:30am, Pioneer Park
During his visit to Salt Lake City, let George Bush know that we want answers to the questions: “Why are our sons and daughters dying and killing in Iraq?” and “Why is this a just war?”
Join people from Utah and mothers from all over the country to ask Mr. Bush these questions and demand answers!
Participating organizations planning the program are:
Local:
People for Peace and Justice of Utah
Salt Lake CodePink Women for Peace
Utah Veterans for Peace
Utah Military Families Speak Out
Shundahai Network
Utah IWW
M19 Mobilization Committee
Green Party of Utah
Rowland Hall School Student Socialists
Utah Progressive Democrats
Stonewall Democrats
Davis Democrats
National:
Gold Star Moms
Veterans for Peace
Military Families Speak Out
True Majority
Quarter Page Flyer ~ opens as a word document.
Full Page Flyer ~ opens as a word document.
Info:
801-502-8556
info@utahpeace.org
www.utahpeace.org/NewsEvents.html
GO HERE for all embedded links from above announcement at Utah’s Indymedia.org