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Plow Creek Mennonite Church
Jim Foxvog's Ideas about Iraq War
On March 7, 2003, about a dozen people gathered in a small room at Illinois Valley Community College with Reed Wilson, a staff member of Congressman Jerry Weller (R-IL 11th District.) We started by each introducing ourselves and why we were there. Two people said they were coming to listen, one against the war and one undecided. I was one of two who who said our views were based on our Christian perspective. One other person could be fairly identified with the religious right. The others of us were against the war. Two people (each probably in their 20's) identified themselves as veterans. Reed seemed to be fully convinced that Iraq was a threat to the United States, and that therefore a preemptive attack was justified. Faulty premise, but even given the faulty premise, faulty conclusion.
The discussion got lively at times. The religious rightist, a student at IVCC about my age, was convinced from "Christian radio" that the Koran justifies conquest to convert to Islam, and that therefore any faithful Muslim is an enemy of all non-Muslims. This opinion, of course, caused a bit of an uproar. It was, however, instructive to meet someone who believed this sort of junk. Several other times, disagreement among those talking to Reed became loud and confused.
There was one fellow there for a while who could well have been a WWII veteran. He used "salty" language and made no attempt to talk diplomatically. He ended by angrily telling Reed what he though about his beliefs about Iraq being a threat and what he could do with them, and then left.
Reed answered the question about what evidence there was that Iraq was a threat by telling us the US intelligence reported that there was a threat, but had not shared the evidence with him, or Congress. The evidence: trust Bush.
Reed Wilson did supply one interesting piece of information: their office does not depend on polls to determine their constituents' concerns, but on what people call or write them about. They have not heard much from their constituents against a war on Iraq. It is worth contacting your congressional representatives!
I left Reed with a number of papers. Here was my summary sheet:
1) Iraq not as serious a threat as Bush says - mostly disarmed, neighbors don't support war to disarm.
2) Inspections are working. Iraq is increasing cooperation with inspectors. Jimmy Carter suggests permanent inspectors. Blix: Inspections can disarm Iraq without active cooperation.
" Speaking to reporters at the United Nations, Blix said that Iraq's cooperation with inspectors improved markedly over the past month and that he would "welcome" more time to do his work. With inspectors back in Iraq only three months, "It seems to me it would be a rather short time to close the door," he said.
Blix said he could no longer conclude, as he has in previous reports, that Iraq's behavior did not justify finding it was committed to "genuine disarmament." Baghdad's destruction this week, under U.N. orders, of 19 Al Samoud-2 missiles, launchers and other components constitute "real disarmament," he said. He added that the Iraqis "have been very actively, I would say proactively," disarming in recent weeks." -- Washington Post 3/5/2003
3) War would cause hundreds of thousands of deaths, environmental disaster. IMMORAL! Gulf War syndrome (much worse for Iraqis) multiplied. Depeleted Uranium likely factor.
4) War would encourage terrorism. War would likely lead to more radical Islamic governments -- would be just was Al Qaeda wants.
5) War would hurt US relationships with much of the world. Of the countries that back war, much of their population doesn't - lead to changes in governments less supportive of US.
6) Waging a preemptive war is a very bad precedent. If it is morally right for us to attack Iraq, because we see them as a potential threat, why is it not proper for them (or numerous other nations) to preemptively attack the US.
7) War very expensive in time of growing budget deficits. Could do much more for our nation and the world by spending same amount for hunger relief and medical aid.
8) Iraq not behind September 11, 2001 attacks. No one from the administration even claims that it was -- though they make extremely questionable links to Al Qaeda. Many Americans falsely believe Iraq was behind the attacks, which is why many support war on Iraq. In August 2002, a Gallup poll found 53% saying they believed "Saddam Hussein was personally involved in the September 11 attacks." So it is understandable why they hate Iraq's president.
===============================================================
Jim Foxvog, 9293 1925E Street, Tiskilwa IL 61368
-----------------------------------end handout-----------------------------------------------------------------
I also handed him a copy of the recent religious leaders statement An Alternative to War for Defeating Saddam Hussein, Jimmy Carter's statement, a copy of an anti-war ad, and the Republican Dissent.
In May 2004 I received an email response to my reasons above. You may read it and my resonse here.
Return to Foxvog page. Return to mission page
On March 7, 2003, about a dozen people gathered in a small room at Illinois Valley Community College with Reed Wilson, a staff member of Congressman Jerry Weller (R-IL 11th District.) We started by each introducing ourselves and why we were there. Two people said they were coming to listen, one against the war and one undecided. I was one of two who who said our views were based on our Christian perspective. One other person could be fairly identified with the religious right. The others of us were against the war. Two people (each probably in their 20's) identified themselves as veterans. Reed seemed to be fully convinced that Iraq was a threat to the United States, and that therefore a preemptive attack was justified. Faulty premise, but even given the faulty premise, faulty conclusion.
The discussion got lively at times. The religious rightist, a student at IVCC about my age, was convinced from "Christian radio" that the Koran justifies conquest to convert to Islam, and that therefore any faithful Muslim is an enemy of all non-Muslims. This opinion, of course, caused a bit of an uproar. It was, however, instructive to meet someone who believed this sort of junk. Several other times, disagreement among those talking to Reed became loud and confused.
There was one fellow there for a while who could well have been a WWII veteran. He used "salty" language and made no attempt to talk diplomatically. He ended by angrily telling Reed what he though about his beliefs about Iraq being a threat and what he could do with them, and then left.
Reed answered the question about what evidence there was that Iraq was a threat by telling us the US intelligence reported that there was a threat, but had not shared the evidence with him, or Congress. The evidence: trust Bush.
Reed Wilson did supply one interesting piece of information: their office does not depend on polls to determine their constituents' concerns, but on what people call or write them about. They have not heard much from their constituents against a war on Iraq. It is worth contacting your congressional representatives!
I left Reed with a number of papers. Here was my summary sheet:
Why No War on
Iraq
1) Iraq not as serious a threat as Bush says - mostly disarmed, neighbors don't support war to disarm.
2) Inspections are working. Iraq is increasing cooperation with inspectors. Jimmy Carter suggests permanent inspectors. Blix: Inspections can disarm Iraq without active cooperation.
" Speaking to reporters at the United Nations, Blix said that Iraq's cooperation with inspectors improved markedly over the past month and that he would "welcome" more time to do his work. With inspectors back in Iraq only three months, "It seems to me it would be a rather short time to close the door," he said.
Blix said he could no longer conclude, as he has in previous reports, that Iraq's behavior did not justify finding it was committed to "genuine disarmament." Baghdad's destruction this week, under U.N. orders, of 19 Al Samoud-2 missiles, launchers and other components constitute "real disarmament," he said. He added that the Iraqis "have been very actively, I would say proactively," disarming in recent weeks." -- Washington Post 3/5/2003
3) War would cause hundreds of thousands of deaths, environmental disaster. IMMORAL! Gulf War syndrome (much worse for Iraqis) multiplied. Depeleted Uranium likely factor.
4) War would encourage terrorism. War would likely lead to more radical Islamic governments -- would be just was Al Qaeda wants.
5) War would hurt US relationships with much of the world. Of the countries that back war, much of their population doesn't - lead to changes in governments less supportive of US.
6) Waging a preemptive war is a very bad precedent. If it is morally right for us to attack Iraq, because we see them as a potential threat, why is it not proper for them (or numerous other nations) to preemptively attack the US.
7) War very expensive in time of growing budget deficits. Could do much more for our nation and the world by spending same amount for hunger relief and medical aid.
8) Iraq not behind September 11, 2001 attacks. No one from the administration even claims that it was -- though they make extremely questionable links to Al Qaeda. Many Americans falsely believe Iraq was behind the attacks, which is why many support war on Iraq. In August 2002, a Gallup poll found 53% saying they believed "Saddam Hussein was personally involved in the September 11 attacks." So it is understandable why they hate Iraq's president.
===============================================================
Jim Foxvog, 9293 1925E Street, Tiskilwa IL 61368
-----------------------------------end handout-----------------------------------------------------------------
I also handed him a copy of the recent religious leaders statement An Alternative to War for Defeating Saddam Hussein, Jimmy Carter's statement, a copy of an anti-war ad, and the Republican Dissent.
In May 2004 I received an email response to my reasons above. You may read it and my resonse here.
Return to Foxvog page. Return to mission page