A Petition Against the War in Iraq
On Thanksgiving Eve 2011, St. Paul Poet Laureate Carol Connolly hosted “Writers Reading for Peace.” Former State Senator Becky Lourey opened the evening by reading the anti-war resolution she authored and passed on the Minnesota Senate floor. We felt this beautiful and necessary document deserves another reading, as our country's soldiers have recently left Iraq, and as the American public contemplates the war in Afghanistan. Senator Lourey's oldest son, Chief Warrant Officer Matt Lourey was tragically killed in 2005, when the Army helicopter he piloted was shot down. We always, always offer our love and respect to Becky and her family, and we sincerely thank her for allowing us to reprint this resolution.
We, the undersigned, hereby petition President George W. Bush to reject unilateral action against Iraq and actively employ peaceful means to achieve his stated objectives.
Although Saddam Hussein is a tyrant who is harmful to his own people, it is not clear that a unilateral U.S. military action would result in a free and democratic Iraqi government. The likely results of war are: massive, unnecessary loss of life; the destabilization of the Middle East; the radicalization of anti-American groups; the unavoidable distraction from other objectives; and less security for Americans.
We recognize that many of our experience and respected military leaders advise caution and continued use of multilateral and diplomatic efforts to achieve a peaceful solution.
We give our unconditional support to U.S. military personnel serving at home and abroad in their tireless battle against global terrorism, and should our military forces engage in war in Iraq, we give our unyielding support to our young men and women serving in our nation's military, even if we oppose the policy that sent them there.
The Bush Administration's stated goals of a potential war in Iraq, such as replacement of the Iraqi government, economic redevelopment of Iraq, disarmament of the Iraqi military, are as likely to be achieved without war as with war. Our best hope is through strong multilateral action in unity with the other nations.