funding the war

the wind is blowing like crazy today. i’ve been sitting around reading old comic books. and i made some biscuits for breakfast. it’s been a great morning.

yesterday, i took part in something that some people are calling project occupation. it’s a series of actions that people across the states are planning and doing—going to the offices of senators and representatives, requesting that they publicly commit to stopping the funding of the war and occupation of iraq. congress has already appropriated $70 billion this fiscal year for the war in iraq and the president has asked for another $93 billion in a supplemental bill. it is clear this administration does not want to end the war and occupation. it seems that one of the few ways to end the war, which the u.s. initiated with it’s invasion of iraq, is to stop its funding. if we can succeed in doing that, hopefully this administration will realize the importance of getting u.s. soldiers out of a situation that was a grave mistake and crime in the first place. stopping the funding will also free up resources, energy, and money that can be used to help rebuild a country that has been decimated by our invasion and subsequent occupation, as well as aid people whose lives have been so terribly affected by our government’s war.

i feel a little strange about the idea of going through channels established by those in power to try and achieve change. sometimes i feel it is like asking ‘please, senator, stop this war’ when i want to say ‘we are stopping this war, whether you in power want to or not.’ i don’t like the supplication aspect. but then again, we are more than simply asking; we are saying ‘we are demanding that this stops. and we will not leave until this is done.’ and i really do see the project as a valid tactic so, if it is happening, why not help it to happen by participating.

so, a group of folks went to the office, made a statement to the press, and went inside. we presented a letter to the senator, requesting his public commitment to stopping the war’s funding and to blocking possible attacks on iran in the future. included in the letter is a statement concerning our readiness to create a continuous presence in the office until we receive confirmation of his commitment to stop the funding of the war. we stayed about an hour. the idea is to give the senator some time to respond and then, if we hear nothing or if there is no commitment, to return to the office with the intention of maintaining a presence there.