Can the antiwar movement stop the U.S. from attacking Syria? (photo: Olivia Harris/Reuters)
If the House Says No to War
By Bill Simpich, Reader Supported News
07 September 13
The House of Representatives is poised to vote No on any attack on Syria.
This is the moment to bring antiwar forces together, both in the United States
and around the world. This is the moment that we can build a movement that can
make history. Who will show leadership to ensure victory this month and move on
making this movement move?
As of 8 p.m. last night, Firedoglake reported that the
count was 226 leaning or firm No, 62 leaning or firm Yes. That means the No
votes have a majority in the House, with 147 votes remaining undecided. The
Huffington Post figures are similar, with 217 leaning No, 44 leaning Yes. In
the House, Democrats are four to one against it, and the Republicans are almost
ten to one against it. Florida congressman Alan Grayson thinks that if this
trend continues, that the House may refuse to even vote on it "unless they
want to simply put it out there to be defeated."
Antiwar actions will take place this weekend and in
the days to come. Everyone should hit the streets. Everyone should lobby their
Congressional representatives. Mass nonviolent direct action should take place
now. It makes no sense after the vote. The idea is to make sure the bombs never
fall.
Obama is going to address the nation next week, after
Congress re-convenes on Monday the 9th. He is going to try to turn public
opinion around, with the votes due to happen within a matter of days or weeks.
Look at what Obama has to address – his rhetoric can't defeat these five
obstacles, and I think he knows it.
- What burden of proof is required to show that the Syrian government is to blame and that they weren't set up in some way? Congressman Alan Grayson asked Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel about media reports that Syrian commanders were surprised to hear the news about the chemical attack. Hagel said he wasn't aware of these reports, but emphasized that any supporting documents would probably have to stay classified in any case. The legal community uses three different tools for making a decision: Preponderance of the evidence, clear and convincing evidence, and reasonable doubt. Which one is proper here? Proof beyond a reasonable doubt is the only reasonable standard for a question of this magnitude
- This
is important because chemical attacks are a terrible thing. What is the
appropriate response? International law bars the United States from
launching a preemptive attack, since an attack on Syria does not
constitute self-defense. The United Nations can't take action, because
Russia is on the Security Council and can block an attack. The place for
action is at the World Court, and to seek criminal sanctions against the
perpetrators. Anything else is illegal.
- The
Syrian conflict is not simply a civil war – it is a proxy war. Several
wars are going on simultaneously in Syria, with al-Qaeda among the
opposition forces. Are the United States and al-Qaeda really about to
fight on the same side? There are also self-defense pacts between Syria
and Iran, which could result in Iran attacking Israel if Syria is
attacked. Israel, Turkey, and Russia have major security interests that
could be triggered if bombs start flying. Any attack could lead to a
larger conflagration and American boots on the ground. Secretary of State
John Kerry was forced to admit that yesterday.
- Any
attack on Syria is estimated to cost one billion dollars every two weeks,
according to Rep. Grayson. If this action were to take the full 90 days
permitted in this bill, that would be seven billion dollars, while
everything from food subsidies to the National Archives are experiencing severe
cutbacks. Grayson points to the twenty million looking for work and almost
fifty million on food stamps.
- There
are two million refugees due to the Syrian conflict. The United States and
others should be supporting these refugees through established, internationally
recognized, neutral institutions and organizations, not by another round
of endless war.
This is the moment for people to come together. We can
act where we live with 435 flying pickets – one for each member of the House.
The website of US Labor
Against the War
(USLAW) offers an excellent combination of educational materials and action
suggestions to be used in the days to come. The Friends Committee on National Legislation and Just Foreign Policy are other great resources. Many other groups need our
participation, fresh vision, and new approaches. We can start new groups, where
we live and where we work. We can support those facing cutbacks and those
fighting for a living wage by encouraging them to provide new leadership to the
antiwar movement.
No president has ever been denied support for a
military strike by either the Senate or the House. It's about to happen. Obama
asked for a vote. The challenge is to make the House vote mean something. If we
can stop the Pentagon from attacking Syria, we will make history.
How can we bring peace to Syria, if we tie the hands
of the Pentagon? We can urge people from all sides of the conflict to come to
the table. We can use the power of the media, the power of theater, the power
of prayer. We can support the formation of an international, Gandhi-style
nonviolent army to march to Damascus and help increase the peace. One thing is
for sure: the path to peace is not aided by going to war for the sake of
anybody's "credibility."
The antiwar forces in the United States have an
enormous responsibility. People all over the world are looking to us. If we
want peace, we have to work for peace. We can no longer stand on the sidelines
and complain about being marginalized. We have to take the field. We have to
act.
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