a civil disagreement - from a woman

I do not agree with the Code Pink action in Berkeley . A very close friend of mine has a son who is a Marine. Altho she (and I) worry for him, the Marines and other services need to have the opportunity to recruit for individuals who will protect us. I am in total disagreement with the direction of the current administration, but I respect the young men and women who heed the call of their country.

I hope you share this email with your friend whose son must be in Iraq or threatened with being sent to Iraq.

I respect the young men and women who heed the call of THE PEOPLE their country - almost 80% of whom are saying we should leave Iraq - not the call of the LIES of the current administration that are killing them and Iraqis

For it is the ending of the 5th year of the occupation of Iraq. This year, more U.S. soldiers died than any other year before; we spent more money than any other year to destroy Iraq and bring the country under our control; we bombed 5 times as many bombing missions as any other year; we built over 50 new bases in southern iraq alone; 120 veterans are committing suicide EVERY WEEK; and murder committed by soldiers in our country is up 89% these past 6 years from the previous 6 years.

And you believe the marines are "protecting" US? They are protecting something - and that something is our corporate interest in Iraq. Exxon Mobil announced just a few days ago that this years profits topped last years which topped the year before - which were the largest profits of any corporations every in the history of our country.

I don't have to tell you why we are in Iraq - but maybe you have lost site of why we are in iraq. how can you say you are in total disagreement with the current administration's direction when you are supporting the sacrifice of our youth who are being used to enact that very direction you claim you disagree with?

Our administration could NOT go ANYWHERE without the aid of many parts of our country, including our legislative branch, including our corporations, including our media, including our military, and including our very selves.

I understand and am deeply touched by the idealism and patriotism that motivates many youth to sign up for the marines.

I believe as a mother, grandmother and daughter, I have the deepest responsibility and commitment to ensure that no bazillion dollar sales propaganda machine as the recruiters of the military have easy access to these idealistic youth to turn them into cannon fodder and murders for the very administration that you totally disagree with.

It is not enough for me to simply disagree with what this administration and all the other parts of our country that support this administration whether intentionally or not. I MUST act - and I believe we ALL must act. We need your input and your energy to help strategize and form a resilient response to this administration and to protecting our youth from death and killing.

Do NOT give the marines and other services the opportunity to use and abuse our youth. We are in an illegal, immoral occupation of Iraq and only YOU and I and your best friend are in a position to END it!

Please make sure your friend's son knows about the gi rights hotline. He does not have to stay in the service while he will be ordered to do horrific things that will destroy his very soul. (800) 394-9544 if he's in the states; and 215-563-8778 if he's outside the u.s.

I send him and all U.S. soldiers, as well as all Iraqis and all of our families my hard work, healing energy, and as much protection from death, destruction, and damage to their/our hearts, bodies, souls, minds as I possibly can.

peace, love, real power, zanne