Strength Through Peace

No To Vengeance

I watched in horror as the WTC towers collapsed.

I observed with similar horror the retaliation my country visited upon Afghanistan, and the escalation of violence it is inflicting on Iraq.

These actions of my country are arbitrary and illegal, but are said to be necessary so that those who died in the WTC collapse did not do so "in vain".

I believe additional terrorism is likely, and becomes ever more likely as my country pursues "solutions" based on military brute force.

What we need is a basic change in our foreign policy.

We cannot expect to support ruthless dictators when they do our bidding and be safe from their ruthlessness when they no longer serve our purposes.

We cannot expect to tolerate or create desperate conditions in other countries and remain safe from the desperate acts of the people who live in those countries.

Waging war on "terrorism" and on innocent people will not create security.  Nor will abridging civil liberties in our own country.

If my life is claimed by terrorism, let it not be said that others must die in retaliation.  Let it not be said that I died "in vain" unless others die too.  The value of my life is not to be assessed by someone who never knew me, by someone who is looking for excuses to promote an agenda I do not agree with.

Those who love me will attend to the necessary mourning without flag waving or saber rattling.  And they will know that my voice cries out, not for vengeance, but for peace.

If you are interested in participating in the Strength Through Peace No To Vengeance initiative, choose one or more of the following: