[Marxism] Pro-Occupation Liberal Debates Anti-War Veteran and Anti-War Socialist

["M. Junaid Alam" <mjunaidalam@xxxxxxxxxx>]

[Forwarded from CAN list-serv]

Thanks to CAN students who came to this important event. I know you have a
lot going on right now. Elizabeth from NYU did a great job giving an update
on the CCNY situation. We have her photo with Lucas and a CAN alum - Shaun -
at the audio index page below.

Best, Charlie

http://www.traprockpeace.org/iraq_debate_06april05.html

"... if there were any genuine justice for the people of Iraq, not only
would war criminals like Rumsfeld and Bush and Wolfowitz face prosecution
for their crimes, the U.S. government would be forced to pay them
reparations." - Anthony Arnove

Anthony Arnove, Erik Gustafson (EPIC), and Alex Ryabov (IVAW.net), with
audience participation, debated the continued US occupation of Iraq on April
6, 2005 at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights, NY. Carolyn Eisenberg of
sponsor Brooklyn Parents for Peace moderated.

Audio of both the presentations and rebuttals, and the following audience
comments and questions, are available for download at Traprock Peace
Center¹s website. Both MP3 and RealAudio versions are available. See also
photos from the event.

This debate comes at a critical time. It brought together proponents of
immediate withdrawal ­ Arnove and Ryabov, with Gustafson of the Education
for Peace in Iraq Center, who supports continued US occupation. EPIC has
joined with Veterans for Common Sense in supporting continued US occupation,
a rationale being that the US needs to stay to help Iraq. 40% of VCS members
reportedly object to this stance and support immediate withdrawal.

Arnove  and Ryabov called for immediate withdrawal.

Ryabov described his experience in Iraq ­ one that led him to oppose the war
and occupation.

Arnove, author of the definitive treatment of US sanctions against Iraq -
"Iraq Under Siege: The Deadly Impact of Sanctions and War" - considered US
intentions behind the war and occupation, and rebutted the argument that the
US needs to stay in Iraq due to its obligation to the Iraqi people.

"Does the U.S. government does have an obligation to the Iraq people?
Absolutely. An obligation for the crimes Washington supported for years when
Saddam Hussein was an ally. For arming and supporting both sides in the
brutal Iran-Iraq war. For the devastation of the 1991 Gulf War. For the use
of depleted uranium munitions, cluster bombs, and bunker busters. For the
devastating sanctions. For the invasion of 2003, and the humiliation and
destruction and deaths that caused.

But the only way to begin to meet this obligation is to withdraw
immediately ‹ not six months or six years from now, but today.

Malcolm X once said, ³If you stick a knife nine inches into my back and pull
it out three inches, that is not progress.²

The U.S. first of all has to pull out the knife."

Traprock has posted Arnove¹s prepared comments and hopes to post a
transcript of the debate (presentations followed by audience responses and Q
and A) this weekend.

This event was billed as a forum, but a debate ensued. Please judge for
yourself by listening to the presentations, rebuttals and audience reactions
through its comments, questions and reactions.

Audio may be downloaded for private and non-profit use, including radio
airplay, with attribution to the panelists, Brooklyn Parents for Peace for
organizing the event and to Traprock Peace Center for creating the audio
recordings. Photos are copyright 2005 Charles Jenks; please contact him for
permission to reuse.


Charles Jenks, attorney at law
President of the Core Group
Traprock Peace Center
103A Keets Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
413-773-7427 Traprock line)
Fax 413-773-7507
charles@xxxxxxxxxx
http://traprockpeace.org


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