Sunday, September 30, 2007

Today is Gold Star Mother's Day

Please take a moment to comfort and honor the families of those who have given their lives in the name of the United States of America...

Proclamation by the President of the United States

Whereas the preamble to Public Resolution 123, 74th Congress, approved June 23, 1936 (40 Stat. 1895), recites:

Whereas the service rendered the United States by the American mother is the greatest source of the Country’s strength and inspiration; and

“Whereas we honor ourselves and the mothers of America when we revere and give emphasis to the home as the fountainhead of the State; and

“Whereas the American mother is doing so much for the home and for the moral and spiritual uplift of the people of the United States and hence so much for good government and humanity; and

“Whereas the American Gold Star Mothers suffered the supreme sacrifice of motherhood in the loss of their sons and daughters in World Wars”and

Whereas the said Public Resolution 12 provides:

“That the President of the United States is hereby authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the Government officials to display the United States flag on all Government buildings, and the people of the United States to display the flag and to hold appropriate meetings in their homes, churches, or other suitable places, on the last Sunday in September, as public expression of the love, sorrow and reverence of the people of the United States for the American Gold Star Mothers."

“Sec. 2. That the last Sunday in September shall hereafter be designated and known as “Gold Star Mother’s Day,” and it shall be the duty of the President to request its observance as provided for in this resolution.”

I have to ask myself... why is America not aware of this day of honor? Why is there no media coverage? Why are those who claim to "support the troops" by supporting this war not also supporting the Gold Star Mothers (and the widows and orphans...) by honoring them today?

Because it's easier for America to look away from our pain and ignore their role in causing it...

Saturday, September 29, 2007

"Refuse to kill. Refuse the order to go to war ...

Catholics initiate call to refuse, to support GI resisters

"Refuse to kill. Refuse the order to go to war ...
We know your resistance to war will be difficult and require great courage."

By Jonah House and Dorothy Day Catholic Worker.
September 28, 2007

Brothers and sisters in the military: "Refuse to fight! Refuse to kill!"

You are being ordered to war in the footsteps of veterans, who, more than 10 years ago, were sent to fight the first Gulf War. Many of those vets returned with severe and unacknowledged illnesses. Many gave birth to severely deformed children. All were abandoned by the Veterans Administration.

You are being ordered to war by the most powerful nation on earth. You are being ordered to war by a nation with the most destructive weapons ever conceived, developed, deployed or used.

You are being ordered to war by a nation whose self-acknowledged posture is that of world domination, mastery, control. This nation can have no moral justification for war.

We, the undersigned, are convinced that war is the greatest evil on earth. We believe that humankind must end war, or war will end humankind, and, in fact, all of creation.

Our convictions have driven us time and again to the Pentagon, White House and Congress in acts of civil resistance to war.

Now, we bring our plea to you, sisters and brothers, in the armed forces.

Refuse to kill.

Refuse the order to go to war.

Leave the military before it is too late.

We know your resistance to war will be difficult and require great courage.
But please reflect:

Is it more difficult than fighting in war?

Is it more difficult than being a pawn of corporate greed?

Is it more difficult than living with a violated conscience?

Is it more difficult than living with the poisons of war in your body and spirit?

Wrong is easy. Right is difficult and long. Do what your heart says is right.

We knowingly and willingly make this plea to you in violation of 18 USC Sec. 1381 and 2387 (see below). We knowingly and willingly embrace some of your risk by urging you to refuse duty in the U.S. military.

We plead with you, as Bishop Oscar Romero pleaded with Salvadoran troops: "When you hear the words of a man telling you to kill, remember instead the words of God: 'Thou shalt not kill!' No soldier is obliged to obey an order contrary to the law of God? In the name of God, in the name of our tormented people who have suffered so much and whose laments cry out to heaven, I beseech you, I beg you, I order you in the name of God, stop the repression!'"

If you choose to leave the military, please know that our hearts and homes are open to you.

Read more, including signatures.