A Grieving Father Protests Iraq War

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1202-09.htm
Published on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 by the San Diego Union-Tribune

December 1- If all goes according to plan, Fernando Suarez del Solar of Escondido landed in Amman, Jordan, and was driven into Baghdad today. With 10 other delegates, he'll be taken under the wing of the International Occupation Watch Center, a peace group operating in Baghdad.

The mission? Show the Iraqi people that some Americans with military ties – three of the visiting group are veterans; five have family members on duty in Iraq – are dead set against the occupation.


While the other visitors have their own reasons for entering a war zone, Suarez del Solar is a special case.

He is the peace movement's poster father.

<snip>

God speed, Fernando.

[prolesunited]

1. He spoke at the event in D.C. on Oct. 25

and even though his remarks were given through a translator, I found his remarks to be among the most moving and powerful of anyone who spoke.

I wonder when they start calling him an un-American traitor? Perhaps they'll simply remind him of the sacrifice vets have made for our freedoms and tell him to shut up. :eyes:

[Military Brat]

3. You make a very interesting point

"Perhaps they'll simply remind him of the sacrifice vets have made for our freedoms ..."

Apparently those sacrifices of life and limb were made in vain, when you consider that the right to free speech has been eroded so badly by the (mis)leader who claims we're being attacked because "they hate our freedom." Say what???

[prolesunited]

5. Perhaps you also missed the irony

in that he just sacrificed the life of his son, so he certainly has "earned" the privilege of speaking out.

I also see your point about "They hate our freedoms." Interesting strategy, though you must admit. We respond by eliminating many of those freedoms via the Patriot Act.

[nostamj]

4. i agree 100%

you didn't need to understand a word to feel his pain and rage.

it was THE highlight of the roster of speakers for me.

[prolesunited]

6. Wasn't the whole day just awesome?

When are we doing it again? :hi:

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

7. You guys just hush!

I'm already green with envy of y'alls proximity to so many important events. (y'all included to hint at my geographic challenge)

Don't make me stop the car, now.
:hi:

[prolesunited]

9. Sorry, just caught up in the moment

Seeing as how it's winter in Chicago, I don't think I'll be seeing any action again until March at least. Just think snow and cold and smile smugly. :D

[SemperEadem]

12. I loved his to-the-point soundbite during Saturday's interview

before he left on this trip: "Mr Bush lied to the American people.." can't get any more direct than that. And frankly, anyone who says that a grieving parent who lost a child to this lie war who doesn't back up Bush isn't being patriotic and supportive of the troops should have their teeth slapped out of their head.

Also, the San Francisco father whose daughter is over there... his soundbite was classic, sarcastic and to the point: "My daughter says that 'well, dad... I guess we'll be over here.. protecting the Iraqi people from their oil wells so that Americans can drive their bright yellow hummers and wave the American flag and feel patriotic.'"

Those whose children are being shipped back to them in boxes are the ones who have made the largest sacrifice for this country--and for what? Bush refuses to attend any funerals, even though he's responsible for their deaths. At least Clinton was MAN ENOUGH to greet the caskets that came home on his watch. Bush isn't man enough to stand in the center of the truth of his convictions and take his ass-whippings for them.

[Neutrino]

2. Wonder what this brave man will face when he returns to

the U.S. He will no doubt have to get used to a panel truck in
his driveway, and multiple electronic problems with his computer
and telephone. But he did the right thing. Hearts and minds.

[PaDUer]

8. MORE of the parents

should be speaking out and going right to DC..it's the only way to stop this insane admin.

[Neutrino]

10. Fair and Balanced

the best article on the current status in Baghdad--

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/16862

[reprobate]

11. Danner said: These insurgents cannot win

But he left out the most important part: By not winning the americans lose, and by not losing, the insurgents win.

Quite simply, with a populace on the side of the insurgents it is impossible for a military power to win against a well run guerilla force.

Like, Viet Nam?

[Neutrino]

15. Fair and Balanced gives two sides. With regard to

the resistance, I cite the following:

"No nation that launched a war against another sovereign nation
ever won. And every nationalist-based insurgency against a
foreign occupation ultimately succeeded"

---M. Bearden-ex- Sr. CIA Officer
in Charge, Afghanistan

The outcome is not assurred, but it is difficult at best to find
comments that at least acknowledge that things are not going
swimmingly as the delusional Rumsfeld opines.

[muriel_volestrangler]

17. China is still in Tibet

how long do you have to give it before declaring it has won?

[opihimoimoi]

16. Ghengis Khan stayed in a conquered China for 3 centuries and they still

lost.

The Chinese simply outfucked them and fed them chop suey. it was all over.

The Iraqis will do the same. Slowly kill off our ass because we have invaded their nest/land. soon we will tire of the caskets.

[maveric]

13. He was interviewed on a San Diego newscast the other day...

and the two newsreaders seemed sympathetic till he mentioned something disparaging about *Bu$h*. They then asked a couple of "acid" questions, pretty much questioning his patriotism and shook their heads in disgust when signing off. It was truly disturbing.
Are TV news stations that much "bought and paid for" by the RW? That man should have never been treated like that.

[0007]

14. Here Fernando arm yourself with this five minute video...

and let the truth ring out.

http://www.angelfire.com/creep/gwbush/remindus.html

'Tis powerful!

[Bozita]

18. Give that video its own thread. It is MUST SEE stuff.

I've watched it 5 times in the last day.

I STILL get chills.