SANITY INVADES WASHINGTON
MORE POLITICIANS RESIGN

By: Jim Moore

Several weeks ago this writer brought you the unexpected news of 
the resignation of Mr. Jack Walters, Chairman of the Boone County 
Republican Central Committee, in Columbia, Missouri. This would 
be no big deal, except for his reason.  

According to the letter he sent to the Committee, Mr. Walters resigned 
because he realized that the administration's foreign policy was terribly 
wrong and dangerous; and he also had become painfully aware of the 
threat to America that the errant policy was causing, and would 
continue to cause.  

Mr. Walters agreed to have his letter printed in the local newspaper 
because he felt that every loyal American deserved to know why an 
important politician in President Bush's own party felt that he could 
no longer, in good conscience, chair Missouri's GOP.  

Walters's letter of resignation apparently opened the door of discontent 
and more government officials stepped through it.  

Three weeks before the war began, John Brady Kiesling of the U.S. 
Foreign Service tendered his own letter of resignation, which included 
these words: "The policies we are now asked to advance are incompatible 
not only with American values but also with American interests. Our 
fervent pursuit of war with Iraq is driving us to squander the international 
legitimacy that has been America's most potent weapon of both offense 
and defense since the days of Woodrow Wilson."  

But now, another letter of resignation, just made public, is even more 
revealing. This one was written by Mr. John Brown--also with the U.S. 
Foreign Service-- and although they had never met, Kiesling's letter 
had made a strong impression on Brown.  

Essentially echoing Keisling's sentiments, Brown wrote pointedly 
about the two main reasons he was resigning.  

First, he believed that, even after months of weak rationalizations, 
President Bush had failed to convince the American people, and the 
world, that massive force should be used against Iraq, especially at 
this time.  

And second, that he felt an obligation as an American to speak out 
against the president's failure to justify a questionable policy.  

What had caught Brown's attention was a New York Times article 
headlined, "Bush Aides Set Strategy to Sell Policy on Iraq." And 
when he read what Andrew Card, White House chief of staff, said 
in the article, his curiosity turned to disgust.  

Card wrote that they had waited until after Labor Day to kick off the 
campaign to convince the public that war with Iraq was necessary.  

Why after Labor Day? Because, said Card, "from a marketing point of 
view you don't introduce new products in August."  

That I'm sure would sound like a logical rationale to an advertising 
man, but to John Brown of the U.S. Foreign Service, the idea of introducing 
war as a product to be sold, was appalling.  

It was also the final straw. He immediately sent off his letter of 
resignation to the secretary of state, with a copy to the media.  

Here's what the letter said:

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I am joining my colleague John Brady Kiesling in submitting my 
resignation from the Foreign Service (effective immediately) because 
I cannot in good conscience support President Bush's war plans for Iraq.  

The president has failed:

(l) to explain clearly why our brave men and women in uniform should be 
    ready to sacrifice their lives in a war with Iraq at this time.

(2) to lay out the full ramifications of this war, including the extent of 
    innocent civilian casualties.

(3) to specify the economic costs of the war for ordinary Americans.

(4) to clarify how the war would help rid the world of terror.

(5) to take international public opinion against the war into serious 
    consideration.

Throughout the globe the United States is becoming associated with the 
unjustified used of force. The president's disregard for views in other 
nations, borne out by his neglect for public diplomacy, is giving birth 
to an anti-American century.  

I joined the Foreign Service because I love our country. Respectfully, 
Mr. Secretary, I am now bringing this calling to a close, with a heavy 
heart but for the same reason that I embraced it.  

* * * * *

War in Iraq has become a reality since John Brown's letter was sent to 
the secretary of state. But its content, though after the fact, reflects 
the courage of men who place their moral integrity above the questionable 
agendas of their leaders.  

"Published originally at EtherZone.com : republication allowed with this 
notice and hyperlink intact."

                                  -==-

Source: EtherZone - http://etherzone.com/2003/moor032703.shtml


Cheers, Steve..

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