Democracy for Vancouver

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Thanks to the dedicated Vancouver for Peace individuals who made the effort, once again, to change our nation’s misguided actions.

Protesters hold vigil against Iraq war
Vancouver - Marking the 3,000th U.S. death, activists state their views to congressional aides
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
BILL STEWART
The Oregonian

VANCOUVER — About 20 Clark County residents — armed with posters, candles, banners and raincoats — Tuesday protested the death of the 3,000th U.S. soldier in Iraq.

Vancouver for Peace, which regularly protests against the war, was one of more than 100 groups staging vigils and protests across the nation. The local vigil was held across Mill Plain Boulevard from the Vancouver Community Library.

Before taking their flags and signs into the rain, the group spent an hour at Marshall House with congressional aides, pleading for their bosses to immediately stop funding the Iraq war. Members of Congress are in the nation’s capital, preparing to open the 110th Congress this week.

The 3,000th U.S. military death in Iraq was announced Sunday; two more deaths were added to the list Monday. The peace group timed its protest to coincide with the 3,000th death.

“No more money for war,” Ginny Kortes of Vancouver pleaded. She cited 10 reasons for her stand, saying the country “must stop the mistake. Bring the troops home now.”

“I cry for my grandchildren’s future,” said Marion Ward of Vancouver. “The president wants another $100 billion to fund two more years of war. There’s enough money in the pipeline now to bring our troops home.”

“War ends when Congress stops funding it,” said Edie Cotton of Vancouver. “There’s a huge gap between public opinion and public policy, and we need to know where our members of Congress stand.”

Bob Dingethal, Southwest Washington director for Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell, promised to seek answers for the group. He noted that the congressional team has huddled many times with Vancouver for Peace and that the relationship will continue.

Several peace activists said the issue is more than 3,000 dead soldiers and sailors and more than the 22,000 U.S. military wounded. It’s also about the estimated 650,000 Iraqi dead and the 100,000 Iraqis who flee their country each year. The peace group asked the lawmakers to increase the 500 visas awarded to Iraqi citizens each year.

“This war is not worth it,” said Al Lindquist, a former United Nations worker in the Congo. “We must bring it to a close as quickly as possible.”

Several members of the group demanded to know how Rep. Brian Baird, D-Vancouver, stands on a proposed Cabinet level position of secretary of peace. Baird aide Kelly Love said that because all pending legislation is expected to be rewritten for the new session, Baird could not comment until he reads the new version.

David Goldberg, who complained that corporations are running the U.S., noted Iraq residents have a new tax burden. “We give them a flat tax before we give them running water.”

“We are watching like a hawk,” Bob Goss of Veterans for Peace told the congressional aides. “We don’t want you wimping out back there. My three sons will be paying for this mess for decades to come. . . . This debt will last for generations.”

Mike Ellison, a spokesman for the Vancouver peace group, said he was concerned about the human cost in Southwest Washington.

“In Vietnam, the 58,000 soldiers didn’t die for anything,” Ellison said. “This country has not yet learned the lesson of Vietnam. And we haven’t heard where our congressmen stand on policy, on bringing the troops home.”

Ward said the Vancouver vigil “is an expression of deep grief over the unconscionable loss of life among our own troops and the Iraqi people.”

The peace group has its own web site: www.vancouverforpeace.org.

Bill Stewart: 360-896-5722 or 503-294-5900; billstewart@news.oregonian.com

©2007 The Oregonian