Shut down the war machine

Inquiring-Mind · Jan 31, 2007

http://www.mpi-web.net/sdtwm/page.php?2

To the people of the United States:

A recent study by the Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health found that an astonishing 655,000 Iraqis have been killed since the illegal invasion of their country by the U.S. and its allies in 2003. On top of this, 3,201 soldiers from the invading countries have died.

Around 8,000 civilians have been murdered in Afghanistan since that country was invaded.

The continuance of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and threats of new wars being waged against Iran, Syria and North Korea rely on a U.S.-based “war machine,” made up of the industries that produce weapons, vehicles, and machinery used for war, the transportation networks that move them, and vast funding from the U.S. government, among other things.

The greatest part of the annual U.S. budget – some 49% – goes to this “machine,” paying for current and past military endeavors.

Each year, close to $500 billion dollars is spent on the U.S. military. Each month, $6 billion dollars is spent on the continued occupation of Iraq alone.

But this machine cannot function without its most important part – the people who, often unknowingly, keep it going, such as the workers who design and construct the weapons and machinery, the workers who load and unload them onto trucks, the truck drivers and ship and train engineers who transport them, the workers who fund the process through the taxes they pay, the families who raise the children who become soldiers, the educators who teach those children the basic skills they need in life – all working people, who collectively keep the economy afloat through our labor.

We are calling for the formation of a coalition of workers and organizations that can successfully build for a day to “Shut Down the War Machine!”.

We’ll fight to make this day one in which working people refuse to go to work, students refuse to go to school, and everyone refuses to shop.

Although pickets and demonstrations may be a part of this day, the last few years have shown us that they alone aren’t enough. We need to cooperate to get this call out to people in every single part of the U.S., from cab drivers in New York to farm workers in California. It will take a serious and dedicated effort, but this is something that needs to be done. Collectively, we have the ability to literally shut down the war machine, by simply refusing to contribute to it in any way.

Needless to say, the effects of such an event would be monumental.

We propose that this day be Monday, March 19, 2007.

We urge all interested individuals (including workers, union officials and representatives, artists, musicians, undocumented workers, “housewives” and the unemployed), and organizations to contact us immediately to add their name to the list of signatories of this letter.

Yours for justice,
The Coalition for a Day to Shut Down the War Machine

The Free People’s Movement
7Wounds - Recording Artist
Sun Rise Above - Recording Artist
Young Soldiers For Change
C. Harris - DC Retail Workers For Justice
Revolutionary Youth
C. Alazar - New York Retail Workers For Justice
The Cuba Truth Project
B. Dean Sr - Township Supervisor (Washington Township, Pennsylvania)
Oaxaca Defense Committee (New York)
K. Bautista - Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union Local 101*
1877 Workers’ Party
Transit Venus - Recording Artists
Workers' Historical Society
Democratic Rights Defense Organization
Michael Parenti, Ph.D. - Author
Gregg Shotwell
Truth Universal - Recording Artist
Mickey Z - Author
Professor Ward Churchill
Depleted Uranium BBS
Future of the Union
Paul Odekirk
Antonio Rivera
Irish Republican Socialist Movement
Irina Tavera - Bolivian Youth Club

* organization listed for identification only
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The war machine exists because it is profitable. How can we make it unprofitable? Millions and millions rely on it for a living.

YankNBurn · Feb 1, 2007

Great idea but the plan is seriously flawed. Our country has been and still is borrowing money from China and others to keep us going period. Us not working for a day, or even a week would not stop actions going on. The most you would do is create issues here in the US for like supplies and ect.

Haid · Feb 1, 2007

The war machine exists because it is profitable.
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Profitable?? You really need to look into how much war costs. I think you are confused. Maybe in our interests in the long run but it damn sure isn't profitable.

dirtydog · Feb 1, 2007

As a United States citizen living in Canada (38 years now), I think it would be terrific if Amtrak, Greyhound and 10,000 cab companies refused service to men in uniform. This is only a pipe dream, of course. The nearest we have to a 'coalition of workers and organizations' is the U.S. Congress. With the results of the 2006 election in, it is within the power of Congress to put an end to foolish, wasteful and deadly military involvements that do nothing to improve national security.

I hate to say it, but our best bet is probably to go through channels, and make sure we vote, and vote properly, on each election day. The fool in the White House will be out in two years. In the meantime, lots of poor men who got suckered into the military are going to die, and lots of Iraqis and Afghanis are going to die. Say a prayer for George W. Pray for a heart attack.

YankNBurn · Feb 1, 2007

I think it would be terrific if Amtrak, Greyhound and 10,000 cab companies refused service to men in uniform
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Well that would be kinda tricky since all railroads are funded via the federal goverment thru assistance just for the need to transport troops and equipment in the event the need is there. So is the airlines and bus companies. The recieve tax credits and some direct finacial assistance just for this so I doubt it would happen.

I would on the flip side find it funny for them to try and have all the ppl in uniforms file class action lawsuits for discrimination.

I will give a ride a to a person in a clean uniform far faster than anyone else, the risks are normally far less and they are normally pretty cool to talk to.

Inquiring-Mind · Feb 2, 2007

Haid said:

Profitable?? You really need to look into how much war costs. I think you are confused. Maybe in our interests in the long run but it damn sure isn't profitable.
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You misunderstood what I mean. Profitable not for society or the working class but for the owners of these war industries.

War is big money for profiteers.

Libertine · Feb 2, 2007

We have the same dinosaur mentality we've always had.

Until we dump this (as humankind), we'll always be condemned to repeat it's effects (war).

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Shut down the war machine

Inquiring-Mind Senior Member

YankNBurn Owner

Haid Member

dirtydog Banned

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Inquiring-Mind Senior Member

Libertine Guru of Hedonopia

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Shut down the war machine

Inquiring-Mind Senior Member

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Haid Member

dirtydog Banned

YankNBurn Owner

Inquiring-Mind Senior Member

Libertine Guru of Hedonopia

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