The following letters were received by Axis of Logic prior to adding our new section today for Axis Readers to express their opinions and share their thoughts. If you do not see your letter here, it has probably been missed during this busy period of website development - for that we apologize.  If you see your letter here and wish to have it removed, simply send a message by clicking on "Letters/Articles to Editor" on the top bar at www.axisoflogic.com .  Also click on this choice if you wish to send an article to us, with full permission to publish the letter, essay or article on our website.

Thank you!

Les Blough

Letters received between April 1, 2003 and May 30, 2003

I am somewhat sympathetic to your position.  However, I have yet to hear a single plan from those of us who oppose U.S. behavior in IRAQ on how the U.S. and other countries should stop the spread of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. It seems that the peace movement is content to simply sit back, and pass judgement.  Until we come up with such a plan... we will continue to be ignored.

I do find it terrifying the number of people who conjure up all sorts of ridiculous statements in support of this war, having to do with WMD's, connections with terrorists, "Evil intentions" of the IRQI leadership...  without so much as a shred of evidence.  A lesson to be taken from this  war... never allow our politicians to give the president a blank check for war... because they don't have the balls or the sense to take it back.

Frank

Just a note to express my appreciation for your news service.

Regards,

Mark Weber

How we can still talk about "winning the Peace" in Iraq -- after waging war on that nation? The destruction we have inflicted upon Iraq is horrific. US forces have pounded Iraq from the air, land and sea. We have left that nation broken and in disarray. Expecting to win the peace now -- denies this shocking reality. Yet, I realize, there are many like the President and his men who think this is possible. Retired British Major Charles Hayman speaking on WBUR radio in Boston (4/2/03), defined Victory in Iraq in three phases: (1) the surrender of Baghdad; (2) winning the peace; (3) the installation of a new government. While the surrender of Baghdad is complete--winning the peace will be the litmus test. The Major recognizes this too,"If we don't win the peace, all this sacrifice is wasted. We must win the peace ... part of winning the peace is winning that humanitarian war." While coalition forces scramble to restore law and order in Baghdad following looting by mobs --I feel, it will only be a matter of time before the harsh reality sets in--that peace does not come from the barrel of a gun.

How the Inferno (Shock and Awe) we ignited over Baghdad contributed to Iraqi "freedom" is beyond reason. Violence is the antithesis for democracy and freedom. Many Iraqis have since described the shocking reality of "Shock and Awe." Some told how the blasts from the bombs shook the walls of their homes and surrounding buildings. Others reported walls collapsing around them and debris flying in all directions. I can still recall the desperate cries of injured children from a Baghdad Hospital on a BBC broadcast. Many of the children sustained extensive fractures and burns from flying debris. A five year old girl stood out -- she laid motionless on her bed. The reporter said she was recovering from emergency surgery to her spine. The attending doctor said he didn't expect her to walk again.

US bombardment of Iraq over the last 2 weeks has resulted in the shocking deaths of over 1200 civilian deaths and more than 5,000 causalities.   Many have lost body parts, loved ones, their homes, and their communities. Their stories are told to us by many journalists in the field. Robert Fisk, from The Independent Newspaper, covered the Shu'ala suburb, of Baghdad, where 62 civilians lost their lives in a crowded market, March 29th. "The missile spayed hunks of metal through the crowds, mainly women and children and through the cheap walls of locals homes, amputating limbs and heads." One man told him, " I had five sons and now I have only two. One of my boys was hit in the kidneys and heart. His chest is full of shrapnel; it came through the window. Now all I can say is that I am sad that I am alive."

The slaughter of Iraqi forces by US forces have disturbed many soldiers, too. Ann Scott Tyson, a reporter from the Christian Science Monitor embedded with the 3rd infantry division,said, "Some of the soldiers have questioned whether God would 'shun them or embraced' them." Michael Phillips writing in the Wall Street Journal 4/12/03 found similar concerns among his troops. "We did what the Bible says not to do."'(Dueteronomy 5:6). Still, others have admitted feeling ditched by Bush's WMD. One officer told her directly, "We aren't going to find any WMD..." Nonetheless, the
troops have looked for justification...Many found it in the faces of Iraqi children and women and their object poverty ... they want to make a difference."  UN officials report 1.5 million people in Southern Iraq have no access to clean water. They worry that over 200,000 children are at risk of death from diarrhea. 17 million Iraqis already rely on food aid programs--which have been interrupted by the war. The UN claim hunger is wide spread now.

To expect the Iraqi people to view the Americans as "liberators" now--is to deny this reality. Arabs in the surrounding countries continue to raise their fists in rage--screaming, "GO Home..GO HOME.... They will never accept us as "liberators" either.
How people in this nation can still talk about "winning the peace" is to deny the awful pain we have inflicted upon the Iraqi people and their society. I feel, it will only be a matter of time before the harsh reality sets in...that peace does not come from the barrel of a gun.

Doris Cadigan, Natick, Massachusetts

Your site's looking great! - Steve Gillis, Boston

Good work Les, This edition looks absolutely great! - Vince Guarisco, Arizona

Upon entering this world for a few minutes yesterday I discovered that my tolerance and sensitivity to the lies and spin was far greater than it had been before I turned it all off.  My outrage and anger at this administration's behavior as well as the mindless flag waving of my fellow citizens makes me truly embarrassed to be a part of this very troubling new imperialism.  I believed we have entered an era of global-"Lord of the Flies"-tribalism, with all of the Weapons of Mass Destruction that money will buy.  The citizens of this country sit in either tacit agreement or silent depressed apathy while the "big boys" hurl boulders upon weaklings.  We cheer as the obscene wealth of one ruler is "liberated" for the impoverished while our king and his court sit in state dismissing poverty, ignorance and sickness as the moral failure of those imprisoned by it.  We claim "DEMOCRACY" as the mark of freedom and declare that the majority will not rule if they are not our friends.  We extol the benefits of our technology to save our "brave" soldiers while dismissing our obligation to offer same to those innocent humans known as collateral damage. 

We are a sick and perverse people, unwilling to listen to Piggy and those who still have both heart and brain, and soul.  I fear for the future, for my children and grandchildren...for this world.  Perhaps there will be a boat come save us from ourselves one day.  Those grown-ups who will see us for who we are - sad little children who have lost their way.  But most likely we will be left here on this island to do what we will until there are none left but the wild things.

WE need cartoons.  You cant read thru these articles without some sense of looming despair.  We need political art, and Mark Twain and the whole crew to help us keep on keeping on.... anon.

I've been waiting to say this to you over a glass of Dewars or whatnot, but since we haven't seen each other in so long, i just wanted to tell you know how incredibly impressed with the work you've been doing.  you gather some really unique and useful information, and i've come to rely on your posts as one of my main news sources.  keep it up. -George, Boston

are you still around boston?  when will i see you?

--george

Just wanted you to know what a powerful article you wrote today--should have been the lead article.  Sheila Samples, Oklahoma

Thanks so much for your digests of the news.  Truth will win over falsehood, clarity over obfuscation, light over darkness.  Keep on shining!

Hank Selby
Richmond, VA USA

I sent the Dixie Chicks on to Elaine (the one who complained to me about being on your list).  We were at a dinner party at her house last weekend and this came up and everybody was sympathetic to Maines because of that crap.  BTW, keep your spell checker on - Tom

I was just looking back thru some [Axis of Logic News & Comment] e-mail's. The one about saturation, grief/Iraqi losses and action. Sometimes, we feel so helpless and action is indeed -- good medicine. Yet, we are often stuck with our actions causing no reactions at all. This is the down side--but perhaps this is completely normal. In real life we get it both ways. Despite, the laws of physics.  Nonetheless, this whole concept brought to my mind. Something I heard about people. They say there are three kinds of people in this life.

Those who watch things happening. Those who wonder what has happened, and those who make things happen.  Yet, I feel this describes our human condition at any given time.  It seems to properly understand life We need to be observers, investigators or even leaders. Peace, Doris

These are beautiful poems. Such humanity and love in them all. Would you mind if I shared them with other people through my e-mails. - Doris

Thanks for your kind comments. My sisters and brothers are always talking about "the great laughs" we had--even though we are continents apart. Modern life is very isolating for a lot of families, today. It is too bad we have such a bully in the Whitehouse--Al Gore would have been a much kinder president. People would be happier--instead of being so anxious.

That last line about the birds and the snowdrops--tells me-- that life and hope are always waited for the right moment to show themselves!! Many Thanks--for now. Doris

Please put me on your list. A friend sent me your material, and I appreciate your valuable work. Thanks.

Best wishes,

Tina Staik

Dear Axis of Logic,

YOU'VE DONE IT! CONGRATS AND GODSPEED!  Kevin, Boston, MA

Thank you for your great inspirational work!. Ursula Cano, Illinois

Just a quick note to express appreciation for another well done roundup,
and for your work generally.

Regards,

Mark Weber

Hi there!  Thanks for the regular mailings!  Please consider adding articles
from www.marxist.com to your repertoire!

Best regards,

John P.

I am the editor of Socialist Appeal magazine here in the US (www.socialistappeal.org), and my articles appear at the In Defence of Marxism website from time to time.  I know most of the IDOM writers personally (they are based in London).  I will let people know about signing up for your list - I pass it along regularly!

Best regards,

John P.

Congratulations on truly splendid website! Will be sending people on my list to it --

Very Best! - Amy Hendrickson