ARMISTICE DAY-ltr to blumenauer

Dear Congressman Blumenauer, 11/11/08

This is a good day to write and tell you how proud I am that you played a part in the election of Senator Obama. This is also a day to remind you that we, Individuals for Justice, remain outside your office every Thursday at high noon to demand that the Bush administration be held accountable for their many crimes against our Constitution. We will remain until January 20th, the day Bush leaves the White House, or you call for impeachment.

I will send copies of this letter to all the Oregon delegation and to Sen. Obama because they also play a role in determining what our new image to the world will be; time for talking is over, time for action is at hand.

As a veteran, (USN-1962-71) I was appalled that President Bush turned his speech on this day to more cheering for wars. The original intent of November 11th was to celebrate the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front in 1918.

On November 11, 1919 President Wilson proclaimed: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

We, you and I must restate what President Wilson was saying, America is a nation of peace and justice. President Bush has violated this and every noble idea that has been our history.

We will watch what you do in the coming years, support and watch your back when we can, however in very clear and loud language we will tell you when you are wrong!

There is a question I would like to ask all of you:

If you saw a child being beaten by an adult, and people were screaming for help, would you intervene or turn your head and walk away? Now you see that the adult is pouring gas on the child, would you now stop this madness?

Multiply this scene by 1,000,000 children and you have what WE have done to Iraq. When will you stand up and say enough! Saying you oppose the war is not enough, it is like standing across the street from the burning child and saying, “I have always opposed burning children.”

Joe Walsh-lone vet----Proud member of Individuals for Justice
Portland, Oregon