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Danielle Rizzi in New Jersey Herald, March 3, 2008 |
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Editor: The Berkley (Calif.) City Council made a courageous decisiion to stand up for peace and oppose the war in Iraq, representing the will of their community. This is not about protesting the Marines themselves, but the machine that recruits our youth and sends them off to fight in an illegal and immoral war in Iraq. Veterans returning from Iraq are far more likely than the civilian population to become homeless, commit suicide, or other violent acts and have long term physical and/or mental health problems. With all this in mind, who can blame Berkeley residents for trying to keep their kids safe? The best way to support our troops is to bring them home from Iraq and take care of them when they return - with fully funded education, health care and other benefits. This campaign is about challenging and restricting military recruiting as a tactic to ending the war in Iraq. This is not about being against the military. We support our trooops and keeping them out of harm's way, and we especially support those brave soldiers who are refusing to fight in an illegal war. As a young woman, and a peace activist, I take it personally when people claim I don't support the troops. My love is so great that I will not sit idly while our soldiers die in an unjustified war; that I will do everything in my power in my community to bring them back to the loving arms of their families and secure funding for their health care upon their return. A ribbon bumper sticker and waving a flag aren't enough for me. Danielle Rizzi |
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