March 21, 2003
The importance of dissent
I highly recommend that you get the April edition of Harper's magazine. Editor Lewis Lapham, one of our most articulate citizens, writes "Ten Questions for the Bush Regime." It provides an extremely insightful critique of the war. He begins with a quote from Archibald MacLeish: "The dissenter is every human being at those moments of his life when he resigns momentarily from the herd and thinks for himself."
Lapham says, "MacLeish, former head of the ministry of propaganda during World War II, knew that 'dissent seldom walks on stage to the sound of warm and welcoming applause.'" How right he is. Just ask Tom Daschle, who suddenly found his voice when he stated the obvious by saying the Bush administration blew it diplomatically and has, therefore, placed our troops, our nation's reputation, and innocent civilians in danger.
I have been encouraged with the outpouring of e-mail from all of you in response to my request that you let us know what you think about this war. We will begin publishing soon.
Here is an idea. If Saddam is dead, why not stop the war and find out? If he is, ask for peace. Too sensible? Perhaps, but why not try something other than bombs. Even the "discredited" U.N. could help.
Also we strongly advise going to our links button and checking out TomPaine.com for some very good reading on the war.
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