The Full-page Ad from the Wall Street Journal, Monday, January 13, 2003
[Note: The Wall Street Journal is the largest circulation newspaper in the
United States]
A Republican Dissent on Iraq.
To President Bush, his advisors and the American People:
Let’s be clear: We supported the Gulf War.
We supported our intervention in Afghanistan.
We accept the logic of a just war.
But Mr. President, your war on Iraq does not pass the test. It is not a just
war.
The candidate we supported in 2000 promised a more humble nation in our
dealings with the world. We gave him our votes and our campaign contributions.
That candidate was you. We feel betrayed. We want our money back. We want our
country back.
War is the most extreme action a society can take. It can only be unleashed
after exploring every other road. You have not explored all the roads.
How many young American lives will be lost in this dubious war? How many more
innocent Iraqis will be killed and maimed and made homeless? Haven’t they
suffered enough, after two decades of terrible wars and sanctions?
Among the one billion Muslims in the world there is now a steady trickle of
recruits going to Al Qaeda. You will turn the trickle into a torrent. A billion
bitter enemies will rise out of this war.
And out of war may rise an Iraqi regime every bit as brutish as the present
one. What will you do then? Our jaws drop when we read that you may decide we
have to occupy Iraq for years, that the next ruler of Iraq may be…an American
general! Is there anyone who thinks that will work? Your odds of success are
infinitesimal!
The world wants Saddam Hussein disarmed. But you must find a better way to do
it. Why would you lead us into a situation where we are bound to fail? You
cannot keep proclaiming peace while preparing for war. You are waltzing
blindfolded into what may well be a catastrophe. Pride goeth before a fall.
Show the humility and compassion that led us to elect you.
"A BILLION BITTER ENEMIES WILL RISE OUT OF THIS WAR."
War with Iraq is not inevitable. Now is the time to stop it. Speak out at your
place of worship, at your business, among your friends and relatives. Make your
convictions known to your Mayor and Governor and—above all—to your elected
leaders in Washington.
The following are listed as signers:
* Edward H. Hamm, Republican Regent, former Chairman, The Northland Company
* Richard S. Johnson, Founder, former CEO, Hotjobs.com
* Barbara Lifflander, President, Hastings Art Ltd.
* Huyler C. Held, Esq.
* John C. Haas, Rohm & Haas (Ret.)
* Howard S. Brembeck, Founder, CTB Inc., Chairman, Fourth Freedom Forum
* Betty B. Blauner
* Peter A. Benoliel, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Quaker Chemical
Corporation
* Vice Admiral (ret.) John J. Shanahan
* Chris Berghoff
* Starr Tomczak, Attorney
* George Zeo, Psy. D.
* Professor Jeffrey G. Barlow, Ph.D.
* Linda and Larry Black, Owners, College Park Bicycles, Inc. and Mt. Airy
Bicycles, Inc.
* Albert Lowe
* Roger Mumford, President, Matzel and Mumford Org.
* Martin Resick, Chapter President, World Federalist Assn., Pittsburgh, PA
* Paul Hally, Esq.
* Elizabeth Viering
* Peter B. Viering, Atty.
* Brenda Ungerland, M.A., LifePath
* Brooks Jealous
* Nancy F. Puls
* Pamela Davis
* Frank K. Martin, CFA, Managing Partner, Martin Capital Management, LLP
Affiliations for identification only.
It has a clip-out donation form, giving the address as:
BUSINESS LEADERS FOR SENSIBLE PRIORITIES
P.O. Box 1976 Old Chelsea Station
New York, NY 10113
Enclosed is my tax-deductible contribution of $_______. Please use it to help
prevent a potentially disastrous war in Iraq.
TrueMajority.com
TrueMajority is a partner in Win Without War.
