Statement from the League of Revolutionaries for a New America on the Terrorist Attacks The tragic events of September 11 stunned and saddened people across America and much of the world. Our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones in this attack, and we grieve for those who died. Every one of those killed was someone's mother or father, or son or daughter. We condemn this attack, as we condemn all forms of terrorism, no matter its stated purpose or goal. None of those who were killed was responsible for the policies or actions of any government, and the slaughter of American workers will contribute nothing to the resolution of the terrible problems faced by the oppressed people of the world. Across the country, people are struggling with their grief, sadness and anger. There is an understandable desire by many for revenge. The Bush administration is taking advantage of this to try and rally people to support what it calls "a sustained war against terrorism." Already the Congress has passed legislation to give the president broad power to wage war, and is moving to pass legislation that would sharply curtail our civil liberties. But the real interests of the American people will not be served by war or by surrendering democracy. War will not win justice for those who died, not in the long run, and it will only invite more violence. In the long run, war will not replace the one million jobs that have been lost in America this year; it will not ease the suffering of the tens of millions of poor in our country; it will not provide health care, or education or housing for one person; indeed, it will take resources away from these things. In the end, the American people's interests will be served only by building a society that guarantees the well-being of every one of its members, and which uses its power and resources to help end the poverty and injustice that afflicts the great mass of humanity. America can be that country. But whether America becomes a force for good or evil in the world depends on the decisions we make in the days and years ahead. Americans at bottom are a decent and noble people. The compassion and generosity that most of us display at times of tragedy is proof of this. Americans think of their country as a force for good in the world - a force for democracy and freedom. And there are times and places when this is exactly what America has been. But there have been times and places when the actions of our government have resulted in oppression and poverty for millions of people. This in no way is to justify terrorism against Americans, or anyone else. But we, the people, must make it our duty to take up our true responsibility as members of society, to begin to understand the nature of our society, and the nature of the era in which we live. We have to step forward and take control of our country's destiny. Only then can we be sure that our government's policies and our country's actions will reflect the best interests of the people of America and the world. Only if the people are making the decisions can we have both peace and prosperity. We, the people, are at a crossroads, not only in the history of our country, but of the world. The events of September 11 have changed everything. On the one hand, the attacks have created an environment where the people can be mobilized around a program of war, oppression and hatred, a program that will ultimately be directed at the people of America, as well. (Bush's "war on terrorism" will really be a war on the poor.) But on the other hand, these events have created an opportunity where people can be educated about what is really causing the poverty and turmoil in the world, and be rallied around a program to end it. Many Americans have already indicated that they want peace, and that they have doubts about the course Bush is charting. Most of us, if we are not already poor, are just a paycheck away from poverty. The interests of the majority of Americans lie with the poor, not only of America, but of the whole world. This must be our guiding principle. This is so because the poor - whether in New York City or in Gaza - are forced to fight for a new kind of society. What is in essence the program of the poor - a cooperative society that provides for every member's well-being - must be America's program. We can build such a society, such a world, because technology has given us the abundance to do so. Every human being can have the necessities of life. Every nation can prosper. We can reach out to the world in peace, and use our resources to help end poverty everywhere, forever. If we use the interests of the poor as our guide, we can truly be a force for freedom and democracy in the world. It's up to us. Speakers are available on this statement. To book speakers, or for more information on the League of Revolutionaries for a New America, call toll-free at 1-800-691-6888, e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED], or visit our web site at http://www.lrna.org. ------------------------ Yahoo! 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