Thanks, Fernando. I hope that people realize there is far more opposition to what's going on here than what is openly stated. That's the scary thing: that we are scared to speak out. Who would have thought that such a reversal of the American ideal of free speech could have come about so quickly?

Don't expect to hear a lot of others join in on this, nor do I wish to spend any more of my time arguing in circles over the matter, but for the record you know where I stand. Signing the http://www.moveon.org/emergency/ petition is easy, and again I strongly encourage others to do the same, and please spread the word. This is not my personal initiative, it's something I heard about from a friend who passed it on to me this morning. As far as I can tell, it's totally legitimate, non-commercially, and cleanly implemented. The letter they propose sending to the UN tomorrow reads as follows:

THE PETITION LETTER

TO: The Members of the U.N. Security Council
SUBJECT: Tough Inspections, Not War
__________
Dear Member of the U.N. Security Council,

We are citizens from countries all over the world. We are speaking together because we will all be affected by a decision in which your country has a major part -- the decision of how to disarm Iraq.

The first reason for its existence listed in the Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations is "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind." If your country supports a Security Council resolution that would authorize a war on Iraq, you will directly contradict that charter. You will be supporting an unnecessary war -- a war which immediately, and in its unknown consequences, could bring "untold sorrow to mankind" once again.

The U.N. was created to enable peaceful alternatives to conflict. The weapons inspections under way are a perfect example of just such an alternative, and their growing success is a testament to the potential power the U.N. holds. By supporting tough inspections instead of war, you can show the world a real way to resolve conflict without bloodshed. But if you back a war, it will undermine the very premise upon which the U.N. was built.

President Bush argues that only by endorsing a war on Iraq can the United Nations prove its relevance. We argue the opposite. If the Security Council allows itself to be completely swayed by one member nation, in the face of viable alternatives, common sense and world public opinion, then it will be diminished in its role, effectiveness, and in the opinion of humankind.

We do not support this war. For billions of citizens in hundreds of countries, and for the future generations whose lives will be shaped by the choice you make, we ask that you stand firm against the pressuring of the Bush Administration, and support tough inspections for Iraq. The eyes of the world are on you.

Sincerely,
[Number] citizens of the world.


>My applause to you Mike!
>
>Your positioning and this initiative shows to many blind folks that they shouldn't blame and/or insult people of any given country. What I mean? I can't judge the french by their president in the same way I can't judge the americans by their president.
>
>Offenses just serve to the dark purposes of some governants.
>
>Fernando