San Diegans have a special duty to protest this illegal and immoral occupation

Written by: Martha Sullivan on Feb 16, 2007 11:03 AM EST

Linked to groups: San Diego for Democracy

I really doubt the SD Union Tribune will publish this but we'll see:

Dear Editor,

Apparently Thomas Carmody would prefer protesters to go to Washington, DC to

protest the war and leave San Diego out of it, so as not to tax the local

police force.

I, too, would like to recognize the local police for their ability to calmly

patrol the protests and enable their fellow citizens to engage in their

First Amendment privileges.

I would also like to remind Mr. Carmody that this war is a force that gives

the San Diego region meaning. San Diego plays a very important role in

making this war possible, and benefits greatly from the defense money for

which this region sells its soul and its youth.

Here are but a few examples:

The San Diego region is home to the Marines, the Navy SEALS and the

Airforce, all of which pour money into the local economy and whose presence

in the civilian population makes this region a sitting duck for attacks.

Some of the most horrific war crimes of this conflict have been committed by

Camp Pendelton Marines. Several Navy Seals have also been implicated in

abuse.

San Diego-based Titan Corporation sent hundreds of interpreters to Iraq,

thus facilitating the war and the occupation. Several of these interpreters

also helped facilitate the abuses of Abu Ghraib.

San Diego-based SAIC scooped up numerous non-bid and bid contracts for Iraq,

including the production of American propaganda and the planting of false

stories in the Iraqi media.

Our congressional representatives have worked hard to funnel DOD money to

local contractors, thus further greasing the war machine and their own

careers.

Military recruiters recruit heavily in the barrio and other disadvantaged

neighborhoods, thus ensuring frontline fodder. Over 15% of the official

casualties come from California.

According to National Priorities.org, the war in Iraq is costing San Diego

alone, $1,700,000 and  San Diego County is contributing $3,900,000,000. You

and I have already paid $1,275 each. That is alot in a region whose police

are underpaid and overworked. It is a staggering amount when you consider

the fact that California schools rank near the bottom of the schools in the

nation, and San Diego schools are near the bottom of that, Little wonder

then, the recruiters look for and find new recruits who have few

opportunities before them.

Yes, war is a many-splendored thing, made possible, in large part by a

region that feeds and feeds on the war machine: San Diego.

Which is precisely why the protests are here. Washington may command, but

the San Diego region answers the call to the tune of thousands of dollars,

war crimes and war dead.

And that, Mr, Carmody, is the price we all pay.

Rebecca Romani

Golden Hill

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