[Liza Featherstone]

One question I had about this statement is, is it kind of dreamy to speak of
supporting "efforts by the Iraqi opposition to create a democratic,
multiethnic and multireligious Iraq." I mean, are any of the many and
divided elements of the Iraqi opposition actually trying to do that in any
meaningful way? In other words, if I sign this statement will I look like a
naive sucker, and contribute to a mass disinformation campaign? Or is this
statement a worthy, succinct, commendably broad message? Interested to hear
what people think.

Liza


> From: Doug Henwood <dhenwood at panix.com>
> Reply-To: lbo-talk at lists.panix.com
> Date: Sat, 22 Feb 2003 18:46:15 -0500
> To: lbo-talk <lbo-talk at lists.panix.com>
> Subject: Fwd:
> 
>> Dear Friends:
>> 
>> Like all of you, we are deeply concerned about the prospects of war
>> in Iraq. Especially with mounting popular opposition to that war, we
>> thought there might be special value at this point in a very simple
>> statement from American intellectuals (academics and nonacademics)
>> also declaring their opposition. Our hope is to get something into
>> the NYT quickly, during the week of Feb. 24, signed by as large and
>> ideologically diverse a group as we can put together between now and
>> then. Just to be clear: we don't mean anything fancy or specialized
>> by "intellectuals": if you feel comfortable signing on, then please
>> do.
>> 
>> 
>> In its entirety, our proposed statement reads:
>> 
>> 
>> Against the War
>> 
>> Our government is proposing a war against Iraq in the name of
>> American national security. But no compelling evidence has been
>> offered of an imminent threat to our security that would justify the
>> use of military force. A war with Iraq will be a war of choice, not
>> necessity. We condemn the Iraqi regime for its gross and persistent
>> violations of the human rights of the Iraqi and Kurdish peoples, and
>> support efforts by the Iraqi opposition to create a democratic,
>> multiethnic and multireligious Iraq. But we believe that the
>> decision to wage war at this time is morally unacceptable, and urge
>> our government not to make it.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> We have raised the money (now around $55,000) to pay for it from
>> some 40 people -- including Robert Reich, Walter Gilbert, Louise
>> Trubek, David Trubek, Cal Bedient, Chuck Sabel, Elaine Scarry, Sam
>> Bowles, Fran Piven, Bruce Ackerman, Susanna Kaysen, Michael Piore
>> Bob Berwick, Seyla Benhabib, Mark Levinson, Adam Hochschild, Jorie
>> Graham, Peter Sacks, Dan Luria, Richard Falk, Martha Nussbaum, Susan
>> Okin, Nancy Kanwisher, and Jenny Mansbridge. What we need now is
>> your name and affiliation. If you are willing to provide them,
>> please go to:
>> 
>> 
>> http://cows.ctsg.com/
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> And then PLEASE forward this message to anyone you think might be
>> willing to sign it, and to any lists of people who would likely be
>> interested. We want to get all the signatures by Monday at 5:00.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Many thanks,
>> 
>> 
>> Joshua Cohen
>> Goldberg Professor of Humanities, MIT; editor Boston Review
>> 
>> Joel Rogers
>> MacArthur Professor of Law, Political Science, and Sociology,
>> University of Wisconsin
>