The Cost of Speaking Out on Iraq

 

		Hi, The events of last week demonstrate to all of us that we still have miles to go to win the struggle to force a new direction for our policy in Iraq. Unfortunately, at a time when direct talk is so vital, there is still an effort to marginalize those who speak out against the policy of the Bush White House and the GOP. Join MoveOn's effort to support a brave career military man who provides one of the most credible and courageous of those voices. A few weeks ago, the very effective grassroots veterans organization VoteVets released a series of ads featuring retired military leaders speaking out about the broken policy in Iraq. One of them, General John Batiste, spoke forcefully about Bush's "failed strategy that is breaking our great Army." The price of speaking out? General Batiste was fired from his job at CBS. Now, there are other retired military members voicing support for the policy of George Bush, and none of them have been fired for it. This is another in a long line of attempts to make speaking out costly to those who do it, from the Dixie Chicks being pulled from radio play lists to the savage attacks on Jack Murtha -- the smear of Matt Dowd after he spoke out against his old boss -- or the way in which retired military leaders who dared call for Don Rumsfeld's resignation were dismissed and even attacked as disloyal, painted as threats to civilian control of the armed forces. That is cheap and it is shameful. At a time when the administration cannot let go of the myths and outright lies it broadcast in the rush to war in Iraq, those who know better must speak out. I know from experience how hard it can be to speak out against a war when there are many powerful forces trying to silence you. But I also know how important speaking out can be -- especially when it comes from those who know what it means to wear the uniform of our country. We need more truth about Iraq, not silenced voices. So join our friends at MoveOn.org in calling for the reinstatement of General John Batiste. If we stand together and speak with many strong voices, all calling for a new direction in Iraq, we will bring change. Sincerely, John Kerry Paid for by John Kerry for Senate.

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