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Reaction to Tsunami Deaths,
Comment by Larry Ross, January 8, 2005 John Hallam shows the comparison between Tsunami deaths and expected deaths from different types of nuclear catastrophe. These have almost happened, and could happen anytime "by accident, miscalculation, or act of madness" as President Kennedy warned at the UN in 1962. Or nuclear war could happen due to escalation of a smaller war, or a calculated pre-emptive strike, as included as a potential US action in President Bush's new nuclear strategy. Most people know this but have decided not to do anything about this threat. Although some people believe the cold war has ended, many countries are still preparing the machinery to commit terrible crimes, and make new nuclear weapons, and space weapons. There is a limitless potential of millions of deaths and many more millions of maimed, who die slow and agonising deaths. This can occur in an instant - anytime, anywhere - just like the Tsunami.. Humans have made enough nuclear weapons to kill the world's population many times over. The 8 known nuclear weapon states, led by the US, are perfecting, and adding to these preparations. Although they are told this is all for security reasons and a "deterrent to potential enemies" most people, in their hearts, know that's a lie. President Bush has deceitfully lowered the nuclear threshold so that he can use nuclear weapons in conventional warfare, that he may start himself - as in Iraq. Some leaders have endorsed his strategy, such as Tony Blair of the UK. He also, threatened to use nuclear weapons if they encountered certain types of resistance to the illegal Iraq war. Except for very large anti-war demonstrations at the time of invasion in 2003, which did little good, people have lapsed into apathy, acceptance and unconcern. Indeed, illegal war leaders such as Bush and John Howard of Australia have received endorsement for the crimes they have done, and been re- elected to do more of the same. Will people accept Tony Blair's lies, illegal war and nuclear threats and also endorse his re-election? Compare the public reactions to the Tsunami deaths and suffering, to the deaths and suffering of the 100,00+ (see LANCET study) similarly innocent men, women and children in Iraq. People and governments gave and pledged billions of dollars to relieve the suffering and rebuild the towns and cities of suffering victims. Thousands offered to work for nothing in order to help the Tsunami victims. But very few are taking any action, or spending anything at all, to stop the 100,000 horrific deaths and suffering being purposefully inflicted by President Bush, Prime Ministers Blair and Howard and others on Iraqis. Nor do they act or spend to stop the even more horrific nuclear threats.. President Bush, by his actions, demonstrates to people every day, that it is okay to kill, maim, imprison and torture innocent Iraqis. Evidence and trials are not required according Bush, so long as he defines them as a "suspect terrorists or associates". Bush waves his magic propaganda wand and makes these innocent victims different from the Tsunami innocent victims. So the majority of people are unconcerned. Some even believe him. The question is: How can people have so much sympathy for Tsunami victims, but little or none for the 100,000 + victims of Bush, Blair, Howard, and others of the 'Coalition of the Willing's' illegal war? It seems to be a dramatic demonstration of how gullible people can be, and how easily manipulated most are to war propaganda, even when they know it's an illegal unjust war. Of equal concern, but far greater potential consequences, how can people be so unconcerned about the US Coalition's threat to continue their 'killing fields' war on the Iraqi innocents, and increase it to kill new victims in other Middle East countries? The consequences can include use of nuclear weapons, and potential escalation to millions of dead. Is this all okay, or at least tolerated with minimal protest, so long as our leaders have told us it is moral to do this illegal and criminal action?. Another way to ask this is: Why is it permissible for us to deliberately kill 100,000+ innocent Iraqi victims, with more to come and endorse the killers, but the biggest public tragedy of all time if a Tsunami kills 100,000+ innocent victims? The number of deliberate potential victims from the nuclear war deaths, "by accident" or now being prepared for and included in Bush's new nuclear doctrines, is far, far greater. Remember, it has almost happened on several occasions. We all know about this, but the propaganda masters have conditioned us to accept the risks and do little or nothing to prevent such horrific consequences. Unlike a Tsunami which is an act of nature, nuclear weapons use victims are consequences that are man-made and avoidable. Yet most people take no action. There are no billions of dollars invested to prevent illegal wars, nuclear accidents or nuclear wars that can destroy humanity. Why? On the contrary, the people who are preparing such horrors are rewarded and endorsed. Why? The Tsunami shows mankind can co-operate to help the victims and minimise the effects of future Tsunamis. There is nothing, accept the propaganda masters, preventing us from co-operating to aid war victims, co-operating to stop and prevent future wars, and co-operating to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear war risks. As my contribution, I am planning a Pilgrimage lecture tour of New Zealand in April/May 2005, that will address these threats directly, and offer solutions. A positive step you can take is to help me do this peace action and make it possible. There is the possibility of doing a revised version of the Pilgrimage Tour in other countries. For the details on how you can help, see the PILGRIMAGE TO STOP A GLOBAL HIROSHIMA See more on: http://www.nuclearfree.org.nz ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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