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Stand Up and Be Counted!
By Denise Canora, Granby
I have recently read that the symbol of Uncle Sam is not representative of respect throughout the world. This may be explained by something I witnessed while driving in East Granby after the outbreak of "war."
I had chosen to acknowledge my dismay and sense of helplessness for America and Iraq by having a communal breaking of bread. With six loaves of homemade bread (maple syrup, carrots, pineapples, raisins and nuts), I visited with friends, merchants, town hall and the media. With bread in hand I denoted the ominous moment in time: "Women of the world bake bread, but Iraqi women are not baking bread today; they and their families are praying to survive the onslaught of America’s military might. Pray that all involved survive to see another day."
On my somber mission, I witnessed an example of that which has sent us to war, and saw Uncle Sam as he stumbled. There was a rear axle of a car (with differential and brake housing), a battery, and the tailgate of a truck scattered about in the middle of the road. Americans were driving on by—let the other person worry about it, I suppose? I was incredulous that I, a woman of slight build, would have to drag these pieces of steel out of the road. It was the old adage, "Every man for himself," I guess. If someone gets killed, that’s their problem? I turned my car around and moved the debris aside before it did kill someone. I might have saved a life.
We all might have saved lives if we had all voted, had all addressed the Congress when war plans were first considered, had all been involved, informed and attentive to the questionable enterprises of our elected officials. I myself am guilty, for I did not voice my opinion in all instances when it could have counted.
Our children’s children’s children and the whole of the future are depending on our actions to change unsound U.S. policies. From UN family planning to Iraq to global warming, there is no foresight involved in our government's response to the problems of the world. Through the Internet and progressive media we now have the tools we need to address these injustices. Per Iraq, there is a rally in Boston on Saturday, March 29; other rallies are also taking place, such as in Hartford. For more info visit <www.unitedforpeace.org>.
Stand up and be counted … get the trash out of the road … Uncle Sam will say it's a job well done.
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