Act now

I won't even bother you with the usual preamble. I've rushed the following letter to all of my elected officials this morning, and urge you to do the same. We're in real danger, kids, placed there by our own government. Feel free to cut and paste.

Senator/Representative ____________,

I was deeply disturbed to read this morning (http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/18834.html) that, barely moments after Congress has begun it's recess, the Vice President is once again advocating military action against Iran. Good God, Sir, this is insanity.

It is bad enough that this saber-rattling is taking place with essentially no specific, compelling evidence against Tehran that would warrant such an escalation of hostility. Sounds a lot like the paper-thin rationale for another ill-fated invasion, based on demonstrable exaggerations and outright lies.

But, in addition, this irresponsible warmongering is occurring at a time during which:

1) Reliable military intelligence reports indicate that Iranian interference in Iraq is but one of many minor influences on the escalating violence. Why, just a few weeks ago, this Administration was trying to convince us that al Qaeda (the branch that didn't attack the U.S.) was our biggest threat - why should we believe these same serial liars now?

2) The United States itself has been forced to admit the inexplicable "loss" - LOSS - of almost 200,000 weapons in-country, and has also recently run a program of arming Sunni militants that "promised" to fight only al Qaeda on our behalf (yeah, right). Both of these situations are a far greater threat to the lives of our troops than anything Tehran has done or is doing.

3) Newsweek has just published a report indicating that an overwhelming percentage of suicide bombers in Iraq come from Saudi Arabia (home to "15 of the 19;" birthplace of Osama bin Laden; breeding ground of jihadist schools and radical Islam; and with whom, I might add, George Bush has just closed a $20 billion arms deal). Afghanistan is rapidly dissolving once again into a Taliban stronghold, thanks to the President's abandonment of our quasi-defensable mission there. Al Qaeda (the one that actually attacked us) has regrouped and regained its former strength, unharassed and untouched in Pakistan. And Iran is the "imminent threat" that must be addressed by pre-emptive invasion?!

Recess or no recess, we "little people" rely on our elected representatives to act in defense of our interests, our safety, our democracy - and just basic common sense. The Vice President, and others like him who are recklessly calling for the unprovoked invasion of yet another sovereign nation with no verifiable proof, must be loudly and immediately denounced for the delusional fanatics they are.

What, Sir, are you going to do about it?

It would be nice to believe, as I'd guess most Americans do, that Congress will exercise its Constitutional powers to impede any further military belligerence, insisting (as it should) on irrefutable proof, open debate, and basic oversight before allowing another vanity war.

But guess what, gang? In early March, this Congress already signed away that absolutely essential level of control. That horse has already left the barn. The only avenue left to this still-complicit bunch of legislative fools is a loud, public expression of outrage should this Administration push forward with its most maniacal plan yet.

At least we must hold them to that.

I constantly try these days to reassure myself that all is not lost. I'm not so sure any more. Maybe the "End Times" really are upon us - and the big joke is that we'll have brought them upon ourselves.

As anyone who knows me will tell you, I have an annoying obsession with being "right" all the time. This is one instance, however, where I truly hope my gloomy outlook is dead wrong.