A Few Words from Hollis

The Connection Between the Iraq War and NOT Living Green

My family and I joined about 750 fellow peaceniks this past weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah to rally against the U.S. war and occupation of Iraq. Almost one fifth of the protesters came from Idaho Falls, Boise, and Hailey. The Idaho Falls group was primarily composed of our local Drinking Liberally chapter and the Snake River Freedom Coalition, who, I am proud to say, got behind this movement in a big way. I am so proud of my fellow Idahoans for showing up and taking a stand for peace!

We gathered at the Utah State Capitol building and from there joined other lively and loud marchers down Salt Lake City's State Street to the rally at City Hall where various speakers (including war veterans), passionately and powerfully affirmed their patriotism in stark opposition to the unconstitutional aggressive war policies of the Bush administration. Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson gave the concluding speech: an indictment of news media dereliction, presidential malfeasance, and public apathy.

Speaking of public apathy, I've been asking myself the question (actually for 4 years!) "So, what is this war really about? Is it coincidence that this particular area of our planet has one of the largest crude oil reserves? Former Federal Reserve Board chief Alan Greenspan hit the nail on the head, me thinks, in his new book, The Age of Turbulence: Adventures in a New World: "I am saddened that it is politically inconvenient to acknowledge what everyone knows: the Iraq war is largely about oil."

So what does this have to do with public apathy you ask? A lot! How does my lifestyle and yours contribute to war? The energy gluttony of the American people and the corporate greed of the oil companies who provide the oil to quench our never-ending thirst for the black stuff, are largely responsible for the invasion of Iraq.

Most American are waiting for the magic bullet, the right hybrid car, or bio fuel – any technological solution that will save us from ourselves and our own over-consumption. Maybe we should, instead, look at ways we can offset the oil we get from the Middle East. Perhaps if everyone would slow down and ride a bike whenever possible, turn down our heat and air-conditioning, recycle, air-dry our laundry, stop eating meat, etc. we could offset the oil we get from the Middle East. New bio-fuels and technologies get most of the press, but the fact that individuals can make a difference doesn't get much.

And while the Bush administration would have us believe that the war was/is about weapons of mass destruction, liberating the Iraqi people, fighting terror in defense of our way of life and promoting democracy, most of us -- at least in hindsight -- can see that those are excuses at best and outright lies at worst.

As Americans, taking a stand to make ourselves energy efficient and independent should be our top priority. And not only because of the real threat of global warming, but because, if we value peace, we are duty-bound to do so.

Isn't it interesting that conservatives ridicule energy efficiency and independence as something only liberals, tree-huggers and sissies believe is necessary and possible?. My response is this: living green is not some weak-minded, new age way of being on the planet. And it is definitely NOT for sissies! It is a tough-minded and patriotic thing to do. And if you do it right it isn't easy, either. I, for one, have had enough of this Bush-Cheney nonsense that conservation, energy efficiency and environmentalism are some "hobby" we can't afford. And I'm not going to take it any longer!

If we as Americans are not outraged by this war, we are not thinking. I can't think of anything more cowardly or un-American than to continue to support this war and disregard our own personal responsibility for living a greener life. Real patriots, real activists and real advocates of spreading democracy around the world live green!

Oh, and one last thing. Having been raised in a very devout, Mormon household (I no longer practice that religion) my favorite peace sign this weekend was: "If you support Bush's war, you are NO disciple of Christ!" Perhaps something the Bush administration and the Christian right, who continue to support this immoral war, should take to heart!
Salt Lake City Peace March (YouTube)