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Nevada 1st
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STATEMENT BY LANE STARTIN, 2002 GREEN CANDIDATE FOR
US HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, NEVADA 1ST DISTRICT, ON THE ATTACKS
OF 11 SEPTEMBER 2001
16 November 2001
I initially did not plan on
issuing a statement on the 11 September attacks and the war in Afghanistan
until later in the campaign. I have discussed my stances on the resulting
issues with Nevada Greens in the past weeks and felt that was sufficient for
the time being. However, given the recent activity in Afghanistan and in the
Green Party, I feel as a candidate it is necessary to make my positions known
sooner than later.
I am compelled to
respectfully disagree with the pacifist line of the Green Party of the United
States with regard to Afghanistan. The horrific events of 11 September 2001 in
New York City, Washington DC and the abortive hijacking that ended in disaster
outside of Pittsburgh represent the most catastrophic attacks against the United
States on the North American mainland since the War of 1812. Further, I believe
the Taliban-controlled Afghani government and Osama bin Laden’s al Qaeda
network were behind the attacks. I therefore believe a response in kind is
appropriate; I cannot with a clear conscience justify doing otherwise.
Although I have
reservations about the broad-based language of the resolution, had I been in
the US House of Representatives to do so I would have voted in favor of House Joint
Resolution 64 authorizing the use of military force pursuant to the War Powers
Act of 1973. To not do so would be effectively doing nothing when action is called
for, not to mention be a terrible disservice to the wishes of the Nevada 1st
Congressional District. It would have not been an easy vote for me but it would
have been a necessary one.
However, I stand proudly
with my fellow Greens in opposing the erosion of civil liberties at home that
have been perpetrated on us using Afghanistan as an excuse. In the House, I
would have opposed the so-called “Patriot Act,” which unconstitutionally extends
the surveillance power of law enforcement. I also condemn the apparent 1
November detainment of Greens/Green Party USA activist Nancy Oden as a
suspected terrorist at a Maine airport, even if she is part of the “other”
Green organization. While increased and better quality airport security is an
obvious need in today’s climate, there is no justification in clamping down on
civil liberties in the name of “security.”
As of this writing it
appears the Taliban is days – perhaps hours – away from collapse. Although the
Northern Alliance is not the answer by themselves, it is my fervent hope that
this war ends very soon and that the Afghan people finally get the inclusive, peaceful
government they so much deserve but has eluded them for over a generation now.
It is also my hope the Bush administration chooses not to escalate this
conflict outside Afghanistan; nothing is served by further destabilizing
Central Asia and the Middle East.
This is not to say we are
entirely blameless in this most unfortunate turn of events. Clearly, the time
has come for us to rethink the policies that are at least in part the cause of
anti-American terrorism. We can’t change the minds of the tiny minority of
ignorant fanatics, but we can change ourselves for the better. Here are three
ways how:
We don’t have to choose
between being pro-Israel and pro-Arab. We can be both. Although radicals on both sides won’t like it, we
should aggressively pursue a foreign policy in the Middle East that is both.
Israel has the right to exist as an independent state, period. So does Lebanon,
Syria, Jordan, Egypt and, yes, Palestine. Of course the ultimate outcome of
that conflict will (and should) be decided locally. We should do what we can to
ensure cooler heads finally prevail.
Oil isn’t the answer. There is no need whatsoever for us to be chained to
foreign oil – and the often despotic regimes that control it. Instead, we should
augment oil consumption with the accelerated introduction of alternative energy
sources. It’s not only good for the environment, it’s good for consumers, good
for business and good for America. In fact, we will soon find we don’t have a
choice. The plain truth is we don’t have even close to enough oil on to be
self-sufficient, even if we do commit a dreadful ecological blunder and drill
in Alaska. Let’s get serious about alternative energy sources now before grim
reality forces us to do it later.
Sanctions aren’t the
answer, either. If we’re really
serious about abetting the long-overdue demise of the Saddam Hussein regime in
Iraq, why are we propping him up indefinitely by not only helping to starve his
people, but also giving him a convenient bogeyman to blame for it? Fidel Castro
has been playing this exact same us-versus-them game in Cuba for over 40 years
now, why assume Saddam will be any different? Even decades of sanctions against
South Africa would have been for naught had F.W. de Klerk not had the sense to
free Nelson Mandela and end apartheid on his own. Think Saddam or Castro are as
noble as de Klerk? I don’t either. We need to stop kidding ourselves and admit
economic sanctions worldwide are a total failure.
Like all Americans, there
is a void in my life since the attacks. The senseless loss of innocent life on
all sides saddens me deeply. I pray for a quick end to the war, the return home
of all allied troops, and a peaceful and lasting political solution in
Afghanistan and the region as a whole.
Authorized by the Lane Startin for Congress Committee, Amber J.
Schneiter, Treasurer
PO Box 33761
Las Vegas, NV 89133-3761
(702) 658-2789
Last update: 16 November 2001