Sanity Invades Washington - More Politicians Resign

by Jim Moore

03/31/2003

Several weeks ago this writer brought you the unexpected news of the resignation of Mr. Jack Walters, Chairman of the Boone County Republican Central Committee, in Columbia, Missouri. This would be no big deal, except for his reason.

According to the letter he sent to the Committee, Mr. Walters resigned because he realized that the administration's foreign policy was terribly wrong and dangerous; and he also had become painfully aware of the threat to America that the errant policy was causing, and would continue to cause.
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Mr. Walters agreed to have his letter printed in the local newspaper because he felt that every loyal American deserved to know why an important politician in President Bush's own party felt that he could no longer, in good conscience, chair Missouri's GOP.
Walters's letter of resignation apparently opened the door of discontent and more government officials stepped through it 

Three weeks before the war began, John Brady Kiesling of the U.S. Foreign Service tendered his own letter of resignation, which included these words: "The policies we are now asked to advance are incompatible not only with American values but also with American interests. Our fervent pursuit of war with Iraq is driving us to squander the international legitimacy that has been America's most potent weapon of both offense and defense since the days of Woodrow Wilson."

But now, another letter of resignation, just made public, was even more revealing. This one was written by Mr. John Brown--also with the U.S. Foreign Service-- and although they had never met, Kiesling's letter had made a strong impression on Brown.

Essentially echoing Keisling's sentiments, Brown wrote pointedly about the two main reasons he was resigning.

First, he believed that, even after months of weak rationalizations, President Bush had failed to convince the American people, and the world, that massive force should be used against Iraq, especially at this time. 

And second, that he felt an obligation as an American to speak out against the president's failure to justify a questionable policy.

What had caught Brown's attention was a New York Times article headlined, "Bush Aides Set Strategy to Sell Policy on Iraq." And when he read what Andrew Card, White House chief of staff, said in the article, his curiosity turned to disgust. 

Card wrote that they had waited until after Labor Day to kick off the campaign to convince the public that war with Iraq was necessary. 

Why after Labor Day? Because, said Card, "from a marketing point of view you don't introduce new products in August."

That I'm sure would sound like a logical rationale to an advertising man, but to John Brown of the U.S. Foreign Service, the idea of introducing war as a product to be sold, was appalling. 

It was also the final straw. He immediately sent off his letter of resignation to the secretary of state, with a copy to the media.

Here's what the letter said:


Dear Mr. Secretary:


I am joining my colleague John Brady Kiesling in submitting my resignation from the Foreign Service (effective immediately) because I cannot in good conscience support President Bush's war plans for Iraq.


The president has failed:

(l) to explain clearly why our brave men and women in uniform should be ready to sacrifice their lives in a war with Iraq at this time.


(2) to lay out the full ramifications of this war, including the extent of innocent civilian casualties.


(3) to specify the economic costs of the war for ordinary Americans.


(4) to clarify how the war would help rid the world of terror.


(5) to take international public opinion against the war into serious consideration

Throughout the globe the United States is becoming associated with the unjustified used of force. The president's disregard for views in other nations, borne out by his neglect for public diplomacy, is giving birth to an anti-American century.

I joined the Foreign Service because I love our country. Respectfully, Mr. Secretary, I am now bringing this calling to a close, with a heavy heart but for the same reason that I embraced it,

* * * * *


War in Iraq has become a reality since John Brown's letter was sent to the secretary of state. But its content, though after the fact, reflects the courage of men who place their moral integrity above the questionable agendas of their leaders.

Jim Moore
Jmoore1819@aol.com