[Platform] A platform issue we really need fixed very soon

[Yarden]

John,

You are completely correct in wishing for a foreign policy statement in 
the platform of the GPUS,
that takes into full consideration the destructive potential of the U. 
S.

As usual, comparisons weaken arguments, by diverting attention from the 
obvious to the questionable discussions of greater probability of 
future events, or the probable outcome of ongoing behaviors.

Wish platforms are idle ones; and this is especially true of platform 
statements concerning foreign policy that are then controverted by 
GPUS, or by national candidate platforms.

E. g. to ask
> Does the GP residing in the heart of a murderous and wasteful
> military empire not have special obligations?
is to ask a question with an easy answer, and you give it;
> I think we do.
And then weaken it by saying
> Nuclear winter is in fact as great a threat, at least, as global
> warming.
which invites a discussion about risk, by introducing a measure where 
none belongs.

On Sunday, December 16, 2007, at 09:12  AM, John Walsh wrote:

> I had not looked at the second of these two links before.
> The statements seem pretty weak in style - certainly not
> inspirational.  They sound like they came out of the mouth of a
> bureaucrat.
>
> And in content also some of them are pretty weak.  On foreign policy,
> there is no direct mention of the war on Iraq or other planned wars -
> Iran.
> One would never conclude from the foreign policy statements that the
> GP of the US is not simply one more GP - like that of France or
> Germany.  But we ARE different.  We are an empire of military bases -
> with 757 overseas (that we know of), some of them the size of small
> cities, and 969 in the continental US, virtually every one designed
> to "project" power.
> Does the GP residing in the heart of a murderous and wasteful
> military empire not have special obligations?  I think we do.
> Nuclear winter is in fact as great a threat, at least, as global
> warming.
Then comes the wish list:
> What about abolishing the CIA?  I am for it.

> What about ridding ourselves of all overseas bases?  I am for it.
And then comes the argument in favor of including your two wishes by
calling attention to their fraudulence, namely,
> If Ron Paul and the Libertarians can take these positions, why can't 
> we?
Are you serious!

> And what about our liberties - should these not be addressed in a
> strong and straightforward way.
Not only is this accurate and doable in a state platform, but 
meaningful.  I. e., we here in Massachusetts can act upon it.   It can 
be a part of a legislative program.  The citizens of Massachusetts, 
decided along time ago to protect our liberties, and we have the tools 
to do it,
These same people, however misguidedly or selfishly, put foreign policy 
in the hands of a federal system from which we have a few protections 
other than declarations.  It remain to us to discover them.  But you 
take the trouble to 1) introduce a questionable academic discussion,
> They are under more assault than  ever before.
Now, let me think about WW II, or maybe .   .   . (What about slavery?)
And having done that, take the trouble to reassure me that,
> Man does not live by bread alone - far from it.

> So my feeling is that some of these statements are pretty thin
> gruel.  They need work.  I am willing to help if you would like.
> john walsh
I do not know about anyone else, but I would like you to help.  You 
could begin by assuming responsibility for your utterances, instead of 
making me follow you around trying to prevent you from shooting 
yourself in the foot.  With a cap pistol.
Peace,
Mother Elie



> On Dec 15, 2007, at 11:18 PM, Jamie O'Keefe wrote:
>
>> The membership/tech/comcom joint meeting was talking about the website
>> and concluded that the web site's Learn More page
>> (http://green-rainbow.org/learnmore.html) needs serious improvement in
>> what it presents as our policies and positions.  It would be very good
>> to finish the Green-Rainbow Party Agenda
>> (http://green-rainbow.org/Documents/Platform) as the anchor for such a
>> platform/issue summary page.  Later we can add more details,
>> especially how they refer to local policies.
>>
>> thanks!
>>
>> Jamie
>> _______________________________________________
>> Platform mailing list
>> Platform at green-rainbow.org
>> http://www.green-rainbow.org/mailman/listinfo/platform
>>
>
> John V. Walsh, MD
> Professor of Physiology
> University of Massachusetts Medical School
> 508-856-3360 (Office)
> 508-868-1653 (Cell)
> john.walsh at umassmed.edu
>
>
>
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