Mayor Dellums letter to Port Action

CITY OF OAKLAND

1 FRANK H. OGAWA PLAZA ٠3RD FLOOR ٠ OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA 94612


Office of the Mayor (510) 238-3141
Ronald V. Dellums FAX: (510) 238-4731
Mayor TDD: (510) 839-6451

May 18, 2007

Dear Members of the Port Action Coalition:

It has been my long held view that peace is a superior idea. It has further been my view that for the most part the problems of the world do not lend themselves to a military solution. The problems of the world are political, economic, and social in nature and must ultimately be solved in that context. That said, prior to the decision to go to war in Iraq, I took the position that to do so would be counterintuitive, counterproductive, unnecessary, dangerous and unpredictable. I believe that that view has been borne out by the history of this war; therefore it is my honor to join with you in calling for an end to this war that has caused great suffering and death to Iraqi people and men and women of our armed forces. Further, it has caused us precious economic resources that could better be used in enhancing the quality of human life in this country and around the world. I believe that history will record that this war was the greatest foreign policy blunder in the history of America and the sooner we end it the better.

Sincerely,

Ronald V. Dellums
Mayor