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Indybay Feature

Aimee the Peace Candidate

by Patricia Maginnis
Aimee Allison, an antiwar GI during the First Gulf War of 1991, is running for Oakland City Council in this month's special election.
Aimee Allison is both warmly praised and foully cursed for refusing to serve in the First Gulf War. It's become a stormy issue in this election. As a former member of the Women's Army Corps, I'd like to say something about my decision to vote for Aimee.

I grew up during World War II, and in 1950 I joined the Army and became a nurses' aid. Without visiting any combat zone, I saw the horrors of war. During my training in the hospital at Fort Sam Houston, I saw amputees--veterans of WW II. One of the saddest things was a soldier who'd been exposed to too much radiation; his jaw was eaten away, completely gone. I still remember the sounds he made when he tried to speak, the awful groans that came from his disfigured mouth.

Our involvement in WW II was justified and necessary. I still firmly believe that. We had to stop Hitler. But it fractures my brain to think of any justification for our misadventures in Iraq. This destructive fiasco, fomented by our politicians' lies, deceptions and greed, following on the heels of some 22 other post World War Two U.S. military adventures, screams to heaven to be stopped.

When the First Gulf War occurred, Aimee Allison realized that it was wrong and said 'No.' It's an inspiring example, and my vote for Aimee is a vote for peace.
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Comments (Hide Comments)
by Hiding in my bunker
With Aimee Allison in office, you can be sure Oakland won't declare war against Iraq or any other country.

Its about time since the arms race between Oakland and Iran has really gotten out of hand.

Hopefully Aimee will also be able to put an end to the low level mortar attacks that Oakland and San Francisco have been sending each other. I bet a peace treaty with San Leandro will also be in the works.
by Daniel
The violence that takes place in Oakland is not a laughing matter. Oakland is sometimes called one of the "murder capitols" of the world. And the OPD is not always helpful. Anyone remember April 7, 2003? On that day the OPD (Oakland Police Department) attacked peaceful protesters at the Port of Oakland. The April 7th attack was mentioned in a report by United Nations Human Rights Commission. Our city of Oakland received the dubious distinction of being listed along with human rights abusers like Columbia, Peru and Indonesia.

It was also here in Oakland that Judi Barri was bombed, then falsely arrested.
by Re-post
aimeeallisonfrontsm.jpg
http://www.indybay.org/news/2005/04/1734516.php
for Oakland City Council: Aimee Allison: Antiwar, Progressive & Green ------
Saturday, Apr. 23, 2005


http://www.indybay.org/news/2005/04/1733882_comment.php
Aimee Allison: Oakland City Council candidate speaks against recruitment --- and ---
Oakland is falling in love with Aimee -----
Tuesday, Apr. 19, 2005


http://www.indybay.org/news/2005/04/1733049.php
Anyone want to elect a progressive Green to the Oakland City Council? ------
Thursday, Apr. 14, 2005


http://www.indybay.org/news/2005/02/1724277.php
Tonight! Antiwar Activist Candidate Aimee Allison's First Debate in Oakland ------
Feb. 28, 2005


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http://www.AimeeAllison.org/

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by Celia
People in cities and states throughout the US are working to pass resolutions at the local level to bring National Guard troops back from Iraq and Afghanistan. Four out of ten troops in Iraq are National Guards. Once resolutions pass at the local level they move up to the state level and force the state to act on them. I'm sure many people have heard about these resolutions in SF and Vermont. Oakland could do the same if we had a City Council that cared about these issues. This local strategy works- it was used to oppose the Vietnam War, and Apartid in South Africa. The Clean Air Act and all national enviromental laws began at the local government level. And although we know the US was never in any danger of attacks by Iraq, many Oaklanders and other Bay Area people are in Iraq as part of the National Guard and military, and they are dying and killing for fat cat profits. Billions of our dollars are siphoned off for war instead of education. California ranks really low in school funding, and with federal cuts local kids can't get a decent education, and many are prey to recruiters as part of the economic draft. War is a local issue.
by re-post
aimeeallisongroup2.jpg
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