Ames Progressive

Sue Dinsdale is an anti-war activist from Huxley and the Iowa director of the Iraq Campaign. Locally, the campaign is putting pressure on Congressman Tom Latham and Senator Charles Grassley, both Republicans, to change their positions on the war. To learn more go to www.noiraqescalation.org.

out rage (out’r¨¡j’) n.
American Heritage Dictionary
1.An act of extreme violence or
viciousness.
2. An act grossly offensive to decency,
morality, or good taste.
3. A deplorable insult.
4. Resentful anger aroused by a violent
or offensive act.

Where is the outrage? As the war in Iraq heads into its sixth year and more of our men and women are killed in a conflict that shows no sign of ending, we need to show our outrage. As the war in Iraq adds billions more to our national debt – debt we will be passing on to the next generation – we need to show our outrage. As we listen to the candidates debate about either ending the war or “winning” in Iraq, pulling out our troops or increasing our troops, we need to show our outrage.

In Iowa we have the unique opportunity to meet with, talk to, and even question all of the candidates running for president. We need to attend candidates’ events and make our voices heard. We need to challenge the candidates on their stands. We need to make our voices heard. That is how we can show the nation that we take our responsibility seriously and that we know what is important in our country.

In Iowa we have the privilege of being the first testing grounds for these candidates. It is crucial that we take advantage of this opportunity. We should all research the candidates’ stands on the war and caucus for the candidate who best represents us on the important issues facing our nation. Whether Democrat or Republican, young or old, we need to go to our caucus and support our candidate. It’s easy. We just need to get up off our couches on January 3 and go to the caucus sites. There will be people there to do all of the hard work; we just need to go and stand up for what we know is right.

We need to show our outrage. In Iowa alone, we have lost at least 45 lives to this war. The Associated Press reports that 2007 has been the deadliest year yet for American troops since the war began, with at least 880 Americans having been killed so far this year. In addition, a new study by the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire shows that rural Americans are making the ultimate sacrifice – their very lives – at disproportionately high numbers for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Rural areas account for only 19 percent of the adult population but have suffered 26 percent of U.S. casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to the study, 1,100 of the 4,200 American military deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan were suffered by soldiers from rural areas.

With our current administration, there is no end in sight in Iraq. The President requests more and more funding for his reckless war in Iraq and vetoes, or threatens to veto, funding for children’s healthcare, veterans’ benefits, and other important programs. A new report from the Joint Economic Committee found that the war in Iraq has cost $1.3 trillion when “hidden costs” – like higher oil prices and the expense of treating wounded veterans – are included. Their report estimates that the combined cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is $1.6 trillion and could exceed $3.5 trillion if President Bush continues to block an end to the war. The wars have thus far cost more than $20,000 for the average U.S. family of four.

Outraged? I am! And I plan to harness that outrage and attend any candidate event I can. I plan to stand up and ask the hard questions. I plan to research the candidates and I plan to attend my caucus and support the candidate who will best represent me.