Chapter 13: Judge Jones dismisses the case (January 2012)
Welcome to the thirteenth monthly posting: As those who have followed this website will know, the U.S. has been suing me to collect a $10,000 fine. In 1997 I was unwilling to ask for a U.S. license for a trip I took to bring medicine to Iraqi children. I’ve consistently refused to pay that fine – and did not request a license – to challenge the legality and legitimacy of U.S. policy on Iraq.
On December 28th, the judge issued his ruling: “For the reasons stated herein, the court concludes that the Government did not timely sue Mr. Sacks. The court DISMISSES this case with prejudice and directs the clerk to enter judgment for Mr. Sacks.” That means the fine against me goes away. My Declaration, our Briefs, the Court’s ruling, and two good media summaries are available here.
This ruling has released me from a significant financial burden but denied me a chance to use the courtroom to say what I’ve been saying here at IraqiKids.org for 12 months. So I plan to use my workshop at Seattle’s MLK Day event to have my say. Here’s my invitation to the media:
PRESS RELEASE
Date: Monday, January 16, 2012, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Time: 9:30 – 10:45 am
Place: Garfield High School, 400 23rd Ave, Seattle
Theme of the day: “Recapturing MLK Jr.’s Revolutionary Spirit”
In the midst of Vietnam on April 4th, 1967, Dr. King made a revolutionary statement:
“… the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today is my own government.”
In the midst of our current war on terrorism here is another revolutionary statement:
“… the greatest purveyor of terrorism in the world today is my own government.”
That is the theme of a workshop by Bert Sacks at this year’s MLK Day events. Despite amazing misuses of the term “terrorism” – e.g., by the Orlando Mayor who called folks “food terrorists” who were distributing food to the needy – our legal code does have a definition. It is not difficult to find, yet it remains a revolutionary question to ask: Might this apply to U.S. policy on Iraq, 1991-2003?
Sacks will raise this question at Garfield. He says evidence is available from many public sources, but he will focus on statements by Madeleine Albright from her book Madam Secretary. He will also ask several more basic and interesting questions: What are the consequences of not looking at the issue? Why is it so difficult (and revolutionary) for Americans to consider the question? How would a nonviolent attitude bring insight into these questions and the people involved?
In a 1996 interview on the CBS program 60 Minutes Madeleine Albright answered Leslie Stahl’s question about half a million Iraqi children’s deaths with the blunt reply, “We think it is a very hard choice, but the price, we think, the price is worth it.” (Madam Secretary, p 275, emphasis added)
She did not question that statistic – not on 60 Minutes and not in her 2003 book – and she did not question that ending economic sanctions could prevent deaths. Instead she wished she’d said: “Saddam Hussein could have prevented any child from suffering by simply meeting his obligations.” (p 275) This admits that the suffering (and death) of Iraqi children was to coerce Saddam Hussein.
Former U.S. Attorney Kate Pflaumer cites our law: “Title 18 U.S. Code Section 2331 defines international terrorism as acts dangerous to human life … when those acts are intended … to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion.”
If economic sanctions were to force Saddam Hussein “to comply with his obligations,” what were they? According to the UN resolution, sanctions would end when Iraq was disarmed. Our 2003 invasion of Iraq proved that Iraq had been disarmed. But Albright writes, “The senior President Bush had vowed that sanctions would never be lifted as long as Saddam remained in power.” (p 275)
There’s more. Albright calls the 60 Minutes program “Iraqi propaganda” and regrets that “Little effort was made to explain … [that] we were not embargoing medicine.” (p 274)
Except that we were! In 2011, the Seattle Times made a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the U.S. sanctions agency (OFAC) and found there were seven license requests to send medicine to Iraq in 1993. Four were denied. Even when two were granted, OFAC said no U.S. person may use his or her own money to buy the medicine.
Denying medicine to those in need is unequivocally “an act dangerous to human life.” When done to overthrow a government it is an admission of terrorism.
What happens when we don’t look at this issue? Very simply, much of the world does look. It is dangerous for us not to recognize how a significant part of the world sees us.
Why is it so difficult for us to look at this question? As Americans we are constantly bombarded with two messages: Go shopping! (Remember President Bush after 9/11.) That’s one. The second is this. The world is a dangerous place because there are a lot of “bad guys” out there.
Given this division of the world into bad guys and good guys, it’s obvious we’d want to see ourselves as good guys and would resist information that might challenge that label. A wiser view is not to accept a label of bad or good – but to resist dividing the world into these two camps. That is an idea which leads directly to violence. How much of the violence in our country is based on the “simple” attitude in the following quote?
“If only it were all so simple! If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?” – Solzhenitsyn
Which leads to the final question Sacks will speak to at the workshop. How would a nonviolent perspective bring insight into these questions and the people involved?
If the notion of good guys and bad guys leads to violence, what leads to a nonviolent attitude? Sacks claims that a good start, strangely enough, is a genuine willingness to be introspective and honest about oneself. He says when he feels himself getting angry at Madeleine Albright, he reminds himself of times he has avoided knowing a truth about some situation because it would require him to take action – or to know something – which he didn’t want to do or know about.
No one doubts that sometimes people act and do bad things, even terrible things. Sacks also reminds himself – when he assures himself that he hasn’t done anything that bad – that he really doesn’t know how he would have acted if he’d grown up in another’s life circumstances and experiences.
This does not keep him from opposing actions he sees as harmful. On the contrary, this perspective helps him, he says, to be less emotional and more skillful in opposing those actions, not making them into a basis for a personal attack. All of which is ongoing work – trying to make things better “out there” by making them better inside.
Contact: Bert Sacks, media@IraqiKids.org
###
Hello Bert,.
Just wanted to make sure you know about the book recently published by Harvard University Press–Invisible War, The United States and the Iraq Sanctions. Perhaps your story is in it, it sounds pretty comprehensive.
Hi Sara — Thanks for pointing out Professor Joy Gordon’s fine book. I’ve mentioned it on our References page — also on the Blog page I quote from her recent article about sanctions from the Madison Capitol paper. She has consistently written about sanctions with great clarity over many years.
Dear Bert, thank you for your integrity and for the work you have done for peace for so many years.
Dear Bert: Thank you for being the voice of sanity in an insane world.
Dear Bert: Rock on !! As one of my favorite YouTube economic forcasters says “Last decade was the decade from sin. This will be the decade from Hell.” Integrity is the road less travelled, but you will be able to look at that Man in the Glass. As we roll into our grim future, let us hope that you are joined by millions on that road, because surely now the bill for our country’s policy sins is coming due. Satyagraha.
Hi, Thanks for what you are doing. How can we start a movement to end this Terrorism of the world by the United States Gov.?
David — I’m sorry to be so late (a whole month) in replying to your key question. The plan is to devote my March 11th posting to the question of What can we do? and How can we do it as effectively as possible? I believe it is only nonviolence — and the concomitant commitment to truth — that holds the power we need. In the meantime, encourage people to sign-up for a once-a-month mailing and spread the word. All of this will require sharing our collective wisdom and compassion.
I want to THANK YOU for being a true HUMANITARIAN in our Dark Times. Please keep up your good work, and keep reminding us of our conscience!
Bert, you always have led by example. Thank you for being a “beacon of light” in what seems to be a world of darkness.
I second Maryrose Asher’s comment, it could not have been put better. Thank you Bert for indeed lighting the darkness.
Please also at some point do credit in your wonderful writings, to Madeleine Albright (12th May 1996 – it is etched in one of the fragments of my broken heart) “We have heard that over half a million children have died, more than died in Hiroshima, is the price worth it?” (To – illegally – get rid of Saddam.) Albright: “It is a hard choice, but the price, we think the price is worth it.” She now “regrets” her comment. Not the sentiment, but that she expressed it. The comment should be engraved on her tombstone.
Love and solidarity, Bert, f xx
Felicity — If you look at the video at IraqiKids.org/media you’ll see that Democracy Now! gave me a chance to “address” Madeleine Albright. It made me glad that I’d looked at her memoir and could speak to the issue of what she and James Baker were doing.
I’ve seen you and heard you speak many times at Seattle events and want you to know you are someone who walks the talk. Your courage and conviction are inspiring.
Bert – Thanks for this site. You remain one of my heroes. Peace.
Bert,
Congratulations on your new web site. Bellingham is already spreading the word. We remain in solidarity with you and your case, and in gratitude for your determination and courage in active nonviolence.
Thank you, Ellen, and all the good folks in Bellingham. Spreading the word would be a great help to start this project off on a strong footing. I hope others reading this will help in this same way.
Bert,
I remember when you made the trip and events following. It’s a long road. I’ll pass the word. Keep moving.
Peace, Bernie
PS. My trips to India has opened to me the like realities to the adivasis and villagers in India. Genecidal.
Thank you, Bert, for all the time you spend doing these good things toward peace and justice.
And thank you, David, for all that Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility (WPSR) does … also as individuals and in other groups!
So glad that you got the medical care you needed. I know you have paid for your beliefs with your body, in the best tradition of kenosis…are you sure you’re not a Christian
?
We should add your story to the Blowback series by Chalmers Johnson. Yet another reason why “they” don’t like US.
Hello Bert,
I appreciated what you did then and what you are doing now. I have just shared this page on Facebook (over 600 FB friends), changing the title to, ‘Fined for saving the lives of Iraqi kids.’ Also shared the link on my website, too.
I included mention of your story in an early effort, back when I got fed up and started my website in 2008:
http://www.mcloughlinpost.com/jan1608IraqKucinichandDemDebate.html
Look forward to reading your articles.
Regards,
Diane
Dear Bert,
Your blog is so well documented and so much needed. As always, your work is thorough, important and timely. I hope you give Voices Education Project permission to republish your pieces each month and direct our membership back to your site. We must spread the word.
O, Yes, Marilyn. Of course Voices Education Project may have permission to use anything — especially my monthly articles — that’s on the website. And I thank you back for all of your fine work with Voices!
Thank you for simply being on this earth. Now it’s clear to me why you’re my hero!
Bert–I so appreciate your unwaving courage in speaking the truth
Let the truth prevail and those who speak the truth be blessed… Bert Sachs, you are blessed! You have chosen to take on the powerful dark forcess that are inflicting crimes against our very own humaninty and you should know you are not alone… We are with you and urge you to continue writting. Looking forward to reading more of your outstanding work… Education is the solution to all our problems… Alex
Thank you, Alex. I have long admired Mohandas Gandhi’s concept of satyagraha, of truth-force. That is what we have to turn to and rely on.
Bert,Thank you for your compassion and for being a faithful servant to the Iraqi kids. Bix
Oh, Bix, I can only say Thank You for all you’ve done over all the years as a truly faithful servant of so many!
Thank for the invitation Bert. Your continued effort to open the eyes of the American people on the tragic number of deaths and the horrible suffering “our impose sanctions” have had on the poor people of Iraq, especially the women and children, is very inspiring. You have many friends who respect and honor you for your since of justice, your kindness and love of your fellow human beings. It is high time we help you by telling everyone we know your courageous story and of how proud we are to know you as a wonderful example of person who loves his neighbor as himself.
Dear Bert,
You truly are satyagraha personified. You are so right, “Nonviolence is the only way”.
This website is a brilliant idea!! I will help spread the word
Thank you, Linda. On my 3rd emailing (3/11/11) I will try to deal with satyagraha — on the deepest level that I can, since that’s where I believe the real strength of truth-force comes from.
Dear Bert,
Thank you for not giving up on us!
Ever grateful to you,
barbara
Dear Bert,
On behalf of all Iraqis that have lived under and suffered severely from the imposed sanctions on nour country Iraq, I want to thank you and greet your bravery for speaking up the truth about what actually the sanctions were and how of a political tool it was to pressure the change of a regime on the expense of the millions of children, men and women in Iraq. My father have died as a consequence of the imposed sanctions, and my health conditions declined for the same reason during those years. I never thought nor imagined that there will be a time when our voices would be heard, but with your effort I have faith that my story and the stories of millions of Iraqis will hopefully reach the hearts and minds of the American people. Shukran.
Farah — I am deeply moved by your comment. As I wrote to a friend who has also traveled with me to Iraq, your expression of thanks makes that long 12-hour ride from Amman to Baghdad seem even more worthwhile. I reply to your thanks with my own back to you: Shukran Jezeelan.
Thanks so much Bert for your tireless commitment to peacebuilding in the formidable face of endless warmaking! You are a prophet and an inspiration. I thank God for your peaceful presence and friendship.
Thank you, Bert, for this amazing compilation of damning evidence. Thank you for clinging to the truth. Now your message will spread even further. –Your old roomate
Sunil, thanks for your kind words. And yes, I think the evidence is damning. But if you think this is damning, search for “Joy Gordon” and then “Robert Fisk” on our site’s Home page. They have written so much, so well, and so damning that it really is a wonder their work is so little known (here, at least). Always good to see you, as at the WPSR dinner.
thank you for standing strong against injustice. The forces (corporations) of the rich and powerful have lost any humanity they might have had in some past times. These are dark times.
I believe there is currently an unspoken movement to decimate the population by attacking the health and well being of the average person on this planet. The poisoning of our environment has caused untold dis-ease cancer anxiety suicide mass murder-that most of us refuse to talk about but too many are now falling for this to be ignored much longer. I only wish I had your courage so that I might stand strong and be a voice for reason.
thank you again for your integrity and strength
Appreciation and respect.
I’ve posted a referral to your site and case, amid a note
on application of the Convention on Genocide, at Night’s Lantern: http://www.nightslantern.ca/2011bulletin.htm#jan15 .
Bart
Thank you for your sacrifice by helping the citizens of Iraq. I feel humbled by your actions. Peace.
Thank you, Tim. But I have to say that I don’t see what I’ve done as a sacrifice. Working on this issue has been, overall, very positive in my life. I’ll try to write more about this in my March posting. Best Wishes, Bert
Thank you for your work. Sometimes, it seems like the world is such a dark place. It is good to see some light. It seems like we can do nothing, then someone like you come along.
Bert;
We remember you fondly and your two visits and presentations in Twisp. Thank you,
as ever, the for good, humane work you do. Dana
Thank you, Dana. And of course I remember you and my time in Twisp fondly. Please help spread the word up in your beautiful part of our state. Best, Bert
If the definition of the word HUMANITY still has its meaning, it’s because of people like You.
I cannot say thank you enough for your being here.
Thanks and good luck.
I’ve tweeted, blogged at http://rewinn.blogspot.com/2011/01/fined-for-helping-iraq-children-wtf.html and will pass on via Facebook.
I guess one lesson here is that even “liberal” administrations are just fine with killing children who they are ostensibly liberating, just so long as you don’t offend the sovereign privileges.
(You know who this case reminds me of? Don Seigelmann -( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Siegelman ) – another guy who should be free of government persecution but the “liberal” Obama Administration continues to persue. Maybe you could play tag-team some time!
Thank you, Randy, for all your posting, tweeting, and in general spreading the word. I’m happy to tell you that this site has received comments from Sweden, Germany, and the UK, along with comments from a lot of supportive people in this country. It’s very heartening.
It was nice meeting you today on the bus. Thank you for all the great resources. I’m looking forward to reading the Alfie Kohn book you suggested.
I read your article and it’s very inspiring.
Thanks for your courage and sense of responsibility.
Dear Bert,
So what support can we offer you? Any gift that you might request or that we might offer is, of course, is a gift to all of us. We are all enriched by sustaining your courage and compassion. All of us must walk in your footsteps when we turn away from cooperating with state terrorism.
So many federal, state, and international laws prohibit our support of terrorism. The Patriot Act makes it a crime to provide even financial support to acts of terror (possible confiscation of property, $1,000,000 fine, and life in prison). Yet how many of us still pay federal taxes that allow our policies of terror in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran to continue?
I have such gratitude for your on-going leadership and moral clarity.
Dear David — Thank you for your expression of support. On March 11, 2011, I’ll send out my general thoughts about where we are and what we can most skillfully do to make a positive difference. In the meantime, I think the most helpful thing which folks could do is to spread the word about IraqiKids.org. It seems that no one else is raising the issue of our legal definition of international terrorism with regard to U.S. foreign policies. (Instead, rather like in Orwell’s 1984, people are simply throwing the word around like a smear without regard to its specific meaning. The destruction of language must be opposed to hold on to the rule of law.)
Thanks, Bert, for keeping the faith on this issue. Governments are supposed to be servants of the people but it’s clear that even this one, which pretends to be ruled by law, will stop at nothing to achieve its political ends. Good for you for standing up and speaking the truth.
Thank you for helping us to become more aware of the impact that terrorism has on the innocents. Everyone’s heart is with you.
Dennis
Thank you, Dennis, and all those in VFP who are doing such good work. Blessings, Bert
Hi Bert! Good to hear from you. We met in Baghdad, I think 2002. Keep up the good work!!! Wage peace, -Yusha
Thank you, Yusha. We all need to try to wage peace … actually, as Thich Nhat Hanh puts it, to become peace. (That’s a great book of his — “Being Peace” — which I was told about 20 years ago, and which has been a positive influence on my life.)
Thank you, thank you Bert for keeping the hope for more truth alive after these many years about the genocidal US-UN Sanctions against the people of Iraq. You continue to be a channel of light for me with your durable and beautiful blend of compassion, truth-telling and justice.
Dear Randall — I’m sure you’ll remember your accompanying me on the first delegation I led to Iraq … and the skill with which you conceived of our action in the Ameriya bomb shelter which gathered much media attention (NYT, CBS Nightly News, others). So you have a significant part in my history — and I’m grateful for that.
I am very impressed with both the content and layout of your website Bert. Recent events in Egypt have proven once again that non-violence is very effective. I look forward to supporting you through the trial. Thanks for your dedication to the people of Iraq.
Thank you, Rosemary. I am just now working on my February posting, which I’ll end with some comments about nonviolence — in anticipation of my March column.
Bert…It was by chance that I came across one of your interviews today. I am in awe of the work you do. You have given me much to think about.. I look forward to your monthly articles. ……Thankyou! …….Betty
Betty, I’m very glad that you found the interview useful (or at least interesting). A good way to follow is to sign up for a once-a-month mailing. Sounds like maybe you have. Bert
Glad to see this site. I plan to be at the trial in September. Will you update here with any date or time changes?
PS Found the trial update in the Timeline!
Mark’s & my interest and great respect, Bert.
Bravo, Bert! Your effort to expose the atrocities of the U.S. against Iraqi civilians is a brave and selfless effort. But I am also applauding your recognition of the untold reality of the 9/11 tragedy, an even more difficult thing to accept, and your connecting it with so much of the adversity that we have experienced in the past decade. Contrary to Obama’s admonition that we should not look backward, this country is starving for justice, and you can’t have it without looking behind. We absolutely must expose the truth and let justice take its course. Thank you for being part of the effort, we are much stronger with you on board.
Evan, thank you very much! I am grateful for your words of support. I’ve been pleased that there has only been one ‘negative’ response to me — and a very respectful one at that! — where the writer would have none of the possibility that WTC 7 did not come down by fire, but was a case of controlled demolition. I think we all have an obligation to be thoughtful and conscientious before we express our opinions … but then to speak the truth as best we can determine it, even if it falls outside the pale of our mainstream media.
Bert, you are a true American hero. When you see and read about the injustice and corruption of so many institutions including our government all around us in our country it makes you want to start fighting like our founders did. Yet, you hold the course using good sense, let’s keep beating drums and wake up enough people that a mass movement of our people will eventually make the changes and help rebuild a country we can be proud of. I only wish we could clone you ten million times.
My best,
J. Glenn Evans
J. Glenn, I think that you exaggerate. But rather than argue, I’d like to say that I think a “secret” to persisting in difficult situations is to hold on to an image of how I would like people to respond in such circumstances … and then try to practice acting that way. In other words, to use what comes “down the pike” as a challenge to be the kind of person I would like others to be. Whether I succeed or not, the act of trying is itself a useful act. That’s because I don’t have to berate others for not acting a certain way — or even myself if I fail but am willing to keep trying. Hardly a secret!
Thank you for being a good example to us, Bert. It’s an honor to work with you.
And thank you, Stephanie, for all the fine work you and Michael do at the Metta Center.
Hello, my name is Sarah
I’m an Iranian living in Canada. I’m working with some friends to help the lives of my friends and family members living in a refugee camp called camp Ashraf in Iraq. The Iraqi government wants to close down the camp by the end of the year and this will lead to a serious massacre. There are 1000 women living in the camp.
We are holding a rally on December 12 in DC to protest this. We wanted to invite you to join us an be the voice of these refugees who have escaped the Iranian tyranny and are now facing another threat.
Sarah Baluchestani
YES! Here’s to your steadiness and persistent dedication to what’s true. It has prevailed; and I trust it will continue to.
Bert,
You are a very brave and conscientious man. While the world stood silent, you decided you could not. You braved the powers at the top and went the 7,000 miles carrying aid to the helpless people of Iraq.
The best part of this is the example you set for the rest of us.
Sincerely
Suleiman Shahin
Dear Suleiman,
Thank you for your exceptionally kind words. Indeed we are all examples to each other, and if I have been a positive example in some small way, that gives me much pleasure.
Sincerely,
Bert
Hi Bert,
Congratulations on the dismissal of the government’s case against you. Tragic you did not have your day in court. Criminal that not a single US government official has been held accountable for the massive loss of Iraqi lives during the endless years of sanctions – for crimes against humanity.
It’s been a long time since we traveled together to Iraq in 1996. We remember hospital wards filled with dying children and the heroic efforts of the doctors to save their lives. After so many years of sanctions, war and occupation, the lives of the vast majority of Iraq’s children and families remain imperiled. The Iraqi people deserve better.
Stay “Great”
Rick
Thanks Rick. It seems like lifetimes ago that I joined you on my first trip to Iraq. That was a very important moment in my life, and of the start of my efforts — that you and I and Voices in the Wilderness and others were making — to draw attention to what our country had been doing to the people of Iraq. I wish I could say that things are better now, or that we have really understood what has come out of our violent policies towards Iraq. But we can only keep working, and keep transforming ourselves in the direction of deep nonviolence.