an article for a dutch magazine about PEACE

Promoting peace in Washington DC

I have been engaged in a campaign for the last four weeks to convince the voters of the USA to elect Barack Obama as our next president, because he supports dialogue and full diplomatic relations with Iran, while John McCain has threatened military attacks in response to the fear that Iran might be developing nuclear weapons as an extension of their nuclear power project. Obama also favors a quick pull-out from Iraq, and the eventual elimination of ALL the world's nuclear weapons. There is a stark contrast between the promises of the two main candidates for president of the USA with regards to nurturing peace versus threatening war.

My campaign consists largely of my dressing in an Uncle Sam costume and standing in front of the White House, where tourists visit in great numbers with their cameras in hand, ready to take each other's photo. Seeing this festive colourful outfit, many of the visitors take a photo or two posing next to me, so my sign gets recorded into their camera. I urge the tourists to send copies of the photos to all their friends, so many people see the image of Uncle Sam holding a sign supporting Obama, and prominently displaying the "peace sign".

Let me say a few words about the so-called "peace sign". It began its life in 1958 as the symbol of "nuclear dis-armament". In fact it is based in semaphore portrayals of N.D. Holding the two semaphore flags down at 45 degree angle represents the letter "N". holding them straight up and down represents "D". turning the peace sign upside-down invokes the semaphore letter "U" instead of "N" so it calls for UNIVERSAL disarmament, which I think is even better than calling for merely dismantling the nuclear weapons. The man who invented this symbol based it in an image of despair: a Goya engraving of a man about to be executed. Some time after the introduction of the symbol he realized that it ought to be used upside-down to evoke a figure of hands raised up in a gesture encouragement rather than dejection, resignation and despair.

The appearance of the "upside-down peace sign" often invites a brief conversation about the relationship between peace and dis-armament. Many people are pleased to learn about the history of the "peace sign", and of course many are pleased to get the message that Uncle Sam supports peace. I also make a different version of the "peace sign" in every photo I pose for, with two fingers upraised in a V shape. This is a variation of the old "V for Victory" but in this post-modern context, it always means "may PEACE be victorious!".

When people ask me why I support Obama, I reply that my support is based on plans for peace and justice. My first approach to the issue of justice involves a return to the taxation system which was used during the 1950s, when rich people paid more income tax than they do today, and the federal budget was balanced as a result of a just system of taxation. If people are willing to engage in longer conversations, the sub-topics of justice appear: reducing the emphasis on prosecuting recreational use of soft drugs, solving the Palestinian/Israeli problem, environmental justice through green energy programs etc. But first and foremost my support of Barack Obama is based in the peace movement, because if there is a nuclear war, all other issues become moot; and as long as the USA spends more than a third of its economy on military projects, this nation can do little for useful projects.

There are many others in Lafayette Park next to the White House who also campaign for peace and justice using other methods and focusing on other aspects of these issues.

There is one group which has conducted a vigil 24/7 since 1981. Somebody has been in their little encampment every day and every night for twenty-seven years, drawing attention to the dangers of nuclear weapons, "depleted uranium" bullets, and nuclear energy. They, too, are often photographed and their message generates many conversations based on reports of returning tourists.

There are several groups and many individuals who come to the White House simply to pray for the president and the nation. Many hold signs which invite passers-by to pray with them, often requesting prayers for peace.

Quite a few people just wander around Lafayette Park and nearby with signs saying "impeach Bush" or "arrest Bush" or "impeach Cheney first" or the like. One lady plays her shofar in the direction of the White House, and lectures passers-by about how the economic collapse was caused by the USA urging Israel to return part of their land to the Palestinians, and how it is the sacred duty of the USA to protect Israel during the coming Final War. Fortunately rather few people pay attention to her message.

During the past two weeks, the financial crisis has sapped away almost all media attention from the other issues: people are more concerned with money than with foreign policies. During the televised debates, the candidates are asked important questions about foreign policy, but they merely supply stock answers and return to the next round of blame and empty promises relative to the economy.

Fortunately the economic collapse seems to be having a positive effect on the projected outcome of the presidential election, and even many of the Congressional seats. Since the economic policies which produced this financial catastrophe have come mostly from the Republican party strategies, the Democrat party is gaining converts, especially from the wealthy people who have seen much of their fortune evaporate in the collapse of the stock market and related institutions. Current forecasts are for a large gain for the Democrat party, so president Obama will have full co-operation from the legislative branch.

I am personally encouraged by the results of my theatrical vigil: most people smile and say approving words. Many have specifically thanked me for dedicating so much of my time and energy to this project. It is clear that most Americans are ready for a change; most Americans are ready to give peace a chance and turn away from foreign policies based on violence and the threat of violence. It is also clear that the economic crisis is forcing Americans to re-consider the cost of our military interventionism from a purely financial viewpoint, which will also invite more reflection on the immorality of war and the blessings of peace.