08/31/06 Veterans Speak Out Against Iraq War: Bus Tour Makes Stop In Middleton

Painted in red, white and blue and festooned with rallying signs for peace, a tour bus on a mission made a whistle-stop at the Middleton Public Library Wednesday to rally support for returning U.S. troops from Iraq and push for the impeachment of President Bush.

The bus stop was part of a coast-to-coast tour undertaken by Veterans for Peace to facilitate "bring the troops home" referendums and impeachment resolutions.

Veterans for Peace members outlined how citizens can stay involved in promoting anti-war referendums and advance the cause for impeaching Bush and other high-ranking federal officials. They also recognized local organizers who will present a petition to the Middleton city clerk next week asking that a troops-home referendum be put on the ballot in November.

"I am here for action. You are taking action in your community. It's a resolution and we hope it becomes a revolution," said Buzz Davis, a former Army officer and Veterans for Peace organizer who drove to the rally from Stoughton.

Steven Mortillo, a First Division infantryman who served in Iraq, has been riding the bus as a member of an Iraq veterans group against the war. He said the apathy of many Americans toward the war is shameful.

"Three of my friends got killed. Twelve of my unit got killed. They have lives. They have stories. You start to ask the question why and no one wants to listen to you," he said to the crowd of about 25 Iraq and Vietnam vets, bus tour participants and local citizens.

Mortillo said it can help veterans for Americans to talk about what's happening and to actively support them.

"It's so refreshing to see Americans that truly support the troops and want to see them home. All the guys in the military will probably thank you a lot," he said.

Middleton Mayor and Vietnam vet Doug Zwank compared the war in Iraq to that of the Vietnam War, with no objectives, progress or end in sight for U.S. involvement. The fact the U.S. has lost more than 2,500 troops in the fighting is not justification to keep the war going, he said.

"We'll never be successful in establishing (the Iraqi) government. They have to establish their government. I think it's time we stand up to the president and put forth the effort to bring (the troops) home," Zwank said.

Pat Tate, a Veterans for Peace chapter president from California, said it's not cowardly or "cutting and running" for the U.S. to leave Iraq now. Davis agreed.

"This war has turned into a civil war. We have to face the music. It's time to get out," he said.

Davis said the Wisconsin Impeachment/Bring Our Troops Home Coalition, working with Veterans for Peace, hopes to organize an impeachment referendum for the spring 2007 ballot in Dane County and possibly other counties. The coalition says the Bush administration is guilty of attacking other nations without provocation, torturing prisoners and illegally wiretapping private communications.

"(President Bush) would have made a good mayor in some small town. But he certainly doesn't have what it takes to lead the country in these times," Zwank said.

Earlier in the day, the tour stopped in Pittsville, Wisconsin Rapids and Lake Delton. It is scheduled to visit Watertown, South Milwaukee and Racine today before leaving the state and moving east.

The national bus tour began in Seattle earlier this month and intends to arrive in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.