Texans on the Tigris - Texan, Christians Counter “Bush Doctrine” in Iraq
While President George W. Bush relaxes at his ranch in Crawford far from the conflict in Iraq, another Texan is preparing to enter the war zone for a third time. Charlie Jackson, a sixth-generation Texan, will be traveling to Iraq as a member of a Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) delegation in late September.
Austin, TX (PRWEB) August 8, 2005 -- While President George W. Bush relaxes
at his ranch in Crawford far from the conflict in Iraq, another Texan is
preparing to enter the war zone for a third time.
Charlie Jackson, a
sixth-generation Texan, will be traveling to Iraq as a member of a Christian
Peacemaker Teams (CPT) delegation in late September. CPT has maintained a
continuous presence in Iraq since before the invasion of 2003 and delegations
participate in activities throughout Iraq to demonstrate the power of
faith-based peacemaking, even in the most violent of areas.
With a slogan
of “Getting in the Way” these peacemakers actively contest the presumptions of
war by providing encouragement for individuals and communities experiencing
violence, challenging violations of human rights, and promoting active
nonviolence as a means of settling disputes. CPT is also active in Colombia,
Israel/Palestine, and the US/Mexico border.
Mr. Jackson is an
international technology consultant and father of two teenagers who is active in
the Austin high-tech community. He serves as a “peace ambassador” for Texans for
Peace, a non-profit organization he founded in 1993 after Jackson traveling to
the war zones in Bosnia. As the largest peace and social justice organization in
Texas, Texans for Peace provides a counterpoint to the stereotypical image of
Texans.
Jackson has been an outspoken critic of the war in Iraq and the
management of rebuilding efforts. During his last trip to Iraq, in 2003, Jackson
was eating Thanksgiving dinner with Iraqi friends when President Bush arrived in
Baghdad. “Too bad it (the President's visit) was only a 'photo op' and he didn't
take the time to actually visit any of the country and meet the people here,”
Jackson reported in the Houston Chronicle.
Earlier that year, before the
war had commenced, Jackson traveled to Washington to challenge the Texas
Congressional delegation to travel to Iraq and learn about the country before
committing troops – and the lives of young Texans – to the impending war. No
congresspersons took him up on his offer.
Jackson has used his
professional knowledge to provide analyses of the rebuilding and stabilization
efforts. Even before the insurgency solidified, he was warning military leaders
and policy makers of the need to focus on economic development projects that
affected ordinary Iraqis rather than solely on the multi-billion dollar projects
run by KBR and others. He wrote that “Street-level economic development is the
lone key to rebuilding Iraq and repairing the economy, stabilizing the political
situation, and restoring security” but warned that with the military in charge,
instead of civilians, most efforts would likely fail.
Charlie knows that
dangers that he will experience, especially since the team will be resides and
travels exclusively outside of the “Green Zone” military areas. He was in
Australia when former-hostage Douglas Wood arrived in Sydney after being rescued
in Baghdad on June 15. Jackson said that he continues to be concerned that
members of his team might be injured, killed or kidnapped – one member was
killed during an auto accident in 2003 – but that he is optimistic that he and
the other delegates can make a difference.
“We help provide a different
view of America, one that is brave yet humble, determined but also thoughtful,”
says Jackson. He adds that because CPT has direct experience visiting with
Iraqis, U.S. soldiers, government officials, and religious leaders, they can
help provide a more truth-filled account of what is going on in Iraq and help
Americans better understand the war.
“Folk say 'somebody' ought to do
something. I remind them that they, too, are somebody and, in the word of
Gandhi, need to be the change they want to see in the world,” says this Texan on
the Tigris. Additional Information on Texans for Peace and the Iraq trip can be
found on the organization's website: http://www.texansforpeace.org or their antiwar website http://www.texansforpeace.org/endthewar .
About Texans
for Peace
Texans for Peace (http://www.texansforpeace.org) is a statewide non-profit
organization for Texans who believe in peace and social justice. Headquartered
in Austin, Texans for Peace provides programs, education, and action on a wide
range of issues while at the time working to strengthen peace and nonviolence
throughout the state. Although the organization primarily focuses on local
issues, Texans for Peace also represents the face of “friendship” (the state
motto of Texas) throughout the U.S. and the world. The organization is entirely
staffed by volunteers and funded through donations from individuals.
About Charlie Jackson
Charlie Jackson is a sixth-generation Texan who
volunteers in social justice and peacemaking when he isn't busy building
technology companies. His international peace activities have taken him to
Bosnia, Guatemala, and Iraq. He recently returned from his second peace
delegation to Iraq with the Christian Peacemaker Teams (http://www.cpt.org), a
multi-religious peace organization headquartered in Chicago. He is the founder
of Texans for Peace, and supports other national and regional peace
organizations.
Mr. Jackson has served in a variety of public capacities
beginning with an early career as a congressional staff member and continuing as
an economic development professional and entrepreneur. He is active in the
Austin and San Antonio hi-tech communities and has founded, and co-founded,
several technology companies. Jackson holds a BA in Government from the
University of Texas and an MS in Technology Commercialization from UT's
prestigious IC2 Institute
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/8/prweb270122.htm