StopSaddamNow.org is Launched - Grassroots Website Supports Military Action as Necessary in Iraq

StopSaddamNow.org is a new grassroots website where people can sign an "Open Letter" supporting "whatever steps are necessary" to finally disarm the Iraqi dictator. Also posted for signatures is an open letter to "Thank Our Allies". Website's "Stop Saddam Now" support contrasts with Hollywood's "No action, no matter what" campaign. Site draws support from disaffected Germans.

Media Alert
For Immediate Release

Contact - Ira Goldman
e-mail: press2(at)stopsaddamnow.org

StopSaddamNow.org Launches to Support Military Action as Necessary in Iraq

MARCH 17, 2003. The majority of Americans who favor military action against Saddam Hussein now have a way to demonstrate their support - using their computers.

StopSaddamNow.org (http://www.StopSaddamNow.org) is a new grassroots website where people can sign an "Open Letter" supporting "whatever steps are necessary" to finally disarm the Iraqi dictator.

Also posted at StopSaddamNow.org for signatures is an open letter to "Thank Our Allies", including their men and women in uniform.

Recently, at press conferences and public rallies, some well-known actors and musicians have endorsed policies of inaction towards Saddam Hussein. The substantial publicity their involvement has generated has created the impression that they have the support of most Americans. That impression is false, as has been repeatedly made clear by national surveys of public opinion.

For example, CBSNews.com stated on March 10, "Two-thirds of the public approves of military action against Iraq to remove Saddam Hussein from power, about the same number as has supported action in every CBS News Poll conducted since last fall."

StopSaddamNow.org provides Americans and others from around the world a means to publicly register their opposition to Saddam and their support for action. All they need to do is submit their name, city, and state/country via an on-line form, and that information will be added to the list of signers of the "Stop Saddam Now" letter that can be viewed at the website.

In its first few days of operation, with interest spurred mostly by on-line "word of mouth", the site has attracted support from people across the US. Some have also signed on from overseas, including a number from Germany. In comments and e-mail, these Germans have expressed some frustration not only at their government's position, but also at a lack of a platform to express their views at home. While the number of these disaffected Germans is not large in the context of public surveys conducted in Germany, it has been a pleasant surprise to the site's sponsors.

StopSaddamNow.org is the only website devoted to supporting action against Saddam Hussein. It is an alternative to the proliferating sites that oppose all action. One such site is MoveOn.org (TM ), whose claims that "inspections work" in Iraq are promoted in television ads by actor Martin Sheen. Again, this is false.

As noted in the open letter for action at StopSaddamNow.org,

"During a twelve year period, multiple resolutions of the United Nations and a variety of UN-sanctioned inspection regimes have failed to bring about Saddam's disarmament."

It is noted that some within the entertainment industry do support action against Iraq. Among them is former US Senator and current co-star of "Law and Order" Fred Thompson, who has appeared in a television commercial supporting President Bush's policy. And, Ron Silver, normally associated with traditional liberal causes, firmly backs action against Saddam. As he said recently, "If we fail to respond today, Saddam and all those who would follow in his footsteps will be emboldened tomorrow. The stakes could not be higher."

The open letter for action expresses support for a statement by President George W. Bush that, "The danger posed by Saddam Hussein and his weapons cannot be ignored or wished away. The danger must be confronted."

The letter also expresses support for a statement by U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair that, "Yes, there are consequences of war...But there are also consequences of 'stop the war'. ... Ridding the world of Saddam would be an act of humanity. It is leaving him there that is in truth inhumane."

Among the reasons justifying action, the letter states, "Saddam Hussein's despotic regime in Iraq presents a very real threat to international peace and security."

After noting Saddam's ongoing possession of weapons of mass destruction and his torture and murder of hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis, the open letter concludes that, "A coalition of countries ready, willing, and able to use military force presents the only credible hope that Saddam's current regime will be brought to an end."

The "Thank Our Allies" open letter at StopSaddamNow.org expresses deep gratitude to those countries that have joined the coalition of the willing to take action against Saddam Hussein."

The letter cites the very public statements of support for the US issued recently by 18 European countries. It also notes support from other countries, including Australia.

Beyond expressing support for the countries allied with the US, this letter also states that,

"In particular, we want to express our deepest thanks to our allies' military forces - the men and women who may be called upon to put themselves in harm's way. Indeed, some are already doing so. Their service alongside our own men and women in uniform is so greatly appreciated."

StopSaddamNow.org was built and launched by four private individuals who decided to provide a platform for expressions of support for action against Saddam Hussein.

The full text of the two "Open Letters", along with additional information, can be found at http://www.StopSaddamNow.org . Contact by e-mail: press2(at)stopsaddamnow.org or stopsaddamnow(at)yahoo.com