Hawks In Doves' Clothing

It is odd that Mr. Montesano, purveyor of California wares like jeans and paraphernalia for peace, would be supporting presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani. Montesano's support for a man who promises to "actively prosecute" the so-called "war on terror", responsible for the deaths of 1.2 million innocent Iraqi civilians, makes the "Peace Store" on State St. a cynical, Orwellian facade. War is Peace, indeed.

Is Mr. Montesano unaware of the gnarlier aspects of Giuliani's tenure as NYC Mayor, especially his bizarre, inexplicable conduct during and after 9/11? When hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers were exposed to the highly toxic dust and fumes, Giuliani's office was actively involved in covering up the danger, pressurizing the media to squash the story. One of the few courageous journalists covering this aspect of the disaster, Juan Gonzales (of the New York Daily News), was fired from the assignment after his paper received "tough talk" from Giuliani's office; Gonzales had to pursue the topic independently, publishing the excellent book, "Fallout".

Both Giuliani and the EPA, which doctored its analysis of the dust on the orders of the White House, were directly responsible for endangering the health of some 400,000 New Yorkers, who were exposed and subsequently lied to that "the air was safe to breathe". Thousands now suffer debilitating sicknesses, hundreds have already died, and medical personnel have warned of a future epidemic of fatal mesothelial cancers in NYC.

Giuliani has the gall to invoke 9/11 as the centerpiece of his presidential campaign, pulling a fast one over the voters by claiming to be "the hero". What is so "heroic" about lying to the people of New York about the toxicity of the air? What is so "heroic" about having foreknowledge of the Twin Towers' collapse, yet not warning the 343 firefighters who perished that day, likewise? What is so "heroic" about abandoning the emergency bunker, purpose-built for an event like 9/11, for $15 million on Floor 23, #7, World Trade Center? This facility was designed to handle bombs, bullets, 200 mph winds, and had its own secure air and water supply!

No, Mr. Giuliani was no 9/11 hero; the criminal negligence of the Mayor's office renders him one of the villains of the day. His campaign is kept alive by the weasly attitude of the corporate media in their taboo of anything which paints the Bush administration and its cronies in their true colors. If Americans only knew, Giuliani could never sustain a presidential campaign, let alone be the GOP's front runner.

For credibility's sake at least, Montesano should distance himself from Giuliani, chief endorser of the thuggish NeoConservative agenda which has caused endless bloodletting and wanton destruction over the last 6+ years, based on so many lies, and so much deception. How about opening a "Peace Store" in Baghdad, Gene?

Let's not be so critical of the man without hearing his logic concerning Giuliani. To judge and draw wrong conclusions because firsthand information is lacking--why Gene may support Giuliani--is unfair and demonstrates a lack of tolerance on our part. To be intolerant of Gene's political views without understanding his motivation for having them is to attack Gene because his views are different from ours. And if we call Gene a hypocrite for claiming to advocate peace while attacking him for his views because we disagree with them, we fail to advocate peace ourselves, and we become the hypocrites. Intolerance that leads to the degradation of what we do not understand is, in its most potent form, one of war's main and most tragic ingredients. If we are to achieve a community of peace--at least locally--it must begin within each of us as individuals. At the most basic level, this means withholding premature judgments. The Peace Store does not make Gene immune to controversial political issues; this is obvious. It is also obvious that each important political issue and each candidate for president is surrounded by controversy. Controversy is inherent to human existence. But this does not excuse putting someone down because we don't see eye to eye. If we take this approach we cripple progress, evolution, and achievement. And most importantly, we cripple ourselves.

Just one further note: if Yunt is so concerned with Montesano's character--as the Independent article suggests--why wasn't Gene confronted personally with the issue instead of having his name unpleasantly smeared and his store suggested a commerce ploy? Not really on the up and up if you know what I mean. Let's tone down on the backbiting and go do something more positive...like play one of the guitars that Gene put in Peace Store for everyone to enjoy, or go grab a bite at Tre Lune, or a great cup of coffee. Or, if you're in the mood to be philanthropic, see how you can get involved with the Lucky Brand Foundation and help a disabled child.