Thursday, April 05, 2007
Let US Try Being Peaceful for Once and See What Happens
Open-ended support for the occupation of
The 'new' Congress has failed its first test. It could have used the power of the purse to end Bush's spectacularly disastrous war on
The Democrats' version of the supplemental has far too many loopholes in it, which could leave tens of thousands of US troops in
Our job as a movement not to accept the Democrats' "this is the best we can do, this is what the traffic will bear" posture.
I ask you to join me in demanding - Troops Home in 2007!
Too many Members of Congress, even ones who initially voted against the war in 2002 and heap deserved criticism on Bush for his policies, voted for the supplemental spending bill funding the war, for fear of being smeared as "not supporting the troops." Some Members even speak as if the troops will be stranded in the desert and have to hitchhike home if they vote down the supplemental appropriations bill.
This is cowardly nonsense, and they know it. Congress has appropriated over $450 billion for the war. If there isn't enough money lying around to bring the troops home safely, Congress could take it out of Star Wars "missile defense" or the "Reliable Replacement Warhead" budget or some other Pentagon boondoggle.
There's only one way to support the troops -- bring them home to the warm embrace of their families as soon as possible.
Congress needs to know we demand action now. We cannot wait while more lives are lost and the price tag for Bush's folly soars toward the trillion dollar mark.
Will you help me make sure they get the message?
Peace Action is not advocating 'cut and run'. We call on Bush to swallow his arrogant pride, go the United Nations and ask the international community to help us extract the US military from this no-win occupation before it spreads to Iran and engulfs the entire region in a far more dangerous and deadly conflict.
NEWS BRIEF: "US to attack Iran by end of April", Yahoo News, April 5, 2007
"Kuwait City, April 4 (Xinhua) The US is planning to attack Iran's nuclear reactors and other nuclear facilities by the end of this month, the Kuwait-based Arab Times newspaper reported Wednesday. Citing anonymous sources in Washington, it said that various White House departments had started preparing the political speech to be delivered by the US president later this month, announcing the military attack on Iran. The speech will provide the 'evidence' and the 'justification' for the US to resort to the military option after failing to persuade Tehran to give up its nuclear ambitions..."
Since June, 2003, President Bush and his Cabinet officials have repeatedly threatened to attack Iran. The President marched soldiers to the Iranian border and then quietly marched them back. The President repeatedly beefed up carrier presence in the oceans off Iran, and then quietly dispersed them once the public threats ceased.
We were told to expect an "October Surprise" in both the 2004 and the 2006 elections, i.e., an attack on Iran.
Therefore, since recent history has truly taught us to be wary, we can only wait to see what will transpire.
Labels: American Troops, Iraq war fiasco, Iraqi quagmire, peace action, soldiers
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Let's Try Saving Lives - Not Taking Them
The "Bring the Troops Home and Iraqi Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2007," H.R. 508, was introduced last week by Reps. Lynn Woolsey (D - CA6), Barbara Lee (D - CA9), and Maxine Waters (D - CA35), with the following intent: "To require United States military disengagement from Iraq, to provide United States assistance for reconstruction and reconciliation in Iraq, and for other purposes."
Click here to send an email to your Representative and tell them to co-sponsor H.R. 508!
This bill - which Peace Action Education Fund was involved in creating - mandates that all U.S. troops and military contractors in Iraq return to the U.S. or redeploy outside of the Middle East within six months of the date of enactment, at which point funding obligated or expended to deploy or continue to deploy U.S. forces in Iraq will be terminated. H.R. 508 would also repeal the 2002 authorization of force resolution approved to go to war with Iraq.
A truly comprehensive piece of legislation to end the war, H.R. 508 would also do the following:
* authorize U.S. support for replacing U.S. troops and contractors with an international stabilization force
* prohibit any permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq
* accelerate U.S. troop and contractor assistance for training of a permanent Iraqi police force
* authorize a wide array of non-military U.S. bilateral and multilateral assistance for reconstruction and reconciliation in Iraq, including a compensation fund for Iraqi noncombatant civilian casualties
* guarantee complete health care for U.S. veterans of military operations in Iraq and other conflicts.
This is very important: even if this bill does not pass, the amount of support we can generate for it will help push the debate, and any legislation Congress does pass, in our direction. Click here to let your Representative know that you expect them to co-sponsor H.R. 508.
Peace Action Education Fund, along with our members, supporters and colleagues, has lobbied long and hard for many of the provisions in this act, and its introduction represents a shift toward real security based on international cooperation and the defense of human rights - as opposed to the endless war strategy of the Bush Administration. It would build trust with the Iraqi people and others in the Middle East, guarantee that the federal government meets its obligations to the many veterans who have sacrificed so much in this war, provide reparations and reconstruction for the Iraqi people, and offers a formal avenue for members of the House to admit their error in authorizing Bush to use force in the first place.
This is the bill we have been waiting for, and working toward, for a long time. Please take a moment to send your Representative an email and let them know that non-binding resolutions are not enough - demand that the co-sponsor H.R. 508, the "Bring the Troops Home and Iraqi Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2007."
With thanks for all you do for peace and justice,
Randolph
Labels: American Troops, Iraq war fiasco, peace action, war on terror
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
The Iraq Fiasco can only get worse...
Tonight, President Bush will announce his most recklessly arrogant action of his recklessly arrogant presidency -- sending more of our troops into the Iraq civil war. In doing so, he'll defy the counsel of military experts on the ground and thumb his nose at the 61 percent of the American public that opposes an escalation of the conflict.
It's time for all Americans to collectively and emphatically tell the President, NO!
Our friends and allies in the Win Without War Coalition and MoveOn.org are organizing civic actions across the country --a grassroots surge against the Bush escalation -- 24 hours after the President's address tonight. You can sign up and learn more at www.AmericaSaysNo.org, hosted by Win Without War member True Majority.
In November, the voters rose up demanding a change of course in Iraq, and a government that serves the people, not the special interests, at home. Campaign for America's Future is hard at work on the domestic front so the First 100 Hours agenda succeeds at home.
But the President's escalation is such a brazen disregard of the people's will, we felt compelled as progressives to join with our allies across the country to stand up for American security and democracy. Tomorrow at a press conference in Washington, we will help to launch the new Americans Against Escalation in Iraq coalition.
We need to set a new tone in Washington this new year: The will of the people must be done -- both at home and abroad!
This is a crucial moment in the history of American democracy. Do our elections matter? Are we a republic or a monarchy? Will our system of checks and balances ensure that the public dictates our policies, not an unaccountable sovereign?
In November, the people sought to correct our nation's course at the ballot box. Because the President's refuses to listen, our only recourse is to get louder -- in our streets, our town squares and our houses of worship.
Please join our friends at Win Without War at www.AmericaSaysNo.org, and join the Nationwide "Surge" of Protest.
BACKGROUNDPresident Bush is expected to give his "new direction in Iraq" speech tonight, Wednesday, January 10th. News reports have already confirmed that Mr. Bush is going to reject all reason, logic and sound advice, as well as the wishes of the American people, and propose sending even more troops to Iraq. It is preposterous, but that is exactly what he is going to say, according to all sources: send 20,000 to 30,000 more troops.
We urge you to join us in saying NO! to this insane plan to sacrifice even more American troops - and more Iraqis - in an unjust, immoral and unwinnable military occupation.
There are three ways you can participate in this critical effort:
1) Join or organize a simple "Americans Say NO!" demonstration in your community - several hundred are already being organized (details immediately below).
2) Contact your members of Congress: tell them that you absolutely oppose an escalation of the war in Iraq, and that they need to do more than simply pass non-binding resolutions - they need to stop it. Click here to send them a quick email message.
3) Join us for the massive "Mandate for Peace" National March and Lobby Days here in Washington, D.C. January 27-29.
A few members of Congress are talking about how they might prevent Bush's proposed escalation, but they need to hear a tremendous push from the peace movement and the American public saying NO! to this delusional idea. You can help out in any or all of the following ways:
1) The "Americans Say NO!" demonstrations across the country are being coordinated by Win Without War and True Majority, with the support of Peace Action Education Fund, and our hope is to get as many people as possible across the country presenting a graphic image of our opposition to any escalation. The plan is simple, and the events are easy to host (if there is not one already happening in your area): groups will converge in their local communities on the evening after the President's speech with some ready-made signs carrying the "NO!" message. You can read out the names of the servicemembers from your state who have died in Iraq, or simply hold a silent candlelight vigil. Tell the press, and be sure to take a digital photo of your event to add to the online collection.
To find an "American's Say NO!" event in your area, or to sign up to host one (and find simple instructions), please click here.
2) Some members of Congress already understand the mandate for peace that was delivered in last November's election, but many still don't - and even some that do are still too timid to act on it by opposing the President. Remind them just how strongly you feel about this - click here to send your members of Congress a strongly-worded message denouncing any escalation of the war in Iraq, and telling them that they need to do more than simply pass non-binding resolutions against it.
3) What was already going to be a large rally in January could become truly huge if Mr. Bush tries to push his "surge" plan through. Just as it is critical for us to do the demos and send email messages to our members, it is critical to have the largest possible turnout for the Mandate for Peace National March and Lobby Days on January 27-29. Click here to find out more about it. (You can also contact local Peace Action chapters to find out their plans for the march; click here to find the chapter nearest you.)
This is a remarkably important moment. We won a significant victory to end the war with the election this past fall - now we must follow up on that victory to ensure that the Bush Administration cannot ignore it. Thank you for contacting your member of Congress, joining an "Americans Say NO!" event, and coming to the national march and lobby days on January 27-29.
[1] "Kennedy: 'George Bush's Vietnam'", Kate Phillips, The Caucus - Political Blogging from the New York Times, January 9th, 2007,
[2] "President Bush Pleased to Accept Recommendations from Secretary Gates for General Petraeus and Admiral Fallon", White House Press Release, January 5th, 2007,
Labels: American Troops, Iraq war, peace action, President Bush
