NUTSHELL ACTION: Thousands of Iraqis are organizing nonviolently for justice and a peaceful way forward for their country. We know that many AFGHANISTAN (and PAKISTANI) civilians are doing the same, despite the monumental obstacles they face. We must do our part.
If your US senators aren't willing to vote against new war funding, at the very least, challenge them to support 1) No permanent bases in Afghanistan or Iraq, 2) An end to the air war that is killing innocent Afghan civilians, and 3) A clearly stated exit strategy from Afghanistan.(Update your own awareness concerning US/Pakistan drones & other killing of militants and injuring/killing of civilians caught in crossfire in Pakistan as well. Find out more & links here on this blogsite, oneheartforpeace.)
Still more work to do as Senate prepares for its vote on supplemental war funding this week.
Thank you for taking action last week by telling your representative in the House to vote "NO" on supplemental spending for the continued occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan. While the bill did contain some monies for influenza readiness, fighting wildfires, and the global health fund to fight HIV/AIDS, the vast majority of the over $94 billion is for additional troops and weapons procurement for Afghanistan and Iraq. Only 5% of the funding is for any humanitarian support in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Even though the legislation passed by a vote of 368 to 60, your calls and emails did make a difference. Our elected leaders are beginning to question the wisdom of continuing these wars, and there is still a long fight ahead of us. While IVAW continues our work at the grassroots level, telling our stories and building GI resistance to these conflicts, your calls and emails to the Senate right now are also very important.
Why this additional war funding is a huge mistake...
More war funding means continued multiple deployments for an exhausted military, which means more combat stress and PTSD harming our veterans and their families.
Escalating in Afghanistan means more civilian deaths at a time when Afghan President Karzai has demanded an end to U.S. air strikes that kill and maim Afghan families.
We should be funding job creation for veterans and others suffering in a poor economy at home rather than more taxpayer money for wasteful conflicts abroad.
President Obama promised no more war funding through supplementals that are not part of the federal budget and hide the real cost of these wars.
Take action today
Urge your Senators to vote "NO" on the $94.2 billion supplemental wartime spending bill by calling or emailing them.
If your senators aren't willing to vote against new war funding, at the very least, challenge them to support 1) No permanent bases in Afghanistan or Iraq, 2) An end to the air war that is killing innocent Afghan civilians, and 3) A clearly stated exit strategy from Afghanistan.
Iraqis and Afghans want peaceful solutions
IVAW's recent trip to Iraq for the International Labor Conference showed us that thousands of Iraqis are organizing nonviolently for justice and a peaceful way forward for their country. We know that many Afghanistan (and Pakistani) civilians are doing the same, despite the monumental obstacles they face. We must do our part.
When you do contact your Senators, will you let us know? Shoot us an email to admin@ivaw.org to tell us that you've taken action.
Thank you for standing with us,
Iraq Veterans Against the War
P.S. See the recent Nation article by IVAW member and Afghanistan war veteran, Rick Reyes.
No comments:
Post a Comment