Peace Action Now

IN BRIEF: Excerpt from below:

"There is no military solution to the problems of Iraq, Afghanistan or Pakistan. The American air strikes inside Afghanistan and Pakistan are stirring up more suffering, fear and hatred towards the United States, while decreasing the prospects of a negotiated settlement. Congress needs to re-think and re-direct American resources."

Although this is in reference with War $ for actions in Afghanistan and Iraq - perhaps we might each survey our own consciences, principles and intuitions in order to find one action we will take towards peace with and for Pakistan - a long-time US ally?

The following Action is from one I have supported for a long time:
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The Obama administration asked Congress for another $83.4 billion for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. That funding was then increased to $94.2 billion by the House Appropriations Committee and is about to go before Congress for a vote as early as this Thursday.

Members of Congress need to hear from as many of their constituents as possible that this war funding bill is unacceptable! Please call your Congress person today and tell them to oppose the bill.

Call your Representative at 1-800-517-5696 and ask to speak to their Foreign Policy staffer, if available. Look up your Representatives name -here

Let them know that you want your Representative to:

~ Vote against the supplemental war funding;

Ask them (or thank them if they already cosponsored) also to demonstrate leadership to end the occupation in Afghanistan by joining over 40 other Representatives by co-sponsoring Representative Jim McGovern's (D-MA) bill that would require President Obama to provide an exit plan for Afghanistan no later than December 2009. View the list of sponsors here. here

~ Support amendments that:

1. Provide timelines for bringing troops home from Afghanistan and Iraq
2. Promote Afghan- and Iraqi-led aid and development
3. Increase funding for refugees
4. Support women's rights

Now, if you're feeling like a super activist, pick up the phone again and call both of your Senators and follow the same script above except ask them to introduce an amendment like McGovern's. The Senate will most likely vote for war funding next week.

The answers congressional staff tell you is very important intelligence for the coalition of groups working to change policy in the Afghanistan region. Please go to our blog and post your Rep.'s name, who you talked to and what they said.

Background
Last week Secretaries Clinton and Gates testified before the full Senate Appropriations Committee to explain their strategies and budget needs in preparation for a vote on the Supplemental. Although both senior officials repeatedly said economic assistance and diplomacy are the keys to stability and security, only 8% of the funding in this bill is for non-military activities, the remainder for military operations.

There is no military solution to the problems of Iraq, Afghanistan or Pakistan. The American air strikes inside Afghanistan and Pakistan are stirring up more suffering, fear and hatred towards the United States, while decreasing the prospects of a negotiated settlement. Congress needs to re-think and re-direct American resources.

Let them know that you reject yet another "blank check" for war!

Sincerely,

Paul Kawika Martin
Political and Organizing Director
Peace Action

here