[Peace-political] Revised and expanded statement

[Peter Miller]

When talking to Tim's staffer, we should have a concise, easy-to-understand 
one-page document with rationale and specific requests for action.  Here's 
my proposal for what we take to his office.
-Peter

We are U.S. citizens and residents interested in helping our government 
find the least violent response possible to the attacks of September 
11.  We offer the following sentiments and observations:

The US government should offer all aid necessary to assist the victims.

The US government should capture those responsible for the attacks.  The 
mindless killing of thousands of innocent civilians should not be allowed 
to happen, and if the planners of the attacks can be found and tried in a 
fair and just trial, they should be imprisoned.

Our government should abide by established international law and standards 
of conduct when operating outside US borders.

Military strikes against uncertain targets compromise American safety.  We 
fear that our government may enter a military war against an ill-defined 
enemy.  We believe that such attacks, whether "pin pricks" such as the 1998 
strikes against Sudan and Afghanistan or full-scale invasion, will not make 
us more secure.  We feel that US attacks will provoke more attacks against 
the US.

Civilian deaths are unacceptable in any US response.  The September 11 
attackers claimed thousands of civilian lives.  A US response that takes 
more civilian lives places our government in the same category as the 
attackers.

American freedoms must not be compromised.  We should learn from our 
history.  The Palmer Raids of 1920, Japanese internment camps during World 
War II, the McCarthy Red Scare, and the FBI's Counter Intelligence Program 
(COINTELPRO) of the 1960s and 1970s all teach us that America is diminished 
when our government denies Americans their civil liberties.  We hope that 
America will not be scarred by another similar event.

Enhance safety by promoting democracy and helping satisfy human needs.  Now 
is the time to reject the Cold War doctrine articulated by George Kennan in 
1948:
We have about 50% of the world's wealth, but only 6.3% of its population. 
In this situation we cannot fail to be the object of envy and resentment. 
Our real task in the coming period is to devise a pattern of relationships 
which will permit us to maintain this position of disparity...We should 
cease to talk about vague and...unreal objectives such as human rights, the 
raising of living standards and democratization...The less we are hampered 
by idealistic slogans, the better.

Such attitudes put all Americans at risk by fostering rage against our 
government.  Our post-Cold War government must articulate a new doctrine 
which rejects Kennan's ideas.

Cease efforts to elevate commercial privileges above civil, political, and 
economic human rights and environmental protection.  As an economic 
superpower, we must take leadership in addressing human needs.  Promoting 
trade agreements and funding financial institutions (such as the 
International Monetary Fund and World Bank) that disregard human need will 
inevitably put Americans at greater risk to future attack.

To put out a fire, the fuel source must be depleted.

If we want peace, we must have justice.

Please use your office to promote justice and enhance the safety of all 
Americans.
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