[Peace-political] Revised and expanded statement

[Lori Davis]

I've been "lurking" as these proposals have been bounced around.  My work
usually happens on a one to one level so taking a broader political action
is new to me.  Be assured that even though I haven't responded to the
proposals regarding what to take to Tim Johnson's office, if I can make it,
I'll be there when a meeting is arranged.    Any word on that yet?  
 
Thank you for taking the time to put this together.  I agree with what you
said, Peter, about being concise.  I think leaving off the "enhance
safety..." and "cease efforts..." statements at the end would make it even
more concise.  Those two statements seem to me to get into areas that need
to be addressed but seem to dilute some of the more basic messages of not
striking back compulsively.  Just my two cents!
 
Lori

-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Miller [mailto:peterm at shout.net]
Sent: Sunday, September 16, 2001 10:02 PM
To: peace-political
Subject: [Peace-political] Revised and expanded statement


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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