[Peace-discuss] AWARE

[C. G. Estabrook]

[Hardly "firmly on board" in April, PA seems to be moving a bit. --CGE]


[1] "...Where are the email appeals to join Cindy from The Nation or from AFSC
or Peace Action or "Progressive" Democrats of America (PDA) or even Code Pink?"
--<http://palestinethinktank.com/2009/09/01/the-silence-of-the-antiwar-movement-is-deafening/>


[2]	OCTOBER 5 DIRECT ACTION AT WHITE HOUSE
	by Don Muller
	Sunday Aug 23rd, 2009 11:06 AM

     On October 5, the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance (NCNR), along
with other national peace groups, will carry out direct action at the White
House to end the war in Afghanistan and demand reparations for the people of
Afghanistan.

Eight years ago on October 7, 2001, the U.S. and Britain invaded Afghanistan --
and the war on Afghanistan continues today, with President Obama, the “anti-war
candidate,” increasing the number of troops. On Monday, October 5, 2009, the
National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance (NCNR), working with Witness Against
Torture, *Peace Action*, The War Resisters League, World Can't Wait, Atlantic
Life Community, Voices for Creative Nonviolence, and Veterans for Peace, will
mark the anniversary and speak out against the war with direct action risking
arrest at the White House. We will gather at 10 AM at McPherson Square for a
permitted rally and to hear lifelong war resister and widow of Phil Berrigan,
Liz McAlister. From McPherson Square, we will march to Pennsylvania Avenue. We
will visit the White House in an act of civil resistance, calling for a
withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Afghanistan and demand an ending of the
illegal bombing in Pakistan with US drones and other forms of violence, the
closing of the Bagram prison, and an ending to indefinite detention and torture.
We are calling for an end to these wars and occupations, including that of Iraq,
so that our resources can be used for life-sustaining actions including the
funding and the rebuilding of Afghanistan’s and Iraq's infrastructure and
medical assistance to Afghans and Iraqis, in addition to poverty reduction
programs in the United States and world wide.  We are also calling for
accountability for those who have committed war crimes.  The White House action
is a key component of a number of complimentary actions planned for early
October. If you would like to be involved contact: For more information:
www.nogoodwar.org or http://www.iraqpledge.org/  To sign up:
http://vcnv.org/ncnr For the latest death toll: http://www.icasualties.org/OEF/
[Emphasis added.]

Morton K. Brussel wrote:
> This from the Peace-Action website: It would appear that their list of 
> tallking points to be made firmly puts them on board for an American military
> sithdrawal from Afghanistan. This kind of negativism by Carl and Raimondo
> seems to confirm what Stuart is concerned with, and is destructive in trying
> to form an anti-war, anti-occupation coalition. --mkb
> 
> 
> 
> A Better Plan
> 
> Take Action In Your Community April 6th - 9th
> 
> Sign our Petition 
> <http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/161/t/288/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=746>
>  President Obama announced his 10 year plan for Afghanistan. It includes an
> additional 21,000 U.S. military forces deployed in Iraq and diplomatic
> engagement of Pakistan. He is still trying to force political and social
> change through the Pentagon.
> 
> *We have a better plan: focus on diplomatic cooperation and humanitarian aid,
> mitigate civilian causalities by scaling back military force.* The United
> Nations, U.S. and British generals, peace groups, and 19 members of Congress
> agree: *the war in Afghanistan cannot be won militarily and success is only
> possible through political means including dialogue between all relevant
> parties.*
> 
> *Download our paper petition.* 
> <http://www.peace-action.org/Afghanistan/petition_afghan.pdf>
> 
> Write a Letter to the Editor 
> <http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/161/t/288/letter/?letter_KEY=1122> 
> Peace Action reaches out to the media to educate the public and change the
> conversation on critical issues like the troop surge in Afghanistan. *You can
> help. * We need to build public support for diplomatic solutions in
> Afghanistan.  Join our media campaign by writing a letter to the editor.
> *You can use any of our pre written letters by clicking here.
> <http://www.peace-action.org/letter_editor_afghanistan.html>*
> 
> In-District Visits Congress is at home the weekend of April 4th through the
> 6th. Welcome them back with an in-district lobby visit. Peace Action has a
> better plan for Afghanistan (read below). You can use our fact sheets to help
>  drive your point home. To make an appointment look up your Congressperson
> online here. <https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml>
> 
> *Here are your Talking Points:*
> 
> 1. De-escalate troop levels in Afghanistan and to reject the idea that there
> is a military solution to the region's problems;
> 
> 2. Immediately stop military activities that indiscriminately impact 
> civilians such as air and drone strikes;
> 
> 3. Rapidly withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan;
> 
> 4. Commit to negotiated diplomatic talks involving all major regional
> players, including major international peace-keeping bodies; and,
> 
> 5. Address the real needs of Afghans, which include health-care, clean water,
> education, and security.
> 
> On Sep 2, 2009, at 9:32 PM, C. G. Estabrook wrote:
> 
>> Stuart--
>> 
>> I'll try to say some more about this, but one quick point:
>> 
>> As I argued at the time, I think Raimondo's reference to Peace Action was
>> correct, and I think their position is a sign of the continuing disarray of
>> liberal opposition to the war.  Such opposition now comes primarily not
>> from liberals but from the Left and the old Right.
>> 
>> Go look at their website now.  Their opposition to the war in AfPak is 
>> certainly restrained.  There's no call for withdrawal from Afghanistan.
>> Only within their list of talking points can one find anything that
>> suggests that.
>> 
>> Their position is in short somewhat to the right of George Will's. That's a
>> bad sign.  --CGE