[Peace-discuss] [Peace] Fwd: Two important issues before Congress

[Stuart Levy via Peace-discuss]

Yep, I like this, too.   Could you add my name as well?

Thanks to you, Debra, and to PDA!

On 11/20/14 7:31 AM, Debra Schrishuhn via Peace wrote:
> Just a note--Progressive Democrats of America members are in the
> process of delivering our monthly letters to Congressional district
> and DC offices, complete with follow-up calls to each office. Last
> month we delivered 391 letters, and expect to deliver a comparable
> number this month. Our House letters include requests on both of these
> issues and our Senate letter contains the following language:
>
> Demand a debate on, and oppose, U.S. military intervention against
> ISIS. Also, vote against any new or renewed Authorization for the Use
> of Military Force (AUMF) against ISIS. The Iraq War helped create
> ISIS. More warfare will only increase turmoil and bloodshed in the
> Middle East.
>
> To date, there is no Senate companion bill to Rep. Hank Johnson's HR 5478.
>
> We are also asking for opposition to the TTP, expansion of voting
> rights, jobs legislation, and other issues of vital national
> importance. If you would like to join our national phone bank team,
> please contact Mike Fox at mikefox at pdamerica.org. If you would like to
> become involved in local delivery of letters to Sens Durbin and Kirk
> and Reps Davis and Shimkus, please contact me at
> deb.pdamerica at gmail.com
>
> Deb
>
> On 11/19/14, C. G. Estabrook via Peace <peace at lists.chambana.net> wrote:
>> Begin forwarded message:
>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> VFP Legislative Priorities
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Current Bills Related to VFP Priorities
>>>
>>>
>>> Why Work With Congress?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Building A Relationship With Congress
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Preparing for a Meeting
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Use GovTrack.us to Follow a Bill
>>>
>>>
>>> Join VFP's Legislative Action Group
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> November, 2014
>>>
>>>
>>> For VFP, there are two especially important issues before Congress in
>>> these last months of the year:
>>>
>>> Stopping the U.S. war in Iraq and Syria
>>>
>>> Stopping the militarization of U.S. police forces
>>> Contact your members of Congress with the information provided below.
>>> (Toll free:  1-877-429-0678)
>>>
>>> Identify yourself as a member of Veterans For Peace.
>>>
>>>
>>> Ask to speak to the legislative aide who handles military affairs.
>>>
>>> Try to start a dialogue; ask for a response on these issues.
>>>
>>>
>>> 1. Stop the U.S. war in Iraq and Syria
>>>
>>> The White House claims they need Congress to approve $5.6 billion before
>>> they can send the 1,500 additional troops to Iraq that were announced
>>> earlier this month.  There may also be votes to authorize these military
>>> interventions.  Tell your member of Congress to oppose funding and oppose
>>> authorization of these new wars.
>>>
>>> There are better ways to respond to the threat posed by ISIS, including:
>>>
>>> accelerating humanitarian assistance for displaced people,
>>> halting the flow of US arms to the region,
>>> pressuring allies to halt the financing and the flow of weapons and IS
>>> personnel through their territories,
>>> prioritizing diplomatic intervention under United Nations auspices,
>>> insisting on a renewed peace process for Syria that includes all parties,
>>>
>>> involving Iran and other regional actors in the negotiations over Iraq’s
>>> future, which include the diversity of groups within that country.
>>> While none of these options are fool-proof, an American war is a proven
>>> failure.
>>>
>>>
>>> VFP Chapter 49 – Indianapolis has created a good two-page summary on
>>> alternative responses to crises in the Middle East.
>>>
>>> 2. Stop militarization of police in the U.S.
>>>     H.R. 5478: Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act
>>>
>>> would help keep military hardware out of  the hands of civilian police.
>>> Tell you Representative to co-sponsor this bill and call for hearings in
>>> the House Armed Services Committee.
>>> The gross militarization of the police as seen in Ferguson MO clearly
>>> shows that a review of the 1033 Weapons Transfer Program is immediately
>>> needed.
>>> Since its creation, the program has distributed at least $4 billion worth
>>> of equipment to local police departments.
>>> The program was suspended in 2012 because some states lost track of
>>> equipment!  Unfortunately it was restarted in 2013.
>>> Police officers are not at war with American citizens - they are here to
>>> serve and protect us. It only makes sense that if we arm them like
>>> soldiers going into battle, they will think we want them to act like
>>> soldiers.
>>>
>>> Thank you for raising the powerful veteran voice in Congress!
>>>
>>>
>>> Sincerely,
>>>
>>>                   Michael T. McPhearson                      Virginia
>>> Druhe
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Veterans For Peace, 216 S. Meramec, St. Louis, MO 63105, 314-725-6005
>>> www.veteransforpeace.org
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Make a tax-exempt donation to VFP today!
>>>
>>>
>>> We also encourage you to join our ranks
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Forward to a Friend
>>>
>>> Unsubscribe
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
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