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

[Debra Schrishuhn via Peace-discuss]

You betcha. 
Thanks
Deb

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 20, 2014, at 1:08 PM, Stuart Levy <stuartnlevy at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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:
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 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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