Mar 10, 2009

Today a growing number of Members of Congress are questioning troop escalation in AfghanistanIt's important that we support them!

Republican Representatives Ron E. Paul (R-TX 14th) and Walter Jones, Jr. (R-NC 3rd) initiated a bipartisan letter to the President expressing concerns about his decision to surge in Afghanistan.

Here's a excerpt from the letter (Click here to read the full text):

"...Afghanistan allowed military action 'to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States.' Continuing to fight a counterinsurgency war in Afghanistan does not appear, to us, to be in keeping with these directives and an escalation may actually harm US security… We are also concerned that any perceived military success in Afghanistan might create pressure to increase military activity in Pakistan."

1. Please call the congressional switchboard at (202) 224-3121 (they can tell you who your Representative is) and ask for the Foreign Affairs Legislative Aid. 

2. Explain to them that you are a constituent and would like your Representative to sign Rep. Walter Jones letter asking the President to reconsider troop escalation in Afghanistan.

3. Call now as the deadline for congressional signatures is Noon Eastern this Wednesday, March 11th.

4. Click here to tell us how your call went.

Democratic leaders Representative Lynn Woolsey (D-CA 6th) and Representative Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH 10th) also signed on with the encouragement of Peace Action and our coalition of non-governmental organizations. As the Organizing, Policy, and PAC Director I organized 17 groups to put pressure on Congress including: September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, Pax Christi USA, Win Without War, American Conservative Defense Alliance, American Friends Service Committee, New Internationalism project, Institute for Policy Studies, and NETWORK a National Catholic Social Justice Lobby.

These partners have lobbied hard to prevent increased violence in Afghanistan. Whether opposing nighttime drone strikes in Afghani and Pakistani villages or speaking out in support of diplomatic and humanitarian aid, they are the most vocal opponents to the continuation of failed policies in the Middle EastWhile other groups have been criticized by the Progressive community for not taking a stand against a troop surge in Afghanistan, Peace Action has emerged as a leader on the issue.

Support our efforts to promote new solutions for AfghanistanCall your Representatives today and tell them to sign on to this letter to the President before Wednesday March 11th. We'll send you updates on this, and much more, as America struggles to find a proper path in Afghanistan.

Sincerely,

Paul Kawika Martin
Peace Action 

P.S. Have you signed our petition to stop the surge into Afghanistan? If not, please take this important action. If you've already signed, don't forget to tell your friends.

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