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You can get your own city or town to act in Iraq. It's a small step, but in the finest tradition of Democracy. The downloadable copy is available at http://www.citiesforprogress.org
A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE (YOUR CITY/TOWN NAME HERE) CITY COUNCIL'S
SUPPORT FOR THE U.S. TROOPS CURRENTLY SERVING IN IRAQ, AS WELL AS THOSE THAT
HAVE PREVIOUSLY SERVED, AND THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN KILLED OR WOUNDED DURING
SUCH SERVICE, AND THEIR FAMILIES; AND EXPRESSING THE COUNCIL'S PREFERENCE
THAT MISDIRECTED FUNDS TO CONTINUE THE WAR IN IRAQ BE REDIRECTED TO DOMESTIC
PRIORITIES, INCLUDING PRESSING NEEDS IN THE CITY OF XXX.
WHEREAS, more than 137,000 United States military personnel, including many from the city, are bravely and honorably serving in Iraq and deserve the support of all the city citizens and Americans; and
WHEREAS, the people of this city will always honor the sacrifices of the American soldiers who have died or been wounded in combat in Iraq, including the more than 3,000 United States military personnel who have died in Iraq and the more than 22,500 who have been wounded; and
WHEREAS, the proposed war budget of year 2008 is 27.2% of the total proposed security budget; and
WHEREAS, our state's cost of war is XX ( http://www.nationalpriorities.org/costofwar_home ), and our city's cost of the war is XX, ( http://www.nationalpriorities.org/costofwar_home ) while community development block grants are being cut by XX in our state ( http://www.nationalpriorities.org/table1_cdbg ); and
WHEREAS, the CITY Council of the city hereby expresses its deep opposition to the current budget of increasing military and war spending in Iraq, in part due to the impact on the available federal resources required to provide for the urgent needs of the most vulnerable portions of the American population, including the need to provide for the health, education, and homeland security of the City and of other major urban areas within the United States; and
WHEREAS, in excess of $250 billion has been appropriated by Congress to fund military operations and reconstruction in Iraq while in contrast, the City's total amount of HUD grants has decreased significantly since 2002, the year before the commencement of the war in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, this decrease in federal grant money severely lessens the ability of the City to rebuild its urban core, promote home ownership opportunities in the city, and provide critical housing services for the poor, the disabled, and for people with HIV-AIDS and other medical needs; and
WHEREAS, according to analysis by the Task Force on a Unified Security Budget for the United States published by the Institute for Policy Studies 55.91 billion dollars of the total military spending could be cut allowing for development of domestic nonmilitary goals and redirect funds for immediate domestic goals in this city; and
WHEREAS, polls show that greater than 60% of Americans oppose sending additional American troops to Iraq, which indicates that the majority of Americans share this Council's concerns with increasing funding levels in Iraq at this time
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF XX:
SECTION 1. That X City Council supports the U.S. troops currently serving in Iraq, as well as those that have previously served, and those that have been killed or wounded during such service, and their families.
SECTION 2. That X City Council expresses its opposition to President Bush's increased war and military funding
SECTION 3. That the city, its elected leaders and its citizens have a responsibility to highlight the implications of sending available federal resources, which are urgently needed by the most vulnerable portions of the American population in the city and other major urban areas within the United States.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the city shall forward copies to President George W. Bush, United States Senators --- and ---, House Representative ---- and members of the state U.S. Congressional delegation.
ADOPTED by the Common Council of the city, state this 6th
day of March, 2007.
So and So, President
City Council
[Resolution xxx will now be forwarded to the Mayor for signature.]
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/30960
Section 1. All Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Chief Executive of the United States, who will be amused by a Senate and House of Representatives.
Section 2. The Congress shall have Power to pass any law pleasing to the Chief Executive.
There are so many reasons to be happy going into the Saturday Caucuses!
1. At last, Washington State gets a turn to decide the future of our nation. Microsoft. Boeing. And amber waves of grain. Washington State is not one of those arrogant, boastful states (hello Texas and New York!) but we're smart and fun-loving. So listen up!
2. Democrats have to choose between two good candidates. Wow!
3. I prefer Obama. Hilary has many good points and would be a fine president. But, America is ready to move on from the Bush/Clinton era.
4. Obama taught Constitutional Law for eight years. America NEEDS a president who's actually read the thing.
-2/8/2007
--- 2/1/2008
Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan will feature testimony from U.S.
veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, who will tell the hard truth
about what is really happening, day in and day out, in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The four-day event will bring together veterans from across the country to testify about their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan - and present video and photographic evidence. In addition, there will be panels of scholars, veterans, journalists, and other specialists to give context to the testimony. These panels will cover everything from the history of the GI resistance movement to the fight for veterans' health benefits and support.
When: Thursday March 13 to Sunday March 16
Where: National Labor College, 10000 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD
(just outside of Washington, DC)
In 1776, Thomas Paine wrote: “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”
In 1971, a courageous group of veterans exposed the criminal nature of the Vietnam War in an event called Winter Soldier. Once again, we will create a space for veterans to make their voices heard.
Americans have heard from the generals, they've heard from the politicians, they've heard from the media - but they haven't heard the truth. Americans must understand the reality of the wars our government is spearheading in order for our democracy to truly function. When we tell our stories, it is America's duty to listen.