Congress will soon decide if it will agree to the Obama administration's request to give $3 billion in military aid to Israel next year, part of a ten-year commitment that totals $30 billion. We oppose military aid to Israel, since it is used to fund confiscation of Palestinian land and an illegal occupation. We want that money used in Maryland and other states for schools, libraries, bridges, and renewable energy--and the jobs to go along with them.
Under the terms of this agreement, Maryland taxpayers by 2018 will have contributed over $592 million to Israel's military--which is already ranked tenth strongest in the world. Moreover, Israel has a vibrant economy and is in the top tier of developed countries. Why are we providing so much aid to a country that is arguably in better financial shape than we are and that has one of the largest and most sophisticated military forces on the planet?
Here are some things Maryland could do with the portion of our tax money going to Israel under this outrageous deal:
- Provide 7,191 households per year with affordable housing grants OR
- Provide 9,831 job seekers per year with green jobs training OR
- Provide 17,510 children per year with early reading education OR
- Provide 479,600 people per year with primary health care.
Meanwhile, at the UN
Palestinian politicians are expected to request the admission of a state of Palestine to the UN this month. The Israeli government has responded by announcing the construction of new blocks of illegal settlements. Since Israel opposes Palestinian representation at the UN, the U.S. has promised to use its Security Council veto to ensure defeat of the resolution.
On September 15--two days after the UN has convened--we will take to the streets and demand true democracy for everyone in the Middle East. We want a just solution that guarantees equality and human rights for all people who call Israel and Palestine their home. We want the U.S. to stop being Israel's poodle. And we will demand that our government keep that $30 billion at home. After all, wouldn't that money be better spent here?
Please join us! Details in the calendar below.
Will We See You on Sept. 20?
We plan to take back the budget debate! But we need you to help us do it. Come to the Silver Spring Civic Center, One Veterans Place, Silver Spring, at 7:30 p.m. on Tues., Sept. 20. Invite your friends!
We also hope you will sign our on-line petition to Rep. Chris Van Hollen, a member of the powerful new Congressional "super committee." Please sign it, even if you are not in his district--this committee is making decisions for the entire country, for years to come. Let Rep. Van Hollen know what you think!
Our Money . . . Our Voices . . . Our Budget Priorities
See you in the streets!
In peace and solidarity,
Adrienne, Alex, Dave, Fran, Jean, Karen, Larry, Mel, Melinda, Mike, Nik, Pam, Pat, Shelley, Steve, Sue, Tim
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Today's Quote
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Why do you stand they were asked, and
Why do you walk?
Because of the children, they said, and
Because of the heart, and
Because of the bread.
Because
The cause
Is the heart's beat
And the children born
And the risen bread.
Daniel Berrigan
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 Calendar | 
Thurs., Sept. 15: 6 p.m., join us for a march from the State Dept. to the White House, "No Taxation for Israeli Occupation." Assemble at 6 p.m. at 22nd & C Streets NW. More info here. Co-sponsored by Peace Action Montgomery.*
Tues., Sept. 20: Montgomery County Town Hall, "Taking Back the Budget Debate." 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Silver Spring Civic Center, One Veterans Place, Silver Spring. Sponsored by Fund Our Communities, Bring the War Dollars Home. More info here.*
Sun., Sept. 25: 10:25 a.m. Jean will share pictures and discuss her trip to Afghanistan--all welcome! Fireside Room, River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6301 River Road, Bethesda. Directions here.
Thurs., Sept. 29: Peace Action Montgomery meeting, at the home of a member. All welcome! E-mail us here for address.*
Thurs., Oct. 6: October 2011 nonviolent resistance actions in DC. More here.*
Every Saturday: Join the Olney Peace Witness, corner of Rt. 108 and Georgia Ave., 10:30-11:30 a.m.*
Every Friday: Vigil at Walter Reed, in the open plaza between Dahlia and Elder streets, 7 to 9 p.m., come for any amount of time during that period.*
*Events that Peace Action Montgomery has discussed and formally endorsed.
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Oct 2011: Call for Nonviolent Resistance
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Join activists, union members, students, faith leaders, civil rights advocates, community organizers--and everyone else--for our own Tahrir Square in D.C. in October. October will be the tenth anniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan and the beginning of the 2012 Federal austerity budget. Check here for more information and to sign the pledge. Both individual and organizational endorsements are sought. |
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| | TO DO THIS WEEK |
Invite your friends to our Sept. 20 Town Hall--and be sure to come yourself!
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Sign our e-letter to Rep. Chris Van Hollen here.
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Join us on Sept. 15 at the State Department for a protest and march in support of Palestinian freedom.
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Invite us to show our PowerPoint, American Militarism: At What Cost? to your group, large or small! E-mail us for details.
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Invite Jean to your group to show her photos from Afghanistan and talk about what she learned there. E-mail us here.
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Commentary
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Read this very interesting article on Libya: Lessons and False Lessons.
Want to understand what the budget deal means for the military? Read our analysis here. |
Those Who Died
Aug 7 - 27
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In Iraq:
278 Iraqis
In Afghanistan:
Sgt Adan Gonzalez JR 28 Bakersfield CA
Sgt Joshua Robinson 29 Omaha NE
Cpl Kisan Thapa 30 Corsica
Pvt Gerhardus Jansen 24 Corsica
Sgt Alessandro Plutino 28 Pitman NJ
Cpl Nicholas Ott 23 Manchester NJ
Spc Patrick Lay II 21 Fletcher NC
Pvt Ruben Lopez 27 Williams CA
Spc Jameel Freeman 26 Baltimore MD
Spc Jordan Morris 23 Stillwater OK
Sgt Edward Frank II 26 Yonkers NY
Medic Riley Gallinger-Long 19 Cornelius OR
Sgt Charles Price III 40 Milam TX
Ltn Daniel Clack 24 England
Cpl Ali Husseini Facrou 23 France
Ltn Joe Cunningham 27 Kingston OK
Sgt Matthew Harmon 29 Bagley MN
Spc Joseph VanDreumel 32 Grand Rapids MI
Spc Dennis Jensen 21 Vermillion SD
Ltn Damon Leehan 30 Edmond OK
Ltn Camille Levrel 36 France
Pvt Douglas Cordo 20 Kingston NY
Cpl Travis Nelson 19 Pace NC
Sgt Szynon Sitarczuk 28 Poland
Cpl Douglas Grant 41 New Zealand
Pvt Matthew Lambert 21 Australia
Ltn Timothy Steele 25 Duxbury MA
Sgt Andrew Tobin 24 Jacksonville IL
Pvt Brandon Mullins 21 Owensboro KY
Pvt Jesse Dietrich 20 Venus TX
Spc Michael Roberts 23 Watauga TX
274 Afghans and Pakistanis
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