Every month there's a new disaster that shows the absurdity of the claim that keeping tens of thousands of U.S. troops in Afghanistan is in the interests of Americans or of Afghans.
On Sunday, a U.S. Army sergeant shot and killed 16 innocent Afghan civilians. Nine of them were children; one was a 3-year-old girl. He killed many of the victims with a single shot to the head before he piled together 11 of the bodies and set them on fire. There is no way to measure the loss for the victims' families and no way to calculate the additional deaths of Americans, Afghans, and others that will follow this murderous act.
Last month, Muslim holy books were burned at a U.S. military base. The month before, a video showed U.S. soldiers urinating on the corpses of Afghans.
But even without these atrocities, there is no way to "win" this war--it is all in support of a vile, mafia-style, corrupt regime in Kabul, one that has no support in any part of Afghanistan and never will.
Will you urge your Representative in Congress to help end the war by co-sponsoring H. 780?
H. 780, introduced by Rep. Barbara Lee, would limit funding for the war to providing for the safe and orderly withdrawal from Afghanistan of all members of the Armed Forces and Department of Defense contractors. Call toll-free at 877-429-0678 and urge your Representative to co-sponsor H. 780. Please report your results to us--simply reply to this e-mail.
Or you can send an e-mail to your representative here. Better yet, do both! Congressional offices gauge support of a bill by counting calls and e-mails, and they don't cross-check them. What's Wrong with Washington? The majority of Americans are done with this war. But Washington hasn't gotten the message yet. For example, Donna Edwards is the only one of Maryland's representatives who has signed onto H. 780. (Be sure to call her office and thank her!) At an event last night in Wheaton, Rep. Chris Van Hollen said we need to stick to the President's time table of getting out of Afghanistan in 2014--not earlier-- although Mr. Van Hollen didn't seem sure if getting out is doable by 2014. He refused to say that he would cosponsor H. 780. He needs to hear from you! Let's use this massacre as a call to action and a way to embolden us as peacemakers. How many tears, how many prayers, how much violence will we both inflict and suffer before our nation ends this war? Tell Congress, "It is time to bring the troops home from Afghanistan. Support H 780." Call toll free 1-877-429-0678 right now and ask for your representative. Thank you for all you do to help bring about a more peaceful world. In peace and solidarity,
Adrienne, Alex, Dave, Fran, Jean, Karen, Larry, Mel, Melinda, Mike, Nik, Pam, Pat, Shelley, Steve, Sue, Tim
P.S. Please consider attending a candidates' forum, to ask Congressional hopefuls questions about wars and military spending. See some dates and locations below. Let us know if you'd like to see the questions that we've developed! You can ask one of them.
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| Today's Quote | |
The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it
Martin Luther King, Jr.
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 Calendar | 
Mon., March 19: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., "Iraq: Nine Years of war and Activism--Is It Over?" A reflection on the anniversary of the start of the Iraq war. Co-sponsored by Peace Action Montgomery. Busboys and Poets, 14th and V Streets, DC. more info here.
Thurs., March 22: 7:15 - 9:30 p.m. Along with the NAACP and several other organizations, we are sponsoring a forum for senatorial candidates. We urge you to attend and ask a question about war and military spending! Clinton Park Baptist Church, Piney Branch & University. Invite all your friends--let's show Sen. Cardin that we want him to be a voice for peace.
Thurs., April 5: 7 -9 p.m., Peace Action Montgomery steering committee meeting, at the home of a member. All welcome! For directions, contact us here.
Sat., April 14: Fund raiser for the Afghan Women's Fund, at Jean's house. Crafts and carpets available for sale, plus hear an inspirational talk by Fahima Vorgetts, head of the Fund. Open house, with refreshments. Come any time between 3 and 8 p.m., 2305 Gold Mine Road, Brookeville.
Sun., April 15: Fund Our Communities, Bring the War Dollars Home is planning a guerrilla theater for the Global Day of Action Against Military Spending. More info to come, but it on your calendar for the afternoon!
Sat., May 19: Peace Action Montgomery's annual luncheon, at Rockville Unitarian Universalist Church. 11:30-1:30. Don't miss it! Our
Every Saturday: Join the Olney Peace Witness, corner of Rt. 108 and Georgia Ave., 10:30-11:30 a.m.
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MoCo Candidate Forums in March
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Why go to a political candidates' forum? Because if we don't show up, no one else will ask any questions about war or peace or military spending.
These events provide us with an opportunity to influence both whomever is ultimately elected and the people who involve themselves in politics. If no one asks about war, the candidates (including the winner of the election) will not see the issue as important to the community.
Please go to at least one of the events listed below. E-mail us if you'd like us to give you some possible questions! And we'd love a report once you've gone!
Most of these are for District 6--you DO NOT have to be a resident of District 6 to go to a forum and ask a question.
Political Forums in Montgomery County:
Mon., March 19: 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. (Breakfast event). Democratic 6th district candidates. Original Ambrosia Restaurant 12015F Rockville Pike Rockville, Maryland 20852 Thurs., March15: 7:30-9:30 pm, Darnestown Presbyterian Church, 15120 Turkey Foot Road, North Potomac Sun., March 18: 2 p.m., Gaithersburg High School, 314 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, MD 20877; the forum will be held at the adjacent activity center at Bohrer Park. Wed., March 21: 7 -9 p.m., Montgomery County Candidate Forum, Wootton High School, 2100 Wootton Pkwy., Rockville
Thurs., March 22: 7:15 - 9:30, Senate candidates forum, Clinton Park Baptist Church, Piney Branch & University. This forum co-sponsored by Peace Action Montgomery.
Fri., March 23: 5 -8 p.m., AARP and Maryland Public Policy Institute, Candidates Debate, Montgomery College, Germantown Campus, Globe Hall, 20200 Observation Drive, Germantown Sun., March 25: 1 - 3 p.m., 6th Congressional District GOP Debate, Montgomery College, Germantown Campus, 20200 Observation Drive, Germantown Sun., March 25: 4 - 6 p.m., 6th Congressional District Democratic Debate, Montgomery College, Germantown Campus, 20200 Observation Drive, Germantown
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| | TO DO THIS WEEK |
Plan Call Congress now and say, "End the war in Afghanistan. Support H. 780." Call toll free 1-877-429-0678
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Choose a Congressional candidates' forum to go to in March--see dates and locations below--and ask the candidates about wars and military spending.
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Commentary
| Read the op-ed by Robert Naiman and Malou Innocent:
"Afghanistan shooting shows U.S. should stop treading water." |
| Those Who Died Feb. 12- 25 |
In Afghanistan: Air Ryan Tomlin 21 England
PO Kyler Estrada 21 Maricopa AZ
Sgt Jerry Reed II 30 Russelville AR
PO Paris Pough 40 Columbus GA
Cap Ryan Hall 30 Colorado Springs CO
Cap Nicholas Whitlock 29 Newnan GA
Ltn Justin Wilkens 26 Bend OR
Air Julian Scholten 26 Upper Marlboro MD
Cpl Francesco Curro 32 Italy
Cpl Paolo Messineo 28 Italy
Cpl Luca Valente 28 Italy
Cap Feti Vogli 30 Albania
Sgt Allen McKenna Jr 28 Noble OK
Cap Timothy Conrad Jr 22 Roanoke VA
Sgt Justin Born 25 Niceville FL
Col John Loftis 44 Paducah KY
Maj Robert Marchanti II 48 Baltimore MD
82+ Afghans and Pakistanis
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