Call Congress: say NO to US leading a new military intervention in the war in Syria

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the US had intervened 3 years ago when the democratic forces in Syria were calling for help, and done so by a. calling for an International Conference to have the countries of the world stand up for a democratic process and decide what kinds of support they could give to the democratic forces at that time (probably outside the UN, given the archaic form of the Security Council) b. apologizing to the people of the region for the U.S. invasion of Iraq and our destructive role there during the war that we initiated, including our torture centers at abu greib and other less well known locations, and brought to trial those officials of the U.S. government and the CIA who had ordered, permitted or facilitated acts of torture in violation of universal standards of human rights, and c. initiating the process of creating a Global Marshall Plan (along the lines proposed by the Network of Spiritual Progressives at www.tikkun.org/gmp) whose first location would be the Middle East ....then there might have been some legitimacy for the U.S. playing a leadership role at this time. But until these steps are taken, the U.S. will almost certainly be perceived as simply continuing its illegitimate war that was temporarily suspended a few years ago, and might unite the Sunnis against us and into a regional war between Sunnis and Shia. At this point, less is more--and the urgency to stop the horrific and disgusting behavior of ISIS must be taken up by the rest of the world, with the US helping to convene them, but not taking the leadership in violent military actions or pouring more weaponry into the conflict that may well end up in the hands of ISIS or whatever hateful regime emerges after iSIS is defeated. With memories of the US torturing of Iraqis fresh in the minds of many in the region, and the recognition that Saudi Arabia, a central part of those opposing ISIS, continues to engage in beheading those it determines to be criminals, it becomes wise to not have the U.S. perceived as the central part of a new military escalation in the area. The NSP (Network of Spiritual Progressives) is part of the peace and non-violence supporting Win Without War coaltion, we want to urge you to act on their effort to have people call Congress today to communicate this kind of message. When you call Congress, you can send our NSP kind of message along with the message that the Win WIthout War coalition is championing. First, do no harm, and war-making is harm (and as a U.S. Army general said yesterday, ground troops are certainly conceivable. Iit is easy to see how the next president might take the resolutions passed today as legitimation for expanding this war, just as George w. Bush used the 9/11 aftermath congressional resolutions as his defacto justification for starting the invasion of Iraq in 2003--Rabbi Michael Lerner, editor, Tikkun Magazine [email protected] [ http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=rmous8%2F6tqff9qNCOgG2ZFTaJvdouFr7 ] Dear TIKKUN and NSP Community, We expect the House to vote around 4 pm eastern time TODAY (Sept 17) on *H. Amdt. 1141 [ http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=H9YDYrzUqnYC7uSSMnBj85rEhxW7ml49 ], Rep. McKeon's (R-CA) proposal to train and arm Syrian rebels*. Before throwing fuel on the fire of the Syrian civil war [ http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=iOqi7Z9Y0hlQ2ZIOBbqBRFTaJvdouFr7 ], Congress needs to consider alternatives [ http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=3AbuKUhXBTcE5MeE69seUlTaJvdouFr7 ] to military intervention and to heed the advice of constituents who do not want the U.S. entering another endless war in the Middle East. *Please take one minute to call your Representative using this toll-free number: 1-855-686-6927.* [ http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=W3QrF4dSzs8g9HZouUHWllTaJvdouFr7 ] After 13 long years of war, we know, that the costs are simply too high for Congress to get this wrong again. Thank you, Stephen Miles Advocacy Director Win Without War _________________________________________ Dear Michael, [ http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=m2LW98IZQKCcWCzQDhAHb1TaJvdouFr7 ] In the past six weeks, America has flown nearly 3,000 missions, deployed more than 1,500 troops, and launched more than 150 airstrikes in Iraq. Just last week, the President announced that our latest war in the Middle East will be ramping up, with increased airstrikes in Iraq and soon also in Syria. And, as early as today, Congress is going to vote on a controversial plan to send arms to Syrian rebels, pouring fuel on the fire of the Syrian civil war.* Your Members of Congress need to hear from you before they support another endless war in the Middle East! [ http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=eEDsO6wGEcajD4MtPs2oClTaJvdouFr7 ]* The hard truth is that U.S. airstrikes will not solve the problems we face in Iraq and Syria. Over the past 13 years, we have seen how the unintended consequences of military action can spiral out of control. U.S. bombs, and the civilian deaths they cause, often serve as recruitment tools for groups like ISIS. American supplied weapons have already fallen into the hands of violent extremists. And American military intervention often makes the hard diplomacy needed to solve the underlying political conflicts impossible. *That's why we're organizing a national day of action today to stop the escalation of violence. *Please join with activists across the country and make your voice heard!* Call Congress by using this special toll-free* number: 1-855-68 NO WAR (1-855-686-6927 [ tel:%281-855-686-6927 ]).* This number will connect you with the Capitol Switchboard operator, and you should ask to be connected to your Representative's office. Introduce yourself as a constituent and explain that you're opposed to the use of military force against ISIS and would like your Representative to promote alternative options [ http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=sACRrx8NFjMCaqxWxmC8xFTaJvdouFr7 ] to deal with ISIS. Once you're done, call back and ask to be connected to each of your Senators' offices. * Sample Script:* "Hi I'm ______ and I'm a constituent calling from ______. I'm calling to ask you to stop and ask the hard questions before we go back to war in the Middle East. Before arming the Syrian rebels or launching more airstrikes, we need to fully explore alternatives to force. After 13 long years of war, we know, that the costs are simply too high to get this wrong again. Thank you!" * Please take two minutes right now to call your Members of Congress and stop the march back to war. Call toll-free 1-855-686-6927 TODAY! [ http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=JUSr3G33tLycXqxnSrb0ZFTaJvdouFr7 ]* After you've called, please let us know any feedback you received. *Please report your call [ http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=mZdh8cqkb4LEYOhy1CFm%2BVTaJvdouFr7 ]and invite your friends and family [ http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=NMGNkYsA3OzZcXJTN6rlo1TaJvdouFr7 ] to call Congress.* Thank you, TIkkun and NSP members and supporters, for working for peace by supporting Tikkun and the Network of Spiritual Progressives, part of the Win Without War coalition. **************************************************************** You are receiving this email because you signed up for TikkunMail or NSPMail through our web site or at one of our events. 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