The following is an archived copy of a message sent to a Discussion List run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
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Just copied this from the Friends Committee on National Legislation here in Washington, D.C. -- nicely compliments the splendid statement from the Friends in Wellington just posted to CASI. Have not checked but am confident that more excellent material is available from the American Friends Service Committee, www.afsc.org While some of this is specific to the U.S., I believe that most is pertinent to the struggle against the war worldwide. Tom October 11 , 2001 — uploaded at 6:30 PM The following message focuses on selected legislation which Congress is considering now and suggests some points that you may wish to make in your communications with Congress. These messages are intended as a supplement to other FCNL materials and do not reflect FCNL's complete policy position on any issue, nor do they include all pertinent facts on any topic. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- OPPOSE THE BOMBING IN AFGHANISTAN: On October 7, U.S.-led forces began bombing Afghanistan in the next step in the "war against terrorism." In the process, dozens of innocent civilians have been killed (including UN staff), dozens more have been injured, tens of thousands are fleeing their homes in fear, and shipments of food to the famine-stricken Afghan population have been reduced significantly. In sum, the U.S. is perpetuating a cycle of violence that began long before atrocities of September 11. The cycle will likely continue for years to come so long as people with political grievances (whether nations or groups) continue to accept the killing of innocent civilians as an acceptable means or consequence for achieving their political ends. ACTION: Please contact President Bush. Urge him to stop the bombing, stand down the U.S. military, feed the hungry, and work diligently through peaceful means to win the hearts and minds of the Afghan people and other peoples throughout that region to the cause of justice for the victims of September 11. Please send a similar message to your legislators and local news media. USE FCNL'S WEB SITE TO MAKE LETTER-WRITING EASIER: Start with the sample letter posted in our Legislative Action Center, personalize the language, then send your message as an email directly from our site or print it out and mail it. To view a sample letter, click on the link below and click <Go> in the <Take Action Now> box. Here is the link http://capwiz.com/fconl/issues/alert/?alertid=61640&type=PR&azip= BACKGROUND: To read the FCNL letter and statement that was sent to President Bush and Congress October 11, 2001, please see our web site at http://www.fcnl.org/issues/afghanistan/terrorism/stmt_fcnl-afghanistan.htm ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE: The attacks of September 11th have exacerbated an economic downturn that began earlier this year. The financial impact has been particularly acute in industries such as retail sales, restaurant and hotel services, and tourism, which employ many low-wage workers, including many women and immigrants. Congress and the President are presently working on an economic stimulus package. Current proposals differ in (1) the proportion of aid that would assist the business community vs. unemployed workers and (2) the nature of the assistance for unemployed workers. While some assistance to businesses is appropriate and necessary, any stimulus package must meet two important criteria. The package must provide immediate economic help to the most vulnerable in U.S. society, and the provisions should not harm economic stability in the long-run. Vulnerable workers would be helped by a variety of measures. These include, but are not limited to, (1) strengthening the unemployment insurance program, (2) increased funding for nutrition assistance programs, and (3) assistance with health care coverage. Measures currently under consideration that would threaten the long-term health of the economy include permanent (as opposed to temporary) business tax incentives and accelerating the phase-in of tax-rate reductions passed earlier this year. ACTION: Please call or write to your members of Congress. Urge them to support strengthening the unemployment assistance program, increasing funding for nutrition assistance programs, and providing assistance with health care coverage. Urge them to oppose measures that would threaten the long-term health of the economy. USE FCNL'S WEB SITE TO MAKE LETTER-WRITING EASIER: Start with the sample letter posted in our Legislative Action Center, personalize the language, then send your message as an email directly from our site or print it out and mail it. To view a sample letter, click on the link below. Then enter your zip code and click <Go> in the <Take Action Now> box. Here is the link http://capwiz.com/fconl/issues/alert/?alertid=61626&type=CO&azip= For additional background information, please see FCNL's web site at http://www.fcnl.org//issues/fed/sup/economy-jump.htm MILITARY SPENDING UPDATE: In response to the September 11 attacks, Congress will soon be considering another increase in military spending. Unless Congressional leaders apply the brakes, total military spending in FY2002 is likely to surpass $410 billion - $80-90 billion more than was spent in FY2001. Votes in the House and Senate on the Pentagon's budget for FY2002 could occur as soon as next week (the week of October 15). For additional information, please see FCNL's web site, http://www.fcnl.org/issues/afghanistan/terrorism/stmt_military-spending.htm. USE FCNL'S WEB SITE TO MAKE LETTER-WRITING EASIER: Start with the sample letter posted in our Legislative Action Center, personalize the language, then send your message as an email directly from our site or print it out and mail it. To view a sample letter, click on the link below. Then enter your zip code and click <Go> in the <Take Action Now> box. Here is the link http://capwiz.com/fconl/issues/alert/?alertid=61345&type=CO&azip= ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- CONTACTING LEGISLATORS Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 CONTACTING THE ADMINISTRATION -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a discussion list run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq For removal from list, email soc-casi-discuss-request@lists.cam.ac.uk CASI's website - www.casi.org.uk - includes an archive of all postings.