Iraq: The Killing Must Stop - FCNL

Legislative Action Message

Iraq: The Killing Must Stop - FCNL Printer-friendly version of this alert Read this alert online at: http://www.fcnl.org/action/2006/lam1012.htm “Study Claims Iraq's Death Toll at 655,000" – Washington Post on new study of civilian deaths in Iraq since U.S. invasion Yesterday’s headlines focused attention on the real consequences of the U.S. war in Iraq and the occupation. Any policy that creates a humanitarian crisis resulting in 420,000 to 790,000 Iraqi deaths, as suggested by the John Hopkins School of Public Health survey, is unacceptable and must end now. This policy needs to be the focus of the debate around the country in the weeks before the mid-term congressional elections. For more on the study, read an analysis by Col. Dan Smith (USA, Ret.). Members of Congress have taken some steps to call for a change in U.S. policy, but yesterday’s headlines highlight that they need to act. In the last three weeks, Congress has voted to increase military spending for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and to approve the torture of some U.S. detainees. These actions are sending the U.S. on a path toward continued violent conflict and rights violations that will only lead to more Iraqi and U.S. casualties. Citizen voices are key to changing the course of U.S. policy. Candidates will be in their home district and listening to voters for the next four weeks. Make your vote count as more than just a number. Now is the crucial time to engage in dialogue with candidates in your area. Your local newspaper is a key resource. The “letters-to-the-editor” page is a popular section of any newspaper. This page draws the attention of candidates, who monitor the opinion pages of newspapers in their districts to better gauge the views and concerns of voters. Letters-to-the-editor are also read widely by other people in your community who pay attention to the issues you raise. Respond to your newspaper’s coverage of Iraq, and write about the need for a new direction in U.S. policy. Your letter will make your perspective a part of the pre-election dialogue between candidates and voters and could help to influence the path taken by the next Congress. Take Action Write a letter-to-the-editor about Iraq. Keep your letter short, and focus it on your response to one article or issue that recently appeared in the paper. Personalize your letter by explaining how U.S. war policies affect you or your local community, or by grounding your position in your personal experience and beliefs. For added impact, mention the position of your elected officials and candidates for office. You can use FCNL’s website to send a letter to the editors of your local newspapers. Find out how your members of Congress voted on key issues (pdf). FCNL has online resources to help you write an effective letter Check out FCNL’s website for more ways you can get involved before the November elections. Background Resources Questions for candidates on Iraq. FCNL’s Questions for the candidates. Read Executive Secretary Joe Volk’s article “Baseless Baghdad” on TomPaine.com. Read more about FCNL’s work on Iraq. Find out how much your own community is contributing to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – how many dollars, how many military recruits – from the National Priorities Project. ________________________________________ Contact Congress and the administration. Order FCNL publications and "War is Not the Answer" campaign bumper stickers and yard signs. Contribute to FCNL. Subscribe or update your information to this list. To unsubscribe from this list, please see the end of this message. Subscribe to other FCNL legislative, policy, and action alert lists. ________________________________________ Friends Committee on National Legislation 245 Second St. NE, Washington, DC 20002-5795 fcnl@fcnl.org * http://www.fcnl.org phone: (202)547-6000 * toll-free: (800)630-1330 We seek a world free of war and the threat of war We seek a society with equity and justice for all We seek a community where every person's potential may be fulfilled We seek an earth restored.