Action Alerts

"I am calling to urge the Representative to put the timetable and troop readiness restrictions back into the Iraq funding legislation. I oppose any Iraq funding which gives the President another blank check for war."

Call your Representative right now.

Two weeks ago we celebrated the House's historic vote to cut off Iraq war funding. Progressives stood strong and insisted on a strict timeline to end the war. We also won troop readiness standards and a new 21st century GI bill which provides expanded education benefits for our returning veterans.

Then the bill got to the Senate. It was exciting to see that we grew the number of Senators who voted against blank-check war funding. But, in the end, they stripped out all the readiness restrictions and timelines and voted to continue funding a war without end.

Right now our Representatives are back in their home districts. They need to hear from us this week -- before they get back to DC. They need to know that progressives stand united in opposing this watered down bill sent back by the Senate. Tell your Representative to put the timetable and readiness restrictions back into the Iraq funding legislation.

Make the Call Right Now:
http://www.truemajority.org/warfunding

TORTURE IS A MORAL ISSUE

Dear Friends:

Please join us in an interfaith prayer during religious services the weekend of June 6-8 to observe the first full weekend of Torture Awareness Month.

Two months ago, President Bush vetoed legislation that would have banned the use of torture by US intelligence services. We worked hard to win passage of that legislation by both houses of Congress. This June we will publicly recommit ourselves, as people of faith, to continuing the struggle to end US-sponsored torture.

NRCAT is organizing a number of ways that you and your congregation can mark Torture Awareness Month. More than 150 congregations across the country have already committed to displaying a banner as part of our Banners Across America project. By June 1, we will have bumper stickers available for purchase on our website.

Please go here: http://citizenspeak.org/node/1274 to tell Mike Huckabee to affirm his opposition to torture.

Message Preview:
Subject: NEVER: Tell Mike Huckabee to Affirm Opposition to Torture

Your Personal Statement

As people of faith, our consciences are deeply troubled by recent revelations that decisions to torture prisoners were made at the highest level of government. No matter what political afilliation, people of faith must speak out against these violations of international human rights and our own sense of decency as a nation.

Mr. Huckabee, as a man of faith who just launched a PAC to support the values of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, we ask you these two simple questions:

1. Will you affirm the Christian faith and the American principles of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness by signing the Evangelical Declaration Against Torture?

2. Will you require the candidates supported by your PAC to take a stand against torture?

Your Name
Your Organization
123 Your St.
Yousville, YO 12345
Phone: (123)456-7890
Fax: (123)456-7890x123

Please go here now: http://citizenspeak.org/node/1274

CNN estimates 100,000 people were killed in the cyclone in Myramar. Moveon.org is recomending Avaaz.org for donations. The donations will be handled by Buddhist monks. The government is not trustworthy.

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/burma_cyclone/77.php

FROM PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS OF AMERICA (PDA)
Not a branch of ,or affliated with the Democratic Party

Do we give in or dig in?
Will you take the next step...

Dear Crossleft Member,

PDA has been a consistent voice against war. We supported HR 4232, The End the War in Iraq Act, and HR 746, The Safe and Orderly Withdrawal Act. We have protested, lobbied, made phone calls and written letters. We've fought against the war since our birth in 2004, and we helped elect the Democratic Congress in 2006 to end the occupation of Iraq.

It still rages on. Do we continue the fight or do we give up?

In a game of political one-upmanship, the Democratic House will vote this Thursday to authorize more money to fund the violent occupation of Iraq.

Do we give up the fight, or do we dig in?

Democrats want to tarnish Republicans by forcing them to vote against veteran’s benefits and unemployment insurance extensions in an election year, a strategy developed by Democratic leadership. It appears they have given up on ending the occupation of Iraq now—for more violence, bloodshed, and lost treasure—so they can end it after the election!

Do we give up the fight, or do we dig in? I say we dig in, roll up our sleeves, and take it to the streets!

The Episcopal Public Policy Network
Policy Alert

"We must seize every opportunity to make small gains, even in times of overwhelming challenge." -- Rep. David Price in a letter to Churches for Middle East Peace Conference: Calming the Storm -- Middle East Peace Making in a Turbulent Time

President Bush will travel to the Middle East May 13-18. Before he leaves, it is important that he hear from citizens across the country that the U.S. must exercise robust diplomatic leadership to create a climate in which negotiations for the establishment of a viable State of Palestine alongside a secure Israel can continue and yield substantive progress. The hopes that were raised in Annapolis are being dashed daily by both the continuing expansion of Israeli settlements, the crisis in Gaza, and ongoing violence by militant groups.

At the Annapolis conference convened by President Bush in November of 2007, Palestinian Authority President Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Olmert agreed to launch formal peace talks and work for a final agreement before the end of 2008. Talks were to include "final status" issues such as borders, the future of Palestinian refugees and of Jerusalem.

A number of us progressive faith bloggers have started a campaign called NEVER: Religious Bloggers Against Torture.
The primary goal of the campaign to me is to get religious people much more engaged in speaking out against torture. We want to work in concert with existing efforts like the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, but I think religious bloggers also bring some unique to the table in terms of organizing online.