WAR: Not the President's Decision

by: davidswanson

Wed Dec 02, 2009 at 20:24

The U.S. Constitution leaves the decision to wage war to Congress, and Congress can enforce its decision not to wage war by refusing to fund it.  Blocking a funding bill for wars requires the House of Representatives alone, and both Democrats and Republicans in the House are rapidly joining us in saying No to war funding.

It's time to finally get serious, to lobby, to protest, to sit in, to nonviolently disrupt and resist in local district offices until enough Representatives commit to voting No on any bill to fund more war.

Here's a link to a rapidly-changing whip list in the form of a google document that you can embed on your own website:

http://afterdowningstreet.org/whipwars

 

One technique to use in pressuring your (mis)-Representatives is to run primary or general election challenges against them.  A great example is Marcy Winograd's primary challenge, expected to unseat incumbent Jane Harman next year.  Winograd has committed to voting No on war funding:

http://winograd4congress.com

The "No You Can't" Rally

“No You Can’t!” Rally at White House December 12

Unity Among Peace Movement Groups against Obama War Escalation - Warning of Reprisals to Troop Surge

Over 100 leading peace activists have announced an ‘Emergency Anti-Escalation Rally’ at the White House on December 12, from 11a.m. to 4 p.m., to reject President Obama’s planned military escalation in Afghanistan. The rally is organized by End US Wars, a newly formed coalition of national and grass-roots antiwar organizations, with endorsements from leading peace leaders. Speakers include: Cynthia McKinney, Sen. Mike Gravel, Kathy Kelly, Chris Hedges, David Swanson, Phyllis Bennis, Rev. Graylan Hagler, Coy McKinney, Debra Sweet, Brian Becker, Mathis Chiroux, Lynne Williams, Hon. Betty Hall, Elaine Brower, Marian Douglas, Michael Knox, Ralph Lopez, Ron Fisher, and statements from Col. Ann Wright, Stephen Zunes and Granny D (turning 100).

http://www.enduswars.org

Peace of the Action

Make plans now to join us in nonviolent resistance to war in Washington, D.C., in March 2010:

http://peaceoftheaction.org