Category Archives: Militarism

‘We can’t bomb our way out of a pandemic’

John Nichols | ‘We can’t bomb our way out of a pandemic,’ says Pentagon critic Mark Pocan

24 August 2021
Cap Times

Original Link 

“U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan is a voice of sanity amidst all the partisan wrangling over the messy withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

Of course, he’s been frustrated by the disorderly evacuation process, and he has been outspoken in arguing for the rapid resettlement of refugees.

“The United States has a duty to honor its commitment to the Afghanis who helped our efforts, such as guides and translators,” he said. “We must ensure these refugees are allowed to reach our shores as safely and as quickly as possible.”

Yet he remains a thoughtful supporter of the decision to end the U.S. mission in Afghanistan.

A longtime critic of U.S. military adventurism, Pocan supports the withdrawal as an acknowledgement of the reality that nation building of the sort that was initiated almost two decades ago by the administration of Vice President Dick Cheney and President George W. Bush was never going to work.

“You can’t go into a country like Afghanistan and expect to leave it with Dunkin Donuts and Disneylands,” he said. “And too often I think that that is what we try to do.”

What should we do?

Yes. Cut the spending on profiteering waste and fraud. It is wrong for the US government to violate the rights of other people.

The US government is a gangster, not the world police.  Murdering people to steal their resources or other reasons is a violation of their natural rights, human rights and likely their legal rights.  Americans are not the only people who enjoy liberty.

#WarIsARacket

#Accountability for all.

~ Ratified Treaties have the POWER of US law  ~

 

“This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding. 

~ Charter of the United Nations ~

Chapter VII — Action with respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression

~ Convention II Article 2 Geneva Conventions ~ 

Shatter the Myths of Empire – Matt McKenna

Aug 24 – No Drone Action – Ground the Drones and End the Wars

~ VIGIL AGAINST THE DRONES ~

OUTSIDE THE GATES OF VOLK FIELD

TUESDAY AUGUST 24, 2021    3:30-4:30 pm

We need YOU there 

 

Dear Friends,

 

We must continue to stand against all forms of US Militarism.  Please join us on August 24 to stand against drones.

And then please join us on Sat. Sept. 11 at 30 W. Mifflin St., in front of Sen. Baldwin’s office at 10:00 am for our Mobilization Against Militarism.  See attachment for more details.

The vigil at Volk Field is a legal vigil where we will be on public property.  As always, it will be a solemn vigil, remembering the victims of US government drone attacks.

DIRECTIONS – To get to the vigil, take the Camp Douglas exit off Interstate 90/94 between Mauston and Tomah.  When you exit take County Rd. C to the northeast.  You will see the base straight ahead, but follow County Rd. C to the right and within a few blocks is a picnic wayside where you can park.  The wayside is open for the summer and bathrooms are available.

 

Volk Field Google Map

 

THE VIGIL – We will gather at the wayside around 3:15 for introductions and to review the plan for the vigil, and then process together to the gates of the base where we will hold a solemn vigil for one hour to remember those killed by drones.  Participants can stand in silence or read poems and stories about the effects of drone warfare.  It is important that the voices of the victims be brought to the gates of Volk Field.

Bring posters if you can.

A WORD ABOUT THE WEATHER – If you have questions about the vigil because of the weather, please make sure to call Joy at 608 239-4327 or Bonnie at 608-256-5088 for an update.

CARPOOLING –  If you are interested in carpooling to Volk Field from Madison, please contact Bonnie at 608-256-5088.

We hope to see you at the vigil on August 24.  If you can’t come this time, mark your calendar.  We usually vigil on the 4th Tuesday of every month.  If you have any questions please call or email Joy at 608 239-4327 or [email protected] or Bonnie at 608-256-5088 or [email protected] .

Peace,

Joy and Bonnie

Wisconsin Coalition to Ground the Drones and End the Wars

 

Afghanistan Appeal (Peace Project)

This short piece sums up what is going on in Afghanistan, and it also includes a way to contribute to a fund that helps people in Afghanistan to escape the violence.

Please consider giving.

“The Taliban take all major cities in Afghanistan ~ The Presidential Palace has fallen ~ President Ghani flees the country ~ US pledge to redeploy 5,000 troops ~ All embassy staff leave the country ~ We are now looking at a Taliban led Government ~ The Taliban say they want to take power without violence.”
Pictures by Maya Evans.

Over the last ten years we have been working in solidarity with young Afghan peace activists in Kabul, supporting their grassroots projects and encouraging efforts to promote peace. We have made a number of trips to Kabul and seen first hand their incredible work, while also meeting and collecting the stories of ordinary Afghans and how their lives have been impacted by 40 years of war and conflict.Over the last few weeks, the Taliban have moved rapidly, taking provinces and cities overnight. At the time of writing, Kabul has just been taken, President Ghani has fled the country, foreign embassy staff are being evacuated, and the Taliban have closed the airport. Many of the boarders, such as the one to Iran, have been closed. There are now 4 million internally displaced Afghans with nowhere to run.

young Afghan peace campaigners climbing a mountain.

The Taliban have been targeting and making examples of anyone who has been working with the Afghan Government, foreign military or international organisations. Our friends feel that their high-profile campaigning has made them potential targets within their neighbourhoods.

Refugee Camp

We are running a collection so that our young friends can, if needed, flee quickly. Many Afghans are now escaping to the mountains. This appeal is about protecting the lives of young Afghans who have worked tirelessly for peace and non-violence.

Street kids school.

Donate via PayPal: paypal.me/vcnvuk

Direct Debit:
Voices for Creative Non-Violence UK
Community/ Business Account
The Co-operative Bank
Account: 65583025
Sort: 089299

Cheques payable to: VCNV UK
31 Carisbrooke Road
St Leonards on Sea
TN38 0JN
With thanks and solidarity,
Maya, Mary & Henrietta
Afghanistan Peace Project
Formerly Voices for Creative Non-Violence UK

 

March to Oppose the Military Industrial Complex at Truax Field, Madison, Wisconsin

Mobilization to protest F-35s at Truax – June 26 at 2pm
see you at Madison College K2 parking lot

JOIN US TO PROTEST F-35 FIGHTER JETS

Follow this link to Safe Skies Clean Water Wisconsin website.  Sign up for updates there.
Mobilize at Truax: F-35s won’t let us thrive – June 26

 

Start gathering at 2:00 pm, Madison College parking lot, for information, music & lyrics. Head to Truax gates – for speakers and follow-up actions.

More at Safe Skies Website

F-35 fighter jets are not just a local problem. In addition to endangering the health and safety of residents in neighborhoods where they are based, they represent the worst of government wasteful spending, profits to private weapons manufacturers despite faulty products, and harmful foreign policy, distributing F-35s to other countries (at US taxpayer expense), thus encouraging the use of force over diplomacy.

Now that it is safe for most of us to gather in person, it’s time to pull together to create more awareness and demand NO F-35s.