WAR: It's Not President's Decision

[davidswanson]

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

[noamnety]

1. I was wondering today if republicans are big enough asses

to vote against funding the war just to embarrass Obama. I don't know what that would do to the 2010 elections if republicans were the ones who forced troop withdrawals.

[leftstreet]

Republican politicians are probably ITCHING to go antiwar

They know they'd make a massive comeback with voters.

But alas they cannot.
The war profiteering machine owns both parties.

[Duende azul]

9. Somehow they'll manage to let it happen like the Bailout.

The Dems holding the bag for a repub-desaster.

It's a win-win for them. Since this war is likely to be a disaster, Obama will be the only one owning it in the end.

[humbled_opinion]

10. They are not

They love WAR, it makes them belive they are worth something. Republicans love war more then they hate Obama...make no mistake they will fund it. They want the Democrats to mount the resistance...

The wind in my sails is very weak though... Obama has let me down.

[stray cat]

2. So those DUers who "know" Obama is wrong should convince the congress and senate

and get busy.

[boston bean]

3. they don't declare war anymore, get with the program

they have resolutions of force!

there has been no declaration of war for iraq or afghanistan.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

4. They're still the ones who approve the funding. n/t

[boston bean]

5. i know, i didn't mean to sound so grumpy, it just frosts me that

they can get away with it.

[WeDidIt]

6. Good luck wiht that one

failing to fund the troops is political suicide.

[mix]

7. K&R

More precisely, war powers are divided between the executive and legislative, and since FDR, this power are favored the executive. But this is a sound strategy.
http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/warandtreaty.htm

[PuraVidaDreamin]

8. Totally on board with this. Sit INs inside your congress persons office are easy

Yup, you'll likely get arrested, but the charges are always ALWAYS dropped, if you sit in peacefully.
Just need to make a little bail and go to court once or twice. Find your local Peace and Justice group.

I'm so excited for Peace of the Action. Why haven't we done this before?