Opposing War
9/4/2013
I just sent this letter to my representatives.
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Dear Rep. Cooper and Sen. Alexander:
Please accept my urging that you oppose U.S. military action against Syria.
While allegations of chemical weapons attacks are extremely serious, the U.S. and others in the international community must allow U.N. investigations to proceed to determine the facts of what happened, and then respond through appropriate diplomatic and legal channels, not militarily.
Although Pres. Obama has asked for your support, I hope you will consider all the implications of such a decision. U.S. military action, including sending weapons to opposition groups, will only increase the suffering of the Syrian people and the shattering of Syrian society. Instead, the U.S. should work urgently toward an inclusive political solution to the crisis, guaranteeing the rights of all Syrians.
Please give Pres. Obama other alternatives to war. I urge the U.S. to increase contributions of food and other humanitarian assistance to civilians in all areas of Syria and to Syrian refugees who have fled to neighboring countries, and their host communities.
Please consider very carefully and lean toward peace not war. Escalating military responses will only draw the U.S. into another conflict that we helped create, and cause greater suffering. Help end this cycle of violence. Advocate for more peaceful options.
Thank you for considering this request.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. — Martin Luther King, Jr.
[composed with some guidance from the Mennonite Central Committee http://org2.salsalabs.com/o/5764/t/0/blastContent.jsp?email_blast_KEY=1261022 ]
