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Rethink Afghanistan
Rethink Afghanistan is a ground-breaking documentary in 6 parts focusing on the key issues surrounding the war - What military escalation will achieve, The effect on the stability of Pakistan, Cost of the war, Civilian Causalities and US Airstrikes, The impact on women, and a discussion by former CIA agents on victory in Afghanistan. The war in Afghanistan is at a critical juncture. It is important that we educate ourselves on the issues and direct our opinions and the facts to the policy makers of our country. October 8 marks the 8th year of war. www.rethinkafghanistan.com

Public Presentation
Phyllis Bennis: 8 Years in Afghanistan: Why We Need to Leave – Wednesday, October 21
A Public Meeting on Afghanistan with Phyllis Bennis. Phyllis Bennis is a fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, D.C. and a brilliant political analyst. She specializes in U.S. foreign policy regarding Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Palestine/Israel. The presentation will be followed by community respondents and audience questions and comments. Wednesday, October 21 at 7 pm at UW-Milwaukee Student Union, Rm. 191, 2200 E. Kenwood. Sponsored by Peace Action Milwaukee , Progressive Students of Milwaukee and the Milw. Coalition for a Just Peace. Contact: 414-964-5158
Flyer for the Event

STOP THE WAR FUNDING: Please continue your efforts to bring peace to reality. We must continue to keep our voices heard. Please write and call your Legislators (3 people) or Tired of Writing Your Legislators? Write the Leaders of the Democratic and Republican Parities and tell them what Congress needs to do. The Catholics for Peace and Justice Stop the War Group believes that Congress needs to:

•Begin a Responsible Withdrawal of our troops from Iraq Now by taking steps to de-fund a continued prosecution of the war. Prior to embarking on the “Surge” Secretary of defense Gates in the opening paragraph of the Iraq Study Group Report stated, “In this report, we make a number of recommendations for actions to be taken in Iraq, the US and the region. Our most important recommendations call for new and enhanced diplomatic and political efforts in Iraq and the region, and a change in the primary mission of the US forces in Iraq that will enable the US to begin to move its combat forces out of Iraq responsibly.” Further he stated, “Because none of the operations conducted by US and Iraqi military forces are fundamentally changing the conditions encouraging the sectarian violence, US forces seem to be caught in a mission that has no foreseeable end.”

•Prevent a military attack on Iran by promoting diplomatic efforts not military action.

•Provide services and funding for the proper healthcare of our returning service people and in particular to recognize that the psychological damage of war is as debilitating as the physical damage, the existence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD], and to assist our sisters and brothers with dignity, respect and immediacy.

Why CPJ and the DoP Are Not Supporting the Supplemental Funding Bill.

>Senator Feingold on De-Funding the War

>31 Activists Face Jail if Involved in Protests in Next 6 Months Press Release

>Congressman Wexler on Why the Surge Didn't Work

>Congressman Kucinich on De-Funding the War
>Should We Stay or Should We Go? Policy Options for Iraq”
>The Logic of Withdrawal"
>The Iraq Study Group Report

>The Silence of the Bombs: Norman Sullivan

>USCCB Questions and Answers on the War in Iraq February 2007

>The Trials, and Blessings, Of Peacework: John Dear SJ

Do you want to join a delegation to visit your representative in Milwaukee? Contact Us

January 29, 07 Letter to Senator Kohl

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ November Statement on Iraq

By now you are probably aware from the news that the US Catholics Bishops gathered the second week of November in Baltimore. Beside the much publicized statements on homosexuality, the bishops called for “Dialog and Action” toward a “Responsible Transition in Iraq.”

They state “The search for genuine justice and peace in Iraq requires moral urgency, substantive dialogue and new directions. To meet these challenges, we hope our nation has moved beyond the divisive rhetoric of the recent campaign and the shrill and shallow debate that distorts reality and reduces the options to “cut and run” versus “stay the course.” Our nation needs a much more substantive, civil and non-partisan discussion of ways to plan and secure a responsible transition in Iraq. . . . Our nation’s military forces should remain in Iraq only as long as their presence contributes to a responsible transition. Our nation should look for effective ways to end their deployment at the earliest opportunity consistent with this goal.

The full bishops’ statement on Iraq and other recent bishops’ statements can be reached by clicking on the document below.

Statement on Iraq - "Call for Dialogue and Action on Responsible Transition In Iraq"
Most Reverend William Skylstad, November 13, 2006

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More on Bringing Peace to Iraq . . .

>Alternatives to "Staying the Course" - Expert Opinions on Strategies to Withdraw Our Troops

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Declaration of Peace

The Declaration of Peace is a commitment supported by the members of over 500 peace and faith organizations nationwide to take nonviolent steps for a comprehensive concrete and rapid end to the US war in Iraq.

We ask you to join us now by signing the Declaration of Peace and joining Catholics for Peace and Justice in concrete actions to bring an end to the war.

With nearly seventy percent of the people of the United States opposing this war, there is a growing call to bring the troops home now and to establish a comprehensive, concrete and rapid plan to end the war. This comprehensive plan must include

*Rapid withdrawal of US troops and all coalition forces, with no future redeployments
*No permanent US military bases or installations
*Support for an Iraqi-led peace process, including a peace conference to shape a post-occupation transition
*Return of Iraqi control over the political and economic life of the nation, including its oil resources
*Reparations and reconstruction to address the destruction caused by the US invasion, occupation, and 13 years of sanctions
*Establish a US peace dividend for job creation, health care, education, housing, and other vital social needs
*Increased support for US veterans of the Iraq war, and
*No “preventive” war against Iran or any other nation

Read More on the Declaration of Peace

Take Concrete Action - Make a Difference! [pdf format]
What you can personally do to end the war in Iraq

1. Sign the Declaration of Peace and commit to take personal concrete non-violent action toward ending the war in Iraq.

2. Write senators Feingold, Kohl and your House Representative MONTHLY to demand Congress develop a responsible strategy for the immediate, planned withdrawal of US troops that satisfies the Declaration of Peace. Demand that the US not initiate or participate in future acts of preventive war. Use the CPJ Statement and Declaration of Peace as your guide. [Contact your Legislators ].

3. Educate yourself. Read about the moral and biblical issues associated with war. Read what the church says about Just War . Read what the Catholic Bishops have said and are saying about the war in Iraq. Pray for guidance. What is God calling you to do?

4. Ask our bishops and your parish priests to address the clear and continued violations of “Just War” criteria in regard to our nation’s involvement in this war. Ask them to help stop the killing of our American and Iraqi sisters and brothers.

5. Work within your parish to publicize the Church’s moral position, non-violence and Just War teaching

6. Provide support for local military personnel and their families, especially those who are connected with your church. Read “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon: How Churches Can Help Soldiers and Their Families Readjust After Combat” to find out how you can create supportive action for soldiers within your church.

7. Join Catholics for Peace and Justice and participate in ongoing prayer gatherings, events and actions sponsored by CPJ and other organizations of peace and faith throughout the state.

8. Be prophetic. Spread the Word by spreading the moral and biblical teachings of the church. Ask others to sign on to the Declaration of Peace and take action.

9. Be Peace - through belief, action and word.

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