E-News: What's Your Response to the State of the Union?

Posted on 01/24/2012 @ 09:01 AM

As I watched the State of the Union address last night, I found myself measuring the president's words against "the world we seek" in our lobbying and educational work at FCNL.

By addressing issues of housing, education and job creation, the president's proposals could move the U.S. closer to a society with equity and justice for all and one in which every person's potential may be fulfilled. Eliminating fossil fuel subsidies and creating incentives for clean energy could move us towards an earth restored, although other recommendations for energy production won't improve our environment.

We perhaps have the furthest to go in seeking a world without war and the threat of war.  The commitment to a military framework for U.S. foreign policy and the idealization of the military as the best model for our unity as a country makes me realize we have a long way toward the world we seek.

Did you watch the speech? What was your reaction? Please consider writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper with your opinion. You can find tips on writing a good letter to the editor on our website.

Sincerely,

Diane Randall
Executive Secretary

January 25, 2012

State of the Union: More Staff Responses
Test Your Knowledge: Auditing the Pentagon
Peacefully Preventing Wars: Part of the Global War on Terror?
Occupy Congress
Kenya: Continuing Advocacy for Peace
Iran: Your Questions Answered
Help Sustain FCNL
War Is Not the Answer Photo of the Week: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

See the online version of this newsletter.

State of the Union: More Staff Responses

• Ruth Flower was heartened by some of the themes in the speech, including its focus on getting the economy back on track, but wonders why the strength of the U.S. must come from a strong military, not from its people, innovation, and curiosity about the world. Read more.
• Matt Southworth was disappointed by the president's emphasis on a foreign policy that relies on force. In Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran, Matt sees this perspective as short-sighted, not able to lead to long-term peace and stability. Read more.
• Jim Cason was delighted to hear the president calling for Congress to use some war money on other priorities but was disappointed that the president is resisting significant cuts in other Pentagon spending.  Read more.

Test Your Knowledge: Auditing the Pentagon

Question: In the last 20 years, how many times has the Pentagon successfully been audited?

a) 10
b) 5 
c) 2
d) 0

Check your answer, and look for a new quiz question in next week's e-newsletter.

Peacefully Preventing Wars: Part of the Global War on Terror?

First, the good news: funding for diplomacy, development and international cooperation avoided the huge cuts our lobbyists feared in this year's budget. But these programs avoided cuts by being folded into funding for the "global war on terror," a move that could have dangerous consequences in the years ahead. Read more on why this is a worrying trend.

Occupy Congress

"Protesters weave the powerful narrative that yes, what Congress does affects our communities -- and yes, it's worth saying something about it," writes FCNL's Sandy Robson in a recent blog post.  Sandy and former program assistant Jessica Halperin took part in last weekend's "Occupy Congress" demonstration in front of the Capitol building, which continued with visits to congressional offices. Read more about Sandy's experience.

Kenya: Continuing Advocacy for Peace

Hear what FCNL's Cassidy Regan has to say about her time in Kenya last month and her continued work in Washington. We're excited that Cassidy will be staying on at FCNL this year to work on peacefully prevention of violent conflict in Kenya.

Iran: Your Questions Answered

We've been hearing from many of you who have questions about FCNL's advocacy of diplomacy, not war, to address conflicts over Iran's nuclear program. Why should the U.S., which holds two-fifths of the world's nuclear weapons, be able to tell another country not to acquire them? What happens if diplomacy doesn't keep Iran from getting a warhead? FCNL's Kate Gould has been answering these and other questions.

If you have a question we haven't addressed, please ask!

Help Sustain FCNL

"I became an FCNL sustainer and so far it has been a great way to support the organization's mission on Capitol Hill. I started work at a small non-profit last year, and by donating a smaller amount each month I can easily work the gift into my budget-without even thinking about it. As a monthly donor, I help sustain work on issues I care about (like Peaceful Prevention of Deadly Conflict) as I embark on my career!"

~Caroline Anderson, Washington, DC

Find out how you can support FCNL's work for peace in Washington with a regular monthly donation. It's easy for you and saves trees, postage, and time. Contact Tommy Bobo at 800-630-1330 x2503 to sign up!

War Is Not the Answer Photo of the Week: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Nathanial Batchelder of the Peace House, James M. Branum of Oklahoma Center for Conscience and Pat McCauley of MoveOn.org show their support for Army Private Bradley Manning. Bradley Manning has been accused of leaking sensitive and classified information to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks. Photo by Rena Guay of OCC.

Order your own War Is Not the Answer sign and see where this movement is showing up across the country. Find out how to submit your photo.