E-News - Missing: $102 Billion. Last seen at the Pentagon.

Lobbying against Waste, Fraud and Abuse

How does a department lose $102 billion in one year? The Pentagon is the only department not subject to an audit, so it's easier than you'd think.

If you think that Pentagon waste, fraud, and abuse have gone too far, share this image on Facebook.

If you are concerned that the doubling of the Pentagon budget in the last decade is adding to our nation’s deficit and insecurity, we hope you’ll join FCNL at the Quaker Public Policy Institute and Lobby Day—it’s just 37 days away. You’ll be part of a growing contingent of Friends who will be in Washington November 15 and 16 with FCNL to support Pentagon budget cuts.

• Friends from West Virginia are planning to carpool to DC after hearing about the event at the annual West Virginia Gathering of Friends.
• Six young adults working with the newly minted Quaker Voluntary Service are headed to the institute from Atlanta, Georgia.

• Residents at Friends House in Sandy Spring, Maryland are organizing a van to bring 8-12 residents to participate in the Quaker Public Policy Institute.

What about you? Please consider coming to the Quaker Public Policy Institute, or making an appointment to lobby at home in November if Washington is too far away.

Carpooling is a great way to save money and make your trip to the Quaker Public Policy Institute a little greener. See more information about sharing rides or rooms in DC under the heading Travel and Lodging.

What's New

• If you played debate bingo with us last week, you may have noticed you were left with a lot of empty squares for what the candidates didn’t talk about. How will they do with foreign policy? Join us for another round of debate bingo on October 22.
• Recognizing that unconditional U.S. military aid to Israel may entrench violent tactics in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, FCNL this week joined 14 other faith groups in a letter.
• Before his first lobby visit, Program Assistant Adam Cohen was nervous as he imagined sitting down with “powerful, dismissive experts wearing pressed suits.” But his actual experience was entirely different than he imagined.
• You wrote and we delivered: FCNL volunteer Merilee Janssen delivered letters to Congress from and Indiana Yearly Meetings urging their members of Congress to call for diplomacy with Iran.

FCNL in the News

• “Unconditional US military aid fuels Israeli-Palestinian violence,” by Kate Gould in The Hill, 10/8/2012
• “Maybe war-mongers need a waiting period,” by General Committee member Deb Fink in the Ames Tribune, 10/6/2012
• See more letters and statements

Upcoming Events

• October 10, Washington, DC: Preventing electoral violence in Kenya with Kenyan peacebuilder Getry Agizah.
• October 13, Baltimore, MD: FCNL's team will run the Baltimore Marathon in support of diplomacy with Iran.
• October 17, Wilmington, OH: Matt Southworth will speak at Wilmington College’s Westheimer Peace Symposium.
• October 19-21, Minnesota: Kate Gould will speak on a panel with Rep. Ellison (MN) and in a workshop on lobbying our way out of war with Iran.
• October 27-29, Washington: Diane Randall will visit Spokane, Seattle and Port Townsend to discuss her FCNL’s work in faith-based lobbying.
• October 29, St. Louis, MO: Jim Cason and Tila Neguse will talk about lobbying for Pentagon spending cuts.

Check our upcoming events calendar to find out when FCNL staff will be in your area.

War Is Not the Answer Photo of the Week: Washington, DC

FCNL runners take to the streets to spread the message that diplomacy with Iran is a marathon, not a sprint. Kate Gould is running her first marathon this Saturday in Baltimore to raise money for FCNL’s work to prevent war with Iran. She’s halfway to her goal – can you help her make it?

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.