E-News: Consequences of Attacking Iran's Economy

E-News: Consequences of Attacking Iran’s Economy

November 15, 2011

Attacking Iran's Economy Closes Diplomatic Channels
Will the Supercommittee Cut $1 Trillion from the Pentagon Budget?
Invest in International Engagement, Say Former Secretaries of State
U.S. Policy toward the Arab Spring: Jim Zogby Addresses FCNL Annual Meeting
FCNL Program Assistants Seeking a Path, Working for Change
President Delays Decision on Keystone XL Pipeline
FCNL in the News: Supporting Peace - Not War - in Kenya
Praying for a Compassionate Budget: Find a Vigil in Your Area
War Is Not the Answer Photo of the Week: Kenya

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See the online version of this newsletter.

Attacking Iran's Economy Closes Diplomatic Channels

The drumbeat for more sanctions against Iran is growing louder on Capitol Hill, writes FCNL’s Kate Gould.  A vote is expected soon on Sen. Mark Kirk’s legislation to sanction the Iranian Central Bank. However, previous sanctions have not succeeded at resolving conflict with Iran over its nuclear program, and such sanctions can close off negotiations and escalate tension that lead to war. Read Kate’s blog post, and urge your senators to oppose Sen. Kirk’s amendment.

 

Will the Supercommittee Cut $1 Trillion from the Pentagon Budget?

Cutting Pentagon spending by 15% would save the U.S. $1 trillion over the next ten years. With just eight days to go before the congressional supercommittee is scheduled to deliver proposals for reducing the budget deficit, the Pentagon is ramping up the volume in reaction to proposed cuts.  Many members of Congress are resisting cutting military spending at this level and are being heavily lobbied by the Pentagon and military contractors. Now, more than ever, the voices of the 99% need to be heard about balanced federal budget priorities. See a slide presentation that describes the importance of these cuts.  Keep contacting your lawmakers about this issue, and ask five friends to send a message to Congress this week.

 

Invest in International Engagement, Say Former Secretaries of State

This week, the Senate could vote on several proposals to reduce U.S. investment in the United Nations and cut funding for preventing war. Read a letter from five former secretaries of state who argue against cuts to funding for international engagement and then let your senators know what you think.

 

U.S. Policy toward the Arab Spring: Jim Zogby Addresses FCNL Annual Meeting

"This Arab Spring, as president Obama noted, we didn’t start it, we can’t lead it, and we can’t direct it.  A little bit of humility is in order here.  And knowing that the region has changed, our ability to relate to that region has changed, and the things that we can do are very different than the things we would like to do."

-Jim Zogby, Founder and President of the Arab-American Institute

Watch Jim Zogby’s address to FCNL’s Annual Meeting.

 

FCNL Program Assistants Seeking a Path, Working for Change

Following the inner light. Being part of a community that speaks for people who don’t have a voice. Making the War Is Not the Answer message a part of their lives. Working in a spirit of respect and hope. These are some of the insights and approaches to their work that FCNL’s eight program assistants shared in their speeches to FCNL’s Annual Meeting. These recent college graduates are working at FCNL for 11 months in our legislative and campaigns program.

Watch a video of speech highlights, and check our website for recordings of all their speeches.

Caption: Program Assistant Tim Cullen delivers his speech to Annual Meeting.

President Delays Decision on Keystone XL Pipeline

President Obama's decision to delay approval of the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico is a victory for the broad coalition of environmentalists and other activists that had opposed the project. Will the president and Congress now look at cutting subsidies for the oil and gas industries?

 

FCNL in the News: Supporting Peace - Not War - in Kenya

In a recent article published by Foreign Policy in Focus, FCNL’s Cassidy Regan writes, “As Kenya’s next national elections approach and the potential for renewed violence in the country increases, the United States can and should shift its priorities toward those that will foster sustainable Kenyan and regional security.” Read the article, and check out FCNL’s new policy brief for recommendations on how to peacefully prevent deadly conflict in Kenya.

Caption: FCNL's Cassidy Regan (right) with Janefer Mulinga (left), a Friend from Nairobi, at Friends United Meeting's 2011 Triennial Gathering.

 

Praying for a Compassionate Budget: Find a Vigil in Your Area

On November 20, people of faith from around the country will unite in prayer during a national “Super Vigil” to ask God to move the hearts of policy makers. Organized by an FCNL partner, the Faithful Budget Campaign, these vigils will take place in Washington, DC and across the country. Find out if there is a vigil happening in your area, or organize your own!  Find more info about these vigils here.

 

War Is Not the Answer Photo of the Week: Kenya

Eden Grace, who works with Friends United Meeting in Kenya, reports that War Is Not the Answer bumper stickers are a big hit: “We see them EVERYWHERE. People love them!!!” This photo is of a motorbike in a remote desert in the Turkana District.

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