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People in Olympia, Washington protest the use of
their harbor for the transport of military equipment
Photo Credit: Robert Whitlock
The spectacular failure of the war in Iraq to establish a peaceful, democratic state demonstrated to the world the limits of military force. While the U.S. has invested hundreds of billions of dollars to build capabilities to fight and win wars, little money or time has been invested in developing the tools necessary to prevent deadly conflict.
As a result, when U.S. policymakers look for tools to respond to wars and escalating conflicts, they find a toolbox with only one implement—a military hammer.
You don't have to be Quaker to understand the importance of nonmilitary engagement to national security. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has been a strong advocate of better funding for diplomatic intiatives and nonmilitary international support programs since his induction in 2007.
Getting a "War Is Not the Answer" sign is simply the first step towards injecting peace and justice issues into the political dialogue, not only in your home, but in your neighborhood and in your nation.
Three Simple Steps Congress Can Take Now
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1) Fill the Empty Desks at our Embassies:
As of January 2008, the U.S. State Department has 1,000 unfilled diplomatic positions, leaving empty desks at U.S. Embassies around the world.
Learn More. Take Action.
2) Fund Civilian Peacebuilders:
Too often, functions necessary for reconstruction are performed by the U.S. army, despite a lack of training. "It's like like sending police to guard a ruined neighborhood, but not sending the carpenters and the electricians and the plumbers to rebuild it," one U.S. official said. Learn More. Take Action.
3) Fully Support International Cooperation:
A United States government study has shown that U.S. peacekeeping missions are approximately twice as expensive as similar initiatives undertaken by the U.N.; international cooperation is a bargain, saving both resources and lives. Ironically, the US has voted for all current Peacekeeping Missions, yet the government is not covering its contribution to these important missions, currently owing more than $2.8 billion to the U.N. Learn More. Take Action.
Here's a Full List (PDF) of steps Congress could take right now to build a more peaceful world.
The Next Steps |
Get Educated!
The Peaceful Prevention of Deadly Conflict: solutions for a safer world.
All major presidential candidates want to increase the size of the military.
Join the Campaign!
Order Your Free " War Is Not the Answer" Sticker and Sign Today!
Visit the "War Is Not the Answer" Homepage
New:
FCNL constituents share their "War Is Not the Answer" experiences.
Browse FCNL's April Newsletter about "War Is Not the Answer" in the 2008 elections (PDF). |
Representative John Lewis (GA-5), a civil rights
movement leader, spoke to FCNL staff and
constituents about his experiences practicing
active
nonviolence as a U.S. Congressman |
Every April, young people from across the country
come to Washington for FCNL's Young Adult Lobby Weekend to meet their representatives, learn to implement effective lobbying techniques, and take their nonviolent activism to a whole new level. |
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Reviewed:
06/06/2008
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