From the Friends: Sensible Transition to an Enduring Peace (STEP)

[patrice]

From the Friends: http://www.fcnl.org/issues/search_results.php

Iraq STEP Resolution: Sensible Transition to an Enduring Peace

Whereas President George W. Bush stated on April 13, 2004 that "as a proud and independent people, Iraqis do not support an indefinite occupation and neither does America" and that the U.S. will remain in Iraq "as long as necessary and not one day more";

Whereas Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld assured the Senate Armed Services Committee on February 17, 2005, that "we have no intention, at the present time, of putting permanent bases in Iraq";

Whereas the Wall Street Journal reported in February 2005 that 60% of the people in the United States think that the Bush administration should set a public or private timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq;

Whereas former Secretary of State James Baker, former Pentagon official Anthony Cordesman, the International Crisis Group, and other respected leaders and analysts have said that it is critical that the U.S. government declare now its intention to fully withdraw from Iraq;

Whereas political parties opposed to the ongoing U.S. military presence won the overwhelming majority of votes in Iraq’s January 2005 election and a clear majority of voters interviewed in exit polls cited their desire to see an end to the military occupation as a major impetus for voting;

Whereas the perception that the U.S. intends to permanently occupy Iraq aids insurgent groups in recruiting supporters and fuels violent activity;

Whereas many insurgent groups have expressed a willingness to engage in political dialogue if the U.S. clearly states its intention to withdraw from Iraq;

Whereas we can best honor the lives and memories of all who have died in Iraq by expediting the end of the war, bringing U.S. troops home as quickly as possible, and supporting the Iraqi people in rebuilding their country;

Whereas a clear statement of intent to fully withdraw U.S. troops and bases does not imply the setting of a particular deadline, time frame, or exit strategy;

Whereas such a statement would send a strong signal to the people of Iraq and the international community that the United States does not have imperial intentions in Iraq and affirms that the Iraqi people will regain through their elected representatives the full exercise of national sovereignty, including control over security and public safety;

Therefore, be it resolved that this congregation/meeting/organization holds in our prayers the people of Iraq, the U.S. troops and international troops and humanitarian workers in Iraq, the leaders of Iraq and the United States, and all others affected by this war;

Be it also resolved that this congregation/meeting/organization calls on the United States Congress to adopt a sense of the Congress resolution declaring: "It is the policy of the United States to withdraw all U.S. military troops and bases from Iraq";

Be it also resolved that this congregation/meeting/organization will present a copy of this resolution to the members of Congress who represent the district in which the congregation is based;

And be it also resolved that this congregation/meeting/organization will send a copy of this resolution to the local media.

April 2005

FCNL, 245 Second Street, NE, Washington, DC, 20002-5795 USA
phone: [phone] fax: [phone] email: [e-mail]
In the U.S. [phone]

[navvet]

1. Works for me!

I support this document.

:)

[patrice]

4. It's quite rational isn't it.

I really like that.

[faithnotgreed]

2. i was brought up in a friends church. im so thankful for that...

and thank you for sharing this

peace

[patrice]

3. I'm around many groups now. They're one of my favorites.

I love how practical they are and how much they respect each individual's relationship to the group.

They're very centered in Peace. Friends are also good to talk to about books, movies, history, philosophy, social justice. They respect their young adults and work to facilitate their development into responsible active citizens.

I like their positive proposals on the issues.

On edit : Oh yeah, and in the 3 years I've been around them, they yet have to start talking about Jesus and the Bible. They've never asked me to join their organization, nor have they asked for money, though I give, because I like what they do, e.g. Eyes Wide Open (last winter's national travelling exhibit about this war).

They emphasize information/education to let people decide for themselves about the issues.

[faithnotgreed]

5. exactly... there are basically 2 types: programmed and unprogrammed

essentially meaning silent meetings and those who have some sort of organized program for meeting day
you likely know this but for those who dont

i was raised in the programmed kind which for us had a pastor preaching from the bible and a deep belief in Jesus and social justice

this past sunday i was visiting family in nc and attended the local unprogrammed group in raleigh (i had gone there while living in nc) and they announced that on tuesday they were gathering at ft bragg for a vigil in response to bush speech
how i wish i wasnt travelling back home on tuesday or i would have joined them!

the quakers are exceptional people. if you know new englanders/yankees then you get a good sense of what they are like
very accepting, intelligent and rooted in the earth

glad you have had such a great experience and hope my Jesus and bible reference was ok. i didnt include it in response to what you said but as part of sharing my background and also pointing to some differences between the 2 "kinds" of quakers
for those who dont know there are differences it could be a bit startling.

peace