All We Ask Is Give Peace A Chance!

Disarm/End Wars Issue Committee

As of this writing enough Senators say they will vote in support of the Iran Deal to keep the US a part of this potentially momentous agreement. Some legislators are already  under tremendous pressure to change their votes.  If you want more clarity on the details Wikipedia gives background on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JOCPA, and with extensive footnotes.  

Jeri Bodemar of Santa Cruz Branch shares with us this entry on Facebook from Progressive Democrats of America. WILPF is not partisan and we seek dialogue with all legislators on this issue, but in this case Democrats tend to supply the most useful information for those of us who support this Agreement.

And even if the passage occurs with a healthy margin, our work has just begun The JOCPA leaves the arsenals of the nuclear club intact, with no promised reductions in the current weapons or delivery systems among the nine nuclear weapons states. Nuclear nations may continue to use the “all options are on the table” threats to gain compliance with their own interests. Non-nuclear states will continue to agitate for abolishing these nuclear arsenals and against being held hostage by the nuclear powers and threatened with destruction by wars between them.

Friends Committee on Legislation has provided ample resources for connecting with our legislators on these issues. Resources change almost daily as staff responds to current actions in Congress.

The Nation has now published Alice Slater’s opinion piece on the issue. You will probably find the thoughts match  WILPF and Reaching Critical Will positions. This new approach gives us opportunity to bring forth dialogue on nuclear weapons abolition, and also to promote  House Bill 1976 calling for US leadership toward global elimination of nuclear weapons and transfer of funds to dismantling existing arsenals and developing truly green power.

Is it time to grapple with our own Centennial WILPF Manifesto and to consider next steps toward reaching our goals? Is it also a good time to enter into active discussion with others involved in the World Beyond War initiative which WILPF has endorsed? A Global Security System, an Alternative to War is available online. What ideas in it make sense to each of us, including in relation to our WILPF Manifesto and goals? Are there ones that do not? We are invited to make suggestions for revision as we all continue to seek more hopeful and rational ways for humans to survive in our world and care for our planet and each other. Share your thoughts with Leah Bolger and/or Carol Urner.

PHOTO: People celebrate on Valiasr street in northern Tehran in April after the announcement of a preliminary agreement in the Iran nuclear talks. (Photo: ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images) Creative Commons license. See Iranian Civil Society to US: Don’t Let Your Government Clear Path to War 

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