I've been getting updates in my email from CODEPINK for a long time. They show up at least once a week, often once a day. Most of the time, there's a petition, or a fund-raising drive to send a peace delegation to Iraq, the Palestinian territories, Afghanistan, etc., or a call for volunteers to travel. I don't exactly have a lot of money, so I haven't done much besides sign petitions.
This morning's missive wasn't much different, but what happened after I signed the letter to the UN Security Council was. There was a list of actions. One of them is right up our alley. Follow me below the fold for more:
CODEPINK has been at this throughout the entire Iraq war. They've been relentless critics of the war right from the get-go, and now, with the saber-rattling over Iran, they are now turning their attention to stopping any pre-emptive military action against that country. This is their latest salvo:
Tell Congress: Don't Iraq Iran! Prevent another war in the Middle East!
This time Congress must stop a pre-emptive attack! Rep. Walter Jones (R) has introduced legislation (H.J.Res. 14) that would require the president to obtain congressional approval before using force against Iran. Urge your representative to support H.J. Res. 14 today!
Here's the text of H.J. Res. 14:
H. J. Res. 14: Concerning the use of military force by the United States against Iran
JOINT RESOLUTION
Concerning the use of military force by the United States against Iran.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING THE USE OF MILITARY FORCE AGAINST IRAN.
(a) Rule of Construction- No provision of law enacted before the date of the enactment of this joint resolution shall be construed to authorize the use of military force by the United States against Iran.
(b) Requirements- Absent a national emergency created by attack by Iran, or a demonstrably imminent attack by Iran, upon the United States, its territories or possessions or its armed forces, the President shall consult with Congress, and receive specific authorization pursuant to law from Congress, prior to initiating any use of military force against Iran.
This was introduced on January 12, 2007, by Rep. Walter Jones, a Republican from North Carolina. Yeah, you read that correctly, people, a REPUBLICAN introduced this! I'm surprised, but pleased that even the GOP members are waking up to the reality that we just can't afford to screw up our economy, demolish our military, and obliterate our international reputation any more.
There are eighteen co-sponsors:
Rep. Neil Abercrombie [D-HI]
Rep. Roscoe Bartlett [R-MD]
Rep. Earl Blumenauer [D-OR]
Rep. Peter DeFazio [D-OR]
Rep. John Duncan [R-TN]
Rep. Luis Fortuño [?-PR]
Rep. Barney Frank [D-MA]
Rep. Wayne Gilchrest [R-MD]
Rep. Dennis Kucinich [D-OH]
Rep. John Larson [D-CT]
Rep. James McGovern [D-MA]
Rep. Martin Meehan [D-MA]
Rep. James Moran [D-VA]
Rep. John Murtha [D-PA]
Rep. Richard Neal [D-MA]
Rep. William Pascrell [D-NJ]
Rep. Ronald Paul [R-TX]
Rep. Gene Taylor [D-MS]
As you can see, most are Democrats, but the big thing to take note here is that this bill has bipartisan support.
If any of these representatives is your congresscritter, please write them a thank-you note. If your congresscritter is not on board, bug the holy crap out of him or her until they scream "uncle!" and sign on.
This bill is in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Let's put the pressure on, get it out of committee and onto the floor of the House for a vote. Here's a link to the committee membership
Let me remind everyone what is at stake here: George W. Bush and his administration have said repeatedly that, when it comes to Iran, "all options are on the table." As George Lakoff said so pungently, that includes nuclear war. And we all know just how insane that is.
For more on CODEPINK and their activites, visit their website.
UPDATE: I changed the title slightly so it will get more attention when readers scan the diary lists. I would, ideally, like for everyone to write their congresscritters about this. That's more likely to happen if they see "action" right from the first.