Demand NO War NO Warming at DNC & RNC

With the national convention of the Democratic party underway and the Republican convention soon to follow Global exchange, along with Code Pink and United for Peace and Justice, are calling on all those who want to see a change to the Untied States’ foreign and energy policies to make a stand.

Their campaign states: ‘During the next month all of America will tune into the DNC and RNC conventions, where the groundwork will be laid for how our nation tackles issues that will affect the health and safety of our communities for generations to come. Now, more than ever, the U.S. needs to become a leading partner to achieve true peace and fight against global warming and climate change.

‘Join us in holding our candidates and parties accountable, and ensuring that they act on behalf of the people rather than on behalf of corporate interests. This is our chance to see that the NO War NO Warming message pushes our nation to act on a vision that leads the world towards a peaceful, secure and green future.’

Their NO War NO Warming platform is a s follows:

Withdraw all U.S. troops and military contractors from Iraq.

Invest in a clean energy economy—public transit, ultra-efficient vehicles and renewable energy.

Respect international law and the sovereignty of other nations.

Re-engage as a leader in the international community, contribute to a global solution to global warming.

Move from unilateralism and pre-emptive strikes to international cooperation and diplomacy. Start with Iran.

Take dirty money out of politics, placing voters ahead of corporate and dirty energy interests.

End torture, respect human rights, and restore habeas corpus.

Replace "free trade" agreements with fair trade deals with other countries that protect workers' rights and the environment.

Implement humane and comprehensive immigration reform that affirms the dignity and integrity of immigrant families.

Promote an equitable peace plan between Israel and Palestine.

Whether you’re a US citizen or not the policies of the next administration will have profound impacts worldwide. Take action now by following the link below.

http://www.globalexchange.org/war_peace_democracy/2008conventions.html

While many people think that electing Barack Obama will see a change in policy, that may not be the case. Toady’s report by Democracy Now highlights some concerns over Obama’s team. It is, therefore, important to avoid complacency and continue to campaign and lobby Democratic party members.

Reporting from the convention, Democracy Now correspondent Jeremy Scahill quizzed some of the party members about Obama’s foreign policy team.

In his report he said: “While Obama has campaigned on a pledge to end the Iraq war, an examination of his top foreign policy advisers is raising concern amongst some in the antiwar movement. That’s because several of the key people who are advising Obama on foreign policy were at the center of some of the most violent actions of the Clinton administration in the 1990s. There are also several who promoted the myth that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction.

“Among the old guard Clinton era players on Obama’s foreign policy team are former Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright and Warren Christopher; former National Security Adviser Tony Lake; former Defense Secretary William Perry; former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, General Wesley Clark; and former Assistant Secretary of State Susan Rice—not to mention Joe Biden, who was the chair of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee when the Bush administration was pushing to invade Iraq.”

Not the message of change that is the theme of Obama’s campaign.

As Scahill quizzed those present at the convention most remained on message denying that there are any concerns over Obama’s team.

Dennis Kucinich, who ran against Obama for the nomination said: “Well, I still oppose them [members of the party who where key advisors during Bill Clinton’s presidency and backed the war in Iraq] but I’m going to work to get Barack Obama elected, because we have to take a new direction. Unless we shift away from the neocons and their control, we’re looking at more war. No question about it.

“Be certain that under a Democratic administration, if that administration is showing aggressive tendencies or is putting us on the edge of a war again or not taking us into a direction of peace, I am not going to be quiet. I mean, I’m going to continue to talk about the direction America should go in. But we can’t let those differences that we have right now cause us to fracture at a time that we really have to bring a change to the White House.”

Due to the pressure that will be put on Obama, both from inside his own party and from corporate lobbyists, it is important that people who want to see a real change continue to campaign for new policy directions. Supporting the work of Global Exchange, Code Pink National and

You can read or listen to Scahill’s report in full at the link below.

http://www.democracynow.org/2008/8/26/jeremy_scahill_grills_democratic_lawmakers_on

Source: www.positivejamming.blogspot.com