End Wars and Occupations IOT Monthly Conference Call - Progressive Democrats of America

Mar 2013	Link to Sound File	Link to Chat Room Archive

Virginia started off by introducing a set of bills introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Teddy Ky-Nam Miller, HB 200 Responsible End to the War in Afghanistan Act; HB 783 Prevent Iran from Acquiring Nuclear Weapons and Stop War Through Diplomacy Act; and HB 808 To establish a Department of Peacebuilding. Congresswoman Lee is also pressing HR 198 to repeal the Authorization to Use Military Force (AUMF).

Sally spoke on the Jobs Not Wars campaign (http://www.jobs-not-wars.org/) and how austerity and the sequester are fueling the wars abroad. She spoke well of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and how they're supporting good priorities.

Dr. Bill pointed out that the “Back To Work Budget Amendment” is the name of the Progressive Caucus' amendment to the Republican proposed budget.

Sandy spoke on the campaign to repeal the AUMF and how it's grow far beyond its original intended purpose to where it's become a general-purpose war-declaring tool. The Obama Administration may not be the one to declare war against Iran, but they might be trying to repeat what the Clinton Administration did with regards to Iraq and may try to prepare the way for doing so. That proposed war doesn't appear to be at all popular with the American people. Syria is seriously falling apart and US actions have contributed to Syria's distress.

Sandy then defended the idea of carrying out ordinary politics against feelings of hopelessness and despair. Virginia agreed that Progressives will work best when we adopt a full-court press.

Peace groups in Milwaukee will hold a remembrance for the 10th anniversary of the start of the Iraq War.

We finished up with a lengthy comment from Pat Daly about the US feeling empowered to intervene whenever and wherever our government feels like it.