Write, Call and Tell Your Congressional Representative to oppose the Endless War Act of 2011, i.e the submitted McKeon’s Act

I have written several congressmen and senators who are promoting endless war while trying to cut social security and social spending. I am tired of it. Aren’t you?–Take ACTION–Kas

http://newsecurityaction.org/page/speakout/no-blank-check-for-endless-war

Dear Representative:

I strongly encourage you to oppose Chairman McKeon’s Detainee Policy Act of 2011 (H.R. 968), which would give the Executive Branch a blank check for endless war.

By stating that “the United States is engaged in armed conflict with al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and associated forces” this bill declares a war that is:

• Global in scope. With no geographic boundary, the Secretary of Defense could take America to war in any country in the world where a suspected terrorist resides;

• Never ending. This language is open ended and doesn’t require the President to return to Congress for additional authority;

• Divorced from national security concerns. Unlike the 2001 authorization passed days after the 9/11 attacks that ties the authority to use military force to a direct attack on America, this language is not linked to any attack or imminent threat to American citizens.

It is arguably the greatest ceding of unchecked authority to the Executive Branch in modern history. Not only would this bill abdicate Congress’ authority to declare war, it would relieve the Administration of the need to seek Congressional resolutions of support or authorizations for new military actions.

Moreover, the bill requires that all terrorism suspects be held by the military (unless the Defense Secretary grants a waiver), and either tried by military commission or held indefinitely. This provision diminishes the authority of law enforcement agencies integral to our anti-terror efforts, obstructs the counterterrorism operations of officials who have a record of successful intelligence gathering, overburdens the military with responsibilities it does not want, and limits the president’s options in defending America’s national security interests. Dozens of federal agencies with critical expertise would be prevented from participating in a review of whether suspects posed a threat to national security.

I urge you to defend the Constitution and its system of checks-and-balances by opposing H.R 968, Chairman McKeon’s Detainee Security Act of 2011.

Sincerely,

YOU

NOTE

Dear Kevin:

If you like the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan then you’ll love the new legislation from Senator John McCain (S. 551) and Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Buck McKeon (H.R. 968). Their Proposal: Congress should give the President and the Secretary of Defense a blank check to wage war against anyone he or she declares “associated” with al-Qaeda or the Taliban – anytime, anywhere, anyhow.

ACT NOW: Tell your Representative to oppose Chairman McKeon’s blank check for endless war.

Why? Their legislation is:

· Global in scope. With no geographic boundary, the president could take America to war in any country in the world where a suspected terrorist resides;
· Never ending. This language is open ended and doesn’t require the President to return to Congress for additional authority;
· Divorced from national security concerns. Unlike the 2001 authorization passed days after the 9/11 attacks that ties the authority to use military force to a direct attack on America, this language is not linked to any attack or imminent threat to American citizens.

Speak out today. Members of Congress need to know that the last thing America needs is more war.

But wait, there’s more! In addition to providing a blank check for war, the proposed legislation will:

· Limit the president’s options in defending America’s national security interests.
· Obstruct the counterterrorism operations of officials who have a record of successful intelligence gathering.
· Overburden the military with responsibilities it does not want.

Please Take one minute right now and tell your Representative to oppose Chairman McKeon’s blank check for endless war.

Thank you,
Ryan, Tom & and the Win Without War team