The Progressive Secretary: No Cluster Bombs!
If you aren't already familiar with it, I commend Progressive Secretary for your consideration. It's a project started by a retired Quaker activist sometime in the 1990s as a self-funded endeavor. The aim is to counterbalance the flood of organized right-wing letters to legislators, federal and state agencies, and the White House by making it easy for 'progressives' to fire off letters on topics suggested by many different 'progressive' organizations.
For information on the Progressive Letter Writing Cooperative, go to http://www.progsec.org/DynMenu/DynMenu.php. During the maybe 6-8 years I've been using the service, I've sent 4,573 letters, counting copies to multiple addressees, and not counting letters I've written on my own on the same topics.
You can make suggestions for letter topics, with or without your own text. You can also add your own text to their prepared text: "At this time, Progressive Secretary does not have the technology for modifying your letters, but you can add additional text and send them with a unique subject. Click the link below and tell me the text you want to add and or the subject you wish to use.
http://www.ProgSec.Org/a.php?p=QS2qSRHPhSCV
Here's the text of what was in my inbox this morning. It's a sad subject that has come up repeatedly. But the USA has been unresponsive.
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No cluster bombs!
Click this link to send this letter: http://www.progsec.org/DynMenu/DynMenu.php?Table=lettercontrol&Page=Clus...
This letter supports a campaign of the Friends Committee on National
Legislation. It goes to the President, the Vice President and [your members of] Congress.
Dear: _________________
On May 30, 2008 diplomats from 111 nations formally adopted a landmark
treaty banning cluster bombs. The U.S., despite entreaties from many of its
closest allies, refused even to participate in the meeting.
This inhumane stance by our country is intolerable. Cluster bombs, like
land mines, notoriously continue to kill and maim innocent civilians long
after their military use has ended. There simply is no justification for a
civilized country to use them.
The White House and Congress should unite to force the military to stop
using these brutal weapons.
Sincerely yours
Your name and address
Written by PM 9⁄11⁄08
Further information:
http://capwiz.com/fconl/issues/alert/?alertid=11683366
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24889155/
This letter is just being released and has not yet been sent.
This letter goes to participants who have expressed an interest in the following:
Peace
International Politics
- wpeltz's blog
- Login or register to post comments
Two letters about Church and State
The first one is what I had meant to post, a few days ago, as the blog entry -- but I've been blonked out for more than 3 weeks and am only now getting a little organized again. I hadn't heard about this UN 'religious defamation' resolution before. I don't like it. The second letter came in later; it concerns campaigning from the pulpit. I offer these as illustrations of what Progressive Secretary does and to solicit your signing on to at least these two. -- Bill
1. Protect free speech
Click this link to send this letter - [at the Progressive Sec. site, linked at my blog post, click on Current Letters to find "Protect free speech"]
This letter supports a campaign of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty
and goes to Congress.
Dear: _________________
An increasing number of foreign governments, including some in Europe,
are regarding criticism of, or poking fun at religion as a form of ”defamation.”
Moreover, several United Nations resolutions are now under consideration
that would outlaw such speech.
House Bill 6146 would amend the Federal Judicial Code so that our courts
would enforce foreign judicial decisions only if the ruling is consistent with
the First Amendment.
I urge Congress to pass H.R. 6146 or legislation similar to it.
Sincerely yours
Your name and address
Written by Otto 8⁄4⁄08
Further information:
http://www.becketfund.org/index.php/article/797.html?PHPSESSID=c053be0fb...
This letter was released on 08/06/08.
This letter goes to participants who have expressed an interest in the following:
Civl and Human Rights
International Politics
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2. Call Upon the IRS to Cancel Tax Exampt Status of Alliance Defense Fund
Click this link to send this letter (- [at Current Letters, "Call upon the IRS..."]
This letter arises from statements by both Americans United for Separation
of Church and State and an article in the Washington Post. It goes to
Congress.
Dear: ______________
Some conservative churches have recently moved aggressively away from
the Internal Revenue Service tax law which prohibits all non-profit
organizations from taking part in partisan political activities.
The Alliance Defense Fund, a Religious Rights legal group, has encouraged
pastors to break the law by endorsing a presidential candidate from the
pulpit. ADF hopes to provoke the IRS, then sue to try to overturn the 54 year
old law specifying separation of church and state.
Both the IRS and Congress should take a strong stand against this activity
by immediately withdrawing the tax exempt status of houses of worship that
defy this Federal law, as well as sanctioning the ADF and investigating their
possible violation of ethics rules.
I urge Congress to condemn this blatant violation of the separation of
church and state.
Sincerely yours
Your name and address
Written by PM 9⁄11⁄08
Further information:
http://www.au.org/site/News2?abbr=pr&page=NewsArticle&id=10019&JServSess...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/07/AR200809...
This letter was released on 09/30/08.
This letter goes to participants who have expressed an interest in the following:
Civl and Human Rights
Domestic Politics