AMERICAN LEFT HISTORY

This space is dedicated to the proposition that we need to know the history of the struggles on the left and of earlier progressive movements here and world-wide. If we can learn from the mistakes made in the past (as well as what went right) we can move forward in the future to create a more just and equitable society. We will be reviewing books, CDs, and movies we believe everyone needs to read, hear and look at as well as making commentary from time to time. Greg Green, site manager

Thursday, August 24, 2017

The time is now to repeal the 2001 Authorization For Use of Military Force

The time is now to repeal the 2001 Authorization For Use of Military Force

Dear Douglas ,
Last night, President Trump announced a “new” strategy for U.S. military operations in Afghanistan. In it, he made clear that the one thing that he won’t be changing is waging ongoing and unending war.

After nearly 16 years, it’s long past obvious that military options are not going to bring the longest war in American history to an end. Adding a reported 4,000 additional troops to the 8,400 soldiers already there is not going to accomplish now what 100,000 U.S. troops couldn’t do in 2011. The last 16 years has taught us there is simply no military solution in Afghanistan. Yet that’s apparently the only option the Trump administration even considered.

It’s time for Congress to correct the mistake it made when it passed the 2001 Authorization For Use of Military Force (AUMF) but failed to include an end date to the authorization.

Write Senators Markey and Warren and your U.S. Representative today and ask them support a repeal of the 2001 AUMF, and to hold a debate about Trump's war in Afghanistan. They should oppose endless war.

By sending in potentially thousands more U.S. troops with no withdrawal date mandated, the war will now continue through its third U.S. presidency. The Afghan people have experienced war for at least 38 years and deserve a different policy.

The war in Afghanistan has already cost the U.S. dearly in blood and treasure. Over 3,500 U.S. military and civilian contractors have lost their lives. That number is dwarfed by the more than 26,000 Afghan civilians who have died as a result of this war. All this at a cost of nearly $800 billion. We simply can’t afford to continue on this path.

Please write Massachusetts U.S. Senators and your Representative and urge them support a repeal of the 2001 AUMF, and to hold a debate and in it to oppose ongoing war in Afghanistan.

When the AUMF was passed in 2001, it was intended to bring the perpetrators of 9/11 to justice. That goal has largely been accomplished. Yet, with Trump’s announcement tonight, and Congress failing to fulfill its constitutional duty, the war in Afghanistan will continue with no real plan for a lasting peace. Rather, we continue to have a blank check for a war with no end in sight.

Please, tell your members of Congress that you expect them to stand up and fulfill their responsibilities by repealing the 2001 AUMF, and debating whether to authorize continued, endless war.