Nuclear Weapons: Time for Reductions President Obama has repeatedly and eloquently spoken about the need to rid the world of nuclear weapons. Even as a student at Harvard Law School he wrote papers on the horrific threats to humanity posed by nuclear weapons. As President, he has continued this theme in his speeches, but he has fallen short in his actions. Fortunately, several upcoming events provide opportunities for President Obama to show support for international actions against nuclear weapons. First, to show his continuing commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons, he should attend, and personally address, the UN High-Level Conference On Nuclear Weapons set for Sept. 26, 2013, in New York City. It is critical that he attend this important conference, and state his readiness to cooperate with other nations to work on a plan to get rid of nuclear weapons, and as President Obama said, make the world truly safe. Second, he should send a high-level U.S. delegation to the 2014 conference in Mexico on the humanitarian effects of nuclear war. Even one nuclear explosion anywhere on the planet would cause horrendous suffering and long-term destruction. Remember Einstein’s words, “The unleashed power of the atom has changed everything save our modes of thinking, and thus we drift toward unparalleled catastrophe.” It is our responsibility as citizens to see that our government changes its thinking and actions. Contact President Obama, and urge him to personally address the September 26th, UN Conference on Nuclear Weapons, and to send an official government delegation to the 2014 conference in Mexico. Ask him to seize these unique occasions to inform both the nuclear weapons nations and others, that the U.S is ready to participate in nuclear reductions and ultimately, the world-wide elimination of nuclear weapons. CONTACT: PRESIDENT OBAMA Web: www.whitehouse.gov/contact Tel: 202-456-1111 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm) Fax: 202-456-2461 Mail: President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20500 Photo: Susan, UBC Rose Garden, Vancouver, Lois Barber, 1977