VFPeNews: VFP Members Help Introduce Bill to Limit Power to Declare War

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	Thursday, July 19th VFP Members Help Introduce H.Res 922 Representatives Walter Jones (NC-3) and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-2) introduced legislation requiring that, if a president initiates or continues any war that does not have a congressional declaration, that action is an impeachable offense. VFP members Matthew Hoh and Mike Marceau helped introduce this legislation, July 18th. Congress must take up its Constitutional responsibility for deciding when to take the American people into war and when to continue working for greater-peace alternatives. The legislation would stipulate that when a president initiates any war without a prior congressional declaration, that action will constitute an impeachable offense and cause the House to send to the Senate for trial one or more articles of impeachment. The legislation states that this includes wars against governments or "non-state actors," and applies whether the president is initiating a new war or joining an existing war with other parties. Watch the video! Be sure to check out this great coverage from Stars and Stripes, Lawmakers: Presidents who bypass Congress on war powers should face impeachment Ways to Take Action Sign the Petition Call Congress to advocate support for H. Res. 922 Send Letters to the Editor raising awareness about the bill Read the Bill and the full Press Release Back to Top VFP Advisory Board Members Sign Open Letter VFP Advisory Board members Andrew J. Bacevich, Phyllis Bennis and Daniel Ellsberg sign an open letter: Common Ground: For Secure Elections and True National Security "At the same time, the US and Russian governments show numerous signs of being on a collision course. Diplomacy has given way to hostility and reciprocal consular expulsions, along with dozens of near-miss military encounters in Syria and in skies above Europe. Both sides are plunging ahead with major new weapons-development programs. In contrast to prior eras, there is now an alarming lack of standard procedures to keep the armed forces of both countries in sufficient communication to prevent an escalation that could lead to conventional or even nuclear attack. These tensions are festering between two nations with large quantities of nuclear weapons on virtual hair-trigger alert; yet the current partisan fixations in Washington are ignoring the dangers to global stability and, ultimately, human survival." Read the entire letter Back to Top “The Most Dangerous Base in the World”  by Douglas Lummis In June this year VFP-ROCK (Veterans for Peace Ryukyu-Okinawa Chapter International) drafted a formal letter – military style – based on research by ROCK member Makishi Yoshikazu, pointing out that Marine Corps Air Station Futenma (MCAS Futenma), by having no actual clear zones at either end of its airstrip, is in violation of US Military safety regulations and, for the safety of both the residents living and working around the base and the Marines flying aircraft in and out of the base, ought to be shut down immediately. We mailed signed copies of this letter to eleven US government officials, beginningwith Secretary of Defense James Mattis. We then rewrote the letter in the style of news commentary and published it in The Diplomat in its March 30, 2018 edition. Click here to keep reading! Back to Top Disarm Trident! From September 3 - 14,  DISARM TRIDENT activists will walk down the length of Georgia's coast from Savannah to the Kings Bay Submarine Base.  The walk will focus on bringing attention to the deadly nuclear-weapons housed at the Base and to continue to advocate for the U.S. to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The walk will begin with an orientation gathering on September 3 in Savannah, GA. On September 4, the group will begin walking and, following lunch, travel in vehicles to gather outside of the General Dynamics facility located in Savannah. For more information vist their website Back to Top Campaign Nonviolence Week of Actions 2018 Campaign Nonviolence's 2018 week of action is happening soon! Campaign Nonviolence is a long-term grassroots movement for a culture of peace and nonviolence free from war, poverty, racism, environmental destruction and the epidemic of violence. The week of actions is centered around International Day of Peace, September 21.  This will be the fifth year VFP has joined with Campaign Nonviolence to take a strong stand for justice, disarmament and peace. Register for the conference call on July 26th Back to Top PBS Series,“The Vietnam War,” Receives Emmy Nomination. Should It? "And then there is the silence of the filmmakers themselves, when it comes to the incredibly important GI resistance movement that rose up as Nixon tried to wind down the war. Where is that story? Passing references to disgruntled veterans voicing their anger, as important as those voices are, does not do it justice. We needed more. In an 18-hour series, one could expect time to adequately examine the courageous resistance waged by active-duty GIs to an unjust war they were ordered to fight and die for." Read the entire article. To find out more about the ad, visit our website! Back to Top Debate on Political Crisis & Violent Deaths in Nicaragua VFP Advisory Board Member Daniel Ellsberg's grandson, Julio Martinez Ellsberg and VFP member Camilo Mejia appeared on Democracy Now discussing Nicaragua. From Democracy Now: The U.N. high commissioner for human rights says the death toll from anti-government protests in Nicaragua is approaching 300, as an escalating crisis in the country reaches its third month. Both opposition groups and pro-government forces are accused of violence, including kidnappings and killings. We host a debate with Julio Martinez Ellsberg, adviser to one of the main student movements opposing the Nicaraguan government, and Camilo Mejía, well-known Nicaraguan-American Iraq War resister and son of the famed Sandinista singer Carlos Mejía Godoy. Read the debate Back to Top Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki In a few weeks the anniversary of the horrific use of nuclear weapons against the people of Japan.  The people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki experienced the horror of nuclear bombs dropped on their churches, on their schools, on their cafes, on their streets, on their homes and their families. Today the last survivors of those bombs, known as the Hibakusha, continue to appeal to the world to rid itself of these terrible weapons of mass destruction and mass suffering. Many Veterans For Peace chapters will attend memorial events.  If you are interested in tabling materials, please fill out this form. Back to Top Job Alert: About Face is Hiring! About Face is seeking a campaign manager to help build, develop, and lead our national Drop the MIC (Military Industrial Complex) campaign. The campaign manager will be responsible for supporting strategic planning and for organizing and mobilizing current and potential members and supporters to advance work that aligns with the campaign goals: demilitarized communities, a just energy transition, and divestment from war profiteers. Read the Job Posting		In This Issue: VFP Members Help Introduce H.Res 922 VFP Advisory Board Members Sign Open Letter VFP Convention: August 22-26th “The Most Dangerous Base in the World”  by Douglas Lummis Disarm Trident Save Our VA!  No to Wilkie! PBS Series,“The Vietnam War,” Receives Emmy Nomination. Should It? Calling All Artists! Order Peace in Our Times Now! Debate on Political Crisis & Violent Deaths in Nicaragua Campaign Nonviolence Week of Actions 2018 Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki Job Alert: About Face is Hiring! Deadline Approaching for Award Nominations! ICYMI: In Case You Missed It Upcoming Events VFP Convention: August 22-26th Veterans For Peace is looking forward to seeing YOU at our 33rd Annual convention, August 22-26th in St. Paul, Minnesota. If you need convincing, check out this great video! Our registration is now open and we have a lot of other deadlines and information available on our website, but scroll down for direct links and more information! Registration Registration is Now Open for the 33rd Annual Convention.  Housing Veterans For Peace has a special group rate at the Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront.  Click here for more details and for housing information. Workshops The deadline for workshop proposals is past.  You will be notified next week if your workshop was accepted.  We are sorry for the delay. Awards Nominate an individual for one of five awards offered by VFP National.  Visit the Awards tab for award descriptions.  Deadline to submit is July 22 Have a chapter who is deserving of the VFP Chapter of the Year Award? Submit this form to nominate a deserving chapter.   Deadline to submit is July 22 Tabling Submit this form, if you're interested in tabling at the 2018 convention.  ​ Program Ads Place your ad in the program book. Click here to learn more about placing and ad in the 2018 convention program book.  ​Deadline for ad submissions is July 20th Resolution and Bylaws Resolution proposals are now being accepted.  Read the protocols for submitting a resolution here.  Deadline to submit is July 22nd. All Current Members, this includes Associate Members, shall be entitled to speak to resolutions presented before the Annual Convention. All Current Members, this includes Associate Members , shall be entitled to one vote on resolutions. Proposals can be emailed to the Resolutions Committee Chair, Bob Krzewinski, at wolverbob@gmail.com or mailed to 706 Dwight Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48198. Emailing resolutions is the preferred way of submitting resolutions. Resolutions submitted by mail must include a telephone number of the resolution maker. We will start accepting bylaw amendments next week.  Deadline to submit is July 22nd All Current Veteran Members are allowed to submit and vote on bylaw amendments. Please also check out the Convention FAQ for other inquries! Back to Top Save Our VA! NO to Wilkie! Veterans For Peace strongly opposes the nomination of Robert Wilkie as U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary.  His history shows an alarming alliance with racist, sexist, and homophobic political figures and organizations.  Wilkie has also been clear that he supports Trump’s privatization efforts, under the dishonest guise of “offering veterans choices” for their healthcare. The Department of Veterans Affairs is in a perilous position, having had multiple directors in a short time span and is in need of someone who has experience, is dedicated to fighting off privatization efforts and will commit to fully fund and staff the VA. The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee voted on Tuesday, 7/10 to confirm Robert Wilkie as the Secretary of Veteran Affairs. The nomination will now go to the full Senate and the vote could be as early as next week. It is imperative that the Senate says NO to Wilkie!  Write and Call your Senator Today! Click here to take action! Back to Top Calling All Artists! Veterans for Peace Chapter 27 would like to invite convention registrants to display 2D or 3D art during the convention.  Seeking artistic creations embracing the theme:   IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT WAR! We live in challenging times; it is easy to focus on the negative.  Some metaphysical theorists argue that thoughts precede action; we must be able to visualize and sense something in our mind and body before it can manifest physically.  The first step in creating a new reality is imagining it.   Installed in the registration/main gathering area, using color, texture, abstract or figurative art, our art exhibit strives to imbue the convention with beauty, light, positive thought and optimism. Something we can strive FOR vs. fight against. Check out the guidelines! Sign-up here today! Questions  email Mary McNellis at vfpsoaw@yahoo.com    Subject line:  Art Exhibit Back to Top Order Peace in Our Times Now! There is still time to order your bundle of Peace in Our Articles by: Kathy Kelly, Doug Rawlings, Pat Elder, Major Danny Sjursen, Sam Hussini, Lauri Arbeiter, Meredith Tax, Stan Levin, poems by Mike Hastie and much more! We’re excited to announce that Peace in Our Times has three new widely respected syndicated journalists. Look for Elvis, Lupin and Puck in this issue and ongoing. The spring issue sold out completely. Don’t miss this one. Order now. Back to Top Deadline Approaching for VFP Award Nominations! Nominate an individual for one of five awards offered by VFP National.  Visit the Awards tab for award descriptions.  Deadline to submit is July 22 Have a chapter who is deserving of the VFP Chapter of the Year Award? Submit this form to nominate a deserving chapter.   Deadline to submit is July 22 Back to Top ICYMI: In Case You Missed It Veterans For Peace in Kentucky will help students at their protest of Oliver North, West Ky. Students Voice Opposition To Oliver North Appearance San Diego VFP member quoted in their local NBC affiliate:  San Diego Military Community's Reaction to President's Controversial Russia Comments VFP Advisory Board member, Majorie Cohn writes North Korea Agreed to Denuclearize, but When Will the US? If you haven't checked out VFP's Instagram, be sure to go take a peek.  This week the "story" (click the circle image that is our logo once you get to Instagram) includes pictures of the VFP Japan chapter with visiting U.S. member WIll Griffin. Save the Dates: Upcoming Event July 10-18 - International Action Camp Against Nuclear Weapons in Germany, Buchel, Germany Aug 23-26 - 2018 VFP National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota Sept 19-21 - 2nd Annual Conference in Havana, Cuba on "Realities and Challenges of Being a Zone of Peace in Latin America and the Caribbean" Sept 15-23 - Campaign Nonviolence Week of Actions Oct 20-21 - Women's March on the Pentagon Nov 11 - Armistice Day Nov 16-18 - 2018 SOA Watch Encuentro Nov 16-18 - International Conference Against U.S./NATO Military Bases in Dublin, Ireland Nov 27-29 - International Youth Conference: Reaching High for a Nuclear Weapon Free World, Prague, Czech Republic Back to Top

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