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April 2009
Take Action for Afghanistan April 4 - 6

Changing the Conversation

Peace Action reaches out to the media to educate the public and change the conversation on critical issues like the troop surge in Afghanistan.  One third of Americans disapprove of an increased troop presence in Afghanistan.  It is a good start, but we need to continue to educate the public against the false idea that peace can be won through force.

The occupation of Iraq was a popular idea in 2003.  It was the advocacy and activism of groups like Peace Action that built support for diplomatic solutions and the withdrawal of U.S. troops.  Today, like then, our media outreach provides a counter-point to Washington talking points and corporate newscasters.

The media looks for this counter-point in their reporting.  Last week we were featured on MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow show.  Columnists from the Nation and Politico are buzzing about our response to the President’s Afghanistan strategy.  Slowly but surely we are changing the conversation about Afghanistan:  supporting the aspects of President Obama’s plan while condemning the heavy emphasis on military force.

Not every aspect of the President’s plan is a misstep.  President Obama wants to work with Pakistan and Afghanistan and he supports more humanitarian aid.  These are very important aspects of winning the peace in Afghanistan.  He will need to make tough budgeting decisions for his multifaceted policy and we want him to make the right decisions.

You can help.  We need to build public support for diplomatic solutions in Afghanistan.  Join our media campaign by writing a letter to the editor.  You can use our online system to send your letter to local papers in your area.  The people in your community look to a local perspective to form an opinion on complex national issues.  Our President and our Congress look to public opinion to inform their decisions.  You can help bring that opinion into focus by speaking out in your community. 

Or email system makes it easy for you to change the conversation and make an impact on our government by connecting you to its fourth estate.  If you need help you can use any of our pre-written letters, or create one yourself.   We can build opposition to more military plans and promote peaceful alternatives.  We must do so before we lose the momentum for diplomacy and the best chance for a peaceful end to our military presence in Afghanistan.