In the end, science offers us the only way out of politics. And if we
allow science to become politicized, then we are lost. We will enter the
Internet version of the dark ages, an era of shifting fears and wild
prejudices, transmitted to people who don't know any better.
--Michael Crichton
sorry this one got censored?
Monday, October 22, 2012 9:02 PM
|
Dear L.J.,
In the recent presidential debates, we've heard from the candidates on domestic issues like jobs, the economy and immigration. But there are a lot of human rights topics left to cover in tonight's foreign policy debate. What will President Obama and Governor Romney say about drones?
There are many things we don't know about U.S. drone policy, for example, the government's rules of engagement for drone attacks. Drone missions and strategy operate under a shroud of secrecy. But what we do know is scary -- the deliberate killing of individuals deemed by the U.S. government to be terrorism suspects, far from any recognized battlefield and without charge or trial, raises grave concerns that the U.S. is committing extrajudicial executions in violation of international human rights law.
Tell the Obama administration to come clean about its drone policy and put an end to unlawful killings with drones.
Both presidential candidates have spoken in favor of drones, which have been depicted as a technologically advanced, precision tool for targeting suspects in remote areas.
But as the mounting civilian casualties demonstrate, under U.S. policy, anyone can be targeted as a possible enemy or simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The people of Pakistan know this all too well. A recent joint report from Stanford and NYU, Living Under Drones: Death, Injury and Trauma to Civilians from US Drone Practices in Pakistan, details story after story of civilians -- often children -- killed or seriously injured in U.S. drone attacks. The accounts are chilling.
Shockingly, the CIA reportedly operates under the "guilty until proven innocent" assumption that any male of military age in Pakistan is a potential drone target, unless intelligence has shown otherwise.1
Drone strikes reflect a "global war" mentality that has been passed on from the Bush administration to the Obama White House. But the whole world is not a battlefield, where lethal force can be used without regard for international human rights and humanitarian law. This reckless approach to national security policy must end now.
Not in our name. Demand that the U.S. government stop the unlawful drone killings in Pakistan and around the globe. Human rights must come first.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Nossel
Executive Director
Amnesty International USA
P.S. "Drones" is just one of the key human rights words on our Debate Bingo cards. Don't forget to play along during tonight's presidential debate, and join the conversation with fellow Amnesty activists online!
In the recent presidential debates, we've heard from the candidates on domestic issues like jobs, the economy and immigration. But there are a lot of human rights topics left to cover in tonight's foreign policy debate. What will President Obama and Governor Romney say about drones?
There are many things we don't know about U.S. drone policy, for example, the government's rules of engagement for drone attacks. Drone missions and strategy operate under a shroud of secrecy. But what we do know is scary -- the deliberate killing of individuals deemed by the U.S. government to be terrorism suspects, far from any recognized battlefield and without charge or trial, raises grave concerns that the U.S. is committing extrajudicial executions in violation of international human rights law.
Tell the Obama administration to come clean about its drone policy and put an end to unlawful killings with drones.
Both presidential candidates have spoken in favor of drones, which have been depicted as a technologically advanced, precision tool for targeting suspects in remote areas.
But as the mounting civilian casualties demonstrate, under U.S. policy, anyone can be targeted as a possible enemy or simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The people of Pakistan know this all too well. A recent joint report from Stanford and NYU, Living Under Drones: Death, Injury and Trauma to Civilians from US Drone Practices in Pakistan, details story after story of civilians -- often children -- killed or seriously injured in U.S. drone attacks. The accounts are chilling.
Shockingly, the CIA reportedly operates under the "guilty until proven innocent" assumption that any male of military age in Pakistan is a potential drone target, unless intelligence has shown otherwise.1
Drone strikes reflect a "global war" mentality that has been passed on from the Bush administration to the Obama White House. But the whole world is not a battlefield, where lethal force can be used without regard for international human rights and humanitarian law. This reckless approach to national security policy must end now.
Not in our name. Demand that the U.S. government stop the unlawful drone killings in Pakistan and around the globe. Human rights must come first.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Nossel
Executive Director
Amnesty International USA
P.S. "Drones" is just one of the key human rights words on our Debate Bingo cards. Don't forget to play along during tonight's presidential debate, and join the conversation with fellow Amnesty activists online!
1 The New York Times, "Secret 'Kill List' Proves a Test of Obama's Principles and Will," May 29, 2012.
Dear MoveOn member,
My name is Mike McCready, and I play guitar in Pearl Jam. I also have Crohn's Disease, a chronic, life-threatening condition—and
twice in recent years I've been denied by insurance for treatment my doctor said I needed.
That's why I am such a big supporter of ObamaCare—and why on Election Day I will only vote for candidates who support
it.
Just think—if someone like me has trouble getting the coverage I need, what's it like for everyone else? Will
you take the pledge too?
With the resources that come from being in a successful rock band, I've been able to fight back and get the coverage I need. But
not everyone is so lucky.
I think about all the kids I've met with Crohn's and other chronic illnesses and I know that without ObamaCare many of them
will not receive the health care they need.
Some candidates say they want to repeal ObamaCare but would still protect folks with pre-existing conditions. Don't
count on it. We had to fight for years to get these protections. If they go away now, it will be virtually impossible
to get them back.
Beginning January 1, 2014, ObamaCare will prevent insurance companies from denying health insurance to people
with pre-existing conditions.
ObamaCare also expands our right to appeal insurance company denials for payment or coverage. Because of this process, an external review board was able to overturn denials from my insurance company for life-supporting treatments of my disease on two occasions.
Under ObamaCare, every American will have the right to appeal to an Independent Review Organization that can overturn
their insurer's decision. Insurance companies will no longer have the final word.
Election Day is in just two weeks. Please pledge to vote to ensure that all Americans receive access to health care coverage
and then send this email to your friends and urge them to sign as well.
Thanks!
–Mike McCready, Pearl Jam guitarist
This petition was created on SignOn.org, the progressive,
nonprofit petition site. SignOn.org is sponsored by MoveOn Civic Action,
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O' GREAT SPIRIT
help me always
to speak the truth quietly,
to listen with an open mind
when others speak,
and to remember the peace
that may be found in silence.
Cherokee Prayer
help me always
to speak the truth quietly,
to listen with an open mind
when others speak,
and to remember the peace
that may be found in silence.
Cherokee Prayer
..............kosmicdebris
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