Getting organized

We do a lot of talking and writing around here, and while that's useful to a point, there ultimately comes a time for action. That's what the theocrats are up to in this comment by Greg. And that's what we need to be up to as well.

Which is why I'm passing along this email I got from a group of progressive Democrats here in North Carolina. (I've edited it for length, so anything that doesn't make sense is all my fault.)

On January 29, 2007, a group of North Carolinians visited our NC congressional members about the War in Iraq and the potential escalation by the current administration into Iran. This effort was organized by United for Peace and Justice and allied organizations. As they met with our representatives or their Legislative Directors, the most profound theme heard in these meetings was the confession that they, our representatives, had become irrelevant in decisions about how our country imposes our narrow interests on other countries, Iraq and Iran in particular.

It was sobering to hear the concern in the voices of these otherwise self-assured Legislative Directors as they spoke about the larger threat of expansion into Iran. They appealed to us to get people back home involved. They urged us to put pressure on colleagues whose support they lack, especially those who won by large margins in the last election.

If you believe that it is fine for Americans to impose our way of life on people of other countries in order to meet our raw materials, energy and human labor needs, and do so by economic coercion or military means, then this message has been miss sent and I apologize for bothering you.

However, if you think we were wrong to kill approximately 650,000 Iraqi people and destroy their infrastructure; if you are an American who is able to put yourself in others' moccasins and see that we sowed seeds of resentment that must be rectified; if you think peaceful coexistence will only come through fulfillment of basic necessities and security needs and the hope for a better tomorrow, rather than by the sword, then it is time to commit to action.

We are not asking you to cross a river in a rickety wooden boat in frigid weather at Valley Forge. We are not asking you to board a landing craft and take a trip to the beach through machine gun and mortar fire. Other Americans did that for you.

But we are asking you to commit: Respond below indicating your agreement to call, e-mail, fax or send letters to your representative promptly upon receiving an appeal to respond to a specific legislative resolution. For example, Walter Jones (R-NC-3) has cosponsored House Joint Resolution 14 to require the President to seek congressional approval before initiating military attacks against Iran. The Bring the Troops Home and Iraqi Restoration Act, House Resolution 508, provides for troops returning home in 6 months, a stabilization plan, and economic aid.

We do not expect to ask your participation often and will not seek further participation after our troops begin an orderly withdrawal.

There is no more important question for you to answer than this: Do you care enough to act? Your response to this appeal will be your answer. We look forward to hearing from you - together we will make a difference for these people and for our own future as a nation and people.

It's a shame that elected officials won't just stand up and do the right thing on their own, but apparently they need cover. That's how the Called2Action theocrats pushed through the Pledge of Allegiance bill in the last legislative session. Fewer than a dozen phone calls from constituents and BOOM . . . a bill gets passed.

So here's my request. Respond in comments below with a verbal commitment, a small first step. Just say "I'm in." Then keep your eyes open for upcoming action alerts. Let us know we can count on you to pick up the phone or send an email that will change the world.

Are you in?