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July 10, 2009
As the media shines its
spotlight on the death of one celebrity this week, so many other
profound losses go unreported-particularly those civilians killed by
unmanned US drones in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Since 2006, unmanned drone attacks
have killed at least 14 Al Qaeda leaders and approximately 700
civilians--a 50:1 ratio of innocent victims to targeted enemies
(watch Brave New Films' latest videos on civilian casualties and the impact of war on women). Since the news isn't covering this, we
need to be the media ourselves.
![]() Won't you write a
letter to the editor? You can use our template or craft
your own words of outrage to educate your community about drones and
encourage others to speak out against their use and the tragedy and
destabilization they bring to the region. Click here to get started (it will only take 3
minutes)!
![]() And spread the message to your online community!
Tweet this: When Drones Attack ...
http://twitpic.com/9pyqa
or this: Is the US flaming extremism with its drones?
http://bit.ly/BHfs7
or this: Generals agree...ground the drones! http://bit.ly/RB2ee
Facebook status update: When drones
attack...civilians die. http://twitpic.com/9pyqa
This week also saw the death of war criminal Robert McNamara, who lied
us into war in Vietnam. He later regretted masterminding our military
involvement there, but that does nothing to heal the deep pain left in
its wake. The death of seven more US soldiers in Afghanistan continues
to highlight the futility of war and its horrific costs. Afghanistan and Pakistan are now
Obama's wars, wars he will likely one day regret. Like Vietnam, they
are wrong.
Generals and other
military officials, including David
Kilcullen, former adviser to General David Petraeus, have spoken
out against the US use of drones. "They've given rise to a feeling of
anger that coalesces the population around the extremists and leads to
spikes of extremism," Kilcullen said before the
House Armed Services Committee. Yet the US State Department continues to deny the attacks and our tax dollars continue to fund
them! Read more about
what Generals, CIA and others have been saying about drones and
stability in the region.
Some of our brothers and sisters in the peace movement are putting not
just their words, but their bodies, on the line to stop drones. On July
13, CODEPINK is partnering with other activists, including the
illustrious Father Louis Vitale, to hold
a Ground the Drones! vigil at the gates of Creech Air Force
Base near Indian Springs, NV, where the drones are operated via remote
control.
To find out more
click here and follow us on twitter and read our blogs!
Expanding our voices for
peace,
Blaine, Dana, Desiree, Farida, Gael,
Gayle, Janet, Jean, Jodie, Johanna, Medea, Nancy K, Nancy M, Paris, Rae
and Stacy
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