Not One More! Peace, Justice, and Human Rights for All

Letter to Senators/Representatives

January 1, 2006

Dear Community Representative:

It is a New Year, a time for a new beginning. It is the time to make new resolutions and try our best at improving our current state of affairs. Now is our opportunity to do the right thing and choose how we want to be as a society. Which path will you choose?

There has been a terrible national tragedy occurring under our watch, and your watch– the Iraq War. We say that we are a country that values freedom and liberty for all, yet our actions don’t match our words. We see torture and abuse of prisoners at the direction of the U.S. government. We see the needless deaths of innocent Iraqi civilians and the deaths of our own soldiers escalating everyday. There is credible evidence that the reasons for going to war (responsible for 9/11; weapons of mass destruction; an imminent nuclear attack on the US) were based on fabrications, lies, and deceit.

These actions represent the policies of an unjust government. They affect all of us by bringing us down as a society. To paraphrase Robert Fisk, war is not a measure of victory or defeat, ”but the total failure of the human spirit.” Let us not be defined by war.

Not One More! is a grassroots organization created to voice the concerns of the community that believes this war is not only a tragedy, but illegal and morally wrong. We cannot support this war effort in any manner, nor can we support any elected official who can justify the continuation of the Iraq War.

While the inclination to remove Saddam from power may seem admirable, it doesn’t justify the United State’s deceitful and illegal actions and policies in order to accomplish this task. It is a contradiction for a country to act in an unjust manner and still expect just results. The ‘insurgents’ and the increased violent acts are evidence of that.

We have taken the Pledge for Peace. We pledge to only vote for any candidate that publicly stated that this war is wrong, and agree to immediately stop the prisoner torture and abuse. We ask any candidate that wishes to get our support, to declare their opposition by February 20, 2006. This is, appropriately, President’s Day. But do it today. We cannot afford to wait any longer. Not One More!

There is no peace without justice, and there is no justice if it is based on lies. Let’s start the New Year by doing the right thing and supporting the peace and justice process. We cannot afford to wait. We ask you to take The Pledge for Peace.

Attila Gyenis

Not One More!

email: NotOneMore2006@aol.com

PO Box 5174, Eureka, CA 95502

Pledge for Peace

Elected Official's Pledge:

I publicly declare that:

- The Iraq war is being carried out in violation of U.S. law and International law. The war is contrary to the basic principles of a democratic and just society, and fails to protect basic human rights.

- The reasons cited for going to war are based on lies, deceit, and fabrications.

- I will support all efforts to immediately end the illegal occupation; turn over control of Iraq to an independent international organization within six months; and commit to rebuilding the infrastructure of Iraq.

- In compliance with the rules under the Geneva Convention, I further declare to immediately stop any and all torture and abuse at Guantanamo Bay, Abu Graibs prison, and any other facility that is under the U.S. control or its direction. I will end the current 'enemy combatants' policy, and treat them in accordance and protections provided under international law and the Geneva Convention.

- If I did support this war, or vote to give the President authorization to go to war, I will admit it was a mistake, and will take all steps possible to correct my mistake.

- I pledge to make non-violence the primary mechanism for conflict resolution.

[Please make this public declaration by February 20, 2006, President's Day]

This is suggested wording. Each person has to evaluate their own beliefs and values, and publicly declare what they believe in and what they are willing to stand for.

Note: This pledge can apply to any candidate running for any elected office.

Community Member's Pledge:

As a community member of a caring society that supports peaceful efforts, human rights, and justice for all, I declare that I will only vote for, and support, any candidate in the 2008 presidential election who is able to publicly declare by February 20, 2006, that:

- The reasons for the war are based on lies and deceit.

- The war is wrong because it violates U.S. and International laws, and the basic principles of a democratic and just society. We must protect basic human rights for all.

- They will act in accordance with the rules under the Geneva Convention, and immediately stop any and all torture and abuse at Guantanamo Bay, Abu Graibs prison, and any other facility that is under the U.S. control or its direction. The U.S. should not be conducting or condoning torture.

- They agree to making non-violence a platform of their candidacy.

Now is the time to oppose this unjust war, and I cannot in good conscience allow this travesty continue, or support any candidate who has chosen to let it continue.

War creates peace like hate creates love.

~David L. Wilson

This is suggested wording. Each person has to evaluate their own beliefs and values, and publicly declare what they believe in and what they are willing to stand for.