film night Sunday: let’s end this war.

Dear Tractivists,

Four years ago, I marched in my first big rally — a major protest in DC against the war in Iraq, standing strong with hundreds of thousands of others, thronging in the streets so thickly that the two-hour march took two hours just to start moving.

Somehow, people (including me) haven’t been speaking out like that against the war in Afghanistan. Why not?

WHAT: Rethink Afghanistan : film + discussion
WHEN: Sun., Sept. 20, 7 PM
WHERE: Manbites Dog Theater, 703 Foster St, Durham
TICKETS: $5 suggested donation
RSVP: rethink@getTraction.org

We’ve all been told that this war was the right war — that Iraq was so obviously wrong and that it distracted us from Afghanistan, where we needed to be. And honestly, the longer this war runs on in the background, the more I tune out headlines of 20 or 50 or 70 Afghan civilians — regular people like me — killed by a U.S. air strike.

Afghanistan is far away, and like in many faraway places, I’ve let the people there become nameless, faceless, anonymous. I’ve let their troubles remain someone else’s problem.

The tide has turned, though. A majority of Americans now oppose this war . Al Qaeda may no longer be a major presence in Afghanistan. And many Afghanis dislike the U.S. being in their country, too — so much so that having our army there may send people straight to the Taliban.

But what is a right path forward from here?

This Sunday, Sept. 20, join Traction to watch Rethink Afghanistan , a new film from Robert Greenwald (who brought us Wal-mart: The High Cost of Low Price , Outfoxed , and Uncovered: The War on Iraq ). It’ll help you rethink the implications of this war — for stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan, for Afghan civilians and particularly women, and for the economic and national security of the United States.

After the film, we’ll talk with special guests about where this war has gotten us, exit strategies, and actions we can take to promote peace and stability. And you can take action NOW: add your name to an Elders for Peace ad in the N&O requesting an exit strategy. Write rethink@getTraction.org to add your name or for more info.

Congressman David Price, our Representative from the Triangle, sits as the Chair of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee — with direct influence on how we spend money to enhance security, including in Afghanistan.

How often does our Representative have such power on such a key issue? Let’s speak up. Price just might listen.

peace,

Eileen Thorsos
lapsed Quaker, humanitarian, Tractivist

P.S. This film screening is hosted by Traction, Traction Action Fund, & Brave New Foundation, with thanks to the Independent Weekly.

P.P.S. Upcoming Traction events:
9/23, 6:30-8 PM: Mad Money: Money Where Your Mouth Is: Green & Socially Responsible Investing. Write money@getTraction.org .
9/26: Join Traction in the NC Pride Parade! Write pride@getTraction.org .
In October: How to Be a Good Ally, and Speed CandiDATING.

This entry was posted on Friday, September 18th, 2009 at 2:10 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

film night Sunday: let’s end this war.

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