Veterans: Tell Congress what You Think on War with Syria
The folks at Popvox are at it again, helping veterans send letters straight to Congress about Syria. Don’t be left out.
If you already know your position, fire off a note to Congress here. If you are still unsure, I have included a summary of positions below this form for your convenience.
What Other Veterans Think
We at DisabledVeterans.org have chosen to take a neutral position based on our belief that the attack warrants further investigation first.
Nonetheless, here’s the issue.
Congress and the President appear to be at odds on Syria. We aren’t sure if President Obama will go it alone if Congress does not approve his proposal, which has been called overly broad by some. Here is a draft of the White House Proposal on Syria.
Meanwhile, the veteran community is up in arms over the matter. And here, the sides have really been drawn in the sand with little room for compromise.
Rest assured, regardless of your opinion on this, Congress wants to know where we stand.
Here are three primary positions fellow veterans have taken:
Veteran Position 1
One side supports an invasion. The goal of the invasion would be to avenge the use of chemical weapons on children.
Veteran Position 2
A second side opposes what would be a fifth war or military action in the Middle East in just 10 years. Here, there are many justifications for declining military action. Here is a short list:
- America cannot afford another simultaneous war with sequestration
- The other wars have not concluded
- Iraq/Afghanistan/Egypt/Libya wars cost over $3 trillion and counting
Veteran Position 3
Still a third group of veterans supports further investigation. These veterans support intervention of some kind only after a thorough investigation. This latter group likely feels wary after jumping into a war in Iraq with misleading facts for fear a similar spin is at work here.
But regardless of your view, sound off!
The folks at Popvox were kind enough to let us at DisabledVeterans.org use their plugin to write directly to Congress.
Let our elected officials hear from you about your position rather than allowing them to vote along special interest lines. Below are some examples of what others are saying, both for and against.
Sample Letters to Congress
Supporting Military Action
Dear Sen. Lamar Alexander, Sen. Bob Corker, and Rep. Chuck Fleischmann:
I support The President’s Draft Legislation Authorizing Military Action in Syria because…it is the right thing to do. What kind of people are we to sit back and watch innocent children being killed in these barbaric acts and not do something to stop it.
I personally think we need to take Assad out. That way these people will be able to go back home to live. Otherwise they may never be able to return. And this evil man wins!
libover30
Tennessee’s 3rd district
Dear your representatives:
I support The President’s Draft Legislation Authorizing Military Action in Syria because enough is enough with the nonsense and uncivilized actions by the leaders of these countries that cause nothing but trouble for the rest of the world. It’s about time that we get it over with and do what is necessary, not only in Syria but in Iran too, and oppose Russia more by treating them not as an ally but as an obstacle to peace.
andrew-rochester,mn
Minnesota’s 1st district
Opposing Military Action
Dear your representatives:
I oppose Draft Legislation Authorizing Military Action in Syria because…I served in Desert Storm, we have been involved in Middle East war for 23 years! It has to stop! No matter who we support and war in their behalf, still hates us in the big picture. I’m sick and tired of Americans fighting and dying for the wasteland called the Middle East.
Sincerely,
David Huggler
Proudly served eight years in the Marine Corps.
Missouri’s 4th district
Dear your representatives:
I oppose Draft Legislation Authorizing Military Action in Syria because one side is as bad as the other. Sure it’s unfortunate and terrible that many innocent civilians are caught in the middle, but that still does not justify the US taking action in something that we don’t have a clear picture of. Both sides have committed atrocities and will continue regardless of our involvement. Most importantly, the rebel forces have been rumored to be allied with various terrorist organizations, including Al Qaeda. The US should not aid in any shape or form groups that are allied with enemies of the US and have vowed the death and destruction of our country and its citizens. Military action in Syria will not benefit the US in any way. It will only cause us to spends a lot of money that we cannot afford, and we will likely be aiding a group that we will only have to fight ourselves down the road. If the US government is set on spending a ton of money that we don’t have, at least spend it in the US on things that will benefit our economy and infrastructure. Please oppose and vote against any bills that would authorize US involvement in Syria.
BBuckman
Kentucky’s 1st district
This has got to be done of the dumbest and and most incompetent idea in our history since Vietnam. Come on America make it loud and make it NO way, A waste of money, a waste of talent and nothing but tempting retaliation.
This has got to be done of the dumbest and and most incompetent idea in our history since Vietnam. Come on America make it loud and make it NO way, A waste of money, a waste of talent and nothing but tempting retaliation.
Please note who is really beating the drums of war, and who Hegel said he did not work for when pushed for more war in the Middle East as Senator. There is a reason Mr Heinze, celebrating their new year right now, is so much more adamant than SecDef, Joint Chiefs or even POTUS regarding the bombing of Syria. I would very much like to know who is providing this “chain of custody” evidence regarding the preparation for chemical warfare by the Assad regime. England said no, France needs more time and unless the proof of who did this is independently verified beyond Mossad/AIPAC, then congress should not just vote no, but HE!! NO!
center of target Louis. Thanks for exposing the STRINGS
My Grandfather fought in WW 1 in the US Army. He was was shot during the fighting in WW1 and spent 6 months in the Army hospital after the war. He was also gas with Mustard Gas also. A lot of GI’s did not make either with that type of fighting with gas. At that time The WW 1 GI’s did have the benefits did have all the services what they have today.
That is not right what is going on now to the people over there now.
But on the other side of the fence they have been fighting the last 2000 years or more in that part of the world. Look at the history over there and history will repeat itself if you do not know how or what they are fighting for or when it started. The USA been form 230 years or more and going to solve all the problems there?
We help them plenty in the Middle East and I hope the people respect our actions what over we do in the next few weeks and the 14 years we fought there.
It was not right what happen there and someone must pay for that for the people died there with the gas.
My Grandfather WW1,My Dad WW 2 and John the grandson in the National Guard protected this Great USA !!!!
The GI’s of WW1 DID NOT have the all the services that the GI’s have today. The GI’s had to fight to get them when they came back after the Wars. This a follow up from John Frogue’s last statement should say “GI’s did not have the benefits” as they do today of the WW 1.
Senators Gillibrand, Schumer, King and Representative Slaughter: Please oppose the President’s request for military action in Syria. It will not bring back the victims. It is not an action we can justify militarily, socially, politically, ethically, morally, or economically. I fought with U.S. Army, 101st Airborne Infantry in Viet Nam. Iraq and Afghanistan have taken more of a toll on this country than we can afford. More killing won’t change minds. Mr. Obama will go down in history as The War President.
It is ethical and moral to allow a dictator to use chemical weapons? What message does that send the other dictators of the world? I am not for a long drawn out engagement unless regime change has a clear cut strategy for replacing Assad with a Pro-Western leader. However, destroying military assets and chemical storage areas if known would send a message that the use of chemical weapons will not be tolerated. Unfortunately, POTUS has broadcast to the world that we might do something and now Assad has started moving a protecting assets in civilian populated areas. President Wishy-Washy don’t make me make a decision, has almost ruined the change to have a meaningful short term engagement where assets are destroyed. Almost, but not completely.
REMEMEBER EGYPT AND THE BROTHERHOOD COMING INTO POWER, THEY WERE AND ARE NO FRIEND OF THE U.S.. WHO DO YOU THINK WILL COME INTO POWER IN SYRIA? ALMOST CERTAINLY IT WILL AGAIN BE THEM SINCE THE MILITARY OUSTED THE PRESIDENT, & BROTHERHOOD. LET OTHER NATIONS TAKE THE LEAD AND EXPEND MONEY, SUPPLIES, MAN POWER THEN THERE IS RUSSIA & CHINA, AGAIN NO FRIEND OF OURS, SUPPORTING ASSAD’S REGEIME. DO YOU THINK THEY WILL DO NOTHING? NEITHER ONE CARES ABOUT HOW MANY OF SYRIAS PEOPLE ARE KILLED, ALL THEY WANT IS FOR OUR EYES TO BE SOME WHERE ELSE, NOT ON THEM OR IRAN.