This is a repost of my call to action from yesterday. I know, I know...this is generally frowned upon and for that I apologize. But more than anything, I think this is an issue that deserves attention, and I hope that by posting it again this morning, we can perhaps generate some additional community interest. For some background on Divine Strake, check out my
previous story on the matter.
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As reported by Madcasey over at DMF, there are now indications that Indiana is off the chopping block in terms of testing the Divine Strike bunker-busting bomb:
The federal government says it will not be detonating 700 tons of explosives in Lawrence County.
"The Defense Threat Reduction Acency has no plans to conduct Divine Strake in the state of Indiana," Michael Evenson, the agency's acting director, said in a letter dated Tuesday. "Any Discussion to the contrary is incorrect."
We have six days to stop the testing everywhere else...here is what you can do.
One of the courses of action advocated by many, including our own
Barry Welsh, was to contact your Senators about H.R. 5631. What is H.R. 5631? Quite simply, it is the defense appropriations bill that will fund the Divine Strake testing, wherever it ends up. It will be up for debate next Tuesday.
We can stop this, right now, right here.
You see, our problem in the past has been one of complacency. We have always resolved ourselves to taking action after a threat appears. What this vote allows us to do is to create a preventative protest. This isn't about my backyard anymore, this is about yours.
Here is the text of a letter I wrote to my Senators:
Dear Senator Bayh/Lugar:
Recently, I have become interested in the rumored testing of the Divine Strake program in South-central Indiana. After researching this matter, it has come to my attention that the threats posed by such activity to our citizens, our environment, and our foreign policy make this one of the most irresponsible actions we could take as a nation. This is not something I would want in my backyard.
I realize that the most recent reports indicate that the Indiana test site is no longer being considered for this activity, but I believe that this is no reason to become apathetic toward the program once more. I did not want this testing to occur in my backyard, and I certainly do not want it occuring in my friends backyard. Or my family's backyard. Or anywhere.
It is time to lead on this issue. Please Senator, take a stand.
Next Tuesday, H.R. 5631 will come to the Senate floor for debate. I ask that you put forth a floor amendment to block funding for the Divine Strake testing program. Not only will this save Hoosier families from the horrible realities of this testing, but it will save the entire nation from such a fate. This is about leadership, not just for your constituency, but for your country.
So please Senator, remember this about Divine Strake: I would not want it in my backyard; I would not want it in anyone's.
That should be our battle cry on this issue: Not in my backyard, not in yours.
If we are to fight so vehemently against such programs when they come into our neighborhoods, there is no reason we should be unwilling to fight to stop them once and for all. There is no place that is appropriate to test this bomb. But time is running out, so what we need is immediate action.
- Contact your Senators. You don't need to be longwinded, but be sure to let them know that it is their responsibility as your representative to fight for your best interests. That means opposing Divine Strake.
Dear Senator _,
On Tuesday, September 5, H.R. 5631 will come before you for a vote. As your constituent, I ask that you please put forth a floor amendment to halt the funding for the Divine Strake testing program.
Divine Strake does not represent the best interests of your constituents, our state's environment, or the foreign policy goals of the United States. Unless you take a stand now, these tests could end up in our backyard, and this is something we should all fight against. So please Senator, I ask that next Tuesday you take a stand against this program, and please lead your colleagues in opposing the Divine Strake program.
Sincerely,
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It's that simple.
- Tell your neighbors, tell your friends, and tell your family. This the key part of making this a truly national issue: We must get the word out, before it is too late. So please, please forward some information along to those that you know, no matter where they are.
Here are some resources you can include in your email:
- A useful one-stop place for Divine Strake info: StopDivineStrake.com.
- Some background information over at Realitics.
- The Bloomington Peace Action Coalition's Divine Strake page.
- Help brainstorm some ways to get the word out. I have included some ideas off of the top of my head, but I know that there are a lot of amazing grassroots organizers out there, and I expect you will have some thoughts. Let's hear them! Wrote a great email to your entire address book? Let us see it, and I will post it for everyone to use. Have some links on the Divine Strake program? Lay it on us, and I will include it. Every idea will help.
This is just the beginning of this struggle, but time is quickly running out. I realize that for many the prospect of a Divine Strake test in your town may seem like a foreign concept, but remember this: That is what the sleepy town of Mitchell, Indiana thought as well. If there is one thing we should learn from the Indiana test proposal, it is that these tests could theoretically end up anywhere. But we have the chance to change this, and we have six days to make this a reality.
So once again, I hope that you will take this opportunity to ask yourself a simple question: What can I do today to help make our world a better place?
The answer? You can help get Democrats elected in November. You can march in parades, you can go canvassing, or you can make phone calls for your local Democratic candidates. At the end of your day however, there are issues such as the Divine Strake testing that should also receive your attention. These are the issues that represent why we support the Democratic party, and they cannot be ignored.
Now is the time for action, and time is running out. Thank you for any help you can offer.
(Originally posted at Deny My Freedom)