STOP TRUMP FROM PROVOKING A WAR WITH IRAN
ACTION ONE: CALL YOUR SENATORS
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WYDEN AND MERKLEY:
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
I’m worried that Trump is pushing us closer to a war with Iran. Please support S. 1039 “Prevention of Unconstitutional War with Iran Act of 2019.” Further, don’t confirm the Acting Secretary of Defense until Congress is briefed on Iran. For a year, Trump has taken uncalled-for measures that are meant to provoke Iran. With the military build up in the area, we are one accident away from war. You need to speak out, and take to the streets if necessary, to stop another war. It would be catastrophic for America, Iran and the world.
CALL SENATOR MERKLEY
CALL SENATOR WYDEN
ACTION TWO: CALL YOUR HOUSE REPS
Not sure who your U.S. Representative is? Find out here.
SAMPLE SCRIPTS FOR REPRESENTATIVES:
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
I’m worried that Trump is pushing us closer to a war with Iran. Please support H.R. 2354, the “Prevention of Unconstitutional War with Iran Act of 2019. For a year, Trump has taken uncalled-for measures that are meant to provoke Iran. With the military build up in the area, we are one accident away from war. You need to speak out, and take to the streets if necessary, to stop another war. It would be catastrophic for America, Iran and the world.
CALL SUZANNE BONAMICI (OR-01)
CALL GREG WALDEN (OR-02)
CALL BLUMENAUER (OR-03)
CALL PETER DEFAZIO (OR-04)
CALL KURT SCHRADER (OR-05)
BACKGROUND:
As Trump escalates his provocations with Iran, keep in mind he is an inveterate liar and someone who responds to personal threats (say, the Mueller report) by diverting attention to a new outrage. His current diversion is provoking a war with Iran.
Trump has been goaded by Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the Iran hawks in the Administration (Pompeo and Bolton) to:
- withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal even though Iran was complying.
- impose brutal new sanctions that are designed to cripple the Iranian economy.
- accuse Iran of “spread(ing) mayhem” across the Middle East.
- claim to have intelligence, likely from Israel, about Iranian plans to attack US personnel in the Middle East, although allies doubt the intelligence.
- deploy an aircraft carrier group and B-52 bombers within striking distance of Iran.
- and yesterday, order nearly all State Department personnel be evacuated from their posts in Iraq, something that never happened even during the Iraq war years.
He knows Americans would never stomach an unprovoked war in the Middle East. But his threats and actions have ramped up tensions so high that an accident could start a war. We must stop this insanity.
SOURCES:
NY TIMES, MAY 13, 2019: “White House Reviews Military Plans Against Iran, in Echoes of Iraq War” https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/13/world/middleeast/us-military-plans-iran.html
Rolling Stone, May 15, 2019: “The Trump Administration Is Thirsty for War, Intelligence Be Damned” https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/war-iran-trump-administration-intelligence-835531/
Time Magazine: “British General Contradicts U.S. Claim of Increased Threat From Iran-Backed Militias” http://time.com/5589433/iran-isis-christopher-ghika-contradicts-us/
The Nation, May 7, 2019: “Trump and Bolton Are Putting War With Iran on a Hair Trigger” https://www.thenation.com/article/iran-war-bolton-trump-hair-trigger/
Financial Times, April 29, 2019: “Iran’s economy slumps as US sanctions pile on the pain” https://www.ft.com/content/ac599cf4-6a72-11e9-80c7-60ee53e6681d
White House, April 22, 2019: “President Donald J. Trump Is Working to Bring Iran’s Oil Exports to Zero” https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-working-bring-irans-oil-exports-zero/
