From FCNL

Email from Friends Council on National Legislation:

“What if they gave a war, and nobody came?” an anti-war poster used to ask. Now, some also want to know “What if they appropriated money for a war and nobody paid?” Many Americans, perhaps a majority, now oppose the war in Iraq. For some, the position is not simply a political or analytical choice but a deeper commitment of conscience. Some realize this commitment after they have entered the military. Others find that they can no more pay taxes to support war spending than they could pick up a gun to fight in one.


They had a link to this page:


Lobby Day on Tuesday, May 16, 2006

The National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund invites you to participate in our annual Lobby Day with the Center on Conscience and War on Tuesday, May 16. Join with other conscientious objectors to military violence to speak out against forced conscription in the military – whether it is our bodies or our tax dollars that are used to kill. Whether you come to DC or lobby at your congressperson's local office, your voice is vital to the struggle for freedom of conscience.
What we’re lobbying for: The Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill, if passed, would establish a non-military fund into which conscientious objectors could pay their federal taxes. Currently 41 representatives have cosponsored this legislation. On May 16 we will work to increase that number by asking our representatives to provide alternative service for our drafted dollars by supporting the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill.

The Military CO Act, if passed, would put specific procedures in place for the discharge process for military personnel who have declared conscientious objections. The current military policy for COs is not working: they face harassment, are forced to violate their beliefs and are denied CO status for arbitrary reasons. To join the Center on Conscience and War (CCW) is lobbying for the Military CO Act on May 16th, click here. We invite you to lobby here in DC, or in your Representative’s district office.


I know I would feel a whole lot better if my tax money was not going to kill innocent people and start up useless wars. Also, this weekend is the "Peace wants a piece of the pie" events. Here in Asheville, we will be headed to Taylor, Burr, and Dole's offices with a homemade pie from Picnics on Merrimon Avenue. The point of these visits (most will happen in DC) is to generate support for a Department of Peace here in the USA that will work to find non-violent and peaceful resolutions to conflicts and to reduce violence here in our country. They are asking for 2% of the budget of the Department of Defense (which should be called the Department of War again). This Department of Peace would be a cabinet level position in the federal government. I think this is a fantastic idea, and I totally support it. However, with the current US administration, they would ignore them like they ignore everyone else.

But we still have to keep trying.