Democracy is not a spectator sport! Massachusetts Peace Action is pleased to partner with 2020 Action to present timely and critical information on environment and peace issues. Militarism and climate change are closely linked! Every month, 2020 Action Postcards deliver well-researched background information on a critical issue, an effective action you can take in 20 minutes, and a photograph that celebrates the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

Recognizing that the Cold War is over, the U.S. Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) of 2010 calls for a reduced role for nuclear weapons, away from "nuclear war fighting capacity" toward "deterrence to nuclear war". It recommends that the number of our nuclear weapons could be substantially reduced without threatening America's security. Currently under the New START Treaty with Russia, the number of deployed nuclear weapons for each country must be capped at 1,550 by 2018.

 

According to an Associated Press report this February, the Pentagon and the White House National Security Staff have produced an Implementation Plan for the NPR that includes three options for the number of deployed nuclear weapons, ranging from 300-400 to 1,000-1,100. Whichever option is chosen will likely set US policy for the next decade.

 

We strongly support the 300-400 option for three reasons: 1) A study by high-ranking Air Force officials in Strategic Studies Quarterly, Spring 2010, concluded that a level of about 300 is enough to safeguard America's security, 2) This reduction, in concert with Russia, would reduce the threat of a significant nuclear exchange which would destroy all life in the targeted areas and create a 'nuclear winter' that could wipe out all agriculture on Earth for a year or more, and 3) This reduced level would demonstrate that the US is serious about nuclear disarmament and open up the possibility for negotiations among ALL nuclear weapons countries to reduce the number of their weapons.

 

By law, this decision rests with the President alone. No Congressional action is involved. Urge President Obama to decide on the 300-400 option. Mention the three reasons above. Let him know that in this election season, you're counting on him to take bold, effective action toward a nuclear-free world.

Web: www.whitehouse.gov/contact

Tel: 202 456-1111 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm)

Fax: 202 456-2461

Mail:

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20500

Write, Call, Email? What's Most Effective?

Policymakers tell us that personal hand written letters, printed letters, phone messages, and emails, in that order, get their attention. You may want to fax your letter so it arrives more quickly: regular mail can take weeks due to anthrax inspections.

Petitions and 'cookie cutter' emails that are exactly the same, don't carry as much weight. Make your message as personal as possible. Say why the issue is important to you and make your request clear. Say that you want to be informed about what action they take on this issue. If true, you can add that the action they take on this issue will influence how you will vote.

Photo credit: Goat kids, 1972, Lois Barber

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