Dear CODEPINKer,

"Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy." -- President Barack Obama, January 20, 2009

On the front page of the New York Times (1/28/09), we felt a mixture of sadness and outrage when we read this headline: “Aides Say Obama's Afghan Aims Elevate War Over Development.” The article goes on to explain how the U.S. is going to focus on “the fight against insurgents” while our European allies would handle the “economic development and nation-building.”

While we appreciate the steps Obama took during his first week in office to bring our country back into line with international treaties by moving to close Guantanamo, to reject the Military Commissions Act, and to end torture, he also authorized unmanned drone attacks in Pakistan, in direct contravention of international law, and an attack in Afghanistan that resulted in the deaths of many civilians.

With the end of the disastrous Bush years, we had hoped for a change in foreign policy direction. We do see glimmers of hope in the new administration's reaching out to Iran for direct negotiations and in the appointment of George Mitchell as the special envoy to Israel and Palestine. But what we have seen this past week in Pakistan and Afghanistan is not encouraging.

Call Obama today at (202-456-1414) or send an email by clicking here to say "Remember: 'Your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.' We need a surge in diplomacy and development, not a surge in violence."

We still have great hope for our new administration. It is up to us, the people, to make sure they bring us the change we were promised. Please call or email today.

Thank you for being the voice Obama needs to hear,
Audrey, Dana, Deidra, Desiree, Farida, Gael, Gayle, Janet, Jean, Jodie, Liz, Lori, Lydia, Medea, Nancy, Paris, and Rae

p.s. Valentine's Day is almost here! Make it a day of peace and love with our feisty, spicy Make Out, Not War t-shirts and our peace panties! We have pink Valentine's Day packages too!