| Dear CODEPINKer,
As the media shines its spotlight on the death of one celebrity this week, so many other profound losses go unreported-particularly those civilians killed by unmanned US drones in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Since 2006, unmanned drone attacks have killed at least 14 Al Qaeda leaders and approximately 700 civilians--a 50:1 ratio of innocent victims to targeted enemies (watch Brave New Films' latest videos on civilian casualties and the impact of war on women). Since the news isn't covering this, we need to be the media ourselves.
 Won't you write a letter to the editor? You can use our template or craft your own words of outrage to educate your community about drones and encourage others to speak out against their use and the tragedy and destabilization they bring to the region. Click here to get started (it will only take 3 minutes)!
And spread the message to your online community!
Tweet this: When Drones Attack ... http://twitpic.com/9pyqa
or this: Is the US flaming extremism with its drones? http://bit.ly/BHfs7
or this: Generals agree...ground the drones! http://bit.ly/RB2ee
Facebook status update: When drones attack...civilians die. http://twitpic.com/9pyqa
This week also saw the death of war criminal Robert McNamara, who lied us into war in Vietnam. He later regretted masterminding our military involvement there, but that does nothing to heal the deep pain left in its wake. The death of seven more US soldiers in Afghanistan continues to highlight the futility of war and its horrific costs. Afghanistan and Pakistan are now Obama's wars, wars he will likely one day regret. Like Vietnam, they are wrong.
Generals and other military officials, including David Kilcullen, former adviser to General David Petraeus, have spoken out against the US use of drones. "They've given rise to a feeling of anger that coalesces the population around the extremists and leads to spikes of extremism," Kilcullen said before the House Armed Services Committee. Yet the US State Department continues to deny the attacks and our tax dollars continue to fund them! Read more about what Generals, CIA and others have been saying about drones and stability in the region.
We need to raise awareness about these inhumane, unjust military practices, funded by our taxes. Some of our brothers and sisters in the peace movement are putting not just their words, but their bodies, on the line to stop drones. On July 13, CODEPINK is partnering with other activists, including the illustrious Father Louis Vitale, to hold a Ground the Drones! vigil at the gates of Creech Air Force Base near Indian Springs, NV, where the drones are operated via remote control. To find out more click here and follow us on twitter and read our blogs!
Thank you for joining us in saying, loudly, "There's no place for drones or war in creating peace and dignity in our world!"
Expanding our voices for peace,
Blaine, Dana, Desiree, Farida, Gael, Gayle, Janet, Jean, Jodie, Johanna, Medea, Nancy K, Nancy M, Paris, Rae and Stacy
P.S. Thanks to all of you who made calls and sent messages to get those arrested on their boat, 'Spirit of Humanity' out of Israel jails for trying to deliver aid to Gaza. Yesterday Viva Palestina-US arrived in Egpyt with a delegation of 200 Americans, including Vietnam Vet and peace activist Ron Kovic. Follow their trip here and be inspired to join our next trip to Gaza.
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