March 27, 2008

Dear Friend,

Thank you to everyone who marched and stood vigil in Washington, DC and your communities to mark two grim milestones -- the 5th anniversary of the war and the 4,000th US soldier killed in Iraq. We are grateful for your continuing and tireless commitment to creating peace.

Still reeling from these milestones and the renewed violence in Iraq, we must do all we can to stop an invasion of Iran. We lost an important voice when Admiral William "Fox" Fallon, head of the US Central Command and responsible for the overall military strategy in the Middle East, resigned as of the end of March. Fallon reportedly left his position because he lost faith in the civilians leading our military, and especially over whether a military attack on Iran should be pursued.

Fallon, who has graciously met with CODEPINK to discuss the Iraq war, was opposed to the surge in Iraq and urged President Bush to avoid war with Iran. He stated that he wouldn't let a war with Iran happen "on his watch."

Now that he is no longer officially "on watch," we need to keep his voice and wisdom alive in Washington.
The Bush Administration will not allow Admiral Fallon to testify before Congress in April; it only wants Congress to hear the voice of General Petraeus-the "feel good" military man who says the surge is working.

This is a travesty. Congress needs the perspective that Fallon's deep and reasoned knowledge of the situation in the Middle East brings. During a time when military endeavors in both Afghanistan and Iraq have failed miserably, we can't afford to let our President start a third catastrophe in Iran.

Please call Senator Biden (202-224-4651) or email the Foreign Relations Committee today to urge them to have Fallon testify.

Thank you for helping to bring reason and experience to our failed foreign policy,

Dana, Desiree, Farida, Gael, Gayle, Jodie, Liz, Medea, Nancy, Rae, and Tighe