2010 Summer News Alert
Summer 2010
EXTRA EXTRA!!!
New QUARTERLY Bulletin! WAND is trying a new bulletin format. WAND will now be sending quarterly bulletins with all of the information you need to know. What's different?
Quarterly, not Monthly: With the plethora of information that was distributed this spring,we realized we were sending out emails at least twice a week with updates on new treaties, budget issues, and more of WAND's priority information. Instead of adding to the inbox clutter with monthly bulletins we are going to try a new system of sending quarterly bulletins.
More Relevant Information: The quarterly bulletin will wrap up the information that was already distributed during the quarter and will also include new updates. We aim to use only the best articles we find and write, we won't be adding any "filler".
Easier to Read: We took out a lot of the icons and menu bars so that the information provided is clear and easily accessible.
We Added Some Things Too: The new "Things To Do/ Action Items Section" will make it simple for you to take action and help WAND's mission.
FEDERAL BUDGET WATCH |
CONGRESS SUPPORTS THE PORK EVEN THE PENTAGON DOESN'T WANT TO WASTE MONEY ON...
Currently there are two duplicative engines being developed for the Joint Strike Fighter F-35 aircraft. The Pentagon wants to stop spending extra money for the “alternate engine program” for this plane. Nevertheless, some in Congress endeavor to keep this excessive program alive in order to support their parochial pork programs.
As part of its consideration of the Defense Authorization Bill, the House has voted to give $485 million to the Joint Strike Fighter’s alternate engine – money that the Defense Department does not want to spend.
A House amendment that would have cut this funding for the Joint Strike Fighter’s second engine failed (193-231) on May 27. (To see how your Representative voted, go here.)
Immediately following the House vote, the White House issued a statement restating the President’s commitment to veto any bill with funding for the Joint Strike Fighter’s extra engine. From the White House statement: “I stand squarely behind Secretary Gates' position on the JSF second engine and C-17 programs. As the Statement of Administration Policy made clear, our military does not want or need these programs… and should Congress ignore this fact, I will veto any such legislation so that it can be returned to me without those provisions.”
Next, the Senate will have an opportunity to weigh in. The Senate Armed Services Committee has completed its report for the Defense Authorization Bill with language that limits spending on the Joint Strike Fighter’s second engine. Unfortunately, it is expected that U.S. Senators supporting the extra engine will offer an amendment to support funding without the Armed Services Committee’s recommended limitations. . Senate consideration of the Defense Authorization Bill is expected sometime this summer so stay tuned.
Op-ED on the Joint Strike Fighter Alternate Engine
For more information, please see this excellent Politico op-ed describing the current status of the Joint Strike Fighter alternate engine program: “Why Two Jets Are Not Better Than One” by Ryan Alexander, President of Taxpayers for Common Sense.
Out of Balance Through the Gender Lens: A Budget Critique
This exciting new webinar is being offered by WAND and WiLL in collaboration with The National Priorities Project. The webinar will give you the tools you need to be smart as you talk about the federal 2011 discretionary budget. The webinar takes place on June 16th from 1:00-2:00pm or 8:00-9:00pm. Please contact Chisa if you are interested in attending. Space is extremely limited and filling up fast!
Where Are The Deficit Hawks Who Want To Trim Defense Spending?
Check out this blog by Cynthia Tucker in the Atlanta Journal Constitution. She asks the question- where are the deficit hawks who want to trim defense spending? That's a clear call to WAND activisits- get out there and make sure that you are heard!
WOMEN'S VOICES |
THE FUTURE OF WAND
Sarah and Emma Bailin, twin teenagers already well known in the amateur documentary film industry throughout The United States, have another winner! This one, "Meet You in Jerusalem," which documents the visit of Israeli peace activist Gila Svirsky during her riveting visit to Little Rock, has been selected to be shown at The Little Rock Film Festival. The screening was on Saturday, June 5, at 2 p.m. in Riverdale Cinema #9. Gila's visit was sponsored by Arkansas Action for Peace. The twin's documentary captures the almost prophetic words of Gila, given the most recent course of events.
Sarah and Emma are entering seniors at Little Rock Central High School. They have won many awards since they produced their first documentary at the age of 11. The girls give reason to be hopeful for the future of WAND's mission.
CONGRATS TO THIS PROGRESSIVE!
On June 9, former WAND Education Fund board member, Joyce Elliott won the runoff for the Democratic nomination for Arkansas’ 2nd Congressional District. Those of us lucky enough to know Joyce are certain she will make an outstanding member of Congress. She is exactly the type of candidate WAND is always looking to support. In fact, many of our Arkansas WAND chapter members volunteered for her! She won the runoff with 54% of the vote and now she must focus on the sure-to-be-tough general election in November. The contrast between Joyce and her Republican opponent could not be clearer.
Tim Griffin is a protégé of Karl Rove and was closely involved in the US Attorneys firing scandal. Joyce is that rare combination of principled and pragmatic. Born and raised in Arkansas, Joyce taught high school for thirty one years, and then worked to expand access to Advanced Placement courses. She served as a state representative from 2001-2006 and was elected to the State Senate in 2008, where she serves as Majority Leader. Her numerous legislative accomplishments include education reforms that moved Arkansas’ education system from 45th in the nation to 10th, a first of its kind cancer screening program, and expansion of health care coverage options for children in Arkansas. As a Congresswoman, Joyce will continue to champion commonsense, progressive policies that will bring greater prosperity to all Arkansans. We can’t wait to keep working with her.
WAND WOMEN IN THE MEDIA
In late March, WAND hosted it's first " Messaging Matters" training in collaboration with The Truman National Security Project. The training took place in Indianaoplis, Indiana and included three days of intensive training on progressive messaging, op- ed writing, and on air interview skills. Following the training, WAND women throughout the country were writing up a storm and getting published in local media outlets. For information on how to write your own letters and op-eds, go here.
A CALL TO HONOR MOTHERS... AN INSPIRING RESPONSE!
Due to unforseen circumstances, the National WAND office had to cancel it's annual Mother's Day For Peace Event. Instead, WAND asked it's supporters to honor their mothers and other women through a donation. Donors had the opportunity to list their honorees on the WAND website, and the results were amazing. For a list of WAND honorees, check out the Ed Fund home. Although many were disapointed to miss our popular annual event, WAND still received an overwhelming amount of support through its "virtual" campaign. Thank you to all those who participated. We are currently planning an event to take place this coming fall. Keep your eyes on our website for more information!
NUCLEAR NOTES |
FOLLOWING "NUCLEAR SPRING", NEW START HEATS UP THIS SUMMER!
This spring we have witnessed a springtime blossoming of efforts to curb nuclear dangers and move us toward the vision of a safer world without nuclear weapons.
April 6 – The Obama Administration releases its Nuclear Posture Review (NPR).
The congressionally mandated NPR sets U.S. nuclear weapons policy for at least the next five years. While it was disappointing to many that the NPR did not go further to more quickly reduce the numbers and roles of nuclear weapons, the new NPR is a step forward – explicitly committing the United States to, “moving step-by-step toward eliminating” nuclear weapons.
April 8- President Obama and Russian President Medvedev sign the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START).
This treaty is an essential step toward safety - reducing large Cold War era nuclear arsenals, thus enhancing stability and security in the world and the United States. To take effect, New START must be approved in Russia and the United States. Ratification in the United States requires approval of at least 67 U.S. Senators.
April 12-13- 47 nations participate in the Nuclear Security Summit
hosted by President Obama in Washington, DC. Participants issued a joint communiqué endorsing Obama’s goal to secure all vulnerable nuclear materials in four years, and establishing an ambitious work plan to reach this goal. Also, some participating countries issued statements detailing specific steps they will take to advance nuclear security.
May 3-28 The Review Conference for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty successfully achieves consensus, affirming the security value of this vital foundational treaty and committing to efforts to strengthen it.
Now as we move towards summer, consideration of the New START Treaty is heating up in the U.S. Senate. Approval of 67 senators is required to ratify the treaty. Hearings are underway in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Committee issued a statement on June 10 noting that “Chairman Kerry and Ranking Member Lugar are pursuing an aggressive schedule of hearings and are planning a full Committee vote on the treaty before the August congressional recess.” A Hearing is also planned in the Armed Services Committee on June 17. (The Foreign Relations Committee has sole responsibility for voting to send the treaty to the full Senate for consideration, but all hearings contribute to senators’ understanding and developing opinions about New START.) While it is unclear when full Senate consideration of the treaty will take place, now is the time that senators are considering New START and deciding how they will vote.
We’ve seen one damper on all of this progress – the budget for nuclear weapons activities. The Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Request for nuclear weapons activities is a whopping $7 billion. This is 40% larger than the average $5 billion (in 2011 dollars) spent during the years of the Cold War. This budget has hundreds of millions for facilities that would enable the U.S. to increase its capacity to create new nuclear weapons in the future. While some argue that these funds will help to maintain the current arsenal and are important to encourage political support for New START, in fact many military and science experts agree that funding is sufficient to maintain our current nuclear stockpile without this level of increase. Instead of spending more money to “modernize” and produce more nuclear weapons, now is the time to redouble our investments in efforts to secure vulnerable nuclear materials, dismantle nuclear weapons and verify New START and other arms control treaties.
BACKGROUND & RESOURCES
For more on this unique moment of opportunity for nuclear disarmament progress:
The Moment is Now with Joe Cirincione of the Ploughshares Fund
For more on New START - See our START Information Page &
See the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s June 10 announcement of the upcoming hearing schedule, followed by useful New START Treaty Frequently Asked Questions
For more on the NPT Review Conference - We highly recommend Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom’s Reaching Critical Will website reporting on the NPT and see WAND’s Blog
For more on the Nuclear Security Summit, see the President’s press conference concluding the summit.
And we also recommend The Fissile Materials Working Group for more information on this topic.
For more on spending nuclear weapons activities and the nuclear weapons complex, see the Alliance for Nuclear Accountability’s website
AFGHANISTAN |
Afghanistan – Time to Work on An Exit Plan?
On May 27, by a vote of 67-28, the U.S. Senate approved $33 billion more for the war in Afghanistan as part of the Supplemental Appropriation Act. This Act also included funding for many things that we support - such as oil-spill cleanup, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Disaster Relief Fund, the Department of Veteran's Affairs to compensate veterans exposed to Agent Orange, and some aid money for Haiti. Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) offered an amendment to require the President to develop an exit strategy for Afghanistan. Unfortunately this amendment failed, 80-18. Find out if your senators voted in favor of developing an exit strategy here.
- If your senators voted for the amendment, be sure to write or call and thank them for supporting Sen. Feingold’s amendment requiring the president to prepare an exit
strategy for Afghanistan, including a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops. - If your senators voted against the amendment, let them know that you are
disappointed and urge them to support future opportunities to develop an exit plan for Afghanistan.
(If you’d like assistance communicating to your Senators, please contact WAND Public Policy Field Director, Kathy Robinson)
Action on the Supplemental Appropriation Act now moves to the House. It will be considered in committee the week of June 14 and it is expected to be debated by the full house sometime in June. We expect that Reps. James McGovern (D-MA) and Walter Jones (R-NC) will offer their bi-partisan bill (HR 5015) urging an exit plan for Afghanistan as an amendment to the Supplemental Appropriations Act in the House. The McGovern-Jones bill is the same as Sen. Feingold’s amendment – it requires the President to prepare and exit strategy for Afghanistan including a plan for withdrawal of U.S. troops.
NEWS FROM WiLL |
In March, WiLL and WAND members joined us in Indianapolis for a regional weekend workshop featuring trainers from the Truman National Security Project. The training, “Messages Matter: Be the Best Messenger You Can Be!” was a unique opportunity to sharpen skills in media placement, on-air interviews, and social networking tools. Participants worked one-on-one with trainers to write op-eds and hone on-camera speaking skills. It was an exciting and educational weekend and we’re thrilled with all fantastic work our attendees have produced in the past few months! Click here to read a letter to the editor published by Utah Rep. Sheryl Allen, now a candidate for Lieutenant Governor!
We’ve been working hard to educate WiLL members about the New START Treaty (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty), encouraging them to voice their support in their communities and to their U.S. Senators. State legislators from across the country are signing our letter expressing support for U.S. Senate ratification of the new START Treaty.
WiLL continues to work to raise awareness about unnecessary military spending and responsible reduction approaches that will keep us just as safe. Hundreds of women legislators from across the country signed WiLL’s letter urging members of Congress to redirect excessive military spending into other sectors of the economy, which create more jobs.
As states continue to face unprecedented budget challenges, jobs creation and responsible federal spending are high priorities. At the end of July, the WiLL team heads to Louisville, Kentucky for the Legislative Summit of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Our Kentucky State Directors are generously co-hosting a reception for women legislators with us. More media and messaging trainings are in the planning stages for Fall 2010 in Atlanta and the Northeastern states.
| News from WAND chapters and the field |
Click here and find out all about what our chapters and partners are planning for this month.
| Jobs and Internships |
WAND is currently hiring. Learn More here.
| Things To Do/ ACTION ITEMS! |
Meet Your Members of Congress-
Join WAND's Congress Meets Community Campaign! We encourage you to meet with your Senators and Representatives when they are at home. Check out our Congress Meets Community Page to learn more.
Thank you for reading WAND's New Quarterly Bulletin. If you have feedback, please send an email to Julie Southwell, Communications Associate at jsouthwell@wand.org.
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