12/24/05: Time To Call Members Of Congress And Tell Them What 'to Do' - Marilee Harrison

Time To Call Members Of Congress And Tell Them What 'to Do'

The Capital Times :: EDITORIAL :: 7A
Saturday, December 24, 2005

Marilee Harrison, Madison

Dear Editor: Everyone is busy this time of year, I know. But I would like to add one more idea for our "to do" lists as we prepare for or recover from our celebration of choice, be it Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Humanlight, Hanukkah, Christmas, Solstice, or simply the lifting of seasonal affective disorder. Contact your senators and congressional representatives. Need ideas? Here are a few possible issues and recommendations to discuss.

Torture: Don't.

Extraordinary rendition: End it.

CIA secret prisons: Close them.

Red Cross access to prisoners: Allow it.

Geneva Convention: Abide by it.

NSA domestic spying without a warrant: Stop it.

FBI files on legal domestic groups: Burn them.

FBI surveillance of legal domestic groups: Quit it.

Checks and balances: Have them.

Iraq war: Come home.

Human services funding: Restore it.

George W. Bush:

(Multiple choice)

a. Investigate him

b. Censure him

c. Impeach him

d. All of the above

There -- now that the wheels are rolling, call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121. Tell them where you live, and they will direct the call to the appropriate offices. Modify or elaborate the messages as you wish.

By all means, let's celebrate in ways that promote peace and happiness for ourselves and our families. Let's also engage in our democracy for the benefit of all.