one vote

Dear friends

On Friday evening, September 14, the House of Representatives approved an
"Authorization for Use of Military Force," S.J. Res. 23, by a vote of
420-1. It was earlier adopted in the Senate by 98-0.

You may have already sent letters or e-mails to Congresswoman Barbara 
Lee in support of her courageous stand -- the only member of congress 
to vote against this war power resolution. Her statement follows this 
message.

She has been greatly criticized across the country (though not in the 
Bay Area).  According to KPFA today, she has had plain clothes police 
protection at her Washington office since last Saturday due to 
threats to her safety.

". . . Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a
night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out hate; only light
can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that. Hate
multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies
toughness in a descending spiral of destruction. . . The chain reaction of
evil -- hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars -- must be broken,
or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation."
(Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,  Strength to Love, 1963, p. 51)

If you believe as Dr. King did,  please let this brave woman know that she
is not alone.   

Síochain (peace)

Phil Arway, VISTA Service-Learning Coordinator
Center for Community Learning
Antioch College
795 Livermore St.
Yellow Springs, OH 45387
937-769-1165
parway@antioch-college.edu



e-mail: <Barbara.Lee@mail.house.gov>

Her Addresses and phone #'s:
426 Cannon House Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
Phone:(202) 225-2661
Fax:(202) 225-9817

or
1301 Clay Street, Suite 1000N
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone:(510) 763-0370
Fax:(510) 763-6538

Her web site: <http://www.house.gov/lee>

for those in the Bay Area:

Letters to the Editor:
Oakland Tribune
250 words or less and that they be legible and clear. ``Letters to the
Editor'' at The Oakland Tribune. Please include your name and address,
daytime
phone number and signature.
Mario Dianda - Editor
Phone: (510) 208-6432
Fax: (510) 208-6477
triblet@angnewspapers.com
  The Oakland Tribune
P.O. Box 28884
Oakland, CA 94604

San Francisco Chronicle
200 words or less, include name, address and telephone number.
Letters Editor
San Francisco Chronicle
901 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
letters@sfchronicle.com
fax 415-543-7708
voice 415-777-7183

PLEASE FORWARD, FAX, COPY, AND DISTRIBUTE THIS INFORMATION



Ms. LEE.  Mr. Speaker, I rise today really with a very heavy heart, one
that
is filled with sorrow for the families and the loved ones who were killed
and injured this week.  Only the most foolish and the most callous would
not
understand the grief that has really gripped our people and millions across
the world.

This unspeakable act on the United States has forced me, however, to rely
on
my moral compass, my conscience, and my God for direction. September 11
changed the world. Our deepest fears now haunt us. Yet I am convinced that
military action will not prevent further acts of international terrorism
against the United States. This is a very complex and complicated matter.

This resolution will pass, although we all know that the President can wage
a war even without it. However difficult this vote may be, some of us must
urge the use of restraint. Our country is in a state of mourning. Some of
us
must say, let us step back for a moment. Let us just pause for a minute and
think through the implications of our actions today so that this does not
spiral out of control.

I have agonized over this vote, but I came to grips with it today and I
came
to grips with opposing this resolution during the very painful yet very
beautiful memorial service. As a member of the clergy so eloquently said,
``As we act, let us not become the evil that we deplore.''





Phil Arway, VISTA Service-Learning Coordinator
Center for Community Learning
Antioch College
795 Livermore St.
Yellow Springs, OH 45387
937-769-1165
parway@antioch-college.edu