Sojourners – 2012-03-20 14:36:09

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(March 17, 2012) — After 10 years in Afghanistan, our relationship with the Afghan people continues to deteriorate: Witness the massacre two weeks ago by a U.S. soldier, the burning of Korans and resulting violence, and the Taliban pulling out of peace talks.

We must rethink why we’re still at war, and we must speak out as peacemakers. How many tears will be shed, how many prayers lifted up, how much violence will we both inflict and suffer before our nation repents from war?

The true costs of war may never be known. But we do know:
• The U.S. has spent about $509.4 billion on the war in Afghanistan.
• Nearly 3,000 U.S. and coalition troops have died.
• Suicide, homelessness, joblessness, and mental illness are skyrocketing among returning troops.
• Afghan civilian casualties, the majority caused by the Taliban and other anti-government forces, have continued to rise, with a total of 12,793 documented deaths over the past six years.

Ending the war doesn’t mean abandoning the Afghan people. There are multiple blueprints for the responsible withdrawal of coalition troops from Afghanistan that would include a comprehensive security agreement, multilateral diplomacy, and locally based economic and social development.

Tell Congress and the president, “It is time to end this war.”
Send this message to:
• President Barack Obama
• Your Senators
• Your Representative

Sample email:
* Subject:

Dear [Decision Maker],
After 10 years in Afghanistan, our relationship with the Afghan people continues to deteriorate: Witness the massacre two weeks ago by a U.S. soldier, the burning of Korans and resulting violence, and the Taliban pulling out of peace talks. We must rethink why we’re still at war.

THE LETTER
As a person of faith, I lament the suffering, violence, and death on all sides of the conflict and recognize that war can never bring about the peace we strive to build in this world. We need to responsibly end this war now.

The United States has spent about $509.4 billion on the war in Afghanistan. Nearly 3,000 U.S. and coalition troops have died. Suicide, homelessness, joblessness, and mental illness are skyrocketing among our returning troops.

Afghan civilian casualties, the majority caused by the Taliban and other anti-government forces, have continued to rise over the past six years, with a total of 12,793 documented deaths.

Just how much more are you willing to spend in lives and treasure before we change course? When does the cost become too much to bear?

Please do everything in your power to bring this war to an end. I pray that you will.