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Democratizing Defense
If every preparation for war can be made the excuse for destroying free speech and a free press and the right of the people to assemble together for peaceful discussion, then we may well despair of ever again finding ourselves for a long period in a state of peace.
~ Fighting Bob La Follette
Although tyranny may successfully rule over foreign peoples, it can stay in power only if it first destroys the national institutions of its own people. ~ Hannah Arendt
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, with conquering limbs astride from land to land. Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand a mighty woman with a torch, whose flame is the imprisoned lightning, and her name, Mother of Exiles. ~ Emma Lazarus
Liberty Tree's Democratizing Defense Program works with military service members, veterans, military families, and concerned citizens to democratize the American system of defense. Specific policy objectives of this program include defederalization of the National Guard, a national war referendum amendment, and the withdrawal of U.S. military bases from foreign soil. Organizing ResourcesSTUDY GUIDE: Benson Scotch on war powers, defense policy, and the National GuardThis study guide was prepared by Benson Scotch, senior legal counsel for the campaign to "Bring the Guard Home! It's the Law," in advance of his April 2, 2009 lecture at the University of Wisconsin Law School. Tips for Effective Guard Home PetitioningThese simple tips will help you to coordinate an effective petitioning campaign. National Guard LegislationState legislation designed to end National Guard deployments to Iraq and/or Afghanistan and to reform state National Guard law. NewsAP: Federal judge hears challenge to Iraq warDate: April 21, 2009RUTLAND HERALD: Vt. House defeats tying license, draft sign-upDate: May 5, 2009RELEASE: Oregon House to Vote on Keeping National Guard HomeDate: May 12, 2009Take ActionBring the Guard Home!source: Liberty TreeUrge on Vermont: Bring the Guard home!source: Democratizing Defense NetworkAct Now to Bring the Troops Home!source: United for Peace and JusticeEventsMARCH & RALLY: Wisconsinites say "Bring the Guard Home!"(April 4, 2009)Peace groups and organizations across the country and abroad have called for demonstrations on April 4, the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr's famed 1967 Riverside Church address that openly declared his opposition to the Vietnam War. That day also is the 60th anniversary of the founding of NATO, the supposed defensive military alliance now currently waging the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan. Stop Blackwater - No Private Armies(April 24, 2009 - April 27, 2009)"Close Down Blackwater In Illinois"
The conference will feature workshops on Blackwater and other private military contractors. Learn about all the ways our government has been privatizing and outsourcing our security. Wisconsin Statewide "Guard Home" Organizing Meeting(June 19, 2009)Get together with the Wisconsin folks who are moving this campaign forward, including the "Bring the Guard Home" national coordinator, by joining the Wisconsin "Bring the Guard Home" campaign at 6pm on Friday, June 19th at the MREA Energy Fair in Custer, near Stevens Point. Publications & TalksUpdate on Efforts to Block Deployment of National Guard Troops to Iraq and Afghanistan(May 29, 2009)A radio interview of Ben Manski and Dan Hendelman on KBOO Antiwar Radio interviews Ben Manski(June 18, 2009)Antiwar.com's Scott Horton interviews Ben Manski, Executive Director of Liberty Tree regarding the Bring the Guard Home! campaign. SCOTCH & BLACK: Restoring the Rule of Law Where it Matters Most(April 2, 2009)Benson Scotch appeared at the University of Wisconsin Law School on April 2, 2009, together with special guest State Representative Spencer Black, lead sponsor of WI National Guard federalization review legislation. |
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~ Ralph Nader