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Star-Ledger columnist Paul Mulshine and Maplewood Mayor Fred Profeta spoke at the event sponsored by the Seton Hall Students for Individual Liberty (SHUSIL), the Seton Hall College Democrats and South Mountain Peace Action.

Click for photos ::1 ::2 ::3 ::4

To read the report click here

A Citizens’ Proposal for Peace in Afghanistan
South Mountain Peace Action supports the following steps to improve the prospects for peace in Afghanistan and enable our troops to come home as soon as possible.
1. A Presidential Timetable for Withdrawal of US Troops
President Obama should issue a plan to carry out a timetable for the safe, orderly and expeditious redeployment of US armed forces from Afghanistan, as called for by House Resolution 5015 by Rep. James McGovern and by Senate Resolution S3197 by Senator Russ Feingold.
We urge consideration of the following steps, recommended by military and civilian experts, to improve the prospects for improved security, development and human rights, as we redeploy our troops from Afghanistan:
2. Redefine Our Mission in Afghanistan
The US should rebrand its mission in Afghanistan to carrying out the United Nations mandates which call for military and civilian assistance to help the Afghan people improve their security, rebuild their country and protect human rights, especially for women. The current emphasis on our mission as “defeating” Al Qaeda suggests a military victory, which virtually everyone, including General Petraeus, agrees is impossible.

3. Avoid Civilian Casualties and Minimize Military Casualties
The US should strengthen its policy of avoiding civilian casualties by stopping drone attacks which Colonel David Kilcullen says victimize innocents and are counterproductive and which the ACLU says are violations of US Constitution and international law. We should also prioritize military actions to minimize our military casualties as well as civilian casualties. Securing urban areas instead of attacking Taliban strongholds, is a priority suggested by Gilles Dorronsoro of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
4. Press Pakistan to End its Safe Haven and Weapons Flow to the Taliban
The US should continue to press Pakistan to eliminate the safe haven, the flow of weapons and any other form of support for the Taliban from its territory.
5. Negotiate With the Taliban but Require Acceptance of Human Rights, Especially for Women
The US should support Afghan Government efforts to negotiate with the Taliban on reconciliation and reintegration, but this should be conditioned on respect for basic human rights, especially for women, as recommended by Human Rights Watch in its July 2010 report on Afghanistan. Negotiations with the Taliban on power-sharing, as proposed by Gilles Dorronsoro, also protecting human rights, especially for women, should also be considered.
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For additional background information on the War in Afghanistan, click the following links:
Who Are the Taliban Today? Q&A with Gilles Dorronsoro
Women Today in Taliban-Controlled Areas: Human Rights Watch Report July 2010
US Casualties and Cost of the War in Afghanistan
Opinion Polls of Afghans and Americans
Letter of Resignation of Captain Matthew Hoh

US Economic Assistance to Afghanistan
US Goals in Afghanistan Are Similar to Soviets in 1980s

How the US supported the rise of extreme Islamic groups
in Afghanistan, including Al Qaeda and the Taliban
Origins of the Taliban
Taliban Violence: Murder, Mutilation and Terror
Taliban Decrees on Women and Culture in 1996.

Taliban Destruction of Buddha Monuments in 2001;
Carnage and Treachery in Afghan Civil War 1997-98
Taliban Regroups After US Invades in 2001

Wednesday, January 19, 2011
7:30 to 9:00 pm
Maplewood Memorial Library
51 Baker Street, Maplewood NJ

“How to End the $800 billion War in Afghanistan”
Speaker: Matthew Hoh
The Foreign Service officer in Afghanistan who resigned in protest in 2009.
Mr. Hoh also served in Iraq as a captain in the US Marine Corps and as a Defense Department official.
He is currently director of the Afghanistan Study Group in Washington DC.
“The US should by no means abandon Afghanistan, but it is time to abandon the current strategy that is not working. Trying to pacify Afghanistan by force of arms will not work.”

Directions
Sponsored by
SOUTH MOUNTAIN PEACE ACTION
Free and open to the public.
All points of view are welcome.
Download file for PDF flyer.

Click here

to see the conference.

South Mountain Peace Action is sponsoring a film series that will focus on themes of Israeli-Palestinian peace. The series will be inaugurated on Saturday April 9th at 7:30 pm at the Ethical Culture Society, 516 Prospect Street, Maplewood.
Maplewood filmmaker Shlomi Ben Yair will introduce his film short, “Heaven is Waiting,” which is a prequel to a feature film “A Seed of Hope” that will be produced in Israel. The Israeli Jewish characters are played by Palestinian actors and the Palestinians are played by Israeli Jewish actors.
Admission is free, donations appreciated.
Click for the New Jersey Jewish News article on the April 9th screening.
Upcoming screenings will be posted soon.
For further informtion write judi@beaboutpeace.com or call 973-763-9493.

Two Acclaimed Films on the struggle for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

At the Maplewood Civic House, 124 Dunnell Road, Maplewood NJ.

One block from the Maplewood Train Station, between Oakview Ave and Oakland Rd. Walk across the footbridge opposite the Old Police Station.
Click Here for the full flyer.
Download a PDF flyer here: Download file

Bradley Abelow, chairman of Just Vision, Inc., which produced Budrus and Encounter Point, speak at the Budrus screening. After the film, A discussion will be facilitated by Abelow and Maplewood filmmaker Shlomi Ben Yair, whose film “Heaven Is Waiting,” launched our series in April. All views and opinions are welcome.

Please RSVP to PeaceFilms@BeAboutPeace.com or call 973-763-9493.
Admission if free, donations welcome. Light refreshments will be served.
Encounter Point and Budrus are produced by Just Vision.

To read more click HERE
To read the full transcript of Hagel’s hearing click HERE
To sign a petition to support Hagel’s nomination click HERE