Funding for the United States Institute of Peace

[open mind]

i already posted a plea for people to sign this petition in the general politics thread but i think this is important enough to deserve it's own thread.

please sign if you're a U.S. citizen and you think conflict resolution and working toward a more peaceful planet is important.

http://www.change.org/petitions/save-the-united-states-institute-of-peace-house-voted-to-cut-all-funding#?opt_new=t&opt_fb=f

edit: if you back this cause please spread the word as much as possible as it's not something that will be reported on if the last couple weeks are anything to go by.

[mattyrocks]

just did.

[open mind]

just did.

much appreciated.

[mattyrocks]

much appreciated.

much obliged.

[Republicanman]

Why can't people simply donate money, as opposed to sign a petition to use other people's money? It's absurd for the most violent and oppressive military force on the planet to be run by the same government as one instituting peace. It's called cognitive dissidence.

[open mind]

Why can't people simply donate money, as opposed to sign a petition to use other people's money? It's absurd for the most violent and oppressive military force on the planet to be run by the same government as one instituting peace. It's called cognitive dissidence.

you're free to donate as much as you want.

absurd as you may see it, the institute is effective at saving us money (if nothing else) in terms of the shortening of conflicts we're involved in.

if you really have a problem with using other peoples money for anything i suggest you propose cutting the defense budget (which has a budget 1,000's of times higher then the program i'm hoping to preserve).......surely that can be run on donations, as it's within everyone's self interest to donate to such a cause.

[Republicanman]

As an anarchist, I believe the defense budget, as well as the state, should be abolished. Is that slashing enough for you?

How has this Institute shortened a conflict? Afghanistan is the longest active conflict the United States has ever been in. Iraq still has 50,000 troops. Somalia, Pakistan and Qatar all have U.S. troops fighting currently. This institute, regardless of it's intentions, has not been efficient. It's been ineffective.

[caveBEAR]

As an anarchist, I believe the defense budget, as well as the state, should be abolished. Is that slashing enough for you?

How has this Institute shortened a conflict? Afghanistan is the longest active conflict the United States has ever been in. Iraq still has 50,000 troops. Somalia, Pakistan and Qatar all have U.S. troops fighting currently. This institute, regardless of it's intentions, has not been efficient. It's been ineffective.

Aaaah, 'anarchists' on the internet. The bullshit always smells fresh.

[MichaelShore]

Working towards peace and conflict resolution is definitely important, however, how possible is that? For example: how has the UN worked out so far in preventing and resolving armed conflicts? Say, for example, Darfur, Rwanda, and now Libya. How has our peace-keeping and conflict-ending missions worked out?

I'm all for peace, and I hope this "Institute" works, but I'm very skeptical. It's hard to manage conflicts across the world, especially in this case when it's being funded by a country that's very close to dropping into a deficit we may not be able to climb out of for a long while.

I signed the petition, lets hope this one works. If not, there will be another behind it.

[inthemidst]

Signed. Thanks for posting this and making me aware. Let's hope for the best!

[Republicanman]

Aaaah, 'anarchists' on the internet. The bullshit always smells fresh.

When you've actually discovered that the government didn't invent the internet, get back to me.

[Ailite]

Signed

[caveBEAR]

When you've actually discovered that the government didn't invent the internet, get back to me.

Internet wouldn't be here and in the scope it's in now without military funding.

When you can tell me how utilizing something the government (military) funded while still calling yourself an anarchist works, get back to me.

[jwicklun]

Haven't seen Republicanman in a while. Guess the user name is deemed useless now.

[caveBEAR]

Haven't seen Republicanman in a while. Guess the user name is deemed useless now.

He could pay Jason the money to change his name to Anarchistman, but then I'd have to inform him he's full of shit for using money...

[DrStrong]

Fuck it, let em fight.

[GeeBee]

When you've actually discovered that the government didn't invent the internet, get back to me.
When you can actually back up this statement with a credible source, get back to me.

[crackedthesky]

Lol at being an anarchist and a Republican at the same time.

[DrStrong]

The united states needs to invoke fear in other nations. Especially the smaller countries. Besides Democracy is king, and other countries need to realize that.

[a nice person]

War!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[caveBEAR]

The united states needs to invoke fear in other nations. Especially the smaller countries.

Why?

Besides Democracy is king, and other countries need to realize that.

Says who? As well, why?

[DrStrong]

Why?



Says who? As well, why?
Im actually just messing around. I think it is stupid that we have bases all over the planet...For some reason the United States thinks that they can take over the world one military base at a time.

I wouldnt be surprised if the 911 attacks were a calculated effort to have an excuse to permanently plant troops in the middle east. It is just a matter of time before we go after Russia, which we will lose, badly.

[open mind]

As an anarchist, I believe the defense budget, as well as the state, should be abolished. Is that slashing enough for you?

How has this Institute shortened a conflict? Afghanistan is the longest active conflict the United States has ever been in. Iraq still has 50,000 troops. Somalia, Pakistan and Qatar all have U.S. troops fighting currently. This institute, regardless of it's intentions, has not been efficient. It's been ineffective.

republican anarchist on the internet? that's a new one on me.

iraq is in much better shape then it could be thanks to the work of the iraq study group (which was usip work). simply having troops in a country does not mean there is an ongoing conflict...although i do believe iraq is still one.

we're (unfortunately) far from getting out of afghanistan but i know generals who know more then me about the war in afghanistan think the usip has done great work there.

[open mind]

Working towards peace and conflict resolution is definitely important, however, how possible is that? For example: how has the UN worked out so far in preventing and resolving armed conflicts? Say, for example, Darfur, Rwanda, and now Libya. How has our peace-keeping and conflict-ending missions worked out?

I'm all for peace, and I hope this "Institute" works, but I'm very skeptical. It's hard to manage conflicts across the world, especially in this case when it's being funded by a country that's very close to dropping into a deficit we may not be able to climb out of for a long while.

I signed the petition, lets hope this one works. If not, there will be another behind it.

although this underfunded program hasn't brought about world peace the usip has undeniably saved lives (american and foreign) and money through it's work......and currently costs 18 cents per american a year to run..... and less then 3 bucks per american since it's been created.

thanks for signing despite your skepticism, and thanks to everyone else who signed.

[Duexy]

Im actually just messing around. I think it is stupid that we have bases all over the planet...For some reason the United States thinks that they can take over the world one military base at a time.



definitely what those bases are there for