An Appeal to Senator Stabenow to Support Peace with Iran

Got a fundraising appeal from Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow. I didn’t give anything. Instead, I wrote her the following brief letter:

Dear Debbie,

It’s time to get off the fence about Iran and come out in favor of peace by opposing the Menendez-Kirk Iran sanctions bill. You no longer are guaranteed the Jewish vote by sucking up to AIPAC. In fact, you risk losing the Jewish vote by doing that.

More and more American Jews are realizing that AIPAC represents the interests of the Israeli government, not of American Jews, who overwhelmingly want peace with Iran and a two-state solution in Israel/Palestine, two positions their actions regularly oppose.

We have a golden opportunity to make peace with Iran through negotiations, not immediately but eventually. Why threaten the momentum and risk more American and Iranian lives? Further sanctions do not further that momentum. They threaten it.

If the bill passes, negotiations fall apart, and we go to war with Iran, those who supported AIPAC will bear the brunt of the blame. Please don’t be among them.

Sincerely,

Ken Wachsberger
Disappointed Ann Arbor supporter

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Give Iran Negotiations a Chance to Work

Just called my senators to see where they stood on the Menendez bill to increase sanctions on Iran in advance of negotiations.

I was pleased to learn that Carl Levin has already said he opposes the bill.

I assumed Debbie Stabenow would also and was prepared to just say thanks. Instead, I was told that she hasn’t taken a stand but that “she supports sanctions.” I said everyone supports sanctions; the issue is whether the sanctions that have already brought Iran to the negotiating table will be given a chance to work or whether we are going to increase sanctions beforehand and in effect declare war on Iran.

The staffer replied that she was just telling me what she knew but that Debbie hadn’t yet made an official statement. I told her I was extremely disappointed, that I had always voted for Debbie, and that I expected better.

It’s not too late to call your senators. In Michigan:

 Senator Carl Levin
Phone: (202) 224-6221

Senator Debbie Stabenow
Phone: (202) 224-4822