Ten Democratic Senate Committee chairs recently wrote to Senate Majority Leader Reid in strong opposition to the Menendez bill that would impose new sanctions on Iran. The Obama Administration has warned that passage of the Menendez bill would blow up U.S. diplomacy with Iran and set the U.S. on a path towards war. But Parry Murray, Maria Cantwell, and Bernie Sanders did not sign the letter, although they are also committee chairs. Urge Murray, Cantwell, and Sanders to stand up for diplomacy and prevent war. References: Letter of the 10 Democratic committee chairs: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/19/iran-sanctions_n_4475204.html Obama Administration's warning to Democratic Senators on the Menendez bill: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/12/19/white-house-to-senate-dems-your-iran-sanctions-bill-makes-war-more-likely/

I have been demonstrating against war in Iraq and Afghanistan for years and am horrified at the prospect of widening war.

In open defiance of the Obama Administration, New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez has introduced a bill that would impose new sanctions on Iran. Ten Democratic Senate committee chairs have written to Majority Leader Reid, warning that passage of the Menendez bill would likely blow up the Administration's diplomacy with Iran, leaving military force as the only option to restrain Iran's nuclear program. Ohio Democratic Senator and progressive champion Sherrod Brown has not co-sponsored the Menendez bill. But he has been an original co-sponsor of AIPAC-promoted bills in the past. Thus, Senator Brown is sure to face extreme pressure from AIPAC to co-sponsor this pro-war bill. Urge Senator Brown to stand tall against AIPAC's pressure and to support the President's diplomatic engagement with Iran. Congress should not undermine the President's efforts to prevent another war in the Middle East.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai is refusing to sign an agreement with the U.S. unless the U.S. agrees to transfer Afghan prisoners from Gitmo and start peace talks with the Afghan Taliban. These are just demands; they are stated U.S. policy. Transferring the Afghan prisoners is key to the return home of U.S. soldier Bowe Bergdahl and key to the beginning of peace talks to end the war. Peace talks are key to the safe withdrawal of U.S. troops. President Obama should implement the prisoner transfer without delay and start the peace talks without delay.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai is refusing to sign an agreement with the U.S. unless the U.S. agrees to transfer Afghan prisoners from Gitmo and start peace talks with the Afghan Taliban. These are just demands; they are stated U.S. policy. Transferring the Afghan prisoners is key to the return home of U.S. soldier Bowe Bergdahl and key to the beginning of peace talks to end the war. Peace talks are key to the safe withdrawal of U.S. troops. President Obama should implement the prisoner transfer without delay and start the peace talks without delay.

The recent hangings after judicial trials in Bangla Desh has raised issues of Human Rights Violation. The fairness of these trials may bring closure not necessarily reconciliation but current hangings after these trials seems to perpetuate the cycle of injustice. These trials must be held under the norms of international laws and World should not allow further atrocities to be committed under Judicial cover.

I recently returned from a trip to Israel and came away feeling more than ever that everything possible must be done to establish peace for Israel and her neighbors. Trying to bring Iran into the world community is an important effort. Don't let our Congress, including New York City's own representatives, torpedo that effort.

Imposing additional sanctions by the US Congress while the current agreement is being implemented is to undermine the efforts of World's six strongest nations and Iran to reach a peaceful solution. Sanctions can always be imposed if Iran fails to adhere to its obligations under the negotiated agreement.

I am worried that Mississippians will be seen as leading the world to war with Iran, fighting against our own Secretary of State who is in negotiations with the leaders of Iran.

People are fed up with war and violence. Give peace a chance.

I am an Iranian American who understands the roots of the unfortunate mistrust that has developed between USA and Iran over the past 60 years, and recognizes the common interests. I strongly believe that there is now a short time window to amend the existing sour relationship, and a great opportunity for resolving the major conflicts. I see far more opportunities in making peace with Iran than maintaining the hostile approach towards Iran and continuing along the same path.

In a nation and world grown weary of war, there remain -- within our own borders -- powerful voices opposed to peace. President Obama and Western nations have reached an interim agreement with Iran which would prevent another war by assuring the world that Iran could not develop a nuclear weapon. Diplomatic negotiations are ongoing; yet, tragically, the voices of intolerance are already seeking to undermine Obama's diplomatic progress before negotiations for a final resolution can conclude. By setting double standards and violating the spirit of the existing accord, Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor has produced a bill which would undermine the interim agreement almost as soon as it was reached. I say: Give Peace a Chance! We must work cooperatively with the entire international community. Most ordinary Iranians love America and want peace. Those opposed to peace negotiations with Iran should recall that WMD's were not located in Iraq, but only in the hearts of those who were certain of their existence elsewhere. In this season of peace, let us remember that our greatest enemy is the fear and hatred in our own hearts. Our nation must demonstrate its true power by a willingness to first seek peace. Let's join our voices with the angel who said, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be for all people…and on earth peace, good will toward men." Please sign my petition urging Virginia congressmen to support President Obama's negotiations for peace. Thank you! Herbert Fitzell *Hoyer Praised For Backing Off Eric Cantor’s Iran Resolution; Think Progress, December 12. Update 12/20/13: News reports indicate that VA Senator Mark Warner will support increased sanctions against Iran. A senior Obama administration official put it very succinctly to the Huffington Post: “The fact is, passing new sanctions now would split the international community, embolden Iranian hard-liners, and likely derail any prospect of a diplomatic resolution. Members of Congress pressing for this bill are effectively choosing to close the door on diplomacy, making it far more likely that we’ll be left only with a military option.” Update 1/14/14: As of this date only Congressman Forbes has submitted a formal response to my petition. In a letter dated January 3, Congressman Forbes responded: "The Iranian regime has also sought to disrupt our efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq and continues to threaten our Israeli allies. Clearly a stable Middle East can only be realized when Iran stops supporting terrorism and ceases its pursuit of nuclear weapons." But it was the teenage Katniss Everdeen who got it right in Mockingjay when she said of these Hunger Games, "Because something is significantly wrong with a creature that sacrifices its children's lives to settle its differences. You can spin it any way you like...The truth is, it benefits no one to live in a world where these things happen." (Collins 377). Update 1/24/14: It appears that congressional support for new Iran sanctions is growing weaker. Several days after my original petition, bipartisan legislation was introduced in the Senate. The Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act (S.1881) was introduced by Senator Menendez (D-NJ), which proposes new sanctions on Iran. This is a bad idea. See article below by Steven L. Spiegel. I received an e-mail today from Senator Mark Warner who said: "I believe that it is important to allow this interim agreement a chance to proceed as a verifiable diplomatic solution is the preferred outcome. Nonetheless, Iran must live up to the terms of the compact or risk additional sanctions." Senator Warner is cosponsoring S.1881, the Iran Nuclear Weapon Free Act of 2013. Fortunately, this bill does not have enough votes for a veto-proof majority in the Senate. Public pressure has turned the tide. According to Sara Haghdoosti of MoveOn.org, "...we made this happen. Over the last few weeks since this legislation was announced, over 150,000 people have taken action, we've made over 10,000 phone calls and had petition deliveries all across the country. What we're doing is working and that's exactly why we can't let up now. What we've achieved over the last few weeks is proof that not only can we fight back against war—we can help create the space for politicians to become champions for diplomacy." All we are saying is Give Peace A Chance! Thanks so much for signing my petition. Support for new Iran sanctions wanes —MSNBC. January 17 January 23, 2014, 02:00 pm Congress, don't pass the Nuclear Weapons Free Iran Act By Steven L. Spiegel Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/foreign-policy/196154-congress-dont-pass-the-nuclear-weapons-free-iran-act#ixzz2rLiKsM6H 2/7/14 Update: Great News. Today i declare victory - for now. We Gave Peace a Chance and we won! See the details according to MoveOn: Starting in late November, after the interim deal with Iran was announced and reports surfaced that Congressman Cantor was trying to work with Congressman Hoyer on a sanctions bill, nearly 150,000 MoveOn members signed a petition calling on Democrats not to join with Republicans and torpedo negotiations. MoveOn members also made thousands of phone calls to the House and Senate prior to the holiday recess. · In January, when the Senate returned and new sanctions were on the table, MoveOn worked with progressive allies like Berim.org to generate more than 10,000 phone calls to Congress from MoveOn members demanding diplomacy, not new sanctions that could lead to a rush to war with Iran. · In early February, MoveOn, again working with Berim.org and progressive partners, flew MoveOn members from across the country to Washington for meetings with their representatives on Capitol Hill as Sen. Menendez held a Foreign Relations Committee hearing on sanctions legislation. · On Tuesday, Sen. Chris Murphy partnered with MoveOn.org to continue to mobilize grassroots support for diplomacy by auth...