The Turkish government is turning one of the few parks in central Istanbul into a shopping mall. It will be constructed inside fake Ottoman military barracks from a century ago. A lot of my friends in Turkey are gravely concerned by the violent suppression of protest over this. The Turkish government might be less hard-line if it was not confident of unwavering support from the Unites States government.

The US has no business joining with al Quada and other jihadist groups to take down the secular govt of Syria. This is a civil war backed by Islamic fundamentalists and fascist Arabic nations. The peacful protesters departed long ago. Tell Obama not to mimic Bush and get us involved in another war in the Middle East, which if "successful," would result in another fundamentalist theocracy, led by groups which are both anti-American and at sectarian war with other Syrian groups.

I helped to train the Iraqi Army during my second tour, and their concern is that many of the anti-Assad forces are the same terrorists they've fought before and who continue to target them. Senator John McCain's relentless pursuit of more war crystalizes the case against our involvement better than anything else has so far. During his recent trip to Syria he took a picture rebels who were members of a known terrorist group. His staff says he didn't know who they were, and no one doubts that. But that's the point: if a U.S. Senator can unwittingly pose for pictures with terrorists in Syria, how can we guarantee the arms he supports sending won't end up in the same place he did -- with terrorists? There are countless reasons to stay out of Syria, not the least of which is our poor tracking record attempting to shape the outcome of Middle Eastern politics. The President has taken important steps to ending two misguided wars started during the Bush Administration. He shouldn't move us towards getting involved in a third conflict the majority of Americans oppose.

Individuals who are not clearly participating in armed combat are entitled by international law to a presumption of civilian status, which signature strikes effectively deny by classifying unknown people as "militants" and therefore "targetable" based on secret intelligence, of unknown accuracy, that their behavior or appearance is judged to be "typical of militants." Signature strikes have led to a high proportion of civilian casualties, which violates international law. U.S. refusal to acknowledge the potential harm to civilians can increase blowback from impacted communities and denies victims the justice they deserve. ‘Signature’ drone strikes pose the greatest risk of killing civilians, are the most dubious legally, and create tremendous blowback against America. Tell Congress to move now to end these signature strikes, save innocent lives, protect America from the blowback of killing innocent civilians, and restore the rule of law. Organizations Signed On: Brave New Foundation Fellowship of Reconciliation Historians Against the War Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace Just Foreign Policy Office of the Americas Peace Action Peace Action West United for Peace and Justice United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC)

Until Israel treats Palestinians as equal citizens the U.S. should refuse financial and military support. The United Nations has documented war crime violations against the Palestinians. Violations only go ignored and repeated. Israel continues to take house and land from the Palestinians without allowing return to there homes. These violations can not continue and we should not continue its support. Hasta que Israel trate a los palestinos como ciudadanos iguales Estados Unidos debe rechazar el apoyo financiero y militar. Las Naciones Unidas ha documentado violaciones de crimen de guerra contra los palestinos. Violaciones sólo ir ignorado y repetida. Israel continúa tomar casas y tierras a los palestinos sin permitir volver a casas allí. Estas violaciones no pueden continuar y no debemos seguir su apoyo.

Democracy has been losing its hold in Turkey's values and government for the last 12 years. Prime Minister and the president of Turkey along with their falsely elected AK Party has been loosening the tight controls governing the division between state and religion set by the founder of Turkey; Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. To date, they have jailed a multitude of journalists, retired military commanders, teenagers who post on YouTube contrary to their beliefs, removed judges from the Supreme Court, changed the Constitution to suit their needs, sold public land not just to Turkish private companies but mostly foreign corporations and foreign countries. In the meantime, the PM of Turkey is now the second richest PM in the world, his son owns multi million dollar ships, his 'investments' have seen increases of %1000000. My country is under attack from within. THIS IS A CANCER! Help us keep Turkey in the news. Sign this petition so that we can tell the world, WE ARE NOT ALONE!

Do we really want another war? Can we afford another war? Do we want Rice and McCain to speak for our country?

As a former Marine company commander and U.S. State Department official, I have witnessed America’s “War on Terror” from the frontlines. But there's another war going on: a global war that's largely been hidden from our view. It runs rampant with ever-growing kill lists, drone strikes and deadly night raids. Devoid of effective external review, oversight or accountability, it is single handedly executed by the President of the United States. As a result, signature strikes are killing masses of innocent people in the American public’s name. Once a liberal law professor who campaigned against the Iraq war and torture, President Obama personally oversees a rapidly expanding 'Kill List;’ multiplying signature drone strikes in undeclared war zones around the world, from Yemen to Pakistan; and a covert war in Somalia. These signature strikes cannot distinguish between a legitimate terrorist and the many innocent villager bystanders being wiped out – mothers, children, or as we found out last week, American Citizens. That’s why I speak out about it in my friend and colleague, Jeremy Scahill’s, upcoming film, Dirty Wars, in theatres June 7, 2013.

John McCain and Lindsey Graham, using their unjustified prominent position in top media, are pushing for U.S. military intervention in Syria's sectarian civil war. Urge President Obama and Congress to keep the U.S. out of a new war, and to instead vigorously pursue diplomacy to support a negotiated political solution that ends the bloodshed.

The White House has requested that US agencies consider a shift in policy toward directly arming the anti-Assad militias and recognizing the “rebels” as Syria’s legitimate government. It also noted that upcoming “Eager Lion” military exercises bringing 15,000 US and NATO troops, along with those of other US-aligned countries, to Jordan would provide the means of pre-positioning US military hardware for a Syrian intervention.

americans demand to stop funding other countries with tax payers money.we are in a crises with unemployment,high gas prices ect.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 15-3 in favor of arming and training the Syrian rebels. This is a misguided and dangerous idea. I helped to train the Iraqi Army during my second tour, and their concern is that many of the anti-Assad forces are the same terrorists they've fought before and who continue to target them. If you don’t think this is serious, consider that Senator John McCain made a secret trip to meet with the anti-Assad forces, this past weekend, as he continues his efforts to arm them. This is dangerous. As Senator Tom Udall noted, once we introduce weapons, we have zero control over them. The United States “could turn over the weapons we’re talking about and next day they end up in the hands of al-Qaida.” Moreover, there is no winning scenario when we get involved in other nations’ civil wars and proxy wars. On this point, Senator Chris Murphy said it best: “We have failed over and over again in our attempts to pull the strings of Middle Eastern politics.” Let's not make the same mistake again.