Today’s crisis in Iraq has its origins in the Bush administration's disastrous decision to launch a war of choice in 2003. As we continue to live with the consequences of those mistakes, we must recognize the hard reality that lasting and sustainable peace in Iraq can only be achieved with an Iraqi-led political solution. As President Obama has said, there is no viable military solution to this crisis. That is why the recent bombing airstrikes launched in Iraq by U.S. military forces -- and the calls by some in Congress to escalate further -- are troubling. The risks of mission creep, unintended consequences, and incremental escalation are just too high -- and after more than a decade of conflict, America cannot afford another Iraq war. In June, the House passed a bill -- with overwhelming bipartisan support -- that sends a strong message to the president to seek congressional authorization for further military action in Iraq. Congress must demand answers and engage the American people in a debate. This is the time to ask the hard questions and get the answers -- before any further U.S. commitments to taking military action in Iraq. The American people look forward to hearing answers to the difficult but necessary questions.

Because the war in Gaza is too cruel and a lot of people who aren't guilty become victims.

When President Obama gave a speech to the nation about his plans to conduct air strikes in Iraq, he failed to clearly explain why his decision to order airstrikes in Iraq without Congressional authorization was Constitutional and legal. [1] The House overwhelmingly passed legislation introduced by Rep. Jim McGovern requiring the President to come to Congress for authorization before using military force in Iraq. [2] Minority Leader Pelosi and almost all Democrats supported the legislation. [3] Before that, more than 100 Members of the House signed the bipartisan Barbara Lee-Scott Rigell letter insisting that the President come to Congress before using military force in Iraq. [4] Members of Congress must speak up now demanding that there be Congressional authorization before any further military action. And major media, especially the New York Times and the Washington Post, must prominently address the question of whether the President has Constitutional authority to conduct airstrikes in Iraq and what the legal limit of his authority is. Urge the Administration, Congress, and the media to comply with and uphold the Constitutional role of Congress in deciding when to use military force by signing our petition. References: 1. “'Humanitarian Emergency' Does Not Suspend the Constitution on War Powers,” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-naiman/obama-iraq-air-strikes_b_5662055.html 2. https://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/105 3. http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2014/roll452.xml 4. http://lee.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/bipartisan-letter-calls-for-congressional-authorization-before-any-military

Our family is friendly with a family of Iraqi refugees, member of the Yazidi sect from Sinjar, northern Iraq. They are safe here, but their home town, their friends and families, have fled to the barren mountains, surrounded by murderous ISIS forces, with no food or water. The fate of these people, many of whom have already perished, can only be mitigated by a huge international aid effort. Amnesty International and three dozen charities and faith groups have called on the US Government to cooperate more with the local Kurds to rescue these people. The Kurds supported our government in our "War on Terror" and against Sadaam. We cannot abandon them. For details see the reports in the NY Times and from Kurdish media in Erbil: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/08/world/middleeast/isis-forces-in-iraq.html http://rudaw.net/english/kurdistan

My petition is about saving Yazidis from ISIS genocide.

We watch in horror as children are bombed by weapons that could have been manufactured right next door. We abhor the violence but do we check to see if our funds are coming from such evil deeds? We need to put names to the vendors of death and persuade them to seek better investments.

Because it is the right thing to do. Because the Israel/US relationship is SICK! Nothing good ever came out of it and we use the $3.5 billion/year given to Israel to improve the lives of EVERYONE in the US!

As a decorated combat veteran and a U.S. citizen I am outraged that our tax dollars are being spent for what are clearly acts of genocide against the Palestinian people.

I'm sick that my government, against all civilized norms, compels its citizens to participate in war crimes and crimes against humanity. No longer in my name. No longer with my taxes.

I am disgusted by the civilian death and destruction in Gaza caused by Israel firing our weapons into the most densely inhabited place on Earth, and the world's inability to stop it.

I've been very upset by the continued killing of civilians, women, and children in Palestine. The same national issues and military reactions have re-occurred over many decades between Palestine and Israel without any substantial improvement. The United States has repeatedly attempted holding peace negotiations for the same amount of time, and this has also not helped the situation. This arrangement has not worked and is not working. Something different needs to be attempted.

Our country's support of Israel through genocidal campaigns in Gaza has severly damaged the U.S.'s reputation and stature as a fair leader of nations. It is time to rectify this matter, restore Gaza's dignity and security for civilians and divert U.S. support away from Israel's military and, instead, into basic reparations for Gaza's infrastructure -- hospitals, power plants, water, etc. to restore the pre-conditions for future peaceful coexistence between adversaries..