January 12, 2007

Dear Ms. Matsui,

I am hosting a PEACE TRAIN to DC group from Sacramento and we will be there from late January 26th until the afternoon of January 30^th, 2007. We would very much appreciate an appointment to meet with you to discuss the following issues of importance to us:

1. Iraq
1. Investigation
2. Impeachment hearings
3. Criminal charges
4. Withdrawal and Occupation
2. Energy and climate change
1. Consumption is the problem
2. Carbon tax
3. 55 MPH speed limit
4. Public transportation
3. Sacramento
1. Solar Steam Train
2. Levees and flood risk
3. Public transportation
4. Pedestrian and cyclist rights
4. War on US
1. Medical Marijuana - stop DEA raids
2. Adult use – tax and regulate marijuana
3. Failed drug war
4. Non-violent offenders in prison – treatment instead

We are traveling a long way to join thousands of others for a March on the 27^th and hope to secure an appointment to meet with you on the 29^th, but will appreciate any available time you have during our visit.

Thank you,

Tim Castleman

Sacramento, CA  95825

www.PEACETRAINTODC.com

Follow up meeting request to Doris Matsui, February 14, 2007

Dear Ms. Matsui,

Following up on our meeting in Washington DC with members of your wonderful staff on January 29^th, 2007, I respectfully request an appointment to meet with you in person during the upcoming break from your work in DC for this purpose.

I hope our discussion could include,

Iraq War oversight - status and plans going forward, we support you!

Transportation policy - Support expanded Amtrak - Solar Steam Train

Climate Change - Greenhouse effect

Flood control – Thank you for securing increased funding, status of system

While our topics include Iraq war oversight, we believe the current transportation policy is directly linked to our involvement in the Middle East and to Climate Change and therefore must have equal weight in the discussion.

Sincerely,

Peace Train to DC (www.PeaceTrainToDC.com)

Tim Castleman

Sacramento, CA  95825

GROUPS ASK THOMPSON TO PULL IRAQ Bill; MATSUI TO RESCIND CO-SIGNING

February 14, 2007

Contact: 

Dorothy Mill 916-448-7157

Cres Vellucci 916-996-9170

Last week, Sacramento’s Representative Doris Matsui signed on to HR 787, the so-called Iraq De-Escalation Act of 2007.  HR 787 was introduced by Representative Mike Thompson at the end of January.

“We were very dismayed when we read HR 787,” said Winnie Kaneshiro-Detwiler, Board member of Sacramento Area Peace Action.  “This bill puts ending the occupation of Iraq in the hands of President Bush who is trying to escalate, not de-escalate this war.  We would like Representative Matsui to rescind her co-signing.”

According to Thompson’s website, HR 787 “allows for the temporary suspension of this redeployment (for no more than 90 days)”.   This is erroneous, explained engineer Mikos Fabersunne, who is with the Davis Peace Coalition.  “The truth is that the bill allows the President to stop redeployment indefinitely.  All he has to do, every 90 days, is ‘certify’ to the heads of the Senate and the House that a list of conditions are being met.  AND Congress does NOT have to approve, accept, or agree with what Bush says. Given Bush’s lack of truthfulness about invading Iraq, why should Congress think he would be any more honest about getting the troops out? He wants the troops in Iraq.  This bill sets up the fox to guard the hen house.”

While Thompson’s website states that suspending redeployment requires the “agreement of Congress”, the actual bill stipulates that Congress can only override the President’s suspension if it passes a joint resolution, explained Davis attorney Natalie Wormeli.  “In other words, HR 787 requires that Congress take separate legislative action to get the de-occupation moving again.  Realistically, HR 787 is only good for three months worth of deployment, after that Bush can stop the process until Congress introduces new legislation.  This is an ineffective bill and Thompson should pull it.”

Also according to Thompson’s website, the bill calls for redeployment to start May 1, 2007 with combat troops out by March 2008 with exceptions.  His website further states that one of those exceptions is to allow a “limited” number of troops to remain in Iraq; the bill itself does not use the word “limited”.  

“HR 787 would allow an unspecified number of troops to remain in Iraq indefinitely” noted Paul Encimer, a former draft counselor in the Redway-Garberville area.  “In other words this bill does not end the occupation.  It is irresponsible legislation and should be withdrawn by Thompson.  The U.S. needs to declare a ceasefire and then focus on getting all of our troops home as quickly as possible.”

“Thompson’s bill reflects how caustic our nation has become,” explains Korean War Veteran, Jack Nounnan, who lives in Eureka.  “We need to stop fomenting violence against the Iraqi people and be accountable for what we have done to them.  This bill abdicates U.S. responsibility to repair the damage it has done to the nation and people of Iraq.  We have broken their country and we aren’t giving a dime to help them fix it.” 

“One of our members talked to Thompson recently and he claims it will take years to get us out of Iraq, much like Vietnam,” noted Nounnan.  “Already we have at least 20,000 severely wounded veterans and over 20,000 with post-traumatic stress symptoms.  How many more people have to be disabled or die before Congress gets the backbone to end this war and bring our troops home?”