Nuclear weapons threat

With our neighbors at Dirigo Pines Retirement Community, we have discussed the history of international attempts to control nuclear weapons. We believe it is urgent to mobilize anew to confront the nuclear threat to all peoples. The threat is no longer just between nations, but also from small, malcontented groups with hostile ambitions.

As a nation, we need to take a first step toward a new image of “the city on a hill” We need to direct attention to root causes of this malcontent. The next administration must set as a goal the adjustment of American policy and behavior to demonstrate hat we stand for respect for differences and the right to decent, secure living conditions for all peoples.

We must undertake initial steps toward these ends: lead the UN in active, meaningful responses to genocide; promote agriculture policies which assure distribution of affordable food to all societies; advocate for world-wide “full employment: opportunities through international trade agreements.

We must re-energize policy efforts to: renew and ratify the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty; ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty; with Russia, immediately speed up destruction of surplus nuclear weapons; set a goal of Zero Nuclear Weapons for the world by 2020.

To put our money where our mouth is, include funds in the U.S. budget to address these goals. For a start, we suggest an initial sum at least equal to what is already in the State Department budet for “foreign military financing”.

David Felix

Stanley Freeman

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