I trust you are enjoying this holiday season.  It's a time for family and friends.  It is also a time when committed activists like you and me make our final philanthropic choices for 2010.

Looking ahead, your tax-deductible year end gift to Peace Action Education Fund (PAEF) can impact the war and peace choices our government will make in the coming weeks and months.

In Afghanistan, where warfare has been a way of life for over three decades, even the Taliban are ready for a negotiated end to the fighting.  But that doesn’t mean they are ready to surrender to US demands.  In 2011 we must press the Obama administration to enter into meaningful negotiations with the Taliban for a cease-fire and end the bloodshed.  From there, we can pursue an exit strategy which brings our troops home and leaves the future of Afghanistan in the hands of its people, where it belongs.

You can support PAEF’s goal to achieve a cease-fire in Afghanistan using our secure online giving portal.

The economic crisis continues to defy corporate inspired solutions for recovery.  The peace movement must continue to lead the call for deeper cuts in military spending that can fuel investment in infrastructure and in our communities which will save existing jobs and create new ones.  This challenge, as daunting as it is, must be met with sufficient grassroots pressure to force the administration to abandon plans to cut Social Security and other programs that serve our people and instead cut corporate welfare programs like the gold-plated weapon systems and the occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

You can support PAEF’s work for SANE economic policies using our secure online giving portal.

Now that New START has been ratified, I believe we can achieve significant process toward global zero advocating steps President Obama can take via executive action not requiring laborious treaty negotiations and Senate ratification battles, such as taking US weapons off high-alert launch status (and challenging Russia to do the same).    Setting our sights on achievable goals like this one will continue our progress in spite of Republican efforts that support nuclear weapons forever.  Let’s not stop here.

You can support PAEF’s campaign for nuclear abolition using our secure online giving portal.

Thank you again for your attention and work on these important issues and for your kind consideration of this request.

 In peace,

PS:  The communications revolution has made the coordination of PAEF's campaigns with our activists and allies possible in ways Gandhi or King could only dream of.  Your online activism is an important part of this revolution. Thank you!

Finally, on let me wish you and those you love a most joyous holiday and terrific 2011.