Read and comment on this message that went out from John Coyne's Peace Corps Writers listserv on the Op-ed piece in the Washington Post by PCV Mark Shahinian, about visa problems for PCVs in Russia and about Douglas Hicks essay on the USA Freedom Corps published in Christian Century and how we have to get our oar back in the water and make another push to reach our Senators to co sponsor S. 2667 at:
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Subject: Peace Corps: On Top of the Times, Ahead of the News
Our Peace Corps has been all over the news lately. An Op-ed piece in the Washington Post by PCV Mark Shahinian (Cote d'Ivoire 2002-03) says that expanding the Peace Corps gives President Bush a carrot to use with his big stick in the war on terrorism. There have also been several stories about visa problems for PCVs in Russia. And finally, Douglas Hicks, who teaches religion at the University of Richmond, wrote about the USA Freedom Corps, that President Bush wants to become the organizational parent of the Peace Corps. Writing in the publication Christian Century, Hicks makes this point (among others) about the USA Freedom Corps:
"People of faith must be alert to when the rhetoric of service is appropriated to serve national interests."
All of this editorial activity reminds us that we have to get our oar back in the water and make another push to reach our Senators. We have to make sure that they know RPCVs are still out here and that we care deeply about the independence of Peace Corps. Please call and ask your Senators to support the Peace Corps Charter for the 21 Century Act (S. 2667) by becoming a co-sponsor of this important legislation which will keep the Peace Corps free and clear of the USA Freedom Corps.
Today, or tomorrow at the latest, please call the district office of at least one of your US Senators and make them aware that you-an RPCV-demand that the Peace Corps be kept free and independent of the USA Freedom Corps. Specifically ask them to co sponsor S. 2667. Remind your Senator that you are one of their constituents and that you vote. The call will not take you long, but it will (I promise you) make a tremendous difference in how your Senators vote on this upcoming legislation. Our Senators have to hear from us this coming week because the current congressional recess ends on August 30th and Congress reconvenes on Tuesday, September 3. Things will move quickly once they reconvene because this is an election year for all of the Members of the House of Representatives and for one-third of the Senate.
Thanks for all your help. Thanks for reading these emails. If we can get S.2667 passed, we can have a restful fall (I promise you that, too).
Have a peaceful Labor Day.
John Coyne
P.S. Please send this email onto your list of RPCVs and friends of the Peace Corps. Keep spreading the word. Thank you.
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