Dear President Obama

I'm deeply troubled by the seemingly endless war in Afghanistan and Pakistan that you escalated.

Like most Americans, and an overwhelming number of your supporters, I urge you to:

• Initiate negotiations, which must include Afghan women, to end the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan;
• Immediately end your escalation of the war, including drone strikes;
• Start drawing down U.S. troops and commit to a timetable with an end date before 2014 after which there will be no U.S. or NATO troops, contractors, or military bases in Afghanistan.
• Support Afghan-led humanitarian and economic development efforts to help rebuild that war ravaged country.

Governor Perdue and Attorney General Cooper

Let's shine a light on claims of kidnapping and torture!

There is strong evidence that Aero Contractors of Smithfield, NC, has transported CIA captives for secret detention and torture. Such acts are crimes and human rights violations; the world is watching.

I endorse the North Carolina Commission of Inquiry on Torture to reveal the truth about whether our state has been used as a base for kidnapping and torture.

To: NC General Assembly Speaker of the House, Thom Tillis, and President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Phil Berger

Whereas Hispanic/Latinos are North Carolina's fastest growing ethnic group;

Whereas Immigrants serve our great state in many important ways, bringing many cultural, religious and economic gifts, frequently working under difficult conditions in critical manual labor occupations in agriculture, construction and the service industry;

Whereas discrimination against Hispanic/Latinos and other immigrants has been on the rise in our state and nation;

Whereas federal laws such as 287 (g) and the Secure Communities program have been used to harass, frighten, and break apart immigrant families;

And whereas the United States is a nation of immigrants founded on the principles of liberty and justice for all;

We therefore call on you as our representatives to assure justice and dignity are extended to our Latino and other immigrant sisters and brothers; to work for the passage of legislation that treats our state's immigrant residents with dignity and respect; to remain faithful to our nation's tradition of welcoming the stranger, and offer compassionate respite to those who come here fleeing poverty and despair in search of a better life.