You have been sent this email because of our shared concern and frustration over our nation’s continuing Occupation of Iraq, and the inability of Congress to move past debate and come to a reasonable and prompt resolution.

Rep. Jim Matheson needs to know that it is morally right, politically safe and long past due that he votes to authorize funds only for the purpose of redeploying our troops out of harm’s way in the upcoming vote on the 2008 Iraq Appropriations bill. We’re reaching out to our congressman in a way that has yet to be done and we’re asking you to join us in… Operation: Shock and Awe.

A great disservice is being done by censoring the images of the victims of war—American and Iraqi, and especially the children. Make him see these most graphic images in numbers too great to be ignored by participating in Operation: Shock and Awe.

We understand this will entail an out of pocket expense of no more than $50 (cost of ink, paper, envelopes, and postage for this 30 day project) along with your time and effort. But isn’t that a small price to pay to end the Occupation of Iraq? Our goal is 1000 images, so anything you can do to help us will be deeply appreciated.

Imagine the reaction as these pictures pile up, day after day, week after week. Please contact Carla Hitz (fliarmy at msn.com) to let us know if you’ll be participating, or to submit links to photos. We’ll be tracking the effort and issuing press releases as the campaign progresses. It will be a more effective campaign if we can report hundreds of photos are being sent each week. Please forward this email to likeminded people you know who live in the second congressional district.

The time is now. We must act decisively, stop the endless debate, engage the region to participate in their own best interests, and support our troops by bringing them home, NOW. Please join us in Operation: Shock and Awe.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Most humbly,

Carla J. Hitz, Military Families Speak Out of Utah; Laura Bonham, Progressive Democrats of America; Crystal Young-Otterstrom, Mormon’s for Equality and Justice; Joel Otterstrom, Utah Democratic Progressive Caucus

P.S. Send your pictures to:
The Hon. James Matheson
1323 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515