Oppose Michèle Flournoy as Defense Secretary.
The Issue
Dear Senator ____________:
I and many others vociferously oppose the potential nomination of Michele Flournoy for Secretary of Defense.
I oppose hawkish Flournoy’s nomination because she wants to increase arms sales to Saudi Arabia to police the Middle East while the US pivots to Asia to escalate troop deployments for more “war games” in the South China Sea. Flournoy advocates:
· Preparation for multiple simultaneous large theater wars.
· Pre-emptive unilateral military strikes.
· Sale of more weapons to Saudi Arabia’s brutal regime in contrast to President-elect Joe Biden’s position to end US support for Saudi genocide in Yemen.
· Escalation of provocative roving war games in the South China Sea, ramping up the risk of a hot war with China or North Korea, both nuclear powers.
· Increased use of drone warfare.
· Symbolizes the revolving door between Pentagon, consultants and military contractors.
· Investment in new weapons systems when resources are urgently needed to address the climate crisis and COVID-19, etc.
We strongly believe ANYONE would be better than Michele Flournoy. Here are some better options below:
Senator Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island, Senate Armed Services Committee)
Reed was one of 23 US senators to vote against H.J. Resolution 114, which authorized President George W. Bush to use force against Iraq in 2002.[29 n 2018, Reed was one a few Democrats to support U.S. backing of the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen.[31] By 2019 he reversed his position, saying that he wanted to end U.S. support for the coalition.[3
Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-ILL, Disabled Iraq War Vet)
In 2006, Duckworth called on Congress to audit the estimated $437 billion spent on overseas military and foreign aid since September 11, 2001.[98] On September 30, 2006, Duckworth gave the Democratic Party's response to President George W. Bush's weekly radio address. In it, she was critical of Bush's strategy for the Iraq War.[99] In October 2006, The Sunday Times reported that Duckworth agreed with General Sir Richard Dannatt, the British Army chief, that the presence of coalition troops was exacerbating the conflict in Iraq.[100]
Jeh Johnson, former Secretary of Homeland Security:
"War" must be regarded as a finite, extraordinary and unnatural state of affairs. War permits one man—if he is a "privileged belligerent," consistent with the laws of war—to kill another. War violates the natural order of things, in which children bury their parents; in war parents bury their children. In its 12th year, we must not accept the current conflict, and all that it entails, as the "new normal." Peace must be regarded as the norm toward which the human race continually strives.” Oxford Union, Nov. 2012
Other names to consider: Tom Countryman, Board Chair, Arms Control Association; Congressman Ro Khanna (House Armed Services Committee); Matt Duss, Foreign Policy Advisor, Bernie Sanders.
Here are some articles about and by Flournoy:
Will Michele Flournoy be the Angel of Death for the American Empire? Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J.S. Davies. Common Dreams. 9/22/2020
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/09/22/will-michele-flournoy-be-angel-death-american-empire
Progressives Slam Biden's Foreign Policy Team
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/biden-trump-war-military/
Tim Shorrock. The Nation. 9/21/20
Democrats are walking a fine line on the election’s main foreign policy issue: China. Akbar Shahid Ahmed. Huffington Post. 8/22/20
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/biden-china-foreign-policy_n_5f403019c5b697824f987e15
How to Prevent a War in Asia by Flournoy (Foreign Affairs, June 18, 2020)
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states/2020-06-18/how-prevent-war-asia
FROM THE ARTICLE IN FLOURNOY'S own words:
“…if the U.S. military had the capability to credibly threaten to sink all of China’s military vessels, submarines, and merchant ships in the South China Sea within 72 hours, Chinese leaders might think twice before, say, launching a blockade or invasion of Taiwan; they would have to wonder whether it was worth putting their entire fleet at risk.” --Flournoy
“Washington needs to clarify—and consistently demonstrate—its commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, making clear who and what it is willing to defend. It must deploy more senior officials and additional military forces to the region, to underscore its enduring presence, strengthen its relationships, and counterbalance China’s influence. It should conduct more regular military exercises with allies and partners in the region, both to demonstrate capabilities it has already and to accelerate the development of new ones.”
Flournoy Hudson Institute Interview (March 27, 2020)
Flournoy interviewed by Rebeccah Heinrichs
FROM THE ARTICLE IN FLOURNOY'S OWN WORDS:
“I’d like to see us reevaluate to say, “Let’s focus on getting counter drone capability into the hands of our partners in that region as an urgent matter.” That’s going to do a lot more for Saudi confidence, for Emirati confidence, for others, Qatari confidence, than sending another 10,000 soldiers. So I think we need to really think about how we deter and how we posture. And then to allow to free up some of those resources to eventually be refocused on the Pacific.”
Some background on Flournoy (from Wikipedia)
Michèle Angelique Flournoy (born December 14, 1960) is the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy under President Clinton and the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy under President Obama, serving as a principal advisor to U.S. Secretaries of Defense Robert Gates and Leon Panetta from February 2009 to February 2012.[1] During her tenure in the Clinton administration, Flournoy was the principal author of the May 1997 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), which advocated the unilateral use of military power in defense of US interests.[2] While serving in the Obama administration, Flournoy crafted the administration's policy of counter-insurgency in Afghanistan[3] and helped persuade President Obama to intervene militarily in Libya.[4] Obama later went on to call the Libya intervention his worst mistake.
After leaving the Obama White House, Flournoy joined the Boston Consulting Group as a senior advisor, overseeing the development of $32 million in military contracts.[7][8] In 2018, she joined the board of Booz Allen Hamilton, a publicly traded consulting firm with military contracts and cyber security expertise.[9] She is currently the co-founder and managing partner of WestExec Advisors, (where she makes money obtaining military contracts for her clients).
A Flournoy Quote: “We’re trying to recognize that warfare may come in a lot of different flavors in the future,” she told the New York Times. (July 3 2009)
Flournoy would devastate this country by pulling us into more endless wars. Her revolving door past would add to the criticism that the Democrats are the party of the elite swamp. We will organize protests if she is given a hearing by the Senate.
I encourage you and your staff to oppose Michele Flournoy for Secretary of Defense and steer the Biden administration to better alternatives.
Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions about my position.
Kind regards,
(Constituent Name + Phone #)
Common Dreams
Will Michele Flournoy Be the Angel of Death for the American Empire?
Purported to be among Joe Biden's top picks for Defense Secretary, the longtime supporter of endless war and limitless Pentagon budgets is exactly the wrong choice... If the Democrats manage to push Joe Biden over the finish line in November's election, he will find himself presiding over a decadent, declining empire. He will either continue the policies that have led the American empire to decadence and decline, or seize the moment to move our nation into a new phase: a transition to a peaceful and sustainable post-imperial future. The foreign policy team Biden assembles will be key, including his choice for Secretary of Defense. (201 kB)
https://www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/views-article/thumbs/michele_flournoy.jpg
The Nation
Progressives Slam Biden’s Foreign Policy Team
Sanders delegates and other progressive Dems, worried about his ties to the military, want less Pentagon spending and more focus on climate change.
Sep 21st (151 kB)
https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/biden-brown-gt-img.jpg
HuffPost
Democrats Are Walking A Fine Line On The Election's Main Foreign Policy Issue: China
Biden is struggling to appear tough without fueling hawkishness or racism. His platform mentions China 22 times, compared to seven references in 2016.
Aug 22nd (136 kB)
https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5f40327a2700008b00ea5a6f.jpeg?cache=vz2ojjyolh&ops=1778_1000
Foreign Affairs
How to Prevent a War in Asia
The erosion of American deterrence raises the risk of Chinese miscalculation.
Oct 23rd (133 kB)
hudson.org
Transcript: America’s Role in the World Amid a Pandemic: A Discussion with Former Under Secretary of Defense Michèle Flournoy - by Rebeccah L. Heinrichs
The Issue
Dear Senator ____________:
I and many others vociferously oppose the potential nomination of Michele Flournoy for Secretary of Defense.
I oppose hawkish Flournoy’s nomination because she wants to increase arms sales to Saudi Arabia to police the Middle East while the US pivots to Asia to escalate troop deployments for more “war games” in the South China Sea. Flournoy advocates:
· Preparation for multiple simultaneous large theater wars.
· Pre-emptive unilateral military strikes.
· Sale of more weapons to Saudi Arabia’s brutal regime in contrast to President-elect Joe Biden’s position to end US support for Saudi genocide in Yemen.
· Escalation of provocative roving war games in the South China Sea, ramping up the risk of a hot war with China or North Korea, both nuclear powers.
· Increased use of drone warfare.
· Symbolizes the revolving door between Pentagon, consultants and military contractors.
· Investment in new weapons systems when resources are urgently needed to address the climate crisis and COVID-19, etc.
We strongly believe ANYONE would be better than Michele Flournoy. Here are some better options below:
Senator Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island, Senate Armed Services Committee)
Reed was one of 23 US senators to vote against H.J. Resolution 114, which authorized President George W. Bush to use force against Iraq in 2002.[29 n 2018, Reed was one a few Democrats to support U.S. backing of the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen.[31] By 2019 he reversed his position, saying that he wanted to end U.S. support for the coalition.[3
Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-ILL, Disabled Iraq War Vet)
In 2006, Duckworth called on Congress to audit the estimated $437 billion spent on overseas military and foreign aid since September 11, 2001.[98] On September 30, 2006, Duckworth gave the Democratic Party's response to President George W. Bush's weekly radio address. In it, she was critical of Bush's strategy for the Iraq War.[99] In October 2006, The Sunday Times reported that Duckworth agreed with General Sir Richard Dannatt, the British Army chief, that the presence of coalition troops was exacerbating the conflict in Iraq.[100]
Jeh Johnson, former Secretary of Homeland Security:
"War" must be regarded as a finite, extraordinary and unnatural state of affairs. War permits one man—if he is a "privileged belligerent," consistent with the laws of war—to kill another. War violates the natural order of things, in which children bury their parents; in war parents bury their children. In its 12th year, we must not accept the current conflict, and all that it entails, as the "new normal." Peace must be regarded as the norm toward which the human race continually strives.” Oxford Union, Nov. 2012
Other names to consider: Tom Countryman, Board Chair, Arms Control Association; Congressman Ro Khanna (House Armed Services Committee); Matt Duss, Foreign Policy Advisor, Bernie Sanders.
Here are some articles about and by Flournoy:
Will Michele Flournoy be the Angel of Death for the American Empire? Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J.S. Davies. Common Dreams. 9/22/2020
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2020/09/22/will-michele-flournoy-be-angel-death-american-empire
Progressives Slam Biden's Foreign Policy Team
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/biden-trump-war-military/
Tim Shorrock. The Nation. 9/21/20
Democrats are walking a fine line on the election’s main foreign policy issue: China. Akbar Shahid Ahmed. Huffington Post. 8/22/20
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/biden-china-foreign-policy_n_5f403019c5b697824f987e15
How to Prevent a War in Asia by Flournoy (Foreign Affairs, June 18, 2020)
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states/2020-06-18/how-prevent-war-asia
FROM THE ARTICLE IN FLOURNOY'S own words:
“…if the U.S. military had the capability to credibly threaten to sink all of China’s military vessels, submarines, and merchant ships in the South China Sea within 72 hours, Chinese leaders might think twice before, say, launching a blockade or invasion of Taiwan; they would have to wonder whether it was worth putting their entire fleet at risk.” --Flournoy
“Washington needs to clarify—and consistently demonstrate—its commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, making clear who and what it is willing to defend. It must deploy more senior officials and additional military forces to the region, to underscore its enduring presence, strengthen its relationships, and counterbalance China’s influence. It should conduct more regular military exercises with allies and partners in the region, both to demonstrate capabilities it has already and to accelerate the development of new ones.”
Flournoy Hudson Institute Interview (March 27, 2020)
Flournoy interviewed by Rebeccah Heinrichs
FROM THE ARTICLE IN FLOURNOY'S OWN WORDS:
“I’d like to see us reevaluate to say, “Let’s focus on getting counter drone capability into the hands of our partners in that region as an urgent matter.” That’s going to do a lot more for Saudi confidence, for Emirati confidence, for others, Qatari confidence, than sending another 10,000 soldiers. So I think we need to really think about how we deter and how we posture. And then to allow to free up some of those resources to eventually be refocused on the Pacific.”
Some background on Flournoy (from Wikipedia)
Michèle Angelique Flournoy (born December 14, 1960) is the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy under President Clinton and the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy under President Obama, serving as a principal advisor to U.S. Secretaries of Defense Robert Gates and Leon Panetta from February 2009 to February 2012.[1] During her tenure in the Clinton administration, Flournoy was the principal author of the May 1997 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), which advocated the unilateral use of military power in defense of US interests.[2] While serving in the Obama administration, Flournoy crafted the administration's policy of counter-insurgency in Afghanistan[3] and helped persuade President Obama to intervene militarily in Libya.[4] Obama later went on to call the Libya intervention his worst mistake.
After leaving the Obama White House, Flournoy joined the Boston Consulting Group as a senior advisor, overseeing the development of $32 million in military contracts.[7][8] In 2018, she joined the board of Booz Allen Hamilton, a publicly traded consulting firm with military contracts and cyber security expertise.[9] She is currently the co-founder and managing partner of WestExec Advisors, (where she makes money obtaining military contracts for her clients).
A Flournoy Quote: “We’re trying to recognize that warfare may come in a lot of different flavors in the future,” she told the New York Times. (July 3 2009)
Flournoy would devastate this country by pulling us into more endless wars. Her revolving door past would add to the criticism that the Democrats are the party of the elite swamp. We will organize protests if she is given a hearing by the Senate.
I encourage you and your staff to oppose Michele Flournoy for Secretary of Defense and steer the Biden administration to better alternatives.
Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions about my position.
Kind regards,
(Constituent Name + Phone #)
Common Dreams
Will Michele Flournoy Be the Angel of Death for the American Empire?
Purported to be among Joe Biden's top picks for Defense Secretary, the longtime supporter of endless war and limitless Pentagon budgets is exactly the wrong choice... If the Democrats manage to push Joe Biden over the finish line in November's election, he will find himself presiding over a decadent, declining empire. He will either continue the policies that have led the American empire to decadence and decline, or seize the moment to move our nation into a new phase: a transition to a peaceful and sustainable post-imperial future. The foreign policy team Biden assembles will be key, including his choice for Secretary of Defense. (201 kB)
https://www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/views-article/thumbs/michele_flournoy.jpg
The Nation
Progressives Slam Biden’s Foreign Policy Team
Sanders delegates and other progressive Dems, worried about his ties to the military, want less Pentagon spending and more focus on climate change.
Sep 21st (151 kB)
https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/biden-brown-gt-img.jpg
HuffPost
Democrats Are Walking A Fine Line On The Election's Main Foreign Policy Issue: China
Biden is struggling to appear tough without fueling hawkishness or racism. His platform mentions China 22 times, compared to seven references in 2016.
Aug 22nd (136 kB)
https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5f40327a2700008b00ea5a6f.jpeg?cache=vz2ojjyolh&ops=1778_1000
Foreign Affairs
How to Prevent a War in Asia
The erosion of American deterrence raises the risk of Chinese miscalculation.
Oct 23rd (133 kB)
hudson.org
Transcript: America’s Role in the World Amid a Pandemic: A Discussion with Former Under Secretary of Defense Michèle Flournoy - by Rebeccah L. Heinrichs
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on November 11, 2020