I’ll keep this brief and as neutral as I can. My heart is aching for those fleeing the Taliban in Afghanistan. I don’t understand why the deadline was set for August 31st. Every news source I’ve listened to, conservative or liberal, reports that there are still many who need to be evacuated, and that there is no indication that we will have enough time. I’m asking everyone to please contact your representatives and ask them to urge President Biden to push back the deadline for leaving the country at least long enough to bring to safety all of our troops, United States citizens, Afghani citizens who aided us during the war and their families, and those fleeing the country for fear of violence or loss of freedom from Taliban rule. Ask them to make this a priority, and to set aside all other issues for the time being until this gets done. After all, there is less than a week remaining before the deadline.
It may seem like a small thing. But every voice matters, and it can be done in an afternoon.
Find and contact your House Representative:
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
Find and contact your Senators:
https://www.cop.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
Contact the President/Vice President:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Contact the Speaker of the House:
https://www.speaker.gov/contact
Contact Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer:
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/contact/email-chuck
Contact Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell:
https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact
Call the White House:
202-456-1111
(This is the comment line. When I called, I didn’t get a voicemail, but rather spoke with a live operator. So keep your comments brief and respectful. I’m not totally sure their hours, but they opened today at noon eastern time, so I assume that’s the norm for weekdays.)
If you’re not sure what to say, you’re welcome to use this as a starting point, though I encourage you to phrase it in your own words, and feel free to add, remove, or change anything you like:
Dear [Representative/Senator Name],
My name is [your name], and I’m a resident of [city, state]. I’m worried about those fleeing the Taliban in Afghanistan. I’m asking you to please urge President Biden to push back the August 31st deadline in order to give us ample time to bring to safety all U.S. troops and citizens, Afghani citizens who aided us during the war and their families, and those fleeing the country for fear of violence or loss of freedom from Taliban rule. I ask you to make this a priority.
I know there are many important issues that need to be addressed. But please, set those aside for the time being and focus on bringing those people to safety. Use all your resources and influence until this gets done. There will be time to talk about infrastructure, immigration, taxes, and even the pandemic. But there is less than a week remaining until August 31, so I believe this issue to be the most urgent and that it should take precedent.
I welcome a response, but only if you have the time. Thank you for the important work you’re doing, and thank you for taking the time to read.
Sincerely,
[your name]
If nothing else, please pray for the safety of those in Afghanistan, that they might have peace, and that our world leaders will be able to make wise decisions.
Thanks.
I really hope and pray we manage to get as many people as possible to safety, but unfortunately there will always be innocent people hurt at the hands of terrorists there. The region needs so much prayer.