[ETAN-key] An Appeal Regarding Senator Russ Feingold from Ed McWilliams

[Edmund McWilliams]

 Dear Friends and Colleagues:
 
 I am writing to alert you all to a potential political development 
 that could seriously damage efforts to advance human rights concerns 
 in the U.S. Congress.
 
 In a year that has already had its share of political surprises - and 
 setbacks for progressives - there is now a growing consensus among 
 political analysts that Senator Russ Feingold's bid to maintain his 
 Senate seat is in jeopardy.
 
 In our efforts to advance the cause of human rights and 
 democratization in Indonesia and East Timor over the years, most of 
 us have sought to avoid any involvement in partisan politics. This 
 approach reflects in part the reality that we have found important 
 support on both sides of the aisle. Conservative Republicans, 
 notably Rep. Chris Smith, and at various points Rep. Frank Wolf among 
 other Republicans have been effective human rights champions.
 
 But among our many friends on Capitol Hill, few have been as 
 consistent or effective as Senator Russ Feingold. From his position 
 on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee he has been a powerful 
 advocate for human rights, military accountability and 
 democratization. He has spoken on the floor of the Senate at 
critical times and pressed Administration witnesses at full committee 
 hearings. His senior position in the East Asia and Pacific 
 Subcommittee has made him an especially valuable ally.
 
 His defeat on November 2, would mean the loss of a great friend to 
 all of us who advocate for human rights and for a reformed Indonesian military.
 
 I urge that you consider what you could do to support Senator 
 Feingold's campaign. Cash donations would obviously be helpful but 
 letters to Wisconsin newspapers or personal contact with friends in 
 Wisconsin would also be useful.
 
 I will apologize in advance for those offended by a blatant political 
 appeal, but a loss of Russ Feingold would be a real setback for all 
 of us who work on human rights, especially in Indonesia and East 
 Timor. Go to <http://russfeingold.org/>http://russfeingold.org/ for 
 more information on his campaign.
 
 Edmund McWilliams
White Oaks, New Mexico
 		 	   		  
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