Dear President Obama

DEAR PRESIDENT OBAMA
January 14, 2009
Dear President Obama, I want to offer you my most heartfelt congratulations on your ascent to the presidency. I am one of those countless Americans who are thrilled by your prodigious gifts for leadership, your intellect, your diplomatic temperament, and your vision for America and for the world. I worked hard for you during your campaign, and I, like so many, have high hopes that you will make a profound difference for our country.
I have deeply appreciated the many ways in which you – as candidate and now as President-elect – have eagerly invited input from community leaders of various constituencies and from so-called ordinary citizens. In that spirit, I ask the following:
1.The violence in Gaza and Israel must stop immediately. As I write, more than 1000 Palestinians and 13 Israelis have been killed; thousands have been injured; hundreds of thousands on both sides terrorized and traumatized. These two peoples – both with profound histories of victimization and a national culture of pride and faithful memory – are trapped in a cycle of violence from which they are clearly unable to extricate themselves. Bring this latest terrible war to an end immediately. Let both Israel and Palestine know that the United States deeply understands their national needs for security, autonomy, recognition, dignity and hope. Let the sides know that you will immediately engage in robust diplomatic activity, doing everything within your power to bring about a comprehensive peace agreement, resulting in peace, security and recognition for Israel, and autonomy, dignity, and economic renaissance for Palestine. The world desperately needs for you to make this happen very soon, before the window of possibility for a two-state solution has closed.
2.End the practice of torture by the United States. I heartily support the call of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture for you to issue an executive order on or about January 20th, stipulating that the United States will no longer authorize torture or any form of cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment, or use any methods of interrogation that we would not find acceptable if used against Americans, be they civilians or soldiers.
3.Please do not compromise your vision of an American foreign policy based on constructive engagement with our enemies as well as with our friends. You have captivated many around the world, in part because of your articulated view that the United States must return to being a partner with other nations – particularly in foreign relations and environmental policy. The world is hungry for your vision of an America that once again uses its power wisely and cooperatively, engages in military action only as a last resort, and promotes a politics of dialogue, wisdom and compassion rather than the politics of fear.
I wish you every success in your work. I pray for your personal safety and for your ability to do great things for our country and our world.