TV Interview with Todd: Music & Activism

Marsh Karp interviews Todd on her West Hartford Community TV program "Camera's Rolling".
Learn about Todd's background, personal history and involvement in music and political activism. 28 min.

Dialogue With Iran

Over the past few days I have received the following letter from
many district 2 voters concerning U.S./Iranian relations:

 Mr. Vachon:

Thank you so much for committing yourself to a campaign
for the U.S. House of Representatives.

In the last few weeks, a number of prominent politicians
in both the United States and Iran have begun talking about
the possibility of a war. Yet many observers in the United
States argue that such a war would be disastrous, and that
the surest way to prevent it is through direct,unconditional
negotiations between our two countries. Do you agree with
the recent call from five former secretaries of state -
Colin Powell, Henry Kissinger, James Baker III, Warren
Christopher,and Madeline Albright - for an expanded U.S.
dialogue with Iran?

If elected, would you commit to work for direct,
unconditional,and comprehensive talks between the United
States and Iran?

I would welcome a chance to hear your views on the subject of
Iran, which could begin a public discussion. Would you
consider scheduling a public meeting in our community to
discuss these issues further? I would be happy to work
around your schedule.

Thank you for your time. I appreciate your desire to work on
my behalf and hope to hear back from you about your stance
on Iran.

Sincerely,
(names deleted)

Here was my response:

Dear _______,

Thank you for contacting me regarding
this issue of paramount importance. You're concerns are
shared with many other voters who have been contacting me
about Iran policy in the past few days.

I unequivocally agree with the calls for open dialogue
between the the U.S. and Iran. The recent rounds of saber
rattling throughout D.C. and the corporate media networks
eerily remind me of the build up to the invasion of Iraq,
a war which I opposed and protested months before it began.
As a nation,we ought to have learned historically that
violence does not solve problems of foreign relations;
rather it escalates them.

I am adamantly opposed to preemptive military strikes
against Iran or any other nation. Diplomacy must be given
a real fair shake this time and every time from now on.
The cost in American lives, the lives of innocent civilians
and the cost of U.S. tax dollars can no longer be afforded.

So yes, if elected, I would absolutely commit to
work for direct, unconditional, and comprehensive
talks between the United States and Iran.

Sincerely,

Todd Vachon
Candidate for Congress
CT District 2
www.votevachon.com