Let's practice what we preach by standing up for our own core values as an Institute, as we encourage others do the same for democratic principles across the globe.
P
Parker Novak
6 years ago
Featured
I am a lifelong Republican and found Senator Cotton's comments to not only be disgraceful, but fundamentally against our values and mission as an organization. There is no way a Harvard-educated and former active duty service member - Mr. Cotton is both - did not realize the implications of the phrase "no quarter." That simple.
M
Mark Sawyer
6 years ago
I signed this petition because Senator Cotton's statements referenced here undermine the very mission he is charged with stewarding as a member of our Board of Directors.
Without addressing Senator Cotton's remarks, we risk substantiating the charge of hypocrisy that authoritarians already level at IRI and the United States to discredit our work. I urge the Board of Directors and all IRI employees to have the humility and introspection necessary to recognize this fact.
K
Kate Krueger
6 years ago
We have values, time to show up for them.
C
Claire Rhye
6 years ago
To give "no quarter" is a war crime. Mr. Cotton is a Harvard Educated attorney. He is well aware of the legality both domestically and internationally of the thing that he suggested. While he may not represent IRI when speaking in all situations, and was not directing his comments to protestors but rather to criminal behavior infiltrating the peaceful protest, it is gravely disappointing to witness a leader advocate the commitment of a war crime against U.S. citizens regardless of their own criminal act. That goes against not only IRI's values, but those of our nation of which we speak so highly. I hope, as an elected official, that higher standard he is to be measured against is held.
L
Laura Boyette
6 years ago
Featured
All of us in the IRI community are held to high standards. Sen. Cotton's remarks regarding American citizens' constitutional right to free speech and assembly violates our values of Freedom and Respect. Through this petition, we are embodying another IRI value: Accountability for ourselves as members of this community and for our board as our leadership on the issues of democracy and human rights around the world.
S
Sondra Govatski
6 years ago
While Sen. Cotton was not speaking for IRI, his comments do not represent the values of IRI. We lose a moral authority if our leadership does not stand up to the clearly non-democratic statements.
M
Matt Tappert
6 years ago
Continued association with Senator Cotton not only contradicts our stated principles; it discredits the work we do around the world and undermines our claim to be nonpartisan promoters of democracy.
D
Danielle Turner
6 years ago
Featured
To maintain our credibility as a preeminent democracy and governance organization, we must stand up to affronts to democracy whenever they are clearly evident- even if it is not politically convenient for us to do so. If suggesting war crimes is not such an affront, it is unclear to me what is.
B
Bret Barrowman
6 years ago
Not only is this rhetoric intrinsically antithetical to IRI's purported values, but it actively detracts from our work in solidarity with movements protesting abuse of state power in Hong Kong, Venezuela, and elsewhere.
B
Bret Barrowman
6 years ago
"And, if necessary, the 10th Mountain, 82nd Airborne, 1st Cav, 3rd Infantry—whatever it takes to restore order. No quarter for insurrectionists, anarchists, rioters, and looters." -- Tom Cotton
I
Imara Crooms
6 years ago
Sen. Cotton clearly, vocally and consistently fails to represent the ideals that we as an organization stand for. IRI must stand for democracy worldwide, not only where convenient.
There’s no place for harming innocent civilians!
Let's practice what we preach by standing up for our own core values as an Institute, as we encourage others do the same for democratic principles across the globe.
I am a lifelong Republican and found Senator Cotton's comments to not only be disgraceful, but fundamentally against our values and mission as an organization. There is no way a Harvard-educated and former active duty service member - Mr. Cotton is both - did not realize the implications of the phrase "no quarter." That simple.
I signed this petition because Senator Cotton's statements referenced here undermine the very mission he is charged with stewarding as a member of our Board of Directors. Without addressing Senator Cotton's remarks, we risk substantiating the charge of hypocrisy that authoritarians already level at IRI and the United States to discredit our work. I urge the Board of Directors and all IRI employees to have the humility and introspection necessary to recognize this fact.
We have values, time to show up for them.
To give "no quarter" is a war crime. Mr. Cotton is a Harvard Educated attorney. He is well aware of the legality both domestically and internationally of the thing that he suggested. While he may not represent IRI when speaking in all situations, and was not directing his comments to protestors but rather to criminal behavior infiltrating the peaceful protest, it is gravely disappointing to witness a leader advocate the commitment of a war crime against U.S. citizens regardless of their own criminal act. That goes against not only IRI's values, but those of our nation of which we speak so highly. I hope, as an elected official, that higher standard he is to be measured against is held.
All of us in the IRI community are held to high standards. Sen. Cotton's remarks regarding American citizens' constitutional right to free speech and assembly violates our values of Freedom and Respect. Through this petition, we are embodying another IRI value: Accountability for ourselves as members of this community and for our board as our leadership on the issues of democracy and human rights around the world.
While Sen. Cotton was not speaking for IRI, his comments do not represent the values of IRI. We lose a moral authority if our leadership does not stand up to the clearly non-democratic statements.
Continued association with Senator Cotton not only contradicts our stated principles; it discredits the work we do around the world and undermines our claim to be nonpartisan promoters of democracy.
To maintain our credibility as a preeminent democracy and governance organization, we must stand up to affronts to democracy whenever they are clearly evident- even if it is not politically convenient for us to do so. If suggesting war crimes is not such an affront, it is unclear to me what is.
Not only is this rhetoric intrinsically antithetical to IRI's purported values, but it actively detracts from our work in solidarity with movements protesting abuse of state power in Hong Kong, Venezuela, and elsewhere.
"And, if necessary, the 10th Mountain, 82nd Airborne, 1st Cav, 3rd Infantry—whatever it takes to restore order. No quarter for insurrectionists, anarchists, rioters, and looters." -- Tom Cotton
Sen. Cotton clearly, vocally and consistently fails to represent the ideals that we as an organization stand for. IRI must stand for democracy worldwide, not only where convenient.