Saturday, December 31, 2016

Thursday, December 22, 2016

People's Tribunal on the Iraq War

On Day 1 of the CODEPINK #IraqTribunal, participants provided testimony on the lies that were used to invade Iraq. There are more videos on this event at the link. 




Tuesday, December 20, 2016

More truth on Syria

Published on Dec 7, 2016
Battles continue between pro-government forces and rebels in Aleppo’s Old City, with Damascus slowly winning back territory. RT’s Lizzie Phelan and her crew were the first journalists to visit the neighborhoods just captured by the government.

AP reporter asks some questions on Syria

AP reporter Brad Klapper asks a series of tough questions to State Department spokesman John Kirby on the lack of US progress in Syria and why the US is laying all the blame on Russia.

Monday, December 19, 2016

Lies about the Russians

Lies about the Russians ‘influencing’ US election

From Craig Muray:

I have watched incredulous as the CIA’s blatant lie has grown and grown as a media story – blatant because the CIA has made no attempt whatsoever to substantiate it. There is no Russian involvement in the leaks of emails showing Clinton’s corruption. Yes this rubbish has been the lead today in the Washington Post in the US and the Guardian here, and was the lead item on the BBC main news. I suspect it is leading the American broadcasts also.

A little simple logic demolishes the CIA’s claims. The CIA claim they “know the individuals” involved. Yet under Obama the USA has been absolutely ruthless in its persecution of whistleblowers, and its pursuit of foreign hackers through extradition. We are supposed to believe that in the most vital instance imaginable, an attempt by a foreign power to destabilize a US election, even though the CIA knows who the individuals are, nobody is going to be arrested or extradited, or (if in Russia) made subject to yet more banking and other restrictions against Russian individuals? Plainly it stinks. The anonymous source claims of “We know who it was, it was the Russians” are beneath contempt.

As Julian Assange has made crystal clear, the leaks did not come from the Russians. As I have explained countless times, they are not hacks, they are insider leaks – there is a major difference between the two. And it should be said again and again, that if Hillary Clinton had not connived with the DNC to fix the primary schedule to disadvantage Bernie, if she had not received advance notice of live debate questions to use against Bernie, if she had not accepted massive donations to the Clinton foundation and family members in return for foreign policy influence, if she had not failed to distance herself from some very weird and troubling people, then none of this would have happened. The continued ability of the mainstream media to claim the leaks lost Clinton the election because of “Russia”, while still never acknowledging the truths the leaks reveal, is Kafkaesque.


Sunday, December 18, 2016

Upcoming events for the week of December 18, 2016


The above photo came from Facebook. WaPo is gas lighting us about the "fake news" we are supposedly being subject too.


UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR BY DANCEWATER

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE!  I WILL BE TAKING A BREAK FROM SENDING THIS EMAIL CALENDAR FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. SEE YOU IN THE NEW YEAR.

12/19/16 to 12/28/16 ASHEVILLE #NODAPL DAILY VIGIL
This local vigil is in solidarity with the Sacred Stone Camp call for a Global #NoDAPL month of action in December. The purpose is to raise awareness and build support for the Standing Rock resistance to the Dakota Access Pipeline. Location is Vance Monument from 4 - 5 PM each day.

12/19/16 DISCUSSION ON MITIGATING CLIMATE CHANGE
“After the Wildfires: Mitigating Climate Change and Adapting to the New Normal” is the topic of the discussion. Jim Fox, Director of UNC Asheville’s National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center, and Josh Kelly, Public Lands Field Biologist at MountainTrue, will discuss how climate change is impacting Western North Carolina at the Climate Collider on Monday, December 19 at 4 PM. In the wake of a historic wildfire season that has burned more than 150,000 acres throughout the Southeast, forced residents from their homes and cost the lives of 14 people in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, the two speakers will address how climate change is affecting our region as well as strategies for mitigation and better management of our forests to reduce the threat of wildfires to human development. After their presentations, speakers will take questions from the crowd. Time is 4 to 6 PM and location is Collider at 1 Haywood Street, Suite 401 (4th Floor Wells Fargo Building) in downtown Asheville. For more information, and to find out how to register, contact Mary Kate Dodge at 828-258-8737 or marykate@mountaintrue.org.  

12/19/16 LIBERATION STITCH NIGHT
Whether you've helped make squares for our Liberation Stitch blanket or not, you're welcome to come help us with adding crochet edges to squares, stitching together, and coordinating how we will sell raffle tickets and display. Or you can come and work on squares you still have in process. Or you can come and work on whatever you're working on. As long as you're open to conversation about liberation for all, especially in relation to the movement for Black Lives, then you are welcome! Time is 6 to 8 PM and location is Purl’s Yarn Emporium at 10 Wall Street in downtown Asheville. This is a Facebook event.

12/19/16 MOMS DEMAND ACTION
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. General meeting, free to attend. Time is 4:30 PM and location is St. Mary’s Episcopal Church at 337 Charlotte Street in north Asheville. No contact information.

12/20/16 TRANSIT COMMITTEE MEETING
Asheville Transit Committee meeting will be from 3:30 to 5:30 PM. Location is the 4th floor police/fire training room at the Municipal Building at 100 Court Plaza in downtown Asheville. Contact City Hall for more information.

12/20/16 ELDERS FIERCE FOR JUSTICE
We seek to reclaim the traditional role of Elder in the service of a more just, healthy, and compassionate community by partnering with engaged citizens in Western North Carolina working for social and environmental justice. In the service of this question Elders Fierce for Justice, will convene three forums on Tuesdays, December 6, 13, & 20 at the Edington Center, Livingston Street in Asheville. Time will be from 12 to 1:30 PM. No lunch provided. Bag lunch encouraged. Stimulation promised. At each forum an elder will present their particular engagement in some aspect of local social, economic, racial and environmental justice. Presenter today will be Olson Huff. Following each brief presentation will be dialogue for collaborative learning and friendship along with specific opportunities for further elder involvement. If these forums provoke sufficient interest, these Elder Forums will continue into 2017. For further information or to let us know you intend to participate in one of these forums in December contact Mahan Siler at eldersffj@gmail.com.

12/20/16 SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT
Showing Up for Racial Justice at Firestorm Cafe and Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. 10 AM. Educating and organizing white people for racial justice. Free.

12/20/16 STANDING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT
David Greenson will lead this event/meeting at Kairos West at 742 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Time is 7 to 9 PM. Contact David at davidgreenson@gmail.com or (718)809-2132.

12/21/16 GREEN DRINKS
Come early for community connections and green drink specials. This is the third Wednesday of each month from 5:30 to 7 PM. Location is The Block Off Biltmore at 39 South Market Street in downtown Asheville. For more information, contact The Block Off Biltmore.

12/21/16 STANDING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT
The Do!scussion is a safe space in which to talk about what we see that encourages us to continue to create multi-racial coalitions in Asheville. It is also a space in which we talk about what we are struggling with. Hard for you to get out of bed and get to work on dismantling the white supremacy? Come on over, and we'll talk about it. Then, we'll get to Do!ing! The six organizing principles of SURJ are: 1) accountability through action, 2) mutual interest, 3) take risks and keep going, 4) calling in more, 5) enough for everyone, and 6) growth is good.
Time is 10 AM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

12/21/16 GREEN GRANNIES BOOK CLUB
Founded in 2012, the Green Grannies are a group of women who are willing to make a ruckus about the need for action on climate change. This is their reading group and it is open to all!
Time is noon and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

12/21/16 STANDING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT
What's Up with Whiteness Wednesdays is an ongoing ASURJ series endeavoring to dismantle white supremacy. The ‘Title Track’ part of the WUWW series will generally repeat on the first Wednesday of the month. What's Up with Whiteness functions to explore what “white” means, and how it was created as a racial group to implement a white supremacy culture in the United States. This group is for anyone who is willing and able to explore their whiteness or whiteness as a race with a racial justice lens. We aim to dismantle white supremacy's power by exploring it from the inside. We will educate ourselves and each other about the political and social origins of “whiteness”; educate ourselves and each other on white supremacy culture functions; hold our personal experiences and benefits from whiteness accountable and responsible for change; build skills to address internalized dominance and make change; and build relationships with others to further imbue these lessons and build accountability. Time is 6:30 PM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

12/22/16 ASHEVILLE PRISON BOOKS PROGRAM
Come help sort books, respond to letters, and package books to be shipped every Thursday. Asheville Prison Books Program is an all volunteer run non-profit organization that meets weekly in order to mail free reading material to indigent inmates in facilities in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. Each prisoner request is met with a package containing several books, personally selected by volunteers out of our donated library, a letter and if requested, a National Prisoners Resource List. Time is 4 to 7 PM and location is Downtown Books & News at 67 North Lexington Avenue in downtown Asheville.

12/22/16 PRISON PROJECT PACKAGING PARTY
Help the Tranzmission Prison Project distribute free literature to incarcerated members of the LGBTQ community. Every fourth Thursday of the month volunteers meet from 6 to 9 PM, preparing packages of books and zines for mailing to prisons across the United States. Books have already been selected for each inmate, you just need to help get them wrapped and addressed. Tranzmission Prison Project is a volunteer run organization that works to support LGBTQQIA (Lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and a-sexual) prisoners nationwide. They offer books, zines, information, resources and pen pals. They fully believe that every member of our fabulous community deserves access to support. As allies, they strive to let incarcerated LGBTQQIA folks know that just because they are out of sight does not mean they are out of mind. Time is 6 PM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

12/23/16 ANTI-RACISM ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP AT UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST IN ASHEVILLE
A weekly group focused on Standing Up For Racial Justice core values for people beginning to wake up to the impact of white supremacy on our culture and seeking a safe place to begin to talk about it. Time is 10 AM and location is 23 Edwin Place, next to Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville. Contact Elizabeth at elizabeth@lainschell.com for more information.

12/26/16 NEIGHBORHOOD ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
The Committee consists of nine members, all appointed by City Council, with representation from specific community sectors. Members shall be residents of the City or the City’s extra- territorial zoning jurisdiction, and shall reflect the socio-economic diversity of Asheville. The term of office is three years. The Committee was established to advise the City Council on neighborhoods within the City of Asheville’s zoning and planning jurisdiction. The Committee shall have the following powers and duties: (1) Develop rules and by-laws for the conduct of its business, including but not limited to meeting schedules, officers, voting, sub-committees; (2) Develop a plan to strengthen neighborhood identity and resilience, and to facilitate communication and cooperation between Asheville’s neighborhoods and City offices; (3) Develop benchmarks and standards by which progress towards implementing the plan can be measured; and (4) Work on special projects that are consistent with the goals of the committee, as assigned or directed by Council. The Committee meets on the 4th Monday of each month at 6:30 PM in Room A109 of the Public Works Building, located at 161 S. Charlotte Street in Asheville. The normal length of the meeting is 2 hours. Contact the City of Asheville for more information.

12/28/16 THE NEW JIM CROW BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP
This is a monthly discussion group of Michelle Alexander's book “The New Jim Crow.” This is on Wednesday from 6:30 - 8:30 PM at Firestorm Bookstore & Cafe at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. This monthly discussion group of Michelle Alexander's book the "The New Jim Crow" will discuss a chapter a month. In September we will cover Chapter One. This group will meet September 28, October 26, November 23, December 28, and January 25, 2017 and maybe one more in February. Anyone is welcome to jump in anytime. Led by Eryka Lynn Peskin. Time is 6:30 PM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

12/28/16 GREEN GRANNIES BOOK CLUB
Founded in 2012, the Green Grannies are a group of women who are willing to make a ruckus about the need for action on climate change. This is their reading group and it is open to all!
Time is noon and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

12/28/16 STANDING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT
What's Up with Whiteness Wednesdays is an ongoing ASURJ series endeavoring to dismantle white supremacy. The ‘Title Track’ part of the WUWW series will generally repeat on the first Wednesday of the month. What's Up with Whiteness functions to explore what “white” means, and how it was created as a racial group to implement a white supremacy culture in the United States. This group is for anyone who is willing and able to explore their whiteness or whiteness as a race with a racial justice lens. We aim to dismantle white supremacy's power by exploring it from the inside. We will educate ourselves and each other about the political and social origins of “whiteness”; educate ourselves and each other on white supremacy culture functions; hold our personal experiences and benefits from whiteness accountable and responsible for change; build skills to address internalized dominance and make change; and build relationships with others to further imbue these lessons and build accountability. Time is 6:30 PM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

12/28/16 STANDING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT
The Do!scussion is a safe space in which to talk about what we see that encourages us to continue to create multi-racial coalitions in Asheville. It is also a space in which we talk about what we are struggling with. Hard for you to get out of bed and get to work on dismantling the white supremacy? Come on over, and we'll talk about it. Then, we'll get to Do!ing! The six organizing principles of SURJ are: 1) accountability through action, 2) mutual interest, 3) take risks and keep going, 4) calling in more, 5) enough for everyone, and 6) growth is good. Time is 10 AM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

12/29/16 HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR PROTESTERS: PART ONE
Affinity Group Medic Class - Part 1 of 2: health and safety for protestors. This covers simple tips for preparing well to stay in the streets during high intensity protests and includes: personal health prep, clothing and gear, situation info and awareness, the better buddy system, and post-action care. Also includes protection and treatment for chemical weapons (pepper spray and tear gas). Not wearing contacts suggested for practicing the eye flush and a flashlight suggested for the outdoor exercise. This class will be taught by a community member who is an EMT and experienced street medic. This is very valuable information and we are excited to be hosting. This is the first part of a two part class (see below for information on the second class which is the following evening) but each class can stand on it's own without attending the other. This will be a donations based workshop, no one turned away. Time is 6 to 9 PM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

12/30/16 HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR PROTESTERS: PART TWO
Part 2 of 2: You have the first aid kit! - This part focuses on a person's role as medic within an “affinity group” or team during protests and on first aid skills. Topics include what is an affinity group, medical prep for/with the group, being better buddies, kits and gloves, situational awareness/scene assessment, when to call 911, and post action care. The rest of the time will be spent on as many first aid topics as we can cover starting in this order - bleed control, burns, soft and hard splinting, patient move assists, head trauma, difficulty breathing,and psych problems. Each skill involves demo and student practice. This is a hands on class with time lying on the ground so dress accordingly. Also, you are encouraged to attend the previous night’s class which includes dealing with pepper spray/tear gas. It is not required, however.This is the second part of a two part workshop taught by a community member who is an EMT and experienced street medic. While it is a two part class each class stands on it's own. The first class is on the previous evening, December 29th. This will be donations based. No one is turned away. Time is 5 to 9 PM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

12/30/16 ANTI-RACISM ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP AT UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST IN ASHEVILLE
A weekly group focused on Standing Up For Racial Justice core values for people beginning to wake up to the impact of white supremacy on our culture and seeking a safe place to begin to talk about it. Time is 10 AM and location is 23 Edwin Place, next to Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville. Contact Elizabeth at elizabeth@lainschell.com for more information.

01/03/16 CURRENT EVENTS BOOK CLUB
Join host Bruce Roth for a lively discussion on topics of current interest including war and peace, the economy, the environment, and other hot political topics. Current Events Book Club discusses “Bravehearts: Whistle-Blowing in the Age of Snowden” by Hertsgaard. Time is 7 PM and location is Malaprops in downtown Asheville. Contact Malaprops for more information. Whistleblowers pay with their lives to save ours. When insiders like former NSA analyst Edward Snowden or ex-FBI agent Coleen Rowley or Big Tobacco truth-teller Jeffrey Wigand blow the whistle on high-level lying, lawbreaking or other wrong doing - whether it's government spying, corporate murder or scientific scandal - the public benefits enormously. Wars are ended, deadly products are taken off the market, white-collar criminals are sent to jail. The whistleblowers themselves, however, generally end up ruined. Nearly all of them lose their jobs, and in many cases their marriages and their health, as they refuse to back down in the face of increasingly ferocious official retaliation. That moral stubbornness despite terrible personal cost is the defining DNA of whistleblowers. The public owes them more than we know. In Bravehearts, Hertsgaard tells the gripping, sometimes darkly comic and ultimately inspiring stories of the unsung heroes of our time. A deeply reported, impassioned polemic, Bravehearts is a book for citizens everywhere - especially students, teachers, activists and anyone who wants to make a difference in the world around them.

01/04/17 SIERRA CLUB MEETING
Simon Thompson of  Ventures Birding Tours and world-renowned birder will  present “Birds around the World.”. This event is free and open to the public. Time is 7 PM and location is Unitarian Universalist Congregation at 1 Edwin Place (corner of Charlotte and Edwin) in Asheville. For more information, contact Judy at judymattox@sbcglobal.net or call 828-683-2176.

01/04/17 STANDING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT
The Do!scussion is a safe space in which to talk about what we see that encourages us to continue to create multi-racial coalitions in Asheville. It is also a space in which we talk about what we are struggling with. Hard for you to get out of bed and get to work on dismantling the white supremacy? Come on over, and we'll talk about it. Then, we'll get to Do!ing! The six organizing principles of SURJ are: 1) accountability through action, 2) mutual interest, 3) take risks and keep going, 4) calling in more, 5) enough for everyone, and 6) growth is good.
Time is 10 AM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

01/04/17 GREEN GRANNIES BOOK CLUB
Founded in 2012, the Green Grannies are a group of women who are willing to make a ruckus about the need for action on climate change. This is their reading group and it is open to all!
Time is noon and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

01/04/07 STANDING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT
What's Up with Whiteness Wednesdays is an ongoing ASURJ series endeavoring to dismantle white supremacy. The ‘Title Track’ part of the WUWW series will generally repeat on the first Wednesday of the month. What's Up with Whiteness functions to explore what “white” means, and how it was created as a racial group to implement a white supremacy culture in the United States. This group is for anyone who is willing and able to explore their whiteness or whiteness as a race with a racial justice lens. We aim to dismantle white supremacy's power by exploring it from the inside. We will educate ourselves and each other about the political and social origins of “whiteness”; educate ourselves and each other on white supremacy culture functions; hold our personal experiences and benefits from whiteness accountable and responsible for change; build skills to address internalized dominance and make change; and build relationships with others to further imbue these lessons and build accountability. Time is 6:30 PM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

01/05/17 POLITICAL PRISONERS LETTER WRITING
This happens on the first Thursday of the month. Time is 6 PM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

01/06/17 ANTI-RACISM ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP AT UU IN ASHEVILLE
A weekly group focused on Standing Up For Racial Justice core values for people beginning to wake up to the impact of white supremacy on our culture and seeking a safe place to begin to talk about it. Time is 10 AM and location is 23 Edwin Place, next to Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville. Contact Elizabeth at elizabeth@lainschell.com for more information.

01/06/17 CLEAN WATER FOR NC PARTY
After the holidays, please make plans to drop in for a casual gathering hosted by Clean Water for NC's staff! Light refreshments will be provided. We can't wait for this chance to visit with you - our allies, members, and volunteers - as we get ready to face many new challenges together in 2017. Asheville Clean Water for NC New Year Party will be from 5 to 7 PM. Location is the Historic Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville. Please RSVP to katie@cwfnc.org or 828-251-1291.

01/07/17 SANCTUARY: A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN IMMIGRANTS AND FAITH COMMUNITIES
Join us for a workshop and discussion of Sanctuary’s: role in the larger immigrants rights movement, its history and basis in sacred scriptures, and its objectives and goals. Help us explore crucial questions : Who is seeking sanctuary? Who leads sanctuary? How do faith communities declare sanctuary? What are the logistics of sanctuary? What are the responsibilities of sanctuary providers? What are the legal risks of sanctuary and who is taking them? This workshop will be based on the Sanctuary Movement Toolkit and the guidance of leaders of the immigrants rights movement in Western North Carolina . Participants are encouraged to read the Toolkit before attending the workshop. The Toolkit and an analysis of Sanctuary in the Trump Era are available at: http://sanctuarynotdeportation.org/. Workshop Co-Convenors: BeLoved Asheville, CIMA- Compañeros Inmigrantes de las Montañas en Acción, Circle of Mercy Congregation, Land of the Sky United Church of Christ, Nuestro Centro, Saint Eugene Catholic Church and The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit. Time is 10 AM to noon and location is Land of the Sky UCC at 15 Overbrook Place in Asheville. For more information and to RSVP call or email Bill Ramsey at 828-319-7652 or billramsey3@gmail.com.

01/09/17 CITY OF ASHEVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Committee consists of nine members, all appointed by City Council, with representation from specific community sectors. Members shall be residents of the City or the City’s extra-territorial zoning jurisdiction, and shall reflect the socio-economic diversity of Asheville. The term of office is three years. The Committee was established to advise the City Council on neighborhoods within the City of Asheville’s zoning and planning jurisdiction. The Committee shall have the following powers and duties: (1) Develop rules and by-laws for the conduct of its business, including but not limited to meeting schedules, officers, voting, sub-committees; (2) Develop a plan to strengthen neighborhood identity and resilience, and to facilitate communication and cooperation between Asheville’s neighborhoods and City offices; (3) Develop benchmarks and standards by which progress towards implementing the plan can be measured; and (4) Work on special projects that are consistent with the goals of the committee, as assigned or directed by Council. The Committee meets on the 4th Monday of each month at 6:30 PM in Room A109 of the Public Works Building, located at 161 S. Charlotte Street in downtown Asheville. The normal length of the meeting is 2 hours.

01/10/16 VETERANS FOR PEACE MEETING
On the second Tuesday of each month, Western North Carolina Veterans for Peace meets to coordinate group activities and programs.Veterans For Peace is a global organization of Military Veterans and allies whose collective efforts are to build a culture of peace by using our experiences and lifting our voices. We inform the public of the true causes of war and the enormous costs of wars, with an obligation to heal the wounds of wars. Our network is comprised of over 140 chapters worldwide whose work includes: educating the public, advocating for a dismantling of the war economy, providing services that assist veterans and victims of war, and most significantly, working to end all wars. Time is 6:30 PM and location is the Center for Art and Spirit at Saint George, address is One School Road in west Asheville. For more information, contact Gerry at gwerhan@gmail.com.

01/11/17 STANDING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT
The Do!scussion is a safe space in which to talk about what we see that encourages us to continue to create multi-racial coalitions in Asheville. It is also a space in which we talk about what we are struggling with. Hard for you to get out of bed and get to work on dismantling the white supremacy? Come on over, and we'll talk about it. Then, we'll get to Do!ing! The six organizing principles of SURJ are: 1) accountability through action, 2) mutual interest, 3) take risks and keep going, 4) calling in more, 5) enough for everyone, and 6) growth is good.
Time is 10 AM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

01/11/17 GREEN GRANNIES BOOK CLUB
Founded in 2012, the Green Grannies are a group of women who are willing to make a ruckus about the need for action on climate change. This is their reading group and it is open to all!
Time is noon and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

01/11/16 STANDING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT
What's Up with Whiteness Wednesdays is an ongoing ASURJ series endeavoring to dismantle white supremacy. The ‘Title Track’ part of the WUWW series will generally repeat on the first Wednesday of the month. What's Up with Whiteness functions to explore what “white” means, and how it was created as a racial group to implement a white supremacy culture in the United States. This group is for anyone who is willing and able to explore their whiteness or whiteness as a race with a racial justice lens. We aim to dismantle white supremacy's power by exploring it from the inside. We will educate ourselves and each other about the political and social origins of “whiteness”; educate ourselves and each other on white supremacy culture functions; hold our personal experiences and benefits from whiteness accountable and responsible for change; build skills to address internalized dominance and make change; and build relationships with others to further imbue these lessons and build accountability. Time is 6:30 PM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

01/12/17 DISCUSSION AND PRESENTATION ON MEN DOING OPPRESSION, MEN DOING OPPRESSED, MEN DOING ALLY
This is a recurring discussion / presentation at Firestorm. Sexism. Queerphobia. Racism. Who are you doing it to? Who's doing it to you? Who's saving whom? Who's doing nothing? Who are you allying with? What's happening when you act in any and all the roles of persecutor, victim, rescuer, bystander and ally with others in our world of white male privilege and domination? We gather as men to explore interpersonal, structural, economic and institutional systems of injustice and the ways each of us is the oppressed and the oppressor, and learn to serve as allies, being responsive and accountable for what we choose to brave in our own lives, and with and for all our relations. Who's welcome: all men – White, Cis, Indigenous, Queer, of Color, Trans, and Those called to do Ally. Facilitated by Duncan Tam. Time is 7 PM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

01/12/17 CREATION CARE ALLIANCE GENERAL MEETING
Join the Creation Care Alliance of WNC for a general meeting as we inspire one another to good work and discuss our work empowering care for creation. We will connect with one another and explore ways to care for creation. Everyone is welcome. The meeting will be held in the First Baptist Church of Asheville in Room MB306, which is upstairs. Address is 5 Oak Street in downtown Asheville. Time is 5:30 to 7 PM. If you have any questions, please contact Scott Hardin-Nieri at scott@creationcarealliance.org.

01/14/17 TAX RESISTERS EVENT
Why look for peace when you're paying for war? How to organize your life so you don't have to pay federal taxes. Presenter Redmoonsong has been a lifelong war tax resister and has lots of practical information to share about practicing this philosophy. Time is 6 PM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

01/14/17 CITIZENS CLIMATE LOBBY MEETING
Citizens Climate Lobby meets the second Saturday of each month at Kairos West Community Center at 742 Haywood Road in west Asheville (behind Firestorm Cafe & Books). We are advocating for a Carbon Fee & Dividend, which would impose a fee on fossil fuels at point entry; this fee will be refunded to individuals and families. There is bipartisan support in Congress as this will create jobs and help grow the economy, boosting renewables. Time is 12:30 to 3 PM. For more information, contact asheville@citizensclimatelobby.org.

01/14/17 MARTIN LUTHER KING PRAYER BREAKFAST
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville and Buncombe County, Inc. will host its 36th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, January 14, 2017. The breakfast will be at the Crowne Plaza Resort on Resort Drive at 8:30 AM, with doors opening at 7:30 AM. The theme of the 2017 King Celebration events will be “Stand up, Speak out, and Unfold the Dream for Today.” Keynote speaker for the 2017 Prayer Breakfast will be Patricia Russell-McCloud, writer, attorney, and long considered one of the nation’s best public speakers. She encourages her listeners to surmount every obstacle that stands between them and whatever they dream of accomplishing. Her reputation as an engaging, substantive, well-researched, pertinent, and entertaining speaker has been honed by 30 years of public life, as a lawyer, writer, and inspirational figure. As a bonus to Prayer Breakfast attendees, Russell-McCloud will sign copies of her books following the breakfast; books may be pre-ordered from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Association website. Tickets for the breakfast may be purchased for $25 each. Patron tickets are available for $35, with patron names included in the program journal. Tickets may be ordered by calling (828) 281-1624 or going to the website. For information and details, contact Mrs. Oralene Graves Simmons at (828) 281-1624.

01/16/17 PEACE MARCH AND RALLY FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY
On Monday, Jan. 16, the official King Holiday, a Peace March and Rally takes place beginning at 11:30 AM at St. James AME Church at Martin Luther King Drive and Hildebrand Street in downtown Asheville, followed at noon by a march to City-County Plaza. For information and details, contact Mrs. Oralene Graves Simmons at (828) 281-1624.

01/16/17 SERVICE TO HONOR SOCIAL JUSTICE CITIZENS AND ORGANIZATIONS
There will be a candlelight service at Central United Methodist Church’s Fellowship Hall to honor area citizens and organizations that have dedicated themselves to the cause of social justice. Time is 6 PM. The church is at 27 Church Street in downtown Asheville. For information and details, contact Mrs. Oralene Graves Simmons at (828) 281-1624.

01/17/17 STANDING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT
David Greenson will lead this event/meeting at Kairos West at 742 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Time is 7 to 9 PM. Contact David at davidgreenson@gmail.com or (718)809-2132.

01/20/17 CREATION CARE ALLIANCE GATHERING 
Caring for Creation in uncertain times - this is a gathering for lament, hope and action. This is an event for communities of faith and individuals to grieve our broken relationships with people and planet, to connect with others and be inspired by one another into hopeful action. This event includes time to share your intentions for the first 100 days. Time is 5 to 7 PM and location is Lenoir-Rhyne University at 36 Montford Avenue in downtown Asheville. If you have any questions, please contact Scott Hardin-Nieri at scott@creationcarealliance.org.

01/21/17 GATHERING FOR WOMEN’S MARCH ON WASHINGTON
Let’s all gather in Asheville in support of The Women's March on Washington on the day after the inauguration. Time is 1 to 3 PM and location is Jubilee at 36 Wall Street in downtown Asheville. Intention: let's gather being mindful, prayerful, peaceful, non-violent, and lawful. We gather bringing our light and our love, standing in our power while sending light and love locally and throughout the United States and the world. Please bring sage, tobacco, sweet grass. Annelinde and the Sahara Peace Choir will lead us in song. Recite poetry (bring your favorite inspiration). For questions or more information please email: nancydetw@aol.com.


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ONGOING EVENTS
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TUESDAY
Veterans for Peace have a weekly vigil at 5 PM at Pack Square, Vance Monument during most of the year, but after DST kicks in, they meet at 4:30 PM. 
Showing Up for Racial Justice at Firestorm Cafe and Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. 10 AM. Educating and organizing white people for racial justice. Free.

WEDNESDAY
Haywood Peace Vigilers have a weekly vigil at 4 PM at Haywood County Courthouse in Waynesville
French Broad Riverkeeper has a paddle-n-plant to prevent sediment erosion most Wednesdays and Saturdays. Registration required at anna@mountaintrue.org. 
Green Grannies Book Club meets at noon at Firestorm at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. 
“What’s Up With Whiteness” discussion group at 6 PM at Firestorm at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville.
Green Drinks meets at 7 PM at The Block Off Biltmore on the third Wednesday of the month.
Sierra Club meets at 7 PM at Unitarian Universalist in Asheville on the first Wednesday of the month.

THURSDAY
Political Prisoners Letter Writing at Firestorm Cafe & Books at 6 PM on fourth Thursday of the month. Materials provided.
Political documentary film and discussion at Firestorm Cafe 6:30 PM on the third Thursday of the month. Sponsored by Asheville Citizens Accountability Project. 
Welcome Home Tour by Homeward Bound on the third Thursday of the month at 11 AM. Call 258-1695 for more information.
Asheville Prison Books Program is held at Downtown Books & News from 4 to 7 PM. 

FRIDAY
Women in Black have a weekly vigil at noon at the City Hall in Hendersonville.

SATURDAY
French Broad Riverkeeper has a paddle-n-plant to prevent sediment erosion most Wednesdays and Saturdays. Registration required at anna@mountaintrue.org. 
Mountain True holds urban forest workdays on the second Saturday of the month at Richmond Hill Park from 9 AM to 1 PM. Call 258-8737 for more information.
Citizen’s Climate Lobby meeting at 12:30 PM at Kairos West Community Center on second Saturday of the month.
Food Not Bombs serves free vegan/vegetarian food every Saturday at noon at Pritchard Park.

SUNDAY
Asheville National Organization for Women meeting at 2:30 PM at YWCA of Asheville on second Sunday of the month.

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ACTIONS AND READINGS
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Lies about the Russians ‘influencing’ US election

From Craig Muray:

I have watched incredulous as the CIA’s blatant lie has grown and grown as a media story – blatant because the CIA has made no attempt whatsoever to substantiate it. There is no Russian involvement in the leaks of emails showing Clinton’s corruption. Yes this rubbish has been the lead today in the Washington Post in the US and the Guardian here, and was the lead item on the BBC main news. I suspect it is leading the American broadcasts also.

A little simple logic demolishes the CIA’s claims. The CIA claim they “know the individuals” involved. Yet under Obama the USA has been absolutely ruthless in its persecution of whistleblowers, and its pursuit of foreign hackers through extradition. We are supposed to believe that in the most vital instance imaginable, an attempt by a foreign power to destabilize a US election, even though the CIA knows who the individuals are, nobody is going to be arrested or extradited, or (if in Russia) made subject to yet more banking and other restrictions against Russian individuals? Plainly it stinks. The anonymous source claims of “We know who it was, it was the Russians” are beneath contempt.

As Julian Assange has made crystal clear, the leaks did not come from the Russians. As I have explained countless times, they are not hacks, they are insider leaks – there is a major difference between the two. And it should be said again and again, that if Hillary Clinton had not connived with the DNC to fix the primary schedule to disadvantage Bernie, if she had not received advance notice of live debate questions to use against Bernie, if she had not accepted massive donations to the Clinton foundation and family members in return for foreign policy influence, if she had not failed to distance herself from some very weird and troubling people, then none of this would have happened. The continued ability of the mainstream media to claim the leaks lost Clinton the election because of “Russia”, while still never acknowledging the truths the leaks reveal, is Kafkaesque.

https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2016/12/cias-absence-conviction/

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Creation Care Alliance of Western North Carolina
Community Statement from Let it Shine collaboration:

We are truly blessed to live in a community that today strives to welcome and support people of every creed, ethnicity, religion, background, gender and orientation. We head into winter understanding that the cycles of nature can teach us so much about the interplay of darkness and light, dormancy and growth. Many of us who follow faith traditions will celebrate winter’s arrival with holiday lights and candles that glow brightly in the long winter nights, reminding us that humans have the power to create light and warmth in the midst of darkness.

There are so many organizations and individuals in Asheville that work every day to reach out across barriers, bringing greater understanding into our community and supporting those who are hurting and who long to be part of a loving community. When we look at all of these efforts together, it is easy to see that there is a strong web of resources and profound hope for our shared future. 

There is still much work to be done in this world and in our own neighborhoods, to build equity and to make amends to those who are often unnoticed or disenfranchised by a society that is terrified of scarcity. In times of struggle, the temptation can be strong to retreat into our corners ready to fight. It is too often our tendency to yearn for a scapegoat who we can lay our fears upon, twisting our gift of light into flames of hatred. 

The great thing about being human is that we have the ability to choose how we respond, both to external events and internal drives. Today, we are calling upon this entire community to join us in making a choice to shine a light of love in the world; to reject hatred and to seek out ways to quench our own biases with curiosity about those who seem different.

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ASHEVILLE N.O.W. HAS A BUS GOING TO WOMEN’S MARCH IN DC IN JANUARY
Just a couple hours after we announced we would have a bus to the Women's March in Washington on Jan. 21, we have 14 of the 57 seats booked. If you want a seat, you should probably act fast. A seat on the bus is $75 each. The bus will leave Asheville at midnight on January 20, 2017 and then leave DC at about 6 PM the next day to return home. We are doing the quick up and back so no one has to pay for a hotel. You sleep on the bus and the driver sleeps while we're busy rallying. If you can't go but would like to sponsor someone, that would be wonderful. To book, please e-mail nowaville@gmail.com.

AND THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST ORGANIZATION (AT UNCA) IS DETERMINING INTEREST IN A BUS FOR THE INAUGURATION:
January 20, 2017 Inauguration day protest

Resist Trump's vile agenda from day one! We are organizing buses to DC to protest the inauguration of Trump on January 20th and to stand in solidarity with the Women's March on January 21. Sign the interest form-https://goo.gl/forms/Jo2GdL8o8yQDM3uD3.  

Monday, December 12, 2016

Poem for Fidel Castro

And so the mightiest of the mighty 
has now departed this mortal coil 
forever embraced
forever the hero 
of revolutionists, freedom fighters 
and surprisingly
ecologists
everywhere 
when we write the history
of our planet
of our inspirations and dreams

there will always be Fidel
there will always be Che
there will always be Celia
and there will always be Cuba
standing up for the poor
the workers

withstanding the hundreds 
of assassination plots 
of the imperial giant
to the North 

Fidel
how different
how much poorer
how much less possibility 
less imagination
our lives
would have held
without you
sitting there
towering 

by Mitchel Cohen