From Friends Committee on National Legislation

We seek a world free of war and the threat of war.

We seek a society with equity and justice for all.

We seek a community where every person’s potential may be fulfilled.

We seek an earth restored.

Freedom Plaza!

October2011.org is almost here!  We need a final push let everyone we know about this event and that they should join us there. Below is an outreach mailing that you can cut and paste to send to everyone you know. And we will touch base with you in a few days with updates about Freedom Plaza.

 It is almost here!  There are three things I want to tell you about an incredibly important event for you, your family and our nation:Stop the Machine: Create a New World.

1.      It is going to be huge and historic.  Thousands have already signed up to join us in Freedom Plaza in Washington, DC. You are going to want to tell everyone you know you were part of this.  You are going to want your children and grandchildren to know you helped ignite the change to a new world.
2.      This event is critically important.  Our nation is at a crossroads.  We need to get off the wrong path and on to the right one.  We need to end the dominance of government by the political and economic elite when it is obvious that the people can do a better job.  We need to create an economic system where we participate, a government that responds to the people and a nation that puts the people’s needs before human greed.
3.      It begins soon.  In less than two weeks thousands will gather to begin a multi-day encampment that builds on the revolts being seen in Egypt, Tunisia, Span and Greece, as well as Madison, WI and Wall Street, NY.  The time is right for this moment in history.  The beginning of a massive movement to create a country that reaches its’ ideals, that becomes the more perfect union that then nation has always sought to be.

People will look back at this event and see it as the beginning – the turning point when the people demanded that the country move from militarism and war to diplomacy and cooperation; from funneling money to the wealthiest 1% to sharing the nation’s prosperity among each of us; and from environmental degradation to the planet’s renewal. It is our responsibility to get this Nation on the right track. You need to be part of this. Join me in Freedom Plaza starting on October 6.

Ten Year Anniversary

The ANSWER Coalition organized a demonstration of 25,000 people on Sept. 29, 2001, just 18 days after the Sept. 11 attacks, to show mass opposition to Bush's policy of war abroad and racism at home.

Photo came from an A.N.S.W.E.R. email.

They sure did see what was coming........

Walkin man's road.... from The Last Unicorn

Lyrics:

Horizon rising up to meet the purple dawn
Dust demon screaming, bring an eagle to lead me on
For in my heart I carry such a heavy load
Here I am on Man's road, walking Man's road, walking Man's road

I'm hungry, weary, but I cannot lay me down
The rain comes, dreary, but there's no shelter I have found
It will be a long time till I find my abode
Here I am on Man's road, walking Man's road

Moon rising, disguising lonely streets in gay displays
The stars fade, the night shade falls and makes the world afraid
It waits in silence for the sky to explode
Here I am on Man's road, walking Man's road, walking Man's road
Walking Man's road, walking Man's road, walking Man's road

The Last Unicorn

I saw this movie recently for the first time.  I got it in a free box of VHS movies... and the tape was messed up in the end, but I think I got the gist of things.  It spoke to me about the upcoming environmental collapse that we will be facing (well, some already are facing).  It is a song of hope, that the remaining humans will somehow learn to live on our beautiful planet without destroying it.

Lyrics:

When the last eagle flies, Over the last crumbling mountain
And the last lion roars, At the last dusty fountain
In the shadow of the forest, Though she may be old and worn
They will stare unbelieving
At the Last Unicorn

When the first breath of winter, Through the flowers is icing
And you look to the north, And a pale moon is rising
And it seems like all is dying, And would leave the world to mourn
In the distance hear her laughter
It's the Last Unicorn
I'm alive....... I'm alive

When the last moon is cast over the last star of morning
And the future is past, without even a last desperate warning
Then look into the sky - where through the clouds a path is formed
Look and see her how she sparkles - It's the Last Unicorn
I'm alive... I'm alive!!!!

The occupation is spreading

to other cities besides NYC.

Dealing between Israel and the USA

I just had to share this photo - it is striking.  And, it clearly sums up what these countries are up too over the past decades.  This came from the article below.

WikiLeaks Cable: US and Israel KeptLid on Bomb Sale to ‘Avoid Any Allegations’ ofPreparations to Strike Iran

On Friday, journalist Eli Lake published a story about the Obama administration’s sale of so-called bunker-busting bombs to Israel. According to Lake’s reporting, the Bush administration had put off the sale in order to avoid the perception that delivery of the 55 GBU-28 bombs represented a “green light” for an Israeli strike on Iran.

As I have stated many times, I do not believe that Israel or the US will bomb Iran.  They will continue to do their bloody undercover terrorists activities, sure, but they will not directly attack Iran.  And the reason is simple:  both the US and Israel are bullies, and bullies only attack the weak.  Iran is not weak.  But the photo above and the sale of more weapons really does show what the US and Israel are about:  killing people, the vast majority of them innocent people.

I really would like to see an end to this hideous immortality.

The Police are on the wrong side of the Wall Street Protest

Sahara Peace Choir

They were performing at UNCA at the "Flip the Switch" rally on September 24, 2011.  They sounded terrific.

Upcoming events in the Asheville area this week

UPCOMING EVENTS

09/27/11 LECTURE ON LGBT MOVEMENT IN WEIMAR & NAZI ERAS
“Life was a Cabaret” is a lecture on the German LGBT movement in the Weimar and Nazi eras.  This will be held at Cathedral of All Souls, 9 Swan Street, Asheville from 7 to 9 PM.  For more information please call 274-2681.

09/28/11 MOUNTAIN PROTECTORS CAMPAIGN MEETING
For all concerned citizens who would like to help change our nuclear future and keep nuclear waste out of WNC.  Meeting at 6:30 PM ending between 7:30 PM - 8:00 PM.  For directions call Mary at 828-242-5621.  Please note - there will be no potluck - feel free to bring your own bag dinner & eat as we meet.

09/30/11 VOTER EDUCATION/MEET THE CANDIDATES FORUM
New Mount Olive Baptist Church, 2 Herman Street, Asheville, 28801.  Time is 6:30 PM, and this is presented by the African-American Caucus.  For questions, contact:  Eula Shaw, eulashaw@bellsouth.net or (828) 277-5625

10/01/11 A DECADE TOO LONG:  TWO VETERANS EXPLORE NONVIOLENCE IN AFGHANISTAN

Brock McIntosh is a student who is still in the National Guard pending his Conscientious Objection application. (His views are his own and do not represent those of the Army National Guard or any other branch of the United States military.)  Jacob George served in the Army Special Forces and completed three tours in Afghanistan. After leaving the Army, he briefly returned to school before selling all of his possessions and embarking on a bike tour, A Ride Till The End, with other veterans and supporters, speaking in schools, churches, and other community spaces about his transformation toward peace and reconciliation.  They recently returned to Afghanistan with a delegation from Voices for Creative Nonviolence where they joined forces with Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers, who seek to encourage wide-scale, person-to-person relationships towards peace and reconciliation, with a resolute commitment to non-violence, non-killing and the well-being of ALL people. We hope to Skype with them for live conversation.  Time is 6:30 to 8:30 PM and the location is Simpson Lecture Room, A-B Tech, 340 Victoria Rd., Asheville, NC.  

10/01/11 GREEN PARTY MEETING
The Buncombe County GREEN Party's business meeting is free & open to the public. It will be held from 10AM to noon, upstairs in the Fortune Building, 729 Haywood Rd., West Asheville. Contact Ronald @ 828LUCK180 or Larry @ 828-225-4347 for more information.

10/5/11 SIERRA CLUB MEETING
“Sustainable transportation:  a future worth creating” a discussion on energy and transportation issues.  UNCA professor Dave Erb will lead the discussion, and present an overview of these issues.  Social is at 7 PM and program starts at 7:30 PM.  Location is Unitarian Universalist church in Asheville, at the corner of Charlotte and Edwin Streets.

10/06/11 FREEDOM SQUARE IN WASHINGTON DC
Join thousands to protest wars and injustice on the tenth anniversary of the US invasion of Afghanistan.  Stop the machine, create a new world!  More info here:  http://october2011.org/statement

10/06/11 VETERANS FOR PEACE MEETING
Time is 6:30 PM and location is VFP HQ at the Phil Mechanic Studios: 109 Roberts Street (the corner of Haywood and Roberts), Asheville. VFP CHAPTER 099: http://vfpchapter099wnc.blogspot.com/

10/07/11 ANNIVERSARY OF TEN YEARS OF WAR IN AFGHANISTAN
   
10/08/11 to 10/09/11 MARCH ON U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND
Join us on October 8-9, 2011 in South Florida and at the gates of the U.S. Southern Command in Miami, Florida as we demand:  NO BASES, NO 4TH FLEET, BUILD BRIDGES, NOT BASES.  http://soaw.org/component/content/article/39/3686-october-2011-march-on-the-us-southern-command

10/09/11 ASHEVILLE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN MEETING
The next NOW meeting will be at the Roof Garden of the Battery Park Apartments from 3 to 5 PM.  Contact Debbie at AshevilleNOW@live.com for more information.

10/11/11 PRIMARY ELECTION DAY

10/14/11 MOVIE NIGHT AT U.U. CHURCH IN ASHEVILLE
This month’s movie will be “Gasland” which is about fracking in the USA.  Time is 7 PM, and U.U. Church is located at Edwin & Charlotte Street.  Donations accepted.

10/17/11 ASHEVILLECONNECTS

AshevilleConnects - For all members of the community: Make the best use of existing community resources by getting and giving ideas, contacts, and information to further whatever you're working on. Tap into the deep well of what we know. Join us at the Self Help Building, 34 Wall St. in 3rd floor conference room from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. To RSVP: http://ashevilleconnects.wufoo.com/forms/z7x4a3/  or call Kathleen at 231-5565.

10/18/11 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS FORUM
Candidate forum from 7 to 9 PM at Reuters Center at UNCA.  This is for candidates for Asheville City Council.

10/20/11 EARLY VOTING STARTS FOR GENERAL ELECTION

10/21/11 WNC PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY MEETING
The next WNCPSR monthly meeting will be 10/21/11 at the home of Steve and Beth Gilman. Brown Bag lunch at noon with meeting from 12:30 to 2 PM.  Directions to the Gilman's home:  ***Take Highway 70 - Tunnel Road east from downtown Asheville. (From Interstate 240 going east, take Exit 7 and turn left at end of ramp.) Go several miles and see VA Hospital on left. Just before Blue Ridge Parkway overpass, turn right at stoplight onto Pleasant Ridge Road. Take 2nd right turn onto Wagon Road. Then turn left onto Birchwood to #18 on left.  ***From Interstate 40, take Exit 55, turning toward Highway 70. At stoplight turn left. Just after passing under Blue Ridge Parkway overpass, turn left at stoplight onto Pleasant Ridge Road. Take 2nd right turn onto Wagon Road. Then turn left onto Birchwood, and follow to #18 on left. Park in driveway or on street.

11/08/11 ELECTION DAY

11/13/11 to 11/15/11 LAKE JUNALUSKA PEACE CONFERENCE
The fourth annual Lake Junaluska Peace Conference, “Poverty, Abundance, and Peace:  Seeking Economic Justice for All God’s Children,”  will lift up some of the systemic causes of poverty and economic disparity to help participants better understand these issues and to be equipped as change agents to work for alleviating these causes of poverty for a more just and peaceful world. See http://www.lakejunaluska.com/peace/  for more information about program and registration.

11/18/11 to 11/20/11 SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS WATCH IN FT. BENNING
http://www.soaw.org/

*******************************************
ONGOING EVENTS
*******************************************
SUNDAY
Episcopal Peace Fellowship holds a weekly vigil from 5:30 to 6 PM at All Soul's Cathedral.

TUESDAY
Veterans for Peace have a weekly vigil at 5 PM at Pack Square, Vance Monument

WEDNESDAY
Haywood Peace Vigilers have a weekly vigil at 4 PM at Haywood Country Courthouse in Waynesville.
Asheville Cop Watch meeting at 5 PM at Firestorm Cafe.

THURSDAY
Asheville Homeless Network meeting at 2 PM at Firestorm Cafe.

FRIDAY
Women in Black have a weekly vigil at 5 PM at Pack Square (Ash.) on the first Friday of the month.
Women in Black have a weekly vigil at noon at the Old Courthouse in Hendersonville

SATURDAY
Transylvanians for Peace and WNC Physicians for Social Responsibility have a weekly vigil at noon in front of the courthouse in Brevard.

*******************************************
ACTIONS AND READINGS
*******************************************

You are warmly invited to the

Enshrinement of Lord Buddha's Sacred Relics

October 8, 2011, 11 a.m., at

The Great Smoky Mountains Peace Pagoda

Na Mu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo

When living beings see me as extinct,/  And make offerings to my relics far and wide,
All cherishing longing adoration,/  Thirsting in their hearts to seek me out,
Thus, all living beings surrender in their faith,/  Upright in character and gentle,
Wholeheartedly wishing to see the Buddha,/  Not sparing their body and life,
Then together with all the Sangha,/  I once again appear on the Sacred Eagle Peak.
Chapter 16, The Lotus Sutra
The Eternal Duration of the Life of the Tathagata

Dear Friends,

We are happily looking forward to receiving monks, nuns and guests from around the world --- as well as seeing you --- on Saturday, October 8 for a Ceremony to Enshrine the Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha. This ancient tradition of enshrining relics in a stupa [a Sanskrit term for what we call Peace Pagodas] was embraced and upheld by our founder, the Most Ven. Nichidatsu Fujii, in order to promote World Peace. We would welcome your presence as we celebrate this milestone in the construction of the Great Smoky Mountains Peace Pagoda. Feel free to bring a friend or friends.

Below is the schedule for the ceremony, but please note that our Fall Work Party begins the day after the ceremony. October 9-23. Last year's tremendous effort on the foundation, followed by the pouring of a slab base and the construction of a mammoth retaining wall has laid all the groundwork (literally) for the construction of the walls of the Peace Pagoda. All skill levels welcome, appreciated and needed. We also welcome donations of food both for the guests arriving for the ceremony and for the volunteers at the Work Party.

October 8 Schedule

9:30 a.m. Begin shuttle up the hill to ceremony site (Please try to arrive no later than 10:30 a.m)
11 a.m.    Ceremony begins.
12 Noon    Interfaith Prayers for World Peace.
12:20 p.m.  James W. Douglass, author of JFK and the Unspeakable will offer reflections on Guruji, Gandhi, and Terrorism.
12:35 p.m.  Music by Joanne Steele & Lisa Deaton and by Joe Williams, Roger Webb & Kerry Brown
1:15 p.m.  Lunch

For directions, please visit our website http://smokymountainpeacepagoda.org
or contact us at atlantadojo@yahoo.com
423-613-8209
404-627-8948 (cell)

Gassho san pai (With palms together, bowing three times)
Brother Utsumi
Sister Denise

*******************************************

Lake Junaluska Peace Conference

November 13-15, 2011

The fourth annual Lake Junaluska Peace Conference, “Poverty, Abundance, and Peace:  Seeking Economic Justice for All God’s Children,”  will lift up some of the systemic causes of poverty and economic disparity to help participants better understand these issues and to be equipped as change agents to work for alleviating these causes of poverty for a more just and peaceful world.

Speakers for this year’s conference include Senator George McGovern, Dr. David Beckmann, President of Bread for the World, and Bishop Nkula Ntambo of the Katanga Conference in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In keeping with the commitment of the Peace Conference to Interfaith peacemaking, the Conference will also feature an interfaith panel featuring Jewish, Muslim and Christian scholars on the topic, “Our Sacred Texts Speak to Us in Regard to Peace, Justice and Economics.”

A special session will also feature speakers on the topic of “Corporate Social Responsibility,” as the Conference looks at ways foundations, faith communities, and individuals can work for a more just economic order through responsible investing.  Speakers will be Dr. Tom Stephens, Managing Director of Prescient360 Group, an advisor for many years to corporations, government, and institutions on issues of corporate responsibility, and Vidette Bullock Mixon, who will represent the United Methodist Board of Pensions socially responsible investing policies.
See http://www.lakejunaluska.com/peace/ for more information about program and registration.

This is very disgusting....

Call Mayor Bloomberg's office at 212-788-1400 and let them know what you think.

Rest in Peace, Troy Davis

This week, a man was executed in Georgia.  He was most likely, innocent.  He certainly did NOT have his guilt proven "beyond a reasonable doubt".  I know the US government kills innocent people around the planet on a daily basis.  But I found it every depressing this week that a state government planned and executed a killing too, even if they do it a lot less than the federal government does.  It is just sick that we even have a death penalty here in the US.  Every other developed country has abolished the death penalty. 

Of course, it is also very depressing that we have a former vice president who publicly brags about torture, and a former president who publicly brags about his wars of aggression.  And we still have over a hundred men stuck in GITMO, with no trial, no charges, no evidence, no judge, no jury.  It is totally sickening how the US government and some of the state governments, are behaving.  It is depressing.

Rest in peace, Troy Davis, and all the other people executed here in the USA. 

International Day of Peace

If every church was a peace church....

IF EVERY CHURCH WAS A PEACE CHURCH 

 Gary G. Kohls, MD

Given the fact that Christian theologians and most of the non-Christian world knows without a doubt that the pacifist Jesus preached active nonviolent resistance to evil (rather than justified violence against it) and was a merciful and compassionate idealist who renounced homicide and violence in all its forms, one has to wonder what has been going on these last 17 centuries. It is helpful to recall that Gandhi, a Hindu follower of Jesus, often said that the only people who don't think Jesus was nonviolent are Christians.

And therein lies a serious spiritual problem for the church. History documents clearly that the Christian church of the first three centuries took Jesus' teachings of unconditional love of friend and enemies seriously. In fact, the church of Jesus Christ started out as a peace church. So, if the church of the first few centuries was a peace church, and the latter church of the last 1700 years has been a Justified War church (and usually with a vengeance), one has to wonder: "What would the world be like now if Every Church Had Been A Peace Church?" A little clear thinking for those who know a modicum of history would come up with a multitude of tantalizing possibilities, including the following:

1) The baptized Catholic Adolph Hitler would have been raised within a progressive peace church by a strong pacifist Catholic mother who would have nurtured and loved and protected little Adolph from the cruelty of his father and the cruelty of his society.

2) The Lutheran Adolf Eichmann, the Orthodox Christian Joseph Stalin, and the baptized Catholics Benito Mussolini and Joseph Goebbels and most of the rest of those of fascist infamy were Christians, but none of them were ever taught, with any emphasis, that the Sermon on the Mount was central to the theology of Jesus and that nonviolence was at the core to his teachings.

3) If every church had been a peace church, the American Christian churches of the South would have rejected slavery (or their faith in Jesus) and the American Civil War would not have happened.

4) If every church had been a peace church, Christian European monarchs and their obedient Christian soldiers would not have brutalized and raped Africa, Asia and the Americas into colonial submission over gold, silver and slaves, and the bloody armed revolutions of liberation from the European colonizers would not have happened a century later.

5) If every US church was a peace church, a unified, benevolent United States Christianity would be working hard right now to nurture and reconcile with, rather than demonize and marginalize, the officially feared minorities such as Muslims, Palestinians, blacks, gays, lesbians, and non-white foreigners of many colors and religions, including Colombian peasants, the Iraqis, Sudanese, Hispanics, Orientals, Jews, etc., etc.

6) If every church was a peace church, there would not be the current crippling military spending to defend America's unjustly obtained excess luxury wealth going on decade after decade, making it a struggle to obtain funding for every program of social uplift.

7) If every church had been a peace church, there might have been no World War I, no oppressive Treaty of Versailles, no Nazi party and no World War II.

8) If every church was a peace church Christian children would not be cruelly bullying their weaker brothers and sisters in the Columbine high schools of this land, and the victims of those bullies would have no reason to shoot back.

9) If every church had been a peace church, professed Christian presidents would not be trying to outspend their predecessors on lethal weapon systems, nor would they become gleeful hanging judges with a need to disprove their suspected wimphood by saber-rattling their nation back into the Cold War.

10) And if every church had been a peace church, those who claim discipleship to the non-violent Jesus would be leading the world to peace, rather than into war -- and the Peaceable Kingdom of God would be at hand.

© Gary G. Kohls, MD 1306 E. 8th St, Duluth, MN 55805 Ph/fax 218-728-9756.

Dr. Kohls is the Mid-West coordinator of Every Church A Peace Church (ECAPC), a national, interdenominational movement of Christian peacemakers that are urging their mainline and fundamentalist church brothers and sisters to become more prophetic in their peace and justice ministries. He was instrumental in organizing the movement's April 2001 inaugural conference in Duluth, MN. John Stoner is the national ECAPC coordinator and can be contacted at (jstoner@ecapc.org). Detailed information about ECAPC can be obtained by accessing the website at (http://www.ecapc.org). For a Bible study on Jesus from Every Church A Peace Church, check out (http://www.ecapc.org/jesusinbible.org).

Upcoming events in the Asheville area and beyond....

UPCOMING EVENTS

09/20/11 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS EVENT
This will be a candidate (for Asheville City Council) meet and greet, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Pack’s Tavern in downtown Asheville.  This is hosted by the League of Women Voters.

09/21/11 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
The Second Annual International Day of Peace celebration will be from 4:30 to 7:30 PM at Pack Square.  Mike Ferner, Executive Director of Veterans for Peace National Office will speak.  Entertainment includes Daniel Barber, Gerri LittleJohn, Deja Vu & Rhonda Weaver, Thomas Rain Crowe, and Greg Olsen.  For more information: www.peacetownasheville.org.  Sponsoring and/or endorsing groups who are involved in our event include Asheville Peacetown, Veterans for Peace Local 099, Arts to People, the local UN Association, the B'hai community, the Mountain Area Interfaith Forum,the Social Action committee of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Asheville Friends Meeting and other faith groups.

09/22/11 EARLY VOTING STARTS FOR PRIMARY

09/22/11 BUNCOMBE COUNTY YOUNG DEMOCRATS FORUM
Candidate forum hosted by Buncombe County Young Democrats for the Asheville city council elections.  Time is 10 to 11 PM and this event is at Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company on Merrimon Avenue.

09/22/11 PRICED OUT
Join Pisgah Legal Services at Pack’s Tavern Century Room to examine issues related to work, poverty and justice in our community.  Gene Nichol will present.  More info at www.pisgahlegal.org.

09/22/11 EXTREME WEATHER OF 2011
“The extreme weather of 2011:  Is this climate change in action?” will be the topic of a talk at AB Tech in the Ferguson Auditorium (Asheville campus) at 7 PM.  This event is free, and more information
is available at 828-2254-1921.

09/23/11 FILM:  BUDRUS
Budrus, an "official selection" at 21 worldwide film festivals, and winner of 9 major film awards will be shown at Piedmont UU Church on Friday, September 23 at 7 pm.  Plus, Edie Garwood, Amnesty
International country specialist for Israel/Palestine, will update us on current attempts at nonviolent resistance in the West Bank. Piedmont Unitarian Universalist church is located at 9704 Mallard
Creek Road, Charlotte.  There is no admission charge.

09/23/11 ORGANIZING 101 - EFFECTIVE SOCIAL CHANGE
There will be a presentation and discussion with Mike Ferner, interim director for Veterans for Peace.  The location will be North Asheville Library on Merrimon Avenue and the time is 6:30 to 9 PM.  This is
presented by Veterans for Peace Chapter 099 Center for Peace Education & Training, with support from New South Network of War Resisters. This presentation is directed to all activists working for change, and will be continued on 09/24/11.  Donations accepted.

09/24/11 ORGANIZING 101 - EFFECTIVE SOCIAL CHANGE
There will be a continuation of the presentation and discussion with Mike Ferner, interim director for Veterans for Peace from the prior evening.  The schedule for this event is a workshop in the morning and another one in the afternoon.  The location will be Battery Park Apartments, Rooftop Garden in Asheville and the time is 10 AM to 4 PM.   This is presented by Veterans for Peace Chapter 099 Center for Peace Education & Training, with support from New South Network of War Resisters.  This presentation is directed to all activists working for change, and reservations should be made to Clare Hanrahan at newsouthnetwork@gmail.com or 828-242-5610.  Donations accepted.

09/24/11 CALL TO ACTION ON THE CLIMATE
Moving Planet--a global day of call to action/awareness around climate change on Sept 24, organized by Bill McKibbon and the 350 crew, more info at www.moving-planet.org/.  On the 24th of September, the Asheville Moving Planet event will begiN downtown with a short (1/2 hour) rally following on the heels of the Western North Carolina Alliance's transportation conference (10am-1pm, at First Presbyterian Church).  From there, a bike caravan will set out for the Burton Street Agricultural Fair to deliver the Moving Planet message. On stage at the Fair, there will be speakers addressing efforts in that
community to retrofit existing housing for energy efficiency, plans for a private/public partnership place PV solar panels on the Burton Street Community Center, and how going organic and buying local means
using less fossil fuel.  Then caravan of cyclists will move on to the UNCA campus where ASHE (a student environmental group) is having a music fest (from 3-11pm?) with other speakers as their part of the Moving Planet event.

09/24/11 WNC ALLIANCE ANNUAL MEETING
What do you want to see WNCA work on in your community? Tell us September 24 at our Annual Meeting! Join WNCA members, staff, and steering committee for informative workshops, presentations, food, fun, and annual WNCA business meeting. Also, help our Buncombe County
Chapter kickoff Asheville 350. Annual Meeting Agenda
9:00am Registration; Social/Networking
9:30am-12:30pm: Transportation Workshop
12:30pm: Lunch
1:00pm-2:00pm: 350 Kickoff/Party
2:00pm-5:00pm: Muddy Water Watch Training
2:00pm-3:00pm: Invasives Workshop
3:00pm-3:30pm: How to Be an Advocate in 5 Minutes a Day
3:30pm-4:00pm: Meeting Facilitation Workshop
4:00pm-5:00pm Chapter Leader Roundtable; Social/Networking
5:00pm-7:00pm: Business Meeting
More information at http://www.wnca.org/portal1/

09/24/11 ON THE EDGE OF REASON PRESENTATION
Macrina Cardenas Alarcon will discuss the complex issues behind the narcoviolence in Mexico and the role of US taxpayers in the conflict. Location is Firestorm Café & Books and the time is 8 PM.

09/24/11 RAISE YOUR HAND BENEFIT AUCTION
This is to benefit WNC AIDS PROJECT, and will be held at the Doubletree Hotel, Biltmore.  For more information, call 828-252-7489 or go to wncap.org/ryh.

09/24/11 FLIP THE SWITCH BENEFIT CONCERT
Sept. 24th - “Flip The Switch” Benefit Concert -To Help The Earth, Stop WNC From Becoming A Nuclear Waste Dump Site & Support The 2011 Southeast Student Renewable Energy Conference.  UNC Asheville Quad, 3PM - 11 PM Come rock out!! Join us for a day of music, fun, entertainment & a silent auction. Bring your family & friends - this free concert is open to the whole community.  Donations are deeply appreciated. For more information: www.NoNuclearWasteInWNC.com & click on Flip The Switch Benefit Concert.

09/30/11 VOTER EDUCATION/MEET THE CANDIDATES FORUM
New Mount Olive Baptist Church, 2 Herman Street, Asheville, 28801.  Time is 6:30 PM, and this is presented by the African-American Caucus.  For questions, contact:  Eula Shaw, eulashaw@bellsouth.net or (828) 277-5625

10/01/11 A DECADE TOO LONG:  TWO VETERANS EXPLORE NONVIOLENCE IN AFGHANISTAN
Brock McIntosh is a student who is still in the National Guard pending his Conscientious Objection application. (His views are his own and do not represent those of the Army National Guard or any other branch of the United States military.)  Jacob George served in the Army Special Forces and completed three tours in Afghanistan. After leaving the Army, he briefly returned to school before selling all of his
possessions and embarking on a bike tour, A Ride Till The End, with other veterans and supporters, speaking in schools, churches, and other community spaces about his transformation toward peace and
reconciliation.  They recently returned to Afghanistan with a delegation from Voices for Creative Nonviolence where they joined forces with Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers, who seek to encourage
wide-scale, person-to-person relationships towards peace and reconciliation, with a resolute commitment to non-violence, non-killing and the well-being of ALL people. We hope to Skype with
them for live conversation.  Time is 6:30 to 8:30 PM and the location is Simpson Lecture Room, A-B Tech, 340 Victoria Rd., Asheville, NC.

10/01/11 GREEN PARTY MEETING
The Buncombe County GREEN Party's business meeting is free & open to the public. It will be held from 10AM to noon, upstairs in the Fortune Building, 729 Haywood Rd., West Asheville. Contact Ronald @ 828LUCK180 or Larry @ 828-225-4347 for more information.

10/5/11 SIERRA CLUB MEETING
“Sustainable transportation:  a future worth creating” a discussion on energy and transportation issues.  UNCA professor Dave Erb will lead the discussion, and present an overview of these issues.  Social is at 7 PM and program starts at 7:30 PM.  Location is Unitarian Universalist church in Asheville, at the corner of Charlotte and Edwin Streets.

10/06/11 FREEDOM SQUARE IN WASHINGTON DC
Join thousands to protest wars and injustice on the tenth anniversary of the US invasion of Afghanistan.  Stop the machine, create a new world!  More info here:  http://october2011.org/statement

10/06/11 VETERANS FOR PEACE MEETING
Time is 6:30 PM and location is VFP HQ at the Phil Mechanic Studios:  109 Roberts Street (the corner of Haywood and Roberts), Asheville. VFP CHAPTER 099: http://vfpchapter099wnc.blogspot.com/

10/07/11 ANNIVERSARY OF TEN YEARS OF WAR IN AFGHANISTAN

10/08/11 to 10/09/11 MARCH ON U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND
Join us on October 8-9, 2011 in South Florida and at the gates of the U.S. Southern Command in Miami, Florida as we demand:  NO BASES, NO 4TH FLEET, BUILD BRIDGES, NOT BASES.
http://soaw.org/component/content/article/39/3686-october-2011-march-on-the-us-southern-command

10/09/11 ASHEVILLE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN MEETING
The next NOW meeting will be at the Roof Garden of the Battery Park Apartments from 3 to 5 PM.  Contact Debbie at AshevilleNOW@live.com for more information.

10/11/11 PRIMARY ELECTION DAY

10/17/11 ASHEVILLECONNECTS
AshevilleConnects - For all members of the community: Make the best use of existing community resources by getting and giving ideas, contacts, and information to further whatever you're working on. Tap into the deep well of what we know. Join us at the Self Help Building, 34 Wall St. in 3rd floor conference room from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. To RSVP: http://ashevilleconnects.wufoo.com/forms/z7x4a3/  or call Kathleen at 231-5565.

10/18/11 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS FORUM
Candidate forum from 7 to 9 PM at Reuters Center at UNCA.  This is for candidates for Asheville City Council.

10/20/11 EARLY VOTING STARTS FOR GENERAL ELECTION

11/08/11 ELECTION DAY

11/13/11 to 11/15/11  LAKE JUNALUSKA PEACE CONFERENCE
The fourth annual Lake Junaluska Peace Conference, “Poverty, Abundance, and Peace:  Seeking Economic Justice for All God’s Children,”  will lift up some of the systemic causes of poverty and
economic disparity to help participants better understand these issues and to be equipped as change agents to work for alleviating these causes of poverty for a more just and peaceful world. See
http://www.lakejunaluska.com/peace/  or
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=7707233&ct=10877173
for more information about program and registration.

11/18/11 to 11/20/11 SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS WATCH IN FT. BENNING
http://www.soaw.org/

*******************************************
ONGOING EVENTS
*******************************************
SUNDAY
Episcopal Peace Fellowship holds a weekly vigil from 5:30 to 6 PM at All Soul's Cathedral.

TUESDAY
Veterans for Peace have a weekly vigil at 5 PM at Pack Square, Vance Monument

WEDNESDAY
Haywood Peace Vigilers have a weekly vigil at 4 PM at Haywood Country Courthouse in Waynesville.
Asheville Cop Watch meeting at 5 PM at Firestorm Cafe.

THURSDAY
Asheville Homeless Network meeting at 2 PM at Firestorm Cafe.

FRIDAY
Women in Black have a weekly vigil at 5 PM at Pack Square (Ash.) on the first Friday of the month.
Women in Black have a weekly vigil at noon at the Old Courthouse in Hendersonville

SATURDAY
Transylvanians for Peace and WNC Physicians for Social Responsibility have a weekly vigil at noon in front of the courthouse in Brevard.

*******************************************
ACTIONS AND READINGS
*******************************************

LIVE STREAM COVERAGE OF THE ‘OCCUPY WALL STREET’ PROTESTS

http://www.livestream.com/globalrevolution?utm_source=lsplayer&utm_medium=ui-play&utm_campaign=click-bait&utm_content=globalrevolution

******************

ORGANIZING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE TRAINING

Please feel welcome and know your voices would be a valued addition at an Organizing for Effective Social Change weekend event on Sept. 23-24 in Asheville.  Mike Ferner, National President of Veterans for Peace and former organizer with Farm Labor Organizing Committee and the Mount Olive Pickle boycott will facilitate the interactive workshops across issues.  Join us for some or all of the events.

Friday evening 6:30-9pm North Asheville Library Sept 23
1030 Merrimon Ave, Asheville
Presentation, Discussion

Saturday 10am-4pm  Sept 24
Battery Park Apartments—Rooftop Garden (buzz 0206 on door keypad for access)
1 Battle Square, Asheville
Workshop I, Lunch, Workshop II
Reserve your spot
Contact: Clare Hanrahan
828-242-5610 email: newsouthnetwork@gmail.com

******************

Today, the occupation of Wall Street starts.....

What the Obama administration and NATO are doing in Libya

Solidarity Forever by Pete Seeger

Cutting the war budget

This sums up where many "liberals" are today here in the USA

Cheney and Bush's war crimes in Iraq

Upcoming events for the week of September 11, 2011

Photo of Curtis Creek in North Carolina in September 2011.

UPCOMING EVENTS

09/12/11 BUILDING BRIDGES ASHEVILLE
This seminar is an introduction to the dynamics of racism and is an opportunity to explore how race has impacted our relationships, communities and institutions.  Past participants are welcome.  
When:  Mondays, Sept. 12 - Nov. 7, 7:00PM - 9:00PM
Where: First Congregational United Church of Christ
Cost:  $30.00 Registration is required and is limited to 90 people.  
Go to http://www.buildingbridges-ashevillenc.org/#! for more information and to register.

09/13/11 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE PLANNING MEETING
This will be held at 6 PM at Pack Square, unless it rains, in which case it will move to First Congregational Church, Room 102, on Oak Street in Asheville.  Contact Rachel at rachael_bliss@yahoo.com for more information.

09/13/11 IWW MEETING
Time is 8 PM.  Location is Firestorm Cafe & Books Area workers concerned with problems of inequality in their workplace and in the economy as a whole are forming a local chapter of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). Come find out more!

09/14/11 ASHEVILLE GREEN DRINKS
Social time begins at 5:30 PM and the program begins at 6 PM.  This is held in the back room of Posana’s at Patton and Biltmore Avenue.  Discussion will be on the interconnection between peace and environmental concerns.  

09/14/11 THE CHURCH AND THE DEATH PENALTY
The United Methodist General Board of Church & Society is offering a one-day seminar on how to abolish capital punishment. The seminar will be Wednesday, Sept. 14, at Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center. Title of the seminar is “The Church & the Death Penalty: Winning New Victories in the Old South .” It will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bill Mefford, director of Civil & Human Rights at GBCS, said this will be an exciting day of training for people of faith in the South to abolish the death penalty. For more information:  http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=7707233&ct=11195565&tr=y&auid=9352198  

09/15/11 MOUNTAIN AREA INTERFAITH FORUM MEETING
This meeting will take place from 10 AM to noon, and the location is the Unitarian Universalist Church in Asheville on Edwin and Charlotte Streets.  

09/15/11 PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH
This is sponsored by Transition Asheville, and will be held at Burton Street Community Center at 134 Burton Street in Asheville.  Time is 1 to 5 PM.  Naeema Muhammad, NC Environmental Justice Network and David Caldwell, Rogers-Eubanks Neighborhood Association, will describe their success in addressing environmental justice and public health issues through academic and community research partnerships.  For more information, call Jane at 828- 772-0379.  This workshop is free, but you must preregister at http://cfx.research.unc.edu/res_classreg/browse_single.cfm?New=1&event=54C77B1CF38598C1D72C18F7ABCBCF6BE9E65F0F

09/15/11 MONTFORD MEET AND GREET

The Montford Neighborhood Association will hold a meet and greet for the candidates for Asheville City Council.  This will be at the Randolph Learning Center on Montford Avenue from 7 to 9 PM.  More info at montford33@bellsouth.net

09/16/11 to 09/18/11 MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX AT 50 CONFERENCE
The Military Industrial Complex at 50: Charlottesville, VA.  A Conference on Moving Money from the Military to Human Needs  http://micat50cville.org  Speakers include Col. Ann Wright, Karen Kwaitkowski, Ray McGovern, Helena Cobban, Bunny Greenhouse, and more.  

09/17/11 WNC ZEITGEIST MOVEMENT TOWN HALL MEETING
The local sub-chapter of The Zeitgeist Movement will hold its monthly Town Hall Meeting from 5pm to 7pm at the Hi-Fi Cafe, in the Downtown Market at 45 S French Broad Ave.  The event is free.  We encourage the public to ask questions about The Movement's background and mission, and learn about upcoming chapter events. This month's Town Hall will also include updates on Societal Breakdown and TZM's Problem Solving, as well as a video lecture by Peter Joseph, the director of the three Zeitgeist films.  Food donations requested for Manna Food Bank.  More event info: https://zeitgeist-nc.groupsite.com/group/asheville/calendar/event/2011/9/17/292776.  Contact Gary at gkentnc@gmail.com or visit zeitgeist-nc.com for more info about TZM.

09/18/11 ETHICAL SOCIETY OF ASHEVILLE MEETING
“The Limits of Critical Thinking” will be presented by Michael Carter at the Sunday, September 18th meeting of the Ethical Society of Asheville, 2:00-3:30 PM, held in the YMI Cultural Center, 39 South Market Street in the Ray Auditorium.  Carter, former hospital chaplain and current Diversity Officer for Mission Hospitals reminds us that Psychologist B.F. Skinner once said, "Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten" and T.S. Elliott asked, “Where is the wisdom lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge lost in wisdom?”  Carter postulates that our postmodern information culture forces us to become overly cerebral, but it really doesn't teach us to think, much less to feel. So, the question really becomes--- How are we educating our children?  There will be a discussion period following the presentation.  Following the meeting, there will be time for informal conversation.  All are welcome!

09/20/11 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS EVENT
This will be a candidate (for Asheville City Council) meet and greet, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Pack’s Tavern in downtown Asheville.  This is hosted by the League of Women Voters.

09/21/11 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
The Second Annual International Day of Peace celebration will be from 4:30 to 7:30 PM at Pack Square.  Mike Ferner, Executive Director of Veterans for Peace National Office will speak.  Entertainment includes Daniel Barber, Gerri LittleJohn, Deja Vu & Rhonda Weaver, Thomas Rain Crowe, and Greg Olsen.  For more information:  www.peacetownasheville.org.  Sponsoring and/or endorsing groups who are involved in our event include Asheville Peacetown, Veterans for Peace Local 099, Arts to People, the local UN Association, the B'hai community, the Mountain Area Interfaith Forum, the Social Action committee of the First Congregational United Church of Christ and other faith groups.

09/22/11 EARLY VOTING STARTS FOR PRIMARY

09/22/11 BUNCOMBE COUNTY YOUNG DEMOCRATS FORUM
Candidate forum hosted by Buncombe County Young Democrats for the Asheville city council elections.  Time is 10 to 11 PM and this event is at Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company on Merrimon Avenue.

09/23/11 FILM:  BUDRUS
Budrus, an "official selection" at 21 worldwide film festivals, and winner of 9 major film awards will be shown at Piedmont UU Church on Friday, September 23 at 7 pm.  Plus, Edie Garwood, Amnesty International country specialist for Israel/Palestine, will update us on current attempts at nonviolent resistance in the West Bank.   Piedmont Unitarian Universalist church is located at 9704 Mallard Creek Road, Charlotte.  There is no admission charge.

09/23/11 ORGANIZING 101 - EFFECTIVE SOCIAL CHANGE
There will be a presentation and discussion with Mike Ferner, interim director for Veterans for Peace.  The location will be North Asheville Library on Merrimon Avenue and the time is 6:30 to 9 PM.  This is presented by Veterans for Peace Chapter 099 Center for Peace Education & Training, with support from New South Network of War Resisters.  This presentation is directed to all activists working for change, and will be continued on 09/24/11.  Donations accepted.

09/24/11 ORGANIZING 101 - EFFECTIVE SOCIAL CHANGE
There will be a continuation of the presentation and discussion with Mike Ferner, interim director for Veterans for Peace from the prior evening.  The schedule for this event is a workshop in the morning and another one in the afternoon.  The location will be Battery Park Apartments, Rooftop Garden in Asheville and the time is 10 AM to 4 PM.  This is presented by Veterans for Peace Chapter 099 Center for Peace Education & Training, with support from New South Network of War Resisters.  This presentation is directed to all activists working for change, and reservations should be made to Clare Hanrahan at newsouthnetwork@gmail.com or 828-242-5610..  Donations accepted.

09/24/11 CALL TO ACTION ON THE CLIMATE
Moving Planet--a global day of call to action/awareness around climate change on Sept 24, organized by Bill McKibbon and the 350 crew, more info at www.moving-planet.org/.  On the 24th of September, the Asheville Moving Planet event will begin downtown with a short (1/2 hour) rally following on the heels of the Western North Carolina Alliance's transportation conference (10am-1pm, at First Presbyterian Church).  From there, a bike caravan will set out for the Burton Street Agricultural Fair to deliver the Moving Planet message. On stage at the Fair, there will be speakers addressing efforts in that community to retrofit existing housing for energy efficiency, plans for a private/public partnership place PV solar panels on the Burton Street Community Center, and how going organic and buying local means using less fossil fuel.  Then caravan of cyclists will move on to the UNCA campus where ASHE (a student environmental group) is having a music fest (from 2-11pm) with other speakers as their part of the Moving Planet event.

09/24/11 WNC ALLIANCE ANNUAL MEETING
What do you want to see WNCA work on in your community? Tell us September 24 at our Annual Meeting! Join WNCA members, staff, and steering committee for informative workshops, presentations, food, fun, and annual WNCA business meeting. Also, help our Buncombe County Chapter kickoff Asheville 350! Read on for the complete agenda!
Annual Meeting Agenda
9:00am Registration; Social/Networking
9:30am-12:30pm: Transportation Workshop
12:30pm: Lunch
1:00pm-2:00pm: 350 Kickoff/Party
2:00pm-5:00pm: Muddy Water Watch Training
2:00pm-3:00pm: Invasives Workshop
3:00pm-3:30pm: How to Be an Advocate in 5 Minutes a Day
3:30pm-4:00pm: Meeting Facilitation Workshop
4:00pm-5:00pm Chapter Leader Roundtable; Social/Networking
5:00pm-7:00pm: Business Meeting
To RSVP, contact Erica at (828) 258-8737 or erica@wnca.org!
More information at http://www.wnca.org/portal1/  

09/24/11 ON THE EDGE OF REASON PRESENTATION
Macrina Cardenas Alarcon will discuss the complex issues behind the narcoviolence in Mexico and the role of US taxpayers in the conflict.  Location is Firestorm Café & Books and the time is 8 PM.

09/24/11 RAISE YOUR HAND BENEFIT AUCTION   
This is to benefit WNC AIDS PROJECT, and will be held at the Doubletree Hotel, Biltmore.  For more information, call 828-252-7489 or go to wncap.org/ryh.

09/24/11 FLIP THE SWITCH BENEFIT CONCERT
Sept. 24th - “Flip The Switch” Benefit Concert -To Help The Earth, Stop WNC From Becoming A Nuclear Waste Dump Site & Support The 2011 Southeast Student Renewable Energy Conference.  UNC Asheville Quad, 3PM - 11 PM Come rock out!! Join us for a day of music, fun, entertainment & a silent auction. Bring your family & friends - this free concert is open to the whole community.  Donations are deeply appreciated. For more information:  www.NoNuclearWasteInWNC.com & click on Flip The Switch Benefit Concert

09/30/11 VOTER EDUCATION/MEET THE CANDIDATES FORUM
New Mount Olive Baptist Church, 2 Herman Street, Asheville, 28801.  Time is 6:30 PM, and this is presented by the African-American Caucus.  For questions, contact:  Eula Shaw, eulashaw@bellsouth.net or (828) 277-5625

10/5/11 SIERRA CLUB MEETING
“Sustainable transportation:  a future worth creating” a discussion on energy and transportation issues.  UNCA professor Dave Erb will lead the discussion, and present an overview of these issues.  Social is at 7 PM and program starts at 7:30 PM.  Location is Unitarian Universalist church in Asheville, at the corner of Charlotte and Edwin Streets.

10/06/11 FREEDOM SQUARE IN WASHINGTON DC
Join thousands to protest wars and injustice on the tenth anniversary of the US invasion of Afghanistan.  Stop the machine, create a new world!  More info here:  http://october2011.org/statement

10/07/11 ANNIVERSARY OF TEN YEARS OF WAR IN AFGHANISTAN
   
10/08/11 to 10/09/11 MARCH ON U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND
Join us on October 8-9, 2011 in South Florida and at the gates of the U.S. Southern Command in Miami, Florida as we demand:  NO BASES, NO 4TH FLEET, BUILD BRIDGES, NOT BASES.  http://soaw.org/component/content/article/39/3686-october-2011-march-on-the-us-southern-command

10/11/11 PRIMARY ELECTION DAY

10/17/11 ASHEVILLECONNECTS
AshevilleConnects - For all members of the community: Make the best use of existing community resources by getting and giving ideas, contacts, and information to further whatever you're working on. Tap into the deep well of what we know. Join us at the Self Help Building, 34 Wall St. in 3rd floor conference room from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. To RSVP: http://ashevilleconnects.wufoo.com/forms/z7x4a3/  or call Kathleen at 231-5565.


10/18/11 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS FORUM
Candidate forum from 7 to 9 PM at Reuters Center at UNCA.  This is for candidates for Asheville City Council.

10/20/11 EARLY VOTING STARTS FOR GENERAL ELECTION

11/08/11 ELECTION DAY

11/13/11 to 11/15/11  LAKE JUNALUSKA PEACE CONFERENCE
The fourth annual Lake Junaluska Peace Conference, “Poverty, Abundance, and Peace:  Seeking Economic Justice for All God’s Children,”  will lift up some of the systemic causes of poverty and economic disparity to help participants better understand these issues and to be equipped as change agents to work for alleviating these causes of poverty for a more just and peaceful world. See http://www.lakejunaluska.com/peace/  or http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=7707233&ct=10877173 for more information about program and registration.

11/18/11 to 11/20/11 SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS WATCH IN FT. BENNING
http://www.soaw.org/

*******************************************
ONGOING EVENTS
*******************************************
SUNDAY
Episcopal Peace Fellowship holds a weekly vigil from 5:30 to 6 PM at All Soul's Cathedral.
 
TUESDAY
Veterans for Peace have a weekly vigil at 5 PM at Pack Square
 
WEDNESDAY
Haywood Peace Vigilers have a weekly vigil at 4 PM at Haywood Country Courthouse in Waynesville.
Asheville Cop Watch meeting at 5 PM at Firestorm Cafe.
 
THURSDAY
Asheville Homeless Network meeting at 2 PM at Firestorm Cafe.

FRIDAY
Women in Black have a weekly vigil at 5 PM at Pack Square in Asheville on the first Friday of the month.
Women in Black have a weekly vigil at noon at the Old Courthouse in Hendersonville
 
SATURDAY
Transylvanians for Peace and WNC Physicians for Social Responsibility have a weekly vigil at noon in front of the courthouse in Brevard. 
 
*******************************************
ACTIONS AND READINGS
*******************************************

UFPJ announces a Fall Campaign of Resistance and Renewal:

10 Years Too Many!
From the World Trade Towers to Afghanistan
Honor Those Who Have Sacrificed and Take Action to
Stop War and Build a Just World!

September 7 – October 15, 2011:  Decade of War Awareness Month in communities near you!
October 6 -7, 2011 Washington DC-- Education and Action to Stop War and Build a Just World!

****************

Last words of Salvador Allende - President of Chile

On this date in 1973, the government of Salvador Allende was overthrown by a terrorist attack.  The governmental palace was bombed by airplanes repeatedly.   The US government was behind this hideous act of terrorism.  They have never been held responsible for this atrocity or the atrocities that followed.

My comment to the NYT article

On September 7, 2011, Mr. Bill Keller of the NYT wrote an article about the war of aggression on Iraq and why he and the NYT promoted that war of aggression.  I will not like to the garbage, but I did feel moved to write a comment on the article.  I posted the comment and emailed a copy to Mr. Keller and Mr. Veis.  Here it is:

The list of people in the “useful idiots” club would never publish another word under their own names if they had even a shred of decency or morality in their bodies.

But they don’t.  This unfortunately means, we still have them running around gushing their idiocy and total lack of morals everywhere you turn.

And the people at the NYT who covered the WMDs of Iraq story in 2002 and 2003 do (especially Judith Miller) not deserve to call themselves “journalists”.  They are, and will forever be, FAILURES UNABLE TO DO THE JOB OF JOURNALISM. 

The NYT follow up coverage of what happened after the war of aggression on Iraq also was a total failure.  Across the US corporate media (with the exception of McClatchy’s) were all FAILURES UNABLE TO DO THE JOB OF JOURNALISM.

And that is why today most Americans do not recognize the fact that the US sanctions and invasion of Iraq has resulted in FAR MORE IRAQI DEATHS THAN THE NUMBER CAUSED BY SADDAM.

And those deaths will go on well into the future, beyond the lifetime of ALL the grandchildren of EVERYONE READING THESE WORDS. 

Today, Iraqi babies are dying in huge numbers from birth defects and cancers.  One in four babies born in Fallujah are dead by age one week.  These facts, along with the horrible reality of the refugees from Iraq and the people who are still living there, are also ignored by the NYT and the US corporate media because they are FAILURES UNABLE TO DO THE JOB OF JOURNALISM.

For the record, Mr. Keller, back in 2002 I had a six year old notebook computer and a dial up AOL connection.  And I was able to figure out that Iraq did not have nuclear WMDs, and any possible biological or chemical WMDs (which were very unlikely) could not hurt Americans unless we went into Iraq.  Saddam had no delivery system.

I was one of MILLIONS WHO FIGURED THIS OUT. 

So the real question you should ask yourself is: why are you so much dumber than a pediatric audiologist in the south?   And why is the NYT so much more incompetent than McClatchy’s (formerly Knight-Ridder).

Really, why are you so fricking dumb and the NYT so incompetent?  Don’t give us that crap about “consensus” when you refused to even listen to people who had a different opinion than you.  You also clearly refused to read McClatchy’s.  I recommend you start reading them daily and shut the NYT down.

“Should we — those of us without security clearances — have known it in 2003?”

YES YOU CERTAINLY SHOULD HAVE.

“And maybe a little too pleased with ourselves for standing up to evil and defying the caricature of liberals as, to borrow a phrase from those days, brie-eating surrender monkeys.”

WHAT YOU DON’T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT YOU ARE EVIL.

MASSIVELY EVIL.

“I could not foresee that we would mishandle the war so badly,”

AND THAT IS BECAUSE MASSIVELY EVIL PEOPLE ARE BLIND.

THEY ARE SOCIOPATHS.

The remedy for the bad journalism of the NYT is to shut it down now.  I do not see you and the other incompetents at the NYT as having innocent blood on your hands, I see you as SWIMMING IN INNOCENT BLOOD.  You are hideously immoral in my eyes, and I would rejoice if you were to go to prison and never get out.

And do not make the claim that you reported on what was happening in Iraq after the US war of aggression and invasion… YOU FAILED AT THAT TOO.

And you, the president, the American public, the US corporate press, have not been more careful about your new war of aggression on Libya.   The politicians and the US corporate press don’t give a rat’s ass about who you kill in Libya, and the American public are too uninformed to know what they are supporting, thanks to incompetent evil people like yourself.

I hope all the dead Iraqis come and visit you in your dreams every night for the rest of your life.

You seriously make me sick.  You should be ashamed to come out of your house, much less put your name in print. 

Activist confronts the war criminal RICE

The reality in Palestine

Atrocities in Pakistan

The body of an eight-year-old boy killed by a missile strike in Makeen, South Waziristan, Pakistan, in a photo taken on Feb. 14, 2009.

It is not just in Iraq where the US is committing atrocities.  It is happening regularly in Pakistan.  I am not following Pakistan as closely as Iraq, but it is clear to me that the bombing of Pakistan is another war of aggression against a people who never did anything to hurt us.  But one journalist is doing his best to record the atrocities in Pakistan and get the information out to the world.  Here is a news report on his show of photos (including the one above) of the victims of the US drone strikes in Pakistan. 

Photos document alleged US drone strike victims in Pakistan

At the Beaconsfield Gallery in London last Friday, I sat in a darkened room and watched as dozens of images of death and destruction lit up the wall in front of me. Gruesome photos of mangled bodies and destroyed buildings, each accompanied by the name of a village and a date. The war they depict does not officially exist.

The photographs were taken by Noor Behram, a journalist from the North Waziristan region of Pakistan, and they document what he says are the civilian victims of unmanned aircraft 'drone' attacks carried out by U.S. forces.

*************************

This is evil.  This must stop.

Atrocity in Iraq

Photo:  In this Wednesday, March 15, 2006 file photo, Iraqis look at the bodies of those reportedly killed during a U.S. raid in the rural Ishaqi area, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Baghdad in Iraq Wednesday, March 15, 2006. Iraqi government officials say they will investigate newly surfaced allegations that U.S. soldiers shot women and children, then tried to cover it up with an airstrike, during a 2006 hunt for insurgents. An adviser to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Ali Al-Moussawi, said Friday Sept 2 2011 the government will revive its stalled probe now that new information about the March 15, 2006, raid has come to light.(AP Photo/ Hameed Rasheed, File)

****************

I remember when this incident happened, because I saw the photos from AP.  I remember that the Iraqi people made the claim that the US troops executed these 11 people and then bombed the house to hide the evidence.  I remember the US military denying this to all the news outlets.  They were lying through their teeth.

The US troops took 11 innocent people, five of them children, and zip tied their hands together and put them in one room, then shot them point blank in the head.  At least that is what the evidence and reports say.  The UN investigated this, and a cable the UN guy wrote has been released by WikiLeaks.  The UN guy asked the US military to investigate and to answer some questions.  The US military did not, and that is because they do not give a shit about civilians in Iraq - they don't even give a shit about US citizens in the US military.

Here is the report from McClatchy Newspapers:

WikiLeaks: Iraqi children in U.S. raid shot in head, U.N. says

A U.S. diplomatic cable made public by WikiLeaks provides evidence that U.S. troops executed at least 10 Iraqi civilians, including a woman in her 70s and a 5-month-old infant, then called in an airstrike to destroy the evidence, during a controversial 2006 incident in the central Iraqi town of Ishaqi.

The unclassified cable, which was posted on WikiLeaks' website last week, contained questions from a United Nations investigator about the incident, which had angered local Iraqi officials, who demanded some kind of action from their government. U.S. officials denied at the time that anything inappropriate had occurred.

But Philip Alston, the U.N.'s special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, said in a communication to American officials dated 12 days after the March 15, 2006, incident that autopsies performed in the Iraqi city of Tikrit showed that all the dead had been handcuffed and shot in the head. Among the dead were four women and five children. The children were all 5 years old or younger.

Reached by email Wednesday, Alston said that as of 2010 — the most recent data he had — U.S. officials hadn't responded to his request for information and that Iraq's government also hadn't been forthcoming. He said the lack of response from the United States "was the case with most of the letters to the U.S. in the 2006-2007 period," when fighting in Iraq peaked.

Alston said he could provide no further information on the incident. "The tragedy," he said, "is that this elaborate system of communications is in place but the (U.N.) Human Rights Council does nothing to follow up when states ignore issues raised with them."

.......

The cable notes that "at least 10 persons, namely Mr. Faiz Hratt Khalaf, (aged 28), his wife Sumay'ya Abdul Razzaq Khuther (aged 24), their three children Hawra'a (aged 5) Aisha (aged 3) and Husam (5 months old), Faiz's mother Ms. Turkiya Majeed Ali (aged 74), Faiz's sister (name unknown), Faiz's nieces Asma'a Yousif Ma'arouf (aged 5 years old), and Usama Yousif Ma'arouf (aged 3 years), and a visiting relative Ms. Iqtisad Hameed Mehdi (aged 23) were killed during the raid."

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May these innocent victims rest in peace.  May the killers - and those who sent the killers to Iraq - rot in hell forever.

And I am sure there are many more atrocities like this one in Iraq that we have heard nothing about.