More on the banning of nuclear weapons

We Just Banned Nuclear Weapons!

History was made at the United Nations today when the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was adopted by an overwhelming 122-1 vote by UN Member States determined to provide a legal basis for the elimination of the world’s worst weapons of mass destruction.

The ban treaty, negotiated by more than 140 states under the auspices of the UN General Assembly, prohibits development, testing, production, manufacture, acquisition, possession, stockpiling, use, and threat of use of nuclear weapons, and provides flexible pathways for nuclear-armed and nuclear-dependent states to comply with the prohibitions once they decide to join.

Conference president Elayne Whyte, in submtting the final text for the vote, said we were here “to give life to a new treaty that…seeks to bring together the world around the dream of each and every person to see a world free of nuclear weapons.”

The treaty will open for signature on September 20 at the UN, and will enter into force once 50 states have ratified it.

“This is a landmark achievement that establishes the illegality of nuclear weapons once and for all,” said IPPNW Co-President Tilman Ruff. “The Treaty is rooted firmly in the humanitarian principle that the consequences of nuclear weapons use are unacceptable under any circumstances and that any use of nuclear weapons would be contrary to the rules of international humanitarian law.”

“The nine nuclear-armed states, which refused to participate in these negotiations, are now faced with a stark choice,” said IPPNW program director John Loretz. “They can comply with the norms that have been clearly and unambiguously established by the Treaty and eliminate their nuclear weapons, as they should have done decades ago, or they will be stigmatized as outlaw states.

“The states that base their security on the nuclear weapons possessed by other states can either withdraw from extended nuclear deterrence arrangements and cease all military planning and preparation for the use of nuclear weapons, or face similar global condemnation.”

As the founder and lead medical partner in ICAN—the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons—IPPNW was an active civil society participant in the negotiations for the Treaty, working to ensure that the final document would fully reflect the scientific evidence about the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons.

“The treaty recognizes the catastrophic humanitarian consequences that concern the security of all humanity, posing grave implications for human survival, the environment, food security, and the health of future generations, said Dr. Ruff. “It also recognizes that these consequences cannot be adequately addressed, and must be prevented.”

“We are very pleased that the treaty recognizes the victims of nuclear weapons,” Dr. Ruff noted. The preamble refers explicitly to the Hibakusha—the survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki—and to indigenous peoples who have suffered from the effects of nuclear testing. It also acknowledges the disproportionate health impacts of nuclear weapons on women and girls.

“By establishing a clear and comprehensive set of prohibitions, a number of important positive obligations, including obligations to assist victims and help remediate affected environments, and procedures for elimination that can lead to universal membership over time, the treaty provides a powerful legal, moral, and political tool going forward,” Dr. Ruff stated.

“Today, with this historic treaty, the world has changed. The shared interests of humanity underpin this achievement. A nuclear weapons ban can be a game-changer towards fulfilling the urgent global health imperative to eliminate nuclear weapons.” 

Above came from International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War

122 Nations Ban Nuclear Weapons

122 Nations Create Treaty to Ban Nuclear Weapons

by David Swanson

On Friday the United Nations concluded the creation of the first multilateral nuclear disarmament treaty in over 20 years, and the first treaty ever to ban all nuclear weapons. While 122 nations voted yes, the Netherlands voted no, Singapore abstained, and numerous nations didn’t show up at all.

The Netherlands, I’m told by Alice Slater, was compelled by public pressure on its parliament to show up. I don’t know what Singapore’s problem is. But the world’s nine nuclear nations, various aspiring nuclear nations, and military allies of nuclear nations boycotted.

The only nuclear country that had voted yes to begin the process of treaty-drafting now completed was North Korea. That North Korea is open to a world without nuclear weapons should be fantastic news to numerous U.S. officials and media pundits apparently suffering traumatic fear of a North Korean attack — or it would be fantastic news if the United States were not the leading advocate for expanded development, proliferation, and threat of the use of nuclear weapons. The U.S. ambassador even staged a press conference to denounce this treaty when its drafting was initiated.

Our job now, as citizens of this hapless world, is to lobby every government — including the Netherlands’ — to join and ratify the treaty. While it falls short on nuclear energy, it is a model law on nuclear weapons that sane human beings have been waiting for since the 1940s. 

Check it out - Each State Party undertakes never under any circumstances to:

(a) Develop, test, produce, manufacture, otherwise acquire, possess or stockpile nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices;

(b) Transfer to any recipient whatsoever nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices or control over such weapons or explosive devices directly or indirectly;

(c) Receive the transfer of or control over nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices directly or indirectly;

(d) Use or threaten to use nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices;

(e) Assist, encourage or induce, in any way, anyone to engage in any activity prohibited to a State Party under this Treaty;

(f) Seek or receive any assistance, in any way, from anyone to engage in any activity prohibited to a State Party under this Treaty;

(g) Allow any stationing, installation or deployment of any nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices in its territory or at any place under its jurisdiction or control.

Not bad, huh?

Of course this treaty will have to be expanded to include all nations. And the world will have to develop a respect for international law. Some nations, including North Korea and Russia and China, may be quite reluctant to give up their nuclear weapons even if the United States does so, as long as the United States maintains such enormous dominance in terms of non-nuclear military capacities and its pattern of launching aggressive wars. That’s why this treaty has to be part of a broader agenda of demilitarization and war abolition.

But this treaty is a big step in the right direction. When 122 countries declare something illegal, it is illegal on earth. That means investments in it are illegal. Complicity with it is illegal. Defense of it is shameful. Academic collaboration with it is disreputable. In other words, we have launched into a period of stigmatizing as something less than acceptable the act of preparing to annihilate all life on earth. And as we do that for nuclear war, we can build the groundwork for doing the same for all war.

#41 Men at Gitmo

I AM SORRY, MY BROTHER

I am sorry, my brother.

The shackles bind my hands

And iron is circling the place where I sleep.

I am sorry, my brother,

That I cannot help the elderly or the widow or the little child.

Do not weigh the death of a man as a sign of defeat.

The only shame is in betraying your ideals

And failing to stand by your beliefs.

~poem by Uthman Abdul Rahim

#foreverhumanbeings

#41menatGitmo

This is my Canada

The Truth and how our media twists it

Upcoming events for the week of July 2, 2017

Yeah, you don't rid the world of evil doers by doing more evil than anyone could imagine. Picture came from a Facebook post.

UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR BY DANCEWATER

07/03/17 DINNER WITH PROGRESSIVES

We are gathering together this Monday at Green Sage cafe in Westgate with fellow progressives because now more than ever we need to be together, learn together and work together. We ask that attendees purchase dinner, a beverage and/or dessert and RSVP so we can give our gracious friends at Green Sage a headcount. Invite your friends and neighbors to join us. Thank you.  Anyone is invited to give an announcement or ask for signatures on a petition.  Please send Cheryl a quick email to let her know how much time you need. We have two speakers for Monday - Kim Roney, Independent Progressive running for Asheville City Council and Kelly with Democracy NC - Asheville. I hope you join us on Monday to listen to what Kim has to say and to ask her questions about issues you want to know more about. Time is 5:30 to 7 PM. Contact Cheryl at ctorengo@gmail.com to RSVP and for more information. 

07/03/17 AND 07/04/17 ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY RIGHTS ACTIONS

Asheville Community Rights group presents: The July 4th Declaration of Independence from Fossil Fuels action at Lake Julian Park is less than a week away! We're working hard to make this a meaningful and fun event, and we need your participation and support to make our message heard loud and clear:  We do not want or need to build new fracked gas burning power plants in Asheville!  We can make the transition to 100% renewable energy in our community! We need boats and money! Please support this action financially, if at all possible.  Every donation helps with legal fees, boat launch fees, food and drinks, educational materials, medical supplies, transportation and printing costs. Contact ashevillecommunityrights@gmail.com for information on how to donate. If you can lend us the use of your boat, we'll take care of picking it up on Monday and dropping it back off to you on Wednesday.  It will be clearly labeled and well cared for, and your generosity in this way will help make the action a success. Monday July 3 - We will spend the day between Windhorse and Lake Julian finishing up signs, building rafts, collecting boats and tying up loose ends.  We need volunteers! Let us know if you can help. If you are bringing your own boat it is best to drop it off at the park on Monday.  Lake Julian Park has a secure shed where we can store the boats overnight.  We'll label it with your name and phone number, and get it to the launch for you on Tuesday. Let us know (reply to this email) and we'll coordinate drop-off.

Tuesday, July 4- Declaration of Independence from Fossil Fuels at Lake Julian Park-  Park at Estes Elementary, 275 Overlook Rd., take the shuttle to the park, and follow the signs! 10:00am- Volunteer Meeting at Lake Julian Park.  There's a lot to do the day of the event! If you can help, park at Estes Elementary and take the shuttle to the park-- follow the signs to our pavilion. 11:00am-1:30pm- Boat Drop-Off- If you're bringing your own boat and can't get it to the park on Monday, be sure to arrive between 11 and 1:30.  Park at Estes Elementary, and we'll load your boat onto our trailer.  We'll put it in the water at Wild Wings (which is on the lake), and you can walk to it along the shoreline after you take the shuttle into the park:  Because of high holiday park attendance, you will not be able to drive your vehicle into the park on July 4! 12:00pm - 3:00pm - Music, Food and Fun - Musicians include Searra Gisondo, Alina Quu, Jon Handelman and a floating brass band! 3:00pm-4:00pm- Speakers- The line-up includes Rita Leadem from NC Warn; Brownie Newman, Buncombe County Commissioners Chair; Joel R Segal from NC Climate Solutions Coalition and Justice Action Mobilization Network and more. 4:00pm- Boats in the water-  Whether you're participating from the shoreline in the park or from a boat on the lake, we'll be chanting, singing, and letting Duke and everyone else know that we are declaring independence from fossil fuels!  We do not want or need new fracked gas plants in Asheville!  The Earth's health is essential to our survival, and we are ready to begin the transition to 100% renewable energy now! When we come back to shore, feel free to stay for the county's fireworks display.  If you brought a boat, pull it out of the water at Wild Wings, where you'll be able to load it onto your vehicle. The weather will likely be warm and sunny, so please be sure to wear sun screen and a hat, and to bring along a water bottle. We are so grateful for your continued support.  Please spread the word about this action, the training, and the need for boats and financial support.  Your participation in this action at any level puts us closer to avoiding a true climate catastrophe so that future generations can enjoy a healthy, thriving planet.  Truly, thank you. See you soon, The Independence from Fossil Fuels Team. For more information, contact Asheville Community Rights at ashevillecommunityrights@gmail.com.  

07/04/17 MASS CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE AT LAKE JULIAN

Mass Civil Disobedience: Independence From Fossil Fuels & Corporate Rule! July 4, 406 Overlook Rd Ext, Arden. Come stand, paddle, swim and sit with us is a peaceful non-violent action to let Duke and the world know what we’ve had enough. This came from Frack-Free NC website. This July 4th our community will declare Independence from Fossil Fuels by demanding 100% renewable energy for Asheville and BuncombeCounty and by engaging in a non-violent canoe and kayak action on Lake Julian. A group of citizens and nonprofits have come together to take a stand and fight for our right to a livable planet for our children and grandchildren. A key to this is 100% renewable energy and the right to choose how our electricity is generated. Duke on the other hand is planning to "modernize" with about $25 billion in antiquated nineteenth century fracked gas fuels. On July 4th we claim independence from fossil fuels and corporate rule. We can no longer sit idle as corporations destroy our liberty, our community, and our right to existence in the name of greed and profit. Bring a boat or use one of ours. come even if you do not want to go in a boat on the Lake, by supporting those who can take action, or by simply enjoying the food, the music and the great company. Noon to 3 pm - Food and Live Music, 3pm Speakers, 4pm Launch boats onto the lake; action.

07/04/17 VETERANS FOR PEACE VIGIL - BECAUSE THE WARS STILL GO ON

Every Tuesday, Veterans for Peace Chapter 099 holds a vigil at Vance Monument in downtown Asheville. Time is 5 PM. This has been happening since 2002. No matter the weather, no matter if it falls on a holiday, they are out there standing for peace. Last year, our former president dropped 26,000 bombs on seven different countries. The current president seems to be trying to match or beat that horrible record. Meanwhile we are banning refugees from those countries we have destroyed. Show you are publicly against our country's endless wars and occupations by standing with Veterans for Peace.

07/04/17 READING GROUP FOR SOCIALISM  

Socialism! The Reading Group is a monthly discussion group for people interested in learning from and reflecting on the past, present, and future of Socialism-inspired theory and practice. Every month participants draw relevant reading material from across the spectrum, but each meeting is rooted in at least one essay from Jacobin Magazine, whose mission is to facilitate a vision for the future of Left organizing. This is not your "Grandpa Joe's Socialist reading group"... we don't seek to promulgate any ideological dogma, but to challenge it in all its forms. There is no substitute for action, but reading groups help align our directions and thereby align our actions.  Time is 6 PM and location is Firestorm Books & Coffee, 610 Haywood Rd, Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

07/04/17 ASURJ DO!SCUSSION

Every Tuesday since December 2016. 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 Coffee & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

07/05/17 CITIZENS-POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

This meeting is organized by the City of Asheville. This meeting is free and open to the public. They meet in the first floor Conference Room at the Public Works Building at 161 South Charlotte Street in downtown Asheville. Time is 5 PM. Call 251-1122 for more information.

07/06/17 DEMOCRACY-NC PLANNING MEETING

Join us for our July Planning Meeting on Thursday, July 6, at 6 p.m. to plan events for July in Asheville. This is the regular monthly planning meeting where core folks will come together to help chart-out and plan events for the next month. We'll discuss events and priorities already on the calendar and things that will be added. This meeting is for folks who want to help lead our work by contributing as planners, facilitators, etc. Location is Wesley Grant Center (285 Livingston St, Asheville, NC 28801). RSVP below to let us know you'll be there. For more information on how to RSVP, place contact Darlene Azarmi at 828-216-3430 or darlene@democracy-nc.org. 

07/07/17 DEMOCRACY-NC EVENT FOR VOTER REGISTRATION TRAINING

Do you feel ready to make a real difference in the Asheville area and beyond? We've got two important ways you can get the training you need to protect the right to vote in North Carolina.  Don't worry -- no matter what your experience level, we'll make sure you are prepared! Learn Voter Registration. Do you think our democracy would be healthier if more people voted?  Then learning how to register folks to vote is the perfect first step for you to take action: Join us for a Voter Registration Training on July 7 at 6:30 p.m. in Asheville (YWCA, 185 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville) to learn all the essentials. If you have questions, contact Darlene at (828) 216-3430 or darlene@democracy-nc.org.

07/08/17 CITIZEN’S CLIMATE LOBBY MEETING

Citizen's Climate Lobby on Sat, July 8, 12:30pm – 3:00pm. Contact Steffi Rausch at steffi@evolve.com for more information. 2nd Saturday of each month. Location is Kairos West at 742 Haywood Road in Asheville. Contact them at kairoswest742@gmail.com or 828-367-6360 for more information.

07/09/17 ACLU CHAPTER MEETING 

Please join our Western North Carolina chapter on Sunday, July 9, for the chapter’s annual meeting and “Celebration of Liberty” in Asheville. Our dedicated volunteer chapter will be honoring Asheville’s Women’s March with its 2017 Evan Mahaney Champion of Liberty Award and will vote to elect new board members. Karen Anderson, Executive Director of ACLU of North Carolina will be there to talk about opportunities and challenges ahead as we work to protect and advance civil liberties for all in North Carolina. The event is free and open to the public. Dessert will be provided. Cash bar for all beverages. When: 3 p.m., Sunday, July 9, 2017. Where: The Altamont Theatre, 18 Church St, Asheville 28801. Contact: Mike Meno, ACLU of North Carolina, 919-348-9623 or mmeno@acluofnc.org. 

07/10/17 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. This month’s book is “Citizen Scientist: Searching for Heroes and Hope in an Age of Extinction” by Mary Ellen Hannibal. Time is 7 PM and location is Malaprops. Contact Malaprops for more information.

07/10/17 TRANSYLVANIA NAACP MEETING

Take action to protect our kids in our schools: We are working in the aftermath of the racial threats against a Brevard High School student. Here's the crux of the story, if you haven't seen it. And here's the WLOS follow up from our last NAACP general membership meeting on June 12. We are involved in many ways to find long-term solutions to systemic racism in our county. Join the effort by e-mailing us. Come to our next membership and executive committee meeting on Monday, July 10 at 6:15 p.m. at Bethel A Baptist Church, 290 Oakdale St., Brevard. All are welcome. No contact information, this came from an online post.

07/11/17 OCCUPY WNC MEETING

The non-partisan group meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at the Sneak E Squirrel in Sylva. The next meeting is July 11th at 7:00 PM in the restaurant’s Community Room. Supper at 6:00 PM. OccupyWNC has worked for economic and social justice in WNC since 2011. Newcomers and visitors are welcome. Contact Lucy Christopher at (828)743-9747 or lucy.christopher42@gmail.com for more information.

07/11/17 VETERANS FOR PEACE VIGIL - BECAUSE THE WARS STILL GO ON

Every Tuesday, Veterans for Peace Chapter 099 holds a vigil at Vance Monument in downtown Asheville. Time is 5 PM. This has been happening since 2002. No matter the weather, no matter if it falls on a holiday, they are out there standing for peace. Last year, our former president dropped 26,000 bombs on seven different countries. The current president seems to be trying to match or beat that horrible record. Meanwhile we are banning refugees from those countries we have destroyed. Show you are publicly against our country's endless wars and occupations by standing with Veterans for Peace.

07/11/17 DEMOCRACY-NC EVENT FOR REDISTRICTING CANVASSING TRAINING

Learn to Canvass for Fair Maps. We gathered over 4,000 petitions for non-partisan redistricting reform in Western North Carolina. Now we're taking the next step. We are going door-to-door to talk about redistricting in the home districts of NC House Reps who are not in support reform. Come learn how to canvass (talk with folks at the door) about this complicated issue in a simple way. We are looking for volunteers but also have some temporary paid opportunities to do this work. Join us for a Redistricting Canvassing Training on July 11 at 6:00 p.m. in Asheville (Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville) to get started. If you have questions, contact Darlene at (828) 216-3430 or darlene@democracy-nc.org.

07/11/17 ASURJ DO!SCUSSION

Every Tuesday since December 2016. 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 Coffee & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

07/13/17 DOCUMENTARY FILM  IN ASHEVILLE

July 13th movie “FIX IT” — Health Care At The Tipping Point. Location is the Pack Memorial Library, Lord Auditorium in downtown Asheville. 6:00 PM doors open, 6:15 – 7:15 movie, followed by Q & A. Free. Email: healthcare@indivisibleavl.org. 

07/14/17 SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM IN ASHEVILLE

Environmental & Social Justice Film, “Equal Means Equal”, Friday, July 14th, 7 PM, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville. On Friday, July 14th, we are screening the important award-winning documentary “Equal Means Equal”, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville. EQUAL MEANS EQUAL is an unflinching look at how women are treated in the United States today. By following both real life stories and precedent setting legal cases, director Kamala Lopez discovers how outdated and discriminatory attitudes inform and influence seemingly disparate issues, from workplace matters to domestic violence, rape and sexual assault to the foster care system, the healthcare system and the legal system. Along the way, she reveals the inadequacy of present laws in place that claim to protect women, ultimately presenting a compelling and persuasive argument for the urgency of ratifying the Equal Rights amendment. The film screening is at 7 PM, and is open to the public. Location is the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville at One Edwin Place. There is no charge for viewing the film. Donations are welcome. Contact Charlie at 612-860-6628 or mnpopi@icloud.com for more information.

07/17/17 DEMOCRACY-NC ASHEVILLE MEETING

What is the Democracy Asheville Coalition? Our Local Coalition brings together organizational representatives and individuals who agree to work together to change and use the political system so it equips people to take action, promotes grassroots leadership, and serves "the good of the whole." We want an elections process that is accessible, fair, and secure. And we want a government "of, by, and for the people," that fosters equity, solidarity, and justice. Please join us for the next Democracy Asheville Meeting at the Wesley Grant Center (285 Livingston Street in Asheville) on July 17, at 6 p.m. Join us for our regular monthly coalition meeting for updates on the latest voting rights news and plan our next steps for our #FairMapsNC campaign for redistricting reform, including petitions, canvassing, and more. For more information on how to RSVP, place contact Darlene Azarmi at 828-216-3430 or darlene@democracy-nc.org. 

07/18/17 VETERANS FOR PEACE VIGIL - BECAUSE THE WARS STILL GO ON

Every Tuesday, Veterans for Peace Chapter 099 holds a vigil at Vance Monument in downtown Asheville. Time is 5 PM. This has been happening since 2002. No matter the weather, no matter if it falls on a holiday, they are out there standing for peace. Last year, our former president dropped 26,000 bombs on seven different countries. The current president seems to be trying to match or beat that horrible record. Meanwhile we are banning refugees from those countries we have destroyed. Show you are publicly against our country's endless wars and occupations by standing with Veterans for Peace.

07/18/17 ASURJ DO!SCUSSION

Every Tuesday since December 2016. 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 Coffee & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

07/18/17 STANDING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE MEETING

Tue, July 18, 7pm – 9pm. Contact David Greenson at davidgreenson@gmail.com or (718)809-2132 for more information. This is a monthly meeting- every Third Tuesday. Location is Kairos West at 742 Haywood Road in Asheville.

07/19/17 GREEN DRINKS

This is a Sustainability and Social Justice Meet-up. Come early for community connections and green drink specials. This happens on the third Wednesday of each month.  Socializing from 5:30 – 6PM and presentation from  6 – 7PM. Location is The Block Off Biltmore at 39 South Market Street at Asheville. Call 828-254-9277 for more information.

07/20/17 CREATION CARE ALLIANCE MEETING 

Creation Care Alliance Meeting. Thursday, July 20, 5:30-7pm. First Baptist Church Room MB306 Upstairs, at 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC 28801. Please park near the playground closer to College Ave. Join us to share stories of sustainability, the Wild Goose Festival, and our ongoing work. No contact information. 

07/21/17 WNC PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY MEETING

Physicians, health personnel and everyone; all are welcomed at our monthly meetings held on the third Friday of each month. Bring a brown bag lunch around noon. This will be held at The First Congregational United Church of Christ, Room E205, at 20 Oak Street (just off College St. in downtown Asheville). Time is noon to 2 PM. Meeting starts at 12:30. Parking is available behind the church. Enter the church or ring doorbell at the glass doors on Oak Street. For more information contact Dr. Terry Clark, Chair, 633-0892 or Dr. Lew Patrie, 299-1242.

07/22/17 SIERRA CLUB PICNIC

Sierra Club July 22: 8th Annual  Summer Picnic. Come one, come all to the 8th Annual Sierra Club Summer Picnic on Saturday, July 22. The picnic is scheduled from noon to 4:00 p.m.  at the Blue Ridge Parkway sheltered picnic grounds located on Bull Mt. Rd. near the VA Hospital on Riceville Rd. This event is free and will be held rain or shine. Please bring a pot luck dish to share and your own place settings. Drinks will be provided.  Badminton and horseshoes will add to the festivities. Directions: Exit 7 on I-240; go east on Tunnel Rd for 2 miles; turn north on Riceville Rd; go past VA Hospital, turn left on Bull Mt. Rd. The fenced-in, sheltered picnic area is on the left about ½ mile up the road. Contact Judy Mattox, judymattox@sbcglobal.net, 828-683-2176

07/25/17 VETERANS FOR PEACE VIGIL - BECAUSE THE WARS STILL GO ON

Every Tuesday, Veterans for Peace Chapter 099 holds a vigil at Vance Monument in downtown Asheville. Time is 5 PM. This has been happening since 2002. No matter the weather, no matter if it falls on a holiday, they are out there standing for peace. Last year, our former president dropped 26,000 bombs on seven different countries. The current president seems to be trying to match or beat that horrible record. Meanwhile we are banning refugees from those countries we have destroyed. Show you are publicly against our country's endless wars and occupations by standing with Veterans for Peace.

07/25/17 ASURJ DO!SCUSSION

Every Tuesday since December 2016. 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 Coffee & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

07/25/17 MEN’S DIVERSITY CIRCLE

From circle organizer Duncan Tam: As men of color and culture, we navigate the margins of power and privilege from cradle to grave. We inherit the legacies of our ancestors and pass down our love and pain to our children. In circle, we give support, voice and strength to each other in our personal challenges with the experiences of exclusion and inclusion, and celebrate the contributions we make in our lives and in all our relations. All men of color are welcome. Time is 7 PM and location is Firestorm Books & Coffee, 610 Haywood Rd, Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

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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 standard time kicks in, they meet at 4:30 PM. 

Showing Up for Racial Justice Do!scussion at Firestorm Coffee & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. 10 AM. Educating and organizing white people for racial justice. 

Rally at historic Courthouse in Hendersonville at 5 PM on the first Tuesday of the month. Organized by the Progressive Organized Women. 

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 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 Coffee & Books at 6 PM on fourth Thursday of the month. Materials provided.

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.

Standing Up For Racial Justice event is held at 10 AM at 23 Edwin Street, next to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville. Educating and organizing white people for racial justice.

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.

Dances of Universal Peace on the third Saturdays at 7:30 at 1 School Road in Asheville. 

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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Article: We Can’t Fight Climate Change if We Keep Lying to Ourselves 

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/06/19/we-cant-fight-climate-change-if-we-keep-lying-ourselves

We have the technology to build alternative energy and food systems, but the fossil fuel industry, the most powerful industry in the world, has blocked all meaningful attempts to curb fossil fuel extraction and reduce energy consumption. And meat, dairy and egg producers, responding to consumer demand, are responsible for the emission of more greenhouse gases than the entire global transportation sector. Livestock generates enormous amounts of methane, which is 86 times more destructive than CO2. Livestock also produces 65 percent of nitrous oxide resulting from human activity, a gas that has 296 times the “Global Warming Potential” of carbon dioxide. The massive animal agriculture industry, like the fossil fuel industry, receives billions of dollars in subsidies from the U.S. government. And corrupt and pliant politicians who do the bidding of these industries receive millions in return from lobbyists. It is legalized bribery. And it won’t stop until this political system is destroyed.

The nonprofit Project Drawdown, which compiles research from an international coalition of scientists, says that “a plant-based diet may be the most effective way an individual can stop climate change.” Adopting such a diet should be our first act of revolt. The second should be carrying out civil disobedience to disrupt the extraction of fossil fuels, along with massively reducing our consumption of those fuels. The third, through mass mobilization, should be to overthrow the corporate state and nationalize the energy sector, the banking industry, utilities and public transportation in addition to dismantling a war machine that in waging futile and unwinnable wars consumes nearly half of all government expenditures. It is a lot to demand. But if we do not succeed, the human race will disappear.

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Article: Another Step Toward Devastating War

By Paul Craig Roberts

An idiot American pilot shot down a Syrian fighter that was attacking ISIS, thus confirming that Washington is not fighting ISIS, as Washington claims, but is protecting ISIS, its agent sent to Syria by Obama and Hillary to overthrow the Syrian government. General Michael Flynn revealed on a TV interview that Obama and Hillary had, over his objection as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, made the "willful decision" to send ISIS to Syria.

Washington's pretense that Washington is fighting ISIS, rather than supporting it, is the excuse for Washington's illegal presence in the Syrian conflict. Russia and Iran are in Syria legally, invited there by an elected government. The Americans are there uninvited as war criminals. Under international law established by the Americans themselves, it is a war crime to initiate aggression against a country that has not raised a fist against you.

So, to be in Syria, Washington has to pretend to be "fighting terrorism" rather than supporting it. The lie has been given to this claim many times, but now that an American pilot has proven that the US is in Syria to support its agent, ISIS, not even a Megyn Kelly presstitute can honestly claim to believe that Washington is fighting ISIS.

The Russians, Syrians, and Iranians have known this from the beginning. However, these official sources are all suspect in the presstitute Western media. So with the presstitutes' complicity, Washington's lie has stood until the idiot American pilot blew the lie out of the sky along with the Syrian fighter and its pilot.

Washington, of course, will lie through its teeth. It is the only thing Washington knows how to do. Washington will claim that it was a "coalition fighter," that is, some one else was flying the US F-18. It wasn't us. Or they will claim that the Syrian fighter was attacking women and children, or a trans-gendered compound or a maternity ward for women raped by Assad's "brutal troops." Washington will spin it in some way to make an aggressive war crime into an heroic defense of a victim group.

One question is: Did the idiot US pilot do this on his own, a hot shot playing Top Gun, or was this a planned provocation of the military/security complex outside of channels to begin a conflict between the US and Russia that would prevent any possibility of President Trump reviving his goal of defusing the high level of tensions with Russia? A $1 trillion, 100 billion annual military/secuity budget paid by American taxpayers is at stake.

We don't know if the pilot acted on his own or on orders.

What we do know is that it did not go down well with the Russians. The Russian Defense Ministry said today that it regards the decision by "the US command as an intentional violation of US obligations in the framework of the memo on avoiding incidents and the safety of aviation flights during operations in Syria signed on October 20, 2015.”

Surprise! Surprise! The Americans broke yet another agreement Washington signed with Russia.

How many agreements with Russia does Washington have to break before the Russians finally understand that a signed agreement with Washington is meaningless? Will the Russians ever learn? The American Indians never did. There is a famous American T-shirt: "Sure you can trust the government: Just ask an Indian.”

Perhaps the Russians finally have learned that any agreement with Washington is worthless at best and a death warrant at worst. The Russian Defense Ministry announced today that Russia is halting all interactions with the US within the framework on the memorandum of incident prevention in Syrian skies. Additionally, the Russian Defense Ministry stated that Russian missile defense will intercept any aircraft in the area of operations of the Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria and: "In areas where Russian aviation is conducting combat missions in the Syrian skies, any flying ojects, including jets and unmanned aerial vehicles of the international coalition discovered west of the Euphrates River will be followed by Russian air and ground defenses as air targets.”

In other words, in Russia's understated way, Russia has declared a no-fly zone over all areas of Syria in which Syrian and Russian forces are operating. Any intruder into that area will be blown out of the sky. American, Israeli, whoever, they are dead meat.

As it is Russia, not Washington, who has air superiority in Syria, all that is required is one more dumbshit American pilot, who will get his stupid ass blown out of the sky, and the utter morons in Washington will have to back off or make a mistake. As stupid as Washington is and as full of hubris, the morons will make a mistake.

There is no intelligence in Washington. Only arrogance and hubris. The quarter century I spent there was with the most utterly stupid people on the face of the earth.

I expect Russia to win this, because Russia has intelligent leadership, and Washington does not.

Nevertheless, perhaps mistakenly, as no one can know everything, I blame Russia for letting the Syrian crisis develop. Russia and Syria would have won the war long ago, except Russia kept declaring premature victory, pulling out, having to go back, always hoping to reach an agreement with Washington. Indeed, reaching an agreement with Washington was more important to the Russian government than winning the war or anything else.

Regardless of the evidence, the Russian government's hope simply could not die that Russia and Washington could reach an agreement to fight terrorism together. What utter nonsense. The terrorism in the Russian province of Chechnya was instigated by Washington. The Russian government does not seem to understand that there are no independent terrorists. Terrorism is a Washington weapon. So how can the Russian government make a pact against terrorism with the country that is using terrorism as a weapon against Russia?

What does Russia think the neoconservatives' plan to conquer Syria and Iran is about if not to bring more terrorism to Russia? Vladimir Putin is a knowledgeable, strong, and able leader of a country. Perhaps he is the only one outside of China. Clearly there are none in the West, a wasteland of leadership.

Little doubt that Putin is a moral leader who is opposed to war and wants the best for all countries. However, by sacrificing the advantage every time he gains it to the nonsensical idea of making an agreement with Washington simply conveys to Washington weakness. Washington thinks Putin is just another person who Washington can walk over. This is a miscalculation, and it will result in war. It would be much better if Putin laid down the gauntlet and made it completely clear that "if you want war, it will be there in 30 minutes." Suddenly, Russia would be taken seriously.

I admire Putin. But he is playing the wrong game. Instead of parrying Washington's aggression, he should be aggressive and force Europe and Washington to come to him for a solution.

Putin, the leader of the free world, should not be on the defensive from a bankrupt, two-bit punk, washed up government in Washington that wallows in evil.

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