Not so happy Labor Day

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

This photo was taken at the Veterans for Peace Conference in August 2011.  The sign says: "stop these wars, expose the lies, free Bradley Manning".  I love these Vets!

UPCOMING EVENTS

09/06/11 ASHEVILLE CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES FORUM
Asheville City Council elections are quickly approaching. We have some very strong candidates running and we are excited to offer you the chance to meet them and hear where they stand on the issues prior to Election Day.  The Candidate Forum will be held Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at Nazareth First Baptist Church. There will be a brief Meet and Greet at 6:00 p.m. followed by the Forum at 6:30 p.m. The Nazareth First Baptist Church is located at 146 Pine Street in Downtown Asheville.  This event is free and open to the public. Please feel free to bring your friends and neighbors.  This is sponsored by WNC for Change.

09/07/11 SIERRA CLUB MEETING
“Greening your home, inside and out - with energy efficiency and permaculture” is the topic for this meeting.  Jacob Sadler, Alan Enzo and Jessica Enzo will be presenting innovative ideas to green your home and garden.  Social is at 7 PM and program is at 7:30.  The location is Unitarian Universalist Church at Edwin and Charlotte Streets.

09/08/11 INTERFAITH PANEL DISCUSSION -- CANCELLED

09/08/11 CLEAN ENERGY IN THE MOUNTAINS
Clean Energy in the Mountains will feature blue-grass, beer and information about NC Sustainable Energy Association and FLS Energy.  Held at Highland Brewing Company at 12 Old Charlotte Hwy #H, Asheville.  Time is 5 PM to 7:30 PM.  For more information call 687-7234.

09/09/11 “PEACE ONE DAY” MOVIE AT UU CHURCH
Time is 7 to 9 PM and location is Unitarian Universalist Church Asheville at Charlotte Street & Edwin Place.  The first documentary Peace One Day (2004) shows the real-life results of Peace Day on 21 September around the world, including life-saving initiatives by leading humanitarian organizations. The film was used to encourage the members of the United Nations General Assembly to adopt the 21st of September as the day of global ceasefire and nonviolence, and includes footage of Kofi Annan, the Dalai Lama, Dame Judi Dench, Helen Mirren & Alan Rickman.  This film is about an ordinary person who decides to do something to change the world. His quest takes him around the world to the conflict hot-spots such as in Africa & the Middle East, visiting religious leaders like the Dalai Lama, and meeting world leaders and the UN. He gets ordinary Palestinians and Israelis together in a room discussing their desires for peace. The real ending to this movie depends on what political actions YOU take after you watch it.  Free - donations appreciated.

09/10/11 CLEAN WATER FOR NC STATEWIDE SUMMIT
“Don’t rush to frack:  Keeping NC’s water, air and communities safe from hydraulic fracturing” is a summit presented by Clean Water for NC.  This will be held in Pittsboro, NC from 1:30 to 5:30 PM.  Register at www.CWFNC.org before August 31st.  Cost is $15.  For more information, contact this organization at 919-401-9600 or hope@cwfnc.org   

09/10/11 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.

09/10/11 STATE OF BLACK ASHEVILLE MEETING
UNCA Professors of Political Science, Doctors Dollie and Dwight Mullen, will present their findings on where black folks in Asheville are located.  This meeting will start at 9:30 AM at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church at 47 Eagle Street in Asheville.  Contact Rev. David K. Miles at 828-216-6171 for more information.

09/11/11 WNC RETURNED PEACE CORPS ANNIVERSARY
The WNC returned Peace Corps invites you to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps.  This will be held at the Grey Eagle in Asheville from 5:30 PM to 8 PM.  There will be international cuisine, a band playing world music, and fellowship and conversation.  Tickets are $12, either in advance or at the door.  Proceeds will help fund Peace Corps Volunteer project in the developing world.  Contact Sandy Houts at 298-2819 for more information.

09/11/11 PEACETOWN ASHEVILLE AND BUNCOMBE GREEN PARTY PICNIC
The Buncombe GREEN Party & Peacetown Asheville invites the public to our annual Potluck Picnic, Sunday, 11 Sept., from noon to 6PM. French Broad River Park, Amboy Rd. & Riverside Drive, in west Asheville. Bring a dish to share, chair or blanket. Soft drinks, tableware & hot coals provided.  Contact Larry @ 828.225.4347 or hoosier848@yahoo.com.

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, 20 Oak Street,Asheville, NC
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.

09/14/11 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. 

09/16/11 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 ZEITGEIST TOWN HALL MEETING
The Zeitgeist Movement's Town Hall Meetings are live, public events conducted by official regional chapters worldwide. These are community forums for the public to engage TZM advocates in questions & answers about a global, resource-based economic model and the social solutions we propose. This month we will be showing the Peter Joseph lecture “Where we are now?”  Peter Joseph is the creator of the Zeitgeist film series and founder of The Zeitgeist Movement.  Time is 5 PM to 7 PM and will be held at the Hi Fi Cafe, Downtown Market, 45 S. French Broad Avenue, Asheville.  Free to the public. Seating is limited. Participate in the Zeitgeist Global Food Drive by bringing food donations for the benefit of Manna Food Bank of WNC. 

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 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 Presby.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.

09/30/11 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

In honor of the protesters at the White House

Over a thousand people risked arrest at the White House in the last two weeks.  They did it to try and stop the tar sands Keystone XL Pipeline.  Saturday was the last day for the protests, and I have a great deal of admiration for these people who put their bodies on the line in order to try and stop an environmentally destructive pipeline.  I hope Obama listens!

This photo was by Amy Dewan, and was taken on day one of the action.

A message from the Libyan people

CHORUSES OF “THE ROCK”

Photo is of the French Broad river in Asheville, taken in the fall of 2010.

CHORUSES OF “THE ROCK”

[A poem by T.S. Eliot.]

The rivers fows, the seasons turn,

The sparrow and starling have no time to waste.

If men do not build

How shall they live?

When the field is tilled

And the wheat is bread

They shall not die in a shortened bed

And a narrow sheet.  In this street

There is no beginning, no movement, no peace and no end

But noise without speech, food without taste.

Without delay, without haste

We would build the beginning and the end of the street.

We build the meaning:

A church for all

And a job for each

Each man to his work.

[This is one chorus of many.]

US artists in Gaza to address water crisis

Disturbing the war

"Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph."   - Haile Selassie

Speech on Terrorism

Message from Elliot Adams, Veterans for Peace

Trial postponed! The defendants for the March 19th VFP action at the White House were ready to go on trial 8:00AM Monday Sept 29th. With the hurricane promising to tie up transportation on the east coast and threatening DC the defendants were concerned about how to get to the trial on Monday and to the practice trial on Sunday. But late Friday (4:30PM, now that is last minute) the prosecution filed a motion for continuance, asking that the trial be put off since they were not ready to go to trial. Judge Canan granted the motion. By this time some of the defendants were already in transit to DC.

This is all part of the meat grinder we call a legal system. It is sort of like the old hurry up and wait we know so well as vets, except worse.  For the 19 defendants it was frustrating, after preparing the opening statements, the testimony, and the closing arguments and being prepared for trial it is maddening to have to go back to trying to schedule a new trial date. On the other hand it does seem hopeful that the prosecution must be having some problems developing an effective argument against our motions or they would have been ready for trial.

In a trial like this we see the many personal goals and strategies of defendants. There are those, for whom the arrest is the action, it works for them to be able to “post-and-forfeit” (pay the government some amount and be free) and be able to do other things, like, for example, join the Free Gaza Flotilla. In this case the government even offered to allow people to post-and-forfeit for $35. About 100 people chose this root. The 19 that turned down this offer will pay more in just transportation costs than the $35, so obviously it is a matter of principle for them.  Amongst those on trial there is the usual array of motivations. There are those who are intrigued by law and look for every technicality and loophole by which to get off. This can turn up significant issues, for instance in the trial for the 2008 March 19 action we showed the court and the capital police that the space in front of the capital is a special area of public expression in the eyes of the law and that the police may not just barricade demonstrations from this area like they do other places.  Then there are those for whom the trial is based on moral questions. They do not want to argue the law, they feel they are appealing to principles that are greater than any man made law and, indeed, who can't agree that war is evil and can not be condoned or justified by any law. There is the group who, for various reasons, are willing to accept the outcome of the case and their strategy is to have no defense in court.

There are those who are committed to the necessity defense. One could describe the necessity defense like this - if a woman broke into a locked building because the building is on fire and there is a child upstairs, she could be charged with breaking and entering. She might enter a “necessity defense” saying, I am guilty of breaking and entering, but I should be found innocent because breaking and entering was the only way I could save the child. (Necessity defense can also be claimed where a lesser crime kept a greater crime from happening.) This is the defense used by many of the Plowshares Actions. The defendants in “Pitstop Plowshares” action at Shannon Airbase in Ireland were acquitted on the necessity defense. So the argument is made that we did unlawfully assemble, but we did it to stop the killing of many innocent civilians in Afghanistan.

Yet another strategy is to use International Humanitarian Law (IHL), that large body of law that deals with armed conflict, which includes things like the Geneva Conventions, Nuremberg Principles, and the UN Charter. In court we argue, our government is violating the IHLs. The Nuremberg Privileges make us individually responsible for war crimes if we do not stop them. The US Constitution gives us the right to appeal to the government for redress. The US Constitution makes all of the IHLs the supreme law of the land. So by protesting we are merely fulfilling our legal obligation to appeal to our government to stop the war crimes and crimes against peace. The judges typically say, my court is only responsible for cases involving local ordinances. But there is plenty of law that says local courts must take into consideration IHL. For example, even back in 1909 the court ruled “A treaty (the IHLs) ... is the supreme law of the land, binding alike national and state courts, and is capable of enforcement, and must be enforced.”  We must keep making this argument until lower courts recognize their responsibility to enforce IHL. There was a time when no court would rule against lynchings, the law was there, they just did not see it as their jurisdiction. So we must keep pushing until lower courts recognize their legal jurisdiction and obligation to protect our work to end war crimes. We are often faced with situation where we can not comply both with the big and important laws like IHL and the little local laws. We must choose whether we comply with the lesser law, don't gather in front of the White House, or greater law, obstruct the committing of war crimes. Incidentally, there is no law that says if we abide by every stay off the grass law, every don't spit on the side walk law, and every jaywalking law we are somehow freed of our responsibilities under IHL

These same varied approaches of defense come up in most civil resistance and civil disobedience trials. None of the defenses are more right than any other or higher on some hierarchy, they are all legitimate. And they all defend our freedoms and build the foundations of democracy. As they say, “freedom is not free” but soldiers do not defend our freedoms, soldiers protect governments which take away our freedoms. Freedom is defended by those who stand up to unjust laws and the lawyers that help them make their cases in court.

Elliott Adams
President, Veterans For Peace

Upcoming events for the Asheville area

Left-wing Israeli peace activisits hold signs during a protest against controversial US talk show host Glenn Beck as he held his 'Restoring Courage' rally in support of Israel in Jerusalem's old city just yards from the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound on August 24, 2011. 

AFP PHOTO/AHMAD GHARABLI 

Date created: 24 Aug 2011

UPCOMING EVENTS

08/30/11 PLANNING MEETING FOR INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
This meeting is to plan for the upcoming International Day of Peace event in Asheville on 9-21-11. Meeting time is 6 PM to 7:30 PM and the location is First Congregational Church, Room 102, in Asheville. Time is creeping up and we are meeting it! Three weeks away until a spectacular for peace! Join us these last few weeks!  Contact Rachael at rachael_bliss@yahoo.com for more information.

09/01/11 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/

09/03/11 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.

09/06/11 ASHEVILLE CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES FORUM
Asheville City Council elections are quickly approaching. We have some very strong candidates running and we are excited to offer you the chance to meet them and hear where they stand on the issues prior to Election Day.  The Candidate Forum will be held Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at Nazareth First Baptist Church. There will be a brief Meet and Greet at 6:00 p.m. followed by the Forum at 6:30 p.m. The Nazareth First Baptist Church is located at 146 Pine Street in Downtown Asheville.  This event is free and open to the public. Please feel free to bring your friends and neighbors.  This is sponsored by WNC for Change.

09/07/11 SIERRA CLUB MEETING
“Greening your home, inside and out” is the topic for this meeting. Jacob Sadler, Alan Enzo and Jessica Enzo will be presenting innovative ideas to green your home and garden.  Social is at 7 PM and program is at 7:30.  The location is Unitarian Universalist Church at Edwin and Charlotte Streets.

09/08/11 INTERFAITH PANEL DISCUSSION -- CANCELLED
“What my Faith Means to Me” is an interfaith panel discussion with Ahmad Amara, Rev. Mark Stanley & Rabbi Phil Bentley.  Time is 7 PM to 8:30 PM.  Location is Asheville Islamic Center at 941 Old Fairview Rd. Asheville, NC.  Call 828-808-5077 for more information.  Sponsored by WNC Friendship Force, The Islamic Center of Asheville, Black Mountain Quakers, WNC for Peace & Justice in the Middle East, and Mountain Area Interfaith Forum

09/10/11 “PEACE ONE DAY” MOVIE AT UU CHURCH
Time is 7 to 9 PM and location is Unitarian Universalist Church in Asheville at Charlotte and Edwin Streets.

09/10/11 CLEAN WATER FOR NC STATEWIDE SUMMIT
“Don’t rush to frack:  Keeping NC’s water, air and communities safe from hydraulic fracturing” is a summit presented by Clean Water for NC.  This will be held in Pittsboro, NC from 1:30 to 5:30 PM.
Register at www.CWFNC.org before August 31st.  Cost is $15.  For more information, contact this organization at 919-401-9600 or hope@cwfnc.org

09/11/11 WNC RETURNED PEACE CORPS ANNIVERSARY
The WNC returned Peace Corps invites you to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps.  This will be held at the Grey Eagle in Asheville from 5:30 PM to 8 PM.  There will be international cuisine, a band playing world music, and fellowship and conversation. Tickets are $12, either in advance or at the door.  Proceeds will help fund Peace Corps Volunteer project in the developing world.  Contact Sandy Houts at 298-2819 for more information

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, go to:  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.

09/16/11 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.

09/20/11 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 Billy Jonas, 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 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/.  More information to come.

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/

10/5/11 SIERRA CLUB MEETING
“Sustanable 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

10/18/11 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS FORUM
Candidate forum from 5:30 to  7:30 PM at Masonic Temple on Broadway Street in downtown Asheville.  This is for candidate 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/

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ONGOING EVENTS
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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
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
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.

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ACTIONS AND READINGS
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This was in an email from Roots Action:

I signed the petition demanding that Washington follow the law and create a bold jobs program now. The rising numbers of the poor and unemployed demand an immediate solution. Will you join me?
http://bit.ly/o4jmT9

If we do not get unemployment down among our young adults, and start providing adequate health care for our children, we will not have much of a future.  Without good jobs and hope for a good future, we will see riots in our cities like they had in the UK.  The USA is #1 in infant mortality among developed countries.  This is shameful, and we have to stop throwing our children, and our future, under the bus.

Believe.....

“Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.” - Buddha

Be the change you want to see!

Children of Gaza, killed by IDF bombs

Palestinian relatives mourn over the body of two-year-old Malek Shaat during his funeral in the Rafah refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip, on August 19, 2011.

Photo by MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images)

A Palestinian man carries the body of two-year-old boy Islam Qreqa during a funeral in Gaza City August 20, 2011. Palestinians said at least nine militants have died in multiple Israeli strikes, as well as two children, one of them Islam Qreqa. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem

Anonymous to occupy Wall Street

More power to them!! 

Awesome!

Quote

"Every ambitious would-be empire clarions it abroad that she is conquering the world to bring it peace, security and freedom, and is sacrificing her sons only for the most noble and humanitarian purposes. That is a lie, and it is an ancient lie, yet generations still rise and believe it!

If America ever does seek Empire, and most nations do, then planned reforms in our domestic life will be abandoned, States Rights will be abolished -- in order to impose a centralized government upon us for the purpose of internal repudiation of freedom, and adventures abroad.  

The American Dream will then die -- on battlefields all over the world -- and a nation conceived in liberty will destroy liberty for Americans and impose tyranny on subject nations."  

George S. Boutwell  - (1818-1905) American statesman, Secretary of the Treasury under President Ulysses S. Grant, Governor of Massachusetts, Senator and Representative from Massachusetts  

Brooke Fraser- "C S Lewis Song"

If I find in myself desires nothing in this world can satisfy
I can only conclude that I was not made for here
If the flesh that I fight is at best only light and momentary
Then of course I’ll feel nude when to where I’m destined I’m compared

CHORUS
Speak to me in the light of the dawn
Mercy comes with the morning
I will sigh and with all creation groan
As I wait for hope to come for me

Am I lost or just less found,
On the straight or on the roundabout of the wrong way?
Is this a soul that stirs in me,
Is it breaking free, wanting to come alive?

‘Cause my comfort would prefer for me to be numb
And avoid the impending birth
Of who I was born to become

CHORUS
Speak to me in the light of the dawn
Mercy comes with the morning
I will sigh and with all creation groan
As I wait for hope to come for me

SOA Watch, October 2011 Movement, Nevada Desert Experience

JOINT SOLIDARITY STATEMENT BY THE OCTOBER2011 MOVEMENT, THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC WORKER GATHERING AND SOA WATCH SOUTH FLORIDA/ SOUTHCOM WATCH

THREE STRIKES AGAINST THE EMPIRE

Grassroots resistance actions are being coordinated around the country in early October. Three efforts in particular share common cause:

The October2011 Movement in Washington, DC to decry the start of the eleventh year of war on the people of Afghanistan and the onset of the federal austerity budget, and to stand up to corporate rule and militarism;

The National Catholic Worker Movement and Nevada Desert Experience to demonstrate at Creech Air Force Base near Las Vegas, Nevada where armed drone aircraft are headquartered and controlled on their "hunter-killer" missions around the world, and at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS, formerly the Nevada Test Site) where various experiments are conducted which perpetuate the US nuclear arsenal;

School of the Americas Watch South Florida / SouthCom Watch to march to the new headquarters of the U.S. Southern Command (SouthCom) outside of Miami, Florida, which is responsible for all U.S. military operations throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

OUR STRUGGLES ARE INTERCONNECTED AND WE ORGANIZE IN SOLIDARITY WITH EACH OTHER.

The nonviolent resistance actions in Washington, DC will start on October 6, 2011, on the 10-year anniversary of the U.S. war in Afghanistan. Thousands of people have pledged to gather on that day, to nonviolently resist the corporate machine by occupying Freedom Plaza  to demand that America's resources are invested in human needs and environmental protection instead of war and exploitation. Nonviolent direct actions at the NNSS and at Creech AFB are going to take place on October 9 at the culmination of the 3 day Catholic Worker gathering, also being coordinated with the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space's annual Keep Space for Peace Week, October 1 to 8. The march on the U.S. Southern Command, with the intention to close it down and to reclaim the sacred land for the peoples of the Americas, will also take place on October 9, 2011.

These actions are united in the effort to build a world in which the values of justice, cooperation, and respect for the earth are upheld. We believe that people power and grassroots organizing are essential for achieving lasting socio-political change.

October2011 Movement, october2011.org

National Catholic Worker Gathering, www.lvcw.org

SOA Watch South Florida / SouthCom Watch, www.SOAW.org/southcom 

Midnight Vow by Chris Floyd

A reflection on Lt. Colonel Sassaman

I found the following information  in the book INSIDE THE RED ZONE by Mike Ferner.  This is about an interview with Lt Colonel Sassaman.  He was stationed in Iraq, and this takes place in February, 2004.

"We still need one more 'communication' with the hardcore attackers to get their attention.  The group in Abu Hishma has just never accepted that we want to help them," he added, asserting that, "You get their attention through controlled violence" along with money for infrastructure projects.

Earlier, I had asked Sassaman if he regretted a frequently cited comment he made to the NYT:  "With a heavy dose of fear and violence, and a lot of money for projects, I think we can convince these people that we are here to help them."  He smiled grimly and said it had been a "bad day" when he spoke with the NYT reporter.

This totally disgusted me.  I wonder if this man will ever wake up and realize how stupid, and evil, he is to say such things.  So far, apparently, he has not.