OMNI NEWSLETTER: EVENTS, ACTIONS, COMMENT
BUILDING A CULTURE OF PEACE

MAY 30, 2005

MAY 31, 6pm, PATRIOT ACT MEETING at Fayetteville Public Library

Local citizens question the Patriot Act.

– Patriots for Civil Liberties is preparing to present a Resolution to the Fayetteville City Council that expresses concern for certain provisions of the Patriot Act. Of over 1000 sections of the Act, a few sections are alarming limitations on the civil liberties of American citizens and other human beings. The framers of our Constitution understood well that centralized authority possesses a great danger to individual civil liberties. Portions of the Patriot Act have altered carefully balanced systems that have guarded American liberties for 226 years. The Coalition has decided to band together to inform Arkansans of these dangers, to encourage Congress to sunset those provisions that will expire in December, and also to talk about other provisions that endanger civil rights and liberties. Nationally, partners in this coalition represent a diverse spectrum of political thought, but all are deeply concerned at the erosion of American freedoms that the Act represents. Locally Coalition partners hope to encourage Fayetteville to join the 379 cities and 7 states that have already passed resolutions similar to the one we wish our City Council to consider.

On May 31 at 6:00 pm, PFCL invites other Fayetteville citizens, who are concerned about the limitations on our freedom, to a meeting at Blair Library. Information about the Patriot Act, and plans for the Fayetteville Resolution will be discussed. The Resolution and other information is on our website at www.northwest-ark.com/pfcl

Patriots for Civil Liberties is a coalition that currently includes the Northwest Arkansas American Civil Liberties Union, OMNI Center for Peace Justice & Ecology, and the Arkansas National Organization for Women.



JUNE 1, WEDNESDAY, PROMISE KEEPERS PLANNING, at OMNI, 7pm

Contact Melanie Dietzel.



JUNE 2, THURSDAY, AGAINST THE WAL MARCH

Assemble at 5:00pm @ the Walton Art Center parking lot. March up Dickson St. at 5:30pm to Block St. to the Square. Press Conference at 6:00pm on the square. A social function with music & food will be provided afterward on Markham Hill. www.againstthewal.net



JUNE 2, 6 pm, WORKSHOP ON WRITING RADIO ESSAYS

“The On-Air-Essay,” taught by Kyle Kellams, Oda Mulloy, and Katherine Shurlds. At FPL.

A few corporations own the airwaves, so we must not fail to use KUAF to the full extent possible. Let me know if you are attending.



JUNE 3, 6:30, Fire Mountain Restaurant, ANTHONY MARR LECTURES

Fire Mountain (formerly Ryan’s, south of the Mall, south of Dixie Café). Pick up your food and go to the private room. As soon as all are served and most have eaten, Marr will begin.

Anthony Marr is a world-renowned wildlife preservationist, who will present a double program for us! First, a slide talk on his work to prevent the extinction of the Bengal tiger, called "Tigers Forever." Next, as part of his major national tour to explain his concept of Omniscientific Cosmology, he will give us a lecture on this unique and original concept that embraces all the sciences-- physical, biological and sociological. It has been hailed by respected scientists and philosophers as "formidable", "fascinating", "a beautiful synthesis", "an immensely logical construct.” For more on Anthony Marr and his Omniscientific Cosmology, see www.Omni-Science.org. See the website about his event in Phoenix by the Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix - www.HSGP.org.

His book on the subject is currently available through Amazon.com. It can also be ordered through the www.Omni-Science.org, via email.



JUNE 4, SATURDAY, 9:30 A.M., BRIDGE OF PEACE AT JONES CENTER

The Art Explosions Community Imagination Studio students in Springdale has created the Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges mural. Formal inauguration Saturday. “Connecting the disparate images representing barriers people erect is a bridge symbolizing greater understanding. The mural is a joint project of the NCCJ and YouthCAN.


JUNE 4, SATURDAY, 11:30, RAPID RESPONSE WRITERS LUNCHEON

Ozark Mountain Smokehouse



JUNE 6 AND 7, OMNI’S SHORT TAKES AT CAT

This rare opportunity for citizen voices is not used by our peace movement, despite our knowledge that TV is controlled by a few corporations for wasteful consumerism for their own financial gain and for the war system. Go there Mondays at 5:30 and Tuesdays noon to 1:30. Speak your mind, or read something about peace, justice, and ecology.


JUNE 11, DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY FAIR

Diversity and Equality Fair 10am-3pm-. Promise Me Diversity and Equality Coalition (NOW, Greens, OMNI, and other organizations) is proud to sponsor this multi-cultural gathering to celebrate diversity and equality in response to the Promise Keepers rally in Razorback Stadium. Come out for live music, performances, and other family friendly activities. If you or your group would like to participate, please email liviap@prodigy.net by June 1st. Bring your own table or we can provide for $5.



JUNE 16, OMNI STEERING COMMITTEE, at OMNI, 5:30 potluck, business 6:00



AUGUST 7, HIROSHIMA-NAGASAKI-VICTIMS OF WAR REMEMBRANCE

AND CELEBRATION OF PEACE HEROES at Fulbright Fountain UA Campus, 6 to dark.



AUGUST 7, ONF Picnic, Lake Wedington, 4 to 8pm. Owners free, non-owners $3.



FREE SPEECH TV 3 to 9 every morning on CAT

Karl Grossman’s environment program is always worth seeing. www.envirovideo.org And of course Amy Goodman’s “Democracy Now,” 7am. OMNI provides the financial support for FSTV.



ANIMAL RIGHTS

Mike Masterson in ADG (4-19) protested the cruelty to 67 beagles by Van Banks. The TMN (5-26, p. 1D) reported PETA web site exposing cruelties at a Tyson plant. I have a list of NWA organizations opposing violence against humans and am adding orgs. for species protection for a comprehensive Anti-Violence Watch. You will coordinate this? And NWA needs an active vegetarian political organization.



NUKE WATCH

For a powerful demonstration of the extent of the US nuclear
arsenal, watch this short clip online here: http://www.kintera.org/site/pp.asp?c=irKQL0NSE&b=667499
Also recommended reading on this sober subject is a recent article by Robert McNamera regarding his attempts to take the US of off hair trigger nuclear alert status. This article can be read here: http://foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=2829 (from Darrel Henschell)

A poll released in March by the AP and Ipsos-Public Affairs revealed that two-thirds of U.S. public say no nation should have nuclear weapons—including the U.S.—and most others say no more countries should get them. The Bush Admin. is planning to produce and test new atomic weapons while warning other nations against doing as we do. (The Human Quest, May-June 2005, 23). The people are with the peace movement; we only need to be better organized and persistent. Volunteer to lead our Watch? Let’s get Scott Ritter to Fayetteville.



CONGRESS WATCH

Congressman Boozman voted against an amendment by Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., that urged Bush to develop a plan to withdraw U. S. military forces from Iraq. But so did the 3 Ark. Democrats (Ross, Snyder, Berry). Our two senators voted against judicial nominee Priscilla Owen, but she was confirmed. Lincoln voted to delay a confirmation vote on anti-UN Bolton to be UN Ambassador; Pryor voted to end delay. Lead our Watch?



UNITED NATIONS THIS SUMMER AND FALL IN ARKANSAS

Saturday, August 27, annual membership meeting somewhere in central Arkansas. Plan to attend. October will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the UN. For several years now OMNI has marked the day. Watch for the announcement. Will you help organize it?



SEPT. 17, THIS IS A CONSTITUTIONAL NATION

TMN 5-29 reminds us that Sen. Byrd’s new law requires schools to teach about the U. S. Constitution on Sept. 17 each year. The next time someone says the US is a Christian nation, speak up for the historical truth that the US is a constitutional country.



Travel With Equality This Summer: http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/ct/edqOQ4Y1YzeA/
When traveling, spend your dollars with companies that support equality. The HRC Foundation rates hundreds of companies on policies toward the GLBT community. Download the "Travel With Equality" one-pager to print and take with you before you hit the road: http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/ct/edqOQ4Y1YzeA/




OMNI SEEKS A WORLD FREE OF WAR AND THE THREAT OF WAR, A SOCIETY WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL, A COMMUNITY WHERE EVERY PERSON’S POTENTIAL MAY BE FULFILLED, AN EARTH RESTORED. WORLD PEACE, HUMAN RIGHTS, SOCIAL JUSTICE, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP. Thanks to FCNL and AFSC.