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

JUNE 3, 2005


What would we say about a group of people who, upon seeing a house on fire, formed a picket line and chanted, "Water! Water!" instead of forming a bucket brigade?


JUNE 3, FRIDAY, 6:30, ANTHONY MARR LECTURES, Fire Mountain Restaurant (south of the Mall)

A lunch there costs only $5.99, so dinner should be close to that. Food is well-prepared, as good as Golden Corral or Springdale's Western Sizzlin, or better. Tell the cashier you are there for the lecture and take your food to the partitioned meeting room east side of building.

See the website of his event in Phoenix by the Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix - www.HSGP.org 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 explain this new and ground-breaking model of the Universe that embraces all the sciences.



JUNE 4, SATURDAY, 9:30, Opening of Students' Bridge of Peace Ceramic Design., Jones Center



JUNE 4, SATURDAY, 11:30, RAPID RESPONSE WRITERS, Ozark Smokehouse



FREE SPEECH TV

Some programs week of May 31-June4: 2 powerful documentaries on ruinous consequences of overdevelopment in Florida-destroyed wetlands, declining aquifers and water quality, dying reefs, etc., despite the Fla. Constitution, which declares that the purpose of government is to protect species and the earth. One of the docs. is entitled "Changing Lanes" by George Sibley. Only a few decades ago Florida was a paradise, but the people are allowing growth and sprawl to conquer it. Amy Goodman's "Democracy Now" every morning 7am. All paid for by OMNI.



IRAQ WAR

FILM: Short film on human cost of the Iraq war and a call to take action to stop the carnage is available to view on the web. You can download it and then forward it to your friends and congressional representatives. www.afsc.org/wagepeace

MUSIC: Econovox Records, Viva! Apocalypse by sonic folk band, Beatnik. Songs tell story of an Administration run amok.

WORLD TRIBUNAL: The final session of the World Tribunal on Iraq will take place June 27 at the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, with Scott Ritter and other experts. www.worldtribunal.org


FLAG PATRIOTISM
The real estate agency "Century 21" published a full-page flag-waving ad 5-27 for Memorial Day Weekend that contains one sentence: "We at Century 21 observe this Memorial Day by thanking the men and women who have served to make this country great and to provide the opportunity to seek the American Dream." No recognition that almost all of the US wars a U. S. government started and had nothing to do with the American Dream (unless defined as imperialism), that those wars were illegal and immoral, and killed a horrendous number of civilians, that they increased U. S. militarism and wasted our resources when they are so urgently needed for humanity. No mention of wars at all in the ad. Just commodifying the wars to sell their product. If you abhor this practice, write or call companies that wrap themselves in the flag for profit, and contact me for preparing for Memoral Day 2006. We will never have world peace until people and their leaders stop defining patriotism as flag/warrior nationalism and embrace international cooperation. Yes?


JUNE 7, 2005


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JUNE 7, TUESDAY, 7PM, OMNI, PROMISE US DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY FAIR

Planning meeting for final details. Come join in to ensure a good attendance and program. (Thanks especially at the last meeting to Livia, Melanie, Carol, Susan, Libby, Tiffany, and during the past few days especially to Livia, Melanie, and Mark Swaney).


JUNE 11, DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY FAIR, 10a.m. to 3p.m., UA GREEK AMPHITHEATER Promise US Diversity and Equality Coalition (NOW, Greens, OMNI, and other organizations) is proud to sponsor this inclusive, multi-cultural gathering to celebrate diversity and equality. Come out for live music, performances, and other family friendly activities, including the noon hour, so bring your own picnic and stay the whole time. We'll also have stimulating talks by a UA official on the UA's Diversity Resolution (about 10:30) and by a national officer of NOW on the Promise Keepers (about 1:00). If you or your group would like to participate, please email liviap@prodigy.net . Bring your own table or we can provide for $5.


JUNE 12, VIDEO UNDERGROUND, 7PM, OMNI

'Is WalMart Good For America?'. Two starkly contrasting images: one of empty storefronts in Circleville, Ohio, where the local TV manufacturing plant has closed down; the other -- a sea of high rises in the South China boomtown of Shenzhen. The connection between American job losses and soaring Chinese exports? Wal-Mart For Wal-Mart, China has become the cheapest, most reliable production platform in the world, the source of up to $25 billion in annual imports that help the company deliver everyday low prices to to 100 million customers a week. But while some economists credit Wal-Mart's single-minded focus on low costs with helping contain U.S. inflation, others charge that the company is the main force driving the massive overseas shift to China in the production of American comsumer goods, resulting in hundreds of thousands of lost jobs and a lower standard of living here at home.

This video is an 60 minute documentary. It will be shown at the OMNI CENTER FOR PEACE, JUSTICE, AND ECOLOGY located at 902 W. Maple in Fayetteville, in the basement of the Presbyterian and Disciples Student Center. This event will begin at 7:00 pm. Admission is free, donations are welcomed.

View the Video Underground's entire video schedule at: http://omni-vu-films.blogspot.com

View the Video Underground's lending library list: http://omni-vu-films.blogspot.comflib.htm


JUNE 26, SUNDAY, GAY PRIDE PICNIC

Interweave (gbltq and straight allies from the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville) will once again put on the Pride Picnic in the Agri Park, Fayetteville on Garland/ Hwy 112. . The picnic will be preceded with a special Coming Out service at the UUFF at 11am. For PRIDE, contact their email and whoever is "in charge" that semester replies - pride@uark.edu.



PATRIOT ACT

The Northwest Arkansas Times has editorialized against our campaign to persuade the Fayetteville City Council to oppose certain sections of the USA Patriot Act. I hope you will respond to the editorial in whatever ways suit you.



ANTHONY MARR'S 2 LECTURES JUNE 3

We experienced the treat of 2 unique lectures. Marr graphically explained the extermination of tigers-some species already gone, others certain to disappear. (See below on sea turtles.) Marr is trying to save the one species for which there is hope-the Bengal Tiger. His film and slide show were excellent. Shifting gears completely, he explained his idea of an evolutionary universe-including planet Earth-that continues today and might continue another 5 billions years. An extraordinary evening that related deeply to OMNI's ecological philosophy and practice. And I think the food is excellent (though that's a matter of personal taste). Thanks to Darrel, Doug, and Jo for helping. Unfortunately, no reporter attended, but Cat Donnelly was there and will perhaps write about the lectures and find a publication for it. All of you who attended, consider writing about Marr, at least to friends. Thanks also to Becca Bacon Martin of TMN for reporting the event twice in advance.



LOCAL CULTURE WATCH

For over a decade Dan Vega and Roger Henry have examined the USA on their CAT program "One Whirled View." Don't miss it, and thank them when you see them.



FREE SPEECH TV

Recent programs:

GLBT: "Gay USA" talk show.

ECOLOGY: "Last Journey for the Leatherback [turtle]". As old as dinosaurs, the 7 species of sea turtles, of which the Leatherback is the largest in individual size, are now faced with extinction. Industrial fishing technology is eradicating the sea turtles, which like the tigers are like canaries in a coal mine. The warning is for us here in NWA. Know global, see local.

GROWTH/DEVELOPMENT (a main cause of the massive slaughter of species):"6 Fairy Tales About Growth in Florida": 1 Growth is Progress, 2 Vacant Land Is Wasted Land, 3 More Jobs Mean Better Communities, 4 Technology Can Cure Anything, 5 Growth Is Good Government, 6 Your Voice Doesn't Count. [TMN 6-7 reports on plans not only to widen Interstate 540 between Fayetteville and Bentonville at an est. $350 million but to build another western bypass to encourage more growth and development and more destruction of our region's earth and species.]

US CAPITALIST POWER: "Culture Jamming," ways to counter the dominating corp. culture and its ubiquitous "mind share" advertising. Jill Sharpe, Writer and Director.



CITGO

There are at least two Venezuelan-fuel Citgo stations in Fayetteville: on College across from Fiesta Square and on Garland across from Harp's. (See May 25 Newsletter).



ECOLOGY
PHOTO CONTEST

National Wildlife photography competition, deadline July 15: www.nwf.org/nationalwildlife/photocontestrules.cfm

Pledge to Protect Plants and Animals CONGRESS WATCH

Some in Congress seek to weaken the Endangered Species Act. Sign the Endangered Species Act Pledge: www.nwf.org/action, click on "Keep Wildlife in Our Future." RESIST DEVELOPMENT Runaway sprawl is destroying essential wildlife habitat is imperiling many species. Defend the Endangered Species Act. Write and call our city leaders and our congresspeople.

IRAQ WAR AGAINST SPECIES AND EARTH-AGAINST LIFE

The Iraq war and all wars are massive wars against the earth and species, yet I have seen nothing written or heard anything said in the media about it. Will you help organize a forum or some other informative event on the subject?

URBAN ENVIRONMENT

See TMN 6-6 for report on the United Nations World Environment Day Conference in San Francisco and the "Urban Environmental Accords" signed by mayors from around the world. The nonbonding accords list 21 specific actions that can make cities greener, including increased public transportation, drastic cuts to the amount of trash sent to landfills, safe drinking water for all by 2015. Mayor Coody said he did not sign the accord but that he did sign the Kyoto Accord. [ The U.S. could have achieved all 21 goals, I suspect, had Pres. Bush not squandered our energies and resources on the illegal Iraq War. D]

HUMAN POWERED TRANSPORTATION: http://www.eco-living.net/writings/transport/effengine.html



WHAT IS LIFE?

TMN pub. 6-5 Molly Ivins excellent article on "Bush's Culture of Life Unfortunately Excludes the Living." Bush will veto the stem-cell research bill because it will destroy "emerging human life" but he will start an unnecessary war that kills thousands, etc.



IRAQ WAR: BRING THEM HOME

Help create a collective voice, visit the web site at www.bringthemhome.info to Order the Support Our Troops/Bring Them Home magnet for your car. The infinity loop symbolizes our commitment to their safe return.

Pape, Robert. Dying to Win. I heard Pape being interviewed on TV, where he made a convincing case for leaving Iraq.



IRAQ WAR/AID TO AFRICA

The world's wealthiest nations, except for the USA, are doubling their aid to Africa in a modern day Marshall Plan to relieve the deepening poverty and chaos in Africa. UK's PM Blair says it is "the fundamental moral challenge of our time." But Pres. Bush says, "It doesn't fit our budgetary process." NYT (June 5, 2005). [Instead of the fraudulent war on Iraq, the US could have funded a world Marshal Plan and become the world's benefactor and defanged terrorists.]



WAR ON TERROR VERSUS JUSTICE: CLOSE DOWN GUANTANAMO

Powerful voices are rising to shut down this repudiation of the U. S. justice system-Senator Joseph Biden, The New York Times. [But it must be part of a general return to the rule of law-shutting down the harmful portions of the USA Patriot Act and numerous other recent attacks on the U. S. Constitution, most recently the attempt by the FBI to acquire subpoena power without judicial oversight.]



MONUMENTS FOR GRASSROOTS MILITARISM AND FOR PEACE

The patriotic orgy of Memorial Day weekend I'm sure has caused us all to reflect about what is happening to our country and what are the causes of the martial, flag nationalism that so dominates our leaders and their followers. One cause is the saturation of pro-war monuments (the worst example in our area is in Bella Vista that glorifies all US wars), war reenactments, and other reinforcers and conditioners of public acceptance of US wars. In Fayetteville counter-monuments give some balance-the Peace Globe Fountain, the Fulbright Peace Fountain, numerous peace poles. But we have no anti-war monument like Paul Thek's "Warrior's Leg" sculpture, which depicts the calf and foot of a soldier hacked off at the knee (TMN 5-30). Instead of the countless statues, events, and flags that indoctrinate us to celebrate war "victories" and honor veterans of past wars, Thek gives us a disembodied leg left on some ancient field of battle to remind us of the horror and loss of wars. Let the flags wave?



NAZIS IN U.S. GOVERNMENT

TMN June 2 published a long article by Bob Woodward about the FBI's Mark Felt, who revealed himself as Woodward and Bernstein's "Deep Throat." The article reveals many important matters. One is Felt's belief that "the Nixon Team were Nazis" who were contaminating the FBI and had to be stopped. "Nazi" is an extreme analogy, but perhaps the idea that inside our government are people who despise and would violate our constitutional democracy offers a way to stop and reverse the increasing attacks on the Bill of Rights by the present administration and Congress, of which the specific "USA Patriot Act" is only a part.



BUSH SNUBS UN and INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

June 25 is the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the UN, and San Francisco(where the UN Charter was signed in 1945) is celebrating. But Bush, Rice, Bolton, et al. of this Admin. are not attending.



BOOZMAN WATCH

Congressman Boozman traveled to an assembly Ljubljana, Slovenia, to give a paper on "China's trade and monetary policy." Our congressman has an influential foreign policy position in Congress, and we should be familiar with his views. We have an opportunity through him to influence policy.



MILITARY RECRUITING

We have an opportunity to affect recruiting because Army recruiters are failing to meet their quotas, and parents who served in the military are divided almost 50/50 over whether to encourage their children to enlist, even though vets are twice as likely to recommened military service to their children as parents who didn't serve. AND MILITARISM: The continual wars instigated by the U. S. have produced this immense number of pro-war veterans who support more wars. Veterans for Peace, in contrast, is a small organization.



RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM AND THE DRIVE TOWARD THEOCRACY

Matt Bennett, founder of the Christian Union, is raising money for evangelical Protestants, like Catholics and Jews, to have additional academic campus centers. MB: "If we are going to change the world, we have to, by God's power, to see these campuses radically changed." See the article on evangelical Christians in the NYTIMES May 22. Our criticism of the Promise Keepers is a small expression of our conviction that the side that doesn't show up and speak up forfeits the match, is beaten, and replaced.



CONGRESS WATCH: NUCLEAR WEAPONS

"Preventing the use, testing, development and spread of nuclear weapons ranks with climate change as the major security challenges of our time," yet the recent Nuclear Proliferation Treaty conference "was one of the most shameful exhibitions of cynical time-wasting seen outside the Geneva Conference on Disarmament," according to Rebecca Johnson in "Spineless NPT Conference Papers Over Cracks and Ends with a Whimper" (May 27; Johnson is Dir. of Acronym Institute). Posted by: Mike_Wallace on http://PEJ.org Monday, May 30, 2005. What are our congressional representatives doing about this? Contact them and let your Newsletter know.



STAR WARS

Weapons in Space
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Union of Concerned Scientists have just released a major report on Weapons in Space which makes two key points: 1) only ASAT (anti-satellite) weapons will be
cost-effective space weapons for the next several decades, and 2) US deployment of ASAT weapons could easily be duplicated by other nations, creating a major threat to strategic stability and an arms race in space.
The report's section on "Policy Implications" of space weaponization is a good place to start at:
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_security/space_weapons/page.cfm?pageID=1771
For the entire text of the 184 - page report is available at:
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_security/space_weapons/page.cfm?pageID=1770



BUSH ADMINISTRATION PROPAGANDA WEBSITES

http://lifeandliberty.gov (Patriot Act); http://freedom.gov (Iraq War) from Carl Barnwell


WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM

The WILPF celebrates its 90th Anniversary this summer in San Francisco, August 10-14. www.wilpf.org This is for you Carol.



SMALL FARMERS v. AGRIBUSINESS

From Food First Institute, "Rights Fight: Local Democracy vs. Factory Farms in Pennsylvania," www.foodfirst.org



LEFT LAW

Students at Harvard Law School, new issue of Unbound: Harvard Journal of the Legal Left, www.law.harvard.edu/students/orgs/unbound