OMNI NEWSLETTER: EVENTS, ACTIONS, COMMENT

AUGUST 24, 2005, BUILDING A CULTURE OF PEACE


"The world is dangerous not because of those who do harm, but because of those who look at it without doing anything." - Albert Einstein All of our newsletters are packed with issues our congressional representatives need to hear from you about.



--Senator Blanche Lincoln: Web Site: lincoln.senate.gov
Washington Office:355 Dirksen Senate Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20510-0404
Phone: (202) 224-4843 Fax: (202) 228-1371. Fayetteville office: 251-1380;.

--Senator Mark Pryor: Web Site: pryor.senate.gov
Washington Office:217 Russell Senate Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20510-0403
Phone: (202) 224-2353 Fax: (202) 228-0908
Main District Office:700 W. Capitol, Rm. 2527 Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: (501) 324-6336 Fax: (501) 324-5320

--Congressman John Boozman, Fayetteville office, 442-5258; 207 W. Center, 72701.



These newsletters are organized roughly into 3 groups: 1. upcoming events; 2. local and state news and comment. 3. national and international news and comment.



UPCOMING EVENTS:

CONSEQUENCES OF WARS: ATTACKS ON CIVIL LIBERTIES
AUGUST 25, THURSDAY, 7PM, ARKANSAS SENATORS AND CONGRESSMAN and CIVIL LIBERTIES, 7p.m. Patriots for Civil Liberties will host a letter writing campaign to Rep. Boozman and Senators Lincoln and Pryor on the issue of not reinstating the parts of the Patriot Act that are due to expire. Boozman is wavering on this issue. So please join us at the OMNI Center located at 902 W. Maple in Fayetteville. If you haven't already signed the petition to have the City of Fayetteville pass a resolution against certain parts of the Patriot Act you can read the proposed resolution and sign the petition at: http://www.northwest-ark.com/pfcl/ .



AUGUST 25, Thursday, SCHOOL BOARD, 5:30
Censorship and Parental Rights (from Janet L Titus, MD)

There is an agenda item concerning whether to put a request from Dr Paulson to overturn the board’s decision on the first three books on the agenda for a future meeting. The board will have to vote, so there is some opportunity for citizen input at that time.

Background: The Fayetteville Public School System is currently embroiled in a controversy over the school library book selection policies. A local parent complained about three books, It’s So Amazing, It’s Perfectly Normal, and The Teen-aged Guys Survival Guide. Against the recommendations of a committee of parents, teachers and librarians, the Fayetteville School Board voted to restrict the books to the parent section of the libraries, essentially removing them from circulation. I read all three books. As a physician, I found them to be open, honest and accurate in their factual information. As a sexuality educator, I was struck by the fact that “Its Perfectly Normal” contained much the same information we teach our youth at church. As the mother of a 7th grade boy whose friends are already dating, “The Teenaged Guy’s Survival Guide” presented information I think will be helpful as he goes through the turbulent times of early adolescence. All three books were engaging, well written and likely to appeal to the age groups for which they are intended.

Emboldened by victory, the parent published a list of 54 other books she feels are pornographic and should be removed from the libraries. She claims only to want to control what her children read, but by advocating the removal of books, ends up a censor for my children and denies them access to books I would be delighted for them to read. Her list includes Pulitzer Prize winning novels by Nobel Prize winning authors such as Toni Morrison and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Many parents are working hard to prevent this attempt at censorship and are also trying to reverse the School Board’s decision on the first three books. The next board meeting is this Thursday, August 25th, 5pm at 1000 W. Stone St, directly north of Fayetteville High School. Please come to support free speech and prevent censorship or contact our e-mail list dontbanbooks@aol.com for more information. If you haven't already signed the petition against banning books in the school libraries you can do so at: http://www.northwest-ark.com .


AUGUST 26, FRIDAY, ANDREW RICE Speaking on Forgiveness, at OMNI, 7p.m.

A significant defense of reconciliation by a founder of 9-11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows. A reception with drinks and snacks will follow Andrew’s talk (if you want to bring something, let me know). Greetings and Invocation by Prof. John King. Intro. By Dick. Free Speech TV presented a powerful film recently comparing the peace movements in South Africa and Israel/Palestine, including an influential play in each country (Israel: “In the Shadow of a Violent Past”; SA: “National Madness”), with attention to organizations of families who have lost members to the violence. Peaceful Tomorrows is part of an inspiring worldwide movement for reconciliation. Andrew’s talk commences OMNI’s FALL FORUMS.



AUGUST 27, SATURDAY, FILM ABOUT HANK KAMINSKY’S PEACE PRAYER FOUNTAIN
"Sphere of Influence," 29 min Directed by: Stace Treat Approx. show time 2:15 at Continuining Education on the Fayetteville Square. "Sphere of Influence" tells the story of sculptor Hank Kaminsky's creation
of the Peace Prayer Fountain, which sits in front of the Fayetteville Town Cente. By illuminating the separate elements of the bronze-sculpting process, the documentary explores the interrelatedness of artistic expression, technical prowess, intuition and rational problem-solving in the 18 month creation of a large bronze
sphere. The film won awards for Best Documentary and Best Editing at the 2005 Outhouse Film Festival in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.



AUGUST 27, DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE
7 pm, at Unity of Fayetteville, 4880 Wedington Drive. Rev. Tasnim Hermila Fernandez will be leading a Dances of Universal Peace workshop Sept. 16-18 at Ozark Research Institute in Fayetteville. Information and registration forms may be downloaded from http://www.ozarkdancecircle.us



AUGUST 28, SUNDAY, 7PM, VIDEO UNDERGROUND

This fascinating documentary blends songs, newsreels and archival footage with interviews of more than 40 Holocaust survivors to paint an eye-opening portrait of the courageous Jewish resistance in Vilna, the capital of Lithuania. Recounting how a commando unit was formed to conduct sabotage missions against the Nazis, the film explores the moral dilemmas facing the Jewish youth who organized an underground resistance. Show Time: 130 Minutes

This video is 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 .



AUGUST 29-SEPTEMBER 2 VIEW SHORT TAKES ON CAT CH. 18, 11am, 6pm, 11pm
See Cliff Hughes speak about the war. (And Aug. 25-27). And Dick read Aristophanes’ story “Irene” (Peace). When will you speak or read or sing for peace and justice and ecology over free TV? There’s little media left for us.



AUGUST 29- PLANNED PARENTHOOD

You are invited to an open house the week of August 29th at Planned Parenthood on Township in Fayetteville. Tuesday night, the 30th, from 4 - 8PM will be media night. come see the changes at PP, our new pre-natal care facility and lots more. Light refeshments will be served. Thanks.

Linda Farrell



SEPTEMBER 3, SATURDAY, RAPID RESPONSE WRITERS

Ozark Mountain Smokehouse, 11:30 AM. Contact Larry Woodall.



SEPTEMBER 4, SUNDAY, COFFEEHOUSE FOR PEACE

Our Open Mic resumes after a summer break. Come play, sing, read, speak.



SEPTEMBER 6, Tuesday, FORUM ON Pentagon-White House-Media War Complex.

A panel will discuss the new book, War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death by Norman Solomon. The Forum will take place at the home of Nancy Maier beginning at 6:30 to get acquainted and snacks and drinks, Forum beginning at 7:00. Panelists are: Nancy Maier (Music Educator), Prof. Patsy Watkins (Journalism), Gary Gray (Family Counselor), and Prof. Gerry Sloan (Music). Moderated by Prof. Emeritus Steven Neuse (Political Science). Nancy’s address is: 951 Missouri Way, Fayetteville, 72701. To get there: on Mt. Sequoyah, one street down from Assembly and Skyline; home: 521-5678; e-mail: ncmaier@cox-internet.com From Marvin's IGA on College and Lafayette, turn left (if coming from the north) and go east on Lafayette for about six blocks. (Do not turn left onto highway 45 or Mission) Instead continue up Lafayette and take the first right which is Dogwood. Travel about 1/4 mile on Dogwood. Turn right on Missouri Way (first real street on the right). My house is the third house on the left with Welcome sign. Parking: across the street, in my driveway, or come with a friend. Please put the date on your calendar and save these directions. The book is available at UA Bookstore, Hastings, and Barnes and Noble.



SEPTEMBER 7, Diwan Baghdad, ME war(s) forum, Profs. Swedenburg, Gordon, and Ghadbian. 1st/3rd Weds of Sep-Oct-Nov. AU 308SW, 12:30-.



SEPTEMBER 10-14 (see below on OMNI’s Department of Peace Committee)

Marvin Hilton will attend the Peace Alliance Conference (promoting Cong. Kucinich’s Department of Peace) in DC Sept 10-14. Anyone else going? Strong support for the Milfords and our new DoP Committee. From Marvin: “The Peace Alliance is sponsoring a Department of Peace conference in Washington DC. The main purpose is to support a bill to create a cabinet level "Department of Peace." For details go to www.thepeacealliance.org. I am hoping to develop a set of questions and suggestions about a "Department of Peace" to use at the conference. Walter Cronkite, Dennis Kucinich and Patch Adams will be speaking, among others. I am also hoping talk to our Washington representatives and be present in the gallery of the US House of Representatives when the bill is re-introduced. I will be leaving on September 9. If you would like to join in a discussion on this, please email me at skymar@cox-internet.com. or call 466 9240.”



SEPTEMBER 11, REMEMBERING VICTIMS AND HEROES

OMNI’S program is in preparation by Gladys Tiffany and Rev. Libby Lazarraga.



SEPTEMBER 11, 10AM, PROTEST OF WAR CONTINUES

At intersection of College and Dickson. In contrast to the nationalized Christianity of Pat Robertson, who would imitate the CIA in assassinating foreign leaders, let us appeal to Fayetteville Christians to follow Jesus.



SEPTEMBER 11, SUNDAY, VIDEO UNDERGROUND

7PM AT OMNI.



SEPTEMBER 14, WEDNESDAY, 12 NOON, MOHJA KAHF

THINKING YOUR WAY AROUND THE STEREOTYPE OF THE MUSLIM WOMAN

At HogHaus Restaurant, Dickson St., talk begins at 12 noon or soon after, so come early to order and be served.



SEPTEMBER 21, INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

At OMNI/UCM, Celebrating Peacemakers. Come tell about one of your favorite heroes of peace and justice.



SEPTEMBER 22-OCT. 1 BANNED BOOKS WEEK

OMNI will host a read-in of passages from banned books. Write or call Dick to join in the celebration. 442-4600



SEPTEMBER 23-24, ECOLOGY: PRAIRIE FESTIVAL 2005

The Land Institute, Salina, KS, www.landinstitute.org; 785-823-5376.


SEPTEMBER 24 MUSIC FESTIVAL

OMNI invites everyone to The Peace on Earth Music Festival, a celebration of peace through music and the spoken word. Come to the Greek Theater on Dickson Street at the U. Of A. Campus in Fayetteville on Saturday, September 24th, from 3:00 – 10:00 pm for a performance of international artists. Contact: Stephen Coger or Moshe Newmark. More details in next newsletters.



GO TO DC TO PROTEST THE WAR

“United for Peace and Justice,” “Codepink,” and others are organizing a “Massive March, Rally & Anti-war Festival” September 24-26 in Washington, D.C. It begins with at gathering on the steps of the Washington Monument at 11:00 a.m. on the 24th (a Saturday) and includes an Interfaith Service, Congressional Education Day, and Mass Nonviolent Direct Action and Civil Disobedience. People from all walks of life and all corners of the U.S. will converge to express their desire for a complete pull-out from Iraq, an end to torture, an end to the bankrupting of our communities, and an end to military recruitment in our schools. Marty Slaughter would like to organize a carpool with other interested parties from the area. Contact him at Marty_Slaughter@hotmail.com. http://www.demaction.org/dia/organizations/codepink/signUp.jsp?key=443



NWA AND ARKANSAS NEWS AND COMMENT

NWA WORKERS JUSTICE CENTER seeks a full-time Director. We look for someone with a history in progressive politics and organizing who has experience in fundraising, grant writing, community outreach, and organizing. Director must work effectively with Spanish-speaking immigrants, religious groups, and other members of our community. Starting salary $30,000. Please send cover letter, resume, and names/addresses/emails of three references to: NW Arkansas Workers Justice Center, 902 West Maple, Fayetteville, AR. 72701. Review of applications will begin September 6th, 2005.



OMNI’S LOCAL IRAQ WATCH

From “Elvis”: “FYI The KUAF community calendar accepted my submission for the OMNI center protest and so it will appear there until late December (although I could have requested that the event be posted beyond that date). You can submit your community events at to the KUAF community calendar at the following address. They even let you submit a small photo or image.
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kuaf/events.eventsmain?action=submitEvent
I like their site because it lets you search for events by area code, event type, venue or by keyword. You can view the announcement of the OMNI protest at
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kuaf/events.eventsmain?action=showEvent&eventID=322575”



SUPPORT THE DEPARTMENT OF PEACE

http://www.thepeacealliance.org/main.htm http://www.dopcampaign.org/
I met with Sara and Casey Milford Thurs., who are the coordinators of OMNI’s committee to promote Kucinich’s DoP. They welcome your support: sara@everydaysimple.org See above about Marvin Hilton going to the Department of Peace Conference. I had lunch with Marvin, who will be another strong voice for this new peace initiative.



LOW POWER RADIO

FSTV presented “The People’s Choice,” a strong advocacy of low power radio for democracy, diversity, and the poor. Media consolidation has homogenized content, which is to say it has deleted the actual diversity in the U.S. and concealed real needs of the people, all for the financial profit of a few. Produced by United Church of Christ for the National Council of Churches. Urge your church to get and show the film. Support OMNI’s effort to acquire its own LPR station. If you wish to help, contact our committee (Carl Barnwell, cbarnw "AT character" centurytel.net; Jim Hale). People own the airwaves, but they have been stolen by corporations. Get informed and contact your legislators.



OMNI NEEDS RPT assistant

An assistant to help with the Religious Peace Traditions Forums, to gather the names of the clergy of all of the mainstream churches and their email addresses, and to send them letters, etc.



OMNI NEEDS public relations assistant

Someone to keep our directory of media news people up to date for press releases, and to expand our public relations beyond press releases.



OMNI NEEDS help with VU

A person for our Video Underground to prepare for discussion of the films, petition(s), letter writing materials, handouts for contacting our congressional representatives and other appropriate officials.



OMNI NEEDS liaison

To help Pippin liaison with glbt groups, to attend glbt meetings, keep OMNI informed of their needs and plans, advocate diversity, help build coalition with anti-violence groups.



OMNI NEEDS compiler of types of violence and cruelty against humans and other species in NWA and the organizations devoted to preventing and alleviating them, and to lead coalition-building with them.



ECOLOGY: BOTTLED WATER

A study from the NRDC reported contaminations in bottled water. In contrast, public water is carefully supervised and tested. Should we campaign against bottled water with its many liabilities ($cost, hidden costs: pollution, landfill, litter, plastic/fossile fuel, global warming, etc.)? Form a coalition? Leader? Bob Morgan at the lab for the Beaver Lake Water District and Amy Wilson of BLWD sent this link to the NRDC 1999 report on bottled water: http://www.nrdc.org/water/drinking/bw/bwinx.asp.



ECOLOGY: LAND USE PLANNING AND ORDINANCE FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY

“The meeting this week points out just how much the county needs a landuse plan and zoning ordinance in place.” NWA editorial (July 27). At last Aldo Leopold’s 1940s appeal for a land ethic is being heard by officials of Washington County, but it’s only a beginning.



ECOLOGY: BEAVER LAKE WEBSITE

Beaver Water District’s web site at www.bwdh2o.org is up and running,

LOW POWER RADIO

FSTV presented “The People’s Choice,” a strong advocacy of low power radio for democracy, diversity, and the poor. Media consolidation has homogenized content, which is to say it has deleted the actual diversity in the U.S. and concealed real needs of the people, all for the financial profit of a few. Produced by United Church of Christ for the National Council of Churches. Urge your church to get and show the film. Support OMNI’s effort to acquire its own LPR station. If you wish to help, contact our committee (Carl Barnwell, cbarnw "AT character" centurytel.net; Jim Hale). People own the airwaves, but they have been stolen by corporations. Get informed and contact your legislators.







NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS AND COMMENT



MEDIA WATCH

Extra! Update (August 2005) gives examples of how US mainstream media promote US empire and violence.: Criticism by Fox News, Washington Times, MSNBC, Wall Street Journal, of critics of Pres. Bush; Paul Harvey, radio personality syndicated by Disney/ABC, advised his listeners that feeling guility about US history of slavery and genocide would harm the U.S. (Disney blocked distrib. Of Moore’s anti-war Fahrenheit 9-11 because it “could alienate many.” But Harvey’s pro-war program is ok.); Tucker Carlson, MSNBC, praised the French for bombing the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior (killing a Greenpeace photographer); etc.



IRAQ WATCH

SENATOR CHUCK HAGEL SUPPORTS LEAVING IRAQ: Are congressional Republicans to lead the for peace!?

Hagel: 'Iraq Looking like Vietnam' http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/082205M.shtml

A leading Republican senator and prospective presidential candidate said Sunday that the war in Iraq has destabilized the Middle East and is looking more like the Vietnam conflict from a generation ago. See report in TMN (8-22 1B.

JOAN BAEZ TO CAMP CASEY,and more than 1000 others.



RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM WATCH

Rev. Pat Robertson of the Christian Coalition urged someone to murder Pres. Hugo Chavez of Venzuela. Amy Goodman had two guests on her “Ðemocracy Now” program who possessed detailed knowledge of Robertson—his long endorsement of violence in the name of Christianity, his intense support of US nationalism and imperialism, creating a nationalized, patriotic USA Jesus, his close relationship with Pres. Bush, his great wealth and influence with millions of people worldwide. Surely this is another issue that cries out for our attention. Will several of you lead us in a one-time or a sustained exposure of Robertson’s wrongdoings? Contact me. And we can all buy gas at Citgo, owned by Venezuela.



FREE SPEECH TV (courtesy of OMNI), 3am to 9am on Channel 18

Sample of recent programs:

--“The Bhopal Chemical Disaster” about Union Carbide’s (now owned by Dow) criminal negligence that killed thousands of Indians, and about the silent, slow, secret Bhopals all over the world by the chemical industry. www.visitbhopal.net

--Anti-Klan Rally in Nashville, TN

--“Death Row Kids,” youth sentenced to death.

--Ad: receive The Nation free for 1 month (4 copies), www.getthenation.com

--Global Response, international environmental org.

--“:We’re the Cops of the World” on US imperial depradations and destruction.
--“Liberty Bound,” the US failing to achieve the great promise of the Declaration of Independence, including a powerful comment by Howard Zinn.

--“Military Myths,” excellent analysis of many major myths promulgated by the Pentagon about recruiting, etc.

--Program on women’s grassroots organizing in Brazilian Amazon—for rights, forests, education, jobs.

--“Gay TV”: NYC gays and more (this program should be seen by straight people).

--“Holy Smoke: Religion Fights Tobacco.” Japanese and Western tobacco companies have aggressively pushed smoking in Cambodia. (100,000 children start smoking each day in the world; that is 3.6 million a year, to a significant extent caused by corporate advertising.)

--Powerful film comparing the South African Apartheid and Israeli Occupation of Palestine, and the peace movements in both countries, including an influential play in each country (Israel: “In the Shadow of a Violent Past”; SA: “National Madness.” I missed the title; it was written and produced by Kevin Harrison of Kevin Harris Productions.


C-SPAN

C-SPAN recently presented a lecture by Jared Diamond in San Diego, author of Collapse: Why Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. Why ours is failing and the historical contexts to help explain.



SOUTHERN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE Working Groups email newsletter. Recent issue highlights include: New Video Resources, Community Food Systems Handbook, Regional Event Info, Special Educational Opportunities, Shining Stars in the Southern Region. If you're interested in sustainable agriculture and food systems in the south you definitely want to sign up. Southern SAWG E-Newsletters are archived at http://www.ssawg.org/newsletter.html.



NUCLEAR EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

Insecurity: Hiroshima, Chernobyl, and After. This project to examine nuclear dangers is composed of a public exhibition, a book, a DVD, internet archive, and more. Opens at UN Nov. 2005. Contact Ashley Woods, www.ashleywoods.com



GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

IRIN, a humanitarian news service, is producing a photo expose of gender-based violence. Contact Joanne Clark, www.IRINnews.org

GRANTS AND LOANS
The "American Grants and Loans Directory" is now available. This
publication contains more than 1500 financial programs, subsidies,
scholarship, grants and loans offered by the US federal government.
It also includes over 700 financing programs available by foundations
across the United States.
CD Version: $69.95 Printed Version: $149.95 To order please call: 450-224-9275


GETTING OUT OF IRAQ: Supporting Cindy Sheehan and the Protesters at Crawford

Vigil 8-17: “What an astonishing experience! I decided just yesterday afternoon to do this, thinking I would stand out there on Carley Road with a candle all by myself. Thirty-three people showed up! I didn't know any of them except my own family. A great group, whole families, teenagers, and we had fun. Lots of passing cars honked their approval. It was almost no work at all on my part--people saw it on Moveon.org and came, most of them with their own signs and candles. We ended it about 8:30 with a time of silence in a circle in the dark holding our candles. Wonderful. Reporters were there from the Times and the Morning News. There may be photos in tomorrow's papers. I can't believe this happened in conservative Springdale. There's hope for the world” Maya Porter 1800 Carley Road, #22 Springdale, Arkansas 72762
479-872-8460 maya8460@sbcglobal.net Those of you of the 33, join with OMNI protesters of the war every Sunday at 10 am at intersection of College and Dickson. Help keep Ms. Sheehan’s and your protest alive by building a large, sustained protest in NWA.


SMEARING CINDY SHEEHAN

Here is an excerpt from an essay by one of the NYT’s finest writers.


Frank Rich: The Swift Boating of Cindy Sheehan

By Frank Rich The New York Times, MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 2005

Once Sheehan could no longer be ignored, the Swift Boating began. Character assassination is the Karl Rove tactic of choice, eagerly mimicked by his media surrogates, whenever the White House is confronted by a critic who challenges it on matters of war. The Swift Boating is especially vicious if the critic has more battle scars than a president who connived to serve stateside and a vice president who had "other priorities" during Vietnam.


"War is God's way of teaching Americans geography" Ambrose Bierce


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 and ECONOMIC JUSTICE, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.