|
OMNI NEWSLETTER: EVENTS, ACTIONS, COMMENT
SEPTEMBER 4, 2005, BUILDING A CULTURE OF PEACE
Regarding war and empire, the U. S. National Security State, we have only one GOP/DEM Party. Get on their case:
--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, District 3, 12 counties from Benton to Washington
Fayetteville office: 442-5258; 207 W. Center, 72701.
Ft. Smith office: 479-782-7787; 30 Soutt 6th St. Rm 240, Ft. Smith 72901.
Harrison office: 870-741-6900; 402 N. Walnut, Suite 210, Harrison 72601.
DC address: 1708 Longworth House Office Bldng., Washington, DC 20515; 202-225-4301.
PETITIONS: OMNI is trying to have at least one petition circulating on various issues at each of our events. Let Dick know for publicity and other assistance, if you plan to create and organize a petition. See below on 3 petitions.
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
SEPTEMBER 4, SUNDAY, 7PM, COFFEEHOUSE FOR PEACE
Our Open Mic resumes after a summer break. Come play, sing, read, speak.
DONNA STJERNA, KELLY MULHOLLAN.
SEPTEMBER 4, 1-3, BOOK CENSORSHIP MEETING
Big strategy meeting this Sunday, 1-3 at the main building of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at 901 West Cleveland. There will be another meeting, same time, same location the following Sunday, the 11th. At the first we will discuss our strategy for the Town Hall meeting, make assignments, then at the second, we'll practice. Let me know if you can come. Janet Titus.
SEPTEMBER 5, OMNI OFFICE OPEN 11 TO 3, AND EVERY MONDAY
Contact Rachel Townsend-Moore.
SEPTEMBER 5-6, Filming Short Takes at CAT
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, Reception at 6:30, Forum 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, on Mt. Sequoyah. 521-5678. See last newsletter for directions. Parking: across the street, in my driveway, or come with a friend. The book is available at UA Bookstore, Hastings, and Barnes and Noble. Excerpt from book: Norman Solomon, “The Military-Industrial-Media Complex,” Extra! (July/August 2005).
SEPTEMBER 7, Diwan Baghdad, ME war(s) forum, Profs. Swedenburg, Gordon, and Ghadbian. 1st/3rd Weds of Sep-Oct-Nov. AU 308SW, 12:30-.
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 9, Silent Art Auction at Town Center for NWA Rape Crisis Center. Reception 9-9 5:30. 263-6353.
SEPTEMBER 11, REMEMBERING VICTIMS AND HEROES WORLDWIDE
OMNI’S program is in preparation by Gladys Tiffany and Rev. Libby Lazarraga (UCM 442-8041, h521-5632).
SEPTEMBER 11, PROTEST THE WAR EVERY SUNDAY
Intersection of College and Dickson, main group 10 to 11 A.M. (or come any time Sunday morning).
SEPTEMBER 11, SUNDAY, 7pm, VIDEO UNDERGROUND
This year September 11th will fall on a Video Underground regular show date. Because of the specialness of the date Video Underground will take a little different direction for the day. Instead of showing something political we will be showing What The #$*! Do We Know?! This film is unlike any other ever made. It is part spiritual, part science, and totally thought provoking. Because this film is my personal copy it will not be added to Video Underground's library. So, come join us September 11th for the one and only showing VU will have of this remarkable film. And as always, admission is without charge, though donations are most welcomed. For VU's complete schedule visit our website at: http://omni-vu-films.blogspot.com Pippin
SEPTEMBER 12, OMNI OFFICE OPEN, and every MONDAY 11-3
Rachel Townsend-Moore.
September 12, United Campus Ministry Board, 5:30
SEPTEMBER 13 BOOKS TOWN HALL MEETING
Tues., Sept. 13th, 6:30 p.m.—Fayetteville H. S. Auditorium. Talk to others, share your concerns, make sure we’re SEEN and HEARD!
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 in order to allow people to return to work at 1:00 if they need to, so come early to order and be served. Dr. Mohja Kahf will discuss the five elements of the prevailing Western stereotype about Muslim women. How is the stereotype deployed to serve dominant ideologies? How does it create a filter in our minds through which 'facts' and 'true stories' are understood? She will suggest ways to resist the stereotype through independent thinking. After Dr Kahf's presentation, the roundtable will be open for discussion of your own experiences with this stereotype. Moderated by Gladys Tiffany (creator of OMNI’s “Conversations”). Ref.: Afzal-Khan, Fawzia, ed. Shattering the Stereotypes: Muslim Women Speak Out. Interlink, 2005. Muslim women speak through essays, poetry, fiction, plays, art to reveal the complexity of their experiences and thoughts. (Avail. at UA Bookstore).
SEPTEMBER 19, MONDAY, BENEFIT FOR HURRICANE VICTIMS
A benefit auction and concert sponsored by Teatro Scarpino and The Omni Center will be held to raise money that will be donated to the American Red Cross to help with disaster relief. From 6-9 at Teatro Scarpino located on West Street. We are seeking items to auction and co-sponsors. For more information please contact Rachel Townsend, 200-0642.
Dave’s Screen Printing/Wildheart Designs has donated free printing of t-shirts for the benefit, with I-(Heart)- LA-MS-AL on the shirt. Money is now being raised to purchase the t-shirts.
--Local Red Cross needs money and people to answer phones, in Tonti Town, 442-4291, 250 Industrial Circle, look for sign on the left (south) side of Hwy 412 going W. from Springdale.
--To offer your home contact the national Red Cross at www.openyourhome.com Move-on is also organizing a national housing drive: http://www.hurricanehousing.org
--To help students transferring from damaged areas to the UA, contact Lynn Mosesso (575-6246) or Susan Byram (same no.)
n ACTION CALL: Time to bring the National Guard back from Iraq. Use this form to write to congressmen and senators: http://www.usalone.net/nationalguard.htm
SEPTEMBER 24
OMNI, U. A. Center for Peace, Justice & Ecology Announces:
The Peace on Earth Music Festival invites everyone in the NW Arkansas Community to celebrate 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. Musical entertainment includes Earl “Chinna” Smith, Jamaica’s legendary songwriter and ugitarist with Bob Marley and the Wailers, Peter Tosh and Burning Spear, to name only a few, Joseph Israel, Fayetteville rising reggae sensation, Papa Rap & DJ Tores, bringing the salsa sound to NW Arkansas, Geoff & Leslie with Kelly Mullhollan, international folk artists, DJ Hod-I from Santa Cruz spinning roots and conscious dancehall, and D. West and the Unknown SolJahs with Empress Pelayah, performing a fusion of alternative, hip-hop, reggae, and jazz. Spoken word artists include Clayton Scott, internationally acclaimed slam poet and Curtis Tate, actor and storyteller featuring African and African-American traditional tales.
The Peace on Earth Music Festival will also feature a “Tapestry of Cultures” Ceremony with representatives of various cultures coming forward to “speak their truth” of peace and war in their native countries. Joanne Kaminsky, internationally famous puppeteer will also perform a “Peace Puppet” Ceremony.
The event will be accented with a limbo contest, hands-on craft vendors from henna tatooing and jewelry-making to tie-dyeing and face painting, and an array of informative non-profit booths presenting a variety of ways that each of us may take action, helping to create a peaceful difference in our own communities.
The Peace on Earth Music Festival began as an idea from University of Arkansas music student, Stephen Coger, feeling that we are all connected and interdependent as inspired by quotes from the likes of music icon Ziggy Marley, “What divides us is an illusion, made up by man in their confusion.” With the observation that our culture of guns and violence as glorified on TV fuels fiction into becoming reality, it is important to know that peace is the only thing that makes us truly safe. “Let it start with me” was what came to Stephen and with this in mind, he and other students and members of the NW Arkansas community have rallied together to create an event that celebrates peace.
Sponsors of the Peace on Earth Music Festival include: Omni Center for Peace, Justice & Ecology, UofA OMNI Chapter, The Sierra Club, Nature’s Water, and other businesses, organizations, and individuals throughout NW Arkansas.
FAYETTEVILLE, NWA, ARKANSAS NEWS AND COMMENT
OMNI’S OFFICE OPENS
Every Monday from 11 to 3. Come by to see what books you want to check out. Thanks to Rachel Townsend-Moore.
OMNI NEEDS
A good, recent Windows XP-based computer. Contact John Ray.
OMNI August-Sept. 2005 OPPOSITION TO THE WAR AND OCCUPATION OF IRAQ AND TO WARS (see farther below on Leaving Iraq)
U. S. presidents readily choose war or threat of war as a (the?) primary tool of foreign policy, and they have developed a powerful propaganda machine for leading the nation to war. Here are some of OMNI’s responses.
IRAQ
Forum on Sunday demonstrations at College and Dickson, 10a.m., in Fayetteville.
Petition for leaving Iraq, with the Green Party.
Petition in support of H. J. Res. 55, “Homeward Bound.”
Petition against torture.
Cliff Hughes Short Takes.
Marty Slaughter and Carl Barnwell to DC for Sept. 24 Actions.
Rapid Respons Writers.
August 7 Remembrance, Medea Benjamin’s talk.
Andrew Rice lecture supporting reconciliation.
OMNI Steering Committee meetings.
To be organized (write or call Dick): poll on impeaching the president; pushing NWA Democrats to oppose war and occupation; support Rep. Lynn Woosey’s hearings; support Rep. Barbara Lee’s Resolution.
WARS
Forum War Made Easy Sept. 6 on presidential/mainstream media collusion in initiating wars.
Dick’s Short Takes.
Lyell Thompson to Veterans for Peace national conf.
August 7 events.
Video Underground, both films in Aug. about wars.
New committee to promote the Department of Peace.
9-11 Remembrance.
International Day of Peace.
Peace on Earth Music Festival.
Your participation and active assistance in these initiatives are most welcome. Opposing this imperial government with its $500 billion war budget (get your” It’s the War Department” bumper sticker at OMNI office) must be comprehensive and sustained—and numerous (in August alone we had a dozen actions and over 100 volunteers)-- if we are to hope for change.
NAMING THE VICTIMS OF WARS
TMN laudably prints the names of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Do you think the names of the wounded should be included? And at least the number of Iraqis and Afghans killed that week or month, and at least some of the names? If you do, join me in asking Mr. Tom Sissom, the Editorial Page Editor to add the names. We will never have world peace until each nation recognizes all the victims of wars as worthy of naming, yes? But at least TMN names some of the victims, though its empathy is only for our own. The NAT and ADG list none. Write the editors of those papers especially. On the basis of their response (or no reply), then perhaps write a letter to the editor; or write the Letter to the Editor now.
Reward established in case of woman’s battery
Friends of Jennifer Royer have established a reward fund in the hopes that cash will entice someone to provide information leading to the arrest of the person who assaulted the woman on Dickson Street. On Aug. 5, Royer suffered a fractured nose and other injuries after a man struck her as she kissed her girlfriend. Royer told police the man moments before had made disparaging remarks about her homosexuality, including calling her a "faggot."
No arrest has been made in the case. Persons interested in donating to a reward fund may do so at any Bank of Fayetteville location by depositing money in the Jennifer Royer Reward Fund, account 90077288. The money will be paid out to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for the crime.
Any person with information may call the Fayetteville police at 587-3555.
ANDREW RICE: NONVIOLENCE AND RECONCILIATION
Last Saturday the 26th Andrew emphasized several important ideas: the WTC bombings were murders, not an act of war; 9-11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows shares values of Families of Murder Victims for Reconciliation and other groups opposing revenge; there’s an important distinction between reconciliation and forgiveness: we might not be able to forgive but we can stop the cycle of violence; the importance of meeting and learning about enemies. Excellent talk. Over 30 people attended. Action for us? Invite Bud Welch and other relatives of 9-11 bombings, and relatives of victims of U. S. bombings to visit Fayetteville? You will do it?
FAMILY VIOLENCE
TMN 8-28 reported on 2 NWA orgs. opposed to indiv. and family violence: Scott Anderson Foundation for Children, raises money to aid abused children; and the 3rd Annual Peace at Home Family Shelter’s Open Water Swim, to raise money to help women and children victims of family abuse by providing an emergency safe shelter.
POVERTY IN ARKANSAS
--TMN 8-31 reports Ark. 3rd in most elderly disabled citizens, which worsens poverty. See below.
ECOLOGY
The lastest no. of “Pack & Paddle”, the newsletter of Th e Ozark Society, just arrived, with articles on work on the North Sylamore Creek Hiking Trail, on misc. political issues (Grand Prairie Irrigation, gravel mining on S. Sylamore Creek, criticism of new Sam’s in Fayettevill)e, Buffalo River Trip 2005, and more. www.ozarksociety.net
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS AND COMMENT
GETTING OUT OF IRAQ
Sign OMNI/Green Party Petition for Leaving Iraq. For a copy see www.omnicenter.org or call or write Dick, 442-4600. Resources:
--Bring Them Home Now (Veterans for Peace), www.bringthemhomenow.org
--Education for Peace In Iraq Center, www.epic-usa.org
--Veterans for Common Sense, www.veteransforcommonsense.org
--Operation Truth, www.optruth.org
--American Federation of Musicians at their 2005 Convention passed a resol. against the continued occupation of Iraq.
--Sacramento Veterans for Peace are demonstrating at the Militalry Entrance Processing Station.
--Ellen Barfield, “Bring Them Home Now—Or Not?” The Nonviolent Activist (July-Aug. 2005).
-- Here's the cost of Iraq war in real-time: http://costofwar.com
STOPPING TORTURE
Sign OMNI’s petition. See www.omnicenter.org for a copy to circulate or write or call Dick.
BANNING “DEPLETED” URANIUM
--International Coalition to Ban DU Weapons, www.bandepleteduranium.org
--Louisiana Activist Network, www.newdemocracyrising.com/uranium/asp
--Plowshares vs. DU Action, www.jonahhouse.org/du.htm
--G. Simon Harak, “A New Class of Radioactive Weaponry: Depleted Uranium,” The Nonviolent Activist (July0Aug. 2005).
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN PETITION
More than 63,500 people have signed the 700 Women petition and hundreds of people have shared their stories of survival. Now it's crunch time. We have just a few weeks left to press for a vote on the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act before the law expires. It is critical that we show the broadest possible support for the vote! You can help: Simply ask seven friends or more to sign the petition to stop violence against women. It will only take a minute or two. Click here.
SOCIAL JUSTICE: POVERTY USA
--“Poverty Continues to Increase” in the US (TMN 8-31). Since 2003: Now 37 million in poverty, up 1.1 million. Of the 37 million living below the poverty level, about a third are children. Number of people without health insurance rose 800,000 to 45.8 million. Household income remained flat. The last decline in overall poverty was in 2000.
FREE SPEECH TV (brought to you by OMNI, 3am to 9am daily on CAT Channel 18))
Sample programs:
--“The Threat of U.S. Intervention in Iran,” panel sponsored by Chicago Media Action.
--Making electric peace signs from ropelites + castaway lamp shade rings and cable ties (www.peppersprayproductions.org).
--Crime and punishment in Finland, where rehabilitation is primary—short terms, education, job training, massage, saunas, prisons like homes and workplaces to prepare for return.
--Noam Chomsky, “Intelligent Self-Defense,” interview by David Barsamian, Chomsky as usual lucid on Social Security, the Iraqi occupation, U.S. mainstream media, etc. and connecting all to the elite’s concentrated power.
--Doc. on WWII Japanese-American concentration camps (Manzanar, etc.), caused by public panic, racial stereotyping, and scapegoating. A find appeal for thought and love, defense of the Bill of Rights, and criticism of giving up freedom for security based on fear.
--“Call It Democracy,” an indictment of the US electoral system that produced the 2000 election.
--Lecture sponsored by Bioneers (www.cecdf.org) on overturning corporate power by denying them rights of persons and investing the people and the earth with those rights: the ability of all governmental entities to require corporations to be chartered for the public and land/species good.
--“Waco: The rules of Engagement,” calling into question the killing of the Branch Davidians.
--Amy Goodman’s “Democracy Now,” 7 to 8, not to be missed; e.g. a segment on the killing and jailing of Reuters reporters in Iraq, and a segment on the flooding of NO in context of Iraq war (shortage of National Guard and money for levees, pumps).
In Après l' empire ("After The Empire"), a runaway bestseller across Europe and in Japan, Todd argues that the function of the “war on terrorism” is to enable the US corporate state to extend its control over world resources.
DEATH PENALTY NEWS FROM BETSEY WRIGHT
* Significant clemency given mentally ill man in Indiana
*Exoneree to appear on Larry King Live Sept. 5
* ACLU challenge to moving Ohio death row to Supermax
* Texas set to execute first black woman
Clemency was given by the Indiana governor to a mentally ill inmate scheduled for execution. The clemency board had voted against clemency, even though the state's psychiatrist had determined the man to be severely insane
Alan Gell was exonerated last year, after serving on death row in North Carolina. He and his mother will be on Larry King Live on Monday, September 5.
The Ohio ACLU has filed suit to stop the move of Ohio's death row to the Supermax facility. I'm watching this one closely because I hope there are retroactive possibilities for our guys in getting quality of life measures restored.
Texas has scheduled its first execution of a black woman, Frances Newton, on September 14. Most abolitionists in Texas believe that she is not only innocent, but that serious errors were made in her original trial. http://www.freefrances.org/ betseyw@specent.com
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
ACR Update, September 1 , 2005 Published by the Association for Conflict Resolution,
a merged organization of AFM, CREnet and SPIDR http://www.ACRnet.org
WELCOME TO ACR UPDATE—the monthly e-newsletter sharing important conflict resolution news and organizational updates with ACR members. Your feedback is welcome!
SPRINGFIELD PNO’S CAMP CASEY
“Peace Network of the Ozarks in Springfield, Missouri, demonstrated its support for Cindy Sheehan and her quest to talk with the president by erecting its own Camp Casey on the grounds of the Unitarian Universalist Church. Camp opened on Sunday, August 28, and closed on the 31st, when Cindy closed her camp in Crawford and headed toward Washington, DC, where she will continue seeking answers. Not long after Peace Network set up camp, protesters appeared across the street with signs clearly stating we were not welcome nor patriotic.
During the four days of camp, we heard from a young man who asked us if there were any way we could help him NOT return to Iraq, from veterans who wanted to do everything possible to end this war, and from family members of soldiers presently serving in Iraq. The camp closed with a candlelight vigil where approximately 150 people listened somberly as the darkness gathered during the playing of taps.
Cindy's actions were our clarion call.”
SHERRY VANEPPS HUBBELL TO CAMP CASEY (Sherry from Springfield)
“I am a former Marine. I had no problem with the first Gulf War. In my mind our involvement there was justified. But is the current conflict justified? No - absolutely not.
I also felt an affinity for Cindy Sheehan as I am the mother of an 18-year-old son. Of course, if my son chose to join the military, I would never attempt to stop him. But I also would not encourage it: not now - and certainly not under this Commander-in-Chief!
Many of us at Camp Casey did not represent any organization - liberal, pacifist, or otherwise. We were there of our volition and on our own dime. I found a common thread amongst the protesters in that we not only oppose this war but most of George Bush's policies as well.
Civil protest makes for strange bedfellows, it seems. I became friendly with a lady from Vermont. She and 3 other people had staged some hideous anti-war protest last spring by splashing blood around the vestibule of a Navy/Marine Corps recruiting station. And there we were: buddies - the hardcore Catholic pacifist and the atheist former Marine. Only in America!”
IDEOLOGIES OF WAR AND TERROR: Join the Listserv oanderson@ideologiesofwar.com
Acts of war and terror—forms of behavior—are generated by beliefs and ideologies. What logic contained within an ideology can dictate a willingness to die and kill? How do ideologies function to allow desires and fantasies of group members to become articulated as dimensions of society? What are the psychological sources of our attraction to ideologies and how may we account for the passion with which they are embraced? Individual acts of violence are considered "criminal." Acts of violence committed by societal groups—nations and civilizations—on the other hand, often are glorified and imbued with a sense of goodness. What transformative power of ideologies converts murderous acts into forms of virtue?
Web: http://ideologiesofwar.com/
GOOD NEWS: INDIA AND PAKISTAN INCREASE PEACE
In numerous ways, nuclear-armed Pakistan and India, which have fought 3 wars since 1947, are reducing conflict between the two countries (TMN 8-31).
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.
|