OMNI NEWSLETTER: EVENTS, ACTIONS, COMMENT

FEBRUARY 12, 2006 BUILDING A CULTURE OF PEACE


Table of Contents:

I. Coming Events

II. Fayetteville, NWA, Arkansas

III. USA, World





COMING EVENTS



Feb 12, 2006 –VIDEO UNDERGROUND, The Battle of Algiers Director Gillo Pontecorvo's 1966 movie The Battle of Algiers concerns the violent struggle in the late 1950s for Algerian independence from France. Pippin Lowe, Greg Moore.



FEBRUARY 13, MONDAY, OMNI UA FILM SERIES: CITY OF GOD

Union Theater, 6pm, 5th Floor of the Student Union. Stephen Coger: omniua@uark.edu



FEBRUARY 13, 7PM, OMNI LPAM COMMITTEE, AT OMNI

Contact Carl Barnwell.



February 14, “The Oil Factor,” FSTV



FEBRUARY 14, Tuesday, OMNI’S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETS

At OMNI, 1:30, potluck. Contact Gladys Tiffany.



FEBRUARY 15, League of Women Voters, “Arkansas Judiciary and Amendment 80” (4-tiered system). FPL, 6-7:30p.m. Panelists: David Matthews, Kim Smith, J. D. Gingerich, John Watkins. Moderator: Bill Schreckhise.



FEBRUARY 15, 22 (every Wednesday), QUAKER MEDITATION FOR PEACE

At United Campus Ministry. 6PM?



FEBRUARY 16, 4:30, OMNI UA, AT OMNI. Stephen Coger.



FEBRUARY 16, OMNI’S STEERING COMMITTEE

5:30 potluck, meeting at 6:00. Dick.



FEBRUARY 18, SATURDAY, 5pm, FILM “In Whose honor?”takes a critical look at the long-running practice of ‘honoring’ American Indians as mascots and nicknames in sports. It follows Native American artist and activist Charlene Teters from her beginnings protesting against Chief Illiniwek at the University of Illinois, to the re-birth of the movement nationwide, and finally a look at the backlash that occurs in the community where she first began.”

Arkansas Union 507-508 University of Arkansas

Presented by the Center for Artistic Revolution

Co-sponsored by: The Multicultural Center, Native American Student Association, and Omni Center for Peace justice & Ecology

After the Film: The film will be followed by a discussion with Center for Artistic Revolution board member and Menominee Indian activist Kathi Wesho Bauer. Kathi will talk about CAR’s ongoing fight against the use of the “Indian Family” mascot at Arkansas State University.

CAR is general peace and justice organization but with attention to justice for gays. This is an opportunity for us to meet central Arkansas peace and justice and glbt advocates. Randi Romo.



FEBRUARY 18-19 We still have a few spots left for SIERRA CLUB’S Ozark Headwaters Group Retreat. Space is on a first-come / first-serve basis, so reserve your spot as soon as possible. Ozark Headwaters Group has been a leader in Arkansas' environmental community for many years and although we have made much progress, we still face many challenges, such as protecting public lands, stopping pollution, safeguarding our local water resources, and preventing sprawl.

The retreat will be held on Saturday, February 18th, 10am-4pm -and- Sunday, February 19th, 10am-noon at the Mt. Sequoyah Conference Center, overlooking downtown Fayetteville. http://www.mountsequoyah.org/

The cost is free to Sierra Club members. All meals and materials are included in that (extremely unbeatable) price. If you would like to reserve a spot for the retreat, please email franbfree@usa.net or call (479)443-6732.



FEBRUARY 19, 11 AM TO 1:30 AM, PROTEST THE OCCUPATION OF IRAQ

Intersection of College Ave. and Dickson Street, in Fayetteville. Chris Delacruz.



FEBRUARY 19, 6:30, SUNDAY HOWL

Herwords Outloud Presents HOWL (and every 3rd Sunday) at United Campus Ministry. Join us for the first Herwords Outloud, a women’s open-mic hosted by poet Mendy Knott. Herwords Outloud (affectionately shortened to HOWL) will happen the third Sunday of every month at 6:30pm. HOWL is hosted by 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.



FEBRUARY 20, MONDAY, Next Interweave meeting at the UUFF Annex Building @ 6:30-7:15 for social time and 7:15 to 8:30 for a business meeting. This month we will have cake for my 30th birthday and simply have open interaction during our social time. Topics in our business meeting will include GLTB religious education at the Unitarian Universalist fellowship, Pride Picnic Planning & discussion of interaction with Fayetteville High Schools GSA. Come for both or just part we'd like to get to know some new faces.



FEBRUARY 20-26, OMNI NEWS, A WEEK OF NEWS ABOUT NWA EVENTS
Channel 18, Community Access TV, 11a.m., 5a.m., 11p.m. Livia Phillips and Dick Bennett



FEBRUARY 20, DAISY BATES DAY (see google)



FEBRUARY 21, 7a.m., POLITICAL ANIMALS BREAKFAST At Clarion Hotel.


FEBRUARY 22, OMNI’S 4TH FORUM at CAT, Community Access TV

A roundtable moderated by Bill Williams (bill@iabv.com )

Subject: End the Occupation, Leave Iraq, Bring the Troops Home.

The program will be shown during the week of February 27-March 3.



FEBRUARY 24, FRIDAY, 6PM, OMNI’S CRITICAL THINKING AWARDS COMMITTEE

At home of Nancy Maier, potluck. Planning the awards. OMNI is giving a prize of $500 to an outstanding Fayetteville High School teacher.



FEBRUARY 25, Saturday, FREETHINKERS MEETING, Fayetteville Public Library, 2p.m.
At this February meeting we'll hear a full report about James Randi's fourth annual skeptic's conference called "The Amazing Meeting" in Las Vegas. We are always adding new material to our website. If you haven't checked it out yet you can find it here: www.fayfreethinkers.com Darrell Henschell and Doug Krueger, founders.





Feb 26, 2006 7p.m. – VIDEO UNDERGROUND, WMD: Weapons of Mass Deception

There were two wars going on in Iraq - one was fought with armies of soldiers,! bombs and a fearsome military force. The other was fought alongside it with cameras, satellites, armies of journalists and propaganda techniques. One war was rationalized as an effort to find and remove WMDs - Weapons of Mass Destruction; the other was carried out by even more powerful WMDs, Weapons of Mass Deception. Featuring Danny Schecter.

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 Pippin Lowe and Greg Moore.


FEBRUARY 26, INTERWEAVE MONTHLY DINNER AND FILM. Dinner at 5:00pm at Common Grounds. On to Video Underground at 7:00. Rachel Sweet



FEBRUARY 27, MONDAY, OMNI UA FILM

6 pm, Lessons of Darkness is a documentary about the first Gulf War, beautifully filmed with great classical music to back it. At Student Union Theater. Stephen Coger.




FEBRUARY 28, Tuesday, PBS/AETN, 7p.m., “Bullying! Leave Me Alone”! Live broadcast plus video on bullying as a learned behavior in a cycle of abuse. See below for more on bullying.



MARCH 8, 7PM, INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

Come tell/read about one of your favorite women heroes of world peace, human rights, social and economic justice, and environmental stewardship. Contact: Mendy Knott: hillpoet@yahoo.com



MARCH 11 RALLY AGAINST THE WAR (contact Greg Moore greg@blockstreetandbuilding.com )

Our scheduled speaker for the March 11 rally, Barbara Porchia, was interviewed by The News Hour's Margaret Warner on September 6, 2005 along with Cindy Sheehan and 2 other parents of US soldiers that will killed in Iraq.
You can read, listen or watch the interview at the following address.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/middle_east/july-dec05/families_9-06.html from Chris D

World Peace Scholarships (deadline March 29, 2006)
The Rotary World Peace Scholarship offers 70 individuals committed to
peace and conflict resolution the opportunity to earn a 2-YEAR MASTER'S
LEVEL DEGREE in INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, PEACE STUDIES & CONFLICT RESOLUTION at one of the Rotary Center's University partners.Complete details and applications can be downloaded and printed directly from the Rotary International website at www.rotary.org. Link: Rotary International: Rotary Centers for International Studies


FUTURE VIDEO UNDERGROUND

Copy and put on your bulletin board.

March 12, 2006 - (Double Header) - Sphere of Influence // Thomas Berry: The Great Story

(Sphere of Influence) Hank Kaminsky is the artist who created Fayetteville's World Peace! Prayer Fountain. This fascinating documentary chronicles the creation of a unique monument which glorifies the spirit of global peace, rather than conflict - from its inception, through sculpting and casting, to its public unveiling. Show Time: 30 Minutes

(Thomas Berry: The Great Story) As a pioneer in the field of spirituality and ecology, Thomas Berry has created a quiet revolution. He is a monk, a cultural historian, an author, a teacher, and a mystic. The film opens displaying the beauty of the natural world as Berry unfolds the story of creation. He sees his life work as waking us up to that sacred story. He calls us "mad" for the way we are despoiling our home, our planet, its beauty, and its living systems. He is a force that reminds us that we are living through the greatest extinction spasm of the past 65 million years. We are the ones responsible. Berry urges us to change our ways. Show Time: ! 45 Minutes

March 26, 2006 - Out of the Past

In 1995, Kelli Peterson started a gay and straight club at her Salt Lake City high school. The story of her ensuing battle with school authorities in interspersed with looks back at the diary of Michael Wigglesworth, a 17th-century Puritan cleric, at the 30-year love affair of Sarah Orne Jewett and Annie Adams Fields, at Henry Gerber's attempt after World War I to establish a gay-rights organization, at Bayard Rustin's role in the civil rights movement, and at Barbara Gittings' taking on of the American Psychiatric Association's position that homosexuality is illness. One person comments, "To create a place for ourselves in the present, we have to find ours! elves in the past." Show Time: 70 Minutes

April 9, 2006 - Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room

Alex Gibney, who wrote and produced Eugene Jarecki's The Trials of Henry Kissinger, examines the rise and fall of an infamous corporate juggernaut in Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, which he wrote and directed. The film points out that the culture of financial malfeasance at Enron was evident as far back as 1987, when Lay apparently encouraged the outrageous risk taking and profit skimming of two oil traders in Enron's Valhalla office because they were bringing a lot of money into the company. But it wasn't until eventual CEO Jeff Skilling arrived at Enron that the compan! y's "aggressive accounting" philosophy truly took hold. The Smartest Guys in the Room explores the lengths to which the company went in order to appear incredibly profitable. Show Time: 110 Minutes

All movies are shown at the OMNI CENTER FOR PEACE, JUSTICE, AND ECOLOGY located at 902 W. Maple in Fayetteville, on the first floor 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.

APRIL 29, SATURDAY, CAT will host the Freedom Video Festival all day and wrapping up the event with the 3rd Annual FAT CAT Awards at the Radisson Hotel to recognize CAT Producers for programs submitted to air on the community channel in 2005.

Would you like to be a movie star? Then please come join us at the Freedom Video Festival on April 29, 2006 at the Radisson Hotel. If you would like to enter your video the deadline for entries is March 1, 2006. If you would like more information, please call Community Access Television at: 444-3433 or visit The CAT website at www.catfayetteville.com .




FAYETTEVILLE, NWA, ARKANSAS

FAYETTEVILLE



OMNI VALUES? “…peace, nonviolence, racial and economic justice, minority rights, religious freedom, the poor and homeless, educational opportunities, nuclear disarmament, and ecological sanity.” These are Coretta King’s convictions, but they are ours too, yes? She was also “a vegan, who eschewed all products of animal suffering” and whose “p[assion for justice extended to the most downtrodden living beings on the planet.” From Letter to Editor in TMN (2-123) by Seymour Pace.



ECOLOGY

SPRAWL

The City will hold public workshops on the "City Plan 2025" with the urban planning firm, Dover Kohl, on the dates listed below. If we want to influence how things develop in Fayetteville these meetings are a great opportunity because now is when the first plans will be made.

(The following is from the City of Fayetteville website. http://cityplan2025.accessfayetteville.org/schedule/)

February 2006: 10 Community Kick-Off 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Walton Arts Center Lobby ; 11 Hands-On Design Workshop 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Senior Center ; 11 Hands-On Design Workshop 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Boys & Girls Club ; 13 Design Studio - Feb. 13 Thru Feb. 20 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM | Nadine Baum Studio ; 13 Hands-On Design Workshop 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM | McNair Middle School ; 15 Hands-On Design Workshop 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM | Woodland Junior High ; 16 Open House 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM | Nadine Baum Studio ; 20 Work In Progress 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM | Town Center From FNHA



FREE SPEECH TV (brought to you by OMNI 3a.m. to 9a.m. 7 days a week)

Mainstream media (owned by a half-dozen corporations) collude with the executive branch of the government to dumb down and deceive the public. FSTV gives you alternative realities: ( www.freespeech.org ). Support FSTV by watching , writing your opinion to Sky Blaylock, and replying to attacks (Dale Holland, Joey Dutton, et al.).

Sourcecode is one of the alternative media organizations given access by FSTV. For example: “Books Not Bars” about the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights in Oakland, CA, which defends rights of minority youths and seeks rehabilitation, teachers, mentors, not prison neglect, guards, and violence. www.ellabakercenter.org , sourcecode@freespeech.org Liberty TV News: The Stories Behind the Headlines is another of the alternative media orgs. seen on FSTV (“The Quinn Report,” for example, is excellent) ( www.libertynewstv.com ). And Alternative Focus (e.g., a doc. on Taayush, a Palestinian/Israeli peace org.).



RAPID RESPONSE WRITERS

Larry Woodall is resigning as coordinator of the RRW. During the past year with Larry’s encouragement, over 100 progressive letters were written to our local newspapers. We’re going to miss him greatly. Feb. 4 at our monthly meeting, we began to reorganize. Larry Froelich has offered to moderate our meetings, prepare the agenda, and keep in contact with all the writers. With assistance of all members of RRW (send him suggestions), he will arrange the monthly programs. We urgently need someone to take over our web site. Attending Feb. 4: Dick Bennett, Henry Giffith, Larry Froelich, Jon Zimmer, John rule, Cliff Hughes, Jim Spellman. Larry’s address is 200 W. Center, Fayetteville 72701 #10; ph. 521-3939. He does not use the internet, but likes the phone.



OMNI’S BOOK LIBRARY: two new gift books (from Cliff Hughes):

Carville, James, with Jeff Nussbaum. Had Enough? A Handbook for Fighting Back. Simon and Schuster, 2003.

Franken, Al. The Truth (with jokes). Dutton, 2005.



OMNI’S NEWS on CAT’s SHORT TAKES

At present Livia Phillips alternates with Dick to present news of progressive events in NWA. It’s time Dick were replaced with a new voice and face. Will you?







NWA
MEMBERSHIP MEETING PHOTOS

Please give your photos to Anne Prichard for our archives (and for other activities).


Did you hear about the Annual Membership Meeting ?

Last year OMNI decided to start holding at least one get-together where all of our members would have a chance to meet each other. The folks who got to come are really happy with the result. On January 29 close to 80 people appeared at our normal stomping grounds at United Campus Ministries, to talk about some of the things OMNI did last year, and plans to do this year.

The real goal was to ask people what part they wanted to play in making the group operate in the coming year. We were really pleased with the response. Better then 50 people filled out interest surveys, telling us about things they were willing to help with, and making some really good suggestions for how to do things better. We also had 33 memberships, and got over $1500 in membership money. It was a good night for peacemakers.

As we did last year, we broke out into interest groups to explore some of the topics OMNI’s been working on. In coming weeks, each of these groups will be making a report on their discussions, but you might like to know that the groups this year were: Emerging Media (an exciting one, since our collaboration with CATv and the newly forming OMNI Radio station are in the works), Environment (a critical issue for most members), Peace and War (March 11 commemoration of the Iraq war, and the Department of Peace), Social Justice (Fair Trade products and the Patriot Act were hot topics), and Youth and Children (a summer camp for peace is in development).

OMNI Center continues to seek for people of all races, creeds and cultures, who want a world that’s peaceful, just, and environmentally harmonious. We’re looking for ways to include as many folks as possible in the challenging task of educating each other, and the wider community, about what peace is, and how to get there from here. No use sitting in front of the news and groaning. May as well get out there and DO SOMETHING.




OMNI’S PEACE POLES

Look for them at Ozark Natural Foods in a new, snazzy display case. If your old peace pole is worn out, repaint it, or buy a new one. Purchase a POLE for PEACE! Contact: Leonard Schulte. l.schulte@juno.com


WRITING OPPORTUNITIES


PEACE STORIES

TMN is publishing a series of stories about War Heroes, part of grassroots militarism, the series entitled “Front Lines.” Upon receiving the Bronze Star, Lt. Col. Dolanski stated: “’We did what we had to do.’” NWA peacemakers, their families, and friends are encouraged to share their stories with readers of this newsletter. Keep stories to approx. 800 words (3 typewritten pages double-spaced with regular margins). The stories may be edited. Include a photo, and your phone no. and e-mail. Send your stories to OMNI (jbennet@uark.edu) with PEACE STORIES as the Subject. If you would like to be the editor of this series for OMNI, contact Dick.



COMMENTARIES ON IRAQI INVASION AND OCCUPATION

KUAF’s Ozarks at Large is currently accepting commentary submissions discussing thoughts, feelings, opinions, and personal stories concerning the war in Iraq, most importantly how you arrived at these feelings and how your life has been affected by the war. Commentaries need to be approximately one and half pages double-spaced. If your commentary is chosen to air on Ozarks at Large, you will be contacted and asked to record your commentary at a time most convenient for you. Send submissions to ozarksatlarge@yahoo.com and for more information about the show visit Ozarks at Large. Ozarks at Large is mainly a status quo organization; let’s fill their incoming mail with Get Out writings.



PERSONAL STATEMENTS ON WEB SITE

Have your photo, name & statements, infor. About yourself, and about war, peace and activism on www.omnicenter.org and www.bringhometroops.org , where people like yourselves can give an idea of what we believe. Just send me your name, a statement (as long or short as you wish, you can have me edit if you want to it to change at some point) a photo (which is optional but would probably add more interest to the page). Chris Delacruz



OPEN MIC Feb. 5

The Open Mic was very enjoyable as always--wonderful participants and Melanie's food (and Mel shepherded our table). We even had a fire in the fireplace. Attending: Rachel S, Sherry, Kelly and Donna, Bill O, Marion O, Drew, Emily K (host), Robby, Melanie, Larry, Seajay, Lynn H, and more.


GRASSROOTS MILITARISM

“188TH Commander Honored for Work Serving in Iraq” (TMN 2-6). This is only a sample. A pamplet or monograph should be written about Grassroots Militarism in Washington County (and Benton County).


VIOLENCE: BULLYING

“Parents Sue Springdale School District: Suit Alleges Officials Failed to Protect Child from Bullying.” TMN 1-24-06)..

“Rogers School Board Passes Policy on Bullying” (to define bullying and meet state law), TMN (6-22-05).

“’Bully Box’” Is a Deterrent” by Tom McMahon. TMN (11-23-04). Advocates zero-tolerance for bullies and suggests anti-bully tactics.

“School Has Obligation to Stop Kids Who Bully” by John Rosemond (ADG 4-6-05).

Action: write an essay from these materials to read on CAT, write a letter to editor, ; read one of these reports over CAT; study anti-bully policies in local schools; study connections between bullying aggression and war aggression.



HOME PEACE GARDENS NETWORK

We have a core of gardens and are collecting photos. Who likes making scrapbooks or looseleaf collections—a page for each garden, description and photo? If you have not sent Dick info. about your garden (peace title, year estab., location, description, photo), let this be the day.



PROTECTING ANIMALS

For Pets Sake, Laurie Beckman and Leslie Ray, forpetsake@hotmail.com, www.for-pets-sake.org, 750-7171. “a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting animal welfare” in NWA. TMN 1-29-06.


CONSERVING WATER, PROTECTING WATERSHED

The drought is an opportunity for NWA to shift to rational yard care, from lawns that need fertilizing, watering, and mowing to drought-resistant shrubs and trees. Save money, streams, lakes, air. “Conservation May Dry Up Spring Landscape: Supply Lines Limit Availability of Water in Rogers, Bentonville” (TMN 2-1-06)



ARKANSAS

Congresspeople and Environment

---Go here to check on how congressional delegation have done with regard to the environment:
http://action.defenders.org/site/VoteCenter?page=combLegScore from Stephen C

ARKANSAS PRIORITIES

---“Region Urgently Needs Emergency Room Doctors” by Bob Caudle (TMN 2-12). “A national study has ranked Arkansas last in the nation in…fill in the blank. This time it’s the state’s emergency care system.”







USA, WORLD

USA

PRESIDENT BUSH (see preceding newsletters for impeachment materials)

www.topplebush.com

INVASION OF IRAQ

Why We Fight, feature-length film by Eugene Jarecki on the Iraqi invasion and occupation. From a friend: “Dick, if this film comes to Little Rock or to Tulsa (if not to Fayetteville), rent a bus and take a load of people to see it. It is an important film. Tell all your friends to be sure to see it.”

“Why We Fight,” interview of Jarecki on PBS NOW 1-27. To order: 1-800-play-pbs.

INVASION OF IRAQ, WAR ON TERRORISM

“The Oil Factor: Behind the War on Terror” (FSTV), This is a powerful historical film that explains the invasion and the WoT as part of the worldwide competition for oil, and exposes those who are cashing in. www.theoilfactor.com Free Will Productions. The invasion and occupation of Iraq have cost us taxpayers $250 billion so far, killed over 2000 of our soldiers, and 50,000 to 100,000 Iraqis (add the half-million children killed during the 1990s embargo and bombings).
NUCLEAR ARMS AND WAR

“Helen’s War”: Dr. Helen Caldicott’s campaign against nuclear arms (FSTV). Nuclear annihilation is possible, yet our government and the public are asleep. Iran is not the problem. Will you lead OMNI’s nuclear war committee?

SPACE WAR

“Arsenal of Hypocrisy: The Space Program and the Military Industrial Complex” (FSTV): militarizing space from NASA to US global military dominance, with Bruce Gagnon. The slogan of the Space Command in Colorado Springs is “Master of Space,” and it is explained in “Vision for 2020” by the Space Command, explaining US plans to control space and deny other countries access. Wars via space technology are already being tested: Gulf War, Kosovo, Afghan, Iraq war. You saw a sample of it at the end of Syriana, when a Pentagon official assassinateed a Middle Easterner by a missile from a drone.

IGNORANCE

Bush Admin. vs. science: embryonic stem-cell research, global warming evidence, and teaching intelligent design. “Madness About a Method” by Jim Holt in NYTimes Magazine (12-11-05) p. 25. “The United States leads the world in scientific research. Yet three-quarters of the public haven’t heard that the universe is expanding, and nearly half…seem to believe that God created man in his present form within the last 10,000 years.”

CHURCH AND STATE, THEOCRACY AND CONSTITUTION

TMN (1-30), “AIDS Funds Directed to Churches.” “Pres. Bush’s $15 billion effort to fight AIDS has handed out nearly-one-quarter of its grants to religious groups” that emphasize abstinence over condoms.

IRAQ WAR SUICIDES
“The life and death of an Iraq veteran who could take no more”

By Andrew Buncombe in Washington and Oliver Duff,The Independent, 25 January 2006

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article340826.ece

Iraq Veterans Against the War http://www.ivaw.net

ATTACKING CONSTITUTIONAL LIBERTIES

---From FSTV/Sourcecode, a program on the Patriot Act and orgs. and people trying to have it expunged—ACLU, Center for Constitutional Rights, Rep. Bernie Sanders. Reminder: Sect 213 allows FBI to enter your house without you knowing. www.reformthepatriotact.org Support your local Patriots for Civil Liberties (contact Ann Heffernan; go to OMNI’s home page: www.omnicenter.org) .

---“Buzzflash” by Scott Vogel on censorship and illegal arrest.

--- Go here to tell our senators to stop the spying: https://secure.aclu.org/site/Advocacy?id=347&page=UserAction from Stephen C

--- Stop the spying by writing a letter to our senators, or simply use the form letter already provided at:
http://political.moveon.org/ruleoflaw/

--- JOHN DEAN ON SPYING: www.findlaw.com

--- PROTESTING THE WAR

---Deep Dish TV (shown on FSTV) has several films on diverse protests around the nation, including “Portland Radical Cheerleaders” (protests should be entertaining). deepdish@igc.org and www.freespeech.org

---Liberty News (FSTV) presented a doc. on the wide grassroots support of Cindy Sheehan at the protest near Bush’s ranch. www.libertynewstv.com

---Here's a map for those US soldiers that have died in Iraq as of Feb. 1, 2006 http://icasualties.org/oif/images/US_City.jpg

---ONE LOCAL CLERGYMAN’S PROTEST

Here is an internet link to last Sunday's sermon: "The Christian Paradox."

http://www.fayettevilleunitarian.org/modules.php?

KATRINA

From Liberty News (excellent alternative news) a doc. tracing the Bush Ad./GOP/Right Wing non-response to Katrina day by day, a powerful expose. Via FSTV.

BUSH’S NATIONAL GUARD RECORD

---Mapes, Mary. Truth and Duty: The Press, the President, and the Privilege of Power. Former CBS News Reporter,who was fired over Dan Rather’s report on Bush’s National Guard record, demonstrates the truth of Rather’s report, and how the White House/Right Wing/Mainstream Media/ disinformation complex prevented the truth from emerging.

--- PENTAGON BUDGET

PBS NOW 1-27, interviews Franklin Spinney, former Pentagon budget analyst, on money wasted on unneeded and ineffective technologies; we are paying exhorbitantly for a weakening military. This program and “Why We Fight” (above) attribute US militarism to the military-industrial-White House-congressional complex.




IMPEACHMENT

---A Zogby Poll posted on January 16, 2006, revealed 53 percent, including 29 percent of Republicans, believe Bush, if he spied on citizens without obtaining warrants, should be impeached. From “Polling Analysis: For Bush, bad news comes in fives - it can't get much worse, or can it?” by August Keso, January 27th, 2006

---More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush, Knight-Ridder Poll Says, http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/012606O.shtml



AFGHANISTAN

“Afghan Stories” on effects of the 23 years of wars (as of 2002) on the people of Afghanistan (2 million killed, 4 million displaced). Wicklow Films via FSTV.



MEDIA

The massive Sept. 24, 2005 protest of 200,000 people from all over the U.S. received 8 seconds on CNN, and only brief notices or nothing in newspapers. Media analysis by Liberty News via FSTV.



LGBTQA

The Quinn Report via FSTV gave an excellent refutation of a dozen right-wing myths about gays. “Myths about Gays” from Liberty News via FSTV. www.libertynewstv.com Olive Films is their corporate sponsor: www.freespeech.org

DO: acquire film to be show at CAT and other venues.



FAMILY PLANNING

“The Third Wave” (FSTV) defends planned parenthood vs. Bush’s global gag rule and cutting funds for choice.


LOW POWER RADIO

“Making Waves” (seen on FSTV) on LPR, micro-broadcasting, “pirate” radio, a Michael Lahey Film, specifically about unlicensed low power radio around the US—Radio Free Lenawee in Adrian, MI (a church) and Pastor Rick Strawcutter, who made a film, “How to Make Your Own Radio Station”; Radio Limbo and Free Radio Tucson (funded by millionaire Marshall Home. Argues that the monopolizing large radio companies (Clear Channel owns over 1200 stations) are the real pirates, and their economic clout controls the FCC.


ECOLOGY

BLM Shifts Policies to Expand Drilling Dramatically

An analysis of 11 pending and completed oil and gas plans by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) shows that BLM has increasingly overridden its own policies to facilitate dramatically expanded drilling on public lands in New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah. Read the full story here.

Bush Administration Guts Protections for Alaska's Teshekpuk Lake, Gives Key Wildlife Habitat to Oil Industry

Ignoring vocal opposition from Alaska Natives, scientists, and sportsmen, the Bush Administration has opened for leasing 100 percent of the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A), eliminating long-established protections first put in place by Reagan Administration Interior Secretary James Watt. Read the full story here.



ACADEMIC FREEDOM

“Academic Freedom for Turbulent Times,” speech (Ap. 26, 2005) by Robert Ivie, Dept. of Communication and Culture, Indiana U. Universities are democracy’s think tanks where the dissent essential to a democracy ought to be not only free but encouraged. Via FSTV.



CORPORATIONS

Go here to write a letter to Exxon's new president about how much they need to improve themselves:
http://ga3.org/campaign/ExxonMobil
For one of the most impressive websites ever, after the bland intro, go here and see how Exxon Buys Facts and People: http://www.exxonsecrets.org/ From Stephen C

WAL-MART

--On C-SPAN, “Wal-Mart and Employer Health Care Coverage,” by Families USA, AFL-CIO.

--“Wal-Mart Executives Give to PAC Fund” (TMN 2-9-06), W-M’s political action committee for its political campaign fund they call the “Wal-Mart Stores Inc. PAC for Responsible Government” funded by salaried managers. Responsible? That means the interests of W-M?



DISABLED: BLIND

“When Love Is Blind,” doc. on FSTV about blind people search for partners for love.



PROTEST: DECENCY

“The Right to Bare Breasts,” FSTV doc. of women who oppose INDECENCY: polluted air and water, hunger,war, depleted uranium, nuclear arsenals. Nipples Not Napalm. Planet Earth Productions (www.freespeech.org).



WORLD


CAUSES OF WAR (ongoing series in this newsletter)

MONOTHEISM

---Peter Watson, author of Ideas: A History of Thought and Invention, From Fire to Freud, asked what is “the single worst idea in history?” replied: “Without question, ethical monotheism. The idea of one true god. The idea that our life and ethical conduct on earth determines how we will go in the next world. This has been responsible for most of the wars and bigotry in history.” From asked what is “the single worst idea in history?” replied: “Without question, ethical monotheism. The idea of one true god. The idea that our life and ethical conduct on earth determines how we will go in the next world. This has been responsible for most of the wars and bigotry in history.” From New York Times Magazine (12-11-05, p. 31).

---“Protesters Torch Mission: Violence Escalates Over Caricatures of Muhammad” (TMN 2-6). Muslim rage over a cartoon in a Danish newspaper resulted in riots and ransacking a Christian neighborhood in Lebanon, and other Muslim violence around the word.

---ENERGY, OIL

“The Oil Factor”: US and Europe will be out of oil by 1010, Eastern Europe by 2013. China developing rapidly along US model of oil-based transport. Project for a New American Century (Cheney, Wolfowitz) announced US aim of military and economic domination for oil. Lt. Col. (ret.) Karen Kwiatkowski says US refused to lift sanctions during 1990s because foreigners would have then flooded into Iraq, and US invaded Iraq for oil, fearing Saddam’s shift to euros (giving Eur. nations precedence). From FSTV.
--- OIL: EXXON, COMPETITION FOR PROFITS

The world's largest oil company, ExxonMobil, has announced its record-breaking profits for 2005 -- $36.13 billion. That is the largest profit ever recorded in the history of American capitalism

Check out this funny video: http://www.truemajority.org/ExxonToastsThePlanet.html From Jim McCollum

STATE TERRORISM (see below on bullying Cuba)

“The Farcical Definition at the Heart of the War on Terrorism” By James Bovard
The U.S. terrorism definition is the key to the Bush administration claim that the war on terrorism is automatically a war for freedom. Without the “state-exempt” concept of terrorism, fighting terrorism would, in most parts of the world, have little or nothing to do with defending freedom. With an honest definition of terrorism, many governments in the Bush “freedom-loving coalition” are guilty of inflicting more terrorism than they prevent.
More people died as a result of the U.S.-backed invasion of East Timor than were killed by international terrorists in the subsequent 30 years. According to the U.S. State Department, between 1980 and 2005 fewer than 25,000 people were killed in international terrorist incidents around the globe. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11737.htm

FALSE ALLEGATIONS

The "evidence" that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons consists of mere assertion by members of the Bush administration and the neoconservative media. Iran says it is not pursuing nuclear weapons, and the International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors have found no evidence of a weapons program. Now where have we heard this before? From Lanita

MILITARY-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

“Helen’s War: Portrait of a Dissident,” doc. of Helen Caldicott’s campaign to abolish nuclear weapons.

MASCULINITY MYTHS

Caldicott continues to indict men and masculinity myths in the U.S., as in her first book, Missile Envy. Men want to dominate through victory over others, power, and violence.

MAKING HEROES OUT OF WARRIORS

ADG 1-19-06 had an entire page praising Robert E. Lee on his birthday, an editorial and Greenberg’s column.

PUBLIC TIMIDITY AND APATHY.

Dr. Helen Caldicott deplores the public’s denial of nuclear dangers, but also sees them as the only hope, if they can only be awakened into active resistance, which is her purpose.

NATURAL RESOURCES, CONGO

Reviewed by Daniel Turner. (from Project Censored) "The world's most neglected emergency," the ongoing tragedy of the Congo where perhaps six million have died since 1996 is a consequence of invasions and wars sponsored by western powers trying to gain control of the region's mineral wealth. At stake is control of natural resources that are sought by US corporations-diamonds, tin, copper, gold and most of all-coltan-the mineral necessary for production of cell phones and other high-tech electronics. http://earthfirstjournal.org/articles.php?a=883
http://www.taylor-report.com/audio/index.php?month=2005-03
http://www.allthingspass.com/uploads/html-136OperationIronFist[6pw].htm




ECOLOGY

---Top NASA Scientist Says He's Being Silenced on Global Warming
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=1555183 From Mike T

---WATER: every hour 400 children die because of unsafe drinking water. See: Blue Planet Run/World Foot Race 2007 (from FSTV)

---WEEDKILLER: “New evidence on serious health effects of Roundup weedkiller” Reviewed by Lani Ready. New studies from both sides of the Atlantic reveal that Roundup, the most widely used weedkiller in the world, poses serious human health threats. The stakes are high, as more than 75% of genetically modified (GM) crops worldwide are engineered to tolerate the absorption of Roundup-it eliminates all plants that are not GM. Monsanto, the major engineer of GM crops, is also the producer of Roundup. http://www.biosafety-info.net/article.php?aid=267
http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/service185.htm from Project Censored

VIOLENCE: CURBING CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (see Bullying)

“Austrian Lawmakers Pass New Animal Rights Law” (TMN 5-28-04), “one of Europe’s toughest…that forces farmers to uncage chickens and bars pet owners from clipping their dogs’ ears or tails.”



ANIMAL INDIVIDUALITY AND CONNECTION WITH HUMANS

The New York Times Magazine 1-22-06 has an article you may wish to read , "The Animal Self" by Charles Siebert about personality tests on animals of all kinds. "We are gaining an even fuller appreciation not only of the distinctiveness of birds and beasts and their behaviors but also of their deep resemblances to us and our own behaviors."



CUBA: Alternative Views to Bush Admin. (see Bullying)

---“Workers’ Rights in Cuba.” Report of the U.S. Delegation to the 2002 Exchange between U.S. and Cuban Labor…” “Cuban unions and workers have responded to the crisis…by implementing a program of direct workplace democracy and participation which appears to provide both effective representation and many lessons for US labor and employment lawyers and trade unionists.”

---“Agent: Cuba’s Opposition Disabled.” TMN (4-2-03). 75 dissidents were sentenced to jail as the result of evidence of receiving “as much as $5000 every month” from anti-Castro groups in the U. S. funded by USAID. “The USAID Cuba program has given more than $20 million to U.S. groups working with the opposition.”

---“A Final Word from Cuba” (NAT, 11-25-03) by Will Jordan (a UA student visiting Cuba), describes the social advances under Castro—improving conditions esp. in rural areas by building free schools and clinics and guaranteeing food. And all despite US embargo and subversion.

---“Panel Rejects Succession of Cuban Presidency” (TMN 5-7-04). “A presidential commission recommended…that the United States take steps to subvert the planned succession in Cuba” from Fidel to his brother, Raul.

---“Seeking Votes by Injuring Cubans,” NAT (7-25-04): the Bush Admin. 500-page plan to bring about regime change in Cuba reverses traditional US policy toward closed societies via a free flow of people, commerce, and ideas. Bush will add to the tight embargo strict restrictions on contacts between Cuban Americans and their families in Cuba to prevent their money from going there.

---Bush Admin. is preparing to reverse Cuba’s economic system after Castro dies by denying the planned succession from Castro to his brother Raul, in complete violation of international law. TMN (10-2-05).

---“Let’s Just Cool It with Cuba” by Patrick Leet of Witness for Peace International, in NAT. Urges “normalized relations with Cuba.”


ISRAEL, PALESTINE, WATER

“Blue Gold” by Altlernate Focus Broadcasting, the Other Side of the Story: doc. of Israel’s control of Palestinian water, not fair or equitable and against international law.



SOUTH AFRICA AND ISRAEL/PALESTINE

“Judgement Day,” 2001 doc. on FSTV, compares the white occupation of S. Africa to the Israeli occupation of Palestine: peace groups and process in each country, significant plays (“National Madness” in SA, “In the Shadow of a Violent Past” in Israel), etc. Esp. good on the destructiveness of occupation not only on the occupied but on the occupier (racism, domestic violence, violence in schools, over-valuation of military, etc.).



TRANSCEND News: Peace by Peaceful Means 04.02.2006 www.transcend.org
TRANSCEND Training Programs:

--Reconciliation and Peacebuilding in Divided Communities: Cluj-Napoca, Romania, March 6- 10, 2006
--TRANSCEND Peace University (TPU) On-Line, March 2006 Semester Register Now for Courses!
--World Peace Forum, Vancouver, Canada, 23- 28 June, 2006, www.transcend.org/training


CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
--Senator Blanche Lincoln: Web Site: www.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

Lowell office: 479-725-0400. 213 W. Monroe, Suite K, 72745. Steve Gray, coodinator of office. Heath Hasenbeck, intern (one of them). Boozman's new office in Lowell is located at 213 West Monroe in Lowell between I 540 and Business 71. To reach that office take Exit 78 off I - 540 and go east. You will be on Hwy 264 which is also West Monroe. The office is in the Puppy Creek Plaza, past the McDonald's on the right. His suite is in the back of the complex to the left.

Ft. Smith office: 479-782-7787; 30 South 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. Leslie Parker, appointments secretary: 202-225-4301.


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. GRASSROOTS NONVIOLENCE, WORLD PEACE, HUMAN RIGHTS, SOCIAL and ECONOMIC JUSTICE, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP PROTECTING SPECIES AND THE EARTH.