WE, THE PEOPLE: Special Edition on Peace Heroes.

Call Congress to let them know how you feel about important issues. Here are two Toll-Free Numbers for calling Congress:

888-355-3588 and 800-828-0498.

See end for contact info & details on Lincoln, Pryor, and Boozman.

Contents:

Current Events

Fayetteville

Northwest Arkansas

Arkansas

United States

The World

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Current Events

AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH has returned to Fiesta Square for as long as people come. 

WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR starts 9-8. 

Documentaries as feature films are on the rise.

September 10, HEIFER PROJECT FUNDRAISER.   Join us Sunday, September 10th at noon for "Consume This", a local opportunity to make a global difference.  Combining a yard sale, baked good, and live local music, we hope to raise funds for Heifer Project International, a foundation that seeks to end world hunger though sustainable gifts.  The sale and performances will take place from noon to 5PM and everyone is welcome to volunteer items or baked goods for the sale.  Please contact Amy Brown at 479-466-7813 to schedule a drop-off time.

SEPTEMBER 10, SUNDAY, VIDEO UNDERGROUND, Why We Fight, 7pm

The new film by Eugene Jarencki which won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival, is an unflinching look at the anatomy of the American war machine, weaving unforgettable personal stories with commentary by a "who's who" of military and beltway insiders. Featuring John McCain, William Kristol, Chalmers Johnson, Gore Vidal, Richard Perle and others, Why we Fight launches a bipartisan inquiry into the workings of the military industrial complex and the rise of the American Empire.  Pippin Lowe, Greg Moore.

September 10, Fayetteville Dances of Universal Peace resumes this Sunday.

 The Sufi inquirer's class meets in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church library in Fayetteville at 5pm. Dances follow in the parish hall from 6-8pm. As always, everyone is welcome to attend one or both events.  From Jamila.

September 10 and 11, Tell ABC what you think about its docu-drama “Path to 9-11”. According to Working Assets/Act for Change, ABC has decided to honor the national memory of Sept. 11th by giving six hours of prime-time coverage to the wildly inaccurate viewpoints of an avowed conservative partisan.  Let’s view it and let ABC know what we think.  The film is apparently riddled with factual errors and distortions; former counterterrorism czar Richard Clarke has completely refuted one of the key scenes in the show.

September 11, Monday, Haydar on Lebanon

Adnan Haydar, a UA professor who was in Lebanon for several days after the recent conflict broke out between Israel and Hezbollah, will be a guest on "On the Air with Richard S. Drake," CAT, Channel 18.  Haydar teaches Comparative Literature at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. The program will also explore the differences between what American audiences learn from their news sources, and what they can learn from those from other countries. Additional showings will be:

Tuesday, September 12 - noon   Saturday, September 16 - 6pm

SEPTEMBER 12, TUESDAY, PEACE ON EARTH MUSIC FESTIVAL DAY

We need everyone who supports peace to be at the World Peace Prayer Fountain outside the Fayetteville Town Center at 9 am on Tuesday, Sept 12, for the Peace on Earth Music Festival's press conference.  The mayor will declare it Peace on Earth Music Festival Day.  Please come and bring your family and friends. Thank you, and for more information call Stephen Coger at 479-495-1316.  Gladys Tiffany.

September 12, 5 to 7:30pm, THE FAYETTEVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY, League of Women Voters Washington County Annual Membership Gathering.  Carolyn Madison 530-1111.

September 12, Voting on waste treatment taxes.

September 13, COMPASSIONATE COMMUNICATION Tuesdays 1 pm starting Sept 13

Taught by Lilian Bern, Holistic Psychotherapist, at Unity on Wedington Road.

Unity teaches the values of Love and Peace and principles that we are co-creators of our reality by the thoughts we have, the emotions we experience, and the words we speak.

In this class we will practice applying these principles to all our relationships, so that we will be better at expressing and listening with kindness, empathy and accuracy. The materials we will study come from:    Thomas Gordon (Parent and Teacher Effectiveness Training), Virginia Satir (Family Therapist), Marshall Rosenberg (Non-Violent Communication)

A commitment to regular attendance is requested.   Love offering gratefully accepted. Call 479-442-0680

SEPTEMBER 13, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m., Lecture by Prof. Lester Kurtz: “Globalizing Gandhi: His Relevance for War and Violence,” Fayetteville Public Library, 401 West Mountain St., 479-571-2222, contact:  Sarah Terry, ext. 4305 or sterry@faylib.org

September 14, Thursday, 9:30-11:00 a.m.  Workshop (“Diversity: Exploring Muslim Stereotypes”) led by Prof. Lester Kurtz at ARKU 424, AU Theater.  To register call the Employee Development Program at 575-4432 (Jim Wells in Human Resources), or online http://hr.uark.edu/Training/TrainingCalendar.asp   For other info:  Dana Collins 575-6103 (danac@uark.edu).    As a part of an effort to facilitate religious dialogue, Dr. Lester Kurtz, Professor of Sociology and Religious Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, will present this staff workshop, Exploring Muslim Stereotypes.  Considering current events in the world, the numbers of Muslims in our community and on campus, and the desire to dispel myths, Professor Kurtz's visit is especially timely.  This session will serve to satisfy the religion component of the Diversity Certificate program.  Any University of Arkansas faculty, staff, or student who interacts with people of the Muslim faith will benefit from attending this session.  For those who wish to better understand our Muslim coworkers and students and to help them feel more welcomed and included should attend this workshop.

September 14, 12-2:00, Prof. Lester Kurtz lunch with OMNI in the basement of the United Campus Ministry.  Contact Dick (442-4600). 

SEPTEMBER 14, THURSDAY,  3:30 PM, NONVIOLENCE LECTURE
Prof. Lester Kurtz, author of Peaceful Warriors: A History of Nonviolence, will speak on “Globalizing Gandhi: His Relevance for War and Violence,” at Giffels Auditorium.  Reception follows.

September 14, World Day of Prayer Thursday, 6:30 to 7:30 pm.

 Join with Rev. Jane Simmons as we come together in prayer and visualize world peace.

Unity of Fayetteville 4880 W Wedington Dr 442-0680 www.unityfay.org

September 14, 6:00 pm, CAT:      Omni Forum: Middle East Conversation

SEPTEMBER 16, SATURDAY, PEACE ON EARTH MUSIC FESTIVAL

UA GREEK AMPHITHEATER.  Speakers, music, vendors.  4-11 P.M.

http://www.herostatus.net/media/peaceonearthfinal.wmv

Performers: Joseph Israel, Clayton Scott, Papa Rap, Alpha Phi Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta Step Shows, Afrique Aya Dance, DJ Hod-I, and more.  Free.  Donations to Peace at Home and others.

Organized by Stephen Coger. 

September 16, 2:00pm, CAT: Omni Forum: Middle East Conversation. 

Ted Swedenburg, Najib Ghadbian.  Contact: Melanie Dietzel, Casey Milford, Moshe and Hamsa Newmark.

September 16, Celebrate El Dia de la Independencia, Mexican Independence Day at the Fayetteville Public Library, Walker Meeting Room, 2 to 3pm.  Music, movies, dance, poetry, stories in Spanish, and author Rebecca Newth will read “Mi Abuelita.”  Refreshments served.  Laura Cleveland 571-2222, ext. 4324.

SEPTEMBER 17, Sunday, 11 a.m., Talk by Dick Bennett at St. James Methodist Church, N. Willow St., Fayetteville

SEPTEMBER 17, Sunday, HOWL, Omni’s  Women’s Reading Group, 6:30 at OMNI at The Deep End in United Campus Ministry, 902 W. Maple, Fayetteville, parking in back or on Storer.  Mandy Knott, Leigh Wilkerson.

September 18 and 19, Film a Short take at CAT.  Use this TV access for peace, justice, and ecology.  Livia Phillips.   Contact Gladys Tiffany, Melanie Dietzel.

September 19, ANDERSON VS. CONG. BOOZMAN

 Senior Democrats will hold their regular luncheon meeting on Tuesday, September 19th at 11:30 A.M. at Western Sizzlin in Springdale. Guest speakers will be WOODROW ANDERSON our Democratic Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives. 

September 20, Wednesday, THE FAYETTEVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY, 7pm, Randall Woods discusses his new book, LBJ: Architect of American Ambition.  Walker Room.  Pres. Johnson is depicted as “a public servant and heroic reformer, and a sympathetic, compassionate, and flawed man.:”

SEPTEMBER 21, THURSDAY,

OMNI’S STEERING COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING  

5:30pm potluck, 6pm business meeting.  Visitors welcome. 

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

For more info, go to http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org/  or contact Gladys Tiffany or Melanie Dietzel.

Thursday, September 21, 6-10 pm   International Day of Peace Labyrinth Walk

Join us for the Fall Solstice, as we participate in a walking meditation on the International World Day of Peace. Our sanctuary will be transformed by music and candlelight, creating a sacred space. Facilitated by Mary Miller of St Paul’s    Donation.   Unity of Fayetteville

September 21, A gathering to commemorate the UN's International Day of Peace, will take place in downtown Eureka Springs at 8:00PM in Basin Park.   There are plans for music, songs, and speakers. I would like to extend an invitation to you and any others who might be interested in attending and/or participating.  Mary Wise, Holiday Island, AR., 479-363-9879.

September 23-29 BANNED BOOKS WEEK

September 23, 8 to 10 am, Breakfast at El Chico’s in Fayetteville (southeast of the Mall at 71B and Joyce) to hear Woodrow Anderson, candidate for Congress against Cong. Boozman, who has obediently supported Pres. Bush’s attacks on other countries, on our liberties, and on our economy.  Anderson advocates withdrawal from Iraq by 2 to 3 years timetable, and is for health insurance for all citizens.    For tickets call Bonnie Cook (479) 442-5212, or just come.  

SEPTEMBER 23, SATURDAY, 7pm, RELIGIOUS PEACE TRADITIONS FORUM. 

HINDU: Mr. Murthy Kolluru, Rogers

EPISCOPAL: The Rev. Roger Joslin, Bentonville 

CATHOLIC: Dr. Anne Marie Candido, Fayetteville

HUMANIST: UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST:  Rev. Dave Hunter, Fayetteville 

At OMNI Center for Peace, Justice, and Ecology, located in the United Campus Ministry, 902 W. Maple, Fayetteville. 

 Among the possible subjects to be discussed: What foundations does your church or fellowship offer for advancing world peace?  What specific texts and persons do you consider your guides to peace?  How might they offer alternatives to the policies of our present government?  Are violence and war inevitable?  What hopes do you bring us?   Contact Dick Bennett.

September 23, 7pm, John Two-Hawks in concert at the Alma Performing Arts Center.  Also a fund-raiser for Heifer International.  www.almapac.org; 444-0940.

SEPTEMBER 24, 6:30, VIDEO UNDERGROUND

Contact Daniel Dietzel.

LIGHT RAIL IN NWA

State legislators who are on the Public Transportation Committees of the Arkansas General Assembly House and Senate will be holding their September meeting in Fayetteville. It will be held on Friday, Sept. 22, in Giffels Auditorium, Old Main, at 1:30 (lasting until 4 pm). The primary topic of the meeting is light rail, which will include issues related to NWA growth. This is an excellent opportunity to discover the extent to which our legislators understand what a 70% reduction in CO2 means.

September 25, NATIVE AMERICAN SYMPOSIUM begins (Sept. 25-27) with film by Charles Wilson

Frank Scheide.

Monday, 25th of September at 11:30 A.M. at the Clarion Inn in Bentonville. Doctor JOYCELYN ELDERS will speak on “The Politics of Health Care."  Reservations:  Nathela Crooks :(479) 855-1399--email ncrooks@sbc.net or Irman Pratt c--crpratt@cox.net

September 26, Washington County Democratic Women will meet on Tuesday, at 5:30 P.M. at Western Sizzlin in Springdale. DOUG THOMPSON, columnist for the Morning News will be guest speaker.  His topic will be "WINNERS AND LOSERS IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.” For reservations call 582-5677.  You do not have to pay if you make a reservation and cannot attend.  VOTE.

September 26, Native America n Symposium continues with talk by Jo Carson about her father during WWII.

SEPTEMBER 26 READING BANNED BOOKS at THE FAYETTEVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Sponsored by the ACLU and OMNI 

September 27, Native America n Symposium Continues with film “Vanishing American”
Frank Scheide.

September 27, Sierra Club Monthly meeting at the Powerhouse Restaurant.

OCTOBER 1, SUNDAY, OMNI’S OPEN MIC, 7pm
Play, sing, read, speak, listen for peace and justice. Kelly Mulhollan, Donna Stjerna.

October 1-8, KEEP SPACE FOR PEACE WEEK
Global Network and the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) urge all supporters to organize local events during Keep Space for Peace Week.  Demonstrations, video showings, meetings with Congress members, letters to the editor, events with speakers, church meetings, and the like will expand official and public consciousness about these issues.   

October 5, World Can’t Wait/Drive Out the Bush Regime National Demonstration.  www.worldcantwait.org  

OCTOBER 6, RAY MCGOVERN EXPOSES THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION
Sponsored by OMNI.  Contact Carl Barnwell. 

October 6-8, The Land Institute Prairie Festival
2440 E. Water Well Road, Salina, KS 67401; 785-823-5376. 

October 7, Saturday, 10 to noon, Newton County Wildlife Association  

  The NCWA Board of Directors and officers will hold a meeting in Fayetteville.  Our goal for the coming year is to explore the intentional or prescribed burning of federal lands primarily which is to be greatly expanded by both the US Forest Service and National Park Service.

OCTOBER 8, 6:30, OMNI’S VIDEO UNDERGROUND (2^ND AND 4^TH SUNDAYS).
Pippin Lowe, Greg Moore.

OCTOBER 9, INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY and BEGINNING OF UOFA’S  INDIGENOUS FILM FESTIVAL, music in amphitheater followed by reception at UA’s Fine Arts Building Courtyard, 4:30 pm.  Film 7pm.

OCTOBER 9-13 INDIGENOUS FILM FES TIVAL

OCTOBER 10, Worldwide Organizations to Focus on the Death Penalty  
  The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty (WCADP) was created in Rome on May 12, 2002, and consists of 52 organizations throughout the world: NGOs, attorneys' associations, trade unions, local communities, and other organizations (including many that are active in the U.S.) challenging capital punishment.  The Coalition has chosen October 10, 2006 as the day to put particular focus on problems with the death penalty around the world.
For more information, see their Web site: www.worldcoalition.org. (World Day 2006: Call for Initiatives, Aug. 16, 2006).   Source: Death Penalty Information Center
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/article.php?did=1872&scid=64    From Betsey   Wright
15156 Dutchman's Drive Rogers, AR  72756, 479-925-4440, betseyw@specent.com

OCTOBER 22, OM NI’S VIDEO UNDERGROUND (2^ND AND 4^TH SUNDAYS)

Daniel Dietzel.

October 27, Friday, 11:30- 1:30 Members and Friends of the Central Arkansas Chapter of the UNA-USA What:  United Nations Day Luncheon

 Where:  Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center, University of Central Arkansas

 All current, former, and prospective members of the Central Arkansas Chapter of the UNA-USA are invited to attend the "UN Day" luncheon at UCA on October 27th.  The Arkansas Committee on Foreign Relations (ACFR) will be cosponsoring the event.  A former U.S. State Department official, Ambassador. Pierre-Richard Prosper, will be the speaker for the event.  He will speak about war crimes and the International Criminal Court (ICC).  There is no cost for the event, but we do ask that you RSVP by emailing Mark Mullenbach markmullenbach@aol.com as soon as possible.  Luncheon seating will be limited to about 100 individuals.

October 28, 23^rd Annual Evening for Peace by the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation

Honoring Bianca Jagger with a World Citizenship Award and Blase Bonpane with a Distinguished Peace Leadership Award.   Google for bios.

November 14, George’s Majestic Lounge, Empty Bowls Project.  $20 for dinner, music, and a handcrafted bowl to raise money to prevent hunger. 

June 3, 2007    Little Rock Capital Pride Announces 2007 Date and Venue 

Little Rock Capital Pride is pleased to announce that Capital Pride 2007 will be held June 3rd at the River Market amphitheatre from 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.   joelafountaine@littlerockcapitalpride.org

PEACEMAKERS FROM FAYETTEVILLE TO AFGHANISTAN:  PEOPLE SEEKING TRUTH AND PROMOTING NONVIOLENCE, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE, HUMAN RIGHTS, DEMOCRACY--BUILDING A CULTURE OF PEACE

The following peacemakers were gathered in about two weeks randomly from diverse sources as I encountered them.   Would you like to be the editor of the next edition(s) of OMNI’s Peacemakers?  Contact Dick.

FAYETTEVILLE

The WPWP workday was good today (Aug. 19, 2006). Dr. Chuck West used a heavy-duty weedeater to remove a lot of vegetation. Two recent graduates (Annie Gordon and Adam McClymont) found the announcement on the Sierra Club's site and did a lot of manual labor. Lauren, Jennifer and Dawn Farver (a Ph.D. candidate in engineering) also worked hard. I got up before it ended and got video and stills. Steven Skattebo from OMNI worked with Lauren at lot. He is much improved after his auto accident a year ago.  From Aubrey Shepherd.

GRADY JIM ROBINSON

Formerly co-editor of All About Town and ongoing columnist for the NAT, Grady Jim Robinson consistently affirms life, logic, humor, sympathy, satire.   For example, in “Does America Value Life?” he roves over US killing from the Revolutionary War to the invasion of Lebanon.  At the end he asks, “When did so-called ‘Christian’ America through its politics officially devalue human life to such a level of total disregard?  Maybe it was a long time ago.” 

UA MULLINS LIBRARY:  OMNI’S NONVIOLENT PEACEMAKING AND VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE AND WARS COLLECTION   Google:  UofA Libraries, Infolinks, Subject Headings, nonviolent, third selection: Nonviolent Peacemaking and Victims of Violence and Wars Collection, as of 8-06, 130 entries.  Contact Dick Bennett.

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NWA

FREETHINKERS

Peace and Justice derive from informed citizens who can think clearly and who act upon their critical thinking.  Freethinkers was founded by Darrell Henschell and Doug Krueger, and their activities range from the books they have written to their monthly meetings, booths at Spring and Fall Fests, Freethinker Mythbuster Board (theme for our new board will be "Myths about War"). You can view our past three mythbuster boards here:

http://fayfreethinkers.com/mythbuster/

Also, we like to provide a copy of the PowerPoint presentations given at our meetings so you can view them at your convenience. With a fresh update today many more were added to our website. You can download them here: http://fayfreethinkers.com/powerpoints  Darrel.

LEGAL AID TO LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS

Janet Dyer of Fort Smith is managing attorney for the non-profit Center for Arkansas Legal Services, one of Arkansas’s two indigent legal aid programs, CALS for family law—domestic violence, etc.  The credits two people for giving her the opportunity and inspiration to choose a career for people—Lyndon Johnson and Ralph Nader.  TMN (9-4).

OMNI MEMBERS

MELANIE DIETZEL

Melanie Dietzel serves as a co-vice-president of the Omni Center for Peace, Justice and Ecology as well as president of the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of NOW (National Organization for Women). She has lived in Fayetteville for 21 years and  is a single parent of two grown sons, Warren and Daniel.  Melanie earned a BA in English with emphasis on creative writing from the University of Arkansas in 1995.  For three and a half years, she was assistant editor of the Ozark Gazette, an alternative newspaper that was published in Fayetteville. Currently, Melanie is the administrative assistant at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville, and a free-lance writer.  

CHRIS DELACRUZ

I have lived in Rogers with my wife and dog for about a year and a half.    I've been protesting the Bush policy of military intervention even before our invasion of Iraq since I believe it to be the main moral issue for us here in the US.    I hope to sustain a monthly series of antiwar protests on street corners in Fayetteville on the first Sunday of every month. If you are interested in joining these protests, contact me by email at chrisdelacruz2000@yahoo.com or by calling 479-586-2053.   I have some skill in finding information for various issues on the Internet and for making protest signs, spreadsheets, databases, websites and printer-friendly files for pamphlets and news articles.

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 ARKANSAS

CENTER FOR ARTISTIC REVOLUTION

Center for Artistic Revolution, CAR is a; 501 (c)(3)sponsored, statewide, grassroots community based organization.  CAR works to bring about the changes needed to create a just and peaceful society that respects the value of all people.  CAR believes that all people should have equitable access to civil rights, a democratic political process, and economic and environmental justice.
CAR strives to build intentional bridges of understanding and collaboration between diverse communities, to dismantle the "isms" and the "phobias" that continue to disenfranchise, oppress, and exclude people. The organization works to incorporate these vitally important collaborations into organizing initiatives that address the issues and systemic oppressions that undermine access to equality and quality of life.   Center for Artistic Revolution   P.O. Box 2300
North Little Rock , AR 72114  501-603-2138   ArtChangesU@yahoo.com

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USA 

U.S. LIBRARIANS

“Since the enactment of the Patriot Act in 2001, the America n Library Association has been at the forefront of the fight to defend freedom of inquiry and thought from provisions of the act that allow the justice Department to subpoena the records of libraries and bookstores, but the librarians have not just been lobbying to change the Patriot Act, they’ve been on the front lines of exposing its abuses.”  See The Nation (July 17-24, 2006, pp. 3-4) for the full editorial.

FREEDOM FROM RELIGION FOUNDATION

Every no. of its magazine, Freethought Today, contains a page or more on “Theocracy Alert.”  But everything the organization does, resists theocratic encroachment on the Constitution.  One of its members, Michael Newdow, has been in court  to remove the phrase “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance, since it is unconstitutional.  Just to remind us: the pledge breaks faith with the guarantee in our Bill of Rights against religious establishments, makes second-class citizens of those who are not monotheistic,  constitutes religious indoctrination by government, thereby infringing on the right of parents to determine the religious education of their children, undermines the clear statement in the Constitution that We, the People created and by consent sustain the government, and denies citizens’ freedom to practice the religion of their choice or no religion at all. 

SESAME STREET AND WORKSHIOP

Since its beginning in 1969, Sesame Street and its Workshop have sought  to use television to teach children to be more tolerant, more understanding, and more respectful of differences, shattering stereotypes and exposing prejudices to build a more hopeful and peaceful future.  It extends to over 20 countries around the world.  In Egypt , Alam Simsim (Sesame World) promotes lifelong learning among children.  In South Africa , Takalani Sesame  teaches literacy and math, and understanding of HIV/AIDS with a 5-year-old Muppet who is HIV-positive.

WOMEN RESISTING THE IRAQ WAR: WAR RESISTERS LEAGUE (WRL) PEACE AWARD

Since 1958, WAR RESISTERS INTERNATIONAL’S US Section WRL has honored a person or organization whose work represents the WRL’s platform of action with the WRL Peace Award.  Recipients have included peace advocate A. J. Muste, civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, feminist and pacifist Barbara Deming, Plowshares movement founder Daniel Berrigan, and Gulf War Resisters.  The 2006 Peace Award goes to Women Resisting War from within the US military.   Anita Cole: In Nov. 2001, Ms. Col e received her discharge from the U.S. Army as a conscientious objector (CO) to war.   Diedra Cobb: A female Africa n American Army vet who grew to reject wars and Army values and applied for CO status.   Katherine Jashinski: also moved from an acceptance of wars to an abhorrence to killing, and applied for CO status.

Kelly Dougherty: Served in Iraq and now opposes the war.   Tina Garnanez:  Also served in Iraq , rejected the war, and after discharge speaks to students about why the recruiters target poor, minority students.  For full accounts see The Broken Rifle No. 70 (May 2006) p. 2.

ARTISTS AGAINST WAR, founded by Laurie Arbeiter

FSTV:  “We Will Not Be Silent” t-shirt campaign in many languages, wewillnotbesilent@gmail.com, www.democracynow.org.  We Will Not Be Silent was an anti-Nazi slogan by the German White Rose resistance movement during WWII.

INTREPID WOMEN

NOW’s fourth annual Intrepid Awards is September 14, emceed by news anchor Maureen Bunyan.  The gala will honor four “resolutely courageous” women. Past recipients have included: journalist Helen Thomas, “ Vagina Monologues” playwright Eve Ensler, comedian Margaret Cho, labor leader Dolores Huerta,  and primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall.   National NOW Times (Summer 2006).   foundation@now.org 

 GREEN BUILDING  Info on Green Buildings/Sustainable/Energy (from Fran A)  Efficiency for New  Orleans and all the rest of the world! http://www.globalgreen.org/press/releases/2006_07_17_winner.htm

URBAN FORESTS

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/03/AR2006090300926.html
 “Tree-Planting Drive Seeks To Bring a New Urban Cool Lower Energy Costs Touted as Benefit”
By Blaine Harden Washington Post Staff Writer Monday, September 4, 2006; Page A01
SACRAMENTO -- This city believes an answer for global warming is growing on trees.
About 375,000 shade trees have been given away to city residents in the past 16 years, and there are plans to plant at least 4 million more. To receive up to 10 free trees, residents simply call the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, a publicly owned power company.  [this is only the opening of the article, D]

JOURNALIST: I. F. STONE

MacPherson, Myra .  “All Governments Lie”: The Life and Times of Rebel Journalist I.F. Stone.   Rev. In These Times (Sept. 2006).  Stone’s I.F. Stone’s Weekly newsletter last 2 decades; for it he is admired as the quintessential iconoclastic muckraker.  He was fearless and exhaustively thorough in exposing abuses of government authority; he demonstrated the immorality and dishonesty of the US government in the Vietnam War; he stood up for racial equality; and he wrote relentlessly about those in power who persecuted the innocent.

PACIFIST:  DAVID DELLINGER

Small, Melvin.  David Del linger: the Life and Times of a Nonviolent Revolutionary.  NYU P, 2006.  Follows Dellinger through six decades of his pacifist, antiwar, progressive life.

RADICAL FEMINIST, LABOR ORGANIZER: DOROTHY HEALEY  (died Aug. 6 age 91)

From the memorial by Marc Cooper in Z Magazine:  Early a member of the Communist Party and then adherent of democratic socialism, Dorothy worked for feminism, socialism, and peace from her teens to her death.  “She never flinched….She never ceased to propose a better future….Whether it’s heave or hell, Dorothy, make ‘em sweat!”

WOMAN ACTIVIST: GRANNY D

Doris “Granny D” Haddock, the Walking Granny for electoral reform advocating public funding for all elections.   www.grannyd.com, www.publiccampaign.org

MAN POLITICIAN: PAUL WELLSTONE

Film:   “Wellstone! A Life of Progressive Populism.”

ANTI-WAR MUSIC: CHARLIE HADEN, NEIL YOUNG

---Haden opposed the Viet Nam and Iraq invasions and occupations, and founded Liberation Music Orchestra.  Its new album:  “Not In Our Nam e.”

---Neil Young's new video "Families"  is a clever indictment of the media and President Bush and stirring tribute to those affected by the Iraq War.

SIERRA CLUB
Robert Greenwald (Outfoxed, Wal-Mart) has produced a new film on environmental heroes in Sierra Club Chronicles,  a 7-part series on satellite network LinkTV about ordinary citizens from Mississippi residents uniting to protect a national park from offshore drilling to Southern Californians fighting shipping-related air pollution.  Sierra (Sept. Oct. 2006), p. 55.  www.sierraclub.org/tv     Sierra Club’s honorary president, Edgar Wayburn, recipient of the 1999 Presidential Medal of Freedom from Bill Clinton, just turned 100.  Read his Your Land and Mine: Evolution of a Conservationist (2004).

ANIMAL DEFENDER: CAROL NOON’S SAVE THE CHIMPS
Carol Noon purchased 12 islands off the coast of Florida to be a refuge for 291 chimpanzees, most of them rescued from a biomedical research center (which she bought).  A Ph.D. anthropologist from the U. of Florida specializing in resocialization, Noon will select the chimps to form families.  Fifty years ago several million chimps lived in Africa; now there are about 200,000; the US has about 2,400, about 1,700 of whom are used in biomedical testing.  Save the Chimps receives no government money and depends on private donations for the $2.5 million-a-year operation.

LOW-CARBON CRUSADER: AL GORE
Read the interview in Sierra  (Sept.-Oct.),  “’history is a race between education and catastrophe.’”  www.climatecrisis.net   Education: we must lower CO2 by 70%.

PEACE AND JUSTICE SINGER PETE SEEGER

Since the Great Depression, Pete Seeger has co-written or popularized so many songs that many people consider him our national troubadour.  His most recent album is We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions,  featuring Bruce Springsteen’s versions of standards performed by Seeger.  He turned 87 May 3.  TMN (5-18-06). 

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World

WORLD PEACE: GLOBAL NETWORK AGAINST WEAPONS IN SPACE AND WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM

Pentagon plans to deploy anti-satellite (ASAT) and other offensive space-based weapons are still very much on track.     This reality makes our annual Keep Space for Peace Week all the more important this October 1-8.  This year Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom (WILPF) is again co-sponsoring the week of events with the Global Network and is helping to promote the week of local actions worldwide within their membership.  Let us know if you need any resources to help make your space week event happen.

HUMAN RIGHTS:  AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Its two foundations for lasting peace and security are human rights and the rule of law.  On Sept. 11, they will commemorate the fifth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attack by compassion for the families, and friends, and loved ones of the people killed or injured that day, and by recommitting itself to a world in which criminals are brought to justice by the creation of a world of rights and law.  The Fall 2006 no. of Amnesty International includes articles on AI-USA’s new executive director Larry Cox; Darfur; the many violations of human rights by the US war on terror; Haitians living and persecuted  in Dominican Republic ; actions alerts around the world; and much more.

BRAVE JUDGES

A few courageous magistrates in Sicily have tried to break the Mafia’s power over Sicily, and some have been murdered for their efforts--in 1992 Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino.  At great cost to themselves and their families, they  spent years investigating the Mafia in Palermo and put many of the most important bosses in jail for life.  They had begun exposing the connections between the Mafia and Italy ’s political elite when they were murdered.  See the book and film by Alexander Stille, Excellent Cadavers.

REVOLUTIONARY SHEROES WOMYN WARRIORS 2007 CAL ENDAR

www.sheroescalendar.org   A unique 13-month calendar honors daily rebels, radicals, and revolutionaries of different times and contexts who are generally unknown to women today.  From The Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Bigotry and Human Rights, a national non-profit organization devoted to the eradication of race, gender, and other oppressions (founded by Dick Bennett, now led by Dr. Loretta Williams).  Each day in the calendar features a brief biosketch and image of a historic woman agent of change, such as Maria Barbudo, Puerto Rican patriot; Lillian Masediba Ngoyi, South African apartheid pass-law resister; Anna Louise Strong, radical pacifist U.S. journalist; Yamada Waka, Japanese journalist and activist; and hundreds more.  $15 plus $3 mailing, to The Myers Center, 300 The Fenway/Simmons, Boston , MA 02115 -5898.

The Unsung Heroes of Dialogue

Taken http://www.un.org/Dialogue/heroes.htm

Dialogue knows no geographic, cultural or social boundaries. Even where conflict has created seemingly insurmountable walls between people, the spirit and vision of human beings have in many instances kept alive the flame of dialogue. Keeping that flame burning is one of the goals of the United Nations Year of Dialogue.

To this end, the United Nations has identified examples of human courage--the unsung heroes of dialogue who have faced adversity and looked beyond cultural, social, economic and racial issues to find a solution. Seven 60-second public service announcements have been produced, each illustrating how an individual crossed the divide of difference to bring people together. These public service announcements may be aired by any television station that wishes to carry them and can be translated into any number of languages. Here are the stories of the "unsung heroes". Stay tuned!

Audio files for each of these Unsung Heroes can be downloaded at http://www.un.org/Dialogue/heroes.htm. You need to have RealPlayer to view the video. Go to http://www.real.com/player to download.

Jack Beetson, is an indigenous Australian educator, who every year invites indigenous and non-indigenous people to meet “the other” at his Linga Longa Philosophy Farm in the country.  They share camp, ask questions, and explore cultures and identities.  It’s a rare opportunity for two different cultures to transcend division and meet and discover, in a friendly and informal environment. 

Jack is also Chief Executive Officer of Tranby Cooperative for Aborigines, which runs courses on Aboriginal studies by Aboriginal people, for both indigenous and non-indigenous people. Apart from providing culturally appropriate vocational education, his “cultural renaissance” programmes have helped Aborigines removed from their families as children to piece together their identity and regain dignity and pride. By providing insights into the nature of the people and their relationship to the land during the years before white people settled Australia only 200 years ago, non-indigenous students gain an added dimension to their own identity and an alternative appreciation of the unique land in which they live.  

Jack’s motivation is not just indigenous rights, but human rights for all.

The Mount Gilbert Community College ( Belfast ) Wall of Peace Project began when children wrote to leading figures around the world asking them to send messages of peace. Margaret Gibney, then 14 years old, wrote to British Prime Minister Tony Blair and in her letter told him that she had known only one year of peace in her whole life. The Prime Minister was so inspired by her plea and the Wall of Peace that he mentioned her letter on American television, and, as a result, Hillary Clinton asked to visit Margaret where she was in Belfast in 1997.

Margaret has since won a number of awards for her inspirational peace work, including a Champion Children Award, and she has traveled internationally as a UNICEF Young Ambassador. In July 1998 Margaret went to New York to take part in the Youth Leadership Forum and Goodwill Games founded by Ted Turner. She was one of 36 youngsters from all over the world who were brought together to celebrate the start of the Goodwill Games. Margaret was also one of the three Young Ambassadors taking part in live TV coverage of the Games and was interviewed about her part in the Northern Ireland peace Process and the Wall of Peace.

Kenyan ethnographer Sultan Sornjee runs the ethnography department at the National Museum of Kenya in Nairobi . He is also the founder of the African Peace Museum project. He has an authoritative knowledge of the culture and peace traditions of Kenya’s pastoral peoples, built up over 25 years of study.

Through his work for peace, Sornjee encourages indigenous communities to share their Peace Traditions. These non-reading cultures do not build monuments, and they do not write, but they keep alive their knowledge through oral and visual traditions. There are also local Peace Sites that are acknowledged by the whole community.

Sornjee is an Ismaeli Muslim- his grandparents came to Kenya at the turn of the century from the Indian sub-continent.

Dr. Salahuddin Ramez  

Humanitarian hero who died treating the victims of conflict ( Afghanistan )

It takes special courage to fly into a war zone and work with the injured, offering hope and relief in the midst of conflict. Dr. Salahuddin Ramez had this sort of courage and as a surgeon with the International Committee of the Red Cross, left his native Afghanistan to attend to the casualties of war in areas of conflict around the world.

Educated in both Afghanistan and Germany, he joined the International Committee of the Red Cross in 1995 and went first to Pakistan then the Sudan, East Timor and finally on a mission to Sierra Leone.

It was here whilst carrying out his work that Dr. Ramez contracted Lassa fever and tragically died on 25th July 2000. This public service announcement is an overdue recognition of his commitment to humanitarian aid across religious and cultural divides.

 Sydney Possuelo  Three decades spent protecting indigenous people in Amazonia from the shock of the new
 ( Brazil )

Sydney Possuelo is in charge of the Department for Unknown Tribes in the Brazilian Government's Indian Foundation (FUNAI). He is one of Brazil 's most experienced 'sertanistas' (Indian experts). He has spent more than 30 years caring for indigenous groups - mainly in Amazonia - where the effects of development and deforestation creep ever further into their jungle homeland. Invading prospectors, loggers and smugglers will sometimes shoot Indians who stand in their way.

Sydney Possuelo and FUNAI help protect these vulnerable people's rights. In the past, FUNAI regarded contact as the best option for unknown tribes, but for the last decade Sydney's objective has been to avoid all contact with the aim of leaving the tribe in peace for as long as possible.

However there are times when contact simply has to be made. When it does Sydney Possuelo delicately initiates a dialogue. It's a process which can take years, and which can be very dangerous- a number of the men in Sydney’s teams have been killed or wounded by Indians. In the past, Sydney has been forced to contact more than half a dozen unknown indigenous groups in the retreating rainforest.

The music on the 1-minute film about Sydney is a song of the Kayapo group of tribes arranged by Marlui Miranda.

Zlata Filipovic  Survivor of the horrors of a war continues the work to keep the peace through reconciliation
 ( Bosnia )

Zlata Filipovic began keeping her Sarajevo diary in 1991, just before her eleventh birthday. She recorded everyday teenagers' activities that she avidly pursued, from school to piano lessons, skiing, parties, and watching her favorite TV shows. Then the chaos and terror of war shattered her world. In spite of great tragedy and deprivation, Zlata kept making her lucid diary entries, carefully chronicling the claustrophobia, boredom, resignation, anger, despair, and fear war brings. With a precision and vision beyond her years, Zlata wrote that the "political situation is stupidity in motion." Zlata's diary brings Sarajevo home as no news report ever could.

Since the war's end Zlata's diary has been published to critical acclaim, first by UNICEF, then released in France whilst the U.S. serial rights have gone to Newsweek. After experiencing war so closely Zlata now uses her spare time to work for peace and helps foster communication between different peoples. She has been involved in the launch of UNICEF reports on the impact of armed conflict on children, as well as being part of an international UNESCO jury deciding on a children's and young people's literature prize in the name of tolerance. Zlata is currently studying Human Sciences at St. John's College, Oxford.

Faouzi Skali Using the joy of music to bring cultures together
 (Morocco)

Every year, a very special festival takes place in Fez, Morocco. A unique event, it gathers people from all corners of the globe, and unites them across different cultures countries, traditions, languages and times. The Fez Festival of World Sacred Music does all this through the universal language of music. The festival is the brainchild of its Director General, Dr. Faouzi Skali. Faozi believes that people can reach out across their differences through the power of music. Each year he invites musicians from around the world to share music that they hold sacred.

In a world where technology is breaking down barriers of trade and communication so quickly, the spirit of the festival aims to facilitate a similar free flow of human dignity and spirituality, breaking down divides to allow all cultures to share goodwill and celebrate diversity of thought and religious belief.

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CONTACT YOUR  CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
 --Senator Blanche Lincoln: Web Site (they have contact links): www.lincoln.senate.gov; http://www.lincoln.senate.gov/index.cfm; http://www.lincoln.senate.gov/webform.html
Washington Office:355 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510-0404, Phone: (202) 224-4843 Fax: (202) 228-1371.  Fayetteville office:  251-1380;

 --Senator Mark Pryor: Web Site (see contact link):   www.pryor.senate.gov ; http://pryor.senate.gov/contact/
Washington Office: 217 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510-0403, Phone: (202) 224-2353 Fax: (202) 228-0908
Main District Office: 500 Pres. Clinton Ave., Suite 401, 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, coordinator of office.  Web site (with contact link):  http://www.boozman.house.gov/     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 6^th St. Rm 240, Ft. Smith 72901.

Harrison office: 870-741-6900; 402 N. Walnut, Suite 210, Harrison 72601.

DC address: 1708 Longworth House Office Building., Washington, DC 20515; 202-225-4301.  Leslie Parker, appointments secretary: 202-225-4301.