OMNI NEWSLETTER: EVENTS, ACTIONS, COMMENT
SEPTEMBER 24, 2006, CREATING A CULTURE OF PEACE

WE, THE PEOPLE
DID YOU WATCH FSTV THIS MORNING?

"If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of
fighting a foreign enemy." --- James Madison

TOLL-FREE NUMBERS to call Congress: 888-355-3588 and 800-828-0498.

Contents:
Past Events
Current Events
Fayetteville
NWA
ARKANSAS
USA
WORLD

PAST EVENTS

CAR: Anti-Mascot Action (Arkansas Peace and Justice Network) Arkansas State University Indians -vs- Oklahoma State Cowboys September 9, 2006 5:00pm, War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock, AR For more information: 501-244-9690 or e-mail Artchangesu2@sbcglobal.net CAR office 800 Scott St., Little Rock, AR For the past two years CAR has opposed Arkansas State University's use of American Indian culture and imagery for use as mascots. The school has been asked repeatedly by Indian people, CAR and other allies to end this practice, all to no avail. We must all stand together and oppose racism, ethnocentrism, gender inequality, homophobia, etc. It is only we when get out of our comfort zones and stand up for one another will we begin to see real change. The majority of Indian people do not want these mascots. Most Indian people do not feel honored by these mascots and believe that they are an overt expression of racism.

HOWL Over 40 people attended an enthusiastic poetry reading 9-17 at OMNI, with Mendy MC. Mendy, Marilyn, Lynn, Diana, Path,Vicki, June, Emily, and others read, mostly their own, but some of other writers. Every 3rd Sunday. Mendy will read Oct. 13, 7pm, at Arsaga's Gregg St. I enjoyed the readings, the exuberant audience, and know poetry readings must be protected; theocrats and other tyrants suspect the independence of poets.

ST. JAMES METHODIST CHURCH Dick gave a talk on US aggressions and the United Nations at St. James 9-17, and a 30-year military veteran afterward thanked me for the information and wanted my references (William Blum on US illegal interventions, etc.). You may want to attend there sometime or regularly, for it is a racially integrated church and a very friendly place. Go on 3rd Sunday for potluck!.

Play about Justice and the Death Penalty Rogers Little Theater produced Twelve Angry Men the past 2 weeks, the acting excellent, and the play about one juror who stood up to 11 various bullies, sadists, and irresponsible persons, to insist upon reasonable doubt before executing someone.

CURRENT EVENTS

THIRD SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH World Peace Wetland Prairie Restoration Day There are volunteer opportunities for just about anybody. We host these hands-on work days on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 8am until noon. Pack your tools and enthusiasm and come on out. A fact sheet about the project and a flyer about the work days are attached. World Peace Wetland Prairie Mission Statement: We envision a thriving wetland ecosystem that encourages world peace through reflection of ecological diversity, education, and stewardship, allowing for on-going and evolving restoration of the wetland prairie, which will serve as a living, learning laboratory and provide a sanctuary to all living things. See you there! Fran B. Free Audubon Arkansas NW Field Office 34 E. Center St., Suite A Fayetteville, AR 72701 479.527.0700 office 479.527.0701 fax ffree@audubon.org

SEPTEMBER 24 VIDEO UNDERGROUND

September 24, 2006 Show Will Begin At 6:30 P.M. 9/11: Press for Truth
In the weeks and months following 9/11, the American government showed no interest in the standard practice of commissioning an independent investigation into the largest attack on American soil. Adapted in part from Paul Thomas's Complete 9/11 Timeline, this documentary follows a group of 9/11 families who fought to compel the government to begin such an investigation.

September 25-27, 2006, 13th Annual Native American Symposium September 25 Charles Banks Wilson: Portrait of an American Artist , Premiere ScreeningofaDocumentary by Larry Foley, With Special Guest: Mr. Charles Banks Wilson 7:00 PM, Giffels Auditorium September 26 Special Lecture: "Using Native American Skills in WW II: The Story of Richard Orville Miles as Told by His Daughter, Ms. Jo Carson 2:00 PM KH 102

September 27 The Vanishing American (1925) Screening of a Silent Film Classic with Live Piano Accompaniment by Rodney Sauer of the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra 7:00 PM, Student Union Theater

SEPTEMBER 26, Tuesday, 6pm, READING BANNED BOOKS Banned Books Week Sept. 25-30 Celebrates 25th Anniversary The ACLU and the OMNI Center are hosting a reading of banned books at the Fayetteville Public Library on Tuesday September 26 beginning at 6 PM in the Community Room. Among the readers will be local poets Miller Williams and Michael Heffernan, Louise Schaper of FPL. The event is free and open to the public. Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read has been observed during the last week of September since 1982. The annual event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted and encourages us to remain vigilant in our support of creative and intellectual freedom. There were 405 attempts to remove books in 2005. Most of the challenges, 70 percent, are in schools or school libraries. Challenges are defined as formal, written complaints filed with a library or school requesting materials be removed because of content or appropriateness.

September 26, Tuesday, 6pm, committee preparing for Nov. 4 demonstration v. the wars and threatened wars, and for nonviolence, negotiation, diplomacy, international law, the UN. Contact Abel Tomlinson.

September 26, Tuesday, Speaker and film on GENOCIDE Paul Rusasabagina will be speaking on campus: 7 PM in the Union Ballroom. His talk will be followed by a showing of the film "Hotel Rwanda." Mr. Rusasabagina is the hotelier whose story is portrayed in the film. I think the film which tells of the Rwandan genocide should be required viewing. (Mike L)

September 27, Sierra Club, Ozark Highlands The City of Fayetteville's Trails Program, including current trail construction and future routes, is the topic of the monthly meeting of the Ozark Headwaters Group of the Sierra Club, which will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, at Powerhouse Seafood, 112 N. University off Dickson Street in Fayetteville. Matt Mihalevich, Trails Coordinator for the city, will talk about the benefits of an interconnected network of multi-use trails including environment, recreation and quality of life. The OHG Executive Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. Members are invited to attend this meeting, as well. For more information about this event, contact Joyce Hale, Ozark Headwaters Group of the Sierra Club, at 479-527-2777 or e-mail jhale@specent.com.
The mission of the Ozark Headwaters Group is to promote acknowledgment of the rare and unique nature of the unpolluted lands, waterways and water resources in Northwest Arkansas, and to foster general community and government support for the rehabilitation of degraded areas. For more information, please visit the OHG website at http://arkansas.sierraclub.org/ozark_headwaters/.

September 30, Mid-Life Spirituality Workshop I am pleased to offer in this 4 hour sessionan exploration of our human spiri thatsupportsour aliveness,individuality, and freedom. The workshop,part of the ServantLeadership School of St. Paul's EpiscopalChurch,is based on the bookMid-Life Spirituality and Jungian Archetypesby Janice Brewi and AnneBrennan. Thisaidsustobe the unique individual thatwehave beencalled to be.See below fordetails.Pattie Registeronlineat www.stpaulsfay.org/registratration.html or send $35 check to St. Paul's Episcopal Church Servant Leadership School, PO Box 1190, Fayetteville, AR 72702 Call Pattie Williams at 443-2096 or email ipattie@sbcglobal.net for further information

OCTOBER 1, SUNDAY, 7PM, OPEN MIC COFFEEHOUSE FOR PEACE, JUSTICE,AND ECOLOGY at OMNI (at Presbyterian Student Center on Maple and Storer). Since it's International Vegetarian Day, Donna and Kelly are having a veget/vegan/raw food potluck staring at 6pm. We'll feast downstairs and sing upstairs!

OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER VIDEO UNDERGROUND

October 2, Monday, OMNI Fundraiser meeting at Karen Kimrey's. We would be delighted to have you join us.

October 2 and 3, film Short Takes at CAT: Community Access TV.

October 5, National Day of Resistance to Bush. (OMNI resists aggression abroad and repression at home every day.)

OCTOBER 6, 1976, anti-Castro Cuban terrorists blew up a Cubana Airliner off Barbados, killing all passengers. The mastermind, Bosch, lives in Miami, harbored by the nation that purports to be the leader against terrorism. But of course successive US governments have defined terrorists as opponents of the US.

OCTOBER 6, FRIDAY, 3PM, GIFFELS AUDITORIUM, RAY MCGOVERN Brought to you by OMNI Former CIA official, now critic of Pres. Bush, McGovern exposes Bush and his Admin.'s numerous wrongs against the US Constitution, the people of the US, and the nations and peoples of the world.

October 6, Kimpel Hall 105, University of Arkansas campus, 12:30. "Intertwined Histories: An Unconventional Guide to Israeli-Iranian Relations." Lecture by Haggai Ram, Department of Middle Eastern Studies, Ben Gurion University, Israel and Greenberg Scholar in Residence, Skidmore College. Sponsored by Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies, UA

OCTOBER 7, 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.

October 8, VIDEO UNDERGROUND, 2ND AND 4TH SUNDAYS EACH MONTH AT UNITED CAMPUS MINISTRY, MAPLE AND STORER IN FAYETTEVILLE.

October 8, ACLU Potluck, 6:30, at Kathy Boyd's home.

OCTOBER 9,5pm, Fine Arts Courtyard, INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY Alternative to Columbus Day. Music and speaker at Greek Amphitheater in the Courtyard of the Fine Arts Building, followed by film at 7, and films the following to nights-the Indigenous Film Series.

October 16 and 17, filming Short Takes. Have you seen yourself on CAT defending world peace and justice? What's holding you back?

OCTOBER 18, HOUSE OF WAR: THE PENTAGON AND THE DISASTROUS RISE OF AMERICAN POWER PANEL. More panelists invited. Join the panel and help spread awareness of the disastrous history of the Pentagon, the CIA, and the US National Security State. Contact Dick.

OCTOBER 28, Saturday, 2 to 5 pm. Introduction to Compassionate Communication workshop with Anita Schnee. Learn tools to transform emotion into lively and constructive energy, to connect with self and others and keep compassion alive. Based on the work of Marshall B. Rosenberg, Center for Nonviolent Communication, www.cnvc.org. On-going practice sessions beginning Thursday, November 2nd, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. $ 30.00 (includes materials) St. Paul's Episcopal Church cor. East St. and Dickson St. 442-7373 Register on-line at www.stpaulsfay.org/registration.html or contact Anita at niterfay@yahoo.com

November 3 and 4, Breaking through Communication Barriers: A Basic Training in Compassionate Communication will be held at Unity of Fayetteville, Friday, November 3, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 4, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $50. Rev. Brian Walker, MEd, currently works as a trainer in Silent Unity's prayer ministry. He is also an adjunct faculty member for Unity Institute where he teaches Compassionate Communication and Appreciative Inquiry to the ministerial candidates. For more information www.unityfay.org or email unityfay@sbcglobal.net, 479-442-0680

NOVEMBER 11, OMNI FUNDRAISER AT ST. PAUL'S
To help, contact Karen Kimrey.

FAYETTEVILLE

SECURITY PARANOIA
The Washington County Courthouse now has a metal detector, 2 fulltime guards, 2 part-time, and 1 more full-time is to be hired, all without any threat to anyone. This is money thrown away obviously, but worse is its contribution to the Bush fear-mongering he is using so effectively to control Congress and the public, to continue the wars, and to plan an attack on Iran.

DEVELOPMENT AND WARMING
A letter from Don Choffel in TMN 9-18 made a clear criticism of publicly subsidized developers (commercial and home development): let the people who profit from development pay for all of it, not the tax payer. What he did not mention is that subsidized development accelerates sprawl and therefore CO2.

UNITY Universal Statement for Peace (this is for the world, but placed here because written by a Fayetteville resident, Rev. Gary Simmons). Adapted from Unity's Statement of Peace, which has been circulated throughout the world.

UNIVERSAL STATEMENT FOR PEACE
We the People of the World stand for peace in the presence of conflict, for love in the presence of hatred, for forgiveness in the presence of injury. We the People of the World honor the many names for God, the many paths to God, the many ways of worshiping God, for there is only one power and presence that is God, and that God loves us all equally. We the People of the World urge all nations, their leaders and their people, to turn to God, by whatever name, for guidance during these challenging times, and pursue peace, not war, for this is what honors the God of all of our faith traditions. We the People of the World stand for Peace in our lifetime. Rev. Gary Simmons, Director, Peacemaking Services, Association of Unity Churches International, 13517 Goose Creek Rd, Fayetteville, AR 72704

BILL ORTON ON "THE PEOPLE'S ROMANCE"
Bill's letter on nationalistic, statist, patriotic unity has been published in NAT and TMN (9-19).

NWA

GRASSROOTS MILITARISM IN TMN
One example one day, 9-3: In the NWA Club Directory 7H a list of 24 Veterans/Military Organizations, and on another page their weekly invitation to vets to write their stories, which are published one a week. (There was more gm in 9-3). On 9-4 p. D1, 2 large articles on WWII vets. Have you noticed that the warrior glorification focuses mainly on WWII. What's your explanation for that?

CONGRESSMAN BOOZMAN
As soon as the Democrats gain a majority in the House, Rep. John Conyers will be able to advance his Resolution for the impeachment of Pres. Bush. John Gray in his letter in ADG 9-14 gives several good reasons for supporting Woodrow Anderson over Boozman. (OMNI is not supporting any Party; we are opposing Cong. Boozman for his mindless obedience to a warmonger President.)

WARMING:
--Reassuring News from Developers: "Expert lauds Low-Impact Designs" (TMN 9-23), "'You can have your development and your environment too,' Coffman said." No mention of 70%. Deception or self-deception? --"Wal-Mart to Reduce Packaging (TMN 9-23), 5% in 5years. It will save W-M piles of money, but specifically what will be its impact on its carbon footprint? --Distraction for Real Problems: "Trash Vexes Volunteers" (TMN 9-24), page one article plus 2nd page, diverting us from real trash of all of the causes of CO2 in atmosphere.

ARKANSAS TAX BREAKS FOR DIESEL FUEL AND WARMING
The Ark. legislature with the support of gubernatorial candidates Beebe and Hutchinson support giving farmers and other off-road diesel fuel users a sales tax break. Apparently nobody recognized the direct relationship between reducing taxes on fossil fuels and increasing global warming. Nor did the reporter Rob Moritz ask any questions about it. "Lawmakers Eye Diesel Sales Tax Break," TMN (9-4).

ARKANSAS NEEDS
--"Study Knocks history Standards" (TMN 6-6): Ark. received "low marks for world history educational standards in a recent national study" for K-12, scoring "38 of a possible 170 points" and receiving "a letter grade of F." --"Arkansans Not Living Life Well, TMN Editorial (9-13): "Overall, Arkansas ranked 43rd among the 50 states and the District of Columbian," with pockets of extreme poverty.
--"Rogers Opens New Prekindergarten Program" (TMN 9-11) thanks to Wal-Mart. And the rest of the state?

USA DECLINE

For a good analysis of America's decline, see Morris Berman's book Dark Ages America: The Final Phase of Empire. (from Art H).

MILITARISM, EMPIRE, AND IMPEACHING PRES. BUSH
Impeach Bush Articles of impeachment exhibited by the House of Representatives of the United States of America in the name of itself and of the people of the United ... www.impeachbush.tv/impeach/articles.html - 15k - Cached - Similar pages ImpeachBush / VoteToImpeach: Please help support the impeachment campaign's work and help place the new Impeach Bush ad in ... Articles of Impeachment The legal basis for impeachment ... www.impeachbush.org/ - 23k - Cached - Similar pages

In their new book Impeach the President: The Case Against Bush and Cheney, Dennis Loo and Project Censored's Peter Phillips write, "Governments do not fall of their own weight; they must be driven out." The call for impeachment is gaining momentum, with many important voices sounding the call to hold the administration responsible for their mounting crimes. Seven Stories would like to extend a 50% discount to your grassroots organization, should you be interested in purchasing the book for your group, or to sell as a fundraiser. Orders can be placed with Lars at lars@sevenstories.com. Should you be interested in interviewing the authors, please contact me at crystal@sevenstories.com or 212.226.8760. Crystal Yakacki Seven Stories Press Images at: http://www.projectcensored.org/impeach.htm

"Mother Jones" magazine (Oct 2006), "Lie by Lie: How Our Leaders Used Fear and Falsehood to Dupe Us Into a Mideast Quagmire." Conveniently timed terror alerts, foregone delusions, and bald-faced lies-a day-by-day account of how and why we went to war with Iraq. This is the first installment in Mother Jones' Iraq War timeline project.

FSTV: LIBERTY NEWS TV: THE US WAR MACHINE
Greetings Fellow Peacemakers, I came across your group's email while reading something my friend, space weapons activist Bruce Gagnon, had written. Bruce's work has inspired our small, mostly volunteer staff, and our monthly progressive TV news show, Liberty News TV http://www.libertynewstv.com> , often takes a hard look at militarism and the abuses of the U.S. empire. I felt I should send you a link to our latest half hour TV program--a special report on the U.S. War Machine. In this show, you'll see clips from "Why We Fight," and "Private Warriors," plus lots of shocking propaganda pieces from the U.S. Army, Alliant Techsystems, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Electric and other major military offenders. You'll also hear from Helen Caldicott, Johann Galtung and Bruce Gagnon. Please forward it far and wide.

DIRECT VIDEO LINKS:Windows Media:
http://www.libertynewstv.com/RAW%20CLIPS%20and%20STILLS/SEPT06CLIPS/LNTVSept 06link.wvx Real Media: http://www.libertynewstv.com/RAW%20CLIPS%20and%20STILLS/SEPT06CLIPS/ LNTVsept06fullrmlink.ram Yours, In service to the truth, Liberty News TV, PO Box 10847, Portland, ME 04104 editor@libertynewstv.com, www.libertynewstv.com

POWER OF WAR METAPHOR
Here's the opening of a useful essay on the controlling power of language. "Five Years After 9/11, Drop the War Metaphor" by George Lakoff & Evan Frisch
Language matters, because it can determine how we think and act. For a few hours after the towers fell on 9/11, administration spokesmen referred to the event as a "crime." Indeed, Colin Powell argued within the administration that it be treated as a crime. This would have involved international crime-fighting techniques: checking banks accounts..... Indeed, such methods have been the most successful so far in dealing with terrorism.....
Instead, a war metaphor was chosen: the War on Terror..... The war metaphor was chosen for political reasons. First and foremost, it was chosen for the domestic political reasons. The war metaphor defined war as the only way to defend the nation. From within the war metaphor, being against war as a response was to be unpatriotic, to be against defending the nation. The war metaphor put progressives on the defensive. For the rest of the essay go to: http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/contributors/402

IRAN
In the nos. of this Newsletter you have read often about the enormous benefit we receive from whistleblowers and investigative reporters. Seymour Hersh is doing all he can to alert us to Bush's secret plans-not merely contingency plans-to attack a country that poses no threat to the US-Iran. But Hersh's exposes in The New Yorker and elsewhere have not aroused Congress or the public to make the protest necessary to stop it. In Harper's Magazine (Oct. 2006), Daniel Ellsberg (who revealed the Pentagon Papers that demonstrated conclusively the deliberate lies by the Johnson Admin. regarding the Viet Nam war)makes a passionate plea for officials in the Bush admin. who possess the evidence to give them to Congress and the press. I urge you to read the essay and to contact our congressional delegation.

USA, ISRAEL, IRAQ, IRAN, AND NOVEMBER ELECTIONS
http://www.dahrjamailiraq.com/hard_news/archives/newscommentary/000465.php#m ore Interview With Ray McGovern, Part 3, By Dahr Jamail,truthout Tuesday 05 September 2006 During the Veterans for Peace National Convention in Seattle, I conducted an interview with Ray McGovern. McGovern was a CIA analyst for 27 years and is co-founder of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS). In the final installment of this interview series for Truthout, McGovern discusses links between US/Israeli policy, the need for change if there is to be true security for either country, the Bush administration's use of torture, and the likelihood of a US attack on Iran. *DJ:* What is the solution for this dysfunctional entanglement between the US and Israel regarding their failed policy in the Middle East? (for full text go to the web site above) OMNI IS BRINGING MCGOVERN HERE OCTOBER 6, 3pm at UA's Giffels Aud.

TORTURE: BUSH ADMIN. USE AND ADVOCACY
Excellent essay in TMN 9-19 by Tom Malinowski of The Washington Post, "It's Not Interrogation-It's Cruelty," compares Bush's defense and use of torture to that practiced by Stalin's secret police.

MAINSTREAM MEDIA COVERAGE OF US TORTURE
"Failures of Imagination: American Journalists and the Coverage of Torture" by Eric Umansky, Columbia Journalism Rev. (Sept./Oct. 2006). A magnificent, comprehensive expose of the crimes committed by Pres. Bush all the way down to Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo. "'It all goes back to President Bush's order in February 2002, that detainees would not be covered by Common Article 3 of Geneva,'" an order ruled illegal by the U.S. Supreme Court. None of these events were adequately reported.

BUSH ADMINISTRATION CONTEMPT FOR LAW and HUMAN RIGHTS
TMN was helpful 9-18 1B with 2 articles on US disregard of international law. "14,000 in Limbo: Prison Network Becomes Legal Vacuum for Detainees [in Iraq]" read one headline. "Military Holds Photographer, Never Files Charges" read another. This president has initiated and presides over a massive repudiation of legal justice. What are our Senators Lincoln and Pryor doing about it? We know what Cong. Bushman Boozman is doing. Also, why are the professors at UA's law school silent?

MILITARY OFFICERS' CRITICISM OF RUMSFELD AND BUSH Read Shadow Warriors, Cobra II, and Fiasco.

INCOMPETENT LEADERSHIP OVER IRAQ OCCUPATION "Ties to GOP Trumped Know-How Among Staff Sent to Rebuild Iraq" By Rajiv Chandrasekaran Washington Post Staff Writer Sunday, September 17, 2006; A01 Adapted from "Imperial Life in the Emerald City," by Rajiv Chandrasekaran, copyright Knopf 2006.. To pass muster with O'Beirne, a political appointee who screens prospective political appointees for Defense Department posts, applicants didn't need to be experts in the Middle East or in post-conflict reconstruction. What seemed most important was loyalty to the Bush administration. O'Beirne's staff posed blunt questions to some candidates about domestic politics: Did you vote for George W. Bush in 2000? Do you support the way the president is fighting the war on terror? Two people who sought jobs with the U.S. occupation authority said they were even asked their views on Roe v. Wade . Many of those chosen by O'Beirne's office to work for the Coalition Provisional Authority, which ran Iraq's government from April 2003 to June 2004, lacked vital skills and experience. For rest of article go to: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/16/AR2006091600 193_pf.html

IRAQ WAR CAUSING TERRORISM
September 24, 2006 "Spy Agencies Say Iraq War Worsens Terror Threat" By MARK MAZZETTI WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 - A stark assessment of terrorism trends by American intelligence agencies has found that the American invasion and occupation of Iraq
has helped spawn a new generation of Islamic radicalism and that the overall terrorist threat has grown Since the Sept. 11 attacks.
The classified National Intelligence Estimate attributes a more direct role to the Iraq war in fueling radicalism than that presented either in recent White House documents or in a report released Wednesday by the House Intelligence Committee, according to several officials in Washington involved in preparing the assessment or who have read the final document. For rest of article go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/24/world/middleeast/24terror.html?ei=5094&en= 003f596f66422cfd&hp=&ex=1159070400&partner=homepage&pagewanted=print

FIGHTING TERRORISM AND FEAR MONGERING
--Anderson Cooper, "Five Years Later: Are We Safer?" Music, visuals, text all evoke the dangers of threatening terrorists. -- But see "Is There Still a Terrorist Threat?" By John Mueller in Foreign Affairs September/October 2006 "Despite all the ominous warnings of wily terrorists and imminent attacks, there has been neither a successful strike nor a close call in the United States since 9/11. The reasonable -- but rarely heard -- explanation is that there are no terrorists within the United States, and few have the means or the inclination to strike from abroad." For the article google Foreign Affairs. -- "Saving Us from Bows and Arrows" by Dan Thomasson (ADG 9-10). Analyzes the alleged terrorist cell plot in Miami to blow up government targets and Sears Tower in Chicago. But "if brains were dynamite, the alleged terrorists couldn't blow their own noses. Furthermore, much of their plotting seems to hjave been furthered by the FBI itself," through entrapment, paid informants, and other "nonsense."

GRASSROOTS MILITARISM
Every Monday TMN forces upon us another long article glorifying veterans and wars; almost every day there is one or more smaller article about military activities. Not surprising, since the US has intervened (armed invasions, rigging elections, arming dictators, assassinations) in over 40 countries since 1945, and millions of pro-war (called "defense") veterans now influence what newspapers choose to report. We have been largely silent, but we can speak back by publishing stories of nonviolent peacemakers. No matter if only a paragraph, write and send to me for our Newsletter.

CONSEQUENCE OF US MILITARISM: US MUSLIMS CIRCLING THEIR WAGONS
"American Muslims Becoming a People Apart," by Geneive Abdo (Wash. Post) ADG (9-10). Because "U.S. foreign policy persists in dividing Muslim and Western"-- the illegal invasions of Muslim countries, the criminal torture of Muslims, the interrogation of a hundred thousand Muslim citizens--, there has developed an "accelerating alienation from the mainstream of U.S. life." Accurate report? It's plausible but devoid of quantitative data.

MARTIAL LAW
A friend reminded me of the Bruce Willis film, The Siege, about another disaster in NYC and the instituting of martial law. Let us be sure we firmly planted in our constitutional protections against tyranny to avoid martial by militarists following another 9-11.

WARMING USA GLACIERS MELTING: ALASKA
"Alaska Research: Study Tracks Glacier Melting" (TMN 9-24). "Ice Shrinking twice Rate Scientists Estimated." "Scientists Eye Giant Ice Lake," (TMN 9-23), In the Beaufort Sea, part of the Arctic Ocean north of Alaska, "{Over the past six weeks, a huge 'lake' bigger than the state of Indiana has melted out of the see ice," covering 38,000 square miles.

WARMING AND EDUCATION OF US POLITICIANS
Every no. of this newsletter confronts the necessity by citizens to educate and engage our political representatives, who are often ignorant about the issues for which they vote. An example: Georgia's Sen. Saxby Chambliss had to be taken bodily to Greenland by Sen. McCain before he saw "'some melting going on'" and gained "a new perspective." That is, he had never read a line by an informed scientist. Because of his ignorance, he had "long opposed forcing reductions in 'greenhouse gas' emissions from power plants and other sources that scientists widely believe [know!] are causing the Earth's climate to gradually warm. " The problem extends to their staffs, who are often equally ignorant and biased. So write and phone and don't let up your pressure. Sen. Chambliss, after his visit to Greenland, said "'I probably haven't changed my mind. But I am much more aware of the issue." Some of our representatives's skulls are larger than their brains, so it will take a LOT of educating to reach their tiny cortex.

ECOLOGY, ENERGY, WARMING
---BIOFUELS
"The Ethanol Myth," Consumer Reports (October 2006). "Despite the avid support of the Bush administration and major American car companies, [ethanol] is unlikely to fill more than a small percentage of U.S. energy needs....E85, which is 85 percent ethanol, emits less smog-causing pollutants than gasoline, but provides fewer miles pergallon, costs more, and is hard to find outside the Midwest." Etc.
--- US FRIENDS
Quakers are a steady source of reliable information and inspiration. The September 2006 issue of the FCNL Washington Newsletter is now available on FCNL's web site: http://www.fcnl.org/now/pdf/2006/sept06.pdf. (D: Here is the opening of a recent letter from FCNL): From the accumulating effects of global warming to the social and economic instability created by a society "addicted to oil," the realities of climate change and our human impact on the world we live in are gathering in force. In this month's newsletter, FCNL looks at the effect that each of us can have on the environment and stopping climate change before it has a dramatic affect on all our lives. *Read about what Congress is doing to change environmental standards and legislation calling for environmental and energy standards for fedeal buildings inspired by FCNL's own green building. *Find out more about the real cost of a gallon of gas , the promise of more fuel efficient cars and questions you can ask candidates in this years election about what they plan to do address the challenge of global climate change and reduce our dependence on oil.

PUBLIC RETURNING TO THEIR SENSES?
Some recent national elections may signal turn from right-wing extremists. The rejection of conservative candidates in last week's primary has prompted Republicans to revise their thinking about the mind-set of voters. BY MARY ELLEN KLAS http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15483675.htm

WORLD ECOLOGY: WARMING
--FSTV, "Global Warning," Gore's An Inconvenient Truth in a few minutes, www.leonardodicaprio.com --FSTV, Sourcecode (7-27). 157 nations have signed the Kyoto Protocols, but not the Bush Admin. US cities are acting. The Mayors Climate Protection Agreement has been signed by 100 cities. Denton, TX seems to lead the way with mass transit, restaurant used food fry oil for biodiesel for city vehicles. What does the Agreement say? Does it seek 70% reduction? 50%? 10%? What is Fayetteville, Springdale, NWA doing to realize its goals? Carbon trading just turns air into another commodity to be bought and sold. Indigenous communities pay a high price: people in wealthy nations worth 10 times more. Urgently needed: CARBON TAXES ON CORPORATIONS. But it will not happen under the fossil fuel industrial/military/Bush White House complex. What does Fayetteville's 2025 do about warming? 70% reduction of CO2 by then? Or 1%? Or zero? Or an increase? How much? --"Company Eyes 'Green' Building'" (TMN 9-4). The Rogers Benchmark Group hopes to build their new building according to LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design principles. It's another start, but their language of vague comparatives does not inspire conviction. They would "impact the environment less," include "more greenspace," employ heating and cooling systems with "higher efficiency," but less, more, higher than what? 70% reduction of CO2? 20%? 1% reduction? None, but does not increase? -- POPULATION CONTROL AND GLOBAL WARMING
U of Missouri-Columbia will be the first in the Big 12 Conference to distribute free condoms. To the many arguments for massive, global distribution of condoms, population control is foremost. To the arguments for population control, now add controlling global warming: if you reduce populations you reduce CO2.

IRAQ
"America invaded Iraq to depose a dictator we did not fear to deprive him of weapons he did not possess in retaliation for an attack upon us in which he did not participate."

IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN US MILITARY DEATHS: 9-11 TIMES TWO. US military deaths from Iraq and Afghanistan supassed the 9-11 deaths-2,973-- Friday 9-22. TMN (9-23), "War Death Toll Equals 9-11."

UN CHARTER VS. IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN INVASIONS AND OCCUPATIONS
Read the UN Charter, articles 2.3 and 2.4 of which forbid what the Bush Admin. is doing there. Contact our Senators and Representative to push him to read the Charter-- a treaty and law of our land-and to demand the US obey all treaty laws.

WHAT DO IRAQIS THINK AND WANT?
Here is the WPO opinion poll of Iraqi citizens concerning the presence of U.S. forces in their country. (from Mike T) Poll of Iraqis: Public Wants Timetable for US Withdrawal, but Thinks US Plans Permanent Bases in Iraq http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/articles/brmiddleeastnafricara/165.ph p?nid=&id=&pnt=165&lb=brme Full Report What the Iraqi Public Wants http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/pdf/jan06/Iraq_Jan06_rpt.pdf Questionnaire/Methodology http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/pdf/jan06/Iraq_Jan06_quaire.pdf

FAILURE OF BUSH'S IRAQ POLICY
After 9-11 the US had the sympathy of the world. "We blew it all on Iraq. In one poll, Europeans now find us more of a threat to world stability than even Iran. In a survey of 14 countries, none of them believe that removing Saddam made the world safer. And in Iraq itself, only 2 percent of the people now believe we invaded to liberate them from tyranny while 76 percent think we did it 'to control Iraqi oil.'" Ellen Goodman in ADG 9-7-06.

FSTV. Film: "Mission Accomplished: Langan in Iraq." British filmmaker Sean Langan went to Iraq 7 mos. after Pres. Bush announced "Mission Accomplished," and found the Iraqi infrastructure disintegrating, the security of Iraqi civilians deteriorating, hatred between the people and the US soldiers mutually increasing. "Iraqi Freedom" was not developing. Why do they hate us? Example: US soldiers do not remove their boots when searching, and they enter the women's rooms. Why do our troops hate them? Their lives are threatened.

PENTAGON VS. BUSH ON IRAQI CIVIL WAR
Go to Google News and you can find dozens of articles (682+ and more being added) addressing the issues below. From Mike T Pentagon warns Iraq headed to civil war http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=2a277756-a9e4-4970-93 eb-e64cf2805464&k=64594 Bush: Iraq Has Not Fallen Into Civil War http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006/09/02/ap2989847.html Pentagon war report a sobering analysis Stark assessment is in sharp contrast to Bush's optimism http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/09/02/MNG5HKUCSO1.D TL
No civil war in Iraq, insists Bush - but Pentagon differs http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,1863851,00.html The Pentagon's Report: Measuring Stability and Security in Iraq http://www.defenselink.mil/pubs/pdfs/Security-Stabilty-ReportAug29r1.pdf TMN (9-3), "Bush Keeps Up Political Offensive, New Pentagon Report Shows Iraq Security Deteriorating" by Andrew Taylor of AP.

Attacks on Iraq Oil Industry Aid Vast Smuggling Scheme http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/04/world/middleeast/04smuggle.html?ex=1157342 400&en=9a268dc45efcf6fb&ei=5070 (MT) Iraq, US at odds over military handover By Ross Colvin (Reuters) (MT) http://reuters.myway.com/article/20060902/2006-09-02T225718Z_01_GEO743062_RT RIDST_0_INTERNATIONAL-IRAQ-DC.html Army Recommends Death in Iraq Slayings By ALICIA A. CALDWELL (AP) http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060903/D8JT2AHG0.html (MT)

AFGHANISTAN
Afghan Opium Cultivation Hits Record By MATTHEW PENNINGTON (AP) http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060903/D8JT22E80.html Article in TMN (9-3), "Opium Cultivation at All-Time High." Despiet "hundreds of millions of dollars" to suppress the drug, "opium-growing increased." In 2006 the poppy cultivation reached 407,700 acres, with an est. yield of 6,100 tons of opium resin. Afghan. produces 90% of the heroin consumed worldwide.

IRAN
---Why US leaders fear Iran, when they approved a new nuclear agreement with India that severely undermines the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty? ---US vs. Iran: Is an Attack Inevitable? by Dr. Abbas Bakhtiar September 1, 2006 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Sept06/Bakhtiar01.htm ---How to bring democracy to Iran "Instead of bringing democracy with cluster bombs, we should support women fighting for democracy." - Shirin Ebadi, Iranian human rights activist who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003. (Source: Associated Press) --(from Mike T): Déjà Vu on Iran? http://www.thenation.com/doc/20061009/iran War Signals? http://www.thenation.com/doc/20061009/lindorff Pentagon moves to second-stage planning for Iran strike option http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Pentagon_moves_to_secondstage_planning_for _0921.html

JENIN AND ISRAEL
FSTV documentary about Israeli attack on Jenin refugee camp and ensuing massacre, April 2002, "Visit Palestine" (I think is the title). Helps explain why many Palestinians hate also the US government.

GAZA
Pres. Bush insisted on an election, then when Hamas won, Bush withdrew US financial support. Why? CONTINUED ISRAELI OCCUPATION AND DESTRUCTION OF GAZA A picture of unilateral violence and disastrous abuse in Gaza, written by Haaretz journalist Gideon Levy--a picture you will not see in the NYT or Philadelphia Inquirer. From Ed Herman "Gaza's Darkness" By Gideon Levy http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/757768.html "Gaza has been reoccupied. The world must know this and Israelis must know it, too. It is in its worst condition, ever. Since the abduction of Gilad Shalit, and more so since the outbreak of the Lebanon war, the Israel Defense Forces has been rampaging through Gaza - there's no other word to describe it - killing and demolishing, bombing and shelling, indiscriminately." For the rest of the article go to:

ISRAEL
-- As peace makers, we need to be aware of & disseminate information about the victims of violence in an unbiased manner. In my opinion, there has been a tendency to minimize the impact of terrorism on the people of Israeli. The fact that this bias has been especially glaring among the ranks of the U.S. "left" is particularly disturbing. The following websites serve to correct that bias.
https://www.all4israel.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Category&catId=46 https://www.all4israel.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Category&catId=13 "The Dream Philosophy of Paranoids: Kill Arabs, Cry Anti-Semitism" By NORMAN FINKELSTEIN September 12, 2006 A central thesis of my book Beyond Chutzpah
is that whenever Israel faces a public relations debacle its apologists sound the alarm that a "new anti-Semitism" is upon us. For the entire article go to: http://www.counterpunch.org/finkelstein09122006.html

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.

Dick Bennett
jbennet@uark.edu
(479) 442-4600
2582 Jimmie Ave.
Fayetteville, AR 72703