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Monday, July 31, 2006
Cleansing
torrential rains drown
sorrow poisoning the soul
azure sky peeks through
posted by Carol at 7:55 AM
0 comments
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Expectations
What actions are
most excellent?
To gladden the heart
of a human being.
To feed the hungry.
To help the afflicted.
To lighten the sorrow
of the sorrowful.
To remove the wrongs
of the injured.
That person is the
most beloved of God
who does most good
to God's creatures.
-The Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him)
From Life Prayers, edited by Elizabeth Roberts and Elias Amidon
most excellent?
To gladden the heart
of a human being.
To feed the hungry.
To help the afflicted.
To lighten the sorrow
of the sorrowful.
To remove the wrongs
of the injured.
That person is the
most beloved of God
who does most good
to God's creatures.
-The Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him)
From Life Prayers, edited by Elizabeth Roberts and Elias Amidon
posted by Carol at 6:33 PM
0 comments
Time to Break These Habits
The threat of our salvation is the clash of peoples:
Jews and Arabs,
offspring of a single father,
separated in youth by jealousy,
in adolescence by fear,
in adulthood by power,
in old age by habit.
It is time to break these habits of hate
and create new habits:
habits of the heart
that will awake within us
the causeless love of redemption and peace.
-Rabbi Rami M. Shapiro
From Life Prayers, edited by Elizabeth Roberts & Elias Amidon
Jews and Arabs,
offspring of a single father,
separated in youth by jealousy,
in adolescence by fear,
in adulthood by power,
in old age by habit.
It is time to break these habits of hate
and create new habits:
habits of the heart
that will awake within us
the causeless love of redemption and peace.
-Rabbi Rami M. Shapiro
From Life Prayers, edited by Elizabeth Roberts & Elias Amidon
posted by Carol at 6:23 PM
0 comments
There Is No Appropriate Title For This
First thing I found out about when I got up this a.m. was the awful news that Israel bombed a city in southern Lebanon, killing over 50 people, 34 of which were children. The pain in my gut bent me over. How many mothers are left without their children? Or did the mothers all die, too? If it were me, I would wish that I had died along with my child.
Oh, for some reason, this one is really bringing it home. These were not the first children brutally murdered, and most likely they won't be the last. AND I CAN'T STAND IT!!! If one of those people who pushed the button - or whatever they had to do to deliver those bombs - if one of those people looked at one of those children in the face, could they have pushed the button? Would they have pushed the button? Oh, we have lost our ability to empathize and to really be human. Sometimes it is so hard to live here on this planet. Right now, it is excruciating to live here.
How do we integrate all of this pain and sadness? How do we move beyond anger? How do we transform it into more compassion? I can't believe that we will stop the cycle by staying in pain and anger. But I am sad and I am angry, and I hope that I will use that energy to lead me to right action.
We are dying and we're in denial about it. We are killing ourselves by war, the chemicals of our medicine, our food that is no longer food, and our ruined environment. Those people who have died in California from the heat? They were murdered by us. We have soiled our own nest and our nest cannot support us any longer. Our excrement is causing us harm in so many ways. We have cancer.
I worked in hospice for years. I saw many people in denial to the end, I saw people in denial who woke up in time to heal before death, and I saw people who used their terminal disease to open up and become lights of love to all around. I want to either die right now or use the time I have left to open up in love. To keep my body around here in denial is a waste of our polluted oxygen.
Sorry to rant, but we can no longer afford to dance around the truth. May the death of those children help me to move more clouds from in front of my heart.
Oh, for some reason, this one is really bringing it home. These were not the first children brutally murdered, and most likely they won't be the last. AND I CAN'T STAND IT!!! If one of those people who pushed the button - or whatever they had to do to deliver those bombs - if one of those people looked at one of those children in the face, could they have pushed the button? Would they have pushed the button? Oh, we have lost our ability to empathize and to really be human. Sometimes it is so hard to live here on this planet. Right now, it is excruciating to live here.
How do we integrate all of this pain and sadness? How do we move beyond anger? How do we transform it into more compassion? I can't believe that we will stop the cycle by staying in pain and anger. But I am sad and I am angry, and I hope that I will use that energy to lead me to right action.
We are dying and we're in denial about it. We are killing ourselves by war, the chemicals of our medicine, our food that is no longer food, and our ruined environment. Those people who have died in California from the heat? They were murdered by us. We have soiled our own nest and our nest cannot support us any longer. Our excrement is causing us harm in so many ways. We have cancer.
I worked in hospice for years. I saw many people in denial to the end, I saw people in denial who woke up in time to heal before death, and I saw people who used their terminal disease to open up and become lights of love to all around. I want to either die right now or use the time I have left to open up in love. To keep my body around here in denial is a waste of our polluted oxygen.
Sorry to rant, but we can no longer afford to dance around the truth. May the death of those children help me to move more clouds from in front of my heart.
posted by Carol at 8:01 AM
0 comments
Friday, July 28, 2006
Losing Wars - And Also Our Souls
News about the No Blood for Oil 12 made the Democracy Now Headlines yesterday!
When we were at the jail for Bonnie, I found out that Drew (whose age I don't remember but who appears to be in his late 50's/early 60's) doesn't have a bed to sleep on in jail. He is sleeping on the floor with no pillow. In addition, he is fasting, and he is not allowed to indulge in his smoking habit in the jail. Man oh man. If he makes it through ten days of fasting and not smoking, I'll... I'll... I'll be impressed!
Below is a good letter to the editor from the Boulder Daily Camera.
And I wonder... why do we honor the people who get paid to "fight for peace", but jail the people who voluntarily stand for peace? (I know, I know. DQ)
No Blood for Oil 12 are an inspiration
We in Colorado, especially in Boulder, should be very proud that in this sad time a few of our neighbors are willing not only to witness for peace but to actively work against war and violence. The "No Blood for Oil 12" were convicted of "trespassing" in front of a Lakewood Army recruiting office! This while thousands of our children and Iraqi children have been dying daily for more than three years, and now our U.S.-made bombs rain down on Lebanese children. These "protesters" have been willing to tell this administration that it should have learned there are no winners in war, whether started by Iraq, Iran, Hezbollah, Israel or the U.S.
Why can't the United States identify the enemy? Why can't we root for the good guys? Because none of us is innocent; all of us have blood on our hands. Why would we expect the rest of the world to listen to us and take the high road while our children and our money are killing in our name? The world is not blind; our neighbors can see that our warmaking has not brought peace, only more violence.
Where are all the Christians, the "pro-lifers," who profess to believe in the New Testament good news of love, forgiveness, and non-violence, not the Old Testament laws of hate and vengeance? What good does it do us if we win all the wars and lose our souls?
CAROLE BAYER
Boulder
When we were at the jail for Bonnie, I found out that Drew (whose age I don't remember but who appears to be in his late 50's/early 60's) doesn't have a bed to sleep on in jail. He is sleeping on the floor with no pillow. In addition, he is fasting, and he is not allowed to indulge in his smoking habit in the jail. Man oh man. If he makes it through ten days of fasting and not smoking, I'll... I'll... I'll be impressed!
Below is a good letter to the editor from the Boulder Daily Camera.
And I wonder... why do we honor the people who get paid to "fight for peace", but jail the people who voluntarily stand for peace? (I know, I know. DQ)
No Blood for Oil 12 are an inspiration
We in Colorado, especially in Boulder, should be very proud that in this sad time a few of our neighbors are willing not only to witness for peace but to actively work against war and violence. The "No Blood for Oil 12" were convicted of "trespassing" in front of a Lakewood Army recruiting office! This while thousands of our children and Iraqi children have been dying daily for more than three years, and now our U.S.-made bombs rain down on Lebanese children. These "protesters" have been willing to tell this administration that it should have learned there are no winners in war, whether started by Iraq, Iran, Hezbollah, Israel or the U.S.
Why can't the United States identify the enemy? Why can't we root for the good guys? Because none of us is innocent; all of us have blood on our hands. Why would we expect the rest of the world to listen to us and take the high road while our children and our money are killing in our name? The world is not blind; our neighbors can see that our warmaking has not brought peace, only more violence.
Where are all the Christians, the "pro-lifers," who profess to believe in the New Testament good news of love, forgiveness, and non-violence, not the Old Testament laws of hate and vengeance? What good does it do us if we win all the wars and lose our souls?
CAROLE BAYER
Boulder
posted by Carol at 3:59 PM
1 comments
Living Truth Fully
I have a correction to make. A couple of days ago, I wrote that Bonnie, one of the No Blood for Oil 12, is 85 years old. Today I found out - words straight from her mouth - that she is 75.
Bonnie McCormick, wearing a "You Have the Right to Vote" t-shirt, showed up at the Jefferson County jail today to begin her ten-day sentence for trespassing and obstructing a passageway. About a dozen supporters applauded as Bonnie arrived, carrying a small paper bag of necessities. When asked what she was bringing, she took out an empty milk jug and explained that, if allowed to, she would bring the jug in with her so that she could fill it with water and use it as a therapeutic weight for her injured shoulder.
Bonnie said that she was led to activism after many letters to her congress people went unanswered. She finally received a letter from one senator thanking her for her contribution to his campaign - even though she had not sent him a contribution. Feeling that there are many huge problems in the world and that she had no voice in our government, she resorted to activism.
With Max, the cat, safely in the hands of an excellent vet for the next ten days, and a green light from her doctor, Bonnie was all smiles and hugs as she walked into the Detention Facility. When asked if she was worried about her time inside, she shook her head and said that she believes that the people inside the jail are just like people outside the jail. They are all just doing their jobs. She expected to be treated well.
When she accepted a jail term, I was a little worried about the thought of this beautiful elder of ours sitting in jail, but I am pretty sure that, ten days from now, she will come out with a new family of friends.
posted by Carol at 3:03 PM
0 comments
Two Videos
Two Videos (the first one is a little cute, the second one is more serious, but important):
I Miss Monica
IAVA Promotional Film (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America)
Thanks to Darla.
I Miss Monica
IAVA Promotional Film (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America)
Thanks to Darla.
posted by Carol at 10:08 AM
0 comments
Friends Known and Unknown
Yesterday, my Jewish friend and I spent hours and hours on the phone talking about Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, etc., etc. I had been avoiding the subject, because I thought we would just disagree and I wouldn't like what he would say and I didn't want to hear it - you know, all of the typical excuses that people use to make this planet the mess it is. I knew that I was not acting in accord with my aspirations. So I called my friend to face the subject head on and to hear who he is.
We came through to the other side, and I love and respect him more than ever. I understand where he is coming from, and I know it is heartfelt. He searches his soul in order to be as loving, understanding and honest as he can be. I am a product of all that I am and how I was raised. I am not able to totally see the world through the eyes of a Jew or a Muslim. And Jews and Muslims have the same weakness - they are only able to see life from where they come from. But we have to continually stretch ourselves and listen and HEAR and find the common places where we all come together as human, as souls on this plane that are all trying to figure it out.
***************
This a.m., I got up at FIVE O-CLOCK! and drove into Denver to banner a highway overpass. This was my first time. In fact, I think it was the first time for everyone else, also. I didn't realize that when I made my decision to go. When we all met, the others had some papers they were reading about a court case explaining the legalities and illegalities of this. Oh. I hadn't planned on getting ticketed or anything. But, I quickly decided that that wouldn't be the worse thing that could happen to me.
When we got to the overpass, two of the men held a banner saying something like "War doesn't make us safer", and a woman and I held one that said, "Stop the killing of civilians". The two teams were on opposite sides of the overpass. After awhile, a police officer came and made the men stop, telling them that he had seen them leaning over the overpass. A street person told me that pedestrians aren't allowed on the walkway on that side. Oh! So that's why there was a sign over there with a drawing of a person with line through him! The police never bothered L and I.
What is really strange, or maybe not, is that hundreds of people honked and waved and gave the peace sign or the thumbs up, but almost as many flipped us off. Sometimes people felt so strongly that they took their hands off the wheel to flip us off with both hands. So much anger. All in response to a sign that said to stop the killing of civilians.
We need to have a talk. And listen.
We came through to the other side, and I love and respect him more than ever. I understand where he is coming from, and I know it is heartfelt. He searches his soul in order to be as loving, understanding and honest as he can be. I am a product of all that I am and how I was raised. I am not able to totally see the world through the eyes of a Jew or a Muslim. And Jews and Muslims have the same weakness - they are only able to see life from where they come from. But we have to continually stretch ourselves and listen and HEAR and find the common places where we all come together as human, as souls on this plane that are all trying to figure it out.
***************
This a.m., I got up at FIVE O-CLOCK! and drove into Denver to banner a highway overpass. This was my first time. In fact, I think it was the first time for everyone else, also. I didn't realize that when I made my decision to go. When we all met, the others had some papers they were reading about a court case explaining the legalities and illegalities of this. Oh. I hadn't planned on getting ticketed or anything. But, I quickly decided that that wouldn't be the worse thing that could happen to me.
When we got to the overpass, two of the men held a banner saying something like "War doesn't make us safer", and a woman and I held one that said, "Stop the killing of civilians". The two teams were on opposite sides of the overpass. After awhile, a police officer came and made the men stop, telling them that he had seen them leaning over the overpass. A street person told me that pedestrians aren't allowed on the walkway on that side. Oh! So that's why there was a sign over there with a drawing of a person with line through him! The police never bothered L and I.
What is really strange, or maybe not, is that hundreds of people honked and waved and gave the peace sign or the thumbs up, but almost as many flipped us off. Sometimes people felt so strongly that they took their hands off the wheel to flip us off with both hands. So much anger. All in response to a sign that said to stop the killing of civilians.
We need to have a talk. And listen.
posted by Carol at 7:44 AM
0 comments
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Statement of a NBFO12-er
I have to believe that the defendants' statements in yesterday's trial at least made a few little openings in the beliefs of anyone present who supports this war. Each statement drove home the author's anquish over the war and a determination to act in order to call attention to the illegal and brutal actions of our country. Here is Janet's statement:
I would like to take a moment of silence for all those who have lost their lives in Iraq, and for their families, and all those whose lives will never be the same because of this tragedy.
This has been a long and difficult trial and I would like to thank the court including Mr. Sallers and Mr Randall (DAs) for their patience.
As we stood in front of the Lakewood recruiting station last November 18th, the war in Iraq raged on. As we stand here today, it rages on still.This war in Iraq is a shameful period in our nation's history. It is a war based on false info. Despite what our president told us there were no weapons of mass destruction. The 911 terrorists were not from Iraq. The first thing our forces did after they stormed Baghdad was to go straight to the oil fields. This war clearly has little to do with spreading democracy or making the world safe from terrorists. I tell you that if Iraq's chief export were oatmeal we would not be there today. This is about oil. It IS that simple. It is nothing more than the shameful age old pattern where one people annihilates another with a motivating force based on greed. To date there are estimates that we have killed tens of thousands of Iraqi citizens. Nearly forty percent of them are children. They are moms like me. They are teachers and nurses and shop owners. They are middle school students, baby brothers and baby sisters.
The concept that the purpose of this war is to eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction is laughable.If that is true then we have completely failed. The civil strife that has resulted is more devastating than any weapon we imagined. We have destabilized the entire middle east. Iraq is in a civil war. Iran is developing nuclear weapons with the support of most of the Arab region and Israel and Lebanon are now at war. Terrorists now flock to the region.
In the end I have to ask: just who is the terrorist? If it is not us, then aren't we at least responsible for a war which adds to the ranks of the groups responsible for terror? Who is doing the terrorizing?
We cannot continue the facade that we are not all connected. What happened to "All men are created equal?" Or is that just if you happen to live in the right country? To the mothers of Iraq, I for one stand up as Julia Ward Howe did before me and say No! I will not be sending my son to kill yours!
It is devastating to me that this is where my tax dollars go. That every purchase I make is tied to this genocide. I can not stand by and idly watch while my government mass murders. If we are a government by and for the people than I am part of that government. To me doing nothing is perhaps the greatest evil. I worry that I am not doing enough.
Franklin Roosevelt said "To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."
Being at the recruiting station was my privilege. It was also my duty. I consider it community service and I have no remorse.
I'd like to end once more with some words from Eleanor Roosevelt:
"The basis of world peace is the teaching which runs through almost all the great religions of the world. "Love thy neighbor as thyself." Christ, some of the other great Jewish teachers, Buddha, all preached it. Their followers forgot it"
I would like to take a moment of silence for all those who have lost their lives in Iraq, and for their families, and all those whose lives will never be the same because of this tragedy.
This has been a long and difficult trial and I would like to thank the court including Mr. Sallers and Mr Randall (DAs) for their patience.
As we stood in front of the Lakewood recruiting station last November 18th, the war in Iraq raged on. As we stand here today, it rages on still.This war in Iraq is a shameful period in our nation's history. It is a war based on false info. Despite what our president told us there were no weapons of mass destruction. The 911 terrorists were not from Iraq. The first thing our forces did after they stormed Baghdad was to go straight to the oil fields. This war clearly has little to do with spreading democracy or making the world safe from terrorists. I tell you that if Iraq's chief export were oatmeal we would not be there today. This is about oil. It IS that simple. It is nothing more than the shameful age old pattern where one people annihilates another with a motivating force based on greed. To date there are estimates that we have killed tens of thousands of Iraqi citizens. Nearly forty percent of them are children. They are moms like me. They are teachers and nurses and shop owners. They are middle school students, baby brothers and baby sisters.
The concept that the purpose of this war is to eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction is laughable.If that is true then we have completely failed. The civil strife that has resulted is more devastating than any weapon we imagined. We have destabilized the entire middle east. Iraq is in a civil war. Iran is developing nuclear weapons with the support of most of the Arab region and Israel and Lebanon are now at war. Terrorists now flock to the region.
In the end I have to ask: just who is the terrorist? If it is not us, then aren't we at least responsible for a war which adds to the ranks of the groups responsible for terror? Who is doing the terrorizing?
We cannot continue the facade that we are not all connected. What happened to "All men are created equal?" Or is that just if you happen to live in the right country? To the mothers of Iraq, I for one stand up as Julia Ward Howe did before me and say No! I will not be sending my son to kill yours!
It is devastating to me that this is where my tax dollars go. That every purchase I make is tied to this genocide. I can not stand by and idly watch while my government mass murders. If we are a government by and for the people than I am part of that government. To me doing nothing is perhaps the greatest evil. I worry that I am not doing enough.
Franklin Roosevelt said "To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."
Being at the recruiting station was my privilege. It was also my duty. I consider it community service and I have no remorse.
I'd like to end once more with some words from Eleanor Roosevelt:
"The basis of world peace is the teaching which runs through almost all the great religions of the world. "Love thy neighbor as thyself." Christ, some of the other great Jewish teachers, Buddha, all preached it. Their followers forgot it"
posted by Carol at 10:48 AM
0 comments
New Camp Casey Home
Cindy Sheehan recently purchased a 5-acre parcel of land in Crawford, TX to be used as Camp Casey III. This land is near the Crawford Peace House and is large enough for all who wish to participate in a beautiful community.
Camp Casey had been planned for August 16 through September 2, so W decided that he would only spend part of his August vacation time in Crawford, conveniently leaving there on August 14. The new dates for Camp Casey, to at least get a little over-lap with W, are August 12 through September 2.
During the past year, Camp Casey has been located on the Mattlage family land. Last August, November, and April, the Mattlage family generously allowed us to use their small field, which was located fairly close to W's "ranch".
For more info on going to Camp Casey this summer, see the GoldStarFamiliesforPeace website. If you are new to my blog and haven't read about the amazing experience of Camp Casey, see my August, 2005 posts and April, 2006 posts.
Thanks to Amy for the update on this new location!
Camp Casey had been planned for August 16 through September 2, so W decided that he would only spend part of his August vacation time in Crawford, conveniently leaving there on August 14. The new dates for Camp Casey, to at least get a little over-lap with W, are August 12 through September 2.
During the past year, Camp Casey has been located on the Mattlage family land. Last August, November, and April, the Mattlage family generously allowed us to use their small field, which was located fairly close to W's "ranch".
For more info on going to Camp Casey this summer, see the GoldStarFamiliesforPeace website. If you are new to my blog and haven't read about the amazing experience of Camp Casey, see my August, 2005 posts and April, 2006 posts.
Thanks to Amy for the update on this new location!
posted by Carol at 7:02 AM
0 comments
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Sentencing
Five members of the No Blood for Oil 12 will do jail time for their actions at the Military Recruitment Center last November.
Today the twelve activists faced Judge Hoppin in Jefferson County for sentencing. All twelve were given the sentence of 10 days in jail, which was suspended, plus 24 hours of community service and $244 in fees. Five members of the group chose 10 days of jail time in lieu of serving community service and paying the fees.
District Attorney, Ben Sollars, had asked the judge to fine each of the defendants an additional $387 to pay for law enforcement costs, but Judge Hoppin refused that request.
All twelve defendants spoke before their sentencing. Most stated that they had neither regrets nor remorse for their actions. Each person stated their horror and grief over the deaths of innocent Iraqis at the hands of the U.S. Before she was led away in handcuffs, Carolyn Bninski showed a photo of a dead Iraqi child that she had worn the day she was arrested. Drew Edmondson spoke to the irony of the situation, saying the judge and he shared the same passion for truth and justice, but they each pursue peace and justice in different ways while striving to bring it about in the best way that they can. He and Ellen Stark both plan to fast while serving their sentence. They will fast in solidarity with those, including Cindy Sheehan, who have been fasting since July 4th in D.C.
Bonnie McCormick and DeAnn Major will also be jailed, but they each received a stay of execution to get their affairs in order. DeAnn is an employed single parent. Bonnie, 85, asked that she be allowed to find care for her cat before she shows up for jail-time this coming Friday. As she negotiated with the judge, the intensity of her convictions regarding the illegality and devastation of the war brought tears to many eyes in the courtroom. Many of the defendants had expressed regret that they haven't done more to stop the war. Watching this 85 year old woman, who could represent everyone's mother, as she sweetly stood for her beliefs, I felt the pain of knowing that I, by my inactions, am complicit in the murders taking place in my name.
Today the twelve activists faced Judge Hoppin in Jefferson County for sentencing. All twelve were given the sentence of 10 days in jail, which was suspended, plus 24 hours of community service and $244 in fees. Five members of the group chose 10 days of jail time in lieu of serving community service and paying the fees.
District Attorney, Ben Sollars, had asked the judge to fine each of the defendants an additional $387 to pay for law enforcement costs, but Judge Hoppin refused that request.
All twelve defendants spoke before their sentencing. Most stated that they had neither regrets nor remorse for their actions. Each person stated their horror and grief over the deaths of innocent Iraqis at the hands of the U.S. Before she was led away in handcuffs, Carolyn Bninski showed a photo of a dead Iraqi child that she had worn the day she was arrested. Drew Edmondson spoke to the irony of the situation, saying the judge and he shared the same passion for truth and justice, but they each pursue peace and justice in different ways while striving to bring it about in the best way that they can. He and Ellen Stark both plan to fast while serving their sentence. They will fast in solidarity with those, including Cindy Sheehan, who have been fasting since July 4th in D.C.
Bonnie McCormick and DeAnn Major will also be jailed, but they each received a stay of execution to get their affairs in order. DeAnn is an employed single parent. Bonnie, 85, asked that she be allowed to find care for her cat before she shows up for jail-time this coming Friday. As she negotiated with the judge, the intensity of her convictions regarding the illegality and devastation of the war brought tears to many eyes in the courtroom. Many of the defendants had expressed regret that they haven't done more to stop the war. Watching this 85 year old woman, who could represent everyone's mother, as she sweetly stood for her beliefs, I felt the pain of knowing that I, by my inactions, am complicit in the murders taking place in my name.
posted by Carol at 10:31 AM
0 comments
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Why I Can No Longer Vote for Ken Gordon
Today Members of the Executive Committee of the Colorado General Assembly held a press conference announcing their "unanimous approval of a Resolution Concerning Achieving Peace in the Middle East". Their resolution "supports Israel during this time of crisis, recognizes Israel’s right to defend itself against acts of war by Hezbollah and Hamas, and specifically identifies Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza as terrorist organizations. It also notes that Israel stands with the United States in the war against international terrorism and Islamic extremists."
Ken Gordon, who, before this, had my vote for his run this year as Secretary of State said, "I believe that we have a responsibility during the current crisis in the Middle East to make clear our support for Israel as it takes a firm stand against the terrorist organizations that not only are attacking Israeli citizens but also pose a threat to the United States."
I am especially taken aback by the fact that Joan Fitz-Gerald, Ken Gordon, and Andrew Romanoff - three people I have supported - would come up with this resolution. I have not seen such a grand gesture for or against the war in Iraq, so this statement indicates that Israel must be very important to them.
But I think that our leadership is very confused about terrorism. The U.S. and Israel are just terrorist organizations with bigger and better weapons.
This is terrorism:
From Dahr Jamail's blog:
About 55 percent of all casualties at the Beirut Government University Hospital are children of 15 years of age or less, hospital records show.
"This is worse than during the Lebanese civil war," Bilal Masri, assistant director of the hospital, one of Beirut's largest, told IPS Monday.
Not only are most of the patients children, but many of the injured have been brought in serious condition, he said. "Now we have a 30 percent fatality rate here in Beirut. That means that 30 percent of everyone hit by Israeli bombs are dying. It is a catastrophe."
The fatality rate was high, he said, "because the Israelis are using new kinds of bombs which can enter shelters. They are bombing the bomb shelters which are full of refugees."
Ken Gordon, who, before this, had my vote for his run this year as Secretary of State said, "I believe that we have a responsibility during the current crisis in the Middle East to make clear our support for Israel as it takes a firm stand against the terrorist organizations that not only are attacking Israeli citizens but also pose a threat to the United States."
I am especially taken aback by the fact that Joan Fitz-Gerald, Ken Gordon, and Andrew Romanoff - three people I have supported - would come up with this resolution. I have not seen such a grand gesture for or against the war in Iraq, so this statement indicates that Israel must be very important to them.
But I think that our leadership is very confused about terrorism. The U.S. and Israel are just terrorist organizations with bigger and better weapons.
This is terrorism:
From Dahr Jamail's blog:
About 55 percent of all casualties at the Beirut Government University Hospital are children of 15 years of age or less, hospital records show.
"This is worse than during the Lebanese civil war," Bilal Masri, assistant director of the hospital, one of Beirut's largest, told IPS Monday.
Not only are most of the patients children, but many of the injured have been brought in serious condition, he said. "Now we have a 30 percent fatality rate here in Beirut. That means that 30 percent of everyone hit by Israeli bombs are dying. It is a catastrophe."
The fatality rate was high, he said, "because the Israelis are using new kinds of bombs which can enter shelters. They are bombing the bomb shelters which are full of refugees."
posted by Carol at 12:34 PM
3 comments
Monday, July 24, 2006
He Who Cast the First Stone Probably Didn't
Daniel Gilbert, in the New York Times today, refers to a couple of examples of research that demonstrate the mentality behind retaliatory thinking and action. I find the policy of "he hit me first so I will follow with a disproportionate retribution" to be insane, but this article explains some of what goes on inside our heads when we follow the "eye for an eye" system of belief.
From the article:
Research teaches us that our reasons and our pains are more palpable, more obvious and real, than are the reasons and pains of others. This leads to the escalation of mutual harm, to the illusion that others are solely responsible for it and to the belief that our actions are justifiable responses to theirs.
posted by Carol at 4:07 PM
0 comments
Sunday, July 23, 2006
How Would She Know???
"Condoleezza Rice has described the plight of Lebanon as a part of the "birth pangs of a new Middle East" and said that Israel should ignore calls for a ceasefire."
Condi has never given birth. If I remember correctly, when I went into labor, my birth pangs brought LIFE, not murder and devastation. I wouldn't even wish for this woman the kind of birth pangs that she so nonchalantly describes.
posted by Carol at 2:23 PM
0 comments
Friday, July 21, 2006
My Meeting With W
Okay, I never really got to talk with him. And I really didn't even see him. But I saw his MOTORCADE (couldn't get close enough to get a photo)! How much oil does it take to get a prez to someone's house??? Geeez. I didn't count the vehicles (mostly vans), but I KNOW he couldn't have enough friends to need THAT many vehicles!
Today, W is in Denver at a $1000 a plate fundrasier for a Republican Congressional candidate. Forty to fifty of us stood at the corner of Hampden and University to welcome the man who dares to call himself our prez. Oh my God! From the responses today, I would say that W is not a popular man! People must finally be over him!
Of course that doesn't matter. We are still stuck with him for too long.
While W schmoozed with the rich guys, some of my friends gave food to the people that W has never even known exist - the homeless people, including many vets that fought our wars and then were forgotten. You know, the people who would really enjoy a $5 a plate meal on a regular basis...
I'm not knocking a $1000/plate lunch. Well, yes I am. It's obscene. But W and his beneficiary are not the only people to participate in such excesses. Both parties are guilty, so I can't complain about W any more than any other member of our elite ruling party.
What Would Gandhi (or Jesus or anyone who listened to their heart) Do?
posted by Carol at 2:35 PM
0 comments
War on TERRORble Diseases
Jon Stewart explains how we need to frame the subject of stem cell research so that W can think it is as viable an option as killing innocent Iraqis. See OneGoodMove.org
"One man cannot do right in one department of life whilst he is occupied in doing wrong in any other department. Life is one indivisible whole." - Mahatma Gandhi
posted by Carol at 7:00 AM
0 comments
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Singing in Baghdad
Last night, we finally watched our DVD of Singing in Baghdad. Cameron and Kristina - aka Musical Missions for Peace - have traveled throughout the Middle East numerous times, bringing people together through music. They have also given hundreds of presentations all over the U.S., letting us know the wonderful and welcoming ways of our Middle Eastern neighbors.
I first saw Cameron and Kristina give their presentation at the local Unitarian Church. Then, they were kind enough to join a group of us when we brought together a group of Muslims, Unitarians, and people from "other assorted belief systems" for a barbeque. They are real people who are living their truth and making a difference.
Our government and media have done us and the world a great disservice by constantly portraying people from the middle east as "Muslim Fundamentalists", "terrorists", and "Islamic jihadists". Yeah, there are certainly people who fit into those categories (if you like putting labels on people), but we have "Christian Fundamentalists", "terrorists", and a government that kills, overthrows, sanctions, or whatever it wants to do to maintain power and control also. The everyday people all over the world just want to live their lives. We give too much power to the few who wish to do harm, when we could be spending our time learning to love our brothers and sisters more deeply.
Watching the people in Baghdad gather around Cameron and Kristina to sing and dance, I saw a light in their eyes, an aliveness that I don't see here much. And we think that we have it all.
"For a nonviolent person, the whole world is one family. He will thus fear none, nor will others fear him." - Mahatma Gandhi
I first saw Cameron and Kristina give their presentation at the local Unitarian Church. Then, they were kind enough to join a group of us when we brought together a group of Muslims, Unitarians, and people from "other assorted belief systems" for a barbeque. They are real people who are living their truth and making a difference.
Our government and media have done us and the world a great disservice by constantly portraying people from the middle east as "Muslim Fundamentalists", "terrorists", and "Islamic jihadists". Yeah, there are certainly people who fit into those categories (if you like putting labels on people), but we have "Christian Fundamentalists", "terrorists", and a government that kills, overthrows, sanctions, or whatever it wants to do to maintain power and control also. The everyday people all over the world just want to live their lives. We give too much power to the few who wish to do harm, when we could be spending our time learning to love our brothers and sisters more deeply.
Watching the people in Baghdad gather around Cameron and Kristina to sing and dance, I saw a light in their eyes, an aliveness that I don't see here much. And we think that we have it all.
"For a nonviolent person, the whole world is one family. He will thus fear none, nor will others fear him." - Mahatma Gandhi
Labels: cameron and kristina, musical missions
posted by Carol at 9:08 AM
0 comments
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Visit Beautiful Crawford, Texas
Crawford, Texas Proud "home" of W. Population: 705. A great place to visit this August.
The original intention of this blog was to share my experiences at Camp Casey in Crawford, TX back in August, 2005. I traveled there again this past Easter.
Camp Casey will reconvene this year from August 16 - September 2. I don't know if I'm going again or not, but if you haven't been there, all I can say is GO TO CAMP CASEY!!! You will meet people from all over the country. You will get to see and hear inspiring, famous people. You will find your family. It will change your life.
And if you go, be sure to notify your local media. Make it a story. Then, when you come back, share your experiences with others - individuals and groups. You will be surprised how many people want to know. You can help others to change their lives.
For information, visit the Crawford Peace House site
And if August in Texas doesn't work for you, Camp Democracy (aka Fort Fed Up) will be held from September 5 - 21 in D.C. See CampDemocracy.org
I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent. - Mahatma Gandhi
The original intention of this blog was to share my experiences at Camp Casey in Crawford, TX back in August, 2005. I traveled there again this past Easter.
Camp Casey will reconvene this year from August 16 - September 2. I don't know if I'm going again or not, but if you haven't been there, all I can say is GO TO CAMP CASEY!!! You will meet people from all over the country. You will get to see and hear inspiring, famous people. You will find your family. It will change your life.
And if you go, be sure to notify your local media. Make it a story. Then, when you come back, share your experiences with others - individuals and groups. You will be surprised how many people want to know. You can help others to change their lives.
For information, visit the Crawford Peace House site
And if August in Texas doesn't work for you, Camp Democracy (aka Fort Fed Up) will be held from September 5 - 21 in D.C. See CampDemocracy.org
I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent. - Mahatma Gandhi
posted by Carol at 8:09 AM
0 comments
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Of Plane Flights and Peace Activists and Other Things
Standing with the Peace Women in Duxbury, MAIt only took us 16 hours to get home from Boston yesterday. I now know Logan Airport intimately.
Even though we had a really nice time in Boston, and I fell more deeply in love with Michael's family, it is good to be home in the DRY Colorado air. And I loved seeing my kale (which has revived itself since the hailstorm), the tomatoes that are beginning to ripen, and the itty bitty pumpkins forming.
While in Boston, we stood with a group of peace vigilers on a hot Saturday morning. This group of women has been standing in front of the Duxbury post office since before the war began. The oldest member is 88 years old and she sits in the HOT and HUMID weather and the COLD and HUMID weather for an hour on Saturdays. Makes it kind of hard to hear younger people have excuses for not participating.
I have to admit that I am feeling somewhat depressed. The affairs of our country and the rest of the world can seem overwhelming. I haven't been able to write about any of it, because I didn't know where to start.
Since I've been home, I have gone back to reading Gandhi. Even though I have studied his work for years, I feel I'm now reading him for the first time. I want to reflect on just what my work is here and how to approach it. It is not useful to allow myself to be overwhelmed by the violence, pain and suffering. If I act out of anything but love, I am not acting consistently with my beliefs, and I am no different from the people whose methods I don't support.
From the Foreword written by Michael Nagler in Eknath Easwaran's book, Gandhi the Man:
When she is asked, "What was Gandhi like? Describe the dominant impression he made on one," she sums up the secret of Gandhi the man in three words: "His great love." Then, a little later, the interviewer voices a doubt one often hears in connection with a person of Gandhi's stature: "Don't you think that he was a bit unrealistic, that he failed to reckon with the limits of our capacities?" It is hard to convey the joyful twinkle in Asha Devi's eyes as she answers, "There are no limits to our capacities."
posted by Carol at 12:54 PM
0 comments
Friday, July 14, 2006
This is Real
It is so tempting to look at all of this intellectually, but this is what the heart looks like when someone you love is murdered and you get no truthful answers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EymYwYc43iE&mode=related&search
Thanks to Marsha on Camp Casey Alumni
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EymYwYc43iE&mode=related&search
Thanks to Marsha on Camp Casey Alumni
posted by Carol at 7:54 PM
0 comments
I Would Cry, Too
Babies are such good judges of character.AP photo
posted by Carol at 6:55 AM
0 comments
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Happy Trails
I'm in the Boston area right now. Visiting the in-laws.
Seeing Israel's actions in the news is making me sick.
I have been traveling to Boston for the last 11 years. The BIG DIG has been a BIG JOKE for a very long time. Fourteen years and many billions after the project began, a woman was killed a couple of days ago by a falling chunk of tunnel. I wasn't looking forward to traveling through the tunnel from the airport to my in-laws', but we didn't even have that choice. That tunnel is closed as a crime scene now, and traffic is having to travel through the older tunnels. A third of the people polled would now choose to take an alternate route, instead of taking the risk of traveling in the DIG. But people have short memories, so this, too, will probably pass.
I had my salaam shalom peace t-shirt on when I flew here yesterday. It's one of the better conversation-starter t-shirts that I own. A flight attendant asked me about it, and we talked about the middle east. I watched for other t-shirts of interest in the Denver, Chicago, and Boston airports. One woman caught my eye, but upon closer inspection, I saw that the button she was wearing bragged about how many pounds she has lost. Other than that, some "go team" and a few vacation destination shirts were all I saw.
On Saturday, I am going to stand with some die-hard vigilers in Duxbury, including Pat Garrity whom I've never met. Looking forward to that!
Seeing Israel's actions in the news is making me sick.
I have been traveling to Boston for the last 11 years. The BIG DIG has been a BIG JOKE for a very long time. Fourteen years and many billions after the project began, a woman was killed a couple of days ago by a falling chunk of tunnel. I wasn't looking forward to traveling through the tunnel from the airport to my in-laws', but we didn't even have that choice. That tunnel is closed as a crime scene now, and traffic is having to travel through the older tunnels. A third of the people polled would now choose to take an alternate route, instead of taking the risk of traveling in the DIG. But people have short memories, so this, too, will probably pass.
I had my salaam shalom peace t-shirt on when I flew here yesterday. It's one of the better conversation-starter t-shirts that I own. A flight attendant asked me about it, and we talked about the middle east. I watched for other t-shirts of interest in the Denver, Chicago, and Boston airports. One woman caught my eye, but upon closer inspection, I saw that the button she was wearing bragged about how many pounds she has lost. Other than that, some "go team" and a few vacation destination shirts were all I saw.
On Saturday, I am going to stand with some die-hard vigilers in Duxbury, including Pat Garrity whom I've never met. Looking forward to that!
posted by Carol at 10:54 AM
0 comments
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Baghdad Burning
I have been reading the blog, Baghdad Burning, for quite awhile, but I haven't recommended it, because I didn't know how to tell if it really was being written by a woman in Baghdad. I just did a Google search to see what I could find out, and from what I can tell, it looks legit.
Today's posting, Atrocities, should be required reading for all Americans.
Today's posting, Atrocities, should be required reading for all Americans.
posted by Carol at 10:56 PM
1 comments
Gifts
Today's Women in Black vigil was rich.
Only two of us vigiled today. Standing there in the wind, trying to hold the big banner ("sail" would be a better word for it on days like this) with only one other person, I realized that I would stand on that street all alone with my sign, if no one else showed up. Brian Haw has been camping in Parliament Square in London for over 1800 days. The least I can do is stand for an hour every week.
I have seen a change in the attitude of the people who pass by during the last year. The amount of negative responses has diminished over time, and today we only got positive responses.
The Blessing Award
A young man carrying a styrofoam ice chest walked up to us and gave us the ice chest - contents and all. It was filled with ice and soft drinks. He thanked us for what we were doing and walked away.
The Most Likely to Experience - and notice - "Coincidence" Award
Cindy, the leader of my Speaking Circle saw us and stopped to say "hi". She was on her way to the play, Bombay Dreams on this day - the day that bombs killed 174 people on trains in Bombay.
The Peace Couple Award
As we prepared to leave our vigil site, a couple of people that just happened to notice us, walked up to support us. They vigil at the capitol in Denver on Wednesday mornings. They have been there on Wednesdays since before the war began. They reminded us that the word PEACE needs to be out there more. We don't hear of PEACE much, and we need to be reminded of the word as often as possible.
The Remembering That Life Can Be Beautiful Award
After the vigil, Judy and I had dinner at a nearby restaurant. We sat outside and were serenaded by a full rainbow.
I needed that.
Only two of us vigiled today. Standing there in the wind, trying to hold the big banner ("sail" would be a better word for it on days like this) with only one other person, I realized that I would stand on that street all alone with my sign, if no one else showed up. Brian Haw has been camping in Parliament Square in London for over 1800 days. The least I can do is stand for an hour every week.
I have seen a change in the attitude of the people who pass by during the last year. The amount of negative responses has diminished over time, and today we only got positive responses.
Awards
The Blessing Award
A young man carrying a styrofoam ice chest walked up to us and gave us the ice chest - contents and all. It was filled with ice and soft drinks. He thanked us for what we were doing and walked away.
The Most Likely to Experience - and notice - "Coincidence" Award
Cindy, the leader of my Speaking Circle saw us and stopped to say "hi". She was on her way to the play, Bombay Dreams on this day - the day that bombs killed 174 people on trains in Bombay.
The Peace Couple Award
As we prepared to leave our vigil site, a couple of people that just happened to notice us, walked up to support us. They vigil at the capitol in Denver on Wednesday mornings. They have been there on Wednesdays since before the war began. They reminded us that the word PEACE needs to be out there more. We don't hear of PEACE much, and we need to be reminded of the word as often as possible.
The Remembering That Life Can Be Beautiful Award
After the vigil, Judy and I had dinner at a nearby restaurant. We sat outside and were serenaded by a full rainbow.
I needed that.
posted by Carol at 8:25 PM
0 comments
UnEmbedded Iraq
Dahlia Wasfi will be speaking this Sunday at the Colorado State Democratic Party Headquarters. Details on the event and more info on Dahlia below:
Sunday July 16th 1-4 p.m.
Colorado State Democratic Party Headquarters
777 Sante Fe, Denver Colorado
Progressive Democrats of Colorado present Dr. Dahlia Wasfi, who will offer her most recent information on conditions in Iraq. Dr. Wasfi’s work will present a view of the U.S. occupation that few Americans have the opportunity to see. If you are interested in being informed on what is really happening in Iraq, this event will provide a view of the impact the U.S. is having in Iraq beyond the administration and corporate media propaganda.
Sunday July 16th, 2006
Colorado Democratic headquarters located at 777 Sante Fe
Denver Colorado
Presentation will begin at 1:00 p.m.; doors open at 12:45.
Additional Information
Contact Mark D. Benner for more information.
Mark is Co Chair of the Progressive Democrats of Colorado, and can be reached by email: mark@pdcolorado.org
The Players
Progressive Democrats of Colorado
PDC became an initiative within the Colorado Democratic Party in August 2005. Dedicated to promoting progressive ideas and solutions to our political and social dialogue, PDC is working within the Colorado Democratic party to promote honest dialogue, and increase the grassroots participation of people in major party politics. We believe government can work for people, if it is placed in the proper hands.
Dahlia Wasfi
Dr. Dahlia Wasfi spent her early childhood in Saddam Hussein's Iraq, until she returned to the United States with her family in 1977. Dr. Wasfi graduated from Swarthmore College in 1993 with a B.A. in Biology, and from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1997. She returned to Iraq in February/March of 2004 to see her family in Basrah and Baghdad. Recently, she visited Iraq for three months, returning to the U.S. in March 2006. Based on her experiences, she is speaking out against the negative impact of the U.S. invasion and the need to end the occupation.
Topics include:
• Status of Healthcare in Iraq Today
• The Sanctions' Impacts on Iraq's Medical System
• The Human Toll of the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq
• Depleted Uranium: Iraqi & U.S. Victims
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Iraqi & U.S. Victims
• Blind Patriotism: A Thin Veil for Racism
• The Humanitarian Crisis in Iraq
Contact Mark D. Benner for more information.
Mark is Co Chair of the Progressive Democrats of Colorado, and can be reached by email: mark@pdcolorado.org
PDC Presents -
Un Embedded Iraq
Un Embedded Iraq
Sunday July 16th 1-4 p.m.
Colorado State Democratic Party Headquarters
777 Sante Fe, Denver Colorado
Progressive Democrats of Colorado present Dr. Dahlia Wasfi, who will offer her most recent information on conditions in Iraq. Dr. Wasfi’s work will present a view of the U.S. occupation that few Americans have the opportunity to see. If you are interested in being informed on what is really happening in Iraq, this event will provide a view of the impact the U.S. is having in Iraq beyond the administration and corporate media propaganda.
Sunday July 16th, 2006
Colorado Democratic headquarters located at 777 Sante Fe
Denver Colorado
Presentation will begin at 1:00 p.m.; doors open at 12:45.
Additional Information
Contact Mark D. Benner for more information.
Mark is Co Chair of the Progressive Democrats of Colorado, and can be reached by email: mark@pdcolorado.org
The Players
Progressive Democrats of Colorado
PDC became an initiative within the Colorado Democratic Party in August 2005. Dedicated to promoting progressive ideas and solutions to our political and social dialogue, PDC is working within the Colorado Democratic party to promote honest dialogue, and increase the grassroots participation of people in major party politics. We believe government can work for people, if it is placed in the proper hands.
Dahlia Wasfi
Dr. Dahlia Wasfi spent her early childhood in Saddam Hussein's Iraq, until she returned to the United States with her family in 1977. Dr. Wasfi graduated from Swarthmore College in 1993 with a B.A. in Biology, and from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1997. She returned to Iraq in February/March of 2004 to see her family in Basrah and Baghdad. Recently, she visited Iraq for three months, returning to the U.S. in March 2006. Based on her experiences, she is speaking out against the negative impact of the U.S. invasion and the need to end the occupation.
Topics include:
• Status of Healthcare in Iraq Today
• The Sanctions' Impacts on Iraq's Medical System
• The Human Toll of the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq
• Depleted Uranium: Iraqi & U.S. Victims
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Iraqi & U.S. Victims
• Blind Patriotism: A Thin Veil for Racism
• The Humanitarian Crisis in Iraq
Contact Mark D. Benner for more information.
Mark is Co Chair of the Progressive Democrats of Colorado, and can be reached by email: mark@pdcolorado.org
posted by Carol at 8:16 AM
0 comments
Friday, July 07, 2006
Buddha and Me
This is my Buddha dog sitting in the desert.
I went hiking with my awesome dog, Buddha, this morning. We have this way of communicating that is beyond words. I don't know how we do it, but when we hike alone, we don't need to talk in order to work together. If I want to take a certain fork of the trail, 99% of the time, Buddha just knows it. He is usually the lead hiker (he won't even consider walking by my side), and he somehow knows the way I want to go.
We saw a great blue heron walking on its stilts at the edge of the lake, a circling hawk, and a heron in flight. I heard a vole in the grass and saw the fluorescent blue flowers that have survived this drought. It seems that I am able to find myself when I connect with the life around me.
After the hike, I came home, read the headlines on a few websites, and cried. There is so much anger and suffering in this world.
I wonder if we all slowed down, REALLY slowed down, and got quiet and REALLY saw the magic of life, would we maybe see the changes that are going on with the earth and stop raping it before it's too late? Would we see the amount of oil that we have available, realize that we care about our children's futures, and take the time to think about a new paradigm? Would we see the humanity in someone we think we hate and realize that hurting them also hurts those who love them, and ultimately hurts our own self?
I feel like we're a world on speed and we can't tolerate stopping long enough to feel the horrors going on. When we don't feel them, we don't have to do anything about them.
posted by Carol at 5:08 PM
2 comments
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Camp Democracy
Cindy Sheehan to Move Camp to National Mall
Washington, D.C., September 8 to 21
Washington, D.C., September 8 to 21
"Cindy Sheehan and activists in the growing peace movement plan to establish Camp Casey in Crawford, Texas, again this August 16 to September 2. They then plan to move the camp to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., beginning September 8.
The camp on the Mall will carry the name Camp Democracy at Fort Fed Up, and details are available at www.campdemocracy.org . Organizers intend the camp to bring together peace activists and activists for social justice, united in demanding a shift of public resources from war to the needs of people. Participants will lobby Congress to end all funding of the occupation of Iraq, and will demand that Congress hold the Bush Administration accountable for the falsehoods that launched the war and the abuses of power here at home that have accompanied it."
posted by Carol at 5:40 PM
1 comments
Cindy Rocks
Cindy was interviewed on Hardball (yesterday, I think). Watch her interview and how she handled Nora O'Donnell's attitude at bellaciao.org. Scroll down almost to the bottom, past the still of Cindy on the show, and under Cindy's quote of "Well you know he says a terrorist is somebody who kills innocent men, women and children, and there has been [sic] over 100,000 innocent men, women and children killed in Iraq on his orders." you'll see the word "here". Click on it for the video.
"I encourage everyone in America to move away from the comfortable complacency that allows BushCo to kill people with impunity. If we don't stand up and speak out against their offenses and for accountability, the crimes will continue even into the next administration, whichever party is in power." - Cindy Sheehan
(Thanks to Judy)
"I encourage everyone in America to move away from the comfortable complacency that allows BushCo to kill people with impunity. If we don't stand up and speak out against their offenses and for accountability, the crimes will continue even into the next administration, whichever party is in power." - Cindy Sheehan
(Thanks to Judy)
posted by Carol at 12:08 PM
0 comments
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Iraq For Sale
Robert Greenwald, the maker of Uncovered: The War on Iraq (2004), Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch’s War on Journalism (2004), and Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price (2005) will soon release the trailer for his next film, Iraq For Sale: The War Profiteers. See it at IraqForSale.org
posted by Carol at 9:32 PM
0 comments
About Yesterday
First photo: members of Military Families Speak Out. Second photo: Making sandwiches to give away.
Denver's Troops Home Fast, 7-4-06
We got to Civic Center Park around 5:30 a.m. yesterday to begin our Troops Home Fast. Two dozen people signed up to fast anywhere from 8 to 36 hours. In addition, one person committed to fast for a week, and one person committed to fasting every Wednesday until the war ends.
Throughout the day, supporters came and went. We sat and talked, drummed a little, signed petitions, penned our concerns on a flag to give to Senator Salazar, and handed out food to the people in the park who needed it. We had a pretty steady stream of homeless people and people who just crave food and companionship stopping by. Early in the day, a man smelling of alcohol gave us some grief for our stance against the war. Michael engaged the man in conversation, and after a few minutes, the two men were good buddies laughing together. A couple of young men also stopped by and shared their worries about our country with Frank, a man the age of their fathers. But most people picked up food and didn't care about why we were there.
A "celebration" took place across the street at the capitol around noon. Military men and American flags were lined up there. Everything looked very red, white and blue, ceremonial, and "appropriate". A cannon had been brought for the occasion - a symbol of our country??? We were told they would fire the cannon 50 times - once for each state -but the shots rang 51 times. Guess they included our newest state of Iraq in their count. I noticed that pigeons don't like cannon fire. Neither do I.
We had brought the food that we would have eaten (plus a little more) to give to the people who live in the park. We gave away more than 100 sandwiches, a lot of fruit and canned food, dozens of baked goods (donated by Whole Foods!), three dozen granola bars, gallons of water, two dozen bottles of Gatorade, and much more, I'm sure. We had just arrived at 5:30 a.m., when two men walked up to us asking if we had food. And food was handed out all day long.
When we planned the event, I had wanted to donate our food to the people that I knew would be around us while we fasted. It seemed wrong that, on a day when most people are celebrating the greatness of our country, the least abundant of us would be forgotten. At our site, I witnessed all people, regardless of lifestyle, being treated with respect and generosity. It felt so different from what was going on at the capitol.
There were actually only four of us left after 7:30 p.m. We were going to stay until sunset. A downpour changed our plans at 8:00, though, and we madly took down the canopy and loaded our stuff to get out of there. The people who have no homes were left to find shelter wherever they could.
I felt all kinds of emotions when the rain poured down, and we scrambled to get into our cars so that we could go home to dry, comfy beds. I knew that we were leaving many people who couldn't do that. And this morning, I ate breakfast in my kitchen after 36 hours of fasting, but about 12% of Americans are going hungry.
After the fast, I still hold grief and anger and love and hope and despair and joy all inside me. I am extremely grateful for the people who were willing to work, fast, give, love and bear witness to the needless war and atrocities at the hands of our country.
P.S. Did you know that Cindy Sheehan is planning to fast until at least September 21st? And Diane Wilson is fasting indefinitely. Watching Diane speak about it on a video on Truthout.org, I felt that I am not doing enough. I am not putting my life on the line for the people who are suffering and dying. I have to ask myself how much I really want this war and the violence perpetrated by our country to end.
posted by Carol at 2:54 PM
1 comments
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
July 4, 2006
Today's Troops Home Fast in Denver was a beautiful event. I will write about it tomorrow. For now:
From "Commemorating July 4 by Launching a “Troops Home Fast" by Medea Benjamin
Many peace-loving Americans have been trying to extricate our nation from this war of conquest by pushing for our troops to come home. We have organized massive rallies, lobbied Congress, held month-long vigils outside the White House and gone to jail for committing acts of civil disobedience. But it’s obviously not enough, for the war rages on.
Perhaps that’s because we’ve been waging peace with half a heart. Father Dan Berrigan, who engaged in hunger strikes and spent years in prison for his protests against the Vietnam War, once said: "We have assumed the name of peacemaker, but we have been unwilling to pay any significant price. And because we want peace with half a heart, the war continues. The waging of war, by its nature, is total, but the waging of peace, by our own cowardice, is partial."
From "Commemorating July 4 by Launching a “Troops Home Fast" by Medea Benjamin
Many peace-loving Americans have been trying to extricate our nation from this war of conquest by pushing for our troops to come home. We have organized massive rallies, lobbied Congress, held month-long vigils outside the White House and gone to jail for committing acts of civil disobedience. But it’s obviously not enough, for the war rages on.
Perhaps that’s because we’ve been waging peace with half a heart. Father Dan Berrigan, who engaged in hunger strikes and spent years in prison for his protests against the Vietnam War, once said: "We have assumed the name of peacemaker, but we have been unwilling to pay any significant price. And because we want peace with half a heart, the war continues. The waging of war, by its nature, is total, but the waging of peace, by our own cowardice, is partial."
posted by Carol at 8:32 PM
0 comments
Monday, July 03, 2006
Loving My Country, But Not Proud of its Actions
Tomorrow, the 4th of July, I will wake up at 4:30 a.m. to get to Civic Center Park by dawn. I haven't seen 4:30 a.m. in a very long time. We will be at the park from dawn until dusk, fasting together in alliance with Code Pink’s TROOPS HOME FAST in D.C. It will be good to share this experience with others. There should be some drumming going on, maybe some music, and lots of community. We will give the food that we aren't eating to less fortunate people who call the park, and its surrounding area, home.
"My religion teaches me that whenever there is distress which one cannot remove, one must fast and pray." - Mahatma Gandhi
I am distressed. Our country and our world are in distress. This is not a time for celebration, but for self-examination. The United States is causing undue pain and suffering to innocent people in the world through war and the destruction of our environment. I cannot be proud of our actions and behavior. I am distressed, and I am fasting to gain a deeper perspective.
I love this country, and I support it in examining what it can do to cause less harm in the world. I know that we have the brains and technology to do this. I question whether or not we have the will to do it at this time. I am fasting as a means to raise awareness of the harm that we are causing to others.
The United States needs to leave Iraq, keep no permanent bases there, and commit to
Why I am fasting on this 4th of July
"My religion teaches me that whenever there is distress which one cannot remove, one must fast and pray." - Mahatma Gandhi
I am distressed. Our country and our world are in distress. This is not a time for celebration, but for self-examination. The United States is causing undue pain and suffering to innocent people in the world through war and the destruction of our environment. I cannot be proud of our actions and behavior. I am distressed, and I am fasting to gain a deeper perspective.
I love this country, and I support it in examining what it can do to cause less harm in the world. I know that we have the brains and technology to do this. I question whether or not we have the will to do it at this time. I am fasting as a means to raise awareness of the harm that we are causing to others.
The United States needs to leave Iraq, keep no permanent bases there, and commit to