Here are some photos and a
sound file of my speech at the vigil tonight, where participants demonstrated in solidarity with the Granny Peace Brigade in D.C. today meeting with senators.
Eileen McCabe reads a poem
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Text of my speech:
We are here today to support everyone who is speaking out against the Iraq War –
especially the grandmothers who have stepped forward to take a stand. The Granny Peace Brigade, made up of grandmothers who were arrested last spring at a New York military recruiting station for refusing to leave until they were enlisted, is in Washington D.C. today meeting with Senators to urge them to stop the surge of more troops and to bring the troops currently in Iraq HOME! These grandmothers are an inspiration to Americans who need to be empowered to speak out against this illegal war and occupation – yes, even here in Utah!
THE TIME HAS COME FOR US TO SPEAK OUT – WE WILL NOT BE SILENT!
Continue reading
I have become connected to the Granny Peace Brigade, the group of grandmothers who were arrested at a recruiting station for refusing to leave because the military would not enlist them in place of younger recruits.
I and others have called for grandmothers to come the Federal Building tomorrow (Thursday) at 5:30 to demonstrate in solidarity with the Granny Peace Brigade which has organized a “100 Grannies meet 100 Senators” in D.C. tomorrow. I’ve already earned the nickname “Granny Dee” by folks across the country – I only hope I can live up to that name!
Dennis Kucinich has committed to meeting with the grannies.
Yesterday my friend Eileen was featured on KCPW’s Midday Metro, an NPR station in Utah. Listen to the recording.
Granny Peace Brigade Demands Troop Withdrawal from Iraq
Jan 16, 2007 by Lara Jones
Local Demonstration Planned at Federal Building
(KCPW News) The Granny Peace Brigade will descend on the offices of senators in Washington, D.C., as well as in their home districts Thursday to demand a withdrawal of troops from Iraq. A grandmother herself, Eileen McCabe of People for Peace & Justice of Utah says grannies are the obvious choice to send such a message:
“As grandmothers, we have seen how war affects multiple generations – whether it’s our fathers, our parents, our spouses, our children, now even our grandchildren. I have a four-year-old grandson and I certainly do not want to see him handed a gun to go and fight for U.S. corporate profits.”
Locally, People for Peace & Justice of Utah will gather in front of the Federal Building, 100 South and State Street, SLC, Thursday evening at 5:30 to mirror the demonstration in Washington, D.C. For more details, visit http://www.utahpeace.org.
Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson made his State of the City Address last night.Anderson reviewed past accomplishments and outlined future goals.
Anderson challenged leaders to take a stand on issues:
Progress is about building—and leaving for the future—a better world and better
communities. Whatever affects the people of Salt Lake City—whether it is garbage collection,federal housing policy, or the prospect of catastrophic global climate change—it is the responsibility of all leaders, whether in the business, religious, or civic communities—including municipal officials – to take a stand, and to take action. Those who do not, those who say “It’s not my job” or “It’s none of my business” are not only derelict in carrying out their responsibilities as leaders; they are derelict in fulfilling their moral duties as human beings with choices and the ability to help make a positive difference.
And on progress:
In thinking about progress, the relevant question is not simply what is possible in thegiven conditions of the present world, but, more significantly, what is desirable in a future worlddriven by our hopes and dreams. Throughout the past seven years of my administration, we haveendeavored to make these dreams—these aspirations for an inclusive, safe, healthy, interesting, rewarding community—part of the fabric of our great city. Progress in City government requires a hard-working, dedicated team. We have set a standard of excellence for our team, trying people out for the team, making some cuts, and building an exceptional team that has served the people of Salt Lake City well.
It is up to each of us to advance the common good, preserving the key spaces, resources,and institutions that make our quality of life possible, while extending the benefits they provide to every member of our community, including those who come along in the future. In the end,the measure of our lives, and of our service to others, is whether we have had some part in progress—whether we have helped move our community and our world toward real
improvement.
Utah Supreme Court Justices are requesting more money. Apparently there is a vacancy in the 7th district that has attracted on five applicants, short four from the state’s mandate of nine applications being received before proceeding in the hiring process.
In today’s Deseret News:
In her annual State of the Judiciary address to the Utah Legislature, Chief Justice Christine M. Durham said more and more of Utah’s attorneys seem disinterested in becoming judges, mainly because the pay is so much less than what they can make in the private sector and even less than legal positions within Utah’s government. “I know that no one becomes a judge to get rich,” Durham said, “… but I am concerned about trends and morale.” Some 11 percent of district judgeships have turned over in the past two years and 35 percent of all Utah judges are eligible to retire in the next four years. Currently, district court judges make $114,004 while Court of Appeals judges are paid $120,100 and the five Supreme Court justices make $125,800 annually.
Historically, lawmakers have been reluctant to grant the raises asked by the courts. Last year, the Utah courts asked for a 7 percent increase and got 3 percent. The year before that, judges received a 1 percent boost.
This year, Durham said the courts are asking for an 11 percent raise.
This might not be an issue if the entire system were overhauled so that judges wouldn’t be working so much, inclusive of changing laws for non-violent crimes. Additionally – 11 percent???? Compared to the average workers pay in Utah, the current judge’s salary is wonderful! I can’t beleive that Utah would raise the salaries of government employees so much while, at the same time, arguing over what minimum wages should be for the average employee that keeps our economy going.
Priorities, people, priorities.
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged 2007 legislature, economy, living wage, minimum wage, politics, Utah
Deseret News
57th Legislature: Ethics targeted again: Speeches, prayers launch session
Lawmakers to seek big boost in teachers’ pay
Wages for judges decried: Chief justice says the judiciary is facing a quality crisis over pay
Utah has eyes on rules for transfers
Public schooling creates common ground (opinion)
Judicial committee OKs judge nominee
Legislators receive primer on software available to schools: Educators asking for $30 million to improve technology
Salt Lake Tribune
Session’s opening: Quiet before storm:
The time of hefty surpluses may bring more bitter battles than leaner days
Utah lawmakers begin 45-day session
Measure aims to make repeat DUI offenders use the gadgets
Nominee would bring diverse past to bench
Prison boss’ job a challenge
Chief justice says pay raise needed to recruit new judges
Voice of Utah is doing its legislative watch during the 2007 session with a feature called
<a href=”http://voiceofutah.livejournal.com/18618.html”>Nutter Buttars Watch</a>.
In the Name of LoveIn Search of Peacewith Cindy SheehanEarly morning, April 04, a shot rings out in the Memphis sky,
Free at last, they asked for your life,
But they could not take your pride.
In the name of love, one more in the name of love.
~ U2: Pride (In the name of love)
We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people.
If I had broken the bonds of my slavery to silence sooner, would Casey (and scores of others) still be alive? I don’t know. There were and still are so many good people working for peace and justice and they have been for so many years. One thing I do know, however, is that no matter how much I scream and cry and rail against God, country, and humanity, I cannot bring Casey back. But, I have not shut up since Casey was killed, nor will I be silent until every last one of our nation’s sons and daughters are brought back from this morally repugnant and ill-fated war!! Nor, will I give up when this occupation is finished. I will continue fighting for the children of the world and make sure a tragedy of historic proportions like this never happens again. If I can save even one mother here or there from the pain and agony I’m going through, then it will have been so immensely worth it.
I can feel my son’s presence urging me on to save his buddies. I can hear him whispering in my ear and in my dreams: “Mom, finish my mission. Bring my buddies home alive” I can hear Dr. King’s words similarly challenging me to action: “The question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists will we be?” 
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 