Again, thanks to Cliff at One Utah for posting this. Wexler has a lot of guts. And Rice is a Liar, big time.
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged anti-war, government corruption, iraq, peace, politics
This came across my email desk from the group Peaceful Tomorrows, a group of families of victims in the World Trade Center Bombings on September 11, 2001, that formed just after that horrific tragedy to turn their grief into action. Here is there message today on teh 7th anniversary of that incident:
September 11, 2008
Dear Members, Friends and Supporters of Peaceful Tomorrows,
The experience of yet another anniversary of 9/11 provides an occasion to reflect upon the hopes and beliefs that brought the members of September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows together. In response to the terrorist attacks that killed our family members, we never wanted wars of retaliation that would cause the deaths of innocent civilians in other nations. We never wanted hunger for revenge to lead America to violate international law, abandon Constitutional rights, or engage in torture.
We united to turn our grief into action for peace, believing that it is possible to break the cycles of violence caused by terrorism and war. And over the past months, from Capitol Hill to Iraqi Kurdistan and beyond we have raised our voices in support of nonviolence, human rights and the rule of law.
Guantanamo Bay Detention Center
In July, Peaceful Tomorrows members traveled to DC to lobby Congress about the need to end the abuses at the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center and rededicate the U.S. to principles of international justice. We are currently working with human rights allies at Witness Against Torture and Center for Constitutional Rights to craft a multi-faceted campaign to shut down Guantánamo within the first 100 days of the new administration. We believe it can be done!
Iraq
Perhaps the most hopeful work we are doing is our campaign to support the courageous and inspiring Iraqi peace and nonviolence activists of LaOnf. LaOnf (which roughly translates as "nonviolence" in Arabic) is a network of over 100 Iraqi civil society organizations working to promote "nonviolence as the most effective way to struggle for an independent, democratic, and peaceful Iraq."
In August Peaceful Tomorrows members Terry Rockefeller and Adele Welty met with LaOnf members in Erbil, Kurdistan as they planned activities for their 2008 Week of Nonviolence. In support of LaOnf’s efforts, Peaceful Tomorrows has launched a public education campaign to inform American citizens and policymakers about these Iraqi women and men who have endured repression, invasion and occupation yet remain committed to nonviolence. In October, Peaceful Tomorrows will help communities across the U.S. to show solidarity with the LaOnf activists. You can find out more at www.peacefultomorrows.org, where you can sign up to organize or attend a screening of a documentary about LaOnf in your area.
Military Commissions
Peaceful Tomorrows members have been featured in news stories about the controversy surrounding the U.S. government’s prosecution of 9/11 suspects in military tribunals. As a partner in the American Civil Liberties Union’s John Adams Project, Peaceful Tomorrows supports fair trials for all people, regardless of the charges they face. We will continue to speak out against the military commissions, making clear how they embody a legal process that has been compromised by political interference and stripped of the minimum of defendants’ rights and protections that define fair trials.
Afghanistan
As support for war in Iraq decreases, there are disturbing calls to increase U.S. troops to Afghanistan. Peaceful Tomorrows is categorically opposed to the idea that we can win a "War on Terror." War IS terror. We need instead to invest in programs that address the root causes of violence and terrorism. Peaceful Tomorrows has been actively working to bring Afghanistan to the forefront of the U.S. peace movement. With our allies at United for Peace and Justice, we are developing web-based materials that will prepare U.S. peace activists to effectively challenge the calls for increased military engagement in Afghanistan.
As we prepare ourselves for the work ahead, we are grateful for your loyal support. Please help us to continue our work by making a generous donation to Peaceful Tomorrows today. You can donate online at this link.
And please, go to our website at http://www.peacefultomorrows.org where you will find more information about the projects of Peaceful Tomorrows and our members, including a link to the newly launched website of the International Network for Peace, a global network of victims of terrorism, genocide, atomic weapons, occupation and war who have chosen to work for nonviolent solutions to conflict.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In peace and hope,
September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged 911, afghanistan, anti-war, corporate greed, government corruption, illegal detention, iraq, military, torture
MEDIA RELEASE – GREEN PARTY OF UTAH
PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATING CONVENTION TO HIGHLIGHT HEALTH CARE, HOMELESSNESS, ENVIRONMENT, DRUG REFORM, IRAQ WAR
COLLECTION EFFORT FOR UTAH SHELTERS AND FOOD BANKS WILL BE HELD LOCALLY
Contact information: Deanna Taylor, 801.631.2998, gpu@gput.org
Green Party of Utah Delegate to Attend National Meeting in Chicago; Food and Clothing collection efforts will take place in Chicago and Utah; Presidential Candidate to be nominated
06.25.07 Salt Lake City – The Green Party of the United States Annual National Meeting, “Live Green Vote Green”, will be held in Chicago July 10 – 13, where the candidate for President for the GPUS will be chosen. The convention will serve as a public forum for discussion on a variety of major issues including nuclear power, single payer health insurance, homelessness, the war on drugs and the Iraq War.
Moab Green Party Local Member Harold Shepherd will be representing the Green Party of Utah at the Convention. “I am very excited to be a representative for the GPUT,” says Shepherd, a consultant for Red Rock Forests in Moab and Executive Director for the Center for Water Advocacy. “Utah is one of the states that is being hit most directly with climate change, energy development, water conflicts and other environmental and social justice issues and is far behind most other states in addressing these issues. I think the GPUT and the National Green party have a chance to be leaders in going beyond mere talk and actually reversing the tide of the social and environmental crises in the West.” Shepherd has over 25 years working with Indian Tribes, conservation organizations and activists on water and natural resources related topics.
Pat LaMarche of Maine, 2004 Green Party Vice Presidential Candidate and 2006 Candidate for Governor of Maine is launching a collection effort for homeless shelters during the National Convention for Chicago shelters. Utah will join that effort locally.
“Political parties have a tendency to drop into a location for a gathering or convention, occupy some of the more affluent areas of the city and completely overlook the constituency in that area that most needs a better government. I’m proud that every time I’ve put out the call to my Green counterparts around this country to help others in need; they have responded quickly and generously. I can’t thank the Greens of Utah enough for answering this call,” says LaMarche, author of Left Out in America: The State of Homelessness in the United States, which tells the stories of many homeless Americans during her 14-day journey in homeless shelters throughout the country where she witnessed firsthand the condition of the homelessness crisis.
“Homelessness effects everyone,” states Deanna Taylor, Co-Coordinator of the GPUT. “The National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates approximately 600,000 families and 1.35 million children experience homelessness in the U.S., making up about 50 % of the homeless population,” explains Taylor. “According to its 2007 report, The Road Home, Utah’s largest homeless shelter, all shelters served an unduplicated 3, 862 individuals for a total 222,581 nights of shelter last year. The total number of shelter nights is up by 8,207 from last year.” Taylor further adds, “There is no reason why anyone should be without food, clothing and shelter. This is not only a problem, it’s an epidemic that must be addressed by our leaders, our communities, and our citizens taking action to demand a system where homelessness becomes an issue of the past.”
The GPUT is joining the national collection effort to collect items for local shelters and food banks by asking Utahns to bring clothing, personal and food items in labeled bags or boxes during July to The Free Speech Zone, 411 South 800 East, Salt Lake City or The Utah Peace House Project, West Jordan (call ahead – 801.631.2998) or arrange a drop off/pick up by calling 801.209.0219 or 801.631.2998 or writing to gpu@gput.org
2008 Green National Convention: Live Green, Vote Green http://www.greenparty2008.org
Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml
Green Party of Utah http://www.gput.org, http://www.desertgreens.org
Contact: Utah: Deanna Taylor, 801.631.2998, gpu@gput.org
Maine: Pat LaMarche, 207.671.0190, patlamarche@hotmail.com
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged 2008 elections, drug reform, environment, Green Party, green party convention, health care, homelessness, iraq, peace
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged anti-war, bush regime, government corruption, impeachment, iraq, peace, politics
Yesterday about a dozen people came to the venue where Bush held his private luncheon in the Avenues in Salt Lake City.
I have not had time yet to process all the photos and movies I took, but here is one photo as a preview. I cannot access LJ at my work, so I will be getting the photos up here as soon as I can after work hours.
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged bush regime, government corrpuption, iraq, peace, war crimes
by: Bill Moyers and Michael Winship, truthout
We honor our war dead this Memorial Day weekend. The greatest respect we could pay them would be to pledge no more wars for erroneous and misleading reasons; no more killing and wounding except for the defense of our country and our freedoms.
We also could honor our dead by caring for the living, and do better at it than we are right now.
There has been a flurry of allegations concerning neglect, malpractice and corner-cutting at the Veterans Administration, especially for those suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – PTSD – or major depression, brought on by combat.
A report released by the Rand Corporation last month indicates that approximately 300,000 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans suffer PTSD or major depression. That’s one of every five military men and women who have served over there.
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged afghanistan, government corruption, iraq, military, u.s. government, veterans
Here are examples of things I like about Robert Wexler’s voting record:
(info obtained from ON THE ISSUES)
Here are examples of t things I don’t like about Robert Wexler’s voting record:
But recently, a colleague of mine forwarded a letter she received from Congressman Robert Wexler, D-FL, who is also up for re-election, regarding the Petraeus Hearings. Here is his response, which I am pleased to see:
I want to thank you for the overwhelming response we received to my request for questions for General Petraeus. Thousands of emails poured in from all over the nation. My staff and I examined every suggested question and we were truly impressed with the passion, sophistication, and knowledge of the submissions. Choosing a few questions out of so many excellent entries was an extraordinarily difficult task.
One of the most commonly suggested questions centered on how General Petraeus defines victory in Iraq. This question struck a chord with me – as it no doubt did with so many of you – because it demands that the Administration actually define its goals (which, as you’ll see below, are totally unrealistic).
Underscoring the tragedy of the Administration’s failed policy, one of my constituents died in an attack on the Green Zone on Monday. I spoke with his parents yesterday, and they asked me to ask General Petraeus a simple question: For what? For what had they lost their son?
I asked him this question, and then asked him to define “victory.”
I did not expect General Petraeus to answer either directly, but he did.
He stated that we were fighting for national interest, including region’s “importance to the global economy.” (In my mind, a stunning admission of the true motives behind this war.)
He stated that they were trying to achieve a country that is “at peace with itself and its neighbors,” “could defend itself” that was “reasonably representative of and broadly responsive to its citizens.”
These are not reasonable objectives. Half the countries around the world are not able to defend themselves. Many have internal and external conflict – and few – including our own, are broadly responsive to its citizens.
(I find that last objective sadly ironic, as the Bush Administration, by continuing this misguided war, is broadly unresponsive to American citizens.)
I was out of time before I could ask a follow up… but if you read between the lines, his answer is vast in its scope. Clearly, their goals for Iraq and interpretation of “national interest” are wholly at odds with a swift redeployment of forces.
It has been a year and a half since the 2006 elections – more than enough time for us to have required, through provisions attached to funding, a phased withdrawal. At the least, we could have forced a genuine showdown with President Bush that would have forced him to defend his policies.
There is no excuse for even one more American casualty in Iraq. Our troops must be redeployed. The Bush/Petraeus policy that denies reality must not carry the day.
I urge you to remain active and steadfast in your opposition to this open-ended, vaguely guided war.
Please read my exchange with General Petraeus below.
Congressman Robert Wexler
TRANSCRIPT
Congressman Wexler:
Thank you. General Petraeus, last week in anticipation of this hearing I sent an urgent e-mail asking my constituents and other Americans: if they were serving on this committee, what is the one question they would pose to you.
There was an extraordinary response, with more than five thousand questions submitted, these e-mails and phone calls expressed deeply held frustrations about the war in Iraq, and reflect the concerns of millions across the nation who feel their opinions and concerns were cast aside by the Bush Administration.
I want to thank everyone who responded and submitted a question for today’s hearings. While many of the respondents rightfully-highlighted the bravery of our troops, a majority of the e-mails expressed a strong desire to see withdrawal of American soldiers from Iraq, and an end to this five year war, that has cost our nation so dearly.
Most of the question! s boiled down to this: General we often hear President Bush and Senator McCain say we must win in Iraq. What is the definition of winning? What would a military victory look like, that was sufficient enough, to allow us to begin leaving?
Then, in a horrific turn of events, two of my constituents: Hester and Linn Wolfer of Boca Raton Florida, learned that this past Sunday their son had been killed for this war. Major Stuart Wolfer was a thirty six year reservist on his second tour. He was married with three young children ages five, three, and twenty months. His family was relieved that he was in the green zone, for they hoped he would be safe there. He was not.
I spoke to Mr. Wolfer yesterday last night, who asked me to ask you, simply: For What, for what had he lost his son? So allow me to combine if you will, the questions from the people that responded to me and Mr. Wolfer: What has all this been for? And please, respectfully, don’t tell us as you told Senator Warner yesterday: to remove a brutal dictator. That’s not good enough.
There are many dictators in the world. For what did Stuart Wolfer and the other four thousand and twenty four sons and daughters die for? And how will we define victory, so we can bring this never ending war to a close?
And if I will, when Mr. Burton asks for a definition of what is failure, we get a litany of items. But when Mr. Ackerman asks what is the definition of victory, we get little. Please tell us General, What is winning?
General Petraeus: First of all, Congress, let me tell you that what we are fighting for is national interest.
It is interest that as I stated have to do with Al Qaeda, a sworn enemy of the United States and the free world, has to do with the possible spread of sectarian conflict in Iraq, conflict that had engulfed that country and had it on the brink of Civil War.
It has to do with regional stability, a region that is of critical importance to the global economy, and it has to do with certainly the influence of Iran, another obviously very important element, in that region.
In terms of what it is that we are trying to achieve, I think simply it is a country that is at peace with itself and its neighbors, it is a country that can defend itself, that has a government that is reasonably representative and broadly responsive to its citizens, and a country that is involved in and engaged in, again the global economy.
Ambassador Crocker and I, for what it’s worth, have typically seen ourselves as minimalists, we’re not after the Holy Grail in Iraq and we’re not after Jeffersonian Democracy.
We’re after conditions that would allow our soldiers to disengage, and that is in fact what we are doing. As we achieve progress, as we have with the Surge, and that is what is indeed allowing us to withdraw the Surge forces, again well over one quarter of our ground combat power five of 20 brigade combat teams plus two marine battalions and the marine expeditionary unit by the end of July.
Congressman Wexler: Thank you.
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged anti-war, governmnet corruption, iraq, military, peace, politics
This 4 minute video describes how Halliburton is poisoning the troops in Iraq through their water supply.
Since January, People for Peace and Justice of Utah has been announcing that when the news hits the papers that the 4,000th U.S. soldier has been killed in Iraq, we will hold a vigil the DAY AFTER that announcement in Utah papers.
That announcement was made today in the Utah papers and around the world:
Utah Papers
Salt Lake Tribune: US death toll in Iraq war hits 4,000
Deseret News: Green Zone in Iraq is hit hard
———————–
Around the World
Reuters: U.S. toll in Iraq hits 4,000
Aljazeera: US death toll in Iraq hits 4,000
Times Online: Roadside bomb takes American death toll in Iraq to 4,000
Bloomberg.com: Four U.S. Soldiers Die in Iraq; War Toll Is at 4,000
Los Angeles Times: U.S. toll in Iraq reaches 4,000
***Therefore*** Please make plans to attend our vigil on Tuesday, March 25th, 6pm, 100 State Street, on the sidewalk in front of the Federal Building in downtown Salt Lake city. Original Announcement: March 16, 2008: 4000th U.S. Solider death is fast approaching.
Listen to the psa Gather for a memorial vigil the day after the newspapers publish this grim milestone.
Sidewalk in front of Federal Building, 100 South State Street, SLC
Bring signs, battery candles, flashlights
Military Fatalities here
See photos and links to news articles from this week’s vigils
Please participate in the activites in Logan today and tomorrow:
Logan – Friday, March 21 and Saturday, March 22, 2008
Cache Valley Peace Works invites the public?s participation in the following events on March 21 and March 22 marking the 5th anniversary of the Iraq War.
Events will include a display of boots representing fallen U.S. servicemembers from Utah as well as shoes representing Iraqi civilians, an award-winning movie about peace activism, a panel discussion and a peace march.
March 21
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 