Brian
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Post by Brian on May 4, 2015 23:00:40 GMT -8
Montrose Peace Vigil regulars will recognize at least two of the names in the e-mail below that I received from the local branch of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture: Virginia Classick, who organized the excellent NRCAT events that we've attended for years, and Dolores Canales, who spoke so evocatively on the panel after last June's RAPP documentary screening about solitary confinement. 
Faith Community Briefing Call: Confronting Solitary Confinement in California
Wednesday, May 6 from 6pm – 7pm Pacific Time
To join the call, dial 855-392-2520 and enter code 5471845#
Presenters will include:
• Jennifer Kim, Ella Baker Center
• Jim Lindburg, Friends Committee on Legislation of California
• Dolores Canales, California Families Against Solitary Confinement
• Laura Magnani, American Friends Service Committee
• Virginia Classick, National Religious Campaign Against Torture
Join us to hear the latest on developments to confront the use of solitary in California and to learn how your faith community can get involved in upcoming efforts. |
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anni
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Post by anni on May 6, 2015 9:00:38 GMT -8
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Brian
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Post by Brian on May 11, 2015 23:00:20 GMT -8
Only 15 hours after I got the e-mail from Roots Action, this petition to the Senate Armed Services Committee had more than 16,000 signatures. It calls on the committee to open its deliberations over the $600 billion Pentagon budget to the public: act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=11265Uncheck the box below your ZIP Code unless you want to be added to the Project on Government Oversight's mailing list. |
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Post by Sharon W on May 12, 2015 10:04:45 GMT -8
It's now over 18000 signatures.
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Roberta
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Post by Roberta on May 12, 2015 10:32:40 GMT -8
Oh good, I'm somewhere in that 18000! Here's another one, with a broader focus: org.salsalabs.com/o/696/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=17810Philippe Hartley, the fellow who was running Phat Energy when John and I and the Weisman's put up our solar panels, is very aware and smart, firmly opposed to invading Iraq for instance, and it really got me thinking -- and discouraged -- last Friday when he asked, basically, "What war?" As boots on the ground are replaced by so-called low intensity conflicts, his will be a more and more common reaction, and difficult as it is, we need to constantly adjust and augment our message to communicate both the general idea of giving peace a chance and the specifics of drones, air strikes, training foreign troops, and other war-making. Speaking of which, I read recently (over the weekend?) an opinion column in either the L.A. or N.Y. Times, pointing out that we are still at war, even with these so-called limited means. But now I can't find it again. Did anyone else see it? |
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Brian
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Post by Brian on May 12, 2015 23:00:06 GMT -8
What a great post, Roberta.
I read the op-ed pages of the L.A. Times both Saturday and Sunday, and the New York Times on Saturday, and I did not see the piece you mentioned. So I'd like to find it now too!
I've been feeling especially discouraged since our TPP-pimping President announced falsely five months ago that American combat in Afghanistan was over, and worse when he said the same thing in his State of the Union address and accepted the applause. As you know, U.S. forces have been more active on the Pakistan border this year. I read somewhere that the Administration had ordered that troops stay out of harm's way as much as possible, which has helped keep the casualties down. At the end of 2013, U.S. troops had been out of Iraq for two full years -- and complete withdrawal from Afghanistan seemed possible. Yes, I need to help educate the public about our wars, not just advertise for peace.
However, I'm feeling encouraged by the Peace Alliance's new initiative. Here's the official video introducing Be the Movement!
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Brian
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Post by Brian on May 20, 2015 23:00:16 GMT -8
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Post by Jeanne on May 21, 2015 16:07:35 GMT -8
Here's one to give citizens oversight on sheriff violence. Sounds like a good idea to me. A few years ago, I heard some young people speak at a Progressive Christians Uniting meeting. They were just beginning this work of demanding oversight. That may have led to the FBI's involvement and the downfall of Bacca et al. Very heartening to see young people stepping up and making a difference. iam.colorofchange.org/petitions/we-want-civilian-oversight-of-the-sheriff-s-department-with-teeth |
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anni
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Post by anni on May 26, 2015 8:35:28 GMT -8
This petition addresses the main things bothering me, lately, mass surveillance, the NSA, and drone warfare and our "good buddies" the Germans???
Daniel Ellsberg will be among the dignitaries delivering a petition in Berlin on the final day of the Stand Up For Truth week of actions from June 1-7 in support of whistleblowers. The petition simply says to the U.S. and German governments, "End the mass surveillance of people in violation of our basic rights, and end the practice of blowing people up with missiles from drones." Thanks to whistleblowers, we've learned how Germany has been a partner in American spying and killing. Roots Action has teamed with five other organizations here and there to collect names:
act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=11295
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