[Afsckc-peacealert] KC AFSC Peace and Justice Alerts (April 10, 2008)
Ira Harritt
IHarritt at afsc.org
Thu Apr 10 19:06:27 EDT 2008
KC AFSC Peace and Justice Alerts (April 10, 2008)
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Educate Yourself. Share your knowledge. Take Action!
For information about the American Friends Service Committee,
contact us at 816 931-5256 or afsckc at afsc.org
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I think that people want peace so much
that one of these days government had better get out of their way
and let them have it.
~Dwight Eisenhower
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Dear Advocates for Peace and Justice,
Once again it is time to light a fire under our elected officials before
they authorize another 100 billion dollars for the Iraq occupation. We
need to pressure them to Defund the war and Refund the money to address
human needs at home and in Iraq.
See articles critiquing Gen. Petraeus House and Senate testimony,
Phyllis Bennis called it political theater. She went on to identify four
themes he tried to convince our representatives and senators were valid.
But they were not:
* We can not blame the mess in Iraq on Iran
* The "surge" has not stopped the violence in Iraq
* Keeping the troops in Iraq will prevent necessary political
reconciliation
* Our elected officials will hurt U.S. interests in Iraq and the
economy at home if they support the proposed $110 billion supplemental
funding bill for the Iraq War
We invite you to voice your opposition to the Iraq occupation at the
Defund / Refund Tax Day Demonstration, Tuesday, April 15th from 5:30 to
8:00pm outside Union Station / KCMO Main Post Office at 30 W. Pershing
Rd., KCMO. (If you are able please arrive by 5:15pm.)
We have hung 720 "million dollar bills" (the cost of one day of the Iraq
War) on five hundred and fifty feet of rope. Thanks to Mary V., Nancy
C., Sara K., Kay, D., Carol B. and Anne P. for their help!
We will need forty to fifty people to help with the demonstration and
hold the hundreds of feet of "million dollar bills," Cost of War Banners
and leaflet people coming to pay their taxes. Please sign up and help
end the war! Email us at iharritt at afsc.org or call 816 931-5256 to
volunteer
AFSC has also set up a toll free 800 number to call your Senators' and
Representative's offices on Tax Day. The number will be available from
Monday, April 14 through Friday, April 18th. We ask that you call
1-800-473-6711, the Capitol Hill switchboard on Tuesday, April 15. Ask
for the office of your member of the House of Representatives and
Senator. If you are not sure who your Representative or Senator is, go
to Congressional directory.
<http://support.afsc.org/site/PageNavigator/CongressDirectory> to find
your legislator.
Thanks for all of your efforts for justice and peace. While it may be
months or years before the tide turns toward real peace, justice and
security there are some lights on the horizon. For example the Global
Marshall Plan resolution -H.Res. 1078 was recently introduced in
Congress by Congressmen Keith Ellison, Emanuel Cleaver, and Jim Moran.
Rabbi Michael Lerner, editor of Tikkun and chair of the Network of
Spiritual Progressives, an organization that developed the Global
Marshall Plan commented "At a moment when General Petraeus is asking for
another $110 billion for a deeply unpopular war, the Global Marshall
Plan provides an alternative strategy for homeland security."
So thank you for continuing your work for justice and peace and thank
you for keeping the faith!
Peace,
Ira Harritt
KC AFSC
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Carol and Kay helping prepare some of the 550 feet / 720 Million Dollar
Bills for the Tax Day Demonstration.
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Upcoming Peace and Justice Activities
Click on link or scroll down for more information about the peace and
justice activity
Peace and Justice Teach-ins will be on a break. For up to date
information go to: http://peaceandjusticecoffeehouse.blogspot.com/
April 11 Friday,7 PM Holy Family Readers Circle - What About Hitler?
Holy Family House, 912 E. 31st St., Kansas City, MO. Alan Lubert leads
a year-long discussion about the book "What About Hitler" by Robert
Brimlow. Must Christians always turn the other cheek and resist
violence? Is it ever justifiable for Christians to retaliate in the face
of evil? Philosopher Robert Brimlow struggles with these questions in
"What about Hitler?" The author skillfully integrates meditations on
scriptural passages, personal reflections on his own challenges to live
nonviolently, and a hard-hitting philosophical examination of pacifism
and just-war doctrine. Both Christian pacifists and defenders of
just-war theory will appreciate this book. In addition, "What about
Hitler?" will appeal to those interested in Christian ethics and
discipleship, including students, pastors, and laity.
April 14 -20, Monday - Sunday, Darfur Awareness Week This week of events
is being presented through the Young Professionals for International
Cooperation, which is a program of the United Nations Association of the
United States of America (UNA-USA) that seeks to engage young
professionals to promote effective US involvement in international
affairs and in the United Nations (UN). The week's activities are also
listed at http://webpages.charter.net/ypickc/
April 14, Monday, 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Third Kansas City Food Aid
Symposium and 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Dafur Awareness Week, Session I Westin
Crown Center hotel, Century Ballroom C. Address is 1 East Pershing Road,
Kansas City. More info below.
April 14, Monday, 7:00PM, Kansas City Meeting of Network of Spiritual
Progressives at 9000 Mullen Road in Lenexa, KS
April 15, Tuesday, from 5:30 to 8:00pm Defund / Refund Tax Day
Demonstration Outside Union Station / KCMO Main Post Office at 30 W.
Pershing Rd., KCMO (If you are able please arrive by 5:15pm.)
April 17, 8:00 to 9:30AM Clergy Breakfast A Morning with Rev. Dr.
Wallace Hartsfield: The Balance of Pulpit and Public Ministry sponsored
by Mainstream Voices of Faith, Colonial Church, 7039 Mission Road,
Prairie Village, KS, RSVP to boo at mainvoice.org and/or by calling (913)
649-3326.
April 18 and 19, Friday & Saturday, 8:30 to 5:00 p.m.The Fifth Biennial
KC Conference on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and
Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW) at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, 4501 Walnut Street,
Kansas City, Missouri, 64111
April 26, SATURDAY, 8:30am-4:30pm, Beyond Walls of Fear: Faith
Resistance to Unjust Immigration Policies and Practices -Workshops,
Roundtables, Keynote Presentation! De La Salle Education Center, 3740
Forest Avenue, KCMO
April 28th, Monday, 6:30pm, KC Iraq Task Force Planning Meeting This
will be the regular fourth Monday monthly meeting. We will work on the
4,000th Death Chalk Project, Defund /Refund Tax Day Action and other
activities. Come to the AFSC office, 4405 Gillham Rd., KCMO for
information call 816 931-5256.
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EVERY Sunday: Iraq Peace Vigil, 4pm, JC Nichols Fountain, 47th & Main,
Streets, Kansas City, MO http://www.kciraqtaskforce.org/
EVERY Tuesday, JOIN THIS Peace Demonstration Every Tuesday between 5PM -
6 PM in the median strip on the south corner of the intersection at
63rd & Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Mo. For more information email '63rd
Street Patriots' at schwartzkatz at sbcglobal.net
Every Wednesday, 5:00pm, Iraq Anti-War Protest, College and Quivira,
Overland Park, KS (NW corner). Send a message to Sen. Pat Robert that
it's time to end the war!
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Join the
Chalk Project
Marking the 4,000 death of American Troops in Iraq
with Respect and Messages of Peace
Help rouse the public's conscience over the growing deaths in the Iraq
occupation and call for a change from war making to making peace in the
world -through diplomacy, feeding the hungry, healing the sick,
supporting human rights...
Join with others in creating an organic memorial to those who have died
in the Iraq occupation by creating body chalk outlines on streets,
sidewalks or other locations (it works best working with a partner) and
then to chalk the message "Too Many Have Died In Iraq" - and add your
own message of peace-for example: Education Not War; Healthcare Not
Bombing; Butter Not Bullets; Renewable Energy Not Oil warring, Diplomacy
Not Ultimatums, etc.(We ask that you keep it positive. Not curse words
or name calling.)
Our goal is for area activists to make 4,000 body outlines spread
throughout the city.
We offer this caution-it is possible that creating these outlines may be
considered breaking anti-graffiti laws in some places. To help you avoid
this make sure you use only chalk and be willing to wash the chalk away
if a business or homeowner complains.
We would also like to document the outlines created, messages left,
locations and times seen. When you see a Chalk Project body outline we
ask that you e-mail your "sighting" to dmellicker at afsc.org.
Please include in your email the location e.g. "SW corner of 48th
Street and Oak, KCMO), the messages in the outline, and times you saw
it. Please also attach a digital photos in jpeg or pict format if you
are able to take one. Sightings will be posted on a website to be
determined. For info call 816 931-5256.
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Volunteer to help at the
Defund / Refund Tax Day Demonstration
Tuesday, April 15 from 5:30 to 8:00pm
Outside Union Station / KCMO Main Post Office at 30 W. Pershing Rd.,
KCMO
Come and help hold 720 million dollar bills hung from five hundred and
fifty feet of rope, representing the cost of one day of the Iraq War!
We will need 40 to 50 people to hold the ropes, Cost of War Banners and
leaflet people coming to pay their taxes.
(If you are able please arrive by 5:15pm.)
Please sign up and help end the war!
Email us at iharritt at afsc.org or call 816 931-5256 to volunteer
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Food Aid/Darfur events
April 14
Friends,
On Monday, April 14, the Greater Kansas City United Nations Association
chapter and its Young Professionals for International Cooperation
division will hold two outstanding events for two tremendous causes. I
encourage you to attend.
Both events will be held at the Westin Crown Center hotel, Century
Ballroom C. Address is 1 East Pershing Road, Kansas City.
4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Third Kansas City Food Aid Symposium. The chapter is partnering with the
International Affairs and Trade Office of the City of Kansas City to
present a roundtable discussion on critical issues facing international
food aid and what we can do to help. Our panel of experts will include
Michael Usnick, director, U.S. Relations, World Food Programme; Patricia
Sheikh, deputy administrator, capacity building & development, Foreign
Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; Jeffrey Borns,
director, Food for Peace, U.S. Agency for International Development;
Michel Gabaudan, regional representative, UN High Commissioner for
Refugees; Frank Orzechowski, Catholic Relief Service, and Rebecca
Bratter, U.S. Wheat Associates.
7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Dafur Awareness Week, Session I What is being done, what must be done to
end the slaughter and protect the innocent. Panelists will include
Thomas Prichard, Sudan Sunrise; Laura Turner, World Food Programme;
Kathleen Schneider, Save the Children, and Michel Gabaudan of United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Plan you afternoon and evening around these programs at Crown Center.
Three hour free parking is available in Crown Center shops parking lot
if you validate ticket at a Crown Center shop or hotel desk.
Best regards,
Jay Sjerven, GKC-UNA president
JaySjerven at aol.com <JaySjerven at aol.com>
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Kansas City Meeting of
Network of Spiritual Progressives
7:00 P.M. on Monday April 14th
You are invited to the first of what we hope will be a monthly meeting
of the Network of Spiritual Progressives (NSP) at 7:00 P.M. on Monday
April 14th (the second Monday of each month) at our home at 9000 Mullen
Road in Lenexa, KS 66215.
The NSP (www.spiritualprogressives.org) is the originator of the new
Global Marshall Plan which was introduced in the US House of
Representatives by Emanuel Cleaver and two others just last Thursday as
H. RES. 1078 to create a fundamental shift from a culture of fear and
domination to one of love and generosity in our public policies and
social practices.
The original Marshall Plan and the Peace Corps were probably the two
most successful foreign policy initiatives of the 20th century. We hope
to help reinforce this nation wide movement to encourage this shift in
public policy in our day especially between now and the election next
Fall. Societies are only transformed by clear and compelling visions.
Come join us in promoting this vision capable of transforming our
society.
Jim & Ginger Kenney
Directions:
* Find Pflumm and 90th Place
<http://maps.live.com/?q=&mkt=en-us&scope=&FORM=LIVSOP#JnE9eXAuUGZsdW1tK
2FuZCs5MHRoK1BsYWNlJTJjK092ZXJsYW5kK3BhcmslMmMrS1MlN2Vzc3QuMCU3ZXBnLjEmY
mI9NTIuNTg5NzAwNzY4NzE3OCU3ZS02Ny4zMjQyMTg3NSU3ZTIyLjUxMjU1Njk1NDA1MTUlN
2UtMTIxLjgxNjQwNjI1> however works best from wherever you are coming.
* Go one block West to Park and 90th Place.
* Turn left (South).
* Turn right on 91st Terr (see white sign with bold black letters
saying "Delivery Entrance).
* Keep going straight till the street (which becomes Salem as the
street curves to the right) dead ends.
* Then make two left turns and look at the 2nd house (which is the
first 4-plex) on your right on Mullen Road.
* It should say 9000, 9002, 9004 & 9006.
* We are 9000 Mullen Road
<http://maps.live.com/?q=&mkt=en-us&scope=&FORM=LIVSOP#JnE9eXAuOTAwMCtNd
WxsZW4rUm9hZCUyYytPdmVybGFuZCtwYXJrJTJjK0tTJTdlc3N0LjAlN2VwZy4xJmJiPTM4L
jk3OTAyNzk5NTAzODQlN2UtOTQuNzE1NjIzODU1NTkwOCU3ZTM4Ljk0OTQ2MzY1MjM5OTQlN
2UtOTQuNzY4ODM4ODgyNDQ2Mw==> .
In case of problems call us at 913-362-8362
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A Morning with Rev. Dr. Wallace Hartsfield:
The Balance of Pulpit and Public Ministry
Clergy Breakfast
Sponsored by Mainstream Voices of Faith
8AM to 9:30AM
April 17, 2008
Colonial Church
7039 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66208
RSVP to boo at mainvoice.org
and/or by calling (913) 649-3326.
Please forward this invitation to your networks and colleagues.
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Activism for Human Rights
The Fifth Biennial Kansas City Conference
The United Nations
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
and
Convention on Elimination of All Forms
of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
Friday, April 18, 2008, 8:30 to 5:00 p.m.
6:30, Reception: UNICEF in Darfur
And
Saturday, April 19, 2008, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For more information go to
www.kcglobalconcepts.org/2008%20Program_%20printer%20copy.pdf
All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church
4501 Walnut Street, Kansas City, Missouri, 64111
A joint project of:
The Global and Multicultural Education Center
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Women's Center
United Nations Association of Greater Kansas City
in cooperation with
All Souls Church UU-UNO
Soka Gakkai International (S.G.I.)
Young Professionals for International Cooperation (Y.P.I.C.)
www.kcglobalconcepts.org <http://www.kcglobalconcepts.org/>
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Midwest Catholic Worker Faith and Resistance Retreat
Dear friends:
On April 26-28, the Kansas City Catholic Worker communities will host
the annual Midwest Catholic Worker Faith and Resistance Retreat. This
year's theme is:
Beyond Walls of Fear:
Faith Resistance to Unjust Immigration Policies and Practices
Please join us for as much or as little of this event as you can!!
SATURDAY 4/26/08
WORKSHOPS, ROUNDTABLES, KEYNOTE PRESENTATION!
(Especially this part - you don't want to miss it!!)
- Maryada and Walt Stanton, humanitarian activists from No More Deaths
border action and Casa Maria Catholic Worker in Tucson, Arizona will
share their experiences of offering direct hospitality to people
struggling with oppressive immigration issues.
(They will present their talk around 9 am! Join us!)
STICK AROUND FOR SATURDAY ROUNDTABLES!!
Suzanne Gladney, Legal Aid of Western Missouri and the Migrant
Farmworkers Project --
'Immigration 101'
Angela Ferguson, Activist and Immigration lawyer -- 'The New Sanctuary
Movement'
Catholic Worker panel -- Hear how other Catholic Worker houses from
around the country are responding!
Eric Garbison, Cherith Brook Community -- A closer look at the
Scriptures: Insiders? Outsiders?
Richard Flamer, Joining us from the Chiapas, Mexico CW community!! --
What's actually going on in Mexico?
Judy Ancel and Megan Hope, Cross Border Solidarity Network -- NAFTA,
CAFTA -- what are all of those trade policies? What about economics do I
need to know?
Linda Callen, Westside CAN Center -- A story of advocacy success from
the KC area!
And, in the CW tradition, you never know what other topics might pop up!
WHERE WILL THIS HAPPEN, YOU ASK??
De La Salle Education Center
3740 Forest Avenue
8:30-4:30
The rest of the weekend...RETREAT!
(You are also welcome to join us for this part)
Sunday will include liturgy and reflection on what action the CW
communities will prepare to protest the unjust immigration policies and
practices that contribute to a continued system of walls of fear.
MONDAY, the CW communities (and all of you who choose to join us) will
converge downtown to perform an action (most of the details will be
decided on Sunday 4/27).
JOIN US!
Questions? Comments? Feel a burning urge to RSVP?
Never hesitate to contact us!
Flyer's attached!
love and peace,
Holy Family House, Shalom House, and Cherith Brook
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Connecting: A Film and Discussion Series
Join Citizens for Peace and Justice in the Holy Land for a
series of films that will introduce us to the people and the trials of
those living in Israel and Palestine. Guided discussion and
refreshments will be served!
May 3: The Iron Wall will take us to the Occupied
Territories and teach us about the Security Fence that Israel has
constructed and how that wall impacts the lives of the Palestinians.
This film and discussion series will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic
Church on the first Saturdays of March, April and May from 9:30 to 11:30
a.m. Holy Spirit is located at 1800 SW 150 Hwy in south Lee's Summit.
There is no charge. For information contact Ann Hayles, 816-537-6990.
RSVPs are requested.
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Are you a Mother?
Have you ever had a Mother?
This Mothers Day, be a part of the celebration as it was originally
intended, a voice for peace and against war.
On May 11, 2008, we will honor the work of mothers to teach, in the
words of Mothers Day founder Julia Ward Howe, patience, charity and
mercy.
Stand for Peace
Mothers Day 2008
May 11, 2008, 3:00
Julia's Voice is dedicated to reclaiming Mothers Day as it was intended
by originator Julia Ward Howe, a day to promote peace and speak out
against war.
Join us as we peacefully assemble along the public sidewalk on 95th
Street between Nieman and Quivera, in Overland Park, rain or shine.
Standing shoulder to shoulder, we will line the sidewalk joined by Julia
Ward Howe re-enactors, musicians and other special guests.
Mother's Day was first organized 138 years ago by abolitionist,
suffragette and poet Julia Ward Howe. In 1870 she organized a Mothers
Day for Peace to promote peace and speak out against war.
Julia's Voice is a group of "mothers and others" joined together to
return Mothers Day to its original intent. Sponsors include the Shawnee
Mission Unitarian Universalist Church, True Blue Women of Kansas, Iraq
Veterans Against the War, the All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church
and American Friends Service Committee of Kansas City.
For more information go to http://www.juliasvoice.org/home.html
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News and Action Alerts
Tax-Day Actions | Petraeus, Kennedy and Lessons Learned
The Top links are for next week's tax-day actions and call in - please
take a moment to share with friends and family. You should also take a
look at the report back slideshow; it begins with a beautiful shot of
the light installation in San Francisco. Regarding the Petraeus-Crocker
hearings. Phyllis Bennis has talking points and Juan Cole looks at the
role of foreign military occupations in retarding national
reconciliation. There is also a copy of the report issued yesterday by
Senators Kennedy and Biden on Iraqi refugees. Zia Mian also has an
interesting article on intervention and lessons learned.
Iraq Update 9 April 2008: Making a Difference for Iraqis
<http://support.afsc.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=6501.0&dlv_id=9961>
Action: Tax-Day Call In <http://www.afsc.org/taxday/>
Background Resources: Tax-Day Call In
<http://www.afsc.org/taxday/why-your-call-matters.htm>
Report Back: Slideshow on Commemorating the Human Cost of War
<http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/afsc4000/show/>
Updated Resource Page: Learn About Iraq
<http://www.afsc.org/iraq/guide/default.shtm>
Petraeus-Crocker Hearings: Political Theater on Message
http://www.ips-dc.org/articles/294
By Phyllis Bennis, Institute for Policy Studies, 8 April 2008
A critical review of the four themes advocated by General Petraeus and
Ambassador Crocker in their testimony before Congress. The themes
should be understood as a continued framework for occupation.
Iran is the Problem in Iraq
The "Surge" Stopped the Violence
Keep the Troops in Iraq
Support the $110 billion Supplemental Funding Bill for Iraq War
* Also Distributed as UFPJ Talking Points #57: Petraeus-Crocker hearings
target Iran, justify the "surge," and defend permanent occupation.
Petraeus, Iraq and the Lebanon Analogy
http://www.juancole.com/2008/04/petraeus-iraq-and-lebanon-analogy.html
Juan Cole expands the scope of the hearings and asks what reconciliation
might look like if the US Military was not supporting one side.
Following an analogy with Lebanon, he suggests that maybe the US in Iraq
is not the little boy with his finger in the dyke. Maybe we are workers
with jackhammers instructed to make the hole in the dyke much more huge.
Managing Chaos - The Iraqi Refugees of Jordan and Syria and Internally
Displaced Persons in Iraq
http://kennedy.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Refugee%20Report%20.pdf
Senators Kennedy, Biden Release Report On Iraqi Refugees
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL [Excerpt Below]
April 8, 2008
"[The] findings suggest a startling lack of American leadership in a
crisis that much of the international community considers a result of
our intervention in Iraq. Acknowledging that the war in Iraq has
resulted in one of the greatest humanitarian crises of the post-Cold War
era is a bitter pill to swallow. Ensuring that this refugee population
receives the humanitarian treatment and dignity that it deserves
requires American leadership of a kind not seen to this point.
We believe that more must be done by the United States to deal with this
crisis. An appropriate action by President Bush at this time would be to
appoint a senior official in the White House to coordinate our overall
policy on the Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons. As
President Ford stated in appointing the late Julia Taft to be Director
of the Interagency Task Force on Indochina Refugees, our country's
response to the refugee crisis caused by the Vietnam War was "a
reaffirmation of American awareness of the roots and ideals of our
society."
*****
Recommendation number two on funding gives you a sense to what degree
the US Government has failed to provide any meaningful support
<http://www.afsc.org/iraq/guide/documents/HealingtheWoundsofWar-March200
8.pdf> to international agencies and States supporting Iraqi refugees.
The United States should fund fifty percent of all United Nations' and
other international organizations' appeals for Iraqi refugees,
internally displaced persons, and for other vulnerable Iraqis.
* In 2008, a 50% commitment would amount to approximately $500 million,
somewhat less than one-half of one percent of the costs of annual U.S.
military operations in Iraq.[25] Providing this level of assistance on
an ongoing basis would match our resources with our moral obligation to
assist those suffering and relieve the burden on host governments.
Click here for the report
<http://kennedy.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Refugee%20Report%20.pdf> .
AFSC Page in the Iraqi Refugee Crisis
<http://www.afsc.org/iraq/refugee-crisis.htm>
Costs of War
http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/5104
Zia Mian, Foreign Policy in Focus
Excerpt : The Iraq war has broken the Bush presidency, cost the
Republicans control of Congress, and may lose them the White House. The
growing sentiment among Americans that the United States should mind its
own business and not try to manage the affairs of the rest of the world
may be enough to restrain future leaders from a similar illegal assault
on another nation.
But we have been here before. It is worth remembering that thirty years
ago many believed the painful lessons of the Vietnam War and American
defeat would restrain American interventions overseas. But it took
right-wing politicians, led notably by Ronald Reagan, barely five years
to begin rallying the public to overturn the "Vietnam Syndrome" and
demand that America show it had "the means and the determination to
prevail." They prevailed. The challenge after Iraq will be to make sure
this does not happen again.
### END ###
Peter Lems
American Friends Service Committee
1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, 19102
Tel: 215/241-7170 | Fax: 215/241-7177
http://afsc.org/Iraq
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Media Advisory:
Global Marshall Plan resolution -H.Res. 1078
introduced in Congress by Congressmen Keith Ellison, Emanuel Cleaver,
and Jim Moran
March 10, 2008
H.Res. 1078 calls for a return of the Marshall Plan. That plan was used
by the U.S. in the post World War II years to rebuild Europe. It was
celebrated as America's most successful foreign policy program because
it convinced Europeans that the U.S. was a reliable ally and friend.
This time, however, the target is both domestic and global. H. Res.
1078 calls for the U.S. to provide enough funding to eliminate global
poverty, homelessness, hunger, inadequate education, inadequate health
care, and repair of the environment.
Congressman Keith Ellison of Minnesota, the resolution's sponsor,
explained his introduction of the measure as a natural outgrowth of his
concern for peace, prosperity for working families, environmental
sustainability, and human rights.
"I believe a Global Marshall Plan offers a compelling framework for the
Congress to consider reform and revitalization of our international
public diplomacy and foreign aid," Ellison said. "America is at its
best when it demonstrates its generosity.
"When we see reminders everywhere of the costs of spending $12 billion
per month on war in Iraq, I look forward to the conversations about
changes in principles and priorities that this resolution will bring,"
Ellison concluded.
"At a moment when General Petraeus is asking for another $110 billion
for a deeply unpopular war, the Global Marshall Plan provides an
alternative strategy for homeland security," said Rabbi Michael Lerner,
editor of Tikkun and chair of the Network of Spiritual Progressives, an
organization that developed the Global Marshall Plan and which will now
be launching a nationwide campaign to get the presidential candidates to
support the idea.
"In the 21st century," Rabbi Lerner pointed out, "our security and
well-being depend on the well-being of everyone else on this planet, and
on the well-being of the planet itself."
"Our caring for all people can be manifested through a Global Marshall
Plan that would dedicate 1-2% of our annual Gross Domestic Product each
year for the next twenty years to eliminate once and for all domestic
and global poverty, homelessness, hunger, inadequate education, and
inadequate health care and to repair damage done to the environment."
Such a program needs the participation of the other advanced industrial
countries and the recipient countries' most talented leaders, as well as
local communities representing the poor and outstanding figures in the
ethical, cultural, religious and non-profit sectors of the relevant
societies who can ensure the best use of the resources, as well as to
ensure that the monies are used in environmentally sustainable and
culturally sensitive ways, and to guarantee that the monies are not
siphoned off by governments or local elites but actually reach the
people in need. This program, initiated by the Network of Spiritual
Progressives also calls for amending all existing and future trade
agreements to ensure that they serve the economic well-being of the poor
and not just the interests of the wealthy nations or local elites in
countries with high levels of poverty. We want the United States to take
the leadership in starting this effort.
"We approach this initiative with a spirit of humility," said Rabbi
Lerner, "not only because of the legacy of colonialism, but because we
can learn much from societies whose economic poverty does not signify a
poverty of wisdom. Generosity of spirit as well as financial generosity
are an integral part of our Global Marshall Plan, which we affirm not
only because it is a central component in any plan to achieve "homeland
security," but also because it reflects our commitment to recognize
every human being on this planet as equally valuable and deserving of
care." HR 1078 expresses the need for a similar humility in delivering
support for the world's poor.
Rabbi Lerner has called upon religious liberals and progressives (what
the media calls "the Religious Left") to call their Congressional
representatives to explain why they should support the ideas behind the
Global Marshall Plan.
The full text of H.Res. 1078 is available through the website of
Congressman Keith Ellison, http://ellison.house.gov, and further comment
can be obtained by calling 202-225-4755. Congressmen Ellison, Cleaver
and Moran are all available for interviews on this topic. Rabbi Michael
Lerner, who is directing the Network of Spiritual Progressives'
nation-wide campaign for the Global Marshall Plan, is also available for
interviews. Call 1 510 644 1200 during business hours Pacific Daylight
Time. Or by email: His scheduler Will Pasley: Will at Tikkun.org. You can
also email RabbiLerner at Tikkun.org for media interviews, and David Hart
for information about how churches, synagogues, mosques, ashrams,
colleges, NGOs, civic organizations, social change movements,
professional organizations and elected officials can be involved in this
campaign: David at SpiritualProgressives.org. And you can endorse the GMP
on line at www.tikkun.org (left-hand column) or read the full version at
that same website, by clicking the GMP button in the Current Thinking
section of the Home Page.
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(816) 931-5256
The information and events described in AFSC Peace and Justice Alerts
are intended to educate and assist members of our community in becoming
active in working for a more just and peaceful world. Inclusion of a
listing does not necessarily imply that AFSC KC agrees with all points
of view that will be represented at the event.
The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization that
includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice,
peace, and humanitarian service.
Its work is based on the Quaker belief in the worth of every person and
faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice
Ira Harritt
Kansas City Program
American Friends Service Committee
4405 Gillham Rd., KCMO 64110
(816) 931-5256
Fax (816) 561-5033
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