PeaceJournal.org

Open Letter to Cindy Sheehan: We need you now more than ever

from the Campus Antiwar Network

We remember first hearing about you standing up to Bush in Crawford, Texas with admiration and hope. Just months before he had been re-elected, not because the majority of people supported the war, but because John Kerry offered us nothing for which to vote. He provided no alternative to the neocon strategy of more war and barbarism.

Instead, you did. (more…)

Being Hope
by Kathy Kelly

May 31, 2007

Earlier this week, the American Friends Service Committee asked me to speak about finding hope in hard times as part of an interfaith service to conclude their “Eyes Wide Open” display in Chicago’s Grant Park. The display arranged 3,438 soldiers’ boots to commemorate U.S. military people killed in Iraq, along with life sized pictures of Iraqi civilians and a collection of numerous civilian shoes to remember hundreds of thousands of Iraqis who have been killed in Iraq since 2003. I asked the audience to join me in recalling experiences I had while imprisoned at the Pekin Federal prison for “crossing the line” at Fort Benning, Georgia. (more…)

[Ed. Note: This writer (Charles Jenks) fully agrees with Cindy Sheehan about the peace movement. It too often works at cross purposes, and is beset by turf defending and sectarianism. I also believe that partisan politics has failed the American people, the Iraqi people and the people of the world. The Iraq War is a bi-partisan war. It was bi-partisan before the invasion - via the horrendous and genocidal sanctions - and continues through this day, as both parties voted for the war resolution and have continued to fund the war. Recently, some Reps have touted their voting against war funding. Well, these same Reps voted to advance the bill for voting, a bill they knew would pass. The procedural vote was the important one here. If Reps had declined to vote on funding the war, Bush would have to use existing funds to withdraw the troops.

As for our beloved Cindy, we pray that she gets some good R and R. Heaven knows she deserves it. Then, we need her back.]

“Good Riddance Attention Whore”
Cindy Sheehan

I have endured a lot of smear and hatred since Casey was killed and especially since I became the so-called “Face” of the American anti-war movement. Especially since I renounced any tie I have remaining with the Democratic Party, I have been further trashed on such “liberal blogs” as the Democratic Underground. Being called an “attention whore” and being told “good riddance” are some of the more milder rebukes.

I have come to some heartbreaking conclusions this Memorial Day Morning. These are not spur of the moment reflections, but things I have been meditating on for about a year now. The conclusions that I have slowly and very reluctantly come to are very heartbreaking to me. (more…)

Subscribe to TraprockPeaceTV at Youtube.

On May 25, 2007 Andrew Card faced hundreds of boos and catcalls as he was given an honorary degree during the graduate school commencement at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.Before the commencement, over a hundred protesters staged a rally and press conference outside the Mullin Center on the UMass campus. Hundreds more students and faculty who opposed the honorary degree would later protest inside the hall.Card, former Bush Administration Chief of Staff and chief salesman for the invasion of Iraq as head of the White House Iraq Group, faced signs calling him a war criminal. People are now calling on UMass to rescind the honorary degree. (more…)

Students and activists from UMass/Amherst and Western Massachusetts say why they’re excited about the upcoming conference: “SOCIALISM 2007: Socialism for the 21st Century,” being held at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare, June 14-17, 2007. See http://www.socialismconference.org for more details.

SOCIALISM 2007 will bring together socialists and activists who are involved in struggles across the country–from opposing the war to organizing against the death penalty–and share a vision of rebuilding the left.

Join John Pilger, Amy Goodman, Dahr Jamail, Dave Zirin, Anthony Arnove, Sharon Smith, Laura Flanders, Dr. John Carlos, Jeff St. Clair, IVAW’s Kelly Dougherty, and a host of other speakers at Socialism 2007, and participate in the discussion over the future of radical and socialist politics in the 21st Century.

Last summer, some 1,500 people turned out for Socialism 2006 in New York City.

Student comments were videotaped on May 17, 2007 at the Campus Center, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Many thanks to Mike, Rachel, Tony, Sarah, Gary, Dustin and Tristan for their comments, and to Jason for helping to organize the video.

See coverage of previous years’ conferences at http://www.traprockpeace.org/ with video on this channel - http://www.youtube.com/TraprockPeace?TV

video © 2007 Charles Jenks; all rights reserved. Websites may embed the video. Other uses require permission; charles@traprockpeace.org

Where have all the Giants Gone?
Cindy Sheehan

We have an old saying in my adopted state of Texas and you may have it in your own state too: “Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” America is not unique for perpetuating a history that was founded on genocide and where violence is constantly relied upon for problem solving, but this is our country and how can we finally learn the lessons of war and corrupt regimes?

Our history is also rife with giants who have gone before us who either affected true and relevant change, or who have at least alleviated temporary suffering. Women now have the right to vote and participate fully in our government due to giants such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony and Jeannette Rankin. Slavery was abolished because of the brave efforts of some like Harriet Tubman, Bronson Alcott, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Frederick Douglas. The Civil Rights movement was enriched by the presence of ministers like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Joseph Lowery among many others. Active duty soldiers joined with the anti-war movement during the Vietnam conflict to help bring a close to that other most recent illegal war of aggression. (more…)

Newsflash: Members of the UMass faculty senate voted 31-0 to oppose an honorary degree for Andrew Card. The vote was not ‘official’ as it missed a quorum by 1 member.Action Announcements at UMass - May 21, 23, 25thOn May 15, 2007, hundreds of students, faculty and staff protested the decision by the University of Massachusetts to give an honorary degree to Andy Card, and former head of the Bush Administration’s White House Iraq Group. Students held a rally outside the Whitmore administration building. When they went to enter the building, they found that the university had closed it. They then marched to the graduate school administration building and held a sit-in. They marched across campus back to the Whitmore building, and heard from a university spokesperson - standing outside - who said that the university had not changed its mind. Students then marched around the administration building, symbolically knocked on the locked doors, and held a rally, with students taking turns speaking out.Please call and tell Chancellor John Lombardi what you think - 413-545-2211.Previously, on May 10th, more than 300 faculty, graduate and undergraduate students marched to Chancellor Lombardi’s office and demanded that University of Massachusetts administrators revoke the offer of the honorary degree.Students are planning followup protests. See an article by UMass student Charles Peterson that gives background and covers the May 10th protest at http://www.socialistworker.org/2007-1/632/632_15_NewsAndReports.shtmlThis video was edited into two parts for YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/TraprockPeaceTVVideo recorded and edited by Charles Jenks. © 2007 Charles Jenks; all rights reserved.

Petition to Revoke Offer of Honorary Degree to Andrew H. Card, Jr.

Please see Part 2 below.On May 15, 2007, hundreds of students, faculty and staff protested the decision by the University of Massachusetts to give an honorary degree to Andy Card, and former head of the Bush Administration’s White House Iraq Group. Students held a rally outside the Whitmore administration building. When they went to enter the building, they found that the university had closed it. They then marched to the graduate school administration building and held a sit-in. They marched across campus to the Whitmore building, and heard from a university spokesperson - standing outside - who said that the university had not changed its mind. Students then marched around the administration building, symbolically knocked on the locked doors, and held a rally, with students taking turns speaking out.Please call and tell Chancellor John Lombardi what you think - 413-545-2211.This is Part 1 of the video coverage, up to, but not including, the statement of the university spokesperson to the end rally. Due to storms, we had difficulty uploading this part. See Part 2 - already uploaded to YouTube - for the university statement and the rest of this protest. We will also upload a higher quality single video of the protest to Google.Previously, on May 10th, more than 300 faculty, graduate and undergraduate students marched to Chancellor Lombardi’s office and demanded that University of Massachusetts administrators revoke the offer of the honorary degree.Students are planning followup protests.Parts 1 and 2 (many other videos) are available at http://www.youtube.com/TraprockPeaceTVVideo recorded and edited by Charles Jenks. © 2007 Charles Jenks; all rights reserved.

Petition to Revoke Offer of Honorary Degree to Andrew H. Card, Jr.

On May 15, 2007, students, faculty and staff protested the decision by the University of Massachusetts to give an honorary degree to Andy Card, and former head of the Bush Administration’s White House Iraq Group. Students held a rally outside the Whitmore administration building. When they went to enter the building, they found that the university had closed it. They then marched to the graduate school administration building and held a sit-in. They marched across campus to the Whitmore building, and heard from a university spokesperson - standing outside - that the university had not changed its mind. Students then marched around the administration building, symbolically knocked on the locked doors, and held a rally, with students taking turns speaking out.

Please call and tell Chancellor John Lombardi what you think - 413-545-2211.

This is Part 2 of the video coverage, from the statement of the university spokesperson to the end rally. Due to storms, we had difficulty uploading the longer Part 1 (which we were able to accomplish on May 16th.) We are also uploading a higher quality single video of the protest to Google.

Previously, on May 10th, more than 300 faculty, graduate and undergraduate students marched to Chancellor Lombardi’s office and demanded that University of Massachusetts administrators revoke the offer of the honorary degree.

Students are planning followup protests.

Video recorded and edited by Charles Jenks. © 2007 Charles Jenks; all rights reserved.

On Mother’s Day - May 13, 2007 - Frances Crowe tells story from a previous Mother’s Day protest of 25 years ago. She was speaking with Sunny Miller, Executive Director of Traprock Peace Center.

Frances Crowe is a prominent peace organizer and pacifist. She was a co-founder of Traprock Peace Center. She urges Traprock to “carry on” as it faces of challenge of having to relocate after 27 years.

Video © 2007 Charles Jenks; all rights reserved.

Street Heat
Cindy Sheehan

When we left Lafayette Park yesterday there were 3396 Americans dead in Iraq. When we got to the Capitol about 45 minutes later, the count was up to 3498 and when we got out of jail 8 hours later, 3401 were gone.

Three-hundred amazing Americans joined us yesterday in The Mother of a March which was sponsored by The Camp Casey Peace Institute and supported and co-sponsored by many other peace groups. (more…)

Needless Carnage
(And the Beat Goes On)
Cindy Sheehan

“My son, Jon Michael, is the best son a dad can have. He will always be my pride and joy.” - George Tenet: Former Director of Central Intelligence; page 520 of his book:

At the Center of the Storm

I had difficulty making the purchase of George Tenet’s new book. With a multi-million dollar advance already, I didn’t want to contribute to someone who has already profited so obscenely from other people’s dead children. This self-congratulatory, buck-passing book was even more difficult to read. But when I came to the last paragraph and read the above quote about Tenet’s precious son, Jon Michael, I began to cry in my uncomfortable airplane seat. (more…)

Andy Jacobs, former Indiana Congressperson, decried the unconstitutional and illegal war against Iraq and exposed the bi-partisan sellout of the US to foreign investors. Foreign investment - and US budget deficits - have financed US wars, including the war against Iraq. This sellout - started during the Reagan administration - rescinded tax withholding from foreign investments. This reduced interest rates, but also led to a skyrocketing of foreign debt. Most media - such as Washington Post and the Today Show - chose to remain silent on this sell-out. See Time article.

Jacobs further examined the unconstitutional abdication of war powers authority by Congress in October, 2002. Unilateral war making by rulers is the most oppressive of the kingly oppressions, said Jacobs.

Jacobs, a Koren War veteran, spoke on April 18, 2007 on “US Policy in the Middle East: Diplomacy, Foreigh Debt and War Powers.” He spoke in the General Pershing Room of the War Memorial, Indianapolis, Indiana. He shared the podium with Scott Ritter, former Major of the US Mariens and former UN Chief UNSCOM Weapons Inspector in Iraq. See Ritter’s talks at http://www.youtube.com/TraprockPeaceTV

The program was sponsored by Veterans for Peace, Indiana Chapter #49, Indianapolis Peace House & Plowshares, Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center, and Traprock Peace Center.

Moderator: Pierre Atlas
Political Science Professor and Director of Franciscan Center for Global Studies at Marian College

Video recorded and edited by Charles Jenks; © 2007 Charles Jenks; all rights reserved. Contact: charles@traprockpeace.org

*** Please forward widely ***

May 8, 2007

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi:

We are students from Bay Area colleges and universities and part of the Campus Antiwar Network. We are concerned about the state of the war and occupation in Iraq as well as the effect that this is having on our schools and our communities. We are furthermore concerned that the debate about the war has been hamstrung by political maneuvering rather than principled commitments to peace and justice. In that vein, we believe that any meaningful solution in the Middle East requires the following:

1) Immediate withdrawal of all US forces, personnel, and contractors from Iraq
2) Iraqi control over Iraq: no permanent military bases, no control over Iraqi oil, no US intervention in their political process
3) Full funding of veterans’ benefits and health care, including mental health care
4) Reparations to the Iraqi people
5) Ban on the use of depleted uranium munitions in Iraq
6) Redistribution of the war budget towards jobs and education (more…)

Student activists from the University of Wisconsin, Madison say why they’re excited about the upcoming conference: “SOCIALISM 2007: Socialism for the 21st Century.” being held at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare, June 14-17, 2007. See http://www.socialismconference.org for more details.

SOCIALISM 2007 will bring together socialists and activists who are involved in struggles across the country–from opposing the war to organizing against the death penalty–and share a vision of rebuilding the left.

Join John Pilger, Amy Goodman, Dahr Jamail, Dave Zirin, Anthony Arnove, Sharon Smith, Laura Flanders, Dr. John Carlos, Jeff St. Clair, IVAW’s Kelly Dougherty, and a host of other speakers at Socialism 2007, and participate in the discussion over the future of radical and socialist politics in the 21st Century.

Last summer, some 1,500 people turned out for Socialism 2006 in New York City.

Student comments were videotaped on May 4, 2007 at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Many thanks to Chris Dols and Elizabeth Wrigley-Field for their organizing (and for their comments), and to all the students who participated.

See coverage of last year’s conference.with videos on TraprockPeaceTV

video © 2007 Charles Jenks; all rights reserved. Websites may embed the video. Other uses require permission; contact charles@traprockpeace.org

Kent State 37 Years Later
Cindy Sheehan

This is the keynote address Cindy gave on May 04, 2007, at the commemoration of the Kent State Massacre.

First of ail, I would just like to say that I am not only in favor of impeaching George Bush and Dick Cheney, but of trying them for war crimes and locking them both up in Guantanamo for the rest of their lives! I also agree with Tom (Hayden) that an “anti-war” movement is basically a self-destructive movement, because when our objectives are achieved, the movement is over. That is why we must call ourselves a “peace” movement so our movement will never end. There will always be a need for people who commit their lives to peace as strenuously as they commit their lives to the anti-war movement. (more…)

Get Off it Bill O’Reilly
Cindy Sheehan

A recent Harris Poll indicated that only 22% of Americans support George’s war of terror. I suspect that the less than one-fourth of our country who are still in favor of the hopeless mess BushCo has tragically involved the USA in get all of their “news” from Fox News. (more…)

Four Dead in Ohio
Cindy Sheehan

May 4th, 2007 will be the 37th year since the Kent State, Ohio, massacre where four anti-war protesters were killed by Ohio National Guardsmen during a protest against Richard Nixon’s announced escalation in Vietnam.

On that day in 1970, anti-Vietnam war sentiment in the entire nation was high as hundreds of soldiers were coming home in flag-draped coffins every week and we were bombarded daily with images of burning villages and screaming Vietnamese children. The images were harsh, but what was even harsher was the Nixon regime escalating a war in a Johnsonian way when he had promised that he would end the quagmire in Vietnam if elected. (more…)

THE GRINDING MACHINE:
TERROR AND GENOCIDE IN RWANDA

keith harmon snow talks with Paul Rusesabagina, the ordinary man who inspired the film Hotel Rwanda.

keith harmon snow
http://www.allthingspass.com
20 April 2007

“The nickname for my country is ‘the land of thousands of hills,’” writes Paul Rusesabagina, in his autobiography, An Ordinary Man, “but this signifies a gross undercount. There are at least half a million hills, maybe more…we are the children of the hills, the grassy slopes, the valley roads, the spider patterns of rivers, and the millions of rivulets and crevasses and buckles of earth… In this country, we don’t talk about coming from a particular village, but from a particular hill.”

Paul Rusesabagina was born into a family of nine children, farmers, on the side of a steep hill, in a home made of mud and sticks. The Rwanda of his youth was green and bright, full of cooking fires and sisters murmuring and drying sorghum and corn leaves in the wind and in the warm arms of his mother. But this image of a happy, quiet youth spent in the quaint hills of some far-off place is not one the western world holds in its modern memory of Rwanda. Instead we are confronted by horror. (more…)

Ann Wright speaking at Brown University on April 16, 2007 about the war with Iraq and the possibility of war with Iran. Filmed by Paul Hubbard.

Thank you Ann and Paul for sending this to us!