Dee's 'Dotes

Anecdotes of a "Green" Activist

Current 'Dotes

12th-Apr-2008 06:45 am - Congressman Wexler on Petraeus

Here are examples of things I like about Robert Wexler's voting record:
(info obtained from ON THE ISSUES)

Voted YES on funding for alternative sentencing instead of more prisons. (Jun 2000)
Voted NO on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage. (Sep 2004)
Voted NO on making the PATRIOT Act permanent. (Dec 2005)
Voted NO on Constitutionally defining marriage as one-man-one-woman. (Jul 2006)
Voted YES on barring website promoting Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump. (May 2006)
Voted NO on declaring Iraq part of War on Terror with no exit date. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on restricting employer interference in union organizing. (Mar 2007)

Here are examples of t things I don't like about Robert Wexler's voting record:

Voted YES on authorizing military force in Iraq. (Oct 2002)
Voted YES on emergency $78B for war in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Apr 2003)
Voted YES on allowing Courts to decide on "God" in Pledge of Allegiance. (Jul 2006)
Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)

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

( Read more... )

categories:anti-war, governmnet corruption, iraq, military, peace, politics

11th-Apr-2008 06:24 am - The Freeway Blogger

I found the video below of the Freeway Blogger, who I had the privilege of meeting when Tom and I went to Camp Casey in August, 2006. We attended his workshop at Camp Casey and learned of a great and easy way to get peace messages out.

More videos on the Freeway Blogger can be seen at You Tube.

categories:activism, anti-war, camp casey, peace

6th-Apr-2008 02:28 pm - Martin Luther King, Jr.: BEYOND VIETNAM: A TIME TO BREAK SILENCE

A friend of mine reminded me of this speech, in reflection of the anniversary of Dr. King's death, April 4, 1968:

MARTIN LUTHER KING:

THE RIVERSIDE SPEECH

(See images and hear his speech in segments.)

Forty-one years ago, April 4, Dr. Martin Luther King gave his most prophetic speech to an assemblage of Clergy and Laymen Concerned About Vietnam, at Riverside Church in New York City.

Forty years ago, April 4, he was murdered.

The full text of that speech follows.

MLK: Beyond Vietnam--A Time to Break Silence

A year to the day before his assassination, King gave this speech at the Riverside Church in New York

Friday April 4th, 2008

Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, I need not pause to say how very delighted I am to be here tonight, and how very delighted I am to see you expressing your concern about the issues that will be discussed tonight by turning out in such large numbers. I also want to say that I consider it a great honor to share this program with Dr. Bennett, Dr. Commager, and Rabbi Heschel, some of the distinguished leaders and personalities of our nation. And of course it’s always good to come back to Riverside Church. Over the last eight years, I have had the privilege of preaching here almost every year in that period, and it is always a rich and rewarding experience to come to this great church and this great pulpit. I come to this magnificent house of worship tonight because my conscience leaves me no other choice. I join you in this meeting because I am in deepest agreement with the aims and work of the organization which has brought us together: Clergy and Laymen Concerned about Vietnam. The recent statements of your executive committee are the sentiments of my own heart, and I found myself in full accord when I read its opening lines: "A time comes when silence is betrayal." And that time has come for us in relation to Vietnam.

The truth of these words is beyond doubt, but the mission to which they call us is a most difficult one. Even when pressed by the demands of inner truth, men do not easily assume the task of opposing their government's policy, especially in time of war. Nor does the human spirit move without great difficulty against all the apathy of conformist thought within one's own bosom and in the surrounding world. Moreover, when the issues at hand seem as perplexed as they often do in the case of this dreadful conflict, we are always on the verge of being mesmerized by uncertainty; but we must move on.

( Read more... )

categories:activism, anti-war, civil rights, human rights, peace

6th-Apr-2008 06:48 am - Utah's Rad Cheerleaders make it into Mike Palacek's book!

Pom Poms Not Bomb Bombs, Utah’s Radical Cheerleaders, have a photo included in Mike Palacek’s book THE ANTHOLOGY OF PEACE AND ACTIVISM (p. 94). The Photo is from the September 24, 2005 Anti-War Rally in Salt Lake City. I am the 2nd cheerleader from the left, after Radical Jenni, followed by Radica Shea, Radical Raphael and Radical Michelle.

categories:activism, anti-war, literature, peace

2nd-Apr-2008 04:58 am - Halliburton poisoning US occupation forces in Iraq

This 4 minute video describes how Halliburton is poisoning the troops in Iraq through their water supply.

categories:anti-war, corporate greed, iraq, military, peace

2nd-Apr-2008 04:55 am - Pacific Green Party peace slate

The Pacific Green Party of Oregon currently has a “peace slate” which includes candidates for 4 out of 5 congressional seats. All of these candidates have expressed their commitment to ending the war in Iraq, and none of those who are elected will be as vulnerable to the pressures to conform to the Democratic congressional leadership’s programs.

The candidates are:
John Olmsted, District 1
Tristan Mock, District 2
Mike Beilstein, District 4
Alex Polikoff, District 5

For more information on these candidates, see www.youtube.com/user/mikevanh.

categories:2008 elections, anti-war, candidates, green party, peace

24th-Mar-2008 06:02 am - 4,000th U.S. Soldier Death in Iraq Reported

4,000th death announced in today's Utah papers - vigil will be Tuesday night, March 25th, 6pm

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

categories:anti-war, iraq, military, peace

21st-Mar-2008 05:18 am - Iraq War 5 year Anniversary Events

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

9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
American Friends Service Committee?s Eyes Wide Open Exhibit ? Utah
USU Taggart Student Center, International Lounge or outside plaza

6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Closing ceremony of Eyes Wide Open Exhibit
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Logan Premiere of ?A Soldier?s Peace,? a documentary about a local soldier?s peace walk USU Eccles Science Learning Center Auditorium

8:30 p.m.
Moderated panel discussion on ?Activism, an American Heritage? USU Eccles Science Learning Center Auditorium
March 22

1:30 p.m.
Peace rally and walk starting and ending at Historic Cache County Courthouse 199 N. Main Street. Speakers include: Marshall Thompson, Thad Box.

3 p.m.
Second screening of ?A Soldier?s Peace? at Logan City Council Chambers 255 N. Main Street

Sponsors of the events include: Cache Valley Peace Works, USU departments of Journalism and Communication, Political Science, History, Sociology/Social Work/Anthropology, Women and Gender Studies Program, Honors Program, USU College Democrats, Logan Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Cache Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Laughing Sangha of Cache Valley (Buddhist), and Mormons for Equality and Social Justice of Cache Valley, and Utah Poineers.
INFO: Cache Valley Peace Works, AFSC, and A Soldier's Peace.

categories:anti-war, iraq, peace

11th-Mar-2008 05:14 am - Winter Soldier Hearings March 13 - 16: Watch/Listen to the broadcast

Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan

Winter Soldier will feature testimony from U.S. veterans who served in those occupations, giving an accurate account of what is really happening day in and day out, on the ground. The four-day event, March 13-16, will bring together veterans from across the country to testify about their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan -- and present video and photographic evidence. In addition, there will be panels of scholars, veterans, journalists, and other specialists to give context to the testimony. These panels will cover everything from the history of the GI resistance movement to the fight for veterans' health benefits and support.

How to Access Winter Soldier Broadcasts

TV BROADCAST -- LIVE COVERAGE

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RADIO BROADCAST -- LIVE COVERAGE

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LIVE WEB STREAMING

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categories:activism, afghanistan, anti-war, iraq, military, peace

6th-Feb-2008 05:29 am - Cynthia McKinney - Green Party Presidential Candidate - Interviewed on Issues

categories:2008 elections, anti-war, cynthia mckinney, green party, iraq, peace

10th-Jan-2008 10:11 pm - Top Ten Signs Your Country May Be Going Fascist

categories:anti-war, bush regime, civil liberties, fascism, government corruption, peace

8th-Jan-2008 05:17 am - UPDATE: Campaign 2008: A PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE THAT MATTERS

Two more candidates will join this debate!

(NOTE: Ralph Nader has not declared his intentions to seek the Green Party Presidential Nomination.)

Cynthia McKinney ~ Ralph Nader ~ Jared Ball ~ Kent Mesplay ~ Kat Swift ~ Jesse Johnson

Hosted and moderated by Cindy Sheehan and well-known Bay Area

Sunday
January 13, 2008
2:00 PM

HERBST THEATER
Veteran's Memorial Bldg.
401 Van Ness Ave.(opposite City Hall)
San Francisco
(3 blocks from Civic Center BART)

YOURFUTUREYOURPLANETYOURPARTY
register GREEN

$10–25 donation (sliding scale)

Sponsored by the Green
Party of Alameda County, the San Francisco Green Party and the Sacramento County Green Party

For more information:
www.acgreens.org/debate (510) 644-2293

categories:2008 elections, anti-war, cynthia mckinney, green party, jared ball, kent mesplay, peace, ralph nader

7th-Jan-2008 05:23 am - Becoming “peace educators” instead of chest-thumping

Written by Maryrose Asher of the Green Party of Washington State

Wish it was as easy as blaming all our country’s problems on Bush and Cheney. For sure, we’ve had almost 30 years of Reaganomics, even through the Clinton years. But, unfortunately, this building of empire has gone on a lot longer than that. We aren’t going to be able to make this a better country, or have any impact on improving life for those on this planet, unless we change the dynamics of our whole economic/political system and the corruption that has permeated it. We all need to talk about the benefits of peace and a peace economy…through running for office as Cindy Sheehan is doing, in giving talks in churches, union halls, and classrooms. Become “preachers of peace” and educate others on how an economic system based on values, not profits, would benefit us all. Just show them a graph of how much money we spend on military as opposed to health, social programs, or science, and help them to “envision” peace and what good we could be doing with all that money that now goes to war and the weapons of war. THAT’S the way we are going to make a difference and bring lasting change. Let’s become peace educators.

Read more

categories:activism, anti-war, government spending, military, peace, taxes

1st-Jan-2008 10:44 am - Utah vs. Axis o