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YVPAN/Pax Christi Minutes March 10 2008


Present : Ernie Dottie Ed Larry Tony Michael Dale Gene R Marilyn Jim Kim


Arlington NW will take place April 26 &27. We have a permit from Parks and Recreation. The Vets for Peace people form Seattle will come here on Friday. We have from 7:00 AM to start setup. It takes an hour or two. We can be there untill 10:00 PM but will start the takedown at 6:00 PM. Hal has volunteered to stay overnight. Will look at having the restrooms open or getting a key. There will be an $8 fee. Michael said that the middle school group at U/U can help. We can have tables. Larry will notify the media including YPAC. It would be good to have a conversaation with Adriana Janovich of the H R-P. Carole said she would write a letter to the editor prior to event saying it is a Vets for Peace event. Michael asked if they will bring flyers. We don't know. We have a list of local families who have lost members and Hal will contact them. Carole said she would go before the City Council to let them know what we are doing. We wonder what to do about awareness of the Iraqi dead. A show of civilian shoes? Michael suggested a poster with the estimated numbers. Dottie said they have a "Face of War" poster and they will bring it. Hal said any questions could be emailed to him and he will direct them to ANW. Larry asked if there should be a religious presence there. Perhaps benediction by Father Eckert. Perhaps an Islamic cleric? Richard Gaulke sees them regularly. Dottie said that when YVPAN formed there was an attempt to connect with the Islamic House. There is an Imam in the TriCities.


Michael said there is to be a Department of Peace Conference. It will be in Portland-Vancouver on April11-13. There will be some very interesting speakers. See Michael's email for details.


Concerning the "Do You know Enough to Enlist?" leafletting, Ed has met with counselors at Davis and Eisenhower and was welcomed. He left about 40 flyers at each school. They didn't have the "Opt Out" form but the rest of the flyers will have them inside. Roy Simms took two to work to give to co-workers. They each brought them home and both had kids change their minds. As for having some in Spanish, we feel we have limited funds.


Larry will coordinate our connecting with MoveOn.org


We will have a Candelight vigil at Millenium Plaza on March 19 to mark the 5th year of war. It will start at 6:45. Larry will notify the media.


Gene brought up the subject of the School of the Americas (which has changed their name but not their tactics). This is where we have trained members of Latin American countries to carry out the worst of atrocities. Every year a group convenes at Fort Benning GA to try to close it down. A group from the "South American Watch" is in South America to convince the governments to pull their people out. Gene gave us contribution forms and envelopes so we can donate to them.


The Folklife Festival will be July 11-13. We will be able to be there again under Veterans for Peace. Carole will be one of those to man the table.


Jim told us about a show at the Larson Gallery of photographs by Ken Zontek, and Afgan vet who set up a woman's center there. He says the show is very moving. It will be their until March 19. Dottie says that he is a colleague at YVCC and could speak to us. We said yes, in May.


Ernie said that on the Common Dreams website one can get buttons with Iraqi children's faces (St. Michael"s has distributed many) and buttons that say "I have family in Iraq".


Larry brought up the subject of our new President. How can we keep the new President from inheriting the same problems. How can we take apart the franchise? Tony said we must get on Congress' back.


We then watched a wonderful video of an American group, The Fellowship of Reconcilliation, visiting Iran.


Marilyn suggested that we invite the media to one of our meetings. Hal said maybe if we have a speaker.


We will be signing on Saturday March 15 at Ist Street and Washington and on Sunday March 16 at 16th and Nob Hill.


We meet again here on April 14.

 

Pax Christie/YVPAN Meeting February 11, 2008


Present were: Barbara Alice Ray Marilyn Gene R. Nancy Tony Ed Carole Ernie Dottie Michael Jack Gene M.


Ernie told us about "Marcha Grande" from San Diego to Brownsville to call attention to all who had died trying to cross the Mexican border. There were crosses on the fence at Tijuana.


Next discussed was the Tacoma Detention Center and the 1000-1200 people held there waiting for hearings with Immigration. There is a monthly vigil and food brought for the families of the detained by St. Matthews in Auburn. One woman tried three times to see an inmate whom she had the right to see and waited without result for hours. A caravan is coming from Blaine and will stay at St. Michael's. They are about 15 people protesting the deportation of Alvira who took sanctuary in Chicago and was deported. They will then head to Boise and then to Salt Lake City and on to Las Vegas and San Diego. Their focus this time is voter registration. Marilyn passed around mail-in voter registration forms.


Michael told us that we have a park permit for April 25-26 for Franklin Park to put up Arlington NW. We will need volunteers, about 20, to put it up and take it down. Hal has obtained the names of the Yakima County GI deaths. Perhaps we can do something specific with these names.


Ed said that the NFSC leaflet "Do You Know Enough To Enlist?" leaflets arrived today. We have 500 of them. He also said they've done a 15 minute DVD which is rather good. Ed put it on PAC. It can also be gotten at the library. Roy asked if we can have a table. Ed said he would check on this. Tony asked if he could have some for his son's classes at YVCC. To set up a table at YVCC one needs to go thru a campus group. Ed has also an "opt out" form. It needs to be submitted at the beginning of the school year. It protects a student's information from procurement by the recruiters. Ed asked for volunteers to hand out the fliers. A book is coming out soon showing alternative forms of service to mark the 47th anniversary of the Peace Corps. There will be a booth at the Job Fair at the Convention Center.


Marilyn brought up the Death with Dignity motion and says there are signatures needed to get it on the ballot.


Ernie said there are about 100 people a week coming to St. Michaels for AA meetings who can be presented with voter registration.


We watched a video of Bill Moyer's Journal in which he interviewed Reverend Samuel Rodriguez, who is the head of the organization of Hispanic Evangelicals. This contains 18,000 churces as members. He said that the Latino vote will decide who is President.


There was a discussion of the brown/black division in the country and it's role in the division at the South East Community Center.


We will be signing Saturday the 19th from 2:30 to 4:00 at 40th and Summitview and Sunday the 20th from 12N to 1:00 at Nob Hill Blvd and 16th.


We agreed that we want to continue to meet together and our next meeting will be March 10 at 7:00PM at St. Michaels.

 

 

 

YVPAN/Pax Christi Meeting January 14, 2008


Present were: Reverend Ernie Harrelson, Dottie Harrelson, Chuck Schmitz , Barbara Simms, Roy Simms, Kim Kovelic(sp), Ed Patton, Hal Frantz, Charlotte Johnson, Dale Johnson, Gene Rupel, Larry Breer, Michael Collins, Mike ---, Tony Landreau, Marilyn Telez(sp).

Pax Christi was founded in Yakima in 2001. One year later YVPAN was formed. It was suggested that we get together. This is our first joint meeting.


The Martin Luther King Jr. observation was discussed. The speaker is to be Colonel Clark Magriff hosted by Stone Church. He is a Miltary Chaplain. Rosalinda Guillen(sp) out of Bellingham will be here. She was an organizer of the Chateau St. Michelle strike in the 1990's. It was questioned who selected a Military Chaplain. The service seems to have been co-opted by fundamentalists. Last year it was ordered: "No anti war signs in the MLK March". "We carried them anyway". The commitee sems to be made up of three different ministerial associations. Ernie said that it seemed to him that the "non war" decree did not come from the committee. The march details will be in the newspaper before the 21st.

The NW Detention Center is holding people awaiting deportation hearings. There is a vigil being held there. St.Matthews in Auburn is aiding detainees and families. They are providing legal assistance and food for visiting families. This has all been kept quiet. Rumors are that there would be one here out on Ahtahnum Road They are waiting for the rundups to start.


Carole presented three projects planned by YVPAN:


We continue our signing, this month Saturday January 19 at 1st Street and Yakima Avenue from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM and on Sunday at 16th and Nob Hill from 12 N to 1:00 PM.

Thru Veterans for Peace we will doing "Arlington Northwest". It is more than 3000 grave markers which we will set up in Franklin Park April 26th and Take down the 27th. Someone will stay ther overnight to guard agains vandalism. We will also have a table with brochures and invite people to talk and personalize the event. It will be done with dignity and respect and will not be "protest"but a memorial. We will need about 20 volunteers. Michael suggested church youth groups. Larry wondered if we can find those who hav lost family members. hal said that this can be found on the internet. He will follow up on this. Kim suggested that we could put names on the monuments. We should contact the families of those who have lost members. Michael pointed out that the markers are not crosses. Gene has seen this and says it is very impressive. Dottie remarked it is "against the law" to show coffins of our GI's. Dale saw the American Friends Service Committee's Empty Boots in Seattle. Roy said that people brought shoes to represent the Iraqui dead and they were more impressive than the boots.


Regarding the pamphleting of high schools, Ed got permission from the school district to do this at Eisenhower and Davis. We must not do it on the school campus. Larry remarked that the recruiters can drive a humvee blasting rock music onto campus. Michael asked Ed to let us all know when we are ready to do this. We will be using the AFSC pamphlet: "Do You Know Enough to Enlist?". We can download it for free. Ed asked if the color brochure was better and Dottie said "absolutely!". Gene said that we have some money left and we passed the hat. They cost 15 cents each. We totaled about $100. Ed said we can find out when the recruiters are there. Marilyn asked about YVCC and Tony said we would need a YVCC comittee to do this on campus. We thought Jason (YVCC philosophy teacher) might help. Larry said that schools must let recruiters in or they will lose federal funds. Dottie pointed out that students can opt out of this recruiting effort but most people don't know that. We cn also get the pamphlet in Spanish. Larry is a substitute teacher and says that 45% of the students are Hispanic and that 10% at least are not functioning English speakers. Most Hispanics however are very literate. Kim said we should definitely be ther when the recruiters are there. She also said that the "aptitude test" required for enlistment is very easy.


Gene brought several copies of "Addicted to War", a history of our military engagements, to sell at $3.00. Several were bought by those present.


It was brought up the possible join up with MoveOn.org. Larry sid we should keep our own name and identity. We were reminded that we want to create a chapter of Veterans for Peace.


We will meet again here on February 11 at 7:00 PM.


We decided to join our libraries and Dale said he would bring it here.




YVPAN Minutes December 11 2007

Present were: Carole, Michael, Hal, Dale, Jason, Ed, Gene, Larry.


Dale asked Michael if he could get the film "The Ground Truth" on Netflix. Dale has rented and recommends "No End In Sight".


Several of us joined Jim at the "Peace Park" to read the UN Declaration of Human Rights yesterday evening.


Hal spoke to Pax Christi and had the impression they would help us with Arlington Northwest. There were about 12 people present.

He spoke to Tom Burkhart who said we can pick a date in April and they will help us set up Saturday AM and take down Sunday PM. It was noted that spring break is the first weekend of the month. Once we settle on a date Hal will send the form to Parks and Recreation. After January 8th we can talk to councilmembers. It was suggested that we talk to Dave Edler and Kathy Coffee. Michael will talk to the U/U Youth Group.


Larry was at Pax Christi and saw a DVD about the Palestinians and the Israelis. He suggested to Ernie Harrelson that we might combine our meetings. He said that they have a beautiful meeting room. We agreed to meeting together on thier meeting day which is the 2nd Monday of the month from 7PM to 8:30 PM. If necessary YVPAN could meet the following day.


On December 13 we will protest in front of Doc Hasting's office and present a petition against the war. Michael will bring signs and we will meet at 1:00 PM.


Regarding military recruitment in high schools, the AFSC brochure "Do You Know Enough to Enlist?" can be made by Hal in black and white. It was noted that kids are walking out of school in Tuckwilla to protest recruitment. Ed asked the question: Should we have a draft? The West Valley swim team was asked this and had mixed response. We would like to do leafletting at the schools when recruitment is going on and we should find when this will be. We agreed to check with the school district, tell them what we want to do and find out what the rules are. Hal urged us to do this as a group so as to get more attention. I will bring copies of the recruitment flyer "Dare to Compare". Larry said he will not participate because he is a teacher. We will make more specific plans at our next meeting. If we want to poster the campus we must get it stamped and give a copy to te Principal. Should we ask the recruiter's office? There is one in Union Gap on the second floor. Dale said we should "just lie" about our motives. Ed will talk to the school district about regulations. Dale asked about YVCC and Jason said yes there are recruiters on campus.


Signing this month will be: Saturday 2:30 - 4:00 at 1st street and Yakima Avenue

Sunday 12N - 1:00 at 16th and Nob Hill


Michael will update and print out "Are You a Peace Advocate?"


Our next meeting as noted will be with Pax Christi on January 14th at 7:00PM at St. Michael's Episcopal Church.



YVPAN Minutes November 13 2007


Present were: Larry

Michael

Gene

Jason

Dan

Ed

Carole

Jim


Hal spoke to Pax Christi at their last meeting. There were about eight people there. He talked about wanting to form a chapter of Veterans for Peace and wanting to get Arlington NW here, likely in April. He showed the DVD of Arlington NW. The group was slightly younger than YVPAN. Two combat vets talked about their experiences. One Marine in 1964-1966 was on Okinawa and then sent to a listening post in DaNang before our invasion. Hal brought the AFSC pamphlet "Do You Know Enough to Enlist?".


Gene was in Seattle for the big protest. He said it was a nice day and all were in good spirits. Ther were good talks, costumes and signs. There was no hostility toward the protesters.

Gene is providing temporary housing for an Iraqi family of three. Dr. Mohammad and his wife and one and a half year old son left Iraq and first stopped in Jordan. He had been working in an American clinic, and so was endangered. He is waiting for the opportunity to practice here as an MD. They will be with Gene until the end of the month and then move into an appartment. Gene says that people were generous to them. They received clothing from the Goodwill and St. Vincent's. They were given a bicycle for the boy and a baby jogger.


Ed recommended the film "Lions and Lambs".


We discussed what we should do when our military deaths reach 4000. Perhaps a cacerolazo, a tradition of clanging pots and pans, as Molly Ivens suggested in her last article. It was noted that a woman who was signing with us was doing Qi Gong.

We concluded that we should have a vigil at Millenium Plaza the weekend following. Last time we read the names of those from Washington, and will do that again. Larry will contact the media. Larry knows Father John Eckert and will invite him to join us.


Our next signing will be Saturday at 40th and Summitview from 2:30 to 4:00 and on Sunday as usual at 16th and Nob Hill from Noon to 1:00PM.


Larry has asked Coligan regarding our becoming a 501(c)3 and was put off.


Regarding Arlington NW, we will present the project to City Council members. We are hoping to talk to Ron Bonlender and the Park Comission. Parks are public domain but would need permission to stay overnight.


Kucinich wants to find out what is the real Iraqi death toll. Two million Iraqis have left Iraq.


Larry read from the ACLU News asking for FISA reconcideration by Congress. Restoring the Constitution cannot wait until the 2008 election. Gene: "The Constitution is not self- enforcing."


Jim reminded us that Monday December 10 is International Human Rights Day and he will have a vigil as he has had every year at the park at 2nd and Yakima from 5:30 to 6:00. The UN made the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Eleanor Roosevelt worked to create it.


Larry, speaking as a substitute teacher, said that most students are opposed to the war and that we should be leafletting schools.


Our next meeting will be on December 11 at 6:30 PM downstairs at the U/U Church.

 

 


YVPAN Minutes 10/9/07


Present were: Larry, Dale, Ed, Michael, Carole and Jason.


Michael said we should not plan Arlington NW until spring. U/U youth group will be dealing with "leadership" in February. Will connect with ANW.


Larry left to join the WWII program at the library.

Dale said that the program is on YPAC. Ed Stover was the MC. Hal spoke. A copy is available for $20.Hal said there were 30-40 people. Showed a PBS documentary narrated by Robert McNeil. It contained letters home from vets from the current Iraqui/Afgan War back thru all wars to WWII. A woman read a letter from her son in Iraq. Poems were read. A plaque and war mementos from a grandfather in WWI. Poets Jim Bodine and Cynthia M read poems. Hal gave out about 40 brochures for Vet's for Peace.


Hal was asked to speak to Pax Christi. It's too late for their next meeting and will be on November at 6:30 at St Michael's Episcopal. Gene will be there also. Hal will show Arlington West. Perhaps we can recruit help.


Hal talked to Denise Nichols of Parks and Recreation. We need an applicaation and if we meet with trouble we can turn to her.

They need to know: Applicant and address (can use Hal's)

What kind of event

When

Where

Probably they will waive any charge. Hal will do a Vets for Peace cover letter. Michael said we can call Tom B.about how many people they drew.

Dates possible are March 1-2 8-9 15-16 22-23 29-30. Will see when it is available. Hal will call Tom B. We agreed that later is better, in April.

We will wait until after election for City Council to meet with some of them.


It was noted that some Russians have been withdrawn from potential targets in Iran.


Perhaps at our next signing we should have new messages, like "Out of Iran".


Noted was Saturday October 27 are peace actions around the country. Eleven cities will have rallies and marches.


Signing in November will be on November 17-18 at 40th and Summitview. In December, it will be on December 15-16 at Washington and 1st Street.


We talked about thanking soldiers when we see them and tell them we want them home.


Larry said that Pax Christi meet on the 2nd Monday of the month. We are going in the same direction so should share email addresses and website with them.


Jason will be discussing war in his Ethics class and will mention us to his students.


Noted that the film "11th Hour" will be playing in Yakima. It is Leonardo di Caprio's film about the climate crisis.


Gene presented two videos : "Sir! No Sir!" and "War Made Easy" for our library.

 


YVPAN Minutes 9/11/07

Present were:Dale,Tony, Ed, Larry, Gene, Jason and Michael.

Discussed was the possibility of instead of Arlington NW we could do Arlington WA.  Michael said that Tom Brokhart emailed him and said that they had stopped at 3100 markers.  Dale suggested northwest casualties. 

It was noted that Clarence Gipson is giving up politics.

Gen reported on the Veterans for Peace national conference.  He said that there were good speakers and he was sorry that he missed Kuchinich. There were about 30 workshops.  They included discussions of:

PTSD, GI coffee houses as in Vietnam, Chapter effectiveness, the whole family going to war when one member does, rethinking the Imperialist nature of war as  in government in league with business to wreak their will on the 3rd world. The history of US imperialism was traced in views of Washington and Jefferson, NY the "Empire State", the Monroe Doctrine, the Mexican-American war and the taking of the Phillipines with 200,000 Phillipinos killed.

Discussed was effective lobbying including Letters to Congress and letters to the editor .. Congress gets two milllion emails a year.  Better is to write the congressperson's local office or to fax a handwritten letter. 

The Veterans for Peace is action oriented and after the Convention did a demonstration including 400 delegated and others. 

Next year the Conference will be held in Mpls/St Paul.

It was noted that Hal was at the gathering of Yakima veterans at the library where there was a preview of the PBS documentary, "The War".  Larry left the our meeting early to join that gathering. 

Gene brought up the DVD (?) of "Yes Sir, No Sir" chronicling the rebellion in ranks in the Vietnam War and the Congressional hearings.  The "handfull of radicals" was actually in the many hundreds.  He also mentioned the DVD "War Made Easy" about the propaganda machine designed to commit people to war. 

Larry had two pieces of positive news:

General Petreus said that 30.000 troops will be home by next summer.  This is either an honest prediction or merely a parroting of the White House. 

The Yakima Herald-Republic has reported that a judge has knocked down the right of the FBI and NSF to use security letters to justify asking for records.  They must now have a warrant from the court or judge to ask for records of finance, medical info, from Charter, AOL, etc.  They can no longer hand a letter to Verizon and get information about a customer.

Larry was certain there will be appeals ongoing.  This important work was carried out by the ACLU.

Dale wondered if we could have a press release about signing and get a small article in the paper as we had last month. 

Gene reported that we have $81.

It was reported that Ellensburg has a weekly demonstration in front of the Post Office Noon to 1PM each Wednesday. 

Ed brought up the possibility of changing our signing policy.  Perhaps new more current signs and possibly changing location to ones with greater traffic. 

Our next meeting will be 10/9/07. 


YVPAN Minutes 8/14/07


Present were: Jason Gooch

Danny Dibble

Dale Johnson

Larry Breer

Ed Patton

Carole Sahlstrand

Hal Ftantz

Gene Rupel

Michael Collins


The September 15 march on Washington calling for the impeachment of the president was discussed.


It was noted that Charlie Rose is now on PBS at 5:00.


Old Business: Michael reported on the success of our table at the Folklife Festival. There were 15-20 sign-ups for email.

Several people took brochures for Veterans for Peace.

There were 5 signups for the Jackrabbit News.


Concerning Arlington NW: Tom Brockhart sent a grave marker and post and a sample application for park space

We would need about 20 people for about 4000 markers. We should check out with the city parks to see if

there is resistance. Though this is essentially non-political, death IS poltical. We would have to fit in with the

existing park schedule. We should have a project manager to check out possibilities. Larry said we should feel

out Parks and Recreation and the City Council. Dale brought up the subject of vandalism and we agreed that we

must have people present all the time. Larry said that someone stole all the Curtis KIng signs near him and

Gene said in his 40 years in Yakima that it was par for the course. Ed said that ist is legal to put signs on city

property as long as they are removed. Hal asked about the cost and Michael said that they supply everything.

If we were not able to get enough young people to carry this off maybe we could do a symbolic 400 markers

or perhaps do WA dead. Michael will talk to Tom to see if there is a smaller display. As far as help puting it up

is concerned, we all know others like U/U. Perhaps high school groups. Larry asked how much area it takes

Michael showed us a picture of it in Wenatchee. Larry suggested that we might find confederates at YVCC.

Dale said that the Quaker boots display got too big to handle. Hal has a connection to Denise Nichols of

Parks and Recreation and will make that contact. We noted that the toll now is 3695, about 100 a month.

We concluded that this should happen in the spring after the ground has thawed. Carole said she would contact

Susan Whitman (whose son was killed in Iraq) and Ron Bonlender.


We discussed "ofting out" of service. Ed said we should write letters to the editor saying we are supportive of the military but we think the GI's are being abused.


hal drove from Yakima to Nashville and stopped in Nebraska with signs on his car. He woke up to finkd hae was parked next to a car with Kucinich for President stickers on it.


Gene reported on the Nation cruise to Alaska. Among the participants were Katrina vanden Heuvel, Victor Navasky, Richard Dreyfuss Ralph Nader and the editor of Ramparts. Juneau was their first stop and Vets for Peace had a reception for them. Katrina was almost in tears accepting a check for $100.

Gene will be going to the Veterand for Peace national meeting in St. Louis and will report to us about it.


Hal has a list of Veterans for Peace. He will get a list of WA members. We nee 10 and have 4 at present.


Gene brought copies of " Addicted to War"/ He got a bulk price thru the Jackrabbit and will sell for cost and will put the money back into the Jackrabbit. Several copies were sold to us and $3.


Larry called an agency which could help us become a 501(c)3 organization.


Jason said what he wanted was education that taught the true sense of American history, and that we should not be jest consumers but activists. He said this is an age of apathy. Larry noted that the 203 march here, before the war, had about 300 people. Then people saw that Bush was going to have his war. We hope to renew enthusiasm because we have more than a year left of this administration.


It was noted that our next meeting will be on September 11.

.


 

 

YVPAN Minutes 7/10/07


The subject of what to do when the US deaths reach 4000 was put off since there are only 36XX deaths now.


The YAHOO group link is at the bottom of emails. One can click on it. Go to YAHOO groups and give information and email address. Register as yakimavalleypeaceadvocatesnetwork.


We discussed the scedule for our table at the Folklife Festival. Carole will be there all day Saturday. Larry will be ther at 12:30 Sunday. Michael will help the setup before 10:00. We must be off the grass at 10:00.

Gene will suply Jackrabbit News and a signup sheet for the Jackrabbit.

Hal will supply a Veterans for Peace flag. Michael will supply yard signs and bumper stickers and "What You Can Do" fliers.

Carole will bring duct tape, weights for the flagpole, canopy and extra chairs.


We discussed Arlington West. Possible locations might be Frankiln Park and Garg Hubbard Park. We would need volunteers. Perhaps we could connect with Interfaith. Dale suggested the Quakers and U/U. Also possibly veterans organizations.


It was noted that Senator Murtha was one of 26 to vote for closing the School of the Americas.


Ed said that the military recruitment goals have not been reached. The goal was 8000 and they are 15% short this month. There was a positive article int the Y-P about protesting the school board allowing recruiters in the public schools.


Hal talked to Veterans for Peace. Members are us and Jim Bodine and David Carlson. Hal will call and invite to YVPAN.


The subject of data mining was discussed. It is a huge feature of National Security. The government uses three data miners so it will have no data bases of its own. Larry said that when filling out a form he askes what is necessary and supplies only that.


Was noted that packaging "peanuts" are now made from corn and are recyclable.


Was noted that Cindy Sheehan is going to run against Nancy Pelosi.


Physicians for Social Responsibilty want us to join with them regarding the nuclear weapons program. Leni Skarin asked this and Larry emailed us and got several OK's. Patty Murray was told and 23 organizations have joined the appeal for no more nukes.


Was noted that the California population is 35 million and will be 60 million by 2050. Population growth will put a strain on natural resourses.


Hal said that Veterans for Peace is a 501(c)3, an IRS "not for profit". Registeing as a not for profit in WA is an expensive process. Most people hire someone to do it for $1000. We could use a connection with a not for profit. Check 501(c)3.org for information.


Hook queston: "Do you want recruiters in schools?" "Do you want to work for peace?" Sign in.



 

YVPAN Minutes 6/12/07


Dale told us that Tony Landreau has lung cancer. Gene will email his address to Michael who will send it to us. We can all call him and writhe him.


Carole asked how she can email everyone. Larry said that he has set up a YAHOO group. We can all sign up. All that is sent to website address Michael will evaluate and and choose whether to send out to all. We have an email list of abut 200. The agenda announcement can go out with meeting announcement.


Carole reported tht at the Pridefest there were some donations and a few flyers and bumper stickers were picked up.


We discussed having a table at the Folklife Festival on Saturday and Sunday July 14-15. We would like to have a long table and volunteers for the two days. We need materials for the table.


There will be a U/U gathering in Portland(?) of Peace Advocates groups. Marilyn will be there and will volunteer to help a blind person. Ben Cohen and Daniel Ellsberg and the author of "Everything I Learned I Learned in Kindrgarten" will be there.


Gene brought a video called "Arms for the Poor" by the Maryknoll sisters.


Larry asked if anyone saw "Kansas to Kandehar" on PBS. He noted that in it not one shot was fired, and Dale said not one door was kicked down.


Dale noted that Jane of the Rainbow Church made a sign for our library shelf.


Michael said that he will put the YAHOO address on the website and will email us as to how we can get on it.


Regarding getting signups for the Folklife Festival, Marilyn suggested having a gathering on her patio for our next meeting, and Michael said it would be more consistent to stay where we are. Michael thought that 11AM to 5PM would be sufficient. Carle said she would do all of Saturday and Larry said he would do Sunday except for 11AM to 12N when he will be at church.


Carole brought a flyer she got from a recruiter in the NYC subway. Gene made copies for everyone. Larry has a knephew without a high school diploma and refused by the Air Force but was accepted by the Navy. Larry pointed out tha the had a fine career in the Air Force. Carole asked if going to the front was luck of the draw and Hal said that no it wasn't fair who was sent to the front. The question was asked "Do we want to picket recruitment in schools?" It was suggested that we write to and make calls to our representatives. We agreed to shelve recruitment oposition till fall.


Marilyn asked if we need officers. Michael said that we are small enough that all officer functions are covered.


Dale asked for Vets for Peace local members list and invite them to YVPAN. Hal will find listAll present are members or auxilliary members.


Michael reminded us that we are signing this weekend, and that athere will be an immigration rally in the park on Saturday earlier in the day.


Marilyn suggested we could be more active, for example by picketing in front of Doc Hasting's office.


We talked about what we would do when our GI deaths reach 4000. Suggested were a march, candelite vigil with taps and songs. It was suggested to walk from Millenium Plaza to Doc Hasting's office and back. Larry said we shouldn't have a crowd in front of the Federal Building.


Dale received a letter from Michael McPherson of Veterans for Peace saying we must defund the war, bring the soldiers back and take care of them. We talked about sign ideas when we reach 4000 lost.


Marily brought up the Gang Law that seems to be coming. The ACLU considers this an issue.


Arlington NW was brought up by Carole who will check the website to see how feasible it would be to do it here.


Marilyn is going to talk at 10AM at U/U about what baby boomers want.


We meet next on 7/10/07.

 

 

YVPAN Minutes 5/8/07


The speakers from Seattle Veterans for Peace will speak at U/U since we have not heard from YVCC. .

The Interfaith Coalition was mentioned as a good idea to contact.


That we should not pay rent to U/U because we are an "affinity group".


Michael will bring refreshments to supplement the leftover coffee and hot water from the U/U Congregation Meeting.


Gene got a call from the Seattle Chapter 92 asking about audio/visual equipment.


Hal will bring brochures.


The May 1st Walk was joined by Michael. He said there were fewer people. Dave Edler gave a good kickoff saying "justice for everybody". There were flags from Mexico and Central and South America. Michael said his family came over in the 1860's and were treated llike dirt. Becky saw Minutemen and there was hate in their eyes and on their signs.They are orgaized with the Minutemen on the north coast. Marilyn said if they are orgaized we could go to their meetings. Marilyn said that they know of us and hate us.


Hal said that the Vets for Peace website has merchandise 10% off.


The alleged terrorists who had a plan to kill soldiers at Fort Dix and were arrested by the FBI included some illegals. They were from several countries including Turkey and Lebanon.


Ed said related to immigration issues is the allowance we make for the Mexican oligarchy. We need to help establish a decent government in Mexico. The Catholic Church and the population explosion are root problems.


Marilyn talked about the Pride Festival and that we should support gay rights. We should have a table there. She will be there as a "floater". Carole will contact Ken Lewis. Michael said that we shouldn't pay more that $35. Gene said that we have $140 and want to pay the Vets for Peace for their gas.


Dale brought up the Folklife Festival in July at Franklin Park. Carole said she could be ther and Marilyn said she could also. We noted that keat is a factor. Hal is a member of Folklife and will be going to their meetings.


Dale said we should have a calendar of events in Yakima.


Hal will be out of town for the Vets for Peace talk but will print up 50 brochures and leave them on the bookshelf.


We addressed the military recruitment activity in the schools. We will try to find out when that is going to happen and be there to protest. Gene showed us a publication called DMZ which gives practical advice about how to protest. He said to also check the War Resisters League website. Marilyn said the they had a booth at JobFair and there were recruiters there. She said that JofFair is sponsored byWorksource and we should send them a letter saying that we oppose the presence of recruiters there. Smeone should show opposition to presenting the military as a "job". As for finding out when they are going to schools, Dr. Terry Bergeson is Superintendent of schools and sould be available. It was said that if schools don't admit recruiters they will lose funding.

Ed looked at DMZ magazine and wondered about the bulk cost and how to target groups to get the maximum change.


Hal asked if we have a mailing list when we signing and tableing. Larry said that we have a list of about 200. Gene said he bulk mails the Jackrabbit. marilyn suggested that we have adonation bucket.


Larry brought up the subject of licensing and agreed to take on the task of making us a legal not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. he will also find out if donations are allowed at both gatherings.


Ed talked about trying to raise awareness about how to disuade people from joining the military. He will write a letter to the editor. Marilyn talked about doing letter writing in a more organized way. We should bring letters to meeting so as to keep them in print. The Wall Street Journal says that job opportunites are not good. Larry said that he was in the Air Force and it was a great life.


Ed's going to the City Council to support forming a Department of Peace needs to be supported by letters. If we can have a Department of Defense we can have a Department of Peace. Michael said that if there is a Title 9 for sportswomen tere should be a Title 9 for $ for Peace. Dale said that when Ed did his presentation he was suported by Ron Bonlender. He will be running for City Council again. Ed said that Paul George helped him to revise and improve his text. Paul George was seen as becoming more and more supportive of our causes.


Marilyn said that we should have an archive of what we have been writing that has been published. We discussed going outside of Yakima. Larry said that the P-I and the Oregonian would be good to write to.


Dale suggested that there might be a letter of the month in the Jackrabbit. Gene said if there were room.


Larry asked if the DMZ were rabid and Gene said no, for instance it says that one CAN change his mind about joining the military and that parents can opt out of recruiting directed at their children.


We talked about bringing Rena Patty to talk about a Department of Peace but we agreed not till fall.


Larry talked about forming a YAHOO group and could send thing around without a long mailing list. marilyn asked about having a blog. Gene said he was a blogger and suggested going to Yakima Democrats which has a blog. Michael said he didn't want to do it. Larry said he will find out about how to do it.


Larry said it "burnt him to the ground" to see the story in the paper about the 6 Fort Lewis dead right next to the picture of Bush with the Queen.


Our next meeting will be June12.




 

YVPAN Meeting 9/12/06

Present:

Carole Sahlstrand

Mike Collins

Tony Landreau

Danny Debble

Cindy Rasmussen

Marilyn Tellez

Jack and Jaquie Walker

Gene Rupel

Brett Dillahunt

Lawrence Breer

Dale Johnson

Brad Dillahant from Zillah, a teacher in Prosser who's wife teaches with Gail Perlman, is conneted with Portland's "Witness for Peace"  who sent a delegation to Latin America to serve as an educating force to tell Latin America there are peace lovers in North America.  He asked us if we would join Peace Northwest in hosting Freddy Urbano, a Columbian organizer with an organic fair trade coffee cooperative, on a speaking tour, to speak at the Davis High Kiva on September 30.  He will speak about "Plan Colombia" and it's coca eradication efforts which includes arial fumigation which destroys organic coffee growing.  This plan included $5 billlion in aid to the military. He travels with a translator. 

"Witness for Peace" in an annual protest againse the School of he Americas at Fort Benning Georgia.saw many arrests including his friends.  The majority of arrests were people over 55 years.  The director served the full 6 month's sentence.

Michael said he will put the information about Urbano's talk and willl send out a notice a week before.  Michael brought up the possible involvement of U/U and said that Lyle will be asked.  Bishop Sevilla will also get a notice.   

Gene reported on his trip to Seattle to join Veterans for Peace at the University of Washington. He said that when approaching the venue, one saw "Arlington NW":  2600 crosses and grave markers with the name and age of the soldiers.  The motto of the meeting was "Sow justice, reap peace". Participating were Iraq Vets for Peace, Non Violent Communicaton, Peace Alliance, Department of Peace and the oldest peace group "Women's International Leage for Peace and Freedom"

Speakers included Jim McDermott, Sgt. Camillo Mejia (who served 1 year in prison and a dishonorable discharge for refusing to serve in an illegal war), David Cortland, Antonia Juhass, Todd Boyle.  Cindy Sheehan was to speak but was too weak from 40 days of fasting.  Topics included war profiteering, environment and the military industrial complex.  Gene suggested we bring someone from Seattle Chapter 92 of the Veterans for Peace to speak to us.  Gene said that he will attend the next meeting of Veterans for Peace wherever it is held.

Dale told us of seeing the Friends Service Committee show of empty boots called "Eyes Wide Open".  We discussed getting them to come here. 

With the number of American war deaths approaching 3000 we discussed plans to have a vigil when that total is reached.  Larry agreed to do press releases.  Carole will bring an uptated version of the "coffins".

Michael said that Kay will be giving the sermon at U/U on Sunday 10/24 at 10:00 AM.  She will discuss the Vietnam war and the Iraq war, using music of the times and quoting Shakespeare's Henry V.  He asked us to suppoort her. 

The Harmon Center is hosting a dinner and talk by Jan Lynn on the subject of "Big Christianity Keeping Government out of Churches".  Dinner and the talk is $35 and the talk alone is $10.  He will autograph his book.  Larry has tickets.

We discussed wounded Vets and how we can help to bring forward the nature of thier suffering.

We discussed the film shown at U/U on 9/11 "9/11 revisited" and it's premise that the buildings were deliberately demolished.  One can find it at 9/11 revisited.com.   DVD's are free. 

We discussed the threat of nuclear war.  Larry said that he taught nuclear physics for years in the Air Force.  he said that a nuclear weapon is so precise and complex that though a "dirty bomb" was possible, a true nuclear weapon can only  be built by a government and not by a terrorist. 

We will be signing again Saturday 10/21 and Sunday 10/22. 

We meet again Tuesday 10/10 ar 6:30.

 

Yakima Valley Peace Advocate's Network Members:

 We met at the Uni Church, in the upper room on 2/14/06 at 6:30 P.M., with Dale Johnson, Tony Landreau, Gene Rupel, Carole Sahlstrand, Mile Collins and Larry Breer, and discussed the following:

•Larry Breer, said he will continue to work with the Peace Group, but has asked the members to find and settle on a new chair, he stating a case of burnout. Breer said he will continue to present an agenda through the April, 2006  meeting, resigning, after that meeting—a new chair needed for the May, 2006 meeting.

•Coalization of Organizations--perhaps joint work and networking with other groups, such as Pax Christi, Friends, Fellowship of Reconciliation, American Friends Service Commitee, Social and Justice group in churches, schools and higher education facilities. 

 •March 19 is the 3rd Anniversary of the beginning of the Iraq War. We discussed protests on March 17 or 20th,  but have now noted thatwww.answercoalition.org has announced national protests on Saturday and Sunday, March 18 and 19. Our group probably wants to correlate our  speechs, protests and short peace walk with the national movements. 

 •One of Tony Landreau’s son’s students has offered to do a documentary on YVPAN, if we can come up with historical notes, a statement of our cause, etc. The group felt this is an advantageous undertaking.

 •Mile Collins does an excellent job on our website and has pledged to continue. He noted we can best work with collection decision-making, an agenda with someone in charge, and he will arrange to take over the email list. He also noted that others will need to do publicity and news releases. Tony Landreau said that our organization needs to be in place as a vehicle to organize peace movements and war protests, appropriately.

 •We momentarily discussed the Bush national budget of $2.77 trillion, Dale Johnson noting that Al Neuharth, the founder of USA Today, has calculated this to equal $9,293,62  per U.S, person. The heavy load (45%) will have to be paid by income tax. In this light, we had to ask, “where is the outrage?” regarding our national morals and unbelievable debt.

 ••Our plans for our Peace Walk and Speeches on March 18, 19.--date change subject to approval of our members—we originally planned for March 17th or 20th.

 Our Peace Outreaches on that date might include--


1.   1:00 P.M. – Assemble at Milennium Plaza.

2.    1:15 P.M. – Short March on sidewalk north to Yakima Ave., west on Yakima Ave. to First Street, north on First Street to B Street, cross First Street to other side, back on First Street to Yakima Ave., cross First Street and return to Plaza on Yakima Ave.

3.   Roughly 1:45, regather at Milennium Plaza for speeches, songs, poetry and open mike for those who wish to protest the Iraq War. We should also have a silence and tribute to those who have given their lives in Iraq, Afghanistan and other conflicts.

 These plans can be detailed at our March 14th meeting.

 
 
 
Yakima Valley Peace Advocate's Network
Our meetings are the Second Tuesday of each month (this past meeting an exception due to conflicts) . Our next meeting will be January 10, 2006, at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room of the Unitarian Universalist Church, 215 N. Second Street, Yakima. Please enter by the alley door, where there is plenty of parking after hours.  Best vehicle entrance is off 3rd Avenue into the attorney’s lot, adjacent to St. Joseph’s School parking lot. YOU ARE INVITED. 
Met Dec. 14, at 6:30  at the Unitarian Church.
Present:
Dale Johnson
Tony Landreau
Lyle Whiteman
Gene Rupel
Dan Adolf
Glen Brower
Mollie Brower
Larry Breer
I’d very much like to welcome new members Mollie and Glen Brower, and extend a welcome back to Dany Adolf who is now returning to our meetings.
We discussed some of the things that were included on the long list that I sent to each of you, recently, with the point that if we wanted to further explore the subject, we would have further discussion and act on it in upcoming meetings.
  1. By way of  Tony Landreau,  MoveOn.org asked if any of us would like to write and op-ed piece for the local paper.
  1. Military recruitment in schools
  1. Invite Iraq veterans to sit in with us at meetings
  1. Further discuss the Memorial to service people who have given their lives in Iraq
  1. Discuss once again taking the anti-Patriot Act resolution before the NEW city council
  1. View the tape of the project put together by Tony Landreau’s class after attending our meetings.
  1. Lyle Whiteman said he has some DVD’s on human rights and other matters. We said we should view some of them at meetings.
  1. Discuss our dependence on foreign oil and what we might do to influence changes.
  1. Agreed that poverty is the driving force behind most of the worlds problems
  1.  Agreed that part of our mission is to show others that they have permission to dissent, and enforce the idea that dissent is not unpatriotic.
  1.  Lyle Whiteman mentioned what the feds call “The Fence,”  which he said is really a wall, and at the end of construction is designed to stretch from San Diego  to Nogales, to control illegal immigration across the Mexican-U.S. border.
  1. Dany Adolf brought to our attention a news piece that showed a small east-coast anti-war group. The network reporting on them had gotten an inch-thick report developed by the Pentagon that listed this small group as a “Threat.”
  1.  We decided that one of our goals is to have a regular letter-writing campaign for Letters to the Editor, Congress people, state-legislative people or any entity which needs to be reminded of our peace-devoted endeavors.
  1.  Dale Johnson reminded us that we should keep March 19 in mind as the Third Anniversary of the start of the Iraq War.
  1.  Now here are some internet reminders.  Below is the link for the Senator that promises a filibuster if the Patriot Act come to full vote.  Let’s send him praise and thanks for his efforts.

Russ_Feingold@feingold.senate.gov.

Also, here are the email addresses for our own two Senators and our Representative. Both Senators are Democrats and our Representative is a Republican.
                           Maria Cantwell = maria@cantwell.senate.gov
                           Patty Murray =  senator_murray@murray.senate.gov
                           Richard “Doc” Hastings = ??
You can see his Website at house.gov/hastings, but you cannot email until your fill out a long form. 
We agreed to share the places we go  for NEWS on the Internet,  TV, newspapers and such, so here  are my favorites. Please REPLY TO ALL and  share yours too.
CNN, MSNBC, ABC or NBC News, Matthews Hard Ball,  Sunday morning interviews, Yakima Herald-Republic, Occasional USA Today, Occasional  New York Times, Newsweek (every week), Atlantic Monthly (when a headline interests me), Harpers (when a headline interests me), The Week (when a headline interests me). Occasionally I watch city council on YCTV. Occasionally I attend city council.
The address of the Yakima Valley Peace Advocate's Network website is YVPAN.net. If you have one of the more modern browsers, this is all the address you need type in. If an earlier browser you might need to do www.http//YVPAN.net
 

 

 

Minutes of the August 9, 2005, YVPAN meeting Unitarian Universalist Church at 215 N. Second Street.

We have selected the date of September 24, to display our dislike of military conflict (except in the art of defense), and particularly the unjust and dollar-inspired war that has taken now almost 2,000 good American lives and perhaps 100,000 good Iraqi children, women and men.
Our goal is to allow “witness”—to give others permission to display protest against war without feeling guilty or unpatriotic. We are dedicated to support the military  100%, but we disagree vehemently  with  the purpose to which they are being used in Iraq,  to enrich Halliburton and to attempt to export democracy abroad.
Sign making will come Saturday, September 17,  at 2:00 p.m.  in the basement of the UU church at 215 N. Second Street. Bring markers, scissors, staple guns and your thinking caps.
However, before that comes, we’ll have the next regular meeting of the Yakima Valley Peace Advocates Network, on September 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the above location. Please mark your calendars and please come and spread the meaning of peace.
In order to make our message effective, we have chosen three exposure sites, for display on September 24.

1.