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.
0
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.
0
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.
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.
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.
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