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September 2005 Newsletter - The MA Campaign for a U.S. Dept. of PeaceThe Massachusetts Campaign for a U.S. Department of Peace is gearing up for a productive autumn. There are many exciting things happening in the months ahead, and we have made some progress in the past month. The purpose of this newsletter is to make you aware of our achievements and of upcoming events, and to recognize those who have contributed. It is fulfilling and uplifting to be involved in creating a culture of peace. HIGHLIGHTS Perspective on the Gulf Coast The country mourns the ruin of one of its most beloved cities, and many have recognized that the our government's response to the crisis in the Gulf Coast and New Orleans could have been more balanced between restoring law and order and providing relief to those caught in the aftermath. The government's reflex to send law enforcement in advance of humanitarian aid underscores the culture of conflict that the Department of Peace will help to change. How much less conflict would there have been in New Orleans if the people in uniform who first arrived after the flood had been bearing food and water instead of arms? We can invite peace into our culture just as readily as we invite conflict by making simple adjustments in what we bring to bear. The Department of Peace would be such an adjustment. Congressman Dennis Kucinich spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives about the situation. He said "Indifference is a weapon of mass destruction," and further, "As bad as this catastrophe will prove to be, it is in fact only a warning. Our government must change its direction, it must become involved in making America a better place to live, a place where all may survive and thrive. It must get off the path of war and seek the path of peace, peace with the natural environment, peace with other nations, peace with a just economic system." Everett Resolution On August 22, the City of Everett became the first city in Massachusetts to enact a resolution in support of the Department of Peace legislation! Many thanks to Andrea Loretz-Frey, District 7 coordinator, for making this happen. Let's work to get resolutions passed in more Massachusetts cities and towns! Department of Peace Conference The third annual Department of Peace conference will be held in Washington D.C. on September 10-12. The conference features many inspirational speakers and entertainers. In addition, workshops will be held to hone our lobbying skills, which will then be put to the test as we visit the offices of the Massachusetts congressmen and senators. So far the following people from Massachusetts are going to the conference: Andrea Loretz-Frey of Everett, Kim Richlin of Wellesley, Kathleen of Wellesley, Barbara Walker of Concord, Bill Deignan of Tewksbury, Nancy Wiesner of Waltham, Pat Simon of Waltham and Jason White of Acton. There is still space available at the conference. Visit the Peace Alliance website to register at: http://www.thepeacealliance.org. Al Filipov Peace and Justice Forum On September 17th from 7-9 PM, Dr. David Smock, the directory of the U.S. Institute of Peace, will be the featured speaker at the Al Filipov Peace and Justice Forum at the Trinitarian Congregational Church on Walden Street in Concord. This is sure to be a very interesting talk and Q&A in light of our work to create a Department of Peace. The event is free and open to all. Dr. Smock will also speak at worship services the next morning. DISTRICT ROUNDUP District 1 Congressman Olver has been a co-sponsor of the Department of Peace legislation since it was first introduced in 2001. However, community outreach needs to be done to educate citizens about the bill and the facilities it would create. District 2 Contact has been made with Congressman Neal and his staff. The congressman's position is that he cannot support the Department of Peace bill because the association with Congressman Kucinich would jeopardize his other initiatives. We have our work cut out for us in showing Mr. Neal that this is an important issue for his constituency. Laura, in a letter she recently sent with petitions from many towns in his district, said, "Voters everywhere are frustrated with this war and are realizing that our administration created a terrible situation without reason. The Department of Peace would, at the very least, ensure that our administration had options to consider before what should be a last resort in any situation." An organizing meeting was held by Laura Tino in Spencer, MA on August 3rd. Pat Simon spoke, showed a DVD, and several people signed or took petitions to get them signed. This district is large and oddly spread out, so we are working to get more involvement. Anyone out there who wants to help? Contact Laura or Susan at the email addresses above. District 3 Congressman Jim McGovern is already a co-sponsor of the bill, but again, community outreach is needed. Judith Torian can be contacted for information about efforts to educate about the bill and the campaign. District 4 We're looking for information about any Department of Peace campaign-related activities in district 4. Also, if you know anyone who would like to participate in the campaign in any capacity in district 4, please contact Pat Simon. We have learned, from The Peace Alliance, of the two women from Wellesley who will be attending the Conference in D.C. We may find, when we meet with them, upon arrival, that they would love to be Coordinators in their district. District 5 In August, Linda Fields met with Representative Meehan's deputy press secretary to discuss the Department of Peace bill and ask for Meehan's support. Linda submitted about 200 petition signatures during the meeting, which left a favorable impression. The discussion ranged over a variety of topics and questions, and the answers Linda provided to the questions were faxed to Mr. Meehan who was touring the Middle East at the time. Mr. Meehan will speak with Representatives McGovern and Olver to learn more about why they support the Department of Peace bill. Mr. Meehan is concerned about the health and well being of soldiers returning from the field. Aside from helping to prevent soldiers from being exposed to traumatic situations in the first place, the Department of Peace would be greatly involved in building support programs for soldiers returning from the field. A visit with a legislative assistant in Congressman Meehan's Washington office has been scheduled for District 5 people who are attending the Conference, on Monday, Sept. 12. District 6 Clare reports that twelve people from the district had a very good meeting with Mr. Tierney on August 25th. Although he did not agree to co-sponsor the bill, he agreed to look at it in depth "within months, not years". Clare felt that he was much more positive about it than when she spoke with him two years ago. She expressed her gratitude to him for his efforts on the Education Committee in trying to develop in children the value of non-violence. He sent a follow-up letter to the visitors, admiring of their passion for a Department of Peace. District 7 As mentioned in the highlights, the City of Everett has passed a resolution in support of the Department of Peace! We believe that resolutions such as this are an essential component of gaining the support of the Massachusetts congressmen. The process is relatively simple and it is likely that elected officials in most Massachusetts cities and towns will be favorably inclined toward the Department of Peace legislation. The Everett resolution can be found here: http://www.propeace.net/node/656. Please take steps to get a resolution passed in your city or town. Lorie Michaels hosted an organizing meeting in early August, which was facilitated by Andrea Loretz-Frey. The meeting was an excellent introduction to the Department of Peace campaign for several people who were new to our network. This meeting gave those present an opportunity to inspire each other as each person in turn gave their thoughts on what drew them to the idea of a Department of Peace. A visit with an Aide in Congressman Markey's Washington office has been scheduled for District 7 people who are attending the Conference, on Monday, Sept. 12. An appointment with Mayor Jeannette McCarthy of Waltham is being arranged by Pat Simon for several residents who will present a Resolution for consideration by the City Council for adoption. District 8 We are searching for a coordinator in this district, which includes Cambridge, Somerville and parts of Boston. We are certain that there are many supporters in district 8, and we need help in getting activities organized there. Inez Benichasa (Inez.b@earthlink.net) is a regional coordinator in Somerville who, in speaking with Congressman Capuano's Aide, was told that he had not yet read the bill. Inez has now sent HR 1673 information to that office. Some in-roads have been made with the Mayor's office in Cambridge in getting a resolution of support of the Department of Peace bill passed there. We will keep you posted as this develops. District 9 Pat Simon and Jason White will give a talk and Q&A on the Department of Peace at the Lyceum at First Parish in Needham on September 18th. Many thanks to the minister there, John Buehrens, for this opportunity. And thanks to Linda Davis for arranging that connection with the Rev. Buehrens, for he has become a strong supporter of a Department of Peace. The Lyceum is open to the public, and we would especially like to see many 9th district folks (and their friends!) there. District 10 When Cindy Sheehan, co-founder of Gold Star Families for Peace, spoke at the Cape Codders for Peace and Justice Forum in August, her message and her passion compelled Diane Turco and a friend to join her in Crawford, Texas, where they represented the Cape Codders. By the end of the week, several others from the group had arrived to "stand with Cindy". An extraordinary array of people joined the protest - a chef from Seattle to cook for the growing crowd, a mother with Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, whose son had been killed on 9/11, who would, she said, be very angry that his death was used as a reason for war. An Iraq veteran said, "I shot people and it blew a hole in my soul". A man from Austin came because he was against the war, but never had participated in protests or vigils. He said, "I didn't get off my butt, but that will never happen again." Diane found that "many, many people from across the country, with no affiliations to organized groups, came to Crawford just because a grieving mother camped in a ditch to get an answer from the president about the death of her son killed in Iraq, and they wanted to stand in solidarity with her." Cindy was motivated to action by the poem written by her daughter, Carly. The last verse reads: Have you ever heard the sound of a nation being rocked to sleep? Read the complete poem at: http://www.propeace.net/node/440. Other News Blog! Blog! Blog! As an enlightened supporter of the Department of Peace bill you have ideas and views that the world needs to hear as soon as possible and as often as possible. Register at http://www.propeace.net and give the world your beautiful thoughts by writing and submitting blog entries. We must make ourselves heard! October newsletter submissions are welcome from all. Please submit newsletter articles to Pat or Jason by October 1st. We leave you with a quote. Many thanks for all you do. We hope to hear from you soon and often! In Peace, Pat Simon & Jason White
The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems. - Gandhi
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propeace quoteDarkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. daily ombeyondanandarecent blog posts
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