MEETING NOTES FOR PEOPLE FOR PEACE, JUSTICE, AND HEALING
May 19, 2007

People for Peace, Justice and Healing met May 19, 2007, at Associated Ministries at 10 a.m. Present for check-in were Rob, Sally, Sallie, Mark, Karen, Sheila, and Kyle. Discussion: Top of the News -- James Comey's testimony re: Gonzales's efforts to get the Dept of Justice to sign off on changes of law re: wiretapping et al. while John Ashcroft was trying to recover from surgery and Ashcroft's refusal to do so until certain criteria were met.

Discussion: The media, the effects of YouTube and the internet on current political debate.

Discussion: That morning's press release on continuing delays before the Watada second trial scheduled for July. The defense is pleading double Jeopardy; a mistrial was declared because the judge said there were differing interpretations on the stipulation of facts.

AGENDA;

Mark announced a "Warfighter Symposium and Expo" scheduled for the Tacoma Convention Center June 4-6. Word of the event was emailed to him. The "Spec Ops West 2007 Expo Trade Show and Symposium" will display products and services -- tactical equipment, weapons systems, armor, remotely controlled, unmanned vehicles for "today's warfighter -- military and mercenary." Companies represented include Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman. Speeches and panel discussions are also planned. Subjects include: Global War on Terror, Indigenous Surveillance Program, "Irregular Warfare," WMD Warfare.

Discussion: Should we do something?:

1. Use PJH funds and try to attend the program(s)?

2. Vigil or stage an "event"?

Mark also distributed copies of a UFPPC statement entitled "Iraq Is Collapsing, But U.S. Media Decline to Report the Fact," adopted on Mar. 17, 2007.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Wednesday, May 23, Tacoma Municipal Court, 9 a.m. Pre-trial Hearing Port Protestors (about 20 people.)

Thursday, May 24, in Tacoma, 2 p.m. arraignment of Tom McCarthy

Respectfully submitted,
Karen