Meeting Notes for People for Peace, Justice, and Healing

People for Peace, Justice and Healing met on June 25, 2005, at Associated Ministries.

Present for check-in: Louisa, Mark, Sharon, Vivi, Rob; Karen H. arrived later.

AGENDA

CONVERSATION CAFE: Mark
Question for June 28: Is truth passé? The Conversation Café is held on Tuesday from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Mandolin Cafe, 3923 S. 12th St., Tacoma. All are welcome; no charge.

NEWS TRIBUNE'S DISMISSAL OF DOWNING STREET MEMORANDUM: Louisa
On Jun. 19, in the Sunday News Tribune, David Zeeck dismissed the importance of the Downing Street Memo and related documents: "I’ve read all the memos and, while I think they’re an interesting window into history, I don’t think they tell us anything we didn’t already know: The Bush administration was spoiling for a fight with Iraq (even though they exhausted every bit of U.N. pressure before invading) and they used intelligence regarding WMD (which we now know was flawed) to support the case for war." Does Zeeck's dismissal represent the cynical view that lying is normal in politics, as well as an acceptance of a policy of aggressive war in violation of the U.N. Charter (by the way, Jun. 26 is the 60th anniversary of its signing tomorrow in San Francisco, which no high U.S. official is attending) as an instrument of national policy? Louisa has been in correspondence with Zeeck during the past week about the Downing Street Memo, which is the basis for a May 19 call for the impeachment of President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney by United for Peace of Pierce County.

REPORT ON SUSTAINABLE PIERCE COUNTY MEETING: Louisa
The new group called into existence by Penny Rowe, Sustainable Pierce County, met for the second time on Jun. 23. About ten people attended. The group decided to maintain itself as a separate organization, but will maintain a relationship with Friends of Pierce County.

HUMOROUS INTERLUDE: Louisa
Amusing laugh lines from the comic strip "Get Your War On," available on the web.

STEP PROGRAM: Louisa
Description of the Step Campaign, a project of the Friends Committee on National Legislation, which urges: "It's time to take the next step for Iraq. Urge your congregation or organization to support the Iraq Sensible Transition to Enduring Peace resolution, declaring that the U.S. will withdraw all troops and bases from Iraq." Please review this web site and the resolution for possible future endorsement and action.

REPORT ON PROGRESSIVE ROUNDTABLE: Mark
The 5th meeting of the Progressive Roundtable took place at Shakhabra Cafe at 7:00 a.m. on Jun. 24. About sixteen people came, representing diverse organizations. A steering committee was elected (Michelle Mizzo, moderator; Marilyn Kimmerling, secretary (to be assisted when necessary by Heather Hanson); Alan Harvey; Laura Karlin; Tom McCarthy). A mission statement was adopted: "The Progressive Roundtable of Pierce County is a relationship building forum of members active in democratic social movements. We meet monthly to share information, news and know-how and lend strength to each others' efforts." A plan for two meetings monthly, in principle equivalent, one on the fourth Friday at 7:00 a.m. at Shakhabra Cafe and one on the second Saturday at a time and place yet to be determined (beginning Aug. 13) is in the works. Next meeting of the Progressive Roundtable: July 22.

REPORT ON 'BEYOND OPPOSITES' EVENT: Karen H.
Favorable report of a Jun. 22 event organized by Linda Frank at the Center for Spiritual Living devoted to presenting the diversity of Jewish-American opinion on Israel/Palestine issues, with Tacoma Temple Beth El's Rabbi Bruce Kadden and artist/educator Rainer Waldman Adkins.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Catholic Worker fundraiser Sat. evening, Jun. 25, 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at Oasis of Hope, 1937 S. "G" Street. No advance ticket necessary. (Karen H.)

"Soul Motion: Expressive Movement to Create, Strengthen, and Sustain Intention": a Dance for Peace on Sunday, Jun. 26, at 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Rhythms, 3901 S. 56th St., Tacoma, WA (NW corner of S. Proctor and S. 56th), marking the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture; proceeds from this event will be donated to People for Peace, Justice, and Healing. You’re invited to attend. Daisy Jo Compton, with SOUL MOTION, will present.

"Ontology, Epistemology & Other Weighty Subjects: Reflections on Existence and Reality," a presentation by Glen Anderson of Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation, on Sunday, June 26, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., at Hillside Community Church, 2508 S. 39th St., Tacoma. (Vivi)

"Speaking for Peace from Jerusalem and Washington: The Powerful Voices of Religion and Civil Society," a video of discussion of Mideast peace, followed by discussion with a panel of local religious leaders, with Rabbi Bruce Kadden, Imam Amir Abdul-Matin, and Prof. Douglas E. Oakman leading the discussion, on Sunday, June 26, 2005, 7:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m., in Room 100, Ingram Hall, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma. (Vivi)

Linda Frank’s series on Israeli/Palestinian conflict called “Beyond Opposites” continues this week at the Center for Spiritual Living at 206 N. "J" St., Tacoma. On Wednesday, Jun. 29, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. -- "Israel, the Bible, and the Future": An introduction to some of the interpretations, teachings, and End Times literature that put Israel, America and the world on course for extended and amplified conflict, with Mary Pneuman, chairperson of the Bishop’s Committee for Justice and Peace in Israel/Palestine (Episcopal Diocese of Western Washington). To be followed by a summary of ways in which individuals who’d like to help foster a just, secure and enduring peace for Israelis, Palestinians, and Americans can participate in justice-and-peace-making efforts of varying degrees of involvement, with Linda Frank, a steering committee member of the Northwest Middle East Peace Forum and the organizer of this series.

WWFOR CONFERENCE, SEABECK, WA, JULY 1-4: Vivi
“Nonviolent Resistance,” Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation’s 47th Annual Conference, will be held at Seabeck, WA, July 1-4, 2005. Featuring as keynote speakers national FOR "Fellowship" magazine interim editor Rabia Terri Harris and Seattle activist Rich Lang. Space still available. More information available here.

Respectfully submitted,
Mark