Saturday, September 11, 2004 Meeting Notes for People for Peace, Justice, and Healing

People for Peace, Justice and Healing met at Associated Ministries on September 11, 2004, at 10 a.m. Present for check in were Rob, Susan, Mark, Karen H., Karen K., Vivi, Sheila, Kyle, Laura K. and Mary. Sallie left us to attend a meeting in Seattle. Discussion. Susan handed out posters for Ellsberg, Benjamin, Solomon appearance at UPS on September 30. Ellsberg will be watching the debates in the Student Union - Wheelock Student Center starting at 6:00 p.m. and people are invited to join him. Event begins at 8 p.m. in Schneebeck Hall. We will be selling Ellsberg's book, Secrets: A Memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers, at the event.

AGENDA
Conversation Cafe
Report on ACLU/Bill of Rights Committee
Mark's Article, "Stake in America"
Election (State)
Censorship

CONVERSATION CAFE
The facilitators, Sheila, Mark and Karen K., reported that Tuesday's conversation(s) went well although some concern was expressed about the noise level and a desire to reserve the back room(s) area for us. Mark will talk to the owners. Laura suggested Panamonica's as a possible venue because they have a comfortable and accessible loft area. Karen reported that she has submitted a proposal to Nativity House to try Conversation Cafe there. She and Colleen will facilitate should they decide to give it a try.

Discussion of next week's question included ideas around fear, vulnerability and anger. Mark will formulate the question.

ACLU/BILL OF RIGHTS
Karen H. reported on the committee's progress in sponsoring a Bill of Rights event for Bill of Rights Day, December 15 at the History Museum. Letters have gone out to principals and teachers of local private and public high schools as well as home schoolers asking students to write about their rights. Essays, poems, stories as well as plays are acceptable. This is not being promoted as a contest. All participants' work which addresses the subject will be considered and presented at the History Museum which is interested in archiving the student's work. A book will also be published.

ELECTION
General discussion of malicious mischief occuring when people disagree with a point of view. Mary told of having the tires on her car flattened and other damage to her car in retaliation for signs on her car. She called the police who did nothing although she knew who the culprit was. Sheila talked about contacting Patty Murray's office over her position on Israel and support of AIPAC. Cantwell doesn't support AIPAC. Vivi complained about Kerry and Dems "tough guy" stance re: Iraq. Mary passed around copies of Justice, the newspaper of Socialist Alternative.

CENSORSHIP
Vivi discussed short story she read in DENALI, a small press lit mag from Oregon, published in 1995. Discussion: Censorship.

Mark's article tabled to next meeting. Discussion of Earth Charter which we have been forgetting to study. Group agrees to study at least once a month. Karen K. will bring framed charter.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
EARTH CHARTER - Large gathering in Seattle on October 9. (Referred to Agenda)
HILLSIDE - September 12 - Program: Gandhi Impersonator
FOR - Monthly potluck: September 12 at 6:00, Meeting at 7:00>
GUADALUPE HOUSE - September 14 - Regular Tuesday dinner and service plus drumming circle at 6:00.
CONVERSATION CAFE - September 14 at Mandolin, 12th and Proctor, 7 - 8:30
COMMEMORATING 9/11 - Wright Park, September 11, 11 to 5:00.
ELLSBERG, MEDEA BENJAMIN and NORMAN SOLOMON - UPS, Schneebeck Hall, 8 p.m., September 30

Respectfully submitted,
Karen