Meeting notes for People for Peace, Justice, and Healing
October 22, 2005
People for Peace, Justice, and Healing met at 10:00 a.m. at Associated Ministries, 1224 South "I" St., Tacoma, on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005. Present for check-in: Scott, Catherine, Sara, Rob, Karen K., Mark, Sally M., Sallie S., Sheila, and Kyle.
AGENDA
1. Conversation Café (Mark)
Mark will facilitate next week's session, Tues., Oct. 25, at 7:00 p.m., at the Mandolin
Café (3923 South 12th St., Tacoma). Question: "Is the peace of the land a reflection
of the minds of the people?" -- Discussion of process for the Conversation Café, which
has now been sustained for fourteen months. The questions to be discussed are the result
of a group process that is, in a sense, an expression of the community. Discussion of
possible alternative arrangements toward that end. Mark will draft a description of the
process by which questions are produced and adopted for review at the next meeting, and
for subsequent posting on the web site.
2. Earth Charter Update (Sheila)
Sylvia has been continuing to promote the Earth Charter at the Progressive Roundtable.
Julio Quan, the new director of Centro Latino, is knowledgeable about and supportive of
the Earth Charter and is interested in getting involved.
3. Tom Rawson concert (Karen K. & Sallie S.)
Ticket sales proceed. Tickets will also be sold at the door for Tom Rawson's benefit
concert (Antique Sandwich Company, 5102 N. Pearl St. Tacoma, WA 98407, 253-752-4069) for
the Summer 2006 interfaith peace camp.
4. Pakistan earthquake disaster relief (Mark)
The international response to the Oct. 8 Pakistan earthquake has been
inadequate.
A dinner organized this evening by
the Pakistan Association of Greater Seattle is raising funds and calling attention to
the situation. PPJHers are urged to contribute. As reliable recipients for
contributions to relief efforts, Sallie S. recommends Oxfam,
Doctors Without Borders=, and the
International Rescue Committee.
5. Spring 2006 event (Sallie S.)
Discussion of possibilities for a spring educational event. Possible subjects:
climate change; Bill Moyers; Ray McGovern; disaster preparedness. Preference for an
event that would appeal broadly and beyond "the choir." Plan: brainstorm over the
next few weeks about possibilities, with a view to reaching a decision and formulating
a plan by the end of December.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Jose "Chencho" Alas, current executive director of Foundation for Self Sufficiency in Central America and former friend and advisor of Archbishop Romero of El Salvador, will speak at St. Leo's (710 S. 13th St., Tacoma) on October 23 at 7 p.m.
2. On Thurs., Oct. 27, at 4:30 p.m., in Ingram 100 on the campus of Pacific Lutheran University, professional photographer Paul Dix and his partner Pam Fitzpatrick will make a presentation entitled "Living with the Consequences of U.S. Policy: A Nicaragua Photo/Testimony Project." -- Paul Dix documented human rights abuses in the U.S.-funded contra war from 1985 to 1990 and returned to Nicaragua in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 to find the individuals he photographed and obtain new testimony. More information available here.
3. On Friday evening, Oct. 28, at 7:00 p.m., PLU's Peace Studies Working Group and Students for Peace will present "Breaking the Silence," a presentation on experiences in the Occupied West Bank. -- Former Israel Defense Force (IDF) combat soldiers Avichay Sharon and Noam Chayut will describe the impact of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank on those who enforce it. -- Their presentation will include images from a widely acclaimed exhibition of photographs taken in Hebron as well as Q&A discussion. -- This event is open to the public; there is no charge for admission. More information available here.
4. The Jobs with Justice 2005 Honoree Dinner and Silent Auction will be held at SeaTac DoubleTree Hotel on Sat., Oct. 29, 2005, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. This year's honorees are: Father Bill Bichsel; Federal Workers and their unions (American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and Bremerton Metal Trades Council; and the Washinigton STate Legislature's Labor Caucus. Dinner seating is $45 ($50 after Oct. 22). RSVP by calling Erica at the JwJ office, 206-441-4969.
5. On Monday, Oct. 24, at 7:00 p.m., United for Peace of Pierce County will begin Digging Deeper XI: The Road to Abu Ghraib, a new 3-week study circle, at the Mandolin Café, 3923 S. 12th St., Tacoma, WA. Three books will be read, shared, and discussed: Mark Danner, Torture and Truth: America, Abu Ghraib, and the War on Terror (New York Review Books, 2004); Seymour Hersh, Chain of Command: The Road from 9/11 to Abu Ghraib (HarperCollins, 2004; paper, HarperPerennial, 2005); Karen Greenberg & Joshua Dratel, eds., The Torture Papers: The Road to Abu Ghraib (Cambridge University Press, 2005); books are available for borrowing or purchase. Goal: to address the question, "How are we to understand the willingness of the United States Government to embrace the use of torture?" Books available for borrowing or purchase. Call Mark Jensen at 253-756-7519. (Mark)
6. Tom Rawson will perform a benefit concert for an interfaith camp for local children now being planned for next summer; the concert is at the Antique Sandwich Company at 7:30 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 5, 2005. Tickets are available for a minimum donation of $10; call 253-383-3056 ext. 106 for more information; see also http://www.tomrawson.com. From the flyer: "Join Tom for some humorous stories, user-friendly songs, and acoustic folk philosophy that's guaranteed to leave you smiling. Armed with a long-necked banjo and other weapons of mass delight, Tom will have you singing along in no time. Tune up your vocal chords -- you'll need 'em!" (Sallie)
Respectfully,
Mark