Saturday, November 15, 2003 Meeting Notes

Meeting notes, People for Peace, Justice, and Healing

Peace, Justice and Healing met at Associated Ministries at 10:00 a.m. on November 15, 2003. Present for check-in were Mark J., Dorothy, Karen H. Al, Sheila and Kyle and SALLIE!! Sallie is still at Gretchen and Tom's but is doing nicely with a sleek black walking stick.

Drop In: Barbara A. dropped in on her way to Evergreen Tacoma to encourge us to take in the 11:00 to 4:00 peace gathering - Gathering for Peace - at Evergreen. Speakers included: Bill Bertil, Aaron Dennis (PLU) Charlie Liteky, Anne Hunwork, Roberto Maestas, Eva Urrutia.

AGENDA:
Jim Wallis
Whidbey Peace Institute
Congress
Maher Arar
Earth Charter
Holiday Celebration

EARTH CHARTER: Discussion of 5 d. Our discussion focused on the potential perils of genetic modification-from plants to people, population control, and who is going to make decisions about these issues. Discussion. Suggestion that we have Carrie Little of Mother Earth Farm come and talk to us about this issue. Suggestion that we make a point to ask our grocers whether food we buy is genetically modified or not.

JIM WALLIS: Mark characterized the thrust of Wallis' remarks at PLU as a concern for "passivity and cynicism of the majority of U.S. citizens." Viewed as (1) sense of powerlessness... Discussion.

WHIDBEY INSTITUTE: Sheila reported on her week at the Peace Institute on Whidbey. One of the "themes" of the conference focused on "fear." "You can have either peace or fear." U.S. population characterized as "terrified."Sheila shared her conversations with a "right wing" Israelite. They were able to find a way to discuss their differences using open space technology one of the communication processes of the Institute. Discussion: Israel/Palestine.

Discussion: NAFTA meet in Miami - the problems created by WTO for small and medium farmers in Mexico who can't compete with heavily subsidized U.S. farmers and agribusinesses.

Announcements:

People for Peace: 11/15/ 11:00 to 4:00 Evergreen

SOA: Charlie Liteky, SOA, 1st United Methodist, 7:00, 11/15/03

SOA: Gathering and March 11/16 10 a.m. to march at 1:30 to Federal Courthouse. Meet at Portland Avenue Park

PLANNING MEET FOR BILL OF RIGHTS DAY: Bill of Rights Day will be celebrated city-wide on 12/15. Planning meeting for program at Museum of History 11/17 at Tim Smith's House, 1122 South Grant. (Next planning meeting 12/7)

NVC: Contact Dorothy re: NVC meetings in Seattle, this weekend - Saturday: People of Color, Sunday: General Meet

RALLY IN SEATTLE - 11/22, Occidental Park, re: Free Trade Agreement.