Meeting notes for People for Peace, Justice, and Healing

November 26, 2005

Meeting notes for People for Peace, Justice, and Healing
November 26, 2005

People for Peace, Justice, and Healing met at 10:00 a.m. at Associated Ministries, 1224 South "I" St., Tacoma, on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2005. Present for check-in: Sallie S., Louisa, Rob, Sol, Nancy, Laura, Karen K., Sheila, Kyle, Mark, Scott, Kathryn, Jo, and Vivi.

AGENDA

1. Norm Dicks shifts position on the Iraq war (Mark)
PPJH adopted the following statement, to be posted on the web site: 'One of the consequences of the Republicans' shameful vilification of Rep. John Murtha (R-PA 12th) two weeks ago has been a shift by Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA 6th) in his public position on the Iraq war. -- Dicks is a hawkish Democrat who not only backed the decision to go to war on Iraq but "worked quietly and behind the scenes to build Democratic support for the Iraq war resolution" (2004 Almanac of American Politics [Washington, DC: National Journal Group, 2003], p. 1698). -- This week, though, he reversed his position by giving an extended interview on the subject to the Seattle Times (November 25, 2005) -- Anger at efforts to smear his friend John Murtha (D-PA 12th) and those questioning the Iraq war played a crucial role in bringing about the shift, according to Dicks. The Bremerton-born former Warren Magnuson aide has represented the most populous part of Pierce County, WA, for almost 29 years, but he told reporter Alicia Mundy that "I can't remember anything quite as traumatic as this in my history here." -- By his own account, what really riled Dicks was being "lumped in with peaceniks," Mundy reports. -- We’re not surprised. After all, Dicks has long been a pillar of the U.S. national security state. He serves on the Defense Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee of which Rep. Murtha is the ranking Democratic member. No peacenik he, Dicks actually "complained when B-2s [Stealth bombers, a Boeing product] weren't used in 1998 air attacks on Iraq" (2004 Almanac of American Politics, p. 1698). -- Norm Dicks’s change of heart was widely noted. The largest newspaper in his district, the News Tribune (Tacoma, WA), ran an AP story based on the Seattle Times account on its front page Saturday (November 26, 2005). And, inevitably, the right-wing web site News Busters howled at Dicks for "doing a 'Murtha.'" -- Frankly, though, we find it hard to understand why Dicks has taken so long -- so long to realize that the Bush administration was cooking intelligence about Iraq, and so long to realize the unprincipled character of current Republican leadership. These were clear to "peaceniks" long before the war broke out; perhaps Norm Dicks should pay more attention to them. Or perhaps it's the shift in public opinion polls that make certain things easier to perceive. -- Norm Dicks may not want to be "lumped in" with people like ourselves, but we're sure most "peaceniks" will join us in welcoming Norm Dicks's Thanksgiving 2005 change of heart on the Iraq war.'

2. Palestine arts and crafts for sale (Nancy)
From the Associated Ministries web site: "PAL CRAFTAID, a volunteer, nonprofit faith ministry, purchases works made by Palestinian crafts people and sells them throughout the United States. Proceeds from purchases of Palestinian crafts, such as sculpted olive wood and counted cross stitch needlework, help to support: --Dr. Viveca Hazboun of Guidance & Training Center, Bethlehem, who counsels traumatized children; leadership training and youth outreach ministries by Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center; providing food and medical help to devastated Christian families. These are gifts that carry a triple blessing: for the artisan, the purchaser and the recipient. We have more than 200 olive wood items and 50 needlework items available." (http://www.associatedministries.org/pages/pal_craftaid.htm) These items will be available at the ASSOCIATED MINISTRIES HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AND CRAFT BAZAAR on Thursday, Dec. 1 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Associated Ministries 1224 South I Street, Tacoma (253) 383-3056. Enjoy hot cider and holiday treats. Featuring Palestinian sculpted olive wood and needlework from Pal Craftaid, a program of Associated Ministries. Proceeds from these sales help to provide counseling for traumatized children, leadership training, youth outreach ministries, food and medical help to devastated Christian families. Enter to win an olive wood Madonna and Child. For information on Pal Craftaid contact Rev. Elizabeth Knott at (253) 946-4810. (http://www.associatedministries.org/pages/religious_news.htm)

3. Tacoma Singing Circle (Laura)
The Tacoma Singing Circle began in 1983 in Olympia. It meets on first Saturdays at 7:00 p.m. at Hillside Community Church (2508 S. 39th St., Tacoma, WA 98409, 253-475-2388), where it has met for the past ten years (before that, it met in private homes). Laura has participated for 23 years and has found it a deeply meaningful part of her life. Next meeting: Sat., Dec. 3, 7:00 p.m., Hillside Community Church, 2508 S. 39th St., Tacoma. For more information, contact Laura at 253-627-2857. Instruments, children and non-singers are welcome.

4. Sunday night event in January -- brainstorming (Sallie S.)
At the last meeting of the South Sound Peace and Justice Center, Sallie proposed a Sunday evening event on the night before Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday celebration on "King's Legacy for Peace." Discussion of venue, participants. Several volunteered to work on the event.

5. Conversation Cafe (Mark)
Question for Nov. 29: Should physician-assisted suicide be legal? Question for Dec. 6: What is the role of order in your life?

6. Spring event discussion (Sheila)
Discussion of progress toward deciding about an event in the spring. To be continued.

7. Leonard Peltier dinner, Feb. 4, 2006 (Mark)
Sol Riou volunteered to be the contact person for this event.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. This week the TV program "NOW" reports on military recruiting on high-school campuses: "Military recruitment has become commonplace on high school campuses thanks to a little-known provision of the education law 'No Child Left Behind,' which forces schools to open their doors to the military or risk losing federal funds. Schools are also being forced to turn over private information about students to the Pentagon, which has angered many parents. NOW looks at how some parents are fighting back, worried that the military is reeling in impressionable kids with deceptive pitches and by exaggerating benefits. Minister of the Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Carlsbad, CA, Madison Shockley says separation of church and state doesn’t mean that churches can’t act in political ways. 'I can't understand a definition of politics that doesn't impact every aspect of life,' he tells David Brancaccio. 'Whether it's seeking peace in the world, or whether it's seeking equality economically for all persons . . . all of these things have political ramifications.' Shockley’s powerful and insightful commentaries have been published in papers across the country." This program was broadcast Friday night and will be rebroadcast on Sunday, November 27, at 11:30 a.m. (Sally M., in absentia)

2. A celebration of the Bill of Rights will be held at 7:00 p.m. the Washington State Historical Museum on Thurs., Dec. 15, 2005. The Bill of Rights (Amendments I-X of the United States Constitution) became law on Dec. 15, 1791, and Bill of Rights Day was established in 1941 on the 150th anniversary of the Bill of Rights by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The celebration will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98402 (253-272-3500). (Vivi)

3. Thurs., Dec. 1, is Rosa Parks Day. CodePink in Bremerton is organizing an event at the ferry landing at 11:00 a.m., and Mark Wilson, the candidate for Senate, plans to be there. From the web: "310 Myrtle Street, Suite 101, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273. Contact Jennifer Cecere, 360 475-0153, email: greytdogs@poeplepc.com -- Rosa Parks Day Activity Details: 11:00 a.m., December 1 -- Demonstration at the ferry dock in downtown Bremerton." For more information, contact Louisa Beal (louisabeal@mac.com. (Louisa)

4. Swan Creek Park (entrances on E. 42nd St. and E. 56th Street/East 59th Street, near McIlvaigh Middle School) will hold a work party on Sat., Dec. 3 (there are AM & PM shifts), and on Sat., Dec. 10, Swan Creek will stage "Salmon Sunday" from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Swan Creek, a tributary to the Puyallup River, is an urban stream impacted by excessive stormwater runoff, fish passage problems, and garbage dumping. Here's New Tribune story about the event last year. (Sol)

5. Circles for Change with Margo Adair will be opening up the circle on Sat., Dec. 3, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Karen Konrad's place. Call her at 253-912-4764 for more information. (Sol)

6. On Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. at the Center for Spiritual Living, Kent Alcorn will be leading a non-violent communication discussion group throughout the month of December. For more information call Kent at 253-230-8948. (Vivi)

7. UFPPC will begin a new four-week book discussion study circle on Mon, Nov. 28, at 7:00 p.m., at the Mandolin Cafe. Topic: The Middle East, Islam, the West. Books to be read, passed around, discussed: Said, Orientalism; Lewis, What Went Wrong?; Packer, The Assassin's Gate; Bulliet, The Case for Islamo-Christian Civilization. For more information, contact Mark at 253-756-7519, or see here. (Mark)

8. In a Progressive Roundtable-sponsored event, on Dec. 10, 2005, from 9:00 a.m. to about 10:30 a.m., at Commencement Bay Coffee Co. 2354 Jefferson Tacoma, WA 98402 (253) 274-1173, Tom McCarthy will lead a participatory workshop on "Growing Economic Divide in America." (Laura)

9. A Christmas Auction to benefit Hurricane Katrina survivors will be held on Sat., Dec. 3, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) at Curtis High School. Tickets are $10.00 each; or a table of 6 for $50.00. Children under twelve are free. Pictures with Santa for children. Dessert and beverages will be served throughout the evening. Ticket info: "Operation Hands On," 3617 Bridgeport Way, University Place, 253-273-9616, 253-988-9063, 253-565-3897. (Sallie)