MEETING NOTES FOR PEOPLE FOR PEACE, JUSTICE, AND HEALING

People for Peace, Justice, and Healing (Tacoma, WA)
December 19, 2009

People for Peace, Justice and Healing met at 10:00 a.m., December 19, 2009, at Associated Ministries. Present for check-in were Rob, Mark, Sallie, Nancy, Karen, and Sol. Discussion (general disgruntlement with....) the current political scene. Hope expressed for 2010 and a better decade coming up.

AGENDA

1. PALESTINE (Nancy).
Nancy and group will be meeting with a Patty Murray aid and Cantwell staff and other possible government representatives on January 12 at 4:30 p.m. (930 Pacific Avenue). Please contact Nancy at nfarrellvt@yahoo.com if you are interested in participating in this meeting. Current fundraising efforts are being orchestrated by Nancy for the coming up March into Gaza. It is hoped that 1000 people will join Palestinians in this march. Key issues: the necessity for having Gaza gates open more often and Eastern Jerusalem settlements. It is felt U.S. influence is key to this issue. Nancy is at the point of arranging dates for a performance at UPS of MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE this Spring. Details to follow. On line -- a new Palestinian newspaper, Palestinian Examiner.

2. PLOWSHARES ACTION ARRAIGNMENT (Karen)
Arraignment has been set for January 6 -- time to be announced, although it will be in the morning, at the Federal Courthouse. On November 2, Bill Bichsel and four others from across the U.S., entered Bangor. The Disarm Now Plowshares five reached the nuclear weapons storage bunkers before being arrested by SWFPAC security. Before arrest, they were able to unfurl a banner that read Disarm Now Plowshares: Trident - Illegal, Immoral." While inside the grounds - they were on the grounds for five hours before being detected - they poured vials of their own blood, sunflower seeds and banged on the roads with hammers - a symbolic act of beating swords into plowshares. The Plowshares movement began in 1980 with a Plowshares 8 action at a GE nuclear facility in King of Prussia, Pa. One of the original eight, 83 year old Sr. Anne Montgomery, was with Bill Bichsel at the Disarm Now Five action on November 2. (Leonard Eiger contributed to this report.) A support group has been formed and a vigil will probably be held on January 6 at the Courthouse. If you are interested in joining the Support Group and/or want other information contact Jessica at peace.arteaga@gmail.com

3. IN FED WE TRUST (Mark)
Mark reported on the current read of the Digging Deeper Group (Monday nights at 7 at the Mandolin.) In Fed We Trust by David Wessel is an account of the financial panic of 2008 and the wonders of Ben Bernanke. Mark characterized the book as "interesting but shallow." He shared harrowing accounts of the Fed making money "out of nothing" (Wessel's phrase), how the Federal Open Market Committee sets interest rates, and the failure of the Fed to follow simple organizational rules (like having a forum in making decisions.) Wessel characterizes the Fed as a 4th branch of government that is "uncomfortably undemocratic." The book includes little personal information about Ben Bernanke. Also under discussion at Digging Deeper: Frozen Desire: The Meaning of Money by James Buchan.

Respectfully,
Karen

Addendum (Sallie)
Report on Bill Of Rights Celebration December 12 at UPS. Sallie notes that the ACLU has just lost a couple of very important contributors to the ACLU and is in immediate need of funds. Donations will be matched.

Respectfully submitted,
Karen