Meeting notes for People for Peace, Justice, and Healing

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Present for check-in: Mark, Colleen, Vivi, Kathryn, Joel, Scott, Sally M., and Nancy.

AGENDA

1. Watada-related event on the legality of the Iraq war. (Colleen)
Colleen reported that it has been decided that there will be something related to a Citizen’s Hearing sometime in the future. She also described the probable format and place.

2. UFPPC book series on Islam. (Mark)
Mark reported that the Monday night book group will read books on Islam these nest few sessions. Blurb from Announcement Bulletin: “Monday, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. UFPPC's Monday evening book discussion, facilitated by Evelyn Cloud, M.A. in Near Eastern Studies, University of Washington. Digging Deeper XXV: ISLAM (October 23 & 30 and November 6 & 12) The group will study: Reza Aslan, No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam (Random House, 2005; paperback, 2006); John L. Esposito, Islam: The Straight Path, revised third edition updated with a new epilogue (Oxford University Press, 2005; 1st ed., 1988); Saleemah Abdul Ghafur, Living Islam Out Loud: American Muslim Women Speak (Boston: Beacon Press, 2005); Mahmood Mamdani, Good Muslim, Bad Muslim: America, the Cold War, and the Roots of Terror (Three Leaves Press/Doubleday, 2004; paperback 2005); and Irshad Manji, The Trouble with Islam: A Muslim’s Call for Reform in Her Faith (St. Martin’s Press, 2003). The group meets at the Mandolin Café, 3923 South 12th St., Tacoma., WA." Books are available for borrowing or purchase: contact Mark Jensen, 253-756-7519.

3. Report on “The Ground Truth” and Prof. Mike Honey's Watada Video. (Vivi)
The Watada video showed Ehren Watada’s stand against an illegal war and emphasized his courage for him to stand up to what he believed. This was set to a backdrop of history and music. Vivi reported she was impressed by both and suggested we should find some way of spreading the video on Watada for the world to see. It was suggested that we may use the expertise of people from the media conference to get the video onto the internet. It was also suggested that PPJH might show the video at a future date at an undecided location with Michael Honey as a moderator.

4. Report on the Progressive Media Conference in Tacoma, Oct. 7. (Vivi, Kathryn, Sally M., Mark)
Since it was from 10 to 1, PPJH did not meet on the 7th. Mark gave a brief summary of the Conference. The conference began with Michael Honey singing and a speech by Geov Parrish who spoke about the things he was able to and so could others by persistence and hard work even with the many obstacles like poor health that stand in the way. The conference ended with a speech by John Sandifer, a former reporter with the PI and now producer of Labor, Neighbor Radio. In between there were breakout sessions. Mark attended the one on blogging that decided to keep in touch via an email list. Vivi attended the one on public access TV/documentaries. The group decided to meet again on the 21st at the Commencement Bay Coffee Company at 2354 Jefferson to work out a strategy to create public access television. Heather Caraway also wants to discuss making documentaries. Sally M. and Kathryn went to the workshop on influencing public media. They were presented with many practical ideas on how that should be done. Two web sites that could be useful are www.congress.org and www.reclaimdemocracy.org. Vivi commented that it might be a good idea to acknowledge the mainstream media when they do some good things and not just assume that what they do is not good. The idea of not complaining about media and instead creating media that was emphasized at the conference is a good idea, though (editorial comment). All in all there were a lot of people with various expertises at the conference that will be useful in creating the alternative and effective media in Pierce County.

5. Conversation Café. (Kathryn)
It was noted that not many people are showing up and that there is a need to advertise more. The three next conversations will be: “If we could not fail, what would we do?”, “Does racism still exist in the U.S.? “and Poverty and people that are homeless—What to do?”

6. Results. (Vivi)
Vivi reported on a very effective group called RESULTS whose one main project is microloans. Vivi and Colleen will report more at a future date.

7. World Affairs Summit. (Colleen)
On April 20, 21, and 22 there is going to be a “World Affairs Summit” modeled after a very successful “World of Ideas” in Boulder Colorado. The planning committee has been meeting once a month to make this happen. The News Tribune (Tacoma, WA) is a sponsor. Ken Miller is one of the main organizers. Their will be some national keynoters, but mostly local presenters. Colleen is on the planning group. One of the sessions will be on the Earth Charter.

8. Earth Charter (Kathryn). Kathryn reported on the Earth Charter. She has been in touch with the organizers of the neighborhood councils. One of the people she has been in will sell the idea of making presentations on the Earth Charter to the various leaders of the councils. Kathryn will give her the information about the Earth Charter to use and then the committee Kathryn is on will make presentations to the councils on the charter. This looks very promising and the idea is for people to start talking about the ideas.

9. Palestine. (Nancy)
Nancy reported on Palestine. The people there are now close to starvation. The teachers are on strike because there is no money to pay them. Nancy is in touch with a teacher there.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Fri., Oct. 20, 7:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. benefit in Olympia for Ehren Watada and Suzanne Swift; Sound Project for Military Resistance & Justice and Veterans for Peace #109. Cost of the admission or donation is tax-deductible. “An Evening in Solidarity” -- Eagles Ballroom, 805 4th Ave. E., downtown Olympia, $10-$30 sliding scale. Tickets available at Traditions Café Contact: sspmrj@yahoo.com or (360) 480-2357. Featuring speakers, music, food & beverage, raffle, silent auction.

2. Hillside Community Church meets at 2508 S. 39th St. Tacoma. The services are at 1:00 p.m. most Sundays. 253/759-1910 ext. 2.

Respectfully, Vivi