The Friends School Ramallah, Palestine

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Protest Bush - May 23rd - New London, CT

Hey Cape Codders - Would you like to organize some sort of car pool or transportation down for the day. 
Do you remember that Connecticut Yankee Bush, was born in the Nutmeg State!
Oh and you thought he was a REAL TEXAN?

 

 

May 23rd - New London, CT  

U.S. Out of Iraq Now!

Fund People's Needs, Not the War Machine!
End Colonial Occupation: Iraq, Palestine, Haiti
& everywhere!

George W. Bush will be speaking at the commencement ceremony of the Coast Guard Academy at 31 Mohegan Dr. in New London on Wednesday May 23rd. Join patriotic students,  soldiers and veterans,  impeachment and antiwar activists and more to protest Bush's visit. 


Click here to download a flyer Initiated by the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition CT Chapter. To become a co-sponsor, get involved, or for updates call 203-404-9965 or email
Connecticut@answercoalition.org

Come to the following meetings sponsored by A.N.S.W.E.R. CT to prepare for the demonstration: Tues. March 27, 7 pm,

United Church on the Green Parish House
323 Temple St.,
New Haven, CT.

Sat. March 31, 2 pm,
East Lyme Public Library
39 Society St., Niantic, CT
(6 miles from New London)   Sat. April 7, 11 am,

United Church on the Green Parish House
323 Temple St.,
New Haven, CT

Tues. April 10, 7 pm, United Church on the Green Parish House
323 Temple St.,
New Haven, CT

FYI!

George Walker Bush Born: 7/6/1946
 Birthplace: New Haven, Conn.


 George Walker Bush was born on July 6, 1946, in New Haven, Conn., the first child of future president George H. W. Bush. In 1948, the family moved to Odessa, Tex., where the senior Bush went to work in the  oil (all) business. George W. grew up mainly in Midland, Tex., and Houston, and later attended two of his father's alma maters, Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass., and Yale.

--
Not one more dime !
Not one more day !
Not one more death !
Bring Our Troops Home Now!

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PEACE MAKING IS PATRIOTIC

Cape Cod Vigils  for the Marking the 5th year of Iraq Occupation!

Iraq War Anniversary

Vigil

Americans across the country are more concerned than ever about our direction in Iraq. Now is the time for Congress to force a change.

On March 19th, thousands of us from organizations across the movement will gather together to observe the fourth anniversary of the war through candlelight vigils. We'll solemnly honor the sacrifice made by more than 3,000 servicemen and women, and we'll contemplate the path ahead of us. We cannot send tens of thousands of exhausted, under-equipped, and unprepared troops into the middle of an Iraqi civil war.

Join us at a candlelight vigil on Monday, March 19th. Honor the sacrifice. Stop the escalation. Bring the troops home.

 HYANNIS VILLAGE GREEN  3 -5pm

Bring Candles, Signs & Flags

Then walking over to Congressman Delahunt's Office.

 EASTHAM VILLAGE GREEN AT WINDMILL 6PM

Bring Candles, Signs & Flags

I hope people will join us at the Eastham Windmill Green tomorrow,
March 19, Monday, at 6p.m. to hold candles and lights,signs and flags
to vigil for Peace. MoveOn requested a vigil in Eastham but I have not
seen it publicized.

CHATHAM UU MEETINGHOUSE 7-8PM

Bring Candles, Signs & Flags

WELLFLEET- TOWN HALL 6PM

Hi there -

Some are just back from Wasington DC or from NYC......join us...Bring yr signs/flag/candles...Birng a Drum!!!!...join us!!!."back home" on the Town Hall Lawn in Wellfleet.....or if Chatham is closer...they are gathering there, too!!

I just signed up for an Iraq War Anniversary Vigil.

Americans across the country are more concerned than ever about our direction in Iraq. Now is the time for Congress to force a change.

On March 19th, thousands of us from organizations across the movement will gather together to observe the fourth anniversary of the war through candlelight vigils. We'll solemnly honor the sacrifice made by more than 3,000 soldiers and contemplate the path ahead of us. We cannot send tens of thousands under-equipped and unprepared soldiers into the middle of an un-winnable civil war.

Join us at a candlelight vigil on Monday, March 19th. Honor the sacrifice. Stop the escalation. Bring the troops home.

The event details are:

Wewllfleet Peace Drum Circle - Vigil to end the WAR Wellfleet Town Hall Green/lawn Main Street in front of Town Hall Wellfleet, MA 02667 Monday, 19 Mar 2007, 6:00 PM

To sign up for this event, click here:

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A Special Pentagon Report From Brian O'Malley, MD

Not quite a uniform, but it had the effect. A crowd of aging white (mostly) men angry and ready to fight. There, ostensibly, to defend the memorial wall, allegedly threatened by the marchers. And apparently, to defend their government in general. The “Safer since 9-11” signs would seem to suggest that they support this administration.

And yet…

The group which seems to have organized the couter-demonstrators, The Gathering Eagles!

They are angry that men were left behind in Vietnam- by the government that had, lying about the real reasons for the war, sent them there. And they are concerned about the treatment that returning veterans receive after they have served the needs of their government.

But they focused their hatred on us, instead. And it was hate. Ugly, nasty, swearing verbal assaults all along.

Our friends, Carlos and Melida Arredondo, marching with the traveling exhibition remembering their son Carlos, bore the brunt of some especially vicious outbursts. They bore them with dignity and composure.

The situation had every potential for explosion. We were yards apart, with no physical barriers, and only a very sparse police line, between us. Had there been a hothead reaction, on either side, that became physically violent, I suspect this could have easily spun out of control. And there weren’t going to be enough cops to break it up. They were all across the river making sure we didn’t threaten the Pentagon. (There wasn’t much chance of that. We were permitted to rally in a vacant parking lot, separated from the Pentagon itself by a six-lane highway.)

Angry words this time. No injuries. We need to listen, and understand. We need to find ways to the understanding that we fight a common struggle. That we must together demand that we protect our troops best, by bringing them home, now, and providing them with the care they will need to try to recover, for the rest of their lives, from their physical and mental injuries.
-------------------------------------
My thanks to all who made this such an experience, especially John and Jennifer.
Brian

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Afghanistan War Vet Comments from March on Pentagon

     ^{Police officers blocked protesters from approaching the Pentagon Saturday, and the Pentagon Force Protection Agency arrested five people.}

Greetings all,

Yesterday, I attended a peace rally/march to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq and call for an end to the U.S. occupation of that country and prevent military action against Iran.  I was there as a member of Vets for Peace, a nation-wide and internationally-recognized organization dedicated to the end of all wars/occupations, the safe return of U.S. troops deployed to combat zones, and the proper care and treatment for those troops after they do return. 

Here's a video my roommate took from the rally.  We were opposed by right-wing conservatives and veteran's groups, especially and almost exclusively the US Military Veterans Motorcycle Club, who united under the event guise of "A Gathering of Eagles". 

It was clear that "battle" lines were drawn between sides, and the police were more concerned w/keeping us in than keeping them out.  We were fenced in and controlled while the opposition were allowed to move freely throughout.  The opposition carried signs like "Give War a Chance" and  "Peace Sucks", referred to us "peacenicks" as "Al-Qaeda appeasers", used foul language, flew us the bird, and even went so far as to expose themselves frontally--grasping and thrusting their exposed genitals towards our side. They accosted peace activists who wondered into their ranks, stealing their signs and destroying them, intimidating women and children into tears. Despite all this, none of them were arrested.

The contrast between the sides was stark.  We had diversity of age, race, religion, and ethnicity.  They were all white, Christian-Conservatives, and primarily male.  They were very militant, full of anger and hate, were bent on intimidating us or instigating a fight--missing no opportunity to try to provoke us.  One even purposefully stepped on and smashed one of my signs while I was retrieving something from my bag, as if he were snuffing out a cigarette.  Out of all that I passed on the sidewalks, only one had the decency to shake my hand and thank me for my service, but affirmed that would be the most civil exchange we'd have that day.  They showed their true colors and I really think we prevailed; we came out on top. 

I've attached some pictures to this email to give you the impression of what we encountered.  I tried to capture how we were fenced-in on this grassy knoll around the little cafe.  The opposition had free access to all the memorials but we did not.  Those of us who tried to access the Viet Nam Memorial had to endure long lines and security searches.  We could not carry in any signs or buttons, not even my "Veterans For Peace" button.  They could wear their "U.S. Military Vets MC" and "POW/MIA" buttons and patches though.  It was clearly evident that the Park Police were operating under the same assumptions against us as the "Eagles" were.  That gave me and others the impression that there was some puppeteer pulling strings and manipulating both the police and the Eagles.  Perhaps this was an attempt by Conservative, Right-Wing insiders to intimidate or pressure the peace movement out of existence, or at the very least test our resolve or instigate a conflict that could be used to discredit our entire movement. 

There is definitely a lot of politics going on and mass opinion being influenced. We must remember though that we are all Americans and we all have our Country's best interest at heart--we just have different ideas about what direction to take.  We must accept our differences, communicate honestly and without showing contempt or taking offense to try to reach a compromise on the War just as our Fore Fathers reached a compromise on the formation of our government. 

In the days ahead, our metal, courage, dignity, integrity, and humanity will be challenged.  The outcome will determine the fate of our Nation, if not the world.  I hope we can find our way out of the dark.

I have other pics I'll post and share later. 

Peace and Love,

Ted

See the YouTube videos here.

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BLACKWATER USA & FRIENDS in HIGH PLACES

 

MEET BLACKWATER USA, the powerful private army that the U.S. government has made its Praetorian Guard for the “global war on terror.” Blackwater has the world's largest private military base, a fleet of twenty aircraft, and 20,000 contractors at the ready. Run by a multimillionaire Christian conservative who bankrolls President Bush and his allies, its forces are capable of overthrowing governments, and yet most people have never heard of Blackwater. That is about to change. READ MORE

  A new book writen by Jeremy Scahill as seen on Democracy Now TV!  Don't forget to watch Democracy TV 5 days a week in Massachusetts.

  

	Amherst	Amherst Comm. TV Ch 12	8 a.m., 5 p.m., M-F
	Athol	AOTV13	12 a.m., 12 p.m. M-F
	Beverly	BevCam, Ch.10	8 a.m., 11 p.m. M-F
	Boston	Boston Neighborhood Network TV (BNN)	8 a.m., M-F
	Cambridge	CCTV Ch. 9	8 a.m., 9 p.m., M-F
	Cape Cod	Cape Cod Community Media Center, Ch. 17	8 a.m., M-F
	Chelmsford	Chelmsford TeleMedia	8 a.m., M-F
	Easthampton	Public Access Ch. 5	8 a.m., M-F, 3 p.m., Sundays
	Fitchburg	Fitchburg Access TV Ch. 10	7 a.m., 12 p.m. M-F, 12 a.m. T-S
	Greenfield	Greenfield Comm. TV Ch. 15	8 a.m. M-F
	Hadley	Hadley Public Access TV 5	8 a.m., M-F
	Lowell	Lowell Telecommunications Ch. 8	Noon, Sundays
	Malden	MATV Ch. 3	8-9 a.m., 12-1 a.m. M-F
	Martha's Vineyard	MVTV Ch. 13	8 a.m. M-F
	Natick	Natick Pegasus, Ch. 9/Ch. 3	8 a.m. M-S, 7 p.m. M,T,F,Sat
	Needham	The Needham Channel 9	6:30 p.m. & 11:30 p.m. M-F (one day delay)
	Newton	NewTV	8 a.m. M-F
	Northampton	Northampton Community TV Channel 15	8 a.m., M-F, w/replays at 10 p.m., Mon, Tues, Wed, 6 p.m., Th, Fri
	Northfield	BNC-TV Channel 17	8 a.m., M-F
	Orleans & Brewster to Provincetown (Outer Cape Cod)	Lower Cape TV, Channel 17	8 a.m., M-F
	Plymouth	PAC-TV Channel 13	M-F midnight
	Reading	Reading Community Televison	8 a.m., M-F
	Salem	Salem Access TV Ch.3	8 a.m. M-F, 12 a.m. T-F,
	Shrewsbury	Shrewsbury Media Connection Ch. 33	8 a.m. M-Th
	Somerville	SCAT Ch 3	8 a.m. M-F. 4 p.m. T, 11:30 p.m. M (by request)
	South Yarmouth	C3TV Ch. 17	8 a.m. M-F
	Williamstown	WilliNet Ch. 17	8 a.m., 12 n, , 7 p.m. M-F, 3 p.m. Su
	Worcester	WCCA-TV 13	8 a.m., M-F

 

Here is a website which the owners of Blackwater USA warned to shut down. 

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Counter-Protest Rings of Imperialistic Propaganda--Not Democracy

Why not protest in a time of declared war, especially when that war was unprovoked?  And, yes, I do think this administration is repeating the mistakes of the Viet Nam conflict.  Of course, as veterans (am I going too far to assume you are a vet?) we know that no one has more interest in peace, today or any other time, than the soldiers who go to work, risking life and limb, when it fails.  As for the message our demonstrations send, there I must beg to differ with you as I will differ another time about the soldiers fighting being an "all voluntary" force.

 

I was in Afghanistan, OEF IV, on a mission I was proud to undertake--the hunt for Bin Laden.  Mere months after the invasion of Iraq, even after the officially touted, "End of Combat Operations"; we saw our logistical support drying up, being diverted to Iraq.  It came to the point where we were running short on fuel, parts, even ammunition.  Still, we managed to carry on.  My unit participated in numerous Combined Arms Operations, missions planned to apprehend or terminate key leaders in Al Qaeda.  Each time, despite flawless execution of our operations, we came up empty handed.  By the end of my rotation, I was informed through my chain of command that those Combined Arms Operations were merely shows of force.  As if that wasn't enough, there were other instances when one of these key leaders was located in or around Kabul.  Rather than mobilize an Army Special Forces team that was less than an hour away, the Pentagon deferred the target to SEAL teams that were several hours away.  Needless to say, by the time they got there, the target was no longer on site. 

 

This is the kind of incompetence and dishonesty that turned me against this administration.  As a former member of the Armed Forces, with fifteen years of service, I am very patriotic and concerned with the security of my nation and the safety of my fellow Americans.  However, I have come to feel that it is the actions of our government, more than our ideology that has steeled our enemy against us.  Four years after the invasion of Iraq, we have not established security in Iraq despite numerous troop increases.  We have yet to make more than a dent in improving the infrastructure in Iraq or providing jobs for the population.  Furthermore, by proposing an economic plan that would give 80% of Iraqi oil revenue to US companies, our administration is demonstrating its economic agenda towards Iraq, and perhaps its true motivation for invading the country in the first place. 

 

Regardless of your views of September 11th, the fact remains that Iraq was not involved in that attack.  This administration intentionally manipulated or created intelligence to deceive the American people and Congress into supporting an invasion of Iraq.  Subsequent investigations and numerous testimonies have confirmed this.  We were told that once Hussein was captured, we'd leave.  That was also a lie.  We were told our forces would withdraw once stability was established in Iraq, yet coalition forces have participated in the perpetuation of instability.  (With this I refer to the British soldiers, SAS that were caught in the process of planting explosives in a Shia neighborhood while dressed in Sunni garb, driving a civilian vehicle loaded with explosives and carrying no identification.  This is widely documented by a variety of foreign media sources but was swept under the rug by US media and spun outright by the British media.  Where one Special Forces team was caught, it is not a far leap to believe more were in play.)

 

In a time of global extremism, moderate positions are more conducive to compromise and therefore peace.  Instead of arbitrarily accepting that our enemies hate us for our freedoms, perhaps we should look to our actions as instigation of their animosity.  Imperialism and terrorism are opposing forces that rarely exist exclusively of one another.    Imperialistic governments rely on propaganda to provide public support for their agendas.  Often, as is documented, state-sponsored terrorism is used to create the fear that suppresses the question of governmental reports and press releases.  When dissent is suppressed, then democracy is effectively snuffed--the people no longer have a voice and are no longer served by the government.

 

"Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country." --Hermann Goering, Nazi Reichmarshall, Luft Waffe Commander, testimony from the Nuremburg Trials after WWII.

 

The signs that were carried by the Eagles rang of the very kind of propaganda rhetoric that Goering was speaking about.  When the population blindly accepts the propaganda of its government, the rationality of the people is called into question and hope for peaceful resolution of conflicts with that nation is lost.  When hope for peace is lost, violence is the only course remaining.  That is why I feel justified in my opinion that sending more troops and insisting on "Staying the course" is fueling the violence against our troops--getting more and more of them killed without reason.

 

How many times have we been told that we're "Bringing Democracy to the people of Iraq"?  Well, my question is, how can we bring Democracy to others when it is a struggling notion here at home?  Democracy is based on the discussion of differing ideas to find a compromise that meets the needs of the majority of the people.  When those who have ideas that differ from those of the administration are demonized, insulted, and assaulted, that represents a clear suppression of the freedom of speech, the refusal of our elected representative(s) to acknowledge the concerns of the people.  While we're talking about the people and Democracy, let's remember that there is a definite and distinct difference between one's country and one's government.  Our Fore Fathers knew this very well.  They took a stand for what was best for our country, against the government at that time.  Similarly, but hopefully peacefully, we take a stand against our government, to demonstrate that there are plenty among the US population that retain our wits about us, despite the anger, fear, and hate the administration's propaganda machine is churning out upon us.  It is now our charge to make our concerns known and take a stand for what we believe is best for our nation, not the government or its wealthy elite cohorts.

 

Going back to the "mistakes of Viet Nam" discussion, the propaganda our government is churning out now rings the same sentiments that were conveyed then.  Back then we were told of the dangers our withdrawal would hold:  That the fight against Communism would find its way here, that South Viet Nam would be thrust into bloody chaos--spilling the blood of thousands of innocents.  Those threats did not come to bear.  We did not fight Communism on US soil and Viet Nam found its own stability soon enough, later to become a normalized trading partner with the US and a forgiving member of the global community.  The people of Viet Nam, even under Communist influence, were able to find their own way through and returned to their cultural roots.  Similarly, if we withdraw from Iraq, they will find their own way through this.  Eventually, likely sooner than later, they will form a governmental system that suits their needs and culture, not the economic desires of US corporations.  From my point of view, no economic interest or political agenda warrants the loss of our precious human lives. 

 

How can you justify flying POW/MIA flags, making a statement against a government that left its soldiers behind then, only to show support for a government that is willing to do the same.  The Bush administration will not even fund the only national memorial to our service members who have lost their lives since September 11th, the "Faces of the Fallen" memorial.  That memorial has been entirely privately funded and is only temporarily housed in the Women's War Memorial at the Arlington National Cemetery.  A rendering of a friend of mine is displayed there. 

Such is the true nature of this administration--they would leave us behind.  This administration has repeatedly cut funding to the Department of Veteran's Affairs.  More are being turned away and denied treatment or disabilities fur injuries sustained in this war.  Like in Viet Nam, those suffering from PTSD are not receiving adequate treatment. 

Why are the flag-draped coffins of our fallen not greeted by veterans when they return home anymore?  Why does the administration refuse to consider the human cost of war?  In stead of "no child left behind", we need a "no service member left behind" policy.  With great power comes great responsibility.  If our government is not willing to take care of its soldiers, then we should end the war.  Total power corrupts totally.  There are only two solutions to a corrupt government--regime change or protest.  Which would you prefer???

 

Afghan_Vet

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Orleans Peace Bus Boarding on Friday March 16th 7pm

Saint Patrick's Day March on the Pentagon
Had enough WAR ? Then grab a seat on the Cape Cod Peace bus! The Washington D.C.  Peace Commuter Bus next destination is " March on the Pentagon"  this weekend!  Round Trip Tickets  $65.

 Remember these facts,Vice President Dick Cheney's, former Halliburton company  is relocating to UAE for tax purposes.

With no-bid contracts in Iraq, and Cost Plus charges to you and me. Iraq for Sale. If you want some backround news on the Bush family business, Bush's Dresser Industries, merged with Cheney's Halliburton . NPR NOW HEAR  THIS!  Or Read more on the merger here:

Our hope is that we will be seeing these companies in the courts very soon. And speaking of the courts!- "AG G0nzales, you're doing a heck of a job." AG Gonzales, fired 8 US attorneys, keep informed with by watching both senate & house hearings on the hill, and follow  your tax money.

Did you see the senate hearings on the US Attorneys last week on C-Span?  Watch it now!

 The count-down is on! We have one (1) day before we leave for the "March on the Pentagon".

We still have a few seats left or you can upgrade to First Class Seats!

 We decided that we would UPGRADE a few last seats  to be First Class Double Seats. 

You now can stretch out in the First Class Section of the Peace Bus- Cost will be $130 Round Trip with complimentary tin of ImpeachMints at your seat. 

 We will leave Friday evening and return early Sunday morning; the cost of a regular seat is $65.00 and includes the round trip bus ride. Money is to be delivered to the  Earth House  in Orleans.
 
 The next week there is also a regional MARCH ON THE BOSTON COMMON on March 24th, with a fund raiser the night  before March 23rd,  at  Olde Jail House Tavern in Orleans. PJ's for Peace  (Download Flyer) fundraiser for CCP&J and ARLINGTON EAST.

For information on the trip,  call John at 508-432-0545 or Jennifer at 508-237-1384.

We hope to see you Thursday night or Friday night.

Information on the upcoming March on the Pentagon Saturday March 17th. A bus will be leaving on Friday evening after dinner from the following locations:

•   _{Falmouth IHOP Parking Lot, -  (Bourne Rotary) at 9 pm,}
  
•   _{Somerset, MA (Park & Ride Lot)  Rt. 103 & I-195 -  at 10 pm,   (exit 4)}
  

All  returning from the Pentagun to Somerset, Falmouth, Barnstable and Orleans, MA by breakfast on Sunday, March 18th!

On Thursday, March 15, 7PM, at  Orleans United Methodist Church  hall we will be showing a FREE film Voices of Iraq  we also will have a "poster and banner making party" and a last minute meeting for  "March On Pentagon" with news updates! Always check here and e-mail this link to folks you think might want to get "off the cod" and march as if thier life depended on it.

(Forward this link to your e-mail list  to those like minded folks who may want to join or $upport us.)  

Cut & Paste this URL  http://www.capecodtoday.com/blogs/index.php/CCIPeace

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 Cape Cod Peace Train or Train Wreck!

There's a hairpin curve in the train tracks at Altoona, Pennsylvania, where passengers on the train actually get to see the engine pass as it rounds Horseshoe Bend. In my mind's eye, I see US citizens as passenger's on such a train, watching and crying out in horror as the train heads for disaster and the three locomotives at the head of the train, symbolizing the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of our government, allow it to rush full speed ahead. Terrorized passengers cannot be numbed by the crisis or placated by non-binding resolutions of disapproval. They have to apply the emergency brakes.

Signed:_________________________________________________

Date: _________________________

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Get on the Cape Cod Peace Bus! Say No to War!

Hey Folks! If you still want to join your friends and neighbors in the greatest peace march of the 21st century, then get on Jet Blue and don't you stew for as low as $39. each way dude!

And read the story in today's Harwich Oracle about the Harwich folks who are joining this national peace march in Washington;
_____________________________
Locals mobilize for war protest
By Douglas Karlson

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