PPJ September, 2004 e-newsletter
(This is a very very long email. I suggest printing it out or
scrolling down to what interests you.)
1. selection from Five Rants
2. editorial
3. possible topics for Fall Discussion Series
4. peace picnic
5. Fall film series
6. 1st Friday coffeehouse
7. vigils
8. contact info.
1. selection from Five Rants by Hank Whitsett
The world got better things to do than resist devolutionary
leadership.
We got hungry to feed, sick to heal, we got children to teach and
elders to learn from.
We got music and art and writing to do
and this crazy global warming?
We got whole new economic systems and lifestyles to invent.
We got love to give, to learn, to feel.
We got evolution we gotta ride with and rise on.
So you crazy people need to step aside.
Let the world grow.
We got good food to eat and the sun to keep us warm,
We got people everywhere who want to stop fighting. Just get along.
2. editorial by Richard Wist
As we prepare for this historic election we must not underestimate
the negative impact another four years of this administration would have. It
might well usher in a level of exploitation and conflict that would be
irreversible. Having said that, we must also realize that our good fortune
in electing John Kerry, should that happen, will not substantially alter
but only slow our progress down the ominous path we are on. In order to
substantially change the nature of our political and corporate culture, we
the people must claim the authority and autonomy we are given in the
Constitution. We must recognize that our elected officials have never been
and never will be our true representatives. How can they be? They are not
of the people. With few exceptions they are powerful and wealthy lawyers
seeking to maintain the great favor they possess. Almost without fail the
great strides made in justice and equality throughout our history had to be
bitterly fought for with many lives sacrificed. And who was our bitter
enemy? The corporations, the courts, the Congress, and the Executive who all
resisted viciously the abolition of slavery and child labor, women’s
suffrage, equal education, the right to organize unions, etc. It would be
futile and foolish to expect politicians to initiate the policies necessary
to avert the sorrowful future they plan for our children. It would be
naive to think they will not vehemently resist the next great stride in
social justice as they have unfailingly done in the past.
By today’s standards, our Founding Fathers’ notions of equality and
justice are morally reprehensible. Perhaps they can be excused as products
of their times, a time when slavery, misogyny, and oligarchy were considered
a part of the natural order. But we also owe them a deep debt of gratitude.
In fits of passionate idealism, they rendered documents that left a crack in
the door, that "allowed" for the demise of these venal circumstances when,
and only when, the people organized and informed themselves and demanded
these basic rights. Our Founding Fathers did not expect the Constitution to
be the final formula for self government. In fact, the government itself is
rightly only a tool, a system of representational bookkeeping and
management for the nation. It was not meant to remain the autocratic
authority it has become. The promise of our democracy was and is the right
of the people to associate freely and express themselves in order to define
the nature of their social and political institutions. If democracy is to
survive, the people within and among themselves must dictate policy to their
representatives. If this sacred right is not acknowledged and acted upon,
the tyranny that is manifesting will surely grow.
The next inevitable and rightful evolution in our great democracy
must take place soon if we are to save it from corporate domination and
honor the promise of our children’s future. I believe this evolution
involves the formation of public organizations exclusive of government or
corporate influence by which the common citizen may exercise the most
powerful yet untapped force on earth, the economic power of the western
consumer. They who control the flow of capital control the fate of man.
It is as simple as that. The welfare of billions of people will depend on
the behavior of the first world consumer. If we continue to mindlessly
support cynical corporations that are trapped in a cycle of destructive
competition, we are doomed, regardless of our political choices. If we
diligently support ethical, environmentally sound, sustainable community
oriented businesses, our society will grow ever more just and democratic
despite our meager political options. When the people lead, the leaders will
follow. When the powerful lead, they will concentrate their power until
absolute power corrupts absolutely.
So take full advantage of your right to vote. It is something of
vital importance you can do for five minutes on a Tuesday in November. But
never forget to take full advantage of your right and power to create an
ethical economy. It is of vital importance and something you can do every
day for the rest of your life. It is the one thing that will truly
make the difference.
3. possible topics for Fall Discussion Series from Tony Ferrara
(Feedback to Tony Ferrara 326-8564; or toeknee@hypernet.com)
I. Religion: Part of the Problem and Part of the Solution
The U.S. Satan meets the Axis of Evil: The myth of redemptive violence.
What has been the role of radical Muslim, Christian and Jewish
Fundamentalism in the war? Why does Fundamentalism encourage violence?
How do Fundamentalists see God? Do some theologies encourage peace? What
has been the influence of moderate religious groups upon the war?
II. Media in a Time of War
Why we don’t know the people we are killing as a people: how the media fail
to communicate the culture, national character, communication style and
values of Iraqis. Has the media failed to ask the tough questions and report
information critical of the War in Iraq? Why must we search the Internet in
order to discover the conditions, laws and edicts set in place to preclude
Iraqi 'sovereigntyd'? Bring the questions you would ask if you had the
access of our media.
III. Post 9/11 US Foreign Policy: Ethical considerations in a unipolar world
Changing our military policy from defensive war to preemptive war has had
a major influence on the stability of the world. Does a military policy of
preemptive war make sense when our first strike of Iraq was launched in
order to capture fictional WMD? Is democracy the best form of government
for Iraq? Does President Bush have America's mandate to democratize the
Middle East? The president has committed America to a war that is global
and everlasting. The last terrorist will never be destroyed; the War on
Terrorism is permanent and so are its domestic repercussions.
IV. The Economics of War
When the "safety and security" machine becomes the fastest growing sector
of the economy, who profits? The list includes the caterers and innkeepers
of the war, the international rebuilding and security industries, weapons
producers, manufactures of war material, etc. Is reducing unemployment by
creating war- and security-related jobs at the cost of greater national debt
helping the economy?
V. Solutions: Envisioning an Alternative to Continued and Escalating U.S.
Military Violence (or: Distinguishing the Path of Peace from the Path of
Security)
Those who plan to attend are asked to give some forethought to the
following question: Can we formulate a better plan to insure the "safety
and security of the American people" than the one offered by the current
administration? If you doubt that bludgeoning global violence is the
correct path to achieve our safety and security, you are invited to claim
your sovereignty, unleash your creativity and add your ideas in defining
an alternative path to combating terrorism and exiting Iraq.
VI. The Politics of Peace: who gets the Peace vote?
Is John Kerry an acceptable choice for those who believe the war in Iraq
is wrong, and that the War on Terrorism gives license to reckless violence?
Voters fleeing from President Bush's military excesses can hardly be
consoled by a challenger who aspires to be tougher on terror than Bush.
The political dilemma for those who seek peace is: "How do you cast a vote
for Peace?"
VII. Noam Chomsky: A Divergent View of U.S. Foreign Policy
4. peace picnic
9/18, 2-6 PM, home of Jean and Dud Hendrick
bring your own food, blankets, etc.
fmi: dudhe@prexar.com or 348 -2511
5. Fall Film Series
all films begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Blue Hill Library
followed by a discussion
fmi: 326-4405
Wed., 9/22, The Celluloid Closet
Wed., 10/27, Bombies
Wed., 11/17, Invisible
Wed., 12/15, to be announced
6. 1st Friday coffeehouse
(only once a month in Sept. and Oct.)
7:30-9:30 PM, Liberty School
poets, musicians, and spoken word artists invited to first-hour
open mike
fmi: 326-4405 or info@artactivism.org
9/3 featured performer~The Prince Myshkins
www.hiddenagendamusic.com/Myshkins/?
10/1 featured performer~Jud Caswell
www.judcaswell.com
7. vigils
12-12:30, Sundays, Blue Hill bridge
4-4:30, Mondays, across from Deer Isle Congregational Church
8. contact PPJ
Peninsula Peace and Justice
PO Box 1515
Blue Hill, ME 04614
326-4405