[lavplist] Notes of May 12, 2008 Meeting

Thu May 22 22:47:57 PDT 2008

Notes from the Los Altos Voices for Peace May 12, 2008 Meeting

Meeting Notes:  Karen Lemes facilitated the meeting.  Introductions were
made.

Guest Speaker, Jim Swanson, local author of The Bush League of Nations:
The Coalition of the Unwilling, the Bullied and the Bribed.  Jim spent
two years in the Peace Corps in Morocco and earned MBA and JD degrees
from Stanford and an SB degree from MIT.  He also co-authored a book
about high-tech start-ups.  He started writing the book after 9/11, as
the Bush administration began its “Crusade” after Bin Laden and the
terrorists.  Jim felt concern and anger.  His book discusses the misuse
of religion by our government in this crusade and how the crusade and
domestic policies have bankrupted the U.S.  Using the British Journal
Lancet’s estimate of 655,000 Iraqi civilians killed, the loss of life in
Iraq is equivalent to a “Sept 11” every 11 hours or a “Virginia Tech”
every 7 ½ minutes!

When asked what the U.S. should do to end this war, Jim replied that the
U.S. should ask the Iraqis what they want done.  He pointed out that the
US leaders know neither the language nor the culture of Iraq.  He
stressed that though there is no good solution, the US must work with
the international community, especially the Arab League and Iraq’s
neighbors to find a solution.  Troops under UN command would be better
and more US troops could return home if that were the case.  He said
that a peace conference among Kurds, Shiites and Sunnis had been held,
an encouraging sign.  On a hopeful note, Jim said that there are many
good groups trying to make the world a better place.  He also spent much
time preparing an extensive index for his book which should be a good
resource for progressive groups.

Reports:  

Eyes Wide Open Exhibit in Palo Alto:  Barbara and Kevin constructed the
labyrinth of civilian shoes which represent the Iraqi civilian deaths.
It was separate from the rows of military boots representing the
soldiers from California who have been killed in the Iraq war.  All who
saw it felt it was a moving experience, but unfortunately those same
people said the event was not well attended.

Moveon event in San Mateo linking the Iraq War and current economic
problems:  Christine reported that about 50 people attended and a report
was delivered to Congresswoman Anna Eshoo’s office.

Larissa Keet Memorial Scholarship:  Karen reported that she, Katrina and
Aubrey Keet attended the reception at Foothill College.  The $1000
scholarship was won by Ryan Carroll, the top pick of the LAVP committee
that reviewed the applications.  Ryan was not at the reception but Karen
will contact him about attending an LAVP meeting soon.

Treasurer’s Report:  [Note:  Our treasurer was not in attendance and her
report had been left at someone’s home, but the information was emailed
to me to include here.]  Unrestricted funds balance is $805.33;
scholarship funds balance is $500.  $70 was spent for P.O. Box rent.

DVD of Audrey Shabbas’ talk:  Darwin will ask our librarian if she would
like a copy for the library.  It was noted that there is a cost
associated with adding a DVD to the library’s collection.  If more
copies are made, we may want the LAVP website added, but it was noted
that the website is written on the DVD label.  Ray will check the cost
of making 20 copies.

New activities/ideas/news:  

Using an electronic billboard on Hwy 101 for anti-war messages:  Ray
learned that the non-profit rate for using it for 3 hours in one day is
$233.  Would LAVP and other peace groups want to buy 2 days’ use of
publicity?

ILWU Work Stoppage to protest the Iraq War:  It was reported that on May
1, the International Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen’s Union stopped
work, a significant action.  Most unions do take political positions.

How can we be “in the faces” of our elected leaders, demanding an end to
the Iraq War?  In the Civil Rights Movement, religious people camped on
the steps of the US Capitol.  The protesters were “in the face” of our
representative.  Religious leaders are not as involved now.

Handing out literature at the Los Altos Art & Wine Festival:  Can we do
so?

Donating Tax Rebate checks:  Paul George of the Peninsula Peace and
Justice Center suggests that people send all or part of their tax rebate
checks to political groups that reflect their values.  F.Y.I.:  LAVP
address is:  P.O. Box 394, Los Altos, CA  94023.

Future events:  

Iraq Moratorium, Jeppeson protest in San Jose June 20.  Details will be
provided.

Peace Conference at end of June in Cleveland, Ohio.

Ray Shuster will facilitate the June and July meetings.  Notes by Donna
Poulos.

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