Veterans For Peace Weekly E-Letter

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	Friday, October 16, 2015 VFP Calls On U.S. Public to Say No to More War President Obama’s decision to prolong the U.S. led war in Afghanistan only ensures U.S. responsibility for more death and destruction. Veterans For Peace condemns the decision and calls on the U.S. public to say no to more war. It is clear that U.S. led efforts in Afghanistan have given more people reason to join the Taliban. A Carnegie Endowment for International Peace 2009 question and answer piece explained, people… “join because the Afghan government is unjust, corrupt, or simply not there. They also join because the Americans have bombed their houses or shown disrespect for their values. For young people, joining the Taliban is a way to earn social status.”  <VFP Full Statement> Click here to sign the Petition created by Doctors Without Borders telling President Obama to to consent to independent investigation of Kunduz hospital bombing. Back to Top Afghanistan and Iraq: Lessons for the Imperial Submitted by VFP Advisory Board member Ralph Nader The photographs in The New York Times told contrasting stories last week. One showed two Taliban soldiers in civilian clothes and sandals, with their rifles, standing in front of a captured U.N. vehicle. The Taliban forces had taken the northern provincial capital of Kunduz. The other photograph showed Afghan army soldiers fully equipped with modern gear, weapons, and vehicles. Guess who is winning? An estimated 30,000 Taliban soldiers with no air force, navy, or heavy weapons have been holding down 10 times more Afghan army and police and over 100,000 U.S. soldiers with the world's most modern weaponry -- for eight years. <Full Article> Back to Top The Golden Rule Returns to Humboldt Bay Golden Rule at Golden Gate Bridge The Golden Rule is coming home to Humboldt Bay!  The historic sailing vessel is completing her first voyage since being restored by Veterans For Peace and many friends.  The Golden Rule is expected to arrive into Humboldt Bay at approximately 11 am Friday, October 16.  She will be docking at the Eureka Public Marina.  Arriving on the Golden Rule are Captain Ed Fracker of King Salmon and crew members Michael Gonzalez of Trinidad, David SanGiovanni of Eureka, and Helen Jaccard of Seattle. <Press Release> Back to Top Only a Few Days Left to Place Your PIOT Order! Deadline to place NEW subscriptions and new bundle orders:  Oct 19, 2015 Order your copy or bundle today! Articles included in this edition: Capt. Mena Sandoval: A Different Kind of Soldier – John Lamperti Peace Movement Must Pivot Into Asia Pacific – Bruce Gagnon The Asian Pivot, U.S. Militarism and Agent Orange – Tarak Kauff Power of Conscience: U.S. Military and the Myth of Violence – Maria Santelli PIOT Editor to Run for Mayor – Mike Ferner Black Americans and the Military – William Anderson Voyage of the Gold Rule Continues – Ellen Taylor WWII Hero Condemns Nuclear Weapons – Pamela Alma Weymouth The Other Feminism – Charlotte Maria Sãenz Hedges, Swanson, Marjorie Cohn . . . and much more Back to Top Back by Popular Demad - Proud Supporter Tshirt Veterans For Peace has launched a series of proud supporter shirts, available in a variety of colors. All proceeds will go to Veterans For Peace.   Order yours today! $20 Back to Top Travel Opportunities for Activists Please be advised that we take 15-20 people, and only 4 spaces remain. Our tours are led by VFP member and Cuban documentary film maker Jim Ryerson, who has been to the island more than 25 times.  If you are interested, please contact Jim. Like the other 2 trips, this one will sell out. jim@travelingman.net 323-436-5223 Here is the itinerary   http://cubaexplorer.com/tours/jrjan/ (Click on Book Now to see prices) Location Sponsored by Dates              Contact for Additional Information Palestine Code Pink Nov 1-8, 2015 Visit the Code Pink website Cuba Code Pink Nov 20-29, 2015 Visit the Code Pink website Venezuela SOAW Dec 2-10, 2015 For more information email Terri Mattson at teri.mattson@yahoo.com Cuba Jim Ryerson Jan 22-29 2016 For more information email Jim Ryerson at jim@cubaconnections.org. Cuba Code Pink Feb 2016 Visit the Code Pink website Việt Nam Việt Nam's  Hoa Binh (Peace) Chapter 160 Mar 14 -Mar 30 2016 For more information, please email Nadya Williams Cuba Code Pink May 2016 Visit the Code Pink website Palestine Interfaith Peacebuilders May 21 -Jun 1 2016 For more information email emily@IFPB.org Palestine Interfaith Peacebuilders Jul 16 - Jul 29 2016 For more information email emily@IFPB.org Palestine Interfaith Peacebuilders Oct 24 - Nov 6 2016 For more information email emily@IFPB.org Back to Top		In This Issue: VFP Calls On U.S. Public to Say No to More War Afghanistan and Iraq: Lessons for the Imperial by Ralph Nader The Golden Rule Returns to Humboldt Bay Only a Few Days Left to Place Your PIOT Order! - Deadline Oct 19, 2015! Back by Popular Demad - Proud Supporter Tshirt Travel Opportunities for Activists Holiday Items in VFP Store 2015 Convention Videos Available Save the Dates: Nov 20-22 - SOA Watch Vigil Protest Killer Drones: Speaking Event @ Air & Space Museum in Washington, DC VFP Member/Chapter Highlights Upcoming VFP Endorsed Actions/Events Holiday Items Now in VFP Store Holiday Cards A set of 10 vertical holiday cards, 5 x 7 inches (11 envelopes).  Message inside:  Blessed Holiday Season. - $15 A set of 10 horizontal holiday cards, 5 x 7 inches (11 envelopes).  Message inside: ...this season and throughout the New Year! - $15 Gift cards for store also available.  Coming soon - 2016 Syracuse Cultural Workers calendar.  $14.95 To order, click the image to be redirected to the VFP Store. Kunduz Hospital Banner 3' x 9' Banner - $60 Back to Top 2015 Convention Videos Available Plenaries and workshops from the VFP 2015 National Convention are available online. More will be available online in the upcoming weeks The Opening Ceremony Deported Veterans Workshop The Middle East and Ukraine Plenary Post-9/11 Plenary Back to Top Save the Dates: Nov 20-22 - SOA Watch Vigil Join us as we continue to denounce the failed U.S. policies, which have left a brutal legacy of impunity and Human Rights violations throughout the hemisphere. If you haven't already done so, start making your travel arrangements to Georgia! Please contact Casey at casey@veteransforpeace.org or 314-725-6005 if you plan to attend the SOAW gathering this year.  Hourly Shuttle Info from Atlanta to Columbus Back to Top Protest Killer Drones: Speaking Event @ Air & Space Museum in Washington, DC On October 27, the Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC is sponsoring an event called “Predator: Transforming Modern Warfare with Drones” with speaker James G. “Snake” Clark. The event advertisement reads: “James G. “Snake” Clark carefully engineered this political and military feat in the Pentagon and over the skies of the Middle East at the initial direction of Air Force General Ronald Fogelman.” Peace activists will gather outside the museum from 7:00-8:30pm to call for an end to drone warfare. Please attend if you can!  Sign up here. Back to Top VFP Member/Chapter Highlights VFP member, John Snively, from Western Montana Chapter 133 answers the question, 'Did your military service make you an activist?' in an article entitled, Vietnam Veterans' Voices: John Snively was air intelligence officer on Kitty Hawk  <Read article courtesy of Ravalli Reuplic.com> Members from VFP Minnesota Chapter 27 recently passed a resolution insisiting on Israel's withdrawal from Golan Heights. <Read text of chapter's resolution> VFP At-Large member, Dr. Terrence Webster-Doyle addresses the issue of bullying everywhere – at home, at school, in offices, among nations.  <Article> VFP lifetime member, Ann Wright will speak at the Women Cross DMZ Panel in New York City, NY on Oct 29th @ noon.  <More Information> Back to Top Upcoming VFP Endorsed Actions/Events Oct 9-24 - Maine Walk For Peace Nov 20-22, 2015 - SOA Watch 25th Anniversary Vigil Back to Top Did you know? In 2002, publicity generated  by  a  New York Times  ad,  and another  appearing  in  The Los Angeles Times after the bombing of Afghanistan stimulated membership growth. By year’s end, VFP had grown from approximately 500 paid members to nearly 2000.
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