This space is dedicated to the proposition that we need to know the history of the struggles on the left and of earlier progressive movements here and world-wide. If we can learn from the mistakes made in the past (as well as what went right) we can move forward in the future to create a more just and equitable society. We will be reviewing books, CDs, and movies we believe everyone needs to read, hear and look at as well as making commentary from time to time. Greg Green, site manager
Monday, July 18, 2016
From Veterans For Peace- VFP eNews: VFP Statement on Violence at Home and Abroad
VFP eNews: VFP Statement on Violence at Home and Abroad, Last Opportunity to order PIOT Summer Issue, Convention Updates & More!
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Veterans For Peace Statement on Recent Violence at Home and Abroad
Veterans For Peace would like to express deep sadness at the violence and loss of life that has spread like a plague around the globe. We express our heartfelt sympathies to all who have lost loved ones. We call for an end to violence at home and around the world.
Veterans For Peace condemns Newt Gingrich’s call for a test of every U.S. Muslim and deportation of those who do not pass this test. It is a prime example of cultivating division and demonizing whole communities. Gingrich and others who call for similar responses to acts of violence are leading the world down the same ruinous path of dehumanization, violence and war that we have followed since the U.S. invaded Afghanistan and Iraq.
We at Veterans For Peace call on all to turn away from violence and seek peaceful means for a just change. We know war and violence are not the answer. Our members have dealt in violence and killing as a profession, and we know the moral injury and suffering it brings. We know that violence leads to more violence, which can easily spiral out of control into a cycle of death. Only those directing the violence benefit from it. Those of us who do the killing and dying—combatants or innocent victims caught in the crossfire, gain little if anything and are forever scarred. Whether it is the streets of Orlando, St. Paul, Dallas and Nice or Baghdad, Aleppo and Kandahar. We call on the world to work for global peace based on justice in each and every community as the means to end this cycle of death.<Full Statement> Back to Top
Peace In Our Times Summer Edition Goes To Print On Monday...Order Your Copy Today
Here’s the front page of the upcoming summer issue. Twenty-four pages packed with great articles, poems and graphics. Bundles are mailed out via media mail so can take a week or more to arrive and sometimes, rarely, but it does happen, the post office loses a bundle or two. Then we have to send out a replacement bundle. The paper will go to print mid-July and be mailed out immediately. We want you to get the papers before the VFP convention in Berkeley so please do not order late! Please feel free to forward this to friends
If you are interested in being a board member, please send a short resume including a statement explaining why you are interested in serving as a VFP Board member to Board President Barry Ladendorf bladendorf@veteransforpeace.org or call the VFP National Office 314-725-6005 to speak to the Executive Director Michael T. McPhearson to answer any questions. 2016-2017 Board Candidates will be announced at the Saturday Business Meeting. Back to Top
Why Do Veterans Support Donald Trump?
Excerpts from an article written by Executive Director, Michael T. McPhearson are below.
People ask me on a regular basis why so many veterans support Trump. First, we must consider that the military personnel in general seem to skew a bit to the right. If we have more Republicans in the military — through self-selection or geographically targeted recruiting in the South — it stands to reason to have more military personnel support for the Republican nominee. We must remember that veterans are not very different from civilians. We carry the same fears, hopes and anger as the rest of the country. This election cycle has been exceptionally volatile. The perceived outsider status of Trump and Sanders has brought new people into the political process and fired up the base of both major parties. Trump has masterfully used the media and large crowds to create a spectacle to build support. He has featured veterans in his stage show, using them as props to gain credibility, and making us more visible in the process.<Full article> Back to Top
Seven Anti-drone activists arrested at Beale AFB, June 28, 2016
Seven Anti-drone activists were arrested, cited and released, while protesting drone killing, and honoring the life of Muhammad Azam, a recent drone victim.
Next Occupy Beale Action: July 25 & 26, Mark your calendar! Back to Top
Theme: Peace At Home, Peace Abroad
A Just and Sustainable Future for the World’s Children The 2016 convention hosting chapter is VFP San Francisco Chapter 69. The dates for the convention are Thursday, August 11 thru Monday, August 15 @ University California - Clark Kerr campus in Berkeley CA. Please note the change from our past program. This convention will not be Wednesday thru Sunday. Volunteers Volunteers needed. Please send an email to the Volunteer Coordinator, Mike Wong via email samstonetoday@gmail.com Registration Online convention and dorm registration will close on Aug 2nd and reopen in Berkeley on Aug 11th. Click the button below to register online, or download the registration form and/or dorm room registration form and send snail mail to:
Veterans For Peace
Attn: Registration
1404 North Broadway
Saint Louis, MO 63102
For guests who need to check in on Wednesday, Aug 10th, please submit this form. If you have questions, contact the national office.
Resolution/Bylaw Proposals Resolution and Bylaw proposals are currently being reviewed. Proposals will be posted on the VFP national website as soon as they are available. Veteran Members: To vote on Bylaws, please be sure the national office has a DD214 or another official document on file. Documents can be emailed to vfp@veteransforpeace.org. Ad for Program Book All ad copy should have been received. Don't forget to pay for your ads. Ad payments can be made online or by sending a check/money order to the VFP national office. Tabling Tabling may be limited, so be sure to purchase your table early. The campus will provide 6 ft tables.
Workshops Workshop titles and room numbers have been posted on the convention website. Workshop descriptions will appear in the convention program book.
Jul 27 - Korean War Armistice Day Aug 11-15, 2016 - VFP Annual Convention at Clark Kerr campus of University of California Berkeley, CA Aug 27 - Remembering the Kellogg Briand Pact Sep 21—International Day of Peace Oct 7-10 - First SOAW bi-national convergence at the U.S./Mexico border in Nogales, Arizona Nov 11 - Armistice Day in your city Oct 11-26 - 2016 Maine Peace Walk - Stop the War$ on Mother Earth in various cities in Maine Nov 11 - Armistice Day in your city
Veterans For Peace would like to express deep sadness at the violence and loss of life that has spread like a plague around the globe. We express our heartfelt sympathies to all who have lost loved ones. We call for an end to violence at home and around the world. Veterans For Peace condemns Newt Gingrich’s call for a test of every U.S. Muslim and deportation of those who do not pass this test. It is a prime example of cultivating division and demonizing whole communities. Gingrich and others who call for similar responses to acts of violence are leading the world down the same ruinous path of dehumanization, violence and war that we have followed since the U.S. invaded Afghanistan and Iraq. We at Veterans For Peace call on all to turn away from violence and seek peaceful means for a just change. We know war and violence are not the answer. Our members have dealt in violence and killing as a profession, and we know the moral injury and suffering it brings. We know that violence leads to more violence, which can easily spiral out of control into a cycle of death. Only those directing the violence benefit from it. Those of us who do the killing and dying—combatants or innocent victims caught in the crossfire, gain little if anything and are forever scarred. Whether it is the streets of Orlando, St. Paul, Dallas and Nice or Baghdad, Aleppo and Kandahar. We call on the world to work for global peace based on justice in each and every community as the means to end this cycle of death.<Full Statement>
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