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Fear Up Preview and Discussion

Last night at Busboys and Poets, donors to Fear Up got a preview and generated a far ranging discussion about the War, Guantanamo, and the antiwar movement. It was a spicy evening. But then, it's a spicy time.

MNFU 035.jpg
Marietta Hedges and Maboud Ebramizadeh read from the play

Maboud read: TIPTON MAN:

We were moved to a new tent. The next morning our numbers were called out and we were made to sit while soldiers chained us up together and then to a hook on the floor. Then, these guys came in with clippers, they shaved my hair and my beard; they cut all my clothes off and threw this medication over me, to kill the lice. Then they unlocked me from the floor and led me into another tent naked where they forced me to squat again and did another “intimate cavity search”. They made us take off the blue jumpsuits and put on orange jumpsuits, and made us wear thick gloves taped to our sleeves. Then, they made us sit outside on the gravel while they processed everyone. We had no water all day, but towards the end they gave us an MRE [a ready-to-eat US army meal] but no spoon. I had to try and trough it like an animal.

Marietta read:

My husband has been serving in Iraq with Kilo Company. He was supposed to come home several times. It was supposed to be a six-month deployment. So he was supposed to come home in October. They extended it to December. Then they extended it to March, and then finally to April to make the year. And the week before he was supposed to leave Iraq, he got extended for three months.

I’m mad at the Army for breaking its promise but I’m also mad at my husband. I fought with him over the phone about wanting him to come home, especially since our baby is having minor surgery next week. But Byron can’t take the time off like a civilian. He can’t quit his job without risking jail time. I felt like, you know, something has to be able to be done. Why can’t you talk to somebody and why can’t you just come home? But like, really, he can’t. They can do whatever they want with him. You’re signing up for the military just as much as your spouse is. You don’t just re-enlist a soldier, you really enlist the whole family.

and other selections.

Ronald Nelson read a statement from John Kerry, in support of the Fear Up project and what we are trying to do. He also implored those present to give money.

And then John Pike got up and spoke about trying to stop the war before it began.

MNFU 040.jpg

At the moment he was chiding the antiwar movement for poor organization and leadership, Cindy Sheehan arrived.

Without going into great detail, let us say that Cindy and Medea Benjamin and several others took exception to what he was saying. Cindy gave a passionate plea for positive thinking and pointed out that she now goes all over the world and finds thousands and thousands of supporters for the peace efforts here in the US and globally.

But John Pike had a point too. There are not a lot of folks/organizations on the same page as far as building actions goes. Afterwards many small discussions broke out all over the room. And I watched and listened and tried to manage my own feelings: frustration, guilt, anger, pride in what I do.

This morning I searched out some sources for discussion. The topic: NOT what is wrong with the antiwar movement? The topic for the day is: WHAT DO WE DO?

Background reading:

Article by Mark Levine

Quote:

"[The movement] must become more about human rights, balanced perspective, recognizing just how US has contributed to the Iraqi people's suffering, but also how the Hussein regime, the UN and outside powers contributed too. Only then can we show true solidarity with the Iraqi people… At the same time, it's about ideology. We must create more think tanks and institutions in Washington itself that can have influence on the policy process and be guided by values and principles of the progressive community while incorporating -- and in so doing, transforming -- issues related to 'national security.' Because if we can't speak that language, we'll continue to be relegated to the street, unable to build cultural change in Washington and thus the country." As of today, concurs another senior organizer, "what's still missing is both depth of message and more heavyweight people to deliver it against the likes of William Kristol and Richard Perle."

Another perspective

Quote:

Let us put aside our small differences, our organizational concerns, our divergences around matters of minor moment. Remember our common aspirations and forget the rest. If we can do this, we have the opportunity to build a movement unprecedented in the history of our people. If we cannot, nothing lies before us but never ending war and universal suffering both at home and abroad.

And Phyllis Bennis, from the Institute for Policy Studies wrote:

What does our movement need for this work? (Looking at 2005)
• Internationalism: serious networking, engagement and intersection with global peace movement.
• Linkage with Israel/Palestine question: crucial issue of dual occupations; peace movement has accomplished important initial educational and mobilization work in normalizing the issue within the broader peace and justice movement, but needs to do more to make links.
• Organizing strategies: beyond giant national actions, we must figure out ways of exacerbating the deficits/challenges facing U.S. strategy, and educating on those rising costs and deficits. March 19th mobilization will be key.
• Grassroots media and training -- we can look at the model of the U.S. Campaign to End Israeli Occupation in organizing regional training sessions in five-six state regions. Provides basic skills training in media, outreach/education and advocacy, but simultaneously mobilizes and energizes movement activists still paralyzed with post-election depression.
• Speaking tours probably good idea -- but have to be linked with outreach and media strategies, not just educational. Our national movement, centered in UFPJ, needs to play the role of linking local and regional organizing efforts into a national peace movement able to speak with one voice, one message.

And finally, Cindy Sheehan herself:

The challenge of the peace movement, now that we have identified the problem so well and have the vast majority of Americans on our side, is to convince each and every last American that he/she has a very intimate and personal stake in what we are allowing our government to do in Iraq and the world. ~Cindy Sheehan

Today I am back at the White House and we are talking, and planning Camp Democracy. Let's have the national discussion about the antiwar movement here as well.

After you read the above articles, what do you think would get all of us to be more active and organized?

117 Comments

July 25, 2006 11:21 AM

karen said:

This just in:

I wanted to share this letter Kerry sent to Bush this morning, asking that when Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki addresses Congress tomorrow, the Prime Minister be clear and candid about realities on the ground in Iraq and that he strongly condemn the use of terror anywhere in the world – including by Hezbollah against Israel. April Boyd

July 25, 2006

The Honorable George W. Bush
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

As you know, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will be addressing a Joint Session of Congress tomorrow. I write in hopes that you will encourage Prime Minister Maliki to use this as an opportunity to address some important issues that are on the minds of many Americans.

Members of Congress strongly support Prime Minister Maliki in his efforts to end the sectarian violence and bring stability to Iraq, and we share his hope for a better future for his country. I believe that addressing the following issues will only help to build confidence in his government as they embark on the difficult tasks ahead.

1. Hezbollah and Iran. Many are very concerned about comments made by Prime Minister Maliki about the ongoing Israeli initiative against Hezbollah, a terrorist organization which started the current conflict by mounting an attack against Israel. Specifically, Prime Minister Maliki described the Israeli operations in Lebanon and Gaza as “criminal” and called “on the world to take quick stands to stop the Israeli aggression.” This is in notable contrast to comments from other key regional powers, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, which criticized Hezbollah for “unexpected, inappropriate and irresponsible acts.” Given that it is essential to send a clear message that terrorism is never acceptable, and that ending support for terrorist organizations like Hezbollah by countries including Iran is key to winning the war on terror, Prime Minister Maliki should clarify that he condemns Hezbollah for its attack on Israel, and that he believes that Iran should not continue to provide weapons to Hezbollah.

2. Civil War. Prime Minister Maliki acknowledged on Monday that approximately one hundred Iraqis were being killed every day in sectarian violence, yet he maintains that there is no civil war; in fact he said that “Civil war will not happen to Iraq.” Many in Iraq and here in America believe that a civil war is already under way, and would appreciate hearing from Prime Minister Maliki what conditions he believes would rise to the level of a civil war, what exactly his plan is for ending the sectarian violence, and what role he envisions for U.S. troops if the sectarian violence continues to get worse.

3. U.S. Forces in Iraq. Ambassador Khalilzad recently said that he and General Casey had been discussing with the Iraqi government the formation of a joint commission to outline terms and conditions for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, and that they planned to sit down with Prime Minister Maliki to establish this joint commission as soon as Ambassador Khalilzad returned to Iraq. When asked Monday how long he thought Iraq would need the assistance of foreign troops, Prime Minister Maliki said "It is definitely not decades, not even years.” Prime Minister Maliki should provide an update on the status of negotiations with this joint commission, and give us his best estimate on when U.S. troop withdrawals could begin, and when he expects this process to be complete.

4. Militias. Prime Minister Maliki was quoted on Monday as saying that "We have reached an agreement in the government that we will have to confront them (the militias) and deal with them.” Given the importance of disbanding these militias, Prime Minister Maliki should let us know exactly what this agreement is, what specifically his plan is for disbanding these militias, including whether it is part of his reconciliation plan, and state definitively that there will be no amnesty for Iraqis who kill U.S. soldiers.

Addressing these issues will help to ensure that the Prime Minister’s visit is as successful and productive as possible. Thank you for your attention to this request.

Sincerely,
John Kerry

July 25, 2006 11:31 AM

Suz said:

Ok, so I need some help with this. Maybe someone has some ideas for me.

Pro-war Joe Schwartz (R) has placed a huge campaign billboard adjacent to the Episcopalian for Peace sign right along the I94 highway. I'm trying to figure out how to get in touch with these Episcopalians to ask them to take down their sign or to find another way to counter the misinformation that the placement of those signs promote. Has anybody else seen their sign or their web address?

This is not the right link for Episcopalians for Peace. Anyone have any themselves?

http://www.epfnational.org/publish/

(Good link anyway.)

July 25, 2006 11:42 AM

monkey said:

The Story In Your Eyes
by Moody Blues

I've been thinking about our fortune
And I've decided that we're really not to blame
For the love that's deep inside us now
Is still the same
And the sounds we make together
Is the music to the story in your eyes
It's been shining down upon me now
I realize
Listen to the tide slowly turning
Wash all our heartaches away
We're part of the fire that is burning
And from the ashes we can build another day
But I'm frightened for your children
That the life that we are living is in vain
And the sunshine we've been waiting for
Will turn to rain
Listen to the tide slowly turning
Wash all our heartaches away
We're part of the fire that is burning
And from the ashes we can build another day
But I'm frightened for the children
That the life that we are living is in vain
And the sunshine we've been waiting for
Will turn to rain
When the final line is over
And it's certain that the curtain's gonna fall
I can hide inside your sweet sweet love
For ever more

July 25, 2006 12:10 PM

monkey said:

Like sheep to the slaughter (and wouldn't this be like, uh, giving away troop movement information to the enemy???)...

CNN Breaking News: President Bush says more U.S. military police units and troops will be deployed to Baghdad from elsewhere in Iraq to help fight increased insurgent attacks.

July 25, 2006 12:10 PM

dwahzon said:

Here's an action I think is useful and will actually have some impact if it can be brought to the floor of the House for discussion...

It's time to repeal the President's Iraq War Powers
by Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey

~snip~
This occupation of Iraq must end, now, and President Bush must bring our troops home.

That is why, today, I am introducing the Iraq War Powers Repeal Act of 2006. It is past time for Congress to demand that the Bush Administration come clean on Iraq, and put the safety of our troops, and the security of our nation first.

By repealing the Iraq War Powers, Congress would resume its Constitutional role overseeing the use of military force, and would reassert its authority by bringing our troops home.

Of course, the passage of this bill will be an up-hill struggle, but it is a fight that we can no longer avoid. Rescinding the President's war powers in Iraq is the least that we can do for our troops, and for their families who anxiously await their return. With over 2,550 brave men and women having given their lives, and thousands seriously wounded, how many more must die before we put an end to this madness?

This is one more step in putting and end to occupation. It is time to pass the "Iraq War Powers Repeal Act of 2006."

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/7/25/9581/05716

July 25, 2006 1:05 PM

Suz said:

Dwahzon,

Good link to kos. I think a poster there makes a great point that Bush never specifically got war powers from Congress. But even so...I don't think the current Republicans are willing to do this.

Gotta get out to work on this.

I'm going to listen to a local speaker today to see if I like his plan. The interesting thing is that I like Madame's and Ellen Beth's candidate better than any of my own. Also, lots of candidates I like in the 2 hour away range... (Oh, woe is me....)

July 25, 2006 1:39 PM

ralpheh said:

Ok, so I need some help with this. Maybe someone has some ideas for me.

This is not the right link for Episcopalians for Peace. Anyone have any themselves?

http://www.epfnational.org/publish/

(Good link anyway.)

Posted by: Suz at July 25, 2006 11:31 AM

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

I wonder if the billboard company would release that information about who is renting the sign....

Where is it on I-94? what mile marker?

July 25, 2006 1:48 PM

Suz said:

Posted by: ralpheh at July 25, 2006 01:39 PM

I don't know the exact mile marker. I just know it's between Baker Road and Chelsea, most likely about 5 miles west of Baker.

(As you're heading east on 94.)

July 25, 2006 2:09 PM

NonnyO said:

Posted by: monkey at July 25, 2006 12:10 PM

Yup, it is "giving information to the enemy." (Neffer mind no one in Iraq was an "enemy" before The Decider decided to commit a war crime by illegally invading Iraq - but I digress).

But, of course, The Decider would never betray his country with loose lips, now, would he? The Decider is always right since he's trying to keep us all safe from the bogey-men ter-rists out there, no?

And just because The Decider says he agrees with 'wanting' to reduce the number of US troops in Iraq doesn't mean the increase or the shift of US troops there are more LIES, no?

July 25, 2006 2:25 PM

NonnyO said:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060725/ap_on_go_co/signing_statements
Sen. Specter prepping bill to sue Bush

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060725/ap_on_go_co/interstate_abortion
Democrats seek changes to abortion bill

LEAVING PREGNANT TEENS IN THE LURCH
Nancy Keenan, TomPaine.com
If Bill Frist and his anti-choice allies prevail, today's Senate vote on the Child Custody Protection Act could mean tragedy for pregnant teenagers.

http://www.alternet.org/story/39413/
Rachel Neumann on the so-called ‘Roe v. Wade for Men’:
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/themix/39430

AMERICA'S 100 YEARS OF OVERTHROW
Robert Sherrill, Texas Observer
The US is addicted to overthrowing foreign governments -- 14 in the past century -- from Cuba to Chile to Iran.
http://www.alternet.org/audits/39416/

July 25, 2006 2:33 PM

monkey said:

Deep Thoughts ...

by Jack Handy

"The next time a republican candidate, pundit or supporter claims that democrats have done a good job of obstructing legislation and other items they deem important to America, it would be wise not to accuse them of being weak if you simultaneously claim they are able to derail a government that is controlled at all levels by Republicans"

Everybody's working for the weak end.

July 25, 2006 3:27 PM

madame defarge said:

For what it's worth, here's what I believe RE: becoming more active, organized, & involved in the Iraqi situation...Move beyond the problems & focus on solutions.

Stop agonizing over the problems & blaming this administration for its failures in Iraq and start focussing on & supporting concrete solutions. Organize peace/community/national messages & groups around specific plans offered by those whose views you support, i.e., Jack Murtha, John Kerry, & other elected officials. Another strategy is to support views by non-elected officials who have no skin in the game in an election year and convince our elected officials to do the same.

Perhaps it will be easier to bring more people together when we do more than protest the war; instead educate ourselves & others about viable solutions and then openly support those solutions. It seems to me that it will help break down partisan barriers to get the 65%+ majority of people in our country who believe this war is a complete mess.

Based on everything I've read so far, Peter Galbraith (author of "The End of Iraq") seems to offer very logical & well-reasoned solutions to fixing the country we broke, resolving internal Iraqi conflicts, & minimizing US presence there.

In fact, if you read nothing else about the Iraqi situation, read Galbraith's op-ed in today's NYTimes. As he points out, the current Iraqi government seems only to be governing the Green Zone. Please take time to read the entire piece here ===>
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/25/opinion/25galbraith.html

My $.0002 worth, adjusted for inflation

July 25, 2006 3:51 PM

Matthew Carnicelli said:

The Kinzer book sounds like a must read. I highly recommend his earlier Iran book, "All the Shah's Men" - even if it is a truly heart-breaking story. I completely agree with Kinzer's contention that much of the US's problems in the region begin with the overthrow of the Mossadegh government.

Most Democrats in power have, in their own way, been as seduced by the dark side as Republicans - by the idea that America is somehow the solution to all the world's problems. How would I love to see us revisit Washington's advice in his Farewell Address, and return to a non-interventionist foreign policy wherever possible.

That said, it is worth noting that while Dean Acheson and Harry Truman did try to mediate the Iranian-British dispute - they were quite sympathetic to the Iranian cause, and would never have gone along with the idea of a coup. It was only when Dulles and the Eisenhower regime came into power that the plan to subvert a democratically elected government was hatched.

July 25, 2006 4:17 PM

mbk said:

Karen--
Wonderful that you have Sen. Kerry's support!

July 25, 2006 4:22 PM

Truth Shall Prevail said:

Posted by: Suz at July 25, 2006 11:31 AM

Suz, you might inquire for further information about the group you are looking for by checking these links, and also, by calling Episcopal headquarters. Many large organizations have 1-800 toll free numbers. 800 information line is 1-800-555-1212.

www.centerforfaithinpolitics.org/2006/05/largest_rebel_group_signs_peac.html

2006/05/episcopals_face_another_battle.html - 10k -

July 25, 2006 4:28 PM

Truth Shall Prevail said:

As for myself, I know I will be busy with new responsibilities - and won't have as much time to research and learn history and political strategies.

If I am aware of anything going on that can solve some of the problems I will try to make time to be involved in it.

It will be great to not be so limited by location, even though my home responsibilities will be increasing, my access to events will be greatly increased also, which is nice.

July 25, 2006 4:41 PM

monkey said:

The Weight
by The Band

I pulled into Nazareth, I was feelin' about half past dead;
I just need some place where I can lay my head.
"Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?"
He just grinned and shook my hand, and "No!", was all he said.