NEW YORK PEACE NETWORK. Peace Action of New York State. PEACE DEMANDS ACTION - one email, one action, five minutes a week for peace
Alert #206     View message online: http://www.panys.org/alerts/206.htm
April 28, 2009
Dear Peace Activists,

The Obama administration has just handed Congress another Supplemental Defense Budget Request. That's the 18th since the Bush Administration began them in 2001 - a total of $822 billion (so far) to bomb, invade, and occupy Iraq and Afghanistan on an "emergency" basis.

The introduction to the request claims that this will be the last such request, and that it will fund "diplomatic and intelligence operations" as well as "support our men and women in uniform as they help the people of Iraq to take responsibility for their own future, and work to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan."

Sounds nice. But follow the money. Read the summary and analysis by the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, or the Request itself (pdf). This is not a request to protect the troops while they leave, or to shift the tone of our presence to diplomacy and humanitarian relief. Over $44 billion goes to direct military operations and construction. Almost $23 billion goes to military equipment and "Force Structure" - including four $200-million F-22 Raptors.

In contrast, only $3.7 billion is assigned to economic assistance, infrastructure reconstruction, or diplomatic efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. A mere $0.5 billion is set aside for military officers to support urgent humanitarian relief and reconstruction needs in their areas.

In other words, it's business as usual. The lion's share of that $83.4 billion will line the pockets of military corporations and contractors. Very, very little will actually benefit the people of Iraq or Afghanistan. The net effect on Iraq and Afghanistan, if the past is any prologue, will be more destructive than constructive.

In your five minutes for peace this week, call your representatives at 1-800-828-0498 or 202-224-3121. Let them know that this is not the "change" you voted for. Ask them to show the leadership to vote against the supplemental bill, and to call for the US role overseas to shift from mainly military to mainly diplomacy and humanitarian aid.

Ask them to follow the lead of Representative Lynn Woolsey, Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, who has said about the request: "As proposed, this funding will do two things -- it will prolong our occupation of Iraq through at least the end of 2011 and it will deepen and expand our military presence in Afghanistan indefinitely. I cannot support either of these scenarios. Instead of attempting to find military solutions to the problems we face in Iraq and Afghanistan, President Obama must fundamentally change the mission in both countries to focus on promoting reconciliation, economic development, humanitarian aid, and regional diplomatic efforts."

Talking points:
  • This request funds the increase of troops to Afghanistan, escalating the war rather than ending it.
  • It does not prohibit U.S. attacks on Pakistan, which only serve to increase anti-U.S. sentiment, recruitment for al-Qaeda, and regional instability.
  • It maintains the same level of American troops in Iraq for the duration of FY2009.
  • Military force will not eliminate support for terrorism in Afghanistan. Per the RAND Corporation, since 1968 only 7% of terrorist groups were eliminated by outside forces through military force. All the rest were ended by a combination of political reconciliation and intelligence work.
  • In the latest of a series of surveys conducted by ABC & BBC, only 18% of Afghans favor an increase in the US military presence. Without Afghan support, U.S. military force is unlikely to succeed.
  • Instead, the US engagement in Afghanistan is like to drag on indefinitely and become another Iraq if not another Korea or Vietnam.
  • Sinking billions of dollars into a war in Afghanistan, while the one in Iraq lingers on, will not make us any safer. Only meeting our own domestic needs, while creating more humanitarian and diplomatic foreign policies. will make us safer.
  • At a time of economic crisis, this is an appalling use of our national resources.
Once again, thank you for your continuing efforts for peace.

In Peace,

John Bostrom and Cheryl Wertz
Peace Action Fund of New York State
info@panys.org
646-723-1749
Featured Events
Wednesday, April 29th, 7:30 p.m.
MANHASSET. Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock, 48 Shelter Rock Rd.
"A PERSONAL REPORT ON GAZA"
This event is part of The UUCSR Shelter Rock Forum, hosted by Great Neck Sane/Peace Action and The LI Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives. For more information contact Shelter Rock Forum, 516-627-6560, ext 122, LI Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives, 516-741-4360. Co-sponsored by LI Veterans for Peace, Pax Christi LI,  Interfaith Alliance LI,  and Code Pink LI.   For information & directions 516-487-3786 or www.panys.org/GN
Monday, May 4th, 6:00 p.m.
ALBANY. First Church in Albany, 110 N. Pearl
(near Palace Theater, parking beside church)
POTLUCK DINNER/FUNDRAISER
WITH ANN WRIGHT
Please bring a dish to share. This event is also a fundraiser for Peace Action. Suggested donation: $25. (More if you can afford it, less if you can’t.) RSVP 518-463-5907, info@peaceact.net.

Six years ago, Ann Wright resigned from the Bush administration and the U.S. diplomatic corps in opposition to the war on Iraq. Since then she has worked for peace in Iraq and has traveled for peace to other parts of the world, including Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran and Gaza. On March 8th, Ann was part of a 58-person international delegation of women who traveled from Cairo to Gaza at the invitation of the U.N. Works and Relief Agency (UNWRA) to celebrate International Women's Day.
New York Metro Area and Long Island Events
 
 Wednesday April 29, Thursday, April 30 and Sunday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m.
MIDTOWN NYC National Comedy Theatre, 347 West 36th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues.
A MEMORY, A MONOLOGUE, A RANT AND A PRAYER: SELECTIONS BY EVE ENSLER, MAYA ANGELOU, ALICE WALKER, NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF AND OTHERS. A benefit to celebrate V-Day 2009. Will be serving wine, coffee and various goodies starting at 6:30pm. Will also include a V-drawing, a silent auction, give-away's, and a souvenir shop! This event will sell out. Reserve your seat today by calling the box office at 212-330-9357 or www.brownpapertickets.com. General admission $25. VIP seating $50 and $100.
Wednesday, April 29, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
FLATIRON DISTRICT, NYC. Demos, 220 Fifth Avenue, 5th floor conference room, between 26th and 27th Streets
 TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONS AFTER THE U.S. ELECTIONS: GERMANY, EUROPE AND THE U.S.
- A DISCUSSION WITH KARSTEN D. VOIGHT.
 Germany is pivotal to the transatlantic relationship and to larger geo-strategic concerns including Iraq and Afghanistan. What are the key challenges for transatlantic relations in a changed geo-strategic framework? Roughly three months into the Obama presidency, are Europe and the United States reconciling disagreements on how to handle the global economic crisis and combat climate change?  Are common policies on energy, security, and international financial challenges possible?  How do Germans rate Obama's performance during his early-April European visit?  In this World Policy Institute discussion, Karsten D. Voigt, a key player in German-US relations, will examine ways in which the transatlantic partnership can be intensified and areas where Europe and the United States will have to agree to disagree.  Karsten D. Voigt is a Visiting Scholar at NYU’s Deutsches Haus and Coordinator of German-North American Cooperation in the German Federal Foreign Office. World Policy Institute Senior Fellows Belinda Cooper and Claudia Dreifus will moderate. This event is free and open to the public, but advance registration is recommended. Please RSVP to events@worldpolicy.org or call 212-481-5005 x 2.
Wednesday, April 29. Pizza at 6:15 p.m. talk at 7:30.
STATEN ISLAND. Williamson Theatre, Center for the Arts, College of Staten Island, 2800 Victory Blvd, off expressway
AFGHANAISTAN: OBAMA'S VIETNAM?
WITH ROBERT DREYFUSS:
Robert Dreyfuss is an award winning investigative reporter. His articles have appeared in many periodicals including Rolling Stone, The Nation, and Mother Jones. He has been interviewed on scores of radio and television talk shows including Hannity and Colmes on Fox News and Pacifica's Democracy Now! with Amy Goodman. He is author of the acclaimed book Devil’s Game: How the United States Helped Unleash Fundamentalist Islam. Mr. Dreifuss will be having pizza with some of the students and faculty before the talk. E-mail johnwlawrence@yahooo.com if you would like to attend.
Thursday, April 30, 6:00 p.m.
BROOKLYN. Teen Challenge Center, 444 Clinton Avenue, between Gates and Greene Avenues
 DEBATE ON MAYORAL CONTROL OF NYC PUBLIC SCHOOLS: MEND IT OR END IT?
 Moderated by Elizabeth Green, Gotham Schools. Panelists include: David Rodgers, author of “Mayoral Control of the NYC Schools”, Carmen Alvarez, Vice President-at-Large, United Federation of Teachers (UFT), Carla Phillip, Parent Commission on School Governance and Mayoral Control and PTA IS 383, Honorable Inez Barron, State Assembly Member and former Prinicpal, Leticia Alanis, Co-Director of La Union & Campaign for Better Schools and Santos Crespo, Executive Vice President of Local 372 (DC-37). Sponsored by Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, United Federation of Teachers, 57th Assembly District Democratic Organization, State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, State Senator Eric Adams, Council Member Letita James and District Leader Olanike Alabi.
Friday, May 1, 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m.: music and performances. 5:30 p.m.: march to Federal Plaza UNION SQUARE, NYC. Assemble at 14th Street and Broadway.
FIRST HUNDRED DAYS MAY DAY MARCH AND DEMONSTRATION
May 1st 2009 marks the first 100 days of President Barack Obama’s administration. It is crucial that everyone - immigrants, trade unionists, young people, the unemployed, the foreclosed, all progressive forces - come out to demonstrate on May Day. Since 2006 immigrants and their supporters have marched on May Day to demand humane immigration reform, legalization and an end to the raids and deportations. Today, as the economic crisis deepens, workers must not only continue to fight for these demands, we must also fight for jobs and housing for all. The economic problems we face must result in a movement for all our rights, not divisions or social tensions. We must all come together - documented and undocumented, Black, Latino, Asian, Arab, Native American and white - and fight for our rights. Come out on May 1st 2009 and March for Worker & Immigrant Rights! The May 1st Coalition Demands: end the raids & deportations, humane & just immigration reform, pass the Employee Free Choice Act, abolish NAFTA and all Free Trade Agreements, no militarization of the border, jobs for all at union wages, stop tuition hikes, housing for all, no more foreclosures, bail out the people, not the banks or corporations, stop police brutality, no more racist attacks, stop dividing families everywhere, defend Katrina survivors right to return, money for people, not war, prisons or ICE detentions. For more information, call (212) 561-1744, email may1@leftshift.org. or see www.may1.info.
Thursday, May 7, 7:30 p.m.
BROOKLYN. Friends Meeting House, 110 Schermerhorn Street.
 BROOKLYN FOR PEACE OPEN COMMUNITY MEETING
 Join us to discussion challenges for the Brooklyn peace movement. The end of the Bush Administration has brought many welcome changes.  However, U.S. military activity in Afghanistan and Pakistan has escalated, U.S. troop levels in Iraq remain high, and for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 the Obama Administration is requesting $686 billion in defense spending. Join us to discuss: How can we in Brooklyn play an effective role in advancing a peace agenda? How do we address ongoing crises in Gaza and Darfur? How can we more effectively link the work for peace with the urgent economic needs right here in Brooklyn? 
Friday, May 8, 4:00 p.m.
HARLEM. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building, 163 West 125th Street
 RALLY BY THE FREE MUMIA ABU JAMAL COALITION
 As you may know, there was a recent ruling that was not in his favor.  To learn more about his case, visit www.freemumia.com. We will be calling on our elected officials to speak out on the threatened execution of Mumia Abu-Jamal. Despite mounds of evidence of his innocence, and ample legal basis for overturning his conviction, and after 27 years of police, prosecutorial, and judicial misconduct, Mumia has been denied a new trial by the US Supreme Court.  He now faces execution or life in prison without parole.  All indications are that the Attorney General of Philadelphia, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the media supporters of both will be relentless in continuing to seek Mumia’s execution. A Community Meeting will follow at St. Mary’s Church.
Friday, May 8, 6-9 p.m., &
Saturday and Sunday May 9-10, noon to 6 p.m.
MIDTOWN NYC. Adaptive Design Association,
313 West 36th Street, west of Eighth Avenue
 OPEN HOUSE AND GET-TOGETHER
WITH PHOTOGRAPHER STEVE CAGAN.
 For some 35 years, photographer Steve Cagan has used his skill and artistry to record a full range of human experience, as well as wildlife. This show and sale of his work covers a wide range of his projects, including:  Industrial Landscapes, Working Ohio, Nicaragua, 1983 to 1987, El Salvador, Cuba, 1993 to 1997, El Chocó, Colombia and Bird Portraits. We hope you'll find some time over the weekend of May 8 - 10 to stop by ... we're sure you'll be moved by what you see.  All prints will be selling that weekend for 50-70% off their normal prices! There will also be posters, cards and books available! If you’d like to get a sense of what some of the images will look like, please visit his web site at www.stevecagan.com.   If you let us know if you’re coming, that will help with refreshments. But you’re welcome whether you reply or not. RSVP's, notes or questions can be sent to steve@stevecagan.com.
Monday, May 11, Reception 6:00pm, Program 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
PARK AVENUE SOUTH AREA. Newman Vertical Campus, 55 Lexington Avenue at 24th Street, 14th floor conference center
 MAYORAL CONTROL OF NYC SCHOOLS?
 Panel discussion on the re-authorization of mayoral control of New York City public schools, panelists to include Make the Road Co-Director Ana Maria Archilla, NYC Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, Professor Joseph Viteritti of Hunter College, and UFT President Randi Weingarten. Presented by the Center for Innovation and Leadership in Government at the School of Public Affairs and Citizens Union of the City of New York.
Thursday, May 14, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
UPPER WEST SIDE NYC. Home of Jane Hirschmann and Ronald Levy, 175 W. 93rd St., Penthouse A
 LIFT THE SEIGE OF GAZA: CODE PINK FUND RAISER
 A continuous wave of Code Pink delegations will be trying to get through the Egyptian and Israeli crossing in late May and June. We will be guests of the UN children's committee and the money raised will pay for playground equipment for the children of Gaza who are suffering tremendously both physically and psychologically from the siege. Over a hundred children lost BOTH their parents some killed right in front of them. The siege has turned Gaza in to an open air prison and is a war crime against innocent civilians. We will be having a reading of "Seven Israeli Children- a Play for Gaza," Palestinian Music, and a short video of the CodePink 60-person international delegation that visited Gaza for International Women's Day in March.
Upstate Events
Thursday, April 30, 8:00 p.m.
PURCHASE. Theater in the New Student Center at Manhattanville College
 10TH ANNIVERARY OF THE CONNIE HOGARTH CENTER FOR SOCIAL ACTION ANNUAL PEACE CONCERT.
 With Vinie Burrows (great actor, activist) and Emma’s Revolution. (Music for Peace, Freedom, Justice). Also with Professor Van Hartmann; Elizabeth Ruland; Patrick Murphy and Hughie Long. For Info contact: the Connie Hogarth Center (914) 323-7156 or Hogarthcenter@mville.edu. The Public is invited and the Concert is Free.
Friday, May 1, 6:30 p.m.
OSSINING. St. Ann’s School, Eastern Avenue.
 CANDLELIGHT MARCH AND VIGIL FOR INTERNATIONAL WORKER’S DAY
 Bring a candle!! We are workers and we all contribute to the economy of this country. Some of us were born here and some of us came to work - but we all contribute to America. This May 1st we observe International Workers Day with a candlelight vigil and march through Ossining calling for immigration reform. What we want: to keep families together, the right to obtain a driver’s license, the path to citizenship, no more raids, the Dream Act, Stop the fear! Organized by the “We are Workers” Committee of Ossining, New York. For more information, contact cbell@igc.org or call 914-830-0639.
Sunday, May 3, 6:00 p.m.
ROCHESTER. Unitarian Congregation, 183 Riverside Drive (parking in rear)
 METRO JUSTICE ANNUAL DINNER
WITH ALAN CHARNEY, PROGRAM DIRECTOR, USACTION.
 After seeing Alan Charney electrify attendees at the Citizen Action of New York Conference last year, we knew we had to bring him to Rochester. Mr. Charney will be giving a critical analysis of what lies ahead for the progressive movement under the Obama administration. Mr. Charney has been in the tick of grassroots progressive organizing for more than 25 years. He founded and co-directed Citizen Action of New York. He served as the Executive Director of the first union of lawyers in the United States. Currently, as Program Director for USAction, he is responsible for overseeing USAction strategy and communications. Tickets are $25 in advance, $35 at the door and $15 for low income.
Tuesday, May 5, 6:30 p.m.
BINGHAMTON. St. Ann’s School, Eastern Avenue.
 ANN WRIGHT: EYEWITNESS IN GAZA
“The Israeli military's response to the unguided rockets that Hamas and other militant groups have fired into Israel has smashed virtually all government buildings, industries, hospitals and the homes of over 50,000 Palestinians - and was disproportionate to the threats. Three months after the 22 day attack, no reconstruction of Gaza has begun.”
Since 2003, Ann Wright has been writing and speaking out for peace. She has fasted for a month, picketed at Guantánamo, served as a juror in the impeachment hearings, and been arrested numerous times for peaceful, nonviolent protest of the war in Iraq. Contact: 607-759-8495.
Saturday, May 9, 7:30 p.m.
Doors open at 6:30 for an informal songfest at 6:45.
WHITE PLAINS. Memorial United Methodist Church, In Asbury Hall, 250 Byrant Ave.
WALKABOUT CLEARWATER COFFEEHOUSE PRESENTS:
TOM PAXTON
Tom Paxton was honored at the 2009 Grammy's with a lifetime achievement award. Please join us for a very special evening!
Tickets, $20 in advance online; $25 at the door; Children 6-12 $10; $15 at the door for students with ID   To order tickets up until 7:30 a.m. the day of the concert, log onto: www.BrownPaperTickets.com/producer/5602. There is OPEN SEATING, plenty of parking, and  fair-trade coffee and many homemade delicious desserts. Questions?  914-242-0374 or    www.WalkaboutClearwater.org.
Sunday, May 17, 12:00 noon – 8:00 p.m.
WESTCHESTER. On the waterfront at Abendroth.
 PORT CHESTER FEST: CELEBRATING LOCAL ARTS AND CULTURE.
Dance, Music, Art, Crafts, Fair Trade Vendors, Food, Children’s workshops, Open Studios, Poetry and more ... Produced by:  The Council of Community Services. Co-Sponsors:  The Village of Port Chester, The Westchester County Board of Legislators, Arts Westchester. For more information call:(914) 935-1444 or e-mail CCSCoordinator@verizon.net.
May 19th, 7:00 p.m.
ALBANY. Main branch of the Albany Public Library, on Washington Avenue
 LYN MILLER-LACHMANN READING
FROM HER NEW BOOK “GRINGOLANDIA”
 Gringolandia is the story of one family's attempt to cope with the aftermath of the Pinochet regime in Chile.  The book will be published in May. Lyn is an active member in Pine Hills Neighbors for Peace.  The book reading is co-sponsored by Peace Action.
Ongoing Local Events
Many local peace groups hold regular events, vigils, "Honk for Peace" actions, etc. 
See our list: www.panys.org/ongoing.htm
Out of State & Nationwide Events
Saturday, May 2, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
PARAMUS NJ. West Hall Gallery, Bergen Community College, 400 Paramus Rd.
 THE PEACE WORKSHOP
 This free, interactive event introduces students, faculty, Rotarians and the general public to the educational peace programs (scholarships) of Rotary International and provides a learning opportunity for communicating with understanding.  The Peace Workshop teaches the peace-making skill called dialoguing.  The Bergen Community College Center for Peace, Justice and Reconciliation and the Center for the Study of Intercultural Understanding are providing facilitators for this Golden Rule Dialogue Workshop. To register and for more information, contact Rotarian Betsy Thomason, 201-930-0557 or betsy@fitnessoutdoors.com.
Going out of state? Check UFPJ's national Events Calendar: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/calendar.php.