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Dear Peace Activists, The article below by Paul Kawika Martin, Peace Action's Political Director, and Col. Ann Wright (Ret.) has been posted on the CNN opinion page, which they say reaches 400 million people each month. In your five minutes for peace this week, please read the article and then go to the site and leave a personal comment at the bottom. Sincerely,
Cheryl Wertz
Don't escalate a failing warBy Col. Ann Wright (Ret.) and Paul Kawika Martin, Special to CNN Editor's note: Col. Ann Wright (Ret.) who served for 29 years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves, was one of the first State Department officers to open the U.S. Embassy in Kabul in 2001. She resigned from the State Department in protest the day the Iraq War began. She had served as a diplomat for 16 years and received the State Department's Award for Heroism. Paul Kawika Martin is Peace Action's political director and the founder of the Afghanistan Policy Working Group. President Obama just announced he plans to send 30,000 more troops into Afghanistan, where hatred of the U.S. grows every day. Next door, nuclear-armed Pakistan tilts toward disaster. It's time for Americans to insist on a nonmilitary way out of this mess. We recently returned from a CodePink study trip to Afghanistan, and our expertise and experience points to a strategy of transitioning from military to political and economic solutions that will help Afghans while making Americans safer. The first step in providing Afghans security and weakening the Taliban and violent extremists is to remove recruiting incentives. It's time to stop air and Predator drone strikes that tend to kill, injure and terrorize civilians. It's time to stop arbitrary detentions and harsh treatment of prisoners that would be unacceptable here. While those in major cities live in relative security, rural Afghans fear violence from insurgents or U.S. and NATO forces. Many fear civil war or the return of the Taliban. Afghanistan requires more trusted Afghan police and security forces. These forces are paid only $110 dollars a month -- not a living wage -- and payments are regularly late. Little wonder these forces are corrupt, poorly motivated and have a high rate of desertion. The Taliban pays its foot soldiers far better. Investing in a living wage and pressuring Hamid Karzai's government to punish corruption swiftly will pay more security dividends than the $1 million a year it costs to send one U.S. soldier. There is no reason to believe the U.S. military is in the best position to train Afghans, given huge cultural differences and past abuses by U.S. forces. The United Nations is expert in training security forces in ways that are culturally sensitive. The U.S. should ask (and help fund) the U.N. to take over the training of Afghan troops and police, with a focus on training Afghan trainers. With Afghan unemployment above 40 percent, job creation is critical to security. Vocational training, infrastructure construction and assistance to farmers will help. We can pay for this economic development by spending current funds more wisely. A criminally small amount of the international aid and development money spent over the last eight years has trickled down to Afghans. Instead, foreign contractors, subcontractors and importers have profited from Afghan misery. USAID's new mantra of "Afghans first" is a start, as long as actions match the rhetoric. One successful program that deserves full funding is the National Solidarity Project, an Afghan-run community development program administered by the well-regarded Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development. Obama, NATO commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon should all mandate that where possible, Afghans -- including their businesses, NGOs and products -- should implement and directly benefit from aid projects. Obama didn't mention Afghan women in his speech. Funding women-led NGOs, women's education and job training and hiring women can help raise their status. Outside the capital, not much has changed for Afghan women. Because of cultural traditions, many rural women stay home for lack of security or because of their husbands' demands. The U.S. could transition resources to the Afghan justice system to properly enforce laws about rape and domestic violence, and ensure that girls younger than 16 are not forced to marry. The president rightly mentioned the importance of the Pakistan border. More resources must be transferred to securing the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. This is easier said than done, as U.S. border guards know from their own difficulties of securing the Mexican border. Nonetheless, the international community can increase political pressure on Pakistan to strengthen their border patrols and rid their country of violent extremists such as al Qaeda. Despite assurances by the president, more troops will not provide more security to Afghans. The mere presence of foreign forces and some of their actions have created more Taliban recruits and violent extremists. Instead of starting to bring troops home in 18 months, U.S. and NATO forces must tell internal and regional stakeholders -- publicly or privately -- that there will be a range of time, say 12 to 24 months, when their military presence will cease. Then, they must apply significant pressure and concrete support for a public, comprehensive peace process. This process must include all interested parties, including the Karzai administration, tribal leaders, the Taliban, women leaders, as well as neighboring Iran, Pakistan and India. The U.S. mission in Afghanistan can then focus on rebuilding the country the U.S. partly destroyed eight years ago (through air strikes and funding warlords in the Northern Alliance), lifting Afghans out of poverty and making the country less of a haven or recruiting center for extremists.
It's time for a transition from military investments to
The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Ann Wright and Paul Kawika Martin.
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Tuesday, December 8, 7:00 p.m.
SOHO. Eight Mile Creek, 240 Mulberry Street between Prince and Spring ANTONIA JUHASZ BOOK PARTY AND SALSA PARTY 
Global Exchange, The YES MEN, and the Manhattan Peace Center (Peace Action NY State,
Iraq Veterans Against the War, NYC United for Peace and Justice and Code Pink) invite
you to a book launch party and fundraiser for Iraq Veterans Against the War and NYC
United for Peace and Justice. Enlightening, inspiring talk followed by food, drink
and a silent auction to get you started on your gift list! Author, Antonia Juhasz, will
speak about her book, just released in paperback “The Tyranny of Oil: The World's Most
Powerful Industry--And What We Must Do To Stop It,” updated with a new preface: "Big Oil
and the Obama Presidency." Join author, Antonia Juhasz, Director of the Chevron Program
at Global Exchange, Jose Vasquez, Executive Director, Iraq Veterans Against the War, and
all your favorite NYC peace activists and hell-raisers! With a special appearance by
The Yes Men! We've got the bar all night and we get 5% of all bar sales, so come for
the book release, and stay for the night! Artwork, jewelry, gift certificates and more
will be sold at a silent auction, so bring your checkbooks. Great gifts that will support
the work of NYC-UFPJ! SPACE IS LIMITED! Stay posted to reserve your space!
www.unitedforpeace.org/nyc.
Questions? Contact Antonia Juhasz at
antonia@globalexchange.org or 415-575-5545.
Thursday, December 10, 5:00 -- 8:45 p.m.
The 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights require WORLD PEACE.
This year, our committee, and over 115 co-sponsoring organizations, are jumping ahead
in time to the First Anniversary of the Achievement of World Piece!
Come CELEBRATE with us! Bring a dish to pass. Free and open to the
public. Celebrate with Thomas Warfield and the RIT/NTID dancers,
Susan Ware and the Moving Experience dancers, dance to
Oliver Haynes and the Giants of Juicy Music Big
Band, and join the Spiral Dance with Gloria Osborne!
For more information please contact Hank Stone, 585-624-3673, hstone@rochester.rr.com
ROCHESTER. Downtown Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St. FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE ACHIEVEMENT OF WORLD PEACE  Wednesday, December 2, 6:00 p.m. TIMES SQUARE, U.S. Army Recruiting Station PROTEST ESCALATION OF WAR IN AFGHANISTAN Bring candles, flashlights, and signs. Wednesday, December 2, 6:30 p.m. UPPER EAST SIDE. Reidy Friendship Hall, Unitarian Church of All Souls, 1157 Lexington Avenue at East 80th Street CELEBRATION OF THE WORLD MARCH FOR PEACE A program of music, dance, poetry and singing. Includes a performance by the Russell Branca Trio. Sponsored by the Peace and Justice Task Force of All Souls Church. 
Thursday, December 3, 2:30 p.m.TRIBECA. Tribeca Cinemas, 54 Varick Street. SPECIAL SCREENING OF "MY MOM'S A SOLDIER" WITH ROSIE O'DONNELL. Q&A session with Rosie O'Donnell, Executive Producer, Richard Ray Perez and families from the film, will immediately follow screening. Please join us for a special screening of My Mom's a Soldier, the new episode of Brave New Foundation's acclaimed documentary series, In Their Boots. The screening will be presented by child advocate and radio talk show host, Rosie O'Donnell. In Their Boots is a documentary series about the impact the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are having on people here at home. My Mom's a Soldier is the story of eight children from three military families growing up while their mother is serving in Iraq. RSVP: Due to limited space, RSVPs are required to guarantee seating. Each guest must RSVP individually. Please RSVP here. This event is free and open to the public. Sponsored by Brave New Foundation, Sesame Workshop and Our Military Kids. Thursday, December 10, 12 noon. U.N. Dag Hammarskjold Plaza. OBAMA PEACE PRIZE DEMONSTRATION Hosted by the NYC War Resisters League. In Oslo, they are planning a big demo on that day. We will march with coffins and protest shrouds to the military recruiting station on Thursday and flyer along the way. Friday, December 10 , 6:00 – 9:30 p.m. UPPER WEST SIDE. St. Paul’s St. Andrew’s Church, 263 West 86th Street TOWN HALL MEETING ON THE AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ WARS. With music, food, speakers and a screening of “The Jim Massey Story.” Hosted by Concerned Families of Westchester, veteran’s groups, labor unions, community groups, politicians, women’s groups, artist groups, student and religious organizations. Donations will be accepted. For more information, call Vickie at 718-680-2981.  Friday, Dec 4, 6:00 - 9:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec 5th, 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. ROCHESTER. First Unitarian Church of Rochester, 220 South Winton Road 
METRO JUSTICE’S 28TH ANNUAL ALTERNATIVE FAIRPut Your Heart Where Your Money Is! Support Social Justice When Buying Holiday Gifts. $3 suggested donation for ages 12+. Hundreds of fair trade, earth friendly, and locally produced goods that support a just and sustainable world. Holiday shopping for the whole family, including clothing, toys, non-competitive games, pottery, crafts, body care products, and jewelry. Food, entertainment, and information tables by local progressive organizations will be available. Free child care. The Alternative Fair is an annual fund-raising event for Metro Justice, an independent, grass-roots, progressive membership organization that works for social, economic, and racial justice. For more information, call Tanya @ Metro Justice at (585) 325-2560. Friday, December 4, 3:30 p.m. ROCHESTER. Rochester War Memorial, Exchange and Broad Streets RALLY AGAINST THE REQUEST FOR A TROOP INCREASE IN AFGHANISTAN Rally will be followed by a march to the Federal Building to deliver petitions to our Senators and Congressional Reps Saturday, December 5, 11:00 a.m. – 12 noon GENESEO. Wegman Plaza, Route 20A GVCP’S ANNUAL DEMONSTRATION AGAINST WAR TOYS Bring peaceful toys and dress warmly. Saturday, December 5, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 6, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. SYRACUSE. Nottingham High School, 3100 E. Genesee St. 39TH ANNUAL PLOWSHARES CRAFTS FAIR AND WINTER PEACE FESTIVAL 
Beautiful Crafts... Lively Entertainment... Cool People... Great Food. Central New York’s premiere
multicultural crafts fair brings to life a community marketplace and celebrating a world where people
enjoy their work and have control over it. Only $2-5 (sliding scale) for adults, free for those
under 16 or over 65. Plowshares provides a family-friendly alternative to frantic shopping and
mass-produced goods. The crafts, created by over 120 craftspeople from throughout Central New
York, are not only high quality but also sensitive to social and environmental concerns. Holiday
gift buyers will find crafts ranging from hand-screened and batik clothing, stained glass, pottery,
vegetable-based soaps, fabric dolls, jewelry (bone, copper, brass, silver, gemstones, ceramic,
glass beads), blown glass, leatherwork, hand-dipped incense, and many other items. The crafts high
quality, and items cover a wide range of prices. There will be ongoing performances, by local
musicians, dancers, and drummers. In addition, tasty food from The Mission Restaurant, ranging
from snacks to healthy meals will be available at reasonable prices. For information, contact
the Peace Council at 472-5478, e-mail: spc@peacecouncil.net, on the web:
www.peacecouncil.net/plowshares.
Monday, December 7. 7:00 p.m. ROCHESTER. Cinema Theatre, 957 S. Clinton Ave. (corner of Goodman and S. Clinton) SCREENING OF “SICKO” AND PUBLIC FORUM Q: How would YOU describe the Health Care System that our nation’s lawmakers say they’re trying to reform? A: SICKO! Admission: $2. Open microphone public discussion immediately following the film. Each contributor limited to 2 minutes speaking time. Tell us what you think! Why do Americans pay far more than anywhere else in the world, for a healthcare delivery system that ranks at the very bottom of all industrialized countries, in terms of outcome? Where’s all that money going, if not toward the care of the people who need it? The “national debate” over health care still leaves all the basic questions unsettled. Where do we go from here? Health care for the people, not the corporations. Sponsored by Rochester for HR 676. For more information, call Betsy at 473-8724 or email lfrarey@rochester.rr.com. Saturday, December 12, 1:30pm-3:30 p.m. BUFFALO. Network of Religious Communities, 1272 Delaware Avenue WNY PEACE CENTER’S END OF THE YEAR MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND INTERFAITH POTLUCK Please bring a dish to share. Friday, December 18, 8:00 p.m. TROY. Sanctuary for Independent Media REVEREND BILLY AND THE CHURCH OF LIFE AFTER SHOPPING: SHOPOCALYPTIC REVIVAL 2009 CHRISTMAS TOUR. 
Reverend Billy’s "Blessed are the Jobless! Blessed are the Broke!" Christmas Tour. The Rev, the
choir and members of the Not Buying It band promises our old church a performance we will not forget.
Confess your shopping sins! Cast out the demons of overconsumption! Go beyond the market to a life
after shopping! Strangalleiuah, children! On this tour there is no room in the inn. We are not
paid much – but our hosts have a lot to share. We’re forced out into public space, nuzzled by cows
and sheep with angels over-head! Out into the commons, out into the new funky Garden of Eden. We’re
starting over!” The Rev says: “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit. Blessed are the jobless
who force us to change the economy. Blessed are the homeless who unlock empty buildings. Blessed are
the evicted who resist with their children watching! Blessed are the broke who re-introduce the
what-can-I-do-for-no-money? Blessed are the re-cycled gifts and home-made art and swap-o-ramas and
farmer’s markets. Blessed is the local Christmas. Local-ujah! Admission: by donation ($10 suggested,
$5 student/low-income)
 Many local peace groups hold regular events, vigils, "Honk for Peace" actions, etc. See our list: www.panys.org/ongoing.htm  
Dec. 27 & 29, Jan. 1. CAIRO. RAFAH CROSSING. GAZA STRIP. WASHINGTON DC. GAZA FREEDOM MARCH On the one-year anniversary of the invasion of Gaza, individuals and representatives of organizations from around the world will convene in Cairo, attempt to cross into the Gaza Strip via the Rafah Crossing on Dec. 29, and march with the residents of Gaza to the Israeli border on Jan. 1. We are working with Israeli peace groups to organize a companion demonstration on the Israeli side on the same day. Meanwhile, back at home, we will stage companion demonstrations in DC and other cities across the nation -- calling on our leaders to do the right thing and use our considerable leverage to pressure Israel and Egypt to end the siege. You can get involved by:
Going out of state? Check UFPJ's national Events Calendar: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/calendar.php. |