[Peace-discuss] AWARE Minutes for September 7

[David Green]

Facilitator: Jay Mittenthal
Minutes: David Green
Timekeeper: Durl Kruse
Attendance: 20

For next week's meeting (September 14th), please send
your agenda items to me (David Green).

Note: Please feel free to make the necessary
additions/modifications/corrections/clarifications.

1. News of the Week - Carl Estabrook

General Anthony Zinni, a veteran of the Vietnam War,
has reflected interestingly on the comparisons between
Iraq and Vietnam.

George Bush is speaking tonight to the nation, while a
movie about him called DC 911 is playing opposite to
his speech. He ended up asking for $87 billion (in the
speech, not the movie).

Israeli incursions into Gaza put an exclamation point
on the end of the ill-fated "roadmap" process. The
Palestinian Prime Minister has since resigned.

69% of Americans believe that Saddam Hussein is
implicated in 9/11--there was a discussion about the
meaning and validity of such a poll.

Former members of Saddam Hussein's security apparatus
are now being recruited in order to rule Iraq.

2. Mike Simon reported on a leadership building
conference for minority students/students of color at
the U of I. Mike presented some information about
AWARE at this conference. He stressed to them (and us)
the importance of connecting issues of war and peace
to issues of domestic racism. AWARE needs to work more
on networking with minorities and groups dealing with
minority issues (such as the Urban League), and to
examine our own issues of "whiteness." As an example
of a domestic issue that connects to war, effects of
the No Child Left Behind Act on education need to be
understood--not only in terms of unfunded mandates,
but in terms of the nature of the mandates themselves,
which hardly promote racial justice.

Reminder: David Roediger and Sundiata Cha-Jua will
speak prior to the AWARE meeting on September 21st, at
3:00.

3. Working groups

The AWARE literature, etc. table was at the Farmer's
Market Saturday a.m. and then WEFTfest Saturday p.m.
About $120 was raised at both, although "business" was
not heavy. Peter, Carl, Al, and David enjoyed the
interaction (even with each other). Thanks to Peter
for two deliveries and pick-ups.

Carol Inskeep is ordering 2004 peace/activism
calendars for sale.

A pamphlet addressing the Democratic Presidential
candidates views was passed around. If you have any
comments on the pamphlet, please e-mail Peter Rohloff,
rohloff at uiuc.edu.

Ricky Baldwin--Other literature still needed,
especially regarding Afghanistan, Liberia, Congo.
Please use "Notes and Quotes" for copying literature.
We also need some current pamphlets at the IMC.

Gabe Stanton--Prospect For Peace -- About 30 people
attended on a warm day. Over 100 fliers from U.S.
Labor Against the War were distributed by Al Kagan.
More positive than negative responses, some
interesting interactions reported by Susan Parenti on
peace-discuss. We will consider the possibility of
going back to a weekly demo, but nothing decided yet.
As of now, next P4P will be on October 4th. Thanks to
Gabe Stanton for promoting P4P, and proposing a flier
for distribution.

There was an article about P4P in the DI, perhaps also
in the N-G and the Parkland paper.

Finances (Gabe for Linda Evans): Balance is about
$2468.

4. Carol Inskeep had raised issue of AWARE donating
$500 to IMC building fund. The view was expressed that
those who contribute to AWARE do so with the intention
of the money being spent on AWARE-related activities,
which are expressly and specifically political, as
opposed to the IMC, which is not a political
organization in the same sense. On the other hand, it
was argued that it is in the interests of AWARE are so
closely related to the success of the IMC that a
contribution is merited.

In any event, it was agreed that the success of the
IMC is vital to AWARE, and that individual AWARE
members are encouraged to donate to the IMC building
fund, which hopes to raise $100,000 by the end of the
year, and has already been pledged over $50,000.

No final decision was made, but it was agreed that we
should at least contact the IMC to find out whether we
can pay more than the $10 per week that we have been
paying, an amount more in line with the customary
space renta--if that proves to be more than $10. Gabe
will work with Linda to consult the IMC on this.

5. Proposal: It was agreeed for AWARE to co-sponsor
the Student Peace Action BBQ, this Saturday from 1 to
4. Brooke Anderson will be notified.

6. Events of the past week:

An informative talk at the mosque was given by the
imam on his recent visit to Iraq. 

7. Coming events:

Mike Simon proposed handing out literature at the
Engineering Career Expo, Monday-Thursday at the Illini
Union, from 9-4. Ricky suggested handing out the
"Reconstruction of Iraq" pamphlets. 

It was also proposed that as a student organization,
AWARE apply for SORF (??) funds on a case-by-case
basis from the U of I (such as for a speaker or
teach-in).


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