No subject
Sun Feb 8 03:56:54 CST 2004
e=E2=80=A6
military victory in Iraq signals a failure of U.S. policy to keep the peace=20
and to advance the cause of human security. The U.S. military did its job=20
brilliantly, fought bravely and honorably, and succeeded. However, the=20
civilian policy makers have failed. They have broken the bank spending scarc=
e=20
tax dollars for their military madness. They have handed Al Qaeda and other=20
extremist groups a victory (by giving them the war they wanted to start) and=
=20
a recruiting paradise (by so angering and alienating most of the world's=20
people). Thus, the shot fired in Iraq may be the starting gun of a new arms=20
race around the world, and a casting call for would be terrorists to auditio=
n=20
for a new round of terrorist acts here and abroad. See the whole letter at=20
Apr 22 meeting. FCNL web site: <A HREF=3D"www.fcnl.org">www.fcnl.org</A> =20
The cry has been that when war is declared, all opposition should therefore=20
be hushed. A sentiment more unworthy of a free country could hardly be=20
propagated. If the doctrine be admitted, rulers have only to declare war and=
=20
they are screened at once from scrutiny. ... In war, then, as in peace,=20
assert the freedom of speech and of the press. Cling to this as the bulwark=20
of all our rights and privileges. =C2=AD=C2=AD William Ellery Channing=20
Learn NONVIOLENT COMMUNICATION. See <A HREF=3D"http://www.cnvc.org/notrnr.h=
tm">http://www.cnvc.org/notrnr.htm</A> =20
Phone numbers to reach all Congresspersons : 1-800-839-5276=20
Norm Coleman Phone: (202) 224-5641; Minneapolis Phone: (651) 645-0323
Gil Gutknecht Phone: (202) 225-2472; Rochester Phone: 507 252 9841 Toll Free=
:=20
1-877-703-9491
Mark Dayton Phone: (888) 224-9043
Contact the Whitehouse- Phone: (202) 456-1414; Fax: (202) 456-2461 Comment=20
Line: 202-456-1111 E-mail: president at whitehouse.gov
Vice President Cheney at 202-456-7549: e-mail vice-president at whitehouse.gov
CONGRESS IS RECESSED the next two weeks; contact them with the following=20
concerns.=20
1. BUDGET INCLUDES TIGHT LIMITS ON SPENDING AND TAX CUT MANEUVERS: The FY 0=
4=20
budget is projected to result in a deficit of $385 billion. It also does not=
=20
account for the costs of war and rebuilding Iraq. =20
2. TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) REAUTHORIZATION: urge=20
Congress to support a TANF Reauthorization bill that does not include the=20
"superwaiver" which is in the House version (HR 4) of the welfare reform=20
bill. The "superwaiver" gives governors the authority to waive federal=20
regulations on legislation created by Congress that protects people of low=20
income. It would extend beyond the area of welfare into housing, food stamps=
=20
and other federally regulated programs. Governors faced with tight budgets=20
could make budget adjustments which would have a negative effect on programs=
=20
that serve the most vulnerable populations. This provision is only in the=20
House version of the bill and not in the Senate version, but it could be=20
introduced on the floor of the Senate as an amendment and thus every Senator=
=20
needs to be aware of this possibility and discouraged from supporting it.=20
3. DANGEROUS WAR TOOLS--DEPLETED URANIUM: ask Rep. Gil Gutknecht to=20
co-sponsor HR 1483, the Depleted Uranium Munitions Study Act of 2003=20
introduced by Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA). It requires studies on=20
the health and environmental impact of depleted uranium (DU) munitions, as=20
well as cleanup and mitigation of depleted uranium contamination at sites=20
within the US where DU has been used or produced. It will help shed light o=
n=20
one of the most destructive elements used in the current war on Iraq and in=20
the '91 Gulf War. Depleted uranium is linked to grave health concerns=20
because of its chemical toxicity and low-level radioactivity. Many citizens=
=20
of Iraq as well as veterans of the Gulf War have experienced terrible health=
=20
problems that are believed to be a consequence of depleted uranium.=20
4. FIGHT OFF-SHORE CORPORATE TAX DODGES. For more information, go to <A HRE=
F=3D"http://www.moveon.org/news/1292.html">
http://www.moveon.org/news/1292.html</A> =20
5. USA PATRIOT Act: Currently, many of the provisions have a sunset clause=
=20
that will expire in 2005, and Republicans will attempt to make it permanent.=
=20
Much of this Act tramples on the civil rights many of us take for granted.=20
Congress adopted the USA PATRIOT Act after a short and hurried debate=20
following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The legislation gave=20=
a=20
number of new powers to federal law enforcement agencies to investigate=20
possible terrorist conspiracies and other criminal activities.=20
Contact your legislators and especially members of the Judiciary Committee.=20
Senate Judiciary Committee: <A HREF=3D"http://judiciary.senate.gov/members.c=
fm">http://judiciary.senate.gov/members.cfm</A> =20
STATE ACTION: We continue to need calls and letters to senators urging them=20
to reject any expanded nuclear waste storage. In our area that means=20
continued letters/calls to Senators Kiscaden and Senjem. Senator Hottinger=20
will also be key in how the bill is handled on the floor. It will be our las=
t=20
hope in keeping some control over nuclear waste and our state's energy=20
future.
Senator Kiscaden's toll free: 800 657-3770, Regular #: 651 296-4848
Senator Dave Senjem: 651-296-3903
Senator John Hottinger: 651-296-6153
Restaurant and hotel owners propose no minimum wage increase for servers'=20
wages and are calling it "Tip Credit." Request that the minimum wage be=20
raised for everyone and not discriminate against any occupation. Ask your=20
state senator and representative to Vote YES to S.F. 3, H.F. 102.
LOCAL ACTION: - The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is seeking public=20
input regarding a proposed permit to allow Rochester Public Utilities to sel=
l=20
steam to Mayo Clinic. This project would result in a 50% increase in coal=20
burned at Silver Lake Power Plant, which is not regulated under the Clean Ai=
r=20
Act because of its age and which produces the dirtiest emissions per unit of=
=20
energy in all of MN. This permit requested by RPU and Mayo will pose advers=
e=20
health effects for Rochester and area residents.=20
Write a letter by April 23 with a concern related to the effects of the=20
steamline and substantiate it, and send to=20
Craig Thorstenson, Staff Engineer
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Majors and Remediation Division
520 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, Minn. 55155- 4194.
Wishing you all a blessed and peace-filled weekend,
Elaine and Joe Mayer=20
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<HTML><FONT FACE=3Darial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=
=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">Dear Peacemakers,<BR>
<BR>
<B>The bus trip to hear HOWARD ZINN Wednesday, April 23, is confirmed.</B>&n=
bsp; We have 21 people who have already reserved a seat and only need 26 mor=
e people to fill it. There is a <B>$10.00 charge per person</B> <B>for=
the bus and the</B> <B>event is free</B>. <B>Email SEMINNAP at aol.com o=
r phone Jeff LarsonKeller at 285-1633 or the Mayers at 289-4154 to make rese=
rvations.</B> We will begin loading at 5:10 and leave by 5:30 p.m. fro=
m the Rochester Recreation Center at 21 Elton Hills Dr., Southwest parking l=
ot. The doors open at O'Shaughnessy Auditorium on the College of St. Thomas=20=
campus at 7:00 for the 7:30 talk, and they expect a capacity crowd so we pla=
n to arrive when the doors open. We will most likely get back by 11:30=
that night. For more information, go to <A HREF=3D"www.semnpeacemaker=
s.org">www.semnpeacemakers.org</A> or <A HREF=3D"http://www.stthomas.e=
du/bulletin/news/200315/Tuesday/Speaker4_8_03.cfm">http://www.stthomas.edu/b=
ulletin/news/200315/Tuesday/Speaker4_8_03.cfm</A> <BR>
<BR>
<B>TIME OF REFLECTION FOR PEACE</B><BR>
Friday: 12:15 - 12:45 p.m. April 18 First Unitarian Universalist 1727=20=
Walden Lane SW <BR>
Tuesday: 5:30 - 6:00 p.m. April 22 Congregational Church UCC 965=
- 17th Ave SW <BR>
<BR>
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