[Peace] Resolution opposing the war with Iraq

[Danielle Chynoweth]

Dear Peace,

Council has been hearing more and more opposition to the resolution.  I
even recived a nasty anonymous voicemail at home.  Although I am still
receiving positive feedback, I am concerned that the pro-war folks will
turn out a crowd on Monday.

I am glad to see you are gathering more names. The TV stations last Monday
night reported that "there were supporters and opponents of the resolution
at council meeting" as though they were in equal parts.  When challenged,
they admitted that they had to leave before they saw that the crowd was
overwhelmingly PRO-RESOLUTION.  In future interviews, make sure you 
mention numbers from last week: over 100 supporters compared to 4 
opponents, 54 cities, hundreds on record in support.

Although you are free to chart your own course, I though I would provide 
advice for the council meeting:

- a little public input (one rep from each group - AWARE, PRC, SWI, etc) 
- a verbal reminder (for the media) that over 100 folks turned out in  
  support that week and 421 went on record in support)
- a list of the hundreds more who have signed on 
- a statement of how many more cities have signed resolutions recently 
- underlining the local costs of war 
- clear statement in support of servicemen and women (since vets seem to 
  be the ones I'm hearing negative comments from) 
- a solid crowd of folks (it doesn't need to be 100, but at least 20 would 
  be good)

Thanks for the AMAZING turnout last Monday!

Danielle

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Urbana City Council,

I would like to thank Milton Otto for expressing the right view concerning 
this resolution.  I do strongly disagree with this resolution.  It is not 
appropriate for you as a council that represents the city of Urbana and the 
variety of views expressed by its citizens, to be making such a blanket 
statement opposing the overthrow of a brutal, evil dictator who has allowed 
starvation, murder and constant daily fear of his fellow citizens to be the 
norm.

As a twelve year veteran of the United States Air Force and a Gulf War 
Veteran, I agree with the statements made by Brenda Kammin and consider this 
action on your part to be an insult to the brothers and sisters I lost in 
freedom's combat.  I gladly served my country in defense of freedom for 
people worldwide and I am certain that our armed forces stand ready to do the 
same now.  Why not resolve yourselves to support them in a meaningful way 
that will make their difficult task easier to handle?  Do any of you 
understand the position they are in?

You also did not allow for the views that would have been expressed by my 
representative, Joe Whelan, to be expressed and for that you should have left 
this for a time when he could have spoken.  Put aside your personal agendas 
if you intend to speak for the entire city.

I strongly urge you to be about the business of the city of Urbana and if 
that only takes you 20 minutes per meeting to do so, then enjoy your evening 
in other pursuits.  I intend to write to President Bush this week and let him 
know that I support him in his effort to bring peace to the world even if for 
a time it means we are at war.