Puget Sound Interfaith Youth Camp needs young people and adults to sign up by June 17: Kids who will enter 7th 8th or 9th grade this fall are warmly invited to build a more peaceful and just world by enjoying a week (Aug. 24-29) of fun with kids from other religious faiths. Most of the time campers swim, kayak, create art, hike, play sports and games, and sing around the campfire. What differs is the time spent talking and learning about one another’s religions, beliefs, and customs. Kids have the opportunity to be themselves, have a great time in a beautiful natural setting, and discover more about their common humanity. Organizers hope that campers’ growing understanding of each other’s worldviews will result in greater respect, appreciation, empathy and compassion. Campers have been a mix of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Baha’i, Unitarian, Native American, Atheist, Quaker, and other religions or spiritual affiliations. An adult faith leader for each religion also participates. Proselytizing is not permitted. The organizers must have 30 camper applications and 10 adult staff applications (counselors, nurse/medic/faith leaders) in order to proceed with this year’s camp. The fee for the camp is $100, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. This is a project of our local Interfaith Works and Associated Ministries of Tacoma-Pierce County. Info: www.soundinterfaithcamp.org and Interfaith Works 357-7224

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Environmentalists collaborate to press 2008 State Legislature for “Priorities for a Healthy Washington.” A coalition of more than 20 environmental groups chose four “Priorities for a Healthy Washington” to focus their energies during the 2008 Washington State Legislative Session. (Two faith-based groups in this coalition are Earth Ministry and the Lutheran Public Policy Office.) Last year the Healthy Washington Coalition succeeded in all four bills: Clean Air/Clean Fuels, Save our Sound, $100 Million for Wildlife and Recreation Program, and Eliminating Toxic Flame Retardants. The 2008 Priorities for a Healthy Washington are: Washington Climate Action (making real, practical progress toward climate-protecting goals), Local Solutions to Global Warming (helping local governments make responsible plans to reduce climate disruptions), Evergreen Cities (protecting the trees and forests in our cities), Local Farms - Healthy Kids (protecting kids’ health and small local farms by getting more locally grown produce into our schools and food banks). More information will be available at www.environmentalpriorities.org as these bills are developed further. More info from Earth Ministry 206-632-2426 www.earthministry.org. Also see the Local Calendar listing for more details.

A large and vibrant 18th annual vigil in mid-November made more progress toward closing this place where the U.S. army trains Latin American military forces who go back home and commit horrible human rights abuses. Congressman Dennis Kucinich, former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, Rabbi Michael Lerner, and Sister Mary Waskowiak addressed the crowd with messages of hope. While thousands commemorated the martyrs in a solemn funeral procession, 11 activists were arrested in related nonviolent civil disobedience actions. Sponsor: SOA Watch.

Instant runoff voting (IRV) lets voters rank their choices of candidates. If no first-choice candidate exceeds 50% of the votes, the lowest-ranked candidate drops off, the votes of persons who had chosen that candidate are redistributed to their second-choice candidate, and the process repeats with the next lowest-ranked candidate dropping off until one candidate emerges with more than 50% of the votes. IRV allows each voter to vote for whom they want, rather than “the lesser of two evils,” and it eliminates the cumbersome primary election by letting IRV sort out the voters’ preferences during the general election. In November 2007 a whopping 77% of voters in Aspen CO and 78% in Sarasota FL chose to begin using IRV. In Pierce County WA 65% of voters chose a county charter amendment to keep IRV on track for the hotly contested 2008 county executive race. Clallam County WA’s voters narrowly rejected establishing IRV as an option in their county charter. Several cities successfully held ranked voting elections. San Francisco CA held its fourth IRV election overall, and its first for mayor, with first-round winners in three citywide races. Takoma Park MD smoothly held its first IRV election for mayor, without any spoiled ballots. The city of Hendersonville NC, following in the footsteps of Cary NC in using IRV this fall, had a strong first IRV election for two city council seats. Info: www.FairVote.org.

On September 25 when Italy’s premier Romano Prodi addressed the United Nations General Assembly he called for a worldwide moratorium on the death penalty with a view to its complete abolition, a move he said would guarantee better justice around the globe and an end to cultures of vengeance. Prodi told the General Assembly a “growing trend” worldwide against capital punishment boded well for his efforts, and support for the moratorium was growing “day by day” in Europe and in every region of the world. He called for “a society that has at last freed itself from the spiral of revenge.” A moratorium was expected to face opposition from the major users of the death penalty, including China, Saudi Arabia, Iran and the U.S., but about 90 countries had expressed support for Italy’s push for a moratorium. The resolution would need two-thirds of the votes in the 192-member U.N. General Assembly to pass. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reportedly supports Prodi’s moratorium proposal. Rome’s Coliseum, once the arena for deadly gladiator combat and executions, has become a symbol of the country’s stance. Since 1999, it is lit up every time a death sentence is commuted somewhere in the world or a country abolishes capital punishment.

The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty has put together a non-partisan report reviewing each presidential candidate’s position on the death penalty. You can find the report in Adobe PDF format at www.abolishdeathpenalty.org/Resources.htm.

Washington Public Campaigns (WPC) wants to stop selling elections and politicians to the highest bidder. WPC wants state and local governments to offer public financing of election campaigns as an alternative to the current system in which “special interests” provide most funding. During December— before the Washington State Legislature convenes in January— you might ask your state legislators to support “voter-owned elections” (public financing of political campaigns) with a special focus on the “local option,” state legislation that would allow local governments to allow public financing if they choose to. WPC’s website, www.washclean.org shows which legislators support public financing. In the 22nd Leg. Dist., State Sen. Karen Fraser and State Rep. Sam Hunt support the local option, and Sam Hunt is listed as also supporting public funding for judicial races. State Rep. Brendan Williams is not listed as supporting any of these bills.

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) has a Project on Government Secrecy and publishes Steven Aftergood’s “Secrecy News,” which has a great reputation for accuracy and jaw-dropping revelations. See www.fas.org/blog/secrecy.

A new poll by Zogby International has found that 51% of Americans want Congress to probe the actions of President Bush and Vice President Cheney before, during and after the 9/11 attacks. The poll also found that 67% of respondents feel the 9/11 Commission should have investigated the collapse of the 47-story World Trade Center Building Seven. The poll was sponsored by the www.911truth.org.

The National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee (NWTRCC) reports a growing number of people signing up for its 2008 War Tax Boycott. NWTRCC invites people to promise to resist some of their war taxes at www.WarTaxBoycott.org/regform.php. A number of groups support this action, including Voices for Creative Nonviolence, the War Resisters League, the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance, Veterans for Peace, and the Nonviolent Direct Action Working Group of United for Peace and Justice. NWTRCC says, “The more signers we have the more impact this campaign will have.” NWTRCC invites people to get information and consider legal and financial risks before making a decision. Info: NWTRCC, PO Box 150553, Brooklyn NY 11215, (718) 768-3420 or toll-free (800) 269-7464. Fax: (718) 768-4388; also www.nwtrcc.org or www.wartaxboycott.org.

The Vietnam Friendship Village Project is a residence for children and elderly people suffering from the impact of Agent Orange. Built on a former rice paddy near Hanoi, the Friendship Village is a living symbol of peace and reconciliation, an amazing example of former enemies working together for a common compassionate cause. Currently, six countries are involved in this international project. The Olympia FOR has contributed financial support. Dan Ryan, a member of the US Committee, is available to present informative documentaries and discussion on this project. He can be reached at 360-352-3293 or peaceguy02@yahoo.com.

Help make the Martin Luther King, Jr holiday happen here in January. You can help in any of several different ways. Info: Ruth Elder, Thurston Council on Cultural Diversity and Human Rights, 360-786-5135 or elderr@co.thurston.wa.us.

A growing movement (more than 7,600 individuals and organizations) supports nominating 88-year-old Pete Seeger for a Nobel Peace Prize. On November 10, 2007, the Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation formally joined this effort. Since the 1930s, when Pete Seeger began singing folk songs and working for peace, labor rights, the environment, civil rights, and social justice, he has inspired countless millions of people, helped shape our sense of human responsibility, and helped to build progressive movements. Info: www.nobelprize4pete.org.

PeaceJam is an international education program built around leading Nobel Peace Prize Laureates who work personally with youth to pass on the spirit, skills, and wisdom they embody. The goal of PeaceJam is to inspire a new generation of peacemakers who will transform their local communities, themselves, and the world. Different activities are organized for different age groups in various places around the world, including the Pacific Northwest. Info: www.peacejam.org.

The Nonviolent Action Community of Cascadia (NACC), a Seattle-based affiliate of the War Resisters League, invites applications for its 2008 grants cycle; grants are available to help grassroots groups organize activists and educate on issues of peace, social justice and community empowerment. The funding limit is $2,000 per recipient group. Apply by January 15, 2008. Grants will be awarded March 1, 2008. See www.seanacc.org/grants.htm or contact NACC, 4554 12th Ave. NE, Seattle WA 98105 (206) 547-0952.

The Direct Action & Research Training (DART) Center will accept applications and resumes until December 31 from persons wanting to learn and work for social and economic justice in the DART Organizers Institute’s paid, four-month community organizing training program, which will run from June 16 through October 5, 2008. DART’s organizers will live in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods and work on issues such as schools, job training, drugs, violence, affordable housing, criminal recidivism, and neighborhood revitalization. The DART Organizers Institute combines a 7-day classroom experience with 15-week field training work. DART’s program is designed to prepare people for relevant careers. Info: Ben MacConnel 785-841-2680, email ben@thedartcenter.org or www.thedartcenter.org.

The Nevada Desert Experience (NDE), which organizes protests for faith-based persons and others near Nevada’s nuclear test site near Las Vegas, seeks an Executive Coordinator (full-time or two people at half-time each). Speak to groups, facilitate youth workshops, reach out to diverse religious groups for Sacred Week Peace Walk, and help coordinate spring events at the desert site. Negotiable salary, health stipend, housing. Contact 702-646-4814 info@NevadaDesertExperience.org, or snailmail NDE, 1420 W Bartlett Ave, Las Vegas NV, 89106 (or phone Olympia FOR at 360-491-9093) as soon as possible to get more info, and apply by Feb. 29. Starting date preferably between March and May.

Every year the War Resisters League (WRL), a terrific pacifist organization founded in 1923, publishes an informative and practical calendar that focuses on a particular theme. The theme for 2008 is entitled “Salaam, Shalom, Solh: Nonviolence and Resistance in the Middle East & Beyond”. It’s spiral-bound and suitable for desk, bookshelf or purse, and has 128 pages in 5½” x 8½” format. Each page features a week with space to write appointments, and the opposite page features interesting information on that year’s theme. WRL’s 2008 calendar features an introduction by Kathy Kelly and an afterword by Stephen Zunes. It features contemporary and historical profiles and stories about Middle Eastern peace organizers, conscientious objectors, people working together across differences, nonviolent resistance, women’s peace activities, and constructive programs to build a better world. The cost is $13.95 each or four for $50.00, plus shipping & handling. ISBN: 0-940862-20-4 Info: www.warresisters.org. Order form: https://secure.serve.com/resist/cal2008-ordering.htm) or call (877) 234-8811. WRL’s Statement of Purpose says: “The War Resisters League affirms that all war is a crime against humanity and are determined not to support any kind of war, international or civil, and to strive nonviolently for the removal of all causes of war.” WRL promotes nonviolent education and action.

The Olympia-based Citizens Movement to Impeach Bush/Cheney has enjoyed enthusiastic public response to its recent outreach efforts (tabling at the Olympia Farmers’ Market, etc.). They have collected nearly 4,000 signatures on the petition and have distributed hundreds of signs, bumper stickers, buttons and fact sheets. They provided guests for a recent TCTV program hosted by the Green Party of South Puget Sound and also for the October TV program of the Olympia FOR. The group needs more active volunteers to replace some who have moved away or had to reduce involvement because of health, jobs, or other reasons. The group will meet from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia NW, on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month (except Nov. 5 replacing Nov. 12). Please contact Jerry Smith at 360-491-1540 or Glen Anderson at 360-491-9093 for more information, including how you could help. You can also e-mail the group through its very informative website, www.CitizensImpeach.org.

Daniel Ellsberg, the man who leaked the Pentagon Papers that exposed the lies underlying the war in Vietnam, issued a powerful statement on September 26, 2007. He describes the aftermath of September 11, 2001, as a “coup,” and he is worried about what happens when the next shoe drops. Ellsberg’s powerful statement is reported at www.consortiumnews.com/2007/092607a.html.

Charlie Hardy, a former Catholic priest who lives in Caracas, Venezuela, is a great storyteller who wrote a book called Cowboy in Caracas about his experiences living in the slums of Caracas before and during the rise of Hugo Chavez. A TV program on this will air four times in early October on TCTV, channel 22 for cable subscribers in Thurston County: Friday October 5 at 7:00 p.m., Saturday October 6 at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday October 10 at 12:00 noon, and Thursday October 11 at 6:30 a.m.

The Foundation for Self Sufficiency in Central America (FSSCA) has some opportunities in Olympia to learn about and support efforts for sustainability in El Salvador and fight climate change. FSSCA is the small non-governmental organization (NGO) that supports peasant-led sustainable development and environmental projects in rural El Salvador. Projects include organic farming, drip irrigation, mangrove restoration and native fruit tree effort. (The greatest opportunity to sequester carbon in reforestation efforts is in the tropics including El Salvador.) Info on FSSCA: www.fssca.net FSSCA Director Sean Hale will be in the Puget Sound area the week around the 20th of October and be able to talk about the current situation in El Salvador. He will also be able to talk about recent imprisonment of peaceful protestors of privatization of water as “terrorists” in Suchitoto, as well current FSSCA efforts in rural El Salvador. To schedule a talk or get more information contact Bob Zeigler in Olympia at 360-570-0848 ZeiglerBob@msn.com.

Fred LaMotte of The Evergreen State College’s Campus Ministries writes: “I have developed a website of soldiers’ writings on faith and the world’s religions to give our men and women in Iraq a human face. If we don’t give them a human face, we may never bring them home. I hope that teachers and ministers will use these writings in their classes and ministries. These are not my writings, but writings by soldiers.” www.FaithintheZone.blogspot.com.

Phil Owen, local homeless advocate, announces that The Family Support Center’s Homeless Advocacy Manual is now available for download at www.homelessadvocacy.wikispaces.com.

Americans typically lose their voting rights when convicted of felonies. The U.S.’s current policies disproportionately convict and incarcerate poor people and people of color. As a result, a disproportionate number of poor people and people of color are prohibited from voting. Taking away their right to vote does not reduce crime, but it does reduce democracy! Selectively excluding certain classes of potential voters also biases election results. Most people convicted of felonies are required to pay various fines and court costs (“legal financial obligations” – LFOs), and people can’t get their voting rights back until they have paid their LFOs, even after they have been released from prison. Washington State charges an outrageously high interest rate of 12% on LFOs, so many poor people are permanently barred from voting! This is a modern-day poll tax! Supporters of democracy are working to correct this injustice through the Washington State Legislature. To help, contact the ACLU of Washington (206-624-2184) or Justice Works! (206-309-2087) The ACLU’s work is well known. The Justice Works! mission is undoing racism in the criminal justice system as experienced by African Americans.

All of us who have appreciated the work of Monica Peabody and the Welfare Rights Organizing Coalition (WROC) will be glad to know that a long period of work has resulted in a reorganized group with a new name. POWER’s board and members will hold a meeting from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday October 20, perhaps at Fertile Ground, 311 9th Ave SE, Olympia, and certainly with potluck lunch and onsite childcare. The group will develop statements of its values and mission, and members will elect board members. A number of ongoing gatherings will occur in the coming weeks, and POWER will continue to hold volunteer meetings every Wednesday at 1:30 at its office in the Payne Room of the First Christian Church, 7th & Franklin, Olympia. Info: 352-9716 welfarerights@riseup.net.

The Thurston Council on Cultural Diversity and Human Rights invites nominations of individuals and organizations who have made unique recent contributions toward human rights, or who have promoted human rights over a longer period of time. Individuals and organizations living in Thurston County are eligible. Nominations must be in writing and submitted by 5:00 p.m. Friday October 19. Get info first from Ruth Elder 786-5135 elderr@co.thurston.wa.us The Olympia FOR won this award in 2001.

The Olympia FOR has a DVD copy of this film authored by Norman Solomon and narrated by Sean Penn. It reaches into the Orwellian memory hole to expose a 50-year pattern of government deception and media spin that has dragged the United States into one war after another from Vietnam to Iraq. It exhumes remarkable archival footage of official distortion and exaggeration from LBJ to George W. Bush, revealing in stunning detail how the American news media have uncritically disseminated the pro-war messages of successive presidential administrations. www.warmadeeasythemovie.org/index.html You may borrow the DVD from the Olympia FOR to show to other people. Contact 360-491-9093 info@olyfor.org.

Learn about counter-recruiting. Protect young people. A new book, Army of None: Strategies to Counter Military Recruitment, End War and Build a Better World, was published by Seven Stories Press in August 2007. It is already appreciated as one of the most comprehensive, focused and in-depth summaries about why counter-recruiting in schools is so important, both on an individual level to protect our youth, and in the context of “getting to the root causes of our problems and building a better world.” The book’s authors, Aimee Allison and David Solnit, are coordinators of “The Army of None Project.” They will tour from Portland to Bellingham from January 10 to 24. They seek speaking engagements, opportunities to conduct workshops promoting counter-recruitment, and other opportunities. For information contact Kurt Kutay, an active volunteer with Washington Truth in Recruiting (WaTiR), at (206) 719-7098 rosie1352@comcast.net, or in the Olympia area contact Molly Gibbs, 412-1519 kayck@olywa.net For a recent article, “Top Military Recruitment Lies,” contact the Thurston County Draft Counseling Center at 360-491-9093 glen@olywa.net.

The Sept. 13 Peninsula Daily News reported that Clint Jones, a 79-year-old retired opera singer from Sequim WA, near Port Angeles, has written a new version of a national pledge that he would like to see replace the Pledge of Allegiance. Instead of allegiance to the flag, it would focus on the U.S. Constitution. Jones’ pledge would state: “We, the people, pledge allegiance to the Constitution and Bill of Rights of the United States of America and the Republic, which protect and guarantee our life, liberty, pursuit of happiness and the freedom of choice to all, regardless of race, religion or economic status and equality of gender.” It has been recited at his Clallam County Democratic Party meeting and at a Green Party meeting. At the county level both parties have passed resolutions calling for Bush and Cheney to be impeached. To respond to Jones’ new version of pledging allegiance, which focuses on the U.S. Constitution rather than the flag, e-mail pledge@olypen.com or phone 360-681-0101.

“Salaam, Shalom, Solh: Nonviolence and Resistance in the Middle East & Beyond” — Every year the WRL, a terrific pacifist organization founded in 1923, publishes an informative and practical calendar that focuses on a particular theme. It’s spiral-bound and suitable for desk, bookshelf or purse. It has 128 pages in 5½” x 8½” format. Each page features a week with space to write appointments, and the opposite page features interesting information on that year’s theme. WRL’s 2008 calendar features an introduction by Kathy Kelly and an afterword by Stephen Zunes. It features contemporary and historical profiles and stories about Middle Eastern peace organizers, conscientious objectors, people working together across differences, nonviolent resistance, women’s peace activities, and constructive programs to build a better world. The cost is $13.95 each or four for $50.00, plus shipping & handling. ISBN: 0-940862-20-4 Info: www.warresisters.org. Order form: https://secure.serve.com/resist/cal2008-ordering.htm) or call (877) 234-8811. WRL’s Statement of Purpose says: “The War Resisters League affirms that all war is a crime against humanity and are determined not to support any kind of war, international or civil, and to strive nonviolently for the removal of all causes of war.” WRL promotes nonviolent education and action.

Contribute your ideas. Help make the holiday happen here! You can help in any of several different ways. Info: Ruth Elder, Thurston Council on Cultural Diversity and Human Rights, 786-5135 or elderr@co.thurston.wa.us.

Feb 23-24, 2008, and yearlong! PeaceJam is an international education program built around leading Nobel Peace Prize Laureates who work personally with youth to pass on the spirit, skills, and wisdom they embody. The goal of PeaceJam is to inspire a new generation of peacemakers who will transform their local communities, themselves, and the world. A conference at Oregon State University in Corvallis OR will occur on Sat-Sun Feb 23-24, 2008 (register for $25 by October 10). It also offers a year-long ongoing leadership training program for teens. Info: www.peacejam.org.

The committee that plans Olympia’s mid-July Lakefair event is inviting US and Canadian military ships ̬ including the nuclear submarine USS Olympia — to 2008’s Lakefair. People who oppose the militarization of our community have a lot of lead time to organize around this.

Are you thirsty for an opportunity to build community that is action-geared, intentional, intergenerational, creative and interfaith? Do you want to deepen your understanding of nonviolence as a way of life and tool for political change? Do you want to bridge education into action and make concrete changes in culture and policy? Stop wars at home and abroad? This event will bring together teams of artists, community leaders, activists and Cultural Creatives of all ages to be a part of local, winnable organizing campaigns to get violence out of our schools and communities. It’s the first step in becoming certified as a Grassroots Civilian Diplomat with the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR). This weekend event (Friday July 20 through Sunday July 22) at Shalom Hill Farm in Windom, Minnesota, will include:

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Learn the basics of nonprofit financial management so you can stay on track. Keeping track of the money you are given for your work in the community is becoming more and more of a challenge with new regulations. The Thurston County Progressive Network (TC Pro-Net) offers this workshop through the Tacoma-based Nonprofit Center. 7:00-9:00 pm at the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St NW, downtown Olympia. Pre-registration is required. $25 for TC Pro-Net members, or $45 for non-members, which includes a one year membership. (Tuition must be paid in full in advance.) Contact Sam Garst SamGarst@aol.com or mail your registration fee to TC Pro-Net Workshops, PO Box 2566, Olympia, WA 98507. Info: www.tcpronet.org.

As of May 16 the number of U.S. military deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan since the Democrats won Congress after promising withdrawal was 576. By the way, torture is continuing, habeas corpus has not been restored, illegal wiretapping continues, and many other problems continue.

In late May people learned that Bush is starting a major escalation of U.S. troops in Iraq far beyond the euphemistically termed “surge.” He is doing this by further extending tours for brigades already there and by deploying more units. Reports say combat troops could escalate to as many as 98,000 by the end of 2007, compared to 52,500 at the beginning of 2007. That’s nearly double in one year! Counting support troops, the total number of U.S. troops in Iraq could increase from 162,000 now to more than 200,000 – the most ever – by the end of the year. Now the Democrats have funded the war again – without attaching any withdrawal timetable.

Larry Kerschner has information about this curriculum, which looks at the experience of war through poetry and other writings. Info: Larry at 360-291-3946 peacepoet@gmail.com or www.voicesinartime.org

A partial stay was issued May 18 in the army’s second attempt to court-martial Lt. Ehren Watada, who refused to redeploy to Iraq because he believes the war is illegal. Watada has spoken publicly and powerfully about the war’s illegality. The court-martial was scheduled for July 23, but now the army’s court of appeal will review arguments from both sides and proceed with pretrial hearings. If convicted, Watada could be sentenced to six years in prison and be dishonorably discharged. Army judge Lt. Col. John Head ended Watada’s first trial as a mistrial. Watada’s supporters say the army stopped it because it knew the trial was going badly for the prosecution. Watada’s attorneys said that trying him again would be prohibited as double jeopardy. Meanwhile, Watada continues his daily duties at Fort Lewis. Info: ThankYouLt.org

The “Courage to Resist” campaign supports military objectors to illegal war and occupation and the policies of empire. This group of concerned community members, veterans and military families describes itself as building a People Power strategy to weaken the pillars that maintain war and occupation in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere by supporting GI resistance, counter-recruitment and draft resistance. This cuts off the supply of troops. It is autonomous from and independent of any political organization, party or group. Recently they developed a presence in the popular MySpace community.

In April the Army ordered soldiers to stop posting to blogs or sending personal e-mail messages, without first clearing the content with a superior officer. In mid-May the Army went further and actually banned MySpace, YouTube, and nine other social networking websites from being accessed from military computers, including those available for Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) centers. (Those computers are set up specifically so that service members can keep in touch with families and friends.) The Army – which ironically claims its mission is to protect our freedom – apparently wanted to limit troops’ freedom to criticize the military and the wars. Although the Army claimed to be doing this because of limited bandwidth and national security, the ban came just one day after the Army itself opened a YouTube channel dedicated to sharing the “good news that goes unreported” in Iraq! Meanwhile in Iraq the US military and Iraqi government continue to sharply control journalists’ activities, sometimes by firing automatic weapons over the heads of journalists to keep them away from battle scenes that would embarrass the two governments.

On May 19 Camp Quixote, which began in a vacant lot in downtown Olympia and then spent three months at the Olympia Unitarian-Universalist Congregation’s property in NW Olympia, moved to The United Churches parking lot near 11th and Washington SE. The United Churches’ pastor Mark Dowdy invited the public to attend an open house at the church, so people could ask questions about how Tent City is run, find out what health and safety measures are in place, and also meet with Tent City residents. The Churches congregation plans to host Tent City for the next few months. Leslie Cushman, this year’s moderator of the church council, said “I am so proud of our congregation. They have really rallied behind this effort.” Church members and other supporters are staffing a twenty-four hour Comfort and Safety Host table in 3 or 6 hour shifts. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Deborah Reynolds, the Host Coordinator, at 480-6361 or deborahreynolds@comcast.net. For more information please call the Rev. Mark Dowdy at 360-943-1210 or Leslie Cushman at 360-280-0087. Also see Olympia FOR’s July TCTV program.

PBI provides nonviolent witness and accompaniment for persons in areas of conflict. Volunteers from the US are especially needed now. You must be at least 25 years of age, able to speak and write Spanish fluently, and able to commit to one year of field service in Colombia. Info: Luis Pirez at formacion1@pbicolombia.net and www.peacebrigades.org/colombia.html

Schedule a live slideshow presentation about global climate change for your religious congregation or community group: 1,000 people were trained to give a version of Al Gore’s slideshow, which became the basis of his best-selling film, “An Inconvenient Truth.” Two of these volunteer presenters with Earth Ministry, a Seattle-based organization, can give this thought-provoking presentation to members of your congregation and community. Priority is given to the Puget Sound area, but with enough advance notice, some travel is possible. Info: Jill Clapp-Hansen at Earth Ministry, jill@earthministry.org.

For a long time Rob Richie, who used to live in Olympia, has been Executive Director of a nationwide voting reform organization, FairVote — Center for Voting and Democracy. FairVote works on a number of reforms that would significantly strengthen democracy by making elections more meaningful and accurate. FairVote reports great progress recently in a number of states. Several state legislatures are voting to replace their traditional participation in the electoral college with adherence to the nationwide popular vote (NPV) for president. Several voting rights cases might lead to adoption of proportional representation (PR). Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) is gaining support around the country. (A variation of IRV is even being used on the American Idol TV program, in which the last-place performer is voted off every week.) Universal voter registration projects are making headway too. Info: FairVote — Center for Voting and Democracy, 6930 Carroll Ave Suite 610, Takoma Park, MD 20912 301‑270‑4616 www.fairvote.org.

Michael Moore, the producer of “Roger and Me,” “Bowling for Columbine” and “Fahrenheit 9/11” is preparing to premiere his latest documentary, “Sicko,” at the Cannes Film Festival, despite threats by the Bush-Cheney regime. Part of the film reveals that a group of 9/11 rescue workers who are suffering from illnesses obtained from working down at New York City’s Ground Zero after September 11, 2001, received little or no help with their health care from the US government, so they went to Cuba for health care. For decades US laws have prohibited average US citizens from traveling to Cuba in normal ways. Bush’s Treasury Secretary, Henry Paulson, launched an investigation of Moore’s film because Moore and the Ground Zero workers went to Cuba. The film’s US premiere is scheduled throughout the US and Canada for Friday June 29. Info: www.michaelmoore.com.

People who are so poor that they run out of money before the next paycheck are extremely vulnerable to an exploding new business – payday loan sharking – that exploits them with exorbitantly high interest rates. The law exempts them from the state usury law that caps interest rates at 36%, so payday loan sharks charge much more than that! Payday lenders in Washington State are permitted to a charge a fee of $15 for every $100 they borrow. With a typical payday loan of $300, the customer must agree to repay the lender a total of $345 - the $300 loan plus a $45 fee. This translates to an annual interest rate of 391%! When borrowers can’t pay back the loans they get caught in a cycle of recurring fees and ballooning debt. In 2006 payday lenders gave $200,000 to politicians and political committees to protect their unjust advantage. A new grassroots campaign in Tacoma is challenging them. To connect with them – or to start a similar campaign in our local community – please contact Mary Smith at kilarney@aol.com.

Costa Rican President Oscar Arias recently announced that Costa Rica will stop sending police to train at the U.S. Army facility, citing the SOA’s history of involvement in military coups and human rights abuses throughout Latin America. Arias, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, made the decision after talks with a delegation of the School of the Americas Watch, the human rights advocacy group that has campaigned since 1990 for closing the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC), formerly known as the School for the Americas (SOA), and colloquially known as the School of Assassins, located at Fort Benning, Georgia. Costa Rica has no army but has sent approximately 2,600 police officers over the years to be trained at the school and currently has three policemen at the center. Costa Rica is the fourth country to announce a withdrawal from the SOA/WHINSEC. In 2006 Argentina and Uruguay announced that they would cease all training at the school, becoming the second and third countries to announce a cessation of training. In January of 2004, Hugo Chavez announced that Venezuela would no longer send troops to train at the school. Costa Rica’s withdrawal from WHINSEC is a victory for human rights in Latin America. With this major breakthrough, Costa Rica adds its name to the list of countries who are rejecting the destructive approach of institutions such as the SOA/WHINSEC. Combat training and military spending as a means to “solve” social problems do not bring peace and democracy. Each year Congress moves closer to shutting down SOA/WHINSEC. Current legislation, HR 1707, would suspend its operations and investigate the history of human rights abuses and failed policies of the institution. Washington State’s 3rd Congressional District Representative, Brian Baird, is a co-sponsor, but Rep. Adam Smith from the 9th Cong.Dist. is not. Info: www.soaw.org.

Local peace activist Terry Zander and others are planning an event on 4th of July’s evening (7-10 pm) in Sylvester Park. It seeks to reclaim the spirit of the 4th of July. The event could include a dramatic reading of portions of the Declaration of Independence, music, drumming, speakers (including perhaps a “Hyde Park” kind of Free Speech Soapbox), flags, banners, patriotic cheering, and perhaps sparklers in lieu of other fireworks. The planning is just beginning, and Terry is exploring possible names for the event – perhaps something like “Operation Independence: Freedom from Tyranny.” He invites local organizations to co-sponsor and help organize this event. Please contact him at 943-6109 or tezzer1@msn.com.

A May 21 article by Adam Liptak in the New York Times reported that juries are increasingly reluctant to impose death sentences. While most Americans say they support the death penalty, this seems to be an abstract idea, and actually deciding to send a particular person to his death is something very different. The article reports, “In the mid-1990s, juries sentenced about 315 people to death every year. The number has been dropping ever since, and last year the number of death sentences barely broke 100. Those numbers say something profound about public attitudes toward capital punishment - not in the abstract but in the concrete circumstances of particular cases.”

Read and discuss some interesting materials about how corporate power dominates government and corrupts democracy. Challenge basic assumptions, gain new insights, and connect with other interesting people. Meet 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Thursday evenings of each month from June 14 through October 25. The local Alliance for Democracy offers a free 10-part study group based on the materials produced by the Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom (WILPF). You may download the study materials from WILPF’s website. Meet at Traditions Café, 5th & Water SW, Olympia. Info and registration: Monica Hoover 360-943-3070 e-mail mmhoove@aol.com Info: www.SoundDemocracy.org.

A local book group is forming to read and discuss thebook “Deep Economy”, which debunks “growth” and other common assumptions, and urges sustainability and localism. It offers practical and positive ways to cope with global warming, peak oil, inequality, and other problems. It’s well written. Info: Chris Stegman 360-705-3528 or e-mail c.stegman@comcast.net.

Washington Public Campaigns reports that all three pieces of Washington State legislation offering public funding as an alternative to big money contributions died in the 2007 legislative session. The House and Senate failed to meet a legislative deadline for voting on the “local option” bills, which would have allowed local governments to offer public funding for local elections. The “judicial” bills were replaced by Gov. Gregoire’s call for a study to gather information by November. The “comprehensive” bills for state executive and legislative campaigns died in committee. Washington Public Campaigns organizer Craig Salins called for intensive public education to build a groundswell of public support for Clean Elections. This will increase the likelihood of success either for another effort through the Legislature or for a citizen initiative. If you’d like to watch a video copy of the Olympia FOR’s March TCTV program on Clean Elections, contact Glen Anderson at (360) 491-9093 glen@olywa.net. To contact Washington Public Campaigns, phone Craig Salins at (206) 784-9695 or visit their highly informative website, www.washclean.org. To get involved locally within Thurston County (for example, by urging local governments here to consider Clean Elections), contact Carolyn Cox at 413-0014 cox.carolyn@comcast.net or Jacqui Brown Miller at 236-9684 JacquiAfD@comcast.net.

Years of work is starting to pay off. It was a great success to have identical House and Senate bills and to have committee hearings on them. Although advocates did not cultivate enough legislative support this year to succeed, we built a good foundation for next time. Companion bills (HB 1518 and SB 5786 would have stayed any executions in Washington state until July 1, 2008, while a task force studies the fairness of Washington’s death penalty. Companion bills (HB 1707 and SB 5787) would have prevented the execution of persons with severe mental illness. (Over the years, the Washington State Legislature outlawed the execution of juveniles and persons with developmental disabilities. State-by-state, such laws spread across the country until two U.S. Supreme Court cases recognized “evolving standards of decency” and prohibited their execution anywhere in the nation. Many abolitionists see severe mental illness as the next frontier.) The Washington Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty worked very hard on all four bills. The Olympia FOR’s Committee for Alternatives to the Death Penalty organized a Death Penalty Information Session to inform the public before the legislative hearings, and committee members Rozanne Rants and Glen Anderson testified to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. For more information contact Rozanne at 705-8520 rozannerants@yahoo.com or Glen at 491-9093 glen@olywa.net.

St. Michael Church will present the national FOR’s nonviolence training, “Creating A Culture of Peace,” from Friday morning June 22 through the afternoon of Sunday the 24th . This weekend retreat will be held in the St. Michael School library for an amazingly low cost (keep reading!). It will draw from the same curriculum used in the two nonviolence weekends Olympia FOR present in September 2005 and February 2006. Expect to deepen and broaden your grasp of nonviolence on this weekend. Experience-based learning will aim at both the head and heart. You’ll add to your conflict-waging, community-building, and organizing skills. The aim is to equip and inspire you to begin or strengthen your work for social change. While this weekend is directed especially at the Catholic Community, everyone is welcome. Brief prayer times and a look at nonviolence in the life of Jesus will give it some Catholic/Christian flavor. Parish support will allow a very low cost – probably $50 or less. Facilitator Dave Bellefeuille-Rice lives in Olympia and has been an Olympia FOR member for over 20 years. He’s a longtime vigiler and peacekeeper. Janet Brown, an experienced trainer and veteran FOR leader, comes to us from Salem, Oregon. She’s a member of the National FOR board and an activist on many fronts. Both facilitators participated in the Olympia FOR’s facilitator training in March 2006. That weekend aimed to create a local pool of trainers, and it’s bearing fruit here. Please register soon! Interested in more information? Contact Dave Bellefeuille-Rice at 943-6264 or bellefeuille-rice@juno.com.

Right now, a private company is trying to scavenge a huge profit from Zambia, one of the world’s poorest countries. Please take action to prevent this. In 1999, a “vulture fund” called Donegal International bought a debt owed by Zambia, originally worth $15 million and then valued at about $30 million, for a knock-down price of $3.3 million. Now, it has sued Zambia for the full amount, plus interest and costs — a staggering total of over $55 million! On February 15, 2007, a judge in London rejected the size of Donegal’s claim, after Zambia fought back in the courts. But he nevertheless ruled that under law Donegal is entitled to something from Zambia. The exact total is to be determined, but may be around $20 million. This would be half of the amount that Zambia is due to save this year from a debt relief program, but Zambia desperately needs all its money to invest in teachers, doctors and infrastructure. Donegal must not take this money! You can help! Jubilee Debt Campaign and Oxfam are calling on Donegal International not to claim this money. Please add your voice to our call. To do so, access: www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk/?lid=2893

A new way to learn & get involved: As part of more than 1,000 events happening nationwide on April 14, (see www.stepitup2007.org) a coalition of local groups is organizing Olympia’s first annual “Climate Action Day Festival” at Sylvester Park – and other locations around town – from 12 noon to 6 pm. The US has about 5% of the world’s population but uses about 25% of the world’s energy resources and creates about 25% of the world’s CO2 emissions. Clearly, we have a special responsibility to dramatically reduce these. A “Green Drive” display of energy efficient vehicles will occur on Legion Way next to the park. A Global Warming Cafe will feature a “Low Carbon Diet” allowing visitors to find out how they can lose up to 5,000 pounds per year (of carbon emissions). Everyone entering can have their “Carbon Footprint” measured and leave with ideas of how to reduce it. These events will be co-sponsored by the Sustainable Community Roundtable and Northwest Earth Institute. A permaculture exhibit will be sponsored by Eco-City Olympia/Terra Commons. A children’s learning table will appeal to children in the K-6 range. High school students with hold a teen circle and discuss how to take the message to their fellow students. Futuristic “Waterfront Tours” taking place in the year 2050 (use your imagination) will take place every hour. You will be able to find out about “Climate Solutions,” an Olympia-based non-profit organization that promotes Clean Energy effectively throughout the Northwest. Drumming and music and speakers will spice up the day as it rolls along. Indian organizer Kyle Taylor Lucas is one of several keynote speakers and is arranging for a Native blessing for the event. Earthbound Productions is donating earth flags and displaying various Procession of the Species creations to represent those that will face extinction if we don’t solve these global problems in time. A slide show presenting solutions to global warming followed by discussion will occur from 4-6pm at the MIXX-96 meeting room located at the corner of State & Washington. Educational films will be shown at various locations the night before the event (Friday April 13). This will be a family friendly event. Please mark your calendar and join us on April 14. For more info or to volunteer (we need you!) please call Chris at 705-3528 or Janet at 352-0779 or email c.stegman@comcast.net or jordanjanet@hotmail.com.

On January 31, Ehren Watada, the army lieutenant who risked court martial by refusing to deploy to Iraq, spoke movingly to a large audience at South Puget Sound Community College, as the guest of SPSCC’s radical student group Brick. Olympia’s Alliance for Democracy chapter presents his speech to Thurston County’s cable TV subscribers on TCTV channel 22 eight times during April:

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Peace activists put the Iraq war and occupation on trial on January 20-21, two weeks before Lt. Ehren Watada’s court martial was to begin. Nationwide experts came to Tacoma and delivered expert testimony that the Iraq war and occupation are blatantly illegal and that our troops have a legal right and responsibility to disobey illegal orders. Olympia’s Alliance for Democracy chapter presents televised coverage of this significant event for Thurston County’s cable TV subscribers on TCTV channel 22 eight times during April: Read the rest of this entry »

A presentation by Bruce Gagnon, a nationally respected expert on the militarization of space and on the military-industrial complex, will air on TCTV cable channel 22 for Thurston County’s cable subscribers, eight times during May:

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Faith & the Common Good is an initiative asking what values we believe should form our communities — small and large. Faith & the Common Good derived the Green Rule from the classic Golden Rule found in major faith traditions. Green Rule supporters paraphrase the Golden Rule by saying: “Do unto the Earth as you would have it do unto you.” A Green Rule Study Guide offers suggestions on how you can use the Green Rule to teach your school system and your faith community’s youth and adult members about the sacredness of creation in their own faith, while taking into consideration the similar beliefs of other traditions. A related workshop outline can be used for a one-time gathering or can extend over a weekend or series of weeks, in small or large groups of single-faith or multi-faith. Included also are inspiring eco-faith stories, websites and other related resource materials. For more information, visit www.faith-commongood.net.

On March 16 the leader of the National Council of Churches USA (NCC) reiterated that the Iraq war is “immoral” as he prepared to take part in peace actions that night and the next day in Washington, D.C., marking the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. “It is the life and ministry of Jesus Christ that prompted our stand then and compels us now to reiterate the continued prosecution of this war is immoral. It should be ended as quickly as possible,” said the Rev. Bob Edgar, NCC’s general secretary, in a public statement. “There is a numbness that seems to have overcome America about the purpose, cost and effects the Iraq war has had on our country’s soul,” Edgar said. His prescription for healing the soul of the nation is a time-honored, Biblically-based action. “In church language, when you make a mistake you examine your conscience, promise not to do it again and change the direction of your life. It’s called repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation,” Edgar said. The NCC leader also spoke of the toll to America’s soul due to the torture of human beings in secret prisons and abuses at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo. The Rev. Edgar joined thousands in a Christian peace witness [www.christianpeacewitness.org] at the Washington National Cathedral, followed by a candlelight march to the White House with many thousands more “to surround the White House with the bright light of Christ,” according to event planners. The NCC is the ecumenical voice of America’s Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican, historic African American and traditional peace churches. These 35 communions have 45 million faithful members in 100,000 congregations in all 50 states. Info: Dan Webster, 212-870-2252, e-mail NCCnews@ncccusa.org or www.councilofchurches.org.

With only minimal attention by the news media, the U.S. government, and the American people, the crisis Darfur goes on – with devastating loss of life and human rights abuses. The website www.SaveDarfur.org provides information, offers downloadable action packets for faith communities, and offers a petition to Bush. Other useful websites are www.genocideintervention.net, the Sudan Information page of Human Rights Watch’s website, www.hrw.org, and www.churchworldservice.org/news/sudan.

The Olympia FOR program has continued to produce high quality programs for 20 years as an all-volunteer activity. We thank Mark Varadian, who directed the program for a great many years, and Brad Andrews and Dennis Gustafson who served with Mark on crew for many years. Thanks to Bruce Tenney, who has persisted on crew for nearly 20 years. Thanks to Pila Laronal, who served as our director since last summer, and to Carol Burns who directed some recent programs. We look forward to Wendy Lagerquist moving from crew member to director, beginning in April. Thanks to Rus Geh and Bob Giles who are serving on crew now. Glen Anderson continues to produce and host the program.

Citizens for Responsible Justice (C4RJ) hosts a Tacoma-based support group for families and friends of incarcerated individuals. Other interested persons are welcome too. It meets on the 4th Thursday evening of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Family of Jesus Church, 1427 E 40th Street in Tacoma, just off Portland Avenue. Come around to the back and enter the basement near the sign reading “Indochina Cultural and Service Center”.

A number of local activists are talking about creating some kind of storefront space downtown where peace & justice groups can provide an ongoing presence with literature, office space, perhaps coffee, or… What needs do you see? In what ways — and how much — would you and your nonprofit groups use the space? If you’re interested, contact Glen at 360-491-9093 or glen@olywa.net, and he’ll connect you with some of the key organizers.

Olympia’s Town Hall a big success – Legislature avoids issue – Democratic Party leaders squelch public efforts – efforts continue: About 900 persons from Thurston and surrounding counties packed the Washington Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday evening February 20 to hear three national-level experts present a rock-solid case for impeaching Bush & Cheney and answer the audience’s questions. It was a powerful and persuasive event. State Senate Joint Resolution 8016 received strong support from members of the public who testified to a Senate committee hearing on Thursday March 1. However, three of the state’s most powerful Democrats— U.S. Senator Patty Murray, US Representative Jay Inslee, and Governor Christine Gregoire— all overstepped their proper authority to lobby against this bill, which never made it out of committee. Grassroots activists continue their efforts to impeach Bush & Cheney. Info: 360-459-1079 ImpeachBush@RiseUp.net www.AfterDowningStreet.org The website has a wealth of information.

Olympia Women’s Peace Choir will perform music that promotes peace, understanding and community for all people. Most performances will be a capella. The Olympia Women’s Peace Choir is auditioning confident singers who have choral experience and the ability to read music or learn parts quickly. If you would like to be in the choir but lack confidence, skill or experience, please ask about private lessons or inexpensive classes entitled “Singing for Those Who Think They Can’t Carry a Tune” and “Sightsinging: The Art of Reading Music,” offered by the Olympia Arts, Parks and Recreation Department. The Olympia Women’s Peace Choir also wants to meet women who play an instrument or enjoy dance or drama. Choir rehearsals will be held Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. The choir is also looking for suitable rehearsal space. Info: Amelia Sahentara, Choir Director, 570-0206 sahentara@msn.com or www.olypeacechoir.org.

Recently the Olympia-Rafah Sister City Project (ORSCP) applied to the City of Olympia for recognition of formal sister city status between Olympia and Rafah, Palestine. The Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation Steering Committee and several other local groups have endorsed the proposal. ORSCP is seeking support from additional individuals and organizations to help the City Council make its decision in late February. ORSCP encourages you to: (1) Add your individual name to the list of ORSCP supporters by sending a note to John_Harvey@comcast.net; (2) Ask any appropriate civic, religious, and business organizations to which you belong to endorse ORSCP and notify John_Harvey@comcast.net when the endorsement is authorized; and (3) Write a short letter of support to the Olympia City Council at citycouncil@ci.olympia.wa.us, telling them how great ORSCP is and that you support an official sister city connection with Rafah. Your letter can be short and simple; even one paragraph or one sentence would be enough. Please send a copy of your letter to John_Harvey@comcast.net. (4) Visit your friends on the City Council on any Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 900 Plum Street, during Public Communications time. It only takes a few minutes to encourage the City Council to support Olympia-Rafah official status. This grassroots movement is a powerful way to promote peace and justice for Israel and Palestine. Info: John Harvey 754-1899 e-mail: John_Harvey@comcast.net or www.orscp.org.

Individual young people and groups of young people who live in Thurston County are may apply or be nominated for accomplishments or contributions that promote diversity in general or any aspect of a diverse perspective. The medium for the message is unlimited and could include essays, term papers, plays, skits, artwork, published letters to the editor, original songs, posters, displays, class undertakings and events. They should have been completed between March 1, 2006, and March 1, 2007. For complete information contact Ruth Elder at the Thurston Council on Cultural Diversity and Human Rights, 2000 Lakeridge Dr SW, Olympia WA 98502-6045; phone 360-357-2849 or elderr@co.thurston.wa.us. The deadline is 5:00 p.m. Friday March 23, 2007.