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Coming Events

Afghan Voices
Tuesday, February 15, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Northern Lights United Church

Lia Gladstone spent 2009 as Professor of English and Drama at American University in Kabul. Afghan Voices is a multi-media presentation about her experience of teaching, traveling and working with a human rights group doing theater in Afghanistan. The program features excerpts from the writing of Afghan students.


Thursday, May 31, 2007

Marcus Eriksen Reading excerpts from his book "My River Home" at Rainy Day Books in Juneau

Rainy Day Books is delighted to host a reading by author Marcus Eriksen of excerpts from his book, My River Home, on Tuesday evening, June 5th at 7:00 p.m.
"Veteran Marcus Eriksen set off on a journey down the entire length of the great Mississippi River on a homemade raft kept afloat by 232 empty soda bottles, recycled junk, and a dose of ingenuity. Though he had never made such a trip, he had dreamed of doing it a decade earlier as a marine in the Gulf War. While struggling against a river with an unpredictable personality, Eriksen recounts a personal shift from proud soldier to self-destructive veteran to engaged activist protesting the injustices of the Iraq War. Startlingly honest and warm with affection for the people he meets, Eriksen explains, through his own story, the allure of the military, the tragedy of modern war, and the courage it takes to fulfill a dream."
for a fuller discussion of Mr. Eriksen and his work.
You are invited to come by, meet Marcus and listen as he shares his experiences.
Don Birdseye
Rainy Day Books
113 N Seward
463-2665

Friday, May 25, 2007

A positive alternative vision of a workable peaceful world

Peace activist John Bostrom, who participated with me in the September 2005 civil disobedience at the White House has offered a thoughtful statement and critique of efforts of peace activists working to end the Iraq war and occupation that I would like to share:
I'm tired of asking people to call Congress. Congress may be listening, but most of them appear to be listening just enough to stay elected, while not upsetting the profitable militarized corporate applecart with anything but the occassional charade of a slap on the wrist. Our calls and letters make very little difference except when we're in the majority of a district or state - in which case, we've already elected one of our own.

But shouldn't we also face the fact that "mass" actions don't make much difference either? We've been trying to "do something really big this time" for decades. It's just not enough.

The lack of effective numbers isn't the problem. It's just a symptom of a deeper problem: the lack of an effective strategy. The real problem is that the peace movemen has become almost entirely reactive. We don't promote a specific positive alternative vision of a workable peaceful world in practical and especially economic terms. Almost entirely, we protest against what the corporate war machine, or their government lackeys, are doing. We get distracted over and over again into reactive outrage. Over and over and over, we say NO. We have no big, attractive YES as a real alternative.

Until we come up with a positive, workable economic alternative, and keep promoting that over and over, building the vision for it, proactively, saying YES to it over and over and over regardless of anything else, we're going to be seen as nothing but "protestors." We have to stay focused on that positive vision regardless of whatever else happens. Including the election of a proto-fascist. Including an attack on Iran. Including another terrorist attack, no matter how horrible. Any protest against the government has to be relegated to second place - merely the latest evidence, in a long chain, that war doesn't work, and that what is needed is our positive alternative. We have to find our YES, and start saying it over and over and over.

Even the most committed civil disobedience is only as effective as the positive vision it promotes. Saying NO is certainly morally worthwhile, but it isn't enough to replace a vision as identifiable, workable, practical, and organized as the vision of the corporate war machine. We need our own identifiable, workable, practical, and organized vision for a peaceful economy.

My starting point for that YES is the conversion of all nuclear bases and research labs to centers for an economy based on peace. Alternative energy research - wind, solar, and biomass. The rehabilitation of American manufacturing. The reclamation of the environment. And the maintenance and reconstruction of our failing infrastructure. A New New Deal for Real Peace.
John Bostrom

What do you think?



Saturday, May 5, 2007

Continuing Discussion about Next Steps to Peace

We had a valuable discussion last Thursday, but are still seeking broader input to the conversation about what Juneau and Alaskans can do to heighten popular awareness of the costs of war and occupation and the need to bring the troops and contractors home. We expect to schedule several community meetings in the coming weeks, and to moderate a discussion and call-in show on KTOO's PeaceTalk program on May 21st at 7:00 pm.
You are invited to share your thoughts by commenting to this post, by attending the up-coming community meetings and calling in during PeaceTalk on Monday, May 21st.