A Reflection on Veterans Day

Dear friends of peace,

Next week, this country will be awash in red, white and blue for Veterans Day. Originally this November holiday was to commemorate the end of “the war to end all wars” — Armistice Day. Over the years, it has become clear that WWII did not end all wars. We soon forgot the horrors, misplaced the lessons and longed for the glory and the economics of war. It is right to set aside time to remember and honor those who pay the price, the veterans and their family members, none of whom escape unscathed. However, the reality is that Veterans Day has become more about honoring the glories of war than honoring the men and women who bear the scars. This last week, we dedicated a new warship made out of the remains of one of the most tragic acts of war, the destroyed Twin Towers. At the same time, hundreds of thousands of American veterans, home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, lack access to basic treatments and services needed to help them transition back into civilian life. You can read the Action item below about veterans of the Merchant Marines being denied their status and benefits as a veteran, even though they were one of the most impacted groups of servicemen and women in WWII. This last summer we had a couple of veteran Conscientious Objectors come through Missoula and receive a shameful non-welcome from local veteran groups. Women, gays and lesbians in the military continue to be subjected to hate and discrimination. And in Missoula we have many veterans living on the streets or in homeless shelters, under scrutiny from those who want our downtown to be “cleaned up”. We all know veterans, and if we don’t we should. For we cannot know war without seeing these faces and knowing these stories – all of them. Glorifying and celebrating war will not end it. Rather, our society must truly see the horrors and know the lives destroyed by war, so we intimately know the cost. Let’s look past the red, white and blue celebration at the people who paid the price for our society’s attraction to war. Talk with them, learn from them, honor them. We at JRPC will be taking our own advice. On Wednesday, November 11, any veteran will get a 20% discount in our store. And on Wednesday afternoon, we will deliver gift basket to the homeless veterans living at the Valor House. Call us if you’d like to help or participate.

In honor,

Betsy

A Day of Dialogue

Dear friends,
The Matthew Shepard & James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act was recently signed into federal law, protecting the rights of LGBT individuals and permitting the government to provide grants and assistance to state and local authorities to investigate and prosecute hate crimes. This law became a reality as a result of almost 12 years of dialogue, discussion and advocacy. As part of the mission statement at the Peace Center, we affirm our commitment to “a process of reflection, dialogue and action, both in times of crisis and in the ongoing work of peacemaking.” As you scroll down the calendar of events below, you’ll see a number of action-oriented opportunities. Less frequently available in Missoula are opportunities for true dialogue, a process that, unlike debate or discussion, does not involve holding firm to a particular viewpoint and trying to convince others of its merit. Instead, dialogue asks that we slow down and listen more deeply to others, suspend our judgments and assumptions, and create shared meaning with one another.

Today, the University of Montana will once again host the “Day of Dialogue”. This year’s campus-wide symposium is focused on the theme of oppression, with workshops, panels and presentations looking at the topic from a variety of angles. This morning at 9:40, the JRPC is sponsoring an interactive workshop on the oppression associated with free trade and consumerism, where we’ll all have a chance to dialogue about the relationship between the purchases we make and global justice. There are a number of sessions available (http://life.umt.edu/dod/sessions.php) in the University Center throughout the day for any of you who are able to attend. And at 6:10 pm this evening the Faculty panel discussion will touch on the very relevant topic, “Struggling for Civil Discourse in an Era of Incivility” with Provost Royce Engstrom, Heather Bruce, David Moore, Janet Finn and Tobin Miller-Shearer. Join us for what promises to be a rich and rewarding conversation to plant the seeds of future policies to end oppression in all its forms!

Yours in peace,

Betsy

For Clarity re: Afghanistan

Dear friends,

While we are busy discussing health care reform, there is another important discussion to be had on Afghanistan. As you know this is now the longest conflict (longer than WWII or Vietnam). We already have some vocal pundits and politicians demanding quick action. In essence, they want the president to agree to general’s McChrystal’s recommendation for a troop surge. If he doesn’t, these “experts” have a doomsday scenario (pick one) for you. It is a strange “trick or treat” where you keep treating (with billions of dollars and resources) but the trick is still on you! Sometimes you wonder if these experts are getting trained in Cheney’s bunker-school of doomsday talking points!! It is a classic discussion that seems to have similar narrative -”Our brave troops are fighting a global war of terror in [pick a country]. While their morale is high, we need to surge with necessary troops or it will hurt our cause”. There is no real discussion on the strategy, our real (versus ideal) objectives or looking back at what worked and what didn’t. Their battle cry is for a surge in green (dollars and troops). Isn’t it far more critical to review our plans, methods and how to involve local citizens in these solutions instead of us planning their future for them?

Even if the strategy is counter insurgency, you cannot solve it by troop surge. For their population we need 600,000 troops! It is not a realistic scenario for us in any shape or form. We are once again, framing these discussions as win or lose in terms of warfare. General McChrystal is right in one thing – our need to win their hearts and minds. But that cannot happen with armored carriers, bulletproof vests and heavy guns. It cannot happen with drones or Special Forces either. This may happen with diplomats, builders, core of engineers, NGO’s, social organizations, reliable rule of law and the respect for the leaders governing them. We also need regional players like India, China, Iran and Russia to play a prominent role in these deliberations. Without proper solutions, Afghans have a history of responding to invaders in kind! Before we continue this costly venture of solving problems through force (or pretend democracy will come this way), let us ask for clear goals and objectives. Demand our leaders to look back and avoid similar mistakes. By a majority, we are reluctant to send additional troops there, but very few are vocal to make this point. A vacuum like this is filled by armchair warriors, who put our troops in harm’s way while receiving on the job training to tackle these complex issues. Hopefully the strategy review is looking for real solutions instead of just a surge in green. Please continue to remind our leaders that voters asked for this kind of change last November.

Srini Mondava

Coordinating Council Chair

International Fair Trade Month

Greetings Peace Center Community,

With many hard times surrounding the country it is sometimes easy to forget that our daily practices can have a positive rippling effect. But sometimes it is the simplest actions that can create the biggest ripple. YOU have the power to reach out to global communities everyday with your purchasing practices when you purchase Fair Trade products.

October is International Fair Trade Month. This means that communities all over the world are participating in educating about Fair Trade. Here at the center this is one element we focus on daily. We offer many Fair Trade products and FREE literature for you to enjoy. To increase your awareness of Fair Trade here are the top 10 reasons to buy Fair Trade:

1. Fair trade means fair pay and fair working conditions for vulnerable farmers and producers.
2. Fair Trade encourages environmental sustainability.
3. Fair Trade protects children.
4. Fair Trade empowers marginalized workers.
5. Fair Trade is safe.
6. Fair Trade supports communities.
7. Fair Trade is trade farmers and artisans can count on.
8. Fair Trade connects you with other cultures.
9. Fair Trade means sustainable local economies.
10. Fair Trade means what you buy matters.

With so many opportunities to make the right decision please welcome Fair Trade buying practices into your daily routine of life.

Peace,
Katie

National Security and Climate Change

Greetings Peace Center Community –

I am honored to write a short piece for this week’s newsletter. I am a Peace Center member—I joined when I first moved to Montana over 15 years ago—and I believe mightily in the work members do day in and day out for peace in this community and beyond.

I work now primarily around issues of global climate change and natural resource protection. Recently, there has been increased attention to the ramifications of global warming as a moral and fairness issues the world over. Clearly, the people who have the least to do with creating carbon pollution stand to suffer the most. This issue is not simply an “environmental” one, nor should it be a partisan one. Of late, national security experts and veterans are becoming more outspoken about the link between climate and war – and peace – as have young people.

I would like to invite JRPC members and friends to an event that links these two – a presentation by former US Senator and Secretary of the Navy John Warner is the kick off for an interdisciplinary climate change program at the University of Montana. The Pew Project on National Security, Energy and Climate is a key event sponsor. The presentation — National Security and Climate Change – takes place Thursday October 15, 7 pm at UMs Urey Lecture Hall. More information is here.

I hope you can come hear Senator Warner’s unique perspective. What could send a better message to our community, including our elected officials here in Montana, about avoiding conflict and solving climate change than a packed house!

Also, this Monday, October 12, Operation Free – a veteran’s bus tour is coming through Montana, with a breakfast stop in Missoula. These veterans are touring the country advocating clean energy and climate solutions. If any veterans would like to like to attend, please contact me (Amy).

Thanks for all you do – Amy Cilimburg

Unprecedented Challenges

“I address Congress at a moment unprecedented in the history of our Union.” With these words, Franklin
Delano Roosevelt opened the January 6, 1941, State of The Union address to Congress later to be known as
the Four Freedoms speech (link below). Two of the Freedoms were contained in our Constitution: Freedom of
Speech and Freedom of Religion. Two of the Freedoms expanded on our Nation’s fundamental rights:
Freedom from Want (‘to secure every nation in a healthy, peaceful life’) and Freedom from Fear (‘to
reduce the threat of aggression of one nation against another’).
On January 22, 2009, our Union witnessed another moment unprecedented in the inauguration of Barack
Hussein Obama. Roosevelt and Obama aspired to the Presidency in the most uncertain of times and inherited
unprecedented challenges. In his time, Roosevelt was vilified by his detractors as an elitist, a socialist and
anti-capitalist; Obama for being a Nazi, a socialist, and, well, whatever. Neither man required the Office for
personal prosperity; both called to public service from an apparent concern for the Union’s common good.
Roosevelt seemed to understand his moment in history and rose to it. In light of the remarkable challenges
inherited by our current President and the (stupid and dangerous) personal attacks now waged against him,
we can hope and pray Obama too understands his unprecedented moment, finds the wisdom and strength of
predecessors Roosevelt, Lincoln and Washington … and not waiver from it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Freedoms
Greg Roberts
Coordinating council Member

Thank you for a successful Peace Party!

Dear Friends,
The words, “thank you” do not come close to expressing the emotion, the gratitude and the pride I feel
as I look back to the generous contributions of time, energy, money, muscle, food, services, gifts and so much
more that was given to us last Sunday to make our peace party a success. And it was a very wonderful
success. We had a record number of donations and close to 100 volunteers that made it all come together on
Sunday. It was a perfect example of community. Many people do not know that the Peace Center relies
entirely on the money we receive from the public to survive. And for 23 years, the public – our community –
has come through for us, throughout the year in memberships and donations and especially at the peace
party. Check out the list of donors and volunteers at
http://www.jrpc.org/pdf_files/Peace%20Party/2009/Donor%20list.pdf – and make a point to thank them
yourself! Thanks to all of you, we will forge ahead into the future to teach our children, to learn and to work
alongside you in order to leave a better world to those who come behind us.
With much gratitude for each and every one of you,
Betsy

Community Building/ Peace Party!

Dear peace community,

To make peace, we must build community. And each of us must know that we “belong” to this community we are building. For the past weeks, I’ve been experiencing a community take shape around me. Every year, I wonder and worry if everything will get done and come together for the peace party, because we count on this event to help us make ends meet through the year. But most important, this event celebrates us as a community. It is important that we find what feeds us for the journey we are on – whether that is fun, camaraderie or that special auction item – the peace party must also nurture us as individuals and as a community. There are few times that we all come together to see ourselves as a group and know that we are part of something much bigger than one individual or idea. I’ve watched as the hard-working volunteers and council members arranged all the details of Sunday’s party (see the calendar listing below). I’ve said “thank you” as a near record number of donations comes in to support our event. And I’ve delighted to see familiar faces – my friends and community — come in to buy tickets. And what fun it has been to hear everyone planning their 1969 outfits! “You, who are on the road, must have a code that you can live by and so become yourself…” Teaching our children well, that is our theme and the reason we all do this work, so our children know about building community and making peace. Don’t let us miss you on Sunday, Come to Caras Park from 4 to 9 pm and join the circle of peace, love and music. Better yet, expand the community by bringing your friends.

I’ll be waiting to see you,
Betsy

Betsy Mulligan-Dague’s speech to EWAM at the Festival of Peace

Click to view Betsy’s speech from the Festival of Peace on 9/6/09.

Betsy Mulligan-Dague – Peace Festival 9/6/2009 from Harold Shinsato on Vimeo.

Confronting our Nation’s Issues with open hearts and minds

Dear Friends,
As we proceed to fall of 2009, it seems like another roller coaster year! Could we say the same about
this decade? Starting with y2k scare, Sept 11th and other events, we seem to be constantly surrounded with
uncertainty and unease. Whether it is terrorism, economy, wars, global warming or health care reform, the
discussions seem to lead to our habits, fears and costs. As a nation, we have endured a lot this decade. With
our nerves frayed on issues and solutions, we are constantly asked to adapt and change. What is a new
normal to some is an overwhelming change to others. All of these changes are slowly morphing into “fear of
any change” and some of our reactions show it. It is understandable, given the complex issues. Maybe they
are asking for time to comprehend the changes and understand the consequences of any actions. We have
been there! As a peace community, we talked long and hard about the alternatives, before and after Iraq war
or the way we are conducting ourselves in Afghanistan. Then our leaders extolled how these terrorists or
some nation states hated our freedom. It seems we then slowly proceeded to lose some of our freedom and
privacy because of fear or perceived security. Some have instinctively backed the “tough guy-no limits”
approach, but if the powers listened to all sides with an open mind and let good solutions percolate up, we
could have avoided some of the issues. With the health care discussion, it seems we are once again stuck in
our trenches taking potshots. It will be unfortunate to label people who are for or against this reform, the
same way the peace community was labeled as “weak” or “unpatriotic” in confronting terrorism. What we
need is “discuss and inform” rather than “explode and impose”. It will be a mistake to propose a “take it or
leave it” approach to health care reform or other issues facing us. There will be fear mongers who spread
rumors or label people to get their way, but that is a sign of weakness rather than strength.
We have spent eight years confronting September 11th this way and some are eager to continue it that
way, but we need to confront some of our manufactured divisions through discussions. Can we challenge our
thoughts and actions or do we want to stay in the comfort of our differences? Our capacity to adapt and
change is what made us a global powerhouse. As a leading nation, every problem seems to demand our
attention and every solution has critics and cheerleaders. But our solutions should always strive for a better
community. It is easy to get caught up in these spin cycles of doomsday scenarios and divisions, but informed
decision-making is better than quick decisions. Let us strive for open hearts and minds to discuss and confront
the issues facing us. We have created most of them and we have a responsibility to solve them.
Srini Mondava
Coordinating council Chair