Making a Difference in the Community

Dear friends,

This week many of us were inspired by the words and the work of Amy Goodman.  She told story after story of how the small, social, grassroots movements past and present are changing this country for the better.  Tonight’s film, Pickaxe, is a great example.  We all have so many opportunities every day to make a difference by speaking up, writing a letter, helping a cause, choosing a “greener” purchase, taking an alternative mode of transportation – of just getting involved and living in community with those around us and the earth.  The Jeannette Rankin Peace Center is a small social movement, and we depend on and appreciate the involvement of every one of you.  To those who volunteer, who donate to keep us afloat, who bring us ideas for programs or issues to follow – thank you!  Even if you just read the newsletter, you are a valued part of our community, and you are helping to make a difference.  Our volunteer appreciation event isn’t going to happen today, because the schedule just didn’t work out for most of the volunteers we wanted to thank.  But know that our hearts will still be full of gratitude for all of you who support us in various ways.  Meanwhile, let us continue the work of being a community together making a difference.  We can start by making sure we vote in the upcoming School board elections on Tuesday, May 5.  And please, keep your ideas and comments coming in – check out our survey at www.jrpc.org.

With thanks for all you do,

Betsy

Piracy takes many forms.

As we get news of piracy in high seas, we are starting to realize the menace is rooted in lawlessness. We can parachute navy seals or send naval warships to patrol the high seas off Somalia, but the inherent problem of lawlessness needs resolution. This piracy of high seas seems similar to the one in our land. As Somali pirates hold ships and crew for ransom with arms, we have some companies holding citizens to ransom with their missteps. Our government seems more than willing to “parachute” loads of cash to bail them out. 700 billion dollars of TARP money was allocated to save companies last year. Treasury is also ready to work with investment firms to help buy one trillion dollars of “toxic” assets from banks while FDIC insures these firms from any losses. In addition, Feds may hold four trillion dollars of “stuff” by 2010 to create liquidity in the markets. Some are calling it “cash for trash”, but you get the drift. Should we be really concerned or just show some “Washington” outrage and let things continue the same way? We went into this recession with huge deficits because of war, tax cuts (to solve every problem) and other expenses. We may have quadrupled that deficit in the last few months. Are we once again willing to forgive, forget and pay? These deficits are going to hurt us in myriad ways from inflation, poverty, higher taxes, and fewer social services. To make things worse, we allowed (standing) big companies to gobble up other dying enterprises and our policy solutions to stop big companies from failing did a spectacular job of creating a few more. A few will (once again) take a company of many hostage and ask us for ransom in future! Our desire to save hard working employees is commendable, but will these companies keep them? Since we lack necessary regulation (financial lawlessness), we are in bailouts for the third time since saving and loan crisis. I hope we can do more than send a few emails in capital letters. Our senators and congressmen need to hear from us and we need to find a way to get out of paying ransom whenever asked.  More importantly we need to regulate these institutions to stop leveraging our future. While I am at it…WE SHOULD NOT LET OUR FUTURE BE MORTGAGED THIS WAY. THESE PIRATES ARE NO JOHNNY DEPP!

Srini Mondava

Coordinating Council chair

Montana Wilderness Gatherings

Dear peace community,

Perhaps you too have been frustrated that the recently passed Omnibus lands bill had no Montana wilderness included. Two upcoming events here in Missoula hope to build the momentum we need for introduction of Montana wilderness by our Congressional delegation. The Montana Wilderness Association has its annual gathering here in Missoula on May 1st and 2nd with a kickoff event on First Night with bluegrass band Broken Valley Roadshow at Zootown Brew. Information on the convention and online registration is available at www.wildmontana.org.

You are also invited to attend a meeting on May 7, at 7:00 PM at the Missoula Public Library, presenting details on the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Project (www.blackfootclearwater.org.) This Project proposes 87,000 acres of wilderness within Missoula County: 6,000 acres in the headwaters of West Fork Clearwater River at the southern end of the Mission Mountain Wilderness, 75,000 acres in the North Fork Blackfoot-Monture Creek, and 6,000 acres in Grizzly Basin (Swan Range) added to the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wilderness Areas. In addition, the proposal includes a funding request for the Forest Service to plan and implement landscape stewardship and restoration projects in the Lolo National Forest portion of the Blackfoot watershed. This would allow for some logging, with receipts used for restoration work including watershed improvements, road rehabilitation, weed eradication and reduction of hazardous fuels. Further, construction of a Biomass Pilot Project at Pyramid Mountain Lumber in Seeley Lake would generate electricity from excess and otherwise unusable forest fuels. We hope to have a large crowd in attendance on May 7th to show Senators Baucus and Tester, and Rep. Rehberg that Missoula supports this project! Marianne Spitzform Volunteer and State Council member, Montana Wilderness Association

Jim Caron, 2009 Peacemaker

Dear friends,

Again the economy dominates the news and clouds our perspective of the future. Massive amounts of money seem to flow in all directions with almost no real effect. The real changes which have had major impact in our lifetime have come from small efforts which grew into real leadership and inspiration. Please join your community in recognizing such a leader.

On Monday evening, April 6, we will celebrate the work of Jim Caron as the 2009 Peacemaker of the Year. Since Jim started Missoula Children’s Theatre in 1970, he has provided the opportunity for young people to find ways to develop positive self-esteem and help them on the road to a more peaceful world. Be a part of that future at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts, 200 N. Adams from 7:30-9:30 pm.

Walter Honan

JRPC Coordinating council member