Putting Peace into the Holiday Season

We here at Peaceworks wish you and yours joyous, peaceful holidays, whichever ones you might celebrate. We hope, as it grows colder outside, that your home will be filled with the warmth of loving, caring family and friends.

We also hope that the holiday season can be a time of "Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All."

We know that our world today is rife with conflict; that massive commitments of money and human lives are continuously turned over to war and the preparation for war. What is saddest is that we have grown to take this for granted. Like a frog in a pot of water that is heated gradually, our society has, to a great extent, come to take an Orwellian state of Permanent War as the norm, even as it is destroying us. 

Continuous war not only costs far too many lives and leaves so many more physically and psychologically scarred. It also threatens our very survival. 

• It does this in part because it makes enemies, and this then feeds a cycle of violence. 
• It also means failing to come to grips with the nuclear threat. By failing to abolish nuclear weapons in a universal, mutual and verifiable fashion, we make nuclear war, at some time in the future, far more likely. 
• Throwing many hundreds of billions down a non-productive rat hole is perilous to our economy as well. By failing to invest in people, infrastructure and appropriate technologies, we do a disservice to the nation. By fighting these wars on borrowed money, we run up our children's and grandchildren's credit cards. 
• Finally, by normalizing aggressive war-making and its tragic consequences for millions of people, we compromise our basic shared ethical framework. By accepting this illegal and immoral behavior on the part of our government, we become collectively complicit in the crimes.

On a more positive note, when we keep the vision of a peaceful future alive, and work for it day-in and day-out, we have a basis for hope. When we go beyond holding the vision to sharing it, we make an even greater difference.

We encourage you to share with others the notion of "Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All." And, when you do, in some kind way, let your loved ones know that this is not an idle cliche, but rather a statement of what is needed now for our collective survival and betterment. May this heartfelt affirmation of peace and justice for all spread far and wide.

And, again, make them joyful, peaceful holidays.

Rising Above the Tragic Politics of Today

We, here at Peaceworks, continually struggle to, in the words of Jesse Jackson, "Keep hope alive!" This has been a challenge throughout all the nearly 29 years we've been around as an organization, under Democratic, as well as Republican, administrations.

We know that many of our fellow progressives are in a profound funk. The economy is in the toilet, and, barring aggressive initiatives that Washington eschews, it is likely to remain there for years, not months, to come. 

Many are deeply disappointed with the centrist policies of the Obama administration. And most are frustrated that even very compromised measures like the corporate and polluter-friendly climate bills the administration supported, or the modest public option in healthcare that they halfheartedly endorsed, could not make it through Congress, despite significant Democratic majorities in both houses. Moreover, the increases in military spending that Obama has pushed, and the dramatic escalation of the Afghan War, have erased any illusions that we would see a significant rethinking of the U.S. role in the world under this new President.

Instead of embracing political positions that represent true vision--the sort of policies that could really put the country back to work, frontally address energy and the climate crisis, tackle economic inequality, and beginning the process of beating our massive swords into plowshares--we are getting more "be all things to all people" rhetoric, most of it hollow.

And, in this political morass, we have seen the rise of ever greater intolerance. We daily read reports of new initiatives by the Tea Party, with their know-nothing rejectionism. The "birthers" and those who believe Obama is a closet Muslim seem to be gaining adherents despite the absurdness of their positions.

What is perhaps most disturbing is the rise of Islamophobia, sparked by bloggers, right-wing talk radio jocks and Fox News pundits whipping up hysteria over plans for the so-called "ground zero mosque." This goes hand-in-hand with the fixation on illegal immigration. What we are seeing is classic scapegoating, blaming vulnerable minorities for our woes, rather than addressing true causes. This is something that rears its ugly head all too often, especially in difficult economic times.

How Can We Best Respond?

There is no one tidy prescription to turn things around. There are some rules we can fall back on, however, that may help. These include:

1)  Stay true to our positions. Articulate them clearly, talking to our fellow citizens, meeting them where they are at and engaging them on the issues. We must speak truth to power, but we also must do our best to win over our neighbors, co-workers, co-parishioners, and even our relatives. While politics is the art of the possible, and compromise is sometimes needed to move incrementally forward, we should never compromise our beliefs or values. We must be clear on what sort of world we envision and continuously work to move toward a peaceful, just and sustainable future.

2)  Draw the connections between the issues, and articulate real solutions. For example, our wars are fueled by our dependence on oil, the use of which is also degrading the environment, altering the climate, impoverishing us, and fueling massive trade deficits. We must advocate for policies that are win-win-win, creating millions of new jobs, providing abundant clean energy, and beginning the process of moving from a war, to a peace, economy. We should work to make alliances between all who favor peace, social justice, sustainability and economic democracy.

3)  Work close to home. There is truth in the old adage "Think globally, act locally." We can best influence national policies and international issues, by changing the state of public attitudes right here in mid-Missouri. Others can, and should, work to do the same wherever they live. To the extent that we are able to actually move forward changes in policies, we are much more likely to do this in our own neighborhoods, cities, towns and counties.

4)  Experience solidarity working and playing with like minded people. The process of building community inherently underlies the social change process. We need mutual support. We must build bonds of connection and trust among individuals and groups. We need to lend support to our allies and find ways to reinforce each other as we move forward.

5)  Have fun and stay hopeful. Activism should never be a burden. It can be very liberating to get out and make your voice heard. Our events are of necessity often serious, but they also must include celebrations and opportunities for us to express our creativity, our love for life and each other, and our sense that together we can rise to the occasion and realize the vision of that "other world" that is both possible and necessary.

Prepare for a Celebration!

The Peace Nook is turning 20 later this month and we have reasons to celebrate. 

• We are celebrating all the great activists who have made this non-profit store and community resource center possible. Literally hundreds of wonderful volunteers have worked alongside perhaps two dozen different staff members to keep this boat afloat.
• We are also celebrating the community that has supported the Nook over these past two very eventful decades. Without your loyal support, this project never would have gotten off the ground, much less thrive for fully two decades.

We are inviting all to join us for a party at the Gordon Shelter, Stephens Lake Park, from 3-8 p.m. on Sunday, August 29. We'll have food, music, games, nature walks, free anniversary Nook T-shirts for the first 50 to arrive, door prizes and more. 

A potluck dinner begins at 5 p.m. The Peace Nook will provide veggie burgers and dogs and drinks. Please bring a salad, side or dessert to share.

Music will be will include Columbia legend Lee Ruth (3:30), Paradigm Revolutionary, John McHale (4:15), the ever popular Universal Drum Appeal (6:00) and the very talented singer-songwriter, Violet Vonder Haar (7:00). And it's all free!

Plan to join us for this and tell friends. Call 875-0539 for more info or to volunteer. If you're on Facebook and would like to RSVP or to share the invitation, check it out by clicking HERE.

A Call to Come Together on August 7

On the evening of Saturday, August 7, members of Peaceworks and friends, old and new, will gather at Stephens Lake Park for our 24th annual Hiroshima-Nagasaki Peace Gathering. Details are posted below, but first some thoughts from Peaceworks Director Mark Haim:

WHY GATHER? You know, there are some things we just don't like to think about. For many of us, our own mortality is high on that list. But some things are even more disturbing. One of these is the potential for the annihilation of life on Earth; the destruction of all the accomplishments of human civilization--the art, beauty, literature and music we've created--not to mention the tearing asunder of the fabric of nature and the destruction of hundreds of billions of non-human lives.

THE NUCLEAR IMPERATIVE: While many human actions negatively impact the Earth—witness the tragedy currently unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico—nuclear war holds a unique position in terms of its destructive potential. And since the first nuclear bombs were exploded in the summer of 1945, our planet has been literally living on borrowed time.

We've been extremely lucky to date that there has been no use of nuclear weapons since Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We've come frighteningly close to their use, by miscalculated bluff or technical malfunction, on more than one occasion. We certainly can't count on that luck holding out indefinitely, especially as more nations gain nuclear capabilities.

Thus, one of the critical imperatives of our age is the abolition of nuclear weapons. This must be done in a mutual, verifiable fashion. Our nation, which took the lead in developing these hellish devices, and is the only country to have ever used them, is uniquely positioned to lead the world away from the nuclear precipice.

This will not happen, however, if we simply wait for President Obama or Congress to take action. There needs to be a groundswell of concern coming from the grassroots. We all need to find our own way to express our sense of urgency. But we also need to come together to work on this issue. We owe it to our kids, to their great-grandkids, and to the countless generations who we hope and pray will follow and have a habitable, green, verdant Earth to live on.

So, I encourage you to join us at our Hiroshima-Nagasaki Peace Gathering on Saturday, August 7.

REASONS TO PARTICIPATE: The reasons for attending include:

** To experience a sense of solidarity with a community of people who share your concerns; who also want a future free of the threat of nuclear war.

** To make or renew a commitment to create such a future.

** To participate in the creation of commemorative lanterns and to watch these candle-boats float on the lake at dark.

** To enjoy the fine music; to learn from and be inspired by the excellent speakers.

** To share in a scrumptious potluck dinner.

** To take the opportunity to share this experience with your kids, your friends, your lover, your neighbors, etc.

EVENT DETAILS: We will gather at the Gordon Shelter of Stephens Lake Park starting at 6 p.m. (use the Broadway entrance). The potluck dinner will be held shortly after 6. Please bring your own table service, if possible. Lantern making begins once we are done eating. Music begins around 7 and speakers and performance art begin at 8 p.m. We float the lanterns about 9 p.m. Music for the evening will be provided by Steve Jacobs. The commemorative program will include talks by Ruth Schaefer, of Mid-Missouri Peaceworks, and Henry and Jane Stoever of Kansas City PeaceWorks, who have taken a leadership role in opposing the new nuclear weapons plant proposed to be built in Kansas City.

FINAL THOUGHT: If you believe in a God that created this Earth, certainly, this creator would want us to take responsibility for creation, not destroy it. If you don't hold to a theistic belief, then certainly we, the Earth's inhabitants are responsible for our actions and ought to do no harm. Whatever your belief, nuclear weapons are too horrible to ignore. And ignoring them won't make them go away. Please do what you can to say "yes" to a future through the abolition of this overarching threat to our existence

Help Needed with Signature Ad

We are collecting names on a peace signature ad that will run in the Columbia Daily Tribune on Friday, August 6. The statement calls for ending the wars, building a peace economy and moving forward on mutual, verifiable nuclear disarmament. We aim to have at least 1,000 names and hope to raise sufficient donations to pay for a full page ad. 

GET YOUR PETITION FORM:  If you can help collect names, please download a signature form below. Note that the petition form comes in either an 11-inch or a 14-inch version. If you have legal length paper, it's best to print this in 14" format, as you get more names to the page. If you can only print 11" this works too, it just takes more paper. The statements are, of course, identical.

COLLECT SOME NAMES:  We encourage you to collect names at your house of worship, at organizational meetings, from family members, friends and neighbors, at parties, events, etc. If you can help with public petitioning, please let us know this. If you know of events we should be collecting names at, please share this info with as much lead time as possible.

GET THEM IN TO US:  We will be collecting names through July 25. Please bring or send your signatures to the Nook as soon as is feasible, so we don't end up with a logjam doing entry at the end.

HELP US PAY FOR THE AD:  A full page in the Tribune costs nearly $2,000. So we also really need financial support to help pay for the ad. Donations are optional, but most appreciated. You can bring money with you, send a check with your mailed in signature, or make a contribution on-line, and earmark it for the ad.

We thank you!

Download Petitions Here:

• Download 14-inch version (PDF)

• Download 11-inch version (PDF)

Peaceworks Activists in Action at the Airshow

For more than a decade, Peaceworks members and our allies from the Columbia Peace Coalition have raised awareness outside the Airshow. We suggest to our fellow citizens that there are more appropriate ways to remember those who've tragically lost their lives in war than to celebrate the weapons of war. Moreover, we point out that a major focus of the Airshow is to recruit our young people to enlist, by making war and the military glamorous. 

We also participate in the Veterans for Peace Memorial Day event, Peace Honors Veterans, which provides a more reverent observance of the holiday. We encourage others to join us, both at these events next year, and also at our regular weekly peace vigil held each Wednesday, 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Broadway and Providence.

Seven Steps to a Peaceful Future

As we observe the seventh anniversary of the Iraq War, Peaceworks and our allies in the Columbia Peace Coalition invite all to take action on multiple fronts to promote a peaceful future for ourselves, our children and the generations to come. Here are a few suggestions:

Seven Steps to a Peaceful Future

Be visible for Peace. Participate in vigils and rallies. Display peace messages. Keep peace in the forefront.

Speak Up for Peace. Make your concerns known by writing letters and making phone calls. Communicate regularly with elected officials, write letters-to-the-editors of newspapers, call in on radio shows, comment on blogs, etc. Challenge the influence of the corporate war machine. Those who profit from war have undo influence over our political process. Help build a grassroots, pro-peace counterweight.

Celebrate Peace Creatively. Messages of peace can be conveyed through visual arts, music, dance, performance art, poetry and other creative writing. Listen to your muse and let your peace message out.

Educate and Empathize for Peace. Become informed as to the true costs of war, including its impact on civilians, members of the military, and society at large. Share your concerns with friends, neighbors, co-workers, co-parishioners &/or family members.

Live Simply for Peace. Make peace with the Earth. Join the sustainability revolution.

Be a Peacemaker. Develop and utilize conflict resolution skills to promote greater harmony in your family, your social circle and your wider community. Participate in the evolution of our society into one that embraces inclusion and win-win solutions, rather than dominance and control.

Cultivate Inner Peace. Through prayer, meditation or creative visualization seek the peaceful space within. Find strength in this peace to support your activism.

Some Thoughts to Consider on the Seventh Anniversary of the Iraq War.

Our nation is one of vast potential and promise. We are richly endowed in natural beauty and resources, fertile lands, abundant water in most parts of our nation and vast renewable energy resources, capable of providing energy independence.

We are also richly endowed with a diverse population. Drawing on cultural traditions from around the world, we have the wherewithal to create a future that blends the best of many strands of the human experience.

Our constitution and our rule of law provide a framework for civil liberties, human rights and civic participation. What we have isn't perfect, but over the past two centuries we have struggled to improve upon it. There is, at the very least, the political space for expression, and the potential to organize.

This said, we are also a nation in which money talks loudly, corporations have undue influence over public policy, and most decisions are made with an eye to the next quarter's earnings statement or the next election, rather than toward our long term sustainability and well being.

Moreover, we have, for seven decades--ever since World War II--maintained a Permanent War Economy. The United States, with just 4.5 percent of the world's people, is spending approximately as much as the other 95.5 percent do combined.

Many hoped, when the Cold War ended twenty years ago that we would convert to a peace economy and get on with addressing pressing human and environmental needs. Instead, over the past two decades our nation has remained highly militarized and actively engaged in strategies to assert and maintain global geopolitical dominance.  This was the case in the 1990s, and it was ratcheted up significantly in the wake of the crimes of 9-11.

The Obama administration has maintained a remarkable continuity, demonstrating, once again, the bipartisan nature of U.S. militarism and foreign policy. They have escalated the Afghan War and increased the size of the Pentagon's budget. The basic objectives of U.S. foreign and military policy under Obama are basically the same as under Bush, and they are not creating security for our nation.

In fact, our current course is morally bankrupt and is driving our nation rapidly to financial bankruptcy as well. We are spending hundreds of billions each year to fight wars that are not legal, that do not address legitimate security concerns, that kill and maim innocents and make enemies for our nation. These wars involved hundreds of thousands of our young men and women, leaving a large proportion of these citizens physically and psychologically scarred. And we do it all on our kids' and our grandkids' credit cards, as every penny spent to fight these wars is borrowed.

This has to stop.

We are the ones who need to make it stop.

The time for involvement and action is now.

And what is needed is sustained activism. The current system works quite well in the short run for powerful interests that profit from it. They won't give up their profits, power and privilege without a struggle. We need you. And we need you to consider making space in your life for activism on a sustained basis. We didn't get into this mess overnight, and we won't get out in a week, a month or a year. We need to be in this for the long haul and commit ourselves to building an effective, informed and empowered grassroots movement all across this nation that can challenge the underpinnings of our misdirected policies.

If you share our sense that these to-the-root changes are needed, we invite your active and ongoing participation. We also welcome your ideas, your input and your questions