tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49272401564744349432024-03-13T09:35:09.458-05:00CODEPINK Women for Peace: Action Blog<b>Read, see, and watch CODEPINK actions to stop the US occupation of Iraq, from the halls of Congress to the streets of cities around the world! </b>CODEPINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12059446164054787750noreply@blogger.comBlogger587125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-20374590513505327782011-03-14T23:14:00.004-05:002011-03-14T23:44:58.162-05:00Jes is building a Bridge of HeartsDear CodePink Friends,<br /><br />Please check out my website: <a href="bridgeofhearts.org">bridgeofhearts.org</a><br /><br />If you're on Facebook, I'd love to be your friend!<br /><br />I'll be using Facebook to set up house parties for a tour of the U.S. this summer,and I'll be showing a personal documentary on Iran, featuring footage from my last two trips.<br /><br />If you're interested in hosting a house party, please let me know.<br /><br />Join us on April 2 (see below) to celebrate the Iranian New Year! <br /><br />Peace & Love,<br /><br />Jes<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w1tp2n9L1YE/TX7robDw8HI/AAAAAAAADic/Pzi_qoM-OZQ/s1600/DSC05836.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w1tp2n9L1YE/TX7robDw8HI/AAAAAAAADic/Pzi_qoM-OZQ/s320/DSC05836.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584159667676835954" /></a><br /><br /><br />You're Invited...<br /> <br />In celebration of the Iranian New Year (Now Rooz), you are cordially invited to participate with your child in an enchanting train ride conducted by the great Gandhi Puppet of Peace.<br /><br />Our guest speaker and presenter of this international project, Jes Richardson, is a school teacher and resident of Novato, and this New Year he is joined by The Gandhi Peace Puppet in sending the message of Love to the children of Iran.<br />All ages are welcome and this event is free.<br /><br />Saturday, April 2, 2011<br />2:00 to 4:00 p.m.<br /><br />Jes Richardson will be on tour this summer to build a bridge of understanding between the children of two nations, Iran and America. Adults are also welcome to cross this bridge by joining Jes and the children in singing a new love song to the Iranian children. The song is written and composed by local musician and song-writer, Ted Wright. At the end of his national tour, Jes plans to appear on "The Late Show with David Letterman". We are very excited to be hosting this event and hope you can join us! <br /><br />To learn more about The Bridge of Hearts project and vision you can visit the website: <a href="www.BridgeofHearts.org">www.BridgeofHearts.org</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>CODEPINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12059446164054787750noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-2644187151465741472010-04-18T21:14:00.001-05:002010-04-18T21:16:52.463-05:00Questionnaire for Tea PartyDear Tea Party members, <br /><br />In an effort to better understand the sentiments of your group and see where we, in the peace movement, might find common ground, we would appreciate it if you would answer a few questions. Thank you for your time.<br /><br />o The Cold War has been over for 20 years, yet we maintain 800-plus bases around the world and have troops stationed in 148 countries at a cost of over $100 billion/year. Should we begin to dismantle this global web of bases? <br /><br />o Every taxpayer has already spent, on average, $7,367 for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (http://www.costofwar.com). Now Obama plans to send another 30,000 troops to Afghanistan, with a price tag of one million dollars per soldier per year. Do you think Congress should stop funding the wars and bring out troops home? <br /><br />o Israel, a wealthy country, gets $3 billion a year from Uncle Sam with no strings attached and no accountability. The second largest recipient is the autocratic government of Egypt. Should Congress cut the foreign aid budget by cutting funds to Israel and Egypt? <br /><br />O Private security contractors in war zones make way higher salaries than US soldiers and with little accountability, undermining our reputation overseas. Should we phase out private security contractors in war zones and return those jobs to the U.S. military?<br /><br />o Experts on the left and the right say we could cut our military budget by 25%, including closing foreign bases, winding down the wars, and ending obsolete weapons systems, without jeopardizing our security. Do you agree? <br /><br />o If we could make significant cuts to the military budget, how should those funds be reallocated? To pay down the debt? Increase security at home? Rebuild our infrastructure? Stimulate the economy through tax breaks?<br /><br />o Do you think people on the left and right of the political spectrum can work together to trim the bloated Pentagon budget?<br /><br />If you are willing to be a part of a continued dialogue on this issue, please give us your name, email and/or phone. Thank you.<br /><br />Name and contact info:<br /><br /><br /><br />CODEPINK, www.codepink.org, info@codepinkalert.org, 415-235-6517<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>CODEPINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12059446164054787750noreply@blogger.com150tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-45251457294879484472010-02-06T18:28:00.003-05:002010-02-06T18:34:15.784-05:00There Are No GoodbyesI just wanted to briefly abuse my posting privileges here and say goodbye to the Pink House. I will never forget that great space full of joy, love, action, energy and creativity. <br /><br />A big thanks and hug to Des for being my surrogate mama when I was in DC, and to everybody I met who taught and inspired me so much. You all rock, you wonderful Pink sisters and brothers doing the good works our nation and world need.<br /><br />An era has ended, the journey continues.<br /><br />Peace and respect,<br />ntodd<br /><a href="http://greenmountaincodepink.org/">Green Mountain Code Pink</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>ntoddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068160577299501895noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-24184913510924749712010-02-01T17:47:00.004-05:002010-02-01T17:51:49.630-05:00DC Pink House Transition<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/218/497034816_f888256226_o.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/218/497034816_f888256226_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Three years ago, on March 1, 2007, we opened the doors to a brick townhouse in the northeast quadrant of DC and decided to call it home. Little did we know in the years to come this 5-bedroom house near Capitol Hill would become a ground zero for CODEPINK activism in the halls of Congress. We not only brought a flash of hot pink to the sea of drab gray and black Congressional suits, but we broke through the inside-the-beltway politics with a refreshing dash of people power. The costs of maintaining the house and paying the rent have become an overwhelming burden for CODEPINK and we must now move on from the house into the next course of action. The Pink House will close at the end of February, 2010, but CODEPINK in DC will maintain a virbant presence and invites activists to join powerful actions in March in the beltway!<br /><br />Read the full story of the Pink House and find out how to get active with CODEPINK in DC here:<br /><a href="http://codepink4peace.org/blog/2010/02/packing-up-the-pink-house/">http://codepink4peace.org/blog/2010/02/packing-up-the-pink-house/</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>CODEPINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12059446164054787750noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-53775514461201023112009-12-15T17:41:00.002-05:002010-02-01T17:45:48.179-05:00Finding CODEPINK OnlineDear Blog Readers,<br />This blog is no longer as active as it used to be though it does serve as a great archive of CODEPINK actions in DC over the past three years. <br /><br />To find updated events happening in DC check out our calendar <a href="http://www.codepinkalert.org/calendar.php?state=DC&country=&event_type=&Search=Search&distance=&zip=&date[Y]=&date[M]=¤t=1&First_Name_2010=First+Name">here</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>CODEPINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12059446164054787750noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-29517948182799191732009-07-01T17:45:00.000-05:002010-02-01T17:47:20.240-05:00Pink House Mama moves onBig changes are happening in DC and we're not just talking about Congress. We are writing to share with you the news that Desiree has decided that as of August she will retire from her role as Pink House Mama and move on to the next chapter in her epic life. Des never thought she'd be in this role this long - 2 1/2 years! - and the time has come for us to offer forth our gratitude for the incredible work she has done, the space she has created for the magic to happen in DC. CODEPINK's presence in DC has been in large part made possibly by Desiree's heart, dedication, hard work behind the scenes and on the front lines, and non-stop caring, creativity, cooking, cleaning, chanting, acting... and the list goes on. Des is a wonder woman in PINK and an inspiration to us all, and we know that as she moves into her own place, she'll remain an active member of our PINK family, in action and in gatherings. Read Des's letter to you below. <br /><br />While Des will move to a new home in the beltway, our Pink House continues. This summer we have an excellent opportunity to gather in action during the final week that Congress is in session before the August recess (and Des's last week at the Pink House!). Join us for our Women's Leadership Intensive in DC July 26-August 1 (Sunday-Saturday): PINK the halls of Congress, meet with CODEPINK cofounders and staff for a special pink strategy session and a dance party that would make Emma Goldman proud. Here's a letter from Des: <br /><br />Sisters and Brothers-in-Peace,<br /><br />Believe it or not, when Rae welcomed me through the doors of the PINK HOUSE 2 1/2 years ago, I had NO idea I would be here that long or grow so much!! My initial plan was to help out during the anniversary of the war 2007 action and stay for just 1 month!<br /> <br />"Pinking" the Hill, working with peacemakers from all over the country and welcoming activists from Brazil, Cameroon, Ghana, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Pakistan and Vietnam to the PINK HOUSE has been a profound experience for me for which I am eternally grateful. I have learned and experienced so much in such a short a span of time thanks to the women I have worked so closely with over the last two years, dear Ann, Dana, Gael, Joan, Jodie, Leslie, Liz, Lydia, Medea, Nancy, Rae, and Sam and hundreds of others! Thank you for teaching me so much! <br /><br />Opportunities to learn and contribute will continue as I will be close by the PINK HOUSE in my own apartment and as a Youth Services Librarian every day I share lessons learned as an empowered "pinker" for peace and social justice.<br /><br />The PINK HOUSE lives on, albeit only as long as you want it to. Please continue supporting our work by coming to DC, especially if you've never stayed here www.codepinkalert.org/house or can help support other activists to come to the Hill.<br />Come see me and PINK ON!!!<br /> <br />Desiree Fairooz<br />CODEPINK DC / Activist House Coordinator<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>CODEPINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12059446164054787750noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-47563091621062616762009-06-02T13:31:00.006-05:002009-06-02T13:43:48.555-05:00McCAins- Arizona Friday June 5 w Cindy Sheehan<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/SiVyQSnIPNI/AAAAAAAADhw/jMMFQDTnmx8/s1600-h/00000009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342802157144390866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/SiVyQSnIPNI/AAAAAAAADhw/jMMFQDTnmx8/s400/00000009.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>This friday June 5th CODEPINK activists be making an in office visit as confirmed with Lois longtime receptionist to support a real change through PEACE & a JUST foreign policy..........</div><br /><div>will be Denouncing ToRTURE once again outside John McCain's office in protest!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Can all our DC friends call McCains 602.956.2410 </div><div>Vote NO to deny confirmation to the Obama pick for Afghanistan!</div><br /><div>Thanks alot</div><br /><div>Your help is needed </div><br /><div>LIZ Edwina Lisa Virgina Maggie & Peace TEAM</div><br /><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>CODEPINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12059446164054787750noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-15764021069829689962009-05-25T15:49:00.022-05:002009-05-27T21:04:55.496-05:00Rorschach Test<img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 302px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nLew0MuqK3k/ShtO8kMhsQI/AAAAAAAAAAY/5qXCrYyBW74/s320/medea-aig.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339948585593188610" align="right" border="0" hspace="5" />What do you see when you look at the picture on the right?<br /><br />I see my friend Medea, leading the charge against injustice as she often does, with other wonderful Pinkers (is that Lori on the right?) in the background. <a href="http://amfix.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/22/commentary-wingnuts-of-the-week/">Other folks</a> see "wingnuts...armed with ideological certainty...addicted to...a righteous indignation that makes them unable to see any perspective other than their own."<br /><br />That would be <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Avlon">John Avlon</a>, self-described centrist who used to work for none other than Rudy Giuliani and the New York Sun. It seems his understanding of occupying the so-called middle and finding common ground is a Solomon-esque approach grabbing whatever he can label extreme on either side of the two-dimensional political spectrum and castigate both of them. Fair and balanced!<br /><br />Says he, after first addressing The Right's Wingnut of the Week:<br /><br /><blockquote>The looney left protest group Code Pink attempted to assault former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice with bloodstained hands earlier in the year. Earlier this month, they attempted an ambush of former Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.<br /><br /></blockquote>John might have a bit more street cred if he actually checked his facts. Desiree was found guilty of "disorderly conduct" <a href="http://www.paxamericana.net/2008/05/no-wonder-condi.html">last May</a> for her 2007 action. Of course there was also no attempted assault by any stretch.<br /><br />Oh, and she and Medea *did* <a href="http://codepinkdc.blogspot.com/2009/05/war-criminal.html">ambush Rummy</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://codepinkdc.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-find-liberal-pundits-relentlessly.html">It's funny how pundits</a> can't seem to get even the simplest facts straight. Perhaps it's because they are unable to see any perspective other than their own as they struggle to prove some vague, chimeric point.<br /><br /><blockquote>This is all par for the course in Code Pink-land, where a strident cluelessness accompanies street theater protests. They’ve disrupted countless congressional hearings, blocked the opening of military recruiting stations at Berkley and called our soldiers war criminals.<br /><br /></blockquote>I always enjoy the litanies such critics put together, each item without context and assumed to be damning in its own right.<br /><br />Oh no, Code Pink has <a href="http://www.dohiyimir.org/2009/03/stunted-growth.html">disrupted Congressional hearings</a>! Because we all know protest can only occur in Free Speech Zones and never, ever should we let our elected employees and the enablers they invite to their <a href="https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4927240156474434943&postID=936310194022780848">happy little confabs</a> that we are watching them and maybe are even a bit...displeased. For future reference, Pinkers, write a sternly worded letter and allow the matter to drop. Thanks in advance.<br /><br />And please, stop harassing those nice military recruiters. They're just hard-working folks, who <a href="http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/recruiterlies.htm">never lie</a> to <a href="http://www.wlwt.com/news/4508233/detail.html">potential cannon fodder</a>.<br /><br />BTW, Code Pink isn't the only organization that actively works on counter-recruitment. Our friends at <a href="http://nnomy.org/">NNOMY</a> do, too, amongst other groups. Why? Because some folks think that we shouldn't be <a href="http://www.dohiyimir.org/2009/05/vigil-part-ii.html">raise our children to kill other parents' children</a>. And sometimes you just have to put yourself in their way to get them to pause and consider what joining the military means.<br /><br />As for the "war criminal" charge, I've never heard any Pinker actually say that, though I hear it mentioned by detractors all the time. Just like the "they spit on soldiers returning from Vietnam," however, nobody has ever been able to actually show this to be the case--extra surprising in the age of Google. But it sure sounds great when you're in high dudgeon and have an axe to grind!<br /><br /><blockquote>They’ve been apologists for left-wing dictators like Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez<br /><br /></blockquote>That wouldn't be the duly-elected president of a sovereign power now, would it? The one who is <a href="http://theradicalmormon.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/the-popularity-of-hugo-chavez-continues-to-stay-up/">almost as popular as our own</a>?<br /><br /><blockquote>and met privately with Iran’s Holocaust-denying President Ahmadinejad and called it “a major step forward.”<br /><br /></blockquote>Indeed, if by 'privately' you mean <a href="http://codepink4peace.org/blog/2008/09/official-release-leading-codepink-activists-and-other-peace-organizations-meet-with-iranian-president-in-new-york/">"with 150 other peace activists"</a> and issued a public press release. What's really puzzling is why building bridges is something to be decried by a centrist who tells us we need to find common ground. Some fairly <a href="http://www.ntoddblog.org/green_mountain_code_pink/2009/03/iran-hearings.html">non-pink folks</a> think it's a good idea with regard to Iran specifically, and <a href="http://www.dohiyimir.org/2008/12/advent.html">Howard Thurman</a> would agree on general principle.<br /><br />What's more, it is interesting that somebody like Medea would be such <a href="http://www.dohiyimir.org/2009/05/if-medea-wills-is-it-is-no-dream.html">a self-hater</a> that she would gleefully make peace with a Holocaust-denier. It's almost like Alvon threw that in there just to be...inflammatory.<br /><br /><blockquote>Lately, they’ve been collecting donations for Gaza.<br /><br /></blockquote>Next scandal: Code Pink collects donations to save puppies. The horror. Of course, that self-hating, anti-Israel Medea is just doing this because <a href="http://www.codepinkalert.org/gaza">she loves Hamas</a> or something.<br /><br />Or maybe Code Pink is trying to change the status quo just a bit, and make sure humanitarian aid gets into Gaza where more than half the population are children suffering from PTSD and depression, and growing up to hate Israel and America. Maybe Code Pink is once again trying to find common ground.<br /><br /><blockquote>The US government is for them the prime enemy of peace in the world today. And apparently their feelings were not specific to the Bush administration.<br /><br /></blockquote>Correct! Finally.<br /><br />We don't work against specific administrations. We work for an agenda of peace and justice. Bush was the extreme we've had to deal with in the Executive branch; Obama is more moderate and thoughtful, and closer to our side but still far from perfect. So we create the space for him to do the right thing using <a href="http://www.paxamericana.net/198/">myriad time-tested nonviolent tactics</a>.<br /><br />You'd think a "centrist" would appreciate that we don't just resist a president just because they have an R after their name.<br /><br /><blockquote>Code Pink is trying to speak for the folks on the far-left who feel burned by the recent $96 billion dollar funding for troop escalation in Afghanistan, despite the fact that Obama campaigned on such an increase.<br /><br /></blockquote>This person who phonebanked, canvassed and captained for Obama knows he campaigned on such an increase. What of it? Did I somehow forfeit my right to dissent because of this?<br /><br />19th century Republican Senator <a href="http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAschurz.htm">Carl Schurz</a> famously said: <span style="font-style: italic;">My country right or wrong. When right, to keep right; when wrong, to put right.</span> Same goes for my president.<br /><br /><blockquote>President Obama’s centrist course of action in Afghanistan and Iraq succeeded in depolarizing the most divisive issue of this decade within weeks of his entering office.<br /><br /></blockquote>If he depolarized this issue, how could Avlon also say, "On the same day that President Obama’s approach to the war on terror was being attacked from the right by former Vice President Dick Cheney..."?<br /><br />But what's wrong with polarization, anyway? Was there some time in our nation's idyllic past wherein everybody agreed about everything and frolicked in paradise, plucking ripe fruit from the tree of liberty all year round? There's an unreasonable and haughty aspect to the "centrist" fear of disagreement and division, which I guess explains how uncomfortable it makes them when people go out full force in support of their ideals.<br /><br /><blockquote>For Code Pink, turning over Afghanistan to the Taliban would be the best way to achieve peace and justice. For a group supposedly dedicated to women’s rights, that is naïve in the extreme.<br /><br /></blockquote>Oh, what an onion of wrongness left for us to unpeel. A false dichotomy bolstered by ignorance of <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20090526/wl_time/08599190084200;_ylt=AmUqvvgy1FNME8jOhKMlMSas0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTJucGlqdTZwBGFzc2V0Ay90aW1lLzIwMDkwNTI2L3dsX3RpbWUvMDg1OTkxOTAwODQyMDAEcG9zAzMEc2VjA3luX2hlYWRsaW5lX2xpc3QEc2xrA2hvd2FmZ2hhbmlzdA--">facts on the ground</a>, wrapped in a strawman erected hoping nobody ever checks into what <a href="http://www.womensaynotowar.org/article.php?list=type&type=400">Code Pink's actual stance on Afghanistan</a> is. Shocking.<br /><br /><blockquote>It’s time for a reality check: nobody is pro-abortion, just as nobody is purely pro-war.<br /><br /></blockquote>I know he's talking to Randall Terry, but I am compelled to agree that nobody is pro-abortion. We are pro-choice, pro-reproductive freedom. And the point is taken that even with such stark, seemingly binary political positions, we can still find some <a href="http://www.ntoddblog.org/annex/2005/12/common_ground_t.html">common ground</a> in such a divisive environment.<br /><br />Yet common ground and compromise are not the same as capitulation. While we might work together with anti-choicers on issues like access to contraception to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies, we would not give in to the notion that a woman's body isn't her own to control.<br /><br />Similarly, we certainly agree something needs to be done to protect America by reducing terrorism, but we are going to fundamentally oppose American exceptionalism and violent solutions that do nothing to secure us and only increase terrorism whilst also creating more human misery around the globe.<br /><br />And while American presidents oft say they don't want war, they generally do so <a href="http://www.warmadeeasythemovie.org/synopsis.html">just before launching one</a>. Obama isn't anti-war, <a href="http://www.dohiyimir.org/2008/03/gee-ya-think.html">by his own admission</a>. Given how he's linked the waste of lives and treasure in Iraq to our domestic problems, we're here to see that he makes a similar connection regarding Afghanistan.<br /><br /><blockquote>We can find common ground in America, but it requires thinking responsibly about solving problems, not rabid protests.<br /><br /></blockquote>Once again, heaven forfend if we protest and offend virgin ears. Fetch me my smelling salts as I retire to the fainting couch. And of course protesting is mutually exclusive with thinking responsibly.<br /><br /><blockquote>Democracy depends on a faith in persuasion, not violent polarization.<br /><br /></blockquote>Democracy depends on many things, actually, not just binary choices between persuasion and something else. Perhaps Avlon would consider that it depends on people of conscience acting in defense of principles they hold dear. Samuel Adams would say so: <span style="font-style: italic;">It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds.</span><br /><br />What else does democracy require? A sovereign people aware of their various choices, methinks. If the Military Industrial Complex is shoved down their throats by the media masters owned by corporations that make weapon systems, how do we make them aware of other viewpoints? We must grab their attention somehow.<br /><br />It also requires diversity of action. <a href="http://www.charityfocus.org/blog/view.php?id=2077">Paul Hawken</a> speaking at the University of Portland's graduation:<br /><br /><blockquote>No one knows how many groups and organizations are working on the most salient issues of our day: climate change, poverty, deforestation, peace, water, hunger, conservation, human rights, and more. This is the largest movement the world has ever seen.<br /><br />Rather than control, it seeks connection. Rather than dominance, it strives to disperse concentrations of power.<br /><br /></blockquote>So we're pushing for our ideals as part of a large tapestry. When we can, we make connections with other people, organizations and agendas. When we can't, we stand firm. That's not a bad thing in a democracy.<br /><br />And violent polarization? I think Avlon used up his allowance of hyperbole early on.<br /><br />I admit to a certain amount of frustration lately with the punditocracy. They act as though they alone are capable of receiving wisdom, <a href="http://www.paxamericana.net/2009/05/reinventing-the-wheel.html">casting about for solutions</a> people have already come up with. They remind me of Plato, who valued <a href="http://www.dohiyimir.org/2009/03/acting-outside-of-the-cave.html">pure thought over real experience</a>.<br /><br />It's exhausting to deal with such ignorance, but it always offers a chance for outreach and education. So even though I'd rather just say, "this dude doesn't know jack and his piece is clearly ridiculous to the casual observer," I recall that most people don't know about all the things Code Pink does, were never taught all the fine examples of nonviolent action through history, and don't realize their own power in this democracy.<br /><br />So we take a deep breath, explain one more time what we're about (with or without snark), and hope that perhaps we reach another person somewhere who's willing to consider an alternative to the status quo and step beyond their own comfort.<br /><br />ntodd<br /><br />(h/t aangus and noblejoanie)<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>ntoddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068160577299501895noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-29670861920916773402009-05-21T16:49:00.005-05:002009-05-21T18:14:53.026-05:00Confessions of a Pink Intern: Dick Head on Parade<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/ShXgWJI6MTI/AAAAAAAADho/FGPeB80_BsM/s1600-h/IMG_2454.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338419604332622130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/ShXgWJI6MTI/AAAAAAAADho/FGPeB80_BsM/s400/IMG_2454.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/ShXgN-KRQsI/AAAAAAAADhg/SvwD7gIbbL8/s1600-h/IMG_2446.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338419463946584770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/ShXgN-KRQsI/AAAAAAAADhg/SvwD7gIbbL8/s400/IMG_2446.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/ShXf8FZxJOI/AAAAAAAADhY/vaww1P4sclc/s1600-h/IMG_2442.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338419156652991714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/ShXf8FZxJOI/AAAAAAAADhY/vaww1P4sclc/s400/IMG_2442.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>The pink women were on a stake out for Dick <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Cheyney</span> outside of the American <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Enterprize</span> Institute (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">AEI</span>), a conservative think tank which embodies the anti-Christ of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">CODEPINK</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Cheyney</span> spoke on the U.S. policies regarding terrorism and torture. A transcript of his speech can be found on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">AEI</span> website: <a href="http://www.aei.org/docLib/Vice%20President%20Cheney%20Remarks%205%2021%2009.pdf">http://www.aei.org/docLib/Vice%20President%20Cheney%20Remarks%205%2021%2009.pdf</a><br />We tried various tactics to infiltrate the event, but didn't get very far. Security seemed to be especially heightened considering they felt the need to have three burly men "escort" me from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">premiss.</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error">The pink ladies had to satisfy themselves with making a scene on the sidewalk instead. On the bright side, being expelled from the AEI building gave us a chance to interact with the public and inform them of Cheyney's war crimes. We the people need to do everything in our power to create an awareness amongst ourselves about the actions of our leaders and to make known the message that torture is never an acceptable tactic on or off American land. Cheyney has been blatantly ignoring the values laid down by the American Constitution and the Geneva Convention without any consequences. We need to get the message out that no one is above the law, especially the American government.</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error">~E.L.G.</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error"></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error"></span></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>CODEPINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12059446164054787750noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-24754804267837890292009-05-20T10:23:00.004-05:002009-05-21T16:49:46.260-05:00Confessions of a Pink Intern: Out On The HillIn lieu of not posting a blog yesterday today is a two-blog kind of day.<br />On Tuesday the Pink interns were sent off to find Congressman, Dennis <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Kucinich</span> to ask for the favor of his endorsement of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">CODEPINK</span> to the Israeli embassy for our upcoming trip to Egypt and the Gaza Strip. We found him at his hearing for the Committee of Oversight and Government Reform, and were able to catch the last few minutes of his statement concerning the legalization of marijuana. We were able to chase him down as the hearing recessed for lunch. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kucinich</span> was very amiable and supportive of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">CODEPINK</span>, and agreed to put in a good word for us with the Israeli embassy, which is great because we could use all the good credit we can get with them considering their distaste with our pro-Palestine stance. The rest of the day passed quickly as the interns ran around the Hill trying to garner support from other Congressmen, which I found to be quite grueling process that involved being shuffled from this aid to that aid, leaving messages with this or that secretary, and frequently being given the amorphous reply of "Well, we will see what we can do . . ." by everyone but the Congressmen we sought. The level of commitment was astounding (insert sarcasm here).<br />Today, the agenda is to attend the hearing for the Committee of Foreign Relations which our dear Hillary R. Clinton is presiding over. For those of you who read this in time, be sure to check <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">CSPAN</span> for Pinkies at the hearing.<br />~E.L.G.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>CODEPINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12059446164054787750noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-25628221142680443572009-05-18T19:56:00.007-05:002009-05-18T20:41:48.168-05:00Confessions of a Pink Intern: Free Palestine!<div align="center"><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">Hello to all! My name is Emma, and I am a newly-started intern with CODEPINK. Today was my first action with the pink ladies, and let me tell you, it was quite the experince. As you may or may not know, President Obama met today with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel in the White House. Of course, CODEPINK needed to get in on the action and give a voice to the horrendous human rights violations of the Palestinian people by the Israeli government. We created mock military check point, inspired by the ones that the Palestinians are subjected to each time that they wish to travel in Israel. The effect was to create an awareness of what it is like to live in an occupied territory and to be discriminated against by one's own government.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">When we arrived at the White House we were met not only by the hoards of the pro-Israel lobby, which I will get to in a moment, but also by a large group of Tamil advocares, who had turned out in the wake of the killing of Velupillai Prabhakaran, the leader of the Tamil opposition in the 26 year Sri Lankan civil war. The members of the pro-Israel lobby met the pink ladies with mixed reactions . . . needless to say, they weren't too happy to see a pro-Palestine factions. Many were very aggressive towards us; ripping and grabbing at our banner and clothes, shoving us, yelling insulted, accusing us of being "Jew-murdering terrorists", and at one point I was even punched by an elderly, but fiesty Jewish matron, whose size was decieving of her strength. In fact, some of them became so hostile that the police had to create a barrier between the pro-Palestine and pro-Israel factions.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">But there were a few among the pro-Israel lobby that were willing to talk with us peacefully, and who were open to a friendly exchange of ideas and knowledge. There was even a moment of true peace when Brian Hennessey, a friend and supporter of CODEPINK, crossed the barrier, spoke with and embraced the Israel advocates. As both sides realized that it was possible to set aside personal agendas and beliefs in the name of peace and cooperation the hostility subsided. We can only hope for the same between Israel and the PLO. Peace! Salaam! Shalom!</span> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">~ E.L.G.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337342648127066050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/ShIM3CooD8I/AAAAAAAADhA/ikA611wBj7M/s320/IMG_2410.JPG" border="0" />Christianna detains a pro-Israel advocate<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337342789953406114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 230px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/ShIM_S-qRKI/AAAAAAAADhI/pd4jf-B_248/s320/IMG_2412.JPG" border="0" /><br /></div><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337342990149711554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/ShINK8xLdsI/AAAAAAAADhQ/i85tkeCwbtE/s400/IMG_2425.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Brain makes peace</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>CODEPINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12059446164054787750noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-90577098259668590492009-05-15T08:20:00.005-05:002009-05-15T09:05:28.119-05:00I Find "Liberal" Pundits Relentlessly UnimpressivePoor, poor <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/14/donald-rumsfeld-loudly-ha_n_203542.html">Jason Linkins at HuffPo is confoozled</a>:<br /><br /><blockquote>Naturally, I'm not a big fan of Donald Rumsfeld, or the Iraq War strategy, or the foreign policy -- if it can be called that -- that came out of the Bush White House. And, on principle, I'm sort of okay with messing around with the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Nevertheless, I find it hard to divine the value of Code Pink yelling at Rumsfeld in this setting.<br /><br /></blockquote>I recommend Jason reads Gene Sharp's 198 Methods of Nonviolent Action, especially <span style="font-weight: bold;">Methods 31 and 32: haunting and taunting officials</span>. Just a couple of <a href="http://www.paxamericana.net/2007/12/198-sundays-its.html">the myriad tactics</a> Code Pink uses regularly.<br /><br /><blockquote>In the first place, there's the pointlessness: the Beltway press are fully on board with "looking forward, not backward," and preserving comity, and not troubling their pretty little minds with the hurtful thoughts of the people they cover going to jail.<br /><br /></blockquote>This is precisely why you do such things. Shake up the status quo, interrupt the cognitive dissonance, if only for a moment. Without being challenged, officials and the press who fawn over them will never feel the need to change their minds.<br /><br /><blockquote>But more to the point, I've watched Code Pink shout at Al Gore, of all people, at Netroots Nation, of all places, as he was explaining his national environmental policy initiative, of all the things to shout down.<br /><br /></blockquote>No, <a href="http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/7/19/112651/680">you actually haven't</a>. Really, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptEk-wFtxQ4">you haven't</a>.<br /><br /><blockquote>When you basically go out and disrupt EVERYTHING, it's hard to know where you stand on ANYTHING.<br /><br /></blockquote>If only there were some technology wherein "computers" could be "internetworked" and you could check out a "web" of information so as to divine <a href="http://www.codepinkalert.org/article.php?list=type&type=5">Code Pink's "stances."</a> And if only Code Pink did stuff <a href="http://www.codepinkalert.org/gaza">other than disrupting things</a>.<br /><br /><blockquote>So, yeah, I find this stuff relentlessly unimpressive, but I've also found that plenty of people object to me saying so. Just like the Tea Parties! I nevertheless believe that just as crisis demands we not abandon our principles, our response to crisis demands we at least attempt to preserve a measure of dignity.<br /><br /></blockquote>More stupid <a href="http://www.paxamericana.net/2008/12/stunts.html">stunts</a>, eh? Dignity above all is what's important to armchair inactivists who wring their hands when <a href="http://codepinkdc.blogspot.com/2008/12/dc-shoe-protest-coverage.html">somebody</a> stands up to murderers! It must be frustrating knowing you're so <a href="http://codepinkdc.blogspot.com/2008/07/todd-pritsky-response-to-saloncom-piece.html">ill-informed and self-righteous</a> when these silly people don't listen to your wisdom and concern...<br /><br />ntodd<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>ntoddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068160577299501895noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-11332917438667497822009-05-13T07:48:00.004-05:002009-05-15T09:06:51.561-05:00War CriminalDes and Medea have a chat with Donald Rumsfeld at the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDmRdfyAUio">White House Correspondents' Dinner</a>:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BDmRdfyAUio&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BDmRdfyAUio&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />"Enjoy your evening..."<br /><br />ntodd<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>ntoddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068160577299501895noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-9363101940227808482009-05-10T08:56:00.004-05:002009-05-10T18:52:37.100-05:00Mother's Day Vigil - Day One<img src="http://www.ntoddblog.org/.a/6a00d8341c525c53ef0115707b97f0970b-pi" /><br /><a href="http://www.dohiyimir.org/2009/05/vigil-part-ii.html">A few pictures from Saturday.</a> And don't forget <a href="http://pinktalkradio.org/">PINK Talk</a> today at 5pm. Happy Mother's Day!<br /><br />ntodd<br /><br />[Update: PINK Talk is now archived and there are a few more photos of <a href="http://www.dohiyimir.org/2009/05/mothers-day.html">today's action</a> at my blog.]<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>ntoddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068160577299501895noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-18262155612499518782009-04-27T14:01:00.008-05:002009-04-27T14:33:26.029-05:00Early Morning Activism Peace Pressure<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/SfYEBmD8yUI/AAAAAAAADgY/oEJ9gwox63E/s1600-h/April+27th+Obama+nat%27l+Academy+Sciences+030.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329451634483054914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/SfYEBmD8yUI/AAAAAAAADgY/oEJ9gwox63E/s400/April+27th+Obama+nat%27l+Academy+Sciences+030.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/SfYDynIIlBI/AAAAAAAADgQ/9dRyRmVL4jk/s1600-h/April+27th+Obama+nat%27l+Academy+Sciences+021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329451377071002642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/SfYDynIIlBI/AAAAAAAADgQ/9dRyRmVL4jk/s400/April+27th+Obama+nat%27l+Academy+Sciences+021.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>CODEPINK women were on bikes staking out the travels of President Obama as we still want a Peace Prez in the White House!We rolled over to the National Academy of Sciences conveniently located next to the State Dept to Remind Obama we do not approve of continuing Bush's failed policies of occupation. We the people need to do everything ppossible to get the message out the local cost of continuing these endless occupations hurts us as one nation.Occupation makes us weaker by consuming our resources and the human cost is painfully high & increasing.</div><div>Listen to the people We desire a new way forward not based on constant Empire building & destroying!!!! The State Dept led Gen Tariq and a delegation of Pakistani Military as part the CODEPINK Reality Singers welcomed the Paki Military men with words of wisdom<br />PEACE Diplomacy Love Truth Cooperation is the way forward they smiled ...........and one even flashed the peace sign!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</div><div></div><div></div><div>Liz reporting live from DC</div><div>Thx to everyone who helped in our Pink presence this a.m.It makes a huge difference with a presence!!!!!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>CODEPINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12059446164054787750noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-79509858154523267422009-04-26T12:16:00.000-05:002009-04-26T12:17:15.610-05:00PINK Talk Today: Conversations<a title="" target="" href="http://pinktalkradio.org/">This week</a> features CODEPINK co-founder Jodie Evans discussing meetings with members of Congress and interviews with women from Afghanistan. She will also share stories from the knitters for Mother's Day and her experiences being a part of "What It Is: Conversations about Iraq". And of course Des and Liz fill us in on all the Hill action, including Liz's latest adventure with General Petraeus and the Capitol Police, plus upcoming actions and opportunities to create peace.<br /><br />Listen, chat, e-mail <a title="" target="" href="mailto:pinktalkradio@gmail.com">pinktalkradio@gmail.com</a> and/or call in to (347) 326-9471.<br /><br />ntodd<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>PINK Talkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13181052694392935807noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-11394719523909549852009-04-24T13:08:00.004-05:002009-04-24T16:14:09.484-05:00Liz got arrested for saying National Guard should come home!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/SfIAobAiKlI/AAAAAAAADgI/-yWiiLiHzZs/s1600-h/hula+hoop+des.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/SfIAobAiKlI/AAAAAAAADgI/-yWiiLiHzZs/s400/hula+hoop+des.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328322003577481810" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/SfIAoL0XBxI/AAAAAAAADgA/jghtG7jhoE4/s1600-h/petraeus+wait.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/SfIAoL0XBxI/AAAAAAAADgA/jghtG7jhoE4/s400/petraeus+wait.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328321999499888402" border="0" /></a><br />by Lisa Savage<br /><br />General Petraeus testified to the House Appropriations subcomittee this morning on the supplemental war funding request of $83 billion that will come up for a vote soon. CODEPINK turned out in force: Gael, Medea, Liz, Toby, Martha, Sarah, Maggie and I lined up out in the hall early but there was really no need -- hardly anyone else showed up to listen. Still, we were barred from sitting in the empty rows of seats at the front of the audience (i.e. close behind Petraeus where we'd be visible on camera). When Petraeus said something about the need to better prepare National Guard and reserve troops to do their jobs (sic) in Afghanistan, and Liz said, "Our National Guard should be at home in their home states, not in combat," the police pounced on her and put her under arrest. She left the room willingly, but they hauled her off to processing anyway.<br />(Search for today's hearing on C-SPAN to see Liz hustled out and listen to the piles and heaps of b.s. the General had cooked up to conceal the fact that the supplemental allocates more than 10 to 1 military over aid or diplomacy spending. At one point he says we don't want to eat our young, and then moments later that said young might be bumping into a glass ceiling. Block that metaphor!)<br /><br />As soon as the hearing ended Medea went to Rep. Chet Edwards' office to plead with his staff to have him intervene with the police. (Edwards chaired the subcommitte and also said some nice things about freedom of expression along the way). I stayed to follow up and eventually the congressman himself emerged from the back office and told me his staff had called the capitol police to say he was very much opposed to Liz's arrest for speaking out. He apologized several times, and said that in fact in the hearing the committee had been "trying to get at some of the things on your signs." (NO MILITARY SOLUTION / GOT DIPLOMACY?? / $76 b. WAR, ONLY $7b. AID?). We had a good talk. He seemed amazed that a social studies teacher would spend a beautiful Friday on spring break attending the Petraeus hearing. "Now that's dedication!" he said with a big grin. Me: "I'm going to go back and tell the students how the 1st amendment really works in Washington."<br /><br />Just a few minutes ago I got to talk to Liz on Gael's phone. She was without an i.d. but had a check someone had just given her so they were running her name through the system before releasing her. I thought this meant she was not arrested, but Gael said she would probably be cited and have to appear in court. Liz sounded ok and said not to worry. She is the hardest working unpaid citizen lobbyist I have ever known (yes, I have known a few). The American people owe her. Where is everybody when Petraeus is asking for this kind of $$$ to keep killing people?? (Sure, he said all the right stuff about aid and rebuilding and diplomacy, but check the numbers in his budget to expose that particular lie.) My family jumped in and helped when I emailed an urgent plea to call Edwards' office, and soon she was released. Thank you!<br /><br />What an exhilarating week. I was proud to be pink before, but my delight at being associated with this fiercely dedicated, intelligent, paying attention group is complete. I have to go home very early tomorrow morning to resume my teacherly duties, but this I vow -- I will be back!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>CODEPINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12059446164054787750noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-30320644698599986932009-04-23T16:28:00.003-05:002009-04-23T21:58:01.920-05:00"the Americans have the wristwatches, but we have the time"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/SfDkU9qbl2I/AAAAAAAADf4/cJ8inTuxOx0/s1600-h/citizen+lobbyists.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/SfDkU9qbl2I/AAAAAAAADf4/cJ8inTuxOx0/s400/citizen+lobbyists.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328009407980345186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/SfDkUkjMIII/AAAAAAAADfw/QR08MMW5m78/s1600-h/drone+sign.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/SfDkUkjMIII/AAAAAAAADfw/QR08MMW5m78/s400/drone+sign.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328009401239085186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/SfDkUbXXjMI/AAAAAAAADfo/O3iN58523kM/s1600-h/Liz+with+drone.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/SfDkUbXXjMI/AAAAAAAADfo/O3iN58523kM/s400/Liz+with+drone.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328009398773583042" border="0" /></a><br />4/23<br /><br />by Lisa Savage<br /><br />Started off the day with pinksters Gael, Liz, Medea, Maggie, Lori & Sarah at the Senate Foreign Relations committee hearing "Soldiers' stories from the Afghan War," chaired by John Kerry. One great witness called was a retired Army colonel from B.U., Andrew Bacevich, who studies "war and conflict" (thank you for not pretending they mean the same thing, professor). He said without doubt there is NO MILITARY SOLUTION IN AFGHANISTAN, in fact our military presence makes the situation worse, that we are viewed as occupiers. He kept saying "the long war" meaning both Iraq and Afghanistan and Pakistan and... is parallel in key ways to Vietnam: no clear goal, no exit strategy, and unaffordable both in $$ and public opinion. Yes!!! Exactly!!! So good to hear someone credible say it loud in public.<br /><br />Also heard from retired Marine Rick Reyes about being getting tips and beating up random civilians who were only guilty of bringing milk home, but had been informed upon for $$. This is not what young men think they are going to be heroically doing in foreign misadventures, apparently. He strongly felt that more of the same would be extremely counterproductive to U.S. goals in Afghanistan. Another soldier who told about his buddy dying said the buddy's last words were: "I'm sorry I let you down." Pardon the obvious but I felt so much like we;re the ones letting these young kids down by letting them get sucked into fighting for corporate profits. Sen. Corker questioned one of the soldiers about his estimation that U.S. goals were or weren't being well served, saying he himself was unable to a see a goal that the U.S. was reasonably pursuing in Afghanistan. Quelling al-Quaeda? "Al-Quadea is in many countries." A really top notch international police force was the solution that set the most heads nodding in the room.<br /><br />While listening to all this we held our signs high and got away with it. Kerry is famous for having said as a young vet of Vietnam that it's hard to ask a soldier to be the last one to die for a mistake, so one sign we held was: LAST ONE TO DIE FOR THIS MISTAKE? Medea talked to the press after and I hope we got some coverage of the pink presence. After the hearing officially ended we held up signs including a neon pink sign with a drone and 687 PAKISTANIS DEAD, ?? MILITANTS MADE on it, because the cameras were still rolling as the participants were interviewed.<br /><br />Tried to get into the panel where our Italian friends were testifying about U.S. military base expansion in their country, but it was over. The other girls who had tried to attend had been kept from entering the building. Obama was in the house (actually, Senate) this morning, and we stood on the sidewalk and waved at his motorcade leaving. Walked home to Pink house for an extra quick lunch, back in Gail's car to the House committee hearing where Atty. General Holder was testifying. He is the person who could prosecute war criminals, and we all know who they are -- not hard to find I had to leave early on for my appointment with legislative aides to Olympia Snowe. Lobbied them against surging in Afghanistan, a "no" vote on supplemental war funding, or at least an amendment shifting $$ into aid and diplomacy and away from military. Gave the jobs report from UMass Amherst proving peaceful production also creates more jobs and better quality jobs than building weapons. Needs to happen!!<br /><br />Walked home in the gorgeous sunny spring weather with fluffy clouds in the sky and raging tulips in the gardens. Tonight should be quieter than last night, which was a big pot luck dinner for the activist community. A great and very interesting meeting after the meal about world opinion on the Israel-Palestine conflict since Gaza, and some actions related to that. I am learning so much -- this is like taking a really great seminar in organizing and political effectiveness. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to my learning here, both this week and prior to my visit!! Too many to mention, and that is exciting in itself. Thanks, too, for all the love and support from my family and friends. And xoxoxo to you know who. Having a wonderful time, wish you were here. Tomorrow is my last day. Gen. Petraeus is appearing before Congress --I think I'll go to that.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>CODEPINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12059446164054787750noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-6466165636685367172009-04-22T14:31:00.004-05:002009-04-22T15:00:53.183-05:00On the Hill, Day 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/Se9wxYcLzEI/AAAAAAAADfQ/QZ3rz5rZ1Uc/s1600-h/Michaud+DC.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/Se9wxYcLzEI/AAAAAAAADfQ/QZ3rz5rZ1Uc/s400/Michaud+DC.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327600877879151682" border="0" /></a>by Lisa Savage<br /><br />In the morning we hoofed it from Pink House to the House Foreign Relations committee hearing with Secretary of State Clinton. The pink early birds got into the room but I wasn't early enough, so I hung out in line scrawling signs ("$76 b. for war, $7 b. for aid + diplomacy. New direction?") and being hassled by the capitol police. What a difference from exercising my free speech rights yesterday before the panel overseeing Geithner and chaired by Harvard Law Prof Elizabeth Bennett!<br /><br />Eventually I did get in and was told repeatedly I could not hold a sign, would be kicked out if I didn't hide it, and so forth. I sat about two feet behind Hillary and heard her field questions on topics from why Obama shook hands with Hugo Chavez to what she is doing about opening the border crossings into Gaza. She was a smooth operator and played a lot better in person than she does on t.v. Liz exercised her free speech rights in spite of squelching, calling out "Talk to Hamas, Hillary!" -- a good message since Hillary had just said that the U.S. had similarly tried to isolate Venezuela for the last eight years "and look where that got us."<br /><br />Mid-day I stopped by to try and get an appointment with Chellie Pingree, then met with Congressman Mike Michaud as a follow up to a meeting last month where CODEPINK Maine and Waterville Area Bridges for Peace & Justice had posed the question, Why Afghanistan? Today I reminded Mike of the stunning lack of evidence that U.S. military action in Afghanistan reduces terrorism, and urged him to vote "no" on the supplemental war funding bill. He did not promise, saying he had not read the bill yet -- but I noted he has voted no on supplemental bills in the past. I expressed my dismay with the plan to allocate $76 billion for war and only $7 billion for aid and diplomacy. Mike had been to Afghanistan since our last meeting and said that he had been told Afghanis change sides depending on who pays the most. Also that it appears some U.S. funds actually end up supporting the Taliban due to corruption and lack of accountability. All the more reason to get out now!<br /><br />I asked also about an earmark he had put through for research at UMO that appeared to be for military purposes. He appeared to know of my email on the topic a couple of weeks ago, and was ready with an answer: it is not for Aegis destroyer development, but for an innovative kind of fortification for tents that makes them resist mortar attacks. Hard to argue with that, so I moved on to talking about converting jobs in Maine to peaceful purposes, and the workers' initiative at Bath Iron Works to stop building Aegis destroyers and start building wind turbines. As a teacher, I begged him to create peaceful jobs in the state as an alternative to military enlistment for my students.<br /><br />After that I scurried through the halls with Christiana, CODEPINK intern and a member of the recent Gaza delegation, in search of Rep. Shelley Berkley. We missed her but talked to her office staff about our concern with some of her remarks about preconditions (very biased toward Israel) for the peace process in Gaza. Then we walked home to Pink House through a spring shower, surrounded by trees flowering pinkly.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>CODEPINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12059446164054787750noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-21823107933390541912009-04-21T16:50:00.001-05:002009-04-21T16:53:43.775-05:00First day on Capitol Hill by Maggie WhitmanToday was my first day going to Capitol Hill as an activist. I visited D.C. and the Capitol Building a few years ago as a tourist, but it’s been a really different experience being here with CODEPINK! This morning we sat in on a discussion with Tim Geithner and the Congressional Oversight Panel. He talked about the Treasury’s bank rescue plan and had to answer (or rather, evade) some tough questions from the panel. A large part of the discussion was over my head, but it was good to be there and learn more about the banking situation. There were several of us from CODEPINK sitting directly behind Geithner so we can be seen on all the press coverage from the discussion.<br /><br />My favorite part about being here with CODEPINK has been the recognition and positive praise we get from a wide range of people. Today I followed Liz around the senate buildings as she greeted everyone from senators to police officers. We were often smiled at or flashed a peace sign, and someone even jokingly called us “troublemakers.” It’s amazing what wearing a little pink can do. I think we made people uneasy as we walked into the hearings. The other CODEPINK ladies said we’re well known as an unpredictable group, so the capitol police are a little leery of us. We certainly did stand out amidst the suits and pantyhose and professional looking people. But we were quiet and I didn’t get arrested, so my parents will be happy! <br /><br />I’ll be writing again this week…<br />Maggie Whitman (Wisconsin)<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>CODEPINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12059446164054787750noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-51036338482048670182009-04-21T16:32:00.005-05:002009-04-21T16:54:54.742-05:00Pink House report<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/Se4-BuSO1zI/AAAAAAAADfI/x-fbiWHC7M4/s1600-h/DSCF2042.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/Se4-BuSO1zI/AAAAAAAADfI/x-fbiWHC7M4/s400/DSCF2042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327263608551167794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/Se486VyElEI/AAAAAAAADe4/ubgR2Enqp-I/s1600-h/3463810524_e8d058267d.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/Se486VyElEI/AAAAAAAADe4/ubgR2Enqp-I/s400/3463810524_e8d058267d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327262382203114562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/Se486CfCiXI/AAAAAAAADew/6aNwN8KeYNg/s1600-h/3463811080_39be1eedf5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/Se486CfCiXI/AAAAAAAADew/6aNwN8KeYNg/s400/3463811080_39be1eedf5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327262377023015282" border="0" /></a>by Lisa Savage<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/Se485zEaLhI/AAAAAAAADeo/W8t64zX7aKs/s1600-h/DSCF2040.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/Se485zEaLhI/AAAAAAAADeo/W8t64zX7aKs/s400/DSCF2040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327262372884786706" border="0" /></a><br />Springtime in the capital! It's so great to be here.<br /><br />Yesterday I arrived at the CODEPINK House in Washington DC around noon. Welcomed warmly and immediately swept up into the swirling clouds of pink action!! I met Medea Benjamin, one of my biggest heroines, right away, and then sat in on a conference call she and the other founders of CP had to plan the days ahead. I am learning a lot, both about process and about what's really going on in the world. For instance, did you know that there are now 4 million displaced people inside Colombia? They have surpassed Sudan in numbers of internal refugees. U.S. military aid and the so-called war on drugs (spraying farmers off their fields) are responsible. Your tax dollars at work, but who knew? Practically the first thing I did (besides knitting a pink square for the Mother's Day fence cozy) was a solidarity action with Witness for Peace in Lafayette Park. They had created paper dolls representing each 1000 people driven off their land, and we helped them hold those up within sight of the White House while listening to speakers from Colombia explain our government's role in creating this tragedy. From there we hopped into the pink van (soooo cool) for a ride to Busboys and Poets Peace Cafe. This event was filled with local activists who had gathered to listen to Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, a Palestinian doctor in Gaza and who lost three daughters in an air strike there just a few months ago. His message: the patient in the ICU, and the treatment is dialogue between all parties to the<br />conflict. Forget about one state vs. two state right now --- save the patient! Only love and listening will do that. An amazing message from a father with every reason to respond to unspeakable grief with anger. He shared some beautiful photos and quotes from his children, including: VIOLENCE NEVER SOLVES ANYTHING! Amen to that.<br /><br />Today Medea and Liz and I staked out the oversight hearings where Treasury Secretary Geithner testified. The early pinks got front row seats and were joined by college students Maggie and Sarah to help surround Geithner with pink signage proclaiming: We Want Our $ Back! This was the first time the Treasury had agreed to appear before the committee and there was a lot of press coverage, so the sea of pink was seen on Reuters video, C-SPAN (lead story), AP and so on. Go team! Then Liz led us neophytes on a whirlwind tour of various senator's offices -- I dropped in on both Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, leaving my calling card as neither were home. I shook hands with Senator Burris, who got Obama's seat, and talked to lots of other folks in and around the senate building and cafeteria. Pink makes friends everywhere! Oh, did I mention that the CNN reporters we hung out with before Geithner appeared lent us their duct tape? Later a cameraman named Eddie in another hearing showed us a clip of our coverage saying, "You folks have been busy today!" That was in a hearing of the senate committee on contractor fraud, run by Senator McHaskell of Missouri, who was in red not pink but seemed happy to see us there as she worked with inspector generals on the ridiculous rules that hamper their oversight of the billions paid out to KBR, Blackwater, Halliburton, et al. Senator Collins is the ranking member and made a brief appearance but I was not quick enough to jump up and run out into the hall to speak with her when she departed before the hearing ended. Liz schooled me on that one as we walked back from the senate to CP house. She is showing us how it's done, knowing who's who and what to talk with them about and never hesitating to speak up. So inspiring.<br /><br />That's all for now. The only downside of the trip so far is I lost my cell phone in the taxi on the way here, but with pink friends all around me, I can survive.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>CODEPINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12059446164054787750noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-57216685124040496492009-04-19T10:47:00.002-05:002009-04-19T10:53:51.232-05:00PINK Talk Today!Well, we're going to experiment with some remote stuff at a VFP fundraiser as well as chatting with Midge Potts, Pinker who is running to replace Kit Bond as a Senator from MO. Help us make it all work, listen, chat, e-mail <a href="mailto:pinktalkradio@gmail.com">pinktalkradio@gmail.com</a> and/or call in to (347) 326-9471.<br /><br /><a href="http://pinktalkradio.org/">http://pinktalkradio.org/</a><br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />ntodd<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>ntoddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068160577299501895noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-10113483795186923452009-04-18T14:57:00.001-05:002009-04-18T14:59:06.107-05:00Mother's Day Pledge<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/SeowyvP3VQI/AAAAAAAADeg/FETPkEHR8hE/s1600-h/April+CODEPINK+DC+035.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326123157553632514" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/SeowyvP3VQI/AAAAAAAADeg/FETPkEHR8hE/s200/April+CODEPINK+DC+035.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Banner Party!!</div><div>Come on Over</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>CODEPINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12059446164054787750noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-90986652994720472132009-04-17T14:35:00.006-05:002009-04-17T14:46:20.795-05:00CODEPINKers support 100days ongoing vigil<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/SejcY7Xk9II/AAAAAAAADeY/8yw3qI4Pc4M/s1600-h/WhiteHouse+Daily+Vigil+04.17.09+020.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325748880177165442" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/SejcY7Xk9II/AAAAAAAADeY/8yw3qI4Pc4M/s200/WhiteHouse+Daily+Vigil+04.17.09+020.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Lori Indiana<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/Sejb14Nt2YI/AAAAAAAADeQ/SoqaOLo7cOs/s1600-h/WhiteHouse+Daily+Vigil+04.17.09+019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325748278035077506" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/Sejb14Nt2YI/AAAAAAAADeQ/SoqaOLo7cOs/s200/WhiteHouse+Daily+Vigil+04.17.09+019.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Blaine -photo for our Mosiac<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/SejamE6EkMI/AAAAAAAADeI/orykopEH2FY/s1600-h/WhiteHouse+Daily+Vigil+04.17.09+012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325746907052806338" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/SejamE6EkMI/AAAAAAAADeI/orykopEH2FY/s200/WhiteHouse+Daily+Vigil+04.17.09+012.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Tgif Blog Readers-<br /><br />CODEPINKers went to support the daily 100days vigil outside the WhiteHouse!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/SejaamsrI1I/AAAAAAAADeA/gO2DHveosuc/s1600-h/WhiteHouse+Daily+Vigil+04.17.09+009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325746709964989266" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vii8dD5CJx8/SejaamsrI1I/AAAAAAAADeA/gO2DHveosuc/s200/WhiteHouse+Daily+Vigil+04.17.09+009.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>CODEPINKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12059446164054787750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4927240156474434943.post-28209409130653467152009-04-11T17:04:00.007-05:002009-04-12T10:35:35.320-05:00PINK Talk: If Not Now, When?<a href="http://pinktalkradio.org/">PINK Talk</a> tomorrow at 5EDT/2PDT:<br /><blockquote><span style="font-size:smaller;"><span id="ctl00_ContentMain_SegmentListUpcoming_GridView1_ctl02_lblDescription">This week: Aasif Shah gives us the point of view of a Pakistani-American on the war on "terror" in what is now commonly called Af-Pak, Elsa Rassbach provides perspective from the Germany No Bases Movement, Kelli Large of Military Families Speak Out relates her experiences as a military family member, and Lisa Savage CODEPINK Maine discusses local actions around the wars and their mobilizing efforts.</span></span></blockquote>Listen, chat, e-mail us at <a href="mailto:pinktalkradio@gmail.com">pinktalkradio@gmail.com</a> and/or call in to 347.326.9471.<br /><br />ntodd<div class="blogger-post-footer">Join CODE<b>PINK</b> in DC!
www.codepinkalert.org</div>ntoddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01068160577299501895noreply@blogger.com2