Thursday, January 31, 2008

Voting Guide RETRACTION, + Season for Nonviolence

i got a lot of responses to the Voting Guide message i put out a couple days ago, which is great! A key feature of the feedback was some very strong and intelligent arguments AGAINST the Indian Gaming propositions (94-97). in light of what was shared (detailed below), i'm changing my own vote to NO on 94-97 and am recommending the same (although with some hesitation...am i a flip-flopper?) of course i urge you to vote your conscience...and to VOTE at all!
Find your polling place here.
-evan
ps: i'm being very mindful of not abusing your Inbox...i just thought that this was important and time-sensitive. Your next action email will be on Voting Day, Feb 05 and will have some exciting stuff in it!


President of the United States
Although i personally am continuing my support for Dennis Kucinich with the commentary
that even when he's not running he's the clear choice of conscience for me above all the other candidates, the following letter in support of Barack Obama comes from Clive Leeman:

Hello Everybody,
I've been supporting Barack Obama since his announcement of candidacy a year ago on the steps of the Springfield Capitol before 30,000 people standing in freezing rain. I realized then that he is the kind of gifted leader who only comes along perhaps once in every 50 years.
He has a superb creative intelligence and gift for empathy. Each one of his major speeches is different from his other speeches--always original, graceful, and philosophically challenging, rather like Martin Luther King's.
The best piece on Obama I've read is "Barack Obama's unlikely political education. The Agitator." by Ryan Lizza, The New Republic, Issue date: 03.19.07. It explores his years as a community organizer in Chicago's South Side, a job he took instead of one of the $500,000 corporate positions offered top Harvard Law School graduates.
I came away from reading that article in a state of awe about the man. It concentrates on his years as a community organizer when he excelled at inspiring demoralized communities and became the best local grassroots organizer in living memory. During his successful run for the state senate, he demonstrated that he had a spine of steel and unerring political instincts.
The South Carolina primary has shown that, in a groundswell, more and more Americans are recognizing his presidential capacities, even his authority. I hope and pray he stays safe for our sake and the sake of history.
During the campaign, Obama, a strong supporter of Israel, has spoken sympathetically about the Palestinians, running the risk of antagonizing the pro-Israeli lobby.
He has even more directly defied another powerful lobby (anti-Castro Cubans) to say he will meet with Castro once he's President.
Obama is the only one of the candidates except Kucinich to have spoken out against the war before the occupation of Iraq. I support him partly because of my own antiwar principles.
Some of hls more recent statements on the Iraq war and on the Middle East in general, however, have disappointed me and his health insurance plan is not as strong as I would like it to be (single payer). And, although he has refused to take money from corporate lobbyists, raising millions of dollars from ordinary people online, he does not seem to recognize the criminal nature of U.S. corporate foreign policy (see John Perkins's Confesssions of an Economic Hit Man).
But my policy disagreements with Obama have not prevented me from understanding that he has become an extraordinary presence on the political landscape, a force for good; that he has come to us in the midst of MLK's "fierce urgency of now"; that his transformative gifts are just what we desperately need after the dreadful desolation of the Bush years; that, in journalist Laura Flander's words, he has the capacity to be a "charismatic optimist" as president, just like
FDR, who began as a moderate but, through his sympathetic connection with the people, was able to carry out the most radically significant legislation in U.S. history.

Blessings,
Clive


Measures 94, 95, 96, 97 - Indian Gaming
NO
While some people close to the Native community see the casinos as the only life-blood that has provided them with hospitals and schools, many of you cited very intelligent and relevant concerns over the compensations of casino and hotel workers, environmental impact of huge new facilities, and social concerns over increase gambling as among the reasons NOT to approve these new gaming compacts (a NO vote simply allows gaming to continue under the existing compacts). One great resource/analysis is the San Francisco Bay Guardian, with thanks to Kenley for sending it!
in addition, i originally cited my concern over putting so many of our State's economic eggs in the single basket of indian gaming facilities, as well as it seeming like a cheap and easy "fix" to the problems of poverty in the Native community. Even if these compacts DID address workers' rights and the local environment in satisfactory ways, i'd STILL think we collectively are not being very sustainable or creative in our economic and social solutions. i'm not into settling for mediocre incremental legislation...if it can be done right the first time, let's go ahead and force that to be written.


Vote In Peace!
evan austin
Ojai Peace Coalition

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A Season for Nonviolence
Jan 30 - Apr 04


Yesterday was January 30th, 2008. It was on this day in 1948 that Mohandas K. Gandhi was shot and killed in Delhi, and it is on this date that we begin the Season for Nonviolence. This 64-day period between the memorial dates of Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. (April 4th) and is used globally as a time for personal and community reflection on the healing and transforming power ofnonviolence and the contributions towards Peace made by these two greatleaders.

In this spirit the Ojai Peace Coalition presents our handy, consolidated, easily-printable, wallet-fittable, fun-to-foldable 64 Daily Reflections Card to keep with you so your commitments to Peace and Compassion are never more than a glance away. Enjoy!

Our first week of reflections are:
Jan 30: Today, I will reflect on what peace means to me.

Jan 31: Today, I will look at opportunities to be a peacemaker.

Feb 01: Today, I will practice nonviolence and respect for Mother Earth by making good use of her resources.

Feb 02: Today, I will take time to admire and appreciate nature.

Feb 03: Today, I will plant seeds--plants or constructive ideas.

Feb 04: Today, I will hold a vision of plenty for all the world's hungry and be open to guidance as to how I can help alleviate some of that hunger.

Feb 05: Today, I will acknowledge every human being's fundamental right to justice, equity, and equality.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

OPC Voting Guide

This is just a very brief message in anticipation of Voting Day, which is in one week and will be the date of my next full-length OPC email. By this time you hopefully have yourself educated enough to have your mind made up about your Presidential choice, but there are also a bunch of initiatives on the ballot which you might feel unprepared for. What follows is my read of them and my voting recommendations (guess my ballot isnt so secret now, huh?)
Find your polling place here.
-evan


President of the United States
Dennis Kucinich

(doesn't that just feel good to say?)
Visit the OPC Action Blog to learn what Dennis and his supporters are up to, and why many of us are still voting for him. If you want to vote for someone who's actually still running, there are a couple of good resources on our Action Blog page at the top of the right-hand column.


Measure 91 - Transportation funds
NO

Proposition 1A was passed in 2006 and accomplished what 91 set out to do.


Measure 92 - Community College funding
YES

Separates funding formulas for K-12 and Community Colleges, lowers per-unit tuition. Sounds like better funding math, better accessibility, and higher enrollment to me.


Measure 93 - Term Limits
YES

Members of the State Assembly could serve a maximum of 12 years, not 14. This legislation does not start the clock over for current lawmakers. If nothing else, the "NO" campaign's website is all about negativity and againstness ("fight the politicians!) while the "YES" campaign seems very open and positive.


Measures 94, 95, 96, 97 - Indian Gaming
YES?
It's a tough call...i'd RATHER see our Native people treated better without relying on a gambling industry, and i'd RATHER see our State find better-rounded and creative ways to boost and sustain our economy, but this seems to do no harm and provides a benefit. Our next challenge will be to responsibly and sustainably direct theses revenues as they pour in.


Vote In Peace!

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Clones, Nukes, and Endless War

Plenty to do and some fun stuff on the horizon! Please be mindful of the requests for help and feedback in this issue (and thanks to those few who have provided it already!). i'll also take this opportunity to remind you to simply do those actions that move you or that you have the time and energy for. We can't all always do everything, but we can all always do SOMEthing.
Peace,
-evan


LOCAL HAPPENINGS
· Ojai Peace Vigil - every friday evening from 5-6pm under the Pergola in front of Libbey Park. Bring a candle and a sign, and dress warmly!
· WE ARE ALL RELATED, A Concert For The Earth
Saturday, January 26, 2008, 7:30 pm at EARTHPLAY ECO STORE. 501 east, Ojai Ave , Ojai.
Featuring:
JOE REILLY - Critically Acclaimed Singer/Songwriter on West Coast Tour
&
JUDY PIAZZA - Internationally known Singer/Songwriter & Percussionist Extraordinaire ... weaving dulcimer, vocals, native flute, didgeridoo, and drums from around the world ... Bring your own drums/percussion for community rhythm circle following performance!
Partial Proceeds to Benefit OJAI VALLEY BIRTH RESOURCE & FAMILY SUPPORT
Purchase tickets at EarthPlay Eco-Store, 501 E. Ojai Ave, SE corner of Fox & Ojai Ave, Ojai. $10 Presale, $12 at the door. (More if you can, less if you can't!)
Or call Judy at 248-563-0049 ... EarthPlay at 805-640-6844


Peace Pole for Ojai House
i've had precisely ONE idea/design submitted for a Peace Pole, which i'm moving ahead with in combination with my own. i'll still accept ideas at the link below:
Submit your environmentally-friendly designs or ideas (meaning both that we'd like to minimize the use of chemicals AND that it needs to withstand being outdoors in the elements) to me via email to get this ball rolling! As this progresses we'll likely have a face-to-face meeting for those who'd like to contribute.


February: Nuclear-Free Valentines!
Last year we participated in celebrating the 40th anniversary of Latin America's greatest gift to the world: a treaty which designated it Planet Earth's first nuclear-weapon-free zone. The Atomic Mirror is again helping us recognize this milestone in Peace history by sending our hand-made valentines to Mexico City as part of the celebration of the Treaty of Tlatelolco.
WE STILL NEED A HOST for a valentine-making party! If you have some space to share, please let me know so we can plan this OPC-exclusive event! we need to have the Valentines made and sent before February 14!


4,000 US soldier deaths commemoration
As of now, there have been 3,931 U.S. soldier deaths in Iraq. interest has been expressed in creating our own commemoration here in Ojai (rather than joining with the Ventura action), but i'm frankly frustrated and indecisive as to what kind of action would be most appropriate or meaningful. it seems that a vigil to mourn and honor the deaths only goes part of the way toward our real goal: to stop the war and prevent the 4,001st death. So, what action do we pair with a vigil? Are we willing to seriously write some letters, make some phone calls, get arrested? As this drags on and on, it seems we must change and improve our opposition and resistance lest we find ourselves operating on the exact logic that's failed this war in the first place: don't change anything, and expect different results. i'm very open to suggestions and offers of help/support/energy to create an action that would up the ante and put us closer to ending the war.


Stop Endless War in Iraq
President Bush is quietly negotiating an agreement with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to keep our troops there indefinitely--an agreement that could include permanent bases and a massive military presence for years.
Congress can stop the president from setting up permanent bases in Iraq and block an indefinite occupation--but it's not clear that they will. They need to feel a groundswell of pressure from voters immediately and loudly so they act on this quickly.
CLICK HERE to sign the petition. A compiled petition with your individual comment will be presented to your Senators and Representative.


Cloned Meat Should Be Labeled!
The FDA recently declared that meat from cloned animals is safe for human consumption. Write to Congress and urge them to pass a law that requires that all meat from cloned animals be clearly labeled.


Tell the DOE: No More Nukes!
The Department of Energy is required to review public comment for the next 3 months on the proposed plan for New Nuclear Weapons and Complex Transformation. Peace Action hopes to rally 10,000 citizens to speak out against this wasteful and dangerous program. Submit your comment, and ask your friends to do the same. Together, we can unite the Peace Majority.


Congress: We Need Transportation Reform!
We need a major overhaul to promote smarter, more efficient and innovative new approaches for dealing with traffic congestion. This starts with establishing a clear national goal for transportation efficiency tied to objective performance metrics.
Take Action! Tell your members of Congress to support radical reform of our transportation system to improve efficiency and reduce congestion.


Celebrate Voting Day, February 5th!
Is Election Day a National Holiday for you yet? California's primary election is February 5, and you can participate in your Democracy by becoming an Election Officer or sponsoring a Polling Place! Individuals and organizations are welcome: call 805-654-2784
Also, make sure you're registered to vote by visiting RockTheVote.com....it's fast and easy!

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Peace Pole, Vigil, and Valentines

Good morning and happy new year! 2008 looks exciting already...the peace symbol turns 50, America chooses a new president, and more! Locally, the Ojai Valley continues to embrace Peace as a cultural value thanks to the tremendous efforts of many in a variety of endeavors.
i look forward to working with you in this coming year to create the world we want for ourselves and for our children: one that's safe, green, sane, smart, empowered, and actively compassionate.
Let's start here, with our own minds and bodies and community, then work our way outward.
Peace,
-evan


PEACE VIGIL EVERY FRIDAY
· Ojai Peace Vigil - every friday evening from 5-6pm under the Pergola in front of Libbey Park. Bring a candle and a sign, and dress warmly!


PROJECT #1: PEACE POLE FOR OJAI HOUSE
You know Ojai House as THE local place for an eclectic collection of peace-justice-environment themed treasures, gifts, resources, and outright liberal propaganda (featuring unique work by local artists and a sanity-saving dose of wit and humor!)

With the help of the Ojai Peace Coalition, it'll also be the site of our valley's newest Peace Pole! In the spirit of the custom-made pole at the Ojai Art Center, and in keeping with the zany nature of its location, i am proposing that we design and create our own unique pole to be planted in the first half of this year!

Submit your environmentally-friendly designs or ideas (meaning both that we'd like to minimize the use of chemicals AND that it needs to withstand being outdoors in the elements) to me via email to get this ball rolling! As this progresses we'll likely have a face-to-face meeting for those who'd like to contribute.

FEBRUARY: NUCLEAR-FREE VALENTINES!
Last year we participated in celebrating the 40th anniversary of Latin America's greatest gift to the world: a treaty which designated it Planet Earth's first nuclear-weapon-free zone. The Atomic Mirror is again helping us recognize this milestone in Peace history by sending our hand-made valentines to Mexico City as part of the celebration of the Treaty of Tlatelolco.

Obviously we need to have these valentines made and sent before Valentine's Day (Feb 14), so WE NEED A HOST for a valentine-making party! If you have some space to share, please let me know so we can plan this OPC-exclusive event!


4,000 U.S. SOLDIER DEATHS IN IRAQ COMMEMORATION
As of now, there have been 3,911 U.S. soldier deaths in Iraq. The following are from the minutes of the VC Stop the War meeting held Saturday January 5th:

Proposal: 1. Produce flyer for commemoration plans 2. set-up website and cellphone text messaging, and put information on the flyer 3. outreach in Oxnard (friendly suggestion: flea market/swap meet on a Wednesday)
Passed 7 in favor

Proposal: Mario appointed to interface with other organizations
Passed 7 in favor

Discussion included plans to date: The evening after the day 4,000 soldier deaths in Iraq are announced, we'll hold a rally at Ventura City Hall, march through downtown, and vigil on the beach with candlelight. Reiterated: We must commemorate the Iraqi and Afghan dead, and other recent veteran deaths. March with two coffins, one with US flag, the other with Iraqi flag.
John T. reported that only ANSWER confirmed forwarding the email announcement about the event to its list: No other groups confirmed alerting their members. Groups mentioned to seek participation: Cafe on A, groups Francisco is in, Veterans For Peace, Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions, MEChA, Catholic church.

The Ojai Peace Coalition is a member of VCStopTheWar, and we need to decide whether we'd like to strengthen this Ventura-based commemoration OR hold one of our own more locally. i have no specific plans for a local vigil, but it's relatively easy to do. PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR VOTE - VENTURA OR OJAI! (IF YOU VOTE FOR OJAI, PLEASE CONSIDER INCLUDING COMMEMORATION IDEAS)


DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP TRAINING, JANUARY 12
The California Democratic Council and the Democratic Party of Ventura County present a Democratic Leadership Training on Saturday January 12 2008 from 8am to 6pm in the EP Foster Library's Topping Room in Ventura.
The training will include such topics as The California Democratic Party Structure, How to Run a Meeting: Robert's Rules of Order, Club Finances, Increasing your Membership, Reaching Out to Youth, Technology, and The Progressive Challenge.
The Training is FREE ($10 suggested donation to cover food and materials costs)
Please RSVP by January 10 to training@cdc-ca.org or 1-800-446-9709.


GREEN COALITION BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE MTG: TUES JAN 15
The following is the proposed agenda for the upcoming meeting on 1/15/08 at Chaparral School Rm. 6, 7PM. If you have any input or changes for the agenda please contact Jon Cotham

Agenda
Ojai Valley Green Coalition
Building and Construction Committee Meeting
1/15/08, 7-8:30 PM
Ojai Chaparral School Rm. 6
Chair of meeting- Jon Cotham
1. Jon Cotham: Welcome, circulate sign in sheet, overview of agenda, and recap highlights from the last meetings minutes.
2. Carolyn Hernandez: Update on the status of the lecture series and what our group needs to do to support this event.
3. Reggie Wood: Ambassador to the City of Ojai about the status of a Green building program.
4. Aaron Clapp: Alternative building codes, straw bale, in the City and County.
5. Wayne Pendrey: Recycling of Sheet rock in the deconstruction process.
6. Carolyn Hernandez: Establish benchmarks to measure the future progress in promoting Green building in the Valley.
7. Open discussion and comments.
8. Confirm next 2 meetings for Feb. 5 & 19
9. Adjourn meeting at 8:30 PM


CELEBRATE VOTING DAY, FEBRUARY 5TH!
Is Election Day a National Holiday for you yet? California's primary election is February 5, and you can participate in your Democracy by becoming an Election Officer or sponsoring a Polling Place! Individuals and organizations are welcome: call 805-654-2784


Please remember to provide the requested feedback, either as a comment right here or via email!

evan austin
Ojai Peace Coalition


TODAY IN PEACE HISTORY
January 8, 1961
The people of France - in a 75% majority - voted to grant Algeria its independence in a referendum after more than 130 years of French colonial control of the north African country.
More from This Week in Peace History

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Planning Meeting for 4,000th Soldier Commemoration

Ventura County Committee to Stop the War
Organizing meeting to discuss upcoming actions
1 pm Saturday, Jan. 5
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
4360 E. Main St. (corner of Telephone Rd.)

Proposed topics:

* 4,000 US soldier death commemoration
* Free speech at Pacific View Mall follow-up caroling
* Movie theater counter recruitment poll and informational leafleting

For more information, email VCStoptheWar@gmail.com.