Phil's Invitation to Venezuela Talk

Walpole Peace and Justice Group Sponsoring Talk on Venezuela April 4 Walpole Public Library

Dear Friends,

You are invited to a talk on Venezuela, sponsored by the Walpole Peace and Justice Group, on April 4 at Walpole Public Library.

Mr. Paul Peckham will speak about his trip to Venezuela this past January. The talk will focus on the social revolution that is taking place under the Hugo Chavez government as well as the growing conflicts between the U.S. and Venezuela. Over the past six years, Mr. Peckham has traveled to three other countries in Latin America: Chiapas, Mexico (home of the Zapatistas), Cuba (just before the Bush administration stopped all U.S. citizens from going there) and El Salvador (as a Presidential election observer). The purpose of these trips was to bear witness to the effects of U.S. foreign policy on these countries. There will be ample time for questions and an open discussion after the talk.

The WP&J speaker series is held the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 at the Walpole Public Library. All talks are open to the public. We hope you can come.

Philip

---

[also, from the Walpole Times Calendar - click here]

TUESDAY, APRIL 4

The Walpole Peace and Justice Group is continuing its speaker series at the public library.

This month’s talk will be given by Paul Peckham, who will discuss his trip to Venezuela this past January. The talk will focus on the social revolution that is taking place under the Hugo Chavez government as well as the growing conflicts between the U.S. and Venezuela.

The speaker series is held the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the library. All talks are open to the public.

Flier for Paul's Venzuela Talk

click for larger image

Iraq War 3-Year Anniversary

Today, we joined hundreds of thousands of people all over the world by protesting the US-led War in Iraq:

Iraq War protesters mark third anniversary (AP/Globe)
Protests mark Iraq war's third anniversary (CNN)
Thousands join anti-war protest (BBC)

Lots of events on the American Friends Service Committee will continue thru March 22nd:

Not one more death. Not one more dollar.
Events in Massachusetts

"March 19, 2006, is the Iraq war's third anniversary.

AFSC joins with global and local peace and justice groups in urging opponents of the Iraq war to organize events in their hometowns from March 15 to March 22."

There's a link on the AFSC web site to a terrific music video by Robert Cray filmed at a farm near Dover, New Hampshire, and showing AFSC's "empty boots" installation:

"Twenty" by The Robert Cray Band

Taiwan Follow-up Articles

From BBC Asia News:

New Link added Mar 18, 06:
Taiwan protest at China 'threat'

New Link added Mar 13, 06:
Taiwan storm set to get louder
New Link added Mar 9, 06:
Japan-China row turns to Taiwan

China warning to US over Taiwan
Chinese TV cuts Ang Lee's speech
Taiwan's Chen under press attack
Taiwanese torn over independence
Communist debate grips Vietnam
HK press reacts to stalled reform
HK legislators vote down reform
Thousands march for HK democracy


Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian scrapping the reunification council

Zogby Poll of US Troops

Dale sent in this link to a TomPaine.com op ed piece about a new Zogby poll taken of our troops in Iraq:

"A first-ever survey of U.S. troops on the ground fighting in Iraq was released February 28, 2006. The findings are surprising, particularly the fact that an overwhelming majority of 72 percent of American troops in Iraq think the U.S. should exit the country within the next year."

TomPaine.com Article
Zogby International Poll

• Le Moyne College/Zogby Poll shows just one in five troops want to heed Bush call to stay “as long as they are needed”


• While 58% say mission is clear, 42% say U.S. role is hazy


• Plurality believes Iraqi insurgents are mostly homegrown


• Almost 90% think war is retaliation for Saddam’s role in 9/11, most don’t blame Iraqi public for insurgent attacks


• Majority of troops oppose use of harsh prisoner interrogation


• Plurality of troops pleased with their armor and equipment

Flier for Taiwan Event

[click for a larger image]