Reminder: Erlich talk on "Inside Syria", Nov 12th; Rally for Peace, Nov 15th

Reminder that  Foreign correspondent and investigative reporter Reese Erlich will give a talk on his new book “Inside Syria: The Backstory of Their Civil War  and What the World Can Expect” on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at 7:30 PM at the United Church, 30 Common Walpole. Recently returned from northern Iraq, Erlick will also discuss the growing influence of extremist rebel groups and why the US bombing campaign will hurt both Americans and people of the region. The talk is sponsored by the Walpole Peace and justice Group. This timely book shows not only what is happening inside Syria but why it is so important for the Middle East, the US, and the world. People may park in the parking lot to the right of the church, using the driveway after the Center for Community Counseling and Education, and should enter the church by the right side door.

Also there is a Rally for Peace in Iraq & Syria on Saturday, November 15, 2014, 1:-3 PM  in Boston
Park Street MBTA Station, Park St & Tremont St, Boston.

Rally and march to Downtown Crossing with a mock drone and die-in.

• No more military intervention in Iraq and Syria
• Bring the troops home now
• Stop sending weapons into the region which are leading to so much bloodshed
• Support humanitarian aid, through neutral institutions, for victims of the conflict
• Support self-determination and the demilitarization of the area

Call Congress at (202) 224-3121 and say: “I want Congress to reconvene immediately to fully debate a new “Authorization for Use of Military Force” (AUMF) that deals with Syria, Iraq, and ISIS. And when the vote comes, I want you to vote no.”

For more info or to help organize: United for Justice with Peace, 617-383-4857, info@justicewithpeace.org.

Walpole Peace Group sponsored talk on 'Inside Syria: The Backstory of Their Civil War and What the World Can Expect' on November 12 at 7:30 PM

Please join us for a talk by Foreign correspondent and investigative reporter Reese Erlich on his new book “Inside Syria: The Backstory of Their Civil War  and What the World Can Expect.” See the press release below.

Foreign correspondent and investigative reporter Reese Erlich will give a talk on his new book “Inside Syria: The Backstory of Their Civil War  and What the World Can Expect” on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at 7:30 PM at the United Church, 30 Common Walpole. Recently returned from northern Iraq, Erlick will also discuss the growing influence of extremist rebel groups and why the US bombing campaign will hurt both Americans and people of the region. The talk is sponsored by the Walpole Peace and justice Group. 

Through vivid, on-the-ground accounts and interviews with rebel leaders and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, journalist Reese Erlich explains the complex dynamics underlying the Syrian civil war. Through his many contacts inside Syria, the author reveals who is supporting Assad and why. He describes the agendas of the rebel factions and depicts the dire plight of the Syrian people caught in the cross-fire. He provides insights into the role of the Kurds, the continuing influence of Iran, and the policies of US leaders who seem interested only in protecting US regional interests. This timely book shows not only what is happening inside Syria but why it is so important for the Middle East, the US, and the world.

Reese Erlich  is an award-winning journalist and has covered the Middle East for almost 30 years, reporting from Syria five times and visiting all its neighboring countries. A full-time freelance journalist, he recently reported for CBS Radio and GlobalPost from the Kurdish Region of Iraq. In 2006 he shared a prestigious Peabody Award. 

People may park in the parking lot to the right of the church, using the driveway after the Center for Community Counseling and Education, and should enter the church by the right side door.

Talk by Dr. Rebecca Gordon on her book, ‘Mainstreaming Torture' in the Post-9/11 United States’ on Tuesday, September 2, 2014, at 7:00 PM

Please join us for a talk by Dr. Rebecca Gordon on her new book, ‘Mainstreaming Torture: Ethical Approaches in the Post-9/11 United States’ on Tuesday, September 2, 2014, at 7:00 PM, at the Walpole Public Library, 143 School St. In her book Dr. Gordon argues that most perspectives on torture miss the point, by treating torture as a series of isolated actions that arise in extreme times of war and crisis. But institutionalized state torture is actually an ongoing, socially embedded practice.
The use of torture by the United States as part of the “war on terror” cannot be separated from a national history that includes state support for torture regimes abroad — as well the ongoing use of torture in U.S. jails and prisons. Torture still matters, because the United States is still torturing. Dr. Rebecca Gordon teaches philosophy at the University of San Francisco. She will have copies of her book available for sale and for signing.

Other Events

Do we need better leaders or better citizens? Come explore this question on Wednesday, September 17, 7PM, at the Westwood Public Library for the Westwood/Walpole League of Women Voters opening meeting. Peter Levine, Professor of Citizenship & Public Affairs at Tufts University, and author of ‘We Are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For’ will be sharing his novel theory of active citizenship, a diagnosis of its decline, and a searing critique of our political institutions. Levine, one of America's most influential civic engagement activists, argues that American citizens must address our most challenging issues. People can change the norms and structures of their own communities through deliberative civic action.  

People’s Climate March in New York City. Peace activists are called to join the People’s Climate March in New York City on September 21stand to form a Peace and Climate Contingent. See the link, People’s Climate March  for more information. The march calls on the following principles:

·         We can’t effectively address climate change without ending war and militarism;

·         We can’t end war without ending the fossil fuel energy system;

·         We can’t address social injustice unless we stop using war to safeguard an economic infrastructure (based on fossil fuels) that requires vast social inequality.

·         We can’t end war unless we address the systemic inequality and corporate domination that requires it.

This march is an opportunity to make a statement on what is one of the most important issues of our lifetime.  “We are at a crossroads, faced with a climate crisis that threatens to end our world as we know it.”

New Book Argues that Opposing Torture Still Matters

Dr. Rebecca Gordon to speak on her new book, Mainstreaming Torture: Ethical Approaches in the Post-9/11 United States, on Tuesday, September 2, 2014, at 7:00 PM  at the Walpole Public Library, 143 School St. The talk is sponsored by the Walpole Peace and Justice Group. In her book Dr. Gordon argues that most perspectives on torture miss the point, by treating torture as a series of isolated actions that arise in extreme times of war and crisis. But institutionalized state torture is actually an ongoing, socially embedded practice.

The use of torture by the United States as part of the “war on terror” cannot be separated from a national history that includes state support for torture regimes abroad — as well the ongoing use of torture in U.S. jails and prisons. Torture still matters, because the United States is still torturing.

Mainstreaming Torture highlights the impact of the practice of torture not only on the persons most closely involved, but on an entire nation that accepts torture as a necessary price to pay for personal safety. 

Praise for Mainstreaming Torture

“This remarkable morally and politically challenging and courageous work confronts unblinkingly the profoundly disturbing truth that both popular and scholarly discourses in America consistently distort and sanitize the essential nature of the torture that has become a socially embedded practice in our country.”
— Henry Shue, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for International Studies, University of Oxford

“This excellent book challenges us to end torture. Not only by prosecuting the front line people who get caught, but also going after the high-ranking public officials who are torture’s intellectual authors.”
— Bill Quigley, Professor of Law, Loyola University New Orleans

Rebecca Gordon teaches philosophy at the University of San Francisco, and works with War Times/Tiempo de Guerras.

Calling on the U.S. President and Congress to Stop Deportations

Members and supporters of the Walpole Peace and Justice Group  gathered on the Walpole Common on Saturday, August 2, 2014 and Wednesday,  August 6, 2014 to bring attention to the plight of the Unaccompanied Child Refugees. Tens of thousands of young refugees have fled Central  America and are seeking safety in the United States.  The vigil in Walpole called on the U.S. President and Congress to stop deportations, increase relief for America’s immigrant families, and protect unaccompanied children who have sought refuge in the United States.   

Peace Vigil in support of the Unaccompanied Child Refugees on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM, the Walpole Common

Please join the Walpole Peace and Justice Group  for a peace vigil in  support of the Unaccompanied Child Refugees. The vigil will be held on Wednesday,  August 6, 2014 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM,  on the Walpole Common at the corner of Main and West Streets. Tens of thousands of young refugees have fled Central  America and are seeking safety in the United States.  We urge the President and Congress to stop deportations, increase relief for America’s immigrant families, and protect unaccompanied children who have sought refuge in the United States.  U.S.  immigration policies must be sensitive to the plight of families who are often broken up due to deportation. The enormous amount of funds used for border enforcement would be better spent helping the countries from which these children come.   We bear significant responsibility as U.S. economic policies and past support of dictators and wars in Central America have contributed to conditions of violence and poverty in the children’s homelands.  Come stand in support of the children and speak out in support of Gov Patrick’s offer to house and care for child refugees here in Massachusetts.

Other Events and Upcoming Talks    

·         Stand Up for All Children – sponsored by The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition

There is a march on Thursday, August 7, 2014,  starting at 5:30 PM from Copley to the  State House. The purpose is to demonstrate support for Central American children fleeing harm, for Governor Patrick's plan to temporarily house unaccompanied minors, and for all children seeking refuge.  For more information see http://miracoalition.org/images/stories/RokStories/rally_august7_flyer4pageenglish.jpg

·         An analysis of the Cataclysms in Gaza, Iraq and Syria – and U.S. Middle East Policy With Raed Jarrar (Just Back from Jerusalem!) - sponsored by United for Justice with Peace

Thursday, August 7, 2014, 7:00 pm

Cambridge Friends Meeting • 5 Longfellow Park • off Brattle St - Harvard T • Cambridge

Peace Vigil Saturday, August 2, 2014, 10-11 AM to support Unaccompanied Child Refugees

Please join us for a peace vigil in  support of the Unaccompanied Child Refugees. The vigil will be held on Saturday,  August 2, 2014 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM,  theWalpole Common at the corner of Main and West Streets. Tens of thousands of young refugees have fled Central  America and are seeking safety in the United States.  We urge the President and Congress to stop deportations, increase relief for America’s immigrant families, and protect unaccompanied children who have sought refuge in the United States.  U.S.  immigration policies must be sensitive to the plight of families who are often broken up due to deportation. The enormous amount of funds used for border enforcement would be better spent helping the countries from which these children come.   We bear significant responsibility as U.S. economic policies and past support of dictators and wars in Central America have contributed to conditions of violence and poverty in the children’s homelands.  Come stand in support of the children and speak out in support of Gov Patrick’s offer to house and care for child refugees here in Massachusetts.

Upcoming Talks on Other important issues

An analysis of the Cataclysms in Gaza, Iraq and Syria –and U.S. Middle East Policy With Raed Jarrar (Just Back from Jerusalem!) - sponsored by United for Justice with Peace

Thursday, August 7, 2014, 7:00 pm

Cambridge Friends Meeting • 5 Longfellow Park • off Brattle St - Harvard T • Cambridge

Dr. Rebecca Gordon to speak on her new book, ‘Mainstreaming Torture: Ethical Approaches in the Post-9/11 United States’

In her book, Dr. Gordon argues that most perspectives on torture miss the point, by treating torture as a series of isolated actions that arise in extreme times of war and crisis. But institutionalized state torture is actually an ongoing, socially embedded practice.
The use of torture by the United States as part of the “war on terror” cannot be separated from a national history that includes state support for torture regimes abroad — as well the ongoing use of torture in U.S. jails and prisons. Torture still matters, because the United States is still torturing.

Friday, August 1, 2014, 2:00 PM at the Framingham Public Library – Sponsored by Metrowest Peace Action

Tuesday, September 2, 2014, 7:00 PM at the Walpole Public Library – Sponsored by the Walpole Peace and Justice Group

Unmanned: America’s Drone Wars

The documentary film,  “Unmanned: America’s Drone Wars” will be shown on Tuesday, May 13, 2014,  7:00 PM, at the Walpole Public Library. In this film from Brave New Films, director Robert Greenwald investigates the impact of U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan and elsewhere. The film highlights the stories of 16 year old Tariq Aziz, killed by a drone in 2011; and school teacher, Rafiq ur Rehamn, whose mother was killed and children hospitalized due to a drone strike in 2012. “Unmanned” includes more than 70 interviews. Prominent among these are a former American drone operator; Pakistani families of drone victims who are seeking legal redress; high ranking politicians and some of the military’s top brass, warning against blowback from the loss of innocent life. Following the film Eileen Kurkoski and Susan McLucas from the Eastern Massachusetts Anti-Drone Network will lead a discussion. The presentation is sponsored by the Walpole Peace and Justice Group. It will be held in the Community Room at the Walpole Public Library, 143 School Street, Walpole, MA. The presentation is free and open to the public.  It’s important for people to learn what our government is doing in our name.

Reminder of a Tax Day Vigil on Saturday, April 12, in Walpole, from 10 to 11:30 AM

 Please join us on Saturday,  April 12, from 10 to 11:30 AM, the Walpole Common at the corner of Main and West Streets.  Tax Day, April 15, is right around the corner.  On Saturday, we will stand in support of the Budget for All,  bringing attention to how our federal  tax dollars are used .   The U.S. military budget commands over 50% of all discretionary spending, dwarfing the amount spent for critical programs like transportation, veterans affairs, education, and housing.  Our country devotes more money to the military than the next 13 biggest military spenders in the world, combined!  The current Ryan budget proposal  targets  social services for even more devastating cuts.  

We need the Budget for All that supports social services and the needs of people. 

Walpole voters in precincts 1, 2, 6, and 7 sent a clear message to Washington on November 6, 2012 by voting 2  to 1 on the Budget for All ballot question.

The Budget for All calls on Congress to enact a budget for prosperity, not austerity. Its full text reads:

Shall the state Representative (or Senator) from this district be instructed to vote in favor of a resolution calling upon the Congress and the President to:

1.    Prevent cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans benefits, or to housing, food and\unemployment assistance;

2.    Create and protect jobs by investing in manufacturing, schools, housing, renewable energy, transportation and other public services;

3.    Provide new revenues for these purposes and to reduce the long-term federal deficit by closing corporate tax loopholes, ending offshore tax havens, and raising taxes on incomes over $250,000; and

4.       Redirect military spending to these domestic needs by reducing the military budget, ending the war in Afghanistan and bringing U.S. troops home safely now.

See the below leaflet with a Fact Sheet on the Budget for All and an invitation to a Boston Tax Day Rally and Forum on ‘We pay our taxes. Are we getting what we need?’, Saturday, April 12, 2014,  2 PM, Emmanuel Church  15 Newbury St.   Boston.

Peace Vigil on April 12, from 10 to 11:30 AM: for Tax Day

Please join us on Saturday, April 12, from 10 to 11:30 AM on the Walpole Common at the corner of Main and West Streets, bringing attention to how our U.S. tax dollars are used. April 15 is right around the corner, the day our Federal tax returns are due. We will be holding a  40 foot “Budget Banner”. The banner is comprised of multiple colored segments, graphically illustrating the federal government’s discretionary budget, including military, education, health and human services, housing, justice, labor, and environment. The length of each segment is proportional to the size of that program’s budget, clearly showing how much is spent for each. Discretionary spending accounts for  $1.15 trillion of the proposed 2014 budget. The banner gives visual significance to the large amount the US spends on Pentagon programs and the military. Our country spends more on the military than the next 13 biggest military spenders in the world, combined. The banner also illustrates how tiny are the portions going to social services, programs that are important to each one of us. The Ryan budget proposal particularly targets these social services for devastating cuts. We need the Budget for All that supports social services and the needs of people.

Talk by Dr. Bacevich on his book 'Breach of Trust' on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at 6:30 PM at the Walpole Public Library

Dr. Andrew Bacevich will talk about his book ‘Breach of Trust: How Americans Failed Their Soldiers and Their Country’ on  Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at 6:30 PM at the Walpole Public Library. In his book, Dr. Bacevich makes a  blistering critique of a gulf that exists between America’s soldiers and the society that sends them off to war. He traces the origins of that separation to the Vietnam era and explores its pernicious implications: a nation with an abiding appetite for war waged at enormous expense by a standing army demonstrably unable to achieve victory. Among the collateral casualties is the core democratic principle that responsibility for defending the country should rest with its citizens.  Should Americans refuse to shoulder this responsibility, Bacevich warns, we face the prospect of endless war, waged by a “foreign legion” of professionals and contractor-mercenaries, and societal bankruptcy—moral as well as fiscal.

Andrew J. Bacevich is Professor of International Relations and History at Boston University. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, he received his PhD from Princeton University. Dr. Bacevich is the author of several books, including ‘Washington Rules: America’s Path to Permanent War’ and ‘The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism.’  His essays, reviews, and op-eds have appeared in publications of The Wilson Quarterly , Foreign Affair, the New York Times and the Boston Globe.

Dr. Bacevich’s talk is sponsored by the Walpole Peace and Justice Group. It will be held in the Community Room at the Walpole Public Library, 143 School Street, Walpole, MA.

Dr. Gareth Porter will talk about his book, 'Manufactured Crisis', on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at 7:00 PM at the Walpole Public Library

Please join us for the talk by Dr. Gareth Porter:

Award-winning investigative journalist Dr. Gareth Porter will talk about his book, ‘Manufactured Crisis: The Untold Story of the Iran Nuclear Scare’, on Wednesday, March 26, 2014  at 7:00 PM at the Walpole Public Library. ‘Manufactured Crisis’ provides unique and timely background to the ongoing diplomacy around Iran's nuclear technology program. In this book, Porter offers a well documented critique of the official 'western' account of what the Iranian government has been doing, and why.  Current negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 over the final status nuclear agreement make the book particularly timely.    

Gareth Porter is an historian, author, investigative journalist, and policy analyst on U.S. foreign and military policy. Porter received his master’s degree in International Politics from the University of Chicago and his PhD in South-East Asian Studies from Cornell University. He has taught international studies at the City College of New York and American University, and he was the first Academic Director for Peace and Conflict Resolution in the Washington Semester program at American University.

Sponsored by the Walpole Peace and Justice Group, Porter’s talk will be held in the Community Room at the Walpole Public Library, 143 School Street, Walpole, MA.

Next talk:

Dr. Andrew Bacevich  will talk on his book ‘Breach of Trust:  How Americans Failed Their Soldiers and Their Country’ on April 8, 2014 at 6:30 PM at the Walpole Public Library.