Date: Tuesday 7/1/2008

         2 Week(s) 5 Day(s)

URL: http://www.wetheworld.org

Description:

Please join Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE,
and thousands of others
in Signing our

Global Declaration
of Interdependence

Preamble:

Since I began as a college student last fall, one of the main issues on campus, as a result of the Virginia Tech tragedy, is the university administrators' pushing for the approval of guns for campus police.  In many ways the rush to arm campus police is moving ahead without looking at alternatives as to whether the proposed solution will even solve the problem.  The police force at Virginia Tech was armed yet this did not prevent the tragedy. Approving guns for the campus police is a major issue because once guns are given to campus police it alters the relationships of power and the atmosphere of college campuses from places of tolerance and peaceful discussion of issues to armed citadels.

On the 5th anniversay of the Iraq War, 12 student groups marched in solidarity to show their opposition to the unjust, illegal war. It was a beautiful sight to see-- students of all different backgrounds, races, genders, sexual orientations, and even ideologies working side by side to block traffic and march together in the East Lansing community promoting a message of peace and unity.  At first, the local newspaper, The State News, denied to cover our march. After significant pressure from student leaders they agreed to let us submit a letter. This is what was published:

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We all know that women have always had a unique role in the peace movement, but did you know that Mother's Day itself was created by women united for creating a more peaceful world for their children?

So, here's some extra love for my mom and all of those other anti-war Mama's out there this week.  Thanks for all of that unpaid labor that went in to raising your children and thanks for working for a more just world for use to grow up in.  

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This is something that came to me late Monday night. I had to share it with you. I believe that our country in is in a crisis. We need to come together. That is all I can say this morning...

Please share your thoughts and respects. Click on this button to continue reading...

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By Laura Hadden

Take a look at this photograph by Nina Berman - a portrait of an Iraq War veteran Sgt. Ty Ziegel and his childhood sweetheart on their wedding day. It's one of the most haunting photographs I have ever seen and one that deals directly with the human cost of war.  Berman says the photograph "shows how war has crept its way into the most common phase of daily life" and she's absolutely right.

Is it any surprise then that People magazine, for whom the photograph was taken, never published the photo?  This fact alone is telling of how our society, and in particular - our mainstream media, responds to war and turns away from showing the human costs and effects that linger after the political banter subsides and the soldiers come home.

Joseph La Sac, a student from the University of Puget Sound was harassed on camera by police officers for (completely legally) filming an antiwar protest against Stryker brigades moving through Tacoma on their way to Iraq.

I'm also posting a video of the antiwar protest itself, taken by Zoltan Grossman, a professor at The Evergreen State College.

These videos tell us two things.  First of all, the antiwar movement certainly is not dead.  Second of all, video can be an incredibly powerful witness to our struggles.  Thoughts?  What direction should the antiwar movement be taking?    

Check out the videos out after the jump.  

On Saturday, I did something I have not been as consistent with over the past few years--personally thanking my own family members--my brothers-in-law, my cousin, and close friends--who have contributed in these current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. With respect to the privacy of that sincere conversation--I will pass along that one said in response: "We always appreciate just hearing a 'thank you.'"

Saying thank you is certainly the least we can do. The most we can do is to make sure that we serve the men and women in uniform as honorably as they serve us--willing, if necessary, to make the ultimate sacrifices in the name of family and freedom.