End Wars and Occupations IOT Monthly Conference Call - Progressive Democrats of America
December 2011
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Link to Sound File |
Link to Chat Room Archive |
Jean Aguerre spoke about
the “51st State,” the area that's comprised of Southern Colorado
and Northern New Mexico. The plan to grab so much land for perfecting
drone/automatic warfare is old, but we citizens only became aware of
the desire to get so much territory for it recently. The effort to
prevent this is really critical and our people need all the help they
can get. January, we really need to activate people to work on this.
56% of discretionary payments in the Federal Budget go to the
military/intelligence portion.
Tom Hayden, who is
currently directing the Peace and Justice Resource Center in Culver
City, CA, will be directing PDAs anti-war efforts. He'll be providing
analysis and direction to the PDA network.
Rusti
Eisenberg of the Legislative arm of United
for Peace and Justice spoke next and summarized the
ending of the Iraq War and how the peace movement was crucial to that
happening. Unfortunately, the provision permitting the government to
detain someone indefinitely was indeed passed and is law today. The
Merkley Amendment may appear to be a highly technical bill that won't
make much difference, but it's a helpful thing to work on.
The Occupy movement has opened up
space for anti-war groups to educate the people more. The
anti-elitist change of mood also helps. Another speaker said that
Occupiers are pretty well informed as it is, but was extremely
pleased by all of the people engaging in civil discourse on the
issues of the day at her local Occupation.