CONTENTS:
PHILLY & PA ACTION:
Christmas candlelight vigil for peace
Forum with members of Congress to discuss an agenda to end the U.S. occupation of Iraq
History of GI resistance around Fort Bragg
Northwest Peace & Justice Movement, monthly meeting
Spend M. L. King Jr.'s Birthday explaining peace to Senator Specter
Confronting Bullying/Supporting Friendships teacher workshop
March 2006. End the occupation of Iraq with a month of direct resistance
Business Privilege Tax Reduction UPDATE & Call-In
----------------
NATIONAL ACTION:
"Ideas for Change" for WakeUpWalMart.com in 2006
Challenge AIPAC -  Lobby for Justice in Palestine
Palestinian election, call for monitors
Fr. Jean-Juste of Haiti Must Be Released Immediately
CensureBush.org Campaign Launched
FCNL / REACHING YOUR REP IN Washington
Stop the Drug Industry Bailout on Avian Flu
Requesting your FBI File - If interested, here's the website:
http://foia.fbi.gov/
---------------------
COMMENTARY:

THREE LABOR VICTORIES, Eric Lee
Spying and Lying by Katrina vanden Heuvel, thenation.con
AIPAC, Zionism, and Jefferson, Mazin Qumsiyeh
* Castro's 'miracle' cures the poor of blindness By Tom Fawthrop in Havana
* The Price of the Death Penalty*   By Earl Ofari Hutchinso
* A Debate on the New York City Transit Strike *
* New Documents Show FBI Spying on Domestic Activist Groups *
* First Step Towards Impeachment? Conyers Introduces Bills to Censure Bush and Cheney *
* Venezuela Gives Exxon Ultimatum
* ACLU CriticizeS Government's Refusal to Release Documents on Lack of Pregnancy Prevention Information*
===================


PHILLY & PA ACTION:

December 22. Christmas candlelight vigil for peace, 7:00 pm at Lockheed Martin
(the world's largest weapons corporation), Goddard & Mall Boulevards (off Route 76, behind King of Prussia Mall), Valley Forge, PA. More information from Brandywine Peace Community at 610-544-1818 and <brandywine@juno.com>.

January 7. Democracy for America town hall forum with members of Congress to discuss an agenda to end the U.S. occupation of Iraq, 9:00 am at U.F.C.W. Local #1776, 3031 Walton Road in Plymouth Meeting, PA. For more information contact <info@northwestpeacecoalition.org>. 

Sunday, January 8 - Area premier of  "FORWARD MARCH TO PEACE",
History of GI resistance around Fort Bragg, Fayettville, NC, from the Vietnam War to today's opposition to the war in Iraq.

4:30PM, University Lutheran Church, 3637 Chestnut St., Phila., PA. (*bring main dish, salad, or dessert to share),  Program begins at 5:30PM: Brandywine Peace Community - 610-544-1818, brandywine@juno.com   www.brandywinepeace.com

January 10. Northwest Peace & Justice Movement, monthly meeting at 7:00 pm in the Parish Center behind Saint Vincent's Church, 109 East Price Street in Germantown. For more information: 215-843-4256 and <nwgreens@yahoo.com>.

January 15. Spend M. L. King Jr.'s Birthday explaining peace to Senator Specter, 2:00 -- 4:00 pm, at Specter's home, 4111 Timber Lane in East Falls. For more information: 215-843-4256 and <nwgreens@yahoo.com>.

January 17. M. L. King Jr. Day of Nonviolent Resistance, noon at Lockheed Martin (the world's largest weapons corporation), Goddard & Mall Boulevards (off Route 76, behind King of Prussia Mall), Valley Forge, PA. More information from Brandywine Peace Community at 610-544-1818 and <brandywine@juno.com>.

Saturday, January 28,  "Confronting Bullying/Supporting Friendships" teacher workshop 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 
Friends Center 1501 Cherry Street, Phila. Led by Nonviolence and Children Working Group (NVC) of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
The $5.00 fee includes refreshments and materials, Please RSVP to Elke 215-241-7223 or elkem@PYM.org

March 2006. End the occupation of Iraq with a month of direct resistance against the war machine. Stop the recruiters in our schools, stop the military contractors, and stop the Pentagon. This month (the third anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq) will include lots of nonviolent civil resistance. For more information, please contact DC Anti-War Network (DAWN) at <stopthewarnow06@gmail.com> and Global Call to Action at <dm@aglobalcall.org>.
_____________________________________________________________________________

 Business Privilege Tax Reduction UPDATE & Call-In

       On Thursday, December 15, Council member Michael Nutter introduced an insignificant amendment to his bill in City Council, No. 050669, to reduce the Business Privilege Tax. The bill is now expected to be voted on Thursday, December 22.
        This bill still needs to be defeated.  Contact the City Council members listed below with brief messages: Vote NO on Nutter's bill (see above); and if necessary, sustain the Mayor's veto.  Include Nutter.  Skip Cohen; that seat is vacant.  All numbers are 215-686-.
          Real tax relief for real small businesses is needed, but this is not the way to do it.  What this will do is give away the City's treasury to the likes of Comcast, and we can't afford it, and the big corporations don't need it.  And, they are pushing a well-financed effort to get support for reduction/repeal, based on false arguments.  Part of the problem is that the state constitution requires flat taxes -- no progressive rates.  This needs to be changed, but that's a separate issue for action.
       The rationale is that a BPT reduction will create jobs, and the City has a big budget surplus.  Both of these premises are false.  (Other issues as well.)  What it will do is provide a big giveaway of the City treasury to the likes of Comcast; and they are only pushing it because they think that Council will fall for their phony arguments.  What it will do, if passed, is cost us all, heavily, as workers and as residents of Philadelphia.  Basic public services here are already in crisis from underfunding, and our municipal workforce is already understaffed in many areas. Like so many previous schemes to bring prosperity to Philadelphia, this too is a fake.
       Also, the following.  The City's pension fund is already seriously underfunded.  City contributions to our Health & Welfare Fund are up for re-negotiation next spring (2006).  This, especially, is no time to be giving away the City's finances to big business, for false claims of "jobs", etc.
       Contact the following City Council members with brief messages: Vote NO on Nutter's bill (see above); and if necessary, sustain the Mayor's veto.  Include Nutter.  All numbers are 215-686-


President phone no. fax no.

Anna C. Verna 3412 1932

At-Large


W. Wilson Goode, Jr. 3414 1928

Jack Kelly 3452 1925

James Kenney 3450 2013

Juan Ramos 3420 1930

Blondell Reynolds Brown 3438 1926

Frank Rizzo, Jr 3440 1929

District Members

1
Frank DiCicco 3458 1931
2
Anna Verna (President) 3412
1932
3
Jannie Blackwell 3418 1933
4
Michael Nutter 3416 1934
5
Darrell Clarke 3442 1901
6
Joan L. Krajewski 3444 1935
7
Richard Mariano 3448 1936
8
Donna Miller 3424 1937
9
Marian B. Tasco 3454 1938
10
Brian J. O'Neill 3422 1939

        You may also fax your district Council member + all the at-large members through www.Hallwatch.org.

===============
NATIONAL ACTION:

"Ideas for Change" for WakeUpWalMart.com in 2006.


This summer a Pennsylvania WakeUpWalMart.com supporter suggested we hold grassroots fundraisers at Wal-Mart stores to raise money for uninsured Wal-Mart workers. It was a good idea. So, we did it. With your help, we organized grassroots fundraisers at 116 Wal-Mart stores in 93 cities and 30 states raising thousands of dollars to help uninsured Wal-Mart workers.

        * * Please email your ideas to: ideasforchange@wakeupwalmart.com **

We have heard from many of you at film screenings, public forums, town halls, rallies, and house parties. We want to hear from all 161,000 of you. Tell us what you think will be the most effective way to change Wal-Mart in your community in 2006. ..... Be creative. Be imaginative. Be bold! 
Take a look at what you have accomplished over the past eight months:
http://www.wakeupwalmart.com/change/recent.html
We've only just begun. We are the most exciting movement in America. If you think about it, on every major socio-economic issue (living wage, affordable health care, gender equality, protecting children, etc.), Wal-Mart is the poster child for why corporate America needs to change.
        Have a great Holiday and Happy New Year. The best is yet to come, Paul Blank WakeUpWalMart.com
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________


 Ask Garth Brooks to Give Wal-Mart the Boot! 

Country star Garth Brooks has signed an exclusive deal with Wal-Mart. But it's likely that he, like most Americans who shop at Wal-Mart, has no idea about Wal-Mart's utter lack of respect for its workers and their rights. This holiday season, help Wal-Mart workers by urging Garth Brooks to reconsider his deal.
       
Tell Garth about Wal-Mart's anti-worker, anti-union campaign :
http://go.care2.com/e/idQ/Eo/LQpK
        Take this opportunity to let Garth know that when Wal-Mart workers try to form a union to negotiate for better wages, more affordable health care, and basic job protections, they often face threats, discrimination, intimidation, and even firings.  [mailto:mediaculture@care2.com]- http://www.care2.com
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Challenge AIPAC -  Lobby for Justice in Palestine -  It's in the American National Interest !

         Year after year, Congress passes pro-Israel legislation by large
> margins--few oppose it.  There is virtually no debate about whether such
> uncritical support for Israel is even in America's best interests.
> Some Congress people support Israel because they're Zionists  and
> believe in the Jewish state, some understand what is going on in
> Palestine and vote against their consciences because they fear for
their political lives.   Most, however, are grossly misinformed about the
> facts because  they hear ONLY from the Zionist community and its supporters.
        The case for Palestinian human rights has never been
> presented to them, and they are unaware that there are voters in their
> districts who support Palestinian rights.   The American Council on
> Middle East Policy (ACME) has been formed to change that. We want to
> recruit teams across America to visit their Congressmen in their home
> offices, district by district, to talk about Palestinian  rights, ask
> for achievable goals, and build a relationship.  ACME  will help by
> providing materials and guidance on setting up a meeting, approach, and
> follow up. Meeting with your Congressional representative is an extremely  interesting experience. 

If you would like to become an anti-AIPAC lobbyist or simply want to learn more, please email: Pallobby@aol.com.
___________________________________________________________________________________


Palestinian election:  Call for monitors

David Grant will be co-hosting the NP delegation.  The monitoring provides a wonderful opportunity for you to gain direct experience while providing a needed service.  Monitors will need to raise their own funds.  If you are able to go you will receive:
NP uniform shirt and ha. Opportunity to meet with other members of NP network. Briefing from IGC member Renad Qubbaj and Strategic Relations Director, David Grant. Opportunity to be listed on our international registry.
Reception for NP monitors.
Please apply directly to PNGO office at phone number +972-2-2963847 or fax number +972-2-2963848 or at e-mail gipp@pngo.net.  Let them know that you are a part of the Nonviolent Peaceforce.
______________________________________________________________


 Fr. Jean-Juste of Haiti Must Be Released Immediately: Diagnosed with Life-Threatening Medical Problems. By Bill Quigley, professor at Loyola University New Orleans School of Law and a volunteer lawyer for Pere Jean-Juste <duprestars@yahoo.com>

There is new urgency to the calls for the freedom of Haitian political prisoner Pere Jean-Juste, he is now facing very serious medical problems. Fr. Gerard Jean-Juste, sometimes called the Martin Luther King Jr of Haiti for his outspoken advocacy for the poor, for human rights, and for democracy, has been in jail in Haiti without charges since July 21. He was arrested after being attacked by a mob in a church - none of the mob were charged.  
        Contact the US Embassy in Haiti and demand they take every step necessary to secure the immediate release of Fr. Gerard Jean-Juste.  The unelected government of Haiti serves only at the pleasure of the US.   If the US wants Fr. Jean-Juste freed, he will be free. 
        Call the US Embassy in Haiti through the switchboard at:  011.509.222.0200 or fax them at 011.509.223.9038 or 011.509.223.1641. Email human rights officers Dana Banks or Kevin Higgins at banksd@state.gov and higginshkp@state.gov
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


CensureBush.org Campaign Launched in Response to New House Legislation- Democrats.com [
mailto:activist@democrats.com]

The AfterDowningStreet.org coalition, an alliance of over 100 grassroots organizations, has launched a new campaign called CensureBush.org in order to support new legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers that would censure President Bush and Vice President Cheney and create a select committee to investigate the Administration's possible crimes and make recommendations regarding grounds for impeachment.
        H.Res.635 would create a select committee - modeled after Sam Ervin's Watergate committee - to investigate the Administration's intent to go to war before congressional authorization, manipulation of pre-war intelligence, encouraging and countenancing torture, and retaliating against critics, and to make recommendations regarding grounds for possible impeachment.
        H.Res.636 and H.Res.637 would censure, respectively, Bush and Cheney for failing to respond to requests for information concerning allegations that they and others in the Administration misled Congress and the American people regarding the decision to go to war in Iraq, misstated and manipulated intelligence information regarding the justification for the war, countenanced torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment of persons in Iraq, and permitted inappropriate retaliation against critics of the Administration, for failing to adequately account for certain misstatements they made regarding the war, and - in the case of President Bush - for failing to comply with Executive Order 12958.
        These two efforts are complementary - H.Res.635 seeks accountability for the Bush administration's monumental crimes, while H.Res.636 and H.Res.637 seek accountability for their coverups.
                ** Ask your Congress Member to support these efforts! **
This website provides Congressional voting & contact info. If you sign up(as i did) you won't have to retype your info.
Click on this URL to take action: 
http://www.capwiz.com/apha/home/ or copy the URL and paste it into your Web browser.
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IMPEACHMENT HITS THE NEWS, Time for Impeachment, By Doug Ireland
http://www.impeachpac.org/?q=node/87
Rep. John Lewis Calls for Impeachment
http://www.impeachpac.org/?q=node/88
Se. Barbara Boxer Seeks Expert Opinions on Impeaching Bush
http://www.impeachpac.org/?q=node/90
Raising the Issue of Impeachment By John Nichols, The Nation
http://www.impeachpac.org/?q=node/97
______________________________________


FCNL / REACHING YOUR REP IN Washington

The January 2006 issue of the FCNL Washington Newsletter:
http://www.fcnl.org/now/pdf/2006/jan06.pdf.
January is a great month to reach your congressional representatives when they are at home in your state. So this month's Washington Newsletter is full of tips for how to best communicate with you members of Congress and the influence your voices have had on important issues in the past year.
Table of Contents:
Citizens Engaging Congress Make a Difference
http://www.fcnl.org/now/now_item.php?item_id=407&issue_id=53
Writing to Congress: How to Make a Difference
http://www.fcnl.org/now/now_item.php?item_id=409&issue_id=53
Changing the Dialogue about First Americans
http://www.fcnl.org/now/now_item.php?item_id=412&issue_id=53
Eight Tips for a Successful Lobby Visit
http://www.fcnl.org/now/now_item.php?item_id=414&issue_id=53
Small Steps Pave Way for More Success in 2006
http://www.fcnl.org/now/now_item.php?item_id=413&issue_id=53
____________________________________________________________


Stop the Drug Industry Bailout on Avian Flu

Public Citizen <publiccitizen@democracyinaction.org> wrote: Republican Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (Tenn.) is seizing on public fear of an avian flu epidemic to try to ram through a sweeping liability shield for the drug industry - one that will leave victims of many vaccine and drug injuries with no compensation. Your action is urgently needed to stop Sen. Frist and others from sneaking this harmful exemption into a must-pass defense spending bill.
Please visit:
http://action.citizen.org/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1687&SAAvianMem.
        Stay informed and speak out when it counts. Sign up for the Public Citizen Action Network.
        Go to:
http://action.citizen.org/signUp.jsp
_______________________________________________

Requesting your FBI File - If interested, here's the website:
http://foia.fbi.gov/

 
GOOD KARMA : FROM THE DALAI LAMA (and marlene santoyo)
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