CONTENTS:

PHILLY AREA ACTION:

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL ACTION:

COMMENTARY:

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PHILLY AREA ACTION:

 

Any Day Now, 

4, 000 U.S. Soldiers will have died in this war.

Iraqis who die -  and hundreds of thousands have - do so with no

notice in this country so we must)

Iraq War Death Toll Rush-Hour Solemn Vigil: Next Working Day

after the 4,000 U.S. war death is announced (www.icasualties.org),

5PM, Phila. City Hall (west side), 15th & Market Sts., Bell-tolling and

Silent Vigil, reading of names of war dead, Iraqi and U.S. 

Bring a flower, a picture, or some other expression of peace and

mourning for all the war dead.

brandywine@juno.com   www.brandywinepeace.com

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Show UP: Specter with Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia Monday at 6:30 Free Library

 

Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia members will be gathering at 6:25

outside the Free Library, 21st & Parkway on Monday evening in advance

of an author event where Senator Specter will speak about  his book

describing combating cancer while in the Senate.

      We will hold signs : We Celebrate Your Good Health

      War is A Disease Too / Bring the Troops Home / What about Habeas Corpus?

Grannies will give out palm cards and have folks sign petitions.

Grannies wear your smocks, t-shirts, hats, buttons.

      When: Monday, March 24           6:25-7pm

      Where: Free Library on the Parkway

      What: Senator Arlen Specter speaking at an author event

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Philly Palestine Film Festival Mar. 22 - Mar. 29

 

2008 marks the 60th year of Al Nakba - "the catastrophe" Al Nakba: 60 Days for 60 Years

      For the complete schedule of Al Nakba events, go to:

      <http://www.phillyalnakba.org/>.

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March 27 Seminar on the media and war propaganda

 

Bryn Mawr Peace Coalition-sponsored seminar on the use of the media to justify the Iraq war will take place this Thursday, March 27 from 7 - 9 p.m. at Villanova University in Bartley  room 1011. 

      Contact: Karen L. Barton, 714 Old Lancaster Road, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

      (610) 525-3784, astrique@aol.com

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The Third World Coalition of the American Friends Service Committee invites you to

            A Conversation with Don Rafael Cancel Miranda

 

Come and listen to Don Rafael Cancel Miranda, a leader in the struggle for Puerto Rico's independence and self-determination, for an open discussion on the Puerto Rican Political Prisoners, Grand Jury investigations of Puerto Rican Independentistas, and the ongoing struggle for a resolution to the island’s status as a colony of the United States.

      Thursday, April 3rd, 2008, 11 AM – 1 PM

      Friends Center – 1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA

CONTACT: Oskar Castro, National Youth & Militarism Program, American Friends Service Committee Phone:  215.241.7046, Cell:  267.266.8745, www.youth4peace.org

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Acknowledging the Past; Imagining the Future /

            Israelis and Palestinians on 1948 and the Right of Return

 

      Sunday, April 6, 6:00 PM Presentation and Fundraiser

Featuring Muhammad Jaradat of Badil and Eitan Bronstein of Zochrot

      RSVP to tgreen@afsc.org or philly@jvp.org for location

This speaking event in Philadelphia explores Israeli and Palestinian experiences of 1948, the creation of the Palestinian refugee crisis and the role of the right of return in any just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

      Co-sponsored by The American Friends Service Committee and

      Jewish Voice for Peace – Philadelphia.

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What an exhilarating weekend.... Phila Barack Obama Hq, as a volunteer

 

I spent the better part of Saturday and Sunday at the Phila Barack Obama Hq, as a volunteer

If you are interested in volunteering, the office is open 7 days a week from 9:00AM to 9:00PM, and is located at 1500 Sansom St, 2 blocks from the 15th exit of PATCO.   You can just walk in, and you will be put to work.   

David Kalkstein

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ONGOING EVENTS (Daily/Weekly):

 

Contact members of Congress

a. Capitol Switchboard is 1-800-828-0498 or to call anyone in Congress.

b. Use the following excellent link:  http://www.capwiz.com/ncec/home

 

Mondays:

5-6 PM - Newtown Peace Vigil at the corner of the Newtown By- Pass,route 332, and the Newtown-               Richboro Road. For more information, call Sister Jean at 215-968-2262.

 

6:00-9:00 p.m.   Weekly ACT UP Meeting  St. Luke's Church, 330 S. 13th St., Philadelphia, PA.

                            For info, email actupphilly@critpath.org

 

5:00-7:00 p.m.   Radio Show: "Labor to Neighbor" with hosts Janet  Ryder, Pat Eiding & Pete                         Matthews, 900 AM WURD--215-634-8065.

 

Tuesdays:

6-7 PM - Doylestown Peace Vigil  at the intersection of State and  Main in Doylestown.

                 All are welcome to join  and we have signs to use if  you wish.

 

7:00-9:00 p.m.   Organizing Meeting ,  Toviah Thrift Shop Chestnut 

            St. (between 42nd & 43rd.  Call (215) 382-7251, box 1 for info  

            Sponsored by Neighbors Against McPenntrification

 

Wednesdays:

4:30-5:30 p.m. Peace Vigil  Federal Building, 601 Market St., Philadelphia, PA

                         Sponsored by House of Grace Catholic Worker

                         For info, email brandywine@juno.com .

 

5:00 p.m.     Vigil for Peace Outside Unitarian Society of Germantown, 6511 Lincoln Dr.,                         Philadelphia, PA (in Mt Airy)

                     For info, see http://www.northwestpeacecoalition.org.

 

7:00 p.m.   Peace Vigil Germantown Ave. & Bethlehem Pike, Chestnut  Hill, Philadelphia, PA

                    For info, see http:// www.northwestpeacecoalition.org.

 

Thursdays:

6-7 PM - Levittown Vigil for Peace and Remembrance.

         Meet/park at 1631 Edgely Road in Levittown and walk to corner of Rt. 13 and Edgely.               Sponsored by PA Action. Call Robin at 267-240-9819 

 

Fridays:

NOON: Grandparents (Bubbies & Zaydes) for Peace in the Middle East

                 Plan to join us any Friday on S 15th Street above Locust.

                 Vigil and witness for justice and peace in Palestine/ Israel.

 

4:30 p.m.   Anti-war leafleting and picket Market & 11th Sts.,  Philadelphia, PA.

            or info, email pawf@critpath.org

 

5:00 p.m.   Vigil--Women in Black

            Swarthmore Train Station, Park Ave. & Chester  Rd., Swarthmore, PA

            For info, email wibswarthmore@hotmail.com.

 

 5-5:30 PM - Phoenixville Peace Vigil at corner of Bridge and Main 

            in downtown Phoenixville.

 

5-6 PM -  Honk for Peace on Final Friday (every month)  at Broad and Cherry/in front of the              Recruiters Office. Stand with signs and conviction until the war is finally over-               remembering the  American soldiers have who have died in Iraq  and scores of Iraqis             whose names  will never be known. Take your stand, lend your support, bring a sign.

                Celeste Zappala, Gold Star Families Speak Out

 

9:30 PM -  Bill Moyers Journal on PBS.

          

10:30PM -  David Brancachio's NOW, on PBS.

 

Saturdays:

10-11 AM - Sellersville Peace Vigil at Main St. and Temple Ave.

                     sponsored by Upper Bucks Coalition for Peace Action.

                     Call Angela at 215-257-1300 for more information.

 

10:00 a.m. to noon - "Talking Union" weekly call-in radio show, 1340 AM

 

11AM-Noon - Bryn Mawr Honk to Impeach Rally will be held at the 

            Lancaster Ave and Bryn Mawr Ave. intersection

            by Ludington Library. Sponsored by Main Line Citizens for Impeachment.

            Call Jane Dugdale at 610-527-4170.

 

Noon-1:00 p.m.   Peace Vigil Rte. 38 & Cherry Hill Mall Dr., Cherry  Hill, NJ

                         For info, email  greatercamdenunitycoalition@yahoo.com

 

1:00-2:00 p.m.   Protest at Ferber Furs 1708 Walnut St.,  Philadelphia, PA

                 For info, email phillyar@yahoogroups.com.

 

7:30 p.m.       Books Through Bars Packing Cafe The A Space, 4722 Baltimore Ave., Philadelphia,

                Help pack books to send to prisoners. Email  info@booksthroughbars.org

 

M-F:

8 a.m., noon, 7 p.m., midnight, Excellent TV program "Democracy Now" with Amy Goodman

                  DUTV Ch. 54 on WYBE (Channel 20 or 35 in some areas;       3,48,62,99 in others.

                  You can also listen daily on the internet at http://www.democracynow.org/

 

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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL ACTION:

 

MOVEON.ORG asks, “Did you hear Barack Obama's incredible speech on race in America?”

 

It was honest and moving. You should definitely check it out—especially since the media soundbites really missed the point. You can watch or read the whole speech here: http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3511&id=12333-6403956-AEBaYh&t=546

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Urgent Appeal to Help Fund Delegates from Costa Rica and Colombia to Mexico City Conference

 

We are less than two weeks away from the Second Continental Conference Against "Free Trade" and Privatizations, which will be held in Mexico City. We are writing to ask for your financial support to the Special Travel Fund for this important event. [For more info, in Spanish, on the conference, please go to www.encuentrocontinental.org.]

      Our U.S. Support Committee has been approached by leaders of the anti-CAFTA protest movement in Costa Rica with the request that we help them with a matching fund to assist their delegation to travel to Mexico City. We also have been asked for financial help from trade unionists in Colombia, who daily face paramilitary death squads. Anti-corporate-globalization student activists at UC Santa Cruz, DeAnza College, UCLA and UC San Diego also have contacted us requesting financial assistance so they can be part of this organizing conference and come back with renewed energy to wage this hemispheric struggle for labor, human and environmental rights.

      We need to raise $2,500 -- a very modest sum -- in one week to enable 12 people attend the Mexico Conference -- which will be an extremely importance gathering of unionists and activists from more than 20 countries.

      We urge you and/or your organization (union locals, community groups, coalitions, campus organizations, etc.) to contribute to this fund. We need to hear from you before Friday, March 28, so that we can purchase the airline tickets for these activists. Please fill out the Pledge Coupon below and return it to us ASAP to <ilcinfo@earthlink.net>. And please make your checks payable to WHC (or Western Hemisphere Conference) and send to WHC, San Francisco Labor Council, 1188 Franklin St. #203, San Francisco, CA 94109.

(All funds raised beyond the $2,500 goal will go to help defray the conference expenses.)

Thanks in advance for your support. In solidarity,

Eduardo Rosario and Alan Benjamin, Co-Coordinators Open World Conference Continuations Committee

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CONFERENCE TRAVEL FUND DRIVE PLEDGE COUPON

[     ]    I pledge $ ____ toward the Conference Fund to help with travel matching-fund scholarships for unionists and student activists with limited funds from Costa Rica, Colombia and the United States.

NAME

 

CITY

 

STATE

 

TEL.

 

EMAIL

 

[Fill out and mail this Pledge Coupon to <ilcinfo@earthlink.net>. Make your checks payable to WHC (or Western Hemisphere Conference) and send to WHC, San Francisco Labor Council, 1188 Franklin St. #203, San Francisco, CA 94109.

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Please sign the Open Letter to the Candidates for Single payer national health program

 

Please consider

(1) signing the below “Open Letter to the Candidates,” which supports a single payer national health program, and

(2) passing the link on to interested colleagues (and they do not have to be physicians). 

It is sponsored by my organization, Physicians for a National Health Program. 

 Tim (& Diane) Lachman

The link is:

https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/307/t/5720/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=3304

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Water: Our Most Precious Resource

 

USA Today recently reported that huge increases in water and sewer bills are on the way in many places as cities and towns try to deal with their aging pipes and “artificially low prices.”

Some Atlanta, Ga., communities are about to get scalded by increases of 50 to 100 percent, putting them in line with what residents in Michigan, Arizona and even Florida are about to face as well.

      While we can’t do much to change the rates, one way to keep a lid on out-of-control costs is to use less water. American Water & Energy Savers, of Florida, have put together a list of 49 ways to save water. Here are my favorites:

 

1. Never put water down the drain when there may be another use for it, such as watering a plant or garden, or cleaning.

2. Verify that your home is leak-free, because many homes have hidden water leaks. Here’s how to test: Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.

3. Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at the rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons per year which will add to the cost of water and sewer utilities, or strain your septic system.

4. Check for toilet tank leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the toilet bowl within 30 minutes. Check the toilet for worn out, corroded or bent parts. Most replacement parts are inexpensive, readily available and easily installed. (Flush as soon as test is done, since food coloring may stain the tank.)

5. Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects and other such waste in the trash rather than the toilet.

6. Take shorter showers. Replace you showerhead with an ultra-low-flow version. Some units are available that allow you to cut off the flow without adjusting the water temperature knobs.

7. Use the minimum amount of water needed for a bath by filling the tub only one-third full. Stopper the tub before turning on the water. The initial burst of cold water can be warmed by adding hot water later.

8. Don’t let water run while shaving or washing your face. Brush your teeth first while waiting for water to get hot, then wash or shave after filling the basin.

9. Operate automatic dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are fully loaded, or properly set the water level for the size of load you are using.

10. Store drinking water in the refrigerator rather than letting the tap run every time you want a cool glass of water.

Go to www.americanwater.com to read the other 39 ways to save water.

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COMMENTARY:

 

* Take Back America: Green Jobs for a Stronger Economy By Seth Michaels

http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/03/19/take-back-america-green-jobs-for-a-stronger-economy/

Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=318OEVIYBns

The climate crisis isn't a reason for despair-it's an opportunity to strengthen our economy as we're improving our environment, say the panelists of 'A New Green Deal,' a session held at Take Back America 2008.

 

* States' Data Obscure How Few Finish High School

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/032008P.shtml

Sam Dillon reports for The New York Times: "When it comes to high school graduation rates, Mississippi keeps two sets of books. One team of statisticians working at the state education headquarters here recently calculated the official graduation rate at a respectable 87 percent, which Mississippi reported to Washington. But in another office piled with computer printouts, a second team of number crunchers came up with a different rate: a more sobering 63 percent."

 

* US Pushed Allies on Iraq, Diplomat Writes

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/032308A.shtml

Colum Lynch, writing for The Washington Post, reports, "In the months leading up to the US-led invasion of Iraq, the Bush administration threatened trade reprisals against friendly countries who withheld their support, spied on its allies, and pressed for the recall of UN envoys that resisted US pressure to endorse the war, according to an upcoming book by a top Chilean diplomat."

 

* Japan's Okinawans Rally Against US Military Crimes

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/032308F.shtml

Linda Sieg, writing for Reuters, reports, "Thousands of Okinawans rallied on Sunday to protest crimes by US troops and demand a smaller US military presence on the southern Japanese island after last month's arrest of a Marine on suspicion of raping a schoolgirl."

 

* An Uncluttered Calendar, Clinton's schedules reveal curious deletions, Michael Isikoff and Mark Hosenball, Newsweek Web Exclusive, http://www.newsweek.com/id/124271>

 

* Cynthia McKinney: A discussion of race worth having- A Message from Cynthia McKinney

http://www.runcynthiarun.org/DiscussionOfRaceThatMatters