CONTENTS

PHILLY AREA ACTION:

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL ACTION:

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Inauguration celebration in Philly Jan.20, 11 am-2 pm

 

Can't make it to Washington? Please join us!

(Neighborhood Networks, Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia, Philadelphia NOW, et al.)

 

Watch and celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama as president of the United States.

      The Fox and Hound, at 1501 Spruce Street in Philadelphia

      Tuesday, January 20th.  11 am to 2 pm, or later

 

Please forward widely. John Hogan 215-753-2657 & Neighborhood Networks

Marlena Santoyo, 215-247-4385 Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia

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Saturday, January 17th / Honor King's legacy, Stop the War(s)!

        Yes, We Can! Rally and Parade for Peace

 

      Reception: 9am-10:30am at William Way Center 1315 Spruce St

      Rally: 11am - Philadelphia City Hall West side (15th & Market)

      Parade to Barack Obama's People's Inauguration Train Launch Event (TBA)

 

(Time of rally and parade subject to change depending on President-elect Obama's schedule)

For more information: Brandywine Peace Community 610-544-1818 brandywine@juno.com Penn Action 267-240-9819 rstelly@pennaction.org, Coalition for Peace Action 609-924-5022 cfpa@peacaction.org

Posters & flyers to be downloaded, printed and distributed

 -http://www.ufpj-dvn.org/Images_090117_demo.html

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Saturday, January 17, 2009:  Prevent Gun Violence March to Jericho,

 

leaving at 2:45 p.m. from Broad and Poplar, marching to a rally in front of a gun shop at 9th and Spring Garden at 3:30 p.m.  This is an interfaith event,  organized by Father Paul Washington's son.  This is an on-going interfaith effort.  There are about 30 different churches actively involved.  Contact:  (267) 519-5302 or email them at saturday@peacegathering2009.org.

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Herbal Workshop this Saturday, January 10th, 10-11:30  - Teas and Tinctures:

 

Some herbs are more effective used as a tea and some as a tincture.  Tea making is a very healing and creative practice.  We will learn which herbs to use, for how long to cook or steep them, how to make them taste good, and when to drink them.  We will also cover the simple process of tincture making.  Tinctures are a more concentrated medicine than tea, last longer, and are made with alcohol or can be alcohol free.  They tend to be fairly expensive in stores, so we will learn an easy and affordable way to make tinctures for our specific needs.

$20 per class, or $100 for all 7 (please check asarumbotanicals.com for other workshops) Classes will be held at Sabina Broadhead’s Acupuncture office, Mt. Pleasant Apartments (Mount Airy, Philadelphia) Call or email Dorene to register or for more information 215.490.8323, dorene@asarumbotanicals.com

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Just back from Afghanistan: Peter Lems, AFSC, Sun., at Potluck/Program

 

"Afghanistan: Report on the 'Good War' "

Just back from Afghanistan: Peter Lems, national staff,

American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) will speak this

Sunday, January 11, at the Brandywine Peace Community

monthly potluck supper* and program, 4:30 p.m., University

Lutheran Church, 3637 Chestnut St. (37th & Chestnut St.)

Phila., PA. Program at 5:30 p.m.will include a PowerPoint presentation.

*Bring a main dish, salad, or dessert to share for potluck supper.

Join us Sunday, spread the word, and bring your friends. Find

out more about the war in Afghanistan and ways to work for peace.

 

Brandywine Peace Community

 (610) 544-1818   brandywine@juno.com   www.brandywinepeace.com

______________________________________________________________

 

 

Jamie and Stelle Sheller cordially invite you to a reception in support of:

Seth Williams, Esq.(Candidate for District Attorney of Philadelphia)

 

This is an opportunity to discuss with Seth his impressive

public safety record and the programs, issues, and policies

that he believes will make our community a safer place.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

5:00 pm – 7:30 pm 920 Morris Ave. ~ Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

R.S.V.P.  610-520-2204 or stellesheller@yahoo.com

==============================================

 

ONGOING EVENTS (Daily/Weekly):

 

To contact members of Congress

a. Capitol Switchboard is 1-800-828-0498 or 1-866-340-9281 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

 

 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 more 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: Unitarian Society of Germantown, 6511

Lincoln Dr.,                              Philadelphia, PA   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 for more information.

 

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.

                  For 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.

                With Celeste Zappala, Gold Star Families Speak Out

 

5-6 PM  last Friday of each month. -  Code Pink will pass out leaflets

outside Sen. Casey's                Philadelphia Office at 20th and

Market Sts.

 

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.

 

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,             PA Help pack books to send to

prisoners.   Email info@booksthroughbars.org

 

           

Media- TV & Radio

 

M-F:

8 a.m., noon, 6 p.m., midnight, TV program "Democracy Now" with Amy Goodman DUTV Ch. 54 on WYBE (Channel 20 or 35(Philly) in some areas; 3,48,62,99 in others. You can also listen daily on the internet at http://www.democracynow.org/

 

Mondays:

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.

 

Fridays:

9:30 PM -  Bill Moyers Journal on PBS.

          Veteran journalist Bill Moyers on PBS with public affairs interviews.

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

 

Saturdays:

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

 

 

 ===========================

 

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL ACTION: 

 

Urgent Pro-Peace Congressional Action Needed Now

CALL YOUR REP.  AND SENS. TODAY!: FREE CALL-800-828-0498   

 

SAMPLE SCRIPT:

 

Hi, my name is [first name] [last name] from [hometown], [state]. As a

(Jewish) constituent who supports Israel, I urge the Senator [or

Representative] to call for U.S. leadership in establishing an immediate

ceasefire in Gaza and southern Israel by all sides in concert with the

international community. 

      If the [Senator/Representative] intends to make a statement about the

crisis, I ask that it acknowledge the suffering and civilian injuries

and deaths on both sides.   

      I very much hope that we see an end to the hostilities very soon. Thank you.

 

After you have called, please email dcoffice@btvshalom.org

<mailto:dcoffice@btvshalom.org>  and let us know which Representative

and Senators you have contacted so that we can tally our contacts with each.

 

Several members of Congress have told us that if every Senator and

Representative receives at least 20 pro-Israel, pro-peace phone calls

from our supporters, it will make a significant difference in how they

feel they can respond. Our members of Congress need our support to make

a statement that would truly be in the best interests of Israelis and

Palestinians.  The U.S. must support conflict resolution, not escalation.

 

Please be one of those 20 (or more)!  Call your Senators and

Representative immediately.

__________________________________________________

 

Life in Gaza: Video & Interview

http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/519.html

-----------------------------------------

 

Gaza: On-Line Crisis Resource Center & Action Plans

 

As of this writing, over 540 Palestinians - at least 30% unarmed civilians - have been killed in Israel's assault on Gaza. Protests demanding an end to the attacks are ongoing, as are efforts to educate the public about the reasons for Israel's assault and the underlying nature of the Israel-Palestine conflict. War Times calls your attention to two places where you can find up-to-date, accessible information and analyses, as well as suggestions about how you can raise your voice:

 

1. The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) has developed on online Gaza Crisis Resource Center at http://www.adc.org .  This new tool, designed to serve as a primary source of information, incorporates several resources on the Gaza attacks including:

 

 *A factual timeline of the events leading up to the Israeli attacks.

 *Reliable articles on the situation in Gaza.

 *A list of UN responses and statements on the tragedy.

 *A list of credible media sources.

 *A continuously updated resource on the numbers of killed and injured.

 *An instructive link on contacting the media about the tragedy in Gaza.

 *An instructive link on contacting elected representatives including President-elect Obama.

 *A list of protests, rallies, and vigils taking place nationwide.

Go to the online Resource Center at:

http://www.adc.org 

 

      2. The U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation has published a new downloadable fact sheet, "Israel is Killing Palestinians in Gaza w/U.S. Weapons" as part of its emergency campaign, "Take Action: End Israel's Attack on Gaza."

For the fact sheet and full information, go to:       http://www.endtheoccupation.org/article.php?id=1775

You can sign on to War Times/Tiempo de Guerras e-mail Announcement List (2-4 messages per month, including our Month in Review column) at

:http://www.war-times.org.

--------------------------

 

T-Shirts to support Gaza... [JVP Talk] From:<dunyaalwan@gmail.com>

 

I'm in the West Bank and working with a friend in Boston to make some

t-shirts to support Gaza. They say "Gaza on my mind" and "Our hearts are with you Gaza"

in English & Arabic.

> 

> The idea is that it's important to demonstrate support for the 

> people of Gaza as much as possible and wearing the shirts is one way.  This 

> is also a fundraiser and the shirts will raise money that will be sent to 

> Gaza mostly likely to fund medical supplies.

 

Please forward the link to the store:

http://247463.spreadshirt.com/-/-/Shop/

 

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Non-Violent Sign ideas for a Demonstration

 

I think that often the way these demonstrations/counter-demonstrations  are perceived by the public and the press is that one side is "pro- Israel" and the other side "pro-Palestinian."  That's not a helpful way to gain support or educate people. 

 

Carry signs saying things like

"Stop all attacks on civilians." "Respect International Law."  "Human rights for all."  "Peace through  negotiations."  "Cease fire now."  etc. -to show that you/we are for peace, security and justice for both peoples.

______________________________________________________________

 

 

Vote for single payer on Obama's web site

 

Please use the Obama web site to vote your support for the single-payer position. The Obama transition team is soliciting questions from the public via their web site. Visitors may "vote" for the best questions, which will then be responded to by the Obama team.

      As of this writing, single-payer questions have been voted #2 and #3 under the "health care" section. Please help us vote them to the top and send a strong message to the Obama team and the new Congress that the American public favors single payer, not incremental band-aids.

 

http://change.gov/openforquestions

In addition, we encourage you to submit your own questions which will highlight the inadequacies of the Obama proposal. Sample questions are reprinted below the instructions which follow:

-----------------------------------------------

Instructions for Voting / Submitting Questions

1. Visit http://change.gov/openforquestions

2. Click the small "Sign In" text on the right-hand side of the screen. Sign-in with your email and password on the right. (If you haven't signed-in before, just fill out the short form on the left.)

3. Under "pick a topic" on the left-hand side of the screen, click "health care."

4. Questions will appear in a box in the middle. Skip the large question in the blue box and scroll down. Immediate below the large blue question will be leading questions. Two excellent ones should be near the top:

 

"We all recognize the insurance industry is the problem, not lack of insurance--what are you going to do about getting single payer (government) health care, as other progressive countries throughout the industrialized world have done?"

 

"What are the obstacles to implementing the single-payer health care used in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia? With a growing number of unemployed or underemployed in 2009, will your administration work towards single-payer as a goal?"

(Note: More good questions may have appeared by the time you read this. You may want to examine others if you have time)

 

5. To vote for these questions, click the small "check" box beside it.

6. To Submit a question, click the "submit a question" box at the bottom of the screen and type it in. Here are some example questions:

Employer-based coverage continues to steadily deteriorate, leaving millions without access to care due to costs and hundreds of thousands facing medical bankruptcy even though they're insured. Why should we use this defective system as the as the foundation of reform when research shows single-payer national health insurance could provide comprehensive, universal care for no more than we're paying now?

 

Subsidy and individual mandate schemes have failed to achieve universal coverage anywhere they've been tried…including most recently in Massachusetts. Rather than reprising these mistakes, wouldn't it be better to move to a proven system - single-payer national health insurance - which has already afforded other industrialized countries healthier populations at lower costs?

 

Sincerely,

Quentin Young, MD, National Coordinator, Physicians for a National Health Program     Physicians for a National Health Program

      Phone (312) 782-6006 | Fax: (312) 782-6007 www.pnhp.org | info@pnhp.org

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Consumer Reports[R]/ GreenerChoices.org[SM] /Products for a Better Planet

 

In this issue:

  - Consumers Union calls for BPA ban

  - New ways to recycle your old TV

  - Find first-rate deals at secondhand shops

Find this information useful? Send this newsletter to your friends

by visiting the link below.

http://email.consumerreports.org/r/c/r?2.1.3JT.2Vr.11iVt4.CH%2afxi..T.Dptm.1RVe.MSMEfL00

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Consumers Union calls for BPA ban. In our latest move to protect the

public from the potentially harmful effects of bisphenol-A, CU is

urging the FDA to ban the chemical in children's products while the

agency reevaluates its research. Get our complete BPA coverage.

http://email.consumerreports.org/r/c/r?2.1.3JT.2Vr.11iVt4.CH%2afxi..T.Dpta.1RVe.LQUEef00

-------------------------------------------------------------------- 

New ways to recycle your old TV. Combine the holiday shopping season

with Super Bowl Sunday and the upcoming digital transition, and what

do you get? Millions of old TVs that should be recycled. Find out

where to recycle your TV.

http://email.consumerreports.org/r/c/r?2.1.3JT.2Vr.11iVt4.CH%2afxi..T.Dptc.1RVe.LWIEfB00 

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Find first-rate deals at secondhand shops. The slumping economy might

spell trouble for retail, but resale is booming. Find out how and

where to seek out quality merchandise at bargain prices.

http://email.consumerreports.org/r/c/r?2.1.3JT.2Vr.11iVt4.CH%2afxi..T.Dpte.1RVe.LbcEfD00

--------------------------------------------------------------------

GreenerChoices.org Newsletter is a FREE monthly e-newsletter with

updates from Consumer Reports GreenerChoices.org.

http://email.consumerreports.org/r/c/r?2.1.3JT.2Vr.11iVt4.CH%2afxi..T.Dptg.1RVe.MBQEfF00

 

Just click on the above links to find green product ratings, buying

guides, expert safety advice, and more. You can read back issues of

the newsletter in the Newsroom.

http://email.consumerreports.org/r/c/r?2.1.3JT.2Vr.11iVt4.CH%2afxi..T.Dpti.1RVe.MHEEfH00

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Women Artists & Activists: Fabric of Peace

 

The Regional Center for Women in the Arts is producing an art quilt. 

The project is titled "The Fabric of Peace" - Women artists communicate peace through global interaction.

If you would like to be part of this project, contact my friend, Valetta at R.C.W.A. and she will send you a 10"X10" fabric swatch and information about participation. Contact: valetta.rcwa@comcast.net.          

===============

 

A Message From Rabbi Linda of Mishkan Shalom

 

Shalom-

 

I have been heartsick about Israel's attacks on Gaza. I've been reading

different points of view and have heard arguments made in every

direction. Yet one thing is extremely clear to me. Israel is not

behaving like the country I love. Israel is not living up to the values

of justice and compassion that I was raised to believe it would always

live by. And the acts that Israel has committed during the past few days

have been deplorable.

We know that there are people in Gaza who pride themselves on

terrorizing Israel, on sending missiles, and on causing pain and

suffering. That too is deplorable. But I was never taught that we Jews

would respond to small acts of violence by causing larger ones, by

killing and injuring even more people, by showing the world that we are

'the toughest guys on the block'.

In one article I read yesterday, the analyst explained that by attacking

so harshly, Israel would guarantee that their Arab neighbors would once

again truly fear them; recently the fear has not been as great. This

felt like the saddest commentary imaginable. What happened to the

country I used to look up to, the one where soldiers cried if they

killed one person? Where is the goal of making peace being achieved by

Israeli soldiers bombing and killing hundreds of men, women, and

children? How can we turn away and say, "But they have hurt us as well"?

 

I strongly condemn the tactics of the terrorists in Gaza that frighten,

injure, and kill Israelis. But as a Jew, it is my responsibility to look

most closely at my own country. It is my responsibility to judge my own

people and to hold them accountable.

Each of us needs to make our own decisions about Israel and Palestine.

And most difficult, each of us needs to learn to respect each other's

decisions, however they may differ from our own.

I need to stand up and make the statement that I do stand with those who

condemn the acts of the Israeli military in Gaza. I will attend the

rally this afternoon (4PM at the Israeli Consulate, 1880 JFK Boulevard)

wearing a kippah so that everyone there knows that we Jews are able to

look at Israel honestly and critically. I have a deep love for Israel.

Because of that love, I cannot stand by and not speak up.

I am a firm believer in the 'big tent' philosophy for our community.

Mishkan members are all free to see this and every other issue

differently. I do not expect everyone to see things as I do. I just want

to be clear about my own feelings of sadness and anger. I may see some

of you at the rally this afternoon. I hope to have the opportunity to

talk with anyone who would like to discuss this situation with me. There

are several programs on Israel/Palestine at Mishkan during the next few

months. I hope that our conversation at these programs and at other less

formal moments may be honest, respectful, and heartfelt.

 

L’shalom,

Rabbi Linda Holtzman

_____________________

 

* Deepak Chopra | Nine Steps to Peace

http://www.truthout.org/010109A

"The following is a memo to Barack Obama from Deepak Chopra ... 'You have been elected by the first anti-war constituency since 1952, when Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected after promising to end the Korean War. But ending a war isn't the same as bringing peace. America has been on a war footing since the day after Pearl Harbor, 67 years ago. We spend more on our military than the next 16 countries combined. If you have a vision of change that goes to the heart of this country's deep problems, ending our dependence on war is far more important than ending our dependency on foreign oil.'"

 

* The Long March of the Cuban Revolution, Ricardo Alarcon de Quesada

Monthly Review

<http://www.monthlyreview.org/090101alarcon.php>

 

* Cynthia McKinney: We Lived to Tell the Story; Lebanon Rescued Us

We lived to tell the story. Karl's incredible reporting, just a portion of our story, can be seen on CNN at:

http://www.cnn. com/2008/ WORLD/meast/ 12/30/gaza. aid.boat/ index.html