What a busy day

Here are some photos from my busy day. My first stop was the It's Our Healthcare booth at the San Diego LGBT Pride festival.



Yes, that's me. Please note I'd just taken a very long walk because I was too impatient to wait for the bus to take me up the hill from the trolley station. It wreaked havoc on my 'do.


This is Richard Barrera from SEIU. The background obviously isn't from the It's Our Healthcare booth. Those were our neighbors. Nice neighbors, eh?

These two lovely people are Jeffery and Camilla at the It's Our Healthcare booth.

While working the booth we asked people to write down a few sentences about their problems and worries about the current healthcare system, and then we attached a Polaroid photo of them to the story. That way every story collected has a face. They all get sent to our representatives in Sacramento, to show them the California faces that want and need healthcare reform now.

When I finished there I strolled across the street to the San Diego Democratic Club booth where I registered voters with other San Diego Democratic Party and Democratic Club volunteers.
This last photo is of Jack and Agnes. I swear these two alone have probably registered half of San Diego's Democratic voter. I see them everywhere.
I personally registered 7 (count 'em, seven) new voters. We were pretty darn busy, and I'm curious about the final total. The Pride festival is one of the best voter registration efforts every year.

The Democratic Club booth had a few guests. Marty Block was there registering voters. He is currently the President of the Board of Trustees of the San Diego Community College District and he's running for the California State Assembly in the 78th District. Todd Gloria also came by for a while. He's running for San Diego City Council in the 3rd District. And speaking of Todd Gloria, he recently launched his campaign blog, and it's really nicely done.

Congresswoman Susan Davis stopped by too, but she zipped in and zipped out. I didn't even have a chance to say boo...or anything else.

So that's it for today! Tune in again tomorrow!

I'm going to go put my feet up now.

Adam Kokesh defends his right of dissent

Adam Kokesh of Iraq Veterans Agaisnt the War will be facing a military hearing on Monday for participating in the anti-war actions shown in the video below. He's been discharged from active duty already, but is still in the reserves and the charge is that he was wearing his uniform at a political event. Kokesh was wearing cammos with no military insignia.

The following is video of the Iraq Veterans Against the War street theatre in New York called Operation First Casualty...The Truth.



Marine Vet Adam Kokesh Defends Right of Dissent



VFW Backs Vet in Trouble Over Protest

Col. Dave Lapan, a Marine Corps spokesman, said Kokesh is under administrative review because he wore his uniform at a political event, which is prohibited.

Oh really? But it's ok for Bush to use our military as a political prop as he did when he gave his little mission accomplished speech on the Abraham Lincoln? Interesting.

Upcoming activist events in San Diego

Tomorrow, March 31, is Cesar Chavez's birthday, and there will be a march and celebration of his life in San Diego. Here's a link to a map with the march route.

Monday, April 2, 7PM: Peace Activist, S. Brian Willson will speak at the Church of the Brethren, located at 3850 Westgate Place in San Diego. On September 1st, 1987, Brian lost both legs when during a civil disobedience action when he was run over by a munitions train in Northern California. The bombs and weapons aboard this train were bound for the US-supported terrorist forces in Central America.

Donation requested. Sponsored by the Sa Diego Coalition for Peace and Justice and Activist San Diego.

Friday, April 6, 7PM: Granny D is coming to the First UU Church in San Diego.

Doris "Granny D" Haddock, who walked across the U .S. for "Campaign Finance Reform" at 90, keynotes the "Defending Democracy Forum," with a public talk on "Empowering Diverse People To Work Together for Important Goals." Musical entertainment will be provided by the dynamic husband and wife team of Karl and Jeanne Anthony.

The location will be the 1st Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego Meeting House at 4190 Front Street San Diego. The suggested donation is $10, but no one will be turned away.

There will be a Reception For Granny D in the Common Room at 5 PM where she'll sign her book Granny D: You're Never Too Old To Raise A Little Hell. The suggested donation for the reception is $25.

Fast for Peace in San Diego, Tuesday pm

After work tonight I went downtown to see how Fernando is doing on the first day of his fast. I thought of him this morning when I woke up, and it was raining and windy and freezing. Not Buffalo freezing, but definitely San Diego freezing. Downtown is right on the waterfront too, so it gets a little extra chilly. I didn't know if he had anyone with him or not, and I keep thinking about him while I was at work. So at the end of my day I hopped on the trolley and went downtown. Of course, he wasn't alone.

It's not been raining since this morning, but the wind blew hard and cold all day long. When I arrived at the Federal Building, there they were...Six of them bundled up in layers of clothes and sleeping bags on the sidewalk. There were introductions all around, and shamefully I am now unable to remember any one's name except Fernando who I already knew, and Jeeni Cricenzo. Jeeni ran for Congress in the 49th District in 2006, and she also has a consistantly good blog at Daily Kos.

At one point a cop stopped by and said he'd be working the night shift and would check on them periodically to make sure no one was bothering them. They only have a 6 am to 6 pm permit to be in the plaza at the federal building, and they had to move away from there during the night. There's a place right across the street, that was actually a little more sheltered, and Fernando asked the cop if they could set up a small tarp they had with them in case it started raining again. No problem.

I hung around for a while, but had told my husband I wouldn't be too long, so I left around 5:45. They were planning a candlelight vigil from 6 to 9 and people were starting to arrive.

To spice things up a bit, on the way home on the trolly three (redacted) kids jumped a fence and threw a rock or some other projectile at the trolley. It hit a window, and shards of glass flew everywhere. It scared the bejeezus out of me and everyone else on the train. Luckily, no one was hurt, and that's a whole different story anyway.

When I got home, hubby told me it had HAILED shortly before I got home. Freaky weather in SD.

I told him about everyone down at the federal building, and he said, "let's take them a tent." What a nice guy I married! We drove down there with my son's 2-3 person dome tent, and I think that's just what the doctor ordered.

Did I mention it's freezing out there? Good grief.

Hubby saved the day again after watching four of us who'd never put a tent together, try to put a tent together in the wind. Good times. Of course, the News Guy filmed that unintentionally bit of comedy. Thankfully, my husband quickly found a spot to park, and gave us an emergency lesson in tent building. Whew. Jeeni climbed right in, so I think it was a hit. Now I won't worry so much about them out there in the weather while they're doing what needs to be done. It's important work to remind people of the needless suffering that this war has caused.

If you have time, go say hello. Join them, hold a sign for a bit, or just give them a little moral support.

Fast for Peace in San Diego

March 27th is the 4-year anniversary of the death of Jesus Alberto Suarez del Solar, USMC Lance Corporal. The Guerrero Azteca Peace Project invites the community to a 48-hour fast to honor the memory of Jesus Suarez del Solar, and to show opposition to the Iraq War.

The two day fast is to symbolize the two hours it took for Jesus to receive medical treatment after stepping on a US-made cluster bomb.

Our message: No more killing and destruction, and bring our troops home!

Federal Building Plaza 880 Front St. in San Diego, CA (Broadway and Front St.) Those fasting will gather at the Federal Building at 11:30pm and start the fast on Monday, March 26th at 11:59 p.m.

MARCH 27, 2007
9:00a.m. - Press Conference
6:00p.m. - 9:00p.m. Candlelight Vigil, Speakers, Solidarity Statements, Music and more.

MARCH 28, 2007
6:00p.m. - 9:00p.m. Candlelight Vigil, Speakers, Solidarity Statements, Music and more.
11:59 p.m. - Ending of fast and spiritual gathering

Peace Out in San Diego

Patty Mooney of Crystal Pyramid Productions in San Diego put together what she calls a "musical documentation" that features peace marches, rallies, vigils and protests in San Diego from 2003 – 2005, and it's up on YouTube now.

A musical documentation of San Diego peace vigils, rallies and marches from 2003-2005 with music from Eddie Vedder, Peggy Watson, Prince Myshkins, Stephan Smith, Pete Seeger, Dean Ween and Mary Harris, including Iraq war footage.

If you like the war in Iraq, you'll love war with Iran!

Michael Gomel (who kindly allows me to occasionally steal his photos from Flickr) wrote the following statement after participating in a UPJ conference call, and it was posted to the SDCPJ mailing list this past week.

"IF YOU LIKE THE WAR IN IRAQ, YOU'LL LOVE WAR WITH IRAN!"
So reads the ad by United for Peace and Justice placed this week in
the weekly Congressional Magazine that Our congressional legislators
get.

UPJ held a conference call with activist organizations around the US
on Wednesday, February 7, 2007 and again on Tuesday Feb 13 for those
who missed the first one. As a participant in that conference call -
with Phyllis Bennis giving the informational update and strategy
ideas in an opening address and a Q & A for an hr after - I will do
my best here to inform All of how we might proceed to hope to stop
War at Iran.

"THEY LIED TO US ABOUT IRAQ AND THEY ARE LYING NOW ABOUT IRAN!"
This is our main best focus!

We who got our news from the human rights based, unembedded, independent media knew early about the creation of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) founded by Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz over 5 years ago inside the Pentagon and without Pentagon or other oversite where Feith cherry picked intelligence to create the (intelligence) lies to manufacture consent for the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq. Despite this news in the independent media, the corporate mainstream press spread the lies and beat the drums of war. The media lied and like the DIA falsely connected Sadam Hussein to
WMD's, to Al-Qaeda, to "terrorism", and even to 9-11. MANY AMERICANS even now still think/believe this crap. That is why I repeat it here.

Colin Powell gave his damning speech to the UN and only later admitted he didn't believe the intelligence reports he was announcing to The World.

Then the Downing Street Memos were leaked and gave "official" proof of these lies as a matter of Policy strategy. Many of us hoped that this would be a call to the integrity of our elected officials and to the media getting it right. The War ravaged on.

This year, 2007, The Pentagon Inspector General's report has publicly delineated that Feith (DIA) falsely created intelligence approved by Wolfowitz and Rumsfeld.
This again confirming the Downing Street Memos as Truth.

The War in Iraq still goes on. They got it so that "the horse could leave the barn" almost 4 years ago - 4 yrs and 700,000 Iraqi deaths, and over 3000 American KIA ago with 100,000s on all sides direly wounded.

War at Iran would be evenly impossibly worse. The entire Middle East could explode in unrest and turmoil - both cross borders and within country's borders. For Americans at home and abroad, Iran would be able to retaliate against US forces in US bases in every Arab country in the Middle East. Al-Qaeda and other violent goups who already have waiting lines for their admissions applications would be overrun
with huge numbers of new hatefilled recruits.

Moreso, Iran is not weakened militarily like Iraq was after the sanctions. They have weapons to defend themselves and even to attack US warships. This is why the US Coast Guard has had ships and crews sent to the Gulf to help in sea rescue operations.

A nuclear attack on Iran would be utter shame for the US with a 60 year world policy of no first strike by any nation. Radiation fallout would be utterly criminal.

THEY ARE LYING ABOUT IRAN.
Iran has the rights under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty to build a reactor for power. They have hadinspections. The Shah wanted a reactor built for their power needs and Cheney as a member of Gerald Ford's gov't said it was legitimate and was giving him one - until the Revolution came and it didn't get built. Israel, Pakistan, and India are not even signatories to the treaty and are in violation. THE US ITSELF is in violation. Iran is not. National Intelligence estimates place Iran's ability - not desire - to build a bomb at 4-10 years. Like the Baker Hamilton Study said -
DIPLOMACY!

UPJ would like a WMD-FREE ZONE in all the Middle East. That's a dream we have and most in the Middle East share.

For the US warmongering propaganda machine, the Nuclear issue has not been enough to drum up a war. Only 1 in 5 Amercians in the latest Polls this week think military
action is acceptable.

SO, then now we have the crap about weapons and roadside bombs as if being supplied by Iran. LIES. NO PROOF ala Gen Pace Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff at Pentagon. MORESO, what isn't reported is that 90% of attacks at US forces are by the Sunni insurgents who are as anti-Iran as the US. AND any sensible person should be aware of the worldwide weapons blackmarket which Desmond Tutu decried worldwide at Xmas time. And what of the many massive arsenals In Sadam's Iraq that the US military commanders left unguarded and were of course all systematically looted?

LIES.
And we need to reiterate these points to people so they are keener than to believe the war propaganda being drummed up now - and to come louder soon - in the mainstream media by the Gov't.

The Neocons dream of Empire and control over all resources and the subservience of all gov'ts. They see the current day as a chance to deflect criticism and attention away from Iraq and to try to hold onto power in 2008 elections for the White House.
They wanted the oil and gas pipelines that run through the Caucaus's Mountains in Afghanistan. They wanted the rich oil reserves and they wanted permanent huge military bases in Iraq. Now they want Iran's oil and untapped natural gas reserves. They want forcible control of the Straits of Hormuz They also want dominance and they see Iran as a nation with wealth, water, large area. large population, and water -
a powerful nation that could greatly influence the Middle East - and they want US dominance without question and by force - not treaties and diplomacy.

China, Russia, and Indonesia have strong economic ties to Tehran and could be pushed into this war also.

What is also always forgotten amidst the rhetoric is that Iran's equally bellicose speaking President is a figurehed compared to The Supreme Council. His political faction lost all recent elections to moderate forces. His is by far not the only voice nor the voice of Iran. There are indeed other "voices." And now in the news is Khomeini's Comprehensive Peace treaty initiative to the US and Israel in 2003. One that Rice denied and has just been called on that lie by her underlings. One that Colin Powell said he "couldn't sell to the White House". One that definitely existed!!

Congress.
UPJ stated that Congress was currently a weaker link in stopping war at Iran. Public pressure is needed. The US is trying to manufacture or trigger an incident - like the fake Gulf of Tonkin - to rally for a war. Israel could also be used as one to strike first - as if for their own future safety - and then the US come to their defense. Even though no defense treaty exists with Israel, Congress would
surely approve such a war.

What is needed is a "Bolland Ammendment", UPJ knows, an amendment in the 80's against Reagan's supporting the Contras against Nicaruaga. Currently Rep Jones has a bill and Rep Barbara Lee an even sronger one. Either could prohibit funds for war at Iran and serve as a "Bolland" ammendment. Sen Byrd of W Va, is currently writing one for
the Senate.

HOWEVER, the advice is that our job is best to put pressure by educating the public and reaching the media as to how "they lied then and they lie now". Lobby Congress indeed, but by building a stronger public awareness with which to influence them.

Nationwide local Rallies March 17-19 should very strongly speak out for diplomacy and against the dangers of War with Iran thereby putting big pressure on.

Some insider analysts even worry that March 17-19 might be too late.

Check UPJ's website for petitions and actions and new strategies that
the Steering Commitee may come up with
in the coming days.

WE CAN'T LET THE (WAR) HORSE OUT OF THE BARN THIS TIME.

Peace Up,
Michael Gomel
Activist San Diego

Bring Their Buddies Home

The below is from an email from Bring Their Buddies Home. I believe this is the third Bring Their Buddies Home memorial. My son and I went to the first, but I have to work tomorrow despite the President's Day holiday. But you can go! If you live south of Carlsbad, you can take the train. Last time, my son and I made a day of it.

Bring Their Buddies Home -- a Public Act of Art

Join us this Monday, Feb. 19th (Presidents' Day)
Hwy 101 (Carlsbad Blvd) at Tamarack Ave, Carlsbad
Arrive 9 - 9:30 AM to sign & and get positioned,
Wear Black, No Signs
Stand in silence 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

On Monday, Feb. 19th (President's Day) hundreds of San Diego residents will come together in a collaborative effort to illustrate the tragic consequences of war and champion non-violent solutions to conflict, by being part of an Act of Art. You may remember that I organized a similar event in November 2005, the day after Thanksgiving.

The Bring Their Buddies Home Vigil will happen between 10:00 and 11:00 AM along Hwy 101 in Carlsbad, stretching north and south of Tamarack Ave. Everyone is invited to participate by standing in silence, dressed in black, with each person wearing a memorial page with the name of one of the fallen troops. The vigil is meant to declare, by our silent presence, that we honor the sacrifice of the U.S. troops who have died in Iraq and that it's time to Bring Their Buddies Home.

Bring your family and friends - the larger the turnout, the more effective our message will be. Here is a non-confrontational way to show that you support our troops AND want to bring them home.

The Press is already giving this event great coverage. Today's Local News covered it on the front page on Wednesday, and it was written up in the Union Tribune, Light Connection and Zengers. North County Time will have a stroy about it on Saturday. NPR & KPBS have called for interviews. This is going to be a historical event - please come be a part of it.

See www.BringTheirBuddiesHome.com for details.

San Diego Anti-Surge Rally

Most of the pictures in the video are the same as the one's in the link below, but someone set them to music and put it on You Tube. I love the internets.

Just because the election is over....

...doesn't mean we can rest on our laurels! As they have in the past, Democracy for America is holding training academies in the coming months, and I highly recommend them! Take a look at Arshad's post at Daily Kos which gives when and where type details.

The Republican party has completely outrun everyone else in terms of training grassroots activists, but DFA has done their part to bring the Dems up to speed. We have to invest in our own infrastructure....not just money, but time and energy.

So please check out their training schedule to see if there's a training academy near you. They're fun and informative and you get to meet other's who are passionate about progress!

Manchester, NH January 27-28
Las Vegas, NV February 10-11
Houston, TX March 3-4
Columbia, SC March 17-18
Cedar Rapids, IA March 24-25
Jackson, MS March 30 – April 1
Columbia, MO April 14-15
Austin, TX April 21-22
Knoxville, TN April 28-29
Bloomington, IN May 12-13
Baton Rouge, LA June 2-3
Salt Lake City, UT June 16-17
Albany, NY June 23-24
Tampa, FL June 30 – July 1
Frankfort, KY July 7 -8
Sacramento, CA July 14-15
Orange County, CA July 21-22

from the SDCPJ

Not one more death, not one more dollar, not one more day
End the War on Iraq!

Bring the Troops Home Now!
Demonstration at Horton Plaza

4th and Broadway, Downtown San Diego
Saturday, January 27, 2007 at 2pm

The US occupation of Iraq is the greatest source of violence in Iraq today. Only the immediate and complete withdrawal of US and other occupation troops will clear the path for Iraqis to determine their own future and relieve the suffering of the Iraqi people. We need to bring our sons and daughters home now.

Join with Pentagon Papers’ Daniel Ellsberg (www.ellsberg.net), the San Diego Coalition for Peace and Justice, and other endorsers, at Horton Plaza (4th and Broadway, downtown San Diego) at 2pm on Saturday, January 27th in coordination with demonstrations in Washington DC, San Francisco, and elsewhere in the US. Bring your signs, flags, and banners. Make and distribute your own leaflets and flyers. Bring your friends, your co-workers, and your fellow students. Circulate this call as widely as possible.

Endorsed by: San Diego Coalition for Peace and Justice, International Socialist Organization, Green Party of San Diego, Activist San Diego, Peace Resource Center of San Diego, Ocean Beach Grassroots Organization, Code Pink, International Action Center, F.I.S.T., Pride at Work, Veterans for Peace San Diego, Rogue Forum, New Aeon Socialist Movement, Guerrero Azteca Peace Project, Middle East Cultural and Information Center, San Diego Democratic Socialists of America, Progressive Democrats of America, San Diego

Walk to end the war, con't....

Just a reminder that Bill McDannell has started walking his walk for peace, and I'm sure he'd appreciate any financial or material support you can muster.

His journal is worth reading, and you can track his progress there.

I really wanted to walk with him when he left Lakeside on Saturday (health stuff still...bleh), but I was sending him good vibes!