March 8, 2009 OMNI CENTER NEWSLETTER
SPECIAL MESSAGES
OMNI PEACE LEADERSHIP FORUM SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 6:30 PM, DOWNSTAIRS, UNITED CAMPUS MINISTRIES, 902 W. MAPLE
FOOD WITH A STORY
Last month we shared some very tasty favorite salsas. This month, how about bringing food with a story? A favorite food you grew up with… something that was important to your family in some way… or a cultural food you really enjoyed. Bring a dish, and be prepared to tell its story to the rest of us. For instance, one friend fixes “ Kansas food” sometimes … white bread sandwiches with butter and sugar. I remember those, and they’re vegetarian! But I think I’ll bring something else. What did you eat at your house? The goal of Omni Peace Leadership Forum is to develop leaders for the culture of peace, and expand the peace building community to our neighbors, friends, and the wider community. There’s a place for you in the culture of peace. Hope you’ll join us. From Gladys Tiffany
OMNI CENTER PRESENTS “PORTRAITS OF COURAGE” TO MARK TO 6TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES INVASION OF IRAQ
The OMNI Center for Peace, Justice and Ecology will commemorate the 6th anniversary of the Iraq War with a Silent Auction and Musical Event, Sunday, March 22, 2009 from 7-9pm at Goodfolk Productions, 229 N. Block St., Fayetteville, AR.
Silent auction participants will bid on a series of 12 original portraits of Iraq War resistors painted by local artist, Greg Moore. Musical entertainment will be provided by Darlene - eclectic folk singer and story teller, singer/songwriter Emily Kaitz, and the up-and-coming folk band, 3 Penny Acre. Local Poet Doug Shields will MC the event, and refreshments will be served. There will be a $5 cover charge, and a portion of the auction and event proceeds will be donated to The Iraq Veterans Against The War and The Veteran’s Hospital. (See below in “What’s Happening? Locally . . . for more details).
A GIANT STEP TOWARD A PEACEFUL WORLD
The Peace Alliance is working toward establishing The Department of Peace, a Cabinet Level Position in the Administration. Supporting this legislation is a huge step toward Creating Peace. Find out more about the Department of Peace legislation at Congressman Kucinich’s web site, http://kucinich.house.gov/Issues/Issue/?IssueID=1564
Or at The Peace Alliance web site, www.thepeacealliance.org
If you have any questions or a passion to get Arkansas on the map supporting The Department of Peace, please contact me by e-mail at btparker@uark.edu or call 236-4945. United we can achieve our goal of Peace. Thanks, Barbara Parker, District Leader, Peace Alliance, Peace Leadership Council, Omni Center for Peace, Justice & Ecology
(See more about the Peace Alliance below in “What’s Going On – Nationally and Internationally”)
PAUL GLOVER, FOUNDER OF ITHACA HOURS TO VISIT FAYETTEVILLE MAY 8-9
Save the date!
SPONSORED BY OMNI CENTER LOOKING TOWARD OZARK HOURS
Paul Glover will be in Fayetteville visiting local businesses, the farmer’s market and local government and banks to assist us in understanding how to develop a system that will work for us.
Location(s) still TBD.
“Corporate media have hardly noticed, but the United States economy is being rebuilt by thousands of creative grassroots initiatives, at the same time that U.S. industrial jobs are being lost to globalization. Even as poverty increases, thousands of practical programs are proving people can rebuild damaged local economies from the ground up,
making them better than before. Thousands of jobs are being invented by citizens dedicated to ecology and social justice How? They are creating wealth locally, and producing what they need.”
— Paul Glover
Paul Glover is the founder of Ithaca HOURS local currency, the Ithaca Health Alliance, Citizen Planners of Los Angeles, and author of several books and urban histories. Glover has degrees in Marketing and in City Management. After 35 years of community organizing on behalf of grassroots economic development and ecological repair, Paul started a consultancy called GreenPlanners, which helps communities prepare a secure and abundant future while fuel and food costs rise. An alternative to dependence on monopoly control of food, fuel, housing, finances, jobs, information and goods, hours are backed by real capital: our time, creativity, muscles, tools, and natural resources.
OMNI MONTH IN REVIEW
Look for Moderator Claire Detels and a panel of guests on the air live Wednesday, March 25, 7:00 pm
OMNI CENTER CALENDAR OF MEETINGS AND EVENTS
--MARCH – WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
--Sunday, March 8 – INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
--Sunday, March 8, 7:00p.m., Video Underground, United Campus Ministries Chapel, 902 W. Maple, Fayetteville –The Omni Center shows a series of free movies every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month (unless noted otherwise) Admission is free but donations are appreciated.
For more information, contact Gerald Sloan at 575-6302 or gsloan@uark.edu
To see the schedule for the Video Underground film series,
go to http://omni-vu-films.blogspot.com/
http://omni-vu-films.blogspot.com/
--Wednesday, March 11, 6:00 pm, Downstairs at United Campus Ministries, 902 W. Maple - OMNI Center Vegetarian Club. As some of us suggested, we moved the meeting time up half an hour, and we'll have a round table discussion this time so our whole group can talk about our interests in vegetarianism.
Also, members of the UA Vegetarians Eating Green group will be there to share info on their efforts at the UA campus. Please invite friends who would like to bring meat-free food to share regardless of whether or not they consider themselves vegetarian.
There are at least two other great events at the same time including Harmonia's performance at the Goddess Festival and the OMNI/Campus Greens presentation at the UA so if you can't make it, we'll see you next month. Feel free to write me at exequals@hotmail.com with questions or ideas, and we're on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=58139595422&ref=mf. We look forward to seeing you there!
Submitted by Dan Dean
--Sunday, March 15, 7:00 pm, HOWL - ABOUT THE MARCH 2009 HOWL Different Space and Men Invited to Read! Sunday, March 15th, 7 pm (instead of the usual 6:30 pm) The theme will be In Praise of Women
The MARCH HOWL will be different! Instead of the usual venue at Nightbird Books, in March we will be meeting at the Goddess Festival Space just a couple of blocks up the hill from the bookstore: Corner of Archibald Yell
and W. South Street.
Men Invited to read pieces "In Praise of Women" at the March HOWL If your men friends/family have just been dying to read something positive about women all this time, now is their big chance. On March 15 at 7 pm, we will
have both a men and a women's reading, "In Praise of Women" at the Goddess Space.
(See Special Notice about Goddess Festival in What’s Going On Locally announcements below).
--Thursday, March 19, 5:30p.m. Potluck, 6:00p.m. - Omni Steering Committee Meeting, Deep End of United Campus Ministries, 902 W. Maple, Fayetteville, AR
--Saturday, March 21, 6:30 pm, Peace Leadership Forum, Downstairs at United Campus Ministries, 902 W. Maple, Fayetteville
--Sunday, March 22, 2009, 7 to 9 pm, Goodfolk, 229 N. Block St., Fayetteville, AR
- The OMNI Center for Peace, Justice and Ecology will commemorate the 6th anniversary of the Iraq War with a Silent Auction and Musical Event. You will have an opportunity to bid on a series of 12 original portraits of Iraq War resistors painted by local artist, Greg Moore. Musical entertainment will be provided by Darlene - eclectic folk singer and story teller, singer/songwriter Emily Kaitz, and the up-and-coming folk band, 3 Penny Acre. Cost 5.00 cover charge. (See details below in “What’s Going On? . . . Locally . . .”
WHAT’S GOING ON? ---CURRENT EVENTS and INFORMATION
LOCALLY: CITY, COUNTY, AND STATE
(New Items will have Green Heading)
THE FIRST FAYETTEVILLE GODDESS FESTIVAL: GODESSES, ANGELS AND AMAZONS HAS BEGUN
The First Fayetteville Goddess Festival: Goddesses, Angels, and Amazons, a month-long event, began on Sunday, March 1, 2009 at 5:00pm with an exciting Artist and Art Show Reception. View the artwork of numerous artists, all reflecting powerful female images. These works are diverse in style and expression. Be it considered Goddess, Angel, or Amazon, their common thread is their personal interpretation and portrayal of the 'Divine Feminine'. Refreshments will be served.
The art gallery showing is free and open to the public and works will hang during the entire month of March. The Festival includes many special events, concerts and workshops, and is located at Ultra Studios, 118 W. South Street (corner Archibald Yell Blvd).
Be sure you check out the Goddess Festival happenings at www.goddessfestival.com.
"Men Only" Staged Reading March 27 and 28
8pm at Goddess Space
www.goddessfestival.com
Directed by Margaret Britain
Adapted from an award-winning screenplay by Mendy Knott. "In a small lakeside town, five best friends who love a good cause enter to win the big prize in a "men only" bass fishing tournament. They aren't men, but they're hoping no one will notice." You won't want to miss what is probably the world's first lesbian bass fishing comedy! Tickets available at the door $8 adults/ $5 Seniors and students.
HUMAN RIGHTS & UNIVERSITIES:
DEFENDING ACADEMIC FREEDOM BY SAVING SCHOLARS AT RISK
A PRESENTATION BY ROBERT QUINN, SAR DIRECTOR,NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2 PM
MULTICULTURAL CENTER, STUDENT UNION
Around the world today, scholars are attacked because of their words, their ideas and their place in society. Those seeking power and control work to limit access to information and new ideas by targeting scholars, restricting academic freedom and repressing research, publication, teaching and learning. The Scholars at Risk Network (SAR) is an international network of universities and colleges responding to these attacks. SAR promotes academic freedom and defends the human rights of scholars and their communities worldwide.
Robert Quinn is the founding Director of the Scholars at Risk Network, and the former founding Executive Director of the Institute of International Education's Scholar Rescue Fund. Mr. Quinn is an adjunct professor of law at Fordham Law School teaching courses in international human rights and US legal systems. Mr. Quinn received his A.B. cum laude from Princeton in 1988, and his J.D. cum laude from Fordham in 1994
This presentation is sponsored by the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Foreign Languages, and the Omni Center for Peace.
SOCIAL JUSTICE NETWORK CONFERENCE ON IMMIGRATION,
MARCH 10, JONES CENTER, 8:30 AM
OMNI-NWACC INVITING YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN TWO TIMELY GROUP EVENTS
This is what is coming up. Don't forget to RSVP so we'll have plenty of coffee on hand (and maybe a few treats).
March 10 – “When the Troops Come Home” - President Obama’s withdrawal of troops from Iraq and deployment of troops to Afghanistan gives our community the opportunity to consider how we can meet the needs of returning veterans and their families and how we can ultimately bring peace to the Middle East. To begin the process, OMNI-NWACC is sponsoring a series of films and discussions during March and April called “When the Troops Come Home.” We will take the audience through the battlefield experience, the rehabilitation process, and the experiences of the families left behind. The first film in the series, which will be screened on March 10, explores The Battlefield Experience: “Combat Diary - The Marines of Lima Company ” (90 min). It takes viewers to the front lines of battle with one of the hardest hit Marine units of the Iraq war and provides a first-hand account of the realities of war. Representatives from the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks, community grief counselors, and local peace advocates will participate in discussions after the film. The event will be held from 6:30-9:00 p.m. in Room 108 of the Student Center. For additional information, contact EdreneMcKay@cox.net or call (479) 855-6836. To help us plan the event, please RSVP here.
March 12 – “The Road to Economic Recovery” – This is the first follow-up meeting to one held last month and described in this CNN iReport: http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-213154. A group of students, faculty, staff, and members of the community discussed President Obama's stimulus plan and came up with several ideas to reduce unemployment in the area, including start-up businesses, community gardens, and workshops for the unemployed. An online Jobs! web site, set up by Bill Williams for job seekers and employers, already has been implemented: http://jobs.bubbaplanet.com/. This meeting will focus on workshops for the unemployed, ways to provide relief to families affected by the recession, and start-up businesses. Guests will include Lenora Sotlar from NWACC’s Career Center and Virtual Career Center and Melodie Marcks from NWACC's newly-developed Outplacement Services Task Force. It will be held from 6:30-9:00 p.m. in Room 108 of the Student Center. For additional information, contact EdreneMcKay@cox.net or call (479) 855-6836. To help us plan the event, please RSVP here.
CLAIRE DETELS SHARES THE MUSIC OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMPOSERS
You are invited to the Friday, March 13, 11 AM Lecture-Recital of "Piano Music of African-American Composers" with Musicologist/Pianist Claire Detels, UA Professor Emerita. Some of the composer that she will present are Joplin, Handy, Still, Price, and Ellington.
Held at the Crystal Bridges at the Massey Gallery, off the Bentonville Town Square, this is an ARTBUZZ program given in conjunction with "Proof Positive:" An Exhibit of 20th c. African-American Prints from the Fisk University Collections.
REPOWER ARKANSAS CLIMATE CHANGE ROADSHOW March 11, 6:00-8:30 pm, Ark Union, room 504.
Coal fired power remains a problem for Arkansas. We've got all those easy laws power producers love. The Repower Arkansas Climate Change Roadshow is a great way to get information about this complex situation. Also, you can learn some ways to take action. Dr. Robert McAfee, Climatologist, is bringing his traveling Climate Change presentation to the UofA Fayetteville campus! Dr. McAfee founded Repower Arkansas, which is working in conjunction with Al Gore's We Can Solve It campaign and The Omni Center for Peace, Justice and Ecology to educate the public about the risks of coal energy dependence and to promote cleaner alternatives ( www.repowerarkansas.org). Campus Greens is helping to promote this event. Other speakers include Maggie Bailey, UofA alum and Local Outreach Coordinator for Audubon, and Heather Kowaleski, regional United Nations Environment Program Youth Outreach Coordinator. We'll also show the Fighting Goliath film about how Texas civic action stopped additional coal plants. We encourage University of Arkansas students and the public to attend. There will be food and beverages and time for discussion and questions. This is an opportunity to learn about local efforts to promote a green economy and to wean us off of coal-fired electricity. The presentation will stress civic engagement supporting green legislation.
Submitted by Dr. Art Hobson
CONTACT LEGISLATORS
Help Pass the Arkansas Maternity Information Act!
Greetings from BirthNetwork NWA!
We need your help right now to enact legislation in Arkansas to support the health and informed consent of pregnant mothers and their babies.
Today Senate Bill 787 was filed. It is entitled “AN ACT TO ENSURE THAT MATERNITY PATIENTS ARE INFORMED OF THE TYPES AND RISKS OF BIRTHING METHODS.” We need you to contact your legislators right now in support of this bill, especially they sit on the Senate Committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor. To find out who your Senator or Representative is, and to see if he or she sits on this important committee, please visit http://www.arkansas.gov/government_rep_search.php
This is a bill that would require hospitals to provide information related to the types of birthing methods and their associated risks including vaginal delivery and cesarean section deliveries. Hospitals will be required to publish their rates of c-section, induction, and many other interventions, and these would then be published on the Department of Health website. This kind of transparency in maternity care has been shown to promote quality improvement measures and is an essential indgredient to informed choice.
If you would like to read the current draft of the bill, it can be found at http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/SB787.pdf/
We need your help.
Please review the current draft of SB 787 and contact your Senators and Representatives letting them know of your support of the bill. Many legislators receive very few phone calls, letters or e-mails from their constituents about pending legislation, so even a small number of people contacting their legislators can make a big difference regarding whether a bill becomes law or not. Of course, we’d like for each and every one of you to contact your legislators, because this is the only way they will know how many women and families would be affected by this bill.
Please contact your legislators now.
A list of Senators, Representatives and their contact information can also be found on the Arkansas Breastfeeding Coalition website: http://www.arkansasbreastfeedingcoalition.org/contact/. If you are not sure which district you live in, there is a link on this page to help you. E-mail is an effective way to contact your legislator. If you contact your legislator by e-mail, include "Support SB 787" in the subject line. If you would rather (and for those legislators without an e-mail address) you can call 501-682-2902 to leave a message for your Senator, and 501-682-6211 to leave a message for your Representative. Your message can be very simple and need only include your name, address and that you support SB 787. Some legislators do not have voicemail, and in such a case you can leave a message with the office staff. Remember, legislators pay attention when their constituents contact them!
Share your stories with us!
Finally, we would like to let Arkansas legislators know that there are many mothers and families in our state who want greater transparency in maternity care. Would your birth have been different if you had been fully informed about the risks of cesarean section or knew the rates of c-section in your hospital? Would you have chosen a different hospital if you knew that the facility where you gave birth was known for high rates of induction? If so, we need to hear from you so that we can share your stories with our legislators. Please use the contact information at the end of this e-mail. If you have a compelling story, we invite you to share it with your legislators as well.
Questions, comments or compelling birth stories? Please contact Elizabeth Day at douladay@gmail.com.
Thank you!
Elizabeth Day, LCCE, CD(DONA)
Submitted by Sara Milford
OMNI CENTER PRESENTS “PORTRAITS OF COURAGE”
Silent Auction and Musical Event Marking the 6th Anniversary of the Iraq War
Sunday, March 22, 2009, 7 to 9 pm — Goodfolk, 229 N. Block St., Fayetteville, AR
The OMNI Center for Peace, Justice & Ecology will commemorate the 6th anniversary of the Iraq War with a Silent Auction and Musical Event, Sunday, March 22, 2009 from 7-9pm. Silent auction participants will bid on a series of 12 original portraits of Iraq War resistors painted by local artist, Greg Moore. Musical entertainment will be provided by Darlene - eclectic folk singer and story teller, singer/songwriter Emily Kaitz, and the up-and-coming folk band, 3 Penny Acre. Local Poet Doug Shields will MC the event, and refreshments will be served. There will be a $5 cover charge, and a portion of the auction and event proceeds will be donated to The Iraq Veterans Against The War and The Veteran’s Hospital.
Moore, a 32-year-old graphic designer, began the portrait series in 2003 when the war began. “I wanted to do something to express my opposition to the war and support these courageous soldiers who refused to fight,” stated Moore.
Moore became familiar with the resistors he selected as subjects for his paintings through stories and photographs found online. For many of these soldiers, it was their first-hand experiences as occupation troops that compelled them to take a stand, which often resulted in jail sentences. These courageous resistors inspired Moore to take up painting seriously. Since then, he has been showing and selling his works regularly throughout Northwest Arkansas.
The OMNI Center has been protesting the Iraq War since it began on March 13, 2003 with ongoing awareness campaigns and annual events to mark each anniversary. As of March 8, 2009, 4,256 American military troops have died and over 100,000 have been wounded. The Iraq civilian death toll is estimated at more than 100,000. While OMNI applauds President Obama’s recently announced timetable to bring our troops home, the Center is committed to maintaining public awareness of the loss and suffering brought about by the Iraq War.
The OMNI Center was founded in 2001. Its goals have always been a world free of war and the threat of war, a society with liberty and justice for all, a community where every person’s potential may be fulfilled, and an earth restored. Today the OMNI Center is a thriving organization with a large membership base and many friends and supporters. Each year the OMNI Center grows in membership and the number of forums, collaborations, actions and events that our members organize. For more information, visit www.omnicenter.org
ALL ABOUT FACEBOOK CLASS
There will a be a free "All About Facebook" Class at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 902 Cleveland, Fayetteville, on Monday, March 23 at 6:30. The public is welcome to attend.
NEWS FROM OMNI UA
Omni UA will now officially begin meeting EVERY Wednesday at 5:30pm, in room 512/513 of the Union. We are now in full force and swing, if you came to the first couple of meetings and were bored, then think twice about missing the next one, because we have been ACTIVATED.
HOMEGROWN! ORGANIC VEGGIES, HERBS & EDIBLES FOR BEGINNERS
Sunday, April 5th, 1-3pm
Botanical Garden of the Ozarks (BGO)
Crossover Road, Fayetteville
Join gardeners Leigh Wilkerson, Janice Neighbor and others for an edible adventure! Find inspiration and information on beginner organic growing in any amount of space - balconies to big yards. Remember Victory Gardens? Why mow a yard when you can eat it instead? Ever wanted fresh herbs at arms length? Interested in gardening with the help of nature? Think beautiful AND bountiful! Class is for beginners -- but with fresh ideas for even
seasoned gardeners. Come meet others who share your interest in edibles. Tickets are $10/ $8 for BGO members, or FREE if you join the Botanical Garden the day of class! Pre-registration requested so we'll have plenty
of handouts. Email ozarksalive@gmail.com for more information or to reserve your space and pay at the door. To buy
your ticket today, go to [http://www.bgozarks.org/events/] www.bgozarks.org/events/#125
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS SOCIAL JUSTICE NETWORK
I am writing to invite you to the kick-off meeting for the formation of an umbrella social justice network in NW Arkansas. The idea to establish a social justice network came out of earlier meetings hosted by Rachel Townsend, Executive Director of the NWA Worker Justice Center in Springdale. Participants were discussing the need for a coordinated humanitarian response in the event of future Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids at local businesses, or other circumstances that adversely impact on the working poor and other persons of limited financial means and/or ability to protect themselves.
The meeting is set for March 10, 8:30 am to noon at the Jones Center in Springdale, 922 East Emma Avenue. A complimentary continental breakfast will be provided. We are inviting representatives from organizations in the NWA area who are already working on immigrant and worker justice, domestic violence and sexual assault prevention, child welfare, poverty and hunger relief, diversity and inclusion, civil liberties.
Please feel free to invite others who you believe would be interested in participating. The purpose is to coordinate resources to avoid duplication of services or gaps in needed services, and to foster a greater community involvement on behalf of people who do not have political or social influence and need advocates to protect their human dignity. We hope that you can join us. Your input and support are invaluable. Please RSVP to Meredith Cabell at
Meredith.Cabell@splcenter.org or call 404-221-5828 by February 27, 2009.
MARCH BOOK FORUM: DISMANTLING DEMOCRACY, REBUILDING DEMOCRACY? FRIDAY MARCH 13, 6:30, NIGHTBIRD BOOKS (If you would like to participate in the Forum and/or for a list of suggested forum reading: contact jbennet@uark.edu)
EXCHANGE STUDENT NEEDS HOST HOME
A Dutch NWACC exchange student still needs a host from now to the 2nd week in May. His name is Jelle Hummelen and he is from The Netherlands. He plans on studying law while in the U.S., and hopes to attend law school upon his return home. He likes to rollerblade and is interested in Apple computers, electronic gadgets, and music. For more info, contact the Youth for Understanding Coordinator Kurt Cecil, Office phone 479-986-4019, Email: kcecil@ nwacc.edu
RAISING FUNDS FOR STUDENTS TO ATTEND POWERSHIFT CONFERENCE
In 2007, more than 6,500 young people gathered in Washington DC for the historic Powershift conference and lobbying event. In 2009, organizers expect more than 10,000, and they've expanded the conference to be even more effective.
The Powershift organizers are building a nationwide movement of young climate activists, and they have identified Arkansas and Mississippi as underrepresented states. Matthew Petty, a young activist also serving on Fayetteville's City Council, is already planning on attending, and he's taking two Fayetteville high school students and their service learning teacher with him. One Fayetteville resident attended a similar conference last fall, and he described the experience as "life-changing."
The Fayetteville group still needs to raise around $1000, and they'd like to also reach out to students throughout Arkansas. This is an opportunity to solidify the clean energy movement in Arkansas. Interest has already been seen in Texarkana (near the planned Turk Coal-fired Power Plant) and Little Rock. To read more about Powershift., visit www.powershift09.org/about.
Fayetteville's Omni Center has agreed to handle all contributions, so your donation is tax-deductible. There are two ways to donate: online or by check. To donate online, visit http://www.omnicenter.org/donate.php, click the donation link, and specify "Powershift" as the purpose of your donation. Make sure to click "Update Amount" before entering your financial information. Or you can mail your contribution via mail to:
Matthew Petty
326 N Rollston Ave
Fayetteville, AR 72701.
Make out your check to "Omni Center" and add "Powershift" in the memo line.
For more information, contact Matthew Petty at 479 871 9212 or matt@matthewpetty.org.
To read stories of the dynamic difference Powershift generates, visit
http://www.powershift09.org/Stories-of-PowerShift
OMNI'S UA MULLINS LIBRARY
NONVIOLENT PEACEMAKING AND VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE AND WARS COLLECTION
This collection now contains over 300 books and films. It is designed to raise awareness and inspire reseadrch about nonviolence, victims, and also whistleblowers and investigative reporters. Browse the list by searching the subject Nonviolent Peacemaking and Victims in InfoLinks, the Libraries' online catalog.
Submitted by Dick Bennett
RECRUITER ABUSE HELP HOTLINE
The National Youth and Militarism Recruiter Abuse Hotline: 1-877-688-6881. Started by the AFSC.
RESISTING MILITARIZING OF OUR SCHOOLS
"DMZ: A Guide to Taking Your School Back from the Military." To order: www.warresisters.org or email wrl@warresisters.org, or www.warresisters.org/dmz
MOVING FORWARD TOWARD A PERMANENT HOME
OMNI seeks the donation of a lot or acreage on which to build a new home. Contact Richard Tiffany at (479) 973-9049 if you are interested.
WHAT’S GOING ON?—NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY
NEW ITEMS IN GREEN
22 REASONS TO END THE OCCUPATION OF AFGHANISTAN
OMNI members: You have already received the first 11 reasons. For the whole 22 arguments, the references, and the Addenda go to www.omnicenter.org, look at What's Happening Now, click on Newsletter on Afghanistan. Then write or call Pres. Obama, your congressmen or women; write letters to local newspapers, forward to your friends, join OMNI first Saturdays at Mall and Joyce, 1pm for our public protest. For a Culture of Peace of, by, and for the people.
Submitted by Dick Bennett
ATTACKS ON DOJ NOMINEES SIGNAL RIGHT'S JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS STRATEGY
Right-wing political and legal organizations have unleashed a coordinated campaign of over-the-top attacks on the qualifications, records, and fitness of President Obama’s nominees for important positions in the U.S. Justice Department. Deputy Attorney General nominee David Ogden has been the prime target of the Right’s wrath, but Solicitor General nominee Elena Kagan, Associate Attorney General nominee Thomas Perrelli, and Office of Legal Counsel nominee Dawn Johnsen have also come in for their share of criticism. fOR THE COMPLETE ARTICLE ON THE EXTREME RIGHT WING RHETORIC, VISIT: http://site.pfaw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=rww_in_focus_attacks_on_doj_nominees
PEACE EDUCATION
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY OFFERS M.A. IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION. SEE: HTTP://CONFLICTRESOLUTION.GEORGETOWN.EDU/
Study Peace and Conflict Resolution a at the European University Center for Peace Studies Profs. Johan Galtung, Hossain Danesh, Richard Falk, and others. See: www.epu.ac.at A Giant Step Toward a Peaceful World
PEACE ALLIANCE
The Peace Alliance is working toward establishing The Department of Peace, a Cabinet Level Position in the Administration. Supporting this legislation is a huge step toward Creating Peace. Find out more about the Department of Peace legislation at Congressman Kucinich’s web site, http://kucinich.house.gov/Issues/Issue/?IssueID=1564
Or at The Peace Alliance web site, www.thepeacealliance.org
Join the Campaign: Participate in an historic citizen lobbying effort to create a U.S. Department of Peace. There is currently a bill before the U.S. House of Representative (HR808), introduced by Congressman Dennis Kucinich and to be re-introduced to the House during The Peace Alliance Annual Conference to be held March 20-23, 2009. Among many outstanding speakers will be Congressman Kucinich. There is more information on the conference at The Peace Alliance website.
HR808 will augment our current peace-solving options, providing practical, non-violent solutions to the problems of domestic and international violence. Consider attending the Conference and the re-introduction of HR-808 by Congressman Kucinich. The Department of Peace was among the top ten ideas on change.org. and was presented to President Obama on inauguration day.
Find out more about The Peace Alliance at www.thepeacealliance.org and consider joining the movement to make The Department of Peace a reality. If you have any questions or a passion to get Arkansas on the map supporting The Department of Peace, please contact me by e-mail at btparker@uark.edu or call 236-4945. United we can achieve our goal of Peace. Thanks, Barbara Parker, District Leader, Peace Alliance, Peace Leadership Council, Omni Center for Peace, Justice & Ecology
POEMS AGAINST WAR
Poems Against War says artists must raise their voices to inspire change. In ... www.poemsagainstwar.com. /. pawmagazine@yahoo.com.
A Journal of Poetry and Action is looking for ... The journal Poems Against War is looking for submissions for its seventh volume, ...
www.newyork.indymedia.org
STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN,
and READ: MEDIA
SWIMMING IN THE SEA OF IDEOLOGY
By Coralie Koonce, Outskirts, 2009.
“This book is the second of three in the series Thinking toward Survival, all based on the belief that our current thinking patterns are not up to the challenge of the existential threats facing humanity.” You can buy it from her directly or through Nightbird Books.
THERE IS A BOOK BY G. EDWARD GRIFFIN CALLED
"THE CREATURE FROM JEKYLL ISLAND"
by calling this number 800-686-2237 the book can be ordered for $26.45 inclusive of shipping. by ordering from these people you will receive either a morgan or peace silver dollar which at the present time is going up in value. they are selling close to $26.45.
THE FOLLOWING LINK IS FOR END THE FED,
A grassroots organization committed to the repeal of the federal reserve act and putting the issue of our currency in the hands of the treasury. They are organizing nationwide demonstrations for April 25
http://www.endthefed.us/
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY
Amnesty International Human Rights Commission expects the Obama administration to fulfill its call for change. For more information about this action, visit www.amnestyusa.org/call4accountability.
CINDY SHEEHAN'S SOAPBOX!
When: Sunday; 2-3 (PM)
Where: 960am In the SF Bay Area or
www.Green960.com
Listen for some provocative conversation and a few surprises!
Don't forget to submit your Soapbox rants to
tiffany@CindySheehansSoapbox.com
or Ask Cindy questions to:
Cindy@CindySheehansSoapbox.com
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS AVAILABLE
Posted by: "Austin Moran" mis@nysar.com austinmoran,, From the VFP Digest.
If you know someone who has enlisted in the military or who is already in the military and has developed convictions of a religious conscientious objector, then a new book is now available containing the step-by-step procedure regarding release from the military.
A free copy of the book to down load is available on the following link:
http://www.peacehost.net/christianCO/ProceduresBook5.pdf
Also a hard copy of the book can be purchased from the internet book seller Lulu: http://www.lulu.com/content/4682550 submitted by Dick Bennett
GREAT RESEARCH SOURCE
FOR ANTI-WAR,
CIVIL LIBERTIES/RIGHTS ADVOCATES
THE NATION MAGAZINE OFFERS ALL PAST CONTENTS FREE TO SUBSCRIBERS
A subscription now includes every article, editorial, and review back to 1865. Submitted by Dick Bennett
OMNI EVENTS POSTED ON FLCKR.COM
Thanks to all video folks who send images of Omni events to:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/53408817@N00/pool/
LOCAL CONNECTIONS
A BLOG ON ORGANIZING FOR AMERICA
THAT WILL DESCRIBE OMNI-NWACC'S ACTIVITIES:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/EdreneMcKay.
AN ONLINE JOBS! WEB SITE, SET UP BY BILL WILLIAMS
FOR JOB SEEKERS AND EMPLOYERS:
http://jobs.bubbaplanet.com
Email your Public Service Announcements 2 weeks in advance to KUAF radio's Pete Hartman at phartma@uark.edu. PSAs should be about 15 seconds in length.
Submitted by Chris Delacruz
Link Carries Interactive Calendar of Events in Northwest Arkansas— http://northwestarkansasevents.blogspot.com/
• Fayetteville Society of Friends (a.k.a. the Quaker...
• Northwest Arkansas Sustainability Center
• Northwest Arkansas Buddhists
• Omni Center for Peace, Justice and Ecology
• Interfaith and Astronomical
• Combined Northwest Arkansas Event Calendar
Original and gathered articles from Dick Bennett are at http://jamesrichardbennett.blogspot.com/
Mike Tramill has an email network (list) on political issues, including the latest developments on possible war or invasion with Iran. You may contact Mike at wheeler65@gmail.com if you want to be on the list.
Richard Drake continues his Fayetteville blog, street jazz, at http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/streetjazz/
Fayetteville Freethinkers website/forums can be found at http://fayfreethinkers.com/forums/
From Sidney Burris:
Modern & Contemporary Poetry: www.readwrite.typepad.com/poetry
Mindspace: www.readwrite.typepad.com/meditation
Tibetspace: www.readwrite.typepad.com/artibet
Institute website: www.artibet.com
From Leigh Wilkerson - Larrapin Garden blog at http://larrapin.blogspot.com
From Mendy Knott - For new writing exercises and more, check Mendy's Blog at:
www.arkansasscribbler. blogspot.com
OMNI/COMMUNITY ACCESS TELEVISION (C.A.T.) CONNECTIONS www.catfayetteville.com
OMNI Month In Review:
Omni Month in Review with Moderator Claire Detels will air live on Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00 pm. The show will be repeated at 1:00 pm on Sunday, March 29.
Democracy NOW! Schedule:
Monday – Friday 7:00a.m. Democracy NOW!
Tuesdays, 3/10 3/17 6:00p.m. Democracy NOW!
Thursdays 3/12 3/19 6:00p.m. Democracy NOW!
Friday 3/13 3/20 6:00p.m. Democracy NOW!
Saturday 3/14 3/21 3:00a.m. Democracy NOW!
Sunday 3/15 3/22 6:00p.m. Democracy NOW!
Free Speech TV (FSTV) sponsored by Omni - 3:00a.m. – 9:00a.m. – FSTV continues its cutting edge challenges, pushing us to think. www.freespeechtv.com Omni Center is pleased to provide FSTV to our local Community Access Television Due to the problems we had during our '08 Fall Drive with time-shifting Democracy Now! repeats, we are reversing that decision - For the '09 pledge drives, The regular Democracy Now! live program at 8a ET, as well as the 59 minute (repeats of DN! will not contain fundraising appeals.)
FSTV broadcast schedule:
3:00 am Daily
Amy Goodman Online - You can listen/watch previous Democracy Now programs by internet streaming from Democracy Now website http://democracynow.org Previous programs (going back many years) are archived there. You can watch the current program (after they post it about noon) by going to http://democracynow.org/streampage.pl
Other Programs of Interest:
Sunday, 3/8/2009
1:00 pm OMNI Month in Review: February 2009
Omni Book Samplers:
Book Samplers give a five minute book report or read a five minute excerpt from a book. If you like to read and would like to share and encourage others to read books that you find informative and interesting, please volunteer to be a Book Sampler. Contact: Dick Bennett jbennet@uark.edu
Short Takes: Taping at C.A.T.
Taping Schedule:
Every Monday night, from 5:00p.m.-6:00p.m., C.A.T. will be doing Short Takes live. This will be a great opportunity for time sensitive material, live entertainment, or anything else that is expressive.
For the folks who don’t want to go on camera live, you can still record your short take from 6:00p.m.-6:30p.m Mondays, and on Tuesdays from 12 noon – 1:30p.m. Both the live and recorded short takes will air the following week as usual. If anyone has any comments or questions, please feel free to contact C.A.T.
Viewing Times: 11:00a.m., 5:00p.m., 11:00p.m.
Omni News and Current Events featured on Short Takes:
Presented by Cliff Hughes, Dick Bennett
Also Good to Watch:
Bill Moyers Journal on PBS, Fridays, 9:00p.m.
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/index-flash.html
For More Information about the US/Iran status, you can visit http://www.buzzflash.com/search/?Query=iran or BBC at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/default.stm
CASUALTIES IN IRAQ
The Human Cost of Occupation
Edited by Margaret Griffis :: Contact
American Military Casualties in Iraq
Date Total In Combat
American Deaths
Since war began (3/19/03): 4256 3424
Since "Mission Accomplished" (5/1/03) (the list)
4117 3316
Since Capture of Saddam (12/13/03): 3795 3118
Since Handover (6/29/04): 3398 2801
Since Obama Inauguration (1/20/09): 27 19
American Wounded Official Estimated
Total Wounded:
31089 Over 100000
Latest Fatality Mar. 7, 2009
Page last updated 03/7/09 5:04 pm EDT
IRAQI CIVILIAN BODY COUNT
Civilians reported killed by military intervention in Iraq
MIN. MAX.
91,060 – 99,433
Source of Iraqi Civilian Body Count: http://www.iraqbodycount.net/
*A body count of Iraqi civilian deaths was published in the medical journal The Lancet in 2006; its estimate at that time was 600,000 (min) to 650,000 (max). Some sources estimate the death toll of civilian deaths today is over 1,000,000
COST OF THE WAR IN IRAQ
$603,000,000,000 and counting
Source of Cost of War: http://nationalpriorities.org
OMNI SEEKS A WORLD FREE OF WAR AND THE THREAT OF WAR, A SOCIETY WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL, A COMMUNITY WHERE EVERY PERSON’S POTENTIAL MAY BE FULFILLED, AN EARTH RESTORED. GRASSROOTS NONVIOLENCE, WORLD PEACE, HUMAN RIGHTS, SOCIAL and ECONOMIC JUSTICE, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP PROTECTING SPECIES AND THE EARTH.
CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
• Senator Blanche Lincoln: Web Site (they have contact links): www.lincoln.senate.gov; http://www.lincoln.senate.gov/index.cfm; http://www.lincoln.senate.gov/webform.html
· Washington Office: 355 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510-0404
Phone: (202) 224-4843 Fax: (202) 228-1371.
· Fayetteville office: 251-1380
• Senator Mark Pryor: Web Site (see contact link): www.pryor.senate.gov ; http://pryor.senate.gov/contact/
· Washington Office: 217 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510-0403
Phone: (202) 224-2353 Fax: (202) 228-0908
· Main District Office: 500 Pres. Clinton Ave., Suite 401, Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: (501) 324-6336 Fax: (501) 324-5320
(Lou Keller, Field Representative, The River Market, 500 Clinton Ave., Suite 401, LR 72201. 501-324-6336; toll free: 877-259-9602; Lou_Keller@pryor.senate.gov; http://pryor.senate.gov)
• Congressman John Boozman, District 3, 12 counties from Benton to Washington
Lowell office: 479-725-0400. Fax: 479-725-0408, 213 W. Monroe, Suite K, 72745. Stacy McLure, Deputy Chief of Staff (STACEY.McCLURE@MAIL.HOUSE.GOV) Web site (with contact
link): http://www.boozman.house.gov/ Boozman’s new office in Lowell is located at 213 West Monroe in Lowell between I 540 and Business 71. To reach that office take Exit 78 off I - 540 and go east. You will be on Hwy 264 which is also West Monroe. The office is in the Puppy Creek Plaza, past the McDonald’s on the right. His suite is in the back of the complex to the left.
Ft. Smith office: 479-782-7787; 30 South 6th St. Rm 240, Ft. Smith 72901.
Harrison office: 870-741-6900; 402 N. Walnut, Suite 210, Harrison 72601.
DC address: 1708 Longworth House Office Bldng., Washington, DC 20515; 202-225-4301. Leslie Parker, appointments secretary: 202-225-4301.
MILESTONES
March 9 – Federal court issues temporary restraining order prohibiting publication by The Progresssive of an article on H-bomb secrecy (1979)
March 10 – Harriet Tubman, former slave and leader of the Underground Railroad, dies (1933)
President Eisenhower states willingness to launch first-strike nuclear attack (1951_
March 11 – U.s. troops intervene in Nicaragua (1853)
Formation of independent Oglala Sioux Nation proclaimed at Wounded Knee, South Dakota (1973)
Bombs on trains in Madrid kill 202 people (2004)
March 12 - Truman Doctrine of anticommunist aid to Greece and Turkey ushers in Cold War era. (1947)
March 13 – U.S. Senate approves nuclear nonproliferation treaty (1969)
March 14 – Albert Einstein born (187(0
March 15 – Atomic energy Commission acknowledges that an unplanned release of radiation from an underground nuclear test spewed fallout over Las Vegas
March 16 – First black newspaper in United States, Freedom’s Journal, published (1827)
About 5090 unarmed Vietnamese killed by U.S. troops in My Lai massacre (1968)
March 17 – President Eisenhower authorizes secret training of Cuban exiles for invasion of Cuba (1960)
First U.S. postal strike (1970)
March 18 – Supreme Court rules that states must provide free legal counsel for indigents (1963)
OPEC lifts oil embargo (1974)
March 19 - 49 arrested during protest at Chase Manhattan Bank against loans to South Africa (1965)
Iraq War Begins (2003)
March 209 – Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin published (1852)
U.S. Marines invade Nicaragua (1896)
New York City gay-rights ordinance signed after 12-year campaign (1986)
March 21 – American Labor Union founded (1853)
Puerto Ricans killed in demonstration for independence 91937)
Martin Luther King Jr. leads Selma, Alabama, march (1965)
March 22 – 30,000 march in Washington, D.C. against draft registration (1980)
16 arrested in four-day cross-country demonstration against shipment of nuclear warheads by train (1983)
March 23 – Trial of 101 Wobbies for opposition to World War I begins (1918)
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