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Sharon Grimes, W A M M
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1000 Women Nominated for Peace Prize
The “1,000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize” has nominated 1,000 women for 2005. In the United States, 114 women were proposed and 40 were nominated, including California Rep. Barbara Lee. She was the only U.S. legislator to vote against the post-September 11 resolution giving President Bush the power to use military force in Iraq. Swiss Parliament member Ruth-Gaby Vermot-Mangold started the Nobel Peace Prize project in March 2003 “to recognize the work of women as peacemakers.”
One Million Reasons to End the War
CODEPINK launched One Million Reasons to End the War in Iraq and hopes to gather names and reasons from people worldwide. On September 26, the messages will be delivered to the White House. Among those calling for an end to the war are writer Arundhati Roy, Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, former CIA director John Deutch, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, U.S. soldier Camilo Mejia, Iraqi blogger Riverbend, and actress Carrie Fisher.
Cindy Sheehan’s Vigil Propels Peace
Cindy Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq, is holding a vigil in Crawford, Texas, until she gets to meet with President Bush. She has been joined by a number of supporters, including former U.S. Army colonel and senior diplomat Ann Wright who resigned after 35 years of service because of the war. Sheehan says she wants to ask Bush “why did you kill my son? If the cause is so noble, why don’t you send your twins?” Two local peace vigils were held in August to support Sheehan.
Peace Agreement Signed
In July the Indonesian government and Aceh rebels agreed to sign a peace agreement on August 15, which would end the 29-year conflict that has killed 15,000 people in the Aceh province. The agreement allows rebels to participate in the political process, gives them amnesty, and establishes a monitoring mission of European Union and Southeast Asian observers. Former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari mediated the talks.
Poll: More Parents Oppose Recruitment
According to a recent Gallup Poll, only 52 percent of parents say they would support their child’s decision to join the military; that number is down from 66 percent in 1999. A growing number of high schools nationwide are criticizing the military’s recruiting efforts and questioning its access to students. Under the No Child Left Behind Act, schools must turn over names, phone numbers, and addresses of 11th and 12th graders unless parents opt out. Many parents want schools to do more to let parents know how to keep recruiters from calling. OPT-OUT - click here for info.
Resolution Reaffirms Nuclear Disarmament
Before Congress adjourned in August, California Rep. Lynn Woolsey reintroduced her resolution asking the administration to reaffirm nuclear disarmament agreements and the steps for disarmament agreed to in 2000.
Churches Launch Environmental Effort
The National Council of Churches USA launched a new effort to fight “growing threats to our nation’s public lands and associated resources.” The intent is to mobilize people of faith to “be stewards of creation” as it relates to the impact of gas and oil development on land preservation.
Senate Recognizes Global Warming
The U.S. Senate passed a resolution recognizing that global warming is a problem and stating that we must enact mandatory limits on the pollution that causes it. Key Republicans and Democrats supported the resolution. This reverses a 1997 vote by the Senate against mandatory pollution cuts.
White Buffalo Portends Unity
A white buffalo, named Medicine Heart, was born recently in Kentucky. One of the prophecies of the white buffalo, considered a rare and sacred symbol by some American Indians, is that “they are born to bring unity among people around the world.”
Several Denominations Denounce Iraq War
The National Council of Churches (NCC) and several member denominations sent a petition opposing U.S. policy in Iraq to President Bush on July 4. It said that “It has become clear that the rationale for invasion was at best a tragic mistake, at worst a clever deception” and denounced leaders for sending Americans “to fight a dishonorable war” and for “the abuse of prisoners that has shamed our nation.” Other denominations signing the petition were the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and United Church of Christ, and executives of the United Methodist Church, to which Bush belongs, and nearly 16,000 individuals in 44 states. |
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© 2005 Women Against Military Madness. All rights reserved.
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Complete September 2005 Index - click here
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