Archive for the ‘Military’ Category

County Council passed Ceasefire Resolution, weekly peace vigil, and upcoming peace organizing meeting on Monday, March 25th

Thursday, March 21st, 2024
The latest peace news!
 
Hawaii County Council passed a Ceasefire in Gaza Resolution #449 draft 3 on Wed. March 20, 2024, by an 8-0 vote with one council member (Sue Leeloy) absent. Good for the Council
 
Join the Friday weekly Hilo Peace Vigil 3:30 – 5 PM at the downtown Hilo Post Office. Check out the new weekly peace leaflet (below) and on our website malu-aina.org.

There will be a peace organizing meeting on Monday, March 25th from 6 – 8 PM at the Kea’au Community Center. Meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month. Please mark your calendars. Zoom participation in the meetings is available from 6:30 to 7:15 PM. See the link here on how to join https://malu-aina.org/?p=9826
 
Please help pass the word to others. Mahalo.
Jim Albertini
 
Extremely Dangerous Times!

With mass death and destruction being carried out by Israel’ (with US weapons) in Gaza, now including imminent mass starvation and the possibility of a widening Middle East war, the ongoing Russia/Ukraine war with increasing talk of direct NATO involvement, along with rising war tensions between China and the US, there is no question that we are living in extremely dangerous times.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said an open clash between NATO and Russia would put the world “a step away from full scale WW III.” Associated Press story in 3/19/24 Hawaii Tribune-Herald p.A7

                                                                                            *************************************************
Aloha
kakou,

     I stand in support of Council resolution 449-24, draft #2. that now includes an important call for a Ceasefire in Gaza, along with “demonstrating the aloha spirit and fostering peace, diplomacy, and unity…” But like the positive step of calling for a Ceasefire in Gaza in the face of Genocide being carried out in Gaza by Israel with US military weapons, the Council at some point needs to address the elephant in the middle of Hawaii Island and Hawaii in general. That elephant is the US military.

     The military 133,000-acre Pohakuloa Training Area, better known at the Pohakuloa TOXIC Area (PTA) in the center of Hawaii Island is a training ground for nuclear war.  Strategic nuclear bombers fly non-stop bombing missions to Pohakuloa from Missouri, Louisiana, and Guam to practice waging nuclear war.  Spotting rounds for US nuclear weapons have been fired at Pohakuloa contaminating our aina with Depleted Uranium radiation. DU oxide particles blow in the wind from PTA traveling long distances around our island.  The areas at PTA contaminated with DU radiation continue to be bombed and shelled with millions of live rounds fired annually, re-suspending and spreading DU particles and a host of other military toxins. Small DU oxide particles when inhaled can move through the lymph system causing a wide range of cancers, birth defects, and worst of all genetic damage passed to future generations.

     Overall, the Hawaiian Islands are some of the most militarized places on the planet with more than 100 military installations, including Camp H. M. Smith above Aloha stadium on Oahu.  Camp Smith is the Headquarters of the US Indo-Pacific command, the US nuclear war command center for more than half the Earth.  How do Camp Smith, Pohakuloa, and the more than 100 US military installations in Hawaii square with “demonstrating the aloha spirit, fostering peace, diplomacy, and unity?” It reminds me of the Nuremberg war crime trials following WW II where a former German SS guard was asked about attempted escapes at the Auschwitz extermination camp.  The guard responded –why would someone want to escape.  Auschwitz, he said, was after all, “a family camp.”

     Let’s be clear.  Military places like Camp Smith, Pohakuloa, etc. are not family camps.  They are not “demonstrating the aloha spirit, fostering peace, diplomacy, and unity.” They are the command center and training ground for global nuclear extermination.  This is an important part of education around disarmament and non-proliferation,  At some point this county council needs to say that besides a CEASEFIRE in Gaza, we need a CEASEFIRE in Hawaii and our entire world. These places of training for global genocide need to be shut down, cleaned up, and the land returned to the Hawaiian people, “demonstrating the aloha spirit and fostering peace, diplomacy, and unity.”  Hopefully, this council and other government officials will speak and act soon, before it is too late.  Resolution 449-24 is a start.  Mahalo.                                                             

Jim Albertini

 Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O. Box 489 Ola’a (Kurtistown), Hawai’i 96760

                                                                   Phone (808) 966-7622 Email ja@malu-aina.org to receive our posts.

For more information see https:malu-aina.org

                                                               March 22, 2024, Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet – week 1173Fridays 3:30-5 PM downtown Post Office

Testimony in support of Council Resolution #449-24 draft 2

Tuesday, March 19th, 2024

Testimony in support of Council Resolution #449-24 draft 2

counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov

March 19, 2024

Aloha Council members,

This is follow-up testimony to my written testimony submitted on March 3, 2024, and verbal testimony on March 6th in support of Council resolution 449-24, now draft #2.

I stand in support of the amended resolution that now includes an important call for a Ceasefire in Gaza, along with “demonstrating the aloha spirit and fostering peace, diplomacy, and unity…” But like the positive step of calling for a Ceasefire in Gaza in the face of Genocide being carried out in Gaza by Israel with US military weapons, the Council at some point needs to address the elephant in the middle of Hawaii Island and Hawaii in general. That elephant is the US military.

The military 133,000-acre Pohakuloa Training Area, better known at the Pohakuloa TOXIC Area (PTA) in the center of Hawaii Island is a training ground for nuclear war.  Strategic nuclear bombers fly non-stop bombing missions to Pohakuloa from Missouri, Louisiana, and Guam to practice waging nuclear war.  Spotting rounds for US nuclear weapons have been fired at Pohakuloa contaminating our aina with Depleted Uranium radiation. DU oxide particles blow in the wind from PTA traveling long distances around our island.  The areas at PTA contaminated with DU radiation continue to be bombed and shelled with millions of live rounds fired annually, re-suspending and spreading DU particles and a host of other military toxins. Small DU oxide particles when inhaled can move through the lymph system causing a wide range of cancers, birth defects, and worst of all genetic damage passed to future generations.

Overall, the Hawaiian Islands are some of the most militarized places on the planet with more than 100 military installations, including Camp H. M. Smith above Aloha Stadium on Oahu.  Camp Smith is the Headquarters of the US Indo-Pacific command, the US nuclear war command center for more than half the Earth.  How do Camp Smith, Pohakuloa, and the more than 100 US military installations in Hawaii square with “demonstrating the aloha spirit, fostering peace, diplomacy, and unity?”  It reminds me of the Nuremberg war crime trials following WWII where a former German SS guard was asked about attempted escapes at the Auschwitz extermination camp.  The guard responded –why would someone want to escape.  Auschwitz, he said, was after all, “a family camp.”

Let’s be clear.  Military places like Camp Smith, Pohakuloa, etc. are not family camps.  They are not “demonstrating the aloha spirit, fostering peace, diplomacy, and unity.” They are the command center and training ground for global nuclear extermination.  This is an important part of education around disarmament and non-proliferation,  At some point this county council needs to say that besides a CEASEFIRE in Gaza, we need a CEASEFIRE in Hawaii and our entire world. These places of training for global genocide need to be shut down, cleaned up, and the land returned to the Hawaiian people, “demonstrating the aloha spirit and fostering peace, diplomacy, and unity.”  Hopefully, this council and other government officials will speak and act soon, before it is too late.  Resolution 449-24 is a start.

Mahalo.

Jim Albertini

President of Malu ‘Aina

— 
Jim Albertini Malu ‘Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box 489 Ola’a (Kurtistown) Hawai’i 96760
Phone 808-966-7622 Email ja@malu-aina.org Visit us on the web at www.malu-aina.org

Gaza Ceasefire Hawaii County Resolution

Thursday, March 14th, 2024
Gaza Ceasefire County resolution 449-24 Draft 2 on agenda for 3/20 Testimony 9AM
Please pass the word. Try and get to a council office by 8:45 AM to sign up to testify
Jim
Jim Albertini Malu ‘Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box 489 Ola’a (Kurtistown) Hawai’i 96760
Phone 808-966-7622 Email ja@malu-aina.org Visit us on the web at www.malu-aina.org

What JFK tried to do before his assassination

Tuesday, March 12th, 2024
This 50 min. dialog below between Chris Hedges and Jeffrey Sacks mainly about JFK’s June 1963 speech at American University is a classic. In my view, it clearly explains why Kennedy was killed and the state we are in today with the war in Ukraine and the increasing risk of nuclear war with Russia/and/or China.  Please share this widely.  Mahalo.
 
https://youtu.be/Wqm9Yl1gGEY?si=ZVSjudlqUnHSwnxk
 

What JFK tried to do before his assassination w/Jeffrey Sachs | The Chris Hedges Report

Excellent video and analysis of our current predicament

That JFK speech in June 63 likely was the final straw for Allen Dulles, former head of the CIA who Kennedy fired, and the Military Industrial Complex gang to carry out JFK’s assassination.
I remember JFK’s assassination like it was yesterday. I was a senior in Catholic High School. When word came that JFK had been shot we all went into the church to pray.

I highly recommend the book –JFK and the Unspeakable –Why He died and why it matters by James W Douglass. Also The Devils Chessboard by David Talbot about Allen Dulles and the rise of America’s Secret Government.

 

Join the Pope’s Call for Peace!

Tuesday, March 12th, 2024

Join The Pope’s Call for

Peace!

Ceasefire Now! No More Weapons! No More War!

Negotiate! Negotiate! Negotiate!

In Ukraine! In Gaza! And Around the World!

Pope Francis said what needs to be said and heard in all conflict situations: All sides need to “have the courage to negotiate” an end to war!

     Instead of negotiations for peace, what we have in Ukraine, Gaza, and other conflicts around the world is more and more death and destruction, with the danger of widening wars that include the risk of global nuclear destruction, and the end of human civilization. Right now before the US Congress is a bill for $95 Billion more military weapons to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. On Tuesday, March 12th the Biden administration announced it was sending $300 million in weapons to Ukraine under an emergency makeshift plan – More weapons, more war, more killing, and destruction..

     It is time for people everywhere, especially US taxpayers, to stand up and say “ No More War, No More Weapons in our names, especially the genocidal campaign in our name and funding by U.S. tax dollars, being carried out in Gaza by Israel. Counties and States are calling for a CEASEFIRE NOW.

Please use this QUICK-CLICK TOOL to tell Hawai’i Legislators to #SUPPORTCEASEFIRE Resos.

Here: http://bit.ly/hiceasefire Also STOP BOMBING POHAKULOA ! End the State lease of land.

The Hawaii County Council will be holding a final vote on a peace and Ceasefire resolution #449-24 on Wed. March 20th . Call your council members to support the resolution and testify on March 20th.

See more on the Ceasefire resolution here https://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2024/03/05/council-peace-resolution-amended-to-include-statement-on-gaza/

End the US/Israel Genocide in Gaza! End all US military Aid to Israel! Terminate the strategic partnership between Hawaii and Israel signed in Oct. 2022.

Peace is a Victory for

All!

1 . Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject violence & war as solutions. 3. Defend civil liberties.
       4. Oppose all discrimination: anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, anti-Hawaiian, anti-Black, anti-Asian, anti-Russian, anti-LGBTQ, etc. 5. Seek peace through peaceful means and work for justice in Hawai`i and around the world.

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action

P.O. Box 489 Ola’a (Kurtistown), Hawai’i 96760

         Phone (808) 966-7622 Email ja@malu-aina.org to receive our posts.

For more information see https:malu-aina.org

March 15, 2024, Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet – week 1172Fridays 3:30-5 PM downtown Post Office