Member of Veterans for Peace

Alters Afghanistan Discussion on CNN

Scott Camil, a veteran of the second-longest U.S. war in history, that on Vietnam, radically changed a discussion of the longest war in U.S. history, that on Afghanistan, on CNN on Sunday, April 22, 2012

CNN’s Don Lemon tried repeatedly to explain troops posing with body parts as an inscrutable result of war, without questioning the justification of that war.  Repeatedly, Lemon instructed viewers not to judge soldiers. ..

Scott Camil took a different tack, saying: “Well no we don’t know what it’s like to be in combat unless you’ve been in combat, but I think the real question is: you’re nit picking when you’re talking about things like people posing with bodies.  The real question should be why are we at war in the first place? Why are we killing so many people in the first place? The concern over posing with someone that’s dead, it seems to me the fact that that person is dead and that we’re killing people is more important than what happens after they’re dead.”

Camil’s comment was so effective that the next panelist to speak shifted to his topic.  Holly Hughes remarked: “Scott hit the nail on the head because now we’ve opened a dialogue.  What are we talking about now?  Shouldn’t we be more upset that we’re out there killing people? . . . Maybe we need to assess why we’re there in the first place.”

Camil continued: “What I understand is what it’s like to be in a war zone and I understand the behavior in a war zone.  And I would say that, first of all, that war is really an institution made up of criminal behavior.  When we as civilians want to solve our problems, we’re not allowed to murder people and burn their houses down.  I don’t see why war is an acceptable means of conflict resolution.  And furthermore, the majority of people that die are innocent civilians.”

Some fundamental truths are rarely spoken on television.  See the full article by Dav id Swanson and video here. http://www.opednews.com/articles/Member-of-Veterans-for-Pea-by-David-Swanson-120422-521.html

End the Wars! Bring the Troops Home Now!

1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties. 4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, etc.
5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760. Phone (808) 966-7622.  Emailja@malu-aina.org   http://www.malu-aina.org
Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (April 27, 2012 – 553rd week) – Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office

This petition on clipboards was put on tables at the Hawaii County Council April 24, 2012 public hearing on Geothermal energy in Pahoa.  Nearly 200 people added their names at that hearing.  Please consider adding your name and getting others to sign as well.  If you know of ways people can sign this petition on line that would be very helpful. Mahalo. Jim

Respect Pele: No More Geothermal Drilling!

Ask anyone in Hawaii, who is Pele and the reply very likely will be: Pele is the goddess of the Volcano. Drilling into Pele to exploit geothermal energy is sacrilegious.  It is desecration of the sacred.  Pele is not for sale.  Today, our entire planet is in ecological crisis because of disrespect for the sacred.  Mother nature is telling all of us in crystal clear terms that to restore balance we need to respect the sacred.  In Hawaii, that means respect Pele.  Do what is pono.  Let Pele be. No more geothermal drilling. An injury to one is an injury to all. There are clean, safe, energy alternatives that do not violate Hawaii’s host culture’s religious beliefs and can help us all live more lightly upon this earth.

Name only for public release

(please print clearly)                        

Address                                                                                   zip code                               

phone                                                                                       email

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Please pass the word: Very important meeting on Tuesday, April 24th 6PM in Pahoa.
County Council sponsored Community Geothermal Development Meeting (Pahoa High School Cafeteria) happening on Tuesday, April 24 at 6:00pm at Pahoa High School cafeteria.
One hour Presentation by Pele Defense Fund followed by public testimony –3 minute time limit to testimony.

Saturday, April 21, 2012 Pahoa Akebono Theater 5:30PM

Tuesday, April 24, 2012 Pahoa High School cafeteria 6PM:  1 hour presentation by Pele Defense Fund followed by public testimony before the Hawaii County Council –3 minute time limit for testimony.

Please pass the word.  Mahalo.

Iran’s Phantom

Menace

One Graphic, One Thousand Words

For years, a propaganda drumbeat has been rising to justify a war to stop Iran from building a nuclear bomb, though U.S. intelligence agencies say Iran isn’t building one and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has decried nukes as a “great sin.” But nothing has stopped the drumbeat, ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern notes.

McGovern says U.S. President Barrack Obama has issued an “all-too-familiar warning to Iran that it has one “last chance” to stop doing what the CIA and pretty much all serious intelligence agencies say it is not doing — namely, working on a nuclear weapon. That’s right; one “last chance” to stop doing what it is NOT doing.”

Don’t be fooled again.  It’s all about Iran’s oil and regime change to serve the U.S. empire and its oil companies.

Stop the Next War Now!    Resist!

1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties. 4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, etc.
5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760.
Phone (808) 966-7622.  Emailja@malu-aina.org   http://www.malu-aina.org
Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (April 20, 2012 – 552nd week) – Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office