Howdy Vets,

I trust you have all been enjoying our glorious summer.

As you may have heard, the war continues and as vets we are obligated to organize opposition to this insane war and the equally disturbing gridlock in DC. We need to figure out how we are going organize local opposition. As vets, lots of people look to us for leadership and resolve.

How about meeting the 24^th of August (I will check with Michael Burke at St. Mary’s to see if we can start using our Thursday night slots again).

This is what I posted on the Alaska Peace Coalition list serv:

It has been a couple of glorious summer months for the fortunate few who call Alaska home. I have recharged my solar cells and I am ready and I hope you are ready as well to do what we have to do to end the war.

Why do I say we? Congress just isn't ready--We quickly forget power rises up from the people--don't expect those at the top to ever rock the boat too much.

Read Sen. Feingold's indictment of Congress at:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cenk-uygur/senator-feingold-history_b_58130.html

I predict the American people's willing to oppose the war will build in September and culminate in a big demos in DC (and everywhere else, including Anchorage) in October. I will let you know how you can get involved in organizing SOON.

I have complained several times about the lack of a cohesive national peace movement. Well, the stars are lining up this fall--we are coming back together stronger than ever.

However, there are still several(?) branches of the peace movement planning events in September/October--SO there is something for everyone!

Sept. 14-21: Declaration of Peace -- a week of coordinated nonviolent actions.
http://vcnv.org/project/the-occupation-project

September 15: Turn Up the Heat Protest in Washington, D.C.!

Bush and the Pentagon are required to report to Congress on the progress of the "Surge" in Iraq on September 15. Congress will hold hearings the following week. The eyes of the national and international media will be focused on Washington DC and on the words and positions of the politicians and generals. We are determined to make sure that this so-called debate cannot take place inside Congress without them hearing the voices of thousands of angry veterans, students and working people demanding End the War Now!

http://www.pephost.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=8553&news_iv_ctrl=3361
(This one involves ANSWER--they are radical--I think it is time we get radical)

National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance (D.C. action - September 20th);

The Iraq Moratorium (a monthly day of action beginning September 21st);

The THIRD FRIDAY of every month--Join with millions to wear and distribute black ribbons and armbands, etc.

http://www.iraqmoratorium.org/

SEPT 22- 29: Encampment in front of Congress - Cut off the War funds - Build a People Peace Congress--Congress will not end the war, Marches alone will not end the war, It's time to shut down Washington DC -No more business as usual!

http://www.troopsoutnow.org/sept2207call.html

No War, No Warming (October 21st -23rd);
FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE, NOT WARS FOR OIL! Join a global movement rising up against war and global warming by participating in a massive intervention in Washington DC or your own community. The Declaration of Peace is working with many other anti-war initiatives this summer and fall -- to consolidate our actions to end the U.S. occupation of Iraq.

http://nowarnowarming.org/article.php?list=class&class=20