CODEPINK Women for Peace: Action Blog

Jes is building a Bridge of Hearts

2011-03-14T23:14:00.004-05:00

Dear CodePink Friends,

Please check out my website: bridgeofhearts.org

If you're on Facebook, I'd love to be your friend!

I'll be using Facebook to set up house parties for a tour of the U.S. this summer,and I'll be showing a personal documentary on Iran, featuring footage from my last two trips.

If you're interested in hosting a house party, please let me know.

Join us on April 2 (see below) to celebrate the Iranian New Year!

Peace & Love,

Jes

You're Invited...

In celebration of the Iranian New Year (Now Rooz), you are cordially invited to participate with your child in an enchanting train ride conducted by the great Gandhi Puppet of Peace.

Our guest speaker and presenter of this international project, Jes Richardson, is a school teacher and resident of Novato, and this New Year he is joined by The Gandhi Peace Puppet in sending the message of Love to the children of Iran.
All ages are welcome and this event is free.

Saturday, April 2, 2011
2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Jes Richardson will be on tour this summer to build a bridge of understanding between the children of two nations, Iran and America. Adults are also welcome to cross this bridge by joining Jes and the children in singing a new love song to the Iranian children. The song is written and composed by local musician and song-writer, Ted Wright. At the end of his national tour, Jes plans to appear on "The Late Show with David Letterman". We are very excited to be hosting this event and hope you can join us!

To learn more about The Bridge of Hearts project and vision you can visit the website: www.BridgeofHearts.org

Questionnaire for Tea Party

2010-04-18T21:14:00.001-05:00

Dear Tea Party members,

In an effort to better understand the sentiments of your group and see where we, in the peace movement, might find common ground, we would appreciate it if you would answer a few questions. Thank you for your time.

o The Cold War has been over for 20 years, yet we maintain 800-plus bases around the world and have troops stationed in 148 countries at a cost of over $100 billion/year. Should we begin to dismantle this global web of bases?

o Every taxpayer has already spent, on average, $7,367 for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (http://www.costofwar.com). Now Obama plans to send another 30,000 troops to Afghanistan, with a price tag of one million dollars per soldier per year. Do you think Congress should stop funding the wars and bring out troops home?

o Israel, a wealthy country, gets $3 billion a year from Uncle Sam with no strings attached and no accountability. The second largest recipient is the autocratic government of Egypt. Should Congress cut the foreign aid budget by cutting funds to Israel and Egypt?

O Private security contractors in war zones make way higher salaries than US soldiers and with little accountability, undermining our reputation overseas. Should we phase out private security contractors in war zones and return those jobs to the U.S. military?

o Experts on the left and the right say we could cut our military budget by 25%, including closing foreign bases, winding down the wars, and ending obsolete weapons systems, without jeopardizing our security. Do you agree?

o If we could make significant cuts to the military budget, how should those funds be reallocated? To pay down the debt? Increase security at home? Rebuild our infrastructure? Stimulate the economy through tax breaks?

o Do you think people on the left and right of the political spectrum can work together to trim the bloated Pentagon budget?

If you are willing to be a part of a continued dialogue on this issue, please give us your name, email and/or phone. Thank you.

Name and contact info:

CODEPINK, www.codepink.org, info@codepinkalert.org, 415-235-6517

There Are No Goodbyes

2010-02-06T18:28:00.003-05:00

I just wanted to briefly abuse my posting privileges here and say goodbye to the Pink House. I will never forget that great space full of joy, love, action, energy and creativity.

A big thanks and hug to Des for being my surrogate mama when I was in DC, and to everybody I met who taught and inspired me so much. You all rock, you wonderful Pink sisters and brothers doing the good works our nation and world need.

An era has ended, the journey continues.

Peace and respect,
ntodd
Green Mountain Code Pink

DC Pink House Transition

2010-02-01T17:47:00.004-05:00

Three years ago, on March 1, 2007, we opened the doors to a brick townhouse in the northeast quadrant of DC and decided to call it home. Little did we know in the years to come this 5-bedroom house near Capitol Hill would become a ground zero for CODEPINK activism in the halls of Congress. We not only brought a flash of hot pink to the sea of drab gray and black Congressional suits, but we broke through the inside-the-beltway politics with a refreshing dash of people power. The costs of maintaining the house and paying the rent have become an overwhelming burden for CODEPINK and we must now move on from the house into the next course of action. The Pink House will close at the end of February, 2010, but CODEPINK in DC will maintain a virbant presence and invites activists to join powerful actions in March in the beltway!

Read the full story of the Pink House and find out how to get active with CODEPINK in DC here:
http://codepink4peace.org/blog/2010/02/packing-up-the-pink-house/

Finding CODEPINK Online

2009-12-15T17:41:00.002-05:00

Dear Blog Readers,
This blog is no longer as active as it used to be though it does serve as a great archive of CODEPINK actions in DC over the past three years.

To find updated events happening in DC check out our calendar here.

Pink House Mama moves on

2009-07-01T17:45:00.000-05:00

Big changes are happening in DC and we're not just talking about Congress. We are writing to share with you the news that Desiree has decided that as of August she will retire from her role as Pink House Mama and move on to the next chapter in her epic life. Des never thought she'd be in this role this long - 2 1/2 years! - and the time has come for us to offer forth our gratitude for the incredible work she has done, the space she has created for the magic to happen in DC. CODEPINK's presence in DC has been in large part made possibly by Desiree's heart, dedication, hard work behind the scenes and on the front lines, and non-stop caring, creativity, cooking, cleaning, chanting, acting... and the list goes on. Des is a wonder woman in PINK and an inspiration to us all, and we know that as she moves into her own place, she'll remain an active member of our PINK family, in action and in gatherings. Read Des's letter to you below.

While Des will move to a new home in the beltway, our Pink House continues. This summer we have an excellent opportunity to gather in action during the final week that Congress is in session before the August recess (and Des's last week at the Pink House!). Join us for our Women's Leadership Intensive in DC July 26-August 1 (Sunday-Saturday): PINK the halls of Congress, meet with CODEPINK cofounders and staff for a special pink strategy session and a dance party that would make Emma Goldman proud. Here's a letter from Des:

Sisters and Brothers-in-Peace,

Believe it or not, when Rae welcomed me through the doors of the PINK HOUSE 2 1/2 years ago, I had NO idea I would be here that long or grow so much!! My initial plan was to help out during the anniversary of the war 2007 action and stay for just 1 month!

"Pinking" the Hill, working with peacemakers from all over the country and welcoming activists from Brazil, Cameroon, Ghana, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Pakistan and Vietnam to the PINK HOUSE has been a profound experience for me for which I am eternally grateful. I have learned and experienced so much in such a short a span of time thanks to the women I have worked so closely with over the last two years, dear Ann, Dana, Gael, Joan, Jodie, Leslie, Liz, Lydia, Medea, Nancy, Rae, and Sam and hundreds of others! Thank you for teaching me so much!

Opportunities to learn and contribute will continue as I will be close by the PINK HOUSE in my own apartment and as a Youth Services Librarian every day I share lessons learned as an empowered "pinker" for peace and social justice.

The PINK HOUSE lives on, albeit only as long as you want it to. Please continue supporting our work by coming to DC, especially if you've never stayed here www.codepinkalert.org/house or can help support other activists to come to the Hill.
Come see me and PINK ON!!!

Desiree Fairooz
CODEPINK DC / Activist House Coordinator

McCAins- Arizona Friday June 5 w Cindy Sheehan

2009-06-02T13:31:00.006-05:00

This friday June 5th CODEPINK activists be making an in office visit as confirmed with Lois longtime receptionist to support a real change through PEACE & a JUST foreign policy..........

will be Denouncing ToRTURE once again outside John McCain's office in protest!

Can all our DC friends call McCains 602.956.2410

Vote NO to deny confirmation to the Obama pick for Afghanistan!

Thanks alot

Your help is needed

LIZ Edwina Lisa Virgina Maggie & Peace TEAM

Rorschach Test

2009-05-25T15:49:00.022-05:00

What do you see when you look at the picture on the right?

I see my friend Medea, leading the charge against injustice as she often does, with other wonderful Pinkers (is that Lori on the right?) in the background. Other folks see "wingnuts...armed with ideological certainty...addicted to...a righteous indignation that makes them unable to see any perspective other than their own."

That would be John Avlon, self-described centrist who used to work for none other than Rudy Giuliani and the New York Sun. It seems his understanding of occupying the so-called middle and finding common ground is a Solomon-esque approach grabbing whatever he can label extreme on either side of the two-dimensional political spectrum and castigate both of them. Fair and balanced!

Says he, after first addressing The Right's Wingnut of the Week:

The looney left protest group Code Pink attempted to assault former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice with bloodstained hands earlier in the year. Earlier this month, they attempted an ambush of former Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.

John might have a bit more street cred if he actually checked his facts. Desiree was found guilty of "disorderly conduct" last May for her 2007 action. Of course there was also no attempted assault by any stretch.

Oh, and she and Medea *did* ambush Rummy.

It's funny how pundits can't seem to get even the simplest facts straight. Perhaps it's because they are unable to see any perspective other than their own as they struggle to prove some vague, chimeric point.

This is all par for the course in Code Pink-land, where a strident cluelessness accompanies street theater protests. They’ve disrupted countless congressional hearings, blocked the opening of military recruiting stations at Berkley and called our soldiers war criminals.

I always enjoy the litanies such critics put together, each item without context and assumed to be damning in its own right.

Oh no, Code Pink has disrupted Congressional hearings! Because we all know protest can only occur in Free Speech Zones and never, ever should we let our elected employees and the enablers they invite to their happy little confabs that we are watching them and maybe are even a bit...displeased. For future reference, Pinkers, write a sternly worded letter and allow the matter to drop. Thanks in advance.

And please, stop harassing those nice military recruiters. They're just hard-working folks, who never lie to potential cannon fodder.

BTW, Code Pink isn't the only organization that actively works on counter-recruitment. Our friends at NNOMY do, too, amongst other groups. Why? Because some folks think that we shouldn't be raise our children to kill other parents' children. And sometimes you just have to put yourself in their way to get them to pause and consider what joining the military means.

As for the "war criminal" charge, I've never heard any Pinker actually say that, though I hear it mentioned by detractors all the time. Just like the "they spit on soldiers returning from Vietnam," however, nobody has ever been able to actually show this to be the case--extra surprising in the age of Google. But it sure sounds great when you're in high dudgeon and have an axe to grind!

They’ve been apologists for left-wing dictators like Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez

That wouldn't be the duly-elected president of a sovereign power now, would it? The one who is almost as popular as our own?

and met privately with Iran’s Holocaust-denying President Ahmadinejad and called it “a major step forward.”

Indeed, if by 'privately' you mean "with 150 other peace activists" and issued a public press release. What's really puzzling is why building bridges is something to be decried by a centrist who tells us we need to find common ground. Some fairly non-pink folks think it's a good idea with regard to Iran specifically, and Howard Thurman would agree on general principle.

What's more, it is interesting that somebody like Medea would be such a self-hater that she would gleefully make peace with a Holocaust-denier. It's almost like Alvon threw that in there just to be...inflammatory.

Lately, they’ve been collecting donations for Gaza.

Next scandal: Code Pink collects donations to save puppies. The horror. Of course, that self-hating, anti-Israel Medea is just doing this because she loves Hamas or something.

Or maybe Code Pink is trying to change the status quo just a bit, and make sure humanitarian aid gets into Gaza where more than half the population are children suffering from PTSD and depression, and growing up to hate Israel and America. Maybe Code Pink is once again trying to find common ground.

The US government is for them the prime enemy of peace in the world today. And apparently their feelings were not specific to the Bush administration.

Correct! Finally.

We don't work against specific administrations. We work for an agenda of peace and justice. Bush was the extreme we've had to deal with in the Executive branch; Obama is more moderate and thoughtful, and closer to our side but still far from perfect. So we create the space for him to do the right thing using myriad time-tested nonviolent tactics.

You'd think a "centrist" would appreciate that we don't just resist a president just because they have an R after their name.

Code Pink is trying to speak for the folks on the far-left who feel burned by the recent $96 billion dollar funding for troop escalation in Afghanistan, despite the fact that Obama campaigned on such an increase.

This person who phonebanked, canvassed and captained for Obama knows he campaigned on such an increase. What of it? Did I somehow forfeit my right to dissent because of this?

19th century Republican Senator Carl Schurz famously said: My country right or wrong. When right, to keep right; when wrong, to put right. Same goes for my president.

President Obama’s centrist course of action in Afghanistan and Iraq succeeded in depolarizing the most divisive issue of this decade within weeks of his entering office.

If he depolarized this issue, how could Avlon also say, "On the same day that President Obama’s approach to the war on terror was being attacked from the right by former Vice President Dick Cheney..."?

But what's wrong with polarization, anyway? Was there some time in our nation's idyllic past wherein everybody agreed about everything and frolicked in paradise, plucking ripe fruit from the tree of liberty all year round? There's an unreasonable and haughty aspect to the "centrist" fear of disagreement and division, which I guess explains how uncomfortable it makes them when people go out full force in support of their ideals.

For Code Pink, turning over Afghanistan to the Taliban would be the best way to achieve peace and justice. For a group supposedly dedicated to women’s rights, that is naïve in the extreme.

Oh, what an onion of wrongness left for us to unpeel. A false dichotomy bolstered by ignorance of facts on the ground, wrapped in a strawman erected hoping nobody ever checks into what Code Pink's actual stance on Afghanistan is. Shocking.

It’s time for a reality check: nobody is pro-abortion, just as nobody is purely pro-war.

I know he's talking to Randall Terry, but I am compelled to agree that nobody is pro-abortion. We are pro-choice, pro-reproductive freedom. And the point is taken that even with such stark, seemingly binary political positions, we can still find some common ground in such a divisive environment.

Yet common ground and compromise are not the same as capitulation. While we might work together with anti-choicers on issues like access to contraception to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies, we would not give in to the notion that a woman's body isn't her own to control.

Similarly, we certainly agree something needs to be done to protect America by reducing terrorism, but we are going to fundamentally oppose American exceptionalism and violent solutions that do nothing to secure us and only increase terrorism whilst also creating more human misery around the globe.

And while American presidents oft say they don't want war, they generally do so just before launching one. Obama isn't anti-war, by his own admission. Given how he's linked the waste of lives and treasure in Iraq to our domestic problems, we're here to see that he makes a similar connection regarding Afghanistan.

We can find common ground in America, but it requires thinking responsibly about solving problems, not rabid protests.

Once again, heaven forfend if we protest and offend virgin ears. Fetch me my smelling salts as I retire to the fainting couch. And of course protesting is mutually exclusive with thinking responsibly.

Democracy depends on a faith in persuasion, not violent polarization.

Democracy depends on many things, actually, not just binary choices between persuasion and something else. Perhaps Avlon would consider that it depends on people of conscience acting in defense of principles they hold dear. Samuel Adams would say so: It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds.

What else does democracy require? A sovereign people aware of their various choices, methinks. If the Military Industrial Complex is shoved down their throats by the media masters owned by corporations that make weapon systems, how do we make them aware of other viewpoints? We must grab their attention somehow.

It also requires diversity of action. Paul Hawken speaking at the University of Portland's graduation:

No one knows how many groups and organizations are working on the most salient issues of our day: climate change, poverty, deforestation, peace, water, hunger, conservation, human rights, and more. This is the largest movement the world has ever seen.

Rather than control, it seeks connection. Rather than dominance, it strives to disperse concentrations of power.

So we're pushing for our ideals as part of a large tapestry. When we can, we make connections with other people, organizations and agendas. When we can't, we stand firm. That's not a bad thing in a democracy.

And violent polarization? I think Avlon used up his allowance of hyperbole early on.

I admit to a certain amount of frustration lately with the punditocracy. They act as though they alone are capable of receiving wisdom, casting about for solutions people have already come up with. They remind me of Plato, who valued pure thought over real experience.

It's exhausting to deal with such ignorance, but it always offers a chance for outreach and education. So even though I'd rather just say, "this dude doesn't know jack and his piece is clearly ridiculous to the casual observer," I recall that most people don't know about all the things Code Pink does, were never taught all the fine examples of nonviolent action through history, and don't realize their own power in this democracy.

So we take a deep breath, explain one more time what we're about (with or without snark), and hope that perhaps we reach another person somewhere who's willing to consider an alternative to the status quo and step beyond their own comfort.

ntodd

(h/t aangus and noblejoanie)

Confessions of a Pink Intern: Dick Head on Parade

2009-05-21T16:49:00.005-05:00

The pink women were on a stake out for Dick Cheyney outside of the American Enterprize Institute (AEI), a conservative think tank which embodies the anti-Christ of CODEPINK. Cheyney spoke on the U.S. policies regarding terrorism and torture. A transcript of his speech can be found on the AEI website: http://www.aei.org/docLib/Vice%20President%20Cheney%20Remarks%205%2021%2009.pdf
We tried various tactics to infiltrate the event, but didn't get very far. Security seemed to be especially heightened considering they felt the need to have three burly men "escort" me from the premiss.
The pink ladies had to satisfy themselves with making a scene on the sidewalk instead. On the bright side, being expelled from the AEI building gave us a chance to interact with the public and inform them of Cheyney's war crimes. We the people need to do everything in our power to create an awareness amongst ourselves about the actions of our leaders and to make known the message that torture is never an acceptable tactic on or off American land. Cheyney has been blatantly ignoring the values laid down by the American Constitution and the Geneva Convention without any consequences. We need to get the message out that no one is above the law, especially the American government.
~E.L.G.

Confessions of a Pink Intern: Out On The Hill

2009-05-20T10:23:00.004-05:00

In lieu of not posting a blog yesterday today is a two-blog kind of day.
On Tuesday the Pink interns were sent off to find Congressman, Dennis Kucinich to ask for the favor of his endorsement of CODEPINK to the Israeli embassy for our upcoming trip to Egypt and the Gaza Strip. We found him at his hearing for the Committee of Oversight and Government Reform, and were able to catch the last few minutes of his statement concerning the legalization of marijuana. We were able to chase him down as the hearing recessed for lunch. Kucinich was very amiable and supportive of CODEPINK, and agreed to put in a good word for us with the Israeli embassy, which is great because we could use all the good credit we can get with them considering their distaste with our pro-Palestine stance. The rest of the day passed quickly as the interns ran around the Hill trying to garner support from other Congressmen, which I found to be quite grueling process that involved being shuffled from this aid to that aid, leaving messages with this or that secretary, and frequently being given the amorphous reply of "Well, we will see what we can do . . ." by everyone but the Congressmen we sought. The level of commitment was astounding (insert sarcasm here).
Today, the agenda is to attend the hearing for the Committee of Foreign Relations which our dear Hillary R. Clinton is presiding over. For those of you who read this in time, be sure to check CSPAN for Pinkies at the hearing.
~E.L.G.

Confessions of a Pink Intern: Free Palestine!

2009-05-18T19:56:00.007-05:00

Hello to all! My name is Emma, and I am a newly-started intern with CODEPINK. Today was my first action with the pink ladies, and let me tell you, it was quite the experince. As you may or may not know, President Obama met today with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel in the White House. Of course, CODEPINK needed to get in on the action and give a voice to the horrendous human rights violations of the Palestinian people by the Israeli government. We created mock military check point, inspired by the ones that the Palestinians are subjected to each time that they wish to travel in Israel. The effect was to create an awareness of what it is like to live in an occupied territory and to be discriminated against by one's own government.

When we arrived at the White House we were met not only by the hoards of the pro-Israel lobby, which I will get to in a moment, but also by a large group of Tamil advocares, who had turned out in the wake of the killing of Velupillai Prabhakaran, the leader of the Tamil opposition in the 26 year Sri Lankan civil war. The members of the pro-Israel lobby met the pink ladies with mixed reactions . . . needless to say, they weren't too happy to see a pro-Palestine factions. Many were very aggressive towards us; ripping and grabbing at our banner and clothes, shoving us, yelling insulted, accusing us of being "Jew-murdering terrorists", and at one point I was even punched by an elderly, but fiesty Jewish matron, whose size was decieving of her strength. In fact, some of them became so hostile that the police had to create a barrier between the pro-Palestine and pro-Israel factions.

But there were a few among the pro-Israel lobby that were willing to talk with us peacefully, and who were open to a friendly exchange of ideas and knowledge. There was even a moment of true peace when Brian Hennessey, a friend and supporter of CODEPINK, crossed the barrier, spoke with and embraced the Israel advocates. As both sides realized that it was possible to set aside personal agendas and beliefs in the name of peace and cooperation the hostility subsided. We can only hope for the same between Israel and the PLO. Peace! Salaam! Shalom!

~ E.L.G.

Christianna detains a pro-Israel advocate

Brain makes peace

I Find "Liberal" Pundits Relentlessly Unimpressive

2009-05-15T08:20:00.005-05:00

Poor, poor Jason Linkins at HuffPo is confoozled:

Naturally, I'm not a big fan of Donald Rumsfeld, or the Iraq War strategy, or the foreign policy -- if it can be called that -- that came out of the Bush White House. And, on principle, I'm sort of okay with messing around with the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Nevertheless, I find it hard to divine the value of Code Pink yelling at Rumsfeld in this setting.

I recommend Jason reads Gene Sharp's 198 Methods of Nonviolent Action, especially Methods 31 and 32: haunting and taunting officials. Just a couple of the myriad tactics Code Pink uses regularly.

In the first place, there's the pointlessness: the Beltway press are fully on board with "looking forward, not backward," and preserving comity, and not troubling their pretty little minds with the hurtful thoughts of the people they cover going to jail.

This is precisely why you do such things. Shake up the status quo, interrupt the cognitive dissonance, if only for a moment. Without being challenged, officials and the press who fawn over them will never feel the need to change their minds.

But more to the point, I've watched Code Pink shout at Al Gore, of all people, at Netroots Nation, of all places, as he was explaining his national environmental policy initiative, of all the things to shout down.

No, you actually haven't. Really, you haven't.

When you basically go out and disrupt EVERYTHING, it's hard to know where you stand on ANYTHING.

If only there were some technology wherein "computers" could be "internetworked" and you could check out a "web" of information so as to divine Code Pink's "stances." And if only Code Pink did stuff other than disrupting things.

So, yeah, I find this stuff relentlessly unimpressive, but I've also found that plenty of people object to me saying so. Just like the Tea Parties! I nevertheless believe that just as crisis demands we not abandon our principles, our response to crisis demands we at least attempt to preserve a measure of dignity.

More stupid stunts, eh? Dignity above all is what's important to armchair inactivists who wring their hands when somebody stands up to murderers! It must be frustrating knowing you're so ill-informed and self-righteous when these silly people don't listen to your wisdom and concern...

ntodd

War Criminal

2009-05-13T07:48:00.004-05:00

Des and Medea have a chat with Donald Rumsfeld at the White House Correspondents' Dinner:

"Enjoy your evening..."

ntodd

Mother's Day Vigil - Day One

2009-05-10T08:56:00.004-05:00

A few pictures from Saturday. And don't forget PINK Talk today at 5pm. Happy Mother's Day!

ntodd

[Update: PINK Talk is now archived and there are a few more photos of today's action at my blog.]

Early Morning Activism Peace Pressure

2009-04-27T14:01:00.008-05:00

CODEPINK women were on bikes staking out the travels of President Obama as we still want a Peace Prez in the White House!We rolled over to the National Academy of Sciences conveniently located next to the State Dept to Remind Obama we do not approve of continuing Bush's failed policies of occupation. We the people need to do everything ppossible to get the message out the local cost of continuing these endless occupations hurts us as one nation.Occupation makes us weaker by consuming our resources and the human cost is painfully high & increasing.

Listen to the people We desire a new way forward not based on constant Empire building & destroying!!!! The State Dept led Gen Tariq and a delegation of Pakistani Military as part the CODEPINK Reality Singers welcomed the Paki Military men with words of wisdom
PEACE Diplomacy Love Truth Cooperation is the way forward they smiled ...........and one even flashed the peace sign!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Liz reporting live from DC

Thx to everyone who helped in our Pink presence this a.m.It makes a huge difference with a presence!!!!!

PINK Talk Today: Conversations

2009-04-26T12:16:00.000-05:00

This week features CODEPINK co-founder Jodie Evans discussing meetings with members of Congress and interviews with women from Afghanistan. She will also share stories from the knitters for Mother's Day and her experiences being a part of "What It Is: Conversations about Iraq". And of course Des and Liz fill us in on all the Hill action, including Liz's latest adventure with General Petraeus and the Capitol Police, plus upcoming actions and opportunities to create peace.

Listen, chat, e-mail pinktalkradio@gmail.com and/or call in to (347) 326-9471.

ntodd

Liz got arrested for saying National Guard should come home!

2009-04-24T13:08:00.004-05:00

by Lisa Savage

General Petraeus testified to the House Appropriations subcomittee this morning on the supplemental war funding request of $83 billion that will come up for a vote soon. CODEPINK turned out in force: Gael, Medea, Liz, Toby, Martha, Sarah, Maggie and I lined up out in the hall early but there was really no need -- hardly anyone else showed up to listen. Still, we were barred from sitting in the empty rows of seats at the front of the audience (i.e. close behind Petraeus where we'd be visible on camera). When Petraeus said something about the need to better prepare National Guard and reserve troops to do their jobs (sic) in Afghanistan, and Liz said, "Our National Guard should be at home in their home states, not in combat," the police pounced on her and put her under arrest. She left the room willingly, but they hauled her off to processing anyway.
(Search for today's hearing on C-SPAN to see Liz hustled out and listen to the piles and heaps of b.s. the General had cooked up to conceal the fact that the supplemental allocates more than 10 to 1 military over aid or diplomacy spending. At one point he says we don't want to eat our young, and then moments later that said young might be bumping into a glass ceiling. Block that metaphor!)

As soon as the hearing ended Medea went to Rep. Chet Edwards' office to plead with his staff to have him intervene with the police. (Edwards chaired the subcommitte and also said some nice things about freedom of expression along the way). I stayed to follow up and eventually the congressman himself emerged from the back office and told me his staff had called the capitol police to say he was very much opposed to Liz's arrest for speaking out. He apologized several times, and said that in fact in the hearing the committee had been "trying to get at some of the things on your signs." (NO MILITARY SOLUTION / GOT DIPLOMACY?? / $76 b. WAR, ONLY $7b. AID?). We had a good talk. He seemed amazed that a social studies teacher would spend a beautiful Friday on spring break attending the Petraeus hearing. "Now that's dedication!" he said with a big grin. Me: "I'm going to go back and tell the students how the 1st amendment really works in Washington."

Just a few minutes ago I got to talk to Liz on Gael's phone. She was without an i.d. but had a check someone had just given her so they were running her name through the system before releasing her. I thought this meant she was not arrested, but Gael said she would probably be cited and have to appear in court. Liz sounded ok and said not to worry. She is the hardest working unpaid citizen lobbyist I have ever known (yes, I have known a few). The American people owe her. Where is everybody when Petraeus is asking for this kind of $$$ to keep killing people?? (Sure, he said all the right stuff about aid and rebuilding and diplomacy, but check the numbers in his budget to expose that particular lie.) My family jumped in and helped when I emailed an urgent plea to call Edwards' office, and soon she was released. Thank you!

What an exhilarating week. I was proud to be pink before, but my delight at being associated with this fiercely dedicated, intelligent, paying attention group is complete. I have to go home very early tomorrow morning to resume my teacherly duties, but this I vow -- I will be back!

"the Americans have the wristwatches, but we have the time"

2009-04-23T16:28:00.003-05:00

4/23

by Lisa Savage

Started off the day with pinksters Gael, Liz, Medea, Maggie, Lori & Sarah at the Senate Foreign Relations committee hearing "Soldiers' stories from the Afghan War," chaired by John Kerry. One great witness called was a retired Army colonel from B.U., Andrew Bacevich, who studies "war and conflict" (thank you for not pretending they mean the same thing, professor). He said without doubt there is NO MILITARY SOLUTION IN AFGHANISTAN, in fact our military presence makes the situation worse, that we are viewed as occupiers. He kept saying "the long war" meaning both Iraq and Afghanistan and Pakistan and... is parallel in key ways to Vietnam: no clear goal, no exit strategy, and unaffordable both in $$ and public opinion. Yes!!! Exactly!!! So good to hear someone credible say it loud in public.

Also heard from retired Marine Rick Reyes about being getting tips and beating up random civilians who were only guilty of bringing milk home, but had been informed upon for $$. This is not what young men think they are going to be heroically doing in foreign misadventures, apparently. He strongly felt that more of the same would be extremely counterproductive to U.S. goals in Afghanistan. Another soldier who told about his buddy dying said the buddy's last words were: "I'm sorry I let you down." Pardon the obvious but I felt so much like we;re the ones letting these young kids down by letting them get sucked into fighting for corporate profits. Sen. Corker questioned one of the soldiers about his estimation that U.S. goals were or weren't being well served, saying he himself was unable to a see a goal that the U.S. was reasonably pursuing in Afghanistan. Quelling al-Quaeda? "Al-Quadea is in many countries." A really top notch international police force was the solution that set the most heads nodding in the room.

While listening to all this we held our signs high and got away with it. Kerry is famous for having said as a young vet of Vietnam that it's hard to ask a soldier to be the last one to die for a mistake, so one sign we held was: LAST ONE TO DIE FOR THIS MISTAKE? Medea talked to the press after and I hope we got some coverage of the pink presence. After the hearing officially ended we held up signs including a neon pink sign with a drone and 687 PAKISTANIS DEAD, ?? MILITANTS MADE on it, because the cameras were still rolling as the participants were interviewed.

Tried to get into the panel where our Italian friends were testifying about U.S. military base expansion in their country, but it was over. The other girls who had tried to attend had been kept from entering the building. Obama was in the house (actually, Senate) this morning, and we stood on the sidewalk and waved at his motorcade leaving. Walked home to Pink house for an extra quick lunch, back in Gail's car to the House committee hearing where Atty. General Holder was testifying. He is the person who could prosecute war criminals, and we all know who they are -- not hard to find I had to leave early on for my appointment with legislative aides to Olympia Snowe. Lobbied them against surging in Afghanistan, a "no" vote on supplemental war funding, or at least an amendment shifting $$ into aid and diplomacy and away from military. Gave the jobs report from UMass Amherst proving peaceful production also creates more jobs and better quality jobs than building weapons. Needs to happen!!

Walked home in the gorgeous sunny spring weather with fluffy clouds in the sky and raging tulips in the gardens. Tonight should be quieter than last night, which was a big pot luck dinner for the activist community. A great and very interesting meeting after the meal about world opinion on the Israel-Palestine conflict since Gaza, and some actions related to that. I am learning so much -- this is like taking a really great seminar in organizing and political effectiveness. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to my learning here, both this week and prior to my visit!! Too many to mention, and that is exciting in itself. Thanks, too, for all the love and support from my family and friends. And xoxoxo to you know who. Having a wonderful time, wish you were here. Tomorrow is my last day. Gen. Petraeus is appearing before Congress --I think I'll go to that.

On the Hill, Day 2

2009-04-22T14:31:00.004-05:00

by Lisa Savage

In the morning we hoofed it from Pink House to the House Foreign Relations committee hearing with Secretary of State Clinton. The pink early birds got into the room but I wasn't early enough, so I hung out in line scrawling signs ("$76 b. for war, $7 b. for aid + diplomacy. New direction?") and being hassled by the capitol police. What a difference from exercising my free speech rights yesterday before the panel overseeing Geithner and chaired by Harvard Law Prof Elizabeth Bennett!

Eventually I did get in and was told repeatedly I could not hold a sign, would be kicked out if I didn't hide it, and so forth. I sat about two feet behind Hillary and heard her field questions on topics from why Obama shook hands with Hugo Chavez to what she is doing about opening the border crossings into Gaza. She was a smooth operator and played a lot better in person than she does on t.v. Liz exercised her free speech rights in spite of squelching, calling out "Talk to Hamas, Hillary!" -- a good message since Hillary had just said that the U.S. had similarly tried to isolate Venezuela for the last eight years "and look where that got us."

Mid-day I stopped by to try and get an appointment with Chellie Pingree, then met with Congressman Mike Michaud as a follow up to a meeting last month where CODEPINK Maine and Waterville Area Bridges for Peace & Justice had posed the question, Why Afghanistan? Today I reminded Mike of the stunning lack of evidence that U.S. military action in Afghanistan reduces terrorism, and urged him to vote "no" on the supplemental war funding bill. He did not promise, saying he had not read the bill yet -- but I noted he has voted no on supplemental bills in the past. I expressed my dismay with the plan to allocate $76 billion for war and only $7 billion for aid and diplomacy. Mike had been to Afghanistan since our last meeting and said that he had been told Afghanis change sides depending on who pays the most. Also that it appears some U.S. funds actually end up supporting the Taliban due to corruption and lack of accountability. All the more reason to get out now!

I asked also about an earmark he had put through for research at UMO that appeared to be for military purposes. He appeared to know of my email on the topic a couple of weeks ago, and was ready with an answer: it is not for Aegis destroyer development, but for an innovative kind of fortification for tents that makes them resist mortar attacks. Hard to argue with that, so I moved on to talking about converting jobs in Maine to peaceful purposes, and the workers' initiative at Bath Iron Works to stop building Aegis destroyers and start building wind turbines. As a teacher, I begged him to create peaceful jobs in the state as an alternative to military enlistment for my students.

After that I scurried through the halls with Christiana, CODEPINK intern and a member of the recent Gaza delegation, in search of Rep. Shelley Berkley. We missed her but talked to her office staff about our concern with some of her remarks about preconditions (very biased toward Israel) for the peace process in Gaza. Then we walked home to Pink House through a spring shower, surrounded by trees flowering pinkly.

First day on Capitol Hill by Maggie Whitman

2009-04-21T16:50:00.001-05:00

Today was my first day going to Capitol Hill as an activist. I visited D.C. and the Capitol Building a few years ago as a tourist, but it’s been a really different experience being here with CODEPINK! This morning we sat in on a discussion with Tim Geithner and the Congressional Oversight Panel. He talked about the Treasury’s bank rescue plan and had to answer (or rather, evade) some tough questions from the panel. A large part of the discussion was over my head, but it was good to be there and learn more about the banking situation. There were several of us from CODEPINK sitting directly behind Geithner so we can be seen on all the press coverage from the discussion.

My favorite part about being here with CODEPINK has been the recognition and positive praise we get from a wide range of people. Today I followed Liz around the senate buildings as she greeted everyone from senators to police officers. We were often smiled at or flashed a peace sign, and someone even jokingly called us “troublemakers.” It’s amazing what wearing a little pink can do. I think we made people uneasy as we walked into the hearings. The other CODEPINK ladies said we’re well known as an unpredictable group, so the capitol police are a little leery of us. We certainly did stand out amidst the suits and pantyhose and professional looking people. But we were quiet and I didn’t get arrested, so my parents will be happy!

I’ll be writing again this week…
Maggie Whitman (Wisconsin)

Pink House report

2009-04-21T16:32:00.005-05:00

by Lisa Savage

Springtime in the capital! It's so great to be here.

Yesterday I arrived at the CODEPINK House in Washington DC around noon. Welcomed warmly and immediately swept up into the swirling clouds of pink action!! I met Medea Benjamin, one of my biggest heroines, right away, and then sat in on a conference call she and the other founders of CP had to plan the days ahead. I am learning a lot, both about process and about what's really going on in the world. For instance, did you know that there are now 4 million displaced people inside Colombia? They have surpassed Sudan in numbers of internal refugees. U.S. military aid and the so-called war on drugs (spraying farmers off their fields) are responsible. Your tax dollars at work, but who knew? Practically the first thing I did (besides knitting a pink square for the Mother's Day fence cozy) was a solidarity action with Witness for Peace in Lafayette Park. They had created paper dolls representing each 1000 people driven off their land, and we helped them hold those up within sight of the White House while listening to speakers from Colombia explain our government's role in creating this tragedy. From there we hopped into the pink van (soooo cool) for a ride to Busboys and Poets Peace Cafe. This event was filled with local activists who had gathered to listen to Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, a Palestinian doctor in Gaza and who lost three daughters in an air strike there just a few months ago. His message: the patient in the ICU, and the treatment is dialogue between all parties to the
conflict. Forget about one state vs. two state right now --- save the patient! Only love and listening will do that. An amazing message from a father with every reason to respond to unspeakable grief with anger. He shared some beautiful photos and quotes from his children, including: VIOLENCE NEVER SOLVES ANYTHING! Amen to that.

Today Medea and Liz and I staked out the oversight hearings where Treasury Secretary Geithner testified. The early pinks got front row seats and were joined by college students Maggie and Sarah to help surround Geithner with pink signage proclaiming: We Want Our $ Back! This was the first time the Treasury had agreed to appear before the committee and there was a lot of press coverage, so the sea of pink was seen on Reuters video, C-SPAN (lead story), AP and so on. Go team! Then Liz led us neophytes on a whirlwind tour of various senator's offices -- I dropped in on both Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, leaving my calling card as neither were home. I shook hands with Senator Burris, who got Obama's seat, and talked to lots of other folks in and around the senate building and cafeteria. Pink makes friends everywhere! Oh, did I mention that the CNN reporters we hung out with before Geithner appeared lent us their duct tape? Later a cameraman named Eddie in another hearing showed us a clip of our coverage saying, "You folks have been busy today!" That was in a hearing of the senate committee on contractor fraud, run by Senator McHaskell of Missouri, who was in red not pink but seemed happy to see us there as she worked with inspector generals on the ridiculous rules that hamper their oversight of the billions paid out to KBR, Blackwater, Halliburton, et al. Senator Collins is the ranking member and made a brief appearance but I was not quick enough to jump up and run out into the hall to speak with her when she departed before the hearing ended. Liz schooled me on that one as we walked back from the senate to CP house. She is showing us how it's done, knowing who's who and what to talk with them about and never hesitating to speak up. So inspiring.

That's all for now. The only downside of the trip so far is I lost my cell phone in the taxi on the way here, but with pink friends all around me, I can survive.

PINK Talk Today!

2009-04-19T10:47:00.002-05:00

Well, we're going to experiment with some remote stuff at a VFP fundraiser as well as chatting with Midge Potts, Pinker who is running to replace Kit Bond as a Senator from MO. Help us make it all work, listen, chat, e-mail pinktalkradio@gmail.com and/or call in to (347) 326-9471.

http://pinktalkradio.org/

Thanks!

ntodd

Mother's Day Pledge

2009-04-18T14:57:00.001-05:00

Banner Party!!

Come on Over

CODEPINKers support 100days ongoing vigil

2009-04-17T14:35:00.006-05:00

Lori Indiana

Blaine -photo for our Mosiac

Tgif Blog Readers-

CODEPINKers went to support the daily 100days vigil outside the WhiteHouse!

PINK Talk: If Not Now, When?

2009-04-11T17:04:00.007-05:00

PINK Talk tomorrow at 5EDT/2PDT:

This week: Aasif Shah gives us the point of view of a Pakistani-American on the war on "terror" in what is now commonly called Af-Pak, Elsa Rassbach provides perspective from the Germany No Bases Movement, Kelli Large of Military Families Speak Out relates her experiences as a military family member, and Lisa Savage CODEPINK Maine discusses local actions around the wars and their mobilizing efforts.

Listen, chat, e-mail us at pinktalkradio@gmail.com and/or call in to 347.326.9471.

ntodd

Beyond Afghanistan

2009-04-04T10:20:00.006-05:00

The 42nd anniversary of King's breaking the silence on Vietnam.

And tomorrow, don't forget PINK Talk at 5EDT/2PDT:

This week: the March on Wall Street, Sheriff Arpaio & immigrant rights, upcoming local and nationwide actions. Reports from NYC, AZ, DC and more. Plus your questions and comments!

Listen, chat, e-mail us at pinktalkradio@gmail.com and/or call in to 347.326.9471.

ntodd

PS--there have been some attacks on the Internet causing problems with domain names, so you might also bookmark http://blogtalkradio.com/codepink as a backup in case http://pinktalkradio.org/ isn't working.

PINK Talk: Bella Ciao

2009-03-28T14:35:00.001-05:00

PINK Talk tomorrow:

This week features a pre-recorded interview with members of Presidio permanente No Dal Molin from Vicenza, Italy, who have been staying at the DC House as they lobby in Congress against US military bases. We'll also have Medea to discuss our response to Obama's newly-unveiled Afghanistan strategy, plus This Week in Pink, news and announcements.

Listen, chat, call in and/or email your questions/comments!

ntodd

When The Pinks Go Marching In

2009-03-22T10:45:00.003-05:00

Hey, while you're waiting breathlessly for today's PINK Talk, you might want to read about yesterday's marches marking the 6th anniversary of the Iraq War.

ntodd

Launching PINK Talk

2009-03-22T09:06:00.001-05:00

Tune in today at 5pm Eastern for the inaugural PINK Talk!

CODEPINK:Women for Peace kicks off their Internet radio talk show with the compelling stories of women in Gaza. We will hear from CODEPINK cofounders Medea Benjamin and Gael Murphy who along with Colonel Ann Wright recently returned from Gaza where they led a delegation of 60 peace and social justice activists to this war-torn region. Listeners are welcomed and encouraged to call in, join the online chat and/or email pinktalkradio@gmail.com with questions or comments for our guests.

ntodd

"Greed, For Lack Of A Better Word, Is Bad."

2009-03-19T09:16:00.002-05:00

Why are Medea and crew taunting these poor, poor rich folks? It's so...unseemly and dare I say, rude!

NY Daily News:

CodePink may be an anti-war group, but they’ve also got a nose for news, and five members managed to get seats in the AIG hearing today. And they managed to provide a little lighthearted news.

Founder Medea Benjamin and her partners came dressed, of course, in pink, and came bearing signs like “AIG (arrrow) JAIL” and “Fire Geithner.”

But holding them up while AIG CEO Edward Liddy testified prompted a sharp rebuke to the “lady in pink” from subcommittee chairman Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.), who ordered them to handover their signs or leave, before the committee chairman Rep. Barney Frank asked questions.

Unable to resist a preamble aimed at the glowering, scowling Kanjorski, Frank noted, “considering your method of dealing with this, it’s a good thing no one was wearing a T-shirt.”

As far as their presence there, Benjamin said they saw the AIG mess as intimately related to the wars. “Our economic mess now is related to the war we’re still paying for,” she said.

“They’re criminals. This is criminal what they did,” said Benjamin, referring to AIG. “I can’t believe we’re talking about bonuses considering the rest of the bailout, but this was theft.”

The Capitol police know CodePink well, and Benjamin and a few officers were seen chatting and laughing with each other after the hearing took a break.

Imagine that! Code Pink somehow managed to get seats at the AIG hearing. How on earth did they pull that off?

Anyway, it's a funny little story, but the larger issue it illustrates is how much myth there still is surrounding CP and really citizen engagement in democracy. I've had people ask me, "how do you get in to hearings?" Uh...we show up, wait in line with everybody else, then take a seat. It's just that simple.

Yet people don't know they have that right--the responsibility, even--to attend hearings and other government activities. This is our machinery of democracy, and we assume it's some self-oiling mechanism that will run just fine without a driver. I hope with Obama's successful use of grassroots organizing this can change.

I'll also note that somehow people think CP is "anti-war." We ran into that during Inauguration, being asked about how anti-Bush and anti-war and anti-whatever we are, and whether we have no mission with Obama in the White House. I replied that we've always been "pro-peace" and that means not just protesting Iraq and Afghanistan and Gaza, but doing positive, constructive things to foment justice here and all around the world.

Maybe if more people understood that, they'd be more willing to join us...

ntodd

GRITtv

2009-03-10T19:59:00.001-05:00

Feminism Today, Ann Wright in Gaza, and Women’s Movements.

ntodd

Democracy Now!

2009-03-09T10:37:00.001-05:00

Democracy Now has video and a rush transcript of Medea and Alice Walked in Gaza.

ntodd

Speaking Of Women's Day

2009-03-09T09:54:00.002-05:00

Let's not forget Iraq:

Iraqi women are suffering a ‘silent emergency’, trapped in a downward spiral of poverty, desperation and personal insecurity despite an overall decrease in violence in the country, according to a survey of 1,700 women in Iraq released today by international aid agency Oxfam.

The survey report, “In Her Own Words: Iraqi women talk about their greatest concerns and challenges,” is being released on International Women’s Day to highlight the daily hardships women are facing as a result of years of conflict.
...
“Women are the forgotten victims of Iraq. Despite the billions of dollars poured into rebuilding Iraq and recent security gains, a quarter of the women interviewed still do not have daily access to water, a third cannot send their children to school and since the war started, over half have been the victim of violence. And to add further insult more than three quarters of widows, many of whom lost their husbands to the conflict, get no government pension which they are entitled to,” said Oxfam International Executive Director Jeremy Hobbs.
...
Income was worse for 45% of women in 2008 compared with 2007 and 2006, while roughly 30% said it had not changed in that same time period
33% of women had received no humanitarian assistance since 2003
76% of widows were not receiving a pension from the government
Nearly 25% of women had no daily access to drinking water & half of those who did have daily access to water said it was not potable; 69% said access to water was worse or the same as it was in 2006 & 2007
One-third of respondents had electricity 3 hours or less per day; two-thirds had 6 hours or less; 80% said access to electricity was more difficult or the same compared to 2007; 82% as compared to 2006 and 84% as compared to 2003
Nearly half of women said access to quality healthcare was more difficult in 2008 compared with 2006 and 2007
40% of women with children reported that their sons and daughters were not attending school

(via FDL)

ntodd

International Women's Day

2009-03-09T08:06:00.005-05:00

Leslie on her 2nd day of vigil and fast for Gaza in front of the White House.

What a great time yesterday. Not so many people out and about as there were on Saturday--at least in the few hours I was there--but still wonderful interactions. Just some impressions:

Who we met: Socialists from Chicago, IL, highschoolers from Fon du Lac, WI, bikers from IL, joggers from DC, visitors from Germany, Colombia, Japan, Sweden, Ireland, S Africa, China, Nepal, India, Netherlands
Cop asked for our names at the outset: I provided mine and said we were with Code Pink; Leslie rightly did not, observing nobody had required this yesterday. He also asked what we were protesting and I noted to him that we weren't doing anything of the kind, but rather were promoting peace.
We had just one person almost at the beginning of our who demanded to know what we proposed to do about "bin Laden and all these crazies" and didn't seem all that empathetic toward civilians in Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan. 3000 killed on 9/11 were innocents, 1.2M killed in Iraq are all terrorists.
The rest of our interactions were very positive, with lots of people asking to take pictures of us, wanting to pose with us, and accepting peace ribbons and Make Out, Not War stickers.
One lady from the Netherlands lives in S Africa and works with the ANC; another was a psychologist who debriefed members of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Leslie spoke with a "conservative humanitarian" who voted Dem for the first time casting her ballot for Obama. Very reasonable and open-minded, had been to Gaza (she felt they were anti-American on her visit, contrary to our team's experience) and Iran (very pro-American, jibing with Leslie's visits).
I spoke with a member of the Navy who appreciated what we do and said he was working toward a peaceful world for his kids, whom he will not allow to join the military; I thanked him for his service.
So many variations of "thank you for your convictions/ideals/doing this" from passers-by.
Also many said "we have a peace president" in response to our banner; yes, he's more a peace president than Bush was or McCain would be, but there's still much work to be done vis Gaza, Afghanistan, Iraq and peace and justice at home.

Dorks for peace!

I hear tell some dude stole my sign after I'd wandered over to the Road to Freedom exhibition (which ends today so hurry if you haven't seen it!). He wore it well, though I think I'd look better in the boa. Hope he remembers that what he wisely said in his inaugural address holds true for us and our allies.

With that, I head home and give my heartfelt thanks to Leslie, Des and Blaine for once again creating a wonderful space at the Pink House. I'm breaking my fast tonight, but will be thinking of my dear friend as she continues her peace work in front of the White House until our Gaza delegation comes home from theirs.

ntodd

198 Sundays: Freedom Keeps On Rolling

2009-03-08T22:18:00.001-05:00

For International Women's Day, something about the New Freedom Ride in Gaza.

ntodd

D.C. woman fasts, holds vigil to honor Gazan women

2009-03-08T09:11:00.001-05:00

In solidarity with novelist Alice Walker and 58 others currently in Gaza

WHAT: D.C. activist to fast in solidarity with Alice Walker, 58 other delegates currently in Gaza
WHEN: 11 a.m. March 8 to March 14
WHERE: On the Lafayette Park side of the White House

WASHINGTON -- In solidarity with Pulitzer-Prize winning novelist Alice Walker and 58 others currently in war-torn Gaza, a D.C.-based CODEPINK activist will begin a week-long fast and vigil today outside the White House, calling for the Obama administration to urge the Israeli government to immediately end its border blockade on Gaza and halt settlement expansion in Palestinian land.

Leslie Angeline, who will sit with friends near Lafayette Park outside the White House, said her efforts will mark International Women's Day today, honor Gazan women and represent the wishes of the 60-member international delegation currently in Gaza, which returns March 14.

Egyptian authorities allowed the delegation, including Pulitzer-Prize winning novelist Alice Walker, the parents of American Rachel Corrie, who was killed in Gaza in 2003, and 57 others into Gaza March 7. it will meet with UN and rights' groups officials, Gazan civilians, and witness the damage from the 22-day Israeli attacks there earlier this year.

"I voted for President Obama because he promised change and peace," Angeline said. "It's time for him to prove he'll keep his word."

The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) invited the delegation to Gaza to celebrate International Women's Day with the women of Gaza.

For more information, please call Jean Stevens at 508-769-2138 or Leslie Angeline at 360-786-0684.

White House Vigil

2009-03-08T08:43:00.002-05:00

Leslie started her vigil for Gazan women and children in front of the White House yesterday morning. After a special PaxLive featuring Desiree, we took the X2 bus to join in for a lovely afternoon of visibility and outreach.

Since my handwriting has been compared to that of a serial killer, I printed out a sign with a quote from Obama's inaugural address: "Your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy."

Des tied a peace ribbon to the White House fence.

After our relatively brief vigil of mere hours, we stopped by to check on Connie, who still had a foam peace hand we'd brought in January when we had a vigil to remember Thomas.

Today we're heading to the White House, then at her suggestion I'm going to the Smithsonian's Ripley Center to check out the exhibition Road to Freedom: Photographs of the Civil Rights Movement, 1956-1968. That should be a good capstone for the action, and my regular 198 Sundays post will in part feature her father, an original Freedom Rider, as our Gaza delegation continues its modern freedom ride.

ntodd

(originally posted at Green Mountain Code Pink)

PaxLive: Inside The Beltway

2009-03-06T16:21:00.004-05:00

In which NTodd comes to you live from DC to discuss Iran, Obama's political strategy and systems thinking. Thanks to the callers, including Code Pinker Sarah, for their insights!

BTW, a Very Important Announcement: tune in tomorrow at 1230pm Eastern/930am Pacific to hear our very own Desiree talk about her *2 years* in DC and other cool things! Go to http://paxlive.net or http://www.blogtalkradio.com/PaxLive to listen and chat online, and call in to ask questions or share your thoughts at (718) 766-4126.

ntodd

Iran Hearings

2009-03-06T10:43:00.001-05:00

Okay, one last time where I just link to the Green Mountain Code Pink blog: we attended Kerry's hearings on Iran policy, which have been excellent.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled pinking...

ntodd

Getting To The Truth

2009-03-05T08:37:00.000-05:00

A little bit about yesterday's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Leahy's truth and reconciliation proposal.

ntodd

Mr NTodd Goes To Washington (Again)

2009-03-03T20:05:00.001-05:00

Hey, we have a new Vermont Code Pink chapter, so why not blog about my meeting with Pat Leahy over there?

ntodd

If Only We Held So Much Sway

2009-03-02T10:26:00.002-05:00

NYTimes Sunday Magazine:

[House Minority Whip Eric] Cantor listed some of the more extreme liberal forces — he mentioned Code Pink, the women’s antiwar group, and the “radical environmental movement,” which were about the most provocative examples he could come up with off the top of his head — that seemed, in his view, to hold sway among Democrats in Congress but whom Obama, with his centrist outlook, might need to defy.

Extreme liberal forces? I like the sound of that...

ntodd

Bottom Up Activism

2009-01-24T15:19:00.002-05:00

Brainstorming, Code Pink style:

Riding to the National Press Club to see Mitch McConnell, working
on a simple messaging chant about the stimulus. NTodd talks too much,
then Medea boils it all down brilliantly. Thanks to Katy for filming.

Yeah, I talk too much. But hey, I'm an overcaffeinated activist.

ntodd

Love From An Overcaffeinated Activist

2009-01-24T15:10:00.003-05:00

Mitch McConnell at the National Press Club yesterday:

On issue after issue, members of both parties have too often fallen into the habit of asking narrow interest groups what they think should be done about something before thinking about what the average American thinks should be done.

This is how a group like CodePink could end up having so much influence in a national debate about the conduct of a war. This is why a prominent labor leader thinks he can tell a reporter that he expects 'payback' from Democrats for the support he gave them during last year's elections. And this is how vulgar insults hurled from overcaffeinated activists can suddenly pass for legitimate political discourse.

When these things happen, it's easy to see why cynicism about government persists.

We were there to applaud when he singled us out, but during dessert Medea, Katy, Anne, Deidra and I were ejected from the luncheon, despite not having done anything, not being pinked out, etc. If folks are interested, my online radio show debriefed that action and other things about this week's activities, including a few very interesting callers, so check out the archive.

ntodd

Pinking The New White House

2009-01-21T18:05:00.005-05:00

Obama's first full day in charge and we were at his new house reminding him that we can-can live in peace:

A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having.

All the way from Liberia to see the Inauguration.

The action goes interactive...

...with lots of people joining in the dance.

Hugging for a peaceful world.

Notice they're sporting new Obama Peace Promises ribbons.

Who's that dashing man in the pink boa?

What an amazing time the last week has been...

ntodd

Jan 11 2009 DC Close Gitmo-StopTorture policies

2009-01-12T09:31:00.007-05:00

Jan 11 2009 Cold but clear day on the streets-

DC Says Stop the Torture Stop the Terror in our names!!

Hundreds of activists gathered at Dupont Circle in the name of justice to show support for the 7 years of rogue regime through torture,extraordinary rendition,black sites,and US policy that has promoted terror. There were about 70 people who donned orange jumpsuits to march the streets for a procession to mark our last year of Guantanamo.Before the march there was astreet theater skit that depicted an enactment of the various actors that perform the roles asssociated with interrogator and demonstrated how it takes many to terrorize -it takes 8 interrogators to guard one prisoner at Gitmo.

We have great hope that in the first 100 days of the new administration we can turn the page on these flawed policies that in fact render us all less safe.The next adminstration can free us all from the guilt of bad policy.The highest hope we have is to begin making right the last 8 years of totally tragic harmful evil policy. Speak up now to forever close these injustices in the future!Let US begin leading by exammple in 2009!!!!!We need to make certain Obama prioritizes the people mandate --it all starts with us!!! Denounce Torture Let's Close Gitmo forever!!

Liz reporting from DC

Stop the Violence in Gaza CEASEFIRE NOW-Ariz

2009-01-01T01:30:00.004-05:00

http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2008/12/31/20081231gazarally31.html
http://ktar.com/?nid=6&sid=1016945&r=1
CODEPINK Phoenix Arizona Dec 30 2008

CODEPINK and other concerned activists were out at the new light rail station yesterday educatingvia phone-a-thon the public about the lack of leadership on behalf of our gov't toward the unrest violence,and stop the block of medical supplies in Gaza.We asked constituents to call the State Dept, Members of Congress,Israeli Consulate,Miss Condi Rice to voice opposition for all forms of violence promote a surge in diplomacy,and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza immediately.This is a crisis where people are starving,ambulances have no petrol to operate and handle emergency situations!Ask everyone you know to please call Obama's transtition team Help the people of Gaza are under seige and starving Yes they can have medicine not war!!
We say STOP the violence
Stop the Killing in Gaza
CEASEFIRE NOW!

DC Shoe Protest Coverage

2008-12-17T21:46:00.004-05:00

Raw Story:

Members of the theatrical protest brigade Code Pink left several dozen pairs of shoes in front of the White House to represent some of the hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians killed during the war in Iraq, and they called for the release of Muntadar al-Zaidi. It was Bush, they said, who should be in jail.

"It's not enough to throw a shoe at him, he needs to be hauled before an international court and charged for war crimes," Code Pink co-founder Medea Benjamin said.

The event also had elements of street theater as the dozen or so protesters who showed up took turns hurling their own footwear at a Bush impersonator. It was quite the cathartic event for some of the demonstrators, who have frequently expressed their outrage at the president's abuses of power and misguided foreign invasions.

"We love our Constitution and we hate what you've done to it. And we also hate what you've done to the Iraqi people, George," Benjamin said as she prepared to throw two shoes at another demonstrator wearing a Bush mask. "This is on behalf of the Iraqi people, especially the women who have been hurt by your policies, George. And this one is for the children, George, who have suffered in Iraq."

I'm very thankful for Muntadar al-Zaidi's brave act of defiance and for Code Pink's action in solidarity with him. I understand, however, that Cornerites and even Raw Story is a bit confused by all this:

There was an appreciable level of irony in a group of anti-war protesters who celebrate non-violence gathering to champion the cause of a man who assaulted a world leader.

Rain Burroughs, an anti-war activist who traveled to the protest from Richmond, Va., said she found it "refreshing to see someone stand up" on behalf of Iraqi civilians who had been killed, even though she traditionally espouses the value of nonviolent action.

Benjamin said some Code Pink members were wary of championing al-Zaidi, but she said his actions have to be placed in context of the country where he lives.

"We've gotten a lot of our people who've called us and said ... it seems too violent for us, and we say, 'You're not living in Iraq. You're not suffering in your daily life," Benjamin said in an interview. "I mean, were I an Iraqi, I don't know that I would still be a nonviolent person. So this is actually a less violent act than one might expect."

Medea and Rain hit the proverbial nail nonviolently on the head. Much of nonviolence is predicated on the notion that you have the space and time to make moral decisions. If you haven't been educated, and given the opportunity to consider and practice alternatives to violence, it's certainly understandable on a human level that you might act violently out of desperation.

As I noted in a recent Paxcast, even Gandhi said just over a month after the start of WWII:

[N]on-violence has to be non-violence of the brave and the strong. It must come from inward conviction. I have, therefore, not hesitated to say that it is better to be violent if there is violence in our breasts than to put on the cloak of non-violence to cover impotence. Violence is any day preferable to impotence. There is hope for a violent man to become non-violent. There is no such hope for the impotent.

Muntadar al-Zaidi has refused to be impotent any longer, even if it's not the manner that we would prefer. But it's not about us: it's about the Iraqis and their desire to have us leave their sovereign nation, and he has lit a brushfire in the minds of his people, not to mention ours, all with an object so mundane as a shoe.

ntodd

PS--Read the whole Raw Story link: it has more pics and video.

PPS--Apologies for the self-indulgence in links.

Holiday Cheer from CODEPINK Arizona Friends

2008-12-08T11:20:00.005-05:00

Mon December 8th 2008 post election-exhausted peacemakers

Hi everyone it's Liz reporting back from sunny phoenix! Feeling really grateful to be here!

Last saturday our peace & justice community arranged for a CODEPINK fundraiser to enable & continue our presence in Washington DC. I want to begin by thanking everyone for continuing to believe that our work is very important -your support makes it possible!Every time i come back to the hometown we celebrate our friendships, our network,progressive steps,and our journey t0gether as well as complain about the various backward steps each election cycle brings to(mostly) the aware citizenry.This election cycle Arizona suffered painful losses Gay Love Benefits,lost a state senate seat,Sheriff Joe(racist) & Andrew Thomas -State Attorney re-elected also Jan Brewer(unqualified partisian) will take over for our departing Gov. Janet Napolitano---WHEW---besides other BIG Losses or huge backward movement.This just validates the need to work together stay focused on the issues and find progressive candidates for the future. Candidates for placement with have our values that we will support from start of campaign.These social gatherings remain imperative to community building so THANKS everyday. Organize Speak Out Organize Speak Out Donate to peace groups!

So getting back to the party Edwina set up a conference call with our friend IVAW Adam Kokesh
giving us the oppportunity to share our RNC disruption of McCain's nominating speech. We have had conference calls with Adam as part of our agenda at other parties.
Adam Liz & Nancy were able to disrupt the biggest speech of Mccain"s political history and we all have our viewpoint to share. It was great to talk about our experiences as we shared some of the moments leading up to exercise in Free Speech also tactics,facts and laughed in hindsight..................as we re lived it from our unique perspective.The Arizona crowd will always remember that moment!
Adam gave Kudos to CODEPINK for teaching him important direct action lessons on the doorsteps of Congress & shared his Ron Paul views with candor as well as next steps- move to New Mexico in January 2009. IVAW local Arizona Member Hari & friends showed up mid conference call - personally i feel so proud when those war resisters show up and take part. Hari is so amazingly courageous representing so many young people eloquently..........Thanks to Hari for bringing his piece of truth to our conscience.

Then Josie Lenwell New Mexico CODEPINK coordinator made a powerful slide show of the State Dept Blackwater Action,Die-in Sept 2007,Hall of Shame Campaign kick off"Whipping Congress into Shape" and hundreds of outstanding photos from DC actions that i provided the funny inside details to the captive audience of about 45 people.It gave everyone the opportunity to interact with asking questions which gives better understanding of our all around work on capitol hill during congressional session. The slideshow represented a history of direct actions in late sept 2007 and was seemless in keeping the attention focused. It was my CODEPINK opportunity when queried to share a vision of our work looking forward to the change we advocate.We need to work harder than ever to keep Obama online with his promises of diplomacy, withdrawl(Iraq) in 16 months taking Sofa into account, closing gitmo and others but make our message of No More Wars esp Afghanistan no troop build up in Afghanistan!Redirection of funding from overkill Pentagon budget to human needs programs-from dirty coal to Clean Green.

Finally we were gifted with items for an auction & usually make photos of our Shero Work to sell which we have alot of fun doing a spirited auction that Edwina lead festively.We auctioned off photos of Medea & Kathy Kelly, The Peace line in Twin Cities,Vets for Peace Archives Banner,and CODEPINK specialties and it was rec'd generously Thanks to all!
We are all feeling unity in the great need to stay strong to our Out of Iraq Now stance.Healthcare not Warfare.The coalition in Arizona wants to stay active and proactively support good politics through policy.We watch the new adminstration with a cautious eye and will stand up with new ideas for the future.
Obama needs our support help and direction-Fired up ready to work for change!

cioa for now.............. I miss DC the CODEPINK house - feel very grateful for the new friends everywhere through CODEPINK work
SHOUT out to Jodie Evans WE LOVE you Jodie!!!

want peace work for justice!

Letter to Barack

2008-11-27T12:48:00.024-05:00

November 27, 2008

Dear President-elect Barack Obama,

I am the grandmother of a 7 year old little girl who I do not get to see very often since I moved to Washington, D.C. in March 2007. But in August of that year, I brought her here to spend a week with me. During her short stay, I took her to the White House and we talked about the current president who hurt innocent people in Iraq and Afghanistan. Not more than a minute had passed that while she posed for pictures for me, she turned to a tourist standing nearby and said to her, "That's where the BAD president lives."

So, I write to you today, Barack, because my granddaughter deserves a GOOD president and a GOOD government and a GOOD world in which to live. She deserves a country that cares about its citizens, a country that provides her excellent healthcare, a superb free college education, and a future full of promise.

Our little girl deserves a nature-rich planet. She deserves to have a healthy, happy neighborhood in which to live and breathe. She deserves to run and play allergy-free, free of the dust of nearby cement plants, free from cancer causing chemicals in the food she eats and toys she plays with, free from depleted uranium and carbon emissions in the atmosphere and free from the global warming that is now killing the polar bears and other plants and animals she may never get to see in the wild.

She deserves to grow up in a country that she is proud of, so as she recites the Pledge of Allegiance every day in school she'll know that "..liberty and justice for all.." is the hallmark of our country's domestic AND foreign policy, that we seek dialogue, diplomacy and respect for human rights of ALL people not just American people.

She deserves never not ever to experience the likes of the injustices of Katrina and the Jena 6, the wars and occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, the horrors of Abu Ghraib, Mahmoudiya and Guantanamo. She deserves a Commander-in-Peace who will bring her stepdaddy and all his buddies home and never start another war.

So, Barack, when I bring my granddaughter back to the White House in a not too distant future, I hope she and all the other tourists from home and abroad will be able to say, “That's where the GREAT President Barack Obama lives.”

Dylan and her daddy Adam my son, and me

Desiree Fairooz
CODEPINK:Women for Peace
Washington, D.C.

2008-11-26T21:44:00.001-05:00

Dear All,Please check out Jodie's latest blog from Iran (text version below):
http://codepink4peace.org/blog/2008/11/day-3-jodies-diary/
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
Janna

Medea and I (CODEPINK co-founders) are spending the week in Iran on a citizen’s diplomacy visit, engaging with Iranian women’s groups and officials to build bridges and create peace from the ground up. We arrived Friday. Here’s a bit of our experience Sunday (bit of time delay in getting this up…sorry!)It is our third day in Iran and we feel like we’ve been here a month. We are all a bit bleary eyed, with too little sleep. Poor Ann Wright has been hit with the flu, but she doesn’t miss a meeting.

Leila Zand, our trip leader from Fellowship of Reconciliation is managing three jobs while trying to handle her wild bunch (Medea and myself.) Medea and I aren’t great at following rules, especially when they don’t make sense. So to be in a form of a straight jacket probably brings our rebellious spirit. Leila has to carry too much of our pent up energy and desires to see and do as much as possible in this short trip.

We are all walking the tightrope of wanting to bring more groups back. This is the purpose of the trip and what we complained to Ahmadinejad about in September—the complaint that led to this trip. To break open the knot between Iran and the US we need more citizen diplomacy and Medea and I surrender to the need and agree to what I am now calling Slow Activism. (I think there is something in this I want to develop further with my Slow Food and Slow Journalism friends when I get home.)

There are people we have introductions to that we can’t meet because it would upset the government, at whose very consent we are here–having been denied entry previously. So we are ALL on our best behavior. I even think I have been able to keep my scarf on much more than the last trip. It also helps us to better understand the terrain. Our friends here learn how to navigate the political land mines. International recognition here is a ticket to a freedom most Iranians who are politically active don’t have.

Habib knows how to use a vacuum and seems to know they are inherent in the structure of our visit. Promises of meetings melt away and he is there with the replacement. We were supposed to be at the US Embassy this morning, a tour prepared by the government—it was even announced in the press. But that and a meeting with the Foreign Minister were announced cancelled when we woke. So Habib whisked us off to the a War Library at the Center for Artists. A pretty serious library of books about war from around the world including 800 they had published or arranged to publish themselves. The director had been a journalist in the 8-year war and has given his life to telling its story to make sure another doesn’t happen. A great partner for our War is So Over message….and a reminder it takes a lot of pictures, words and movies to tell that story.Rostan came over to meet us when we returned from our daily dive into the horrors of war. Lucky we love Habib so much because he manages to spend most of his time with us breaking our hearts and taking us deeper and deeper into the devastation of the 8-year war. I think when I leave I will feel like I was there.

We wanted to ride a subway and we wanted to go shopping—if meetings cannot be arranged, then please take us into the belly of the city! We walked for blocks to the subway entrance. Public transportation is priced right—20 cents for the subway and 2 cents for the bus. It was about 3:30pm and getting close to rush hour so the train was packed and we had a choose between the men’s train or the women’s. We chose the men’s train and it was packed. We had to push our way in to fit and of course all eyes were on the Westerners. We went five stops standing and mashed together, the other women on the train were young or with a partner.

We emerged from the train to a bustling street. There were hundreds if not thousands of women in long black chadors. We had arrived at a community much more religious than the middle of downtown were we live. It was a fantastic bazaar which, unlike that of Isfahan where it is mostly crafts, seemed to cater to the needs of the community (housewares were in abundance.) Rostan told us that a wives’ family has to buy what is needed to create the new home, and all around us, young girls and their mothers where laden in housewares. A tiled, arched entrance swallowed us and we got lost in catacombs of alleys laden with wares and Victoria Secret-styled stalls with sexier lingerie than I have ever seen. We found our way to a center with vaulted tiled ceilings. Medea found a fantastic set of pink silverware, 33 pieces for $20. Needing a toilet we learned there are mosques almost everywhere and they are the best place to look. We found a mosque just outside and were greeted with warmth and invited in.

We were a happy bunch on an adventure, Medea making friends with the beet sellers and bent on finding a manteau that wasn’t so hot.As darkness engulfed this neighborhood and the stalls closed at the call to prayer, we descended to the subway again. There were hundreds of people, all in black, pushing to get through. It was awesome to behold. We thought of going up to take a cab but realized at rush hour it would take even longer. So we poured ourselves into the throng and decided this time we would try the women’s car.

What fun! We had a delightful conversation facilitated by a young woman who knew a bit of English. I love the curiosity of the people in Iran—they simply stop us on the street to know where we are from and it reminds me of our visits to Iraq. As I would come home to Venice Beach after being in Iraq and know just how closed a society I live in. There is no curiosity in those streets. Just people going somewhere, and when I have the openness that lingers when I come home, people think I am crazy. All the young women in the subway car have graduated from college—an urban planner, sociologist, doctor, teacher and mother’s with their young children. It is much saner than the men’s car and we get the wisdom of the separation. We went a stop past ours to find chador stores for Medea. We walked for blocks and blocks with no luck, finally there seemed to be one that was made of cotton. She went inside to try it on and I met a student who came up to ask if I was serious about the big peace sign on my back. “Glad you are here for PEACE,”” said Essa Abrahani, a student of mechanical engineering. “Congratulations for being here, US idea of Iran is colored by revolution and 8 year war. Come visit and see who we really are,” was his message to Obama.

Medea emerged with a new outfit that they even managed to hem for her. We had dinner in a richly layered restaurant full of music, courting couples, big families and the ever-present kabob. We had a fast dinner to be home for our weekly staff conference call on Skype from the internet café—and a late night of catching up on emails and blogs.

2008-11-26T21:38:00.001-05:00

http://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/11ddbb3344bb74f5

Dear All,Please check out Jodie's latest blog from Iran (text version below):
http://codepink4peace.org/blog/2008/11/day-3-jodies-diary/
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!Janna
Medea and I (CODEPINK co-founders) are spending the week in Iran on a citizen’s diplomacy visit, engaging with Iranian women’s groups and officials to build bridges and create peace from the ground up. We arrived Friday. Here’s a bit of our experience Sunday (bit of time delay in getting this up…sorry!)It is our third day in Iran and we feel like we’ve been here a month. We are all a bit bleary eyed, with too little sleep. Poor Ann Wright has been hit with the flu, but she doesn’t miss a meeting. Leila Zand, our trip leader from Fellowship of Reconciliation is managing three jobs while trying to handle her wild bunch (Medea and myself.) Medea and I aren’t great at following rules, especially when they don’t make sense. So to be in a form of a straight jacket probably brings our rebellious spirit. Leila has to carry too much of our pent up energy and desires to see and do as much as possible in this short trip. We are all walking the tightrope of wanting to bring more groups back. This is the purpose of the trip and what we complained to Ahmadinejad about in September—the complaint that led to this trip. To break open the knot between Iran and the US we need more citizen diplomacy and Medea and I surrender to the need and agree to what I am now calling Slow Activism. (I think there is something in this I want to develop further with my Slow Food and Slow Journalism friends when I get home.)There are people we have introductions to that we can’t meet because it would upset the government, at whose very consent we are here–having been denied entry previously. So we are ALL on our best behavior. I even think I have been able to keep my scarf on much more than the last trip. It also helps us to better understand the terrain. Our friends here learn how to navigate the political land mines. International recognition here is a ticket to a freedom most Iranians who are politically active don’t have. Habib knows how to use a vacuum and seems to know they are inherent in the structure of our visit. Promises of meetings melt away and he is there with the replacement. We were supposed to be at the US Embassy this morning, a tour prepared by the government—it was even announced in the press. But that and a meeting with the Foreign Minister were announced cancelled when we woke. So Habib whisked us off to the a War Library at the Center for Artists. A pretty serious library of books about war from around the world including 800 they had published or arranged to publish themselves. The director had been a journalist in the 8-year war and has given his life to telling its story to make sure another doesn’t happen. A great partner for our War is So Over message….and a reminder it takes a lot of pictures, words and movies to tell that story.Rostan came over to meet us when we returned from our daily dive into the horrors of war. Lucky we love Habib so much because he manages to spend most of his time with us breaking our hearts and taking us deeper and deeper into the devastation of the 8-year war. I think when I leave I will feel like I was there.We wanted to ride a subway and we wanted to go shopping—if meetings cannot be arranged, then please take us into the belly of the city! We walked for blocks to the subway entrance. Public transportation is priced right—20 cents for the subway and 2 cents for the bus. It was about 3:30pm and getting close to rush hour so the train was packed and we had a choose between the men’s train or the women’s. We chose the men’s train and it was packed. We had to push our way in to fit and of course all eyes were on the Westerners. We went five stops standing and mashed together, the other women on the train were young or with a partner. We emerged from the train to a bustling street. There were hundreds if not thousands of women in long black chadors. We had arrived at a community much more religious than the middle of downtown were we live. It was a fantastic bazaar which, unlike that of Isfahan where it is mostly crafts, seemed to cater to the needs of the community (housewares were in abundance.) Rostan told us that a wives’ family has to buy what is needed to create the new home, and all around us, young girls and their mothers where laden in housewares. A tiled, arched entrance swallowed us and we got lost in catacombs of alleys laden with wares and Victoria Secret-styled stalls with sexier lingerie than I have ever seen. We found our way to a center with vaulted tiled ceilings. Medea found a fantastic set of pink silverware, 33 pieces for $20. Needing a toilet we learned there are mosques almost everywhere and they are the best place to look. We found a mosque just outside and were greeted with warmth and invited in. We were a happy bunch on an adventure, Medea making friends with the beet sellers and bent on finding a manteau that wasn’t so hot.As darkness engulfed this neighborhood and the stalls closed at the call to prayer, we descended to the subway again. There were hundreds of people, all in black, pushing to get through. It was awesome to behold. We thought of going up to take a cab but realized at rush hour it would take even longer. So we poured ourselves into the throng and decided this time we would try the women’s car. What fun! We had a delightful conversation facilitated by a young woman who knew a bit of English. I love the curiosity of the people in Iran—they simply stop us on the street to know where we are from and it reminds me of our visits to Iraq. As I would come home to Venice Beach after being in Iraq and know just how closed a society I live in. There is no curiosity in those streets. Just people going somewhere, and when I have the openness that lingers when I come home, people think I am crazy. All the young women in the subway car have graduated from college—an urban planner, sociologist, doctor, teacher and mother’s with their young children. It is much saner than the men’s car and we get the wisdom of the separation. We went a stop past ours to find chador stores for Medea. We walked for blocks and blocks with no luck, finally there seemed to be one that was made of cotton. She went inside to try it on and I met a student who came up to ask if I was serious about the big peace sign on my back. “Glad you are here for PEACE,”” said Essa Abrahani, a student of mechanical engineering. “Congratulations for being here, US idea of Iran is colored by revolution and 8 year war. Come visit and see who we really are,” was his message to Obama. Medea emerged with a new outfit that they even managed to hem for her. We had dinner in a richly layered restaurant full of music, courting couples, big families and the ever-present kabob. We had a fast dinner to be home for our weekly staff conference call on Skype from the internet café—and a late night of catching up on emails and blogs.

Medea's Blog Citizen Diplomacy trip to Iran nov 2008

2008-11-24T17:19:00.001-05:00

CODEPINK goes official…in Iran
Medea Benjamin
Before our first meeting, Jodie and I took a morning walk, looking at the stores, watching the people. They were watching us, too, especially Jodie. At first she wondered why people were looking at her feet, then we realized that between her long skirt and high heels, her ankles and some bare skin were showing. That’s a no-no here.
So when a policeman approached us, asked where we were staying and said, “Come with me,” we wondered if we might be getting arrested for Jodie’s bare ankles. He was smiling, though, so we followed him to the police car. It turns out that he and his partner, who was sitting in the police car, were just really nice guys who wanted to give us a lift back to the hotel. We joked around with them, took a photo of me in the police car, and rode back to the hotel in style!
Our first meeting was with the head of the U.S. desk in the foreign ministry. He is handling the official part of our visit, and had arranged for us to meet with two of the women members of Parliament. So we bundled into his car and drove there.
Our meeting was in the incredibly ornate old Parliament, built in 1906, bombed by the British, rebuilt, and eventually superceded by the new Parliament. They gave us a tour of this wondrous work of art—the room where the Parliament convened, the shah’s coronation room, the sitting rooms where private meetings were held. We gazed in awe of the craftsmanship and beauty. The sparkling coronation room was replete, head to toe, with cut and sketched mirrors and exquisite chandeliers. The wood-carved desks and tables were so intricate that each piece must have taken a lifetime to complete.
As we were being served tea and pistachios in one of the sitting rooms, the two women from Parliament arrived and sat in the oversized chairs across from us. Next to them were two men, who they introduced as the assistants and notetakers. The older woman, Eftekhari Laleh, looked very pious, covered from head to toe in a black chador. She was a second-term member of Parliament (they have four year terms) who was on the education committee, and she taught religion at one of the universities. The younger woman, Dr. Zohreh Elahian, was a member of the Committee for National Security and Foreign Policy. She was also a medical doctor and worked in a women’s hospital one day a week.
They told us that there were only 8 women in a Parliament of 290 representatives, but they were proud to add that two of the four vice presidents were women. One was in charge of women’s affairs, the other in charge of the environment. Dr. Elahian added that 70 percent of medical specialists were women.
While the women Parliamentarians had relationships with their counterparts from all over the Middle East and Asia, they had never met with U.S. congressional representatives and in fact, our meeting was the first time they had ever met with Americans! They said our visit opened new doors in the relationship between our countries.
Regarding the U.S. elections, Dr. Elahian said that during the campaign, she didn’t see much difference between Obama and McCain in terms of their unconditional support for Israel and their hardline stance about Iran’s nuclear energy program (which they insisted, as does everyone here, that Iran has the right to develop nuclear energy but it was not developing nuclear weapons because that went against their religious beliefs). She also said that while Obama may try to make changes, she realizes that corporations and monied interests have a long history of control in the U.S. and could prevent Obama from fulfilling many of his promises. However, she felt that the American people were tired of warmongering and the politics of invasion. She said the U.S. presence in Afghanistan was only making the security situation worse and that the increase in opium production since the U.S. invasion had negative repercussions in Iran, since the drugs are transported through Iran to Europe. She also expressed sympathy for the suffering people of Gaza and concern about unconditional U.S. support for Israel.
We asked the women about the effects of U.S. sanctions against Iran, and Dr. Elahian explained some of the negative impacts, like making it harder to get radiation treatment for cancer patients. But she added that sanctions had made Iran become more creative and independent scientifically. She boasted that despite the sanctions, Iran is one of a handful of countries that had reached the UN millennium development goals for reducing poverty and curing preventable diseases, and that Iran had made great headway in addressing HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
We tried to get the women to talk about the struggle for women’s rights in Iran, but they insisted that women had full rights. After the formal part of the meeting was over, however, Dr. Elihian said that her female constituents would often come to her office asking for help in matters such as divorce and inheritance—areas in which women do NOT have equal rights.
We ended the meeting exchanging cards and ideas about follow up, including a possible meeting—in a third country—with some U.S. congresswomen.
In our next meeting, with three advisors to the President in the areas of media and communications, diplomatic niceties were dispensed with and the kid gloves came off. The man who did most of the talking was Mr. Kalhor. He had long, gray hair tied back in a ponytail and wore sandals with no socks, giving him the air of an aging hippie. And with his background as a poet and architect, together with his quick smile and twinkling eyes, I assumed he was going to be a gentle, conciliatory kind of guy. That’s why I was shocked when he started to roar like a wounded lion. “Talk to Obama? We don’t want to talk to Obama. What’s the point of making agreements with the United States when the they always renege on their agreements anyway? For the past five decades, the U.S. has been the source of all problems in the Middle East thanks to its support of Zionism. As far as sanctions, we have been living under them just fine for the past 28 years. And if we do talk to Obama, it will be with our own preconditions: full withdrawal of U.S. troops from our entire region and an end to U.S. unconditional support of international Zionism. We don’t need help or goodwill from Obama or anyone in the United States; we need a radical change in U.S. policy—period.”
Whew! For almost two hours, we had a lively back and forth with Mr. Kalhor. At times we got the impression that he was saying things he didn’t really believe. In fact, at one point, he said, “Look, these are not necessarily my positions, they are the positions of this government.” I pointed out that if his job was to convey the Iranian government’s positions to the world in a sympathetic light, then denying the holocaust, threatening Israel’s existence and talking about the international Zionist economic conspiracy was not very good “packaging.” I suggested they would be better off talking about the need to respect the human rights of Palestinians and stop the tragic deaths of U.S. soldiers in unnecessary wars. My comments only brought on a fresh cascade of anger, accusing us of only caring about the lives of U.S. people and proving “just how arrogant America is”.
After almost an hour of Mr. Kalhor’s tirade, the second man, Ali Akbar Javan, finally got a word in edgewise. Although he looked more the part of a conservative bureaucrat, he turned out to the “good cop”, calling for diplomacy. He told us that he traveled quite often internationally with the Ahmedinajad, so he seemed to have the president’s ear, which was good to hear.
At the end of the meeting, I mentioned to Mr. Akbar that I had spent a lot of time in Latin America, and immediately he started speaking Spanish to me. It turns out he had lived in Spain and spoke quite well. We quickly established more of a rapport, joking and exchanging emails.
The meeting with these gentlemen, while difficult, was a good reality check that pushing for dialogue on the part of the Obama administration would not be sufficient. The Iranian government also needs to be convinced that it is worthwhile to negotiate with the U.S.
Our last meeting of the day came as a refreshing renewal after our bout with realpolitik. It was with the group Miles for Peace, our cyclist friends. We met their founder Dr. Rouhani, an impressive man who worked as an elementary particle physicist by day and a peacemaker by night, as well as about 20 young people. We ate the dinner they had prepared for us and exchanged ideas for furthering people-to-people ties. We told them about the YouTubes series we wanted to make called Iran talks to Obama, with Iranians from all walks of life giving advice to the new U.S. president. They loved the idea, and signed up right then and there to be interviewed. Before collapsing, we managed to film five incredibly beautiful, heart-felt interviews. One of the young women didn’t want to be interviewed on camera, but instead wrote her comments to Obama. I include her beautiful words below for your enjoyment.
It was almost 1am when we left, but we felt elated by these beautiful young people with their hearts so full of goodwill.
Warm greetings from this ancient and fascinating land,
Medea
Dear Mr. Obama, I am an Iranian girl, just an ordinary Iranian girl, and I wanted to share some thoughts with you. I know you are a father, a good father, I can tell from the sparkle in your daughters’ eyes. I have a request for you: Whenever you have to make a decision about war—anywhere in the world—please look into your daughters’ eyes and remember that far, far away there are thousands of eyes just as beautiful as those of your children. But these children are living in fear of losing their lives, their parents, their security, their happiness and more. If you believe that you will “save” these children by making war, as your former president believed, please think again. The costs are much greater than you think. I grew up during the Iran-Iraq war. I spent my childhood and school days under constant fire from bombs hitting my city. I touched fear, I lost my friends, it was terrible. I don’t want my children or any children in the world to live through such an awful experience. So please, Mr. Obama, look at those sparkles in your lovely daughters’ eyes and think about a new world without violence and bloodshed. Please… Laya Bidgoli, Tehran, Iran, November 23, 2008

Medea's Blog Day #1 Iran Citizen Diplomacy

2008-11-22T18:41:00.002-05:00

Medea Benjamin November 22, 2008

DAY ONE in Tehran
What an extraordinary day! After arriving at our hotel in the middle of the night, I woke up early raring to go. Our hotel is in a great location downtown, and I took some time before our meetings to buy some beautiful crafts in the nearby stores and chat with the storeowners. After a hearty Iranian breakfast that included delicious tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh eggs, cheese, yoghurt, flat bread and mouth-watering olives, the “work day” began for the three of us—myself, CODEPINK cofounder Jodie Evans and Col. Ann Wright.

Our first meeting was with our dear friend Rostam Pourzal, who works with the anti-sanctions group CASMI. Rostam used to live in Washington DC, but moved back to Iran recently. Thank goodness he came to greet us, because it turned out that the government person who was supposed to set up our schedule today didn’t show up. So Rostam filled in the day for us with an amazing variety of activities and meetings.

First, he brought over a filmmaker, Habib Ahmadzadeh, who works on films that deal with the Iran-Iraq war. Habib took us out to a delicious lunch in a typical, old Persian restaurant where we ate scrumptious lamb, eggplant and kabobs. Then we went to his office, but along the way he stopped to show us the old, abandoned U.S. Embassy. It is now surrounded by murals with anti-American slogans—a stark reminder of the harsh rhetoric emanating from both governments.

In a screening room at his office, Habib showed us one of his beautiful films called Night Bus. It chronicled a fictionalized story that reflected Habib’s own odyssey as a teenage soldier during that war. An 18-year-old Iranian soldier ends up being in charge of transporting 38 Iraqi prisoners of war from the battlefield to an Iranian base. During the adventure-packed ride full of agony, betrayal and bonding, the Iraqi and Iranian men discover their common humanity. We were all weeping when the lights came on, and had a long discussion afterwards about the futility of war. Habib also showed us a short docudrama about the 20-year anniversary of the July 3 downing of an Iranian commercial airline by a US navy ship in which over 200 people died—a terrible tragedy for which the U.S. government has never apologized. There are so many sad pieces of our history that most Americans are unaware of, but that make us seem so callous in the eyes of the victims…

From there we went to a refreshing artists’ park, replete with a beautiful sculpture exhibit, art stores, and a café/vegetarian restaurant inside. Most of the people milling around looked like—and were—painters, writers, playwrights, filmmakers and poets. It was a cultural oasis, with conversations buzzing inside and outside. We added to the animated atmosphere by having a table full of people coming and going to meet and greet us. Most were called by Rostam, but a few—like a nuclear engineer Jodie met—just came by out of curiosity (yes, the pink does stand out). Among those joining us for tea was a famous woman filmmaker named Rakhshan Banietemad, a woman who runs an eco-tourism company, a producer of plays, and several women who work for peace.

We were so thrilled by the conversation that we asked if any of them would be willing to be filmed. We decided that it would be great to ask Iranians from all walks of life to comment on what they would say to Barack Obama if they had the chance. Some of the women were afraid to be videoed, but Rakhshan, who was in a more secure position because of her prominence, agreed. So with the help of Habib as cameraman, I interviewed Rakhshan about US-Iranian relations and what could be done to move our countries toward a more peaceful path. With so many incredible connections being made, our tea turned into dinner (which the Iranians refused to let us pay for) and we didn’t get back to the hotel until about 9:30 pm.

But it turned out that the day was not yet over. At about 10:30pm, while I was checking email at the internet café, two of our dear young friends from the group Miles for Peace showed up. It was great to reunite after our time together in Washington DC. They are so bubbly, so hopeful, so creative, so loving. We heard about some of their upcoming ideas for youth exchanges with the US—soccer matches, swimming the Persian Gulf (!), a bike trip through Iran with 50 Iranian-Americans. All such terrific ideas. We will meet with the larger Miles for Peace group tomorrow evening.

Reflecting on the days’ events, I was struck by how much more open Iran is than I had thought. Yes, we have to wear headscarves and long coats, but that seems so unimportant --although I must say that I feel very claustrophobic covering my head all day. (During lunch at the restaurant, Rostam told me I could take the scarf off, but about 20 minutes later some men came to complain.) I have been comparing the atmosphere here to that of Iraq under Saddam Hussein and here it is very different. People in Iraq were afraid to speak out against Saddam, people in Iran aren’t. We heard criticism of the government while we were still on the plane. Then in customs, when an official asked our guide why we had come to Iran and she replied “trying to make peace,” he laughed and said, “Not with this terrible government of ours.” The taxi drivers complain; western-educated elites complain, businessmen complain. While most wouldn’t want to be filmed venting against their government, they talk to us in an amazingly open fashion, barely looking over their shoulders to see if anyone is listening. I suppose I shouldn’t jump to conclusions after one day, but the atmosphere is much more open than I thought it would be, and that in itself is reason for hope.

Citizen Diplomacy Trip to promote Direct People to People ties Iran

2008-11-22T16:19:00.008-05:00

We are just back from a fantastic day. Memories of our first days in Iraq almost 6 years ago strike us as we walk the streets. Medea and I share a tiny room with twin beds, also similar to our Baghdad hotel, but no call to prayer at 4 in the morning outside our window.
I came down from the bedroom this morning for breakfast and we were swept away and now just returning at 10pm. It began when Rostam Pourzal arrived to learn what we wanted from our trip. Immediately he was on the phone with friends. Habib Ahmadzadeh soon arrived. A filmmaker who tells the story of war.
He told us we were too literal when we hear “Death to America or death to Israel”, that they are really calling for an end to the policies of the US Gov’t or Israeli Gov’t that seem very much like apartheid in South Africa. He said that a majority of Iranians are anti-war, he repeated what I have heard so many times from Iranians, “We aren’t warlike, we don’t invade people, we only defend ourselves.” He talked about his mother’s heartache for the American Soldiers who died in Iraq, she lost a son in the war and can feel the grief of those mothers. We asked him about Obama and he responded, “He is a walnut, inside a shell and unknown. But history has taught us how little an individual can do, and that we need to learn how to rely on ourselves.” Medea asked him about Afghanistan, and said that US Ambassador James Dobson, at a recent seminar in Congress, said Iran was funding the Taliban. Both Habib and Rostam laughed, “Taliban are the worst enemy of Iran, worse than the US. The say that if you kill 7 shi’ia you go to heaven.” We went to his offices and watched a powerful film about the cost of war to everyone, The Night Bus. It takes place during the Iran/Iraq war. I was in tears almost through out, he unflinchingly exposes the costs of war to heart, mind, spirit and soul...nothing heroic or beautiful about war. Very different from American war films. He says there is a movement in Iran to turn weapons into pens, or ways to communicate. That is why he makes films. He then showed us a short about the USS Vincente shooting down the Iranian Airliner with 266 people including many women and children, 8 below the age of 2. We never apologized. He works to heal the wounds on both sides. Powerful worker for Peace. He was in the military for many years and suffers from wounds of chemical weapons until today, so he also works with a group against the use of chemical weapons and the support of those who are in need and suffering from their effects. What a big hearted wise man. In his attempts to show us his films there were technical difficulties and he laughed that Americans thought Iranians could have nuclear weapons, they can’t even get high speed internet or get video equipment that works.
At 7pm we were off to a beautifully manicured Park, full of women and college age students with a café called the house of the artists. The café was rich with conversation and everyone looked as if they were a poet or an artist. A nuclear engineer came over to find out who we were; exclaiming that he was educated at Cal State LA. I asked him how close they were to a bomb. He laughed. Said it would be a very long time.
Soon our table was full of amazing women. Women who work for peace, most were about our age, had grown children, had suffered in someway for being outspoken but still fearless. Their faces were full of joy and life and the conversation was at a pitch for hours. We began to work on our project of asking Iranians what they would like to tell Obama. The filmmaker Rakhashan Bani-Etemad sat in the garden with Medea for about 15 minutes of filming with the camera in the hands of Habib. The generosity of everyone is overwhelming, their time, their stories, their passion....we can’t even pay for a meal. Tonight the students from Miles for Peace who bicycled across the US came at about 11:00 to beg Medea for time to take her to see their Iran. They also told us about their plans for a friend to swim the Persian Gulf for peace, and an agreement they have for the US Soccor team to play the Iranian soccor team in April and then 50 Iranian/Americans to come to Iran and bicycle across Iran as they had done across the US.
There is so much more but I am exhausted. Sending love,Jodie

Your favorite PINK house story is wanted!!

2008-11-19T22:48:00.015-05:00

Remember when?

The Washington Times said:

"Code Pink - a mostly female protest group best known for their pink costumes - has taken up residence in a Northeast house within walking distance of the Capitol. And while some in the politically astute neighborhood say they disagree with Code Pink's views or tactics, they also say the group hasn't proved to be too disruptive a neighbor..."

Salon said:

"Located in a brick row house on Capitol Hill, the Code Pink house is its rallying point for Washington actions. It serves as a base for activists from Code Pink's 250 local chapters around the globe. Inside, the atmosphere resembled a grubby, renegade sorority installation at FAO Schwartz -- the underground headquarters of Barbie's rebellion.."

The Washington Post:

Medea Benjamin, one of the founders of the women's peace group Code Pink, wears pink every single day, and sleeps in it, too.
Her shoulder bag, her wallet and her cellphone are all pink. When she visits Washington from San Francisco to lobby Congress against the war in Iraq, she stays in Code Pink's new group house on Capitol Hill, where nearly everyone wears pink, where her bedspread and her pillow and her bedroom curtains are pink, as are the drinking cups in the kitchen and the flowers that grow out back.
Code Pink's signature color is a bright, vibrant shade, the hue of Barbie dolls and Victoria's Secret panties. It's a color for those who believe that even in the midst of serious --

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2007/03/28/VI2007032801891.html

James' blog:

"The “lone young man stuffing manicotti in the kitchen” has left the Pink House… and although my involvement with the Pinkies has only just begun, my departure from the Pink residence feels like the end of an era… if not for CODE PINK, then at least for me.

For nearly five months I occupied the basement of the CODE PINK DC House, a.k.a. “the Cave,” and I am pleased to report that my time as CODE PINK “caveman” (or “troglodyte”) was one of the happiest, most positive, constructive, and best times of my life."

Please add your favorite house story to share with the world! Just post your story as a comment!

Des, Adam & Dylan

Taxpayers say No More Bailouts Congress!!

2008-11-18T19:53:00.005-05:00

Oversight hearings of the Bailout debacle brings out the CODEPINK activists

with our Foreclosed Living Room furniture to the doorsteps of Congress!

simple message

-CONGRESS- Stop ripping off the taxpayers with bailouts

for crooks that mismanage companies -- instead

pass an economic stimulus package to help our failing economy!

Vets Occupy the Archives AGAIN!

2008-11-17T12:48:00.006-05:00

Vets for Peace occupied the Archives Nov 14 in the early hours

of saturday morning through sunday Nov 16 to bring attention to the need for Imepachment Hearings of the occupying forces in the White House!! There were almosta dozen Veterans that risked arrest while staging a demonstration on the 6 story platform

scaffolding at the Archives.The banner was great but had problems with the wind .....

Cheers to our vet friends for keeping the issue of impeachment on the peoples table!!

G20 Weekend in Washington DC

2008-11-14T23:47:00.006-05:00

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/business/news/article_1443088.php/SIDEBAR_Quail_lamb_Vermont_brie_for_G20_maiden_summit

The G20 leaders are meeting with irrelavant Bush one last time before regime departure.The student groups had a permitted peoples banquet staged for Lafayette Park until the police abruptly changed the plan and made the food handlers relocate the food across the street.The show went on in a drizzling rainy night on the grass outside the WhiteHouse.

Education is a human rightalong with clean air water peace-Let's demand our government make college affordable!

So Long and THANK YOU, from James O'Donnell

2008-11-14T10:59:00.007-05:00

Sigh…

The “lone young man stuffing manicotti in the kitchen” has left the Pink House… and although my involvement with the Pinkies has only just begun, my departure from the Pink residence feels like the end of an era… if not for CODE PINK, then at least for me.

For nearly five months I occupied the basement of the CODE PINK DC House, a.k.a. “the Cave,” and I am pleased to report that my time as CODE PINK “caveman” (or “troglodyte”) was one of the happiest, most positive, constructive, and best times of my life.

(For those considering a sojourn at the Pink House, I highly recommend the experience.)

At the CODE PINK House I became personally acquainted with several courageous American heroines I’ve admired for years, from Medea Benjamin to Col. Ann Wright to Cindy Sheehan to Desiree Fairooz to...

In my time in DC, I met and was inspired by many other heroic individuals previously unknown to me, people whose dedication to peace and justice continue to inspire me to this day: Liz Houricane, Gael Murphy, Leslie Angeline, Jes Richardson, Tighe Barry, Jim Preston, Sarah Rose-Jensen, Rae Abileah, Adam Kokesh, Jennifer Teguia, Julie Allen, Pete Perry, Alicia Forrest, Jason Ortiz, Jay Marx, Devon Nola, Kim Gollub, Laura Heath, Cynthia Papermaster, and many more...

These are people I am very proud to call friends. I will always aspire to carry forward what I learned from the character, integrity, and idealism they exhibited daily in the time I came to know them.

Together we attended many hearings, staged many demonstrations and protest actions, and reached out to our government representatives and members of our community, from other progressive organizations to just plain folks. We also hosted pot luck dinners, studied issues, conducted teach-ins, made banners, and built relationships in one of the most supportive, tolerant, open environments I’ve ever encountered.

I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: Thank you! Thank you, CODE PINK, for all that you do, for your tireless efforts and unyielding advocacy for a more peaceful and just world.

Your critics don’t begin to understand how patriotic, moral, hardworking, and decent you are. CODE PINK cares, genuinely and deeply, about all of the world’s victims of war, avarice, militarism, and institutionalized plunder -- from Iraq to Gaza to Sudan to Tibet to Burma to New Orleans to Queens and beyond.

Anyone who thinks CODE PINK is about “hating America” isn’t paying attention. CODE PINK is America at its best: generous, conscientious, idealistic, and informed... with the moral courage to do something about it.

Although I could recount many examples of successes and positive experiences at the Pink House, I promised a good friend of mine that I wouldn’t allow this blog to grow to novella length, so I’ll just share with you my favorite chapter: our efforts to prevent Congress from passing a resolution that would ease the Neoconservatives’ path to war with Iran.

I don’t want to sound boastful, but I truly believe that CODE PINK was a key cog in the machine that stalled this misguided and potentially disastrous resolution.

Under the guise of diplomacy and resting on a foundation of false claims that would make the bogus case for war with Iraq blush, this bipartisan resolution called for war with Iran, including a naval blockade cutting off all refined petroleum products into Iran (an act of war under international law and a war crime, inflicting collective punishment on a population of 70 million human beings, 70% of whom are under the age of 30 years old).

Over a sustained period, CODE PINK’s efforts were focused on numerous actions (and our actions were amplified by the efforts of several other groups, including the Washington Peace Center, the Institute for Policy Studies, and others).

We employed several strategies from the humorous to the serious, from the colorful to the sober -- smart, silly, straight, crooked -- we went all out. Partnering with the Institute for Policy Studies, we conducted sit-ins and teach-ins at the offices of the House and Senate sponsors of the resolution. Sometimes we made appointments or brought lunch and juice to share with staffers.

We were polite, committed, and implacable. We had a war to stop.

When Medea hit the scene, I saw an entire house (a PINK one) mobilize overnight, and I saw an armada (also PINK) created in no time flat: canoes, kayaks, and a rubber raft, all outfitted with mounts for banners (thank you, Tighe).

Congressman Gary Ackerman awoke the next day to find his houseboat BLOCKADED!

“How do YOU like it?” was the basic message, but it was delivered with humor and civility... and when the media arrived to cover our action, the message was still civil but deadly serious:

“Do you know that the U.S. intelligence community and International Atomic Energy Agency flatly contradict the alarmist claims you make in your resolution, Congressman?”

“Are you aware of the harm similar sanctions regimes have done to civilian populations, leaving the target governments virtually unscathed?”

(Once your funny sailor hats and banners get those cameras to show up, that’s when you hit ‘em with your facts! Heaven knows today’s media isn’t interested in correcting the warmongers’ screwed-up facts on their own initiative -- that task is left to groups like CODE PINK!)

And finally, we succeeded.

A resolution that had come out of the blocks with more than a hundred co-signers in the House was KO’d. A resolution favored by the Military Industrial Complex’s pet, AIPAC, was down and out for the count, not to return this session.

Veteran CIA briefer and peace activist Ray McGovern was among those who later confided to us that this success was, in his experience, a first (usually, AIPAC gets what it wants -- which, incidentally, doesn’t usually correspond to what most Israelis want).

Representative Barbara Lee’s top legislative staffer, Greg Barry, was among those who later informed us that we had made a difference. “The Peace Community can really take some credit on this one,” he told Pete Perry and me.

After reviewing one of my fact sheets, Mr. Barry had pointed me and the Pinkies toward a number of sympathetic Representatives, those most likely to use our facts to bring their peers up to speed. (It’s AMAZING how ill-informed many politicians are about the matters on which they vote -- several Representatives seemed to truly believe that this resolution was about avoiding war with Iran! They simply could not have read the resolution, or understood it, for that to be the case...)

That was the high point of my DC experience: several actions, a house in high gear, the hearts and minds of a diverse and motivated group of people all working toward the same goal, and an astonishing and gratifying result. Quite possibly, due to our actions, lives were spared, both “ours” and “theirs.”

Amen.

Again, thank you, CODE PINK.

Thank you for letting me participate in the good that you do. I spent nearly five amazing months in your midst, wrote my first blog, cooked a few meals, researched for hours, laughed, cried, met some of the most awesome human beings I ever hope to encounter, and forged relationships I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.

Keep up the great work.

Embassy Tour Promoting Diplomacy & Peace

2008-11-13T18:49:00.006-05:00

CODEPINKers and new supporters converged at the house to get ready for a day of promoting Citizen Diplomacy at the Embassies of Syria, Iran, Cuba, Venezuela and Bolivia--five countries with which the Bush administration has had antagonistic relations. Our goal was to embrace Obama's YES WE CAN motto, and turn it into YES WE CAN...Live in Peace. Fifteen of us set off in our two freshly painted RVs (with that message prominently displayed). As gifts, we took flowers, apple pies and cards expressing our desire for diplomacy.

The Embassies welcomed us with open arms. At the Cuban Embassy we talked about the need to push President-Elect Obama to do more than his announced lifting of restrictions for Cuban-Americans to travel to Cuba. We want him to lift ALL travel restrictions, as well as the trade embargo that has hurt the average Cuban and denying trade opportunities to U.S. businesses. We also talked about the need to free the "Cuban Five"--five Cubans unjustly imprisoned in the U.S.

At the Syria Embassy, the Ambassador Mustapha was very charming, dynamic and gracious. He told us of his hopes for improved relations under Obama. We were deeply saddened to hear him talk about the recent U.S. military incursion into Syria in which 8 civilians were brutally killed. We asked him to convey our sorrow to the families. We also discussed the tremendous burden Syria is shouldering by giving refuge to about 1.5 million Iraqis, and how we want our government to contribute more to their economic needs and of course, to end the occupation so that these families can return home.

The Venezuelans met us in a room decorated with the shirts of famous baseball players, reminding us of how much our nations have in common. We expressed our regrets that the Venezuelan ambassador had been recalled because of the diplomatic rift between our leaders and our desire for an administration that will not interfere in Venezuela's internal affairs. The same was true at Bolivian Embassy. There is presently no Ambassador and U.S. government support for the opposition to President Evo Morales has led to poor relations between our nations. We were told that President Morales will be in the United States next week to speak before the Organization of American States and meet with Obama's team. They are anxious to renew full diplomatic ties.

Our last stop was the Iranian "interests section"--not a embassy because of the lack of normal relations. The head diplomat, together with two other staff, met with us for over an hour. Over tea and cookies discussed everything from nuclear weapons to the US occupation of Iraq to cultural affairs. When we thought the visit was over, our hosts insisted that we stay and eat the apple pie together--and then they gave us gifts! It was a lovely visit.

All were delighted about how the day had gone, and felt that our small gesture as citizen diplomats moved us a step closer to peace.

Green Fest on Sunday with CODEPINK

2008-11-09T20:18:00.007-05:00

CODEPINK day #2 at the Green Fest DC-

fabulous day to be in public meeting & greeting the green enviro

minded consumers.

Green Fest with CODEPINKDC

2008-11-08T21:49:00.006-05:00

Thanks to the volunteers for helping out our table for the annnual Green Fest in DC!

We appreciate the hard work of all the CODEEPINK helpers we could never have been successful without each and every effort~!!

Meet & Greet Truth Squad

2008-11-04T22:09:00.007-05:00

A small group of CODEPINK went to the Biltmore to say

we stronglyopppose war mongers that want permanent

falied foreign policy that decreases our national security!

We tried to negotiate our presence with police to be able to

stand on our favorite corner where (many many protests)

the lane merges the traffic into the Arizona Biltmore.

The negotiation was limited and we could absolutley not

be at the most appropos location until after the motorcade drives into the resort.

Sarah Palin entered the resort around 7pm our signs

were in perfect position from the motorcade perspective.

We were going to pack up and leave but suddenly there were signals

that another politican was expected. The helicopter was hovering while flashing lights

and police started redirecting traffic and re-closing the street in and out of the Az Biltmore resort......almost 8pm McCains entourage enters slowly each vehicle looking at our banners.

Support our Troops with Peace Get Us out of Iraq Johnny>>>>>>>>>>>NOW!!

Stop the Torture Policies Senator

Close Gitmo Senator

Stop Illegal Eavesdropping Senator

Support the troops

Hate this War/Occupation!!

CODEPINK Reporting Live-Arizona Biltmore Resort

2008-11-04T13:43:00.009-05:00

The Republicans are looking very stressed out running around at the infamous Arizona Biltmore resort where later tonight John McCain will give his concession speech on the spectacular lawn!

I am inside the Az Biltmore now live blogging for the Peace community ..........John McCain's national party has a private event set up starting at 6pm inside the Wrigley Mansion next door!

Looking at Phil Gramm in front of me ........ let's get a quick photo on this historic day!

Say Peace instead of cheese!!

Looking for new leadership in Arizona

2008-11-02T17:01:00.005-05:00

Vote out the War Mongers in 2 days!! Peace is the change we can

afford in Arizona!!

www.therealmccain.com

Arizona Residents Statewide Join to Divorce McCain

2008-11-02T12:25:00.014-05:00

Nov 1 2008

Phoenix Arizona

95 degrees

Sunny Bright Day

Outside McCains headquarters

http://www.azcentral.com/photo/News/Other/8601

We the Arizona residents have organized a statewide pre-election day of action to Speak Out for Peace with a Divorce Ceremony!Lisa played the role of Miss Arizona and we had a grande choregraphed ceremony to officially declare a separation from our failed leader bubble beltway Johnny-Endless War in Iraq & Torture are no longer tolerated in our names with my tax dollars.The country needs a break from wars hate racism intolerance WE NEED A REAL CHANGE not more of the same worthless criminal leadership!!

McCain's many years of failed leadership with Torture policies,promoting endless wars,and generally disconnected from the people of Arizona reminds me of the desparate need to bring back integrity to repair the soul of our country not perpetuate the same flawed policy.Good Policy makes Good Politics! We had a symbolic divorce ceremony outside theMcCain headquarters on 16th street.The coaliton of many speakers from CODEPINK for Peace & womens groups to union organizers to indigenous stalwarts to Iraq War Vets we all were provided time to speak up about why we are divorcing McCain from this great state.We are tired of endless preemptive wars of aggression and fear that further erode any moral standing and the very real possibility of new wars in Pakistan or Syria......... or elsewhere! We don't want Torture policies to continue to plague our conscience and clearly McCain is on the torture team.Endless illegal Occupation of Iraq & Torture will be the 2 reasons we in Arizona have to Stand up and Speak out loud McCain Does Not Represent our values!!Change begins with Peace so Speak Up for Peace and bringing our troops home everyday!!!!!!!!!

Liz in Arizona

Gandhi Peace Brigade / Peace Trip to Iran in May

2008-11-02T08:55:00.000-05:00

We want to thank CODEPINK for their support and for creating this AMAZING page on their website. http://codepinkalert.org/article.php?id=4487

SUPPORT MAY PEACE TRIP TO IRAN!

"Leslie and I are hoping to visit Iran with a CodePink delegation in May, 2009. “While we're there, we'll be talking with teachers and students about Friends of Iran, a program we've developed to build friendships between American and Iranian students, and their teachers. The best way to prevent a war is to establish friendships between the people."

Contributions for the Friends of Iran program and the upcoming trip to Iran are gratefully accepted.

Click here to donate now,
or send your tax-deductible donation (payable to CODEPINK) to to 2010 Linden Ave., Venice, CA 90291.

Thank you!

Promoting Peace with Iran

Dear Friends,

Leslie and I met in front of Senator Dianne Feinstein's house in San Francisco during CODEPINK's Troops Home Fast on July 5, 2006. I was putting up the ten foot tall Gandhi Puppet and Leslie asked if she could help. I said, "Yes!" and we've been together ever since. We spent a lot of time on the road during our first year, chauffeuring the Gandhi Puppet from Cindy Sheehan's Camp Casey in Texas to Washington DC.

In May, 2007, we visited Iran as part of a Global Exchange "Citizen Diplomacy" Delegation. Fourteen of us traveled throughout the country for a little over two weeks. What Leslie and I discovered was not at all what we were expecting. The Iranians we met were kind, sophisticated, and extremely generous ... and they LOVE Americans. Here are some of the photos we took of these beautiful people.

Why did we go to Iran? In January, 2007, Leslie came back from the DC CODEPINK house where there had been talk about an attack on Iran. She was horrified by the thought of the U.S. starting another war. She flew back to California to join me, where I, too, had been hearing reports about U.S. aircraft carriers heading toward Iran. We both thought we were on the verge of yet another war. After watching this video, we decided to go to Iran.

We thought, if a two minute video can have such a big affect on us, perhaps we should film our interactions with the Iranian people, then come back here and talk about our experiences. This is what we've done and we're calling it our Journey for Peace with Iran.

When we returned to the United States, Senator Lieberman appeared on Face the Nation to encourage the Bush administration to use military force against Iran. Leslie was appalled and tried to make an appointment to talk with him. She went on a 24 day hunger strike and was hospitalized on the 16th day and was arrested in his office on the 22nd day. Lieberman finally consented to meet with her and Ali Nasri of Miles for Peace.

Leslie began the Hungry for Justice? Impeach him FAST! in hopes of pressuring the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, John Conyers, to start impeachment hearings for Vice President Cheney, who is the driving force behind our government’s plans to attack Iran. Over 450 people across the country fasted in solidarity. When Senator Clinton made her "Obliterate Iran" comment, Leslie fasted again. She wanted Clinton to apologize to the Iranian people and the world. On May 22, Leslie and three other courageous CODEPINK women were arrested at the Petraeus Confirmation Hearing for objecting to his lies about Iranian involvement in Iraq.

Before our trip to Iran, Leslie and I were leading reasonably normal lives. I had just graduated from Dominican University and was planning to be an elementary school teacher. Leslie worked in a health food store. When we returned from Iran, we quit our jobs, said good-bye to our sweet home in California's San Geronimo Valley, put everything into storage, and moved into the CODEPINK house in Washington DC to lobby Congress for peace with Iran.

We are currently living with friends in the Bay Area and offering our Peace with Iran presentation. Here's a review of the presentation we gave in Hawaii. If you would like us to give our presentation to your peace organization, your congregation, or your house party guests, please get in touch.

President Ahmadinejad spoke at the United Nations in September and the next day he met with 150 people from 50 different peace groups, an event organized by Fellowship of Reconciliation. Leslie was honored to be a part of this historic event. Medea Benjamin and Jodie Evans, Co-founders of CODEPINK, were also there.

Leslie and I are hoping to visit Iran with a CODEPINK delegation in May, 2009. While we're there, we'll be talking with teachers and students about Friends of Iran, a program we've developed to build friendships between American and Iranian students, and their teachers. The best way to prevent a war is to establish friendships between the people. If your daughter/son would like to be introduced to an email pal from Iran, or if you know of a class of students that might enjoy email pals, just contact us and we'll send you more information.

When we return from Iran we will tour the United States and offer an updated version of our Peace with Iran presentation. We will be visiting the schools of the students who have joined our Friends of Iran program, and we'll also be giving our presentation to adult organizations. Improved relations with Iran can only come from the hearts of Americans, not from the minds of politicians.

Leslie and I want to continue to be full time peace activists, if we can. Relatively few people have been to Iran and even fewer still are able to devote much time to promoting peace with Iran. This is what we want to do with our lives. We're fortunate because our children are grown and our needs are simple, so we now have the time to follow what appears to be our calling. When Americans understand they have nothing to fear from Iranians, the administration will no longer be able to lead us to war. We are doing all we can to promote this understanding.

Watch Our Slideshow: PEACE WITH IRAN!

Contributions for the Friends of Iran program and our upcoming trip to Iran are gratefully accepted. Click here to donate now, or send your tax-deductible donation (payable to CODEPINK) to 2010 Linden Ave., Venice, CA 90291. Thank you!

Peace and Freedom,
Jes & Leslie

Our website:http://www.jfpf.org/

Rose we Miss you in DC

2008-10-30T08:19:00.003-05:00

We made some changes around the house -updating our goood vibes

and getting ready for the elections!!

www.givepeaceavote.org

Rose from Washington made this great banner and now we keep it for

all to view upon entering the CODEPINK DC house!!

WE say No AFRIcomm Us not welcome in Africa

2008-10-27T18:17:00.005-05:00

AFRICOM: Key Facts and Concerns (August 2008)
AFRICOM expands of the role of the U.S. military on the African Continent, potentially shifting humanitarian resources from civilians to military personnel. We reject this militarization of foreign engagement. We also repudiate the role of the U.S. military and private military contractors in training and equipping African soldiers. Instead, our vision is a comprehensive U.S. foreign policy grounded in true partnership with the African Union, African governments, and civil society on peace, justice, security, and development.

Over the last year AFRICOM has been touted as a military command, a development agency, and as a force for creating security and stability on the African continent by “helping Africans help themselves.” Its competing mission is not simply a public relations problem – it is a problem inherent within the structure of AFRICOM itself.

While we recognize the inefficiency of the EUCOM-PACOM-CENTCOM structure and the need to coordinate DOD efforts, we condemn the further extension of the U.S. military footprint on African soil and the inclusion of soft power in AFRICOM’s mandate.

The people of the African Continent have expressed the need for better education systems, health care, jobs, roads, clean water, and good governance – diplomatic and development tasks, not military missions. The majority of African civil society are adamant against the increased presence of U.S. soldiers, military programs, and private contractors.

Today, AFRICOM’s primary mission is to “legitimize” African militaries by engaging in “train and equip” activities which, to date, have been largely inefficient and detrimental.
The U.S. is currently providing military equipment and training to governments which are widely seen as corrupt, illegitimate, oppressive, or which are guilty of fueling instability within its own country or across borders. Examples include Chad, Uganda, Rwanda, and Equatorial Guinea, among others.
In a 2008 report, Human Rights Watch notes with concern the U.S. training of Chadian forces, several of whom have now defected to join rebel movements.
Consider this, from a recent report by the U.S. Army’s Strategic Studies Institute: In the 1980’s, the U.S. spent approximately $500 million to train and equip Samuel Doe’s army. “Every armed force that plundered Liberia over the past 25 years had its core in these U.S.-trained Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) soldiers. Today, millions of dollars are awarded each year to DynCorp International, a private security contractor, to train Liberian forces.

The U.S. should consider the historical effect of irresponsible military involvement in Africa. From propping up human rights abusers like Samuel Doe and Mobutu Sese Seko to the U.S.-Ethiopian invasion of Somalia in 2006, the U.S. follows its own interests with little regard for the people of Africa. The current expansion of the U.S. military in Africa, embodied by AFRICOM, is primarily designed to increase access to Africa’s oil, counter terror, and offset China’s economic influence in the region. As such, if forced to choose, AFRICOM personnel will safeguard U.S. interests over African interests.

Although AFRICOM claims Ambassadors will retain Chief of Mission authority in their respective countries, the influence of General William Ward – a four-star, persuasive general – is likely to undermine the sovereign decisions of Ambassadors. Furthermore, with Ambassador Mary Yates serving as second-in-command, General Ward is seen as holding jurisdiction over the State Department in Africa.

____________________________________________________________________
Militarism in Africa: A Guidebook
October 2008
By Chioma Oruh
Click here to download!
_____________________________________________________________________
AFRICOM: STATEMENT OF CONCERN (October 2007)
We are a group of concerned U.S. and Africa based organizations and individuals opposed to the creation of AFRICOM. AFRICOM represents the expansion of the role of the U.S. military – potentially shifting the face of disaster response and humanitarian assistance from civilians to military personnel. Our vision is a comprehensive U.S. foreign policy grounded in true partnership with the African Union, African governments, and civil society on peace, justice, security, and development.
Africa Action Africa Faith and Justice Network African Security Research Project Arms and Security Initiative, New America Foundation Association of Concerned Africa Scholars Center for Democratic Empowerment, Liberia Foreign Policy In Focus Missionaries of Africa Pan Africa Network, Oakland CA Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Justice and Peace Office Resolve Uganda TransAfrica Forum United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society Washington Office on Africa The Hip Hop Caucus
John Cavanagh, Institute For Policy Studies

Alternatives and Recommendations for AFRICOM
Instead of establishing a military command, the US government should promote a just security doctrine. AFRICOM is not what the people of Africa need and it is not what will achieve long-term stability on the continent. What is needed is a boost in education, job opportunities, health care, debt relief, fair trade policies, and many other things that would ensure development, peace and prosperity.
With enough pressure from the American people, Congress can decline to fund AFRICOM in the coming defense appropriations cycle. President Bush recently unveiled his FY2009 Defense Budget. Within it, he requested $389 million for the AFRICOM headquarter operations in Stuttgart, millions more for operations on the continent, and a continuation of the funding for the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa located in Djibouti.
It is our hope that Congress will take this stand against AFRICOM. However, if AFRICOM must be established, we insist that:
The role of Ambassadors as point-persons in US-Africa policy is maintained and that the command structure is delineated to ensure that diplomatic efforts do not fall under the jurisdiction of the military.
Congress has sufficient oversight whether through regular reports or a special committee.
Restrictions are placed on funding to ensure that private military sub-contractors are never used to carry out the mandate of AFRICOM.
Restrictions are placed on funding to ensure that the military is under the same guidance as the State Department and that human rights violations never occur.
When training and equipping foreign armies, local communities are made fully aware of US presence and its intended goals.
The military acts in the most culturally respectful way possible when engaging in activities on the continent.
Every decision is made with the interests of Africans in mind.
resist AFRICOM is a project by The Hip Hop Caucus, Africa Faith and Justice Network, Foreign Policy in Focus, Africa Action, TransAfrica Forum, and many other concerned organizations and individuals

My source for the above info:

http://www.resistafricom.org/

PLease call your reps STOP AFRICOMM NOW!

Neighborhood Block Party -Commuinty Building

2008-10-26T22:58:00.008-05:00

Today marked the inaugural block party for 5th st between F & G marked with many fun kid games and activities like face painting, water balloon baseball, hopscotch for cupcakes,and dancing. This was a nice way to spend sunday promoting our Peace Platform on the block!

There were a couple of people who were completely unaware of CODEPINK and it was my pleasure to elaborate on What CODEPINK stands for!

The Majority of our neighbors were delighted to have us on the block appreciate our work and seem very knowledged on the issues of importance like the ongoing illegal War in Iraq Illegal eavesdropping etc...........

Why we should Vote Maryland residents

2008-10-24T17:34:00.004-05:00

Global Friends World Program Visit CODEPINKDC

2008-10-24T11:15:00.002-05:00

Today CODEPINK house had a visit from Global College friends World Program out of Long Island New York -part of the Washington DC tour is the CODEPINK experience.

Stay Informed
Speak out for the less fortunate
Be the media!

Liz

Liz Foot Injury Update Oct 22

2008-10-22T10:56:00.004-05:00

This is a quick report back on my foot injury suffered from the Oct 15th- last debate in Long Island New York when the equestrian police incited violence on the Vets and other anti illegal war activists!At the time i was just doing my job taking photos of the action and the police brutality in motion when the horse patrol stepped on my foot.My friend Jim was on hand right next to me and helped move me into the safety zone quickly on the sidelines.

The need to share this was based on the overwhelming outpouring of friends and people from all over the world who keep writing and calling me to check on my well being!!

Thanks to everyone for the concern & support!!We can be assured people are watching and care

about the front line Peace community!

Yesterday Miss Desiree looked at the sore spot and made me go to the hospital!Good thing!

We spent the entire day in emergency YUK it avoided further problems.Tetnus shot some antibiotics and pain meds so i am just trying to get better now!My doctor told me this infection was moving rapidly to the bone.

Support our Vets Oct 21 2008

2008-10-22T09:21:00.004-05:00

Des & Liz were invited to share a few hours with our Vet friends who were in town for meetings with the Veteran Affairs Dept regarding Hiv/Aids health issues. The main message the VA system is totally overburdened and getting worse with the flood of Iraq War Vets coming home with tremendous needs of outreach mental help readjustment needs to acclimate back to civilian life....on and on.......The system is not capable of handling the constant ever- growing needs ...........

Tom & Bob (Palm Springs Vet friends)treated us to a dinner as a way of thanking us for the CODEPINK work on Capitol Hill! This time together makes me realize how fortunate i am to be able to do this type of work -and how thankful the Vets are we never stop trying!!

Ghosts of War Trial ongoing

2008-10-22T08:48:00.003-05:00

The trial has started today for the March 12 nonviolent civil resistance action at the Capitol

http://www.iraqpledge.org/

10 of our social justice activists friends face the judicial system once again for efforts of dissent toward ENDING THE ILLEGAL WAR of Occupation in Iraq!!

We CODEPINK sisters applaud the dedication, courage,committment to justice in Iraq,and the constant efforts toward setting the example of DIRECT Nonviolent action!!

Speaking for myself this group has taught me many important lessons ie leadership in times of war through actions that sacrifice the usual comforts of life.

Support Peace Groups in any way possible

We need constant support!!

Give Peace A Vote in 2008

Poll workers are in demand -WE MUST ALL PROTECT the VOTE!!

by liz

Dr.Helen Caldicott

2008-10-20T10:29:00.013-05:00

New Busboys 5st k NW
Global Exchange Fair Trade Shop

Busboys K street featured Dr. Helen Caldicott last
night to educate people like me on the medical hazards
associated with nuclear power!Dr.Caldicott has worked
for 35 years to educate the public on the environmental
crises that we can eliminate on the grassroots level!

Founder of Wand-Women for Nuclear Disarmament
Co-Founder of Physicians for Social Responsibilty

Carbon Free Nuke Free by 2050 We can do it!

Global Disarmament Disarm Disarm!

Dc team in New York - Day #1 of 3 update

2008-10-17T20:43:00.019-05:00

DC Codepink on the road to promote the peace vote in the big city -NYC
GIVE PEACE A VOTE!!

The CODEPINK DC peace team went to New York for the last Presidential debate at Hofstra University in West Hempstead Long Island Weds Oct 15th.We went straight to the Grand Hyatt at Grand Central station (as we arrived 2 days early) to meet-greet McCain's liar express.We got out on the streets before 6pm with Tiger as McCain.Tiger made our Cheney Puppet Head into a McCain version.It was a professional effort thus very realistic!McCain look-a-like commanded much attention in a very congested part of the big city.It was great action because Tiger was the best Insane McCain.

No Dal Molin No Silvio Berlusconi

2008-10-13T13:21:00.006-05:00

CODEPINKers took our drums megaphones Italian Flags to the White House for the Berlusconi Bush Summit this morning! the people of Vincenza Italy say NO DAl Molin!!
95% of the Vincenza citizenry clearly oppose further US militray expansion!!
Listen to your People-Stop supporting the Evil Bush Empire!!!

My DC House Internship, part VI

2008-10-12T19:40:00.005-05:00

By Lynn Rooks

We are so honored and blessed today, to have "the Grandmothers" amongst us here at the PINK house. For a couple days now, there has been a non-stop drumming for peace event on the Mall, sponsored by Turtle Women Rising. With chanting, singing, dancing, and blessings offered unto fire, the days have been profoundly shaped with the vibrations of Peace and Healing.

More to come soon about recent actions...only about sharing this gift of Peace right now.
Namaste, Lynn

Oct 10 Active day

2008-10-10T17:36:00.006-05:00

We started the day at sunrise with the turtle women drumming circle opening ceremonies and blessings!Then took out the bikes rollerblades and bullhorns to the G7 events at the IMF with other activists.We greenwashed coal outside the International Monetary Fund!Next event was the Treasury Dept & WhiteHouse for a disruption of a photo opp with King Henry Paulson!
We were running from one event to the next all day with our Pink Peacemobile!

New York City with Fat Cat Hank Paulson

2008-10-08T15:23:00.006-05:00

Tiger Linn Liz drove up to New York City to work our street theatre magic for a protest on Wall Street with Hank Paulson.We have a banner that says Treasury Dept= UNDER NEW Management GOLDMAN SACHS!The action inculded music and lots of dancing in our bankers suits!It was a high energy action lots of movement marching dancing singing chanting photos interviews!!

Takoma Park Street Festival

2008-10-05T13:40:00.005-05:00

Today is a gorgeous day in DC to be outside with the people enjoying music & festival food with friends promoting War is NOT green!Reuse recycle reclaim our mother earth!!

Gandhi Peace Brigade/ CodePink Meets with Ahmadinejad

2008-10-04T23:50:00.002-05:00

Dear Friends,

President Ahmadinejad spoke at the United Nations last week. The next day he met with 150 people from 50 different peace groups, an event organized by Fellowship of Reconciliation http://www.forusa.org/. Leslie was honored to be a part of this historic event: http://www.thenation.com/doc/20081013/huff-hannon.

President Ahmadinejad told the delegation,"Iranians love Americans!" He also said his country doesn't want war. He believes the time of the atomic bomb has come to an end. "We've passed that time; we have no interest in the bomb." Over three years ago Iran's spiritual leader issued a proclamation, or fatwa, prohibiting the possession of nuclear weapons. Iran hasn't attacked another country in 260 years.

Jodie Evans and Medea Benjamin, Co-founders of Code Pink, were both there. A few people were selected to talk about their organization and ask Ahmadinejad a question. Medea, as the Founding Director of Global Exchange, had this to say: "President Ahmadinejad, my organization has been sending delegations to Iran for years, but the process is cumbersome, and we never know who is going to get a visa, and often not until the last minute. I, myself, would love to visit Iran, but I can't get a visa!" He responded with a promise he'd push to make it easier for Americans to get visas and hoped the U.S. would do the same for Iranians.

GOOD NEWS! H.Con. Res. 362, the proposed Naval Blockade of Iran, sponsored by Congressman Gary Ackerman, has been shelved! http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=44031. Howard Berman, Chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, stated he would not mark-up the bill unless the legislation was amended to remove the ambiguity of the "blockade clause." This is a huge victory for the peace movement.

Leslie is still on the east coast, but she'll be coming home soon (sigh). Here she is with CodePink protesting the bailout in front of the New York Stock Exchange and at a Die-In in Washington, DC: http://www.whitehouseprotest.org/. Leslie was in the Congressional Gallery when the House voted to deny Bush and Paulson their bailout. Unfortunately they passed it on Friday. Dennis Kucinich had this to say: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaF_MZVWM3E

The U.S. has the most unequal distribution of income and wealth of any major country in the world. The top 1% earn more income than the bottom 50% and own more wealth than the bottom 90%. These 400 families control our government by contributing to the campaigns of our elected officials. Dissent is permitted, but only until it makes a difference. Unprecedented attacks on our civil liberties began at the Republican National Convention and will no doubt continue. President Bush - in violation of federal law - has assigned the 3rd Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team to active duty on American soil and the soldiers could be called upon for a variety of tasks, including quelling "civil unrest": http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=10341.

So what do we do? This is a time of profound change. People are beginning to realize our Congress serves only the rich and powerful and our administration can't be trusted. When we reach a critical mass of mutual understanding, we'll take our country back.

Leslie and I are hoping to visit Iran with CodePink this November. While we're there, we'll be establishing connections with students and teachers. We want to give young Americans an opportunity to make friends with young Iranians. If you are a parent or a teacher and you'd like to know more about this program, please send us your mailing address.

Peace and Freedom,
Jes & Leslie

Opera Lovers. Don't miss this one!
Les Misbarack
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3ijYVyhnn0

U.S. Army establishes a permanent presence in Israel
with a 120-member support team to help deploy a radar system for detecting incoming Iranian missiles:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1024888.html

Inside Iran's Fury by Stephen Kinzer
A brief history of Iran and its relationship with the U.S.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/iran-fury.html?c=y&page=1

The Shift! You are not alone!!
http://www.theshiftmovie.com/

The Battle Plan II: Sarah "Evita" Palin, the Muse of the Coming Police State http://www.huffingtonpost.com/naomi-wolf/the-battle-plan-ii-sarah_b_128393.html

Anti-war Veterans Unfurl Arrest Bush/Cheney banner at National Archives
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/presidentbush/2008/09/arrest-bush-che.html

Now Is the Time to Resist Wall Street's Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/9/24/naomi_klein_now_is_the_time

Jes & Leslie ... A Journey for Peace and Freedom: http://www.jfpf.org/

If you would like to be added to The Gandhi Peace Brigade Group List,
please let me know: jes_richardson@yahoo.com Thank you. Jes

Oct Xmas on Wall street Thanks Congress

2008-10-04T15:11:00.005-05:00

CODEPINK brought a decorated Christmas tree to Capitol Hill with gifts of coal wrapped for the working class people!Hank Paulson & Bush were part of the street sellout theatre accepting the $$$$ from the congressmembers.
We took an independent poll of staffers from booth party and
GAEL has been nominated for the best actress award for yesterday's performance.

PLease make certain to visit your rep in district before the end of the year and STAND UP for truth peace justice and a better more just foreign policy.
Impeachment Hearings could have mitigated this HORRIBLE BAILOUT SCAM!!!IMPEAMENHT is still possible...........CALL Conyers remind him he could have preempted this BULLSH$$$T BAILOUT debacle!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANNKS Liz

Bailout? Over Our Dead Bodies...

2008-10-01T22:14:00.001-05:00

Wednesday, October 1

Just hours before the Senate vote on the $700 billion Bailout bill, Code Pink went to visit the offices of Senators Dodd, McCain, Obama and Reid to demand that they listen to the voice of their constituents, look at alternatives to the Bailout and to ask them why the Senate did not pass last week's $56 billion Economic Stimulus bill that could have helped the poor, the unemployed and the country's infrastructure.

A rousing rendition of "No Bailout" sung to the tune of the spiritual "Amen" entertained all within earshot of Code Pink. The band of Code Pink activists, dressed to represent the working people of our nation, started out in the offices of Senator Dodd. At noon on the day of the vote on this "crucial legislation" there were no copies of the bill in the office nor was there one posted to the internet. After some discussion with the staff in Senator Dodd's office it was clear that he needed to know that he could pass this bill "over our dead bodies!" and a short die-in followed. I suspect he got the message.

Code Pink next headed to the offices of Senator John McCain, Republican candidate for president. Again, the senator was asked look at alternatives to the Bailout, asked why the Senate did not pass last week's $56 billion Economic Stimulus bill that could have helped the poor, the unemployed and the country's infrastructure and once again, we were told that the Bailout was necessary and good and no, they didn't have a copy of this "vital bill". It was now 1 PM on the day of the vote and Code Pink had little choice but tell Senator McCain that they could pass the Bailout "over our dead bodies!"

Code Pink's last stop was to the offices of Senator Obama, Democratic candidate for president. Again we asked our questions and again we were not satisfied. We did, however, finally get a copy of the Bailout bill. With just hours to go before what might be a defining piece of legislation for our country, the people of the United states were given little time to read and discuss this bill. What else was Code Pink to do but let Senator Obama's office know that the Bailout bill could be passed "over our dead bodies!"

In each of the offices we visited, the phones were ringing off the hook with calls from constituents regarding this bill. In one office the calls were 100 "No" votes to every three "Yes." The American people and Code Pink are dying to be heard and today that's just what we did.

Calll your Senators NOW! NO BAILOUT -slow down

2008-10-01T15:16:00.005-05:00

The Senate is rushing the VOTE on the BAILOUT tonight
Please call the Switchboard 1202.224.3121
LISTEN to thepeople..Reelection is coming soon....

NO BAILOUTS
Wewant Transparency Oversight Regulation-Cap Greed
the market will work itself out!!
thanks liz

My DC House Internship, part V

2008-09-30T21:00:00.002-05:00

By Lynn Rooks

Yesterday we had non-stop action against the Billionaire Bailout. I was actually in attendance at the Gallery for the vote... really exciting. I was right in the middle of everything, so my video and photos were a little lacking, but I tried out a new program & slammed them all together. Hope you like it!

Peace, Lynn

My DC House Internship, part IV

2008-09-28T20:49:00.017-05:00

By Lynn Rooks

Day 14

Super busy here at the PINK house! Medea and Tighe arrived earlier today, so we've been hammering out different ideas for the next few days of our access to Congress. As always, we plan to demand accountability and transparency of our elected officials. That's exactly what we did this morning, when we showed up, banners-a wavin' to greet McCain and Obama at their respective interviews. So funny, McCain gave Liz a bid toothy grin and thumbs up as he does every time he sees her! At the Obama location, I actually had some great conversations with a couple Secret Service guys. They were quite cordial, and so I thanked them for their service in keeping that man safe.

Similarly, Thursday, we led a White House protest upon the arrival of both candidates. We ended up flanked by lots of other groups, and even more exciting perhaps, tons of individual voices, with hand drafted signs and banners. No one supported bailout. I got to do a couple interviews, and there was a good amount of photo and video coverage of the event.

Yesterday, Tish (my new PINK friend from Kansas City) and I worked in coalition with Service Nation, as a part of their event promoting individual community and environmental service in neighborhoods nationally and globally. The evening ended with a candle lighting commitment to being a person of service-- pretty cool stuff.

Til next time-- Lynn

NO Bailing Out of WAR -- Busting the Candidates

2008-09-28T20:41:00.002-05:00

The presidential candidates visited TV-land today, gracing two DC studios with their presence... and Code Pink was there to greet them!

We waited outside of the Newseum for several minutes, enjoying the muggy, cool morning air, outfitted in PINK and ready to share our message of peace: “No Bailouts for Billionaires” and “Bail Our Troops Out of Iraq!” As we waited, Hurricane Liz and I chatted pleasantly with Officer McConnell of the DC police, finding common ground with DC's finest in our criticism of the Paulson-proposed bailout for the speculators and high-rollers who have scammed and deep-sixed our financial system over the past several years.

When Senator McCain's cavalcade of sirens and SUVs came rolling in, the pink banners were unfurled and the bullhorns were blaring to greet Mr. “Bomb, bomb, bomb, Iran.” We let him know that we want a “PEACE PRESIDENT” and that we're not too happy about his 10,000-year Iraq war plan or his vigorous support for CIA torture. As if weathering a feisty Barack Obama rejoinder, big Mac grimaced a grin our way while flashing his classic thumbs-up pose through the safety glass of his ride, before disappearing into the building.

Next, we were off to harangue the silver-tongued young community organizer from Illinois. Again the pink banners were flying and the bullhorns raging: “Bail Us Out of Iraq!” Gael Murphy led the call as we shared our message with the passersby, campaign staffers, and Obama's security detail. His staffers told us that Barack is not about to attempt to educate the public about how screwed up Iraq STILL is... (way too risky in this jingoistic media environment, I guess). After a half-hour or so of Pink action, with Barack inside with the “greatest generation” of journalistic nincompoops, the security fellows began scrambling about and blocking traffic. Obama was apparently ready to leave the building. Like the Pope or Madonna (or Sara Palin), there was absolutely NO opportunity to interact with the Senator. With a smile and a wave through a tinted window, his Obama-ness was on his way.

CODEPINK connnects the War with our Economy

2008-09-27T14:34:00.004-05:00

CODEPINK supported a national effort GreenjobsNow.com to educate the public on the value of green jobs for the future.We passed out literature & collected sig's Deisree,James,Tish,Jennifer,Liz worked the crowd for 2 hours for signatures on our petition -best we could.We split up and went to various events like the National Book Fair ........etc..........
COME to DC
Join CODEPINK CONGRESS is still in Session trying to give 700Billion to WALL street

Green Jobs Now

2008-09-27T09:28:00.005-05:00

Promote GREEN Jobs NOW!

Diane Wilson visits the CODEPINK house

2008-09-26T23:33:00.004-05:00

Diane Wilson was in DC for a non violent direct action with the vets for peace at the National Archives.It was a symbolic action in which the Vets fasted & occupied the balcony of the Archives for a 24 hour vigil requesting congress stand up for the constitution by holding Impeachment hearings before further damage is done!They placed a huge banner on the columns and chained the fence to make entry difficult.The Banner read Arrest Bush & Cheney for War crimes Uphold the Consitution
CODEPINKERS delivered literature to educate congress simultaneously on the issue & necessity of impeachment proceedings.The police allowed the occupation and never arrested the Vets.Diane Wilson is Co Founder of CODEPINK Women for Peace shrimp fisher woman activist environmentalist author veteran and a warm spirit! It was so great to treat Diane to some CODEPINK hospitality!

Support the Vets

Typical day for CODEPINKDC

2008-09-26T08:44:00.004-05:00

Sept 25 Action at the WhiteHouse
CODEPINKERS in solidarity with other local groups protested outside on Penn Ave
as the Leadership arrived to discuss this BAILOUT OF BANKERS.
Bush & company invited the Presidential candidates as well as Pelosi Reid Boehner Mcconnell to work out a plan quickly
so everyone can get back to pandering for $$$$
as this session is abbreviated for the upcoming elections!!

TAke action in your local community
Stay informed and educate your neighbors on the future we want to see!

liz

Day #2 Paulson Benarke on Cap hill House side

2008-09-24T16:56:00.006-05:00

Occasionally my travels on the Hill bring the beautiful gifts of fleeting moments worth remembering like running into a REAL hero against the IRAQ occupation like Max Cleland who was swift boated in the 2004 election cycle!
Today was a long day filled with hundreds of encounters with members of Congress
everyone in my path had to inhale NO BAILOUTS for Billionaires soundbyte!I just used a few short soundbytes all day.Rescue our troops save $10 Billion amonth.No ex CEO for Goldman Sachs should be Bailed out on the taxpayers dime!!

WAKE UP AMERICA
Speak out about the criminals that are sellling US OUT!!

A Tale of Two Hearings

2008-09-24T02:05:00.011-05:00

by James O'Donnell

It was the best of post-Surge environments; it was the worst of post-Surge environments. The Surge had helped achieve a reduction in violence; the Surge had initiated the most violent period of the war for Iraqis and American troops alike, resulting in nearly 2.5 million internally displaced Iraqis.

America had begun to reap the benefits of our success, thanks to a military-civilian partnership that would be emulated for years to come; we were “losing Iraq to the criminals and the corrupted,” thanks to our government's refusal to support Iraqi anti-corruption officials, 31 of whom had been murdered, without a single investigation called.

The Iraqis had made significant political progress; sectarianism, cronyism, and graft at the highest levels of the Shi'ite government had immunized the powerful from prosecution for their crimes and had turned “hospitals into death zones for Sunnis.”

The Sons of Iraq had become America's most vital ally in suppressing the country's violence; the U.S.-backed central government had just commenced operations to assassinate or capture over 600 leaders of the Sons of Iraq.

Over 100 Iraqi battalions had stepped up and were now “in the lead;” the operations of Iraqi troops were impossible “without 'Coalition' enablers (which would “remain the case for some time,” according to the Secretary of Defense).

The threat from violent extremists had “receded;” suicide bombers continued to inflict “mass civilian casualties,” thanks in part to our government's support for Islamic extremists (according to an American senior advisor to our government in Iraq).

Baghdad had been restored to a semblance of normalcy, its residents free to resume their daily lives; Baghdad residents had electricity for one hour in seven, no clean water, and often had only the black market for medicine and gasoline (when it was available to their blast-wall enclosed ethno-sectarian-cleansed enclaves).

...and so forth.

Such were the contradictions evident in two hearings Code Pink attended this week, depicting two very different IRAQs.

On Monday we attended Senator Byron Dorgan's hearing on the “Second Insurgency,” focused on the corruption in Iraq that has undermined the U.S. mission and led Transparency International to rank Iraq the third most corrupt country in the WORLD: a nation where “gangs control the day” and the U.S. aids and abets Iraqi criminals and militants alike (whatever it takes to placate our venal Iraqi partners as they funnel hundreds of millions of dollars to banks in Jordan, Lebanon, the U.A.E., Germany, Pennsylvania, and New York).

And on Tuesday, we got to see the flip side. We attended the Senate Armed Services Committee's final fluffing of Secretary Robert Gates... pillow (whew, that was close!).

In the first hearing, the Iraq that emerged bore some resemblance to the debacle that Americans have come to know and revile/lament: 31 billion MISSING American dollars; “ghost projects” that exist only on paper; “rusted, decades-old weapons” provided to Iraqi security forces; allies who use their positions in the Iraqi government to free “al Qaeda terrorists;” U.S. contractors who smuggle convicted Iraqi criminals out of their cells in the middle of the night and fly them out of the country to their new homes in... America!

In the second hearing (the fluff piece offered by Carl Levin and John Warner), the senators, Democratic and Republican alike, waxed sentimental over the fact that the hearing was likely Secretary Gates' final appearance before their committee... (I half expected champagne and a gold watch for the old boy!)

There were accolades for “open-minded, thoughtful” administration officials, “brilliant” generals, and great “achievements.”

The Iraq of the second hearing was a place of massaged numbers -- math SO “fuzzy” that 9 + 11 STILL equaled “IRAQ” ...and a “liberated” Iraq at that!

In the Levin-Warner hearing, Iraq's progress could be measured in the font size of the bold-print pronouncements about all the great “accomplishments” of recent months... nearly all of which are debunked by the asterisks dogging those bold-print headlines: The stalled status of forces agreement; the ongoing war over oil-rich Kirkuk; the re-de-Ba'athification (purging another 27,000 Sunnis from the government under the rubric of “reconciliation”); the July 2008 provincial elections stalled until December; the refusal of the Iraq's factions to agree on a “hydrocarbons” law that places Iraq's oil in the hands of Western oil company executives for the next 30 years.

All told, it was the “feel good” time-waste of the year...

Whereas:

- While it was depressing to hear about all the honest Iraqi investigators that the State Department has thrown to the assassins and the Justice Department's similar refusal to investigate many crimes in Iraq...

- While it was alarming to hear of the “many” U.S. advisors “screaming again and again” at Iraqi anti-corruption officials, “Why are you investigating this case, this is American money!” (apparently less bothered than Iraqis at the prospect of U.S. taxpayers getting bilked)...

- While it was frustrating to learn that the U.S. advisor to Iraq's central bank helped corrupt officials launder hundreds of millions of dollars...

At least I LEARNED something in Senator Dorgan's hearing: This “cluster” got (screw)ed by GREED and GRAFT and WILLFUL BLINDNESS to OUTRAGEOUS CORRUPTION on a MONUMENTAL scale (all of which continues to this very day).

And all I learned in the second hearing was just how far that corruption goes... “Heckuva job, Gatesy!” beamed Senators Levin and Warner.

(Heckuva job, Carl... John.)

My DC House Internship, part III

2008-09-23T14:10:00.019-05:00

By Lynn Rooks

Day 8

... so, to continue:

After our wonderful "Bush's Billionaire Bailout" action yesterday at the Treasury, we PINKs crashed Rep. Barney Frank's office. Insider insight... I secretly love watching administrative aids/Secret Service/passers-by twitch, wondering what we "crazy" patriotic protestors are going to do or say next. Anyway, the Congressman entered into our den o' Pink filling up his office lobby, and kindly responded to our urgent questions regarding Democrats' intentions for the "billionaire bailouts." Unfortunately I ran out of memory right as we got into the really juicy part. Did get some good stuff though... nothing quite like accountability created by personal visits and digital documentation!

Once we finished up w/ Frank, I decided to head over to the Congressional Library to do some research. So cool! First I had to get my library card-- a freakin' library card from the Library. Awesome. I spent a couple hours in the Law Library perusing Lexis Nexis, researching and printing up a War and Peace size stack of various House Resolutions, as well as active legislation passed within this Congress. It's amazing, I literally have the Defense Budget for 2009 at my bed-side... very curious stuff. Obviously the $$ amounts are staggering, but when you actually read this stuff line by line, you fully realize not only the troubling and obfuscatory nature of these things that are happening, but also the befuddling reality that we are each enrolled in the payment plan to make them happen! One such obscurity is the section I found on our program for eradicating the brown tree snake on our bases in Guam. Weird.

Anyway, I would highly encourage each of you to use every avenue available to learn what is really happening in our world, to sharpen every tool you can reach to carve out palpable change, and to never give up or get discouraged by the wealth of disturbing info you'll inevitably discover along the way. The biggest, best changes happen from the bottom up-- BE the change you wish to envision in this world!

Peace, always Peace.

Lynn

My DC House Internship, part II

2008-09-22T14:14:00.025-05:00

By Lynn Rooks

Day 7

Hello again, and thanks for the great feedback!
Wow, it's been so exciting in DC this week. Thursday we did the "In Bed With Big Oil" action, with $$ themed tunes bumping, a rolling bed we all took turns posing on with our fake giant bills (modeling after this week's scandal involving our DC fat cats in bed and doing drugs with exec's from Chevron and Shell). Good times!

After the action we attended a hearing on the matter, and then I wandered through the House for a couple hours, paying visits to the offices of Michael Burgess, Pete Sessions, Ted Poe, Sam Johnson, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Ralph hall, Kenny Marchant, and Michael McCaul-- all TX Rep's, as I am here from Dallas. I had a mini- debate with McCaul's Legislative Assistant, Charles Fields, wherein he immediately assumed that my being with CP would somehow preclude me from seeing the Iraq mess with a balanced viewpoint. So I told him that "yes, we are a pro-peace group, and yes, the millions of casualties and injuries are obscene. However, it's not about some blanket-rhetoric 'Kumbaya' mentality!" Dear PINK friends, please don't take offense to that... I am PINK, but I know that unfortunately, many of these folks speak only in numbers, not in human rights or justice. So I specifically told him that it was unacceptable that we tax payers are footing the bill for the invasion and occupation, and asked him what Congressman McCaul was waiting for before supporting withdrawal. He suggested that the delay was in waiting for the region to become more stable, "since we did go over there and break a lot of stuff." I corrected him with "since we did... blow up their country" and thanked him for his time.

Saturday we all got up early and drove into Ashburn, VA., where we knocked on doors in suburbia, asking folks to sign our petition--which demands that Congress set a specific date to withdraw from Iraq. It was so great to canvass again; that's what I do in Dallas with Texas Campaign for the Environment (non partisan, non profit). I truly miss and was invigorated by that direct, individual type of community action.

So today, Monday, has been amazing. We all got up early and headed over to the Treasury for our "Bush's Billionaire Bailout" action. It was really exciting, especially when a handful of us walked right down through the gate toward the entrance of the building with our beautiful banners. The guard seemed pretty nervous before his helpers came along!

After the action we went to Congress, where I got some great footage of our impromptu visit with Barney Frank... stay tuned!

Til next time-- peace and blessings!
Lynn

Bravery

2008-09-21T16:12:00.003-05:00

Hi, my names Stacie I'm from Cleveland Ohio. The issues I care about most are stopping the war, preventing any new ones,and impeaching Bush Co. I did a few events with Code Pink at home . But I've always admired the bravery of the woman I've wittnessed.In D.C. We did the Million Doors for Peace Yesterday. I was scared that I couldn't go out and talk to people alone. So I was paired up with Pauly,we have the same sense of humor and had a good time . I soon was able to go out on my own.
This morning I was standing in the hallway of the CodePink house. There was a decision to go to Fox News to to confront Paulson over the 7 billion dollar corperate bail out. So 4 of us flew out the door. It felt like I was caught up in a powerful force or whirlwind. I was trying to keep up With Des which is nearly impossible and taking in the sights of Washington . The weather is perfect, beautiful buildings. trees blooming that I couldn't name. Friendly joggers, dog walkers,and homeless men and woman on each block.
We got to Fox studio and a man from the camera crew said Paulson was gone so we treked over to the Newseum. I am not much for celebrity gawking, but I was impressed to see Cokie Roberts, Sam Donaldson, Sen. Chris Dodd, and George Stephan-(I'm not even going to try to spell his name.) In the Flesh. I liked the process of telling them our take of the issues face to face and getting a response. I send e-mails to Congress everyday. But,with this in your face method I felt much more was accomplished. We had a conversation with Donna Brazil. She talked with us for quite a while.I thought she was beautiful. Another strong woman speaking her mind and challenging the decisions made by this government. She agreed that if the Dems .used their backbone and said NO to this latest farce from the Bush Adm.,that the election would be in the bag. But they won't sad to say.
Questions that I would like an honest answer to include.
Why are these politicians afraid to make waves.?
Who's lining their pockets?
Where are they getting the 7 billion? And at whose expense?
Why are they bailing out the rich, no filthy rich? While we foot the bill.
Ann And Liz called it " Welfare For the rich"
My words don't always come out like my thoughts meant them to. But I was quite comfortable chanting sayings and waving fake money around to make people aware. It was an exciting fulfilling feeling. I had the thought I would like to stay in DC where the action is. Who knows if I keep doing this I might find my own voice.

Sunday Morning Stakeout

2008-09-21T10:56:00.007-05:00

Donn Brazille Democratic strategist takes quality time allowing CODEPINK
activists to ask some questions regarding the currrent state of economic distress!
KING Henry's 700 billion bailout hurts our nation!!
WE urge people to protest the Treasury Dept for bailing out the corporations at Taxpayers expense once again!

liz