SAVE THE DATES: Bradley Manning Rally/Vigil July 27 in OKC & Crescent More information p.12
50-Year Commemoration 1963 March on Washington & Dr. M.L.King’s Dream August 24 DC & OKC More information p. 2
Jul-Aug 2013 “ P e a c e is n o t ju s t t h e a b s e n c e o f v io le n c e , b u t t h e p r es e nc e o f j u s t ic e . ” D r. M a r t i n L u t h e r K i n g , J r.
Cindy Sheehan Still Protesting America’s Wars with Cross-Country Bike Tour. Two Oklahoma Gold Star Fathers Speak Out. Sheehan ended the “Tour de Peace” with a demonstration in Washington, DC, presenting Remember Cindy Sheehan? She made demands at the White House, and posted on national news when she became an anti-war her website. activist after her son Casey was killed in Iraq “Our goals include ending all the wars, in 2004 ending America’s dependence on fossils fuels, Sheehan, a Gold Star mom, was in Oklahoma City on Mother’s Day speaking to a and stopping subsidies to the oil companies,” Sheehan said. “That would allow us to invest group of supporters at the First Unitarian Warren Henthorn (left) and John Scripsick speak in clean, renewable, sustainable forms of Church while on her cross country “Tour de with Cindy Sheehan after her presentation at energy.” Peace” bike ride. Oklahoma City’s First Unitarian Church. Sheehan has Oklahoma roots. Her father In 2005, Sheehan established Camp Casey was born in Sand Springs. “This is the first outside President George W. Bush’s ranch in time I’ve spoken as an activist in Oklahoma. Crawford, Texas. Thousands made their way I’m very excited to be here,” she said. there to protest the Iraq war. Two other Oklahomans, both Gold Star Today Sheehan, 55, is an author who is fathers and anti war activists were in busy with her blog “Cindy Sheehan’s attendance. Soapbox” while on her cycling tour. John Scripsick, a farmer from Wayne, lost In April, on the 9th anniversary of her son his son Marine Cpl. Bryan Scripsick, on Casey’s death, Sheehan launched her 3000September 6, 2007, while serving in Iraq. mile bike ride across America starting at the “If it’s somebody else’s kid who gets gravesite of her son in Vacaville, CA. killed, nobody cares,” Scripsick said. “It’s a pleasure to meet Cindy because she IN THIS ISSUE knew the war was wrong before most Americans knew it,” Scripsick said. “It’s a GOP Governors Accept Obamacare p. 2 shame that there are not more people Block US Intervention in Syria p. 5 concerned about what the government is doing with our kids. “If your son or daughter is a freshman or Guatemala’s Rios Montt Guilty! p. 6 sophomore in high school and they might be Global Warming Updates p. 8 killed in four or five years, you’re going to pay more attention to what our foreign policies are. PKC Pride 2013 Report p. 9 “Our government put a recruiter in a high school to talk my son into joining the military, Low Taxes Hurt Entire Economy p. 14 which Bush turned into his own personal gun UN Poverty Goals Progress p. 15 club. Then they used him to get the oil. (Continued on Page 7) City Sentinel, Darla Shelden, contributing writer
THE PEACE HOUSE 2912 N. Robinson Oklahoma City, OK 73103
Address Service Requested
Return a Gift to the Peace House in the enclosed envelope! THANKS!
Non-profit U.S. Postage Paid Okla. City, OK 73125 Permit No. 1096
by Nathaniel Batchelder If there's a Republican governor more opposed to Obamacare than our Mary Fallin, it's Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, notorious for wagging her finger at Obama on the airport tarmack.
If Oklahoma commits a few hundreds of millions over the next decade to expanded Medicaid, the feds will kick in $8 or more billion. That's real money for unmet needs benefiting every hospital and health clinic in Oklahoma qualifying to provide Medicaid care. It would extend Medicaid to some 150 to 200 thousand needy Oklahomans.
Yet Brewer is another GOP governor – like Rick Scott of Florida and others, to finally embrace the benefits of Medicaid expansion in their state under Obamacare – the Affordable Other aspects of Obamacare have already kicked in, Health Care Act. They are two of nine Republican governors benefitting all Americans with insurance. Insurance companies supporting or accepting Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion. may no longer cap benefits to expensive care that you may need, and children are now covered by parents’ insurance to age "There comes a time when you have to look at reality,” 26. Insurance may no longer cost more for women. Brewer said. “It's not only a mathematical issue, but it's a moral issue." Arizona will accept billions in federal aid to pay Mary Fallin still rejects the deal, standing her archfor Medicaid expansion, and hundreds of thousands of people conservative ground. It's time for her to drop her opposition without health care will come into the program. and do what's right for Oklahoma, the Medicaid recipients, and the doctors and hospitals in our state. Contact Governor Fallin Her statement applies to Mary Fallin and Oklahoma. and tell her to expand Medicaid in Oklahoma.
Please don’t say that to me again!
Save-the-Date! Historic Commemoration on August 24 State-wide march & rally to commemorate 50th Anniversary of 1963 March on Washington for Jobs & Freedom. Fifty years after the massive march & rally in D.C. calling for jobs & voting rights, the Supreme Court brutalized the 1965 Voting Rights Act! We must respond; we must take action! Gather at Stiles Circle Park, 8th & Stiles March to Oklahoma State Capitol, 8:30 a.m. Rally - Oklahoma State Capitol (North Plaza) 9:30 a.m. Organizations, churches, businesses & individuals who would like to be added to our email updates or obtain sponsoring information should visit www.facebook.com/events/651291321567235/ or contact Susan McCann (aa2475@cox.net). Page 2, OPS, July-August 2013
by Donna Compton Most of us have heard it hundreds of times: People need jobs; businesses have to make money-Enough already! Yes, it’s obvious that people must have ways of earning a living and yes, it’s also obvious that businesses must make a profit to survive. However we also must remind ourselves, and each other, that the ways in which wages are made, the ways profits are earned, and the limits on both define a society. Creating ‘jobs’ and making profits have been with us since the dawn of history: ● The Pharaohs were creating jobs and profits by enslaving others and building monuments to themselves; ● European monarchies and church hierarchies were creating jobs and wealth by egregiously exploiting people and resources at home and in the Americas; ● There were people making money and creating jobs by manufacturing the ovens of Auschwitz; ● Dictators and puppet presidents in the ‘banana republics’ of central and South America did create, and continue to create, jobs and make fortunes at the expense of their people and the rape of their lands; (Continued on page 15)
C OMMENTARY
Republican Governors Accepting Obamacare
Oklahoma Peace Strategy News is produced by The Peace House in Oklahoma City. It has been published since 1983. It is written, compiled, typeset, composed, labeled, and mailed by volunteers. Letters to the Editor and articles submitted for publication are welcome. They must be signed with a phone number and address for the author; however, requests for anonymous publication will be considered. OPS News reserves the right to edit for space and to refuse publication of statements that are libelous or unsubstantiated. Send to: The Peace House 2912 N. Robinson Okla. City, OK 73103 Or to phwebmail@cox.net Phone: 405-524-5577 Peace Education Institute 11404 N. Midwest Blvd. Jones, OK 73049 405-204-6479 PeaceEducationInstitute.org
Accepting Federal Health Care Funds Is Good For Oklahoma Business by Tiece Dempsey, Policy Analyst, The Oklahoma Policy Institute
Starting January 1, 2014, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) allows state Medicaid programs to expand coverage to all individuals with incomes below 138 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). This means that an individual making up to $15,856 or a family of four with a household income of $32,499 would be eligible for Medicaid coverage. If Oklahoma creates a plan to expand health care coverage to lowincome working Oklahomans it will be taking advantage of a major opportunity to strengthen our workforce and businesses. Investing in Oklahoma’s Workforce More than 400,000 adult Oklahomans in the workforce are uninsured and lack access to affordable health insurance coverage. As a result of the ACA, more than 140,000 working Oklahomans who presently don’t have health insurance could qualify for health care coverage. Table 1 displays the top ten Oklahoma industries that employ uninsured workers who make less than 138 percent of the FPL. The top five industries with workers who fall into the newly eligible Medicaid population are those we interact with on a daily basis. They are restaurant and fast food workers, construction workers, those who work with our children and assist our aging loved ones, as well as assist us in retail shopping. According to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, food services, elementary and secondary schools, nursing care facilities, and employment services are among the industries projected to have the largest employment growth from 2010-2020. Without a plan to extend coverage to these individuals, these industries will continue to employ large numbers of Oklahomans who don’t have access to affordable health insurance options.
Please Help The Peace House Send a gift in the enclosed envelope
Oklahoma City’s Peace House depends upon your contributions — all sizes — to survive. Also send us your suggestions, and the names and addresses of friends you’d like to receive our newspapers and mailings, which we send free to everyone. The Peace House networks with many groups and individuals to bring about public events, peace walks, demonstrations, speakers, editorials, educational events, peace camps … and a host of activities relating to human rights, economic justice and environmental sustainability. If you know us, you know it’s true. The Peace House website — www.peacehouseok.org — is updated frequently and regularly to share announcements, alerts, photos, and essays about peace as well as events and links to other organizations with whom we are aligned. Thanks to all who can help!
Table 1: Industries in Oklahoma With Workers who could gain access to affordable health care coverage in 2013 Total Uninsured Workers in Oklahoma
143,150
Restaurants and other Food Service
23,080
Construction
14,410
Elementary and Secondary schools
6,580
Nursing Care Facilities
4,970
Department and Discount Stores
4,780
Employment Services (temp agencies)
3,510
Grocery Stores
3,430
Real Estate
2,740
Animal Production
2,660
Truck transportation
2,440
Source: Analysis of the 2011 American Community Survey. Adults are those aged 19 through 64. Workers are those who have worked within the past year. The ten industries above are those with the largest number of uninsured workers in the Medicaid expansion income-eligibility range in Oklahoma. All figures are rounded to the nearest 10 workers.
Table 2 identifies the average annual wage of some Oklahoma occupations that would make a family of four eligible for health care coverage. These occupations include food service and child care workers, home health aides, cosmetologists and other aestheticians, and retailers. Evaluating these two tables together, it’s apparent that businesses within the service sector would see the greatest benefit from expanding health care coverage to working individuals with incomes up to 138 percent of the FPL. (Continued on Page 4)
Tear and remove
Support The Peace House, OKC Your contributions to Peace House support our publications, programs, rallies, marches, and ongoing efforts for human rights, economic justice, environmental sustainability, nonviolence, and peace. As we are a political nonprofit, donations to Peace House are not tax-deductible.
Send to: PEACE HOUSE 2912 N. Robinson Oklahoma City, OK 73103 Page 3, OPS, July-August 2013
The Oklahoma fast food industry will receive a great advantage from covering this population. A recent report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation showed that 51% of Oklahoma restaurants are fast food chains, compared to 27% nationally. Table 2: Occupations that would make a family of 4 eligible for Medicaid Expansion. OCCUPATION
$ 17,650
Bartenders
$ 18,490
Cashiers
$ 18,590
Childcare Workers
$ 19,040
Farm Workers, Farm, Ranch and Aquacultural Animals
$ 20,210
Cooks, Restaurant
$ 20,730
Manicurists and Pedicurists
$20,860
Farm workers and laborers, Crop, Nursery and Greenhouse
$ 21,290
Home Health Aides
$ 21,960
Gaming Service workers All Other
$ 22,290
Hair Dressers, Hair Stylists and Cosmetologists
$ 23,510
Retail Salespersons
$ 25,020
Source: Dep. Of Labor and Industry, Occupational Employment Statistics, 2010
Employers will have access to a healthier workforce Benefits to employers and individuals alike from creating a plan to cover these individuals include:
Illnesses can be treated at an acute stage to avoid the possibility of it escalating to a chronic condition; Reduction in uncompensated cost of treating individuals without health insurance.
Realities of not creating a plan to cover the newly eligible population
ANNUAL WAGE
Combined food preparation and serving workers Including fast foods.
Fewer days off work without pay due to illness; A sense of financial security in not having to worry about paying for medical bills; Reduced emergency room usage because of real access to primary care physicians;
Tear and remove
Support The Peace Education Institute The Peace Education Institute is committed to educational and practical opportunities for people to explore nonviolent living options. We need your support. Send your contributions to: The Peace Education Institute PO Box 58240 Oklahoma City, OK 73157 Contributions to “PEI” ARE tax-deductible.
Low-income, working Oklahomans will be left in a hole - If Oklahoma doesn’t come up with a plan to provide coverage to the working Oklahomans eligible for expanded Medicaid coverage, there will be a ‘coverage crater’ created, as depicted by the graphic below, in which some 130,000 Oklahomans will be left without any assistance to access affordable health insurance. Employers may face penalties -If a plan is not created in Oklahoma to cover the newly eligible population, Oklahoma employers may suffer penalties. The ACA requires employers with 50 or more employees to offer health insurance to their full time employees. If an employer doesn’t offer health insurance or offers unaffordable health insurance, that employer may be assessed tax penalties if an employee receives subsidized premium insurance through the health insurance market place. A study by Jackson Hewitt Tax Service found that Oklahoma businesses could be on the hook for providing health insurance to approximately 42,000 Oklahomans who earn between 100 percent and 138 percent of the FPL, costing these businesses up to $52 million dollars collectively. TOO GOOD A DEAL TO PASS UP - The federal government has agreed to fund 100 percent of the expanded coverage for the first three years and then decrease spending incrementally until states are paying 10 percent of the cost by 2020. Oklahoma will have the chance to access $8.6 billion in federal tax payer funds for health care services over ten years. Bottom line: Creating a plan to provide health insurance coverage to low-income working Oklahomans will be an investment in Oklahoma’s workforce and businesses. This will be a significant opportunity to improve the well-being of Oklahoma’s working poor and their families.
VISIT THE PEACE HOUSE ON THE WEB: www.peacehouseok.org ON FACEBOOK: facebook.com/peacehouseok
Page 4, OPS, July-August 2013
Contact The White House Washington, DC 20500 202-456-1111 (comments) 202-456-1414 (switchboard) FAX: 202-456-2461 Web: whitehouse.gov Congressional Switchboard (202) 224-3121; (202) 225-3121 Mail: US Senate Washington, DC 20510 Senator Tom Coburn (OK) snipr.com/ecoburn DC Tel: (202) 224-5754 DC Fax: (202) 224-6008 OKC Ofc: (405) 231-4941; Tulsa Ofc: (918) 581-7651 Senator Jim Inhofe (OK) snipr.com/einhofe DC Tel: (202) 224-4721 DC Fax: (202) 228-0380 OKC tel: (405) 608-4381; Tulsa tel: (918) 748-5111 Mail: US House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 U.S. Representatives (OK) Dist 1: Jim Bridenstine (Tulsa, etc.) snipr.com/ebridenstine DC Tel: (202) 225-2211 DC Fax: (202) 225-9187 Tulsa ofc: (918) 935-3222 Dist 2: Markwayne Mullin (Musk) snipr.com/emullin DC Tel: (202) 225-2701 DC Fax: (202) 225-3038 Muskogee: (918) 687-2533 Dist 3: Frank Lucas (W. OK) snipr.com/elucas DC Tel: (202) 225-5565 DC Fax: (202) 225-8698 OKC Ofc: (405) 373-1958 Dist 4: Tom Cole (NOR& SW OK) snipr.com/etcole DC Tel: (202) 225-6165 DC Fax: (202) 225-3512 Norman Ofc: (405) 329-6500
Block US Intervention in Syria!! Support These Bills A bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives — led by Sens. Tom Udall and Rand Paul in the Senate, and Reps. Peter Welch and Chris Gibson in the House — has introduced legislation to prohibit the Obama Administration intervening militarily in Syria's sectarian civil war without explicit Congressional authorization. Congressional cosponsors and supporters are needed. H. R. 2494, introduced by Reps. Peter Welch (D-VT), Chris Gibson (R-NY), Rick Nolan (DMN), and Walter Jones (R-NC) would block U.S. military intervention in Syria without an affirmative vote of Congress. S. 1201, identical legislation in the Senate, has been introduced by Sens. Tom Udall (DNM), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Mike Lee (R-UT). Ask Oklahoma Congress Members to support this legislation (see contact info at left)
Peru: Don't Expose Indigenous Tribes to Amazon Oil Drilling! Online petition at Care2 make a difference: http://snipr.com/27eyp1p Target: Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines, Peruvian Ministry of Justice and Human Rights Sponsored by: Chris Wolverton Repsol, a large multinational oil and gas company, has been given the green light to search for oil in the Amazon rainforest. Repsol plans to conduct 3D seismic tests across a 680 square feet area and drill at least 21 wells. All the planned tests and 20 of the wells are located within a proposed reserve for indigenous people who are vulnerable to contact with outsiders. In 2007, the indigenous organization AIDESEP appealed to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to stop Repsol, but Peru's ministry of justice and human rights didn't take their pleas seriously, and questioned the very existence of indigenous tribes in the area. The actions of Repsol and the Peruvian government in this case are unconscionable. The proposed drilling could be fatal for indigenous tribes and will only benefit outside economic interests. Please sign the petition to convince the Peruvian government to halt Repsol's drilling plans!
Make a call to support diplomacy with Iran The result of last month's president election in Iran gives President Obama a potentially game-changing opportunity for diplomatic engagement to avoid an unnecessary war. In response, a bipartisan pair of congressmen, Democrat David Price and Republican Charles Dent, have come together to write a letter urging President Obama to seize this opportunity by reinvigorating our diplomatic efforts with Iran, and they have asked their colleagues to sign on. Make a call to tell your member of Congress to co-sign the Price-Dent letter. Script & more info: http://snipr.com/27fdtl7 Page 5, OPS, July-August 2013
Guatemala's Former Leader Found Guilty of Genocide Published in The Telegraph Tuesday 09 July 2013; Edited by Barney Henderson Editors Note: Reprinted in OPS for all out wonderful readers who worked so hard for peace with justice in Central America and particularly in Guatemala. Most notable among them are our precious Sisters of Benedict who played such a pivotal role in that struggle. Rios Montt thus became the first Latin American ex-dictator convicted of trying to exterminate an entire group of people, in a brief but particularly gruesome stretch of a war that started in 1960, dragged on for 36 years and left around 200,000 people dead or missing. The 86-year-old was sentenced to 80 years in prison, although he vowed to appeal. He got 50 years for genocide and 30 years for war crimes. "The defendant is responsible for masterminding the crime of genocide," Judge Jazmin Barrios said. "The corresponding punishment must be imposed." She said he was also guilty of war crimes. The court, filled with victims and their relatives, erupted in applause and cheers. Other Latin American countries, such as Chile, Brazil and Argentina, were also ruled by cruel military despots in the 1970s and 80s and some leaders and officers have been convicted for abuses. But this was the first time an outright genocide conviction was handed down in the region. Activists say the verdict was also historic because it marked the first time anywhere in the world that a court has found one of its country's citizens guilty of genocide – a systematic attempt to eliminate an entire group of people for racial, religious, political or other reasons. Other genocide convictions, like those stemming from Rwanda's ethnic violence in 1994, were handed down by international courts. The aged retired general appeared in court during the trial in a dark suit, with a neatly cropped moustache and gel holding down his thinning grey hair. He wore glasses, and headphones to better hear the proceedings, but otherwise appeared to be healthy. Rios Montt remained stone-faced as the verdict was read. When the judge said his house arrest was being revoked and he would be sent to jail,
he nodded. Later, he told a swarm of journalists that his conscience was clear, as he derided the verdict. "It is an international political show that is going to hurt the soul of the Guatemalan people, but we are at peace General Jose Efrain Rios Montt (Lt) sits with his because we never spilled, or stained our lawyers after listening to his sentence Photo: AFP/GETTY IMAGES hands with, the blood of our brothers," Rios Montt said. "I am not upset because I abided by the law," he said, insisting he did the right thing for his country by fighting the "national problem" of rebels. Rios Montt seized power in 1982 and ruled for 18 months in what is widely considered one of the darkest periods of the country's agony of civil war between the military and leftist rebels. Under his rule, the army carried out a scorched earth policy against indigenous peoples, accusing them of backing rebel forces. In this trial, Rios Montt and his former intelligence chief Jose Rodriguez were accused of ordering the army to carry out 15 massacres that left 1,771 Maya Ixil Indians dead in Quiche in northern Guatemala. Rodriguez was acquitted. During the trial, which began in March, more than 100 survivors testified, some of them Indian women covering their faces with colourful blankets. Some said they had been gang-raped by dozens of soldiers, assaulted over and over until they passed out. Continued on Page 16
“My attorney suggested that we try to work things out in mediation to avoid a litigation disaster� Since 1988, Jim Stovall, founder and Director of the Mediation Institute, has worked with individuals, families, and organizations to resolve difficult and complicated disputes that often threaten valuable relationships. Jim works to assist those in conflict to retain control over the decision-making process and prevent a matter from turning into a lengthy court battle or a painful grudge match. Divorce and Custody Matters Family & Interpersonal Disputes Elder Care, Estate and Inheritance Issues Training and Consultation Call 405-607-8914 for more information and a free initial consultation. The Mediation Institute, 133308 N. MacArthur Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73142 Email j_stovall@site.net www.mediationinstitute.net Page 6, OPS, July-August 2013
Protesting the Keystone XL Pipeline by Nathaniel Batchelder (see below the list of websites where this has been published thanks to Darla Shelden.) Originally published in the Oklahoma Gazette – May 22, 2013
Oklahoma City residents Nancy Zorn and Stefan Warner are among several members of the Great Plains Tar Sands Resistance arrested for nonviolently protesting construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. Opposition to the pipeline and development of the Canadian tar sands is based on a long-range view of tar sands development and its threat to sustainability on earth.
show signs of dying. Polar ice caps and mountain glaciers around the world are melting. Extreme weather is reported regularly. Storms and rising seas flood coastlines where billions live.
The Canadian tar sands region to be deforested and mined is the size of Florida. The tar sands product is a toxic substance that must be mixed into a volatile A major concern is the huge contribution slurry to be piped through the U.S. to Texas. tar sands oil is projected to make to global Leaks and spills from the Keystone XL warming and climate change. Ninety seven pipeline will threaten water sources all along its percent of climate scientists agree that the route. TransCanada’s existing tar sands primary cause of global warming is the rising pipelines leaked 14 times in one year. In 2010, atmospheric concentration of CO2 and methane another spill dumped a million gallons of crude resulting from human activities. NASA’s oil into Michigan’s Kalamazoo River. The leading climate scientist Dr. James Hansen has recent oil spill in Arkansas is yet another wakecalled the Keystone XL pipeline “a fuse to the up call. largest carbon bomb on the planet.” Unions supporting Keystone are eager for Climate scientists tell us humanity must reduce the level of CO2 in the atmosphere from its current level over 390 parts per million to below 350 ppm. Every species, every habitat, all of earth’s life systems are threatened by global warming and climate change. Australia’s Great Barrier coral reefs
jobs. But the pipeline crew is basically hired, and, in any case, pipeline construction will be temporary. By contrast, clean energy jobs will be permanent, cannot be exported, and slow the warming of earth’s atmosphere. The implications of global warming got attention with the 1989 publication of Bill
Sheehan, Gold Star Dads (Continued from page 1) “If a recruiter talks these kids into joining, then they better use them for our freedom and not just for getting another countries’ natural resources to benefit just a few.” Warren Henthorn, from Choctaw, lost his son Army Spc. Jeffrey Henthorn in Iraq on Feb. 8, 2005. “Cindy Sheehan is a true American hero,” said Henthorn. “Cindy, John and I have paid for these wars with the loss of a family member. “Cindy has pointed these things out for many years. The people that got us into this mess should be held accountable or history will repeat itself. “Who profits from these wars. The arms industry, oil industry, the super rich – not the soldiers that fight the wars, and not regular folks.” Along the way Sheehan stopped at the Arlington West Cemetery on Santa Monica beach, at 29 Palms Military Base, and to protest the opening of the Bush Library in Dallas. “When you step outside your comfort zone, a huge ripple effect happens that can make a positive change in society,” said Sheehan. The bike tour is following Route 66 to Chicago with a quick detour to Tulsa, holding public events organized by local groups along the way.
McKibben’s book “The End of Nature.” He explained the heat-trapping quality of CO2 and other “greenhouse” gases. He reported the average car generates its own weight in CO2 every year. Burning coal for electricity is another major source adding CO2 to the atmosphere. Global warming reduces worldwide food production and threatens natural systems that support life. President Obama’s “all of the above” strategy supports all energy sources including fossil fuel production. This must be replaced with a “clean energy now” strategy favoring development of non-polluting and eternal energy sources, primarily wind and solar, to help shift away from CO2-producing fossil fuels. Future generations call us to say “No” to the Keystone XL pipeline. Reprinted on these websites: CNN I-Report, MichaelMoore.com, Commondreams.org, Truthout.org/Buzzflash, Warisacrime.org, Indybay.com, U.S. Government Portal, Blueoklahoma.org, Inagist-Canada, and Oklahoma Observer.
A support van carries Sheehan’s sister, Dede Miller and longtime friends Malcolm Chaddock and Dan Levy from Portland, Oregon. “We have the opportunity to be local activists on a global scale because of technology,” Sheehan said. “People should get involved to make the world that’s closest to you a better place.” Sheehan made unsuccessful bids for Congress in 2008 and for vice president in 2012. Her future plans include running for governor of California. “I think we have to rely on ourselves more than the politicians because we have our own best interests at heart,” said Sheehan. Also present were three-tour Afghanistan war veteran Jacob George, coordinator of “A Ride Till the End”, a veteran-led perpetual bicycle ride for recovery and healing. This month, two more Oklahomans, 1st Lt. Brandon Landrum from Lawton and Private 1st Class Charles P. McClure of Stratford, have been killed in Afghanistan. “They accomplished everything they wanted when they did away the draft,” Scripsick said, “That took the public out of the war picture. “I’m 100 percent for the draft. That’s the only thing that’s going to stop these eternal wars.” For more information visit www.tourdepeace.org. Page 7, OPS, July-August 2013
Consensus Among Scientists: Global Warming is "Man-Made" FROM: "Skeptical Science" LINK: http://www.skepticalscience.com/global-warming-scientific-consensus.htm In the scientific field of climate studies – informed by many different disciplines – a consensus is demonstrated by the number of scientists who have stopped arguing about what is causing climate change – and that’s nearly all of them. A survey of all peer-reviewed abstracts on the subject 'global climate change' published between 1993 and 2003 revealed that not a single paper rejected the consensus position that global warming is man caused. 75% of the papers agreed with the consensus position while 25% made no comment either way, focusing on methods or climate analysis (Oreskes 2004). Several subsequent studies confirm that “...the debate on the authenticity of global warming and the role played by human activity is largely nonexistent among those who understand the nuances and scientific basis of long-term climate processes”. (Doran 2009). In other words, more than 95% of scientists working in the disciplines contributing to studies of our climate, accept that climate change is almost certainly being caused by human activities. We should also consider official scientific bodies and what they think about climate change. There are no national or major scientific institutions anywhere in the world that dispute the theory of anthropogenic climate change. Not one. In the field of climate science, the consensus is unequivocal: human activities are causing climate change.
Bill McKibben Co-Founder, 350.org "We're in new territory for human beings--it's been millions of years since there's been this much carbon in the atmosphere. The only question now is whether the relentless rise in carbon can be matched by a relentless rise in the activism necessary to stop it."
Dr. James Hansen Former NASA Climatologist "If humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to that on which civilization developed and to which life on Earth is adapted, paleoclimate evidence and ongoing climate change suggest that CO2 will need to be reduced ... to at most 350 ppm."
If you care about the future of life on Earth, there's some Big News you should know.
Atmospheric CO2 concentrations just passed 400 parts per million. Already we're seeing the deadly effects of climate change in the form of rising seas, wildfires and extreme weather of all kinds, and passing 400 PPM is an ominous sign of what might come next. The safe level of carbon dioxide in the atmostphere is 350 parts per million, but the only way to get there is to immediately transition the global economy away from fossil fuels and into into renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable farming practices in all sectors (agriculture, transport, manufacturing, etc.). While the level fluctuates seasonally and varies across different latitudes, this is yet another sign that our dependence on fossil fuels is out of control. (from 350.org) Page 8, OPS, July-August 2013
OKC Pride Brings Community Together to Celebrate Diversity, Love and Equality From the City Sentinel, by Darla Shelden, contributing writer A weekend of festivities themed “The New Normal,” celebrated OKC Pride by bringing the Oklahoma City community together to support diversity, love and equality.
“To me it was one step closer to marriage equality for Gay Oklahomans,” said Perkins. “We have been together 8 years and feel that we deserve the same rights as all other Americans”.
“OKC Pride is honored to organize the state’s largest diversity celebration,” said Matt Harney, OKC Pride Board member & Education Committee Chair. “We are thrilled by the success of our event this year and are already excited about next year.”
Also attending were Jack Smith and his partner Dan John, who have been together for 45 years.
“The planning for the Block Party, Festival, and Parade were months in the making. This year our Block Party night wasn’t originally scheduled,” said Harney. “However, after a series of community-wide meetings, we felt there was an earnest desire to extend Pride’s festivities.”
“It really brought me to tears,” said Spurgin. “All the couples wanted to do is show that they’re happy, they love each other, and their relationships are strong. They wanted the people to see that their love is real.” The daylong Pride Festival followed, featuring artists, music, vendors, social organizations, food booths and a children’s area. “The Pride Festival on Saturday is an event that continues to grow,” said Harney. “We had as many exhibitors as ever. The combination of a surge in community partners and the dynamic venue along Film Row proved to be a hit.”
Block Party headliner Vanity Halston said, “This year Jeremy Crites (OKC Pride President) really listened to what everybody wanted in the community. They brought the block party back and I really wanted it to be spectacular. Being the last act to go on, it was a great kickoff to OKC Pride.” New this year was the Love is Love marriage equality rally and commitment ceremony held at the Myriad Gardens. Officiated by Pastor Neill Spurgin of Expressions Church, couples turned out to publicly demonstrate their support and solidarity for legalizing love.
(L-R) Grand Marshall Bob Lemon, rides with his son Chrys Lemon, and Harold Watson in the OKC Pride Parade while daughter Robyn Lemon Sellers walks alongside waving a Pride flag. Photo by Darla Shelden
Ominous skies and threatening tornados loomed across the state as the 2013 Pride Parade stepped off on Classen Boulevard. Harney said, “I was incredibly impressed at the size of the crowds despite the severe weather. I think this shows how much Pride means to so many.”
Harold Watson’s familiar red ‘57 T-Bird convertible carried the parade’s Grand Marshall, gay rights activist Bob Lemon. Accompanying Spurgin said, “The event gave these couples a way to commit their love Bob, were his son Chrys, from Washington D.C. and daughter Robyn in front of their families and friends, and in front of their community, Lemon Sellers from Oklahoma City. meaning Oklahoma City, not just the gay community.” “It was one of the biggest honors of my life to get to make some new Metro residents Alan Everley and Jeremy Cloud carried a photo of friends and get reacquainted with a lot of old ones,” said Lemon. “It was a Everley’s mother and father, both of whom have passed, along with a delightful event.” wooden box. Hard driving winds and light rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of parade “The box held my mom’s ashes,” said Everley. “Even if only in spirit, I participants or those who turned out to watch the 26th annual event, which wanted them to be there for such a special day.” included nearly 50 floats. “For Jeremy and I, attending the rally and ceremony was a way to stand “Our ultimate goal was to extend acceptance, show love for each other, up before friends and family and declare our love,” said Everley. “A way and celebrate ourselves and our community,” Harney said. “I want to to join our lives and hearts publicly, despite the lack of legal standing for express my deep appreciation for the many dedicated volunteers who spent LGBT couples in Oklahoma.” hours in the heat, wind, and rain to help OKC Pride.” Oklahoma City residents Kristen Perkins and Cheri Bolz also attended the rally.
“The entire weekend was a thrill,” said Harney. “We simply could not have done it without them.” Page 9, OPS, July-August 2013
TIME Magazine, May 20, 2013
Syria: US Intervention Will Only Make it Worse by Zbigniew Brzezinski , Former National Security Advisor Brzezinski rebuts Sen. John McCain, who argues in his article that Syrian intervention is in the U.S. interest.
The Syrian conflict is a sectarian war in a volatile region whose potential to spread and directly threaten American interests would only be increased by U.S. intervention. The struggle is between forces funded and armed by outside sponsors, notably Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iran. Also participating are foreign religious groups not directly controlled by the sponsors, namely the Sunni Salafists and Iranian-aligned militias, not to mention intensely anti-Western al-Qaeda fighters. American involvement would simply mobilize the most extreme elements of these factions against the U.S. and pose the danger that the conflict would spill over into the neighborhood and set Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon on fire. (next column)
conflict even to Afghanistan. Russia would benefit from America’s being bogged down again in the Middle East. China would resent U.S. destabilization of the region because Beijing needs stable access to energy from the Middle East. To minimize these potential consequences, U.S. military intervention would have to achieve a decisive outcome relatively quickly through the application of overwhelming force. That would require direct Turkish involvement, which seems unlikely given Turkey’s internal difficulties, particularly its tenuous relations with its substantial Kurdish minority.
The various schemes that have been proposed for a kind of tiddlywinks That risk has been compounded by the recent Israeli bombing of intervention from around the edges of the conflict—no-fly zones, weapons sites inside Syria. Whatever their justification, the attacks bombing Damascus and so forth—would simply make the situation convey to some Arabs the sense that there is an external plot against worse. None of the proposals would result in an outcome strategically them. That impression would be solidified if the U.S. were now to enter beneficial for the U.S. On the contrary, they would produce a more the fight, suggesting a de facto American-Israeli-Saudi alliance, which complex, undefined slide into the worst-case scenario. The only solution is to seek Russia’s and China’s support for U.N.-sponsored elections in would play into the hands of the extremists. which, with luck, Assad might be “persuaded” not to participate. Broader regional fighting could bring the U.S. and Iran into direct Brzezinski was National Security Adviser from 1977 to 1981 conflict, a potentially major military undertaking for the U.S. A U.S.Iran confrontation linked to the Syrian crisis could spread the area of See this article online: http://snipr.com/27ez3z5
Peace House Participates in CAIR Banquet The Peace House had a table at the CAIR banquet (Council on American-Islamic Relations) in April. Seated with Batch, Anne, and Lydia (pictured) were Randall Smith, Conna Wilkinson, and Teresa Rendon with two OCU students from Egypt living with her. The Peace House was noted in Executive Director Adam Soltani’s reflection on the year. Peace House had organized a “Happy Eid/We love Muslims” Sunday morning demonstration at the Mosque where vandals had shot paint balls the previous weekend. Families entering the Mosque were touched by our interfaith sentiment.
Anne Murray, Nathaniel Batchelder, and Lydia Polley at the CAIR Banquet
Read back issues of Peace Strategy News online at PeaceHouseOK.org
Page 10, OPS, July-August 2013
Three Reasons Interfaith Efforts Matter More Than Ever by Eboo Patel
Eboo Patel to Speak in Oklahoma City Oklahoma City University’s “Distinguished Speakers” series welcomes Eboo Patel on Wednesday, October 23rd. Watch for detailed announcements.
only had people's views about Catholics dramatically improved, but they had done so at a time when the evening news was carrying stories of Catholic priests being arrested for doing despicable things, and some in the Catholic hierarchy hiding them.
In the wake of the Boston attack and manhunt, I've been getting a lot of messages about how interfaith efforts matter more than ever, and I've sent out a volley of tweets expressing the same sentiment myself. So, does this view hold up to analysis, or is it just a surface salve for a really deep wound?
Why didn't more Americans associate all Catholics with the actions of the handful of pedophiles? The answer is simple: Most Americans had positive, meaningful relationships with other Catholics, and associated the broader Catholic community with those Catholic friends, neighbors and colleagues.
At the risk of promoting a cause in which I'm deeply involved, I think that there are several good reasons to strengthen and expand interfaith efforts. These are true even during normal times; what the events in Boston have done is highlight their importance. Before launching in, let me state the obvious: Interfaith programs are not a miracle solution. Their primary purpose is neither to root out potential terrorists nor solve every social problem. But they do matter. Here are three reasons why:
This is a crucial social science insight that is applied in any good interfaith program: Developing a positive meaningful relationship with someone from another religious community improves your attitude toward the entire community, making it less likely that you will view a whole group of people through the actions of its worst elements. This becomes especially important at a time like this, when the Muslim identity of the two Boston Marathon terrorists has cast suspicion on Muslims as a whole.
1. Interfaith helps harmonize people's various identities. In America, just about everyone is some sort of hyphenated hybrid of race, religion and ethnicity/nationality. Irish-Catholic-American, AfricanAmerican Pentecostal, Jewish-American secular Humanist, and so on. As Walt Whitman said, "I am large / I contain multitudes." When interfaith cooperation is done well, it not only helps people from different faith and philosophical backgrounds get along, it creates space for the diverse identities within each of us to become mutually enriching rather than mutually exclusive. When interfaith events raise the question, what do I have in common with people of different religious and national identities, the natural internal dialogue that ensues is: What do my own diverse identities have in common with each other? Religious extremists try to separate people's various identities and pit them against each other. The extremists that got to the young London 7/7 bombers somehow convinced them that their Muslim identity was at war with their British identity, and the former had to destroy the latter. While the facts are still coming in, this may also have been the case for the Tsarnaev brothers. It was a clash civilizations in their souls. In a nation of hybrids, it's important to have loyalty to both sides of the hyphen. What if the Tsarnaev brothers were involved in discussions with people from other backgrounds about how their faith identity was mutually enriching with their nationality and citizenship? Perhaps they would have been less susceptible to the divide-and-destroy tactics of extremists. 2. Interfaith efforts help us to separate the worst elements of communities from the rest. One of the most interesting findings in Robert Putnam and David Campbell's "American Grace " is that Catholics are among the most favorably viewed religious communities in America -- a stunning change from just two generations ago. The study was done in the mid-2000s, when the Catholic pedophilia crisis was frequently in the news. So not
3. Interfaith efforts remind us America is about welcoming the contributions of all communities and nurturing cooperation between them. The interfaith ceremony that took place three days after the marathon bombings in Boston was a reminder that not only is Boston a city of many religions, but that a variety of faith and philosophical traditions are sources of hope and healing at times of grief. At the ceremony, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim and Greek Orthodox leaders offered solace from their traditions to their city and the country. (For the record, I think groups like Humanists and Buddhists should have been invited as well.) The Muslim who chairs the New England Interfaith Council, Nasser Wedaddy, speaking on behalf of the city's Muslims, referenced both Jewish and Muslim texts when he said. "Whoever kills a soul, it is as if he killed mankind entirely. And whoever saves a life, it is as if he saved all of mankind." An interfaith prayer service is only one place to see multiple traditions coming together to heal a community. Imagine how much interfaith cooperation there was in the operating rooms of Boston hospitals last week, where medical professionals of all faiths were working together to save lives and limbs. These times require all of us to be interfaith leaders, to signal clearly that the worst elements of every tradition represent nobody. The murderers of all communities belong only to one community: the community of murderers. We have to expand our knowledge base of the various contributions diverse communities make to our nation and world, to bring into mutually enriching discussion not just people from different backgrounds but diverse identities within individuals. If you need some inspiration, check out how college students running Interfaith Youth Core's Better Together campaign are making this a reality. After Boston, we all know just how much is at stake.
Page 11, OPS, July-August 2013
Giving Up Hamburgers to Stop Climate Change AlterNet / By David Sirota A new report suggests that adjusting our diet will significantly slow global warming. Here’s the good news: According to data compiled by former World Bank advisers Robert Goodland and Jeff Anhang, it just requires everyone to eat fewer animal products. In their report, they note that when you account for feed production, deforestation and animal waste, the livestock industry produces between 18 and 51 percent of all global greenhouse gas emissions. Wow. Who knew? Add to this the fact that producing animal protein involves some eight times more fossil fuel than what’s needed to produce an equivalent amount of non-animal protein, and you see that climate change isn’t intensified only by transportation and electrical production. It is also driven in large part by our food choices — in America, by people’s desire to eat, on average, 200 pounds of meat every year, to say nothing about milk, cheese, yogurt, etc..
/ May 3, 2013
Goodland and Anhang found that most of what we need to do to mitigate the climate crisis can be achieved “by replacing just one quarter of today’s most eco-damaging food products” — read: animal products — “with better alternatives.” Essentially, if every fourth time someone craved, say, beef, chicken or cow milk they instead opted for a veggie burger, a bean burrito, soy milk or water, we move toward halting the emergency. Cutting 25% or more of animal products from our diets would benefit American ‘s health! It’s a win-win situation. Spread the word and choose a healthier diet.. Shortened for space by Nathaniel Batchelder. David Sirota is author of the new book "Back to Our Future: How the 1980s Explain the World We Live In Now." Read full article: http://snipr.com/27feirm
Panoply Hippy A Center for Sustainability, Spirituality & Healing
Store
Want support to make changes to live more sustainably? Interested in alternative healing?
Consider A Retreat at Turtle Rock Farm http://www.turtlerockfarmretreat.com Turtle Rock Farm is a retreat center in North Central Oklahoma – a little over an hour’s drive up I-35 from Oklahoma City. Visit our website to see photos of the farm and read about the retreats and classes we have scheduled: www.turtlerockfarmretreat.com Here’s a sample:
Peace House T-Shirts, Bumper stickers, Buttons Call 405.521.1010
To talk to us, call 580.725.3411 or email or pathoerth@gmail.com or visit our blog: http://turtlerockfarmretreat.blogspot.com Page 12, OPS, July-August 2013
Monday thru Saturday 2 pm to 6 pm
2412 N Shartel OKC
Need a place to go to get centered again in creation?
July 13 Cooking for Earth July 27 Non Violent Communicatins August 1 Simpler Lliving August 17 Gardening and Vermi-composting August 24 Active Hope - Keeping Hope and Living Sustainably October 25-26 - Primitive Skills For Beginners
WE’RE STILL OPEN!!
Featuring Clay Daze Tie Dye. Retro Clothing . Essential Oils . Hand Crafted Jewelry. Pendulums and Stones. Hard to find Books on Spirituality . Para-Normal . Metaphysical and many more interesting subjects. Quality Incense. Nag Champa Band T-Shirts. Misc Hemp products. Sage sticks and Herbs . Really Cool Purses ! Hand made Soaps and Lotions . Tie-Dyed novelty items . Bandanas . Silk Scarves . Oils Eclectic Art . Candles . Unusual Post Cards . Kung Fu Shoes .
Hours are Mon thru Sat 2 PM to 6:00 PM
International support action for Bradley Manning July 27 Rally in OKC, candlelight vigil in Crescent Heeding the call from the Gather in OKC for caravan/Rally, 7 PM Bradley Manning Support at Northeast Exp’way & Broadway Ext. (74) Network for local events on Leave for Crescent: 7:30 PM July 27, the Oklahoma Center Candlelight vigil in Crescent: 8-9 PM for Conscience will sponsor a brief rally in OKC and a candlelight vigil in Crescent, Bradley Manning’s home town. The Network described the coordinated events as likely “the last internationally coordinated show of support for Bradley before military judge Col. Denise Lind reads her final verdict – which we expect some time in August. The July 27 ”International Day of Action” coincides with the anticipated sentencing phase of Bradley’s trial. The outcome of that phase of the trial will result in Bradley receiving any outcome from time served to life in prison. ” OCC Executive Director Rena Guay traveled to Ft. Meade for the start of the court martial on June 3. For three days she sat in the courtroom not 10 feet from Manning, and observed the proceedings wearing, like the other supporters present, a black T-shirt with the simple word “truth” in white letters on the front. For supporters, the shirt symbolizes what they feel Manning provided to the world about war crimes and the misdeeds of the US government regarding events and policy in Iraq and Afghanistan. OCC is a member of the Support Network, and has organized several events in Oklahoma in support of Manning. For more information, see centerforconscience.org. For a page with links to the major resources on the Manning case, see nlgmltf.org/bradleymanning.
On May 11, the Oklahoma Center for Conscience awarded its annual Oklahoma Conscience Award to Lawrence Hart, a Cheyenne Peace Chief and Mennonite pastor. The ceremony featured Chief Hart’s son and son-in-law, who described his role in their Native traditions, and his contributions to his people and to peace among the diverse communities in Oklahoma. In addition to a certificate, a blanket was presented, as is the tradition for important occasions. For more pictures, and additional information about OCC, see centerforconscience.org. Pictured: (Back row) Rena Guay, OCC Executive Director, Moses Mast and Sadie Mast, OCC steering committee members, (front row) Betty Hart, Lawrence Hart, and James Branum, OCC Legal Director.
James M. Branum Attorney at Law
405-494-0562 www.JMBranum.com
My practice focuses on the following areas:
LGBT Legal Issues—More info at www.OklahomaLGBTLaw.com
Estate Planning (including wills and trusts)
Representing military conscientious objectors and war resisters Please mention you saw this ad in OK Peace Strategy Newsletter for a discount.
Page 13, OPS, July-August 2013
How Low Taxes on the Rich Hurt the Whole Economy Nobel Prize-Winning Economist Joseph Stiglitz Blasts America's Top 1-Percent-Coddling Tax System Alternet | April 15, 2013 World renowned Columbia University economist Joeseph Stiglitz devoted a lengthy New York Times editorial to refuting the notion that our income tax system, with its low tax burdens for the rich, is good for anyone other than the rich. The U.S. stands out among advanced and wealthy nations for its highly regressive tax code, beginning some 30 years ago, and getting progressively more so over time.
Stiglitz provides a compelling summary of how the rich get favored treatment: The richest 400 individual taxpayers, with an average income of more than $200 million, pay less than 20 percent of their income in taxes — far lower than mere millionaires, who pay about 25 percent of their income in taxes. And in 2009, a third of the top 400 earners paid less than 15 percent of their income in taxes.
With such low effective tax rates — and, importantly, the low tax rate Economists have increasingly noted that the US experiment in of 20 percent on capital gains — it’s not a huge surprise that the share of lowering taxes produced the opposite of the outcomes that were claimed income going to the top 1 percent has doubled since 1979, and that the for it. Promised were spurred growth and increasing incomes for everyone share going to the top 0.1 percent has almost tripled, according to (the notorious “trickle down” theory). That is not happening. economists Thomas Piketty and Emmanuel Saez. Recall that the Comparisons with other advanced economies show that their higher wealthiest 1% of Americans own about 40% of the nation’s wealth, and the taxes on the rich are not a negative for growth. For example, Germany has picture becomes even more disturbing. a higher economic growth rate than the U.S. but Germany taxes their Stiglitz points out that not only are our tax rates on top earners wealthy more than the U.S. Tax breaks to the rich have made the rich strikingly low by OECD standards, but the income level at which they kick richer, but force reduced spending on infrastructure that would stimulate in are also higher than in most other advanced economies. And that is the economy and social programs that contribute to equity. before you factor in that the rich for the most part don’t make their money The low tax rates at the top were supposed to spur savings and hard through income, but capital gains, which are taxed at lower rates. That work, and thus economic growth. They didn’t. Indeed, the household preferable treatment has been exploited flagrantly by the hedge fund and savings rate fell to a record level of near zero after President George W. private equity industries, which have been able to structure their funds so Bush’s two rounds of cuts, in 2001 and 2003, on taxes on dividends and that the overwhelming majority of the income they get from managing the capital gains. funds, which is labor income, is taxed at capital gains rates. And the worst is that the Masters of the Universe act as if that is perfectly reasonable. What low tax rates at the top did do was increase the return on rentseeking. It flourished, which meant that growth slowed and inequality grew. This is a pattern that has now been observed across countries. If greater wealth at the top were resulting in our entire economic engine’s doing better, we would expect everyone to benefit. In fact, incomes in the middle, and even the bottom, have been stagnating or falling.
(Continued, page 15)
DAN MURDOCK ATTORNEY AT LAW
Resides & Resides, PLLC 615 North Broadway Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102 www.resideslaw.com
Page 14, OPS, July-August 2013
TELEPHONE (405) 605-6547 FACSIMILE (405) 605-6577 dmurdock@resideslaw.com
United Nations Millennium Development Goals Galvanize Global Efforts The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – Established by all 189 countries in the U.N. in the year 2000-which range from halving extreme poverty rates to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015 – form a blueprint agreed to by all the world’s countries and all the world’s leading development institutions. They have galvanized unprecedented efforts to meet the needs of the world’s poorest. The goals are: 1. Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, 2. Achieving universal primary education, 3. Promoting gender equality and empowering women, 4. Reducing child mortality rates, 5. Improving maternal health, 6. Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases, 7. Ensuring environmental sustainability, and 8. Developing a global partnership for development. Child mortality (MDG 4) has been reduced, but not quickly enough to reach the target. Maternal mortality (MDG 5) remains high in much of the developing world. (UN Photo: Guinea) Please Don’t Say That To Me Again … (from Page 2) ● Leaders of communist and socialist countries as well as democracies around the globe, while professing the value and supremacy of the people, have created jobs and fortunes by oppressing the very workers they purport to value● First world companies are creating jobs and outrageous profits by having their goods manufactured in countries where there are no health and safety regulations and wages are pennies an hour● Manufacturers of all sorts of products from chemicals to nuclear power stations create jobs and wealthAnd on, and on, and on… And so we have Fukushima power plant disasters, monstrous oil spills, substandard buildings that send trapped thousands to fiery deaths… And on, and on, and on… Every society with stated ideals of compassion and justice not only has the right to, but the obligation to, set limits on how jobs are created, how workers are treated, how the environment is impacted, and how fortunes are be made in that society. For many years, we have witnessed the systematic demonization of laws and regulations protecting humans, resources, and the environment. We should never be apologetic for insisting on limits of power on behalf of the people and the earth. It is, indeed, our right and our obligation.
Some very real progress is being made to meet the U.N.’s UMD goals but much more needs to be done.
Low Taxes Hurt Everyone (from Page 14) Stiglitz objects: Some Wall Street financiers are able to pay taxes at lower capital gains tax rates on income that comes from managing assets for private equity funds or hedge funds. But why should managing financial assets be treated any differently from managing people, or making discoveries? Of course, those in finance say they are essential. But so are doctors, lawyers, teachers and everyone else who contributes to making our complex society work. They say they are necessary for job creation. But in fact, many of the private equity firms that have excelled in exploiting the carried interest loophole are actually job destroyers; they excel in restructuring firms to “save” on labor costs, often by moving jobs abroad. And then Stiglitz turns to corporate tax breaks, citing poster child GE, which has paid on average less than 2% of its income in taxes since 2002. The picture is likely even worse than these figures suggest since corporations and wealthy individuals can hide income tax havens. Stiglitz closes by reminding us: It doesn’t have to be this way. We could have a much simpler tax system without all the distortions — a society where those who clip coupons for a living pay the same taxes as someone with the same income who works in a factory; where someone who earns his income from saving companies pays the same tax as a doctor who makes the income by saving lives; where someone who earns his income from financial innovations pays the same taxes as a someone who does research to create real innovations that transform our economy and society. We could have a tax system that encourages good things like hard work and thrift and discourages bad things, like excessive rent-seeking, gambling, financial speculation and pollution. It’s time ordinary citizens look hard at who is peddling “go easy on the rich” advice and discount the source. Yves Smith is the founder of Naked Capitalism and the author of 'ECONned: How Unenlightened Self Interest Undermined Democracy and Corrupted Capitalism.' Edited for space and clarity by Nathaniel Batchelder Find original: http://snipr.com/27eyre4 Page 15, OPS, July-August 2013
Peace House Donors 2013 Thank you to all who contributed to the support of The Peace House. Contributions received from January 1, 2013 through June 25, 2013: Lee Agnew & Lonnie Corder David Alexander Deborah Allen Doris Anderson Mohammed And Becky Atiyeh Mona Baird Marie Ballmann Osb Pamela Barrymore Harry & Janice Benham Thomas H Benton Robert & Sharon Bish Melanie Bittman Patricia Black Fred & Sue Blackmon David Blatt Anthony Boeckman David Brinker Md Terry & Kay Britton Phyllis Byerly Richard Cates & Jeanene Davidson Denise Caudill Phd D. L. Cetrangolo Marvin Chiles Lois Clark Ernestine Clark Rev Anne Clement Orra G. Compton Barb & Mike Conder Linda Connelly Margaret Cox David & Betty Craighead Carolyn K Craven Lois & Ray Crooks Marilyn & Lawrence Curtis Elizabeth Determan Asc Pamela Brown Dizikes R.L. Doyle Sally Duran Ozie, Kay And Anthony Edwards Robert & Harriette Elliot Al Engel Chuks Enerprises Thurma Fiegel Millie Fightmaster Dorothy Foster Mary Francis Kalyn Free Naomi French Gus W Friedrich
Oklahoma City Friends Meeting Jane & Bill Garthoeffner Alice Gehrke Veva Gibbard Rivermont Rev. Don & Saramay Gibson Susan A Gonzalez Sharilyn Edlund & Marilyn Goodban Jerry A Myrna Gowman Marjorie Greer Denise Hall Dennie Hall Jeff & Wanda Fisher Jim Hankins Frances Harbert Diane Hardersen Ed Cunliff & April Haulman Don Helberg Lois & R. E. Hilbert Barbara G Hillyer Jim & Carolyn Holloran Dr. Leigh Holmes Jill Holmes Sarah Iselin Pat James Barbara Hagen & Bruce Johnson Barbara Johnson Julianna & Josh Kershen Edwin Kessler Martha & Bill King Beryl & Ester Kingsbury Joan & Michael Korenblit Bernadette & Michael Krawczyk Linda & Tim Larason Jim Lazalier Connie Leahy Bob Lemon Robin Sellers Lemon Alice M Leonard Bettie Lewis Tupper Lienke Janis Love Joyce & David Markes Doug Matheny Ginger McGovern Ray McGovern James McUsic Mary menges Myers Marianne Mertens Dorothy Messenger Jerry Messick Bernice Mitchell Bill & Helen Moorer Lynn Moroney Fran Morris
Anne Murray Hermine & Norman Naugle Dick Neptune Bill Nerin Clayton & Sandra Ness Peter J Neufeld David Nickell Mary Ann O’Kane IMH Tony Oate Kathryn Olsen, IMH John Orr Thelma R Parks Laura Elia Woods Schaller & Allen Parleir Margaret Phipps Ruth Podolin Lydia Polley Denns & Carol Preston Robert Puckett Ghislaine Rabin Forest Redwood Judith Appleton & Stan Reynolds Karin Ringler
Thank you! Sister Stephanie Sanchez Jan Sanders Peter K. Schaffer Kathy Scheirman Floyd Bish Schoenhals Andy & Kathy Scurlock Gail Seton Fr. Clark Schakleford Sondra Shehab Susie Shields & Mark Derichsweiler Frank Silovsky Phil Simpson Judy Sing Martha Skeeters Randy Smith Jo Hill Snyder Marie Soleil Jerry Sommerseth Barbara Stanfield Nance Cunningham & Howard Stein Mary Ann Surges Mrs. Eugene Tate Lois Taylor
Patti Tepper-Rassmussen Sheila Tiarks Susan Tordella-Williams Sammy Towner Marti Troy Becky & Will Uraneck Saundra Vallejo-Delgado Glenna Voegle John & Rosie Walters Susan & Jim Warram Gifts in Memory of Stan Reynolds: Frances Dechant Bill & Martha King Anne Murray Nancy L Roth Shelia Tiarks Gift in Celebration of their Marriage: Mrs. Christy Finsel & Mr. Daniel Boyle If you have donated in 2013, but your name does not appear, call us. Rios Montt Found Guilty (Continued from Page 6) Rios Montt took the stand on Thursday and denied ordering any massacres, saying he was too busy being president to micromanage the army or know what each and every military unit was doing. The intelligence chief had also insisted there was no evidence linking him to any atrocity. Rios Montt seized power in March 1982 but was overthrown in August of the following year. In 1994, he returned to active politics by winning a seat in congress and eventually went on to become its speaker. In 2001, relatives of war victims accused Rios Montt of genocide and a decade later, upon losing the immunity that came with being a lawmaker, legal proceedings against him finally began.  Source: http://snipr.com/27eyyu9