Resolutions

I am one of those people who still think resolutions are useful. Somehow, committing to writing -- and the associated accountability -- is helpful in actually getting something done.

Sooooo. Despite the fact that few, if any, read this pap, I am resolving. It will help me remember.

Here's my resolution.

I'm going to throw a "Peace Party" in 2011.

It will have these elements: a notary public and their seal, several hundred copies of the Free Methodist "Affidavit of Conscientious Objection" and the usual yummy things to eat and drink. Maybe I'll book some entertainment, maybe not.

Being close to Seattle Pacific might help. Maybe. The students might have an interest. I hope.

Nothing New

I've had this flyer since 1972; produced by the McGovern folks. Richard Nixon ran as a peace candidate in 1968, and didn't end the war. Obama ran as a peace candidate in 2008, and won't end this war. The difference? In 1972 the people still cared. Now? Not so sure.

From my friend Ian

Ian Ebright is a friend who writes for online site "Broken Telegraph"

4,430 U.S. Troops killed
31,920 U.S. Troops wounded
9,765 Iraqi Police and Soldiers Killed
98,000- 108,000 Iraqi civilian deaths from violence
Over 2,000,000 Iraqis displaced (driven by necessity into neighboring countries)

Where is the Christian outrage? There is no "just war" theory to cover this, plus murder dressed up as "drone strikes."

Just saying.

Fellowship of Reconciliation

Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation has a fund-raiser coming up on Oct. 23, 5-8:30 pm at Woodland Park Presbyterian.

I can't go, but I'm gonna send a check.

Why do the old-timers predominate on this issue? We don't get wise to the issues until late in life? Too busy with careers and kids to think about military spending, killing, justice and all that?

George Orwell quote

Political language... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.

Creedence Clearwater - "Wrote a Song for Everyone"

I'm starting to collect some nice anti-war music. What do you think of this one?

Met myself a comin' county welfare line.
I was feelin' strung out, Hung out on the line.
Saw myself a goin', down to war in June.
All I want, All I want is to write myself a tune.

CHORUS:
Wrote A Song For Ev'ryone,
Wrote a song for truth.
Wrote A Song For Ev'ryone
When I couldn't even talk to you.

Got myself arrested, Wound me up in jail.
Richmond 'bout to blow up, Communication failed.
If you see the answer, now's the time to say.
All I want, All I want is to get you down to pray.

Saw the people standin' thousand years in chains.
Somebody said it's diff'rent now, look, it's just the same.
Pharoahs spin the message, round and round the truth.
They could have saved a million people, How can I tell you?

Feeling safe?

Question: The US military budget is larger than how many of the countries of the rest of the world combined?

We live in a world in which over a billion people rely on wood and dung for heating and have no access to electricity. We live in a world in which more people die in one day from starvation than in an entire year from terrorism.


A: The US military budget of $623 billion is larger than the budgets of all the countries in the rest of the world put together. The total global military budget of the rest of the world is $500 billion. Russia's military budget is $50 billion, South Koreas is $21 billion, and Irons is $4.3 billion. (Source: GlobalSecurity.org) These are 2007 figures.

Next highest on the list is China, which spends 1/10th of what the US spends on their military.

Who would Jesus bomb? That's the bumper-sticker question I have to ask myself.