I was honored to be asked to speak for 3 minutes at the witness held today.
My testimony:
My name is Katy Zatsick, mother of 2 and grandmother of 3.
Thank you for coming to listen to our life experiences and thank you to the organizers who have worked long and hard to gather us to give witness to the Real Impact of War.
I offer my support to all veterans and their families and to the members of IVAW.
My son Jason joined the US Army after September 11 and was ordered to Iraq Jan 2005. In October of 2005 Jason was injured by an IED and spent the next year at Walter Reed Army Medical Center recovering from his injuries including the loss of his right eye and arm. I spent 8 months living at WR assisting in Jason’s therapy and recovery. Jason is now completing a MBA at U of FL and will graduate in May.
Because of my activism for ending war, Jason and I have not spoken nor seen each other since December 2006. Jason’s father and I separated while I lived at WR and our divorce was finalized September 2008.
I have been a hospice chaplain for 7 years in the Chicago area. Because of the national debt caused partially by this war, cuts are being proposed and being made in health care services across the country at all levels of care.
The Vice-Pres of the national Association for Home Care and Hospice said, “Under proposals (cutting reimbursements) 75%-80% of home health agencies would be doomed. They would not be able to meet payroll. They would not be able to operate.” (Level of payment frozen in 2009 to 2013.)
Nineteen states have enacted or proposed cuts in Medicaid. Here in IL we know we have at least $3-5 billion budget shortfall. And what cuts will come to health care we do not know but know they will come.
This week the Chicago Tribune reported about four Mental Health clinics being shuttered. Dr. Mason, Chicago’s Public Health minister cited a $1.2 million shortfall in state funding. He went on to say “professional and support staffing levels had fallen to such low levels that patients could no longer be served effectively” This is only the tip of the iceberg in cuts to health care for all of us. We know of the increasing number of Americans without health insurance and those loosing benefits because of the ever increasing number of unemployed.
My own organization continues to downsize reacting to changes already instituted and planning for future funding cuts in both Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement for hospices. My own position and all others who provide health care are threatened by the financial burden caused by war and the size of the USA military budget that is 46% of the world’s total. This total far out strips those of UK, France, Japan and China with 4-5% each for their military budgets.
Thank you for your attention.
Let us work to end war and to fund human services and needs.
Let us work to create a world of peace for our children and grandchildren and a healthy planet.
I listened as veterans, workers, labor union members spoke of the impact of war on their personal and professional lives. The panel was asked about Afghanistan "the good war" where Obama plans "a surge." Different folks responded. I also with these words:
"I will speak as a hospice chaplain who accompanies families as they say "Goodbye" to a loved one. Each life is precious, each life is unique. There is no God of this side or that side in war. God is the God of life not of death and destruction. God is the God of healing and walks with those suffering. We have not addressed the effects of depleted uranium that is destroying the water, food and land. I can say unequivocally "End War Forever" Our of Iraq, Out of Afghanistan."
I got a round of applause especially from the IVAW members.
One of the speakers was another mother from MFSO. She spoke of taking care of our soldiers when they come home. Please go to www.save-a-vet.org. "Save-a-vet NFP is an organization dedicated to the caring and well-being of all military and law enforcement working animals." Dexter, considered "equipment" by DOD, was present during the presentation. Dexter was a "MWD-military working dog, saved over 200 lives that fateful day by finding a truck filled with explosives" Dexter is the first dog that Randi's son has adopted as part of the program. Show your support of this wonderful new program. Thank you for your caring.
I met an IVAW member who needs support. He returned from Iraq with severe PTSD. His Ohio family labeled him "crazy" and threw him out of their family circle. He came up to me after the program and asked, "Would you like to be my mom? Maybe we could be family?" I replied, "We can be friends" I have his card with his email and will contact him. Another veteran, now living on the edge, the Real Cost of this and all wars.
Eugene Cherry made a movie with Matt Damon about Iraq. He is struggling to receive benefits for education from the VA. An ongoing struggle for so many. Eugene went AWOL and became a very public figure, I honestly don't think he will ever receive benefits of any kind from the military-payback for his work to bring out in the open the treatment of our veterans by this government who sends them into war-disposable equipment.
A truly fulfilling day. I felt energized when I left and hope to be able to speak out again many times in my life. I asked Mike-head of the AFSC in Chicago "Did I do well?" I am not good at extemporaneous speaking. Mike said, "Katy you did wonderfully well." I was relieved and happy and thought "I can die anytime and stand before my Maker unafraid." I have made mistakes but now I am speaking and living for peace and justice. It is enough!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
A Workshop for Living
I attended a wonderful workshop on Friday. It was offered by the spouse of Heartland's Volunteer Coordinator who is a therapist. I am not sure the title but the exercises were excellent and I thought I would share with you.
His basic premise is that we are "raised into negative responses to life." We spend our lives in fear but as adults we can choose differently.
One of the exercises he led was to have us answer individually the following questions:
1.How do you think you are going to die?
2.How do you want to die?
(If the two disagree, what must you change in your life so that you will die as you want to die? Then commit to living the change.)
3.Who will be there while you are dying?
(If someone you would like to be there would not be there because of your relationship, it is time to work to heal that relationship)
4.What will they write on your tombstone?
5.What do you want to write on your tombstone?
(Again, if there is a difference, now is the time to discuss it, to change, to live it.)
My answers to the questions
1. I will die of old age or cancer (both parents died of cancer)
2. Old age
3. Children, grandchildren, siblings
4. Katy's continuing her journey of growth
5. Mother-Grandmother-Sister 1943-
Dene also had us experience affirmations through having people speak them in both ears at the same time. Write your own affirmations "What would you have liked to hear when you were a child? What would you like to hear now?" Then have a person on each side of you speak into your ears. Do it once a day or week, or month. We need affirmation as our lives are based on "keeping busy and not feeling our emotions and feelings."
Affirmations include:
You are loving
I am proud of you
I love you inside and out
I sincerely trust you
You make the world a better place
If you knew me you would love me
You can get anything you want
Although I won't write it here, much of our discussion was based on listening to music, especially of our childhood, teen years. Dene says,"The words of songs go directly to the unconscious" and form our worldview and life. They are some of the most important messages of our early formation.
So of course there was lots of music from the 40's, 50's, and 60's-based on our ages. The emotional energy in the room did change as we reminisced through the years and music. We became "lighter." I haven't been listening to music but I know I need to to reconnect to the past. I really liked the music created after Vatican II.
Another exercise that he encouraged us to do is to write 10 memories of childhood. These memories have shaped our lives-maybe unconsciously. I have not yet done it but plan to.
His basic premise is that we are "raised into negative responses to life." We spend our lives in fear but as adults we can choose differently.
One of the exercises he led was to have us answer individually the following questions:
1.How do you think you are going to die?
2.How do you want to die?
(If the two disagree, what must you change in your life so that you will die as you want to die? Then commit to living the change.)
3.Who will be there while you are dying?
(If someone you would like to be there would not be there because of your relationship, it is time to work to heal that relationship)
4.What will they write on your tombstone?
5.What do you want to write on your tombstone?
(Again, if there is a difference, now is the time to discuss it, to change, to live it.)
My answers to the questions
1. I will die of old age or cancer (both parents died of cancer)
2. Old age
3. Children, grandchildren, siblings
4. Katy's continuing her journey of growth
5. Mother-Grandmother-Sister 1943-
Dene also had us experience affirmations through having people speak them in both ears at the same time. Write your own affirmations "What would you have liked to hear when you were a child? What would you like to hear now?" Then have a person on each side of you speak into your ears. Do it once a day or week, or month. We need affirmation as our lives are based on "keeping busy and not feeling our emotions and feelings."
Affirmations include:
You are loving
I am proud of you
I love you inside and out
I sincerely trust you
You make the world a better place
If you knew me you would love me
You can get anything you want
Although I won't write it here, much of our discussion was based on listening to music, especially of our childhood, teen years. Dene says,"The words of songs go directly to the unconscious" and form our worldview and life. They are some of the most important messages of our early formation.
So of course there was lots of music from the 40's, 50's, and 60's-based on our ages. The emotional energy in the room did change as we reminisced through the years and music. We became "lighter." I haven't been listening to music but I know I need to to reconnect to the past. I really liked the music created after Vatican II.
Another exercise that he encouraged us to do is to write 10 memories of childhood. These memories have shaped our lives-maybe unconsciously. I have not yet done it but plan to.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
What a Historic Day! President Obama: New Beginnings.
What a historic day this is! I shall never forget it! A new beginning for our country. After the oath of office, I had to run to look at an apartment. The sky in Chicago was blue, the air cold but I felt like a new woman. I felt like a huge weight I had been carrying was lifted from my back and heart. Bush and his arrogant ignorance was no more our President. I can't write words to describe how I feel I only know that I walk "cleaner (without the burden of Bush) and taller" and like others have said, "Today, I am very proud to be an American.
I had to attend a IDT this morning. I work with all Republicans so NOT a word was said. The other chaplain led our prayer so next time I will say a prayer for our new President and his administration and the challenges WE all face because of the mess left to us by the last administration and his friends in Congress. Even Greenspan has admitted, "I should have not been for deregulation to the extent it occurred." Hindsight-Ugh. So we quickly finished our reports and I headed home to watch the inauguration on TV.
We are one hour earlier so I barely made it home in time. Covered myself up in a throw and cuddled down into my chair to watch! I began to cry as he came out on the platform. Obama's wife and children are so beautiful, what a wonderful first family picture they make. Let us pray the girls do well while they live in the White House. It was sad to hear that Sen. Ted Kennedy had a seizure during lunch and was taken to a hospital. Let us pray he does well. I felt with Kennedy's health it truly was a "passing of the baton" from one generation to the next and am glad that Sen Byrd and Sen Kennedy were present to experience it. Blessings on them both as they spent their lives working for justice for ALL of the American people.
It was good to see Pres. Carter and Al Gore, both looking good. I was thankful for their contributions to America. Both are bright examples of how Americans can continue to serve the common good, even in retirement! I am so glad that Pres. Obama took the time to do service on MLK Day. I think he brings such a "grass roots organizer (on high tech)" attitude to his work. I hope that all of America joins him in "remaking America for the 21st century"
On the other hand, Cheney was in wheel chair (hurt his back). I thought how appropriate, he is being wheeled out of the seat of power he has held for 8 years. I experienced him as Ratzinger was to JPII in his advanced stages of Parkinson's-the real power behind the scenes.
I feel as always that humanity is evolving, hasn't stopped since we first stood up on the savannas of Obama's father's home continent. To see Obama take the oath of office, I couldn't believe. I was 21 and had grown up in white bread Southfield MI when the Civil Rights act was passed. I was ignorant of the racism in America. I remember hearing about 4 children who died when racists burned a Catholic school in the South. I got married in 1964 and didn't really understand what was happening until MLK was killed and the riots occurred throughout America and in my own town of Detroit. Detroit has never been the same.
I had my own new beginning today. I had to look at an apartment today as I can no longer afford this one. The apartment is about 1/2 mile south and is a two bedroom but about $500 cheaper a month. My lease runs to 3/31 so I have some time to look. I am meeting with a woman at Home Sharing tomorrow. I am going to speak with my present landlord to see if he will permit me to sublet the second bedroom. If not, I will be very seriously looking to move.
An ending note: I watched Michelle and Barack dance together at the balls and thought of the Jack and Jackie and Camelot! I am old enough to remember them!
Blessings on Michelle and Barack, Blessings to you and our families, blessings on America and each peoples and country of the world. I think about the "photos from space" that do not show any political divisions-can't see them from space. Today we experienced the world without the demarcations of politics but through the eyes of One People, One World.
I had to attend a IDT this morning. I work with all Republicans so NOT a word was said. The other chaplain led our prayer so next time I will say a prayer for our new President and his administration and the challenges WE all face because of the mess left to us by the last administration and his friends in Congress. Even Greenspan has admitted, "I should have not been for deregulation to the extent it occurred." Hindsight-Ugh. So we quickly finished our reports and I headed home to watch the inauguration on TV.
We are one hour earlier so I barely made it home in time. Covered myself up in a throw and cuddled down into my chair to watch! I began to cry as he came out on the platform. Obama's wife and children are so beautiful, what a wonderful first family picture they make. Let us pray the girls do well while they live in the White House. It was sad to hear that Sen. Ted Kennedy had a seizure during lunch and was taken to a hospital. Let us pray he does well. I felt with Kennedy's health it truly was a "passing of the baton" from one generation to the next and am glad that Sen Byrd and Sen Kennedy were present to experience it. Blessings on them both as they spent their lives working for justice for ALL of the American people.
It was good to see Pres. Carter and Al Gore, both looking good. I was thankful for their contributions to America. Both are bright examples of how Americans can continue to serve the common good, even in retirement! I am so glad that Pres. Obama took the time to do service on MLK Day. I think he brings such a "grass roots organizer (on high tech)" attitude to his work. I hope that all of America joins him in "remaking America for the 21st century"
On the other hand, Cheney was in wheel chair (hurt his back). I thought how appropriate, he is being wheeled out of the seat of power he has held for 8 years. I experienced him as Ratzinger was to JPII in his advanced stages of Parkinson's-the real power behind the scenes.
I feel as always that humanity is evolving, hasn't stopped since we first stood up on the savannas of Obama's father's home continent. To see Obama take the oath of office, I couldn't believe. I was 21 and had grown up in white bread Southfield MI when the Civil Rights act was passed. I was ignorant of the racism in America. I remember hearing about 4 children who died when racists burned a Catholic school in the South. I got married in 1964 and didn't really understand what was happening until MLK was killed and the riots occurred throughout America and in my own town of Detroit. Detroit has never been the same.
I had my own new beginning today. I had to look at an apartment today as I can no longer afford this one. The apartment is about 1/2 mile south and is a two bedroom but about $500 cheaper a month. My lease runs to 3/31 so I have some time to look. I am meeting with a woman at Home Sharing tomorrow. I am going to speak with my present landlord to see if he will permit me to sublet the second bedroom. If not, I will be very seriously looking to move.
An ending note: I watched Michelle and Barack dance together at the balls and thought of the Jack and Jackie and Camelot! I am old enough to remember them!
Blessings on Michelle and Barack, Blessings to you and our families, blessings on America and each peoples and country of the world. I think about the "photos from space" that do not show any political divisions-can't see them from space. Today we experienced the world without the demarcations of politics but through the eyes of One People, One World.
Monday, January 19, 2009
To Remember MLK-a Service and an Action of Civil Resistance
Today Camp Hope celebrated the life and work of Martin Luther King with a rally at the Federal Plaza in downtown Chicago. In town for a month are men and women studying to be members of the Christian Peacemaker Teams. To remind you, since the first of the year, Israel has been bombing the Gaza strip with great loss of life. Israel stopped fighting today, the day before Obama is to be inaugurated President. CPT members have been in Gaza and the West Bank since their founding. (www.cpt.org/)
As part of their training the CPT members created three caskets draped with the Palestinian flag labeled: a mother killed in Gaza, a father killed in Gaza, and child sized casket titled: a child killed in Gaza. After the MLK memorial began it was announced that the CPTers would march to the headquarters of Boeing presenting a letter to the corporation to transform from making weapons to building for a sustainable economy.
We listened to speakers and sang songs of resistance to war and dedication to peace. I decided to join the march the 7 blocks through Chicago to the world headquarters of Boeing. Boeing makes the Apache helicopters used by Israel to war on Gaza with deadly force. The three caskets led the silent memorial march while one drum sounded a mournful beat. The caskets were carried by white-faced men and women draped in black. I carried my MLK quote "War is not the answer." I wept at the loss of life through war and the unimaginable injuries. Chicago police escorted us on the street side, keeping us on the sidewalk, probably one every 20 feet dressed in what looked like bike police uniforms with bright yellow jackets but heavy for winter.
Once at Boeing, only one person was permitted into the lobby to deliver a letter (a departure from earlier demonstrations I was told) Outside the building doors we gathered to recite a litany of sorrow for the violence against civilians in Gaza. Then we knelt on the ground to pray for those who have died and for peace. The police ordered us back to the sidewalk or we would be arrested. Two of the CPTers fell to the ground and were arrested, the rest of us returned to the sidewalk 10 feet away. Sr. Mary Kay and I headed for the L and a return home to dinner.
I am so honored to have attended Camp Hope and its memorial and action to remember MLK. Witnessing the non-violent civil resistance I felt MLK was with us and smiled on how we honored him today.
As part of their training the CPT members created three caskets draped with the Palestinian flag labeled: a mother killed in Gaza, a father killed in Gaza, and child sized casket titled: a child killed in Gaza. After the MLK memorial began it was announced that the CPTers would march to the headquarters of Boeing presenting a letter to the corporation to transform from making weapons to building for a sustainable economy.
We listened to speakers and sang songs of resistance to war and dedication to peace. I decided to join the march the 7 blocks through Chicago to the world headquarters of Boeing. Boeing makes the Apache helicopters used by Israel to war on Gaza with deadly force. The three caskets led the silent memorial march while one drum sounded a mournful beat. The caskets were carried by white-faced men and women draped in black. I carried my MLK quote "War is not the answer." I wept at the loss of life through war and the unimaginable injuries. Chicago police escorted us on the street side, keeping us on the sidewalk, probably one every 20 feet dressed in what looked like bike police uniforms with bright yellow jackets but heavy for winter.
Once at Boeing, only one person was permitted into the lobby to deliver a letter (a departure from earlier demonstrations I was told) Outside the building doors we gathered to recite a litany of sorrow for the violence against civilians in Gaza. Then we knelt on the ground to pray for those who have died and for peace. The police ordered us back to the sidewalk or we would be arrested. Two of the CPTers fell to the ground and were arrested, the rest of us returned to the sidewalk 10 feet away. Sr. Mary Kay and I headed for the L and a return home to dinner.
I am so honored to have attended Camp Hope and its memorial and action to remember MLK. Witnessing the non-violent civil resistance I felt MLK was with us and smiled on how we honored him today.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Closing Camp Hope 2009
Haven't written because I have been very busy with Camp Hope 2009, plus working two part time chaplain positions. I thought I would list the events I attended at Camp Hope, a really wonderful educational experience in a park 2 blocks from the Obama home, south side Chicago in Hyde Park near the University of Chicago campus.
January 1 Sunny and cold. Camp Hope opens. Great speakers with about 100 folks in attendance. Cathy Smith, mother of Thomas of the documentary "Body of War" was a keynote speaker challenging us to speak out now.
January 3 My birthday at CH-see separate post.
January 6 Pax Christi from St. Gertrude's attends Camp Hope in the afternoon. About 6 of us attended. We held our banners and waved to the commuters coming home from 3-6 PM. I stayed a little over an hour as I had brought another person with me and Roy was getting cold-hadn't dressed for it! Had to drive him home to the warmth!
January 7 headed over to the home of the Sacred Heart priests in Hyde Park. Listened to speakers discuss Obama's plan for withdrawing troops. Included Fr. Bob Bossie who worships with us at the Harold and Jeff Lay from Voices for Creative Non Violence. Bob arguing strongly that we must end war before it destroys us (as it has already played a part in destroying the economy)
January 8 My favorite speaker Col Ann Wright Ret'd was part of panel at Old St. Patrick's "Abandoning War: A Peoples' Agenda." She is most noted for having been one of the three State Dept officials to publicaly resign in direct protest of the march 2003 invasion of Iraq. Ann was joined by Michael McPhearson of Veterans for Peace and Stephen Kinzer foreign correspondent who has covered 50 countries on 5 continents.
Ann had just returned from a witness at Obama's Christmas vacation home in Hawaii. Articulate and to the point she called for an immediate end to the occupations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Gaza. Michael as an African American spoke of the hope in this election and president but strongly reminded us that we must do the work to bring peace. Stephen was excellent, this was the first time I heard him speak. He strongly concluded that there was no "winning a war in Afghanistan." The culture is "Don't invade my personal space, my home, my community, my country" and nation after nation-including Russia most recently has learned "You cannot win, you will go home."
Stephen informed us: The poppie crop is worth $4 billion on the market. We are spending $4 billion a MONTH on the war. Wouldn't it be more productive to buy the poppies (grown because there are no other crops by the poorest in the country) and save us an unwinnable war and $44 billion a year? I am willing to do just that.
January 11 Witness Against Torture Day all around the country. This is the day we opened Guantanamo to its first prisoners. Now widely acknowledge only 10% were captured on the battlefield, 90% were turned in most by Pakistanis who wanted the reward money! See the Oscar winning documentary "Taxi to the Dark Side" which exposes the highest levels of US Government as being the ones who gave the order for torture and rendition.
I presided in the morning with a theme of Stopping Torture. I had planned on going to the camp with everyone from the Harold but was called out to make a visit for hospice, a real disappointment for me. I spent 2 hours with the spouse who really needed me for emotional and spiritual support so I was okay with missing out.
In the evening I attended an excellent panel on torture. The panelists included:
January 14 Ali Abunimah, founder of the Electronic Intefadah spoke to about 100 of us on the crisis of violence in Gaza. Kathy Kelly founder of Voices is now in Gaza, she left immediately after the Camp opened, first to Egypt then into Gaza as soon as she could with the Christian Peacemaker Team present in the area. One of the members of from St. Gertrude's Kairos community is also there-Christina as part of the Christian Peacemaker Team.
Ali argues that for 60 years various proposals have been written and nothing accomplished. He presented that Palestinians now say, "The two state country will never work, the answer is to integrate both peoples into one country." May peace come to that tortured land. The massacre of civilians has been horrendous.
January 16 Pax Christi showed "Taxi to the Dark Side" mentioned above as part of Camp Hope. Mary spoke as a commentator to the movie and shared her own experience with Guantanamo.
January 17 A wonderful morning spent on Eco Justice (Eco-Justice Collarborative, www.ecojusticecollaborative.org.) Wonderful speakers from Chicagoland who brought us up to date on policy implications and the Obama administration. The bottom line create jobs for a sustainable green economy! Scientists have set 2016 as the tipping point for environmental destruction if global warming has not begun to be addressed. This is world wide for as bad as we are the US creates 25% of the gases creating global warming, China is coming on big time as a creator because of its high use of coal burning plants for energy.
I was present for 10 "days" at Camp Hope through being present or attending events sponsored by the Camp. I feel connected to the larger peace movement and pray that I might soon be able to join them full time.
See CampHope2009.org for more.
Now on to planning for the March 14 Anniversary of the Iraq war actions and march in Chicago.
January 1 Sunny and cold. Camp Hope opens. Great speakers with about 100 folks in attendance. Cathy Smith, mother of Thomas of the documentary "Body of War" was a keynote speaker challenging us to speak out now.
January 3 My birthday at CH-see separate post.
January 6 Pax Christi from St. Gertrude's attends Camp Hope in the afternoon. About 6 of us attended. We held our banners and waved to the commuters coming home from 3-6 PM. I stayed a little over an hour as I had brought another person with me and Roy was getting cold-hadn't dressed for it! Had to drive him home to the warmth!
January 7 headed over to the home of the Sacred Heart priests in Hyde Park. Listened to speakers discuss Obama's plan for withdrawing troops. Included Fr. Bob Bossie who worships with us at the Harold and Jeff Lay from Voices for Creative Non Violence. Bob arguing strongly that we must end war before it destroys us (as it has already played a part in destroying the economy)
January 8 My favorite speaker Col Ann Wright Ret'd was part of panel at Old St. Patrick's "Abandoning War: A Peoples' Agenda." She is most noted for having been one of the three State Dept officials to publicaly resign in direct protest of the march 2003 invasion of Iraq. Ann was joined by Michael McPhearson of Veterans for Peace and Stephen Kinzer foreign correspondent who has covered 50 countries on 5 continents.
Ann had just returned from a witness at Obama's Christmas vacation home in Hawaii. Articulate and to the point she called for an immediate end to the occupations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Gaza. Michael as an African American spoke of the hope in this election and president but strongly reminded us that we must do the work to bring peace. Stephen was excellent, this was the first time I heard him speak. He strongly concluded that there was no "winning a war in Afghanistan." The culture is "Don't invade my personal space, my home, my community, my country" and nation after nation-including Russia most recently has learned "You cannot win, you will go home."
Stephen informed us: The poppie crop is worth $4 billion on the market. We are spending $4 billion a MONTH on the war. Wouldn't it be more productive to buy the poppies (grown because there are no other crops by the poorest in the country) and save us an unwinnable war and $44 billion a year? I am willing to do just that.
January 11 Witness Against Torture Day all around the country. This is the day we opened Guantanamo to its first prisoners. Now widely acknowledge only 10% were captured on the battlefield, 90% were turned in most by Pakistanis who wanted the reward money! See the Oscar winning documentary "Taxi to the Dark Side" which exposes the highest levels of US Government as being the ones who gave the order for torture and rendition.
I presided in the morning with a theme of Stopping Torture. I had planned on going to the camp with everyone from the Harold but was called out to make a visit for hospice, a real disappointment for me. I spent 2 hours with the spouse who really needed me for emotional and spiritual support so I was okay with missing out.
In the evening I attended an excellent panel on torture. The panelists included:
- Mark Falkoff NIU, lawyer who represents Yemeni detainees in Guantanamo. He compiled and published a booklet of their writings.
- Flint Taylor, a lawyer in the People's Law Office who after 20 years got an ex-Chicago chief of police indicted for torture! Yes, it is true. And the techniques used were those taught by the military and used in Vietnam where he was a soldier! (They say the military with Iraq experience will do the same as the enter police careers)
- Mary (name changed), IVAW who served at Guantanamo as a prison guard. She was raped by fellow soldiers because she complained of their treatment of the prisoners under their guard. Spent a year in a military hospital for emotional healing. Has just begun to speak out against the war.
January 14 Ali Abunimah, founder of the Electronic Intefadah spoke to about 100 of us on the crisis of violence in Gaza. Kathy Kelly founder of Voices is now in Gaza, she left immediately after the Camp opened, first to Egypt then into Gaza as soon as she could with the Christian Peacemaker Team present in the area. One of the members of from St. Gertrude's Kairos community is also there-Christina as part of the Christian Peacemaker Team.
Ali argues that for 60 years various proposals have been written and nothing accomplished. He presented that Palestinians now say, "The two state country will never work, the answer is to integrate both peoples into one country." May peace come to that tortured land. The massacre of civilians has been horrendous.
January 16 Pax Christi showed "Taxi to the Dark Side" mentioned above as part of Camp Hope. Mary spoke as a commentator to the movie and shared her own experience with Guantanamo.
January 17 A wonderful morning spent on Eco Justice (Eco-Justice Collarborative, www.ecojusticecollaborative.org.) Wonderful speakers from Chicagoland who brought us up to date on policy implications and the Obama administration. The bottom line create jobs for a sustainable green economy! Scientists have set 2016 as the tipping point for environmental destruction if global warming has not begun to be addressed. This is world wide for as bad as we are the US creates 25% of the gases creating global warming, China is coming on big time as a creator because of its high use of coal burning plants for energy.
- Conservation and Efficiency (most gains doing this!) Informed Energy Decisions
- Say No to Coal-Pilsen Environmental Rights and Reform Org.
- You Can't Nuke Global Warming- Nuclear Energy Information Service www.nels.org
- Put a Fair Price on Carbon-Little Village Environmental Justice Org.
- Invest in the Power of the Sun-IL Solar Energy Assoc
- Green Jobs for All-Blacks in Green www.apolloalliance.org
- The People's Call for Justice-Oxfam International www.oxfamamerica.org
I was present for 10 "days" at Camp Hope through being present or attending events sponsored by the Camp. I feel connected to the larger peace movement and pray that I might soon be able to join them full time.
See CampHope2009.org for more.
Now on to planning for the March 14 Anniversary of the Iraq war actions and march in Chicago.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
After the Laundry: Off to Plan a March in March
We are now approaching the 6th anniversary of the Iraq War/occupation for oil, March 21st. So it is time for planning. I was surprised that Pre-planning had already produced a route, a permit application-city of Chicago and a host community. This time the Latina/Latino community near SW side of Chicago. It is called Pilsen and all the Latin organizations in Chicago are headquartered there. (If you recall, our last march was in the summer and was in the Pakistan/Indian community at Devon on the North side; again because of the immigration issue.)
About 60 of us attended this first all important meeting. This year it is very interesting because the type of jobs the majority of Latin persons have do not lend themselves for "after work" marches. So the planners picked Saturday March 14. (I believe two years ago we marched on Tuesday because we didn't want to compete.) Now if you know anything about March 14 in Chicago it is this "St Patrick Rules!" as this is the weekend before St. Pat's and Chicago is known for 2 parades: one downtown with the river being dyed green-very top secret as to how it is done but environmentally friendly we are assured. The other is on the Southside and now the largest and the rowdiest, I think about 100,000 folks show up to be Irish for the day. College students come from all over the Midwest to participate "in the traditional drinking of green beer."
We need a "banner phrase" The focus of the march is two fold; 1. The anniversary of the war/occupation and 2. Immigration rights as this is a major emphasis for our host community. Another important focus is the ANSWER coalition's call to march in DC on March 21. In Chicago we need to call all who can to get to DC to make sure that President Obama and the Democratically controlled get the message: We demand peace and justice both at home and abroad.
So we plan to meet next weekend to continue to "create the experience" for Chicago. How do we remember 1 million Iraqis killed, 4+million displaced our own soldiers killed and maimed, those who are committing suicide at the rate of 100 a week? How do we help educate that our economic crisis is connected to this war and the same officials who lied about the war had first hand experience of corruption which led to the financial woes which effect all human services and needs.
It was a very lively 3 hour meeting well run with consensus for decision making. We broke down into 4 working groups:
One of the suggestions which resonated with me was: Create a symbol that can be taken to DC for the 3/21 march. The symbol offered was baby dolls wrapped in red blankets to image loss of life of children in Palestine, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, children being lost in the SW desert, shot in the neighborhoods of Chicago. The list could go on.
Now I am exhausted after my aerobic laundry this morning, a three hour meeting in the afternoon, my own laundry when I got home at 7PM. It is time for me to say, "Blessings and Good Night"
About 60 of us attended this first all important meeting. This year it is very interesting because the type of jobs the majority of Latin persons have do not lend themselves for "after work" marches. So the planners picked Saturday March 14. (I believe two years ago we marched on Tuesday because we didn't want to compete.) Now if you know anything about March 14 in Chicago it is this "St Patrick Rules!" as this is the weekend before St. Pat's and Chicago is known for 2 parades: one downtown with the river being dyed green-very top secret as to how it is done but environmentally friendly we are assured. The other is on the Southside and now the largest and the rowdiest, I think about 100,000 folks show up to be Irish for the day. College students come from all over the Midwest to participate "in the traditional drinking of green beer."
We need a "banner phrase" The focus of the march is two fold; 1. The anniversary of the war/occupation and 2. Immigration rights as this is a major emphasis for our host community. Another important focus is the ANSWER coalition's call to march in DC on March 21. In Chicago we need to call all who can to get to DC to make sure that President Obama and the Democratically controlled get the message: We demand peace and justice both at home and abroad.
So we plan to meet next weekend to continue to "create the experience" for Chicago. How do we remember 1 million Iraqis killed, 4+million displaced our own soldiers killed and maimed, those who are committing suicide at the rate of 100 a week? How do we help educate that our economic crisis is connected to this war and the same officials who lied about the war had first hand experience of corruption which led to the financial woes which effect all human services and needs.
It was a very lively 3 hour meeting well run with consensus for decision making. We broke down into 4 working groups:
- Media and outreach-flyers, facebook, text messaging, etc.
- Program-speakers and entertainers about 1 hour at each end of the march
- Logistics-permits, security, insurance, stages, etc.
- Liaison with ANSWER for the bus trip to DC on the 21st
One of the suggestions which resonated with me was: Create a symbol that can be taken to DC for the 3/21 march. The symbol offered was baby dolls wrapped in red blankets to image loss of life of children in Palestine, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, children being lost in the SW desert, shot in the neighborhoods of Chicago. The list could go on.
Now I am exhausted after my aerobic laundry this morning, a three hour meeting in the afternoon, my own laundry when I got home at 7PM. It is time for me to say, "Blessings and Good Night"
Laundry...Let me tell you about laundry!
The United States is finally letting Iraqi refugees into our country. Chicago has about 600 family members living in our city with a large number living in our neighborhood. St Gertrude's has adopted a family of dad and 3 children ages about 7, 5, and 3. Now you may not know it but our government brings refugees to the US: provides 3 months of medicaid, food stamps, rental assistance THEN the person/family is on its own.
The only people being allowed in are those who played an active role in supporting US troops/interests in Iraq. I believe the father was a translator for US troops. They were placed in an apartment with used furniture, donated clothing etc. Well...bedbugs came along for the ride.
To eradicate bedbugs everything in the house must be laundered. If you can throw out bedding etc, that is done. If you can throw out the carpets that is done. A new mattress was purchased for each family member and sealed with plastic-recommended. All items must be washed in hot water and dried with "hot/high" heat.
So...laundresses were needed. No problem, I knew the task would be arduous and my back and arms are saying, "Oh Yah!" I have a Prius and it was loaded with bags of household items and all the clothes-many obviously gifts for the holidays and never worn-tags still on them. Ann and her mini van brought the rest. Some favorite stuffed toys including Spongepants Bob-I think that is his correct title. All the linens from beds, bath and kitchen. Oh my gosh, I knew we would need a lot of quarters. We used about 8 large loads at $4.50, 20+ loads at $3.00, and over 4 hours of drying at $1.00 a load. I had to leave for a meeting at 2 and the dryers were down to about 5-filled with hard to dry items. One not working -stayed cool.
I cannot even estimate how many pounds of clothing/linens I put into then pulled out wet from washers! My back says, "A whole lot!" I figure we put in about 12 hours total-most of that folding clothes. As I was leaving another volunteer was coming to take over the task. She had a mini van and as we folded we re-bagged the clothes: adult male, boys (couldn't separate the boy's clothing-too much) kitchen linens, bath linens, bed linens, coats, hats-mittens-scarfs. It was just like the women beating clothing against the rocks-just with a flat screen TV on one wall.
Then it was off to a meeting which is another entry!
The only people being allowed in are those who played an active role in supporting US troops/interests in Iraq. I believe the father was a translator for US troops. They were placed in an apartment with used furniture, donated clothing etc. Well...bedbugs came along for the ride.
To eradicate bedbugs everything in the house must be laundered. If you can throw out bedding etc, that is done. If you can throw out the carpets that is done. A new mattress was purchased for each family member and sealed with plastic-recommended. All items must be washed in hot water and dried with "hot/high" heat.
So...laundresses were needed. No problem, I knew the task would be arduous and my back and arms are saying, "Oh Yah!" I have a Prius and it was loaded with bags of household items and all the clothes-many obviously gifts for the holidays and never worn-tags still on them. Ann and her mini van brought the rest. Some favorite stuffed toys including Spongepants Bob-I think that is his correct title. All the linens from beds, bath and kitchen. Oh my gosh, I knew we would need a lot of quarters. We used about 8 large loads at $4.50, 20+ loads at $3.00, and over 4 hours of drying at $1.00 a load. I had to leave for a meeting at 2 and the dryers were down to about 5-filled with hard to dry items. One not working -stayed cool.
I cannot even estimate how many pounds of clothing/linens I put into then pulled out wet from washers! My back says, "A whole lot!" I figure we put in about 12 hours total-most of that folding clothes. As I was leaving another volunteer was coming to take over the task. She had a mini van and as we folded we re-bagged the clothes: adult male, boys (couldn't separate the boy's clothing-too much) kitchen linens, bath linens, bed linens, coats, hats-mittens-scarfs. It was just like the women beating clothing against the rocks-just with a flat screen TV on one wall.
Then it was off to a meeting which is another entry!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
A Slap to My Heart
Late on my birthday Jason sent this email:
Subject: Happy Birthday
Body: Hope you had pleasant holidays.
I just began to cry. Nice gift?
Subject: Happy Birthday
Body: Hope you had pleasant holidays.
I just began to cry. Nice gift?
Saturday, January 3, 2009
It is official: I am a Senior eligible for Full Social Security
Today is my birthday-turned 66 years old. Born during WWII, I become a senior during war: Israel is at war, we are going to increase troops in Afghanistan... the list grows every longer of Child of God killing/maiming Child of God. "When will we ever learn?" as the old song goes.
How to celebrate my birthday. The day started with my missing my "Happy Birthday" from the grand kids-sung over the phone. In a way it is good because I save it all the year and can listen whenever I need a picker upper. I have their Merry Christmas from 2007. I got the kids a web cam for Christmas so we could see each other while we talk but mom and dad must not have set it up yet.
Nothing for Christmas or my birthday from either Jason or Jodi. That makes me feel badly but after 2 years of no contact, I don't expect anything different. The healing of our relationship depends on Jason.
I didn't want to be alone today so I made 18 cupcakes and took veggie dip and cut up veggies to www.Camphope2009.org as I took part in the vigil for justice and peace about 2 blocks away from Obama's S Side Chicago home. It was cold in the low 30's and cloudy, rain had been forcasted but if felt like snow. However neither fell this afternoon. I stayed for about 3 hours as the Kairos community (study and action of non-violence) was the honor guard for today. Kathy Kelly, Nobel peace prize nominee was present for the morning.
We took pictures, we gave the cupcakes to the kids that passed by, the good folks sang "Happy Birthday" and ate the truffles I brought (given to me by a patient's spouse for Christmas). Everyone had a great time as we gently froze. Our warm up spots included a Subway and Walgreens and a rent a truck with back plastic-flap door (created by Voices for Creative Non-Violence, see http://vcnv.org/ I used the rest room in the Walgreens once.
We had a good time with the Rev. Finley Campbell an African-American UCC pastor who marched with MLK in Chicago. He is a fiery preacher and a walking history lesson. I really appreciated being with him. And will hear him again, I am sure on 1/19 as we close Camp Hope at the Federal building in Chicago.
We did get to see Obama "whiz by" as he headed home. First the Chicago police put cruisers at the intersection so noone could drive through. They sent a police captain (I think) to come to our corner where we knew immediately Obama must be coming through. Kathy Kelly offered the officer "cupcake or truffle" but he politely declined. Then to our left we saw a Chicago police car immediately followed by a stretch of black SUVs going way to fast for the neighborhood. We knew Obama was in one of them. A couple of folks said they saw him wave at us but the glass was too dark for me to catch sight of him.
What was scary was the SUV, windows down, with the SWAT team in gear holding huge weapons/rifles of some kind and looking nastily at us. They were by us in less than 10 seconds and into the "compound" made by barricades across the street and a Chicago police car that sits in the opening. Once your credentials are checked "he opens the gate" by backing up. He does the same if you are leaving the "compound" but didn't check credentials going out. So I can say "Obama came through my birthday party!" :-) We were hoping he would "stroll out one last time" and come to greet us, but at 4 when I left he hadn't walked the 2 blocks to do that. Too busy packing for the move to DC, I guess.
Someone proposed a CampHope for DC across from the hotel I understand he will be living at until he moves to the White House. We'll see if the energy to create Camp Hope will be there.
The organizers were discussing the length of day and the actual logistics of putting it up and taking it down every day. They were talking of bringing a BBQ for heat-no electric available. This vigil is going to be a rough one-just like the work Obama must do to lead our country in these difficult times. I will return on the 6th and the 11th and maybe other times if I can to help out
How to celebrate my birthday. The day started with my missing my "Happy Birthday" from the grand kids-sung over the phone. In a way it is good because I save it all the year and can listen whenever I need a picker upper. I have their Merry Christmas from 2007. I got the kids a web cam for Christmas so we could see each other while we talk but mom and dad must not have set it up yet.
Nothing for Christmas or my birthday from either Jason or Jodi. That makes me feel badly but after 2 years of no contact, I don't expect anything different. The healing of our relationship depends on Jason.
I didn't want to be alone today so I made 18 cupcakes and took veggie dip and cut up veggies to www.Camphope2009.org as I took part in the vigil for justice and peace about 2 blocks away from Obama's S Side Chicago home. It was cold in the low 30's and cloudy, rain had been forcasted but if felt like snow. However neither fell this afternoon. I stayed for about 3 hours as the Kairos community (study and action of non-violence) was the honor guard for today. Kathy Kelly, Nobel peace prize nominee was present for the morning.
We took pictures, we gave the cupcakes to the kids that passed by, the good folks sang "Happy Birthday" and ate the truffles I brought (given to me by a patient's spouse for Christmas). Everyone had a great time as we gently froze. Our warm up spots included a Subway and Walgreens and a rent a truck with back plastic-flap door (created by Voices for Creative Non-Violence, see http://vcnv.org/ I used the rest room in the Walgreens once.
We had a good time with the Rev. Finley Campbell an African-American UCC pastor who marched with MLK in Chicago. He is a fiery preacher and a walking history lesson. I really appreciated being with him. And will hear him again, I am sure on 1/19 as we close Camp Hope at the Federal building in Chicago.
We did get to see Obama "whiz by" as he headed home. First the Chicago police put cruisers at the intersection so noone could drive through. They sent a police captain (I think) to come to our corner where we knew immediately Obama must be coming through. Kathy Kelly offered the officer "cupcake or truffle" but he politely declined. Then to our left we saw a Chicago police car immediately followed by a stretch of black SUVs going way to fast for the neighborhood. We knew Obama was in one of them. A couple of folks said they saw him wave at us but the glass was too dark for me to catch sight of him.
What was scary was the SUV, windows down, with the SWAT team in gear holding huge weapons/rifles of some kind and looking nastily at us. They were by us in less than 10 seconds and into the "compound" made by barricades across the street and a Chicago police car that sits in the opening. Once your credentials are checked "he opens the gate" by backing up. He does the same if you are leaving the "compound" but didn't check credentials going out. So I can say "Obama came through my birthday party!" :-) We were hoping he would "stroll out one last time" and come to greet us, but at 4 when I left he hadn't walked the 2 blocks to do that. Too busy packing for the move to DC, I guess.
Someone proposed a CampHope for DC across from the hotel I understand he will be living at until he moves to the White House. We'll see if the energy to create Camp Hope will be there.
The organizers were discussing the length of day and the actual logistics of putting it up and taking it down every day. They were talking of bringing a BBQ for heat-no electric available. This vigil is going to be a rough one-just like the work Obama must do to lead our country in these difficult times. I will return on the 6th and the 11th and maybe other times if I can to help out
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