SOME EVENTS FOR PROGRESSIVES IN BROWARD AND PALM BEACH COUNTIES and Canvass-136

[Bob Bender]

136 As you know, Tuesday the US bombed Syria in what is likely to become another long war in the Middle East.  Last year, we forced the Obama administration to rightfully ask Congress for authorization to bomb Syria.  That authorization never came because of staunch public and congressional opposition.  Now there is a new target and mission. Yet, there are three reasons to pause and oppose these bombings.  First, it is unclear whether these bombings are legal under international law.  Second, the Obama Administration claims it has Constitutional authorization from the 2001 congressional vote after 9/11, but not all in Congress agree.  And lastly, expert upon expert say that military escalation will fail to solve these problems in the long run (even the CIA is skeptical). Please take a few moments and call your Representative and both Senators at (202) 224-3121 and say: “I am a constituent and I want Congress to fully debate a new authorization (AUMF) that deals with Syria, Iraq and ISIS.  And when the vote comes, I want you to vote no.” Under Article 51 of the UN Charter, a country under attack has the right of self-defense, but that only applies to actual or imminent armed attacks, not potential or possible attacks.  The U.S. claims it was thwarting terrorists from the Khorasan Group from a plot on America. Yet we don’t know the details of this so-called imminent attack.  What was the weapon?  When were they going to use it, and where? Pick up the phone and call your Representative and both Senators at (202) 224-3121 and use the script above. Congress has not voted on a war authorization regarding terrorism since 2001.  Things have changed and many members in Congress agree it is time to have a full and fair debate and for Congress to take back its Constitutional authority to declare war.  This debate and vote should happen ASAP. Your calls to your Representative and both Senators at (202) 224-3121 can make a difference.  Use the script above. President Obama is right when he says that there is no military solution to ISIS.  Yet it seems that most of the U.S. energy is directed towards a failed military strategy.  Already there are reports of innocent women and children being killed in the U.S. attack last night.  We know this tends to create more enmity toward our country.  Regional diplomacy that includes the UN and efforts to end the Syrian civil war, cutting off ISIS’s oil revenues and access to weapons, and humanitarian aid to refugees in Iraq and Syria will be far more effective in dealing with ISIS and other terrorists than military escalation. Make three calls to your Representative and both Senators at (202) 224-3121.  Use the script above. Finally, we need to take a step back and get at the root of terrorism by supporting tolerance, education, poverty alleviation and justice.  Additionally, limiting the amount of lethal weapons that end up being used by the wrong people will remove some of the fuel from the terrorist fire. Humbly for Peace, Kevin Martin Executive Director Peace Action P.S. - Make your voice heard to your Representative and both Senators at (202) 224-3121 and tell them: “I am a constituent and I want Congress to fully debate a new authorization (AUMF) that deals with Syria, Iraq and ISIS.  And when the vote comes, I want you to vote no.”

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SOME EVENTS FOR PROGRESSIVES IN BROWARD AND PALM BEACH COUNTIES-136

 

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Saturday September 27, 10:30 a.m.-12 noon Evidence behind Medical Marijuana (Cannabis)

Ann Fonfa, founder and president, Annie Appleseed Project (for people with cancer), and a long-time National Organization for Women member/Palm Beach County officer, will speak about Amendment #2.

22 states and Washington, DC have legalized medical use of marijuana via prescription from a medical professional.  Two states have totally legalized it.
NO DEATHS, no increase in traffic accidents.

Hagen Ranch Library

14350 Hagen Ranch Road

Delray Beach 33446

Refreshments and conversation on this important issue coming up for a vote on the November ballot in Florida.

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Sunday September 28, 1 p.m. War vs Human Needs, South Florida,
an affiliate of Peace Action and the UUCFL Social Justice Committee

You’ve heard about drones. You know what they do. You know that we use them to fight terrorism and protect American soldiers from the risks they would face on the ground. Yet the Obama administration, when deciding to employ drones, may not have considered those most affected: innocent civilians. In Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia, drones have become an integral part of civilians' lives. Even those who have not lost a loved one cannot ignore the noise and the damage drones have caused. Since the U.S. started using drones in 2004, hundreds of civilians have been killed in Pakistan alone. Two hundred of them are believed to be children.

The United States government is a world leader in the use of drones and OUR tax dollars are financing them. Like most technologies, drones are not intrinsically good or evil. It depends on how they are used. We citizens need to educate ourselves about this new technology.

Come and see (free of charge) the documentary film, The Wounds of Waziristan, which gives several first-hand accounts of our country’s use of armed drones in the Pakistan tribal areas. This will help us understand what life is like for ordinary people living under the constant threat of drone strikes. 

Ed Wujciak of Hollywood will then lead an open discussion about how drones are currently being used and how they may be used in the future. Are drones legal? Are they effective? Are there unresolved privacy or civil liberties issues? What else should we be thinking about?

Please bring your questions and concerns and join us.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Ft Lauderdale

3970 NW 21^st Avenue

Oakland Park 33309

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Thursday October 9, 6:45 p.m. How Climate Change is Affecting Floridians and
What Can be Done Now

We are the first generation to feel the impacts of climate change, and the last generation that can do something meaningful about it. A public presentation will describe how climate change is already affecting Florida, details of the Federal Climate Action Plan, and what can be done now to change the outlook for Florida. 

“This is the moral issue of our time and we have a choice. Are we going to let the effects of climate change destroy our homes and way of life as we know it, or are we going to stand up together and stop it?” said Rev. CJ McGregor, Minister of First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palm Beaches, co-sponsor of the presentation, together with Organizing for Action Palm Beach County/Treasure Coast. 

First UUPB Ministers Hall

635 Prosperity Farms Road

North Palm Beach

Ample parking. A community dinner is offered at 6 pm for $10/person and reservations for the meal are required.  Contact the church office at 561-627-6105 to reserve. 

Contact: Marika Stone, Environmental Justice Team, yogim...@gmail.com, 561-625-8753

 

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Saturday October 18, 6-9 p.m. Community Forum on the Homeless Hate Laws in the City of Fort Lauderdale

Virtually every voice opposed to Fort Lauderdale's Homeless Hate Laws, from homeless people to local mainstream journalists, has been shut out and ignored by the public officials who are creating these terrible policies, We invite everyone to participate in a democratic forum where all voices can contribute to real solutions to homelessness and bad city policy.

Fort Lauderdale Food Not Bombs will be providing free food (which anyone is free to enjoy and also contribute to) and will also be facilitating the discussion. Groups and organizations are encouraged to have representatives speak on their behalf. Music and a brief introduction to homeless issues are also on the agenda.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Ft Lauderdale

3970 NW 21^st Avenue

Oakland Park 33309

For further information on Fort Lauderdale Homeless Hate Laws, as well as on this forum, please see homelesshatelaws.blogspot.com

If you or your group would like to be listed as participating in the forum, or if you have a serious proposal for fighting the criminalization of homelessness in Fort Lauderdale, you can contact us through the Homeless Hate Laws website at homelesshatelaws.blogspot.com or on the Facebook event page for the Forum: facebook.com/events/450213525118915/

CANVASS

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