The Thunderbolt 211112 — A Couple of Things

[Dana Walker]

The Thunderbolt

News — Commentary — Calendar of Activist Events — Dumb Jokes

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1) Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation Fall Retreat

2) Increases in COVID-19 Unrelated to Levels of Vaccination

3) Bonus Tip of the Day

 

A detailed description of all events is located after the News and Commentary section

To go directly to an event description just type the index entry above into a search box

 

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A Couple of Things

211112

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A Couple of Things

 

Hey, People!

 

 I am out of money for the bus project and my truck is turning out to be harder to sell than I thought it would be, and so the Bus Project is on hold for now — meaning I might actually be able to think about and comment upon some other things sometime soon…

 

In the meanwhile, though, here’s a couple of things you should know about…

 

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1) Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation Fall Retreat

 

This is tomorrow, so you need to get right on this if you want to participate.  I got this message from Kerri:

 

Dear Members and Friends of Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation (WWFOR)
 

We hope you are planning to join us at the 2021 WWFOR Fall Retreat!  Please register as soon as possible.  It’s easy!  You can do it at the registration website, by phone, by email, or (if you hurry) by postal mail.  All we need is your name, email address, phone number, and your choice of afternoon workshop!  Donation is suggested but not necessary.

 

Registering right away will help the planning committee make their final plans!

 

Quick link:  Click here for the registration website for the November 13 Fall Retreat.  Full information below.

 

2021 WWFOR Fall Retreat

 

Saturday, November 13, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., on ZOOM

Bridging Our Differences

Civility First …. So We Can Work Together

 

Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation (WWFOR) presents its annual Fall Retreat, this year in partnership with Civility First.

 

SCHEDULE | REGISTRATION OPTIONS | AFTERNOON WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS | FALL RETREAT FLYER (opens WWFOR website page)

 

Civility First is a group of citizens on Whidbey Island who represent a wide range of political views. They came together in 2016 to repudiate the divisive language and hate speech permeating our society. (see civilityfirst.org )

 

At this retreat we will participate in the Civility First workshop “Bridging Our Differences”, then consider how we can use this approach with communicating about social justice issues we work on.

 

RETREAT SCHEDULE

9am (PST) – Welcome and Introductions

9:45—Civility First workshop

11:15—Next Steps – Breakout Rooms

11:35—break

12N—Peace Bus presentation

12:25—Workshops (please state preferences at registration)

   Civility First Q&A , Critical Race Theory, Houseless Advocacy

1:25—Report back & closing

2—Goodbye

 

MORNING WORKSHOP CIVILITY FIRST 9:45 a.m.

conducted by Civility First leaders Kate Brady and Sandi Peterson, who have engaged folks with seemingly opposing views in uncomfortable but sympathetic conversation.

 

The Peace Bus: presentation 12 noon

Tacoma native Kwabi Amoah-Forson, founder of The Peace Bus, recently returned from his Peace Bus journey across the U.S. stopping in many locations along the way in a month long trek. During this journey, he gave away many hundreds of books to children and youth in his Manifest Humanity quest to eventually talk with President Biden about the critical need for world peace. Two years ago, Kwabi and friends traveled to the border of Mexico. “We were doing  podcasts and interviews with people about peace and what it means to them. We also gave out socks and blankets to people in need along the way! Watch our shows on YouTube TV: https://youtu.be/I9-0hu6b91I.”  The Peace Bus website is https://www.thepeacebus.org

 

AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS [12:25 – 1:25 p.m.]*

* All afternoon programs will go on simultaneously, with attendees assigned to a “room” according to their stated preference. Please indicate your workshop choice when registering.

 

Q&A session with Civility First presenters exploring issues which emerged in the morning program. Spend another hour moving into the possibilities of “common ground” with experienced guides who have seen positive engagement emerge from cautious first meetings. Honesty and a safe environment foster moving conversations.

 

What is Critical Race Theory, and how do we talk about it?  Led by Rebecca (Beck) Diamond

Critical Race Theory is not actually one theory but a breadth of Black and Brown Authored Scholarship. This has provided voice and documentation that contributes to a larger archive of the Black experience. Examine ways Americans of all backgrounds, identities, and ways of being have been represented, and the ways that this has impacted how white people think about black people and how black and brown people think about themselves.

 

Beck Diamond is a mother, artist, and activist on Whidbey Island. She is the founder and Artistic Director of Meander Dance Collective and works with other non-profit organizations on Whidbey Island. She holds a Masters in Cultural Studies from the University of Washington and is dedicated to education for change.

 

HOUSELESS Advocacy and difficult conversations around the catastrophe of houseless citizens here and everywhere. There are many organized groups both in government and in “faith-based” or citizen-led initiatives which are dedicated to providing support and facilitating understanding of the complexity of living outside, especially in city environs. Get information and encouragement from folks who have been down on the street working to humanize the problems.

 

MORNING WORKSHOP CIVILITY FIRST 9:45 a.m.

conducted by Civility First leaders Kate Brady and Sandi Peterson, who have engaged folks with seemingly opposing views in uncomfortable but sympathetic conversation.

 

The Peace Bus: presentation 12 noon

Tacoma native Kwabi Amoah-Forson, founder of The Peace Bus, recently returned from his Peace Bus journey across the U.S. stopping in many locations along the way in a month long trek. During this journey, he gave away many hundreds of books to children and youth in his Manifest Humanity quest to eventually talk with President Biden about the critical need for world peace. Two years ago, Kwabi and friends traveled to the border of Mexico. “We were doing  podcasts and interviews with people about peace and what it means to them. We also gave out socks and blankets to people in need along the way! Watch our shows on YouTube TV: https://youtu.be/I9-0hu6b91I.”  The Peace Bus website is https://www.thepeacebus.org

 

AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS [12:25 – 1:25 p.m.]*
* All afternoon programs will go on simultaneously, with attendees assigned to a “room” according to their stated preference. Please indicate your workshop choice when registering.

Q&A session with Civility First presenters exploring issues which emerged in the morning program. Spend another hour moving into the possibilities of “common ground” with experienced guides who have seen positive engagement emerge from cautious first meetings. Honesty and a safe environment foster moving conversations.

 

What is Critical Race Theory, and how do we talk about it?  Led by Rebecca (Beck) Diamond

 

Critical Race Theory is not actually one theory but a breadth of Black and Brown Authored Scholarship. This has provided voice and documentation that contributes to a larger archive of the Black experience. Examine ways Americans of all backgrounds, identities, and ways of being have been represented, and the ways that this has impacted how white people think about black people and how black and brown people think about themselves.

 

Beck Diamond is a mother, artist, and activist on Whidbey Island. She is the founder and Artistic Director of Meander Dance Collective and works with other non-profit organizations on Whidbey Island. She holds a Masters in Cultural Studies from the University of Washington and is dedicated to education for change.

 

HOUSELESS Advocacy and difficult conversations around the catastrophe of houseless citizens here and everywhere. There are many organized groups both in government and in “faith-based” or citizen-led initiatives which are dedicated to providing support and facilitating understanding of the complexity of living outside, especially in city environs. Get information and encouragement from folks who have been down on the street working to humanize the problems.

 

COST: We suggest a donation of $20 per person, or $10 low income per person. No one will be turned away for lack of funds, and everyone is welcome to participate with or without a donation!
 

HOW: There are several ways to register! In all ways, please provide names for all participants, email and a phone contact, and choice(s) of afternoon workshop for each participant.

 

•   Register online using a credit card or PayPal at the $20 or $10 level with option of additional donation at https://wwfor.brownpapertickets.com

•   Register by postal mail. Checks (if making a donation) to WWFOR, send with information to Olympia FOR, P.O. Box 7273, Olympia, WA 98507.

•                Register by telephone to Sandy Ware at 360-870-8068, donation if any to address above

•                Register by email to ww...@wwfor.org, donation if any to address above

 

REGISTRANTS WILL BE SENT ZOOM INFO BY EMAIL. If you don’t have an email address and want telephone connection information, please let us know, and we will phone you.

 

SCHEDULE | REGISTRATION OPTIONS | AFTERNOON WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS | FALL RETREAT FLYER (opens WWFOR website page)

 

QUESTIONS?

For other info, email us at fsils...@gmail.com  or call Fred Silsby at 360-252-0684

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2) Increases in COVID-19 are Unrelated to Levels of Vaccination

 

I just received a link to a rather disturbing article published in cooperation with the National Institutes of Health that basically indicates that COVID vaccinations are next to useless; I got this link from OA:

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8481107/

 

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3) Bonus Tip of the Day:

 

Don’t accept the status quo.

 

Peace.

 

Dana

 

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LINKS:

 

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Online version of this week’s Thunderbolt newsletter:

 

https://dana98501.wordpress.com/2021/11/12/tb-211112-a-couple-of-things/

 

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