A Soldier's Skin At PCC Gallery - Day 5

We all have feelings about the war but most of us have got it through our thick heads that the troops need to be supported. I would like to see each and everyone of them home but that is a discussion for another time.



Some those folks who are home have a living memorial to those that have paid the ultimate price. Mary Beth Heffernan, an artist and instructor at Occidental College in Eagle Rock, (Los Angeles) went to tattoo parlors near Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. She photographed honor tattoos on the body of the survivors and memory holders.

Visitors were permitted to take home copies of the exhibit in the form of posters. This is a video representation of that event. This was on of the events of the Arts and Ideas Festival 2007

Appeal for Redress To The U.S. Congress

While some folks in Washington, D.C. are talking about non-binding resolutions other folks have other ideas. This is Jabar McGruder speaking at the January 27, 2007 Los Angeles protest event.

A number of active duty soldiers have signed the Appeal for Redress document and it has been submitted to Congress. For more information visit http://www.appealforredress.org

This is the 12.9MB Windows version.

This is the 6.05MB QuickTime version.

I'm a little more than cynical about them getting an honorable response to their request. President fever has hit and there is little incentive to hear them out. If you can, take the time to listen and consider what is being said.

Bear witness to the voices. The voices grow louder.

L.A. Anti-War Protest - Military Families Speak Out

This is a speech given by Pat Alviso of Military Families Speak Out. She is joined on stage with her family.

She talks about her son currently serving in Iraq and the contradictions of elected democrats that ran on an anti-war platform only to plead they have no power once in Congress. Pat got me thinking hard on this point.

This is the 17.4 MB Windows Version

This is the 11.3MB QuickTime Version

The only time the Democratic party wants me to know anything is when they want me to contribute money. In no way is this a two way conversation. I think they think it is business as usually.

Maybe, if we have failed to learn the lessons of non-engagement with our elected officials. Maybe not. But it don't smell good from here.Once seated into the chambers the RepDems are so scared of doing anything to upset the status quo they put out non-threatening (to themselves) non-binding resolutions.

Dubya has ignored a bi-partisan panel, his military advisory committee and the even his own boys who are trying to point out things aren't going so well. What the hell does a non-binding resolution do anyway but document the passion of in-activity?

To be fair, I'm just as angry at Republicans who all of the sudden have seen the light. Wrong is wrong and why did it take losing the election to see that? Who removed the scales from their eyes? I doubt it was conscious or a latent strain of ethics.

But don't they look good in those shiny contemporary presidential cut designer suits.

For more information about Military Families Speak Out visit http://www.mfso.org

Technorati Tags

peace
united
mothers
protest
community
anti-war

Granny Peace Brigade Support Protests

A bunch of grandmothers, elders, crones and first class dames headed for Washington, D.C. to speak with Senators about the war in Iraq.

In my area a group of ladies had a mini protest - tribute to the Granny Peace Brigade. It was windy and cold but they represented.

This is the 3.11 Windows Video

This is 1.91MB QuickTime Video

There were only a few people on the corner. It only takes a few to stand for truth but it takes a few more to stand for what they believe. For more information about the group visit http://www.grannypeacebrigade.org

If you would like to do more than honk your car horn there will be a large national protest on January 27, 2007. Many of the anti-war organizations are joining to show support for not increasing troops levels and for planning an exit to this situation.

One of the places you can check out for more info is http://unitedforpeace.org
You don't have to go to D.C. There should be something in your city or town.

Sonia Sanchez - Grannies for Peace

Lordy, you get one out of the klink (Josh Wolf, temporarily) and another person is about to head in the trial door. I just learned from Professor Kim via BlogHer that Poet/Activist Sonia Sanchez will be heading to trial on federal tresspass charges.

It seems that Sonia and a group of Grannies tried to enlist in the U.S. Army. "Take us, not our grandchildren." Kim has an audio link to a phone interview with Ms. Sanchez.

Honest, go listen or download the podcast. I can't begin to do this justice.

For more information about Grandmothers For Peace visit http://www.grandmothersforpeace.org

For more information about Sonia:

Biography from Voices from the Gaps - University of Minnisota
Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonia_Sanchez

Update: 1/20/2007 Well this is better late than never but all the charges have been dropped and the ladies are doing fine. There is a photo slide show from the Philadelphia Inquire http://inquirer.philly.com/slideshows/News/061201grannies so you can view the (formerly) alleged perps in question.

Alive In Baghdad - Videoblogging in Iraq

One of the reason I get charged up about videoblogging and citizen journalism is that you get normal people recording amazing pieces of work. One such example is Alive in Baghdad.

Curfew Video From Alive in Baghdad

This is your chance to step away from what you see on TV and view what they are experiencing. It might shake your preconcieved notions. Folks in Iraq might be just like us.

There is news, links to Iraqi blogs and videos of life after liberation or occupation.
http://www.aliveinbaghdad.org

Milblogging.com

Liberal does not mean being willfully closed minded about other points of view. I believe in freedom of thought, speech and ideas. I can't advocate for Josh Wolf, Women Bloggers and all forms of literacy if I do not also share what I learn about Military Bloggers.

It seems to be a collection site of military blogs and bloggers. It also is an opportunity to find out what these folks think, feel and respond to from their point of view. With the inforced separation of ideas in this country make it harder for me to find authentic voices speaking about any issues.

Some of these folks blogs are to the right, far right or Christian right. Some are not. I don't know what the process is for inclusion or exclusion or even if there is a process.

I'm sure there are a few dis-information planted blogs. I am equally sure there are real bloggers, some who are truly on the front lines giving their heart or their pain via their stories.

If you have the time, check it out. Be willing to hear and experience other voices. It is the only way we are going to work our way out of this mess we currently find ourselves involved.

Milblogging.com
This is a corporate owned site. The owners are Monster.com via Military.com.

In the interest of full disclosure, I blog on Blogger, a corporate owned site by Google.

Hey, That's Amore for Soldiers In Iraq

In the Pasadena Weekly there was an article on page 24 about Supporting Our Troops. Normally I take that to mean, "Stop reading, you are the other and you are not invited. But the sub-head caught my eye, "Musicians and volunteers put politics aside to create care packages" for those doing active duty in Iraq. I knew that I wanted to document that kind of cooperation and positive action.

Here's the thing. The event started at 11 a.m. and I was diverted by art and motorcycles so when I arrived at 1 p.m. they were finished. Forty volunteers showed up at Hey, That's Amore coffeehouse and packed boxes like they were on mission.


The owner of the store was still a little amazed at how quickly things happened but they you go. Ask people not political labels to do something and you get a powerful result. But the job is half done. They still gotta ship those boxes overseas. So, if you are so inclined send a buck or two to:

Hey, That's Amore Coffeehouse & Store
27 E. Holly Street
Pasadena, CA 91103-3906

But I got no video. Some days I feel like Maxwell Smart, "Missed it by that much."

2,007 Soldiers Vigil On Brand and Broadway Vigil - Part 2

I was having trouble trying to find the time to do this. I don't think enough people, even to this day truly understand the mess we as a country have created.

Maybe the moment has passed. The event is over and forgotten except for a few videos on my hard drive. I was feeling time pressured. I have to study, do laundry, work, write, investigate, research new purchases, be a human being in under 24 hours a day.
Who other than the mother that just lost her child or the spouse holding an empty hole in their soul, really cares?

Then I just heard that seven more young people died in Iraq.
I guess I still care. Millions do.



I'm not so tired now. This is the least that I can do to try to remind people that war has a price tag greater than the national debt. This is going to cost us dearly. We haven't a clue as to how much.

Do the best you can, stock up on can goods, build your water supply. Change is coming. Speak out against this dark night of the soul.

This is the link to the QuickTime Dial-up version.

Glendale Vigil - Part 1

This is the first video of one of the vigils held around the nation to honor the 2000+ (there will be more) soldiers who have died in Iraq. I asked this young man to tell me the reason he was at the vigil. Someday I will remember to ask folks names as I record.



I wish the quality was better but my ole putt-putt does not like the dark. This was a compromise brokered via Ulead Studio 9. I am getting close to being able to get a quality camera but in the meantime the adventure continues.

This is the link to the dial-up QuickTime version.