Waging Peace:

From Voices Education

Waging Peace Now Available
It's International Peace Day and to commemorate it, we've produced an online book, Waging Peace.

The poems, narrative and artwork were contributed by you, our members!

Take a look at Waging Peace online or you can go to Lulu.com and purchase a hard copy of the book.

As noted in the introduction of Waging Peace, contributors are amateur and professional, young and older, representing multiple religions, ethnicities and geographic origins. This is our first venture in producing a collective work and we are thrilled with the response we have received, both from our contributors and from our members.

SIMPLE SONG OF FREEDOM

Labor Day: Real Labor {Responsibility} for Peace

As Battlefields Shift, Old Warrior for Peace Pursues the Same Enemy

The Rev. Carl Kabat inside the fence at a Colorado missile site before his recent arrest.

GREELEY, Colo. — It had been nearly 30 years since the Rev. Carl Kabat and a group of peace activists, including his fellow Catholic priests Daniel and Philip Berrigan, barged into a General Electric weapons plant outside Philadelphia. Known as the Plowshares Eight, they battered missile nose cones with hammers in an effort to disable some of the world’s most fearsome weapons, and sprinkled blood on classified documents to protest the cold war, before they were arrested.

Snip

“I thought, ‘What a beautiful place this is except for this damnable thing in the ground that could kill two or three million people,’ ” Father Kabat said later in an interview at the Weld County Jail, where he is being held on misdemeanor criminal mischief and trespassing charges. “It’s insane.”

Snip

“You can’t just kill babies and children and old people indiscriminately,” he said. “It should be unreasonable for every human person to accept nuclear weapons............

Building Peace:

Veterans work to end wars

On July 25, Harry Patch, the last British veteran of World War I, died, marking the passing of an entire generation of veterans of the so-called "war to end all wars." What was most remarkable about Patch’s experience is that he came to believe that what he and his fellow soldiers had done so proudly in their youth had been in vain. At a remembrance ceremony on November 11, 2007, Patch explained:

"Today is not for me. It is for the countless millions who did not come home with their lives intact. They are the heroes. It is also important we remember those who lost their lives on both sides."

Patch didn’t talk about the war for 80 years, but he came to believe the casualties were not justified.

"I met someone from the German side and we both shared the same opinion: we fought, we finished and we were friends."

"It wasn't worth it."

Joining together to stand up for peace--first to end the Vietnam conflict and later, all wars--was a direct result of the social action of Vietnam veterans. Since 1985, Veterans For Peace have been dedicated to end war as a political policy, including members of the Phoenix Chapter. Other peace groups, such as Arizona Institute for Peace Education and Research (AIPER), have programs to help veterans, especially disabled vets. This is necessary because the previous administration relied on war to confront international issues but failed to take full responsibility for the troops who fought those wars for the politicians..........Rest Here

One Result of Political Wars of Choice

VA center wasn’t aware of many veteran suicides

Report says methods used to identify victims ‘may be inadequate’

The number of Spokane-area veterans who killed themselves in a one-year period is far greater than the Spokane Veteran Affairs Medical Center knew at the time, a VA investigation has found.

The VA’s Office of Medical Investigations discovered that from July 2007 through the first week of July 2008, at least 22 veterans in the Spokane VA service area killed themselves, and 15 of them had contact with the medical center...........Rest Here

Fannie Mae: Live in Los Angeles

Playing For Change the Documentary is showing on PBS all this month!

Grandpa Elliott has been delighting New Orleanians and tourists alike with this song from his regular perch at Toulouse and Royal for years. He begins this song the same way he always has, but when the rest of the PFC Band joins in at the first chorus, you feel it in your chest!

This is the first live performance song by the PFC Band we have posted for our community to enjoy. It clearly conveys the energy and love this amazing group of musicians shares with their fans each time they perform. We hope you'll join us for one of their shows soon, so you can experience it in person!

"Playing For Change" Documentary Annoucement

This from "Playing for Change - Peace Through Music"

Hello Friend,

I wanted to send some Love and information regarding the latest with Playing For Change. We are proud to announce the premier of our feature film, Peace Through Music! It will be airing nationally on PBS during the month of August. We are honored to finally share this film with you, as it embodies four years of traveling the world and discovering the power of the human spirit.

Click here for a detailed list of screening times in your area, and to see the film trailer.

We are also announcing a Fall tour for the Playing For Change Band, and want to share this information with you first. For a complete list of dates and venues in the U.S. and Canada, please click here.

Everyday we see reminders of the importance of uniting together during tough times and I know Playing For Change is something we can all use to find inspiration when we need it most. Thanks for building this family together, we sincerely love you all!!

One Love,
Mark

Peace Through Music Trailer

Playing For Change: Live Tonight 7.18.09

Tipitina's Live Webcast From New Orleans, July 18 10PM CT

We just received word that our performance in New Orleans this Saturday, July 18 is going to be webcast live from Tipitina's website! So, if you're not able to make it to the show, you can check it out online at Tipitina's beginning at approximately 10PM CST.

The band's rehearsing at the Music Shed in New Orleans right now, and they sound so good! I hope you'll tune in Saturday night-- hearing these guys perform live is truly a special experience. And please pass the above link around to your friends and family!

One Love,
Playing For Change

A Primer: War, No More Trouble


Or Two: One Love

This 4th of July, "Give Peace a Chance"

The famous tune was penned by John Lennon and Yoko Ono 40 years ago this Saturday, July 4.

It was at a Montreal bed-in that the song was recorded. Those in attendance included Timothy Leary, Dick Gregory, Petula Clark, Derek Taylor, Murray the K and Allen Ginsberg. John Lennon played acoustic guitar and so did Tommy Smothers of the Smothers Brothers. Some of those names became part of the lyrics.

Find the lyrics and a video of Lennon performing the song, and celebrate the independence of our nation by remembering those who worked and continue to work tirelessly for peace.

And leave your thoughts on the message board at the NPR "All Songs Considered - The Blog"!

PEACE BROTHERS and SISTERS, WORLDWIDE!!

Such helpers in the world...

There are such helpers in the world, who rush to save
anyone who cries out. Like Mercy itself,
they run towards the screaming.

And they can't be bought off.
If you were to ask one of those, "Why did you come
so quickly?" he or she would say, "Because I heard
your helplessness.

These words were written in the 13th century by the great Persian poet, Rumi. In the last week we have seen the cries of many Iranian people and most of us stand in solidarity with the people of Iran. The heated debate among our politicians will continue to rage about what we should say and what we should do as Iranians raise their voices. Though Rumi did not explicitly say it, my belief is that he implied that we should come as allies to stand next to the people of Iran, listening to their concerns and alert to their ideas and ready to do what they ask—not what we think they need......

The poems that follow...>>>>>

Voices Education Project

A Deadly Misunderstanding;

Peaceful Efforts in the Middle East

Ironically, as I attempted to spotlight centuries of misunderstandings between East and West, a few key Republican-based government officials (Pres. Bush and colleagues) misunderstood my promotion of peace with Muslims and my book offering solutions to bridge East-West tensions.

Rather than perceiving my work as a help to more intelligent diplomacy and responsible foreign policy, it was interpreted by some as an attempt to sabotage certain ideologically based policies.

On the contrary, all aspects of foreign engagement depend on and are strengthened by each other, when applied strategically. As a member of the Veteran's Affairs committee during my first term in Congress, I have always felt strongly for our veterans. The thousands who create a strong military defense as the backbone behind peaceful overtures are crucial in order for an intelligent diplomacy to work. Yet in past administrations, our defense agencies have been asked to take a surprisingly offensive stance, wielded aggressively in propagating ideologies that might have been more easily spread through peaceful measures.

Far from sabotage, my efforts are aimed at reducing bloodshed and creating space for trust to develop between nations. When a team of like-minded individuals visited Saddam's regime in 2002 as an attempt to gain cooperation; we hoped to divert from the impending onset of war. While Iraq's leaders were surprisingly open, top U.S. officials were not.....>>>Rest Here

Mark Siljander's Book: "A Deadly Misunderstanding: A Congressman's Quest to Bridge the Muslim-Christian Divide"

The Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace

"For decades, there has been a stalemate: two peoples with legitimate aspirations, each with a painful history that makes compromise elusive. It is easy to point fingers - for Palestinians to point to the displacement brought about by Israel's founding, and for Israelis to point to the constant hostility and attacks throughout its history from within its borders as well as beyond. But if we see this conflict only from one side or the other, then we will be blind to the truth: The only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security.

That is in Israel's interest, Palestine's interest, America's interest, and the world's interest. And that is why I intend to personally pursue this outcome with all the patience and dedication that the task requires...
-- President Barack Obama, June 4, 2009 in Cairo, Egypt

We Stand with President Obama

Cairo, President Obama made clear his commitment to renew US leadership in negotiating a two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The current stalemate is not only unspeakably tragic Israelis and Palestinians alike, but fans the flame of extremism across the region and thus threatens the United States' national security interests in the region. Click here to support the President as he takes these historic steps...........

'Playing For Change' Peace!

And Peace Through Music

How Producer Mark Johnson put it all together.

Morning Edition, May 4, 2009 - Until a video of "Stand by Me" had gone viral on YouTube, Roger Ridley had sung and played guitar anonymously on the streets of Santa Monica, Calif., for years. The video begins with Ridley and then mixes in 40 other musicians from around the world. It's part of a 10-song collection called Playing for Change: Songs Around the World.

Producer Mark Johnson got the idea a few years ago when he heard Ridley's voice on a street in Santa Monica.

"I approached him after the performance and said, 'Hey, if I come back in an hour with some recording equipment and cameras, I'd love to record you, film you, add musicians around the world to it,' " Johnson says. "And he looked at me really funny, sort of thought I was crazy. But he said, 'OK, if you come back, we'll do it.' "..................Rest Here with Video Links to a Couple of the Songs

Brings up the NPR Player to Listen to Discussion

New Episode #9, "A Change Is Gonna Come.", Now up at PLAYINGFORCHANGE.COM

This performance of Sam Cooke's classic anthem was recorded and filmed live in New Orleans this past year. It showcases the power and love created when musicians from Playing For Change meet and perform together for the first time. Grandpa Elliott and Clarence Bekker had only known each other through the "Stand By Me" video until they met in person to perform as the Playing For Change Band.

I invite you to witness the soul and perseverance of these two special people who sing with so much conviction that it becomes clear we can truly come together as a human race, one song at a time. As you will see, this performance demonstrates that we are the Change we want to see in the world.

To learn more about the concert where this amazing song was recorded, check out the blog entry that was just posted: "Seeing Through the Eyes of Grandpa."

Songs Around The World (CD + DVD)

Songs Around the World

"Capture the Flag"

‘Capture the Flag: A Political History of American Patriotism’

The flag is not powerful in spite of its ambiguity; it is powerful because of its ambiguity. It has stood, at different times, for radical democracy, opposition to immigration, the abolition of slavery, unregulated capitalism, segregation, integration, and a hawkish war policy, among many other things.

Read a selection from the introduction of "Capture the Flag: A Political History of American Patriotism" by Woden Teachout

A winter wind swept across New York Harbor on a late after noon the day after Christmas in 1971. Tourists riding the last two ferries from Manhattan to the Statue of Liberty huddled against the bulkheads, sheltering themselves from the gusts. Among the passengers were clusters of long-haired adults in well used army-surplus clothing, looking for all the world like hippies taking in the world-famous landmark. The mission of these fifteen men, however, went far beyond tourism.

Immediately upon docking at the island, the men performed a quick reconnaissance. They wedged open a few doors and then took refuge from sight; some crouched behind the massive supporting columns in the base of the statue. Some found storage closets and tucked themselves away......................Read Rest Here

Description

Americans honor the flag with a fervor seen in few other countries: The Stars and Stripes decorate American homes and businesses; wave over sports events and funerals; and embellish everything from politicians’ lapels to the surface of the moon.

But what does the flag mean? In Capture the Flag, historian Woden Teachout reveals that it has held vastly different meanings over time. It has been claimed by both the right and left; by racists and revolutionaries; by immigrants and nativists. In tracing the political history of the flag from its origins in the American Revolution through the present day, Teachout demonstrates that the shifting symbolism of the flag reveals a broader shift in the definition of American patriotism.

A story of a nation in search of itself, Capture the Flag offers a probing account of the flag that has become America’s icon.

James Patterson, author of "Brown v. Board of Education: A Civil Rights Milestone and Its Troubled Legacy"
“Displaying a fine eye and narrative skill in recounting key episodes—among them the Revolution, nativist riots, the bombardment of Fort Sumter, civil rights activism, and the New York City hard hat riot of 1970—Woden Teachout reminds us of how important the American flag has been as a symbol for a wide variety of patriotic causes.”

Back in December 2006 I posted about this and than again in December 2008 a repost with some added material Distress: December 26th 1971 and December 26th 2008

In that one I started it out with some words and this repost part:

December 26, 1971
Two dozen members of Vietnam Veterans Against the War "liberated" the Statue of Liberty with a sit-in to protest resumed U.S. aerial bombings in Vietnam. They flew an inverted U.S. flag from the crown as a signal of distress.


We've now had many years of not one but two Invasions and Occupations better known as Wars of Choice, though soldiers and those occupied are still dying in one it has become a stagnant theater on a hair trigger, the other rapidly ramping up in deaths and destruction, both are and have been recruiting actions for what we now call 'International Terrorism', Criminal Terrorism that will rear it's head, with no boundries, over and over for decades, as the number of those who will carry out these acts have greatly increased due to own terror forced on others!


Below is the '06 post with little change, to remember that shoutout of Distress on it's Anniversary, and as a call for Thought of what we now are facing. Still two occupations of others, this time those serving are doing so over and over and over.............., and to eight years of extremely failed policies and total incompetence as well as multiple corruptions and crimes, in and out of government, but also to the crimes against humanity this country has allowed and seems unwilling to face nor call accountability for!

If you visit this you will find the rest of the 2006 post as well as a few more clips with links and a bigger photo, of the one directly above, of the Distress Flag flying from the crown of the Statue.

While wrapping ourselves in 'Old Glory' we as a Nation are moving further apart under the manipulation of changing political ideologies or the twisting of their meanings, in fear by the voices of the few.

Mother's Day for Peace

Gloria Steinem, Vanessa Williams, Felicity Huffman, Fatma Saleh, Alfre Woodard, Ashraf Salimian, Christine Lahti and Mother's Day for Peace talk about the origin of Mother's Day by Julia Ward Howe as a protest against war. Mothers Day for Peace



"Arise then...women of this day! Arise, all women who have hearts! From the bosom of a devastated Earth a voice goes up with Our own. It says: Disarm! Disarm!"— Julia Ward Howe, Mother's Day Proclamation, 1870

"Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn All that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience." --Julia Ward Howe

"War/No More Trouble"

Playing for Change



"Songs Around The World (CD + DVD)"

Playing For Change: Album Release

Songs Around The World CD/DVD In Stores Now!!

Introduction:

The Latest Song: Chanda Mama

This Song Around The World is a folk tune from Chennai, India. We started the track in New Orleans and added musicians from the across the globe before finally delivering it the people of it’s origin. We ended up in Chennai recording and filming the vocals from the Oneness Choir. The track has a feeling of perseverance and joy and features vocalists from four continents.

Today, April 28th, 2009 is a big day and has been a long time coming. After 4 years of filming and recording musicians around the globe, we are finally releasing our album "Playing For Change: Songs Around The World" featuring a 10 song CD and 7 track DVD. This is a collection of songs and videos featuring over 100 musicians from around the world that have never met in person, but have been brought together through the power of music

Click here to visit the site or visit your favorite Starbucks location to pick up a copy in person!.

Today is our chance to show the world that independent projects designed to connect and inspire people can be successful. If you have been moved by the music you've heard or the videos you have seen from Playing For Change then I encourage you to purchase the CD/DVD for yourself and/or give it to a family member or friend as a gift. Our continuing journey is not possible without your support.

The album demonstrates that regardless of our religion, race, gender, or political views we can unite through music. The time is now to unite as a human race and this global collaboration driven by your love and encouragement is designed to lead us in that direction.

After supporting the movement, take your own online journey and get to know the musicians through our new site (which will be updated regularly with new videos, songs, photos and much more ... ).

Thank you for your help and keep your thoughts, questions and advice coming. Together, we will continue to connect the world through music.

One Love,
Mark Johnson

Stand By Me:


"Songs Around The World (CD + DVD)"

Today, March 30, In History

This Day in History 1891:

"Sockless" Simpson rallies populist farmers

Angered over low crop prices, high-interest bank loans and unaffordable shipping rates, farmers began to unite in self-help groups like the Grange and the Farmers' Alliances. Initially, these groups primarily provided mutual assistance to members while agitating for the regulation of railroads and grain elevators. Increasingly, though, they became centers of support for more sweeping political change by uniting to help form the nationwide third-party movement known as the Populists.

This Day in History 1948:

Henry Wallace criticizes Truman's Cold War policies

Wallace and his supporters were among the few Americans who actively voiced criticisms of America's Cold War mindset during the late 1940s and 1950s.

Today, March 30, is Palestinian Land Day.

Since 2004, the U.S. has stated support for a viable Palestinian state but at the same time has done little to check Israeli government activities that have fragmented the occupied West Bank. Expanded settlements, Israeli-only bypass roads, checkpoints, and the separation barrier cut deep into the Palestinian territory.

We believe the U.S. government must play a more constructive and even-handed role in Israel and Palestine.

AFSC has produced a new two-minute video about the fragmentation of the West Bank. With a new administration in Washington and the possibility of a fresh diplomatic approach in the Middle East, it’s an important time to raise this issue and to make our voices heard.

AFSC Westbank Action Site

Playing For Change: Song Around the World "One Love"

From the award-winning documentary, "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music", comes an incredible rendition of the legendary Bob Marley song "One Love" with Keb' Mo' and Manu Chao. This is the third video from the documentary and a follow up to the classic "Stand By Me" and the incredible "Don't Worry." Released in celebration of Bob Marley's birthday on February 6th, this tribute to the legend is performed by musicians around the world adding their part to the song as it traveled the globe. This video will be available soon at iTunes and will also be available on CD/DVD on 4.28.09 everywhere music is sold.

Labor Beat: Iraq Labor Conference

IVAW at International Labor Conference in Iraq - excerpt

Short excerpt of upcoming Labor Beat video. IVAW member Aaron Hughes talks about his speech at the recent March 13-14, 2009 International Labor Conference in Erbil, in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Look for full show in the near future, with additional footage from Japan Peace TV/Sana TV. Video by Labor Beat. Labor Beat is a CAN TV Community Partner. For info: Labor Beat.org. For other Labor Beat videos, visit Google Video or YouTube and search "Labor Beat".

I have an earlier report posted from just after the conference

Jimmy Carter: Peace in the Holy Land

"We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land: A Plan That Will Work"

In this urgent, balanced, and passionate book, Nobel Peace Laureate and former President Jimmy Carter argues that the present moment is a unique time for achieving peace in the Middle East -- and he offers a bold and comprehensive plan to do just that.

President Carter has been a student of the biblical Holy Land all his life. For the last three decades, as president of the United States and as founder of The Carter Center, he has studied the complex and interrelated issues of the region's conflicts and has been actively involved in reconciling them. He knows the leaders of all factions in the region who will need to play key roles, and he sees encouraging signs among them.

Carter describes the history of previous peace efforts and why they fell short. He argues persuasively that the road to a peace agreement is now open and that it has broad international and regional support. Most of all, since there will be no progress without courageous and sustained U.S. leadership, he says the time for progress is now. President Barack Obama is committed to a personal effort to exert that leadership, starting early in his administration.

This is President Carter's call for action, and he lays out a practical and doable path to peace.