ISSUES & FORUMS

Peace & Justice Issues:

On Saturday mornings ongoing from 11 am to noon, and Thursday afternoons from 4:30 to 5:30 pm, PACG Peace Forum members stand together to promote peace and oppose the war in Iraq. (These are weekly events - same time, same place, for all who care to join us.) We invite anyone who wants to take a stand against this immoral war to join us. It gives us a chance to chat, compare notes, and exchange ideas with others who are like-minded in their quest for peace and truth. Come for the whole hour or just part of it. Our numbers, and hopefully our messages, are growing.

RAIN/SLEET/SHINE – PEACE NEEDS YOU!

But not if there's lightning! When it is wet, we always have a couple of extra ponchos on hand. Please join us, we always manage to have a lot of fun!

Thursday Peace Vigil in Davenport
4:30 - 5:30pm
Corner of E 53rd St and Corporate Row Dr
(in front of Texas Roadhouse restaurant, near entrance to Showase Cinemas)

Saturday Peace Vigil in Moline
11am - Noon
Corner of John Deere Rd & 16th St
(in front of Best Buy)

Signs provided or bring your own - Be Creative! We hope you can make it and thanks for all you do!

For more info contact Caryn Unsicker at ibcaryn@yahoo.com

Social Justice Movie Night June Feature

"For the BIBLE Tells Me So"
Friday, June 20, 2008 - 6:30pm
Davenport Unitarian Church, 3707 Eastern Ave (In the Sanctuary)
FREE popcorn and lemonade always served!

FILM SYNOPSIS
Can the love between two people ever be an abomination? Is the chasm separating gays and lesbians and Christianity too wide to cross? Is the Bible an excuse to hate? Through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families -- including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson -- we discover how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child.

Informed by such respected voices as Bishop Desmond Tutu, Harvard's Peter Gomes, Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg and Reverend Jimmy Creech, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO offers healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity.

AWARDS:
2007 Sundance Film Festival NOMINEE, GRAND JURY PRIZE
Seattle International Film Festival AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival KATHLEEN BRYAN EDWARDS AWARD FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Provincetown International Film Festival HBO AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY
Outfest Los Angeles AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY
Milwaukee International Film Festival AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY BEST DIRECTOR FOR DOCUMENTARY
Image Out: The Rochester Gay and Lesbian Film Festival AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY
Reel Pride: Fresno Gay and Lesbian Film Festival AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY
Tampa international Gay and Lesbian Film Festival GRAND JURY PRIZE FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY

St. Pat's Parade Photos:

Statement: 5th Anv. of the Iraq War

From Washington, DC – Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) released the following statement on the 5th anniversary of the American invasion of Iraq: click to read

PACG Peace Forum Position on the Iraq War

Progressive Action for the Common Good has worked actively since its inception in 2005 to end the war in Iraq. We believe the war was and is a mistake, a preemptive act against a country that posed the U.S. no threat and had no connection to 9-11. We oppose the use of military action to solve the problems which face our country. War is not the answer, and in this particular case, we believe it to be immoral. Terrorism will not be defeated by military actions against countries. We support the use of diplomacy and the addressing of the underlying problems which lead to terrorism. We believe the war in Iraq has made us less secure and that we have lost the respect of the world. We have added to the conditions which breed hatred and contempt for our country.

We mourn the loss of all of the brave military who have given their lives in this effort; we wish to support the troops by bringing them home and ensuring they receive the services necessary to recover from their experiences in the war. We also deplore and mourn the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi citizens and the complete destabilization of their country and indeed the entire region.

We believe Congress must stand up to the President on ending this war.

Rachel Griffiths, a member of Quad Cities Progressive Action for the Common Good, asked Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, as an avid supporter of the war, if any of his 5 sons are enlisted in the military or have plans to enlist in the military. All of the media was there with cameras rolling! AP picked it up and it was all over the Internet within minutes. Rachel wrote a diary about it on the DailyKos.

Kos himself recommended her diary. In addition, the story was posted on the Huffington Post and other progressive blogs culminating in Jon Stewart mentioning it on the Daily Show! click to see the clip

Interfaith Peace Service

Held March 19th, 2008

click to download the pdf

Rabbi Lerner's Keynote

November 2007 Spiritual Progressives Conference
On November 3rd, 2007, PACG and partnering organizations organized the first ever Spiritual Progressives Conference in the Quad Cities. The conference was a great success... For those of you who were unable to attend, I encourage you to watch the clip of the keynote address (COMING SOON!) by Rabbi Michael Lerner, author of The Left Hand of God: Taking Our Country Back from the Religious Right, editor of TIKKUN magazine and founder of Network For Spiritual Progressives

Summer Social Justice Movie Project

PACG is researching the possibility of hosting an outdoor film festival that will serve to reach a much larger audience. Our hope is that this will result in more citizens pressuring our legislators to bring this war to an end. We need volunteers to make this happen... if you are interested in helping with the planning of such an event, please let me know - we can't do it without YOU.

We would also appreciate any feedback regarding potential locations that have a high volume of foot traffic. One idea is to have a showing in the District of RI (checking into this), but there may be an array of possibilities - please let me know what you think.

For more information about resources in our library and/or to volunteer to help with our summer project, please contact Caroline at 563-676-7580.

PACG & Pax Christi Press Conference on the War

We are trying to get as broad as participation as we can in these peace events. The war affects everything else that we care about and work for...as the war seems to recede further and further from the public dialogue...please take time to join us for one or all of these events.

Progressive Action for the Common Good and Pax Christi are in the planning stages of commemorating the 5th anniversary of this awful war, March 19, 2008. The main message this year is to honor the war dead and to educate the community about the economic consequences of the war. We are currently spending $720 Million dollars EVERY day on the war.

Our next planning meeting is Feb 25th at 6:30 PM at the Unitarian Church, 3737 Eastern, Davenport. All are welcome.

PLEASE read on for important dates and please circulate this to friends and community leaders.

Saturday, March - 11:30 PM
A family friendly marching unit in the St Pat's parade will carry signs for peace and pass out leaflets that highlight what war funding could pay for at home.

Wednesday, March 19 - 4:45PM
We will be having a press conference on March 19th at 5PM sharp to highlight this issue and to call on our elected leaders to bring this war to an end. At this moment, we are seeking people from all walks of life to participate in the press conference and to share one way in which the money being spent on the war is affecting some area with which you are familiar...education, libraries, job programs, housing, homeless services, AIDS services, pre-school funding, city services, affordable health care, refugee services, state funded programs, after-school programs, elder care, etc. You do not necessarily have to speak, but we would love to have you in attendance. We have several clergy, one mayor and others signed up so far to participate...let me know what area you might like to speak to.
Location: TBD, new park near Arsenal Bridge, Moline mosque are possibilities

Wednesday, March 19 - 7:30PM
Interfaith Service at the Mosque in Moline* to which all will be invited.

Please share this with others, especially with students, faculty, your clergy and religious leaders.

PACG Peace Forum Position on the Iraq War

Progressive Action for the Common Good has worked actively since its inception in 2005 to end the war in Iraq. We believe the war was and is a mistake, a preemptive act against a country that posed the U.S. no threat and had no connection to 9-11. We oppose the use of military action to solve the problems which face our country. War is not the answer, and in this particular case, we believe it to be immoral. Terrorism will not be defeated by military actions against countries. We support the use of diplomacy and the addressing of the underlying problems which lead to terrorism. We believe the war in Iraq has made us less secure and that we have lost the respect of the world. We have added to the conditions which breed hatred and contempt for our country.

We mourn the loss of all of the brave military who have given their lives in this effort; we wish to support the troops by bringing them home and ensuring they receive the services necessary to recover from their experiences in the war. We also deplore and mourn the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi citizens and the complete destabilization of their country and indeed the entire region.

We believe Congress must stand up to the President on ending this war.

We have planned a series of events, vigils, marches and other efforts to pressure our elected leaders to do the following:

• Require a plan for the removal of our military troops from Iraq as soon as is responsible and possible. We support legislative efforts which have called for all our troops to be home by March of 2008.

• Engage in involving other countries to provide security to the Iraqi people as our troops leave, especially Arab countries in the immediate area.

• Provide the economic assistance that will be necessary to restore this country which our actions have brought to the brink of ruin.

Short term Goals for Summer and Fall of 2007:

• Take local action to pressure our legislators to end the war

• Educate and motivate the public on the war

• Link with other statewide and national groups to plan effective strategies

INCREASING VISIBILITY:

• Yard Signs: END THE WAR! NEIGHBOR FOR PEACE Call for yours: 563-676-7580
  Large plywood signs (4x4 feet) for busy avenues -- DO YOU LIVE ON A BUSY STREET?

• Same message available on Car Window Decals $3

• T-shirt brigade: get large number of people to simultaneously attend public events/places in matching t-shirts with same messageas yard signs. Great lime green T-shirt available..call Caroline at 563-676-7580.

• Met up with peace marchers near Galesburg who are marching across the country to call for an end to the war.

• Encourage writing of letters to editor and Senator Grassley
  Senator Grassley has offered a conference call in lieu of meeting with us. Are you interested?

• Letters to the Editor!

PUBLIC EDUCATION:

• Movie showings at libraries, outside venues

• Public Forums on topics: Economic Costs of War, Medical Costs of the War

• Iraq Vets against the war Resources: Universities, Iraq Vet groups, Stanley Foundation

• Tabling at community events

LEGISLATOR VISITS:

• Requesting personal meetings with all senators and congressmen during August break ..meetings scheduled with Congressman Braley and Hare...contact Monica Kurth to attend.

• We are encouraging people to make personal visits to the offices throughout the summer and early fall to register feelings about the war. PEACE TAG: printed card with addresses of offices which person is tagged with; makes visits and tags someone else. TAKE A PEACE TAG card.

SEPTEMBER ACTIONS:

• Statewide day long action at Grassley's offices (hopefully across the state)

• September 21: National Moratorium to protest the war (also Yom Kippur)

• Also, Possibilities for September 21: Vigil, day long action at Senator's offices around Iowa (or longer), fasting, reading names of the dead, civil disobedience, wearing of armbands, open to all ideas, actions on various days, various venues, dance marathon.

• At least one church (St. James Lutheran in Rock Island) will have a prayer vigil on Sept 21 from noon-midnight

PEACE SUNDAY:

• Calling on QC clergy to talk about peace at services on Sept 23 or Oct 7 and call for some action

OCTOBER 8: national DAY OF FASTING

Four years ago on May 1, President Bush landed on the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln and delivered a speech in front of a giant "Mission Accomplished" banner. Despite profound questions and the increasing violence in Baghdad, many in the press confirmed the White House's claim that the war was won. How did they get it so wrong? How did the evidence disputing the existence of weapons of mass destruction and the link between Saddam Hussein and 9/11 continue to go largely unreported?

In addition to the above documentary, I want to remind everyone that we have many other award winning documentaries (DVDs) in our PACG Lending Library that are available for check out.

PACG will continue to provide access to documentary films that serve to raise public awareness about the Iraq war (as well as other pressing issues).

Have a house party around the feature film!
What a great way to educate friends and neighbors, who are not as plugged-in or are simply unaware as they rely solely on the mainstream media for their source of news and information.

Here are a few films that I highly recommend:

"The Ground Truth"
"Iraq For Sale: The War Profiteers"
"The War Tapes"
"When I Came Home"

To review the list of other movies and great books that we have available, check out the "PACG Library"

"...Peace unites us and nurtures love and kindness.." -- 12 year old Moriah Arnold

Watch & Listen to Moriah's message to President Bush and give the video a "greenlight" to get her message for President Bush on television. All you have to do is click on the button "Give it a greenlight."

This speech was delivered on January 27, 2007 at the March for Peace in Washington. If you watch the video and click the "Give it a green light" button, you increase the chance that this video will make it onto television. Thanks!

Past Social Justice Movie Night:

"Why We Fight" is a documentary film directed by Eugene Jarecki that won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. This is a film about the anatomy of the American war machine, combining personal stories with commentary by military and political insiders.

Synopsis:
The film describes the rise and maintenance of the United States military-industrial complex while concentrating on wars led by the United States over the last fifty years and in particular on the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. It alleges that every decade since World War II, the American public has been told a lie to bring it into war to fuel the military-economic machine, which in turn maintains American dominance in the world. It includes interviews with John McCain, Chalmers Johnson, Richard Perle, William Kristol, Gore Vidal and Joseph Cirincione.

The film also incorporates the stories of a Vietnam War veteran whose son died in the September 11, 2001 attacks and then had his son's name written on a bomb dropped on Iraq, a 23-year old New York man who enlists in the United States Army citing his financial troubles after his only family member died, and a former Vietnamese refugee who now develops explosives for the American military.

May Peace Rally:

On Thursday May 3, 2007, PACG organized a Main Street March for Peace. Citizens gathered at 14th and Main St in Davenport, in the parking lot of Third Missionary Baptist church and then proceeded to march down Main Street to Senator Grassley's downtown Davenport office where they implored the Senator to become one of the 16 votes needed to overturn the President's veto of future bills that set benchmarks for ending American military involvement in Iraq.

Prayers were offered... participants sang songs of hope.

PACG continues to call on our elected leaders to stand up to the President's veto of a bill that continues to provide funding with reasonable timetables and benchmarks for ending our involvement in the Iraqi civil war, created by our preemptive invasion of this country which posed us no threat.

Pictures provided by Michael Millhollin (NPPA):

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