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Vol. XXIV, No. 1 - January-February 2004- Editor: Tom Savage plus many helping hands. Web edition at: www.scn.org/wwfor

So here we go on a fateful year dear friends. We have a presidential election and need to maintain our equilibrium in the face of all the hoopla. Why is it that any candidate who is thoroughly for peace is deemed "unpresidential" early on?

John Repp, retired Boeing machinist and student of nonviolence, figures any Democrat who is likely to be elected will pursue a corporate foreign and domestic policy. Thus John thinks we should organize to conduct on a more massive scale a people's foreign policy, with direct non-governmental foreign aid, youth exchanges, a nonviolent peace force, and citizens' diplomacy as exemplified in the recent agreement reached in Geneva between Israelis and Palestinians.

One example is FOR/USA's sister peace communities program between churches in the US and peace communities in Colombia. And when we have built a vast network of American citizens supporting this alternative foreign policy, we should stop paying taxes for the current aggressively militarized approach.

What do you think? At the end of 2004 Ruth and I will retire from this lively job with FOR. It has been a kick in the pants (in a good way) to work with you for peace and justice over the past 4 years. It has been a godsend in the past year to share the job with Ruth with her energy, organizing ability, creativity and cheerfulness. Without her the demanding tasks that the current US president's administration have placed on a peace organization would have been overwhelming. But with Sara Rinehart's sense of humor, sound judgment and efficient work we have made a gleeful threesome in the office.

Ruth and I have begun to think about what our priorities should be for our last year so as to leave WWFOR in a strong position for 2005 and beyond. One priority will be to expand our donor base so that WWFOR can support a new organizer. WWFOR's initial projected budget for 2004 had a deficit of $10,000. With some cutbacks and with a new fund raising committee working toward an additional $5,000 we plan to be in the black by the end of 2004.

During the weekend before Christmas we had the great good fortune of hosting two Iraqi women on a national FOR tour to report on what has happened to their country. They were at the end of a trying 8-week national tour but were still filled with humor and the spirit of adventure. Amal Al-Khedairy is a gracious, well-educated person who turned the family home in Baghdad into a cultural center with specific emphasis on encouraging the crafts of Iraq's many ethnic groups. She reported the destruction of Iraq's cultural heritage - the systematic looting of the national museum of 40,000 pieces with US tanks in the proximity, the destruction of libraries, universities and even rural communities. "We are being liberated from our history, our culture," she said.

Nermine Al-Mufti wears a faded denim jacket. She is a journalist who is well-informed about her country and ours. A film buff, she was disappointed to find out on this visit that Dustin Hoffman, who she expected to be quite short, was still taller than her. She explained that one of the results of the 11-year blockade was that blackmarketeers became the nouveau riche, the new cream of society. With this unsavory lot as the celebrities, Iraq's values are under assault.

Nermine reported that in the early days of the occupation, Iraqi expatriates with the American troops were broadcasting encouragement of looting as a way to express opposition to Saddam Hussein. She also pointed out that one of the first ministries the Americans took over was the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where they either destroyed or impounded truck loads of documents linking the US Government with Saddam Hussein. She also spoke of the spike in the number of rapes in Baghdad and the selling off of scores of Iraqi public companies to Americans and Brits. I learned from another source that US taxpayers will insure risky American investments in Iraq.

So dear friends we look forward to a new year filled with important work and a high energy group to do it with.
Justpeace, Mike Yarrow

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Two Iraqi women, one the founder of a unique cultural and historic crafts center in Baghdad, the other a well-known journalist, spoke in Seattle and Tacoma on Dec 21-22, on a mission to tell Americans about conditions in Iraq. It was the conclusion of a multi-state USA tour that began in New York in late October for Amal Al-Khedairy and Nermin Al-Mufti, organized and sponsored by FOR. Both are experts on the art, history and archaeology of the Middle East. Both are mothers. Both agreed when Ms. Al-Khedairy said: "The situation is very dire. Iraqis appreciate liberation, but not for a new form of oppression." And both agreed that to truly help the Iraqi people, Americans need to change the USA political agenda.

Amal Al-Khedairy founded Iraqi House in 1988 to display and invite discussion of historic and traditional Iraqi arts and crafts that were under-represented in Iraq's formal museums. It became an intimate oasis. Rebuilt after the second floor was destroyed in the 1991 war, the Al-Beit Al-Iraqi center was badly damaged and looted in 2003.

Amal Al-Khedairy surveyed the ruins of the Iraqi House cultural center in Baghdad after the 2003 invasion, and commented on rebuilding:

"To do what? Have a new building? Given to us? We don't want cement. This is a cultural place. We're not interested. That's our cultural history. It's humanity. It's the human heritage. For prior to 6000 years ago Iraq has been giving to humanity all this. You can't give it to us. Each generation, each culture. There are so many cultures in Iraq. And each has tried to build up, to put some stones into this huge pyramid [into the cultural heritage of all humanity]. And look at us now. I used to say, Iraq is not Saddam. That's the mistake you made. Everybody has talked about Saddam. This is Iraq. I keep telling them, this is Iraq. It's not one man. It's generations. It's history. Why are you destroying history?

"Let me read to you from an e-mail message from Iraq that I received only today [Dec 22]. A friend writes: 'Things here are getting worse. We have electricity only two hours out of every six, often not even that. Salaries are not paid, there is no security, movement around Baghdad is very difficult, and now there's a bad flu going around.'

"So we put this to you good people who we have seen all over the states we visited, all understanding and sympathizing and trying to help, that the helping is again for you to see what we can do together. We are here as not only witnesses to this war but also [as witnesses to] those who have put great afflictions on both you and us. We are still hoping that we can do something together. This little place, which I had in Baghdad, was in ashes yet it was the reason and the place where we all met. I saw just now [in Seattle] visitors who had been in that place and friends, Iraqi friends who know the place. How could we be here now but were it not for that little oasis. And as they say, a courageous voice is always a majority."

Nermin Al-Mufti is a journalist, including for the highly regarded Cairo-based Al-Ahram newspaper's English-language Weekly and is the author of five books. "First you Americans should help yourself, then think of in which way you are going to help us. You Americans if you are going to help yourself must protect yourself.

"What I am going to tell Iraqis? You know, I admire America as America, not as an Administration. You know, you have supported what I said, which is to just change the American political agenda. I wish every American, young or 50 years old, would read a very important book: The Cultural Cold War: The CIA and the World of Arts and Letters, written in 1999 by an English Journalist, Frances Saunders." Saunders spent years investigating recently declassified documents and conducting exclusive interviews with artists and intellectuals who, knowingly or not, had been participants in clandestine sponsorship by the CIA. Reviews, including in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, praised the detailed coverage of the CIA's covert operations.

"Here I am discovering every day very kind Americans, very generous Americans, Americans very eager to know the truth. Those who are discovering the truth are those who are believing us. They are going to tell this truth to the others."

Nermin Al-Mufti remarked on the widespread lack of knowledge of what goes on beyond America's shores. She suggested some reliable sources:
Alternet www.alternet.org
Middle-East-Online www.middle-east-online.com/english
Al-Ahram Weekly http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/
Democracy Now www.democracynow.org a news program also available in the Seattle area on KBCS 91.3FM

"I was astonished because this America has very beautiful nature, incredible beauty in nature. I wonder why this beauty, at least these very huge trees, these very beautiful trees, very beautiful orchards and water, everything is very beautiful in this country, why it is not calming. This beauty should give to Americans very calm, very reasonable personalities.

"Why are they instead running in the cities like this [shaking her hand in frantic motion]. But then, the Americans haven't this sharing between them [linking her fingers together in harmonious joining]. This astonished me.

Roberta Brumbaugh of Seattle FOR presents gifts to Nermin Al-Mufti and Amal Al-Khedairy.

FOR/USA's Juliana Keen, with Nermin, WWFOR's Ruth Yarrow, Amal, and WWFOR's Mike Yarrow.

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Over 60 people attended "Steps to Justice: Reaching Out to Work with Others on the Struggle for Justice and Peace", WWFOR's Fall Retreat at Lacey, Nov 21-22.

Four young people helped us think about reaching out to youth. They had us giggling at skits of ourselves effusively welcoming young people but not really listening to their concerns. They pointed out that to be open to youth we need to be open to their culture. To illustrate the point they played loud rap music and then interpreted the lyrics including "Violence is no solution, that's the bottom line!"

Two Mennonites and a Quaker led us in thinking how to reach out to communities of color. We explored how racism is imbedded in our institutions and how the notion of race itself is a social construct. We were asked to share our feelings about the difficulties in crossing race barriers, which helped us realize how we are all wounded by racism. Sarah Augustine, a young Latina woman, challenged us to focus on establishing right relations with groupings that have historically been labeled different and inferior in American culture.

Longshoremen's Union ILWU organizer Paul Bigman gave a lively presentation on how to reach out to the labor community. Union gains in pay and health care are increasingly threatened. The pay for CEO's is now hundreds of times the average worker's pay and every state has lost jobs in the last decade. We concluded that the peace and labor communities could be valuable allies to each other.

By the end of the retreat participants had met with others from their chapters to talk about how to take concrete steps in becoming allies of youth, people of color and unions. Peace and justice songs led by Lou Truskoff reverberated through the weekend. Thanks to all!

Seattle Draft and Military Counseling Center formerly shared office space with WWFOR. A number of FOR members helped in organizing and support of SDMCC.

The center has been involved with the GI Rights Hotline for a number of years now. The Hotline is a partnership of regional and national organizations that provide counseling and information to active duty GIs, parents and members of the Delayed Entry Program on conscientious objection, discharges and service members' rights. We also refer people to legal help and Congressional military caseworkers.

Calls made to the national Hotline originating in our area are routed to our local number and we reply to the requests as they come in. Currently we have three counselors (two of whom are veterans) who rotate turns on the line. We receive several calls each day. Many are from people who simply have no other place to turn to. We also have an e-mail service that answers questions and requests for information generated by our web site (www.scn.org/sdmcc). This service is monitored by our secretary-treasurer and is separate from the Hotline.

All SDMCC members are volunteers. Though we provide a free service, the Hotline needs money to run. We must pay for phone service, mailings and materials - to keep not only the Hotline running but also SDMCC. Currently we are just about broke and we need your help to continue providing these services to people who need them. Any contribution you make is tax deductible and is appreciated (Seattle Draft and Military Counseling Center, P.O. Box 20604 Seattle 98102). Draft and counseling help at 206-789-2751)

We also invite you to SDMCC's annual meeting on Jan. 26th at 6:00 PM at the University Branch Library (public meeting room), Seattle, at Roosevelt Way NE and NE 50^th St. Contact Mike Barton at 524-9932 for more details.

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FOR Guerilla Theater - "Billionaires for Bush" Ruth Yarrow, WWFOR Co-organizer

Sometimes the best way to confront the heavy burdens of war and injustice is to laugh. About a dozen members of Seattle and East Side FOR chapters have donned their best duds, borrowed fur stoles and a long white limousine, and satired the role of billionaires supporting the horrible injustices our country is committing against people at home and abroad. Our first satire performance was during George W. Bush's summer visit; the second was at the Dec. 10 (U.N. Human Rights Day) union rally on the theme that Workers' Rights Are Human Rights.

Some of our most deliciously horrid lines include: "Now some of our janitors are organizing a union and pushing for benefits. I mean, since when do janitors get health care??" "We know that your big co-pay makes you more responsible for your own health!" "Hiring children in third world countries helps families increase their income. I always say, 'Little hands make big profits!!'"

Are you willing to receive Pacific Call by email instead of by snailmail? You can help save yearly mailing and printing costs of up to $1000. If you're interested in getting PacificCallOnline, email us at wwfor@connectexpress.com .

If you don't have email or prefer a paper copy, don't worry. Unless you say otherwise, we'll keep sending paper.

There are FOR branches, groups or affiliates in:
Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Cambodia, Chad, Chile, Congo, Croatia, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Palestine, Philippines, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Uganda, United Kingdom (branches in England, Scotland, Wales), United States, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Not counted: other groups now forming.

Greg Zimmer passed away in November. A long-time FOR activist, Greg was instrumental in the formation of the Eastside and South King County FOR chapters.

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CALENDAR

Still waging peace all over! Sound Nonviolent Opponents of War Puget Sound & beyond http://www.snowCoalition.org, Olympia plus http://www.OlyFOR.org; Seattle plus http://www.scn.org/activism/calendar, Bellingham http://www.bellinghampeace.org Tacoma http://www.tacomapjh.org, Tri-Cities http://www.tcfn.org/wcp

Ongoing Wednesdays, noon - 1 p.m., NW corner of Sylvester Park, corner of Legion & Capitol Way, Olympia, Peace Vigil, come for all or part of the hour to sustain Olympia *FOR's* persistent (every week for 21 years) witness for peace and nonviolence; bring signs or use ours; info Glen 360-491-9093

Ongoing Thursdays; 5 - 6 p.m., near the Westlake Park arch at 4th and Pine, downtown Seattle; Peace Vigil and leafleting by Women in Black, a group in the tradition of the women who vigil weekly in Israel / Palestine, info 206-208-9715

Ongoing Thursdays, 9 p.m. & Mondays 1:30 p.m., TCTV channel 22 or 29 in Thurston County, Olympia *FOR* TV monthly program; Jan: "Take Back Your Time" features John de Graaf. Feb: "Sweatshops" highlights "Clean Clothes Campaign" to require local government purchases consistent with decent labor standards. info Glen 360-491-9093

Ongoing Fridays, call for details, Cowlitz County Longview/Kelso area *FOR* peace vigils, suggested that all participants have nonviolence training, info Janey360-423-7338

Ongoing Fridays, 4 - 5 p.m., in front of the Bellingham Federal Building; join Bellingham *FOR* members and others in the Whatcom Peace Vigil followed by open discussion at Port of Subs, 5:15 - 6:15 p.m., info 360-738-9205

Ongoing Fridays, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m., south end of Percival Landing, 4th & Water, Olympia; Please join Olympia *FOR* in this very friendly peace vigil for all or part of this time. Signs provided or bring your own. info 360-491-9093

Ongoing Fridays, 5 - 6 p.m., on the south side of W. 4th Ave. near the fountain, Olympia; Women in Black Silent Vigil for Peace. Women only. Please wear black. Signs provided. A loose network of women worldwide committed to peace since 1988. info Julie 360-705-2669 jmallessio@yahoo.com

Ongoing Saturdays, noon - 1 p.m., along Pearl St. at Washington Park in front of library in Centralia; Peace Vigiling by Fire Mountain *FOR*; info June Butler, 360-748-9658 or Larry Kerschner 360-291-3946

Ongoing Sundays, 10 p.m., on TCTV channel 22 or 29 in Thurston County; Olympia *FOR* sponsors documentaries on peace and social justice; January "Drumbeat for Mother Earth" reveals the threat of persistent organic pollutants, even in the food supplies of indigenous peoples. February TBA. info Carol 360-866-7645 or carolburns@olywa.net

Ongoing Sundays, 2 p.m., at Greenlake, across from the Albertson's on East Greenlake Way N, Seattle; Peace Vigil, all peaceful people invited, bring signs, leaflets, and your friends and dogs, info greenlakepeacevigil@hotmail.com

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Sat Jan 3, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Olympia Timberland Library, 8th & Franklin, Olympia; Thurston Jail Alternatives: We Can Do Better: Oppose a giant new Thurston County jail and generate humane alternatives. info Chris Stegman 360-705-3528

Sat Jan 3, 3 p.m., & subsequent 1st Saturdays, Keystone Cong. Ch., 5019 Keystone Pl. N, Seattle; meeting of Interfaith Network of Concern for the People of Iraq working for peace in Iraq; info Rich Gamble 206-632-6021

Sun Jan 4, 1 - 3 p.m., at the Dougass-Truth Library, 23rd Ave & Yesler Way, Seattle; Seattle Area Support Group of Nonviolent Peaceforce which will provide a resource for peacekeeping presence and training with a program on nonviolence. Organizational meeting follows 3 - 4:30. info David Berrian 425-482-3026 or dberrian@earthlink.net

Mon Jan 5, 7 p.m., at Woodland Park Presbyterian Church, 225 N. 70th St., Seattle; SNOW - Sound Nonviolent Opponents of War - Meeting. agenda includes: Preparation for the Party Caucuses & consider party platform planks to submits. info http://www.snowcoalition.org or 206-789 2684

Sat Jan 10, noon - 3 p.m., in Room 119 of William H. Gates Hall near 15th Ave NE on UW campus, Seattle; The Washington Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty Annual Meeting. Strengthen the abolition movement. info 206-622-8952 or http://www.abolishdeathpenalty.org

Sun Jan 11, and subsequent Sundays, 12:30 -1:30 p.m., at the Brackett's Landing sign, Main Street and Railroad Avenue, in downtown Edmonds; Snohomish County Women In Black, Silent Vigil For Peace; a special one-year anniversary of the vigil! Everyone is welcome. info Beth Burrows beb@igc.org

Sun Jan 11, 5:15 p.m. business mtg, 6 potluck, 7 program, at Hillside Community Church, 2508 S. 39th St, Tacoma; Tacoma *FOR* program with a contemporary interpretation of the Exodus story by local author and Catholic Worker Laurel Dykstra; info Al Kammerzall 253-272-9572

Sun Jan 12, 6:30 p.m., at 205 N. Maple St., Colville; Stevens County *FOR* showing "Uncovered: The Whole Truth About the Iraq War", learn about deception leading to the US invasion of Iraq, with never-before-published interviews of intelligence agents, info Bruce Pruitt-Hamm bruce@colvillelaw.com

Fri Jan 16, 7 p.m., call for details, Cowlitz County Longview/Kelso area *FOR* meeting, viewing and discussion of "A Force More Powerful" (part 1), documentary about nonviolent social change movements, info Janey 360-423-7338

Sat Jan 17, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., at Ground Zero, 16159 Clear Creek Rd. NW, Poulsbo; Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. Dismantle the Missiles. nonviolence training, potluck lunch, program with the Raging Grannies, walk to Bangor Trident Submarine Gate for vigil and nonviolent action. rides for those who need them. info Mary Gleysteen 360-297-3894

Sun Jan 18, 5 p.m. potluck, 6 p.m. announcements, 6:30 - 8 p.m. program, at Woodland Park Presbyterian Church, 225 N 70th, Seattle; Seattle *FOR* presents Ian Murray and Sally Soriano on the WTO, including how the Most Industrial Nations were stopped from their schemes at Cancun, and Privatization issues; Free, offering taken. info 206-789-5565

Mon Jan 19, workshops 9:30 a.m., rally 11 a.m., march noon, starting at Garfield High School, 23rd Ave at E Jefferson, Seattle; Martin Luther King Jr. Rally and March; music, talks, workshops; theme "March in MLK's Footsteps: Justice Begins at Home" join *FOR* contingent; info 206-812-4940

Mon Jan 19, 4 p.m. at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington SE, Olympia; Celebrate the life and work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and all nonviolent activists in the Civil Rights movement. a free, family-oriented event includes local talent. Sponsors include Olympia Federal Savings Bank and the City of Lacey. info Ruth Elder, 360-786-5135 elderr@co.thurston.wa.us

Tues Jan 20, 4 - 6 p.m., at Meany Middle School library, 301 21st Ave E, Seattle; Safe Schools Coalition meeting, *WWFOR* is a member, working to help schools become safe places regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, info http://www.SafeSchoolsCoalition.org

Weds Jan 21, 6 - 8 pm, at the Bellevue City Hall, 11511 Main St., first floor lobby, Bellevue; Exploring Diversity Exhibit Opens in Honor of Martin Luther King Day with writing, photography, and videos exploring of diversity in our community by 8th-12th grade students. info Michelle 425-869-5243

Tues Jan 20, 6:45 - 9 p.m., at Lincoln Elementary School, Washington and 21st, SE of downtown Olympia; Nonviolent Communication Introductory Workshop by Liv Monroe: fill your world with more respect and hope, and reduce the criticism and misunderstanding. Contributions accepted. info Liv Monroe 360-357-4503 liv@psncc.org

Wed Jan 21, 7 p.m., at Olympia Center, 222 N. Columbia, Olympia; Police-state assault on protesters at Miami's FTAA event: Forum with first-hand accounts from Olympians. Sponsors: Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace and Evergreen Political Information Center. info Larry 360-866-2404

Sat Jan 24, 9 am-4 pm, at Seattle Girls' School, at 2706 Jackson St. near Martin Luther King Way, Seattle; The National Coalition Building Institute is devoted to eliminating prejudice and ending oppression of all people, an experiential workshop led by a multicultural team of facilitators. fees $30-$80 sliding. Register at http://www.scn.org/ncbisea/, Calendar of Events, info NCBI Seattle office 206-323-5427 or NCBIDarlene@aol.com

Sat Jan 24, 10:30 am, at University Temple United Methodist Church, 1415 NE 43rd St, Seattle; Benefit Brunch & Silent Auction for Bert Sacks Medical Fund; activist Bert Sacks' medical bills exceed his savings. Bert has been working full time unpaid to help raise our consciousness on effects of war and economic sanctions, RSVP by Jan 19 to bertmedicalfund@yahoo.com or 425-488-9965

Sat Jan 24, 4:30 p.m., at Elliott Bay Books, 1st Av S & S Main, Pioneer Square, Seattle; Stewart Burns is a historian who has long worked on Martin Luther King, Jr., with a new book, To the Mountaintop: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Sacred Mission to Save America: 1955 - 1968. info 206-624-6600

Sat Jan 24, 7 p.m., at 443 North Jacob Miller Road, Port Townsend; All My Relations presents Gandhi Speaking to Empire, to His World .. and to Ours. a presentation by Bernie Meyer, $5, info 360-344-4267 or info@allmyrelations.org

Sun Jan 25, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., at 443 North Jacob Miller Road, Port Townsend; All My Relations presents a day-long nonviolence training, $30, Bring lunch, cushion, park on the street. Register at 360-344-4267 or info@allmyrelations.org

Sat Jan 31, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Olympia Timberland Library, 8th & Franklin, Olympia; Thurston Jail Alternatives: We Can Do Better: Oppose a giant new Thurston County jail and generate humane alternatives. info Chris Stegman 360-705-3528

Sat Jan 31, 7 p.m., at Trinity United Methodist Church, NW 65th & 23rd Ave NW, Seattle; "In the Teeth of War: A Concert for Peace"; Laura Veirs, Eyvind Kang, Aiko Shimada, Sharon Abreu and others to be announced; to benefit SNOW, Sound Nonviolent Opponents of War, suggested $15, info or reservations 206-789-2684

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Sun Feb 1, and subsequent 1st Sundays, 1 - 3 p.m., at Dougass-Truth Library, 23rd Ave & Yesler Way, Seattle; Seattle Support Group of Nonviolent Peaceforce which will provide a resource for peacekeeping presence and training with a program on nonviolence. Organizational meeting 3 - 4:30. info David Berrian 425-482-3026 or dberrian@earthlink.net

Sat Feb 7, 3 p.m., & subsequent 1st Saturdays, Keystone Cong. Ch., 5019 Keystone Pl. N, Seattle; meeting of Interfaith Network of Concern for the People of Iraq working for peace in Iraq; info Rich Gamble 206-632-6021

Sun Feb 8, 1 p.m., at Hillside Community Church, 2508 S. 39th St, Tacoma; Hillside Church service with special 20-minute guest presentation by Larry Seaquist on Journey toward a culture of peace. A military officer's education in peacebuilding by citizens all around the world - and in America. The speaker will describe his 1993 meeting in Venice with Mikhael Gorbachev, Alvin Toffler and others to discuss the idea of a culture of peace - a meeting which, it turned out, coincided with the beginning of the Rwanda genocide - and how both led a military commander to new insights about the nature of peace and conflict prevention and to ten year's work in various at-war and at-risk countries and in American communities; info Al Kammerzall 253-272-9572

Sun Feb 8, 5:15 p.m. business mtg, 6 potluck, 7 program, at Hillside Community Church, 2508 S. 39th St, Tacoma; Tacoma *FOR* program with Larry Seaquist on Muscular peacebuilding. Experiences in practical peacebuilding in our violent era. How war gaming has been turned upside down to help communities solve their conflicts and build durably peaceful futures for themselves; info Al Kammerzall 253-272-9572

Sun Feb 8, 6:30 - 8:30 pm at the First Congregational Church, 205 N. Maple St., Colville; Stevens County *FOR* meeting, info Bruce Pruitt-Hamm 509-685-1230 or bruce@colvillelaw.com

Wed Feb 11, at St. Martin's College, Lacey; Patriot Act 1 & 2 Teach-in Sponsored by Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace, info Krystal 360-867-0449

Sun Feb 15, 5 p.m. potluck, 6 p.m. announcements, 6:30 - 8 p.m. program, at Woodland Park Presbyterian Church, 225 N 70th near Greenwood, Seattle; Seattle *FOR* presents an Introduction to Anti-Racism for White Folks, all are welcome. Free, an offering will be taken. info 206-789-5565

Tues Feb 17, 4 - 6 p.m., at the Seneca Conference Room, Lifelong AIDS Alliance, 1002 E Seneca, Seattle; Safe Schools Coalition meeting, *WWFOR* is a member, working to help schools become safe places regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, info http://www.SafeSchoolsCoalition.org

Fri Feb 20, 7 p.m., call for details, Cowlitz County Longview/Kelso area *FOR* meeting, viewing and discussion of "A Force More Powerful" (part 2), documentary about nonviolent social change movements, info Janey 360-423-7338

Sat Feb 21, 9 am-4 pm, at Seattle Girls' School, at 2706 Jackson St. near MLK Way, Seattle; The National Coalition Building Institute is devoted to eliminating prejudice and ending oppression of all people, an experiential workshop led by a multicultural team of facilitators. fees $30-$80 sliding. Register at http://www.scn.org/ncbisea/, Calendar of Events, info NCBI Seattle office 206-323-5427 or NCBIDarlene@aol.com

Sat Feb 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Des Moines, SW of Seattle; *WWFOR* Area Committee. All are welcome to the meeting providing oversight of our network of local FOR chapters in Western WA. info 206-789-5565 wwfor@connectexpress.com

Sat Feb 21, at St. Anthony Church, 406 S. 4th, Renton; SW Mental Health Ministries Benefit. Longtime FOR member Dick Lutz died while working to strengthen the agency he founded to meet religious needs of people with mental illness. $25 includes dinner, music and auction. info Karen Lutz 206-772-6938

Sat Feb 28, evening at Plenty Restaurant, 4th & Columbia, Olympia; Tom Rawson concert benefits Olympia *FOR*. folk music with good politics. tickets & info Glen 360-491-9093

Fri March 5, evening, at the College Club, 505 Madison, Seattle; Sister Helen Prejean at Washington Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty Dinner & Auction, info 206-622-8952

Sat March 6, details tba, concert by peace activist folksinger Mike Stern, to benefit Seattle *FOR*, info 206-789-5565

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Online Extras! Due to an Internet Failure these were not received in time for the printed version

Over the last several months the Stevens County FOR has held several key events.

In early November we brought Richard Deats to speak and lead workshops, including: 1) "Nonviolence and Violence in the Middle East", where Deats spoke to high school students, Friday, Nov. 7; 2) "Love Thy Enemy: Can This Really Work?"- Deats spoke with a panel of local clergy, Friday, Nov. 7, 7-9pm at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Colville; 3) "Does Violence Stop Violence: Creative Responses to a Changing World"- Keynote speech by Deats, followed by brief participatory workshop on nonviolence Saturday, Nov. 8, 1pm to 5:30 pm; and 4) a sermon by Deats on Sunday, Nov. 9th.

In early December we brought Julianna Rigg to speak to high school students and the community. Ms. Rigg, a former Miss Colville who went on to become Miss Washington "Junior Miss" in 1999, is now a graduate student at the University of Washington, pursuing a doctoral degree in Comparative Politics. She has interned at the Jimmy Carter Peace Center and traveled to South Africa to study the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for her seniors thesis.

All the events were well attended, considering the rural area and small population. (We calculated that our attendance on a per capita basis equated to a crowd of 30,000 if the events had been held in New York City!).

Report from the Methow by Dana Visalli of Twisp

Concern about the floundering ship of state has been running high in the Methow Valley. On Dec. 9th there was a showing of 'Uncovered' at the Confluence Gallery in Twisp to a standing-room only crowd of over 100 people. On Dec. 16th at the same location Just Peace played Martin Luther King's searing 1967 'Beyond Vietnam' speech, followed by a heart-felt discussion. Plans for January and February include a video and discussion of 'Compassionate Listening,' a presentation on Guatemala, beginning the 6-part video series on successful non-violent protests around the world, and joining FOR as an associate organization.

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