ABBREVIATIONS: FOR=Fellowship of Reconciliation
IFOR=International FOR WWFOR=Western Wash. FOR
Thank you to the many volunteers who helped to prepare and send this issue.

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My friend Dana wrote a song in November 2001 when she was 5: "You know / You know the government is not that pleased with you. / But you’re pleased with yourself / Through and through." In November 2007 I think most of us would like to know the tune.

This year’s WWFOR Fall Retreat was planned to help us think creatively together about ways to withdraw consent from the systems that prop up war. And ways we can build alternatives and community. (It’s not too late to register and come on Nov 9-10. Call 206-789-5565 or e-mail wwfor@connectexpress.com.)

WWFOR has been promoting the film "Soldiers of Conscience" with the filmmakers, Church Council of Greater Seattle, Lutheran Peace Fellowship, and Intercommunity Center for Peace & Justice. By the time you receive this newsletter, it will have previewed in more than 20 congregations/communities. It will also show at SIFF Cinema (McCaw Hall at Seattle Center) Nov 2-8. Conscientious objector Aidan Delgado, who is featured in the film, will be at the weekend screenings. (www.seattlefilm.org)

At the press screening this week, a young African-American woman left to get tissues and returned. Afterward she told the director Gary Weimberg that she was a Marine, had served in Iraq, and had experienced feelings and moral challenges explored in the film. She said: "This is the most important film I have seen in my life. I want all the people who served in my unit to see it. No, it is more than that, I want everyone to see it. What can I do to help?"

The Fellowship of Reconciliation was founded in 1914 with the notion that in wartime – even more than in peacetime – it is vital for people to speak honestly with each other across boundaries and perceived differences. "Soldiers of Conscience" illuminates deeply held beliefs about conscience and morality. It offers us all an opportunity – at this critical juncture in the war in Iraq – to explore what asking soldiers to kill means for them and for us, and how we can best find a path to peace.

What might we do – as individuals and as a community – to better support those within the military who oppose the war? What about those who are returning wounded in body and spirit? Their families? The Iraqi people, particularly the 4 million now displaced internally or refugees?

– African proverb posted on activist friend’s office door Ellen Finkelstein, WWFOR Organizer

More than usual, this newsletter touches on issues of nonviolence and violence. The Iraq war has taken a terrible toll. Refugees International reports more than 1 in 7 Iraqis displaced, forced from their homes by violence. The health care, education, water supply, electrical supply and sewerage systems are devastated. Readers can fill in the details, some of you from brave personal experience in Iraq, for which we all are grateful.

Now the drum beat for war against Iran is growing louder. It is a familiar repetition of the same themes we heard before the 2003 invasion of Iraq: claims that Iran’s leadership is malevolent, that they support terrorists and supply munitions and training to kill Americans in neighboring countries, that they are deviously moving toward a nuclear weapons capability, and that evidence to the contrary by expert monitors such as the International Atomic Energy Agency is foolishly naïve. Never mind Iran’s outpouring of support for Americans after 9/11, and the substantial cooperation with the U.S. to initially dislodge the Taliban from governing Afghanistan.

What can you and I do? Is it sufficient to protest with an occasional letter/email/phone call to a senator or representative? To rally and march? To visit a government official in person? Should we instead give up and say our voices don’t count?

Or, do we acknowledge that every effort does count. Do we know when the tipping point toward justice will come? No, but we can be certain our efforts hasten its arrival. Keep advocating for peace through nonviolence and cooperation. A.J. Muste’s words still ring true: "There is no way TO peace. Peace IS the way."

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A few questions for consideration

Terrorism is defined under U.S. Federal and international law as the use of physical force to cause a people to make a political change. Non-violence also attempts to cause, even coerce, political change but without the use of physical force. Gandhi called this non-violent force satyagraha meaning truth force.

There are disagreements as to what exactly is the line separating violence from non-violence. Is personal mockery and satire violence? Is disrupting a meeting or sitting in an office using street theater violent? Is the use of non-lethal force by the State non-violence? Since all States are based on violence is attempting to destroy material that supports the State non-violent as long as no one is injured? Can there be a non-violent Resistance that actively fights the State?

The Weather Underground after accidentally killing several of their own members spent ten years bombing facilities that supported the State. Since they were careful that no one was injured in all their bombings can this be considered non-violent? Non-nuclear electromagnetic pulse (NNEMP) is an electromagnetic pulse generated without use of nuclear weapons. This type of weapon can destroy computers and other electrical devices without injuring anyone. Would someone who sneaked into the Pentagon or the Bank of America to set off an NNEMP be acting violently?

Is the United States government acting as a terrorist when threatening Iran with military attack to cause a political change? At what point do words become violence? Is encouraging sabotage and resistance among active duty members of the military calling for violence?

Albert Einstein said, "The kind of pacifism that does not actively combat the war preparations of the governments is powerless and will always stay powerless." Could this statement be used to support violence? When a peace marshal controls the actions of a group of demonstrators taking the place of the police are the peace marshals being control agents for the State thus supporting the violence of the State?

Just a few questions for consideration.

Back in February the Army began a court martial trial against Lt. Ehren Watada on charges of "Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and a Gentleman" and one specification of "Missing Movement," for publicly questioning the legality of the war in Iraq (for comments about the war and George Bush) and for declining to deploy to Iraq on June 22, 2006.

After the Army presented its case but before Watada and his attorneys could present his, the military judge declared a mistrial despite Watada’s objection. Now the Army is pressing to conduct a second trial on the same charges.

At this time, there are two issues in play:
1. Is the Iraq war illegal and does Lt. Watada have a right to raise that question in public, and
2. Does the government have a right to try Watada twice on the same charges? Would that violate the prohibition in Article 5 of the constitution against double jeopardy?

At 4:48 p.m. on Oct 5, U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle stayed (delayed) the Army’s attempt to try Watada for a second time. Judge Benjamin acted after the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF) declared at the last minute it would not delay the court martial trial that was scheduled to begin on Oct 9, the next working day. The CAAF issued its notice without even consenting to listen to Watada.

Judge Benjamin ruled that since the CAAF had rejected Watada’s request to appear before the CAAF and explain his position, civilian judge Benjamin now has jurisdiction to consider whether a second court martial trial is allowable.

On Oct 19, Judge Benjamin extended the delay of the trial to at least Nov 9.

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Question: What is the most important right granted to United States citizens? Answer: The right to vote, according to "Quick Civics Lessons", M-638, the manual for people studying to become naturalized U.S. citizens.

But voting is not so easy if you are a citizen in Washington state convicted of a felony and have completed your prison term. You still will have to satisfy all your Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs) such as court costs and victim restitution and jump through several legal hoops to reclaim your right to vote. While you were in prison your debt and LFOs increased. Some numbers:

People charged with felony who are indigent 90%

Prisoner pays for toothpaste, care items 100%

Rate of pay for a Class 3 prison job 42 cents/hr

Rate of interest on LFOs 12%

(That 12% interest rate continues on any
remaining LFOs after you are released.)

Released felons (King County) for whom
the only remaining issue is LFOs 70%

Number of steps (courthouse visits, forms,
official signatures, legal petition) to apply for restoration of right to vote after meeting all conditions 9

Black males in WA who cannot vote 25%

If you would like to join in the effort to restore voting rights, call Ruth Yarrow at 206-722-1669.

Several of us worked with other peace and justice groups in the Tacoma area to help get people to the Oct. 27th End the War rally and march in Seattle. We also had two programs on the death penalty, including on Oct 20 when Rep. Jeannie Darneille of Tacoma discussed the death penalty and legislative issues. Tacoma FOR was the first to formally endorse Peace Action Coalition Tacoma, helping coordinate the Oct 27th action.

Tacoma FOR also participated in the Peace Festival, which took place in late August in Tacoma and was sponsored by Peace Action Coalition of Tacoma (PACT) and United For Peace of Pierce County. There was music, giant puppets, face painting, and more. Solar Richard of Tacoma supplied power for the music. There was ample shared communication among people of various groups, which was a major intent of PACT. The Festival was an important step in strengthening the peace movement in the greater Tacoma area. It may be repeated next year.

The black arrest rate for drug delivery in Seattle is 31 times that of white delivery arrests (3750 per 100,000 vs. 120 per 100,000). But drug transactions are much more likely between individuals of the same race, and white users are the majority of all users of illegal drugs in Seattle, so arrests should be higher for whites than African Americans, notes UW Prof. Katherine Beckett, writing in Criminology and other journals.

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Doors open at 6:45. Come early to be sure of a chance in the 7:15 drawing for door prizes! Bring friends and family for an entertaining and bargain filled evening, Saturday Nov 17, 7 to 9 pm, at Woodland Park Presbyterian Church, 225 N 70^th St., Seattle in the Phinney Ridge area north of the zoo. In addition to a fast paced and fun Live Auction we will again feature Door Prizes and a delicious Dessert Dash.

To donate quality items and services appropriate for a live auction, please contact Mary Savage at 206-522-6201.

Still waging peace all over! Sound Nonviolent Opponents of War Puget Sound & beyond http://www.snowCoalition.org, Olympia plus http://www.olyevents.net, http://www.OlyFOR.org, Seattle plus http://www.scn.org/activism/calendar, Bellingham http://www.WhatcomPJC.org Tacoma http://www.ufppc.org

Ongoing Wednesdays, noon - 1 pm, 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 over 25 years) witness for peace and nonviolence; bring signs or use ours; info Glen 360-491-9093 or info@olyfor.org

Ongoing Thursdays; 5 - 6 pm, 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 pm & Mondays 1:30 pm, TCTV channel 22 in Thurston County, Olympia *FOR* TV monthly program, Nov "Korea: A History of U.S. Interventions." Dec "Terrorism or Asymmetrical Warfare", info Glen 360-491-9093 or http://www.olyfor.org

Ongoing Fridays, 4 - 5 pm, in front of the Bellingham Federal Building; join Bellingham *FOR* members and others in the Whatcom Peace Vigil followed by open discussion at Fantasia Coffee, info 360-733-4146

Ongoing Fridays, 4:30 - 5:30 pm, south end of Percival Landing, W 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 or http://www.olyfor.org

Ongoing Fridays, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, at Justice Works! Thomas House, 1117 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Seattle; Justice Works! meeting; with Updates on our projects, programs, campaigns. JW! is an organization affiliated with *FOR* whose mission is undoing racism in the criminal justice system as experienced by African Americans; info 206-303-7559 or http://www.justiceworks.info

Ongoing Saturdays, noon - 1 pm, Pearl St. at Locust, along Washington Park in front of Centralia library; 5th year of Vigil for Peace and Education by Fire Mountain *FOR*; info Larry Kerschner 360-291-3946 or http://www.firemountainfor.org

Ongoing Sundays, 12:30 -1:30 pm, at the Brackett's Landing sign, Main Street and Railroad Avenue, in downtown Edmonds; Snohomish County Women In Black, Silent Vigil For Peace; Everyone is welcome. info Beth Burrows beb@igc.org

Ongoing Sundays, 10 pm, on TCTV channel 22 in Thurston County; Olympia *FOR* sponsors documentaries on peace and social justice, Nov "30 Frames a Second: The WTO in Seattle." info Carol 360-866-7645 or carolburns98@comcast.net

Fri - Thurs Nov 3 - 8, at SIFF, McCaw Hall, Seattle; premier of "Soldiers of Conscience." info http://www.socfilm.org

Mon Nov 5, 7 - 9 pm, in Olympia, phone for location; Citizens Movement to Impeach Bush/Cheney; Impeach Bush/ Cheney: Gather with other folks to plan further activities. info 360-491-9093 or 360-491-1540 or http://www.CitizensImpeach.org

Weds Nov 7, and subsequent 1st Wednesdays, 5:30 pm, at Labor Temple, Hall 8, 2800 1st Ave, Seattle; Jobs With Justice Seattle Organizing Committee meeting, *WWFOR* is a member of JwJ, info 206-441-4969

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Wed Nov 7, 7 - 9 pm, and subsequent 1st Wednesdays, at the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Church, 2200 East End St NW, Olympia; Stop big business abuses and corporate personhood: The South Puget Sound Chapter of the Alliance for Democracy meeting. info http://www.sounddemocracy.org or 360-236-9684 or jacquiAFD@comcast.net

Fri - Sat Nov 9 - 10, at Gwinwood Center, Lacey, near Olympia; *WWFOR* Fall Retreat with theme "Resisting the War Machine". Includes Area Committee meeting, our governing body, info 206-789-5565

Fri Nov 9, and subsequent 2nd Fridays, Doors open 6:30 pm; film 7 pm, at Kitsap Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 4418 Perry Ave NE, Bremerton; Second Friday Social Justice Film Series; light refreshments; free admission! To arrange childcare or for info socialjustice@kuuf.org

Fri Nov 9, 7:30 pm at Town Hall Seattle, 8th & Seneca, Seattle; Amrit Singh, staff attorney for the ACLU, on "Administration of Torture." She details widespread torture and abuse that took place in not only in Iraq, but also in Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay. Tickets $5, info http://www.townhallseattle.org

Sun Nov 11, 2 pm, at the Centralia Public Library; meeting of Fire Mountain *FOR*. Planing a MLK event; think about ideas! Please bring finger food to share. info Larry Kerschner 360-291-3946 or http://www.firemountainfor.org

Weds Nov 14, 7 pm in Tumwater; Death penalty abolition committee of Olympia *FOR* meets. Everyone who opposes the death penalty is invited to help strengthen the movement to abolish this atrocity. info Chuck or Rozanne, 360-705-8520

Thurs Nov 15, 7 pm, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 19th Avenue and Madison Street, Seattle; The Bush School Diversity Speaker Series presents Angela Davis on Prisons and American History: The Prison Industrial Complex. RSVP and info Dr. Eddie Moore Jr., Director of Diversity, 206-326-7731, eddie.moorejr@bush.edu

Fri-Sun Nov 16 - 18, at Fort Benning, Georgia; Vigils and nonviolent actions to close the U.S. Army's School of the Americas (SOA), known as the School of Assassins because it trains Latin American military personnel to suppress democracy, violate human rights, and kill people. info School of the Americas Watch http://www.soaw.org

Fri Nov 16, everywhere; Iraq Moratorium occurs on 3rd Friday of each month, a series of actions demanding an end to the war. info http://www.iraqmoratorium.org

Fri Nov 16, 7 pm, at King's Books, 218 St. Helens, Tacoma; "Building an Effective Peace Movement" presentation by Glen Anderson explores on macro-level strategies, practical nuts and bolts, and nonviolence throughout. Sponsored by United for Peace of Pierce County. info Steve Nebel 253-573-1504 or mr_madrone@msn.com

Sat Nov 17, 10:45 am - 6 pm, at Pacific Lutheran University, Columbia Center Building, Yakima Ave. and 124th. Street, Tacoma; Basic peacekeeper training sponsored by United For Peace of Pierce County. Learn skills to help our rallies, marches, and other events be safe and effective. Donations welcomed. info David Lambert 253-759-2280 or dmlamb@harbornet.com

Sat Nov 17, 7 pm, at Woodland Park Presbyterian Church, 225 N 70th, Seattle; Fun and Fundraising Auction for *WWFOR*. Come promptly for snacks, viewing the auction items, and chances to win some great and unusual doorprizes. Includes delicious dessert dash. Auction items include museum tickets, dinners, art pieces, theatre tickets, fun outings and more. info 206-789-5565 or wwfor@connectexpress.com

Sun Nov 18, 3 pm business meeting, 4 pm program, 5 potluck, at the Friends Center, 2508 S. 39th St, Tacoma; Tacoma *FOR* program with topic Impeachment of Bush and Cheney and a discussion of ways to organize for such. Three speakers, Glen Anderson and Jill Johnson both of Olympia and Ray Nacanaynay of Puyallup will present and field questions. info Vivi 253-572-4912

Tues Nov 20, 3 - 5 pm, at Planned Parenthood, 2001 E. Madison, Seattle; Safe Schools Coalition meeting, *WWFOR* is a member, working to help schools become safe places regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, attend in person or by phone; RSVP and info Beth Reis, beth.reis@kingcounty.gov, 206-296-4970 or http://www.SafeSchoolsCoalition.org

Mon Nov 26, 7 - 9 pm, in Olympia; Citizens Movement to Impeach Bush/ Cheney. Gather with others to plan activities. info 360-491-9093 or 360-491-1540 or http://www.CitizensImpeach.org

Sat & Sun Dec 1 & 2, Sat 10:45 am to 6 pm, Sun 12:45 - 7 pm, at Lacey Community Church, 4501 19th Ave SE, Lacey; Two-Day Advanced Peacekeeper Training. Peacekeepers help our rallies, marches, and other events be safe and effective. Sliding-scale cost. Sponsored by Olympia *FOR*. Please RSVP. info Glen Anderson 360-491-9093 or glen@olywa.net

Sat Dec 1, & subsequent 1st Saturdays, 3 pm, 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

Mon Dec 3, and subsequent 1st Mondays, please confirm by phone, 7 pm at St. Mark's Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave E, Seattle; Jubilee 2000 NW Coalition meeting, working for debt relief for world's poorest nations, info Mary Margaret Pruitt 206-382-3785 or http://www.jubileenw.org

Weds Dec 5, 1 pm, at Centralia Community College; Larry Kerschner, veteran of Vietnam War and member of Fire Mountain (Centralia-Chehalis area) *FOR* will give a talk at the Lyceum Series on "Support the Troops: Ethical considerations". info Larry peacepoet@gmail.com

Weds Dec 5, and subsequent 1st Wednesdays, 5:30 pm, at Labor Temple, Hall 8, 2800 1st Ave, Seattle; Jobs With Justice Seattle Organizing Committee meeting, *WWFOR* is a member of JwJ, info 206-441-4969

Thurs Dec 6, 6 pm, at Town Hall, 8th & Seneca, downtown Seattle; Human Rights Day. United Nations Association Seattle ,the City of Seattle Office for Civil Rights, with 16 local organizations, present Kenji Yoshino, specialist in civil rights law, constitutional law, antidiscrimination law. info info@unaseattle.org, 206-568-1959

Fri Dec 7, 7 pm, at Wesley Gardens, 815 - 2l6th St., Music Room, lower level Des Moines; South King County *FOR* meeting, topic TBA, info Marion 206-870-4139 or notarobot85@hotmail.com

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Fri Dec 14, and subsequent 2nd Fridays, Doors open 6:30 pm; film 7 pm, at Kitsap Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 4418 Perry Ave NE, Bremerton; Second Friday Social Justice Film Series; light refreshments; free admission! To arrange childcare or for info socialjustice@kuuf.org

Sat Dec 15, noon to 1 pm, on Percival Landing, 4th & Water, downtown Olympia; Olympia *FOR*'s 32nd Annual Holiday Peace Vigil. Gather with more than a hundred other folks for one hour to literally "stand up for peace." Enjoy social time and refreshments afterward at a nearby location. Plenty of signs available, or bring your own. info 360-491-9093 or info@olyfor.org

Sun Dec 16, 3 pm business meeting, 4 pm program, 5 potluck, at the Friends Center, 2508 S. 39th St, Tacoma; Tacoma *FOR* program with tentative topic Immigration issues/ concerns. info Vivi 253-572-4912

Sun Dec 16, 5 - 8 pm, at Woodland Park Presbyterian Church, 225 N 70th, Seattle; Seattle *FOR* Holiday Party. Festive potluck dinner, collection of toys for farmworker family children. info 206-789-5565 or wwfor@connectexpress.com

Tues Dec 18, 3 - 5 pm, at Planned Parenthood, 2001 E. Madison, Seattle; Safe Schools Coalition meeting, *WWFOR* is a member, working to help schools become safe places regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, attend in person or by phone; RSVP and info Beth Reis, beth.reis@kingcounty.gov, 206-296-4970 or http://www.SafeSchoolsCoalition.org

Fri Jan 4, 7 pm, at Wesley Gardens, 815 - 2l6th St., Music Room, lower level Des Moines; South King County *FOR* meeting, topic TBA, info Marion 206-870-4139 or notarobot85@hotmail.com

Sat Jan 5, & subsequent 1st Saturdays, 3 pm, 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

Mon Jan 7, and subsequent 1st Mondays, please confirm by phone, 7 pm at St. Mark's Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave E, Seattle; Jubilee 2000 NW Coalition meeting, working for debt relief for world's poorest nations, info Mary Margaret Pruitt 206-382-3785 or http://www.jubileenw.org

Sun Jan 20, potluck 5 pm, announcements 6, program 6:30, at Woodland Park Presbyt. Church, 225 N 70th, Seattle; Seattle *FOR* program TBA. Free, collection taken. info 206-789-5565

Mon Jan 21, in Olympia; Annual MLK Day Poverty Action Summit and March on the Capitol. info and RSVP Marcy Bowers 206-694-6794 or marcy@povertyaction.org

Mon Jan 21, 9:30 am workshops, 11 am rally, noon march, staarts at Franklin High School, 3013 Mt. Baker Blvd, Seattle; Martin Luther King Celebration with Workshops, Rally and March, join the Seattle *FOR* contingent

 USA PO Box 271, Nyack, NY 10960 845-358-4601 www.forusa.org publisher of Fellowship (a superb magazine!)

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Western Washington FOR needs your financial support. If you like what we are doing, please donate to: WWFOR, 225 N 70^th, Seattle WA 98103. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. FOR is a 501(c)(3) organization.

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