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Rolla Peace News August 13, 2019 |
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Dear Friends: http://tomsager.org/Peaceletters/peaceletter081319.html In this newsletter is: 1. NOON VIGIL FOR PEACE: THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2019 2. THE MISFIT MATHEMATICIAN (Tom's column, http://tomsager.org) a) From Our Readers: Include Something Positive b) Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons reaches 25 ratifications c) Bernie Sanders May Become the Next President of the United States d) Non-Violent Civil Disobedience is Back e) And Here in Rolla 1. NOON VIGIL FOR PEACE: THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2019 We vigil for peace in front of the Rolla Post Office, THIS THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, FROM NOON TO 1:00 PM (and most subsequent Thursdays until peace is established). Please try to join us. The temperature is predicted to be in the 80s. If you do not feel comfortable standing with us in front of the Post Office, please consider driving by and showing your support for our message by honking your horn and flashing a peace sign. 2. THE MISFIT MATHEMATICIAN (Tom's column, http://tomsager.org) a) From Our Readers: Include Something Positive b) Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons reaches 25 ratifications c) Bernie Sanders May Become the Next President of the United States d) Non-Violent Civil Disobedience is Back e) And Here in Rolla From Our Readers: Include Something Positive A reader writes: “Thanks for the updates. Would it be possible to include something positive that is happening in this same arena? People begin to feel paralyzed by the immensity of the devastation, and a record of hope reflecting organizations who are actually making positive change, would catalyze people into joining those in some active way. Thanks,” My response: Yes, that's a very good point. I too feel that this newsletter often lacks positive reinforcement. But don't be paralyzed by the devastation. The birth of the new tends to be a violent event, accompanied by the destruction of the old. So, “Make prayer; do your best; and leave the rest to God.” This week, I will write only about positive developments. And for future weeks, I encourage readers to write in with their own positive developments. I know there are lots of them. Some I may be aware of; many I am not. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons reaches 25 ratifications We are half way there! 25 ratifications, two within the last two weeks. 50 and the treaty goes into effect. The treaty states in part, Encourage the President to sign on and Congress to ratify this very important treaty. There is a pathway for current nuclear powers to follow to join the treaty.1. Each State Party undertakes never under any circumstances to: Here is the list of new signatories and ratifications since the start of the New Year And here is a list of states that are making progress toward ratification. Do not underestimate the importance of 25 countries saying we will no longer be bullied by a handful of powerful nuclear-weapon states. Bernie Sanders May Become the Next President of the United States Bernie never fails to impress me. Here is his response in part to the recent El Paso massacre. While excoriating the President for creating “a climate where we are seeing a significant increase in hate crimes in this country—hates crimes against Muslims, against Mexicans, against Jews. He is creating the kind of divisiveness in this nation that is the last thing we should be doing.”, he also added, “but do I think that he wants to see somebody get shot? Absolutely not.” Now, that's diplomacy! That's what we need in the White House. Non-Violent Civil Disobedience is Back Climate protesters in Australia, a continent that was all but destroyed during this year's southern-hemisphere summer by heat, drought, flood and fire are rising up against plans to develop Australia's coal resources. And 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg sets sail on a carbon-neutral ship for the United States to attend an important UN climate conference. Thunberg said, “Me speaking to the U.N. is not going to change the situation but if that can help to create awareness ... then I think that together we can try to ... make a change,” And Here in Rolla We have just completed 12.5 years of weekly vigils for Peace at the Rolla Post Office. Whereas, when we began we received many raised middle fingers and angry shouts from passers-by; now almost every response we receive is positive. With the help of our attorneys at Great Rivers Environmental Law Center, in 2007 we received a court injunction against using Buehler Park in any way other than a public park. Since then Citizens for the Preservation of Buehler Park has planted 44 trees that are busy as I write sequestering carbon dioxide. The City of Rolla which used to be our adversary is now trying to get Rolla designated Tree City. Rolla now has a chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby, which seeks to pass legislation favorable to our environment. CCL will host a showing of the film “The Human Element” at Phelps County Courthouse on Thursday, August 22 at 6:30 pm. Yes, when you think about it, there are a lot of positive developments happening now. Be a part of it. You can help by writing some positive words for this newsletter. In the words of Stephen Kinzer, “Earth-shaking events often happen slowly and quietly.” Rolla Peace News is distributed by email once a week on Tuesday evenings (except on rare occasions) and is posted on the web at http://tomsager.org (click on Grassroots Rolla: at the top of rightmost column). If you don't wish to get notices of peace events in the Rolla area, let me know and I'll take you off this list. If you want to be added to this list, let me know. Wage peace, Helen helenm (at) fidnet.com |