Political Discussion Meeting
We plan to hold an expanded planning committee meeting on the new situation facing the peace movement. The date for that meeting will be Jan. 13. Some elements of the new situation to which we need to adjust:
- The escalation in Afghanistan has been announced; a large share of the American people are opposed to the escalation, but after Obama's speech the majority apparently favors it, still swayed by "The Good War" rhetoric
- Progressives are demoralized and confused by Obama's policies in general. They oppose many of Obama's policies (gutting health care, bank bailout, as well as Afghanistan), but still want to support him against the right. How to do both?
- Implications of the terrible economy; most Americans are more concerned with having a job and a home than with war and peace at this point
We decided to hold a meeting on Dec 30 at AFSC to plan this political discussion meeting.
Strategy Conference
We have a date of Feb 13 for the next strategy conference. We did not spend much time developing the agenda but we know that the 25% Solution/ Cut the Military Budget taskforce will present a segment of the agenda. The Majority Agenda Project also wants to present something at this meeting. Duncan and Shelagh were appointed as a committee to work on the conference.
UFPJ
UFPJ, the national peace and justice coalition to which we belong, has severe financial difficulties. Some would also say it is facing political difficulties as it tries to continue antiwar work in the Obama period. It had to lay off all its staff and is discussing whether to transition to an all-volunteer organization or disband.
UFPJ created a member groups survey. UJP filled out the survey at the meeting and voted that UFPJ should continue. We discussed the need for UJP, along with other groups, to volunteer for UFPJ tasks in an all-volunteer context. Cole is already active in the Afghanistan Working Group, and Susan is proposing that the Military Budget Campaign go national and form another UFPJ working group.
We also voted to send a $125 contribution to defray UFPJ's debt, and agreed to campaign with our own member groups for additional donations.
Honduras Event
We voted at $25 contribution to the Honduras event to be held Dec 15, but are unable to staff a table there.
Labor Movement Peace Work
It was suggested that we submit a resolution on Afghanistan to Jobs with Justice and we agreed to do that. It should be worded with caution. JwJ meets the third Thursday of each month.
Richard Krushnic is talking about reorganizing a New England branch of US Labor Against the War.
Announcements
Raed Jarrar will speak at the Peace Action annual meeting on Jan. 23.
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