PEACE VIGIL
YOUNGSTOWN, OH
Friday, May 13, 2011
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Corner Market St. and E. Midlothian Blvd.
Ray Nakley (330-506-1999) and Ron Dull (330-518-9881) will hold their weekly Peace Vigil this Friday, May 13, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the corner of Market St. and E. Midlothian Blvd. in Youngstown, OH. They invite anyone who is interested in showing their support for ending conflict in the world to join them. Hold out positive thoughts for that!
This week: After faithfully standing vigil for peace on Casa Grande street corners every Friday through the winter and early spring, Tony Fasline is back in his Yankee hometown and standing with old friends through the summer season. He’s connected me with organizers of the year-round Youngstown, OH, vigils, so I can post notice of their events, in case any of you happen to be in that area.. Thanks to Ray Nakley, I have the schedule for the rest of the year for Youngstown vigils, so I’ll be posting them here on a regular basis.
Of course, we’ll be looking forward to Tony’s return to Casa Grande sometime in the fall. At that time, maybe there’ll be more people to join him, and possibly me now and then, as he reminds passersby that we must do more to end the war--all wars--and contribute our energies toward building a peaceful and prosperous society all over the world.
Meanwhile, let’s all send out our most positive thoughts and, for those who are believers, prayers to support and benefit all those suffering in so many parts of the world!
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Tony Fasline holding peace vigils for the summer season in Youngstown, OH
I’ve just received a message from Tony Fasline, who so loyally held peace vigils every Friday afternoon here in Casa Grande throughout the winter and early spring. Back in his old Youngstown, OH, home, Tony and friends have already held his first vigil there. He promises to keep me informed of their vigil schedule up there, so I can let people know what’s going on in various places around Youngstown from now till early fall. At that time, he promises to return to Arizona. During the colder months, Tony--and hopefully I and others--will be back on street corners around here. We’ll keep you up-to-date when those vigils are scheduled as well.
For now, if anyone else wants to organize similar vigils, go ahead and post them as comments in my Peace Blog or on my Facebook walls. That’s exactly the kind of thing I have these pages for.
Meanwhile, I know we all have to live in the real world, but we’ll never have a better one to live in unless we nurture the dreamers and visionaries who point the way. Yes, there’s conflict all over, but we’ll never have peace unless we understand the reasons conflict exists and find ways to solve the problems that cause the conflict. That’s why I do this work.
For now, if anyone else wants to organize similar vigils, go ahead and post them as comments in my Peace Blog or on my Facebook walls. That’s exactly the kind of thing I have these pages for.
Meanwhile, I know we all have to live in the real world, but we’ll never have a better one to live in unless we nurture the dreamers and visionaries who point the way. Yes, there’s conflict all over, but we’ll never have peace unless we understand the reasons conflict exists and find ways to solve the problems that cause the conflict. That’s why I do this work.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Aftermath of bin Laden Raid: Retire Geronimo from the Military Manual
Even as Native Americans across the country share similar feelings with other Americans over news of the demise of Osama bin Laden, they disapprove the assignment of the code name Geronimo to the military operation responsible for taking him down. It’s understandable that people who serve their country, in both military and civilian capacities, to a greater extent than any other ethnic group feel disappointment and anger at this lapse of cultural sensitivity to their feelings.
At least since World War II, the name of Geronimo has been commonly used in U.S. military action. In those days of careless racism, we heard the slogan in numerous war movies. As children in the early postwar years, we often played parachutist, yelling “Geronimo!” as we leapt off anything higher than the ground we landed on, from a chair to a tree limb. No one gave a second thought to the habit.
Of course, that was before most people in the country heard anything about the Windtalkers, the mostly Navajo soldiers who used their unique language to invent a code that couldn’t be broken by the Japanese during World War II. It was also before the days of the Second Stand at Wounded Knee in 1973, where a group of American Indian Movement members occupied the site of the last major massacre of Indians by American soldiers in 1890.
It was a time when Native American children were still sent to boarding schools where all elements of their culture were stifled. Entire families were still being forcefully moved off reservations that had been their home for decades into cities where they were encouraged to assimilate. The official government goal of the time was to destroy the last vestiges of the cultural and tribal connections that had been their strength against historic Eurocentric occupation of their traditional lands.
Now we read that as soon as the special forces had “eliminated their target,” in military speak, they sent the following coded message: Geronimo EKIA. In plain English, this means “enemy [specifically, bin Laden] killed in action.”
One wonders what code names might have been assigned to other members of al Qaeda during the operation. Sitting Bull? Osceola? In different eras of the 19th century, all were considered deadly enemies of the U.S. Army. All of them died while in U.S. custody, or in the case of Sitting Bull, under official military control.
To the native population, however, these men and others were considered great spiritual and military leaders. They were able to lead their people successfully through great difficulties, both in conflict and in peace. And in the current culture of heightened ethnic awareness, the roles and motives of these and other Indian leaders are gaining the respect of people on all sides of history.
On the positive side, a Senate Indian Affairs committee has scheduled a hearing on racial stereotyping of Native Americans for Thursday, May 5. The agenda includes discussion of the use of this type of racist language, especially in relation to official government activities. This development Is long past due. In fact, I can’t imagine what sort of arguments can be made on the side of maintaining the status quo.
I’ll be waiting to hear an announcement coming out of that committee that the name of any past or present Native American leader will be stricken immediately from the military manual and any other official government document or exercise manual. No other conclusion will be acceptable.
At least since World War II, the name of Geronimo has been commonly used in U.S. military action. In those days of careless racism, we heard the slogan in numerous war movies. As children in the early postwar years, we often played parachutist, yelling “Geronimo!” as we leapt off anything higher than the ground we landed on, from a chair to a tree limb. No one gave a second thought to the habit.
Of course, that was before most people in the country heard anything about the Windtalkers, the mostly Navajo soldiers who used their unique language to invent a code that couldn’t be broken by the Japanese during World War II. It was also before the days of the Second Stand at Wounded Knee in 1973, where a group of American Indian Movement members occupied the site of the last major massacre of Indians by American soldiers in 1890.
It was a time when Native American children were still sent to boarding schools where all elements of their culture were stifled. Entire families were still being forcefully moved off reservations that had been their home for decades into cities where they were encouraged to assimilate. The official government goal of the time was to destroy the last vestiges of the cultural and tribal connections that had been their strength against historic Eurocentric occupation of their traditional lands.
Now we read that as soon as the special forces had “eliminated their target,” in military speak, they sent the following coded message: Geronimo EKIA. In plain English, this means “enemy [specifically, bin Laden] killed in action.”
One wonders what code names might have been assigned to other members of al Qaeda during the operation. Sitting Bull? Osceola? In different eras of the 19th century, all were considered deadly enemies of the U.S. Army. All of them died while in U.S. custody, or in the case of Sitting Bull, under official military control.
To the native population, however, these men and others were considered great spiritual and military leaders. They were able to lead their people successfully through great difficulties, both in conflict and in peace. And in the current culture of heightened ethnic awareness, the roles and motives of these and other Indian leaders are gaining the respect of people on all sides of history.
On the positive side, a Senate Indian Affairs committee has scheduled a hearing on racial stereotyping of Native Americans for Thursday, May 5. The agenda includes discussion of the use of this type of racist language, especially in relation to official government activities. This development Is long past due. In fact, I can’t imagine what sort of arguments can be made on the side of maintaining the status quo.
I’ll be waiting to hear an announcement coming out of that committee that the name of any past or present Native American leader will be stricken immediately from the military manual and any other official government document or exercise manual. No other conclusion will be acceptable.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Friday Peace Vigil, Casa Grande, AZ, and surrounding area:
PEACE VIGIL (last of this season)
CASA GRANDE, AZ
Friday, April 8, 2011
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Corner E. Florence Blvd. and N. Pueblo Dr.
Tony Fasline (520-426-0070) will hold his weekly Peace Vigil this Friday, April 8, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the corner of E. Florence Blvd. and N. Pueblo Dr. in Casa Grande, AZ. Tony invites anyone who is interested in showing their support for ending conflict in the world to join him. Hold out positive thoughts for that!
This week: This will be Tony’s last Peace Vigil for the season. Next week he joins his fellow snowbirds, leaving the sunny south to “fly” north to still chilly Ohio. Wrap up, Tony, and remember: Layering is the only way to stay as warm as you like.
Positive thoughts and prayers for all, especially for all those suffering in Japan, the Middle East, and around the world!
CASA GRANDE, AZ
Friday, April 8, 2011
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Corner E. Florence Blvd. and N. Pueblo Dr.
Tony Fasline (520-426-0070) will hold his weekly Peace Vigil this Friday, April 8, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the corner of E. Florence Blvd. and N. Pueblo Dr. in Casa Grande, AZ. Tony invites anyone who is interested in showing their support for ending conflict in the world to join him. Hold out positive thoughts for that!
This week: This will be Tony’s last Peace Vigil for the season. Next week he joins his fellow snowbirds, leaving the sunny south to “fly” north to still chilly Ohio. Wrap up, Tony, and remember: Layering is the only way to stay as warm as you like.
Positive thoughts and prayers for all, especially for all those suffering in Japan, the Middle East, and around the world!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Thursday Peace Vigil, Casa Grande, AZ, and surrounding area:
PEACE VIGIL
CASA GRANDE, AZ
Thursday, March 31, 2011
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Corner E. Cottonwood Ln. and N. Trekell Rd.
Tony Fasline (520-426-0070) will hold his weekly Peace Vigil this Thursday, March 31, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the corner of E. Cottonwood Ln. and N. Trekell Rd. in Casa Grande, AZ. Tony invites anyone who is interested in showing their support for ending conflict in the world to join him. Hold out positive thoughts for that!
This week: Oops! Slowed down this week with a cold, but I’m hitting it with my vitamin C recipe, as detailed on my website’s Columns page, and it’s on the run. Should be back to “normal,” as best that can be, by the weekend!
Positive thoughts and prayers for all, especially for all those suffering in Japan, the Middle East, and around the world!
CASA GRANDE, AZ
Thursday, March 31, 2011
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Corner E. Cottonwood Ln. and N. Trekell Rd.
Tony Fasline (520-426-0070) will hold his weekly Peace Vigil this Thursday, March 31, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the corner of E. Cottonwood Ln. and N. Trekell Rd. in Casa Grande, AZ. Tony invites anyone who is interested in showing their support for ending conflict in the world to join him. Hold out positive thoughts for that!
This week: Oops! Slowed down this week with a cold, but I’m hitting it with my vitamin C recipe, as detailed on my website’s Columns page, and it’s on the run. Should be back to “normal,” as best that can be, by the weekend!
Positive thoughts and prayers for all, especially for all those suffering in Japan, the Middle East, and around the world!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Friday Peace Vigil, Casa Grande, AZ, and surrounding area:
PEACE VIGIL
CASA GRANDE, AZ
Friday, March 25, 2011
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Corner N. Pinal Ave. and W. Florence Blvd.
Tony Fasline (520-426-0070) will hold his weekly Peace Vigil this Friday, March 25, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the corner of N. Pinal Ave. and W. Florence Blvd. in Casa Grande, AZ. Tony invites anyone who is interested in showing their support for ending conflict in the world to join him. Hold out positive thoughts for that!
This week: Oops! I must confess that I neglected to post this notice of Tony Fasline’s peace vigil for last Friday. In spite of my lapse, Tony did stand faithfully at a well-traveled corner of Pinal Avenue and was greeted by many supportive commuters who passed by. We prefer to concentrate on those reactions and not the rare people who express their disapproval of everyone’s right to state their case in the Public Square. After all, that’s what the First Amendment is all about. One of the things, anyway.
Meanwhile, I’m making progress with my own agenda, especially by by posting Tony’s plans this week. Hurrah! However, I still won’t be able to stand out there with him myself this week, so if any of you can join him, Tony and I will certainly appreciate it. I hope I can be out there one week very soon.
Let’s all exchange positive thoughts, prayers, whatever you choose to believe and share!
CASA GRANDE, AZ
Friday, March 25, 2011
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Corner N. Pinal Ave. and W. Florence Blvd.
Tony Fasline (520-426-0070) will hold his weekly Peace Vigil this Friday, March 25, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the corner of N. Pinal Ave. and W. Florence Blvd. in Casa Grande, AZ. Tony invites anyone who is interested in showing their support for ending conflict in the world to join him. Hold out positive thoughts for that!
This week: Oops! I must confess that I neglected to post this notice of Tony Fasline’s peace vigil for last Friday. In spite of my lapse, Tony did stand faithfully at a well-traveled corner of Pinal Avenue and was greeted by many supportive commuters who passed by. We prefer to concentrate on those reactions and not the rare people who express their disapproval of everyone’s right to state their case in the Public Square. After all, that’s what the First Amendment is all about. One of the things, anyway.
Meanwhile, I’m making progress with my own agenda, especially by by posting Tony’s plans this week. Hurrah! However, I still won’t be able to stand out there with him myself this week, so if any of you can join him, Tony and I will certainly appreciate it. I hope I can be out there one week very soon.
Let’s all exchange positive thoughts, prayers, whatever you choose to believe and share!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
My op-ed in Salem-News.com
Woo-hoo! The online edition of the Salem, OR, paper, Salem-News.com, just ran one of my op-ed pieces:
http://salem-news.com/articles/march172011/split-personalitiesdj.php
I'm doing many of these articles in between my Blog postings, so whenever they're published, I'll let you know in this space too. Several others are being considered, so hold onto positive thoughts!
http://salem-news.com/articles/march172011/split-personalitiesdj.php
I'm doing many of these articles in between my Blog postings, so whenever they're published, I'll let you know in this space too. Several others are being considered, so hold onto positive thoughts!
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