PAA Meeting Minutes Oct. 13, 2005
Convened at 7 p.m.
Attending: Bill Crosier, C. Lee Taylor, Sec’ty, David Courtney, Don Cook, Jim Rine, Kris Graham, Margaret Davis, Ron Graham, Sherry Glover, Willie Simmons, Brenda Fackler, Cheryl Crosier, Dennis Carter, Don Seributra, Jon Axford, Lee Demers, Mark Lacy, Sarah Gonzales, Ted Weisgal, Zhaleh
Local Campaigns: Dennis presented campaign pitch, running for District A.
Campaigning for civil rights, opposed to Proposition 2, against the death penalty, getting troops out of Iraq, election reform (verifiable voting, instant run off voting), concerned about flooding, remove concrete and restore to original state, get Houston moving towards a more sustainable future, neighborhoods with center points that don’t require us to drive hither and yon, for clean air, clean water, housing, health care, Public interests before private interests
House party: 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, 810 Lamonte Houston 77018
Contact information: 713-695-7175; 713-376-4367;
Treasury report: Brenda - beginning balance of $835.41; revenues of $124; miscellaneous expenses and ending balance $1021.07
Truth in Recruiting: Margaret - meeting at Dos Hermanos too noisy; moving to Muddy Waters meet regularly first Thursday of month; Recriters are coming in on Thursdays in Alvin, have 10 recruiters with Humvies and music blaring; denied recruiting said they were “gathering girls’ phone numbers” targeting kids who are skipping school; need to print materials to distribute to counter; NOTE: ROTC costs schools but they get funding from military to offset expenses; need materials to distribute that makes the case for the military lies and alternatives to military; going to Chucky Cheese; looking to target home schoolers; Quit Stalking our Kids; has non-material information; David C. - advertising budget $1.2 billion supposed to get 82,000 but only getting 76,000 or $16,000 per recruit; real reason they’re wasting this is to siphon the federal budget and place it in media where the can praise the military and our way of life; bogus PSAs aired free but obviously advertisements for recruiting; Recommendation: submit a complaint letter to every station that airs propaganda; station must keep complaints on file which in turn are reviewed when license renewed
Motion to give $200 for printing of materials for distribution; seconded and passed without opposition
Impeach Bush: Bill – reports bumper stickers are very popular $1 ea; After Downing Street group raised money for a poll and got a national polling company to poll on impeachment if it is proved that Bush lied about reasons going to war;
Department of Peace: Lee - Dept of Peace Fundraiser Sunday Oct. 30 12-2:30 p.m to Benefit the Department of Peace and Nonviolence. Hosted by Vivian Brockmann 2930 Lazy Lane off Kirby and San Felipe. RSVP to Vivian by October 20 at v b r o c k 2 0 0 or by calling her at 713-524-9166 or 713-867-9049. Space is limited, so reserve early! Enjoy Organic Raw Foods prepared by Raw Foods Chef Extraordinaire, Pat Greer. Bring a place setting that you would use to set a table for the most divine and exquisite being you know. I have attended one of these and the food is so sacred and heavenly...your body feels as though it has come home. Vivian lives in a home surrounded by woods and walking trails. Come and enjoy a stroll before dining. All of your senses will be fed.
Donate as freely as you are able: ____$25 ____$50 ____$100 ____$200 ____Other
If you cannot attend, but would like to make a donation, make your check payable
to: The Peace Alliance and mail to Vivian Brockman c/o The Department of Peace 2930 Lazy Lane Houston Texas 77019. Part of the proceeds will be kept locally to cover printing expenses and money for our next fundraiser or event.
Please distribute this info to all those who would be interested in attending this Peace Feast :)
See map: Yahoo! Maps
Houston Social Forum at Helios Fundraiser- tell everyone about it - HSF Halloween at Helios Fundraiser: 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, Helios Bar, 411 Westheimer at Taft. Join HSF for live music, poetry readings, costumes and food. Local bands Punkin, Pie, Rosa, The Free Radicals and Meridia will play. Live musical entertainment by local bands Punkin Pie, Rosa, The Free Radicals, and Meridia; poetry readings and tables with flyers and literature about local groups, local candidates, and upcoming progressive events. $5 cover charge for folks over 21, $10 for folks under the age of 21.Baked goods, vegan delicacies, and desserts will be available. You are also welcome to bring a political costume or a Halloween get-up. And, if you have any literature about an event or a progressive/liberal organization, you are welcome to bring it along and we will display it on the tables for people to take and read. All funds collected will benift the financting and organizing of the Houston Social Forum. The Houston Social Forum is an event where left-wing activists will gather to strategize, network, spread ideas and information, increase awarenetss of progressive organizations, and educate each other. The event will include panels. workshops, guest speakers and discusssions. The event is scheduled for Spring 2006.; meeting every Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at HIFC; Houston Social Forum Dinner and Movie: 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, The Artery, 5401 Jackson at Prospect (entrance on Prospect). Join the Houston Social Forum for a potluck dinner and screening of Rumble in Mumbai. The film documents the World Social Forum held in Mumbai, India January 2004 and the 100,000 plus people who attended the forum, all looking to build solidarity--and a better world. For those looking to understand the growing global malaise, which the social forae seek to rectify, Rumble in Mumbai is a good starting point.
Elections and Election Reform: Nine constitutional amendments vote NO on amendment 2; see PAA website for info about amendments; remind your friends to vote NO on 2; rule of thumb on amendments – if it came out of this legislation vote no; block walking and looking to have house parties and phone banking;
Election Reform Candidates’ Forum 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25 Duncan Hall, Rice University; targeting the Dem candidates
NOTE: A majority of city council now endorse voter verifiable voting; but it needs to be presented to council; shooting for 2006 elections
2000th Casualty Memorial: Jim Rine - Weeklong Display of Flags – scheduled beginning the Saturday following the announcement of the 2000th US casualty for information www.afsc.org/2000
lead sponsor Oilpatch Democrats Contact: j m r i n or 281.414.1386
Proposed a joint night with DOP and Carondelet walking meditation around 6-6:30 p.m.; Tentatively scheduled for Wednesday – need to contact DOP folk to see if Wednesday viable; open to suggestions for what’s done e.g., 2000 flags, taps played each night; street theater (walking dead)
End the War Houston March & Rally: originally scheduled Sept. 24 but cancelled because of Hurricane; rescheduled Saturday, Nov. 19
PAA web site & email list changes: Please urge everyone to send events’ information to w e b t e a escramble('webteam','paa-tx.org');">
Fun Group planning: Zhaleh and Sherry Glover
Houston Peace and Justice Center: Ted Weisgal - need people from various groups to serve as representative or on board of HPJC; 40 group members but should be a lot more; HPJC meet 4 times a year and as they see fit;
Framing/Elevator speeches: Bill – will present soon
Wear Black on Oct. 22: Don - The 4th Annual National Day of protest to stop police brutality, repression and the criminalization of a generation
Houston Institute for Culture: Mark – El dia de los muertos altar for Emma Tenayuca Oct. 19 through Nov. 6, 4 - 8pm, Wed - Fri; 2 - 8pm, Sat & Sun. Houston Institute for Culture will exhibit an altar for Emma Tenayuca to educate about the Mexican tradition of Day of the Dead, and to inform viewers about modern issues on the US-Mexico border. A second altar will raise awareness of increasing violence against women in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The event is free.
6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 - Film and Discussion: “Frida” Examine the time period and life of the famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo as it relates to events of Emma Tenayuca.
7 p.m. Tues - Thurs, Oct. 25 - 27 - Special Screening of “Darkness into Light: Following the Spirit” Consider the religious life of the Mexican people and the government’s desire to suppress it. The film’s producer Patricia Collins will be on hand for discussion following the film screenings.
6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1 - All Saints’ Day: New Orleans A slide presentation and discussion will consider the city’s diverse history and cultural experience, as well as its future.
6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3 - Film and Discussion: “When the Mountains Tremble” Consider social-political issues in Latin America, and the events that led to the Nobel Peace Prize for Rigoberta Menchu.
6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6 - Presentation: The US-Mexico Border A slide presentation and discussion will explore the social, economic and health issues, and factors behind immigration.
Houston Institute for Culture • 5555 Morningside, Suite 204
www.houstonculture.org • 713-521-3686
Million More March in Washington D.C. Saturday Oct. 15
KPFT board meeting; committee meetings listed on website; sign up to participate
International Peace Conference: Bill - in London Dec. 10 sponsored by David Swanson (Kucinich’s press person and After Downing Street.org)
Decade of Nonviolence Awards Dinner: Saturday, Oct. 22 tickets $25 or $40 couple; call for reservation don’t have to pay in advance; Speaker is Dr. J. Carroll, Boniuk Center.
Adjourned at 9:30 p.m.