VETERANS FOR PEACE CHAPTER 132, CORVALLIS

Minutes April 27, 2009

 

I.      Those attending:   Leah Bolger, Rebecca Michelson, Bob Stebbins, Tony Wright, John Gaylord, Bryan Puckett, Del Shirley, Joe Magner.

 

II.  Administration 

 

Treasurers Report--We have a total balance of $1294 in our account, of which $724 is in the special project reserve fund, and $570 in the general fund. We raised $730 in an email & mail fundraising.

 

Website – New updates on Benji’ Lewis’ speaking tour and the Emma’s Revolution benefit concert are on our Chapter web site.  The website has frequent updates and it is recommended we check it regularly.

 

Dues payment status – Bart is contacting members individually about their dues status.  Leah reported it seems to be going OK.

 

III. Past actions/events status and debrief

 

April 26 Peace Jam Workshop –Rebecca Michelson debriefed the event.  In the interactive skit, Benji gave the standard recruiter response to student questions.  Then from behind a curtain, George gave the more accurate answer.  Response was lively and students asked insightful questions.   Benji with his knowledge and astuteness was a great asset.

 

            April 15th  Leaflet distribution at Post Office--Bob Stebbins reported he and 2 others handed out 200 leaflets.

 

            Bring the Guard Home Campaign (http://www.pjw.info/troopshomecampaign.html)  Leah reported  we are on the verge of getting the needed votes-- between 2 and 4 votes away.  The representatives to influence, especially is Sen. Frank Morse.  Currently 12 states have introduced legislation in support of the Campaign.

 

OregonProgressiveNetwork.org is the place to send letters, sign petitions, see alerts, etc.  Hand written letters have the greatest impact.

           

IV.  Action Team reports and planning

 

            Assistance to Benji Lewis. Organization, housing out of town supporters, publicity, etc..Leah Bolger.  Benji is doing great, has given 3 talks, he will talk at LBCC at noon on Thursday (April 30).  On May 18th he will talk about options.  He had originally planned to refuse to report. However, two weeks ago Benji got a letter saying that his unit will not deploy and he has the option not to activate.  Benji is now modifying his talk.

Concert by Emma’s Revolution on the Sunday 17th of May was originally intended for legal support if he was court-martialed.  Now the money will go to a resistance fund. The concert will be at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis (UUFC) at 7:30pm.  Tickets are available at Happy Trails Music and Grass Roots Books and from Leah.  Cost is $12 in advance and $15 at the door.

 

Peace and Justice Coalition—Leah reported they are not going to have regular meetings any more because the Progressive Network is fulfilling this function.

 

Books from VFP Northwest--10 Excellent Reasons Not to Join the Military.  Bart purchased 60 copies for $1 each and most have been given away. We have ordered another 300 copies to distribute (for donations) at tabling and other events.  Will War Ever End is another book with 2 copies available to read.  Leah encouraged reading it.

 

Homelessness--Bob Stebbins attended 2 meetings in City Council.  It decided not to site a homeless camp in a city park.  The police have given a verbal assurance they would not cite unless there was a formal complaint but even without complaint they have given citations.  People in the City are saying NIMBY. If one does not have any money and is homeless there is no place to stay to clean up and have a contact location for employment.  Everybody has to have a place to sleep.  The gazebo in Central Park didn’t work out allegedly because of abuse of the space.  The City is concerned about liability claims and the question of who would police a camp.  Also, there is a concern that the camp would become a regional magnet for the homeless.  John knows of a fenced 4 acre plot with a large building (former warehouse) within walking distance from town. 

 

National VFP newsletter article, deadline May 15.  Rebecca is writing it.  We suggested it feature the PeaceJam and possibly the Bring the Guard Home Campaign.

 

Counter-Military Recruitment—John Griffiths, Albany/Lebanon.  Bob Stebbins, Rebecca Michelson.  

Results in Philomath--- Bart did a visit to PHS on April 22 and has one more to go on May 20, just before school ends.    Bob had 3 students in his last school visit. 

The film Arlington West is a documentary on Arlington West and people being intervened at the site of the crosses.  A couple modified that documentary and shortened it then they took it into high schools.  Leah suggested trying to get the video into schools for use in classrooms and auditoriums.

 

Survey and report on web sites, local, state and national by VFP 132 membership. Bob Stebbins    Bob reported on several sites.

             

PTSD Forum –Doug Clark, Judy Ross, Don Anderson Benji Lewis.   Nothing to report.  However, there was discussion with Bryan about his being given the broad diagnosis “cognitive disorder” rather than the more specific diagnosis PTSD.   On Thursday a VA doctor will do a more definitive assessment of “cognitive disorder.”

 

Planning for Armed Forces Day/Veterans Day on May 16-- Bob Stebbins attempted to find out what was being planned and found out nothing is.  Bob talked to Paul Evans who helps veterans in Albany and has an office in the caboose.on 3d street.  Paul has no plans. 

 

Liberty Tree Affair at LBCC 11 to 3 pm May 6 in the courytyard.  We tabled at the event last year and had a good response.  Bart and Bob Stebbins are taking the first shift form 11-1.  Jim Schmidt will help out from 1-3.

                                                                                       

Cindy Sheehan 27th May Wed, 7 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis (UUC)-- She will be reading from her 4th and latest book, taking questions, and signing books. 

 

Ehren Watada--The military court is trying to re-court martial him which will create double jeopardy.

 

Bunker Project--One of our chapter members that is disabled with PTSD is awaiting trial.  The Bunker Project is advocating for him and other vets in court.   The Bunker Project assists attorneys and their veteran clients who, because of war related behavioral disorders (PTSD, TBI), get into legal difficulties.

 

Belgium was the first country to ban land mines.  They have also banned cluster bombs.  It has now banned all DU weapons, including purchasing, storing, using,    Congratulations to Belgium for Banning DU!  The intent is to create international law banning its use.

 

Obama is advocating for 80 billion for war funding.   Do we want to protest this funding, as a chapter?  The only way to stop the war is to defund it.   What would be an effective way to oppose this funding?   

 

Second Saturday Benefit Concert--Leah handed out fliers.

 

V. Scheduled Future actions/events

 

May 18-- Benji Lewis at Corvallis Public Library at noon.

 

May 25--VFP monthly meeting

 

August 5-9--National Convention, University of Maryland

 

Other Important dates:

Daily, 5:00 to 6:00 pm—Corvallis Peace Vigil, Benton County Courthouse

Fridays, 4:30 pm--Albany Peace Vigil, Linn County Courthouse

 

 

 

 

Del Shirley

Scribe