(ARCHIVES: April 30, 2007) Guns kill

Guns kill.

We put child-safety locks on cabinets, make sure our young ones don't go into the street, and keep an eye out for those who prey on the young and innocent. But it's those things at home that can be the real danger. One of those is guns.

Regardless of your beliefs about gun laws in this country, it's the responsibility of all Texans to do what we can to keep guns out of the hands of children and adults who don't, or won't use them properly. If you own guns and have children, lock them up or (better yet) get rid of 'em altogether. If you keep guns at home, teach your children to respect all that comes with seeing, owning and being around guns.

If you are an educator, parent, pillar of the community or have an occasion to be around children or adults who show signs of mental distress, do all that you can to make sure that they get the resources to get help. Mental illness can destroy people who are not given the resources to get the help they may need as we've most recently seen in the tragedy at Virginia Tech.

It is also our duty to raise children who are sensitive to issues of all kinds and are able to cope with changes in their lives. It's easy to teach your children not to lie or steal, but we also need to teach them to be kind to everyone. Teach kids that no matter what kind of clothes people wear or what they pack for lunch or no matter how good they are at sports or academics, not to make fun of anyone.

Gun violence and teaching peace is just one of the areas that Texans for Peace continues to draw attention to in an ongoing effort to make homes, schools and the community more peace-filled places in which to live and work.

However, as a nation we have continued far too long to ignore the real effects of easy access to guns: 3,000 children killed each year (more than the number who die from flu, cancer and AIDs) and 80 Americans each day.

There are more guns in circulation in the U.S. than the number of people, yet only 36% of families have one in their homes. This is good news. The problem is that the 1/3 of Americans who like guns makes the decisions regarding gun control for the other 2/3rds. This is the reason why semi-automatic pistols and high-powered rifles of all types can easily be purchased and why the America is the world's greatest exporter of violence.

We're all just a bit too "gun crazy".

And, while stricter guns laws alone won't keep mentally ill people, such as Seung-Hui Cho, from trying to kill, they might just make it a bit harder to massacre.

Around the world, there are many people who get into murderous, perhaps additionally deluded, rages with others. In some cases this involves actual violence against others. But because, the overwhelming majority doesn't have guns readily to hand, it is only very rarely that this leads to mass murder, let alone massacre of the Blacksburg scale.

"Guns don't kill people; people kill people" is the best-known slogan of the National Rifle Association, the most effective pro-gun lobbying organization in the United States. But, since this sea of death appears to be uniquely American, perhaps the slogan should be changed to "Guns don't kill Americans; Americans kill Americans." The U.S.A. is certainly #1 … in death and destruction. Is that what we want?

Instead, a sensible approach and one that doesn't violate the Constitution's second amendment would be to educate and encourage Americans to voluntarily remove guns from their homes - particularly where children are present - and to make the purchase of guns more difficult, particularly those guns whose sole practical purpose is to kill people.

Just as mentally incompetent people shouldn't be behind the wheel of a car, neither should they have guns in their hands.

Texans should be at the forefront of discussions on guns and violence. As a state that is often parodied as full of gun-totin' yahoos, we need to be the first to speak out for moderation, tolerance, and sensible gun practices. Teachers, police, military veterans, liberals and conservatives, must join together to find cures for the epidemic of self-destructive violence that plagues us.

We need to examine the role that we play in the ongoing violence in our communities, families and schools. Arming ourselves and the world leads only to destruction, not safety.

Artist Brian "Bydee man" Joseph stated a poetic alternative:

"In with peace for the sake of humanity. Let the only arms we have hold each other."

The alternative is to watch more Virginia Tech, Columbine and UT massacres.

Iraqi refugees

The Texans for Peace delegation just returned from Jordan. Read and see how some of the 4-5 million Iraqi refugees are managing and what their needs are as they struggle to feed their families.

May 1 - Support fair and just immigration

Throughout the U.S. and Texas, immigrants and their allies will gather to show support to fair and just immigration rights including the right to be paid a fair wage, education for children, access to healthcare and other basic human rights (Texans for Peace is a national supporter of May 1).

Austin - 5 pm Rally at the Capitol, 6 pm March for Immigrant's Rights, sponsored by the Worker's Defense Project

Dallas - 5 pm March for New American Justice, Santa Cecilia Catholic Church, 1809 W. Davis St.

Houston - 8 pm Film screening ¡Giante Despierta! Giant Awake! at Rice Cinema, sponsored by Jovenes Imigrantes por un Futuro Mejor

McAllen - 6 pm Ningun Ser Humano Es Ilegal March, McAllen Municipal Park (corner of Bicentennial y Pecan), march to Archer park, sponsored by Proyecto Azteca

Supporters are also calling on Congress for a moratorium on immigrantion raids, deportations and the separation of families.

Silent no more

Folks at the Johnson County Family Crisis Center in Cleburne tell women that they no longer need to stay silent when confronted with abuse.

Founded in 1983, the Center is one of more than 90 community-initiated programs throughout Texas that assist victims of violence and sexual assualt.

“We’re hoping more people find out about our services,” says Lisa McCoy, community development director. “And making people more aware that these problems are out there and that it’s never the victim’s fault so more can begin to break the cycle of violence.”

Piedras Negras gets much needed help

Texas Baptist came to Eagle Pass and Piedra Negra last week after the devastating tornado that his this small community.

Several hundred people were staying at an American Red Cross shelter in Eagle Pass,when a Texas Baptist Men shower unit and other volunteers showed up.

In the shadow of what remains of a 200-year-old Catholic church, Texas Baptist Men volunteers were cooking 4,500 meals a day for tornado victims and recovery workers. A constant flow of people camethrough the tent, creating opportunities for ministry and relationship building for the TBM unit.

Not just for Catholics

Peacemakers from throughout Texas are invited to the 2007 Pax Christi State Conference in Austin on May 19 from 8:30 am to 5 pm at St. Catherine of Siena Church. Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton will keynote the conference. All peacemakers are invited to attend regardless or faith tradition.

"Pax Christi provides people from every walk of life with an opportunity to be part of something bigger than themselves. It is an opportunity to be part of the common effort, to make world peace a reality in our lifetime," says Gumbleton.

Requested donation for registration, including lunch, is $30 (or $10 for students or low income). Please register with your name, address and e-mail to: Pax Christi-Texas, 12831 Raven South Dr., Cypress, TX 77429

Texas peace leaders: Attendence pequested in June

The national assembly of peace and justice organization leaders is scheduled for June 22-23 in Chicago. This is the third such assembly sponsored by United for Peace and Justice and Texas leaders are particularly requested to attend since the issues - from Iraq to Immigration - will be discussed.

If you, or your organization, plans to attend, please contact Charlie Jackson at Texans for Peace once you have completed your online registration with UFPJ. We would like to find out if there are groups who would like to get together for transporation, housing, and events in Chicago.

Texan takes on Army

He's tired of hazardous waste being dumped into his community and home. Now he's taking on the city and the U.S. Army. Hilton Kelly, of Port Arthur, has become an activist. He is fighting to stop the destruction of the deadly VX nerve gas in his hometown.

"It's disgusting to know that all across America, when you mention Port Arthur, Texas, that it's considered the toxic dump site of North America. It's disgusting to know people are turning their backs on little children and old people and letting them stew in toxic waste," says Kelley.

This story has become a national focus of environmental racism and the outright abuse of Americans by chemical companies and their own government. In Port Arthur, Army and city officials did not announce the project until the deal was done.

"We didn't even get a warning that it was coming," Kelley said. "We're being used as guinea pigs because we are the area of least resistance. How are you going to go out and protest for clean air when you are just trying to get food for your family to eat?"

(ARCHIVES: April 6, 2007) Taxing time for America - How the federal budget reflects its heart

"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." - preamble to The Constitution

… the Republic for which it stands

The founders of the United States were educated and thoughtful persons, steeped in philosophy, religion and world history. Most were merchants, manufacturers, farmers and workingmen and women who also had practical experience in business and international trade, understood the struggle of establishing new frontier communities, worried about taxes, and insisted upon government accountability.

In the following centuries, America became the wealthiest and most successful country in the recorded history, surpassing the glory of older civilizations. Indeed, succeeding generations were able to enjoy degrees of freedom and prosperity seldom found elsewhere.

However, today America's federal government is burdened by polluted and misguided priorities when it comes to outlays that improve the general lives of people.

Despite the claims of disciples of Grover Norquist and the evil minions who favor oligopolies and a creeping New Feudalism, the proper role of the government of this nation is to create a mutually beneficial society where all can enjoy the fruits of liberty - the unalienable Rights of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness - as clearly articulated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

War and Defense is not the primary role of our government and should be limited. The United States wasn't formed because of some great external threat, but because people wanted a better, more equitable society.

So where does the "heart" of America beat today? Has the government of America veered from its role of providing justice, tranquility and general welfare for which it was formed?

…one nation, under the Military?

One need only look at the U.S. budget to see that something is dangerously wrong and our government does not reflect the dreams of a nation of peaceful loving people. Instead it looks like an agenda for death.

Last week the House of Representative passed a $2.9 trillion budget that includes a $213 billion deficit, some increased domestic spending, a national debt of $9.46 trillion, and full funding of President Bush's defense and national security requests.

In a world desperate for leadership and where 3 billion families live on less than $2 per day America goes blithely along wasting money on bombs, missiles, planes and ships that serve little purpose other than to enable presidents to engage in "police actions" (only Congress can declare "war") and misadventures in far-flung parts of the world: Korea, Vietnam, Bosnia, Kosovo, Somalia, Iraq, etc.

This is clearly much different that the original purpose upon which this country was founded and well above any actual security needs.

While there are many who think such military expenditures are needed, most of these are often the financial recipients of those same funds. At any given time, more than five million U.S. families are dependent wholly, or in part, on military dollars (2.6M military and reserve personnel + 3M defense contractors out of a total U.S. labor force of 151 million). Some even declare that we need wars to keep our economy going.

U.S. military spending levels are at their highest levels since WWII and threaten to create a global arms race. Countries that can little afford fighter planes and nuclear weapons follow the lead of the U.S. and spend their peoples' treasury in needless armaments.

The portion of the entire U.S. budget going to war and the military is now almost more than the rest of the nations of the world, combined.

Scholars have long studied the decline and fall of the Roman Empire and other civilizations. Most agree that one significant factor in collapse is when countries bankrupt themselves and "military expenditures began to become a "crushing burden on the finances" of the state, …. Indeed escalation of defense spending during the 1970's and 80's is considered a major factor in the collapse of the Soviet Union.

…with Liberty and Justice for all

A nation's treasury reflects its heart. How then, in a country where 37 million people live in poverty (12.6 percent of the population) can governmental leaders - of both parties - justify spending such a large portion of taxes on the military? They resemble drunken soldiers and sailors spending their entire paychecks on rum and prostitutes, instead of taking care of their families. (However, "to say Congress is spending like drunken sailors is an insult to drunken sailors," said Ronald Reagan).

President Eisenhower warned America, in 1953, of the dangers of the "military-industrial complex". "Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed."

In the five decades since those words, the United States has squandered at least $16 Trillion, some part which could have provided for universal health care and better standard of living for Americans. The "Cold War" alone, a time when we escalated the building of thousands of nuclear bombs and fought proxy wars around the world, cost an estimated $8 trillion.

And military budgets have grown even larger. Over half of the entire federal budget today goes to fight current and past wars (including interest on those wars). Just as the government deceives Americans about WMDs in Iraq and "the surge is working" so too do leaders, with the complicity of both parties and the press, manipulate figures to portray military expenditures as much smaller.

However, the issue of how much is being spent on the military isn't just one of tradeoffs of "guns versus butter". It's also a declaration of the moral priorities of the nation.

In the year before he was assassinated, Martin Luther King raised his prophetic voice and proclaimed, "A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom." He was reacting to the ongoing escalation in Vietnam at a time when America was also supposed to be fighting a "War on Poverty" in his Beyond Vietnam speech.

King also spoke to masters of the federal budget in Washington, "True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it is not haphazard and superficial. It comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring. A true revolution of values will soon look uneasily on the glaring contrast of poverty and wealth. With righteous indignation, it will look across the seas and see individual capitalists of the West investing huge sums of money
in Asia, Africa and South America, only to take the profits out with no concern for the social betterment of the countries, and say: 'This is not just.'"

Every policy made and budget decision from Washington has a moral underpinning: will these help, or hinder, the progress of America and the world? Is this a government of justice or corruption?

The economic policy of the United States is one of the critical issues for our time and the entire world is looking to us for leadership. While we are spending $2.9 Trillion, including a 45% rise in military spending over the past five years, much of the rest of the world goes hungry. Is this something that a nation "filled with people of faith" would tolerate or will there be a call to renewal?

There are many examples of how even a small portion of the federal budget could alleviate pain and suffering around the world. Bread for the world reports that more than 850 million people in the world go hungry every night and that with only $13 Billion per year the basic health and nutrition needs of the world's poorest people could be met. This amount is only slightly more than the U.S. spends on the war in Iraq each month.

Pledging allegiance to peace

April 15th is always a taxing time for those who desire social justice, peace and a reprioritizing of the federal budget. For some, it includes increasing tax-deductible donations to their house of worship, social agencies or non-profit groups. For others, it means redirecting the portion of their taxes going to the military. There are groups that work to exempt the paying of taxes for war, and others that help remind taxpayers with "penny polls" and other activities.

Some even go as far as to risk fines and imprisonment , especially when they know that their tax dollars are going to kill people overseas and fund the war in Iraq.

America's founders would surely admire that so many continue to take part in the formation of this country but might be surprised to see that we still need "tea party" protests on the issue of our own taxation.

They would, however, be cheered to see the debate and reflection over the "heart" of the nation.

Hutto Walk II: Showdown Between American Democracy and Fascism

Texans are demanding freedom for those who have been rounded up and placed in prison camps in Taylor (see Prison camps for peaceful Texans) by the federal government.

"We want the children and their parents freed! NOW! Not months or years from now. We don’t want a bunch of drawn out political game playing. Every day that a child is locked up…is a day of suffering. A day of callous cruel and inhumane criminality being committed with impunity," says those supporting a march April 13-15 being organized by the Texas Civil Rights project.

This march will be a showdown between American Democracy vs. American Fascism.

Cronkrite honored

Texan and former television anchorman Walter Conkite, often called "the most trusted man in America," was honored this week with the 2007 Texas Medal of Arts award.

Cronkite, has been actively involved in many arts, peace and social justice issues throughout the years and has been an outspoken critic of the War in Iraq and current Administration policies.

$2 Million raised for libraries

Now, in its 12th year, the Texas Book Festival passed the $2 million mark in total grant funds awarded to Texas public libraries. In 2006 alone, the Texas Book Festival raised $200,000 and now those funds will be awarded to 60 libraries throughout the state. “We are thrilled to be able to support Texas libraries and the invaluable services that they provide to the citizens of this state,” said Mary Herman, Festival Director. “At a time when funding for libraries continues to be cut on an annual basis, Texas Book Festival grants become even more critical in supporting libraries as they promote reading and literacy in Texas.”

The 12th annual Texas Book Festival will take place Nov. 3-4, 2007 at the State Capitol in Austin. The Festival was founded in 1995 by First Lady Laura Bush.

Coming votes for environment and social justice

This week the Texas Legislature is expected to vote on several pieces of legislation affecting the environment and justice.

Today (Tuesday) the House Environmental Regulation Committee will consider bills that have the potential to affect the quality of Texas air (Coal Bill).

On Wednesday, the Senate is expected to vote on expanding the Hate Crimes Bill (SB 536)to add homeless people, after a homeless man in Austin was set on fire after asking for a cirgarette.

Nearly 400 physicians descended on the Capitol to encourage the passage of legislation that would provide health insurance to thousands of Texas children who do not currently have coverage.

Lon Burnam has introduced a resolution in the House (HCR 154) calling for impeachment proceedings against President Bush.

550 Young prisoners released

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) released 550 young inmates this week - more than a 10th of all young prisoners in Texas - after investigations of physical and sexual abuse by TYC staff and administrators.

"I feel like I have a second chance," she said, moments after devouring her hamburger. "I'm going to be a better person now. I'm a good person, but I want to be a better person," said 15-year-old Shaquanda Cotton after being released. Three months before Cotton, who had no prior criminal record, was sentenced by Paris Judge Chuck Superville in March 2006 to up to 7 years in youth prison for a shoving incident.

The TYC scandal erupted after The Dallas Morning News and the Web site of the Texas Observer reported in February that agency officials ignored signs of sexual abuse of inmates at the West Texas State School in Pyote for more than a year. A TYC internal review found that administrators were warned repeatedly of suspicious behavior but that those warnings were dismissed or covered up.

(ARCHIVES: March 25, 2007) Prison camps for peaceful Texans

In an eerie reenactment of the abuses of WWII when U.S. citizens were interned, Texans once again are being placed in prison camps. Quietly for the past several months, the Bush Administration has been built new "containment facilities" in rural areas of the state. Now they're starting to be filled by peaceful Texans and other families brought from across America.

Mothers, fathers and children are being rounded up and placed in these prison camps, stripped of their rights as citizens, and held indefinitely. One full prison camp is in Williamson County, right outside of Austin: the Hutto camp in Taylor. This 512-bed camp is one of two in the country that detains children and families while they await outcomes of asylum petitions or deportations and is operated by the nation's largest private prison outsourcing firm, Corrections Corp. of America.

Many of the prisoners are Texans - swept up in raids on their places of work - who did not have proof of citizenship (i.e. birth certificate) on their person. Some of these are likely to be undocumented workers. Others, their U.S. citizen children, are being held without claim that they have violated any law….they are being interned illegally.

The Texas Civil Rights project has become involved. After touring the prison camp in, civil rights project staff members found that children weren't being provided adequate education and that there is a lack of medical care and possible overcrowding.

One family, who were caught by an unscheduled airplane stop in the U.S. while on transit to Canada, spoke recently of conditions.

Kevin, who wrote a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper pleading for help, declared in a court document that he sleeps in a cell with his mother right next to a toilet and there is no privacy.

Kevin Yourdkhani a nine-year-old who was recently released through Canadian intervention said, "the food is garbage." "I was hungry all the time for five days . . . Everybody in my pod is really sick right now. Some kids can't go to school. Lots of kids have eye infections."

Officials at the prison camp were angry about the publicity and threatened to put his parents in separate jails while placing Kevin in foster care, said the boy. "I cried and cried so much that I lost my energy and I went to sleep. I felt if I will be separated I can never see my parents again."

Several rganizations, from refugee groups to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have become involved. A 72-page report from the Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service concluded that this is a "dressed-up penitentiary that should not hold children."

Texas officials have even helped ensure lack of accountability by exempting this prison camp from state childcare licensing requirements. Detainees are treated like criminals - guards constantly threaten parents and children end up psychologically traumatized.

Prior to 2001, it had been easy to condemn the "good Germans" of WWII who sat idly by while their fellow citizens - Catholics, Jews, Homosexuals, dissidents and others - were rounded up. About 3,000 Japanese, Germans, and Italians were placed in the Texas similar internment camps during WWII.

Even now, the history of that period is rarely discussed.

Today we live in a world where the usurpation of individual human rights, habeas corpus and even torture is routinely being practiced in full view. These prisons are only the tip of the iceburg that may soon come as a militaristic government combines with corporate interests to build more and more lockups.

What are good Texans to do?

Will we remain silent while our fellow citizens are rounded up or will we be a voice for the voiceless and say "Ninguna persona es illegal" (No person is illegal).

To stay informed and become active in this, visit the Texas Civil Rights Review.

Texas apology for slavery

When Texas was a young state slavery was allowed, despite the objections of some leaders. This legacy of slavery led to Texas' joining the south during the Civil Wa and lynchings, Klu Klux Klan activity, and racial discrimination that continues to the present in some parts of the state.

Now the Texas Legislature is being asked to consider a formal "Texas apology" and recognition of the signicant role that African-Americans have made as part of a movement among Southern states considering official expressions of regret.

By enacting this legislation, Texas would be reconciling some of its past and moving forward to a more equitable future.

Congressional warmongering continues

Despite an overwhelming concensus by Americans and polls of Iraqis that the war in Iraq must end this year, the U.S. Congress and the Bush Administration continue to prolong the war. On March 23, House members passed a bill that would, among other things, fund the ongoing occupation and war in Iraq almost through the end of 2008.

Every Democratic member of the Texas delegation - liberal and conservative alike - voted for the bill on the premise that some sort of deadline is better than none. All Republican members voted against it saying that even another 18 months of war "binds the hands of the President".

In their messages to voters, both Democrats and Republicans claim that they are for "peace" while at the same time funding the largest military buildup in history and financing the second costliest war. Once, again they are attempting to fool the electorate.

The Senate is expected to pass similiar legislation and then both houses of Congress will hammer out a final bill during conferences. President Bush has has threatened tol veto legislation that doesn't fit with his strategy. To counter this, some members of Congress are openly calling for impeachment of the President and Vice President.

Peace and antiwar groups around the country roundly condemn these votes and demand that Congress not give a single dollar more to the war. To continue funding is tantamount to being war accomplices.

Texans to remember César Chávez

Marches to commemorate the life of César E. Chávez will be attended by Texans on March 31 in San Antonio and April 1 in Austin.

Chávez, founder of the United Farm Workers Union, practiced the nonviolent principles of Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi to improve the rights of migrant farm workers and laborers. He was posthumously awarded the National Medal of Freedom in 1994.

Arlarming violence at TYC

Investigations into sex abuses at Texas Youth Commission facilities are also turning up arlarming levels of voilence.

The Federal Department of Justice review has found that the level of inmate assualts is five times that of facilities in other parts of the U.S. and the Texas environment is "chaotic and dangerous"

The TYC is Texas’ juvenile corrections agency, established by the Legislature to "protect the public, provide rehabilitation services for youth committed to us by courts, habilitate youth to become productive and responsible citizens through education and productive work, and furnish information about juvenile delinquency prevention."

Like other Texas jails and prisons, the TYC has been greatly expanded in recent years due to tougher sentencing guidelines and "one strike" policies. Texas now incarcerates more if its children and adults than all but the most repressive governments in the world.

Most dangerous "preacher" in US?

Televangelist John Hagee, pastor of Cornerstone Church of San Antonio, might just be the most dangerous preacher in the U.S. Not only has he long supported war as part of his milleniallist view, he also says “The war between America and Iraq is the gateway to the Apocalypse,” ...like that's a good thing. Now he wants war with Iran, too!

This type of theology has its consenquences when it comes to U.S. foreign policy: It's nuts. It is also one of the reasons why so many fundamentalist Christians support Israel so strongly.

Hagee, and his followers, apparently believe in a coming cataclysmic end of the world that will bring the emergence of Jesus. As such, he is a strong supporter of Israel - but predicts Jews to die - and a dangerous man who has great influence in the White House.

Digital Inclusion for El Paso

The City of El Paso, county government and school district have combined together to launch a new wireless initiative to bring universal Internet access and services to underserved citizens, school children, public housing residents and small businesses.

The Digial El Paso Project will include a city wide wireless mesh and additional free access points where citizens who have no Internet access can logon.

(ARCHIVES: March 8, 2007) March to peace, Texas

In the spring of 2007, Texans everywhere put on their boots and sneakers and gathered in places where people meet.

They marched to peace (see upcoming marches).

Their voices were so strong and loud that they could be heard by the dead and dying in Iraq and around the world: No more war!

They took advantage of the opportunity to end the tragedy of the war and occupation of Iraq, a disastrous conflict that had finally been acknowledged by all.

The faithful gathered together in places of worship to pray, fast, and witness for justice. They engaged in "love through action" including acts of nonviolent civil disobedience. In D.C., the mall was "occupied" by citizens demanding governmental accountability.

Freedom-loving people occupied the centers of power demanding liberty and accountability. The stood outside the homes of officeholders banging pots and pans and clamored, "Stop it, now!"

Entire families and people of every social status, color, age and political persuasion marched together beneath banners that read: "End the War" and "Not in Our Name".

In communities large and small, from Azle to Austin, El Paso to Marshall, Texans displayed their

independence, generosity and creativity. In Austin, marching bands, rockers, jazz musicians and church choirs used the instrument of song

following the "trumpet of conscience" of all of those who have gone before. In rural communities and wealthy suburbs they gathered sometimes only in small groups, but all with the same voice of peace.

Texans caravanned to Washington; soldiers, veterans, New Orleans volunteers and others petitioned for change. They gathered with hundreds of thousands of protestors outside the doors of the Pentagon and swelled the heart of the national capital. Red, blue and white flags of the Lone Star State waved proudly overhead.

Throughout the state, teachers instructed their students. Parents advised their children. Columnists wrote editorials. Workers sent their donations. All had a common message: wage peace, abolish war.

The time had come to end the destruction. Those who promoted and financed the war capitulated, as they always must, when faced with the overwhelming condemnation of their actions.

Faced with the clear evidence that Texans - indeed all of humanity - opposed the continuation of the occupation and war in Iraq, courageous members of Congress and the Administration availed themselves of the tools at their disposal; they cut off funding, declared a timeline for troop withdrawals, and began the process of healing.

Where were you?

Peace,

Charlie Jackson
Texans for Peace

More corporate welfare cheats

Once again, Texas taxpayers are providing "welfare" to rich corporate companies (see Texas Corporate Welfare Cheats, 10/21). This time Governor Perry is giving $3.5 million to Comerica Bank, to expand it offices in Dallas.

Comerica, with assets of $58 Billion and a "top performer", is being given the money for the 200 jobs expected to be moved to Dallas during the next three years as part of a headquarters move from Detroit. The monies will help to offset the cost of bonuses to the executives at Comerica.

In similar news, officials at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, have given $1.5 million to Burlington Northern and Union Pacific railroads for the purchase of new locomotives. The monies come from vehicle registration fees paid by Texas motorists.

Darfur: Texans call attention to the crisis

San Antonio has become a hotbed of Texas outreach to the people of Darfur and call all Texans to pay attention to this looming crisis.

Several teenagers got together in 2005 and began a petition drive to increase awareness of the situation in Darfur. This was followed by editorials in the San Antonio Express-News and the formation of a new organization, the San Antonio Interfaith Darfur Coalition (SAIDC) which is holding a conference and fundraiser in Austin on March 10. Cesar Ricci, a local human rights activist, recently returned from Darfur and wrote a moving editorial, "What is holding us back?" that calls the world to moral conscience.

Church organizing center seeking new Texas leaders

The Direct Action & Research Center (DART), a collection of twenty-one congregation-based community organizations working toward social and economic, is seeking Texans to join their network training.

Their goal is to "train a new generation of community organizers." DART is now accepting applications for the 2007. DART Organizers Institute, the paid, four-month field school for people interested in launching a career in
community organizing.

This is a paid training program that includes: a $6,500 living stipend, transportation to the classroom orientation and host city, and mileage reimbursement during the infield training.
Room, board, and tuition will also be paid by DART during the 7-day classroom training. After successful completion of the program, DART will work to place graduates into fulltime salaried positions.

Poor Texas children

One half of children in Texas live in poverty or in economically disadvantaged homes, according to F. Scott McCown executive director of the Center for Public Policy Resources. Texas ranks towards the bottom in overall poverty, child poverty, elderly poverty, uninsured Texans, and the percent of people who receive cash assistance.

Texans in poverty constitute part of the "Third World" of US society according to a report released by the U.S. Census Bureau last August....despite Texas being one of the richest states on the globe with the second largest economy in the nation.

According to the National Law Center for Homelessness and Poverty and the Texas Homeless Network, homelessness is on the rise in Texas as well, primarily due to lack of affordable housing, lack of proper education, inability to get a job that pays a living wage, and childcare issues.

For thousands across North Texas, being homeless means being put shoulder-to-shoulder with others in the same predicament, as recently reported in a CBS news story 'A Roof Over Your Head': Homeless In North Texas.

Reduce your taxes

As American businesses have grown to rely more on government corporate welfare, workers have been forced in ever increasing numbers to depend on food stamps, general assistance, etc. A national shift is occurring from the business responsibility of paying a “fair wage for a fair day’s work” to creating an ever increasing burden on us as tax payers.

On Monday, April 17th, hundreds of Americans will participate in the 6th annual Universal Living Wage Tax Day Event, volunteering to stand outside of post offices to bring attention to the need for a national living wage to ensure that anyone working 40 hours in a week will be able to afford basic food, clothing, shelter, and have access to health care. Volunteer. To get information packets and a 4' by 10' banner, FREE, contact Universal Living Wage.

Cuban Heroes in Beaumont Jail

Five cuban men are serving life sentences in a Beaumont jail, after being falsely accused by the U.S. government of espionage.

Their crime: monitoring the actions of Miami-bsaed terrorist groups, in order to prevent terrorist attacks on Cuba and to protect Cuban and American lives. Their case continues on appeal.