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On September 14, 2001, the US Congress passed, with only one dissenting vote, the Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) which has served for the last 17 years as a legal veneer for our military misadventures around the world. Count the countries where our military has killed people who are not at war with us —at least nine (Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Somalia, Libya, Pakistan, Niger, Algeria). Count the dollars spent on just our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq — at least Four Trillion Dollars. Count the number of countries where we have deployed US Special Forces — 149 in 2017. Count the number of military veteran suicides daily — at least 22.
Add to these figures the tragic irony that recent news is filled with reports of the US being allied with Al Qaeda forces in Yemen and Syria. Al Qaeda, the enemy that was the focus of the 2001 AUMF. An additional irony is that there are efforts underway to pass a new AUMF in Congress, which would call for even less Congressional oversight than the 2001 AUMF.
It is time to start paving the path to the peace we claim to love. A good first step is to rescind the 2001 AUMF and get the US military out of the bullying business. Tell Senator Ernst and Senator Grassley and Representative Loebsack or whoever represents you in Washington that they need to get on board the peace train and enable war no more. And spend 15 minutes at the weekly peace rally at the east side of the Pentacrest, this and any Friday, 4PM-5:30 PM.
What constitues service to country? Serving time in the military? Devoting yourself to making the world better than you found it?
Muhammad Ali put everything on the line in the cause of justice ...
"I strongly object to the fact that so many newspapers have given the American public and the world the impression that I have only two alternatives in taking this stand: either I go to jail or go to the Army. There is another alternative and that alternative is justice. If justice prevails, if my Constitutional rights are upheld, I will be forced to go neither to the Army nor jail. In the end I am confident that justice will come my way for the truth must eventually prevail."
—Ali Refuses Army Oath, is Stripped of Boxing Crown
NYT, April 28th 1967
nytimes.com/books/98/10/25/specials/ali-army.html
This Memorial Day, Veterans For Peace is reminding the public that the human cost of war is more than U.S soldiers, but also the people who are caught in the crossfire. We remember and honor all lives lost and will continue to question the leaders who call for more war. Honoring and remembering some deaths while ignoring others not only perpetuates war, but also ignores the moral injuries of war, which is a significant cause of veteran suicide.
Local VFP Members Speak Out Against New Obscene Military Spending
Veterans For Peace Stands with Chelsea Manning and Julian Assange
Armistice Day 2018, Time to Recommit to Peace
September 14 2018, Congress passes AUMF
March 2018, a muddle of murky anniversaries
John Ivens on US policy on Yemen
Ed Flaherty on US policy on Gaza
Jeffrey Sterling, a former CIA employee, released from prison
VFP 161 leader, Jeff Strottmann passes Feb 6, 2017
Retired Air Force Major General Charles Dunlap discusses AUMF in Syria
Taking Yemen to Congress
Ed Flaherty on Yemen & US military budget
Ed Flaherty on 9-11
VFP on Memorial Day
Muhammad Ali's service
Ann Wright & Women's Boat to Gaza
View Dan Berrigan commemoration
Private Manning's service to country
David Hempel: It's time to organize
For further information, call John Jadryev at 43O-2Ol9 or E-mail Ed Flaherty <flahertyem[at]q.com>
THE NEED FOR VOICES FOR PEACE IS URGENT
Brief recap of Veterans For Peace Chapter #161 activities
- Co-sponsored Iowa Peace Initiatives Conference in Dubuque, Sept, 2010
- Group coffee with Matthew Hoh, veteran of Marines and State Dept, Nov, 2010
- Organized Armistice Day Observance at Old Capitol 2010,2011,2012, 2013, 2014, with meal and open mike afterwards for all VFP in Iowa and the public
- Organized Iraq War Vigil. Des Moines 2011, Iowa City 2012
- Organized Afghan War Vigil: Iowa City & Clinton,2011; Iowa City , 2012, 2013, 2014
- Numerous letters to the editor from the group on Iraq, Afghanistan, Cost of war,drones,etc.
- Numerous visits to elementary & secondary school classrooms
- Numerous visits with church groups
- Numerous lobbying efforts at US Senate offices and offices of US House of Rep.
- Co-sponsorship of month-long exhibit, Windows & Mirrors, at Coralville Public Library, Sept,2012
- Coordination of visit of Kathy Kelly, 3-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, to Windows & Mirrors
- Organized & co-sponsored James Zogby (pres of Arab American Institute),in IC,CR,CF,&DM, 2011
- Sponsored USS Liberty events in June, 2012, featuring former Congressman Paul Findley and three survivors of the 1967 Israeli attack on USS Liberty
- Participated in veterans' parade at State Fair, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
- Participated in Coralville 4th of July parade, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
- Greeted Ragbrai riders , 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
- Assisted in organizing two other VFP Chapters (#163 & 169) in Iowa
- Organized “No US Missiles in Syria” rally, Sept, 2013
- Organized and participated in 6 rallies regarding Reaper Drone control unit in Iowa. Latest, March 2015.
- Co-sponsored and participated in the “Ground the Drones” Walk, June,2013
- Hosted visits by two national VFP presidents, Elliott Adams & Leah Bolger
- Co-hosted two of the founders of UK VFP, Ben Griffin & Mike Lyons,
- Assisted VFP #169 in James Yee (Muslim Chaplain at Guantanamo), events, 11-2013
- Had several public showings of “Unmanned:America's Drone Wars,” Feb 2014
- Sponsored “Dirty Wars” movie at Iowa City's Film Scene theater,Mar, 2014
- Participated in No Drones actions Mar 2014, Iowa City & Des Moines, including Elliott Adams, Kathy Kelly, Daniel Hale, & VFP members from several states. And Sept, 2014 with Medea Benjamin.
- With VFP Chapters #163 & #169, shared Dingman Peace Award given by Des Moines Catholic Peace Ministry, April, 2014
- July, 2014 letter, no 2nd Iraq war, sent to DC reps and 8 newspapers,signed by 20 members
- Participated in memorial service for VFP #163 member, Bill Basinger, summer, 2014.
- Cooperated with three other groups in a booth at Johnson Co. Fair, July,2014
- John Ivens, in cooperation with Ray McGovern & Michael Prysner, presented workshop on Ukraine at VFP National Convention in Asheville, NC. Summer, 2014.
- Organized observance of “50 Years since Gulf of Tonkin Resolution”, Johnson Co. Courthouse lawn, Aug. 7, 2014. Testimony of five VFP #161 Vietnam vets.
- Participated (Diana Henry lead-off speaker) at 8-21-2014 rally on IC Ped Mall in solidarity with Michael Brown and reform of domestic police activities
- Cooperated and provided 3 speakers at Campaign Nonviolence rally on IC Ped Mall,9-21-2014
- Assisted in Dennis & Elizabeth Kucinich' visit to Iowa in October, 2014
- Sponsored “Joyeux Noel” movie at IC Film Scene, 12-25-2014, to overflow crowd.
- Participated in MLK Day observances in Iowa City, 1-19-2015
Organized MLK memorial event at U of IA, read his Riverside Speech. Participated in Kite Flying Day (in conjunction with Afghan Peace Volunteers, with 100Grannies) Apr, 4 2016
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Organized and sponsored week-long speaking tour by Ann Wright and Kathy Kelly, May, 2016, in cooperation with VFP Chapters #163 and #169.
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They spoke in eight different cities, spoke at universities, high schools, church groups, mosques, Iowa City Rotary Club.
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Organized protest against armed Reaper Drones at Iowa Air National Guard Base, Des Moines. Led by ret. Col Ann Wright (this was the 8th war-drone protest organized by #161, in cooperation with VFP #163 and DM peace groups)
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Helped organize and participate in International Conscientious Objector Day observance outside of Iowa City Public Library, May 15th.
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Marched as a unit in Iowa City Gay Pride Parade, June, 2016
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With 100Grannies, PEACE Iowa, and Iowa Physicians for Social Responsibility, we participated for the 8th year in a row in the Coralville 4th of July parade.
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July – Johnson County Fair. Third year of cooperating with 100G, PEACE Iowa, and Iowa PSR in a booth for the 4-day fair.
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July 30th. For the 10th year in a row, we greeted 10,000+ RAGBRAI riders on the last day of their ride, east of Washington.
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October 7th, 15-year observance of U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. Together with PACG (Progressive Action for the Common Good), we led this event outside of the Federal Courthouse in Davenport, Following the observance, we were guests at the Quad Cities Islamic Center community dinner.
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November 10th, VFP representatives spoke to five Jr. Hi. Global Studies classes at NW Jr. High. Third year of doing this. Invited by teacher, Alissa Meggitt.
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November 11th, Armistice Day Observance at entrance to Old Capitol, attended by 100 citizens and VFP members from across the state. The observance was followed by a meal hosted by #161 at the ICPL, with enthusiastic open mic discussion.
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Several members of VFP #161 participated in various efforts to halt the Dakota Access Pipeline.
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Participated in presentation to Maureen McCue's Univ. of Iowa class, "War or Health."
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During the year, members participated in weekly Friday peace vigils at the Pentacrest in Iowa City.
Welcome to Veterans For Peace
Veterans For Peace is a global organization of Military Veterans and allies whose collective efforts are to build a culture of peace by using our experiences and lifting our voices. We inform the public of the true causes of war and the enormous costs of wars, with an obligation to heal the wounds of wars. Our network is comprised of over 140 chapters worldwide whose work includes: educating the public, advocating for a dismantling of the war economy, providing services that assist veterans and victims of war, and most significantly, working to end all wars.
Statement of Purpose
We, having dutifully served our nation, do hereby affirm our greater responsibility to serve the cause of world peace. To this end we will work, with others
- To increase public awareness of the costs of war
- To restrain our government from intervening, overtly and covertly, in the internal affairs of other nations
- To end the arms race and to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons
- To seek justice for veterans and victims of war
- To abolish war as an instrument of national policy.
To achieve these goals, members of Veterans For Peace pledge to use non-violent means and to maintain an organization that is both democratic and open with the understanding that all members are trusted to act in the best interests of the group for the larger purpose of world peace.
Rendered for inclusion on website
$750 Billion for US Military
Scraps Everywhere Else
In another wonderful example of bipartisan cooperation, the US Senate on June 27th passed the National Defense Authorization Act by a vote of 86-8. The headlines of all media, conservative and liberal, should be screaming. This bill authorizes a 2020 military budget of $750 billion. (Compare that to $618 billion in 2017). Military spending will be $33 Billion more that in FY 2019. If every man, woman, and child in the US were to pay for the $750 billion military expenditures, it would be $2,278 per capita. Of course, if war spending were to be financed that way, the voices of protest would be loud. But, we don't finance war that way. We simply add it to our national debt.
There are so many dimensions to this insanity that it is hard to begin. Some simple comparisons might be helpful. The 2020 budget for the Center for Disease Control is $6.6 billion. The 2020 budget for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency is $5.54 billion. The 2020 budget for the Environmental Protection Agency is $6.08 billion. The total of those three agencies' budgets is $18.22 billion. The INCREASE in the military budget is 1.8 times times those three agencies' total budgets.
A big increase in the budget for mental health may be what is most needed now.
People and Events
Step right up — for the People.
Sunday, July 21 through Wednesday, July 24
Johnson County Fairgrounds
3109 Old Hwy 218 S, Iowa City
Volunteers are needed to staff the "People's Coalition Booth" at the Johnson County Fair. PEACE Iowa, along with 100 Grannies, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Veterans for Peace, and United Nations Association are all contributing volunteers to the booth. This is your chance to have interesting and fruitful dialogues, meet lots of people, and help them answer our "corn poll". This year's poll question is about what we feel is most important for the new upcoming president to pursue.
VFP 161 contact, John Christenson <jdchris36 @ gmail·com>
Use the following link to sign up for a shift:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b044eaaa62aa2f85-2019
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July 26: RAGBRAI. Friday in Fairfield. Mark your calendar for our annual outing. Damn little planning needed, but even that small plan is not available at this time. Be prepared to hit the road at 5:30AM.
Veterans For Peace,
Chapter #161 Meeting
Tuesday August 13th
5:30 pm
Coralville Public Library, 1401 5th Street in Coralville
All who are working for peace are welcome.
For more information email
Ed Flaherty <flahertyem @ AOL·com>
We draw on our personal experiences and perspectives gained as veterans to raise public awareness of the true costs and consequences of war - and to seek peaceful, effective alternatives.
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Stand up for Peace!
Fridays, New hours: 4 to 5:30 pm
at the intersection of
Iowa Avenue and Clinton Street
on the University of Iowa Pentacrest
Iowa City
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Are you ready to show up for peace? Join us for an hour, or even just a few minutes, to voice your support for peace. We citizens must stand as a reminder that the military option is an unacceptable option. Maybe if we're serious about peace with North Korea, we could start the new year by declaring an end to the Korean War. Come with your friends, your family, your neighbors, or just yourself — all are welcome.
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A time comes when silence is betrayal. Even when pressed by the demands of inner truth, men do not easily assume the task of opposing their government's policy, especially in time of war. Nor does the human spirit move without great difficulty against all the apathy of conformist thought within one's own bosom and in the surrounding world.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Riverside Church - April 4, 1967
We are called to speak for the weak, for the voiceless, for the victims of our nation, for those it calls "enemy", for no document from human hands can make these humans any less our brothers. I think of them, too, because it is clear to me that there will be no meaningful solution until some attempt is made to know them and hear their broken cries.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Riverside Church - April 4, 1967
History is cluttered with the wreckage of nations and individuals that pursued this self-defeating path of hate. We still have a choice today: nonviolent coexistence or violent co-annihilation. We must move past indecision to action. If we do not act, we shall surely be dragged down the long, dark, and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Riverside Church - April 4, 1967
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April 4 marks 52 years since Martin Luther King delivered the most controversial speech in his career, "Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence." For the 4th year in a row, Veterans For Peace #161 sponsored a community read of King's controversial and ever-relevant "Riverside" speech. April 4th also marks 51 years since King was assassinated in Memphis.
Martin Luther King's Riverside Church speech
broken into sections for a public reading
Martin Luther King's speech at the Mason Temple, Memphis, April 3, 1968
"I've Been to the Mountaintop"
Veterans for Peace 161 gather on Armistice Day, November 11, 2018
Veterans for Peace 161 greet RAGBRAI, July 2018
Dave H, John C, Jim Bradley, Louie, Ron McCall, John Fyotek, and Ed Flaherty participated in the June 16, 2018 Gay Pride Parade.
Thanks to Tom Jacobs for the photo.
VFP #161 Hosts My Lai Memorial Exhibit
On June 15-17, the Coralville Public Library was the setting for the My Lai Memorial Exhibit. This awesome exhibit, a product of the creative efforts of artist Mac MacDevitt and Chicago Veterans For Peace, made its return to the Midwest after a successful tour of western U.S. cities. The interactive exhibit memorialized fifty years since the My Lai massacre, often referred to as the most shocking episode of the Vietnam War.
Mac was very engaging and helpful, and he inspired VFP #161 members who helped guide attendees through the exhibit. Every person who attended was touched. Many conversations, tears, and stunned silence. Everyone wished it had been an historical event that we all learned from. However, everyone who attended recognized that its lessons have largely been either forgotten or ignored in today's world.
Our thanks to Mac MacDevitt, an extraordinary peace advocate. And thank you to the Coralville Public Library for providing a wonderful venue.
What constitues service to country? Serving time in the military? Devoting yourself to making the world better than you found it?
Muhammad Ali put everything on the line in the cause of justice ...
"I strongly object to the fact that so many newspapers have given the American public and the world the impression that I have only two alternatives in taking this stand: either I go to jail or go to the Army. There is another alternative and that alternative is justice. If justice prevails, if my Constitutional rights are upheld, I will be forced to go neither to the Army nor jail. In the end I am confident that justice will come my way for the truth must eventually prevail."
—Ali Refuses Army Oath, is Stripped of Boxing Crown
NYT, April 28th 1967
nytimes.com/books/98/10/25/specials/ali-army.html
This Memorial Day, Veterans For Peace is reminding the public that the human cost of war is more than U.S soldiers, but also the people who are caught in the crossfire. We remember and honor all lives lost and will continue to question the leaders who call for more war. Honoring and remembering some deaths while ignoring others not only perpetuates war, but also ignores the moral injuries of war, which is a significant cause of veteran suicide.
Local VFP Members Speak Out Against New Obscene Military Spending
Veterans For Peace Stands with Chelsea Manning and Julian Assange
Armistice Day 2018, Time to Recommit to Peace
September 14 2018, Congress passes AUMF
March 2018, a muddle of murky anniversaries
John Ivens on US policy on Yemen
Ed Flaherty on US policy on Gaza
Jeffrey Sterling, a former CIA employee, released from prison
VFP 161 leader, Jeff Strottmann passes Feb 6, 2017
Retired Air Force Major General Charles Dunlap discusses AUMF in Syria
Taking Yemen to Congress
Ed Flaherty on Yemen & US military budget
Ed Flaherty on 9-11
VFP on Memorial Day
Muhammad Ali's service
Ann Wright & Women's Boat to Gaza
View Dan Berrigan commemoration
Private Manning's service to country
David Hempel: It's time to organize
Photo by Master Sgt. Joshua Kowalsky
On Friday, March 15, 2019, VFP 161 member, Linda Fisher was handed the baton to direct the U.S. Air Force Concert Band at the Hancher to conduct Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever in a rousing finish to the nights outstanding full house performance. Chief Master Sgt Stacy Newbrough Ascione, an Iowa City native, performed a classy flute improvision.
Linda had been a former member of the Women's Air Force Band, serving with the WAF Band from 1960-1961. She even marched in the Inaugural Parade for President John F. Kennedy!
In 1958, four peace lovers sailed the 30' Golden Rule from California, bound for the Marshall Islands, where another above-ground nuclear bomb test was scheduled. They got arrested in Hawaii, and the boat got sold. It was found in 2010, a wreck. Some VFP folks who knew its story restored it. Here it is, in San Diego bay last week, for the national VFP convention, in conjunction w/the 70 year commemoration of the A-Bomb devestation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Atmospheric nuclear bomb tests were banned world-wide in 1963. The Marshall Islands are suing the nuke bomb holding countries now to make them honor the intent of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, to reduce and get rid of all nuclear weapons. Orion Sherwood, one of the 1958 crew, was at the VFP convention, as determined a peace-maker now as then.
For further information, call John Jadryev at 43O-2Ol9 or E-mail Ed Flaherty <flahertyem @ AOL·com>
THE NEED FOR VOICES FOR PEACE IS URGENT
Veterans For Peace, Chapter 161
P0 Box 947
Iowa City, IA 52244·O947
Please contact:
E-mail John Jadryev <jadryevj[at]gmail.com>
or call ( 3l9 ) 43O·2Ol9
E-mail Ed Flaherty <flahertyem[at]q.com>
or call ( 3l9 ) 354·O54O
Webmaster:
Franklin Seibering
P0 Box l3O2
Iowa City, Iowa 52244·l3O2
E-mail: <webmaster[at]justword.net>
page: ( 3l9 ) 34l·llO7
VETERANS FOR PEACE
CHAPTER 161
The April 12th—Coralville Public Library
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
INTRODUCTIONS
MINUTES
TREASURERS REPORT
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Budget and fundraising efforts
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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New members
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Local action in response to current events
NEW BUSINESS
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Upcoming events
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Agenda for the March meeting, to be held in the Iowa City Public Library.
OLD BUSINESS
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Will chapter 161 be a named chapter?
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Website progress report
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Book reports
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Group singing
WORKING GROUPS
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Will chapter 161 be a named chapter?
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Website development team
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Upcoming events coordination
Back to home page
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McGovern Rowley Schedule. All listed events are free and open to the public. All events are sponsored by Iowa Veterans For Peace
Thurs, Sept 24th. 6:00 PM Speech at University of Dubuque. MAD Paths to Mutually Assured Destruction: War & Pollution Contact Christine Darr cdarr@dbq.edu
Friday, Sept 25th: 7:00 PM Speech at Veterans Memorial Building, 50 2nd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids. The People’s Pre-Caucus Intelligence Briefing Contact Joe Aossey,VFP #169. jaossey@yahoo.com
Sat, Sept 26th. Cedar Falls/Waterloo 10:30 AM News Talk sponsored by the University of Northern Iowa Democracy Project. University Book Store, 1009 W. 23rd St., Cedar Falls 3:00 PM Law Court Theater, Waterloo Center for the Arts Addressing/Redressing Global & Local Violence. Waterloo/Cedar Falls events, contact Tom Kessler tom.kessler@cfu.net
Sunday, Sept 27 2PM to 4 PM: Davenport. Rogalski Center, St. Ambrose University. Co-sponsored by the Quad City Times. New Ideas Forum. Contact Paul Foley. 563 333-6025. Foleypaulj@sau.edu 7 PM. JPOG (Just Peace Outreach Group) West Union Mennonite Church, 3253 305 St, Parnell, IA. Fingerfood potluck, 6PM. Bring fingerfood to share and your own table service. Biblical Justice: Is It an Un-American Activity Contact Roger Farmer, 319 653-2547 or Jane Yoder-Short, wilmajane17@gmail.com
Monday, Sept 28th 7:30 PM. Iowa City University of Iowa LECTURE Series Englert Theatre. Intelligence, Not “Mistaken,” But “Fixed” For War
Tuesday, Sept 29th Noon Speech at Iowa City Foreign Relations Council. (Lunch:$10 Members; $14 non-members). "Can We Wade Out of the Big Muddy and Get Back to Some Moral High Ground?" Both Iowa City events, contact Ed Flaherty, VFP #161. 319 621-6766. Flahertyem@aol.com
7:00 PM, Ames. Ames Public Library, Farwell T. Brown Auditorium. Peace is Possible Contact Mary Logsdon. 515 239-5633. Mlogsdon@amespubliclibrary.org
Wednesday, Sept 30th Des Moines 7:00 PM, Lecture at Drake University. Contact Gil Landolt, VFP #163. Suggested title: Use & Abuse of US Intelligence Peacevet@hotmail.com 515 333-2180
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