I read a lot of history books from the early explorers, the American Revolution, Civil War, and biographies of almost all the presidents. I am always wondering as I read – what it would be like to live in a time of great history?

I’m not old enough to completely remember the Vietnam War, except for my parents being worried about my brother Rob being drafted, the Civil Rights Movement or many big historical events like JFK and Nixon. So, I’m in no way an expert about what makes history but I feel like I am living in a time that feels big. I know there is the obvious, first woman and African American running to hopefully to our next President. Obvious and big. Then there’s our environment, economy, peace, health care, taking care of our kids and communities – on and on.

We have received many emails and inquiries about whether Tazza D’Oro will be supporting a candidate. I happen to be one of those folks who hasn’t decided who to vote for – Obama or Clinton. Our staff is pretty much split down the middle.

I am just happy to witness such amazing and interesting debate. I don’t remember anything like the current discussions both nationally, locally and right in the coffee shop. People are engaged!

This morning I received an email from one of our good customers, Jim Bogen, asking me to post the speech Senator Obama gave yesterday addressing racial issues in our country. Jim told me a little about his experience in times of great history and so I read the speech. I totally agree with Jim that it is worth reading and yep we are making history. Jim, thank you. Click here to see or hear the speech.

I’m going to keep listening and watching and absorbing and paying attention this moment. I don’t subscribe to the “hair on fire” mentality but instead I see many great opportunities to look at ourselves, our culture and our leaders and begin to change in a positive way and maybe save the planet as a result.

Coffeehouses since the 1500’s have always been fertile ground for great political discussions and change. At one point, coffeehouses were illegal in many parts of Europe because political leaders believed that the intellectuals and just regular folks would try to take over or cause discourse. Coffeehouses back in the day were called “Penny Universities” because all members of the communities hang out over coffee and the folks who didn’t go to college could engage in debate and discussion with the well-educated.

Attached is a great article published in the Juneau Empire by longtime activist, friend, and loyal coffee drinker Albert Petrarca. Albert continues the struggle in far away Juneau Alaska.

My turn: Democrats’ rhetoric raises more questions
By Albert Petrarca | Juneau Empire
While the turnout and winning percentage for Sen. Barack Obama at the Feb. 5 Democratic caucus was undoubtedly impressive, his campaign for “change” continues to raise as many questions as it does hope. Compounding this is the bitterness most Democratic voters feel over being betrayed by the party’s broken 2006 promise to end the war. To avoid being duped again, it’s incumbent upon us to begin mapping a response strategy for 2009.

Not surprisingly, the Democrats have shamelessly returned after two years to run the same scam, only this time, betting that our complete disgust with the Bush administration finds us only too willing to embrace them with no questions asked or demands proffered. What’s different is that the voters are fed up and fired up.

Since 2006, we’ve witnessed the mainstream media heap incessant ridicule on the only real anti-war/anti-corporate candidate, Dennis Kucinich, in an effort to marginalize and dismiss him. We’ve sat dumbfounded watching the ongoing debasement of our political culture by the likes of Wolf Blitzer and Tim Russert pawning off talk show chit-chat as presidential debates. Most disturbing, though, is the thought that this quadrennial charade will, once again, all be for naught once big business’ candidate is ensconced at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Should the neocons’ pit bull John McCain or the more refined warmonger Hillary Clinton win their respective party’s nomination then the next four years will indeed appear grim.

But let’s consider the possibility that the “change” agent wins the general election in November. Before entertaining this scenario, a dash of badly needed honesty appears in order. All of us who stood with Obama on caucus night aligned ourselves with someone who, by any moral standard, should be sitting in the Hague for having repeatedly voted to continue funding the illegal and nightmarish occupation of Iraq. We endorsed a man who has inexplicably remained silent about impeaching the universally despised and criminally indictable George W. Bush. We sided with a so-called leader who sat quietly complicit while the CNN and MSNBC propaganda machines arbitrarily excluded Kucinich and former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel from the later debates (ignoring them when they did participate). Obviously, Martin Luther King he is not.

Our particular dilemma, though, is that the majority of Americans have not yet felt the need for a third party that genuinely represents our aspirations for a society based on peace, justice and sustainability. Until that time arrives, we’re stuck in a corner with a seriously flawed candidate mouthing naive and fatuous happy-talk about a “new bipartisanship” to put and end to “the old ways of Washington.”

Given this predicament, what action can the electorate undertake to prevent Obama from subverting the people’s desire for a new direction once the votes are cast? To begin with, Obama should immediately be put on notice that there will be no honeymoon period this time. We can’t afford to either take him at his word or trust the predatory intentions of his would-be superiors on Wall Street. One way to ensure this is for the country’s various social movements to mobilize to protect and enforce our victory after his inauguration. Imagine, for a moment, a city agreeing to engage in a 24 general strike the day after? No work, no school and no shopping. Suppose, instead, that in every major city a pre-selected hospital was encircled by citizen activists demanding the implementation of a universal single-payer health care system? How about every military recruitment office being subjected to a peaceful occupation that insists on an immediate withdraw from Iraq?

The unprecedented numbers that rallied at Centennial Hall on Feb. 5 understand that this country is in a mess. That fervent outpouring, however, will prove futile if we passively retreat and simply hope that “Obamamania” will be sufficient to resist corporate America’s deadly agenda. It, therefore, seems absolutely necessary that we all be ready to redirect this country through ongoing direct mass action following the inauguration.

Otherwise, whatever righteousness still resides in Obama’s heart will certainly be leeched and crushed by our own rapacious ruling class. Roll up your sleeves, Obama will need all the help you can muster.

• Albert Petrarca is a Juneau resident.

BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW!

ANSWER is sponsoring a march and rally to stop the war in Iraq on Saturday, September 15. Buses will leave from Schenley Gardens Lot on the CMU campus at 6A and return home the same day leaving Washington DC at 8P. Ticket price is $35 per seat. Some scholarship seats will be available. To secure a seat on the bus, please send a check made payable to THE THOMAS MERTON CENTER for $35 and mail it to: Thomas Merton Center
5125 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
ATTN: Edith Wilson
Be sure to incluse the words “Anti War Committee” in the memo section of your check. For information about the march and rally, call Francine at 412-389-3216. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO STOP THE WAR???

Codepink Pittsburgh Women for Peace present the film showing of Sir No Sir

Wednesday, August 1

David Lawrence Hall
University of Pittsburgh Campus
Room 209
3942 Forbes Avenue

Time: 7P

Contact: Francine Porter

Cost: Donation to Iraq Vets Against The War

This film highlights the suppressed story of the GI movement to end the war in Vietnam. This documentary chronicles the resistance to the Vietnam
War, beginning in the 1960’s . Learning that their realtity was far different from the one being presented to the American public, many GI’s began contributing to underground newspapers, planning demonstrations and refusing to continue in battle. Toward the end of the conflict, some even turned on their own officers, tossing grenades into their tents as they slept.

POST FILM DISCUSSION LEAD BY PAUL ABERNATHY, MEMBER OF IRAQ VETS AGAINST THE WAR.

Get ready to see Michael Moore’s new film documentary “SICKO” scheduled to have it’s national release this Friday, June 29. Sicko focuses on the more than 250 million people who have insurance, but highlights those who are betrayed by it in their time of need. Moore’s film shows the American healthcare system’s dangerous focus on profits, exemplified in the stories of average Americans such as Donna, 52, and Larry Smith, 62, who were forced to file bankruptcy as a result of her cancer and his heart problems. They had health insurance, but it hardly paid for everything.

Moore shows the American healthcare system thru the lens of insurance company whistleblower Dr. Laure Peeno, who testified before Congress that she “denied a man a necessary operation and thus caused his death.” She went on to say that her actions were rewarded: “This secured my reputation and it ensured my continued advancement in the healthcare field.”

Moore puts the American healthcare system, which is rated 37th by the World Health Organization, into perspective by traveling to hospitals in Canada, Britian, Cuba and France – countries which have government run programs. Scenes showed the expressions of doctors and patients who laughed or looked quizzical when Moore asked about the cost of visits to the doctor. The horror of Moore’s expose is not that health insurance companies are posting too much of a profit, it’s that they are doing so at the expense of American lives. Healthcare is a life and death issue, says Moore, and it should not be based on profit. “We wouldn’t expect the fire department to post a profit. We expect a free service for everyone, because it’s a life and death issue,” says Moore, citing a utility that serves everyone and is supported by public taxation.

Moore’s film release is accompanied by a coalition of doctors and nurses who plan to co-host premieries of Sicko across the nation. Their campaign is titled, “Scrubs for Sicko”. They began gaining attention early this week as they began their bus tour with the goal of recruiting enough registered nurses and doctors to attend every theater in the nation. The nurses and doctors will be at the screenings to pass out literature on current healthcare campaigns, and will be urging the audience to help pass single payer legislation such as HR 676 and similar bills in several state legislatures.

Along with launching the film, Moore showed the film at a private screening to Congress and testified about healthcare, and later had a showing for pharmaceutical and insurance lobbyists. Moore also went to New Hampshire to give a private screening to members of the California Nurses Association, and later he arrived in Chicago to rally around healthcare change in Millenium Park.

“The release of Michael Moore’s SICKO is one of the most important developments in the national debate on our healthcare crisis since the Clintons attempted to pass universal healthcare legislation in 1994.” Representative John Conyers (D-Michigan)

On Wednesday, May 30, CODEPINK PITTSBURGH WOMEN FOR PEACE along with other anti war activists organized an event at newly elected congressman Jason Altmire’s town hall meeting in Shaler. In November of 2006, Republican Melissa Hart was voted out of Congressional office in the 4th for failure to address issues important to local residents, one of which was the war and occupation of Iraq – a disastrous war in which over 3,500 US troops have been killed. Voters put their faith into Jason Altmire, hopeful he would be a voice that would better reflect the will and desire of the people in his district. CODEPINK and local 4th district constituents were angry at Congressman Altmire for his recent damaging vote the week before to approve legislation that provides $100 billion additional dollars for war funding, without any demand for a withdraw date of troops.

Members of CODEPINK and the local peace and justice community stood around the parameter of the municipal room chambers holding up signs reading…BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS…OUT OF IRAQ…LIES AND MORE LIES…HOW MANY MORE MUST BE SACRIFICED, JASON HART, AND TROOPS HOME NOW. Even though anti war activists set the tone for the evening, the majority of opposition came from ordinary 4th district residents. The crowd did not share Altmire’s reasoning that “supporting the troops is providing them with more funding for the war”. “Truly supporting the troops is bringing them hom now”, someone shouted from the angry crowd.

The people of Shaler have spoken – hopefully other suburban communities will follow suit and hold republican and democratic parties accountable for letting this devastating war continue. It will not be by the efforts of a lame two party system that this disastrous war comes to an end. It will be by the consorted efforts of an independent, non partisan anti war movement. ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!

Francine Porter
Coordinator, Codepink Pittsburgh Women for Peace

Come and learn about the growing GI opposition movement to the war, a story which has been largly neglected by the American media.

Iraq Veterans Against the War

The Iraq War: Why we’re against it and what we are doing about it! 

Join members of IVAW this Wednesday at 8:00 pm to hear compelling testimonies of the Iraq War and about the actions GIs have and will take in opposition to this war.  This event will take place at The First Unitarian Church in Shadyside at 605 Morewood Avenue and will be the first event as part of a local speaking tour planned for this summer highlighting a proposed antiwar resolution in support of our demands to take before local government.  IVAW needs your support, please come and help GI resistance! 

Wednesday, May 23rd @ 8 PM

First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh

Shadyside  605 Morewood Avenue

Sponsored by Iraq Veterans Against the War, the Thomas Merton Center Antiwar Committee and the American Friends Service Committee

 

Here is the chance for local Pittsburgh residents to voice their opinions to local government about the severe cuts in humanitarian programs here at home to fund additional war to the tune of 124 billion dollars.   Come and ask the important questions.

 WHEN:  Wednesday, May 30th

TIME:  7P to 9P

WHERE:  Calvary Episcopal Church-Shady and Walnut Shadyside

 

Speakers include:  Malik Bankston, Executive Director, Kingsley Association, Molly Rush, People United for Single Payer Healthcare, and Valarie Cortazzo, Coalition of Veterans Advocates. 

In attendance:  Congressman Mike Doyle, Aide for Congressman Jason Altmire, Representative Tim Murphy, Senator Arlen Specter-invited, Senator Bob Casey-invited. 

Sponsors:  American Friends Service Committee, Just Harvest, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Service Employees International Union, Thomas Merton Center Anti War Committee, Network of Spiritual Progressives, and Global Solutions.

Endorsers:  Raging Grannies, Codepink Pittsburgh Women for Peace, Association of Pittsburgh Priests, Veterans for Peace, Pittsburgh Friends Meeting Peace and Social Concerns Committee, Peace Links, Roots of Promise, and Citizen Power. 

 For additional information about the Town Hall Meeting, contact Scilla Wahrhaftig  swahrihaftig@afsc.org or 412-371-3607. 

Amy has given me the wonderful opportunity to keep Tazza D’Oro patrons up to date on what’s happening in the political arena by posting to the Tazza Doro Political Site. I will attempt to report what’s happening on a local and national level with issues relating to the war in Iraq, peace and social justice issues, and upcoming political events in and around the Pittsburgh area. I will also give suggestions on how the average person who frequents Amy’s coffee shop with paper and/or computer in hand can make a difference speaking out when government doesn’t “serve the people”. I am the coordinator of COEDEPINK PITTSBURGH WOMEN FOR PEACE, a women’s initiated peace and social justice group, as well as an active member of the anti-war committee of the Thomas Merton Center in Garfield. Please feel free to contact me at codepinkpgh@aol.com with questions, concerns, or comments. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO STOP THE WAR?

In the struggle, Francine Porter

FUNDING ENDLESS WAR

The American people spoke out in November 2006, by voting in a Democratic Congress, hopeful that the war and occupation of Iraq would come to an end. The Bush administration responded to that vote by asking Congress for $100 billion more in war spending. The Republicans are marketing the proposed increase in funds for war as supporting the troops in Iraq. What would really be helpful to US soldiers would be to bring them home now out of harms way. The United States has one of the largest military budgets in the world. In order to allocate additional funds for war, at least 13 billion dollars will be cut from programs here at home. Money to fund human and economic development programs to provide universal healthcare, quality education and public transportation and living wage jobs and rebuilding our communities from Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast will be given up for war. For a breakdown of what this increase in war funding will cost our Congressional District, log onto www.nationalpriorities.org, hit state level fact sheets, and highlight the state of PA. What can you do as a concerned citizen? Call or write your congressional leaders to remind them why we voted them into power last November. Tell them NO MORE MONEY FOR WAR, and BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW!!!

Keep the Heat on Congress – Call, Write, Visit, Picket, Pray, and March

Keep the Heat on Congress – Call Write, Visit, Picket, Pray & March

Toll Free Phone Number: 1-888-851-1879, or regular Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121

U.S House of Representatives:
Address letters to: The Honorable ___ U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 20515
Mike Doyle, 14th Cong. District: Pittsburgh Office (412-261-5091); rep.doyle@mail.house.gov
Jason Altmire, 4th CD: Aliquippa (724-378-0928); rep.altmire@mail.house.gov
Tim Murphy, 18th CD; Pittsburgh (412-344-5583); Greensburg (724-850-7312); rep.murphy@mail.house.gov
John Murtha, 12th CD; Johnstown (814-535-2642); rep.murtha@mail.house.gov

U.S. Senate: The Honorable ___ U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510
Arlen Specter, Pittsburgh office (412-644-3400); Use form on web: http://specter.senate.gov/
Robert Casey, No Pittsburgh Office; http://casey.senate.gov/

Information on Congress and Pennsylvania Media Listings: www.congress.org

National & Local Organizations:
United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ): www.unitedforpeace.org
Code Pink – Women for Peace: http://www.codepink4peace.org; Pittsburgh – email: codepinkpgh@aol.com
National Priorities Project – Domestic cost of the war: www.natioanlpriorities.org
The Thomas Merton Center (TMC) – Pittsburgh’s Peace & Justice Center; www.thomasmertoncenter.org

TMC Anti-War Committee: www.PittsburghEndTheWar.org

HUGE ANTI WAR RALLY PLANNED FOR JANUARY 27 IN WASHINGTON

The elections of November 7, 2006 will go down in history as a time when people in this country exercised their right to vote against a government that did not reflect their opinions on domestic and foreign policies. The war in Iraq, and the abuse of executive power were two major reasons Republicans lost control of the house and senate. The people have spoken. Now, the anti-war movement has to press the new Congress to take action to bring the troops home now. The Anti War Committee of the Thomas Merton Center is planning a bus trip to join United for Peace and Justice and thousands of other activists in Washington DC on January 27 to make a bold stand to the new Congress to demand an end to the war in Iraq. UFPJ would like to have at least one person from every Congressional district in the country to represent the peace and justice majority in Washington on that day. Log onto pittsburghendthewar.org for updated information about the trip.

RESIDENTS IN THE HILL NEED OUR SUPPORT

For those of you who haven’t been following, Isle of Capri development has proposed building a gambling casino in the Hill, and has teamed with the Penguins and pledged $290 million for a new arena also. Residents who live in the Hill are in opposition to having a gambling casino in their neighborhood, for fear the casino could bring crime, parking problems, and exploit people least able to afford gambling. Please help support the efforts of concerned citizens who live in the Hill by signing the petition below and calling the Mayor’s office at 412-255-2626. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/953928017

IMPEACHMENT IS ON OUR TABLE

A day after the elections, speaker of the house, Nancy Pelosi announced that “impeachment was not on the table”. Who’s table are you sitting at Nancy? The impeachment movement is brewing like coffee in Amy’s shop. Four days after the election, various groups gathered in Philadelphia to hold a successful Impeach For Change rally. Over 23,000 activists signed the impeachment petition. Impeachment committees are forming across the US, and are already established in 17 states including Pennsylvania. For more information about impeachment log onto http://www.democrats.com/peoplesemailnetwork/88 or http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/petition

CODEPINK WOMEN FOR PEACE

Are you a busy working women or a busy working mom and would like to become active in the peace and social justice community? We would love to have you as a member of Codepink. By receiving local and national e-mails women can stay in touch with what’s happening nationally and locally. Whether writing editorial letters, passing out flyers, or dropping a pink banner over a highway, Codepink can help you become empowered to make a contribution to ending this illegal war, and standing up for social justice. E-mail me at codepinkpgh@aol.com with ideas or suggestions. I love hearing from women who oppose the war in Iraq and want a better world.

Peace and Love

Francine Porter

Codepink Pittsburgh Women for Peace