Letter to Congressman Bishop

letter sent by email to:

Jon.Schneider@mail.house.gov (Legislative Aide to Cong. Bishop) and
Tim.Bishop@mail.house.gov


Dear Congressman Bishop:

I am writing you in the hope that you will see
the moral imperative that calls out for us to
act to stop the violence the US is responsible
for in Lebanon and Palestine. I hope you will
speak out about this in Congress and that you
have signed on to House Con. Res. 450 (see below).

On Sunday Israel bombed a residential apartment
building in the Lebanese village of Qana, killing 57
civilians, including 37 children.

When U.S. soldiers killed civilians in Fallujah and
other densely populated areas of Iraq, the Bush
Administration claimed the "war on terror" justified
such actions. But nothing justifies bombing innocent
civilians, no matter who does it or in what country.

It is likely that U.S. weapons provided to Israel with
U.S.-taxpayer dollars killed the villagers of Qana.
According to The Washington Post, a bomb fragment
found at the Qana bombing site read "For use on MK-84,
Guided Bomb BSU-37/B." MK-84s are free-fall unguided
bombs; Boeing-produced Joint Direct Attack Munitions
(JDAMs) are attached to MK-84s to convert them into
GPS-guided "smart" bombs. Between 2002-2004, the
Pentagon notified Congress of impending sales of 6,000
JDAMs and 2,590 MK-84s to Israel through its Foreign
Military Sales (FMS) program -- valued at $346
million.

There is no military solution to the current conflict.
The Iraq war hasn't brought peace or security to the
people of Iraq or the U.S. Bombing civilian
populations has not and will not bring greater peace
or security to the people of Lebanon, Palestine, and
Israel.

The only way out of the carnage is an immediate and
unconditional cease-fire, followed by multiparty
negotiations to resolve the underlying political
disputes based on human rights and international law.
Most of the world agrees, but the governments of the
U.S., Britain, and Israel have so far rejected calls
for an immediate cease-fire.

So long as Washington provides military and diplomatic
support to Israel's indiscriminate killing of
civilians, a cease-fire will not be possible.

I hope you will sign on to House Concurrent Resolution
450. The resolution also calls for the United States
to send diplomats to multi-party negotiations.

House Concurrent Resolution 450 calls upon the
President to appeal to all sides in the current
crisis in the Middle East for an immediate cessation
of violence and to commit United States diplomats to
multi-party negotiations with no preconditions.

I call on you to endorse resolution 450.

Tony Ernst
Southampton
631-259-2482

Week of August 3, 2006

For an updated East End Report click here

In this week's report: [ click on any of the bold headers below ]

Words Only

Minutemen Join July OLA Meeting

Peace & Justice Calendar

Suffolk Peace Vigils (East End Women in Black Vigil Every Sunday in August)

Counter Recruiting Schedule

Alternative Media for Eastern LI

Support Independent Media: WUSB and WPKN/WPKM need your support.
Go to wpkn(dot)org and wusb(dot)fm and contribute on line.

See wpkn.org/today for program details on WPKM heard at 88.7 Montauk to Water Mill and WPKN 89.5 Bridgeport to Southampton and Southold.

Democracy Now! with Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez: Monday- Saturday on Riverhead/Southampton/Southold Channel 20.

Monday 10pm
Tuesday 9 pm
Wednesday 6am
Thursday 5pm
Friday 7pm
Saturday 8pm

See the North Fork People of Conscience web site

Also see the Suffolk Progressive Vision web site for links to more local events.

The East End Report is compiled by Tony Ernst.

Send comments, corrections and event listings to eastendreport@yahoo.com

Words Only

I won’t write another poem about war.

Pretend I can carve light

out of darkness.



Won’t attempt to translate

shrapnel infiltrating a child’s body

bulldozed everything --


Methodical

taking of human identity

the way you suck dust with a vacuum.


I won’t make a list of places.


I won’t write another poem about war.


I will take a hammer

to break down walls.

I will look for the flowers, 24 years later,

surviving women of Beirut held in their hands ---

as they walked away from their charcoaled city

their husbands’ ghosts following.


July 28, 2006
© Kathy Engel

Minutemen Join OLA July Meeting

Here is a report we prepared last month that did not get posted here.
The meeting covered a wider variety of topics than were expected by
the organizers and this is just a sampling of what was covered:

A forum on housing problems for immigrants on Long Island's South
Fork became a wider debate on immigration Monday evening July 10
as members of the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps joined in a meeting
called by OLA, the Latin American Organization of Eastern Long Island.

Questions about affordable housing and about overcrowding in rental
houses were debated by East Hampton Town Board member Deb Foster
and attorney Steve Grossman of Sag Harbor.

Foster said that "Right now, out of every 10 houses in East Hampton,
7 are owned by 2nd Homeowners; 3 by people who live there year round
- working class."

She said East Hampton Town has a 4 point program to create affordable
housing opportunities. They expect to build 70 units this year of which half
are apartments.

She added that "None of these programs are available for undocumented
workers and that's caused some anger and resentment from recent
immigrants."

Foster said her priority is to house members of families who have been in
the Town for years and can't afford to own a home.

In relation to raids on houses with overcrowding she said it's done for safety
and is not racially motivated.

Attorney Steve Grossman challenged the assertion, referring to vacation
home renters, he said "We've had illegal share houses for the 25 years I've
been here. I have never seen one raided by 8 law enforcement officers,
some with masks, at 5 o'clock in the morning"

Grossman said we need dialog, not arrests.

Ron Lewandowski of the Minutemen had a different perspective. He talked
about an invasion of immigrants. He said there is "a complete invasion, social,
economic and cultural. These people who are here now have no idea of
wanting to become American citizens. They've taken our jobs, they've taken
over our neighborhoods."

East Hampton architect Amado Ortiz says contractors who don't withold
workers' taxes are a problem. The contractors cite fictitious loopholes in the
tax law but the IRS says the employers are responsible for collecting the tax.

Ortiz added "We're suffering from an epidemic of civil disobedience.
Thousands, if not millions of American employers are defying their own tax
laws in the interest of basically making a lot of money".
_____________________________________________
This report was prepared for broadcast on WPKN Local News heard
6:30pm Monday-Friday on WPKM 88.7 Montauk/WPKN 89.5 Bridgeport "

Peace & Justice Calendar - Starting August 3

For details on the following events scroll down:

* August 2 (Wednesday): Lecture on Carcinogens in Food in Babylon at 7pm

* August 6, 13, 20, 27 (Sundays): Vigil for Cease Fire in Lebanon, Gaza, End to Occupations of Iraq, Palestine

* August 6 (Sunday):August 6(Sunday): World Peace Vigil Commemorates Hiroshima in Bellport at 5:30pm

* August 19 (Saturday): A Day of Youth Celebration of Diversity in East Hampton 3 to 8 pm
_______________________________________________

Repeating Events:

( see Counter-Recruiting for listing of weekly and monthly demonstrations)

* Sunday Nights: "Bush is a Liar Choir" rehearses in Lindenhurst from 7 to 9pm

* First Thursdays: Waging Peace - Meditation and Visualization in Westhampton Beach at 7pm

* Every Thursday evening - Book Study Group in Water Mill at 6:30

* "Herstory" Writing Workshops on Wednesdays in Farmingville (Spanish and English) 3 to 5 pm and Thursdays in Spanish only in East Hampton at 7 pm

* Second Tuesday of Month: South Fork Chapter of LI Progressive Coalition Meets in Water Mill at 6:30 pm

Details Follow:

________________________________________________


August 2 (Wednesday): Lecture on Carcinogens in Food in Babylon at 7pm

On Wednesday, August 2, 2006 at 7pm, the Babylon Green Party will host Don Hassig, Director of Cancer Action NY, to speak about eliminating the release of chemical carcinogens into the environment. While the ultimate goal of Cancer Action NY is to stop the release of chemicals from happening, they also work to prevent cancer by educating the public in the avoidance of exposure to carcinogenic pollutants which now exist in our air, water and food.

For directions to the Babylon Green Gathering, call 422-4702 or email
ian.wilder@yahoo.com

_______________________________________

August 6(Sunday): World Peace Vigil Commemorates Hiroshima Bombing in Bellport at 5:30pm

Join South Country Peace Groups' 24th Annual World Peace Vigil on Sunday, August 6th, the 61st anniversary of the nuclear destruction of Hiroshima.

A march will begin at 5:30 p.m. from the sidewalk adjacent to Woodland Cemetary on Station Road at Head of Neck Road in Bellport. The march will end at the water where a rally will be held with speakers from the Long Island Chapter of Veterans For Peace and others. Music by Catherine Greene and Sonny Meadows.

You may wish to wear white, the traditional Japanese color of mourning and/or bring a white candle.

A reception will follow at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Bellport.

Contact: 631-281-0055 or email dmu7@optonline.net
________________________________________________________

August 6, 13, 20, 27 (Sundays): Vigil for End of Occupations of Palestine and Iraq and a Cease Fire in Lebanon - in Bridgehampton at 5pm

East End Women in Black continue their long running vigil this Sunday August 6 at 5pm at the Bridgehampton monument, Route 27 and Ocean Road.

There will be a weekly vigil each Sunday at 5pm in Bridgehampton (Aug 6, 13, 27) and in Sag Harbor (August 20). August is the 4th anniversary of East End Women in Black.

More Info: www.eewib.blogspot.com or 631-831-4966

________________________________________________

August 19 (Saturday): A Day of Youth Celebration of Diversity in East Hampton from 3 to 8 pm

Of the Youth, by the Youth, for the Youth: We are planning a day of vibrant celebration! Through music, poetry, photography, painting, etc. this youth-led event will showcase the powerful capabilities of the youth community on the east end of Long Island.

It is our hope that by bringing together the lively expression of various ages, ethnicities and social groups within the community, we will demonstrate the realities of youth today.

Diversity is the key to success for all species.

Join us Saturday August 19 from3 to 8pm at a location to be announced.

Contact: youthsoul06@yahoo.com or 631-512-2808 or 917-881-3355.
___________________________________________________________


Repeating Events:

See Suffolk Peace Vigils for a complete list of weekly and monthly vigils.
See Counter Recruiting Schedule for a listing of weekly and monthly demonstrations.
________________________________________________

Sunday nights from 7:00 to 9:00 in Lindenhurst: wants you to join their political action singing group.

Participate in songs regarding environment, anti-war, labor, multiculturalism, civil rights, and other issues. Sing historic songs of struggle and social change. Explore the role of music in political movements. Experience singing musical arrangements, in four part harmony.

Perform these songs for others. Contribute to the progressive movement while becoming culturally enriched. If you've ever wanted to be in a singing group, now is your chance! Experienced and non-experienced singers are welcome. All we ask is that you are able to sing on pitch.

Rehearsals take place, Sunday nights from 7:00 to 9:00 in Lindenhurst.

Anyone interested, please call Lisa Fishbein at: (631) 957-4954
________________________________________________

First Thursday each month: Waging Peace - Meditation and Visualization in Westhampton Beach at 7pm

A community gathering designed by a psychotherapist to combat feellings of helplessness and powerlessness. 32 Mill Road in Westhampton Beach from 7 to 8pm.

Contact Nancy Privett at 325-1402 or nlprivett@yahoo.com
___________________________________________________

Thursday evening Book Study Group in Water Mill at 6:30 pm

The group meets at the Lutheran Church at Hayground Road and Montauk Highway on Thursdays at 6:30pmContact Pastor Vita at 631-537-1187 or pastorvita(at)verizon(dot)net
____________________________________________________

"Herstory" Writing Workshops in Spanish and English

Mondays in Farmingville:

Herstory Writers Workshop meets every Monday afternoon at the Farmingville branch of the Workplace Project from 3 to 5. Both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking women come together to share and shape their life experiences through memoir writing. The workshop is conducted in both English and Spanish.

Call 631-723-0150 for more information and directions to the center.

Thursdays in East Hampton:

Every Thursday Spanish-speaking women come together to share their writing with one another and receive feedback on how to structure and shape their lifewriting.

The East Hampton workshop is open to East Hampton Town residents and is conducted entirely in SpanishIt meets every Thursday, 7-9 p.m., at the Senior Citizens Center, 128 Springs-Fireplace Road.Call 631-723-0150 for more information.
___________________________________________________

Second Tuesday each month:

South Fork Chapter - LI Progressive Coalition Meets in Water Mill at 6:30pm The regular monthly meeting of the South Fork chapter of the Progressive Coalition is at 6:30pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the Lutheran Church on Montauk Highway & Hayground Rd. between Water Mill and Bridgehampton.

Info: 516-541-1006, ext.55 or www dot lipc dot org
_____________________________________________________

Send event listings for next week's report by 5pm Tuesday to eastendreport@yahoo.com

Plain old text would be appreciated!