POLICE BACK OFF AFTER THE GRANNY PEACE BRIGADE OCCUPIES LINCOLN CENTER

Culture seekers streaming through Lincoln Center Tuesday evening, Oct. 18, were undoubtedly surprised to see a tableau not usually seen at the arts complex. Approximately 60 members of the Granny Peace Brigade and their followers formed a semi-circle around the fountain located in the midst of the plaza surrounded by the Koch Theatre (home of the New York City Ballet); the Metropolitan Opera House, and Avery Fisher Hall.

The mostly elderly women, interspersed with a few men, stood silently from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. wearing placards with messages such as "AGAINST WARS, INVASIONS, OCCUPATIONS" and "AGAINST U.S. MILITARFY BASES ABROAD." The main purpose of the action was to challenge the rules forbidding private public spaces being used to advance political agendas, in essence preventing freedom of speech. And, as always, the grannies meant to convey their anti-war, anti-militarization message. They chose the date to celebrate the six years since 18 of them were arrested and jailed on Oct. 18, 2005, when they tried to enlist to replace America's grandchildren in harm's way in an illegal and immoral war in Iraq.

The grannies believe that because of the national and international crises currently prevailing, which sorely demand resolution, it is essential that there be opportunities to rally, to vigil, to demonstrate on behalf of peace and social justice wherever people congregate.

After about 20 minutes, an official from Lincoln Center came over to the group and said that they would have to disperse, and, if not, the police would be called. The peace people stood their ground. No police came, though they were at a nearby location ready to pounce. More time passed, and again the woman from Lincoln Center warned the grannies to leave the premises or the police would be called. The grannies continued standing silently, and again there was a notable absence of the men in blue to carry out the threat.

Promptly at 8 p.m., the grannies broke ranks and, as cameras flashed and the watching crowd burst into applause, spoke happily about their feelings of having accomplished their mission. They had, after all, held their vigil without interference.

One wondered why the police backed off from removing and presumably arresting the vigilers. Was it because they retain vestiges of their childhood respect and fear of their elders -- they were psychologically unable to clamp handcuffs on old women like their grannies?

Or was it because they've been getting a bad rap lately as stories have circulated about young women being pepper sprayed while peacefully marching with the Occupy Wall Street people, and for randomly brutally mistreating OWS persons on Brooklyn Bridge, in Citibank? If so, it was a wise decision. YouTube videos circulating throughout the world showing cops dragging white-haired old ladies into paddy wagons would not exactly enhance the reputation of New York's Finest!

So, have the grandmothers created a new precedent paving the way for future vigils and rallies to take place in public private spaces (or is it private public spaces)? Was this a unique event resulting from intimidated police confronted with their elders? Or if it's a younger assemblage next time, will the police revert to their old aggressive tactics?

Time will tell. One hopes, however, that a new chapter is beginning, allowing for more freedom to peaceably assemble in order to alert the public to the perilous circumstances confronting us all.

AFGHAN PEACE YOUTHS FEEL HOPELESS: SAY CONDITIONS WORSENING

On Sunday, Aug. 21, I had the privilege of speaking via conference call with several young people from the Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers. It was the occasion of what they have termed the "Global Day of Listening," during which the kids spoke with supporters and sympathizers all over the world for approximately 5 and a half hours.

I was immensely saddened to hear that they are discouraged about the prospects of peace in their beleaguered country. The kids stated more than once that things are worse than they were the last time they held the conference call a few months ago, and that their hopes for peace have dwindled down to almost zero. This was in marked contrast to earlier conversations in which I participated, when they projected a sense of ebullience and hope. I had the impression in those past talks that they felt confident that they could make a difference through their admirable efforts to end the conflicts within their nation.

Yesterday, they expressed their belief that the Afghan people desire that our troops leave their country in a responsible manner as soon as possible, that our military presence there essentially contributes to the decreasing potential for peace. Yet, they see little chance of our withdrawal in the foreseeable future.

The publication recently of a report in numerous Online publications that an agreement is about to be signed which would allow thousands of U.S. troops to remain in Afghanistan until at least 2024 certainly reinforces the young peoples' despair. US Troops May Stay in Afghanistan Until 2024 | Common Dreams

The group (AYPV) of mostly teen-agers is located 100 miles to the north of Kabul in a mountainous province called Bamiyan. Their lives are extremely difficult. By contrast, an average middle-class American youngster's life seems like a rhapsodic fantasy. One of the younger ones, for instance, walks miles daily to obtain fresh water for his family. School is a luxury oftentimes, given that some must work the farms or market potatoes full-time to help support their families. The landscape is desolate, and there is a lack of warm clothing to protect against the extreme cold. Despite their hardships, though, this group of juveniles manages to devote themselves to the Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers. Among their many activities, they cleared through substantial debris to create a Peace Park, in which they planted trees and shrubs.

They have made a number of beautiful short videos very effectively urging peace. (See below.) They've traveled 100 miles through difficult and even perilous terrain to Kabul for their periodic Global Days of Listening.

Their mentor and interpreter is Hakim, a doctor from Singapore, who has spent several years organizing the AYPV, writing eloquent articles promoting their cause, creating and producing their videos, and interpreting in several languages, including excellent and fluent English, for their global conference calls. Influenced by Gandhi and Noam Chomsky's writings, Hakim gave up his private medical practice to focus on leading the young Afghans to pursue peace.

I tried to help them feel more positive as best I could, telling them I had lived many, many years and learned that things often change, even when you don't expect them to. I urged them to keep up their wonderful and inspiring actions, and that we peace grannies (the Granny Peace Brigade, Grandmothers Against the War, Grandmothers for Peace International, and the Raging Grannies, among many) would do the same.

But, they need so much more solace and stimulation than I or any one person could provide. I hope readers of these words will be moved as I was by the plight of these kids we threaten with our instruments of war. Please contact them by writing journeytosmile@gmail.com. They are very heartened by words of encouragement from people from other locales, particularly the United States, a principal cause of the chaos they must endure. Ask to be notified of the various ways you can help them

Finally, please watch this very brief video made by the youngsters. They will steal your heart.
- Afghan Children Smile for Love Forgiveness Peace Humanity -- CLICK ON
http://youtu.be/0XUiFp-kTzk

WAKE UP, AMERICA! YOUR HOUSE IS ON FIRE!

WHAT ELSE DO WE NEED TO MAKE IT CLEAR
THAT DOOMSDAY IS GETTING PERILOUSLY NEAR
OUR SAFETY NET IS TORN TO SHREDS
TAX BREAKS ARE GIVEN TO CORPORATE HEADS
WHILE WE ON THE BOTTOM AND IN THE MIDDLE
LOSE MORE EACH DAY WHILE THE LEADERS FIDDLE

WE'RE MAKING WAR ALL OVER THE PLANET
THOUGH OUR CITIZENS DAILY URGE, "PLEASE BAN IT"
SOLDIERS AND CITIZENS ARE DYING FOR NAUGHT
SO BOMBS AND GUNS CAN BE PROFITABLY BOUGHT
VETS COMING HOME ARE UNEMPLOYED
BODIES AND MINDS TOO OFTEN DESTROYED

WHAT MORE WILL IT TAKE TO AWAKEN US ALL
TO SCARE US OUT OF OUR LISTLESS PALL
SO WE'LL TAKE TO THE STREETS AND TOSS THEM OUT
A THOROUGH, CONCLUSIVE AND ALL-AROUND ROUT
AMERICA, THIS IS WHAT IT WILL TAKE
OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURES ARE AT STAKE

WAKE UP, AMERICA, ORGANIZE
THE TIME HAS COME TO MOBILIZE
WE MUST HAVE MORE THAN MOANS AND GROANS
WE'VE GOT TO LEAVE OUR COMFORT ZONES
AND FINALLY TAKE ACTION, NOW, TODAY
LET'S HIT THE STREETS, WITHOUT DELAY!

JOAN'S DAILY DOGGEREL TWEETS

I'm continuing my Daily Doggerel TWeets, commenting on the headlines of each day. Here's my latest batch through June 13.

WEINER RESIGN?/NOT BOEHNER/CANTER & RYAN/& EACH TAX CUT CONDONER/& THOSE WHO PROFIT/FROM ARMS & OIL/AT MEDICARE SCOFF,IT/MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL
8 Jun

NEWT'S DESERTED/ANTHONY'S PERVERTED/THIS HOCUS POCUS/IS MEDIA'S FOCUS/MEANTIME, NO JOBS/ WALL STREET ROBS/BANKS FORECLOSE/DEPRESSION GROWS
9Jun

PALIN'S EMAIL/OUT IN THE OPEN/DEVIOUS FEMALE/WE'RE BUSY HOPIN'/ASK 4 SUPPRESSION/DESPITE WHAT'S REVEALED/END PALIN OBSESSION/KEEP IT SEALED
11 Jun

CONGRESS DEBATES/CUTS IN BUDGET/THE REPROBATES/WRECK & MISJUDGE IT/THEY CHOOSE/WE LOSE/INSTEAD, BRING THE TROOPS BACK/FROM AFGHANISTAN& IRAQ
12 Jun

SAGA OF WEINER/GROWS EVER OBSCENER/AS MORE SHOTS EXPOSE/THIS JERK WITHOUT CLOTHES/MEDIA DUCKS/THAT ECONOMY SUCKS/JOBS R GONE/& WARS GO ON
13 Jun

REPUGS DEBATE/HOT AIR SPEWED/EMPTY PRATE/WE'RE REALLY SCREWED/MITT'S THE PITS,NEWT A BRUTE/MICHELLE DUMBBELL/TIM DIM/END'S NEAR/NEED A BEER
14 Jun

WISCONSIN COURT/ CRUELLY SMITES/LEGAL SUPPORT/OF BARGAINING RIGHTS/PLEASE RECALL/THE G.O.P LUGS/WHO CAUSED LABOR'S FALL/OUST THE THUGS
15 Jun

WEINER'S GOING/WHO IS NEXT/FOR PACKAGE SHOWING/AND TAWDRY TEXT/ONE THINGS IS SURE/MORE SCANDAL WILL RISE/THERE'S NO CURE/FOR WANDERING EYES
16 Jun

Joan's Daily Doggerel: LET'S BOYCOTT THE AARP/CAVING ON SOCIAL SECURITY/THE TRUTH IS OUT/THEY'RE ONLY ABOUT/SELLING STUFF TO THE ELDERLY
18 Jun

BARRY AND JOHN/OUT ON THE LINKS/HOSTILITIES GONE/NO PARTISAN STINKS/BUT TOMORROW AGAIN/STALEMATE BACK /EACH CITI-ZEN/DROPPED THRU THE CRACK
19 Jun

Daily Doggerel: TIGER, TIGER, BURNING BRIGHT/MCELROY HAS GRABBED YOUR LIGHT/YOU THOUGHT YOUR REIGN UNENDABLE/NOW LEARN NOONE'S EXPENDABLE
20 Jun

IT'S TIME TO END/EACH FUTILE WAR/WE'VE GOT TO MEND/THE ROT AT OUR CORE/RETURN EACH SOLDIER/DO NOT WAIT/OBAMA, BE BOLDER/BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE
21Jun

OBAMA,NOT ENUF/WE NEED MORE/U SHOULDA GOT TOUGH/ STOPPED THE WAR/WE DON'T GAIN/BY KEEPING TROOPS THERE/ONLY MORE PAIN/MORE DEATH & DESPAIR
22Jun


IF WE CUT/TROOPS BY 10 THOU/TELL US WHAT/CASH WE'LL GET NOW/TO BE REDEPLOYED/TO DOMESTIC NEEDS?/OR STAY IN A VOID/& SUPPORT WAR MISDEEDS?
23Jun

NEWT SPENDS BIG BUCKS/4 TIFFANY WARE/THEN FEEBLY CLUCKS/WE'RE A THRIFTY PAIR/WHY SHOULDN'T U TRUST/ME 2 CUT DEBT/THO I LUST/4 ALL I CAN GET
24Jun

JOAN'S DAILY DOGGEREL RE CURRENT EVENTS

Joan Wile, founder of Grandmothers Against the War, and author, "Grandmothers Against the War: Getting Off Our Fannies and Standing Up for Peace" (Citadel Press, '08), as well as an award-winning ASCAP lyricist and composer, recently launched "Daily Doggerel Re Current Events" online. Joan is writing a short poem (observing the mandatory 140-character cap) every day on Facebook and Twitter about current events as they unfold. "It's a good mental exercise to write a poem within those constraints...maybe it will help stave off Alzheimer's," the 79-year-old songwriter said. "At least I'm not posting sleazy photos of myself."

Here are the first six:

JoanWile - Thursday, June 2
PALIN, A TWIT/BACHMAN, A DUNCE/AN EMPTY SUIT, MITT/ALL BRAINLESS RUNTS/WHAT A BUNCH OF CRETINS/KEEP EXPOSIN' THEM IN YOUR TWEETIN'S.

JoanWile - Friday, June 3
JOBLESSNESS RISING/BENEFITS DIPPING/COMPANIES DOWNSIZING/ ECONOMY'S SLIPPING/BOEHNER IS CLUELESS/WE'LL ALL WIND UP SHOELESS

JoanWile - Saturday, June 4
WEINER SEEN STALKING/UNDERWEAR SIGHTED/PUBLIC GAWKING/ IMAGE BLIGHTED/EDWARDS INDICTED/PRESS OVERJOYED/RIGHT WING DELIGHTED/IMAGE DESTROYED

JoanWile - Sunday, June 5
ECONOMY'S WITHERING/EVRYTHING'S CRUMBLING/CONGRESS JUST DITHERING/FUMBLING AND BUMBLING/NEOCONS SLITHERING/BUT NOBODY'S GRUMBLING

JoanWile - Monday, June 6
5 GIs DEAD TODAY/TWAS IN IRAQ/WHY'D THEY STAY/THEY SHOULDDA BEEN BACK/AND IN AFGHANISTAN/MORE GIs DYING/TO STOP THE TALIBAN?/ IM NOT BUYING

JoanWile - Tuesday, June 7
WEINER'S DISGRACE/ IS TAWDRY AND BASE/FAR GREATER SLEAZE?/THE WARS OVERSEAS/NO JOBS, HUNGRY KIDS/ AS ECONOMY SKIDS.

You can follow Joan's poetic output every day on Twitter -- joanwile@twitter.com -- and Facebook -- joanwile@facebook.com.

BROOKLYN HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS STATE IRAQ WAR A CRIME

It was a well-used music room in a slightly beat-up ancient school--the Brooklyn Collaborative School. Approximately 20 kids piled in. They appeared to be all Latino and African-American. They were seniors about to graduate. We were told by their teacher, Stephen, that every single one was going on to college, some with full scholarships.

We were invited guests for a special occasion on June 2 -- Carol Huston, an active member of the Granny Peace Brigade; Alicia Godsberg, currently Executive Director of Peace Action New York State; Hugh Bruce, a Vietnam veteran member of Veterans for Peace, and me, founder of Grandmothers Against the War.

We were there to witness the reading of several essays the kids had written on the question: Was the Iraq war a just war? Unbelievably, Stephen had made this the primary focus of his Social Economics class. We wondered if there were any other teachers in the United States who were daring and RESPONSIBLE enough to introduce this inflammatory topic to their students. We would like to think so, of course, but given the general aura of apathy about these illegal and misguided wars, we figured it was an unmentionable subject in the temples of education.

What could we expect from this bunch of chattering school kids? The giggling girls, the high-fiving brash boys slumping toward their seats? Looking at them, you'd figure they were most likely thinking about the latest rap record, or maybe the new movie, "Thor," or probably some were ruminating about the coming prom. They couldn't be seriously thinking about our disastrous wars in Iraq and Afghanistan....or could they?

After a brief speech by Ms. Godberg, in which she told them all the things that the huge amounts of money wasted on the war could do for their community. the first student, a slim young man calling himself Fran, got up and read his paper. He argued that the rules of war were broken by the very nature of why the war was waged -- not for defense of a people or nation or safety, just business.

Five others followed. They talked of the illegality of invading a sovereign country that had not attacked us. They talked of the fact that Congress had not authorized our invasion. They discussed the catastrophic economic ramifications of our spending a trillion dollars to wage these conflicts. They discussed our defiance of the Geneva Convention with our illegal torture and imprisonment.

In short, all the billions of words we Progressives have read over the years by professors, experts, pundits in the annals of Online publications such as this one were intelligently summarized by these youngsters in one hour.

What did these amazing children conclude? Each made the firm determination that the war in Iraq was definitely an unjust war. They also determined that we had no business in Afghanistan, either, and we should get out....Now!

Hey, there's hope after all for the new generation, especially with hero teachers like Stephen to guide them. Teachers like him should get quadruple their salaries....but, then, that's the subject of another article

SURPRISE! THERE IS, TOO, A PEACE MOVEMENT. IT'S JUST THAT THE TEA PARTY GETS ALL THE MEDIA COVERAGE

You'd think there is a huge Tea Party group in the U.S. and virtually no opposition. But, that is strictly a myth created and perpetuated by the media. To the contrary, there is an alive and well anti-war movement populated by people from all over the country. One wonders why the media seems so intent on promoting the Tea Party and ignoring the probably larger but less visible peace movement.

In New York City and environs alone, there are countless regular peace vigils
-- to name a few, my own Grandmothers Against the War vigil at Rockefeller Center, which has been flourishing non-stop every week since January 2004. The Women in Black hold two long-standing weekly vigils -- one at the Public Library on Fifth Ave. and one in Union Square. There has been a vigil at Ground Zero for years and years. There is a regular vigil in Queens, on Staten Island, in Brooklyn, in Rockland County, and on and on and on. These are just ones that I personally know of. If it were possible to compile a complete list of vigils in this area, I'm sure it would approach 100 or more.

Nationally, there are enduring California vigils in the Bay Area of San Francisco, Marin County, Sacramento; and Los Angeles; in Philadelphia, West Chester, Pottsville, to name just a few in Pennsylvania; Brainerd and Saginaw, Minnesota, a partial list; Fort Worth, and others, Texas; St. Petersburg and Inverness Fla, two of many.

But, peace vigils are just part of the picture. There are continuous actions, events, protests, and demonstrations everywhere. And, I don't mean only the few large-scale marches that periodically pop up in Washington DC and New York City. For instance, here in the Big Apple, the Granny Peace Brigade has bi-weekly street events employing their Mz. Gizmo gadget, in which passers-by pour pennies into tubes labeled with 10 budget categories, revealing their wishes for a much better-prioritized national budget. The grannies also encourage people to use the grandmothers' cell phones to make free calls to their legislators.

Theatres Against the War (THAW) in New York City has held street theatre events. An artists group periodically has had banner drops in Grand Central Station. A coalition of peace organizations held a song-fest in that venerable venue, as well.

Military Families Speak Out have set up "cemeteries" in public spaces throughout the U.S. containing a hundred or so white crosses to represent the war dead. A group of protesters in Derry CA erected a blockade at the Raytheon plant producing bombs. Anti-war groups are endlessly creative and endlessly dedicated.

The problem is that these actions operate independently from each other for the most part, and don't inter-connect enough to be a visible grass roots tide. We have to learn to coalesce into a mass movement as the Tea Partiers are reputed to have done (questionable?) so that we, too, can influence policy and put our candidates into office.

Accordingly, I hereby call on everyone reading this article who is part of a regular peace action to contact me at joanwile@grandmothersagainstthewar.org so we can begin to build that connection. I also suggest that those involved in peace activities write your local newspapers and TV stations demanding that they cover your events. Please submit other ideas to me for encouraging greater press and media attention.

This basically should be a no-brainer. Poll after poll reveals that the majority of Americans want the wars ended right away and all troops and armaments brought home. There is so much creative force and passionate commitment among us. We can do this if we just pull our resources together.