bush just announced tomorrow as the day. what can we do?

Start praying, I guess.

Yeah, pray that our sociopathic leader has higher moral standards than their sociopathic leader.

Larry, if that's the option, we'd just as well move on to KYAGB.

Pray...
Meditate...
Send Blundervibes...

Keep protesting...
Pray some more...

nearly in tears all morning.

I'm trying to stay away from TV news, but dying to know what's going on. The headlines are not good. Prayer and Blundervibes seem the only good options left. <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/peace.gif" width=16 height=16>

First... thank goodness ArloNet is back!

I spent the day in peace demonstrations... started this morning in a meeting to plan our actions... then walked down to the NYS Capital for a rally... many good speakers and musicians! Then we marched to the Federal Building a few blocks away.

At a signal from one of our members, those who chose to participate went to a nearby intersection and held a "die-in" ... but the police promptly redirected traffic!...so we "resurrected" for a short run to the interstate exit ramp... where we "died" again! This time, we ended up blocking traffic for about 45 minutes. Although I was willing to be arrested, I opted out when we were told that our action had already caused one accident (minor) on the highway... I will not be the cause of anyone else being hurt.

But I spent a great deal of time, lying on the wet pavement, chanting peace chants... getting rained on... and sending peace thoughts out into the universe.

After opting out, I watched while many other people refused to move. Several people (mostly young folk) were carried off to the paddywagon, and altogether, there were 27 arrests.

Walking the mile or so back to my car, I was overwhelmed by a feeling that there has to be a better mission for me. I am not meant to be one risking arrest. I need to show LOVE to all... including those who oppress or harm others... that seems impossible... but that is the miracle I am looking for. I stopped in a church on the way back to the car... cried for a while... but it's all good. I felt release... Still have to work on loving Saddam and Dubya and other hurtful people... but that is the only way that can work. The key, I think, is to separate the people from the things they do or represent... I love them... not the things they do.

downtown portland is shut down right now...it's really cool!

Wyld, our own Lazarus--risen from the dead, twice, even!<img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/angel.gif" width=25 height=20> I am, as always, In awe of all that you do, but personally, I'd rather you weren't arrested, too. I mean, I mean...I don't think the Group W Bench is what it used to be. I know you will find plenty to do--probably things that more positively support the effort for peace than getting arrested does.

A real 'something' that puts nothing on the line but one's being identified as a peacemonger is that moveon.org has a new declaration--of continued support for solving international conflicts by peaceful means. Like the other one, they'll be delivering it to the U.N. One can sign it and add a personal statement at moveon.org. Also, it might be of interest to some that you can add your name to Musicians United to Win Without War at the moveon site.

Haven't heard from Wyld all day. Think she got busted? Was she going down to NYC again?

Never mind..I see she posted on another topic earlier today. Presumably she's still unincarcerated.

Nope.. not busted... busy, though!

I thought I made it clear that I had opted out of the possibility of arrest the other day, when I learned that some accidents were happening because of our actions. I cannot be the cause of someone else getting hurt.

Today, I was busy with home stuff until this evening, when I went to the "Women's Feast for Peace" which was the final event related to the Women's Fast for Peace, which I was involved with (I fasted on the day of the Crossgates Protest). About 100 people got together for a potluck supper, sharing memories of our fast-day experiences. We also got a "sneak preview" of the documentary of the Women's Fast for Peace that was put together by Indy Media. It will be ready for public viewing by Friday, and will be aired on DishTV... We are looking into our local public tv station and public access tv as well. The documentary is marvelous. It tells the thoughts of several of the people who fasted, including why they fasted, their thoughts on the war (impending at the time the video was done) and on how we, as individuals can make a difference in this world... fasting for one day doesn't seem to make a difference... but telling people about it, and about our experience... that can make a difference.

Anyway... didn't want you people to think I was rotting away in jail... lol

Congratulations, Wyld! Let us know if the video is shown anywhere we might see it. (Some of us don't get cable). I hope you know we're proud of you! <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/smile.gif" width=15 height=15>