Peace

Peace

WHY WE SHOULD CARE ABOUT UKRAINE

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Hola, Nuestro Amigos! – Every time you check out today’s news, you likely hear about Ukraine: the devastation, people being killed/injured/displaced, and the villainy of Putin. Why should you care? Not because the people being killed/injured/displaced are white. Though many are. People in conflicts in Central and South America, Africa, and Asia have suffered just as much (or more)!! Not just because Russia violently invaded. The US has done similarly in so many places (in Central and South America, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and more), and has turned a blind eye toward –even enabled – other military aggression e.g., Saudis in Yemen. The reason the war in Ukraine is so deeply concerning is that two of the mightiest military powers’ interests are involved: the US/NATO and Russia; and both sides have nuclear weapons! The US and Russia together account for 90% of the existing nuclear weapons in the world. NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, an intergovernmental military alliance) and Russia’s military spending together accounted for $1.3 Trillion of the $2 Trillion (about 2/3) of military spending worldwide in 2021. (The other two major military spenders are China and India, together 16% of world military spending.) The US military spending at $778 Billion in 2021, is 39% of total worldwide military spending, as much as the next 10 countries put together. If you remember our January column on nuclear weapons – or even if you don’t! – you know nuclear war is an existential threat to life on this planet. Nuclear winter would pre-empt climate catastrophe: it would kill us off much faster.  Also, Ukraine depends on nuclear power. There are 15 – yes, 15 – nuclear power plants in Ukraine. Each one is a potential nuclear bomb. The biggest nuclear plant there already caught fire during the fighting, but thank God, people somehow managed to extinguish it quickly. An explosion there would be 10 times as bad as the Chornobyl (Ukraine) nuclear explosion, which was the worst nuclear explosion ever. (It is now a large “exclusion zone,” where people cannot live.) Besides the nuclear dangers, as Rev. Dr. King said, the bombs over there are exploding over here. The resources we need for #PeopleAndPlanet are being squandered on war once again. (War profiteers Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, BAE Systems, and Northrup Grumman are sure to be cashing in though!!) The US and NATO set the stage for Russia’s aggression by ignoring a 1992 promise not to expand NATO. Instead, NATO took in more members – 30 mostly small countries, formerly allied with Russia – causing severe Russian concern re its border security. This war threatens to become World War III, something we cannot afford. We must go the opposite direction, using diplomacy and international law, IN TRUTH AND LOVE, or we are truly playing “Russian Roulette.” #AnotherWayIsPossible!!! We must communicate, negotiate, and offer all parties ways to save face! Please call our President and representatives (info at wnypeace.org/wp/organizing-in-WNY) and urge them to USE DIPLOMACY!! #NegotiationNotEscalation!! For #PeopleAndPlanet, Juntos – Si, se puede!! Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Community Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Military & Veterans Peace People Politics A TRAGEDY July 4, 2023/No Comments LEADING TO AN ANTI-BULLYING CAMPAIGN (a Community Responders Pilot and a Peace Ship for a Nuclear-Free Future) Hola, mis Amigos!!  Read More CAMP PEACEPRINTS 2023: HEALTHY LIVES MATTER June 4, 2023/No Comments ¡Hola, Amigos! Pronto sera el tiempo por los ninos para ir a campamentos de verano. We are excited to present Read More EMBRACING BUFFALO / HEALING MOMENTS May 10, 2023/No Comments EMBRACING BUFFALO / HEALING MOMENTS “No podemos dejar que la gente abra brechas entre nosotros… porque solo hay una raza Read More Load More End of Content.

Peace

UKRAINE, MEDIA, AND DONATIONS

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UKRAINE, MEDIA, AND DONATIONS What Russia is doing to Ukraine is unforgivable! Unfortunately, most people familiar with the region had predicted the invasion. What they have not predicted, however, was the strong resistance and how bungling or incompetent the Russian forces have been. MEDIA: While there is a lot of propaganda on both sides, we should not overreact to all the news. It is simply like the news coverage shows only the things that will attract the most attention and support that have been built. News agencies will not stop; this goes for both sides, pushing whatever narrative works for them, and using the war as a cover to display their propaganda.  What we need to do is to take the time, to do some research to get a better or near objective picture. One should rely on more independent and respected news organizations to get the information, to get the picture.  For example, based on my research, I found the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) coverage to be the most informative and thorough.  ANOTHER POINT:  Sadly, one of the most common things in a crisis like Ukraine is for groups or organizations to collect financial support for the victims, which on the surface, is all well and good, the right thing to do. But unfortunately, there are lots of unscrupulous organizations or agencies who use this as an opportunity to steal or funnel money, if not more money, into the pockets of the people at the leadership level — CEO, Executive Director, Board of Directors, etc. As such, I would urge our readers, before they donate money or supplies, to please research the people and organizations inviting you to donate or contribute to help Ukraine. It has been well documented that numerous charity organizations, including well-known ones, have a history of a corrupt way of handling public donations. Their Executives receive millions of dollars in salaries and bonuses each year while most of the donations never reach their targets. This information is public, so if you have the time or need to know, take the time, and research it online, you are only a few clicks away.  When it comes to donations, always look for people who are confirmed to be able to get your hard-earn cash to the desired destination. Make sure their claims, collection, and logistics are well documented. Ukraine needs our support. Let’s make sure that our support and donations are getting there; and not into the pockets of executives running some of the  “charitable” organizations in the United States. Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books Business Culture Education Entertainment Food Government Health Interviews Lower West Side Business & Economic Development Medical Military & Veterans Our Community Peace People Sports Who We Are UKRAINE, MEDIA, AND DONATIONS April 13, 2022/No Comments POST TITLE (CAPITAL) Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus Read More WANTREPRENEURS March 13, 2022/No Comments WANTREPRENEURS Last time we saw what red flags the wantrepreneur types tend to show. This time, I would like to Read More WANTREPRENEURS – Part 1 of 3 February 13, 2022/No Comments WANTREPRENEURS – Part 1 of 3 Ever seen start-up hipster types always talking about their “killer business idea” in vague Read More Load More End of Content.

Community, Peace

MOMENTO JUSTO: El Pueblo de CUBA

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MOMENTO JUSTO: El Pueblo de CUBA Many of you will already know the strength, hard work, and communal spirit of the Cuban People. You’ll know of U.S. brutal economic sanctions against Cuba. You may also know that Cuba is the only country the US government requires its citizens to get a license to travel.  You are likely to know that despite the vengeful tack the US has maintained against Cuba after the revolution in 1958, the Cuban people have been at the forefront of medical advances and have generously helped countries around the globe deal with health emergencies, which led to nominations for a Nobel Peace Prize. You may know about IFCO/Pastors for Peace, and the opportunity to visit Cuba this summer July 16-30, which includes orientation. IFCO is a multi-issue national ecumenical agency, founded in 1967 — the same year as the WNY Peace Center, and (like the WNYPC) by progressive church leaders and activists.  One of IFCO’s most vibrant efforts is its support of the People of Cuba. Indeed, the group has organized 31 Friend shipment Caravans to Cuba – with Caravanistas bringing medical, technical, and other tools and resources. Each trip is a lesson in solidarity, including the fact that all traveling in the “Caravan” is committing civil disobedience by not getting a license to travel there, despite the US government’s requiring the same. I was one of those Caravanistas in the 30th Friend shipment Caravan in 2019. It was a wonderful eye-opening, inspiring experience.  Our group was diverse in every way – age, race/ethnicity, gender(s), and more. What we had in common was a sincere interest in learning and sharing: about Cuba; the compassion and collective action of the Cuban people; and the deep suffering the US extreme sanctions/effective blockade has caused. When we arrived in Cuba, President Miguel Diez-Canel invited us to meet with him! His humility and generous spirit were impressive. We went on (as front-page news) to meet with countless individuals and groups eager to thank us (for our solidarity and civil disobedience), and to convey to us the harsh toll the US sanctions take on them and their efforts to care for all. At a school for children with autism, the parallel bars there resembled those used by my sister (a paraplegic) in the late 1950s/60s – and probably dated back to that time.  The frank, expansive adventure included a wide array of experiences – interfaith, the arts, housing, museums, government, street fairs – a broad expanse that, for me, included a peak experience at the sacred Ceiba tree! The trip was tremendously uplifting and illuminating! Don’t miss the opportunity! Apply by April 1. The trip starts in Miami with orientation 7/16-18, leaving 7/19, and returning 7/30, all for $1800. Fundraising help may be available as well.  Info: IFCOnews.org or victoryross9@gmail.com. Read More From This Writer All Post Food Health Interviews Lower West Side Business & Economic Development Peace People MOMENTO JUSTO: El Pueblo de CUBA March 16, 2022/No Comments POST TITLE (CAPITAL) Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus Read More WNY Peace Center – Interfaith Peace NetworkUN MOMENTO JUSTO POR LA PAZ February 16, 2022/No Comments WNY Peace Center – Interfaith Peace Network UN MOMENTO JUSTO POR LA PAZ Feliz Cumpleaños, TPNW! – Happy Birthday, Treaty Read More

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