Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica A Dedicated Peace Site Bulletin
Volume 1, Issue 1, March 2003
Introduction Inside this issue: Welcome to the inaugural issue of the The following individuals have agreed Peace Committee 2 FIA Bulletin. Stories, opinions, and to serve on the Editorial Board: Max correspondence related to peace, civil Epstein, Dan Kegel, Liz Fuller, Florence Statement of Conscience 3 liberties, and social justice will be elec- Chapgier, Arvid Knudsen, and Christine Peace opinions & humor 4-5 tronically published on a regular basis. Haskell. Correspondence and original articles We hope you will find this publication Bush Doctrine 6 by church members may be submitted interesting and provocative. to the Editor for possible publication in Civil Liberties 8 Charles M. Haskell, Editor future issues, as described on page 12. Welcoming Congregation 10
Hunger Task Force 11 A Brief History of Faith in Action
In September 2000, a steering com- our commitment to live out the values mittee was formed to consider different and tenets of our faith in the world Special points of interest: models for social action and to create a around us. This name connects us to the new structure that would fulfill the proud and vital tradition of social action · Faith in Action is the congregation’s needs. In October 2000, in our Unitarian and Universalist congre- witness and advocacy program of the UUCCSM fifty church members participated in a gations and communities throughout the brainstorming session to generate social world. · UUCCSM is against a action ideas. In November 2000, the unilateral, preventive war Faith in Action was initiated out of a Church Board approved Faith in Ac- in Iraq desire and need for our congregation to tion as a pilot project. The first Faith find its own unique voice and vocation in · FIA plans to Study/Act in Action Issues Election was held in on the issue of Civil Lib- ministry for social justice and peace. The January 2001. erties Faith in Action Commission was created · FIA urges support of the The name Faith in Action indicates to coordinate this program. Welcoming Congregation process Mission of the Faith in Action Commission · FIA is committed to re- To coordinate social action efforts in the church, empowering the congregation to lieving hunger in our com- munity, but we need addi- choose social justice issues for study and action, and integrating such activities fully tional volunteers for this into the overall life of the congregation in a way that is rooted in the moral and ethi- program to survive cal values of our faith, as expressed in the Principles and Purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 2
Peace Committee The Peace Committee was estab- supported demonstrations against lished in October 2002 following the unilateral preventive war in Iraq. identification of peace as our highest The primary means of coordinating priority for study and action by a such participation has been congregational vote. through a mail group established for this purpose and by networking The committee meets on the first with other organizations dedicated Wednesday evening of each month, port antiwar resolutions by the to peace, especially the group or more frequently on the call of its cities of Santa Monica and Los known as Interfaith Churches chair, S.J. Guidotti. Angeles, and presenting our United for Justice and Peace. church’s Statement of Con- The first major accomplishment of Other activities of the Peace science to Congressman Henry the Peace Committee was the crea- Committee have included sponsor- Waxman. tion of a Statement of Conscience on ing a lecture by Saul Landau on possible war in Iraq. This statement The Peace Committee mail “Faces in Iraq”, screening a video- was ultimately adopted by the con- group address is:
Peace Committee Members
Front row, left to right: Melinda Ewen, Lira Maywood, Diana Spears, Pat McGuire. Back row: Marguerite Spears, Carol-Jean Teuffel, Florence Chapgier, Christine Haskell, Max Epstein, Phil and Edna Bonacich, and Arvid Knudsen. Not shown: S. J. Guidotti (see next page), Charles Haskell (see back page), Ren Renshaw, Kathy Roth, Eleanor Eagan, Rob Fargo, Katherine Dunlop, Douglas Stark, Richard Mathias, and Dan Kegel. Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 3
Statement of Conscience of the UUCCSM*
We believe it is in the best interests tive military action is both America to refrain from military of our country and of world peace for against international law and ac- action against Iraq without United us to act in concert with the United cepted standards of national sov- Nations approval. Instead, we urge Nations, and not unilaterally, to ereignty. our government to work diligently bring about Iraq's compliance with within the framework of the United We believe that both compas- United Nations resolutions concern- Nations to pressure Iraq to disman- sion and prudence dictate that ing weapons of mass destruction and tle its capacity to make, deploy, and military force should be used only respect for human rights. use weapons of mass destruction when every other option has been and comply with all United Nations We believe that seeking unilaterally found wanting and when the resolutions in the most immediate to overthrow the regime of Saddam threat posed by inaction can be future. Hussein, especially through force of convincingly shown to be greater arms, will incite further hatred and than the destruction and loss of violence between the Muslim and life inherent in military action. non-Muslim worlds and will impede “...we urge our gov- Because of these beliefs, the efforts to suppress terrorism, restore ernment to work dili- Congregation of the Unitarian stability in Afghanistan, and end the gently within the Universalist Community Church Palestinian-Israeli conflict. framework of the of Santa Monica urges the gov- United Nations…” We believe that the idea of preemp- ernment of the United States of
*This Statement of Conscience was drafted by the Peace Committee of the Faith In Action program, endorsed by the Board of Directors, and accepted as our church’s public position on the issue at a special congregational vote held on November 10, 2002
Jimmie Carter: Just War—or a Just War?
On Sunday, March 9, the New and noncombatants. cluded that the United States has York Times published an OP-ED failed to fulfill any of these crite- · Its violence must be pro- piece by Jimmie Carter entitled ria in making the case for war in portional to the injury we have “Just War—or a Just War?” For- Iraq at this time. suffered. mer president Jimmie Carter de- Readers interested in the full scribed therein 5 principles he con- · The attackers must have text of this OP-ED piece may sidered essential for a war to be legitimate authority sanc- obtain a copy at nominal cost considered just. These are: tioned by the society they pro- from the New York Times at: fess to represent. · The war can be waged only http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/ as a last resort, with all nonvio- · The peace it establishes 09/opinion/09CART.html lent options exhausted. must be a clear improvement CMH over what exists. · The war’s weapons must dis- Reproduced by permission criminate between combatants Former president Carter con- Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 4
A personal letter to the peace movement
port, with Italian Premier Busconi have asked. seeming especially vulnerable. Tony Blair of Britain now finds When Lyndon Johnson wanted himself desperately seeking the to escalate the war in Vietnam, shelter of a new Security Council but faced a hostile public, he cre- resolution in order to stave off be- ated the Gulf of Tonkin incident, ing replaced by his own party. which, as history now tells us, What does this all come down to? never took place. So, look for In a word—France. If the French something similar from the Bush hold true to their threatened veto administration, perhaps involving of the new resolution, it will have a shot down aircraft. the net effect of knocking Britain We all remember the Ben Sahn out of the conflict, leaving Bush to How about something from the poster, "Suppose they gave a war go it alone, something which poll- play book of Mr. Tricky himself, and nobody came." On the week- sters tell him the American people Dick Nixon? When the peace end of February 14, they tried to don't want. movement threatened to get too give a war and millions of people big in 1969 and too middle class, came in order to say "No!" To me, Okay, what do we do now? Buy Tricky unleashed his attack dog, the term "empowerment" had been lots of French wine and cheese. Spiro Agnew, to divide and frag- but an empty cliché, one bandied Better yet, call or write the French ment what was quickly becoming by hack politicians, but on this Ambassador to the UN. His name a mass movement. Could Dick date, it took on meaning. The peo- is Ambassador M. Jean-Marc de la Cheney do the same thing? You ple stood together and declared Sabliere and his E-mail address is bet he could. Look at what's al- themselves to be the true super- [email protected]. Call or write ready happened to Scott Ritter. power, and in doing so, served no- every member of the government Don't be surprised when the VP tice to the politicians of Britain, you can think of and go to any fu- attacks leaders of ANSWER or France, Spain, Italy, and, oh yes, ture demonstration or vigil to have some other anti-war organization the U.S., that they aren't going to your body counted—better a body as being run by America-hating be marched off to slaughter or be count at a demonstration than a Maoists or even closet Bin slaughtered to safeguard multina- massacre. Ladenites. tional corporations. It was the world turned upside down. And what of our President? On In short-get involved, stay in- the Monday after the demonstra- volved, and be very skeptical Lest I wax poetic until you, the tions, I'm sure George Bush had an about shot down U-2's or charges reader, and I, the writer, lapse into emergency meeting with Carl Rove of peace movement acolytes of insulin shock, I'll turn to the prac- who told him he's looking at a one Osama handing out leaflets on our tical effect of the protests. First, term presidency unless he turns it corners as our domestic fifth col- the U.S. is more isolated than at around. Rove then, no doubt, had umn. any time since the war in Viet- to connect the dots explaining to S. J. Guidotti nam. Even Italy and Spain, who our President that he's damned if had given at least tacit support for he goes it alone on Iraq, but almost Chair, Peace Committee an Iraqi war, although no troops, as damned if he backs out. "What are having to rethink their sup- are the precedents?" George must Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 5
Ending war by interrupting the cycle of fear*
Throughout history it was To really feel safe, we need a thought that to be stronger was to major shift in our deepest as- be safer, to be feared was to be sumptions about ourselves. When more secure. Nuclear weapons we separate ourselves from other have changed all this. Now, to be cultures by humiliating or devalu- feared is to be in jeopardy. By in- ing them, they begin to hate us, stilling fear in others, we diminish and we both stop engaging with our own safety. Lao-Tzu has been each other. We must transcend quoted as saying “always trying to global civil war by identifying the be first is…certain death.” value of other cultures and learn- ing the truths of our own culture. If we are to render war-making *While in my doctor’s office universally unacceptable, we must We threaten each other pre- recently, I was deeply impressed deal with the underlying psychol- cisely because we are afraid of by an article on alternatives to ogy that makes war possible. Our each other. The greatest threat war published in 1988 in the enemy is the projection of ourselves derives from the fear we have of New Age Journal. The article – of our dark side. We can never each other. We’re afraid of them was based on an interview with outdistance the fear of those parts at least in part because we know Robert Fuller, PhD, former of ourselves that we have projected they’re afraid of us. There is President of Oberlin College. on others: Jews & Arabs on each nothing more dangerous than a Here are highlights from my notes other, Protestants & Catholics on scared animal. If we are to end on the article. each other, whites & blacks on each war, we must interrupt this cycle Judith Carr-Epstein other. of fear.
Anti-war humor on the web and from the grapevine
We’ve all heard jokes about President Bush and his pro- Joke posed war in Iraq. Some are cute, some are hilarious, and Question from the Secretary General of the some are grossly disrespectful. Given the power of humor to United Nations to Secretary of State Colin Powell: hurt as well as heal, one could make a case for refraining “How do you know Iraq has weapons of mass de- from the inclusion of such items in the FIA Bulletin. As struction? “ Editor, I’ve chosen to include some examples of humor that illustrate the depth of concern about the issue of war in Secretary Powell’s answer: “We kept the re- Iraq felt by many people, even though the humor may of- ceipts.” fend some readers. I apologize in advance to those who are offended. I will also make it crystal clear that these are included as a personal list of humorous features and that European Anti-war Sign of the Month these should not be interpreted as officially sanctioned by STOP MAD COWBOY DISEASE the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica. They are offered in the spirit of free speech, while that privilege still exists. URL (Courtesy of Richard Mathias) CMH Http://winstars.free.fr/english/bush.html Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 6
News Analysis: Beware the Bush Doctrine
The problem, as described by Jon Galston, former Clinton White Basil Utley on Antiwar.com, Au- House aide now at the University of gust 24, 2001, is that “Most Ameri- Maryland, “A global strategy based cans don’t care about foreign pol- on the new Bush doctrine means the icy. Consequently it is controlled by end of the system of international the few who do care.” The key per- institutions, laws and norms that sons behind the Bush doctrine are the United States has worked for Richard Perle, a founder of the more than a half-century to build.” Project for the New American Cen- The 28- page State Department tury (PNAC) and a man who By Max Epstein document begins with “The great speaks of “total war,”, Dick Che- struggles of the twentieth century In a speech to the graduating ney, Donald Rumsfeld, and Paul between liberty and totalitarianism class of West Point in June 2002, Wolfowitz, deputy defense secre- ended with a decisive victory for the President Bush outlined what has tary. In fact, what is now described forces of freedom—and a single sus- come to be known as “The Bush as the “Bush doctrine,” was called tainable model for national success: Doctrine.” In September, the State by Utley the “Wolfowitz doctrine” freedom, democracy and free enter- Department released the full text, when it surfaced in 2001. At that prise.” It further informs us that under the heading, ”The National time PNAC stated “What was “In keeping with our heritage and Security Strategy of the United needed for America to dominate principles, we do not use our States.” It was issued in accordance much of humanity and the world’s strength to press for unilateral ad- with the Goldwater-Nichols De- resources was some catastrophic vantage.” It also calls for limits on partment of Defense Reorganiza- and catalyzing event—like a new the absolute power of the state. tion Act of 1986, which mandates Pearl Harbor.” September 11, 2001 Then the doctrine totally contra- an annual report to Congress on the provided the “new Pearl Harbor,” dicts these sentiments. national security strategy of the US and on September 12, without any (Available on the internet at evidence of who the hijackers were, The most dangerous aspect of this http//usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/te Rumsfeld demanded that the U S doctrine is found in the statement, rror/secstrat3.htm). attack Iraq! ”Our forces will be strong enough to dissuade potential adversaries from Those who have read it now Many Americans are aware of bits pursuing a military build-up in know that the administration’s and pieces of the doctrine, but few hopes of surpassing, or equating the preparation for war on Iraq is not appear to have digested it in its en- power of the United States.” We only about terrorism, and not only tirety. More alarming, the Congress will dissuade potential adversaries? about oil; it is about much more. has not addressed it. As stated by How does that fit with not using This new doctrine is about the Global Exchange, a San Francisco our strength for unilateral advan- creation of an absolute empire of advocacy group, in their winter tage? Should there be any doubt as world domination. It is dangerous 2003 newsletter story on the doc- to what “dissuade” means, it is ex- to us and others. It is contrary to trine, “It promises a future in plained elsewhere in the document American ideals and principles as which US policymakers will accept with statements such as “America well as those of the United Nations. no restraint on their power, thereby will act against such emerging It cannot be supported by other undermining global democracy and threats before they are fully countries, with its double standard the international rule of law.” The formed,” and this one: “…and the for us and for them, and it is an article closes with, “In the long run, more compelling the case for taking arrogant statement of American real security rests on recognizing anticipatory action to defend our- values at the expense of all others. our global interdependence and selves, even if uncertainty remains It represents a radical shift in working with other nations, not as to the time and place of the en- America’s goals, and its meaning embracing fear as both a shield and emy’s attack—the United States has not yet sunk in. a weapon.” According to William Continued on next page Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 7 will, if necessary, act preemptively.” trine: “Policies that further tion’s doctrine is a call for 21st Cen- When he speaks of “anticipatory ac- strengthen market incentives …are tury American imperialism that no tion,” Bush implies that the execu- relevant for all economies.” If you other nation can or should accept. tive branch will make that decision. want to be free, continues The Re- It is the antithesis of all that Amer- The messy process of waiting for Con- porter’s quote, you must have “pro- ica has worked so hard to achieve in gress to declare war would be con- growth legal and regulatory poli- international relations since the end trary to the requirements of acting cies, and lower marginal tax rates.” of World War II.” He ends with a preemptively. The absurdity of this statement is call for a debate among Americans. that so far it is not even working If this is to be the new world order, Never has a debate on national well for this country, with its grow- then certainly Pakistan should now policy been more important than it ing deficits and widening gap be- attack India, Taiwan should now at- is now. Kennedy’s speech went al- tween rich and poor, much less the tack China, and South Korea should most unreported in the major me- entire world. attack North Korea. It is a prescrip- dia. This makes it all the more im- tion for perpetual war throughout the Other than advocating free enter- perative that the Bush doctrine be world. As Henry Kissinger said, “It prise and low taxes, the doctrine brought to public attention, in its cannot be in either the American na- says little about a United States entirety. In the interests of all the tional interest or the world’s interest response to the abominable poverty countries of the world, it must be to develop principles that grant every of much of the world—a condition exposed for what it is—an aggres- nation an unfettered right of preemp- which eases the path to terrorism. sive, dangerous plan for military tion against its own definition of Nor does it address the astronomi- imperialism at its worst. This expo- threats to its security.” Of course the cal costs associated with a doctrine sure requires more than “a debate only country now officially advocat- committing the US to unlimited among Americans,” as requested by ing such reckless belligerence is the wars wherever its dominance even Kennedy. It requires an alarmed United States, and that will, if the could be threatened. Over- citizenry which expresses itself, a Bush doctrine stands, mark the extension has toppled other em- more responsible press, and a Con- United States as a logical target for pires. gress awakened from its stupor. the rest of the world. There is histori- Although Congress has not de- There have been times when the cal precedence for empires to rise and bated this radical new doctrine, one U.S. acted in accord with some fall. Nothing could hasten the fall of senator delivered a powerful speech principles of the Bush doctrine, for this empire faster than the doctrine on the subject. That was Senator example the invasions of Cuba, Bush has given the American people. Edward Kennedy on October 7, Haiti, and Viet Nam, but now the Already Russia is allying with China, 2002. First, Kennedy brings to our country is faced with a broad, limit- India with Iran, while the Moslem attention the critical fact that the less call for such behavior. There is world grows increasingly opposed to administration uses the terms “pre- no reason to believe it could not be American policies. If the present plan emptive” and “preventive” inter- used to justify an invasion of is pursued, Europe and Latin Amer- changeably. “Pre-emptive,” he ex- China, as their military power ica will not be far behind in their plains, refers to times when states reaches whatever point it is that sense of alarm and distrust. Certainly react to imminent threat of attack. triggers “pre-emptive action.” there is nothing about the Bush doc- ”Preventive” military action, by trine which speaks to “leadership of No statement of policy worse contrast, refers to strikes that tar- the free world.” than the Bush doctrine has get a country before it has devel- emerged in American history, and The military aspect of the Bush oped a capability that could some- it is now operative. The inclusion doctrine is the most reckless, but its day become threatening. Kennedy of the nuclear option was implied in arrogance also extends to the eco- states that the Bush doctrine actu- the doctrine. From recent reports, nomic sphere. According to the Na- ally calls for preventive attacks, we now know that contingency tional Catholic Reporter, President and he states unequivocally that he planning for that horror is under- Bush assumes you cannot be free strongly opposes such an extreme way. Where is the response? Where unless you practice unfettered capi- doctrine. To quote directly from is the outrage? talism. The journal quotes the doc- Senator Kennedy:”The Administra- Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 8
Inside Story Headline We Decide to Study/Act on Civil Liberties
An all-church parish rent Study/Action Issue established an electronic poll was held February entitled “Civil Liberties,” mail group for the volunteers 9th to review the UUA we unanimously decided involved. process for proposing, dis- to become involved with UUCCSM church members cussing and acting on so- this issue. Dan Kegel vol- interested in Civil Liberties cial action resolutions. unteered to initiate this should contact Dan for en- First, we were informed of effort. He will be joined rollment into the
Civil Liberties Study Group
The Civil Liberties study group met on Sunday, mation and limit or eliminate judicial and congressional March 2, 2003, under the leadership of Dan Kegel. oversight. He subsequently provided a summary of that meeting See http://www.ire.org/related/records.html and to the
Civil Liberties study group participants
Front row, left to right: Ren Renshaw, Serena Shames, Carol Agate, Carol Lim, Diana Spears, Eleanor Eagan, Marguerite Spears. Back row: Dan Kegel, Flo Chapgier, Judy Federick, Nels Hanson, and Jerry Gates. Not shown: Charles Haskell.
On becoming a Welcoming Congregation
vote becomes an act of investigation of our individual feelings and beliefs and a willingness to state them in a visible way. Participate in the dis- cussion. Voice your opinions. Con- sider what others say. Speak, Lis- ten, Learn and Vote. Interweave Leadership: Ron Crane, Judy Federick, Kris Langabeer Ron Crane
The Welcoming Congregation membership of our congregation. Committee will present the congre- With a vote of approval of the gation with a resolution for ap- resolution the “Welcoming Congre- proval at the May 18, 2003 Annual gation Program” will become an Meeting. integral part of our religious com- Speak, The Welcoming Congregation munity. We will say to the Bisex- Program attempts to increase un- ual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Listen, derstanding and acceptance among community and the larger commu- Learn people of different sexual orienta- nity and to ourselves…”We recog- tion. This is a program that is basic nize the difficulties faced by the and Vote to Unitarian Universalist Principles B,G,L,T person and we Welcome and Purposes. This is a program You.” that requires confirmation by the Through democracy, the act of a Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 11
Hunger Task Force
At the September 2002 annual needed. Financial support from issues election, the Hunger Task the Generous Congregation dona- Force was given a mandate to con- tions program, or some other tinue the activities for another source, may also be needed to off- church year. Paradoxically, the set the food purchases volunteers number of new volunteers has not make each month for dinners at materialized. In effect, there is no Turning Point and Step Up on "Hunger Task Force," so much as Second. All three major projects individuals who consistently vol- require at least two volunteer co- unteer each month as a result of ordinators each to sustain ongoing Faith In Action's Hunger Task Order of Service announcements. activities. If you are interested, Force has been in existence since please send an email to
Susan Higginbotham and Lyn Armando Step Up on Second Food Team
Letters to the Editor
Continued publication of the FIA Bulletin is contin- This space is reserved for future correspondence. gent on congregational interest. If you think this is a If you have feedback or opinions you would like us useful and interesting addition to our congregational to consider publishing, please write to the Editor at life, please let us know.
1260 Eighteenth Street Santa Monica, CA 90404-1296 Civil Liberties Study Group Phone: 310-829-5436 (Interim Logo) We’re on the Web! Fax: 310-998-9181 www.uusm.org Email: [email protected]
The FIA Bulletin is published on behalf of the Faith in Action program of the UUCCSM. Some of the views expressed in this publication are those of the UUCCSM, while others are solely those of the authors who have signed the respective articles. Official church positions Charles M. Haskell are identified as such. Chair, FIA Commission Editor, FIA Bulletin The FIA Bulletin is a nonprofit publication available on the Web. It is also available as an e-mail subscription Members of the FIA Commission by contacting the editor. Interested readers are en- Chris Brown couraged to subscribe to one or more of our mail Ron Crane groups. These include: Rachel Donaldson Eleanor Eagan [email protected] Melinda Ewen Cathie Gentile [email protected] S. J. Guidotti Christine Haskell [email protected] Julie Hill Simon Huss Pat McGuire Lyn Armondo For information about FIA mail groups, please e-mail: Marguerite Spears [email protected]