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Help Decide the Future of SJ County Iran: We Need to Stop the Next

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Help Decide the Future of SJ County Iran: We Need to Stop the Next San Joaquin County’s Alternative Newspaper PRICELESS connections Volume XXV, Number 2 Published by the Peace & Justice Network since 1986 March 2007 Help decide the Iran: we need to SAVE THE DATES future of SJ County stop the next war As we at FCNL walk the an Iranian diplomatic office in Matt Perry March 10 halls of Congress lobbying Erbil, Iraq has caused tensions The population of against the escalation of the not only with Iran but also with foreign policy San Joaquin County war in Iraq, we are hearing also the government of Iraq, which symposium film ....20 is projected to double new concerns from members of condemned the raids. Adding by 2030, and to grow Congress about President Bush's fuel to this conflict was the White by over a million escalating confrontation with House decision last week to tell March 17 new people by 2050. Iran and President Ahmadinejad's reporters that President Bush has Such dramatic growth escalating confrontation with the authorized U.S. soldiers in Iraq to peace convergence raises major questions: U.S. The president accuses Iran kill or capture Iranians in Iraq that with dolores huerta . Where and how should of sponsoring armed, violent the U.S.administration believes to we grow? Where will groups inside Iraq and said in be aiding Shite milita groups. ...........................20 the roads go? How do a January 29 interview that the A f e w d a y s a f t e r t h a t we want this growth U.S. will 'respond firmly' to any announcement, Vice President to affect our economy, Iranian interference in Iraq. But Cheney declared that the Tuesdays in feb agriculture, education, the president also cautioned in deployment of a second U.S. Frederick douglas transportation, housing, the same interview with NPR aircraft carrier to the region sends a air quality —in short, radio that he has 'no intention' of 'strong signal' of U.S. commitment festival .................20 our future quality of invading Iran. to confronting Iranian influence in life? In the past, a statement from the region. [Ed. note: there are You will have a the president of the United States rumors in Newsweek that a third IN THIS chance to help shape San Joaquin provide information on the issues, that he is not planning to invade carrier is getting ready to move County’s future at eight upcoming and you will be able to share your a country would have a calming out to the Gulf.] (Since the U.S. community workshops. ideas and input through both large impact on an impending conflict. military invasions of Afghanistan ISSUE and small group activities. We encourage you to participate But we at FCNL view the escalating and Iraq, Iran's influence in the in the workshop for the area San Joaquin is one of eight San conflict with Iran with concern region has increased, according Local Peace Rally .........3 in which you live or work, Joaquin Valley counties sharing because the U.S. does not have any to reports in the Washington Post, but you are welcome at any a $2.5 million grant to conduct direct diplomatic contacts with January 30, and U.S. influence has this type of planning. The San the government in Tehran and, diminished. That wasn't supposed Invade Iran= of the workshops. Registration starts at 6:00 pm and light Joaquin Council of Governments therefore, the normal channels to happen.) impeachment ................4 refreshments will be available. (SJCOG) and other counties are for resolving misunderstandings These statements come against These workshops are part of the organizing this public visioning or de-escalating conflicts do not a backdrop of an escalating San Joaquin Valley Blueprint process to help residents develop exist. international conflict with Iran arnie's flawed health Planning Process, which will help a preferred scenario for future land Both the U.S. and Iran share on nuclear issues. The United plan .............................6 develop a vision to guide the San use and transportation leading to a responsibility for this escalating Nations Security Council voted Joaquin Valley’s growth over the higher quality of life. conflict. But, as citizens of the in December to demand Iran next 50 years, beginning with In this first round of community United States, we at FCNL want immediately halt all uranium petition vs sprawl .......7 input from community members workshops, participants will have to do everything we can to ensure enrichment activities and agree like you. a chance to identify the most the U.S. does not start down a to international inspections of all The workshops will be fun important values and goals for path that leads to a new war. Yet of its nuclear facilities to resolve congress: stop this war and very participatory. We will the future of your community the signals are unmistakable. lingering doubts that Tehran is ........................... 9&10 (continued page 2) The recent U.S. decision to raid (continued page 3) farewell to molly ......14 Peace & Justice Network Nonprofit Org. of San Joaquin County U.S. Postage record called to task ... P.O. Box 4123 PAID Stockton, CA 95204 Permit No. 488 ................................15 209/467-4455 Stockton, CA local works in new orleans ......................16 From the editor Editor: Bruce Giudici, 786-3109; It's time to do more [email protected] Associate Editors: War & peace: John Morearty Bruce Giudici solution to the climate change we an option. Rep. McNerney can Bruce Politics: Gary Barrington now witness everyday. Thanks play a key role in educating his Sally Galiste This year, we will celebrate Giudici Environment: to President Al Gore, we have colleagues on the need to support Layout: Laurie Litman Earth Day April 22 in Victory an inarguable inconvenient truth alternative energy in a big way. Proofreader: Debbie Cousyn Park, Stockton and in Utica Park, Beth Luna, 931-4543 waking up many who had been With the ink barely dry on Bush's the moral test of our generation. Ad Rep: Angels Camp. Come, learn, and Distribution Coordinator: Deb distracted by war and terror. dead-on-arrival budget for war, So, do all you individually can to Nichols act: we have to regain a lot of lost Some political leaders (including purported security and more tax conserve resources. Show up to an Distribution Site: Lela Nelson Realty time. Californians Pelosi and Boxer) cuts, we must demand that our Earth Day in your neighborhood. Distributors: Rosemary Atkinson, The urgency of our global Reid Cerney, Eric Parfrey, Art Raab, are just now beginning to call for priorities be made clear: declare Make uncomfortable sacrifices Derrick Shavers, John Whittock, and situation has been generally discussion, where quick action is war on oil and subsidize carbon- to make a difference. And then many others overshadowed and obscured by required. Let's turn up the heat. free energy sources as a key tactic demand more of your Federal Community Calendar: vacant the hapless actions of our decider Deadline: 7th of each month (except In the same voice that many are in the war on terrorism. Only representatives. The state of Aug & Dec) in chief in Iraq and beyond. We now calling for a withdrawal from when the environment becomes California has begun, with its own Circulation: 10,000 are now going on 7 years of Bush Iraq, we must demand that climate part of the war on terror can we global warming law. It's time to do delay—wasting opportunities and change business-as-usual is not expect serious consideration of more. ConneCtions is a monthly time in developing an organized publication of the Peace & Justice Network of San Joaquin County. The views expressed in ConneCtions are those of the authors and are Feedback not necessarily endorsed by the Network. News, articles, letters Future of S.J. Co (continued from page 1) and calendar items should be sent to the Peace & Justice and the County as a whole. Escalon Prevention pays simple things that could prevent Network, P.O. Box 4123, Stockton, In a second round, to be held Wed, 3/7/07, 6:30–8:30 pm Editor: a high percentage of chronic CA 95204. The editor reserves Escalon Community Center, 1055 disease. There could be incentives the right of final decision on later in 2007, participants will My name is Roger Lang and copy. Call (209) 467-4455 for Escalon Ave, Escalon for those who are responsible and more information. PJN is on the evaluate various alternative future I practice dentistry in Stockton higher fees for those that neglect internet: http://www.pjnsjc.org growth scenarios, based on the Lodi/Lockeford/Acampo/ and talk nutrition and hopefully themselves once they have been feedback from the first round Clements/Thornton/ assist others with eating habits. properly educated. of workshops, to determine a Woodbridge In being active with the Health preferred scenario for future Thurs, 3/15/07, 6:30–8:30 pm Care for All insurance project, I I really feel that prevention growth. The results will be made Crete Hall, Hutchins Street have some ideas and concerns. has been so overlooked because available and incorporated into Square, 125 S. Hutchins St, Lodi I truly believe we need to have there is so much money made the final San Joaquin Valley in treatment of the symptoms Manteca fair health insurance available ^ Blueprint, which will help of disease. I am not sure of the Wed, 3/21/07, 6:30–8:30 pm for everyone, of which we are, in guide local elected officials and percentages but it makes sense Peace & Justice Network Manteca Branch Library, 320 W.
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