The Importance of Being Both Pro-LGBT and Anti-War

It was incredibly disappointing to read in this week's Isthmus that one reason the Dane County Board voted 20-12 against an anti-war fall referendum was concerns voiced by Fair Wisconsin:

Five liberal County Board members voted against the referendum [on September 7]. Supv. Carousel Bayrd, one of the referendum's original sponsors, switched her vote to help Fair Wisconsin. She says the group, which is working against the proposed state amendment to ban gay marriage and civil unions, was "concerned there was too much on the ballot," because "we keep adding and adding referendums". ...

Mike Tate of Fair Wisconsin says he did not lobby against adding the anti-war referendum. But when asked, he told supervisors that voters could be confused by too many refrendums. "In a perfect world, I would rather not have other stuff on the ballot," he says.

Confused? Tate must not think much of Dane County voters. California residents routinely deal with multiple referenda; they'll vote on at least 13 ballot propositions come November.

Of course, it's vitally important that Wisconsin rejects the hateful and illogical amendment -- which, we all know, is really on the ballot to increase right-wing voter turnout for the gubernatorial and other races. But the "my issue first" thinking that some in Fair Wisconsin appear to have only serves to divide what needs to be a broad, multi-issue progressive movement.

We've Failed Afghanistan (Plus Declaration of Peace)

You may remember that Women for Peace had the honor of hosting Afghan parliamentarian and human rights activist Malalai Joya, at this year's International Women's Day event in Madison.

Malalai harshly criticized the U.S. government, for allowing -- even encouraging -- local warlords to keep and consolidate their power. She also spoke about her home province, Farah, and projects she heads there to bring health services and education to its isolated and impoverished people.

According to the BBC, Farah province is now under Taleban control:

The Taleban have ousted Afghan security forces from a district headquarters in the western Farah province after days of heavy fighting, police say.

The forces were besieged and support was unable to reach them, Farah police chief Sayed Aqa Saqib told the BBC.

The Taleban have fought fierce battles with Afghan and foreign troops this year, mostly in the south and east, in which hundreds of people have died.

The Farah attack has raised concerns of a new front opening up in the west.

Hundreds of heavily-armed Taleban fighters have been involved in this week's violence in the province, the authorities say. ...

Farah province borders Iran, and Nato and Afghan officials say they are aware it could become a new front in the war with the Taleban as insurgents flee clashes in the south.

Way to go, "war on terror." Just days after the United States observed the fifth anniversary of 9/11 -- used by the Bush administration to seek support for illegal wiretapping, the Patriot Act and the occupation of Iraq -- the Taleban win a major victory in Afghanistan.

Our country owes the Afghan people more -- real security, reconstruction and assistance in developing the social and legal infrastructure needed to ensure basic human rights. Yet even the U.S. peace movement tends to forget about Afghanistan. Why?

Let's raise the issue of Afghanistan at next week's Declaration of Peace events:

• Candlelight Vigil: Thu Sept 21, 7:00 -10:30 pm Meet at 14 W Mifflin on the Capital Square, Madison. This will be our big event where we will expect a large crowd to vigil and remember those who have died as a result of the war and occupation of Iraq on International Peace Day


• 27 Hour Fast and Vigiling: 1:30 pm Thu Sept 21 through 5:30 pm Fri Sept 22 Meet at Grace Episcopal Church, 116 W Washington Ave at 1:30 with sleeping bag and other necessities if you will stay over night. Proceed to the sidewalk outside of Senator Kohl's office (14 W Mifflin St) where vigil will begin at 2:00 pm


• Nonviolent Civil Resistance: 1:30 pm Thu Sept 21 through 5:30 pm Fri Sept 22 Details will be discussed and finalized at the Sept 17 nonviolence training at St. John's Lutheran Church. Nonviolence training is required for anyone who will be participating in the action

All-Woman Peacekeeping Unit in Liberia

From Reuters:

Dozens of helmeted Indian women in blue camouflage uniform, holding automatic rifles, rubber-tipped bamboo sticks or fibreglass riot shields, position themselves in a circle, training in anti-riot operations. ...

They are part of the first all-woman police unit being sent on a United Nations' peacekeeping mission -- to the west African nation of Liberia, painstakingly recovering from 14 years of an off-on civil war.

Although women officers have been part of U.N. police units, this is the first time a standalone, all-woman force is being sent to a country by the global body.

"We are professionals and up to the task," said [unit commander Seema Dhundia, a] mother of two, who has carried out counter-insurgency operations against separatist guerrillas and Islamist militants in India. ...

The United Nations has hailed India's move to send the [all-woman police] unit as "unprecedented" and hopes it will inspire other nations to send more female units to police the world's restive zones.

"This decision is extremely important because as we look at our deployment of women in U.N. police components ... we still retain an unacceptably small number of three or four percent," U.N. police adviser Mark Kroeker said.

In October 2000, the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed resolution 1325, which affirms "the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building" and stresses "the importance of [women's] equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security, and the need to increase their role in decision-making with regard to conflict prevention and resolution."

There are many reasons for UNSC resolution 1325 -- abstract ideals like gender equality and participatory democracy, and real-world findings that women are more conscientious and effective when distributing aid or promoting reconciliation. Plus, women peacekeepers will sure as heck be less likely to rape or otherwise abuse the women and girls they're supposed to be protecting.

What Media Democracy Looks Like

Do you want more quality journalism? Are you concerned about the consolidation of media ownership? Do you think important issues don't get enough air time? Is your community fairly represented in the media?

Here's your chance to tell the Federal Communications Commission directly!

FCC Commissioners Jonathan Adelstein and Michael Copps will be in Milwaukee on September 7, for a town meeting on the future of media...

... and a Madison workshop on FCC issues, to help local residents prepare their testimony for the FCC Commissioners, will be held on September 5.

Madison workshop
Tues Sept 5, at 7:00 pm
WORT studios, 118 S. Bedford St. (at the corner of Bedford and Doty)
Featuring Amanda Ballantyne of Free Press, on the issues before the FCC, and
Mike McCabe of Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, on broadcasters' obligations to the public.
Plus, help in preparing your statement for the FCC Commissioners!

*Note:* If you are interested in taking a bus from Madison to the Milwaukee town meeting, please email diane(AT)prwatch.org to reserve a seat! The bus will leave from the UW Memorial Union (800 Langdon St) at 4:30 pm on Thurs Sept 7 (and return by 11 pm that night).

Milwaukee town meeting
Thurs Sept 7, at 6:30 pm
UW-Milwaukee Helen Bader Concert Hall, Helene Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts
2419 E. Kenwood Blvd. (between Prospect and Stowell on Kenwood, kitty-corner to the student union)
FCC Commissioners Copps and Adelstein will accept public testimony on media issues.

This fall, the FCC will consider new media ownership rules that will increase the number of newspapers, radio stations and TV stations that one company is allowed to own. There is no better time to speak out than now!

For more info: Amanda (amanda(AT)freepress.net or freepress.net/future=milwaukee)