PERSONAL NEWS #49

Wednesday, February 23rd, I attended "American Composers Orchestra" eventat Carnegie Hall. Celebrated conductor Steven Sloane was on hand toshowcase new music by three composers [ie: M.Romero, I.Marshall &D.Elfman]. I was there mainly to hear and see Andy Summers [from the early1980s rock group The Police] on the second piece called "Dark Florenscence: Variations for Two Guitars & Orchestra". Andy was on electric guitar and the other gent [Benjamin Verdery] on acoustic classical guitar. It was a terrific piece and my fav of the evening. Not because Andy brilliantly performed on it, but because I felt it won out over the other two. It was great seeing Andy perform live in NYC again, as its been over a year since he was last in town. Had a good seat in the orchestra and about halfway back on aisle.

Sunday, February 27th, went to see two free documentaries [ie: "About Baghdad" and "The Great Conspiracy - 9/11 News Special You Never Saw"] at the Community Church on East 35th Street. Also sponsored by The Resistance Cinema. The first film was done back in July 2003 by a native Iraqi man [ie: Sinan Antoon] who fled back in early 1990s. During that July of 2003 he went all over Baghdad interviewing a variety of people [ie: Iraqi & US soldiers]. What many had to say would surprise Americans who only listen to the Corporate Media trash that fills their heads with blatant lies. Seek truth, for it is right there in front of you with these type of documentaries, not Fox News. Many of the visuals in the film would break your heart, especially of the poor dear children.

The second film was on a topic close to the hearts of many New Yorkers ...9/11. Producer Barry Zwicker, and author of "9/11 Synthetic Terror: Made in the USA", narrates this documentary that really gets one to thinking. [Questions bubble to the top, such as ... The official story doesn't add up and there is evidence of a coverup. There were 7 years of warnings since 1994, as well as many warnings months before that fatal day. Pentagon attack is questionable. Why did Bush and Cheney limit the 9/11 Commission investigation? Why the media silence? Who benefits from the attacks? And so it goes on.] This documentary is an important one to own and watch, as well as share with others. Some of the websites related to 9/11 and this film are:

http://www.911inquiry.org
http://www.911truth.org
http://www.deceptiondollar.com
http://www.oilempire.us
http://www.communitycurrency.org
http://911sharethetruth.com

Tuesday, March 1st, participated in the monthly national Dept of Peace conference call from home. The call was about 60 minutes long and people from 35 different US cities joined in. The moderators of the call were Dot Maver and a gent named Matthew. Guest speaker on the call was the wonderfully inspiring Marianne Williamson. Some of the topics she touched on were ... empowerment, inner eye shows truth, constitution is framework of decision making, there are repressive elements in society and the Peace Alliance is an "arm of a vast greater global movement". Her other inspiring comments were ... we must learn to live more peacefully, imparative to live in peace and that human despair leads to violence. After these terrific calls I always feel so jazzed and inspired, as well as happy that I'm involved with NYC Dept of Peace campaign. To learn more about Marianne Williamson [ie: author, activist & lecturer] go to her website at ... http://www.marianne.com Also, during the conference call, it was announced that the 7th Annual Global Nonviolence Conference is being held April 16th thru 20th. And that Congressman Dennis Kucinich may appear. To learn more, go to ... http://www.nonviolenceeducation.org

Wednesday, March 2nd, I attended my second monthly "Democracy for America" meetup. This one was held near my neighborhood in Brooklyn, which meant I walked home and not dealt with subways. That works for me. [smiling] Never been in that part of the hood, so it was interesting to check it out. Came across a charming, cosy diner called Union Star, which I plan on sampling at a later date. Their menu looks like "comfort food" central. Norm Siegel, NYC Public Advocate candidate and a democrat, was the evenings guest speaker. [I'd briefly met him once before at an upper westside houseparty back in October. His website is ... http://www.norman2005.com] Most folk at the meetup were Howard Dean supports and excited that he's now chair of the DNC. The turnout for the meetup was quite good ... around 15 people and some whom live not far from me. Engaged in fascinating conversation with several and exchanged business cards. Overall an excellent evening and I handed out all of my NYC Dept of Peace postcards. Hell yeah!


The Kucinich 2008 meetup was cancelled on March 3rd, due to low attendance. At work that day I did further training on billing/invoicing with Christie. As I'll be taking on this challenging responsibility sometime soon. Friday, March 4th, Ellen and I conference called Cate in the Kucinich DC office to discuss DJKs availability for NYC events in April. That evening I joined Bill [fellow Kucitizen] at an impromptu Green Party [ie: DemocracyRising] dinner/meeting down near South Street Seaport.

Over the past week I finally finished reading SHARPES REVENGE AND SHARPES WATERLOO, books by Bernard Cornwell. Just like all the books in this series ... they were terrific, fascinating and lots of amazing detail. I'm told that British actor Sean Bean has narrated two Cornwell audio books ... Sharpes Tiger and Sharpes Devil. Been trying to locate them in several bookstores around Manhattan. May have to purchase them online. I know, I know, she's so obsessed with Sharpe. Sigh!

MUSICAL STARS TO CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF "THE NORTHWEST SCHOOL"
by Gene Stout
Seattle Post-Intelligencer Pop Music Critic
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/pop/216438_pearl18.html

MESSAGE FROM PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS OF AMERICA -- 43 Congress Members Vote in Opposition to Additional Funding for Iraq War -- Pass On The News & Contact Your Congressman

[Duchess Note ... Was very happy to read that many of my NY State Congressional representatives made a wise and correct vote on this issue. So did Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich, who's 2004 Presidential campaign I happily worked on. Bravo to all!]

On March 16, 2005, the U.S. House of Represenatives voted 388-43 to provide another $81.4 billion for continued U.S. occupation of Iraq. While the margin has been described as lopsided in the press, we know that the Congressional anti-war movement is, in fact, growing fast, thanks in part to YOUR e-mails and phone calls! Now is the time to join with PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS OF AMERICA in congratulating and thanking the fearless forty-three who voted against this funding.

They are: Abercrombie (D-HI), Baldwin (D-MN), Blumenauer (D-OR), Capuano (D-MA), Clay (D-MO), Coble (R-NC), Danny Davis (D-IL), Duncan (R-TN), Farr (D-CA), Filner (D-CA), Frank (D-MA), Grijalva (D-AZ), Hastings (D-FL), Hinchey (D-NY), Holt (D-NJ), Jackson-Lee (D-TX), Kucinich (D-OH), Lee (D-CA), Lewis (D-GA), Maloney (D-NY), Markey (D-MA), McCollum (D-MN), McDermott (D-WA), McGovern (D-MA), McKinney (D-GA), Meehan (D-MA), George Miller (D-CA), Owens (D-NY), Pallone (D-NJ), Paul (R-TX), Payne (D-NJ), Rangel (D-NY), Sanders (I-VT), Schakowsky (D-IL), Serrano (D-NY), Stark (D-CA), Thompson (D-CA), Tierney (D-MA), Towns (D-NY), Velazquez (D-NY), Waters (D-CA), Weiner (D-NY) and Woolsey (D-CA).

If any of these are YOUR congressional representatives, they need to hear from you now to know they have the active support of their constituents. If your congressional representative is not on the list, they, too, need to hear from you. Let them know you are watching and that you disapprove. It remains important that you and others who agree with your position call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative. Thanks for all you do!

TWO YEARS LATER....2nd Anniversary of the US Invasion and Occupation of Iraq
This weekend will mark the second anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Since March 19, 2003, more than 1,500 U.S. soldiers have been killed. Tens of thousands of Iraqi men, women, and children have lost their lives. This weekend AlterNet Headlines join our friends at Moveon.org and Sojourners in calling for citizens around the globe to gather together at candlelight vigils in your local communities. More than 800 vigils have already been planned around the country to mark and mourn two years of war in Iraq.

Sign up for a vigil near you...http://www.alternet.org/sojo/signup.html
Organize a vigil yourself ... http://www.alternet.org/sojo/host.html

In Alternet's coverage of the two-year anniversary, we tackle three aspects of the war -- the people fighting, the people protesting, and how we can get out.

Gareth Porter looks at the exit strategy ...http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/21526/
Peter Gorman talks to families with children serving in Iraq...http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/21534/
Katherine Brengle points out that the peace movement is alive and well...http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/21533/
Adam Waxman looks at youth activism planned in Ft. Bragg...http://www.alternet.org/wiretap/21511/
And reporter Greg Palast unveils the secret U.S. plans for Iraqi oil -- inthe works long BEFORE 9/11 ... http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/21535/