October 20, 2004
1. Bush record on Environment
2. Seymour Hersch on the Iraq War
3. Interesting voter guide for those of Christian faith
4. Bush says there will be no draft...
5. CIA report on 911 failures being held til after Nov 2
**********
1. Short film that reviews top ten
environmental reasons to get out and vote - against Bush.
http://www.tengoodreasons.com/TopTen_lo.html
2. Apparently one of the more credible
reporters out there, Seymour Hersch pulls no punches in describing the
Iraqi Quagmire.
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/1012-09.htm
3. The National Council of Churches has
developed a voter guide that is not specific to any candidate, but
offers a framework of how to make a "faithful" decision. Thought those
of you who are Christian might find this helpful, or even if you're not
Christian you might use it in talking to your Christian friends.
http://www.ncccusa.org/electionyearprinciplesguide.pdf
4. Read Dave Lindorff's column on "draft
creep", so you'll be prepared to discuss this with your naive friends!
You may have to scroll down on the left side of the screen to find it.
http://www.counterpunch.com
5. If only someone would leak a
copy...apparently this report is very unflattering to high level Bush
Admin officials, so CIA is stonewalling its release.
http://www.alternet.org/story/20222/
October 11, 2004
1. "A" is for Agenda, "B" is for Beginning,
"C" is for Chalabi.....
2. On talking politics
3. Democracy in Afghanistan
4. Photo of "True Cost of War" display in Sandwich
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1. The Quagmire, A-Z: A very informative
recitation of the alphabet, with links:
http://www.buzzflash.com/farrell/04/10/far04033.html
2. Judy Buswell sent this along, and I think
it's really good, concise, useful advice on how to talk with those who
might have different political opinions. I don't usually paste large
items into the News & Notes, but this is worth the space.
"Conflict Management Monday", a gem
of a little email weekly newsletter out of Cheshire Mediation in Keene.
It never takes more than 60 seconds to read their messages, and each one
is crisp, to the point, and useful. Here's today's excellent example,
which may help us to get through this arduous election period. Enjoy.
Judy Buswell
Talking Politics
Age old wisdom encourages us to avoid religion and politics in
conversations. But with an election approaching, talking politics may be
riskier, but also more important than ever before. So how can we talk
about the elections without experiencing the fall-out of creating
conflict in our relationships? I encourage people to follow the
following guidelines:
1. Have modest expectations. People form their opinions over a long
period of time. While we hope to have an influence, expecting to or
needing to will make us less effective.
2. Remind yourself that others also want what is best for our
country. The conversation is not about good and evil, but different ways
of achieving what is good.
3. Be prepared to accept others who see things differently. Carl
Rogers once said, “The curious paradox is that when I can accept myself
as I am then I change, and when I accept you as you are then you
change.”
4. Ask what others think and why.
5. Listen to their answers with the goal of understanding, not of
finding holes to shoot in their argument. Again, if others think your
goal is to shoot holes, they will disengage. Paraphrasing what they say
is a good way to let them know that you heard them.
6. Agree before you disagree. Find areas if common ground and state
that before you state your diverse opinions. Agreement might be
something as simple as saying, “You know, I also care about (issue x)”,
or “I also wish both candidates would talk more about the present than
what happened 35 years ago.”
7. Ask follow up questions to understand better. You might start to
introduce your thoughts a bit here, but primarily do it to explore their
thinking. If you are a Kerry supporter you might say, “You know security
is also important to me, and I am wondering how you weigh our
diminishing status in the world community as influencing security?” If
you are a Bush supporter you might say, “I also think health care is
important and I am wondering if you think the government needs to be the
one to provide this?” If they don’t see the complexity that you have
introduced as being relevant, continue to listen without interrupting.
8. Be patient. The more time you spend on steps 1 – 7 the more likely
that the other person will listen to you and respect you when you move
into step 9.
9. Tell them another strategy to accomplish the goals that they named
as important. Do this without saying or implying that they are wrong.
Speak to their interests as you have come to understand them. If you
have any experiences or stories that illustrate your point, use them.
10. Congratulate yourself for doing this hard work.
3. A different picture from the one painted by George Bush (not
surprising, however)
http://www.thenation.com/docprint.mhtml?i=20041018&s=parenti <http://www.thenation.com/docprint.mhtml?i=20041018&s=parenti>
4. Check out the photo of the True Cost of
War display in Sandwich, which was on display during the Sandwich Fair
weekend. It was very well done, definitely elicited responses both
positive and negative. It is available to other groups, I think, who
might want to set it up.
http://www.truecostofwar.com
October 04, 2004
1. Lift Every Voice - an alternative to
Bush's "Christianity" and the future of America
2. Don't be discouraged by polls
3. How to avoid becoming an Anti-American American
4. Forbes Magazine rates presidents on economic performance
5. Wall Street Journal reporter on conditions in Iraq
********
1. Though we are not all Christians on this list, I am forwarding this
because it is a very profound statement from a Christian perspective
that I think will resonate with all of us. It is something you might
send along to your conservative Christian friends.
http://www.everyvoice.org/lev/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=86
<http://www.everyvoice.org/lev/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=86>
2. An interesting analysis of a recent
Gallup poll, and why we shouldn't take them too seriously.
http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/002806.html
3. I particularly liked the last part, which
explained to me how taking away our freedoms, destroying democracy, and
engaging in atrocities will actually lead to the end of terrorism.
http://www.axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/article_12084.shtml
4. Forbes left GWB out of their analysis, so
this author helpfully provides the necessary info. The Democrats are the
winners with the three top performers, when comparing presidents since
JFK. A good one to share with your fiscally conservative friends.
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0927-03.htm
5. Go to this website and scroll down to get
the full text of a letter written by a woman reporter who is in Iraq.
Chilling to say the least.
http://www.kantor.com/blog/2004/09/index.shtml