April 2007 Calendar

Iran Crisis Illustrates Need for Diplomacy

The Iranian government's detention of 15 British sailors and its announced decision to reduce some cooperation with the international body charged with monitoring the Iranian nuclear enrichment program have led some analysts to conclude that the U.S. must escalate the campaign to pressure Tehran into compliance with the international community's demands.

But we at FCNL see these recent confrontations as more evidence of the need for direct, face-to-face diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Iran. Right now, every disagreement or confrontation between Iran and the international community turns into a major diplomatic incident that could plunge the Middle East into another catastrophic war.

When, several weeks ago, Iran accused British naval personnel of crossing onto its territory and detained the sailors, this small border dispute became a major diplomatic incident, compared by some to the hostage crisis in 1979. Fortunately, Britain and Iran have diplomatic relations and talks between them have been possible. So far, the talks have prevented armed confrontation.

News footage from Iran showing the detained sailors "held hostage" has further inflamed the situation. Sitting here in Washington, we don't know if the British sailors were in Iraqi waters (as the British government insists), or in Iran (as the Iranian government charges). But we do know that this crisis could best be resolved by diplomats sitting down and talking to each other. As I write this, that appears to be happening.

But a reasonable person could predict yet new confrontations in the coming weeks. Two U.S. aircraft carrier "battle groups" are currently practicing war games within striking range of Iran, U.S. soldiers in Iraq have detained Iranian diplomats, and the U.S. has accused Iran of providing weapons that have been used to kill U.S. soldiers in Iraq. The UN Security Council has imposed new economic sanctions on Iran. The Iranian government , for its part, has launched its own war games, and is now stating it may stop fully cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Commission (IAEA) investigators who are monitoring Iran's nuclear enrichment program.

The U.S. has led the international community in a policy-I would say reckless policy -of escalating political and military pressure to force Iran to end its nuclear enrichment program and to stop its alleged interference [sic] in Iraq. This U.S. "carrot and stick" strategy uses large sticks and small carrots. When Iranians read U.S. newspapers, they see the reports of the vice president threatening military action against Iran, they read the news reports that the U.S. may already be sponsoring military actions inside Iran against the Iranian government. Some analyst believe [sic] the policy of political and military pressure on Iran may have radicalized and emboldened Iran's government to the point that some in that government may now believe they have no choice but an escalating confrontation with the West.

We at FCNL believe that war is not the answer to the U.S.- Iran conflict. We believe that the U.S. strategy with Iran should emphasize diplomatic negotiations. The U.S. should clearly convey that it is giving up its goal of overthrowing the government of Iran. Continued U.S. threats of sanctions and war only demonstrate the failure of U.S. policy makers to engage effectively in diplomacy.

The U.S. is making a terrible mistake by increasing pressure on Iran without at least opening up channels for diplomatic communications and direct, face-to-face talks, as recommended by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group. To its credit, the U.S. did send representatives to the Iraqi-convened consultation of neighbors, which included Syria and Iran. We hope that signals the beginning of a change in U.S. policy toward Iran and Syria. Peace is not made when friends talk; peace is made between enemies when enemies talk.

Congress has an opportunity in the next few weeks to stop the slide toward war with Iran by passing legislation that reminds the president that he must seek congressional approval before taking military action against any country and legislation that calls for an emphasis on diplomacy to advance political processes that resolve the conflicts.

Urge your senators to support legislation (S. 759) introduced by Sen. Jim Webb (VA), and urge your representatives to support H.J. Res. 14, sponsored by Rep. Walter Jones (NC), [which] would require the president to obtain congressional approval before launching new military action against Iran. This legislation will not by itself stop a war with Iran, but it will require a full congressional debate on U.S. policy and that debate and legislation could lead to negotiations that prevent the U.S. from stumbling into another war.

Quaker Summer Camp is "Different From the First Moment"

Are you interested in a small, non-competitive, ecology-oriented summer camp for children ages 7-15 in the beautiful wooded hills of southwest Wisconsin? Camp Woodbrooke is a non-profit camp, located on 120 acres near Richland Center. Rooted in Quaker traditions of simplicity, harmony, peace, responsibility, and equality, Camp Woodbrooke is unique in its emphasis on living in community, and its devotion to diversity and fostering the growth of the whole person. Campers and staff come from many different religious and ethnic traditions and we cherish and respect this diversity.

From the very first moment it is clear that Camp Woodbrooke is different. The cabins are open-sided with built-in bunks. The bold simplicity becomes a source of comfort, nurturing a safe and sacred place for children free of the violence, exploitation and materialism of our popular culture. Each morning after breakfast, we make cooperative decisions on who participates in which of the day's activities. Work crews, swimming, non-competitive games, sports, art, projects, and sundry physical activities take place, along with community meetings, and time for reflection. The garden is an integral part of camp and meals.

Because people are accepted for who they are, differences are seen as doorways rather than walls. Daily crews build a sense of self-worth and responsibility for others. At Woodbrooke, we all encourage each other to be the most complete human possible. Whether helping raise animals, working in the garden, making cookies, or hiking and camping, everyone has the opportunity to try something new and succeed at it. Woodbrooke seeks to co-create a nurturing place where children take appropriate risks and gain confidence.

The camp has two-week and three-week sessions. Also, in 2007, we are offering for the first time a one-week session for children 7-10. In addition to the on-site camp for children ages 7-12, Camp Woodbrooke offers a three-week teen program for ages 13-15. For all sessions, scholarship aid is available for those for whom cost is a concern.

Quotes from two campers express the passion so many feel about this camp: "Camp Woodbrooke builds an incredible sense of community, and not just for 2 weeks, but for life"; "Camp Woodbrooke is the best camp ever...I've been going there for years and years and intend to keep going there till I'm a little old lady in a wheelchair. Yeah, that's how amazing this camp is!" The camp is now accepting applications for its 2007 season. Please visit our website and contact us if you have any questions. www.campwoodbrooke.org office@campwoodbrooke.org. Application deadline is May 1.

Substantial Gaps Remain in Proposed House Immigration Bill

While Congress has sought to craft a bipartisan compromise bill, the STRIVE Act offers little to address the root causes of undocumented migration and contains several troubling provisions.

One such provision is "Touchback," which requires an applicant to leave the U.S. and re-enter the country to receive legal immigration status. This is not a practical starting point for the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants now living in the U.S.

AFSC urges lawmakers to develop legislation that produces a fair and humane immigration system, upholds the right of families to remain intact, does not militarize communities, eliminates unreasonable detention and deportation practices, toughens basic workers' rights, and strengthens the ability of immigrants to become equal members of the nation's economic and social landscape.

Earlier this month, AFSC brought more than 100 immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers from more than 40 states to Washington, D.C., to meet with congressional members and staff. The delegation stressed the need for a new process that supports family reunification, ends workplace raids, creates alternatives beyond detention and deportation, demilitarizes the border region and eliminates the immigration backlog. We urge Congress to seriously consider the needs of immigrants during this congressional debate.

Laws must uphold our common humanity. The STRIVE Act fails to address how detention and deportation split families and complicate the immigration process.

Public policy should [not only be] fair, but also realistic. By increasing the militarization of the U.S. southern border, the Act continues a failed path that threatens the safety of all residents. In AFSC's history of work on the U.S.-Mexico border, we have documented ongoing civil and human rights abuses, including racial profiling and harassment. New immigration laws should hold higher standards of accountability for Border Patrol agents and increased oversight by Congress and the administration.

AFSC will monitor the unfolding of the congressional debate and continue to call for humane, fair, and effective legislative measures.

Choosing Not to Hate: A Forum on Peacemaking in Israel

The forum included a brief review of the history of Jews settling in the area that later became the state of Israel, along with a time line showing the history of the conflict between Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs. Rachel spoke of her work as a checkpoint observer inside Israel to document and report human rights violations. Currently her peace work focuses on bringing to San Antonio groups of Israelis and Palestinians touring this country to share their experiences in building and maintaining peaceful relations with one another - even in the face of personal histories that include atrocities suffered at the hands of an individual or group from "the other side." Rachel told us that she has learned that advocacy has a tendency to focus on taking sides rather than on reconciliation, which focuses on finding common ground and understanding between groups in conflict. She explained that a focus on reconciliation begins with choosing not to hate. Making such a conscious choice is essential to the process toward true reconciliation and peacemaking.

Rachel has been working on two upcoming events of interest to Friends: first, the meeting has agreed to donate $100 to support the visit of storyteller Noa Baum, an Israeli peacemaker. Also, at a future business meeting, Friends will also consider hosting a program by Sikkuy, a non-partisan organization that develops and implements projects to advance civic equality between Arab and Jewish citizens of Israel. Representatives of Sikkuy plan to visit San Antonio later this year to hold at least one public program describing their work and accomplishments.

Personal

Ken and Janet Southwood return from William Penn House on April 9; we welcome them back and look forward to hearing their stories! Among their visitors at the Penn House were an English medical student and a lively group of sixth graders. While they were away, Ken wrote several interesting (and often amusing) email updates from Washington. Here are a couple:

Bric A Brac

- Announcing a new book of Quaker Spirituality: Mariellen Gilpin has just finished an anthology of essays and poems that appeared in the Quaker newsletter What Canst Thou Say? during its first ten years of publication. Discovering God As Companion: Real Life Stories from What Canst Thou Say? is a collection of short pieces about the movement of the Spirit. It is filled with real-life stories from present-day Quakers about mystical experience and contemplative practice. For information, email Mariellen at mariellen.gilpin@gmail.com.

- April 12: Karen Grisez (Gree-say), a Quaker, attorney and advocate for immigrant rights will be in San Antonio for a conference and has offered to give a presentation on Immigration and the Law at 7052 N Vandiver. Some will have met her when she attended a meeting for worship and forum a year ago. Potluck will follow the lecture.

- April 14 is StepItUp 2007, a national day of climate action. On this date, hundreds of rallies will be held across America to urge Congress to cut carbon emissions 80% by 2050. StepItUp San Antonio, organized by the Central Texas Balcones Chapter of the US Green Building Council and State Rep Mike Villareal, will be held at the Alamo from 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. For more information, visit http://events.stepitup2007.org/events/show/922.

- April 14-20: Our Lady of the Lake University's Second Annual Literary Festival, "La Vida Consciente / The Conscious Life," takes place April 14-20, 2007. Headlining this year's weeklong program are well-known literary artists Michael Anderson, Douglas Brode, John Phillip Santos, Sandra Cisneros, Alicia Ostriker, Abraham Verghese, Lori Carlson and Oscar Hijuelos, all of whom are recognized nationally for their contributions to the literary realm. This year's city-wide festival has been designed to provide an insight into spirituality in literature and film. The festival is free and open to the public. For more information, call 210-434-6711, ext. 2091 or see the complete schedule at www.ollusa.edu.

- April 17: The meeting about the proposed Department of Peace legislation that was iced out in January has been rescheduled for Tuesday at Madison Square Presbyterian Church, 319 Camden at Lexington (downtown.) There will be duplicate presentations at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. A supper ($5.00) will be held at 6 pm. If you wish to eat prior to the presentation, RSVP with the church at 210-226-6254; the presentation itself is free.

- also on the 17th: peaceCENTER and SA Interfaith Darfur Coalition present Looking Genocide Victims in the Eyes by Caesar Ricci. Ricci recently traveled to eastern Chad to visit Darfurians living in refugee camps. Come to see the photographs and videos he took during his journey and learn about practical and effective ways to help the people of Darfur and eastern Chad in their struggle to survive ethnic cleansing. 7:00 PM at University Presbyterian Church, 300 Bushnell. For more information, contact Susan Smylie, 210-732-9927.

- April 21: The San Antonio Earth Day Celebration will be held from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Woodlawn Lake. For more information, call 210-227-5191.

- April 23: If you're looking to put a spiritual spin on your evening and enjoy cultural music, you might want to check out the Turkish troupe "The Whirling Dervishes of Rumi" when they dance into Austin. Troupe members are adorned in long, traditional Turkish robes and spin about the stage as they interpret the teachings of the 13th Century Turkish mystic and poet Rumi. "The Whirling Dervishes" will take the stage at 7 p.m., April 23rd at the Riverbend Center , 4214 N. Capitol of Texas Hwy Austin, TX 78746. "The Whirling Dervishes" have drawn acclaim for their unique forms of dance and accompanying reed flutes, drums and chants. Tickets will be available at www.ticketmaster.com soon. For more information email austinraindrop@gmail.com