9-11!

9-11!

Wake up!

Help!

Er, not now!

Change!

Repent!

Who--me?

Who--US?

Like most Americans I remember where I was on 9-11-01. The only other time and event as such I remember where I was and what I was doing was November 22, 1963--the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. I was in high school, in algebra class. We heard a radio announcement through the school’s public address system.

9-11-01 was a beautiful sunshiny warm day here in Frankfort, KY, my hometown, as it was in New York City and Washington, D.C.

I left my sick teenage daughter home watching TV while I took off for a walk. When I came back I found that the first plane had hit the World Trade Center. My daughter and I watched TV off and on throughout the day.

I watched a lot of TV after that--especially CNN and PBS. I have always appreciated the PBS coverage and follow-up--analytical, thoughtful, informative, educational, in-depth programming.

I also read a lot--both in print and online. I learned a lot about Islam, Afghanistan, American foreign policy, etc. I had already been learning and praying about the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict. I knew there was a connection.

I was devastated by the American all-out military response of the Global War on Terror and I still am. I was horrified by the U.S. invasion of Iraq, especially knowing there was no connection there.

Following 9-11, I joined a monthly prayer vigil for peace. I took prayer walks in my neighborhood that included around the Kentucky Capitol Building. I helped organize a community celebration of the International Day of Peace on September 21.

Leading up to the U.S. invasion of Iraq, I stood at first alone and then with my husband weekly before Frankfort’s Federal Building to protest. I stood with a sign in front of Kentucky’s Old Capitol, next to the Federal Building during a holiday celebration. With a friend, I organized a large MoveOn.org candlelight vigil before the New Captiol.

I gave up when the invasion of Iraq actually happened. When I found out that the war was not going to be the cakewalk as promised I began protesting again.

I really do not have the exact timeline of protests and events. I will say that a few joined me in my protests, that we had had a few events, including observances of the International Day of Peace and Mother’s Day for Peace. In the process we became a chapter of CODEPINK: Women for Peace.

After weekly protest vigils for sometime, especially after President Obama was inaugurated, people began leaving the vigil and I finally became unable to do so. I still maintain a listserv for CODEPINK Frankfort with announcements, news, and e-actions.

I have been blogging for peace and I have written occasional Letters to the Editor on the matter of peace. I participate in online activism.  I have also joined and am now on the board of the Frankfort Chapter of the United Nations Association.

9-11 was my wake-up call. I have dedicated my life to peace. I try to live for peace and in peace. I pray for peace. I use the prayer and affirmation of the World Peace Prayer Society, May Peace Prevail On Earth! In fact, I Declare World Peace. I have also signed the Charter for Compassion believing that compassion and peace itself, not war, is the way to peace.

Along the way I have acquired a new faith--Unitarian Universalism (See here and here).

I am still reading and I am still learning, too. (See some of my reading at my Beautiful Books page. Also check out my Lilting Links page as well as the Links in the Sidebar.)  I wish I could do more in the active mode, but I am limited because of circumstances.

I do encourage others to join the work of peace. I wish my own country would do so, too.

According to CostofWar.com of the National Priorities Project, the United States has spent 1.3 trillion dollars in total war spending since fiscal year 2001.

That same amount of money, the Website says, could have provided for

• 646.0 million Children Receiving Low-Income Healthcare for One Year OR
• 18.6 million Elementary School Teachers for One Year OR
• 122.0 million Fair Market Rent for One Bedroom Apartment for One Year OR
• 165.8 million Head Start Slots for Children for One Year OR
• 602.2 million One Year Worth of Groceries for an Individual OR
• 259.2 million People Receiving Low-Income Healthcare for One Year OR
• 159.9 million Scholarships for University Students for One Year OR
• 227.1 million Students receiving Pell Grants of $5550.

Something is wrong here. Instead of bombing and making war on others, the United States needs to invest in its own. Yes, we can and must help others abroad, but war is not the way. We must also not neglect our own people. We must Bring Our War $$ Home!

9-11!

Wake-up!

Help!