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North Seattle SNOW Meeting Notes 06-07-03

In Attendance: Abe Osheroff, Charles Cressey, Eric Maia, Gunnel Clark, Janet Siebal, Judy Cree, Kay Groves, Larry, Marty Zupan, Tim Gerth

Topics of Discussion:

Abe's Report: Abe expressed concern about "SNOW in Summer" keynote speaker's religious references in his speech. He wrote a letter to speaker Rich Lang praising his work but expressed concern that his religious remarks may have alienated those in attendance who were not Christian or religion-affiliated. Charles, Kay and Larry shared Abe's concerns.

Abe commented that the Doug Rokke depleted uranium video is a powerful tool and requested distribution assistance from the group. He recommended that members of the group particularly distribute the tapes to known high school instructors.

Gunnel recommended that each group member take a video to distribute to out-of-state friends. The cost to send one video tape is $1.42. Abe suggested inscribing "MEDIA" on the packaging before sending.

Abe and Gunnel confirmed that the Seattle library system refused to include the Rokke video in their archives.

Coordination of June 17th "War Without End" Discussion:

Gunnel suggested each group member take flyers for the event to post. Abe recommended posting flyers on grocery store bulletin boards.

Kay and Janet volunteered to set up facilities at 6:00 PM at Shoreline Library, and will also coordinate clean-up afterwards. Kay, Gunnel and Janet will be greeters and help usher people to the event upon arrival.

Judy suggested that the Rokke video tapes be made available on the literature table at the event. She will coordinate literature packets and literature display table.

Larry and Judy volunteered to pass out literature after the discussion.

Gunnel will ask Tom to bring Israeli-Palestinian flyer materials.

Eric will be the discussion facilitator, introducing Tom and Abe and asking participants to be mindful of controversy and respectful of others' sensitivity in their discussion.

Gunnel announced that the library requested that group members park on the street during the event.

Shoreline SNOW Potluck Saturday, 06-07-03:

Kay, Judy and Gunnel planned to attend the potluck, representing North Seattle SNOW. Gunnel volunteered to bring flowers on behalf of the group.

Kay suggested that North Seattle SNOW have a potluck "on our own turf" at a later time and invite members from other SNOW chapters to attend.

Gunnel announced that activist Jean Buskin will be moving to North Seattle and offered to be a liaison for our area to the SNOW general stirring committee.

SNOW in Summer Meeting 06-01-03 Reports:

USA Patriot Act Workshop:

Judy reported upon the detainment of immigrant children in Spokane, that libraries and bookstores are now required to actively participate in reporting potentially suspect purchases and library material reservations. She observed that there is a need to actively oppose CAPPS anti-fly lists and USA Patriot II. She brought pamphlets for those interested in establishing memberships with the ACLU.

Kay commented that the Arab-American speaker Rita was featured on a front page story of the Seattle Church Council newspaper.

Abe strongly recommended that members of our group visit the INS detainees. Judy volunteered to contact Rita for visitation procedural information for our group. Rita's group's website is www.theaacc.org.

Janet suggested that our group donate money for detainee's legal counsel fees and volunteered to follow up with Rita for information about how our group can contribute.

Kay mentioned visitation hour and facility restrictions of the INS detainees.

Gunnel commented that she would like to see SNOW work towards a statewide anti-Patriot Act referendum.

Marty expressed concern that our group clarify political persecution issues vs. actual criminal charges before we invest energy and resources. Judy responded that Rita can confirm nature of charges for the detainees.

Tim expressed concern about Waldorf conversation transcript detailing conversation between Colin Powell and Britain's foreign secretary Jack Straw on dubious Iraq WMD intelligence sources, possible impeachment proceedings.

Media Workshop:

Eric reported that speaker Bruce Yarrow (sp?) discussed leafletting and circulated formats for discussion. Eric particularly enjoyed speaker Ellen's discussion about group emphasis and focus on newsworthy items, recommendations to develop media contacts and media lists.

Eric commented upon lack of presentation of action items from each group at the end of the meeting. Marty asked if a message consensus was achieved by the end of the meeting. Eric felt SNOW's message published on the meeting program was not clearly articulated.

Gunnel suggested that a media contact person from our group network with other SNOW groups for their media liaisons and share media contact referrals. Janet volunteered for research. Eric and Abe offered to confer with Janet about creating media lists. Eric and Janet to verify media submittal deadlines.

Intentional Listening Workshop:

Marty reported workshop theme of avoiding attacking language during discussions in order to better facilitate effective mutual listening and convey compassion.

Gunnel expressed concern about the need to listen and hear each other.

National Security Strategy Workshop:

Larry reported that each person at the workshop was asked to contribute ideas for a peace agenda. The workshop detailed a three-model foreign policy strategy (realist, liberal and radical). Jensen discussed Paul Wolfowitz equating terrorism with the anti-globalization movement, the USA Patriot Act and the Bush Administration's pre-emptive foreign policy driven by Wolfowitz and philosophies of Leo Strauss. Larry enjoyed Mark Jensen's facilitation of the workshop. Gunnel proposed that North Seattle SNOW pursue a SNOW coalition event with Mark Jensen. Larry volunteered to follow up with Jensen.

Humanitarian Aid Workshop:

Tim reported workshop discussion about the Earth Charter, core issue of clean water in the humanitarian agenda, voting process issues pertaining to the 2004 elections. Tim expressed interest in SNOW more actively promoting peace through protection of the environment and becoming more internationally involved (such as with the United Nations Association of Seattle).

Tim discussed a need to establish a new media presence outside the standard mass media. Eric presented an idea for a combination E-Bay/Slashdot Internet technology for grassroots information sharing, a medium that can self-filter spam postings while showcasing pertinent activist information.

Fundamentals of Organizing Workshop:

Gunnel reported that the workshop detailed aspects of effective organization. Emphasis was placed upon establishing personal contacts and building relationships. Gunnel discussed the example of the North Seattle SNOW group's unity despite Iraq war setback. Success includes coalition building by pursuing a consistent presence at other group's gatherings, good social skills, a sense of urgency, choosing an attainable goal, etc. Gunnel offered to refine the list of values as they reflect upon the North Seattle SNOW group and present them at the next meeting discussion on Saturday, June 14th.

Charles' Project Report:

Charles asked to postpone his report for the next meeting on June 14th at 8:30 AM.