Organizing Notes

Bruce Gagnon is coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space. He offers his own reflections on organizing and the state of America's declining empire....

My Photo
Name:
Location: Brunswick, ME, United States

The collapsing US military & economic empire is making Washington & NATO even more dangerous. US could not beat the Taliban but thinks it can take on China-Russia-Iran...a sign of psychopathology for sure. @BruceKGagnon

Thursday, September 18, 2008

SPACE WEEK LIST GROWS

Keep Space for Peace Week: International Week of Protest to Stop the Militarization of Space


No Weapons in Space!
Stop U.S. First-Strike Star Wars Deployments in Poland
and Czech Republic!
Convert the Military Industrial Complex!
Fund Human Needs!



October 4 – 12 Local Actions (List Now in Formation):

* Baltimore, Maryland (Oct 3) Peace vigil by Jonah House at the new Northrop Grumman weapons production plant in Linthicum Heights (1570 W. Nursery Rd) at 11:00 am disarmnow@verizon.net or (410) 233-6238

* Bath Iron Works, Maine (Oct 4) Vigil across from administration building on Washington Street 11:30 am Smilin’ Trees Disarmament Farm 207-763-4062

* Bath Iron Works, Maine (Oct 18) Veterans for Peace march & rally at Aegis destroyer “Christening” featuring Granny D. Aegis is outfitted with "missile defense" systems Assemble Waterfront Park on Commercial St. at 9:00 am jafabussell@gwi.net

* Blair, Nebraska (Oct 7) Former editor of Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Mike Moore, speaks at Dana College about his new book The Twilight War: The Folly of US Space Dominance in the Durham Classroom Center 7:00 pm walterinne@neb.rr.com

* Boston, Massachusetts (Oct 4) Vigil and leaflet at Park Street train station (Park Street at Tremont) with WILPF at 2:00 pm clagos@verizon.net

* Boston, Massachusetts (Oct 11) Posters and leafleting at regional anti-war mobilization on Boston Common clagos@verizon.net

* Cambridge, Massachusetts (Oct 2) Showing newly revised space video “Space4Peace” at Central Sqauare Library by WILPF and Cambridge Peace Commission 6:45pm clagos@verizon.net

* RAF Croughton, England (Oct 4) Demonstration at U.S. Space Communications Base oxonpeace@yahoo.co.uk

* Damascus, Syria (Oct 11) Public meeting on space issues at cultural center ghassan.dr@gmail.com http://www.anrolm.org/an/

* Fylingdales, England (Oct 11) Demonstration at U.S. Star Wars radar facility by Yorkshire CND info@yorkshirecnd.org.uk

* Grand Rapids, Michigan (Oct 5) Marywood Campus Health Center presentations by Ardeth Platte and Carol Gilbert disarmnow@verizon.net

* Grand Rapids, Michigan (Oct 6) Aquinas College presentations by Ardeth Platte and Carol Gilbert disarmnow@verizon.net

* Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (Oct 7) Film showing of Arsenal of Hypocrisy space video at the Just Us Café tlorincz@dal.ca

* Hampton, Florida (Oct 5) FCPJ’s “Remember our Roots” Day on the coalitions’s land. FCPJ was a co-founder of the Global Network bob@fcpj.org

* Kirtland AFB, New Mexico (Oct 4) Demonstration at Space War Center Truman Gate in Albuquerque Stopthewarmachine@comcast.net (505) 401-4808

* Las Vegas, Nevada (Oct 4) Peace Concert and Fair jim@nevadadesertexperience.org

* Menwith Hill, England (Oct 4) Demonstration at NSA Spy Base in Yorkshire http://www.caab.org.uk/ caab@btclick.com

* Nagpur, India (Oct 6) Space issues forum at Dharampeth Science College yugalrayalu@yahoo.com

* New York, New York (Oct 3) Joel Landy’s musical presentation at The Yippie Museum Café will include space issues joellandy@yahoo.com

* New York, New York (Oct 6) Protest at L-3 Communications, a prime contractor in space Command, Control and Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, 600 Third Avenue (at E. 39th) 12:00-1:30 pm ag@annegibbons.com

* New York, New York (Oct 21) Space issues forum at United Nations hosted by Reaching Critical Will of WILPF and others. Begins at 1:15 pm ray@reachingcriticalwill.org

* Omaha, Nebraska (Oct 7 & 9) Demonstrations at Quest Center, home of annual aerospace Strategic Space & Defense convention mmwells1@cox.net

* Omaha, Nebraska (Oct 7) Former editor of Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Mike Moore, speaks at Creighton University about his new book The Twilight War: The Folly of US Space Dominance 3:30 pm in Skutt Center walterinne@neb.rr.com

* Omaha, Nebraska (Oct 8) Former editor of Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Mike Moore, speaks at University of Nebraska-Omaha in Milo Bail Student Center about his new book The Twilight War: The Folly of US Space Dominance 7:00 pm walterinne@neb.rr.com

* Omaha, Nebraska (Oct 8) “Die-In” CD/Nonviolent direct action at Quest Convention Center during annual aerospace Strategic Space & Defense convention cwomaha@gmail.com

* Penny Farms, Florida ( Oct ) Forum at Penney Memorial Church

* Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Oct 2) Peace Concert at Temple University edaguilaresq@aol.com

* Portland, Maine (Oct 6) Showing newly revised space video “Space4Peace” and talk by Mary Beth Sullivan at Meg Perry Center 7:00 pm danny@peaceactionme.org

* Prague, Czech Republic (Oct 8) Protest happening tour in front of Russian, Chinese and U.S. embassies 11:00 am (CET) toni@vol.cz
http://www.nenasili.cz/en/1781_keep-space-for-peace-week

* Queensland, Australia (Oct 4) Demonstration at University of Queensland’s Center for Hypersonics technology maxigar@iinet.net.au

* Saco, Maine (Oct 5) Showing newly revised space video “Space4Peace” at First Parish Congregational UCC 9:00 am tkircher@maine.rr.com

* Sacramento, California (Oct 8) Space issues leafleting by Peace Action, WILPF, and Grandmothers for Peace from 11-1 pm in city downtown. Will also have people use cell phones to call White House opposing space militarization. ellen@nicetechnology.com sacpeace@dcn.org

* Santa Rosa, California (Oct 7) War in Space presentation at Santa Rosa Junior College Newman Auditorium by Physics Instructor Lynda Williams spinor64@hotmail.com

* Sunnyvale, California (Oct 24) Vigil at Lockheed Martin weapons production plant http://wevigil.org/

* Toledo, Ohio (Oct 4-12) Daily space issues leafleting at Lucas County Courthouse rkmarovitz@hotmail.com

* Tucson, Arizona (Oct 4) Showing newly revised space video “Space4Peace” and Raging Grannies will sing at Martha Cooper Library at 2:00 pm patbirnie@gmail.com

* Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (Oct 4) Nonviolent resistance at Lockheed Martin, the world's largest weapons corporation and space weapons contractor brandywine@juno.com http://www.brandywinepeace.com/

* Vandenberg AFB, California (Oct 11) Vigil at front gate of Star Wars missile launch base 1:00 pm (831) 206-5043 macgregoreddy@gmail.com http://www.vandenbergwitness.net/


Use this link to view the Space Week poster http://mpjen.org/uploads/docs/keepspaceforpeace2008poster1.pdf

and this link to see the flyer http://www.space4peace.org/actions/GN%20Flyer%20KS4Peace%20Week%202008%20w%20coupon%20final.pdf

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

NORDIC TRIP AND EURO SPACE

On Thursday I head to Sweden for the European Social Forum in Malmo where I will speak on September 20 about the militarization of space. That same day a large folk fest (demonstration) will be held and I will also get the chance to speak in the rally before the parade. Should be very exciting.

From there I head to Copenhagen, Denmark for a couple days and then up to northern Sweden where they have a "space center" called Esrange in the town of Kiruna. After that back south to Stockholm and then to Oslo, Norway.

Each of these three Nordic countries are now becoming deeply involved in space issues.

In Sweden and Denmark space technology surveillance bases help the U.S. spy on the people of Europe (above photo one example of these signals intelligence "sigint" stations).

The Vardo radar in northern Norway is being integrated with U.S. space warfare technology system and is directed against Russia similar to the proposed radar in the Czech Republic.

The U.S. space radar base at Thule, Greenland is also being upgraded for participation in Star Wars after a US-Denmark agreement was signed. (Denmark controls Greenland) The indigenous Inuit people, who were long ago moved off their land, still stand in resistance to this base.

Rocket launch facilities in Sweden and Norway, now used for civilian purposes, could become militarized as most space technology programs become "dual use" as we see at NASA in the U.S. where virtually every civilian mission now is a cover for space militarization.

The European Space Agency (ESA) will activate its own satellite-based space reconnaissance and navigation system called Galileo in 2013. The system will consist of 30 satellites in orbit and will be dual use - serving military and civilian purposes. Like all space technology programs Galileo is now costing more than originally estimated. At some point the conversation will likely turn to "Europe must protect our investment in Galileo. It is vulnerable to attack. Europe must build space weapons to protect Galileo."

ESA initiatives to increase interaction between European universities, research institutes and the aerospace industry will lead to further militarization of higher education - including the development of nonotechnology weapons.

The whole world is being enticed to take a bite of the space technology apple.

It is our job to remind folks that an arms race in space will cost us an arm and a leg and will make the world more unstable. Better we use our resources to create real jobs weatherizing homes, building rail, wind, and solar power.

It must become our mantra.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

BRIDGES TO WHERE?


Today I am seeing bridges. Bridges to where? Where are we heading? What will be on the other side?

Whether it is the American banking collapse or the question about the next election there is much uncertainty in our lives today. Much despair and worry is evident amongst the people. Despite the Republicans who arrogantly chant "USA, USA, USA" most of the people don't feel quite so confident that all is so easily understood and predictable about today or the future.

Sages have long told us to focus on the present, this moment, and to take one step at a time.

The Native Americans called life the great mystery. And it is.

No matter what befalls us I've got to embrace each day with the joy and wonder that life on this beautiful spinning orb so well deserves.

I am happy to share this life with all my relations.

Monday, September 15, 2008

ADD YOUR EVENT TO SPACE WEEK ACTIONS LIST


October 4 – 12, 2008

Keep Space for Peace Week:
International Week of Protest to
Stop the Militarization of Space

October 4 – 12 Local Actions (List Now in Formation):

* Baltimore, Maryland (Oct 3) Peace vigil by Jonah House at the new Northrop Grumman weapons production plant in Linthicum Heights (1570 W. Nursery Rd) at 11:00 am disarmnow@verizon.net or (410) 233-6238

* Bath Iron Works, Maine (Oct 4) Vigil across from administration building on Washington Street 11:30 am Smilin’ Trees Disarmament Farm 207-763-4062

* Bath Iron Works, Maine (Oct 18) Veterans for Peace march & rally at Aegis destroyer “Christening” featuring Granny D. Aegis is outfitted with "missile defense" systems. Assemble Waterfront Park on Commercial St. at 9:00 am
jafabussell@gwi.net

* Boston, Massachusetts (Oct 4) Vigil and leaflet at Park Street train station (Park Street at Tremont) with WILPF at 2:00 pm clagos@verizon.net

* Boston, Massachusetts (Oct 11) Posters and leafleting at regional anti-war mobilization on Boston Common clagos@verizon.net

* Cambridge, Massachusetts (Oct 2) Showing newly revised space video “Space4Peace” at Central Sqauare Library by WILPF and Cambridge Peace Commission 6:45pm clagos@verizon.net

* RAF Croughton, England (Oct 4) Demonstration at U.S. Space Communications Base
oxonpeace@yahoo.co.uk

* Damascus, Syria (Oct 11) Public meeting on space issues at cultural center ghassan.dr@gmail.com http://www.anrolm.org/an/

* Fylingdales, England (Oct 11) Demonstration at U.S. Star Wars radar facility by Yorkshire CND
info@yorkshirecnd.org.uk

* Grand Rapids, Michigan (Oct 5) Marywood Campus Health Center presentations by Ardeth Platte and Carol Gilbert
disarmnow@verizon.net

* Grand Rapids, Michigan (Oct 6) Aquinas College presentations by Ardeth Platte and Carol Gilbert
disarmnow@verizon.net

* Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (Oct 7) Film showing of Arsenal of Hypocrisy space video at the Just Us Café
tlorincz@dal.ca

* Hampton, Florida (Oct 5) FCPJ’s “Remember our Roots” Day on the coalitions’s land. FCPJ was a co-founder of the Global Network
bob@fcpj.org

* Kirtland AFB, New Mexico (Oct 4) Demonstration at Space War Center Truman Gate in Albuquerque
Stopthewarmachine@comcast.net (505) 401-4808

* Las Vegas, Nevada (Oct 4) Peace Concert and Fair
jim@nevadadesertexperience.org

* Menwith Hill, England (Oct 4) Demonstration at NSA Spy Base in Yorkshire
www.caab.org.uk caab@btclick.com

* Nagpur, India (Oct 6) Space issues forum at Dharampeth Science College
yugalrayalu@yahoo.com

* New York, New York (Oct 3) Joel Landy’s musical presentation at The Yippie Museum Café will include space issues
joellandy@yahoo.com

* New York, New York (Oct 6) Protest at L-3 Communications, a prime contractor in space Command, Control and Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, 600 Third Avenue (at E. 39th) 12:00-1:30 pm
ag@annegibbons.com

* Omaha, Nebraska (Oct 7 & 9) Demonstrations at Quest Center, home of annual aerospace Strategic Space & Defense convention
mmwells1@cox.net

* Omaha, Nebraska (Oct 7) Former editor of Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Mike Moore, speaks at Creighton University about his new book The Twilight War: The Folly of US Space Dominance 3:30 pm
walterinne@neb.rr.com

* Omaha, Nebraska (Oct 8) Former editor of Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Mike Moore, speaks at University of Nebraska-Omaha in Milo Bail Student Center about his new book The Twilight War: The Folly of US Space Dominance 7:00 pm
walterinne@neb.rr.com

* Omaha, Nebraska (Oct 8) “Die-In” CD/Nonviolent direct action at Quest Convention Center during annual aerospace Strategic Space & Defense convention
cwomaha@gmail.com

* Penny Farms, Florida ( Oct ) Forum at Penney Memorial Church

* Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Oct 2) Peace Concert at Temple University
edaguilaresq@aol.com

* Portland, Maine (Oct 6) Showing newly revised space video “Space4Peace” and talk by Mary Beth Sullivan at Meg Perry Center 7:00 pm
danny@peaceactionme.org

* Prague, Czech Republic (Oct 8) Protest happening tour in front of Russian, Chinese and U.S. embassies 11:00 am (CET) http://www.nenasili.cz/en/1781_keep-space-for-peace-week toni@vol.cz

* Queensland, Australia (Oct 4) Demonstration at University of Queensland’s Center for Hypersonics technology maxigar@iinet.net.au

* Saco, Maine (Oct 5) Showing newly revised space video “Space4Peace” at First Parish Congregational UCC 9:00 am
tkircher@maine.rr.com

* Santa Rosa, California (Oct 7) War in Space presentation at Santa Rosa Junior College Newman Auditorium by Physics Instructor Lynda Williams
spinor64@hotmail.com

* Sunnyvale, California (Oct 24) Vigil at Lockheed Martin weapons production plant
http://wevigil.org/

* Toledo, Ohio (Oct 4-12) Daily space issues leafleting at Lucas County Courthouse
rkmarovitz@hotmail.com

* Tucson, Arizona (Oct 4) Showing newly revised space video “Space4Peace” and Raging Grannies will sing at Martha Cooper Library at 2:00 pm
patbirnie@gmail.com

* Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (Oct 4) Nonviolent resistance at Lockheed Martin, the world's largest weapons corporation and space weapons contractor
brandywine@juno.com www.brandywinepeace.com

* Vandenberg AFB, California (Oct 11) Vigil at front gate of Star Wars missile launch base 1:00 pm (831) 206-5043
macgregoreddy@gmail.com www.vandenbergwitness.org



Use this link to view the Space Week poster
http://mpjen.org/uploads/docs/keepspaceforpeace2008poster1.pdf


and this link to see the flyer http://www.space4peace.org/actions/GN%20Flyer%20KS4Peace%20Week%202008%20w%20coupon%20final.pdf