Dunkirk-Fredonia Center for Peace and Justice -

SUNY Fredonia Amnesty International Chapter to hold Jamnesty April 24 to benefit Haiti relief

admin — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:53:26 -0600

On Saturday April 24, SUNY Fredonia's Amnesty International Chapter will hold its "Jamnesty" to benefit Haiti relief efforts. Details are yet to be finalized. They will be provided on this site as they are known.

"Who Lost China? Who Lost Health Care?," column by Dan O'Rourke

admin — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:30:52 -0600

CPJ member Dan O'Rourke writes a regular column for the Dunkirk Observer. The following, "Who Lost China? Who Lost Health Care?," was published January 28, 2010. See the link for Dan's previous columns under CPJ News/Opinion on the left side of the screen.

In 1949-50 the political question of the day was “Who lost China?” Mao and the Communists had defeated Chiang Kai-Shek in the Chinese Civil War. Overnight China, an ally in the war against Japan had become a communist enemy. Senator Joseph McCarthy in a finger-pointing crusade blamed communist sympathizers. McCarthy’s demagogic witch-hunts ruined political, academic and journalistic careers and blacklisted many. It was not America’s finest hour.

Historians’ analysis of China’s “loss” has recognized the complexities of Chinese politics, the military weakness and personal arrogance of Chiang Kai-Shek, and the un-American excesses of McCarthyism. Eventually in 1974, the Senate censured Senator McCarthy. Chiang Kai-Shek retreated to Taiwan, whose economy subsequently -- and ironically -- prospered. Finally, President Richard Nixon visited China in 1972 and broke down cold war barriers. History had many surprises.

China’s shift to Communism was the convergence of many historical influences. No one “lost” it. The question before us today: “Who lost health care?” is domestic. Like the “loss” of China, however, the debate is nasty and the answer complex.

The biggest losers in the loss of health care, however, are people like Mark Windsor. Uninsured with life-threatening diseases, Mark was 27 when surgeons removed a chondrosarcoma tumor, a rare bone cancer, from his neck. He thought he was cured. Years later he left his job with its company-paid health insurance to pursue his dream of becoming a photographer. He never thought the cancer would return. It did. He was uninsurable. He died recently at the age of 53.

Who, however, is responsible that health care reform is not becoming law? No one person is. There is lots of blame to go around. Here’s a partial list.

It’s the fault of President Barack Obama who failed to take leadership on this historic legislation, which was to be his signature achievement. He waited too long, was too vague on what he wanted, and much too deferential to Congress.

It’s the fault of the congressional Republicans who saw defeating health care reform as denying Obama a political victory. They were more concerned with scoring political points than in fixing a health system that everyone admits is broken.

It’s the fault of the congressional Democrats who avoided any tort reform that would reduce medical malpractice lawsuits and doctors’ defensive over-prescribing.

It’s the fault of Majority Leader Harry Reid who to ensure 60 votes and avoid a filibuster negotiated pork-laden deals with Senators Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana.

It’s the fault of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi whose approach to the house version of the bill was unashamedly partisan.

It’s the fault of Senator Joseph Lieberman who every week had different reasons for opposing the senate version of the bill. He seemed more interested in being in the spotlight than shedding light on the legislation.

It’s the fault of a deceptive advertising campaign of the pharmaceutical and insurance industries that spent millions to raises fears in the minds of the already insured and the elderly.

Ultimately, however, the failure to reform health care is the fault of the arcane rules of the Senate. Presently, a 41-member minority party can block legislation by filibuster. Why does the Senate need a supermajority on every piece of meaningful legislation? Filibusters are strangling the Senate of the United States.

Even the threat of a filibuster can lead to outlandish bribes like those to Senators Nelson and Landrieu. Moreover, the filibuster is not in the constitution; it is simply a senate rule. The Senate has modified this rule before. It is time to do it again.

Opponents of health care reform have criticized public health care as being socialist, totalitarian even communist. At best those claims are a stretch. At worst they are dishonest. Are our public highways socialist? Are public schools totalitarian? Is public transportation un-American?

Moreover, doesn’t the government administer Medicare, Medicaid and VA’s health care for veterans? Are these publicly managed health systems communistic? Of course not, and in comparison to private insurance companies, they are not inefficient. They do not pay out billions for lobbyists, for PR advertising and in political contributions for election campaigns. There's certainly a valid debate here on cost and coverage, but that debate is not about Marxist communism -- or death panels.

Those disappointed with the limitations of a health care bill should remember some history. Like the debate on the “loss” of China, it is full of surprises. When Social Security first became law in 1935, it had no provisions for farm workers, for government employees, for domestic help, for many teachers and social workers. Even then it was criticized as discriminatory on the basis of race and gender. Congress, however, passed it and the Supreme Court upheld it. Social Security turned out to be historic legislation. Over the years Congress would gradually add those segments of the workforce it initially excluded. Inevitably, the same evolution awaits an imperfect health care bill -- if indeed there ever will be one.

But the bottom line on health care is that billions of dollars are involved at every level of the insurance system -- and people and corporations hate losing money.

Many like Mark Windsor and Janell Smith, however, have lost more than money. Janell was an anorexic to whom, according to her parents’ attorney, her insurance company did not provide adequate treatment. Janell was hospitalized weighing 63 pounds! She was gaining strength and weight with nourishment from a feeding tube. Her health insurance, however, did not want to continue this treatment. The results were tragic. Janell went home despondent and took her own life -- another needless death that health care reform could have prevented.

If we could put politics aside -- and we can’t -- where is our national compassion for the Janells and Marks in our affluent and prosperous nation?

Dan O’Rourke lives in Cassadaga, NY. His columns appear each month in the Observer, Dunkirk, NY on the second and fourth Thursday. A grandfather, Dan is a married Catholic priest. He has published "The Spirit at Your Back," a book of previous columns. To read about the book or send comments on this column visit his website http://www.danielcorourke.com

Lois Gibbs, environmental activist, to speak at SUNY Fredonia, Thursday April 22

admin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:07:46 -0600

Lois Gibbs, founder of the Center for Health, Environment and Justice, is the keynote speaker for SUNY Fredonia's 2009-2010 Convocation theme, "Public Service: Challenges and Opportunities." She will speak at SUNY Fredonia's Rosch Recital Hall on Thursday April 22 at 2:30 pm.

Lois Gibbs has been recognized extensively for her critical role in the grassroots environmental justice movement. Her involvement in environmental causes began in 1978 when she discovered that her 7-year-old son's elementary school in Niagara Falls, New York was built on a toxic waste dump. Subsequent investigation revealed that her entire neighborhood, Love Canal, had been built on top of this dump. With no prior experience in community activism, Gibbs organized her neighbors and formed the Love Canal Homeowners Association.

Next CPJ meeting - Thursday March 25

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:18:27 -0500

The Dunkirk-Fredonia Center for Peace and Justice will next meet on Thursday March 25 at 7:30 pm at Growing with Music/Thrifty Reader Bookstore (Barlow's Mill), located at 369 West Main St., Fredonia. (It is one mile from downtown Fredonia, past Farrell's Chrysler Car Dealership. Traveling from Fredonia to Brocton, it is on the right side of West Main.)

All are welcome.

"War Is Not the Answer" yard signs available

admin — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:31:54 -0500

"War Is Not the Answer" signs from the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) are available from Caitlin O'Reilly. The FCNL asks for a $5.00 donation to defray the shipping costs of the signs. Caitlin will be happy to deliver. To see a photo of the sign, visit http://www.fcnl.org/forms/forms.php?type=wina. Caitlin's contact information is 716.366.2074 or cait.riley.music@gmail.com.

Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill - to be resubmitted in Congress

admin — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:15:31 -0600

The Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund bill, H.R. 1921, submitted to Congress by John Lewis in April, 2007, is soon to be submitted again.

When enacted, this law will restore the rights of citizens whose conscience does not permit physical or financial participation in all war. Federal taxes of designated conscientious objectors will be placed in a non-military trust fund, enabling these citizens to be free from spiritual bondage, increasing federal revenue, and restoring the balance of government between collective security and non-interference in an individual's free exercise of belief.

Write to Rep Higgins or Rep Massa, since neither of them are among the 45 co-sponsors of the bill. Your personal letter could be from the perspective of a conscientious objector and/or a supporter of civil liberties. Your letter could also become a letter to the editor for the Observer or the papers in Massa's district.

For more information and two sample letters, go to the website of The National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund (NCPTF), based in Washington, D.C., a not-for-profit organization which advocates for passage of the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill: http://www.peacetaxfund.org

Addresses:

Rep. Brian Higgins: 27th District (Chautauqua and most of Erie county)
431 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-3306

Rep. Eric Massa: 29th District (Cattaraugus, Allegany, Steuben,
Chemung, Schyler, Yates, Ontario, Southern Monroe counties)
1208 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515

Phone: (202) 225-3161

Western New York Peace Center events

admin — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 11:09:02 -0600

For upcoming Western New York Peace Center events (based in Buffalo), see:

http://wnypeace.org/join/events.php

"Mother's Day - Its History and Meaning," column by Dan O'Rourke

admin — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:48:00 -0500

The following article, "Mother's Day - Its History and Meaning," was published on May 8, 2008 in Dan O'Rourke's regular column in the Dunkirk Observer. While its title refers to Mother's Day, it profoundly addresses the unending struggle for peace.

Funny isn’t it how celebrations stray from their original purpose. Christmas initially intended as the spiritual commemoration of the birth of Jesus has become a stressful, materialistic shopping frenzy. Labor Day originally meant to honor the unionized workforce, has evolved into a gigantic end of summer cookout – even at country clubs! Mother’s Day too has wandered far from its origins.

In the beginning, Mother’s Day was intended to be a Mother’s Day for Peace, but we have long ago forgotten its initial intent. We honor mothers – as indeed we should – with flowers and chocolate and breakfast in bed, but we seldom think about mothers and peace. Recently, "CODEPINK – Women for Peace" reminded us, "Instead of lavish brunch buffets, the mothers of Iraq are faced with malnourished babies and contaminated drinking water; breakfast in bed is not an option when there is no home to return to."

The story of the origin of Mother’s Day’s is intimately connected to three visionary women: Julia Ward Howe, Anna Maria Reeves Jarvis and her daughter Anna Jarvis. Julia Ward Howe is best known for her inspiring Civil War hymn, "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." Its rousing words and music have stirred patriotic fervor for over a hundred years. We all remember it.

"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord

He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored,

He has loosed the fateful lightening of His terrible swift sword

His truth is marching on."

Julia Ward Howe, however, had seen the dehumanizing effects of that war. She saw the death, the physical and mental suffering of the soldiers, the grief and incomprehension of wives and mothers, the disruption of families and family life. It prompted her to move on from her patriotic hymn. In 1870 with America’s Civil War ended and the Franco-Prussian War between Germany and France raging in Europe, she called on mothers the world over to rise up and oppose all war. She issued a proclamation but failed in her effort to establish an official Mother’s Day for Peace.

Today her 1870 proclamation in the flowery prose of her day does not read easily. Allow me to paraphrase parts of it. "Women, unite to disarm and oppose war! The questions we raise are too important to leave to governments and politicians. We no longer want our husbands to return to us from combat reeking of carnage with their bodies and souls forever wounded. We will no longer allow our sons to be taken from us to be trained as killers and unlearn the charity, mercy and patience we have taught them. Let us meet in an international conference to mourn and commemorate our dead and then to work out ways so our great human family can live in peace."

Anna Maria Reeves Jarvis had influenced Howe’s idea for a Mother’s Day for Peace. Reeves Jarvis was a social activist who during the Civil War proposed Mothers’ Work Days to improve sanitary conditions in hospitals for both the Union and Confederate wounded. After the war she organized meetings of mothers from the North and South to promote peace-making and social justice. Historians consider her and her daughter Anna Marie Jarvis the founders of Mother’s Day in the United States. Like Julia Ward Howe, Reeves Jarvis wanted the holiday to emphasize the work for peace and justice.

After Reeves Jarvis' death, her daughter Anna Marie Jarvis began a campaign as a tribute to her mother to make Mother’s Day an official holiday. The politically popular idea was eventually enacted by forty-five states. Following a joint resolution of the Congress, in 1914 President Woodrow Wilson declared it a national holiday. Wilson called on the nation to display the flag "on the second Sunday in May as a public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country."

Wilson’s proclamation was more about flags than flowers and chocolate. Furthermore, it was more a patriotic display than peace-making. So even from its official proclamation the holiday had strayed from the original vision of Julia Ward Howe and Anna Marie Jarvis’ mother. They had intended it as a day when mothers would unite to decry war and work for peace. By the 1920s, Anna Jarvis herself had soured on the commercialization of the holiday and spoke out repeatedly against it.

Certainly on Mother’s Day we should remember our mothers in loving ways, with candy, cards and flowers, with prayer and phone calls. After all our mothers gave us the gift of life, but neither should we forget the historical traditions of the holiday. Mother’s Day is a reminder for us all to affirm the preciousness of life itself and condemn the horror of war.

What would Julia Ward Howe and Anna Reeves Jarvis say today about this damnable war in Iraq? Is there any question what their reaction would be? They would cry out in anguish, "For the love of God’s stop this pointless bloodshed and return the troops to their families."

Daniel O'Rourke is a married Catholic priest. Retired from the Administration at SUNY Fredonia, he lives in Cassadaga, NY. His column appears in the Observer in Dunkirk, NY on the second and fourth Thursday each month. He has published "The Spirit at Your Back," a book of previous columns. You may purchased it or send comments to orourke@netsync.net

Letter to the Editor regarding treatment of female prisoners

admin — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:34:52 -0600

CPJ member Dan O'Rourke submitted the following letter to the Buffalo News, which was published in the March 4, 2008 issue:

Dear Editor,

Congratulations to the Buffalo News (2/25/08) and to Charity Vogel for her courage in spotlighting the horrors female inmates suffer in our prisons.

I hope the Buffalo News will continue to shed light on the treatment of the incarcerated. I once worked in prisons and know the difficult job correction officers have, but I also know that they, like all with controlling authority over others, are tempted to abuse that authority. Like some educators, clergy, psychologists and doctors, some guards delude themselves into believing they can misuse those in their care for their own purpose and pleasure. In a horrible perversion, they can debase and abuse those they are meant to protect and help.

Senator Hubert Humphrey once said that the quality of a society "is measured by how it treats those in the dawn of life, in the dusk of life, and most importantly in the shadow of life.” These women are in the shadows of life. What does their treatment say about the quality of our society?

Daniel O’Rourke
8002 Frisbee Road
Casadaga, NY 14718
595-2704

New email addresses and websites in the "Links" section of the CPJ website

admin — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 21:30:46 -0600

Please see the "Links" link at the left side of the screen to see some newly recommended resources.