is an optomitrist. -Ed
From: Sherman Pearl
Sent: Friday, August 13, 2010 9:35 AM
Subject: "Poetry Gets the Blues"
Saturday, August 21, 2010 2 P.M.
Ocean Park Library, Main Streer &
Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica
Friends, family, poetry lovers, blues fans:
Here we go again. My blues brother Bernie Pearl and I will perform
our "Poetry Gets the Blues" program again --on Saturday, Aug. 21st,
2 p.m., at the Ocean Park Library (corner of Main St. & Ocean Park Blvd.,
Santa Monica). Bernie, blues guitarist and singer extraordinaire, will
solo some and I'll read some new poetry, then we'll do some lively duets.
All this, plus delicious refreshments, for the low low price of FREE!
Caution: Our last performance at the Library was SRO; come early.
What better way to spend a cool summer afternoon? Hope to see you
there. Sherm
***
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/08/18-7
Kucinich Urges Colleagues to End 'Longest War in US History'
Challenges Petraeus' Media Strategy to Delay Troop Withdrawal
Published by CommonDreams.org, August 18, 2010
Office of Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH)
WASHINGTON - Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) is challenging American and
NATO forces commander General David H. Petraeus' media strategy to shore up
support for the war in Afghanistan. General Petraeus appeared on Sunday news
shows and gave lengthy interviews to rally support for the war and to
maintain troop levels. Kucinich, the leader of the movement in the
Democratic Party to end the war in Afghanistan, who recently forced a debate
and vote on ending the war, wrote to fellow Members of Congress urging them
to consider America's longest war as they meet with their constituents
during the August District Work Period.
The full text of the letter follows:
August 17, 2010
Dear Colleague:
As you return home to your congressional district for recess, it is
appropriate to reflect on the commitment of billions of dollars and an
additional 30,000 U.S. troops to continue the war in Afghanistan. A recent
article published in The New York Times announced that General David H.
Petraeus plans to press for a slower withdrawal from Afghanistan in response
to growing Congressional opposition to the war.
According to the article, General Petraeus and U.S. military officials are
"building the case to minimize the planned withdrawal of some troops from
Afghanistan starting next summer." General Petraeus and senior
administration officials are arguing that while we've been in Afghanistan
for nine years now, we have only just started "doing this right." A quick
look at statistics this year reveals that not much has been going right
since we increased our military presence in Afghanistan.
Since January of this year, approximately $104 billion has been appropriated
for the war in Afghanistan and over 270 U.S. soldiers have died. The
so-called cornerstone of our counterinsurgency strategy is the protection of
Afghan civilians. Yet a new mid-year report on civilian casualties in
Afghanistan by the United Nations reveals that civilian casualties have
risen 31% since this same time last year. The report further reveals that
civilian casualties at the hands of the Taliban have sharply risen.
According to an article published in The Guardian, U.S. and NATO combat
operations in Marjah - our military offensive orchestrated to make the case
for an increase in troops - "heralded a wave of Taliban abductions,
assassinations, and executions."
Afghan President Hamid Karzai announced last week that he was establishing a
handpicked committee to review two U.S.-backed anticorruption task forces.
This, after it was exposed that almost $4 billion in cash - much of it
believed to be U.S. taxpayer provided aid - was being flown out of the
country in suitcases by his government officials.
Congress has approved another $33 billion to fund the surge in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan war funding has been used to support a hopelessly corrupt
central government and it comes at a grave cost. Over 1,000 U.S. lives have
been lost and thousands of innocent Afghan civilians have lost their lives
or have been gravely injured. In the process, we have weakened our own
security and well-being here at home. There is no war to be won in
Afghanistan. General Petraeus may try to convince us that more of the same
is a good idea. But it is ultimately the responsibility of Congress to
decide. Please join me in urging for a timely withdrawal of all U.S. troops
from Afghanistan and an end to what is now the longest war in U.S. history.
Sincerely,
Dennis J. Kucinich
Member of Congress
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