Code Pink Journals CodePINK Journals

Work 4 Peace,Hold All Life Sacred,Eliminate Violence! I am on my mobile version of the door-to-door, going town-to-town holding readings/gatherings/discussions of my book "But What Can I Do?" This is my often neglected blog mostly about my travels since 9/11 as I engage in dialogue and actions. It is steaming with my opinions, insights, analyses toward that end of holding all life sacred, dismantling the empire and eliminating violence while creating the society we want ALL to thrive in

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Doing My Part TO GROUND THE DRONES

There are over 1000 different kinds of drones, manufactured in 39 countries. Some fit in the palm of your hand, launched by sling shots; others are so big, they have to fit sidewides in an airplane hanger. Most are smaller, lighter, “cheaper” than traditional bombers, costing an average of $5 million instead of the $175 million. They can hover or fly in the air for 24 hours.

There are several ‘tenets’ working together to make these drones happen: these are the ‘tenets’ we will address:

OPERATORS: Air Force and Marine Pilots
WEDs & THURs, noon – 1:30pm MRS (Marine Recruiting Station), Berkeley
Here is where our vulnerable youth are recruited to become pilots, learning how to fly manned and unmanned bombers. These youth need to hear our voices, to engage in dialogue, to hand out materials for their information. Come stand with us on Wednesdays, or pick your own day and time. The MRS is open 5 days a week, 8:30am until 5:00pm, Saturdays 9:00 until 3, and by appointment!

BASES of Operations: Air Force Bases Creech, Hanover, &?
Last week in September/beginning October: CREECH AFB, Indian Springs, Nevada This Air Force Base is located 35 miles north of Las Vegas in the striking Mohave Desert. It is also a stone’s throw from the old above-ground nuclear testing site. This is where most of the drones are operated from, and where soldiers learn to fly them. Indigenous Peoples, the Nevada Desert Experience, the Nevada Peace Movement all work to rid the desert of this horrific continuing and escalating destruction paid for by our tax dollars. There is a wonderful Goddess Temple there that will house women activists. One day this could expand to a Women’s NO DRONES Encampment.

MANUFACTURES Ryan Aeronautical Center, Northrup Grumman Corp. - San Diego, Tele Air International - Oxnard, CA – are only 2 of the places we know of that manufacture these assassins. We will protest on our way to Creech

PUBLIC & MEDIA Few are aware let alone willing to take action against the DRONES. We will get media attention & inform the public

CodePINK vs. Code Brown!

We have been challenged to a DEBATE with jd brown, united states marine corps. And we have accepted.

Any time, any place, with a moderator acceptable to all, let's do it.

The previous two times we were to debate war supporters, they backed out both times.

First Melanie Morgan agreed to debate Medea Benjamin and a few days before the date, she got ice cold feet and refused to show up! Actually, she sent her MM clone instead. It was hillarious!

The second time, the young Republicans agreed to debate us on UC Berkeley campus - then they backed out at the last minute also, claiming they were too busy with finals, even though they are the ones that picked the date and time.

So let's see if those boys that are brave enough to call us cowards, to call the police to protect them, let's see if they really will debate us this time!

How about a labor day debate? That should be informative and fun!