[pjw] REPORT BACK: optimistic: Friday rally #238 since stay-at-home orders

[Peace and Justice Works]

Hello again

In the face of continuing war-making and punditry suggesting 
ways the war will escalate (rather than, y'know, COME TO AN END), being 
down at the Friday Rally for Peace and Justice is a really good way to 
maintain optimism. The six of us who rallied (and five who marched) last 
night got so many thumbs-ups, honks, thank-yous, and other signs of 
approval that it gives a sense of optimism amidst the drudgery. It's 
almost as if people don't watch the news and/or can make up their own 
minds about what matters.

We had a number of "No War on Iran" signs, one of which led three young 
people to come by and say "No war on Iran, no war on Iraq, no war 
anywhere!" A few people asked for literature (again), and only one person 
kind of challenged our signs for Palestinian solidarity, but it seemed 
more because they were confused than angry or in opposition.

This week marks (at least) two terrible anniversaries: 23 years since the 
US invasion of Afghanistan (tomorrow) and one year since the incursion by 
Hamas led to the over-reaction by Israel that's still ongoing (more 
below).

To report on the week's news and tie it all together, here are some of the 
headlines... which I remarked are mostly about Israel and not the US where 
we live and vote...

--As noted earlier this week, Iran struck Israel with over 100 missiles. 
The Iranians claim that 90% of them hit their intended military targets. 
This article says the Israelis are keeping people from taking photos of 
where the missiles actually hit. Hmm. Glad it sounds like there were no 
human casualties, but if some weapons disappeared off the face of the 
earth I don't think I'd shed any tears.

  https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-censors-reporting-military-sites-hit-iran-obscuring-extent-strikes

---President Biden says he's talked with Israel about perhaps bombing oil 
refinery sites in Iran. As I noted also earlier this week, yeah, just let 
more hydrocarbons out into the atmosphere, why not, it's already ruined. 
And aren't you supporting Israel and fighting all these wars so the US can 
have access to all that oil? Not if it's destroyed you won't.

  https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/biden-says-discussions-being-held-on-possible-israeli-strikes-on-irans-oil-sites/

---The Secretary of War ("Defense") Lloyd Austin said they are sending "a 
few thousand" more troops to the Middle East. Not sure if that includes 
the Oregon National Guard contingent.

  https://apnews.com/article/us-troops-middle-east-israel-hezbollah-e37e2dbef573e33c0f8fb6a8103f27f1

---Well, you don't say. Defense stocks went up 3% after the Iranian attack 
while the rest of the stock market went down. Hmm. It's almost like some 
people profit off of war or something.

  https://www.commondreams.org/news/war-profiteering

---Continuing the theme that the war on Gaza reaches one year on Monday, 
reports say dozens were killed in Gaza this week, bringing the total dead 
in this year to 41,689. That's equal to over 6% of the population of 
Portland. Imagine that.*

  https://news.antiwar.com/2024/10/02/israel-escalates-strikes-on-gaza-slaughters-dozens-of-palestinians/#gsc.tab=0

---Lebanon: It's reported that Israel used white phosphorus, a nasty 
chemical that lights up the dark but also sets people on fire and is 
banned by international law, AGAIN (there were reports of its use in June, 
also).

  https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/footage-appears-show-israel-white-phosphorus-southern-lebanon

---Syria: Israel bombed Russian air bases, in perhaps another attempt to 
widen their war beyond the seven fronts they claim (Gaza, West Bank, 
Syria, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Yemen). Yes, I made the same comment about 
Ukraine recently when THEY attacked a Russian base in Syria.

  https://londonlovesbusiness.com/israel-attacks-russian-airbase-in-syria-in-large-scale-attacks/#google_vignette

--Iraq: militants (not the government) conducted a drone strike on an 
Israeli military base, killing at least two soldiers. Things had kind of 
calmed down on this front but the new attacks on Lebanon are just making 
things worse. Time to get a clue, Netanyahu!

  https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-10-04/ty-article/two-israeli-soldiers-killed-in-drone-strike-from-iraq-in-northern-israel/00000192-585a-d76b-a1f6-7f7fd6ff0000

In local news, yes last week I reported that the Portland Police shot and 
wounded someone the day before our rally. This is NOT a repeat of that 
report... early yesterday morning the PPB shot and killed a man who was 
armed with a BB rifle and a kitchen knife. This is the sixth PPB shooting 
of the year (there were only four in 2023) and the 24th (I incorrectly 
said 23rd last night) in Oregon this year. After an average of two a month 
there were eight in the last six weeks.

   https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/portland-police-shoot-kill-man-armed-pellet-air-rifle-knife/283-3fe99165-ea2c-457d-a1e8-73a3089456a4

Along the march route, I expanded the Israel/Palestine news from the 
corner by noting the US has sanctioned a youth group in the West Bank 
committing violence against Palestinians (you know, the people who are 
SUPPOSED to be there). Fill in the blank for yourself-- I remember in 
history other youth groups committing violence against people for their 
ethnicity or religion... (Also, remember that the individuals the US 
previously sanctioned merely turned to GoFundMe to get money.)

  https://apnews.com/article/hilltop-youth-sanctions-israel-gaza-settler-treasury-west-bank-extremist-53fb26077c8d88637b4bd366ad3343cb

As we got back toward the square I said that Congress is on recess until 
November, when they plan to come back and prioritize housing, health care 
and the environment. JUST KIDDING they are going to prioritize the 
military spending bill.

  https://rollcall.com/2024/10/01/lawmakers-eye-moving-quickly-on-ndaa-after-november-return/

My shoelace was once again legitimately loose when I stopped in front of 
the Apple Store with the Ann Huntwork Peace Memorial Sign, which was still 
rolling. A few people saw it. It went out when I headed up the sidewalk 
though. Went out again across the street when we passed by as part of the 
march an hour later. Again, again.

The Saturday Alliance For Democracy signholding on the east end 
of the Burnside Bridge is on again for today at 3 (remember they have 
their own signs).

Another PJW member reported getting COVID last week. I do hope people 
continue to be careful out there. If you are so inclined we do appreciate 
those who mask up and distance at the corner on Fridays, maybe come down 
and join us sometime.

peace
--dan handelman
peace and justice works iraq affinity group

*- don't get any ideas, City Council candidates, about bombing parts of 
Portland to make room for new real estate deals...