WeekEnd The War
Three Opportunities to explore War and Peace this Weekend:
TONIGHT - FRIDAY MAY 30
Ventura County Committee to Stop the War presents the film "Soldiers Speak Out" at 7:30pm at the Sunset iCafé, 2096 E. Main St, Ventura.
Soldiers Speak Out is a powerful, first-hand testament to the reality of the military experience, told entirely in the words of American veterans who have been to war and are now opposing it. We hear how they came to join the military, about their experiences in training and in war, and what led to the turning point when they decided they could no longer, in good conscience, participate in the war...or keep silent.
TOMORROW - SATURDAY MAY 31
The Ojai Playhouse presents the film "Body of War" as a fundraiser for the Congressional campaign of Mary Pallant, who is running for the House seat currently held by Elton Gallegly. The film screens at 4:30pm for a $10 donation at the door.
Body of War is an intimate and transformational feature documentary about the true face of war today. Meet Tomas Young, 25 years old, paralyzed from a bullet to his spine - wounded after serving in Iraq for less than a week.
Body of War is Tomas' coming home story as he evolves into a new person, coming to terms with his disability and finding his own unique and passionate voice against the war. The film is produced and directed by Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro, and features two original songs by Eddie Vedder. Body of War is a naked and honest portrayal of what it's like inside the body, heart and soul of this extraordinary and heroic young man.
SUNDAY, JUNE 1
Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions presents "Men As Peacemakers ~ Through The Ages" from 3-5pm at the E.P. Foster Library at 651 E. Main St., Ventura, featuring a five-member male panel ranging in age from 14 to 99 to discuss aspects of the male experience in making peace, followed by general discussion. We will also celebrate Camarillo peacemaker Bill Hammaker's 100th birthday!
Fathers Day was created as a compliment to Mothers Day, and was initiated by the daughter of a Civil War veteran who raised his six children alone after their mother’s death. As we recognize the heavy hand that men hav e in our society and world in operating governments and perpetrating wars, Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions honors men who use their power to create a safer, healthier, and more peaceful world and explores the opportunities and responsibilities of men to do so.
Bill Hammaker is the recipient of CPR’s 2006 Earth Charter award for Respect and Care for the Community of Life, and has been in the service of Peace for most of his nearly 100 years on the planet. Most recently as a champion of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, Bill’s personal goal has been to secure 100 new members by his 100th birthday (in addition to the 99 new members he committed to gathering last year before his 99th birthday!).
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Comments (9)
"Soldiers Speak Out" turned out to be a very powerful and educational film for me, and one that generated good discussion between my brother and i. i'd be willing to get a copy and show it here in the valley somewhere if i thought there was interest...
Watch the trailer
Comment #1 Posted by: evan austin | May 31, 2008 12:01 AM
I wish Body of War would be shown in high schools across the country. When Phil Donahue called Ellen Spiro to work with her to produce the film she thought someone was playing a prank on her. As I recall they followed Tomas Young's life for three years. They were interviewed on Bill Moyers Journal a few weeks ago and showed segments of this incredible, powerful film. http://www.ojaipost.com/2008/03/body_of_war.shtml
Comment #2 Posted by: Suza | May 31, 2008 08:28 AM
Body of War was indeed a very heavy and tear-ful trip...i'm grateful that we were provided the opportunity to write personal messages in cards to be sent to Thomas. it's not a story with a particularly happy ending, of course, because it's TRUE. my brother missed the screening, but wants to see the film...i'm going to get it and watch it with him.
the "Men As Peacemakers" forum and celebration yesterday went very very well. to a group of around 30 people, the five panelists shared very diverse experiences. fourteen-year-old Alec Loorz of the non-profit Kids Versus Global Warming was eloquent and wise beyond his years, and 99-year-old Bill Hammaker of Camarillo was charming and witty. We honored his longevity and activism in powerful, nontraditional ways, and he seemed humbled and truly touched. look for the story in this Thursday's VC Reporter!
Comment #3 Posted by: evan austin | June 2, 2008 09:32 AM
evan, why do you need to watch it with him???
Comment #4 Posted by: Anonymous | June 2, 2008 11:21 AM
This is beautiful. We can only hope that it is truth:
* A Message from IONS President James O'Dea read to 10,000 people at the Symphony of Peace Prayers on Mount Fuji, May 18.
"Peace is our destiny. All of humanity's suffering and challenges are not to be considered pointless, for everything in our past gives birth to who we are and the possibilities we represent for the future. So we thank all the ancestors, all beings of all nations who came before us, for they have given birth to us.
"We are the people of the Great Shift, a time of massive transition on planet Earth when human beings collectively see there is no other road for us, or for the survival of life, but the road of Peace. No other time has been more pivotal in human evolution-because we have been given the opportunity to choose life and to choose peace; we have been given the opportunity to take the next leap in human development and end war, greed, and violence to each other and our beloved home in Nature.
"That is why finally, a generation of peacemakers is being born as an expression of the long journey of human evolution. Hold up your sons and daughters and honor them as the peacemakers we have waited so long for, and then look into each other's eyes with confidence and gratitude and say, 'we are the mothers and fathers of the peacemakers.' Peace is our destiny."
Comment #5 Posted by: sharon | June 2, 2008 12:03 PM
Sharon, that IS beautiful! i hope i'm the father of a peacemaker...
Anon 11:21, perhaps it would be more clear to say i'd LIKE to watch it with my brother. he has joined the Marine Corps Reserves and leaves for boot camp on June 23, and this film shows an important part of the system and machine that he has sold his mind and body to. i am considering myself successful at honoring his adult decision by embarking on a journey of difficult truths WITH him, and i would anticipate some great conversation after seeing Thomas' story together.
Comment #6 Posted by: evan austin | June 3, 2008 10:11 AM
He’s probably trying to get away from a perpetually sanctimonious blowhard (his older brother)…
Comment #7 Posted by: just a thought | June 3, 2008 08:02 PM
If so, how sad and misguided is that...
Joining the Marines, under the Bush regime... help me out, but it is not fathomable how any sentient being could voluntarily do that... Why? What is the motivation? What is the mindset?
Comment #8 Posted by: Anonymous | June 3, 2008 10:19 PM
Just A Thought: If i'm an exceptionally boastful and talkative person who ceaselessly makes a hypocritical show of righteousness without intermission, then i hope you have as much clarity about who you are as you do about who i am. i've all the free diagnoses i can handle, thanks.
Anon 10:19, i hear very clearly your frustration. i have some ideas of my own...however, you'd have to ask him those questions yourself. perhaps i'll try to get him to come here and answer them.
Comment #9 Posted by: evan austin | June 3, 2008 11:47 PM