| Event ID: | 297 |
| Contact Name: | Tim Rinne |
| Contact Email: | nfpstate@nebraskansforpeace.org |
| Contact Phone: | |
| Organization: | Nebraskans for Peace |
| Event Web Site: | http://www.nebraskansforpeace.org/?p=93#more-93 |
| Dates: | 6th October 2007 to 6th October 2007 |
| Physical Event: | |
| Type: | Public |
| Start/End Type: | |
| Country: | United States |
| State/Province: | NE |
| City: | Omaha |
| Address: | |
| Location: | First United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass Street in Omaha. |
| Event Name: | Nebraskans for Peace annual conference |
| Event Description: | Annual Nebraskans for Peace Conference featuring Bishop Gumbleton, Bruce Gagnon and a variety of work shops, 9:30 am until 4:30 pm |
| Promotional Image: | No Image. |
| Report on the Results: | Around 300 participants from around the state of Nebraska attended the annual gathering which this year included a special emphasis on the Strategic Command in Omaha and on keeping space for peace. The conference began with a powerful presentation by Bruce Gagnon, Coordinator and grass roots organizer for the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space. Gagnon described U.S current military policy of full spectrum dominance which seeks control of the earth and seas as well as resources of the solar system through domination of space. Strat Com's role is central to this effort. He went on to give details on current Pentagon plans, drawing from military documents. He reported that the aeronautics industry is gleefully speculating that Star Wars will be the largest industrial project in the history of the earth. Costs will be astronomical, however, and the current Administration is already warning us of the projected end of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid as we've known them, as well as rapidly diminishing funds for infrastructure, education and other basic needs. Bishop Gumbleton then responded with a thoughtful and soul stirring meditation on the dangers of the space militarization program which is not just a theoretical threat. In the shock and awe bombardment that opened the current illegal Iraq war, 70% of the armaments were directed to their targets from space by Strat Com's Space Command. He quoted widely from leaders like John Kennedy, Pope John and former Strat Com Commander General George Lee Butler who have all called for disarmament and an end to war itself before war ends human kind. He declared that the abolition of war is crucial because war acts against the very creative love of God. By war we destroy what God has made and kill innocent people. Those are the greatest of sins. During the lively discussion period both Gagnon and Gumbleton outlined practical strategies and tactics needed to keep space for peace and abolish war. Gagnon told participants that we in Nebraska have been lulled to sleep by the familiarity of Stratcom in our midst. Strat Com has brought a steady stream of military dollars into the economy, but we have forgotten its original mission, and not realized how frightening its new mission has become. It is time to wake up and take responsibility for our own and the world's future. In the afternoon participants attended a wide variety of peace and justice work shops. About 50 people engaged in lively discussion with Bruce Gagnon in a work shop on Keeping Space for Peace, and a smaller number joined in a workshop examining Stratcom, aerospace corporations and the Nebraskan economy. Participants also explored ways to begin building an economy of peace in the state. |
| Attendance: | 300 |
| Attendance is Unique: | |
| Media Impressions: | 0 |
| Media Impressions are Unique: |
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