Local Veterans Join Largest US Veteran-led Civil Resistance to War on December 16, 2010 in DC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 9, 2010

Local Contacts: 

Ken Ashe, 828- 400-1145 (tville33 at yahoo.com)

Kim Carlyle, 828-626-2572 (kcarlyle at main.nc.us)

Susan Oehler, 828-337-1137 (dancewater2 at gmail.com)

[Asheville, North Carolina]  — This will be the largest veteran-led civil resistance to the wars in recent history.  On December 16, 2010, Veterans for Peace and other supporters will rally at Lafayette Park, then march in solidarity to the White House.  They will refuse to leave the White House, demanding an immediate end to U.S. wars, whether conducted by occupation troops, drones, or proxy, in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and Palestine.

Two local veterans of Veterans for Peace Chapter 99 will be joining them in Washington, DC.  Ken Ashe and Kim Carlyle intend to participate in this action of nonviolently refusing to leave the White House until arrested or dragged away.

Veterans for Peace and other peace activists will carry forward a flame of resistance to the war machine, and will put themselves as Mario Savio said, "upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus" with the intention of making it stop.

 

When a government is unjust and no longer serves the people it governs, it is the duty of the governed to resist the entrenched powers and change the course of the society.  I can not stand by idly while my government, in my name, continues killing innocents abroad who have done no harm to us.  When my government spends unlimited amounts of treasure on our war making machine and the supporting industries but neglects the needs of the governed, it is imperative that the people give voice to their concerns and try by all non-violent means possible to change the course of their government.  This is why I will be in front of the White House December 16th demanding an end to the wars in the Middle East and the looting of our economy by the rich and powerful. – Ken Ashe, Veterans For Peace Chapter 99

Besides causing untold suffering and destruction, our futile and unending wars distract us from addressing unprecedented humanitarian and planetary crises. To allow war to even exist dishonors the teachers of peace who came before us. To fail to oppose war is to submit to those who make war. I choose to honor the peace teachers; I choose to oppose and resist the warmakers. —Kim Carlyle, Veterans For Peace and War Crimes Times

 

Who:   Veterans for Peace, Chapter 099

What:   Civil Disobedience at the White House

When:   December 16, 2010

Where:  White House, Washington DC

 

More information on this action is available at Veterans for Peace website:  http://www.veteransforpeace.org/ and  http://www.stopthesewars.org/. 

Chapter Bylaws revised 4/14/15

VETERANS FOR PEACE

Chapter 099

Asheville, North Carolina

BYLAWS

ARTICLE 1. NAME

The name of this organization shall be Chapter 099, Veterans For Peace, Inc. (VFP)

ARTICLE II.  STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

We, having dutifully served our nation, do hereby affirm our greater responsibility to serve the cause of world peace. To this end we will work, with others

(a) Toward increasing public awareness of the costs of war

(b) To restrain our government from intervening, overtly and covertly, in the internal affairs of other nations

(c) To end the arms race and to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons

(d) To seek justice for veterans and victims of war

(e) To abolish war as an instrument of national policy.

To achieve these goals, members of Veterans For Peace pledge to use non-violent means and to maintain an organization that is both democratic and open.  All members will act in a non-violent manner in accordance with the mission of VFP Chapter 099 when representing the organization.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.  Membership.

Membership in the chapter is gained by joining the national organization of Veterans for Peace, Inc., as a Full or Associate Member.  The national office shall furnish an official roster of Chapter 99 members.

Section 2. Local Membership.

Members of Chapter 99 are requested to support the chapter by paying annual dues to be established from time to time by the chapter.  Other individuals who support VFP goals and principles are welcome to attend chapter meetings and activities.  Membership may not be denied because of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or any other discriminatory practice.

ARTICLE IV.  MEETINGS

Section 1.  Regular Meetings.

Meetings of the membership shall be held at least once monthly.  Additional meetings may be called by the president or at the request of at least three members provided that members are notified at least 72 hours in advance.

Section 2.  Quorum.

Six chapter members shall constitute a quorum.

Section 3.  Voting.

Each VFP member, whether a Full or Associate member, shall be entitled to one vote on motions coming before a chapter meeting.  Prior to consideration and vote on motions, each individual present, member or not, shall have an equal opportunity to speak to the motion. 

ARTICLE V. OFFICERS

Section 1. Office and Terms.

The officers of the Corporation shall be a President, a Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. They shall hold office for a term of one (01) year and until their successor is elected.  The President, Vice President, and Treasurer shall be Full (veteran) VFP members.

Section 2. President.

The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the chapter and an ex-officio member of all committees. The president shall preside at chapter meetings. 

Section 3. Vice President.

The Vice President shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President in the event of that President’s absence and shall perform such other duties as may be from time to time prescribed by the President.

Section 4. Secretary.

The Secretary shall keep the minutes of chapter meetings and shall also see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws or as required by law.  The Secretary shall, in general, perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as may be from time to time prescribed by the President.

Section 5. Treasurer.

The treasurer shall be responsible for all funds of the chapter and for the performance of all duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as may be from time-to-time prescribed by the President.  The Treasurer shall submit a monthly Treasurer’s Report to the chapter membership.

Section 6. Vacancies.

Should there be a vacancy in the Presidency, the Vice President shall succeed to the Presidency and shall serve until the next annual election.  If the Vice President is unable to fill such vacancy, the chapter membership shall elect a President from among its members who will serve the remainder of the term being filled.  Any other vacancy shall be filled by the chapter members and the successor shall hold office until the next annual election.

ARTICLE VI.  COMMITTEES

Section 1. Executive Committee. 

The officers, as described above, shall constitute the Executive Committee.  The Executive Committee shall be empowered to take actions consistent with the purpose and bylaws of the chapter between chapter meetings when necessary and shall report any such actions to the next chapter meeting.  The Executive Committee shall not spend or obligate more than $100 of chapter funds without a vote of the chapter.

Section 2.  Formation and Reporting.

The president may appoint committees for specific purposes.  Such committees may include members and nonmembers of the chapter, but formation of a committee must be approved by a vote of the chapter at a regular meeting.  A committee chair shall be designated by the chapter President or, if the President so directs, elected by the committee members. The committee chair (or his or her designee) shall make regular reports to the chapter meetings as long as the committee is functioning.

Section 3. Term.

Committees shall continue to function until their tasks are completed or until discharged by the President.  The need for the existence of each committee shall be reviewed by the chapter annually.

Section 4. Budget.

Committees may be assigned a budget, not to exceed $100, by the President or a larger budget by a vote of the chapter at a regular meeting.  Requests by committees for additional funds must be approved by a vote of the chapter at a regular meeting.

ARTICLE VII.   ELECTIONS

Officers shall be elected annually at the September meeting of the chapter.

ARTICLE VIII.  PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern VFP at any chapter meeting or committee meeting to the extent to which they are not inconsistent with these By-Laws.

ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS

These by-laws may be amended at any chapter meeting provided notice has been provided to all chapter members at least 30 days in advance, along with the full text of the proposed change(s) and the time and place of the meeting.


ARTICLE X.  FORMAL CENSURE OF A MEMBER

 Chapter members may formally express their disapproval of a VFP099 member's actions that are deemed detrimental to the mission of VFP099.  The following procedures shall be used to formally censure a member.

1.  A formal complaint motion shall be made at a regularly scheduled monthly meeting.

2.  The formal complaint motion shall state in writing the exact actions that are the basis of the complaint:  (a) the complaint shall identify the member involved and the time, location and relevant circumstances of the complained-of action and (b) the complaint shall state specifically why the action is considered so detrimental to the mission of VFP099 as to warrant formal censure.

3.  In order to be advanced for further consideration and action, the complaint motion must receivve a "Yes" vote from a majority of members present.

4.  If the complaint motion receives a "Yes" vote from a majority of members present, then a final decision on the complaint motion will be continued until the next regularly scheduled monthly meeting.

5.  At the next regularly scheduled monthly meeting, the complaint motion will be brought before the members for final action.  At that time, the subject of the complaint (or a representative selected by the subject of the complaint) may express opposition to the complaint motion.  Grounds for opposition to the complaint motion shall be limited to the following:  (a) the motion incorrectly states relevant facts and/or (b) the complained-of action is not detrimental to the mission of VFP099.

6.  After any opposition to the motion from the subject of the complaint (or their representative) is presented, the members present, including the subject of the complaint, will vole on the complaint motion.  Two thirds of the members present must vote "Yes" on the complaint motion in order for the complaint motion (i. e., the censure motion) to be adopted.

7.  Once raised and voted upon as set out by these procedures, no further complaint motion may be made against the member who was the subject of the complaint motion on the basis of actions identified in the complaint motion.

8.  The censure process will be initiated only after other efforts at resolution have been attempted.

Dues are due

This is the time of year when we remind members to pay their annual dues. Chapter dues are $25 and can be sent to: VFP Chapter 099, PO Box 356, Mars Hill, NC 28754. Or you can pay our treasurer, Lyle Petersen, in person.

But to be a member of a chapter, you must be a member of the national organization. So make sure that you're in good standing with national. To renew, you can send a $25 check to: Veterans For Peace, 216 South Meramec Ave., St. Louis MO 63105. Or pay online.

.

Please note that after the August convention, national dues are likely to rise to 40 dollars.

Of course national would be willing to accept the additional fifteen dollars now if you'd like (or even more if you can). Likewise, Chapter 099 is always open to your generosity.

Also please note: Don't let lack of funds stop you from being a member. Contact a chapter officer is you need help.

Are You Listening?

Ymani Simmons book is available here or at Malaprop's

Veterans Voices Live

Ken Ashe telling it like it is, Lyle Petersen & Stack Kenny singing it like it is at the open house on March 14.

Sending the troops off to war: When will we ever learn?

(rejected by the  Mountain Xpress -- not of local interest)


We deeply regret this tragic loss of life.

--U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, after an airstrike killed a dozen civilians on Feb. 14 in Afghanistan

We are extremely saddened by the tragic loss of innocent lives.

--U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, after an airstrike killed two dozen civilians on Feb. 21 in Afghanistan

When in doubt, empty the magazine.

-- Buncombe County Commissioner Bill Stanley, speaking on Feb. 24 to a National Guard unit heading to Iraq, as reported in the Mountain Xpress

Human cultural behavior is often based on habit. Over time, habit can become tradition and tradition can become sanctified into ritual. A problem with traditions is that we rarely take the time to step back and reassess them in the context of a changing world or the light of new information. A problem with rituals is they become sacrosanct—holy and not to be criticized or tampered with.

 We have a tradition of sending young people off to war. We do this because our leaders tell us this is necessary for our security. There might have been a time when our security was in fact threatened and our leaders were telling us the truth. In 1941, President Roosevelt asked Congress to declare a state of war in the wake of an attack against an American military installation. This was the last time that our country has officially and legally been in a state or war. Now, instead of responding to aggressors by declaring war, we have become the aggressors and we call it “war.” (Yes, we are the aggressors—no Iraqi of Afghan attacked any American until we invaded their countries.)

Nonetheless, we continue to send our young folks off to “war”–Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, not to mention Grenada and other lesser known threats to national security.  It’s a habit. Leaders say, “War”; young folks go off. No questions.

We even ritualize it. We have ceremonies where we say goodbye to loved ones and send them off to “war.” Generals and colonels proffer platitudes and politicians provide sage advice. Such was the case reported in the March 3^rd Mountain Xpress: “Asheville-based National Guard unit heads to Iraq.” Evidence of the ritual nature of this event is that it took place at a Christian church. (I personally have a difficult time reconciling Jesus’ teachings with sending troops off to war, but so it goes.)

But perhaps we should take a moment to examine this tradition and this ritual in the context of a changing world and in the light of new information. What’s changed in the world is the nature of war. War used to be a conflict between armies on a battlefield. Over the course of time and especially with advances(?) in the technology of warfare, civilians—innocent civilians—increasingly are the casualties, even the targets, of war and populated cities are the battlegrounds. What’s more, the conflict is no longer between armies. We are fighting—our leaders tell us—terrorism. That’s a concept, a tactic; it’s not an enemy.

Mr. Stanley’s words might have made more sense in another age, a time when the worst outcome of a doubtful action would be casualties among comrades—“friendly fire” as we euphemistically call it now. But today, emptying a magazine in conditions of uncertainty is most likely to result in the killing or wounding of women and children—“collateral damage” as our leaders like to say. 

While the senseless carnage is enough reason to give pause, consider that each civilian maimed or killed has friends and relatives whose hearts and minds will not be won over to our side. Practically speaking, the “wars” we’re waging in Iraq and Afghanistan are both counterproductive and insane.

We need to ask basic questions: What is war? Who is the enemy? Is this old tradition of sending young people off to “war” still valid? Do we dare to cast doubt on the ritual sendoff ceremony? And more questions: Is military force the antidote to terrorism? Or does it just create more terrorists? Can we trust what our leaders say? What are their real motives? Are there better ways to insure our security? Has war outlived whatever usefulness it may have once had?

Finally, we’re told national security is the goal. But Americans would feel much more secure if we all had health care and jobs—and if the good people of our National Guard were safe at home, ready to respond when emergencies and natural disasters endanger our citizens.

Kim Carlyle is president of Veterans For Peace WNC Chapter 099  (http://vfpchapter099wnc.blogspot.com/), editor of the War Crimes Times (http://warcrimestimes.org/), and lives near Barnardsville.

RESOLUTION: Stop Spending Our Tax Dollars for Hostilities in Afghanistan

Peacetown sponsored by Veterans For Peace Chapter 099 WNC (in collaboration with War Resisters League Asheville  and other organizations and individuals) requests the Asheville City Council to consider and approve:  

CITY OFASHEVILLE

IN THE CITY COUNCIL

RESOLUTION NUMBER ________

RESOLUTION ADVISING NORTH CAROLINA DELEGATES REPRESENTING ASHEVILLE CITIZENS IN THE U.S. CONGRESS AND SENATE TO VOTE IN SUPPORT OF A TIMETABLE TOWARD ENDING EXCESSIVE EXPENDITURES OF OUR CITIZENS’ TAX DOLLARS ON MOUNTING HOSTILITIES IN AFGHANISTAN

WHEREAS, the financial resources available for use by governments at the local, county, state and federal levels in the United States are and must be limited; and

WHEREAS, the people of Asheville, NC have paid collectively since 2001 nearly 57 million dollars of their limited financial resources for warfare in Afghanistan alone; and

WHEREAS, citizens of Asheville, NC struggle to enjoy the benefits of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” described in the U.S. Declaration of Independence, or the “promotion of the general welfare” guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution, because of necessary city-wide financial cut-backs on essential local services, such as education, infrastructure, economic development, transportation, public safety, housing, healthcare and environmental improvements; and

WHEREAS, because nearly one-half of all taxes collected by the federal government goes to fund the country’s military efforts; and

WHEREAS, because of this burdensome taxation at the federal level on Asheville citizens, such citizens find it extremely difficult to accept additional taxation and fees at the local level for above mentioned constructive and necessary local public services;

WHEREAS, continuing and surging of destructive warfare too often creates lasting and unnecessary harm to our brave and dedicated U.S. military personnel, their families and their communities, and to innocent people of Afghanistan;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the City of Asheville, NC respectfully requests that the U.S. Representative Heath Shuler of the North Carolina 11th Congressional District and both of North Carolina’s U.S. Senators Richard Burr and Kay Hagen support House Bill 5015 and Senate Bill 3197 before the 111th U.S. Congress that require a timetable for de-escalation of hostilities in Afghanistan beginning in January 2011; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the City of Asheville, NC urges its members of Congress to take strong and forceful action to influence the U.S. Congress to steadily  decrease funding of this and related military operations, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the financial resources used to prosecute the war be redirected to address the urgent needs of the most vulnerable portions of our population, including education, health care and full benefits for returning veterans; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution shall be sent to Barack Obama, President of the United States, the members of the North Carolina Congressional delegation, the North Carolina State legislature and North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue.

Adopted by the Council:

Council Members:

Date  ____, 2010

Maggie Burleson

City Clerk of the City of Asheville

The following organizations and individuals have endorsed the Afghanistan resolution:

Buncombe Green Party Coordinating Committee

First Congregational United Church of Christ  

Jubilee Gandhi Team

Peacetown Asheville

Veterans For Peace Chapter 099

War Resisters League Asheville

Dr. Lewis E. Patrie
Rev. Ken Sehested, co-pastor, Circle of Mercy Congregation

 

Donate

Please click here to make a secure, online donation,

(click again on “Orphanage Fund”)

or send your donations, however large or small, to:

Veterans for Peace Chapter 099

PO Box 356

Mars Hill, NC 28754