Sunnyvale Voices for Peace...

Maybe we're both wrong...

2011-04-09T10:13:00.000-07:00

Our local high school paper recently published a thoughtful op-ed "Maybe we're both wrong". The topic discussed is likely a necessary foundation for world peace. Please read. Thanks!

US Civil Rights Progress (in the last 100 years)

2011-01-17T16:35:00.000-08:00

Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

As of Jan 17, 2011 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) we are still working to realize this dream.

In the relatively recent past…

Women did not have the right to vote (fixed in 1920, 19^th Amendment).
Minorities could be excluded from public schools (fixed in 1954, Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas).
The poor could be prevented from voting by a poll tax (fixed in 1964, 24^th Amendment).
Many of different race, color, religion, or national origin could legally be discriminated against (fixed in 1964, Civil Rights Act of 1964).
Homosexuals were required to disclose their sexual preference and be excluded from military service (partially fixed in 1993, with the Don’t ask, Don’t tell policy by Bill Clinton).
Homosexuals were dismissed if their sexual preference became known (fixed in 2010, bill passed Congress that allows homosexuals to serve openly).
Same sex marriages were not allowed (in transition, as of 2010 some states allow this but many don’t).
Women were not allowed in combat roles in the military (in transition, 2011 military panel recommended removing this restriction).

We hope that eventually all peoples in our world will enjoy the unalienable rights of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Google Does Good

2010-01-16T09:34:00.000-08:00

Good move for Google, bad one for China. It is wonderful that Google is taking a stand and doing the right thing. It is sad that China continues to do wrong and repress free speech -- China fears those with new & different ideas that it cannot control. For more see:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100114/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_google_china

I hope Google is able to maintain this stance in face of governmental and economic pressures. In the long run it could make economic sense.

Additionally, Google is the only major web-based email vendor I know that does not automatically show the originating IP address of the sender in email headers (for emails sent using their web interface) -- thus providing some anonymity to those who need to protect their identity.

Bravo Google!

2009-12-14T11:13:00.000-08:00

Hi, Tim,

Thanks for invitation to join this blog and for giving me some direction. I heard an interesting discussion on NPR last week with a professor, Andrew Basovich. His position on the surge for Afghanistan is that invasion and occupation do not reduce terrorism. He believes it will exacerbate it. He believes that a well-resourced international police effort would be more effective in ruthlessly rooting out . He stated that the jihadist threat is not located in any particular country. Instead, the threat is an "idea" that requires international effort.

Although this is a position I can appreciate, I am in agreement with you that our President had little choice other than the one he made about sending troops. Basovich's idea would have served us well before we invaded and occupied two ME countries.

Some new voices...

2009-12-02T21:07:00.001-08:00

I've invited some other Sunnyvale residents to voice their views about peace on this blog. I'll let them introduce themselves if/when they accept my blogging invitation.

Cheers,
Tim

Peace, Afghanistan, Hard Choices

2009-12-02T21:03:00.000-08:00

What did you think of Obama's speech in the evening of Tuesday Dec 1, 2009? And the course he has set for Afghanistan?

Here are my thoughts:

0) He is a great speaker and will be recognized as one of our greatest Presidents.

1) Obama is getting us out of Iraq and has a timetable for this (unlike the Republicans).

2) Obama has set a timetable for getting out of Afghanistan even though there is a temporary increase happening. BTW, setting a deadline is often the best way to make sure time is used productively.

3) I'm against war, but sometimes there are compelling reasons to finish what is started as well as to defend ourselves.

4) We are short of money and resources (best to get out as soon as we can).

5) Obama has succeeded in finding a reasonable middle ground regarding Afghanistan and is holding true to steering a moderate course between liberal and conservative extremes -- we need our country working together right now (a strong parallel to Lincoln -- united we stand, divided we fall) (some people on both sides are not completely happy but some on both sides are also getting some of what they want) (BTW, I predicted early on that Obama would be a moderate and he is meeting my expectations).

6) Unlike Iraq, where many were fooled about "weapons of mass destruction", we know for certain that:
a) Pakistan has nuclear weapons
b) India has nuclear weapons
c) The future of Afghanistan and Pakistan and India are tightly intertwined
d) If things go badly in Pakistan, we may face a nuclear war between Pakistan & India as well as supply nuclear weapons to terrorists or lead to use of nuclear weapons in the Middle East
e) Pakistan is pretty fragile right now, serious problems in Afghanistan could also topple Pakistan
Thus there are clear reasons to continue to invest a known quantity of security resources to help Afghanistan and Pakistan move further along the path of mutual stability.

7) I personally do not feel the need to participate in peace demonstrations at this time even though I continue to be a vocal supporter for achieving peace. The world is not a perfect place, and at this time there is still an unfortunate need to use force. That's why we still have police, military, security guards, etc. So I am in the spot of advocating for peace but supporting our President in his choice for us in Afghanistan -- he is the best person and in the best position to make this decision:
- has the right training
- has the right perspective
- has the right background
- has most correct information anyone could possibly have to make such a decision
- has the responsibility to do this as the President of the US and the commander & chief of our military.

I think as good a job as can be done is now being done for Afghanistan and so am focusing my own limited resources elsewhere.

Sincerely,
Tim Oey

Greg Mortenson Embodies Peace in Action

2009-01-21T00:40:00.000-08:00

Greg Mortenson is one of the best examples of peace and service in action.

His book "Three Cups of Tea, One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time" has now been a NY Times bestseller for 101 weeks and is published in 28 countries!

The Central Asia Institute which he directs has built and is helping to run 78 schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Greg recently won the 2009 Austin College Leadership Award. You can read more about this at:
http://www.austincollege.edu/NewsDetail.asp?NewsID=1764&ItemID=6985

The Young Adult version of "Three Cups of Tea" and a children's book "Listen to the Wind" will be released on January 22nd, 2009. (For more info see: http://www.threecupsoftea.com/)

Greg and Amira Mortenson (his daughter) will be on the NBC Today show on Thursday January 22nd to talk about the two new books that are being released that day. On 1/22/2009, you can watch it online at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032633

Israel Kills Peace Advocate's Children

2009-01-18T22:41:00.000-08:00

I am greatly saddened by the news that Israel killed 3 of the daughters of a Gazan peace advocate. I can barely fathom the grief he must be feeling. If either of my children were killed in a similar situation, I would probably be on a warpath lusting for blood. Yet, I sincerely hope that his pursuit of Peace continues and that his daughters' deaths were not in vain.

For more, please read: Gazan Doctor Loses Family

"Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish has devoted his life to reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. Now he is struggling to hold on to the humane philosophy that has guided his life."

at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/18/world/middleeast/18doctor.html

Israel Is an Oppressor

2009-01-14T08:32:00.000-08:00

A tragedy is taking place in Gaza. Jimmy Carter recognized that Israel was committing a human rights crime in Gaza last year May 2008 if not earlier (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/may/08/israelandthepalestinians).

This year there are calls for a UN court ruling against Israel (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/14/israel-gaza-un-court-palestine).

People in Gaza are trapped and this situation was caused by Israel (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/08/opinion/08khalidi.html?scp=11&sq=gaza&st=cse)

It's a very hard problem yet Israel and Palestinians must make peace or be doomed to war forever. The US could do much more to encourage peace. Under Obama, I hope it will.

Department of Peace

2009-01-11T12:18:00.000-08:00

Yoko Ono supports a Department of Peace, see:
http://imaginepeace.com/news/archives/5520

I've posted the following to the "Department of Peace" discussion:

---------

The State Department really is the current Department of Peace. It's mission as stated in it's current strategic plan (see http://www.state.gov/s/d/rm/rls/dosstrat/2007/) is:

"Advance freedom for the benefit of the American people and the international community by helping to build and sustain a more democratic, secure, and prosperous world composed of well-governed states that respond to the needs of their people, reduce widespread poverty, and act responsibly within the international system."

I believe that doing the above is the best way to accomplish Peace. Economics has a huge part in Peace as does helping other sustainable governments succeed. This all best belongs in the State Department. I'm a very strong believer in Peace and have been demonstrating in Peace Rallies since the Iraq war began.

So my vote for a Department of Peace is really a vote to better staff and fund the Department of State (rather than the "Defense Department" or "Department of War").

For more about my efforts to support Peace, please see http://SunnyvalePeace.org, http://timoey.com, and http://timoey.blogspot.com.

Thanks!

Sincerely,
Tim Oey

Halloween Peace

2008-10-18T17:57:00.000-07:00

Sunnyvale Voices for Peace had an enthusiastic monthly meeting on the street corner this past Friday from 6 to 7 pm. Many of us came in Halloween costumes and we had a new family show up and another newcomer promise to come next month.

November will hopefully be a celebration rally for a new more peaceful President that the rest of the world respects (Obama). December will be our annual Santa Hat peace rally.

Here are some pics from yesterday's costume peace rally.

9/11

2008-09-11T23:12:00.000-07:00

Sept 11, 2001 was a sad day. On that day many regular citizens were killed in four coordinated terrorist attacks.

To prevent such future tragedies, we need Unity.

From the 9-11 Commission Final Report:
"We call on the American people to remember how we all felt on 9/11, to remember not only the unspeakable horror but how we came together as a nation—one nation. Unity of purpose and unity of effort are the way we will defeat this enemy and make America safer for our children and grandchildren."

Lincoln said "United we stand, divided we fall." At that time he spoke of just one nation.

Today unity just in our nation is not enough. We as a world must follow this same mantra if we, humankind, are to ultimately survive.

I highly recommend that every US Citizen read and re-read the full 9-11 report. It has many lessons for all of us. It can be found at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/911/Index.html

Sincerely,
Tim Oey

The Girl Effect

2008-08-17T15:47:00.000-07:00

A number of organizations have concluded that girls are the key to solving World Peace and World Hunger. They are right.

To learn more, go to http://girleffect.org, watch the video, and read. For even more background, read the book Three Cups of Tea.

It's that simple.

Recap from Aug 15 Rally

2008-08-15T23:49:00.000-07:00

We had a great turn out today -- around 17 people total. In particular, a group of young and enthusiastic high schoolers from the Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church joined us for our Peace Rally today!

Check out these pictures!

Joey Cheek, an Olympic Role Model

2008-08-07T20:31:00.000-07:00

It's too bad that China turned away Joey Cheek. Joey is a great role model of how to wage peace. For more please read:
http://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/olympics/articles/2008/08/06/the_other_cheek/

It is my hope that some day all countries will honor freedom of speech, and all peoples will use that freedom wisely.

If you would like to help wage peace locally in Sunnyvale, California, please join us! See http://SunnyvalePeace.org for details.

For families of soldiers at war, endless worry

2008-01-06T19:24:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

If you have not already, I encourage you to read "For families of soldiers at war, endless worry" in the Sunday 1/6/2008 SJ Mercury News.

You can also read it online at http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion

Here is the letter I sent to letters@mercurynews.com regarding the editorial and the other letters so far:

-----------------------
I am outraged when others tell me that I can only support our troops if I support the war. That is FALSE. It's falsity is proven many ways. The outpouring of letters from people supporting the troops but not the war proves it. Almost all taxpaying Americans support the troops but a large majority of them are against the war (as shown in numerous polls). I personally support our troops (through taxes and donations) but do not support the war. I salute Stephen Wright's son for doing his patriotic duty while at the same time I work to end this stupid war.

The waste of lives and resources due to the Iraq war is atrocious. 9/11 resulted in 2,752 people dead. The Iraq war has killed nearly 4,000 American troops, wounded 40,000 American troops, killed over 400,000 Iraqi civilians, and cost over 483 billion US dollars so far.

Furthermore, President Bush lied to fool the rest of us -- there were no weapons of mass destruction and Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11.

Democracy is based on people choosing for themselves. Forcing democracy on others is so undemocratic and hypocritical it almost leaves me speechless. I want my country to be a noble role model for others, not a big bully.

Sincerely,
Tim Oey
Sunnyvale, CA

Poetry in Motion -- Is Democracy...

2007-07-08T17:14:00.000-07:00

We had about 16 peace rally people this past Friday July 6, 2007 including 6 who helped with our Poetry in Motion project where 6 individuals held 6 signs that collectively formed a poem. The rally was at a busy intersection in Sunnyvale. We had US flags and peace signs waving. We got hundreds of positive honks, hundreds of other cars whizzing by with no comment, and just one person who gave us the finger.

Here is a picture of the signs that the 6 people held during the rally.

The poem itself reads:

Is Democracy...
...forced on others?
...freely chosen?
...for the people?
...by the people?

Sunnyvale Voices for Peace...

2007-05-04T19:22:00.000-07:00

...now has a blog!