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AWARE Minutes: August 8, 2004 Facilitator: Durl Kruse Agenda: Randall Cotton Minutes: David Green Timekeeper: George Bush, your time is up INTRODUCTIONS: About 20 present, not including pre-K NEWS OF THE WEEK: CARL ESTABROOK On Hiroshima Day, reflection on U.S. (and Israel's) rejection of nuclear proliferation agreements. George Bush, reports say, increasingly isolated. Terror alerts not taken seriously, may be crying Wolfowitz. Suspicious timing of capturing of terrorist suspects in Afghanistan. U.S. special forces in Iran-Israel considering attack on nuclear reactor in Iran Hugo Chavez registering voters in Venezuela in preparation for democratic election using computerized voting machines P4P: On a beautiful day (Saturday, August 7th) - 30 attend - diverse signs, including banner commemorating Hiroshima Day Over 100 fliers distributed on "Iraq sovereignty index" One "almost" curb jumper Good preparations regarding police and video self-surveillance (thanks Randall) URBANA-CHAMPAIGN INDEPENDENT MEDIA CENTER: LINDA EVANS Linda suggested that AWARE consider increasing donations to the IMC, due to their financial straits. This could be done from AWARE account, or from weekly "extra" donations during meetings earmarked for the IMC, or by encouraging AWARE members to join the IMC ($40 year) or make donations. This will be discussed again next Sunday (in keeping with rule of one week grace period regarding financial decisions), perhaps with Sasha Meinrath present, who will inform us of IMC financial details. It is agreed that the continued existence of the IMC is of importance to AWARE. FINANCES: LINDA EVANS About $2100 in account, about $500 committed. BANGLADESH: Envelopes for contributions to help flood victims in Bangladesh will be distributed from AWARE table at Farmers' Market this Saturday. Members encouraged to make contributions as well-deadline August 20th. WILL COMMENTARIES: RANDALL COTTON In a positive development (perhaps in response to a persuasive letter by Susan Davis) [Ed. note (REC) - very unlikely - the letter had not been released to anyone at that point]; four members of the WILL staff have written a letter requesting to attend the AWARE meeting of August 22nd in order to discuss the station's policies on commentaries by local individuals [Ed. note (REC) - this took the form of an e-mail from Jay Pearce to myself]. These are Jay Pearce, station manager; Tom Rogers, news director; Ali Kawa, who was put in charge of the commentary policy; and one more [Ed. note (REC) - the fourth person is Kimberlie Kranich, outreach coordinator for the station). UPTV AND DEMOCRACY NOW!: RANDALL COTTON We are looking forward to a strong turnout for the September 13th meeting of the UPTV board, in response to the mayor's opposition to airing DN live in the mornings on the public access channel. The Urban League is in support, and Randall is looking for other endorsements, including NOW. (Randall, if you would like to explain your "two track" approach, or any other relevant details, please modify for website.) [Ed. note (REC) - the two tracks being pursued are 1. Support for the UPTV Commission's effort to implement DN! as an initiative of the Commission itself (via petition signatures and statements of support from local organizations) and 2. Support for a group of ten Urbana Residents who will propose their own initiative to UPTV.] TABLING: JAN KRUSE Farmer's Market: Bush yard signs are now in, and will be distributed and sold this Saturday. There should also be some new bumper stickers and cool anti-Bush buttons. A sheet was passed around for commitments during the next few weeks. We (meaning me) could particularly use set-up and early morning (6:45) help on September 4th (Labor Day weekend). Boardman's Art Theater: This will probably be the last week of Farenheit 9/11, and The Corporation has been delayed for a week, so the table will probably be taken down later this week. We have collected about $300 during this run, due to the efforts of Jan Kruse and others. LAWYER: AL KAGAN Bob Finch is continuing his efforts on our behalf-nothing new to report at this time (Al, I'm sorry if I missed something, please correct). UNITED FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE: RANDALL COTTON Randall suggested a donation of $100 to the New York rally sponsored by UFPJ during the upcoming Republican Convention. This issue will be raised again next week, in keeping with monetary policy. SUGGESTION: MORT BRUSSEL: Mort suggested the donation and distribution of progressive magazines to hospital waiting rooms. (Carol Inskeep volunteered to disguise herself as a candy striper in order to do this). [Ed. note (REC) - yes, that was a joke] In a separate e-mail Mort has also distributed a list of political videos that can be purchased. Carol Inskeep, who in real life is a librarian, suggested that folks check out the political videos and tapes from "Democracy University" that have been donated to the Urbana Free Library, including the excellent "The Party's Over" about the 2000 presidential election. Not to be outdone, Carl Estabrook suggested that we can now hear News from Neptune online at the newsfromneptune.com website. PAST WEEK'S EVENTS: Hiroshima Day at Alma Mater on Friday noon attended by 20-25 people, sponsored by Friends Meeting House. A new issue of the Public I is out, including articles by Ricky Baldwin and Carl Estabrook. UPCOMING EVENTS; Quad Day: Mike Simon will (it is hoped) be coordinating tabling for students AWARE. Sweetcorn Festival: Friday August 27th, Saturday 28th, a sign-up sheet was passed around for both days. I will probably be setting up shortly after 5 on Friday, and help would be greatly appreciated, as well as on Saturday morning at 11. CU at the Alter: We are invited to attend a unique conversation regarding gay marriage at the Unitarian-Universalist Church 309 West Green Street, Urbana, on Tuesday August 24th from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. "Breakfast for dinner" will be served, followed by a discussion of same-gender marriage. Kimberlie Kranich, a friend of AWARE, can be called if you are interested in assisting in planning: 359-9884. Or e-mail her at cuatthealtar@insightbb.com. Finally, our "election dilemma" discussion is still planned for before the meeting of September 12th. Meeting adjourned.