Moving From From Militarism To Peace?

How do we get from militarism to peace, not only in getting out of Iraq, but in avoiding possible future debacles such as an attack on Iran or military confrontation with other countries.

Parallel to the RNC in St. Paul a two day conference was held September 2nd and 3rd at Concordia University in St. Paul by a group called Peace Island.

Retired Colonel Mary Ann Wright was interviewed about her views on how to accomplish a US military withdrawal from Iraq and about her views on McCain’s threats to attack Iran and the catastrophe that would result from such an attack, as well as her thoughts on what it will take to move society from a militaristic footing to a peaceful one.

September 4, 2008 – 7 min 23 sec

Col. (Ret) Ann Wright on responsible US withdrawal from Iraq and the prospects for a peaceful future

Mary Ann Wright has been a career military woman, a State Department diplomat, and an influential spokesperson in the anti-war movement. She served 13 years in active duty, 16 years in the Army reserves, and another 16 years as a foreign diplomat in countries such as Nicaragua, Somalia, Uzbekistan, and Sierra Leone. She is coauthor with Susan Dixon of “Dissent: Voices of Conscience”, the stories of those in the Bush administration and other governments who have had the courage to speak out. “Dissent” was published January 2008 by Koa Books.

Some background from Peace Island’s website Contact page:

Peace Island was conceived by Friends of Coldwater founder Susu Jeffrey of Minneapolis. She was joined by Dennis Dillon in October of 2006, and shortly thereafter most of the current committee members joined in the planning and organizing. The Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers (MAP) became official sponsor of the conference in October 2007.

Many on the committee are members of organizations that belong to MAP. Organization affiliations include AlliantACTION, ELCA Synod Committee, Hawkinson Foundation, National Night Out, Saint Mary’s Basilica, St. Joan of Arc, Twin Cities Peace Campaign – Focus on IRAQ, and Women Against Military Madness. St. Joan of Arc Church provided a financial grant to Peace Island.

Peace Island convened September 2-3, 2008 as a solutions driven conference to promote and celebrate peace, justice, harmony, nonviolence and care of the earth. The Conference Schedule is here, and the Speakers list is here.