Bishops start to think about maybe getting their act together

Perhaps inspired by The Onion’s “I Think We Should Start Talking About Starting A Band”, the Globe reports “Bishops call for change on Iraq policy”:

The bishops, who have consistently expressed moral concerns about the war, did not call for immediate withdrawal, saying the United States now has “moral responsibilities to help Iraqis to secure and rebuild their country.” But the bishops said the “terrible toll” in Iraqi and American lives now requires a discussion driven by “moral urgency, substantive dialogue, and new directions.”

There appears to be some sort of typo: the first sentence should begin: “The bishops, who have consistently and extremely quietly expressed moral concerns about the war . . . .”
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TV 13 party: Electic, awesome, free

Worcester’s WCCA TV13 is having a 20th anniversary bash Saturday, Nov 18, noon-10pm, at the Mount Carmel Recreation Center. (28 Mulberry St.)

Parking and admission are free. There will be lots of food for sale.

This event is as multicultural and eclectic as WCCA itself, featuring bagpipers, a Parade of Flags, crafts, Armenian food and dancers, Swedish folk, a clown, face painting, Italian food and music, belly dancing, Greek food, Strong Man Gino Martino and other professional wrestlers (available to sign autographs), Jamaican food and music, afropop, Liberian food, Middle Eastern music, Indian food, vegetarian food from the Seventh Day Adventists, the New England Dance Center Dancers, both youth and adult jazz groups, Mexican dancers, blues, and local celebrities galore.

See the party homepage for the latest details.

Lecture: “Peace in the Middle East: Why is it so hard?”

LEARN ABOUT LEBANON

Learn about Lebanon and discuss it with:

Dr. Elaine Hagopian: Award winning sociologist and human rights scholar at Simmons College will analyze the recent conflict in Lebanon

Dean Doug Little: Discussing Lebanese history since the 50s

Lara Jirmanus: Lebanese-American evacuated from Lebanon in July, organized with Central Mass for Peace in the Middle East from Worcester will share experiences

Wednesday, Nov 15th 7:30pm, Sacler Science N105, Clark University, Worcester, Mass.

Refreshments will be served!

Sponsored by Clark Peaceworks and the Dean of the College

Items

Election roundup

Sadly, Chris Chocola, once South Bend’s Congressman, was defeated in his bid for reelection. I don’t like his politics or his attitude, but his name is awesome.

Count Chocula

Back in my home district of WV, Alan Mollohan won re-election. I first met him back in 1988, and have rooted for him to lose ever since.

Arizona voters chose to ban putting cows in veal crates and pigs in gestation crates. This measure was strongly opposed by Big Agriculture, and it’s a tribute to both activists on the ground and the common-sense compassion of Arizonans that it passed.

John Robb says that, Iraq-wise, we’re just getting more doomed.
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Lecture: “From Beirut to Baghdad: Globalization & Human Rights in the Middle East and Beyond”

Dr. Thomas Abowd, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Wayne State University, will deliver the Faith Zeadey Memorial Lecture on Globalization and Human Rights 7pm, Thursday, November 16th, Eager Auditorium, Sullivan Building, Worcester State College.

“From Beirut to Baghdad: Globalization & Human Rights in the Middle East and Beyond.”

“Professor Abowd is a long time scholar and activist on issues of peace and justice in the Middle East. He recently returned from a trip to the region and will share his experiences and analysis about the problems it faces the possibilities for change. He will also discuss the impact of the United States’ “War on terror” and its impact on these possibilities.”

Presented by the Worcester State College Sociology Dept., and Centers for the Study of Human Rights, Service Learning & Civic Engagement and Global Studies & Media Literacy. Co-sponsored by Saints Francis & Therese Catholic Worker.