Members and visitors present: Bernard Fleishman, Joe Norton, Nicholas Fuller,
Anne Marfey, Jean Cowan, Deb Riitano, Gene Rowland, Bob Lamar, John Amidon,
Rev. Dr. Senley E. Jack, Ed Bloch, Lou Ismay, Djafer Sebkhaoui, Mussarat
Chaudhry, Jim Miller, Joe Seeman, Howard Cort, Sam Trumbore, Steven Gottlieb, Joyce
Hartwell, Wendy Van Orden, Nina Pattison, Walter Taylor, Rabbi Aryeh
Wineman, Florence Skiff.
The meeting was called to order by B. Fleishman and the invocation was given by Rev. Senley Jack.
Minutes of November meeting were approved.
Treasurers Report. Gene R. said he had paid out $100 to the Community Baptist Church for use of the meeting room, and $100 to the Masjid As-salam Families Fund, leaving a balance of $2650.
Treasurers report was approved.
Committee reports:
Electoral/Campaign Reform
Gene R. said he, Walter T., and Joe S. met and discussed developing
Interfaith Dialogs concerning the animosity following the election. He distributed
summaries of the ideas and methods they are considering. John Amidon commented
that a starting point that all would agree upon is reducing the deficit. Walt
T. stressed that our Constitution is very pro-religion. He read a statement
emphasizing this which he would like to send to all religious groups. Joe
S. said that the interfaith dialog could be a suggested topic for our speakers
bureau.
Violence/Anger Management - John A. said the Albany School Board passed a resolution requesting that the federal government honor its commitment to fully fund all legislation imposed on local school districts and be mindful of this commitment and obligation as they allocate resources for military expansion and otherwise. This can be found at:
http://afsc.org/youthmil/AlbanySchoolBoardResolution.htm
John Also distributed information cards giving facts and figures on how the federal budget is distributed.
Criminal Justice/ARISE - Joyce H. expressed disappointment that the changes in the Drug law did not include judicial discretion for sentencing. Others are concerned about getting drugs off the streets but issues of education and economics also need addressing. A holistic approach is needed in order to undo the damage that has been done.
Bernie Fleishman introduced Steve Gottlieb who spoke about his view of the Middle East situation. He was a Peace Corps volunteer in Iran and is now Professor of Constitutional Law at Albany Law School. He is also chair of the local 8 county ACLU.
He feels that all countries including the U.S. have done things poorly. He likened it to a blood feud, which is kept going by the extremists committing reprisal after reprisal. The governments are not doing the things that would cool the anger. Feuds never end until the combatants are all dead. Instead of encouraging reprisals, governments should use police action. Extremists are given the power to scuttle peace efforts.
Iran is not Arab. They have had good relations with Israel. Nationalism is very strong in mid eastern countries. Bushes actions have strengthened Al Qaida.
He feels that Bush won the election because he sent the troops out. It is difficult to rise above reprisal. Reprisal never leads to peace. Law exists to contain blood feuds. Anger must be channeled and kept from spreading. Law and police can isolate terrorists. S. Amer. Countries have used military and this leads to a downward spiral. Bushes damage will be hard to undo. Talk of God vs.the devil is simplistic and damaging.
Questions and discussion followed. It was felt that all the governments have been irresponsible. Both sides must be tolerant and calm. Lou I. Urged us to look at the underlying issues.
There was no Nominations report.
Deb R. said plans were going well for the April 14 dinner. Klenicki will be speaking and W. Gaddy will be attending.
The brochure re Educational Funding was distributed. There will be a news conference Wed. Dec.15, 11 a.m. at LCA Room 130 at the LOB. The court masters have made a decision on the amount of money needed (after the brochures were printed). Bernie will answer questions at the news conference and add information about recent actions.
Howard Cort (from UNA-USA) distributed a study of alternative approaches to Palesinian-Israeli coexistence for consideration and comment.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:40.
Respectfully submitted,
Florence Skiff
Next Executive Committee Meeting, 9:00 a.m Monday, December 27 at Friendlys Rte 7. Next Membership Meeting 9:00 a.m January 10, 2005, Latham Community Baptist Church.
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