Wells read excerpts from Frederick Douglass’ Fifth of July Oration as the focus Wells agreed to call and then e-mail our Senators offices with the Afghanistan Report which was approved by the Action Committee and is available on the PAM website.

Wells reported on the program on torture which was held at First Parish Church and was organized by Amnesty International, the Maine Civil Liberties Union and the Maine Council of Churches.

Ted Musgrave and Sally followed up with the question of greeters who meet the returning troops at the Bangor (and presumably Portland) Airports. Sally researched the Bangor greeters. In Bangor, Ilse Peterson of the Eastern Maine Peace and Justice Center reported her concern that peace greeters would be perceived as “anti-troops”. We agreed to table the discussion until a way opens in which to do it effectively.

Peter Senzami, Peace Action Maine’s new intern from Bates College, was introduced and announced that he will be working with Iraq Veteran Against the War and Veterans for Peace.

Grace asked the question about how we can educate the public about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Grace will ask Lisa Savage about the postcards to our Senators against the surge in Afghanistan.

Sally will ask Dr. Daniel Oppenheim to write a letter to the editor in support of Obama’s nuclear initiative.

We began the planning process for some commemoration of Hiroshima and/or Nagasaki on August 6 and/or August 9.

The Brunswick Peace Festival will be August 8, 2009.

Sally will try to get a copy of “Barefoot Gen” to show at the Meg Perry Center.

Wells will arrange to get the use of the Meg Perry Center walls for a Hiroshima/Nagasaki visual display for the First Friday walk on August 7, 2009.

For the August meeting: Sally will bring goodies Grace will present the focus Wells will take the minutes