This weekend, 32 young people (and me) are traveling to our nation's capitol to attend a massive environmental conference called Power Shift.  The message that is being communicated through this mass gathering is, No More Un-sustainable ways!  We Must Change or, as NOAA has pointed out, it will be too late to reverse the climage change damage.  Translation: death of species, absence of water, breathable air. 

Please support Peaceful Uprising.  Make your own statement about your willingness to participate, and then, stand up in your own community.  Demand that your local governing bodies change their ways - stop expanding oil, gas & coal.  Start expanding solar, wind & geothermal, before it's too late.  The donate button on the front page is where you can start.  Thank you from the kids & me,  Julianne

Daphne Hougard 415-302-0733  -  daphnehougard@gmail.com

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IS CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MORALLY REQUIRED IN THIS TIME?

 Date and Time:   Friday, January 16, 2009, 7 pm

Location: First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City, 569 South 1300 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84102 |Map It!

With Ken Sleight, The Original Monkey Wrencher

We hope you will join us in an interactive conversation that asks us to consider the extent of action required to forestall the destruction to the living systems that support us and to move in the direction of restoring a livable world for our children.  We will consider that question from the perspective of over-exploitation of the spectacular lands around us and the poisoning of the biosphere represented by global climate chaos.  We are eager for your thoughts and comments, particularly following the courageous act of Civil Disobedience initiated by Tim DeChristopher.  What is the extent of personal and collective action, including Civil Disobedience, that is required to change the fatal course that all of us are taking and that the Nobel Prize Winners are sternly warning us about? 

If we value the living world of which we are a part, if we care deeply for our children and theirs, if we are able to respond to the overwhelming destruction that we together are causing, then what is a constructive response?  A complete and immediate overhaul of our economic, social, and moral systems seems required.  Reality will have to trump virtual reality.  Our perspectives, conversations and expectations will need to match what Mother Nature can provide without destroying the “nurture” in her.  How do we do it?

For the doubters:  Even if there is only a 50% chance that the state of our planet is as dire as the leading climate scientist, James Hansen, and others clearly and urgently explain -- isn't consequential action to end Coal Fired Power Plants immediately required by those of us  who understand the flagrant immorality of continuing to burn these dirty fossils?   

Let's engage that dialogue.  And then, let’s see if we are prepared to act. Is action the central moral duty of our time?  And if we do actively engage, as Bill McKibben said in our own Salt Lake Unitarian pulpit, isn't action genuinely "loving our neighbors as ourselves?"

Scheduled speakers: Tim DeChristopher, Rocky Anderson, Tom Goldsmith, and David Chapman

* Context: Bill McKibben and Wendell Berry's Capitol Climate Action: http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/10/wendell-berry-bill-mckibben-civil-disobedience-washington-dc-coal-plant-march-2/

This event is co-sponsored by Environmental Ministry at First Unitarian Church , Utah Interfaith Power & Light, and Post Carbon Salt Lake.

“For the Tim DeChristopher Legal defense fund.  Thanks for your courage!”  S Higgins, Hagerstown, MD

“Friends and I have biked Moab and enjoyed the area – many times.  Good on Tim D!  Good on You Guys! Damn Oil & Gas! Thanks” R Pope, Eau Claire, WI

“Dear Tim – I’m SO inspired by your amazingly creative and courageous action! Also, thank you for having such a strong vision for future generations! I happen to be a Grandmother of 10 and 1 Great-Grandchild!  I’ve loved and backpacked SW Utah for years.  You are the Super Hero for all my family and friends that cherish the environment.  In Gratitude”, P Gardner, Las Vegas, NV  ”P.S.  Please put me on your list for on-going info and needs.  Please use this for your defense fund or towards your bid.  Let me know if more is needed and I’ll do my best to raise more.”

“I know, I know, It’s a trifle.  But I very much do want to express my support! Tim DeChristopher is not only a person of courage, but of imagination.  And humor!  Doubtless many across the nation share my glee at how the oil sharks have been stymied – even if only temporarily.  I’ve traveled the length of Utah, and been to Zion & Bryce Canyons.  The discussion needs to be linked to the Redevelopment of Public Transportation.  Solidarity”, J Forman,  Albuquerque, NM

“Thank You, Tim for being so brave & thoughtful”, S Lane, Las Vegas, NV

“Wow! Tim!  What an heroic thing you did.  Thank you”  E Dickerson, Weed, CA  “P.S. I hope Robert Redford hears about this.  I think he would contribute lots of money.”

“Thanks for your help to this courageous young man, and for all your work”,  L & B Cobb, St. George, UT

“You GO, Tim!” Anon, San Francisco, CA

“ Dear Folks;  Enclosed is a check to be used for Tim DeChristopher’s defense fund.  I heard the story yesterday on Democracy Now and found this address on the internet.  It was a brave thing Tim did and a real act of love for good stewardship of these pristine lands.  Thank You and good luck” T Olson, Ithaca, NY

“I am sending a check to help out in the defense of Tim DeChristopher.  I am so grateful for his action and his obvious heartfelt connection to the Earth & the lands of Southern Utah.  I hope you are able to provide him with the best legal aid the United States can muster.  Thank you for your services”, Sincerely, T  Venerable, Santa Fe, NM

“Good Luck!  Southern Utah is one of our favorite places!”  B Davis, South Colby, WA

“Thank you Tim!  Wish I could give more!”  read about your escapades on Common Dreams.com –the article by Amy Goodman.”  Best, L. Heinz, San Cristobal, NM

“Friends and I have biked Moab and enjoyed the area – many times.  Good on Tim D!  Good on You Guys! Damn Oil & Gas! Thanks” R Pope, Eau Claire, WI

“Dear Tim – I’m SO inspired by your amazingly creative and courageous action! Also, thank you for having such a strong vision for future generations! I happen to be a Grandmother of 10 and 1 Great-Grandchild!  I’ve loved and backpacked SW Utah for years.  You are the Super Hero for all my family and friends that cherish the environment.  In Gratitude”, P Gardner, Las Vegas, NV  ”P.S.  Please put me on your list for on-going info and needs.  Please use this for your defense fund or towards your bid.  Let me know if more is needed and I’ll do my best to raise more.”

“I know, I know, It’s a trifle.  But I very much do want to express my support! Tim DeChristopher is not only a person of courage, but of imagination.  And humor!  Doubtless many across the nation share my glee at how the oil sharks have been stymied – even if only temporarily.  I’ve traveled the length of Utah, and been to Zion & Bryce Canyons.  The discussion needs to be linked to the Redevelopment of Public Transportation.  Solidarity”, J Forman,  Albuquerque, NM

“Thank You, Tim for being so brave & thoughtful”, S Lane, Las Vegas, NV

“Wow! Tim!  What an heroic thing you did.  Thank you”  E Dickerson, Weed, CA  “P.S. I hope Robert Redford hears about this.  I think he would contribute lots of money.”

“Thanks for your help to this courageous young man, and for all your work”,  L & B Cobb, St. George, UT

“You GO, Tim!”  Anon, San Francisco, CA

“ Dear Folks;  Enclosed is a check to be used for Tim DeChristopher’s defense fund.  I heard the story yesterday on Democracy Now and found this address on the internet.  It was a brave thing Tim did and a real act of love for good stewardship of these pristine lands.  Thank You and good luck”  T Olson, Ithaca, NY

“I am sending a check to help out in the defense of Tim DeChristopher.  I am so grateful for his action and his obvious heartfelt connection to the Earth & the lands of Southern Utah.  I hope you are able to provide him with the best legal aid the United States can muster.  Thank you for your services”, Sincerely, T  Venerable, Santa Fe, NM

“Good Luck!  Southern Utah is one of our favorite places!”  B Davis, South Colby, WA

“Thank you Tim!  Wish I could give more!”  read about your escapades on Common Dreams.com –t he article by Amy Goodman.”  Best, L. Heinz, San Cristobal, NM

Thank you so much, and I’ll do what I can from this end. I’m so grateful to you!

Ken Sleight