Posted on 08/22/2005 9:55:32 AM PDT by BoomerBabe
Moveon.org inspires political movie series in Wilton By GIL BLISS Union Leader Correspondent
WILTON While the menfolk were watching the Super Bowl on a Sunday back in early February, two dozen women were meeting in Amherst to start a new political action organization.
"Women Making A Difference" began on that day, and six months later their ranks have grown to about 100 women across southern New Hampshire and one of their first efforts has been to co-sponsor a film series on Sundays at the Wilton Town Hall Theatre.
"We are an organization of like-minded women who are concerned about the direction in which our country is headed,"according to the group's statement of purpose. "We strive to become well-informed about important local, state and national issues and to help educate our community."
The film series was inspired by Moveon.org, a political group associated with the campaign of former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, and is co-sponsored by Women Making A Differene and Democracy For New Hampshire.
According to spokesman Nancy White of Milford, the group has attempted to provide that education through films followed by a discussion, tackling such issues as potential voter fraud through the use of electronic devices; the role of independent media in shining light on issues ignored by mainstream media; organic food and treatment of livestock; how the findings of the 9/11 Commission have been handled or not handled, and this week's issue, the use of uranium in U.S. munitions and its effect on veterans of the Gulf War and residents of the Middle East.
Yesterday's film was "Poison Dust," which examines how depleted uranium is used in military weapons and combat. The film states the material "DU" is generated as a waste product from the production of nuclear bombs and is being recycled and added to the bombs and bullets being used by the American military.
White likened the effects to that of Vietnam veterans who returned from Southeast Asia affected by Agent Orange, a defoliate used by the American military. She said as many as a third of Gulf War veterans have been affected by exposure to that and other substances.
The film examines the effect of breathing the poisonous dust from exploded weaponry. William Thomas, a Navy veteran who served from l961-63, and Jack Mannasian, an Army veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II, led a post-film discussion. The men are both members of NH Veterans for Peace, a group committed to increasing public awareness of the true costs of war, to abolish war as an instrument of national policy, and to seek justice for veterans and victims of war.
The series will conclude this coming Sunday with a PBS documentary on the effects of mercury on the environment. The post-film discussion will be led by members of the Sierra Club from Concord.
White said the discussions following the films address the "powerless" feeling people get after seeing such films and not knowing what action could be taken. "We talk about the issue and suggest ways people can have an effect," she said.
An upcoming project will be to highlight the fourth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks with a rally and vigil as well as other activities.
Although called by some a liberal group, White said she doesn't believe in the liberal or conservative labels. Their statement describes them as "fiscally conservative and socially progressive" and says the group will "work to elect candidates who support our goals."
White said the group is non-partisan and welcomes "concerned citizens and patriots." She said those interesting in finding out more about Women Making A Difference can contact Jeanne Ludt of Amherst at 673-1072.
The film states the material "DU" is generated as a waste.
Before the elections there was a group of women hosting some Moveon.org event in Amherst. This seems to be some kind of residue from that event.
Heh. Don't call me a liberal. I'm a "progressive." Waaay different. How? Next question, please.
"jeanne ludt" Googles to United for Peace and Justice. Very centrist group. She's also a member of the school board.
New Hampshire continues to move from red to purple to blue... It was the only island of sanity in New England...
There.
Fixed.
If this is centrist, heaven help us.
(And if I missed a bit of sarcasm, apologies).
Oh, boy. Leftie amateur film night.
Slightly off topic -- saw a coming attractions ad on ABC for a new fall TV series about the election of the first woman president. She was middle-aged, white (all I saw before I swore and changed the channel). Is Moveon/Michael Moore financing this series to pave the way for Hillary in 2008?
I have a friend who "doesn't believe" in cell phones. None the less, there they are...
It seems Hollywood loons usually complain about how repressed they feel and how difficult it is to express themselves/get out their message: on national television talk shows, magazines with nation-wide circulation or AP news-stories.
(By the way, little 'Pinch' Sulzberger made # 2 on B. Goldberg's "100 People Who Are Screwing Up America" How `bout a big round of one-handed applause for the NYT!)
OK, I forgot the /sarcasm tag.
Amherst, NH is a conservative town but we have a few moonbats. There's a saying that there are two Amhersts in NH. Ahmmmhurst (where this lady lives) and Amherst.
And if they're so fiscally conservative just how do they propose to pay for their socially progressive ideas???? Liars! A leftist/socialist/communist by any other name is still scum.
Send the lady moonbats a cheddar cheese wheel to go with their whine. ;)
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