Ardeth Platte Writes From Prison: Letter 13
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Ramblings and Reflections Newsletter 13 August, 2004 |
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Dear Friends of Justice and Peace,
Douglas Roche in his book, The Human Right to Peace , writes, “I want a world that is human-centered and genuinely democratic – a world that builds and protects peace, equality, justice and development. I want a world where human security as envisioned in the principles of the U.N. Charter, replaces armaments, violent conflict and wars. I want a world where everyone lives in a clean environment with a fair distribution of the earth's resources and where human rights are protected by a body of international law.”
Mr. Roche makes it so clear that “war causes starvation, deepens poverty, ruins environments, forces migrations of peoples, wrecks the rule of law, multiplies the gap between rich and poor, and causes prolonged misery for the most vulnerable people.” He claims that, “War is not in the human genes. We are not predestined to violence. War comes out of our culture, the way we are socialized to interact with one another.” He claims that, “those who engage in peace work are the realists of our time, for they understand that the new technologies are accelerating the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and with them, the capacity to end life on earth.”
From: Exception to the Rulers (p. 293, 294)
Wilfred Burchett wrote in his dispatch: “In Hiroshima, thirty days after the first atomic bomb destroyed the city and shook the world, people are still dying mysteriously and horribly – people who were uninjured in the cataclysm from an unknown something which I can only describe as an atomic plague.” “Hiroshima does not look like a bombed city. It looks as if a monster steamroller has passed over it and squashed it out of existence.”
Over 200,000 people died in the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The city of Hiroshima with a population of 350,000 had to be razed. Multi-story buildings were reduced to charred posts. Burchett saw people's shadows seared into walls and sidewalks. He met people with their skin melting off. In the hospital he saw patients with purple skin, hemorrhages, gangrene, fever and rapid hair loss.
We remember and act in repentance and love:
- Sisters Witness Against War – August 6 at Peterson AFB – Sr. Barbara Huber 719-475-9585
- Pax Christi Walk, Pray and Vigil at Los Alamos – call 505-870-2275 or www.paxchristinewmexico.org
- Faith and Resistance Retreat - Aug. 5-9 War and Destruction are Never Okay, Washington, DC 202-882-9649 Dorothy Day Catholic Worker, or 410-233-6238 Jonah House or www.jonahhouse.org
- September 25 – October 2 Keep Space for Peace Week – Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space. 207-729-0517 or www.space4peace.org
- Adopt-A-Silo 2004! Nonviolent actions at all 49 Minuteman III Missile silos in northeastern Colorado – October 2 – Ending War 303-499-7038 or cyndaca@hotmail.com
- Presence in prayer, fasting, vigiling in your area of the world.
Decommission, Disarm, Dismantle WMD/Nuclear Weapons
- USA 10,600
- Russia 10,000
- China 400;
- Israel 200+;
- France 350;
- Britain 185;
- India 60 -
- Pakistan 48 (Information Gleaned from Nukewatch )
Thank you for the great books:
- The Gandhi Reader by Homer A. Jack
- The Healing Power of Purpose by Jean Maalouf
- The Human Right to Peace by Douglas Roche
- The Devolution Will Not be Televised poems by Gary Erb
and a new subscription to Harpers Magazine
Two Saints return to God:
My heart is filled with gratitude for the life, example and friendship of Peacemaker Helen Casey of Midland, Michigan. Helen – Presente!
Sister Jackie Bennett, OP, our dear sister and friend supported us at demonstration sites and from her workplace. Jackie – Presente!
I trust they will stir up the heavens for an Earth filled with justice and peace.
August is a month to remember history, to ask, seek and knock at doors for an end to warfare. The world cannot bear up under the burden of violence. I feel deeply connected with all of you and hope you experience the strength and courage also that comes from unity in conviction.
My heart is filled with love and gratitude for you, for your concern, for your gifts, for your letters and for your life-giving.
Always grateful,
Ardeth Platte #10857-039
Federal Correction Institution
33 ½ Pembroke Station
Danbury, CT 06811
From Mary: To receive future copies of this newsletter by e-mail, send your e-mail address to: mcasper@mindspring.com Put Ardeth in the subject line so it will not be deleted as spam.
Thanks to all who are spreading the word by forwarding this newsletter to others!
If you are receiving both an e-mail copy and a copy from me in the mail, let me know so I can remove you from the postal mailing list.
Also, Jonah House has a great website: www.jonahhouse.org Past copies of newsletters are posted there as well as updates on other actions.