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Ramblings and Reflections
Newsletter 24
July, 2005

 

Dear justice and peace pilgrims,

On this gorgeous morning, at 5:30 a.m., when the morning count was finished and I had completed my in-building tasks I began my daily walk on the track. The sun had begun its ascent above the hills into a light blue sky. Birds of every size, color and song were in a melodious choral arrangement. The babies were taking a short flight from ground to post to tree limb. One lonely hungry rabbit watched my gait with peaceful vigilance. Canadian geese were honking their presence overhead. Fresh deer tracks left imprints before me. And I experienced God's real presence so I sang aloud the same prayer we three Sisters sang at the missile silo on Oct. 6, 2002: “Sacred the land, sacred the water, sacred the sky holy and true, sacred all life, sacred each other. All reflect God who is good.” We are interdependent on this Planet Earth. We are planetary citizens learning how to fall in love with all creation.

In the Progressive, June 2005, our friend Howard Zinn in his article “The Scourge of Nationalism” writes: “One of the effects of nationalist thinking is a loss of the sense of proportion. The killing of 2,300 people at Pearl Harbor becomes the justification for killing 240,000 in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The killing of 3,000 people on Sept. 11 th becomes justification for killing tens of thousands of people in Afghanistan and Iraq. What makes our nation immune from the normal standards of human decency? …We need to assert our allegiance to the human race, and not to any one nation.”

Mahatma Gandhi asked, “What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy?” Let us fly the flag of the planet on July 4 if a flag is being flown. Yes, it takes all the villages of the world to raise the world's children.

Your letters – medicine and food for body and soul

One hundred seventy letters have come to me and the month is not over yet. I'm selecting some excerpts from a few of the June letters so you may understand how you keep me focused and strong and why I am so grateful.

· Cecile, Sendai, Japan sent a card with Art. 9 of the Constitution of Japan and asks for prayers because the government is suggesting changing it: “Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes. In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea and air forces, as well as other war potential will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized.”

· Anne, Japan – “ A new epoch is being ushered in and it's coming fast and furiously. Who knows where it will take us – all of humanity. We truly are witnessing the collapse of an entire world order. But maybe what we are seeing now is just the start of more horrific – and grassroots beautiful – things to come.”

· Boyd, Australia – “ learning the positive (and living the practical) way of understanding the gross inequalities and injustices in the world and learning to be more dependent on God while being less dependent on myself and others.”

· Frank, Germany - “ I have a 7 year old daughter which hopefully will be an adult in a nuclear-free world. I am sure that we altogether achieve with non-violent engagement a nuclear-free world or in the long run this planet will be no longer viable.”

· Denise, France – “ Nous avons suivi avec joie et satisfaction la liberation de Carole.”

· Pat, Michigan – “ I count down the days until your release.” In Carol's welcoming she writes, “There were so many moments on our trip to Baltimore that goes down in my book as one of my more memorable trips. Jonah House was amazing.” Pat spoke of the love she experienced there.

· Jean, California – sent one of her special cards with a Fire Blessing on it: “May Fire's rising dawn awaken you and her glowing sunset return you to the Quiet. May Fire's holy Flame ignite your spirit and her burning Truth each day consume you. Blessing of fire to you. Then she adds that at their last S.F. Bay Area Sisters Justice Conference they were asked to think of a way to celebrate upon my release – a celebration which would call attention once more to the issue of disarmament. I say ‘yes' celebrate and continue to struggle. Emma Goldman said. “If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your revolution.

· Mary Lou, Illinois – “ I just ordered a copy of Kathy Kelly's book, Other Lands Have Dreams for you and the library there. It is fine reading …It is indeed an excellent work.” She goes on to write: “I see where Amnesty International wants U.S. Officials arrested for war crimes – torture- starting with Rumsfield and Bush and go on from there.”

· Kate, California – sent a newsletter mostly for prisoners and families done by Critical Resistance, excellent assistance and analysis. Of Dan Berrigan's book Lamentations , she says, “is so wise and seems to speak directly to individual experience even now, almost 4 years after Sept. 11.”

· Megan, Nevada – speaks of preparations and registrations for the August event at the test site.

· Jessie, California – “Yesterday the news said that only 40% of Americans think the war was worth it and the number is going down.” She goes on, “ thank you for resisting evil, for raising our consciousness for your generous heart and for loving us.” And I with you give gratitude to the Giver of all gifts.

· Elaine, New York – “ I am a firm believer that prayer not only moves mountains, but molds me in ways nothing else can. Prayer changes me and my attitudes continually. I would be lost without prayer.”

· Cindy, Michigan – sent me a moon chart of 2005 so I follow the moon names, solstices, equinoxes, recognizing that we each are touched by the same moon.

· Cal, Connecticut – expressed how he unites me next to him in his daily witness at Electric Boat and the Naval Sub base.

· Ellen, Texas – “ We finally acknowledged that the president has kept the war in Iraq going despite the fact that there was no other reason to do so. All due to exposure by British Press. Why are we so gullible?”

· Bill, Colorado – “Sending along a few items from a couple of our recent public expressions at the Air Force Academy graduation and the first Peterson open house since Sacred Earth and space Plowshares I in 2000. We keep plugging away, but I agree we must do more challenging actions.”

· Therese, New Mexico – “ I know that your suffering in prison is bearing much fruit both inside as well as outside. There are movements for shutting down airbases. I have made my stand clear…about how I protest all nuclear weapons.”

· Will, Vermont – “My older brother asked me to copy your letter and send it to him. He wants to see the words of someone who really stands for what they believe - and is right.”

· Aston, Arizona – “Your newsletters are full of such faith, such acceptance, such commitment to the cause of world peace and nuclear disarmament…” Aston reminds me by card, “In the darkest hour the soul is replenished and given the strength to continue and endure.” So true.

· Jack and Fay, Maine – shared about actions at a launching at Bath Iron Works and a planned Hiroshima/Nagasaki day presence at Brunswick Air Station for August.

· Eileen, New York – wrote about the Walking Prayer on August 6 in lower Manhattan and awards from Pax Christi Metro for “Military Families Speak Out” and Simon Horak's Chris Mulready Award.

· Helen and Dan, California – opened my mind to new places on their trip to England and Spain. I am lost in wonder and awe at what they observed.

· Edith, Texas – sent a Lucy's card, “How beautiful are those who come announcing Peace Bearing good news and saying, God Has Come Among Us, as bread for sharing, Arms for embracing, as gift of mind, heart and body to be given away!”
With these 23 excerpts from so many other letters with the same encouragement, support, prayers and commitment, I feel like I'm soaring on eagle's wings. I love you for your many gifts for the spirit.

Gratefully,

Ardeth Platte, OP # 10857-039
Federal Correction Institution
33 ½ Pembroke Station
Danbury, CT 06811