July 11, 2008 Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (BIP)

A Key Question On War & Peace

     Before Iran launched seven long-range missiles on July 9th, THE BULLETIN OF ATOMIC SCIENTISTS for May/June 2008 positioned the "Doomsday clock" of every cover on this very important magazine at "Five minutes to Midnight." The magazine was initiated by nuclear scientists who were associated with the Manhattan Project that developed the first U.S. nuclear weapons. The scientists said they "could not remain aloof from the consequences of their work."

     The United States is the only nation to use atomic/nuclear weapons in warfare on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, August 6th and August 9th, 1945. In two blinding flashes of light, heat and radiation, the cities were leveled. Several hundred thousand people -- men, women and children died as a result.

     Now there are nine member nations in the "nuclear club." Five of these countries - the USA, Russia, Britain, France and China, are all members of the United Nations Security Council hypocritically admonishing other countries NOT to follow their example by developing nuclear weapons. The club has been joined by India, North Korea and Pakistan. It has been known since the 1960's that Israel has nuclear weapons. The world's current nuclear stockpile has a destructive power equal to many millions of Hiroshima size bombs.

     Jonathon Schell, wrote in HARPER'S MAGAZINE in May of 2008. "The nuclear age is now in its 70's. This is the age when one thinks of retirement. However, the nuclear age seems determined to revive and expand."

     When India and Pakistan detonated nuclear missiles in 1998, the award winning author, Arundhati Roy, wrote: "The world is 4,600 million (4.6 billion) years old; It could all end in an afternoon."

     Only a global consciousness of non-violent opposition to such weapons and imperial policies will alleviate the threat to our planet. The key question is this: what am I personally doing or saying to leaders of our nation about the suicidal course we have chosen? Silence is consent! Threatening war against Iran or any nation is NOT the answer!

" No More War! War Never Again!"

1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties. 4. Oppose all discrimination: anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, etc. 5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.

Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Ola`a (Kurtistown),

Hawai`i 96760. Phone (808) 966-7622 Email ja@interpac.net http://www.malu-aina.org

Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (July 11, 2008 - 356th week) - Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post