Port of Tacoma event: File complaints against Tacoma police Monday 4/1 @ 5:30pm

Citizen Review Panel monthly public meeting
Monday April 1 @ 5:30 pm
747 Market St, Room 1142

The city of Tacoma has a Citizen Review Panel created for oversight of the Tacoma Police Department.  Come to the meeting on Monday April 1st and you can file complaints about police brutality, illegal acts, and other issues you observed at the Port of Tacoma protests.

Let's continue to pressure Tacoma to refuse to allow the military to use our port to export immoral and illegal war and occupation.  We have various avenues to express dissent and outrage; let's use them all!

Directions to Tacoma Municipal Building (747 Market St):

Go on I-5
Take exit 133/City Center/I-705
Take exit on left toward City Center/Tacoma Dome
Merge onto I-705 N via the exit on the left toward City Center
Travel on I-705 N for 1.5 miles
Take Stadium Way exit on the left
Left on Commerce
Right on South 9th St
Right on Market St
End at 747 Market St
There should be street parking on Market and other parking nearby

It's good to come a little early.  Hope to see you there!

In addition, you can file a citizen complaint against Tacoma at this website:
http://www.ci.tacoma.wa.us/cotcomplaints/

APRIL FOOLS!

A Collection of Work from the Palestinian Artists’ Association

Rafah, Gaza,

Yusuf Subeh, Bisan Umar Atteya, Hamza Jamal Mansur, Anwar Ismail Anwar Yehia, Hiba Ibrahim al Jazzar, Rim Abu Al Rus, Bahir Hemeid Qishta, and Mustafa Al Bahnasawi

And Pen and ink drawings by Olympia artist Will Hewitt

Presented by: The Olympia-Rafah Sister City Project

Reception and talk: Saturday, March 31st, 2-4 PM,

Traditions Café and World Folk Art
300 5th Avenue SW, Olympia

Add event to your Google Calendar by clicking here:

The Olympia-Rafah Sister City Project (ORSCP) will host a reception and talk featuring Palestinian art exhibited during March and April at Traditions Café’ and World Folk Art in Olympia. Will Hewitt, an ORSCP delegate to Rafah in December 2005 to January 2006, will discuss the Palestinian art and the Artists’ Association from which it came, as well as his own pen and ink drawings made while he was in the West Bank and Gaza. Hewitt will, also, respond to questions about his own experiences as an ORSCP delegate during that time.

Read more

Want to participate in the web wide Tuesday topics? You can add in a comment on the Second Tuesday Topic post, make sure to read Red Valley's comment about what persuasive points they used in a college speech class. You can respond here on OlyBlog and you can certainly initiate posts on your own personal blog.

What the heck am I talking about? Well, I'm participating in the One Million Blogs for Peace - we tackle a topic every Tuesday. Today we are working on:

Have you convinced anyone else to change their opinion about the Iraq War?

If so, describe that experience and how you convinced them.

If not, imagine what would change your mind if you felt differently about the War.

Wow. I don't know that I've changed anyone's mind. I suspect that I might have helped a few pro-war people understand that we are -all- human beings and that we peaceniks might have something to say worth listening to. I might have helped some folks decide that looking for common ground was a worthy pursuit, even with their supposed enemies.

If I was gung-ho about the Iraq War, what would change my mind? Life events such as losing a son to Blackwater USA would certainly shake me up. Learning more about war profiteering might also loosen my enchantment with war in Iraq.

This advice may be offensive to some.

Subject: I'm sure you get this question all the time

He's a surly little fellow in spite of his festive garb. And he has been with me for so long that it is hard to remember what life was like before he appeared. He stands about two and half feet tall but struts around like he was a 6' 8" bully. And here's the deal: No matter where I go he accompanies me. And whenever I enter a public place, like a restaurant, or a shoe repair shop, a courtroom where I am serving as an expert witness, or even the restroom at a roadside rest stop, he heralds my entry by jumping in ahead of me and announcing in a loud monotone, "Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present," and here his voice gets louder yet remains semi-bored, "THE SMORGASBOARD OF DELIGHT!"

The fact that he sounds like a frog who has been given the gift of speech makes the scene even more incongruous. Aside from his "Smorgasboard" introduction, he never speaks, except for an occasional grunt of disapproval. He is always at my side and sleeps in a wicker basket at the foot of my bed. I have never seen him use the bathroom or eat. But I have noticed there are no longer any rodent pests at my house since he showed up. He does not appear to enjoy his job of being my public presenter.I have the impression he is being employed by some twisted third person. So why do I put up with this? I am not what you would call an attractive person. Truth to tell, I am a bit flattered to have anyone call me "The Smorgasboard of Delight," even if it is a surly rodent-crunching grunting grotesque tiny man, and even if he does present my title in places like funerals and crowded elevators.

I guess I need him more than he needs me.

Is this an unhealthy situation? What should I do?

Sincerely, "Snoodle B. Clapsaddle" (not my real name)