"Because" - a disaster ministry

By Karl Goodfellow

Disasters are physical, emotional and spiritual events. We spend most of our time and resources responding to physical events. Yet the biggest affects are often emotional and spiritual.

Why Christians Should Take a Stand on Climate Change

By Christine Sheller

Christians should take a stand on climate change.  Jesus said the second greatest commandment after loving God was loving our neighbor (Matthew 22:39-40).

Press Release with info on Des Moines Drone Command Center

Compiled by
Nick Mottern <nickmottern@gmail.com>
KnowDrones https://www.knowdrones.com/


Here is evidence of the DM Drone Command Centers ongoing human rights and war crime violations according to the 2018 IA Dept of Public Defense Annual Report:

"The 124th Attack Squadron flew the MQ-9 for 357 sorties which resulted in 15 kinetic events and fully met Combatant Commander's intent."

A "kinetic event" is an attack, and the report that the 124th fully met a commander's intent appears to mean the targets were killed. Thus, it appears that the 124th Attack Squadron flew, on average, about one sortie per day in fiscal 2018, and conducted a little more than one attack per month.

A sortie usually involves four killer drones each although it could involve more depending on the mission, and possibly involve other drone control centers.

(The fiscal year for Iowa government runs from July 1 to the following June 30 and is numbered for the year in which it ends. So this report covers Air Guard operations for the period of July 1, 2017, to June 30 2018. It could not find a fiscal 2019 report on line; it is probably not completed yet.)

The report also said the 132d Wing, of which the 124th Attack Squadron is part, piloted MQ-9 in the air for 7,070 hours in fiscal year 2018, which amounts to 24 hours a day for nearly 300 days. Some of this time may have been for reconnaissance, but given that the number of sorties was nearly one a day, it appears possible that most of these hours were occupied with stalking for the kill.

The report said the 132d had global responsibilities, not specifying where the attacks took place.

The fiscal 2017 report lists 7,209 MQ-9 hours for the 132d, but does not report on kinetic events; the fiscal 2016 report lists 6,600 hours and has no report of kinetic events.

Almost certainly the Air Guard will say that the sorties were largely or completely being flown in support of U.S. troops on the ground and that the drone attacks save American lives. This has been the standard defense. Even if this were true, we have the larger issue that the U.S. military should not be fighting wars in support of corporate resource extraction and the fact that using killer drones makes these wars seem to have no consequences to the American public while killing and terrorizing people overseas.

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If you agree with Nick, that today’s US lead Armed Drone War Fair is immoral, unjust and illegal, as International Law and our Just War traditions would affirm, join Nick and the KnownDrones, the DM Catholic Workers & VFP and many others, starting in Iowa a “End Drone War Pledge” by all 2020 Presidential Candidates campaign:
https://www.knowdrones.com/?utm_term=0_beae583d40-45890e9add-323604005


National Contact
Nick Mottern <nickmottern@gmail.com>
KnowDrones https://www.knowdrones.com/

DM VFP & CW Contacts:
Frank Cordaro (515) 490 2490 <frank.cordaro@gmail.com>
Gil Landolt (515) 657 0354 <peacevet@hotmail.com>
Ruth Michelle Hart (319) 654 7010 <ruth.gracegirl.hart@gmail.com>

The DMCW & VFP ended it's 3rd annual Aug 6th to 9th, 24/7 Vigil @ DM Cathedral with a Rally and Direct Action Aug 9 @ the DM Drone Command Center with two arrests.

By Frank Cordaro

      This annual commemoration of the US A-bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Japan in DM is part of yearly Hiroshima & Nagasaki observances across the US.

      This year's 3 day, 3 night 24/7 vigil at the St Ambrose Cathedral was low key and personal. We did not have an opening or closing ceremony for the vigil.

“Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Choosing a Future of Peace” commemoration held Friday, August 9, 2019

By Christine Sheller

The annual event in Des Moines remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki was held earlier this month Friday, August 9, the theme being “Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki:  Choosing a Future of Peace.” 

No to $1.7 Trillion for New Nuclear Weapons in the US

(Editor’s Note: The following is a response by Vernon Naffier of Des Moines, and a copy of the petition write-up that Stephen Miles wrote on Moveon.org. 

US policies at the root of massive demonstrations in Honduras

From SOAW  (see bio at end of article) reprinted with permission

Since late April, teachers, doctors, and medical workers in Honduras have been demonstrating against the privatization of education and medical services.

US and Palestinian Christians Meet; Affirm What Would Make Peace

Media contact:  Katie McRoberts (Katie.mcroberts@cmep.org) reprinted with permission. Website www.cmep.org

In a special consultation hosted by Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) and Bright Stars of Bethlehem, convened in cooperation with the National Council of Churches (NCC), World Council of Churches (WCC), and the Diyar Consortium, and building on previous engagement, US and Palestinian Christians addressed the current context in Israel/Palestine, the US-sponsored economic workshop in Bahrain, and the elements necessary to reach a just and lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians.  

We Must Prevent War with Iran

By Maureen McCue

As a physician and member of Physicians for Social Responsibility, I am deeply troubled by the intemperate rhetoric about Iran coming from Washington, D.C. In recent weeks, National Security Advisor John Bolton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and others in the Trump administration have made alarming statements about the prospects for war with Iran.

“Making Peace: In Our Church, In Our World, In Ourselves” Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church Walk and Prayer Service for Peace and Social Justice held Mon., June 10, 2019

By Christine Sheller

This year, members from the community and attendees of the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC) joined together in a walk for peace, planned by the MFSA (Methodist Federation for Social Action) along with several other agencies of the UMC.