PROUD to be an American (me saying this, what?!)!!!

These are good days.

"For the first time in my life I can honestly say I'm proud to be an American!!! Yaaaaaaay!" -Good friend, RJS

On Tuesday, one of my professors assessed the level of energy in class and determined that this was no day for a class discussion on mediation. Instead, we talked politics, before being dismissed early, to go vote, or just enjoy the sunshine... and try to contain ourselves before the evening results unfolded! The night was one filled with anxiety and then LOTS OF HAPPINESS. Our basement was filled with friends, eagerly watching the polls come in...

What an exciting night! I got a call from a LEH in Chicago, as she and some others attended the rally there! How exciting to hear the incredible buzz of people there, all celebrating triumphantly!

America, I am happy for you. And world, for you too.

And you know what I just realized? I was in South Africa at the time the first black president was elected there, in 1994, and now, 14 years later, I'm in the US, at the time the first black president is elected here. "You should just travel to every country!" -JLL ...I wish it was that easy! Here's some words from Nelson Mandela, the famous first black president of SA, to Obama:

We join people in your country and around the world in congratulating you on becoming the President-elect of the United States. Your victory has demonstrated that no person anywhere in the world should not dare to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place. We note and applaud your commitment to supporting the cause of peace and security around the world. We trust that you will also make it the mission of your presidency to combat the scourge of poverty and disease everywhere. We wish you strength and fortitude in the challenging days and years that lie ahead. We are sure you will ultimately achieve your dream, making the United States of America a full partner in a community of nations committed to peace and prosperity for all.

- Full text of a message from Nelson Mandela, the first black president of South Africa, to Senator Barack Obama, the first black president-elect of the United States of America. (Source: The New York Times)

And, to close, here's a quote which encaptures it all.

Rosa Parks sat in 1955.
Martin Luther King walked in 1963.
Barack Obama ran in 2008.
So that our children might fly.

One last thing...

Hey,

Want a free Obama sticker to celebrate our victory? It's designed by Shepard Fairey, the artist who created the iconic HOPE poster. And MoveOn's giving them away totally free--even the shipping's free.

I just got mine. Click this link to get your free Obama sticker:

http://pol.moveon.org/shepstickers/?id=-10261287-rGENxBx&rc=

Thanks!

Young Friends of Sabeel!

Hurray, at long last, Young Friends of Sabeel is off the ground and will hopefully gain momentum so as to become a key resource for young people interested in domestic or international advocacy work related to issues in Palestine and Isreal!

http://www.youngfriendsofsabeel.blogspot.com/

***Free OBAMA/Biden Stickers!***

Want a free Obama/Biden sticker? MoveOn's giving them away totally free--even the shipping's free. I just got mine, and wanted to share the opportunity with you.

Click this link to get a free Obama/Biden sticker:

http://pol.moveon.org/barackstickers/?id=-10261287-rGENxBx&rc=manual_forward

Israeli Conscientious Objector

Dear Friends,

CO Udi Nir, 19, from the Tel-Aviv suburb of Hertzlia, has been sentenced yesterday (20 Aug. ) to 21 days in military prison.

Udi Nir is the first conscientious objector to be imprisoned among a new group of high school seniors, who signed a collective declaration of refusal to serve in the Israeli army of occupation. He has been called up to enlist this Monday, 18 Aug., but planned to delay his imprisonment (technically - by going AWOL) to join other signatories of the letter. This intention, however, was noted by the press (Udi appeared in a TV feature and a negative newspaper feature over the weekend). This resulted in what was arguably the quickest operation of its sort in Israel's history. On Tuesday, one day after he has not showed up at the Induction Base, Udi Nir was arrested by civilian police (itself an unprecedented move), and was subsequently given a conditional sentence of 6 days in prison. The following day he was again tried, this time for refusing an order to enlist, and was sentenced to 21 days in prison.

A small demonstration to protest Udi's imprisonment was organised by other members of the high school seniors group, and has received some media coverage.

In a brief statement made on the day of his arrest, Udi Nir said:

I cannot take part in the activities of an occupying army, which constantly violates human rights. As an Israeli citizen and as an adolescent liable for enlistment I feel a sense of extensive responsibility for the cycle of violence and for all the choices I am making. It is out of this sense of responsibility that I refuse to enter the cycle of bloodshed and to add fuel to the fire of hatred raging here. I refuse to enlist into an occupying army so that I will not lend my own hand to the occupation and to acts that contradict my most basic values: human rights, democracy and the personal responsibility each and every human being bears towards fellow human beings.

Udi's full declaration of refusal, sent in a letter to the Minister of Defence, can be read here.

Udi's intention is to refuse to wear a military uniform in prison, which means he would be, or has already been, transferred to the Isolation Ward of the prison. He is due to be released from prison on 7 Sept. and is very likely to be imprisoned again several times after his release. His prison address is:
Udi Nir
Military ID 6022372
Military Prison No. 6
Military Postal Code 01860, IDF
Israel
Fax: ++972-4-9540580 Since the prison authorities often block mail from reaching imprisoned objectors, we also recommend you to send your letters of support and encouragement to Udi via e-mail to shministim@gmail.com, and they will be printed out and delivered to him during visits. In addition, you may want to follow some of our recommendations for action below.

....... (CLICK ON THIS TO GET MORE DETAILS ON RECOMMENDED ACTION)...

Thank you for your attention and action,

Sergeiy Sandler – New Profile.

So far away

I wish Palestine didn't feel so far away (yet I'm too exhausted and overwhelmed yet to even imagine going back).

Haaretz just doesn't cut it.



And the tears continue to be shed. They catch me off guard at times, but Palestine is a place never to be forgotten. In joy and in tears, I remember.

And on another note, here's what happens when you wear a shirt which says "Palestine" on it, in Harrisonburg-- I was locking up my bike the other day, right outside Simmons Cut and Tan, where I go for my cheap hair cuts when home. I happened to be wearing my Palestine shirt and was suddenly reminded of it when I looked up from my bike locking to a woman coming right towards me, with the most skeptical and disgusted face. With raised eye brows, and an awful grimace, she marched right in my direction, turning off just steps from plowing right into me and that shirt I could tell she so badly wished was her own.

And sometimes they just have to go

A man very significant to the Palestinian people is and was Mahmoud Darwish, a poet who became a voice of sorts for his people. He died this past Saturday, August 9, and Palestine (and beyond) mourns.

http://www.mahmouddarwish.com/english/index.htm