"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead

* this page is a mirror of the original at: http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_1682685,00.html

Michelle Christenson/Caller-Times Concerned citizen Donald Edwards speaks about why he is opposed to a proposed war with Iraq during a peace meeting at the Lotus Cup coffee shop Thursday. More than 50 people voiced their opposition to a war at the meeting and discussed how to oppose it.

Saying no to war

Group speaks out about action against Iraq

By Mike Baird, Caller-Times
January 18, 2003

A growing number of people in Corpus Christi opposed to President Bush's proposed war on Iraq are beginning to voice their opinions and take action. They are planning a peace walk in March, contacting state legislators and forging a plan for growth.

In a planned gathering of regular customers at the Lotus Cup coffee shop on Thursday, the group heard owner Milena Worsham say they had been referred to as "peaceniks" on a Corpus Christi morning radio talk show by host Scott Johnson.

"We object to going to war on speculation," said Worsham who had taken a seat on a small stage in the corner of the shop.

Less than two hours after they started to meet, the ranks were closing, with more than 50 voices joining from all walks of life.

The group grew by the hour - a Portland teacher, a quiet college professor, a retired attorney, veterans from four wars.

Fifty-year-old Pat Atkinson, the coffee shop manager, spoke about the young customers who have already left for Iraq.

"We don't want to be putting photos on the wall of those lost," Atkinson said.

'War is about oil'

"Everyone knows this war is about oil," said Donald Edwards, who broke the ice by strewing reading material on tables and naming Web sites filled with anti-war information.

Edwards provided inaugural comments made by U.S. Democratic Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio that opposed war with Iraq, at a swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 5, in Cleveland, Ohio. Edwards also gave participants a transcript of the White House briefing from Jan. 6 between Ari Fleisher and newswoman Helen Thomas. He armed the group with questions already being asked nationwide.

"We're all to blame," Edwards said. "Each of us knows at least one person who's convinced the policy is dirty, and they adopt the attitude 'I don't care.' "

A couple from New York staying in Corpus Christi introduced themselves.

"You can start small, and build," said Sue Roark-Calnek. "My husband is a Korean War veteran, and we had 1,000 people march in Rochester, N.Y., and we started with a group smaller than this," Roark-Calnek said.

High school teacher

"I'm a high school teacher and have children in college," said Reta Pearson with her hand on her chest. "I can't think of a more horrible thing for these young people than war over oil."

An older woman spoke out. "War is not the answer - all the money that would help schools, and medical costs for elderly is going down a rat hole," Prudi Morris said.

"We protested during the last wars," said her friend Nancy Griffith. "War is a final madness." "I'm against this war in particular," said her husband, Len Griffith. "If we don't stop before it starts - it's destroying the United Nation's charter and our credibility with the world along with it."

The door pushed open and another cluster of several people joined the group. All eyes turned back to the older gentleman, E.P. Morris, who was sitting behind Len Griffith.

"Why are you all looking at me?" Morris, a retired attorney, asked. "I oppose the whole administration policy with the whole Middle East. It's important to raise a voice."

Random voices

A silence fell in the swelling group, now more than 40 strong. Voices began to blurt out randomly.

"Nobody supports this war," said Pearson." I know lots of teachers and friends at church who don't support it, they just haven't come out yet."

"It's not . . . anti-Bush . . . who wants to walk for peace?" Worsham asked.

A 100 percent show of hands brushed swiftly across the room.

"We need a list of each other's e-mail," said Len Griffith. He said the Internet is a component part of the anti-war movement in the U.S.

A paper was circulated. While anxious hands anointed it with personal information, a chatter of acquaintanceship emerged. This growing anti-war group agreed to walk for peace in March.

A second round of discussions began in the coffee shop as Kathryn Williams, a retired minister and past member of Pax Christi, arrived. Williams recommended participating in a nationwide effort to confront congressional leaders next Tuesday with their anti-war sentiments.

Worsham said she would be making an appointment with U.S. Rep. Solomon Ortiz, D-Corpus Christi.

Contact Mike Baird at bairdm@caller.com or 886-3774

* this page is a mirror of the original at: http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_1682685,00.html

Write your government officials!:

President George W. Bush
email: president@whitehouse.gov
White House Opinion Line:
(202) 456-1111
Washington Office:
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, US 20500
Phone: (202) 456-1414
Fax: (202) 456-2461

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson
Washington Office:
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-4304
Phone: (202) 224-2934
Fax: (202) 224-5220
Main District Office:
10440 N. Central Expressway, #1160
Dallas, TX 75231
Phone: (214) 361-3500
Fax: (214) 361-3502

Senator John Cornyn
Washington Office:
517 Hart Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2934
Fax: (202) 228-2856
Main District Office:
2323 Bryan St., Ste. 2150
Dallas, TX 75201
Phone: (214) 767-3000

U.S. Representative Solomon P. Ortiz
Washington Office:
2470 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4327
Phone: (202) 225-7742
Fax: (202) 226-1134
Main District Office:
3649 Leopard, #510
Corpus Christi, TX 78408
Phone: (361) 883-5868
Fax: (361) 884-9201

Governor Rick Perry
Citizen's Opinion Hotline: 1-800-252-9600
PO Box 12428
Austin, TX 78711-2428
Phone: (512) 463-2000
Fax: (512) 463-1849
Washington Office:
122 C St., NW, Ste. 200
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 638-3927
Fax: (202) 628-1943

State Senator Juan Hinojosa
PO Box 12068
Austin, TX 78711-2068
Phone: (512) 463-0120
Fax: (512) 463-0229
Main District Office:
612 Nolana Ste, 410B
McAllen, TX 78504
Phone: (956) 972-1841
Fax: (956) 686-8462

State Rep. Jaime Capelo
E1.424 Capitol Building
Austin, TX 78768-2910
Phone: (512) 463-0462
Fax: (512) 463-9545
Main District Office:
501 S. Tancahua
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Phone: (361) 882-2277
Fax: (361) 882-2881

City of Corpus Christi:

Mayor Neal, Loyd
email: dianag@ci.corpus-christi.tx.us
Phone: (361) 880-3100
Fax: (361) 880-3103

Kelly, Bill (District 1)
email: maryj@cctexas.com
Phone: (361) 289-1383
Fax: (361) 289-0712

Colmenero, Javier D. (District 2)
email: jcolmenr@davlin.net
Phone: (361) 880-3105
Fax: (361) 880-3113

Noyola, Jesse (District 3)
email: jnoyola@davlin.net
Phone: (361) 880-3105
Fax: (361) 880-3113

Scott, Mark (District 4)
email: mscott@sanjacintotitle.com
Phone: (361) 880-3105
Fax: (361) 880-3113

Kinnison, Rex (District 5)
email: rkcpatx@aol.com
Phone: (361) 880-3105
Office: (361) 884-6396
Fax: (361) 880-3113

Cooper, Melody (At Large)
email: joe@melodycooperlaw.com
(361) 887-8014 (wk)
(361) 850-7383 (hm)

Chesney, Brent (At Large)
email: bchesney@firstam.com
Phone: (361) 880-3105
Fax: (361) 880-3113

Garrett, Henry (At Large)
email: chiefhcg@aol.com
(361) 949-8406
cell: (361) 850-3113
fax: (361) 949-0162

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