http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=248803&ac=PHnws

Military, defense issues top the people's list of concerns

Dozens line up to speak for three minutes each at a forum organized by 50 advocacy groups at USM.

By DIETER BRADBURY, Political Correspondent April 4, 2009


John Ewing/Staff Photographer

Lisa Savage, a teacher from Solon, decries military recruiters in schools during a “Town Hall Meeting” on Friday at USM. She wore a big pink wig to signify her support for Code Pink, a women’s peace group that formed to stop the Iraq war.

PORTLAND — Peter Woodruff stood in front of a microphone Friday night at the University of Southern Maine and told of building one Navy warship after another as an employee at Bath Iron Works for 28 years.

Woodruff said he and some coworkers have seen enough and are circulating a petition in the shipyard calling for it to build wind turbines that would produce renewable energy.

"Our military – mine, yours – is spending over half its money securing energy for this country," he said. "We're tired of wars for resources."

Woodruff and dozens of other speakers lined up to voice their concerns about U.S. military spending, defense policy, the environment, health care and other issues at a "Town Hall Meeting" at USM's Hannaford Hall organized by about 50 advocacy groups.

The meeting attracted more than 150 people, as well as a number of federal, state and local elected officials or their representatives. They were invited to hear speakers' opinions, which were rendered in three-minute segments under the direction of several moderators.

U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, a Democrat, was the only member of Maine's congressional delegation to attend. Democratic Rep. Mike Michaud and Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, both Republicans, were represented by staff members.

Other public officials on hand included Maine Economic and Community Development Commissioner John Richardson, state Sen. Phil Bartlett, D-Gorham, and state Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham.

Several of the officials listened from the auditorium stage, under a large red and black banner lettered with the phrase, "Listen to the People."

Like Woodruff, the BIW employee, many of the speakers focused on military and defense issues. They believe that public spending in those areas diverts money that could be used for health care or other needs.

"I am weary of political rhetoric," Rosalie Paul of Georgetown said to the officials on the stage. "I am weary of your pretense that you are really aware of what is going on."

Lisa Savage, a teacher from Solon, strode to the microphone wearing a large pink wig, signifying her support for Code Pink, the national women's peace group that formed to stop the war in Iraq.

Savage decried the presence of military recruiters in public schools. She said tax dollars are being used to "deliver an audience" of students to recruiters.

"I would really like to see recruiters turned out to the mall with the others who use hard sales tactics, where they belong," she said.

Other speakers touched on environmental and public-health issues.

Louisa Hart of Brunswick voiced her concerns about genetically engineered and modified foods. She noted that the state Board of Pesticide Control has approved the use of corn that contains a genetically engineered protein designed to kill corn borers, a common pest.

"Literally every bite of corn we eat will contain pesticide," she said, arguing that not enough is known about the potential impacts of such food.

Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space
PO Box 652
Brunswick, ME 04011
(207) 443-9502
http://www.space4peace.org
globalnet@mindspring.com
http://space4peace.blogspot.com (Blog)

Address:
Veterans For Peace
William Ladd Chapter
P.O. Box 10
Deer Isle, ME 04627


e-mail:
vfpmaine@vfpmaine.org


site problems?
webmaster