Posts
Departing!
October 20, 2002
Hi everyone,
Well, my ticket is here and all the stuff I'm packing is spread around the living room floor. I am also starting the first 48 hours I have had all to myself since being home. Yeah, I miss solitude, I had lots of it up in Nazareth, and none of it once I got to Hebron, sometimes I can't stand the thought of it when the possibility arises (people have started calling me an extrovert which is new and very surprising to me), but it feels good and
re-centering when I've got it. Pretty much these days I'm at a point where if other people are around I feel like I ought to be with them, even if I'm really tired, and feel guilty for closing the door to my room. Oddly enough, the first thing I did was go outside and prune all the trees and bushes. We got one warm afternoon, then back to windchill. I had to scrape my windshield this morning and was disgusted. The other day, it snowed.
Time to return to the Middle East, I say.
I guess I was a sucker for punishment this time home, or maybe just motivated. I somehow racked up 17 speaking engagements and six interviews. Most of those were unplanned and after the paper ran the story about my going to Iraq. For the most part, I found that youth groups were more interested in Iraq, and Palestine was for more 'conservative' groups--somehow, it seems, now that Iraq is on the table, Palestine has
become much less taboo. Although I did have a senior church group today that wanted to know all sorts of things about Iraq and strongly voiced their disapproval for the war. That was neat. The messages of support I've received from friends, family and strangers has been quite moving and uplifting. Thanks very much to those of you who sent them. I will think of those words in more uncertain moments over the next couple weeks.
I'll be getting back into Minneapolis if all is according to plan on Feb. 7th for another 4-5 weeks home. Hopefully I'll be able to catch up then with everybody I missed this time around.
Well, guess the next message will be from Iraq! Talk to you then!
Le Anne
Sunday, October 20, 2002
Wednesday, October 02, 2002
Headed to Iraq...
Headed to Iraq
October 2, 2002
Hi everyone,
This will be a lengthy letter.
I just wanted to let those of you who are tech-savvy know that I will be doing a live tv interview TOMORROW (Thursday) at 3:30 pm. This will be broadcast on streaming web video via internet, so you may log on at www.kollegeville.com (yes with a 'k') at that time. The topic is middle east peacemaking, Israel/Palestine and Iraq. Guess I'd better get some beauty sleep...
Next, I am updating my lists for Palnotes (my list), the Hebron team list, and my action alerts and articles lists. If you are on some and don't want to be, let me know this week. If you aren't and do want to be, same goes.
Next, if your congregation or other group would like CPT literature in small quantities (like the Signs of the Times quarterly newsletter highlighting all of the projects, free or free-will donation to subscribe), please send me a mailing address and I'll take care of it for you. Or if you want to subscribe yourself also.
And then, if you know radio stations or newspapers who would like to interview Iowa CPT workers who are traveling to Iraq on an emergency humanitarian delegation in October, please also let me know. I am more than happy to do press work. I'm not really available to travel out of town any more than I've already scheduled, but can do lots over the phone or email.
If you read the Des Moines Register yesterday, call them up and tell them they did a
lousy and irresponsible job. Or at least a lousy job portraying CPT as irresponsible. Meanwhile, the Globe did a far superior article with actual facts about the humanitarian situation in Iraq necessitating such a trip and actual reasons for us going. I like my reporter over there an awful darn lot, as you all can tell.
So anyway, as the press got hold of it yesterday, the time has come to tell you I will be going to Iraq as part of a CPT emergency humanitarian delegation. We will be accompanying civilian areas such as schools, hospitals, and bomb shelters, and documenting and reporting on the situation, particularly if US military activity results in civilian losses. The Iraq Peace Team will ultimately comprise over 100 people arriving over several weeks throughout the winter. In addition, the team will be carrying in and distributing $20-$30,000 worth of vital hospital supplies, particularly leukemia medications. (Leukemia and other cancers, as well as serious birth defects, have skyrocketed since the first Gulf War and the US-sponsored UN sanctions do not permit hospital supplies to enter.) I anticipate staying 2-6 weeks depending on conditions, then returning to Hebron for my usual 3 month stint. This brings me back home about late Feb-early March. My teammates and good friends Peggy Gish and Anne Montgomery are going with me, a group of about 15, joining others on the ground from Voices in the Wilderness.
I have spent a great deal of time thinking through the possible consequences and penalties of my actions, as it violates US law for US citizens to travel to countries deemed 'enemy territory.' It is also against the law to distribute the medicines. I have consulted with the seminary, my team, and several of you already in forming my decision to engage in civil disobedience. It is possible I could serve jail time or be fined when I return. I have decided to refuse any fines imposed on me, and am willing to serve jail time, but will speak out publicly as much as possible before, during, and after, should that eventuality occur. Voices has led 45 educational and humanitarian delegations to Iraq in defiance of the sanctions, and has been penalized considerably lightly given the provisions of the law. So we shall see. I am of course nervous, but my experience of leading two emergency delegations in Palestine, as well as living and working through two invasions, as well as Voices' carefully built relationships with the local community in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities, gives me a sense of what to expect. While I am anxious about the process of getting there, being there, and then getting back to Hebron, I also feel a calm resolve and have since the opportunity to participate was offered to me.
Anybody got a used video camera? Just checking my options. I tried to bribe KIMT the other day, no luck so far. (I promised first crack at the pictures).
But enough for now. I did three speeches and an interview today and got called up to do three more talks, all work and no play are making me duller by the minute. I got a potluck dinner in my honor tonight at the Presbyterians and will do another one with the Wesleyan Methodists and it looks like I'll have plenty of stored reserves to insulate me through the winter over there. Pass the hot dish...
Le Anne
October 2, 2002
Hi everyone,
This will be a lengthy letter.
I just wanted to let those of you who are tech-savvy know that I will be doing a live tv interview TOMORROW (Thursday) at 3:30 pm. This will be broadcast on streaming web video via internet, so you may log on at www.kollegeville.com (yes with a 'k') at that time. The topic is middle east peacemaking, Israel/Palestine and Iraq. Guess I'd better get some beauty sleep...
Next, I am updating my lists for Palnotes (my list), the Hebron team list, and my action alerts and articles lists. If you are on some and don't want to be, let me know this week. If you aren't and do want to be, same goes.
Next, if your congregation or other group would like CPT literature in small quantities (like the Signs of the Times quarterly newsletter highlighting all of the projects, free or free-will donation to subscribe), please send me a mailing address and I'll take care of it for you. Or if you want to subscribe yourself also.
And then, if you know radio stations or newspapers who would like to interview Iowa CPT workers who are traveling to Iraq on an emergency humanitarian delegation in October, please also let me know. I am more than happy to do press work. I'm not really available to travel out of town any more than I've already scheduled, but can do lots over the phone or email.
If you read the Des Moines Register yesterday, call them up and tell them they did a
lousy and irresponsible job. Or at least a lousy job portraying CPT as irresponsible. Meanwhile, the Globe did a far superior article with actual facts about the humanitarian situation in Iraq necessitating such a trip and actual reasons for us going. I like my reporter over there an awful darn lot, as you all can tell.
So anyway, as the press got hold of it yesterday, the time has come to tell you I will be going to Iraq as part of a CPT emergency humanitarian delegation. We will be accompanying civilian areas such as schools, hospitals, and bomb shelters, and documenting and reporting on the situation, particularly if US military activity results in civilian losses. The Iraq Peace Team will ultimately comprise over 100 people arriving over several weeks throughout the winter. In addition, the team will be carrying in and distributing $20-$30,000 worth of vital hospital supplies, particularly leukemia medications. (Leukemia and other cancers, as well as serious birth defects, have skyrocketed since the first Gulf War and the US-sponsored UN sanctions do not permit hospital supplies to enter.) I anticipate staying 2-6 weeks depending on conditions, then returning to Hebron for my usual 3 month stint. This brings me back home about late Feb-early March. My teammates and good friends Peggy Gish and Anne Montgomery are going with me, a group of about 15, joining others on the ground from Voices in the Wilderness.
I have spent a great deal of time thinking through the possible consequences and penalties of my actions, as it violates US law for US citizens to travel to countries deemed 'enemy territory.' It is also against the law to distribute the medicines. I have consulted with the seminary, my team, and several of you already in forming my decision to engage in civil disobedience. It is possible I could serve jail time or be fined when I return. I have decided to refuse any fines imposed on me, and am willing to serve jail time, but will speak out publicly as much as possible before, during, and after, should that eventuality occur. Voices has led 45 educational and humanitarian delegations to Iraq in defiance of the sanctions, and has been penalized considerably lightly given the provisions of the law. So we shall see. I am of course nervous, but my experience of leading two emergency delegations in Palestine, as well as living and working through two invasions, as well as Voices' carefully built relationships with the local community in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities, gives me a sense of what to expect. While I am anxious about the process of getting there, being there, and then getting back to Hebron, I also feel a calm resolve and have since the opportunity to participate was offered to me.
Anybody got a used video camera? Just checking my options. I tried to bribe KIMT the other day, no luck so far. (I promised first crack at the pictures).
But enough for now. I did three speeches and an interview today and got called up to do three more talks, all work and no play are making me duller by the minute. I got a potluck dinner in my honor tonight at the Presbyterians and will do another one with the Wesleyan Methodists and it looks like I'll have plenty of stored reserves to insulate me through the winter over there. Pass the hot dish...
Le Anne
Monday, September 30, 2002
Recipe for Arabic Pita Bread
Recipe Break: Arab Pita Bread
September 30, 2002
Hi everyone,
Aunt Dar and I put together a Palestinian dinner party for Iowa City friends this past weekend and it was a smashing success. The 20 or so cook's helpers/taste testers scarfed down all but our bowl of backup rice. If you are as ambitious a cook as she is, let me know and we can plan a similar fete in your neck of the woods when I'm home next.
In the meantime, many people have asked me why their attempts at pita bread have not turned out as desired. I personally have had no idea until now. This recipe worked well for us, was reasonably entertaining, and the mistakes correctable. More recipes to follow.
Enjoy!
Hubbas (Arab Pita Bread) Makes 20, allow 3 hours or so prep (with nap breaks)
1 pkg active dry yeast large bowl
1T sugar small bowl
3 c. warm water rolling pin, board
1 T salt lots of towels/cloths
1 T oil plastic garbage bag, or newspapers
9 cups unsifted all purpose flour griddle or skillet
In a small bowl, combine yeast, sugar, and water. Let stand until bubbly (about five minutes). Stir in salt and oil.
Place all flour in a large bowl and make a well in the center. Pour in about half the yeast mixture at a time. Mix and knead by hand until flour and liquid hold together.
Turn dough out onto a well-floured board and shape into a log. Divide into 20 equal pieces. Place pieces of dough on the board and keep covered. To shape each loaf, place a piece of dough in a floured palm. With your other hand, pull dough out away from sides, then fold it back toward center and press in middle, work around edge until smooth and elastic. Place smooth side up on cloth-lined trays. Cover with dry cloth, then top with damp cloth, then let rise at room temp until puffy. (1 to 1 ½ hours)
One at a time place a ball on a floured board. With a rolling pin, flatten, then roll out from center with 4 strokes each way to make a 6-inch round. Shake off excess flour and place rounds at least ½ inch apart on a dry cloth. Cover with the dry and damp cloth again, top with plastic or newspaper, and let them rise again another hour.
Adjust oven rack to 2 inches above bottom. Preheat to 475 degrees.
On a griddle with minimal grease, set each piece of bread just long enough to sear one side. (Some toasty brown spots acceptable) Then flip onto ungreased baking sheets for 5-10 minutes in oven. (Three breads fit on my sheets at a time.) Keep the oven light on and pull up a chair because this is cool. They inflate like balloons! If some don't inflate, don't worry, just get a good bread knife and fake a pocket later. Take out and let cool on a towel. You can flatten them down later, and refrigerate or freeze extras. Just reheat them before serving, they taste better that way (also true with store-brought pita).
If you like whole wheat bread, use the recipe above, reducing all-purpose flour to 5 cups and adding 3 ½ cups whole wheat flour, and ½ cup wheat germ.
September 30, 2002
Hi everyone,
Aunt Dar and I put together a Palestinian dinner party for Iowa City friends this past weekend and it was a smashing success. The 20 or so cook's helpers/taste testers scarfed down all but our bowl of backup rice. If you are as ambitious a cook as she is, let me know and we can plan a similar fete in your neck of the woods when I'm home next.
In the meantime, many people have asked me why their attempts at pita bread have not turned out as desired. I personally have had no idea until now. This recipe worked well for us, was reasonably entertaining, and the mistakes correctable. More recipes to follow.
Enjoy!
Hubbas (Arab Pita Bread) Makes 20, allow 3 hours or so prep (with nap breaks)
1 pkg active dry yeast large bowl
1T sugar small bowl
3 c. warm water rolling pin, board
1 T salt lots of towels/cloths
1 T oil plastic garbage bag, or newspapers
9 cups unsifted all purpose flour griddle or skillet
In a small bowl, combine yeast, sugar, and water. Let stand until bubbly (about five minutes). Stir in salt and oil.
Place all flour in a large bowl and make a well in the center. Pour in about half the yeast mixture at a time. Mix and knead by hand until flour and liquid hold together.
Turn dough out onto a well-floured board and shape into a log. Divide into 20 equal pieces. Place pieces of dough on the board and keep covered. To shape each loaf, place a piece of dough in a floured palm. With your other hand, pull dough out away from sides, then fold it back toward center and press in middle, work around edge until smooth and elastic. Place smooth side up on cloth-lined trays. Cover with dry cloth, then top with damp cloth, then let rise at room temp until puffy. (1 to 1 ½ hours)
One at a time place a ball on a floured board. With a rolling pin, flatten, then roll out from center with 4 strokes each way to make a 6-inch round. Shake off excess flour and place rounds at least ½ inch apart on a dry cloth. Cover with the dry and damp cloth again, top with plastic or newspaper, and let them rise again another hour.
Adjust oven rack to 2 inches above bottom. Preheat to 475 degrees.
On a griddle with minimal grease, set each piece of bread just long enough to sear one side. (Some toasty brown spots acceptable) Then flip onto ungreased baking sheets for 5-10 minutes in oven. (Three breads fit on my sheets at a time.) Keep the oven light on and pull up a chair because this is cool. They inflate like balloons! If some don't inflate, don't worry, just get a good bread knife and fake a pocket later. Take out and let cool on a towel. You can flatten them down later, and refrigerate or freeze extras. Just reheat them before serving, they taste better that way (also true with store-brought pita).
If you like whole wheat bread, use the recipe above, reducing all-purpose flour to 5 cups and adding 3 ½ cups whole wheat flour, and ½ cup wheat germ.
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