Prior to the war in Iraq, we were well aware that there were no weapons of mass destruction, and we were also fully aware that the war was going to happen.  How could we be certain when the media (newspapers, radio, and television) didn't seem to know what was happening?  Well for several reasons.

1.  The neocons who are currently in office printed a document on the web.  That document was slightly revised after September 11th, 2001, but the basic posture of this administration was well described.  You can probably still find their point of view by simply searching for "A Policy for the New American Century", and you will find their web site.  To make a long story short, it basically lays out their beliefs that America needs to dominate the rest of the world.  And that the needed form of dominance is to be so brutal and overpowering that the rest of world will not have a chance to resist any policies that this administration desires to carry out.  Therefore it was not suprising to us that mass torture is used routinely on OUR military bases around the world.  Abu Graib is undoubtedly just the tip of the iceberg.  It is also the tip of the iceberg as to what will eventually become status quo for suppression of the American people at large.

2.  We were aware of what had been happening in the middle east for many years, and we knew people who were working in those regions, trying to help with peaceful reconciliation between the countries.  When this administration began categorical lying in order to decieve the American public, and then the world at large, we knew exactly what they were doing.  And we also know that they were fully aware of their lies.

Some of us saw the true desperateness  by the administration of such a move, and decided in Nov. of 2003 to renounce our governments actions around the world.  We have created an apology letter listed below.  Since first publishing this letter, at least one other similar letter exists on the internet.  We encourage you to join us in apologizing to the world that we failed to stop this reckless government that now is  trying to dominate the world through military oppression abroad, and civil rights oppression at home. 

3.  The people behind this policy have horrendous records of human rights abuses.  Virtually every person who has signed the PNAC agreement is very outspoken about their intents.  You only have to listen to them to understand how inhuman they are towards those who oppose them.

The Apology Letter

    To peoples of the world, and especially to those who feel they have been forgotten and discarded, we, privileged people of the world ask your forgiveness.  We have allowed a reckless regime to occupy our country for far too long.  We have sat in our comfort and wealth while sending young innocent people to fight wars of aggression on behalf of our large corporations that are intended to make the wealthy elite yet wealthier and more elite.  Forgive us!  We have failed to stand up against those who promote war as an answer, those who propagandize our people, and those who deceive the peoples of the world.  We the undersigned believe that war cannot make peace.  Peace starts with our own admission of guilt, and our asking for forgiveness for the wrongs we have done.  We have sometimes failed to state to the world the wrongs that exist.
    We also admit that we have failed to care for our environment.  We know that the earth has become sick because of our pollution, and that non-renewable resources like petroleum, bio-diversified ecosytems, and clean water, will run out in the very near future if they are not guarded and cared for very carefully.  We ask your forgiveness for not doing more to stop the thieves of our own country who are stealing these resources from our children as well as from your children.
    Additionally, we have failed to help the most needy.  All people of faith know that our highest priority is to help those in need, and to make the world a friendlier and healthier place.  In this too we have failed.  Our leaders have become haughty, and have attempted to discredit friendships with nations that go back to the origin of our democracy.  They have laughed in the face of the international community, and violated international laws.  They have promoted injustices and acted as if they were gods that could make and break laws without the least concern for the world or its humanity.  Forgive us that we have failed to stop this lawless government.
    We ask for your forgiveness, but we also promise you that we will work as hard as we can, even at the risk of our own lives, to change this system created by the wealthy elite of this world.  We will try to consume less, live simply, honor God and our countries with honesty, integrity, justice for all people in all parts of the world, help the needy, visit the imprisoned, feed the hungry, heal the sick, build a future for all children, become responsible caretakers of our environment, and stop those who would counter such influences.
    We ask that you accept us as brothers and sisters in making this a better world for all people as we share in the joy of our differences of religion and rich ethnic heritages.

Sincerely,
Pastor Val R. Krehbiel

To add your name to the list of people desiring to be a part of this list, go to

http://www.petitiononline.com/bgtio3c/petition.html

You also may wish to sign another petition in which you pledge to give $5 for helping organize a world peace organization.  For now you may email your wish (no money please) to: smckspg@ikansas.com

Or email: smckspg@ikansas.com

The apology letter will be sent to every media outlet in the world in an attempt to let those who are most disenfranchised by the current world disasters to be comforted with the knowledge that other people in the world do care about them, and do offer them hope.  Let me also emphasize, however, that with the signing of this letter, one should also offer the commitment to make a difference.  How you can make a difference with be posted on this page as long as I'm able to do it.  Check in often for upcoming actions.

Thanks for your support,

Pastor Val R. Krehbiel

Other Peace Actions

Suggested Action Step: Send Christmas greetings to our ambassador in Iraq, John Negroponte. You may mail a card or letter to the address noted below.  We would like to encourage the ambassador to recognize the message of Christmas is one of peace, hope and joy, not one of violence, fear and suffering.  Note that The story the three wisemen in Matthew's gospel teaches us that influential people can recognize their limitations when in the presence of the divine.  We ask our Jewish readers to consider sending Channukah greetings to him and our Muslim readers might want to consider the passage on the birth of the Prophet Jesus (3:45-49) or other passages in the Qu'ran that relate to his life when they write Negroponte.

Address holiday greetings to the ambassador at the following APO with
standard US postage.  People from other countries should use the standard rate from their country to a US address.
Ambassador John D. Negroponte
Embassy of the United States
APO AE 09316
Baghdad, Iraq

Website for posting prayers and reflections now available:
Christian Peacemaker Teams in Iraq has begun a webpage
http://prayerandactionforiraq.blogspot.com.  We encourage you to post any insights that may have come to your during our time of prayer.  We also encourage you to post any heartening or disheartening aspects of our actions so that we may encourage each other's spiritual growth.

Can You Help?

To whom it may concern;

I have watched President George W. Bush fail to keep this nation safe during a rising threat from terrorism despite the obvious concerns and warnings from the CIA and in particular, Richard Clark.  I watched as the President and congress lied to the world about what happened on September 11th  2000, dismissing their own failures by saying that no one could have foreseen that someone might fly a plane into a building, when it had been done in all previous wars and conflicts where planes were used, was a part of military drills as early as 1976, and was part of a US military drill on that exact same day, causing great confusion to rescue teams, air force commanders and others.

I have watched President George W. Bush lie repeatedly about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, and about the war on terrorism, during which time his actions have alienated the world against us, enraged and encouraged terrorism against America, and weakened our country economically, worse than any other president in US history.

I have watched as the Bush family has orchestrated two stolen elections, and has used the events of the events of Sept. 11th to destroy our Constitution and our Bill of Rights.  By doing this they have made anyone who opposes their views to be an enemy to their cause, and they have shown that they are willing to put anyone, peace protestors or environmentalists, or anyone in jail for simply embarrassing them.  They have also shown a disdain for any law, international, or national.  They have condoned torture, imprisonment without due process, and public defamation of respectable patriotic citizens.

I have watched as the news media became more and more supportive in promoting ridiculous propaganda to try and make us believe that there is no reason to doubt the outrageous actions of this administration, and the unbelievable claims that things were getting better.

I can no longer support the actions of this administration, nor can I support the actions of the media, or those who support the innocent slaughter of more than 100,000 innocent civilians.  I cannot support a president, an administration, or a nation that wantonly disregards the basic human rights of anyone who opposes them.

People will probably try to dismiss me as an extremist, but I have no idea how one could be more extreme than what this administration has done.  They have destroyed everything that we held as valuable in this country, and the only reason that American citizens are in denial about what is happening, is that they have not yet seen the death camps that are coming to our neighborhoods.  Conveniently, the death camps are in places like Kabul, Palestine, Guantanamo, Diego Garcia, Iraq, and in other places hidden from the American public.  When will they understand?  Only when they or their family is targeted.

I will not stand by any longer and watch.  Call me un-American.  Call me un-patriotic.  I will not support these actions.  We will never make peace killing people in their homeland, and occupying their land.  All of the evils that we have imposed on the people of Afghanistan and Iraq will come home to us.  The time to make peace is now.  The time to stop the killing is now.  The time to love our enemies is now.  The time to expose the evils of our nation is now.  The time to lift the oppressed and poverty stricken out of their struggles is now.  The time to rebuild and make a better world from the rubble of this destitute administration is now.

We must unite, world wide, and we must oppose this administration in every possible way.  We, the people who want peace are the greatest power on earth.  It is time to get to work.

This is how;
1.  Research and produce listings of multinational corporations and their affiliates.  We will use their profiles to boycott them when it is warranted.

2.  Produce boycott lists of those companies who violate world Fair trade standards

3.  We will boycott the following tv stations; ABC CBS, FOX.
    A.  Watch for the products being advertised on the stations.  (A select group can do this.)
    B.  Construct letters of protest to companies who are advertising with them.
    C.  If they continue to advertise with these companies, notify all of our participants worldwide.

4.  Do a similar boycott of any company involved in the war effort.

5.  Support news agencies such as PBS, CNN, and MSNBC by sending them letters of encouragement, as well as letters of encouragement for companies that advertise on their stations.

6.  Spend time with other peace groups and peace people, pray, meditate, encourage each other.

7.  Never, ever, ever, give up!

Pastor val

If you would like to help us promote peace please feel free to send us your comments at smckspg@ikansas.com

Latest News

This message is specifically for people in Salina, and the surrounding areas.  I know that most, or all of you, are busy with the holidays.  I also assume that a number of you may be somewhat discouraged about the elections, and the direction our country seems to be taking.  If discouragement, anxiety, anger, frustration, or fear are part of your struggle, our group may just be what you need to brush away the 'after Christmas' blues.

We have decided that meeting at a common place, and at common times is useful to maintaining a consistent push for the ideals we seek.  Currently we are holding the following meetings at;
Salina Mennonite Church - Church Office
Salina, KS 67401
785-825-2663

If, for any reason, you are not comfortable with what we are doing, or where and when we are holding these meetings, please inform me.  We will consider any viable alternative.  Hot drinks, warm companionship, and valuable conversation are provided free of charge.

Coming events that you need to be part of;
Dec. 28th, 9AM planning meeting
Jan. 2nd, 7:30 PM  planning meeting
Jan. 4th, 9 AM
Jan. 11th 9 AM
Jan. 16th, 7:30 PM
Jan. 18th, 9AM
Jan. 20th, protest - yet to be planned
Jan. 25th, 9 AM
Feb. 6th, 7:30 PM

There is, sort of, a web page that has the SPFP information on it.  This page will be updated regularly concerning our meetings and actions, including our effort to create an international peace movement that can heavily influence corporations, and therefore governments, to be better partners in making this world a better place.  Go to - salina.ks.us.mennonite.us , click on resources, then Peace & Justice.  We could also use a SPFP news letter.  Anyone interested?

Actions planned;
1. SPFP needs to send at least 1 individual to Washington DC on Jan. 20th, in order to protest the inaguration.  Please join us in contributing your time and money to accomplish this effort.

2. SPFP needs to counter the military recruiters who are deceiving our children.  I now have stories of children as young as 10 being bused to South for career training, where they are introduced to violent video games and encouraged to go to the military.  If you are not aware that this war in Iraq is just the beginning of what the neocons are planning, then you are certainly not paying attention.  Why are we pouring billions of dollars into Iraq to build US military bases?  Is this what you want for our country?  Do you support world dominination by these neocons?  Vern says that he'd be willing to go into the schools to speak about the bad side of war.  We will need to start a letter writing campaign, and to visit with school boards about getting equal time.  Anyone else want to volunteer?

I'm somewhat concerned that our attendance is not what it should be for these meetings.  This represents too much of what happened under The Ceasars, Hitler, Franco, and Stalin, to mention just a few.  After the peace people suffer a few defeats by an oppressive and dishonest government, they back off on their protests.  The few remaining protestors become easily discounted and shamed, and easily rounded up.  Anyone who then disagrees with the government is then imprisoned or brutally killed (to make an example of them).  If you don't think this regime will do the same, I think you are extremely naive.  Their flaunting of the brutal agression, torture, and disobedience to international law aren't just clues.  They are clear strong statements of the means to the ends.  And, the means are always the end.

Now contrast the horrible future that is coming toward us with the events of Ghandi's India, or South Africa.  Or the events in America during the 60's.  Who do we want to be?
GET INVOLVED, invite friends, share your story.  NOW IS THE TIME, AND I AM THE ONE.  This is our new theme.  Be the change you are hoping for!

Remember, and repeat to yourself often;
NOW IS THE TIME, AND I AM THE ONE!

I'm not always sure if my emails are getting to people, because people usually don't respond by email, or many times,  they don't respond at all.  There are two basic lists that I use to notify local people about the events coming up, etc.  I assume that you understand that if you do not want to be on the list, you can tell me that.  I also assume that if you are on the list, you will try to support our causes, and/or make known how you feel about what we are trying to do.  I also assume that if you would like to see us do more, you will come and meet with us to tell us about your ideas, and how we can implement them.  We need a large and active peace group in Salina.

pastor val