Peace Shirt Coalition Update -- as promised

[Diamond Dave]

Original thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2374573#2375025



Ms. DD followed through today reaching out to those that need to help support the "Peace Shirt Coalition" in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
She talked with VFP members, (Scott C. of VFP (one of the Winter Soldiers), Gainesville, FL, & Elliott Adams.), she contacted David of www.afterdowningstreet.org, (they want to send T-shirts, if the kids want them -- and they do). She sent e-mails to several journalists, and at the end of the day she spoke with Skylar and Skylar's mom.

Most of all, what came through in her conversations with Skylar and her mom was the pain of the attacks of hate and how distressing it was to all of those involved. It was tough for us to hear their pain and to hear the lack of trust in their voices. It was equally rewarding to let them know that there are some really kind and good people backing them up and to hear relief in the same voices.

We need to put Skylar and her mom in touch with Ava, of Peace Takes Courage, and her mom.
If you have a contact for Ava to reach Skylar, please PM.

Contact David Swanson [email protected]
or [email protected] (Scott Camil, VFP, Gainesville Chapter, See Winter Soldier)

N.B. The kids are living through another trauma. This week, a soccer star died at practice days before his 16th birthday, and the students and faculty are in mourning.His funeral is at the end of the week.

[silverweb]

1. Here's Ava's website:

http://www.peacetakescourage.com/page-home.htm

[silverweb]

2. Thanks for following up on this...

And thanks for keeping us posted!

So sorry to hear about the death of their classmate. What a terrible tragedy. :(

[Diamond Dave]

3. Thanks for you keeping up - if you know how to reach them at

the myspace place please do so.

They really do need to hear from us all. Truly.

This is Ms. D writing, my heart broke this afternoon talking with Skylar and her mom. The pain of being attacked for promoting peace is devastating and can boggle one's mind. They really need to hear from all of us how alone we have felt at times and to let them know they are not. I don't know Ava well, but I know there are some DU'ers here that can reach her. Ava and Skylar need to talk.

Peace - Ms. D.

[silverweb]

4. Yes, I've been in touch via MySpace.

Skylar said how much they appreciate all the support they're finally getting and that they need every bit of it.

I don't know Ava, either, but she does post here and I'll send her a PM with a link to this thread. In the meantime, you can have Skylar or her mom email Ava via the website link I provided in my first post.

Thanks so much for everything you're doing to help these wonderful young people. We peaceniks all have to stick together! :hug:

[Diamond Dave]

5. Thank you SilverWeb -

Skylar and her mom are worn out. Skylar is at home recovering from an illness - she has been out two weeks and does not yet know when she will be able to return to school (stress may be a contributing factor in illness and recovery), she will not be able to attend the funeral of her friend.

I guess that is why I know they need a whole lot of love from DU, VFP, IVAW, MFSO and the community at large.

What is happening to them there as kids just should not be. Peace signs on lockers being ripped down, running from school and ones peers, in tears, because you dared to promote peace in the world. What in heavens name is going on. Where are the people that are supposed to be in charge? Being afraid to speak out wanting to bring our soldiers home? Peace a stupid answer?

My heart truly does break and I am only able to keep it together by reaching out to other like minded souls that can support those in need.

Thank you all, DU'ers.....

Peace -
Ms. DD

[Diamond Dave]

7. SilverWeb, I do not have enough posts to pm you so here goes-

would you please alert the veterans forum, would you send a message to symbolman, H2O, hissyspit, Will Pitt and NanceG and anyone else you think might be interested on this update.

This post is falling like a rock - not enough celebrity in the name or enough posts to be paid attention to.

Thanks -

[Diamond Dave]

12. I forgot, can anyone find SwampRat? We need you............. n/t

Dear Swampie,
do you think you could create a piece of art for them to put onto a shirt or two just for them?

[silverweb]

19. Absolutely.

Sorry, I logged off last night before I saw these latest posts and am just getting started today. :D

I'll get right on it.

[silverweb]

20. Done.

Post in the Veterans' forum _here_, and PMs sent to the individuals you requested, as well as a couple of others I thought of.

This thread keeps falling because the General Discussion forum just moves too fast. Hopefully, others will be checking in soon and will keep it kicked.

Meanwhile... :kick:

[Diamond Dave]

6. DU sometimes appears to have ADD...... n/t

[tom_paine]

15. We all have ADD. It s a result of being suffused for decades in "quick-clip" advertising

designed to stimulate certain subcoscious centers while still being "slow" enough to evade subliminal advertising laws.

That is just one of many factors, but it's a big one. Notice how the "quick-clip" technique which started as an advertising way to get around the law but achieve nearly the same results, morphed and is now used by ALL entertainment industries as "hip" and "cool".

In reality, we are further disarming ourselves mentally and diseasing ourselves mentally. Near universal ADD among we Imperial Subjects of Amerika is one symptom of a much larger syndrome.

Anyway, this little diatribe is also a :kick: and a recommend.

This is the kind of stuff DU should be all over.

[Diamond Dave]

16. Thank you, and yes this is what DU and everyone here should be all

over. I went out, I did the homework, I made the contacts, Skylar and her group need the love and support DU has shown Ava many times and everyone is absent.

The VFP is on it today and I will continue on. If anyone here at DU cares to get involved, follow the links and the threads. I know there are a number of VFP guys & gals here. Stand up and count.

Thank you once again, I apologize for sounding harsh, I have a limited amount of tolerance, I'm truly sorry.

I just really believed DU wanted to get behind these kids, guess maybe I was wrong. It's okay. Unrealistic expectations, once again.

Goes with the territory, living in Texas, bush country, SMU, Library Land.

[tom_paine]

17. Part of the problem might be the title of your thread

When I looked at it Peace Shirt Coalition Update, it doesn't say anything relating to the urgency of the situation or that it is a request for help and support.

Maybe that is part of the problem. Maybe not enough people are clicking on this thread so no one is seeing it. I don't know.

Don't give up, try again sometime and think about a proper thread title to explain in few words that you are requesting help and support for these brave and patriotic young adults.

Is there any way I can contact the Peace Shirt Coalition that doesn't involve registering at MySpace? I don't have an account there and I do not wish to open one.

[Diamond Dave]

8. I'm really rather amazed, not one single rec out of 80+ views ---??

Is anyone really out there.......................

[demobabe]

9. kick

:kick: & Recommend...

[Diamond Dave]

10. Thanks, at least someone is paying attention and I hope will give

these kids some much needed support. I only wish I could share everything with you all. They truly do need some guidance on dealing with hate. You all have the avenues, make it happen.

[eShirl]

11. here's rec #4... do I hear 5?

[Diamond Dave]

13. Thank you - I just wish I knew how to use the PC we have optimally. (usage?)

Your cat is beautiful. Thanks for the rec - I've got to leave soon, please keep kicked up for early morning du'ers. Coffee, Stock Market Thread, GD .............................and away we go..........................

Most of all everyone here at DU - I don't care how you do it? Call the school, call VFP, send a message at their myspace page, give these ambassadors of our future, our kids, some backing, some love, some guidance, some wisdom, ask them how can we help them. Let them know we've been waiting for them. These kids, they are the future. We've been waiting for them to show up and they have been looking for us. The time is here, it has come, the time is now. Children of the '60's, our youngsters they are looking for us, they are looking for elders to show them a way......................

Guess what, they didn't know we were or have been waiting for them. They are absolutely thrilled to find out, they thought they were all alone,we thought they were not coming. Wow, guess what, they are here. How did we let that happen, how did we miss? Are we going to let them down? I for one certainly hope not. I look to GrannyD and Molly Ivins to guide us all out of this swamp.

[Diamond Dave]

14. Last kick to the top before I have to leave for the morning, I'm counting on you, DU!

:kick:
:woohoo:
and show some DU love to the Peace Shirt Coalition!

[justgamma]

18. k & r

That is horrible. These kids need to be supported.

[Hissyspit]

21. kick n/t

[silverweb]

24. Thanks for checking in, Hissyspit!

:hi:

[Ava]

22. i'm pming with contact info for skylar now

[silverweb]

25. Wonderful, Ava!

Thank you so much! :pals:

I've already PMs the group via their MySpace page and given them a link to this thread.

[immoderate]

23. Kickin' for kids who do good things.

--IMM

[silverweb]

26. Visit their MySpace page...

Check their page out _here_ and add them as friends if you have a page, too!

[silverweb]

27. Diamond Dave or Ms. Diamond Dave...

Ava sent you a PM, but I'm not sure if you got it because of what you said about not being able to PM because of not enough posts.

Would you please let Ava know by return post on this thread if you received her PM or not?

I'll be gone for a few hours, but will check back this evening.

[Ava]

28. we got in touch with each other

thanks. i'm going to talk with skylar tonight :hi:

[silverweb]

35. Wonderful!

Let us know how it goes. :hi:

[Diamond Dave]

29. Thank you all so much. Ava and Skylar are in touch soon.

Peace

This absolutely made a rather ugly day be absolutely wonderful! Once again, thank you all, DU.

[silverweb]

36. Wonderful.

Thank you for being the most direct organizational activist in helping these young people!

:loveya:

[Swamp Rat]

30. Here ya go:

I will email you a 300 dpi image shortly ;) :hi:

[Diamond Dave]

31. I just can not wait to meet you someday. You are the BEST!!

I talked with Ava - she's contacting Skylar. Thank you Swampie!!

Would you pm us with contact info to reach you, I just got off the phone with my very best friend in NO. Someday soon..............

[Swamp Rat]

32. Check your email now.

;) :hi:

[Diamond Dave]

38. I did - there is nothing there? ???

Once again, I just want to say thank you to all of you. We've helped with caring and compassion and together we all reached out and magic happened....

Symbolman, stay safe. Just really nice to know you are here.

I'm sure you could lift some spirits as well. You've been doing it for a long time for us here in the "belly of the beast" for quite some time.

[Swamp Rat]

39. Hmm....

I sent it to [email protected].

I thought that was you. My email shows that it was successfully sent.

Ok, I will try to upload it then PM it to you right now.

[Diamond Dave]

40. Oh, that explains it. David was a contact to help the Peace Shirt Coalition.

He's been helping get the word out for supporting them - afterdowningstreet - IMPEACH T's if they would like to have them.

Helping to put Ava in touch and we are talking about maybe sending some info to Dennis K and Elizabeth.

I'm pretty certain they would appreciate hearing of this group and would probably lend some small degree of support to them.

I'd really hate to be Ms. Masterson at this point in time. (asst vice principal of school in question). If I were........well , I'll just leave it alone............

[Diamond Dave]

41. Well it did go to someplace good! I can't wait to hear from David

on it. David is also the founder of afterdowningstreet.org I'm certain you just made a new friend.

Happy dance and :woohoo: one thousand and one times!

[silverweb]

37. Awesome graphic, Swamp Rat!

:loveya:

[symbolman]

33. Sorry

We're in Hawaii and have been getting bashed by near Hurricaine gusts and sheets of rain for the last few days, power has been out for near 6 hours now, don't know when it will be back, using last of IPhone battery to relay this..

Will check in later when not in survival mode :(

[silverweb]

34. Take care, symbolman.

I hope you have calm breezes and sunny skies soon!