collateral repair project

When I was visiting Seattle in May, I met Sasha Crow, a FCW who is working to help a women in Iraq who has lost her husband and has 5 children too raise. I was very inspired by her because this is why the FCW Society exists. We are a International Society committed to helping women every where. The FCW Society gives Sasha and the people who have donated to the Collateral Repair a big KUDOS!

Here is some infomation:

Dear All,

It is with a full heart and extreme gratitude that I write tonight to tell you that through your generous contributions in reply to my "urgent plea" last night, already $760 of the goal of $1000 has come in! Amazing! This means that the land for Nourija and family is paid for, along with almost all of her travel expenses! Now all we are hoping for is another $240 to complete Nourija's travel cost and to help pay the Western Union money transfer fee. With such rapid response already, I feel confident this goal will be met.

THANK YOU! You are amazing!

We would like for Nourija to know that there are "real people" who've contributed to make this happen. So, we are suggesting that anyone who wants to send a very short note to Nourija do so. Please keep your note to one or two sentences as I will paste them all to one email to send to Eman to give to Nourija. Since Nourija does not speak or read English, Eman will need to translate. We do not want to burden her with too much as she is extremely busy. Also, be sure to sign your name/s to your note.

Please send them to the Collateral Repair e-mail address:

info.crp@gmail.com

Again, our deepest gratitude for your generousity and caring. I know, for myself, because I am so often engaged at looking at the pain humanity inflicts on itself, sometimes I forget how truly loving and caring people are. Your contributions are not only a gift to this family, but are a gift to me in reminding me of the goodness of humanity. Thank you.

I will send another update when the funds are sent to Iraq. Soon after that we anticipate having more photos (of Nouija in Baghdad) on the web site and I'll send you notice then.

Best -

Sasha

www.collateralrepairproject.org

This just came from Eman - thought we all need to read it and to understand more fully what life is really like in Iraq right now - we need to respond to this as if it was happening in our own neighborhoods. Iraqis die and suffer while we here, with the best of intentions and what seems to be our utmost energy, have yet to come up with strategies that adequately address this situation's gravity. Let's find some creative and - most of all more effective and rapid ways to respond to the crisis that is Iraq under our occupation.

In peace through justice,
Sasha

From Eman:

well Sasha, I think we can tolerate no electricity, no water, nothing easy or available, but what we can not tolerate heads rolling in the streets. yesterday in a funeral, the man put the head of his son in the coffen. That is all. the situation is more than bad, it is undescirbable. Today there were violent clashes and explosions, where tens were killed in at least 5 provences in the north and the south, not to mention Baghdad. I do not know what to say, it is beyond words.

ANI DI FRANCO on feminism, patriarchy

Saw her in Central Park last night. She was amazing. I highly encourage everyone to go out and purchase Reprieve, her newest, when it comes out.

Check her comments on patriarchy:
The title of veteran singer/songwriter Ani DiFranco`s new album, 'Reprieve,' is both apt and ironic. The 35-year-old was forced off the road last year while recovering from extreme tendonitis in her wrists and hands. But, just as she has throughout her career, she remains restless as a political activist and musician.

To be released on Aug. 8 on DiFranco`s own Righteous Babe label, 'Reprieve' is a "hard look at patriarchy," according to the artist.

"It is kind of weird, in this day and age, to be talking about that particular subject. You`d think instead it`d be about the war or the government infrastructure or the kind of greed from that government that we`re subject to," DiFranco tells Billboard.com. "But I sort of see all these things stemming from this one thing. I think that patriarchy is the root of imbalance, the disease from which all these symptoms manifest."

"I`m not looking for the other extreme, but just for the consciousness of incorporating women into the permanent structure, as an essential ingredient for peace," she continues. "And that doesn`t mean just plugging them into a few seats in Congress, where they may just become part of the system. I`m talking about a permanent change, a part of the language." She laughs. "Is that heavy enough for you?"


She talked a lot about the power of words, and definitions, and how if you looked up feminism in a 1900 dictionary you waould have been like “femi-WHAT?” and we all laughed. “But just look at it now,” she said. Then she laughed about when being asked to “speak for the feminists” in interviews, “like there are a handful of us.” she said. “Like we’re a little club.” All the thousands of people there screamed. Then she talked about the definition of patriarachy she found in Webster’s - “a society controlled by men in which they exploit and use power to their own advantage”. “Hmm...” she said. Implying that even THAT was getting a little outdated, she said, “I simply define patriarchy as a society controlled by men...”

They’re on their way out, ladies! War and abuse are exploding around them in their faces. We will emerge strong, just, wise, and caring!!!

FCW ROCK! I gave out bunched of FCW flyers to cool women at the show....and got to give MY CD to Toshi Reagon, ANOTHER FCW who is a rocker from Brooklyn on Righteous Babe who opened for Ani, and then bought her CD and had her sign it. She was smoking a big huge cigar. It was hot.

LOVE THE LADIES WHO ROCK!

Amy Clarke
Singer/Songwriter, Keyboardist, Producer
ScorpFaery Productions
)O( everything she touches changes )O(

MS Magazine ROCKS

I leisurely spent this Sunday morning lying in bed, reading the Summer 2006 Issue of MS Magazine, cover to cover. I wish this could come out every week like the Sunday NY Times, maybe someday...

I wanted to share some of the HIGHLIGHTS!

Quotes, "One of my fantasies is to have lunch with her." Halle Berrry on Gloria Steinem in Glamour.
Well, Halle, FCWS has met Gloria and she rocks, I'm sure your lunch with her will be amazing.


DIXIE CHICKS' new album hit #1 and they have a strong anti-war song on it!

Christian Coalition is sinking in loss of revenue and lawsuits - there is trouble in the river city, thank GOD!


Next time some guy harrasses you on the street, use your photo phone and snap his pic and post it at www.hollabacknyc.com

Helen Reddy just wrote a book and accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award. She is a clilnical hypnotherapis and "This is the happiest time in my life: I'm single and intend to stay single because I have become the person I once intended to marry"
"I AM WOMAN" needs to be re-released!

Women lead Anti-War Sentiment, and 5 of the 12 women (105 total) who have been given the Nobel Peace Prize are forming Nobel's Women Initiative.

HEADLINE ARTICLE : Oil is a Feminist Issue.

Norway leads the world with have 40% of women in gov't and corporate leadership roles - the USA is ranked 51!

Women in Bysantium, a book published by Studion, 31-46 21st ST. #134, LIC, NY 11106

The Bysantine Society was clearly defined, talents rather than birthright, allowed those of even the humblest birth to ascend to hte highest positioin in the empire, that of empress. In very few societies, have women enjoyed a better position, or played a more important part, or had a greatere influence upon politics, government, and morals, than in Byzantium. Women engage in the study of medicine, there were women doctors and surgeons.

LOOKS LIKE A FCW SOCIETY!!

MS MAGAZINE is offering a special year membership in honor of the 40th anniversay of NOW, only $25. I highly recommend subscribing, spend your sunday in bed witih MS.
www.msmagazine.com

-trickydame