Come on people: now join with your . . .

So you'd like there to be a visible and vocal protest in this area every time the President decides to bomb Iraq -- or any other place. . .

There's a great speaker you'd like to have come to Modesto -- or singer -- or video you think other peace/environmental people would be interested in . . .

Come to the Modesto Peace/Life Center Annual Meeting, Saturday, February 27th with your ideas, dreams, and energy, and make it happen.

Around the Center

There were 740 participants in 1999 Peace Essay Contest which is now in the final stages of judging. The awards reception will be held on March 19th (see details and list of winners in next month's Connections).

The 16th annual Peace Camp is June 25-27, 1999, a weekend in the High Sierra for people of all ages. For next planning meeting: 529-5750.

ACTION: For more info or to get involved in these or other Peace/Life Center programs, attend the annual meeting, February 27 (see page 1) or phone 529-5750.

By NORMAN SOLOMON

Noam Chomsky has been the world's most important linguist since he revolutionized the study of language 40 years ago. In the United States, mainstream news outlets acknowledge his enormous stature in the field of linguistics. But the media response to Chomsky's work in the realm of politics is a different story.

During this decade, millions of Americans have been drawn to the books and speeches of Chomsky the political analyst. His vast knowledge, clarity and strong commitment to humane values make Chomsky an appreciated speaker -- and an energizing catalyst for social activism. At frequent appearances across the country, overflow audiences of thousands are routine.

News media in many foreign countries are eager for political discourse with Chomsky, who is a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It's symbolic that he is often at the studios of WGBH in Boston -- not to be interviewed on that public television station but to appear via satellite on broadcasts abroad.

For the most part, Chomsky has remained off the radar screen of U.S. mass media. With typical discretion, the nightly "NewsHour" program anchored by Jim Lehrer, on national PBS television, has interviewed Chomsky just once in 23 years.

Chomsky often arouses discomfort. That's fitting, says David Barsamian, an independent radio producer who has interviewed him many times.

"He's on the cutting edge -- he's pushing the envelope of permissible thought," says Barsamian. "He's challenging us to examine and re-examine our assumptions. He's like an avant garde musician, exploring and expanding the boundaries of ... the way people think."

Some of America's eminent journalists have derided Chomsky's assertion that the mass media disseminate propaganda. Asked about Chomsky's analysis, Jeff Greenfield, who was then with ABC, said: "Some of that stuff looks to me like it's from Neptune." Greenfield added that Chomsky's "notions about the limits of debate in this country" are "absolutely wacko."

Chomsky is an unwavering foe of authoritarian rule -- whether by governments or corporations. During the past three decades, dozens of Chomsky's books have exposed the undemocratic -- and sometimes brutal -- character of institutions revered by the American press.

His books, articles and speeches about the Middle East infuriate those who believe that the Israeli government can do little wrong. With meticulous documentation, Chomsky has denounced Israel's treatment of Palestinians and the touted "peace process." (Chomsky, who is Jewish, taught Hebrew early in his life. He and his wife Carol -- who both lived on a kibbutz for six weeks in 1953 -- had considered moving to Israel.)

Chomsky's approach to civil liberties has rankled people across the political spectrum. He sees Marxist-Leninist ideology as totalitarian, and he has been a steadfast foe of constraints on public debate in American society. His vehement support of absolute freedom of expression has earned him fierce denunciations -- which peaked nearly 20 years ago, when he defended the free-speech rights of a French denier of the Holocaust.

"I simply do not agree that the state, or any other system of organized power and violence, should have the authority to determine what people think or say," Chomsky explains. "If the state is granted the power to shut me up, my counter argument is not that what I am saying might be valuable. That would be a contemptible position, in my view." The best position, Chomsky says, is the defense of free speech.

Public radio stations in many regions, except the East Coast, air Chomsky interviews and speeches. But decision-makers at National Public Radio News -- ostensibly devoted to depth and breadth -- have avoided Chomsky like the plague. The number of times that he has been on "Morning Edition" or "All Things Considered" during the last quarter-century can be counted on one hand.

In a letter to the public-broadcasting newspaper Current four years ago, "All Things Considered" host Robert Siegel was remarkably dismissive -- sniffing that Chomsky "evidently enjoys a small, avid, and largely academic audience who seem to be persuaded that the tangible world of politics is all the result of delusion, false consciousness and media manipulation."

When I asked Siegel for clarification recently, he mentioned that he had interviewed Chomsky on "All Things Considered" once in 1988. "I should assure you that there are people of varied political stripes who believe they should be on NPR and are unfairly excluded," Siegel added. "The editor in chief of the New Republic, no political bedfellow of Professor Chomsky, has expressed himself in this regard."

But NPR News programs routinely present views in line with the editorial outlook of the New Republic. The airing of political perspectives akin to Chomsky's, however, is rare indeed. That's a key point: Avoidance of Chomsky is significant because it reflects media biases that operate across the board.

While Chomsky is out of step with the media powers-that-be, his efforts are in sync with broad movements for social justice throughout the world. They face massive obstacles, while corporate power -- boosted by economic globalization -- continues to consolidate itself.

At 70, Chomsky is working as hard as ever. No armchair thinker, he has long been contemptuous of "intellectuals posturing before one another." Human freedoms, he notes, are "never a gift from above." In the real world, "protection against tyranny comes from struggle."

At the close of his latest book, The Common Good, Chomsky comments on the struggles for human rights and democracy: "We've had plenty of successes; they're cumulative, and they lead us to new peaks to climb. We've also had plenty of failures. Nobody ever said it was going to be easy."

By SASHA KOFTINOW and STEFANIE EHMAN

Turlock High School and Amnesty International. Isn't that an oxymoron? Turlock is traditionally viewed as a small, conservative, religiously-based town which makes some people do a double-take when they hear that there is an Amnesty chapter located here. But a double-take is as far as their shock and curiosity goes. Most people at Turlock High, and in the community in general, just smile and nod when they hear that students are involved in Amnesty but lend little support, encouragement, or well-needed involvement. Overcoming widespread indifference and apathy to human rights issues is a task that the members of Turlock High's Amnesty group take on every day.

It is not that the club hasn't loudly expressed itself and tried to make itself known around the school and the community. We have gone far beyond in our quest for community recognition and support. Every first and third Tuesday of the month a letter writing meeting is held at Christina's Coffee House, put together by Stefanie Ehman and Sarah Souza. Everyone in the community is invited to come and write on behalf of people in various countries such as Tibet, East Timor, and even the USA. Club members have been in the Modesto Bee, Turlock Journal, and on Channel 14. In addition, banners and posters are constantly put up around the high school expressing the need for action and activists willing to help. Despite all of this there still seems to be no concern for Amnesty's efforts.

Members are constantly asking the question "why?"; why don't people seem to care that nuns and monks are being imprisoned in Tibet simply for their religious beliefs? Why doesn't anyone know about the harsh treatment of women in Afghanistan? One reason may be that people in this small, church-oriented community are simply not interested in events that are occurring across the ocean or perhaps even fourteen miles away. Turlock is already a somewhat isolated town. Why should its citizens worry about the crisis in Kosovo when they are too worried about the Valley's water being sent to Southern California?

But why don't students care? If the teenage years are epitomized by youthful idealism and activism, why isn't every Turlock High student out trying to save the world? This is obviously not a general occurrence in our small town. One factor is that many students adopt their parents political and social views. If mom and dad say that female genital mutilation is not a big deal the kids won't think it is either. Some parents also consider Amnesty to be a radical and liberal group. Therefore, many students also consider Amnesty to be too liberal for them. How can one justify that human rights and preservation are completely radical ideals?

For now our little club is trying to overcome this lack of concern.

We have 15 members out of 3,000 students. One cannot count the number of times an Amnesty member has looked gazingly towards Berkeley or San Francisco, or any other highly activist area. This makes me want to ask a question of the community: what is so scary about caring about someone else's basic human rights? Why is that wrong? Those questions will probably never be answered, at least not in Turlock. But there is a feeling of accomplishment in knowing 15 students at Turlock High are making a difference somewhere in the world.

ACTION: Go to the letter writing meetings at Christina's Coffee House in Turlock every first and third Tuesday of the month (sometimes these dates change). Write a letter to your local congress-person or to the President of the United States on behalf of Tibet or any other country where there are significant human rights abuses. The internet is an awesome resource for research.

By TINA ARNOPOLE DRISKILL

DIALOGUE, a new forum series organized by Joshua Pollack of The Bookstore, will present speakers from various religious, scientific and other disciplines, the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m at The Bookstore, 1700 McHenry Avenue, Modesto.

Kirpal Singh Grewal will represent the Sikh religion on Feb. 7. His presentation will include musical demonstrations of Sikh hymns.

A discussion of the Baha'i Faith will be facilitated by Renaldo Raeheim on Feb. 21.

The Bookstore also is sponsoring open mic poetry readings the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month from 7 p.m. to closing.

All DIALOGUE and poetry sessions are free and open to the public.

ACTION: If you wish to participate, have a suggestion for future DIALOGUE programs or have questions concerning The Bookstore's outreach schedule, call 521-0535 or reach Josh, DIALOGUE coordinator, at dakba@pc-intouch.com

Who is without health care coverage?

(As concern mounts regarding the health care system and escalating costs, this article pinpointing the plight of the working poor is taken from national Church Women United newsletter)

• Nearly all elderly persons are covered through Medicare, therefore most uninsured people are individuals under the age of sixty-five. While the majority of people still receive health insurance through their employers, growing numbers of people lack insurance because their employers don't provide it.

• The uninsured are predominately workers and their families, many of whom have low incomes and work in jobs without benefits. Twenty-two million workers are uninsured, over half of them employed full-time.

• One in five children in the U.S. is uninsured. More than 85% of these children live in families in which at least one person is working full time. With an average annual salary of $20,000 for a low wage, uninsured worker, premiums are far from affordable.

• Due in part to Medicaid's eligibility categories, low-income young men are more likely to be uninsured than are women.

• The dismantling of the Welfare system severed the link between welfare and Medicaid. Overall, the changes have resulted in a large population of former welfare recipients in need of Medicaid who no longer have access to it. Being poor does not automatically qualify a person for Medicaid.

• Write a letter to the editor about the increased demands on the Medicaid system because of a lack of employee health coverage and changes in the welfare system.

• Urge your legislators to make access and quality of health care a priority in the new session.

• Join local or state health care advocacy coalitions to bring the needs of the uninsured to bear on state Medicaid guidelines.

STANISLAUS COUNTY LIBRARY ELECTION UPDATE

"The work done at libraries across the country is the most cost-effective investment in learning that we make and they have all too often been neglected because they don't have a big union and they don't have a big lobby and they don't count in the way people keep score nowadays; but if you care about knowledge, here is a place to spend more, not less, money."

— Newt Gingrich
January 5, 1995

By NANCY C. SMITH
Modesto Friends of the Library

At this time there is nothing to add to last month's article about the June 8, 1999 election to continue the one-eighth of one percent sales tax to supplement library funding. In next month's issue look for information about how to volunteer to help on the campaign and where to send donations. The campaign will not be run by the library or library staff, but will be financed by donations from dedicated library patrons and volunteer-staffed and run.

For now, remember VOTE FOR THE LIBRARY ON JUNE 8, 1999, and watch for further information next month.

By NANCY DIMOND

Tina asked me if I was going to submit a chocolate type recipe for Valentine's Day. These cookies are a childhood favorite. I think the recipe came from the Moultrie County Farm Bureau Cookbook, printed sometime back in the 60's. My mother has since lost the cookbook, but the cookies have lingered as a family favorite.

Three-layer chocolate cookies

Layer 1:

1/2 cup margarine
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 egg, beaten slightly
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Melt margarine then add each of the following ingredients one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Pat mixture into a 9x13 pan.

Layer 2:

1/4 cup margarine
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons light cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
powdered sugar

Melt margarine in saucepan. Combine together the cornstarch and granulated sugar. Add this mixture to the margarine, blend thoroughly. Then add the light cream and stir constantly over medium heat until thick and smooth. Remove from the heat and add vanilla. Add powdered sugar until mixture is the consistency of icing. If the mixture has lost its sheen, you've added too much powdered sugar. Correct this by adding small amounts of cream until sheen returns. Spread this over the first layer and chill in refrigerator while preparing layer 3.

Layer 3:

(1) 9 3/4 oz. Hershey's chocolate bar

Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler. The water in the bottom half of the pan should be simmering, not boiling. When this is melted, spread on top of the layers already chilled. Chill this 20 minutes, then score the top. You need to score the top so that when it is finished chilling the top chocolate layer won't crack. Return the bars to the refrigerator and chill for two more hours.

By GERRY MUDGE

The YMCA of Stanislaus county is about people. We build strong kids, strong families and strong communities. The YMCA is an association of people -- men, women and children of all ages, ethnic origins, religious appreciation and socioeconomic levels who are unified by the common purpose of strengthening and enriching their mental, spiritual and physical well-being. Numerous children and their families have been helped by the YMCA over the years and we take pride in the opportunity we have to serve our community.

The YMCA offers a variety of membership levels to meet the needs of families, including the Nautilus and Cardio Center, 25 yard Indoor Lap/Recreational pool and a warmer therapy pool, air-conditioned gymnasium, weight training clinics, water exercise classes, nutrition and fitness classes, body fat evaluations, aerobics classes, fitness orientations and the use of the weight room, volleyball and 3 racquetball courts. An additional Family Membership features free Youth Sports Programs, free karate classes, one free session of swim lessons per family every six months and free Tot Watch.

YMCA Program Membership is for families who only intend to use a few YMCA programs during the year. Program Membership allows you to enroll in YMCA programs such as swim lessons, karate, child care, day camp or resident summer camp. General use of the facility is not included. The Program membership fee is waived for seniors and disabled persons. There are also Group/Corporate Memberships. Companies with more than 5 employees are eligible to become Corporate VIP Members at special group rates.

The YMCA offers a very diverse fitness program with over 45 aerobics classes throughout the week including Sit-n-Fit, beginning to advanced step, body sculpt, combo and more. We also offer Hatha Yoga and low-impact senior aerobics.

The YMCA offers an excellent Child Care program including year-round day camp for children on year-round school schedules. Activities include field trips, arts and crafts, sports, swimming, quiet games and homework time. There are special events for the children throughout the year.

Camp Jack Hazard in the Sierra Nevada mountains, offers resident summer fun and challenging experiences to be remembered for many years.

The YMCA offers a variety of Youth Sports including Flag Football, T-Ball, Kickball, Coed, Girls and Boys Basketball. There is a YMCA Earth Leadership Corps (YELC) for teens, a service club that meets regularly centered around personal growth through challenging service. YELC members will strive to increase their leadership and team work skills through adventure and wilderness based activities such as backpacking, rock climbing, cross-country skiing and white water rafting. All teens are welcome.

Adult sports include Volleyball Leagues, Volleyball Clinics, Indoor Soccer Leagues and Basketball.

The YMCA offers an outstanding aquatics program in our two heated indoor swimming pools. Adult aquatics classes include waterwalking, stroke recovery, water exercise, arthritis aquatics, and water rehabilitation. We also offer adult swim lessons and even a scuba certification course.

Youth aquatics classes are available for parents and children as young as 6 to 36 months old in our Youth Skippers program. We have advancing swim classes, ages 3 to 5 for non-swimmers, beginners, advanced swimmers and children who are ready for the Progressive program. Our progressive Swim Program is for youth ages 6 to 12, from beginning non-swimmer to advanced. There is even a Porpoise Club for 7th to 12th graders who can apply their skills to an ever-widening circle of aquatic activities.

The YMCA welcomes people from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Through the efforts of United Way and the YMCA Support Campaigns, scholarships are available for those in need. Belonging to the YMCA is a tremendous value for everyone. We emphasize the importance of character development and ideals of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. The YMCA has been a part of America for nearly one hundred fifty years. When you belong to the :"Y" you become a part of that tradition and its principles. We appreciate the work of our members, volunteers and friends and thank them for their support.

ACTION: We are located at 2700 McHenry Ave, Modesto. Come by and take a tour or call 578-YMCA.

By JUNE HENSON

The Earthlink Ecology Club had its first fund-raiser December 9, 1998 and it was a wonderful success. We had an all-you-can-eat organic garden brunch for a donation of five dollars. Over 55 people attended the event. All the money raised will be used towards funding Earth Day this coming spring (April 22).

I asked some guests to tell me what they thought about the event and I'm pleased to say their responses were all positive. I asked Ida Bowers what she thought and her response was, "It's about time!"

"The food was good and healthy. There was wonderful energy and a special atmosphere," Dr. Rhoda E. MacDonald replied, "The ambiance was what you would find in an elegant restaurant. This one was better because it served organic food. I would like to see this type of dining become available throughout California." Myrtle Osner stated, "The food was delicious. I was very happy that it was an organic meal. There was a very good selection of food." Denise Hopkins said, " The event was informative and enjoyable. The atmosphere was very nice, elegant, educational and relaxing. The food was tasty." Dr. Eric Karlstrom replied, "Very well done. Nice meal and very healthy. I'm looking forward to the next one. I feel it was under attended but it had great music."

We would like to thank all of our co-sponsors for donating the organic food: Cornucopia Natural foods on Coffee Rd., Modesto; Turlock Health Foods, Lander Ave; the Modesto Garden project off Robertson Rd.; and Village Health Foods in McHenry Village, Modesto. We also thank Eric Karlstrom and his band for playing live music and the Botany club for donating all the beautiful plants. The club truly appreciates your support as well as the support of all of the guests who came.

The Earthlink Ecology club needs as much community support as possible in order to keep functioning. It was a comforting feeling to see so many people working and interacting together for a common cause; preserving planet Earth. I was delighted to see the enjoyment on everyones' faces as they ate and listened to music.

The club members did a great job organizing and running the event. The fund-raiser turned out better than we anticipated. I personally thank all the people who made this event possible.

Because the event went so well the club has decided to make this an annual event to be held in early spring. We hope to see you there.

By MYRTLE OSNER

Those of you who have attended the Tule Fog Fete in the past will remember it as a lot of fun, even if the fog seemed a little dense. Sunday February 28 from 11 am to 3 pm. is the date to show up at Caswell State Park just over the county line in San Joaquin County and join in the fun.

The Great Valley Museum sponsored event for all ages has plenty of naturalists, food and activity available. One of the highlights this year will be more animals. The Museum will bring the alligator found in a canal last fall (even at his young age he looks a bit fierce and he sure has a lot of teeth). Alligators grow a foot a year so he may be cute right now, but he won't be forever.

Pat Winter will bring her bats; they are all sizes and kinds. Then there will be animals from the Stanislaus Wildlife Care Center, where animals go to recover from injuries before being returned to their wild homes.

Activities include naturalist-led walks among the riverine habitat (edge of the river to you). Some of the valley's largest remaining native valley oaks line the Stanislaus River at Caswell Park. While much of the valley was once covered with these wonderful trees, most are gone forever and, unless we take care of our river channels, more will not survive the onslaught of people bent on "civilizing" the flood plain and bottom land.

Other activities include games and an obstacle course for all ages, as well as the blue grass band named (appropriately) Zero Visibility.

The piéce de résistance, though, is the Pea Soup Contest. To enter, get the rules from the Museum.

Food will be available for purchase, or you can bring your own lunch. If it's cold, you'll appreciate the hot stuff.

The Tule Fog Fete had to be canceled the last two years because the entire park was flooded for months. Of course, this is a natural event and good for the habitat around the river, but floods do make major changes in the landscape. So it will be nice to go back and see what has happened.

The only cost is the park entrance fees of $4 per person or $l2 per vehicle (up to 8 people).

Take the Ripon exit and follow Main Street west, turn left on Austin Rd., go to the end. See you there!

ACTION: call the Great Valley Museum, 575-6196.

Bridge of Light

I dare not live my life backwards
drowning
in the cloudy nostalgia
of useless struggles,
tied to old pleasures
which have nothing new to teach me.

I don't have time to spare for reruns,
no matter how entertaining
they were the first time,
no time for bathing
in the same muddied water.

Not while I have a choice
Not while Life waits
to introduce the Universe to me,
to coax me sometimes gently,
sometimes not so gently,
across a bridge of light and
up the path on the other side
towards the outstretched arms
of my better self.

It's happening even now.

I will leave a trail for you
which you may choose to follow.

— Sheila D. Landre

By TINA ARNOPOLE DRISKILL

The popular Kaleidoscope Concert Series, which has established a reputation for bringing outstanding family entertainment to Stanislaus county, will continue to delight area families in 1999 with children's theatre and a family circus.

The California Theatre Center will present Hansel & Gretel, the Brothers Grimm children's classic, on Feb. 27 with a 1 p.m. pre-party and a 2 p.m. performance at the State Theatre, 1307 J Street, Modesto, and a 6 p.m. pre-party and 7 p.m. performance at Turlock Junior High School, 3951 North Walnut Rd., Turlock. Both performances are recommended for kindergarten through 5th grade age children.

The NEW Pickle Circus, billed as "a spectacular one-ring, all human extravaganza," will present their "hip," but all-ages-welcome mix of wit, slapstick and dexterity for one show only on Thursday March 25 at Modesto High School Auditorium, 1st & H Streets, Modesto. A pre-party will begin at 6 p.m. followed by the juggling, tumbling, dance-through-hoops buffoonery performance at 7 p.m.

Tickets for each performance (including pre-party) are $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and children under age 13. Purchase them by mail, at the door or at Ragamuffin (1700 McHenry Ave., Modesto), Arthur's Party Store (1239 McHenry Ave., Modesto), Carnegie Arts Center (250 North Broadway, Turlock) or Stanislaus Arts Council (1100 Kansas Ave., Ste. F, Modesto). A special free ticket is being offered with each three tickets purchased. Financial assistance and tickets also are available at Turlock Recreation Services, 301 Starr Ave. and Modesto Community Services Department, Modesto City Hall, 801 11th St.

ACTION: For ticket or other information, call 558-8628, 577-5286 or 668-5550.