Ann was delighted and surprised when she saw the cake that CODEPINK Orlando had made with her edible book cover!
Also attending was Alan Grayson has spent the last four years of his life representing the whistleblowers of the Iraq war, filing dozens of citizen lawsuits against crooked contractors who have cheated American troops and taxpayers. He is the prosecuting attorney in all five fraud cases currently pending against contractors in Iraq. He is running for Congress in Orlando's 8th district. http://www.graysonforcongress.com/
Joe DuRocher introduced Col Ann Wright and Lydia Vickers from Florida for Peace and CODEPINK Florida told us a little bit more about the awesome patriot. Joe presented Ann with a copy of the letter he sent to President Bush along with his Naval Aviator Wings and shoulder boards in protest of the war in Iraq. He told us that Col Ann Wright was his inspiration to do that! His letter can be seen here: http://www.wagingpeace.org/articles/2006/03/04_durocher_veterans-letter.htm
Toni and Chip Dockery (another Vietnam Vet) joined us for dinner before Ann's talk. Both are very active at the First Unitarian church in Orlando and members of the Social Justice committee that meets monthly on the third Tuesday.
Retired Colonel Ann Wright here in Orlando!
DISSENT: Voices of Conscience. Government Insiders speak out against the war in Iraq.
Please join us in Orlando to celebrate the publication of Ann's new book:
Friday, Jan 25, 2008
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm ~ The First Unitarian Church of Orlando 1901 East Robinson Street Orlando, Florida 32803 codepinkorlando@gmail.com Books for signing will be available after the discussion along with coffee and dessert.
Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM ~ University of Central Florida Student Union Bldg. 4000 Central Florida Blvd. Orlando, FL 32816-0003 E-mail contact: global@mail.ucf.edu Books may be purchased at the UCF student bookstore.
Complete Florida Tour Schedule
http://www.codepinkflorida.blogspot.com/
During the run-up to war in Iraq, Ann Wright resigned her State Department post in protest. She had served in the U.S. military and diplomatic corps for 29 and 16 years respectfully, and she was among dozens of government insiders and active-duty military who spoke out, resigned, leaked documents, or refused to deploy. In Dissent: Voices of Conscience, she and coauthor Susan Dixon tell the stories of these men and women, who risked careers, reputations, and even freedom out of loyalty to the Constitution and the rule of law.
"When the actions of government become dangerous to the security of the nation, it takes a special courage for men and women inside the government to speak out. If we care about keeping democracy alive, we must welcome this book." —Howard Zinn"
More about Ann: http://www.globalexchange.org/getInvolved/speakers/206.html
VIDEO LINKS
Shut Down Guantanamo!
Colonel (Ret.) Ann Wright speaking at the meeting the night before the demonstration at the US Southern Command in Miami, Florida.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pV4go_QU3n8
International Human Rights Day
At a White House rally, on Dec. 10, 2007, Col. (Ret) Ann Wright sharply criticized the Bush-Cheney Gang for condoning torture around the world; and for its use of rendition (kidnapping) to send detainees to other countries that torture.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXqDdg02S14
"Ann Wright is not one to be silenced." Ms. Magazine
For more information, contact 850-241-3191, or visit http://www.voicesofconscience.com/
Dissent: Voices of Conscience, by Colonel (Ret.) Ann Wright and Susan Dixon. Foreword by Daniel Ellsberg Trade Paperback Original 296 pages $17.95 ISBN 9780977333844 Published by Koa Books www.koabooks.com Distributed to the trade by SCB Distributors, www.scbdistributors.com
