Thursday 23 June 2016

Doukhobor Peace Day 2016

Message to the 121st Commemoration of the Doukhobor Peace Day

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Spirit,

Although we the Doukhobors do not venerate saints, the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul on June 29th (Old Style), July 12 (New Style) has traditionally been a day of celebration for us.

Since 1895, this date has acquired a new significance as a commemoration of the Burning of Arms, the Doukhobors’ destruction of their weapons, as a symbol of our refusal to participate in state-sponsored killing. It is now celebrated by our descendants as simply the Doukhobor Peace Day or originally as ‘Peter’s Day’.

As we celebrate this 121st year of this historic event which transformed us from a sect to a social movement, let us rededicate our commitment to the the spirit of love, beauty and God within all of us.

We gather today at a time when the Cold War is warming up in our world and nuclear annihilation is again a threat. As Spirit Wrestlers (Doukhobors), we need to renew our appeal to our conscience and heart and speak up for the creation of a nonkilling world. We owe this to our children, grandchildren, and to all members of the human family.

As we sing today, let’s raise our voice for humanity: ‘Leaders of the world, wake up before it is too late. The way to peace is nonkilling peace.’

My well wishes to all,
Koozma J. Tarasoff
Ottawa, Canada

Tuesday 21 June 2016

American 'Citizen Diplomats' in Russia

Peace and Friendship Tour — June 15-30, 2016.

An unofficial group of 20 Americans, who disagree with the official US government policy, are conducting their own 'grassroots' citizen diplomacy in Russia for 2 weeks.

Volunteer American public figures, former government officials, teachers, doctors from Washington, Salem OR, San Francisco and New York, are traveling through Moscow, Crimea (Yalta, Simferopol, and Sevastopol), Krasnodar, and St. Petersburg.

Center for Citizen Initiatives peace tour in Crimea, ~20 June 2016.

The trip was organized by the Center for Citizen Initiatives (CCI), San Mateo, California, headed by Sharon Tennison, president and founder. CCI did similar trips in February to St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Volgograd; and in previous years. The CCI website states:
'Our chief objective will be to get a realistic understanding of Russia today, from students at their universities to policy makers in their offices. We will engage in informal discussions with Russian businessmen and women, NGO organizers, physicians, educators, working journalists and families in their homes. Dividing up in groups of four Americans each day, we will have different experiences which will later develop into a composite picture of what collectively we have learned.'
To unite Russians and Americans in Crimea, they are meeting local officials and citizens, will do a short tour of the South Coast, and swim for peace and friendship in the Black Sea at Yalta.

Among the 20 citizen delegates are:
Dr. Gould and 3 others probably joined after the list was published, bringing the total count to the 20 reported in the Russian news.

Col. Wright acknowledged:
'Sanctions policy never works, ...'; and 'I admire the courage of the Crimean people who despite all sanctions, they say that they will do what they see fit, and not what everyone wants from them.'
Raymond McGovern described the distorted view Americans have of Russia and stressed:
'It is very important for us to come here ourselves and to see and hear about events from their direct participants, because we can not fully rely on the information that we presented to the American media.'
'People shape our policy towards Russia seems to have no idea of ​​what threatens escalation.'
Elizabeth Murray added that 'in her country, there is no complete and objective information on how Crimeans live and what has changed in their lives over the past two years.'

The Crimean newspaper South-Yalta reported:
'Our American colleagues wanted to make sure that the Crimeans do not live under the pressure of the authorities [and] that it is their personal choice. They are very surprised to see just such Yalta, because their media show peninsula in a different light. Upon arrival in America, these public figures will share their experiences in the local press.'
Video reports should be posted at CCI, as they did for previous trips. See 21 videos, most aired on 'Present!', KMVT 15, Mountain View Community Television, Silicon Valley, California. The videos feature 1.5 hours with Vladimir Posner, who explains the danger of NATO aggression, American mistreatment, misunderstanding and other topics.

The Americans are following delegations to Crimea from France (June 2015), Israel (Feb 2016), Italy (May 2016), Germany (May 2016), China (May 2016), Greece and Iraq who were seeking business and trade relations, which initially confused some Russian reporters and is repeated in secondary reports.

Tennison is a 30-year citizen diplomat and advocate for peace with Russia, and owns an apartment in St. Petersburg. Though an advocate trying to help Russia, in February she was arrested and detained until Russian officials realized the CCI 'were Americans of goodwill just trying to find a way to build bridges with Russian citizens.'

Primary Russian News, 21 June 2016

Экс-аналитик ЦРУ в Крыму призывает к диалогу между РФ и США
(Former CIA analyst in the Crimea calls for dialogue between the Russian Federation and the United States)

Делегаты из США считают нарушением прав людей "блокады" Крыма
(Delegates from the United States considers a violation of the rights of people 'blockade' of the Crimea)

Делегация из США прибыла с деловым визитом в Крым
(The US delegation arrived on a business trip to the Crimea)

Американская делегация предложила создать общество дружбы Крыма и США
(The American delegation proposed to create a Crimea and US friendship society)

Американцы в Ялте устроят заплыв за мир и дружбу
(Americans in Yalta will swim for peace and friendship)

Полковник США в отставке: восхищаюсь мужеством крымчан
(A retired US Colonel admires the courage of Crimeans)

Правозащитница из США: мы не боимся санкций за посещение Крыма
(The human rights activist from the United States: 'We are not afraid of sanctions for visiting Crimea')

Общественница из США: в Крыму видны позитивные изменения
(Social activist from the United States: 'Positive changes can be seen in the Crimea')

Американская делегация восхищается мужеством крымчан
(The American delegation admires the courage of Crimean).

Мэр американского города поприветствовал симферопольцев
(The mayor of Simferopol welcomed the Americans)

Делегат из США рассказал, что американцы знают о Второй мировой войне
(A delegate from the United States said that the Americans know about World War II)

US Delegation Visiting Crimea to Promote Citizen-to-Citizen Dialogue, Sputnik International

В Крым приехали американские общественники [фото]
(American public figures arrived in Crimea [photo]), "Искра"

Member of US delegation says its visit of Crimea symbolically breaks sanctions, TASS.

Делегация из США встретится в Крыму со столичными властями (The U.S. delegation will meet with the Belarusian authorities in Crimea ), РИА Крым, 19 June 2016.

American Blogs

Russians Ask "Why Do Do You Demonize Us When We Are So Much Like You?". Center for Citizen Initiatives, 4 July 2016.

We Just Arrived Back From Russia, Center for Civil Initiatives (CCI), 2 July 2016.

Call for a National Debate on U.S. “Regime Change” Policy, Center for Civil Initiatives (CCI), 20 June 2016.

St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Volgograd, February 4-19, Center for Civil Initiatives (CCI), February 19, 2016.

Defender of Putin, Detained in Russia: American Activist Deemed U.S. 'Agent', Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty, 17 February 2016.

On the Ground in Russia, Huffington Post, 28 July 2015. — Summary of 2015 trip.

Russia Report on Putin, by Sharon Tennison, Johnson's Russia List, 21 April 2014

Books

The Power of Impossible Ideas: Ordinary Citizens' Extraordinary Efforts to Avert International Crises, by Sharon Tennison, 2012.

Discovering Soviet-West Cooperation. A Handbook on Soviet-West Bridge-Building Initiatives, by Koozma J. Tarasoff. First limited edition publication by Peace Train Foundation, Ottawa, Canada, October 1991.

Sunday 19 June 2016

Canada — Stop Aggression Abroad !

Introduction: According to a report by Lee Berthiaume 'Canada courted as Russian bulwark' in National Post, published in Ottawa Citizen, June 18, 2016, page NP5:
'Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan met this week with Latvian and Norwegian counterparts in Brussels. Norwegian officials say no decision has been made whether the country will contribute troops alongside Canada. Similarly, Sajjan's office says the government is "actively exploring options" to help NATO.'
NATO aggression in encircling the Russian Federation, playing war games, and demonizing it 'as an aggressor' is a dangerous game in a nuclear world. To avert Canada from being complicit in this war, I felt a need to send a personal letter to Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada.

By Mike Peters. Mother Goose and Grimm, 2016-06-12, Image Number: 143737.
Transformative fair use: A nuclear war means end of the world.

The Letter (June 18, 2016)

Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister of Canada
House of Commons
Ottawa

Dear Prime Minister,

I am writing this on behalf of my children, grandchildren and other children of the world (including yours). Wars are not healthy around the world. According to international law, wars are genocidal especially in invading weaker nations without legal reasons, as has been done and is being done by USA dominated NATO in many countries of Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Presently NATO is trying to persuade Canada to be an active part of its alliance from the Baltic to the Black Sea. Prime Minister, please STOP THIS AGGRESSION.

This uncivilized behaviour is liable to get Canada being taken to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Prominent scholars and filmmakers such as Stephen S. Cohen, Noam Chomsky, Johan Galtung and John Pilger are very concerned that this NATO-led escalation is threatening world peace. In a nuclear age, this is suicide.

Canada should 'keep its nose clean' by staying out of this conflict and urging nations to focus on bridge-building (such as with the current space program), honest negotiations, peace-making and nonkilling.

I am appalled that the Canadian government last September hosted President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine who today has ordered the killing of its Russian citizens in the Ukraine. This is double standard that is not acceptable in a peaceful world. As a citizen of Canada, I urge you and your cabinet to immediately STOP BEING A PARTY TO THE COLD WAR IN EASTERN EUROPE! Bring your troops home.

In search of truth and a nonkilling solution,

Sincerely,

Koozma J. Tarasoff
Ottawa, Ontario



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Monday 6 June 2016

Will Business Start a War With Russia?

STOP, DANGEROUS FOR LIFE
A few days ago I read this article: Warning! Neocons Are Close To Starting a Nuclear War With Russia, Dmitry Orlov in Russian Insider, June 1, 2016.

Neocons is short for neoconservativism, a political term coined in 1973 to label politicians who hire big businesses to fight communism and conduct wars so the US can police the world.

Here’s what I think and want to add to simplify the article:

Trust — Russia can no longer trust most of the American-managed rhetoric of so-called democracy, superiority, justice and truth. The US dominated NATO lied to Russia in the early 1990s when it promised not to advance towards Russia. The US now encircles Western Russia and is a threat to its security.

Media — The Western media takes every opportunity to demonize Russia and President Putin. That is not honest journalism, but a takeover by western corporate interests. The West must acknowledge that the
USSR won World War II, with 27 million deaths and defeating fascism. 90% do know know this fact.

More dangerous signs:
What is needed is a major change of orientation by the West from war thinking to peace, from extreme capitalism to a form of democratic socialism, working together instead of fighting each other. Hopefully we in the West will wake up and help our people to change the orientation towards a more respectful relationship with other members of the human family.

You see how complicated and dangerous the world is today.

US Superpower — The United States (US) insists in remaining the world's superpower. It has over 1,000 military bases around the world, a CIA, Pentagon, many NGOs, and a media too often spreading propaganda and lies. But other countries have legitimate interests. The superpower model should be replaced by regionalism and equality of nations.

Huge budget — The US annually spends US $1.7 trillion on its military, because big business needs to profit from war and government needs to perpetuate the notion of a superpower, and regime changer if necessary. More spending should go to social services, infrastructure, etc.

Problems — The US is facing formidable problems not well known or understood.
  • Its economy is in bad shape (debt to China is $1.24 trillion, January 2015).
  • It has the largest prison population in the world, 2.2 million, and many work like slaves for private companies.
  • Its deteriorating physical infrastructure such as railroads and bridges is horrendous.
  • Gun violence is endemic with more private weapons than any country; 32,000 people killed yearly with guns.
  • Many lack adequate health care.
  • Public education is often narrow and expensive.
And we can go on. The American Empire is on the way to collapse within a decade or two unless drastic changes are made.

Extreme capitalism is doomed. Profit at any costs (even war) cannot be sustained. The rich cannot maintain gross inequality. Too much money for a small portion of the top 1% disrespects the worth of the wider humanity. A cooperative sharing relationship is urgently needed.

See next blog: Canada — Stop Aggression Abroad !, 19 June 2016.

Friday 3 June 2016

Q72: 1924 Train Explosion Files Still Secret?

Mich Ozeroff, Langham, Saskatchewan, May 31, 2016, wrote:

One cloudy and dull afternoon last February I 'googled' Farron, B.C. and was introduced into a topic many of us have heard about for many long years — 'explosion on the Kettle Valley line, the death of Peter Verigin'.

Great Unsolved Mysteries in Canadian History.
Explosions on the Kettle Valley Line. The Death of Peter Verigin

I spent two or three days reading the list of articles printed leading up to the death of Mr. Verigin, much of which I've heard before until I read about the 'inquest' and was surprised and amazed at what I read in the last paragraph in the inquest report.
'In late April, 1925, six months after the event, neither the CPR nor the B.C. ministry of the attorney general had a copy of the transcript of the Nelson inquest because the court stenographer had not completed it. In fact, even today, the B.C. Archives does not appear to possess a complete transcript of the Nelson inquest, as the typewritten numbering shows 57 pages missing out of a total of 138 pages.'
This is just about beyond comprehension, in this country, for this to have happened and still presumably not corrected. Have you heard if these missing pages have been accounted for and can I as a citizen get a 'complete copy' of the inquest into the death of Peter V. Verigin in Farron, British Columbia in 1924?


Answer

In October 29, 1924, Peter V. Verigin and eight others were killed in a mysterious train explosion in the mountains between Castlegar and Grand Forks, British Columbia. The case remains unsolved.

Like you, many Doukhobors are frustrated that the BC government or someone else is still hiding our history by not releasing these files for more than 85 years. Also, we have no idea if the USA FBI has any files on this case.

In 1977 Larry Ewashen made a public video about his struggle to get access: “The Death of Peter V. Verigin & Freedom of Information,” shown on the CBC program “Ombudsman.”

Larry concludes that we need an act of Parliament, like the more liberal Freedom of Information Act in the USA, to get these files. Is the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act protecting the privacy rights of unknown individuals, such as government officials?

For now, the most comprehensive work about this file is online at the Great Unsolved Mysteries in Canadian History. Explosions on the Kettle Valley Line. The Death of Peter Verigin.

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