Too much of the pie

May 2, 2013
"If the U.S. discretionary budget were a pie, Pentagon spending would easily make up more than half of it. Because so many resources are devoted to the military, fewer resources are available for programs like job training, transportation, and support for those struggling to overcome poverty in this country and around the world." http://www.thirdway.com/WV/?Page=7781|Too+Much+of+the+Pie

“If the U.S. discretionary budget were a pie, Pentagon spending would easily make up more than half of it. Because so many resources are devoted to the military, fewer resources are available for programs like job training, transportation, and support for those struggling to overcome poverty in this country and around the world.”
http://www.thirdway.com/WV/?Page=7781|Too+Much+of+the+Pie

Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach writes about military spending in the discretionary budget for the latest Third Way Cafe.

When President Obama released his budget for Fiscal Year 2014 a few weeks ago, he requested $527 billion for the Pentagon and another $88 billion in war spending.

While a slight decrease from last year’s request, the request ignores the automatic cuts that kicked in this spring, coming in at $50 billion more than allowed by budget caps.

Read the entire article here.

Leave a Comment » | Articles, Militarism | Permalink
Posted by Jesse Epp-Fransen

Now is the time for Peace!

April 1, 2013

Christ is risen, hope lives. Read about what hope means in Colombia in Theo Sitther’s latest article in Peace Signs.

There are plenty of reasons for hope during this Easter season. Remembering the death and resurrection of Christ brings renewed joy and hope of new life. While it can sometimes be difficult to find reasons for hope in political contexts, we are beginning to see signs of hope in Colombia as the government of Colombia and the largest rebel group have entered into peace negotiations.

Read the entire article here.

Find out how you can get involved through Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia here.

Leave a Comment » | Articles, Latin America/Caribbean | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Jesse Epp-Fransen

Citizens of God’s Kingdom

March 7, 2013

Kansas2 Over 100 people gathered this past weekend in Wichita, Kansas, for a two-day workshop on immigration issues titled “Citizens of God’s Kingdom.” Hope Mennonite Church hosted the event on March 1-2, 2013, with planning and logistical support from the MC USA Western District Conference Reference Council.

Kansas3Staff from MCC U.S. and MC USA led discussions around various topics, including:  the theology of immigration, our own immigration stories, root causes, immigration history and law, problems and profits of immigration enforcement, and Christian advocacy. Those in attendance also heard stories from recent migrants in the Newton-Wichita community, helping them to think about what it means to truly be Citizens of God’s Kingdom.

For more information about this workshop or how to bring a similar workshop to your region, contact Tammy Alexander, TammyAlexander@mcc.org.

MCC Washington Office immigration page

Workshop presentations and resources:

PPTs:  Quilting our stories | Root causes | Law & enforcement | Advocacy

Action:  5 action steps | My family migrated from…

Immigration reform proposals:  U.S. Senate | White House

Law:  Flow chart | Scenarios

Other resources:  Scripture reflections | 4 facts about border enforcement | Fall immigration update

Leave a Comment » | Events, Immigration, Resources | Permalink
Posted by Tammy Alexander

President Obama’s Legacy

January 30, 2013

Theo Sitther writes about President Obama’s legacy in the latest Third Way Cafe.

We can hold President Obama accountable to his words about human rights and resolving conflicts peacefully by encouraging him to act justly and with mercy toward all people.

Read the entire article here.

Leave a Comment » | Articles | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Jesse Epp-Fransen

Massacre of innocents

January 22, 2013

Jesse Epp-Fransen reflects on the massacre of innocents in light of the current political debate concerning gun  violence.

The story of the Massacre of the Innocents in Matthew seems out of place in a story of good news and glad tidings. During the Christmas season, when we celebrate the coming of the Lord with angels and shepherds and kings, this tale of infanticide is shocking and upsetting.

Yet this past Christmas, the national coverage of the Newtown, Conn., shooting made this story terribly fitting.

Matt. 2:16-18, the only account of the massacre, reads: “When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men.

Read the entire article here.

Leave a Comment » | Articles, Crime and Justice | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Jesse Epp-Fransen

Reforming immigration

December 13, 2012

Tammy Alexander writes about immigration reform in the latest Mennonite World  Review.

“I believe in the idea of amnesty for those who have put down roots and lived here, even though sometime back they may have entered illegally.” Those words were uttered by Ronald Reagan in 1984 during a presidential debate with Walter Mondale. Reagan was speaking about citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

In recent years, few politicians have been brave enough to use the term “amnesty” — unless they were speaking out against it. Instead, the U.S. Congress has focused on enforcement measures, such as building hundreds of miles of border fence and funding dozens of new private immigrant detention facilities. The majority of policy proposals and much of the rhetoric have been hostile to immigrants.

Read the entire article here.

Leave a Comment » | Articles, Immigration | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Jesse Epp-Fransen

HIV: No Longer a Death Sentence

December 7, 2012

Patricia Kisare writes about the U.S. commitment to addressing HIV in the latest Third Way Cafe.

To achieve an AIDS-free generation, care and medicine must be provided to every HIV-positive person while keeping focus on preventing new infections. Antiretroviral medicines have proven to reduce the chance of transmission by 96 percent. Therefore, as more HIV-positive people get medication, the less likely they are to infect others. In addition to treatment, it is essential to continue making all other prevention tools accessible, especially to people who are at most risk.

Read the entire article here.

Leave a Comment » | HIV/AIDS, Articles | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Jesse Epp-Fransen

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