SCOTT RITTER, author of Target Iran, Waging Peace and Iraq Confidential, was one of UNSCOM's most senior weapons inspectors in Iraq between 1991 and 1998, after having served for eight years as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. Ritter, who famously and accurately argued that Iraq no longer had weapons of mass destruction, stated in an interview with Amy Goodman: "There is no doubt in my mind that the United States is planning right now, as we speak, a military strike against Iran." The former weapons inspector warns that such an attack is unnecessary, and if launched, could provoke a massive response with catastrophic consequences to millions of people, including Americans.

 

Suggested donation: $10 (no one turned away)
A book signing will follow the discussion.

Cosponsored by: First Unitarian Society Social Action Committee, First Universalist Church Pathways to Peace Committee, WAMM, NW Neighbors for Peace, U.S. Tour of Duty, Middle East Peace Now, DoPeace Minnesota, and Ground Zero.
Info: carydberg@comcast.net 

"The most important thing to know about Scott Ritter is that he was right." - Seymour Hersh

"This summer I finally had the time to read, Acts Of Faith by Eboo Patel. In the book he was wondering why some children become champions of religious pluralism and others become foot soldiers for religious totalitarianism. He concluded simply that each group had been taught; taught by adults who put in the time to mold children's minds in a particular direction. He states, 'influences matter, programs count, mentors make a difference, and institutions leave their mark.'

And this is where the Religious Education Program here at the First Unitarian Society comes into play. Here is a place where children are exposed to many religious viewpoints and traditions. Here they are mentored by caring adults who have a religiously liberal point of view. Here they are nurtured to be members of a global society where they are knowledgeable and tolerant of different points of view. Here they learn to think, to debate and to wonder about religious questions-not to just spit out religious dogma. Here they expand their thinking by listening to others as they ponder the spiritual. Here we factor science into our understanding of the world and give our children choices. 
The First Unitarian Society is a wonderful place to help your child understand religion and religious questions. It broadens the spirit, the mind, and the heart. Request a Religious Education brochure to see the full list of courses that your child will go through in this religious education program. Please join us as our program starts on September 14."   

 
Do you have a daughter, or know a girl who is about to go into junior high school? To get prepared for the girls' culture of adolescence, you have to read Odd Girl Out by Rachel Simmons. This book uncovers the dark side of female friendships, "the dirty looks, taunting notes, exclusion from social groups." The author explores the subtle ways in which girls express anger, definitions of popularity and the inner workings of cliques, bullying across racial and socioeconomic lines, hidden jealousies, competition, and emotional abuse among close friends. You get the idea. But don't be discouraged, the book also offers ideas on how to help and cope. And we all know that as parents of this age group, we can use all of the help we can get!

There are some movies that address the issue of female bullying that provide a jumping off point for discussion with your daughter, or the young girl in your life. In fact, we have the movie "Odd Girl Out" if you would like to borrow it. Another movie is "Mean Girls," which is rated R, but depicts the exclusion of one girl from the group and what that means to her and her family. It is a good jumping off point for discussion. 

 

If your daughter, or the girl in your life, has been the victim of such abuse, reading Rachel Simmons book Odd Girl Speaks Out, might be comforting. In this book girls from all over the U.S. talk about their experiences with such trauma, how they felt and what they did. Other books on this topic may be helpful as well.

If you ever want to form a parents discussion group on this, let me know. I would be happy to gather a group for a few sessions of honest talk about the teen years.
 

- Jan Devor, FUS Director of Religious Education