June 21, 2024

Minutes of PSR-WNC chapter     21 June 2024

Present: Brita and Terry Clark, Scott Mahan, Sally T, Phil B, Scott Baker, Bob and Irma Howarth, Lynn and Lew Patrie, Bert C. Dot S.

The minutes of the May meeting were reviewed and approved.

Dot brought a letter to our congressional reps., president and v.p. for signing.

Treasurer’s report:  We had 2 debits, no deposits and a balance of $3594

Bert summarized the CAN committee June meeting. The Rhode Island State House approved a resolution endorsing BftB. This is the 8^th state legislative body to do so.  Several senators are trying to put the brakes on the Sentinel ICBM which is now projected to cost 137 billion. There is controversy on exactly what position PSR should take on calling for a ceasefire in Ukraine. There is palpable fear about the ultimate outcome in Europe.

Scott M. reported that he is trying to recruit residents to the climate change group.

Scott Baker gave a summary of Annie Jacobsen’s book; Nuclear War -A Scenario. There are numerous deficiencies in all the nuclear states systems and protocols and the danger is great. Nuclear war is a real possibility that needs to be prevented.

We feel that our work is important making as many people as possible aware of the danger and realizing that there has been progress since the Cold War reducing greatly the nos. of nukes from over 60,000 to now only 1550 deployed by both the U.S. and Russia. People just don’t want to talk about it and feel helpless when facing the problem but can make a difference. The need to partner with groups like the Sierra Club and Veterans for Peace is important. The Sierra Club meets monthly at Reuters Center: The executive committee at 5:30 and full meeting at 7:00. Veterans for Peace meets every Tues. at 4:30 at city center.

We plan to be present at Asheville city center to commemorate the August 6 bombing of Hiroshima. We may have postcards to be signed to send.

The website needs updating and Terry and Scott B. plan to work on this with Totsie, our computer person. 

Next meeting 7/19

Submitted by Bert C.