NOTES FROM THE HOME FRONT : Peace Groups Go High-Tech

The grass-roots peace movement has gone high-tech with computer networks that link activists worldwide as they organize against war in the Persian Gulf, according to organizers of a network based in San Francisco.

The activists have not stopped handing out leaflets to win followers, but many are typing summaries of their activities on personal computers and shipping the reports directly to PeaceNet, a network that claims 8,000 subscribers in 50 countries.

PeaceNet says it also provides users with reports from think tanks, church groups and news services.

“This is the second time in history that these technologies have been used in international conflicts,” said Howard Frederick, director of PeaceNet, which operates out of a San Francisco storefront.

“The first time was in Tian An Men Square,” he said. “Now, the peace movement has access to democratic tools of information gathering.”

Chinese students used fax machines to bypass media blackouts during the pro-democracy movement that was crushed when tanks rolled into Tian An Men Square. The computer peace activists say their current efforts are designed to counter what they see as biased media coverage of the anti-war movement.

Contributors do not rely on police reports or mainstream media sources for accounts, depending instead on eyewitness accounts filed 24 hours a day, Frederick said. “All I can do is remember what it was like in 1967, when I was a student at Stanford, when we had to listen to amateur radio reports to find out what was happening at other campuses,” he said.

Children Use Ingenuity to Show Their Support

Demonstrators supporting the allied forces participating in Operation Desert Storm may not have the same technical resources as the folks at PeaceNet, but they are working hard with what they have. Even the young ones.

In Brentwood, 12-year-old Patrick Nesbett said he took $153 that he had saved from “washing dogs, walking dogs, washing cars and baby-sitting” and invested the money in 144 American flags.

Then he walked around the neighborhood and gave them to storekeepers, eliciting promises that the flags--4 by 6 inches--would be displayed in shop windows, along with a little sign he made on his toy printing press that reads:

“This flag shows we support the USA and the men and women in the gulf.”

Patrick said he had been saving the money for a telescope, but once the war started, he decided that the telescope could wait.

“The soldiers always see the protesters on TV,” he said. “I think they ought to see the people who support them.”

In Diamond Bar, 15-year-old Shalaine Ause, a 10th-grader, organized and financed a plan to hand out more than 2,000 pieces of yellow ribbon this morning to her fellow students at Diamond Bar High School.

“I wanted to show the soldiers we’re behind them and care about them,” she said. “I called around and found a store that gave me a discount. I got enough yellow ribbon for 2,200 people, maybe 200 yards. I got it for $30. Money I’d saved up.

“I want people to realize it’s cool to wear that ribbon.”

RTD Has a Plan to Deploy More Buses

Speculating that the war might trigger higher fuel prices that would force commuters from their cars, the Southern California Rapid Transit District is prepared to rush more buses into service if needed.

The plan calls for deploying 50 additional buses within 72 hours. To implement the plan, the RTD would defer the sale of older buses, launch a regional search for more buses, and authorize extra overtime for drivers and maintenance personnel.

The RTD also would establish new Park ‘n’ Ride lines in the county, seek city and regional approval of additional bus-only lanes and increase Blue Line train frequency from every 10 minutes to every eight.

Wyoming’s ‘Storm’ Support Is Official

Wyoming Gov. Mike Sullivan on Monday signed a legislative resolution supporting Operation Desert Storm and asked residents to lend their support with prayer and by flying the American flag.

The governor was flanked by Republican and Democratic legislative leaders as he signed the document. The resolution will be forwarded to President Bush and Congress.

Sullivan has directed that an American flag be flown in the state Capitol rotunda for the duration of the war. He also announced the statewide support services available for families of military personnel in the Persian Gulf, including counseling from clergy, lawyers and financial experts.

Fear of Terrorism Ruins Travel Plans

With mounting concerns about terrorism, Southern California residents have been warned about the possible dangers of overseas flights, especially to the Middle East. Sometimes, the worry strikes closer to home.

About three weeks ago, a Los Angeles-area man called a travel agency in Pasadena and made reservations for two couples for a modest weekend package that included hotel rooms and round-trip flights from Los Angeles International Airport. Her commission would not amount to much, but with business so slow on transoceanic carriers, the agent was grateful for the call.

Two days after the fighting started, the travel agent called the man back to confirm the reservations.

“Oops, I was meaning to call you back,” the man said apologetically. “The others are afraid to go.”

The canceled trip was to Las Vegas.

Urgent Appeal Issued for Funds for Israel

The Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles issued an urgent appeal for funds for Israel on Monday, saying it would borrow if necessary to send $8.8 million by Thursday and $26.4 million by March 31.

The larger figure represents the Los Angeles area’s projected share of a $400-million nationwide campaign to assist the war-stricken nation in its continuing efforts to resettle immigrants from the Soviet Union and Ethopia.

David Finegood, president of the local council, said missile attacks by Iraq have brought the Israeli economy “to a standstill,” jeopardizing the resettlement program.