[PAA-Discuss] PAA Meeting & Ya'll Stock

[Ron and Kris Graham]

Mikal,

 

I know you're angry and hurt, and I can certainly understand why. Please
don't think you do not have a home within the PAA. I did not know that Tomi
and Bob were going to be at the meeting. I saw them downstairs in the coffee
shop when Ron and I went down to get a sandwich. I have nothing against Tomi
and Bob, just as I have nothing against you and Sherry. I know you have
"skin in the game" as I think Sherry said last night. I know you both
have/had loved ones in the military. I don't pretend to know how worried you
are about your son or how angry you must be that he is in the military and
in harm's way on a daily basis. I can't possibly know because I am not in
your situation. 

 

I'm sorry if you felt you were somehow set up last night. That was not
anybody's intention at all, I assure you. I and a whole host of others are
very supportive of MFSO and the work they/you do. I know you're upset that
MFSO was excluded from Y'all-stock. In the grand scheme of things, Mikal,
it's just not that big a deal. Let it go. At the meeting last night, because
of all the anger, hurt feelings, contentiousness, we collectively decided
that PAA should not have a table and Bill should not speak at Y'all-stock on
behalf of PAA. If anyone goes it will be on their own. We make our decisions
within PAA based upon a consensus model. We did not feel we had consensus
among the group to go forward and have a table, sponsor the event and have
Bill speak as a representative of PAA. I suppose I cannot speak on behalf of
all members of the PAA but it is my feeling that our members stand in
solidarity with MFSO and other anti war groups. I am anti war and pro peace.
I suppose one can be pro peace and still not be anti war in the case of our
country being attacked and defending itself and feeling the need to "go to
war" to protect its citizenry. I suppose that is the rationale for being pro
peace and pro war only if it's absolutely necessary. It's a conundrum,
really. 

 

I don't want you or Sherry to feel unwelcome within the PAA. I don't want
anyone to feel unwelcome within the PAA unless they are raving right wing
lunatics. People are going to disagree, Mikal. That's a fact of life. We are
not always going to agree on everything. I know you feel that you and Sherry
were railroaded by John Basel and Bob Messer, and that's your right to feel
that way. I don't know Basel and I know very little about Messer, but I feel
from talking with and listening to Bob that his intentions are good. He just
has a different view of how we on the "left" should approach those people of
a different mindset. I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with his views. I'm
merely stating what I surmised from the conversations within the group last
night.

 

I really wish you and Sherry had decided to stay at the meeting last night.
I know you felt attacked, and you were angry and that's why you extricated
yourself from the situation. I'm fine with that. People can only handle so
much, and then they have to do what feels right for them. I don't judge
anybody on that. I'm just sorry y'all felt the need to leave. The tension
was high within the group last night. We were all uncomfortable, but that's
a part of life, too. All the shit going on in the world today SHOULD make
normal, sane people uncomfortable and angry as hell.

 

The bottom line is this: please try and be open minded and at least listen
to what people of differing views have to say. You don't have to agree with
them at all, but please try to listen and not feel attacked or betrayed by
anyone. Bill and I and everybody else at PAA want you to come back to our
group and to feel comfortable within it. No one is judging you or Sherry for
how you feel or how you reacted last night. On the contrary, we all felt
badly that you both were angry and hurt and were sorry you felt the need to
go away. We don't want that, but we do want healthy debate and we do want
differences aired out in a forum where people feel loved and comfortable.

 

None of us is perfect, Mikal. I sure as hell don't claim to be and this
little group that I have come to know and love knows I am a piece of work.
They love me and accept me for who I am with all my strengths and
weaknesses, and for that I am truly thankful. The people within the PAA have
come to be like my family, and I cherish my relationships with all of them.

 

Please take a deep breath and rethink things. Come back to the group. Call
me at 713-460-0676 if you want to talk. I will listen to whatever you have
to say without judgment.

 

Know that we care and are concerned for you and your son. Also know that you
are welcome within our group.

 

Kris

 

  _____  

From: Miklhut at aol.com [mailto:Miklhut at aol.com] 
Sent: Friday, September 15, 2006 7:15 AM
To: discuss at paa-tx.org; sglover001 at houston.rr.com; paa at crosierbiomed.com
Subject: Re: [PAA-Discuss] PAA Meeting & Ya'll Stock

 

There is not a single one of you in the group that doesn't know that what
John Basel and Bob Messer did to Military Families Speak Out was wrong.  Yet
we were expected to sit there for exactly how long and listen to this guy
rationalize WHY it was okay?  Angry? Furious.   Disappointed? Yes.  Sad?
Yes.  Mostly, I am just tired of the lies.  For six years, I have just heard
one lie after another, and I am not going to listen to anymore lies,
quietly shutting up, and taking my medicine like a "good lil girl".  I am
just too damn old to keep on being a "good lil girl".

 

John Basel not only excluded Military Families Speak Out, he lied about why,
and he lied repeatedly in his emails about conversations he had with me, and
Sherry.  Then he sends in his guns to try to smooth things over, and make
everyone okay with it.  Well, I am NOT okay with it.  Not now, not ever.  It
is discrimination, pure and simple.  Bob Messer is no different, he did not
come to the PAA meeting to make things right.  He came to make you all agree
with him, so this function could proceed and be a success.

 

You want unity, fine that's what the Republicans have,  unity.  They walk in
lockstep and arrange events to suit their agendas, while calling it whatever
they choose, like a "Peace Event" that cannot tolerate anti-war groups.  If
you think for one moment that this event wasn't arranged at this church for
the absolute purpose of excluding anyone that might ruffle the feathers of
Republicans or mess up their PR you are naive.  I can hear them now, "how
can we exclude these groups that might be contentious or that might ask the
wrong questions or say something to upset someone?  Oh, I know let's have it
at my church.  I can take the heat.  I'll keep away anyone that might be
viewed in a less than 'positive' light."   Since when is ending the war
negative?   

 

I hope their "movie" turns out well.  And these phony people get the credit
they seek.  I wonder just how much money is at stake.  I'm betting if you
dig deep enough it's there.   Afterwards they can all sit around patting
each other on the back about what a success they were. "You are doin a heck
uv a job, Brownie."

 

It's funny no one wants the military or their families unless their sons or
daughters are all dressed up in their dress uniforms, waving flags, and
clicking their heels, or if they are hurrahing war and swearing to protect
Americans with their lives.  Once their legs are blown off, or their minds
are ruined no one wants to see them.  If they come home in coffins no one
wants to see them.  If they are against the war, no one wants to see them or
their families.  I guess since it's a volunteer army now, we all asked for
it!  

 

Now for the convenience of a few sellouts and some Republicans,  Military
Families Speak Out has to be portrayed as some radical group.  Fine if that
is radical.  I am good with it.

 

I am new to your group, and thought I had found a home with people that
speak truth.  Perhaps I just do not fit in.  I do not cut deals when I know
a wrong has been done to a sister or brother.  Ever.

**Mikal**

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's
character, give him power.
-- Abraham Lincoln


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