ret. Col. Ann Wright in St. Paul 2/17. book tour

[annm4peace]

** Come listen to this incredible woman and patriot speak ***
She is funny, insightful and I wish she would run for President

Merriam Park Neighbors for Peace presents:

Colonel (Ret.) Ann Wright
Dissent: Voices of Conscience

Government Insiders Speak Out Against the War in Iraq
Sunday, February 17, 2008 - 6:30 p.m.
John B. Davis Lecture Hall, Campus Center
Macalester College, 1600 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN
D
uring the run-up to war in Iraq, Army Colonel (Ret.) and diplomat Ann Wright resigned her State Department post. She was one among dozens of government insiders and active-duty military personnel who leaked documents, spoke out, resigned, or refused to deploy in protest of government actions they felt were illegal. In Dissent: Voices of Conscience, Ann Wright and Susan Dixon tell the stories of these men and women, who risked careers, reputations, and even freedom out of loyalty to the Constitution and the rule of law.
At this February 17 event, Ann Wright will discuss and answer questions about her book. The presentation will be followed by a casual reception and book signing. Copies of Dissent: Voices of Conscience will be available for purchase from Magers & Quinn Booksellers.
This event is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted to cover cost

[annm4peace]

1. About Ann Wright

Ann Wright grew up in Bentonville, Arkansas, and attended the University of Arkansas, where she received a master's and a law degree. She also has a master's degree in national security affairs from the U.S. Naval War College. After college, she spent thirteen years in the U.S. Army and sixteen additional years in the Army Reserves, retiring as a Colonel. She is airborne-qualified.
In 1987, Col. Wright joined the Foreign Service and served as U.S. Deputy Ambassador in Sierra Leone, Micronesia, Afghanistan, and Mongolia. She received the State Department's Award for Heroism for her actions during the evacuation of 2,500 people from the civil war in Sierra Leone, the largest evacuation since Saigon. She was on the first State Department team to go to Afghanistan and helped reopen the Embassy there in December 2001. Her other overseas assignments include Somalia, Kyrgyzstan, Grenada, Micronesia, and Nicaragua.

On March 19, 2003, the eve of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, Ann Wright cabled a letter of resignation to Secretary of State Colin Powell, stating that without the authorization of the UN Security Council, the invasion and occupation of a Muslim, Arab, oil-rich country would be a disaster. Since then, she has been writing and speaking out for peace. She fasted for a month, picketed at Guantánamo, served as a juror in impeachment hearings, and has been arrested numerous times for peaceful, nonviolent protest of Bush's policies, particularly the war on Iraq. She lives in Honolulu.

Praise for the Book

"When the actions of government become dangerous to the security of the nation, it takes a special courage for men and women inside the government to speak out. If we care about keeping democracy alive, we must welcome this book."
- Howard Zinn, author of A People's History of the United States

"ThisŠilluminating and remarkably impressiveŠbook should be leaked into the government. ŠThis book could awakenŠofficials to withdraw their complicity andŠtell the truth to . This country will not escape further human, legal, and moral catastrophes, or preserve itself as a democratic, constitutional republic, if that does not happen. If you're at all like me, you will have a whole set of new heroes when you finish reading this. ŠDissent: Voices of Conscience could change your life."
- from the Foreword, by Daniel Ellsberg

"Voices of conscience are usually smothered in spin. That the stories of these heroes are recorded here gives me great hope and shows that it is still possible to do the right thing."
- Ray McGovern, Retired CIA Analyst and Presidential Briefer for George H. W. Bush

"As a soldier and a diplomat, Ann Wright always placed her country, its direction, and its welfare at the top of her priority list. She is, without question, one of the most honest and ethical individuals I have been privileged to know. I salute Ann Wright and the powerful voices of truth heard in Dissent."
- Brigadier General (Ret.) Pat Foote, Former Commanding General, Fort Belvoir , Virginia

"Ann Wright is not one to be silenced."
- Ms. Magazine

"Ann Wright is an American hero. She has shown immense bravery and resolve in her quest for peace. For her energy and commitment to peace, justice, and strengthening democratic principles, Ann Wright has earned the first annual Truthout Freedom and Democracy Award."
- Victoria Harper, truthout.org

"Truthout has traveled the country covering the anti-war movement, and wherever we go, Ann Wright is there providing steady leadership. We recently announced that Ann was one of three recipients of our first annual Freedom and Democracy Award. I'm sure I will see her soon. Wherever there is an important event calling for peace, Ann Wright will be there, leading by example."
- Scott Galindez, truthout.org