This is probably illegal spying against my government, but as someone who lives near Moffet Field, a federal government airport, I'm reporting that military aircraft have been passing over us in dramatically increased numbers in the past week or two. This does not make things easy on my already battered conscience, and thoughts of expatriation frequently recur. I had planned to wait for another couple years, but things have been careening downhill since 9/11 and are showing few signs of improvement. Here are some of the things which make me happy about the internet and sad about my homeland:

• Save America from the War Party (a news story from WorldNetDaily).
• EmergencyAn Italian organization, somewhat similar to Doctors Without Borders, which constructs hospitals in war-torn areas, and then teaches the locals how to run them.
• War Resisters League. "What would you do if someone came to your door with a cup in hand, asking for a contribution to help buy guns to kill a group of people they didn't like? - Wally Nelson"
• Voices In The Wilderness. An organization protesting the american sanctions against Iraq, whose burden mainly falls on innocent civilians. Their current project is the Mirror of Truth Tour, which protests terrorism and the production and stockpiling of weapons of mass destruction, the ostensible target of the looming war on Iraq. Starting at the WTC, they move on to the sites of weapons development, storage and sales in the good 'ol USA, ending at the annual School of the Americas protest.

VITW arranges trips to Iraq to bring medical supplies, in violation of the US sanctions. That sounds neat, maybe my EMT skills would be useful? Where is volunteer info... Hmm, then again:

"We are anticipating that future delegations may face heightened tensions in Iraq. Looming threats of massive US overt and covert assaults against Iraq prompt us to reiterate the following:

Travel to Iraq could result in:
i. prosecution upon return
ii. severe financial penalties

Travel to Iraq could place you in the midst of
i. a war zone, or
ii. social chaos and upheaval, with no clear exit strategy

We have always advised travelers that participating in VitW delegations ought not be regarded as an "entry level civil disobedience action."

We urge participants to demonstrate that they have adequate experience, through previous activity in nonviolent direct action, to face court room trials, detention in a jail or prison, escalated media attention, and the risks of living with a team in a pressure-filled setting such as a war zone." [from this document]

Unfortunately, I'm an entry-level civil disobediant (I found that phrase somehow amusing). Someday...

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