Events for 12/04/2005

In March 2003, Mike Shiley was doing what most ordinary Americans were doing—sitting on the sofa, watching the nightly news coverage of Gulf War II and wondering what was really going on in Iraq. Shiley, an avid world traveler, was personally driven to travel to Iraq and produce a documentary film about what was happening behind the scenes. Although Shiley is not a journalist, he convinced local television affiliate KATU in Portland, OR, to grant him permission to cover the Oregon National Guard in Iraq. Shiley still needed press credentials, so he went to his local Kinko’s print shop where he ingeniously made a homemade press pass. He then cashed in airline miles and with a single contact name written on a crumpled piece of paper, crossed into Iraq—setting off on a journey that would change his life forever. Armed only with a camera and a local guide, Shiley traveled throughout the country of Iraq for two months, filming unique stories the national media ignores, showing the reality of life in Iraq beyond the media and military spin. Rather than trying to push a political point of view, Shiley let his camera roll, catching a multitude of real-life moments that tell it like it is. The result is a highly thought-provoking and reasonably unbiased 84-minute documentary film entitled, INSIDE IRAQ: THE UNTOLD STORIES. Director Mike Shiley will personally introduce the film, meet the audience and answer questions at every show. MEDIA REVIEWS What an amazing, powerful film and presentation. In essence, you provided us with a comprehensive behind the scenes tour, no snap-shot news reports, no "approved" footage, no political speak press conferences, just the simple and unfortunate reality that for everyone involved war is hell. Ralph Russo, Director of Wisconsin Union Theater University of Wisconsin

EMPIRE SERIES by Bob Reuschlein (848-5248, earlwal@chorus.net) Prairie Unitarian Universalist Society 2010 Whenona Drive Madison, Wisconsin, 53711 Directions: Go to South frontage road of beltline between Seminole Highway and Verona Road. Go South on Whenona Drive to Crawford "Jesus and Empire" - Sunday, December 4 - 10am I spent five years in two hour classes every Sunday afternoon discussing the "Teachings of Jesus" lead by Boyce Totz at the local Friends Meeting House on Roberts Court. Starting with the book "Jesus Before Christianity" by Albert Nolan, I learned this man was far more subtle than the simplistic deity he's been portrayed as by modern religion. His message of radical egalitarianism contrasts with the "corrupted by power" individuals who preach in his name today. Marcus Borg, one of the main Jesus seminar types, has concluded that the main mission of Jesus was to challenge the system of dominance of some people over others. In this very fundamental way he challenges the essence of empire, which is control. That control alienates the rich and powerful from others, diminishing them as "hollow sepulchers full of dust", as they cut themselves off from the "kingdom of heaven", i.e. enjoying the full fellowship of human experience. Thus I see Jesus as one of the first Unitarian Universalists. I will cite several scriptural passages to support my conclusion