Friday, May 16 at 7:00pm

Westminster Hills Church
27287 Patrick Avenue, Hayward, CA
(Map and Directions)

Reverend Williams: "Strip Mall Patriotism: Moral Reflections of the Iraq War"

Reverend Byron Williams, pastor, author, and syndicated columnist, will speak on themes of his new book, Strip Mall Patriotism: Moral Reflections of the Iraq War. The book consists of a series of essays covering four years of the American enterprise in Iraq.

Rev. Williams column appears twice weekly in the Oakland Tribune and frequently in the Hayward Daily Review. He also has a weekly column in the popular blog Huffington Post.

His articles have appeared in numerous other Newspapers and publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Daily News, and the Atlantic Journal Constitution. He has appeared on numerous television and radio news programs including CNN, ABC, Fox News, and National Public Radio.

He has been pastor of the Resurrection Community Church since 2002. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Master's Degree from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley. His thesis emphasized the theology of liberation.

Rev. Williams's website states the following:

[Rev. Williams] is a self-described "Prisoner to Hope." Williams fuses theology with public policy to bring a fresh social justice perspective to the public arena. Williams draws a distinction between religiosity and theology and it is this characteristic that sharpens his critique of current events. His commitment to "changing the status quo conversation," prods his readers to think deeper about the critical issues facing Americans in the 21st century.

Commentary from Tom Kersten, Demos' President
April, 2008

California Water Crisis on the Horizon?

At the recent Democratic Party Convention there were many references to "global warming" by such notable speakers as Attorney General Jerry Brown and LG John Garamendi. As "global warming" becomes popular political buzz words that strikes a cord with the public, strong political "resistance" to government intervention remains.

Apparently bowing to pressure from the auto industry, the California Air Resources Board recently voted to slash by 70% the number of zero-emissions vehicles that car-makers will be required to sell in the state in the coming years.

Another related subject that hasn't received much attention is a troubling report from the Planning and Conservation League, regarding declining water supplies and inflated water projections. Just like the bursting of the housing bubble when the sub prime mortgage reality set in, the 2007 State Water Project Delivery Reliability Report signals a similar burst of California's water bubble. The 2007 Draft Report reveals that the State Water Project (SWP) will deliver 20 to 30 percent less water to agricultural, commercial, and residential users than it had estimated in 2005.

more . . .

March, 2008, Budget Wars: The Conservative Agenda note. . .

December, 2007, While I really wanted to end 2007 on a more positive note. . .

November, 2007, We live in interesting times, no doubt about that!

October, 2007, Supercaptialism (includes video of Robert Reich)