We are an organization of progressive thinking residents of Ramona, dedicated to respectful dialogue within the community. Our mission is to bring to public attention issues that affect our world, nation, and community for the purpose of informing, discussing, educating and acting upon those concerns. In doing so we hope to encourage citizenry involvement in government policies and make politicians accountable to the people they serve.

Recently Forum members have been very active in publishing in The Sentinel. June 25, 2009 issue carried the commentary by Dante and June 18 issue carried the commentary by Dave Patterson, both on Healthcare Reform. The June 11 issue published a commentary by Ron. In case you missed those commentaries, we are publishing, on our website, all the three commentaries, along with a letter sent by a Forum member to Rep. Hunter. Click on the link for Postings: Members’ Essays section of the Posts. Please send your comments to our website and/or to the Sentinel.

Ramona Forum has made a big step forward towards our Peace Gardens. The garden has not only grown in size, it has become a focal point of our activities with enthusiastic participants. Members love to hang around the Garden!

We had a very pleasant work-and-Fun session on Saturday June 27, 2009.  We are working on a report with the latest pictures of the Peace Garden, which will be posted in few days.  In the mean time check out the old Report on Peace Garden.

We also had successful demonstration against War in Iraq and Afghanistan and a responsible resolution of the two wars for a just Peace. Forum members braved the rain and cold on the first Sunday (March 15). We also held a candle light vigil on the sixth anniversary of Iraq war (March 19) in remembrance of American and Iraqi dead, wounded and still recovering of their wounds.

Demonstration to Investigate Bush Administration:

Members of the Ramona Forum demonstrated this week to raise awareness towards the need for Investigating Bush Administration for their various extra-constitutional activities like torture, spying on Americans, signing statements to circumvent the law, falsifying intellligence report, lying to Americans to lead them into war and others, crimes against humanity and the planet, and war crimes. There were colorful posters. In fact the interest was so high on this Sunday’s (8 March) emphasis that a number of members gathered at Ron’s place on Friday before to work on the posters.

Ramona forum is in the process of making plans for the year 2009, namely the garden, one-theme-a-week Sunday demonstrations, partcipation in Farmers Market and organize a discussion group. Click on the Report.

RAMONA FORUM GARDEN IS NOW A REALITY! Here is a REPORT prepared by our President David Patterson.

President Obama has already taken steps to end the war in Iraq—one of our major issues—responsibly. We are very pleased for his Presidential Order to stop the Bush practice of torture and to close the GITMO. Order of his priorities—economy, energy, education, and healthcare—coincides with ours.

Yet, clouds of uncertainty are in the horizon—talks of military victory in Afghanistan, backing out from direct engagements with “adversaries” and condoning of violation of international laws and norms of “allies”, to mention a few. Checkout an interesting website, www.politifact.com. The site is not free from its bias, yet the table on the top right hand corner is interesting. It will also be interesting to watch how the effects of over reaching to non-progressives will work. It seems it is not working in Congress—both in the House and in the Senate. In coming months and years, we will watch his steps and will voice our support and concerns as well.

We trust President Obama. The election of Barack Obama as our President has made the Ramona Forum Family extremely happy. Issues and philosophies—social and political—that concern us, that are dear to us resonate with those of President Barack Obama.
Right now, we WILL HOPE AND BE VIGILANT.

Website updates as of June 20, 2009: (more updates are coming soon)

Peace Garden by Forum members: Both the reports—initial and second report—are under Reports: Peace Garden

New Member Essay by Ron Selkovitch on Small Flag and a response by Steve Bisbikis

New items in Members’ experiences from Dante

Now in Archives:Picture of Repeal Prop 8 demonstration on March 8 on the eve of California Supreme Court Hearing, Holiday Party, Season’s Greetings, Election (Victory) Party Report, ‘No on 8′ report, Forum Debate Watching Party

“When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”

– Thomas Jefferson

“Peace we want because there is another war to fight against poverty, disease and ignorance.”
- Indira Gandhi, 1966

To promote our objectives we demonstrate every Sunday from noon to 1 pm at the corner of Main and 10th street.

We meet informally at 6:00 pm. every Wednesday at the Grange on 7th Street, Ramona. We welcome your company.

There are two exceptions:  (a) Second Wednesday of the month: As part of our community awarenee program, we hold at least one ‘Current Events Night’ most of the months — movies, special guests, topical conversation, book or article discussions, and the like. Check our Special Events notices.   (b) Foruth Wednesday of the month: We meet at PEACE GARDEN, the Ramona Forum Garden at Ron’s Place. Please look for our e-mail for details.

We have a collection of documentaries, movies, books, journals and magazine. See the Media Library for a list. Members can borrow these materials from our Librarian Penny.

Minutes or reports of the meetings and special events could be viewed with the link Minutes and Reports.

Check the Weekly Activities posting too.

Here is part of our June 2009 activities

24 June: Regular Wednesday Meeting at Grange at 6 PM

27 June, 2009 - Work-and-Fun at PEACE GARDEN
Forum members will meet at PEACE GARDEN, the Forum Garden, at Ron’s place at 3 PM.