New This Week (March 6, 2017)

Nuclear Ban Treaty Negotiations -- United Nations, New York
27-31 March 2017 / 15 June - 7 July 2017

The negotiations on a global nuclear weapons ban begin at the UN in just a few weeks. The majority of the countries of the world will participate. The US (surprise surprise) is refusing, and trying to convince others to stay away, as well. China has said it will participate. India and Pakistan are a question mark, though the bulk of the other Commonwealth countries will participate, and many of them are strong supporters. (Australia and Canada remain big question marks as well.) And then there is the question of Japan: Japan knows the world is watching for its leadership at the nuclear ban talks.

(March 7 - hot off the press! Briefing paper on principles and key elements for a successful treaty for a global ban on nuclear weapons - by Reaching Critical Will.)

*   *   *

Battir, Palestine

FLASHBACK: Two years ago at this time I was getting ready to go to Palestine. It was on that trip that I met a pastor from Berkeley . . . and from that moment, it was "California here I come!"

See Palestine Told in Flowers . . . .

*   *   *

Social media effectiveness tip of the week: Use Twitter analytics to review which of your tweets are getting the most engagement. Build on your successes!

(More on social media effectiveness . . . . )

*   *   *

There are now twenty-one (21) co-sponsors on the bill to rein in presidential first use of nuclear weapons. Please use this script to call and get YOUR representative on that list!