Saturday, January 31, 2004
Poem of the Day from poetsagainstthewar.org
State of the Union, January 2004
by Allen Itz
four more dead
as another day passes
under the flare of dust-filtered skies
far from the stink of war-torn bodies,
sheep graze a fine green valley
as, beneath the ruins of a grand estate,
shepherds dance
around a pyre of bloated corpses.
the blood of wasted lives
pooled unacknowledged on the floor
and two more die
as another night passes
under dark and cloud-shrouded skies
Quote on 'War & Peace'
By Alam Shah Hassan
I TAKE THE FIRST STEP AND I QUOTE:
"War is a blasphemy –
Peace is a melody"
I TAKE THE SECOND STEP AND I QUOTE:
"When all people have died –
Then will only Peace last"
I TAKE THE THIRD STEP AND I QUOTE:
"War Affair is a World Affair-
Peace Affair is a Love Affair"
I TAKE THE FOURTH STEP AND I QUOTE:
"In War you can never find Peace –
In Peace you can never find War"
I TAKE THE FIFTH STEP AND I QUOTE:
"Men engaged in War to find Peace –
Men engaged in Peace to diminish War"
I TAKE THE SIXTH STEP AND I QUOTE:
"Men dwell in hatred in gathered War –
Men dwell in humanity in gathered Peace"
I TAKE THE SEVENTH STEP AND I QUOTE:
"I could quote endlessly about War but
I'd soon take my leave to gather some Peace"
How many must suffer, and how many must die before
we realize that peace cannot come from war.
Images from war on Iraq posted from whitehouse.org
State of the Union, January 2004
by Allen Itz
four more dead
as another day passes
under the flare of dust-filtered skies
far from the stink of war-torn bodies,
sheep graze a fine green valley
as, beneath the ruins of a grand estate,
shepherds dance
around a pyre of bloated corpses.
the blood of wasted lives
pooled unacknowledged on the floor
and two more die
as another night passes
under dark and cloud-shrouded skies
Quote on 'War & Peace'
By Alam Shah Hassan
I TAKE THE FIRST STEP AND I QUOTE:
"War is a blasphemy –
Peace is a melody"
I TAKE THE SECOND STEP AND I QUOTE:
"When all people have died –
Then will only Peace last"
I TAKE THE THIRD STEP AND I QUOTE:
"War Affair is a World Affair-
Peace Affair is a Love Affair"
I TAKE THE FOURTH STEP AND I QUOTE:
"In War you can never find Peace –
In Peace you can never find War"
I TAKE THE FIFTH STEP AND I QUOTE:
"Men engaged in War to find Peace –
Men engaged in Peace to diminish War"
I TAKE THE SIXTH STEP AND I QUOTE:
"Men dwell in hatred in gathered War –
Men dwell in humanity in gathered Peace"
I TAKE THE SEVENTH STEP AND I QUOTE:
"I could quote endlessly about War but
I'd soon take my leave to gather some Peace"
How many must suffer, and how many must die before
we realize that peace cannot come from war.
Images from war on Iraq posted from whitehouse.org
Friday, January 30, 2004
OPPOSE THE OCCUPATION OF IRAQ? GET INVOLVEDFrom GlobalExchange.org
What You Can Do to Oppose the Occupation :
Call your elected representatives. Contact your Senators and Representatives and tell them you oppose a US military occupation of Iraq. Say you think occupation betrays American values, violates the will of the Iraqi people, and fuels anti-Americanism. Tell them you think the money spent on occupation could be better used at home. The Capitol Switchboard is 202-224-3121.
Connect with the peace movement. There are hundreds of groups around the country working for peace and opposing a U.S. colony in Iraq. Some peace groups that have chapters in many cities and towns include Peace Action and the American Friends Service Committee. You can also look at the "local contacts" section on the United for Peace & Justice website and see who are the peace groups in your community: www.unitedforpeace.org.
Demand Books, Not Bombs. Instead of spending billions on a humongous military, we should invest in our schools and health care system. Hold a rally at your library, school or hospital to show how this war is bleeding money from our social system. Enlist teachers, librarians and nurses to speak. Demand that our national priorities not be a casualty of war. Use the rally as a way to talk about how much could be done in your community with the money it costs to build a single cruise missile.
U.S. Soldiers Raiding Iraqi Home
Write a letter to the editor. Letters to the editor are a terrific way of making your voice heard. Write your local newspaper and explain why you oppose the occupation of Iraq. You can find out where to send your letters by looking on the letters to the editor page of your local newspaper.
Ask for an Iraqi Victims Fund. When thousands of innocent people were killed in the tragic events of September 11, the American people and the United States government responded with incredible compassion to assist the families of the victims. But what about the innocent victims in Iraq who are losing their lives during the US military campaign? Call your Representatives and Senators and ask for the establishment of an Iraqi Victims Fund. The Capitol Switchboard is 202-224-3121.
Organize a vigil against the occupation. Get together a few dozen of your co-workers, relatives, friends and friends-of-friends and hold a vigil at a prominent public place. Hand out flyers to passers-by explaining why occupation is wrong.
Educate yourself about the history of US colonialism. A century ago, the US also had a bad case of colonialism. In the late 1800s and early 1900s the US military occupied the Philippines and Cuba, sparking a massive anti-imperialist movement among ordinary American citizens. We have much to learn from the lessons of the past.
Email a friend and ask them to join you in opposing the occupation. Send this list of things you can do to end the occupation to a friend along with a copy of Global Exchange's Reasons to Oppose Occupation .
Distribute flyers about why this occupation must end. Good, heavily trafficked locations include bus stops, subway stations, grocery stores, college campuses, libraries, and churches, among other sites. For a sample flyer, go to www.unitedforpeace.org or call 415-575-5555.
To Volunteer with our peace campaign, contact Andrea at 415-575-5552
U.S. soldiers on the streets in Iraq
What You Can Do to Oppose the Occupation :
Call your elected representatives. Contact your Senators and Representatives and tell them you oppose a US military occupation of Iraq. Say you think occupation betrays American values, violates the will of the Iraqi people, and fuels anti-Americanism. Tell them you think the money spent on occupation could be better used at home. The Capitol Switchboard is 202-224-3121.
Connect with the peace movement. There are hundreds of groups around the country working for peace and opposing a U.S. colony in Iraq. Some peace groups that have chapters in many cities and towns include Peace Action and the American Friends Service Committee. You can also look at the "local contacts" section on the United for Peace & Justice website and see who are the peace groups in your community: www.unitedforpeace.org.
Demand Books, Not Bombs. Instead of spending billions on a humongous military, we should invest in our schools and health care system. Hold a rally at your library, school or hospital to show how this war is bleeding money from our social system. Enlist teachers, librarians and nurses to speak. Demand that our national priorities not be a casualty of war. Use the rally as a way to talk about how much could be done in your community with the money it costs to build a single cruise missile.
U.S. Soldiers Raiding Iraqi Home
Write a letter to the editor. Letters to the editor are a terrific way of making your voice heard. Write your local newspaper and explain why you oppose the occupation of Iraq. You can find out where to send your letters by looking on the letters to the editor page of your local newspaper.
Ask for an Iraqi Victims Fund. When thousands of innocent people were killed in the tragic events of September 11, the American people and the United States government responded with incredible compassion to assist the families of the victims. But what about the innocent victims in Iraq who are losing their lives during the US military campaign? Call your Representatives and Senators and ask for the establishment of an Iraqi Victims Fund. The Capitol Switchboard is 202-224-3121.
Organize a vigil against the occupation. Get together a few dozen of your co-workers, relatives, friends and friends-of-friends and hold a vigil at a prominent public place. Hand out flyers to passers-by explaining why occupation is wrong.
Educate yourself about the history of US colonialism. A century ago, the US also had a bad case of colonialism. In the late 1800s and early 1900s the US military occupied the Philippines and Cuba, sparking a massive anti-imperialist movement among ordinary American citizens. We have much to learn from the lessons of the past.
Email a friend and ask them to join you in opposing the occupation. Send this list of things you can do to end the occupation to a friend along with a copy of Global Exchange's Reasons to Oppose Occupation .
Distribute flyers about why this occupation must end. Good, heavily trafficked locations include bus stops, subway stations, grocery stores, college campuses, libraries, and churches, among other sites. For a sample flyer, go to www.unitedforpeace.org or call 415-575-5555.
To Volunteer with our peace campaign, contact Andrea at 415-575-5552
U.S. soldiers on the streets in Iraq
From BushGreenWatch.org
Former Mining Lobbyist Set for Judicial Nomination Hearing
The Senate will hold a hearing next Wednesday on a Bush judicial nominee who has been one of the architects of the Administration's dismantling of protections for endangered species and public lands. Until he resigned in October, William Myers was chief attorney for the Bush Interior Department, where he helped shape the weakening of Administration policies on the Endangered Species Act. He also contributed to the curbing of federal protections to prevent destructive mining and overgrazing of public lands.
President Bush has nominated Myers for a seat on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the appellate court that hears cases from Alaska and the American West, where environmental law concerning 485 million acres of public lands is decided. An ethics investigation by the Interior Department's inspector general is pending over Myers' approval of questionable settlement with a rancher cited for overgrazing public lands. A second complaint was closed earlier this month when the inspector general ruled that despite meeting 37 times while at Interior with representatives of the grazing and mining industry, including former clients, Myers -- a former lobbyist for mining and grazing interests -- did not violate an ethics agreement.
Before joining Interior, the Boise, Idaho, attorney served as a lobbyist for the National Mining Association, among others. From 1993-1997, Myers was executive director of the Public Lands Council, a trade association promoting the interests of ranchers who graze sheep and cattle on public lands, and director of federal lands for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.
Not a single member of the American Bar Association's committee that rates federal judicial nominees found Myers "well qualified." More than a third rated him "unqualified." In one legal opinion Myers wrote at Interior, he overturned the opinion of his predecessor so that Interior Secretary Gale Norton could approve a 1,650-acre, cyanide heap-leach gold mine in California. The Clinton Administration had concluded it would irreparably damage a portion of the Quechan Indian Tribe's "Trail of Dreams," a crucial spiritual site for the tribe.
To reverse his predecessor's opinion, Myers had to make a tortured legal interpretation that the word "or" in a statute in fact meant its exact opposite: "and." A federal judge found that in doing so Myers violated three separate rules of statutory interpretation and "misconstrued the clear mandate" of the law in question. The legal decision -- and Myers' failure to consult with the governments of the Quechan tribe and other affected tribes -- prompted the National Congress of American Indians, representing more than 250 tribal governments, to formally oppose Myers' nomination.
Another 23 public interest organizations have asked the Senate Judiciary Committee to hold off on Myers' nomination hearing until after the ethics investigation is complete. Instead, Myers' hearing is scheduled for Wednesday morning.
Former Mining Lobbyist Set for Judicial Nomination Hearing
The Senate will hold a hearing next Wednesday on a Bush judicial nominee who has been one of the architects of the Administration's dismantling of protections for endangered species and public lands. Until he resigned in October, William Myers was chief attorney for the Bush Interior Department, where he helped shape the weakening of Administration policies on the Endangered Species Act. He also contributed to the curbing of federal protections to prevent destructive mining and overgrazing of public lands.
President Bush has nominated Myers for a seat on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the appellate court that hears cases from Alaska and the American West, where environmental law concerning 485 million acres of public lands is decided. An ethics investigation by the Interior Department's inspector general is pending over Myers' approval of questionable settlement with a rancher cited for overgrazing public lands. A second complaint was closed earlier this month when the inspector general ruled that despite meeting 37 times while at Interior with representatives of the grazing and mining industry, including former clients, Myers -- a former lobbyist for mining and grazing interests -- did not violate an ethics agreement.
Before joining Interior, the Boise, Idaho, attorney served as a lobbyist for the National Mining Association, among others. From 1993-1997, Myers was executive director of the Public Lands Council, a trade association promoting the interests of ranchers who graze sheep and cattle on public lands, and director of federal lands for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.
Not a single member of the American Bar Association's committee that rates federal judicial nominees found Myers "well qualified." More than a third rated him "unqualified." In one legal opinion Myers wrote at Interior, he overturned the opinion of his predecessor so that Interior Secretary Gale Norton could approve a 1,650-acre, cyanide heap-leach gold mine in California. The Clinton Administration had concluded it would irreparably damage a portion of the Quechan Indian Tribe's "Trail of Dreams," a crucial spiritual site for the tribe.
To reverse his predecessor's opinion, Myers had to make a tortured legal interpretation that the word "or" in a statute in fact meant its exact opposite: "and." A federal judge found that in doing so Myers violated three separate rules of statutory interpretation and "misconstrued the clear mandate" of the law in question. The legal decision -- and Myers' failure to consult with the governments of the Quechan tribe and other affected tribes -- prompted the National Congress of American Indians, representing more than 250 tribal governments, to formally oppose Myers' nomination.
Another 23 public interest organizations have asked the Senate Judiciary Committee to hold off on Myers' nomination hearing until after the ethics investigation is complete. Instead, Myers' hearing is scheduled for Wednesday morning.
JOIN ONE MINUTE BOYCOTT OF CBS
From MoveOn.org:
The CBS networks still refuses to run our winning ad in the Bush in 30 Seconds ad contest during the Super Bowl. The MoveOn.org non-partisan campaign to get CBS to air issue ads continues, but we're not going to let CBS's censorship stop us in the mean time. That's why we're spending over $1 million to air the ad in our swing states and nation-wide on other channels -- starting with two spots on CNN that will air during the Super Bowl half time.
This Sunday, during the Super Bowl half time show, join us in changing channels on CBS. At 8:10pm and 8:35pm EST, switch over to CNN to watch "Child's Pay" on a channel which doesn't censor its ads. We'd like to keep a tally of the number of people who participate -- you can sign up here:
http://www.moveonvoterfund.org/boycott/?id=2293-1499023-ydJuuW19CVz4IaUis.7e9A
The number of groups, individuals, and newspapers that have called on CBS to run our ad is remarkable. The National Organization for Women and the American Civil Liberties Union have asked their own members to call CBS. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) gave a powerful speech about CBS on the floor of the Senate, saying, "Maybe network executives at CBS are so afraid of political pressure from the right wing and their business advertisers who are in league with the right wing politics of America that they are afraid to put anything on the air that might in fact make things uncomfortable. If that is the case, it is time for CBS to announce the name of their network is the 'Conservative Broadcasting System' and come clean with American viewers."
28 members of the House of Representatives wrote a letter to CBS which stated, "The choice not to run this paid advertisement appears to be part of a disturbing pattern on CBS's part to bow to the wishes of the Republican National Committee. We remember well CBS's remarkable decision this fall to self-censor at the direction of GOP pressure. The network shamefully cancelled a broadcast about former President Ronald Reagan which Republican partisans considered insufficiently flattering." Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) wrote a separate letter to CBS urging them to reconsider their decision.
Today, the L.A. Times printed an Op-Ed piece of ours which lays out the case against CBS's censorship. That's attached below. But the editorial pages of the Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, and many other papers came out in our favor as well. As the Globe wrote, "MoveOn.org's 30-second ad, which has aired on CNN, is a gentle yet powerful depiction of how hard today's children will have to work to pay off the country's mounting deficit. That's a vital message that might get lost in a year of campaign rhetoric, and it deserves a response from the White House in its own 30 seconds of imagery. America, sitting on the couch, junk food in hand, just might sit up and want to know more."
Luckily, there are still some networks that do allow the free exchange of ideas. Please join the one-minute boycott: at Super Bowl halftime, switch to CNN and watch "Child's Pay," and let us know at:
http://www.moveonvoterfund.org/boycott/?id=2293-1499023-ydJuuW19CVz4IaUis.7e9A
From MoveOn.org:
The CBS networks still refuses to run our winning ad in the Bush in 30 Seconds ad contest during the Super Bowl. The MoveOn.org non-partisan campaign to get CBS to air issue ads continues, but we're not going to let CBS's censorship stop us in the mean time. That's why we're spending over $1 million to air the ad in our swing states and nation-wide on other channels -- starting with two spots on CNN that will air during the Super Bowl half time.
This Sunday, during the Super Bowl half time show, join us in changing channels on CBS. At 8:10pm and 8:35pm EST, switch over to CNN to watch "Child's Pay" on a channel which doesn't censor its ads. We'd like to keep a tally of the number of people who participate -- you can sign up here:
http://www.moveonvoterfund.org/boycott/?id=2293-1499023-ydJuuW19CVz4IaUis.7e9A
The number of groups, individuals, and newspapers that have called on CBS to run our ad is remarkable. The National Organization for Women and the American Civil Liberties Union have asked their own members to call CBS. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) gave a powerful speech about CBS on the floor of the Senate, saying, "Maybe network executives at CBS are so afraid of political pressure from the right wing and their business advertisers who are in league with the right wing politics of America that they are afraid to put anything on the air that might in fact make things uncomfortable. If that is the case, it is time for CBS to announce the name of their network is the 'Conservative Broadcasting System' and come clean with American viewers."
28 members of the House of Representatives wrote a letter to CBS which stated, "The choice not to run this paid advertisement appears to be part of a disturbing pattern on CBS's part to bow to the wishes of the Republican National Committee. We remember well CBS's remarkable decision this fall to self-censor at the direction of GOP pressure. The network shamefully cancelled a broadcast about former President Ronald Reagan which Republican partisans considered insufficiently flattering." Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) wrote a separate letter to CBS urging them to reconsider their decision.
Today, the L.A. Times printed an Op-Ed piece of ours which lays out the case against CBS's censorship. That's attached below. But the editorial pages of the Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, and many other papers came out in our favor as well. As the Globe wrote, "MoveOn.org's 30-second ad, which has aired on CNN, is a gentle yet powerful depiction of how hard today's children will have to work to pay off the country's mounting deficit. That's a vital message that might get lost in a year of campaign rhetoric, and it deserves a response from the White House in its own 30 seconds of imagery. America, sitting on the couch, junk food in hand, just might sit up and want to know more."
Luckily, there are still some networks that do allow the free exchange of ideas. Please join the one-minute boycott: at Super Bowl halftime, switch to CNN and watch "Child's Pay," and let us know at:
http://www.moveonvoterfund.org/boycott/?id=2293-1499023-ydJuuW19CVz4IaUis.7e9A
Thursday, January 29, 2004
Western Anglers, Hunters Criticize Bush-Cheney Energy Bill
A group of conservative sportsmen and anglers yesterday criticized the Bush-Cheney energy bill for trying to open up Western public lands to more oil and gas exploration. They expressed concern that the Bush Administration's energy policies and the energy bill pending in Congress threaten prime fish and wildlife habitat on public lands in the Rocky Mountain West. The group, which held a press conference in Washington, included representatives from Trout Unlimited, Friends of the Rocky Mountain Front and several Western businesspeople.
Trout Unlimited also released a report showing the likely harm to fish and wildlife and on fishing and hunting opportunities that could result from energy development in the region; 64 percent of the group's members are Republicans. "I have long believed that there should be a new 'conservative wing' that embraces most of the Republican platform but that also places a strong value on wilderness, unspoiled land and wildlife," said Ryan Busse, vice president of Montana firearms manufacturer Kimber Manufacturing Inc. "I know these people exist, because I work with them every day: presidents of companies and high-level executives who love to hunt, fish, hike and have wilderness experiences and yet all are ardent conservatives."
The group also visited congressional leaders to request that the most harmful provisions of the energy bill, which would eliminate or weaken protections for wildlife and fish on millions of Western acres, are fixed or removed. Many anglers and hunters throughout the Western U.S. are deeply concerned that efforts to speed energy development on public lands are coming at the expense of protections for fish, wildlife and scarce water resources, speakers said.
"I consider myself conservative, but am worried about and opposed to the Bush Administration's invasion of our last remaining roadless lands," said Stoney Burk, an attorney, businessman, avid hunter and angler from Choteau, Mont. "We need an energy policy with more emphasis on clean, non-extractive, renewable energy." Figures detailed in the Trout Unlimited gas and oil report show that 9 million people spend more than $5 billion each year to hunt, fish or otherwise enjoy the abundant wildlife and fish within the five Rocky Mountain states of Montana, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and New Mexico.
EXCITING NEWS ABOUT THE IRAQ PEACE MISSION!
From emissaryoflight.com
We have received an invitation from the national theater in Baghdad to
host the leaders from the various spiritual traditions who will gather
on March 20th, the one year anniversary of the beginning of the war in
Iraq. As you already know, I will be leading a group of spiritual and
aboriginal leaders to Iraq to offer ceremony and prayers of peace. The
enthusiastic response from the national theater is a tremendous boost.
We will continue to forward information as this story develops. Please
help pass the word about this historic journey.
Children's Home in Iraq
A group of conservative sportsmen and anglers yesterday criticized the Bush-Cheney energy bill for trying to open up Western public lands to more oil and gas exploration. They expressed concern that the Bush Administration's energy policies and the energy bill pending in Congress threaten prime fish and wildlife habitat on public lands in the Rocky Mountain West. The group, which held a press conference in Washington, included representatives from Trout Unlimited, Friends of the Rocky Mountain Front and several Western businesspeople.
Trout Unlimited also released a report showing the likely harm to fish and wildlife and on fishing and hunting opportunities that could result from energy development in the region; 64 percent of the group's members are Republicans. "I have long believed that there should be a new 'conservative wing' that embraces most of the Republican platform but that also places a strong value on wilderness, unspoiled land and wildlife," said Ryan Busse, vice president of Montana firearms manufacturer Kimber Manufacturing Inc. "I know these people exist, because I work with them every day: presidents of companies and high-level executives who love to hunt, fish, hike and have wilderness experiences and yet all are ardent conservatives."
The group also visited congressional leaders to request that the most harmful provisions of the energy bill, which would eliminate or weaken protections for wildlife and fish on millions of Western acres, are fixed or removed. Many anglers and hunters throughout the Western U.S. are deeply concerned that efforts to speed energy development on public lands are coming at the expense of protections for fish, wildlife and scarce water resources, speakers said.
"I consider myself conservative, but am worried about and opposed to the Bush Administration's invasion of our last remaining roadless lands," said Stoney Burk, an attorney, businessman, avid hunter and angler from Choteau, Mont. "We need an energy policy with more emphasis on clean, non-extractive, renewable energy." Figures detailed in the Trout Unlimited gas and oil report show that 9 million people spend more than $5 billion each year to hunt, fish or otherwise enjoy the abundant wildlife and fish within the five Rocky Mountain states of Montana, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and New Mexico.
EXCITING NEWS ABOUT THE IRAQ PEACE MISSION!
From emissaryoflight.com
We have received an invitation from the national theater in Baghdad to
host the leaders from the various spiritual traditions who will gather
on March 20th, the one year anniversary of the beginning of the war in
Iraq. As you already know, I will be leading a group of spiritual and
aboriginal leaders to Iraq to offer ceremony and prayers of peace. The
enthusiastic response from the national theater is a tremendous boost.
We will continue to forward information as this story develops. Please
help pass the word about this historic journey.
Children's Home in Iraq
THE GENERAL VERSUS THE DESERTER
From Moveon.org:
There are cries of outrage in the media about filmmaker Michael Moore's comment that a debate between Wesley Clark and George W. Bush would be "the general versus the deserter." Moore's comment came up during last Thursday's Democratic presidential debate when ABC News anchor Peter Jennings called it "a reckless charge not supported by the facts."
Yet Jennings' own charge is contrary to the reports of major newspapers. Whether or not the legal designation of "deserter" applies to Bush, he failed to appear for duty for months -- possibly a year -- while a member of the Air National Guard during the Vietnam War, according to the Boston Globe, New York Times, and Washington Post.
To what was Jennings referring when he claimed there are no facts to support the charge that Bush was absent from his military service?
The matter of Bush's military record is by no means resolved. According to the Boston Globe in May 2000, after a political colleague of his father called Texas Air National Guard officials to get Bush a coveted slot in domestic service, Bush trained to fly the F-102. Shortly after being commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1968, he was granted a two month leave to work on a Florida Senate race.
In 1972, Bush moved to Alabama to work on another GOP Senate campaign and was reassigned to the 187th Tactical Recon Group in Montgomery. But there is no record of his service there. The general who commanded the Alabama unit at the time said Bush never appeared for duty. To date, Bush has been unable to remember the names of any of his commanding officers.
After the election, Bush returned to Texas, "but apparently not to his Air Force unit." Bush spokesmen insist that in Texas he made up the hours of service missed in Alabama, pointing to a torn piece of paper in his Guard record. The Washington Post notes, however, "most of the dates and Bush's name except for the 'W' have been torn off." Further, the record shows that in May 1973 his superiors in Texas were unable to rate him for the prior 12 months because he had not appeared at the unit during that time.
Shortly after, Bush was ordered to report for duty, which he then did. After 36 days, Bush was granted a discharge to attend Harvard Business School -- eight months before his six-year term expired. Despite calls to do so during the 2000 election, Bush has not accounted for the mysterious period from May 1972 to May 1973.
During the 2000 election, the Globe, Times, and Post all investigated Bush's military record, but ABC News coverage consisted only of the following comment: "What about his military obligation in the Texas Air National Guard? He says he fulfilled it, but is hazy in his recollections. Did his father secure a safe slot for him, away from combat? Both men say no." These disconcerting questions were not followed by any journalistic research, leaving the viewer with no way to know what really happened.
ACTION: Why did Jennings declare before a national audience that this is "a reckless charge not supported by the facts" when major newspapers found Bush's record very much in question and when his own network has never looked into the matter? Let ABC News know you'd like to see them look into the charge that Bush failed to report for his military service.
ABC News
netaudr@abc.com
From Moveon.org:
There are cries of outrage in the media about filmmaker Michael Moore's comment that a debate between Wesley Clark and George W. Bush would be "the general versus the deserter." Moore's comment came up during last Thursday's Democratic presidential debate when ABC News anchor Peter Jennings called it "a reckless charge not supported by the facts."
Yet Jennings' own charge is contrary to the reports of major newspapers. Whether or not the legal designation of "deserter" applies to Bush, he failed to appear for duty for months -- possibly a year -- while a member of the Air National Guard during the Vietnam War, according to the Boston Globe, New York Times, and Washington Post.
To what was Jennings referring when he claimed there are no facts to support the charge that Bush was absent from his military service?
The matter of Bush's military record is by no means resolved. According to the Boston Globe in May 2000, after a political colleague of his father called Texas Air National Guard officials to get Bush a coveted slot in domestic service, Bush trained to fly the F-102. Shortly after being commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1968, he was granted a two month leave to work on a Florida Senate race.
In 1972, Bush moved to Alabama to work on another GOP Senate campaign and was reassigned to the 187th Tactical Recon Group in Montgomery. But there is no record of his service there. The general who commanded the Alabama unit at the time said Bush never appeared for duty. To date, Bush has been unable to remember the names of any of his commanding officers.
After the election, Bush returned to Texas, "but apparently not to his Air Force unit." Bush spokesmen insist that in Texas he made up the hours of service missed in Alabama, pointing to a torn piece of paper in his Guard record. The Washington Post notes, however, "most of the dates and Bush's name except for the 'W' have been torn off." Further, the record shows that in May 1973 his superiors in Texas were unable to rate him for the prior 12 months because he had not appeared at the unit during that time.
Shortly after, Bush was ordered to report for duty, which he then did. After 36 days, Bush was granted a discharge to attend Harvard Business School -- eight months before his six-year term expired. Despite calls to do so during the 2000 election, Bush has not accounted for the mysterious period from May 1972 to May 1973.
During the 2000 election, the Globe, Times, and Post all investigated Bush's military record, but ABC News coverage consisted only of the following comment: "What about his military obligation in the Texas Air National Guard? He says he fulfilled it, but is hazy in his recollections. Did his father secure a safe slot for him, away from combat? Both men say no." These disconcerting questions were not followed by any journalistic research, leaving the viewer with no way to know what really happened.
ACTION: Why did Jennings declare before a national audience that this is "a reckless charge not supported by the facts" when major newspapers found Bush's record very much in question and when his own network has never looked into the matter? Let ABC News know you'd like to see them look into the charge that Bush failed to report for his military service.
ABC News
netaudr@abc.com
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
KUCINICH PLANS FULL PUBLIC INQUIRY
Dennis Kucinich yesterday announced plans to
create as President a full public inquiry into why
the Bush Administration made the claims it did
about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. He
asked the other Democratic candidates to make
the same commitment. Some of them may be
reluctant to do so, judging by the following
transcript excerpts from today's Democracy Now! Program:
JEREMY SCAHILL: Governor Dean, why did you
say in March 2003 that Saddam Hussein has
weapons of mass destruction? Governor Dean?
Why did you say --
HOWARD DEAN: I thought he did.
JEREMY SCAHILL: What intelligence did you base that on?
HOWARD DEAN: Talks with people who were
knowledgeable, including a series of folks that
work in the Clinton administration.
JEREMY SCAHILL: Were you wrong?
HOWARD DEAN: Maybe. I don't know. Probably
not the best time to talk about it.
AMY GOODDMAN: Senator Kerry -- quick question.
You said that Saddam Hussein wasdeveloping
nuclear weapons when other nations wouldn't try.
What intelligence was that based on?
JOHN KERRY: I don't know what report --
I don't know what you are talking about.
AMY GOODDMAN: You said Saddam Hussein was
developing nuclear weapons.
JOHN KERRY: When did I say that? I don't recall.
I don't know.
AMY GOODDMAN: You said he was developing chemical
and biological weapons.
JOHN KERRY: I never said he was developing nuclear.
I believe I said --
AMY GOODDMAN: You said, why is Saddam Hussein
attempting to develop nuclear weapons.
JOHN KERRY: Attempting to, because he did. He
did attempt to. AMY GOODDMAN: According to
intelligence, Iraq has chemical and biological weapons.
JOHN KERRY: Say it again?
AMY GOODDMAN: You said according to intelligence,
Iraq has biological and chemical weapons.
JOHN KERRY: That's what we were told. Right.
AMY GOODDMAN: Is that intelligence wrong?
Do you think Bush -- you made a wrong statement,
then? Because Kucinich at the time was saying no
credible sources were there, but you are saying --
JOHN KERRY: I'm sorry, we're going to have to do --
JEREMY SCAHILL: Amy was then told by Kerry's people
to stop asking questions and the press could ask t
hem later. But when she asked if there would be an
avail after the event, press lingo for press availability,
Kerry's staffers conceded that there would be none.
We persisted in our questioning of Kerry on this issue.
JEREMY SCAHILL: Senator Kerry, why did you say that
Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction?
STAFFER: We have to get the Apollo crew in here.
JEREMY SCAHILL: Answer the question, senator Kerry.
Why did you accuse Saddam of having weapons of mass
destruction?
Dennis Kucinich yesterday announced plans to
create as President a full public inquiry into why
the Bush Administration made the claims it did
about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. He
asked the other Democratic candidates to make
the same commitment. Some of them may be
reluctant to do so, judging by the following
transcript excerpts from today's Democracy Now! Program:
JEREMY SCAHILL: Governor Dean, why did you
say in March 2003 that Saddam Hussein has
weapons of mass destruction? Governor Dean?
Why did you say --
HOWARD DEAN: I thought he did.
JEREMY SCAHILL: What intelligence did you base that on?
HOWARD DEAN: Talks with people who were
knowledgeable, including a series of folks that
work in the Clinton administration.
JEREMY SCAHILL: Were you wrong?
HOWARD DEAN: Maybe. I don't know. Probably
not the best time to talk about it.
AMY GOODDMAN: Senator Kerry -- quick question.
You said that Saddam Hussein wasdeveloping
nuclear weapons when other nations wouldn't try.
What intelligence was that based on?
JOHN KERRY: I don't know what report --
I don't know what you are talking about.
AMY GOODDMAN: You said Saddam Hussein was
developing nuclear weapons.
JOHN KERRY: When did I say that? I don't recall.
I don't know.
AMY GOODDMAN: You said he was developing chemical
and biological weapons.
JOHN KERRY: I never said he was developing nuclear.
I believe I said --
AMY GOODDMAN: You said, why is Saddam Hussein
attempting to develop nuclear weapons.
JOHN KERRY: Attempting to, because he did. He
did attempt to. AMY GOODDMAN: According to
intelligence, Iraq has chemical and biological weapons.
JOHN KERRY: Say it again?
AMY GOODDMAN: You said according to intelligence,
Iraq has biological and chemical weapons.
JOHN KERRY: That's what we were told. Right.
AMY GOODDMAN: Is that intelligence wrong?
Do you think Bush -- you made a wrong statement,
then? Because Kucinich at the time was saying no
credible sources were there, but you are saying --
JOHN KERRY: I'm sorry, we're going to have to do --
JEREMY SCAHILL: Amy was then told by Kerry's people
to stop asking questions and the press could ask t
hem later. But when she asked if there would be an
avail after the event, press lingo for press availability,
Kerry's staffers conceded that there would be none.
We persisted in our questioning of Kerry on this issue.
JEREMY SCAHILL: Senator Kerry, why did you say that
Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction?
STAFFER: We have to get the Apollo crew in here.
JEREMY SCAHILL: Answer the question, senator Kerry.
Why did you accuse Saddam of having weapons of mass
destruction?
Global Exchange strives to eliminate the abuses in garment and shoe factories by pressuring companies to disclose the location of factories, pay workers a living wage, allow independent monitoring of factories, and guarantee workers the right to organize independent unions.
Did you know...
Workers in El Salvador earn about 24 cents for each NBA jersey they produce, which then sell for $140 in the U.S.
More than two-thirds of workers in Latin America making products for Nike say they are not paid enough to put away savings or support others.
Workers in China have been known to die after marathon shifts, and workers even have a name for such incidents: guolaosi," which means "overwork death."
Workers in Mexico making jeans for Gap and Guess say they are sometimes forced to work all-night shifts, and are prevented from leaving the factory by armed guards.
In China, some workers making clothing for Disney receive as litte as 16 cents per hour. In countries like China and Vietnam, independent unions are outlawed, while in places such as Mexico and Indonesia government officials often cooperate with factory management as they try to crush union organizing drives. Chinese workers who try to organize unions are frequently jailed. In Mexico, Nicaragua, and Indonesia striking workers have been attacked and beaten.
It's about time that the major clothing retailers understand that these kind of human costs have to be factored into the way that they calculate the "bottom line."
Click here to learn how to get involved in stopping Sweat Shops. Be informed. Don't support organizations that abuse workers.
Sweat Shop Workers in El Salvador
Did you know...
Workers in El Salvador earn about 24 cents for each NBA jersey they produce, which then sell for $140 in the U.S.
More than two-thirds of workers in Latin America making products for Nike say they are not paid enough to put away savings or support others.
Workers in China have been known to die after marathon shifts, and workers even have a name for such incidents: guolaosi," which means "overwork death."
Workers in Mexico making jeans for Gap and Guess say they are sometimes forced to work all-night shifts, and are prevented from leaving the factory by armed guards.
In China, some workers making clothing for Disney receive as litte as 16 cents per hour. In countries like China and Vietnam, independent unions are outlawed, while in places such as Mexico and Indonesia government officials often cooperate with factory management as they try to crush union organizing drives. Chinese workers who try to organize unions are frequently jailed. In Mexico, Nicaragua, and Indonesia striking workers have been attacked and beaten.
It's about time that the major clothing retailers understand that these kind of human costs have to be factored into the way that they calculate the "bottom line."
Click here to learn how to get involved in stopping Sweat Shops. Be informed. Don't support organizations that abuse workers.
Sweat Shop Workers in El Salvador
Poem of the Day:
On the Other Side
A pocket knife and some crackers
in a dirty pocket for the family
as a last resort
While on the other side
the resorts
are still attractive
attracting revenue
with blue pools for bikinis and oiled bottoms
and the latest best selling courtroom dramas
lawn chairs positioned just so
for the clasping of a cold beer and some crackers and caviar
While on the other side, red sand splatters against sunsets
pock-marking the backdrop, staining clouds
sand blasting towns between nothing and
nothing, with falling hospitals and
burnt lawns not figuring
into the mathematics
of the pentagon
(or maybe they do) the grandfather
has one tooth left, the
grandchild has missing arms
and no candy, the missiles
have no preferences,
the tanks rumble with the indifference of
blender machines
While on the other side,
millions pause in front of
aisles of cartons within cartons
weighing calorie content
and bliss, style and economy
But later, after the black sheets of 10pm press
against the windowpanes
with the light-box is dazzling with its
picture frames, they can’t help but notice
that their crunchies and creamy goodies
taste ever so slightly
like sand
by Jack Stull
Click here for more work by Jack Stull
From PoetsAgainstTheWar.org
Everyday life in Iraq. Would you choose this for your child?
On the Other Side
A pocket knife and some crackers
in a dirty pocket for the family
as a last resort
While on the other side
the resorts
are still attractive
attracting revenue
with blue pools for bikinis and oiled bottoms
and the latest best selling courtroom dramas
lawn chairs positioned just so
for the clasping of a cold beer and some crackers and caviar
While on the other side, red sand splatters against sunsets
pock-marking the backdrop, staining clouds
sand blasting towns between nothing and
nothing, with falling hospitals and
burnt lawns not figuring
into the mathematics
of the pentagon
(or maybe they do) the grandfather
has one tooth left, the
grandchild has missing arms
and no candy, the missiles
have no preferences,
the tanks rumble with the indifference of
blender machines
While on the other side,
millions pause in front of
aisles of cartons within cartons
weighing calorie content
and bliss, style and economy
But later, after the black sheets of 10pm press
against the windowpanes
with the light-box is dazzling with its
picture frames, they can’t help but notice
that their crunchies and creamy goodies
taste ever so slightly
like sand
by Jack Stull
Click here for more work by Jack Stull
From PoetsAgainstTheWar.org
Everyday life in Iraq. Would you choose this for your child?
Making a FAIR TRADE Difference At Home and Abroad:
Fair Harvest Volunteers Return from Nicaragua
For Immediate Release: Thursday, January 29, 2004
Global Exchange's Fair Harvest volunteers have returned tired, sore and bug-bittenfrom their sojourn to Nicaragua. But the volunteers are extremely proud to have helped the Fair Trade farmers harvest this year's coffee from January 6 to 19. "It put a face on the farmers for me," said Matthew Bowlby of Minneapolis. "I got to understand first-hand the lives and struggles of the small coffee farmer—if only everyone could see the face of Fair Trade and its counterparts, they would never buy non Fair Trade coffee again!"
Twelve sturdy volunteers from all over the United States spent two weeks working the Fair Trade coffee harvest in Nicaragua's Yasika Sur region. The Fair Harvesters awoke at 6 am every morning and either picked coffee beans or washed, dried and sorted the harvest with the farming families hosting them. So why in the world would a group of young Americans choose to spend two weeks roughing it and harvesting coffee in Nicaragua?
In two words: Fair Trade. Fair Trade is a way for small scale farmers, buffeted and bankrupted by the depressed world price of coffee, to get a fair price for their products that allows them to get health care and education for their families. The world price of coffee hovers around 50 cents a pound, and the farmers can get as little as 10 cents a pound. But the Fair Trade price is $1.26 per pound, or $1.41 for Fair Trade and organic certified.
The volunteers joined the Nicaraguan communities of El Roblar and La Corona for the harvest. Both are members of the Organization of Northern Coffee Cooperatives (CECOCAFEN) which produces fruits, vegetables, some cocoa and, of course, coffee. The local farmers and CECOCAFEN are controlling their own destiny with local economic initiatives to promote organic production, enhanced quality control, better marketing and an effort to move away from export production into ecotourism.
The Fair Harvest program addresses two problems simultaneously. Volunteers help farmers harvest their crop and later spread the word in the United States about the importance of Fair Trade. "We must act to make a structural change in global trade," asserts Valerie Orth, the Fair Trade campaigner with Global Exchange who organized Fair Harvest. "The way to do that is to increase the involvement of consumers at all levels of the industry, as coffee drinkers and as newly awakened activists ready to fight for Fair Trade. Global Exchange's Fair Harvest is an innovative way to increase the demand for Fair Trade."
For more information about Fair Trade and Global Exchange please visit www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade.
BUY FAIR TRADE COFFEE. Peace Coffee is one of the fair trade coffee makers in the U.S. Also, Starbucks is now offering a fair trade blend by the bag, and are serving Fair Trade coffee one day a month. Ask them for it over the counter. They should be serving it EVERY DAY! Click here to find out about the Starbucks campaign, and how you can get involved.
Click here for Peace Coffee.
Additionally, here is a list from Global Exchange of Fair Trade coffee roasters.
Ethiopian Coffee Growing Family
Fair Harvest Volunteers Return from Nicaragua
For Immediate Release: Thursday, January 29, 2004
Global Exchange's Fair Harvest volunteers have returned tired, sore and bug-bittenfrom their sojourn to Nicaragua. But the volunteers are extremely proud to have helped the Fair Trade farmers harvest this year's coffee from January 6 to 19. "It put a face on the farmers for me," said Matthew Bowlby of Minneapolis. "I got to understand first-hand the lives and struggles of the small coffee farmer—if only everyone could see the face of Fair Trade and its counterparts, they would never buy non Fair Trade coffee again!"
Twelve sturdy volunteers from all over the United States spent two weeks working the Fair Trade coffee harvest in Nicaragua's Yasika Sur region. The Fair Harvesters awoke at 6 am every morning and either picked coffee beans or washed, dried and sorted the harvest with the farming families hosting them. So why in the world would a group of young Americans choose to spend two weeks roughing it and harvesting coffee in Nicaragua?
In two words: Fair Trade. Fair Trade is a way for small scale farmers, buffeted and bankrupted by the depressed world price of coffee, to get a fair price for their products that allows them to get health care and education for their families. The world price of coffee hovers around 50 cents a pound, and the farmers can get as little as 10 cents a pound. But the Fair Trade price is $1.26 per pound, or $1.41 for Fair Trade and organic certified.
The volunteers joined the Nicaraguan communities of El Roblar and La Corona for the harvest. Both are members of the Organization of Northern Coffee Cooperatives (CECOCAFEN) which produces fruits, vegetables, some cocoa and, of course, coffee. The local farmers and CECOCAFEN are controlling their own destiny with local economic initiatives to promote organic production, enhanced quality control, better marketing and an effort to move away from export production into ecotourism.
The Fair Harvest program addresses two problems simultaneously. Volunteers help farmers harvest their crop and later spread the word in the United States about the importance of Fair Trade. "We must act to make a structural change in global trade," asserts Valerie Orth, the Fair Trade campaigner with Global Exchange who organized Fair Harvest. "The way to do that is to increase the involvement of consumers at all levels of the industry, as coffee drinkers and as newly awakened activists ready to fight for Fair Trade. Global Exchange's Fair Harvest is an innovative way to increase the demand for Fair Trade."
For more information about Fair Trade and Global Exchange please visit www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade.
BUY FAIR TRADE COFFEE. Peace Coffee is one of the fair trade coffee makers in the U.S. Also, Starbucks is now offering a fair trade blend by the bag, and are serving Fair Trade coffee one day a month. Ask them for it over the counter. They should be serving it EVERY DAY! Click here to find out about the Starbucks campaign, and how you can get involved.
Click here for Peace Coffee.
Additionally, here is a list from Global Exchange of Fair Trade coffee roasters.
Ethiopian Coffee Growing Family
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
CBS INUNDATED WITH CALLS/EMAILS: KEEP IT UP
Over the last four days, something incredible has happened. CBS has received over 340,000 emails and phone calls asking it to stop its censorship. Clearly a huge number of us believe that CBS's refusal to run our Voter Fund ad, while allowing the Bush White House to run an advocacy ad of its own, is just plain wrong.
Columnists and editorial pages are writing about it. And on Monday, FCC commissioner Michael Copps issued a statement on it. These folks understand that this issue isn't just about our Voter Fund's ad -- an ad by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals was censored as well. At heart, it's about free speech. Huge companies like CBS that control access to the publicly owned airwaves have to air opposing points of view.
CBS still refuses to run "Child's Pay." But together, we can increase the pressure on CBS. And through the power of the Internet, we can make sure that millions of people see the ad and learn about the controversy. As a first step, forward this email or the original message attached below to your friends. Ask them to check out the ad at:
http://www.moveon.org/cbs/ad/
(You can also point them directly to the CBS petition at http://www.moveon.org/cbs/?id=2285-1499023-QdtpC4R9nAhHn_S.deYDjw)
They can also send an email to CBS and join the campaign at that address. If you haven't joined the campaign yet, you can sign the petition there as well.
Next, consider taking a moment to call CBS and let them know why you believe their refusal to run ads like this one is wrong. If you call, please be calm and polite -- it's not the folks who answer the phones' fault that CBS made this decision. You can reach them at:
CBS Comment Line
(212) 975-4114
(We're spreading out the calls across a number of relevant CBS numbers, so hopefully you won't get a busy signal.)
Over the last four days, something incredible has happened. CBS has received over 340,000 emails and phone calls asking it to stop its censorship. Clearly a huge number of us believe that CBS's refusal to run our Voter Fund ad, while allowing the Bush White House to run an advocacy ad of its own, is just plain wrong.
Columnists and editorial pages are writing about it. And on Monday, FCC commissioner Michael Copps issued a statement on it. These folks understand that this issue isn't just about our Voter Fund's ad -- an ad by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals was censored as well. At heart, it's about free speech. Huge companies like CBS that control access to the publicly owned airwaves have to air opposing points of view.
CBS still refuses to run "Child's Pay." But together, we can increase the pressure on CBS. And through the power of the Internet, we can make sure that millions of people see the ad and learn about the controversy. As a first step, forward this email or the original message attached below to your friends. Ask them to check out the ad at:
http://www.moveon.org/cbs/ad/
(You can also point them directly to the CBS petition at http://www.moveon.org/cbs/?id=2285-1499023-QdtpC4R9nAhHn_S.deYDjw)
They can also send an email to CBS and join the campaign at that address. If you haven't joined the campaign yet, you can sign the petition there as well.
Next, consider taking a moment to call CBS and let them know why you believe their refusal to run ads like this one is wrong. If you call, please be calm and polite -- it's not the folks who answer the phones' fault that CBS made this decision. You can reach them at:
CBS Comment Line
(212) 975-4114
(We're spreading out the calls across a number of relevant CBS numbers, so hopefully you won't get a busy signal.)
Monday, January 26, 2004
From ElectronicIraq:
REBUILDING IRAQ
Today I visited the former Iraqi Air Defense Camp in Baghdad. Under Saddam Hussein’s regime, now legendary for ruthless repression, military officers and their families were given decent housing. In this camp, they even had two swimming pools. Heavily bombed during Operation Shock and Awe, the compound’s main buildings are now massive heaps of rubble, with a few long, gray tubular US missiles scattered on the debris
Following the US led invasion of Iraq, at least 400 families moved into this camp. It’s one of several similar vacated and bombed areas that have been “squatted” by desperate families who prefer eking out an existence amid the wreckage to whatever misery they left behind. Before the Occupation, in poor neighborhoods such as the oft-cited Saddam city, renamed Sadr City, several families would inhabit one hovel.
I can well imagine the infighting over scarce resources that would inspire a young couple to pick up their meager belongings and move. What’s more, when local and absentee landlords realized that there was no government system to prevent them from evicting people and raising the rents, numerous families found themselves kicked out of their homes at gunpoint or unable to pay skyrocketing rents. Under Saddam’s regime, landlords would face long drawn out court appeals in their efforts to evict people, perhaps because the regime couldn’t cope with greater numbers of homeless and displaced people. In spite of appalling conditions, it’s clear that the people who are squatting in this camp have gambled on the possibility that enduring present hardships could lead to something better in the future.
The children in the camp are among the loveliest little ones I’ve ever met. They were shy, but smiling, friendly, and incredibly well behaved. The collapsed buildings and mounds of debris don’t seem to phase them. Several of them worked industriously atop hills of rubble, their little hands digging for intact bricks. They bring the bricks to their parents who use them to build new housing walls.
At least a dozen of the children have large red spots covering their faces. It could be that they’ve been bitten by midgets or fleas. But now visitors begin to wonder if they’re affected by contaminants from the bomb parts. A proper needs assessment of this new housing area ought to be undertaken right away. Clearly they will need a new ration distribution system. For now, parents return to the “old neighborhood” to pick up ration distributions since they have no formal identification as residents in the squatted camp. The new “householders” need access to clean water, medical care, a clinic and a school. Yet it seems unlikely that their dismal situation will gain much attention in the near future. - Excerpts from diary by Kathy Kelly, Voices In The Wilderness
REBUILDING IRAQ
Today I visited the former Iraqi Air Defense Camp in Baghdad. Under Saddam Hussein’s regime, now legendary for ruthless repression, military officers and their families were given decent housing. In this camp, they even had two swimming pools. Heavily bombed during Operation Shock and Awe, the compound’s main buildings are now massive heaps of rubble, with a few long, gray tubular US missiles scattered on the debris
Following the US led invasion of Iraq, at least 400 families moved into this camp. It’s one of several similar vacated and bombed areas that have been “squatted” by desperate families who prefer eking out an existence amid the wreckage to whatever misery they left behind. Before the Occupation, in poor neighborhoods such as the oft-cited Saddam city, renamed Sadr City, several families would inhabit one hovel.
I can well imagine the infighting over scarce resources that would inspire a young couple to pick up their meager belongings and move. What’s more, when local and absentee landlords realized that there was no government system to prevent them from evicting people and raising the rents, numerous families found themselves kicked out of their homes at gunpoint or unable to pay skyrocketing rents. Under Saddam’s regime, landlords would face long drawn out court appeals in their efforts to evict people, perhaps because the regime couldn’t cope with greater numbers of homeless and displaced people. In spite of appalling conditions, it’s clear that the people who are squatting in this camp have gambled on the possibility that enduring present hardships could lead to something better in the future.
The children in the camp are among the loveliest little ones I’ve ever met. They were shy, but smiling, friendly, and incredibly well behaved. The collapsed buildings and mounds of debris don’t seem to phase them. Several of them worked industriously atop hills of rubble, their little hands digging for intact bricks. They bring the bricks to their parents who use them to build new housing walls.
At least a dozen of the children have large red spots covering their faces. It could be that they’ve been bitten by midgets or fleas. But now visitors begin to wonder if they’re affected by contaminants from the bomb parts. A proper needs assessment of this new housing area ought to be undertaken right away. Clearly they will need a new ration distribution system. For now, parents return to the “old neighborhood” to pick up ration distributions since they have no formal identification as residents in the squatted camp. The new “householders” need access to clean water, medical care, a clinic and a school. Yet it seems unlikely that their dismal situation will gain much attention in the near future. - Excerpts from diary by Kathy Kelly, Voices In The Wilderness
From BushGreenWatch.org
Bush Administration Presses European Union To Weaken Proposed Chemical Regulations, Lest They Affect U.S.
Last year the Bush Administration encouraged American chemical companies to lobby against European efforts to strengthen the regulation of thousands of chemicals contained in household, industrial and personal products. When the chemical industry was slow to respond, Administration officials took it upon themselves to launch "an unusually aggressive campaign" to pressure the European Union (EU) into watering down its comprehensive reform efforts.
Documents uncovered by the Environmental Health Fund, using the Freedom of Information Act, showed the U.S. State and Commerce departments, Environmental Protection Agency and office of the U.S. Trade Representative, formed an alliance with Dow Chemical Co. and others to ward off regulations they feared would raise the cost of doing business in Europe.
Those tactics could backfire. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), along with several other influential Democrats, is drafting a proposal to rewrite American chemical regulations to more closely resemble the EU's proposed reforms. The EU proposal, known as REACH, would require manufacturers to test chemicals for health and environmental impacts before putting them on the market. It relies on the precautionary principle -- that people should not be exposed to problematic chemicals if safer substitutes are available.
In contrast, US chemical regulatory policy requires no testing for more than 95 percent of the chemicals currently in commerce. Studies show that, as a result, Americans carry a "body burden" of more than 100 chemicals commonly used in products such as Teflon pans, cosmetics, and flame retardants used in fabrics and electronic goods.
Aides for several Congressional Democrats say it is likely a bill will be introduced this year modeled after REACH. Observers say the proposed legislation faces an uphill battle.
Bush Administration Presses European Union To Weaken Proposed Chemical Regulations, Lest They Affect U.S.
Last year the Bush Administration encouraged American chemical companies to lobby against European efforts to strengthen the regulation of thousands of chemicals contained in household, industrial and personal products. When the chemical industry was slow to respond, Administration officials took it upon themselves to launch "an unusually aggressive campaign" to pressure the European Union (EU) into watering down its comprehensive reform efforts.
Documents uncovered by the Environmental Health Fund, using the Freedom of Information Act, showed the U.S. State and Commerce departments, Environmental Protection Agency and office of the U.S. Trade Representative, formed an alliance with Dow Chemical Co. and others to ward off regulations they feared would raise the cost of doing business in Europe.
Those tactics could backfire. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), along with several other influential Democrats, is drafting a proposal to rewrite American chemical regulations to more closely resemble the EU's proposed reforms. The EU proposal, known as REACH, would require manufacturers to test chemicals for health and environmental impacts before putting them on the market. It relies on the precautionary principle -- that people should not be exposed to problematic chemicals if safer substitutes are available.
In contrast, US chemical regulatory policy requires no testing for more than 95 percent of the chemicals currently in commerce. Studies show that, as a result, Americans carry a "body burden" of more than 100 chemicals commonly used in products such as Teflon pans, cosmetics, and flame retardants used in fabrics and electronic goods.
Aides for several Congressional Democrats say it is likely a bill will be introduced this year modeled after REACH. Observers say the proposed legislation faces an uphill battle.
From Kucinich Campaign:
FIVE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES SUPPORTED BUSH'S ALLEGATIONS OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. KUCINICH STAYED STRONG.
Yesterday the leader of the U.S. search for Iraq's alleged stockpiles of chemical or biological weapons said he didn't think there were any. Secretary of State Colin Powell now claims we went to war to find out whether such weapons existed.
Senators Kerry, Lieberman and Edwards, Dr. Dean, and General Clark, all claimed that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, and, therefore, contributed to the political climate which falsely justified a war.
The Institute for Public Accuracy has compiled the following quotes, [listed in chronological order]:
[August 4, 2002] Sen. JOSEPH LIEBERMAN: "Every day Saddam remains in power with chemical weapons, biological weapons, and the development of nuclear weapons is a day of danger for the United States. " [See: http://www.counterpunch.org/wmd05292003.html, http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,59538,00.html
[Sept. 12, 2002] Rep. DENNIS KUCINICH: "Since 1998 no credible intelligence has been brought forward which suggests that Iraq is manufacturing weapons of mass destruction. . . " [See: http://www.house.gov/kucinich/press/pr-020912-avoidwar.htm, http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/oh10_kucinich/030604WMDinqres.html
[Oct. 9, 2002] Sen. JOHN KERRY: "Why is Saddam Hussein attempting to develop nuclear weapons when most nations don't even try? & According to intelligence, Iraq has chemical and biological weapons . . . Iraq is developing unmanned aerial vehicles capable of delivering chemical and biological warfare agents. . . " [See: http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0826-03.htm http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/speeches/spc_2002_1009.html ]
[Oct. 10, 2002] Sen. JOHN EDWARDS: "We know that he [Hussein] has chemical and biological weapons. " [See: http://www.senate.gov/~edwards/statements/20021010_iraq.html
[Jan. 18, 2003] Gen. WESLEY CLARK: "He [Hussein] does have weapons of mass destruction. " When asked, "And you could say that categorically?" Clark responded: "Absolutely. " (on CNN, Jan. 18, 2003). On finding the alleged weapons Clark said: "I think they will be found. There's so much intelligence on this. " (on CNN, April 2, 2003) [See: http://www.fair.org/press-releases/clark-antiwar.html, http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0301/18/smn.05.html, http://www-cgi.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0304/02/lt.08.html
[Jan. 31, 2003] Rev. AL SHARPTON: "I think that the present administration is bent on war. There has been no, in my judgment, evidence presented there has been any weapons of mass destruction. " (on NPR, Jan. 31, 2003)
[March 17, 2003] Dr. HOWARD DEAN: "[He and others] have never been in doubt about the evil of Saddam Hussein or the necessity of removing his weapons of mass destruction. " [See: http://www.wtv-zone.com/Morgaine_OFaery/HDean4pres/deantrpswar.html
Kucinich, who led the effort in the House of Representatives in challenging the Bush Administration's march toward war attempted repeatedly to warn America that there was no basis to go to war:
On Sep. 3, 2002, on The News Hour with Jim Lehrer, Dennis Kucinich said, "I don't think there's any justification to go to war with Iraq. There's no evidence that they have weapons of mass destruction. There's no. . . there's nothing that says that they have the ability to deliver such weapons, if they did have them. There's been no stated intention on their part to harm the United States. "
On Sep. 4, 2002, on Buchanan and Press, Buchanan asked "Congressman Kucinich, does not the President have a clear, factual point here? Saddam Hussein is developing these weapons of mass destruction, he agreed to get rid of them, he has not gotten rid of them. Kucinich replied: "Well, frankly we haven't seen evidence or proof of that, and furthermore we haven't seen evidence or proof that he has the ability to deliver such weapons if he has them, and finally, whether or not he has the intent. I think that what we need to be doing is to review this passion for war, that drumbeat for war, that's coming out of the White House, and to slow down and to let calmer heads prevail and to pursue diplomacy…. "
On Sep. 7, 2002, Dennis Kucinich gave a speech in Baraboo, Wisconsin, called "Architects of New Worlds," in which he said "There's no evidence Iraq has weapons of mass destruction, or the ability to deliver such weapons if it had them or the intention to do so. There is no reason for war against Iraq. Stop the drumbeat. Stop the war talk. Pull back from the abyss of unilateral action and preemptive strikes. " See: http://www.house.gov/kucinich/press/sp-020907-newworlds.htm
Please forward this to every Democrat you know.
FIVE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES SUPPORTED BUSH'S ALLEGATIONS OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. KUCINICH STAYED STRONG.
Yesterday the leader of the U.S. search for Iraq's alleged stockpiles of chemical or biological weapons said he didn't think there were any. Secretary of State Colin Powell now claims we went to war to find out whether such weapons existed.
Senators Kerry, Lieberman and Edwards, Dr. Dean, and General Clark, all claimed that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, and, therefore, contributed to the political climate which falsely justified a war.
The Institute for Public Accuracy has compiled the following quotes, [listed in chronological order]:
[August 4, 2002] Sen. JOSEPH LIEBERMAN: "Every day Saddam remains in power with chemical weapons, biological weapons, and the development of nuclear weapons is a day of danger for the United States. " [See: http://www.counterpunch.org/wmd05292003.html, http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,59538,00.html
[Sept. 12, 2002] Rep. DENNIS KUCINICH: "Since 1998 no credible intelligence has been brought forward which suggests that Iraq is manufacturing weapons of mass destruction. . . " [See: http://www.house.gov/kucinich/press/pr-020912-avoidwar.htm, http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/oh10_kucinich/030604WMDinqres.html
[Oct. 9, 2002] Sen. JOHN KERRY: "Why is Saddam Hussein attempting to develop nuclear weapons when most nations don't even try? & According to intelligence, Iraq has chemical and biological weapons . . . Iraq is developing unmanned aerial vehicles capable of delivering chemical and biological warfare agents. . . " [See: http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0826-03.htm http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/speeches/spc_2002_1009.html ]
[Oct. 10, 2002] Sen. JOHN EDWARDS: "We know that he [Hussein] has chemical and biological weapons. " [See: http://www.senate.gov/~edwards/statements/20021010_iraq.html
[Jan. 18, 2003] Gen. WESLEY CLARK: "He [Hussein] does have weapons of mass destruction. " When asked, "And you could say that categorically?" Clark responded: "Absolutely. " (on CNN, Jan. 18, 2003). On finding the alleged weapons Clark said: "I think they will be found. There's so much intelligence on this. " (on CNN, April 2, 2003) [See: http://www.fair.org/press-releases/clark-antiwar.html, http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0301/18/smn.05.html, http://www-cgi.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0304/02/lt.08.html
[Jan. 31, 2003] Rev. AL SHARPTON: "I think that the present administration is bent on war. There has been no, in my judgment, evidence presented there has been any weapons of mass destruction. " (on NPR, Jan. 31, 2003)
[March 17, 2003] Dr. HOWARD DEAN: "[He and others] have never been in doubt about the evil of Saddam Hussein or the necessity of removing his weapons of mass destruction. " [See: http://www.wtv-zone.com/Morgaine_OFaery/HDean4pres/deantrpswar.html
Kucinich, who led the effort in the House of Representatives in challenging the Bush Administration's march toward war attempted repeatedly to warn America that there was no basis to go to war:
On Sep. 3, 2002, on The News Hour with Jim Lehrer, Dennis Kucinich said, "I don't think there's any justification to go to war with Iraq. There's no evidence that they have weapons of mass destruction. There's no. . . there's nothing that says that they have the ability to deliver such weapons, if they did have them. There's been no stated intention on their part to harm the United States. "
On Sep. 4, 2002, on Buchanan and Press, Buchanan asked "Congressman Kucinich, does not the President have a clear, factual point here? Saddam Hussein is developing these weapons of mass destruction, he agreed to get rid of them, he has not gotten rid of them. Kucinich replied: "Well, frankly we haven't seen evidence or proof of that, and furthermore we haven't seen evidence or proof that he has the ability to deliver such weapons if he has them, and finally, whether or not he has the intent. I think that what we need to be doing is to review this passion for war, that drumbeat for war, that's coming out of the White House, and to slow down and to let calmer heads prevail and to pursue diplomacy…. "
On Sep. 7, 2002, Dennis Kucinich gave a speech in Baraboo, Wisconsin, called "Architects of New Worlds," in which he said "There's no evidence Iraq has weapons of mass destruction, or the ability to deliver such weapons if it had them or the intention to do so. There is no reason for war against Iraq. Stop the drumbeat. Stop the war talk. Pull back from the abyss of unilateral action and preemptive strikes. " See: http://www.house.gov/kucinich/press/sp-020907-newworlds.htm
Please forward this to every Democrat you know.
Sunday, January 25, 2004
LOBBY WASHINGTON TO CREATE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF PEACE!
"What marching in the streets was to the Sixties, walking through the halls of Congress is now." ~Marianne Williamson
Participate in an historic citizen lobbying effort to create a U.S. Department of Peace (HR 1673), sponsored in the House of Representatives by Congressman Dennis Kucinich. This bill establishes nonviolence as an organizing principle of American society, providing the U.S. President with an array of peace-building policy options for domestic and international use.
Just as the passage of the thirteenth amendment abolishing slavery took years to pass; just as the nineteenth amendment providing women's suffrage took years to pass; just as the Civil Rights legislation of the 1960's took years to pass, this legislation provides substance and meaning to the political yearnings of our generation. It systematically applies the power of peace to the eradication of root causes of violence.
The Department would focus on nonmilitary peaceful conflict resolutions, prevent violence and promote justice and democratic principles to expand human rights. Domestically, the Department would be responsible for developing policies which address issues such as domestic violence, child abuse, mistreatment of the elderly, and other issues of cultural violence. Internationally, the Department would gather research, analyze foreign policy and make recommendations to the President on how to address the root causes of war and intervene before violence begins, while improving national security, including the protection of human rights and the prevention and de-escalation of unarmed and armed international conflict.
In the words of president Dwight D. Eisenhower, "Politics should be the part-time profession of every American." We think he was right.
Join us now. Create a Department of Peace. We can do this.
Click here to read more and find out what you can do!
"What marching in the streets was to the Sixties, walking through the halls of Congress is now." ~Marianne Williamson
Participate in an historic citizen lobbying effort to create a U.S. Department of Peace (HR 1673), sponsored in the House of Representatives by Congressman Dennis Kucinich. This bill establishes nonviolence as an organizing principle of American society, providing the U.S. President with an array of peace-building policy options for domestic and international use.
Just as the passage of the thirteenth amendment abolishing slavery took years to pass; just as the nineteenth amendment providing women's suffrage took years to pass; just as the Civil Rights legislation of the 1960's took years to pass, this legislation provides substance and meaning to the political yearnings of our generation. It systematically applies the power of peace to the eradication of root causes of violence.
The Department would focus on nonmilitary peaceful conflict resolutions, prevent violence and promote justice and democratic principles to expand human rights. Domestically, the Department would be responsible for developing policies which address issues such as domestic violence, child abuse, mistreatment of the elderly, and other issues of cultural violence. Internationally, the Department would gather research, analyze foreign policy and make recommendations to the President on how to address the root causes of war and intervene before violence begins, while improving national security, including the protection of human rights and the prevention and de-escalation of unarmed and armed international conflict.
In the words of president Dwight D. Eisenhower, "Politics should be the part-time profession of every American." We think he was right.
Join us now. Create a Department of Peace. We can do this.
Click here to read more and find out what you can do!
Senate Republicans Hack Democratic Computer Files
Sometimes we come across a news story so shocking that it serves to remind us that Bush's Republicans will cross any line in their pursuit of full control over the government.
You have already heard how President Bush bypassed the Senate confirmation process and appointed Charles Pickering -- who authored the GOP anti-abortion plank and argued for lenience for a convicted cross-burner -- to a lifetime seat on the federal bench just hours after laying a wreath at the grave of Martin Luther King, Jr.
But they're not done. This week, the Boston Globe reported that Republican staffers on the Senate Judiciary Committee repeatedly accessed computer files belonging to Democratic members over the course of the year, stealing strategic memos and leaking them to conservative media outlets.
Republicans immediately jumped on the defensive, blaming the computer glitch that allowed them to access the files. That's like a burglar blaming an unlocked door when he robs your house! You couldn't make up a better story to demonstrate the excesses and lengths that they'll go to in pursuit of their agenda. Their tactics illustrate their willful abuse of democratic rules as they attempt to pack our courts with right-wing extremists. They will do anything to increase their power through President Bush's right-wing extremist judicial nominees -- even illegal and unethical computer hacking. (Posted from the Democratic National Committee News)
Take Action!
Click here to sign our petition calling for Republicans to stand up and take responsibility for their unethical hacking and judicial power-grabbing.
Quote of the Week
"Just because you can do it doesn't mean it's right, doesn't mean it's ethical, and doesn't mean it's legal."
Charles "Archie Bunker was my Idol" Pickering
Sometimes we come across a news story so shocking that it serves to remind us that Bush's Republicans will cross any line in their pursuit of full control over the government.
You have already heard how President Bush bypassed the Senate confirmation process and appointed Charles Pickering -- who authored the GOP anti-abortion plank and argued for lenience for a convicted cross-burner -- to a lifetime seat on the federal bench just hours after laying a wreath at the grave of Martin Luther King, Jr.
But they're not done. This week, the Boston Globe reported that Republican staffers on the Senate Judiciary Committee repeatedly accessed computer files belonging to Democratic members over the course of the year, stealing strategic memos and leaking them to conservative media outlets.
Republicans immediately jumped on the defensive, blaming the computer glitch that allowed them to access the files. That's like a burglar blaming an unlocked door when he robs your house! You couldn't make up a better story to demonstrate the excesses and lengths that they'll go to in pursuit of their agenda. Their tactics illustrate their willful abuse of democratic rules as they attempt to pack our courts with right-wing extremists. They will do anything to increase their power through President Bush's right-wing extremist judicial nominees -- even illegal and unethical computer hacking. (Posted from the Democratic National Committee News)
Take Action!
Click here to sign our petition calling for Republicans to stand up and take responsibility for their unethical hacking and judicial power-grabbing.
Quote of the Week
"Just because you can do it doesn't mean it's right, doesn't mean it's ethical, and doesn't mean it's legal."
Charles "Archie Bunker was my Idol" Pickering
Saturday, January 24, 2004
CBS Refuses to Air Bush In 30 Seconds Ads
From moveon.org: During this year's Super Bowl, you'll see ads sponsored by beer companies, tobacco companies, and the Bush White House. But you won't see the winning ad in MoveOn.org Voter Fund's Bush in 30 Seconds ad contest. CBS refuses to air it.
Meanwhile, the White House is on the verge of signing into law a deal which Senator John McCain (R-AZ) says is custom-tailored for CBS and Fox, allowing the two networks to grow much bigger. CBS lobbied hard for this rule change; MoveOn.org members across the country lobbied against it; and now our ad has been rejected while the White House ad will be played. It looks an awful lot like CBS is playing politics with the right to free speech.
Of course, this is bigger than just the MoveOn.org Voter Fund. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) submitted an ad that was also rejected. But this isn't even a progressive-vs.-conservative issue. The airwaves are publicly owned, so we have a fundamental right to hear viewpoints from across the ideological spectrum. That's why we need to let CBS know that this practice of arbitrarily turning down ads that may be "controversial" -- especially if they're controversial simply because they take on the President -- just isn't right.
To watch the ad that CBS won't air and sign our petition to CBS, go to:
http://www.moveon.org/cbs/ad/
(If you want to skip the ad and just sign the petition, click here.)
From moveon.org: During this year's Super Bowl, you'll see ads sponsored by beer companies, tobacco companies, and the Bush White House. But you won't see the winning ad in MoveOn.org Voter Fund's Bush in 30 Seconds ad contest. CBS refuses to air it.
Meanwhile, the White House is on the verge of signing into law a deal which Senator John McCain (R-AZ) says is custom-tailored for CBS and Fox, allowing the two networks to grow much bigger. CBS lobbied hard for this rule change; MoveOn.org members across the country lobbied against it; and now our ad has been rejected while the White House ad will be played. It looks an awful lot like CBS is playing politics with the right to free speech.
Of course, this is bigger than just the MoveOn.org Voter Fund. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) submitted an ad that was also rejected. But this isn't even a progressive-vs.-conservative issue. The airwaves are publicly owned, so we have a fundamental right to hear viewpoints from across the ideological spectrum. That's why we need to let CBS know that this practice of arbitrarily turning down ads that may be "controversial" -- especially if they're controversial simply because they take on the President -- just isn't right.
To watch the ad that CBS won't air and sign our petition to CBS, go to:
http://www.moveon.org/cbs/ad/
(If you want to skip the ad and just sign the petition, click here.)
TRUE MAJORITY SPEAKS OUT/EYE-OPENING BUDGET INFO
Here's an interesting little animation from True Majority, hosted by Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry's, that sheds light on the Bush administration's budgets. It's an eye-opener, and fun to watch. Click here.
Here's an interesting little animation from True Majority, hosted by Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry's, that sheds light on the Bush administration's budgets. It's an eye-opener, and fun to watch. Click here.
Friday, January 23, 2004
SPIRITUAL AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS ON JOURNEY TO IRAQ!
(Please pass this on to everyone.)
JAMES TWYMAN will be leading a group of elders from the
major religions of the world, as well as aboriginal and native
leaders from the five continents, to Baghdad for an inter-
national vigil for peace. Millions of people will participate in
small gatherings held in churches and private homes.
The event will also be broadcast via the Internet around the
globe.
The journey will take place within six weeks, and we will likely
only have a short period of time to pass the word. An e-mail
list is being developed to instantly alert millions of people when
the trip begins and how you can track the group's progress.
(If you are already on James Twyman's e-mail list, then you are
already registered.) A special webpage will also have regular
audio and video updates from the group as it winds its way
toward Baghdad. Our goal is to shift the world's attention
toward a positive event in Iraq, EVEN FOR A SINGLE DAY,
and to demonstrate that a spiritual movement of peace can
have a profound impact on the whole world.
HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE?
1. Pass word about this important trip to everyone you know.
If you would like to join the e-mail list simply go to
www.emissaryoflight.com and add your contact information.
2. Sponsor a group in your area for the prayer vigil. We will
provide you with information on options.
3. Though some have already been contacted, if you are a
religious leader, particularly from outside the US, and would
like to join the group, please send an e-mail to Iraqvigil@belovedcommunity.org.
While in Iraq, the leaders from the different religions will pray
the peace prayers from their particular tradition, showing
solidarity with everyone who believes that the complex
problems in today's world are spiritual problems, and require
spiritual solutions. The aboriginal leaders will share a ceremony
of peace from their tradition. Spiritual leaders in Iraq have
agreed to attend and will play an important role.
We will send periodic updates as the trip develops. Once again,
if you would like to be part of this journey, please join the list
and encourage others to do the same.
(James Twyman has been to Iraq twice before, beginning in
1998 when he was personally invited by Saddam Hussein.
While there he performed the Peace Concert on national
television. As the "Peace Troubadour", he has traveled to
many war zones around the world to focus prayer vigils and
perform the peace prayers from the major religions of the
world.)
Iraqi Children
(Please pass this on to everyone.)
JAMES TWYMAN will be leading a group of elders from the
major religions of the world, as well as aboriginal and native
leaders from the five continents, to Baghdad for an inter-
national vigil for peace. Millions of people will participate in
small gatherings held in churches and private homes.
The event will also be broadcast via the Internet around the
globe.
The journey will take place within six weeks, and we will likely
only have a short period of time to pass the word. An e-mail
list is being developed to instantly alert millions of people when
the trip begins and how you can track the group's progress.
(If you are already on James Twyman's e-mail list, then you are
already registered.) A special webpage will also have regular
audio and video updates from the group as it winds its way
toward Baghdad. Our goal is to shift the world's attention
toward a positive event in Iraq, EVEN FOR A SINGLE DAY,
and to demonstrate that a spiritual movement of peace can
have a profound impact on the whole world.
HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE?
1. Pass word about this important trip to everyone you know.
If you would like to join the e-mail list simply go to
www.emissaryoflight.com and add your contact information.
2. Sponsor a group in your area for the prayer vigil. We will
provide you with information on options.
3. Though some have already been contacted, if you are a
religious leader, particularly from outside the US, and would
like to join the group, please send an e-mail to Iraqvigil@belovedcommunity.org.
While in Iraq, the leaders from the different religions will pray
the peace prayers from their particular tradition, showing
solidarity with everyone who believes that the complex
problems in today's world are spiritual problems, and require
spiritual solutions. The aboriginal leaders will share a ceremony
of peace from their tradition. Spiritual leaders in Iraq have
agreed to attend and will play an important role.
We will send periodic updates as the trip develops. Once again,
if you would like to be part of this journey, please join the list
and encourage others to do the same.
(James Twyman has been to Iraq twice before, beginning in
1998 when he was personally invited by Saddam Hussein.
While there he performed the Peace Concert on national
television. As the "Peace Troubadour", he has traveled to
many war zones around the world to focus prayer vigils and
perform the peace prayers from the major religions of the
world.)
Iraqi Children
"Chemical Industry Given Private Access to EPA; Seeks Approval of Pesticides at Expense of Wildlife. A lawsuit filed last week asserts that the Bush Administration is allowing a special task force from the chemical industry to lobby secretly and illegally inside the Environmental Protection Agency. The task force aims to circumvent current protections for endangered species. If successful, it will be easier for the industry to gain approval for the use of certain pesticides.
The lawsuit alleges that the industry group, representating 14 agrochemical companies, is meeting regularly behind closed doors with EPA officials in violation of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). Federal "sunshine" laws require that such meetings be open to members of the public.
The industry strategy, according to internal documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, is to eliminate the role of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries, whose biologists currently serve as oversight experts as to whether a pesticide poses a risk to wildlife.
It appears the industry is succeeding. Last year the EPA, which has no measures in place to protect most endangered animals and plants, began a process whereby the agency could assume full control over these decisions with little or no oversight from federal biologists. [1]
"It is contrary to our American values for the Bush Administration to give the pesticide industry a secret insider role so they can weaken protections for endangered species," says Patti Goldman of Earthjustice, which filed the lawsuit on January 15 in Seattle. Other plaintiffs include the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, Washington Toxics Coalition, and Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides. The lawsuit asks that EPA be ordered to comply with the open-meeting rules.
The industry taskforce includes Monsanto, Dupont Ag Products, Dow AgroSciences and UniRoyal Chemical Co. The group, known as the FIFRA Endangered Species Task Force, was set up in 2000 to help research data on the locations of endangered species. But under the Bush Administration it has taken on a mission to alter the rules of the Endangered Species Act.
At the industry's behest, EPA is also considering rule changes that would allow greater risks to wildlife from pesticides before any expert review is initiated. Another change would restrict the type of evidence that can be introduced to determine the level of risk. A third change would allow EPA officials simply to ignore conclusions of expert scientists from other federal agencies.
Two endangered species that would be affected by the new EPA ruling.
The rule changes are expected to be announced soon, but already the EPA is authorizing the use of pesticides that Fish and Wildlife Service experts say can cause harm to endangered species." Posted from bushgreenwatch.org
The lawsuit alleges that the industry group, representating 14 agrochemical companies, is meeting regularly behind closed doors with EPA officials in violation of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). Federal "sunshine" laws require that such meetings be open to members of the public.
The industry strategy, according to internal documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, is to eliminate the role of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries, whose biologists currently serve as oversight experts as to whether a pesticide poses a risk to wildlife.
It appears the industry is succeeding. Last year the EPA, which has no measures in place to protect most endangered animals and plants, began a process whereby the agency could assume full control over these decisions with little or no oversight from federal biologists. [1]
"It is contrary to our American values for the Bush Administration to give the pesticide industry a secret insider role so they can weaken protections for endangered species," says Patti Goldman of Earthjustice, which filed the lawsuit on January 15 in Seattle. Other plaintiffs include the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, Washington Toxics Coalition, and Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides. The lawsuit asks that EPA be ordered to comply with the open-meeting rules.
The industry taskforce includes Monsanto, Dupont Ag Products, Dow AgroSciences and UniRoyal Chemical Co. The group, known as the FIFRA Endangered Species Task Force, was set up in 2000 to help research data on the locations of endangered species. But under the Bush Administration it has taken on a mission to alter the rules of the Endangered Species Act.
At the industry's behest, EPA is also considering rule changes that would allow greater risks to wildlife from pesticides before any expert review is initiated. Another change would restrict the type of evidence that can be introduced to determine the level of risk. A third change would allow EPA officials simply to ignore conclusions of expert scientists from other federal agencies.
Two endangered species that would be affected by the new EPA ruling.
The rule changes are expected to be announced soon, but already the EPA is authorizing the use of pesticides that Fish and Wildlife Service experts say can cause harm to endangered species." Posted from bushgreenwatch.org
Thursday, January 22, 2004
UPDATE ON CHILDREN'S CENTER IN BAGHDAD:
The Beloved Community, James Twyman's spiritual
organization, recently helped establish a center for
homeless children in Baghdad. Donna Mulhearn runs
the center and periodically sends these very moving
updates. YOU HAVE TO READ THIS ONE!
From Donna:
"The "GANG" is a motley crew of about ten dishevelled young
'men' in their early 20s. They live on the streets of inner city
Baghdad and steal, extort, sell drugs and exploit others to
survive. Others like our boys. Prior to our boys coming into
the shelter the gang used them to attract food and money
from westerners. They also pushed drugs onto them:
glue and solvents for sniffing, as well as amphetamines.
They let the boys stay with them in their dirty basement
in a bizarre set-up which made the boys feel dependent
on them. Violence was the norm. It was in the interests
of the gang that our boys stay on the street. They were
not impressed when we came along. In hindsight, I now
realise how brave it was for our boys to come off the
street and into the shelter with us. They would have faced
immense pressure from the gang not to leave.
At first the gang didn't put up too much of a fight to our
face - just some dirty looks and abuse in Arabic. It was lucky
for them we didn't understand their insults, so we ignored
them. Weeks later, when they realised we were serious about
working with the boys, they started coming around to the
shelter. They would sit in a mob directly across the road and
intimidate us and the boys with their stares and snickers. I
could tell the boys were often scared, but tried not to show it.
The caretaker of the house was also scared of the gang and
didn't ward them off for fear of reprisal. Perhaps it's a cultural
thing, or just stupidity, I don't know, but we were not scared
or intimidated by them and so told them to 'sod off' on
several occasions.
When the gang heard that we were taking the boys to a new
house away from the city, things got serious. They came
around to the shelter one night and demanded the boys go
with them back to the street. We had to physically place our
bodies in between the gang members and our boys as they
tried to take them away. One of our boys, little Ahmed, even
volunteered to go with the gang if it meant everyone else
would be safe. We didn't let him go and held out until the
gang left. "We'll be back," they warned. We spent the rest of
the night hugging the boys and convincing them they would
be safe, assuring them we wouldn't let them go.
We had been negotiating for some time to join forces with
an Iraqi group to move the boys into long-term accommodation
in a nice house far away from 'gangland'. The group had the
house, we had the boys. We formed a partnership and then
slowly introduced them to the boys and showed the boys the
house. We didn't want the boys to go unless they wanted to.
The common response from them was: "Will you still be with us?"
We assured them we would and soon they became keen to go.
We talked about it every day and tried to get them all excited
about the next step in their lives. But we were frustrated
by delays on the other end, 'the house isn't ready' we were
told day after day. So to hurry the other group along, some
days we went over to randomly drop off one boy at a time so
they would be forced to make the house ready! The boys were
getting restless. The gang was looming larger outside our door
each day. We needed to move.
As promised the gang came back to try to take the boys again.
In a bizarre twist, at one stage they also demanded to go and
live in the same house the boys were going to. It was at that
stage that I realised that these tough-talking gang members
were more like little children who were jealous of the attention
and care our kids were getting and wanted some attention
and care of their own! When we explained they were too old
to go to the new house with our boys it was the final straw
for them. "We'll be back tomorrow night," they snarled.
"There will be trouble".
It just so happened that the day of the showdown, we had
organised a circus troupe to come to the shelter to perform
for the boys and play games with them. When we turned
up in the afternoon, the gang was already there, earlier
than we expected. We ignored them as the circus did its
thing so as not to ruin the occasion for the boys with an
all-in brawl involving clowns! After the performance, the
threats came out. The male members of our team,
Gordon and Kevin, were away in Nasiriyah so it was Uzma,
Helen and I that had to face the gang. We didn't back
down. Neither did the gang. They spat out insults and
threats. When I asked one Iraqi what they said to us,
he looked at me gravely: "I cannot tell you Donna, it is too bad."
When we reached the usual stalemate, the gang said they
would leave and come back with knives and other weapons.
They pointed at me and the other girls as if we would be
the first to pay. When they left our Iraqi friends panicked.
They understood what the gang members were saying and
they were terrified. We were later told that they wanted to
kill us, but at that stage we were protected by our
ignorance and tried to think clearly. "We have to leave
before they get back! We have little time. Where can we
go? Do we book rooms in a hotel? We need to go to the
new house. Now. But it's not ready. There's no staff there.
There must be a caretaker? But there's no beds etc etc."
Everything raced through our minds. 'We have to go,'
I said suddenly. 'We'll grab all our blankets, sleep on the
floor and we will stay all night with the boys.' The circus
troupe offered their vehicle, we just had to wait for them
to empty their car and return. The 30-minute wait seemed
like hours - who would make it back first: the gang or the
clowns?? When the circus car came back we screamed in
relief and we piled the kids in, our hearts beating a hundred
miles an hour.
As we drove away from the lights of central Baghdad, my whole
body breathed a sigh of relief. The boys started to sing. They
sang loud, and clapped and laughed. We'd made it out. The old
house had served its purpose. It made the first step off the
street easier for the boys. They could leave their basement,
without leaving their familiar neighbourhood. The ram-
shackled feel of the place made them feel at home and no
doubt made it all less daunting. It worked for a time, a time
which was crucial in the boys re-habilitation. Now they are ready
for the new house, the next stage.
Your pilgrim, Donna" For more information on the Children's Center in Baghdad or the Beloved Community go to http://www.emissaryoflight.com, and click on Special Projects.
Iraqi Children
The Beloved Community, James Twyman's spiritual
organization, recently helped establish a center for
homeless children in Baghdad. Donna Mulhearn runs
the center and periodically sends these very moving
updates. YOU HAVE TO READ THIS ONE!
From Donna:
"The "GANG" is a motley crew of about ten dishevelled young
'men' in their early 20s. They live on the streets of inner city
Baghdad and steal, extort, sell drugs and exploit others to
survive. Others like our boys. Prior to our boys coming into
the shelter the gang used them to attract food and money
from westerners. They also pushed drugs onto them:
glue and solvents for sniffing, as well as amphetamines.
They let the boys stay with them in their dirty basement
in a bizarre set-up which made the boys feel dependent
on them. Violence was the norm. It was in the interests
of the gang that our boys stay on the street. They were
not impressed when we came along. In hindsight, I now
realise how brave it was for our boys to come off the
street and into the shelter with us. They would have faced
immense pressure from the gang not to leave.
At first the gang didn't put up too much of a fight to our
face - just some dirty looks and abuse in Arabic. It was lucky
for them we didn't understand their insults, so we ignored
them. Weeks later, when they realised we were serious about
working with the boys, they started coming around to the
shelter. They would sit in a mob directly across the road and
intimidate us and the boys with their stares and snickers. I
could tell the boys were often scared, but tried not to show it.
The caretaker of the house was also scared of the gang and
didn't ward them off for fear of reprisal. Perhaps it's a cultural
thing, or just stupidity, I don't know, but we were not scared
or intimidated by them and so told them to 'sod off' on
several occasions.
When the gang heard that we were taking the boys to a new
house away from the city, things got serious. They came
around to the shelter one night and demanded the boys go
with them back to the street. We had to physically place our
bodies in between the gang members and our boys as they
tried to take them away. One of our boys, little Ahmed, even
volunteered to go with the gang if it meant everyone else
would be safe. We didn't let him go and held out until the
gang left. "We'll be back," they warned. We spent the rest of
the night hugging the boys and convincing them they would
be safe, assuring them we wouldn't let them go.
We had been negotiating for some time to join forces with
an Iraqi group to move the boys into long-term accommodation
in a nice house far away from 'gangland'. The group had the
house, we had the boys. We formed a partnership and then
slowly introduced them to the boys and showed the boys the
house. We didn't want the boys to go unless they wanted to.
The common response from them was: "Will you still be with us?"
We assured them we would and soon they became keen to go.
We talked about it every day and tried to get them all excited
about the next step in their lives. But we were frustrated
by delays on the other end, 'the house isn't ready' we were
told day after day. So to hurry the other group along, some
days we went over to randomly drop off one boy at a time so
they would be forced to make the house ready! The boys were
getting restless. The gang was looming larger outside our door
each day. We needed to move.
As promised the gang came back to try to take the boys again.
In a bizarre twist, at one stage they also demanded to go and
live in the same house the boys were going to. It was at that
stage that I realised that these tough-talking gang members
were more like little children who were jealous of the attention
and care our kids were getting and wanted some attention
and care of their own! When we explained they were too old
to go to the new house with our boys it was the final straw
for them. "We'll be back tomorrow night," they snarled.
"There will be trouble".
It just so happened that the day of the showdown, we had
organised a circus troupe to come to the shelter to perform
for the boys and play games with them. When we turned
up in the afternoon, the gang was already there, earlier
than we expected. We ignored them as the circus did its
thing so as not to ruin the occasion for the boys with an
all-in brawl involving clowns! After the performance, the
threats came out. The male members of our team,
Gordon and Kevin, were away in Nasiriyah so it was Uzma,
Helen and I that had to face the gang. We didn't back
down. Neither did the gang. They spat out insults and
threats. When I asked one Iraqi what they said to us,
he looked at me gravely: "I cannot tell you Donna, it is too bad."
When we reached the usual stalemate, the gang said they
would leave and come back with knives and other weapons.
They pointed at me and the other girls as if we would be
the first to pay. When they left our Iraqi friends panicked.
They understood what the gang members were saying and
they were terrified. We were later told that they wanted to
kill us, but at that stage we were protected by our
ignorance and tried to think clearly. "We have to leave
before they get back! We have little time. Where can we
go? Do we book rooms in a hotel? We need to go to the
new house. Now. But it's not ready. There's no staff there.
There must be a caretaker? But there's no beds etc etc."
Everything raced through our minds. 'We have to go,'
I said suddenly. 'We'll grab all our blankets, sleep on the
floor and we will stay all night with the boys.' The circus
troupe offered their vehicle, we just had to wait for them
to empty their car and return. The 30-minute wait seemed
like hours - who would make it back first: the gang or the
clowns?? When the circus car came back we screamed in
relief and we piled the kids in, our hearts beating a hundred
miles an hour.
As we drove away from the lights of central Baghdad, my whole
body breathed a sigh of relief. The boys started to sing. They
sang loud, and clapped and laughed. We'd made it out. The old
house had served its purpose. It made the first step off the
street easier for the boys. They could leave their basement,
without leaving their familiar neighbourhood. The ram-
shackled feel of the place made them feel at home and no
doubt made it all less daunting. It worked for a time, a time
which was crucial in the boys re-habilitation. Now they are ready
for the new house, the next stage.
Your pilgrim, Donna" For more information on the Children's Center in Baghdad or the Beloved Community go to http://www.emissaryoflight.com, and click on Special Projects.
Iraqi Children
Wednesday, January 21, 2004
"White House Seeks to Control What Public Learns About Health, Environmental Emergencies.
How and what Americans are told about public health emergencies would be controlled by the White House, not by the agencies with the medical or scientific expertise to handle these crises, under a new plan proposed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The proposal would strip authority from federal health, safety and environmental agencies and give the White House final say over how the public is told about such emergencies as nuclear power plant accidents, outbreaks of mad cow disease or drugs that are found to be harmful. Critics fear such a move would delay the release of critical public information and politicize the way it is presented." For more information go to bushgreenwatch.org..
How and what Americans are told about public health emergencies would be controlled by the White House, not by the agencies with the medical or scientific expertise to handle these crises, under a new plan proposed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The proposal would strip authority from federal health, safety and environmental agencies and give the White House final say over how the public is told about such emergencies as nuclear power plant accidents, outbreaks of mad cow disease or drugs that are found to be harmful. Critics fear such a move would delay the release of critical public information and politicize the way it is presented." For more information go to bushgreenwatch.org..
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Support Dennis Kucinich and support a man who stands for greatness, who embraces the ideas and beliefs of the great men who went before him, men like Martin Luther King Jr., and Mahatma Gandhi. On October 13, 2003, Dennis Kucinich was awarded the Gandhi Peace Award for his efforts in working towards peace. Now we have the chance to have a truly great man as president of our great nation. Here is an excerpt from his speech entitled "A Prayer for America". To read the entire speech, click here.
"Let us pray for our children. Our children deserve a world without end. Not a war without end. Our children deserve a world free of the terror of hunger, free of the terror of poor health care, free of the terror of homelessness, free of the terror of ignorance, free of the terror of hopelessness, free of the terror of policies which are committed to a world view which is not appropriate for the survival of a free people, not appropriate for the survival of democratic values, not appropriate for the survival of our nation, and not appropriate for the survival of the world.
Let us pray that we have the courage and the will as a people and as a nation to shore ourselves up, to reclaim from the ruins of September the Eleventh our democratic traditions. Let us declare our love for democracy. Let us declare our intent for peace. Let us work to make nonviolence an organizing principle in our own society. Let us recommit ourselves to the slow and painstaking work of statecraft, which sees peace, not war as being inevitable. Let us work for a world where someday war becomes archaic.
That is the vision which the proposal to create a Department of Peace envisions. Forty-three members of congress are now cosponsoring the legislation. Let us work for a world where nuclear disarmament is an imperative. That is why we must begin by insisting on the commitments of the ABM treaty. That is why we must be steadfast for nonproliferation.
Let us work for a world where America can lead the way in banning weapons of mass destruction not only from our land and sea and sky but from outer space itself. That is the vision of HR 3616: A universe free of fear. Where we can look up at God's creation in the stars and imagine infinite wisdom, infinite peace, infinite possibilities, not infinite war, because we are taught that the kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven.
Let us pray that we have the courage to replace the images of death which haunt us, the layers of images of September the Eleventh, faded into images of patriotism, spliced into images of military mobilization, jump cut into images of our secular celebrations of the World Series, New Year's Eve, the Superbowl, the Olympics, the strobic flashes which touch our deepest fears, let us replace those images with the work of human relations, reaching out to people, helping our own citizens here at home, lifting the plight of the poor everywhere. That is the America which has the ability to rally the support of the world. That is the America which stands not in pursuit of an axis of evil, but which is itself at the axis of hope and faith and peace and freedom.
America, America. God shed grace on thee. Crown thy good, America. Not with weapons of mass destruction. Not with invocations of an axis of evil. Not through breaking international treaties. Not through establishing America as king of a unipolar world. Crown thy good America.
America, America. Let us pray for our country. Let us love our country. Let us defend our country not only from the threats without but from the threats within. Crown thy good, America. Crown thy good with brotherhood, and sisterhood. And crown thy good with compassion and restraint and forbearance and a commitment to peace, to democracy, to economic justice here at home and throughout the world. Crown thy good, America. Crown thy good America. Crown thy good." Go to kucinich.us to add your support to this important campaign.
"Let us pray for our children. Our children deserve a world without end. Not a war without end. Our children deserve a world free of the terror of hunger, free of the terror of poor health care, free of the terror of homelessness, free of the terror of ignorance, free of the terror of hopelessness, free of the terror of policies which are committed to a world view which is not appropriate for the survival of a free people, not appropriate for the survival of democratic values, not appropriate for the survival of our nation, and not appropriate for the survival of the world.
Let us pray that we have the courage and the will as a people and as a nation to shore ourselves up, to reclaim from the ruins of September the Eleventh our democratic traditions. Let us declare our love for democracy. Let us declare our intent for peace. Let us work to make nonviolence an organizing principle in our own society. Let us recommit ourselves to the slow and painstaking work of statecraft, which sees peace, not war as being inevitable. Let us work for a world where someday war becomes archaic.
That is the vision which the proposal to create a Department of Peace envisions. Forty-three members of congress are now cosponsoring the legislation. Let us work for a world where nuclear disarmament is an imperative. That is why we must begin by insisting on the commitments of the ABM treaty. That is why we must be steadfast for nonproliferation.
Let us work for a world where America can lead the way in banning weapons of mass destruction not only from our land and sea and sky but from outer space itself. That is the vision of HR 3616: A universe free of fear. Where we can look up at God's creation in the stars and imagine infinite wisdom, infinite peace, infinite possibilities, not infinite war, because we are taught that the kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven.
Let us pray that we have the courage to replace the images of death which haunt us, the layers of images of September the Eleventh, faded into images of patriotism, spliced into images of military mobilization, jump cut into images of our secular celebrations of the World Series, New Year's Eve, the Superbowl, the Olympics, the strobic flashes which touch our deepest fears, let us replace those images with the work of human relations, reaching out to people, helping our own citizens here at home, lifting the plight of the poor everywhere. That is the America which has the ability to rally the support of the world. That is the America which stands not in pursuit of an axis of evil, but which is itself at the axis of hope and faith and peace and freedom.
America, America. God shed grace on thee. Crown thy good, America. Not with weapons of mass destruction. Not with invocations of an axis of evil. Not through breaking international treaties. Not through establishing America as king of a unipolar world. Crown thy good America.
America, America. Let us pray for our country. Let us love our country. Let us defend our country not only from the threats without but from the threats within. Crown thy good, America. Crown thy good with brotherhood, and sisterhood. And crown thy good with compassion and restraint and forbearance and a commitment to peace, to democracy, to economic justice here at home and throughout the world. Crown thy good, America. Crown thy good America. Crown thy good." Go to kucinich.us to add your support to this important campaign.
Monday, January 19, 2004
"Non-violence is absolute commitment to the way of love. Love is not emotional bash; it is not empty sentimentalism. it is the active outpouring of one's whole being into the being of another." Martin Luther King Jr. - 1957
Today is a day to reflect on the greatness of a man who changed our world for the better through his courage, and strength in the Civil Rights Movement. Today is a day to give homage to the greatness of Martin Luther King Jr., and to realize that that same greatness also exists in each and everyone of us, yet untapped. How many more Martin Luther King Jr.'s are out there, that have not had the courage to step forward? You are needed. Now is your time. Here is one of the greatest speeches by Martin Luther King Jr., the speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963. Dr. King departed from the original planned speech, improvised from his heart, and made history that day.To hear that speech, click here. From HistoryChannel.com; "In the year after the March on Washington, the civil rights movement achieved two of its greatest successes: the ratification of the Twenty-fourth Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished the poll tax and thus a barrier to poor African-American voters in the South, and the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited racial discrimination in employment and education, and outlawed racial segregation in public facilities. On October 14, 1964, Martin Luther King, who was increasingly regarded as not only a symbol of the civil rights movement but of America itself, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Four years later, he was killed by a sniper's bullet while standing on a motel balcony in Memphis, Tennessee. "
Today is a day to reflect on the greatness of a man who changed our world for the better through his courage, and strength in the Civil Rights Movement. Today is a day to give homage to the greatness of Martin Luther King Jr., and to realize that that same greatness also exists in each and everyone of us, yet untapped. How many more Martin Luther King Jr.'s are out there, that have not had the courage to step forward? You are needed. Now is your time. Here is one of the greatest speeches by Martin Luther King Jr., the speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963. Dr. King departed from the original planned speech, improvised from his heart, and made history that day.To hear that speech, click here. From HistoryChannel.com; "In the year after the March on Washington, the civil rights movement achieved two of its greatest successes: the ratification of the Twenty-fourth Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished the poll tax and thus a barrier to poor African-American voters in the South, and the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited racial discrimination in employment and education, and outlawed racial segregation in public facilities. On October 14, 1964, Martin Luther King, who was increasingly regarded as not only a symbol of the civil rights movement but of America itself, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Four years later, he was killed by a sniper's bullet while standing on a motel balcony in Memphis, Tennessee. "
Thursday, January 15, 2004
Welcome to the Peace Journal. This journal will bring updates to happenings in the peace community, and will be dedicated to bringing peace into our communities, and into our world.
