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SCROLL DOWN TO READ:
EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
ARTICLES IN FULL
LINKS ONLY
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EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Mumia Abu-Jamal Is In Danger
Rally In Oakland To FREE MUMIA!
4 PM Friday September 15th 2006,
Alameda County Courthouse, 12th and Fallon Sts, south side
Mumia Abu-Jamal Is Innocent!
For Labor Action To Free Mumia! End the Racist Death Penalty!
Award-winning journalist and former
Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal has
been on death row for almost a quarter
of a century, for a crime he didn't
commit. The State of Pennsylvania still
wants to execute him, and his case has been
put on a "fast track" to a final resolution.
What may be his last appeal is now
before the 3rd Circuit Court. But we
cannot rely on the courts to free Mumia;
the courts are still refusing to hear
MOUNTAINS of evidence which
conclusively shows his innocence!
In 1995, we mobilized by the thousands
to save Mumia from a date with
death. In 1999, longshore workers
shut down West Coast ports to free Mumia. In
2006, it's time to get back into action to free Mumia!
The victim of a politically motivated
frame-up of monumental proportions,
Mumia is an anti-war, anti-imperialist,
social justice spokesman with the
courage to defy the system from his jail
cell despite a determined conspiracy to
silence him forever. Known as the "Voice
of the Voiceless," Mumia is the
first to point out that his case is just one
among many injustices of this racist,
capitalist system.
Perpetrated by notoriously racist and
corrupt Philadelphia police and
prosecutors, the frame-up of Mumia
Abu-Jamal is supported by leading elements in
both the Democrat and Republican
parties. The US ruling class is so
committed to murdering this "dangerous"
inspirational figure that a resolution--full
of lies about Mumia's case--has been
introduced in Congress to demand that the
city of St Denis, France re-name a street
which was dubbed "Rue Mumia
Abu-Jamal" in a recent ceremony!
In the US, Mumia Abu-Jamal has been
made the "poster boy" for maintaining
the death penalty by the powerful few.
But to the world, Mumia is a hero and
symbol of resistance to racist oppression
and injustice.
All those who are involved in social
justice movements should help
champion his freedom and publicize
actions for his freedom.
Rally initiated by the Labor Action Committee
To Free Mumia Abu-Jamal (LAC),
PO Box 16222, Oakland CA 94610.
510 763-2347 or LACFreeMumia@aol.com.
Initial endorsers include: The Mobilization
To Free Mumia Abu-Jamal;
Frances Goldin, Mumia's literary agent;
Marsha Feinland, Peace and Freedom Party
candidate*; Todd Chretien, Green Party
candidate*; Robert Irminger, Inland
Boatmen‚s Union, ILWU*; Jack Heyman, ILWU*;
Bob Mandel, exec bd, Oakland Education
Association*; Bill Mandel,37 years on KPFA*;
Workers World Party of SF; Nat
Weinstein; Socialist Viewpoint Magazine;
Cristina Gutierrez; Bario Unido por
una Amnistia General; Fred Hirsch,
Plumbers & Fitters 393*; Jack Ford, past
president Teamsters 921*; Patricia
Maginnis; Emily Maloney.
Bay Area United Against War endorses this action.
*organization listed for purposes
of identification only. (Endorsers
support FREE MUMIA and the three
slogans listed above. They do not necessarily
agree with any other statement in this
announcement or with any other LAC
statement.)
Endorse the rally! Send your individual
or organizational endorsement by
return email to LACFreeMumia@aol.com,
or write to LAC at PO Box 16222,
Oakland CA 94610. Let us know if you
can help build the rally!
Mumia's legal defense needs funds
in this critical time. Please help!
Make checks payable to: Labor Action
Committee To Free Mumia Abu-Jamal, and
send them to: PO Box 16222, Oakland CA 94610.
Seventy-five percent (75%) of all
contributions received under this appeal
will go directly to Mumia's legal
defense fund. The remainder will
support the work of the LAC.
For more information on Mumia's case,
go to the following web sites:
www.mumia.org,
www.freemumia.org,
www.chicagofreemumia.org,
www.laboractionmumia.org.
- Labor Action Committee To Free Mumia Abu-Jamal
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CELEBRATE MEXICAN-LATIN AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY
RALLY FOR GENERAL AND UNCONDITIONAL AMNESTY FOR ALL!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH, 1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.
24TH AND MISSION STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
PEOPLE UNITED FOR GENERAL AMNESTY
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 415-431-9925
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Free the Cuban Five!
September 23, 2006
Washington, DC
Breaking News...
On Aug. 9, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals issued its en banc
decision denying a new trial to the Cuban Five. On August 10,
the National Committee to Free the Cuban Five, together with
the National Lawyers Guild, sponsored an emergency press
conference in Washington in response to the decision.
A partial transcript to that press conference, in English
and Spanish, is here.
A March on the White House will be held on September 23
to continue to press forward with efforts to free the Five.
We urge all supporters to make every effort to join us on
that march. A public demonstration of support for the Five,
and outrage at their continued imprisonment, has never
been more vital. Details of the march are found at the
website below.
Join us in Washington on Sept. 23! Free the Cuban Five!
http://www.freethefive.org/
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U.S. Out of Iraq Now! We Are the Majority!
End Colonial Occupation from Iraq,
to Palestine, Haiti, and Everywhere!
October 28 National Day of Action
Locally Coordinated Anti-War Protests from Coast to Coast
Vote With Your Feet … and Your Voices, and Banners, and Signs!
Let Every Politician Feel the Power of the People!
http://answer.pephost.org/site/News2?abbr=ANS_&page=NewsArticle&id=7836
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October 28 National Day of Action
Locally Coordinated Anti-War Protests from Coast to Coast
Vote With Your Feet … and Your Voices, and Banners, and Signs!
Let Every Politician Feel the Power of the People!
http://answer.pephost.org/site/News2?abbr=ANS_&page=NewsArticle&id=7836
http://www.actionsf.org/
http://answer.pephost.org/site/News2?abbr=ANS_&page=NewsArticle&id=7869
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End Canada's Occupation of Afghanistan!
Call for action on October 28, 2006
This call for a pan-Canadian day of action, co-signed by the
Canadian Peace Alliance, the Canadian Islamic Congress, the
Canadian Labour Congress and the Montreal coalition Echec
a la Guerre, is being distributed and discussed at the World Peace
Forum now taking place in Vancouver. -SV The Collectif Échec
à la guerre, Canadian Peace Alliance, the Canadian Labour Congress,
and the Canadian Islamic Congress are jointly calling for a pan-
Canadian day of protest this October 28th, 2006, to bring Canadian
troops home from Afghanistan.
On that day, people all across the country will unite to tell
Stephen Harper that we are opposed to
his wholehearted support for Canadian and U.S. militarism.
This October marks the fifth anniversary of the invasion and
occupation of Afghanistan, and the people of that country are
still suffering from the ravages of war. Reconstruction in the
country is at a standstill and the needs of the Afghan people
are not being met. The rule of the new Afghan State, made
up largely of drug running warlords, will not realize the
democratic aspirations of the people there. In fact, according
to Human Rights Watch reports, the human rights record
of those warlords in recent years has not been better than
the Taliban.
We are told that the purpose of this war is to root out terrorism
and protect our societies, yet the heavy-handed approach of
a military occupation trying to impose a US-friendly
government on the Afghan people will force more Afghans
to become part of the resistance movement. It will also
make our societies more -- not less -- likely to see terrorist
attacks.
No discussion on military tactics in the House of Commons
will change that reality. Indeed, violence is increasing with
more attacks on both coalition troops and on Afghan civilians.
While individual Canadian soldiers may have gone to Afghanistan
with the best of intentions, they are operating under the
auspices of a US-led state building project that cares little
or the needs of the Afghan people. US and Canadian interests
rest with the massive $3.2 billion Trans Afghan Pipeline (TAP)
project, which will bring oil from the Caspian region through
southern Afghanistan (where Canada is stationed) and onto the
ports of Pakistan.
It has been no secret that the TAP has dominated US foreign
policy towards Afghanistan for the last decade. Now Canadian
oil and gas corporations have their own interests in the TAP.
Over the last decade, the role of the Canadian Armed Forces
abroad has changed, and Canadian foreign policy has become
a replica of the US empire-building rhetoric. The end result
of this process is now plain to see with the role of our troops
in Southern Afghanistan, with the enormous budget increases
for war expenditures and "security," with the Bush-style speeches
of Stephen Harper, and with the fear campaigns around
"homegrown terrorism" to foster support for those nefarious
changes.
It is this very course that will get young Canadian soldiers killed,
that will endanger our society and consume more and more
of its resources for destruction and death in Afghanistan.
We demand a freeze in defense and security budgets until
an in-depth public discussion is held on those issues across
Canada. The mission in Afghanistan has already cost Canadians
more than $4 billion. That money could have been used to fund
human needs in Canada or abroad. Instead it is being used
to kill civilians in Afghanistan and advance the interests
of corporations.
On October 28th, stand up and be counted.
Canadian Troops Out of Afghanistan Now!
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GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
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SIR! NO SIR!
I urge everyone to get a copy of "Sir! No Sir!" at:
http://www.sirnosir.com/
It is an extremely informative and powerful film
of utmost importance today. I was a participant
in the anti-Vietnam war movement. What a
powerful thing it was to see troops in uniform
leading the march against the war! If you would
like to read more here are two very good
publications:
Out Now!: A Participant's Account of the Movement
in the United States Against the Vietnam War
by Fred Halstead (Hardcover - Jun 1978)
and:
GIs speak out against the war;: The case of the
Ft. Jackson 8; by Fred Halstead (Unknown Binding - 1970).
Both available at:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/103-1123166-0136605?search-alias=books&rank=+availability,-proj-total-margin&field-author=Fred%20Halstead
In solidarity,
Bonnie Weinstein
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Endorse the following petition:
Don't Let Idaho Kill Endangered Wolves
Target: Fish and Wildlife Service
Sponsor: Defenders of Wildlife
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/664280276?z00m=99090&z00m=99090<l=1155834550
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SUPPORT "TAKING AIM":
KPFA RADIO is considering airing the very informative program,
"Taking Aim," produced by Ralph Schoenman and Mya Shone. We
encourage everyone who has heard and appreciated this show
to contact KPFA's Tracy Rose and let her know you want the
show to air:
tracyrose@gmail.com
Here's my letter:
In solidarity,
Bonnie Weinstein
Dear Tracy,
The program, "Taking Aim", with Ralph Schoenman and Mya Shone
is a one-of-a-kind, powerfully informative program. Schoenman
and Shone are leading experts in the history of the Middle East with
years of experience living in the region. They are both important
reporters for news that the mainstream media tries to hide or
distort. "Taking Aim" would be a very valuable addition to the fine
programing already on KPFA.
More importantly, the information disseminating from this program
and the serious work of Schoenman and Shone, provide invaluable facts
that KPFA listeners need to hear--truth that is told nowhere else.
The more in-depth information that is made available to the general
public--your listeners--from "Taking Aim" will help to further
educate your well-informed audience.
I strongly urge you to add this program to your broadcasts.
In my opinion, "Taking Aim" and the work of Schoenman and Shone
compares well with Amy Goodman's "Democracy Now." I wish it could
be on every day.
Sincerely,
Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War
www.bauaw.org
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END ALL U.S. AID TO ISRAEL!
Stop funding Israel's war against Palestine
Complete the form at the website listed below with your information.
Personalize the message text on the right with
your own words, if you wish.
Click the Next Step button to send your letter
to these decision makers:
President George W. Bush
Vice President Richard 'Dick' B. Cheney
Your Senators
Your Representative
Go here to register your outrage:
https://secure2.convio.net/pep/site/Advocacy?
JServSessionIdr003=cga2p2o6x1.app2a&cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=177
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------
Idriss Stelley Foundation is in critical financial crisis, please help !
ISF is in critical financial crisis, and might be forced to close
its doors in a couple of months due to lack of funds to cover
DSL, SBC and utilities, which is a disaster for our numerous
clients, since the are the only CBO providing direct services
to Victims (as well as extended failies) of police misconduct
for the whole city of SF. Any donation, big or small will help
us stay alive until we obtain our 501-c3 nonprofit Federal
Status! Checks can me made out to
ISF, ( 4921 3rd St , SF CA 94124 ). Please consider to volunteer
or apply for internship to help covering our 24HR Crisis line,
provide one on one couseling and co facilitate our support
groups, M.C a show on SF Village Voice, insure a 2hr block
of time at ISF, moderate one of our 26 websites for ISF clients !
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeo9ewi/idrissstelleyfoundation/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/isf23/
Report Police Brutality
24HR Bilingual hotline
(415) 595-8251
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Justice4Asa/
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Sign the petition to save Bayview Hunters Point: No more Fillmore!
Editorial by Willie Ratcliff,
http://www.sfbayview.com/060706/signthepetition060706.shtml
As urban Black displacement grows, Bayview kicks off referendum
drive to stop Redevelopment by Randy Shaw,
http://www.sfbayview.com/060706/displacement060706.shtml
Hands off Bayview Hunters Point!
An open letter to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors
http://www.sfbayview.com/050306/handsoff050306.shtml
Shattering the myth that our community is divided, people –
especially Black people – are lining up to sign, but we need
lots more signature gatherers. Can you commit to a few
hours with a clipboard or to passing petitions among
your co-workers, friends and family? Give us a call at
(415) 671-0789 or an email at editor@sfbayview.com.
Now for what we’re up against: The Bay View newspaper
has been too broke to help finance the petition campaign,
very few contributions have come in and bills are overdue.
So the petition drive needs financial help … and so does
the Bay View newspaper, desperately.
The Bay View has faced many crises in the over 14 years
we’ve published it – eviction, death threats, never enough
money – yet readers have always come through, enabling
us to bounce back, tackle bigger issues and fight harder
than ever. We hate to beg, but WE NEED YOU NOW.
WITHOUT AN IMMEDIATE AND SUBSTANTIAL LOAN, THE
BAY VIEW CANNOT CONTINUE. To discuss a loan, which
we can amply collateralize, please call us at (415) 671-0789;
we’re here 24/7. Tax-deductible contributions to our
nonprofit arm, the Hurricane Relief Information Network,
are also a big help to save the hopes and the lives
of survivors who depend on the Bay View for news and resources.
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Appeal for funds:
Dahr Jamail's Iraq Dispatches
Visit the Dahr Jamail Iraq website http://dahrjamailiraq.com
Request for Support
Dahr Jamail will soon return to the Middle East to continue his
independent reporting. As usual, reporting independently is a costly
enterprise; for example, an average hotel room is $50, a fixer runs $50
per day, and phone/food average $25 per day. Dahr will report from the
Middle East for one month, and thus needs to raise $5,750 in order to
cover his plane ticket and daily operating expenses.
A rare opportunity has arisen for Dahr to cover several stories
regarding the occupation of Iraq, as well as U.S. policy in the region,
which have been entirely absent from mainstream media.
With the need for independent, unfiltered information greater than ever,
your financial support is deeply appreciated. Without donations from
readers, ongoing independent reports from Dahr are simply not possible.
All donations go directly towards covering Dahr's on the ground
operating expenses.
(c)2006 Dahr Jamail.
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New Flash Film
From Young Ava Over At 'Peace Takes Courage'
http://www.peacetakescourage.com/page-blog.htm
http://letter.cf.huffingtonpost.com/
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Save the Lebanese Civilians Petition
http://epetitions.net/julywar/index.php
http://donations.tayyar.org/
To The Concerned Citizen of The World:
http://epetitions.net/julywar/index.php
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Legal update on Mumia Abu-Jamal’s case
Excerpts from a letter written by Robert R. Bryan, the lead attorney
for death row political prisoner, Mumia Abu-Jamal.
...On July 20, 2006, we filed the Brief of Appellee and Cross
Appellant, Mumia Abu-Jamal, in the U.S. Court of Appeals
for the Third Circuit, Philadelphia.
http://www.workers.org/2006/us/mumia-0810/
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Today in Palestine!
For up to date information on Israeli's brutal attack on
human rights and freedom in Palestine and Lebanon go to:
http://www.theheadlines.org
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For a great car magnet--a black ribbon with the words, "Bring
the troops home now!" written in red, and it also comes in a
lapel pin!--go to:
(Put out by A.N.S.W.E.R.)
https://secure2.convio.net/pep/site/Ecommerce?store_id=1621
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THE HIDDEN HISTORY OF ZIONISM
BY RALPH SCHOENMAN
Essential reading for understanding the development of Zionism
and Israel in the service of British and USA imperialism.
The full text of the book can be found for free at:
http://www.marxists.de/middleast/schoenman/
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JOIN THE LYNNE STEWAR DEFENSE
For those of you who don't know who Lynne Stewart is, go to
www.lynnestewart.org and get acquainted with Lynne and her
cause. Lynne is a criminal defense attorney who is being persecuted
for representing people charged with heinous crimes. It is a bedrock
of our legal system that every criminal defendant has a right to a
lawyer. Persecuting Lynne is an attempt to terrorize and intimidate
all criminal defense attorneys in this country so they will stop
representing unpopular people. If this happens, the fascist takeover
of this nation will be complete. We urge you all to go the website,
familiarize yourselves with Lynne and her battle for justice
www.lynnestewart.org
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NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO FREE THE CUBAN FIVE
Comité Nacional por la Libertad de los Cinco Cubanos
Who are the Cuban Five?
The Cuban Five are five Cuban men who are in U.S. prison, serving
four life sentences and 75 years collectively, after being wrongly
convicted in U.S. federal court in Miami, on June 8, 2001.
They are Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino, Antonio Guerrero,
Fernando González and René González.
The Five were falsely accused by the U.S. government of committing
espionage conspiracy against the United States, and other related
charges.
But the Five pointed out vigorously in their defense that they were
involved in monitoring the actions of Miami-based terrorist groups,
in order to prevent terrorist attacks on their country of Cuba.
The Five’s actions were never directed at the U.S. government.
They never harmed anyone nor ever possessed nor used any
weapons while in the United States.
The Cuban Five’s mission was to stop terrorism
For more than 40 years, anti-Cuba terrorist organizations based
in Miami have engaged in countless terrorist activities against
Cuba, and against anyone who advocates a normalization
of relations between the U.S. and Cuba. More than 3,000 Cubans
have died as a result of these terrorists’ attacks.
Gerardo
Hernández
2 Life Sentences
Antonio
Guerrero
Life Sentence
Ramon
Labañino
Life Sentence
Fernando
González
19 Years
René
González
15 Years
Free The Cuban Five Held Unjustly In The U.S.!
http://www.freethefive.org/
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Eyewitness Account from Oaxaca
A website is now being circulated that has up-to-date info
and video that can be downloaded of the police action and
developments in Oaxaca. For those who have not seen it
elsewhere, the website is:
www.mexico.indymedia.org/oaxaca
http://www.mexico.indymedia.org/oaxaca
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REMINDER TO ALL GROUPS: BE SURE AND POST ALL ACTIONS AND
EVENTS TO WWW.INDYBAY.ORG TO REACH THE MOST PEOPLE
AGAINST THE WAR IN THE BAY AREA!
http://www.indybay.org
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------
Iraq Body Count
For current totals, see our database page.
http://www.iraqbodycount.net/press/pr13.php
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The Cost of War
[Over three-hundred-billion so far...bw]
http://nationalpriorities.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=182
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"The Democrats always promise to help workers, and the don't!
The Republicans always promise to help business, and the do!"
- Mort Sahl
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------
"It's better to die on your feet than to live on your knees."
- Emilano Zapata
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------
Join the Campaign to
Shut Down the Guantanamo Torture Center
Go to:
http://www.shutitdown.org/
to send a letter to Congress and the White House:
Shut Down Guantanamo and all torture centers and prisons.
A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition
Act Now to Stop War & End Racism
http://www.ANSWERcoalition.org http://www.actionsf.org
sf@internationalanswer.org
2489 Mission St. Rm. 24
San Francisco: 415-821-6545
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------
Great Counter-Recruitment Website
http://notyoursoldier.org/article.php?list=type&type=14
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------
DEFEND IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND
CIVIL RIGHTS!
Last summer the U.S. Border Patrol arrested Shanti Sellz and
Daniel Strauss, both 23-year-old volunteers assisting immigrants
on the border, for medically evacuating 3 people in critical
condition from the Arizona desert.
Criminalization for aiding undocumented immigrants already
exists on the books in the state of Arizona. Daniel and Shanti
are targeted to be its first victims. Their arrest and subsequent
prosecution for providing humanitarian aid could result in
a 15-year prison sentence. Any Congressional compromise
with the Sensenbrenner bill (HR 4437) may include these
harmful criminalization provisions. Fight back NOW!
Help stop the criminalization of undocumented immigrants
and those who support them!
For more information call 415-821- 9683.
For information on the Daniel and Shanti Defense Campaign,
visit www.nomoredeaths.org.
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FYI
According to "Minimum Wage History" at
http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/anth484/minwage.html "
"Calculated in real 2005 dollars, the 1968 minimum wage was the
highest at $9.12. "The 8 dollar per hour Whole Foods employees
are being paid $1.12 less than the 1968 minimum wage.
"A federal minimum wage was first set in 1938. The graph shows
both nominal (red) and real (blue) minimum wage values. Nominal
values range from 25 cents per hour in 1938 to the current $5.15/hr.
The greatest percentage jump in the minimum wage was in 1950,
when it nearly doubled. The graph adjusts these wages to 2005
dollars (blue line) to show the real value of the minimum wage.
Calculated in real 2005 dollars, the 1968 minimum wage was the
highest at $9.12. Note how the real dollar minimum wage rises and
falls. This is because it gets periodically adjusted by Congress.
The period 1997-2006, is the longest period during which the
minimum wage has not been adjusted. States have departed from
the federal minimum wage. Washington has the highest minimum
wage in the country at $7.63 as of January 1, 2006. Oregon is next
at $7.50. Cities, too, have set minimum wages. Santa Fe, New
Mexico has a minimum wage of $9.50, which is more than double
the state minimum wage at $4.35."
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------
NO BORDERS! NO WALLS! NO FENCES! GENERAL AMNESTY FOR ALL!
OUR HOMELAND IS WHERE WE LIVE!
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------
REPEAL THE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT IN 2007!
Check out: 10 EXCELLENT REASONS NOT TO JOIN THE MILITARY
http://www.10reasonsbook.com/
Public Law print of PL 107-110, the No Child Left Behind
Act of 2001 [1.8 MB]
http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/index.html
Also, the law is up before Congress again in 2007.
See this article from USA Today:
Bipartisan panel to study No Child Left Behind
By Greg Toppo, USA TODAY
February 13, 2006
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2006-02-13-education-panel_x.htm
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------
The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies
http://www.law.indiana.edu/uslawdocs/declaration.html
http://www.law.ou.edu/hist/decind.html
http://www.usconstitution.net/declar.html
http://www.indybay.org/news/2006/02/1805195.php
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------
Bill of Rights
http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.billofrights.html
http://www.indybay.org/news/2006/02/1805182.php
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------
ARTICLES IN FULL:
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------
1) LABOR DAY "EXECUTIVE EXCESS" REPORT:
OIL & DEFENSE CEOS POCKET THE SPOILS
PRESS RELEASE FROM UNITED FOR A FAIR ECONOMY
& INSTITUTE FOR POLICY STUDIES
Contact: Betsy Leondar-Wright, (617) 423-2148 x113,
(781) 704-4039 (cell)
Embargoed to 12:01 am, Wednesday, August 30, 2006
An embargoed PDF version of the report is now available
to journalists on the web:
Please note the change in the embargo date to August 30.
http://www.faireconomy.org/reports/2006/ExecutiveExcess2006.pdf
2) UAW Local 292 Suspends Democratic Union Elections
by Todd M. Jordan
August 22, 2006
http://futureoftheunion.com/?p=3094
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------
1) LABOR DAY "EXECUTIVE EXCESS" REPORT:
OIL & DEFENSE CEOS POCKET THE SPOILS
PRESS RELEASE FROM UNITED FOR A FAIR ECONOMY
& INSTITUTE FOR POLICY STUDIES
Contact: Betsy Leondar-Wright, (617) 423-2148 x113,
(781) 704-4039 (cell)
Embargoed to 12:01 am, Wednesday, August 30, 2006
An embargoed PDF version of the report is now available
to journalists on the web:
Please note the change in the embargo date to August 30.
http://www.faireconomy.org/reports/2006/ExecutiveExcess2006.pdf.
CEOs in the defense and oil industries have been able to translate
war and rising oil prices into personal jackpots, according to
a new report from theInstitute for Policy Studies and United for
a Fair Economy, "Executive Excess 2006."
OIL BARONS: With Americans now paying over $3 per gallon,
petroleum profiteers are raking in nearly three times the pay
of CEOs in comparably sized businesses. In 2005, the top
15 U.S. oil CEOs got a 50% raise since 2004. They now average
$32.7 million, compared with $11.6 million for all
CEOs of large U.S. firms.
Executive pay at U.S.-based oil companies also far outpaced
pay at oil companies based outside the United States.
BP and Royal Dutch Shell paid their CEOs only one-eighth
what their U.S. counterparts collected just
$5.6 and $4.1 million in 2005, respectively even though
both companies operate in the same global marketplace
as their U.S.-based competitors.
CEO William Greehey of Valero Energy took home the oil industry's
biggest executive pay rewards in 2005, pocketing $95.2 million.
The average construction worker at an energy company
would have to work 4,279 years to equal what Greehey collected last year.
DEFENSE CONTRACTORS: Since the "War on Terror" began, CEOs
at the top 34 military contractors have enjoyed average paychecks
that are double the compensation they received in the four
years leading up to 9/11.
The new "Executive Excess" report surveys all publicly held U.S.
corporations among the top 100 defense contractors that had a
t least 10 percent of revenues in defense.
These 34 CEOs combined have pocketed almost
a billion dollars since 9/11 enough to employ more than
a million Iraqis for a year to rebuild their country.
In 2005, defense industry CEOs walked off with 44 times
more pay than military generals with 20 years experience,
and 308 times more than Army privates.
United Technologies CEO George David led the pack with over
$200 million in pay since 9/11, despite investigations into the
quality of the company's Black Hawk helicopters.
CEO Jay Gellert of Health Net saw the biggest personal pay
raise after 9/11, a 1,134% leap over the preceding four years.
The company owes its earnings growth to American taxpayers,
who may not realize they pick up a hefty share
of cost overruns in the privatized military health care system.
"Americans across the political spectrum should be outraged
by the sight of executives cashing in on war windfalls,"
says report co-author Sarah Anderson. "Unfortunately,
partisan politics has stopped Congress from
effectively overseeing this war contracting free-for-all."
Since 1990, the overall CEO-worker pay gap in the United
States has grown from 107-to-1 to last year's 411-to-1.
Minimum wage workers have lost 9 percent after inflation
in the same 15 years. If the minimum wage had risen
at the same pace as CEO pay, it would now stand at
$22.61 per hour, over four times the current $5.15.
"Executive Excess 2006" also challenges the current
reform agenda for addressing excessive CEO pay in oil
and defense as well as throughout the American economy.
That agenda, reflected in new SEC rules released at the end
of July, emphasizes requiring corporate boards to fully disclose
all the revenue streams perks and pensions included
that go into contemporary executive pay.
But disclosure alone, notes report co-author Chuck Collins,
won't restore fairness to the nation's executive suites.
"Transparency has been ineffective in curtailing CEO pay," says Collins.
"The root problem is an imbalance of power. We need to give more
clout to other stakeholders, such as requiring shareholder approval
of executive pay and retirement packages, as is now done in Britain."
Authored by Sarah Anderson, John Cavanagh, Chuck Collins,
and Eric Benjamin, and edited by Sam Pizzigati, "Executive
Excess 2006" is the 13th annual CEO pay study by the
Institute for Policy Studies and United for a Fair Economy.
The Institute for Policy Studies is an independent center
for progressive research and education in Washington, DC.
United for a Fair Economy is a national organization based
in Boston that spotlights growing economic inequality.
An embargoed PDF version of the report is now available
to journalists on the web:
http://www.faireconomy.org/reports/2006/ExecutiveExcess2006.pdf.
Please note the change in the embargo date to August 30.
For hard copies or to set up interviews with the co-authors, call
617-423-2148 x113 or e-mail bleondar-wright@faireconomy.org.
###
Betsy Leondar-Wright
Communications Director, United for a Fair Economy
(617) 423-2148 x113
29 Winter Street
Boston, MA 02108
http://www.FairEconomy.Org
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------
2) UAW Local 292 Suspends Democratic Union Elections
by Todd M. Jordan
August 22, 2006
http://futureoftheunion.com/?p=3094
President George W. Bush has suspended all U.S. elections in
November in order to save money for the United States of America.
All elected officials including Governors, Mayors, City Council and
Senators will be appointed by the President. What if this was on
the front page of the USA Today? Well, that is what has happened
to the membership of UAW Local 292, but it wasn't the US
government or Bush who made the announcement, it was
our so-called "democratic" union.
The local UAW president and shop chairman with the help
of their caucus has suspended all union elections and will
hand pick people for all union positions at local 292. As those
currently in office transfer to General Motors or take the Special
Attrition Program they will personally select their replacements.
After years of previous betrayals and failures it should come
as no surprise to the membership.
Despite the membership not knowing about the vote ahead
of time over a dozen concerned members were able to
mobilize in a very short period of time and stood strong
against the outright attack on our UAW International Constitution
on August 17, 2006 by the Camp-Anthony caucus. Those who
were lucky to even find out about this vote witnessed this
betrayal firsthand. If they agree or not with the vote, democracy
did in fact die with a 70-15 pass. Let us recognize though,
that quite a few union officials voted more than once. Some
of them voted at the first, second, and even the third shift
meeting so this vote is not completely correct.
Regardless, had the membership been informed it would
have been different results no matter how many times they
voted. But, that was their strategy, to keep you out of the
union hall so the vote would pass. Everyone knows the
vast majority of union meetings consist of only the appointed
and elected officials. The Administration knew about the
motion ahead of time, it was even submitted by one of
their own. There was time to let the membership in the
factory know, if they really wanted them to know. As for
retirees, they were not allowed to vote even though the
administrative branch that represents them is effected.
One retiree who tried to vote against the motion was
quickly verbally abused and removed from the vote
by the Vice President.
Regrettably, the good ol'boys and their old guard denied
any amendment or real discussion from the opposition
by applying even more undemocratic actions to the
situation. Had the membership who posed opposition
to the motion been allowed to speak without union
officials committing parliamentary violations, attacks
and political tricks it would have been different.
It's Not About Democracy, It's About Control And Power
Let us look at the facts without the distortions of career
union politicians controlling the union meeting. Let us
examine the destruction of our democratic right to have
union elections and vote. Let us examine this violation
to our UAW constitution in order to as they say, "save our local".
Is this not a democracy? Do our votes really mean so
little to this caucus in power? Was not the UAW founded
on democracy for all members? What happened to one
member, one voice? Was not the UAW founded on equality
and the right to vote? It's no wonder this administration
caucus worked diligently to fight back our resolution in
May that would give us one member, one vote for all
union positions including appointed and International.
Hell, they want all positions appointed! That much is now
obvious as democracy and solidarity are hollow words
to this administration.
Many of us understand that it is the only way for them
to retain power and place whoever "plays the game",
sucks up and basically does whatever they say just to
get an office. Ah yes, that golden ticket! Ask yourselves
if it is also to keep new hires from getting involved and
opposition from gaining offices. It's undemocratic regardless
of any excuse or reason they present. This situation is exactly
why our UAW constitution was created in the first place.
This rogue leadership destroys our future every second
they can get if it will get them more money or more power.
They say that Region 3 approves of this, but they could
not prove it. So, if they did contact the Region then they
had plenty of extra time to inform ALL the membership
of the vote.
I once had a brother who is inspiring to be an elected union
official tell me a few months ago that, "No matter what,
I stick with my UAW." I wonder what he thinks about his
statement to me today after going against our constitution,
a.k.a. "my UAW". Maybe he really meant to say, I stick with
"whoever is power".
We are told that this undemocratic motion is about the
money. So where was the financial report? How convenient
it was not given out. Can you remember the last time they
missed a financial report at a union meeting? It's a very rare
occasion. Even if it was about money then so be it, democracy
isn't free and it isn't cheap. The price of the democratic right
to vote, the very core of every union member's rights is worth
every penny of our dues money. Any conscious union member
will know that it is not about money, it's about retaining power
and keeping people they don't like from running for a union
position. They are cowards who must break our own constitution
to keep out the people they don't like out of office. This is simply
an easy way to appoint their friends, loyal supporters and family
members. Everything else is smoke and mirrors!
If you think I'm wrong then why did they deny several perfectly
legal amendments including one that would have outlined abuse?
Instead, they simply began refusing to call on us and outright
violated the Robert's Rules of Order several times to get the
motion passed. My favorite tactic of theirs is to talk everyone
to death and drag on and on having various cronies called
on when the tension and dissent starts to hit them. It's a great
way to calm down the room and encourage a submissive
environment. Often people leave because of time constraints.
It's all a shame, it's politics at the expense of the membership.
The motion even though it passed is grounds for appeal since
it violates our constitution. If anyone has 2 or 3 years to waste
go for it but, remember the Public Review Board is appointed
by the UAW international. Go figure.
See, the UAW bureaucracy can spend hundreds of millions to
line their own pockets and make $200 - $300 thousands
a year in salaries with our dues money but, they can't provide
money for basic fundamental union elections. The UAW can
transfer hundreds of millions from our strike fund for
organizing but, they can't provide money to the membership
they already "represent".
Believe their tricky political games, trust in their lies, or see
the truth for what it is, the truth. No matter what you decide,
democracy and our UAW constitution has been broken,
violated and tossed in our faces. No single excuse they
make can cover up this fact. The old saying is, "When
good (wo)men do nothing, evil (wo)men prevail."
Politicians are just that, politicians. It's their desire to stay
in office by any means. It is why politics is "dirty business".
The union is no different than other politics. At local 292 we
have a handful of liars and professional trade union politicians
who know all the tricks and are experts at the game. Everything
else is part of their game. They will always tell you exactly what
you want to hear even if they outright lie to your face. It is the
nature of the beast to lie, cheat, and steal. Truth and integrity
is their worse enemy. It's why they hate, lie about and attack
members who speak out.
Caucus Is Misleading The Membership
Take for example our shop chairman. At this same meeting
when speaking to new hires he said "the membership voted
for the two-tier agreement in 2003." This is a political move
on his part often used on the shop floor to redirect questions
from the facts. See, the truth is we didn't vote on the two-tier
agreement. In fact we voted on a "to be negotiated" possible
memorandum of understanding that wasn't agreed on until
the following year. When the contract in 2003 was presented
there was no information or meetings on the two-tier
memorandum of understanding. In fact, they worked very
hard to slide it in and keep it under the radar. They denied
the membership access to details and when we filed an appeal
the UAW 2 years later responded that all two-tier members are
a "Null Class" which means the constitution of equal pay for
equal work doesn't apply to new hires. You can look it up and
see yourselves.
To make matters worse, General Motors and Delphi votes had
been combined in 2003. What this meant was even if all of the
Delphi membership voted "No" against the two-tier it would
not have mattered because GM workers who were not given
information either out numbered us 2-1 in votes. And let us
not forget the nice sign on bonus and retirement perks they
gave away to help push the contract through. The devil is
in the details.
Or how about this lesson in politics. A joint representative
puts forth a resolution for the UAW Constitutional Convention
that basically states if an elected or appointed official violates
the UAW Constitution they should be removed from office.
This same appointed official and all those who voted for it then
ironically vote to violate our constitution on August 17, 2006
mentioned above. Least we not forget they also voted in 2004
to two-tier our own union hall staff. This administration is
no better than Steve Miller and Delphi.
Do not believe the venomous words from this failed caucus
we have in power at local 292, research the truth yourselves.
When they say you will not get fired if you strike with higher
sinority ask that union official were their solidarity was when
they sacrificed your pay and benefits. Take time and look up
what the UAW did to the Accuride workers in the 1990s or at
Caterpillar. The truth is out there and they can't cover up all
their tracks when people start to fight back.
They had an excuse for everything to stack up the new generation
of pork chopper candidates and isolated new hires all the while
claming to support them. They are a mini-Delphi who only care
about their own retirement and personal gain. The truth will set
you free. Even if you the reader see it now or see it later, you will
see it one day. The administrative caucus and their cronies say
many things about me so you the reader won't listen, they have
for years. One day though, you the reader will look back and you
will see the truth of what really happened at Delphi. They can't
cover up their tracks forever.
Long live real worker solidarity and true union democracy. May
all the fighters of injustices answer their calling and put their
swords to the throat of business unionism.
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------
LINKS ONLY
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------
Afghanistan Descends Into Chaos Once Again
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/082206A.shtml
Bush Fulfills Few Promises to Gulf Coast
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0821-06.htm
CIA's Secret UK Bank Trawl May Be Illegal
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0821-01.htm
Unexploded Cluster Bombs Prompt Fear and Fury in Returning Refugees
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0821-02.htm
New Orleans Summer 2006
http://www.peoplesorganizing.org/summer_volunteer.html
Behind Bush's Rhetoric on Iraq: · Democracy · Oil
August 21, 2006
http://www.accuracy.org/newsrelease.php?articleId=1339
Radioactive Leak Reaches Nuclear Plant's Groundwater
At San Onofre, the cancer-causing tritium isn't known to infect
drinking water, but experts are checking.
By Seema Mehta and Dave McKibben
Times Staff Writer
August 18, 2006
www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-radioactive18aug18,0,3580491.story?track=mostviewed-sectionfront
Iraq war first hard look at women's level of combat post-traumatic
stress disorder
- Donna St. George, Washington Post
Sunday, August 20, 2006
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/08/20/MNGK9KLV8L1.DTL&feed=rss.news
Cannabis Cafes Get Nudge to Fringes of a Dutch City
By MARLISE SIMONS
August 20, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/20/world/europe/20dutch.html
Top Police Spar in London Over Muslims as ‘Victims’
Roughly 90 percent of the 30,000-plus Metropolitan Police force
is made up of white officers, but the number of nonwhite officers
in training is about 17 percent.
By ALAN COWELL
August 20, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/20/world/europe/20britain.html
In British Inquiry, a Family Caught in 2 Worlds
By IAN FISHER and SERGE F. KOVALESKI
August 20, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/20/world/europe/20family.html?ref=world
Costly Promises
New York Gets Sobering Look at Its Pensions
By MARY WILLIAMS WALSH and MICHAEL COOPER
August 20, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/20/nyregion/20pension.html?hp&ex=1156132800&en=e7e6583c38403e37&ei=5094&partner=homepage
FOCUS | US Names Spy Operations 'Manager' for Cuba, Venezuela
The United States has
named a special "manager" for its intelligence operations against Cuba
and Venezuela, in effect putting the two Latin American nations on a par
with "axis of evil" states confronted on multiple levels by the
administration of President George W. Bush.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081906X.shtml
VIDEO | Dahr Jamail on Iraq and Lebanon
A Film by Geoffrey Millard and Sari Gelzer
Independent reporter Dahr Jamail
speaks with Truthout's Geoffrey Millard in Seattle at the Veterans for
Peace Convention, where he was invited to speak about his time in Iraq
and, because of recent events, in Lebanon. Jamail went to Iraq because
he said the coverage by corporate news was insufficient. Jamail
presents his take on Iraq's civil war and politics, Lebanon's humanitarian
crisis, Hezbollah's increased popularity, US/Iran relations, and the peace
movement in America.
http://www.truthout.org/multimedia.htm
VIDEO | Keith Olbermann: Terror and Politics in America
Keith Olbermann does a stunning
job of laying out a five year history of Bush administration Terror
Alerts that came at moments when the administration may have wanted to
change the subject.
http://www.truthout.org/multimedia.htm
Truce Strained as Israelis Raid Site in Lebanon
By ROBERT F. WORTH and JOHN KIFNER
August 20, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/20/world/middleeast/20lebanon.html?hp&ex=1156046400&en=29d5a780e1d505a5&ei=5094&partner=homepage
I.R.S. Hires Debt Collectors
By DAVID CAY JOHNSTON
If you owe back taxes to the federal government, the next call asking
you to pay may come not from an Internal Revenue Service officer,
but from a private debt collector.
August 20, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/20/business/20tax.html?hp&ex=1156046400&en=c9462e925e79e193&ei=5094&partner=homepage
Israel Carries Out Raid Deep Into Lebanon
By STEVEN ERLANGER
August 19, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/19/world/middleeast/19cnd-mideast.html?hp&ex=1156046400&en=a6aa4791c1db0db1&ei=5094&partner=homepage
Colombia’s Coca Survives U.S. Plan to Uproot It
By JUAN FORERO
[This article talks about the massive spraying
August 19, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/19/world/americas/19coca.html?hp&ex=1156046400&en=4dee6ec14ac62d99&ei=5094&partner=homepage
Review of Landmark Study Finds Fewer
Vietnam Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress
By BENEDICT CAREY
August 18, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/18/health/policy/18psych.html?ref=us
Judge Finds Wiretap Actions Violate the Law
By ADAM LIPTAK and ERIC LICHTBLAU
August 18, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/18/washington/18nsa.html?hp&ex=1155960000&en=213a53bdd3cbda3e&ei=5094&partner=homepage
Marines May Have Excised Evidence on 24 Iraqi Deaths
By DAVID S. CLOUD
August 18, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/18/world/middleeast/18haditha.html?hp&ex=1155960000&en=1d7763a7a829867a&ei=5094&partner=homepage
BREAKING | Judge Rules Bush's Surveillance Program Unconstitutional
A federal judge in Detroit has ruled that the Bush administration's
warrantless surveillance program violates the Constitution.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081706Y.shtml
Hey Folks, Throw TO a Bone!
Thursday 17 August 2006
Wow - it's hard to get donations from our readers. The same
people help out month after month, and they're the only ones
who keep Truthout going. Help them, help us, help you. TIA!
Just click this link for our secure donation form:
https://secure.entango.com/donate/pkXd5Fr9GE4?mail
VIDEO | Dahr Jamail on Iraq and Lebanon
A Film by Geoffrey Millard and Sari Gelzer
Independent reporter Dahr Jamail speaks with Truthout's
Geoffrey Millard in Seattle at the Veterans for Peace
Convention, where he was invited to speak about his
time in Iraq and, because of recent events, in Lebanon.
Jamail went to Iraq because he said the coverage by
corporate news was insufficient. Jamail presents his
take on Iraq's civil war and politics, Lebanon's humanitarian
crisis, Hezbollah's increased popularity, US/Iran relations,
and the peace movement in America.
http://www.truthout.org/multimedia.htm
VIDEO | Keith Olbermann: Terror and Politics in America
Keith Olbermann does a stunning job of laying out a five year
history of Bush administration Terror Alerts that came at
moments when the administration may have wanted
to change the subject.
http://www.truthout.org/multimedia.htm
Sarah Olson | Iraq War Vets' Support for Lt. Watada Growing
"Geoffrey Millard is a
sergeant in the Army National Guard and has no problem speaking
publicly or supporting Lieutenant Watada," writes Sarah Olson. "He says GI
resistance is a growing trend. 'American GIs are beginning to respect the
Nuremberg principles. They are resisting orders; they are going to
jail, going to Canada, and going AWOL. And they're talking about why
they're doing it.'"
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081606A.shtml
Abu Ghraib Whistleblower Speaks Out
In an interview by Wil
S. Hylton, Joe Darby speaks out for the first time since exposing the
atrocities at Abu Ghraib.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081606B.shtml
Matthew Rothschild | Preparing the Battlefield for Bush's War on Iran
"The thought crossed my
mind this weekend at a wedding party, when we were discussing the
Israeli war on Lebanon: Maybe Bush's green light for this bloody war was
part of his plan to bomb Tehran," writes Matthew Rothschild.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081606C.shtml
Fire, Flood, Famine: Global Warming and Our Future
More than half of the
world's major forests will be lost if global temperatures rise by an
average of 3C or more by the end of the century. The prediction comes from
the most comprehensive analysis yet of the potential effects of
human-made global warming.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081606D.shtml
BREAKING | Judge Rules Bush's Surveillance Program Unconstitutional
A federal judge in
Detroit has ruled that the Bush administration's warrantless surveillance
program violates the Constitution.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081706Y.shtml
British Arms Merchant With Passport to the Pentagon
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0816-03.htm
Israeli Army Chief Sold Stocks Hours before the War
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0816-06.htm
Venezuela's Revolution of Hope
By JOSHUA FRANK, SUNIL SHARMA and KIM PETERSON
August 16, 2006
http://www.counterpunch.com/frank08162006.html
Military recruiters turn to strong-arm tactics
BY ANNE PLUMMER FLAHERTY
ASSOCIATED PRESS
August 15, 2006
WASHINGTON -- Military recruiters have increasingly resorted to
overly aggressive tactics and criminal activity to attract young
troops to the battlefield, congressional investigators say.
Combat conditions in Iraq, a decent job market and tough monthly
recruiting goals have made recruiters' jobs more difficult, the
Government Accountability Office said Monday.
According to data provided to the GAO, substantiated cases
of wrongdoing jumped from about 400 cases in 2004 to almost
630 in 2005. Criminal cases -- such as sexual harassment
or falsifying medical records -- more than doubled in those
years, jumping from 30 incidents to 70.
But the report warned that reports of misconduct are likely
too low because the armed services don't track such cases
and many incidents go unreported.
The Defense Department is not "in a sound position to assure
the general public that it knows the full extent to which recruiter
irregularities are occurring," the GAO found.
The military has about 14,000 recruiters on staff, and each
of them is required to enlist two applicants a month.
More than half the recruiting crimes reported in 2005 were
by the Army. The Army said last week that it is on track to
meet this year's recruiting goal of 80,000 applicants
following a severe shortage last year.
In a letter to the GAO included in the report, the Defense
Department said it agreed the services must establish
an internal system to track reports of recruiter wrongdoing.
Copyright © 2006 Detroit Free Press Inc.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060815/NEWS07/608150355/1009
Bush is crap, says Prescott
Deputy PM criticises US handling of Middle East, condemning '
cowboy' President at private meeting
By Colin Brown, Deputy Political Editor
Published: 17 August 2006
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article1219716.ece
6 Native Nations, and None Have a Word for ‘Suburbia’
By CHRISTOPHER MASON
CALEDONIA, Ontario, Aug. 10 — Blame it on the American Revolution.
August 17, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/17/world/americas/17canada.html?ref=world
Coffee as a Health Drink? Studies Find Some Benefits
By NICHOLAS BAKALAR
Coffee is not usually thought of as health food, but a number of
recent studies suggest that it can be a highly beneficial drink.
Researchers have found strong evidence that coffee reduces
the risk of several serious ailments, including diabetes, heart
disease and cirrhosis of the liver.
August 15, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/15/health/nutrition/15coff.html?ex=1155960000&en=6ff9232d72ee0e4f&ei=5087%0A
Faces, Too, Are Searched at U.S. Airports
By ERIC LIPTON
DULLES, Va., Aug. 16 — As the man approached the airport security
checkpoint here on Wednesday, he kept picking up and putting down
his backpack, touching his fingers to his chin, rubbing some object in
his hands and finally reaching for his pack of cigarettes, even though
smoking was not allowed.
August 17, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/17/washington/17screeners.html?hp&ex=1155873600&en=0d7d13a17ac78eb2&ei=5094&partner=homepage
A Debt Unpaid
New York Times Editorial
Vieques, a small island off the coast of Puerto Rico, made headlines
a few years back when environmental activists engaged in civil
disobedience aimed at forcing the Navy to stop using it for
bombing practice. The Navy bowed to the pressure and departed
in May 2003, leaving behind 60 years worth of bomb fragments
and an untold amount of unexploded ordnance.
August 17, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/17/opinion/17thur3.html?hp
Hezbollah Leads Work to Rebuild, Gaining Stature
By JOHN KIFNER
In his victory speech on Monday night, Hezbollah’s leader, Sheik
Hassan Nasrallah, offered money for “decent and suitable furniture”
and a year’s rent on a house to any Lebanese who lost his home
in the month-long war.
August 16, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/16/world/middleeast/16hezbollah.html
Lt. Watada's Mother: My Son Needs Your Support
Carolyn Ho, mother of
conscientious objector Lt. Ehren Watada, asks for support during her
son's pre-trial hearing on Aug 17 and 18. "Whether or not he is permitted
to submit evidence supporting his refusal to deploy and his first
amendment rights remains to be seen," she says. "Nevertheless, the military
must know that the world is watching and that justice must be served."
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081506R.shtml
Judge's Insurance Ruling Could Affect Hundreds of Katrina Victims
A federal judge ruled
Tuesday that an insurance company's policies do not cover damage from
wind-driven water in a decision that could affect hundreds of upcoming
cases related to property damage from Hurricane Katrina.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081506S.shtml
Mexico Poll Protests Turn Violent
For the first time,
Mexican riot police fired tear gas and used clubs to break up a protest by
supporters of presidential challenger Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Some
lawmakers were among at least 30 people injured in the scuffles outside
Congress in Mexico City.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081506T.shtml
Returning to Their Devastated Homes,
the People of Lebanon Claim Victory
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0815-09.htm
US Sending 300 Newly Returned Troops Back to Iraq
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0815-03.htm
Military veterans stand behind "illegal war" refuser Lt. Watada
Objector officer brings Veterans for Peace convention to its feet
By Jeff Paterson. August 12, 2006
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2006/08/14/18297206.php
Iraq combat vet Sgt. Ricky Clousing speaks out against illegal war
AWOL soldier returns to military after press conference
By Jeff Paterson. August 11, 2006
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2006/08/14/18297184.php
Veterans picnic with U.S. troops who have taken refuge in Canada at border
By Jeff Paterson. August 13, 2006
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2006/08/14/18297229.php
Governors Oppose Federal Control of Guard
The nation's governors, protesting what they call an unprecedented
shift in authority from the states to the federal government, will
urge Congress today to block legislation that would allow the
president to take control of National Guard forces in the event
of a natural disaster or a threat to homeland security.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081406R.shtml
Census Shows Growth of Immigrants
By RICK LYMAN
August 15, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/15/us/15census.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
THE BAY AREA'S MINORITY MIGRATION
U.S. IMMIGRANTS: Census data find 16% rise in 5 years --
many go to new destinations
Rick Lyman, New York Times
Tuesday, August
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/08/15/MNG5KKIPQ71.DTL
Military’s Discharges for Being Gay Rose in ’05
By JOHN FILES
WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 — The Defense Department discharged
726 service members last year for being gay, up about 10 percent
from 2004, figures released by a gay rights group show.
August 15, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/15/washington/15discharge.html
Tracing a Trail of Destruction: Report from Lebanon, August 13, 2006
BEIRUT, Lebanon - The wounds of war were evident shortly after we crossed
the Syria-Lebanon border at 1130 in the morning on August 12. At Haissa,
about three kilometers from the Dabboussiyeh border crossing, we come
across the ruins of a bridge hit by Israeli war planes just the day
before. Villagers tell us 12 people were killed and 10 wounded, all
civilians.
http://sf.indymedia.org/news/2006/08/1732058.php
An Interview with Dr. Ismail Zayid, President of the Canadian Palestinian Association
Israel‚s ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people from 1947 to the
present has caused monumental devastation to the exiled, those hundreds of
thousands who were forced from their homes and never allowed to return.
Dr. Ismail Zayid‚s family suffered this unspeakable horror in 1967 when
their village of Beit Nuba was erased from the face of the earth by
Israeli bulldozers.
http://sf.indymedia.org/news/2006/08/1732055.php
Filipinos oppose U.S. Israeli Aggression
The U.S. imperialists and their Zionist executioners are mistaken in
thinking that the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples are easy prey for they
are anything but easy pushovers. Puppet Arroyo is also mistaken in
thinking that the Filipino people will allow her to get away with her own
US-propped war of terror against them. Like the valiant resistance in
Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq, the world will eventually see the Filipino
people rise up to oust their tyrant from power.
http://sf.indymedia.org/news/2006/08/1732054.php
Rogue Israeli State Protested at White House Rally
What are people of conscience suppose to do in response to the
unspeakable acts of barbarism being perpetrated daily by Israel? In
America, they can still go out on the streets and protest. This is what
happened on Sat., Aug. 12, 2006, in Washington, D.C. A rally at Lafayette
Park, near the White House, organized by Arab-Americans, protested the
relentless terror bombing of innocent civilians in Gaza and Lebanon by the
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF). (includes JPEG image)
http://sf.indymedia.org/news/2006/08/1732053.php
FOCUS | Seymour M. Hersh: Watching Lebanon
According to Seymour Hersh, President Bush and
Vice-President Dick Cheney were convinced,
current and former intelligence and diplomatic officials told me, that a
successful Israeli Air Force bombing campaign against Hezbollah's heavily
fortified underground-missile and command-and-control complexes in
Lebanon could ease Israel's security concerns and also serve as a prelude
to a potential American pre-emptive attack to destroy Iran's nuclear
installations, some of which are also buried deep underground.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081306Y.shtml
Robert Fisk: As the 6am ceasefire takes effect... the real war begins
Published: 14 August 2006
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/fisk/article1219037.ece
WARFARE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Antiwar Camp in Israel Comes Out of Bunker
The decision to expand the ground offensive galvanizes a dormant, wary
peace movement.
By Laura King
Times Staff Writer
August 11, 2006
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-izpeace11aug11,0,6106699.story?coll=la-home-headlines
Robert Fisk: Hizbollah's iron discipline is match for military machine
Published: 11 August 2006
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/fisk/article1218405.ece
90 Miles and Light-Years Away
New York Times Editorial
August 10, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/10/opinion/10thu2.html
"Toxic environment" making kids fat, study claims:
Unhealthy, addictive food is behind today's obesity
epidemic, a scientist says.
http://www.world-science.net/othernews/060811_toxicdiet.htm
‘None of the Above’ Stricken From Ballot
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
August 13, 2006
NASHVILLE, Aug. 12 (AP) — A man running for governor and
the United States Senate does not have the right to use his
middle name, None of the Above, on the November ballot,
a court ruled Friday.
The candidate, David Gatchell, filed a lawsuit in Davidson County
Chancery Court after the State Election Commission voted to bar
his middle name from the ballot. The court handles lawsuits
against state agencies.
Chancellor Carol McCoy also ruled that Mr. Gatchell’s effort
to add an issue-oriented notification on the ballot was against
state law. And Ms. McCoy said the state had no constitutional
requirement to place candidates’ full names on ballots.
Mr. Gatchell, who changed his middle name from Leroy, said
he would appeal. He argued that several state candidates, like
Walt Combat Ward and Carl Twofeathers Whitaker, had been
allowed to include their nicknames on ballots, and that his
middle name was widely known.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/13/washington/13tennessee.html
Bush Proposes Retroactive War Crime Protection
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081006A.shtml
The Bush administration
drafted amendments to the War Crimes Act that would retroactively
protect policymakers from possible criminal charges for authorizing any
humiliating and degrading treatment of detainees, according to lawyers who
have seen the proposal. The move by the administration is the latest
effort to deal with treatment of those taken into custody in the war on
terror.
Hizballah: A Primer
Lara Deeb
July 31, 2006, 11 pages
(Lara Deeb, a cultural anthropologist, is assistant professor
of women’s studies at the University of California-Irvine. She
is author of An Enchanted Modern: Gender and Public Piety
in Shi’i Lebanon.)
Hizballah, the Lebanese Shi’i movement whose militia is
fighting the Israeli army in south Lebanon, has been cast
misleadingly in much media coverage of the ongoing war.
Much more than a militia, the movement is also a political
party that is a powerful actor in Lebanese politics and
a provider of important social services. Not a creature
of Iranian and Syrian sponsorship, Hizballah arose
to battle Israel’s occupation of south Lebanon from
1982-2000 and, more broadly, to advocate for Lebanon’s
historically disenfranchised Shi’i Muslim community.
While it has many political opponents in Lebanon,
Hizballah is very much of Lebanon -- a fact that Israel’s
military campaign is highlighting.
http://www.merip.org/mero/mero073106.html
Feeding Ourselves: Organic Urban Gardens in Caracas, Venezuela
Written by April M. Howard
Thursday, 10 August 2006
http://towardfreedom.com/home/content/view/869/
FOCUS | Baghdad Morgue Tallies 1,815 Bodies in July
Figures compiled by the city morgue indicated Wednesday that the
number of killings in the Iraqi capital reached a new high last month,
and the US military said a new effort to bring security to Baghdad
will succeed only if Iraqis "want it to work." The Baghdad morgue
took in 1,815 bodies during July, according to the facility's assistant
manager, Abdul Razzaq al-Obeidi. The previous month's tally was
1,595. Obeidi estimated that as many as 90 percent of the total
died violent deaths.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081006Z.shtml
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