************************************************************

COLLEGE NOT COMBAT PETITION CAMPAIGN
16TH & MISSION STREET
SATURDAYS, 12:30 P.M.
TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS, 5 & 7 P.M.

************************************************************

BAUAW MEETING: SATURDAY, 11:30 A.M.
474 VALENCIA STREET NEAR 16TH STREET
WE WILL PETITION AFTER OUR MEETING!

************************************************************

SAN FRANCISCO MIME TROUPE
PRESENTS: "DOING GOOD"
A play based loosely on the book, "Confessions
of an Economic Hit Man", by John Perkins.
July 2, 3 & 4, DOLORES PARK
MUSIC: 1:30 P.M.
SHOW: 2:00 P.M.

(I saw a preview of this play last evening.
It's fresh and new, brilliantly performed,
insightful, full of content, and the music is great!...BW)

SPONSORED BY BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR

COME HELP GATHER SIGNATURES FOR THE
COLLEGE NOT COMBAT BALLOT INITIATIVE. GET THE MILITARY
OUT OF OUR SCHOOLS. PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS
TO STUDENTS WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO GO TO COLLEGE SO THEY
DON'T HAVE TO JOIN THE MILITARY BECAUSE OF ECONOMIC HARDSHIP.
WE WILL BE PETITIONING BEFORE AND AFTER THE PERFORMANCES.
LOOK FOR OUR TABLE TO PICK UP PETITIONS. FREE ANTIWAR POSTERS!
WE ONLY HAVE A FEW WEEKS TO GO!

FREE!

************************************************************

SAVE THE DATES: AUGUST 4, 5 & 6, 2005 FOR
PRESENTATION OF HOWARD ZINN'S ONE MAN SHOW,
"MARX IN SOHO" PERFORMED BY JERRY LEVY
LOCATION TO BE ANNOUNCED
TO BENEFIT BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR
WWW.BAUAW.ORG
(FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 415-824-8730)

************************************************************

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAUAW NEWSLETTER – FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2005
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

1) Soldier Charged with Murder in Officers' Deaths
Thu Jun 16, 2005 05:51 PM ET
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A U.S. soldier has been charged with
premeditated murder in the deaths of two U.S. army officers in
Iraq this month, a military statement said on Thursday.
Staff Sergeant Alberto Martinez, 37, was charged with the
murder of Captain Phillip Esposito and Lieutenant Louis Allen,
both with the headquarters of the New York Army National Guard.
The officers were killed by a blast in Tikrit on June 7, the
statement by the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq said.
An initial investigation indicated the officers were killed
by a mortar round but further examination showed the blast was
"inconsistent with a mortar attack," it said. It gave no
further details.
(c) Reuters 2005
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=8816470

2) Antiwar Group Says Leaked British Memo
Shows Bush Misled Public on His War Plans
By SCOTT SHANE
June 17, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/17/politics/17downing.html

3) Questions, Bitterness and Exile for Queens Girl in Terror Case
By NINA BERNSTEIN
June 17, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/17/nyregion/
17suicide.html?hp&ex=1119067200&en=59dc0c13ad38064f&ei=5094&partner=ho
mepage

4) Race a Factor in
Job Offers for Ex-Convicts
By PAUL von ZIELBAUER
June 17, 2005
"White men with prison records receive far more offers for
entry-level jobs in New York City than black men with identical
records, and are offered jobs just as often - if not more
so - than black men who have never been arrested, according
to a new study by two Princeton professors.
The study, the first to assess the effect of race on job
searches by ex-convicts, also found that black men who had
never been in trouble with the law were about half as likely
as whites with similar backgrounds to get a job offer or
a callback."
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/17/nyregion/17felons.html

5) Rights Trial Restarts in Mississippi
By SHAILA DEWAN
Published: June 17, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/17/national/17cnd-
trial.html?hp&ex=1119067200&en=26b7f70ff1170a3c&ei=5094&partner=homepage

6) Feature: Another "Drug Related" Death –
Austin Policewoman Kills Unarmed Teen
http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/391/austin.shtml

7) Democrats call for inquiry into 'Downing Street Memo'
Last Updated Thu, 16 Jun 2005 22:04:17 EDT
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/storyview/MSN/world/national/2005/06/16/memo050616.html

8) U.S. jets drop 500 lb bombs in Iraq operation
By Luke Baker
BAGHDAD (Reuters)
Fri Jun 17, 2005 09:01 AM ET
"BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. F-16 fighter planes dropped
a series of 500 lb (220 kg) bombs on insurgent targets in
western Iraq overnight as the U.S. military launched a heavy
offensive against rebels near the Syrian border.
Nine of the powerful bombs were dropped, the U.S. military
said, two of them targeting suspected rebel safe houses near
the town of Qaim, an insurgent stronghold on the Euphrates
river about 20 km (12 miles) east of Iraq's border with Syria.
Four more were aimed at rebels as they fired mortars and
assault rifles at U.S. ground forces near Qaim, and a further
three were used to hit suspected weapons caches in the area."
http://www.reuters.com/
newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=8823316&src=eDialog/GetContent

9) In this message:
Boycott Picket at SF Badlands: Stand Against Racism
Saturday, June 18, 10pm-12 midnight
Weekly Boycott Picket at SF Badlands
In front of S.F. Badlands on 18th Street between Castro and Collingwood
East Bay ANSWER Forum on Cuba - Fundraiser for ANSWER delegation
Tuesday, June 21, 7pm
East Bay ANSWER Educational Forum
Cuba: 45 years of Struggle against U.S. Imperialism
Berkeley Unitarian Fellowship, 1924 Cedar St.
at Bonita (near Downtown Berk. BART)

10) The Case for the Draft
America can remain the world's superpower.
Or it can maintain its current all-volunteer military.
It can't do both.
By Phillip Carter and Paul Glastris
March 2005
(This article is full of current military statistics.)
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2005/0503.carter.html

11) Subject: GOING INTO BATTLE WITH FEAR
From: "Kay Lee"
Date: Wed, 15 Jun 2005 17:28:04 -0400

12) MUMIA: EMERGENCY CALL TO ACTION

13) Emergency is state of mind, city leaders say
Richmond leaders declare 'emergency' over killings
By Rebecca Rosen Lum and Karl Fischer
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
Posted on Fri, Jun. 17, 2005
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/local/crime_courts/
11918678.htm

14) Letter by Anton Pannekoek to Sylvia Pankhurst
from the Workers‚ Dreadnought, 30 September 1922.
Irish Communist Policy

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

1) Soldier Charged with Murder in Officers' Deaths
Thu Jun 16, 2005 05:51 PM ET
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A U.S. soldier has been charged with
premeditated murder in the deaths of two U.S. army officers in
Iraq this month, a military statement said on Thursday.
Staff Sergeant Alberto Martinez, 37, was charged with the
murder of Captain Phillip Esposito and Lieutenant Louis Allen,
both with the headquarters of the New York Army National Guard.
The officers were killed by a blast in Tikrit on June 7, the
statement by the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq said.
An initial investigation indicated the officers were killed
by a mortar round but further examination showed the blast was
"inconsistent with a mortar attack," it said. It gave no
further details.
(c) Reuters 2005
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=8816470

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

2) Antiwar Group Says Leaked British Memo
Shows Bush Misled Public on His War Plans
By SCOTT SHANE
June 17, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/17/politics/17downing.html

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

3) Questions, Bitterness and Exile for Queens Girl in Terror Case
By NINA BERNSTEIN
June 17, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/17/nyregion/
17suicide.html?hp&ex=1119067200&en=59dc0c13ad38064f&ei=5094&partner=ho
mepage

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

4) Race a Factor in
Job Offers for Ex-Convicts
By PAUL von ZIELBAUER
June 17, 2005
"White men with prison records receive far more offers for
entry-level jobs in New York City than black men with identical
records, and are offered jobs just as often - if not more
so - than black men who have never been arrested, according
to a new study by two Princeton professors.
The study, the first to assess the effect of race on job
searches by ex-convicts, also found that black men who had
never been in trouble with the law were about half as likely
as whites with similar backgrounds to get a job offer or
a callback."
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/17/nyregion/17felons.html

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

5) Rights Trial Restarts in Mississippi
By SHAILA DEWAN
Published: June 17, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/17/national/17cnd-
trial.html?hp&ex=1119067200&en=26b7f70ff1170a3c&ei=5094&partner=homepage

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

6) Feature: Another "Drug Related" Death –
Austin Policewoman Kills Unarmed Teen
http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/391/austin.shtml

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

7) Democrats call for inquiry into 'Downing Street Memo'
Last Updated Thu, 16 Jun 2005 22:04:17 EDT
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/storyview/MSN/world/national/2005/06/16/memo050616.html

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

8) U.S. jets drop 500 lb bombs in Iraq operation
By Luke Baker
BAGHDAD (Reuters)
Fri Jun 17, 2005 09:01 AM ET
"BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. F-16 fighter planes dropped
a series of 500 lb (220 kg) bombs on insurgent targets in
western Iraq overnight as the U.S. military launched a heavy
offensive against rebels near the Syrian border.
Nine of the powerful bombs were dropped, the U.S. military
said, two of them targeting suspected rebel safe houses near
the town of Qaim, an insurgent stronghold on the Euphrates
river about 20 km (12 miles) east of Iraq's border with Syria.
Four more were aimed at rebels as they fired mortars and
assault rifles at U.S. ground forces near Qaim, and a further
three were used to hit suspected weapons caches in the area."
http://www.reuters.com/
newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=8823316&src=eDialog/GetContent

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

9) In this message:
Boycott Picket at SF Badlands: Stand Against Racism
Saturday, June 18, 10pm-12 midnight
Weekly Boycott Picket at SF Badlands
In front of S.F. Badlands on 18th Street between Castro and Collingwood
East Bay ANSWER Forum on Cuba - Fundraiser for ANSWER delegation
Tuesday, June 21, 7pm
East Bay ANSWER Educational Forum
Cuba: 45 years of Struggle against U.S. Imperialism
Berkeley Unitarian Fellowship, 1924 Cedar St.
at Bonita (near Downtown Berk. BART)


Boycott Picket at SF Badlands: Stand Against Racism
Saturday, June 18, 10pm-12 midnight
Weekly Boycott Picket at SF Badlands
In front of S.F. Badlands on 18th Street between Castro and
Collingwood

The grassroots struggle by AndCastro4All and its supporters
against racist and sexist practices at SF Badlands Bar has
resulted in the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passing a
resolution calling on city agencies to penalize bar owner
Les Natali.

This resolution reaffirms a 10-month investigation by the San
Francisco Human Rights Commission (HRC) that found Les Natali,
owner of the SF Badlands, in violation of numerous civil
rights ordinances over the past four years by directly
discriminating against people of color.

Stand against racism and demand accountability for
racial discrimination and create inclusion in the Castro.

Join the ANSWER Coalition and other community and labor
groups on the picket line. For more info, visit
www.andcastroforall.org.

East Bay ANSWER Forum on Cuba - Fundraiser for ANSWER delegation
Tuesday, June 21, 7pm
East Bay ANSWER Educational Forum
Cuba: 45 years of Struggle against U.S. Imperialism
Berkeley Unitarian Fellowship, 1924 Cedar St. at Bonita
(near Downtown Berk. BART)

a fundraiser for the ANSWER delegation on the Pastors for
Peace Caravan

Learn about the reasons behind U.S. terrorism against Cuba
and the island's struggle for self-determination. See video
testimony from families in Cuba, who where victims of U.S.
terrorism. Also, an update on the struggle to extradite
anti-Cuba terrorist Posada Carriles to Venezuela. Hear
about the case of the Cuban Five anti-terrorist fighters.

$3-$10 donation. For more info or to reserve free childcare
call 415-821-6545.

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

10) The Case for the Draft
America can remain the world's superpower.
Or it can maintain its current all-volunteer military.
It can't do both.
By Phillip Carter and Paul Glastris
March 2005
(This article is full of current military statistics.)
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2005/0503.carter.html

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

11) Subject: GOING INTO BATTLE WITH FEAR
From: "Kay Lee"
Date: Wed, 15 Jun 2005 17:28:04 -0400

GOING INTO BATTLE WITH FEAR

I've been told that nobody cares about prisoners, that trying to
reform the system is like pushing sh*t up a hill with a pointy stick.
Well, with an average of 4 friends and family members per each of our
2 1/2 million prisoners, I know that a lot of people DO care. I
reckon I'll just keep pushing that poop because it's good for my
soul. So, August 13th, 2005, will find me standing in the hot DC
sun. I will be wearing black to mourn the loss of justice and the
spirit of human decency in the USA. The nation's capitol will be
under my watchful gaze as I visualize peaceful reform. Why?

Because I know much of the truth, enough to know it would be
shameful, indeed impossible, for me as an American dedicated to
justice, as a human being dedicated to the spirit, as a grandmother
whose babies could be sucked into the horrible existence of a
prisoner or his keeper, to comfortably sit in my home with a clear
conscience.

I go there because non-violent people like <
http://www.angelfire.com/la/kaylee/tales.html > Mr. Gary Brooks Waid,
traded by the Feds like a slave on an auction block, had to live in
Florida's miserable, disgusting excuse for a state "Correctional"
system. I've dealt with the bureaucratic apathy in Florida and I've
seen it mirrored in police stations, courtrooms, prisons and jails
all over this country.

I go for all inmates who have experienced things I pray I will never
witness, and I go for the prison workers, many of them barely past
childhood, who have in their hands the responsibility of keeping the
nation's prisoners in an environment that breeds cruelty and
corruption. I weep for the damage we do.

I'll be there because of the <
http://www.angelfire.com/fl4/prison/valdesverdict.html > Murder by
Errant Guards of Mr. Frank Valdes (July 17th, 1999). I want the
memory of the horror of Mr. Valdes' autopsy report to remain in the
mind of the public and for them to remember that the murderers in
uniform never owned their crime.
I stand now because cruelty and lack of justice has happened in
nearly every prison in every state in this union. I go there to
remind the families that it could happen to their loved ones if
change isn't imminent, and to urge the public to get involved in
restoring dignity, professionalism and responsibility to those
offices, agencies, and individuals who represent The Law..

Because Mr. Valdes' death began my prison vigils, and his death is
the reason for the MAKING THE WALLS TRANSPARENT project (
http://www.angelfire.com/fl3/starke ), his death has become an
intricate part of my personal Journey for Justice. If Mr. Valdes'
death has a hand in the emergence of the truth, then his life was not
in vain.

I'll be there simply because it's the right thing to do...

TWO and a half MILLION FAMILIES, TOO LITTLE RESISTANCE

As August 13th, the day for the prison reform march in Washington DC
draws nigh (details at http://www.journeyforjustice.org ), I am
sensing the age old desire to retreat from the struggle in fear. Many
of those who know there is a reason to be in Layfayette Park are
getting weak knees, making excuses, not trying their best to be
there. Believe me, I know enough about the system to understand the
emotion. I feel it too, but I've learned to control it so that it
does not immobilize me.

You cannot win a war for justice if you go into battle for truth
waving the flag of surrender. If you retreat the minute the enemy
turns it's ugly head in your direction, it is almost worse than if
you had never stood at all. It gives those who minister to the lies
a sense of security that is dangerous to those things your common
sense should tell you to care about; for our nation is being judged
by the world by how we treat others as well as our own.

Every false start will only make the real start harder. The boy who
cried wolf wasn't believed when it was the real thing. The suicide
who threatens to take his life isn't believed until he is dead. The
guards, the prison officials, the DOC nor BOP, none of them are going
to believe the real battle has begun when we've threatened to do
battle for prison reform, have every reason to do battle for the
human rights and rehabilitation of prisoners, but back off when the
front line reaches them. Then when the abuse has gone too far and we
HAVE to make the stand, our struggle might have to be done without
even a pointy stick to aid our efforts.

The attitude of fear pervading this prison situation reminds me of
Winston Churchill's statement:

"If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without bloodshed;
If you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly;
You may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the
odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival.
There may be even a worse fate:
You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory because it is
better to perish than to live as slaves."

As one of the Florida inmates, Stuart Pomerantz, agreed,
"Procrastination is my enemy!" We've already made it harder by
waiting so long. How much longer are we willing to wait? An
inmate's fair question, "How much worse does it have to get before
it's time?" must be answered.

THE BATTLEGROUND

You may do what you want, run when you want, but I refuse to lose the
ground I've worked so hard to take. This madness must be stopped and
the time is now!

I am part of a peaceful stand, as I'm sure most of you are. But
peaceful does NOT mean weak, apathetic, cowardly, meek, or bending to
threats, lies, and intimidation. Now hand me another pointy stick.

I will be praying for the courage that I know resides in all of you.
With great faith in the power of truth, and in you.
~Kay Lee

INFORMATION:

Prison Reform March in Dc August 13, 2005
http://www.journeyforjustice.org

PLANNING COMMITTEE
Roberta Franklin mailto:firstladytms@aol.com
Soros Justice Fellow
Project Coordinator for the march on Washington
Nora Callahan mailto:nora@november.org
Leonna Abraham-Brandao mailto:ramjole@juno.com
Carol Leonard mailto:carolleo864@yahoo.com

PSAs for DC MARCH FOR PRISON REFORM
Created by Dean' Becker for Pacifica Radio
http://www.drugtruth.net/MP3/march081305x1.mp3
http://www.drugtruth.net/MP3/DCMarch-PSA2.mp3

Shared by Kay Lee
kaylee1@charter.net
2683 Rockcliff Road S.E.
Atlanta, GA 30316-4013
404-212-0690
Making The Walls Transparent
http://www.angelfire.com/fl3/starke
(Women's Organization for National Prohibition Reform W.O.N.P.R.
http://www.wonpr.org

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

12) MUMIA: EMERGENCY CALL TO ACTION

Call Judge Frederica A. Massiah-Jackson, Pamela Dembe's supervisor, at
(215) 686-2523 to let her know how outraged you are by Judge Dembe's
decisions. Tell her you think the evidence of Mumia's innocence must
be included in the record! You can even quote from the excerpts below.

"Juries can only be accurate assessors of events if they are given a
complete view of the facts ˆ including any differing explanations and
interpretations of events ∑ These factors were clearly missing in
Abu-Jamal's trial∑ Amnesty International has determined that numerous
aspects of this case clearly failed to meet minimum international
standards safeguarding the fairness of legal proceedings ∑ the
interests of justice would best be served by the granting of a new
trial to Mumia Abu-Jamal" From Amnesty International's The Case of
Mumia Abu-Jamal: A Life in the Balance

"A grave injustice is about to be committed. We are rushing to execute
someone in the face of ample evidence that his constitutional rights
have been denied, that he did not receive a fair trial, and most
importantly, that he may be innocent∑we urge you ∑ to have Judge Sabo
recuse himself from this case" and that "he is granted a new trial".
From the Congressional Black Caucus letter to Attorney General Janet
Reno, initiated by Congressman Chaka Fattah, on June 30, 1995.


EMERGENCY CALL TO ACTION! JOIN US THIS THURSDAY, JUNE 16th! THIS IS
THE LAST CHANCE FOR EVIDENCE OF MUMIA'S INNOCENCE TO BE ALLOWED IN
COURT!BE THERE JUNE 16th!

Press Conference and Demonstration- 11 a.m. on the North East Side of
Philly City Hall Demonstration and leafleting ˆ5pm on the North East
Side of Philly City Hall People must understand the severity of what is
currently happening in the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal. This is one of the
last steps in the groundwork being laid to execute Mumia or keep him in
prison for the rest of his life.

Both are death sentences and are totally unacceptable. It is no
coincidence that within this short span of time, the MOVE 9 appeal was
denied, then the bounty was raised on our sister Assata's head, and now
Mumia's last appeal to have evidence of innocence allowed in the Courts
has been denied. These are all full-on assaults on our freedom fighters
and acts of war against the freedom of all. People should look at
these examples and realize this. The Patriot Act has expanded, a
worldwide war is raging, and Lynne Stewart has been convicted. It
should be clear to all that it is time to fight! If a child is in a
house that is on fire, a good mother will stop at nothing to protect
her child. Whether she has to tear down walls or jump from that
building she will do what ever it takes to protect her child's life.
We must understand that our brother Mumia is our innocent life to
protect; he is in the same danger as one trapped in a burning
building---as this prison system is suffocating the lives of millions.

Our survival as a people is dependent on his survival and we must stop
at nothing to achieve his release. For over 23 years the judicial
system has exhibited blatant racism and political prejudice towards
Mumia.

On December 17th, 2001, when Judge Yohn stated that there was no
evidence of innocence before him, this was simply because he had thrown
it out the same way as Judge Pamela Dembe. Both of these judges had
irrefutable evidence of innocence, prosecutorial and judicial
misconduct before them, and threw it out. The rulings that were made
on this evidence were so ridiculous, racist, and insulting that most
will not believe what they said unless they read it themselves.

People must understand the history here, the plot that is being acted
out, in order to understand the seriousness of it. In July of 2001 a
hearing was scheduled for August 17th before Judge Pamela Dembe in
which Mumia was supposed to be present. Word spread across the globe
and hundreds were organizing to be in Philadelphia for the hearing.
Only days before the 17th, Judge Dembe barred Mumia from being present
at his own hearing, but this did not stop the support; it intensified
it.

On August 17th the streets around the Criminal Justice Center were
packed with those standing up for Mumia. The late great Ossie Davis,
Sonia Sanchez, Dick Gregory, Jesse Jackson, a prestigious delegation of
French officials, students and activists and hundreds from around the
world were present. Judge Dembe refused to make a ruling on that day
stating that she did not want to make a ruling with so many Mumia
supporters there without having more police (even though there had been
no problems) but that she would reschedule another hearing. No other
hearing was scheduled.

On November 21st, 2001, Judge Dembe denied Mumia's appeal. It was at
this point, and no sooner, that the International Concerned Family and
Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal began to target and expose her for the
unjust Judge that she is. Judge Dembe was given plenty of opportunities
to do justice but only proved how unjust she is. It has always been our
position to expose that injustice. We of the International

Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal will never betray Mumia
by neglecting to expose those who deny him justice. Judge Dembe threw
out the videotaped confession of Arnold Beverly, a man who swears that
he, not Mumia, killed Officer Faulkner. She threw this out not because
it was not credible but because she claims that it was not filed in a
timely manner. She threw out the affidavit of Mumia's former attorney,
Rachel Wolkenstein, which backed up Beverly's confession and showed
that the murder of Faulkner was part of a much bigger conspiracy to
cover up the murders of many other police officers due to mob related
activities. The affidavit of court stenographer Terri-Maurer Carter
who heard Judge Sabo say "Yeah, and I'm gonna help 'em fry the nigger"
was thrown out.

Dembe stated that even if Sabo did make such a racist remark in the
middle of the trial that it does not prove that he acted as a racist or
prejudiced towards Mumia during the trial. This argument is an insult
to anyone's intelligence. Even conservative Senator Specter stated in
1995 that Sabo's courtroom conduct towards Mumia was so bad that it
would sabotage Sabo's credibility.

That December 8th there was a demonstration for Mumia's freedom that
ended with the police attacking and arresting innocent activists. A
picture of a Philly cop holding a gun to the head of one young Mumia
supporter went out internationally and shocked the world. Nine days
later Judge Yohn issued his decision. Yohn stated that there was no
evidence of innocence before him but that there was a problem with
Sabo's instruction to the jury about sentencing. (There was no evidence
because Yohn threw it out. Actually, he had affidavits from Arnold
Beverly, Billy Cook, Mumia Abu-Jamal, Linn Washington, and FBI
confidential source, Donald Hersing, before him which all pointed
strongly towards innocence.) He said that he was overturning the
sentencing so that Mumia would have life in prison with no possibility
of parole.

If either side appealed within 90 days then that matter would have to be
settled in the third circuit court of appeals. Mumia appealed because
he is innocent, and life in prison is still a death sentence. The
prosecution appealed because they are bloodthirsty. The media blew up
this decision and misled millions into believing that Mumia was off
death row and even out of prison.

In reality, Mumia never, at any point, left his death row cell at
SCI-Greene. This trick was used in order to mislead and confuse
people; to try to take the urgency out of the fight to free Mumia
Abu-Jamal, end the death penalty, and get all of our political
prisoners out of these hell holes.

While people were confused by Yohn's ruling Judge Dembe continued to
hammer nails into Mumia's coffin and her most recent denial of evidence
of innocence is the last one that she needs to put in. All the while
this government has continued to terrorize those who support Mumia.

Look at the examples of Narberth, PA, politician, Angus Love, being
intimidated into backing away from his position. The Ossining chapter
of the NAACP, who pushed for the national NAACP resolution for justice
for Mumia, is now being singled out and harassed.

At one point Philadelphia Mayor John Street publicly stated that Mumia
had not received justice and even suggested that the matter be taken to
the NAACP. This past year, one of his representatives met (due to his
orders) with a French Delegation for Mumia and gave them awards. Street
was attacked in the media. Maureen Faulkner said that Mayor Street had
apologized to her and said that Mumia is guilty. Street refused to
stand up and correct this statement. He was intimidated and
poli-tricked into shutting up. That is how
serious this is. But we will never back down. This is life or death
here.

Dembe just threw out Mumia's last opportunity to have evidence of
innocence heard in court EVER! She handed down her decision on Friday
the 27th of May but kept it a secret. It was not put out in the
papers, as it always has been when a decision is made, and no one in
the Movement found out about it until June 2nd. With this decision the
path towards death is set and the Judges can just keep rubber-stamping
it all the way until that murderer Ed Rendell
happily stamps his signature on the death warrant. Even before Rendell
got into office he said that he was looking forward to killing Mumia.

All of those who have stood for Mumia in the past, you are needed now!
The late, great Ossie Davis never turned his back on Mumia and always
stated that our generation's moral obligation is to ensure justice for
Mumia Abu-Jamal. Martin Luther King III stated that "all those with
the power to intervene do so now in the name of justice" ---we need you
now! Jesse Jackson, Dick Gregory, Chuck D, Minister Farrakhan, Mos
Def, John Street, Chaka Fattah, Julian Bond and the NAACP leadership,
Danny Glover, Ed Asner---we need you here!

You who are sitting down reading this on your computer, hearing this on
the radio---we need you! There is only one thing that can stop them
from murdering Mumia and that is you! The death warrant is about to be
signed; they are putting the poison in the needle. Not only are they
trying to kill Mumia, they are murdering your freedom. What will you
do? TO QUOTE JOHN AFRICA, QUOTE:

"A JUST PERSON WILL IGNORE HIS PRIDE WHEN HE HEARS WHAT IS RIGHT, AN
UNJUST PERSON WILL IGNORE WHAT IS RIGHT AND HOLD FAST TO HIS GODDAMN
PRIDE." - END QUOTE LONG LIVE JOHN AFRICA!!!

Signed,
International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal
The MOVE Organization
NYC Jericho Movement
ProLibertad _Latin@s_ (mailto:Latin@s) por Mumia
Millions for Mumia / International Action Center
Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition, NYC
Mark L. Taylor, Educators for Mumia Abu-Jamal

Extremely Urgent re: MUMIA

ATTENTION: JUDGE MASSIAH-JACKSON, CONGRESSMAN FATTAH, MAYOR STREET,
NATIONAL AND PHILADELPHIA NAACP, ALL OTHER POLITICAL, RELIGIOUS,
NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY LEADERS AND PEOPLE OF GOOD WILL:

Once again, Mumia Abu-Jamal, an innocent man on Pennsylvania's Death
Row for 23 years, is being denied justice because the court system is
violating his right to due process, to the consideration of relevant
evidence, and to a new and fair trial, if not his immediate release.
Judge Pamela Dembe, in the Court of Common Pleas, has hammered another
nail into the coffin they're preparing for Mumia by rubberstamping the
record of the notorious "Hanging Judge" Albert Sabo.

The whole world denounced Mumia Abu-Jamal's trial and his Post
Conviction Relief Appeal (PCRA) held in 1982 and 1995 respectively in
the courtroom of Judge Albert Sabo. Legal groups such Amnesty
International, the International Association of Democratic Lawyers,
the Criminal Justice Institute at Harvard Law School, the National
Lawyers Guild, and the National Conference of Black Lawyers detailed
the many violations of US and international laws that Sabo committed.
World leaders such as Nelson Mandela, then President of South Africa,
Bishop Desmond Tutu, French President Jacques Chirac, the Japanese
Diet (Japan's legislative body), and the US Congressional Black Caucus
denounced the trial and PCRA as being unjust, illegal, and racist.
Religious leaders, writers, artists, and other intellectuals from
across the globe expressed outrage at the conviction and death
sentence imposed on Mumia, and millions petitioned and marched to
demand Mumia's freedom or at the very least a new and fair trial.

Now after four years of Mumia's case being before Judge Pamela Dembe ,
we see a pattern of supporting all of Sabo's rulings, with the only
difference being that Dembe's decisions have been made in the absence
of Mumia or his supporters in the courtroom. There is a deafening
silence from many of those who were so outraged only ten years ago. WE
CANNOT REMAIN SILENT WHILE THE RAILROADING OF MUMIA TOWARD EXECUTION
OR LIFE IN PRISON CONTINUES. THE ATTEMPT TO KILL MUMIA IS NOT FOR ANY
CRIME HE COMMITTED. IT IS FOR HIS UNCOMPROMISING POLITICAL POSITIONS
AND HIS ELOQUENCE IN EXPRESSING THEM. Refusing to include evidence
pointing to Mumia's innocence in the record prevents the higher courts
from reviewing these critical affidavits.

What Judge Dembe has done is deny Mumia his constitutional and human
right to a fair judicial process. She has sustained every decision
Sabo made and refused to introduce extremely relevant and crucial
material pointing to Mumia's innocence. When Mumia's attorneys
submitted an affidavit by someone who said that it was he, and not
Mumia, who killed Officer Faulkner, and this affidavit supported other
witnesses' versions of what happened on the night of December 9, 1981,
Judge Dembe dismissed the confession as "untimely". Similarly, she
declared affidavits from Mumia and his brother presenting their side
of what happened that night as also "untimely". When Mumia and his
lawyers fought for Mumia's right to be present at his hearing in
August 2001, Judge Dembe allowed prison officials to revoke Mumia's
scheduled court appearance in Philadelphia. When Mumia and his lawyers
presented an affidavit from a highly credible court stenographer who
heard Judge Sabo say in 1982, in the supposed privacy of another
courtroom, "Yeah, and I'm going to help `em fry the nigger", Judge
Dembe ruled that that testimony should not be introduced into the
record. Unable to argue that it was "untimely", she presented the
ridiculous explanation that even if Sabo had actually made the comment
the witness alleged he did, it did not prove that his decisions were
affected by this expressed intention. Also, she said the issue of
Sabo's racism had already been raised earlier and so did not need to
be reviewed again. When presented with two new affidavits this year
pointing to Mumia's innocence, Dembe cancelled a scheduled hearing to
present the evidence and, now on May 27th she has ruled that this
evidence is to be excluded from the record, thus preventing a serious
consideration of Mumia's innocence in the higher courts.

JOIN US FOR OUTREACH, PROTEST AND RESISTANCE ON:

THURSDAY JUNE 16th, ON THE WEST SIDE OF CITY HALL IN PHILADELPHIA, AT
12 NOON

June 16th will be the last day Mumia can file for "reconsideration" of
Dembe's ruling. We must let the courts know that we will not be quiet
in the face of this outrageous and continuous process to kill and
SILENCE OUR BROTHER MUMIA.

For more information call :

International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal

(215) 476-8812 or Free Mumia Abu Jamal Coalition (NYC) (212) 927-2924

Also, call Judge Frederica A. Massiah-Jackson, Pamela Dembe's
supervisor, at (215) 686-2523 to let her know how outraged you are by
Judge Dembe's decisions. Tell her you think the evidence of Mumia's
innocence must be included in the record! You can even quote from the
excerpts below.

"Juries can only be accurate assessors of events if they are given a
complete view of the facts ˆ including any differing explanations and
interpretations of events ∑ These factors were clearly missing in
Abu-Jamal's trial∑ Amnesty International has determined that numerous
aspects of this case clearly failed to meet minimum international
standards safeguarding the fairness of legal proceedings ∑ the
interests of justice would best be served by the granting of a new
trial to Mumia Abu-Jamal" From Amnesty International's The Case of
Mumia Abu-Jamal: A Life in the Balance

"A grave injustice is about to be committed. We are rushing to execute
someone in the face of ample evidence that his constitutional rights
have been denied, that he did not receive a fair trial, and most
importantly, that he may be innocent∑we urge you ∑ to have Judge Sabo
recuse himself from this case" and that "he is granted a new trial".
From the Congressional Black Caucus letter to Attorney General Janet
Reno, initiated by Congressman Chaka Fattah, on June 30, 1995.

posted to forum 06-09-05 Fatirah

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

13) Emergency is state of mind, city leaders say
Richmond leaders declare 'emergency' over killings
By Rebecca Rosen Lum and Karl Fischer
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
Posted on Fri, Jun. 17, 2005
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/local/crime_courts/
11918678.htm

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

14) Letter by Anton Pannekoek to Sylvia Pankhurst
from the Workers‚ Dreadnought, 30 September 1922.
Irish Communist Policy

Dear Comrade

I have read with much satisfaction your article on the programme
of the Irish Communist Party, and I think you are perfectly
right in calling it a non-Communist programme. Indeed, the
essence of Communist thought is that the great transformation
of society from Capitalism to Communism can only be accomplished
by the common efforts of the workers themselves, all of them
acting where they stand in the process of production.

The belief that some foreign power, the State, may accomplish
it for the workers by decrees and laws is a social-democratic
belief ˆ nay, only the most narrow-minded social democrats
believe it; most social democrats in former times knew quite
well that the chief force of transformation must come from below.

The state is not a supernatural being; it is the organised
host of politicians, leaders and officials backed by armed
force. The belief that the State may establish Communism by
legislative means is the belief that this small host of
officials and leaders, by their wisdom, may save the mass
of the workers from slavery ˆ these workers having nothing
to do but vote for them. Now the experience of Germany has
proved that placing Labour leaders at the head of the State
is simply a change of rulers, which cannot bring any real
revolution.

On the other hand, Russia in the first years of the Revolution
showed that after the workers had already seized the power
in the workshops, in the Army, and on the land, by their
committees, the revolution could be accomplished by seizing
the State power ˆ i.e., all this activity was centralised,
united, and organised by central organs, and made a strong
united body against attacks from the Capitalist side.

The programme of the Communist Party of Ireland is not only
non-Communist because it appeals to the State for everything,
but also because it asks from this State only reforms.
It would have been, though not Communist in its means and
ways, nevertheless Communist in its aims, if it had
constituted measures for abolishing Capitalist exploitation
and introducing Communist ownership. But even this it
doesn‚t do. It supposes a State Power ruled by the workers
—for awaiting these measures from a State ruled by
Capitalists would be pure nonsense ˆ while private enterprise
still dominates the economic field; but it does not make use
this State Power to attack and destroy private enterprise,
but only to reform it to somewhat less intolerable
conditions for the workers. The model of this programme
probably must be sought for in the Russian conditions,
where the Communist Party tries to keep its political
domination at the same time that it must allow
Capitalistic enterprises to come on. But also in our
own West European conditions we may find the roots for
it. It tries to combine the interests of the working
class for reforms with the interests of the petty
bourgeoisie; by the State ownership of banks, railways,
and big industries, it promises to free petty enterprises
from the crushing domination of big finance and heavy
industry. That is the reason why it does not proclaim
the abolition of private property: it desires to eat
from two cakes; at the same time, it does not attempt
to win solely the workers by the great ideal of Communism
and revolution, to which at this moment the great mass
is indifferent, which thus exact great pains and long
efforts. It also attempts to win the petty bourgeois
class and also the middle-class minded mass of the
workers. It attempts to win both these classes within
a short time, not raising their mind to the higher
standing of the great Communist prospects, by vanquishing
their bourgeois narrow-mindedness, but baiting them with
the programme of a reformed petty capitalistic world,
wholly in line with their inherited thoughts.

It is nothing else than the 'New Zealand Socialism' of
twenty years ago, invented by bourgeois reformers wanting
the aid of the small working class against foreign finance,
and resulting in strangling the class struggle and the
freedom of movement of the workers.

In Ireland it has its roots in the economic backwardness
of the country, with its small proletariat, its great
mass of petty bourgeoisie, its great mass of petty
bourgeoisie, its great mass of small land holders and
labourers who hope to become petty-owners. It tries
to give them a common programme, which, of course,
cannot be Communist.

Perhaps it may be said that, as Communism is not yet
possible in such a country, this programme of a reformed
society of petty enterprise controlled by the working
class is to be preferred to everything else, and the
best possible way out. But the idea of a stable society
on this basis of peaceful co-operation of classes is
an illusion. You have already shown it in your article
with regard to workers‚ control.

The same impossibility may be seen regarding unemployment.
„Full maintenance for the unemployed at full trade union
rates‰ is asked for. Where would the State get the funds
necessary under this programme? The funds must in some
way come from production; either from the profit on
State industries, or from taxes paid by small enterprise.
Of course these capitalists would not be content to pay
to the unemployed such rates; they would try to lower
them, in order to restore the pressure of unemployment
on the wages. Here arises the natural and fundamental
enmity of the classes, the chief opposition of their
interests, the impossibility of peacefully combining
their efforts. As long as private enterprise exists,
it must try to hold itself against competition by
lowering the cost of production, or else be ruined.
It cannot be content to secure a fixed living to the
workers.

In 1848, in Paris, this payment of unemployed was the
chief cause of the shopkeepers and other petty bourgeois
becoming furious against the „do nothings‰ and crushing
the proletarian revolt in the June massacre. But also
from the Communist point of view this leaving the
workers unemployed and paying them a life rate is
not right. Communism means production of an abundance
of goods, leaving people idle who are desirous to work
is spoiling the resources of the community. A Communist
society will not leave them unemployed, but will let
them produce goods for the community, thus for themselves
and others to increase the general wealth.

Thus the so-called Communist programme is not the
programme of Communists desirous to show to the workers
the difficult but only real way to freedom; it is the
programme of politicians desirous to win the great mass
of adherents from various poor classes, by a programme
of reforms that means coalition of workers, small
farmers and petty bourgeois.

What you say about the results of the coalition in the
States of Eastern and Middle Europe shows that this
coalition uses the force of the proletariat to promote
the formation of a numerous class of small land owners,
extremely hostile to any Communism, thus it throws
obstacles in the way to Communism. It does still more
so by filling the minds of the workers with illusions,
and by diverting their eyes from the only way to freedom;
the way of class struggle, clear class-consciousness and
confidence in their own power.

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

posted 11:44 AM  0 comments

************************************************************

COLLEGE NOT COMBAT PETITION CAMPAIGN
16TH & MISSION STREET
SATURDAYS, 12:30 P.M.
TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS, 5 & 7 P.M.

************************************************************

Venezuela: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
plus an Eyewitness from Venezuela: Sonia Zerpa
Film Showing: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
With comments by Sonia Zerpa, a citizen of Caracas,
Venezuela on the dynamic days of the US backed coup.
Bethany United Methodist Church
1268 Sanchez Street (at Clipper ) in San Francisco in
Noe Valley neighborhood
7:00 PM, Friday, June 17, 2005
$5 General, $3 Seniors, Students, Unemployed
Benefits: San Francisco Hands Off Venezuela
For more information about the film:
http://www.chavezthefilm.com/index_ex.htm
Hands Off Venezuela
www.handsoffvenezuela.org
For more information about this call Adam Richmond at
415-864-3537.

************************************************************

BAUAW MEETING: SATURDAY, 11:30 A.M.
474 VALENCIA STREET NEAR 16TH STREET
WE WILL PETITION AFTER OUR MEETING!

************************************************************

SAN FRANCISCO MIME TROUPE
AND BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR
PRESENT:
"DOING GOOD"
Based loosely on the book,
"Confessions of an Economic Hit
Man", by John Perkins
July 4, DOLORES PARK
MUSIC: 1:30 P.M.
SHOW: 2:00 P.M.
FREE!
COME HELP GATHER SIGNATURES FOR THE
COLLEGE NOT COMBAT PETITION!

************************************************************

SAVE THE DATES: AUGUST 4, 5 & 6, 2005 FOR
PRESENTATION OF HOWARD ZINN'S ONE MAN SHOW,
"MARX IN SOHO" PERFORMED BY JERRY LEVY
LOCATION TO BE ANNOUNCED
TO BENEFIT BAY AREA UNITED AGAINST WAR
WWW.BAUAW.ORG
(FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 415-824-8730)

************************************************************

Gang Way of Life
by Tim Tuomey
PHOTO OF IRAQI CHILDREN NOT SHOW:
Job 1 is to kill until the killin
is done, says veteran Tim Tuomey. If you were told to
kill these youngsters, could you do it? If you did, could you
live with yourself?
This link has the full text of a statement only partially given by
Tim Tuomey, a veteran, to the San Francisco Board of Education at
their March 17 meeting. He was allowed only a minute. But the board
members, mesmerized by his quiet voice and the power of his words
were captivated and let him go on for at least another minute before
they realized his time was up. They cut him off in mid-sentence.
http://www.sfbayview.com/032305/gangway032305.shtml

************************************************************

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*
BAUAW NEWSLETTER THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2005
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

1) Cheney: U.S. Not Aiming To Close Guantanamo
Other Republicans Say Prison Is a Liability
By Marc Kaufman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, June 13, 2005; A02
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/12/
AR2005061201265_pf.html

2) Born on the Fourth of July:
The Long Journey Home
By Ron Kovic
AlterNet Posted on June 13, 2005,
http://www.alternet.org/story/22181/

3) Uncle Sam Really Wants You
By BOB HERBERT
June 16, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/16/opinion/
16herbert.html?n=Top%2fOpinion%2fEditorials%20and%20Op%2dEd%2fOp%2dEd%2fC
olumnists%2fBob%20Herbert

4) Formation of September 24
National Coalition
for the March on Washington DC
All Out to Stop the War in Iraq -
Bring the Troops Home Now!
End Colonial Occupation
from Iraq to Haiti to Palestine and Everywhere

5) The CIA and the Bombing of Cubana Flight 455
Why Bush Wants to Harbor Posada Carriles
By TOM CRUMPACKER
http://www.counterpunch.org/crumpacker06162005.html

6) The New CIA Revelations About Posada
Extradition US-Style
By RICARDO ALARCÓN
June 14, 2005
http://www.counterpunch.org/alarcon06142005.html

7) San Francisco Labor Council Opposes Military
Recruitment in Schools
[Resolution adopted unanimously by San Francisco
Labor Council Delegates' Meeting on June 13, 2005
(To help gather signatures to get the proposition on
The ballot, come to 16th and Mission Street Saturdays
At 12:30 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5 & 7 p.m.)
SUPPORT for "COLLEGE NOT COMBAT"

8) Playing Chicken: Ghana vs. the IMF
by Linus Atarah , Special to CorpWatch
June 14th, 2005
http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=12394

9) CONGO: Anvil Mining Hammered
Over Military Assistance
by Peter Gonnella , MineWeb
June 8th, 2005
"PERTH -- Just days after AngloGold
Ashanti fended off allegations
of paying bribes to militia groups
in the Democratic Republic of Congo,
Anvil Mining has come under intense
scrutiny over its supply of air and
ground transport to the DRC army
for an operation that led to the
alleged slaughter of more than
100 people last October."
http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=12361

10)*** PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY ***
http://www.BooksNotBars.org/petition
Books Not Bars has launched an
ONLINE PETITION to Governor
Schwarzenegger to CLOSE
THE NOTORIOUS AND ABUSIVE YOUTH
PRISONS OF THE CALIFORNIA
YOUTH AUTHORITY (CYA). Books Not
Bars is campaigning statewide
to replace the CYA's warehouse
youth prisons with HUMANE,
COMMUNITY-BASED ALTERNATIVES
AND PROGRAMS designed for
rehabilitation that help youth in trouble
to get their lives back on track.
The petition urges Governor
Schwarzenegger to close these notorious
warehouse prisons. You can sign
the petition from anywhere in the
nation, even if you're not in
California! People throughout the country
must act together in signing
the petition and making a statement!
Click the link for full information
about why this is so urgent and important.
http://www.BooksNotBars.org/petition
To contact Books Not Bars about this petition,
e-mail petition@ellabakercenter.org

11) California Reins In Clinics Using Marijuana
for Medical Purposes
By DEAN E. MURPHY
June 15, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/15/national/
15marijuana.html?hp&ex=1118894400&en=0e8927fd68ebe4ab&ei=5094&partner=
homepage

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

1) Cheney: U.S. Not Aiming To Close Guantanamo
Other Republicans Say Prison Is a Liability
By Marc Kaufman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, June 13, 2005; A02
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/12/
AR2005061201265_pf.html

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

2) Born on the Fourth of July:
The Long Journey Home
By Ron Kovic
AlterNet Posted on June 13, 2005,
http://www.alternet.org/story/22181/

Editor's Note: Ron Kovic served two tours of duty
during the Vietnam War. He was paralyzed from the chest
down in combat in 1968 and has been in a wheelchair
ever since. Along with Oliver Stone, Kovic was the
co-screenwriter of the 1989 Academy Award-winning film
based on his book, Born on the Fourth of July (Akashic
Books). The following is the introduction to the new
edition of the book.

It was exactly forty years ago this past September that
I left my house in Massapequa, New York to join the
United States Marine Corps and begin an extraordinary
journey that was to lead me into a disastrous war which
would change my life, and others of my generation,
profoundly and forever. There are times in the lives of
both individuals and nations when we cross certain
thresholds where there is no going back, no return to
the innocence we once knew; the change is utter and
irreconcilable. We often sense these moments. I know I
did that day.

I can still remember leaving my house that morning,
saying goodbye to my mother, my father driving me down
to the Long Island Railroad station with only a few
words being said between us--Dad was always that
way--and then that long and contemplative ride into the
city, being sworn in at Whitehall Street, holding my
right hand up proudly with all the other young men,
taking the oath of enlistment, and swearing our
allegiance to the Constitution of the United States.

The fall of 1964, September 2, a lifetime ago. That
last bright and beautiful morning when everything was
to change forever, that last moment of lighthearted
innocence and youth, of Massapequa and the backyard
before the shock, the chaos, and the deluge. I had just
turned eighteen that summer, and there are some old
black-and-white photographs of me from those days. It's
amazing that I still have them, considering I have
misplaced them many times over the years, thinking them
lost forever, only to later find them in some
unexpected place, like a deeply disturbing dream that I
have been trying to repress.

I remember seeing those photos on several occasions
after I came home from Vietnam and each time having
terrible nightmares that shook me badly. I couldn't
look at them, could not face that young man I had been
before the war and my injury. I would always promise
myself to never look at them again. My trauma was still
very deep, and that beautiful boy, that body, had been
destroyed, defiled, and savaged. My wounding in Vietnam
both physically and emotionally haunted me, pursued me,
and threatened to overwhelm me.

I wrote Born on the Fourth of July in the fall of 1974
in one month, three weeks, and two days, on a $42
manual typewriter I had bought at Sears & Roebuck in
Santa Monica, California. It was like an explosion, a
dam bursting, everything flowed beautifully, just kept
pouring out, almost effortlessly, passionately,
desperately. I worked with an intensity and fury as if
it was my last will and testament, and in many ways I
felt it was. I continued to suffer from nightmares,
constant anxiety attacks, severe heart palpitations,
and a powerful, almost obsessive feeling that I would
not live past my thirtieth birthday. I was living each
day as if it were my last, as if everything had been
compressed together by the war, and now every second
counted.

I wrote all night long, seven days a week, single
space, no paragraphs, front and back of the pages,
pounding the keys so hard the tips of my fingers would
hurt. I couldn't stop writing, and I remember feeling
more alive than I had ever felt. Convinced that I was
destined to die young, I struggled to leave something
of meaning behind, to rise above the darkness and
despair.

I wanted people to understand. I wanted to share with
them as nakedly and openly and intimately as possible
what I had gone through, what I had endured. I wanted
them to know what it really meant to be in a war--to be
shot and wounded, to be fighting for my life on the
intensive care ward--not the myth we had grown up
believing. I wanted people to know about the hospitals
and the enema room, about why I had become opposed to
the war, why I had grown more and more committed to
peace and nonviolence.

I had been beaten by the police and arrested twelve
times for protesting the war, and I had spent many
nights in jail in my wheelchair. I had been called a
Communist and a traitor, simply for trying to tell the
truth about what had happened in that war, but I
refused to be intimidated. I loved the night and I
would write for hours as if no time had passed at all.
I was exhausted and my back ached, but none of that
seemed to matter. I felt wonderful inside, tired but
completely consumed by my writing.

I would drink a couple cups of coffee and then with a
new surge of energy work for another hour or so as the
bright lights of the morning began to fill the room.
I'd neatly stack all the pages next to the typewriter
after holding them proudly in my hands, then go to my
bedroom and transfer out of my wheelchair onto a
mattress on the floor. I remember thinking to myself
one morning that if I died in my sleep, someone would
come into the apartment and find those pages next to
the typewriter and know that I was not a victim, but
someone who had been trying to move beyond his terrible
tragedy and the terrible injustice of that war.

With the exception of that initial burst of writing and
rare moment of stability in Santa Monica in the fall of
1974, I continued to be extremely restless back then,
frantically moving from one place to the next, living
on the edge, racing in cabs to the airport, flying from
city to city on my monthly compensation check, suddenly
showing up at friends' houses in the middle of the
night and sleeping on their couches--always carrying
the manuscript with me and always frightened,
desperately needing to escape the demons that were
closing in on me.

Over the next year and a half I wrote several
additional chapters of Born on the Fourth of July. Some
of the stories were ones I had told my mother when I
first came home from the hospital and would lay on our
couch in the living room when I couldn't sleep, which
was often back then. Night after night I would repeat
the story of how I was wounded that day in Vietnam,
describing every single detail. My dear mother would
sit patiently in her chair, listening to her son who
had come home paralyzed from the war, trying her best
to understand.

I attempted to write at my friends Skip and Ginny's
place on Mohegan Lake, in their laundry room, but
couldn't seem to get started. I wrote most of the
chapter about my childhood at a little hotel not far
from Sproul Plaza in Berkeley, and the ambush chapter,
the most painful but one of the best, at Connie's
apartment in L.A. I wrote the Memorial Day chapter one
afternoon in San Francisco at the Sam Wong Hotel on
Broadway, just down the street from Enricos Cafe in
North Beach. I can still remember the open window of my
hotel room and the noise of passing cars and trucks in
the street below, the fumes, the honking horns, but
that became a very beautiful chapter and I still enjoy
reading it to this day.

I dictated the very first page of the first chapter to
my friend Roger at the Chateau Marmont Hotel in
Hollywood, and the remainder of the chapter up in
Mendocino where he and Mary were living at the time. I
had driven all the way up in a used car I had just
bought in L.A. and later abandoned in their driveway.
It was deep in the woods, quiet and peaceful, so very
different from the war and the hospitals and all that I
had been through. The air was fresh and there was a
pond behind their cottage where I dictated to Roger,
and I remember feeling exhausted as he held me in his
arms and I began to cry in the midst of all that
stillness. It was a painful but beautiful birth.

I am extremely grateful to Akashic Books and its
publisher, Johnny Temple, for bringing out this new
edition of Born on the Fourth of July at such a crucial
moment in our nation's history. For the past two years
we have been involved in a tragic and senseless war in
Iraq. As of this writing, over 1,500 Americans have
died and more than 11,000 have been wounded, while tens
of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians, many of them
women and children, have been killed.

I have watched in horror the mirror image of another
Vietnam unfolding. So many similarities, so many things
said that remind me of that war thirty years ago which
left me paralyzed for the rest of my life. Refusing to
learn from our experiences in Vietnam, our government
continues to pursue a policy of deception, distortion,
manipulation, and denial, doing everything it can to
hide from the American people their true intentions and
agenda in Iraq. The flag-draped caskets of our dead
begin their long and sorrowful journeys home hidden
from public view, while the Iraqi casualties are not
even considered worth counting--some estimate as many
as 100,000 have been killed so far.

The paraplegics, amputees, burn victims, the blinded
and maimed, shocked and stunned, brain damaged and
psychologically stressed, now fill our veterans
hospitals. Most of them were not even born when I came
home wounded to the Bronx V.A. in 1968. The same
lifesaving medical-evacuation procedures that kept me
alive in Vietnam are bringing home a whole new
generation of severely maimed from Iraq.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which afflicted
so many of us after Vietnam, is just now beginning to
appear among soldiers recently returned from the
current war. For some, the agony and suffering, the
sleepless nights, anxiety attacks, and awful bouts of
insomnia, loneliness, alienation, anger, and rage, will
last for decades, if not their whole lives. They will
be trapped in a permanent nightmare of that war, of
killing another man, a child, watching a friend die ...
fighting against an enemy that can never be seen, while
at any moment someone--a child, a woman, an old man,
anyone--might kill you. These traumas return home with
us and we carry them, sometimes hidden, for agonizing
decades. They deeply impact our daily lives, and the
lives of those closest to us.

To kill another human being, to take another life out
of this world with one pull of a trigger, is something
that never leaves you. It is as if a part of you dies
with them. If you choose to keep on living, there may
be a healing, and even hope and happiness again--but
that scar and memory and sorrow will be with you
forever.

Some of these veterans are showing up at homeless
shelters around our country, while others have begun to
courageously speak out against the senselessness and
insanity of this war and the leaders who sent them
there. During the 2004 Democratic Convention, returning
soldiers formed a group called Iraq Veterans Against
the War, just as we marched in Miami in August of 1972
as Vietnam Veterans Against the War. Still others have
refused deployment to Iraq, gone to Canada, and begun
resisting this immoral and illegal war.

For months leading up to the invasion of Iraq, citizens
here in the United States and around the world marched
and demonstrated in growing opposition to our
government's reckless plan to launch an attack. I
proudly participated in protests in Los Angeles, San
Francisco, and Washington, D.C., doing countless
interviews and speaking out wherever people would
listen to me. Many prominent world leaders, including
Nelson Mandela and Pope John Paul II, began to raise
their voices against the terrible and ill-fated foreign
policy. This extraordinary opposition culminated on
February, 15, 2003, when more than 30 million citizens
in over 100 nations participated in the most massive
demonstration on behalf of peace in the history of the
world. Never before had so many human beings come
together before a war had even begun to say no to the
insanity and madness.

Many of us promised ourselves long ago that we would
never allow what happened to us in Vietnam to happen
again. We had an obligation, a responsibility as
citizens, as Americans, as human beings, to raise our
voices in protest. We could never forget the hospitals,
the intensive care wards, the wounded all around us
fighting for their lives, those long and painful years
after we came home, those lonely nights. There were
lives to save on both sides, young men and women who
would be disfigured and maimed, mothers and fathers who
would lose their sons and daughters, wives and loved
ones who would suffer for decades to come if we did not
do everything we could to stop the forward momentum of
this madness. We sensed it very early and very quickly.
We saw the same destructive patterns reasserting
themselves all over again as our leaders spoke of "bad
guys" and "evil-doers," "imminent threats" and
"mushroom clouds," attempting to frighten and
intimidate the American people into supporting their
agenda.

The Bush administration seems to have learned some very
different lessons than we did from Vietnam. Where we
learned of the deep immorality and obscenity of that
war, they learned to be even more brutal, more violent
and ruthless, i.e., "shock and awe." Sadly, the war on
terror has become a war of terror. Where we learned to
be more open and honest, to be more truthful, to
expose, to express, to shatter the myths of the past,
they seem to have learned the exact opposite--to hide,
to censor, to fabricate, to mislead and deceive--to
perpetuate those myths.

Instead of being intimidated or frightened, many of us
became more outraged and more determined than ever to
stop these ignorant, arrogant men and women who never
saw the things we saw, never had to grieve over the
loss of their bodies or the bodies of their sons and
daughters, never had to watch as so many friends and
fellow veterans were destroyed by alcoholism and drugs,
homelessness, imprisonment, neglect and rejection,
torture, abandonment and betrayal, in the painful
aftermath of the war. These leaders have never
experienced the tears, the dread and rage, the feeling
that there is no God, no country, nothing but the
wound, the horrifying memories, the shock, the guilt,
the shame, the terrible injustice that took the lives
of more than 58,000 Americans and over two million
Vietnamese.

We had to act. We had to speak.

I am no longer the 28-year-old man, six years returned
from the war in Vietnam, who sat behind that typewriter
in Santa Monica in the fall of 1974. I am nearly 60
now. My hair and beard are almost completely white. The
nightmares and anxiety attacks have all but
disappeared, but I still do not sleep well at night. I
toss and turn in increasing physical pain. But I remain
very positive and optimistic. I am still determined to
rise above all of this. I know my pain and the horrors
of my past will always be with me, but perhaps not with
the same force and fury of those early years after the
war.

I have learned to forgive my enemies and forgive
myself. It has been very difficult to heal from the war
while living in America, and I have often dreamed of
moving to neutral ground, another country. Yet I have
somehow made a certain peace, even in a nation that so
often still seems to believe in war and the use of
violence as a solution to its problems. There has been
a reckoning, a renewal. The scar will always be there,
a living reminder of that war, but it has also become
something beautiful now, something of faith and hope
and love.

I have been given an opportunity to move through that
dark night of the soul to a new shore, to gain an
understanding, a knowledge, an entirely different
vision. I now believe I have suffered for a reason, and
in many ways I have found that reason in my commitment
to peace and nonviolence. My life has been a blessing
in disguise, even with the pain and great difficulty
that my physical disability continues to bring. It is a
blessing to be able to speak on behalf of peace, to be
able to reach such a great number of people.

I saw firsthand what our government's terrible policy
had wrought. I endured; I survived and understood. The
one gift I was given in that war was an awakening. I
became a messenger, a living symbol, an example, a man
who learned that love and forgiveness are more powerful
than hatred, who has learned to embrace all men and
women as my brothers and sisters. No one will ever
again be my enemy, no matter how hard they try to
frighten and intimidate me. No government will ever
teach me to hate another human being. I have been given
the task of lighting a lantern, ringing a bell,
shouting from the highest rooftops, warning the
American people and citizens everywhere of the deep
immorality and utter wrongness of this approach to
solving our problems, pleading for an alternative to
this chaos and madness, this insanity and brutality. We
must change course.

I truly feel that this beautiful world has given me
back so much more than it has taken from me. So many
others that I knew are gone, and gone way too young. I
am grateful to be alive after all these years and all
that I've been through. I am thankful for every day.
Life is so precious.

Ron Kovic, Redondo Beach, California March 2005

(c) 2005 Independent Media Institute. All rights
reserved. View this story online at:


---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

3) Uncle Sam Really Wants You
By BOB HERBERT
June 16, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/16/opinion/
16herbert.html?n=Top%2fOpinion%2fEditorials%20and%20Op%2dEd%2fOp%2dEd%2fC
olumnists%2fBob%20Herbert

With the situation in Iraq deteriorating and the willingness
of Americans to serve in the armed forces declining,
a little-known Army publication called the "School
Recruiting Program Handbook" is becoming increasingly
important, and controversial.

The handbook is the recruiter's bible, the essential
guide for those who have to go into the nation's high
schools and round up warm bodies to fill the
embarrassingly skimpy ranks of the Army's basic
training units.

The handbook declares forthrightly, "The goal is
school ownership that can only lead to a greater
number of Army enlistments."

What I was not able to find in the handbook was
anything remotely like the startlingly frank comments
of a sergeant at Fort Benning, Ga., who was quoted
in the May 30 issue of The Army Times. He was
addressing troops in the seventh week of basic
training, and the paper reported the scene as follows:

" 'Does anybody know what posthumous means?'
Staff Sgt. Andre Allen asked the 150 infantrymen-
in-training, members of F Company, 1st Battalion,
19th Infantry Regiment.

"A few hands went up, but he answered his own
question.

" 'It means after death. Some of you are going
to get medals that way,' he said matter-of-factly,
underscoring the possibility that some of them
would be sent to combat and not return."

That's the honest message recruits get once
they're in. The approach recommended by the
recruiting handbook is somewhat different. It's
much softer. Recruiters trying to sign up high
school students are urged to schmooze, schmooze,
schmooze.

"The football team usually starts practicing in August,"
the handbook says. "Contact the coach and volunteer to
assist in leading calisthenics or calling cadence
during team runs."

"Homecoming normally happens in October," the handbook
says. "Coordinate with the homecoming committee to get
involved with the parade."

Recruiters are urged to deliver doughnuts and coffee
to the faculty once a month, and to eat lunch in the
school cafeteria several times a month. And the book
recommends that they assiduously cultivate the
students that other students admire: "Some influential
students such as the student president or the captain
of the football team may not enlist; however, they
can and will provide you with referrals who will enlist."

It's not known how aware parents are that recruiters
are inside public high schools aggressively trying
to lure their children into wartime service. But not
all schools get the same attention. Those that get
the royal recruitment treatment tend to be the ones
with students whose families are less affluent
than most.

Schools with kids from wealthier families (and
a high percentage of collegebound students) are not
viewed as good prospects by military recruiters.
It's as if those schools had posted signs at the
entrances saying, "Don't bother." The kids in those
schools are not the kids who fight America's wars.

Now, with the death toll in Iraq continuing to mount,
it's getting harder to sign up even the less affluent
kids. So the recruitment effort in the target
schools has intensified. Recruiters, already driven
in some cases to the brink of nervous exhaustion,
are following the handbook guidelines more
rigorously than ever.

"If you wait until they're seniors, it's probably
too late," the book says. It also says, "Don't
forget the administrative staff. ... Have something
to give them (pen, calendar, cup, donuts, etc.) and
always remember secretary's week, with a card or
flowers."

The sense of desperation is palpable: "Get involved
with local Boy Scout troops. Scoutmasters are
typically happy to get any assistance you can offer.
Many scouts are [high school] students and potential
enlistees or student influencers."

One of the many problems here is that adolescents
should not be hounded by military recruiters under
any circumstances, and they shouldn't be pursued
at all without the full knowledge and consent of
parents or guardians.

Let the Army be honest and upfront in its recruitment.
War is not child's play, and warriors shouldn't be
assembled through the use of seductive sales pitches
to youngsters too immature to make an informed
decision on matters that might well result in
their having to kill others, or being killed
themselves.

E-mail: bobherb@nytimes.com

Copyright 2005 The New York Times Company

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

4) Formation of September 24
National Coalition
for the March on Washington DC

All Out to Stop the War in Iraq -
Bring the Troops Home Now!

End Colonial Occupation
from Iraq to Haiti to Palestine and Everywhere

On September 24, we will show the deepening opposition that
is leading to the political isolation of the warmakers. As
during the Vietnam War era, the people of the United States
from all communities are actively entering the political
process through the mobilizing efforts of a genuinely broad
and mass antiwar movement.

Since the A.N.S.W.E.R Coalition issued the call for a mass
mobilization in Washington DC on September 24, a large number
of national organizations have endorsed and committed energy
and resources with the aim of building the largest
possible united demonstration.

The September 24 National Coalition for the March on
Washington, therefore, represents a coming together of
national organizations and communities who are committed
to building opposition to the Bush Administration's war
and occupation of Iraq. These organizations oppose war
and colonial-style occupation, not only as it pertains
to Iraq, but in Palestine, Haiti and everywhere. Support
for self-determination means standing with the people
in their effort to achieve sovereign control over their
land, labor and resources. Recognizing the
inextricability of the struggle of the Palestinian
people from the anti-war movement, the September
24 National Coalition supports the Palestinian people
and the inviolability of their Right to Return to the
homes from which they were evicted.

The leadership of the September 24 National Coalition
includes the A.N.S.W.E.R Coalition, National Council
of Arab-Americans (NCA), Muslim American Society (MAS)
Freedom Foundation, Haiti Support Network, Alliance
for a Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines, and
the National Lawyers Guild.

On March 20, 2004, many of the same organizations
worked tirelessly to build a united front that brought
more than 100,000 people into the streets of New York
City under the banner "Bring the Troops Home Now!
End Colonial Occupation from Iraq to Palestine to
Haiti and Everywhere!" The decision to form the
September 24 National Coalition in support of the
call to action initiated by the A.N.S.W.E.R Coalition
is a renewed sign of a reciprocal commitment to work
together and build a mass movement opposing war for
Empire. We believe that rather than excluding communities,
building valid unity in the United States requires
embracing the rights and contributions of all,
primarily the very recipients of the ravages of war.

The people of the United States are witnessing a
vicious attack against working class communities by
the Bush Administration and the Military-Industrial
Complex. While the government has allocated more than
$300 billion to make war against the people of Iraq,
it cries 'poverty' when it comes to funding education,
healthcare, housing, jobs and job training, and other
programs and services that meet the needs of working
people. Bush claims that there is a lack of funds
to maintain Social Security while the National
Treasury is plundered to finance the endless imperial
war. Instead of offering young people a decent
education and decent jobs with decent wages, the
government has deployed an army of military recruiters
to snare young people into the armed forces. Bush
and the corporate and banking elites view young
people in the United States as nothing more than
cannon fodder in the war for Empire.

September 24 is a day when people from all over
the country will be joining together to speak with
one voice against war and racism. Marching together
we will show the growing power of the antiwar
movement. Join us in spreading the word in the
weeks and months ahead.

Get Involved in the September 24 Mass March
* Read the Call to Action
* Demands of the demonstration
* Press Coverage
* Endorse
* View Endorsers
* List Transportation
* Spread the word - Downloadable flyers
* Donate
* More information

A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition
Act Now to Stop War & End Racism
http://www.ANSWERcoalition.org
info@internationalanswer.org
National Office in Washington DC: 202-544-3389
New York City: 212-533-0417
Los Angeles: 323-464-1636
San Francisco: 415-821-6545
For media inquiries, call 202-544-3389.

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

5) The CIA and the Bombing of Cubana Flight 455
Why Bush Wants to Harbor Posada Carriles
By TOM CRUMPACKER
http://www.counterpunch.org/crumpacker06162005.html

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

6) The New CIA Revelations About Posada
Extradition US-Style
By RICARDO ALARCÓN
June 14, 2005
http://www.counterpunch.org/alarcon06142005.html

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

7) San Francisco Labor Council Opposes Military
Recruitment in Schools

[Resolution adopted unanimously by San Francisco
Labor Council Delegates' Meeting on June 13, 2005

(To help gather signatures to get the proposition on
The ballot, come to 16th and Mission Street Saturdays
At 12:30 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5 & 7 p.m.)

SUPPORT for "COLLEGE NOT COMBAT"

Whereas the SF Labor Council strongly supported
Proposition N, the policy statement on behalf of San
Francisco residents in firm opposition to the Iraq
War; and

Whereas, economic circumstances and active
government policy make the young people of San
Francisco and this nation potential cannon fodder
for the war machine and the misadventures in Iraq
and elsewhere; and

Whereas the San Francisco Labor Council supports
real economic opportunity for young people and thus
supports opposition to this predatory economic
draft;

Therefore be it resolved that the San Francisco
Labor Council give early endorsement to the
initiative "College Not Combat"; and

Be it finally resolved that the SFLC will aid in the
circulation of the College Not Combat initiative in
its attempts to qualify for ballot status.

********************

[Text of Petition -- to be placed on the Nov. 2005
ballot in San Francisco - 9,000 more signatures
needed!]

College Not Combat Declaration of Policy

Whereas, over 1500 American soldiers have died and
tens of thousands have been injured physically and
psychologically in Iraq; and,

Whereas, a study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg
School of Public Health, Columbia University School
of Nursing and Al-Mustansiriya University in Baghdad
estimates that 100,000 Iraqis have died as a result
of the U.S. invasion and occupation; and,

Whereas, the U.S. government is forcing soldiers to
serve in Iraq for longer than their contracts
require with such devices as "stop-loss" orders;
and,

Whereas, the "No Child Left Behind Act" forces all
high schools that receive federal money to give
personal records of all children to the military for
the purposes of recruiting; and,

Whereas, the federal Solomon Amendment specifically
orders colleges and universities that receive
federal money to violate their own legal policies of
non-discrimination against gays and lesbians by
allowing recruiters for the military, which bars
gays and lesbians from serving openly, on campus;
and,

Whereas, a de facto "economic draft" forces tens of
thousands of low and middle-income students to join
the military in order to get money to go to college
or get job or technical training; and,

Whereas, the Pentagon budget, over $400 billion per
year, plus $300 billion more over the last three
years for the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan,
is draining desperately needed resources for
schools, health care and jobs; and,

Whereas, the people of San Francisco voted by 63% to
pass Proposition N in November of 2004 calling on
the Federal government to "bring the troops safely
home now;" and,

Whereas, the Federal government shows no sign of
ending the occupation of Iraq or bringing the troops
safely home and, in fact, is threatening military
action against other nations; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, that the people of San Francisco oppose
U.S. military recruiters using public school,
college and university facilities to recruit young
people into the armed forces. Furthermore, San
Francisco should oppose the military's "economic
draft" by investigating means by which to fund and
grant scholarships for college and job training to
low-income students so they are not economically
compelled to join the military.

* To visit your group on the web, go to:
* http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MOOS-BAY/
---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

8) Playing Chicken: Ghana vs. the IMF
by Linus Atarah , Special to CorpWatch
June 14th, 2005
http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=12394

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

9) CONGO: Anvil Mining Hammered Over Military Assistance
by Peter Gonnella , MineWeb
June 8th, 2005
"PERTH -- Just days after AngloGold
Ashanti fended off allegations
of paying bribes to militia groups
in the Democratic Republic of Congo,
Anvil Mining has come under intense
scrutiny over its supply of air and
ground transport to the DRC army
for an operation that led to the
alleged slaughter of more than
100 people last October."
http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=12361

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

10)*** PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY ***
http://www.BooksNotBars.org/petition
Books Not Bars has launched an
ONLINE PETITION to Governor
Schwarzenegger to CLOSE THE
NOTORIOUS AND ABUSIVE YOUTH
PRISONS OF THE CALIFORNIA
YOUTH AUTHORITY (CYA). Books Not
Bars is campaigning statewide
to replace the CYA's warehouse
youth prisons with HUMANE,
COMMUNITY-BASED ALTERNATIVES
AND PROGRAMS designed for
rehabilitation that help youth in trouble
to get their lives back on track.
The petition urges Governor
Schwarzenegger to close these notorious
warehouse prisons. You can sign
the petition from anywhere in the
nation, even if you're not in
California! People throughout the country
must act together in signing the
petition and making a statement!
Click the link for full information
about why this is so urgent and important.
http://www.BooksNotBars.org/petition
To contact Books Not Bars about this petition,
e-mail petition@ellabakercenter.org

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

11) California Reins In Clinics Using Marijuana
for Medical Purposes
By DEAN E. MURPHY
June 15, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/15/national/
15marijuana.html?hp&ex=1118894400&en=0e8927fd68ebe4ab&ei=5094&partner=
homepage

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*

posted 1:29 PM  0 comments