Bay . Area . United . Against . War
|
||
|
BAUAW NEWSLETTER Subscribe/Unsubscribe
Saturday, August 13, 2005
BAUAW NEWSLETTER-TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2005
Bay Area United Against War meeting
TONIGHT Tuesday, August 16, 7 p.m. 474 Valencia St. (Near 16th Street, S.F.) The College Not Combat referendum will be Proposition "i". The printed material is in the works! Now our real work begins! GET THE MILITARY OUT OF OUR SCHOOLS! VOTE YES ON "I"! Picket the S.F. Board of Education Tuesday, August 23, 6:30 p.m. 555 Franklin Street (Near McAllister St., S.F.) BRING SIGNS! HUNDREDS OF CARS GO BY AND HONK IN SUPPORT! 1) Watch this video of Cindy Sheehan in Crawford, Texas http://dc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/127648/index.php 2) Why I must tell the president to stop the war LEAVE NOW, BEFORE ANOTHER SON DIES NEEDLESSLY IN IRAQ By Cindy Sheehan Posted on Mon, Aug. 15, 2005 http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/opinion/12386701.htm 3) "Slow Falling Bird" Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday through August 20th, extra show Monday, August 15, 8 P.M. at the EXIT on Taylor, 277 Taylor Street, San Francisco. I encourage reservations, as the first weekend sold out. Call: 415-351-0277 - the EXIT 4) Democrats embrace tough military stance Sharpen message on foreign policy By Rick Klein, Globe Staff | August 14, 2005 WASHINGTON -- After months of internal debate and closed- door discussions, Democrats have begun to develop a more aggressive foreign policy that focuses heavily on threats they say are being neglected by the Bush administration, while avoiding taking a contentious stance on Iraq. Even Democrats who have been associated with liberal positions on international affairs are calling for more troops in uniform, proposing that threats of force be used to stop nuclear weapons programs in Iran and North Korea, and pressing for potential military intervention to ease famine and oppression around the world. Democrats are also calling for better pay and benefits for soldiers and heightened efforts to protect mass transit and other potential terrorist targets. The emerging message among Democrats reflects a recognition that winning congressional and presidential elections in the post-Sept. 11 era requires candidates to establish a willingness to use America's military might and keep the nation safe, according to party leaders and strategists. Despite pressure from liberal groups calling for a quick exit from Iraq, several of the party's White House aspirants and congressional leaders are calling for the United States to intensify efforts to bring stability to the nation before troops come home. http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2005/08/14/democrats_embrace_tough_military_stance/?page=1 5) Find out the latest information on how you can support Mumia Abu Jamal's fight for freedom. Meet Pam Africa at a special MOBE meeting this Friday, 7:30 p.m. at 298 Valencia Street (Valencia and 14th) in the Socialist Action Bookstore. – Tom Lacey, SF Peace and Freedom Party 6) The Trail of the Catonsville Nine by Daniel Berrigan, S.J. Friday, August 26 Doors @ 6:30, 7:00 Curtain St. Boniface Theatre 175 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco 7) Op-Ed Columnist Someone Tell the President the War Is Over By FRANK RICH Published: August 14, 2005 http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/14/opinion/14rich.html 8) Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center presents a Working Towards Peace Forum: The U.S. in Iraq Bringing Freedom and Democracy -- or Occupation? Tuesday, August 30, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. Mt Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church 55 Eckley Lane Walnut Creek phone: (925) 933-7850 Speakers: Stephen Zunes is a professor of politics and chair of the Peace & Justice Studies program at the University of San Francisco, and the author of Tinderbox: U. S. Middle East Policy and the Roots of Terrorism. Sean O'Neil is a decorated Marine who served twice in Iraq and now speaks out against the war. Learn more about the historical and political context of the conflict, and the reality of current conditions in Iraq. Suggested Donation: $5.00 9) Unacceptable regimes in Iraq and the United states Occupied zones There are killings every day in Iraq. Occupying troops, diplomats, aid workers and media people are killed, as are Iraqis, in far greater numbers. But President George Bush's war is not only against opponents in Iraq and the Middle East: it is a war against his fellow Americans. By Howard Zinn Le Monde diplomatique, August 2005 http://mondediplo.com/2005/08/04iraq 10) DEA Seeks Private Guards To Protect Traveling Tonnage of Pot By Stephen Peacock , Posted on Sat Aug 13th, 2005 at 12:43:51 AM EST The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is recruiting private security forces to load, transport and unload "multi-ton" shipments of seized marijuana en route to destruction in Arizona. It's conducting what is known as a "sources sought" inquiry to determine the availability of commercial firms that can provide on-call deployments of armed contractors to protect these bulk transports of pot. http://narcosphere.narconews.com/story/2005/8/13/04351/1042 11) Venezuelan President Proposes Socialist World Offensive http://www.plenglish.com/ http://makeashorterlink.com/?R1CE23C9B 12) Climate warning as Siberia melts 11 August 2005 NewScientist.com news service Fred Pearce THE world's largest frozen peat bog is melting. An area stretching for a million square kilometres across the permafrost of western Siberia is turning into a mass of shallow lakes as the ground melts, according to Russian researchers just back from the region. The sudden melting of a bog the size of France and Germany combined could unleash billions of tonnes of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. The news of the dramatic transformation of one of the world's least visited landscapes comes from Sergei Kirpotin, a botanist at Tomsk State University, Russia, and Judith Marquand at the University of Oxford. http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg18725124.500 13) Lives Blown Apart By BOB HERBERT Published: August 15, 2005 http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/15/opinion/15herbert.html 14) Invisible to Most, Immigrant Women Line Up for Day Labor By NINA BERNSTEIN Published: August 15, 2005 The women are not noticed by the weekday morning crowds that rush past Eighth Avenue and 37th Street, in the heart of Manhattan's fashion district. They arrive in twos and threes after 8 a.m., shrinking against the buildings on both sides of the avenue, until scores of them are waiting, small, dark-haired Mexicans, Ecuadoreans, Hondurans. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/15/nyregion/15labor.html 15) Critics Say It's Time to Overhaul Army's Bonus System By DAMIEN CAVE Published: August 15, 2005 http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/15/national/15recruit.html 16) UPDATES ON CINDY SHEEHAN VISIT TO CRAWFORD Sunday, Aug. 14, 2005 10:15 a.m. SHOTS FIRED! Deborah Mathews reporting for The Iconoclast. Camp Casey is becoming very organized, with how-to signs placed about. Ann Wright said, "That's what we are trying to do." Let me read you the schedule posted on a tree: "9:15 camp meeting; 10 a.m. inter-faith service, 10:30 a.m., "Food-Not-Bombs Breakfast at Peace House," and.... http://198.65.14.85/News/2005/31-40/32news21.htm 17) A smile in the dark (Regarding the Atlanta Appellate Court decision on the Five) by Celia Hart, August 12, 2005 http://www.walterlippmann.com/ch-08-12-2005.html 18) From Dave Rovics newsletter: 19) Colored Ink &The SF Peacemakers present:Our Health Is Our Wealth A day of Film, Food, &Social Justice Saturday, August 20th 2005 Brava Theater 2789 24th St., San Francisco Registration begins at 11:00 am Festival begins at 12:00 noon 20) Leave My Child Alone ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 1) Watch this video of Cindy Sheehan in Crawford, Texas http://dc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/127648/index.php ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 2) Why I must tell the president to stop the war LEAVE NOW, BEFORE ANOTHER SON DIES NEEDLESSLY IN IRAQ By Cindy Sheehan Posted on Mon, Aug. 15, 2005 http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/opinion/12386701.htm I will never, ever forget the night of April 4, 2004, when I found out that my son Casey had been killed in Iraq. I will also never forget the day when we buried my sweet boy, my oldest son. If I live to be a very old lady and forget everything else, I will never forget when the general handed me the folded flag that had lain on Casey's coffin, as his brother and sisters, standing behind me, sobbed. I think of Casey every day as I wait outside President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas, determined to meet with him. I want to let the president know that I feel he recklessly endangered the life of my son by sending our troops to attack and occupy a country that was no imminent threat to the United States. And I want to let him know that millions of Americans believe that the best thing we can do -- for our own security, for our soldiers and for the Iraqi people -- is to bring the U.S. troops home from Iraq now. Just because it's too late for Casey and the Sheehan family, why would we want another innocent life taken in the name of this ever-changing and unwinnable mission in Iraq? I did get to meet with President Bush 2 1/2 months after my son was killed, but I never got to say any of these things to him. I was in deep shock and grief at the time, and all I wanted to do was to show him pictures of Casey and tell him what a wonderful man our son was. But today things are very different. My shock has worn off, and now I've got a lot of anger along with my grief. I'm angry because every reason the Bush administration gave for the invasion of Iraq has been shown to be false. The Sept. 11 commission report concluded there was no link between Iraq and the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The weapons inspectors gave up searching for weapons of mass destruction and wrote in the Duelfer report that there were none to be found. From the Downing Street Memo, we learned that the Bush administration ``fixed'' intelligence to justify the Iraq invasion. And after every supposed milestone in Iraq -- the capture of Saddam Hussein, the transition to Iraqi rule and most recently the Iraq election -- things just don't get better. U.S. soldiers and Iraqis continue to be killed in greater and greater numbers, the cost of the war skyrockets and there's no end in sight. Last week, after 30 U.S. service members were killed, the president reiterated his pledge to complete the mission of our fallen soldiers. But that mission originally was to protect the United States from a lethal attack by Saddam Hussein – with weapons it turns out he did not have. Anyway, I don't want the president to use Casey's memory to justify continuing this war, which will end up only needlessly killing more wonderful young men like him. Many people have been streaming in to Crawford to support my vigil and persuade the president to listen to the people who want an end to this war. We are camping out in a drainage ditch, in 100-degree weather, but it's worth it. If and when I do meet with the president this time, it will be for all of the Gold Star Families for Peace that lost children in this war, for all of the mothers and fathers and husbands and wives who are grieving and who want to tell the president to end this devastating war. No one else -- not one more mom -- should have to lose her son in Iraq. CINDY SHEEHAN is the mother of a fallen Iraq war soldier and the co-founder of Gold Star Families for Peace. She wrote this article for Progressive Media Project, which is affiliated with Progressive magazine. ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 3) "Slow Falling Bird" Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday through August 20th, extra show Monday, August 15, 8 P.M. at the EXIT on Taylor, 277 Taylor Street, San Francisco. I encourage reservations, as the first weekend sold out. Call: 415-351-0277 - the EXIT ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 4) Democrats embrace tough military stance Sharpen message on foreign policy By Rick Klein, Globe Staff | August 14, 2005 WASHINGTON -- After months of internal debate and closed- door discussions, Democrats have begun to develop a more aggressive foreign policy that focuses heavily on threats they say are being neglected by the Bush administration, while avoiding taking a contentious stance on Iraq. Even Democrats who have been associated with liberal positions on international affairs are calling for more troops in uniform, proposing that threats of force be used to stop nuclear weapons programs in Iran and North Korea, and pressing for potential military intervention to ease famine and oppression around the world. Democrats are also calling for better pay and benefits for soldiers and heightened efforts to protect mass transit and other potential terrorist targets. The emerging message among Democrats reflects a recognition that winning congressional and presidential elections in the post-Sept. 11 era requires candidates to establish a willingness to use America's military might and keep the nation safe, according to party leaders and strategists. Despite pressure from liberal groups calling for a quick exit from Iraq, several of the party's White House aspirants and congressional leaders are calling for the United States to intensify efforts to bring stability to the nation before troops come home. http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2005/08/14/democrats_embrace_tough_military_stance/?page=1 ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 5) Find out the latest information on how you can support Mumia Abu Jamal's fight for freedom. Meet Pam Africa at a special MOBE meeting this Friday, 7:30 p.m. at 298 Valencia Street (Valencia and 14th) in the Socialist Action Bookstore. – Tom Lacey, SF Peace and Freedom Party ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 6) The Trail of the Catonsville Nine by Daniel Berrigan, S.J. Friday, August 26 Doors @ 6:30, 7:00 Curtain St. Boniface Theatre 175 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco Dear Friends, Fr. Louis Vitale, co-founder of Pace e Bene, will be stepping down as the pastor of St. Boniface Church in the Tenderloin of San Francisco after 13 years to become more fully active in nonviolent action. During his 13 years at St. Boniface, Fr. Louis aside from being a tremendous pastor to the parishioners and homeless in the area, continued his work for peace and justice by welcoming anti-war activists to organize at his church, joining picket lines, holding press conferences, protesting and going to jail, and opening up the pews of the church to house those who hav no other home. On Friday, August 26 at 6:30 PM, the St. Boniface Neighborhood Center is hosting a production of Fr. Dan Berrigan's play "The Trial of the Catonsville Nine" to honor Fr. Louis and wish him well in his new endeavors. Come see a great cast of local activists (including Laura Slattery of Pace e Bene) read this dramatic re-telling of the 1968 trial of Catholic priests and other activists who burned draft files at a Selective Service System office in Maryland in protest of the war in Vietnam. The event is a benefit for the St. Boniface Neighborhood Center, which was started by Louie and provides service and advocacy for people experiencing homelessness. General admission tickets (sliding scale rate of $10-100 per ticket) and reserved by calling (415) 861-5848 or by emailing sbnctr@hotmail.com No one will be turned away for the lack of funds. Attached is a flyer for the event -- please feel free to post and distribute. Spread the word. ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 7) Op-Ed Columnist Someone Tell the President the War Is Over By FRANK RICH Published: August 14, 2005 http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/14/opinion/14rich.html ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 8) Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center presents a Working Towards Peace Forum: The U.S. in Iraq Bringing Freedom and Democracy -- or Occupation? Tuesday, August 30, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. Mt Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church 55 Eckley Lane Walnut Creek phone: (925) 933-7850 Speakers: Stephen Zunes is a professor of politics and chair of the Peace & Justice Studies program at the University of San Francisco, and the author of Tinderbox: U. S. Middle East Policy and the Roots of Terrorism. Sean O'Neil is a decorated Marine who served twice in Iraq and now speaks out against the war. Learn more about the historical and political context of the conflict, and the reality of current conditions in Iraq. Suggested Donation: $5.00 ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 9) Unacceptable regimes in Iraq and the United states Occupied zones There are killings every day in Iraq. Occupying troops, diplomats, aid workers and media people are killed, as are Iraqis, in far greater numbers. But President George Bush's war is not only against opponents in Iraq and the Middle East: it is a war against his fellow Americans. By Howard Zinn Le Monde diplomatique, August 2005 http://mondediplo.com/2005/08/04iraq ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 10) DEA Seeks Private Guards To Protect Traveling Tonnage of Pot By Stephen Peacock , Posted on Sat Aug 13th, 2005 at 12:43:51 AM EST The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is recruiting private security forces to load, transport and unload "multi-ton" shipments of seized marijuana en route to destruction in Arizona. It's conducting what is known as a "sources sought" inquiry to determine the availability of commercial firms that can provide on-call deployments of armed contractors to protect these bulk transports of pot. http://narcosphere.narconews.com/story/2005/8/13/04351/1042 ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 11) Venezuelan President Proposes Socialist World Offensive http://www.plenglish.com/ http://makeashorterlink.com/?R1CE23C9B Caracas, Aug 14 (Prensa Latina) The President of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, called for world youth to initiate a socialist offensive, due to the urgency to save life on the planet. Chávez assured that there is nobody better than young people to achieve the resurgence of socialist ideas, in a speech Saturday before delegates of the XVI World Festival of Youth and the Students. The Venezuelan head of state recalled that after the fall of the Soviet Union many thought that was the end, but 14 years later socialism has revived. The ghost has returned to travel through the world and now, with new ideas, young faces being fed with the ideas of Indians, black people and the grass roots, in a deep offensive, he noted. In his opinion, the first five decades of this century are when the decision must be made between the socialist alternative or barbarism, and called on them to realise that life on the planet might end. "There is no time to lose. In this and the next five decades the future will be decided," expressed Chávez before thousands of delegates of a hundred countries that participated in the youth meeting here between 8-15 August. He called for open debate, without prejudice about socialism, and to abandon the defensive attitude of revolutionary movements in recent years. Chávez announced likewise the initiation in his country of meetings of local community governments to make their own proposals, to establish genuine popular power. ln/ml/rc/jwp For more information, please visit us at www.handsoffvenezuela.org In order to continue and expand our work, we rely entirely on volunteers and on donations from our friends and sympathizers. Please consider making a contribution today, and contact us about building an HOV committee in your area by writing us at: contact@handsoffvenezuela.org. All proceeds go towards building the HOV campaign. To make a donation or to purchase DVDs or stickers, please go to: http://www.handsoffvenezuela.org/wrapper/ To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/handsoffvenezuela/ ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 12) Climate warning as Siberia melts 11 August 2005 NewScientist.com news service Fred Pearce THE world's largest frozen peat bog is melting. An area stretching for a million square kilometres across the permafrost of western Siberia is turning into a mass of shallow lakes as the ground melts, according to Russian researchers just back from the region. The sudden melting of a bog the size of France and Germany combined could unleash billions of tonnes of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. The news of the dramatic transformation of one of the world's least visited landscapes comes from Sergei Kirpotin, a botanist at Tomsk State University, Russia, and Judith Marquand at the University of Oxford. http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg18725124.500 ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 13) Lives Blown Apart By BOB HERBERT Published: August 15, 2005 http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/15/opinion/15herbert.html ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 14) Invisible to Most, Immigrant Women Line Up for Day Labor By NINA BERNSTEIN Published: August 15, 2005 The women are not noticed by the weekday morning crowds that rush past Eighth Avenue and 37th Street, in the heart of Manhattan's fashion district. They arrive in twos and threes after 8 a.m., shrinking against the buildings on both sides of the avenue, until scores of them are waiting, small, dark-haired Mexicans, Ecuadoreans, Hondurans. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/15/nyregion/15labor.html ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 15) Critics Say It's Time to Overhaul Army's Bonus System By DAMIEN CAVE Published: August 15, 2005 http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/15/national/15recruit.html ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 16) UPDATES ON CINDY SHEEHAN VISIT TO CRAWFORD Sunday, Aug. 14, 2005 10:15 a.m. SHOTS FIRED! Deborah Mathews reporting for The Iconoclast. Camp Casey is becoming very organized, with how-to signs placed about. Ann Wright said, "That's what we are trying to do." Let me read you the schedule posted on a tree: "9:15 camp meeting; 10 a.m. inter-faith service, 10:30 a.m., "Food-Not-Bombs Breakfast at Peace House," and.... http://198.65.14.85/News/2005/31-40/32news21.htm ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 17) A smile in the dark (Regarding the Atlanta Appellate Court decision on the Five) by Celia Hart, August 12, 2005 http://www.walterlippmann.com/ch-08-12-2005.html A CubaNews translation by Ana Portela Edited by Walter Lippmann Honestly, we never expected it. They have submitted us to so much injustice, the current United States administration has tried so hard to inflict chronic hopelessness and so much concentrated hatred by those authorities against the Cuban revolution, that August 9 was a true miracle for our people. The first press reports reaching us about our solidarity brothers in the United States, were unbelievable messages ... the trial had been revoked ... a new trial was to be held. With this decision ... the sentences were revoked! It was hard to believe! That moment, if just for a second, before we returned to common sense, we wanted to embrace everything around us; kiss our dog; bless the three judges for having given justice. Perhaps, at that moment, we looked differently and with a small dose of faith, on the Statue of Liberty. The document released by the Eleventh Circuit Appellate Court of Atlanta refers to the revocation of the trial held in Miami. There, where the Cuban émigrés are kidnapped, through lies and lack of knowledge, little justice can be given. If it was a dream ∑ we did not want to wake up. But it was true. It was as if the legal system, with this news, wanted to repair those seven years when it seemed that time would be our enemy. The story of that agony would become known. Decency was probable! Now, at least, we can dream. Dream that Gerardo and that beautiful Adriana could be confident on behalf of a baby that injustice prevents its fruition; that Rene, in addition to looking into the immensity of Ivette's eyes could admire the marvelous woman in whom the daughter Irmita has become, through so much pain. Dream that Fernando can embrace his delicate wife here in Havana, looking at his mother with pleasure, a woman who has became a great orator. And Ramon could watch his daughters in a hot beach and his wife who seems more innocent than a flower. With Antonio ∑ we could dream of listening to those airy poems that seem to escape through our windows, verse by verse, and watch Mirta smile without so much sadness. We could dream about all of that because of an honest decision that sparked hope again. Because it was not only the injustice of sentencing innocents deprived of looking at the sea; there are collateral injustices like the one announced by our sister Graciela Ramírez, international organizer of the International Solidarity Committee for the Cuban Five. Injustices such as the months of isolation, bad treatment, geographic separation. They not only had to pay the price for daring to defend my country from criminal actions, but also made their families suffer other unwritten sentences; and also all the Cubans and good persons around the world, with whom we have shared this pain. This decision seemed to stop, for a second, malevolence in the Earth. On the other hand, the Atlanta judges have implicitly decreed in their resolution that it is practically impossible to try honest Cubans since this case (with God's help) will establish a legal precedence. So, then, it is a starting point ∑ just that, only a starting point. Of course, we will soon awake from that dream, because it is merely a smile: good news in the framework of the most obstinate darkness. We should not believe that the rest is going be along easy street. Of course, the incoherence of the Mafia cupola of Cuban organizations in Miami snarls and barks at us and then "will ride on". And it is strange that the United States government, accusers of our five young men, has not yet appealed. Oh yes. The bonds of the current administration with the Cuban-American Mafia and the favors they owe each other, must keep us vigilant and acutely measure the next legal or political thrust of the enemy. It's still not time to open the champagne. Quite the contrary: our battle now will have to be stronger and more obstinate. That is what our brilliant lawyers have told us, many who are members of the defense team. Skillfully they await the new step and wait for the answer of the prosecution that still has several weeks to decide what to do. We don't have time. The truth of the Five should be a campaign for their immediate release and return to Cuba. In fact, today the United States should free them. They are technically free but are still in jail. We must not keep quiet, nor stop sharpening our pencils. Just like when truth has allies, an opportune communication should be our battle cry. To say it and repeat it in all languages and in song and verse, novel and music, passionately shout: The Five should be released! Because they have been declared innocent; otherwise we must sue the U.S. government for an act that smells of kidnapping. Now, a slight thread of truth has begun to unravel and what we must do is to unravel the skein before the government appeals the decision. These weeks that the U.S. government has to decide on whether or not to appeal, we should use to request their return and, above all, to reveal the intrigues and filth behind their unmerited sentences. Lastly, I want to share a thought with all of you. But specially with my comrades, friends and acquaintances or not, of the radical left wing parties because there are times when I feel that the internationalist cause of the Cuban Five is not understood. The Five are not only innocent of the crimes for which they were condemned to unbelievable sentences. No. These five men are symbols of the permanent battle of the Cuban revolution that is part of the world revolution. Those who honestly worry about the perpetuation of this veteran revolution can observe that we are not fighting today for prisoners of the attack on the Moncada garrison; we are not going back in history. The Five are our battle comrades, because they are fighting the worse enemies of our ideas. If there were a pestilence of U.S. imperialism, if there is an enemy of world socialism, it is precisely the Mafia connection of the Cuban cupola of southern Florida with the Miami administration that not only commits vandalic acts of sabotage against our innocent people and where this part of the exile community suffers ideological terrorism. They intend to install the worst capitalism in the island with the worst methods of murderers. What they want, with the buddies in government and all internal allies is to move towards the most reactionary system possible and in the worse manner. In this case the ends and the means walk hand in hand. Our five comrades are not only innocent or brave or honest; they are above any other consideration, internationalist revolutionaries kidnapped at the time of writing this, by the greatest enemy that world history has faced. ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 18) From Dave Rovics newsletter: I wrote this on August 13th, 2005 (lyrics at end of email -- also at the top on the main page of www.davidrovics.com). Cindy Sheehan is currently at Bush's ranch, waiting to meet him. Google her name and you'll learn all about it, if you haven't heard. She spoke at the Veterans for Peace convention in Dallas where I just played. Sometime in the next several days I'll have this song on the top of the "MP3 music" page at www.soundclick.com/davidrovics for free download. Feel free to link to it or to use the MP3 for any purpose. Same goes for the other songs you find there, including many related songs ("Four Blank Slates," "Waiting for the Fall," "When Johnny Came Marching Home," many more). Thanks to William Rivers Pitt for his article in www.truthout.org entitled Every Mother's Son. Lyrics are below... But also I wanted to mention while I'm at it that Chris Chandler has a fantastic new piece, which now has a video to go along with it, called "There's Something In The Air But It's Not On The Airwaves." It's the first link down after his picture on www.chrischandler.org. Song for Cindy Sheehan David Rovics Casey was a good boy He treated people well And his momma loved him Anyone could tell She'd send him off to school Pack his lunch with care When he came back home she hugged him With her fingers in his hair Cindy, she loved Casey And when all is said and done She is every mother And he was every mother's son When Casey was a little older He spent his time each week In that church in Vacaville In the service of the meek In the service of his city In the service of the lord With his momma in the pews All the time they could afford And if their love alone could save us Then the world would be one She is every mother And he was every mother's son People thought the priesthood Was where he'd someday be So some folks were surprised When he joined the army The recruiter told him He wouldn't have to fight Cindy hoped this was the case And prayed for him every night That was before they sent him To the desert with a gun She is every mother And he was every mother's son His truck had no armor And when it came under fire It and half the soldiers in it Became a funeral pyre Cindy, she was sleeping The moment Casey died And she knew she'd never see him Standing by her side There was no consolation No safe place she could run She is every mother And he was every mother's son The president, he told her He died for a noble cause But Cindy's wondering Exactly what that was Since they never found the weapons And now that Casey's gone It seems that oil is the game And Casey was the pawn Cindy's got some questions And so does everyone Because she is every mother And he was every mother's son David Rovics www.davidrovics.com www.soundclick.com/davidrovics DRovics@aol.com (617) 872-5124 P.O. Box 995 Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 U$A ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 19) Colored Ink &The SF Peacemakers present:Our Health Is Our Wealth A day of Film, Food, &Social Justice Saturday, August 20th 2005 Brava Theater 2789 24th St., San Francisco Registration begins at 11:00 am Festival begins at 12:00 noon Come join us for a festival like no other! Experience good healthy food, holistic health practices, film shorts, and workshops addressing community issues of health, poverty and violence, planning a solution of how to heal our community. For a lot of us, our mental and physical health is at risk, the best way to overcome these issues is to come together, educate ourselves, and deal with them collectively. Special panel presented by the Campaign to End the Death Penalty, following an excerpt of the movie "Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story" addressing Stan, the death penalty, and our civil rights. Featured films include: Peace Maker in Sudan Details a personal account of the crisis in Sudan which began in February 2003. Indiscriminate killing, mass rapes, looting of livestock and the burning of villages at the hands of government troops and the militias have resulted in 50,000 deaths and forced an estimated 1.2 million people from their homes. Peacemakers 4 life Takes a look at the violence in our community. Illustrates how a community coming together can overcome these issues, break the cycle of violence, and unite us in transforming our lives. Hosted By: _Conscious Eyes TV &KPOO 89.5 FM Radio personality Pam-Pam "theimposingfigure" _Performances, spoken word, live music. The Bay Area's DJ Fonzilla navigates the dance floor. _Special Celebration for Idriss Stelley's Birthday Idriss was killed by the SFPD He was shot at 48 times on 8-20-01 One of the all too many victims of police brutality... For more information About the event: 415-240-0093 or visit www.coloredink.org 415-573-8257 or visit www.sfpeacemakers.org About Stan's case: www.tookie.com www.nodeathpenalty.org Suggested Donation of $10 Purchase one of the movies at the festival and get in for free! no one turned away for lack of funds ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 20) Leave My Child Alone Hi, Working Assets (long distance telephone service) in the Bay area has created a website and coalition re Leave My Child Alone. Here's info about it. Marti -----Forwarded Message----- From: SFDiversions Sent: Aug 15, 2005 1:34 PM To: Hiken@igc.org Subject: Does the Pentagon Have Your Number? Dear Friends, Buried deep within the No Child Left Behind Act is a provision that requires public high schools to hand over the private contact information of students to military recruiters. If a school does not comply, it risks losing vital federal education funds. As if that weren't bad enough, the Pentagon has now built an illegal database of 30 million 16-25 year olds as another recruitment tool. Protect our children by helping them "Opt Out"! Working Assets has helped create the Leave My Child Alone coalition to make it easy to protect children from unwanted military recruiting by getting their names off both Pentagon and high school recruiting lists. To opt your child out, go to: http://www.leavemychildalone.org/index.cfm?event=showContent&contentid=63&mktcode=uncontacted Most parents don't even know about the need to opt out. Please forward this email to parents, grandparents, and teachers you know. Tell them to visit LeaveMyChildAlone.org for more information and all the forms needed to opt out. Repeal No Child Left Behind's Military Recruiting Provision The Student Privacy Protection Act of 2005 amends section 9528 of No Child Left Behind to prohibit military recruiters from contacting students unless these minors and their parents specifically "opt in" and consent to receive such communications. Click here to become a Citizen Co-Sponsor of the Student Privacy Protection Act. http://www.leavemychildalone.org/index.cfm?event=signPetition&pid=1?mktcode=uncontacted Want to tell the Pentagon that their database is a violation of privacy? To send a letter telling them to shut down their illegal database, go to: http://www.leavemychildalone.org/act How can I make a difference in my school district? From September 7 to 30, Leave My Child Alone coalition partners will be mounting a nationwide Back-to-School campaign complete with events in all 50 states plus D.C. You can join up with other concerned parents, teachers, grandparents, veterans and members of your local community by attending or organizing school board meeting outings to advocate for opt out policies and pass model school board resolutions. To find out about events near you or to find out how you can organize an event yourself, go to: http://diversions.workingforchange.com/cgi-bin7/DM/y/ehR30BAnsK0QC40zKC0EN Do you know school principals, parent group officers, school board members or other people in a position to change school policy on military opt-out procedures? Tell them to visit LeaveMyChildAlone.org for organizing resources or simply email Catherine (cgeanuracos@workingassets.com) to find out how we can help them make a difference in their district. Thank you for helping to build a better world. Catherine Geanuracos Campaign Organizer http://diversions.workingforchange.com/cgi-bin7/DM/y/ehR30BAnsK0QC403JN0EM / Working Assets PLEASE SEND QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS TO: leavemychildalone@workingassets.com. www.leavemychildalone.org National Lawyers Guild Military Law Task Force Marguerite Hiken, co-chair 318 Ortega Street San Francisco, CA 94122 415-566-3732 mlhiken@pacbell.net www.nlg.org/mltf Kathleen Gilberd, co-chair 1168 Union Street, Ste. 302 San Diego, CA 92101 619-233-1701 KathleenGilberd@aol.com ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
BAUAW NEWSLETTER-WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2005
Emergency rally in support of Cindy Sheehan
U.S. Troops Out of Iraq Now! Friday, August 12 at 5 PM Powell Street BART (Powell and Market Streets), San Francisco Last week, Gold Star Families for Peace co-founder Cindy Sheehan traveled to Crawford, Texas to pay a visit to George Bush at his vacation ranch. Cindy’s son Casey was killed in action in Iraq on April 4th, 2004. Cindy is currently camped on the side of a road a few miles from the ranch and plans to stay until Bush "tells me why my son died in Iraq. I’ve got the whole month of August off, and so does he." Cindy has been informed that on Thursday, she and her companions will be arrested if they do not leave, as they would reportedly be considered a "national security threat" as Rice and Rumsfeld plan to visit the ranch on Friday. Support Cindy! http://www.meetwithcindy.org Action initiated and supported by Not in Our Name CodePink Global Exchange Veterans for Peace, SF Bay Area Chapter 69 Courage to Resist Bay Area United Against War Add your organization and help spread the word! ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- TONIGHT IN BENICIA! URGENT CALL TO ACTION SUPPORT CINDY SHEEHAN PLEASE ATTEND THE BENICIA PEACE VIGIL THURSDAY, AUGUST 11 5:00 PM -- 6:00 PM CORNER OF MILITARY & FIRST STREET BENICIA, CA 94510 Solano County resident Cindy Sheehan is currently vigiling in Crawford, Texas home of vacationing George Bush. Her son, Casey was killed in Iraq and Cindy wants answers from W. She is being harrassed and is facing possible arrest (for exercising her First Amendment rights). In a show of solidarity please consider spending a few minutes vigiling in Benicia in protest of the war and also the treatment of this brave dissenter. Cindy has been all across this country voicing her opposition to the war, in fact this Vacaville woman has stood vigil in Benicia. We can and should be able to show some positive support for her, too. See her website for more background: www.gsfp.org Please forward far and wide.... ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- MILITARY LAW QUESTIONS? ************************************* NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD (NLG) MILITARY LAW TASK FORCE The National Lawyers Guild Military Law Task Force assists those working on military law issues as well as military law counselors working directly with GIs. It trains and mentors counselors and beginning military law attorneys in all aspects of military law through training material and direct communication. It updates changes in military law and policy. If you have questions regarding military service laws and contracts contact: Marti Hiken jlhiken@pacbell.net (415) 566-3732 or Kathy Gilberd kathleengilberd@aol.com (619) 233-1701 ************************************* 1) AN OPEN LETTER TO UFPJ, by Bonnie Weinstein Dear UFPJ, What we really need now is unity on Sept. 24th. Two separate demonstrations is intolerable. I just received the new UFPJ Bay Area postcard listing the groups in the Bay Area that are affiliated with UFPJ. I am with Bay Area United Against War and we are on that list. I notice on the postcard there are a list of issues to get active about: "afghanistan, the Bayview, Colombia, Haiti, Iraq, Oakland, Palestine, around the globe and here at home" So, it's OK to put Palestine on your printed material but just not for Sept. 24th? Stop being a stumbling block to unity over a hypocritical stance. We need one demonstration on Sept. 24 in DC! Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War www.bauaw.org 2) Editor's Note: T r u t h o u t will be sending William Rivers Pitt to Crawford to cover this expanding story. Stay tuned for updates. Military Families to Join Cindy Sheehan in Crawford US Newswire Tuesday 09 August 2005 http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/080905Q.shtml 3) Historic Decision by Atlanta 11th Circuit Court of Appeals Grants Cuban 5 New Trial 4) "Slow Falling Bird" Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday through August 20th, at the EXIT on Taylor, 277 Taylor Street, San Francisco. I encourage reservations, as the first weekend sold out. Call: 415-351-0277 - the EXIT 5) SUPPORT CINDY SHEEHAN 6) Activists Object to U.S. Navy as Concert Sponsor By Joe Garofoli Published on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 by the San Francisco Chronicle Anti-war activists are asking San Francisco radio station KMEL-FM to remove the U.S. Navy as a sponsor of the annual Summer Jam concert in Mountain View, saying the station is "using hip-hop to promote the military to young people of color." http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0809-05.htm 7) What One Mom Has to Say to George Bush by Mike Ferner "That lying bastard, George Bush, is taking a five-week vacation in time of war," Cindy Sheehan told 200 cheering members of Veterans for Peace at their annual convention in Dallas last Friday evening. She then announced she would go to Bush's vacation home in nearby Crawford, Texas and camp out until he "tells me why my son died in Iraq. I've got the whole month of August off, and so does he."… "And the other thing I want him to tell me is 'just what was the noble cause Casey died for?' Was it freedom and democracy? Bullshit! He died for oil. He died to make your friends richer. He died to expand American imperialism in the Middle East. We're not freer here, thanks to your PATRIOT Act. Iraq is not free. You get America out of Iraq and Israel out of Palestine and you'll stop the terrorism," she exclaimed. http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/ferner090805.html 8) Why He Went to War By Kimi Eisele, AlterNet Posted on August 9, 2005, Printed on August 9, 2005 http://www.alternet.org/story/23953/ View this story online at: http://www.alternet.org/story/23953/ 9) Swift Road for U.S. Citizen Soldiers Already Fighting in Iraq Johan Spanner/Polaris, for The New York Times One hundred and forty-three troops from 46 nations took the oath of citizenship in a former Hussein palace. By EDWARD WONG Published: August 9, 2005 CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - For Specialist James Garrovillas, enlisting in the Army meant more than just joining the military. It meant joining the United States. In a 50-minute ceremony in late July, Specialist Garrovillas and 142 other service members took the oath of citizenship inside one of Saddam Hussein's palaces here, now part of the headquarters of the American command in western Baghdad. Between white marble walls, a brass band struck up "God Bless America." http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/09/international/middleeast/09soldiers.html 10) Pentagon Plans to Send More Troops to Iraq Staff and agencies 08 August, 2005 By ROBERT BURNS, AP Military Writer 3 minutes ago WASHINGTON - Anticipating a new burst of insurgent violence, the Pentagon plans to expand the U.S. force in Iraq to improve security for a planned October referendum and a December election. http://www.leadingthecharge.com/stories/news-0056699.html 11) COLLEGE NOT COMBAT VICTORY! WE’RE ON THE BALLOT! ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 1) AN OPEN LETTER TO UFPJ, by Bonnie Weinstein Dear UFPJ, What we really need now is unity on Sept. 24th. Two separate demonstrations is intolerable. I just received the new UFPJ Bay Area postcard listing the groups in the Bay Area that are affiliated with UFPJ. I am with Bay Area United Against War and we are on that list. I notice on the postcard there are a list of issues to get active about: "afghanistan, the Bayview, Colombia, Haiti, Iraq, Oakland, Palestine, around the globe and here at home" So, it's OK to put Palestine on your printed material but just not for Sept. 24th? Stop being a stumbling block to unity over a hypocritical stance. We need one demonstration on Sept. 24 in DC! Bonnie Weinstein, Bay Area United Against War www.bauaw.org ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 2) Editor's Note: T r u t h o u t will be sending William Rivers Pitt to Crawford to cover this expanding story. Stay tuned for updates. Military Families to Join Cindy Sheehan in Crawford US Newswire Tuesday 09 August 2005 http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/080905Q.shtml ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 3) Historic Decision by Atlanta 11th Circuit Court of Appeals Grants Cuban 5 New Trial Havana, August 9, (RHC)-After almost nineteen months after the appeal was heard on the 10th of March 2004, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has sent down their 93 page opinion, Tuesday, on the case of the Cuban Five who have spent the last seven years in US prisons. The judges found that the five Cuban men did not have a fair trial in Miami and recommend that they be retried outside of the jurisdiction. At a telephone conference today, Leonard Weinglass, part of the Fives legal defense team and lawyer to Antonio Guerrero, stated: "This is really an historic opinion. Never before in the history of the United States has a federal circuit court of appeals reversed a trial courts finding with respect to venue. This is a first. And in writing their opinion which covers just one issue of the eight or nine issues raised on appeal, the issue being venue, the court analyzed in great detail virtually every facet of the case, of the community, of the publicity, of the attitude of the jurors, the actions of the prosecutor and the motions that were made during and after trial. It is as an extensive and factual and detailed analysis on the issue of venue that I have ever seen in a written opinion in any court anywhere. So this is a remarkable decision and a tremendous tribute to the vitality of the appellate court and it is just a marvel to read and we all feel very appreciative and grateful for this decision." US Lawyer, Paul McKenna, who represents Gerardo Hernandez, serving two life sentences plus fifteen years for conspiracy to commit first degree murder, said during the press conference that he will apply for bail as soon as possible for his client as his legal status is now what it was before he was convicted. If the 11th Circuit Court of Appeal's opinion is upheld by the US Attorney General's office, the five men will be transferred back to Miami to begin the process of looking for a change of venue with the aim of getting a fair and unprejudiced trial. ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 4) "Slow Falling Bird" Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday through August 20th, at the EXIT on Taylor, 277 Taylor Street, San Francisco. I encourage reservations, as the first weekend sold out. Call: 415-351-0277 - the EXIT ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 5) SUPPORT CINDY SHEEHAN In a message dated 8/9/05 11:32:19 AM, maureen@riseup.net writes: Salutations, -- Please forward widely Cindy Sheehan's son, Casey was killed in the Iraq War. She is turning her tragic loss into a relentless anti-war campaign that has brought her to Crawford, Texas to occupy a space outside G.W. Bush's ranch until he agrees to speak with her. As I write this, supporters in Crawford have been harassed by the police, gone on hunger strike and are in need of your support. Rumsfeld and Rice are expected to arrive at Crawford tomorrow to meet with G.W. Bush so the risk of arrest will increase as Cindy Sheehan and Diane Wilson have been warned they are a "threat" to national security. Any and all help/support is appreciated and there are numerous ways to do so. We have folk from Houston that are willing to offer support and deliver needed supplies but transportation is an issue. If we could have members of the community step up to raise approximately $350-450 for an 8-12 rental van that would allow for Houstonians to make it out to Crawford.( more money means more people) This is a huge moment for military families and all anti-war activists and time is of the essence- we hope to get a group out there by some time tomorrow. Please contact me at 832.641.2882 or respond to this email to donate money to send a Houston contingency to support Cindy Sheehan and military families everywhere that dare to speak out. Remember the tide started turning in Vietnam when the families and the average person said no more and joined the anti-war movement. Our friends in Crawford are in need of the following: 1. Bodies, if you can make it up there for a day, a week to observe, support or potentially be arrested. Contact me if can provide a ride or need a ride. 2. Food items (not everyone is on hunger strike) think non-perishable since they are out in the heat. 3. Water 4. Emergen-C electrolyte replacement 5. Coffee 6. Paper towels, cutlerly, bowls, wet wipes 7. Cots, blankets, pillows. 8. Money donations can be sent to Crawford Peace House, P.O. Box 710218, Dallas, Tx. 75371-0218 or contact Andrea Buffa of Global Exchange/Code Pink at 415-575-5552 to sponsor other military families that want to support Cindy but cannot afford to travel on their own. Also, if there is anyone on this list willing to sponsor a group from Houston to go via van or bus that would be most helpful in terms of getting supplies to Crawford. 9. First aid supplies 10. Batteries 11. Flashlights 12. Bug spray 13. Ice chests 14. Banner making supplies Pick up of donated items can be arranged or they can be dropped off at 4501 Feagan, 77007. Please email maureen@riseup.net or call 832.641.2882. For other up to date information check out www.houston.indymedia.org. ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 6) Activists Object to U.S. Navy as Concert Sponsor By Joe Garofoli Published on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 by the San Francisco Chronicle Anti-war activists are asking San Francisco radio station KMEL-FM to remove the U.S. Navy as a sponsor of the annual Summer Jam concert in Mountain View, saying the station is "using hip-hop to promote the military to young people of color." http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0809-05.htm ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 7) What One Mom Has to Say to George Bush by Mike Ferner "That lying bastard, George Bush, is taking a five-week vacation in time of war," Cindy Sheehan told 200 cheering members of Veterans for Peace at their annual convention in Dallas last Friday evening. She then announced she would go to Bush's vacation home in nearby Crawford, Texas and camp out until he "tells me why my son died in Iraq. I've got the whole month of August off, and so does he."… "And the other thing I want him to tell me is 'just what was the noble cause Casey died for?' Was it freedom and democracy? Bullshit! He died for oil. He died to make your friends richer. He died to expand American imperialism in the Middle East. We're not freer here, thanks to your PATRIOT Act. Iraq is not free. You get America out of Iraq and Israel out of Palestine and you'll stop the terrorism," she exclaimed. http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/ferner090805.html ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 8) Why He Went to War By Kimi Eisele, AlterNet Posted on August 9, 2005, Printed on August 9, 2005 http://www.alternet.org/story/23953/ View this story online at: http://www.alternet.org/story/23953/ ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 9) Swift Road for U.S. Citizen Soldiers Already Fighting in Iraq Johan Spanner/Polaris, for The New York Times One hundred and forty-three troops from 46 nations took the oath of citizenship in a former Hussein palace. By EDWARD WONG Published: August 9, 2005 CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - For Specialist James Garrovillas, enlisting in the Army meant more than just joining the military. It meant joining the United States. In a 50-minute ceremony in late July, Specialist Garrovillas and 142 other service members took the oath of citizenship inside one of Saddam Hussein's palaces here, now part of the headquarters of the American command in western Baghdad. Between white marble walls, a brass band struck up "God Bless America." http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/09/international/middleeast/09soldiers.html ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 10) Pentagon Plans to Send More Troops to Iraq Staff and agencies 08 August, 2005 By ROBERT BURNS, AP Military Writer 3 minutes ago WASHINGTON - Anticipating a new burst of insurgent violence, the Pentagon plans to expand the U.S. force in Iraq to improve security for a planned October referendum and a December election. http://www.leadingthecharge.com/stories/news-0056699.html ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 11) COLLEGE NOT COMBAT VICTORY! WE’RE ON THE BALLOT! 1. It's Official! We received official notice from the city that our signatures have been certified and College Not Combat will be on the San Francisco ballot this fall! Thanks to the hard work of all the volunteers, San Franciscans will get to voice their opposition to military recruiting on college & high school campuses! Congratulations to all! 2. Next Steps... We will be having our next meeting on Saturday, August 13 at 110 Capp Street in San Francisco (buzz 202). At this meeting we will be discussing our strategy going forward, how we are going to build mass support around the campaign, what kind of events we'd like to put on, and so forth. Please come and bring a few friends! 3. In the News... As most of you probably know, CNC has gotten a TON of coverage in local, national & even international press. While the bloody occupation of Iraq drags on, and the military recruitment crisis deepens, CNC has proven to be a lightning rod for those interested in stopping the war machine and providing alternatives to military service for young people. Here are just a few links to some of the media coverage: El Universal (Mexico) http://estadis.eluniversal.com.mx/internacional/36373.html New York Times newspaper: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/13/national/13recruit.html KQED radio debate: http://www.kqed.org/epArchive/R507120900 SF Bay Guardian http://www.sfbg.com/39/40/news_recruiters_out.html 4. Great response... Because of the great press coverage & the visibility of CNC volunteers hitting the pavement, we continue to hear from sympathetic people in San Francisco and beyond saying they support our effort. In addition to parents, students and other activists, we've also heard from family members of military personnel currently serving in Iraq! Thanks again to all those who have helped build this, and we hope to see you all this Saturday! CNC ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------
Monday, August 08, 2005
BAUAW NEWSLETTER-MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 2005
1) Dorothy Day on the Atom Bomb at Hiroshima
by Dorothy Day 2) "Slow Falling Bird" Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday through August 20th, at the EXIT on Taylor, 277 Taylor Street, San Francisco. I encourage reservations, as the first weekend sold out. Call: 415-351-0277 - the EXIT 3) As More Schools Open Earlier, Parents Seek to Reclaim Summer By MICHAEL JANOFSKY Published: August 6, 2005 "It's crazy," said Vivian Jackson, a mother of two school-age children in Marietta, Ga., where schools open in mid-August. "There's no reason for it. I spent yesterday in the allergist's office to get a note from the doctor because my child cannot ride in a school bus when the temperature is 90 degrees, and there's not a day in August here when the temperature does not reach 90 degrees. "We don't want to start school in August and get out in May," she added. "We want our summers back." http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/06/education/ 06calendar.html?ei=5094&en=519cbb2811265f95&hp=&ex=1123387200&adxnnl= 1&partner=homepage&adxnnlx=1123344110-Txb2x9qFXOuXCzsEmjgILg 4) Guantánamo Detention Site Is Being Transformed, U.S. Says By NEIL A. LEWIS Published: August 6, 2005 http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/06/politics/06gitmo.html? 5) Use of Espionage Law in Secrets Case Troubles Analysts By ERIC LICHTBLAU and DAVID JOHNSTON Published: August 6, 2005 WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 - In early 2003, Steven J. Rosen, an influential lobbyist on Israeli affairs, heard from "a friend" at the Pentagon about a classified government report on Middle East policy, federal prosecutors say, and he thought others should know about it, too. Within hours, Mr. Rosen was discussing details of the secret material with Israeli officials as well as with a senior fellow at a Washington policy institute, prosecutors say. A few days after that, he contacted several reporters in town to encourage them to pursue what he considered a big story, related to the formulation of American policy on Iran... It has long been known that the United States and Israel share, on an authorized basis, highly classified intelligence about military and diplomatic matters as well as about other issues like terrorism. Since 1996, the two countries have engaged in formal discussions about Iran, a country that was the subject of several conversations between the former pro-Israel lobbyists and Mr. Franklin, the former Pentagon analyst. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/06/politics/06inquire.html 6) Some Bombs Used in Iraq Are Made in Iran, U.S. Says By ERIC SCHMITT Published: August 6, 2005 http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/06/politics/ 06bomb.html?hp&ex=1123387200&en=ad400d18fafde1a6&ei=5094&partner=home page 7) Threat to Divest Is Church Tool in Israeli Fight By LAURIE GOODSTEIN Published: August 6, 2005 The Presbyterian Church U.S.A. announced Friday that it would press four American corporations to stop providing military equipment and technology to Israel for use in the occupation of the Palestinian territories, and that if the companies did not comply, the church would take a vote to divest its stock in them. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/06/national/ 06church.html?hp&ex=1123387200&en=4dcd40cdf7b6de61&ei=5094&partner=ho mepage 8) An Icy Vendor Is Put on Ice With a Wagonload of Legalese By SABRINA TAVERNISE August 6, 2005 http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/06/nyregion/06icy.html 9) Military Out of Our Schools! San Francisco Bay Area Counter Recruitment Events Calendar 10) The Pain Deep Inside By BOB HERBERT Published: August 8, 2005 Washington http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/08/opinion/08herbert.html 11) Abuse Cases Open Command Issues at Army Prison By TIM GOLDEN Published: August 8, 2005 http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/08/national/nationalspecial3/08bagram.html 12) Of the Many Deaths in Iraq, One Mother's Loss Becomes a Problem for the President By RICHARD W. STEVENSON August 8, 2005 CRAWFORD, Tex., Aug. 7 - President Bush draws antiwar protesters just about wherever he goes, but few generate the kind of attention that Cindy Sheehan has since she drove down the winding road toward his ranch here this weekend and sought to tell him face to face that he must pull all Americans troops out of Iraq now. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/08/politics/08crawford.html 13) The Canaries Had Their Coal Mines By ANTHONY DePALMA Published: August 8, 2005 Until recently, the mercury problem was thought to be limited to water. The discovery of mercury in songbirds that never go into the water may represent a serious new threat. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/08/nyregion/08mercury.html 14) Dallas law cracks down on feeding the homeless Mobile units won't be parked outside City Hall or they'll face fine By THOMAS KOROSEC Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Under a new ordinance, charities, churches and individuals will be allowed to serve food only at approved locations. Violations will be punishable by fines of $200 to $2,000. Aug. 7, 2005, 10:06AM http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/3299402 15) 60th ANNIVERSARY OF HIROSHIMA SUNDANCE CHANNEL REMEMBERS HIROSHIMA WITH A TRIO OF DOCUMENTARIES STARTING SUNDAY, AUG. 6, 5:30PM http://www.sundancechannel.com/on_air_event/?ixContent=8104 16) Man Kills Another in Dispute Over War -- Press Calls It a First By E&P Staff Published: August 06, 2005 6:30 PM ET http://www.mediainfo.com/eandp/news/ article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001010741 ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 1) Dorothy Day on the Atom Bomb at Hiroshima by Dorothy Day Mr. Truman was jubilant. President Truman. True man; what a strange name, come to think of it. We refer to Jesus Christ as true God and true Man. Truman is a true man of his time in that he was jubilant. He was not a son of God, brother of Christ, brother of the Japanese, jubilating as he did. He went from table to table on the cruiser which was bringing him home from the Big Three conference, telling the great news; "jubilant" the newspapers said. Jubilate Deo. We have killed 318,000 Japanese. That is, we hope we have killed them, the Associated Press, on page one, column one of the Herald Tribune says. The effect is hoped for, not known. It is to be hoped they are vaporized, our Japanese brothers, scattered, men, women and babies, to the four winds, over the seven seas. Perhaps we will breathe their dust into our nostrils, feel them in the fog of New York on our faces, feel them in the rain on the hills of Eaton. Jubilate Deo. President Truman was jubilant. We have created. We have created destruction. We have created a new element, called Pluto. Nature had nothing to do with it. The papers list the scientists (the murderers) who are credited with perfecting this new weapon. Scientists, army officers, great universities, and captains of industry-all are given credit lines in the press for their work of preparing the bomb-and other bombs, the President assures us, are in production now. Everyone says, "I wonder what the Pope thinks of it?" How everyone turns to the Vatican for judgment, even though they do not seem to listen to the voice there! But our Lord Himself has already pronounced judgment on the atomic bomb. When James and John (John the beloved) wished to call down fire from heaven on their enemies, Jesus said: "You know not of what spirit you are. The Son of Man came not to destroy souls but to save." He said also, "What you do unto the least of these my brethren, you do unto me. Reprinted from The Catholic Worker, September 1945 ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 2) "Slow Falling Bird" Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday through August 20th, at the EXIT on Taylor, 277 Taylor Street, San Francisco. I encourage reservations, as the first weekend sold out. Call: 415-351-0277 - the EXIT ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 3) As More Schools Open Earlier, Parents Seek to Reclaim Summer By MICHAEL JANOFSKY Published: August 6, 2005 "It's crazy," said Vivian Jackson, a mother of two school-age children in Marietta, Ga., where schools open in mid-August. "There's no reason for it. I spent yesterday in the allergist's office to get a note from the doctor because my child cannot ride in a school bus when the temperature is 90 degrees, and there's not a day in August here when the temperature does not reach 90 degrees. "We don't want to start school in August and get out in May," she added. "We want our summers back." http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/06/education/ 06calendar.html?ei=5094&en=519cbb2811265f95&hp=&ex=1123387200&adxnnl= 1&partner=homepage&adxnnlx=1123344110-Txb2x9qFXOuXCzsEmjgILg ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 4) Guantánamo Detention Site Is Being Transformed, U.S. Says By NEIL A. LEWIS Published: August 6, 2005 http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/06/politics/06gitmo.html? ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 5) Use of Espionage Law in Secrets Case Troubles Analysts By ERIC LICHTBLAU and DAVID JOHNSTON Published: August 6, 2005 WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 - In early 2003, Steven J. Rosen, an influential lobbyist on Israeli affairs, heard from "a friend" at the Pentagon about a classified government report on Middle East policy, federal prosecutors say, and he thought others should know about it, too. Within hours, Mr. Rosen was discussing details of the secret material with Israeli officials as well as with a senior fellow at a Washington policy institute, prosecutors say. A few days after that, he contacted several reporters in town to encourage them to pursue what he considered a big story, related to the formulation of American policy on Iran... It has long been known that the United States and Israel share, on an authorized basis, highly classified intelligence about military and diplomatic matters as well as about other issues like terrorism. Since 1996, the two countries have engaged in formal discussions about Iran, a country that was the subject of several conversations between the former pro-Israel lobbyists and Mr. Franklin, the former Pentagon analyst. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/06/politics/06inquire.html ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 6) Some Bombs Used in Iraq Are Made in Iran, U.S. Says By ERIC SCHMITT Published: August 6, 2005 http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/06/politics/ 06bomb.html?hp&ex=1123387200&en=ad400d18fafde1a6&ei=5094&partner=home page ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 7) Threat to Divest Is Church Tool in Israeli Fight By LAURIE GOODSTEIN Published: August 6, 2005 The Presbyterian Church U.S.A. announced Friday that it would press four American corporations to stop providing military equipment and technology to Israel for use in the occupation of the Palestinian territories, and that if the companies did not comply, the church would take a vote to divest its stock in them. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/06/national/ 06church.html?hp&ex=1123387200&en=4dcd40cdf7b6de61&ei=5094&partner=ho mepage ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 8) An Icy Vendor Is Put on Ice With a Wagonload of Legalese By SABRINA TAVERNISE August 6, 2005 http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/06/nyregion/06icy.html ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 9) Military Out of Our Schools! San Francisco Bay Area Counter Recruitment Events Calendar Please submit updated information for this calendar to awe@objector.org Mon. 8/8---On the Frontlines Conference Planning Meeting - San Francisco Tues. 8/9--KMEL/NAVY Press Conference - San Francisco Sat. 8/13---College Not Combat Planning Meeting – San Francisco Sun. 8/14---Plan for Opt Out flyering at OUSD registration - Oakland Sun. 8/21---KMEL Summer Jams Action - Mountain View Sat. 8/27---Dave Lippman Concert/Benefit - San Francisco Oct. 1-2--- MOOS-Bay Regional CR Conference (Date Changed to 10/21-3) Sat-Sun 10/21-23---On the Frontlines: Options for Youth in Times of War, CR Conference - UC Berkeley Monday, August 8th - San Francisco Conference Planning Meeting, 6:00pm AFSC, 65 9th St. between Mission and Market (Civic Center BART) MOOS-Bay and the Campus Antiwr Network have joined forces to organize the conference On The Frontlines: Options for Youth in Times of War, now scheduled for October 21-23 at UC Berkeley. Please join us in making this conference a success for everyone affected by military recruiting and/or involved in the counter recruitment movement--youth, college students, parents and educators and community activists. At this meeting we will review proposals for the joint conference schedule, plenary speakers and outreach plans. Come get involved! For info (510) 465-1617 x 4, or MOOS-Bay@riseup.net Tuesday, August 9th - San Francisco KMEL/Clear Channel Press Conference, Noon 340 Townsend Street, SF The 2005 KMEL Summer Jam will include the US Navy as a primary sponsor. We feel that the US Navy is an inappropriate sponsor for this event and are concerned that KMEL is using hip-hop to promote the military to young people of color. Neither our public airwaves nor our music should be used to market war. Join us on Tuesday, August 9th at noon to deliver our letter to the Clear Channel Headquarters/KMEL Station (340 Townsend Street, SF). The press will be invited to cover the support of the local community that demands the demilitarization of our youth and our airwaves. Please let me know if your representatives and members would like to attend this event. Jennifer Low, CODE PINK, at jlow@ucsc.edu, or at (415) 575-5555 Saturday, August 13th - San Francisco College Not Combat Planning Meeting, 3:00pm 110 Capp Street (Buzz #202) Come to our planning meeting on Saturday, August 13, where we will figure out our strategy going forward. We will also be voting on a steering committee to guide the direction of the campaign. The degree to which our campaign is successful will depend on the number of people that are involved - so come out and help us kick the military out of our schools. For more information: college_not_combat@yahoo.com (415) 248-1701 http://www.collegenotcombat.org/ Sunday, August 14th - Oakland Planning Meeting to flyer OUSD registration Join Global Women's Strike to organize"Opt Out" outreach to students and parents during Oakland Unified School District's registration period, Aug 15-26. For info, call (510) 434-0190, or email nellmyhand@mindspring.com Sunday, August 21st - Mountain View KMEL Summer Jams KMEL Summer Jams concert will be on August 21st at the Shoreline Amphitheatre and we will be planning to have a presence there to provide concert participants with information on alternatives to the military. Your input is greatly appreciated. Please also let me know if you and your organization would like to be involved in the planning process for this action. Jennifer Low, CODE PINK, at jlow@ucsc.edu, or at (415) 575-5555 Saturday, August 27th - San Francisco Dave Lippman Concert/Benefit, 8:00pm "The Kitchen" 225 Potrero (between 15th & 16th Sts. San Francsco A WRL-West presents Dave Lippman, aka George Shrub, the "world's only known singing CIA Agent." Come out for a night of hilarious political satire to benefit the On the Frontlines conference. For info: http://wrlwest.org Friday-Sunday, October 21-3 - Berkeley On the Frontlines: Options for Youth in Times of War U.C. Berkeley A Counter Recruitment Conference for Youth and their Allies, co-sponsored by the Campus Anti-War Network and Military Out of Our Schools-Bay Area. (Moved from October 1-2.) Mark your calendar, sign on as a participating organization, propose a workshop or performance, and get involved now! For info: MOOS-Bay@riseup.net, http://www.objector.org/moos-bay.html YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS Visit your group "MOOS-BAY ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 10) The Pain Deep Inside By BOB HERBERT Published: August 8, 2005 Washington http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/08/opinion/08herbert.html ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 11) Abuse Cases Open Command Issues at Army Prison By TIM GOLDEN Published: August 8, 2005 http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/08/national/nationalspecial3/08bagram.html ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 12) Of the Many Deaths in Iraq, One Mother's Loss Becomes a Problem for the President By RICHARD W. STEVENSON August 8, 2005 CRAWFORD, Tex., Aug. 7 - President Bush draws antiwar protesters just about wherever he goes, but few generate the kind of attention that Cindy Sheehan has since she drove down the winding road toward his ranch here this weekend and sought to tell him face to face that he must pull all Americans troops out of Iraq now. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/08/politics/08crawford.html ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 13) The Canaries Had Their Coal Mines By ANTHONY DePALMA Published: August 8, 2005 Until recently, the mercury problem was thought to be limited to water. The discovery of mercury in songbirds that never go into the water may represent a serious new threat. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/08/nyregion/08mercury.html ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 14) Dallas law cracks down on feeding the homeless Mobile units won't be parked outside City Hall or they'll face fine By THOMAS KOROSEC Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Under a new ordinance, charities, churches and individuals will be allowed to serve food only at approved locations. Violations will be punishable by fines of $200 to $2,000. Aug. 7, 2005, 10:06AM http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/3299402 ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 15) 60th ANNIVERSARY OF HIROSHIMA SUNDANCE CHANNEL REMEMBERS HIROSHIMA WITH A TRIO OF DOCUMENTARIES STARTING SUNDAY, AUG. 6, 5:30PM http://www.sundancechannel.com/on_air_event/?ixContent=8104 ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- 16) Man Kills Another in Dispute Over War -- Press Calls It a First By E&P Staff Published: August 06, 2005 6:30 PM ET http://www.mediainfo.com/eandp/news/ article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001010741 ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*-------- ---------*---------*---------*---------*---------*--------
|
|