Monday, May 2, 2011
Again, analysts see bin Laden's death as the ending of a chapter, not the war.
Almost ten years later, a chapter in US, indeed, global history, has been closed with the killing of Osama bin Laden. But as the intense protests against the building of a Muslim community centre near Ground Zero last year indicate, the legacy of the attacks will haunt society in the US for years to come.
It's hard to fault President Obama for his remarks announcing bin Laden's killing. There was no smugness or cockiness, as President Bush was wont to display whenever he boasted of successes real or imagined. But the thousands of people who gathered outside the White House and around Ground Zero in New York had a much more Bush-like mood; one that indicates just how removed so many of us have become from the realities of not only the original attacks, but all that has happened since.
Network coverage showed people driving around with US flags on their cars, the way sports fans do on the day of the big game. People were chanting "USA! USA!" like they did when the US beat the Soviet Union in that famous hockey game at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics. In New York, scores of young people, most too young to have experienced 9/11 in any meaningful way, sang the words to 1969 hit "Na Na Hey Hey, Kiss Him Goodbye," which has also become ubiquitous at sporting events whenever victory for the home team is near.
Commentators and celebrants alike were comparing the festive gathering of citizens to the end of conflict in World War Two, which produced such memorable celebrations on the streets of New York. But victory in the "War on Terror" is not near, not least because the war was never primarily about terrorism.
Instead, the Bush administration used the excuse of al-Qaeda's attacks to radically reshape the political economy of the United States towards the kind of military-petroleum-finance-led system that Obama has found almost impossible to challenge - much to the detriment of the transformative agenda with which he entered office.
As damaging as both the erosion of our constitutional freedoms, which in many cases the president has actually affirmed since taking office - and as Obama alluded to during his speech - the erosion of the sense of unity that every country needs to prosper in good times, and to rebuild a sense of purpose and vision in the wake of tragedy and violence.
AJ op-ed: bin Laden's death kills the alibi
What next after bin Laden death? - In Depth - Al Jazeera English
Here is - as per usual - some great coverage from Al Jazeera.
If you don't already get your news here, you should.
I don't think bin Laden's death is going to do anything to end - or slow down - the War on Terror. It's a war on a CONCEPT, not a person. The wars won't end just because this one figurehead died - there will always be someone for us to hate and fight against. Al Qaeda's a different animal now than it was in 2001, and I don't think the cheering crowds on Sunday night quite realize that.
Monday, March 28, 2011
April 9th Anti-War Rally
Dear Peace Activists,
Please help spread the word! The major national Antiwar Rally in NYC at Union Square, on Saturday, April 9 is less than 2 weeks away. Momentum is building based on the urgency of responding to the new attacks in Libya, no end to the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, more attacks and threats to Gaza, ugly attacks on Muslims, new attacks on unions and collective bargaining and a new rounds of cutbacks of every possible social program, particularly hitting the Black and immigrant communities and the unemployed.
Back to the Streets!
Rally Against the Wars at Home and Abroad on April 9th (New York City) and April 10th (San Francisco)
Call to Action
And Request for Endorsement
April 9, 2011
New York & San Francisco
from the
United National Antiwar Committee
WHO ARE THE WARMAKERS?
THEY are the government, corporate, and financial powers that wage war, ravage the environment and the economy and trample on our democratic rights and liberties.
WHO ARE THE PEACEMAKERS?
WE are the vast majority of humanity who want peace, a healthy planet and a society that prioritizes human needs, democracy and civil liberties for all.
The Warmakers spend trillions of dollars yearly on endless wars in pursuit of global domination and profit while murdering millions of innocent people, installing corrupt and hated governments and funding occupations that displace millions from their homelands – trampling on the right of oppressed people to self-determination.
THEY send our youth – victims of the economic draft – to fight over the very fossil fuels whose unrestrained use threatens the future of the planet while corrupt and virtually unregulated oil giants dump billions of gallons of death into our rivers and oceans.
THEY wage a fake “war on terrorism” at home – the new McCarthyism – that promotes racism and Islamophobia aimed at destroying civil liberties and democratic rights.
THEY grant repeated and untold trillions in bailouts to banks, corporations and financial institutions while breaking unions, robbing pensions, destroying jobs, foreclosing homes, de-funding education and vital social services and are once again threatening Social Security andMedicare.
THEY offer no solutions to the current crises other than more of the same.
THE PEACEMAKERS DEMAND a better world. Only a massive, united, inclusive and independent movement has the power to bring it into being.
WE DEMAND Bring
WE DEMAND trillions for jobs, education, social services, an end to all foreclosures, quality single-payer healthcare for all, a massive conversion to sustainable and planet-saving energy systems and public transportation and reparations to the victims of U.S. terror at home and abroad.
WE DEMAND an end to FBI raids on antiwar, social justice, and international solidarity activists, an end to the racist persecution and prosecutions that ravage Muslim communities, an end to police terror in Black, Latino and Native American communities, full rights and legality for immigrants and an end to all efforts to repress and punish Wikileaks and its contributors and founders.
WE DEMAND the immediate end to torture, rendition, secret trials, drone bombings and death squads.
WE ARE DEDICATED TO A WORLD
OF PEACE AND JUSTICE.
All Out April 9, 2011
For more information, go to http://nationalpeaceconference.org/
Monday, March 21, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Just a little rant about the media
Sunday, February 27, 2011
About friggin' time!
PayPal Backs Down, Reinstates Account for Supporters of Bradley Manning
(Courtesy of www.bradleymanning.org)
Apparently reacting to enormous backlash from supporters and criticism from the media, PayPal has reinstated the account of Courage to Resist, an organization which has partnered with the Bradley Manning Support Network to raise funds for the defense of accused WikiLeaks whistleblower Bradley Manning. The change in account status came only hours after the nonprofit organization published a press release drawing attention to the matter. Over 10,000 people signed the petition hosted by Firedoglake today urging PayPal to reinstate the charitable account, while many more supporters called PayPal directly to voice their criticisms.
Within hours, PayPal responded — reinstating the account so that Courage to Resist and the Bradley Manning Support Network can continue their work.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Call for Action in Egypt
We will also be at a table in the Student Center from 1:30 - 3 p.m. to get signatures on a petition to the Egyptian authorities calling for them to rein in their security forces and allow for peaceful demonstrations of the Egyptian people, as well as not using disproportionate violence against the demonstrators.
*****
The Honors Program is sponsoring a Faculty Panel to discuss the evolving situation in Egypt.
Panelists include:
Scott Erb, Professor of Political Science
Anne Marie Wolf, Assistant Professor of History
Jonathan Cohen, Professor of Philosophy
Waleck Dalpour, Chair and Professor of Business
Doug Rawlings, Director of Institutional Research and Founding Member, Veterans for Peace
Sarah Maline, Chair and Associate Professor, Art History
Moderated by Mellisa Clawson, Honors Director
*****
Feel free to bring your lunch, and attend all or part of the time. This should be an informative and interesting discussion.
Hope to see you there!
Peace,
Jade
The Prez
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Oh, the charges were dropped? How shocking. Not.
Judge Dismisses Cases Against Military Veterans and Anti-war Activists Following December 16th Washington, D.C. Arrests
For more information, contact: Ann Wilcox (202-441-3265)
Tarak Kauff (845-249-9489)
Washington, D.C. – January 4, 2011: Anti-war military veterans and other activists celebrated a breakthrough victory today in DC Superior Court, when charges were dropped, following arrests in front of the White House, on December 16, 2010. Over 131 people were arrested in a major veteran-led protest while participating in non-violent civil resistance in a driving snowstorm. US Park Police charged all 131 protesters with “Failure to Obey a Lawful Order,” when they refused to move. All remained fixed to the White House fence demanding an end to the continuing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and further US aggression in the region.
Among those arrested were members of the leadership of the national organizationVeterans for Peace , Pentagon Papers whistleblower Dr. Daniel Ellsberg; Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Chris Hedges; former senior CIA analyst Ray McGovern; and, Dr. Margaret Flowers, advocate for single-payer health care.
Forty-Two arrested opted to appear in court and go to trial with the first group appearing in DC Superior Court on January 4, 2011. Prosecutors from the DC Attorney General’s office stated that the Government “declined to file charges due to missing or incomplete police paperwork.” Presiding Magistrate Judge Richard Ringell confirmed that the cases were dropped and defendants were free to leave.
Those who participated in this action make this statement:
“This is clearly a victory for opposition to undeclared wars which are illegal under international law, have led to the destruction of societies in Iraq and Afghanistan, bled the US Treasury in a time of recession, and caused human rights violations against civilians and combatants. Many of us will return to Washington, DC, to support an action on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 to protest the continued use of Guantanamo detention facility, including torture of detainees in violation of international law.”
The defendants were represented by co-counsels Ann Wilcox, Esq. and Mark Goldstone, Esq. Ms. Wilcox stated: “clearly the Government and Police felt that these veterans and their supporters acted with the courage of their convictions, and did not wish to spend the time and funds necessary for a trial proceeding. This is a major victory for the peace movement.”
For more information visit www.stopthesewars.org or on facebook.
Monday, December 20, 2010
My friends were the ones in jail . . .
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Human Rights Film Series: Vol IV
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Move Bush's Book Where It Belongs!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Most Afghans haven't heard of 9/11 attacks!
KABUL — Most people in two key Afghan provinces that are witnessing the fiercest fighting between foreign forces and the Taliban have not heard of the September 11, 2001 attacks, according to a new survey.
Research conducted in the southern provinces of Helmand and Kandahar last month suggested 92 percent of the 1,000 respondents were unaware of the attacks on Washington and New York that prompted the US-led invasion of Afghanistan.
The findings, published late Friday by the International Council on Security and Development (ICOS) think tank, come as NATO leaders met in Lisbon to determine the transition of responsibility for security to Afghan forces.
But ICOS suggested that even after nine years of conflict, with military and civilian casualties at their highest, NATO still needs to do more to convince ordinary Afghans that their presence in the country is beneficial.
"We need to explain to the Afghan people why we are here and both show and convince them that their future is better with us than with the Taliban," ICOS president Norine MacDonald said in a statement.
A total of 42 percent of a further 500 men questioned in northern Parwan and Panjshir provinces were unable to name positive aspects of democracy.
The survey suggested that 40 percent of respondents in the south believe foreign troops are intent on destroying Islam or want to occupy or destroy the country.
A majority (61 percent) in Helmand and Kandahar were also pessimistic about the ability of the Afghan police and military to provide security after the transition.
And 81 percent said they believed Al-Qaeda -- which claimed responsibility for 9/11 from Afghanistan under Taliban protection -- would return if the militants regained power and would use Afghanistan to attack the West.
MacDonald said grassroots support was "critical" to the handover of powers.
"The international community must build an effective strategic collaboration with the local population that supports the military operation if we are to achieve a successful transition," she added.
"This would not only reformulate the security landscape but respects the sacrifices that Afghan people are making in the war."
Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The War Economy is Not Working for Me, and It's Probably Not Working for You
Courtesy of VP Nicole's blog, Musings on Activism
TAX SUPPORTED MILITARY SPENDING ($9-10 trillion in 2010)
•The United States spends more than the next 45 highest spending countries in the world combined.
•The United States accounts for 46.5 percent of the world’s total military spending.
•The United States spends on its military 7 times more than China, 13.3 times more than Russia, and 73 times more than Iran.
•The United States and its strongest allies (NATO, Japan, South Korea and Australia) spend close to $1.1 trillion on their militaries combined, representing 72 percent of the world’s total.
•The potential “enemies,” Iran, Russia, and China together account for about $169 billion or 24% of the US military budget.
A war economy is one built on the premise of perpetual war, making things that wear out and blow up, providing short-term employment – as opposed to a peace-time economy that devotes it resources to making things that people can actually use to better their lives, thereby perpetuating employment and prosperity rather than destruction.
Will fighting terrorists “over there” by invasion and occupation and the inevitable “collateral damage” succeed?
General McChrystal called it “insurgent math, for every innocent person you kill, you create 10 new enemies.”
Non-military spending produces far more bang for the buck:
•Each billion dollars of tax revenue allocated to tax cuts for personal consumption generates approximately 10,800 jobs.
•Investing the same amount in the military creates 8,500 jobs.
•Investing it in health care yields 12,900 jobs; in education, 17,700 jobs; in mass transit, 19,800 jobs; and in construction for home weatherization and infrastructure, 12,800 jobs.
 |
| People dropping the banner at the 2010 Veterans For Peace Convention in Portland Maine |
Monday, November 15, 2010
This week with P.A.in.T.
We will be tabling and offering people the chance to sign postcards to President Obama telling him that the war economy is NOT working for them, as well as creating a photo project started by P.A.in.T. Vice President, Nicole Moreau.
On Thursday, P.A.in.T. is inviting Will Hopkins, executive director of New Hampshire Peace Action, and Lisa Savage, Maine's CODE PINK co-ordinator, to the UMF campus to speak on these campaigns and tell their stories.
Will Hopkins and Lisa Savage
of NH Peace Action and CODEPINK Maine
7 p.m.
CR-123 in the Olsen Student Center
Here's Will at the VFP 25th Annual Convention in Portland, ME in August 2010:
Here's Lisa speaking at the rally on the final day of the same convention:
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Jade's Armistice Day Editorial
Turns out that Maine VFP were allowed to participate in the Veterans Day Parade in Portland, so long as they had no signs other than their identifying flag.
Happy Veterans Day. Now Go Wage Peace, Not War.
Walk for Peace: Happy Armistice Day
VETERANS FOR PEACE ARMISTICE DAY MESSAGE
November 11 is a cause for mixed emotions among those former members of the military who wish to permanently halt the horror of war.
A holiday in our name is indeed an honor, as was our service itself, but “Armistice” somehow still sounds more suitable. That word refers to the end of a conflict, the end of the killing, the maiming, the destruction, the inhumanity, the erosion of civilized personal behaviors that have taken centuries to mold. While “Armistice” does not connote lasting peace, at least it does connote a chance for societies to grasp hold of themselves and, if able, to pull back from the abyss.
Veterans For Peace, while grateful for the parades recognizing our duty and the ultimate sacrifice of our fallen comrades, would prefer a time of reexamination of the jaded justifications and obscene outcomes of the military causes we served. All too frequently those justifications have been morally insufficient to vindicate the malevolent international conflicts to which they gave such ignoble birth.
For these reasons Veterans For Peace gratefully acknowledges the heartfelt recognition which our nation solemnly offers us today. But we fervently urge that tomorrow our great nation devote its equally heartfelt and solemn attention and talents to the cessation of existing wars and to the prevention of similar calamities in the decades to come.
Kurt Vonnegut, the internationally acclaimed author from our country and a POW in Dresden during the Allied firebombing of that city in WWII, gives us something to think about on this day of remembrance.
"…November eleventh, accidentally my birthday, was a sacred day called Armistice Day. When I was a boy all the people of all the nations which fought in the First World War were silent during the eleventh minute of the eleventh hour of Armistice Day, which was the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
It was during that minute in nineteen hundred and eighteen, that millions upon millions of human beings stopped butchering one another. I've talked to old men who were on the battlefields during that minute. They have told me in one way or another that the sudden silence was the voice of God. So we still have among us some men who can remember when God spoke clearly to mankind.
Armistice Day has become Veteran's Day. Armistice Day was sacred. Veteran's Day is not…Armistice Day I will keep. I don't want to throw away any sacred things."
Walk for Peace: Day Eight
Tomorrow, the Veterans Day Parade in Portland. Should be interesting... Maine VFP have been told by the american Legion organizers of the Portland Veterans Day Parade that they cannot take part in the parade (sent by Jacqui Deveneau of Peace Action Maine)