2007 Jan Feb

Because People Matter Progressive News and Views

January / February 2007

Impeachment Is Not Optional And it will get their attention! By Jeanie Keltner

that Cheney refused to release crucially important national energy policy deliberations or identify the Impeachment is not optional. One doesn’t choose deliberators, this most secretive administration in hiswhether or not to enforce the law—unless you are Bush/ tory has ignored, thwarted, stonewalled, and rebuffed Cheney. And that is just the problem. all congressional demands for information. Sen. Patrick Impeachment was invented Leahy identified 65 such requests …the general US public in the 17th century to assert the White House has rejected or that the king was not above the seems unaware or indifferent refused to reply to (Bee, 11-24law. Edmund Randolph, the first 06). Without information there to this administration’s US Attorney General under the can be no oversight. new nation’s new Constitution When soon-to-be Speaker unprecedented attack on our argued for the impeachment Nancy Pelosi took impeachment constitutional protections power, observing “The Executive off the table she was misreading and liberties. will have great opportunity of the will of the voters who gave abusing his power; particularly the Dems their majority. in time of war when military force, and in some respects Remember the old joke about the man who bought the public money will be in his hands.” Indeed, under the a donkey the seller swore was controllable simply with cover of the War on Terrorism Bush/Cheney have grossly voice commands? When the mule refused to obey the abused their power. new owner’s order, he brought it back to the seller, who The system of checks and balances that protects us hit the mule with a big stick—and the mule then obeyed. against a tyrannical executive has broken down. To reas“I thought you said this mule would follow verbal comsert that balance, to restore the Constitution, to ensure mands,” the new owner said. “He will,” said the seller, accountability, to prevent the catastrophe of a wider war, “but first you have to get his attention.” impeachment proceedings against Bush/Cheney must We must agitate for impeachment because impeachbegin. ment is the fiery issue that will get their attention. Whose? The charges? Illegal wiretapping, manipulating intelIt will get the media’s attention. Corporate media ligence and lying to Congress and the American people is understandably reluctant to cover the many cans of to start an aggressive war, illegal detention and torture worms that will be opened in an impeachment investigaof thousands of innocent people, and gross negligence in tion because of their complicity in keeping these worms the prosecution of the war and in response to Hurricane hidden in their cans. Ordinary hearings and investigaKatrina—to start with. tions can be relegated to back pages or late night slots on A call for impeachment is first a call for investigacable news, but impeachment is headline material. tion—which is desperately needed. From the moment As such, it will get the larger public’s attention. The

Poster from w

ww.impeach

bush.org

November election showed that—miraculously—the voting public had broken through administration and media lies—the greatest propaganda system in history— to reject Bush/Cheney’s war. But as Nat Hentoff noted in an article on the 2006 Military Commissions Act—which takes away habeas corpus for those the president defines as “enemy combatants”—the general US public seems unaware or indifferent to this administration’s unprecedented attack on our constitutional protections and liberties. See Impeach, page 4

Sacramento’s Alpha Academy Mentoring community youth By Seth Sandronsky These are tough times for black youth in Sacramento and nationwide. They are more likely than other racial groups to live in poverty, be a murder victim, drop out of high school, be jobless and enter prison (www.jointcenter. org/publications1/publication-PDFs/Dellums%20PDFs/ FinalReport.pdf). Locally, there are people working on solutions to this social crisis. For example, the Sacramento chapter (Zeta Beta Lambda) of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has The Alpha Academy is a partnership with Cosumnes River College and the March of Dimes. launched the Alpha Academy, a partnership with ConPhoto: Seth Sandronsky sumnes River College and the March of Dimes. In a recent Alpha Academy meeting, local African chapter president. American men mentored black youngsters, ages 12 to To conclude the day’s activities, he led a lesson 18, to lead more positive and productive lives. The adults which involved the students listening to musician Kool emphasized to them the Alpha motto: “We have power; Moe Dee. As his music played, Taylor questioned the we will excel and we are in control.” youngsters on the content of the lyrics. Then he assigned This approach “helps us to youth to produce answers “We try to focus the youth on the make better decisions,” said Berdue back to him, in writing, in a nard Watts, age 12. Ashanti Jack- the consequences of their month. Editorials............................................. 2 son, age 13, agreed, appreciating The intergenerational union choices.” John Taylor, Alpha Getting Over the American Dream.... 3 newfound knowledge on “how of Sacramento’s Alpha Academy Art Exhibit: “Dark Metropolis”......... 4 to overcome everyday obstacles.” Academy chapter president. has its roots a century ago at In all, 32 local youth particiCornell University in upstate After the (Republicans) Fall................ 5 pated with eight mentors, one of whom is Christopher New York. In December 1906, seven students organized Poetry Out Loud................................. 6 Hicks, Alpha Academy co-director. He and the other Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the first intercollegiate fraPoem: “Tears”..................................... 6 mentors worked with the youngsters in small groups, ternity among African American men. Big Media Goes After More................ 7 discussing present and past conditions of African Alumni of Alpha Phi Alpha include the Rev. MarAmericans. tin Luther King Jr., Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Radioactive WMDs............................. 8 “We learned about African builders in the 1600s,” Marshall, and author and scholar W.E.B. Du Bois. The Out Now!............................................ 9 said Myles Taylor, age 12. Mike William, age 13, enjoyed Sacramento chapter of the national fraternity began in Book Reviews.................................... 10 “learning history about our ancestors.” 1954 under the leadership of Dr. George Stewart, a local Media Clipped................................... 11 Toward the end of the day, the youth tackled a dentist. hypothetical dilemma involving ethics and morals titled Currently, the Alpha Academy meetings are held Salute to Arline Prigoff..................... 11 “found money.” Later, these middle and high school stuone Saturday a month during a four-hour workshop in Peace Action...................................... 12 dents presented their findings and the reasons for them. the Learning Resources Center at CRC. Scholarships are Pentagon Spies.................................. 13 Travis Parker, CRC professor and track coach, diaavailable to high school students based on community Ugly Realities in Palestine............... 14 logued with the youngsters during their presentations. service, academic excellence and financial need, accordHe queried them on their opinions, and urged soft-spoing to Taylor. Calendar............................................ 15 ken students to speak up. For more information, call (916) 691-7636. Progressive Media............................. 16 “We try to focus the youth on the consequences Seth Sandronsky is a co-editor with Because People of their choices,” added John Taylor, Alpha Academy Matter.

Inside this issue:

 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER January / February 2007 www.bpmnews.org because

People Matter

Volume 16, Number 1 Published Bi-Monthly by the Sacramento Community for Peace & Justice P.O. Box 162998, Sacramento, CA 95816 (Use addresses below for correspondence) Editorial Group: Jacqueline Diaz, JoAnn Fuller, Seth Sandronsky Coordinating Editor for this Issue: Jacqueline Diaz Editor-at-Large: Jeanie Keltner Design and Layout: Ellen Schwartz and Dale Crandall-Bear Calendar Editor: Chris Bond Advertising and Business Manager: Edwina White Distribution Manager: Paulette Cuilla Subscription Manager: Kate Kennedy

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On the cover Local youth in the Alpha Academy at Cosumnes River College. Photo: Seth Sandronsky

Editorial

Jacqueline Diaz, Coordinating Editor for this issue

A New Year for Change It is a new year. We have a new Congress, a tions between race and class, culture and new Defense Secretary, new agendas, some policy in the US and abroad. fresh faces in the political landscape and Overall, King’s vision required unconthe chance for a fresh start at defeating old ventional thinking, a willingness to embrace problems—and there change and ensured “In this new year, let something that the guiding are many of them. In this issue of BPM, inform you. Let something force at the head of many writers share progressive action inspire you. Let something ideas for approachremain the goal of enrage or propel you towards ing some of these old peace and well-being positive action.” problems—the war for others. It is not in Iraq, classism, civil an easy vision to rights, human rights, civil liberties, social jus- achieve, but ideal to consider. tice—by offering new information, highlightSo let’s consider where the US is headed. ing opportunities for activism or calling for Right now, it doesn’t seem too peaceful. In his some personal reflection. article, “Out Now” (centerfold), Jeff Kravitz Also in this issue are quotes from Dr. considers the US role in Iraq, while Dorothy Martin Luther King, Jr. in honor of Black His- and Richard Wake (page 5) take a look at the tory Month. These quotes should serve as a changing political climate post-November reminder of King’s mission, vision and aware- elections. Sacramento Media Group’s Charness of the flawed US economic and politilene Jones gives the 411 on the threat to “Net cal system. King’s goals were not bound to Neutrality” in the new congressional year race relations alone, but were instead keenly (page 7) as Dan Bacher shows just how out of informed by the relationships and intersechand US government spying has gotten here

in Sacramento (page 13). But it is not just about legislative politics or scandal. Our focus really remains on the people affected. Paolo Bassi discusses access to affordable home ownership (page 3); Seth Sandronsky shows how one area program is reaching out to black youth (page 1) and Maggie Coulter and Brigitte Jaensch describe some tough realities about what is happening to people in the current Iraq war (pages 8-9) and Israeli/Palestinian conflict (page 14). Read these articles, and consider how we can move in a better direction. Answer the question: How can we support and foster positive action in our community, in the US or abroad? In this new year, let something inform you. Let something inspire you. Let something enrage or propel you towards positive action. Be encouraged by truth and the promise of our young people. The theme for this issue is “A Different World is Possible”, but this is only true if we can imagine it to be so and work for the changes required.

HELP BPM expand its circle of influence By Jeanie Keltner, editor-at-large I still remember the afternoon over 15 years ago widely in our growing area through a new com(!) when the first subscription to the new version mercial distributor. of Because People Matter appeared in my mailWe need some new subscriptions (coupon on box. We, the new editors—a small group of folks page 2) to help us expand our circle of influence. from different peace and justice groups—were If you’re a subscriber already, then send BPM to so gratified. None of us had a friend or relative—either done a newspaper before and “BPM has always to support or bedevil them. we had been up most of the But you don’t have to subchallenged the official night putting out our first scribe; you can continue to lies and distortions that pick up BPM at your usual issue. But with that check in hand, we had that if you place—and, to say thanks dominate corporate build it they will come feelfor all those free papers, just media.” ing. We had hoped the new send a contribution to 403 BPM would fill a need in 21st St, Sacramento, 95814. Sacramento, and we took that first quick response Every bit helps! as a sign. The election showed that many people have Now, a decade and a half later, with many awakened from their propaganda-induced ignothousands of hours of work by hundreds of long rance. In the face of the most powerful mind conand short term unpaid volunteers, you’d have trol system in history, we progressives have done to say BPM has become a (minor) institution in an amazing thing: we’ve brought a traumatized Sacramento and the surrounding areas. and fear-mongered country to reject not only I like to say BPM is the non-Fox news, and this war, but to question military responses in BPM has always challenged the official lies and general. Progressive media (see BPM’s back page) distortions that dominate corporate media. Thus has been a big part of this turn-around. So please BPM readers through the years have had much help us grow. needed info about NAFTA and school privatizaThe Chinese book of wisdom, the I Ching, tion and Afghanistan and Iraq, or peak oil, the says: “Many people fail on the verge of succeedliving wage, Palestine, the Zapatistas, Venezuela, ing. So attend to the ending as you do to the 9/11, Social Security, abortion rights, genetically beginning.” Many of us may be feeling worn engineered food, local union campaigns, and down by six years of determined opposition to depleted uranium—to name just a few from a this unresponsive, despotic, dangerous Bush long list. regime. Even so, now it’s time for everybody to I’d also like to say that no matter how awful take a deep breath and move at least one more some of the news we have printed is, it has, step forward from wherever they are right now. unfortunately, always turned out to be true. Our Toward justice. Toward peace. news, in general, is the bad news and the good news is that the bad news is getting out and peoOther things you can do: ple are acting to change things. A different world • Call Congress: 800-828-0498, 800-459-1887 is possible! To this end, BPM has worked hard to or 800-614-2803. advance the efforts and issues of local progressive • Wear a peace button (get them at the Sunday activist groups. Farmers Market at W and 8th in Sacramento). That’s why I feel confident in asking for your • Put a peace sign in your window. support. BPM gets around town through a net• Pick up two or three BPMs next time and work of dedicated volunteers who take awkward give them to friends or volunteer to help distribbundles to your neighborhood café, library, or ute (call 422 1787 for more info). store. We want this wonderful crew to keep work• Get on Peace Action’s email list to be notified ing, but we also want to try to reach out more of speakers and marches—and then come out!

In Memoriam Ruth Holbrook As we prepared to go to press, the staff of Because People Matter was saddened to learn of the death of Ruth Holbrook, a tireless activist for our community, labor, peace and justice. Ruth died on December 1, after a 3 1/2 year battle with breast cancer. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan 20, 1pm. Central Labor Council, 2840 El Centro Rd, Sacramento. For more information, please call George McAdow, 456-9282.

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www.bpmnews.org January / February 2007 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER

Getting Over the “American Dream” Class and housing in America By Paolo Bassi

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lions of workers due to falling real wages, the loss he much lauded “American Dream” of well-paid jobs, and the recent property boom. has become part of and reinforces the In the last 10 years property prices have more than dominant capitalist ideology imposed by doubled, only slowing down marginally in 2006. corporate and political US elites. This powerful In the Sacramento region only about 20% of the dream has cleverly seduced Americans for nearly working population can even qualify for a median a century. It encourages working and middle class priced home. Working class Americans have been Americans to work hard and better themselves priced out of the market. The ability to live in secusocially by joining the propertied classes. In the rity and raise a family, relatively easy 30 years ago, US, having the security of a house, something is becoming a privilege of the wealthy. very basic to a decent life, has But the property boom been turned into a life-conhas benefited some. Existing The idea that owning suming aspiration. property owners feel wealthier The American Dream has a house and tending and have access to cash through also been used to reduce class- the lawn on weekends refinancing. Home builders, awareness and class-based mortgage companies, realty vaults working class politics amongst US workers. agents and loan brokers all benfamilies into the The idea that owning a house efited from encouraging people and tending the lawn on middle class is fantasy. to enter the market at its peak. weekends vaults working class The federal government families into the middle class also recklessly encouraged the is fantasy. The definition of working class is based property boom. Since almost two-thirds of the US on a lack of independent sources of income and economy is domestic spending, Washington has having little or no independence at work. So the partially masked manufacturing job losses by fuelnotion that home-owning workers will suddenly ing a consumer boom made possible by re-financstart living meaningful, more secure lives is an ing and equity loans. This policy created record illusion plastered over real class division. In fact, personal debt levels, which, coupled with interthe debt of home-ownership often shackles work- est-only mortgages, have become major economic ers even more. liabilities There is little doubt that long-term, home Beside the obvious unaffordability of decent ownership is financially advantageous due to tax housing, there are other troubling long-term politibenefits, rising values, and no rent in old age. cal and economic effects of the recent boom. First, However, this argument is in danger if property many who purchased using “exotic” mortgages values keep rising and people are unable to pay are losing their homes now that loan terms have their mortgage over one working life. And as changed, leading many middle and working class home buyers are financing bigger price tags, families into bankruptcy. inter-generational mortgages of 50 or more years More broadly, if we regard housing as a right may become the norm, as in Japan. in a meaningful democracy, then pricing out most Beyond being flawed and unquestioned, the people will lead to social insecurity and instabilAmerican Dream is slipping out of reach for mil- ity. However, unaffordable housing is only part

Working Class Art & Culture New museum in the works By Jeanie Keltner

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hat a great idea! Kudos to Joe Moore, the founder and director, and Allen Warren, the New Faze developer, who propose a truly imaginative way to revitalize the Del Paso Blvd. area: the California Central Valley Museum of Working Class Art and Culture. That’s a mouthful to say, and there will be another mouthful when the museum opens in 2008 because the museum will feature the Edible Gallery. This gallery will showcase the produce and cheeses from small-scale local farmers and farmers’ markets as they appear in the food traditions of the 50 or so different races and ethnicities that Moore has identified in the Central Valley. The museum will also feature special events and programs as well as function as a research center, complete with a research library onsite. The arts and traditions of the Central Valley’s wildly diversified population, including the first inhabitants, rarely make it into the museums—and yet they are the living culture that has shaped the unique quality of our area. This museum aims to highlight the culture, contributions and diversity of the working class to Central Valley life. Paintings, baskets, photographs, costumes, books, “traditions from home countries,” and the rich musical landscape of the valley—blues, country, zydeco, folk dance, border ballads—all will find a home in this treasure trove of peoples’ creativity—a resource for students, scholars, and the general public. We’ll be waiting for the opening!

Photos Top: Ronnie Stewart, left, executive director, Bay Area Blues Society, and Sacramento bluesman Guitar Mac, perform at the reception announcing plans for the California Central Valley Museum of Working Class Art and Culture. Bottom: the architect’s concept of the museum/residential/ restaurant complex planned for Del Paso Blvd. at El Camino. photos: Ellen Schwartz

of a larger pattern of increasing insecurity for Americans. Economic globalization in the last two decades has slashed worker living standards in every free market economy. Even as better off workers and the middle classes hang on with bleeding fingers, Americans should recognize that Third Worldization is well underway in the US. Those who doubt this only need look at corporations like WalMart, which, while registering record profits, burden workers with low wages, and greater health and pension costs. According to the cold logic of global capitalism, without a valid business or political reason, there is simply no reason to safeguard workers’ living standards anywhere or anytime. Unaffordable housing means that wealthy individuals and property corporations can accumulate more rental properties, extend their power and increase the wealth gap. This wealth gap is now the same as it was in the late 1920s. The property-based wealth gap is also exacerbated by the tax write-off of mortgage interest. The more expensive the home, the greater the subsidy, while new homeowners are burdened with high property taxes. Another effect of prohibitive home prices is increasing racial and class segregation as the wealthy gentrify and close the doors on the poor, immigrants and minorities. The idea of equal citizenship becomes meaningless with half the population tucked out of sight. There’s only one conclusion. The American Dream is defunct and damages the interests of working people. Let’s discard the myth that home ownership is a passport to the middle class. A new political approach to housing based on reality, not dreams, is needed—one that regards housing as a right central to a decent life. Paolo Bassi is an attorney and free-lance writer based in Sacramento.

Sacramento Progressive Events Calendar on the Web

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Labor, Peace, Environment, Human Rights, Solidarity… Send calendar items to Gail Ryall,.



 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER January / February 2007 www.bpmnews.org

Dark Metropolis Irving Norman’s social surrealism at Crocker By Ellen Broms

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ho would have imagined that the Crocker Art Museum would take a chance on showcasing a little known anti-war artist? Artist Irving Norman was born in 1906 and died in 1989. He was an immigrant from Eastern Europe. He fought in the Spanish Civil War with the Abraham Lincoln Brigade and saw action at the battle of Ebro in 1938. One third of the American volunteers died during the war from 1936-1939. For much of his life Norman was tailed by the FBI because he was a veteran of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade and considered subversive by J. Edgar Hoover because of the Brigade’s link to the Communist Party. Norman was a visionary. His paintings are enormous depictions of human suffering. The “graphic” nature of Norman’s work has made it a controversial exhibit. Museum-goers are

invited to leave notes and what they write reveals the intensity of feeling aroused by Norman’s work. Visitors note their visceral reactions to the work and agree with critic Michael Duncan that Norman’s paintings From Work, 1977. Lithograph. Editions Press, 20x25 inches. are “jaw-dropCourtesy Hela Norman pingly effective social indictments” (Art in America, July 2003). Exhibit visitors agree with Norman’s art is wonderful in form and color critic Michael Duncan that viewed from a distance, while mesmerizing up close. An ultimate technician, Norman includes Norman’s paintings are thousands of individual figures (mostly nude) “jaw-droppingly effective in his drawings and social indictments.” paintings. In his major work, “War and Peace,” even the blades of Books, 2006) released with the opening of the grass are screaming. exhibit is available for purchase at the Crocker Crocker now owns two store. Pictures of Norman’s work and essays by of Irving Norman’s art essayist/critic Michael Duncan, professor of works. One is in the American art and culture Charles Eldredge, longpermanent collection time curator Patricia Junker, and Crocker’s own on the second floor; chief curator Scott Shields are included. An excelthe other is in the cur- lent resource to study an artist whose aim, he said rent exhibition and was “to tell the truth of our time.” will be traveling for the Crocker director, Lial Jones, and chief curaduration of the show tor, Scott Shields, must receive credit for mountbefore its return to ing this outstanding retrospective and the book Sacramento. accompanying the show. The Crocker exhibit The book Dark of “Dark Metropolis” ends January 7, 2007. The Metropolis edited by exhibit will still be in California, making its next Ray Day and Scott stop in Pasadena. For more information, visit War Wounded, 1942. Graphite, color pencil. 22x30 inches. Shields (Heyday <www.irvingnorman.com> Courtesy Hela Norman.

Impeach

from page 1

A CNN poll reported that “most Americans do not believe the Bush administration has gone too far…in restricting civil liberties as part of the war on terror.” Constitutional law professor Jonathan Turley writes: “The strange thing is, we’ve become sort of constitutional couch potatoes. I mean, Congress just gave the president…despotic powers…and you could hear the yawn across the country…” (Bee 11-24-06). Impeachment and the media furor it will generate will awaken

these sleepers to the gravity of our situation, to support the war. And possibly any war. how close we are to losing the liberties that have Former US attorney General Ramsey Clark, defined this country. our moral conscience since Viet Nam, wrote: Impeachment will also get the attention of “Congressional proceedings for impeachment our allies as well as our current enemies around can bring about open, fearless consideration of the world. It will act as an apology, a repudiation the most dangerous acts and threats ever comon the part of the rest of the country of a corrupt mitted by an American President. If courageously lying administration, proof that we reject these pursued, they can save our Constitution, the lawless men and their despotic actions. United Nations, the rule of law, the lives of countAnd it will get the White House’s attention. less people, and leave open the possibility of Impeachment will be the stake driven through peace on earth. Each of us must take a stand on the heart of an administration whose crimes impeachment now, or bear the burden of having range from massive corruption to crimes against failed to speak in this hour of maximum peril.” humanity—especially since it nullifies the presi dent’s pardon power. If we had been more thorGo online, educate yourself further, and ough in prosecuting Iran–Contra—similarly a sign the impeachment petitions. Use these toll criminal executive branch defying congressional free numbers (800-828-0498, 800-459-1887 or power—these same perpetrators, pardoned by 800-614-2803) to call your Congress members the first Bush, would not be once again striding frequently. Get friends to call. And keep your eye the halls of power. We can be sure that the abuses out for impeachment demonstrations. As in the we know about aren’t the only ones—there are Viet Nam period, Congress didn’t want to end the still many “unknowns.” war or impeach Nixon. The people forced both Impeachment will also help the Democrats issues. We must do the same. be better democrats. Even after the strong repudiation of Bush/Cheney at the polls, Bush/Cheney still have all the power and are dangerous to confront. And legislators are www.afterdowningstreet.org/petition rarely courageous. I’m not afraid of impeachwww.usalone.com/impeachment_investigation.php ment disrupting Congress because I don’t www.impeachbush.tv/impeach/ have much faith that Dems will give us what www.impeachbush.org/ we want. Whether because Bush/Cheney’s www.petitiontoimpeach.com/ illegal wiretapping turned up such good dirt www.petitiononline.com/lp001/petition.html on our legislators or whether they simply www.petitiononline.com/DropBush/petition.html agree with (too) many Bush/Cheney posihttp://democrats.com/impeach-petition. tions, the Dems have been unimpressive in www.afterdowningstreet.org/downloads/petition www.democrats.com/peoplesemailnetwork/88 their plans for the new Congress, especially in their waffling about the war. California petition: When an impeachment investigation www.gopetition.com/online/8849.html exposes the dark deeds connected with Bush/ Cheney’s hideous war, it will be impossible to

Let’s Impeach Bush

www.bpmnews.org January / February 2007 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER



After the (Republican’s) Fall What now? A post-election analysis By Dorothy L. Wake & Richard R. Wake

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tice of big business writing laws that Congress passes), raise the hourly federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25, cut student loan interest rates in half, broaden federally-supported stem cell research, and permit government to negotiate lower Medicare drug prices. In order for Pelosi to become House Speaker, key House Republicans supporting the Bush agenda were defeated—like anti-environment Richard Pombo (Tracy, CA). Some challengers didn’t win, but they gave us cause to celebrate: Charlie Brown gave Congressman John Doolittle a run for his money, and even though Doolittle “squeaked by,” this close election demonstrates Doolittle’s vulnerability the next go-around. And Dr. Bill Durston’s challenge of Congressman Dan Lungren was commendable. Charlie and Bill: Hope to see you again! We need you! And on the Senate side, we can celebrate what Bush himself described as “a thumpin’” of the likes of Senators Mike DeWine (OH), Rick Santorum (PA), Jim Talent (MO), and George Allen (VA)—while celebrating the win of progressives such as Bernie Sanders, newly elected US Senator from Vermont. Sanders, described by The Nation as “the most prominent democratic socialist in America,” previously served eight terms in the House of Representatives and is a champion for the working class, the environment, universal healthcare, civil liberties, and peace. This past election was about change—especially about changing direction in Iraq. But it is also widely viewed as being more against Bush than being for the Democratic Party. Indeed, the newly elected Democratic leaders will have a short honeymoon if they continue to give us more of the same by acting like Republicans and failing to show leadership and unity in drastically changing course. Because after all is said and done, corporations remain firmly in control. And, although Pelosi has stated that impeachment is “off the table,” the people need to demand that it be placed squarely on the table and that Congress fulfill its constitutional responsibilities. Dorothy L. Wake is a Sacramento area writer and poet, and author of Mother Jones, Revolutionary Leader of Labor and Social Reform www. xlibris.com or www.amazon.com. Richard R. Wake is an elected member of the Sacramento County Democratic Central Committee.

K—we have a very imperfect political each of the seven newly established trustee system that, under the Bush regime, has areas—the same model of representation used degenerated into something even many for every other elected office. Republicans no longer recognize. Yet we must work with what we have now while simultaneState: ously working for a truly democratic system that Yes—four more years for “The Terminastands for economic/social/ tor” due to Phil political justice. So, that said, Angelides’ very This past election was about is there anything about the inept and weak November 2006 elections we change—especially about campaign and can celebrate? of Demochanging direction in Iraq. But lack Time will tell. But the cratic Party unity it is also widely viewed as being in providing key news has been so bad for so long, even a glimmer of support for their more against Bush than being something better—somegubernatorial for the Democratic Party. thing with potential for candidate. But restoring the balance of the voters of power and reigning in an California saw out-of-control puppet president and his regime through pro-Diebold voting machine Secretary standard-bearers offers some hope. And causes of State Bruce McPherson. Debra Bowen was for hope and celebration exist right here in “River clearly the best choice to ensure voting system City.” accuracy and security, improving campaign contribution disclosures to candidates and ballot Local: initiatives, and expanding voter registration and “There’s a new sheriff in town”—his name participation. is Assemblyman Dave Jones. (So he’s not really Debra Bowen—the only woman elected to the sheriff, but he’s certainly earned the title as a state constitutional office—and John Chiang, the Democrat for other local Dems to look up newly elected Controller, represent fresh faces to.) Jones deserves a major portion of credit for of leadership and much-needed diversity in defeating Measures Q & R (Arena taxes) and California’s Democratic Party. kudos for championing working people/families. On two more positive notes, extremist Tom At best, local Democratic Party unity is McClintock (Lt. Governor Candidate) and Proplukewarm. But on Measures Q & R, there was no osition 85 (presented as parental notification, but Party unity. The Sacramento County Democratic was an initial step in chipping away reproductive Central Committee formally opposed these mea- rights) were defeated. sures, while local Democratic officials (including those holding non-partisan offices—e.g., City Nationally: Council and County Supervisor) openly and California will make history by producing vigorously supported the measures. And these the first female Speaker of the House. Nancy local Democrats have lost considerable credibility Pelosi isn’t perfect—there can be no “10s” in our within the community. But their loss of credibilcurrent system of campaign financing and elecity doesn’t stop with the disunity they displayed toral politics. But she voted against using miliwith Measures Q & R. For the most part, these tary force against Iraq (House Joint Resolution are the same Democrats who have been known to 114, Oct. 10, 2002). And she, along with Rep. endorse conservative Republicans. John Murtha and others, is calling for redeployIf Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is ing troops from Iraq. expected to enforce party unity on issues that are Speaker Pelosi’s goal is to pass six priority important to reversing the present course at the bills during the short period prior to Bush’s State federal level, then unity must be expected among of the Union address. These measures would local Democrats to tackle real issues that affect toughen House ethics rules (end current pracworking people/families. And despite the Sacramento Bee’s unwarranted and lone opposition, Sacramento voters can congratulate themselves on passing Measures J & K. Every area of the Sacramento City Unified http://www.worldcantwait.org – The World Can’t Wait—Drive School District will now have equal representaOut the Bush Regime tion. One trustee will now be elected from within http://www.pdamerica.org – Progressive Democrats of America http://www.democrats.com – “Aggressive Progressives” http://democraticleader.house.gov – Newly elected Speaker Pelosi To voice our priorities to Congress, faxed signed letters are fastest and http://www.votersforpeace.us carry equal weight as “snail mail” letters: http://www.votetrustusa.org – National network of statebased organizations working for secure, accurate and transSenator Barbara Boxer: FAX: Sacramento office: 916-448-2563 (no parent elections. Washington, D.C. FAX) - Phone: D.C. office: 202-224-3553, Sacramento

Related websites:

Write Your Reps!

office: 916-448-2787. Website: http://boxer.senate.gov

Senator Dianne Feinstein: FAX: Washington, D.C. office: 202-228-3954 - Phone: 202-224-3841. Website: http://feinstein.senate.gov House of Representatives contact info: http://www.house.gov Here are the sites to representatives in the Sacramento Region Doris Matsui, Democrat, Fifth Congressional District http://matsui.house.gov/ Dan Lungren, Republican, Third Congressional District http://lungren.house.gov/ Jerry McNerney, Democrat, Eleventh Congressional District http://www.jerrymcnerney.org John Doolittle, Republican, Fourth Congressional District http://doolittle.house.gov/ Mike Thompson, Democrat, First Congressional District http://mikethompson.house.gov

CAAC Goes to the Movies

Almost Every Month The Central America Action Committee shows interesting and informative videos on social justice, labor struggles, and so much more! Call to see what’s playing this month… WE ALSO HAVE A VIDEO LIBRARY YOU CAN CHECK OUT. 1640 9th Ave (east off Land Park Dr) INFO: 446-3304

 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER January / February 2007 www.bpmnews.org

Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest Tears Sacramento Youth Competing By Jacqueline Diaz Capitol Outreach for a Moratorium on the Death Penalty. Third Mondays, 11:30am to 1:30pm. L Street at 11th. We bring petitions, literature and banners. You bring yourselves. Cafe nearby for coffee after the vigil. INFO: 447-7754

Peace Action on the Web Keep up to date on peace activism in Sacramento. Check out

www.sacpeace.org.

Poetry is alive again in US classrooms. From navigate and find the intersection between clasCalifornia to Wyoming and Florida, high school sical recitation and contemporary performance students are studying, memorizing and perpractices. Through their recitations, they answer forming poems in class, on stage and in county where for them the lines between poetry and and state-wide competitions. And all the while, drama end or if they do at all. students are actually starting to have fun with This year and last, I was honored to help poetry—finding its humor, heartache and reflecguide students through the competition process tive narratives relate to their lives. as a poet-teacher. Each school I’ve visited has In 2005 the National Endowment for the had students with promise, hope and aspiraArts and Poetry Foundation began a pilot projtions shining through memorized verse. I’ve ect, called Poetry Out been stunned by the Loud, where Washdramatic talents of Each school I’ve visited has ington DC area high students like Ashleigh had students with promise, school students comYaya at San Juan High, peted in a poetry recimoved when Natomas hope and aspirations shining tation contest. Recited Charter’s Yuliya Prithrough memorized verse. poems reflected a wide lepina took on John range of styles, genres Ashbery, and delighted and time periods, and each poem was brought to by the rich performance abilities of students at life through student performances. Luther Burbank High. I also remember students Arts Chairman Dana Gioia and Poetry Foun- who didn’t make it to state finals but gave a dation President John Barr recognized the need part of their heart to their poem, and instead to revitalize poetry instruction in classrooms and wanted to support a program incorporating the performance aspects of popular poetry trends like spoken word and slam. Gioia and Barr also made a point to ensure contemporary and canonical works were eligible for the competition so that students could choose from working poets to “the dead guys.” Last year Poetry Out Loud expanded, and the national competition had student representatives from each US state compete in DC. Each state created a plan for selecting a state winner. For the program’s first year, the California Arts Council focused on involving schools in the Sacramento region. Ken Huffman, senior at Elk Grove High School, became state champion, solidly representing California at nationals last spring. Poetry Out Loud continues to expand as states find ways for students from various regions and counties to compete. In California this year, over a dozen Above and left: photos of Sacramento spoken word artist counties from southTerry Moore, whose poem appears ern to northern Caliin the next column. fornia will participate, Photos: www.terrymoore.info including Sacramento County. Through the Sacramento County Office of Education, area schools are engaging in of frowning, bolstered their winning classmate. the program, ready to take on a widened comThese are only a few strong memories from the petitive field. 2006 competition, who knows what students will Students competing in the recitation conhave in store this year! test are judged on six elements, ranging from For more information on Poetry Out Loud, evidence of understanding to appropriateness visit www.poetryoutloud.org and the Sacramento of dramatization. Preparation for competition County Office of Education, www.scoe.net. involves formal practice, workshops, explication, Jacqueline Diaz is a California Poets in the and sometimes tips from school drama teachers Schools (CPITS) poet working with Sacramento or teacher-poets from California Poets in the area students for the Poetry Out Loud National Schools. Key to the program is getting students to Recitation Contest.

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By Terry Moore I have seen the tears in a single mother’s eyes She was crying at the politics that prevented her from the good life Or at least simply a life that was half-way good Her tears flooded the hood Drenched the future Washed away the positive hope that was attempting to be born She was eager but torn Between trying to be politically correct And trying to protect Her own dignity Her own pride Her own integrity Her feelings inside Finally She illegally attempted to purse a can of Similac Looking over her shoulder as she jammed it into her backpack Because it would not fit into her tiny ripped purse What could be worse? Only her getting caught Stealing a can of Similac for her baby that could have been bought Only she gave into the politics and lost her religion Gave into a bad decision And now her babies will suffer and see That their momma wanted to, but couldn’t be That mother who provided everything And we just continue to sing Dance Juggle Run races Open barbeque joints Overlook tear covered faces We just keep Passing from hand to hand funding opportunities Focusing on spinning rims instead of spending in our communities I’ve seen the tears of a single mother Left to turn left instead of right by a frustrated lover Reaching into empty air Crying rivers that fail to find folks who care And we dare to mention the budget to sore ears And we squeeze funds for our highly regarded peers But what about that single mother She won’t be vacationing in Europe or on the beaches of Jamaica or Spain It’s more than plain Can’t we change? Can’t we feed our single mothers? So they can cope Can’t we re-vote? Or revoke? Yes, I’ve seen the tears And now my tears combined Are rinsing away our chances Cut the political dances Let’s stand still for a moment Because the last dance Could be the last dance That turns off the music on our children’s lives! Terry Moore is a spoken word artist living in Sacramento. A slam champion, Moore also works for the Center for Fathers and Families. www.terrymoore. info

www.bpmnews.org January / February 2007 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER

Big Media Goes After More

Congress to battle over “net neutrality,” media deregulation By Charlene Jones

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etwork neutrality, media consolidation? AT&T would not be required to negotiate with Sounds like trivial concerns of web surf- local governments on how to best serve a city ers or TV junkies distressed about their or county. They would be menu choices as the new Congress wrestles with given a national franchise, issues beyond measure in their consequence for with little local accountability the future. The stink hole of war, nuclear madand few, if any, public interest ness, an exiled habeas corpus, millions in poverty requirements to American and a heating planet, is only their short list. communities. Nevertheless, try imagining this. What if Cleared away by years of information about these controversial dilemmas “regulatory relief,” public interis selected, produced and distributed by only est obligations of broadcasters three or four media conglomerates? How about and media concentration proInternet providers excluding web sites of their tections have been eradicated, choosing or speedier travel to selected destinaaccording to the public policy tions available only to those who can pay more? group New American FoundaSuppose Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp’s oversaw tion. In the 1980s the Federal not only Sacramento’s Fox 40 television station, Communications Commission but owned the Sacramento Bee and held licenses (FCC) eliminated rules concerning commercial for the region’s radio stations? time limitations, ascertainment of community While watchers of the shift in Congress hope problems and non-entertainment requirements for progress on many fronts, potential changes to while creating a simplified license renewal applithe nation’s telecommunication law and media cation containing only five questions. It found regulations should worry many because these market forces sufficient to regulate both comimaginings are all mercial and non-compossible. mercial broadcasters, “The consequence of losing This past year and repealed the Fairaccess to diverse sources of Congress tried to pass ness Doctrine which an overhaul of telecom- Internet, television and radio had been established to munication law that ensure that all coverage fare is dire to a democracy would allow telephone of controversial issues nourished by free information.” by a broadcast station and cable companies to compete in offering be balanced and fair. phone, high-speed After that the 1996 Internet access and video services. In the name of Telecommunications Act, promoting a “competicompetition, telecom giants sought the legal pre- tive marketplace,” paved the way for the FCC to rogative to give premium service to content prorelax media concentration rules in 2003 allowing viders willing to pay for faster delivery—Yahoo, one company to own eight radio stations, three for example, if it paid up, would have a speedier TV stations, the only daily paper, the dominant search engine than Google. According to news cable TV provider and the largest Internet service accounts (The Atlanta Constitution, 9/22/06, San provider in a community. It took a federal court decision and Congress, moved by public outcry, to push back this last regulatory purge. However, worries have not ceased. Media ownership is again under review and according to FCC Commissioner Michael Copps; the battle against corporate domination will be difficult. Commissioners who support increased diversity and oppose further ownership concentration are outnumbered, and have difficulty getting information from the federal agency they serve. According to The Associated Press (9/14/06), a report suggesting ownership concentration would harm local TV was ordered destroyed by the FCC. The study, initiated in 2003, had analyzed data from thousands of broadcast news stories gathered by the Pew Foundation’s Project for Excellence in Journalism. Subsequent investigations by public interest organizations, the Benton Foundation and Social Science Research Council, as well as the media reform group FreePress, also concluded reducing restrictions on media ownership would not generate better This fine documentary by Robert Kane Pappas presents or more local and diverse broadcast a good picture of the effects of media consolidation. content. They strongly suggested ownership rules should be tightened, not Francisco Chronicle, 9/8/06), the industry will loosened. try again during this congressional session. The FCC and Congress will address media Public interest advocates like Consumrights of way and ownership matters fundamental ers Union and Common Cause want laws that to American discourse. If net neutrality is comrequire network neutrality where companies promised, corporate control of the Internet could handle all content in the same way, protecting reduce choices and stifle independence now an open network and its vast informational fare. expected from the digital world. If current ownConsumers would retain the liberty to choose ership rules are eliminated, communities could sites and services they prefer, not only the ones become “company towns,” where one media doing business with their service provider. conglomerate dominates the dialogue. Americans Proposed federal law would also open the rely on locally owned newspapers and TV for door for phone company competition with cable news. Protection of their rights to their airwaves and satellite vendors by using their wire networks and to information from wide-ranging sources is to offer television. Mammoth corporations like up for grabs. It is at risk in proposed telecommu-

nication bills and deregulation efforts escorted by very large, very moneyed media corporations, standing to make billions more. The consequence of losing access to diverse sources of Internet, television and radio fare is dire to a democracy nourished by free information. Tell the media industry, the FCC and Congress, corporate concentration and limits to information threaten this nation and its people. Charlene Jones is a member of Sacramento Media Group and the writing team for Project Censored. For more info: JoAnn Fuller at California Common Cause 443-1792 Sacramento Media Group smg@commoncause. org; 443-1792. www.commoncause.org www.freepress.net www.fcc.gov

The Glossary: “Network Neutrality” is the Internet’s First Amendment, a principle that prevents companies like AT&T or Comcast from deciding which websites work best for you based on which sites are paying them the most. “Media Consolidation” is a media landscape controlled by a handful of massive corporations leading to little diversity in viewpoint, diminished local programming, and increasingly homogenized information.



 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER January / February 2007 www.bpmnews.org

Radioactive WMDs

Widespread disaster in the making By Maggie Coulter

DU has created a major health crisis affecting our state and local governments. “The use of radioactive materials in weaponry is a disaster for the planet”, said Leuren Moret speaking at the Newman Center in Sacramento on November 13. Moret is an international expert on the effects of radiation on public health and on the environment. She explained the development of “depleted” uranium (DU), its use and atmospheric contamination

From S.F. peace march, 2003

to raise public awareness of the problem. The adjective “depleted,” clarified Moret, is a technical term used for Uranium 238, a by-product from the production of enriched uranium (U-235). U-238 has a half-life of 4.5 billion years, making it longer-lasting than U-235 which has a half-life of 704 million years. In her November appearance on Sacramento Soapbox, Moret explained that DU and Agent Orange were developed in 1943 as part of the Manhattan Project. DU is not a thermonuclear weapon, but a radiological one used to produce dirty bombs, dirty missiles, and dirty bullets that spread radiation as a poison gas. Because DU

30mm munitions—jackets and penetrators, made with depleted uranium. photo: United Nations Environmental Program

“Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind.” —Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.

is dense, it penetrates heavy armor to destroy tanks, planes, and personnel carriers. Upon impact DU aerosolizes into tiny radioactive particles; very small doses of these particles can cause genetic changes, neurological damage, cancer, and other diseasLeuren Moret es, noted Moret. There photo: courtesy Leuren Moret is no effective clothing or gas mask to prevent humans from absorbing DU. soldiers,” said Moret. DU was first tested in 1973’s Yom Kippur Nevertheless, 18 states have introduced or war, when the US government gave it to the passed legislation to provide for DU testing of Israelis, then supervised its use to destroy Syrveterans and soldiers serving since 1991. When ian and Egyptian tanks. Its effectiveness led the Moret learned of a DU testing bill being held US into full production. Soon all branches of in committee in Connecticut, she took the text the US military and some foreign countries had of the bill to an anti-war rally in New Orleans DU weapons. US use of DU began with the 1991 in 2005. Two local Vietnam vets took the text, invasion of Iraq, followed by the 1995 and 1998-99 grid and carpet bombings of Yugoslavia. It was used again in the 2001 attack on Afghanistan and 2003 attack on Iraq. Most recently, Israel used US-supplied DU in its August assault on Lebanon. The British government has secretly monitored DU levels in the atmosphere at its Atomic Weapons Establishment site at Aldermaston in southern England. Some of the data collected there from 1998-2003 was reported in March 2006 by Dr. Chris Busby, a radiation expert for the British government and European Parliament. Busby’s finding, GI’s child, born without arms photo: worldproutassembly.org Moret shared, revealed that 7-9 days after the use of DU in Iraq in 2003, DU-contaminated dust and sand from the crossed out Connecticut, wrote in Louisiana, and battlefields was detected in high volume air mon- were able to get it signed by the Louisiana legislaitors near Aldermaston. Dr. Busby calculated that ture in three months. an average person living within 100 miles of the Moret also noted that while only 7,039 GulfAldermaston air monitors would inhale 23 milera soldiers had been injured on the battlefield, lion DU particles in two weeks. This is alarming, by mid-2004, there were over a half-million Gulfexplained Moret, because under the right condiera soldiers on medical disability. This is a major tions, cancer can develop from smaller amounts. health crisis affecting state and local govern“The British Medical Journal, Lancet, has ments. The federal government should recognize reported alarming increases in many diseases and and address the health impacts of DU. Soldiers, infant mortality since 1991,” explained Moret. their families, and the public are becoming more “The rates of cancer, diabetes, birth defects, and aware of this problem. neurological and neuromuscular diseases like The Pentagon has admitted to testing only Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Parkinson’s, Lou 270 soldiers for DU. “We know that the US Gehrig’s, and Hodgkin’s have increased among government does not care about its soldiers,” soldiers and the civilian populations in the said Moret. Instead, it’s up to the public to bring affected regions,” said Moret. Medical disability action. Moret donated several DVDs on radioacrates for soldiers have also increased, and depart- tive weapons to the Sacramento Peace Action ment chair at the US National War College, Dr. Library now available for check out. For info, visit Terrell Arnold, was quoted admitting that US www.sacpeace.org or call (916) 448-7157. Government–coalition deaths may be twice as For more information about DU effects, high when long-term causalities are counted research and activism, see: (http://hnn.us/articles/15001.html). The World Depleted Uranium Weapons Getting information about DU to the public Conference is difficult. “There has been a cover-up at the www.uraniumweaponsconference.de/ Federal level since 1991, by Congress and three Discounted Casualties: The Human Cost of presidents. …As a result, no effective Federal bills Depleted Uranium by Akira Tashiro were passed to address the health effects in US www.chugoku-np.co.jp/abom/uran/index_e.html

www.bpmnews.org January / February 2007 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER

Out Now!

Democrats’ and Iraq Study Group’s plans for Iraq are dreadful By Jeff Kravitz

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ow that the Democratic Party has regained control of both houses of Congress, the debate over the war in Iraq is finally taking center stage. Unfortunately, the way Democrats are framing the debate would ensure our troops lose. Instead of looking at history and sound military policy, Democrats and the media are discussing setting a timetable for a phased withdrawal of troops. This type of wishy-washy talk will do nothing but leave scores of our brave soldiers dead or wounded and assure that the civil war in Iraq will last for years to come. Our troops deserve decisive leadership that uses military logic at its center. Now is not the time for the weak of heart, but those who understand bravery must come to the forefront to make hard, gut-wrenching decisions. We must call with one unified voice for the rapid and complete withdrawal of all American troops from Iraq. This is the only way the US can prevent total disaster.

We must call with one unified voice for the rapid and complete withdrawal of all American troops from Iraq. This is the only way the US can prevent total disaster. Every day since American troops have entered Iraq, the various religious and ethnic factions have grown more violent in their confrontation with our troops and with each other. US soldiers are training the very insurgents who quickly strip off their uniforms and fight them. The Iraqi army and police forces have simply become conduits for weapons to the various militias. Death squads associated with the Iraqi government terrorize entire neighborhoods. Our soldiers learn who it is they are supposed to be fighting on a day-to-day basis. As long as US soldiers remain in Iraq, Iraqi factions will be able to accuse each other of being

Costing Us Dearly

See the real costs of the war in Iraq The National Priorities Project keeps a running total of the US taxpayer cost of the Iraq War. Find out how much the war in Iraq is costing your community at www.costofwar. com/index.html. See Casualties in Iraq: The Human Cost of Occupation edited by Michael Ewens at www.antiwar.com/casualties/. The Institute for Policy Studies produced a review of the mounting human, economic, social, global and political costs of the war in Iraq. Read it at www. ips-dc.org/iraq/quagmire/. CNN maintains profiles of US and Coalition casualties at www.cnn. com/SPECIALS/2003/iraq/forces/casualties. Hear from veteran voices and military families who say Bring Them Home Now. Site includes links to Veterans for Peace, Iraqi Veterans Against the War and Military Families Speak Out: www.bringthemhomenow.org. Meet Gerard Darren Matthew. Sent home from Iraq with DU exposure, his daughter Victoria was born missing most of her right hand. Article and picture at The Daily News www. nydailynews.com/front/story/ 236934p-203326c.html.

puppets for the US occupiers. This denies any formed Iraqi government the ability to gain the support of the people. After three years of fighting, the Iraqi government has been unable to control the country’s capital. The US presence in Iraq defies historical precedent. Historically, governments that cannot control their own capital for even six months fall from power. Nor has there been a successful government that came to power after the fall of a dictator that was unable to The screen shot is funny, but Bush isn’t the only disaster... form an army and image: various websites police force within three years. Any person who advocates phased withcasualties. Fighters see no need to waste bullets drawal, “stay the course,” or Senator McCain’s call when no one is fighting back. This was true in to increase US troops should be asked why they the Russian withdrawal from Afghanistan, the believe US troops in Iraq will reduce the violence. Israeli withdrawal from both Lebanon and Gaza, Each day US troops are in Iraq, the level of viothe Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon, and the lence increases. Civilian deaths are sharply rising, Vietnamese withdrawal from Cambodia. Howand US troops died at an average of over three ever, there are no examples of effective phased per day in October, now dubbed the bloodiest withdrawals. month of the war for the number of civilian, What will happen to Iraq if the US withcoalition and insurgent forces killed. draws? No one can say. Civil war will likely flare The Democrats’ idea of phased withdrawal up, but could wind down in a relatively quick would mean that as some troops withdraw, those manner. Without the US presence, various facremaining would be weaker and more vulnertions will be forced to compromise or one will able to attack. Enemy forces would still consider attain an upper hand. them legitimate targets. Moreover, the path to The future cannot be predicted, but recent governmental power in Iraq is now based on history proves one fact. Each day our troops are demonstrating that a faction’s forces have bested in Iraq, more young Americans and countless the Americans. Small groups of remaining US Iraqis die in a pointless war. troops would be sitting ducks. Let’s be brave and decisive, and withdraw our As for Senator McCain’s call to increase troops now. troops, any troops entering Iraq now would add Jeff Kravitz is a law professor and former fuel to the fire. The people of Iraq do not want Green Party candidate for congress in Sacramento. us there. The more US forces fight on in Iraq, the He can be reached at [email protected] more Iraqis arm themselves to fight against us and each other. This is an inescapable truth about the war in Iraq. The ideas now being floated by Democrats, McCain and withdrawal solutions offered by the US Institute of Peace’s “Iraq Study Group” are naïve at best, and fail to address the consequences of waiting for a “real course of action.” This bipartisan study group is aimed more at finding a middle ground in Congress than discussing what would really work for Iraqis. In fact, the Iraq Study Group’s report offers little new information while advocating only for a transition of responsibilities from the US to the Iraqi government (including the privatizaton of Iraq’s oil industry into the hands of Big Oil corporations) and the possibility of phased withdrawal. It is clear that as we wait for “solutions,” we continue to create enemies who seek to harm the US. The real course of action is clear if we can imagine ourselves as Iraqis and recognize that people naturally oppose foreign soldiers fighting A rare photo of coffins returning from Iraq. in their country, interfering in their politics and killing their people. It is time to think responsibly, and the only responsible thing to do is to withdraw quickly. Withdrawal could be relatively simple. The US would announce its plan to withdraw all troops as soon as possible. We would cease all offensive military operations. Troops would be recalled to secure bases and would begin deploying from Iraq by plane and transport convoys to Kuwait and then to transport ships. Military history has shown that when foreign troops announce their plan for total withdrawal, they are able to do so without suffering many

“Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.” —Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.



10 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER January / February 2007 www.bpmnews.org

Book Reviews Vice: Dick Cheney and the Hijacking of the American Presidency by Lou Dubose and Jake Bernstein

Hardcover: Random House Publishing Group, October 17, 2006, 272 pages.

Reviewed by Jacqueline Carrigan, Ph.D. Dick Cheney: CEO Vice President

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Lou Dubose and Jake Bernstein’s Vice: Dick Cheney and the Hijacking of the American Presidency is a startling account of the immense and growing power of our current vice president (and putatively true president) over the last 30 years. Cheney has had his fingers deeply embedded in the highest centers of power since President Nixon. This early experience has shaped Cheney’s world view and our national policies ever since.

“In the five years prior to Cheney, Halliburton received about $100 million in loans from a government agency promoting American exports. But during Cheney’s 5 years at the firm it received $1.5 billion from the same agency.” He was there for Watergate, the Iran Contra affair, the first Iraqi war, and so on. Cheney’s career is told in considerable detail, and he is portrayed as an extremely intelligent, unemotional, yet unyielding ideologue who knows how to work the political system to achieve his goal. Cheney, a cold warrior long after the fall of the Soviet Union, continues to push the arms race. He resisted international collaboration and compromise for fear of losing America’s dominant position in the world. It is well known that Cheney did not serve in the military (he had five draft deferments for the Vietnam War). However, Dubose and Bernstein show that he was actively involved behind the scenes in every American military action since the Korean War. Cheney spent the Clinton years building Halliburton (typifying the revolving door between

business and government), yet found his talents did not serve him as a businessman. Halliburton suffered from his leadership style, but benefited from his connections. In the five years prior to Cheney, Halliburton received about $100 million in loans from a government agency promoting American exports. But during Cheney’s five years at the firm it received $1.5 billion from the same agency. The book also includes a brief history of the now notorious corporations, Halliburton and Kellogg, Brown and Root, and Enron, which would make a great basis for a case study on the corruption inherent in the intersection of business and government. Dubose and Bernstein tell of a plan for US domination, starting with an attack on Iraq, being laid out in a 1992 report by Paul Wolfowitz (current World Bank president) and Lewis “Scooter” Libby Jr. (Cheney’s former chief of staff, indicted on federal charges). The report was denounced by President Bush Sr. and attacked by Clinton, but Cheney adopted it as a “new rationale for our role in the world.” The current Iraq war is described as Dick Cheney’s war, as it reflects the culmination of his experiences within the government and his ideology. While Dubose and Bernstein paint a fascinating picture of the vice president’s career, it portrays national politics as a reflection of the personal psychic troubles of an individual man who was burned by his early government experiences and who set out to right the wrongs that the congressional Democrats and weak-willed Republicans perpetrated on Nixon. We do not see the early days of Cheney to know why he identified with this worldview so strongly, which would be necessary information if we are to place history in the context on one man’s psychic struggle. However, a better approach would examine the class basis of the worldview and decisions that a person in Cheney’s position makes, and the

struggles among the ruling class that are played out in the US government. As Michael Yates describes in his book Naming the System (Monthly Review Press, 2003), the ruling class is divided on how best to preserve capitalism. That is, there are those who feel that the government has a role in taming some of the excesses of the free market (the classic Democratic position). And there are others who say the free market should be unfettered (the Republican position). Cheney’s approach to government reflects the latter position, and his decisions offer insight into how the CEO vice presidency plays out. How do corporations view the law or ethics? As things to go around to get what you want (profit). How would this view affect how businessmen would run the country? Dubose and Bernstein tell us that the Democrats believe in government and act to bolster and support it, while the Cheney-style Republicans want to reduce the role of government, and when that fails, they feel justified in gaming the system and bending it to the service of profit. Cheney was asked to defend Halliburton’s operations in countries with questionable human rights records. “We go where the business is,” he replied. This statement puts his support for an unprovoked war and the practice of torture in perspective—his ends justify any means. Jacqueline Carrigan is an assistant professor of sociology at CSU Sacramento.

The Power of Israel in the United States by James Petras

Paperback: Clarity Press, Inc. September 26, 2006. 191 pages

Reviewed by Dan Elliott Petras Blames AIPAC for Iraq War The Power of Israel in the United States by James Petras is a book of enormous significance. His subject matter is the influence of the America Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) on US foreign policy. An emeritus professor of sociology at Binghamton University, New York, and a longtime social activist, Petras writes in the context of the March 2003 US invasion and occupation of Iraq.

“Petras lays primary blame for US involvement in Iraq squarely on AIPAC.” President George W. Bush said that military action was needed due to Iraq’s dangerous armaments and Sept. 11 involvement. Accordingly, US armed forces overthrew the government of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. Now the US public has realized that it was lied into this war. Therefore, it becomes vital to know who got us into this mess in Iraq, and why. Petras lays primary blame for US involvement in

Iraq squarely on AIPAC. Petra echoes the arguments of US professors Walt and Mearsheimer, who attribute the US attack on Iraq as a result of Israeli interests, and not those of US oil companies, as some critics claim. (Walt and Mearsheimer’s abridged study is at: www.lrb.co.uk/v28/n06/ mear01_.html). Crucially for Walt and Mearsheimer and Petras, AIPAC gives top priority to the interests of the state of Israel, even over US national security. To that end, AIPAC lobbies Congress and the White House to do the bidding of the Israeli state. Author and scholar Noam Chomsky disagrees with this assessment of Israeli and US policy. In his final chapter, Petras, in a very courteous but direct and successful way, attacks Chomsky’s credibility as a radical authority on the causes of the Iraq war. How accurate is Petras’ view of the US, Israel

and Iraq? The deafening silence with which advocates of other explanations have greeted his book is convincing testimony to its accuracy. The antiwar, labor, civil rights and all “progressive” movements including most “alternative” information sources in the US are saturated with Israeli influence. This saturation has caused the entire “progressive agenda” to be put on hold in favor of military adventures which benefit only Israel’s drive to expand its power in the Middle East, particularly Lebanon and Palestine. The US populace needs to become alert to this. Reading Petras’ important book—13 chapters and an index—is a useful place to begin that learning process. Dan Elliott is a Sacramento activist. Contact him at [email protected] to purchase The Power of Israel in the United States.

www.bpmnews.org January / February 2007 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER

Media Clipped

Seth Sandronsky

Prison Nation: Locking Up Surplus Labor in America

D

oes bigger mean better? Yes, for the conventional wisdom on the US economy, the world’s largest in terms of output, or gross domestic product. Thomas Friedman, a columnist with the New York Times whose work also appears regularly in The Sacramento Bee, is perhaps the leading voice for this view. For Friedman, citizens of developing nations will prosper if their leaders emulate the US model of growth. One of these developing nations is India. Lost in Friedman’s rhetoric is the fact that the American economy also creates a big labor market surplus. Typically, the likes of Friedman sidestep this ongoing human tragedy of the grow-or-die US economic model. Talk about the waste of a nation’s people. Capital accumulation itself, as well as market conditions of supply and demand, constantly generates a surplus of labor. Under capitalism, there are always too many workers for too few jobs. Unemployment is built into the system. Where do some of these job seekers end up when they are not hired? One answer is behind bars, especially in the USA, a trend that has been underway for years and shows no sign of slowing down. According to a recent report by the Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics, there were 2.2 million people held in federal or state prisons in December 2005, a 2.7 percent increase from 2004. The average annual increase

cent for white men. of the US prisoner population has been 3.5 perAfrican American females “were more than cent since 1995. twice as likely as Hispanic females and over There is a gender dimension of this incar3 times more likely than white females to have cerated population. The average annual rate of been in prison on December 31, 2005,” accordgrowth for incarcerated ing to the Justice Departwomen has been 4.6 perment. “These differences “US prisons are caging cent versus 3 percent for among white, black, surplus workers whose men during the past 10 and Hispanic females years. Women, like men, were consistent across labor the American are surplus workers in the all age groups.” The economy does not need.” US. unemployment rate for In a perverse way, the white women age 20 and American economy provides both genders with up was 3.4 percent versus 8.1 percent for black the opportunity to be free of employment. Such women and 6.6 percent for Hispanic women. freedom! Without a doubt, harsh laws that sentence Moreover, the US prison population is not non-violent drug offenders to decades behind counted in Uncle Sam’s employment surveys. bars are propelling the rise of the US prison There were 7.4 million persons unemployed population. At the same time, national minorities nationwide in December 2005, according to the of both genders are more likely than their white US Department of Labor. Now add the 2.2 milcounterparts to be unemployed. In short, US prislion incarcerated people for a total jobless figure ons are caging surplus workers whose labor the of 9.2 million. American economy does not need. African American men in their late 20s were This spiral of unemployment and imprislocked up at a rate three times that of Hispanic onment is not an unfortunate byproduct of an men and over seven times the rate of white men. otherwise rational economy. To the contrary, it The racial disparity of young male prisoners is an irrational economy that requires more and mirrors and magnifies the unemployment pattern more prison cells for those who have no chance of the Labor Department’s household survey of of finding their way onto payrolls. Why should December 2005 by racial groups. The jobless people of any developing nation wish to emulate rate for black men over age 20 was 8.8 percent the job and prison conditions of the US? versus 5.1 percent for Hispanic men and 3.9 perSeth Sandronsky is a BPM co-editor.

Arline Prigoff:

Working towards that “otro mundo” By Henry Clark

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PM is proud to salute Arline Prigoff, who recently retired as professor of social work at Sacramento State. A passionate believer in networking and

“ She has influenced generations of students by opening their eyes to the world’s injustices and modeling a courageous, compassionate, and intellectually informed social activism.” cooperation, Arline is loved and respected for her contributions to Sacramento’s progressive peace, labor, and race and gender justice groups. As a Jewish child growing up in the US during the Nazi Holocaust years, she saw herself as a survivor, for had her grandparents not been immigrants, she would have suffered a tragic fate. She resolved to make a difference in her world. Politicized in her high school years, she attended civil rights activist Bayard Rustin’s summer camp. Then, as a precocious teen at Radcliffe majoring in economics, Arline studied with professors like Joseph Schumpeter, who trumpeted capitalist values, and also studied Marxism. She found the John Reed Society more to her liking, and joined the famous organization, identifying with its working class and union values. In 1945 she married her high school sweetheart, Jim Prigoff. When her four children went off to school, Arline joined the work force, soon realizing the

necessity of getting a master’s in social work (New York University1967)—and in 1984, earned a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. Her passion for social justice took her to Washington on many occasions. She marched with Martin Luther King, Jr., civil rights, and anti-war protesters, seeking to expose the hypocrisy and tragedy of the VietArline Prigoff in a typical activity nam War. She was photo: Jim Prigoff tear-gassed at the Pentagon and jailed briefly on another occasion for peaceful protest. to Brazil for the World Social Forum in 2002 with She has often been in the streets of Sacramento her husband Jim, known in recent years for his and San Francisco—and Seattle— joining thouphotographic books on popular street art around sands of others opposing unjust US government the world. In truth, the motto of that great conpolicies. ference might well serve as a symbol of Arline Dr. Arline Prigoff has influenced generaPrigoff ’s life as a scholar, teacher, and activist. For tions of students by opening their eyes to the throughout all the years she has never faltered in world’s injustices and modeling a courageous, proclaiming—and living—its ringing declaration: compassionate, and intellectually informed Another World is Possible—“Un Otro Mundo es social activism. She’s worked tirelessly to influPosible.” ence the thinking of her colleagues in the field of social work, and her widely used book, Henry Clark is a longtime colleague of Arline Economics for Social Workers, had a powerful Prigoff in the Greater Sacramento Chapter of the impact on perspectives in the field. She traveled Alliance for Democracy.

11

12 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER January / February 2007 www.bpmnews.org

Honor MLK Stop pro-war foreign policy!

Evoking the Spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr to end the war agenda and occupation of Iraq Martin Luther King Jr. poignantly linked war and poverty in his famous speech, delivered at New York’s Riverside Church in April 1967. Sadly, King’s assessment of US foreign and domestic policy would perhaps be worse today than it was when King shared: A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom. The greatest purveyor of violence in the world today [is] my own government. There is much hard work ahead for those who want to change the direction of the US foreign policy Titanic which has already sent millions of the planet’s non-upper class passengers to early graves. Here are a few opportunities: Get your body to the anti-war contingent of the MLK annual march Sunday, January 15, 2007 (Info: 916-4487157). The march starts at 8:30am at Oak Park Community Center (3425 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.), passes by Sacramento City College at 9am, and goes to the Sacramento Convention Center (1301 L St.) where there is a job/health/ education fair from 10am-3pm. See www. mlk365.org. Let Congress hear your voice and feel your presence We cannot be deluded into thinking Democrats will end the occupation or war agenda, including Sacramento’s Representative Doris Matsui. Matsui has continued to vote to fund the occupation and has not signed on to HR 4232 (McGovern) which would end funding. Unfortunately, Matsui did sign on to HR 282 accusing Iran of wrongdoing and allowing sanctions, thus creating the false pretext that the Bush administration needs to eventually overthrow Iran’s current government. Many of Matsui’s constituents have received her recent letter which defends Israel’s brutal assault on Lebanon in which Israel reportedly used US -supplied cluster bombs, depleted uranium, and chemical weapons. Call Matsui regularly and tell her to sign HR 4232 and agree NOT to vote for any more funding of the Iraq occupation or support US interference with Iran: 916-498-5600. You can also visit her office, 501 I St., Suite 12-600, downtown Sacramento. A Call for Occupation of Congressional Offices Voices for Creative Non-Violence, formerly Voices in the Wilderness, an organization that’s been fighting to save the lives of Iraqis since 1991, is calling for a campaign of sustained nonviolent civil disobedience to end the Iraq War. Noting that resolutions supporting “phased withdrawals” are not enough, the campaign calls on all representatives and senators to publicly pledge to vote against any additional funds for the Iraq war and occupation. If they don’t, non-violent civil disobedience is called for at the offices of representatives and senators who refuse to make such a public pledge. Voices can be reached at 773-878-3815, [email protected]; www.vcnv.org.

Mark your Calendars for March 17, 2007 Large demonstrations are being planned for San Francisco and other US cities on the fourth anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq. US-made crisis with Korea Like Iran (see Nov/Dec BPM, “The US Threat to Attack Iran”), the Bush administration is seeking a pretext to overthrow the government of North Korea. Below are excerpts from a historical analysis by Brian Becker, written in October, 2006. Looking back to 1994: ‘almost war’ In 1994, Clinton’s administration was on the verge of initiating military action against North Korea. At issue was North Korea’s plan to develop nuclear power as an energy source. Instead of escalating into a full scale war, the two sides signed the General Framework Agreement. Korea agreed to suspend and freeze its program to construct “heavy water” nuclear energy reactors in exchange for the US agreeing to finance and construct light water nuclear reactors. North Korea, which had experienced a catastrophic loss of energy supplies with the collapse of its socialist allies in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe from 1989 to 1991, desperately sought a replacement source. ... [Light water reactor] technology does not produce the plutonium byproduct or waste that could be enriched and used for the creation of nuclear weapons. Although North Korea lived up to its side of the General Framework Agreement, the US did not. Eight years passed before the US took even the first steps to begin constructing the light water reactors. Lacking energy sources, North Korea’s agricultural system nearly collapsed. [With] only 15 percent of the land [being] arable, the absence of energy sources was a kind of death sentence….North Korea was supposed to collapse, according to…policy makers in Washington, DC, the Pentagon and Wall Street. But [it] survived. Its resilience opened a short-lived shift in US policy. In the final years of the Clinton administration, the US began moving back toward the promise of the 1994 General Framework Agreement… [But] the Clinton administration, like all US governments, embraced the need to overthrow the government in North Korea....

Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1967.

Bush White House changes strategy In 2002, Bush used his state of the union address to label North Korea as part of the so-called axis of evil, along with Iraq and Iran. Instead of normalizing relations with North Korea and lifting economic sanctions, North Korea was explicitly targeted for “regime change.” Bush’s open bellicosity and threats led North Korea to unfreeze its nuclear program, expel inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency and announce that it would pursue developing nuclear weapons as a legitimate form of self-defense. North Korea, like the entire world, knows that the US government possesses 16,000 nuclear weapons and has adopted a nuclear first-strike option against North Korea as part of its official operational strategy. (National Security Strategy of the United States, 2002). Seeking nuclear primacy The US, as evidenced by [the] invasion of Iraq and destruction of its government, wants absolute power. It wants to crush those who seek independence, or even neutrality, from the US empire. The idea that North Korea could develop nuclear weapons is a sign that resistance to Washington’s plans by formerly colonized countries is possible. This runs contrary to the strategic planning of the Pentagon and the White House. Their goal in the next decade is to retake the position of US nuclear primacy. …All people who fear the danger of new and even larger military conflict must understand that the origin of the threat emanates not from Pyongyang, but from within the belly of the US military-industrial complex. Brian Becker works with the ANSWER Coalition in New York and writes for Socialism and Liberation magazine.

Sacramento Area Peace Action is an all-volunteer organization that works to educate and mobilize the public to promote a non-interventionist and non-nuclear US foreign policy and to promote peace through international and domestic economic, social, and political justice. Join us!

JOIN SACRAMENTO AREA PEACE ACTION Annual dues are $30/individual; $52/family; $15/low income. Name:________________________________________________________ Address:_______________________________________________________ City________________________________________ Zip________________ Phone:___________________________ Email:___________________________ ____Here is my additional contribution of $_______. ____Please send me the newsletter only, $10/yr.

Send your check to: Sacramento Area Peace Action (SAPA) 909 12th Street, #118, Sacramento, CA 95814. Or call us! 448-7157, email: [email protected], web: www.sacpeace.org

www.bpmnews.org January / February 2007 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER

13

Pentagon Spied on Sacramento Activists Peace groups targeted

By Dan Bacher

T

he ground-breaking release of nine reports by the Pentagon’s Threat and Local Observation Notice (TALON) surveillance program last November 21 reveals a chilling web of surveillance by federal counter terrorism agencies directed against peace and social justice activists engaged in anti-war and counter-recruiting work, including George Main, president of the Veterans for Peace (VFP) Sacramento chapter. The Pentagon released the reports under a lawsuit filed by the ACLU. The first report targeted the protest at the Sacramento Military Processing Station (MEPS) on November 11, 2004 by VFP and other local peace organizations.

“The echo delay on my cell phone was so bad that you would make the statement, listen for it being echoed back, and only then could talk again or respond.” George Main, Veterans for Peace Sacramento chapter. In response to the revelations of the Pentagon spy files, the ACLU called on Congress to investigate the widespread surveillance of political and religious groups by the Defense Department, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. The TALON documents are the latest in a series of domestic spying scandals that include secret wiretapping by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the California National Guard’s spying on Grandmothers for Peace. “There is increasing evidence that the Pentagon improperly targeted innocent Americans for surveillance,” said Ben Wizner, an ACLU staff attorney. “These documents send a chilling message that if you oppose the war, the military is watching you. That is simply un-American.” Main blasted the surveillance of him and other anti-war activists disclosed by the release of the documents and noted that reading the document has only recommitted him to working harder against the Iraq war, military recruitment and domestic spying. “What kind of father and what kind of patriot would accept an America for his children that enjoys less freedom?” emphasized Main. “Every GI sacrificed in Iraq pledged fealty to the Constitution and its guarantees of liberty.” The documents released consist of nine reports from the Pentagon’s TALON database that describe as “threats” several planned demonstrations at military recruitment stations, including sites on college campuses, apparently considering domestic activists as some sort of “terrorist threat” to the country, according to the ACLU. The first report focuses on the planned protest at the MEPS in Sacramento by “a Sacramento

chapter of a US domestic group,” VFP. “This specific group is deeply into ‘counter-recruiting,’” and views the station “as their last chance to influence a decision to enlist,” according to the report. The San Francisco Joint Terrorism Task Force advised the commanders of the Sacramento and San Jose stations of the protests. “It appears this protest will most likely be peaceful, but some type of vandalism is always a possibility,” the report ominously noted. Main is concerned that his personal emails were monitored to obtain some of the material in the report, although the rest of the information was apparently obtained through press releases about the event distributed openly to the media and posted on activist websites. One specific quote listed in the report documented Main’s involvement in a demonstration: “The promoter of this event further states that there are 65 MEPS stations and ‘maybe one is located near you.’” This quote is particularly troubling to Main who explained, “This George Main at the Radisson Hotel in solidarity with the Israeli peace movement, and protesting the policies of AIPAC, which information was not from a press was meeting inside the hotel. release, but could have only been Photo: Dan Bacher obtained by intercepting an email that I sent out to people on the VFP list a week on November 5, 2004. …Also the Meade and is part of the Joint Terrorism Task quote made it sounds like an implied threat—it Force,” he said. “What’s amazing is that that the makes me sound like a terrorist.” report indicates that it was the 110th report that “This is absolutely outrageous,” said Main, day, so this group was very busy.” emphasizing that he believed his cell phone and “This shouldn’t be happening,” said Main. home phone were also tapped. “The echo delay “It is a touch ironic that I was in the US Army on my cell phone was so bad that you would Security Agency, whose chain of command went make the statement, listen for it being echoed to the NSA. My first assignment was to monitor back, and only then could talk again or respond. allies everywhere worldwide. Our motto was ‘In I couldn’t even hold a conversation with my wife. God we trust. All others we monitor.’” There was an eight-second delay all of the way The documents were released in response to until this summer.” a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed by the Main’s idea for the demonstration came ACLU earlier this year after evidence surfaced about after the election of 2004, when local activ- that the Pentagon was secretly conducting surists were discouraged that another presidential veillance of peaceful anti-war and counter-milielection had been stolen by the Bush regime. “I tary recruitment groups, including Quakers and knew that people were devastated that we had student groups. been robbed again in the election,” said Main, “So far Congress has failed to investigate “so I put out an email to have a demonstration in how the Pentagon collected the information on front of MEPS on Veterans Day.” innocent Americans, and which other agencies On the wettest November 11 ever, over 65 received these reports,” according to the ACLU.” demonstrators turned out—and federal law In addition, Congress has yet to act on the hunenforcement agencies were watching the whole dreds of FBI documents previously obtained by time. the ACLU that show widespread surveillance by Ironically, Main himself worked in army Joint Terrorism Task Forces of peace activists, counter-intelligence for 7 years during the Vietreligious groups, environmental groups and aninam War, so he had inside knowledge about the mal rights activists.” methods and procedures used by military in For more information on government surconducting military surveillance. veillance of innocent Americans, including FBI “The 902 Military Counter intelligence documents and The TALON reports, visit www. Group that monitored us is based out of Fort aclu.org/safefree/spying/27459lgl20061121.html. Dan Bacher is an outdoor writer, alternative journalist and satirical songwriter in Sacramento.

 



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14 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER January / February 2007 www.bpmnews.org

Ugly Realities in Palestine

Human rights violations abound in Gaza and West Bank By Brigitte Jaensch

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illed in Gaza this past year were civilians like six-year-old Rawan Farid Hajjah, who died along with his sister and mother, the seven Salmeya children—Basma (16), Somaya (17), Aya (9), Yehya (10), Nasr (7), Huda (13) and Eman (12) and newborn Shahed Saleh Al-Sheikh Eid. All died in Israeli air strikes.

“There are more than 550 permanent Israeli military checkpoints in the West Bank, plus more temporary, “flying,” checkpoints. When they’re closed, the sick can’t go to the hospital. Workers can’t get to work. Kids can’t get to school.” Sacramento Soapbox Progressive Talk Show Access Sacramento, Channel 17 with Jeanie Keltner & Ken Adams. Monday, 8pm, Tuesday noon, Wednesday, 4am. Now in Davis, Channel 15, Tuesday, 7pm.

Gaza: Coming back from kindergarten across the wall.

Palestinian civilians are under attack from the fourth most powerful military in the world. The Israeli occupation is in its 39th year and 80 percent of Gazans know nothing else. Fifty percent of Gazans comprise 850,000 children, all under age 15. Their tiny world is surrounded by a wall and razor-wire-topped fencing on three sides. There are two openings into Gaza. Karni checkpoint is closed 85 percent of the time and Rafah checkpoint almost 100 percent of the time. On side four, the Mediterranean Sea, there are Israeli gunboats. The gunboats shell Gaza’s beaches. F-16 fighter jets fire missiles. Apache helicopters drop ordnance. Houses are flattened and cars burned. The night sound is the whine and boom of missiles followed by the wail of ambulances. Since July, more than 400 Gazans have been killed and more than 2,000 wounded. Our mainstream news outlets don’t report this. If too many Palestinians are killed at once, like the 18 members of an extended family in Beit Hanoun, Israel claims “terrible mistake” or “technical problem.” Also targeted is life’s support: the electric power plant, bridges, roads, government buildings and houses. Since the power station was bombed in June, one million people live without electricity, without water or sewer pumping. No elevators operate in the multi-story apartment buildings. Hospitals rely on generators that wear out. Dialysis and other critical hospital machines aren’t running. Medicine can’t get through Karni checkpoint. Fuel is scarce. The only supplier is Dor Energy, an Israeli company. And what about agriculture? Basic needs, including food supplies are kept out of the occupied territories. In just one month the Israeli military uprooted 5,500 olive and citrus trees, 800 palm trees and 73 acres of vegetables. Also gone are seven acres of greenhouses and 200 acres of irrigation systems torn apart by Israeli forces. When there is a surviving harvest, it rots at Karni checkpoint, held back by Israeli military resulting in more than $30 million worth of rotted produce. Gaza’s 1.4 million residents are hermetically sealed off from the world, strangled by Israeli military actions. One Israeli newspaper theorized that the Israeli military is especially vengeful in the West Bank (and Gaza) to compensate for its poor showing against Hezbollah in Lebanon. The West Bank isn’t included in the cease-fire. Illegal Israeli settlers beat and shoot Palestinians in the West Bank. They throw stones and scream murderous taunts particularly at children and the elderly. Israeli soldiers enable them. There are more than 550 permanent Israeli military checkpoints in the West Bank, plus more temporary, “flying,” checkpoints. When they’re closed, the sick can’t go to the hospital. Workers can’t get to work. Kids can’t get to school. Qalquila, population 35,000, is completely encircled by an Israeli wall. The only opening, an Israeli mili-

tary checkpoint, is too often closed. Expatriate Palestinians who’ve worked in the West Bank for decades can’t get visas anymore. Residents who get to travel don’t know when they’ll be permitted to return home. Students from the occupied territories can’t study in an Israeli university any more. And beginning this January, it will be illegal for a West Bank Palestinian to ride in a vehicle that has Israeli license plates. What Israel does is “collective punishment” and it’s illegal under the Geneva Conventions. “War crimes” is the term used by B’Tselm, the Israeli human rights group. Last year the Israeli parliament passed a law, effective back to September 2000, which forbids Palestinians to sue the Israeli government for damages. And the US government is complicit. In August 2006 and again in November, the US

vetoed UN Security Council resolutions critical of Israel. Thus Israel is protected from official criticism and protected from international laws. Palestinians don’t have military might and are blocked from legal recourse. Israel-apologists in the Democratic Party as well as Republicans assailed former President Jimmy Carter for calling the Israeli Occupation “apartheid.” South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who lived through South Africa’s apartheid, dubbed it “Israeli Apartheid” in 2002. John Dugard, Special Reporter on Palestine to the UN Human Rights Council, says “many aspects of Israel’s occupation surpass those of the [South African] apartheid regime.” For example, the Israeli military uses mortars, rockets, missiles, bombs, against unarmed Palestinian children, women and men. Brigitte Jaensch is a human rights advocate.

Left: A Palestinian boy in front of the cordoned-off area of the Old City of Hebron in the West Bank where 500 Israeli settlers have declared their permanent homes. Photo: Don Knutson

“The wall was originally conceived by [former Israeli Prime Minister] Yitzhak Rabin to be put along the border of Israel—along the Israeli territory—to prevent cross-border raids by Palestinian terrorists. But when Rabin was assassinated, [former Prime Ministers Ariel] Sharon and [Benjamin] Netanyahu had the idea: Let’s use it to confiscate Palestinian land. We won’t build the wall on our border. We’ll build the wall on Palestinian land. And we’ll make tremendous intrusions to encompass settlements that already exist, and other areas on which we want to build settlements. So that’s what they’ve done… Gaza’s completely surrounded by walls.” —Former President Jimmy Carter speaking with freelance writer John Freeman for Sacramento News and Review in December, 2006.

www.bpmnews.org January / February 2007 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER

ONGOING EVENTS Mondays

Sacramento Poetry Center hosts poetry readings. 7:30pm. 1631 K St. INFO: 441-7395; w w w. s a c r a m e n t o poetrycenter.org. 1st Mondays

Organic Sacto: Counter ongoing threats to our food. 6:30pm. INFO: www. OrganicSacramento. org. 2nd & 4th MONDAYS

UUSS/SAPA Peace and Sustainability Committee. 6-8pm. INFO: Peace Action, 448-7157. 3rd MONDAYS

Capitol Outreach for a Moratorium on the Death Penalty. 11am –1pm, L Street @ 11th. INFO: 447-7754. TUESDAYS

Sacramento Area Peace Action Vigil.4-6pm. 16th & J Sts. INFO: 4487157. 1st TUESDAYS

Amnesty Int ’l, Davis Chapter Meeting. Int’l House (10 College Park). 7pm. Free Pizza. Invited speakers. INFO: www. humanrights.ucdavis. edu. 2nd Tuesdays

Gray Panthers. 2–4pm. Hart Senior Ctr., 27th & J St. Info: Joan, 3325980. 4th TUESDAYS

Amnesty Int ’l. 7pm. Sacto. Friends Meeting House, 890-57th St. INFO: 489-2419. 4th Tuesdays

Peace and Justice Films. 7pm. Peace Action office at 909 12th Street. INFO:448-7157. WEDNESDAYS

Christ Unity Church: Speakers and Music. 7pm. Cost: Donation. 9249 Folsom Blvd. INFO: 368-3950. 1st WEDNESDAYS

Peace & Freedom Party. 7pm. INFO: 456-4595. 2nd WEDNESDAYS

Sacto 9/11 Truth:Questioning the “War on Terror.” 6–8pm. Juliana’s Kitchen, 1401 G Street, at 14th. INFO: sac911truth@gmail. com. 372-8433. 3rd Wednesdays

CAAC Goes to the Movies. 7:15pm. Info: 4463304. Thursdays

Daddy’s Here (Father Enhancement Program). Men’s support group; info on custody, divorce, raising children. 7-8:30pm. Free! Ctr for Families, 2251 Florin Rd, Ste 102. INFO: terry @fathersandfamilies.com. 424-3237x 205. Thursdays

House of Spoken Words. 7–10pm. Colonial Café, Stockton Blvd. & Broadway. $5. INFO: 3082766. 3rd Thursdays

National Organization for Women (NOW). 7pm. INFO: 443-3470. FRIDAYS

Shiny Object Digital Video/Fools Foundation Film Series. Weekly independent/foreign films,

documentaries. 7pm. 1025 19th St. $5. INFO: 484-0747or www.shinyobject.com/screenings. 1st Fridays

Beginner/intermediate tango class. 8-9pm. Social tango dancing. 9pm–12am.YWCA, 17th & L, Sacto. $10 for lesson and social dancing. INFO: Kendra.kambestad@ tango-renaissance. com or www.tangorenaissance.com. 1st FRIDAYS

Community Contra Dance. 8-11pm; 7:30pm beginners lessons. Clunie Auditorium, McKinley Pk, Alhambra & F. INFO: 641-7781. 2nd Fridays

Dances of Universal Peace. 7:30–9:30pm. Sierra 2 Ctr, 2791- 24th St., Rm. 10. $5–$10. INFO: 361-3153. 3rd FRIDAYS

Progressive Free Thought Exchange. Discuss topics of interest to atheists, agnostics, humanists. INFO: pfxofsac@ prodigy.net. Saturdays

Workshops at La Raza Galleria Posada.1–3pm. 1421 R St. Under 18, $1; Students over 18, $5; Adults, $10. Info: 446-5133. 1st Saturdays

Health Care for All. 10am. Hart Senior Ctr, 27th & J. For universal access to health care. Info: 424-5316. 1st SATURDAYS

January / February Calendar Saturday, Jan 6 Freedom From War Monthly Meeting.1–3:30pm. Blanchard Room, Davis Library, 314 E. 14th St, Davis. INFO: Mary Wind, [email protected], (530)758-8431. Tuesday, Jan 9 Film Sir No Sir. 7pm. Davis Library Blanchard Room, 314 E. 14th St, Davis. Free. Info: Freedom From War, (530)758-2362 or windml@ gmail.com. Wednesday, Jan 10 Sacramento 911 Truth: Questioning the War on Terror, monthly meeting. 6 - 8pm. 1401 G St, Sac. INFO: [email protected]; 372-8433. Saturday, Jan 13 Continuing seminar on foreign policy and nuclear weapons. 11am–1pm. Hart Center, 915 27th St. INFO: 916-482-4627. Tuesday, Jan 23 4th Tuesday Films. In Debt We Trust: America Before the Bubble Bursts, shows the role, level of control, and impacts resulting from debt, credit card companies, and the banking industry. 7pm 909 12th St. INFO: 448-7157; sypeaceact@ jps.net. Sunday, January 14 Annual People’s Weekly World/Nuestro Mundo Blueberry Blintz Brunch, featuring Michael Sands talking about and singing the songs of Woody Guthrie. No-sugar and No-wheat brunches available. 10am–Noon. 4774 Marlborough Way, Carmichael. $10 or what you can afford. INFO and RSVP: 481-5566. Sunday, Jan 14 “Iraq, Islam, Democracy and the War on Terror” presentation by Ayad Al-qazzaz, CSUS prof. of Sociology. 2pm. Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento, 2425 Sierra Blvd. (2 blocks north of Fair Oaks & Howe). Free. INFO: 483-9283. Monday, January 15 Anti-War March. Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. March. Starts 8:30am at Oak Park Community Center (3425 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd), passes by Sacramento City College at 9am and goes to the Sacramento Convention Center (1301 L St) to the job/health/education faire. INFO: 448-7157 or www.mlk365.org.

Sacramento Area Peace Action Vigil. 11:30am– 1:30pm. Arden and Heritage (entrance to Arden Mall). INFO: 448-7157

Thursday, Jan. 18 Doyle Saylor, Cohost of KPFA radio show “Pushing Limits,” speaking on Marxism and Disability rights. 7–9pm. Sierra 2 Ctr, Green Room, 2791 24th St. INFO: see Marxist School box below.

2nd & 4th Sats

Saturday, January 20 Memorial for Ruth Holbrook,. 1pm. Central Labor Council, 2840 El Centro Rd. INFO: 456-9282.

Community Contra Dance. 8-11pm; 7:30 lessons. YWCA Auditorium, 17th & L Street. INFO: 641-7781 3rd SATURDAYS

Sacramento Area Peace Action Vigil. 11:30am1:30pm. Fulton and Marconi. INFO: 448-7157 Sundays

Sacto Food Not Bombs. 1:30pm. Come help distribute food at 9th and J Streets. SUNDAYS

Community Debke lessons 3–3:50pm, children and 4– 5pm adults. Yosemite 187, CSUS. Free, open to all ages. Beginner level adults welcome to come to the children’s lessons for extra practice. INFO: ncasac@arab- american. net or sjpsac@gmail. com (530) 902-4000 1st SUNDAYS

PoemSpirits. 6pm. Refreshments and open mic. Free. UUSS, Rm. 7/8, 2425 Sierra Blvd. INFO: 481-3312; 451-1372. 1st Sundays

Zapatista Solidarity Coalition. 10am–noon. 909 12th St. Info: 4433424. 2nd SUNDAYS

Atheists & Other Freethinkers. 2:30pm. Sierra 2 Center, Room 10, 2791 24th St. INFO: 4473589.

15

Tuesday, January 23: “The Limits of Electoral Politics” Discussion led by Jackie Carrigan. 7–9pm. Sierra 2 Ctr, Rm. 11, 2791 24th St. INFO: see Marxist School box below.

Send calendar items for the Mar.–April 2007 issue to by Feb. 10, with “calendar item” in the subject line. Make it short, and in this order, please: Day, Date. Name of event. Description (1-2 lines). Time. Location. Price. INFO: phone#; <email>. For online calendars of progressive events, go to www.sacleft.org and www.sacpeace.org.

Thursday, January 25 Lecture in honor of Ruth Holbrook. Human rights lawyer Ann Fagan Ginger speaks on New Paths for Action. 7pm. Coloma Center, 4623 T St. INFO: 456-9282. Thursday, January 25 Lecture. “Bin Laden’s Chessboard” by Ben Sher. Eclectic Lecture Series, lectures with discussion presented by Ben Sher. 7-9pm. Green Room @ Sierra 2, 2791 24th St. Free. INFO: 798-1072. Friday, Feb 2 Film: Iraq For Sale. 7pm. Davis Library Blanchard Room, 314 E 14th St, Davis. Free. INFO: Freedom From War, (530)758-2362 or windml@ gmail.com. Tuesday, February 13 “The Attack on Higher Education.” Background discussion for the Feb. 15 Marxist School panel. INFO: see box below. Thursday, Feb. 15: Class Struggle at CSUS: A Marxist Analysis of the assault on academic excellence. A panel discussion with faculty and students. 7–9pm. Sierra 2 Ctr, Green Room, 2791 24th St. INFO: see Marxist School box below. Thursday, February 22 Lecture. “The Neocon Liberal Hawk Consensus” by Ben Sher. Eclectic Lecture Series, lectures with discussion 4th Thursdays. 7-9pm. Free. Green Room @ Sierra 2, 2791 24th St. INFO: 916-798-1072. Saturday, February 24 (Registration deadline Weds, January 24) Early Music Workshop. Sacramento Recorder Society sponsors “Music of Peace from the Cold North.” 9:30-4pm, Central Methodist Church 5265 H St. $45 ($5 discount for members). Day-long workshop features renowned international instructors Eileen Hadidian and Hanneke Van Proosdij leading 16th and 17th century music from Northern Europe. The workshop offers instruction for voice, recorder, viol, lute, harp, and early wind instruments. INFO: Billie Hamilton, 451-7614 or [email protected]. Tuesday, February 27 Book Discussion: The Right to be Lazy, by Paul Lafargue, Karl Marx’s son-in-law. Led by Mike Monasky. 7–9pm. Sierra 2 Ctr, Rm. 11, 2791 24th St. INFO: see Marxist School box below.

The Marxist School of Sacramento

Monday, Jan 15, 8:30am,

Join the anti-war contingent MLK annual March, Sunday, January 15, 2007 (Info: 916-448-7157). The march starts 8:30am at the Oak Park Community Center (3425 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd), passes by Sacramento City College at 9am and goes to the Sacramento Convention Center (1301 L St) to the job/health/ education faire. (Above: Scene from the 2004 march.)

Sacramento Valley Branch, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom

presents:

Perspectives on Venezuela Friday, January 19, 7-9pm Sacramento Friends Meeting, 890 57th Street, Sacramento Directions: 369-8046. Slides and narrative by Don Knutson, who traveled to Venezuela in late November, witnessing the December presidential election in which Hugo Chavez was elected to a third term and documenting the Venezuelans’ fascination with democracy. Don visited several cooperatives and other government “mission” programs to reduce poverty and also saw how members of the opposition have adopted “Rovian” political strategies which have so polluted the wells of democracy worldwide. Finally, Don will discuss his concerns about how much young women in Venzuela devote themselves to their personal appearance (the “Miss World/Miss Universe syndrome”) and ask what that does to them as people and what the consequences are for the Bolivarian revolution.

P.O.Box 160564 Sacramento, CA 95816 September–October 2006 Activities

Point of View Speaker Series

Lectures are held in Sierra 2 Ctr, Green Room, 2791 24th St., 7–9pm

Thursday, Jan. 18: Doyle Saylor, Cohost of KPFA radio show “Pushing Limits,” speaking on Marxism and Disability rights. Thursday, Feb. 15: Class Struggle at CSUS: A Marxist Analysis of the assault on academic excellence. A panel discussion with faculty and students.

Discussions/Classes Discussions are held in Sierra 2 Ctr, Rm. 11, 2791 24th St., 7–9pm. Tuesday, January 23: “The Limits of Electoral Politics” Discussion led by Jackie Carrigan. Tuesday, February 13: “The Attack on Higher Education.” See website for readings on this background discussion for the Feb. 15 panel.

Gather for President’s message Watch for time and date!

President Bush has promised to share with the nation his new program for “moving forward in Iraq.” Sacramento Peace Action wants to gather to listen to the plan and discuss responses. Unfortunately the White House has not set a date. As soon as Peace Action learns the specifics, they will email their lists, post it on www.sacpeace.org, and add the information to SAPA’s phone message at 916-448-7157 so that people can gather at the Dose Coffee House at 1825 Del Paso Boulevard (920-3367), which serves wonderful coffees, teas, freshly-made sandwiches, and muffins at good prices and has a large, flat TV high on the wall.The Arden-Del Paso light rail stop is only blocks away.

Tuesday, February 27: Book Discussion: The Right to be Lazy, by Paul Lafargue, Karl Marx’s son-in-law. Led by Mike Monasky.

“Capital” Reading Group We’ll be starting Chapter 2! Extended book discussion, Vol. 1 of Capi-

tal, by Karl Marx. meets 7-9pm, 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, at SMUD, 6301 S St. (the new building!), Timberline Rm. 3, 3rd Floor. Preferred edition of Capital is Vintage Books 1977, translation by Ben Fowkes. It’s not too late to join!

INFO: www.marxistschool.org; email [email protected]; 799-1354. All activities are free and open to the public.

Peace Action Vigils TUESDAYS: 4-6pm. 16th and J Streets. Be Visible For Peace. 1st SATURDAYS: 11:30am-1:30pm. Arden & Heritage (entrance to Arden Mall). 3rd SATURDAYS: 11:30am-1:30pm. Fulton and Marconi. INFO: 448-7157

INSIDE: The War in Iraq Our Prison Nation Alpha Academy: Mentoring Community Youth

Progressive News and Views

January / February 2007

Because People Matter

Progressive Media Access Sacramento TV Cable Channels 17 and 18 Sacramento Soapbox: Progressive Talk Show w/ Jeanie Keltner & Ken Adams. Mon 8pm, Wed 4am. (In Davis: Channel 15, Tues, 7pm.) Being Gay Today: Thurs 6am, 10pm, Sat 6am. Democracy Now!: Weekdays 6pm, 12midnight, 5am. Media Edge: progressive documentaries, including local productions.Sundays 8–10pm Other sources for Media Edge Davis, Channel 15, Sundays, 8–10pm. Nevada County, Channel 11, Mondays, 10:30pm –12:30am. West Sacramento, Channel 21, Mondays, 9–11pm. Dish Network Satellite TV ▼ Channel 9415, Free Speech TV. Democracy Now!: News and Analysis. Monday–Friday: 8am, 12pm, 7pm ET. ▼ Channel 9410, Link TV Democracy Now!: Monday–Friday, 11am. Mosaic—World News from the Middle East: Tues–Saturday, 4:30am and 10:30am; 4:30pm and 10:30pm. Radio ▼ KVMR 89.5 FM BBC News, M-F 6, 7, 8am; News & Attitude with Travus T. Hipp, M-F 7:30am; KVMR Morning News, M-F 8:05am; Stories & Songs with U. Utah Phillips, Sun 11am; Soundings (Science), Tues noon; Rabble Rousing, Wed noon; Full Logic Reverse, Thu noon; Who Cares? (Health), Fri noon; KVMR Evening News, 6pm daily; Democracy Now!, Mon-Thu 7pm; Women’s Show, Mon 8pm. ▼ KCBL Cable 88.7 FM ▼ KYDS 91.5 FM Saturdays, approx. 3–4 pm., followed by Counter Spin from the media watch group FAIR:

▼ KDVS 90.3 FM Democracy Now!: Mon–Fri noon. Free Speech Radio News (FSRN) Mon–Fri 4:30pm. Printed Matter on the Air (interviews with local writers) alternating with Panic Attack (attorneys and guests discuss what makes people panic): Mon 5pm. Making Contact (int’l radio seeks to create connections): Tue 8am. Proletarian Revolution (focusing on political, social, and economic issues) alternating with The Simple Show (talk show on human rights): Wed 8am. Speaking in Tongues (labor, environmental, social, and political topics. Callers welcome, interviews frequent): Fri 5pm. Memo Durgin and Eddie Salas (Public affairs and music of the Chicano/Mexicano people): Sat 6–8pm. ▼ KPFA 94.1 FM Berkeley Democracy Now!: Reports on US and world news. M–F 9am. Living Room: Chris Welch. M–F Noon. Seven Generations: M–F 1pm. New Directions: including visionary astrologer. Thur 2pm. Flashpoints: News and analysis. M–F 5pm. ▼ KSQR 1240 AM (TalkCity Radio Sacramento) Progressive talk radio all day long with Christine Craft, Thom Hartman and others. ▼ KCTC 1320 AM (AirAmerica Radio) Progressive talk radio all day long with Randi Rhodes, Al Franken, and others. ▼ KZFR 90.1 FM Chico People Powered Radio! managed and operated by volunteers, provides mostly locally produced and community oriented programs.

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