[LAAMN] Fisk: Can the Lebanese army fight America's war? Deniable, disposable casualties
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article17820.htm Can the Lebanese army fight America's war against terror? By Robert Fisk: 06/03/07 The Independent --- - On the surface, it all makes sense. A group of radical Islamists fighting the Lebanese army shoot on amid the ruins of Nahr el-Bared refugee camp. Nahr el-Bared means the cold river, but there is no river. They are shelled by the Lebanese army. In fact, Lebanese Gazelle helicopters machine-gunned them yesterday. Another chapter in the war on terror. In reality, it is another tragedy in that same conflict (though let's delete the word terror). The Gazelles have no rockets - courtesy of the United States, because Israel fears they will be used against its own forces. The Belgians even offered Leopard tanks - again vetoed by the United States - in case the Lebanese used them against the Israelis. So the Lebanese are armed sufficiently to fight Palestinians, but not enough to fight their enemies on their southern frontier. Are the Fatah al-Islam gunmen supported by Syria? Probably yes. But a familiar pattern was emerging yesterday. The International Red Cross was asking all the parties for a ceasefire, the phrase used so promiscuously during the 1975-1990 civil war in Lebanon, as if the Palestinian gunmen were combatants in a civil conflict, rather than the murderers of 20 Lebanese soldiers more than two weeks ago. Yesterday the BBC was adding to the normality of war, by referring to the maze of concrete buildings and narrow alleyways of Nahr el-Bared, as if refugee camps in the Middle East were made of anything else. So can the Lebanese army really fight America's war in the north of this country? Though composed of Shias, Sunnis, Druze and Christians, it has held together. But it was not created to fight the West's wars in the Middle East. Just over a week ago a secret meeting was held in the south of this country in which intelligence officers from the French, Italian and Spanish governments - based in their embassies in Beirut - sat down and talked to senior officials of the Hizbollah guerrilla movement, Israel's greatest enemies in Lebanon. They were assured - as they hoped they would be - by Hizbollah that their soldiers in the enlarged peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon would be protected from al-Qa'ida and their friends in Fatah al-Islam. They were also told that if Israel attacked Lebanon again this summer, there would be a far fiercer war than the 34-day conflict last June and July. North of the Litani River - and amid the conflict in northern Lebanon this has gone unreported - the Hizbollah is building new roads and bunkers in preparation for the next battle with Israel. Because the refugee camps of the north are so isolated, and because Beirut survives, despite the nightly bombings by (as usual) unknown suspects, this country still presents a picture of peace and comparative normality. But it is in grave peril, and - as in Afghanistan and Iraq - we are continuing to ignore this. © 2007 Independent News and Media Limited *** http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/03/opinion/03sun1.html?themc=th What 'Support Our Troops' Entails NY Times Editorial: June 3, 2007 Whenever and however American troops withdraw from Iraq, a flood of wounded and psychologically damaged veterans will present the nation for decades to come with costly needs that already are overwhelming government services. The backlog of disability claims stands at more than 405,000, with cases averaging 177 days to be processed - almost twice the backlog for civilians. Experts estimate that an additional 400,000 claims will be filed in the next two years. At the same time, better battlefield care is sending veterans home with severe brain traumas that might have been fatal in earlier wars. Complex new treatments are required for these survivors and for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and symptoms of depression that veterans groups fear are driving up suicide rates. Congress is taking the lead in prodding the Bush administration, which shamefully underestimated the cost of treating the wounded. The House is sensibly budgeting $6.6 billion more than last year for veterans health care and processing claims. A series of other measures approved by the House tackle only some of the problems but point in the right direction. The Senate should act quickly on these proposals, which include: ¶Creation of up to five new brain trauma research centers to create comprehensive treatment programs. This is a whole new field of intensive care prompted by the signature injury of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, inflicted in roadside bomb attacks. ¶Extending open-ended care for combat veterans to the first five years after their return, from the current two years. This is needed not only because of the backlog in claims and appeals but also because of the slower-evolving nature of postwar stress trauma and other illnesses. ¶A more intensive program to contact
[LAAMN] The Legacy of Tailhook, Herbert: Poisonous Police Behavior
- Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] The Legacy of Tailhook Supporting our troops at any cost overshadows holding them accountable for sexual assault within military By Susan J. Douglas May 29, 2007 http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/3182/the_legacy_of_tailhook/ Women in the military continue to endure harassment and even sexual assault; it just happens in tents and outposts instead of the Vegas Hilton. It is the 15th anniversary of The Year of the Woman, as 1992 was billed. Spurred, in part, by their fury over how the all-male Senate Judiciary Committee treated Anita Hill during her testimony about Clarence Thomas being a crude sexual harasser, an unprecedented number of women ran for and won seats in Congress. Barbara Boxer, Diane Feinstein, Carol Moseley Braun and Patty Murray all won Senate seats; a year later, President Clinton appointed a record number of women to government positions, including Janet Reno as the first female attorney general. Such achievement rarely comes without a backlash, and 1992 was no exception. For this spring and summer is also the 15th anniversary of the Tailhook scandal. The actual event--the drunken Tailhook Association convention in Las Vegas, in which naval aviators formed a gauntlet on the third floor of the Hilton and trapped women in it, pawing and molesting them, stripping off their clothes--took place in September of 1991, but the scandal exploded the following spring as the press and the Navy itself revealed a massive cover-up. The night of the event, Paula Coughlin, an admiral's aide and helicopter pilot, filed a complaint with a top aide to Secretary of the Navy H. Lawrence Garrett and two inquiries began, one by the Naval Investigative Service and the other by the Naval Inspector General. More assaults came to light. Yet the Navy's April 1992 whitewashed reports identified only two suspects from approximately 5,000 Tailhook attendees. As 26 women, 14 of them officers, claimed to have been assaulted, these findings defied credulity, and Garrett was compelled to widen the inquiry. By June of 1992, Garrett faced a full-blown scandal about the cover-up, including the fact that 55 pages of interviews had been omitted from the final report, including one that placed Garrett himself at one of the Tailhook party suites. Garrett resigned at the end of June, shortly after Paula Coughlin appeared on ABC News to describe her and the other women's ordeal. Garrett's replacement ordered a service-wide stand-down so that every officer and enlisted person would take a full day's training on sexual harassment. Such training became standard in the military, and sexual harassment hotlines were set up to field complaints and answer questions about policy. (The Tailhook Association's response was to retain a PR firm, and in 1999 its ties to the Navy were reestablished, having been severed in the wake of the scandal.) One argument that emerged after Tailhook was that men in the military would never respect women in the armed services or treat them as equals until women could serve in combat. In 1993, under the National Defense Authorization Act, Congress rescinded restrictions on women in combat and the Clinton administration opened 250,000 positions previously closed to women in the military. Tailhook was a public event involving many women (and at least one teenage girl) at the same time. Such stories often have journalistic legs; when such incidents occur one by one, in private, they are deemed less newsworthy. But various reports indicate that women in the military today continue to endure widespread harassment and even sexual assault; it just happens in tents and outposts instead of the Las Vegas Hilton. Sara Corbett, writing for the New York Times magazine in March, documented the trauma female soldiers face from the debilitating combination of post-traumatic stress disorder from the war and sexual harassment or assault. Corbett also noted the inculcation of the why bother attitude among the women: Why bother to report sexual harassment or assault, as such complaints are looked down upon and only a fraction of them result in punishment of the perpetrator. The women she interviewed also recounted the hostility they frequently confronted: Said one, You're one of three things in the military--a bitch, a whore or a dyke. Corbett's subjects aren't atypical. A survey conducted by the Veterans Association reported that 30 percent of female veterans had been victims of sexual assault, and 14 percent of those had been gang raped and another 20 percent raped more than once. Sexual assault remains underreported in the military, but estimates based on surveys like this place the rate at anywhere from three to 10 times that for female civilians. So why wasn't Corbett's story more widely picked up by other news outlets? Are these stories we can't bear to hear in our guilt over having sent troops to Iraq under false pretenses? As everyone
[LAAMN] Turn off TV lies
The media today is totally dominated by a few corporations that only allow us to hear and know what they want us to know. Freedom of expression does not exist in the corporate media. We the people effect how much control the corporate media has through ratings. Turning the T.V. off will send their ratings plunging. The Internet is the last bastion for freedom of expression and it must be defended from the corporate assault. Defend Internet freedom. Turn the T.V. lies off. = -- Powered By Outblaze --- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --- Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Digest: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Help: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Post: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Archive1: http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn --- Archive2: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/ * Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional * To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/join (Yahoo! ID required) * To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
[LAAMN] San Diego Flim Screening - USA vs Al-Arian
San Diego Film Screening - USA vs Al-Arian When: Saturday June 9, 2007 6:30 P.M. Where: Al-Awda Community Center in Carlsbad If you missed the screening at the Fifth Annual International Al-Awda Convention, this is your second chance! Watch the film as it follows the Al-Arian family through the ordeal of Sami's arrest and trial. Revealing interviews with U.S. Attorney Paul Perez, Defense Attorney Linda Moreno, and Sami Al-Arian in prison. Directed by Norwegian filmmaker Line Halvorsen. A discussion will follow the film. Admission Free! All Welcome! Donations accepted Please advertise, call and invite your friends to attend! The Norwegian documentary USA vs Al-Arian premiered April 20 at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, North America's largest documentary festival, eliciting moviegoers' outrage toward the treatment of the Al-Arian family. The film portrays an American Muslim family facing charges of terrorism through the trial of Sami Al-Arian. Two of his adult children, Abdullah and Leena Al-Arian attended the international premiere and the midnight reception Friday, and were touched by the standing ovation from the audience. We weren't sure how a North-American audience would react to the film, but the responses we got were overwhelmingly positive, Leena said. At the reception after the film, we were approached by many people in the film industry who said they were appalled by the treatment of our father by the U.S. government. If you would like to do something to help Sami Al-Arian and his family, you can find information on his web pages: www.freesamialarian.com DIRECTIONS Al-Awda's Community Center is located at 2734 Loker Avenue West Suite K, Carlsbad, CA 92010. From I-5, exit Palomar Airport Blvd and head East - make a left on Loker Avenue West (first left after you cross El Camino Real) and left into Carlsbad Crossroads business center (look for the large Carlsbad Crossroads sign). End 2734 Loker Avenue West Suite K. From I-15, exit I-78 West. From I-78 exit San Marcos Blvd and head West. San Marcos Blvd becomes Palomar Airport Blvd when you enter Carlsbad. Loker Avenue West will be on your right, past the Melrose Drive and El Fuerte intersections. Other directions as above. From El Camino Real, go East on Palomar Airport Blvd and make a (first) left on Loker Avenue West. Other directions as above. Parking is free - plenty available. For more information, contact: Al-Awda San Diego The Palestine Right to Return Coalition PO Box 131352 Carlsbad, CA 92013, USA Tel: 760-685-3243 Fax: 360-933-3568 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] WEB: http://al-awdasandiego.org Support Al-Awda, a Great Organization and Cause! Become an Al-Awda Sustainer: Monthly: http://al-awda.org/sustainers.html Annual: http://al-awda.org/sustainers2.html [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] --- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --- Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Digest: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Help: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Post: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Archive1: http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn --- Archive2: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/ * Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional * To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/join (Yahoo! ID required) * To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
[LAAMN] Iraq Veterans Against the War take Los Angeles by Storm! Watch Operation First Casualty in Santa Monica on YouTube- The first casualty of war is the truth.
Operation First Casualty - Santa Monica, CA For video coverage, go to: HYPERLINK http://youtube.com/watch?v=Hr0jSB-11zkhttp://youtube.com/watch?v=Hr0jS B-11zk On Sunday, June 3rd 2007, the Los Angeles chapter of Iraq Veterans Against the War conducted Operation First Casualty. Former Marine Sargent Jason Lemiuex, who served three deployments in Iraq stated, ...under the premise that the first casualty of war is the truth. And the American people are getting fed this notion that we're in Iraq spreading freedom and making Iraq safe for democracy when really we're imposing a state of martial law on the people over there. Taking the streets of Santa Monica by storm, Operation First Casualty was a huge success in raising awareness amongst the general population about the need to bring the troops home now. As veterans of the Iraq war shouted at, searched and hooded civilian volunteers, passers-by got a taste of what an occupation is like. During the street theatre, reenactments of a combat patrol, a riot with mass detention, and a soldier wounded by a roadside bomb occurred. For video coverage, go to: HYPERLINK http://youtube.com/watch?v=Hr0jSB-11zkhttp://youtube.com/watch?v=Hr0jS B-11zk Tim Goodrich - HYPERLINK mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED][EMAIL PROTECTED] Co-founder, Iraq Veterans Against the War No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.7/830 - Release Date: 6/3/2007 12:47 PM [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] --- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --- Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Digest: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Help: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Post: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Archive1: http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn --- Archive2: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/ * Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional * To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/join (Yahoo! ID required) * To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
[LAAMN] Screening of Important New Film: Vietnam: American Holocaust - Wednesday, June 6th, 7:00 PM at the Tom Bradley Youth Family Center - 5213 West Pico Blvd., LA 90019
Screening of Clay Claiborne's Important New Film: Vietnam: American Holocaust Wednesday, June 6th, 7:00 PM Tom Bradley Youth and Family Center 5213 West Pico Blvd., LA 90019 Telephone: (323) 692-0669 HYPERLINK http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8944817304139359835Vietnam: American Holocaust A New 81 minute video on the Vietnam War. Tom Bradley Youth Family Center is located on theNorth side of West Pico Blvd., between Cloverdale Avenue and Cochran Ave. between major cross streets of Fairfax Avenue and La Brea Ave. Here is a map. HYPERLINK http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?addr=5213+W.+Picocsz=90019http://map s.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?addr=5213+W.+Picocsz=90019 DIRECTIONS: From 10 East or West - Exit north on La Brea, go one mile, turn left onto Pico, go west about 1/2 mile and park. From 405 Freeway North or South, go 10 East - see above. From 5/101/170 Freeway North or South, go 10 West - see above. PARKING: Metered parking on Pico, Cochran, and Cloverdale; free after 6PM. Contact Clay Claiborne at: [EMAIL PROTECTED] No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.9/832 - Release Date: 6/4/2007 6:43 PM [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] --- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --- Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Digest: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Help: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Post: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Archive1: http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn --- Archive2: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/ * Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional * To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/join (Yahoo! ID required) * To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
[LAAMN] So. Cal. Library: Youth-Led Walking Tours
*Walking Tours of South L.A. Led by Youth from South L.A.* *Come Join Us TWO SATURDAYS ONLY: June 9 and June 16, 2007 * _*Tour Info*_ * Tour Dates/Times: * /*Saturday, June 9 (Economic Health)*/ Tours at 10:30 a.m and at 1 p.m. /*Saturday, June 16 (Transportation)*/ Tours at 10:30 a.m and at 1 p.m. *Tour Start:* Southern California Library 6120 S. Vermont Avenue, L.A. 90044 (btw Slauson and Gage) Tours are about a mile in length and last approximately one hour. Comfortable walking shoes strongly recommended. *In Our Own Words *High school youth from South Los Angeles will lead walking tours, open to the public, of the Vermont corridor neighborhood. Focusing on local economic health and transportation issues, *the youth will tell stories of the neighborhood's history*, connecting it to conditions today. The tours will highlight community landmarks and cultural institutions as well as significant historical changes. *Reservations required---space is limited.* Call (323) 759-6063, ext. 17, to reserve a spot or for more information or go to www.socallib.org/SCLWebSite/programs/vmap/tour.html Download a flyer at www.socallib.org/SCLWebSite/programs/vmap/tourflyer.pdf *SCL* The People's Library *Making Our Own Histories * * * [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] --- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --- Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Digest: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Help: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Post: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Archive1: http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn --- Archive2: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/ * Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional * To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/join (Yahoo! ID required) * To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
[LAAMN] 6/4: 3,500th Soldier Killed, 4th of July -- What Are Your Plans? (UFPJ)
Peace No War Network War is not the answer, for only love can conquer hate Not in our Name! And another world is possible! _http://www.PeaceNoWar.net_ (http://www.peacenowar.net/) e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) Tel: (213)403-0131 Please Join PeaceNoWar Listserv, send e-mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) 3,500th Soldier Killed, 4th of July -- What Are Your Plans? Susan Chenelle UFPJ Internet Coordinator [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) While June is already quite packed -- June 10-11th national mobilization against the Israeli Occupation! UFPJ's 3rd National Assembly the weekend of June 22-24th in Chicago! the US Social Forum in Atlanta at the end of the month! -- there are a couple other events on the horizon that we wanted to check in with you about: 1) Another grim milestone is all-too-quickly approaching ... the 3,500th soldier killed in Iraq. As of today, 3,495 U.S. troops have been killed, according to Iraq Coalition Casualty Count, and May was the deadliest month for U.S. troops since the war began over 4 months ago. It's also been more than six months since the Lancet Report estimated that more than 655,000 Iraqis had died because of the invasion and occupation of their country ... what is that figure now? While Congress might think it's reasonable to wait until September to revisit the questions of funding and withdrawal timetables, we know that dozens, if not hundreds, of people are being killed every single day that Congress fails to end the war. Though we have marked far too many such milestones, we must continue to do so to increase pressure on our representatives and senators, and to engage with people in our communities about the horrendous costs of war. 2) The 4th of July of course is an excellent opportunity to engage our neighbors, family, friends and elected officials in discussions about democracy, justice, civil liberties ... about the Bush Administration's assault on the Constitution and the founding principles of this country ... about how the White House and the Congress have abandoned our soldiers and left them in the middle of an immoral and deadly war ... and what to do about elected officials who fail to represent us. In addition to opening up these discussions, it might make sense in your area to organize a protest or some other public antiwar activity. We know that some of you are already planning actions around either or both of these events. If are planning something, or decide to organize something, please make sure that the details of your event are posted on the UFPJ calendar, so that those who would like to participate and members of the media can find it. You can use this form: _http://www.unitedforpeace.org/addevent_ (http://www.unitedforpeace.org/addevent) ... if you have any trouble with the form, please email me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) . After your actions, please send us a report (with photos if possible), so that we can feature it on our Grassroots Action blog. Email your reports to [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) . Peace! Susan Chenelle UFPJ Internet Coordinator = Peace, No War War is not the answer, for only love can conquer hate Not in our Name! And another world is possible! Information for antiwar movements, news across the World, please visit:_ http://www.PeaceNoWar.net_ (http://www.peacenowar.net/) e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) Tel: (213)403-0131 Please Join PeaceNoWar Listserv, send e-mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) Please Donate to Peace No War Network! Send check pay to: ActionLA/AFGJ ActionLA / The Peace Center 8124 West 3rd Street, Suite 104 Los Angeles, California 90048 (All donations are tax deductible) = The web page has been design by Activist Design Studio Please visit: _http://www.ActivistDesign.net_ (http://www.activistdesign.net/) Toll-Free: (888)635-3307 = *To Translate this page to Arabic, please visit ajeeb.com:_http://tarjim.ajeeb.com/ajeeb/default.asp?lang=1_ (http://tarjim.ajeeb.com/ajeeb/default.asp?lang=1) *To Translate this page to French, Spanish, German, Italian or Portuguese, please visit Systran:_http://www.systransoft.com/_ (http://www.systransoft.com/) **Report From Baghdad CD-ROM** Pacifica Radio KPFK Los Angeles Reporter Lee Siu Hin's July 2003 trip to U.S. occupied Iraq. An interactive CD-ROM with articles, photos, audio and video interviews includes: people of Iraq, U.S. military, human rights workers, religious leaders and more! Please Visit the Web Site: _http://www.BaghdadReport.net_ (http://www.baghdadreport.net/) Each CD costs: $15.00 plus $3.50 S/H (work both PC and Mac) The CD sells
[LAAMN] SCREENING: L.A. INDYMEDIA - RE: OAXACA
PLEASE FORWARD: L.A. INDYMEDIA IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF OAXACAAND MAL DE OJO T.V. PRESENTS TRUE TO MY PLEDGE (COMPROMISO CUMPLIDO) A Documentary Production of Mal de Ojo T.V. THURSDAY, JUNE 14th, 2007, 7:30 PM SABOR Y CULTURA CAFE 5625 Hollywood Blvd. corner of Hollywood and Gramercy 2 blocks West of the Hollywood/Western Metro Tel: 323-466-0481 JUNE 14TH MARKS THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE START OF THE REPRESSIVE POLICE ACTIONS TAKEN AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF OAXACA. True To My Pledge is the first of a two-part documentary about the human rights violations during the current conflict in Oaxaca. True To My Pledge documents some of the horrors committed against the civil society of Oaxaca, and shows the strategy of state terrorism employed by the local governor. To date 25 known deaths have been reported, and yet there have been no criminal accusations or investigations although everybody knows who is responsible for these murders. Mal de Ojo T.V. is a collective of filmmakers and media makers, which has formed in Oaxaca in response to the conflict. June 14th will be the first public screening of True to My Pledge in Oaxaca City. Out of concern for our security as filmmakers we are inviting other collectives and interested people to show this film on the June 14 anniversary in different parts of the world as a way to protect ourselves and also to let people know whats going on here in Oaxaca. We need more international pressure on the Mexican government to make the murderers pay for their offenses. Contact Anna @ [EMAIL PROTECTED] for more information. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] --- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --- Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Digest: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Help: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Post: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Archive1: http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn --- Archive2: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/ * Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional * To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/join (Yahoo! ID required) * To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
[LAAMN] Welcome Events: F.C.C. Rebuffed on Indecency, Sicko, on Oprah, et al
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/05/business/media/05decency.html?pagewanted=1themc=th F.C.C. Rebuffed by Court on Indecency Fines By STEPHEN LABATON NY Times: June 5, 2007 WASHINGTON, June 4 - If President Bush and Vice President Cheney can blurt out vulgar language, then the government cannot punish broadcast television stations for broadcasting the same words in similarly fleeting contexts. That, in essence, was the decision on Monday, when a federal appeals panel struck down the government policy that allows stations and networks to be fined if they broadcast shows containing obscene language. Although the case was primarily concerned with what is known as fleeting expletives, or blurted obscenities, on television, both network executives and top officials at the Federal Communications Commission said the opinion could gut the ability of the commission to regulate any speech on television or radio. Kevin J. Martin, the chairman of the F.C.C., said that the agency was now considering whether to seek an appeal before all the judges of the appeals court or to take the matter directly to the Supreme Court. The decision, by a divided panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York, was a sharp rebuke for the F.C.C. and for the Bush administration. For the four television networks that filed the lawsuit - Fox, CBS, NBC and ABC - it was a major victory in a legal and cultural battle that they are waging with the commission and its supporters. Under President Bush, the F.C.C. has expanded its indecency rules, taking a much harder line on obscenities uttered on broadcast television and radio. While the judges sent the case back to the commission to rewrite its indecency policy, it said that it was doubtful that the agency would be able to adequately respond to the constitutional and statutory challenges raised by the networks. The networks hailed the decision. We are very pleased with the court's decision and continue to believe that the government regulation of content serves no purpose other than to chill artistic expression in violation of the First Amendment, said Scott Grogin, a senior vice president at Fox. Viewers should be allowed to determine for themselves and their families, through the many parental control technologies available, what is appropriate viewing for their home. Mr. Martin, the chairman of the commission, attacked the panel's reasoning. I completely disagree with the court's ruling and am disappointed for American families, he said. The court says the commission is 'divorced from reality.' It is the New York court, not the commission, that is divorced from reality. He said that if the agency was unable to prohibit some vulgarities during prime time, Hollywood will be able to say anything they want, whenever they want. Beginning with the F.C.C.'s indecency finding in a case against NBC for a vulgarity uttered by the U2 singer Bono during the Golden Globes awards ceremony in 2003, President Bush's Republican and Democratic appointees to the commission have imposed a tougher policy by punishing any station that broadcast a fleeting expletive. That includes vulgar language blurted out on live shows like the Golden Globes or scripted shows like NYPD Blue, which was cited in the case. Reversing decades of a more lenient policy, the commission had found that the mere utterance of certain words implied that sexual or excretory acts were carried out and therefore violated the indecency rules. But the judges said vulgar words are just as often used out of frustration or excitement, and not to convey any broader obscene meaning. In recent times even the top leaders of our government have used variants of these expletives in a manner that no reasonable person would believe referenced sexual or excretory organs or activities. Adopting an argument made by lawyers for NBC, the judges then cited examples in which Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney had used the same language that would be penalized under the policy. Mr. Bush was caught on videotape last July using a common vulgarity that the commission finds objectionable in a conversation with Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain. Three years ago, Mr. Cheney was widely reported to have muttered an angry obscene version of get lost to Senator Patrick Leahy on the floor of the United States Senate. We find that the F.C.C.'s new policy regarding 'fleeting expletives' fails to provide a reasoned analysis justifying its departure from the agency's established practice, said the panel. Emily A. Lawrimore, a White House spokeswoman, said Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney had no comment about the ruling. Although the judges struck down the policy on statutory grounds, they also said there were serious constitutional problems with the commission's attempt to regulate the language of television shows. We are skeptical that the commission can provide a reasoned explanation for its 'fleeting expletive' regime that would pass
[LAAMN] 2007-06-15: Cuban film
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Mon, 4 Jun 2007 12:58:06 -0700 Subject: *Fri*June 15*7pm*CubanFilmSeries The LA Coalition in Solidarity with Cuba presents CUBAN FILM SERIES Friday, June 15, 7:00 pm $5 donation for The Cuban Five http://www.freethefive.org RSVP: [EMAIL PROTECTED] or call 310-451-2752 (first 30) Rachel Sene and Jay Johnson 601 9th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90402 one block east of Lincoln and one block north of Montana. Lucia (1968) 160 min. Extraordinary (and controversial) drama examines Cuban history as experienced by women named Lucia who live in different eras. Through the personal stories of a 19th-century peasant who is betrayed by her lover as Cuba fights for independence from Spain, a socialite who falls for a guerrilla rebel during the 1930s, and a 1960s newlywed who spars with her traditional husband, the richness of Cuban life across the ages is revealed. Raquel Revuelta, Eslinda Nunez, Adela Legra Soundtrack: Spanish; Subtitles: English Continue discussion with Dinner/Dessert/Drinks at: Izzy's Deli -15th and Wilshire, Santa Monica Tables 1-2-3-4 Free parking in rear or across the street at the computer store. --- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --- Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Digest: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Help: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Post: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Archive1: http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn --- Archive2: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/ * Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional * To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/join (Yahoo! ID required) * To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
[LAAMN] STOP THE HOLT BILL (AND the Ehler Bill!)
DEFEND YOUR VOTING RIGHTS! URGENT! Congress is about to rush us through their own version of election repair and will fast-track the Holt bill aka Congressman Rush Holt's Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2007. And a competing bill H.R. 2360, the Voter Enhancement and Security Act of 2007 is even WORSE! Election integrity activists have been fighting for the integrity of our elections against formidable odds for many years. The Holt Bill has triggered a raging debate about the bill among election integrity advocates. Why? Because notwithstanding the elegant name and lofty-sounding statements, the Holt Bill legitimizes the vote-stealing electronic voting machines by continuing their use, and also hands the fate of our elections to the EAC- the Election Assistance Commission- a body of White House appointees who act as little more than accomplices to the theft. PLEASE send a letter demanding that the Holt Bill HR 811 not be fast-tracked and that an open and thorough public debate be conducted, with the input from election integrity citizen advocates. Demand that any election integrity bill give ultimate election oversight to CITIZEN groups, NOT to government groups. The elections are owned by the CITIZENS, not by government workers. 92% of Americans polled demand that election voting and counting be transparent and verifiable. In other words, electronic voting machines are unacceptable to 92% of voting Americans. Demand Open, Public Debate on Holt's HR 811. REJECT Ehler's H.R. 2360 No secret vote counting, full public accountability, No short-changing Voters' voices. I am including a sample letter from election watchdogs at electiondefensealliance.org. Please write a letter in your own words, and send to your 2 Senators and Congressman. Contact information is at: http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/ Copy and paste the letter below, add your own words as you wish. SAMPLE LETTER: Dear Representative __: Please do not allow HR 811 or any other election integrity bill to be fast-tracked. Our voting system is too important an issue not to allow time for public debate. Many American citizens are alarmed with the lack of care about election integrity. The Holt bill leaves far too many unacceptable vulnerabilities in our election process. I urge you NOT to support HR 811. And certainly NOT Ehler's H.R. 2360 We must do better than HR 811. This bill federalizes secret vote counting (DRE's) and invites -- rather than prevents -- systemic corruption of our elections. We do not consent. IN LIEU OF HR 811, WE PROPOSE: 1. Paper ballots, not paper trails 2. Federal BUYOUT of all touchscreen voting equipment to rid our states of these machines 3. No secret vote counting, no secret auditing, no secret records, no secret contracts, and no trade secrecy in our public elections 4. No control of voting processes by White House appointees. Disband the EAC. 5. No unfunded mandates 6. Ultimate control and oversight of elections by citizens and by multi-partisan election integrity citizen groups 7. Consult heavily with election integrity citizen advocates like Bev Harris from www.blackboxvoting.org, Brad Friedman of www.bradblog.com, Chuck Herrin of www.chuckherrin.com, and Lynn Landes of http://www.thelandesreport.com/. Please consider a workable, alternative proposal for essential election reform outlined in brief presentation here: http://www.ElectionDefenseAlliance.org/five_point_proposal Thank you. ___ [your name] ___ [your city] === CALL your Congressman to Vote against the Holt Bill HR 811 AND against Ehler's Bill HR 2360. Ask for him/her at (202) 224-3121 Find your Congressman: http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/ Forward this mail to as many citizens as you can. We must stop the further destruction of our voting rights! And PLEASE donate and act on this blatant disregard for voters as well. Many races in the 2006 elections were stolen. This from John Russell: http://www.bradblog.com/?p=4574#more-4574 Take the Internet to Go: Yahoo!Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news, photos more. http://mobile.yahoo.com/go?refer=1GNXIC --- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --- Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Digest: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Help: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ---
[LAAMN] 2007-06-16: Fight Transit Rate Increases
Join us for our [Bus Riders' Union] Citywide Meeting on Saturday, June 16th We are in for a long hot summer of action in the courts and out in the streets. First move, we hope you will join us for Where Do We Go From Here Citywide meeting on Saturday, June 16th at 9:30 am at Immanuel Presbyterian Church to continue growing this movement. There are many organizations and activists that we have never worked so closely with as we have during this fight. We need to continue and expand this work to stop and reverse these fare increases. We are continuing to explore a girth of options and will keep you up-to-date. Again the 500,000 daily bus riders and their families thank you. [Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 3300 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90010.] - - - [Update of MTA decision follows in abridged version of original email:] From: Bus Riders Union [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Bus Riders Union Public Response to May 24th Public Hearing and Vote on the Fare Hike Date: Mon, 4 Jun 2007 13:43:39 -0700 CAMPAIGN TIMELINE BUS RIDERS UNION'S CAMPAIGN TO STOP MTA'S FARE HIKE May 31, 2007 Update # 7 ACTION ALERTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS May 24, 2007 Historic Public Hearing and Final Vote on Fare Hike The Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Approves Racist Fare Increases Despite Unprecedented Public Opposition Where Does the Bus Riders Union and the Movement Go from Here? Los Angeles, June 1, 2007 On Thursday, May 24, 2007, despite 1,500 angry bus riders taking time off work to come demand that fares not be increased but decreased, 9 out of 13 MTA Board members voted for a major increase in bus fares, led by board members Gloria Molina and Yvonne Braithwaite Burke. The monthly bus pass will go from $52 to $62 as of July 1, 2007, to $75 on July 1, 2009 and $90.00 on July 1, 2011. Thus, two years from now, bus fares will increase by 42% while working peoples salaries will likely not rise at all. The daily bus pass, presently at $3, will raise to $5 on July 1, 2007an increase of 67%. This vote capped two months of one of the most public struggles in L.A. County, one that nearly everyone had been exposed to due to the Bus Riders Unions work in spreading the word through a huge outreach campaign to the mass media and through our daily on the bus and in-the-high schools organizing. Our lawn sign campaign, Mayor Villaraigosa: Stop the MTAs Racist Fare Hikes was as the Mayor said on TV, all over the city. Our sustained media coverage during the last month of the campaign achieved one of our main objectivesfirst, saturation across L.A. county, and second, consciousness-building, that is, we got word to large numbers of people that there was going to be a racist fare hike and then we challenged them to decide what they thought about it and what they wanted to do about it. The low-down: The MTA approved fare increase is a major attack on the civil rights and lived daily experience of Black, Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander, and all working class bus riders. The MTA fare increase is a major attack on the environment and a significant setback for the movement to reduce greenhouse gases and reverse global warming. The massive public turnout of 1,500 people, from the poorest bus riders to middle class choice riders but overwhelmingly Black, Latino, and Asian working class people was a major breakthrough for the movements of resistance in Los Angeles, and for a broad united front for civil rights and the environment. The challenge for us all, is given the hostility of the MTA, and every other arena of government, and the reduced options in the federal courts, where does our movement go from here. How do we take a truly remarkable breakthrough in our organizing to keep people motivated and in a strategic and tactically relevant direction? We at the Bus Riders Union wanted to take a minute to say thank you to all of the Friends and Allies that came to support bus riders last Thursday at the MTA, as well as all the great work that everyone did leading up to the MTA vote. We also wanted to give you a first take on what happened, what passed and what are next steps. What Happened on May 24th? No doubt, the May 24th MTA fare increase public hearing is an important chapter for the movement of resistance in Los Angeles, where over 1,500 BRU members, allies, students, seniors and disabled activists, religious and environmental leaders and hundreds of bus riders stood up, loud and clear, against any MTAs fare increase and transit racism. Yet soberly, we are clear that at the end of the day, a MTA Board majority locked-in a multi-year devastating fare hike. If not reversed, this will be a major blow on the civil and economic rights of Latino, Black, Asian and all working class bus riders and the environment. Worse, the emboldened MTA majority, determined to undermine the major gains of our 10 year Consent Decree
[LAAMN] 2007-06-16 Riverside: anti-war rally
From: David Choweller [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Sat, 02 Jun 2007 18:48:13 -0700 Subject: [RAPJA News] Bring Our Troops Home Stop Wars Rally, June 16, 2007 [text from image:] Bring Our Troops Home Stop Wars Rally The vast majority of people in the world have been against the war in Iraq since its beginning. Please join us to help make it clear that we still oppose the US occupation of Iraq! Sat. June 16, 2007 1 PM to 3 PM Near the Galleria, on Tyler St., in Riverside We will assemble at the corner of Tyler and the entrance to the Galleria shopping center just north of the 91 Freeway, near Shoe City, 3535 Tyler St. Bring signs rhythm instruments! SPONSORED by Riverside Area Peace Justice Action (RAPJA) Phone: (951) 924-5197 WebsiteL www.RAPJA.org Occupation is a Crime... from Iraq to Palestine! [end] --- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --- Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Digest: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Help: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Post: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Archive1: http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn --- Archive2: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/ * Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional * To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/join (Yahoo! ID required) * To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
[LAAMN] 2007-06-09 Benefit: Political Poetry
From: tiachuchas [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Mon, 04 Jun 2007 23:34:22 - Subject: [Poema7] Double Bill Reading w/ Politically Charged Bay Area Authors Double Bill of Politically Charged Bay Area Authors to Take the Mic at Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural Tiny aka Lisa Grey Garcia reading from Criminal of Poverty recently published by City Lights Books and The Molotov Mouths Outspoken Word Troupe Saturday June 9th, 2007, 3pm Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural 10258 Foothill Blvd Lake View Terrace CA Donation will be asked to defray the cost of Tia Chucha's recent move. Lisa Grey Garcia's new book Criminal of Poverty stares homelessness in the eye and refuses to blink. Eleven-year-old Lisa becomes her mother's primary support when they face the prospect of homelessness. As Dee, a single mother, struggles with the demons of her own childhood of neglect and abuse, Lisa has to quickly assume the roles of an adult in an attempt to keep some stability in their lives. Dee and Tiny ultimately become underground celebrities in San Francisco, squatting in storefronts and performing the art of homelessness. Their story, filled with black humor and incisive analysis, illuminates the roots of poverty, the criminalization of poor families and their struggle for survival. Appearing as the Molotov Mouths Outspoken Word Troupe is Ananda Esteva, Leroy F. Moore Jr., Josiah Luis Alderete and James Tracy. The Mouths is a collective of poets of the political imagination hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area. Drawing from various literary traditions, the group's electric performances at once pay respect to the Latino and Black Arts Movements of the Sixties, the sweeping visions of Sandburg and Mayakovsky, and the artistic voice of the labor movements of the Thirties. The Molotov Mouths have toured all over the United States and Canada-in prisons, union halls, music festivals, schools, night clubs and community arts centers. Together, they start from very different places to draw a poetic map of life in Las Americas during so-called New World Order. www.tiachucha.com --- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --- Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Digest: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Help: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Post: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Archive1: http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn --- Archive2: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/ * Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional * To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/join (Yahoo! ID required) * To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
[LAAMN] Hedges: Our Mercenaries, In Iraq and here, Moqtada al-Sadr Speaks
- Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/06/03/1638/ The Philadelphia Inquirer: Sunday, June 3, 2007 What If Our Mercenaries Turn On Us? by Chris Hedges Armed units from the private security firm Blackwater USA opened fire in Baghdad streets twice in two days last week. It triggered a standoff between the security contractors and Iraqi forces, a reminder that the war in Iraq may be remembered mostly in our history books for empowering and building America's first modern mercenary army.There are an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 armed security contractors working in Iraq, although there are no official figures and some estimates run much higher. Security contractors are not counted as part of the coalition forces. When the number of private mercenary fighters is added to other civilian military contractors who carry out logistical support activities such as food preparation, the number rises to about 126,000. We got 126,000 contractors over there, some of them making more than the secretary of defense, said House defense appropriations subcommittee Chairman John Murtha (D., Pa.). How in the hell do you justify that? The privatization of war hands an incentive to American corporations, many with tremendous political clout, to keep us mired down in Iraq. But even more disturbing is the steady rise of this modern Praetorian Guard. The Praetorian Guard in ancient Rome was a paramilitary force that defied legal constraints, made violence part of the political discourse, and eventually plunged the Roman Republic into tyranny and despotism. Despotic movements need paramilitary forces that operate outside the law, forces that sow fear among potential opponents, and are capable of physically silencing those branded by their leaders as traitors. And in the wrong hands, a Blackwater could well become that force. American taxpayers have so far handed a staggering $4 billion to armed security companies in Iraq such as Blackwater, according to House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Rep. Henry Waxman (D., Calif.). Tens of billions more have been paid to companies that provide logistical support. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D., Ill.) of the House Intelligence Committee estimates that 40 cents of every dollar spent on the occupation has gone to war contractors. It is unlikely that any of these corporations will push for an early withdrawal. The profits are too lucrative. Mercenary forces like Blackwater operate beyond civilian and military law. They are covered by a 2004 edict passed by American occupation authorities in Iraq that immunizes all civilian contractors in Iraq from prosecution. Blackwater, barely a decade old, has migrated from Iraq to set up operations in the United States and nine other countries. It trains Afghan security forces and has established a base a few miles from the Iranian border. The huge contracts from the war - including $750 million from the State Department since 2004 - have allowed Blackwater to amass a fleet of more than 20 aircraft, including helicopter gunships. Jeremy Scahill, the author of Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army , points out that Blackwater has also constructed the world's largest private military facility - a 7,000-acre compound near the Great Dismal Swamp of North Carolina. Blackwater also recently opened a facility in Illinois (Blackwater North) and, despite local opposition, is moving ahead with plans to build another huge training base near San Diego. The company recently announced it was creating a private intelligence branch called Total Intelligence. Erik Prince, who founded and runs Blackwater, is a man who appears to have little time for the niceties of democracy. He has close ties with the radical Christian Right and the Bush White House. He champions his company as a patriotic extension of the U.S. military. His employees, in an act as cynical as it is dishonest, take an oath of loyalty to the Constitution. But what he and his allies have built is a mercenary army, paid for with government money, which operates outside the law and without constitutional constraint. Mercenary units are a vital instrument in the hands of despotic movements. Communist and fascist movements during the last century each built rogue paramilitary forces. And the appearance of Blackwater fighters, heavily armed and wearing their trademark black uniforms, patrolling the streets of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, may be a grim taste of the future. In New Orleans Blackwater charged the government $240,000 a day. 'It cannot happen here' is always wrong, the philosopher Karl Popper wrote. A dictatorship can happen anywhere. The word contractor helps launder the fear and threat out of a more accurate term: paramilitary force. We're not supposed to have such forces in the United States, but we now do. And if we have them, we have a potential threat to democracy. On U.S.
[LAAMN] Text of Proposed Sanctuary Resolution of the City of Inglewood , California
Any suggested changes to the proposed resolution set forth below?? Jim D. - (Proposed) Resolution of the City of Inglewood, California June 5, 2007 Whereas, The City of Inglewood has long been known as a city with a rich and diverse ethnic and cultural identity; and Whereas, For decades African-American, Latino and other ethnic groups have made Chelsea their home; and Whereas, It is more difficult now than ever before to navigate the process of becoming a citizen of the United States; and Whereas, Over the past two decades, immigration policy has become even more restrictive and punitive and has closed off avenues previously available for immigrants to obtain legal, permanent residency; and Whereas, Many immigrants are in the legal and lengthy process of becoming a permanent resident, but they are still referred to by many as illegal and aliens; and Whereas, The City of Inglewood respects all persons regardless of race, class, ethnicity or legal status; and Whereas, Every Inglewood resident has the right to live, work and play without fear; and Whereas, Every worker in Inglewood has the right to fair wages and safe working conditions; and Whereas, Immigration raids that spread fear and break-up families are not warranted or wanted in Inglewood; and Whereas, The City of Inglewood supports a fair and just reform to the immigration process; and Whereas, Cities such as Cambridge MA, Chicago IL, and Maywood, Huntington Park and Coachella in CA, have declared themselves as Sanctuary Cities; and Whereas, Sanctuary Cities promote a community as a safe haven for refugees and immigrants who are currently residing in that community from other countries; and Whereas, Sanctuary Cities do not initiate or welcome raids that are not related to public safety and other heinous crimes; now therefore, be it Resolved, That the City of Inglewood go on record as a Sanctuary City; and be it further Resolved, That the City of Inglewood rejects the use of the word illegal and alien to describe any human being; and be it further Resolved, That the City of Inglewood calls upon all workplaces in Inglewood and throughout the Region to treat immigrants fairly, with dignity and respect and to provide proper trainings and equipment and to pay individuals properly; and be it further Resolved, That the City of Inglewood supports a just and fair immigration reform that respects individuals and allows proper and affordable navigation channels for individuals to become permanent residents and eventually naturalized citizens who can fully participate in the civic and political processes in the United States; and be it further Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to all of the California Congressional Representatives and to the Governor of California and to the California Assembly and California Senate on behalf of the Inglewood City Council. Inglewood City Council For the text of the City of Cambridge, MA resolution and other documents relevant to the migrant worker rights struggle visit http://bostonmayday.org/documents.html [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] --- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --- Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Digest: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Help: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Post: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Archive1: http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn --- Archive2: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/ * Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional * To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/laamn/join (Yahoo! ID required) * To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * To unsubscribe from this group, send an
[LAAMN] Re: [change-links] 2007-06-09..10: Building Community- A Weekend Convergence
Emma: I agree with your observations but can only afford the time to be the messenger announcing the event. I wholeheartedly support you if you choose to inform them about cost and accessibility issues, even if you reach them after the actual event has passed. I hope they listen and provide for a more diverse community in any future events they plan. I'll cc them on this in case that's enough of a message to get the point across. ...uncledon. ChangeLinks editorial assistant - To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [LAAMN] laamn@yahoogroups.com From: Emma Rosenthal [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Tue, 29 May 2007 02:27:56 -0700 Subject: Re: [change-links] 2007-06-09..10: Building Community- A Weekend Convergence this is a very expensive conference (for those without funds) in a very wealthy neighborhood. what provisions are there for those who might not be able to afford to attend? even $5 parking is a lot for someone who can't afford groceries, rent or medicine. is the venue wheelchair accessible? what other accommodations are there for full inclusion of people with disabilities? without real answers to these questions, which should have been indicated in the announcement itself, one has to ask: what type of community are they building? what unity? what diversity? Uncle Don B Fanning wrote: From: Frank [EMAIL PROTECTED] Organization: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Atw-news] Building Community - A Weekend Convergence - Saturday-sunday, June 9-10, Temescal Canyon Conference Center In Pacific Palisades - Presented By Unity-and-diversity World Council Date: Sun, 27 May 2007 10:05:21 -0700 Unity-and-diversity World Council Presents A Weekend Convergence On The Theme Of Building Community Featured Speakers And Performers: Hector Aristizabal, Producer, theater Of The Oppressed Rev. Dr. Richard Rose, Professor Of Religions, University Of La Verne Linda Groff, Ph.d., Global Options, Cal State University Dominguez Hills Stephen Longfellow Fiske, Singer, Guitarist, Songwriter, Peacemaker Stefani Valadez, Ladino Folk Singer (Will Perform At Concert With Stephen) Saturday-sunday, June 9-10, 2007 Saturday 8:00 Am To Sunday 5:00 Pm Temescal Canyon Conference/Retreat Center 15601 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades, California This Convergence Is The One Weekend Experience Offered During The Year By Its Sponsor, The Unity-and-diversity World Council (Udc). Udc's Purpose Is To Help Give Birth To A Unity-and-diversity Type Of Global Civilization That Can Assist In Bringing Peace, Justice, And A Sustainable Environment. It Is Designed To Integrate All Dimensions Of The New Civilization, Rather Than To Specialize In Any One, And It Begins By Fostering A Worldwide Moral And Spiritual Awakening. It Will Include A Modeling Of The Global Assembly Which Was Launched On Peace Sunday Last December. Also Included Will Be A Saturday Night Concert, A Unity-and-diversity Worship Service, And A Closing Interfaith Celebration. We Have Just Been Given The Use Of The Dining Hall For The Weekend, Which Will Provide Much More Flexibility Than The Classroom We Had. Meals And Lodging Are Also Available. Convergence Specifics: This Year's Convergence Is Designed To Bring Together The Major Elements Of Udc Programming, So That Everyone Can Experience What They Are And How They Fit With Each Other. On Saturday, Participants Will Begin With An Experiential Session Featuring Hector Aristizabal. The Rest Of The Morning Will Model A Unity Session Of The Global Assembly. After Lunch Sister Gita And Others Will Present Their Current Project Entitled celebrating Human Greatness. The Rest Of The Afternoon Will Be Devoted To The Following Diversity Sessions: Democracy, Interfaith, Education, Peace, Environment, The Arts, And Metaphysics. Please Indicate On The Registration Form Which Area Of Interest You Choose. Saturday Evening Will Be The Concert Featuring Stephen Longfellow Fiske And Stefani Valadez. Sunday Morning Will Begin By Holding A Unity-and-diversity Worship Service, With Linda Groff, Ph.d. As Speaker. The Rest Of The Morning We Will Explore The Possibilities Of World Scriptures And Science And Spirituality For Developing An Inclusive Kind Of Worship, Fellowship, And Cooperative Action. The Afternoon Will Begin With A Feedback And Summary Session From The Weekend, Including Possible Follow-up Action. The Afternoon Will Conclude With An Inspirational Interfaith Celebration, With Rev. Dr. Richard Rose As The Featured Speaker. Directions To Temescal Canyon Conference And Retreat Center: Take Santa Monica Fwy. To The End And Continue On Pacific Coast Hwy. Turn Right On Temescal And Continue Beyond Palisades High School To Sunset Blvd. Cross Sunset And Enter The Conference/Retreat Center. Park Your Car Before You Get To The Office And Go To The Registration Area In The Dining Hall, Which Is The Next Building Beyond The Office. You Will Be Directed As To Where To Park And How To Get To Your Bungalow If You Are Staying Overnight. All
[LAAMN] An Unusual Appeal from Don White
~~~ My friends,
This is a first for me. Never before have I made an appeal for support
on-line for a project in our movement. But this is a very special project and
I am asking you to help.
Sally Marr and Peter Dudar are two exceptional people..and they are doing
exceptional work. With their film, Arlington West, they are reaching thousands
of high school students and turning them away from military service and
empowering them to say NO to military recruiters.
The film reduces many high schoolers to tears and the youth emotionally
thank Sally and Peter for opening their eyes.
Sally and Peter give the films away free, to thousands of students and
they are trying to provide financial support for the military families who join
them in the classrooms, most of whom have just returned from Iraq. Their
resources have pretty much been depleted.
They have visited high school classrooms all over the U.S.
Please read this article...and then, however small, please send a
contribution to Sally and Peter and support their work:
Sally Marr Peter Dudar 1302 No. Sweetzer Avenue
#203 Los Angeles, Ca 90069 {and donations of $200 or more can be made payable
to IDA [International Documentary Association for a tax deduction...other
checks made payable to Sally Marr}
I have never seen such effective pro-peace work and it focuses on the kids
threatened by this war. Please give generously...
and thanks so much, don white ~~
ARLINGTON WEST FILM PROJECT AND SPEAKERS PROGRAMThank you for your support of a
project that has been saving thousands of lives! This year alone, the
ARLINGTON WEST FILM and SPEAKERS PROGRAM has gone into over 17 High Schools and
Community Colleges and presented to more than 8,500 students. Grieving
parents, wives, and children have joined us from Gold Star Families, Military
Families Speak Out, Iraq Veterans the Against War, and Veterans for Peace to
share stories of the war with at-risk youth considering joining the military.
There are many more schools lined up for the next 2 months in Greater Los
Angeles, Santa Barbara and Orange County! With more pro-military principals
being installed and a Navy Admiral now at the head of the L.A. Unified School
District, it becomes a challenge to get into these inner city schools.
Some principals stipulate debates with recruiters
which allows students to ask
pertinent questions in public, and the results have been extraordinary. At the
end of each presentation, any students who were considering joining up or have
family or friends who are thinking of it, are invited to take a free film.
Thousands of films have been given away. This INFORMED ENLISTMENT work is done
without monetary compensation. Cutbacks in schools have eliminated
honorariums. However, many of the Parents and Veterans who join us really need
financial assistance, for time off their jobs, school, and travel expenses. We
personally give them $100 per visit to help with their amazing contribution of
time, experience, and wisdom. After our school presentation, the students
fill in a survey expressing their feelings and this is how we find thousands
who have reconsidered joining the military and will choose college, a career,
or peace activities instead! The response to these presentations is
phenomenal. Lives are being saved in this country as well as the unknown
thousands who would perish in Iraq and Afghanistan due to the occupation.
HOW CAN YOU HELP? Your generous donation will provide the needed financial
assistance to offer the soldiers and parents money for their time and expenses
coming into the schools
and for films and materials given away. The Veterans
for Peace have generously assisted in printing many ARLINGTON WEST DVDs and the
films are going out faster than expected! Next week, we will visit three
schools
4000 students! Your contribution of $100 pays for a soldier or
parent speaking at one school event. $500 pays for 5 speakers. $1000 pays for
500 ARLINGTON WEST DVDs. This program is having an ENORMOUS effect, beyond
what we could ever have imagined! Our students are the most valuable asset of
our country, and they DESPERATELY need your support. If you choose, donations
over $200 can be written to International Documentary Association for a
tax-deductible contribution. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT. Speakers
include: JANE BRIGHT, FERNANDO SUAREZ, DEDE MILLER, VICKIECASTRO, LAURA
HANSON, PAT ALVISO, ARTURO CAMBRON, MARICELA GUZMAN, LUIS CONTRERAS, ROBERT
ACOSTA, JEFF PATTERSON, HELGA AGUSTIN AGUAYO, KYLE SNYDER, NADIA MCCAFFREY,
CALLIE WIGHT, TIM GOODRICH, MARCUS ERICSON, PABLO PAREDES, ED ELLIS, CHUCK
NIXON, ARLENE INOUYE, SUE NEDERERPlease contact:Sally Marr and Peter Dudar
1302 No. Sweetzer Ave. Flat 203, Los Angeles, CA 90069(323) 650-8166
www.arlingtonwestfilm.com [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[Non-text
[LAAMN] Re: [change-links] 2007-06-09..10: Building Community- A Weekend Convergence
Emma: I agree with your observations but can only afford the time to be the messenger announcing the event. I wholeheartedly support you if you choose to inform them about cost and accessibility issues, even if you reach them after the actual event has passed. I hope they listen and provide for a more diverse community in any future events they plan. I'll cc them on this in case that's enough of a message to get the point across. ...uncledon. ChangeLinks editorial assistant - To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [LAAMN] laamn@yahoogroups.com From: Emma Rosenthal [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Tue, 29 May 2007 02:27:56 -0700 Subject: Re: [change-links] 2007-06-09..10: Building Community- A Weekend Convergence this is a very expensive conference (for those without funds) in a very wealthy neighborhood. what provisions are there for those who might not be able to afford to attend? even $5 parking is a lot for someone who can't afford groceries, rent or medicine. is the venue wheelchair accessible? what other accommodations are there for full inclusion of people with disabilities? without real answers to these questions, which should have been indicated in the announcement itself, one has to ask: what type of community are they building? what unity? what diversity? Uncle Don B Fanning wrote: From: Frank [EMAIL PROTECTED] Organization: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Atw-news] Building Community - A Weekend Convergence - Saturday-sunday, June 9-10, Temescal Canyon Conference Center In Pacific Palisades - Presented By Unity-and-diversity World Council Date: Sun, 27 May 2007 10:05:21 -0700 Unity-and-diversity World Council Presents A Weekend Convergence On The Theme Of Building Community Featured Speakers And Performers: Hector Aristizabal, Producer, theater Of The Oppressed Rev. Dr. Richard Rose, Professor Of Religions, University Of La Verne Linda Groff, Ph.d., Global Options, Cal State University Dominguez Hills Stephen Longfellow Fiske, Singer, Guitarist, Songwriter, Peacemaker Stefani Valadez, Ladino Folk Singer (Will Perform At Concert With Stephen) Saturday-sunday, June 9-10, 2007 Saturday 8:00 Am To Sunday 5:00 Pm Temescal Canyon Conference/Retreat Center 15601 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades, California This Convergence Is The One Weekend Experience Offered During The Year By Its Sponsor, The Unity-and-diversity World Council (Udc). Udc's Purpose Is To Help Give Birth To A Unity-and-diversity Type Of Global Civilization That Can Assist In Bringing Peace, Justice, And A Sustainable Environment. It Is Designed To Integrate All Dimensions Of The New Civilization, Rather Than To Specialize In Any One, And It Begins By Fostering A Worldwide Moral And Spiritual Awakening. It Will Include A Modeling Of The Global Assembly Which Was Launched On Peace Sunday Last December. Also Included Will Be A Saturday Night Concert, A Unity-and-diversity Worship Service, And A Closing Interfaith Celebration. We Have Just Been Given The Use Of The Dining Hall For The Weekend, Which Will Provide Much More Flexibility Than The Classroom We Had. Meals And Lodging Are Also Available. Convergence Specifics: This Year's Convergence Is Designed To Bring Together The Major Elements Of Udc Programming, So That Everyone Can Experience What They Are And How They Fit With Each Other. On Saturday, Participants Will Begin With An Experiential Session Featuring Hector Aristizabal. The Rest Of The Morning Will Model A Unity Session Of The Global Assembly. After Lunch Sister Gita And Others Will Present Their Current Project Entitled celebrating Human Greatness. The Rest Of The Afternoon Will Be Devoted To The Following Diversity Sessions: Democracy, Interfaith, Education, Peace, Environment, The Arts, And Metaphysics. Please Indicate On The Registration Form Which Area Of Interest You Choose. Saturday Evening Will Be The Concert Featuring Stephen Longfellow Fiske And Stefani Valadez. Sunday Morning Will Begin By Holding A Unity-and-diversity Worship Service, With Linda Groff, Ph.d. As Speaker. The Rest Of The Morning We Will Explore The Possibilities Of World Scriptures And Science And Spirituality For Developing An Inclusive Kind Of Worship, Fellowship, And Cooperative Action. The Afternoon Will Begin With A Feedback And Summary Session From The Weekend, Including Possible Follow-up Action. The Afternoon Will Conclude With An Inspirational Interfaith Celebration, With Rev. Dr. Richard Rose As The Featured Speaker. Directions To Temescal Canyon Conference And Retreat Center: Take Santa Monica Fwy. To The End And Continue On Pacific Coast Hwy. Turn Right On Temescal And Continue Beyond Palisades High School To Sunset Blvd. Cross Sunset And Enter The Conference/Retreat Center. Park Your Car Before You Get To The Office And Go To The Registration Area In The Dining Hall, Which Is The Next Building Beyond The Office. You Will Be Directed As To Where To Park And How To Get To Your Bungalow If You Are Staying Overnight. All
[LAAMN] Court voids FCC cursing penalties
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/05/business/media/05decency.html?pagewanted=1 June 5, 2007 Court Rebuffs F.C.C. on Fines for Indecency By STEPHEN LABATON WASHINGTON, June 4 If President Bush and Vice President Cheney can blurt out vulgar language, then the government cannot punish broadcast television stations for broadcasting the same words in similarly fleeting contexts. That, in essence, was the decision on Monday, when a federal appeals panel struck down the government policy that allows stations and networks to be fined if they broadcast shows containing obscene language. Although the case was primarily concerned with what is known as fleeting expletives, or blurted obscenities, on television, both network executives and top officials at the Federal Communications Commission said the opinion could gut the ability of the commission to regulate any speech on television or radio. Kevin J. Martin, the chairman of the F.C.C., said that the agency was now considering whether to seek an appeal before all the judges of the appeals court or to take the matter directly to the Supreme Court. The decision, by a divided panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York, was a sharp rebuke for the F.C.C. and for the Bush administration. For the four television networks that filed the lawsuit Fox, CBS, NBC and ABC it was a major victory in a legal and cultural battle that they are waging with the commission and its supporters. Under President Bush, the F.C.C. has expanded its indecency rules, taking a much harder line on obscenities uttered on broadcast television and radio. While the judges sent the case back to the commission to rewrite its indecency policy, it said that it was doubtful that the agency would be able to adequately respond to the constitutional and statutory challenges raised by the networks. The networks hailed the decision. We are very pleased with the court's decision and continue to believe that the government regulation of content serves no purpose other than to chill artistic expression in violation of the First Amendment, said Scott Grogin, a senior vice president at Fox. Viewers should be allowed to determine for themselves and their families, through the many parental control technologies available, what is appropriate viewing for their home. Mr. Martin, the chairman of the commission, attacked the panel's reasoning. I completely disagree with the court's ruling and am disappointed for American families, he said. The court says the commission is 'divorced from reality.' It is the New York court, not the commission, that is divorced from reality. He said that if the agency was unable to prohibit some vulgarities during prime time, Hollywood will be able to say anything they want, whenever they want. Beginning with the F.C.C.'s indecency finding in a case against NBC for a vulgarity uttered by the U2 singer Bono during the Golden Globes awards ceremony in 2003, President Bush's Republican and Democratic appointees to the commission have imposed a tougher policy by punishing any station that broadcast a fleeting expletive. That includes vulgar language blurted out on live shows like the Golden Globes or scripted shows like NYPD Blue, which was cited in the case. Reversing decades of a more lenient policy, the commission had found that the mere utterance of certain words implied that sexual or excretory acts were carried out and therefore violated the indecency rules. But the judges said vulgar words are just as often used out of frustration or excitement, and not to convey any broader obscene meaning. In recent times even the top leaders of our government have used variants of these expletives in a manner that no reasonable person would believe referenced sexual or excretory organs or activities. Adopting an argument made by lawyers for NBC, the judges then cited examples in which Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney had used the same language that would be penalized under the policy. Mr. Bush was caught on videotape last July using a common vulgarity that the commission finds objectionable in a conversation with Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain. Three years ago, Mr. Cheney was widely reported to have muttered an angry obscene version of get lost to Senator Patrick Leahy on the floor of the United States Senate. We find that the F.C.C.'s new policy regarding 'fleeting expletives' fails to provide a reasoned analysis justifying its departure from the agency's established practice, said the panel. Emily A. Lawrimore, a White House spokeswoman, said Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney had no comment about the ruling. Although the judges struck down the policy on statutory grounds, they also said there were serious constitutional problems with the commission's attempt to regulate the language of television
