MediaMouse.org: Grand Rapids, Michigan News and Independent Media

News Covers Local Responses to Violence in Gaza

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 07:41:25 -0500

On Tuesday, people gathered in front of the Federal Building in downtown Grand Rapids to denounce the recent Israeli bombing and occupation of Gaza strip. About 150 people were in attendance--including many from the Arab Community--and carried signs denouncing Israeli military repression against Palestinians living in the Gaza. Others focused on the US role in the current Israeli attacks in the Gaza and denounced the US military support for such actions.

In response to the rally, members of the local Jewish community held a prayer service at Temple Emanuel. Those interviewed in the news media argued that Israel has a right to bomb the Gaza and believes that Israel is the victim in the current conflict. If one relied on the local news media for information, it would be hard to figure out which perspective was more accurate.

Most of the local news agencies ran stories prior to the public rallies that were held. The Grand Rapids Press ran a story on January 6 that interviewed Basel Shatara from the Arab community and Rabbi Michael Shadick from Temple Emanuel. The pre-rally story that WZZM 13 aired also featured Basel Shatara and a professor from Flint, Michigan, Michael Harris. In both stories, each source is quoted with a differing opinion on what is happening in Gaza, with reporters never verifying claims made those sources.

The coverage after the rallies continued on this same trend. The media got comments from both sides but didn't investigate what other sources, particularly international sources, are saying about what is going on.

The WOOD TV 8 story that aired Tuesday evening showed footage of the rally in front of the federal building and the prayer service at the Jewish Temple. This story ended with the Rabbi saying, "Israel is not targeting civilians, it is targeting Hamas which is hiding behind civilians." The WZZM 13 story from Tuesday night had a similar response from another local Rabbi who said, "This is not an issue of attacking Palestinians. It's an issue of targeting Hamas terrorists."

The WXMI 17 story from Tuesday night did include some context to the issue by stating:

"It followed attacks on UN schools and a med center filled with civilians who were looking for shelter from the Israeli offensive. Witnesses confirm Hamas was using the schools to launch attacks and despite international pressure to stop the violence Israel says, they still haven't stopped the terrorist rockets."

Unfortunately, FOX 17 doesn't source where they obtained this information.

To bring some perspective to the issue we looked at numerous international agencies to see how they viewed what was happening in the Gaza to see if that could shed any light on how this issue is being reported on in the US.

Amnesty International released a statement on January 5 that said:

"Civilian casualties and destruction in Gaza are on an unprecedented scale. The UN Security Council must not remain silent. The Council can and must act and it should do so without further delay."

Human Rights Watch also released statements concerning the welfare of civilians in the Gaza and also denounced the Israel government for preventing media and medical teams from entering the Gaza to help the wounded.

The Red Cross also is concerned about civilian casualties and expressed "grave concern over the growing number of civilian deaths and injuries and the increasing amount of civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, that have been affected by the Israeli military operations." The Red Cross also acknowledged in their January 6th statement, "that the conditions in Gaza were extremely harsh even prior to the recent escalation. Just a few months ago ICRC colleagues described the region as being 'on the edge' because of the closure and import restriction imposed by Israel since mid-2007."

The UN Security Council has yet to make a decision on the violence in the Gaza, which according to a report from Democracy Now, is due to the US government blocking any decision by the Security Council. However, the United Nations Secretary General did condemn Israeli attacks in Gaza where "civilians were seeking sanctuary." The UN also released a statement on January 6th imploring the Israeli military to allow relief and medical workers into the Gaza strip. Thus it would appear from a look at these international organizations, organizations that are generally viewed as politically neutral, that the bulk of the blame is being levied against Israel.

This analysis seems to contradict the type of reporting we have seen in the US whether it is in the local media or the national news as Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting has documented.

We will continue to follow this issue and report on both what local actions are taken and how the mainstream media continues to report on it.

NLRB Lets Starbucks Settle Rather than Face Trial

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 07:34:39 -0500

We went down yesterday morning to the scheduled National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) trial over the firing of a member of the Starbucks Workers Union at the East Grand Rapids Starbucks to find that the company settled instead of going to trial.

Here's the statement that was read to the media by the Union:

Faced with the prospect of losing another trial in front of the National Labor Relations Board the Regional Director has agreed to let Starbucks settle the charges against them and forego the trial that was to begin today. The union is upset that the Board is agreeing to accept another Starbucks settlement in Grand Rapids instead of holding them accountable in open court. If this most recent settlement is approved it will be 3rd one allowed by the board in Grand Rapids. With the signing of each settlement Starbucks has said they would end their anti-union intimidation and each time it has continued unabated. We can be sure it will continue which is why union membership is so vital.

Had the trial gone on here today in Grand Rapids we would have detailed the same type of union busting activity that Starbucks was found guilty of a couple weeks ago in New York. Internal communications would have been admitted into evidence showing upper management discussions about union organizing in Grand Rapids and speculation about barista's union sympathies. The same type of surveillance and monitoring that was going on in New York. Also, Starbucks selectively enforced the attendance policy, scheduled baristas based on their union sympathies, and gave me less in raises because of my union affiliation. Based on the evidence that would have been presented its unbelievable that Howard Schultz doesn't have knowledge of the huge anti-union operation in place at Starbucks. Its possible hes directing the whole operation.

On July 5th of last year there was a Global Day of Action against Starbucks called by the Grand Rapids Starbucks Workers Union and the Seville (Spain) CNT. The Day of Action was called after Monica was fired from a Starbucks in Seville and I was fired here in Grand Rapids. Over 200 Starbucks were picketed in over 80 cities in 20 countries. We have a message from the CNT with an update of Monica's situation.

"In Sevilla (Spain), the CNT has forced Starbucks to recognise the unfairness of the dissmissal of our organizer Monica. The company compensated the worker with a severance of 45 days per year as the Spanish labor laws mandates. After the global day of action, groups of workers have gotten in touch with CNT in order to join the union and organize within Starbucks. From the Local Federation of Sevilla of CNT we send our greetings to Cole Dorsey and other members of the SWU. The CNT and the IWA will respond to all the international calls for solidarity against Starbucks or other multinational coporations. We will not allow the anti-union policy of such corporations."

There is still a MIOSHA determination that has to be resolved. MIOSHA also concluded that Starbucks wrongfully terminated me. A date will be set for a trial on those charges so we may still get our day in court.

The important lesson of this process has been how important my union membership is. Had I not been a union member and Starbucks illegally fired me I would have just been fired. I happily pay my union dues every month because I know the power I have as a union member can't be produced on my own. The strength of solidarity that we have in the Starbucks Workers Union has produced positive results in every city that Starbucks has discriminated against IWW members. That is why virtually every day baristas join the Starbucks Workers Union. As Starbucks cuts labor hours for baristas nationally the only way we can combat the growing assault on our jobs is the collective direct action through the union. The economy is sinking because of corporate wrongdoing and the only way we will stop the trend and reverse the tide is through our solidarity on the job.

We have another union victory and there will be many more in the future!

Is Barack Obama "black" enough?

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 07:30:38 -0500

by D. John Lee, Ph.D., Originally published in November 2007, Updated in November of 2008

Formally or anthropologically speaking, my cultural background is best described as "Canadian Chinese." The dominant language in Canada when I was being raised was British English. I grew up hearing, speaking, and learning to communicate in the Queen's English. I also grew up participating in and being formed by many "Canadian" cultural events: hockey, entertainment, media, etc. At the same time, my "Chinese Canadian" father and "Canadian Chinese" mother determined that my brother and I would eat rice everyday and regularly visit our Cantonese Chinese speaking relatives. So, my cultural background is a mixture of Canadian and Chinese norms and traditions. I am referred to by some Chinese as a "corrupted Chinese" (English translation) because I cannot speak Chinese. That is, if I was to run for political office, many "Asians" would criticize me as not being "Asian enough" because of my cultural background (i.e. English is my 1st language, not Chinese or some other "Asian" language). These critics would be confusing my cultural background with how I am racially identified. They would be assuming that if I am racially identified as "Asian" I should have been primarily raised in and/or currently participating in some "Asian" culture. (Note that making this assumption is an example of racial stereotyping: i.e. assuming that a person's phenotype (race) is indicative of his or her's culture: i..e. "You are Asian, therefore you must practice the martial arts.")

Racially speaking, I am identified as an "Asian" by the "white" majority. The "white" majority doesn't know, nor do they care, that there are several hundred cultures subsumed under their racial label of "Asian" (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, etc.). The "white" majority is so firmly racialized that they have a difficult time separating their racial identification from their cultural traditions. For example, most "white" American Christians think of their Christianity as being "white" when in fact Jesus Christ never identified himself as "white" and there are more non-white Christians in the world than there are "white" Christians. David Duke, a white KKK racist and presidential candidate several years ago, complained that Kwanza could be celebrated in public schools but Christmas could not, implying that Christianity was the "white" race's religion. Within the "white" racial category are several cultures and ethnicities (e.g. British, Irish, French, German, Dutch, Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Republican, Democrat, Texan, New Yorker, etc.), but as Europeans became "Americanized" they also became "racialized" and thought of themselves racially instead of culturally. The racialization of Americans has become so lodged in the minds of Americans that "American" culture (e.g. individualism, capitalism, fast food, etc.) has become synonymous with "white" so that we have to qualify "American" with racial identifiers: e.g. African American, Asian American, Native American, etc.

The majority of the "black" community is so firmly racialized that they too have a difficult time separating their racial identification from their cultural traditions. (The cultures among Africans brought to America were systematically dismantled when they were shackled on the European slave boats.) Most "blacks" will acknowledge that there are cultural differences among "blacks" (e.g. North vs. South, rural vs. urban, middle class vs. working class, African vs. Caribbean, etc.). However, some will argue that all "blacks" share a culture that is characterized by its own language, food, music, art, dress, etc. These folk are confusing culture with the shared experience of being racialized and having to deal with racial oppression. That is, even though a "black" person may not speak Ebonics, dislike BBQ, and prefer classical over rap music, s/he has a bond with other "black" people because of their shared struggle of enduring racism. Certainly there is a culture in American made up of primarily (not all) people who are identified as "black." This culture is referred to as "Black" (and sometimes as "African American") but it is a culture not a race. Dark skin tone does not determine one's culture (e.g. not all blacks trace their cultural heritage to Africa) and not all members of the "Black or African American" culture have dark skin (e.g. light-skinned Hispanics, Asians or whites raised in urban Detroit).

Barack Obama is racially identified as "black": he "looks" more black than white and most Americans do not use the "multiracial" term. But, because Barack's cultural background is Hawaiian and Indonesian he is being criticized for not being "black enough." What is this all about? If Barack is not intimately familiar with Black English or Ebonics, BBQ, hip-hop, etc., then he is not "black enough." These critics are confusing Obama's cultural background with how he is racially identified. If Barack racially identifies himself as "black" he has to be prepared to demonstrate some knowledge of "Black" culture in America.

I know this gets confusing but making the separation between culture and race really does sort out who Barack is and why he is being criticized for not being "black enough." It will also predict and make sense of how he will posture himself in a multicultural but racialized electorate as he seeks the U.S. presidency. Obama has to be careful if and when he identifies himself as "African American" because (even though his biological father is African) it is not "black" (see NOTE below). Barack cannot afford to racially identify himself as "biracial" or "multiracial" because it would alienate some blacks who would see this identification as a statement that he does not take racism seriously. (Tiger Woods is "black" to most people even though he racially identifies as "Caublasian" which is his mixed-race term. The black community has distanced themselves from Tiger because of his multiracial identification and being married to a "white" woman. In my experience, Tiger rarely comments on or is rarely called upon to advocate for racial justice.) I predict that Barack will self-identify as "black" for primarily political reasons. The most important issues for me will not be how Barack identifies himself or is identified, but what he has done and will do in the areas of foreign policy (war), civil rights, and the ongoing racial/class injustice in the world.

NOTE: The term "Black" was born out of the mid-20th century American civil rights movement as a political statement against "whites" who had given Blacks racist names like "Negroes" and "Coloreds." "Black" identification was a political statement; people who identified as black were demanding racial justice and civil rights. "Black" was beautiful. "Black" was not inferior or sub-human. "Black Power" was a socio-political movement aimed at overturning "white" power. "Black" is not just a label. "White" is not just a label. In our racialized society, the construction of race impacts almost every aspect of our lives. Knowing how and why "race" is constructed (i.e. deconstructing race) is part of the process of healing and dismantling racism. Unfortunately, most anti-racists and social activists in America (scholars included) continue to racialize themselves in an attempt to confront racism. That is, they use the construction of race without discernment: i.e. knowing how and when the construction contributes to the continued racialization and racism within our minds and society. Using the words of the oppressor is needed to communicate with one another. But, the oppressor's words need not continue to frame the discussion or define anti-racist action. This is not an argument against Affirmative Action or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Racial counting or demographics by the U.S. Census is still necessary in order to monitor compliance with Civil Rights legislation. Educators and religious leaders have failed when the majority of the American populace still believes that "race" is a biological and cultural reality rather than a social-political construction. The U.S. government's (i.e. Census Bureau and EEOC) use of racial categories sustains racialized thinking but is also necessary in the dismantling of racism. Some people use "Black" as an ancestral term making reference to the descendants of West African slaves who live in the United States. Determining who is and who is not a descendant of African slaves is extremely problematic. Birth records of slaves are sketchy at best and using "blood lines" for racial membership only adds fuel to the biological myth of race and racial purity.

Postscript - November 2008

Using racialized terminology to label people will continue until there is a significant degree of racial equity in the United States. The election of a President who identifies and is identified as "black" is a significant but still a small step towards racial justice. Unfortunately, because the U.S. is so firmly segregated by race and class, only a small number of people recognize or experience the continued effects of institutionalized racism (e.g. public school funding and real estate steering).

GRIID Offering Media & Propaganda Class

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 07:11:08 -0500

The Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy (GRIID) is offering another one of its popular classes. This winter, GRIID will conduct the following class:

Media & Propaganda in the US

This new six-week GRIID class will examine the role of media and Propaganda in the US over the past 100 years. We will look at the origins and function of the public relations industry, the role of corporate media, a case study of government propaganda and news coverage of the US occupation of Iraq and the role that Hollywood and other popular media plays in government. We will also discuss ways to critically read/watch news and even have participants do a mini investigation of local and national media.

There are no books for this class, but we will be using some essays, articles, documentaries and news media for the class text. Classes will be Monday nights from 7-9pm at 1134 Wealthy SE, in the same building as the Bloom Collective.

Class cost is $20 and begins on Monday, January 26. For more information contact Jeff Smith jsmith@mediamouse.org or Mike Saunders outobol@gmail.com

A People's History of Poverty in America

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 06:45:10 -0500

Click on the image to purchase this book through Amazon.com. Purchases help support MediaMouse.org.

The newest addition to the "People's History" series, this book follows the important work begun by Howard Zinn in A People's History of the United States, by bringing to us the voices of those who have lived in poverty.

A People's History of Poverty in America presents to readers the stories and experiences of numerous people who have been unemployed, underemployed, lived on welfare, charity and have been ignored by much of the doctrinal history written about the United States.

At times A People's History of Poverty in America reads like a Charles Dickens novel, with gripping stories of how some people survived the harsh realities of poverty, while others were crushed under its weight. One thing that makes the stories so compelling is that the author presents numerous personal accounts in many of the chapters, often back to back, with comments from the 1880s and then the present day. Quiet often it is hard to distinguish which era the first person narrative is coming from, since many of the same realities have plagued people in poverty for the past two centuries in the US.

Other components of the book that are quite revealing are the attitudes by many whom have experienced poverty, particularly about charity and welfare. There seems to have been a great deal of contempt by those who have lived in poverty directed at people who have made charitable donations to the poor. The commentary by many people communicates the idea that people didn't want charity and that often they were pressured to feel "grateful" to their benefactors.

The same message is conveyed in the stories of people who have received government welfare, where quite often welfare workers would not only look down on those receiving welfare, they would chastise people for not being "more responsible." Many of the narratives also reflected a great shame in many people who received charity in some way and in many cases people denying it out of pride. Many of those who's stories are told in A People's History of Poverty in America often express a sense of not wanting handouts, but wanting a job, to work for their bread and shelter.

Another interesting component of the book was the contrast between those in poverty in the late 19th century or during the Great Depression era and those in poverty in more recent decades. The author notes that there seemed to be a stronger sense of community in the older almshouses and poorhouses as opposed to the shelters of today. People who stay in shelters today are generally not allowed to be there during the day, whereas in the past people could be there during the day, thus providing them with a greater sense of community.

This difference in how those who lived in poverty is reflected in how there seemed to be more sharing of resources and people looking out for each other. There also was a sense in reading the stories of people that they were constantly looking for ways to supplement their basic needs. People would share housing more often, provide free meals to strangers and people were willing to utilize the waste of society. A whole chapter is devoted to the stories of people who lived off of society's waste, particularly by dumpster diving. Dumpster diving still exists in the US, but the population of those who engage in it now seems to be significantly different than those in previous generations.

If there are any shortcomings to this book, it would be in the area of how policy impacted poverty in the US. There is some information on laws that have been enacted over the years that punishes the poor and some analysis of the New Deal policies enacted by the FDR administration. One interesting observation made about the New Deal is how these policies impacted the South:

"...instead of the New Deal tearing down the apartheid regime and bringing more egalitarian provision of public aid, because of the South's control over the Democratic Party and Congress itself, it shaped New Deal programs to serve the White planters' interests."

Where the book lacks in policy analysis it makes up for it with an excellent final chapter on how people in poverty have resisted. Entitled "Bread or Blood," provides great stories of how people have fought against poverty from the food riots of 1775 to contemporary work of the grassroots group, the Kensington Welfare Rights Union. In this final chapter of A People's History of Poverty in America, there are stories of people running state welfare workers off their property, people organizing strikes, sit-ins, sleep-ins, marches, property destruction and examples of those in poverty taking over legislator offices. One example was a campaign by a welfare mother named Ruby Duncan, who was so disgusted with the government's response to poverty that she organized other women with children to go into restaurants in Las Vegas, places frequented by casino tourists, order meals and then refuse to pay.

Like the other books in the People's History series, this new book is a great addition in the tradition of providing the stories of people who have been left out of history books. A People's History of Poverty in America is an important contribution for those who care about the rich history of struggle in the United States.

Stephen Pimpare , A People's History of Poverty in America, (New Press, 2008).

Press Continues Biased Reporting on Israeli Bombing of Gaza

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 19:33:06 -0500

Just as we reported a few days ago, the Grand Rapids Press continues to run stories that are biased in favor of Israel in regards to their most recent bombing campaign of the Gaza strip.

On January 3, the Press ran two Associated Press (AP) stories on page A6. The main story is entitled "Muslim protests go global." The story does reflect that protests against the Israeli military assault were happening all over the world, but even the AP article acknowledges that there were protests held by people other than Muslims. There is also no mention of the dozens of protests that have occurred in communities all across the country.

The photos that accompany the story are one of a protest in Washington DC and what appears to be Palestinian youth throwing rocks at the Israeli military in the Gaza. Thus, the Press decision to call the protest Muslim is a bit misleading and it might feed into the anti-Muslim portrayal that is prominent in US media. It is also worth noting that the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, ran the same AP story but used the headline, "Worldwide protests staged against Israel's offensive in Gaza."

Beyond the headline, the AP article also continued to promote the Israeli position for the bombing attack. The article states, "Israel says its offensive is aimed at silencing Hamas rockets." However, nowhere in the story is a different perspective presented, despite the fact that numerous writers have pointed out that Hamas was responding to an Israeli bombing of the Gaza that took place back in early November. Writer and historian James Petras says the Israeli state, "boasts of having systematically pre-planned the extermination campaign - months in advance - up to and including the precise hour and day of the bombing to coincide with inflicting the maximum murder of civilians." Belen Fernandez notes in a recent posting that the reporting in US media is in part due to a well-organized PR campaign by the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC.

The second AP story that appeared in the Press was headlined, "U.N. fears crisis." The story begins with some information about the human cost of the Israeli bombing, but omits a great deal of the original story, which had more details on the destruction from the bombing. The Press version of the AP story also only includes comments from President Bush and his Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, unlike the original AP story, which included comments from Hamas leaders, a UN representative, and residents of Gaza who offered eyewitness accounts of the Israeli attacks.

Court Hearing for Fired Starbucks Barista

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 18:57:59 -0500

The Grand Rapids Starbucks Workers Union is circulating the following announcement about an important trial regarding the firing of a Starbucks Union organizer here in Grand Rapids:

AFTER A CRUSHING DEFEAT IN NEW YORK WATCH STARBUCKS ATTEMPT TO DODGE CHARGES IN GRAND RAPIDS!

PACK THE COURTROOM FOR BARISTA RIGHTS!

What:

A trial against Starbucks at the National Labor Relations Board over the wrongful termination of an IWW barista. The proceedings are open to the public.

Who:

Starbucks baristas, supporters from the IWW, the community, and Starbucks management officials.

The IWW Starbucks Workers Union will be represented by attorney Rodger Webb of Webb, Englehardt, and Fernandes.

Starbucks will be represented by David Khorey and Kelly Stoppels of Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt, and Howlett.

The NLRB attorney on the case is Brad Howell. Why:

Starbucks' is preparing to fight its second trial against Unfair Labor Practices. Last week, in an 88 page decision, an administrative law judge found, among other things, that Starbucks maintained multiple policies which interfered with workers' right to communicate about the union and about working conditions; terminated three workers in retaliation for union activity; and repeatedly discriminated against union supporters.

After an investigation triggered by charges from the IWW in Grand Rapids, the Labor Board hit Starbucks with a complaint alleging the illegal termination of an employee for union activity.The barista firing at issue in the case resulted in solidarity actions from around the world. Now Starbucks will have to answer for its illegal acts in open court, again!

Despite the fierce anti-union campaign by the world's largest fast-food coffee outlet, baristas around the country continue to join the IWW Starbucks Workers Union to pressure the company on issues of concern including insecure work hours, poverty wages, and unaffordable health care.

Background on the complaint for which Starbucks will stand trial: "Starbucks faces another NLRB complaint", by Lauren Shepherd for the Associated Press, available online

When: Starting Wednesday, January 7th at 10amThursday, January 8th 10am(possibly) Friday, January 9th 10am

Where: NLRB Region 7 at the Federal Building. David L. Basso Hearing Room, 82 Ionia 3rd Floor in Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

Press Conference 930am January 7th in front of 82 Ionia

Review: The Price of Pleasure: Pornography, Sexuality and Relationships

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 18:41:04 -0500

Pornography is one of those issues that either becomes framed as a matter of free speech or morality. Those who oppose it often are labeled as anti-sex feminists. However, there are new voices and new perspectives that are trying to draw attention to the violence in both the production and consumption of pornography.

In a new documentary The Price of Pleasure: Pornography, Sexuality and Relationships, the directors provide a fresh look at an industry that now has an estimated 420 million websites, produces 13,000 new DVDs every year, and is completely intertwined with mainstream media. The Price of Pleasure does not necessarily draw strong conclusions, but it does raise important questions about the pornography industry and what impact it is having in the US.

The documentary begins with a look at how pornography went from being a marginal business that tended to be viewed with scorn to a multi-billion dollar industry that boasts its own lobby. The porn lobby, known as the Free Speech Coalition, challenged legal rulings and some significant cases in the 1990s, particularly cases that paved the way for the power that the Internet would provide the industry as a mechanism for distribution. Now pornography is part of the capitalist landscape with media companies like Time Warner and NewsCorp profiting off partnerships with the porn industry.

Other issues raised in the documentary are how pornography makes commodities out of women & men, the racist elements of pornography, and new trends in pornography, such as "Dorm porn." Dorm porn is a growing phenomenon where college students are making porn as a way of paying for tuition.

One of the most revealing aspects of the documentary was a study done by students and faculty of the New School, where they looked at the most popular porn videos to make some determinations about the content. Pornography defenders have long argued that anti-porn activists always use the "worst" porn examples and make it look like this is all porn. However, as Robert Jensen and Gail Dines have shown in their research, the bulk of porn produced now is what might have been called "extreme" years ago. This is exactly what the researchers from the New School discovered, that the most popular porn videos that were being rented in the US had extreme content. The researchers found that in 89% of the videos they viewed, verbal and physical violence was central to the production.

The documentary includes voices from those in the porn industry, former porn industry workers, researchers, and activists. It is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to understand what the industry is and what impact it can have on our lives.

You can view the trailer online and come to a public screening this Wednesday, January 7 at the Micro-Cinema in the Wealthy Theatre at 7pm.

Soil Not Oil: Environmental Justice in an Age of Climate Crisis

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:30:29 -0500

Click on the image to purchase this book through Amazon.com. Purchases help support MediaMouse.org.

With all the trendy "green consumerism" and corporate green-washing that dictates so much of current discourse around environmentalism, it is important that we examine independent perspectives on the severity of the world's ecological crisis.

Vandana Shiva has provided a fresh and independent perspective for more than two decades now as she has confronted how we think about environmentalism by writing books about water, seeds, global trade policies, and patriarchy's relationship to the natural world. In her most recent book Soil Not Oil: Environmental Justice in an Age of Climate Crisis, the Indian activist provides needed analysis for those of us who might be duped by the market approach to environmental justice.

Shiva argues that the world is faced with three fundamental global crises: global warming, energy use/depletion and food. The author believes that these three issues are inter-connected, therefore how we respond as a global community with any of these issues will impact the other two. Soil Not Oil does not just address those three issues, it provides an analysis and challenge to those of us in the US who think we have the best approach to solving the climate, energy and food crises.

For example, the business community has primarily dominated the response to global warming in the US, much of which has been supported by the ideas put forth by Al Gore. Shiva argues that these "solutions" are imperialist in nature since they dictate what the poorer countries of the world should do. This imperialist response by rich countries is best demonstrated by the idea of carbon trading. Carbon trading allows the biggest polluting nations and corporations to transfer their pollution onto other nations and communities by investing in "green" technology abroad. Shiva believes that the market should not be deciding how to deal with something so crucial as climate change and suggests that carbon trading is a false solution since "it does not begin with policies and laws that protect and support the nonpolluting patterns of production, distribution and consumption."

Carbon trading will in effect mean that the big polluters will be subsidized to continue to pollute, because "slightly greener" companies can sell their carbon credits to the worst polluters. This market solution provides no real incentive for developing truly sustainable ways of production, which is why Shiva believes that the nuclear industry has been cashing in on the global warming frenzy. Nuclear power has received the support of politicians and some environmental groups despite the fact that the uranium mining that is done in order for nuclear power to work is highly toxic and unsustainable.

When discussing energy use, Vandana Shiva focuses on the cost of car use in her home country of Indian. With the increase in personal auto transportation on the rise in countries like India, it not only increases the global demands of oil production, it has resulted in increased deaths and road construction. The new road construction throughout India has primarily impacted India's rural farming communities, communities that have lost their land and their livelihood.

This shift to greater car production and use in countries like India has meant less land for food, the third major crisis that Shiva tackles in Soil Not Oil. Not only does road and parking lot construction take away precious land from small farmers, it necessitates that more land is used for bio-fuels to power the machines. This has resulted in less land for food production and high prices for basic food staples. Those of us in the US have experienced increased in the cost of basic grains, but this increase in global food prices has hit people harder in countries like India. So why bio-fuels are presented as a green fuel it has actually caused more environmental destruction and poverty.

Shiva believes that the market-based solutions that the rich nations have adopted in responding to the global climate/energy/food crisis has and will only make things worse. The author believes that the power to make decisions about food and energy should be put in the hands of smaller communities, decisions that she believes would be more sustainable. Shiva cites numerous examples in India where people have created their own seed banks to promote traditional grains like millet, which is more nutritious and sustainable to grow. When local communities have control over the most fundamental resources such as food and energy production there is a greater chance that the issue of how it impact that community will be central to the decision making process, unlike when corporations or nation states impose their decisions on communities.

Soil Not Oil concludes with the author appealing to the idea encompassed in the Indian work Shakti, which means the "capacity to do" or "to have power." When local communities have the capacity and the power to determine the futures, a future that is not driven by external market forces, only then can the world overcome the global climate crisis we are faced with. Soil Not Oil is an excellent resource for those who are serious about not just averting a larger global climate crisis, but for those who want to preserve living communities of bio-diversity.

Vandana Shiva, Soil Not Oil: Environmental Justice in an Age of Climate Crisis, (South End Press, 2008).

Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft, and Design

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:14:53 -0500

Click on the image to purchase this book through Amazon.com. Purchases help support MediaMouse.org.

From Portland to Milwaukee to Ypsilanti, a new wave of do-it-yourself art, craft, and design is, and has been, emerging across the nation. Intertwining interviews of crafters from all areas of the nation with photos of their work, Faythe Levine and Cortney Heimerl compile the ever so timely book, Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft, and Design.

Upon skimming through the brightly-colored glossy pages, we see photo after photo of young emerging artists showing off their handiwork. Lampwork beads, handmade shoes, latch-hook rugs, refurbished jewelry, altered clothing, and knitted purses are exhibited by twenty-four crafters. Through interviews, they all share their inspiring stories of how independent (also known as "indie") craft has impacted their lives.

With blogs, forums, and craft websites hopping with both makers and buyers, many indie crafters have transformed small projects, which at one point started from sitting on their bedroom floors cross-stitching, has now turned into an underground economy from which many are able to make their living. A dream come true for some of the crafters featured; the ability to combine their passion and skill to create and make money doing what they love, drives them - for others, it is a reclamation of the creativity and uniqueness that they feel is stripped from our society by corporate influence and uniformity, that makes them flourish in the art. As Andrew Wagner states in his essay entitled "Craft: It's What You Make of It" he says "Making your own clothes, your own dinnerware, your own art has become a way to politely (or maybe not so politely) give 'the man' the middle finger, for lack of a better term."

Wagner's reaction to the rise of the indie craft revolution perhaps best envelopes many of the feelings the twenty-four crafters share about their community. So whether they intend to or not, these crafters are stabbing capitalism in the heart by outwardly refusing to participate in the corporate economy while supporting their own independent market that eliminates mass production, the "middle man", and may also take the form trading goods and eliminating any or all currency in their transactions.

Even someone completely foreign to the world of indie craft will instantly notice the complete turn-around of what makes this form of craft different from their grandmother's. While many of these crafters borrow old traditions, what they are creating is something drastically different and completely new.

Throughout the text, Levine and Heimerl intersperse other crafters' wisdom through short essay-like segments which give much insight into the many varying interpretations of what craft is, how it can be used as a catalyst for social change, the Internet and its affects on craft culture and business, to craft as a therapeutic and even spiritual form.

Handmade Nation makes it immediately obvious that in this particular world of craft, the medium, the creativity, and the ideas, know no boundaries and the empowering underlying message: anyone can do this.

Faythe Levine and Cortney Heimerl, Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft, and Design, (Princeton Architectural Press, 2008).

Group Calls for Action against Israel's War on Gaza

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:19:44 -0500

MediaMouse.org received this email from a local group calling for people to show opposition to Israel's attack on Gaza:

Take Action against Israel's War on Gaza

Grand Rapids, Michigan Dec. 31, 2008---A group of local folks who are disturbed by Israel's violent bombing of Gaza over the past week are calling on others to denounce Israel's bombing of Gaza and to show support for the Palestinian families living there.

To date, Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip have killed more than 375 Palestinians and injured more than 1,400. Many are civilians, women and children. Many, many more have had their homes and their livelihoods destroyed...yet again.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has vowed "a war to the bitter end." Why? It's an election year. Yousef Munayyer, policy analyst for the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, wrote in the Chicago Tribune, "In Israel, it is time to be tough. Not because being tough will stop rocket fire from the Gaza Strip, but because being tough will get you elected. With elections upcoming, the incumbents have a direct advantage over the challengers because they are in the position to create, and act upon, issues of national security to prove their ability to handle these challenges...Israel and Hamas were at their most peaceful state in the history of their coexistence for five months this year. During the Egyptian-brokered truce, aggressive attacks plummeted and for the first time in years, the alarm sirens indicating incoming rocket attacks had largely fallen silent."

Not only is the recent bombing campaign about getting out the vote, US tax dollars are funding it. From 2001-2006, the U.S. transferred to Israel more than $200 million worth of spare parts for its F-16s and more than $100 million worth of Apache helicopter parts. In July 2008, the U.S. gave Israel 186 million gallons of JP-8 aviation jet fuel and signed $1.9 billion worth of combat ships. And, we signed a $1.3 billion contract with Raytheon to transfer thousands of TOW, Hellfire, and "bunker buster" missiles to Israel.

WE DEMAND AN END TO THE ISRAELI BOMBING OF CIVILIANS!

WE DEMAND THAT THE US STOPS FUNDING ISRAEL ($3 billion annually) UNTIL REAL NEGOTIATIONS BEGIN AND THE ISRAELI OCCUPATION OF PALESTINIAN LAND ENDS!

Contact the White House, the State Department, your Representative and Senators to protest Israel's war on Gaza. Demand an immediate cease-fire.

Debbie Stabenow (616) 975-0052, http://stabenow.senate.gov/contact.htm

Vern Ehlers, Ford Federal Building, 110 Michigan St., Grand Rapids, MI 49503, (616) 451-8383, www.house.gov/ehlers/contact_vern.shtml

Carl Levin, Ford Federal Building, 110 Michigan St., Grand Rapids, MI 49503, (616) 456-2531, http://levin.senate.gov/contact/

White House: 202-456-1111 or comments@whitehouse.gov

State Department: 202-647-6575

Write a letter to the editor of The Grand Rapids Press, pulse@grpress.com, 150 Michigan NW, Grand Rapids MI 49503.

Phone into your favorite local talk show.

The action is being planned by an informal group, Brunch & Revolution, which meets monthly to discuss ways and take action to create social justice through meaningful change.

For more information, visit:

http://www.electronicintifada.net/

http://www.pchrgaza.org/

http://www.endtheoccupation.org

It's Not Just the Economy Silly, It's Capitalism

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:00:35 -0500

It's mid-December and I just sat down to watch a few minutes of the Lions game and right away there is a commercial break. I wanted to watch the game to be part of history. The first commercial was for Verizon with that creepy guy who can only say one thing and his horde of support staff. The rest of the commercials were all holiday themed with happy music in the background and assurances that all the products were bargains that would "make our holidays special."

The best commercial by far was the new Cadillac ads promoting their red-tag sale. Using pseudo-democratic language, the commercial tells viewers that they can pick their own price tag at Cadillac.com. I was feeling in the mood to be seen in a new Cadillac so I went online and filled in the fields which gave me "my" price tag for a 2008 Cadillac Escalade for just $72,000. But wait, the company was offering $10,000 cash back, so I could be styling in a new ride at a mere $62,000.

Apart from the fact that spending $62,000 on a car would be utter absurdity, the idea that these companies would continue to try to convince me and everyone else that their holiday joy will be intimately connected to what I buy is disgusting. Add to that the fact that the economy is in the shitter and such commercial appeals are nothing more than corporate arrogance.

However, despite the fact that poverty rates in the US are growing and unemployment/underemployment is skyrocketing, the market keeps telling us to buy crap that we do not need. Everywhere you look commercialism is rampant. According to the Media Education Foundation, the average American will encounter about 3,000 commercial ads per day. On top of the obnoxious ads on TV, we see them on billboards, in movies and video games, online, and on the radio.

Open The Grand Rapids Press on any given day of the week and you will be slapped in the face with the amount of ad space. In the Sunday, December 14 issue of the Press, the Home & Garden section provided readers with details on how to decorate your house for the holidays, which of course required you to purchase electrical lighting. In the Travel section the lead story is how your family can have an affordable vacation on the Caribbean Island of St. Lucia. This is not only arrogance on the part of the Press to suggest that working people can vacation with the entire family in the Caribbean it is an affirmation that the Press is not only a product of capitalism, but an ardent defender and promoter of the "free market" system.

The Grand Rapids Press, like most mainstream media, has a business section in their daily paper. However, mainstream news sources do not have a workers section of the paper nor do most news agencies have a labor beat reporter. Doesn't this seem odd to you? I mean, aren't most of us working people? Why have a section for business owners when they are clearly in the minority? The answer should be clear. We live in a business run society. This is why stock information is scrolled across the bottom of the screen and not information of working people's wages.

In the past few months with the news coverage focused on the Wall St. disaster, the banking scams and the proposed auto industry bailout when have you hear or read a news story that even questions the system of capitalism? You just won't find those perspectives in mainstream media. In early October, I attended a forum organized by the Siedman School of Business of GVSU at the downtown campus. The forum was on "Understanding the Economic Crisis," yet there was only one perspective represented on the panel. All six of the panelists were either financial consultants or bankers. The only thing they could agree on were "the market is ok, we just need to stabilize the economy" and "don't do anything without consulting your financial advisor first."

Ok, so a show of hands...how many of you have a financial advisor? And while we are on it, what the hell is a financial consultant anyway? Do they advise you on what not to buy or inform you that the average salary of CEO in the US is 344 times more than the average worker? Hell no, they tell you what stocks you should invest in or they will be out on their 3 piece suit-wearing asses.

In early November, the Project for Excellence in Journalism produced a study on how much news coverage was devoted to the recent economic crisis. The study showed that while all forms of news media were repeatedly reporting on the economic crisis they relied exclusively on financial experts, business leaders or elected officials. The only time that working people were cited in stories is when reporters wanted to know how they would survive if laid off or how much shopping they were hoping to do for the holidays. Apparently, working people do not have an opinion on the current economic crisis. However, most absent from the coverage were the voices of those who say that this recent wave of the economic crisis is a natural outcome of capitalism.

Capitalism, by its very nature, is predatory. The goal is to make more, to put profits before people and to have an ever-expanding market. A good example is Nestle, which bottles spring water from Michigan. Nestle does not have a plan to sell 50 million bottles of water and be content with that. They want to constantly expand their market, even if it means environmental destruction. Nike wants to charge you $120 for the new LeBron sneakers, even if it means using sweatshop labor in Vietnam. You can buy a Toyota Prius and feel better about fuel efficiency, but the reality is that these cars are made by workers who are forced to work in difficult, and at times, repressive circumstances.

In addition to the brutal and repressive treatment of workers in a capitalist system, the state is a necessary tool for it to continue. Don't you find it interesting that corporation, bankers, and other financial institutions are begging the state to bail them out with public funds? Even when these institutions are not in crisis, many of them survive off government welfare, usually referred to as subsidies. In fact, according to the Project on Corporations, Law & Democracy if corporate welfare ended over half of the Fortune 500 companies could not survive.

Considering that things are not likely to get better anytime soon, what is it that we can do to confront capitalism and maybe even create economic systems that are not based on exploitation? Some are putting their hope in the new administration, despite the fact that his economic advisors and appointments, like Lawrence Summers, Robert Rubin and Tim Geithner. These guys are the same ones who pushed for deregulation of the market during the Clinton years, policies that helped to create the economic mess we have now.

The other option would be to begin to reject capitalism and create economic systems that are based on justice and equality. This kind of action requires that we work on this together and not as individuals. I in no way want to suggest that I have any answers here, but maybe there are efforts we can look to for ideas.

We could begin by being inspired by what the workers did in Chicago recently, when they decided to occupy the Republic Windows and Doors factory as a response to the company's decision to shut down the factory. Legally, workers do not have the right to engage in these kinds of actions, thanks to the 1947 Taft-Hartley Act, but that didn't stop them from doing what is right. We can all take a lesson from these workers.

Other campaigns and movements we can learn from are the World Social Forum, an international gathering in response to the G-8 nations and the World Trade Organization. There is also the Project for Corporations, Law and Democracy, a group, which educates people on the origins of corporations and provides resources on challenging corporate charters. Next, we could learn from the investigative work of groups like the National Labor Committee, CorpWatch.org and Corporate Crime Reporter. Once we have a better analysis of capitalism, we can participate in actions by looking to Infoshop.org, which has a wealth of information on anti-capitalist and anti-globalization movements. Another great resource is Root Force, which provides information and analysis for taking direct action against capitalism. Locally, there is the Really, Really Free Market, which provides an opportunity for anyone to share goods and resources and not participate in the capitalism model and The Bloom Collective, which has numerous anti-capitalist zines, books, and DVDs you can check out.

"One day we must ask the question, Why are there forty million poor people in America? And when you begin to ask that question, you are raising questions about the economic system, about a broader distribution of wealth. When you ask that question, you begin to question the capitalistic economy. And I'm simply saying that more and more, we've got to begin to ask questions about the whole society."

- Martin Luther King Jr.

Noteworthy Articles

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:36:58 -0500

The following articles of interest were published elsewhere on the web today:

A Tough Fall for Coal
Coal power advocates faced many setbacks this fall from EPA rulings to proposals for new coal plants being defeated. The losses faced by the coal industry may impact plans to build new coal plants in Michigan.
Categories: coal energy environment michigan
The End of the Green Party
A Green Party activist looks at the Green Party's failure this year and assesses its bleak prospects for survival.
Categories: greenparty progressives elections2008 elections left
Palestine's Guernica and the Myths of Israeli Victimhood
A number of myths are circulating about Israel's attack on Gaza. This piece destroys many of them.
Categories: israel palestine gaza
The dire cost of domestic rivalries
A look at some reasons beyond the rocket attacks that might be playing into Israel's decision to attack Gaza. The author argues it has more to do with Israeli politics and politics in Palestine than it does with stopping the rockets.
Categories: israel palestine gaza
Israel's onslaught on Gaza is a crime that cannot succeed
A worthwhile piece that argues that Israel's attack on Gaza will fail and that it will motivate renewed resistance to Israel.
Categories: israel gaza palestine
Israeli War Crimes Statement
A statement by Prof. Richard Falk, United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories outlining how Israel's attack on Gaza violates the Geneva Conventions.
Categories: israel palestine gaza warcrimes unitednations
Funding Israel's Military
A good reminder of where the money and weapons needed for Israel's attack on Gaza come from: the United States.
Categories: israel palestine gaza usa
Feminist Voices on Gaza
A round-up from one of our favorite blogs--Feministing--that highlights feminist responses to Israel's invasion of Gaza.
Categories: israel gaza palestine
Pro-Palestinian Protesters at Obama's Hawaii House
Protests urged Obama to make a public statement condemning Israel's assault. Thus far, Obama has avoided making a statement claiming that there is only one president at a time and that he should consequently remain silent on the issue.
Categories: israel palestine gaza
Security Council Mildly Rebukes Israel's Gaza Attacks
"After an emergency closed-door session Sunday night, the 15-member Security Council issued a politically bland statement expressing "serious concern" over the devastating Israeli air strikes on Gaza and calling for an "immediate halt to all violence."" As usual, the US's unwillingness to be critical of Israel helped ensure the tepid nature of the resolution.
Categories: israel gaza palestine unitednations
World Powers Call for End to Gaza Fighting
Around the world governments are calling for an end to Israel's attack on Gaza.
Categories: israel palestine gaza
Gaza Attacks: Murder with Impunity
A piece that offers some historical analysis of the situation in Gaza and the US's support for the attack.
Categories: israel palestine gaza
Israel rejects Gaza truce calls
Israel has rejected attempts made by European countries to broker a cease-fire agreement.
Categories: israel palestine gaza
Palestine Bleeds; the World Shudders
An updated from Indymedia on the situation in Gaza. It looks at aid groups being denied access, the preparation of Palestinian militia groups for a possible ground assault, and more.
Categories: israel palestine gaza
Nearly 400 dead as Gaza bombardment enters fifth day; "humanitarian distaster" looms
The president of the UN's General Assembly has said that Israel's attack on Gaza is violating the Geneva Conventions. He listed three specific violations--collective punishment, targeting civilians, and the disproportionate military response.
Categories: israel gaza unitednations
"Civilians Are Paying the Price in Gaza"
"International aid groups, including several United Nations agencies, are warning of a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza if Israel does not stop its military action there immediately."
Categories: israel gaza unitednations
Israeli Attacks Kill Over 310 in Gaza in One of Israel's Bloodiest Attacks on Palestinians Since 1948
Democracy Now looks at Israel's latest attack on Palestine calling it one of the bloodiest attacks since 1948.
Categories: israel palestine
Union urges immediate boycott following Gaza university bombing
The Israeli military bombed a college in Gaza the other day.
Categories: israel palestine gaza
The GOP's 'Magic Negro' Debacle
While I'm not sure that the entire Republican Party is racist, the Party does display a shocking amount of ignorance when it comes to the topic of race.
Categories: racism republicans
Two Dangerous Bush-Cheney Myths
This piece looks at two myths of the Bush administration: that torture and "the surge" both worked in Iraq. The author argues that unless these myths are challenged, Bush's legacy may be viewed more positively than many would like.
Categories: bush cheney iraq torture waronterror
Burger King Serves Up Cultural Imperialism
Burger King's latest ad campaign--"whopper virgins"--celebrates cultural imperialism.
Categories: fastfood avertising imperialism
TV News Winds Down Operations on Iraq War
The three major television networks no longer have full time reporters in Iraq. Not that news coverage of Iraq was ever good of course.
Categories: iraq media
How Should the Left Criticize Obama?
An interesting article that argues the left's criticism of Obama has focused to much on Obama's flaws and his cabinet choices. Instead, the author argues that the left should be using Obama as a bridge towards a more systemic critique.
Categories: left obama

Previously archived links are available on the news links page or on Media Mouse's del.icio.us page. To recommend links, tag them with "mediamouserecommended" on del.icio.us or contact us via email.

National and International Headlines for December 31

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:31:33 -0500

Headlines from Democracynow.org, a daily TV/radio news program, hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, airing on over 650 stations, pioneering the largest community media collaboration in the US.

Gaza Bombing Continues as Israel Rejects Truce Proposal

Israel has rejected a French proposal for an emergency forty-eight-hour ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. There were brief hopes for a lull in the bombing after Israeli officials said they were seriously considering the move. But earlier today Israeli warplanes continued to pound areas across Gaza.

30 Palestinians Killed in Latest Attacks

A Palestinian medic was killed and two others wounded when an Israeli missile struck next to their ambulance in Gaza City. Several underground tunnels along the Gaza border with Egypt were also attacked. Israel maintains the tunnels are used to smuggle in weapons, but they're also used to bring in basic supplies denied by the Israeli blockade. Overall, at least thirty Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Tuesday, including two sisters aged five and twelve. Nearly 400 Palestinians have been killed and at least 1,600 injured since Saturday. In Rafah, thousands of residents took shelter at a local UN school after their neighborhoods were attacked by Israeli missiles.

Rafah resident: "Missiles were fired at the municipality and around the municipality near the houses and made all the houses collapse. Most of the area is destroyed. There is complete destruction."

Palestinian rocket fire has meanwhile intensified on nearby Israeli towns. Four Israeli citizens, including two Arab Israelis, have been killed by rockets from the Gaza Strip since the Israeli assault began. The Bush administration continues to support Israel's attack. On Tuesday, White House spokesperson Gordon Johndroe downplayed reports of growing Palestinian casualties.

White House spokesperson Gordon Johndroe: "We want Israel to avoid civilian casualties. But let's be careful about some of the numbers we're seeing coming out of Gaza. But also, you know, what about the three people, I believe, I saw reported today that were killed in Israel by rockets? I'm not going to compare numbers between the two locations."

Foreign Journalists Challenge Gaza Ban

Meanwhile, the Israeli Supreme Court will hear a petition today challenging Israel's ban on journalists from entering Gaza. The Foreign Press Association filed the challenge on behalf of 400 reporters. In an open letter, the Foreign Press Association said the closure marks "an unprecedented restriction of press freedom... The world's media is unable to accurately report on events inside Gaza at this critical time."

Protests Worldwide Condemn Israeli Attack

Protests against the attack on Gaza continue across the world. On Tuesday, hundreds gathered outside the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem.

Protester: "We are standing in front of the Church of Nativity, where the Prince of Peace was born, where the Prince of Justice was born, and sending a message to the world: enough killing, enough bloodshed, enough violence, enough killing of innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip. And this occupation has to end, and this war has to end."

Thousands Join Protests Across US

Thousands of people took to the streets across the United States Tuesday in a national day of protest against the Israeli attack. Here in New York, a large crowd gathered outside the Israeli consulate. In Washington, D.C., thousands marched outside the US State Department. Protests were also held in dozens of cities and towns across the country, including Los Angeles, Dearborn, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Lexington, and Cincinnati. In Hawaii, a group of protesters gathered near President-elect Obama's vacation retreat to protest his apparent support for Israel's attack. Obama hasn't commented publicly on the Gaza assault, but aides have voiced support. On Tuesday, eight demonstrators stood near Obama's rented vacation home with signs reading "Gazans need food and medicine, not war." Obama drove past the protesters on his way to a workout but did not acknowledge their presence.

Defying Critics, Illinois Gov. Fills Senate Vacancy

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has announced plans to appoint former Illinois attorney general Roland Burris to serve out the remainder of Obama's Senate term. Blagojevich was indicted earlier this month on corruption charges, including trying to sell Obama's seat to the highest bidder. Lawmakers in Illinois and in Congress have vowed to reject any of Blagojevich's appointments. On Tuesday, the Governor urged them to accept his choice.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich: "I'm absolutely confident and certain that the United States Senate is going to see a man of Roland Burris's unquestioned integrity, extensive experience and his long history of public service. This is about Roland Burris as a United States senator, not about the governor who makes the appointment."

Burris was the first African American elected to statewide office in Illinois. Appearing next to Blagojevich, Burris said he had no connection to the political scandal around Obama's seat.

Roland Burris: "I welcome the challenges that await us in the 111th Congress. I have faith in the record that I have forged over the past four decades, and I am proud of my accomplishments as a public servant. I accept this appointment to fill the unexpired term of President-elect Barack Obama. I ask the people of Illinois to place the same faith and trust and me that they have in the past, when they elected me three times as their state controller and one term as their attorney general."

In a statement, President-elect Obama praised Burris but said he won't accept any appointments from Blagojevich. But in a sign of a looming internal political battle, Democratic Congress member Bobby Rush criticized the prospect of rejecting Burris's appointment.

Rep. Bobby Rush: "I applaud the Governor for his decision, and I would ask you to not hang or lynch the appointee as you try to castigate the appointer. Separate, if you will, the appointee from the appointer. Roland Burris is worthy."

Franken Ahead 50 Votes in Minnesota Recount

Meanwhile, the recount of Minnesota's Senate race continues to swing in favor of Democratic challenger Al Franken. A new unofficial tally shows Franken ahead of Republican Senator Norm Coleman by fifty votes. The final tally awaits a decision on whether to accept more than 1,300 absentee ballots county officials say were mistakenly rejected.

California Sues Over Bush EPA Rules

The State of California has filed a lawsuit seeking to block the Bush administration's last-minute changes to the Endangered Species Act. California Attorney General Jerry Brown says he wants a US District Court to review changes that would remove scientific scrutiny on mining and logging decisions. The Bush administration also wants to do away with a rule ordering agencies to factor in the effects of greenhouse gas emissions when approving projects on federal land.

Lobbyist Accuses NYT of Defamation for McCain Story

A Washington telecommunications lobbyist has filed a $27 million defamation suit accusing the New York Times of falsely suggesting she had a romantic relationship with Republican Senator John McCain. Earlier this year, the Times reported McCain repeatedly wrote letters to government regulators on behalf of Vicki Iseman's clients. McCain served as chair of the Senate Commerce Committee at the time. The Times also reported McCain aides were concerned the two were having a romantic affair. In her lawsuit, Iseman calls the story "gossip and innuendo."

Trial Delayed for Iraqi Journalist

And in Iraq, the trial of the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at President Bush has been delayed. Muntazar al-Zaidi remains in prison, where he has reportedly suffered repeated beatings. He has internal bleeding in his left eye, as well as bruises over his face and stomach. Zaidi's lawyers are appealing the accusation that the shoe-throwing amounted to an assault. On Tuesday, Zaidi's cousin, Hameda Lazem, denounced the charges.

Hameda Lazem: "I will leave the court to their conscience, because Muntazar did not do anything. He did not assault a guest, since Bush is not a guest, but he is an enemy who came here to insult the children and widows."

West Michigan Legislators Among the Most Conservative in State House

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:00:54 -0500

The Lansing-based news agency MIRS recently compiled annual rankings of the conservative legislators in Michigan's House of Representatives. Not surprisingly, West Michigan is home to several of them. Grandville Representative Dave Agema, Arlan Meekhof of West Olive, and Bill Huizenga of Zeeland all made the list. MediaMouse.org readers will likely recall Agema for his missing critical votes for an exotic sheep hunting trip, repeated legislative attacks on undocumented immigrants, his desire to cut state aid to GVSU over domestic partner benefits, his work to end tuition assistance to Native Americans, his support fo arming teachers, and his support for the death penalty in Michigan. We haven't really covered either Meekhof or Huizenga, with the exception being Meekhof's desire to allow citizens to carry Tasers.

Democratic Party Representative Robert Dean of Grand Rapids had the most conservative voting record among Democrats.

MediaMouse.org: Grand Rapids, Michigan News and Independent Media

News Covers Local Responses to Violence in Gaza

NLRB Lets Starbucks Settle Rather than Face Trial

Is Barack Obama "black" enough?

Postscript - November 2008

GRIID Offering Media & Propaganda Class

A People's History of Poverty in America

Press Continues Biased Reporting on Israeli Bombing of Gaza

Court Hearing for Fired Starbucks Barista

Review: The Price of Pleasure: Pornography, Sexuality and Relationships

Soil Not Oil: Environmental Justice in an Age of Climate Crisis

Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft, and Design

Top Stories of 2008

2008 Elections

Media

Racist Right

Islamophobia

Environment

The Economy

Iraq

Prisons

Group Calls for Action against Israel's War on Gaza

It's Not Just the Economy Silly, It's Capitalism

Noteworthy Articles

National and International Headlines for December 31

Gaza Bombing Continues as Israel Rejects Truce Proposal

30 Palestinians Killed in Latest Attacks

Foreign Journalists Challenge Gaza Ban

Protests Worldwide Condemn Israeli Attack

Thousands Join Protests Across US

Defying Critics, Illinois Gov. Fills Senate Vacancy

Franken Ahead 50 Votes in Minnesota Recount

California Sues Over Bush EPA Rules

Lobbyist Accuses NYT of Defamation for McCain Story

Trial Delayed for Iraqi Journalist

West Michigan Legislators Among the Most Conservative in State House