Category Archives: News

Racist Speech at MSU was Cancelled due to Pressure from National Conservative Group

Posted on February 29, 2008 by | Comments Off

Kyle Bristow, the former chair of Michigan State University’s Young Americans for Freedom (MSU-YAF), has written an article (appearing on the racist American Renaissance website) explaining why a planned speech by Jared Taylor–a prominent “scientific racist”–was unexpectedly cancelled. In it, Bristow explains that the national Young Americans for Freedom threatened to revoke the Michigan State University chapter’s charter if it hosted the talk:

“First, the National Young Americans for Freedom, which serves as the umbrella organization for all campus YAF chapters, threatened to revoke our YAF charter if the talk went forward. Chairman Erik Johnson’s excuse was that YAF does not officially recognize multi-culturalism as a threat to the United States….

National YAF was adamant: We were not to host Mr. Taylor. If we defied National YAF and sponsored the talk anyway, we would have lost our YAF charter and would no longer have been an official student organization with the right to host events on campus.”

Bristow also cited pressures from the University:

“We had scheduled Mr. Taylor’s talk for Wednesday, March 19. Suddenly, the university told us that date was impossible. It had been understood from the beginning that the talk would require police security, and the university claimed security would be possible at only one lecture hall–and that hall had become mysteriously unavailable that day.”

“On Thursday, February 21, the student government of Michigan State University approved a bill requesting the university to define the supposed difference between “hate speech” and free speech. This craven move resulted directly from the lectures my group has sponsored, and is intended stop speakers the leftists do not like. It is not certain whether the university will establish “hate speech” guidelines or how they would be implemented. In a sane world, the student government would be censuring people who violently disrupt meetings, but it instead wants to do the protesters’ work for them by preventing the meetings in the first place.”

He also cited the possibility that protestors would have disrupted the speech:

“The cancellation may well have spared Mr. Taylor a certain amount of unpleasantness. Many of our events have been violently disrupted by left-wing students…”

“I have no doubt that if Jared Taylor had spoken at MSU, he would have faced similar opposition and disruption. Various leftists including Students for a Democratic Society were already announcing plans to do everything possible to prevent Mr. Taylor from delivering his talk.”

Of course, Bristow’s letter was filled with his usual insults and racist statements. He again criticized La Raza and MEChA, charging that they have engaged in violence at past events sponsored by Young Americans for Freedom. Bristow concluded by stating that the protestors’:

“…brutish tactics reflect their brutish natures. They are the best possible demonstration of the very point Mr. Taylor had intended to make: that multi-culturalism is a serious threat to what is left of Western Civilization on this continent.”

Interestingly, Bristow says that he has passed the information on to “a local activist” who may arrange a speaking engagement for Jared Taylor:

“Mr. Taylor may yet come to Lansing, however. I have passed his name on to a local activist who arranges talks in the area, and I understand discussions about a possible lecture have already begun.”

Jared Taylor has spoken in Lansing before. In August of 2007, he spoke at a conference hosted by the Michigan Council of Conservative Citizens. That conference was organized with the help of “Evan Thomas,” a racist activist who attended the Nick Griffin speech that Young Americans for Freedom hosted in October of last year.

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Senate Democrats Offer Another “Antiwar” Bill

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Earlier this week, Democrats in the United States Senate engaged in yet another media show designed to give them the appearance of being “antiwar” while doing little to end the occupation of Iraq. The latest measure, a bill by Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold, would have required that the United States begin withdrawing soldiers from Iraq and would have limited funding for ongoing operations within 120 days. However, The bill included the usual exceptions and would have allowed an unknown number of US soldiers to stay in Iraq for an indefinite amount of time. According to the bill, these soldiers would be limited to “…targeted operations, limited in duration and scope, against members of al Qaeda and affiliated international terrorist organizations,” to provide “…security for personnel and infrastructure of the United States Government,” and to provide “…training to members of the Iraqi Security Forces who have not been involved in sectarian violence or in attacks upon the United States Armed Forces, provided that such training does not involve members of the United States Armed Forces taking part in combat operations or being embedded with Iraqi forces.” There was no timeline in the bill for withdrawal, nor were there any indication of how many troops might remain in the country.

Despite its limited aims, the bill was withdrawn before a vote was taken. This allowed the Democrats to have the appearance of being antiwar while they debated the situation in Iraq, but kept them from having to go on the record as either supporting or opposing the ongoing occupation of Iraq. Some Democrats painted the debate as a success, arguing that it is the longest that the Senate has discussed Iraq in months.

Michigan Senator Carl Levin–who voted against bringing the Feingold bill to the floor for debate (one of only 24 senators to do so)–has been quoted in the media saying that he will attempt to amend an upcoming war supplemental bill to require withdrawal. Levin says that the language has not yet been decided on, but in the past he has been a proponent of comprise measures that would do nothing to end the occupation of Iraq.

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Michigan Spends More on Prisons than Higher Education

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Michigan is one of four states that spends more money on prisons than on higher education. A study by the Pew Charitable Trusts found that Michigan spends $1.19 on prisons for every $1 it spends on higher education. Michigan spends nearly 23% of its general fund on prisons, an amount equal to a little over $2 billion. In comparison, it spends only $1.7 million on higher education.

The study found that overall, more than one in every one-hundred people are in jails or prison. The prison population has decreased slightly in Michigan over the past year but it increased in 36 states and in the federal system. Overall, 2.3 million people are in prison, many of whom are people of color. Statistics cited in the report show that one in fifteen African-American adults are in prison. One in nine African-American men between the ages of 20 and 34 are in prison.

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Support University of Michigan Professor in Tenure Case

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Media Mouse recently learned that Andrea Smith, a professor at the University of Michigan who has done amazing work on feminism and Native American studies, might be denied tenure. We encourage people to send a letter supporting her receiving tenure and to watch a video of Andrea Smith’s lecture in Grand Rapids two years ago.

Here is a statement outlining the background of the situation and the steps that can be taken to support Smith:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 25, 2008

Statement of University of Michigan Students and Faculty in Support of Andrea Smith’s Tenure Case

CONTACT: TenureForAndreaSmith@gmail.com

On February 22nd, 2008, University of Michigan’s College of Literature, Science and the Arts (LSA) issued a negative tenure recommendation for Assistant Professor Andrea Lee Smith. Jointly appointed in the Program in American Culture and the Department of Women’s Studies, Dr. Smith’s body of scholarship exemplifies scholarly excellence with widely circulated articles in peer-reviewed journals and numerous books in both university and independent presses including Native Americans and the Christian Right published this year by Duke University Press. Dr. Smith is one of the greatest indigenous feminist intellectuals of our time. A nominee for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize, Dr. Smith has an outstanding academic and community record of service that is internationally and nationally recognized. She is a dedicated professor and mentor and she is an integral member of the University of Michigan (UM) intellectual community. Her reputation and pedagogical practices draw undergraduate and graduate students from all over campus and the nation.

Dr. Smith received the news about her tenure case while participating in the United States’ hearings before the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Ironically, during those very same hearings, the 2003 U.S. Supreme Court decisions that restricted affirmative action policies at UM specifically were cited as violations of international law. At the same time, there is an undeniable link between the Department of Women’s Studies and LSA’s current tenure recommendations and the long history of institutional restrictions against faculty of color. In 2008, students of color are coming together to protest the way UM’s administration has fostered an environment wherein faculty of color are few and far between, Ethnic Studies course offerings have little financial and institutional support, and student services for students of color are decreasing each year.

To Support Professor Andrea Smith: The Provost must hear our responses! Write letters in support of Andrea Smith’s tenure case. Address email letters to ALL of the following:

* Teresa Sullivan, Provost and Executive VP for Academic Affairs, LSA, tsull@umich.edu

* Lester Monts, Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, LSA, lmonts@umich.edu

* Mary Sue Coleman, President, PresOff@umich.edu

* TenureForAndreaSmith@gmail.com

Voice your ideas on the web forum at http://www.woclockdown.org/

To Support Women of Color at Michigan and the Crisis of Women’s Studies and Ethnic Studies: Attend the student organized March 15th Conference at UM!!!! Campus Lockdown: Women of Color Negotiating the Academic Industrial Complex is free and open to the public. Speakers include renowned activists and scholars Piya Chatterjee, Angela Davis, Rosa Linda Fregoso, Ruthie Gilmore, Fred Moten, Clarissa Rojas, and Haunani-Kay Trask. For more information and to register, visit: http://www.woclockdown.org/.

TALKING POINTS YOU CAN USE IN YOUR SUPPORT LETTER:

* Smith is author of the following books:

o Conquest: Sexual Violence and American Indian Genocide

o Native Americans and the Christian Right: The Gendered Politics of Unlikely Alliances

o Sacred Sites, Sacred Rites

* Smith is editor and/or co-editor of the following anthologies:

o Color of Violence: The INCITE! Anthology

o The Revolution Will Not Be Funded: Beyond the Non-Profit Industrial

Complex

o Native Feminisms Without Apology

o Forthcoming on theorizing Indigenous Studies

* She has published 15 peer reviewed articles in widely circulated academic journals including American Quarterly, Feminist Studies, National Women’s Studies Association Journal, Hypatia, Meridians, and the Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion

* Smith is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards from organizations such as the Lannan Foundation, University of Illinois, Gustavus Myers Foundation, Ford Foundation

* Smith was cited in the U.S. Non-Governmental Organization Consolidated Shadow Report to the United Nations

* A co-founder of Incite! Women of Color Against Violence and the Chicago chapter of Women of All Red Nations, she has been a key thinker behind large-scale national and international efforts to develop remedies for ending violence against women beyond the criminal justice system. As a result of her work, scholars, social service providers, and community-based organizations throughout the United States have shifted from state-focused efforts to more systemic approaches for addressing Page 2 violence against women. In recognition of her contributions, Smith was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005.

* As of June 2007, Professor Smith’s book, Conquest: Sexual Violence and American Indian Genocide (2005) had sold over 8,000 copies. Three-fourths of these sales have gone to college and university courses. In addition, the leading Native studies organization, Native American and Indigenous Studies Association organized a special panel about this book at their last annual conference (2007). The international impact of Conquest is evidenced by its reprinting in Sami (Sweden) and in Maori Institutions in New Zealand; by Professor Smith’s invitation to participate in an academic workshop in Germany based on the book; and by the book’s frequent use in Native Studies classrooms in Canada.

* She has also played a key role in contributing social-justice based research, teaching, and community building at the University of Michigan.

* Under Andrea Smith’s mentorship, a large number of undergraduate and graduate students have grown as intellectual members of the UM’s campus community.

FACTS FOR DR. ANDREA SMITH’S TENURE CASE

* Her intellectual work contributes to the fields of Native American Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies, Ethnic Studies, Religious Studies, and American Studies.

* Smith is jointly appointed in the Program in American Culture and the Department of Women’s Studies at Michigan.

* The Program in American Culture gave a positive recommendation for Smith’s tenure, while the Department of Women’s Studies gave a negative recommendation. After the tenure recommendations were released from the two departments, the College of Literature, Sciences, and the Arts reviewed the tenure file and also gave a negative tenure recommendation.

* She is currently the Director of Native American Studies at Michigan.

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Racial Gaps in Wealth, Education, Employment Remain in Detroit, Nation

Posted on February 29, 2008 by | Comments Off

The Detroit News has published excerpts of a new report finding that forty years after the famous Kerner Commission–appointed during the 1967 riots in Detroit–concluding that despite the many of the same racial disparities in poverty, education, crime, and unemployment persist. The Kerner Commission was reconvened last year and made metropolitan Detroit–the most segregated region in the United States–its first stop. Following visits to other areas effected by riots in the 1960s including Newark, NJ and Washington, DC, the Commission graded progress for African-Americans in the last forty years, giving a grade of “D+”.

The Detroit News reported the following:

* “Some employers still “steer” minority applicants into the worst jobs; real estate agents send them to less desirable neighborhoods and mortgage lenders accept fewer applications than those from similar whites.

* Unemployment and underemployment were the most important causes of poverty, yet African-American unemployment has remained twice as high as white unemployment during each of the four decades since 1968. About 37 million Americans live in poverty, while 46 million Americans are without health insurance.

* Educational disparities remain linked to funding. The wealthiest 10 percent of school districts in the United States spend nearly 10 times more than the poorest 10 percent.

* Poor African-Americans are three times as likely as non-Hispanic whites to live in deep poverty, below half of the poverty line.

* Minorities receive longer sentences than whites for the same crimes.”

The report calls for a series of recommendations including raising the minimum wage, passing laws that would require the Federal Reserve to take action when unemployment rises above 4%, passing laws to make it easier to form unions, increasing funding for job training and college scholarships for low income students, and making school funding more equitable.

Additional statistics from the report:

Poverty

* 37 million Americans live in poverty today, in the richest country in history.

* 46 million Americans are without health insurance, and 36 percent of the poor are unprotected.

* The child poverty rate has increased slightly, from 15 percent in 1968 to 17 percent in 2006.

* For young children (below 5 years old) the poverty rate is almost 21 percent today.

* The American child poverty rate is about 4 times the average poverty rate for Western European countries.

* Poverty has deepened for those who have remained poor. The proportion of the poor below half the poverty line was about 30 percent in 1975 and 43 percent in 2006.

* Poor African Americans are 3 times as likely and poor Hispanics twice as likely as non- Hispanic Whites to live in deep poverty, below half the poverty line.

* The poverty rate has declined for African Americans since the Kerner Commission, but poverty in African American female headed households with children under 18 was almost 44 percent in 2006.

* The Kerner Commission found that unemployment and underemployment were the most important causes of poverty, yet African American unemployment has continued to be twice as high as White unemployment during each of the 4 decades since 1968.

* The employment prospects of the nation’s out-of-school 16-24 year old men have declined considerably since 2000. The problem is especially acute for young African American men. Among high school drop outs aged 19, only 38 percent of African Americans are employed, compared to 67 percent of Whites.

Inequality: Income and Wealth

* The top 1 percent of the population (300,000 Americans) now receives as much income as the lower one-half of the population (150 million Americans).

* Since the late 1970s, the real after tax income of those at the top of the income scale has grown by 200 percent, while it has grown by 15 percent for those in the middle and 9 percent for those at the bottom.

* A recent Brookings Institution study on mobility found that 68 percent of White children from middle income families grew up to surpass their parents’ income in real terms. But that share was only 31 percent for middle income African American children – demonstrating downward mobility.

* America has one of the highest levels of income inequality in the industrialized world.

* In terms of wealth, America is the most unequal country in the industrialized world.

Inequality: Wages

* Over the last 40 years, America has had the most rapid growth in wage inequality in the industrialized world.

* Since the 1970s, productivity has increased significantly in America, but wages have increased little in real terms. Corporations are not sharing profits with workers, as had been more the case, for example, in the late 1960s. From November 2001 through July 2006, worker wages grew at an annual rate of 1.6 percent, while profits grew at an annual rate of 14.4 percent.

* In the 1960s, the average CEO earned about 40 times more than the average worker. Today, the average CEO earns about 360 times as much.

* Among full time workers, Whites earn over 22 percent more than equivalent African American workers and almost 34 percent more than equivalent Hispanic workers.

Inequality: Education

* In science achievement tests in 2003, American students ranked 20th out of 40 countries.

* Large disparities remain in America between the educational achievement of White and Asian American high school students compared to Latino and African American high school students.

* American educational disparities remain linked to funding disparities. The wealthiest 10 percent of school districts in the U.S. spend nearly 10 times more than the poorest 10 percent.

* In the U.S., the highest performing students from low income families now enroll in college at the same rate as the lowest performing students from high income families. In other words, the smartest poor kids attend college at the same rate as the dumbest rich kids.

* The American educational system allocates more unequal inputs and produces more unequal outcomes than most other industrialized nations.

Racial Injustice

* The likelihood for the death sentence is greater for minorities than Whites. Minorities receive longer sentences than Whites for the same crimes. Sentences for crack cocaine, used disproportionately by minorities, have been much longer than sentences for powder cocaine, used disproportionately by Whites.

* There is continuing evidence from distinguished scholars that some employers “steer” minority applicants into the worst jobs regardless of their qualifications; that many real estate agents steer minorities to less desirable locations, compared to Whites; and that lenders treat minorities differently from Whites in terms of percentage of mortgage applications accepted.

* School desegregation proceeded rapidly in America from the 1960s to the 1980s and then was dramatically reversed by the courts.

* Residential segregation declined overall for African Americans in the 1990s but it rose for African Americans below age 18.

* Hispanic residential segregation increased in many major metropolitan areas from 1980 to 2000.

* Overall levels of residential segregation remain high for African Americans and Latinos.

Crime

* The percent of Americans reporting fear of walking alone at night has increased from about 31 percent in 1967 to about 38 percent in 2006.

* The most accurately reported crime is homicide. The homicide rate in the 1960s was roughly the same as it is today (5.1 per 100,000 in 1960, 6.2 in 1967 and 5.7 in 2006).

* This is so in spite of an eight fold increase in the total population of persons in prisons and jails since the late 1960s. Well over 2,000,000 persons now are in American prisons and jails. America has the highest reported rate of incarceration in the world.

* African American men aged 25 to 29 are almost 7 times as likely to be incarcerated as their White counterparts.

* Today, the rate of incarceration of African American men in the U.S. is 4 times higher than the rate of incarceration of African American men in South Africa during the pre-Nelson Mandela apartheid government.

* A prison-industrial complex has developed. The states collectively now spend more on prison construction than on construction for higher education.

* A disproportionate number of ex-offenders return from prison to a small number of heavily impacted communities.

* The national recidivism rate for persons released from prison is over 67 percent.

* The late 1990s decline in violent crime has recently reversed in many cities, based on a report by the Police Executive Research Forum.

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Dow and the Global Water Crisis: Helping or Deflecting Scrutiny?

Posted on February 29, 2008 by | Comments Off

Earlier this month, the Michigan League of Conservation Voters’ website had blog post criticizing the United Nations for praising Dow Chemical for helping on global water issues. The announcement came shortly after residents filed a class action lawsuit against the company for its pollution of Michigan’s Tittabawassee Riber. Of course, it does not take much thought to realize that good press for Dow has the potential to lessen focus on its destructive behavior.

A similar situation took place earlier this week in which Dow Chemical was praised while at the same time it was coming under scrutiny for its environmental record. On Monday, Dow Chemical announced a partnership with Michigan-based International Aid in which Dow will supply a plastic resin for water filters that International Aid is going to distribute in the developing world. However, the Midland Daily News reported that Dow Chemical is filing an appeal with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) in which it is trying to lessen its responsibility for cleaning up dioxin pollution. Dow Chemical argues that it is not the only responsible party and should not be the only one cleaning up the region.

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Noteworthy Articles

Posted on February 29, 2008 by | Comments Off

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

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.

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National and International Headlines for February 29

Posted on February 29, 2008 by | Comments Off
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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.

Israeli Minister Threatens Gaza “Holocaust”

In Israel and the Occupied Territories, at least 18 Palestinians have been killed in continued Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. Thursday’s Palestinian toll includes four young boys, killed by bombs as they were playing soccer. The youngest was eight years old. Another Palestinian child was killed along with two adult civilians. Palestinian officials say at least nine Palestinian militants also died. At least thirty-one Palestinians, including nine children, have died in the past two days of Israeli attacks. Israel says its responding to Palestinian rocket fire, with forty-five rockets launched from Gaza on Thursday. One Israeli was killed this week in the town of Sderot, the thirteenth Israeli killed by Palestinian rockets in the last seven years. A seventeen-year old girl was lightly injured Thursday when Palestinian rockets struck the Israeli town of Ashkelon. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak is warning of a full-scale Israeli invasion of Gaza. In what could be a first for an Israeli official, Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai has threatened a “holocaust” in Gaza if rocket fire continues. Vilnai said: “The more Qassam fire intensifies and the rockets reach a longer range, [the Palestinians] will bring upon themselves a bigger holocaust because we will use all our might to defend ourselves.” An opinion poll taken this week shows 64 percent of Israelis favor a ceasefire with Hamas–the highest majority to date. Hamas has made several proposals for a truce but the Israeli government has rejected its overtures.

Iraqis Protest U.S. Raids

In Iraq, hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Baghdad Thursday to protest a U.S. raid on a Sunni neighborhood. Two women were arrested when U.S. troops entered their homes.

Baghdad resident: “We condemn the US forces’ acts, they raided houses at midnight, exploding doors of houses and roofs. Houses of peaceful families. They raided them for the sake of nothing, arresting women. They are believers in democracy as they say, so why did they do this?”

Funeral Held for Slain Iraqi Journalist

Elsewhere in Baghdad, a funeral was held Thursday for the head of Iraq’s largest journalism organization slain in an apparent targeted attack. Seventy-four year old Shihab al-Tamimi died this week from gunshot wounds. He was an independent journalist known as an outspoken opponent of the US invasion and occupation of Iraq. An Iraqi journalist attending the funeral said Iraq’s journalists are increasingly being targeted.

Hussein Al-Miah: “We send our condolences to all the Iraqi journalists with this serious event that journalists have been inflicted with. Shihab al-Tamimi will not be the last martyr as the Iraqi journalist became target for (insurgents).”

More than 170 journalists and support workers have been killed in Iraq since the US invasion of 2003.

U.S. Deploys Warships Off Lebanon Coast

In other news from the Middle East, the U.S. has deployed three warships, including the USS Cole, off the coast of Lebanon. U.S. officials say the ships were sent to support “regional stability” amidst Lebanon’s ongoing internal political deadlock.

Bush Dismisses Recession Fears, Chides Obama

President Bush is dismissing widely-feared speculation the nation is headed into a recession. At a White House news conference Thursday, Bush said his recent economic stimulus package would help the nation cope with a slowdown.

President Bush: “I don’t think we’re headed into a recession, but there is no question we are in a slowdown. And that is why we acted, and acted strongly, with over $150 billion worth of pro-growth economic incentives, mainly money going into the hands of our consumers. And some money to go to businesses to invest that will create jobs.”

Bush went on to renew calls for Congress to approve a surveillance law that would immunize telecommunications companies that aided government spying on U.S. citizens. He also took a backhanded shot at Democratic hopeful Barack Obama over his recent comments promising to sit down with leaders of Iran and Cuba.

President Bush: “The decisions of the U.S. president to have discussions with certain international figures can be extremely counter productive. It can send chilling messages and signals to our allies. It can send confusion about our foreign policy. It discourages reformers inside their own country and in my judgment it would be a mistake on the two countries you talked about.”

In New Record, Dem Candidates Raise Estimated $80M

On the campaign trail, the fundraising race continues to break new records. On Thursday, Senator Hillary Clinton announced she’s raised thirty million dollars this month. Senator Barack Obama did not disclose his total take, but aides said it was ‘considerably more’ with estimates of around fifty million. Taken together, an eighty-million dollar combined February total would surpass the previous high set by President Bush and Sen. John Kerry in March 2004. Clinton spent Thursday campaigning in Ohio, which hosts a critical primary next week.

Sen. Hillary Clinton: “You should have a President again who actually gets up thinking about you every day, who knows that people in southeastern Ohio are salt of the earth great people. Most Americans are doing the best they can and we need those partners and we need a president who’s a fighter and a doer and a champion for the American people again and that is what I will do.”

Clinton Proposes Military Contractor Ban

Clinton meanwhile has called for a ban on the use of private contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan. In a statement posted on her website late last-night, Clinton said she would co-sponsor a measure to ban the use of Blackwater and other private military firms. Clinton said: “The time to show these contractors the door is long past due. We need to stop filling the coffers of contractors in Iraq, and make sure that armed personnel in Iraq are fully accountable to the U.S. government and follow the chain of command.”

Obama Campaigns in Texas

Obama meanwhile was in Texas, the other top contest in Tuesday’s vote.

Sen. Barack Obama: “We can’t afford to wait to fix our healthcare system, we can’t wait to fix our schools, we can’t wait to invest to make America more competitive. We can’t wait to solve our energy crisis. We can’t wait to bring this war in Iraq to a close. We cannot wait.”

Nader Taps San Fran Attorney, Ex-Mayoral Candidate as VP Running Mate

Meanwhile, in Washington, Independent Presidential candidate Ralph Nader held a news conference to announce his running mate.

Ralph Nader: “Year after year the Republican and Democratic parties in varying corporate indentured degrees have blocked the American people from a chance to improve their country and a chance to improve their health safety and economic well-being, a chance to believe in the sovereignty of the people and a government that is functionally of by and for the people. Instead of big business, for big business and by big business. Today I am announcing my Vice Presidential running mate who is Matt Gonzalez.”

Gonzales is a San Francisco-based attorney. He was almost elected mayor of San Francisco in a 2003 race that drew national attention.

Kenyan Leaders Agree to Power-Sharing Deal

In Kenya, President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga have reached a power-sharing deal following two months of violence. More than one thousand people have died since Kibaki beat Odinga in a widely disputed vote late last year. Under the deal Odinga will be named prime minister in Kibaki’s government. Odinga joined Kibabi at a televised ceremony announcing their coalition.

Raila Odinga: “With the signing of this agreement, we have opened a new chapter in this country from the era or face of confrontation to the beginning of co-operation we on our side are fully completely committed to ensuring that this agreement will succeed.”

The deal was brokered by former UN Seretary General Kofi Annan.

Cuba Ratifies 2 UN Rights Treaties

Cuba has ratified two international human rights treaties at the United Nations. On Thursday, Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The move comes just four days after long-time President Fidel Castro stepped down. At the UN, Roque renewed calls for an end to the U.S. embargo on Cuba.

Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque: “We will never negotiate our sovereignty and our right to be an independent country. We will never make any concession for the lifting of the embargo. The embargo has to be lifted because it is a violation of the international law. It is a violation of the human rights of the Cuban people, and it is a violation of the human rights of the American people.”

Apparent NATO Strike Kills 8 in Pakistan

In Pakistan, at least eight alleged militants have been killed in what appears to be a NATO attack from Afghanistan. If confirmed, it would be the second NATO strike in Pakistan in a month.

Record 1 in 100 Americans Behind Bars

A new report has found that a record one in 100 American adults are behind bars. According to the Pew Center, the prison population has grown by 25,000 even though the rate of violent crimes has decreased. One in one hundred black women are jailed compared to one in three hundred and fifty white women. One in thirty six Hispanic men and one in fifteen Black men are in jail or prison. The US has the highest rate of prisoners in the world with more than two point three million people behind bars.

Senate GOPers Block Housing Measure

On Capitol Hill, Senate Republicans have blocked a Democratic measure addressing the nation’s housing crisis. The proposal would have allocated billions for communities to buy up subprime mortgages and allowed judges to lower interest rates for low-income homeowners. Lobbyists for the mortgage industry had waged a fierce campaign against the bill. Supporters failed to gather the sixty votes needed to avoid a Republican filibuster.

Comcast Admits to Planting Attendees at FCC Hearing

The media giant Comcast has admitted to paying people to fill the seats at a government hearing on net-neutrality. The gathering at Harvard University Monday was one of several organized by the Federal Communications Commission to gather public input. Critics say Comcast was trying to take space away from critics of media consolidation. Harvard says dozens of genuine participants were forced to stand outside the hearing unable to participate.

Puerto Rico Teachers Continue National Strike

In Puerto Rico, teachers have entered the second week of a national strike. The union representing Puerto Rico’s forty-two thousand public school teachers declared the strike after thirty months of negotiations. The US government is refusing to negotiate with the union until teachers end the walkout.

Women’s Health Activist Barbara Seaman Dies at 72

And the longtime women’s health activist Barbara Seaman has died at the age of 72. Seaman authored many books, including “The Doctor’s Case Against the Pill”–one of the first indictments of the birth control pill, published in 1969. She was the co-founder of the National Women’s Health Network.

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Senator Levin Speaks on Torture

Posted on February 28, 2008 by | Comments Off
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Earlier this month, Michigan Senator Carl Levin spoke at the University of Michigan on torture. The topic of his talk was “Torture, the Rule of Law, and American Security.” Levin, who was introduced as “an outspoken critic of the war in Iraq” and “a strong proponent of the need for America to conduct itself according to the highest of ethical standards,” argued that the United States’ use of torture is “a major part of the problem which we face in the world” and that its use is making the United States “less secure.”

Levin began by telling the story of a veteran in Ann Arbor who told him that the United States has lost the support of the people of the world and that the US must win that support back in order to secure the country. Levin said that this credibility is essential to dealing with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the “long-term struggle against al-Qaeda and other fanatics.” He stressed that military power is not enough to win those struggles, but that instead the United States must “harness the power of our ideals.” It is worth noting that while Levin repeatedly brought up that the people of the world had a high opinion of the United States and its actions before 9/11, he never provided any evidence to support that claim.

He described the Peace Corps as being representative of how Americans like to see themselves. He said that most Americans see the country “acting as a beacon for human rights and liberties.” However, Levin sad, “When we fail to live up to the standards that we profess, when we project moral hypocrisy… much of the world sees us in a way that we do not like to be seen.” Levin said that now too much of world sees symbol of American values as the image of a prisoner being tortured at Abu Ghraib and not the Statue of Liberty. For many, the stories from Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay have “compromised our moral authority and hindered our ability to lead the world in our common efforts against common enemies.”

Levin said that the greatest threat to the United States’ security is “the terrorist threat.” In order to fight this threat, Levin argued that it is essential to have allies. He said that this struggle has been undermined by unilateral actions of the Bush administration. Because of their actions, people have a lower opinion of the United States. To support this assertion, Levin cited a 2007 BBC poll in which 29% of people said US is generally a positive influence in the world.

Levin said that the intelligence community knows that the US needs the support of the world’s people to fight terrorism, as it understands that information is the key to preventing terrorist attacks. According to Levin, one person overhearing a terrorist plot could prevent “the mass murder of our citizens.” However, that citizen is less likely to report the information “if he sees the United States as an arrogant bully.” He pointed to recent arrests in Spain that prevented a terrorist attack as an example.

Levin said that the Iraq War–both the decision to invade and the way in which it has been conducted–is one reason why the world’s opinion of the United States has fallen. However, he said the problem is much deeper in that many people resent American “hypocrisy.” He said that people see that America–who was “a champion of a certain set of rules”–is now breaking those rules.

The abuse of detainees has not come simply from lower-level enlistees, but rather “the administration consciously decided to permit the use of so-called ‘enhanced interrogation techniques’ that had previously had been viewed as inconsistent with our laws, our international commitments, and American values.” The Department of Justice’s “torture memo” said that for physical pain to constitute torture it must be “equivalent in intensity to the pain accompanying serious physical injury such as organ failure, impairment of bodily function, or even death.” Levin said that violent acts are not necessarily torture under this memo and that there may be exemptions from prosecution if you were acting “under the color of presidential authority.” He said that Rumsfeld authorized military interrogators to keep detainees naked, to keep them in so-called “stress positions,” and exploit their fears with the use of dogs. Moreover, the United States maintains secret prisons and has an “alternative set of procedures” for the CIA’s interrogation of prisoners in these prisons.

Levin cited law enforcement–including FBI–opinion that harsh interrogation techniques can make detainees more resistant and therefore deny the US critical intelligence. Levin said that this treatment “flies in the face” of decades of military practice. He also quoted General Petraeus, who has said that torture is illegal and that it is not typically useful or necessary. Levin said that “our uniformed leaders” understand that torture does not work, but that the civilian leaders who have advocated torture. He said that Vice President Dick Cheney, Attorney General Mukasey, and President George W. Bush that have continued to advocate torture.

Levin said that in the past, much of the respect that the United States has gained has been due to the accountability mechanisms built into the Constitution. However, the current administration has eroded that accountability by adopting legislation authorizing the administration to unilaterally redefine its obligations under the Geneva Conventions. He said that this effort has successfully insulated senior administration officials from accountability and has barred detainees from bringing legal action challenging their detention. The administration has taken the position that the Geneva Conventions, which require humane treatment, prohibit torture, and “outrages upon personal dignity,” do not apply to the war against al-Qaida. Levin said, “Happily, that position was rejected by the Supreme Court.” The 1994 Federal Anti-Torture Statue made torture a prosecutable crime, but it has been narrowed to the point where it is inapplicable to intelligence agencies. He said that the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005–which attempts to prevent detainees from being subject to torture–was weakened by a signing statement that allows the president to determine when it applies. Levin said that the Bush administration is continuing these efforts, citing a February Senate bill that would have ended the CIA’s ability to use “enhanced interrogation techniques” by making them follow the guidelines in the Army Field Manual that President Bush plans to veto.

Carl Levin told the audience that last year he traveled to Guantanamo to view proceedings against Khaled Sheikh Mahmoud determine the prisoner’s status. While Mahmoud admitted to a role in planning the 9/11 attacks during the hearing, he also presented a statement alleging that the CIA tortured him before being brought to Guantanamo. Levin said that it will be difficult for many to have sympathy for this admitted terrorist, yet there are many reasons to oppose torturing terrorists. Levin said torture, “violates our basic values, it is morally wrong, it produces unreliable information, it leads prisoners who might cooperate if dealt with humanely to instead resist cooperation, it violates domestic and international law, it jeopardizes are own troops if they are captured.” In addition, he said that people are less likely to believe that a confession has been freely given if there are abuses of detainees. He is worried that if the Untied States uses torture, people will focus more on how detainees are treated than what the terrorists have done.

Levin said that the United States’ policies must “reflect our values and ideals.” Current policy does not do that. People can be detained–possibly for life–without ever having a lawyer or knowing what the evidence was against them. He said that the legislature must continue to press for a more humane policy. While last year’s effort was thwarted by a filibuster, he believes that it must be pursued. Levin said that America must be “a beacon” in the world and that it can do so only by acting in accordance with its ideals.

Unfortunately, Levin left out much of his own voting record on torture. Levin has supported legislation opposing the use of torture in the “War on Terror” including the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 and a February 2008 measure that would ban the CIA from using “enhanced interrogation techniques.” Similarly, he voted against the Military Commissions Act, which exempts the United States’ treatment of detainees from international law. While his opposition to torture was clear in his speech, it would have benefited from more discussion of his own record.

On the same note, Levin also largely avoided the question of international law, despite its inclusion in the title of his talk. Aside from mentioning the Geneva Conventions a few times, there was little discussion of how international law prohibits the United States’ use of torture. There was also little discussion of how US law bans torture. Levin’s argument would have been strengthened had he both included information on legal obligations under international law and called for a renewed commitment to international law.

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NEAN-MAN Consulta Reportback

Posted on February 28, 2008 by | 1 Comment

The following report back is being republished here because it in part involves planning here in the Midwest against the upcoming Republican National Convention (RNC) protests in Minneapolis/St. Paul. As we have said for months, we remain impressed with how plans are developing not only for large-scale protests against the RNC, but for the possibility of shutting it down. In a previous post, we reflected on how planning for the RNC could rekindle the energy of the anti-globalization movement that provided the initial inspiration for the formation of Media Mouse. Moreover, we covered the RNC protests in 2004 and believe that the current plans are significantly better than what was undertaken in 2004.

For folks in Michigan who are interested in organizing against the RNC, please contact ACTIVATE (Grand Rapids SDS). They have made organizing against the RNC-DNC one of their priorities for the year and can do presentations to interested organizations on the current state of organizing.

“Report Back from NEAN-MAN Consulta: Feb. 16-18 in Pittsburgh, PA:

From February 16-18, 50 anarchists representing 12 groups in the Northeast Anarchist Network (NEAN) and Midwest Action Network (MAN) met in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Throughout the weekend, we discussed and strategized how to aid our individual, group, and network-wide efforts to shut down the Republican National Convention (RNC) in September, as well as how to strengthen collaboration between the Northeast and Midwest. While not an official decision-making body for either network, or the attending groups, it was an important opportunity to further our planning and build the personal and organizational relationships necessary for the long fight ahead. The RNC Welcoming Committee was present to provide logistical information and present the strategic framework.

Note: Much of the report is based on incomplete notes. With no verbatim record we apologize for any errors, omissions, or oversights in how or what is reported. We tried our best! The planning for the RNC is still at an early stage, and thus it was difficult to get particularly in-depth on many issues. Our hope is that this report will help other groups organizing consultas and RNC-related gatherings, and assist groups in identifying and addressing tactical and strategic questions. Out of respect for the fact different people and groups may find different information useful we have erred on providing as exhaustive an account as is practical. To avoid complete duplication of already existing information we highly recommend people check out the RNC Welcoming Committee (RNC-WC) website at www.nornc.org as it includes most of the info they presented in Pittsburgh.

The Northeast Anarchist Network: www.neanarchist.net

A regional, horizontal organizing network in the Northeast, striving to link those committed to anti-authoritarian, anti-capitalist, and anti-oppressive struggles, NEAN recently celebrated its 1st birthday. Following general assemblies in Amherst, Syracuse, Boston, and New York City the network will next gather March 21-23 in Ithaca, NY. NEAN is also in the process of publishing a quarterly newspaper, the Nor’Easter. Articles, art and poetry can be submitted to noreaster-submissions@neanarchist.net. Calendar item can be sent there as well (subject line “Calendar”). NEAN groups are currently engaged in a number of projects including a traveling skill-share program, an anti-election offensive to discredit “representative” democracy, an international solidarity campaign, the Lakota struggle, and the possibility of putting together an action camp.

The Midwest Action Network: www.midwest.azone.org

Is a very loose network and resource sharing tool, 2-3 years in the making through an off and on process of Midwest groups trying to make and maintain contact. It originated first as an E-mail list, then added a website as a way for groups to cross promote and stay in touch. They held a Midwest anarchist gathering in 2006 and 2007 and will again this year June 6-8 in Toledo, Ohio. Right now there is a loose and open membership as they continue to work out how to structure the network, and it’s hoped the lead up to RNC organizing will help this process along.

Points of general agreement from the gathering

Through discussion, we found agreement on the following points:

-We are in complete support of the three-tier strategy as articulated by the RNC-WC:

1: Blockade the Xcel center, meeting site of the RNC, with a ring of blockades

2: Immobilize the delegates’ transport, like hotels and buses

3: Blockade the bridges between Minneapolis and St. Paul.

- We advocate to the movement, and the RNC-WC, a siege strategy for the protests in order to trap delegates inside, in case the blockades fail to stop the meetings from starting, or to surround and attempt to occupy the Xcel center itself in the case of unqualified success in shutting it down. We do not view this as a plan B, rather a logical continuation of the already announced strategy.

- There is large interest within our two networks about further coordination and collaboration at the RNC. This could take the form of anything from NEAN-MAN clusters working together to blockade a specific area or it could be as simple as making sure we are able to communicate during the events. There are various concerns about how any coordination would work or what form it would take, and it was the collective view that the planning within groups and networks has not developed to the point where we can discuss this more specifically. We encourage the RNC-WC to make suggestions about how clusters can most effectively participate.

- In recognition that our movement and its goals are often misrepresented, especially by the corporate media, and that our vision is sometimes not sufficiently articulated we believe there is value in promoting direct democracy and anarchism in our messaging as a viable alternative to the existing political system.

More info on the gathering:

Where is our organizing at?

The gathering provided a snapshot of where planning is at in different cities, what questions and concerns people have, and how we might move towards a more effective resistance. We gathered information in a variety of ways; meetings at the gathering itself, anonymous surveys of attendees before the gathering started, and individual discussions with the RNC-WC and other attendees.

In summary: almost everyone present was aware of, and planned to participate in, the RNC-WC’s three-tier strategy to shut down the meetings. There is an honest feeling that an actual shutdown of the meetings on the first day IS possible. At the gathering there were a significant number of people who plan to get to the Twin Cities early and a small number who plan to stay after the protests end. With six months to go, few groups have formed clusters or affinity groups, a bunch of groups have recently started forming affinity groups or clusters, and a few people didn’t plan on going with any organized group.

*Note* The sections below are a compilation of general brainstorms, representing individual views and opinions, not a list of any agreed upon or debated points.

What does “shutdown” mean and what is success?

The meetings not taking place, keeping delegates out, a lack of quorum, an empty arena, a state of emergency in the city. Creating a financial disincentive for cities to host these types of conventions. Having a massive turnout of locals, learning from local struggles to help us inform our local organizing, better and more organizing happening after the convention, not viewing it as an isolated event but rather one in a long series of struggles. Showing society that we reject what’s going on inside and that we, and you, can do something about it.

What is failure/defeat?

A repeat of some previous convention aftermaths (Boston ’04) where local momentum is killed after the convention finishes. A bunch of people show up right before the convention, fuck shit up, and leave town right afterwards, leaving locals with all the responsibility and accountability to explain what happened and why. People viewing community aspects as less sexy than street confrontation and avoiding it. Our actions result in state repression on already marginalized or repressed communities that don’t want that and/or aren’t prepared for it. An inability to communicate with each other, conflicts with other marches, ending up in the wrong place or side of things, decision-making problems or results that don’t reflect our values. Substance abuse. An inability to take advantage of our victories, underestimating ourselves, a lack of vision!

What questions do people have?

Pre-event:

Folks are looking at a lot of the logistical necessities before the event: how to get people to the Twin Cities (planes, trains, buses, automobiles), how to coordinate and house those arriving early and/or staying late. Another priority is how best to fundraise to support the RNC-WC and build up legal defense resources. Also, how can we involve groups that can’t make it to the protests? Lead Up/Preparation? We need to learn about security culture and expect/prepare for repression. When the FBI visits homes/workplaces and targets individuals, we need to turn it from “FBI vs. Individual” to “FBI vs. Movement” and we need to go on the offensive. Let’s maintain good contact with National Lawyers Guild and progressive lawyers locally. We’ve got to make sure affinity groups aren’t completely dependent on others for medical, legal, and other forms of support.

Our movement’s internal communications:

Multiple times, in differing ways, the question of how we can communicate and coordinate during the protests was raised. It’s clear that an overall communications strategy is needed for the protests that is able to address: how clusters can securely coordinate, how to keep people appraised of happenings spread across a large area, and how to decide and announce a change in strategy during the protests (how will we know if the blockades are succeeding or have been breached?).

Media, messaging, and other external communication issues:

To what degree, if at all, should we care about what the corporate media says? Varying opinions. Let’s put anti-election forward as one message, we want: direct democracy, control of our lives, workplaces, homes, popular neighborhood assemblies. We can let people know why we’re there instead of just “fuck the elections.” Let’s make leaflets to hand out beforehand telling folks where coverage will be so they are not left listening just to the unfriendly corporate press, make our own newspaper during the convention, maybe a live feed/web blogging from the barricades (in the tripod!), let’s work with contacts at home to get them the rough info so they can package and disseminate it ASAP, let’s stay positive, let’s try well-constructed communiques and press releases. Maybe call for a global day of action, wildcat actions, actions in other cities.

Tactical and strategic issues, questions:

The most pressing question is how the three-tier strategy translates from a fairly abstract idea into reality. How do we figure out who is blockading where, how are people gathering or reaching their intersections, etc?

Also mentioned:

How soon will we know the exact security perimeter?

How do we take advantage of the space a tactical victory would open up?

What if the perimeter is so large that blockading is not practical?

What if they bring delegates and workers in before we get there?

What times will we deploy (the RNC is supposed to “go live” at 7pm)?

What is the “exit strategy” so there is a way to extricate the blockades?

How does this particular protest fit into the larger movement?

Good for getting folks involved afterwards, publicity, only one battle in overall struggle, keep momentum going, capacity building (confidence, motivation, solidarity, inspiring), change the playing field, show that we are a force to be reckoned with, shift from protesting Republicans to total rejection of two party system, working for the future, being taken seriously as a movement, and what does that mean? A mass movement that people can see, show them/us what democracy looks like.

What if there is a partial failure of the strategy? If blockades go up but are compromised?

Depends on perimeter, varies upon numbers, storm the Center, get as close as possible and on camera, siege and trap delegates in, concentrate people at entrances, figure out a way to signal the change from blockade to siege, Skyway backup blockades, St. Paul website has maps of Skyways, etc.

Diversity of tactics/ close proximity coordination:

There was also a recognition that while some types of blockades simply need people to actualize, the type of static blockades capable of holding a space for a significant period of time generally depend on supplies. With the police/city likely to remove most movable items (construction equipment, newspaper boxes, dumpsters) there are more limited options and a need for getting supplies to where they’re needed. Unbolting may be a possibility. And having mobile and static tactics complement each other is critical.

Building solidarity with – and exercising accountability to – the public and especially marginalized communities:

The RNC-WC is going door-to-door and holding town hall meetings, awesome. They are also compiling a list of places demonstrators should stay away from disrupting. Let’s try not to bring more police and harassment into communities already experiencing the brunt of police violence. We can recognize that there is no “us vs. them” while still understanding the way privilege and organizing dynamics challenge the movement.

Post-event:

We could get back together afterward and figure out how to improve in the future/ evaluate.

Blockades brainstorm:

What does a blockade look like? Puppet shows, street theater, vehicle blockades, burning stuff, dumpsters, tripods, free stuff people find on Craigslist to blockade with, fake funeral/wedding procession, skill share, free school class, web blockade at intersection, black bloc, moving blockade, reclaim the streets party, setting up our own movement checkpoints, re-enactments, tactical frivolity, clown blockade, staged vehicle collisions, armored dance party on bridge, suspensions on bridge, phony construction blockade (not people, just signs), naked folks (maybe pictures of politicians on genitals), bike bloc, shiny distraction glittery bloc, giant puppets, use of distractions (smoke), shields, banners, floats, occupy buildings and rooftops, lots of bouncy balls, etc.

Some things network groups are doing to get ready for the RNC:

Holding an art show fundraiser, acquiring communication equipment, sharing knowledge of past conventions, holding an anarchist formal dance as a fundraiser, hosting the RNC-WC on its tour, holding Unconventional Action meetings, focus more on networking and communicating with other groups, putting on trainings (medical, know your rights, direct action, etc.)

———–

How the gathering was organized: an after-event assessment

Facilitators and structure:

Structuring and facilitating a large gathering presents multiple challenges: soliciting agenda items when people often don’t let you know until soon before the gathering that they’re attending, structuring the agenda to ensure attendees get what they want out of the gathering (when most of the input on goals is vague – “networking” and “information sharing/gathering”), different groups using different hand signals and being accustomed to different styles of discussion, etc.

During each session, we used two facilitators, a minute-taker, and a stack-taker. This was helpful by not overwhelming individuals and providing a clear delineation of who was in what role. We went over the hand signals to get everyone on the same page and strenuously stressed the correct use of direct response as a “clarification/critical info needed to proceed” tool rather than a way for people to jump in front of others to engage in one-on-one debates. Facilitators took an active role in checking in with the group, soliciting comments on how to proceed, and throwing out ideas to spur discussion, but did not usually participate personally in the actual discussions. Our intention was also to try and ensure a small number of voices did not dominate during the discussions, something we were slightly less successful with. Based on past gatherings, we were more prepared for lots of people wanting to talk. However, during some of the sessions, a handful of people predominated the discussions and there were multiple times and sections during which there was silence or a small stack. This is something we’d definitely look at more before hosting a similar gathering.

Overall, we felt the gathering was productive in sharing information, brainstorming, and building personal/organizational relationships, which will be critical in forming multiple clusters and organizing in the future. What didn’t and couldn’t happen at this gathering was a resolution of some serious framework questions that are making it difficult for already-formed affinity groups and clusters to progress in their planning. We have no doubt those discussion will happen and we look forward to where things go from here.

In Solidarity and with hope,

Pittsburgh Organizing Group

www.organizepittsburgh.org”

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