Resources for Progressives

Bush declares US is not headed for recession. Unfortunately, reality says otherwise.
It's amusing to see the top headlines today. Such bad timing for our poor President. Now, maybe Bush doesn't know or care much about all this stuff. But, certainly Cheney, his advisors, and speech writers know what's going on.

They must know that we've been in a recession for years, a fact conveniently disguised by our fabricated price inflation and unemployment numbers. We can thank President Clinton for most of the tricks to manipulate the computation of key statistics, which were very effective at bringing down interest rates to save the US taxpayers $150 billion a year in interest expense. Federal statisticians say we have 4% inflation. Using pre-Clinton inflation computation, we are at 7.5%.

If we compute inflation using the approach in 1980, we would be at over 10% inflation. www.shadowstats.com When reporters compare prices of goods and services to a year ago, an approach easily dismissed as un-scientific, they consistently arrive at inflation around 10%. If inflation is being overstated by an amount in excess of our GDP growth, we actually have negative growth, which is the true state of our economy since 2000. Now, that's a nasty little case of reality that is hidden from view. The truth is, workers in America have had declining real wages almost every year since the early 70's (there were a couple years of meager gains in the 90's). Source: 28-Feb-2008 Consuming Prosperity

More Lies from the White House. Passive-radical Americans tacitly support torture.
We know the White House is filled with lying liars. In fact, we re-elected the liars for a 2nd term! They lied to us during the State of the Union address; they lied to the United Nations. Now, Americans can take heart; the lying liars also lied, behind closed doors, to our good friends and fellow war-mongers in Britain. The U.S. Government lied and assured the UK that their territory was never used for rendition, which is the transport of prisoners to torture-friendly countries for "interrogation" with the intent of evading the constraints of American human rights laws, including the Constitution and the Geneva Convention, which is also U.S. law because it was ratified by Congress. In turn, the UK government assured their public that they were clean of all these nasty human rights violations. Now, the U.S. has switched its story; there were a couple flights that landed on UK territory. Unfortunately for those chaps in London, the Europeans don't like this American rendition business. And, they have egg on their face and some explaining to do. BBC world affairs correspondent Paul Reynolds said the revelations were "a serious embarrassment for the British government". That's the trouble with trusting liars. What may be more troubling, is the cavalier disregard for human rights by the American government. Related to the case, CIA director Mike Hayden said, "these were rendition operations, nothing more." Sounds like business as usual to the Americans... 21-Feb-2006

Renewed call for boycott of Chevron, Texaco, Caltex and Unocal
Since my last call for a boycott of Unocal, not much has changed in Burma although Unocal has since been purchased by Chevron. The last few weeks have seen a great deal of unrest in Burma as the people protest against tyranny and oppression. How can a poor and isolated population overthrow a large, well-funded military that has an endless supply of guns and bullets? The military is funded by the country's natural resources, especially oil and gas, which they steal from the people and sell to foreign companies. Most certainly there are no good citizens among the oil & gas companies. They all have a century of blood on their hands. But, I'll take particular issue with Chevron since they are a neighbor, based here in San Ramon, California. In partnership with gas giant Total of France, Chevron has been directly involved with the support of this brutal, military dictatorship in Burma, which receives up to $500 million per year in profits from the project, by some estimates. Furthermore, Chevron (through it's subsidiary Unocal) settled a lawsuit in December 2004 for human rights abuses, although the details are not public. Witnesses claim the military "provided security" for the oil pipeline construction, destroyed local villages to make room for project, and forced villagers to work on the project as slaves. 26-Sep-2007

U.S. Supreme Court rules against the White House: war does not give the government the right to hold suspects in legal limbo.
A state of war "is not a blank check for the president when it comes to the rights of the nation's citizens," wrote Justice Sandra Day O'Connor for the majority. Separately, the court said that nearly 600 men from 42 countries held at a Navy prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, can use American courts to contest their treatment. The Bush administration had argued that U.S. courts had no business second-guessing detentions of foreigners held on foreign soil. The Bush administration used the exact opposite of this same point when arguing that the prisoners in Guantanamo were not subject to the Geneva Conventions because they were held in a location under complete control of the U.S. government. 28-Jun-2004

Greens nominate A.B.B. (Anybody But Bush)
In a move that announces they refuse to be a 3rd party, the Greens nominate David Cobb to their presidential ticket, with a stated goal to not campaign in swing states. The Green party eliminated Nader/Camejo from their ballot because they did not indicate, in writing, that they wanted the nomination even though Camejo was at the convention and Nader made it very clear that he would accept the Green nomination. First of all, a safe state approach is a terrible idea because it undermines the party and encourages the Democrats to (continue to) ignore progressive values. Secondly, to eliminate Nader/Camejo on this technicality is a shameful, undemocratic tactic that seems more like the GOP in Texas. 26-Jun-2004

What about the prisoners in Guantanamo Bay without protection of the Geneva Convention?
In the eye of the storm surrounding the prison scandal at Abu Ghraib is a list of interrogation techniques by Army Maj. Gen. Geoffrey D. Miller, who oversaw the interrogation efforts at the U.S. military base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. These interrogation practices were devised for use in Cuba at a site the Pentagon has said is not covered by the Geneva Conventions. My question is: What kind of treatment are the prisoners in Guantanamo Bay receiving without protections of the Geneva Conventions? The Pentagon has repeatedly refused inspection of these facilities. Sadly, I don't think these atrocities take place far from home. Across US prisons, over 40% of women inmates and 20% of male inmates are raped -- frequently by prison guards. Certainly I am not saying that all (or even most) guards are taking part in this activity. However, to say it is an aberration is simply ignorance and/or denial.
20-May-2004

Israel Assassination of Palestinian Leader - The World falls victim to the most recent state-sponsored, criminal act
When powerful nation states commit criminal acts, who holds them accountable? How does Democracy survive when the world's voice for Peace is ignored? Meanwhile, learned men theorize and propogandize to convince us that murder for a just and Holy cause is justified. "In the short term, this may raise the temperature in the region, but in the long run this could actually help raise the chances for a realistic peace," said Jim Phillips, a terrorism expert at the Heritage Foundation, a Washington think tank. "This should give radical Palestinians second thoughts." 22-Mar-2004

Coup d'etat in Haiti - U.S. knows how to make Friends all over the world by undermining democracy (again). President Aristide of Haiti says, 'I WAS KIDNAPPED', 'TELL THE WORLD IT IS A COUP' 01-Mar-2004

California Gov. Schwarzenegger worries about violence as gay couples marry in S.F.
On Sunday, Schwarzenegger said he was worried about the potential for violence because of the controversial marriages."All of a sudden we see riots and we see protests and we see people clashing. The next thing we know is there's injured or there's dead people," he said on NBC's "Meet the Press." Just to remind the Governor: the US Constitution requires all states to recognize marriages of other states. The Supreme Court of Massachussets has decided their state constitution grants same sex couples the right to marry. Therefore, same sex marriage is legal in America. I suppose individual states will refuse to issue marriage licenses. However, this does not change the requirement to recognize the marriage. In California, we are demanding the same Constitutional Rights as the citizens of Massachussets. Hats off to the Mayor of San Franciso for issuing the licenses!
02-24-2004

Maybe you hadn't heard... Michael Moore was right!
When Michael Moore stood in front of the world at the Academy Awards and called Bush a liar, he was right! "We live in fictitious times, where we have fictitious election results that elect a fictitious president. We live in a time where we have a man sending us to war for fictitious reasons." Read his book, Dude Where is My Country

Display of U.S. Flag Barred After Unfurling on Statue
Today, Brig. Gen. Daniel A. Hahn, the V Corps chief of staff, said it was natural for American soldiers to carry the flag and place it at various sites in Iraq. "It's a source of great pride," he said."It's seen as like a gift to Iraq." But General Hahn added that sensitivity to Iraqi pride and nationalism was foremost in the minds of the American military, as the United States helps Iraq reshape its government. "We don't want to flaunt our power," he said.
11-Apr-2003 NY Times

Sweet Victory for the Invaders
I admired his innocence despite the deadly realities that await America in this dangerous, cruel land. For even as the marine tanks thrashed and ground down the highway, there were men and women who saw them and stood, the women scarved, the men observing the soldiers with the most acute attention, who spoke of their fear for the future, who talked of how Iraq could never be ruled by foreigners. "You'll see the celebrations and we will be happy Saddam has gone," one of them said to me. "But we will then want to rid ourselves of the Americans and we will want to keep our oil and there will be resistance and then they will call us "terrorists". Nor did the Americans look happy "liberators". They pointed their rifles at the pavements and screamed at motorists to stop – one who did not, an old man in an old car, was shot in the head in front of two French journalists. - Robert Fisk 10-April-2003

"It wasn't even a fair fight. I don't know why they don't just surrender," said U.S. Army Colonel Mark Hildenbrand.
BATTLE AT NAJAF Reuters correspondent Luke Baker saw burned out civilian vehicles and incinerated bodies littering the plain after the U.S. Third Infantry Division overwhelmed militia fighters in a battle south of Najaf, just 100 miles south of Baghdad. U.S. military sources said about 70 Iraqis were killed.
03/23/2003

1999: Republicans lead anti-war
Funny how things change. Does anyone really think the Democrats or the Republicans have any principles? These guys all love a good war if their party is in the White House and hate it if its not their boy. Here's an article from 1999 - the Republicans leading the anti-war movement against Clinton's war in Yugoslavia. http://slate.msn.com/id/27730/
None of these guys really care about Peace.
Only Power.

Hey Democrats: I'm not fooled!
I admit it. This proposed war is more brazen than the past. Who cares if the U.S. violates International Law?? Not our fearless cowboy president and his Hawks of the Oval Office. But, I can't help laugh looking at the Democrats. This pathetic group of panderers has no platform, no idea what they stand for. They'll do anything to differentiate themselves from the Republicans (unless it upsets their fat-cat corporate campaign donors who also finance the Republicans). A War! An unpopular war! The Democrats have purpose! They can be Anti-War. The majority of Americans want to abide by International Law and follow the direction of the UN. Even Wall Street doesn't like prospects of this war; the major indices have been volatile. So, with their new purpose, the Democrats dust off their peace flags and start waving them and marching in big groups to show how good they are. "Peace not war," they chant. Well, what they mean is: "Peace for now, this war isn't popular." The Democrats are no friends of Peace. Clinton wasn't afraid to kill civilians and drop bombs in the capital of Iraq. In Dec 1998 after two nights of an intense bombing campaign named Operation Desert Fox, Clinton's Defense Secretary, William Cohen, proudly announced they had employed more Tomahawk cruise missiles than had been used in the 1991 Persian Gulf War. A message to the Democrats: You don't fool me. I'm going to keep voting Green. A Question to the President: If we could just march in to Iraq and bomb targets in 1998, why are you making such a grand-stand about this? Thumping the podium, putting 100's of thousands of soldiers in the region, and even threatening to use nuclear weapons? I don't get it. Is the economy really that f'd up? Come on, you can tell us!
More info on 1998 Operation Desert Fox (from the Defense Dept.)

White House in violation of International and U.S. Law
Do you think there is any chance President Bush and his Hawks of the Oval Office could abide by international law? Probably not. The UN Charter was adopted in part "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war" (Preamble). As a consequence, it requires its Members to "refrain in their international relations from the threat or use offorce against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations" (Article 2(4)) You say, "so what? This is ancient history. If we want to bully around Iraq and threaten them, who cares? We don't have to think twice about the U.N. before we go off to war." Wrong. First of all, the U.S. Senate ratified the U.N. Charter and therefore it is U.S. Law. And, more importantly, the U.N. was created after World War II in an attempt to prevent war. Over 50 Million people died in World War II. click here to see estimates by country That's pretty hard to believe; especially this day and age now that bombs have become so smart.

Where is the Peace Movement?
Sadly, during times of war, the voice of the peace movement becomes silenced by those who believe that support without question is the only right thing to do, the patriotic thing to do.  Support the troops. 
Take Heart! After a slow start, the peace movement is mobilizing.
Coalition for World Peace
Not in Our Name
"The Boy Emperor" - This is what we are up against!

Ohio Rep. James Traficant Expelled from U.S. Congress
When politicians are found guilty of pandering so shamelessly to business, they need to go. Nobody honestly thinks he is the only politician that takes bribes... er... I mean campaign contributions. We all know it is part of the system; they're all corrupt. More commentary click here...

Reponse to the Response
Iraq Bombing 16-Feb-01
Ignorant, mindless, racist, ethnocentric, hating, murderous, careless, ... These words describe my fellow Americans, blind supporters of American terrorism worldwide, always believing the never ending lies of political and business leaders who believe the world is theirs to devour and destroy. WAKE UP!!! Look into the eyes of your children, your parents, your friends, your loved ones. They are human, citizens of the world, just like the people in Iraq, Palestine, Israel, Cuba, Serbia and yes, even Washington DC. They wake up, take their morning meal with their family, go to work to support their family, go to church, temple, mosque with their family to celebrate life. WAKE UP!!! Don't believe leaders that try to justify destroying life. Look into your heart and find the love that you have for yourself and your family and realize this love is common ground between all races, nations, religions. Ignore the hatred and lies. Believe in LOVE. LOVE=PEACE. I know many of you are reading this with cynicism, laughing at an idealist, a kook. I am sorry peace and love have not found your heart. Take one moment to reflect on the sanctity of your own life. Treasure YOU. Love for others begins with love for yourself. Love and cherish your own life. By hating and destroying others, you hate & destroy yourself.
LOVE = PEACE

Stop buying gas at Unocal 76.
This company is using slave labor in Burma to build its oil pipeline. It's sad to think that this Company's corporate charter is based here in California. What a great citizen! Now, the sad thing is trying to find a place to buy gas... Berkeley found they couldn't find a good corporate citizen among this crowd. Remember the hangings of environmental activists in Nigeria who were protesting against Shell's pipeline?

Top Ranking Military Officials Call for End to Nuclear Weapons. 
more info...

Campaign Finance Reform Urgently Needed! more info...

Headwaters Forest Needs Your Help more info...

The Battle against Prop.209 in California is not over! more info...

Ralph Nader/Matt Gonzalez 2008 presidential ticket

U.S. Green Party A WORLDWIDE party with vision Support your local green candidate

The Ten Key Values of the Greens Social Justice Community-Based Economics Nonviolence Decentralisation Future Focus/Sustainability Feminism Personal and Global Responsibility Respect for Diversity Grassroots Democracy Ecological Wisdom

HAVE YOU HEARD THE NEWS???? WE GOT OUR NETWORK BACK!!!

• to provide outlets for the creative skills and energies of the community;
• to promote and aid other creative activities which will serve the cultural welfare of the community;
• to engage in any activity that shall contribute to the lasting understanding between nations and the individuals of all nations, races, creeds and colors; to gather and disseminate information on the causes of conflict between any and all such groups;
• to promote the study of political and economic problems and of the causes of religious, philosophical and racial antagonisms;
• to promote the full distribution of public information;
• to obtain access to sources of news not commonly brought together in the same medium; and,
• to employ such varied sources in the public presentation of accurate, objective, comprehensive news on all matters vitally affecting the community.

 Turn Left offers an excellent assortment of resources, links and original content 

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Does it seem to be a paradox to have a link to the United Church of Christ immediately following the PFAW? Well, this group appears to adhere to the Christian ideals that I remember learning (yes, I was raised Christian). Jesus was an advocate for the poor. Jesus taught us that a society can be measured by the way it treats its most disadvantaged. This simple Christian value seems lost in today's mean-spirited attacks by the Religious Right. I oppose the Religious Right not because they believe in God and Jesus; but, because they seem like raging hypocrites who have no idea what Jesus was trying to teach us. Jesus was a revolutionary figure. He stood up to power. For this reason, I admire Jesus Christ and what he did. Unfortunately, so many of our pacifist revolutionary leaders are killed by the cultural forces they oppose. Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Robert Kennedy, John Lennon ...
I ask you, how can God's love survive in a man who has enough of this world's goods yet closes his heart to his brother when he sees him in need? (1 John 3:17)

The student organization, the Campus Progressives, at California State University - Long Beach, is always interested in reaching out to other progressive groups in Southern California and elsewhere. http://www.csulb.edu/org/csulbcp/

Very thoughtful essay on government. Socialist, Machiavelian or Anarchist? Read for yourself.

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