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Frieda Gardner, W A M M
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Influential House Member Sides with Public on War
The House’s most influential Democrat on military issues has called for the immediate withdrawal of all American forces from that nation. “The U.S. cannot accomplish anything further in Iraq militarily. It is time to bring them home,” said Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, a former Marine intelligence officer in Vietnam and the senior Democrat on the House appropriations subcommittee that oversees military spending “The war in Iraq is not going as advertised,” said Murtha, who in October 2002 voted for the resolution authorizing President Bush to take military action. “It’s a flawed policy wrapped in illusion. The American public is way ahead of the members of Congress.” Murtha’s outspoken stand, which he shares with only a minority of House Democrats, shows the growing discontent within Congress over the war’s progress.
1500 Peace Vigils Mark 2000 U.S. Deaths in Iraq
The day after the death toll of American soldiers reached 2000 (10/26), more than 1500 vigils of mourning and protest, involving thousands of people, took place across the country. Many gathered throughout the Twin Cities, including at least 800 on the Marshall Street Bridge. Meanwhile, polls indicate that almost 60 percent of Americans believe that the Iraq War was a mistake.
Twin Cities Youth Oppose War
Organized by Youth Against War and Racism and Socialist Alternative, more than 1000 students from 40 Twin Cities high schools walked out of their classes to protest the Iraq war and the Pentagon’s recruitment practices. After speeches at Coffman Union, the students marched to the nearby Army & Navy recruiting stations, already the scene of weekly protest vigils, and then held a teach-in. Similar demonstrations occurred across the country.
College Not Combat
As part of a College Not Combat coalition campaign, 59 percent of voters in San Francisco declared that military recruiters should not be allowed to work in public schools. The measure also asks the city government to consider funding scholarships for education and training that could provide an alternative to military service. Meanwhile, in southern California, a Coalition Against Militarism in Our Schools (CAMS) and the United Teachers of Los Angeles began a campaign to “demilitarize” the city’s schools.
Last of MX Missiles Deactivated
The last of the huge and vastly expensive MX missiles, designed to be lugged around to various silos so the Russians couldn’t find them, were finally deactivated this fall. However, the Star Tribune article marking the occasion failed to give credit to the peace movement for its role in the program’s demise. In addition, Congress cut funding for new nuclear weapons from the current federal budget this past October. This cut includes further development of the notorious nuclear “bunker buster.”
HR 197 Prohibits Permanent Bases in Iraq
Rep. Barbara Lee has advanced a Congressional Resolution (HR 197) declaring that the U.S. shall not make any agreements with the government of Iraq establishing permanent military bases in Iraq. At present, the Resolution has 55 supporters.
NRC: Just Say No to Depleted Uranium Dumping
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission withheld its usual automatic “Yes” from a proposal to dump depleted uranium in a New Mexico landfill. The commission allowed two groups, the Nuclear Information and Resource Service and Public Citizen, to argue that depleted uranium is dangerous enough to merit only deep burial.
World Wising Up to War’s Senselessness
According to a UN Human Security Report, “armed conflicts in the 21st century are less deadly than they have been at anytime in the past 55 years.” Genocide and other mass murders are down since the late 80s, coups and attempted coups have “fallen by 60 percent since 1963.” And, since 1988, “more wars have stopped than started.”
Indians Challenge Coca Cola’s Water Use
In Kerala, India, the government has legally challenged the Coca Cola Corporation’s use of ground water, traditionally considered “common property.” Coke guzzles local water supplies, and local farmers suffer “drought, crop failure and accumulated debts.”
Mexico Follows Its Conscience
In an act of remarkable bravery, the Mexican government has refused to sign a document exempting U. S. nationals from the International Court’s jurisdiction, thus risking a 40 percent loss of U. S. economic aid. The U. S. government refuses to become a member of the new International Criminal Court, which prosecutes for “genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed after July 1, 2002.” Any country which refuses to sign this waiver (called a “bilateral agreement”) risks losing our economic aid.
Pakistan Declines Purchase of Fighter Planes
Following a disastrous earthquake, the government of Pakistan decided not to buy 75 American F-16 fighter planes costing 40 million dollars each.
Cheap Labor Scheme for New Orleans Fails
Because of widespread protests, the Bush administration was forced to restore the Davis-Bacon “prevailing wage” protection for federal rebuilding contracts in New Orleans. |
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© 2005/2006 Women Against Military Madness. All rights reserved.
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Complete December 2005/January 2006 Index - click here
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