If you're feeling skeptical after hearing President Obama's latest speech on the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, you're not alone. It's hard to know what to make of a President and an administration that brings over 90,000 troops homewhile ordering 50,000 soldiers along with 75,000 military contractors to remain. There are still some 150,000 personnel in Iraq and the US is supposed to be completely out of the country by 2011. That's next year. Bringing home thousands by the end of this August is a good step, but we really need to step on it. Unfortunately, the State Department is dragging its heels as much as the Pentagon and wants to hire 6,000 - 7,000 more staff and train them like soldiers. While working under the auspices of the State Department, these new personnel would have the status of “diplomats.” But who ever heard of a diplomat trained like a soldier and armed with a gun?
By Starhawk Repost from Newsweek Q: In the wake of Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal’s dismissal as chief commander of American and NATO forces in Afghanistan, Congress is evaluating our policy and presence there. Is it time for the U.S. to get out of Afghanistan? Do we have a moral responsibility to stay or to leave? [...]
The Hummer is dead. Not even the Chinese could revive it. The Hummer was emblematic of a Rambo-like era, culture, lifestyle, and political philosophy disrespectful to both human beings and mother nature. It is now time to bury the militaristic, gas-guzzling, polluting 8,400-pound hunks that drove environmentalists and peaceniks crazy as they cruised down our city streets.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee occupied the Washington Convention Center this past weekend importing a culture of uncertainty and paranoia into the Capitol. Most AIPAC attendees came to the conference uncertain about American-Israeli relations. Besides condemnation from Vice-President Joe Biden, even General Petraeus testified a couple weeks ago that Israeli actions put American troops [...]
On December 15th I participated in my first direct action. I have been organizing against the US’ blunt force approach to foreign policy since 2005, but had never taken part in civil disobedience. Community organizing, fundraising for social change, writing to congress and working for a grassroots foreign policy lobby had sufficed until recently. With [...]
by Alice Slater Since 1995, at the Conference to Extend the Non-Proliferation Treaty, civil society has been calling for the establishment of an International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Recognizing the “inextricable link” between nuclear weapons and nuclear power, and urging a phase out of nuclear power, the Abolition 2000 global network for the elimination of [...]
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
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