THIS WAS FORWARDED FROM KBOO PM NEWS DIRECTOR JENKA SODERBERG:
Dear all:
I (Zahra Alkabi) have been informed from the
Catholic Charities that we will have some Iraqi
refugees in Portland at the end of this month and
the beginning of Aug 2008. They do need a place
to stay at least for the first 3 months and they do
need your hospitality and your welcoming attitude.
I know we will have 1 single woman, 2 or 3
single men so each one of them need a room with
a family or individuals. We will be able to pay
$250 per month for each person. We will also have
a big family of 9 persons and they do need a house
to stay in. If you have a house or know a private
owner that owns houses you may contact this
person and let me know how much should we pay
for the rent.
Iraqi refugees need your help and your kindness.
It's a good opportunity to know about Iraqis
and Iraqi culture for most of you. I have been
telling stories of many Iraqi families who live as
refugees in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt.
NOW it's the time to help and contribute to
those who come to Portland seeking a stable life
and security. They need your help, they deserve
your help. Please help them.
If you have any question or concerns please feel
free to contact me direct either by email or by phone.
Thanks a lot for your cooperation and kind ,
every thing you offer is highly appreciated
PS: we just started the Iraqi - Portland solidarity
community if you want to be part of this
community you can contact us , welcoming Iraqi
refugees in Portland is the first action that
shows our solidarity.
Yours in the struggle for peace, Zahra AlKabi
Director and Founder www.saverefugees.org
Help Iraqi Refugees 503-422-7321
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Story Assignment: Stagflation -- The Military Drain
Institute for Public Accuracy
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
* Stagflation * The Military Drain
Interviews Available
DOUG HENWOOD, dhenwood@panix.com,
Henwood is author of the book "Wall Street" and editor of Left
Business Observer. He said today: "The U.S. economy continues to be
dominated by the contradictory forces of stagnation and inflation -- a
reincarnation of that 1970s monster, stagflation. This morning we
learned that inflation is running at a 5 percent annual rate. But just
yesterday, the president took the unusual step of reminding the public
that bank deposits are insured up to $100,000, a bit of reassurance made necessary by the sight of depositors lining up to withdraw money from a failing bank, IndyMac. All this is the culmination of some very serious long-term problems -- the chronic trade deficit, the polarization of rich and poor, the use of debt to compensate for falling incomes. It always looked unsustainable, but somehow we managed to get by with a
short-term fix or a new bubble. But now it's looking like the Bank for
International Settlements, the central bankers' club, had it right when
they said recently that 'the unsustainable has run its course.'"
ERIK LEAVER, erik@ips-dc.org,
Leaver is a research fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies. He
said today: "Too little attention is being paid to one of the largest
drains on the economy. The Iraq war is costing $12 billion a month.
These funds could be put to use back here at home.
"Part of McCain�s plan to balance the budget includes a military
draw-down in Iraq. But he's planning on increasing the size of the
military, as is Obama. Both candidates are also discussing plans to
send tens of thousands more troops to Afghanistan. So neither candidate is
talking about relieving the largest drain on the economy -- the
enormous military costs."
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
* Stagflation * The Military Drain
Interviews Available
DOUG HENWOOD, dhenwood@panix.com,
Henwood is author of the book "Wall Street" and editor of Left
Business Observer. He said today: "The U.S. economy continues to be
dominated by the contradictory forces of stagnation and inflation -- a
reincarnation of that 1970s monster, stagflation. This morning we
learned that inflation is running at a 5 percent annual rate. But just
yesterday, the president took the unusual step of reminding the public
that bank deposits are insured up to $100,000, a bit of reassurance made necessary by the sight of depositors lining up to withdraw money from a failing bank, IndyMac. All this is the culmination of some very serious long-term problems -- the chronic trade deficit, the polarization of rich and poor, the use of debt to compensate for falling incomes. It always looked unsustainable, but somehow we managed to get by with a
short-term fix or a new bubble. But now it's looking like the Bank for
International Settlements, the central bankers' club, had it right when
they said recently that 'the unsustainable has run its course.'"
ERIK LEAVER, erik@ips-dc.org,
Leaver is a research fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies. He
said today: "Too little attention is being paid to one of the largest
drains on the economy. The Iraq war is costing $12 billion a month.
These funds could be put to use back here at home.
"Part of McCain�s plan to balance the budget includes a military
draw-down in Iraq. But he's planning on increasing the size of the
military, as is Obama. Both candidates are also discussing plans to
send tens of thousands more troops to Afghanistan. So neither candidate is
talking about relieving the largest drain on the economy -- the
enormous military costs."
Story Assignment: Can the President Detain Anyone Indefinitely?
FROM THE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC ACCURACY:
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Can the President Detain Anyone Indefinitely?
Interviews Available
Ali Al-Marri, who was living in Peoria, Illinois, with his wife and children, was awaiting trial in 2003. A month before his trial, he was
deemed an 'enemy combatant' by the president. He has been held in
solitary confinement ever since. On Tuesday, the Fourth Circuit ruled that the president has the authority to detain anyone deemed an 'enemy
combatant' indefinitely. (See Glenn Greenwald, "Al-Marri and the power
to imprison U.S. citizens without charges," Salon)
MICHAEL RATNER,
mratner@michaelratner.com, http://www.ccr-ny.org
President of the Center for Constitutional Rights, Ratner said
today: "The core of the Bush administration's excesses and illegalities
in the so-called 'Global War on Terror' is the authority he has asserted to detain anyone anywhere in the world as an 'enemy combatant.' The president claims this authority for anyone detained in the 'Global War on Terror' even if that detention was far from a battlefield and the person had nothing to do with a war as traditionally known. It's the assertion that acts of terrorism or affiliation with a terrorist group can be treated as acts of war and alleged terrorist can be held in a way analogous to how POWs are held in a real shooting war. In other words such alleged terrorists can, according to Bush, be held indefinitely until the end of the 'Global War on Terror.' In normal circumstances such people would be tried for crimes in federal courts, but not today.
"Two issues arise from this. The first is what has finally been decided in the Gitmo cases -- assuming the president has the claimed authority to detain people as 'enemy combatants,' can those people at least challenge their detention as 'enemy combatants' and in that challenge what process is due and what is the definition of enemy combatant? This is an important issue, but if we only win that we have lost the bigger battle -- for what we would then have is a preventive detention scheme for alleged terrorists -- albeit one in which the detainee can challenge that detention.
"The second issue to arise is the key one: Can a person who is alleged to commit or plan acts of terrorism or claimed to have affiliation with a terrorist group (as in al-Marri's case) be held indefinitely as an 'enemy combatant' and never tried for a crime -- in other words can he be preventively detained without a criminal trial?
The Supreme Court has not ruled on this either in the Gitmo cases or domestic ones, which is only al-Marri at this point.
"The Fourth Circuit (5-4) has now held that a U.S. resident or lawful immigrant (the reasoning would apply to citizens as well) can be held indefinitely as an enemy combatant and never need be tried (yes he can test that detention -- but the question asked at the hearing is whether he is an enemy combatant -- once that is answered he can be held indefinitely.)
"In al-Marri, the bad part of the decision is based on a congressional statute -- the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, which addressed the use of force against al-Qaeda. It is that statute which the court said authorized the detention at issue -- even though the detention took place in the U.S.
"It is a very, very dangerous decision. It literally means citizens in the U.S. can be detained as 'enemy combatants' in solitary confinement indefinitely and, while they can get a hearing, they never need be tried.
"The court in the narrow decision has put its imprimatur on the most dangerous departure from fundamental rights: the administration's treatment of what should be serious crimes as acts of war and its departure from fundamental protections of our constitution that should apply to those who are alleged to have engaged in criminal conduct. The claimed legal underpinning of the brutality of the administration
toward the detainees -- from torture to rendition to special trials -- stems
from its claim to be fighting a war on terror, when in fact it should be prosecuting crimes and giving suspects the protections of a civilized society."
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Can the President Detain Anyone Indefinitely?
Interviews Available
Ali Al-Marri, who was living in Peoria, Illinois, with his wife and children, was awaiting trial in 2003. A month before his trial, he was
deemed an 'enemy combatant' by the president. He has been held in
solitary confinement ever since. On Tuesday, the Fourth Circuit ruled that the president has the authority to detain anyone deemed an 'enemy
combatant' indefinitely. (See Glenn Greenwald, "Al-Marri and the power
to imprison U.S. citizens without charges," Salon)
MICHAEL RATNER,
mratner@michaelratner.com, http://www.ccr-ny.org
President of the Center for Constitutional Rights, Ratner said
today: "The core of the Bush administration's excesses and illegalities
in the so-called 'Global War on Terror' is the authority he has asserted to detain anyone anywhere in the world as an 'enemy combatant.' The president claims this authority for anyone detained in the 'Global War on Terror' even if that detention was far from a battlefield and the person had nothing to do with a war as traditionally known. It's the assertion that acts of terrorism or affiliation with a terrorist group can be treated as acts of war and alleged terrorist can be held in a way analogous to how POWs are held in a real shooting war. In other words such alleged terrorists can, according to Bush, be held indefinitely until the end of the 'Global War on Terror.' In normal circumstances such people would be tried for crimes in federal courts, but not today.
"Two issues arise from this. The first is what has finally been decided in the Gitmo cases -- assuming the president has the claimed authority to detain people as 'enemy combatants,' can those people at least challenge their detention as 'enemy combatants' and in that challenge what process is due and what is the definition of enemy combatant? This is an important issue, but if we only win that we have lost the bigger battle -- for what we would then have is a preventive detention scheme for alleged terrorists -- albeit one in which the detainee can challenge that detention.
"The second issue to arise is the key one: Can a person who is alleged to commit or plan acts of terrorism or claimed to have affiliation with a terrorist group (as in al-Marri's case) be held indefinitely as an 'enemy combatant' and never tried for a crime -- in other words can he be preventively detained without a criminal trial?
The Supreme Court has not ruled on this either in the Gitmo cases or domestic ones, which is only al-Marri at this point.
"The Fourth Circuit (5-4) has now held that a U.S. resident or lawful immigrant (the reasoning would apply to citizens as well) can be held indefinitely as an enemy combatant and never need be tried (yes he can test that detention -- but the question asked at the hearing is whether he is an enemy combatant -- once that is answered he can be held indefinitely.)
"In al-Marri, the bad part of the decision is based on a congressional statute -- the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, which addressed the use of force against al-Qaeda. It is that statute which the court said authorized the detention at issue -- even though the detention took place in the U.S.
"It is a very, very dangerous decision. It literally means citizens in the U.S. can be detained as 'enemy combatants' in solitary confinement indefinitely and, while they can get a hearing, they never need be tried.
"The court in the narrow decision has put its imprimatur on the most dangerous departure from fundamental rights: the administration's treatment of what should be serious crimes as acts of war and its departure from fundamental protections of our constitution that should apply to those who are alleged to have engaged in criminal conduct. The claimed legal underpinning of the brutality of the administration
toward the detainees -- from torture to rendition to special trials -- stems
from its claim to be fighting a war on terror, when in fact it should be prosecuting crimes and giving suspects the protections of a civilized society."
Story Assignment: Implications of Torture
FROM THE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC ACCURACY:
Friday, July 18, 2008
Implications of Torture
Interviews Available
RICK SHENKMAN, editor@hnn.us, http://hnn.us
Editor of the History News Network, Shenkman is author of the
just-released book "Just How Stupid Are We? Facing the Truth About the
American Voter."
He said today: "Despite Watergate, Republicans have never given up
their belief in an imperial presidency. If the president does something,
it's not illegal, was Nixon's line of defense. It might as well be
Bush's and Cheney's, though they are careful never to admit it publicly.
President Bush violated the law numerous times during his presidency
without once expressing remorse at having done so. Violate the law by
going around the FISA court? No problem. Torture terrorist suspects by
waterboarding them? No problem (even as his own attorney general
designate opined that torture is illegal under the Constitution as a
violation of the 14th Amendment)."
LISA HAJJAR, lhajjar@lawso.ucsb.edu,
Hajjar, a professor in the Law and Society Program at the University of California-Santa Barbara, Hajjar said today: "The problem-ridden and
illegitimate military commissions at Guantanamo offer one among many
examples of the adverse consequences of using torture on prisoners. The
fact that the U.S. has adopted a policy of torture is now beyond
dispute, as is the fact that hundreds, if not thousands of totally
innocent people have been subjected to officially sanctioned torture
and abuse. However, supporters of the administration are arguing that if
some 'errors' were made, they were done with good intentions to benefit
American security, and they produced invaluable information. There
evidence that any good intelligence was produced through torture;
people knowledgeable about the interrogations of KSM [Khalid Sheikh Mohammed]
and Abu Zubaydah, for example, have said that any information they
provided came during non-coercive interrogations. But because they were
tortured, the use of this information for their prosecutions becomes
problematic. To understand why the U.S. got to this place, it is
important to appreciate that Cheney and other top officials were
motivated by the goal to roll back the legal constraints on the
executive branch instituted in the wake of Watergate, and to repudiate
international law as ostensibly 'unAmerican.' ...
"Torture is a crime. Now is the time for 'law and order' types to
'get tough on crime' and demand special prosecutors and prosecutions
for those who have authorized the illegal policies of torture that have
destroyed America's reputation and the very institutions responsible
for keeping us safe."
Hajjar is author of the book "Courting Conflict" and co-editor of
"Human Rights: Critical Concepts in Political Science."
Friday, July 18, 2008
Implications of Torture
Interviews Available
RICK SHENKMAN, editor@hnn.us, http://hnn.us
Editor of the History News Network, Shenkman is author of the
just-released book "Just How Stupid Are We? Facing the Truth About the
American Voter."
He said today: "Despite Watergate, Republicans have never given up
their belief in an imperial presidency. If the president does something,
it's not illegal, was Nixon's line of defense. It might as well be
Bush's and Cheney's, though they are careful never to admit it publicly.
President Bush violated the law numerous times during his presidency
without once expressing remorse at having done so. Violate the law by
going around the FISA court? No problem. Torture terrorist suspects by
waterboarding them? No problem (even as his own attorney general
designate opined that torture is illegal under the Constitution as a
violation of the 14th Amendment)."
LISA HAJJAR, lhajjar@lawso.ucsb.edu,
Hajjar, a professor in the Law and Society Program at the University of California-Santa Barbara, Hajjar said today: "The problem-ridden and
illegitimate military commissions at Guantanamo offer one among many
examples of the adverse consequences of using torture on prisoners. The
fact that the U.S. has adopted a policy of torture is now beyond
dispute, as is the fact that hundreds, if not thousands of totally
innocent people have been subjected to officially sanctioned torture
and abuse. However, supporters of the administration are arguing that if
some 'errors' were made, they were done with good intentions to benefit
American security, and they produced invaluable information. There
evidence that any good intelligence was produced through torture;
people knowledgeable about the interrogations of KSM [Khalid Sheikh Mohammed]
and Abu Zubaydah, for example, have said that any information they
provided came during non-coercive interrogations. But because they were
tortured, the use of this information for their prosecutions becomes
problematic. To understand why the U.S. got to this place, it is
important to appreciate that Cheney and other top officials were
motivated by the goal to roll back the legal constraints on the
executive branch instituted in the wake of Watergate, and to repudiate
international law as ostensibly 'unAmerican.' ...
"Torture is a crime. Now is the time for 'law and order' types to
'get tough on crime' and demand special prosecutors and prosecutions
for those who have authorized the illegal policies of torture that have
destroyed America's reputation and the very institutions responsible
for keeping us safe."
Hajjar is author of the book "Courting Conflict" and co-editor of
"Human Rights: Critical Concepts in Political Science."
Monday, June 9, 2008
Story Assignment -- Scott McClellan Book and John Bolton Citizen's Arrest
Institute for Public Accuracy
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Accountability: Scott McClellan and John Bolton Citizen Arrest
Interviews Available
The Washington Post has on its front page a piece headlined "Ex-Press Aide Writes That Bush Misled U.S. on Iraq."The British newspaper The Telegraph features a piece today: "John Bolton To Be Target of Citizen's Arrest at Hay Festival: John Bolton, the
former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, faces a citizen's arrest when he addresses an audience at the Hay Festival in Wales this evening." The piece begins: "George Monbiot, the journalist and activist, is planning the action because he believes Mr. Bolton is a 'war criminal.'" www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/05/28/9236
RICHARD FALK, rfalk@princeton.edu,http://www.transnational.org/SAJT/tff/people/r_falk.html
Falk is professor emeritus of international law at Princeton University and distinguished visiting professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is the author of more than 20 books including "The Costs of War: International Law, the UN, and World Order after Iraq."
He said: "As we see from today's news, even former White House spokesperson McClellan is admitting that the administration orchestrated events and information to push for the invasion of Iraq in defiance of the UN Charter. This amounts to an aggressive war. Attempts by citizens like George Monbiot to hold officials accountable stem from the fact that the governmental institutions have failed in their duty to hold such individuals accountable for violations of international law. The Center for Constitutional Rights formally urged the prosecution of Rumsfeld in Germany and France, but those cases were dismissed for political reasons. There were attempts to do citizen arrests against [then-Secretary of State Henry] Kissinger and other U.S. officials during the Vietnam War. Having structures to ensure accountability of
government officials for international crimes of state are an elementary facet of a real democracy in our globalized world."
GEORGE MONBIOT, [in Britain]
g.monbiot@zetnet.co.uk, http://www.monbiot.com
Monbiot is author of numerous books including "The Age of Consent: A Manifesto for a New World Order." His office released a statement: "Bolton was one of the key initiators of the war against Iraq. ...
"This appears to be the first time that a citizen's arrest of one of the architects of the Iraq war has been attempted. ... John Bolton was instrumental in preparing and initiating the Iraq war, by disseminating false claims through the State Department and by orchestrating the sacking of an official who tried to provide a negotiated settlement.
"The Nuremberg Principles, which form the basis of customary international law concerning armed action, state that the following action is a crime punishable under international law: 'participation in a common plan' for the 'preparation, initiation or waging of a war of aggression or a war in violation of international treaties, agreements or assurances.'
"The International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg ruled that 'to initiate a war of aggression ... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime.'
"The 2003 war with Iraq launched by the United States and the United Kingdom qualifies under international law both as a war of aggression ... and as a war in violation of international treaties (primarily the UN Charter).
"In the Guardian Tuesday, Mr. Bolton denies that he is a war criminal.
"Many people accept that the launching of the Iraq war was an international crime, but no one has yet been prepared to act on it by arresting one of the perpetrators. Monbiot intends to arrest John Bolton as he comes off the stage after speaking at the festival and to hand him over to the police."
Monbiot posted "Arresting John Bolton: The Charge Sheet" on
his web page: www.monbiot.com/archives/2008/05/27/arresting-john-bolton.
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Accountability: Scott McClellan and John Bolton Citizen Arrest
Interviews Available
The Washington Post has on its front page a piece headlined "Ex-Press Aide Writes That Bush Misled U.S. on Iraq."The British newspaper The Telegraph features a piece today: "John Bolton To Be Target of Citizen's Arrest at Hay Festival: John Bolton, the
former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, faces a citizen's arrest when he addresses an audience at the Hay Festival in Wales this evening." The piece begins: "George Monbiot, the journalist and activist, is planning the action because he believes Mr. Bolton is a 'war criminal.'" www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/05/28/9236
RICHARD FALK, rfalk@princeton.edu,http://www.transnational.org/SAJT/tff/people/r_falk.html
Falk is professor emeritus of international law at Princeton University and distinguished visiting professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is the author of more than 20 books including "The Costs of War: International Law, the UN, and World Order after Iraq."
He said: "As we see from today's news, even former White House spokesperson McClellan is admitting that the administration orchestrated events and information to push for the invasion of Iraq in defiance of the UN Charter. This amounts to an aggressive war. Attempts by citizens like George Monbiot to hold officials accountable stem from the fact that the governmental institutions have failed in their duty to hold such individuals accountable for violations of international law. The Center for Constitutional Rights formally urged the prosecution of Rumsfeld in Germany and France, but those cases were dismissed for political reasons. There were attempts to do citizen arrests against [then-Secretary of State Henry] Kissinger and other U.S. officials during the Vietnam War. Having structures to ensure accountability of
government officials for international crimes of state are an elementary facet of a real democracy in our globalized world."
GEORGE MONBIOT, [in Britain]
g.monbiot@zetnet.co.uk, http://www.monbiot.com
Monbiot is author of numerous books including "The Age of Consent: A Manifesto for a New World Order." His office released a statement: "Bolton was one of the key initiators of the war against Iraq. ...
"This appears to be the first time that a citizen's arrest of one of the architects of the Iraq war has been attempted. ... John Bolton was instrumental in preparing and initiating the Iraq war, by disseminating false claims through the State Department and by orchestrating the sacking of an official who tried to provide a negotiated settlement.
"The Nuremberg Principles, which form the basis of customary international law concerning armed action, state that the following action is a crime punishable under international law: 'participation in a common plan' for the 'preparation, initiation or waging of a war of aggression or a war in violation of international treaties, agreements or assurances.'
"The International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg ruled that 'to initiate a war of aggression ... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime.'
"The 2003 war with Iraq launched by the United States and the United Kingdom qualifies under international law both as a war of aggression ... and as a war in violation of international treaties (primarily the UN Charter).
"In the Guardian Tuesday, Mr. Bolton denies that he is a war criminal.
"Many people accept that the launching of the Iraq war was an international crime, but no one has yet been prepared to act on it by arresting one of the perpetrators. Monbiot intends to arrest John Bolton as he comes off the stage after speaking at the festival and to hand him over to the police."
Monbiot posted "Arresting John Bolton: The Charge Sheet" on
his web page: www.monbiot.com/archives/2008/05/27/arresting-john-bolton.
Story Assignment -- Nuclear Subsidies
Institute for Public Accuracy
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
$544 Billion in Subsidies for Nuclear Industry
Interviews Available
KARL GROSSMAN, kgrossman@hamptons.com, www.envirovideo.com
Grossman just wrote the piece "Half-Trillion Dollars for Nukes!"
which states: "With Wall Street unwilling to finance new nuclear plants, U.S. Senators Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut and John Warner of Virginia have cooked up a scheme to provide $544 billion -- yes, with a 'b' -- in subsidies for new nuclear power plant development.
"Their move will be debated on the floor of the Senate Tuesday,
June 3.
"A Lieberman aide describes the plan as 'the most historic incentive for nuclear in the history of the United States.'
"The Lieberman-Warner scheme is cloaked in a climate change bill -- the claim being that nuclear power plants don't emit greenhouse gases and thus don't contribute to global warming. However, the overall 'nuclear cycle' -- which includes mining, milling, fuel enrichment and fabrication, and reprocessing -- has significant greenhouse gas emissions that do contribute to global warming." www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/05/29/9268
Grossman is a professor of journalism at the State University of
New York/College at Old Westbury, author of several books on nuclear
technology and host of the nationally syndicated TV program Enviro
Close-Up.
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
$544 Billion in Subsidies for Nuclear Industry
Interviews Available
KARL GROSSMAN, kgrossman@hamptons.com, www.envirovideo.com
Grossman just wrote the piece "Half-Trillion Dollars for Nukes!"
which states: "With Wall Street unwilling to finance new nuclear plants, U.S. Senators Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut and John Warner of Virginia have cooked up a scheme to provide $544 billion -- yes, with a 'b' -- in subsidies for new nuclear power plant development.
"Their move will be debated on the floor of the Senate Tuesday,
June 3.
"A Lieberman aide describes the plan as 'the most historic incentive for nuclear in the history of the United States.'
"The Lieberman-Warner scheme is cloaked in a climate change bill -- the claim being that nuclear power plants don't emit greenhouse gases and thus don't contribute to global warming. However, the overall 'nuclear cycle' -- which includes mining, milling, fuel enrichment and fabrication, and reprocessing -- has significant greenhouse gas emissions that do contribute to global warming." www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/05/29/9268
Grossman is a professor of journalism at the State University of
New York/College at Old Westbury, author of several books on nuclear
technology and host of the nationally syndicated TV program Enviro
Close-Up.
Story Assignment -- Global Warming "Debate"
Institute for Public Accuracy
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
Global Warming Solutions and Shams:
* Public Transit * Cap-and-Trade Interviews Available
The Senate is debating global warming and a "cap-and-trade" proposal.
HARVEY WASSERMAN,harvey@freepress.org, http://www.solartopia.org
Wasserman is author of the new book "SOLARTOPIA: Our Green-Powered Earth, A.D. 2030." He said today: "With gas prices going through the roof, where's the discussion about public transit? Here in Ohio, the federal government just spent $500 million to widen the freeway between Cleveland and Columbus. For a tenth of that money, we could have re-instated train service. ..."
[Background: On Monday, USA Today reported in its lead story: "Ridership on mass transit breaks records."]
www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-06-01-mass-transit_N.htm
Wasserman added: "Wind and solar are booming -- the American Wind Energy Association is currently having their convention and it's huge. We will be able to get our electricity from wind and solar. Nuclear is a pre-failed option. McCain has backed that; Obama has verbally said he would consider nuclear, but he has spoken against the subsidies -- but nuclear can't subsist with massive subsidies."
MICHAEL DORSEY, mkdorsey@dartmouth.edu
Professor of global environmental policy at Dartmouth College, Dorsey said last week: "Trading carbon and other market-based proposals will not avert the looming global climate catastrophe. Indeed, the market approaches under consideration on the Hill and the green business leaders promoting them are pushing us closer to catastrophe.
"The architects of the Kyoto Protocol were inspired by the trading system sanctioned by the reauthorized 1990 Clean Air Act, which came into effect under President Bush's father. This program was relatively successful inside the United States. It reduced the amount of sulfur dioxide emissions that cause acid rain. That program succeeded because there were few sources to monitor (about 2,000 smokestacks in the Midwest) and a national legal system by which to enforce the mandated
limits. By contrast, there are far too many carbon source points around the world to monitor, and there is no international legal system or global environmental organization to measure, let alone enforce, emissions limits.
"Thousands of credit-generating projects are being realized under corporate self-monitoring, dangerously relying on the polluters' own integrity. These potential conflicts of interest were at the heart of the Enron and Arthur Andersen scandals, both pioneers in emissions trading.
"The current leading climate change bill and related proposals are akin to putting the mafia in charge of the court system. Polluting industry has effectively dialed in a series of 'new cost containment' provisions that would delay short-term emissions reductions, when all known science says that we must reduce carbon pollution immediately.
"On a global scale, carbon trading is little more than an untested economic experiment that may not avert climate catastrophe in time. The industry-lauded European Union Emission Trading Scheme, the largest regulated carbon market, has failed to reduce greenhouse gases, and is beset by legal challenges from firms and EU members. Just last year, the Financial Times launched an investigation into carbon trading that uncovered numerous problems with trading and offset schemes. 'The rush
to go green suggests easy money for investors in projects that reduce carbon dioxide output,' the FT reported. As recently as last fall, British tax authorities are also investigating fraudulent trading firms. Similar discussions are already underway in Canada, which inaugurated its Montreal Climate Exchange last Friday.
Dorsey is completing a forthcoming book on climate justice for
publication in early 2009. Last year he wrote "Carbon trading won't
work," which was published in the Los Angeles Times
and "Green Market Hustlers" for Foreign Policy In Focus:
www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/4313.
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
Global Warming Solutions and Shams:
* Public Transit * Cap-and-Trade Interviews Available
The Senate is debating global warming and a "cap-and-trade" proposal.
HARVEY WASSERMAN,harvey@freepress.org, http://www.solartopia.org
Wasserman is author of the new book "SOLARTOPIA: Our Green-Powered Earth, A.D. 2030." He said today: "With gas prices going through the roof, where's the discussion about public transit? Here in Ohio, the federal government just spent $500 million to widen the freeway between Cleveland and Columbus. For a tenth of that money, we could have re-instated train service. ..."
[Background: On Monday, USA Today reported in its lead story: "Ridership on mass transit breaks records."]
www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-06-01-mass-transit_N.htm
Wasserman added: "Wind and solar are booming -- the American Wind Energy Association is currently having their convention and it's huge. We will be able to get our electricity from wind and solar. Nuclear is a pre-failed option. McCain has backed that; Obama has verbally said he would consider nuclear, but he has spoken against the subsidies -- but nuclear can't subsist with massive subsidies."
MICHAEL DORSEY, mkdorsey@dartmouth.edu
Professor of global environmental policy at Dartmouth College, Dorsey said last week: "Trading carbon and other market-based proposals will not avert the looming global climate catastrophe. Indeed, the market approaches under consideration on the Hill and the green business leaders promoting them are pushing us closer to catastrophe.
"The architects of the Kyoto Protocol were inspired by the trading system sanctioned by the reauthorized 1990 Clean Air Act, which came into effect under President Bush's father. This program was relatively successful inside the United States. It reduced the amount of sulfur dioxide emissions that cause acid rain. That program succeeded because there were few sources to monitor (about 2,000 smokestacks in the Midwest) and a national legal system by which to enforce the mandated
limits. By contrast, there are far too many carbon source points around the world to monitor, and there is no international legal system or global environmental organization to measure, let alone enforce, emissions limits.
"Thousands of credit-generating projects are being realized under corporate self-monitoring, dangerously relying on the polluters' own integrity. These potential conflicts of interest were at the heart of the Enron and Arthur Andersen scandals, both pioneers in emissions trading.
"The current leading climate change bill and related proposals are akin to putting the mafia in charge of the court system. Polluting industry has effectively dialed in a series of 'new cost containment' provisions that would delay short-term emissions reductions, when all known science says that we must reduce carbon pollution immediately.
"On a global scale, carbon trading is little more than an untested economic experiment that may not avert climate catastrophe in time. The industry-lauded European Union Emission Trading Scheme, the largest regulated carbon market, has failed to reduce greenhouse gases, and is beset by legal challenges from firms and EU members. Just last year, the Financial Times launched an investigation into carbon trading that uncovered numerous problems with trading and offset schemes. 'The rush
to go green suggests easy money for investors in projects that reduce carbon dioxide output,' the FT reported. As recently as last fall, British tax authorities are also investigating fraudulent trading firms. Similar discussions are already underway in Canada, which inaugurated its Montreal Climate Exchange last Friday.
Dorsey is completing a forthcoming book on climate justice for
publication in early 2009. Last year he wrote "Carbon trading won't
work," which was published in the Los Angeles Times
and "Green Market Hustlers" for Foreign Policy In Focus:
www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/4313.
Unions in Crisis -- Story Assignment
Institute for Public Accuracy
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
Unions in Crisis
Interviews Available
The Wall Street Journal is reporting: "Andy Stern, the president of the Service Employees International Union, is moving to further consolidate bargaining and organizing efforts across industry lines, a move that could limit the power of local unions but give the union greater leverage with big employers." SEIU is currently holding its convention in Puerto Rico.
BILL FLETCHER, www.blackcommentator.com Available for a limited number of interviews, Fletcher is author of the new book "Solidarity Divided: The Crisis in Organized Labor and a New Path toward Social Justice." He said today: "The struggle that's going on now within SEIU in many ways is the struggle that should have happened in 2004 -- dealing with what is the purpose of a union and how can it grow under very harsh conditions." Fletcher is also executive editor of The Black Commentator.
MARK BRENNER, [currently in Puerto Rico] www.labornotes.org/seiuconvention
Brenner is writing about the SEIU convention for Labor Notes, an
independent publication covering unions and labor. He is blogging at:
www.labornotes.org/seiuconvention.
Brenner noted that SEIU was unable to help Obama win Puerto Rico.
He also noted that SEIU has a number of rivals including "the Puerto Rican teachers union, known by its Spanish acronym FMPR. The island's largest union, FMPR is protesting SEIU's attempt to raid over 40,000 teachers it represented. According to the independent union, SEIU brokered a
backroom deal last year with the Puerto Rican governor that paved the
way for SEIU to oust the FMPR. The deal is one of several recent secret deals that have been criticized for prioritizing relationships with employers and power brokers over working people. ...
"Stern and his supporters also face hefty internal opposition over
their plans to centralize more resources and control in the union's D.C.
headquarters."
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
Unions in Crisis
Interviews Available
The Wall Street Journal is reporting: "Andy Stern, the president of the Service Employees International Union, is moving to further consolidate bargaining and organizing efforts across industry lines, a move that could limit the power of local unions but give the union greater leverage with big employers." SEIU is currently holding its convention in Puerto Rico.
BILL FLETCHER, www.blackcommentator.com Available for a limited number of interviews, Fletcher is author of the new book "Solidarity Divided: The Crisis in Organized Labor and a New Path toward Social Justice." He said today: "The struggle that's going on now within SEIU in many ways is the struggle that should have happened in 2004 -- dealing with what is the purpose of a union and how can it grow under very harsh conditions." Fletcher is also executive editor of The Black Commentator.
MARK BRENNER, [currently in Puerto Rico] www.labornotes.org/seiuconvention
Brenner is writing about the SEIU convention for Labor Notes, an
independent publication covering unions and labor. He is blogging at:
www.labornotes.org/seiuconvention.
Brenner noted that SEIU was unable to help Obama win Puerto Rico.
He also noted that SEIU has a number of rivals including "the Puerto Rican teachers union, known by its Spanish acronym FMPR. The island's largest union, FMPR is protesting SEIU's attempt to raid over 40,000 teachers it represented. According to the independent union, SEIU brokered a
backroom deal last year with the Puerto Rican governor that paved the
way for SEIU to oust the FMPR. The deal is one of several recent secret deals that have been criticized for prioritizing relationships with employers and power brokers over working people. ...
"Stern and his supporters also face hefty internal opposition over
their plans to centralize more resources and control in the union's D.C.
headquarters."
World Food Crisis -- Story Assignment
Institute for Public Accuracy
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Rome Food Conference
Interviews Available
As government leaders from around the world meet at the U.N. food
conference in Rome, nonprofit organizations have also been meeting
there. The following analysts are available for a limited number of
interviews and are in contact with others in Rome from around the
world:
FLAVIO VALENTE, in Rome, valente@fian.org, http://www.fian.org, http://www.foodsovereignty.org
Secretary general of FIAN [Food First Information and Action Network], an international food rights group, Valente said: "I see very little good coming from the governmental meeting in Rome. The World Bank and International Monetary Fund are being turned to as if they will help solve the problem, but it was largely their policies of structural adjustment that made poor countries lose their capacity to control their
food policies and helped bring on the current crisis. The U.S. government -- and to some extent the European Union -- are blocking desperately needed advances; for example any reference in the final documents to people having a right to food."
RACHEL SMOLKER, currently in Rome, rsmolker@globaljusticeecology.org, http://www.globaljusticeecology.org,also via Orin Langelle, orin.langelle@globalforestcoalition.org
Research biologist at the Global Justice Ecology Project, Smolker
said today: "Unfortunately this crisis is being used as an opportunity
to advance GMOs [genetically modified organisms]. The question of land
is emerging as a central issue and business interests are grabbing it up
for biofuels and other purposes. Millions of people were added to the
ranks of the hungry in the last quarter. Meanwhile, the big agribusiness
companies are making huge profits."
Smolker recently wrote the piece "Agrofuels in the belly of the
hungry beast," at: www.egovmonitor.com
She also wrote "Go Ahead, Blame Biofuels: A switch from fossil
fuels to ethanol and its kin diverts resources from food production, leading
to hunger and destabilization of farming" published in Business Week, www.businessweek.com.
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Rome Food Conference
Interviews Available
As government leaders from around the world meet at the U.N. food
conference in Rome, nonprofit organizations have also been meeting
there. The following analysts are available for a limited number of
interviews and are in contact with others in Rome from around the
world:
FLAVIO VALENTE, in Rome, valente@fian.org, http://www.fian.org, http://www.foodsovereignty.org
Secretary general of FIAN [Food First Information and Action Network], an international food rights group, Valente said: "I see very little good coming from the governmental meeting in Rome. The World Bank and International Monetary Fund are being turned to as if they will help solve the problem, but it was largely their policies of structural adjustment that made poor countries lose their capacity to control their
food policies and helped bring on the current crisis. The U.S. government -- and to some extent the European Union -- are blocking desperately needed advances; for example any reference in the final documents to people having a right to food."
RACHEL SMOLKER, currently in Rome, rsmolker@globaljusticeecology.org, http://www.globaljusticeecology.org,also via Orin Langelle, orin.langelle@globalforestcoalition.org
Research biologist at the Global Justice Ecology Project, Smolker
said today: "Unfortunately this crisis is being used as an opportunity
to advance GMOs [genetically modified organisms]. The question of land
is emerging as a central issue and business interests are grabbing it up
for biofuels and other purposes. Millions of people were added to the
ranks of the hungry in the last quarter. Meanwhile, the big agribusiness
companies are making huge profits."
Smolker recently wrote the piece "Agrofuels in the belly of the
hungry beast," at: www.egovmonitor.com
She also wrote "Go Ahead, Blame Biofuels: A switch from fossil
fuels to ethanol and its kin diverts resources from food production, leading
to hunger and destabilization of farming" published in Business Week, www.businessweek.com.
Food Crisis -- this just in from our friend Scott Nakagawa
I just signed a petition urging world leaders at an emergency summit this week to tackle the food crisis now gripping the world. This is urgent and important and I thought you might like to sign it too:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/world_food_crisis/tf.php?cl_tf_sign=1
--
The United Nations is convening the emergency summit. There is a real danger that rich country leaders will push half measures and band-aid solutions – we need a huge global outcry to demand rapid, massive, coordinated action.
The head of the UN, Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, will receive our petition at the summit in the next day. This is a huge opportunity for our voice to reach our leaders directly, but we need half a million voices heard. Sign the petition below, and watch the video appeal from the foreign minister of Sierra Leone, one of the world's worst hit nations:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/world_food_crisis/tf.php?cl_tf_sign=1
Thanks!
http://www.avaaz.org/en/world_food_crisis/tf.php?cl_tf_sign=1
--
The United Nations is convening the emergency summit. There is a real danger that rich country leaders will push half measures and band-aid solutions – we need a huge global outcry to demand rapid, massive, coordinated action.
The head of the UN, Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, will receive our petition at the summit in the next day. This is a huge opportunity for our voice to reach our leaders directly, but we need half a million voices heard. Sign the petition below, and watch the video appeal from the foreign minister of Sierra Leone, one of the world's worst hit nations:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/world_food_crisis/tf.php?cl_tf_sign=1
Thanks!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Intern Wanted!!
May 27, 2008 4:17 PM
Subject: Intern Wanted!!
Body: Looking for a summer internship in Portland? Read on! Know someone who might be perfect? Pass it on!
Thanks
Julie
Intern wanted
When: June 1 – August 30 (dates somewhat flexible)
Where: North Portland, primarily
DIY, Portland is a monthly radio show and podcast with a significant following on the airwaves and the internet. This innovative show has grown up from Portland’s grassroots. It started out as a live monthly show on KBOO Community Radio in early 2006 and has become a full-fledged audio documentary series.
We are seeking a volunteer intern to help support the production of our summer shows. We are not able to offer monetary payment, but the intern will get plenty of hands-on experience working with this radio show.
Duties will include:
* outreach (assisting with promotional materials, listening parties, grant writing/research and tabling at the 2008 Zine Symposium)
* production work (research as well as some audio recording and editing)
* light transcription
This person must be a good writer, have a working knowledge of Mac OSX and be willing to work at least 4 hours/week. Radio experience is desired but not mandatory. Keen radio listeners are strongly encouraged to apply.
In the next few months, we’ll be exploring a vast range of topics including Zines, Bikes, Gender Expression, Urban Farming.
To apply, please send a letter of interest and at least 2 references to julie@destinationdiy.org
Subject: Intern Wanted!!
Body: Looking for a summer internship in Portland? Read on! Know someone who might be perfect? Pass it on!
Thanks
Julie
Intern wanted
When: June 1 – August 30 (dates somewhat flexible)
Where: North Portland, primarily
DIY, Portland is a monthly radio show and podcast with a significant following on the airwaves and the internet. This innovative show has grown up from Portland’s grassroots. It started out as a live monthly show on KBOO Community Radio in early 2006 and has become a full-fledged audio documentary series.
We are seeking a volunteer intern to help support the production of our summer shows. We are not able to offer monetary payment, but the intern will get plenty of hands-on experience working with this radio show.
Duties will include:
* outreach (assisting with promotional materials, listening parties, grant writing/research and tabling at the 2008 Zine Symposium)
* production work (research as well as some audio recording and editing)
* light transcription
This person must be a good writer, have a working knowledge of Mac OSX and be willing to work at least 4 hours/week. Radio experience is desired but not mandatory. Keen radio listeners are strongly encouraged to apply.
In the next few months, we’ll be exploring a vast range of topics including Zines, Bikes, Gender Expression, Urban Farming.
To apply, please send a letter of interest and at least 2 references to julie@destinationdiy.org
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Follow the Garbage -- Picked up by Pacifica!!!
The Pacifica News Network is picking up the KBOO News spring investigative reporting piece, Follow the Garbage, for international distribution on their program, “Sprouts”! Huzzah! And congrats to all those who pitched in to make the show. The three-part podcast of Follow the Garbage has already been downloaded hundreds of times from the KBOO website, www.kboo.fm, since it was posted on Earth Day in April. Yay!!!
News Feature -- Karuk Tribe Talks About the Science of Removing the Klamath Dams
Always worth covering new developments on the proposed removal of (3?) PGE-owned dams on the Klamath River. Our Karuk colleague Craig Tucker is an EXCELLENT interview. This story breaks every other month, and one of these days it's REALLY gonna break open.....
Karuk Tribe
DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT
P R E S S A D V I S O R Y
For Immediate Release: May 14, 2008
For more information:
Craig Tucker, Spokesperson Karuk Tribe office 707-839-1982, cell 916-207-8294
Top Scientists Endorse Klamath Restoration Agreement
Endorsement Reverses Previous Criticism of Dam Removal Plan
Arcata, CA
– Today the Klamath Settlement Group (KSG) released a summary of a recent science workshop and letters from top scientists indicating support for the pending Klamath Restoration Agreement. The scientists, under contract to the North Coast Environmental Center , had previously raised concerns that the Restoration Agreement provided for inadequate dry year flows for the Klamath River and inadequate protections against excessive groundwater use.
The KSG has been negotiating for over two years on the fate of four antiquated dams on the Klamath River that play a fundamental role in the decline of Pacific salmon and lead to massive blooms of toxic algae while offering little benefit in the form of energy production or flood control. The KSG also tackled the contentious issue of water management in the Klamath Basin .
In January, the KSG released a draft Restoration Agreement contingent on the removal of the lower four Klamath dams. The Agreement includes plans to balance water use between fisheries and agricultural interests, reintroduce salmon to the Upper Klamath Basin , and provide affordable replacement power for farmers. Although PacifiCorp has yet to sign on to the agreement, many KSG members remain cautiously optimistic that an agreement can be reached with PacifiCorp in the near term.
As the KSG neared completion of the draft agreement, the North Coast Environmental Center (NEC), hired several consultants to review the Agreement. Citing concerns raised by the consultants, NEC announced its opposition to the Agreement in March.
In response to the concerns voiced by NEC, the KSG sponsored a science meeting in which scientists from the NEC, Tribes, and governmental agencies compared notes and worked to reach a common understanding of what the Agreement means for river flows and fish habitat.
In the wake of the meeting and revisions to the agreement, two of NEC consultants now voice support for the Agreement. Thus far, NEC has not retracted their opposition.
Dr. Thomas Hardy, a leading expert in Klamath River fisheries and hydrology, wrote, “The opportunity for open discussion provided during the science meetings on April 10th and 11th were also very helpful and served to reinforce my opinion to support the [proposed] settlement agreement.”
Greg Kamman, consultant to the NEC who criticized the agreement also had his concerns addressed. Mr. Kamman wrote, “If asked if I would support the Agreement as currently written, I would do so.”
The number of supporters for the Agreement is growing. Last wee, the cities of Merill, Malin, Chiloquin , Oregon along with Tulelake , CA voted to endorse the agreement.
“The more closely scientists look at the Agreement, the better they like it. The Karuk Tribe is content to let the best available science be the guide for solving the Klamath Crisis and we expect others to do the same,” said Leaf Hillman, Vice-chair of the Karuk Tribe.
# # #
Editor’s notes: A summary of the science meeting along with the letters form Dr. Hardy, Greg Kamman and the Hoopa Valley Tribe are available at http://karuk.us/press/press.php or by emailing a request to ctucker@karuk.us
Karuk Tribe
DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT
P R E S S A D V I S O R Y
For Immediate Release: May 14, 2008
For more information:
Craig Tucker, Spokesperson Karuk Tribe office 707-839-1982, cell 916-207-8294
Top Scientists Endorse Klamath Restoration Agreement
Endorsement Reverses Previous Criticism of Dam Removal Plan
Arcata, CA
– Today the Klamath Settlement Group (KSG) released a summary of a recent science workshop and letters from top scientists indicating support for the pending Klamath Restoration Agreement. The scientists, under contract to the North Coast Environmental Center , had previously raised concerns that the Restoration Agreement provided for inadequate dry year flows for the Klamath River and inadequate protections against excessive groundwater use.
The KSG has been negotiating for over two years on the fate of four antiquated dams on the Klamath River that play a fundamental role in the decline of Pacific salmon and lead to massive blooms of toxic algae while offering little benefit in the form of energy production or flood control. The KSG also tackled the contentious issue of water management in the Klamath Basin .
In January, the KSG released a draft Restoration Agreement contingent on the removal of the lower four Klamath dams. The Agreement includes plans to balance water use between fisheries and agricultural interests, reintroduce salmon to the Upper Klamath Basin , and provide affordable replacement power for farmers. Although PacifiCorp has yet to sign on to the agreement, many KSG members remain cautiously optimistic that an agreement can be reached with PacifiCorp in the near term.
As the KSG neared completion of the draft agreement, the North Coast Environmental Center (NEC), hired several consultants to review the Agreement. Citing concerns raised by the consultants, NEC announced its opposition to the Agreement in March.
In response to the concerns voiced by NEC, the KSG sponsored a science meeting in which scientists from the NEC, Tribes, and governmental agencies compared notes and worked to reach a common understanding of what the Agreement means for river flows and fish habitat.
In the wake of the meeting and revisions to the agreement, two of NEC consultants now voice support for the Agreement. Thus far, NEC has not retracted their opposition.
Dr. Thomas Hardy, a leading expert in Klamath River fisheries and hydrology, wrote, “The opportunity for open discussion provided during the science meetings on April 10th and 11th were also very helpful and served to reinforce my opinion to support the [proposed] settlement agreement.”
Greg Kamman, consultant to the NEC who criticized the agreement also had his concerns addressed. Mr. Kamman wrote, “If asked if I would support the Agreement as currently written, I would do so.”
The number of supporters for the Agreement is growing. Last wee, the cities of Merill, Malin, Chiloquin , Oregon along with Tulelake , CA voted to endorse the agreement.
“The more closely scientists look at the Agreement, the better they like it. The Karuk Tribe is content to let the best available science be the guide for solving the Klamath Crisis and we expect others to do the same,” said Leaf Hillman, Vice-chair of the Karuk Tribe.
# # #
Editor’s notes: A summary of the science meeting along with the letters form Dr. Hardy, Greg Kamman and the Hoopa Valley Tribe are available at http://karuk.us/press/press.php or by emailing a request to ctucker@karuk.us
Author Interview -- NFL Concussions
This is a groundbreaking topic, as the New York Times has run story after story about NFL players dying young of Alzheimer's disease and teenaged players just plain dying on the field. Check in with the KBOO front desk to find available studio times, write down three that work for you, and THEN call up the PR guy to schedule....remember, you're shooting for 28 minutes final runtime.
Pre-Season NFL Segment / Interview Dr. Bennet Omalu About His Book "PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG" & the Effects of Multiple Concussions
Contact: Adam Rifenberick
Press Box Publicity
Phone: (716) 741-8495
E-Mail: adam@pressboxpublicity.com
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Pre-Season NFL Segment / Interview Dr. Bennet Omalu About His Book "PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG" & the Effects of Multiple Concussions
Dr. Bennet Omalu will be available for interviews from Tuesday, May 20th through Monday, May 26th
As we start to gear up for another NFL season, spend a few moments discussing one of the most important issues in the game today: the long-term health of its players. Interview Dr. Bennet Omalu, author of the new book "PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG" (Neo-Forenxis Books) as he discusses one of the scourges of our favorite sport-the cumulative effect of multiple concussions on the game's superstars.
It's an issue that is not going away and it's an issue that isn't being talked about nearly enough. As a part of you pre-season coverage, please consider an interview with Dr. Bennet Omalu. Dr. Omalu will be available for interviews from Tuesday, May 20th through Monday, May 26th. For more information about "PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG" and/or to schedule an interview with Dr. Omalu, please contact Adam Rifenberick, Press Box Publicity @ Adam@PressBoxPublicity.com or 716.741.8495.
____________________________
Mike Webster. Terry Long. Andre Waters.
Three men who took the hard hits and survived the NFL.
So why couldn't they survive retirement?
From the first physician to examine in autopsy the long-term brain injuries suffered by the league's best .
"PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG"
"Every NFL player ought to be issued a copy of (PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG) when he reports to training camp. Let him know up front the risks that lie ahead. I'd recommend the book to families of NFL players as well."-Rick Gosselin, Dallas Morning News
Each week in the NFL, young men wage war on the field of play. Fans marvel at the jarring hits. At the speed of the game. We are amazed as massive bodies explode into one another. The collisions are loud. The bodies fly, fold, fall, before finally coming to rest on the turf. We hold our breaths until reassured by the first sign of movement. What happened? Nothing. He's shaking it off.
We put these players on a pedestal because of their talent, size and speed. We draft them for fantasy football, collect their trading cards, wear their jerseys, teach our children to emulate them. But they are human. Their bodies are essentially the same as ours. Bigger maybe, but still flesh and bone. Vulnerable. Joints are damaged. Ligaments strained. Brains jostled. Over the course of a career, a player subjects himself to more punishment than can possibly be imagined. Hit after hit. Strain after strain. Concussion after concussion. And as readers will find out, there is no such thing as "shaking it off".
"PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG: Football Dementia, Depression, and Death", by Bennett Omalu, MD (Neo-Forenxis Books) represents the findings of the only forensic pathologist who has examined the brains of retired NFL players and identified a specific type of football-induced brain injury: gridiron dementia. His ground-breaking research exposes the extent of the trauma associated with multiple concussions so many players accept as part of the game.
Dr. Omalu uses three case studies to illuminate a controversial topic. We remember Hall-of-Famer Mike Webster on the field. He was tough. A champion. We remember Terry Long and Andre Waters as fierce competitors. What happened after they left the NFL? Dr. Omalu fills us in-from the first day of retirement to the autopsy table after their untimely deaths. Gridiron dementia is devastating. Dr. Omalu describes the decline of these men from depression to financial turmoil to paranoia and, in two cases, to suicide.
Their bodies are destroyed in stoic silence, as they work in a culture where they can't complain about pain or disorientation for fear of being sidelined, losing starting positions, changing their roles on the team, or losing their jobs. They experience haziness, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, nausea, vomiting, memory problems, sensitivity to noise, sensitivity to light, depression, nervousness, irritability, poor concentration, and poor balance all in the pursuit of perfection on the field. Then when their playing days are done, they are sent out and told to live "normal" lives.
"[T]he estimated incidence of dementia in the U.S. population at ages sixty to sixty-nine is about sixty-six dementia cases per one hundred thousand people per year. Already we know close to sixty retired NFL players who are registered with the NFL dementia plan. The amazing thing is that there are fewer than ten thousand living retired NFL players."-From PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG
With bodies pushed past their limits, retired NFL players may have been well-paid in their playing days, but they pay the price for decades after the cheers have faded. The cumulative effects of concussions cloud their minds. Webster, Long and Waters struggled against symptoms caused by years of abuse. They lost. Others players struggle at this very moment.
Some say that professional football is the soul of America . Nobody wants to antagonize the NFL or put the game in jeopardy. PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG simply begins an important dialogue about what needs to happen next to ensure the safety of these athletes in the long term. It also provides information for family members who are in the process of coming to terms with a dangerous career in the NFL-or any organized full-contact football league. Finally, it is a wake-up call to the NFL, which could be accused of being slow to act on an increasingly obvious and tragic problem.
These are just three stories of many, but this is an issue that will sweep through the sport when the book is released after this year's Super Bowl. Dr. Omalu hopes to help change the culture of this beloved sport so that no more need to be asked to PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG.
"Omalu's disturbing manuscript gives me a new appreciation for the 'precipice of football history.'"-Dave Krieger, Rocky Mountain News
Bennet Omalu is a medical doctor with an MPH degree, as well as four board certifications in anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, forensic pathology, and neuropathology. He is currently completing a master's in business administration degree program at the Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University . Dr. Omalu performs autopsies and examines the brains of individuals who suffered brain injuries. Dr. Omalu was the first person to identify gridiron dementia in the brains of NFL players. He has examined the brains of retired NFL players who suffered from dementia and major depression due to repeated concussions sustained from playing professional football.
Pre-Season NFL Segment / Interview Dr. Bennet Omalu About His Book "PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG" & the Effects of Multiple Concussions
Contact: Adam Rifenberick
Press Box Publicity
Phone: (716) 741-8495
E-Mail: adam@pressboxpublicity.com
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Pre-Season NFL Segment / Interview Dr. Bennet Omalu About His Book "PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG" & the Effects of Multiple Concussions
Dr. Bennet Omalu will be available for interviews from Tuesday, May 20th through Monday, May 26th
As we start to gear up for another NFL season, spend a few moments discussing one of the most important issues in the game today: the long-term health of its players. Interview Dr. Bennet Omalu, author of the new book "PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG" (Neo-Forenxis Books) as he discusses one of the scourges of our favorite sport-the cumulative effect of multiple concussions on the game's superstars.
It's an issue that is not going away and it's an issue that isn't being talked about nearly enough. As a part of you pre-season coverage, please consider an interview with Dr. Bennet Omalu. Dr. Omalu will be available for interviews from Tuesday, May 20th through Monday, May 26th. For more information about "PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG" and/or to schedule an interview with Dr. Omalu, please contact Adam Rifenberick, Press Box Publicity @ Adam@PressBoxPublicity.com or 716.741.8495.
____________________________
Mike Webster. Terry Long. Andre Waters.
Three men who took the hard hits and survived the NFL.
So why couldn't they survive retirement?
From the first physician to examine in autopsy the long-term brain injuries suffered by the league's best .
"PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG"
"Every NFL player ought to be issued a copy of (PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG) when he reports to training camp. Let him know up front the risks that lie ahead. I'd recommend the book to families of NFL players as well."-Rick Gosselin, Dallas Morning News
Each week in the NFL, young men wage war on the field of play. Fans marvel at the jarring hits. At the speed of the game. We are amazed as massive bodies explode into one another. The collisions are loud. The bodies fly, fold, fall, before finally coming to rest on the turf. We hold our breaths until reassured by the first sign of movement. What happened? Nothing. He's shaking it off.
We put these players on a pedestal because of their talent, size and speed. We draft them for fantasy football, collect their trading cards, wear their jerseys, teach our children to emulate them. But they are human. Their bodies are essentially the same as ours. Bigger maybe, but still flesh and bone. Vulnerable. Joints are damaged. Ligaments strained. Brains jostled. Over the course of a career, a player subjects himself to more punishment than can possibly be imagined. Hit after hit. Strain after strain. Concussion after concussion. And as readers will find out, there is no such thing as "shaking it off".
"PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG: Football Dementia, Depression, and Death", by Bennett Omalu, MD (Neo-Forenxis Books) represents the findings of the only forensic pathologist who has examined the brains of retired NFL players and identified a specific type of football-induced brain injury: gridiron dementia. His ground-breaking research exposes the extent of the trauma associated with multiple concussions so many players accept as part of the game.
Dr. Omalu uses three case studies to illuminate a controversial topic. We remember Hall-of-Famer Mike Webster on the field. He was tough. A champion. We remember Terry Long and Andre Waters as fierce competitors. What happened after they left the NFL? Dr. Omalu fills us in-from the first day of retirement to the autopsy table after their untimely deaths. Gridiron dementia is devastating. Dr. Omalu describes the decline of these men from depression to financial turmoil to paranoia and, in two cases, to suicide.
Their bodies are destroyed in stoic silence, as they work in a culture where they can't complain about pain or disorientation for fear of being sidelined, losing starting positions, changing their roles on the team, or losing their jobs. They experience haziness, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, nausea, vomiting, memory problems, sensitivity to noise, sensitivity to light, depression, nervousness, irritability, poor concentration, and poor balance all in the pursuit of perfection on the field. Then when their playing days are done, they are sent out and told to live "normal" lives.
"[T]he estimated incidence of dementia in the U.S. population at ages sixty to sixty-nine is about sixty-six dementia cases per one hundred thousand people per year. Already we know close to sixty retired NFL players who are registered with the NFL dementia plan. The amazing thing is that there are fewer than ten thousand living retired NFL players."-From PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG
With bodies pushed past their limits, retired NFL players may have been well-paid in their playing days, but they pay the price for decades after the cheers have faded. The cumulative effects of concussions cloud their minds. Webster, Long and Waters struggled against symptoms caused by years of abuse. They lost. Others players struggle at this very moment.
Some say that professional football is the soul of America . Nobody wants to antagonize the NFL or put the game in jeopardy. PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG simply begins an important dialogue about what needs to happen next to ensure the safety of these athletes in the long term. It also provides information for family members who are in the process of coming to terms with a dangerous career in the NFL-or any organized full-contact football league. Finally, it is a wake-up call to the NFL, which could be accused of being slow to act on an increasingly obvious and tragic problem.
These are just three stories of many, but this is an issue that will sweep through the sport when the book is released after this year's Super Bowl. Dr. Omalu hopes to help change the culture of this beloved sport so that no more need to be asked to PLAY HARD, DIE YOUNG.
"Omalu's disturbing manuscript gives me a new appreciation for the 'precipice of football history.'"-Dave Krieger, Rocky Mountain News
Bennet Omalu is a medical doctor with an MPH degree, as well as four board certifications in anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, forensic pathology, and neuropathology. He is currently completing a master's in business administration degree program at the Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University . Dr. Omalu performs autopsies and examines the brains of individuals who suffered brain injuries. Dr. Omalu was the first person to identify gridiron dementia in the brains of NFL players. He has examined the brains of retired NFL players who suffered from dementia and major depression due to repeated concussions sustained from playing professional football.
Investigative Reporters and Editors conference in Miami -- I'M GOING!!!!!!!
I’M GOING TO THIS!!!! I’ll tell ya all about it when I get back......hundreds of workshops, including a direct-to-web investigative reporting package tutorial....at a very good price.
The IRE Conference in Miami is just a few weeks away. Here are some
important deadlines along with new updates and activities for the
conference.
Registration
Register today to take advantage of the early-bird registration fee of
$175. Registration closes at noon (CST) on Monday, May 19.
After Monday at noon we will only accept registrations on-site for
$200.
HBO Advance Screening, Friday, June 6
6:15 to 8:15 p.m. - Generation Kill: Journalist Evan Wright's series
for Rolling Stone on the Marines who led the invasion of Baghdad in 2003
became a book and, next month, premieres on HBO as a seven-part
mini-series. HBO will do a sneak preview of a one-hour episode from Generation Kill, written by Wright, former Baltimore Sun journalist David Simon (Homicide, The Corner, The Wire) and Ed Burns (The Corner, The Wire), with Simon and Burns among the executive producers. Wright, Simon and Burns will then participate in a panel discussion on how they've turned their experiences as observers into both fiction and non-fiction, in print and on television. Wright will participate in a book signing after the panel.
Free tickets to this screening will be distributed on Friday beginning
at 9 a.m. at the Sales table located in Mezzanine East on the 2nd
floor. Tickets are limited due to seating capacity in the theater. One
ticket per person please.
Advanced Frameworks Mini-Boot Camp - 4 seats remain
You've heard all the hype around web frameworks like Ruby on Rails and
Django. Now see why. In this new advanced boot camp, we'll take you
from the basics to a fully functioning data-driven application in Django,
the web framework that drives award-winning projects like EveryBlock,
PolitiFact, and The Washington Post's congressional votes databases.
Editors and producers know this work is hot. You know it's the next step
for your CAR skills. Now learn how in these hands-on sequential classes.
Because it's an advanced sequence, please plan to attend all of the
mini-boot camp classes. You must register for the optional CAR day to
attend. For details, visit
http://www.ire.org/training/miami08/frameworks.html
South Beach IRE Reception - Friday, June 6
Travel to the trendy Sagamore hotel in South Beach for an IRE reception
in their Video Garden bar. This festive location features a cash bar
for the beverage of your choice, but you can also purchase tickets in
advance that will get you two drinks (featured cocktails, beer and wine)
for $25. Tickets will be available at the IRE sales table located in
Mezzanine East on the 2nd floor. The evening begins at 7 p.m. and you'll
need to find a ride, shuttle, or cab over to the Sagamore on your own,
but it's just a brief 15 minute trip over the bridge to the beach.
And for those seeking additional South Beach nightlife, a special
opportunity will be available: the sizzling hot club Prive has agreed to
open the velvet rope for up to 200 IRE members. Just be at the Sagamore
hotel reception and IRE will distribute 200 free wristbands that will
get you into the oh-so-exclusive dance club. (Once at the club you're on
your own; no drinks are included in this deal). Wristbands will be
offered on a first-come basis beginning around 9 p.m., and once they're
gone, they're gone.
Updated Hotel Information
Our room block at the InterContinental Miami is sold out. We have
rooms available at two overflow hotels, the Courtyard by Marriott Miami
Downtown and the Hyatt Regency Miami at the Miami Convention Center. For
details, visit http://www.ire.org/training/miami08/hotel.html
The IRE Conference in Miami is just a few weeks away. Here are some
important deadlines along with new updates and activities for the
conference.
Registration
Register today to take advantage of the early-bird registration fee of
$175. Registration closes at noon (CST) on Monday, May 19.
After Monday at noon we will only accept registrations on-site for
$200.
HBO Advance Screening, Friday, June 6
6:15 to 8:15 p.m. - Generation Kill: Journalist Evan Wright's series
for Rolling Stone on the Marines who led the invasion of Baghdad in 2003
became a book and, next month, premieres on HBO as a seven-part
mini-series. HBO will do a sneak preview of a one-hour episode from Generation Kill, written by Wright, former Baltimore Sun journalist David Simon (Homicide, The Corner, The Wire) and Ed Burns (The Corner, The Wire), with Simon and Burns among the executive producers. Wright, Simon and Burns will then participate in a panel discussion on how they've turned their experiences as observers into both fiction and non-fiction, in print and on television. Wright will participate in a book signing after the panel.
Free tickets to this screening will be distributed on Friday beginning
at 9 a.m. at the Sales table located in Mezzanine East on the 2nd
floor. Tickets are limited due to seating capacity in the theater. One
ticket per person please.
Advanced Frameworks Mini-Boot Camp - 4 seats remain
You've heard all the hype around web frameworks like Ruby on Rails and
Django. Now see why. In this new advanced boot camp, we'll take you
from the basics to a fully functioning data-driven application in Django,
the web framework that drives award-winning projects like EveryBlock,
PolitiFact, and The Washington Post's congressional votes databases.
Editors and producers know this work is hot. You know it's the next step
for your CAR skills. Now learn how in these hands-on sequential classes.
Because it's an advanced sequence, please plan to attend all of the
mini-boot camp classes. You must register for the optional CAR day to
attend. For details, visit
http://www.ire.org/training/miami08/frameworks.html
South Beach IRE Reception - Friday, June 6
Travel to the trendy Sagamore hotel in South Beach for an IRE reception
in their Video Garden bar. This festive location features a cash bar
for the beverage of your choice, but you can also purchase tickets in
advance that will get you two drinks (featured cocktails, beer and wine)
for $25. Tickets will be available at the IRE sales table located in
Mezzanine East on the 2nd floor. The evening begins at 7 p.m. and you'll
need to find a ride, shuttle, or cab over to the Sagamore on your own,
but it's just a brief 15 minute trip over the bridge to the beach.
And for those seeking additional South Beach nightlife, a special
opportunity will be available: the sizzling hot club Prive has agreed to
open the velvet rope for up to 200 IRE members. Just be at the Sagamore
hotel reception and IRE will distribute 200 free wristbands that will
get you into the oh-so-exclusive dance club. (Once at the club you're on
your own; no drinks are included in this deal). Wristbands will be
offered on a first-come basis beginning around 9 p.m., and once they're
gone, they're gone.
Updated Hotel Information
Our room block at the InterContinental Miami is sold out. We have
rooms available at two overflow hotels, the Courtyard by Marriott Miami
Downtown and the Hyatt Regency Miami at the Miami Convention Center. For
details, visit http://www.ire.org/training/miami08/hotel.html
Story Assignment: China and Dangerous Dams
Busy week at the IPA.....
Institute for Public Accuracy
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
PM Thursday, May 15, 2008
Are Neglected Dams Time Bombs?
Interviews Available
JACQUES LESLIE, (415) 380-1875, jacques@well.com,
http://www.jacquesleslie.com
Leslie's latest book, "Deep Water: The Epic Struggle Over Dams, Displaced People, and the Environment," won the J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Award and was named one of the top science books of the year by Discover magazine.
He said today: "Reports indicate that there are 391 small dams in the vicinity of the earthquake that have been damaged. There is one larger one where 2,000 soldiers have been deployed. It has been well known that dams can cause earthquakes for some time and there is even speculation that the reservoir behind the massive Three Gorges Dam could have helped trigger this earthquake.
"China has more dams than any other country and many of them have the worst construction. They are frequently prestige projects but once completed, too little money is allocated for maintenance.
"We have some of the same problems here in the U.S. -- in 2005, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave United States dams a D. Many of these are privately owned and in some cases the owners don't have the money for upkeep, making many dams time bombs."
Background:
To see Leslie's recent article in Mother Jones "The Last Empire: Can
the World Survive China's Rush to Emulate the American Way of Life?" go to:
www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2008/01/the-last-empire.html
To see his piece in the New York Times "Before the Flood" go to:
www.nytimes.com/2007/01/22/opinion/22leslie.2.html
Institute for Public Accuracy
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
PM Thursday, May 15, 2008
Are Neglected Dams Time Bombs?
Interviews Available
JACQUES LESLIE, (415) 380-1875, jacques@well.com,
http://www.jacquesleslie.com
Leslie's latest book, "Deep Water: The Epic Struggle Over Dams, Displaced People, and the Environment," won the J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Award and was named one of the top science books of the year by Discover magazine.
He said today: "Reports indicate that there are 391 small dams in the vicinity of the earthquake that have been damaged. There is one larger one where 2,000 soldiers have been deployed. It has been well known that dams can cause earthquakes for some time and there is even speculation that the reservoir behind the massive Three Gorges Dam could have helped trigger this earthquake.
"China has more dams than any other country and many of them have the worst construction. They are frequently prestige projects but once completed, too little money is allocated for maintenance.
"We have some of the same problems here in the U.S. -- in 2005, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave United States dams a D. Many of these are privately owned and in some cases the owners don't have the money for upkeep, making many dams time bombs."
Background:
To see Leslie's recent article in Mother Jones "The Last Empire: Can
the World Survive China's Rush to Emulate the American Way of Life?" go to:
www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2008/01/the-last-empire.html
To see his piece in the New York Times "Before the Flood" go to:
www.nytimes.com/2007/01/22/opinion/22leslie.2.html
Story Assignment: War Funding "On the Ground"
Big, black F-15 fighter planes are flying over my house (near the Portland International Airport National Guard Base) as I post this -- more from our IPA friends:
Institute for Public Accuracy
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Winter Soldier on the Hill
Interviews Available
Boots-on-the-ground veterans are testifying before Congress on Thursday about the effects of the Iraq occupation. This testimony, presented by veterans who have witnessed firsthand the devastation of Iraq and its people, comes on the same day that Congress is expected to debate a bill extending funding for the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan through 2009.
On Thursday, May 15, members of Iraq Veterans Against the War will
testify before members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
"Before members of Congress vote to provide more funding they need to
hear about the true costs of the occupation of Iraq from those who have
experienced it first-hand. Congress has heard from the Generals and the politicians -- now it's time they heard from the troops," said Kelly
Dougherty, Executive Director of IVAW and former Military Police Sergeant.
Winter Soldier on the Hill is taking place two months after Winter
Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan, a four-day summit where hundreds of
members of IVAW gathered to present testimony about their military
experiences to the public. It is being held Thursday, May 15, 9:30 a.m.
to 12:30 p.m. at 2261 Rayburn House Office Building.
:8080/cspan/schedule.csp>.
Among the veterans participating:
ADAM KOKESH, adam@ivaw.org, http://kokesh.blogspot.com
Originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico, Kokesh volunteered in 2003 to
go to Iraq with the 3rd Civil Affairs Group out of Camp Pendleton. He
was attached to the First Marine Regiment, which was responsible for the
Fallujah area. Kokesh will be testifying about the creation of internally displaced refugees during the siege of Fallujah, changing rules of engagement, taking war trophy photographs, and abuse of detainees.
KELLY DOUGHERTY, via Francesca Lo Basso, media@ivaw.org
Dougherty is the executive director of IVAW and a former military
police sergeant. Francesca Lo Basso can also direct media to other
veterans who will be speaking on the Hill Thursday. IVAW was founded in
2004 "to give those who have served in the military since September 11,
2001 a way to come together and speak out against an unjust, illegal
and unwinnable occupation. Today, IVAW has over 1,000 members in 48 states, Washington, D.C. and Canada and on military bases overseas."
GEOFFREY MILLARD, dc@ivaw.org
Originally from Buffalo, New York, Millard joined the New York Army
National Guard in 1998 at the age of 17. He served for nine years
including tours of duty at the World Trade Center ground zero after
9-11 and for 13 months in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Millard will testify on endemic racism during his tour of Iraq, including among high-ranking
Army officers.
Institute for Public Accuracy
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Winter Soldier on the Hill
Interviews Available
Boots-on-the-ground veterans are testifying before Congress on Thursday about the effects of the Iraq occupation. This testimony, presented by veterans who have witnessed firsthand the devastation of Iraq and its people, comes on the same day that Congress is expected to debate a bill extending funding for the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan through 2009.
On Thursday, May 15, members of Iraq Veterans Against the War will
testify before members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
"Before members of Congress vote to provide more funding they need to
hear about the true costs of the occupation of Iraq from those who have
experienced it first-hand. Congress has heard from the Generals and the politicians -- now it's time they heard from the troops," said Kelly
Dougherty, Executive Director of IVAW and former Military Police Sergeant.
Winter Soldier on the Hill is taking place two months after Winter
Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan, a four-day summit where hundreds of
members of IVAW gathered to present testimony about their military
experiences to the public. It is being held Thursday, May 15, 9:30 a.m.
to 12:30 p.m. at 2261 Rayburn House Office Building.
:8080/cspan/schedule.csp>.
Among the veterans participating:
ADAM KOKESH, adam@ivaw.org, http://kokesh.blogspot.com
Originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico, Kokesh volunteered in 2003 to
go to Iraq with the 3rd Civil Affairs Group out of Camp Pendleton. He
was attached to the First Marine Regiment, which was responsible for the
Fallujah area. Kokesh will be testifying about the creation of internally displaced refugees during the siege of Fallujah, changing rules of engagement, taking war trophy photographs, and abuse of detainees.
KELLY DOUGHERTY, via Francesca Lo Basso, media@ivaw.org
Dougherty is the executive director of IVAW and a former military
police sergeant. Francesca Lo Basso can also direct media to other
veterans who will be speaking on the Hill Thursday. IVAW was founded in
2004 "to give those who have served in the military since September 11,
2001 a way to come together and speak out against an unjust, illegal
and unwinnable occupation. Today, IVAW has over 1,000 members in 48 states, Washington, D.C. and Canada and on military bases overseas."
GEOFFREY MILLARD, dc@ivaw.org
Originally from Buffalo, New York, Millard joined the New York Army
National Guard in 1998 at the age of 17. He served for nine years
including tours of duty at the World Trade Center ground zero after
9-11 and for 13 months in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Millard will testify on endemic racism during his tour of Iraq, including among high-ranking
Army officers.
Homework Assignment: Cost of the Iraq War
I'm a little late lately, but this is still a good story -- go for it, My Young Padawan Learners.
Institute for Public Accuracy
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
PM Wednesday, May 14, 2008
$175 Billion Toward $3 Trillion War
Interviews Available
The House of Representatives is expected to have a full chamber debate
on the war supplemental bill on Thursday.
THEODORE LOWI, tjl7@cornell.edu,
http://falcon.arts.cornell.edu/Govt/faculty/Lowi.html
Lowi is professor of American Institutions at Cornell University
and author of several books including "The End of Liberalism." He said
today: "Supplementals are supposed to be for real emergencies -- like
Katrina. The war supplementals are a way for Bush to attempt to hide
the costs and implications of the war in Iraq. Obviously, Bush deserves the blame for much of how the Iraq war has gone, but Congress has gone
along, funding the war. The Republicans have gotten tremendous mileage
out of accusing anyone opposed to the war of not supporting the
soldiers. The power of the purse -- like free speech and privacy -- has been withering away. Congress has diddled around with little things,
but has fundamentally acquiesced.
"This will also substantially limit the choices of the next
president. The candidates have really done a disservice, indicating that
they will be able to change course when their power will in fact be very
limited."
LINDA BILMES, via Jessica Donovan or Michael Johnson, ljb@ksg.harvard.edu, jessica_donovan@ksg.harvard.edu,
http://ksghome.harvard.edu/~lbilmes/index.htm
Bilmes is a former Assistant Secretary and Chief Financial Officer
of the U.S. Department of Commerce. A professor at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, she co-authored "The Three Trillion
Dollar War." Bilmes said: "There is no such thing as a free lunch and
there is no such thing as a free war. After five years of war, 4,000
[U.S.] deaths, 60,000 injuries, $600 billion spent so far (with the
price tag expected to reach $3 trillion once we add veterans costs,
military reset, interest on the debt, and economic losses), the U.S.
public is waking up to the fact that the war is hurting the economy."
TRAVIS SHARP, tsharp@armscontrolcenter.org, http://www.theiraqinsider.blogspot.com
Sharp is the military policy analyst at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. He writes the "Iraq Insider" blog and is closely following the supplemental spending process. He said today: "If the
pending $175 billion super supplemental is signed into law, the U.S.
government will have approved $650 billion for Iraq since 2003. The
current veterans' education package under consideration will cost $52
billion over the next decade, only 8 percent of the total cost of the
Iraq war to date."
Institute for Public Accuracy
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
PM Wednesday, May 14, 2008
$175 Billion Toward $3 Trillion War
Interviews Available
The House of Representatives is expected to have a full chamber debate
on the war supplemental bill on Thursday.
THEODORE LOWI, tjl7@cornell.edu,
http://falcon.arts.cornell.edu/Govt/faculty/Lowi.html
Lowi is professor of American Institutions at Cornell University
and author of several books including "The End of Liberalism." He said
today: "Supplementals are supposed to be for real emergencies -- like
Katrina. The war supplementals are a way for Bush to attempt to hide
the costs and implications of the war in Iraq. Obviously, Bush deserves the blame for much of how the Iraq war has gone, but Congress has gone
along, funding the war. The Republicans have gotten tremendous mileage
out of accusing anyone opposed to the war of not supporting the
soldiers. The power of the purse -- like free speech and privacy -- has been withering away. Congress has diddled around with little things,
but has fundamentally acquiesced.
"This will also substantially limit the choices of the next
president. The candidates have really done a disservice, indicating that
they will be able to change course when their power will in fact be very
limited."
LINDA BILMES, via Jessica Donovan or Michael Johnson, ljb@ksg.harvard.edu, jessica_donovan@ksg.harvard.edu,
http://ksghome.harvard.edu/~lbilmes/index.htm
Bilmes is a former Assistant Secretary and Chief Financial Officer
of the U.S. Department of Commerce. A professor at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, she co-authored "The Three Trillion
Dollar War." Bilmes said: "There is no such thing as a free lunch and
there is no such thing as a free war. After five years of war, 4,000
[U.S.] deaths, 60,000 injuries, $600 billion spent so far (with the
price tag expected to reach $3 trillion once we add veterans costs,
military reset, interest on the debt, and economic losses), the U.S.
public is waking up to the fact that the war is hurting the economy."
TRAVIS SHARP, tsharp@armscontrolcenter.org, http://www.theiraqinsider.blogspot.com
Sharp is the military policy analyst at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. He writes the "Iraq Insider" blog and is closely following the supplemental spending process. He said today: "If the
pending $175 billion super supplemental is signed into law, the U.S.
government will have approved $650 billion for Iraq since 2003. The
current veterans' education package under consideration will cost $52
billion over the next decade, only 8 percent of the total cost of the
Iraq war to date."
Saturday, April 26, 2008
James Williams: a Real Citizen Journalist Reports Live from NYC
This is the juice. James Williams is a Pacifica radio affiliated journalist in the finest tradition of citizen reporting. xo L
Report from James Williams, Pacifica reporter in NY outside the Sean Bell trial
Posted: 26 Apr 2008 11:54 AM CDT
James Williams works with WBAI and the People’s Production House in NYC. ~N
Greetings! The Sean Bell verdict came down today, Friday, April 25th handed down by the 75 year old Judge Cooperman(hope I spelled it right) who is set to retire now. The officers who shot the 50 shots at Sean Bell, killing him, Joseph Guzman, and Trent Benefield who were severely injured, it was announced “NOT GUILTY” on all charges. Officers Cooper, whose shots were so far off it hit an elevated train at the Long Island Railroad, Officer Isnora, who got off the first shots, never identified himself, saying “bro, let me holla at you”, and of course, officer Oliver, who fired 31 shots(he emptied his gun then reloaded and shot again) were of course relieved. Oliver, and the others will remain on modified duties for now. Take note, the officers had been drinking liquor at the same club as Bell and his friends. Calls for the Federal Government to step in came immediately afterwards. The families of the persons shot tell me they will file a civil suit against the city, and the officers, not known when, or has it been done already. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has called for calm in and around the city, but demonstrators told me they want a call to action, saying “we’re taking it to the streets”, “shut this f—— city down, shut this m—-f—- city down, f— the police, they killing our kids, blacks will not stand for this g– d— s—- no more” this is just some of the sentiment after the verdict was read. Believe it or not, some of these were church going citizens, of all races. There was a white group of people standing in front of the courthouse their chant was “the courts, and the city of N.Y. is run by the KKK”!, amazing stuff. Also, Rev Davidson, whom I just met today calling for the bloods and the crips to call him so they can prepare for “action”. Would you believe a member of the crips walked up and handed him his business card, I mean, they got cards? What action I want to know? The New Black Panther Party saying “it’s on now, get ready N.Y.” Peoples Party declaring “it all ends now, be ready”, group of Af Ams, white, Hispanics, who claim to have several hundred members. Of all the interviews I did today, I probably can’t air any of it due to the cursing all around me, and the noise content and that’s to bad because I got some great interviews, but we can’t air them. I did a live interview on radio today and literally had to run around the corner of the courthouse! Caused my live interview to not be crisp!
I know i’m supposed to be neutral in my reporting, but I was truly touched and disturbed by this verdict. I have spent more than a year with the Bell family, Rev. Sharpton, Lawyer Hardy, Lawyer Rubinstein, Mr. Guzman, Mr. Benefield and their families, NAACP, Operation Push, made imortant contacts for the Community News Production Institute, became very close to my producers, you know who you are, editors, reporters fm FSRN, Pacifica, and of course PPH, but today, today, brought me to tears, how do you handle this, and the threats of violence to come. That being said, I will be receiving info on the coming demos from my sources, hopefully it won’t be to bad, but from what i’m told, expect the unexpected.
BLESSINGS
James B. Williams
Report from James Williams, Pacifica reporter in NY outside the Sean Bell trial
Posted: 26 Apr 2008 11:54 AM CDT
James Williams works with WBAI and the People’s Production House in NYC. ~N
Greetings! The Sean Bell verdict came down today, Friday, April 25th handed down by the 75 year old Judge Cooperman(hope I spelled it right) who is set to retire now. The officers who shot the 50 shots at Sean Bell, killing him, Joseph Guzman, and Trent Benefield who were severely injured, it was announced “NOT GUILTY” on all charges. Officers Cooper, whose shots were so far off it hit an elevated train at the Long Island Railroad, Officer Isnora, who got off the first shots, never identified himself, saying “bro, let me holla at you”, and of course, officer Oliver, who fired 31 shots(he emptied his gun then reloaded and shot again) were of course relieved. Oliver, and the others will remain on modified duties for now. Take note, the officers had been drinking liquor at the same club as Bell and his friends. Calls for the Federal Government to step in came immediately afterwards. The families of the persons shot tell me they will file a civil suit against the city, and the officers, not known when, or has it been done already. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has called for calm in and around the city, but demonstrators told me they want a call to action, saying “we’re taking it to the streets”, “shut this f—— city down, shut this m—-f—- city down, f— the police, they killing our kids, blacks will not stand for this g– d— s—- no more” this is just some of the sentiment after the verdict was read. Believe it or not, some of these were church going citizens, of all races. There was a white group of people standing in front of the courthouse their chant was “the courts, and the city of N.Y. is run by the KKK”!, amazing stuff. Also, Rev Davidson, whom I just met today calling for the bloods and the crips to call him so they can prepare for “action”. Would you believe a member of the crips walked up and handed him his business card, I mean, they got cards? What action I want to know? The New Black Panther Party saying “it’s on now, get ready N.Y.” Peoples Party declaring “it all ends now, be ready”, group of Af Ams, white, Hispanics, who claim to have several hundred members. Of all the interviews I did today, I probably can’t air any of it due to the cursing all around me, and the noise content and that’s to bad because I got some great interviews, but we can’t air them. I did a live interview on radio today and literally had to run around the corner of the courthouse! Caused my live interview to not be crisp!
I know i’m supposed to be neutral in my reporting, but I was truly touched and disturbed by this verdict. I have spent more than a year with the Bell family, Rev. Sharpton, Lawyer Hardy, Lawyer Rubinstein, Mr. Guzman, Mr. Benefield and their families, NAACP, Operation Push, made imortant contacts for the Community News Production Institute, became very close to my producers, you know who you are, editors, reporters fm FSRN, Pacifica, and of course PPH, but today, today, brought me to tears, how do you handle this, and the threats of violence to come. That being said, I will be receiving info on the coming demos from my sources, hopefully it won’t be to bad, but from what i’m told, expect the unexpected.
BLESSINGS
James B. Williams
Friday, April 25, 2008
Mother Jones offers Interviews
NEWS FROM MOTHERJONES.COM
Our friend Richard Reynolds over at MoJo offers interviews with their writers all the time -- real experts on stuff. You should drop him a line some time. xxoo L
________________________
If Senate Republicans and Democrats don't act soon to settle a seven-month-old dispute, the 2008 elections may go virtually unregulated for the first time since the Federal Elections Comission was founded more than 30 years ago, says JONATHAN STEIN in an article just published on MotherJones.com.
The FEC normally has six commissioners, three from each party, but a Senate standoff has left four of these seats vacant, in spite of the fact that four commissioners must agree in order to act on most matters that come before the commission. Unless this is settled, says Stein, the 2008 election with be "an election with no referees."
To set up an interview with Mother Jones Washington-based reporter JONATHAN STEIN, call (415/31-1740) or email (reynolds@motherjones.com) Richard Reynolds.
Meanwhile, in case you missed Monday's email, here are five interview suggestions related to our May/June special issue on the "future of energy."
1) "The Seven Myths of Energy Independence"
PAUL ROBERTS, author of The End of Oil, argues that energy independence is "a populist charade masquerading as energy strategy." Fossil fuels are a finite--and planet-killing--source of fuel, he observes, and finding an alternative will require an economic and social transformation as great as the Industrial Revolution.
2) "Put a Tyrant in Your Tank"
Gone are the days when oil-rich nations made lucrative deals with U.S. oil companies to help them develop their oil, reports JOSHUA KURLANTZICK. Big Oil has little influence over Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Venezuela, Burma, and other oil-producing countries, he observes, and these state-run companies are proving even more ruthless and environmentally irresponsible than Big Oil.
3) "The Nuclear Option"
JUDITH LEWIS attempts to "shut out the chatter" from both sides and take a fresh look at the other "N" word. Nuclear power is expensive, flawed, and dangerous, she observes. But such is the urgency of the energy and environmental challenges we face that we cannot dismiss it out of hand.
4) "Scrubbing King Coal"
Energy companies' alternative fuel commitment comes down to a three-point strategy, says Mother Jones Senior Correspondent JAMES RIDGEWAY: "First, make small overtures toward developing renewable energy, and milk them for maximum PR value. Second, invest more generously in carbon-based 'alternative energy' that gets passed off as green. Third, invoke the goal of energy independence to pump, mine, transport, and sell more and more of the same old fuels to an ever-hungrier market."
Of the $3 billion BP spent on alternatives between 2006 and 2008, reports Ridgeway, about half is going to dubious alternatives like synthetic gas made from petroleum. BP's 2006 capital expenditures on oil and gas: $16.2 billion.
5) "Breaking the Gridlock"
Our current power system is inefficient and poorly equipped to deal with fluctuations in demand, reports JENNIFER KAHN. Kahn surveys various strategies for changing this, including a "Smart Grid," which would spread the load through microadjustments on how much power consumers use and when. Smart appliances could regulate themselves, making adjustments so subtle that consumers would hardly notice.
Our friend Richard Reynolds over at MoJo offers interviews with their writers all the time -- real experts on stuff. You should drop him a line some time. xxoo L
________________________
If Senate Republicans and Democrats don't act soon to settle a seven-month-old dispute, the 2008 elections may go virtually unregulated for the first time since the Federal Elections Comission was founded more than 30 years ago, says JONATHAN STEIN in an article just published on MotherJones.com.
The FEC normally has six commissioners, three from each party, but a Senate standoff has left four of these seats vacant, in spite of the fact that four commissioners must agree in order to act on most matters that come before the commission. Unless this is settled, says Stein, the 2008 election with be "an election with no referees."
To set up an interview with Mother Jones Washington-based reporter JONATHAN STEIN, call (415/31-1740) or email (reynolds@motherjones.com) Richard Reynolds.
Meanwhile, in case you missed Monday's email, here are five interview suggestions related to our May/June special issue on the "future of energy."
1) "The Seven Myths of Energy Independence"
PAUL ROBERTS, author of The End of Oil, argues that energy independence is "a populist charade masquerading as energy strategy." Fossil fuels are a finite--and planet-killing--source of fuel, he observes, and finding an alternative will require an economic and social transformation as great as the Industrial Revolution.
2) "Put a Tyrant in Your Tank"
Gone are the days when oil-rich nations made lucrative deals with U.S. oil companies to help them develop their oil, reports JOSHUA KURLANTZICK. Big Oil has little influence over Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Venezuela, Burma, and other oil-producing countries, he observes, and these state-run companies are proving even more ruthless and environmentally irresponsible than Big Oil.
3) "The Nuclear Option"
JUDITH LEWIS attempts to "shut out the chatter" from both sides and take a fresh look at the other "N" word. Nuclear power is expensive, flawed, and dangerous, she observes. But such is the urgency of the energy and environmental challenges we face that we cannot dismiss it out of hand.
4) "Scrubbing King Coal"
Energy companies' alternative fuel commitment comes down to a three-point strategy, says Mother Jones Senior Correspondent JAMES RIDGEWAY: "First, make small overtures toward developing renewable energy, and milk them for maximum PR value. Second, invest more generously in carbon-based 'alternative energy' that gets passed off as green. Third, invoke the goal of energy independence to pump, mine, transport, and sell more and more of the same old fuels to an ever-hungrier market."
Of the $3 billion BP spent on alternatives between 2006 and 2008, reports Ridgeway, about half is going to dubious alternatives like synthetic gas made from petroleum. BP's 2006 capital expenditures on oil and gas: $16.2 billion.
5) "Breaking the Gridlock"
Our current power system is inefficient and poorly equipped to deal with fluctuations in demand, reports JENNIFER KAHN. Kahn surveys various strategies for changing this, including a "Smart Grid," which would spread the load through microadjustments on how much power consumers use and when. Smart appliances could regulate themselves, making adjustments so subtle that consumers would hardly notice.
Story Assignment: Class and Taxes in Oregon
News Release
April 24, 2008
For More Information Contact:
* Chuck Sheketoff, Executive Director (503) 873-1201
* Mike Leachman, Policy Analyst (503) 873-1201
* Juan Carlos Ordóñez, Communications Director (503) 873-1201
Oregon State and Local Taxes Hit Poor and Middle Class Harder Than Rich, Study Finds
(Silverton) -- Oregon state and local taxes take a bigger bite out of the pocketbooks of poor and middle-class families than those of wealthy families, according to a new analysis released today by the Oregon Center for Public Policy (OCPP).
The figures were compiled for OCPP by the Washington, DC-based Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. OCPP is presenting the information today to a state task force examining how to restructure Oregon's tax system.
"Oregon's tax system is upside down," said OCPP policy analyst Michael Leachman. "A tax system promotes opportunity when it is based on ability to pay. But in Oregon, those who can afford to pay more wind up paying the smallest share of their income."
Adding up all state and local taxes, Oregon's low-income families had an effective tax rate of 9.2 percent, compared to an effective rate of 7.8 percent paid by Oregon's wealthiest 1 percent of families.
The effective tax rate paid by Oregon's wealthiest families falls further, to 6.7 percent, when federal deductions for state income and property taxes are taken into account.
Though faring better than the poorest families, middle-income families in Oregon are also paying a larger share of their income than the wealthiest families. Families in the middle had an effective tax rate of 8.4 percent before federal tax offsets and 7.9 percent when factoring in the federal deductions.
According to Leachman, the bigger impact on poor and middle-class incomes is due to the income tax system going easy on the wealthy and to state and local property taxes and excise taxes, such as gasoline and cigarette taxes, eating up a larger share of the income of families in the middle and bottom than of those at the top.
Oregon's wealthy don't pay significantly more in income taxes because Oregon's income tax brackets and rates are flat compared to the federal system and the wealthy can fully use Oregon's subtraction for federal income taxes paid when calculating taxable income, said Leachman.
Even though the wealthy tend to own more valuable homes, the wealthiest 1 percent of Oregon families paid only 1.2 percent of their income in property taxes, compared to 2.6 percent for middle-income families and 4.6 percent for the poorest families.
The analysis comes as a task force created by the state legislature and appointed by the governor is reviewing Oregon's tax system. The Revenue Restructuring Task Force, which includes as one of its members OCPP executive director Chuck Sheketoff, is expected to issue its recommendations this November for the 2009 legislature.
Among the key changes recommended by OCPP is making our tax system more fair by expanding the Earned Income Credit, a tax credit that's targeted at boosting the income of low-income working families.
"The task force has a great opportunity to respond to the imbalance in our tax system and foster opportunity for low-income working Oregonians," said Sheketoff.
The Oregon Center for Public Policy is a non-partisan research institute that does in-depth research and analysis on budget, tax, and economic issues. The Center's goal is to improve decision making and generate more opportunities for all Oregonians.
- 30 -
April 24, 2008
For More Information Contact:
* Chuck Sheketoff, Executive Director (503) 873-1201
* Mike Leachman, Policy Analyst (503) 873-1201
* Juan Carlos Ordóñez, Communications Director (503) 873-1201
Oregon State and Local Taxes Hit Poor and Middle Class Harder Than Rich, Study Finds
(Silverton) -- Oregon state and local taxes take a bigger bite out of the pocketbooks of poor and middle-class families than those of wealthy families, according to a new analysis released today by the Oregon Center for Public Policy (OCPP).
The figures were compiled for OCPP by the Washington, DC-based Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. OCPP is presenting the information today to a state task force examining how to restructure Oregon's tax system.
"Oregon's tax system is upside down," said OCPP policy analyst Michael Leachman. "A tax system promotes opportunity when it is based on ability to pay. But in Oregon, those who can afford to pay more wind up paying the smallest share of their income."
Adding up all state and local taxes, Oregon's low-income families had an effective tax rate of 9.2 percent, compared to an effective rate of 7.8 percent paid by Oregon's wealthiest 1 percent of families.
The effective tax rate paid by Oregon's wealthiest families falls further, to 6.7 percent, when federal deductions for state income and property taxes are taken into account.
Though faring better than the poorest families, middle-income families in Oregon are also paying a larger share of their income than the wealthiest families. Families in the middle had an effective tax rate of 8.4 percent before federal tax offsets and 7.9 percent when factoring in the federal deductions.
According to Leachman, the bigger impact on poor and middle-class incomes is due to the income tax system going easy on the wealthy and to state and local property taxes and excise taxes, such as gasoline and cigarette taxes, eating up a larger share of the income of families in the middle and bottom than of those at the top.
Oregon's wealthy don't pay significantly more in income taxes because Oregon's income tax brackets and rates are flat compared to the federal system and the wealthy can fully use Oregon's subtraction for federal income taxes paid when calculating taxable income, said Leachman.
Even though the wealthy tend to own more valuable homes, the wealthiest 1 percent of Oregon families paid only 1.2 percent of their income in property taxes, compared to 2.6 percent for middle-income families and 4.6 percent for the poorest families.
The analysis comes as a task force created by the state legislature and appointed by the governor is reviewing Oregon's tax system. The Revenue Restructuring Task Force, which includes as one of its members OCPP executive director Chuck Sheketoff, is expected to issue its recommendations this November for the 2009 legislature.
Among the key changes recommended by OCPP is making our tax system more fair by expanding the Earned Income Credit, a tax credit that's targeted at boosting the income of low-income working families.
"The task force has a great opportunity to respond to the imbalance in our tax system and foster opportunity for low-income working Oregonians," said Sheketoff.
The Oregon Center for Public Policy is a non-partisan research institute that does in-depth research and analysis on budget, tax, and economic issues. The Center's goal is to improve decision making and generate more opportunities for all Oregonians.
- 30 -
Story Assignment: Police Brutality and Racism
Institute for Public Accuracy
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
Friday, April 25, 2008
Police Brutality and Racism
Interviews Available
AP reports: "Three detectives were acquitted of all charges Friday in
the 50-shot killing of an unarmed groom-to-be on his wedding day, a case
that put the NYPD at the center of another dispute involving allegations
Florida and director of the Center for the Study of Race and Race
Relations. She is author of "Protecting Our Own: Race, Crime, and
African Americans."
She said today: "These cases -- Bell, [Amadou] Diallo -- explain
the African American community's reaction to the O.J. Simpson case and its
general disillusionment with the criminal justice system."
Rev. LENNOX YEARWOOD Jr., via Darryl Perkins, darryl@hiphopcaucus.org, http://www.hiphopcaucus.org
President of the Hip Hop Caucus, Yearwood said today: "This verdict exemplifies the inadequacy and shortcomings of local courts/criminal justice systems to adjudicate police shootings, especially those that result in death. We have not been witnesses to 'fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans' as is stated in the mission of the Department of Justice. If the mission of the Department of Justice and rule of law is being broken, then the integrity of the institution and system is lost, and there is no rule of law. When there is no rule of law, people will organize to work for justice as a means to protect themselves out of necessity."
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
Friday, April 25, 2008
Police Brutality and Racism
Interviews Available
AP reports: "Three detectives were acquitted of all charges Friday in
the 50-shot killing of an unarmed groom-to-be on his wedding day, a case
that put the NYPD at the center of another dispute involving allegations
Florida and director of the Center for the Study of Race and Race
Relations. She is author of "Protecting Our Own: Race, Crime, and
African Americans."
She said today: "These cases -- Bell, [Amadou] Diallo -- explain
the African American community's reaction to the O.J. Simpson case and its
general disillusionment with the criminal justice system."
Rev. LENNOX YEARWOOD Jr., via Darryl Perkins, darryl@hiphopcaucus.org, http://www.hiphopcaucus.org
President of the Hip Hop Caucus, Yearwood said today: "This verdict exemplifies the inadequacy and shortcomings of local courts/criminal justice systems to adjudicate police shootings, especially those that result in death. We have not been witnesses to 'fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans' as is stated in the mission of the Department of Justice. If the mission of the Department of Justice and rule of law is being broken, then the integrity of the institution and system is lost, and there is no rule of law. When there is no rule of law, people will organize to work for justice as a means to protect themselves out of necessity."
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Story Assignment: Biofuels and Food Shortage
Institute for Public Accuracy
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Food Crisis and Biofuels
Interviews Available
The Washington Post reports on its front page today: "More than 100
million people are being driven deeper into poverty by a 'silent
tsunami' of sharply rising food prices, which have sparked riots around the world and threaten U.N.-backed feeding programs for 20 million children, the top U.N. food official said Tuesday."
MARIA LUISA MENDONCA, marialuisa1@uol.com.br,
Maria Luisa Mendonca is based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and is director
of the Social Network for Justice and Human Rights. She co-wrote an
article titled "Agrofuels: Myths and Impacts." She said today: "In many regions of [Brazil], the increase in ethanol production has caused the expulsion of small farmers from their lands, and has generated a dependency on the so-called 'sugarcane economy,' where only precarious jobs exist in the sugarcane fields. Large landowners' monopoly on land blocks other economic sectors from developing, and generates
unemployment, stimulates migration, and submits workers to degrading conditions.
"This model has caused negative impacts on peasant and indigenous
communities, who have their territories threatened by the constant
expansion of large plantations. The lack of policies in support of food production leads peasants to substitute their crops for agrofuels, and, as a result, compromises our food sovereignty. In Brazil, small- and medium-sized farmers are responsible for 70 percent of the food production for the internal market.
"It is necessary to strengthen rural workers' organizations to
promote sustainable peasant agriculture, prioritizing diversified food
production for local consumption. It is crucial to advocate for policies that guarantee subsidies for food production through peasant agriculture. We cannot keep our tanks full while stomachs go empty."
RACHEL SMOLKER, rsmolker@globaljusticeecology.org, http://www.globaljusticeecology.org
Research biologist at the Global Justice Ecology Project, Smolker said today: "The massive diversion of crops and land to producing biofuel crops instead of food is a major factor in the very dramatic food price increases. Governments and industries have foolishly pursued biofuels in spite of this and in spite of a cascade of scientific studies and statements from all levels of society which clearly
demonstrate that biofuels are not only exacerbating hunger, but also rural displacement, climate change and deforestation. Last week the UK instated its Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation for the use of biofuels even as the European Environment Agency warned that the EU-wide mandate should be reconsidered. Even the World Bank recently stated that biofuels are contributing to rising food prices and hunger.
"Incentives and mandates for the use of biofuels are being promoted
by agribusiness giants like Monsanto, ADM and Cargill along with big
oil, biotechnology and automobile industries -- all of whom stand to
profit enormously. The price is being paid right now by those who can
no longer afford food or access to land. Civil society is pushing back:
this week the Round Table on Responsible Soy is meeting in Buenos Aires
and will be met with intense opposition as people denounce the entire
concept of 'sustainable industrial agriculture' of the sort that has
despoiled so much of Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil.
"The International Assessment of Agricultural Science and
Technology for Development report took a strong position opposing industrial
agriculture and GE [genetically engineered] crops while a major new
report from University of Kansas makes it clear that GE crops have not
delivered on the promise of increased yields. We need new models for
food and energy production that do not leave people hungry and
displaced, do not contaminate our crop biodiversity and pollute our
water and soils, and do not leave food and energy production in the
hands of profit-seeking multinational corporations. People are beginning to wake up to this fact.
"Meanwhile, the food crisis is pushing biofuel proponents to argue
that the next generation of technologies based on cellulose will avert
problems with food competition and deliver greater climate benefits. In fact they could worsen the problems: There is limited space available
and we are losing land to desertification and deforestation at an
alarming rate. A few weeks ago, [the journal] Science published a pair
of articles showing that the greenhouse gas emissions that result from
indirect land use changes far outweigh any gains from substituting
fossil fuel use. Wood is considered to be one of the most promising
feedstocks. But demand for wood is skyrocketing as countries attempting
to meet Kyoto commitments are shifting to wood and other biomass for
heat and electricity production, as well as chemicals and manufacturing
processes.
"On top of that, the pulp and paper industry is undergoing a planned fivefold expansion and China has a very rapidly expanding wood products industry. The scale of demand for wood to satisfy all of these demands can only be met by further deforestation and by enormous industrial monocultures of fast-growing trees. The biotechnology industries are racing to genetically engineer both trees and microorganisms for these uses. Next month at the Convention on Biological Diversity, civil society organizations will be asking for a moratorium on the commercialization of GE trees because of the potential risks of contaminating native forests."
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Food Crisis and Biofuels
Interviews Available
The Washington Post reports on its front page today: "More than 100
million people are being driven deeper into poverty by a 'silent
tsunami' of sharply rising food prices, which have sparked riots around the world and threaten U.N.-backed feeding programs for 20 million children, the top U.N. food official said Tuesday."
MARIA LUISA MENDONCA, marialuisa1@uol.com.br,
Maria Luisa Mendonca is based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and is director
of the Social Network for Justice and Human Rights. She co-wrote an
article titled "Agrofuels: Myths and Impacts." She said today: "In many regions of [Brazil], the increase in ethanol production has caused the expulsion of small farmers from their lands, and has generated a dependency on the so-called 'sugarcane economy,' where only precarious jobs exist in the sugarcane fields. Large landowners' monopoly on land blocks other economic sectors from developing, and generates
unemployment, stimulates migration, and submits workers to degrading conditions.
"This model has caused negative impacts on peasant and indigenous
communities, who have their territories threatened by the constant
expansion of large plantations. The lack of policies in support of food production leads peasants to substitute their crops for agrofuels, and, as a result, compromises our food sovereignty. In Brazil, small- and medium-sized farmers are responsible for 70 percent of the food production for the internal market.
"It is necessary to strengthen rural workers' organizations to
promote sustainable peasant agriculture, prioritizing diversified food
production for local consumption. It is crucial to advocate for policies that guarantee subsidies for food production through peasant agriculture. We cannot keep our tanks full while stomachs go empty."
RACHEL SMOLKER, rsmolker@globaljusticeecology.org, http://www.globaljusticeecology.org
Research biologist at the Global Justice Ecology Project, Smolker said today: "The massive diversion of crops and land to producing biofuel crops instead of food is a major factor in the very dramatic food price increases. Governments and industries have foolishly pursued biofuels in spite of this and in spite of a cascade of scientific studies and statements from all levels of society which clearly
demonstrate that biofuels are not only exacerbating hunger, but also rural displacement, climate change and deforestation. Last week the UK instated its Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation for the use of biofuels even as the European Environment Agency warned that the EU-wide mandate should be reconsidered. Even the World Bank recently stated that biofuels are contributing to rising food prices and hunger.
"Incentives and mandates for the use of biofuels are being promoted
by agribusiness giants like Monsanto, ADM and Cargill along with big
oil, biotechnology and automobile industries -- all of whom stand to
profit enormously. The price is being paid right now by those who can
no longer afford food or access to land. Civil society is pushing back:
this week the Round Table on Responsible Soy is meeting in Buenos Aires
and will be met with intense opposition as people denounce the entire
concept of 'sustainable industrial agriculture' of the sort that has
despoiled so much of Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil.
"The International Assessment of Agricultural Science and
Technology for Development report took a strong position opposing industrial
agriculture and GE [genetically engineered] crops while a major new
report from University of Kansas makes it clear that GE crops have not
delivered on the promise of increased yields. We need new models for
food and energy production that do not leave people hungry and
displaced, do not contaminate our crop biodiversity and pollute our
water and soils, and do not leave food and energy production in the
hands of profit-seeking multinational corporations. People are beginning to wake up to this fact.
"Meanwhile, the food crisis is pushing biofuel proponents to argue
that the next generation of technologies based on cellulose will avert
problems with food competition and deliver greater climate benefits. In fact they could worsen the problems: There is limited space available
and we are losing land to desertification and deforestation at an
alarming rate. A few weeks ago, [the journal] Science published a pair
of articles showing that the greenhouse gas emissions that result from
indirect land use changes far outweigh any gains from substituting
fossil fuel use. Wood is considered to be one of the most promising
feedstocks. But demand for wood is skyrocketing as countries attempting
to meet Kyoto commitments are shifting to wood and other biomass for
heat and electricity production, as well as chemicals and manufacturing
processes.
"On top of that, the pulp and paper industry is undergoing a planned fivefold expansion and China has a very rapidly expanding wood products industry. The scale of demand for wood to satisfy all of these demands can only be met by further deforestation and by enormous industrial monocultures of fast-growing trees. The biotechnology industries are racing to genetically engineer both trees and microorganisms for these uses. Next month at the Convention on Biological Diversity, civil society organizations will be asking for a moratorium on the commercialization of GE trees because of the potential risks of contaminating native forests."
Saturday, April 19, 2008
KBOO Seeks Animal Rights Show Producer/Host
Our sister Kathleen Stephenson is looking for someone to take on KBOO's animal rights show. Read on:
Hi All,
Laurie Sonnenfeld has given up hosting Speaking of Animals, our current animal and animal rights show, which airs once a month. I am looking for a replacement host for that program.
I am posting the program opening on my office door, along with applications for hosting the show. I am also attaching the application to this email. To use it, you will probably need to print it and fill it out.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
The Speaking of Animals program is pre-empted this month, so the first show that is open is the May program, which would be Wednesday, May 28th, from 9:30-10AM.
Best,
Kathleen
(Go ahead and contact KBOO or Kathleen for that program application -- she is at amnews@kboo.org, or 503-231-8032.)
Hi All,
Laurie Sonnenfeld has given up hosting Speaking of Animals, our current animal and animal rights show, which airs once a month. I am looking for a replacement host for that program.
I am posting the program opening on my office door, along with applications for hosting the show. I am also attaching the application to this email. To use it, you will probably need to print it and fill it out.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
The Speaking of Animals program is pre-empted this month, so the first show that is open is the May program, which would be Wednesday, May 28th, from 9:30-10AM.
Best,
Kathleen
(Go ahead and contact KBOO or Kathleen for that program application -- she is at amnews@kboo.org, or 503-231-8032.)
Our Sister Ariel is Looking for Portland Queer Experience Anthology Submissions....
Greetings--
I'm writing because I know that if you're not demographically inclined
to contribute a story to the book I'm working on, then you probably
know someone who is.
It's a PORTLAND QUEER collection -- true tales and fictions of queer
life in Portland, Oregon.
Please submit or spread the word!
This is going to be a delicious book that includes stories by Marc
Acito, Tom Spanbauer, Sarah Dougher, Nicole J. Georges, Dexter Flowers and
many others.
And I'm looking for more first-person literary narratives showcasing
the diversity, hilarity, and talent of emerging and established Portland
writers. Stories can be fiction or nonfiction, but should have a clear
Portland connection.
I'm looking for:
Experimental and traditional short stories / short memoirs featuring
queer characters
Character-driven literary narratives
Stories that mention specific Portland neighborhoods, landmarks,
haunts, or nearby destinations
Some comics/ fine arts/ illustrations/ graphic stories
Up to 5,000 words (shorter pieces welcome)
I'm not looking for:
Opinion essays on what it's like to be queer in Portland
How-to or travel pieces
And I'm not looking for trouble! Please be prepared to change the names
of the guilty.
Send submissions / questions to
Ariel Gore
arielfiona@gmail.com
Subject: Pdx Queer
I'm writing because I know that if you're not demographically inclined
to contribute a story to the book I'm working on, then you probably
know someone who is.
It's a PORTLAND QUEER collection -- true tales and fictions of queer
life in Portland, Oregon.
Please submit or spread the word!
This is going to be a delicious book that includes stories by Marc
Acito, Tom Spanbauer, Sarah Dougher, Nicole J. Georges, Dexter Flowers and
many others.
And I'm looking for more first-person literary narratives showcasing
the diversity, hilarity, and talent of emerging and established Portland
writers. Stories can be fiction or nonfiction, but should have a clear
Portland connection.
I'm looking for:
Experimental and traditional short stories / short memoirs featuring
queer characters
Character-driven literary narratives
Stories that mention specific Portland neighborhoods, landmarks,
haunts, or nearby destinations
Some comics/ fine arts/ illustrations/ graphic stories
Up to 5,000 words (shorter pieces welcome)
I'm not looking for:
Opinion essays on what it's like to be queer in Portland
How-to or travel pieces
And I'm not looking for trouble! Please be prepared to change the names
of the guilty.
Send submissions / questions to
Ariel Gore
arielfiona@gmail.com
Subject: Pdx Queer
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Story Assignment: Climate Change Proposals Will Harm Low-Income Households
Oregon Center for Public Policy
Media Advisory
April 17, 2008
For More Information Contact: (503) 873-1201
* Michael Leachman, Policy Analyst
* Chuck Sheketoff, Executive Director
Climate Change Proposals Will Harm Low-Income Households Unless Regional Effort Acts to Protect Vulnerable Households
OCPP submitted comments to the Western Climate Initiative urging the states participating in the regional effort to commit to fully shielding lower-income households from the impact of energy price increases resulting from climate change policies.
"Climate change policies should not push households deeper into poverty," said the public comment memo submitted by OCPP in collaboration with colleagues from California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Washington.
OCPP's comments drew on research showing that price increases resulting from capping carbon emissions would hit lower-income households the hardest, and offered overarching principles for developing effective and efficient policies for protecting these households from facing additional hardship as a result of carbon emissions caps.
Read Public comment on the Western Climate Initiative's April 2, 2008 "Draft Allocations Design Recommendations," (PDF) jointly submitted by OCPP and the California Budget Project, the Children's Action Alliance of Arizona, New Mexico Voices for Children, Voices for Utah Children, and the Washington State Budget & Policy Center.
Visit OCPP's new Climate Change Resource Center for additional information.
Media Advisory
April 17, 2008
For More Information Contact: (503) 873-1201
* Michael Leachman, Policy Analyst
* Chuck Sheketoff, Executive Director
Climate Change Proposals Will Harm Low-Income Households Unless Regional Effort Acts to Protect Vulnerable Households
OCPP submitted comments to the Western Climate Initiative urging the states participating in the regional effort to commit to fully shielding lower-income households from the impact of energy price increases resulting from climate change policies.
"Climate change policies should not push households deeper into poverty," said the public comment memo submitted by OCPP in collaboration with colleagues from California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Washington.
OCPP's comments drew on research showing that price increases resulting from capping carbon emissions would hit lower-income households the hardest, and offered overarching principles for developing effective and efficient policies for protecting these households from facing additional hardship as a result of carbon emissions caps.
Read Public comment on the Western Climate Initiative's April 2, 2008 "Draft Allocations Design Recommendations," (PDF) jointly submitted by OCPP and the California Budget Project, the Children's Action Alliance of Arizona, New Mexico Voices for Children, Voices for Utah Children, and the Washington State Budget & Policy Center.
Visit OCPP's new Climate Change Resource Center for additional information.
Story Assignment: Political Analysis on Nepalese Elections
Institute for Public Accuracy
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Maoist Victory in Nepal
Interviews Available
AFP is reporting: "Nepal's Maoists, on track for victory in landmark elections, on Wednesday called on the country's embattled king to step down 'gracefully' or else face a humiliating eviction from his palace. "The call came as the former rebels maintained a strong lead in the count from last Thursday's vote on the impoverished country's political future.
"The Maoists so far look set to dominate a 601-seat assembly that will rewrite Nepal's constitution, and have said their first act will be to sack King Gyanendra and abolish his 240-year-old monarchy."
MARY DES CHENE, [in Nepal, nearly 10 hours ahead of U.S. ET] mdeschen@artsci.wustl.edu
Mary Des Chene is an anthropologist and editor of the journal Studies in Nepali History and Society. She is fluent in Nepali and has been conducting research in Nepal for more than two decades. She was interviewed Wednesday on Democracy Now! www.democracynow.org
PRAMOD PARAJULI, pramodp@pdx.edu,
http://www.piiecl.pdx.edu/community_partners/pramod_bio.htm
Professor at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon,
Parajuli was born and raised in Nepal. He is founding executive director of the
Portland International Initiative for Leadership in Ecology, Culture
and Learning.
Parajuli said today: "I was last in Nepal at the end of 2006 and
met with those who will be in the new leadership. The U.S. government
should immediately withdraw its designation of the Maoists as 'terrorists' and
graciously welcome the people's verdict. ... It is natural that the
elites of Nepal are completely shocked and aghast at the new developments; the political class and the media expected the Maoists to come in third. ...
"This victory is partly a vote for the Maoists -- many think they
will do something good -- but it's largely a vote away from the other
parties, for they failed to meet raising expectations of the masses or
make any dent on the very entrenched unequal and unjust structure of
the Nepalese state. ..."
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Maoist Victory in Nepal
Interviews Available
AFP is reporting: "Nepal's Maoists, on track for victory in landmark elections, on Wednesday called on the country's embattled king to step down 'gracefully' or else face a humiliating eviction from his palace. "The call came as the former rebels maintained a strong lead in the count from last Thursday's vote on the impoverished country's political future.
"The Maoists so far look set to dominate a 601-seat assembly that will rewrite Nepal's constitution, and have said their first act will be to sack King Gyanendra and abolish his 240-year-old monarchy."
MARY DES CHENE, [in Nepal, nearly 10 hours ahead of U.S. ET] mdeschen@artsci.wustl.edu
Mary Des Chene is an anthropologist and editor of the journal Studies in Nepali History and Society. She is fluent in Nepali and has been conducting research in Nepal for more than two decades. She was interviewed Wednesday on Democracy Now! www.democracynow.org
PRAMOD PARAJULI, pramodp@pdx.edu,
http://www.piiecl.pdx.edu/community_partners/pramod_bio.htm
Professor at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon,
Parajuli was born and raised in Nepal. He is founding executive director of the
Portland International Initiative for Leadership in Ecology, Culture
and Learning.
Parajuli said today: "I was last in Nepal at the end of 2006 and
met with those who will be in the new leadership. The U.S. government
should immediately withdraw its designation of the Maoists as 'terrorists' and
graciously welcome the people's verdict. ... It is natural that the
elites of Nepal are completely shocked and aghast at the new developments; the political class and the media expected the Maoists to come in third. ...
"This victory is partly a vote for the Maoists -- many think they
will do something good -- but it's largely a vote away from the other
parties, for they failed to meet raising expectations of the masses or
make any dent on the very entrenched unequal and unjust structure of
the Nepalese state. ..."
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Story Assignment: Interview U.S. Rep. David Wu, D-Portland on Sci-Biz Initiative
FOR NEWS PLANNING
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Contact: Julia Louise Krahe
202-225-0855
******NEWS ADVISORY******
WU LEADS EFFORT TO SUPPORT INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
Subcommittee Acts to Reauthorize SBIR/STTR
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today Congressman David Wu introduced H.R. 5789, the Science and Technology Innovation Act of 2008, which reauthorizes the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) program. He will lead the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation in marking up the bill tomorrow, Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 2:00 pm EST.
SBIR and STTR comprise the largest source of federal support for technological innovation in the private sector, providing over $2 billion annually to small, high-tech entrepreneurial companies that are creating revolutionary new technologies.
SBIR is designed to increase the participation of small, high-tech firms in federal research and development efforts. STTR provides funding for innovative technologies that have been developed by an eligible nonprofit research institution, such as a university, and are being commercialized in partnership with a small business.
H.R. 5789 reauthorizes SBIR and STTR through 2010, increases the percentage of research and development funds set aside for the program by participating federal agencies, and increases the size of available awards.
“This legislation is a fundamental part of Congress’ innovation agenda,” said Congressman Wu. “Reauthorizing SBIR and STTR will demonstrate our commitment to promoting the fundamental science and technology components that drive our global, innovation-based economy.”
WHAT: Science and Technology Innovation Act of 2008 Markup
WHO: Congressman David Wu, Chairman, House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation
WHEN: Wednesday, April 16, 2008, 2:00 pm EST
WHERE: 2318 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C.
View live webcast at http://science.house.gov/
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Contact: Julia Louise Krahe
202-225-0855
******NEWS ADVISORY******
WU LEADS EFFORT TO SUPPORT INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
Subcommittee Acts to Reauthorize SBIR/STTR
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today Congressman David Wu introduced H.R. 5789, the Science and Technology Innovation Act of 2008, which reauthorizes the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) program. He will lead the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation in marking up the bill tomorrow, Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 2:00 pm EST.
SBIR and STTR comprise the largest source of federal support for technological innovation in the private sector, providing over $2 billion annually to small, high-tech entrepreneurial companies that are creating revolutionary new technologies.
SBIR is designed to increase the participation of small, high-tech firms in federal research and development efforts. STTR provides funding for innovative technologies that have been developed by an eligible nonprofit research institution, such as a university, and are being commercialized in partnership with a small business.
H.R. 5789 reauthorizes SBIR and STTR through 2010, increases the percentage of research and development funds set aside for the program by participating federal agencies, and increases the size of available awards.
“This legislation is a fundamental part of Congress’ innovation agenda,” said Congressman Wu. “Reauthorizing SBIR and STTR will demonstrate our commitment to promoting the fundamental science and technology components that drive our global, innovation-based economy.”
WHAT: Science and Technology Innovation Act of 2008 Markup
WHO: Congressman David Wu, Chairman, House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation
WHEN: Wednesday, April 16, 2008, 2:00 pm EST
WHERE: 2318 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C.
View live webcast at http://science.house.gov/
Author Interview Assignment: Military Analyst Michael T. Klare
"Well-researched and incisive throughout, Klare provides a comprehensive but approachable overview of a complex problem, and offers promising policy alternatives to disaster." -Publishers Weekly
Dear Producer,
No longer does the possession of a powerful military guarantee the United States its dominant position in the world. A new political landscape has formed, one in which nations with colossal reserves of oil, natural gas and other sources of primary energy wield disproportionate power. Bestselling author of the now-classic Resource Wars Michael Klare argues that the struggle over energy has become the central dynamic of world affairs in his revealing new book, RISING POWERS, SHRINKING PLANET: The New Geopolitics of Energy. Energy-rich nations such as Russia and Venezuela have begun to wield disproportionate power. As energy-scarce nations compete for depleting resources they form unlikely partnerships with countries rich in oil, natural gas and uranium reserves, providing them arms, troop deployments and dangerous military alliances.
Despite the gloomy prognosis, Klare believes that the worst can be avoided with several important national and international changes. Calling for a China-United States partnership, RISING POWERS, SHRINKING PLANET shows that if the two world powers cooperate, they can work together to develop alternative fuels and energy-saving technologies, making all of us winners and slowing the disappearance of vital materials.
Interviewed on NPR's Fresh Air on Monday, Klare is the author of thirteen books. A regular contributor to Harper's, Foreign Affairs, and the Los Angeles Times, he is the defense analyst for The Nation and the director of the Five College Program in Peace and World Security Studies at Hampshire College in Amherst.
Would you be interested in interviewing him about the book?
Thank you for your consideration, Kate
Kate Pruss Pinnick
Associate Director of Publicity
Shreve Williams Public Relations
kate@shrevewilliams.com
Dear Producer,
No longer does the possession of a powerful military guarantee the United States its dominant position in the world. A new political landscape has formed, one in which nations with colossal reserves of oil, natural gas and other sources of primary energy wield disproportionate power. Bestselling author of the now-classic Resource Wars Michael Klare argues that the struggle over energy has become the central dynamic of world affairs in his revealing new book, RISING POWERS, SHRINKING PLANET: The New Geopolitics of Energy. Energy-rich nations such as Russia and Venezuela have begun to wield disproportionate power. As energy-scarce nations compete for depleting resources they form unlikely partnerships with countries rich in oil, natural gas and uranium reserves, providing them arms, troop deployments and dangerous military alliances.
Despite the gloomy prognosis, Klare believes that the worst can be avoided with several important national and international changes. Calling for a China-United States partnership, RISING POWERS, SHRINKING PLANET shows that if the two world powers cooperate, they can work together to develop alternative fuels and energy-saving technologies, making all of us winners and slowing the disappearance of vital materials.
Interviewed on NPR's Fresh Air on Monday, Klare is the author of thirteen books. A regular contributor to Harper's, Foreign Affairs, and the Los Angeles Times, he is the defense analyst for The Nation and the director of the Five College Program in Peace and World Security Studies at Hampshire College in Amherst.
Would you be interested in interviewing him about the book?
Thank you for your consideration, Kate
Kate Pruss Pinnick
Associate Director of Publicity
Shreve Williams Public Relations
kate@shrevewilliams.com
Story Assignment: Net Worth of the Candidates
Institute for Public Accuracy
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Net Worth of the Candidates
Interviews Available
The following is the net worth as of 2006 for each of the presidential
candidates of the two major parties:
John McCain: $27,817,187 to $45,045,011
http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/CIDsummary.php?CID=N00006424&year=2006
Hillary Clinton: $10,360,009 to $51,021,998
http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/CIDsummary.php?CID=N00000019&year=2006
Barack Obama: $456,012 to $1,142,000
http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/CIDsummary.php?CID=N00009638&year=2006
For interviews, contact Massie Ritsch at press@crp.org; communication director of the Center for Responsive Politics.
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Net Worth of the Candidates
Interviews Available
The following is the net worth as of 2006 for each of the presidential
candidates of the two major parties:
John McCain: $27,817,187 to $45,045,011
http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/CIDsummary.php?CID=N00006424&year=2006
Hillary Clinton: $10,360,009 to $51,021,998
http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/CIDsummary.php?CID=N00000019&year=2006
Barack Obama: $456,012 to $1,142,000
http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/CIDsummary.php?CID=N00009638&year=2006
For interviews, contact Massie Ritsch at press@crp.org; communication director of the Center for Responsive Politics.
Friday, April 11, 2008
KBOO Community Radio: The Dada Festival is Back! Call for Submissions....
The original Dada Fest in 2001 became a national sensation, with the involvement of dozens of contributors. Dada's daddy, the beloved Richard Francis, is one of my favorite radio producers because of his penchant for airing audio landscape recordings (Best Of: half an hour of simple ambient noise from a French village square on a summer afternoon, with birds, children and church bells). Here our friends are looking at any cool thing you are willing to commit to radio -- one to three minutes or so. If you're interested, email: onehundredonehours@yahoo.com .
Hi All,
I am passing this along at the request of one of our program hosts--
it's an open call to get involved in some radio surrealism. Please read on.
cheers,
ani
Hello KBOO Volunteer,
In the spring on 2001 I was on the phone with Daniel Flessas in the air room
at KBOO just as Jennifer Robin walked in the door and just as I said to
Daniel "Let's do a Dada/Surrealism festival.
In August of 2001, approximately 200 volunteer and previously non-radio
community people engaged in a KBOO radio celebration of Dada &
Surrealism which lasted over 80 hours spread over one week, won us national
recognition and eventually engaged more radio "producers" than simply Jennifer,
Daniel and myself.
We attempted to do all that we could to make it an historically-based,
content-pure event with a strong emphasis on many of the original written
texts transposed for radio mixed with locally produced, often live
contemporary material created by local and regional artists in the tradition
of Dada or Surrealism.
We are presently planning on organizing another celebration, this one
theoretically running 101 hours continuous from Thursday evening at 7p
until Monday night midnight, titled: "One hundred one hours of innumerable
small events which may or may not be related to one another." Our
Program Director, Chris has us "penciled in" for Labor Day weekend.
Richard Francis (me) and Jennifer Robin are again taking on the job of
primary producer/organizers for the event, at least at the outset. But we
hope to keep this event as open and egalitarian as the 2001 celebration
and are wide open for ideas, potential producers/engineers, artists and
proposals.
You may produce only a 1 minute reading of a poem, you might produce a
scattering of small mini-events, or you might take charge of several
hours to produce your own major mini-event within the festival.
Right now we are just looking to see who might be interested in joining in
the fun and how many of you there are who want to begin the groundwork.
This coming Thursday night, April 10 from 9-midnight Jennifer and I
will be presenting a "best of" special pledge-drive show to kick off awareness
of our upcoming festival and hopefully raise some cash. If you can't
imagine how to do Dada and Surrealism, you might want to have a listen.
If you find yourself to be among the interested, please contact this
email
address:
onehundredonehours@yahoo.com
This will enable us to contact you about any upcoming meetings and
festival
news plus it will open a channel for us to keep in touch. Or if you
are
still not internetted, contact either Richard or Jennifer through their
real
world mail boxes at the station.
I have been collecting many new translations of the historical material
which I will make available for those interested in recreating some of
the
past. And you are free to do your own research or branch out into the
latest developments in the tradition (or anti-tradition).
Please spread the word and please let us know.
Once we have collected email addresses of the interested, we will be
contacting you soon about our first meeting where we will have a large
collection of the original material for you to explore and we will be
discussing potential events and the first major steps required to
really get
things rolling.
Thanks for your time and your interest.
Richard Francis
host of
A Different Nature
primary producer for the 2001:
Several Days of Innumerable Small Events Which May or May Not Be
Related To
One Another
Hi All,
I am passing this along at the request of one of our program hosts--
it's an open call to get involved in some radio surrealism. Please read on.
cheers,
ani
Hello KBOO Volunteer,
In the spring on 2001 I was on the phone with Daniel Flessas in the air room
at KBOO just as Jennifer Robin walked in the door and just as I said to
Daniel "Let's do a Dada/Surrealism festival.
In August of 2001, approximately 200 volunteer and previously non-radio
community people engaged in a KBOO radio celebration of Dada &
Surrealism which lasted over 80 hours spread over one week, won us national
recognition and eventually engaged more radio "producers" than simply Jennifer,
Daniel and myself.
We attempted to do all that we could to make it an historically-based,
content-pure event with a strong emphasis on many of the original written
texts transposed for radio mixed with locally produced, often live
contemporary material created by local and regional artists in the tradition
of Dada or Surrealism.
We are presently planning on organizing another celebration, this one
theoretically running 101 hours continuous from Thursday evening at 7p
until Monday night midnight, titled: "One hundred one hours of innumerable
small events which may or may not be related to one another." Our
Program Director, Chris has us "penciled in" for Labor Day weekend.
Richard Francis (me) and Jennifer Robin are again taking on the job of
primary producer/organizers for the event, at least at the outset. But we
hope to keep this event as open and egalitarian as the 2001 celebration
and are wide open for ideas, potential producers/engineers, artists and
proposals.
You may produce only a 1 minute reading of a poem, you might produce a
scattering of small mini-events, or you might take charge of several
hours to produce your own major mini-event within the festival.
Right now we are just looking to see who might be interested in joining in
the fun and how many of you there are who want to begin the groundwork.
This coming Thursday night, April 10 from 9-midnight Jennifer and I
will be presenting a "best of" special pledge-drive show to kick off awareness
of our upcoming festival and hopefully raise some cash. If you can't
imagine how to do Dada and Surrealism, you might want to have a listen.
If you find yourself to be among the interested, please contact this
address:
onehundredonehours@yahoo.com
This will enable us to contact you about any upcoming meetings and
festival
news plus it will open a channel for us to keep in touch. Or if you
are
still not internetted, contact either Richard or Jennifer through their
real
world mail boxes at the station.
I have been collecting many new translations of the historical material
which I will make available for those interested in recreating some of
the
past. And you are free to do your own research or branch out into the
latest developments in the tradition (or anti-tradition).
Please spread the word and please let us know.
Once we have collected email addresses of the interested, we will be
contacting you soon about our first meeting where we will have a large
collection of the original material for you to explore and we will be
discussing potential events and the first major steps required to
really get
things rolling.
Thanks for your time and your interest.
Richard Francis
host of
A Different Nature
primary producer for the 2001:
Several Days of Innumerable Small Events Which May or May Not Be
Related To
One Another
IPA Story Assignment of the Week: Airlines and Whistleblowers
Institute for Public Accuracy
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
PM Thursday, April 10, 2008
Airlines and Whistleblowers
Interviews Available
PAUL HUDSON, acapaviation@yahoo.com
Hudson is executive director of the Aviation Consumer Action
Project and a longtime member of the FAA's Aviation Rulemaking Advisory
Committee for air safety who represents airline passengers. He said
today: "What has in effect happened over the last several years is that
airplane safety inspections have been largely privatized.
"The government is allowing airlines to do self-policing -- that
is, airline employees are charged with doing and monitoring safety
inspections. To the extent that government workers do much of anything,
it's mostly just checking over the paperwork.
"We've been critical of this approach. At minimum, the airline
employees doing this need to have whistleblower protection and should
take an oath of office as deputized FAA inspectors. As it is, they are
conflicted and may even be offered bonuses that encourage going along
with questionable procedures."
MARSHA COLEMAN-ADEBAYO, NoFearCoalition@aol.com,
http://web.mac.com/kbstreetlevel/iWeb/nofearinstitute/Home.html
President of the No Fear Institute, which is organizing
Whistleblower Week in Washington in May, Coleman-Adebayo said today:
"The crisis within the aviation industry is just the tip of the
iceberg. ... The Environmental Protection Agency has voluntary initiatives where
industry is policing itself and public health is calculated using a
cost/benefit analysis. If the cost is too high, the public suffers.
Other agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration, fail to
protect our food supply.
"The brave whistleblowers we've seen this week on the airlines will
likely be retaliated against once the cameras have shut down. Congress
does not protect people who testify before that body, it only allows
them minimal recourse after they've been retaliated against.
"Being a whistleblower almost certainly means the end of your
career in our system. And it frequently means the end of your life -- many
whistleblowers I've met have died from the stress and from the
reprisals.
"A 'perfect storm' composed of corruption, silencing of
whistleblowers, retaliation and discrimination has been gathering for
decades; the outcome of this storm will be devastating.
"I'm currently on leave from the EPA -- I testified twice before
Congress and been retaliated against. The EPA orchestrated a vicious
campaign to force me to take leave without pay. Even with major
congressional leaders, such as John Conyers, Sheila Jackson Lee, Tom
Davis, Henry Waxman and Chris Van Hollen [writing on my behalf], the
EPA has simply ignored them. In fact, Congress generally ignores members
who attempt to fight on behalf of whistleblowers. My situation is not an
isolated case but represents a pattern of vicious retaliation."
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________
PM Thursday, April 10, 2008
Airlines and Whistleblowers
Interviews Available
PAUL HUDSON, acapaviation@yahoo.com
Hudson is executive director of the Aviation Consumer Action
Project and a longtime member of the FAA's Aviation Rulemaking Advisory
Committee for air safety who represents airline passengers. He said
today: "What has in effect happened over the last several years is that
airplane safety inspections have been largely privatized.
"The government is allowing airlines to do self-policing -- that
is, airline employees are charged with doing and monitoring safety
inspections. To the extent that government workers do much of anything,
it's mostly just checking over the paperwork.
"We've been critical of this approach. At minimum, the airline
employees doing this need to have whistleblower protection and should
take an oath of office as deputized FAA inspectors. As it is, they are
conflicted and may even be offered bonuses that encourage going along
with questionable procedures."
MARSHA COLEMAN-ADEBAYO, NoFearCoalition@aol.com,
http://web.mac.com/kbstreetlevel/iWeb/nofearinstitute/Home.html
President of the No Fear Institute, which is organizing
Whistleblower Week in Washington in May, Coleman-Adebayo said today:
"The crisis within the aviation industry is just the tip of the
iceberg. ... The Environmental Protection Agency has voluntary initiatives where
industry is policing itself and public health is calculated using a
cost/benefit analysis. If the cost is too high, the public suffers.
Other agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration, fail to
protect our food supply.
"The brave whistleblowers we've seen this week on the airlines will
likely be retaliated against once the cameras have shut down. Congress
does not protect people who testify before that body, it only allows
them minimal recourse after they've been retaliated against.
"Being a whistleblower almost certainly means the end of your
career in our system. And it frequently means the end of your life -- many
whistleblowers I've met have died from the stress and from the
reprisals.
"A 'perfect storm' composed of corruption, silencing of
whistleblowers, retaliation and discrimination has been gathering for
decades; the outcome of this storm will be devastating.
"I'm currently on leave from the EPA -- I testified twice before
Congress and been retaliated against. The EPA orchestrated a vicious
campaign to force me to take leave without pay. Even with major
congressional leaders, such as John Conyers, Sheila Jackson Lee, Tom
Davis, Henry Waxman and Chris Van Hollen [writing on my behalf], the
EPA has simply ignored them. In fact, Congress generally ignores members
who attempt to fight on behalf of whistleblowers. My situation is not an
isolated case but represents a pattern of vicious retaliation."
Wanna Interview an Author? Here's News from Haymarket Books
Haymarket is one of the juiciest radical English-language publishers worldwide. I tellya what: you look through their recent releases, send them an email describing your podcast/blog/publication/radio/public access TV show, ask for a review book and set up a date to interview the author. For a TV show, you look to see when the author is in your town, set up an interview with that person when they're there. Then you do it. It's my favorite thing, matter of fact.
Enjoy!
Visit www.haymarketbooks.org
For review copies, email info@haymarketbooks.org
P.O. Box 180165, Chicago IL 60618
NOW AVAILABLE FROM HAYMARKET
We are very pleased to announce the publication of the new paperback edition of Camilo Mejía's acclaimed Iraq war memoir, Road from ar Ramadi: The Private Rebellion of Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejia. After reading this book, you'll want everyone you know to read it.
Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejía became the new face of the antiwar movement in early 2004 when he applied for a discharge from the Army as a conscientious objector. After serving in the Army for nearly nine years, he was the first known Iraq veteran to refuse to fight, citing moral concerns about the war and occupation. Despite widespread public support and an all-star legal team, Mejía was eventually convicted of desertion by a military court and sentenced to a year in prison, prompting Amnesty International to declare him a prisoner of conscience.
Far from being an accidental activist, Mejía was raised by prominent Sandinista revolutionaries and draws inspiration from Jesuit teachings. In this stirring book, he argues passionately for human rights and the end to an unjust war.
As New York Times columnist Bob Herbert writes, "The issues [Mejía] has raised deserve a close reading by the nation as a whole. . . . He has made a contribution to the truth about Iraq."
Road from ar Ramadi
The Private Rebellion of Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejía: An Iraq War Memoir
Foreword by Chris Hedges
ISBN: 978-1-931859-53-0
Trade Paperback, $16
320 pages
HAYMARKET NEWS
Haymarket Books is proud to have been part of Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan, a historic gathering of antiwar veterans and allies that took place March 13-16 in Washington, DC. The event featured powerful testimony that exposed the realities of military occupation. You can watch Haymarket authors Anthony Arnove, author of Iraq: The Logic of Withdrawal and Dahr Jamail discuss their impressions of the hearings.
Also check out Dahr's front-cover story on Winter Soldier in the April print edition of The Progressive. We will be publishing Dahr's book, Beyond the Green Zone: Dispatches from an Unembedded Journalist In Occupied Iraq in paperback this Fall.
This month's issue of The Progressive also features "Olympic Ruin," an eye-opening take on the upcoming Olympics by Haymarket author Dave Zirin, now a regular columnist at the magazine. Be sure to check out Dave's books, What's My Name, Fool? and Welcome to the Terrordome.
Also forthcoming from Haymarket in September is Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan: Eyewitness Accounts of the Occupation, a comprehensive documentation of the Winter Soldier gathering authored by Iraq Veterans Against the War and journalist Aaron Glantz that will preserve the courageous contributions of its participants.
In the awards department, a big congratulations to Dahr for winning the James Aronson Award for Social Justice Journalism! The award letter states that Jamail's work "has shown the depth of suffering and 'collateral damage' not readily captured in corporate media" and praises his "remarkable contribution to social justice journalism." The award ceremony will take place at 5:30 p.m., Monday, April 14 at Hunter College in New York City.
We were thrilled to hear that our friend Jeremy Scahill won the prestigious Polk Award for his book Blackwater. Thoroughly well deserved!
Finally, check out Anthony Arnove's recent appearance on C-SPAN2's program BookTV. Anthony discusses Haymarket Books and the future of independent publishing with host Andre Schriffrin and Jacob Stevens of Verso Books.
Recently released from Haymarket
The Essential Rosa Luxemburg: Reform or Revolution and The Mass Strike
Edited by Helen Scott
ISBN: 1-931859-36-3
Paperback, $12, 280 Pages
One of the most important thinkers and leaders of the twentieth century, Rosa Luxemburg is finding renewed interest among a new generation of activists and critics of global capitalism. This new, authoritative introduction to Rosa Luxemburg's two most important works presents the full text of Reform or Revolution and The Mass Strike, with explanatory notes, appendices, and introductions.
"Rosa Luxemburg's explorations of themeaning of capitalism and the need for socialist democracy still have relevance for a new century, and helen Scott's thoughtful and informative introduction will be useful for students and activists alike."
--Paul Le Blanc
Authors on the Road
Dave Zirin will be speaking in Washington, DC on Saturday, April 14th and Saturday, April 28th; he'll also be in Chestertown, MD on Thursday, April 19th. And if you can, check out Dave and Chuck D at the Schomburg Center in New York City on Tuesday, May 15. Dave's website Edge of Sports has further tour details.
Dahr Jamail continues to tour his book, Beyond the Green Zone: Dispatches from an Unembedded Journalist in Occupied Iraq. He will be touring Scotland and England this month. Here's information for the tour:
April 8th--Glasgow, Scotland
University of Strathclyde, 5.30 p.m, 5.14 Graham Hills Building
Contact: m.idrees@gmail.com
April 9th--Dublin, Ireland
Dublin Institute of Technology, Aungier St., 6:30 pm—In a debate with RTE, moderated by Pepe Escobar
Contact: dmanning@gmail.com
April 10th--London, England
The Old Lecture Theatre, 7:00 pm, University of Westminster, 309 Regent Street
Contact: david.crouch10@btinternet.com
April 11th--Totnes, England
Methodist Church, Fore Street, 7:30 pm
Contact: bill@scswebdesign.co.uk
April 12th--Taunton, England
Friend's Meeting House, 3 Bath Place, Taunton, TA1 4EP
Contact: alisonchown@aol.com
You can find further tour information at dahrjamailiraq.com.
Catch Haymarket at the following events:
V to the Tenth
April 11 and 12, New Orleans
Labor Notes 2008 Conference
April 11-13, Detroit, Michigan
London Book Fair
International Rights Center (via Roam Agency)
April 15-16
Historical Materialism
April 24-26, Ontario, Canada
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
April 26-27, Los Angeles
Book launch for Howard Zinn's A People's History of American Empire
May 3, New York, Cooper Union Great Hall, 1pm
Chicago Green Festival
http://www.greenfestivals.org/content/view/230/200/
May 17-18, Chicago
Book Expo America
June 1-3, New York, NY
Save the Date!
Socialism 2008
A Weekend of Politics, Discussion & Debate
Featuring:
Jeremy Scahill
Amira Hass
Laura Flanders
John Carlos
Sharon Smith
Jeffrey St. Clair
June 19-22, Chicago, IL
Check for updates at www.socialismconference.org
Forthcoming from Haymarket Books
Vietnam: The (Last) War the U.S. Lost
Joe Allen
As the United States now faces a major defeat in its occupation of Iraq, the history of the Vietnam War, as a historic blunder for US military forces abroad, and the true story of how it was stopped, take on a fresh importance. Unlike most books on the topic, constructed as specialized academic studies, The (Last) War the United States Lost examines the lessons of the Vietnam era with Joe Allen’s eye of both a dedicated historian and an engaged participant in today’s antiwar movement.
9781931859493 | $14 | 240 pages | May 2008
Lenin Rediscovered: What Is To Be Done? in Context
Lars T. Lih
In this impressive work, Lih presents an innovative challenge to the prevailing perspectives on one of Russian revolutionary V. I. Lenin's most important essays. While conventional wisdom has been contented to caricature What is to Be Done? as the definitive example of Lenin's authoritarian and elitist method, Lih traces this document's roots in the social and political debates of Russia's emerging socialist movement, and reinvigorates the debate unfolding today by introducing a comprehensive new translation of Lenin's original text.
9781931859585 | $50.00 | Paper | 880 pages | May 2008
The Revolution and the Civil War in Spain
Pierre Broué and Emile Témime
In the 1930s, Spanish workers and peasants captured the world's attention, bursting out in rebellion against poverty, oppression, and a monarchy frequently dependent on military repression for its survival. But the Spanish revolution quickly encountered critical challenges-from its leadership's confusion over their final goal to the rising of a fascist army led by Francisco Franco. In their unparalleled study, Broué and Témime detail the internal dynamics and the external obstacles that led one of the world's most promising movements for human liberation to fascist defeat.
9781931859516 | $50.00 | Paper | 700 pages | May 2008
Visit www.haymarketbooks.org
For review copies, email info@haymarketbooks.org
P.O. Box 180165, Chicago IL 60618
Enjoy!
Visit www.haymarketbooks.org
For review copies, email info@haymarketbooks.org
P.O. Box 180165, Chicago IL 60618
NOW AVAILABLE FROM HAYMARKET
We are very pleased to announce the publication of the new paperback edition of Camilo Mejía's acclaimed Iraq war memoir, Road from ar Ramadi: The Private Rebellion of Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejia. After reading this book, you'll want everyone you know to read it.
Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejía became the new face of the antiwar movement in early 2004 when he applied for a discharge from the Army as a conscientious objector. After serving in the Army for nearly nine years, he was the first known Iraq veteran to refuse to fight, citing moral concerns about the war and occupation. Despite widespread public support and an all-star legal team, Mejía was eventually convicted of desertion by a military court and sentenced to a year in prison, prompting Amnesty International to declare him a prisoner of conscience.
Far from being an accidental activist, Mejía was raised by prominent Sandinista revolutionaries and draws inspiration from Jesuit teachings. In this stirring book, he argues passionately for human rights and the end to an unjust war.
As New York Times columnist Bob Herbert writes, "The issues [Mejía] has raised deserve a close reading by the nation as a whole. . . . He has made a contribution to the truth about Iraq."
Road from ar Ramadi
The Private Rebellion of Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejía: An Iraq War Memoir
Foreword by Chris Hedges
ISBN: 978-1-931859-53-0
Trade Paperback, $16
320 pages
HAYMARKET NEWS
Haymarket Books is proud to have been part of Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan, a historic gathering of antiwar veterans and allies that took place March 13-16 in Washington, DC. The event featured powerful testimony that exposed the realities of military occupation. You can watch Haymarket authors Anthony Arnove, author of Iraq: The Logic of Withdrawal and Dahr Jamail discuss their impressions of the hearings.
Also check out Dahr's front-cover story on Winter Soldier in the April print edition of The Progressive. We will be publishing Dahr's book, Beyond the Green Zone: Dispatches from an Unembedded Journalist In Occupied Iraq in paperback this Fall.
This month's issue of The Progressive also features "Olympic Ruin," an eye-opening take on the upcoming Olympics by Haymarket author Dave Zirin, now a regular columnist at the magazine. Be sure to check out Dave's books, What's My Name, Fool? and Welcome to the Terrordome.
Also forthcoming from Haymarket in September is Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan: Eyewitness Accounts of the Occupation, a comprehensive documentation of the Winter Soldier gathering authored by Iraq Veterans Against the War and journalist Aaron Glantz that will preserve the courageous contributions of its participants.
In the awards department, a big congratulations to Dahr for winning the James Aronson Award for Social Justice Journalism! The award letter states that Jamail's work "has shown the depth of suffering and 'collateral damage' not readily captured in corporate media" and praises his "remarkable contribution to social justice journalism." The award ceremony will take place at 5:30 p.m., Monday, April 14 at Hunter College in New York City.
We were thrilled to hear that our friend Jeremy Scahill won the prestigious Polk Award for his book Blackwater. Thoroughly well deserved!
Finally, check out Anthony Arnove's recent appearance on C-SPAN2's program BookTV. Anthony discusses Haymarket Books and the future of independent publishing with host Andre Schriffrin and Jacob Stevens of Verso Books.
Recently released from Haymarket
The Essential Rosa Luxemburg: Reform or Revolution and The Mass Strike
Edited by Helen Scott
ISBN: 1-931859-36-3
Paperback, $12, 280 Pages
One of the most important thinkers and leaders of the twentieth century, Rosa Luxemburg is finding renewed interest among a new generation of activists and critics of global capitalism. This new, authoritative introduction to Rosa Luxemburg's two most important works presents the full text of Reform or Revolution and The Mass Strike, with explanatory notes, appendices, and introductions.
"Rosa Luxemburg's explorations of themeaning of capitalism and the need for socialist democracy still have relevance for a new century, and helen Scott's thoughtful and informative introduction will be useful for students and activists alike."
--Paul Le Blanc
Authors on the Road
Dave Zirin will be speaking in Washington, DC on Saturday, April 14th and Saturday, April 28th; he'll also be in Chestertown, MD on Thursday, April 19th. And if you can, check out Dave and Chuck D at the Schomburg Center in New York City on Tuesday, May 15. Dave's website Edge of Sports has further tour details.
Dahr Jamail continues to tour his book, Beyond the Green Zone: Dispatches from an Unembedded Journalist in Occupied Iraq. He will be touring Scotland and England this month. Here's information for the tour:
April 8th--Glasgow, Scotland
University of Strathclyde, 5.30 p.m, 5.14 Graham Hills Building
Contact: m.idrees@gmail.com
April 9th--Dublin, Ireland
Dublin Institute of Technology, Aungier St., 6:30 pm—In a debate with RTE, moderated by Pepe Escobar
Contact: dmanning@gmail.com
April 10th--London, England
The Old Lecture Theatre, 7:00 pm, University of Westminster, 309 Regent Street
Contact: david.crouch10@btinternet.com
April 11th--Totnes, England
Methodist Church, Fore Street, 7:30 pm
Contact: bill@scswebdesign.co.uk
April 12th--Taunton, England
Friend's Meeting House, 3 Bath Place, Taunton, TA1 4EP
Contact: alisonchown@aol.com
You can find further tour information at dahrjamailiraq.com.
Catch Haymarket at the following events:
V to the Tenth
April 11 and 12, New Orleans
Labor Notes 2008 Conference
April 11-13, Detroit, Michigan
London Book Fair
International Rights Center (via Roam Agency)
April 15-16
Historical Materialism
April 24-26, Ontario, Canada
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
April 26-27, Los Angeles
Book launch for Howard Zinn's A People's History of American Empire
May 3, New York, Cooper Union Great Hall, 1pm
Chicago Green Festival
http://www.greenfestivals.org/content/view/230/200/
May 17-18, Chicago
Book Expo America
June 1-3, New York, NY
Save the Date!
Socialism 2008
A Weekend of Politics, Discussion & Debate
Featuring:
Jeremy Scahill
Amira Hass
Laura Flanders
John Carlos
Sharon Smith
Jeffrey St. Clair
June 19-22, Chicago, IL
Check for updates at www.socialismconference.org
Forthcoming from Haymarket Books
Vietnam: The (Last) War the U.S. Lost
Joe Allen
As the United States now faces a major defeat in its occupation of Iraq, the history of the Vietnam War, as a historic blunder for US military forces abroad, and the true story of how it was stopped, take on a fresh importance. Unlike most books on the topic, constructed as specialized academic studies, The (Last) War the United States Lost examines the lessons of the Vietnam era with Joe Allen’s eye of both a dedicated historian and an engaged participant in today’s antiwar movement.
9781931859493 | $14 | 240 pages | May 2008
Lenin Rediscovered: What Is To Be Done? in Context
Lars T. Lih
In this impressive work, Lih presents an innovative challenge to the prevailing perspectives on one of Russian revolutionary V. I. Lenin's most important essays. While conventional wisdom has been contented to caricature What is to Be Done? as the definitive example of Lenin's authoritarian and elitist method, Lih traces this document's roots in the social and political debates of Russia's emerging socialist movement, and reinvigorates the debate unfolding today by introducing a comprehensive new translation of Lenin's original text.
9781931859585 | $50.00 | Paper | 880 pages | May 2008
The Revolution and the Civil War in Spain
Pierre Broué and Emile Témime
In the 1930s, Spanish workers and peasants captured the world's attention, bursting out in rebellion against poverty, oppression, and a monarchy frequently dependent on military repression for its survival. But the Spanish revolution quickly encountered critical challenges-from its leadership's confusion over their final goal to the rising of a fascist army led by Francisco Franco. In their unparalleled study, Broué and Témime detail the internal dynamics and the external obstacles that led one of the world's most promising movements for human liberation to fascist defeat.
9781931859516 | $50.00 | Paper | 700 pages | May 2008
Visit www.haymarketbooks.org
For review copies, email info@haymarketbooks.org
P.O. Box 180165, Chicago IL 60618
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