Mn-prog-events Mailing List: Progressive Calendar 03.16.06

[David Shove (shove001]

             P R O G R E S S I V E   C A L E N D A R     03.16.06

1. Children's rights   3.16 12noon
2. Eagan peace vigil   3.16 4:30pm
3. Youth/choice        3.16 5pm
4. MetroIBA/Morris     3.16 6pm
5. US foreign policy   3.16 7pm
6. Peace first         3.16 7pm

7. Counter recruit     3.17 12noon
8. Immigration/lawyers 3.17 12noon
9. Palestine vigil     3.17 4:15pm
10. Ciudad/city/film   3.17 6pm
11. Sign-making/forSat 3.17 6:30pm
12. World storytelling 3.17 6:30pm
13. Flowers/heart/film 3.17 6:30pm
14. StPat/Irish ceili  3.17 7pm
15. Antiwar film       3.17
16. Soweto film        3.17

17. Green Party    - 3 more Greens announce/Pond/Berger/Risser
18. John Samuelson - Republican is becoming a dirty word
19. PolyPsySp      - Dictionary of Republicanisms
20. Howard Zinn    - Lessons of Iraq war start with US history
21. Salim Lamrani  - Venezuela in Washington's sights

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From: humanrts [at] umn.edu
Subject: Children's rights 3.16 12noon

March 16 - The Childrens Human Rights Speaker Series:
Children's Rights in the Minnesota Juvenile Justice System.  12noon-1pm
Cost: Free and open to the public (registration required)..

Faegre & Benson LLP and Minnesota Advocates
Speaker: Judge Kathryn L. Quaintanc

Biographic Information

Judge Kathryn L. Quaintance was appointed to the Hennepin County bench in
October 2000. She was assigned to Juvenile Court, hearing Delinquency and
Child Protection cases, from 2002-2005. Prior to her appointment she was a
prosecutor with the Hennepin County Attorney s Office for 11 years where
she tried more than 50 cases including homicide, domestic violence, child
abuse and sex offenses. Judge Quaintance is currently a member of the
Hennepin County Fatality Review Project and is a past co-chair(2004) of
the Hennepin County Bar Association s Juvenile Law Section. She also
chaired a multi-disciplinary committee on juvenile mental health issues.

The bi-monthly Children's Human Rights Speaker Series will be held
throughout 2006 and 2007.  Lectures are free and open to the public
(registration required).

For more information, please contact Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights
at (612) 341- 3302 or see our website at www.mnadvocates.org. You may find
directions to Faegre & Benson LLP. at: www.faegre.com.

Please RSVP to Amy Beier at Minnesota Advocates by noon on Tuesday, March
14 (612) 341-3302 ext. 118 or abeier [at] mnadvocates.org.  Lunch will be
provided for those who RSVP. Application will be made for one CLE credit.
Location: Faegre & Benson LLP, The Century Room, 2200 Wells Fargo Center,
90 South Seventh Street Minneapolis, MN 55402


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From: Greg and Sue Skog <skograce [at] mtn.org>
Subject: Eagan peace vigil 3.16 4:30pm

CANDLELIGHT PEACE VIGIL EVERY THURSDAY from 4:30-5:30pm on the Northwest
corner of Pilot Knob Road and Yankee Doodle Road in Eagan. We have signs
and candles. Say "NO to war!" The weekly vigil is sponsored by: Friends
south of the river speaking out against war.


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From: ewomenwin [at] mnwpc.org
Subject: Youth/choice 3.16 5pm

The Minnesota Women's Political Caucus is excited to present you with
another session in our Coffeehouse Series. Each discussion in the series
addresses a different aspect of reproductive choice.

The next installment of the Coffeehouse Series, "Youth & Choice: The Age
of Choice," will be on Thursday, March 16, from 5-6pm at Amore Coffee
located at 917 Grand Av in StPaul (651-222-6770). Kara Beckman of
Neighborhood House will be the featured speaker and we will examine the
role that age plays in reproductive choice and how they have come to
impact each other.


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From: Craig and Merritt <cdsmith [at] alum.mit.edu>
Subject: MetroIBA/Morris 3.16 6pm

MetroIBA 1st Annual Meeting!
Thursday, March 16
6-8 pm
Roseville Library, meeting room (2180 N Hamline, just south of Hwy 36)

Key Speaker: David Morris, from the Institute of Local Self-Reliance, will
discuss the state of independent businesses and what's being done to
strengthen them.
Other Business: MetroIBA's first 7 months in review; Outline of 2006 Goals
and Workplan; and presentation of the new Board of Directors.

--
Next Member Event: Building a Voice at the Legislature

Speaker: MN House Representative Jim Davnie (Mpls) will discuss developing
a voice for independent, small businesses at the MN Legislature.
Thursday Feb. 23, 2006
7:30-9:30am
Location: Acadia Cafe, 1931 Nicollet Av (corner of Franklin)
Refreshments: Coffee, juice and muffins/bagels for modest cost.

This event is open to members and the public. Please bring a friend or
potential member. Note: 3 member businesses are invited to introduce
themselves (in 5 minutes or less). Contact me if you are interested. We
will do this at each member event in 2006.


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From: Joe Schwartzberg <schwa004 [at] umn.edu>
Subject: USn foreign policy 3.16 7pm

THIRD THURSDAY GLOBAL ISSUES FORUM
Free and open to the public.
Thursday March 16, 7-9pm.
Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, 511 Groveland Avenue, Minneapolis
(at Lyndale & Hennepin). Free parking in church parking lot.

Topic: REFLECTIONS ON CURRENT U.S. FOREIGN POLICY.

Our country, under the current Bush administration, has embarked on a
foreign policy course dominated by three elements:
 a) a post-9/11 paradigm that treats the struggle against terrorism as an
actual "war" and depicts terrorists as primarily motivated by hatred of
"who we are";
 b) a "transformational" policy of democratization designed to uproot
terrorism, particularly in the Middle East; and
 c) a national security doctrine that aims to prevent the rise of any
"peer competitor."

These ambitious priorities raise questions about how best to balance
policy ends and means. They also cause significant counter-reactions
around the world, further complicated by opposition to American free
market capitalism.  This program will reflect on the resulting political
and economic tectonics that are now unfolding.

Presenter: THOMAS HANSON. A U. S. Foreign Service officer from 1973 to
1994, Thomas Hanson served in East Germany, France, Norway, the Soviet
Union and other countries. He also worked on the Foreign Relations
Committees of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Most recently,
he was Director for European and NATO Affairs at the Atlantic Council of
the U.S. He is a frequent speaker in the Great Decisions program, an
honorary Board member of the Foreign Policy Association, and Program
Secretary of the Saint Paul-Minneapolis Committee on Foreign Relations.
He holds graduate degrees from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy,
the Institute for Advanced International Studies in Geneva, and the
National School of Administration (ENA) in Paris.

This program promises to be one of the best ever. Tom Hanson is a first
rate speaker. The overview of the contemporary global situation and future
outlook that he will be presenting is remarkably wide ranging, well
informed, and provocative. This will be a program that you ought not to
miss.

[Like "New! Improved!" on cereal, it makes you wonder why you ate the Old
Unimproved stuff, or why they didn't improve it sooner. -ed]


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From: Charles Underwood <charleyunderwood [at] hotmail.com>
Subject: Peace first 3.16 7pm

Thursday, 3/16, 7 to 8:30 pm, Peace First! strategy and preconvention
training, Hamline Midway Library, 1558 Minnehaha Av, St. Paul.
www.peaceintheprecincts.org

[After we get peace, what's next? -ed]


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From: sarah standefer <scsrn [at] yahoo.com>
Subject: Counter recruit 3.17 12noon

Counter Recruitment Demonstration
 Our Children Are Not Cannon Fodder
Fridays   NOON-1
Recruiting Office at the U of M
At Washington and Oak St.  next to Chipolte
for info call Barb Mishler 612-871-7871


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From: humanrts [at] umn.edu
Subject: Immigration/lawyers 3.17 12noon

March 17 - How to Speak About Current Immigration Issues for Lawyers .
12noon-1:15pm.  Cost: Free and open to the public.

Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights and the Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter of
the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) present How to Speak
About Current Immigration Issues for Lawyers .

Topics to be discussed in an interactive format include:
-How to frame federal and state immigration issues
-Testifying before the legislature
-Talking with your congressional representatives
-Public speaking tips and more

Speakers include:
-Marshall Fitz, Director, Advocacy, American Immigration Lawyers Association
-Kathy Moccio, Attorney, American Immigration Lawyers Fund
-Michele Garnett McKenzie, Refugee and Immigrant Program Director,
  Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights
-Colleen Beebe, Education Program Director, Minnesota Advocates for Human
  Rights

This interactive session will equip the participant with basic knowledge
on how to speak about federal and state immigration issues in a variety of
different contexts. Participants will be provided helpful fact sheets on
current immigration issues.

This training is free and open to the public with advance registration.
This is a "brown bag" event and lunches will not be provided. You may find
directions to Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, L.L.P. at:
www.rkmc.com/Minneapolis.htm

To register for this event or for more information contact Aaron Van
Alstine at Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights by noon on Thursday, March
16.  Phone: (612) 341-3302 x 127, or avanalstine [at] mnadvocates.org.

Location: Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, L.L.P., 2800 LaSalle Plaza, 800 LaSalle Avenue,
Minneapolis, MN 55402


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From: peace 2u <tkanous [at] hotmail.com>
Subject: Palestine vigil 3.17 4:15pm

Every Friday
Vigil to End the Occupation of Palestine
4:15-5:15pm
Summit & Snelling, St. Paul

There are now millions of Palestinians who are refugees due to Israel's
refusal to recognize their right under international law to return to
their own homes since 1948.


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From: Mary Turck <mturck [at] americas.org>
Subject: Ciudad/city/film 3.17 6pm

Friday, March 17 6pm. La Ciudad (The City) 88 minutes.. English/Spanish
Four Latin American, undocumented immigrants arrive in New York City with
hopes to earn and send money to their families. They come to realize that
New York offers little. Will these characters fulfill their dreams? FREE
NOCHE CULTURAL. Resource Center of the Americas, 3019 Minnehaha Ave.,
Minneapolis 55406 FFI: 612-276-0788.


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From: wamm <wamm [at] mtn.org>
Subject: Sign-making/forSat 3.17 6:30pm

Sign-Making Party for the March 18 Rally and March

Friday, March 17, 6:30 to 8pm. Plaza Verde, Third Floor, Located on Lake
Street between Bloomington and 15th Avenues (down the block from In the
Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater). Bring only your creativity
and outrage! Supplies and snacks provided. A consultant from Heart of the
Beast will be available. FFI: Call Polly Kellogg at 612-721-9408.


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From: Larry Johnson <elent7 [at] comcast.net>
Subject: World storytelling 3.17 6:30pm

Join us for Storytelling for Adults, 6:30pm at Dunn Brothers Coffee Shop
on the south side of Loring Park in Mpls., MARCH 17

Larry will tell LAST DAY OF SCHOOL and Elaine will tell PEDDLAR OF
BALLAGHADREEN in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

Because the World theme is MOON, Larry will play BLUE MOON on a SWING BAND
HOSE and MOON RIVER on a HEAVY METAL RECYCLED WATER FAUCET.  Who knows
what else might happen with Elaine's deep and lilting stories and Larry's
music from the COLLECTION FOR ARMS AND LANDFILL REDUCTION.

Then do stories for the whole family March l8 and l9 as part of the
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's Spring Family Festival.  It's 9 miles west
of 494 on County Road 5, just past Chanhassen.  Storytelling is free,
family-friendly, and participatory with admission to the Arboretum.

For more information on worldwide activity, go to www.storytellingday.net
Larry Johnson and Elaine Wynne KEY OF SEE STORYTELLERS 612-747-3904


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From: Nick Faber <nfabe [at] mac.com>
Subject: Flowers/heartland/film 3.17 6:30pm

Minnehaha United Church of Christ will be showing "Flowers from the
Heartland" on Friday March 17.  A light meal is served at 6:00 p.m.
and the movie starts at 6:30.

This is an award winning documentary short film that tells the story
of how one person's idea to send flowers of support to gay and
lesbian couples waiting in line to get married at San Francisco City
Hall blossomed into an online movement that resulted in thousands of
flowers being sent from all over the country.  Discussion to follow.

The film's website is www.flowersfromtheheartland.com

Minnehaha UCC is located at 4001 38th Ave. South, Minneapolis, 55406
We are an Anti-Racist, Open and Affirming, and Just Peace Church.


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From: mn_united_ireland [at] lycos.com
Subject: StPat/Irish ceili 3.17 7pm

Minnesotans for a United Ireland (MUI) announces its annual St.
Patrick's Day Ceili (Irish social dance), with live music by local Irish
band, The Blackbirds. This is the longest running St. Patrick's Day Ceili
in the Upper Midwest.

Friday March 17, from 7 to 10pm, at Randolph Heights Elementary School,
348 South Hamline Avenue (at Jefferson), St. Paul. Easy dance lessons at
7, dance at 7:30. Dances called by Mike Whalen.

Admission is $8, $5 for students and seniors, and children under 5 get in
free. There is also a $1 discount with a non-perishable food shelf
donation.

This is a no alcohol, no smoking event.
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day and support Irish unity.
Information at (651) 645-9506.

Minnesotans for a United Ireland
612-871-7110


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From: Charles Underwood <charleyunderwood [at] hotmail.com>
Subject: Antiwar film 3.17

Friday, 3/17 (begins), various times, film "Joyeux Noel" (Merry Christmas)
from true story where WWI enemies put down their guns to shake hands
together, Edina Theater, 3911 W. 50th St, Edina. www.landmarktheaters.com


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From: Charles Underwood <charleyunderwood [at] hotmail.com>
Subject: Soweto film 3.17

Friday, 3/17 (begins), various times, film "Tsotsi" about Soweto gang leader
who accidently kidnaps a child while car-jacking, Uptown Theater, Hennepin &
Lagoon, Mpls.  www.landmarktheatres.com


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From: "Berger, Dave" <dberger [at] inverhills.mnscu.edu>
Subject: Green Party - 3 more Greens announce/Pond/Berger/Risser

For more information: 612-220-5050

Three Greens Announce Candidacies -
Call for a "Back to Basics" Political Focus

Minneapolis, MN - Three more Green Party members are announcing their
candidacies for office in Minnesota - Jay Pond, for 5th District U.S House
of Representatives, Dave Berger for Minnesota State Auditor and Julie
Risser for State Senate District 41.  Their candidacies ensure a Green
Party perspective in Minnesota's political discussion this year on the
federal and state levels. "All three of us want to see responsible
long-term investment strategies that encourage sustainable energy and a
political shift to local control," says Pond.

These candidates agree the promotion of clean energy must focus on
community-based economics.  Pond, Berger, and Risser contend Minnesotans
should be able to buy energy from regionally produced renewable sources.
"Minnesota imports more electricity than any other state.  Minnesota also
gets most of its electricity from coal-powered plants which emit mercury."
says Risser.  "Our energy requirements offer us the opportunity to build
the foundation for a strong society by investing in basic needs."  Berger
agrees and wants to see a "Green Audit" approach to Minnesota's energy
use. "We can encourage our cities and counties to invest in locally owned
wind, water, and solar generators. Federal and state laws require existing
power utilities to buy all electric energy that small power producers
offer for sale."

Currently, the majority of energy generated in Minnesota comes from
environmentally unfriendly large coal and nuclear power plants.  "Most
Minnesotans want a clean energy alternative that is sustainable and
economical" stated Pond. "I'm optimistic that as a nation we are ready to
transition away from a war economy.  When we do, this region will benefit.
We have the political and financial clout to finance the building of a new
energy infrastructure. To do so would create jobs while accommodating our
region's potential for wind energy production."

All three candidates also support a unified federal and state transit
policy that invests in efficient and clean transportation options.  "We
must reduce single occupancy vehicle usage, curb gasoline consumption, and
reduce pollutants," stated Pond.  A workable mass transit system is only
one piece of this investment puzzle, however.  "We need to invest in basic
infrastructure - encourage pedestrian friendly communities," stated
Risser. "In my neighborhood children who live three blocks from school are
bused due to lack of sidewalks and signage."  Berger points out "Our local
communities can help reduce our dependency on foreign, polluting, oil. We
need an investment program for local governments that encourages the use
of hybrid vehicles," stated Berger.  "We can have clean energy if we
invest in local control."

Dave Berger, an instructor of sociology at Inver Hills Community College,
was the endorsed Green Party candidate for State Auditor in 2002,
garnering nearly 4 percent of the statewide vote.  This election cycle a
5% statewide showing for his candidacy would allow the Green Party major
party status in Minnesota. Information on Berger's campaign can be found
at www.daveberger.org or call 612-338-3630

Julie Risser, Adjunct Faculty at the University of St. Thomas, is focusing
her campaign on energy independence, transit, and education. For more
information www.VoteRisser4Senate.com or call 952-927-7538

Jay Pond received 6% of the vote in 2004 for 5th District House seat. He
has since spent 6 months living in Washington observing and reporting on
Minnesota's delegation in Congress - particularly Mr. Sabo's work on the
Appropriations Committee.  For more information: www.jaypond.com or call
612-220-5050

A press conference for these three candidates will be held at the State
Office Building 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., in St. Paul,
Press Conference Room (Room 181 across from Secretary of State Office)
10am Tuesday, March 21st.  For more information please contact any of the
above


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From: JOHN A SAMUELSON <vikingjohn [at] juno.com>
Subject: Republican is becoming a dirty word

I apologize to all my friends who are republican but more and more people
in our country, and in fact, all over the world are blaming the americans,
when it's really just the republicans plus some democrats that are sucking
up, that are bringing war, its accompanying deaths and injuries to
hundreds of thousands, and the resulting terrorism from a desperate people
who have no other way to fight back. They expect to control the oil, the
currency of the world, and the politics, and will do anything it takes to
accomplish their objectives set up at the PNAC meetings in 1997.

After fraudulantly seizing office in 2000 through the voting machines that
can change the wishes of the voters, and the intimidation tactics used in
Florida and other states, plus a republican supreme court that stepped in
and awarded the election to Bush, the republicans have manipulated and
conducted events that have handed them dictatorial control over our
formerly free nation.

It didn't help when Gore, as head of the senate, backed off from
protesting the results of that obviously controlled election process in
2000 even though the citizens were protesting those results.

It didn't help when all the democrats except one blindly approved the
patriot act that has given unbridled power to a president that doesn't
seem to have a care for the welfare of our citizens and the future of our
country or our world. And just this week those powers were extended with
little opposition. Even when the illegal spying has been exposed, our
esteemed politicians don't seem to understand that we have lost so much of
our freedoms under this budding dictatorship and are willing to let it
happen.

They don't ask why internment camps are being set up in various parts of
the country, that are equipped to handle hundreds of thousands of people.
Where are the concerned republicans?

Now our leaders are all coming out aggressively against Iran threatening
an attack and flooding us with propaganda to warp our minds into
supporting yet another war which they deem necessary because Iran
threatens to go off the dollar to the euro on their oil transactions. They
are already bogged down in two conflicts that they are nowhere near
winning and our dollars are running out. Our current debt is the highest
in our history. Our current administration has borrowed more money than
all the other administrations before, put together. We have never been
closer to financial collapse. Where are the sane republicans?

When some of us had questions about what really happened on 9/11, the
phoney investigation came up with no new evidence or answers other than
what they fed us on 9/12. All evidence was classified as is all
information requested from this most secretive government in our history.
We are supposed to believe without question the answers they give us even
though they defy reason.

When information leaks out there is a overwhelming attack launched against
the source. When members of their own party don't follow the party line
tremendous pressure is used to threaten them until they slink back in
concordance.

So now, going along with the actions of these people who seem intent on
bringing down our country and burdening us with the hate of the world and
with the greatest debt in our history, without protest or concern, seems
to put a stain on the republicans who keep on supporting this destruction.
Where are the intelligent republicans?

This way beyond politics, friends, and we must join hands and put a stop
to it. We must bring impeachment proceedings against this group. We must
put pressure on our congress to join the 19 courageous representatives who
are demanding action on just such a bill. There are so many reasons to
support impeachment, each one is sufficient in itself. Please encourage
your friends to join in support. This is the biggest crisis our nation has
ever faced. Your lack of action will cost our children dearly.

John A. Samuelson, Disabled veteran


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[PolyPsySp] Dictionary of Republicanisms

abstinence-only sex education n. Ignorance-only sex education [Wayne
Martorelli, Lawrenceville, NJ].

alternative energy sources n. New locations to drill for gas and oil
[Peter Scholz, Fort Collins, Colo.].

bankruptcy n. A punishable crime when committed by poor people but not
corporations [Beth Thielen, Studio City, Calif.].

"burning bush" n. A biblical allusion to the response of the President of
the United States when asked a question by a journalist who has not been
paid to inquire [Bill Moyers, New York, NY].

Cheney, Dick n. The greater of two evils [Jacob McCullar, Austin, Tex.].

China n. See Wal-Mart [Rebecca Solnit, San Francisco, Calif.].

class warfare n. Any attempt to raise the minimum wage [Don Zweir,
Grayslake, Ill.].

climate change n. The blessed day when the blue states are swallowed by
the oceans [Ann Klopp, Princeton, NJ].

compassionate conservatism n. Poignant concern for the very wealthy
[Lawrence Sandek, Twin Peaks, Calif.].

creationism n. Pseudoscience that claims George W. Bush's resemblance to
a chimpanzee is totally coincidental [Brian Sweeney, Providence, RI].

DeLay, Tom n. 1. Past tense of De Lie [Rick Rodstrom, Los Angeles,
Calif.]. 2. Patronage saint [Andrew Magni, Nonatum, Mass.].

democracy n. A product so extensively exported that the domestic supply
is depleted [Michael Schwartz, unknown].

dittohead n. An Oxy(contin)moron [Zydeco Boudreaux, Gretna, La.].

energy independence n. The caribou witness relocation program [Justin
Rezzonico, Keene, Ohio].

extraordinary rendition n. Outsourcing torture [Milton Feldon, Laguna
Woods, Calif.].

faith n. The stubborn belief that God approves of Republican moral values
despite the preponderance of textual evidence to the contrary [Matthew
Polly, Topeka, Kans.].

Fox News fict. Faux news [Justin Rezzonico, Keene, Ohio].

free markets n. Halliburton no-bid contracts at taxpayer expense [Sean
O'Brian, Chicago, Ill.].

girly men n. Males who do not grope women inappropriately [Nick Gill,
Newton, Mass.].

God n. Senior presidential adviser [Martin Richard, Belgrade, Mont.].

growth n. 1. The justification for tax cuts for the rich. 2. What happens
to the national debt when Republicans cut taxes on the rich [Matthew
Polly, Topeka, Kans.].

habeas corpus n. Archaic. (Lat.) Legal term no longer in use (See Patriot
Act) [Josh Wanstreet, Nutter Fort, WV].

healthy forest n. No tree left behind [Dan McWilliams, Santa Barbara,
Calif.].

homelandism n. A neologism for love of the Homeland Security State, as in
"My Homeland, 'tis of thee, sweet security state of liberty..." [Tom
Engelhardt, New York, NY].

honesty n. Lies told in simple declarative sentences--e.g., "Freedom is
on the march" [Katrina vanden Heuvel, New York, NY].

House of Representatives n. Exclusive club; entry fee $1 million to $5
million (See Senate) [Adam Hochschild, San Francisco, Calif.].

laziness n. When the poor are not working [Justin Rezzonico, Keene,
Ohio].

leisure time n. When the wealthy are not working [Justin Rezzonico,
Keene, Ohio].

liberal(s) n. Followers of the Antichrist [Ann Wegher, Montello, Wisc.].

Miller, Zell n. The man who shot and killed Alexander Hamilton after a
particularly tough interview on Hardball [Drew Dillion, Arlington, Va.].

neoconservatives n. Nerds with Napoleonic complexes [Matthew Polly,
Topeka, Kans.].

9/11 n. Tragedy used to justify any administrative policy, especially if
unrelated (See Deficit, Iraq War) [Dan Mason, Durham, NH].

No Child Left Behind riff. 1. v. There are always jobs in the military
[Ann Klopp, Princeton, NJ]. 2. n. The rapture [Samantha Hess, Cottonwood,
Ariz.].

ownership society n. A civilization where 1 percent of the population
controls 90 percent of the wealth [Michael Albert, Piscataway, NJ].

Patriot Act n. 1. The pre-emptive strike on American freedoms to prevent
the terrorists from destroying them first. 2. The elimination of one of
the reasons why they hate us [Michael Thomas, Socorro, NM].

pro-life adj. Valuing human life up until birth [Kevin Weaver, San
Francisco, Calif.].

Senate n. Exclusive club; entry fee $10 million to $30 million [Adam
Hochschild, San Francisco, Calif.].

simplify v. To cut the taxes of Republican donors [Katrina vanden Heuvel,
New York, NY].

staying the course interj. Slang. Saying and doing the same stupid thing
over and over, regardless of the result [Suzanne Smith, Ann Arbor,
Mich.].

stuff happens interj. Slang. Donald Rumsfeld as master historian [Sheila
and Chalmers Johnson, San Diego, Calif.].

voter fraud n. A significant minority turnout [Sue Bazy, Philadelphia,
Pa.].

Wal-Mart n. The nation-state, future tense [Rebecca Solnit, San
Francisco, Calif.].

water n. Arsenic storage device [Joy Losee, Gainesville, Ga.].

woman n. 1. Person who can be trusted to bear a child but can't be
trusted to decide whether or not she wishes to have thechild. 2. Person
who must have all decisions regarding her reproductive functions made by
men with whom she wouldn't want to have sex in the first place [Denise
Clay, Philadelphia, Pa.].


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Lessons of Iraq War Start With US History
By Howard Zinn
The Progressive
Tuesday 14 March 2006

On the third anniversary of President Bush's Iraq debacle, it's important
to consider why the administration so easily fooled so many people into
supporting the war.

I believe there are two reasons, which go deep into our national culture.

One is an absence of historical perspective. The other is an inability to
think outside the boundaries of nationalism.

If we don't know history, then we are ready meat for carnivorous
politicians and the intellectuals and journalists who supply the carving
knives. But if we know some history, if we know how many times presidents
have lied to us, we will not be fooled again.

President Polk lied to the nation about the reason for going to war with
Mexico in 1846. It wasn't that Mexico "shed American blood upon the
American soil" but that Polk, and the slave-owning aristocracy, coveted
half of Mexico.

President McKinley lied in 1898 about the reason for invading Cuba, saying
we wanted to liberate the Cubans from Spanish control, but the truth is
that he really wanted Spain out of Cuba so that the island could be open
to United Fruit and other American corporations. He also lied about the
reasons for our war in the Philippines, claiming we only wanted to
"civilize" the Filipinos, while the real reason was to own a valuable
piece of real estate in the far Pacific, even if we had to kill hundreds
of thousands of Filipinos to accomplish that.

President Wilson lied about the reasons for entering the First World War,
saying it was a war to "make the world safe for democracy," when it was
really a war to make the world safe for the rising American power.

President Truman lied when he said the atomic bomb was dropped on
Hiroshima because it was "a military target."

And everyone lied about Vietnam - President Kennedy about the extent of
our involvement, President Johnson about the Gulf of Tonkin and President
Nixon about the secret bombing of Cambodia. They all claimed the war was
to keep South Vietnam free of communism, but really wanted to keep South
Vietnam as an American outpost at the edge of the Asian continent.

President Reagan lied about the invasion of Grenada, claiming falsely that
it was a threat to the United States.

The elder Bush lied about the invasion of Panama, leading to the death of
thousands of ordinary citizens in that country. And he lied again about
the reason for attacking Iraq in 1991 - hardly to defend the integrity of
Kuwait, rather to assert U.S. power in the oil-rich Middle East.

There is an even bigger lie: the arrogant idea that this country is the
center of the universe, exceptionally virtuous, admirable, superior.

If our starting point for evaluating the world around us is the firm
belief that this nation is somehow endowed by Providence with unique
qualities that make it morally superior to every other nation on Earth,
then we are not likely to question the president when he says we are
sending our troops here or there, or bombing this or that, in order to
spread our values - democracy, liberty, and let's not forget free
enterprise - to some God-forsaken (literally) place in the world.

But we must face some facts that disturb the idea of a uniquely virtuous
nation.

We must face our long history of ethnic cleansing, in which the U.S.
government drove millions of Indians off their land by means of massacres
and forced evacuations.

We must face our long history, still not behind us, of slavery,
segregation and racism.

And we must face the lingering memory of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

It is not a history of which we can be proud.

Our leaders have taken it for granted, and planted the belief in the minds
of many people that we are entitled, because of our moral superiority, to
dominate the world. Both the Republican and Democratic Parties have
embraced this notion.

But what is the idea of our moral superiority based on?

A more honest estimate of ourselves as a nation would prepare us all for
the next barrage of lies that will accompany the next proposal to inflict
our power on some other part of the world.

It might also inspire us to create a different history for ourselves, by
taking our country away from the liars who govern it, and by rejecting
nationalist arrogance, so that we can join people around the world in the
common cause of peace and justice.
-
Howard Zinn, who served as a bombardier in the Air Force in World War II,
is the author of "A People's History of the United States" (HarperCollins,
1995). He is also the co-author, with Anthony Arnove, of "Voices of a
People's History of the United States" (Seven Stories Press, 2004).


--------21 of 21--------

Venezuela in Washington's Sights
by Salim Lamrani
ZNet - Mar 11, 2006
http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=45&ItemID=9893

Washington's hostile policy towards the government of Venezuela's
President Hugo Chávez gains increasingly worrying momentum. In a recent
document, the Pentagon called the "resurgence of authoritarian and
populist movement in some countries like Venezuela [a] source of political
and economic instability". Such a statement is even more worrying, since
the US Defence Department hardly ever cites countries in its strategic
study (Quarterly Defence Review), published every four years; that
department only limits itself to address general tendencies [1].

Some days before, US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, had compared Hugo
Chavez to Hitler before Washington's National Press Club: "In Venezuela,
we have Chavez, who possesses lots of money that stem from oil. He was
legally elected, as Hitler was. Then, he has consolidated his power and is
now working along Fidel Castro, Mister Morales and others ", he said. [2].
"We have seen how some populist leaders have attracted the people in those
countries, as well as elections such as that of Evo Morales in Bolivia,
which are clearly worrying" he concluded [3].

Venezuela's response was not long awaited. Vice-president José Vicente
Rangel strongly condemned Rumsfeld aggressive statements: "We are not
willing to passively accept that our government [...] be attacked with
impunity by people who are fully disqualified from the political, moral
and ethical points of view, as the gang of the US Hitler, George Bush "
[4].

In the same direction, the director of intelligence services John
Negroponte, accused Venezuela of "launching a militant foreign policy in
Latin America, which includes the supply of oil at preferential prices in
exchange for allies". At the same time, he stigmatized the international
TV channel Telesur, whose role is that of breaking the CNN supremacy in
the continent. He told a senate committee that "Venezuela is the main
challenge to security in the hemisphere" and that Washington's priority is
to block at any price the re-election of Hugo Chavez in December, 2006. At
last, he threatened Bolivia, which "continues to give ambiguous signs
about its intentions" [5].

"The militant foreign policy" advocated by John Negroponte refers to
Venezuela's solidarity cooperation, which allows many poor nations in the
region to purchase fuel at preferential tariffs. The Prime Minister of
Grenada, Keith Mitchell, signed an energy cooperation agreement with
President Hugo Chávez, which stipulates the supply of 1,000 barrels of oil
daily with a 50 percent discount over the market price. Venezuela has also
send a group of military and civil engineers to Grenada in order to repair
schools damaged by hurricanes. The integration model promoted by the
Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA), fully contrary to the
ultra-liberal and destruction-oriented Free Trade Area of the Americas
(FTAA), has strongly irritated the White House [6].

In the face of open threats by the Bush administration, Venezuela has
decided to reinforce its defence capacity by purchasing fighter aircrafts
in Spain. But, Washington has prohibited the José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero
government to sell Venezuela the military equipment, outfitted with US
technology, since the total sale calculated in 2 billion dollars could
"contribute to the destabilization of Latin America", according to Sean
McCormack, spokesperson of the US State Department [7]. Also in that same
direction, Brazil rejected the US prohibition by stating that it would
proceed to sell 20 planes to Venezuela [8].

According to Washington, the sale of weapons to Venezuela would imply the
risk of regional destabilization. McCormark explains that the "concerns
focus on what we consider an exaggerated militarization of Venezuela" [9].

Meanwhile, the US company Lockheed Martin has just released several F-16
planes to Chile and it expects to send another eight of those planes to
that country this year. Chile now possesses the most modern aircraft fleet
in Latin America with that posing no inconvenience for the Bush
administration, which is only obsessed about the progressive reforms
undertaken by Caracas [10].

Along with the significant purchase of necessary weapons for the defence
of his nation (100,000 infantry guns and 15 helicopters purchased in
Russia), President Chávez has decided to create an army with one million
volunteers in order to face an eventual US military invasion of Venezuela.
The Bolivarian government has decided to follow the Cuban example in terms
of its preparation for war. "Why did the gringos invade half of the world
except Cuba? In Cuba all the people [are ready] and trained to defend each
corner of their national territory and the Cuban Revolution", said Chávez
[11].

The United States have also launched a campaign of espionage and promotion
of internal subversion by using its embassy in Caracas, with the aim of
destabilizing the country, which has increasingly experienced social
advancements achieved by the Chávez government. "Some low-ranking officers
used to provide the Pentagon with information", said the Venezuelan
Vice-president. US military attaché John Correa, who had made contact with
those officers to conspire against Venezuelan authorities, was expelled
from the country [12]. As to the Venezuelan military, they were all tried
for having cooperated with a foreign power [13].

In retaliation, Washington declared Jenny Figueredo Frias, head of the
cabinet of Venezuelan ambassador to Washington Bernardo Alvarez, person
non grata and, at the same time, admitted that it was an arbitrary
measure: "This decision is in response to the expelling by Venezuela of
Commander John Correa, naval attaché at the US embassy in Caracas", said
the spokesperson of the US State Department [14].

Tony Blair, a loyal and unconditional ally of the Bush administration
proved his full subordination to Washington during a weekly session of the
British Parliament. Labor party parliamentarian Colin Burgon faced the
Prime Minister: "I am sure that your share the satisfaction many labor
party lawmakers feel about the left-oriented shift of Latin America [with
the coming to power of ] governments that fight for the interests of the
majority and not for the interests of a minority". Later, he asked Blair:
"Would you agree that it would be bad for us to admit that our policy
towards those countries, especially nations like Venezuela, be drawn up by
the rightist republican agenda of the US government?" [15].

In a surprising way, Anthony Blair replied: "Up to certain extent", in an
attempt to justify his statement by affirming that it was "important that
the Venezuelan government should understand that if it wants the respect
of the international community, it must abide by the rules of the
international community". Evidently, we have to understand that
"international community" here means "the United States", whose "rules"
must be enforced with no discussion at all. For Prime Minister Blair, the
sovereignty of Britain ends where US interests begin [16].

Washington's concern is currently based on Hugo Chávez, since he
symbolizes Latin America's political renovation by using national
resources in the benefit of less favoured social classes. The Venezuelan
government has just approved an impressive salary increase for public
officials, which ranges from + 34 percent to + 61,8 percent and that
stands for a 47 percent average increase. The Venezuelan government also
raised minimum salaries for private employees up to 15 percent. Since the
year 2000, the minimum salary in Venezuela has been raised each year from
20 to 30 percent. All the population has been benefited with incomes
stemming from the country's economic growth, which went up to 9,4 percent
in 2005 [17].

In contrast, in France, the fifth World power with a highly praised social
model, the salaries of public officials was only raised by 1 percent in
2005. Private sector wages registered a 0,6 percent increase in real terms
(2,8 percent increase minus 2,2 percent inflation). "21st Century
socialism", promoted by President Chávez is not to be applied soon in
France, where the government has undertaken a merciless anti-social policy
since 2002 [18].

In the same way, one billion bolivares (Venezuelan currency) was destined
to the "Barrio Adentro III" mission, a government-led free-of-charge and
universal medical program. The money will allow the purchase of 30,932
medical equipment (ambulances and others). The fund, which stems from an
oil surplus, is directly invested in the social sector [19].

The only-of-its-kind public health system developed in Venezuela thanks,
among other factors to the assistance given by 15,000 Cuban doctors, has
allowed for 163 million medical consultations; that is, 8 consultations
per person. The "Barrio Adentro I" mission has saved 31,186 lives thanks
to the setting up of 1,012 popular medical offices in the poorest regions,
which will be joined by another 20, 359 similar facilities. The "Barrio
Adentro II" mission has created 100 integral diagnosis centers, which
provide comprehensive medical assistance; while another 500 similar
centres are being built throughout the country. At last, with the
implementation of the "Miracle Mission" led by Cuba, more than 176,000
Venezuelans who had lost their sight as a consequence of cataracts, were
submitted to free-of-charge eye surgery by Cuban specialists [20].

Unemployment has continued to decrease in Venezuela from 13,2 percent in
June 2005 down to 11,4 percent in December that year. The efficient
government policy has allowed 367,199 people to find a job [21].

UNESCO recognized the outstanding social achievements of the Bolivarian
Revolution by awarding President Hugo Chávez the José Martí International
Prize. The distinction stresses the efforts made by Chávez in favour of
Latin American and Caribbean unity, as well as the preservation of
regional identities, traditions and cultures [22]. In effect, Venezuela
provides its neighbors with oil at preferential tariffs, as well as some
US zones, such as Vermont, Maine and Rhode Island. Inhabitants of those
regions, abadonmed by the Bush administration, will be able to purchase
fuel at 40-percent subsidized tariffs by Venezuela's Citgo subsidiary.
"That will translate into the saving of some million dollars for the
people of Vermont", said Erin Campbell, spokesman of Vermont [23].

On February 6, the Bush administration released its budget project for
2007, which includes significant increase in funds for the defence,
internal security and foreign affairs. The US defence budget surpasses all
records with a total of 439,3 billion dollars; that translates into a
6,9-percent rise respect to last year. At the same time, the budgets
dedicated to health, justice, education and other sectors were drastically
decreased. For instance, 141 social programs will undergo reductions or be
interrupted. A 65-billion-dollar reduction is expected to affect the
Medicare program, which provides medical attention to the elderly or
physically impaired people. Pensions are also be deeply affected. Two
contrary models of society face each other, the one in Caracas and the
other in Washington. In the first the wellbeing of the population is at
the center of the national program, while in the other, the development of
the military industrial complex continues to be the absolute prioritiy
[24].

While the Bush administration is willing to do just about anything in
order to avoid a new electoral victory by Hugo Chávez on December 3, 2006,
Venezuela continues to implement reforms aimed at further improving the
standard of living of the population. Its prestige in the continent is
proportionally direct to the twilight of US influence in the region. The
reason for that is quite simple: while Venezuela has destined 28 billion
dollars in terms of external assistance for its neighbors for a seven-year
term--an annual average of 3,6 billion dollars--, the United States has
announced a massive decrease of its contribution for the year 2007, with a
28,5-percent fall in the assistance for the development of Latin America
and the Caribbean, a 10-percent fall in medical assistance and an
11-pecent decrease of its financial contribution to the Organization of
American States (OAS). Messages also opposed each other in this area:
Caracas contributes 3,6 billion dollars annually as part of its assistance
for Latin America, while Washington expects to decrease its 1,2
billion-dollar economic support [25].

The Bolivarian government successfully challenges the neo-liberal
doctrine, which is unsustainable in social, economic and political terms
and that explains the anger of the White House. Despite several
aggressions and threats coming from the U.S., President Chávez launched
signs of opening to Washington by saying: "If they change that attitude,
we will respond in the same way. Everything can be improved [...] if they
show respect for our sovereignty, respect for our decisions". However, is
not very probable that reason and dialog lie in the heart of the
belligerent Bush administration [26].

Notes

[1] Pablo Bachelet, "El Pentágono califica a Chávez de desafío a la
seguridad de EE.UU.", El Nuevo Herald, February 11, 2006.

[2] " Donald Rumsfeld compare le président vénézuelien Chávez á Hitler ",
Agence France Presse, February 2, 2006.

[3] "Rumsfeld compara a Chávez con Hitler", El Nuevo Herald, February 3,
2006.

[4] "Vicepresidente venezolano dice que Bush es el "Hitler de EEUU"", El
Nuevo Herald, February 3, 2006.

[5] " Le président Hugo Chávez expulse un attaché militaire américain á
Caracas ", Marie Delcas, Le Monde, February 4, 2006. " Negroponte acusa a
Chávez de injerencia en otros países ", El Nuevo Herald, February 2006

[6] "Venezuela enviará 1.000 barriles diarios de petróleo a Grenada ", El
Nuevo Herald, February 17, 2006. [Editor's note: The agreement with
Grenada is the same as with other Caribbean nations and does not involve
discounts, but the possibility of financing up to 50% of the cost of oil
shipments over 25 years at an interest rate that can drop to as low as
1%.]

[7] "Spain's Planes for Chávez Can't Use U.S. Components", Phil Gunson &
Pablo Bachelet, The Miami Herald, January 14, 2006.

[8] "Embraer venderá aviones a Venezuela pese a la oposición de EE.UU", El
Nuevo Herald, January 20, 2006.

[9] "Washington: Venezuela wants to have a one-million-man militia",
Nestor Ikeda, El Nuevo Herald, January 20, 2006.

[10] "La nueva flota chilena recibe potentes aviones de caza F16", El
Nuevo Herald, February 1, 2006.

[11] "Chávez dice que seguirá ejemplo cubano con EEUU ", El Nuevo Herald,
January 17, 2006.

[12] "Officers Accused of U.S. Contact", Associated Press, January 26,
2006.

[13] "Chávez: " los tenemos infiltrados ", BBC Mundo January 31, 2006.

[14] "Se agrava la crisis entre Caracas y Washington", El Nuevo Herald,
February 4, 2006.

[15] "Chávez acusa a Blair de "inmoral"", El Nuevo Herald, February 9,
2006.

[16] Ibid.

[17] "Incrementan salarios de empleados públicos en Venezuela", El Nuevo
Herald, February 13, 2006.

[18] "Salaires de base dans le secteur privé et dans la fonction publique
d'Etat, troisiéme trimestre 2005", INSEE Conjoncture, January 10, 2006,
n°14.

[19] "Presidente aprueba casi Bs. 1 millardo para Barrio Adentro III",
Agencia Bolivariana de Noticias, February 5, 2006.

[20] "Chávez: Barrio Adentro consolida Sistema Único Nacional de Salud",
Agencia Bolivariana de Noticias, February 5, 2006.

[21] " Baja desempleo en Venezuela ", El Nuevo Herald, February 10, 2006.

[22] "Recibe Hugo Chávez en La Habana Premio Internacional otorgado por la
UNESCO", Granma, February 3, 2006 (Website consulted on February 4, 2006).

[23] "Vermont se apresta a comprar petróleo barato a Venezuela", El Nuevo
Herald, January 19, 2006.

[24] "Budget 2007: George Bush veut réduire les dépenses sociales au
profit de la défense", Le Monde, February 6, 2006.

[25] "Chávez Making Friends While Bush Earning Enmity", Andres
Oppenheimer, The Miami Herald, February 9, 2006. [Editor's note: The
external assistance mentioned here does not consist of direct aid or
grants, but mostly of loans, such as the purchase of Argentinean bonds.
The figure cited by Oppenheimer is somewhat exaggerated, though.]

[26] "Chávez pide respeto para cambiar relación con EE.UU.", El Nuevo
Herald, February 10, 2006.

[There was a time, long ago, when the US was the hope of the world. Now
it's Venezeula and several other Latin countries. Of course the US
billionaire ruling class will do all it can to destroy this hope, and end
democracy and freedom worldwide. Our "enemies" don't hate freedom and
democracy - our ruling class does. We celebrate them having so much money
they can enslave us - ah, the American Dream. Everything for them, nothing
for us. -ed]


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