March 2009

Demand Accountability for Torture

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A new report by a journalist who has seen a secret 2007 report by the International Committee of the Red Cross concludes:

“Beginning in the spring of 2002 the United States government began to torture prisoners. This torture, approved by the President of the United States and monitored in its daily unfolding by senior officials, including the nation’s highest law enforcement officer, clearly violated major treaty obligations of the United States, including the Geneva Conventions and read more

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Spring Break for Iraq

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By David Swanson

I’m honored to have been included in this event and applaud what Our Spring Break and DC Students for a Democratic Society are doing here in cold, wet Washington, D.C., for spring break.

We’re now at 6 years of bloody and horrific occupation of Iraq, and 7.5 years in Afghanistan. That means that most college students in the United States were not yet college students when this began. Opposing something that you grow up with takes more wisdom and more nerve, and yet read more

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Torture Revealed Yet Again

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By David Swanson

As with the evidence that Bush, Cheney, and gang intentionally lied us into a war, or the evidence of illegal and unconstitutional spying, each time a major new piece of evidence of torture emerges, it is impossible not to hope that this is the one that will compel the Justice Department or Congress or the courts or the American people to act decisively. Certainly I hope that, right now, the day after Mark Danner reported read more

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Vietnam If Kennedy Had Lived?

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“Virtual JFK” a film exploring the possible fate of Vietnam if Kennedy had lived, will be showing at Vinegar Hill Theatre on March 21 and 22 at 2:00 p.m. ONLY. Here’s a statement from the director, Koji Masutani:

From one end of the globe to another, across one sector to another we face crisis. From the global economy to international menaces, the President must lead the U.S. through thickets that involve complex and difficult challenges.

In matters of international affairs, how read more

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Electing Charlottesville City Council

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By David Swanson

Thus far there are three candidates for two Democratic nominations for Charlottesville City Council. Dave Norris is currently the mayor and is running for reelection on a strong agenda and record. The teeny bit I’ve been able to follow, he seems more than anyone to be leading worthwhile projects. He’s also in close touch with grassroots groups and advocates he should be in touch with. And he’s willing to take a stand. read more

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You Are Friends With an Atheist

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By David Swanson

If you live in the United States, you are almost certainly friends with at least one atheist, agnostic, nonbeliever, skeptic, or unaffiliated humanist, whether you know it or not. And your friend almost certainly endures prejudice and unequal treatment, whether you know it or not. And your friend is roughly as decent, good, loyal, honest, courageous, and generous as your other friends, and you know it.

The March 2009 American Religious Identification Survey from Trinity College read more

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Signing Statementing Our Way to Empire

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By David Swanson

President Obama’s second signing statement has generated a great deal of news coverage referring to it as his first. And the coverage largely suffers from the shadow of Obama’s predecessor (and of Bush’s fat sidekick), not to mention the shadow of Obama’s recent statement about signing statements.

Let’s get a few things out of the way: Obama has not abused power to the extent Bush and Cheney did, and he would have to work very hard to do so. I voted read more

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Rally in Richmond Va for Peace on 6th Anniversary of Iraq Invasion

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March 19, 2009, 5:30 p.m., Kanawha Plaza, Richmond, Virginia

We will gather in downtown Richmond to mark the 6th anniversary of the occupation of Iraq, with an action and rally to express support for a major shift in our country’s priorities.

The sponsoring coalition aims to draw attention to bloated U.S. spending on war and foreign occupations at this time of severe economic crisis.

The coalition calls for:

• Deep cuts in military spending and real funding for jobs, housing, schools, health read more

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