Tom Hayden's Blog, page 25

Saul Landau, R.I.P.

I visited Saul in his Alameda home a couple of days ago. As you know, he is dying - rapidly. His eyes, his brain, his spirit all are there, but the body is breaking down and giving way to the inevitable. He is surrounded by family who read books to him make sure that final thoughts are expressed. He's heard that the Cubans have given him an award. He keeps spinning out wild proposals, the latest being that Cuba should offer to take in the Guantanamo detainees in exchange for the US closing the prison and withdrawing from the island. The Cuban ambassador was respectful enough to call Saul and explain that Cuba would not be doing that. 

On "The Rise of the New New Left"

Peter Beinart's essay, "The Rise of the New New Left" will be extremely influential as political people contemplate the 2016 post-Obama electoral universe. The article is a long must-read, but in summary, Beinart argues that the new political generation, which came of age amidst Wall Street's Great Recession, is going to support populist government remedies to the economic crisis that is leaving them behind. Their preferred presidential candidate is going to be Sen. Elizabeth Warren, if she runs, not Hillary Clinton, unless she turns left. 

9/11 Reflections

[image error]There has been relatively little alarm in official circles about the approaching 9/11 calendar date. We are no closer to formally ending the wide-open Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) of that fateful time, and closer than ever to another war authorization in Syria. The official Long War doctrine authorizes the permanent spread of counter-terrorism operations, including drone wars and CIA paramilitary units, in multiple regions of the world.

Los Angeles Times' Syria Commentaries

[image error]After President Obama's speech, the Los Angeles Times published this commentary by Tom Hayden:

Fallout from Syria: Immigration Reform at Risk of Delay

Despite an impressive mass movement for immigration reform in the dead of summer, a top administration official wondered aloud to the Bulletin this week whether the Republican Party is able or willing to deliver on the issue. 

Russia Proposes, Syria Agrees to Shutdown of Chemical Arsenal

As an alternative to US military intervention, Russia and Syria have agreed on a plan to place Syrian chemical weapons under international control and destroy them. The proposal would provide the US government with a change to "win without war" and give a major boost to peace forces seeking to block a Congressional war authorization. 

Russia, Syria Propose Shutdown of Chemical Arsenal

As an alternative to US military intervention, Russia and Syria have agreed on a plan to place Syrian chemical weapons under international control and destroy them. The proposal would provide the US government with a change to "win without war" and give a major boost to peace forces seeking to block a Congressional war authorization. 

Syria Emergency Letter to Congress

The Progressive Democrats of America originally sent this emergency letter to Congress out on September 4, 2013. Please join Tom and the PDA in this letter drop by downloading Tom's letter, editing with your name, the name of your Representative or Senator and your chapter (if you are in one).

Once you have delivered it then please contact PDA. They will let their phone and fax teams know that the letter has been dropped. 

Thank you,

The Peace and Justice Resource Center

Fooled Again Into Wider War?

The resolution in favor of American intervention in Syria conceals an agenda for escalation far beyond, as a statement by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Robert Menendez described it, a “narrow” and “focused” US response to the chemical weapons attack on August 21st.

New Blows Against Drug War

In a policy turning point, the Obama administration is ending its pre-emptive marijuana prohibition policy towards states like Colorado and Washington states where legalization measures have been approved by voters. The decision is a victory for those opposing the multi-billion dollar militarized War on Drugs.