Tom Hayden's Blog, page 35

The Violence of Globalization

As the US departs Afghanistan, cries will be heard about abandoning Afghan women to the Taliban. While not a justification for the war and occupation, the question exposes a double standard in America’s national security policy. The spiral of killing and abuse of women is not a “security” threat by current definitions, and the slaughter of those innocent women by America’s enemies is said to be far worse than the same killings by America’s strategic allies.

Progressing Into 2013

Progressive Democrats need a five-year perspective to span an agenda for the Obama era, and because that is the likely time needed to get five rational votes on the Supreme Court.

A Letter to Progressive Democrats

Progressive Democrats need a five-year perspective to span an agenda for the Obama era, and because that is the likely time needed to get five rational votes on the Supreme Court.

'Bug Splat': Think Tank, Rep. Ellison Call for Drone Reform

The Council on Foreign Relations issued a report this week calling for fundamental reforms in US drone policies, surfacing sharp differences in official circles in response to widespread questioning and protest. Micah Zenko writes in the Council Special Report that the Pentagon and CIA use the term “bug splat” in referring to their civilian collateral damage methodology. The acronym MALE is employed to describe “medium altitude long-endurance” drone technologies of the future.

Drone Policy Attacked in Top Think Tank Report

The Council on Foreign Relations issued a report this week calling for fundamental reforms in US drone policies, surfacing sharp differences in official circles in response to widespread questioning and protest. Micah Zenko writes in the Council Special Report that the Pentagon and CIA use the term “bug splat” in referring to their civilian collateral damage methodology. The acronym MALE is employed to describe “medium altitude long-endurance” drone technologies of the future.

Tom Hayden on Drones

Tom Hayden looks at the questionable legal backing and strategic justifications for the US drone assassination program.

Christmas Lessons From Hanoi

Today’s peaceful Hanoi, alight with Christmas ornaments, was the scene of a decisive battle forty years ago this week, one which the Pentagon prefers to forget. I will be there this week to take part in the restoration of memory and reflect on how wars end.

A Gospel of Incarnation

The lasting meaning of Jesus is that he is incarnate. No matter how the kings, pharaohs, inquisitors, torturers, bankers and scribbling servants of power try to distort, demonize and destroy his spirit, the meaning always is among us. 

Zapatistas Return as Uncertain Mexican Era Begins

On December 21 tourists waiting for the end of the world instead found themselves witnessing the resurgence of the Zapatista resistance movement in Chiapas, Mexico. 40,000 masked members of the indigenous rebel movement marched through Chiapas in complete silence with no commanders of the movement making themselves obvious or prominent. The march was the Zapatistas’ first major public demonstration since May 2011, when they participated in protests against the Drug War in solidarity with poet Javier Sicilia’s peace movement.

Hawks Elected in Cold War Against China

The US cold war against China gained momentum last week with the election of a former dictator’s daughter in South Korea and a hawkish nationalist in Japan, both with American support. “The sighs of relief in Washington have almost been audible,” the New York Times reported. In both countries, voters turned down peace candidates “who raised at least some alarms in Washington.”