Tom Hayden's Blog, page 55

Stratfor Says Long War Threatens Republic

Stratfor, the journal of geo-strategic analysis, says the Long War is threatening the future of the republic.

The Failure of Gradualism in Afghanistan

Killing at least sixteen Afghan civilians as they slept. Urinating on dead Afghan bodies while laughing about it. Setting fire to their Korans. Day after day, a tired American public hears that these are just "isolated acts" and that these incidents "cast shadows" and "complicate" Washington's plan for a gradual withdrawal of troops over the next thirty-four months. We are told that the raging anger and distrust between many Afghan and American troops is a further sign that the steady plan is at risk.

Biden Sent to Central America to Shore Up U.S. Drug War

The message from the Obama White House was clear: No to the partial legalization of narcotics, Yes to the current, militarized drug war policy which has claimed tens of thousands of lives. While President Obama was dealing with the issue of Israeli tensions with Iran, Vice President Joe Biden travelled to Mexico and Central America on March 5 and 6 where he met with Mexico's presidential candidates and regional heads of state.

Protest Awakens Against Iran War

Our colleague, Tom Andrews, writes that he's worried about the rising danger of war with Iran, especially after sounding out his old Democratic allies in the House. I, too, have the sense that President Obama can be pushed this year into a war he doesn't want, according to a recent conversation with a House member.

The Peace Movement and the Drug War

The PJRC pays close attention to the Central and Latin American drug wars because of 50,000 deaths and social mayhem, catastrophic conditions in over-crowded prisons, US backing for murderous regimes such as Mexico's, and the creeping militarization by the DEA under the guise of assistance and counter-terrorism. As this excellent article by Ethan Nadelman, as well as the PJRC's Alci, indicates, Latin American opinion is swinging sharply towards alternatives including legalization of some drugs. One crucial need is for the American peace movement to criticize the US drug war south of the border where the death toll is ten times the US deaths in Iraq.

Taliban Guantanamo Prisoners Going to Qatar?

In an important diplomatic step reported by the Associated Press, a deal apparently has been reached to transfer five Taliban detainees from Guantanamo to Qatar, in a new effort to spur a peace process between the Afghan insurgents, the Karzai government, the US and NATO.

Taliban Guantanamo Prisoner Going to Qatar?

In an important diplomatic step reported by the Associated Press, a deal apparently has been reached to transfer five Taliban detainees from Guantanamo to Qatar, in a new effort to spur a peace process between the Afghan insurgents, the Karzai government, the US and NATO.

Ending the Afghanistan-Pakistan War, Preventing One with Iran

President Obama, in a prudent move, has relocated this May's G-8 (One Percent) summit from Chicago's unpredictable streets to the protected woods of Camp David, leaving NATO to face the demands of the peace movement in a more focused confrontation this May 18-19.

G-8 Withdraws From Chicago Summit: Thank You President Obama! Now End the War in Afghanistan

The breaking news is that President Obama has pulled a very volatile meeting of the G-8 out of Chicago and relocated the event in the relative safety and secrecy of Camp David.

CSU Charges Student $32,000 (!) for Door Prosecutor Says He Didn't Break

Readers may remember campus police battling, beating and arresting students protesting fee hikes at a CSU trustees meeting last November 16, 2011, and seeing television coverage of a door breaking. The original felony charges against one of the student protestors, Seth Newmeyer of UCLA, were dropped. But then the charges of "misdemeanor vandalism" and "failure to disperse" were reinstated – along with a required $32,000 restitution for the door he didn't break! $32,000 for a door? Here's the story and video account. To follow up, please sign Newmeyer's petition below: