Tom Hayden's Blog, page 60

Hayden to Lead PDA Strategy on Ending Wars

As we try to end the grinding wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Tom Hayden will be joining PDA as the lead person providing analysis and suggestions to the PDA network across America.

Shakespeare on the Republican Candidates: A Witch's Brew

Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing,--
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.

Shakespeare on the Republican Candidates

Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing,--
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.

Slow Burn on the Wisconsin Front

Paul Buhle writes from Madison, WI, in Dissent Magazine, "the interesting thing is that the discussion level of 'what the Recall means' remains very low, by contrast to all those places where 95% of lefties do zero but burn up the internet with pointless discussions." He adds that "the next confrontation here will likely be December 19, with Solidarity Sing-a-longers hauled away by Capitol police (those once-friendly fellows) for the crime of song! Or maybe the governor won't want the embarrassment. We'll see... first hand."

Paul Buhle: Why Is Wisconsin Different?

At this writing, as organized signature-gathering groups and thousands of individual collectors press onward, a recall election for Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and his hapless lieutenant, Rebecca Kleefisch, now seems certain. Perhaps, as John Nichols comments, the most amazing development is the furious pace of signature collecting in small towns and rural areas, even those heavy with votes for Walker only thirteen months ago. The process of recall is assured, Republicans admit, and soon the multi- (perhaps mega-) million dollar election race, with progressives lined up against Walker and his corporate backers, will begin.

A Decade After Seattle, Stopping the One Percent

As this brilliant analysis by Deborah James makes clear, the decade of popular efforts since Seattle have failed to radically reform much less stop the lethal energy of the World Trade Organization from grinding on.

Assange Wins Another Right to Appeal, Australian Senator Asks if Obama Discussed WikiLeaks During Visit to Australia

The British High Court has granted WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange the right to appeal to the UK's Supreme Court in his extradition case, seeking a ruling on whether Stockholm's public prosecutor is an independent judicial authority as required by international law. The decision on whether to grant a new hearing is expected in two weeks.

Pepper spray safe? We still don't know

The pepper-spraying of 11 peaceful protesters at the University of California, Davis, provides an opportunity to reopen questions long ignored. Is oleoresin capsicum, the key ingredient of pepper spray, known to be safe? And if so, why have the authorities never performed the health risk assessments that were required by law when the weapon was introduced in 1992? Are they afraid of anything?

U.S. Senate Urges an "Expedited" Afghanistan Withdrawal

The Senate, on Wednesday, called for an "expedited drawdown" of US troops from Afghanistan in an amendment to the FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act. The amendment, offered by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and 20 co-sponsors, was adopted by voice vote, as Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) shouted "no."

The Morning After

Last night's LAPD raid is a tough story to convey. Polar opposite views of the same reality.