Tom Hayden's Blog, page 61

The Port Huron Statement @ 50 by Robert Cohen

The Port Huron Statement @ 50 by Robert Cohen, for a panel at the Miami Book Fair with Tom Hayden, Martha Prescod, and Norman Noonan, November 2011.

Karzai Seeks NATO Support for Another Ten Years

Afghan president Hamid Karzai is expected in Bonn, December 5, to appeal for another decade of international military support while a World Bank report describes his economy as a basket case.

Occupy Afghanistan or Occupy Wall Street?

The Occupy Wall Street uprising, and the economic crisis in general, places increased pressure on the US government to phase out the military interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan, draw back from the Pakistan abyss, and hesitate before sending more Special Forces across the world. There are signs that President Obama is weighing an increased American withdrawal before the November 2012 election, which causes intensified alarm among war hawks.

More U.S. Deaths from Air Pollution than Iraq, Afghanistan

"The business community and its Republican allies in Congress went to war" against proposed smog control rules, according to the New York Times account of November 17. They defeated the Obama administration's environmental officials, a "victory" for polluters projected to cause 7,200 annual American deaths which could have been avoided.

Why the Pepper Spray Spree Should End

The pepper spraying of eleven University of California (Davis) students is a startling visual revelation a pattern repeated over two decades, the widespread use of the potent chemical compound to subdue political protesters, prison inmates and numerous inner city youth, in spite of numerous warnings by health officials of potentially life-threatening effects. The Davis episode shows that pepper spray has become a weapon of choice even for University of California police.

Right-Wing Militarist Elected in Guatemala, Asks U.S. Assistance in Escalating Drug War

Central America's raging drug war is expected to escalate after the presidential election of Otto Perez-Molina, a right-wing general with past death-squad connections, who promises a "full-frontal assault" and is requesting direct US military assistance. Perez-Molina was dubbed "Guatemala's Answer to Leftist Latin America" by Univision News on September 14, 2011.

America's New Cold War With China

By declaring that he will dispatch 2,500 Marines to Australia, President Obama has crossed a line, beginning a new Cold War with China, one based on military encirclement on sea and land, costing unknown trillions in defense dollars, and shoring up cheap labor markets in a free trade zone excluding China. An increased emphasis on China's systemic human rights violations will provide a liberal rationale for the new global competition.

Senate, House Bills to Curb Afghanistan War

The Senate will vote soon on an amendment to speed up the withdrawal of US combat troops from Afghanistan, introduced as a "Sense of the Senate" resolution by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR). Co-sponsors include Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM), Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and two Republicans, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT).

In the House, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) is developing legislation to cut off funding for Afghanistan except as needed for the "safe and orderly" exit of American troops.

Senate Amendment Proposed to "Expedite Drawdown" of U.S. Troops from Afghanistan

The Senate will vote soon on an amendment to speed up the withdrawal of US combat troops from Afghanistan, introduced as a "Sense of the Senate" resolution by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR). Co-sponsors include Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM), Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and two Republicans, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT).

Wisconsin Recall of Walker Begins Tuesday: "We're Gonna Get the Job Done," Teachers' Leader Declares

Wisconsin teachers' union leader John Matthews says, "we have very comprehensive and creative plans" for the grass-roots recall of Tea Party Governor Scott Walker, which will launch this Tuesday, November 15, and feature by a huge rally at the State Capitol next Saturday, November 19.