Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Freedom From War as an intelligence community The final good news bulletin: FFW will soon have a Sac-
because
People Matter Editorial
Volume 15, Number 6
Published Bi-Monthly by the
Seth Sandronsky, Coordinating Editor for this issue
D
Editorial Group: Jacqueline
Diaz, JoAnn Fuller, Seth o you like shorter days and longer famous social activist, Jesus, in relation to the itself requires. Nancy Price explains the corporate
Sandronsky nights? Whatever your answer, fall is violent empires of Rome and US. privatization of that natural resource, and what
Coordinating Editor for
here. And winter is fast upon us. It is Violence in war cultures is both global and people can do to stop it.
this Issue: Seth Sandronsky
Editor-at-Large: Jeanie
a fine time to look back and catch your breath. local. Rhonda Erwin details who is mobilizing I consider some press coverage of the US
Keltner What a year 2006 has been, full of perils and to address Sacramento’s awful crisis of teen and health care system. The rising price of health care
Design and Layout: promises. This mix can and does spur regular youth violence, and why. has propelled the recent walkout of thousands of
Ellen Schwartz and people to use their creative energies to try to A.J. Crisostomo reports on a new student Sacramento County workers. Gail Ryall reports
Dale Crandall-Bear
solve some of our pressing issues and problems. group struggling to improve the Multi-Cultural/ on some hotel workers in the city struggling for
Calendar Editor:
Chris Bond BPM is a progressive voice in these struggles. Women’s Resource Center at CSU Sacramento. better health care and pay from their employers.
Advertising and Business In this edition of the paper, our writers offer Enjoy the poetry of Felicia Martinez and Shayana Mary Bisharat and Leon Lefson review books
Manager: Edwina White analysis, artwork, events, news, poetry, and more penned by journalists of diverse eras. Charlene
Distribution Manager:
Paulette Cuilla
to help you better understand our world, and to “Please join us to help Jones reviews a volume of news analysis by Proj-
get a glimpse of what ordinary folks are doing to ect Censored, based at Sonoma State University.
Subscription Manager:
try and make it better. Your participation in these
strengthen BPM, to keep it Elbert “Big Man” Howard of the Black Pan-
Kate Kennedy
efforts is most welcome. In fact, it is necessary to going as a voice in struggle.” ther Party brings us a bit of hidden history from
How to Reach Us: create the progressive change we so dearly need the 1960s. Then, Panthers were on the move,
Subscriptions, letters, punditry: now! Mendes about Mexico and the US. bringing various peoples together for the com-
403 21st Street Mazda Majidi decodes the schemes of the Dan Bacher lauds Hugo Chavez, president mon good.
Sacramento, CA 95814 Bush White House over Iran’s presumed mili- of Venezuela, who recently criticized President Then and now, as 2007 approaches, overcom-
444-3203 tary threat to the US. Once again, he notes, the Bush’s concern for the freedom of foreign peo- ing our divisions of class, gender and race is a
Ads or other business: administration is trying to make the American ples. How can the White House with Democrats’ big key to creating a better society. BPM is part
446-2844
people fear a foreign government. Sound famil- backing export freedom while crushing human of this freedom movement, which has its unique
All email correspondence:
<bpmnews
iar? The same president and his (wo)men made rights here in the name of security? strengths and weaknesses.
@nicetechnology.com> the case for Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction On that note, Kevin Wehr has a major piece Please join us to help strengthen BPM, to
(still missing!) as an excuse to invade that nation in our centerfold (pages 8 and 9). He argues that keep it going as a voice in struggle. Does that
HAVE A CALENDAR ITEM? in March 2003. impeachment of the president and vice president interest you? On behalf of the many volunteers
Send an email with “calendar Tom King and Jeanie Keltner (BPM editor for what they did not do to help innocent Ameri- who produce and distribute this paper, we look
item” in the subject line. Make it at-large) join Majidi in critical thought about war, cans during the Hurricane Katrina disaster and forward to working with you.
short, and in this order, please:
Day, Date. Name of event.
focusing on local people laboring for peace and flood is a punishment that fits their crimes. Seth Sandronsky is a co-editor with Because
Description (1-2 lines). Time. understanding. Bob Richards discusses a very Water is where all life began and what life People Matter.
Location. INFO: phone#;
email.
O
Meanwhile, our teens and youth are killing many people,
ur community is responding to teen and one other. One shooting is copying the other. consciously and
youth violence. Why do we need to rec- One funeral copies a funeral the day before. The unconsciously,
ognize these community members? government has been slow to respond to families’ feel that we
The first reason is to destroy the myth that cries and pleas for teens and youth of color dying deserve our
we don’t care. We are not motionless in address- these violent and senseless deaths. pain and sor-
ing the violence within our communities. In early fall, media reported high-school row. In spite of
Recently, I saw the Nation of Islam men doing shooting stories, acknowledging the emotions this negativity,
foot patrol in heavy violent crime areas of both of the teens and youth involved. In contrast, the community Sacramento
Meadowview and Valley Hi. As members of the news coverage for the violent deaths of our teens is creating crime Rhonda Erwin Progressive
community, the deeds and labor of the NOI are and youth is sensationalized. Our children are prevention photo mrzine.monthlyreview.org Events
not going unnoticed, and they are appreciated. dehumanized. solutions. Calendar on
These men come in peace, Current news coverage There are many events being planned to the Web
stand for peace and leave “We are mobilizing to save of our suffering from vio- address teen and youth violence. While our gov- <www.
in peace. lent crime comes packaged ernment shows its lack of concern towards our sa cleft.or
Secondly, we need our daughters and sons.” with what the Sacramento suffering, many citizens are rising to the call to g>
to help teens, youth and County Sheriff ’s Depart- show support towards the families whose hearts Labor, Peace,
Environment, Human
families involved and affected by violent crime, ment, Department of Justice and Sacramento City have been broken and who drown in sorrow and Rights, Solidarity…
to transcend their collective suffering. Recently, I Police Department are doing to round up crime tears. We are mobilizing to save our daughters
spoke by phone with Reynaldo Placencia (the 22- suspects. I question these law enforcement priori- and sons. Send calendar items
year-old brother of Robert Placencia, a 17-year- ties. Why is all the emphasis on apprehending Rhonda Erwin is a violence prevention activ- to Gail Ryall,<gryall
old killed this summer in south Sacramento). suspects? Where is the money and time for pro- ist and mother who lives in Sacramento, and @cwnet.com>.
Reynaldo participated in a revival for teens from viding solutions to preventing more crime that, in welcomes those who can help <amomscry@yahoo.
Sacramento, Modesto and Stockton who were turn, creates, more suffering? com>.
coming together to address youth violence. Rey- Where are the crime prevention policies based
naldo is using his brother’s tragic death to reach on research into the violent deaths of our teens and
out to teens involved in or affected by violence. youth? Why is the solution to our community’s
Finally, we need to prevent teens and youth pain the building of more jails and prisons? Why is — Legal Notice —
from aping gang culture/membership as a mas- a blanket pulled over our suffering? Why is it con- JUVENILE CLASS ACTION STRIP SEARCH SETTLEMENT
querade for youth leadership. The Zeta Beta tinuously assumed that we human beings of color IF YOU WERE BOOKED, ASSIGNED TO A UNIT, AND STRIP SEARCHED AT
Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, feel no pain for the violent deaths of our children THE SACRAMENTO COUNTY JUVENILE HALL BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1998,
in partnership with Consumes River College and and the separation of our families? AND OCTOBER 1, 2004, YOU WILL BE ENTITLED TO MONEY UNDER A
the Greater Sacramento March of Dimes, is coor- We’re on our own, saving our own. Just as STRIP SEARCH CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT
dinating the Alpha Academy workshop, held one with Hurricane Katrina, the government that col- There is a proposed Settlement of a Class Action lawsuit, Robinson, et al. v. Sacramento
County, et al. and Kozlowski, et al. v. Sacramento County, et al., pending in the United
Saturday a month. The workshop brings adult lects our taxes, who calls us all Americans, claims
States District Court for the Eastern District of California. The lawsuit concerns the strip
professionals together with middle school and we are all equal, will force some to save ourselves, search policy and practices of the Sacramento County Juvenile Hall.
high school teens (12 to 18 years old), with the but reach out to lift others from feeling pain. Why What is the Litigation About?
focus being to improve academic performance, does our government think the color of your Plaintiffs alleged that Defendants violated various federal and state laws by strip searching
prevent teen pregnancy and enhance career goals. skin makes you immune from the pain of violent juveniles booked at the Sacramento County Juvenile Hall between January 1, 1998, and
In early fall, several school children were crime? October 1, 2004.
maimed and murdered in school shootings The sad thing is that our government won’t Who is Involved?
across the US. I cried for the school teens as I see our suffering and continues to build more jails You are a member of the Settlement Class if you were booked, assigned to a unit and strip
searched at the Sacramento County Juvenile Hall between January 1, 1998, and October 1,
have cried a river of tears for teen and youth and prisons. This is not a policy to prevent future 2004. To see if you qualify for a payment you should check the website or call the toll free
murder victims in Sacramento. teen and youth violence. We know that. That is number below.
President Bush spoke out about ways to pre- why we are mobilizing to save our daughters and What are the Terms?
vent future youth murders. I watched news media sons from the violence which disproportionately If you were a juvenile booked and assigned to a unit at the Sacramento County Juvenile
reports on the teens who witnessed the school affects underprivileged communities of color. Hall and strip searched during the class period (January 1, 1998, through October 1, 2004),
killings. Teens and families affected by the school This movement has been stalled. Why? The you will be entitled to compensation depending on the number of times you were booked
and assigned a unit, the charges on which you were booked, and your probation status at the
shootings were given support and helped to move answer in part is the news media. It fosters false
time of booking.
on. Our children, on the other hand, have died images of people affected by teen and youth vio-
Up to $4.0 Million will be available to satisfy claims under this settlement. Class Counsel
senseless deaths for decades, and until recently lence. Thus this media bias makes it hard to rally will apply to the Court for an agreed fee of $1.5 Million for reimbursement for attorneys’
fees and reimbursement of costs and expenses. Representative plaintiffs will collectively
share $280,000 (Two Hundred Eighty Thousand Dollars), and $500,000 (Five Hundred
Thousand Dollars) will be reserved for Claim Administrator expenses, for a possible total of
$6,280,000 (Six Million, Two Hundred Eighty Thousand Dollars).
For more information or to receive a claim form, consult the website or call the toll free
number below.
How Much Will I Get?
If 25% of those entitled to share in the settlement submit Claim Forms, the average payout
will be $2,000 per person. You may be entitled to more or less than this amount.
What are My Legal Rights?
If you wish to share in the Settlement Fund you must file a claim as discussed below. If the
Court approves the Proposed Settlement, you will receive a payment if you qualify. You
will also be bound by all of the Court’s orders. This means you will drop any claims you
may have against the Defendants covered by this Settlement.
If you wish to file a claim you must complete a Claim Form. You can get a Claim Form by
contacting the Claims Administrators, in writing, at the address given below, or by calling
the toll free number. Claim Forms must be signed and post-marked no later than January 8,
2007.
If you do not wish to be a member of the Settlement Class, you must sign a Request for
Exclusion letter as outlined in the Stipulation of Settlement and Notice which you can
download from the website or get from the Claims Administrator. Your Request for
Exclusion must be filed with the Court no later than February 16, 2007.
When Will the Settlement be Approved?
The United States District Court for the Eastern District of California will hold a Fairness
Hearing to decide if the proposed settlement is fair, reasonable and adequate at 10:00 a.m.
on March 2, 2007, at the United States District Court, 501 I Street, Courtroom 2,
Peace Arts Xchange 2007 calendar now available Sacramento, California 95814. At the hearing the Court will also consider whether Class
Counsel’s request for attorneys’ fees and costs are fair, reasonable, and adequate.
If you remain a member of the Settlement Class you or your counsel have the right to
Peace Arts Xchange (PAX) presents Children’s Art about Peace, its 2007 calendar. The color- appear before the Court and to object to the Settlement. However, in order to object, you
ful wall calendar is now available at The Avid Reader, East West Books, Sacramento Area Peace must file a written objection, as outlined in the Stipulation of Settlement and long form
Action, and the UNICEF Store, all in Sacramento. The artwork above is a detail from June 2007, notice. Objections must be filed with the Court by January 8, 2007.
by Kindergartner Ariana Mirmobiny. To see images from the works of Sacramento area students, FOR INFORMATION ON THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT,
or for a full list of outlets, go to www.sacpeace.net. More Info: 736-1678 or 393-7676. YOUR RIGHTS, AND A COPY OF THE NOTICE:
VISIT: www.robinsonvsacco.com or Call: 1-800-401-0541 or
This project is funded in part by the ArtScapes Grant Program of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission with
Write: Sacramento County Juvenile Strip Search Class Action,
support from the City and County of Sacramento.
c/o Claims Administrator, P.O. Box 1110 Corte Madera, CA 94976-1110
PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE COURT
BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER November / December 2006
J
denounced puritanical, self-righteous, hypocriti-
esus lived at the height of the most dominant, cal legalistic busy-bodies—and also the Zealots,
hierarchical, militaristic empire in ancient who continually planned for and awaited the
history. Romans completely lorded over time of armed resistance—and who eventually
the Mediterranean world and parts of the Mid- brought on the complete Roman destruction of
East with their military, engineering, and eco- Jewish organization in Palestine.
nomic empire. Jesus grew up four miles from the When Jesus and his large group went to Jeru-
Roman-Greek center of Galilee, where the Herod salem just before his death, in stark contrast to
the Roman military contingent out in full force,
they entered Jerusalem with symbols of peace,
“Jesus’ true followers have humility, and poverty. The next day he called the
struggled against empire and temple, where the poor and “unacceptable” were
worked to build a humane not allowed, a “Den of Robbers.” Threatened by
Jesus’ messages, the priests sought to get rid of
global community.” Jesus but couldn’t because of the crowd’s support.
Jesus’ teaching and example remain at the
dynasty exploited the region. heart of so much of what our struggle is about.
Unlike his cousin, John the Baptist, who Jesus’ followers, such as Martin Luther King,
focused on “goodness” and future salvation, Jesus Jr. and myriads of justice workers, named and
focused on present day life, healing and build- unnamed, have given their lives in non-violent
ing community among the poor. He walked the protest, working to end child labor and unjust tionalized religion is a long history with many
back roads with the homeless, with dispossessed working conditions. Theocracy periodically has and frequent divergences into its own terrible
farmers and frustrated fishermen. Jesus ate with raised its ugly exclusivity within Christianity, but injustices, domination, and hierarchy. But for
people and taught about what he surely deliber- Jesus was entirely inclusive, without any barriers centuries, Jesus’ true followers have struggled
ately called, “The Kingdom of God”—meaning a for gender or differing groups, especially for the against empire and worked to build a humane
different kind of political organization. His teach- outcast, the poor, and the marginalized. global community. And, importantly, those who
ings—based on Torah, prophetic, and wisdom Now the empire is again in full swing. The practice non-violence, community building, and
writings—were thoroughly the opposite of impe- past trend in the US toward more and more just and loving relationships—even when seem-
rialism: “The land belongs to God” and we share social/political justice is being pushed back by ingly unsuccessful in the short term—always find
it fairly, and take care of relationships with our consumerism and social control. Our govern- a basic meaning in life!
workers and animals, and the earth. All people ment vilifies enemies and emphasizes power,
deserve Sabbath (rest, peace, healing). “Love your competition, wealth, global control. We see more Bob Richards is a retired junior high school
neighbor” comes from Leviticus. Injustice and and more breakdown in justice, in good teaching teacher, a bible and theology student, and social
violence of any kind toward anyone were heavily and in equity-producing social, economic, and justice activist.
decried. political organization. And so many of us seem For further reading: How Jesus’ Apostle
Jesus and his followers met the Samaritans ignorant or unconcerned about this drift. Opposed Rome’s Empire with God’s Kingdom by
(a hated enemy among Jews). He related to The history of Christianity as an institu- John Dominic Crossan, 2004.
Destiny Calls
By Shayana Mendes be nerability. I am drowning in the Within. But, I have, you
Heard. Being out here is Monsoon. When will people See.
When Cheney’s in- Oh look at the flut- My responsibility. That’s what’s hap- Learn that war scars So truly, I tell
side, tery, So, I treat it pening, One for life? You.
When Cheney’s in Wings of the dove. As such. It doesn’t make
town. From its wings, The pain hurts To people fighting Them strive? Don’t let them brain-
emerge Too much. this You think it’s a wash you.
Surely, there will be Golden, effulgent- Oh, the aching War. Joke? Or, you’ll become a
Ruckus- all around. Rays. Daggers cut They don’t know victim too.
Because we will A hole in my chest. The real reason of What? I’m being dragged
drive People can stare, What they’re fight- Do you find down,
Bush out. And be hypnotized I feel the pain, ing for. Me annoying? By the rabid- tide.
We will unravel for Deep within my For the rabid, tumul- Well, too bad I’m being told to
Confusion and Days. Breast. tuous For you. Come along for the
doubt. On September I am sensitive, Storm. Because I’m not toy- Ride.
We are the people. 11th, I will So sometimes I The waves of sorrow. ing. I wish I It’s as Martin
We hold the power. fast! Can feel other Makes me wish it Were. Luther King Jr. once
In we go into the I’ll show them that People’s pain. Were tommorow. Man, everything Said.
Majestic tower. We won’t let this They’re only feeling The poison that is Swings by in That which you
The tower of light, War last. No, I won’t this because entering in, A blur. Don’t fight to
Love, and peace. rest. All Bush wants to Controlling them Everything is blurry. Change, you’ll
Time to make the from outside, Time to tell you all Be forced
war cease. I won’t give them the Do is gain, As well as from A story. To accept or
Time of day. Gain, gain. Believe.
Oh look, at the I refuse to sit He doesn’t Within. A story of peace, Now, do you see
Vivid, magenta hue. Silent as the power- Care that others are That’s what poison Love, and hope. why my anger doth
I pause as I stare Hungry men have in pain. is. At one time, seethe?
At you. Their way. He is such an It is a venom to I too was guillable. It is our destiny.
What a breathtak- I won’t do it! Ignorant man. The mind. It is our fate.
ing- No way! Ughh, people like It’s this same venom, I too was naïve. Lets spread love and
View! I won’t give them This, I just That has those I didn’t know what to Peace,
As I gaze into The time of day! Can’t stand. Soldiers chained, it expect, Before it
You’re eyes, I’m Why should I? It makes me Has them bind. Nor what to per-
Once again, When many inno- Want to go on They are chained ceive. Gets too
cent A storming down. So, certain people Late!
Feeling mesmerized. People have died? Rampage. They are thrown to started brainwash-
The tsunami- blue It makes me The ground. ing. Shayana Mendes is a
Wave. It enrages and sad- Want to As the ropes tighten, They started toying
community college stu-
Indicates those dens me that Bush Rip this page. It pulls deep within with me.
Of us who are lied. The melancholy, the skin. They thought that dent in Sacramento.
Brave. How dare he take Gloomy day. I’d never open
Out here to speak Advantage of the The morose, riveting, It controls outside Up my eyes, to the
our voice, we will Innocent youth’s vul- glowing moon. and Truth.
November / December 2006 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER
Capitol
Outreach for a
Moratorium
on the
Death Penalty.
Third Mondays,
11:30am to 1:30pm.
L Street at 11th.
We bring petitions,
INFO: 447-7754
Selling nature for profit
By Nancy Price Services District to build a 1-
Bottled water is a private diversion of our million square-foot bottling/
public water commons. An intense 15-year public distribution center in this rural
relations campaign has turned bottled water into community. The center is just
a multi-billion dollar-a-year business. Bottled south of Mt. Shasta on Route 89
water sales outpace all other beverages except off I-5, and is similar to centers
soda pop. At the same time, beer, coffee and milk in Michigan and Maine.
sales are flat. Nestlé will use 1,800,000
Consumers now want bottled water at any gallons of spring water per day,
time and place. What’s more insidious, we have with access to unlimited ground
been convinced that our tap water is not safe, and water and 8,500 acre-feet annu-
that buying bottled water up to 1,000 times the ally of water from the McCloud
cost of water from a municipal system–that we River upon purchase of the old
have already paid for with our tax dollars–makes Cal-Cedar Mill property. Nestlé
sense. will pay only .000087 cents per In 2003, Nestlé signed a 50-year contract, renewable for 50
gallon for the water it takes from years, with the McCloud Community Services District to build a
“We are being conditioned to McCloud’s springs, or only 8.7
1-million square-foot bottling/distribution center just south of
Mt. Shasta.
look for and accept individual, cents for 100,000 gallons. A 16-
ounce bottle of the same water
private, and costly solutions sells for around $1.29, or $10.32 per gallon. At Less often mentioned is the contamination
to local water problems.” a shelf price of $10.32 per gallon, 1600 acre-feet of our bodies by even trace amounts of pollu-
would gross $5,380,451,712 dollars. If Nestlé nets tion. This has serious health consequences for all
We are being conditioned to look for and 1/5 of what that water sells for it would make ages. See “Water for Life Not Corporate Profit”
accept individual, private, and costly solutions to over $1 billion a year. in the Alliance for Democracy’s newsletter
Peace Action local water problems. Instead, we should work Already, Crystal Geyser bottles water in Justice Rising: www.thealliancefordemocracy.
with public officials and others on communal Weed, northwest of Mt. Shasta, and Coca-Cola org/html/eng/2363-AA.shtml.
on the Web
Keep up to date
strategies. The strategies are: testing water, iden- has just purchased a Mt. Shasta plant that uses To get involved, support the McCloud Water-
on peace activism tifying and stopping pollution, and adequately 500 gallons of water per minute in a 150,000- shed Council effort to stop the Nestlé/McCloud
in Sacramento. funding our public water works. square-foot building. Nestlé and Coca-Cola are project. Learn more about this campaign at www.
Check out also bottled water partners in Indonesia. mccloudwatershedcouncil.org/nestle. Statewide
<www.sacpeace.org>. Three bottled water giants: and national mobilization has generated over
Coca Cola with its Dasani brand and Pep- What is our public water commons worth? 2,000 expert legal, scientific and citizen com-
siCo with Aquafina both contract with local gov- Groundwater is pumped 24 hours, 7 days- ments, which were received by the Siskiyou
ernments and pay pennies to just turn on the tap per-week from surrounding wells and habitats. County Planning Department on the Draft
to “make” plain bottled water, with some added This process creates a staggering depletion of Environmental Impact Report. Finally, join the
filtration. Nestlé Waters North America, an affili- water supply that scientists have documented. Yet Women’s International League for Peace and
ate of Nestlé, SA, the number one Swiss food industry disputes it, repeatedly. Freedom’s “Save the Water Campaign” at www.
and beverage multinational, taps directly into Just as important, petroleum and natural wilpf.org/campaigns/water. To order Tap Into It
our fresh springs and aquifers and dominates gas are used to make the multi-billions of plastic bumper stickers (see top of page) call 530-758-
the spring water market hiding behind regional bottles that contain water. Plastic water bottles 0726 or nancytprice@juno.com.
brand names, such as Arrowhead and Calistoga (and their later disposal) leave a world-wide
in California. toxic trail of land, air and water pollution. This Nancy Price is co-chair, Alliance for Democ-
petroleum-fueled trail from plastic bottles begins racy and Western Coordinator of the Defending
Northern California a target at manufacturing centers and travels to wholesale Water for Life Campaign; member, leadership
In 2003, Nestlé signed a 50-year contract, renew- and retail outlets. This transit mode contributes team of Save the Water Campaign of the Women’s
able for 50 years, with the McCloud Community to global warming, and air and water pollution. International League for Peace and Freedom.
Quick Facts
on Bottled Water versus cleaning up the drinking water supply
• Members of the United Nations estimate that if the world took half of
what it currently spends on bottled water ($100 billion annually) and invest-
ed it in water infrastructure and treatment, everyone in the world could have
access to clean drinking water.
• But bottled water is cleaner, right? Actually, the U.S. EPA sets more strin-
gent quality standards for tap water than the FDA does for bottled beverages,
and roughly 40% of bottled water is actually just tap water.
• 1.5 billion barrels of oil are consumed each year to produce the plastic for
water bottles, enough to fuel 100,000 cars.
• According to the Container Recycling Institute, only 14 percent of plastic
water bottles are recycled.
• A water bottle in a landfill or lying around as litter will take over 1,000
years to biodegrade.
Source: www.organicconsumers.org/foodsafety/Bottled020606.cfm
November / December 2006 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER
P
roject Censored celebrates 30 years of In the AP chapter corporate media malfea-
digging up what was buried by corporate sance is illustrated by a broadcast blackout of an
newsmakers with the September release American Civil Liberties Union press release,
of Censored 2007. Each year the media analysis containing American military sources, which
project, headquartered at Sonoma State Uni- announced dozens of deaths from US torture.
versity, publishes research and exposes stories The ACLU posted to their website 44 autopsy
overlooked or under-covered by mainstream reports of civilians who had died while in US
news. This year’s anniversary edition features a military prisons in Iraq and Afghanistan from
bounty in addition to 2002-2004, indicating
its annual top 25-cen- “No. 1 stories from past and widespread torture by
sored picks. US forces.
Emblematic of present have addressed the The AP wire ser-
the project’s mission, investigative theme of news vice made the story
the No. 1 censored and efforts by corporate available to US media
story for the 30th nationwide. However,
year focuses on interests to curb and contain it.” research showed 95
information means percent of the daily
and media, titled Future of Internet Debate papers in the United States did not carry the
Ignored by Media. It alerts readers to the largely story nor did AP conduct follow-up coverage.
underground debate regarding the future of the Censored 2007 also gives readers a glimpse
Internet as Congress sets its sights on re-writing at 29 years of No. 1 censored stories with an
the nation’s sweeping telecommunications laws. update on each and a retrospective by project
Referred to as “network neutrality,” ensuring the founder, Carl Jensen, Ph.D. Teaching at Sonoma
Internet remains open to all voices and ideas State in 1976, Jensen produced a cablevision pro-
became a fierce contest among telecommunica- gram titled “CENSORED: The Great American Deregulation: Closing Up America’s “Market-
tion companies, public interest groups and Inter- Media Mystery.” It revealed mainstream media place of Ideas; 1993, The Great Media Sell-Out to
net service providers. Meanwhile corporations gave little coverage to important consequential Reaganism; 1992, CBS and NBC Spiked Footage
pour millions into public relations and political news and Project Censored was launched. of Iraq Bombing Carnage; 1991, The Gulf War:
coffers, insisting web access and its worldwide From 1977’s No. 1 Jimmy Carter and the Tri- Truth was the First Casualty; 1990, Global Media
content must come only at a price, their price. lateral Commission to last year’s Bush Adminis- Lords Threaten Open Marketplace of Ideas; and
The next 24 censored stories are an assort- tration Moves to Eliminate Open Government, 1988, The Information Monopoly.
ment of disturbing disclosures including: Oceans Project Censored has provided original research, For 30 years students and faculty, com-
of the World in Extreme Danger, US Operatives vital information and commentary from a munity experts, research interns, guest writers
Torture Detainees to Death in Afghanistan and broad selection of non-conformist reporters and and national evaluators have assisted Project
Iraq, Hunger and Homelessness Increasing in scholars. Censored, which remains critical to the public
US Pentagon Exempt from Freedom of Informa- No. 1 stories from past and present have dialogue that underpins US democracy. Pick up
tion Act and Chemical Industry is EPA’s Primary addressed the investigative theme of news and the book or a few of them for those who read and
Research Partner. In addition to regular yearbook efforts by corporate interests to curb and contain those who desperately need to do so. Contact
features such as Junk Food News and News it. Three decades of Project Censored publica- www.projectcensored.org or (707) 664-2500.
Abuse, the expanded volume adds chapters on tions find corporate media has not been the Charlene Jones is a member of the Sacra-
corporate media cross-ownership, media activist First Amendment’s friend—2003, FCC Moves to mento Media Group and writing team for Project
groups and bias by the Associated Press. Privatize Airwaves; 1996, Telecommunications Censored.
T
he US Constitution provides for the whole (poor, rural) towns in Mississippi were employing careful thought and analysis.
removal of an authority from a position literally wiped off the map and got almost no
of power—impeachment—based on media coverage. Fiddling while New Orleans floods
“high crimes and misdemeanors,” including The president’s response to Katrina was crim-
treason, perjury, and abuse of power. In the case Decision-based fact-making inally delayed, indifferent, and inept. As Kanye
of the Bush administration, mishandling of one Blind emphasis on pro-business and anti- West’s public comment exhibits, many observers
of the most crucial issues of our time—global environmental policies, such as the refusal to concluded that “George Bush doesn’t care about
climate change—constitutes a clear and danger- negotiate or ratify the Kyoto accord (on cli- black people.” Just after the disaster in New
ous case of the abuse of power. Further, the mate change), the promulgation of ineffectual Orleans Bush spoke of “taking aggressive action
administration’s stunning incompetence and voluntary pollution control measures, broad against deep and persistent poverty with roots in
criminal recklessness development policies based on market needs, a history of racial discrimination.” In the span of
in the face of Hurricane and privatized solutions to public problems all about two weeks, however, the Republicans were
“The president’s Katrina and decades of add together to constitute an abuse of power in busy blaming the victims themselves, saying that
response to Katrina was foreknowledge of the
dangers of storms to New
criminally delayed.” Orleans also constitutes a
sufficient justification for
the removal of Bush and
Cheney from any position of authority.
White House at 1:47 am on Aug. 29, hours before people who had been rescued from rooftops. people in front, women and children next, men
the storm hit, said, ‘Any storm rated Category 4 They arrived delirious from dehydration and in the back. Just so that when the buses came,
or greater will likely lead to severe flooding and/ sunstroke. The authorities said that the bus- there would be priorities of who got out first.
or levee breaching.’” This document, made public ses would come, but they did not, not for days. She also saw some men shoot at the police,
by a Senate investigation, clearly contradicts the Denise reported that the “police drove by, win- because after some time “all the people thought
statements made by both President Bush and dows rolled up, thumbs up signs. National Guard the cops were coming to hurt them, to kill them
Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff, trucks rolled by, completely empty, soldiers with all.” They all believed they were sent there to die.
immediately after the storm, that such devasta- guns cocked and aimed at them.” “If it wasn’t for them,” she said “we wouldn’t have
tion could not have been predicted. On Septem- But those in the Convention Center were had the little water and food they had found. I
ber 1, 2005, President Bush said “I don’t think not entirely dispirited. Denise reported that there will never look at thugs and gangsters the same
anyone anticipated the breach of the levees.” But were young men with guns there, but they were way again.”
the devastation was predicted, and both Bush the ones who organized the crowd:
and Chertoff were informed. And then they lied They went to Canal Street and “looted,” and Kevin Wehr is an assistant professor of sociol-
about it. brought back food and water for the old people ogy at California State University Sacramento.
So the weather service told them it was and the babies, because nobody had eaten in Wehr’s article is adapted from his essay in a col-
coming. So did the only FEMA agent on the days. When the police rolled down windows lection of essays titled Impeach the President: The
ground. So did members of the DHS itself. What and yelled out “the buses are coming,” the young Case Against Bush and Cheney edited by Dennis
was it that administration officials did while men with guns organized the crowd in order: old Loo and Peter Phillips, (Seven Stories Press, 2006).
New Orleans flooded? Bush, Cheney, and other
members of the cabinet were not inconvenienced
by the Gulf Coast disaster. The President gave
an unrelated speech at a Naval air station in San This year, the hurricanes took a break. But what will happen in the future?
Diego, comparing himself favorably to FDR, with
a media photo-op of him strumming a guitar “The strongest hurricanes in the present climate may be upstaged by even
(not fiddling, as Nero did). The vice president more intense hurricanes over the next century as the earth’s climate is warmed
remained fly-fishing on vacation in Wyoming. by increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Although we cannot say at
What did people do in response to this gov- present whether more or fewer hurricanes will occur in the future with global warming,
ernment bungling, this death, and destruction? the hurricanes that do occur near the end of the 21st century are expected to be stronger
They organized themselves so as to overcome. and have significantly more intense rainfall than under present day climate conditions.
What is most brilliant in this disaster is the ability This expectation (Figure below) is based on an anticipated enhancement of energy
of the people themselves to solve the problems available to the storms due to higher tropical sea surface temperatures.”
that the authorities cannot solve or will not face.
From the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. www.gfdl.noaa.gov/~tk/glob_warm_hurr.html
The people of New Orleans did not all act with
integrity—that much is clear—but most of them
did, most of the time. While race and class clearly
constructed the chances of individuals to get out,
these same folks responded to such indignities
by developing the types of systems that actually This image shows two curves. One
curve (white dots) is a histogram
solve problems, rather than denying disaster and of hurricane intensities for current
then merely giving lip-service, as those of the climate conditions. The second
Bush administration did. curve (black dots) is a histogram
of intensities for warm climate
A New Orleans hurricane survivor, Denise (high CO2) conditions. The warm
Moore, was evacuated to the Ernest Morial Con- climate curve (intensities) is shifted
vention Center. There she and family members toward lower central pressures
(higher intensities) compared to
found a nightmare. They were there for two days the present climate curve. The
without food or water. Shelter was not conducive caption above provides details on
to human existence; she thought she was in hell, the experiments that produced
the data.
and that the authorities had left her and her fam-
ily (including a 63-year-old and a 2-year-old)
there to die. When authorities did come, they
came only to drop off more and more people,
10 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER November / December 2006
Book Reviews
Media Clipped
Seth Sandronsky
US Health Care in Crisis
T
he cost of US health care has climbed 43 with health care provision for its populace. care bill would have done away with a main force
percent over the past nine years, accord- Leonhardt does not consider universal health driving up the costs of medical care—private
ing to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This care for Americans. Thus his column echoed con- health insurance. These same insurers such as
price jump is close to ventional thinking on Blue Cross/Blue Shield are also a source of ad
double the over-all “How is it that Canada spends our system. Consider revenue for media such as The Bee and campaign
rate of inflation (price this: The day after cash for the political system.
increases) of 26 percent less per person for health Sacramento County
in the same nine years. care than the US, while workers walked out, Seth Sandronsky is a co-editor with Because
David Leonhardt, in the in no small part due People Matter.
New York Times of Sept.
Canadians have longer life to management push-
27, wrote that the spiral- expectancies than Americans?” ing them to pay more
ing prices for the US for health care, Cali-
health care system “are fornia Gov. Arnold
slowly creating a crisis.” Schwarzenegger vetoed state Sen. Sheila Kuehl’s
However, he continued, we fool ourselves (D-Santa Monica) Senate Bill 840 to provide all
if we think that American health care is over- Californians with high-quality, comprehensive
priced. In fact the nation’s health care is priced health care.
right for what the American people get. We are “SB 840 relies on the failed old paradigm of
living longer and as a result are paying more for using one source—this time the government—to
health care that includes “defibrillators, chemo- solve the complex problem of providing medical
therapy, cholesterol drugs, neonatal care and care for our people,” the governor said in a press
other treatments that are both expensive and statement.
effective.” Without a mention of this vetoed universal
05/08/2006—California Nurses march on
I have a question for Leonhardt. If US health health-care bill, an unsigned Sacramento Bee edi- Sacramento, demanding clean money, fair
care is such a great deal for what it provides the torial of Sept. 7 urged county workers to get used elections, and healthcare for all. Shown here with
people of the world’s best democracy—please to health-care costs, rising for “everyone.” It is state Sen. Sheila Kuehl, author of SB840.
explain how is it that Canada spends less per per- worth noting that Sen. Kuehl’s universal health- photo: California Nurses Association
son for health care than the US, while Canadians
have longer life expectancies than Americans?
Total health expenditure per person for 2004
was $6,102 in the US versus $3,165 in Canada,
according to the Organisation for Economic Co-
operation and Development. As of two years ago,
Americans were paying 45 percent more than
what Canadians pay for health care.
Spending on health care per person in the
US was $1,776 versus $1,264 in Canada in 1985.
Health care spending was $2,752 for the US and
$1,737 for Canada in 1990. By 1995, US health
care spending per person was $3,670 compared
with $2,055 in Canada. US health care spending
per person reached $4,588 as Canadian spending
was $2,503 per person in 2000. Canada’s per per-
son health care costs went from 71 percent of US
spending levels in 1985 to 55 percent in 2004.
Meanwhile, Canadians can expect to live
longer than Americans. Life expectancy was 79.3
years for Canadians versus 76.8 years for Ameri-
cans in 2000, according to the OECD. Canadians
could expect to live 75.3 years compared with
Americans’ 73.7 years in 1980. Canadians’ life
expectancies were 77.6 years versus life expec-
tancy of 75.3 years in the US in 1990.
As US per person health care spending rose
relative to Canada’s expenditures, Canadians’ life
expectancies increased faster than Americans’.
How can that be? The OECD does not provide Peace in the Precincts volunteers working to elect Dr. Bill Durston to Congress and Jim Cook
that answer. What we do know is that Canada to the State Assembly. Durston and Cook teamed up to support each other’s campaigns. They
provides its citizens with universal health care. In have many enthusiastic supporters. For more information about Peace in the Precincts and to
other words, health care is the right of all Cana- volunteer, go to www.ippcampaign.blogspot.com, or call 225-5670.
Photographer: Harold Fong
dians. The US has gone in a different direction
M
nuclear nations. gram would not put an end to the relentless drive
ohammed el-Baradei, International The US, Britain and France have no inten- for regime change. At best, it would only force
Atomic Energy Agency director, issued tion of dismantling their huge arsenals of nuclear the White House to find a different pretext.
a report to the IAEA Board of Gov- weapons. US threats of direct military interven- In the buildup for the invasion of Iraq, the
ernors and the UN Security Council on August tion and the possibility of sanctions against Iran Bush administration used a multitude of pretexts,
31, 2006. The report contained the obvious truth have no more to do with nuclear arms in Iran from Iraq’s supposed development of weapons of
that Iran had not halted activities related to ura- than the invasion of Iraq was about weapons of mass destruction to its alleged connections to the
nium enrichment. But another part of the report mass destruction. Washington’s strategy in the Sept. 11 attacks to Saddam Hussein’s repression
received far less coverage in the corporate media. Middle East has long consisted of bringing down of Iraqi Kurds.
Inspections “have not uncovered any concrete independent states and breaking down mass Similarly, the Bush White House has opened
proof that Iran’s nuclear program is of a military resistance. Recent events in Palestine and Leba- various propaganda fronts against Iran. Besides
nature,” the report stated. In other words, as the non are two examples. the nuclear question, there is Iran’s support for
IAEA has consistently reported, there is no evi- “terrorism”—meaning the liberation forces in the
dence of a nuclear weapons program in Iran. “There is no evidence of a Middle East. Unable to squash Iraqi resistance
The UN Security Council passed Resolu- and unwilling to admit its widespread support
tion 1696 on July 31. The stated objective of the nuclear weapons program within the Iraqi population, the Bush administra-
resolution is to halt the development of Iran’s in Iran.” International tion has pulled out the bogey man of the “foreign
progress in uranium enrichment, an important Atomic Energy Agency. agitator.”
phase in nuclear technology. “Iran is responsible for training, funding and
Sanctions and wars, in addition to diplomatic equipping some of these Shia extremist groups”
maneuvers, are all at the service of this strat- in Iraq, said US Brig. Gen. Michael Barbero. The
egy. When 12 years of Washington’s genocidal irony is, of course, is that the foreign agitator
sanctions against Iraq failed to bring about the interfering in Iraq is the US military!
desired regime change, invasion became the best Yet another pretext that the US government
imperialist option. Recall the imperialist dream routinely uses is the defense of ethnic and reli-
that Condoleezza Rice recently termed the “new gious minorities. This was the main justification
Middle East”—a region where no independent used for the US attack on Yugoslavia in 1999.
state or popular resistance movement exists. The population of Iran—which is majority Per-
Meanwhile, transnational corporations control all sian—also has Kurds, Azeris, Baluchis, Arabs
the key resources. and others. Alongside the majority Shia Muslim
With the majority of Arab governments population, there are Sunni Muslims, Christians,
IAEA Director Mohammed el-Baradei. beholden to Washington or in shambles, the two Zoroastrians and Jews.
states that now stand in the way of a “new Middle Any outbreak of ethnic conflicts in Iran
In late May, a ministerial meeting of the East” are Syria and Iran. This is the essence of could provide a suitable pretext for US interven-
Non-Aligned Movement—which includes over the current conflict. The Iranian nuclear issue tion in defense of these minorities. Of course,
100 states—defended Iran’s right to develop its only serves as a convenient pretext for the US these ethnic and religious conflicts could also be
peaceful nuclear program. The NAM views the government. orchestrated if necessary. Recently, Iranian offi-
pressures on Iran as another example of the Given the array of forces lined up against cials accused British and US officials and agent
major capitalist powers stifling independent tech- Iran and the possibility of a devastating US mili- provocateurs of backing the riots and bomb-
nological progress. tary attack, it would be understandable for Iran ings in the oil-rich, majority Arab province of
Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Mohammad- to bow to such pressure and abandon its pursuit Khuzestan.
Javad Zarif, agreed with the NAM’s view. “To of nuclear technology for the sake of self-pres-
demonstrate the peaceful nature of its program, ervation. According to this view, whatever gains Mazda Majidi is an Iranian-American activist
Iran submitted its nuclear facilities to an unprec- that could be made from nuclear technology are and member of the Northern CA chapter steer-
edented inspection by the IAEA in the preceding more than offset by the devastation that would ing committee of the ANSWER Coalition. He is a
years,” Zarif said, “which enabled the agency to result from sanctions and war. regular contributor on Iran and the Middle East
organize the most robust inspection it has ever The Iranian leadership is keenly aware, how- for Socialism and Liberation magazine and the
carried out. It included more than 2,000 inspec- ever, that the abandonment of their nuclear pro- web site www.pslweb.org.
tor-days of scrutiny in the past three years.”
John Bolton is the US ambassador to the UN.
He indicated that the US will pursue an “inde-
pendent” coalition for penalizing and sanction- Sacramento Area Peace Action is an all-volunteer organization that
ing Iran,” reported the Aug. 26 LA Times. “You works to educate and mobilize the public to promote a non-interven-
don’t need Security Council authority to impose tionist and non-nuclear US foreign policy and to promote peace through
sanctions.”
international and domestic economic, social, and political justice. Join us!
To the extent that the US can use the cover of
the UN Security Council to advance its objective
of “regime change” in Iran, a diplomatic, multilat- JOIN SACRAMENTO AREA PEACE ACTION
eral approach is, of course, desirable. If and when
that ceases to serve the US purpose, or becomes Annual dues are $30/individual; $52/family; $15/low income.
irrelevant, then the US will act unilaterally.
UN Security Council Resolution 1696 is Name:________________________________________________________
unfair and baseless from the standpoint of inter- Address:_______________________________________________________
national law. Iran is a signatory of the Treaty
on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons City________________________________________ Zip________________
(NPT). The other nuclear-armed countries in Phone:___________________________
the region—Israel, Pakistan and India—have
refused to sign that treaty, with no threats or Email:___________________________
consequences. ____Here is my additional contribution of $_______.
Originally signed in 1968, the NPT entitles ____Please send me the newsletter only, $10/yr.
its signatories to the peaceful development
of nuclear energy. Further, the NPT obligates Send your check to: Sacramento Area Peace Action (SAPA) 909 12th Street, #118, Sacramento,
nuclear-armed nations to dismantle their nuclear CA 95814. Or call us! 448-7157, email: sypeaceact@jps.net, web: www.sacpeace.org
weapons and provide technical assistance to non-
November / December 2006 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER 13
at:
is now buying The Book Collector,
Political posters, handbills & pamphlets 1008 24th St.
#" %-&*'"%+()$%)(
Books on history, labor, & politcs
Records of blues, jazz, rock, punk, world, R&B, & spoken word.
,")!-&*'+#*( )
And, of course, we are selling books & records, too!
We are located at 1114 21st Street, Sacramento.
")&,%'$%)& Our hours are 11 – 5:30 M-Sat. (but please call for appt. if selling).
"*+)()*&++"-."+!)'++&-*+')*'%)"%)&-*+%&+ 916-447-5696.
-"*')0()*&++"-'")*+")%+"-"&&"$+.')#")*+")%+"-"*&"&(&&+
"*+)&-*+%&+-"*')) "*+)."+!+!,)"+"*&/!& '%%"**"'&*"$
")*+")%+"-"*&'+*,*"")0')"$"+')'++&-*+')*'%)"
www.timetestedbooks.com
14 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER November / December 2006
On Line Petition
This Time Oaxaca Therapists for Social Responsibility has created a petition on
line calling on our public leaders “To Support Policies, Legisla-
tion And Programs That Reflect The Core Principles And Values
By Felicia Martinez of The Mental Health Profession And to Oppose Those That Do
Not.”
It is an old story remember protest songs
classrooms without chairs when they cuff you If you are in the Mental Health or Social Services fields or an
teachers without housing remember women enraged Affiliate please go to www.petitiononline.com/8values/petition.
children without breakfast will take anything html and sign the petition now and forward this information to
make your demands airwaves stations colleagues and professional organizations throughout the country,
the state TV with your personal note, as well as to your general e-mail lists.
The governor will respond
no money no funds Now caravan We anticipate that by collecting thousands of signatures, a
he’ll release helicopters to the capitol resounding statement can be made by the mental health commu-
k-9 units carry our demands nity that is heard by our public leaders, the press and the general
clear the streets to the president’s door public.
of protest he must halt the navy
More information can be found on our web site
for the elders tear gas that circles our plaza
for students pepper spray at dawn www.therapistsforsocialresponsibility.org
a knight stick will fall
a woman and the little Now we bury teachers
rebel in her womb who will not return
take narcotics to class
to Radio Plantón now we bury fear
guerillas can be poisoned now we caravan
from the inside to the capitol The Marxist School of Sacramento
unleash on the plaza on foot P.O.Box 160564 Sacramento, CA 95816
5,000 police 6,000 thick September–October 2006 Activities
fly our banner
But the people barricade in town after town
with what they have cry with the people Point of View Speaker Series
trucks sing with the people Lectures are held in Sierra 2 Ctr, Green Room, 2791 24th St., 7–9pm
portable toilets make ourselves strong Thursday, Nov. 16: Doug Orr, PhD., Prof. of Econ., Eastern Washing-
themselves march on ton U. “The Attack on Retirement Income: class war in slow motion.”
face to face
with helmets Oaxaca Tuesday, Dec. 12: David Bacon, photo presentation on NAFTA and
terrible blue 70,000 teachers Immigration. Bacon is a photojournalist and writer based in San Fran-
people push five months cisco, who documents labor, migration and globalization issues.
back back no classes Book Discussions/Classes
tonight the plaza no salary
stays ours no way to eat Book discussions are held in Sierra 2 Ctr, Rm. 11, 2791 24th St.,
port towns report 7–9pm.
March ships fill the water Tuesday, November 7: “Electoral Politics” Discussion led by Jackie
march on let the word travel Carrigan.
1 million people faster than the tanks
is one hundred all revolutions begin Tuesday, December 5: “Perspectives on Anarchism” Discussion led by
thousand ten times like this Kevin Wehr.
in the streets Tuesday, December 19: Reform or Revolution, by Rosa Luxemburg.
Oaxaca has no governor Oaxaca Discussion led by Ellen Schwartz.
we can trust Make your demands
the people will rule “Capital” Reading Group
with the people
Still on chapter 1! Extended book discussion, Vol. 1 of Capital, by Karl
stay alert Felicia Martinez has been involved Marx. will meet 7-9pm, 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, starting Sep-
the assassin government in local immigrant rights organizing tember 6 through December 20, at SMUD, 6301 S St. (the new building!),
returns tonight and is pursuing a master’s degree in Timberline Rm. 3, 3rd Floor. Any edition of Capital will do; we will read to-
in t-shirts and jeans creative writing at Mills College. gether and discuss at each class. It’s not too late to join!
remember to quell
the reckless ones INFO: <www.marxistschool.org>; <info@marxistschool.org>; 799-1354.
no one can name All activities are free and open to the public.
November / December 2006 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER 15
Mondays
ONGOING EVENTS
FRIDAYS
November / December Calendar
Sacramento Poetry Shiny Object Digital Sunday, November 5 Send calendar items for the Jan.–Feb. 2007 issue to <bpmnews@nicetechnology.com> by Dec.
Center hosts poetry Video/Fools Founda- PoemSpirits Series. Fatherhood and maleness 10, with “calendar item” in the subject line. Make it short, and in this order, please: Day, Date.
readings. 7:30pm.
1631 K St. INFO:
tion Film Series. Weekly themes recur in the latest poetry reading by Sac Name of event. Description (1-2 lines). Time. Location. Price. INFO: phone#; <email>.
independent/foreign State Professor Joshua McKinney. Tom Goff will
4 4 1 - 7 3 9 5 ; < w w w. films, documentaries. also present an overview of the work of Marie
s a c r a m e n t o 7pm. 1025 19th St. For online calendars of progressive events, go to www.sacleft.org and
Ponsot. 6 pm. Unitarian Universalist Society of
poetrycenter.org>.
$5. INFO: 484-0747or www.sacpeace.org.
Sac., 2425 Sierra Blvd. Free. Open mic. INFO:
1st Mondays <www.shiny-object. 481-3312, or 451-1372.
Organic Sacto: Coun- com/screenings/>.
Tuesday, November 7 Saturday, November 18, 2006 Tuesday, December 12
ter ongoing threats Sierra College Veterans Club Road March to Marxist School of Sacramento, photo presentation
1st Fridays Marxist School of Sacramento, Book Discus-
to our food. 6:30pm. honor our fallen service members by raising on NAFTA and Immigration, by David Bacon, San
Beginner/intermediate sion. “Electoral Politics” discussion led by Jackie
INFO: <www.Organ- scholarships for children who have lost a parent Francisco-based photojournalist. 7-9 pm. Sierra 2
tango class. 8-9pm. Carrigan. 7-9 pm. Sierra 2 Center, 2791 24th
icSacramento.org>. in war. All are invited to join! March starts 10am Center, 2791 24th St, Green Room. Free. INFO:
Social tango dancing. St, Room 11. Free. INFO: 799-1354, or info@
9pm–12am.YWCA, marxistschool.org. from Johnson/Springview Park to Memorial Park 799-1354, or info@marxistschool.org.
2nd & 4th MONDAYS
UUSS/SAPA Peace and 17th & L, Sacto. $10 in Rocklin. INFO: Catherine Morris, Sierra College
Saturday, November 11 Veterans Counselor, (916) 789-2879; cmorris@ Tuesday, December 19
Sustainability Com- for lesson and social
El Dorado Peace and Justice hosts “Empty Bowls”, sierracollege.edu. Marxist School of Sacramento, Book Discussion.
mittee. 6-8pm. INFO: dancing. INFO: <Ken-
fundraiser to raise funds to feed hungry people, “Reform or Revolution” by Rosa Luxemburg,
Peace Action, 448- dra.kambestad@
raise awareness about the issues of hunger and Saturday November 18, discussion led by Ellen Schwartz.7-9 pm. Sierra
7157. tango-renaissance.
inequality, and remind us that through art, we Peace Pyramid convocation, highlighting World 2 Center, 2791 24th St, Room 11. Free. INFO:
com> or <www.tango-
3rd MONDAYS can create positive social change. Local potters Service Corps and the Dept. of Peace. Includes 799-1354, or info@marxistschool.org.
renaissance.com>.
Capitol Outreach for donate handmade bowls. Guests donation $15- Open Forum. 5 pm. Home of Zohreh Whitaker,
2041 Campton Circle, Gold River. INFO: Tom and Saturday, December 23
a Moratorium on the 1st FRIDAYS $50 for their meal of soup, bread and beverage
Dar King, 916-728-2391, tjking@rcip.com. Intergenerational, Interfaith Winter Solstice
Death Penalty. 11am Community Con- and keep the bowl as a reminder that hunger PEACElebration. 3pm-5pm: Labyrinth walk;
–1pm, L Street @ 11th. tra Dance. 8-11pm; exists all year long. Proceeds go to The Upper Tuesday, Nov21 5-6pm: pot luck dinner (main dish provided);
INFO: 447-7754. 7:30pm beginners Room, an El Dorado County food kitchen, and Shadow Company—documentary invesigating 6-8pm: ritual with pagan carols and Dances of
lessons. Clunie Audi- Mercy Corps Hunger Relief Fund for relief to
TUESDAYS the mercenaries in Iraq. 7pm. Crest Theater, Universal Peace. Unitarian Universalist Society
torium, McKinley Pk, Lebanon. 5-8pm. Placerville Shakespeare Club,
Sacramento Area 1013 K St, $10 benefit for Soapbox and Media of Sacramento, 2425 Sierra Blvd (1 block N of
Alhambra & F. INFO: 2940 Bedford Ave., Placerville. INFO: 530-622-
Peace Action Vigil. 4- Edge. (see Announcement page 16) Fair Oaks Blvd between Howe and Fulton) . Free
641-7781. 6900, 530-622-9569, or 530-642-1120.
6pm. 16th & J Sts. - donations. INFO: Laurie Jones, 743-0459, or
Friday, Dec 1 laurievaljo@yahoo.com.
INFO: 448-7157. 2nd Fridays Monday, Nov 13
Dances of Universal Sir! No Sir! The Suppressed Story of the GI
Depleted Uranium and U.S. Weapons of Mass De-
1st TUESDAYS Peace. 7:30–9:30pm. Movement to End the War in Vietnam. 6:30pm. Wednesday, December 27
struction. Presentation by international expert on
Amnesty Int’l, Da- Sierra 2 Ctr, 2791- 24th Hinde Audit., Univ Union, CSU Sac, 6000 J St, Sac. Area Black Caucus, the Black United Fund
radiation and public health issues, Leuren Moret.
vis Chapter Meeting. St., Rm. 10. $5–$10. INFO: 391-0737 of Sac. Valley and the All African Peoples’ Revo-
7pm. Newman Center, 5900 Newman Ct.
International House INFO: 361-3153. lutionary Party co-sponsor the Annual Kwanzaa
Friday, December 1 Celebration. This year’s principle is Kujichagulia
(10 College Park). Monday, Nov 13
3rd FRIDAYS Concert. Brian McNight. Opening acts are (Self-Determination), to define ourselves, name
7pm. Free Pizza. In- Elk Grove Peace and Justice Forum: “Needed:
Progressive Free LaToya London and Sacramento’s own poet ourselves, create for ourselves & speak for
vited speakers. INFO: Living Wages & Benefits”, Katy Rose-Hodess and
Thought Exchange. Terry Moore. 7pm. Memorial Auditorium 1401 ourselves. Please bring a dish to share. 6-8pm.
<www.humanrights. Josh Eidelson, union organizers with Blue Dia-
Discuss topics of in- J St, Sacramento. INFO: www.iSoundTracks.net Jamieson Washington Collins Multipurpose
ucdavis.edu/>. mond workers and hotel workers who are in the
terest to atheists, or 1-800-225-2277 to purchase tickets. Ctr, 2821 29th Ave. Free. INFO 453-0190,
midst of contract negotiations. 7pm. Elk Grove
2nd Tuesdays agnostics, human- United Methodist Church, 8986 Elk Grove Blvd, ksomadhi@comcast.net, 484-5025, or fayek@
Sunday, December 3
Gray Panthers. 2–4pm. ists. INFO: <pfxofsac Elk Grove, Info: 689-6943, or 685-3612. springmail.com.
PoemSpirits Series, poetry reading. Albert Gar-
Hart Senior Ctr., 27th @prodigy.net>.
cia, Dean of the English Dept., Sacramento City
& J St. Info: Joan, Tuesday, November 14
Saturdays College. 6 pm.,Unitarian Universalist Society of
332-5980. Video Presentation. David Ray Griffin’s “9/11 The
Workshops at La Raza Sacramento, 2425 Sierra Blvd. Free. Open mic.
Myth and the Reality”, enhanced with graphics
4th TUESDAYS Galleria Posada. 1– INFO: 481-3312, or 451-1372.
and video clips, will be shown by Ken Jenkins,
Amnesty Int’l. 7pm.
Sacto. Friends Meeting
3pm. 1421 R St. Under
18, $1; Students over
activist and videographer; powerpoint presenta-
tion to follow film. 7 pm. 909 12th St. Free. INFO:
Sunday, December 3
Book Award Ceremony. A.D. Winans has been
The Freedom Equity
House, 890-57th St.
INFO: 489-2419.
18, $5; Adults, $10.
Info: 446-5133.
916-372-8433, sac911truth@gmail.com. awarded the PEN Josephine Miles Literary
Achievement Award for his book, This Land Is
Group presents:
Wednesday, Nov 15
4th Tuesdays 1st Saturdays Not My Land. Book award ceremonies will be
Health Care for All. CAAC Goes to the Movies: Fidel, the Untold Story.
Peace and Justice Films. held at 3pm at the Oakland Main Library. INFO:
10am. Hart Senior Ctr, 7:15pm 1640 9th Ave. INFO: 446-3304.
7pm. Peace Action of- slowdancer2006@netzero.com
fice at 909 12th Street. 27th & J. For universal “THE SHOW”
Thursday, November 16 Poetry Series with live band LSB. Sacramento’s
INFO:448-7157. access to health care. Tuesday, December 5
Marxist School of Sacramento. Doug Orr, PhD., biggest poetry event featuring poets from
Info: 424-5316. Marxist School of Sacramento, Book Discussion.
Prof. of Econ., Eastern Wash. U.. The Attack on around the world!
WEDNESDAYS “Perspectives on Anarchism” discussion led by
1st SATURDAYS Retirement Income: class war in slow motion. 7-9
Christ Unity Church: Kevin Wehr. 7-9 pm. Sierra 2 Center, 2791 24th
Sacramento Area pm. Sierra 2 Ctr., 2791 24th St, Green Rm. Free. Last Saturday of every month. 7-9 PM,
Speakers and Music. St, Room 11. Free. INFO: 799-1354, or info@
Peace Action Vigil. INFO: 799-1354, or info@marxistschool.org. Wo’se Community Center, 2863 35th Street
7pm. Cost: Donation. marxistschool.org.
11:30am–1:30pm. Ar- (just south of Broadway). ONLY $5.00!
9249 Folsom Blvd. Thursday, November 16
INFO: 368-3950. den and Heritage (en- Tuesday, Dec. 5
Lecture. “Labor in the 21st Century”, by Allan Saturday, November 25
trance to Arden Mall). Annual Candlelight Vigil for Peace & Justice.
Benjamin, Editor, Newspaper and Labor Party Or- Divine from Phoenix, Arizona
1st WEDNESDAYS INFO: 448-7157 4-6pm. 16th & J Streets. After the vigil, gather
ganizer. Presented by the Sac. Community Forum Talaam Acey from Baltimore, Maryland (In-
Peace & Freedom Par- at Juliana’s Kitchen, 1401 G Street (vegetarian
2nd & 4th Sats & Not in Our Name. 7pm. Coloma Community ternational Slam Champion)
ty. 7pm. INFO: 456- Middle Eastern food available). Bring signs and
Community Contra Center, 4623 T St. Free, donations accepted.
4595. a flashlight or windproof candle. Only severe Saturday, December 30
Dance. 8-11pm; 7:30 INFO: 455-1396. weather cancels. INFO: 448-7157; sypeaceact@ Red Fox poet Brigit Truex
2nd WEDNESDAYS lessons. YWCA Audito- jps.net.
Sacto 9/11 Truth: Luke Breit
rium, 17th & L Street.
Questioning the “War LSB (live band jam session)
INFO: 641-7781
Protest Torture
on Terror.” 6–8pm. Juli-
ana’s Kitchen, 1401 G 3rd SATURDAYS
Street, at 14th. INFO: Sacramento Area
<sac911truth@gmail. Peace Action Vigil. The “UNDERGROUND POETRY SERIES”
Sundays
Saturday, Nov. 11 Saturday, November 18
2–4 pm
ies. 7:15pm. Info:
446-3304. Sacto Food Not Bombs. Crawdad Nelson
1:30pm. Come help Brett Freeman
Thursdays
Daddy’s Here (Father
distribute food at 9th North side of Capitol Park (“L” Street side) Saturday, December 16
and J Streets.
Enhancement Program). The Military Commissions Act denies all non-US citizens detained in the Jamie Kilstein from NYC
Men’s support group; 1st SUNDAYS USA the right of habeas corpus, meaning that they may be detained indefinitely Born 2B Poets
info on custody, di- PoemSpirits. 6pm. Re- without the right to challenge their imprisonment. Bloom Beloved
vorce, raising children. freshments and open
7-8:30pm. Free! Ctr for mic. Free. UUSS, Rm. The Military Commissions Act intentionally makes the definition of “enemy INFO: T.Mo at 208-POET,
Families, 2251 Florin Rd, 7/8, 2425 Sierra Blvd. combatant” extremely vague. <fromtheheart1@hotmail.com>
Ste 102. INFO: <terry INFO: 481-3312; 451- ALL AGES ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND!
@fathersandfamilies. 1372. The Military Commissions Act modifies the war crimes Act so that if any
com>. 424-3237x 205. US officials have recently violated international human rights laws (e.g., the Ge-
1st Sundays neva Convention), they can no longer be accused in court of having committed a
Thursdays Zapatista Solidarity
House of Spoken
war crime. It also allows our current president to decide what interrogation methods Peace Action Vigils
Coalition. 10am–noon.
Words. 7–10pm. Co- should be allowed, thus potentially legalizing the abuse of prisoners taking place at
909 12th St. Info: TUESDAYS: 4-6pm. 16th and J Streets. Be
lonial Café, Stockton 443-3424. Guantánamo Bay detainment facility and permitting it within the USA.
Visible For Peace.
Blvd. & Broadway. $5.
INFO: 308-2766. 2nd SUNDAYS
“Enemy combatants” may be tried in special courts set up by President Bush, 1st SATURDAYS : 11:30am-
courts which would allow the prosecution to use evidence that would not hold up in 1:30pm. Arden & Heritage
Atheists & Other Free-
3rd Thursdays other courts, as well as not requiring the defendants to be told what evidence was (entrance to Arden Mall).
thinkers. 2:30pm. Si-
National Organization being used against them. 3rd SATURDAYS: 11:30am-1:30pm. Ful-
erra 2 Center, Room
for Women (NOW). 10, 2791 24th St. ton and Marconi.
7pm. INFO : 443- INFO: 447-3589.
INFO: vgimpelevich@yahoo.com; get flyers at: www.fearchar.net/cal-mca-fliers/ INFO: 448-7157
3470.
Because People Matter
November / December 2006
INSIDE:
Progressive Media
Access Sacramento TV ▼ KDVS 90.3 FM
Cable Channels 17 and 18 Democracy Now!: Mon–Fri noon. Community TV
Sacramento Soapbox: Progressive Talk Show Free Speech Radio News (FSRN) Mon–Fri
w/ Jeanie Keltner & Ken Adams. Mon 8pm, Wed 4:30pm. needs
4am. (In Davis: Channel 15, Tues, 7pm.)
Being Gay Today: Thurs 6am, 10pm, Sat
Printed Matter on the Air (interviews with
local writers) alternating with
Community Support!
6am. Panic Attack (attorneys and guests discuss
Democracy Now!: Weekdays 6pm, 12mid-
Soapbox and Media Edge, Sacra-
what makes people panic): Mon 5pm.
night, 5am. Making Contact (int’l radio seeks to create mento’s own progressive TV shows,
Media Edge: progressive documentaries, connections): Tue 8am.
Chew On This! invite you to see the hard-hitting docu-
“Chew on This!”, a monthly progressive
including local productions.Sundays 8–10pm Proletarian Revolution (focusing on politi- mentary, Shadow Company. This film
cal, social, and economic issues) alternating
TV show, can be seen on these cable
channels: investigates the mercenaries who are
Other sources for Media Edge with The Simple Show (talk show on human
Davis, Channel 15, Sundays, 8–10pm.
doing so much of the fighting in Iraq
rights): Wed 8am. Access Sacramento Channel 17 (Com-
Nevada County, Channel 11, Mondays, Speaking in Tongues (labor, environmental, today—with interviews with former
cast, SureWest) and Davis Community
10:30pm –12:30am. West Sacramento, social, and political topics. Callers welcome, Television Channel 15 (Comcast) the first mercenaries, private military contrac-
Channel 21, Mondays, 9–11pm. interviews frequent): Fri 5pm. Sunday of the month at 8pm. tor owners, staff, lobbyists, academ-
Memo Durgin and Eddie Salas (Public ics, and journalists. The film explores
Dish Network Satellite TV affairs and music of the Chicano/Mexicano West Sacramento Community Access
▼ Channel 9415, Free Speech TV. Channel 21 (Charter) the first Monday the moral and ethical issues private
people): Sat 6–8pm.
Democracy Now!: News and Analysis. Mon- of the month at 9pm military solutions create for Western
day–Friday: 8am, 12pm, 7pm ET. ▼ KPFA 94.1 FM Berkeley
Nevada County Television Channel 11
governments and addresses the risks
Democracy Now!: Reports on US and world of allowing profit-motivated corpora-
▼ Channel 9410, Link TV news. M–F 9am. (Comcast) first Mondays at 10:30pm.
Democracy Now!: Monday–Friday, 11am. Living Room: Chris Welch. M–F Noon.
tions into the on-the-ground business
Mosaic—World News from the Middle East: Seven Generations: M–F 1pm. Check out our Web site <www.pcwp. of war.
Tues–Saturday, 4:30am and 10:30am; 4:30pm New Directions: including visionary astrolo- org> and click on “ChewOnThis!” We
and 10:30pm. ger. Thur 2pm. need volunteer help in many ways. If Tuesday November 21, 7pm
Flashpoints: News and analysis. M–F 5pm. you have video production skills, or-
Crest Theater 1013 K
Radio ganizational skills, writing or research
▼ KVMR 89.5 FM ▼ KSQR 1240 AM (TalkCity Radio Sacramento) ability, or if you just have ideas to share,
BBC News, M-F 6, 7, 8am; Progressive talk radio all day long with please email us at <chewonthis@pcwp. $10 to benefit Soapbox and Media
News & Attitude with Travus T. Hipp, M-F Christine Craft, Thom Hartman and others. org> Edge
7:30am; KVMR Morning News, M-F 8:05am;
Stories & Songs with U. Utah Phillips, Sun ▼ KCTC 1320 AM (AirAmerica Radio)
11am; Soundings (Science), Tues noon; Progressive talk radio all day long with Randi
Rhodes, Al Franken, and others.
Rabble Rousing, Wed noon; Full Logic Sacramento and Central Valley Indymedia: <www.sacindymedia.org>.
Reverse, Thu noon; Who Cares? (Health),
▼ KZFR 90.1 FM Chico
Fri noon; KVMR Evening News, 6pm daily;
People Powered Radio! managed and operated
Democracy Now!, Mon-Thu 7pm; Women’s
by volunteers, provides mostly locally produced
Show, Mon 8pm.
and community oriented programs.
NON-PROFIT
▼ KCBL Cable 88.7 FM ORGANIZATION
▼ KYDS 91.5 FM U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Saturdays, approx. 3–4 pm., followed by Coun- PERMIT NO. 2668
ter Spin from the media watch group FAIR: SACRAMENTO, CA