From: info@... [mailto:info@...]
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2013 2:50 AM



<http://email.zsustainers.org/wf/click?upn=xrLDuKs9E-2FW2gJyS-2BCwKWwqejxOUz
TFczw65YAHq4GrY51RffDdHS9qISlz1P1C7_bB6M0LVB79UMmudOl1CO1YGRQ9X69BaullWvACOv
nkgfEBnmGBy4RaKDlgTBbmLp3cZzoXKjV53IHOj-2BUNu98B9USt3tjAp20-2BGb6Q3e7mjxoNoC
-2BTNqClSFiqPNGEpXOjgFutjbbBi7ony4ESGyw4TTnvw6Sm4YLlnseD9MM9k-3D> zspace

John Brennan vs. A 16-Year-Old


January 9, 2013 By Medea Benjamin

Medea
<http://email.zsustainers.org/wf/click?upn=xrLDuKs9E-2FW2gJyS-2BCwKWwqejxOUz
TFczw65YAHq4GpKey4ur2TbE95PgWHlIKD2ZQIsXzgbHslWdZCv5eME1w-3D-3D_bB6M0LVB79UM
mudOl1CO1YGRQ9X69BaullWvACOvnkgfEBnmGBy4RaKDlgTBbmLpWtIZ4Z6X-2F0i-2FGbx6qrQW
9ymkwigCA8V5li1veopiuBQppz-2F-2FVHYU0g7Wc9lTKqgqhv6irxQE57VVCoSYxUklU-2F-2BU
Pa-2FHrAzws-2B2AIS6N2l0-3D> Benjamin's ZSpace Page / ZSpace
<http://email.zsustainers.org/wf/click?upn=xrLDuKs9E-2FW2gJyS-2BCwKWwqejxOUz
TFczw65YAHq4GrCDUxswLSep3PDl641KChV_bB6M0LVB79UMmudOl1CO1YGRQ9X69BaullWvACOv
nkgfEBnmGBy4RaKDlgTBbmLpbYzt8CmkFuuWBEeoHhV1DjYuyfbySzCoXVgfxHjd4T1seG6HWMqL
zj-2FO-2FMjqMovBxRuyQlcs89C-2FsC9GkxXIRZ4yDvYaeZkS-2FTcE8hf-2B8nU-3D>

In October 2011, 16-year-old Tariq Aziz attended a gathering in Islamabad
where he was taught how to use a video camera so he could document the
drones that were constantly circling over his Pakistani village, terrorizing
and killing his family and neighbors. Two days later, when Aziz was driving
with his 12-year-old cousin to a village near his home in Waziristan to pick
up his aunt, his car was struck by a Hellfire missile. With the push of a
button by a pilot at a US base thousands of miles away, both boys were
instantly vaporized—only a few chunks of flesh remained.

Afterwards, the US government refused to acknowledge the boys’ deaths or
explain why they were targeted. Why should they? This is a covert program
where no one is held accountable for their actions.

The main architect of this drone policy that has killed hundreds, if not
thousands, of innocents, including 176 children in Pakistan alone, is
President Obama’s counterterrorism chief and his pick for the next director
of the CIA: John Brennan.

On my recent trip to Pakistan, I met with people whose loved ones had been
blown to bits by drone attacks, people who have been maimed for life, young
victims with no hope for the future and aching for revenge. For all of them,
there has been no apology, no compensation, not even an acknowledgement of
their losses. Nothing.

That’s why when John Brennan spoke at the Woodrow Wilson International
Center in Washington DC last April and described our policies as ethical,
wise and in compliance with international law,
<http://email.zsustainers.org/wf/click?upn=xrLDuKs9E-2FW2gJyS-2BCwKW89Lq-2F-
2BGFRxPe2rfqxUSnQ26gkNseuhNV7viuhiUONejfffcmiRzosk4XF8ZIxhb0uxcxI-2Fz4uV8wTQ
0nQrBYnTvJ55OEqUd2fYO9JRRy5kd_bB6M0LVB79UMmudOl1CO1YGRQ9X69BaullWvACOvnkgfEB
nmGBy4RaKDlgTBbmLpiE0kPtbLr8kLutH1lLMEPu-2F-2FqS-2Fh-2FHAvDPG-2B27fOhTx0feaC
BZF217aRFbAGV9OxXFua-2B0yHgR7pNSpGpmVOpZHCr47nw4a1mWZwsp0BUBs-3D>  I felt
compelled to stand up and speak out on behalf of Tariq Aziz and so many
others. As they dragged me out of the room, my parting words were: “I love
the rule of law and I love my country. You are making us less safe by
killing so many innocent people. Shame on you, John Brennan.”

Rather than expressing remorse for any civilian deaths, John Brennan made
the extraordinary statement in 2011 that during the preceding year, there
hadn’t been a single collateral death “because of the exceptional
proficiency, precision of the capabilities we’ve been able to develop.”
Brennan later adjusted his statement somewhat, saying, “Fortunately, for
more than a year, due to our discretion and precision, the U.S. government
has not found credible evidence of collateral deaths resulting from U.S.
counterterrorism operations outside of Afghanistan or Iraq.” We later
learned why Brennan’s count was so low: the administration had come up with
a semantic solution of simply counting all military-age males in a strike
zone as combatants.

The UK-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism
<http://email.zsustainers.org/wf/click?upn=xrLDuKs9E-2FW2gJyS-2BCwKW4SpmB-2F
Ves9y63XwQ6p71V2tknjDbPnvlq-2FTH5QlRQPL_bB6M0LVB79UMmudOl1CO1YGRQ9X69BaullWv
ACOvnkgfEBnmGBy4RaKDlgTBbmLp-2FSrY6JhVcgTB2KxgXDGmvhlu5rCqRBItwpMXVdBot-2F0w
5iyfEpyVGFFau-2FCh8VAQcHZk5vvW4z6BO-2BjMR-2Fl3KR45OHXE2hw3HmPYZAdj0D4-3D>
has documented over 350 drones strikes in Pakistan that have killed
2,600-3,400 people since 2004. Drone strikes in Yemen have been on the rise,
with at least 42 strikes carried out in 2012
<http://email.zsustainers.org/wf/click?upn=xrLDuKs9E-2FW2gJyS-2BCwKW4SpmB-2F
Ves9y63XwQ6p71V19-2BnPFpmhzrsYfg34kPplPaihMl1NkSboZ8ZD58EjW7-2F60vj-2FAiumBT
BLe6QS39PQy-2FHSB5E-2Bwwel6T293t1Y3_bB6M0LVB79UMmudOl1CO1YGRQ9X69BaullWvACOv
nkgfEBnmGBy4RaKDlgTBbmLpJDu-2BkzS9vRnZGf-2BXDWaIRBf-2Bg9fVZdpvPuBCHAnW4-2FWh
pr2gluQHMSfnELYXJl6oc4BtvFsUqUq2TFGUVPAbFOv8xbG6R1TSN6oRFjOxb4A-3D> ,
including one just hours after President Obama's reelection. The first
strike in 2013 took place just four days into the new year.

A May 29, 2011 New York Times exposé
<mailto:http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/29/world/obamas-leadership-in-war-on-
al-qaeda.html%3Fpagewanted=all>  showed John Brennan as President Obama’s
top advisor in formulating a “kill list” for drone strikes. The people
Brennan recommends for the hit list are given no chance to surrender, and
certainly no chance to be tried in a court of law. The kind of intelligence
Brennan uses to put people on drone hit lists is the same kind of
intelligence that put people in Guantanamo. Remember how the American public
was assured that the prisoners locked up in Guantanamo were the “worst of
the worst,” only to find out that hundreds were innocent people who had been
sold to the US military by bounty hunters?

In addition to kill lists, Brennan pushed for the CIA to have the authority
to kill with even greater ease using "signature strikes," also known as
"crowd killing," which are strikes based solely on suspicious behavior.

When President Obama announced his nomination of John Brennan, he talked
about Brennan’s integrity and commitment to the values that define us as
Americans.  He said Brennan has worked to “embed our efforts in a strong
legal framework” and that he "understands we are a nation of laws."

A nation of laws? Really? Going around the world killing anyone we want,
whenever we want, based on secret information? Just think of the precedent
John Brennan is setting for a world of lawlessness and chaos, now that 76
countries have drones—mostly surveillance drones but many in the process of
weaponizing them. Why shouldn’t China declare an ethnic Uighur activist
living in New York City as an “enemy combatant” and send a missile into
Manhattan, or Russia launch a drone attack against a Chechen living in
London? Or why shouldn’t a relative of a drone victim retaliate against us
here at home? It’s not so far-fetched. In 2011, 26-year-old Rezwan Ferdaus,
a Massachusetts-based graduate with a degree in physics, was recently
sentenced to 17 years in prison for plotting to attack the Pentagon and US
Capitol with small drones filled with explosives.

In his search for a new CIA chief, Obama said he looked at who is going to
do the best job in securing America. Yet the blowback from Brennan’s drone
attacks is creating enemies far faster than we can kill them. Three out of
four Pakistanis now see the US as their enemy—that’s about 133 million
people, which certainly can’t be good for US security. When Pakistani
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar was asked the source of US enmity, she
had a one word answer: drones.

In Yemen, escalating U.S. drones strikes are radicalizing the local
population and stirring increasing sympathy for al-Qaeda-linked militants.
Since the January 4, 2013 attack in Yemen, militants in the tribal areas
have gained more recruits and supporters in their war against the Yemeni
government and its key backer, the United States. According to
<http://email.zsustainers.org/wf/click?upn=xrLDuKs9E-2FW2gJyS-2BCwKW-2FTaOiJ
Bdcrtw6kiHHmF7-2Fxe2BxKNnChbrHFjvceIr0PZvSrPTfdYenhLHpLJJHHB-2B6HWN2SeSY4cli
0Hk9uL6FHIxGXE8V29tzoHxgHFV1KrbB8W7X5G9h2JBteZuG776QMtibJqIEh755328NwhktdMfW
Gk-2FPWL07JnsR7yuKNBivjq3Q6RpxQ5qkn-2BG8s0i5r-2FDBCcxJgd7Sx57xW-2BmgnMqJDL06
4WNFrfXLBy2-2BV_bB6M0LVB79UMmudOl1CO1YGRQ9X69BaullWvACOvnkgfEBnmGBy4RaKDlgTB
bmLpqTQrKDwvrMOcPq7PGXXgppWilyoOy8pMiJyrLfdIdAvZWfr15DfGZ5DYgYURSi2U2Kr7oeA3
vIp4DUcp-2FBz5ksKTzu2hYdHJXW15v3aUjEk-3D>  Abduh Rahman Berman, executive
director of a Yemeni National Organization for Defending Rights and
Freedoms, the drone war is failing. “If the Americans kill 10, al-Qaeda will
recruit 100,” he said.

Around the world, the drone program constructed by John Brennan has become a
provocative symbol of American hubris, showing contempt for national
sovereignty and innocent lives.

If Obama thinks John Brennan is a good choice to head the CIA and secure
America, he should contemplate the tragic deaths of victims like 16-year-old
Tariq Aziz, and think again.

Medea Benjamin, cofounder of www.codepink.org
<http://email.zsustainers.org/wf/click?upn=xrLDuKs9E-2FW2gJyS-2BCwKW7xhQN3rM
WOipwc-2BA1oN4D8-3D_bB6M0LVB79UMmudOl1CO1YGRQ9X69BaullWvACOvnkgfEBnmGBy4RaKD
lgTBbmLpw-2F8HiP2RgFon3FGNW7ytid8d6GddXpqfQ9l6RAkd7s0FEq14ev-2FttKKlGxtJMvCK
pmKIlGwwE5ZQdaKgUigU4Rlmr7XVUrzCsWNpJrUZiqM-3D>  and www.globalexchange.org
<http://email.zsustainers.org/wf/click?upn=xrLDuKs9E-2FW2gJyS-2BCwKW9xTlg6Pl
4VPX3xHvnyJFade9HwnCyoUZCrLWcueDU0e_bB6M0LVB79UMmudOl1CO1YGRQ9X69BaullWvACOv
nkgfEBnmGBy4RaKDlgTBbmLp-2B2W1LJLi9CJwRVPn4azdAUB9pT9-2FAQ9UgNsDGDXG8i462dS-
2F8vHdB2YqBwgbDXf4AdMPDNiOPwfFcFj0hPlWuggOe9c-2B85H0DmPGSAg3Dx8-3D> , is
author of the book Drone Warfare: Killing by Remote Control
<http://email.zsustainers.org/wf/click?upn=9M0C8K9w4YGxPojBYmoRa9cI2cGI5EJAp
gVZcID9KCM5-2BVNESqVF2jAc-2BYXknAUR_bB6M0LVB79UMmudOl1CO1YGRQ9X69BaullWvACOv
nkgfEBnmGBy4RaKDlgTBbmLpbV8ooyX67bm139QBLuu-2FiJoKT6gh7Wp-2FlOnAE-2FQkPnbvCH
jhtDxQGTMzCtFciMgKeVD7WK3aFhSGPW8ajuDzt-2FYK6r69QeLKw9gcPtqDI4E-3D> .

   _____

From: Z
<http://email.zsustainers.org/wf/click?upn=xrLDuKs9E-2FW2gJyS-2BCwKWwqejxOUz
TFczw65YAHq4GpH-2FNw1Z5juZZPvNJxNZTHJ_bB6M0LVB79UMmudOl1CO1YGRQ9X69BaullWvAC
OvnkgfEBnmGBy4RaKDlgTBbmLpbV8ooyX67bm139QBLuu-2FiEaupUzHsVBXXYbNq563oJCF3DXN
IUYy5NhR6JBx6AmsATn7rAsiE86wGQGjoUz-2FHG1LVQaGdlcDo-2BJmkvIusxQ-3D> Net -
The Spirit Of Resistance Lives
URL:
http://www.zcommunications.org/john-brennan-vs-a-16-year-old-by-medea-benjam
in
<http://email.zsustainers.org/wf/click?upn=xrLDuKs9E-2FW2gJyS-2BCwKWwqejxOUz
TFczw65YAHq4GpJXcVcS3-2BShYqfcK7f1KVuKbSgYnq-2FTJvfcef4Dirw0sgom9ULTAt8A18vb
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gfEBnmGBy4RaKDlgTBbmLpbV8ooyX67bm139QBLuu-2FiCLeCXUOUNmln29s5fuLQS4kDce00R-2
Fz5bagMpALD3L5Ih0nl6eccrbC8qzc2pMzSk53o7r7brAORkinj1gsflo-3D>

The tool to turn commentary mailings off or on can be found in "My Account"
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To view commentaries online go here:
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TFczw65YAHq4Gqo-2BVHfPSzcoDj0hiPSckJ0Lk51g-2FoW57VMSjxxD7KOFw-3D-3D_bB6M0LVB
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TFczw65YAHq4GpJXcVcS3-2BShYqfcK7f1KVuKbSgYnq-2FTJvfcef4Dirw0sgom9ULTAt8A18vb
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gfEBnmGBy4RaKDlgTBbmLpbV8ooyX67bm139QBLuu-2FiM0PfZXd8BovwxVWZ-2FNSUXyMKGg6yR
bU43a5jFX7-2FGXoY5yofuZNkk15htEeOrdlLwmRqaw8-2B0b1gRW-2Fxp6oqUg-3D>

   _____

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Chief Justice Luisa Estella Morales: As a Venezuelan President is entitled
to recover his health

President TSJ: No absolute or temporary absence. The President asked for a
permit and the National Assembly authorized unanimously on Dec.9th.

TSJ: no need for a new inauguration of President Hugo Chavez because there
is no interruption in the performance of duties
"The inauguration of President reelected can be done in post-10E
opportunity before the TSJ"

TSJ: officials remain in office based on the principle of administrative
continuity

The president of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ), Luisa Estella
Morales, said on Wednesday that it is not necessary a new inauguration of
President Hugo Chavez, as it is a re-elected president .

TSJ declares that President Chavez is serving a permit approved by the NA

Caracas, 09 Jan. AVN. - The president of the Supreme Court of Justice,
Luisa Estela Morales said the Constitutional Court, with the presentation
of all the judges, ruled that that interpretation on article 231 of the
Constitution should not be considered in the absence of the president is
not a temporary absence.

She explained that the Head of State is complying with a permit approved
unanimously by the National Assembly to leave the country for more than
five days.

She said that there is no lack temporal or absolute. "We have interprertado
there is not even temporary absence," Morales said in a press conference
broadcast by Venezolana de Television.

She  said there is also no merit to form a possible medical board.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XfVYoB8V7u0


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Geez, this has no resemblance to any politics I've seen in our country.

Besides, the opulent regal coronations that are done for re-elections can
then be better put to taking care of the people the leaders are suppsoe to
govern for, at the very least not increasing their financial burden

Well in our country they do, now that I think of it, the ultra rich are
invited and the poor and protestors are met by the police state, and all
not invited get to foot the bill.

Scott

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chief Justice Luisa Estella Morales: As a Venezuelan President is entitled
to recover his health

President TSJ: No absolute or temporary absence. The President asked for a
permit and the National Assembly authorized unanimously on Dec.9th.

TSJ: no need for a new inauguration of President Hugo Chavez because there
is no interruption in the performance of duties
"The inauguration of President reelected can be done in post-10E
opportunity before the TSJ"

TSJ: officials remain in office based on the principle of administrative
continuity

The president of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ), Luisa Estella
Morales, said on Wednesday that it is not necessary a new inauguration of
President Hugo Chavez, as it is a re-elected president .

TSJ declares that President Chavez is serving a permit approved by the NA

Caracas, 09 Jan. AVN. - The president of the Supreme Court of Justice,
Luisa Estela Morales said the Constitutional Court, with the presentation
of all the judges, ruled that that interpretation on article 231 of the
Constitution should not be considered in the absence of the president is
not a temporary absence.

She explained that the Head of State is complying with a permit approved
unanimously by the National Assembly to leave the country for more than
five days.

She said that there is no lack temporal or absolute. "We have interprertado
there is not even temporary absence," Morales said in a press conference
broadcast by Venezolana de Television.

She  said there is also no merit to form a possible medical board.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XfVYoB8V7u0

It will be fair to say that the jan.10th rally will be massive and is still
planned as scheduled ( even with today's ruling with the TSJ) I would bet
that you can watch it on streaming below, events such as this are on TV.

Former Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo will be attending the rally in
Venezuela on Thursday in support of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, who
is currently in Cuba recovering from a cancer surgery, and who announced
that he will not attend his swearing-in ceremony for his new term in
office.

According to state-run news agency AVN, other Latin American leaders will
be attending the event as well, namely José Mujica, Uruguay; and Evo
Morales, Bolivia. Argentinean Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman and his
Ecuadorian counterpart, Ricardo Patiño, will also travel to Venezuela to
attend the rally.

* The rally will take place in front of the Miraflores Palace in Caracas
from 10:00 in the morning.*

  Also there will be as part of the schedule, the Caracas Youth Symphony
Orchestra will give a concert at the Teatro Teresa Carreño, located in Fine
Arts, at 7:00 pm, which will feature the presence of the heads of
government who will be visiting Venezuela on Thursday.


*VTV - http://www.vtv.gob.ve/en-vivo *
10:00 in the morning, check the clock * **
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=58*<http://www.google.com/url?\
q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timeanddate.com%2Fworldclock%2Fcity.html%3Fn%3D58&sa=D&sntz=1\
&usg=AFQjCNF4RXv59Y_OZdvqPYtChlXaBklkfw>
* and they are 1 and a half hours ahead of Eastern time in the US.*
*
*
*also may be carried on Telesur  or they may have updated reports -
http://www.telesurtv.net/el-canal/senal-en-vivo<http://www.google.com/url?q=http\
%3A%2F%2Fwww.telesurtv.net%2Fel-canal%2Fsenal-en-vivo&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFHQo\
XYGY8EcbiUx4xrF5dhZnmW8A>
*
*
*
*other streaming stations from Venezuela and worldwide -
http://wwitv.com/television/222.htm*
**
*Cort*


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Military to continue bombing nuclear waste dumps in Hawaii
Published by jalbertini on December 12th, 2012 in Hawaii Independence, Military,
Public Events, Radiation, Social Justice, Take Action!.


Comments on Dec. 12, 2012 NRC meeting with the Army in Maryland from 10AM-1PM
Hawaii time. The
public could listen in and make comments/ask questions at the end of the
meeting.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will be issuing a license for the
mongoose to guard the hen house in Hawaii.  The Army will be issued an NRC
license to possess Depleted uranium (DU) in Hawaii at Schofield Barracks and the
Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA).  In effect, the NRC is licensing Hawaii nuclear
waste dumps and allowing those dumps to be
bombed, spreading the nuclear dump debris wherever the wind takes it.
The State Dept. of Health made no comment, nor did it ask any questions,
following the meeting.  It is a fact that DU exists at Schofield Barracks and
PTA, and perhaps other present and former military sites in Hawaii, including
Kaho’olawe and Makua Valley.  How much is not known.
A minimum of 700, perhaps more than 2000, DU Davy Crockett spotting rounds have
been fired at Pohakuloa.  Less than 1% of PTA’s 133,000-acres have been
surveyed. DU cluster bombs, and more than a dozen DU penetrating rounds, DU
bunker busters, etc. may also have been fired at PTA and elsewhere. All branches
of the US military use DU weapons today.  It’s clear to me that we cannot
rely on so called regulators to fix the problem. Nuclear regulators are just as
much part
of the problem as bank regulators. The DOH is also part of the problem.
Where have our health officials been all these years on the issue. The military
in Hawaii has lied and use deception repeatedly.  The US military mission goes
before concern for the health and safety of its own troops and Hawaii’s people
and land. Uranium is now showing up in Big Island residents’ urine.  Is it
related to PTA, Fukushima or what?
The people have a right to know.  Is the military above the law?  What’s
needed is a peoples’ movement of non-violent resistance to stop the bombing to
protect the people and land of Hawaii against attacks by the U.S. military.

Jim Albertini Malu ‘Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action P.O.
Box AB Ola’a (Kurtistown) Hawai’i 96760 Phone 808-966-7622 Email
ja@...  www.malu-aina.org

http://malu-aina.org/?p=1473

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

WH Considering Withdrawing All Troops from Afghanistan

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-34222_162-57562847-10391739/wh-considering-withdrawi\
ng-all-troops-from-afghanistan/?tag=nl.e875&s_cid=e875




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Kuwait's Abused Domestic Workers Have "Nowhere to Turn"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11444167




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

What a joyous news   to learn about John's recovering  after he gone through
such hard heart surgery. Actually, I saw him on Monday, Jan. 7,  two hours after
his 5-hours surgery with all that gear looking like a spaceman and I felt very
bad to see his life pending of so many medical devices. I wrote for him  a
greeting note on the board next to his bed and hope that the nurse has read it 
to him.   John: I have been praying for you all the time, and  I also commended
you to a group of prayers in Houston whom trough a rosary  are veneering today 
Wednesday the virgin "Our Lady of Fatima" who eventually the virgin Fatima  if
being hosted at my sister's house.

Warmest regards: Oly Mogollon



-----Original Message-----
From: Frank Dorrel <fdorrel@...>
To: change-links <change-links@yahoogroups.com>; peacecenter
<peacecenter@yahoogroups.com>; actionla <actionla@...>; laamn
<laamn@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wed, Jan 9, 2013 12:32 am
Subject: [change-links] John Johnson Update - Good News!







From Ross Altman: Greygoosemusic@...
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2013 12:02 AM



Dear Friends of John,



I saw John this afternoon and was very pleased with his progress. In just 24
hours his breathing tube had been removed, which his nurse Arnel Guzman, RN said
was much sooner than usual--it sometimes takes 2-3 days. John was able to
talk--even talkative and in good spirits. His primary surgeon Dr. Michael
Soltero had been in to see him and was satisfied that the surgery had gone well
and John was now on the path to recovery.



Even more impressive, the 5 or 6 bags of fluids that I saw surrounding him last
night had also been removed and he was able to resume functioning without them.
I was quite frankly thrilled to see him and told him so. I gave John the rest of
your emails I received (except for Lisa's, which I'll take in tomorrow).



His nurse also got him to shift position in bed  so his feet were dangling over
the side and led him through some simple leg exercises which John performed
admirably. His nurse was also planning to have him out of bed tomorrow and
sitting upright in a special cardiac recovery chair. He commented that John's
responses were very strong.



John's nurse last night, Victoria Ong, was the life-saver who intervened when
his blood pressure was unstable and problematic by alerting the doctor to change
his medication. John responded well to the new medication and I kept my eyes on
the monitor throughout my visit--it was now low normal.



All signs indicate that John will be back with us again, and publishing his
essential newspaper, Change-Links in the near future. Thank you one and all for
your support and letting John know how much we appreciate what he has done for
the left over these many years--kept us in touch, and helped to create a true
community of disparate activists.



This will probably be my last email on John's recovery. I have no doubt we will
hear the inside story from the horse's mouth in his next column--whenever he is
able to resume his j ob of--as Menckin once defined the journalist--comforting
the afflicted, and afflicting the comfortable. That's John, in a nutshell.



Warm Regards to You All,



Ross










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http://janbtucker.com/blog/2013/01/09/mississippi-human-rights-struggle-\
continues/
<http://janbtucker.com/blog/2013/01/09/mississippi-human-rights-struggle\
-continues/>
See the outrageous environmental destruction in Columbia Mississippi and
how government allows it to continue.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

**
   machetera posted: "Panic in Washington: The Cubans are coming!  Jean-Guy
Allard English translation: Machetera - (español) Now they don’t even
bother to hide their worry: the same politicians who slandered Cuba for
decades, saying Cubans “can’t travel,” a"    Respond to this post by
replying above this line
       New post on *Machetera*
<http://machetera.wordpress.com/author/machetera/>  The Cubans are coming!
The Cubans are
coming!<http://machetera.wordpress.com/2013/01/09/the-cubans-are-coming-the-cuba\
ns-are-coming/>
by
machetera <http://machetera.wordpress.com/author/machetera/>

*Panic in Washington: The Cubans are coming! *

Jean-Guy Allard

English translation: Machetera -
(*español*<http://www.contrainjerencia.com/?p=60050>
)

Now they don’t even bother to hide their worry: the same politicians who
slandered Cuba for decades, saying Cubans “can’t travel,” and even going so
far as to draft laws meant to push disaffected Cubans to hurl themselves
into the sea, are now rushing to figure out how to stop Cubans from
arriving in the United States and, in case they manage to arrive, how to
stop them from returning to Cuba.

Victims of the traps they themselves set at the height of the Cold War,
when the Cuban Revolution, criminally isolated by the blockade, was forced
to protect itself by any means, including restrictive migration laws, the
Cuban American members of Congress and their clan have suddenly realized
that they’ve shot themselves in the foot.  The political structure
manufactured to serve U.S. annexationist plans toward Cuba is on red alert
and desperately seeking a solution to what it has announced is a dangerous
and unexpected invasion by those it has pretended to be defending.

“Once the new Cuban immigration laws go into force, on January 14, a Cuban
will be able to leave Cuba for two years without losing his residency, and
during this time will be able to obtain residence in the United States
after spending a year and a day here,” explains a Washington based U.S.
immigration expert.

“This will create a new kind of Cuban-American, with dual-residency, making
the Cuban Adjustment Act (CAA) completely obsolete and even
counter-productive.  The U.S. will be under urgent pressure to change its
“Cuban” policy in order to avoid this taking place.  And right in the
middle of a full debate on immigration reform.”

Incredibly, near the end of an interview granted to her friends in the
subsidized “anti-Castro” press, the head of the anti-Cuban political mafia
in Washington, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, announced that she wants to revise this
heretofore untouchable law, a fundamental part of the legal framework
developed against Cuba.

The reporter, well known for his collaboration with U.S. government funded
Voice of America – Radio Martí, asked if she would support a change to
close the gaps in the law in respect to those who claim political
persecution and then go on to travel frequently to Cuba.

Ros-Lehtinen’s answer was as twisted as a hot New York pretzel.

“Yes, I’m in favor of a change to the CAA so that those who use this
singular and unique benefit that is only available to Cuban nationals,
cannot return to visit Cuba.”  She added reasoning that she might have
applied for quite some time: “One cannot say that one is subjected to
political persecution in Cuba, and then go back to visit.”

In June, one of Ros-Lehtinen’s colleagues, the legislator David Rivera, had
already been talking about reforming the CAA in order to cancel the
permanent residence granted to Cuban refugees who return to Cuba within
five years after their entry to the United States.  In the meantime, the
controversial Rivera – under investigation for a number of corruption
charges – was kicked to the curb in November’s elections, ending up in
history’s great rubbish bin, along with his proposed immigration changes.

The Cuban Adjustment Act, approved in 1966, grants U.S. residency to any
Cuban who reaches U.S. territory, while hundreds of Mexicans are hunted
down in the land of the free by armed border guards, not to mention the
armed vigilantes working on behalf of the repressive national system.

But the most absurd treatment of the subject in the land of Groucho Marx
was yet to come.  *El Nuevo Herald*, the shining example of made-in-Florida
journalism published a headline regarding the changes without even
realizing the magnitude of its error. *“The United States Urges Cubans to
Refrain from Heading to Sea in Response to New (Cuban) Immigration Reform.”*

The article is based on statements by William Ostick, spokesman for the
State Department’s Office of Western Hemisphere Affairs, acknowledging that
the new Cuban immigration rules might trigger “changes” in the flow of
immigrants coming from the island.

It goes on to explain that “The United States’ visa requirements will
remain ‘unchanged,’ and a visa or other valid authorization will be
required to enter this country.”  No mention is made of the other panic –
that of the corporate bosses in the professional market who impose a series
of norms, study programs, exams, etc. in order to gain entry.  They’re
already trying to figure out how to rescind the privileges granted up until
now in this sector, in order to provoke Cuban emigration.

*Machetera is a member of Tlaxcala <http://www.tlaxcala-int.org>, the
international network of translators for linguistic diversity.  This
translation may be reprinted as long as the content remains unaltered, and
the source, author, and translator are cited.*
   *machetera <http://machetera.wordpress.com/author/machetera/>* | January
9, 2013 at 1:18 pm | URL: http://wp.me/p9jQl-1h5

 
Comment<http://machetera.wordpress.com/2013/01/09/the-cubans-are-coming-the-cuba\
ns-are-coming/#respond>
    See all
comments<http://machetera.wordpress.com/2013/01/09/the-cubans-are-coming-the-cub\
ans-are-coming/#comments>


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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

A NEW YEAR OF STRUGGLE:



POPULAR MOVEMENTS FOR JUSTICE & INDEPENDENT POLITICS

  A PUBLIC FORUM COMMEMORATING THE 84TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF THE REV.
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.


SUNDAY, JANUARY 13th - 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM

At THE LAST BOOKSTORE

435 SOUTH SPRING STREET, DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

(NORTHWEST CORNER OF 5TH & SPRING. ENTRY ON 5TH STREET)



   PROGRAM:



PANEL #1 ~ 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
WHY DO WE NEED INDEPENDENT POLITICS?
HOW CAN INDEPENDENT POLITICS BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITIES?

MARCY WINOGRAD
FORMER DEMOCRATIC PARTY PEACE AND REFORM CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESS,
CURRENTLY A GREEN PARTY ACTIVIST IN L.A.

GARY GORDON
FORMER CITY COUNCILMEMBER AND MAYOR, CITY OF GAINESVILLE, FLA.
ELECTED AS AN INDEPENDENT, CURRENTLY A PEACE AND FREEDOM PARTY ACTIVIST IN
L.A.

MIKE FEINSTEIN
FORMER CITY COUNCILMEMBER AND MAYOR, CITY OF SANTA MONICA
ELECTED AS A GREEN PARTY CANDIDATE, STILL AN ACTIVIST

RON GOCHEZ
CURRENT INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE FOR L.A. CITY COUNCIL, 9TH DISTRICT

KOKAYI KWA JITAHIDI
CHAIR/CONVENOR, SOUTH LOS ANGELES PEOPLE'S CONVENTION
A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER FOR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE

KWAZI NKRUMAH
LOS ANGELES NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS BUDGET ADVISORY GROUP
ELECTED MEMBER AND BUDGET REP OF GREATER ECHO PARK / ELYSIAN NEIGHBORHOOD
COUNCIL


BREAK WITH REFRESHMENTS
1:00 PM - 1:15 PM

PANEL #2 - 1:20 PM to 3:20 PM
BUILDING COMMUNITY POWER THROUGH DIRECT ACTION AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
SEX, RACE AND CLASS IN STRUGGLES FOR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE
--- MARGARET PRESCOD, GLOBAL WOMEN'S STRIKE

DIRECT ACTION AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZING FOR HUMAN RIGHTS TODAY
--- BILAL ALI, OCCUPY THE HOOD

YOUTH ORGANIZING FOR JUSTICE
  --- KIM MAGILL, CHUCO'S JUSTICE CENTER/YOUTH JUSTICE COALITION

BEATING BACK RACIST ATTACKS ON BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES
  --- CARLOS MONTES

FIGHTING FOR HEALTH ACCESS IN OPPRESSED COMMUNITIES: HOOD HEALTH
  --- JAMIE GARCIA, HOOD HEALTH

RESISTING HOME FORECLOSURES
  --- ULISES HERNANDEZ, THE HERNANDEZ FAMILY/FUERZA HERNANDEZ

WORKPLACE JUSTICE (TENTATIVE)
  --- WALMART WORKERS

FIGHTING POLICE SPYING AND THE BIG BROTHER STATE (TENTATIVE)
  --- HAMID KAHN

   SPONSORED BY THE MARTIN LUTHER KING COALITION

AND

OCCUPY THE BALLOT!

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT KWAZI NKRUMAH at: 213-884-5190 or:
kwazinkrumah@...

OR GO ONLINE TO: WWW.KPFK.ORG



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

http://freethoughtblogs.com/maryamnamazie/2013/01/10/list-of-protests-against-ex\
ecution-of-zanyar-and-loghman-moradi/


JAN102013
List of protests against Execution of Zanyar and Loghman
Moradi<http://freethoughtblogs.com/maryamnamazie/2013/01/10/list-of-protests-aga\
inst-execution-of-zanyar-and-loghman-moradi/>

Politics <http://freethoughtblogs.com/maryamnamazie/category/politics/>

by Maryam
Namazie<http://freethoughtblogs.com/maryamnamazie/author/maryamnamazie/>

Zanyar and Loghman Moradi, two young men, face imminent execution in Iran
on trumped up charges of “enmity against god� and “corruption on earth�.

Zanyar
asks<http://freethoughtblogs.com/maryamnamazie/2013/01/10/i-dreamed-god-forgivin\
g/>:
“Is the world so cruel as to stand by and watch [our] public execution and
say and do nothing?�.
Please say and do something now…

Join below protests in your cities of residence, organise or carry out acts
of solidarity., Tweet #FreeMoradis.  Stop the execution of political
prisoners in #Iran, #Zanyar & #Loghman #Moradi. Sign petitions here
<http://www.gopetition.com/petition/41784.html>
or
here<https://www.change.org/petitions/please-do-not-let-them-execute-loghman-and\
-zenyar>.
Join Facebook pages supporting them here
<http://www.facebook.com/FreeZanyarAndLoghmanMoradi>
or here
<http://www.facebook.com/events/329499683830092/?suggestsessionid=10000049547548\
51357631038>and
send protest letters
here<http://rowzane.com/index.php/annonce-archiev/62-edam/12030-letter-from-zani\
ar-moradi-from-prison.html>.
Join “I would be execution in Iran if I did
this<http://www.facebook.com/pages/I-would-be-executed-in-Iran-if-I-did-this/107\
261949318147?ref=ts&fref=ts>�
on Facebook.

Here is a list of protests being held on 11 and 12 January 2013:
Updated 10 January 9:50am
ليست آکسیون های در خارج کشور در اعتراض به
حکم اعدام زانيار و لقمان مرادي
�راخوان به گردهمايي جهاني در همبستگي با
کمپين جهاني

�رانک�ورت (آلمان): Frankfurt (Germany)
جمعه ١١ ژانویه ساعت ٢ بعدازظهر 11 January from 2pm
مکان: مقابل کنسولگري جمهوري اسلامي Across from the
Consulate of the Islamic
Republic of Iran
Frankfurt Dornbusch Raimund St. 100

کلن (آلمان): Cologne (Germany)
شنبه ۱۲ ژانويه، ساعت ٢ بعدازظهر 12 January from 2pm
مکان: مقابل کلیساي مرکزي شهر (دم پلاته) Across
from Domplatz
�راخوان دهندگان: جمعيت د�اع از زندانيان
سياسي ايران- کلن با پشتيباني جوانان
و دانشجويان موج سبز کلن
کميته بين المللي عليه اعدامRead the rest of this entry
»<http://freethoughtblogs.com/maryamnamazie/2013/01/10/list-of-protests-against\
-execution-of-zanyar-and-loghman-moradi/#more-3487>

http://www.marxist.com/glimpses-of-iran.htm

Glimpses of Iran <http://www.marxist.com/glimpses-of-iran.htm>
Written by Iraj NajafabadiWednesday, 09 January 2013
[image: Print] <http://www.marxist.com/glimpses-of-iran/print.htm#>

For the past year Iran has experienced a deepening crisis of capitalism,
which in the last few months has spiralled into hyperinflation and
devaluation of the currency. A recent trip to the country provided a
perspective of the current situation within, particularly how people are
dealing with the worsening conditions.

[image: Tehran. Photo: Dieter
Zirnig]<http://www.marxist.com/images/stories/iran/Tehran_street-Dieter_Zirnig.j\
pg>Tehran.
Photo: Dieter ZirnigFor most of the trip I was in contact with people from
northern Tehran, predominantly a middle class area and one of the most
affluent in the country. But even here some of the adverse effects of the
crisis were apparent. The Iranian Rial has lost 80% of its value since the
end of 2011, falling to as much as 35,000 to the dollar. The most profound
impact of this among the middle class is the severe devaluation of savings
and purchasing power; many I spoke to revealed the loss of their expendable
income, and inability to buy luxury goods they previously could afford.
Visits to the shopping districts such as Tajrish as well as the Tehran
Bazaar found all to be much quieter than normal, indicating how far
consumption has decreased.

Almost all I spoke to blamed the government for the current plight of the
country. One university professor, for example, pointed out that up until
recently, the government claimed Western-imposed sanctions had no effect on
the Iranian economy, making it difficult to accept its recent line that
sanctions are the cause of the current currency crisis. From a Marxist
perspective, it cannot be denied that sanctions have worsened the situation
in Iran, especially the standard of living, but it should not hide the fact
that they have, more than anything, exacerbated a crisis generated by the
nature of the Iranian capitalist economy. Relying on the export of oil and
natural gas, the Iranian government is weak in the anarchic world market to
which all countries are enslaved. Most people I spoke to at least
recognised that there was a fundamental problem with the handling of the
economy, independent of the impact of sanctions.

However, it was equally clear that people from this layer of society did
not believe it necessary to take action to change the situation. I was told
that people were able to get by and live relatively comfortably.
Furthermore, there was a general feeling of demoralisation amongst people
who previously participated in the Green Movement of 2009; one such
individual, a vet from Tehran, argued that there was no point protesting
anymore because previous efforts for change were to no avail, being met
with bloodshed and oppression. All were aware of the deep divide within the
government, and the prospect of a regime crumbling from within only
confirmed their inclination that direct action was unnecessary.
Nevertheless, the relative level of comfort these people enjoy can only
last so long.

The poorer layers of society do not even have this safety net, and have
been driven to the limit of subsistence by the current crisis. When even
basic goods are unaffordable the potential effects are either paralysis or
anger. The latter was most apparent in the protests at Neyshabur on 23 July
earlier this year, when people took the streets over the rising cost of
chicken.

However I noticed the opposite effect when speaking to one dockworker in
the industrial town of Abadan in the south-west province of Khuzestan. He
spoke of how much the town had changed under the current regime, falling
into deprivation from a position of relative affluence. When I asked him
why, he blamed the government’s poor handling of the economy, especially
its failure to provide welfare assistance when people most needed it.
Indeed, he revealed how he was having to stop buying meat altogether.
However, when I asked him what should be done to change it, he said he
simply did not know. In such times, such raw anger can only ultimately be
channelled into paralysis when a lack of a clear political alternative is
presented.

At the same time, the crisis has not necessarily stretched across the whole
country. During a stay in a village in Esfahan province, local residents
told me that life had remained largely unchanged. Their expectations were
not the same as those living in the cities, and much of what they consumed
was produced locally. Moreover, they were largely unaware of the political
situation of the country. The one resident that did speak to me about
politics – a caretaker – was inclined to supporting Ahmadinejad merely
because of a series of recent populist policies aimed at the poorest strata
of society, such as cash handouts to mitigate the blow dealt by the cut in
state subsidies.

I was not made fully aware of the wider feeling in working class industrial
areas from my own experience, but what was clear was how much they were
being monitored by the regime. In Abadan, which is home to the largest oil
refinery in Iran, as well as around the Haft Tapeh sugar cane plantation,
there was high security; I saw armed guards surrounding the perimeter of
the refinery, and on the roads around Haft Tapeh there were several check
points which we were only allowed to pass because of a nearby historical
site. Whether this is typical remains unknown, but either way it
demonstrates the sensitivity with which the government has about these
workplaces. It was the Abadan oil strike during the 1978-9 revolution that
dealt the most severe blow to the Shah’s regime, and a similar strike today
would have a similar outcome. While the government does pay the Abadan oil
workers – as well the workers in its apparatus of oppression, such as the
Revolutionary Guards – a higher than average wage, the current worsening of
living conditions must mean the regime’s sensitivity has been greatly
heightened.

And from recent events in the country, it is clear that there is a growing
opposition to the government’s handling of the economy among the working
class. Over the last 4 months, a campaign of petitions directed at the
regime has taken place across 13 different provinces, carrying 23,000
signatures, demanding the raising of the minimum wage by the same level as
inflation, payment of unpaid wages, and the introduction of benefits in
certain industries, in a clear statement that workers see their struggles
as one. Whether the workers at Abadan share these feelings remains unknown.

Because of such events, it is likely that any mass movement that might
arise in the country will have a different character to the Green Movement.
The new working class layers brought into opposition by inflation will have
an important role to play in any struggle. This is especially so given the
demoralisation of the middle class layers. And although many in the middle
class have no desire for protest at the moment, they could yet be driven
into it if the crisis deepens.

Steel Workers Strike Resumes

Featured <http://iranlaborreport.com/?cat=7> / recent
updates<http://iranlaborreport.com/?cat=1>
January 6, 20130 <http://iranlaborreport.com/?p=2175#comments>

According to the reports by the Free Union of Iranian Workers, Safa Rolling
Pipe factory workers in the city of Saveh haveresumed with their
strike <http://iranlaborreport.com/?p=2101>over
six months back wages.

1200 steel workers went on a four-hour strike on December 29 ending it
following management’s promise to pay one month of their back wages. They
then vowed to go on strike the next day in case their one month wages were
not paid by that day’s very midnight.

The following day, with no action taken by the employer, the workers took
their protests to the governor’s offices at 4:00 p.m. With the refusal of
the state officials to receive the workers representatives, the workers
attempted to block the roads around the governor’s office. At 5:30 p.m.,
the governor of Saveh state came to the workers gathering and announced the
participation of Rostami Safa – the employer at Saveh Profiles and Safa
Rolling Pipes factories – in a meeting at the governor’s office on January
1 and agree to pay one month of back wages, return to work of 20 Saveh
Profiles expelled workers and subsequently called for an end to the strike.

The workers, however, stressed on six months of their back wages dues and
their determination to continue with their strike. The workers chose 10
representatives to meet with Rostami Safa at the governor’s office for the
said meeting.

On December 31, the strike continued with the workers putting tires on
fire, closing the gates of the plant. Fire trucks along with security
forces asked the workers to take their protest inside the plant compounds.
The strike continued with more gate closures in the afternoon of that day.

On the forth day of the strike, 250 engineer and skilled personnel at the
factory joined the strike, closing the plant gates similar to the previous
day’s action. The workers representatives met as planned with the governor
with Rostami Safa not showing up. The governor in an hour and a half
meeting on that day talked of holding State Security Council meeting on
January 5 making Rostami Safa committed to pay the back wages and the
authority of his office to even arrest him in case he did not fulfill his
promises.

The workers delegates declared that they will continue the strike and will
end it as soon as six months back wages are paid. The workers did resume
with their strike.

On the eighth day of the strike, Rostami Safa, the owner, showed at the
workers protest gathering making promises and encouraging the workers to
end their strike. In a 2.5 hour meeting with the workers’ representatives,
he made promises of paying August and September wages and October and
November wages in February with December and January wages to be paid in
March along with yearly bonuses and the February and March wages to be paid
after that.

The workers hearing the promises from their representatives decided not to
stop the strike and make a decision in a general meeting later.





    -
   
<http://freethoughtblogs.com/maryamnamazie/2013/01/10/list-of-protests-against-e\
xecution-of-zanyar-and-loghman-moradi/?share=facebook&nb=1>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

From Ross Altman: Greygoosemusic@...

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE:

John Johnson Birthday Party

And Benefit for Change-Links

At The Talking Stick Coffee Lounge in Venice

When: Thursday, July 4th, 2013, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM



Dear Friends of John,



I saw John this afternoon and brought over your latest emails and good wishes. 
He was dozing when I got there and I did not want to wake him up; however the
physical therapist came into his room while I was still there and had no such
compunctions. "Up and at 'em!" to our cardiac patient; she got him up and
walking, for the second time today. The first time he walked over 120 steps, she
told me; "more than I have done today," I replied.



John's vital signs were stable when I visited--his blood pressure was a little
lower than they like earlier in the day but was corrected. Valley Presbyterian
Hospital is located on Van Owen one block east of Sepulveda in the Valley. He is
in room 111 in ICU. I am happy to bring over any more emails I receive tomorrow.



John works on a shoestring to keep Change-Links going; what better time than his
birthday to express our appreciation for a job well done for many years. I have
secured a venue for John's benefit birthday party on July 4 at the Talking Stick
Coffee Lounge, 1411 Lincoln Blvd., Venice, CA from 7:00 to 10:00 PM.



Save the Date! The Spirit of '76 will be celebrated as the symbol of resistance
in Los Angeles: Change-Links.



All Best,

Ross











[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

VTV has already started their coverage from several locations and it looks
10's of thousands already.

Cort

It will be fair to say that the jan.10th rally will be massive and is still
planned as scheduled ( even with today's ruling with the TSJ) I would bet
that you can watch it on streaming below, events such as this are on TV.

Former Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo will be attending the rally in
Venezuela on Thursday in support of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, who
is currently in Cuba recovering from a cancer surgery, and who announced
that he will not attend his swearing-in ceremony for his new term in
office.

According to state-run news agency AVN, other Latin American leaders will
be attending the event as well, namely José Mujica, Uruguay; and Evo
Morales, Bolivia. Argentinean Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman and his
Ecuadorian counterpart, Ricardo Patiño, will also travel to Venezuela to
attend the rally.

* The rally will take place in front of the Miraflores Palace in Caracas
from 10:00 in the morning.*

  Also there will be as part of the schedule, the Caracas Youth Symphony
Orchestra will give a concert at the Teatro Teresa Carreño, located in Fine
Arts, at 7:00 pm, which will feature the presence of the heads of
government who will be visiting Venezuela on Thursday.


*VTV - http://www.vtv.gob.ve/en-vivo *
10:00 in the morning, check the clock * **
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=58*<http://www.google.com/url?\
q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timeanddate.com%2Fworldclock%2Fcity.html%3Fn%3D58&sa=D&sntz=1\
&usg=AFQjCNF4RXv59Y_OZdvqPYtChlXaBklkfw>
* and they are 1 and a half hours ahead of Eastern time in the US.*
*
*
*also may be carried on Telesur  or they may have updated reports -
http://www.telesurtv.net/el-canal/senal-en-vivo<http://www.google.com/url?q=http\
%3A%2F%2Fwww.telesurtv.net%2Fel-canal%2Fsenal-en-vivo&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFHQo\
XYGY8EcbiUx4xrF5dhZnmW8A>
*
*
*
*other streaming stations from Venezuela and worldwide -
http://wwitv.com/television/222.htm*
**
*Cort*


*
*


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Interfaith Communities United For Justice & Peace

Invites You To A

Silent Vigil, Rally & Press Conference To

Close Guantánamo Now!



Friday, January 11th, 11 Years Too Long

Meet at Downtown LA Federal Building

300 N. Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles (Temple & Los Angeles Streets)



Silent Vigil & Tableau at 10:00 AM

Rally/Press Conference at 10:45 AM



Mark the 11th anniversary of the opening of Guantánamo prison & the human
rights violations it represents, including torture, detention without
charge, unfair trials, Islamophobia & impunity for crimes by US government
officials.



Press Conference/Rally Emceed by Grace Dyrness, Vice Chair of ICUJP,

      at 10:45 AM, Where a Number of Civil & Human Rights Advocates Will
Speak:

Speakers:
Salaam Al Marayati - Executive Director, Muslim Public Affairs Committee
Hector Aristizabal – Torture survivor and performer, Program for Torture
Victims
Ahilan Arulanantham - Deputy Legal Director, ACLU-SC; LA-vs NDAA Coalition
Mario Avila - Torture survivor and activist, School of the Americas Watch
Virginia Classick, Board Member, National Religious Campaign Against Torture

George Friday – Organizer, Bill of Rights Defense Committee
John O’Brien – Peace and Human Rights Activist, Out Against War
Michael Rapkin – Attorney representing Guantánamo Detainee
Stephen Rohde - Chair, ICUJP and ACLU Foundation of Southern California
Christine Stone – Coordinator, World Can’t Wait
Ameena Qazi – Deputy Executive Director/Staff Attorney, Council on American
Islamic Relations-So. CA





                                                 *Close Guantánamo and end
abuses at Bagram

                                                 *End indefinite solitary
confinement in US prisons

                                                 *Release detainees or charge
and fairly try them in federal court

                                                 *Repeal the detention
provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act

                                                 *Hold government officials
accountable for torture & other serious abuses

                                                 *End the Islamophobia that
fuels Guantánamo & US detention policies



"The United States has always asserted global leadership in the field of
human rights. But noxious facilities like Guantánamo, Bagram, Abu Ghraib and
the CIA black sites, where torture is allowed but due process isn't, make a
mockery of those assertions, as does the plague of solitary confinement in
our domestic prisons." said ICUJP organizer Jon Krampner.

“The time has come for the American people to make their voices heard
against the scourge of indefinite detention.  We must all demand that the
government repeal the National Defense Authorization Act, before the horrors
of Guantánamo are brought to us here at home,” added Stephen Rohde, chair of
ICUJP and the ACLU Foundation of Southern California.

ICUJP and its coalition partners call on President Obama and Attorney
General Holder to investigate and, where warranted, prosecute high U.S.
government officials who have designed and implemented policies of torture
at home and abroad; calls on Senator Dianne Feinstein, chair of the Senate
Intelligence Community to release the report on CIA use of torture; and
calls for the repeal of the indefinite detention provisions of the National
Defense Authorization Act.





For More Information Contact Andy Griggs: Program Director,
Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace
andy.icujp@... - 310-704-3217

www.icujp.org

Religious Communities Must Stop Blessing War and Violence



Endorsers:  Addicted to War * American Civil Liberties Union–So CA *
American Friends Service Committee–LA * Amnesty International USA *
Anti-Racist Action-LA * Bill of Rights  Defense Committee * Café Intifada *
Center for Constitutional Rights * CODEPINK LA * Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR-LA) * Freedom Socialist Party * Hadsell Stormer Richardson &
Renick LLP * ImaginAction * LA Laborfest * LA-Palestine Labor Solidarity
Committee * LA Region Religious Campaign Against Torture (LARRCAT) * LA vs.
NDAA Coalition * Law Offices of Michael S. Rapkin * MLK , Jr. Coalition for
Jobs, Justice, & Peace * Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) * National
Lawyers Guild – LA * National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) *
No More Victims * Occupy The Ballot * Occupy the Hood * Office of the
Americas * Out Against War * Pax Christi–LA & So CA * The Peace Center of
United University Church * Program for Torture Victims–LA * Radical Women *
Revolution Books * Schonbrun DeSimone Seplow Harris Hoffman & Harrison LLP *
Shura Council of So CA * School of the Americas Watch–LA * Spiritual Youth
for Justice and Peace * St. Camillus Center for Spiritual Care * Topanga
Peace Alliance * Unifying Peace With Actions Respect & Dignity (UPWARD) *
The WE Project *     World Can’t Wait-LA

  To endorse or for information, go to www.icujp.org, call 213-748-1643 or
email icujp@...







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

http://www.democracynow.org/2013/1/9/australia_on_fire_record_shattering_hea
t

Australia on Fire: Record-Shattering Heat, Wildfires Engulf World's Largest
Exporter of Coal

ANNA ROSE: " I took our former finance minister on a four-week journey
around the world. And when we started, he had said that climate change might
be happening, but that humans were not responsible, and he was quite opposed
to any kind of action on climate change. We traveled for four weeks. I took
him to the United States, then met some people in the U.K. We talked about
human rights implications. By the end, I did get him to a point where he
said, in his words, "Climate change is happening, and humans have probably
caused part of it." And I was also able to convince him, somewhat, of the
need to switch to renewable energy, because we need to make this transition
right away towards clean energy, towards wind and solar, because if we
don't, we are going to see more and more of these devastating extreme
weather events that are hurting not just Australia, but people all around
the world."

Democracy Now: Wednesday, January 9, 2013

NERMEEN SHAIKH: We begin our show in Australia, where hundreds of bush fires
continue to rage amidst the country's fiercest heat wave in more than 80
years. It's so hot, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology has taken the
unprecedented step of adding two new colors-deep purple and pink-to its
weather maps to show temperatures between 122 and 129 degrees Fahrenheit.

On Monday, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard toured fire-ravaged
Tasmania, where some 50,000 acres of forests and farmland were destroyed in
fires.

PRIME MINISTER JULIA GILLARD: We live in a country that is hot and dry and
where we sustain, you know, very destructive fires periodically, so there is
always going to be risk. And, you know, whilst you would not put any one
event down to climate change-weather doesn't work like that-but we do know,
over time, that as a result of climate change, we are going to see more
extreme weather events and conditions. So we live with this risk, and we
need to have the best systems to manage it.

AMY GOODMAN: While Australia is suffering from record-shattering heat, here
in the United States the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
announced 2012 was by far the hottest year on record for the continental 48
states, the average temperature 55.3 degrees, one degree above the previous
record and 3.2 degrees more than the 20th-century average.

Well, for more, right now we're going to Sydney, Australia, where we're
joined via Democracy Now! videostream by Anna Rose. She is the co-founder
and chair of Australian Youth Climate Coalition, as well as the author of
Madlands: A Journey to Change the Mind of a Climate Sceptic.

Anna Rose, welcome to Democracy Now! What's happening in your country, this
record-shattering heat, it's being described as a dome of heat, your country
literally on fire. For people around the world who are not following this,
just describe what's happening in Australia.

ANNA ROSE: Well, right now in Austria, we're having record-breaking heat
waves. There are fires burning in almost every single Australian state and
territory. People have been evacuated. Some people have lost their homes;
they've lost everything. Our Bureau of Meteorology has come out and said
that these are the kind of heat wave conditions that are absolutely
unprecedented in our history in terms of the duration, the ferocity. And
it's expected to continue into the weekend and to get worse.

NERMEEN SHAIKH: Anna Rose, can you say something about how these fires
follow on all that happened, in climate terms, in 2012 in Australia? There
were extreme floods; much of Queensland was submerged. Can you talk a little
about that?

ANNA ROSE: The last two years have been really rough in terms of extreme
weather events in Australia. In Queensland, we had big floods that covered
an area bigger than the size of France and Germany combined. We had entire
towns that were really destroyed by this flooding. But we also-I come from a
farming background, and we're starting to see the impacts in agriculture all
over the country. And when you talk to farmers, they'll tell you that it
rains less often, but when it does rain, it all comes down at once, because,
essentially, what we're doing to our climate system is we're messing with
the water cycle. And so, when we know that warmer air holds more water
vapor, which means there's less vapor in the soil, when it does come down,
it all comes down at once.

It's not just Australia. We've seen huge droughts in China, massive floods
in Pakistan. Obviously there was Hurricane Sandy in the United States. All
around the world-in Russia, the Kremlin, a couple years back, had to ban
wheat and corn exports in 2011 because they were having such extreme heat
waves that they couldn't export them anymore. And then we saw the price of
grain go up threefold around the world, which caused huge food insecurity.

So, the key message from all of this, and what our weather agencies are
telling us, is that this is the new normal. This isn't just some freak
extreme weather event. Actually, we've seen a trend over the last few
decades of extreme weather events on the rise, getting worse and worse, as
we pump more and more carbon pollution into the atmosphere and make climate
change worse.

AMY GOODMAN: You were just in-you were just in Antarctica? Can you describe
going from Australia to Antarctica and back?

ANNA ROSE: So I just got back to Australia yesterday from Antarctica, where
I was talking to people there about the impacts of climate change. Now,
western Antarctica, it's still very cold, but it's actually the most quickly
warming land mass. So the Arctic is warming very quickly, but it's an ocean.
West Antarctica has warmed three times the global average. And that's
starting to have some impacts on penguin populations, on marine life, and
also starting to see the impact of ocean acidification, because we can all
see what's happening on land and in the air, but the other big changes that
are happening are in our oceans, particularly with the formation of calcium
carbonate, which is a really important substance for little marine
organisms, which feed fish, which then provide protein for much of the
world. So, when it comes to climate change, sometimes you hear people
talking about polar bears or rainforests, and those things are important,
but really we're starting to see the impacts, and we have for a while now,
on human health, human infrastructure, on food security and on our
day-to-day lives. That's certainly what's happening here in Australia.
People are starting to see the impacts in a very practical and a very scary
way in our everyday lives.

NERMEEN SHAIKH: Anna Rose, the U.N. climate summit just concluded last month
in Doha, Qatar. Given what you've outlined of what we've seen of extreme
weather events, can you give us your assessment of that conference and how
that world body is dealing with this problem?

ANNA ROSE: Well, the United Nations climate conference will never aim higher
than what the governments attending demand. And those governments will never
aim higher than what their people demand. So, I won't-I don't believe we'll
have significant progress at the international level until we're able to
build an even stronger movement in Australia, in America and around the
world. And that movement has certainly begun. There is an enormous climate
justice movement all over the world. And particularly the youth part of that
movement, which is what I've been working with for the last few years, has
just grown exponentially as the scale of the crisis grows.

In Australia, we have now a carbon price, and we are investing $10 billion
in renewable energy to start the shift away from fossil fuels and towards
clean energy, like wind and solar. But we still have a lot of work to do,
particularly on things like our coal exports from Queensland. I know in the
United States you have similar issues with the power of vested interests in
politics. So, the U.N. climate talks will continue, countries will continue
to make incremental steps, but we won't achieve the really genuine,
significant, deep cuts in carbon pollution until we're able to get to work
to build an even stronger movement for climate justice in 2013.

AMY GOODMAN: The U.N. climate summit will be taking place in Poznan, Poland,
a country massively reliant on coal. But Australia is the world's largest
exporter of coal, the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel. The Guardian writes
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/08/australia-heatwave-weat
her> , "Australians now burn, on average, slightly more carbon per capita
than the citizens of the [United States], and more than twice as much as the
people of the United Kingdom." Anna Rose, talk about the state of the
environmental movement. As you say, nothing will happen until the people
push their so-called leaders. But has this massive catastrophic heat wave in
Australia, bringing you to temperatures, well, in American language, more
than 122 degrees Fahrenheit-how has it changed the movement?

ANNA ROSE: Some parts of the media are connecting the dots between extreme
weather and climate change. And certainly, as climate campaigners and people
who try to help people understand what's happening to our country and to our
planet with climate change, we've been trying to encourage the movement to
have those conversations to be able to connect the dots. But, of course, we
have some other elements of the media who simply aren't making the link at
all, and that's where we need to come and remind people that this is a
tragedy, what we're seeing here in Australia, and we need to be able to come
together as a community not just to deal with the short-term impacts, but
also to look ahead at what Australia is facing in terms of our extreme
weather events, our food security, our health, our infrastructure, and what
we can do to reduce our carbon pollution, because, as you say, Australia is
the highest per-capita carbon polluter out of all of the OECD countries. And
right now, the movement, the climate movement in Australia, is focusing a
lot of its attention towards the coal exports issue, particularly in
Queensland, where we have two mining billionaires who want to export huge
amounts of coal through our Great Barrier Reef. And what we need to be doing
instead is developing clean technology and exporting that to the rest of the
world.

NERMEEN SHAIKH: Anna Rose, very quickly, before we conclude, could you talk
a little about your book, Madlands: A Journey to Change the Mind of a
Climate Sceptic, which documents your journey around the world trying to
persuade the former Austrian finance minister of climate change science?

ANNA ROSE: I took our former finance minister on a four-week journey around
the world. And when we started, he had said that climate change might be
happening, but that humans were not responsible, and he was quite opposed to
any kind of action on climate change. We traveled for four weeks. I took him
to the United States, then met some people in the U.K. We talked about human
rights implications. By the end, I did get him to a point where he said, in
his words, "Climate change is happening, and humans have probably caused
part of it." And I was also able to convince him, somewhat, of the need to
switch to renewable energy, because we need to make this transition right
away towards clean energy, towards wind and solar, because if we don't, we
are going to see more and more of these devastating extreme weather events
that are hurting not just Australia, but people all around the world.

AMY GOODMAN: Anna Rose, we have just 30 seconds. How significant is the
position of the United States on the issue of climate change?

ANNA ROSE: It's incredibly significant. You can't overestimate how important
what America does is for countries like Australia and countries around the
world. The rest of the world has started to act on climate change. Europe
has been doing it for a long time. In New Zealand, Australia, we have carbon
prices now. We certainly have a lot more work to do, but those big steps
won't happen until we get the United States to put a price on carbon, to
significantly invest in renewable energy, and to start moving away from
fossil fuels.

AMY GOODMAN: Well, Anna Rose, I want to thank you very much for being with
us, co-founder and chair of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, author
of Madlands: A Journey to Change the Mind of a Climate Sceptic, speaking to
us from an extremely hot country right now, the hottest in 80 years. We're
talking to her in Sydney, Australia, with record-shattering temperatures.
This is Democracy Now! We'll be back in a moment.

* * *

http://www.progressive.org/green-groups-urge-obama-to-act-on-climate-change

70 Green Groups Urge Obama to Act on Climate Change

By Tina Gerhardt,
The Progressive: January 9, 2013

Last Friday, the League of Women Voters in Hawaii sent Obama back to D.C. on
his last day of family vacation in his native Hawaii with a reminder that
his action or inaction on addressing climate change will have a great impact
on the island's future. The group ran a full-page ad in the local Honolulu
Star Advertiser, urging him to take action to address climate change,
especially to use existing executive authority under the Clean Air Act, to
reduce emissions.

On Monday, a broad coalition of over 70 environmental, civil, health and
labor groups  <http://www.progressive.org/scot/greenletter.pdf> signed and
sent an open letter to President Obama, demanding he take action on climate
change during his second term in office.

They referenced his September 7, 2012, speech in Chicago, when on the
campaign trail, when Obama stated, "climate change is not a hoax. More
drought and floods and hurricanes are not a joke. They're a threat to our
children's future. And we can do something about it."

Discussing the letter, Frances Beinecke, President of the Natural Resources
Defense Council, wrote: "When I first started working on climate change a
decade ago, we spoke in terms of distant forecasts and long-range impacts.
Now we simply look out the window to see what climate change can do to our
communities ... We no longer have the luxury of time. We must act now to
prevent more Americans from feeling the pain of los jobs, destroyed homes
and shuttered businesses."

The groups demanded that President Obama take three steps to curb carbon
pollution:

1. Raise his voice. Elevate the issue of climate change and solutions in the
public discourse by connecting the dots between carbon pollution and extreme
weather;

2. Use his executive authority, in particular, by using the EPA's existing
authority under the Clean Air Act to reduce emissions from power plants;

3. Reject dirty fossil fuels, especially when climate science tells us that
80% of the existing fossil fuels need to be kept in the ground.

These steps, the groups delineated, can be taken without the vote of the
divided Congress. The groups urged that climate change be put at the "top
tier" of his agenda.

In particular the groups stated that the "Keystone XL tar sands pipeline is
not in our national interest because it would unlock vast amounts of
additional carbon that we can't afford to burn."

Environmental groups are awaiting the final decision on the Keystone
Pipeline from the State Department. (The decision lies with the State
Department since the project crosses the national border into Canada.) With
the nomination of Senator John Kerry as Secretary of State to replace
Hillary Clinton, some green groups are optimistic about the administration's
commitment to climate change.

In an interview with The Progressive, Bill McKibben, Executive Director of
350.org, said, "The first thing President Obama should do is block the
Keystone Pipeline. If he does, he'll have a big army of environmentalists
ready to help him move forward on other fronts."

350.org and the Sierra Club are calling for a national day of action on
President's Day weekend to urge President Obama to address climate change.
(Day of action: Sunday, February 17; President's Day is Monday, February 18,
2013.) For more information: http://act.350.org/signup/presidentsday

Tina Gerhardt is an independent journalist and academic who covers energy
policy, climate negotiations and related direct actions. Her work has
appeared in Alternet, Grist, The Nation, The Progressive and the Washington
Monthly, as well as Business Green, Climate Progress and TreeHugger.

   _____

No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2013.0.2805 / Virus Database: 2637/6019 - Release Date: 01/08/13



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Venezuela’s Opposition Calls Supreme Court Decision a “Coup”
Jan 10th 2013, by Chris Carlson


Henrique Capriles at a press conference following Wednesday's Supreme
Court decision (Photo: Juan Carlos Neira)

Punto Fijo, January 10th, 2013 (Venezuelanalysis.com) – Venezuela’s
opposition leaders and media reacted angrily to the Venezuelan Supreme
Court’s decision to delay President Hugo Chavez’s inauguration,
calling it a “coup” and claiming the Chavez government has illegally
taken power.

Opposition leaders had called on the Supreme Court to make a decision
regarding the legality of postponing the inauguration, yet were
angered when the official decision announced on Wednesday confirmed
that Chavez’s inauguration was not necessary for the Chavez government
to continue in power.

Various media outlets referred to a “coup d’état”, while opposition
leaders claimed the decision was “prefabricated” and “a huge lie”. One
editorial from the opposition daily El Universal called it “the worst
crisis in the history of the republic.”

“This decision allows our country to be governed by people who have
not been elected,” said opposition spokesperson Vestalia Sampedro.

Former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles held a press
conference following the Supreme Court decision to detail what would
be the opposition’s official response.

“This doesn’t clear up the uncertainty. This is a government full of
liars,” said a visibly angry Capriles.

“Venezuela’s Supreme Court has decided to resolve this problem for the
government,” he said, insisting that the court was simply “responding
to the interests of a political party”.

Although earlier Capriles had said that Chavez’s swearing-in could be
postponed, in recent days he changed position, now claiming that the
president of the National Assembly should take power.

“None of these people were elected in October’s elections,” he said,
referring to the officials that make up the Chavez government. “Here
the people voted for only one person, and we wonder what the people of
Venezuela think about these people who make up the government,” he
said.

But despite earlier threats to create “anarchy” by calling for a
“general strike” and calling on their supporters to take the streets,
Capriles declined to mobilize the opposition supporters to protest the
decision, saying it would be “irresponsible” and would only create
more conflict.

An internal email from Capriles’ political party Primero Justicia
published on the opposition blog Caracas Chronicles yesterday revealed
the thinking behind the opposition strategy.

The email said the constitutional debate is “complex”, allowing for
“different interpretations”, and admitted that “most people don’t care
about it even though we do.”

“It is difficult to convince people that those who held power before
October—and also won the election—are now governing thanks to a coup,”
said the email. “We can’t be seen as trying to gain via a technicality
what we have yet to achieve via the vote.”

Globovision investigation

A fierce media campaign in recent weeks has promoted the opposition’s
interpretation of the constitution, and has claimed that the
government is engaged in a “power grab” by continuing in power for the
2013-2019 constitutional period for which Chavez was elected last
October.

The campaign provoked a response from the government, who announced on
Wednesday night that the National Commission of Telecommunications
(Conatel) was opening an investigation of private television channel
Globovision for violating Article 31 of the Media Responsibility Law.

The director of Conatel explained that the law establishes that
“television and radio media cannot transmit elements that seek to
create agitation among the population, alter the public order, attack
the stability of the democratic system and the legitimate authorities,
or seek to generate hate or intolerance for religious or political
reasons.”

The opposition channel Globovision has run constant political ads in
recent days claiming that the government was violating the
constitution by continuing in power past the January 10th inauguration
date.

Regional reaction

Several Latin American governments have expressed solidarity with the
Chavez government, and supported the official decision to delay the
inauguration of President Chavez.

A foreign policy advisor to President Dilma Roussef said on Tuesday
that there was “no discontinuity” if President Chavez were not
formally sworn-in on January 10th.

“It’s not as if a new president were elected, and therefore the term
is continued. It is the same president that is succeeding himself,”
said Brazilian advisor Marco Aurélio Garcia.

Uruguayan president José Mujica arrived in Caracas Wednesday night in
solidarity with the Chavez government and called on Venezuelans to
respect the state’s institutions.

“I am absolutely sure that Venezuelan institutions will function, and
will make the decisions that they have to make,” he said.

Several other Latin American presidents also arrived in Venezuela
early Thursday morning to attend a rally in support of Chavez, and to
show solidarity with the Venezuelan government.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source URL (retrieved on 10/01/2013 - 12:25pm):
http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/7601

Hope you can make it to this very important community forum on Saturday morning.


Ron Gochez

Social Justice Educator/Community Organizer
Union del Barrio
Southern CA Immigration Coalition


-----Original Message-----
From: Nati Carrera <natipower@...>
To: scic_list <scic_list@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thu, Jan 10, 2013 9:16 am
Subject: Jan 12 SCIC forum reminder




Just a reminder that we are having our forum on Saturday from 9-12 in the
morning at the Santee Education Complex in south LA. The flyer is attached.


Now that Obama has won re-election, what's next for the (Im)migrant Rights
Movement??
Come to discuss how to build an immigrant rights movement for dignity and
respect.







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

From: hchsc003 [mailto:hchsc003@...]
Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2013 3:21 PM


Code:  arizona

Culture

The good, the bad and the ugly


How do we change it?

By

Rodolfo F. Acuña



  I approach the topic of culture with trepidation. Better minds than mine
have written about it; it is also a hot button issue in the Mexican American
community. As important as culture is, there is a huge misunderstanding of
role that culture plays, and some of us use culture as an excuse for our
excesses.



"I once got into hot water with culturists when I suggested that I would
trade bilingual education for a guarantee that all Latino students could
read and write at the 12th grade level."



  In the early days of the Chicano Movement students would tell me that
marihuana was part of Chicano culture as if that made it acceptable. The
same reasoning was applied to other “mind enhancing” drugs no matter that
marihuana was not indigenous, its origins were in China and India, and later
transported to Europe by Arab merchants, after which it was brought to the
New World.



  No matter that even the use of other psychoactive drugs were closely
controlled by the ancients. Intoxication was permitted only for the ancient,
people such as me. The distilling of alcoholic beverages was a European
thing, and there was a difference between pulque and mescal, for example.



  My anthropologist friends tell me that man invented culture, but that
culture now controls man, which if so means that culture is not immutable;
we can change it. Indeed, just looking back on my life culture has changed
for the good, the bad and the ugly.



  Cultural change is good when it has a purpose. When I was a child I
remember my mother, grandmother and aunts making tamales. They prepared the
masa dipping into a huge tin can full of pork lard. Today canola and/or corn
oil has been substituted for the lard even though connoisseurs tell me that
the tamales don’t taste the same. My wife, however, is a health nut and
won’t even use corn oil because of the potential for GMO contamination.



  Culture, for me, is something that I enjoy, but believe that it is often
glorified. For example, we live in a modern society and education is
essential to the quality of our lives. I once got into hot water with
culturists when I suggested that I would trade bilingual education for a
guarantee that all Latino students could read and write at the 12th grade
level.



  Of course the guarantee would have to include penalties such as those in
charge of education would be held accountable, and if they failed they would
have to make a public television apology and serve jail sentences. If they
didn’t they would be like the Wall Street bankers and continue to profit
from their malfeasance.



  This sounds idiotic, but imagine the changes that would be made. The
child’s parents would have to have a good paying job and housing would have
to be improved. The culture of the community would have to change. It seems
more reasonable than teaching children to pass a test and still be left
behind.



  Despite this I like my culture. When I was a child I liked how my parents
interacted with friends. I liked eating at a table that was full of people.
During the depression no one in our circle starved because there was always
a fresh pot of boiled beans and day old bread that could be dunked into the
broth.



  I notice that as I got older even my taste in colors changed. As I got more
assimilated all the colors in my home had to be off-white. It was more
practical. Gone were the days when every house in the neighbor and every
room in the house was painted a difference color, the brighter the better.



  Colors were a very important part of our culture. My mother, my sister and
cousins all wore bright dresses adorned with flowers. The only flower that
was not represented was the geraniums – they were outside in Hills Brothers
coffee cans. We were environmentalists before the word became chic (Chic at
that time did not refer to a girl but to someone who was fashionable).



  There were other things in the culture that when I look back at them were
not so equal. My male cousins would not be caught dead washing dishes. I was
saved because my mother was legally blind and so I did chores such as the
dishes and scrubbed the kitchen floor.



  Also as I think back, the only ones that I ever saw drunk were males. A
good wedding was a failure if it did not have at least one good fight.
Boorish behavior was generally a male thing.



  This was not so much because there were genetic differences between males
and females but because of the mores established by men. A woman that drank
was a puta (whore) but you were only a puto if you were homosexual which was
being like a woman. This is part of the ugly in all cultures.



  Culture can and should change in these circumstances. Fewer people smoke
today, and we eat tamales with the masa made with canola oil.



  But it is hard for some people to let go. After all being a Mexican is
ripping off a jalapeño and eating menudo, and some even carry it to the
extreme and say the menudo is not menudo unless it is full of red chile. I
was also saved from this, my maternal family is Sonoran, and we ate white
menudo.



  Bad habits take a long time to die. I was watching a concert by the late
Jenni Rivera. I was surprised by that the audience -- mostly women, young
and old. They were doing something that I have always enjoyed watching
Mexican audiences do, they sang along, made gestures, and they actually knew
the words of the songs. Americans have to put the words on the screen.



  However, what turned me off was that many had a glass of alcohol or a
bironga in their hands. It was not that women were doing it that turned me
off, but that drinking has become synonymous with Mexican culture. Mexican
songs have become like fraternity drink songs.



  Does “Volver Volver” really sound better with a beer in your hand?
Shouldn’t this habit go the way of larded tamales?

Songs do a lot to form culture. I love the song “Hijo del Pueblo” as sung by
Jorge Negrete, but do I have to act out the part of a macho and strut
around? I love boxing, loved to watch Enrique Bolaños, but did you ever see
what alcohol did to him and other boxers and their families?



  We live in a highly urbanized country, and poor people are controlled by
various forms of addiction, i.e., the media, pop culture, alcohol and drugs.
These addictions are barriers to our changing the gun culture of American
society that wants to behave as if John Wayne was still calling the shots.



  We live in a society that makes drastic cuts in education and services to
the poor while allowing corporate bandits accumulate almost 50 percent of
the nation’s wealth.



  It is political to eat tamales without pork lard. The last time I looked at
studies lard contributes to obesity, clogs the arteries and in the year 2010
13.2 percent of Latinos were diagnosed with diabetes – it was higher among
Mexican Americans.



  Alcohol takes its toll. I had a close friend who died a couple of years
ago. I told him that I would never see him again. The last time I saw him
was after a rosary, we went out to eat, and he order an hochata and a beer.
I told him that he might as well put a gun to his head, and I would not bear
witness to his suicide, it would hurt me too much.



  Alcohol has disrupted my family. Uncles and cousins have died as result of
alcohol. They neglected their children and their wives. Trade unions learned
early that management used alcohol to infiltrate them, take out their
leaders, and break their strikes.



  But how do we change culture? In my lifetime I have gone from a pack a day
of cigarettes to none. From a fifth of Jim Beam to no alcohol, and cut down
drastically on animal products. In other words, I have become more
political. You don’t change culture pointing fingers or bringing in experts
to bear witness. Change is brought about by choosing, and forcing people to
choose what they value most?





   _____

No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

What the Venezuelan Constitution Does, and Does Not, Say about Chávez's
Innauguration
Written by Dan Beeton, CEPR    
Thursday, 10 January 2013 15:41
Source: The Americas Blog
http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/the-americas-blog/

The Venezuelan government announced Tuesday that President Hugo  Chávez
will miss his swearing in on Thursday, January 10, when his new  term is set to
begin. The Supreme Court ruled today that his swearing in tomorrow would not be
necessary for “continuity�
of his administration, and that he could be sworn in before the Court at a later
date.
Returning from a meeting with Venezuelan Vice-President Nicolás  Maduro,
Brazilian Foreign Minister Marco Aurelio Garcia said Tuesday  that
Brazil regards as constitutional the extension of time needed to  swear
in Chávez as president for his new term, saying the current debate  can
be solved through "constitutional means,� as Venezuela’s El Universal
newspaper reported. Several heads of state or other high level officials from
Latin American governments will be present at events at the presidential palace
in Caracas tomorrow.
Despite some confusion and deliberate distortions in the media and  among
Venezuela observers, the Venezuelan constitution (English PDF  version here;
Spanish version here) is clear on procedure regarding what is allowed if the
president-elect is unable to be sworn in in Caracas.
For example, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R – FL), who has infamously  called
for Fidel Castro’s assassination in the past, issued a hyperbolic statement
accusing Chávez of attempting to subvert the constitution:
The delay of his swearing-in is yet  another example of the trampling of
the constitution by this despot. The  Venezuelan constitution states
that the leader of Venezuela needs to  take the oath of office on
January 10 in front of the National Assembly  or the Venezuelan Supreme
Tribunal of Justice.
But Article 231 states, in part, “If for any supervening reason, the
person elected President of the Republic cannot be sworn in before the
National Assembly, he shall take the oath of office before the Supreme
Tribunal of Justice.� No deadline is mentioned, contrary to what
Ros-Lehtinen claims. Ros-Lehtinen also stated:
I call on the Department of State and the  Organization of American
States to ensure that democratic principles and  the respect for the
Venezuelan constitution are upheld. All responsible  nations should
ensure that Venezuela follows its own constitution which  states that in the
'absolute absence' of the President, new elections  must be held.
Article 233 defines the conditions under which the president-elect  can be
declared permanently absent, and new elections called, as “death;
resignation; removal from office by decision of the Supreme Tribunal of 
Justice; permanent physical or mental disability certified by a medical board
designated by the Supreme Tribunal of Justice with the approval  of the National
Assembly; abandonment of his position, duly declared by the National Assembly;
and recall by popular vote.� Since none of
these  criteria have been met, Chávez could legally be sworn in before
the  Supreme Court at a later date, as affirmed by the Supreme Court
today.   New elections need not be held, again contrary to the
Congresswoman’s  claims.
While Ros-Lehtinen represents a far-right position on Latin America  policy
in the U.S. Congress, the Obama administration for its part seems  to be
signaling that opposition interpretations of the constitution  that
call, for example, for new elections if Chávez is not sworn in tomorrow, are
valid. State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland was asked about the
situation in a press briefing yesterday, and responded:
We have over the course of the last week  or so talked in general about
the succession situation in Venezuela. Let  me reiterate our
foundational point, which is that this is an issue for  Venezuelans to
decide, and it – they need to do it in a manner that includes all the voices
in the discussion. So it needs to be a broad-based discussion and it needs to be
decided
in a manner that is free, fair, transparent, is seen as ensuring a level
political playing field in Venezuela. [Emphasis added.]
But the issue is not one to be decided "in a manner that includes all  the
voices,� it's an issue that needs to be decided in the framework of  the
constitution. There are key institutions involved – the National
Assembly, the Supreme Court -- that are empowered under the constitution to make
decisions that will determine what happens.  But they
ahttp://upsidedownworld.org/main/news-briefs-archives-68/4067-what-the-venezuela\
n-constitution-does-and-does-not-say-about-chavezs-innaugurationre not, and
cannot be, “all of the voices.�
During the Obama administration, we have seen some on the U.S.  right-wing
also offer their own interpretations of the constitution –  and of
reality – regarding President Obama’s constitutional legitimacy  to be
president of the United States. This played out most notably when
Donald Trump and others challenged President Obama’s U.S. citizenship.
Had President Chávez or a spokesperson been asked about that debate, it  would
of course have been absurd for the Chávez administration to
respond that it needed to be resolved “in a manner that includes all of  the
voices.� In the U.S., and in Venezuela, the constitution and rule
of  law simply need to be upheld. Opposition voices are not entitled to  their
own set of facts and laws, no matter how strongly they may feel.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

*The People t came by the 10's of 10's of Thousands to*
Miraflores and were mobilized in defense of the revolution
*
*
*http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2m9JJ6w6mdo*
*
*
*
*
*http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AnSSnXbotFE#!*
*
*
*
*
*(VIDEO) Ortega: "The opposition is an instrument of empire and can not
accept defeat*
*
*
*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uijjzagahA&feature=youtube_gdata&utm_source=twit\
terfeed&utm_medium=twitter
*
*
*
*(VIDEO) Evo Morales: Chavez came to lead with Fidel that struggle against
inequality*
*
*
*
*
*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmKo4YXhqJ8&feature=youtube_gdata&utm_source=twit\
terfeed&utm_medium=twitter
*


[image: Concentration points]
CONCENTRATION POINTS


  People in Caracas defending Bolivarian Revolution, Constitution
<http://static2.avn.info.ve/sites/default/files/imagecache/original-watermark/fo\
tografia/201301/13577783666871357823345.jpg>

Caracas, 10 Ene. AVN.- Venezuelan people started to mobilize since early
morning on Thursday, Jan. 10, towards Miraflores Presidential Palace, in
Caracas, to back president Hugo Chavez and defend the Bolivarian Revolution.

Going round the city from east to west, groups of people were seen
mobilizing through main avenues heading for the presidential palace, as the
President of the Republic is in Havana, Cuba, recovering from a surgery
performed last month of December.

People from different states of the country also came to Caracas, such as
Liliana Vera, who arrived from western state of Apure to back President
Chavez.

"I am here with my President, in good times and bad. Today, he needs the
support of all of us and here we are, in the streets, to back his
administration. I pray to God to give him strength and for him to come back
stronger to fight for our homeland."

In turn, Mirian Sanchez, spokesperson of a communal council from western
state of Falcon, said she came to back the decision taken by the Supreme
Tribunal of Justice, which ruled that President Chavez will be sworn in
when his supervened reason has ceased, it is to say, the post-operative
period he faces in Cuba.

"I came from Falcon to swear in Chavez. From here, I take his oath and I
bless him because we decided on October 7, we voted for Chavez to be our
president. And to the opposition, I may say they should calm down and to
not concoct anything because people are on the streets supporting the
Court, the Revolution and Chavez," said Mrs Sanchez.

Enrique Perez, inhabitant of Catia -poor sector in Caracas-, emphasized
that he appeared in the activity to back the Executive Power, the National
Assembly and the Head of State.

"From here, our best wishes and congratulations for all of them, the
Executive, chairperson of the National Assembly Diosdado Cabello,
vice-president Nicolas Maduro, who have behaved as real men and prevented
to be tricked by the Right. To Chavez, my admiration, respect and best
wishes for a quick recovery," Mr Perez said.

<http://static2.avn.info.ve/sites/default/files/imagecache/original-watermark/fo\
tografia/201301/13577785148141357823344.jpg>

<http://static3.avn.info.ve/sites/default/files/imagecache/original-watermark/fo\
tografia/201301/13577782289101357823345.jpg>

<http://www.avn.info.ve/titulares/autor/>AVN 10/01/2013 10:34


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

*Also the representatives of 22 governments of Latin America and the
Caribbean countries meet Thursday in a shared meeting Petrocaribe-ALBA, in
Caracas, to reaffirm their support to Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.*
*
*
*Cort*
Massive Rally in Venezuela to Support Absent Chavez on Inauguration Day

Jan 10th 2013

Punto Fijo, January 10th, 2013 (Venezuelanalysis.com) – Tens of thousands
of supporters gathered in Caracas today for a massive rally in support of
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, and in response to the controversy
surrounding his absence on the January 10th inauguration day.

Still in Havana recovering from surgery, the Venezuelan head of state could
not be present for the customary swearing-in before the National Assembly.
The absence has generated much controversy among the Venezuelan opposition,
who claim that the current government should not continue in power without
the inauguration ceremony.

In response, the Chavez government organized a massive concentration in the
center of Caracas this Thursday with the participation of representatives
from 27 different Latin American countries to support the continuation of
the Chavez government for the new constitutional term of 2013-2019.

From the early morning hours, tens of thousands of Chavez supporters
congregated in various areas of the capital city in yet another show of the
immense capacity for mobilization for which the Chavez government is well
known.

A seemingly endless sea of red-clad supporters filled the streets
surrounding the presidential palace and the adjoining areas in a very
festive atmosphere, many holding posters of Chavez, and signs that read “I
am Chavez” and “Chavez is the heart of the people”, among others.

Vice President Nicolás Maduro and other state officials arrived to the
rally in the early afternoon accompanied by Bolivian President Evo Morales,
Uruguayan President José Mujica, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, as
well as several other diplomats and leaders from other Latin American and
Caribbean countries.

One by one, the Latin American leaders addressed the concentration with
emotive speeches in support of the Chavez government and calls for
solidarity with the ailing president.

“Who said Hugo Chavez is absent? He is present here in the women, in the
farmers. Chavez is not only the patrimony of Venezuela, but of all Latin
America,” said former Paraguayan president Fernando Lugo.

Bolivian President Evo Morales stressed the importance of the Chavez
government for the unity among Latin American countries, and called for
more rallies in support of Chavez throughout the region.

“My friends, the situation of our brother Hugo Chavez is not only a concern
of the Venezuelan people, but of all those who are a part of this
struggle,” he said. “The best tribute and solidarity with Chavez is unity,
let’s keep unity between our countries.”

Several leaders of Caribbean and Central American countries also addressed
the rally with strong messages of solidarity and support for the Chavez
government.

“We are fervently supporting Venezuela, and we are here to say to our
friend [Vice President] Maduro that although your leader is going through a
difficult time, you can count on Dominica as a reliable friend,” said the
President of Dominica Eliud Williams.

“Venezuela has converted itself into that guiding light for Latin America
that the Cuban Revolution was in the 1960s,” said Vice President of El
Salvador, Salvador Sánchez Cerén.

Various foreign leaders expressed their amazement with the size of the
concentration, and the Chavez government’s great capacity for mobilization.

“I want to say that this gathering of Chavez supporters is really enviable,
this capacity for mobilization that you have,” said Evo Morales.

“This is the largest concentration of people that I have ever addressed in
my life,” said the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph
Gonsalves.

The rally was broadcast on live television across the country, including
the mandatory broadcast of the leaders’ speeches on the private news
channels that were ignoring the event.

The unanimous support for the Chavez government among the region’s leaders
seemed to further solidify the government’s victory in the recent feud over
the constitution.

On Wednesday, Venezuela’s Supreme Court ruled against the opposition’s
interpretation of the constitution, and assured that the January 10th
inauguration
was not necessary for the Chavez government to continue in power for the
constitutional period of 2013-2019.

Opposition leaders, however, have criticized the decision, calling it a
“coup” and claiming the continuation of the Chavez government is illegal.

Vice President Nicolás Maduro ended the rally with a passionate speech
reminiscent of those given by President Hugo Chavez at these types of
events, and accused the opposition of trying to manipulate events in the
country.

“They are trying to manipulate and opportunistically take advantage of the
circumstances of Chavez’s situation in order to destabilize the country,”
said Maduro.

“Yet however they come after us, we always beat them. Here we are ready to
continue with this revolution. Make no mistake, here the people have
demonstrated their strength,” he said.

*Venezuelanalysis.com has publish an image set of the rally
here<http://venezuelanalysis.com/images/7603>
.*
------------------------------
*Source URL (retrieved on 10/01/2013 - 7:45pm):*
http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/7604


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

You Are Invited To A Free Screening of



THE HOUSE I LIVE IN

From the dealer to the narcotics officer, the inmate to the federal judge, a
penetrating look inside

America's criminal justice system, revealing the profound human rights
implications of U.S. drug policy.

Directed by Eugene Jarecki - www.thehouseilivein.org



Saturday, January 12th - 7:00 PM

At

The Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica

1260 18th Street, Santa Monica

Located at the Corner of 18th & Arizona



"THE HOUSE I LIVE IN" was chosen the Grand Jury Prize Documentary at the
2012 Sundance Film Festival.

Executive Producers: Danny Glover, John Legend, Brad Pitt and Russell
Simmons.



There will be an After Film Forum!



In the past 40 years, the War on Drugs has accounted for 45 million arrests,
made America the world's largest jailer & destroyed impoverished

communities at home & abroad. Yet drugs are cheaper, purer, and more
available today than ever. Where did we go wrong, and what can be done?

This film is made available in partnership with Charlotte Street Films and
Samuel Dewitt Proctor Conference.

www.sdpconference.info and www.tobefreeatlast.net



The film showing is sponsored by the Faith in Action Commission of the UUSM
Church & the Committee For Racial Justice.



For More Information Contact Peggy Rhoads at: 310 254 5267 or at:
primroads@...





EUGENE JARECKI - Director, Writer & Producer

Eugene Jarecki is an award-winning filmmaker, public thinker, and author.
His recent film REAGAN, which examines the life and legacy of the 40th
president, received wide critical acclaim after premiering at the Sundance
Film Festival and on HBO for the occasion of Reagan's 100th birthday. In
2010, Jarecki worked alongside Morgan Spurlock and Alex Gibney as director
of a documentary film inspired by the bestselling book FREAKONOMICS. Earlier
that year, he directed Move Your Money, a short online film encouraging
Americans to move their money from "too big to fail" banks to well-rated
community banks and credit unions. The film went viral, becoming an online
sensation with over 7 million hits in just its first three weeks online. To
date, an estimated 4 million Americans have 'moved their money.'

Jarecki's 2006 film, WHY WE FIGHT, winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the
Sundance Film Festival and a Peabody Award, has been broadcast in over forty
countries and released theatrically in over 250 US cities. In 2009, Simon &
Schuster published Jarecki's acclaimed book, The American Way of War: Guided
Missiles, Misguided Men, and a Republic in Peril, which explores how
militarism disfigures America's foreign and defense policies as well as her
broader national priorities.

Jarecki's prior film, THE TRIALS OF HENRY KISSINGER was released in over 130
U.S. cities and won the 2002 Amnesty International Award, was nominated for
an Independent Spirit Award and has been broadcast in over thirty countries.
In 2002, TRIALS was selected to launch BBC's prestigious digital channel
BBC4 and the Sundance Channel's documentary division.

In addition to his work in film, Jarecki is also a thinker on international
affairs, and has appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Charlie Rose,
The Colbert Report, FOX News, CNN, PBS NOW, BBC World, NPR, MTV, The Tavis
Smiley Show, Current TV, Clear Channel, Pacifica Radio, and Sirius Radio as
well as having been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the
Financial Times, the Daily News, the Village Voice, the New Yorker, the New
York Observer, Vanity Fair, GQ, and Newsday.





   _____



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Agreement boosts access for American Indian vets
 
Native American military veterans will be able to access health care closer to
home thanks to an agreement between the U.S. Department of Veteran
Affairs and the Indian Health Service. The agreement allows for Veterans Affairs
to reimburse IHS for direct health care services provided to
eligible American Indian and Alaska Native veterans. Health and Human
Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius first announced plans for the new
partnership during Wednesday's tribal summit.
 
L.A. Mayor Signs Solar Agreement With Tribe
 
It's official: the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power will be buying
all the electricity generated by the first-ever utility-scale
photovoltaic power plant built on tribal land. Los Angeles mayor Antonio
Villaraigosa signed off on the agreement between the utility and K Road Power,
which is building the 250-megawatt Moapa Solar Energy Center on
land owned by the Moapa Band of Paiutes northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada.
The agreement, which has been wending its way from DWP through approval
by the Los Angeles City Council and to Villaraigosa's figurative desk
over the past few weeks, also provides future opportunities for DWP to
buy out K Road and acquire the project outright. The project is expected to be
delivering power to Los Angeles by 2016. Widely supported by the
Moapa Band, the solar facility will occupy about 1,000 acres of tribal
land in the shadow of the coal-fired, 557-megawatt Reid-Gardner Power
Station.
 
Violence Against Women Act: Eric Cantor, Joe Biden In Talks Amid Stalled Tribal
Provision
 
Vice President Joe Biden is quietly working with House Majority Leader Eric
Cantor (R-Va.) to try to pass an inclusive version of the Violence
Against Women Act in the lame-duck Congress. And so far, sources tell
HuffPost, Cantor is on board as long as one thing is stripped from the
bill: a key protection for Native American women. Staffers for Biden and Cantor
have been trying to reach a deal on the bill for at least a
week. Neither camp publicly let on it was talking to the other until
Wednesday, when Cantor said the two are in negotiations and he's feeling hopeful
about a deal.

Native activist raises awareness of apology


Navajo activist stopped at Fort Lewis College on Wednesday in an effort to
publicize a little-known apology issued by the federal government to
Native Americans. Mark Charles hosted a public reading and talk about
the 2010 Native American Apology Resolution, included in the 2010
Department of Defense Appropriations Act. The reading at the FLC Native
American Center Conference Room came as part of his effort to raise a
national discussion and awareness of the apology.
 
Local Archaeologists Uncover Native American Houses
 
Ohio University students and local archaeologists are excavating the site of a
2,400 year-old tribal village. The village was recently discovered
west of Athens and the outlines of the four structures found are
believed to be Native American houses. Professor of Anthropology Elliot
Abrams said this is a special type of site because it is a domestic
site. Abrams says the site is rare because not a lot of sites have
excavated well-recovered remnants of houses.
 
California Indian tribe to hold candlelight vigils to honor 5 slain reservation
residents
 
A California Indian tribe said Tuesday it will hold candlelight vigils
for the rest of the week to honor five family members who were slain
over the weekend. Tribal Chairman Neil Peyron of the Tule River Indian
Reservation called the killings “one of the most horrific losses� ever
faced by the tribe that teaches its members that love for family is
above all.
 
Marines deliver food, toys to Havasupai tribe
 
Two Marine helicopters airlifted toys and food to the Havasupai tribe on
Dec 3. The food and toys are airlifted to the tribe because they live at the
bottom of the Grand Canyon. Operation Supai, as the tradition is
known, is carried out annually by Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764, who,
despite being based out of Edwards Air Force Base in California,
fly out of Grand Canyon Airport for the special mission.

USA Today: Maya 'end of world' is a mistranslation
 
Holiday shopping still beckons, even with the ancient Maya supposedly
forecasting the end of the world for 2012. Reluctant shoppers may hate
the news, but the long-awaited, much-hyped and entirely farcical Maya
apocalypse is just that - and archaeologists can't wait until it passes
so they don't have to explain anymore why it was never going to happen.
On Dec. 21, or thereabouts, the ancient Maya calendar rolls over to
start a new 394-year century, or baktun. And that's pretty much it,
despite all efforts by writers and filmmakers to market the notion that
the Maya predicted the crack-up of Earth this year.
 
Tribe files lawsuit to stop Ala. casino expansion
 
A Native American tribe in Oklahoma has filed a federal lawsuit to stop
the $246 million expansion of a hotel and casino, saying the
construction desecrates ancestral and ceremonial land. The Montgomery
Advertiser reports (http://on.mgmadv.com/Xe9kMt ) the Muscogee Creek
Nation of Oklahoma filed the lawsuit Wednesday against the Poarch Band
of Creek Indians in Montgomery. Muscogee Creeks say Poarch Creeks
excavated 57 sets of human remains and reburied them to develop a
20-story hotel and casino in Wetumpka. They say the territory was once
the capital of the Creek Nation. Muscogee Creeks say the remains should
be returned to their original places.
 
How abusers get away with targeting Indian women
 
“We have serial rapists on the reservation — that are non-Indian — because
they know they can get away with it,� said Charon Asetoyer, executive
director of the Native American Women’s Health Education Resource Center in
Lake Andes, S.D. “Many of these cases just get dropped. Nothing
happens. And they know they’re free to hurt again.� Asetoyer was talking
about the loophole that prevents tribal authorities, who have
jurisdiction over crimes committed on Indian territory by Indians, from
having any authority over non-Indian male abusers. That’s despite the
fact that non-Indian men account for an estimated 80 percent of rapes of Indian
women, and that the astronomical rate of abuse of Indian women
is well documented by the federal government.
 
A State of Emergency for American Indian and Native Students
 
The recent release of Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate data from the U.S.
Department of Education was certainly shocking to the nation. But for
American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities, the
data just confirms that education for our Native students is in a state
of emergency. In nine states -- Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota, Nevada,
New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, and Washington -- the graduation rates
for American Indian and Alaska Native students in 2010-2011 are
lower than 60 percent. And just 61 percent of Native students served by
the U.S. Bureau of Indian Education graduate from high school. Meanwhile in
three states, one out of every two Native Hawaiian students
graduates on time.

WashPo:What’s in a name? The Redskins’ bad karma
 
So, Washington football fans, how’s that offensive team name and demeaning
sports mascot working out? Whooping and hollering as RGIII goes on a
“Redskins� warpath only to leave a trail of tears when his wounded knee
gets buried at FedEx Field. In this obscene home team sports fantasy,
the gifted Robert Griffin III was reduced to a “noble savage.� Let the
“Redskin� play hurt. He can take it. Hail to the young brave-hearted
quarterback as he limps into battle on that injured knee. Three cheers
as he fights on his one good leg for Old D.C.
 
WSJ: Native American Protest Riles Canada
 
A three-week-long hunger strike by a Native American chief in Canada over
alleged abuses of land rights and other grievances is stoking wider
protests that are also spilling over into the U.S. Theresa Spence, chief of the
Attawapiskat First Nation in Northern Ontario, was on the 24th
day of a hunger strike Thursday that she says won't end until Prime
Minister Stephen Harper agrees to meet with Native American chiefs to
address the alleged wrongdoings.
 
AP: Court to review Native American adoption case
 
The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to review a ruling that sent a South
Carolina couple's adopted Native American daughter back to her
biological father in Oklahoma. The high court agreed to hear an appeal
by Matt and Melanie Capobianco over the fate of 3-year-old Veronica. The
couple's adoption of the girl was overturned by the South Carolina
Supreme Court, which said the girl must go back to Oklahoma to be with
her biological father, Dusten Brown, a member of the Cherokee Nation.
 
Feds Indict Ex-Leader, Current Treasurer Of Tribe That Runs Foxwoods Casino
 
The former head of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council, which runs
Foxwoods Resort Casino, and its current treasurer were indicted Friday
by federal authorities on charges that they embezzled money from the
tribe. Michael Thomas and Steven Thomas will appear before U.S.
Magistrate Judge Joan G. Margolis in New Haven on Monday. They are
brothers. Michael Thomas was the former chairman of the Mashantucket
Pequot Tribal Council. He is accused of stealing more than $100,000
between October 2007 and April 2009.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Foundation of the Dera’a section of the Revolutionary Left Current
Posted on January 11,
2013<http://syriafreedomforever.wordpress.com/2013/01/11/foundation-of-the-deraa\
-section-of-the-revolutionary-left-current/>
   This document was published on the 13 December 2012, in “Front Line”,
organ of the Revolutionary Left Current, It is translated from the Arabic
by Luiza Toscane. (http://www.internationalviewpoint.org/)

The Dera’a branch of the Revolutionary Left Current in Syria has been
founded. It is made up of left activists and revolutionary Marxists,
activists in the Syrian revolutionary movement who have adopted the
transitional programme of the revolutionary left in Syria. This is a
current which has been active since the beginning of the revolution on
Syrian territory. It has led the struggle within the revolution.

The attempted confiscation of the revolution, by political and ideological
currents lacking a popular character, requires those who identify with the
revolutionary left to realise two essential tasks at this stage: the
rallying and unification of the ranks of the left, civil and secular youth,
participation in the revolution by all means, the highlighting of the
democratic aspect and genuine civil character of the revolution.

And in the long term, the establishment of a dialogue which is total and
without boundaries around the unification of the Syrian revolutionary left
in the context of united organizational work leading to the formation of a
revolutionary Marxist left party, adopting a political programme aimed at
building a society of social justice, the state of citizenship and law.

It is about developing a climate conducive to the development of a
democratic consciousness for various currents and parties of different
persuasions to practice politics and to think freely. And therefore, to
achieve the objective and subjective conditions conducive to proposing
programs and mechanisms of action to build a just socialist society. With
this in mind, left revolutionaries must carry out several significant
tasks, of which the most important are:

1 – A critique of traditional Marxist thought, the renewal of the latter
and its adaptation to historical and technological development. The
development of new basic principles corresponding to a societal culture, a
level of social consciousness and the development of the dominant relations
of production.
2 – A review of the failed experiences of socialism in the Soviet Union and
Eastern Europe, and in the countries of Latin America and the Middle East.
3 – A critique of the traditional Marxist parties, conducted in an
objective manner, including the Communist parties in the Arab region.
4 – A fierce struggle to sweep away the leftovers of the counter propaganda
and campaigns of disparagement of socialism and of Marxist thought
conducted by the imperialist countries at the global level. The latter have
used to achieve their objectives the reactionary forces in our region
throughout the cold or hot wars engaged by the so-called “socialist camp”
and “capitalist camp”.

The experience of the creation of a rank and file organizational structure
which is the foundation of our current’s Dera’a section – an experience
appropriate to be generalized to all the governorates of the Syria – is in
practice the realization of an attempt to build a political party from the
base to the summit, in contrast to the form that predominated during the
construction of the traditional parties. This reinforces the feeling of
satisfaction and serenity towards the future of this nascent party, which
will by this method concretise the concept of genuine democratic
centralism, and not the caricature that has led to the submission of
individuals and the arbitrariness of hereditary leaderships. We call for
urgent, but systematic and organised, work, at the same time to build
sections in other cities of Syria, bringing together the largest possible
number of left revolutionaries and their friends at the local level, in
accordance with the outline of the transitional programme of the Syrian
revolutionary left and immediately begin executing the essential tasks of
the current stage.

*Left Revolutionary Current in Syria Dera’a section Liberty-Dignity-Social
Justice**)*

http://syriafreedomforever.wordpress.com/2013/01/11/foundation-of-the-deraa-sect\
ion-of-the-revolutionary-left-current/#more-1396


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Looks like the opposition who also went to the OAS this week saying
Venezuela’s government was in violation of its own consititution and the
OAS freedom charter lost out again hands down.

The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José
Miguel Insulza, said in press statements that the hemispheric body “fully
respects, how could it be otherwise, the decision of the Venezuela’s
constitutional powers over the inauguration of the President of that
country. ” “The issue has been resolved by the three branches of government
of Venezuela: it raised the Executive, the Legislature considered, and
solved the Judiciary. Game, set and match…

Even though some of the depraved opposition say they will head to the
streets and called a strike, they have little support and may like what
happens if they try.

Also representatives of over twenty Latin American and Caribbean countries
became signatories to the “Caracas Declaration” and promised to reject any
attempts to  “destabilize and promote intervention into matters on which
the Venezuelan people have clearly expressed their will.” and called on the
international community to respect the TSJ decision that President Chavez
can be sworn in at a later date.

"We express our absolute confidence" in the government and institutions of
Venezuela "and fully accompany" the arrangements for "the democratic will
of the Venezuelan people is jealously respected,"

Rojo Rojito
Cort


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2013/01/how-accurate-is-quenti
n-tarantinos-portrayal-of-slavery-in-django-unchained.html

Tarantino Unchained

Posted by Jelani Cobb
<http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/bios/jelani_cobb/search?contributorName=J
elani Cobb>
The New Yorker Blog: January 2, 2013

  Django-unchained-cobb.jpg
<http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/Django-unchained-cobb.jpg>

Photograph: Andrew Cooper, SMPSP/The Weinstein Company

In early 2010, not long after the release of Quentin Tarantino's Second
World War revenge epic, "Inglourious Basterds," I began teaching a course on
American history at Moscow State University. When a Russian friend asked me
what I thought of the film I told him I loved the way the director created
an alternate history in order to make a larger point about the universal
nature of heroism. My friend and, as I later learned, lots of other Russians
took issue with the film for precisely that reason. "Is this," he asked,
"how Americans really perceive World War II?" In Russia, where the annual
May 9th celebrations of the German surrender dwarf those of the Fourth of
July in this country, the sacrifices that were crucial to defeating Hitler
are a point of huge national pride. The history department at the university
features a marble monument to hundreds of university students who died
defending the country. Because many Russians feel that the world-and
particularly the United States-has never properly recognized the scale of
their losses, they tend to see "Inglourious Basterds" not as a revenge
fantasy but as an attempt to further whitewash their role in Hitler's
demise. The alternate history in "Inglourious Basterds" failed there because
the actual history had yet to be reconciled. The movie's lines between
fantasy and the actual myopic perspectives on history were so hazy that the
audience wasn't asked to suspend disbelief, they were asked to suspend
conscience. With "Django Unchained," Tarantino's tale of vengeful ex-slave,
what happened in Russia is happening here.

The theme of revenge permeates Tarantino's work. If the violence in his
films seems gratuitous, it's also deployed as a kind of spiritual
redemption. And if this dynamic is applicable anywhere in American history,
it's on a slave plantation. Frederick Douglass, in his slave narrative,
traced his freedom not to the moment when he escaped to the north but the
moment in which he first struck an overseer who attempted to whip him.
Quentin Tarantino is the only filmmaker who could pack theatres with
multiracial audiences eager to see a black hero murder a dizzying array of
white slaveholders and overseers. (And, in all fairness, it's not likely
that a black director would've gotten a budget to even attempt such a
thing.)

The most recent Hollywood attempt to grapple with slavery was Steven
Spielberg's "Lincoln," a biopic that presents the final four months of the
President's life and his attempts to shepherd the Thirteenth Amendment
through Congress. Lincoln as he appears in the film is a man fully formed
and possessed of a vast wellspring of indignation about slavery. But he also
appears as the moral vector of his age in ways that don't square with
history. In focussing so directly on Lincoln's efforts, Spielberg's film
slights abolitionists, radical Republicans, and, crucially, the
African-Americans-slave and free-who pushed Lincoln to the positions he
eventually adopted.

From its opening scene, "Django" inverts this scenario. Here is the
spaghetti Western about an ex-slave turned bounty hunter who takes the
bloody business of emancipation into his own hands. This is not Tarantino's
best film but it is probably his most clever. He plays fast and loose with
history here, but there are risks implicit in doing this with a film about
slavery that aren't nearly as significant in toying with the history of the
West. The history of the West is settled in ways that are not the case for
the history of the American South and slavery. The film's premise alone was
enough to spark controversy. Spike Lee-a longtime critic of Tarantino-took
the unwieldy position that he refused to see the film but knew that it would
be disrespectful to his ancestors.

There are moments where this convex history works brilliantly, like when
Tarantino depicts the K.K.K. a decade prior to its actual formation in order
to thoroughly ridicule its members' (literally) veiled racism. But, as my
Russian friend pointed out about "Inglourious Basterds," "Django Unchained"
makes it apparent that not even an entertaining alternate history can erase
our actual conceptions of the past.

In "Django," the director creates an audacious black hero who shoots white
slavers with impunity and lives to tell about it. In the Harlem theatre
where I saw the film, the largely black audience cheered each time an
overseer met his end. There is a noble undertaking at the heart of all this
gunplay. Django, played brilliantly by Jamie Foxx, and King Schultz, his
white bounty-hunter mentor-played by an equally adroit Christoph Waltz-are
on a mission to rescue Hildy (Kerry Washington), the enslaved woman Django
loves. The trade-off for an audience indulging in that emotionally powerful
and rarely depicted brand of black heroism is overlooking aspects of the
film that were at least as troubling as the other parts were affirming.

Primary among these concerns is the frequency of with which Tarantino
deploys the n-word. If ever there were an instance in which the term was
historically fitting it would seem that a Western set against the backdrop
of slavery-a Southern-would be it. Yet the term appears with such numb
frequency that "Django" manages to raise the epithet to the level of a
pronoun. (I wonder whether the word "nigger" is spoken in the film more
frequently than the word "he" or "she.") Had the word appeared any more
often it would have required billing as a co-star. At some point, it becomes
difficult not to wonder how much of this is about the film and how much is
about the filmmaker. Given the prominence of the word in "Pulp Fiction" and
"Jackie Brown"-neither of which remotely touch on slavery-its usage in
"Django" starts to seem like racial ventriloquism, a kind of camouflage that
allows Tarantino to use the word without recrimination.

This is just the first path in the labyrinth of racial concerns that
"Django" constructs. Here, as in "Lincoln," black people-with the exception
of the protagonist and his love interest-are ciphers passively awaiting
freedom. Django's behavior is so unrepentantly badass as to make him an
enigma to both whites and blacks who encounter him. For his part, Django
never deigns to offer a civil word to any other slave, save his love
interest. In a climactic scene, Django informs his happily enslaved nemesis
that he is the one n-word in ten thousand audacious enough to kill anyone
standing in the way of freedom.

Is this how Americans actually perceive slavery? More often than not, the
answer to that question is answered in the affirmative. It is precisely
because of the extant mythology of black subservience that these scenes pack
such a cathartic payload. The film's defenders are quick to point out that
"Django" is not about history. But that's almost like arguing that fiction
is not reality-it isn't, but the entire appeal of the former is its capacity
to shed light on how we understand the latter. In my sixteen years of
teaching African-American history, one sadly common theme has been the
number of black students who shy away from courses dealing with slavery out
of shame that slaves never fought back.

It seems almost pedantic to point out that slavery was nothing like this.
The slaveholding class existed in a state of constant paranoia about slave
rebellions, escapes, and a litany of more subtle attempts to undermine the
institution. Nearly two hundred thousand black men, most of them former
slaves, enlisted in the Union Army in order to accomplish en masse precisely
what Django attempts to do alone: risk death in order to free those whom
they loved. Tarantino's attempt to craft a hero who stands apart from the
other men-black and white-of his time is not a riff on history, it's a riff
on the mythology we've mistaken for history. Were the film aware of that
distinction, "Django" would be far less troubling-but it would also be far
less resonant. The alternate history is found not in the story of vengeful
ex-slave but in the idea that he could be the only one.

Django's true nemesis is not the slaveholder who subjects Hildy to cruel
punishments but Stephen, the house slave devoutly allied with the
slaveholder. The central conflict is not between an ex-slave and a slaver
but between two archetypes-the militant and the sellout. But in creating
Stephen, Tarantino necessarily trafficked in the stereotypes he was
ostensibly responding to. Samuel L. Jackson plays Stephen's overblown
insouciance and anachronistic mf-bombs to great comedic effect. There are
moments, however, when ironies cancel each other out, and we're left with a
stark truth-at its most basic, this is an instance in which a white director
holds an obsequious black slave up for ridicule. The use of this character
as a comic foil seems essentially disrespectful to the history of slavery.
Oppression, almost by definition, is a set of circumstances that bring out
the worst in most people. A response to slavery-even a cowardly,
dishonorable one like what we witness with Stephen-highlights the depravity
of the institution. We've come a long way racially, but not so far that
laughing at that character shouldn't be deeply disturbing.

On the hundred-and-fiftieth anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation,
it's worth recalling that slavery was made unsustainable largely through the
efforts of those who were enslaved. The record is replete with enslaved
blacks-even so-called house slaves-who poisoned slaveholders, destroyed
crops, "accidentally" burned down buildings, and ran away in such large
numbers their lost labor crippled the Confederate economy. The primary sin
of "Django Unchained" is not the desire to create an alternative history.
It's in the idea that an enslaved black man willing to kill in order to
protect those he loves could constitute one.

"Django Unchained": Live Call-in Discussion, Saturday Jan. 12

Tune in to 'Freedom Now' on Pacifica radio station KPFK-Los Angeles
(kpfk.org) this coming Saturday 12 January from 2-3 PM

(Pacific) or 5 PM (Eastern) for a discussion featuring audience
participation re: "Django Unchained."

The discussion will be led by program host, Dedon Kamathi, who will be
accompanied by Gerald Horne (author of 'Negro Comrades of the Crown:
African-Americans and the British Empire Fight the US Before Emancipation,
NYU Press, 2012; and 'The Counter- Revolution of 1776: Slave Resistance and
the Origins of the United States of America', NYU Press, Fall 2013).

Read more:
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2013/01/how-accurate-is-quenti
n-tarantinos-portrayal-of-slavery-in-django-unchained.html#ixzz2HefHaPSP

   _____

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Please excuse this poor translation, go to the url for Spanish:

http://www.luchadeclases.org.ve/volantes-leftmenu-186/7280-unidad-pueblo-bolivar\
iano





  Meeting promoted by the National People's Political Unit
Bolivarian<http://www.luchadeclases.org.ve/volantes-leftmenu-186/7280-unidad-pue\
blo-bolivariano>
[image:
Print]<http://www.luchadeclases.org.ve/volantes-leftmenu-186/7280-unidad-pueblo-\
bolivariano?tmpl=component&print=1&layout=default&page=>
[image:
E-mail]<http://www.luchadeclases.org.ve/component/mailto/?tmpl=component&link=33\
161c1f0646b6ccc5b178f4a454d0e3a82d9468>
Written
by Aporrea.org    Friday January 11, 2013

[image: National Meeting of the Bolivarian People's Political Unit]

* change the venue : the organizations promoting the national meeting
report that the meeting on Saturday January 12,  **at 9:00 am, which was
scheduled  **to take place Humboldt Building, has been changed to a bigger
space and  will be performed in Los Chaguaramos UBV, Floor 3 .*



*MEETING TO NATIONAL POLICY UNIT TO ENSURE GOVERNANCE Bolivarian people
REVOLUTIONARY*

       The Venezuelan revolution lives in moments that require an iron
Bolivarian People's Unit at the contingency caused by the poor health of
President Chavez. The Bolivarian people once again assumes the defense of
the process and all the gains made, which means strengthening governance
from the grassroots revolutionary process that constitutes the other hinge
with Chavez, which guarantees the construction of the Socialist
Motherland. Both
Nicolas Maduro as Diosdado Cabello should contribute to the creation of a
collective political leadership to the people who live only for their work:
support of the Bolivarian revolution. In this framework, different social
groups we have considered promoting a  *National Meeting of Popular
Bolivarian Movement*  and their organizations.

       The realization of this  *national meeting of the Popular Movement
Bolivarian*  we propose fundamental objective pursued political unity of
the people, the unity of the social organizations and left factors
historically committed to the construction of the Bolivarian revolutionary
process and the tasks of the socialist transition . A unit designed from
the construction program, support working people and exploited sectors in
struggle, and deepen the participatory nature of the subject leading
constituent, which together with the leadership of Chavez have consolidated
all victories accumulated so far. As directed by the same President Chavez,
accompanied and close ranks in the primary task of giving a *change of
course to ensure the deepening of the revolution* . We understand the
national meeting as the beginning of a process of relaunching the popular
movement organizations, within the framework of the debate on the role and
tasks of the working class and the people in the revolutionary transition
to socialism.

       Facing the trance we live by the health of President Chavez must
preserve what has been conquered and work for a long term and strategic
unit.

       The victories of October 7 and December 16, 2012 we should be used to
take policy initiatives to make revolution. We are calling for a *national
meeting * *of the Bolivarian Popular Movement* to lay the foundations of a
large unit, revolutionary and socialist to defend the process, building a
common political front in the permanent threat of the Right, capitalism,
and U.S. imperialism lackeys, always marching along the role of the
Bolivarian people.

*      The National Meeting of the Bolivarian Popular Movement*  aims to
prepare a people and with all our revolutionary organizations in governance
at all levels, in the middle of the contingency which means the disease of
our President. Define who we are, what we pursue, we raised and where we
go. Join as equals in the construction to ensure a true and genuine
revolutionary institutions:  *Ni claudication, or reversibility of the
process* .

       The Bolivarian people, with its intuitive political genius in times
of danger, has been tested in many battles. We must prepare for a process
of reunion of the popular movement, their organizations, their spirituality
and their ability to make policy directionality in the history of our
country.

*      The National Meeting of the Bolivarian Popular Movement*  boost from
all areas of the country a great discussion on the methodology of plenary,
democratize and deepen popular participation at all levels of public life,
even with all sectors: worker @ s, Obrer @ s, s peasants, youth, students,
women, different genres, Afro-descendants, indigenous farmer 's. We propose
to discuss the economy model of transition to socialism what is the
production model? The revolution demands action against  *global capitalism
that failed* : a model that makes people sick and threatens the permanence
of life.

       We are millions of revolutionaries in our people and hundreds of
millions worldwide Bolivarian accompanying this process.  *Encounter
Bolivarian National People's*  commitment to working people and youth. We
have generations of relief to continue the struggle, that is what we
guarantee *no return* . Chavez and here we are with no declines. This is
done every day revolution, striving to make a heroic creation from the
people and promote a unified force with the struggles of the peoples of the
world against capitalism and building socialism as a real possibility of
salvation of humanity and the preservation the planet.* *

*Neither claudication, or reversibility of the Bolivarian process!*

*A 200 years of the Decree of War to the Death: ** Jail speculators and
hoarders!*

*On January 10 the Street: to enforce and expand the decision making
exercise of the Bolivarian people **!*


*Organizations signing this declaration:*
A.C Divas de Venezuela, Alfredo Maneiro –El Valle, ANROS, APORREA, Asamblea
Combatientes, Asociación Nacional de Medios Comunitarios Libres y
Alternativos (AMCLA), Bloque Popular de la Vega, C.C. Dr. Carlos Diez del
Ciervo-Propatria, Campamento Bolivariano Carpintería Mader-Arte, Central
Bolivariana Socialista de Trabajadores, Centro de Formación Ideológica
(CFI), CLAD, Coalición de Tendencias Clasistas (CTC-Vzla.), Colectivo
“Carbonell”, Colectivo 4F-27N, Colectivo Alfredo Maneiro, Colectivo Ana
Karina Rote, Colectivo Chavista BAEL, Colectivo de Trabajo Revolucionario
13 de Abril, Colectivo Deportivo y Cultural "Rafael Carmona”, Comisión
Danilo Anderson, Comité Ali Primera de Monte Piedad, Comuna Cariagua,
Comuna Mitare, Comuna Elida Bustillo, Comuna Ecológica Patrimonial Alba
Caribe, Comuna Montesano Canaima Zigzag, Comuna Socialista Comandante
Carache, Comuna Socialista Máximo Vizcaya, CONAMEV, Conciencia Zurda,
Confederación de Consejos Comunales José Leonardo Chirino, Consejo Comunal
“Alirio Díaz”, Consejo Comunal Carmen “Clemente Travieso”, Consejo Comunal
Evita Perón, Consejo Comunal Teatros Miranda, Cooperativa Manojo de Ideas,
Coordinadora Popular de Caracas, Coordinadora Simón Bolívar, Organización
Política Revolucionaria Corredor Noroeste, Crea y Combate, Crítica
Estudiantil Internacionalista, Distrito Motor Comunas Lara Portuguesa y
Yaracuy, EFPC Guaraira Repano, El Pueblo Avanza (EPA), Ensayo de Formación
de Educadores y Educadoras Populares de Vargas (ENFODEP-V), Escuela Coriana
Socialista, Escuela de Formación Ideológica y Capacitación Francisco de
Miranda, Espartas,  Frente Carlos Escarrá, Frente Cultural de Izquierda
FCI, Frente Cultural Monagas, Frente de Trabajadores Rurales del Estado
Vargas, Frente Itinerante de Discusión Agroecológica (Frida), Frente Müller
Rojas, Frente Resistencia Guaicaipuro, Frente Revolucionario de Artesanos
de Venezuela-FRAV, Frente Revolucionario de Mujeres IVSS, Frente
Revolucionario Guaicaipuro, Fundación Comunitaria  Radiodifusora Sonora
99.5 FM de Cabimas, Fundación Comunitaria Cabimas por la Verdad de Cabimas,
Fundación Cultural Alí Primera, Fundación Lanceros, Fundación Socialista
Bloque Patriótico para la Economía Comunal, Fundación Urimare, Grupo de
Opinión Resistencia y Dignidad Revolucionaria, Guerreros Juveniles, ISILA
Salud como Práctica de Libertad, La Guarura, LIBERCOOP, Los Cachucheros
P.C., M-28, Marcha Patriótica, Marea Socialista, Movimiento Campesino
Jirajara, Movimiento Continental Bolivariano, Movimiento de Inquilinos,
Movimiento Gayones,  Movimiento por la Defensa de la Salud Pública MDSP,
Movimiento Vencer de Trujillo, Organización Política Revolucionaria Bravo
Sur, Parx1, Patria Joven, Periódico “Por Ahora”, Periódico Desde Abajo,
Periódico El Salitre (EFE-P), Periódico Proceso, Plan Guayana Socialista,
Praxis Revolucionaria, Proyecto Infantil Brisas Pantaneras, Radio Alí
Primera, Radio Huayra, Red de abuelos de Venezuela, Red de Artistas
Plásticos de Venezuela, Red de Comunas Socialistas de Moran (Lara), Red de
Medios Alternativos y Comunitarios de Carabobo (REDMAC), Red Nacional de
Círculos Bolivarianos, Red Nacional de Comuneros, Red Nacional de Sistemas
de Trueke, Residencias Estudiantiles, SURCO, Televisora Comunitaria Catia
TV, Totumo de Guarenas Frente Norte, Trabajadores Anauco Suites,
Trabajadores Mercado Chacao, Tupamaro Municipio Pampanito Trujillo, Unidad
de Producción Audio Visual El Pequeño Ejercito Loco, Waku.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

http://twitpic.com/buccm9


[image: 100's show up in DC to send a message to @BarackObama: End
indefinite detention, close Guantanamo #NDAA #GITMO]

[image: Views] 1,384


about an hour ago

100's show up in DC to send a message
to@BarackObama<http://twitpic.com/photos/BarackObama>:
End indefinite detention, close Guantanamo #NDAA<http://twitpic.com/tag/NDAA>
  #GITMO <http://twitpic.com/tag/GITMO>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

By Mairav Zonszein <http://972mag.com/author/mairavz/> |Published January
10, 2013WATCH: Finally, an Israeli politician demanding Arab-Jewish unity

A few weeks ago, I wrote a
post<http://972mag.com/to-vote-or-not-to-vote-grappling-with-the-question/61728/\
>
sharing
my personal grappling with the question of whether to vote or not in the
election in 12 days. I’m still not sure if I will end up voting, as it
feels to me in principal like conceding to Israel’s farcical democracy and
a direct affront to all the disenfranchised Palestinians who live under the
same governmental roof.

But if I do vote, I know who I will vote for: Da’am, the Arab-Jewish
workers’ party. I’m not going to elaborate much more, at least not in this
post (you can read their platform here <http://en.daam.org.il/?page_id=25>),
because I think the message in the video below by the party’s
chairwoman, Asma Agbaria Zahalka – a Palestinian citizen of Israel from
Jaffa – says it all. It is such a simple message, but for 2013
Israel<http://972mag.com/972s-person-of-the-year-the-settler/62756/>,
it is a revolutionary one. A message that you don’t hear from any
politicians in Israel, Arab or Jewish, certainly not in such an assertive,
unabashed, matter-of-fact-manner.

*http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7GHjm7erXuY*

And as for the argument that there are no politicians out there with any
charisma, that can out-charm, or out-talk Netanyahu, I think  he’s met his
match.

I just want to note that I happened upon this video the first time on a
local TV channel that was playing in a supermarket in Jaffa, with subtitles
in Arabic.

**The views expressed here are my own and do not represent 972mag or any
other entity. 972mag.com does not endorse any specific political party.*


http://972mag.com/palestinians-build-settlement-near-jerusalem-receive-eviction-\
orders-from-border-police/63674/


By Haggai Matar <http://972mag.com/author/haggaim/> |Published January 11,
2013Palestinians build 'settlement' near Jerusalem, receive eviction orders
from Border Police

*In response to the Israeli government’s plans to build 4,000 housing units
for Jewish settlers in the E1
area<http://972mag.com/resource-what-is-the-e1-area-and-why-is-it-so-important/6\
1298/>,
Palestinians set up a new tent village called Bab Al-Shams (Gate of the
Sun). Police attempts to dismantle the new village were thwarted by a
temporary warrant issued by the High Court of Justice.*
<http://972mag.com/palestinian-activists-launch-new-outpost-in-e1-area/63674/sha\
ms/>

Border Police order to evict the newly built Palestinian outpost, Bab
Al-Shams, in the area of E1, January 11, 2013. (photo by: Oren
Ziv/Activestills.org)

Some 250 Palestinians, organized in part by the Popular Struggle
Coordination
Committee<http://972mag.com/the-wall-10-years-on-part-5-a-new-way-of-resistance/\
44656/>
and
activists from several villages in struggle against the wall and
settlements, arrived at the area known by Israel as E1 early this morning,
and started work on their new village. Activists state that the village is
built entirely on private lands owned by Palestinians from the nearby town
of Al-Tur.”This is a popular response to Israel’s plan to expand its
settlements, especially in this area,” Muhammad Khatib of the Bil’in
Popular Committee told +972.

Not long after the tents were set up, Border Police and Civil
Administration forces arrived at the scene and handed out eviction notices
to residences of the new outpost-village, threatening to return and
demolish the erected tents shortly. Prepared in advance for such an
occasion, activists petitioned against the demolitions to the High Court,
which then issued a warrant delaying any eviction or demolition for six
days.
<http://972mag.com/palestinian-activists-launch-new-outpost-in-e1-area/63674/sm4\
a0579_edit_wm/>

Palestinians building the Bab Al-Shams tent city in the E1 area between
Jerusalem and the West Bank, January 11, 2013. (photo: Activestills)

Israeli plans for construction in E1 as a response to success of the
Palestinian UN bid (and partly as a message for voters in the upcoming
elections) attracted much worldwide criticism, including from the
U.S<http://972mag.com/israeli-settlement-plans-should-shake-up-american-policyma\
kers/62401/>.
For the activists, this is a popular and direct response to Israeli
attempts at annexing the corridor between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim.

The new village is named “Bab Al-Shams,” after the landmark book by Elias
Khoury, depicting the life of a Palestinian refugee in Lebanon who insists
on returning to his home in the Galilee, where he manages to meet his wife
in a secret cave called “Bab Al-Shams.”
<http://972mag.com/palestinian-activists-launch-new-outpost-in-e1-area/63674/sm4\
a0277_edit_wm/>

Palestinian activists plant a Palestinian flag in the Bab Al-Shams tent
city in the E1 area, January 11, 2012. (photo: Activestills)

The activists released a statement about the action:



We, the sons and daughters of Palestine from all throughout the land,
announce the establishment of Bab Alshams Village. We the people, without
permits from the occupation, without permission from anyone, sit here today
because this is our land and it is our right to inhabit it…

We declare that the village will stand steadfast until the owners of this
land will get their right to build on their land… Bab Alshams is the gate
to our freedom and steadfastness. Bab Alshams is our gate to Jerusalem. Bab
Alshams is the gate to our return.
For decades, Israel has established facts on the ground as the
International community remained silent in response to these violations.
The time has come now to change the rules of the game, for us to establish
facts on the ground – our own land. This action involving women and men
from the north to the south is a form of popular resistance. In the coming
days we will hold various discussion groups, educational and artistic
presentations, as well as film screenings on the lands of this village. The
residents of Bab Alshams invite all the sons and daughters of our people to
participate and join the village in supporting our resilience.

This is not the first time that Palestinians set up an outpost in the E1
area. Previous such attempts were made in 2007
<http://www.awalls.org/palestinian_outpost_swiftly_evicted_near_jerusalem>and
also in 2011. Both previous attempts, made in smaller numbers than this
action, ended with the eviction and demolition of the outsposts by Israeli
authorities.
<http://972mag.com/palestinians-build-settlement-near-jerusalem-receive-eviction\
-orders-from-idf/63674/sm4a0047_2_wm/>

A Palestinian tent city being constructed by the Popular Committees in the
E1 area, January 11, 2013. The camp holds approximately 25 tents, and is
called by the activists “Bab al-Shams” village. (photo: Oren
Ziv/Activestills)

*Read also:
*Resource: What is the E1 area, and why is it so
important?<http://972mag.com/resource-what-is-the-e1-area-and-why-is-it-so-impor\
tant/61298/>

Following E1 decision, Israel is more isolated than ever but not likely to
change
course<http://972mag.com/resource-what-is-the-e1-area-and-why-is-it-so-important\
/61298/>


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