whitebeard

Don't curse the darkness, light a candle.

Dear World Can't Wait Supporter,

Today was a day of cowardice displayed by publishers who would not print these ads in New York City tomorrow as Bush speaks at the United Nations.

Metro NY , the free subway paper, created a new rate for “political ads” that made the price prohibitive on such short notice. And the New York University newspaper, which earlier in the day had scheduled the ad to run, later reversed its decision based on their policy against the publication of any “political” ads.

I argued to the publisher of Metro NY (who got many emails and calls from you over the weekend) that the new policy means that those with deep pockets and support for the status quo will be able to afford to publish, and those of us challenging the official story will be locked out.

 

Continue argued to the students who publish the NYU paper that if a liberal urban university paper won’t publish these ads – in a climate where the huge majority here is against Bush – where can they be published? Is NYU going to train journalists to crank out war propaganda such as what is produced in Washington today, or do they want to produce journalists who value the truth?

President Bush has this country in a war that’s widely hated…but dissenting ads can’t be bought? He’s preparing a third war, and those who oppose it are called traitors? The Bush regime’s war plans on Iran hang over all this. See an article today by Larry Everest, U.S. Ramps Up Threats Against Iran

People had better stand up. This is a moment for courage. We will either allow this cowardice to spread, or stop it by our own actions.

CONTEST & CHALLENGE : The ad “Who is the Real Nuclear Threat?” was distributed all over the Columbia University campus today as Ahmedinijad from Iran was speaking there. An enlargement of the ad sparked debate, and support, all day long. We have submitted the ad to The Spectator, the student paper at Columbia, for publication this week, and we’ll hear Wednesday if it is accepted

We are asking you to send these ads to college newspapers you know all over the country, and challenge the editors to publish them. If there are finances involved, we will raise the funds.

Write me about who you are approaching with the ads, and what happens. If you know professors or journalists who will write about this, contact them.

 

 

Continue

posted by: Whitebeard at 22:06 | link | comments |
us, civil rights, democracy, war, censored news

posted by: Whitebeard at 21:58 | link | comments |
us, democracy, censored news

Jean-Marie Benjamin

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Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (November 2006)

The Rev. Jean-Marie Benjamin is a priest who once worked as an assistant to the Vatican secretary of state and became an activist for lifting Iraqi sanctions prior to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He is reported to have set up the meeting between former Pope John Paul II and Tariq Aziz, Iraq's foreign minister. Report of the Independent Inquiry Commission “Oil for Food” of the United Nations "Since the last two years, in some articles published by the media, father Jean-Marie Benjamin has been accused of having received “allocations of oil” from the Government of Saddam Hussein. One thing is to put the name of a person on the list, another matter is to accept what is proposed. At the end of the year 2001, as soon as father Benjamin was informed concerning the allocations, he categorically refused. On 25 January 2002, he wrote a letter to Tareq Aziz to refuse the offer officially. This letter was transmitted to the former vice Prime Minister through the Embassy of Iraq in Rome, with a copy for the Iraqi Consul in Rome. Following this letter Jean-Marie Benjamin never gave this matter a thought again. In January 2005, Jean-Marie Benjamin, during a meeting with the inspectors, gave the inspectors of the Independent Inquiry Commission a copy of the letter that he had addressed to Tareq Aziz. After an investigation in Baghdad conducted by the inspectors of the Independent Inquiry Commission at the Ministry of Oil and Iraqi officials, the report of the Commission confirms what Jean-Marie Benjamin has always declared, he never accepted any allocation or any other support from Iraq. On 27 October 2005, the Independent Inquiry Commission “Oil for Food” has published the final report. One can read on page 100 and 101 of the second volume of the report the following conclusion by the inspectors:

“... An Iraqi official involved in allocations at the time confermed that Father Benjamin did not request an oil allocation”.

end:

In January 2002, when he was offered an additional oil allocation to support his “activities and projects in favor of the Iraqi population”, Father Benjamin told officials at SOMO and Mr. Aziz, both in person and by letter, that he could not accept any oil allocations. Ministry of Oil records confirm that, although oil allocations totaling 5.5 million barrels were granted to Father Benjamin in Phases XI through XIII, none of the oil was lifted.” An UN report confim Father Banjamin never accepted any petrol barrel.

A letter written by Jean Marie Benjamin in italian language can be found at http://www.beppegrillo.it/2007/09/una_lettera_di_1.html

This letter is a verifiable source of the above mentioned information.

posted by: Whitebeard at 18:34 | link | comments |
iraq, us, war, censored news

Dear peace activists,

We wanted to fill you in on news from our group, and since there is a lot
going on, we´ve put it all in one message.

1. OCT 3 - Film series is back! Our Eye Wide Open documentary films
series is back with a great line-up for the fall season. Things get started on
Oct 3 at 7pm with a Karl Rove Goodbye Party and screening of Bush´s
Brain, "an in-depth look at the man many regard as the brains behind
George W. Bush's political career." Linux Club, via G Libetta, 15c. See our
web site for more information and the full program, which runs through
December 12, 2007: http://www.peaceandjustice.it/film-series6.php

2. SEPT 29 - International Fair this weekend at St George´s school (via
Cassia Km 16). Sat, Sept 29 from 10am-5pm we´ll be at the fair for the
international community in Rome promoting our group and the upcoming
film series. Please let us know If you want to volunteer at our table:
info@peaceandjustice.it

3. The minutes of our last meeting held Sept 18 have been published on
the web site: http://www.peaceandjustice.it/meeting-180907.php

4. A second report by Michael on the No Dal Molin Festival in Vicenza
against the new U.S. military base has been published on our web site:
http://www.peaceandjustice.it/vicenza-camping2-post.php

See also photos of the festival:
http://www.peaceandjustice.it/g-vicenza-camping.php

5. We endorsed the letter by our French cousins to French Foreign Minister
Bernard Kouchner regarding his remarks on Iran. Thanks to everyone who
replied, unanimously in favor of endorsing. The letter was sent on Saturday,
September 22 by registered mail. For more info, see the Americans Against
War - France web site: http://aawevents.blogspot.com/ (including photos of
their rally on Sept 15!)

6. DEC 15 - As discussed in our meeting last week, we have also endorsed
the appeal for an international demonstration in Vicenza against the new
base on Dec 15. Stay tuned. See the No Dal Molin site for more info.
http://www.nodalmolin.it/

7. Also discussed in the last meeting, Stephanie wrote a report in Italian
about the demonstration and arrests on Sept 15 in Washington in response
to many Italians who asked "what happened?!" The report was published on
a number of sites and blogs, including our friends at Linux Club:
http://linux-club.org/node/2539


Gene, Maria, Maria Chiara, Michael and Stephanie
--
U.S. Citizens for Peace & Justice - Rome
info@peaceandjustice.it
http://www.peaceandjustice.it

posted by: Whitebeard at 17:43 | link | comments |
iraq, us, civil rights, democracy, peace, war, censored news

 
  Haider Abdel Shafi's death left me stunned, no words, only immense pain.

Haider was not only a very real person, a  man of integrity and a  fantastic human being ,  he embodied also the symbol of what millions of people around the world thought Palestine would have become: free from Israeli military occupation, an independent, secular and democratic state where citizenship and social justice would prevail.

Haider could not see that and every day that dream seems more and more far away.

I really hope all the Palestinians will gather around Haider to pay tribute to him and rethink of their divisions and internal struggle and find a way to unite and form a strong popular non violent movement to pave the way to freedom and independence.

To all his family, to all comrades all my love and my sorrow not to be able to accompany Haider to his last trip in his beloved Gaza under siege.

To me he will be unforgettable. Rest in peace Haider.

 

 Luisa Morgantini

Vice President of the European Parliament

Strasbourg, 25 September 2007

posted by: Whitebeard at 17:40 | link | comments |
palestine

posted by: Whitebeard at 09:48 | link | comments |
civil rights, israel, peace, palestine, censored news

Dear peace activists,

See below a letter that our "French cousins" plan to deliver to French
Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner on his recent statements regarding
Iran. They are looking for endorsements from U.S. citizens groups in
Europe - just as they did for the recent letter to Democrats Abroad. 

Should we endorse? Send a Yay or Nay to info@peaceandjustice.it

Note: The letter will be sent out before their vigil in Paris this Saturday so
please reply as soon as possible.

Thanks,

Gene, Maria, Maria Chiara, Michael and Stephanie
--
U.S. Citizens for Peace & Justice - Rome
info@peaceandjustice.it
http://www.peaceandjustice.it

==============================================
Articles about Kouchner for reference for those outside France:
http://tinyurl.com/39xnn4
http://tinyurl.com/299uvd

Mr. Bernard Kouchner
Minister of Foreign Affairs
37 quai d'Orsay
75351 Paris

September 19, 2007

Dear Mr Kouchner,

We would like to formally request a meeting between yourself and
representatives of the undersigned, American non-partisan anti-war and
peace groups in France and elsewhere in Europe, to discuss our views on
your position as it concerns US policy on Iraq, the Middle East and Iran as
expressed in your interview on France-Inter, Wednesday, September 19,
2007. 

Your recent statements lend us to believe that France's previously
independent foreign policy is being aligned with that of the US
administration. 

In our unique position as representatives in Europe of the majority of
Americans in the United States who oppose the US war on Iraq and any
future US attack on Iran, we are concerned that this change in French
foreign policy may not be in the best interests of American citizens
everywhere. 

We would be most grateful if you would accept to receive us at an early
opportunity. 

Thank you for your attention. 

Respectfully yours,

The undersigned,
Americans Against the War, Paris, France

posted by: Whitebeard at 15:53 | link | comments |
iraq, us, war, iran

Beppe Grillo: The new clown prince of Italy

A funny thing just happened in Italian politics: Beppe Grillo, comedian, troublemaker and arch-enemy of the Establishment, is now seen by half the electorate as a viable candidate for the presidency. Peter Popham reports on a joke that could be getting out of hand
Published: 18 September 2007
Read the article

 

posted by: Whitebeard at 13:57 | link | comments |
democracy, italy

World Can’t Wait is working with other organizations to pull together protest when:

Tuesday, Sept 25, Bush will speak at UN

He is expected to present lying justifications for attack on Iran
We must tell the world: Bush & Cheney Do NOT speak in our name!

Stop The War in Iraq Now! No Attack On Iran!

Bring all your friends, drums, whistles, signs. We will make some noise.

Join with: World Can’t Wait-Drive Out the Bush Regime, the War Resisters League, Code-Pink, Granny Peace Brigade, student organizations including Students for Democratic Society, Iglesia San Romero de Las Americas, Movement for a Democratic Society-NYC and many more in a broad range of bold and determined actions, including: Rally at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, 47th Street & 1st Ave

Sincerely,
Debra Sweet, Director, The World Can’t Wait – Drive Out the Bush Regime

posted by: Whitebeard at 09:05 | link | comments |
us, war, iran, nineleven

You MUST SEE this film!

In the Valley of Elah

 

 

 

 

 

 Directed by Paul Haggis, featuring Susan Sarandon and Frances Fisher, all signers of the Call to Drive Out the Bush Regime.

 

 

posted by: Whitebeard at 09:01 | link | comments |
iraq, us, democracy, war

L' Herald Tribune e il V-day

By Beppe Grillo on Informazione

The article

posted by: Whitebeard at 08:11 | link | comments |

Dear World Can't Wait Supporter,

George Bush tonight: “It is never too late to advance freedom. And it is never too late to support our troops in a fight they can win.”

The answer to Bush’s continuing war should be all over the place this weekend: If you’re against endless war and occupation,

A Regime Still Set On Remaking the World. . . and the Need To Drive It Out

By Sunsara Taylor

“There is a radicalness brewing in this country. There’s a section of this generation that is looking out on the world and sees nothing good and nothing they want to have any part of. A section of this generation that is ready to struggle and to question, that senses the need to be as radical as the times, that gravitates to the need for struggle and even great sacrifice to stop this whole direction. But somebody’s got to step out and DO IT.”

There are many deadly lies and deceptions in America today, but one of the deadliest is that the “Bush Regime is over.”

The torture, the wars, the spying and theocratic measures and the toxic waves of bigotry—against Black people today, gays tomorrow, immigrants or women or dissenting professors the day after—isn’t “limping to the finish”…it is intensifying. The crimes committed in our name pile up each and every day. The planning at the very highest levels—to sustain the war in Iraq, to very possibly launch a new one against Iran, to hammer in and further legitimize the revocation of the most fundamental rights—not only continues, but accelerates. The casting aside of high-level operatives like Rove or Gonzales is not the dissolution of a regime, but preparation for a “sprint to the finish.” Bush himself is reported to be impervious to criticism, “optimistic,” and acting with his “historic legacy” in mind.

That “legacy” is not something for the history books, after we’re all dead. It’s about locking in and pushing further the horrific crimes that have become “the new normalcy” of this imperialist system. It’s about what we’re willing to—and going to be forced to— live with; and what we’re willing to see other people live—and die—with. And that’s what will happen if the tens of millions who hate this regime and what it’s been doing continue on the current passive—and, yes, complicit—course. George Bush aims to use his last 16 months in office to do everything he can to ensure the continued existence and dominance of this empire, on even more horrific terms and with exponentially greater ability to suffocate any fundamental resistance to it.

The Bush Regime must be driven out. For unless it is decisively repudiated by the people, in massive visible political opposition, the outrages of today will indeed become the norms of tomorrow, with terrible consequences… more

Sunsara Taylor is on the World Can’t Wait Advisory Board, and writes for Revolution newspaper .

Sincerely,
Debra Sweet, Director, The World Can’t Wait – Drive Out the Bush Regime

posted by: Whitebeard at 08:03 | link | comments |
iraq, us, civil rights, war, censored news, iran

The Great Conspiracy

To see here

posted by: Whitebeard at 09:48 | link | comments |
us, democracy, censored news, nineleven

Dear peace activists,

see a report below on the first few days of the activist campout in Vicenza,
Italy against the new U.S. military base. If you're planning to join others
from our group this weekend for the direct actions, call 333 11 03 510 for
any questions.

Report published at:
http://www.peaceandjustice.it/vicenza-camping-post.php

Camping for Peace in Vicenza, Italy

It´s difficult to believe that just a week before the activist campout opened in
Vicenza, Italy, there was nothing more than an empty field. The local
movement against a new U.S. military base at the Dal Molin airport has put
together a 4-star campground with an action packed schedule in a clear
demonstration not only of their determination to continue the struggle,
which has been going on for more than a year, but also of the level of
support among Vicenza residents as well as people from all over Italy and
beyond.

In fact, on Saturday the No Dal Molin Festival, which continues through
September 16, hosted Naomi Klein, who expressed her wonder and
admiration at the "village of peace" that had been created. "Anyone trying to
depict this movement as violent needs to come here." She had just arrived
from the Venice film festival where she held the No Dal Molin flag during
press conferences following the presentation of the short film, The Shock
Doctrine, also shown in a special preview at the campground.

Mustafà Barghouti, Palestinian activist and former Minister of Information for
the Palestinian National Authority, shared his appreciation for the local
movement in their struggle against another form of occupation and
illustrated the far more grave occupation of Palestine as well as the non-
violent resistance movement, which just recently saw results. On
September 4, the Israeli Supreme Court voted in favor of the people of Bil´in
and agreed to move the Wall from the center of the village as they found it
served no legal or security purpose. "It´s a small victory, but it´s a victory."

The situation of U.S. bases in Europe was presented in seminar that
included Jakub Hornacek representing the movement in the Czech
Republic opposing the radar base to be part of the Missile Defense System.
Over 70% of the Czech people are opposed. We also heard from Wilbert
van der Zeijden of the Transnational Institute in The Netherlands. He had
been one of the principal organizers of the No Bases conference in Quito,
Ecuador, held just after the very successful national demonstration in
Vicenza in February of this year. "Vicenza electrified the conference.
Everyone was talking about Vicenza." The U.S. embassy in Ecuador had
organized a finely catered event for the press during the conference to give
their version of the state of U.S. foreign bases, which they said numbered
about 30 in the entire world, 6 in Europe. The reaction from the press was
the same as that of public gathered in the debate tent: sheer laughter. 

There was also a national assembly of the Patto del mutuo soccorso, the
Pact of Mutual Aid, a network of local groups throughout Italy working to
defend their territory against devastating projects ranging from tunnels
through the mountains in the north for high-speed trains to coal-fueled
power plants in the south. Over twenty groups were represented, each
sharing the methods used in the struggles and expressing solidarity.
 
And when the campers aren´t busy with debates and workshops, they head
for the main tent to discuss the issues at the restaurant or the pizzeria,
which served over 1000 people each night over the weekend, or at one of
the two bars or the crepe café. There´s also a concert every evening as well
as theatrical performances and midnight movies. The atmosphere is
magical, with a volunteer workforce intent on not simply pulling this off, but
in organizing something beyond the expectations of even the most
demanding campers. 

The final days of the campout will be focused on direct action against the
new base. The first will be aimed at the local administration, with a protest
on Thursday, September 13 at 5:30pm at City Hall. A construction zone will
be set up around the building, with "Danger: Falling Government" signs as
the residents of Vicenza take protecting their city into their own hands. On
Friday, September 14 at 2pm the movement will instead descend on the
existing base of Camp Ederle, to denounce the mechanisms of war.

Saturday, September 15 will be the main demonstration. That morning
people will leave the campground at 10am in a march to the site of the
proposed base at Dal Molin, requesting entry to plant 150 trees and create
a public park for the residents of Vicenza.

One year ago, no one would have imagined that this sleepy city in the north
of Italy had the resources to mount a long-term grassroots campaign.
Today, no one can doubt their determination to block construction of the
new base, refusing to play a supporting role in the U.S. wars of aggression.

Stephanie Westbrook, U.S. Citizens for Peace & Justice - Rome
Nancy Bailey, U.S. Citizens Against War - Florence

For more information on the movement in Vicenza, see the No Dal Molin
web site (in Italian) at http://www.nodalmolin.it/ or articles in English at:
http://www.peaceandjustice.it/vicenza/

____________________________________

posted by: Whitebeard at 18:47 | link | comments |
iraq, us, peace, war

 click on the picture.

posted by: Whitebeard at 23:34 | link | comments |
censored news, nineleven

Hi all,

see below message from a friend in Kansas City, guaranteed to brighten your day. Forward widely!
Stephanie
ps-report on the first few days of campout in Vicenza coming soon. It's absolutely amazing what they've been able to organize here.

------- Forwarded message follows -------

There is a bus going across country on their way to DC for the march next  Saturday. They contacted us here in KC a week or so ago to let us know  they were coming through. So we set up a breakfast meeting with them and  planned to meet them this morning. 

Last night my friend Sharon was driving through midtown and went past the restaurant where we told the peace bus to come and she saw the bus  sitting out front. So she decided to stop and greet them. She realized she  had no idea what any of these activists looked like and they didn't know her  either. So she pulled an IMPEACH banner out of the back of her car,  walked in the restaurant and unfurled it. 
EVERYONE in the restaurant stood up and cheered!!!

Here's the funny part - NONE of the peace bus people were in the restaurant. They were all asleep on the bus. So Sharon didn't meet them  but she found a whole new group of supporters at midnight on a  saturday in a midtown restaurant. :-) 

We did have breakfast with them this morning and they are really neat guys. The bus is awesome!! I hope they can hook up with at least some of  you guys in DC next weekend. 
We are having a big march here in KC so we will be marching in solidarity  with you all in DC. Let's get this thing done. 
Peace!!
Anne

--
"Other than the war in Iraq , the Katrina disaster, the deficit, the CIA leak, torture, stopping stem cell research, homeland security, global warming and undercutting science, we've yet to really feel the negative effects of the George W. Bush administration" -- Bill Moyers, Journalist

posted by: Whitebeard at 15:34 | link | comments |
us, peace, war, censored news

A big hug Beppe, also in the name of Greenpeace, accompanied by an invitation to all citizens who hold the environment and democracy close to their hearts to join up with the peaceful initiative of grassroots participation that you are promoting with the intelligent and generous civic passion that has always distinguished you.”
Walter Ganapini
Greenpeace National President


On Saturday it will be possible to see the events in video streaming from the following cities (the links will be available on this site as soon as we start transmitting):

Alghero, Anzio, Bergamo, Busto Arsizio, Borgomanero, Brindisi, Crotone, Catania, Fano, Faenza, Florence, Genoa, Ischia, Lecce, Milan, Naples, Novara, New York, Nuoro, Viareggio, Volta Mantovana, Pegognaga, Pesaro, Pordenone, Putignano, Rieti, Rovereto, Rovigo, Reggio Calabria, Savona, Sanremo, Terni, Taranto, Urbino, Verbania.

posted by: Whitebeard at 08:52 | link | comments |
civil rights, democracy

Luciano Pavarotti Is Dead at 71

posted by: Whitebeard at 05:33 | link | comments |
culture, italy

RECOMMENDED READS

FROM THE CITY LIGHTS STAFF
 

posted by: Whitebeard at 10:10 | link | comments |
us, culture

Upcoming Events

Sept 4 , Michael Moore's new documentary, SiCKO, is out in Rome in the original language version and we've organized a "movie night" to see it as a group. 8pm, Cinema Metropolitan. And join us for a pizza afterwards!

Please RSVP at: info@peaceandjustice.it.

http://www.peaceandjustice.it/

 

 

 

 

 

posted by: Whitebeard at 15:51 | link | comments (1) |
us, civil rights