Tuesday, March 24, 2009

ÓSCAR ROMERO REMEMBERED


At the start of 1980 the human rights situation in El Salvador was rapidly deteriorating. By the end of the year the nation was embroiled in a civil war that ultimately claimed 75,000 lives. In February of that year Óscar Romero, the nation's Catholic Archbishop, wrote to U.S President Jimmy Carter "You say that you are Christian. If you are really Christian, please stop sending military aid to the military here , because they use it only to kill my people." The Human Rights Administration ignored the plea. While giving mass a month later, twenty nine years ago today, Archbishop Romero's life was ended with a bullet to the hears as he raised the Eucharist, his blood was spilled across the alter. His death came only a day after he called on government soldiers to refuse to obey orders to suppress human rights. He was the first of many martyrs for human rights in El Salvador's brutal civil war where 85% of the civilian victims were targeted by their own government.

A UN report found Romero's assassination to be the work Roberto D'Aubuisson. An ultra-nationalist admirer of Hitler and his Final Solution, Blowtorch Bob, as victims of his torture sessions dubbed him, attended the infamous School of the Americas before spending fourteen years leading death squads to implement his vision, articulated in 1981, that between 200,000 and 300,000 people needed to be exterminated to restore peace to El Salvador. He found friends both in the ARENA party he founded whose members still revere him as a national hero and in right wing circles in Washington. In 1984 a group including the Moral Majority, Young Americans for Freedom, Young America's Foundation, the Conservative Alliance, the Free Congress Foundation, the Washington Legal Foundation, and the National Pro-Life PAC, presented him with an honorary plaque in appreciation of his "inspiration to freedom-loving people everywhere". This is the same corp group that helped arrange for the Human Rights Administration to resume aid to El Salvador after it was halted in response to the rape and murder of four American humanitarian workers from the Catholic church by government forces in December of 1980.

Once the civil war moved into its second year and a new administration took over in Washington the situation deteriorated further. Government forces escalated their terror, torturing and disappearing suspected leftists; students, intellectuals, peasants, human rights observers, union members, opposition leaders, members of the clergy, and anyone else suspected of anti-government tendencies. Only months after President Reagan took office over a thousand civilians were massacred by U.S trained government forces in the town of El Mozote. Over the opposition of human rights groups the U.S dismissed the massacre as propaganda and continued supplying weapons and training to the military.

In 1987 the body of Herbert Anaya, an assassinated human rights activist was dumped in protest outside of the U.S embassy in San Salvador. Washington continued to denounce human rights organizations operating within El Salvador as rebel propaganda groups, but domestic support for the U.S's policies was beginning to unwind. The war ended in 1990 and nineteen years later the last chapter of this period of El Salvador's history was closed when the Obama administration indicated it would not interfere with elections in which the ARENA party was finally driven from power.

The defeat of fascism and the restoration of the principles of human rights in El Salvador was made possible only through the courageous work and sacrifice of human rights activists, both American and Salvadorian, who risked their freedom and their lives to document and resist massive crimes against humanity. In El Salvador they won, but the ideology that led to the initial problem persists. While marking the murder of Archbishop Romero it is important to remember that the courage, strength, and convictions that drove him remain badly needed in the ongoing struggle for human rights.

Monday, March 23, 2009

UK MP GALLOWAY COMING TO AMERICA

British Member of Parliament George Galloway is set to arrive in the U.S later today to address sold out audiences in more than ten cities. Recently the Respect MP was barred from entering Canada because he posed a "threat to national security", or perhaps to the electoral security of the present government. An outspoken critic of American foreign policy, past speeches by Galloway in the U.S have focused on the U.S role in destabilizing the Middle East and perpetuating the suffering of the Palestinian people. Seen here at a 2005 speech in Seattle he articulately attacks American involvement in the Middle East.

Friday, March 20, 2009

SUPPORTING THE TROOPS


In the U.S soldiers are regarded as heroes, at least in public where it is politically convenient, in private Henry Kissinger refereed to them as "stupid animals". Placing a yellow "support the troops" ribbon on your car is an easy way of expressing barely concealed support for Operation Iraqi Liberation (O.I.L). That such adulation should be paid to America's armed services while millions of civilians are dead and displaced thanks to their heroism might surprise those outside the U.S, but that anyone would search for logic in the rhetoric of American politics would certainly surprise those inside the U.S. On the rare occasion that criticism of the war is mentioned in connection with the conduct of the troops it is quickly pointed out that they were only following orders. That defense was rejected at the trial of Nazi war criminals in Nuremberg, but things are always different when your country is concerned.

Nonetheless, there are thousands of heroes in the U.S military who have risked their lives so that another people may be free, and the support they have received is pathetic. Sometimes loyalty to humanity requires treason to country. Since the beginning of the occupation of Iraq as many 25,000 members of the American armed services have deserted the military. Iraq war veteran Andre Shepherd is one of them. In 2007 he walked off his base in Germany because he "could no longer support this illegal war in Iraq with a clear conscience." He's applied for asylum in Germany, but his application like those of deported U.S refugees to Canada is likely to be denied. If returned to the military he faces prison time, hate crimes, and potentially even execution.

Members of the American military are risking their career, their freedom, their reputation, and their life to avoid participating in an illegal war and the rest of the world that so vigorously denounced the occupation of Iraq when there was nothing they could do to forestall its implementation is silent. During World War II Venezuela offered refuge to German soldiers deserting from Hitler's armies. Today Venezuela has followed in that tradition by offering asylum to American service members wanting to avoid participation in an illegal war, but this is not enough. While those of us in countries that participate in the occupation of Iraq work to change those policies, those who live in countries that oppose the war must work to ensure their governments support their words with action. Every nation that considers the American role in Iraq illegal must support those who refuse to become the instruments of war criminals. Support the troops.

Monday, March 16, 2009

LET ME STAND ALONE


If Rachel Corrie had chosen to become an artist or a writer and live a comfortable middle-class American life she would turn thirty next month. Instead she became a human rights activist. She will remain twenty-three forever. Six years ago today, on March 16, 2003, she was crushed to death by a bulldozer attempting to demolish the home of a Palestinian family. Her killing came amidst a spate of attacks on foreigners by the military that left four dead and several seriously injured, but if the army was trying to snuff out the ideas that brought foreign activists and aid workers to Gaza they failed miserably.

From an American college student to a Palestinian martyr Rachel Corrie has become a
symbol for the belief that resistance to oppression is a universal human struggle that transcends all boundaries. Her journal entries, school papers, and sketches, all published into a book last year, serve both as a manifesto of human solidarity and tell the tragically inspiring story of a young woman's coming to maturity. From her elementary school musings to her last letter home, written four days before her death, we can trace her journey from her early days in Olympia, exploring the natural world, to her foreign travels, budding social activism, teenage drama, work with the national parks, and a stint as a social worker to her final days in Palestine.

A natural writer and a critical observer, it is an enthralling and riveting read. It is the story of the life of the woman who has been defined in public discourse by her death. This is not a book about Palestine or politics, it only overtly deals with these topics in the last pages, but the formation of the ideas that brought Rachel to Palestine are evident throughout. As a young child she displayed a greater understanding of human suffering than most adults and as her intellect and education developed and progressed that passion manifested itself in new and radical ways. Her preteenage thoughts on homelessness set the tone for her later involvement as a social worker, a peace activist, and eventually a human rights observer.

These are the hollow souls,
Crusts of helpless figures,
The Crumbs that we toss to the gulls.
Skins and round watery eyes.
Horribly open, lucid and knowing.
How can the eyes of the ignorant
be so wise?

These are the forgotten ones.
They are lost in the invisible world of lists.
Here are our ugly siblings,
The ones who stand behind us and smile hungrily.
These are the ones we don't even glance at.
We fix our eyes just over their shoulders.

Bring on their hungry smiles.
We battle them with loose change,
Trying to send them back out of our minds.
We love them when they are far away and we are snug and warm.
But when they are close to us,
And we can smell their rotting breath
And look deep through sunken eyes into the eddying minds,
We choke with fear and distaste and pull away from the outside.

Here are the homeless and also the nameless.
Here are the people whom we politely ignore.
We are brutally well behaved.
Even when they speak to us, call to us, beseech us, We do not answer or call back.

These are our sisters and brothers.
And that is what terrifies us.
They are us. And we could as easily be them.

Let Me Stand Alone is an insightful and compelling book that should be read by anyone interested in social justice or in understanding progressive thought.
Rachel, you are gone, but you will never be forgotten. Your courageous compassion and silent strength are a constant reminder that a just society is possible. Your struggle will continue.

Friday, March 13, 2009

AMERICAN PEACE ACTIVIST FACES LIFE THREATENING INJURIES AFTER IDF TERROR ATTACK

Unarmed American peace activist Tristan Anderson sustained life threatening injuries today after being hit in the head by a tear gas canister launched into a nonviolent demonstration by Israeli soldiers in the Palestinian town of Niilin. Troops regularly attack the weekly joint Israeli-Palestinian demonstrations against construction of an illegal West Bank barrier that cuts many villages from their agricultural land. In past marches four villagers ranging in age from 10 to 22 have been killed by Israeli fire.

Anderson was taken to a hospital after his brain was exposed through the gaping hole left in his forehead by the canister. Soldiers showered medics with tear gas as they loaded Anderson onto a stretcher and initially refused to allow an ambulance through. Several Palestinians were also injured when live ammunition was fired into the unarmed crowd.

Monday, March 9, 2009

THEY HAVE MADE IT!



The people of the world must open a lifeline to the starving people of Gaza.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

SHAMEFUL


A Press Briefing With Robert Wood, Spokesman for the State Department.
Link Here
QUESTION: A new topic? On Gaza, there have been some reports that the United States is quite displeased with the Israeli government about the amount of goods that the Israeli government is allowing into Gaza. For instance, they’re making such restrictions on dual use that is kind of arbitrary and not necessarily in line with what the humanitarian needs are in Gaza. Can you say what, at this point, the State Department assessment of the amount of aid that’s going into Gaza right now?

MR. WOOD: I’m not prepared here to give you an assessment of the type of aid that’s going in, but we have --

QUESTION: Are you satisfied with the level of aid?

MR. WOOD: Well, look, the situation on the ground there, as you know, is very complicated. And what we have been trying to do is ensure that, you know, humanitarian assistance gets to the people of Gaza. We will continue to try to do that, but as I said, it’s complicated. And we have had discussions with the Israelis about the situation. Other countries have, as well. And we’ll continue to push to get as much in the way of humanitarian supplies into Gaza as we can. It’s the best assessment I can give you.

QUESTION: Well, just one example that is (inaudible) on the press that the Israelis are not letting pasta into Gaza, only rice, because that’s a humanitarian – because that’s only on their humanitarian things. Do think that all food and medicine should be allowed into Gaza right now?

MR. WOOD: Well, look, there are a number of players on the ground trying to deal with the humanitarian situation. I, from the podium here, can’t tell you whether, you know, pasta should fall into a specific category – into that category of humanitarian assistance or not. But what we’re trying to do is to make sure that the supplies that –

QUESTION: Well, apparently, U.S. officials have been complaining about this particular example. So, I mean, I’m just saying, like, shouldn’t all food and medicine be allowed into Gaza at this point? I mean, is that really a -- even a question about dual use?

MR. WOOD: What we want to see get into Gaza are humanitarian supplies that, you know -- that the Gazan -- the people of Gaza need. I can’t give you an assessment of, you know, whether all of these things are absolutely necessary to meet the humanitarian needs of the Gazan people. That’s better left to those international organizations and NGOs, you know, who are in the area trying to work on this issue. I just can’t make that kind of determination.

QUESTION: Do you think that Israel should be tying the amount of aid and supplies getting into Gaza to the release of Corporal Gilad Shalit? Because as you know, the -- some people in Israeli Prime Minister Olmert’s staff have complained that this – that aid is being used as a political tool.

MR. WOOD: Well, it’s not for me, from the podium here, to engage in these types of -- on these issues. I mean, this is --

QUESTION: Well, should aid -- you don’t -- you can’t say whether you think aid should be used as a political weapon?

MR. WOOD: Well, aid should never be used a political weapon. But again, I’m not engaged in those discussions that are going on with regard to, you know, the opening of the borders and with regard to the ceasefire. Those are decisions that will have to be made at an appropriate time. I’m not able to do that from here.

QUESTION: Well, but I mean, do you think that the ceasefire is being honored? I mean, obviously, there have been complaints that Hamas is not honoring the ceasefire. But is Israel honoring the ceasefire in terms of allowing the aid and – under their obligations? Are they meeting their obligations?

MR. WOOD: Well, I’m not able to give you that kind of assessment from here. But my understanding is, is that there are discussions going on amongst a wide variety of parties with equities with regard to this conflict, and they are trying to bring about, you know, a durable ceasefire. They’re trying to make sure that the, you know, humanitarian supplies reach those who need them in Gaza. I just can’t give you that kind of assessment at this point. It’s a very complex situation on the ground, and that’s something we have to be aware of.

QUESTION: (Inaudible.)

MR. WOOD: Mm-hmm.

QUESTION: No, go ahead.

MR. WOOD: No, I was just going to say – and you have to understand that because it’s complex and there are a number of parties working on it, that you’re not going to get – necessarily get immediate results. But we’re going to continue to push, as I said, to get humanitarian supplies in to the people of Gaza.

QUESTION: But can you imagine any circumstance under which pasta could be considered a dual-use item? Or is there some -- you know, is rigatoni somehow going to be used as a weapon? (Laughter.)

MR. WOOD: I’m not involved in those discussions, so I –

QUESTION: Well, I mean -- I mean, it just seems to be absurd on the face of it, if that’s what happening.

MR. WOOD: Well, there are people on the ground who are dealing with these issues. And I think we should leave it --

QUESTION: Dealing with the pasta dual-use issue?

QUESTION: Yeah, can you take a question on the pasta, please?

MR. WOOD: I’m not going to take the question on the pasta --

QUESTION: Why?

MR. WOOD: -- because it’s –

QUESTION: Well, the United States is obviously pushing it, so obviously it’s something --

MR. WOOD: We’re trying to get humanitarian supplies in – on the ground to the people in Gaza.

QUESTION: Do you think food is a humanitarian supply?

MR. WOOD: Food certainly is.

QUESTION: All kinds of food?

MR. WOOD: I – I’m not able to tell you from here whether it –

QUESTION: Can you get a – can you take the question of what kind of food that the U.S. thinks is a humanitarian supply?

MR. WOOD: I’m not going to take that question, because I don’t think it’s a legitimate question.

QUESTION: You don’t think it’s legitimate that the Palestinians need certain foods and is – should Israel decide what food the Palestinians need?

MR. WOOD: I’m sorry, Elise, I’m not going to – I’ve spoken on it.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

SUDAN'S PRESIDENT INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES


The International Criminal Court in the Hague indicted Sudanese President Omar Omar al-Bashir for war crimes today annulling the principle of Head of State immunity and extending the court's jurisdiction to those country's that do not recognize it, among them Sudan, Israel, and the United States. Anyone who commits war crimes and crimes against humanity must be held accountable no matter what country they come from and no matter what ideology they serve. It is time to indict Bush it is time to indict Olmert.