 When evil men plot, good men must
plan. When evil men burn and bomb, good men must build and bind. When evil men
shout ugly words of hatred, good men must commit themselves to the glories of love.
Where evil men would seek to perpetuate an unjust status quo, good men must seek to bring
into being a real order of justice.Rev.
Martin Luther King, Jr. |
| On September 19th, the first
meeting of the Madison Institute for Peace and Progressivism was held at Half Moon Books. Our topic was the causes of the Iraq War and we had
a lively, detailed and intense discussion—accompanied by some great food. Two of our members, Ira Glunts and John Huckans,
said they became interested in the Iraq War through long-term interest in U.S.
(wrong-headed) involvement in the Middle East, especially in the Israeli/Palestinian
conflict. Bruce Young was fairly apolitical
until he became appalled at the US opportunistic use of the 9-11 tragedy, and started
getting very well-informed on issues surrounding
the war. Yet another member, Nancy Roberts,
was very impressed with the “Why We Fight” documentary, which outlines a
background of growing US militarism. She is
thoroughly disgusted with what seems like an endless war.
And as for yours truly, Linda Ford, as an historian, I expressed my growing sense
of disbelief at how this Iraq War could develop, based on what seemed to be obvious lies,
and in a tremendously unjust and brutal way.
The Institute has been formed in order to provide a progressive
environment where we can examine issues of concern in this age of extreme politics,
featuring a lack of democracy and dissent, a lack of any real media investigation, or any
societal toleration of difference, which engenders friction between sexes, classes, races,
and religious groups. Eventually we hope to
have speakers, films, and seminars.
*
*
*
*
*
*
* |
Yesterday I was watching
C-Span and was intrigued and horrified to see a smug-looking President Bush surrounded by
generals weighted down by medals, being treated to some military bands and smartly-paced
troops marching, done to bid a fond farewell to General Peter Pace. Is this Mussolini?
Brezhnev? Peron? What is happening here?
*
*
*
*
Early Warning Signs of
Fascism
POWERFUL AND
CONTINUING
NATIONALISM
DISDAIN FOR
HUMAN RIGHTS
IDENTIFICATION
OF ENEMIES
AS A UNIFYING CAUSE
SURPREMACY OF
THE MILITARY
RAMPANT SEXISM
CONTROLLED MASS
MEDIA
OBSESSION WITH
NATIONAL
SECURITY
RELIGION AND
GOVERNMENT
INTERTWINED
CORPORATE POWER
PROTECTED
LABOR POWER
SUPPRESSED
DISDAIN FOR
INTELLECTUALS
& THE ARTS
OBSESSION WITH
CRIME
& PUNISHMENT
RAMPANT
CRONYISM
& CORRUPTION
FRAUDULENT
ELECTIONS
Laurence W. Britt
Syracuse Cultural Workers |
The Petraeus hearings in Congress were just what
you might have expected: the President and
Congress deferring to the military’s judgment, which of course has been predetermined
by the Administration’s global imperial policy. Why
spend taxpayer money going through these charades? And
moveon.org got into trouble for dubbing the General "Betray Us" ---indeed. The Democratic-led Senate
okayed spending another $150 billion for the Iraq and Afghan wars, 92 to 3. (Against; Byrd,
Feingold, Coburn)
* *
*
*
The first article published by the Institute, by Linda and Ira,
was “Maxwell's Silver Hammer: Syracuse University Enlists In the Global War on
Terror.” It appeared in early August on the internet, on Counterpunch,
ZNet and other progressive news sites.
It came out of a sense of outrage that SU --Linda’s alma mater—not only
is very clearly working hand-in-hand with the military and has become part of what’s
very wrong with this society—but beyond that, that it would team up to learn
counterterrorism and how to ignore international law with the on-the-ground champ of
oppression and occupation of Arab peoples: Israel. We did hear from a designated dean, who tried to
cool us out with attempts at alumni bonhomie and vague promises of a conference addressing
our “concerns” led by their peace and conflict people. We also got some sympathy and a possible potential
future action ally in the Syracuse Peace Council.
Howard Friel wrote "Changing The
Laws Of War," about the upcoming Syracuse University- sponsored "New
Battlefields, Old Laws "Conference. It appeared in the October 5 issue of the National
Catholic Reporter and on their online website, NCRonline.
Stay tuned...
The
next meeting of the Institute is Tuesday October 16th at 7 pm, at Half Moon
Books in Madison (7817 Route 20). The meeting
is open to all who are seriously interested in progressive politics. The topic is “Antiwar Activism.” We’re suggesting a number of articles for
reading and discussion, including one by Ralph Nader.
For information, please contact Linda
at lford@toast2.net or 315 893 7577.
See you there! |
|
Coming Events
Weekly Peace Outreach, Syracuse
Tuesdays 4:40 to 5:30, Oct 9, 16, 23
(See Syracuse Peace Council Website
for sites)
End the Iraq War Organizing Meeting
Tuesday Oct 9, 7 pm
Syracuse Center for Peace and Social Justice
2013 Genesee Street
Syracuse, NY
National Mobilization to End Iraq War
Saturday Oct 27
Syracuse Peace Council is sending a bus to NYC for the demonstration
Seats cost $45-70 on a sliding scale Call 472-5478 or write Andy.
Films at Colgate University, Hamilton
Friday, Oct 5, 7 pm, Golden Auditorium, Little Hall
"Private" Italian film on Israeli occupation
Monday, Oct 8, 7 pm, Persson Hall
"S-21" a documentary of the Khmer Rouge killing machine
Peace Studies Panel at Colgate
Monday, Oct 22, 7 pm, Persson Hall
"With and Without Law: Guantanomo Bay"
|
Volume 1 Number 1