Further reading compiled by staff and subscribers
AustraliaThe Justice for Jack campaign is organising in support of Jack Thomas. Jack “ dubbed œJihad Jack by the press “ is an Australian man falsely accused by the government of terrorism. His case raises enormous questions about the erosion of basic civil liberties under the guise of the œwar on terror .
CODEPINK is "a women initiated grassroots peace and social justice movement that seeks positive social change through proactive, creative protest and non-violent direct action."
Active.org.au Stuff for social change. Active cities around Australia
Afghanistan
RAWA is the oldest political/social organization of Afghan women struggling for peace, freedom, democracy and women’s rights in fundamentalism-blighted Afghanistan since.
Iraq‘This report reveals how an oil policy with origins in the US State Department is on course to be adopted in Iraq, soon after the December elections, with no public debate and at enormous potential cost.’ Crude Designs: The Rip-Off of Iraq’s Oil Wealth, Executive Summary by Greg Muttitt, Znet
‘If Casey had not been killed in Iraq in George’s imperialistic war for power and wealth, I wouldn’t be on this path. I wish to God I weren’t on this path. But I am, so here are the blessings I am thankful for this year.’ Blessings? by Cindy Sheehan, Truthout
‘George W. Bush has precious little to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, and nothing whatever when it comes to his adversaries. Beset at every turn, the president and his men have been pining for some patsies, some loudmouth liberals, some effete elitists whom they can demonize in the best traditions of the party of Richard Nixon.’ Exit Strategy in Search of a Party By Harold Meyerson, Washington Post‘In the military report, the unidentified colonel told investigators that he had turned to Michelle, Westhusing’s wife, and asked what happened.She answered: ‘Iraq.’" ‘LA Times’ Profiles U.S. Officer Who Committed Suicide in Iraq, Editor and Publisher
‘The trial of two Whitehall workers this week could reveal Britain’s role in one of the Iraq war’s darkest episodes’. So what have they got to hide? Official secrets, lies, and the truth about the assault on Fallujah by Raymond Whitaker and Marie Woolf , The Independent
India‘Farmers in India are delighted that they have finally found a use for Coca-Cola – as pesticide! News from farmers in Andhra Pradesh and Chattisgarh has confirmed that hundreds of farmers are spraying Coca-Cola directly on their crops, with amazing success.’ India Resource Centre
Media‘The Indian writer Vandana Shiva has called for an "insurrection of subjugated knowledge." The insurrection is well under way. In trying to make sense of a dangerous world, millions of people are turning away from the traditional sources of news and information and toward the world wide web, convinced that mainstream journalism is the voice of rampant power.’ A News Revolution Has Begun by John Pilger, Truthout
‘Whatever impact the scandal surrounding the leak of former CIA agent Valerie Plame’s identity ultimately has on the Bush administration, it continues to spread through the Washington press corps like a toxic plume.’ The Decline and Fall? of Washington Journalism by Tim Rutten Boulder Daily Camera (Colorado) link through Common Dreams
Darfur‘Nyala, Sudan – Who would have thought that a genocide could become worse? But after two years of heartbreaking slaughter, rape and mayhem, the situation in Darfur is now spiraling downward.’ A Tolerable Genocide by Nicholas D. Kristof, The New York Times Link through Truthout
Guantanamo‘He’s forgotten nothing of the pain, the humiliation, the solitude. American investigators took a year to clear him. And another year to free him. Beyond the revolting injustice to which he was victim, former journalist Bader Zaman denounces the arbitrariness of American detention centers.’ An Innocent Man in the Hell of Guantánamo by Sara Daniel, Le Nouvel Observateur Link through Truthout
US‘President Bush is trying to fool Americans into thinking that Sam Alito is a mainstream judicial nominee, which is why PFAW is committed to exposing the truth about Alito’s record and his judicial philosophy. This ad recounts troubling Alito rulings and legal positions, including his voting to uphold a strip search of a 10-year old girl without a valid warrant, his unsuccessful effort as an appeals court judge to declare a law regulating machine guns unconstitutional, and his declaration while in the Justice Department that the Constitution does not protect a woman’s right to choose an abortion.’ Savethecourt.org
‘Economic inequality has been growing rapidly in the United States, and Congress is about to take steps that will increase it further. How did we get here – and are we wise to continue on this path?’ Philadelphia Inquirer The Income Gap Grows by Robert H. Frank Common Dreams
Thoughts‘ I read a quote from East German dissident Rudolf Bahro that did help: "When the forms of an old culture are dying, the new culture is created by a few people who are not afraid to be insecure." Could insecurity, self-doubt, be a good trait?’ Letting Go of Hope by Margaret Wheatley , Truthout