Because People Matter

Progressive News and Views July / August 2008

Stories from the migrant aid station in Nogales, Mexico

Serving the ones “sent back” tuberculosis and was missing an eye. Another arrived yanked away from long established daily routines. In
with leg injuries. The ill man had been incarcerated for spite of having spent the last few nights in a shelter in
by: Felicia Martinez

J
five years in various US prisons for having been present downtown Nogales, Javier was talkative. Our conver-
in the US after having previously been sation flowed easily, switching often
served a deportation order. Another On its busiest days, between Spanish and Spanglish. Since we
avier* had been living young man I met had been given five
the aid station both lived in California, we had much to
months for the same infraction. There talk about.
in Bakersfield for years were women, too, traveling mostly with serves well over “Do you ever go to the bailes?” Javier
groups. Some had children traveling asked me.
and worked in the with them. One middle-aged man
1,000 people.” “No.” I am not one to frequent the
looked as if he had been plucked out of dances where the norteño bands play,
construction industry there. He had the habit of lunch- an office. He wore dress shoes, a pressed yellow shirt, and but I do go to a lot of rock en español concerts. So I told
ing at local eateries near his job sites, but one day he slacks. Most people who came to the station had been Javier this, and we talked. We talked about the nightlife
changed his routine. On that particular day, his job site picked up in the desert by the Border Patrol. It was their in the cities we both knew. We talked about our favorite
was close to his home. Javier had leftover cold cuts in his clothing that gave them away—athletic shoes for the long performers and the venues we frequented. Then we
refrigerator, so he decided to go home and make himself walk North, baseball caps to shield them from the sun, talked about the crossing.
a sandwich. He never made it. Local police pulled him and dark shirts to protect them from being spotted at “Are you going to try again?” I asked him.
over a few blocks away from his destination, and within night.
hours Javier was in Immigration and Customs Enforce- Then there were those who, like Javier, had been see Migrant Aid, page 6
ment (ICE) custody. Javier blamed it on his recently
shaved head.
“Ever since I went bald they pull me over all the time,”
Javier told me as he lifted his knitted cap and rubbed his
scalp. “It’s because I look like a cholo.” The last time they
pulled him over they didn’t let him go.
Now Javier, a young man in his mid-twenties, was
sitting across from me inside a tent at the migrant aid
station located in the shadow of a truck crossing near the
border town of Nogales, Sonora. It was January 2008. I
was at the aid station as a volunteer. Javier was there try-
ing to get his bearings.
The Mariposa migrant aid station was established as
the result of a historic accord between No More Deaths,
the Tucson-based Coalición de Derechos Humanos,
and the Comisión Estatal para la Atención a Migrantes
(State Commission for the Care of Migrants) of Sonora,
Mexico. Tucked into a dirt lot behind the border crossing
designated for commercial trucks, the aid station is a hub
of services and resource sharing. During the time I spent
there, the station consisted of a tent, a camper, a supply
shed, and a port-o-potty. The camper housed volunteers
and medical supplies, while the tent served as a reception
area, medical station, soup kitchen, and refuge from the
elements. Most months, the station also counts on the
presence of the Mexican Red Cross, which provides a
trailer full of resources along with a small cadre of volun-
teers. On its busiest days, the aid station serves well over
1,000 people. In Washington on March 18, the day before the 5th anniversary of the Iraq War Code Pink carrried this gigantic
During my time there, the people who passed through constitution down Pennsylvania Ave to the nation’s Capitol—just in case they had forgotten what it actually said.
were mostly men. Most were Mexicans from southern Photo: Paulette Cuilla
states like Veracurz. Some were from other countries,
like Honduras. Some were married. Others were not.
Some were fathers. Others were not. One man had
War on ‘Terro-Immigrants’
by Beau Grosscup

S
* Not his real name. neo-liberal economic privatization (poverty, debt, star-
ince 9/11, the Bush Administration has used its vation, violence, environmental erosion and political
War on Terror to focus attention on fighting a per- repression), the influx of illegal immigrants has affected
manent war abroad to justify the globalization of the US for decades. With the 9/11 attacks the Bush
Inside this issue: the instruments of force. Today, 800-plus military bases
in at least 130 countries, along with secret prison gulags,
Administration put a ‘terrorism face’ on undocumented
immigrants in particular, dramatically intensifying the
Editorial.............................................. 2 paramilitary forces and covert operations, span the globe historic ‘criminalization’ of the immigrant population in
Utah Phillips Remembered................. 2 to punish those who resist corporate North America’s public discourse and public/private policy. Immigrants
exploitation of the earth’s human and natural resources. now endure greater social repression, legal discrimina-
Compassion: the First Casualty.......... 3 The War on Terror is also being utilized to justify a tion and institutional racism. What follows is the tip of
Poor People’s Traffic Court................. 4 permanent war on Western liberal democratic tradi- the iceberg.
The New Peace Movement.................. 5 tions at home. The deadly smoke of 9/11 had barely Utilizing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement
cleared when the Bush Administration, pursuant to the (ICE) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA),
When Americans Are Not American.. 6 neoconservative political strategy first articulated in the the federal government has stepped up its pre-dawn
Native Intelligence.............................. 7 mid-1970s, began constructing a more militarized and raids, search and seizures, evictions, arrests and public
Poem: George the Decider................... 7 repressive society. The erosion of privacy, restrictions segregation. In lieu of legislative inaction at the Federal
on public information, attacks on individual rights, level, state and local governments have enacted anti-
New Orleans.................................... 8-9 including Habeas Corpus and the militarization of public immigrant measures such as making English the official
Homeless Victory in Fresno.............. 10 discourse that have accompanied the rise of a privatized language, denial of drivers licenses, and penalties for
The Fall (a True Story)...................... 10 and privileged National Security State (NSS) are well landlords who rent to and employers who hire immi-
chronicled. grants deprecated as ‘illegal aliens.’
Corporate Encroachment.................. 11 What remains invisible in US media and political All fifty states “are considering more than twice the
Stop BigMedia.................................. 11 discourse has been the Bush Administration’s war on US number of immigration-related laws as in previous years
Sacramento Area Peace Action......... 12 Labor in general and the immigrant population in par- – with most imposing tougher restrictions on illegal
ticular. Yet, it is these domestic ‘wars,’ prosecuted under immigrants.” Utilizing ‘Jim Crow black code’ anti-gang
Review: Married to Another Man.... 13 the banner of a War on Terror that constitute an attack legislation of the 1990s, terrorism worries and height-
NeoCon Follies.................................. 13 on the constitutional rights and professional standing ened anti-immigration sentiment, federal, state and local
PNAC............................................... 14 of workers. Moreover, in separating the undocumented law enforcement have renewed the intimidation practice
immigrant from the rest of the working class, the Bush of ‘jump-out squads’ where after leaping from their cars,
Calendar............................................ 15 Administration and its NSS agents are conducting a police briefly detain ‘suspects’ for loitering and take their
Progressive Media............................. 16 wholesale assault on the very humanity of millions of pictures.
citizens and would be citizens.
Due to the global ‘boomerang’ effects caused by See War on Immigrants, page 7
 Because People Matter July / August 2008 www.bpmnews.org

because Editorial
People Matter
Volume 17, Number 4
Rick Nadeau and Murray Cohen are
Published Bi-Monthly by the
Sacramento Community for
Peace & Justice
Co-coordinating Editors for this issue
P.O. Box 162998, Sacramento,
CA 95816 A Walled Fortress: The
Consequences of 9/11
(Use addresses below for
correspondence)
Editorial Group: Jacqueline
these wars has meant more resources for a more proportions. Militarization of the border and
Diaz, JoAnn Fuller, Charlene
Jones, Jeanie Keltner, Rick by Richard Nadeau thoroughly militarized America. Not surpris- the construction of an immigration wall and
Nadeau
Scott McLellan’s latest book “What Happened?” ingly, the 2008 request of a $515 billion dollar border outposts fits with the larger trend. This
Coordinating Editors for
this Issue: Rick Nadeau and has revelations on how the Bush administration “defense” budget was combined with attacks means greater repression of the so called “terro-
Murray Cohen. and a complicit corporate media manipulated the on Medicare, Social Security, and myriad relief immigrants.” Raids, roundups, deportations are
Design and Layout: climate of fear in the US to justify the invasion of programs for the poor. It also meant less money already a fact. This whole repressive trend dehu-
Ellen Schwartz Iraq. It is undoubtedly true that the neo-cons in was available for the development of renewable manizes immigrant laborers. We already have a
Calendar Editor: the Bush administration treated 9/11 as “a new energy resources. long history of dehumanizing Native Americans
Chris Bond
Pearl Harbor,” as their blessing in disguise. What does the future promise? A vastly and the dispossessed Palestinians.
Advertising and Business
Manager: Edwina White
While some “9/11 Truth” researchers focus on expanded and costly homeland security budget In spite of all the talk about national security
Distribution Manager: contradictions in “the official story” and possible is in the cards. The foolish “neocons” in the Bush in the “homeland,” the government did a miser-
Paulette Cuilla administration complicity with the terrorists, administration have articulated and implemented able job in coming to the rescue when Hurricane
Subscription Manager: others argue that 9/11 was an “inside job” that a policy of worldwide US military supremacy, Katrina slammed into New Orleans, threatening
Gordon Kennedy would facilitate the project of the political right what some call “full spectrum dominance.” To the security of hundreds of thousands of Ameri-
to dismantle long established constitutional pro- accomplish this they need greater authoritarian cans. When it counted, the Bush administra-
How to Reach Us: tections and build an authoritarian state inside social control of the American population at tion floundered in every conceivable way. New
Subscriptions, letters, America. Of course, both of these scenarios home. Apparently, support from the established Orleans is still in a desperate condition.
punditry:
would involve the worst form of treason. media alone is not enough. Of course, China and While acknowledging these depressing trends,
403 21st Street
Yet, even skeptics of this “9/11 truth theory” Russia, who have brokered a military and energy it is important to recognize that there are impor-
Sacramento, CA 95814
must admit that it reveals a significant emotional alliance, may ultimately have something to say tant counter trends since 9/11 that can still give
444-3203
fact—just how little trust many Americans have about this. So may the rest of the world. us hope. People are fighting back. In spite of a
Ads or other business:
in their government under the reign of this Since 9/11, the US significantly expanded lack of media coverage, there are signs that more
446-2844
duplicitous administration that has constantly the homeland security apparatus and built a young Americans are getting involved in the new
All e-mail
correspondence:
lied to us. This is supported by an October 2006 large invasive state bureaucracy around it. Even peace movement. Also, many Americans are
[email protected]
New York Times CBS poll which revealed that Republicans like Ron Paul are upset about this. involved in sending relief to New Orleans. Citi-
53% of the American people were skeptical about This meant increased resources going into sur- zen groups are fighting corporate encroachment.
HAVE A CALENDAR the official 9/11 account and 28% rejected it out- veillance of American citizens and to domestic American border and immigration activists are
ITEM? right. Only 16% believed the official story! national security under the banner of protection providing relief and help to stressed out immi-
Send an e-mail with “calendar (NY Times, “Americans Question Bush On 9/11 and safety from terrorists. Immigrants from grants. These are the post 9/11 heroes we never
item” in the subject line. Make Intelligence,” October 14, 2006) Mexico remain the most vulnerable targets in hear about!
it short, and in this order,
please: Day, Date. Name of
In the last BPM, we covered “the three trillion this climate of fear. We are building walls to keep Right now it appears that many of the Ameri-
event. Description (1–2 lines). dollar war” and many of the costs of the two them out. can people are asking questions and may be more
Time. Location. INFO: phone#; counterinsurgency wars and military occupations In fact, America is rapidly becoming a progressive than their government. We can only
e-mail. of Iraq and Afghanistan. The continuation of walled fortress, a military Leviathan of historic hope.
HAVE A storY?
We start planning the next
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Let us know by e-mail as soon
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Utah Phillips, 1935-2008
HAVE SOME time?
The “Golden Voice of the Great Southwest”:
(HA HA HA!) Well, you might Legendary Folk Musician, Activist
have, and BPM always needs
help with big and small tasks.
Call 444-3203. Utah Phillips, the legendary folk musician and peace and labor
Copy Deadlines: activist, has died at the age of seventy-three. Over the span of
For the Sept. / Oct. 2008 Issue:
nearly four decades, Utah Phillips worked in what he referred to
as “the Trade,” performing tirelessly throughout the United States,
Articles: Tell us about your
article by July 15; article must
Canada and Europe.
be received by August 1, 2008. The son of labor organizers, Phillips was a lifelong member of
Calendar Items: Aug. 10, 2008 the Industrial Workers of the World, known as the Wobblies. As a
Cultural events welcome!
teenager, he ran away from home and started living as a hobo who
For details, see our new
rode the rails and wrote songs about his experiences. In 1956, he
website, www.bpmnews.org joined the Army and served in the Korean War, an experience he
Because People Matter is an all-
would later refer to as the turning point of his life.
volunteer endeavor to present In 1968, he ran for the US Senate on the Peace and Freedom
alternative, progressive news Party ticket. For the past twenty-one years he lived in Nevada City,
and views in Sacramento. We where he started a nationally syndicated folk music radio show.
invite and welcome your re-
He also helped found the Hospitality House homeless shelter and
sponses. To discuss a proposed
article, or help distribute the
the Peace and Justice Center.
paper, inquire about ad rates, From Democracy Now!, May 27, 2008 Utah Phillips at the WHole Earth Festival, May 12, 2002.
or help out in some other way, Photo: Dick Woods.
call or write using the phone
number and address listed un-
der ”How to Reach Us” above.
Please reproduce from any of
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 www.bpmnews.org July / August 2008 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER 

Compassion: The First Casualty of War

by Rick Nadeau “Animals certainly

I
t is said that “truth is the first casualty deserve compassion,
of war.” But there is another immediate
casualty—compassion. In fact, compassion
but so do humans
may even be the first casualty. Once the war even if our greatest
machine has geared up, the propaganda dis-
seminated, hatred of an enemy proclaimed, a
danger comes from
culture of malice becomes a necessary ingredi- other humans.”
ent. The enemy must be portrayed as a monster
of inhumanity, as an Other with no legitimate
grievances, as a dark irrational object that must understand and alleviate the sufferings
be destroyed. Hatred cannot ask the following of others who are different. It is an
questions. Why are they the way they are? What antidote to boundless egotism, anger,
social conditions are they responding to? Have and hatred. It involves a different
we done anything that would explain their hostile type of enlightenment than the cold
behavior toward us? These questions are forbid- western enlightenment based on
den once malice has taken over and compassion science, rationality, knowledge, and
has been thrown out the window. Necessarily, technology. Compassion is different
truth goes out with it. from pity, since the latter is conde-
I got a first-hand lesson in the spring of 2003 scending and further diminishes
during a visit to New England. Friends I grew up the suffering victim.
with were enthused about the war against Iraq. One sees little compassion for
Knowing I was against the war, they taunted others expressed in America’s
and provoked me. I asked them if they cared ruling circles or in the mass
that innocent civilians were being killed. One of media. They are blinded by their
them laughed and mocked me, asking “who cares craving for power, profits, and
about a bunch of “ragheads?” oil. For many in the third world,
The truth was irrelevant—we had to kill the America is “the land of no Bud-
Arab “ragheads.” Hatred of the them seemed dha” inasmuch as it deliberately WWII
more important than the truth of whether pursues policies that starve and advertising
Iraq actually posed a threat to America, or had harm others. Under American poster for war
WMDs, or had anything to do with 9/11. Iraqis “neoliberal” economic poli- bonds. University
were racially characterized and had to pay collec- cies, the gap between the rich of Minnesota
tively for the crimes of Saddam Hussein. Because and poor is growing as is hunger and poverty Libraries.
malice and greed for oil triumphed, hundreds at home and abroad. We are creating, as author
of thousands of innocent Iraqis have been killed Mike Davis argues, “A Planet of Slums,” where
and millions turned into refugees. Over four the oppressed and impoverished live in misery in peace movement display genuine compassion
thousand Americans have also been killed, and the shadow lands of the American empire. This is that goes beyond caring for one’s own little cor-
the economic impact on American society has why President Chavez of Venezuela is viewed as ner of the social world. They are people trying to
been devastating. And the war goes on and on. such a threat by American elites­—he is practicing change society for the better, who are protesting
Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, who a politics of compassion by redistributing some the bombings, the torture, the occupations, the
voted to authorize the war, sounded another of Venezuela’s oil wealth to help the poor. rendition programs, while criticizing the general
war cry on the morning of the Pennsylvania We see little commentary in our mass media drift of American society towards authoritarian
primary when she bragged to the world that she about innocent Iraqis that have lost their houses rule, militarism and war. They do it while making
would “obliterate” Iran if it attacked Israel. This or their lives as a result of the American Crusade sacrifices in their personal lives. They represent a
statement of an acceptable genocide was treated and occupation. Many Americans refuse to humanity that is waiting to be born.
with reverence by the media, even though it is examine the violence or suffering brought about Aggressive war is the antithesis of compassion
far worse than anything uttered by the Reverend by the policies of their government. This was and truth—it requires lies, acts of revenge and
Jeremiah Wright. true in the Vietnam era when it was rare to hear hatred to continue. It is a crime against humanity.
Clinton was clearly pandering to the para- any concern expressed for the millions of Viet- Certainly, it is important to analyze the structur-
noia of pro-Israel voters in the American 2008 namese who were being bombed and pummeled al, political, ideological, and sociological tenden-
elections. But what she said was objectively by American B-52’s. I saw more compassion cies that gave rise to it. Yet without compassion
horrible—that she was willing to nuke over 70 expressed for animals than I did for the burned for the suffering of others, especially those others
million Iranians to protect Israel, even if most human victims of napalm. Animals certainly who are different from us, it is unlikely that any-
of them had no impact or say on Iranian policy. deserve compassion, but so do humans even if one will ever raise a finger or take a risk to stop it.
Ironically, it came in the context of US and Israeli our greatest danger comes from other humans. Rick Nadeau has been a peace and environ-
threats to launch a pre-emptive military attack on While it may be true that most human beings mental activist since the 1960s. He lives in Sac-
Iran should it try to obtain nuclear weapons. This in most societies are a mixture of egoism, malice ramento and is an editor with Because People
is surely a road to madness. and compassion, many dedicated people in the Matter.
Israel, which has a significant modern nuclear
arsenal and superior conventional weapons sys-
tems and air power, obviously wants to maintain
its nuclear monopoly and has opposed Iranian
proposals for a “nuclear free Middle East.” Iran
knows it would be suicidal to attack Israel, and
has not attacked another country in the modern
period, although it did defend itself when it was A community paper needs
attacked by Iraq in the 1980s. These truths are
irrelevant to Hillary Clinton. Malice triumphed. community support! Keep us
Once she demonized the Iranian “Other,” no level alive! Subscribe! Subscribe!
of violence could be ruled out.
The philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer argued Place an ad for your business
that compassion was the highest human virtue. or non-profit group:
“Compassion,” Schopenhauer wrote, “is the sole
source of disinterested actions and hence the true continuing business card size
basis of morality.” Compassion overrides odious ads are only $30 per issue.
self-assertion and fosters self reflection. What
would I do if I were in their shoes? Is the Other’s
behavior understandable given the circumstanc- Volunteer! We need
es? Should I intervene to alleviate their suffering?
Should I protest those responsible for the suf- distributors to help get the
fering? So speaks compassion. It is the opposite word(s) out!
of malice, which is based upon the desire to do
harm to others.
Compassion is a form of wisdom that requires BPM won’t survive without
us to look outside the narrow shell of our self,
our gender, our group, our tribe, our religion, you!
our ethnicity, our class, our race, our nation
state, our civilization. It is a wisdom that tries to
 Because People Matter July / August 2008 www.bpmnews.org

Poor People’s Traffic Court

Mass Justice in Woodland
by Murray Cohen
About a month ago, I got a ticket for going
through a stop sign.
As usual, I had decided to escape the craziness
of I80 at the first exit west of the causeway for a
quiet drive to Davis. The cop who pulled us over
accused me of not coming to a complete stop
before proceeding on the lightly used frontage
road. The ticket was for $182. My first moving
violation in over 50 years of driving. Angry at
the injustice of it all, I decided to fight the ticket,
though the cop was technically correct.
At the hearing there were about a dozen
cases before mine. Only two defendants got
off—people with insurance violations who came
with proof. Otherwise the law was applied to the
letter, but with a certain tired humanity by the
judge. Yet, it was evident to me that justice was
not served. Long before I got to stand before the
podium, I had lost interest in my own case.
Sacramento
Progressive “I only got what
Events
Calendar on I deserved.”
the Web
I remembered having read recently that justice
in capitalistic societies like ours demands that the
www.sacleft.org law be administered with cold objectivity. Rich or
Labor, Peace, poor, we are all equal before the law. Albert Ellery Berg, The Universal Self-Instructor (New York: Thomas Kelly, Publisher, 1883)
Environment, Human Needless to say, there’s something fishy about University of Sourth Florida
Rights, Solidarity…
this concept. For one thing, it doesn’t take into
Send calendar items
to Gail Ryall,gryall account who’s writing the law. For example, laws brutally unfair for the working mother who stop motion, reverse, enlargements, angle of view,
@cwnet.com. regarding issues of war and peace and taxes and explained how she had found herself pinned photos of the license plate, even the driver’s face.
capital versus labor are written to protect wealth in the right lane by a speeding 16 wheeler and Law became a police toy that produced the “real-
and the power that goes with it, with the opposite was harassed by the driver on her tail to pass ity” of “reality tv,” and the judge watched with
of justice in mind. Here we have a steeply slanted, the speeding truck. This poor woman, pushed pleasure. He no longer had to be judge. And once
but “legal” playing field. by the enraged lout and perhaps frightened, or the concerned cop testified that according to the
Similarly, in criminal cases, such as murder maybe angry and not wanting to appear to be a county technician, the camera was operating cor-
and other felonies, the cold “objectivity” of the wimp—passed the truck. The judge, applying the rectly, the Church (of Technology) and the State
law is warmed (often to putty) proportionally to law “objectively,” found her guilty of speeding: merged in the court room.
the wealth of the offender. That’s why our jails hundreds of dollars in fines, loss of her license The officers testified that the light was timed
are filled with “objectively” sentenced “working (and therefore maybe her job), probable increase to give drivers exactly 3.2 seconds between when
poor.” Equality before the law is just another in insurance costs, but the privilege of attending the light turned yellow and the yellow turned to
illusion of our “democratic” but very unequal traffic school for the mere cost of $39. red, long (or short) enough to capture the num-
society. The $1,300 fines handed out to the young ber of violators necessary to make the system
It’s the same in Traffic Court. Few rich people machos seemed more a kind of joke than justice. cost-effective. Both defendants believed they had
bother to come here because you don’t have to. The kids can’t pay. They lose their license. Then entered the intersection when the light was still
Apparently, well-paid lawyers painlessly deal with their jobs. Indeed, some were back for speeding yellow, but, rather than stomping on their brakes
these “little people” issues. Waiting for my turn, I without a license. For others, like the working and risking either a rear-end collision or ending
wondered how my $182 fine might translate into mother, the law was neither justice nor joke; it up in the middle of the intersection, they allowed
an equally painful judgement in an imaginary was a form of state terror. their vehicles to roll through. In other words,
Rich People’s Traffic Court—against someone, Traffic court can really bring home to you the both thought they were reacting in the safest
say, like Dick Cheney? I calculated that about fact that the cold, objective application of the possible way given the circumstances. Yet, there
$500,000 would do for a lonely road stop sign law is really only for us working people—mass it was: the objective truth on the screen: the light
violation. And while I was at it, I stuck it to the society—where there is neither the time nor the red, their vehicles not quite up to the intersection
villain for $1.5 million for snarling while speed- inclination to deal with people as people, unless line. Their license plates, their unsuspecting faces.
ing to a sneaky policy session on energy and in the guise of fools on Court TV. The judge naturally found both defendants guilty
torture. In the two cases before mine I learned that and fined each $300 plus court costs, plus $39 for
Meanwhile in the reality of Poor People’s Traf- nothing serves mass justice better than surveil- traffic school.
fic Court, the fines the judge imposed on the lance technology. Both cases involved the traffic Some European cities the size of Davis have
guilty were obviously too high for the margin- camera at 1st and E Streets in Davis. There was discovered that their traffic ordering devices
ally employed speed demons ahead of me, but a projector and a big screen. Cops had fun with invited reckless behavior and have removed them
all, with the result that everybody

Best   Burger
slowed down and paid attention to
traffic. Most authorities here don’t
really trust people to act responsibly
and would consider these types of
democratic experiments “quaint.”
Here, more and more cities are buy-
ing surveillance technology of all

The burgers and fries are  described  as   legendary

kinds. It’s a “win win” deal. Good for
investors, they infallibly transform
real people into compliant objects

Biting into this feast, the Harris Ranch Steak freshly for our system of mass “justice.”
Everybody but me got “justice”
first thing you notice is that ground and formed into a that day. I only got what I deserved.
I should have paid the ticket. It
you can taste the beef. The 1/3 lb. patty. Stop by soon. wouldn’t have hurt that much. I

French Ground Steak Burger Nationwide Freezer Meats didn’t have to attend Poor Peoples’
Traffic Court to learn that justice in
w/cheese is the thing to order. 1930 H Street, Sacramento the United States is having enough
money to either own it or not sweat
That is a mouthful to say, (H and 20th Streets) 444-3286. it.

and it’s definitely more than Just remember H20 stands for Murray Cohen is a retired teacher
a mouthful to eat. Featuring H and 20th Street «««« interested in issues of peace and
social justice. He is co-editor of this
issue of Because People Matter.
 www.bpmnews.org July / August 2008 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER 

The Peace Movement Shows Its New Face and It’s Beautiful
by Frank Gormlie
The antiwar protests that swept across America
last March reflected the new face of the peace
movement. The new face is younger, more mili-
tant, lives outside the major US cities, and is new
to the antiwar campaign. It portends a stronger,
deeper, more pervasive antiwar presence and
sentiment in the political makeup and landscape
of the country.
CAAC Goes
to the Movies
To commemorate the 5th anniversary of the Almost Every
war and occupation of Iraq, and the tragic total of Month
4,000 American military deaths, antiwar protests, The Central America
vigils, marches, rallies, sit ins, traffic blockades, Action Committee
and sign waving demos were held across the shows interesting
nation, culminating on March 19th. For the first and informative
videos on social
time in years, there were simultaneous civil dis- justice, labor
obedient actions occurring on both coasts, Wash- struggles, and so
ington, DC, and San Francisco. Protests were much more! Call to
staged throughout the country employing similar see what’s playing
militant tactics. In the smaller towns and cities this month…
High School Students descend on Portland City Hall, March 2008. WE ALSO HAVE A
were folks holding up peace signs and banners at
VIDEO LIBRARY YOU
main intersections and freeway overpasses. They
CAN CHECK OUT.
were met with supportive horn honking and the Chevron oil refinery in the East Bay city of Jersey), 250 students walked out to attend a 1640 9th Ave (east
thumbs ups. Richmond, with many blocking the gate. Actions demonstration, and all were given detention for off Land Park Dr)
We didn’t see the traditional massing of thou- were also held in Alameda, Santa Cruz, Berkeley, punishment, which was also protested. INFO: 446-3304
sands upon thousands in protests against the war, San Jose, Sacramento, Fresno, Palo Alto, Irvine, In Portland, protesters were harassed and
the type of demonstrations usually organized in San Diego, Montrose, and even in the small city pepper-sprayed by police, prompting a massive
a few major cities like New York, DC, San Fran- of Redding. Other western protests occurred in outpouring and march the next day on City Hall
cisco. We saw both during the run up to the war. Reno, Denver, Honolulu; in Phoenix hundreds by 400 high school students, and a handful were
This time antiwar protests occurred in small converged on McCain’s office; in Tucson over 500 arrested. A college student with the youthful
and moderately sized cities, in big towns and rallied, and in Grand Junction (Colorado) hun- crowd said, “I’ve never seen a protest where the
small towns. One antiwar network, “5 Years Too dreds marched against a local war profiteer. average age is 14, 15, 16 years old. These kids
Many,” recorded 700 antiwar events; another Spreading to every region and corner of the don’t even have facial hair.”
source cited 640 actions. United for Peace and country, and visible in hundreds of small towns That young people participated in large num-
Justice coalition (UFPJ) documented protests and cities, the antiwar movement has decentral- bers this past March is indeed a significant sign
in 124 different towns and cities. Our research ized and deepened, a positive development. It is for the peace campaign, as their absence was
found 85 locales with protests. better to have different people organizing each the topic of movement angst and debates, with
San Francisco had a nighttime rally of thou- of the 500 events than to have two or three large a common thought being that without a draft,
sands; Chicago, an outpouring of 4,000; Los demonstrations in a few major cities. Because of there would not be massive numbers of young
local media coverage, the signs, ban- people. Yet, the prominence of youth and student
ners, and flags of protesters are now led actions this March gives credence to the
in front of the “average” citizen, no observation that the peace movement is becom-
longer just a quick blurb on CNN. ing a youth movement.
The new militancy has arrived. The marchers in Los Angeles “were over-
Trading signs and placards for hand- whelmingly young” and many were “first timers.”
cuffs, antiwar demonstrators, gray Antiwar demonstrations are now attracting
hairs and young college students, people who have never before attended a protest.
were arrested for blocking military This is substantiated by a recent poll of English
recruitment centers and corporate antiwar demonstrators, where 22% said they were
profiteers. This represents a new at their very first protest.
level of resistance, signifying a shift There is a new kind of antiwar movement in
in attitude within important sectors America now. Decentralized and in every region
of the peace movement. By physi- of the country, the activists are willing to be
cally placing their bodies in front of arrested as the movement moves from protest to
military, government and corporate resistance. It’s a more youthful and healthy move-
facilities, activists are acting in the ment, and is still, after five long years, bringing in
Protesters Pepper-Sprayed in Portland, March 2008 civil disobedience tradition of Martin new people. It is a movement that could very well
Luther King, Jr. and Gandhi. save America, despite the efforts of the corporate
Angeles, between 2,000 (police estimate) and This new militancy was shown by the 399 media to hide the significance and extent of anti-
10,000 (organizer’s estimate); Portland, up to arrests during the “March madness” days of war actions. But they can no longer hide the face
12,000 marched in the rain; 10,000 rallied in protests that we documented, a number the of the new peace movement, for it is a beautiful
downtown New York. corporate media failed to report. Sixty-six in DC, face, the face of the future of this country.
The antiwar movement was visible in Syracuse, 147 in San Francisco, 24 across the Bay in Rich-
Vestal, Rochester, Brooklyn, and Niagara Falls mond. Also 22 arrests were made in Syracuse; Frank Gormlie is a lawyer, blogger and com-
in New York; Millersville, King of Prussia in nine students were arrested in Vestal (New York), munity activist in San Diego, California. A
Pennsylvania; Hyannis, Newburyport, Chicopee, six activists were arrested after disrupting Easter longer version of this essay can be found at www.
Worcester in Massachusetts; Providence (Rhode Mass at a local Chicago parish; seven were taken obrag.org/?p=612OBRag.com.
Island); Ewing, Trenton, Princeton, and New in Memphis for refusing to leave their Senator’s
Brunswick, in New Jersey. office.
2,000—including hundreds of high school Military recruitment offices and centers were
students—demonstrated in Minneapolis; protests a central protest target, as were Congressional
occurred in Duluth, and in Grand Rapids, East offices, Federal Buildings, and Courthouses.
Lansing, Kalamazoo and other Michigan towns Many protests were directed at corporate war
you’ve never heard of. Despite the snow and cold, profiteers, as in San Francisco and DC, but also
events were held throughout Wisconsin, includ- at the Carnegie Mellon University, a Pittsburgh
ing the state capitol in Madison; in Cedar Falls military funded facility; at war profiteer Lock-
and Des Moines (Iowa), Columbia (Missouri), heed Martin; the Chevron refinery. Corporate
Lawrence (Kansas); there was a large student media were targeted, as well as the CNN building
walkout in Grand Forks (South Dakota). in LA, the NBC headquarters in San Diego, and
Antiwar sentiment was on display in the the local mainstream daily in Syracuse.
South: in Augusta and in Atlanta, in Charlotte, The new face of the antiwar movement is a
Chapel Hill, Asheville, and Greensboro in North youthful one. College and high school students,
Carolina, in St. Augustine, Tampa, Orlando and student groups like SDS and the Campus Antiwar
Gainesville in Florida; in Dallas, Houston, and Network had a stronger and more visible pres-
Austin, the Texas capitol, where 1000 marched. ence. There were walk outs and spontaneous
In Norfolk (Virginia), home of the largest Navy actions in Chapel Hill (North Carolina) where
base, demonstrators received warm responses; hundreds of students took over the town’s main
actions were held in Lewisberg (West Virginia) intersection. In downtown San Diego, 90 high
and in Columbia (South Carolina). school and college aged people participated in a
Die In for Peace in front of the NBC building, San Diego, March 22, 2008
On the West coast, hundreds marched on “die in.” At one high school in Princeton (New
 Because People Matter July / August 2008 www.bpmnews.org

Migrant Aid
from page 1

“I have to,” he replied, removing and readjust- “If I can make it to Phoenix,” he explained, “my might be able to provide information about where
Some of the ing his knitted cap for the umpteenth time that family can come pick me up there.” Phoenix was their family members had ended up.
Places You Can afternoon. “My wife and kids are in the US.” 180 miles away. An hour or so after I met Javier, one of the aid
Find BPM “How many kids do you have?” Hundreds of thousands of people have stories station volunteers revved up a pickup to take
Sacramento Area “Four. I have two that live with me, and two like Javier’s. At the migrant aid station, volunteers Javier and a few other guys back to the shelter
Coffee Works that live in Tracy, with their mom.” record every person who passes through and docu- downtown.
Crest Theater I couldn’t refrain from prying. “Do you keep in ment any abuses that have been committed by US “It was a pleasure meeting you.” I extended my
Dimple Records, touch with your other kids, the ones in Tracy?” law enforcement before, during, or after apprehen- hand to Javier.
Arden Wy “Oh yeah,” he replied. “My wife doesn’t get mad sion. Here migrants are offered food, water, and “Same to you,” he replied, smiling.
Dose Coffee Shop
Flowers Restaurant
if I see them. If I talk to my ex, she gets mad, but first aid. Ankles are bandaged, coffee is brewed, “Maybe I’ll see you around.”
Galleria (29th & K) not with the kids.” His wife, he told me, was also and bread is served. Painted onto the wall of the “All right,” he said, “maybe at one of the bailes.”
Grinders pregnant again. storage shed are phone numbers such as that of the With that, he ducked out of the tent, hopped onto
Hart Senior Center “When is the baby coming?” I asked. shelter where Javier was staying as well as various the bed of the truck, and was gone.
Lido Cafe “I don’t know. Maybe today.” consulate offices. Travelers in need of shoes, socks, For information about No More Deaths or to
Light Rail: Today was Thursday. Javier had decided to jackets, and jeans could ask for them here at the aid volunteer at the migrant aid station, visit www.
65/Folsom
rest up for a few days before setting off into the station. Some people came simply to have a place nomoredeaths.org.
4th Ave/Freeport
Los Jarritos desert, which he planned to do over the weekend. to sit down, rest, regroup. Others, separated from
Luna’s Cafe & Juice Bar He was going it alone, without the guidance of a their loved ones by the Border Patrol after appre- Felicia Martinez is a poet and attends Mills
Mercy Hospital, 40th/J coyote. He had made the trip before and felt con- hension, taped hand-written notes on the walls of College. She has worked with immigrants and
Pancake Circus, 21st/ fident that he knew the way. the tent in the hopes that someone reading theirs immigrant rights organizations.
Broadway
Planned Parenthood:
Franklin Blvd, Watt Ave.,

When Americans Are Not American

29th St.
Queen of Tarts
Quick Market
Sacramento Bagel,
47th/H
Sacramento Natural by Jack D. Forbes
Foods Coop
Sacramento Public
Library (Main & many I have been following the newspaper reporting both being descended from Ameri-
branches) of the America Cup (“Copa America”) in soccer cans back for tens of thousands
Sargent Coffee House and the Pan American Games in baseball. In the of years and being inhabitants of
(Alhambra & M) former case, all of the teams were from South America, north or south.
Starbucks (B'wy & 35th) America except for a few invited outsiders, such Unfortunately, the domination
The Beat as the United States and Mexico. In the latter of the media by US corporations
Time Tested Books
Tower Theater (inside)
case, all of the teams are from North, Central, or has been spreading the idea far
Tupelo (Elvas & 57th) South America. and wide that “Americans” are only
Underground Books What I found to be very disturbing is that from the USA. The other Ameri-
(35th St. near B'way) the Associated Press reports consistently have cans resist as best they can, but they
Weatherstone Coffee referred to the Yanks as “Americans” while refus- find it difficult to offset the Yanks’
Chico Area ing to refer to the other American team players dominance of world news.
Davis as Americans. The US players can, of course, be Often, Latin Americans use
Bogey’s Books referred to as US players, as Yanks, as Yankees, the phrase Nuestra America (Our
Espresso Cafe Roma or as North Americans. But it is shocking to find America) to refer to their part of
Davis Natural Food Coop
them exclusively bearing the name of “Ameri- the Americas or to their participa-
Newsbeat
University Mall cans” as if they alone existed in this hemisphere. tion in the American heritage and
Greenhaven area Unfortunately, the exclusive and political use ongoing cultural life. For example, a
Buckthorn’s Coffee, of “American” for only United-States-ians, has series of books published in Mexico
7465 Rush River Dr been gradually escalating, especially since World by the publisher Siglo Veintiuno
Nevada City War II. I grew up knowing that “America” was (Twentieth-first Century) bears
US Post Office the entire hemisphere. My old maps, dictionar- the name of Nuestra America (Our
For a complete list, visit
our web site: ies, and encyclopedias made it crystal clear that America) and covers “the reality
www.bpmnews.org. America was the entire continent or land mass that our countries have lived for Personally, I have always liked “Yanks” ever
Where would you like to consisting in North and South America, with centuries.” The expression “Our America” was since I heard the stirring song of World War
see BPM? Central America and Meso or Middle America used in the early days of the twentieth-century in I, “Over there, over there, the Yanks are com-
Let Paulette Cuilla know, also being commonly used for parts of the an article by the great Cuban thinker and writer, ing, ….” It is, however, very important for us to
916-422-1787. hemisphere. All of the people of America were, Jose Marti, when, as I recall, he was living in New understand that the immigrants coming to the
of course, Americans either by ancestry or by York City. USA today from the south are already Americans
adoption. One of the earliest treaties of the USA, with the before they cross the Rio Grande and that, for
Many of my old books and encyclopedias also Delaware Nation, referred to the thirteen states most of them, their ancestors have been living in
made it clear that the original Americans were as the “United States of North America.” The Jay America for up to 30,000 or more years. Perhaps
the people also known as American Indians. I Treaty between the USA and Britain refers to the we need to rethink our use of words!
soon came to realize that the people from south “continent of America” as the entire hemisphere.
of the US border, from Mexico to southern Chile Perhaps it is too bad that we have not adopted Jack Forbes is of Powhatan, Delaware, and
and Argentina, had a lot of original American “North America” as our name, but then we are other ancestry. His latest book is The American
ancestry and were Americans in a double sense, also only part of North America, not the whole. Discovery of Europe, published this year.

  


 




  
  







 




  

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 www.bpmnews.org July / August 2008 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER 

Native Intelligence
Jamestown Celebration: Colonialism and Racial
Myth-Making
by Jack D. Forbes
investors expected a profitable return on their
The current celebration of the Jamestown colony investment, I suppose very much like many huge
in Attan-Akamik (Virginia) is an example of the corporations do today.
distortions of north American history found in In any case, Jamestown was not the first Euro-
the popular culture of the USA and Canada, and pean base in North America, and it was not even
also in our schools’ educational curricula. The the first European foothold in the future United
latter, at heart, is designed to firmly plant in every States. The Spaniards, with the use of persons of
child’s mind the priority and dominance of the Native American and African ancestry as labor-
English heritage in north American development. ers, had already established St. Augustine (1565)
Jamestown was a “corporate” attempt to seize and Santa Fe, New Mexico (initiated in 1598).
and invade an American territory solely for the The French already had outposts in Acadie (Nova
purpose of profit-taking and imperial expansion. Scotia) and along the St. Lawrence river, while
It was a completely illegal, immoral, and selfish the English had bases in Newfoundland and on
undertaking by British government officials and Providence Island (off of Nicaragua).
entrepreneurs who had already been raiding the But why is it that the media and state govern-
American coasts, from Newfoundland to the ments promote Jamestown and other English
Caribbean (and even along the Pacific Coast settlements (Plymouth Colony will be coming up
of south, central, and north America. In these in 2020!), but neglect far older activities of the
early raids many Americans (Indians) had been Spaniards with their African and Native Ameri- Ellen Broms holding one of the two pillows she made. Along the top it says
seized and carried back to Europe, including can workers, and collaborators? I would suggest “As the War in Iraq goes on and on and on” and below the stripe of images
several seized along the Rappahannock River of that it is because the Anglo-Americans who have of dollars, it reads “HOW CAN YOU SLEEP?” The pillows were stuffed with
Attan-Akamik. controlled the USA politically and economically strips of paper with the names of Iraq war casualties. They were presented
Many of the English raids were very much like only want to honor and trace their own ethnic to Reps. Matsui and Lungren last March. Matsui’s was delivered to her
modern CIA kidnappings, designed to produce heritage. Others can be ignored because they office, and accepted by her staff; Lungren would not take his at the Rancho
Cordova Town Hall Meeting, and let it fall on the ground!
valuable intelligence about America for future might corrupt the Anglo-Americans’ essentially Photo, Zohreh Whitaker
imperial operations. genealogical approach to US history.
The Virginia Company which established the Even English activities will be largely ignored
Jamestown base on the Powhatan River in 1607 if they took place in areas that became part of
was a joint-stock company, a corporation. Its Canada or one of the Caribbean republics.

War on Immigrants George W., A soliloquy by the Decider

from page 1
I’m George W. Bush, a politician, a “noblesse
As the immigration rights movement raised oblige” man
its banner in major US cities in May 2006, the cal climate has also produced a resurrection of A patriotic private school, Yale-Harvard Bush
NSS has stepped up its ‘counter-insurgency’ vigilante racism and violence. White supremacist blue blood
A Vietnam avoiding, smart Texas National
war on immigrants with the intent to dismantle groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) have
Guard flyboy
the largest mass movement in the US since the invoked immigration issues, particularly the fear A horsy Texas rancher buckaroo
1960’s Civil Rights and Black Power campaigns that unless stopped, the swarm of brown people A big hat, big ranch, no cattleman
for racial justice. In May 2007, the ugly side of will overwhelm American White Anglo-Saxon Some cut cattle, instead I cut taxes
the counter-insurgency campaign was recorded culture and society. According to the Southern It happens mainly for my friends, the rich
on video when Los Angeles Police Department Poverty Law Center, there has been a 33 percent But then as a smart politico, I always favor the
(LAPD) riot police assaulted protesters and jour- increase in the number of hate groups from wealthy
nalists and shot rubber bullets and tear gas into 2000 to 2005 whose activities range from anti- It’s reputed to be good for business, you know
an immigration rights rally full of migrant fami- immigration rallies, leaflets, and Internet racist Especially my business of fat campaign funds
lies and their children. Journalist and eyewitness discourse. Anti-immigrant hate crimes have risen Compassionate, glad handing while ensnaring
Roberto Lovato pinpointed the larger dimensions nationwide. voters
Full of smiles and fancy pledges
of this incident: “I saw the LAPD…dragging the Meanwhile, “authorities arrested groups and
Passing out assurances
immigrants and the entire country into danger- individuals caught stockpiling grenades, semi- Promising, promising delivering mostly words
ous terrain, a new threshold in the . . . immigra- automatic weapons and thousands of rounds of It’s cheaper that way
tion war raging around the country.” ammunition in preparation for attack on immi- No matter what, I always claim victory
Across the nation, the weapons of the war grants.” Led by the Minutemen, vigilante groups In that manner I’m never a loser
on immigrants are many and varied, including have taken up positions on the US-Mexico bor- Other countries must do my bidding
“…mass raids on meat packing plants, pre-dawn der to ‘assist’ federal officials. After 9/11, reports I’m an impatient, go-it-aloner from the Lone
raids by ICE agents on people’s homes, incarcera- of ‘suspicious incidents’ rose in rural entry points Star state
tion in prisons thousands of miles away from where criminal activity is less likely to be detect- My hear is not in nation building
lawyers, families and friends, and the terroriza- ed. Thus, “assailants are rarely captured, crime Except if there’s oil there
tion of small children whose parents had been scenes ... are rarely located, and victims disap- I’m a touch oil-gas, rope twirling cowboy
I want to round up oil wells and pipelines
locked away, or who were themselves taken into pear. Bodies rot fast in the desert, and bones are
Fulfilling my promises to the common folks?
custody and locked up like felons in federal pris- quickly scattered.” Accusations abound that bor- Funny that should be raised
ons with their mothers and fathers.” der law enforcement officials are ‘turning a blind Sorry, the common folks will have to wait; I just
Utilizing the privatized prison system, the eye’ to the vigilante border guards. Meanwhile, want their kids in the armed forces
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is federal counter-terrorism officials are aware that Ah yes, it’s true I want to privatize Medicare
quietly jailing thousands of immigrants where, the most radical elements of the anti-immigra- and Social Security
according the DHS Inspector General, parents tion movement are very susceptible to recruit- That’ll earn more billions for my Wall Street
and children are subject to lack of medicine, ment into violent White supremacist groups. friends, you see
adequate food and sexual harassment. A $385 In conclusion, the immigration boomerang I’m George W, an ambitious, amoral really con-
million contract to Halliburton for DHS ‘emer- and the 9/11 attacks have combined to justify servative bushwhacker
gency temporary’ detention centers has raised both a state-sponsored and vigilante war on I’m George W, the Decider, the rich son of a
Bush
fears among immigration rights advocates that immigrants whose main strategy is to set the citi-
the centers are meant to detain even more immi- zen ‘self ’ against the immigrant ‘other.’ Portraying by Ted Ruhig, old radical, jounalist and poet, is
grants. The DHS has proposed regulations giving illegal immigrants and their supporters as terror- a former Sacramentan who is retired to the East
it oversight over the Social Security Admin- ists and terrorist sympathizers has meant millions Coast with his family.
istration (SSA) “no match” letters (when the of intimidated and harassed North Americans are
combination of name and social security number subject to ‘guilt by association.’ In this post 9/11
submitted for an employee fails to match) allow- militarized and politically charged context, as
ing employers to fire employees and avoid any terrorism’s agents they are said to be and treated
penalty for breaking the law. Labor leaders argue as deserving of their fate.
these ‘criminalizing’ measures are being used to Beau Grosscup is the author of Strategic Ter-
intimidate worker rights activism and prevent ror: The Politics and Ethics of Aerial Bombard-
union organizing in the immigrant community. ment. He is professor of International Relations
The post 9/11 jingoist and militarized politi- at CSU Chico.
 Because People Matter July / August 2008 www.bpmnews.org

New Orleans, the Forgotten Disaster

by Paulette Cuilla

H
aving just returned from my first visit to New
Orleans, I must admit I am still in a state of
shock about what I saw there. This August will
be three years after Katrina, and New Orleans still looks
like a war zone.
Since New Orleans is not in the news anymore, I guess
I assumed that the process of rebuilding the city was well
underway, and people were starting to put their lives back
together. This is somewhat true, but New Orleans is still a
disaster area, and many people are left out of the rebuild-
ing process.
The magnitude of this disaster is shocking, and there is
no way you can get the full picture of the damage without
actually seeing it for yourself. Just imagine that all of Sac-
ramento, Elk Grove, Roseville, North Highlands, Rancho
Cordova, Citrus Heights, North Sac, Carmichael, and
West Sacramento are flooded, except for Old Sac and ten
blocks of Sacramento’s biggest mansions. This will give
you some idea of the area impacted.
Over 1,500 people died in the New Orleans area. Many
of them died in one of the worst hit areas, the Ninth
Ward. This is along an inner navigational canal that
connects the Mississippi river with Lake Ponchartrain.
There is a maritime law that requires any vessels to get
out of the navigational canals whenever there is a storm This is one of many public housing projects being demolished even though building inspectors
declared them safe to occupy or requiring only minimal repairs.
photo: Paulette Cuilla

warning announced. However, a barge in the area was

not removed. It continued to pound against the retain-
ing wall until it broke through. It caused such a surge of
water; it actually floated the barge into the neighborhood
and crashed through several houses. Sometime later, the
citizens of that area tried to bring a lawsuit against the
shipping company. The courts decided that the case had
no merit, even though there were many photos and eye-
witness testimony that the barge broke through the wall.
There are some restaurants, banks, and gas stations
now open, but for the most part, businesses are boarded
up everywhere and services are limited (except in the
French Quarter and Garden District, where business is
booming). There are only two Emergency Rooms in the
New Orleans area, and many hospitals remain closed.
Only 30% of public schools have opened, but charter
schools are opening everywhere.
The neighborhoods are still mostly boarded up. On
most streets, maybe 10% to 30% of homes have been
repaired and are occupied. The rest of the homes are
boarded up and falling apart. Insurance companies
denied most claims by insisting that the damage was
caused by the flood, not the hurricane, regardless of the
fact that if there had not been a hurricane there would
A typical house on any street in New Orleans, boarded up and falling apart. not have been a flood. The Louisiana Insurance Commis-
photo: Paulette Cuilla sioner J. Robert Wooley defended the denial of payment.
People who were evacuated and are now living in
other states find it very difficult to come back to rebuild.
There are few jobs and even fewer housing options. Any
home that has been declared safe for people to live in will
cost 3 and 4 times more to rent than before Katrina.
Affordable housing is one of the biggest problems in
New Orleans. The people in FEMA trailers have been
told that they will be moved out by June 1. They could
be moved anywhere in the Gulf Coast region, with no
consideration for existing jobs, schools, etc.
Mayor Ray Nagin, the city counsel, and HUD have
authorized the destruction of 4500 units of public hous-
ing. These units are being demolished regardless of
building inspection reports that declare them safe to
occupy or requiring only minimal repairs. The United
Nations experts on housing and minority rights have
criticized the demolition, calling it a violation of human
rights. Many of the people evicted are now living in tents
under the freeway.
The world donated over 4.25 billion dollars for Katrina
victims. FEMA is in charge of allocating that money.
Over 2 billion went to the Red Cross. While talking with
people throughout the city, the general consensus was
that it was very difficult to get assistance from FEMA,

A typical street scene in the French Quarter, largely undamaged.

photo: Paulette Cuilla
 www.bpmnews.org July / August 2008 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER 

but almost impossible to get help from the Red Cross.

Both agencies have countless roadblocks for provid-
ing the help that people need. Many people were ask-
ing: What happened to the money that was supposed
to be there to help us? Where did it go? Why wasn’t it
being released? These are all very good questions for
FEMA and the Red Cross to answer.
The groups that are providing the most help to
the people of New Orleans are church groups and
organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Make it
Right, Common Ground, and others. I was there to
volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. Their program
provides homes for families who qualify. They are
required to work 350 hours sweat equity, and qualify
for the loan to purchase the house. The future owner
that I met was very excited to be moving in to his new
home in a couple of weeks. His initial application for
a home through Habitat for Humanity was filed 2 1/2
years ago.
One of the projects that Habitat for Humanity is
working on is called Musicians Village. Harry Con-
nick Jr. and Branford Marsalis purchased some land
and teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to build
houses for New Orleans musicians who lost their
homes to Katrina.
The spirit of the music in New Orleans is totally Many people who were evicted from public housing are now living in tents under the freeway.
infectious and it’s everywhere throughout the city, in photo: Paulette Cuilla
the French Quarter, grocery stores, burger stands, gas

stations, banks. That soulful, funky, jazzy, bluesy beat is the heart
of the city. Without it, I think New Orleans would cease to exist.
The people that I met were incredible. Most of them have lost
friends and family, their homes, and all of their belongings. After
all they have been through, they were still very friendly and will-
ing to talk about what life is like in New Orleans three years later.
They seem to maintain an attitude of hope for the future. They
were very grateful for people showing up to help them rebuild
their lives.
If you want to volunteer, contact www.habitat-nola.org , www.
makeitrightnola.org , or www.commongroundrelief.org . There
are others (I am sure) but these are the ones I saw doing the
work. Also, grassroots citizen groups are forming to provide
support to people who have been treated unfairly. Some of these
are Safe Streets www.safestreetsnola.org, Katrina Information
Network www.katrinaaction.org, Defend New Orleans Hous-
ing www.defendneworleanshousing.org, and the Committee
to End Police Repression. You can be sure your donations will
go directly to helping the people of New Orleans by supporting
these organizations.
If you are in New Orleans and would like to experience a real-
ity tour of the area, call Roderick Dean at 504-430-8491.
The bottom line is the only way that the people of New Orleans
are going to get help rebuilding their lives, is if we private citizens
help them. It appears that Uncle Sam and the media have already
forgotten about this disaster and the people affected by it.

Paulette Cuilla is a human rights and environmental activist

One of many destroyed homes in New Orleans. A sign at the top of the stairs reads “I AM COMING HOME—I working with many groups in Sacramento.
WILL REBUILD—I AM NEW ORLEANS”
photo: Paulette Cuilla

The author at work. Musicians’ Village—Musicians Harry Connick Jr and Branford Marsalis are working with Habitat for
photo courtesy Paulette Cuilla Humanity to provide housing for New Orleans musicians.
photo: Paulette Cuilla
10 Because People Matter July / August 2008 www.bpmnews.org

Homeless Victory in Fresno has

Implications for Sacramento
Noon Hour by Mike Rhodes who would then clear the area of anything
Witness against the that the homeless did not remove. The city
Death Penalty. Homeless people and their allies won a claimed that everything left was rubbish.
Third Mondays legal victory in Fresno that could have The problem with the policy, according to
12noon to 1pm. statewide implications. The class action the court, was that it treated poor people’s
11th and L Streets lawsuit against the City of Fresno resulted property differently from that of anyone
State Capitol in a $2.3 million settlement and has else. For example, if you lose your bike
INFO: 455-1796 stopped the city from taking and immedi- and the police find it, they do not call in
ately destroying homeless people’s property. a bulldozer, crush the bike, and put it in a
Fresno mayor Alan Autry argued that the garbage truck. The likely policy would be to
city had a right to keep city streets clean take the bike into possession and try to find
and that city sanitation workers were just the owner.
doing their job. Government agencies in Homeless people in Fresno, during the
communities throughout California make sweeps conducted between 2004–2006
the same argument as they conduct sweeps lost bicycles, tents, clothing, their ID, and
through homeless encampments. The everything of value they had in the world. The attack began, as the city of Fresno moved to outlaw
Federal Court in Fresno found that these One person lost an urn that contained her poverty and evict the homeless when they form a community.
sweeps are illegal and violate the 4th and grand-daughter’s ashes. Al Williams, who photo: Mike Rhodes
5th amendment of the US Constitution. is homeless, suffered the effects of the raids
“The Court’s ruling and the settlement on three occasions. In addition to losing
should send a strong message to other cities clothes and food, his wife’s wheelchair was
throughout California that if they violate destroyed and her medicines confiscated
the rights of their most vulnerable resi- by Fresno police officers. “I felt like every-
dents, they will be held accountable,” said thing was taken away from me, but this
ACLU-NC staff attorney Michael Risher. settlement gives me hope for the future for
The homeless plaintiffs in the lawsuit, myself and all the other people who suf-
Kincaid v. Fresno, were represented by a fered,” said Williams.
team of attorneys from the American Civil In addition to the lawsuit, homeless
Liberties Union of Northern California people and their allies held a sleep-in at
Sacramento (ACLU-NC), the Lawyers’ Committee for City Hall, the Homelessness Marathon
Soapbox Civil Rights (LCCR) and the law firm of radio show was broadcast from Fresno put-
Progressive Talk Show Heller Ehrman LLP. ting a national spotlight on this city’s illegal
Access Sacramento, The lawsuit began in 2006, after the practices, and intense pressure was brought
Channel 17 with
City of Fresno repeatedly used bulldozers upon city government to end their attacks
Jeanie Keltner.
to plow through homeless encampments on the homeless. The efforts have had an
Monday, 8pm, Tuesday in the downtown area. The city’s policy, effect, and mayor Autry has declared the
noon, Wednesday, 4am.
designed by a low ranking police officer city’s previous policy a failure. The stated
Now in Davis, Channel
15, Tuesday, 7pm. in the code enforcement division, was to goal of the new policy is to provide afford-
provide residents of the encampments with able and decent housing for all of Fresno’s
written notice that a “clean-up” was about chronically homeless residents.
to take place. Many homeless people say For a list of articles and documents
they never received a copy of the notice, about the struggle for civil liberties for
and it is not clear from the court’s decision homeless people in Fresno, see: www.
that it would have made any difference if fresnoalliance.com/home/homelessness.
they had received the notice. According htm. February, 2004: disabled veteran asking the corporate
to the city’s policy and testimony in court, media “Where the f*** am I supposed to go now?” Nighttime
the city would then deploy the sanitation Mike Rhodes is the editor of the Commu- temperatures in Fresno were in the mid-30s.
department, backed up by police officers, nity Alliance newspaper in Fresno. photo: Dallas Blanchard

The Fall (A True Story)

by Karen Blomquist alright and not to cry. It might have been easier for me to have just
Something happened one night that caused He hugged me closer and on his one leg started kept driving past, instead of stopping, hurried
me to cry so very hard. It was the beginning of to fall backwards. I tried to keep him from fall- in my busy world, denying his need—instead I
the Fall, and I had bought some granola bars and ing, only to be pulled down too. There we were found the compassion to stop. I realized it took
individual packs of milk to give to the homeless both fallen on the sidewalk in front of many getting closer, talking with him, and reaching out
(through the Fall and Winter). I worry more people driving past. to feel the full impact of my emotions and his
about the homeless when it is cold. His wheelchair, full of his belongings, was need and pain—this human being.
I saw a man with a missing leg on my way also knocked down in our fall. I managed a grin In that hour of tears, I realized that we as a
home from work. He was holding a sign that through the tears and said, “Boy, what a sight people must fully open our eyes, our hearts and
said: “Veteran,” “Anything Will Help.” So I we must be.” I kept asking him if he was alright, our souls in order to reconnect, care for one
quickly went home, collected ten granola bars worried that he might have hurt the stump of his another, and end this war. We need to stop the
and five containers of milk. I also pulled out two leg or arm. He kept saying he was alright. ridiculous fighting, which only invites more
long-sleeved men’s shirts I had bought at the I helped him back onto his crutch, gathered his hatred toward humanity, disregard for the human
thrift store and gathered two dollars to give to the belongings, and restored them to the wheelchair. psyche and for one another’s needs. We must
man. I went back straight away in hopes of not It was difficult for me to pull away because, yes, learn to love and care—not just here at home, but
missing him. he so very much needed acceptance, care, and all over the world.
There he was. I parked my car and started hope. I asked what motel he was staying at, but Like Christ, we must strive to feed the hungry,
walking towards him. I could feel his anticipation failed to ask him his name. house the homeless, and heal the sick. Anything
Peace Action at seeing me, a glimmer, just a sliver of hope, in He positioned himself in his wheelchair, sitting less would be to deny our humanity.
on the Web his eyes. I presented him with the gifts and he down, and motioned for another hug. I gave him Karen Blomquist lives in Davis and is involved
Keep up to date said “Bless You” several times. Close up now I one and walked away, looking back with tears in in environmental, peace and health care issues.
on peace activism noticed that he was not only missing a leg but my eyes, regretting later that I had not given him
in Sacramento. also missing an arm. He had a wheelchair by his my phone number or thought to get his name.
Check out side, but had used the one crutch that he had to His final words were (again), “Bless you.”
www.sacpeace.org. manage to stand. It took me an hour to fully stop crying. This
Knowing that many homeless people feel man had once been complete, not just physi-
very alone, forgotten and hopeless, I asked him cally but emotionally as well. He is now broken,
A community paper
if he was okay and if he had a place to stay. He trying to maintain his balance in a world that is needs community
said he was okay and had a place to stay with not supportive. I thought of all the other men
a friend—that they managed to gather enough that were probably in similar circumstances, had support: Subscribe!
money each night to stay at a motel. I felt that he similar injuries, for similar reasons. How many
needed a hug. I reached out to hug him and he more might find themselves in this same fate, out See coupon on page 2.
hugged me closely. Yes, he needed a hug. Tears of touch and unsupported due to the present war
started pouring down my face. He told me it was our country is embroiled in?
 www.bpmnews.org July / August 2008 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER 11

Corporate Encroachment Moving Along in East

Sacramento
A Neighborhood’s Fight to Stay Healthy in the Midst of a Growing Medical Ghetto
by Martha Paterson-Cohen
The story of the ‘Alhambra Corridor’, set between
“San Francisco is use has always been,
Midtown and East Sacramento, is not unlike considering a ban and still is, mostly
many urban districts forever altered by freeway residential).
construction in the 1960s. Sliced up by Inter-
on chain stores in The Corridor
states 80 and 50, its quiet neighborhoods became some areas.” Advisory Committee
exposed to predatory suburban-type develop- continued to meet as
ment. The urban environment of the Corridor Safeway store. destruction continued
took its second turn for the worse in 1973. A Since then, one by one, independent businesses and, in 1991, the City
throughout the area were replaced, mostly by established the Alham-
medical-related offices or supply businesses ben- bra Corridor Special
efitting from nearby hospitals, and by fast-food Planning District. The
restaurants. In 1987, Mercy Healthcare tore down City also adopted very
a furniture store and built the huge, unsightly specific design guide-
(and soon to be vacated in 2008) MedClinic at lines to preserve the
Alhambra and Folsom Boulevards. Outraged neighborhood char-
neighbors and groups like the Old City Associa- acter of the Corridor
tion influenced the City to form the Alhambra through the encourage-
Alhambra at Folsom Blvd.
Corridor Citizen’s Advisory Committee, rep- ment of smaller-scale photo: Martha Paterson-Cohen
resenting resident, business, and development projects, pedestrian
interests, to study land use and zoning in the considerations, and
Corridor. At the same time, the City imposed balanced, mixed usage.
a moratorium on building until the study con- Despite these official guidelines, in 2000, the
cluded. Nevertheless, large-scale, inappropriate City supported the imposition of a Trader Joe’s
development proceeded apace. store at the corner of 32nd and L. Both streets are
Neighbors in different sections of the Corridor narrow and within a ‘Neighborhood Transition
organized in response. For example, many neigh- Buffer Zone’, where new projects should be com-
bors living next to one of the most congested patible with the residential neighborhood.Trader
sections of the Corridor, between J Street and Joe’s clearly didn’t comply with intended land
Alhambra and K /Sutter Hospital in the Folsom Boulevard, mobilized to prevent a pros- use. For example, traffic volumes as a result of the
distance. thetic manufacturer on 32nd Street from demol- project were estimated to increase by between
Photo: Martha Paterson-Cohen
ishing a beautiful, double-lot vintage home and 1500 and 2559 average daily additional vehicle
rose garden at the corner of 32nd and M, in order trips having an impact on the neighborhood
bond measure, which would have allowed the to expand. The house and garden were torn down immediately to the East. Finding no support from
City to purchase and preserve the beautiful and replaced with a prosthesis boutique which City officials or existing neighborhood groups,
Alhambra Theatre and gardens at Alhambra eventually closed. The building and parking lot neighbors in the immediate area formed the East
Boulevard and J Street, failed and the theatre was are now rented to a church. The neighborhood Sacramento Alhambra Corridor Neighborhood
bought by the Safeway Corporation, which tore it group did succeed however in “down-zoning”
down and replaced it with a huge parking lot and the street to limited commercial (even though its See Alhambra, page 14

Stop Big Media

Media Concentration? No!—Net Neutrality? Yes!
by Charlene Jones
After thousands of phone calls and more than dation of, content by network operators based bottom line.
250,000 letters, the US Senate voted to over- upon its source, ownership, or destination on the Protect open interconnectivity of the Internet
rule the Federal Communication Commission’s Internet.” and every person’s access to information. Insist
capitulation to Big Media. In a near unanimous Telecoms and Big Media have millions to on a responsible and diverse media from cor-
decision, according to FreePress, the Senate gain by limiting Internet freedom and attach- porations who use public airwaves—something
“Resolution of Disapproval” overruled a late 2007 ing cost to what they choose to deliver in a top the Supreme Court has recognized is critical to
FCC decision to allow media conglomerates to speed fashion. They want to charge Internet sites democracy. The “Resolution of Disapproval”
expand their monopolies by owning both a major premiums to have their content delivered faster must be adopted by the House of Representatives,
TV or radio station and a major newspaper in the than others. Websites confined to slower delivery and not vetoed by the President, to become law.
same city. Just imagine, News Corp Rupert Mur- speeds would not be able to compete. And what Congress and the FCC must continue to hear
doch, Roger Ailes and their brownshirted min- about content that may be deemed controver- from constituents opposing further monopoly
ions owning KFBK or Fox 40 and The Sacramento sial, dissenting or downright radical? Currently and demanding the nation’s interests be served.
Bee or Sacramento News & Review. Whine if you connections don’t discriminate, but service Contact members of Congress. Join a media
must, but local broadcasts and print media in this provider companies could easily do so if such fee reform group. Contribute to community media.
city can be a vibrant source of local and regional impositions are permitted. In May The New York It’s time to do something, if you haven’t already.
news. If the FCC has its way, it could be worse. Times endorsed this effort by writing, “Cable and
Sacramento’s major media could sound like Fox telecommunications companies are fighting net Charlene Jones is a member of the Sacramento
News and read like The Sacramento Union. neutrality with lobbyists and campaign contribu- Media Group. For information on SMG, call
The cross-ownership ban the FCC is trying tions, but these special interests should not be JoAnn Fuller, 916-443-1792.
to remove has been in place since 1975, accord- allowed to set Internet policy. It is the job of Con-
ing to public interest law firm Media Access gress to protect the Internet’s democratic form.”
Project. It was to prevent media outlets from For those embittered by media corporations
merging bare bones newsrooms—in the name that disable American principles with propa-
of competition—and protect diversity of view- ganda, embedded journalists and empty election
points. To delay complete corporate disregard coverage, enough is enough. Gluttonous profit
for the honored American principle of a fourth pressures strip down newsrooms, replace investi-
estate, a watchdog media that provides multiplic- gation with sensationalism, and avoid significant
ity of voice, Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and exploration of the most critical issues facing
Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) introduced the this nation. Media concentration is central to
resolution. dumbing down what is broadcast and distracting
They also co-sponsored another critical media those who consume it. It is also responsible for
protection proposal, the Internet Freedom Pres- the rise of bellicose extremists like Bill O’Reilly
ervation Act, S.215, that has a counterpart in and Rush Limbaugh. Without Internet neutrality
the House of Representatives, H.R. 5353. These protection, information gate-keeping will also be
preserve Internet neutrality by barring “unrea- handed over to corporate conglomerates driven,
sonable discriminatory favoritism for, or degra- not by regard for country, but by masters of the
12 Because People Matter July / August 2008 www.bpmnews.org

Sacramento Area Peace Action

Not Enough Death & Destruction for Congress Sacramento Poets

By the time this paper hits the stands, Congress will likely have handed Bush another $170 bil-
lion to continue the disastrous imperial US occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan. There was a bit of Against War
hope generated on May 15, when a third of the House of Representatives voted down more funding Francisco Alarcon, Susan Kelly-Dewitt,
for these wars (this minority was able to temporarily defeat the funding because most Republicans and V.S. Chochezi were among poets who
refused to participate in the vote). The bill then went to the Senate, where all funding was immediately read their powerful work at a SacPeace Open
put back in, a move resisted by only a quarter of the Senate, so it passed on May 22 and then went House and Poetry Reading on May 14. Works
back to the House. from other anti-war poets were also read,
While Reps. Matsui and Thompson were among those in the House who voted against giving including this one from World War I by Sei-
more war money to Bush on May 15, one week later, they voted FOR the $600 billion Department of gfried Sassoon:
Defense authorization which included $70 billion more for the occupation of Iraq. No wonder people
have a hard time believing that either Matsui or Thompson is really against the war. Regardless of Suicide in the Trenches
their claims, both have continually voted for bigger and bigger defense budgets and to authorize more I knew a simple solder boy
money for the madness that is the US occupation of Iraq. Who grinned at life in empty joy,
Slept soundly through the lonesome dark,
And whistled early with the lark.
In winter trenches, cowed and glum
With cramps and lice and lack of rum,
Want to End the US Occupation of Iraq? He put a bullet through his brain.
Fire up the Choir No one spoke of him again.
You smug-face crowds with kindling eye
Who cheer when soldier lads march by,
According to a CNN Opinion Research Cor- Have a conversation .... Sneak home and pray you’ll never know
poration poll, in March, 2008, 71% of Ameri- Talk to the people you live, work, shop, The hell where youth and laughter go.
cans think Iraq spending hurts the economy and sit on public transportation with. A great
and in April, 2008, 68% opposed the US war in conversation starter is to wear a peace mes-
Iraq (cnn.com; www.pollingreport.com). How- sage. For only $10, you can get a “Want Peace,
ever, in May, 2008, only 32% of Congress voted Don’t Invade, Don’t Occupy, Don’t Fund War” 25 Years of Activism
against funding the occupation well into 2009. shirt from SacPeace ([email protected]). At
Congress isn’t listening because they don’t have least one day a week, wear your message out in With a vegan birthday cake and open mike, Sac-
to—there is still not enough public pressure to public. Initiate conversations with people. Find ramento Area Peace Action celebrated 25th years
end this clearly ruinous occupation. out what they think, share your understand- at its May 30 annual meeting. One of the original
As peace mom, and now Congressional ings, let them know how they can get involved. founding members of the Sacramento Nuclear
candidate, Cindy Sheehan explained, if all Connect the dollars Weapons Freeze, Ruth Hultgren, attended. That
the choir were singing, we wouldn’t be in this As the City of Davis faces teacher layoffs, original organiza-
mess. (Cindy is running against House Speaker California battles budget issues, people go tion became SANE
Nancy Pelosi.) without health care, etc., the dollars still go Freeze in 1987
If you aren’t in the choir, join; if you are part unconnected. We can’t spend billions every when the national
of the choir, help get more people involved. week on funding the Iraq war profiteers AND Nuclear Weapons
There is no shortage of actions to take: call, have money for human needs and the environ- Freeze and the
meet with, and protest the actions of Congress, ment. Contact the advocacy groups to which Committee for
attend vigils and events, help leaflet, display you belong and find out what they are doing to a SANE Nuclear
lawn/home signs and bumper stickers, organize oppose more funding of the catastrophic US Policy merged.
with others, learn more, be creative. And ... occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. More name
changes followed
until 1993 when
Ruth Hultgren, one of the current name,
Abolishing Nuclear Weapons and Informing the founders of SAPA. Peace Action, was
selected.
Public Perceptions
Although still in the same office with the same
August 6, 2008 is the 63rd anniversary of the first use of atomic weapons: the US bombing of the phone number, SacPeace has branched out
civilian population of Hiroshima, a war crime. It is nearly 26 years since the passage of Proposition 12, from being an anti-nuclear group to serve as
California’s nuclear freeze referendum. And it is eight years past the goal of Abolition 2000, a move- Sacramento’s de-facto peace center, working
ment of peace groups, including SacPeace, to effect an international ban on nuclear weapons by the to educate and mobilize the public to promote
year 2000. The admittedly bold target has now been pushed back to 2020. a non-interventionist and non-nuclear US
In May, 2008, Lawrence S. Wittner, author of Toward Nuclear Abolition: A History of the World foreign and military policy and international
Nuclear Disarmament Movement, notes in his History News Network article, “A Treaty to Abolish and domestic economic, social, and political
Nuclear Weapons,” that although there has been progress made towards an international treaty to justice. SacPeace works in conjunction with
abolish nuclear weapons, many obstacles remain. He writes: the Sac Coalition to End the War to end the US
“Of course, it’s only fair to ask if there really exists the political will to bring such a treaty to frui- occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan. Current
tion…. Furthermore, the American public is remarkably ignorant of nuclear realities…. Zia Mian, a committees are working on military counter-
Princeton physicist, points to a number of disturbing facts about contemporary US public opinion. recruitment; Palestine/Israel; nuclear issues; and
For example, more Americans (55%) mistakenly believe that Iran has nuclear weapons than know that outreaching to the public through films, vigils,
Britain (52%), India (51%), Israel (48%), and France (38%) actually have these weapons…. Although demonstrations, tabling, leafleting, and educa-
the United States possesses over 5,700 operationally deployed nuclear warheads, more than half of US tional and cultural events. To get involved call
respondents to an opinion survey thought that the number was 200 weapons or fewer.” 916-448-7157 or email [email protected].

Resources for Enlisted Every day, five US soldiers try to kill themselves. Before the Iraq
war began, that figure was less than one suicide attempt a day. 
Personnel & Veterans (CNN.com, Feb, 2008)

Discharges • DEP • Discrimination • Gay •

AWOL/UA • Harassment • Hazing• Conscientious
Objection
Join Sacramento Area Peace Action!
Call for information from a network of nonprofit,
nongovernmental organizations.
Send your: Name, Address, Email and Phone, with your
The service is free. The call is confidential. check to SAPA for: $30/individual; $52/family;
$15 low-income to:
The GI Rights Hotline, www.girights.org, 800-394-9544 Sacramento Area Peace Action
909 12th St, Suite 118
Sacramento, CA 95814
Free & confidential counseling: 916-447-5706;
www.therapistsforsocialresponsibility.org;
 www.bpmnews.org July / August 2008 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER 13

Book Review
Married to Another Man: Israel’s Dilemma in Palestine, by Ghada Karmi
Pluto Press, London, 2007. Paperback, 300 pages.
by Brigitte Jaensch istered Palestine, permitting large scale Zionist “hotchpotch … that can only
immigration, and not hampering the immigrants’ cause further dislocation and
The charming and eloquent Ghada Karmi creation of a quasi-government complete with hardship and compound the
began her presentation at UC Davis by revealing “underground” militia. When that militia was initial injustice [of 1948].”
that her book isn’t about “marital infidelity” as powerful enough, it, along with Zionist terrorist For 60 years, the international
some might infer from the Married to Another groups, ousted their British protectors as well as community has been AWOL
Man part of the title. Nor about “gay rabbis” 750,000 Palestinians, Ghada Karmi, her brother, on Israel/Palestine, at times
because the cover photo shows two rabbis in sil- sister and parents among them. pretending there was a “peace
houette. Instead, Married to Another Man: Israel’s After ethnically cleansing 78% of Palestine of process.” Today’s rhetoric is the
Dilemma in Palestine is about that dilemma its Palestinian population, the Zionists had a pre- so-called two-state negotia-
—from the earliest days of Zionism right up to dominately Jewish state. In this book, Dr. Karmi tion. But Palestinian and Israeli
today’s impasse. tells about the new Israeli government’s appro- realists admit a single Pales-
There’s an 1897 story about her book’s title and priation of Palestinian real and personal property, tinian-Israeli state is the only
cover photo. Although attendees at the first Zion- about 80% of the new state. All the while, it arrangement which could bring
ist Congress decided to make a Jewish country in prevented Palestinians from returning to reclaim about lasting peace. Israel would
Palestine, it was a place those mostly European their land, homes, businesses, bank accounts, etc. need to permit Palestinians to
Jewish attendees didn’t know. So, they sent two The small number of Palestinians who neither return and live in their historic
rabbis off to check it out. Their cable back: “The fled in 1948 nor emigrated since then, together homeland and Palestinians must
bride is beautiful, but she is married to another with their children and grandchildren are what accept that Israelis will live there
man.” De-coded: Palestine is beautiful, but it’s Israel today calls its “demographic threat.” Some too. Together they would need
already full of people. With the “literally inexact” Israelis term their non-Jewish fellow citizens to conceive a democracy with equal rights for
slogan (so described by its likely author Israel Israel’s “cancer.” both peoples.
Zangweil) “a land without a people for a people After the 1967 war, Israel began the take over Dr. Karmi presents both the history and ideas
without a land,” the Zionists remained deter- of Palestinian lands in the occupied Palestinian about how to move toward a real peace. Her book
mined to transform Palestine into a Jewish-only territories. As Dr. Karmi points out, illegal Israeli is a fine primer for anyone who wishes to know
place. settlements, supportive infrastructure and the more than the “literally inexact” US media narra-
Between World Wars I and II, Britain admin- vast network of bypass roads in the West Bank tive. It also includes new and interesting informa-
and East Jerusalem mean creation of a viable tion for those already well familiar with the topic.
Palestinian state is impossible. Israel’s best offer Brigite Jaensch is a Sacramento based human
might be some disconnected bits; a non-starter rights activist.
Ghada Karmi: Living History
by Brigitte Jaensch
She was just old enough to remember
the events of the day when she and her
Neocon Follies and the Anti-democratic Leo Strauss
family fled their West Jerusalem home. In
her memoir, In Search of Fatima, Ghada
by Hank Joerger
Karmi recounts her 60 years as a Diaspora It seems certain that the neoconservatives of to know and no more.
Palestinian. the G.W. Bush administration got their ideas of › The combination of religion and nationalism is
In some respects the Karmis were com- government from Leo Strauss, the University of the elixir that turns natural relaxed, hedonistic
paratively fortunate. Because her father was Chicago political philosopher who taught several men into devout nationalists willing to fight for
well educated and bi-lingual, he found work of these neocons. Two of them, Paul Wolfowitz god and country.
with the British Broadcasting Company in and William Luti, got their PhD’s under the tute- › The masses cannot be exposed to the truth or
London, where he worked hard to re-cre- lage of Strauss. they will fall into either nihilism or anarchy.
ate an existence for himself, his wife and Here are some of the theories and principles › Religion is absolutely necessary for impos-
children. that he advocated: ing moral law on the masses, but it should be
Separated from relatives and friends by › There is only one natural right, the right of the reserved for the masses. The ruling elite need
thousands of miles and surrounded by a superior to rule over the inferior. not be bound by it, since the truths proclaimed
different language, a different culture and a › Because man is intrinsically wicked, he has by religion are a pious fraud.
different rhythm and style of living, it was to be governed. Such governance can only be › America will save the world by replacing tyran-
nothing like the comfortable West Jerusalem established, however, when men are united and nies with democracies.
life from which they had been torn loose. they can only be united against the people of
But materially at least, it was better than other countries. Leo Strauss was a guru to many of the neocons
what too many other Palestinian refugees › The inherently aggressive nature of man can who have influenced American foreign policy.
experienced. be restrained only by a powerful nationalistic A few more examples of their ideology can be
Ghada Karmi studied hard and became state. found below.
a physician, but she is known as a political › Society comprises three classes of which only Robert Kagan, a leading neoconservative intel-
activist, and while reading In Search of Fati- the wise-elite is capable of governing. The lectual, wrote that “concerns with justice and
ma, the New York Times columnist Steven wise are lovers of the harsh, unadulterated international law are relevant only for the weak.
Erlanger figured out his office was probably truth; they recognize neither god nor moral It is a strategy by which the weak try to get their
a second story add-on to the Karmi’s West imperatives. way in the world. American power, employed
Jerusalem house. He invited Dr. Karmi to › The wise-elite must govern by way of secrecy, under a double standard, may be the best means
come and see. Indeed, thus she was able to deception and the imperative of a broad exter- for advancing human progress and perhaps the
briefly visit her family’s home. nal threat to inspire the vulgar many. only way. America should support arms control
But even such a close and personal experi- › The end justifies the means: deception, secrecy, but not for itself.”
ence did not cause Mr. Erlanger to write violence, and abrogation of international law Michael Ledeen, neoconservative advisor to
about the Israel/Palestine situation with are necessary. Karl Rove, stated “in order to achieve the most
more human compassion for all the people › Perpetual war is necessary; so there must noble accomplishments, the leader may have to
in whose homes and on whose lands he and always be external threats, even if manufac- enter into evil.”
the Israelis were living. tured. Only perpetual war can overturn the Shadia Drury, Professor of Political Theory
“modern project” with its emphasis on self- at Canada’s University of Regina and author of
preservation and creature comforts. Leo Strauss and the American Right, says that
› Secular society is the least desir- “the deceptions, manipulations, and secrecies of
able situation because it leads the Bush Administration flow directly from the
Time Tested Books to individualism, liberalism, or Straussian philosophy that these should be the
now buying relativism. normal processes in government”.
Political posters, handbills & pamphlets › America’s unparalled strength Is it not readily apparent that the Bush-Cheney
Books on history, labor, & politics allows it to do what it pleases duo has utilized every one of the fourteen above
Records of blues, jazz, rock, punk, world, R&B, & spoken word. with impunity. It can act unilat- listed Straussian principles in their reign of terror
And, of course, we are selling books & records, too! erally with no regard to interna- since 9/11/2001?
We are located at 1114 21st Street, Sacramento. tional law or world opinion.
Our new hours are M–Sat: 11am–7pm, Sunday: 11am–3pm › It is not true that moral conduct Hank Joerger served in the 99th Infantry Divi-
(Please call for appt. if selling.) must be universalizable so that sion during World War II. His company was
916-447-5696. whatever is right for us to do assigned to guard Nazi war criminals at their
www.timetestedbooks.net must also be right for others. trial in Nuremburg. Today, he wants an investi-
› People are told what they need gation of 9/11.
14 Because People Matter July / August 2008 www.bpmnews.org

Project for a New American Century (PNAC)

and Neoconservative Policies 1992-2002
by Hank Joerger
› How the strategy for US global dominance

T
Following the 2000 election of G.W. Bush, the
he 1992 draft of the Defense Planning requires an economic/military/intelligence former neocon political ‘outsiders’ became pow-
Guidance for Fiscal Years 1994–1999, pre- nexus in order to enforce American supremacy. erful ‘insiders’. Most of the PNAC members were
pared by then Undersecretary of Defense › Access to vital raw materials, primarily Persian placed in positions where they could exert maxi-
Paul Wolfowitz for the Secretary of Defense Dick gulf oil, as a key objective of US policy requires mum influence on US policy. Wolfowitz served
Cheney reads: military intervention, preemptive if necessary, as Deputy Defense Secretary, Libby as Cheney’s
“Our first objective is to prevent the re- to gain such access. Chief of Staff, John Bolton as Undersecretary of
emergence of a new rival, either on the terri- › The naming of Russia, Germany, Japan, India State, Richard Perle as Chair of the Pentagon’s
tory of the former Soviet Union or elsewhere and China as regional powers which could pos- Defense Policy Advisory Board, to name a few.
that poses a threat on the order of that posed sibly rise to challenge the US. PNAC’s number In effect, PNAC members, led by Cheney and
formerly by the Soviet Union. one mission would be to quash such ambitions. Rumsfeld, were able to construct the inexperi-
There are three additional aspects to this These countries were, or course, outraged. enced Bush’s foreign policies.
objective: First, the US must show the leader- › The necessity of pursuing US global domi- PNAC provided a blueprint that has been fol-
ship necessary to establish and protect a new nance as far as possible into the future. lowed closely, to the dismay of 70% of American
order that holds the promise of convincing A group of PNAC members, including Donald people. World opinion is as high as 93% nega-
potential competitors that they need not aspire Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney, Paul Wolfowitz, James tive about the transformation of the US from a
to a greater role or pursue a more aggressive Woolsey, Richard Perle, John Bolton, William multilateralist nation to one that eagerly espouses
Coffee from
posture to protect their legitimate interests. Kristol, Elliot Abrams, Robert Kagan, William global domination and endless preemptive wars.
Nicaragua Second, in the non-defense areas, we must Bennett, worked hard on their proposed project Since the birth of PNAC in 1992, a subservient
Support Sacramento’s account sufficiently for the interests of the during the 1990’s. In 1998, they wrote a letter to US media has failed miserably to inform Ameri-
sister city, San Juan advanced industrial nations to discourage President Clinton suggesting that the US invade cans about this project from the warped minds of
de Oriente, Nicaragua, them from challenging our leadership or seek- Iraq, but the administration apparently thought perhaps only twenty neoconservative warmon-
by purchasing organic ing to overturn the established political and their ideas were “way over the top”. gers. Even if the project had made any sense, the
whole-bean coffee economic order. Finally, we must maintain the In a 1998 book, Z. Brzeszinski said the PNAC US could ill afford such a giant undertaking as
grown in the rich
volcanic soil on the
mechanisms for deterring potential competi- would never be accepted by the American people the $3 ½ trillion in added debt since 2000 shows.
island of Omotepe, tor from even aspiring to a larger regional or unless there was an event like Pearl Harbor to Instead of an American Empire we have a
Nicaragua. global role”. arouse them. financial catastrophe that may engulf the world.
Thanks to the efforts of Analysis of various documents published by On Sept 2000, a PNAC strategy document enti- And where are the friends that will help us?
the Bainbridge-Omotepe PNAC during the period 1992-2002 reveal that tled “Rebuilding America’s Defenses” lamented Haven’t we alienated just about all of them?
Sister Island Association many aspects of the US post 9/11 geostrategy the possibility that the desired transformation Hank Joerger served in the 99th Infantry Divi-
in Washington, we are
were planned in the late 1990’s. The American of the US would be a long and difficult process. sion during World War II. His company was
able to bring you this
wonderful medium roast media and general population failed to appreciate Only a massive external threat, the document assigned to guard Nazi war criminals at their
coffee. the implications of these radical policy papers said, like a new Pearl Harbor, could provide the trial in Nuremburg. Today, he wants an investi-
Your purchase helps the which included decisions about; necessary catalyst for them to achieve their goals. gation of 9/11.
farmers on the island
and helps support

Alhambra
Sacramento’s long
relationship with San
Juan de Oriente.
All profits go directly from page 11
back to the Nicaraguan
communities. Association (ESACNA). ESACNA’s concerns
$9.00 a pound. were ignored by the City, which was strongly
Available in Sacramento in favor of the project, and the group filed a
at: The Book Collector,
lawsuit challenging environmental compliance.
1008 24th St.
Rather than fight the lawsuit, Trader Joe’s chose
to abandon the project at this site and moved to
its present location on Folsom Boulevard—wider
by far than L Street but still creating havoc with
local traffic and the adjacent neighborhood. Even
Folsom Boulevard is not Marconi and Fulton
Avenues.
Neighbors won that battle, but the Corridor
lost the war. Trader Joe’s was followed by the
titanic Sutter Hospital expansion. People burned
out; others moved; ESACNA went dormant. Now
comes Walgreens. This corporate giant wants to
replace two popular local restaurants with a 24-
hour super drug store right across the street from
the odious Rite Aide at Alhambra and L—and
become the 23rd drug store within a two mile Another view of Alhambra at Folsom Blvd.
radius. photo: Martha Paterson-Cohen
ESACNA is now reborn, working together
with the East Sacramento Preservation Task consider a similar ban for the Alhambra Cor- another Phoenix.
Force, a group that has organized to curb and ridor and other sensitive areas of the city. It must
monitor Mercy Hospital’s expansion into sur- uphold the protections it already has in place for Martha Paterson-Cohen has degrees in
rounding residential streets just east of the the Alhambra Corridor and apply them in all education and social work. She worked for the
Alhambra Corridor at 39th and J Streets. vulnerable urban mixed-use areas. Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency
San Francisco is considering a ban on chain Neighbors and neighborhood groups through- where she was active in her union and later in
stores in some areas as mentioned in the San out Sacramento must remain vigilant and keep administration as a manager. Now retired, she is
Francisco Chronicle (5-7-08). Sacramento should our city of neighborhoods from turning into active in neighborhood development issues.

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(916) 451-2658 Justice events
 www.bpmnews.org July / August 2008 BECAUSE PEOPLE MATTER 15

July / August Calendar Send calendar items for the Sept. / Oct. 2008 issue to [email protected] by
August 10, with “calendar item” in the subject line. Make it short, and PLEASE use this
format: Day, Date. Name of event. Description (1–2 lines). Time. Location. Price. INFO:
phone#; e-mail.

ONGOING EVENTS For the most current listing of Sacramento peace & justice events, go to www.sacpeace.org.
For weekly updates, email [email protected] and put SacPeaceUpdates in the subject.
11th OF EVERY MONTH: thers. 1–3pm. Hart Senior 9:30pm. Sacr amento
Sacramento 9/11 Truth Ctr., 27th & J St. INFO: Friends Meeting House
Demonstration. 11th and Joan, 332-5980. 890 57th St. $5–$10 COMMUNITY CALENDAR
L Streets, facing Capitol 2nd TUESDAYS: Peace donation requested. INFO:
nor th entrance. INFO: Network (speakers and Joyce, www.sacramento- Tuesday, July 8 Friday, July 18
www.truthaction.org, 916- dancesofuniversalpeace. Gray Panthers Sac. general meeting and sum- “Going Public: Stories of Growing up in the
discussion), 6:30pm. mer potluck. Honoring Bruce “Utah” Phllips. Projects.”7:30 pm. La Raza Galleria Posada (1024
372-8433. Luna’s Cafe, 1414 16th org, 916-832-4630.
12:30–3:30pm. Hart Senior Ctr, 27th & J Sts, Sacto. - 22nd Street, between K and J sts). $5 ($3 for
MONDAYS: Sacramento Street. INFO: Sac Area 4th FRIDAYS: Dances at INFO: 916-332-5980; [email protected]. students and seniors). INFO: 916-456-5323,
Poetry Center hosts poetry Peace Action 448-7157. Christ Unity Church, 9249 www.escritoresdelnuevosol.com.
readings. 7:30pm. 1719 Folsom Blvd. All Welcome Friday, July 11
4th TUESDAYS: Peace and Sacto 9/11 Truth Demonstration. 11th and L Tuesday, July 22
25th Street. www.sacra- Justice Films. 7pm. Peace $5–$10 donation request-
Streets, facing Capitol north entrance. INFO: 4th Tuesday Films, Faubourg Tremé: The Untold
mentopoetrycenter.org. Action, 909 12th Street. ed. INFO: Christine 457- Story of Black New Orleans about the Faubourg
www.truthaction.org, 916-372-8433.
1st MONDAYS: Organic INFO:448-7157. 5855, www.sacramento- Tremé community, arguably the oldest black
Sacr amento: Counter dancesofuniversalpeace. Monday, July 14 neighborhood in America, the birthplace of
4th TUESDAYS: (Odd num- org. Bastille Day Celebration Fundraiser for Sacra- the Civil Rights movement in the South, and
ongoing threats to our bered months) Amnesty mento Self Help Housing’s work to provide ac- the home of jazz. 7pm. 909 12th St, Sac. INFO:
food. 6:30pm. INFO: www. Int’l. 7pm. Sacramento 1st SATURDAYS: Health cess to affordable housing. 5:30pm. 1400 45th 916-448-7157
organicsacramento.org. Friends Meeting, 890- Care for All. 10am–noon. St, Sac, INFO: 916-341-0593.
1st MondayS: Sac Media 57th St. INFO: 489-2419. Hart Senior Ctr, 27th & J. Monday, Aug. 4
For single-payer universal Wednesday, July 16 Poet Mary Mackey. 7:30pm. Sac Poetry Center,
Group. 6–8pm. Coloma 1st WEDNESDAYS: Peace CAAC Goes to the Movies: Daylight Robbery, BBC 1719 25th St. INFO: www.marymackey.com/;
Community Center, 4623 health care. INFO: 916-
& Freedom Party. 7pm. 424-5316; cnegrete@ Uncovers lost Iraqi Billions, US spending in Iraq [email protected].
T Street. INFO: 443-1792, INFO: 456-4595. perhaps the largest war profiteering in all of his-
[email protected]. comcast.net. tory. 7:15pm. 1640 9th Ave. FMI: 446-3304 Monday, Aug. 11
3r d WEDNESDAYS: 1st SATURDAYS: Sacra- Sacto 9/11 Truth Demonstration. 11th and L
3rd MONDAYS: Capitol CAAC Goes to the Mov- Streets, facing Capitol north entrance. INFO:
Outreach for a Moratorium mento Area Peace Action
ies. 7:15pm. INFO: 446- www.truthaction.org, 916-372-8433.
on the Death Penalty. Vigil. 11:30am–1:30pm.
3304. Arden and Heritage (en- Saturday, August 30
12 noon–1pm, 11th & L
Street. INFO: 455-1796. THURSDAYS: Urban Farm trance to Arden Mall).
INFO: 448-7157.
22nd Annual Peace Pyramid quarterly convocation. David
Dionisi addressing the issue of militarization in
3r d MONDAYS: SAPA
Stand, 4–7pm, River Gar-
den Estates, 2201 North- 2nd & 4th SATURDAYS: August Peace Event our schools and what should be done about it. 5
pm. 6009 Kifisia Way, Fair Oaks. INFO: Tom & Dar
Peace and Sustainability view Dr. 63rd Annual Day of Remembrance
Committee. 6–8pm. INFO: Community Contra Dance. King, [email protected]; 916-241-9194.
Peace Action, 448-7157. THURSDAYS:Daddy’sHere. 8–11pm; 7:30 lessons.
Coloma Center 4623 T Monday, Sept. 1
Men’s support group; info Comedy in Poetry. 7:30pm. Michael Rowe,
3rd MONDAYS: Sacto on custody, divorce, raising Street. INFO: 395-3483.
9/11 Truth:Questioning Carol Moon and other comedic poets. Also,
children. 7–8:30pm. Free! 3rd SATURDAYS: Sacra- CD release party for Pop/Folk musician Jenn
the “War on Terror.” 6– Ctr for Families, 2251 Flo-
8pm. Denny’s 3rd & J St. mento Area Peace Action Rogar. Sac Poetry Center, 1719 25th St. INFO:
rin Rd, Ste 102. INFO: terry Vigil. 11:30am–1:30pm. [email protected].
Info: sac911truth@gmail. @fathersandfamilies.com.
com 372-8433. Marconi & Fulton. INFO:
568-3237x 205. 448-7157. Featuring: Grammy award-winner
3rd MONDAYS: Lesbian Mary Youngblood; Rev. Bob Oshita;
1st and 2nd Thursdays: 3rd Saturdays: Under-
Cancer Support Group. Storytelling at the Hart
Dr. Bill Durston; Bakuhatsu Taiko Celebrate and Reaffirm
6:30 Bring partners or sup- ground Poetr y Series, Dan; Pam Vergun, author of A Dimly
Senior Center, 27th & J open mic plus featured po- Women’s Right to Vote!
port people with you. Open Burning Wick, a Hiroshima memoir.
sts. 7pm. Free. INFO: 916- ets. 7–9pm Underground
discussions with everyone. 362-9013, or PaulIdaho@
INFO: Roxanne Harden- Books, 2814 35th Street
comcast.net. (at Broadway), Sacramen-
Saturday, August 9, 2008
berg; ROXANNE1040@ CSUS Alumni Center
aol.com. Fridays: Movies on a to. $3. INFO: 737-3333.
Big Screen. Independent,
Doors Open at 4
TUESDAYS: Call for Peace SUNDAYS: Sacto Food Not
quirky movies and videos. Bombs. 1:30pm. Come Program from 4:30–6 pm Saturday August 23, 2008
Vigil. 4–6pm. 16th and J 7pm. 600 4th St, West Sac.
St. INFO 448-7157. help distribute food at 9th DIRECTIONS: www.sacstatealumni.
3rd Annual California Women’s Equality Day
INFO: www.shiny-object. and J Streets. Parade & Rally
com/alumniCenter.stm#Directions
TUESDAYS: Improv work- com/screenings/. Join us in the parade or come watch!
1st SUNDAYS: Zapatis- Free—Donations will be accepted
shop. Solve the world’s 1st FRIDAYS: Community A special tribute to League of Women Voters
problems through improv ta Solidarity Coalition. “The vote is the emblem of equality, women of
Contra Dance. 8–11pm; 10am–noon. 909 12th St. Presented by the
games! 7–9:30pm. Geery 7:30pm beginners les- August Peace Event Committee America, the guarantee of your liberty.
Theatre, 2130 L street, Info: 443-3424.
sons. Clunie Auditorium, For More Info: Janice Nakashima That vote of yours has cost millions of dollars
Sac. $5.00, first time free. McKinley Pk, Alhambra & 2nd SUNDAYS: Atheists (916) 393-7690 and the lives of thousands of women.”
INFO: Damion, 916-821- & Other Freethinkers. Thanks to major sponsor CSUS Carrie Chapman Catt, founder of the League of
F. INFO: 530-274-9551.
4533, dsharpeproduc- 2:30pm. Sierra 2 Center, Women Voters
[email protected]. 2nd FRIDAYS: Dances of Room 10, 2791 24th St. Parade starts at 10:00 AM at Southside Park
Universal Peace. 7:30– INFO: 447-3589. Sign-up at 7th & T Streets
2nd TUESDAYS: Gray Pan-
Rally at 11 AM at the North Side of the Capitol
Sacramento, CA

9 Parts of Desire
Thursdays to Saturdays, June 20th–July 20th
Do You Miss the A portrait of the extraordinary—and ordinary—lives of a
cross-section of Iraqi women, 9 Parts of Desire lifts the veil on
women in the war zone. It’s a work so compassionate that it
reveals our shared humanity in a way that CNN never can.
8:00 PM Thursday to Saturday, or 2:00 PM Sunday matinees on

/
July 13th and 20th. California Stage, 1723 25th Street, Sacra-
mento. INFO: 916-456-1600. [email protected].

It’s an election year –

Veterans for Peace
You Need Political Humor! The Marxist School of Sacramento Presents
Meeting Again in Sacramento.
The Humor Times (formerly the Comic Deepa Kumar—
Press News) is no longer available free. We are working to end the war in Iraq and to help sol-
diers and veterans find the resources they need. Those of “Fighting the New Robber Barons”
However, subscriptions are so CHEAP,
they almost seem free! And if you use the you who were previously active in this or any other VFP
chapter: we can use your experience and knowledge. Global capitalism has brought such a massive concentration of wealth
special BPM discount, it’s even LESS!
and power that we can rightly say the robber barons are back today with
Just go to humortimes.com and use Any veteran can join as a full member, and non-veterans
corporate media to protect and serve their interests. Many have concluded
“BPM” (without the quotes) in the Discount are eligible as associate members. that resistance to such power is all but futile.
Code box for $2.00 OFF on any U.S. The next meeting will be on Thursday, July 10, at 6:30
Deepa Kumar, asst. professor of media studies at Rutgers University,
regular (or PDF) subscription! (Expires 7-31-08) pm. It will be held at the Round Table Pizza on Howe
argues against this pessimistic logic. Drawing on her book Outside the
Or send a check or money order for Ave., just south of Arden Way, in Sacramento. Members
Box: Corporate Media, Globalization and the UPS Strike, she
$16.95 for one year (12 issues), and potential members, as well as other supporters, are argues that the working class is still the “gravedigger of capitalism” and
noting “BPM” to: Humor Times, warmly welcome. further, that even the powerful corporate media can be bent to serve the
P.O.B. 162429, Free & confidential counseling: 916-447-5706 ; www.
it gives us interests of workers.
Sacramento, CA hope - and therapistsforsocialresponsibility.org .
95816, or call it’s darn Thursday, July 10, 2008, 7-9pm
916-455-1217.
funny too! GI Rights Hotline: 800-394-9544; www.girights.org.
Sierra 2 Center, Garden Rm,
Veterans for Peace national office: 314-725-6005; 2791 24th St., Sacramento
Don’t miss another www.veteransforpeace.org. Free and open to the public
hilarious issue! Local VFP contact: John Reiger, [email protected], [email protected], 916-369-5510, www.marxistschool.org
916-456-4595
 July / August 2008
Because People Matter

War on Immigrants; When Americans are Not

Inside: New Orleans, the Forgotten Disaster;

American; New Face of the Peace Movement

Progressive News and Views

Progressive Media
Great Speeches and Interviews-Local Online News Sources:
Editors’ Picks! Progressive Radio Stations
▼ KVMR 89.5 FM
and national speeches and interviews
to challenge your thinking. An in-depth
www.Truthout.org: essays on current events,
some videos, like Keith Olbermann’s MSNBC
▼ Soapbox!—Jeanie Keltner talks with ▼ The Voice, 88.7 Cable FM; and streaming radio program on the current issues. Countdown shows.
activists and analysts from Sacramento and audio on www.Accesssacramento.org; SAP Where to listen and/or download: www.CommonDreams.org News Center:
beyond about the issues of the day. Comcast Channels 17 & 18 Listen Sundays 6-8pm on Comcast Ch. 17, Breaking News & Views for the Progressive
Where to watch: ▼ KYDS 91.5 FM 18, set your TV menu to SAP or listen on Community.
Access Sacramento cable channel 17. ▼ KDVS 90.3 FM The Voice www.AccessSacramento.org www.Brasscheck.org: Progressive videos
▼ KPFA 94.1 FM Berkeley L i s te n o r d ow n l o a d f ro m w w w. on many subjects, from Steven Colbert’s
Every Monday at 8pm. Call in comments
▼ KSAC 1240 AM (TalkCity Radio Sacramento). archive.org/bookmarks/sgl speech at the White House Correspondent’s
on 2nd and 4th Mondays. Repeats Tues- —has been silenced. 1240 AM has switched Blogged on www.SacramentoForDemoc- dinner and speeches by leftwing MP George
day at noon, Wednesday at 4am. to a gospel format. No more Randi Rhodes, racy.org Galloway, to extensive information on 9/11
In Davis, on channel 15, Tuesdays at 7pm. Rachel Maddow, Thom Hartmann or the and the attacks on our civil liberties.
▼ Media Edge—Sacramento’s own others who brought us an alternative www.TheRealNews.com: a nonprofit progres-
magazine format show, covering local viewpoint. sive website offering daily news videos
▼ KZFR 90.1 FM Chico including interviews and debates. They plan
progressive events and speakers, as well as
People Powered Radio! managed and
Don’t bitch at the media— soon to expand to television.
internationally known commentators, with operated by volunteers, provides mostly become the media! www.GoLeft.tv: Progressive Online Television.
clips from some of the best independent locally produced and community oriented Have you taken the TV production In the world of media monopoly, news has
political video being made now. programs. training at Access Sacramento? Would been replaced with a new invention called
Where to watch: you like to learn or put your technical “infotainment.” GoLeft.tv is a progressive
Access Sacramento channels 17 and 18 (Other) Progressive Newspapers talents to use? Soapbox! urgently needs political T.V. news source that fills that gap
▼ The Flatlander: a free community newspa- between the media’s dumbed down info-
and Davis Channel 15. Sundays 8–10pm crewmembers to help set up, run cam-
per of fun, opinion and politics in the Davis tainment and real news reporting.
Nevada County channel 11 Mondays Area. [email protected]. Publication eras, and take viewers’ phone calls on www.innworldreport.net: Daily professional
10:30pm–12:30am, every 2 months, next issue is April/May the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month. viewer/listener supported journalism
West Sacramento channel 21 Mondays The Flatlander Call 444 3203 if you’re interested available in over 20 million homes across
9-11pm. P.O. Box 72793 in taking the training or joining us at America.
See scheduled segments at Davis, CA 95617 Soapbox! for fun—and the best pizza in
www.wethemedia.org. ▼ You may see the Rock Creek Free Press
in the back of some BPM stands and in town.
▼ Democracy Now—Amy Goodman’s other places you find BPM. It’s a great
award-winning magazine format show. new paper from Washington DC with em-
Where to watch: phasis on the undernews. Check it out.
Access Sacramento TV, Cable Channels 17 ▼ Likewise, we are greatly impressed with
and 18, Weekdays 6pm, 12midnight, 5am. the lively goodlooking Midtown Monthly. Sacramento and Central Valley Indymedia: www.sacindymedia.org.
Dish Network Satellite TV, Channel 9415, It’s not political, but it has the kind of use-
Free Speech TV, M–F: 9am, 4pm, 9pm, ful and delightful info about life, art, food
5am, Pacific time. Link TV, Channel 9410, and music in Sacramento and beyond
Monday–Friday, 8am, 3pm. KVMR 89.5 FM that creates the sense of community NON-PROFIT
Mon–Thu 7pm. KDVS 90.3 FM Mon–Fri noon. needed for an uncertain future. ORGANIZATION
KPFA 94.1 FM Berkeley, M–F 9am US POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT NO. 2668
Here’s a hot tip! If you don’t have cable TV, and you do have a PC (doesn’t work on Mac), you can
watch Access Sacramento programs as they are being aired by going to www.accesssacramento. SACRAMENTO, CA
org and clicking on the “Watch Channel 17” button at the top of the first page.