"If I Had a Trillion Dollars"

The American Friends Service Committee's program on Education and Advocacy for Iraq and Afghanistan writes:

We've reached the end of the submission phase for the If I Had a Trillion Dollars Youth Video Contest staged by AFSC and The National Priorities Project. The project engaged over 30 groups of youth (13 – 23 years old) from around the country. We received 46 videos identifying how the $1 Trillion spent on the wars could be better spent.

A panel of judges will be considering comments left on our YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/IHTDVideos). So, take a look and comment on the work, and encourage your networks to do the same. Simply forward this message.

Contest winners will go to Washington DC where public events and a congressional briefing will be organized to show the videos.

Background Information and Toolkit for the Contest here!

Thanks for taking a look and helping us spread the word. You will be inspired and impressed.

(Here's just one of the great videos submitted!)

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Today's the day to check out War is a Lie

David Swanson's new book, War is a Lie, is out today and there is a campaign to bump it up the Amazon sales lists to #1.Why not support a worthy author and the common wealth by buying a copy for your local library? You can read all about it at www.warisalie.org.

From the website: War is a Lie is a thorough refutation of every major argument used to justify wars, drawing on evidence from numerous past wars, with a focus on those wars that have been most widely defended as just and good. This is a handbook of sorts, a manual to be used in debunking future lies before future wars have a chance to begin.

“David Swanson despises war and lying, and unmasks them both with rare intelligence. I learn something new on every page.” — Jeff Cohen, founder of FAIR and author of Cable News Confidential.

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Rep. Alan Grayson introduces the "War Is Making You Poor" act

Another well-named and commonsense idea to keep private wealth and public investment where they will do the most good for the greatest number.

By Joshua Holland. Posted on Alternet May 23


Last week, as Congress prepared to pass yet another "emergency" spending bill to cover America's costly operations in Iraq and Afghanistan -- to the tune of $159 billion this time around -- Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Florida, introduced a bill that would force the Pentagon to pick up the tab out of its ample regular budget.

The War Is Making You Poor Act is elegant in its simplicity. Instead of financing these longstanding conflicts outside of the regular budgeting process, where they’re not factored into deficit projections, Grayson's bill would make the DoD work within its means, and the money would instead be used for an across-the-board tax cut that would make the first $35,000 each American earns tax-free.

"The purpose of this bill,” wrote Grayson last week, "is to connect the dots, and to
show people in a real and concrete way the cost of these endless wars." It's not
just the costs of active shooting wars; with hundreds of bases overseas, as far as
the defense budget is concerned Americans have been on a permanent wartime footing,
to varying degrees, since Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941. "War is a permanent
feature of our societal landscape," wrote Grayson, "so much so that no one notices
it anymore."

The bill already has several co-sponsors, including at least two Republicans (albeit
maverick GOPers Ron Paul of Texas and Walter Jones of South Carolina). But since the
Pentagon would have to take money out of its regular budget -- largely from the
budget for newfangled hardware -- the DoD and influential defense contractors will
no doubt fight it tooth-and-nail.

But the War Is Making You Poor Act might have a major impact on our national
dialogue regardless. It highlights in a visceral way what Americans lose by
privileging money for guns over butter. "The costs of the war have been rendered
invisible," wrote Grayson. "There's no draft. Instead, we take the most vulnerable
elements of our population, and give them a choice between unemployment and missile
fodder. Government deficits conceal the need to pay in cash for the war." Grayson’s
measure might just shine a bright light on those "opportunity costs."

Budgeting is all about priorities, and the bill can raise public awareness of that
fact. The Right has done a remarkable job convincing the American public that tax
dollars used for programs that help the middle class or the poor are dollars "taken
out of your pocket," but no such consideration is given to the trillions spent on
financing our military operations.

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Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to your country!

The business of America is business, and that includes overturning democratically elected governments, assassination, and military invasion at a level unmatched in history, all in the name of cake for the elite and crumbs for the rest of us.

Video by William Blum and Charles Mauch, animated by Neema Sky, and based on Rogue State and Killing Hope, both by William Blum.

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Almost free stuff!

We are moving from one office to another down the hall, and we're looking to clean out some cabinets and shelves. We have spare copies of the following books, so if you would like one, please email us at afd@thealliancefordemocracy.org.

All we ask is that you refund us the cost of mailing your book to you. We're sending the books media mail; they usually arrive in a week.

Please put "book request" in the subject line of your email. One book per person, please, except as noted below:

We have:
Imperial Overstretch: George W. Bush and the Hubris of Empire, by Roger Burbach and Jim Tarbell. Zed Books, 2004. The politics and attitudes that drew this country into two seemingly endless wars, and a good review as a new administration commits itself to some of the faults of the old. "Essential reading for those wishing to understand the rise of the neo-cons," says Medea Benjamin. Some copies have faded covers.

The Populist Moment: A Short History of the Agrarian Revolt in America, by Lawrence Goodwyn. Oxford University Press, 1978. The condensed version of Goodwyn's definitive history of American populism's rise, ebb, weaknesses, and strengths. Goodwyn's focus on what was new about the Populists' thinking, speech, and organizing makes this still-relevant reading for activists today. A classic.

The People's Business: Controlling Corporations and Restoring Democracy, by Lee Drutman and Charlie Cray. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2004. The report of the Citizen Works Corporate Reform Commission. An outline of corporist practice and its social failings, this book considers a range of options for controlling corporate power. With a foreword by Ralph Nader. Some copies signed by Charlie Cray. Some have scuffed covers.

The Great Limbaugh Con, and Other Right-Wing Assaults on Common Sense, by Charles M. Kelly. Fithian Press, 1994. Rush Limbaugh has been around for a long time, and he's spawned imitators who run the gamut from pseudo-intellectual to outright delusional. Give a copy of this book to anyone who describes himself as a populist but insists Limbaugh's free speech rights were abrogated when he wasn't allowed to be part-owner of the Rams.

Addicted to War: Why the US Can't Kick Militarism. An illustrated exposé by Joel Andreas. An accessible guide to the social harms caused by bloated defense budgets and disdain for diplomacy. Great for middle and high schoolers who like alternative history and/or who are considering enlisting. We have a few dozen copies on hand, so if you would like a few extra, please contact the office and we can negotiate an appropriate donation.

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Private contractors are the big winners in Iraq and Afghanistan

Jeremy Scahill speak at a labor meeting at the G20 last week--25 to 40 cents out of every dollar of the $2.5 billion spent every week on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan go to private, for-profit corporations, including the infamous Blackwater Corp., and construction companies paying foreign workers mere dollars a day. Thanks to Martha Speiss for posting.

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10,000 march on Wall Street

Led by long-time civil rights activist Rev. James Lawson, as well as veterans, military family members, and peace activists, more than 10,000 marched on Wall Street Saturday, April 4, to demand an end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and an economic stimulus plan directed at people in need. The march and peace fair that followed were organized by United for Peace with Justice and its coalition groups.

Lawson spoke on behalf of the 90 million Americans living in poverty, toward whom economic policies must be directed if this country intends a real recovery. He emphasized the connection between peace abroad and justice here; "I say if we want peace to blossom, we must eradicate poverty, racism, sexism, violence, and greed in the U.S. Peace cannot come by crying peace. Peace can only begin to emerge when justice does.'

The marchers passed the Federal Reserve building, surrounded the New York Stock Exchange, and ended in Battery Park for a Peace and Justice Fair. Photos by UFPJ Steering Committee member, Mike Hearington are here.

You can donate to United for Peace here. They have several actions planned; you can read more on their website.

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Portland (OR) AfD rallies against wars, Guard deployment

Portland Alliance for Democracy was one of many groups rallying in the state capital of Salem, Oregon, to protest continued wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and to call for an end to overseas deployment of the Oregon National Guard. The weather was unseasonably nasty, which kept turnout low, but spirits were high.

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Quick action: urge major party candidates to end Afghani invasion

Tuesday's second major-party presidential debate also marked the seventh anniversary of the beginning of US military operations in Afghanistan. This is an anniversary often overlooked by the peace movement, which has focused mostly on the invasion of Iraq. For McCain and Obama, Afghanistan has become our "good war," although the goals of the invasion there have not been met: al-Qaeda is still active, Osama bin Ladin is still at large, and the lives of the Afghan people are not measurably better today than they were in 2001.

United for Peace and Justice, of which the Alliance is a member group, is urging activists to contact the major party presidential candidates and demand a "surge in diplomacy" to set goals and bring troops home. You can reach the Obama campaign at 866-675-2008, or at
http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/contact2; and the McCain campaign at 703-418-2008, or http://www.johnmccain.com/Contact/. UFPJ's resources and talking points are here.

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Million Doors for Peace, September 20

On Saturday, September 20, join thousands of volunteers across the U.S. in knocking on a Million Doors for Peace. This national canvas is organized by United for Peace and Justice, US Action/True Majority, Win Without War, and other organizations, and it is hoped it will be the biggest peace action of 2008.

As a volunteer, you'll ask people to sign an antiwar petition directed to Congress. The message: End this immoral war, bring our troops home, and invest in America's future. In addition, we will encourage people to join local anti-war groups, engage in voter education work, and become a part of the organized antiwar movement in their area.

In order to reach a million people in a single day, we must organize at least 25,000 volunteers in all 50 states. Peace groups have never implemented such an elaborate communication and organizing plan before now, but with new and traditional communications tools available, we anticipate success with this groundbreaking, grassroots project. This project will not end on September 20, but it will be a new beginning of a more organized grassroots movement for peace and justice.

Training materials, petitions, local groups to canvass with in your area, and handouts will be provided. To find out more, or join the effort, click here.

And scroll down to the bottom of this page on the United for Peace site for info on candidate report cards--how does your member of Congress score on peace issues?

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RNC update

We received an email this morning from United for Peace and Justice on the situation in St. Paul. Briefly, demonstrators there have been met with a heavily armed and aggressive police presence. Police have on occasion deliberately provoked peaceful protesters, used excessive force, harassed people simply walking along the street, stopped and searched vehicles for no clear reason, and raided houses used by organizers.

Leslie Cagan, UFPJ national coordinator, writes:

On Tuesday afternoon, they literally pulled the plug and turned off the electricity at a permitted outdoor concert. The timing of this led to a situation where hundreds of understandably angry people ended up joining a march being led by the Poor Peoples Campaign for Economic Human Rights, a march that organizers were insisting be nonviolent. In other words, the police set up a dynamic that could have turned ugly, but the skill of the organizers kept things calm and focused.

All of this - and much more - needs to be understood in the context of the overwhelming presence of police. Police from all around the Twin Cities have been put to work, and they have also brought in police units from around Minnesota and from as far away as Philadelphia, PA. The National Guard and state troopers are in the mix, to say nothing of the Secret Service, Homeland Security and who knows who else from the federal government!

Clearly our rights to assemble, protest, and speak freely are under attack. With two more days of convention scheduled, UFPJ urges everyone to take two actions:

First, to call the Mayor of St. Paul, Chris Coleman, at 651-266-8510. Tell him you are watching events and that he must stand up for Constitutional rights and reign in the police.

Second, this is a story that's gotten scant play in the media--call the mainstreamers and tell them you have had enough of the Sarah Palin show. Demand they tell the real story of what's happening in St. Paul this week.

For background, UFPJ recommends Marjorie Cohn's Counterpunch article, "Raiding Democracy in St. Paul."

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With the RNC rebooting after Gustav, the focus is again on St. Paul, and its streets, where more than 10,000 protesters marched yesterday, with 284 arrests. Minneapolis St. Paul Indymedia has up-to-the-moment posts, street reports, pictures and video, at twincities.indymedia.org.

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune has video and photo coverage of the peaceful march and a less-peaceful splinter protest, and two searchable databases--one to the Ramsay County Jail bookings, and one to 2008 campaign contributions (although Twin Cities IndyMedia reports some people are being held without booking). Which side are you on? Check it out here.

Among those illegally arrested Monday was Amy Goodman of Democracy Now!, who was called off the RNC convention floor when she learned her producers were facing arrest--she was handcuffed when she responded to investigate. She's charged with a misdemeanor and producers Sharif Abdel Kouddos and Nicole Salazar face felony charges. Read more on their site.

As of this morning, Justice Rising editor Jim Tarbell was not among those on the arrest list--read his dispatches at afdjusticerising.blogspot.com.

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August 2 events protest possible war with Iran

Events are being planned nationwide for August 2 to protest possible military action against Iran, including a major march in New York City starting from Times Square at noon. For information, background, and to sign an online petition go to www.stopwaroniran.org.

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Days of Action against war with Iran

From United for Peace:
Responding to the renewed threats of a U.S./Israeli attack on Iran before President Bush leaves office, United for Peace and Justice calls for coordinated Days of Action across the United States on July 19-21. Now is the time to speak out against any U.S./Israeli military attack on Iran.

U.S. officials say Israel is mounting a "full court press" to get the Bush administration to strike Iran's nuclear complex, CBS News reports. In The New Yorker, Seymour Hersh reports that congressional leaders agreed last year to fund a major escalation of covert operations against Iran. New York Newsday and the Seattle-Post Intelligencer warn that Congress is considering a resolution promoted by AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) that would effectively endorse a naval blockade of Iran, an act of war.

Voices in the U.S. calling for real diplomacy and negotiations with Iran are being silenced. Few people in this country know Iran has an offer on the table for comprehensive negotiations with the United States that could resolve the nuclear stand-off and other issues. Nor do they know that talks with Iran without preconditions are supported by independent experts like Thomas Pickering, the U.S. Ambassador to the UN during the first Bush administration.

To counter the renewed threats of military action, we are calling for National Days of Coordinated Action against war with Iran on July 19-21, including:

call-ins and letter-writing to Washington and local congressional offices;
lobbying in Washington and at local congressional offices;
demonstrations at congressional offices, federal buildings, Israeli consulates or other sites chosen by local organizers (check our calendar in the coming days for details about events near you).

Click here to list your organization's national or local event as part of these National Days of Action (please be sure to choose "No War on Iran" as your event type).

Click "read more" for resources and and research.
Averting a War with Iran: Research and Resources

UFPJ:
The Time to Stop a War on Iran Is NOW!
Various actions people/groups can take to prevent a war with Iran

National Iranian American Council:
Update: Is a New Congressional Resolution Declaring War with Iran?
Gallup poll confirms majority of Americans favor diplomacy with Iran


Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran:
Iranians Float an Offer the West Should Not Refuse: Will Anti-War Forces Seize this Opportunity?
U.S. Mayors Mobilizing Against a War with Iran

Pysicians for Social Responsibility:
Medical Consequences of a Nuclear Attack on Iran-Fact Sheet
War Is Not the Answer with Iran

Iran Nuclear Watch
Links, blogs, and informative articles

The Center for Arms Control and Nuclear Non-Proliferation
o Background on Iran-US nuclear relationship
o Iran's nuclear timeline
o Their policy statement on Iran's nuclear issue
o Center for a New American Security, "Diplomatic Strategies for Dealing with Iran: Where Are We? How Did We Get to This Point? And What Should We Do Now?" released March 2008

Peace Action
National campaign to prevent a war with Iran
Fact Sheet on Iran
History of US interactions with Iran
Media

Iran Coverage
Tehran's reaction to Military Threats

Scott Ritter
Iraq Will Have to Wait: Get Ready for the War Against Iran

William Polk
Moves toward War with Iran: How to Prevent War ... Part 4

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Alert: Call-in to vote down war funding

We’re forwarding this at the request of United for Peace with Justice; AfD is a member group:
Last month the House of Representatives turned down a bill to fund an additional $162.5 billion to continue the war and occupation in Iraq until next summer. Because the Senate approved funding, the House will be voting on this request again, as early as this Friday, June 6.

Should the House pass funding for the war and occupation of Iraq to last well into the next president's term? We say NO! Please call and tell your Representative to stop funding the war and occupation, and stop tying benefits for GIs to another year of war. Let's remind our reps that our vote in November will depend on their votes now. For additional background, please visit www.unitedforpeace.org/congress.

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Updates on war funding and civil liberties legislation

From United for Peace (AfD is a member group), an update on some war funding and civil liberties legislation.

The Iraq funding bill will go back to the House for another vote. UFPJ points out that media coverage has focused on GI Bill funding, and ignores funding the occupation with no strings attached for another year. For talking points to change the discussion, click here. For roll calls on the bill click here.

The Defense Authorization Bill, which funds the Department of Defense to the tune of $600 billion, had a few good amendments attached and some bad ones trimmed. Click on the links for roll calls.

The Lee Amendment passed 234 to 183. It requires congressional approval of any agreement between Bush and Maliki on the long term presence of U.S. troops in Iraq.

The Pierce Amendment, which would have authorized $10 million for a new nuclear warhead, failed 145-271

The Holt Amendment passed 218-192. It requires soldiers in the field to videotape interrogations of prisoners, to prevent abuse.

The Braley Amendment, which requires the President to submit a report to Congress on the long-term costs of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom within 90 days of enactment, passed as well, 245-168.

The Homegrown Terrorism & violent radicalization bill has died in the Senate Homeland Security Committee. But a new FISA bill is being drafted behind closed doors, possibly including the Senate bill's full retroactive telecom immunity provision with only a few cosmetic changes. Once a deal is struck, it could come to the House floor with little warning. So, please contact your representative now and remind them that we're watching. Click here for information.

One last item: Sen. Joseph Lieberman is going after YouTube, asking the online video site to remove postings by “Islamic radical groups”. YouTube said removing content was not so simple, especially without consideration of whether these videos were legal, non-violent, or contained no hate speech. Read more here.

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Call Congress on war funding and SOA amendment

Here's two reasons to get on the phone to Washington--the Congressional switchboard number is 202-224-3121, and a song by Benny Skyn to get you inspired.



First, the Senate will be voting as early as today, May 21, on a $169 billion bill, which will extend the war and occupation in Iraq until next summer. Last week, the House unexpectedly voted down the war funding bill, and it's hoped that with pressure from constituents, the Senate will do right at last and end funding this disaster.

Meanwhile SOA Watch reports that Congress will vote on an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would require that the School of the Americas/WHINSEC release the names, ranks, country of origin, courses and dates attended of students and instructors at the institute. The amendment will be offered by Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA), Representative Joe Sestak (D-PA) and Representative Sanford Bishop (D-GA) and a vote is expected Thursday, May 22.

For the past few years, despite the WHINSEC PR machine proclaiming an open and transparent school, the WHINSEC has been unwilling to provide information about the students and instructors. Freedom of Information Act requests for FY 2005, 2006 and 2007 have all been denied, proof of WHINSEC's unwillingness to submit to oversight from the public whose tax-payer dollars help fund the school.

Access to information regarding SOA/WHINSEC graduates of previous years has been a valuable asset to human rights organizations who have been able to identify Latin American military officers and police that have committed human rights abuses or engaged in criminal activity in their home countries after attending the school as instructors or students. SOA Watch supports the release of this important information at all U.S. military training facilities in the spirit of openness, transparency, and the public's "right to know".

SOA Watch asks you contact your Representative today, Wednesday May 21, and tomorrow, Thursday, May 22. More information is available at their website.

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5 years too many of imperialist war

A reminder that United for Peace and Justice is calling for activities on and around the 5th anniversary of the war in Iraq. For more information or to find an event visit www.5yearstoomany.org. There will be mass nonviolent direct action in Washington, DC, March 19. UFPJ is working to have all fifty states represented in local actions.

UFPJ encourages voters to "birddog" candidates, especially at the grassroots level where individuals have the largest impact. If your group is working on a house or senate race…bird-dogging, voter registration, or circulating info on candidates, please let the UFPJ Voter Engagement group know at organizing@unitedforpeace.org with the subject line: Voter Engagement 2008. Your info will be used to put together guidelines and training for election work, including info for both 501c3 and 501c4 groups.

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Nothing funny about "Charlie Wilson's War"

Chalmers Johnson provides a good corrective to Hollywood’s take on Afghanistan in his review "Imperialist Propaganda: Second Thoughts on Charlie Wilson’s War" at Truthout.org.

Noting how many mainstream reviewers labeled this look at US support for the Afghani muhajadin as a "feel-good comedy" rather than a lesson in unintended consequences, Johnson writes, "one of the severe side effects of imperialism in its advanced stages seems to be that it rots the brains of the imperialists... the tragedy is that four-and-a-half years after we invaded Iraq and destroyed it, such dangerously misleading nonsense is still being offered to a gullible public."

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With April 15 on the way, a tax resistance boycott of the war

With the new year, it’s not too soon to start thinking about your taxes and whether you should pay them. To give taxpayers an alternative to writing a check to fund the war, a coalition of groups has come together to use a "Tax Boycott" to end the war in Iraq.

The 2008 War Tax Boycott allows you to participate in several ways. You can pledge to withhold 7% of your federal income tax if 100,000 other taxpayers join you. Or you can pledge regardless of how many people participate in the boycott. Organizers estimate that 7% of your tax bill funds the war in Iraq. Currently 51% of your taxes cover the annual defense bill and you can also pledge to withhold that amount. You can also donate to support the boycott.

Organizers ask that if you hold back a portion of your tax bill, you donate that to a project providing health care to Iraqi refugees in Jordan and Syria, a health care center in New Orleans (providing care to survivors of Katrina) or a humanitarian project of your own choosing. Find out more at http://www.dontbuybushswar.org

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