LaborGroups News 17Feb04

www.laborgroups.org/LaborGroupsNews17Feb04.pdf
www.laborgroups.org/LaborGroupsNews17Feb04.doc

*** LaborTech2004 !***
1) CHICAGO: Feb. 24 "Your Vote, Your Future" THUNDER !
2) MegaVote: IL 11th, 2/16/2004
3) John Kerry: One Day, $100,000 to Wisconsin Victory
4) TPLU NEEDS YOUR HELP NOW!
5) Labor Education Newsletter Feb. 9, 2004
6) Republicans Claim I Exercize Censorship. Here is a Newsletter. Please Respond to AUTHOR !
7) Join Lane as he kicks off his re-election campaign
8) Thanks from black telephone workers!
9) Global Labour Survey 2004
10) Chicago Media Action Alert: A Very Busy Week
11) Protest Police Brutality ACTION UPDATE
12) ANSWER !
13) Kim Scipes
14) Clean Energy Now--Meet Your Sen.
15) SMOKE THIS !
16) SafetyOnline
17) The DISH
18) SW Online
19) PWW
20) TruthOut
21) Obama in ACTION !
22) Carolyn Kay's "Make Them Accountable"
23) Corporate Reform Weekly
24) Rob Sanchez's JOB DESTRUCTION NEWSLETTER !
25) Tell Congress to stop what's really indecent about the media: consolidation.
26) Employee Free Choice Act - Gathering Steam!
27) March 30: Spring Mobilization and Lobby Day to Close the SOA in Washington, DC


list.ChicagoRollingThunder.org

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*** LaborTech2004 !***

LaborTech/Access 2004 Conference
www.labortech2004.org
April 2 (Friday) - 4 (Sunday), 2004
Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
on the Lower Level of Building #380(Slone), #420(Jordan Hall) in the Main Quad buildings

This conference will bring together labor video, computer and media people from throughout the country and around the world. It will be a critical arena for the development of labor¹s media in the battles ahead to make our voices heard.
We know that our unions and the working class as a whole are under attack on numerous areas and that this assault is escalating. Under these circumstances, the need to have a media counter-offensive is absolutely essential.

Workshops Including:
INFORMATION/RIGHTS:
* A Multimedia Approach to Labor Information
* Labor Radio (WINS, NRP, KPFA, Pacifica)
* Labor Media, Lessons in Breaking the Corporate Media Blockade and Defending Democracy
* Police Repression of Alternative and Labor Reporters from Oakland to Miami
* Union Journalists Getting the Message out to The Membership & The Public
* Building a Labor Cultural Art Movement and Using the Internet
* New Technology, Stress & Labor
* Building A Labor TV Channel
* Labor, War and Media ­ Plenum
* ICANN & Democratic Control of the Internet
* Prison Media (Prison Radio, Prison Legal News)
WORKPLACE:
* Workplace Discrimination in High Tech
* Censorship and the Media Workplace
* Spying and Surveillance, How to defend Your Privacy
* Organizing Media Workers (IATSE, AFTRA, CWA and others)
* Technology & Toxics in the Workplace
TECHNOLOGY/KNOW HOW
* WiFi and Remote Broadcasting: How Labor can get Our Rallies, Conferences & Actions Out Live on the Internet & Satellite
* Community Access Cable & How to Establish a Labor TV Show for Your Local/Council/International
* Unofficial Labor Web sites and Outreach (AUD, CDU)
* Lessons from Front-Line Local Union Web Masters
* Labor Education in the Schools and Using Technology
* The Indymedia Movement and Labor-What is It and How to Build The Links
* POD (Program for Online Deliberation) and How Labor Can Use This Tool for Communication and Action
* Broad Band Access and Our Rights to Bandwidth
* Labor & Research Tools
* Open Source (Non-Proprietary Software)
* Labor Film Festivals, Labor Shorts-How to Have A Festival and Support Labor Videographers

Schedule:
FRIDAY, (4/2/04)
5:00 - 6:00 PM Registration
6:00 - 7:00 PM Welcoming Reception
7:00 - 9:00 PM Video Presentation
SATURDAY (4/3/04)
9:00 ­ 9:30 AM Registration (Refreshment)
9:30 ­ 10:00 AM Welcome & Introduction
10:00 ­ 11:00 AM Plenary
11:00 ­ 12:30 PM Workshops I
12:30 ­ 2:00 PM Lunch ­ Presentation
2:00 ­ 3:30 PM Workshops II
3:30 ­ 5:00 PM Workshops III
6:30 ­ 8:30 PM Dinner ­ Presentation
SUNDAY (4/4/04)
9:30 ­ 10:00 AM Registration (Refreshment)
10:00 ­ 11:30 AM Workshops I
11:30 ­ 1:00 PM Lunch ­ Presentation
1:00 ­ 2:30 PM Workshops II
2:30 ­ 4:00 PM Plenary ­Lessons & Future

Highlights:
* The first international labor flash animation competition (Cartoons from around the world will be screened)
* Labor musical presentations
* Screening of important new labor videos
* Focus on the growing repression and censorship of labor media activists from Miami to the UK, Korea and Japan. Labor journalists and labor media activists have come under assault both on the job and in the field.

REGISTRATION:
NAME:
ADDRESS:
E-MAIL:
PHONE:
UNION/ORGANIZATION:
Enclosed is the registration fee of $175 (this includes 2 lunches and a dinner on Saturday). ($150 for registration by March1st) Student and unemployed rates available - please contact the coordinator.)
-I/Our organization would like to contribute $______ to the conference.
-Our organization is endorsing the conference
Organization/Union:_________________
(Please let us know by March 5th to include in the booklet)

Direction to the Jordan Hall in Stanford University
Driving:-From San Francisco
(Free parking on the campus after 4PM on Friday and during the weekend at any of the permit A, C, Z parking zone - closest one is on the Oval road as marked)
campus-map.stanford.edu
101 South - off University Ave., go West. This will go straight into the campus which will be Palm Dr. The Jordan Hall is at the end of this road.
280 South - Off Sand Hill Rd East, right on Arboretum Rd, right on Palm Dr. You will see the Jordan Hall buildings in front.
By Caltrain - Trains leave 4th st. & Townsend every hour. If you catch 8AM train, you will get to Palo Alto 9:01. It will take about 20 min. from the station to the building by walking. Also, check the free shuttle bus transportation.stanford.edu

NOTES:
Conference Location: Stanford University is located in Palo Alto, 30 miles south of San Francisco. The campus is large. Go toward Main Quad, and look for the Jordan Hall(Build.420.) Right side of Jordan Hall is the Slone(Build. 380.) Go to the lower level.
Parking will not be so difficult since the permitted parking space will be free after 4:00 PM on Friday through the weekend. The closest one will be at the oval road (permit A zone) in front of the Jordan Hall. See the map on the other side. Shuttle from the Palo Also station is available on Friday afternoon and weekend after 12:00 noon. Please check the campus website www.labortech2004.org
For Hotel accommodation recommendations list and possible transportation from San Francisco and other Bay Area locations, please contact the coordinator.
We also need volunteers during the conference. It is possible to reduce the fee or exchange for doing volunteer work. Please contact the coordinator for any of above questions.
To contact the coordinator: (415) 282-1908, or e-mail: kazmit (at) pacbell.net or
labortech (at) labortech.org

INITIAL SPONSORS AND ENDORSERS
Symbolic Systems Program of Stanford University, ILWU International, San Francisco Labor Council, SEIU 715, NALC 214, OPEIU 3, CWA 9415, CWA 9423, San Jose City College Labor Studies, San Francisco State University Labor Studies, Laney College Labor Studies, Union Producers & Programmers Network (UPPNET), Silicon Valley Toxic Coalition. Labor Video Project, LaborFest, LaborNet, LabourNet Germany, LaborNet Japan, District Council of Iron Workers Of The State Of California and Vicinity, WINS, International Labor Communication Association (ILCA)

Christopher R. Martin-Author Framed! Labor and the Corporate Media,
Todd Davies, Symbolic Systems Program Stanford University
Mag Wompel-Labournet Germany
Ralf Pandorf-Labournet Germany
Myoung Joon Kim-Labor News Production Seoul
Nancy Brigham-Cross Border Organizer & Former UAW Web Master
Hebard Olsen-Labor TV Producer Monterey
Karin Hart-Laney Labor Studies Program & CWA 9415
Lincoln Cushing -Electronic Librarian UCB Labor Center
Gary Huck-Labor Cartoonist-UE
Mike Konapacki-Labor Cartoonist
Art Shostak-Author Cyberunion
Edward Hasbrouck-Author
Dorothy Kidd-Professor Media Studies
Ken Hamidi-Founder Faceintel
Henry Norr-Journalist Technology Mac & Activist
Louie Rocha-President Of CWA Local 9423 & Radio Producer
Erica Zweig-LaborNet
Steve Hill-LaborNet
Barb Ingalls-CWA-UTU Detroit
Bob Ingalls-UAW Detroit
Carl Bryant- Producer NALC 214 TV214
Frank Emspak-Founder and Director Of WINS
June M. Fisher, MD- Trauma Foundation
Nick Yale-Labor Videographer SEIU1000
Tami Callen-Labor Video Project & SEIU 1000
Fred Glass-Director Communications CFT
Art McGee-Computer Activist
Peter B. Collins-Radio Producer & Host AFTRA National Executive Board
Lindy Chris-USF OPEIU 3 & LaborTech Planning Committee
Jack Chernos-AFM 6 and Labor Musician
Steve Stallone-Editor & Director Communications ILWU
Bul Bul-Labor cartoonist
Doug Ohmans-Web Master LaborNet
John Parulis, LaborTech Web Master & Brightpathvideo.com
Wes Brain, Producer SEIU-OPEU Productions
Shannon Sheppard, Holt Labor Library
Miki Myochin, President Japan Federation Of Newspaper Workers' Unions
Jimmy Kelley, San Jose City College Labor Studies and Reelworks
Judith Woodruff, Founder Spontaneous Productions Labor Film Festival Boston
Vicki Warner, Director Global Education California Community Colleges

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1) CHICAGO: Feb. 24 "Your Vote, Your Future" THUNDER !

Chicago Rolling Thunder and The Mansfield Institute for Social Justice present...

COUNTDOWN TO NOVEMBER: "YOUR VOTE, YOUR FUTURE" Thunder at Roosevelt University

Join us for a day of fun, music, food and empowerment!
Saturday, February 28, 2004
10:00 a.m. til 4:00 p.m.
ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY
430 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago Campus
$5 Students - $8 General admission FOR MORE INFO: (773) 235-4488


Kathy Kelly, Co-founder of Voices in the Wilderness, will talk about her humanitarian experiences in IRAQ and her arrest and recent sentencing for protesting at the School of the Americas.

OTHER SPEAKERS/PANELISTS

Carolyn Kay, www.makethemaccountable.com
Breeze Luetke-Stahlman, League of Young Voters
Matt Rothschild, The Progressive
Dan Johnson-Weinberger, Midwest Democracy Center
Tracy Smith, League of Women Voters of Chicago
Liane Casten, Chicago Media Watch
Kelly Bateman, Chicago Board of Elections

PANELS/WORKSHOPS:
Blinders on Our Brains: The Complicit Media (Chicago Media Watch)

A Time for Action: A New Vision for Participatory Democracy (League of Women Voters of Chicago)
Implementation of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) (League of Women Voters of Chicago)
PLUS: Voter Education and demonstrations, Candidate Information, Panel Discussions, Workshops, "Get on Your Soapbox", Food! Free Continental breakfast and lunch, while supplies last.


WHY:
There has been a dramatic decline in voter turnout among young Americans aged 18-29 in the last 24 years. Fifty-percent voted in 1972 and by 1996 that figure had dropped to 32%. In the 2000 presidential election only 13% bothered to cast a ballot. At "Your Vote, Your Future", we will confront some of the reasons for this decline and present speakers, workshops and panel discussions aimed at increasing voter participation among young adults for the November elections.


Media Information Contact:
Kim Simmons
(847) 977-5800 Cell
(312) 236-7005 ext. 6/Day
(847) 670-1973/Eve
kimsim (at) ameritech.net

-----------------

Texas populist Jim Hightower created the Rolling Thunder Tour in the tradition of the "Chautauqua Movement". A Chautauqua was a sort of citizenship fair where members of the community would gather together for several days of education, inspiration, enlightenment and enjoyment. CHICAGO ROLLING THUNDER shares in that traditional belief that every now and then, people should get together and actually talk to each other. This updated version of the democratic Chautauqua Movement is what we need to revitalize American democracy from the ground up! That's our vision of a Thunder.


"Democracy is not something that just happens; it has to be built from the ground up."
- Jim Hightower


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2) MegaVote: IL 11th, 2/16/2004

International Assn of Machinists and Aerospace Workers presents: M E G A V O T E

February 16, 2004

In this MegaVote for Illinois' 11th Congressional District:

Recent Congressional Votes -
* Senate: Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act
* House: Social Security Protection Act

=================================================================
Editor's Note:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Congress is in recess this week. The Senate returns Monday, February 23. The House returns Tuesday, February 24.

=================================================================
Recent Senate Votes:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act
capwiz.com/iamaw/issues/votes/
Vote Passed (76-21, 3 Not Voting)

Despite a White House veto threat over the cost, the Senate approved this six-year, $318 billion bill funding highway, mass transit and safety programs.

Sen. Richard Durbin voted YES
send e-mail (capwiz.com/iamaw/mail/)
see bio (capwiz.com/iamaw/bio/)

Sen. Peter Fitzgerald voted YES
send e-mail (capwiz.com/iamaw/mail/)
see bio (capwiz.com/iamaw/bio/)

=================================================================
Recent House Votes:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Social Security Protection Act
capwiz.com/iamaw/issues/votes/
Vote Passed (402-19, 11 Not Voting)

The House gave final approval to this bill that would protect Social Security recipients who rely on other parties to manage their finances and deny benefits to felons and parole violators.

Rep. Jerry Weller voted YES
send e-mail (capwiz.com/iamaw/mail/)
see bio (capwiz.com/iamaw/bio/)


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3) John Kerry: One Day, $100,000 to Wisconsin Victory




One Day, $100,000 to Wisconsin Victory

Although the Republicans' misleading and negative focus on our campaign may make it seem otherwise, the Democratic nomination is not decided. We've got the momentum -- as this weekend's strong victories in Nevada and Washington, DC showed -- but it's not over yet. Especially since nearly three-quarters of delegates must still be chosen.

A strong victory in tomorrow's Wisconsin primary will bring us one step closer to winning the nomination, and position us to fight not just the Republicans' media attacks, but the sheer depth of funds in the Bush war chest. The stronger we are coming out of Wisconsin, the more momentum and credibility we show to voters and donors nationwide.

Plus, a decisive Wisconsin victory will send George W. Bush the message that we're ready for the fight ahead.

We must raise $800,000 by tonight for our Wisconsin campaign. We're almost there: only $100,000 left.

contribute.johnkerry.com

Your contributions in these next few hours really count. So even if you've recently given, please contribute again if you're able to. Your contributions allow us not only to fight for every vote in Wisconsin, but to fight back against Republican attacks.

$500 = 2500 last minute "Get out the Vote" calls
$220 = buys radio ads on WKLH-FM Classic Hits in Milwaukee
$100 = 250 "Bring.It.On." bumper stickers for visibility
$50 = a van to take volunteers and supporters to their primary location tomorrow night
$35 = 1 drive time spot on WJMR-FM Urban Adult Contemporary radio in Milwaukee

contribute.johnkerry.com

Thank you for all you do,






Mary Beth Cahill
Campaign Manager, John Kerry for President
www.johnkerry.com

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4) TPLU NEEDS YOUR HELP NOW!

Dwight Rawlinson and Linda Hull will need help in the
medical work and legal field. I've been talking to
Linda and Dwight and I really feel that we need to be
they?re extended arms and hands to help/assist them in
helping the Texas Prisoners.

What they are asking is assistance in typing, copying,
scanning, mailing out documents to TX Prisoners,
helping out with supplies [such as stamps, ink
cartages, and gift cards from Office Depot, Office
Max, or Wal-Mart so they can buy office supplies and
the items they need].
This is the main reason why The Texas Prison Labor
Union Yahoo Group was set up for. This will be hand on
training experience so you will know what it takes to
get the job done and be effective/productive for the
Texas Prisoners who needs assistant in the
medical/legal fields.

Linda Hull is over the medical issues for TPLU and she
is in dire need of assistance! She is dealing with
Texas Prisoners that are in facing serious medical
problems that if they do not get assistance soon they
may die of lack of care/treatments from the TDCJ/UTMB.

Dwight Rawlinson is over the legal matters for TPLU
and he needs assistance in scanning/copying/mailing
documents on behalf of the Texas Prisoners and he as
well needs assistance in getting the job done. Dwight
also needs people with legal experience, paralegals,
law
students.

Both Linda and Dwight are in need of office supplies
and postage/stamps and it would be much appreciated
for those who do not have the time to assist them on
these matters but still want to be involve can offer
help in this area.
TPLU needs 'each one of you to commit' on what you can
do to help out. Linda Gonzalez will be coordinating
these areas with Dwight and Linda H. Please e-mail
Linda G. at; the_eagle_speaks (at) yahoo.com and let her
know what area you can do to help out and she will
e-mail you more information.

The TPLU requires those willing to do hands on work
for the Texas Prisoners for membership.

If you want to be part of TPLU Yahoo Group,
please subscribe at the following e-mail;
texasprisonlaborunion-subscribe (at) yahoogroups.com

Thank you!

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5) Labor Education Newsletter Feb. 9, 2004

CZARNECKI’S LABOR EDUCATION NEWSLETTER Vol. VIII No. 12 February 9, 2004

REPORT ON THE STATE OF LABOR EDUCATION IN THE U.S. PUBLISHED
Based on research of Bruce Nissen and Barbara Byrd, this is a comprehensive look at university/college labor education programs and national & international union education departments. Available for purchase or on line at laborcenter.berkeley.edu/publications/stateoflabor.shtml
WINS BROADCAST ON THE ATTACK ON LABOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS
www.laborradio.org/audio/features/mp3/winsfeat012804.mp3
Workers Independent News Service discusses cutbacks in programs around the country. WINS is looking for financial contributions, subscriptions from unions, and leads on possible additional radio stations. Contact Frank Emspak frank.emspak (at) uwex.edu
OTHER LABOR RADIO CONNECTIONS
Ed Lee of LabourStart is setting up a radio branch of his web site that will broadcast one hour, five days a week. Labor news and lots of good labor/union songs. Go to radio.labourstart.org And every Monday 7-8 PM EST Ken Nash knash (at) igc.org and Mimi Rosenberg present “Building Bridges” on WBAI 99.5 FM in NYC www.buildingbridgesonline.org
DOCUMENTARY FILM – “THE CORPORATION” www.thecorporation.tv Produced and currently being shown in Canada, this film looks at the legal inconsistencies of the corporation and demonstrates through a look at garment sweatshops in Honduras and Indonesia that this “legal person” is inherently amoral, callous and deceitful.

2003 UNION MEMBERSHIP FIGURES www.bls.gov/news.release/union2.nr0.htm
Membership dropped to 12.9 % of the wage/salary workforce – was 13.3 % in 2002. On total there were 15.8 million workers in unions in 2003, a drop of 369,000. In the government sector 37.2% of workers were union members (7.35 million), compared to 8.2 % of private sector workers (8.45 million). Site has breakdown by Industry, Occupation and by States.
For a comment on these figures go to Harry Kelber’s site (www.laboreducator.org) – he also has a recent 8 part series on “A New Game Plan for Union Organizing”.
Also the Jan 16 issue of In These Times has an article by David Moberg, www.inthesetimes.com/comments.php Organize, Strategy, Revitalize: by Andy Stern: www.inthesetimes.com/comments.php and Gerald McEntee www.inthesetimes.com/comments.php
OSHA NEWS
According to the spewingforth.blogspot.com web site, OSHA’s FY 2005 budget basically remained the same, excluding drops in training grants.
A posting on www.safetyonline.com on Jan. 21 reports on 2 new OSHA www.osha.gov services on their website, one is MyOSHA a tool to create personalized links to OSHA online resources and Quick Start, a step-by-step guide to identify major OSHA requirements and guidance materials.

STUDY GROUP PROPOSES MONITORING GLOBAL PRACTCIES
www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu then search for “Fiorito” Chair of report
Difficult to know what to make of these recommendations – the result of a study by the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of PRIVATE ENTERPRISE and of a group that included representatives of the AFL-CIO, the Sierra Club, Levi Strauss, Oxfam, Starbucks, Toys R Us and the Fair Labor Association.

ORAL LABOR HISTORY
Having been involved in the only State Federation sponsored oral history program, always looking for items on subject. Recently L-Labor mailing list referenced this site: “Oral History & Labor History: A Historiographic Assessment After 25 Years” in the Journal of American History 85:2 (September 1998).
Wonder if others in the field are involved in oral labor history projects.

On the same mailing list, these are some of the web sites cited as good Labor History resources (in addition to the American Labor Studies Center www.labor-studies.org of Paul Cole cited in earlier newsletters):
American Labor History ella.slis.indiana.edu/~joerusse/laborhistory.html Labor History Links by Rosemary Feurer www3.niu.edu/~td0raf1/labor/index.htm Illinois Labor History Society www.kentlaw.edu/ilhs www.publichistory.org/reviews/view_issue.asp These leads to www.history.ohio-state.edu/projects/laborconflict Labor Mgmt Conflict in American History and to Emma Goldman Exhibit www.jwa.org/exhibits/wov/goldman
NY TIMES LESSION PLAN – OCCUPATIONAL OXYMORON www.nytimes.com/learning then search for “Poverty”
See items for grades 9-12, where students consider own notions of poverty, the definition of “working poor” and relation between poverty and work.

BUSINESS & HUMAN RIGHTS RESOURCE CENTER www.business-humanrights.org/Home With the unions emphasis recently on Human Rights, here is another site on the topic – with focus on corporations. Developed by Amnesty International, business groups & leading academic institutions.

2nd EDITION OF LABOR FILM GUIDE – By Tom Zaniello – “Working Stiffs, union Maids, Reds..and Riffraft” – An Expanded Guide to Films about Labor” Cornell University Press.

SOUTHERN EXPOSURE www.southernstudies.org Always like to support an old friend – by subscribing to the magazine, you get access to their New Report – Facing South. Last issue uncovered a pattern of waste by US companies in Iraq.
ARTICLE ON AFL-CIO INTERN’L AFFAIRS www.labornotes.org By Kim Scipes kimscipes (at) earthlink.net entitled “AFL-CIO Refuses to Clear the Air on Foreign Policy Operations” it reviews a meeting in California which was a response to earlier articles and convention resolutions. There is an excellent “bibliography” appended to the article covering various articles/resources on the topic.

10 WORST CORPORATIONS OF 2003 www.multinationalmonitor.org Each year Russell Mokhiber and Robert Weissman compile this list – worth a look.

BOOKS (Just listing titles and authors – for more info go to web sites listed

Employment with a Human Face: Balancing Efficiency, Equity and Voice by John Budd jbudd (at) csom.umn.edu published by Cornell Univ Press www.cornellpress.cornell.edu
The Voice of the People: Primary Sources on the History of Labor, Ind. Rel. & Working Class Culture by
Jonathan Roes, jonathan.rees (at) colostate-pueblo.edu Colorado St. Univ. & Jonathan Pollack, Madison Area Tech College Published by Harlan Davidson Inc. www.harlandavidson.com
Unions, Radicals and Democratic Presidents: seeking Social Change in the 20th Century by Martin Halpern
Halp9ern (at) hsu.edu , info.greenwood.com/books/0313324/0313324719.html
LABOR ANNOUNCEMENTS

Feb. 12-15 USAS National Convergence – Atlanta GA
studentsagainstsweatshops.org United Students Against Sweatshops is holding this convention; they are also sponsoring a Nat’l Student Labor Week of Action from March 29 to April 4. Details of both on the above website.

Feb. 13 – Newberry Seminar in Labor History – 3 -5 PM – Lake Forest College Ill
Co-sponsored by the Univ. of Ill. (Chi./Urbana campuses) and Labor & Working Class History Assoc. Talk: Class, Gender & Religion during the US Catholic Labor Moment. Phone 312-255-3524 or e-mail scholl (at) newberry.org
Feb. 19-22 Forum on Sustainable Careers – New Options for a New Workforce
Sponsored by Cornell Careers Institute and Bronfenbrenner Life Course Center. Contact Physsis Moen phylmoen (at) umn.edu
Feb. 25 CWCS Lecture – Youngstown State Univ. Speaker is Dorian Warren, Yale Univ. and topic is “The Relationship Between the Civil Rights Movement and the Labor Movement… Contact John Russo f0036238 (at) cc.ysu.edu
Feb. – March Southwest School Courses – sponsored by George.Meany Center
Feb 15-19 – Arbitration, Feb 22-26Construction Org in Phoenix Arizona
March 21-25 Building Power in Workplace, March 26-27 Working in Media and March 28-April 1 Grievance Handling/Internal Organizing – Denver Colo
Contact Morty Simon simon (at) santafe-newmexico.com

March 13-20 5th Bilateral US-Cuba Exchange of Labor and Employment Lawyers, Trade Unionists etc.
Sponsored by the National Lawyers Guild. Contact Dean Hubbard of Sarah Lawrence College dhubbard (at) slc.edu or visit www.nlg.org/cuba/guildcubatrip.htm
March 14-16 26th Annual Union Rep’s in Health Care Conf. – Washington DC Hilton Embassy Row Hotel
www.lir.msu.edu/event/healthcare
Presented by Michigan State & Illinois Labor Educ. Programs. Call 1-877-241-7757

March – UAW-LEP Courses – Michigan State John Revitte revitte (at) msu.edu and www.msu.edu/~revitte has circulated info on his Coll Barg. Course which is one of four 3-creit classes and results in a certificate in “modern labor concepts”. Other three courses are Labor History, Labor & Employment Law and a Research Seminar.

Southern Labor Studies Conf – April 15-17 Birmingham Alabama www.slsc2004.org
Theme “Moving Workers: Migration and the South”. Looking for additional papers. Contact Robert Cassanello Robert (at) slsc2004.org
Labor Tech Conf – April 2-4 Stanford University More info now available at www.labortech2004.org or call 415-282-1908

April 13-14 H & S Leadership Training Workshop Alameda (CA) CLC www.lohp.org Sponsored by the Labor Occupational Health Program at U. Cal – Berkeley.
Contact Betty Szudy bszudy (at) uclink.berkeley.edu
May 2-7 Train the Trainer Program on Workplace H & S – George. Meany Center. For unions who would like to teach their own membership. Contact Sharon Simon ssimon (at) georgemeany.org or go to www.georgemeany.org/html/train_the_trainer.html
George Meany Memorial Archives offers fellowships in 2 categories: Archives and Museum
Deadline March 15. No fax or e-mail applications. Phone 301-431-5441

Compiled by Ed Czarnecki eczarnecki2 (at) comcast.net

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6) Republicans Claim I Exercize Censorship. Here is a Newsletter. Please Respond to AUTHOR !

CONSERVATIVE TRUTH 02/14/04
Love
By Tom Barrett
Publisher (at) ConservativeTruth.org

I am writing about love on Valentines Day; no big surprise. But the holiday is not the reason I chose this subject. Love is on my heart because this is the anniversary of the day I met the love of my life, Ana. As a couple, the two most important days of the year are September 4, the day God joined us as one, and Valentines Day, the day I first saw her beautiful face.

The 13th Chapter of First Corinthians should be required reading at all wedding ceremonies. (In fact, all you married readers should go get your Bibles and read it with your spouse right now.) It is commonly referred to as The Love Chapter, because it describes the qualities of love. It tells us that love is patient, kind, generous, humble, modest, unselfish, mild, holy, longsuffering, believing, and hopeful. And it tells us that love never ends.

Now of course these are ideals. There are not too many of us that show love in all of these ways. But I can honestly say that I know one woman who comes closer to these ideals than any person I have ever known. Her name is Ana, and I am blessed that she is my wife.

Love is patient. If you lived with me for a week, you would either learn patience or go crazy. Ana is one of the most patient humans on earth; she has lived with me for years! She is patient with my idiosyncrasies and foibles. She is longsuffering in her support when I juggle a dozen projects at once. She laughs at my jokes though she has heard them a hundred times.

Love is kind. Ana is consistently kind to everyone she meets. She has compassion for those in need, and sound counsel for her friends. If you ever meet her, you will find she has one of the warmest hearts you have ever experienced.

Love is generous. Love is unselfish. Most people are generous in some ways. Ana is generous in all ways. She is generous with her time, with her money, with her support, and with praise and encouragement. If she has a selfish side, I have not discovered it in all these years.

Love is humble. Love is modest. My wife is a very intelligent woman, accomplished in many areas. Her degree is in Electrical Engineering. She worked in that field as a Computer Systems Analyst for eleven years. She held her own as the only woman in her group, and was respected for her professionalism by the men with whom she worked. She is home-schooling our daughter in many subjects, including sciences and languages. Yet you will never hear her brag about her accomplishments; she~s just not like that.

Love is holy. Ana~s walk with the Lord is an inspiration to all who know her, and particularly to those who are fortunate to be close to her. Again, she would never boast of her devotion to the Lord. But she is very serious about the ~quiet time~ she spends with the Lord every day reading the Bible and praying. And no matter how busy she is, she always has time to share her faith with people hungry to know the truth.

Love is believing, and hopeful. In other words, love nurtures faith. Ana has had pain in her life, as we all have. Her first eleven years were spent under the heavy hand of Fidel Castro in Havana. Her beloved mother died shortly before we met. Her father died a few years after we married. But Ana is always full of faith and hope, trusting that the Lord is in control, and that He knows best.

Do I make Ana sound like a saint? She~s not. She has her faults (though they are far fewer that mine). But the love she bestows on me, our family, and our friends outshines her faults. Sort of like trying to see the light from a flashlight when the sun is shining brightly~



THE BEST OF THE BEST: For great conservative commentary, visit our website to see what outstanding conservative authors (many of whom write only for this site) have to say about what is happening in our world. Below are previews of the new articles that are posted every Monday morning. To read the complete articles, visit our website, www.ConservativeTruth.org.
Heroic John Kerry?
The Aldrich Alert By Gary Aldrich
If a decorated firefighter becomes an arsonist, is he still considered a hero? The answer is obvious to any common sense person.
'Bush and I were Lieutenants' By Col. William Campenni (retired)
Letter to the editor Published February 11, 2004 in the Washington Times
This is a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding President Bush~s military service in the Air National Guard by a man who served with him. Instead of the hysterical innuendo and slander being spread by John Kerry and his surrogates, Col. Campenni offers a logical, reasoned narrative full of facts, from one who was there.

Washington, Lincoln, G. W. Bush and Anti-War Movements
By Mary Mostert
The anti-war factions in the 1770s almost destroyed the independence from King George III. Both Abraham Lincoln and George W. Bush were presented similar difficulties soon after their inaugurations.

Liberals in a Parallel Universe
By Christopher G. Adamo
Something fundamental has changed in this country since the end of the Second World War, and even the national decline of morality cannot completely account for it.

~Rummy~ Tells Europe the Truth
By Doug Patton
Thank God for men like Don Rumsfeld. He places the sovereignty and security of the United States of America ahead of the opinions of the rest of the world.

The Defamation of Christianity - Part 1907
By Bruce Walker
The infection of entertainment, education and information by Christophobes means that the most offensive construction possible is given to the most benign faith ever laid at the lap of man.

Who Is To Blame?
By David Sisler
Most people wish it were possible to live like hell and still go to heaven. If there is one concept we dislike, it is the idea of individual accountability.

ICJ Is a Kangaroo Court
By Gary Fitleberg
If the ICJ has its way, guilty until proven innocent will be the standard applied to the forthcoming case involving Israel~s right to protect its citizens from harm and maintain security against terrorism.

Dean Makes Fashion Statement While Riding a Dead Horse
By April Shenandoah
Dean~s persona is that of a high school wrestling coach. However, thousands of people believed he had a shot at the number one spot in the world.

Happy Birthday, Beloved President
By Anthony M. Siriano
Just as blacks rightfully celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, so conservatives and Christians should celebrate the life of Ronald Reagan.

What Do These Democrats Stand For, Anyway?
By Andy Obermann There was only one candidate with a respectable position on the issue~ Sen. Joe Lieberman~and he was in fifth place.


------------------------------------------------------------------------
7) Join Lane as he kicks off his re-election campaign

Please join Lane as he tours the 17th District to announce his plans to seek a 12th term in the United State Congress.
The 3 day campaign kickoff tour will stop in 10 cities throughout the district starting on Monday, February 16th and continuing on Wednesday, February 18th and Thursday, February 19th. Details of each stop are below. If you have any questions or would like to RSVP please contact Nick Watt or Teresa Kurtenbach at 309-788-5263.
Monday, February 16th
10:00 a.m. IBEW Local 145
1700 52nd Ave., Moline
1:00 p.m. Carl Sandburg College, Donald Crist Student Center
2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd., Galesburg
2:30 p.m. Fulton County Democratic HQ
39 S. Main St., Canton
5:30 p.m. Attend the Macomb Democrats President's Day dinner
WIU Student Center - Lamoine Room
1 University Circle, Macomb
Wednesday, February 18th
10:00 a.m. Steelworkers Hall
502 Woodburn Ave., Sterling
11:30 a.m. Kewanee City Hall - Council Chamber
401 E. Third St., Kewanee
3:30 p.m. John Wood Community College
Learning Center, Room B019
1301 S. 48th St., Quincy
Thursday, February 19th
10:00 a.m. Blackburn College
DeMuzio Campus Center, Auxilary Conference Room
700 College Ave., Carlinville
12:30 p.m. Illinois State Capitol
Blue Room, Springfield
2:30 p.m. Decatur Public Library
130 N. Franklin St., Decatur

------------------------------------------------------------------------
8) Thanks from black telephone workers!

Ron Washington Placed Back on Ballot!

Thanks to All of Our Friends and Supporters

(Black Workers News Service-Newark, NJ) Ron Washington, the first black worker to run for executive board in the Newark-Essex County, IBEW-Local 827 elections has been placed back on the ballot by the International office of the IBEW.

Washington, President of the Black Telephone Workers for Justice, and unjustly fired by Verizon for his organizing activities was kicked off by the ballot by the opposition slate.

Local 827 bylaws clearly state that any union member involuntarily separated by the company ( such as laid-off or fired workers) do not have to pay union dues while awaiting arbitration or call-back to work. Upon return to work, dues are resumed from the time of reinstatement. This longstanding practice of local 827 is well known to members of the opposition slate.

Washington, although fired in September, 2003 and confident of winning his case in arbitration, was nominated for the executive board. The opposition challenged his nomination on the basis of the IBEW constitution, which has a provision stating that a when a member’s dues are in arrears for more than three months, he or she loses standing. The IBEW is primarily an electrical workers union. The dues provision applies to the working conditions of electrical workers and not to the working conditions of telephone workers. While electrical and construction workers may work for short periods of time for different employers and at different geographic locations, it is imperative for them to keep their dues current doing “down time.” Telephone workers work for one employer and dues are taken out weekly by that employer. This is why local 827 has its own bylaws reflecting its different conditions.

The local opposition got the local election coordinator to rule Washington ineligible for being in arrears on dues.

Behind this maneuvering is the fact that the Unit 4- Newark area division has become a majority black area. The current all white leadership was afraid of Washington’s chance of winning the election and putting an end to white-minority leadership of the Unit 4 division. Washington’s candidacy was a historic step forward in the fight for black worker’s self-determination and a victory for the black workers unity movement, which calls on black workers to fight for power wherever possible.

Of course Washington did not take the reversal lying down. He immediately appealed to the IBEW international vice-president and threatened a discrimination suit against the union if he was not put back on the ballot. Workers began to organize protests and petition campaigns to fight back. In addition, friends and supporters around the country emailed, faxed and called the IBEW international president and vice-president, putting them on notice that this act was unacceptable.

Due to the fight-back, less than twenty-four hours after the international received Washington’s appeal, he was ruled back on the ballot. This was a great victory for democracy and the workers movement. The black telephone workers have extended thanks to all of their friends and supporters that came to their aid.

Now that Washington is back on the ballot the real work continues. The elections are in mid-February and the black telephone workers are confident that they can win victory and make history. The just struggles of all peoples support each other!

The black telephone workers can be reached at blacktel4justice (at) aol.com.


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9) Global Labour Survey 2004

Every year, the World Economic Forum -- you know, the people who meet at Davos -- produces a "Global Competitiveness Report". They ask the World Bank and corporate executives around the world about economic conditions in different countries. But they don't ask us -- people who know the labour scene -- about how workers and unions fare around the world.

Our friends at Harvard University's Labor and Worklife Program thought it would be a good idea to try to conduct a survey of our own. They're calling it the Global Labour Survey. It is aimed at people like yourselves and when the results are announced in May 2004, they expect to receive worldwide attention.

We interviewed Richard Freeman, author of the survey, and you can hear what he has to say about it on Radio LabourStart, radio.labourstart.org

We're convinced that if we can get a large number of you to take the time to fill out this online survey, we can present an alternative view to the one the WEF is presenting. A view based on your own experience as trade unionists.

It's hugely important and we'll need thousands of you to respond in order to get this right.

The survey is located here: gls.law.harvard.edu/

It's available in English, French and Spanish.

This survey is completely confidential. You will not be identified nor will you be added to any mailing lists.

We know that it takes a few minutes of your time to fill this in, and we appreciate the effort that you'll be making. You have our gratitude.

Once you've filled in the survey yourself, please pass on this message and make sure that your union's publication mentions the survey as well.

Thanks very much.

Eric Lee

------------------------------------------------------------------------
10) Chicago Media Action Alert: A Very Busy Week

CHICAGO MEDIA ACTION ALERT, February 12, 2004
www.chicagomediaaction.org

This has been an especially busy week in media politics, with lots of updates and opportunities for action:

(1) OPPORTUNITY IN THE HOUSE TO OVERTURN FCC OWNERSHIP RULES
A key bill in the House (House Resolution 72) which could overturn entirely the FCC's disastrous media ownership vote of June 2, 2003 vote. A lot of momentum is behind this already. We strongly encourage you to get involved. Please do so here:
www.mediareform.net/callcongress.php

(2) CMA CO-SPONSORED FILM THIS WEEKEND
A reminder: CMA is co-presenting (with Chicago Filmmakers) a screening of "Al-Jazeera Exclusive", about the Qatar-based TV station up to and during the 2003 Iraq War. The screening is Sunday, February 15, 7pm at Chicago Filmmakers (5243 N. Clark). For more details about the film, please visit:

www.chicagomediaaction.org/news.php

Download a PDF flier of the event here:

www.chicagomediaaction.org/pdffiles/Al-Jazeera_flier_2004_02_15.pdf

(3) CHICAGO CABLE COMMISSION ACTS AGAINST RCN
In local matters, the City Cable Commission held its monthly meeting on February 10. The commission unanimously passed two resolutions condemning RCN for its tardy financial obligations. A deadline of February 20 was given. For more details, please visit:

www.chicagomediaaction.org/news.php

WBEZ (Chicago's main NPR affiliate) had coverage of the issue on its Eight Forty Eight show:

www.wbez.org/audio_library/ram_2004/848/848_040211b.ram

And be sure to join the campaign to restore this funding:

www.cantv.org/rcn.htm

*** *** *** *** *** *** ***

Oral arguments began February 11 in Philadelphia regarding the case of the Prometheus Radio Project against the FCC. This is the case which won a stunning stay over the FCC's rules last September, one day before the rules would have gone into effect. Stay on top of the latest developments here:

www.mediareform.net/media/philadelphia.php

And in a very scary prospect, the business world is abuzz with the announcement that the cable company Comcast launched a multi-billion-dollar bid to buy out Disney. Read more about the bid here:

www.mediareform.net/news.php

CMA also announces an expanded HTML version of its email newsletter. It contains the information from our plain-text February newsletter, other campaigns which CMA is pursuing, plus much more:

www.chicagomediaaction.org/newsletter/cma_nl_February_2004.html
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***

This is an email from Chicago Media Action, a Chicago activist
group devoted to media issues.

Chicago Media Action, P.O. Box 14140, Chicago IL 60614-0140 Call toll-free: 1-866-260-7198 Web: www.chicagomediaaction.org
E-mail: cma (at) chicagomediaaction.org


------------------------------------------------------------------------
11) Protest Police Brutality ACTION UPDATE

www.laborgroups.org/Police-Brutality-Incident1.doc
www.laborgroups.org/Police-Brutality-Protest-Letter.doc

PROTEST UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT (UCPD) BRUTALITY AND HARRASSMENT!

INCIDENT DETAILS:
For more details on the incident that occurred on January 24th, please see the attached report written by the victim, Clemmie Carthans. (The report is also pasted below this update.) For details beyond what is written in the report, please attend our next meeting to speak with Clemmie in person.
GET INVOLVED: Read beyond action update to learn how!!!

ACTION UPDATE:
Over the past two weeks, concerned students and community members from the
University community have come together in solidarity to plan action steps in protest against UCPD. Our demands are twofold:

Short-Term Demands:
1- The UCPD officers involved in the assault should be terminated. 2- A formal public apology should be issued to the student whom the police
assaulted.

Long-Term Demands:
1- UCPD officers undergo thorough and ongoing sensitivity training.
2- The UCPD review, disseminate and implement appropriate procedures for
stopping and questioning individuals on campus and in the surrounding area.

Short-Term Actions & Time-Table
1- Disseminate petitions to student body, staff, faculty, administrators and
community members for endorsements through tabeling. (February 11th – February 26th).
2- March/Protest to deliver petition to UCPD and allow University community to speak out against UCPD. (February 27th – place and time to be determined by committee).

Long-Term Actions (to be discussed further in planning meetings)
1- Follow-through to ensure long term demands are met
2- Public Community Forum Event

THREE WAYS TO BE INVOLVED:

1) Attend Next Meeting:
Tuesday, February 17th, 6:30 PM at SSA (room to be determined)

2) The Listhost:
A listhost entitled “insolidarity” has been created. To be added to the
listhost, email me at kjersti (at) uchicago.edu. (Please try not to email the
listhost with requests to be added, as these will then be disseminated to
everyone on the list!)

3) Open Call For: Group Facilitators, Committee Co-Chairs, Active Committees
Members: Please read through the following opportunities and sign-up ASAP by
emailing kjersti (at) uchicago.edu. Some committees are already meeting and others must be solidified by Tuesday, February 17th!!

1- Group Facilitators: These two to three individuals will be responsible for calling group planning meetings. They will set agendas, facilitate the
meetings, and disseminate the meeting summaries. They will be responsible for maintaining the listhost and coordinating amongst the action committees.
2- The following committees need co-chairs and members. Co-chairs will be
responsible for carrying out the actions and organizing the activities of
committee members:
a. Tabeling Committee: Tabeling has begun, but we need more volunteers as well as a co-chair!

b. Flyer & Materials Committee: We need to design flyers about our movement, our petition, and our march.
c. March Organization: The date is set for February 27th. The logistics need to
be handled!

d. Communications/Media Committee: Keep the press informed.

e. Public Community Forum Committee: This group will explore the possibility of working with administrators and planning an event that will foster greater sensitivity on the part of the UCPD.

f. Policy/Research Group: This group will look into UCPD policies as well as
policies in similar settings. Their focus will be determined both in larger
planning meetings and by the committee itself.

Please contact me if you have any questions regarding the committees and the
open positions!

Best regards,
Kjersti Nichols
Student - School of Social Service Administration

Police Brutality Incident Report by Clemmie Carthans:

On Saturday January 24, at approximately 3:30am I was coming from a party at
another student’s apartment. I was going to meet a friend at her dorm (she was coming from a separate party) when I was approached by Uof C police officer Jenkins (I did not know his name at the time but I did see his badge number).
As I walked pass him he asked me “what are you doing around here.” I was
offended by this question because of the implications it posed, so I replied
“what” as if I did not here correctly. Next, Officer Jenkins asked if I lived around here and where did I live. I told him that I lived in the international
house, then he asked me why was I out so late (more implications), and I replied
that I was a grown man and did not have a curfew! After my response, he told me
that I needed to change my tone and I replied “whatever.” Jenkins continued to
do his perimeter check and the confrontation seemed to be over. About one
minute went by when my friend walked up. We hugged and proceeded to walk
towards her dorm. Next thing I know, Jenkins was running behind us screaming
“maam, are you alright, are you okay?”(as if I was harming her). He then asked
her if she knew me and was I a student here. She replied yes to the questions
and then he asked me for my identification. Upon request I gave him my student
identification. After looking at my student id, he continued to ask me
questions: “If you live in international house, why are you around here?” I
simply replied that I was over here to see a friend. He then asked for my
driver’s license. I told him that any information he needed could be obtained
from my student id. He became agitated and asked me for my license again. When
I reached for my wallet again, he grabbed my wrist and placed his hand on his
gun. At this time I became defensive. I told him that he needed to call for
backup and when his backup arrive I will show him my license (he still had not
checked my student id yet). Becoming more agitated, he demanded to see my
license again, once again grabbing my wrist. I snatched away from him and told
him that if was not under arrest to keep his hands to himself. At this point my
cell phone rang so I answered. It was a student from SSA and she asked me what
was going on and I explained that I was being harassed by the campus cops. He
then told me to “hang the mutherfucking phone up” and I said no and handed the
phone to my friend. Next, Jenkins ordered me to lie on the ground. I refused
citing “I’m not lying in no snow.” He told me to lie on the ground again. Once
again I told him that I was not going to lie in the snow. He replied “I didn’t
say lay in the snow; I said lay on the ground!” I replied “it’s snowing and the
ground is covered with snow” I then told him that “if you need to see my license
that bad, put handcuffs on me and get my wallet out of my pocket, other than
that I’m not laying in the snow!” He then looked at my student id and called
for backup citing “I have a suspicious character over by the dorms.” About one
minute went by when officer Cochran arrived (I did not know his name at the time
but I saw his badge number as well). When he got out of his car he did not say
anything: He simply grabbed my throat and slammed me onto the ground. When I
attempted to get up Jenkins and Cochran proceeded to kick me about the body. I
got up only to be knocked over a garbage can and told to “stay on the fucking
ground.” I got up again and told them “I’m not laying in no snow.” At this point
I was placed in handcuffs. After being placed in handcuffs Cochran asked what
was I doing around here and I told him that I was over to see a friend that’s
when Cochran punched me in the mouth. At this point I became very escalated and
proceeded to call the officers bitches and hoes among other euphemisms. It was
about five other police cars on the scene now so Cochran grabbed me by the back
of my neck and walked me to his police car. When we got to the car, he pushed
me into the car very hard so I told him that this was some unnecessary ass shit
and that they was going to hear from me again. He told me to shut the fuck up
then he searched me and removed my wallet from my back pocket. After that he
grabbed the back of my neck and slammed my head onto the top of the squad car
three times. After that I called him a bitch again and was placed into the car.
Approximately ten minutes later, I was approached by a sergeant or lieutenant
(I’m not sure of his rank, but he had on a white shirt) asking me questions such
as “where are you from,” “why are you out so late,” and “why am I around here?”
I told him that any information they needed on me they could get it from my id.
He closed the door and about fifteen-minutes later, Cochran opened the car door
and told me to “get the fuck out of the car.” I got out of the car and he
slammed me into the car again before the handcuffs were removed. After removing
the cuffs, He told me in these exact words: “YOU’RE COOL, GO HOME!” I replied,
“I’m cool, go home, this is bullshit, I’m not cool, I was slammed to the ground,
kicked around, punched in the mouth, slammed into a police car and I’m supposed
to be cool. My hands are bleeding, my mouth is busted, fuck that, you mother
fuckers are going to here from me again!” After that, their reply was for me to
walk it off and go to sleep. Even after all of that abuse, the thing that
offended and violated me most was yet to come. As I was leaving the scene, I
noticed that I did not have my wallet so I turned and asked for my wallet.
Cochran replied “we don’t have your wallet.” I asked again, and he replied the
same. I told him that that was “BULLSHIT” because they just finished checking my
id. He continued to say that he did not have my id. At this point the Sgt/Lt
intervened and said that they did not have my wallet. I told him “fuck it I
don’t need my wallet, but can I have your name and badge number and your name
and badge number (pointing to Jenkins and Cochran) and Cochran replied “we’re
not giving you shit!” I replied to them by saying “I don’t need that either:
1104 and 1114 (Jenkins and Cochran’s badge numbers) I’m not going to forget!”
After I called them on their badge numbers, Jenkins told me his name. I went to walk away and Cochran pulled my wallet out and gestured to hand it to me. When I reached for it he threw it! I told him that he was a bitch and that was some bitch ass shit and I told him that I was not picking it up. As I was walking away, the Sgt/Lt picked up the wallet and gave it to me and he put his hand around my shoulder and told me to sleep this off. I snatched away from him and told him to keep his fucking hands off me. After that I went to the emergency room.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
12) ANSWER !

HELP BUILD MARCH 20!

MARCH 20 UPDATE - 2/12/04
1) New downloadable flyers available for NYC & other cities
2) Joint demonstration in New York City
3) Momentum builds for major regional demonstrations, as well as for local demonstrations nationwide
4) Make a financial contribution to support the mobilization
5) Sign up for March 20 email updates

* * * * * * * * * *

*NEW*
DOWNLOADABLE FLYERS

New downloadable flyers are available for many cities across the country. These flyers are in PDF format - only Acrobat Reader is needed to easily open them, and then you can begin to spread the word.

Flyers (8.5x11) are now available for:
*New York City
*San Francisco
*Los Angeles
*Chicago
*Washington DC (buses to NYC)
*Boston (buses to NYC)

Check out the "downloads" page on the A.N.S.W.E.R. website at:
www.internationalanswer.org/campaigns/resources/index.html

Flyers for additional cities - along with posters, stickers and more - will be available soon!

* * * * * * * * * *

UNITED DEMONSTRATION IN NEW YORK CITY ON MARCH 20

The March 20 National Coalition - which includes the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition - and the March 20 Mobilizing Committee have decided unanimously to hold a united demonstration on March 20 in New York City. The two coalitions have held multiple meetings and have issued a joint statement, which can be found at
www.internationalanswer.org/news/update/020604statement.html

The coalitions are now focusing on coordinating the specific scenario and logistical issues for a single, unified demonstration using the joint unity statement as the political framework. Both coalitions have agreed to share all available and pending permits for New York City, and will organize independently in some instances and together in some instances.

* * * * * * * * * *

FIND OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN YOUR CITY:
Regional & Local Demonstrations, and transportation to them

On Saturday, March 20, major regional demonstrations will take place in New York City, San Francisco, Chicago and Los Angeles. Buses, vans and car caravans are being organized to bring people to these cities.

If you're organizing transportation to a regional demonstration, fill out the form at
www.internationalanswer.org/campaigns/m20/index.html
People around the country are visiting the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition website to find out about transportation plans from their city.

In addition to the major regional demonstrations taking place in New York City, San Francisco, Chicago and Los Angeles, momentum is growing across the country and around the world to make March 20 a massive day of global action. Cities organizing local protests include: Atlanta, Georgia; Augusta, Maine; Bellingham, Washington; Charlotte, North Carolina; Columbus, Ohio; Crawford, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Des Moines, Iowa; Eureka, California; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Fresno, California; Lansing, Michigan; Lincoln, Nebraska; Mobile, Alabama; Naples, Florida; New Bedford, Massachusetts; New Orleans, Louisiana; Oxford, Michigan; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Portland, Oregon; Riverside, California; Rockford, Illinois; San Diego, California; San Jose, California; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Seattle, Washington; Tallahassee, Florida; Tucson, Arizona; Ventura, California; Waterloo, Iowa; Yellow Springs, Ohio; and many more!

If you're organizing a local demonstration, fill out the form at
www.internationalanswer.org/campaigns/m20/index.html
People around the country are visiting the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition website to find out about demonstrations in and near their city.

For a detailed listing of TRANSPORTATION AND EVENT PLANS FOR OVER 50 U.S. CITIES - with more being added every day - go to
www.internationalanswer.org/campaigns/m20/m20transp.html

* * * * * * * * * *

MAKE A FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO HELP MAKE MARCH 20 A SUCCESS!

Organizing coordinated protests from coast to coast will insure huge expenses. The work is carried out by dedicated volunteers in cities across the country. But there are enormous expenses associated with the mobilization. We have already printed 100,000 leaflets and there is still seven weeks to go. We are making available leaflets, posters, stickers and organizing packets. We are sending speakers and organizers to college campuses. Because of the volume of phone traffic we have added extra phone lines. We will need to rent adequate sound systems, a stage, portable bathrooms and more. We plan to produce thousands of signs and banners for people to hold at the demonstration.

Thousands of people have made donations, large and small, in the last year in order to make this movement become such a powerful force that the New York Times described it as "the other global superpower" opposing the Bush administration's plans for war. If you have made a contribution before, we urge you to consider supporting this effort. If you have never contributed, now is the time. At a minimum, we need to raise $30,000 in the next few days to guarantee that our mass organizing campaign reaches its full potential.

In order to keep this work going at full pace, we are asking all of those who believe in the struggle for peace and justice to send an urgently-needed financial contribution. This is a critical moment for both the people of Iraq and the Middle East and the people in the United States. We must stop the Bush administration's endless war abroad and its concerted assault against civil rights and civil liberties at home.

You can make an online contribution at www.internationalanswer.org/donate.html

* * * * * * * * * *

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE UPDATES ABOUT MARCH 20!

Each week, the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition sends out several email updates reporting on the March 20 mobilization nationwide. These updates include event details for cities across the country, transportation information, resources (such as downloadable flyers), as well as critical logistical information. If you are not yet receiving these email updates, fill out the form at
www.internationalanswer.org/subscribelist.html

--------------------------

Email circulated by:
A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition
Act Now to Stop War & End Racism

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
www.InternationalANSWER.org
info (at) internationalanswer.org
Washington 202-544-3389
New York 212-633-6646
Los Angeles 213-487-2368
San Francisco 415-821-6545
_______________________________________________
ANSWER.general mailing list

Anyone can subscribe. Send an email request to: mailto:ANSWER.general-request (at) organizerweb.com?subject=subscribe

------------------------------------------------------------------------
13) Kim Scipes

Dear Folks--

The link below takes you to a powerful reconsideration of what happened in Florida in 2000 regarding the US presidential election. It takes a few minutes to load, but is well worth your time. It is based on reporting by Greg Palast.

At the end, you can "reply" it, or go to . I encourage each of you to go to Bushflash.com. Some pretty intense stuff, but well worth your time.

As you go down the page, see the commentary on Betty Ong's 23 minute conversation--from one of stewardesses on the highjacked jets on 9/11/01--and the response of the country's air defense command. Chilling stuff.

However, the fact that Betty Ong talked for 23 minutes and there never were any interceptors launched is a pretty heavy thing. But this brings me to something that I published in the Summer of 2002 in "Alternatives: Turkish Journal of International Relations." In this piece, I specifically talked about the failure of the air defense command in regard to the third plane on 9/11--the one that eventually hit the Pentagon (American Airlines 77). I made a strong case for considering some type of malfeasance took place in the air traffic control system: "I am not saying that someone tried to get the air traffic control system in its larger sense to act in ways that it was not designed to do--I am saying that someone got the air traffic control system not to do something it was specifically supposed to do."

Check this out for yourself. My article is "9/11/01: Ramifications on the US Social Order--An Early Impression," see particularly pages 160-166, and the entire article can be downloaded from the web at . Read the
Also, the same person who did the web site on Florida has also done a powerful video on Saddam Hussein, and his 40 year relationship with the CIA. This can be found at . Again, think you'd like it.


With best wishes--

Kim

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14) Clean Energy Now--Meet Your Sen.

The single greatest public interest victory in Congress last year was the stunning defeat of the polluting, budget-busting Energy Bill by two votes. With the President and most of the leadership of both parties behind it, it was a victory to be proud of, thanks to your help.

But hold that sigh of relief-the Energy Bill is back. Congress and the White House are now coming up with new ways to get the bill through.

Now you can do something powerful about it. You can meet directly with your Senator or their staff and call on them to stand up to the polluting oil companies and utilities and move us toward a clean energy future. You can sign up now to participate, at:

http: