U.S. OFFICIALS insist the war in Afghanistan is a "war on terrorism" not a war against the Afghan people. But since the Pentagon has dropped 10,000 bombs on one of the world's poorest countries, that story has become harder to sell. More than 3,500 civilians had been killed by early December
December 14, 2001 | Issue 387 | Socialist Worker
U.S. KILLS THOUSANDS OF CIVILIANS:
Washington's War Crimes
U.S. OFFICIALS insist the war in Afghanistan is a "war on terrorism" not a war against the Afghan people. But since the Pentagon has dropped 10,000 bombs on one of the world's poorest countries, that story has become harder to sell. More than 3,500 civilians had been killed by early December.
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ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
The real face of Washingtons war:
Nightmare in the "new" Afghanistan
To listen to the Pentagon, the village of Kama Ado is alive and well. Sure, U.S. warplanes dropped bombs nearby, but Pentagon spokespeople dismissed reports of civilian casualties from off-target bombs. However, up to half of the areas residents may have been killed.
Can the UN fix Afghanistan?
The White House made it clear all along that it expected the UN to "take over the so-called nation-building" after the war, as George W. Bush put it in October. But this doesnt mean the U.S. is giving up its say-so over Afghanistans future.
Washingtons new imperialism
Many U.S. politicians and media pundits have decided that Afghans--and other people in the Middle East and Central Asia--are unfit to rule themselves, with some openly calling for a revival of old-style colonialism.
Democrats cave in to the attack on civil liberties
"My name is Ali Al-Maqtari, and I want to tell you the story of how I was jailed by the INS for almost eight weeks
Even though I did nothing wrong, and cooperated with the INS, FBI and Army in every way possible, I spent many weeks in harsh jail conditions, cut off from my wife
"
Israel lashes out
Casualties continue to mount as Israel steps up its war on Palestinians following three suicide bombings at the beginning of December. In less than a week, more than 100 Palestinians--most of them children--were injured, and two killed.
Defend our jobs! Defend our unions!
More than 225 teachers of the Middletown school district in New Jersey defied court injunctions against a strike and went to jail in their struggle for a fair contract. Meanwhile, 5,100 members of International Association of Machinists District 91 were on strike against aircraft engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney.
Trying to bring back COINTELPRO
There is no question that George W. Bushs "either youre with us, or with the terrorists" atmosphere has a certain Cold War ring to it.
Steelworkers battle shutdown at LTV
A Federal bankruptcy judge delayed the planned closure of steelmaker LTV after unions and creditors pressed for more time to find a buyer. LTV management has literally tried to destroy the company while stuffing their own pockets.
Free Mumia Abu-Jamal
Police viciously attacked a 500-strong march in Philadelphia for death row prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal December 8.