Today Tom and I watched the film Hidden in Plain Sight, the documentary that looks at the nature of U.S. policy in Latin America through the prism of the School of the Americas (renamed, in January of 2001, the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation), the controversial military school that trains Latin American soldiers in the USA.
Despite what supporters say of this school, it is a terrorist training camp. One of the arguments made in support of the WHISC in the film is that the personnel from Latin American countries that attend the school who are identified as brutual murderers of their own people are already criminals in their country and the U.S. training they receive has no bearing on what they will do when they return to their countries. My question, then, is if these attendees are already known criminals, why are they permitted entry into the “school”?
Whenever I view films and participate in other events that surround issue of closing the School of Assasins, I strenghten my interest and resolve to travel to Ft. Benning, GA in November during the annual vigil and direct action event. I am hoping that I will be able to make my schedule such that I will be able to go this year.
Watch the 4 minute film of the November 2005 vigil.
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged anti-war, civil disobedience, human rights, school of americas
Not in Our Name is holding The Eviction Notice Campaign. You can order postcards to send to the White House with a notice of Eviction. The notice says:
To: George W. Bush
From: The People
Date: Way Past Due
George W. Bush, you are hereby notified to vacate the White House immediately. This notice applies to all related members of your administration. We the people have made clear, in our millions, our opposition to your acts and opinions during your terms as President. We declare NOT IN OUR NAME to endless awar and repression. Your right ot inhabit this residence is immediately terminated.
I got my card at Free Speech Zone here in Salt Lake City, but you can order them online.
Februrary 5
1631
Roger Williams, defender of religious liberty and founder of Rhode Island, arrived in Boston.
1826
New Harmony Community of Equality founded in Indiana.
1985
Australian Prime Minister Robert Hawke refuses to allow the US to use bases to monitor an MX missile test.
1991
49 German troops conscientiously objected to serving in Turkey during the Gulf War. The German peace movement actively supported U.S. soldiers stationed there by helping them file for conscientious objector status.
Clff Lyon, of the One Utah blog, is being threatened with libel by the Deseret News. Here is a letter they sent to Charley Foster of The State of the Beehive regarding the posting of an item by Cliff on its blog:
I just recieved the following email from the account of Chuck Gates at the Deseret News.
Dear Mr. Foster,
It has been brought to my attention that a Jan. 27 posting
on your blog by Cliff Lyon comments on the “firing” of Brady
Snyder by the Deseret Morning News. This is false. Brady
resigned from the newspaper, effective Jan. 28, to take a
job with the Salt Lake Rescue Mission and to devote more
time to his church. We were sorry to see him go.
We expect an immediate correction to this potentially
libelous information.
Angelyn N. Hutchinson
City Editor
This has created a flurry of response from bloggers all over – liberal AND conservative alike!
On blogging we all agree that (in Ken Bingham‘s words):
We bloggers must stand together to protect our rights. Otherwise bloggers will be silenced and intimidated by powerfull interests that do not like what we say.
Bloggers unite!
Links to posts on this issue:
Obligatory Anecdotes
One Utah
The State of the Beehive
Yesterday’s Utah Legislative Report Summary
Articles in published in today’s Utah newspapers about the Yesterday’s Utah Legislature news:
Salt Lake Tribune
Legislature briefs
Cross Bill Moves Ahead
Fetal pain advice bill sent back for rewrite
Doctors’ orders: They object to giving painkillers to fetuses before abortion
Panel votes for raising divorce fee
Guv doesn’t like it, but panel passes bill
Bill targets agency pay
Lawmakers approve bill to restrict access to personal information
First private prison a step close: Senate measure would require Corrections to seek proposals
Hate crimes bill advances to Hous–Supporters still wary: They have seen measures reach the brink of success before, only to fall short
Natural-gas tax rebate gains support on Hill
Deseret News
Hate-crimes measure advances: But revamped bill faces uphill battle in the House
Is state budget bill headed for veto? Huntsman, aides call HB352 a ‘power grab’
Lawmakers, hear the people
Transit bill targets Utah County future: Intent is to let residents vote to unify as a district
Utah needs to find 44,000 teachers: USU study says state must do more to recruit, retain
The only surplus Utah has is a surplus of needs (Opinion)
Shurtleff, officials join in support of bully bill: Community, schools, parents would form statewide coalition
Media coalition says bill will limit public’s access to legislators: Senators may revisit issue to find balance in privacy and access
Natural gas credit is expected to sail through
State reptile? Kids pitch rattlesnake: St. George schoolchildren make case at Legislature
Fetal-pain measure hits roadblock in Senate panel
Divorce fee would rise to $155 under measure
Ed board doesn’t support grad-requirement change
House panel OKs a resolution to add ‘Reagan’ to HAFB
Buttars to return Monday after leave due to illness
Utah Legislature sets Multifaith Day Feb. 16
February 4
1822
The American Colonization Society founded the African state of Liberia in West Africa as a home for freed U.S. slaves.
American Colonization Society ship leaving New York City bound for Liberia
1913
Birth of civil rights leader Rosa Parks
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Just when I thought it couldn’t get worse (what was I thinking???), another Utah representative has introduced new legislation that would replace Chris Buttar’s bill on banning Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs in public schools.
Rep. Aaron Tilton, R-Springville, says his HB393, “Public Education Club Amendments,” is close to public release and will look “virtually identical” to SB97, proposed by Buttars, R-West Jordan.
“I will probably be more aggressive in my bill” and require parental notification of some kind, Tilton said. The bill also “may or may not” set up a rating system, such as those for movies, that the school district could apply “so a parent would be made aware . . . of the (club’s) nature, that might conflict with a value they might hold.”
The rating, if Tilton pursues it, might be included in a parental permission slip, he said.
“It will restrict clubs, in my opinion, that . . . don’t adhere to community standards,” Tilton said of the bill. “If you’re a minor, you can’t engage in sexual activity.”
So let’s see……I wonder what the football club would be rated (I’d rate it for violence, for sure) – I’m sure the guys talk about sex in the locker room. So right there parents should not permit their children to participate in such a program.
I feel a comic strip coming on…..
The Democrats’ Response – Welcome to Weenie World
by Bob Burnett
Weenie: A person, especially a man, who is regarded as being weak and ineffectual.
If you’ve had the misfortune to be a registered Democrat the last few years, to stubbornly cling to the belief that one day the Dems will stand up to the Republicans, you’re all too familiar with the “weenie” effect. This is the dramatic transformation that happens when Senators, Representatives, or Governors get tapped to represent the entire Party. They may have exhibited great strength of character in their home
territory, but once they step onto center stage, they turn into weenies. Their backbone disintegrates andrather than speaking plainly, they fall into political gibberish.
Tuesday night brought us another example of the weenie effect. George Bush gave his State-of-the-Union Address. Newly elected Virginia Governor, Tim Kaine, followed with the Democratic response. Kaine may be a dynamo as Governor of Virginia, but as the national spokesman for the Democratic Party he was an instant weenie.
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Yesterday’s Utah Legislative Report Summary
Articles in published in today’s Utah newspapers about the Yesterday’s Utah Legislature news:
Salt Lake Tribune
Legislature briefs
More Legislative Briefs
Lawmakers hurriedly pass measure that could restrict access by the public
High schoolers may have to pay
It could cost more to float that boat
Registration: The $10 fee has been around for 19 years; funds would be used for facilities
Screenings exemption for missionaries, GIs?
Bill to help dentists now includes docs
Hotel tax bill would help Real Salt Lake
Toll road plan in high gear: Panel backs bill to let UDOT find a private partner for a highway
Lawmakers would drop own insurance
Budget Bill Would Weaken Governor’s Power
Gay-Club Ban Bill Emerges
Deseret News
Tuition bill heads to House: Tempers flare as panel refuses to hear from opponents of HB7
Clubs bill may replace Buttars’: Measure may include a rating system for parents
Lawmaker gives Alpine math an F
Lawmakers taking look at gift card expirations: HB324 would make certificates over $25 good for 5 years
GOP senators back building $$
Tighter restrictions are sought on Utah’s payday lenders: Advocates say Mayne’s bill isn’t tough enough
GOP preferences often different from Huntsman’s: House party’s vote for earmarking road cash is an example
Panel gives green light to toll-road plan
No health care for retired legislators if bill passes
‘Phishing’ targeted in bill, would increase penalties
Ski resort liability bill progresses to House
Measure to help poor get insurance moves to House
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 