Blog wrap-up

I have come to realize that for the most part this blog has failed to live up to its mission of providing a pro-working class perspective on issues relating to Northern California and Vallejo.  Even though the abuse unions endure in Vallejo from the local government and other voices on the web makes me angry, I'm not in a position to fight against these ideas as someone with no real ties to the area.  I hope to be able to make a more effective impact by volunteering for local progressive candidates.
As for posts relating to peace and international issues, its been great to share them with you, but an ounce of practice is worth a ton of theory and I realize that it would be better to write one letter to the editor of even a small newspaper than hundreds of blog posts.
If you want to keep up with me, what I'm reading and thinking, you can follow me on twitter @mardiddams.

Adieu, adios, asalaamalaikum.
mar

International Transport Workers' Federation: Press area

International Transport Workers' Federation: Press area

‘Time to beat piracy’ campaign announced

17 March 2010

Union representatives meeting in Berlin have voted to launch a new campaign to persuade all governments to commit the resources necessary to end the increasing problem of Somalia-based piracy.

Seafarers’ delegates at ITF meetings in Germany authorised the Federation to build a campaign that is hoped to deliver half a million signatures to governments by World Maritime Day, September 23rd. The campaign will call on them to close the circle on protection of ships, and for those states now ducking their responsibilities to stand up and follow the example of those which are actively involved in combating the threat.

The petition will call on nations to:

• Dedicate significant resources and work to find real solutions to the growing piracy problem.
• Take immediate steps to secure the release and safe return of kidnapped seafarers to their families
• Work within the international community to secure a stable and peaceful future for Somalia and its people

Speaking from Berlin, ITF Maritime Coordinator Steve Cotton said: “This decision has empowered us to build a worldwide campaign to put pressure on all governments to close the gap in their anti-piracy efforts. At the end of last year we warned that a point had been reached where the affected area had become too dangerous to enter, except in exceptional circumstances. We also highlighted the scandalous negligence of countries making billions from ships they are doing nothing to protect. There has been no improvement since then.”

He continued: “The reality is that seafarers are risking their lives transporting the world’s goods through areas that are daily growing more dangerous. That situation is not going to change without dramatic efforts to address the problems of Somalia and its people and grasp the nettle of confronting and prosecuting piracy.”

The Berlin meeting also agreed to support the inclusion, where appropriate, of armed military personnel on ships in addition to the commitment by flag states of naval vessels. The ITF remains firmly opposed to the arming of seafarers. It is also gravely concerned by attempts to prevent the payment of ransoms and considers that it is the duty of shipowners and flag states to take all necessary measures to swiftly reunite seafarers with their families when they are held hostage. The ITF also stated that it is unforgiveable that the major flag of convenience states have done little more to fight piracy than sign pieces of paper. They have taken no other concrete action, nor have they used their flag state jurisdiction to enable the prosecution of any pirates.

The ITF will now work on an e-petition website and a cross-industry international campaign intended to deliver a powerful message to governments on World Maritime Day.

ENDS

For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson.
Direct line: + 44 (0)20 7940 9260.
Email: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk

International Transport Workers' Federation - ITF:
HEAD OFFICE
ITF House, 49 - 60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DS
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733
Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7375 7871
Email: mail@itf.org.uk
Web: www.itfglobal.org

Biography | Bill Nye the Science Guy

Biography | Bill Nye the Science Guy

from BillNye.com. An example of a famous engineer. My high school science teacher freshmen year had his autograph framed on his wall.

Search Results - THOMAS (Library of Congress)

Search Results - THOMAS (Library of Congress)
H.CON.RES.248
Title: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan.
Sponsor: Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. [OH-10] (introduced 3/4/2010)      Cosponsors (21)
Related Bills: H.RES.1146
Latest Major Action: 3/10/2010 Failed of passage/not agreed to in House. Status: On agreeing to the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 65 - 356 (Roll no. 98). 

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), (Introduced in House)
HCON 248 IH

111th CONGRESS 2d Session
H. CON. RES. 248
Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 4, 2010

Mr. KUCINICH (for himself, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. FILNER, Mr. JONES, Ms. WOOLSEY, Mr. CAPUANO, Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois, Mr. PAUL, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. MASSA, Mr. GRAYSON, Ms. LEE of California, Ms. PINGREE of Maine, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Ms. CLARKE, Mr. SERRANO, and Mr. MICHAUD) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

---

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan.

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),

SECTION 1. REMOVAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM AFGHANISTAN.

Pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1544(c)), Congress directs the President to remove the United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan--

(1) by no later than the end of the period of 30 days beginning on the day on which this concurrent resolution is adopted; or

(2) if the President determines that it is not safe to remove the United States Armed Forces before the end of that period, by no later than December 31, 2010, or such earlier date as the President determines that the Armed Forces can safely be removed.

US POLICY IN AFGHANISTAN: TIME FOR A CHANGE Laurie Johnston National War College

http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA437594

This essay I found on WorldCat gives the political situation in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of the Red Army but before the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan government was overthrown.  The anti-communist point of view shouldn't distract from many of the facts about US involvement in Afghanistan most of us haven't heard.  In 1991, when this report was written, two years has already passed since the Soviet Union withdrew and not only did the progressive government remain in place, it got stronger.  It would remain in place until April of 1992.  There is disturbing foretelling in the last pages of the report that "We are apparently supporting groups who are militarily and politically ineffective, and not likely to be pro-US in the long-run, so that we can stand firm against the USSR, with whom we increasingly cooperate", and that an institutional report would recommend cutting off money for a military solution and supplying humanitarian aid instead, all in 1991.

Looking at the corruption and unpopularity of the Karzai government now it seems that 1991 wasn't that long ago.  What you won't learn from the National War College is that all forms of intervention in Afghanistan or any nation are doomed to failure.  Like it says at the end of this report from 1991, in the Afghanistan of 2010 we need to:

• Cease military action
• Discuss a political settlement with the regional powers, e.g. the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
• Continue humanitarian assistance through "other channels" i.e. ones without political loyalty to the US.

Maritime Professional - NUSI threaten to boycott Gulf of Aden/Somalia coast

Maritime Professional - NUSI threaten to boycott Gulf of Aden/Somalia coast

The disregard for the lives of seafarers by shipping companies and world powers is disappointing. 200 merchant seamen are still being held for ransom by Somali pirates after the M.V. Al Khaliq was recently released. Piracy is a serious crime which became much more common near Somali waters after foreign companies eliminated the fisheries by overfishing and dumping toxic waste, causing fishermen to abandon legitimate business.

Disappointingly, the world powers have done nothing to deal with either the crime or the conditions that encourage the crime. To deal with the crime, merchant ships need to be equipped properly to resist boarding, with barriers like barbed wire around the deck, enough lookouts, and crew trained to use non-lethal techniques to repel pirates. There should also be naval escorts, with each country responsible for protecting the ships flying her flag or owned by her citizens, but because of the uneven distribution of world naval power a compromise should be reached so that nations with more naval power provide more naval escort vessels. The conditions need to be improved by banning exploitation or destruction of any of Somalia's natural resources by internationals.

None of this is being done now. I'm embarrassed that the US, with the largest navy and with businesses that own more than a thousand ships total (with most registered in other nations), can't protect the seafarers who create its wealth.

I agree with the National Union of Seafarers of India that if the situation doesn't improve, seafarers should refuse to sail through the Gulf of Aden and I hope this threat has the political effect it deserves.

THAILAND: Anti-gov’t Movement Opens Rural Minds through ‘Schools’ - IPS ipsnews.net

THAILAND: Anti-gov’t Movement Opens Rural Minds through ‘Schools’ - IPS ipsnews.net

The "Red Shirts" in Thailand demonstrate how class struggle can come in many forms.

U.S.: Court-Martial for Soldier Who Wrote Angry Song about Stop-Loss - IPS ipsnews.net

U.S.: Court-Martial for Soldier Who Wrote Angry Song about Stop-Loss - IPS ipsnews.net

Crime wave compounds bankrupt Vallejo's woes

Crime wave compounds bankrupt Vallejo's woes

A terrible week. What will it take for people to mobilize against the budget cuts in crime prevention? I wonder how many people who are affected by this crime are from the religious community that may have supported Osby Davis for his Christian values rather than asking about how the bankruptcy and the war on public service unions would affect regular communities. There are many churches in Vallejo, but whenever it comes to their politics all you mostly hear about are "social" issues like homosexuality.

Afghanistan: Is it all about terrorism? » peoplesworld

Afghanistan: Is it all about terrorism? » peoplesworld

Thanks to Sam Webb for his insight. How much does "oil" really have to do with the war in Afghanistan? Central Asia is a rich source of oil and natural gas and none of its former Soviet republics are members of OPEC. Maintaining the Afghan war makes sense from the perspective of preventing another oil embargo. Another reason this country is so quick to go to war is that we haven't completely accepted that we will need to share global power with China in the future, so cost is no object when it comes to stealing a venue to establish our influence from Beijing.

Peace
MAR

Burka: A Way to Blind Public Opinion - L'Humanité in English

Burka: A Way to Blind Public Opinion - L'Humanité in English

I wrote a post about the subject of the French debate on banning the full face veil a while ago on my old blog, and I thought it would be useful to share this story to help differentiate between the right and left view of the issue. The opinion of Johnathan Roger, that "The wearing of the full facial veil, which symbolizes the submission and locking up of women, has to be fought. Unfortunately, in this affair it serves as a pretext for uniting the right – including the far right – at the price of lapsing into xenophobia.", is not the same as calling for "thought crime" laws as many who oppose the idea of banning any style of dress would say. Also on L'Humanité's english language website you can find an article about how religious leaders are reluctant to take a strong stand on either side of the issue. People who support the ban for any reason should realize that it is primarily an electoral strategy for the French right.

US has "third world" transportation system

Non-Left post

On February 2nd, California state senator Alan Lowenthal gave a speech at my campus as part of the Joseph P.Rizza lecture series, highlighting the gains made in reducing pollution from ports, giving us ideas as to the future of port systems (and the "short haul" transport that supports them), and criticizing the disadvantages California now faces compared to Canadian ports and the expanded Panama Canal and the "silo mentality" that causes them.  I'm sure the entire speech will be available on the internet eventually.

What struck me was that he said after cargo leaves our state of the art ports, it basically enters a third world transportation system.  Our rail infrastructure around terminals is so bad that its cheaper to send a ship from China through the Panama canal to the gulf coast (and then on to destinations in the South or Midwest) than it is to unload it in California and send it cross country.  This means that as shipping traffic is sent through the canal, money that could create transportation jobs on the west coast goes into canal fees and the sky as ultra-polluting fuel oil.

He later told me in person that our infrastructure around ports is and issue of nation-wide concern and the US Department of Transportation is not doing enough.  The responsibility for improving national transportation infrastructure should go to the federal government, but they don't seem to be doing anything.  Ray Lahood, current Transportation Secretary, was probably selected to add a republican to the cabinet and not for bold leadership.  It should go without saying that efficient, cost effective movement of goods is a key part of the national economy and should have national attention.

Stop Militarized Afghan Aid: NGOs - IslamOnline.net - News

Stop Militarized Afghan Aid: NGOs - IslamOnline.net - News

Debunking the myth that the military action in Afghanistan helps the Afghans.

MUNI budget cuts? WTF!?

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/01/29/MN0Q1BP8E6.DTL
The San Francisco MTA is talking about cutting 10% of service on the nations most crowded public transportation system. This will only cause fewer people to pay the fare because buses are already too crowded for people to enter through the front door. Then again, most people in San Francisco don't want to drive to work, so maybe the MTA just expects them all to suffer.

mltoday.com -History of a Hatian Holocaust

mltoday.com

Howard Zinn, author of 'People's History' and left-wing historian, dies at 87 in California - latimes.com

Howard Zinn, author of 'People's History' and left-wing historian, dies at 87 in California - latimes.com

Posted using ShareThis

A call to mobilize from Rich Trumka

Charity Navigator: Wyclef Jean's Yele Haiti Foundation

Charity Navigator: Wyclef Jean's Yele Haiti Foundation

What strikes me as odd about the appeal for emergency aid to Haiti is that so much of it will probably go to rebuilding the structures that the NGOs were using to deliver aid before the earthquake rather than being delivered directly to victims. In a developed country a victim would go to get aid in a community owned building like a school or church. As we all give money to NGOs for the relief effort in Haiti, we know that almost anything permanent they build will probably be owned, a the very top at least, by foreigners. The cycle of poverty and disaster will simply continue to repeat itself until Haiti can liberate herself from corruption caused by US intervention in her politics.

Maybe Jean's foundation will be better than Partners In Health, American Red Cross, and the other US NGOs because he won't build any "permanent bases" and will focus on getting directly to Haitians. I personally split my donation between PIH, which runs most of the hospitals still standing in Haiti, and Islamic Relief USA, which put a team on the ground shortly after the earthquake and is laying plans for distributing aid that is on its way, and putting mobile water trailers in neighborhoods.

Back to Yele Haiti, donating be text message isn't a very good idea in an emergency since the group doesn't get the money until you pay your phone bill. It would work for an organization that has tons of money already, like the Red Cross (text haiti to 90999), but not Yele Haiti, which is broke until everyone pays their January cell phone bills.

PAME calls for new strike on February 10th

On Saturday January 9, 2010 PAME held an enlarged meeting of the Pan-Hellenic Coordination Committee with the participation of 300 trade unionists from all over the country as well as from main sectors of production. After the meeting PAME called the people to escalate their struggle against the sweeping attack of the “socialist” PASOK government which is also supported by the liberal opposition of ND.

read more...

MLK and his legacy

In honor of MLK day.

Back in khaki

What is a comrade?
What is a friend, but with a more complicated relationship?
More to you than your one night stand, but less than your cat.

Is that a comrade, kinda, close?

What does a soldier care about the person she fights next to?

It would depend on the historical context of the war in question.

A person with whom you find it completely normal to go camping,                                        cook,                                        sing,                                        "chill"                                        and also not communicate for years only to knock on their doors drunk in retribution for hours of thoughts wasted

Is not my comrade.

I would use Mr. or Ms. if I had anything to talk about with such a person. I would watch the false symbolism strike such a person with fear. Or not, if the former comrade possibly has anything else to think about.

Where did the symbolism come from? Why do I feel like most Americans don't regularly use the word "comrade"? How did this unproven assertion become a symbol of the divide between lefts and non-lefts?

I hesitate to use it around strangers like I hesitate to use large words around a 5th grader, forgetful of how much someone of that age should know.

My mistake of expecting people to be always suspicious of my politics has cost me the use of a good word.