Pacifica's Peace Watch
Wed. Jan. 22, 2003
Today's Stories:
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee: Repeal the Authorization
for use of Force
Draftee Apology from Rumsfeld: American Friends Service Committee
Ron Kovic
Matt Bradley Joe Foss agenda on draftees
Secret Armies of the US Government
Martin Luther King, Jr. and peace rally
American Indian Movement Leader Found Slain - Standing Deer
The audio of today's show is posted at http://www.radio4all.net/
Reuters News Agency is reporting that Russia's armed forces
have obtained information that the United States and its allies
have already decided to launch military action in Iraq from
mid-February. The agency's specialist military news wire AVN,
quoting an unnamed high-ranking source in the Russian general
staff, said U.S.-led operations would be launched once an
attacking force of 150,000 had been assembled in the Gulf.
The same unnamed Russian official said, "According
to the information we have, the operation is planned for the
second half of February. The decision to launch it has been
taken but not yet been made public.” The source has
generally authoritative contacts in the Russian military and
political establishment. The source added that the main aim
of the war would be to secure control of Iraqi oilfields.
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Story: Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee: Repeal
the Authorization for use of Force
U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas is taking
steps to repeal the congressional resolution granting the
president authority to use force in Iraq. Speaking with Peace
Watch this afternoon, the congresswoman explains the specifics
of her measure.
Tape: U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of the 18th
District in Houston Texas.
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Story: Draftee Apology from Rumsfeld: American Friends
Service Committee
War Secretary Donald Rumsfeld found himself in hot water
several weeks ago after commenting that military draftees
added "no value, no advantage" to the U.S. military
because they serve for shorter periods of time than traditional
enlistees. Russell Mohkiber of the Corporate Crime Reporter
and host of Challenging Corporate Power on Pacifica station
WPFW raised this issue with White House spokesperson Ari Fleisher
during a recent press briefing
Tape: Russell Mohkiber Corporate Crime Reporter
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Story: Ron Kovic
Vietnam veteran and actor Ron Kovic offers another veteran’s
perspective on the impending war with Iraq. He spoke here
in the nation’s capitol last week at a press conference
announcing last Saturday’s anti-war demonstrations.
Tape: Vietnam veteran and actor Ron Kovic
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Story: Matt Bradley Joe Foss agenda on draftees
The Joe Foss Institute is a group formed in tribute to the
accomplishments of the ace World War II pilot of the same
name, who later attained the rank of General. A luncheon was
held today at the National Press Club in Washington to promote
efforts to increase a sense of patriotism and respect for
the military among today's youth. The plan is to send veterans
to schools with videos and other materials to share their
personal war experiences in the armed forces. This campaign
was formed to address Joe Foss' concern that "there might
be an exodus of draft age Americans in the event of war."
The panel consisted of Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz,
former US Senator and space pioneer John Glenn, former Secretary
of Housing and Urban Development Jack Kemp, Retired Lt. Colonel
Oliver North and Congressman William Janklow.
Matthew Bradley, from the DC Independent Media Center attended
the event and posed the first question from the audience to
the panel.
Tape: Gus Grant, Chairman of the Joe Foss Institute responded
to the question directed at the panel.
Wolfowitz had left at that point, but Oliver North chose
not to respond. Afterwards Bradley caught up with Former HUD
Secretary Jack Kemp as he exited the event.
Tape: Jack Kemp, former HUD secretary
But according to the New Hampshire Gazette, Kemp has NOT
served in the military. The paper maintains an online database
of "chicken-hawks," those that have promoted or
voted for war and hold positions of "public prominence,"
but do not have war time military service. Kemp was diagnosed
with a bad knee and avoided service in Vietnam. He continued
playing professional football and became an all-star football
player and has no known record of war service.
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Story: Secret Armies of the US Government
In the dark recesses of the world, private contractors go
where the Pentagon would prefer not to be seen, carrying out
military exercises for the American government. More and more
the people who house and feed troops, repair, maintain and
even operate the high tech weapons are likely to be civilians.
As war on Iraq looms near, we turn to Philip Niererk, a project
manager with the Center for Public Integrity to get a sense
of how many mercenaries are engaged by the US government.
Tape: Philip Niererk, project manager, Center for Public
Integrity
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Story: Martin Luther King, Jr. and peace rally
On the celebration of the MLK holiday in Ann Arbor Michigan,
more than 2,000 people, most of them young and from Detroit,
marched to support the University’s affirmative action
program. Dozens of high school and college students marched
and carried “No To War” signs. The woman who distributed
the signs at the Ann Arbor march also attended a large MLK
holiday march in Detroit. She described the conflict she encountered
from the police while trying to distribute the signs.
Tape: Black Voices for peace
But 3000 people who gathered at a church in the nation’s
capitol on Monday to commemorate the life of the late Martin
Luther King, Jr. said that peace was very much at the center
of King’s message. Many denounced the Bush administration's
agenda that they characterize as war at home and abroad, and
criticized Bush's plans for an attack on Iraq and Affirmative
Action.
Reverend Grayland Hagler, the pastor of the Plymouth Congregational
Church in Washington welcomed all to this activist church,
reminding all of the needed courage in the leadership of people
of faith, and linking racism, poverty and militarism to a
cheering audience.
Tape: Reverend Grayland Hagler
Ruby Sales, an alumnus of the first Black Panther Party
in Alabama and the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee,
the director of Spirit House talked about freedom and the
responsibilities of African-American people and their relationship
to Bush. The event also included many artists, poets, and
musicians who celebrated MLK, Africa and the courage of the
African-American people in their struggles against the US
wars at home and abroad.
Tape: By Ryme Katkhouda, Peacewatch producer for WPFW, Pacifica's
station in Washington DC, with help from Serge Michel from
the DC-COOP and and Alan Bushnel from the IMC-DC.
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Story: American Indian Movement Leader Found Slain
- Standing Deer
Yesterday, 70 year old, political activist and leader of
the American Indian Movement, Standing Deer was found stabbed
in his home in Houston, TX. There were obvious signs of a
struggle, but to date there is no known motive or suspects.
Standing Deer is best known for exposing a plot to assassinate
American Indian leader Leonard Peltier in USP Marion a federal
maximum security prison. In retaliation, the government held
him in solitary isolation for 15 months. Standing Deer was
arrested again at the age of 65, kept in isolation and became
the object of mass demonstrations because the government denied
him his medication.
Standing Deer has been an advocate for prison reform for
many years. A few months ago, he wrote this commentary for
PeaceWatch.
Tape: Standing Deer, political activist of the American
Indian Movement. Thanks to Shannon of Pacifica station WPFT
in Houston for that report
Credits
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