Second US diplomat resigns over Iraq war plans
John H. Brown, who joined the US diplomatic corps in 1981 and served in London, Prague, Krakow, Kiev, Belgrade, and Moscow, said in a letter to Sec. of State Colin Powell, “I cannot in good conscience support Pres. Bush’s war plans against Iraq. Throughout the globe the US is becoming associated with the unjustified use of force. The president’s disregard for views in other nations, borne out of his neglect of public diplomacy, is giving birth to an anti-American century.” Last month, a senior US diplomat in Athens, political counselor John Kiesling, resigned in protest at the Bush administration’s policy on Iraq. (Reuters)

VA Tech attacks free speech, sexual rights
The governing board of Virginia Tech voted last Monday to bar advocates of “extreme political views” from speaking on campus. Under the new policy, student groups must seek the president’s approval if they wish to invite speakers who support or take part in activities that could be construed as “domestic violence or terrorism,” which the measure does not define. At the same meeting, the board voted to change the university’s anti-discrimination clause so that it no longer prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation -- which is in accordance with state and federal laws. They also effectively ended the use of affirmative action in admissions, hiring, and financial aid.
The university is currently reviewing the “extreme speech” resolution with the attorney general to ensure its legality, particularly regarding the Constitutional guarantees of free speech and assembly, due process, and equal protection. An editorial in the student newspaper called the measure’s language “irrefutably ambiguous.” One professor described the campus mood as a “brewing storm” and said they are still trying to figure out exactly what happened. “We’re sort of astounded,” he said. (Chronicle of Higher Education)

Air force base authorizes ‘deadly force’ against trespassers
Security forces at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California may use “deadly force” against protesters if they infiltrate the military complex if a war starts, officials said. Some anti-war activists plan to enter onto the grounds of the base in hopes of disturbing Vandenberg’s mission and to vandalize sensitive equipment they contend helps guide the war effort.
Officials revealed that military police may shoot to kill, if necessary, to protect base residents and its property. The directive has always been in existence, but a base spokesperson said it is more critical now that people understand its severity.
The deadly force policy will not deter protesters, said Peter Lumsdaine of the Vandenberg Action Coalition, one of the organizers of the action. “I think it does underline that people in the nonviolent resistance movement are willing to take some risks,” he said. Major Stacee Bako said the security measures, including the deadly force decree, are necessary because of the threat of biological weapons. “It’s impossible for us to determine what their intent is,” she said. “Are they protesters? Are there terrorists in that group and [do] they plan on killing everyone on base? They all have to be dealt with as very specific threats, whether they’re vandalizing a sign, crossing the green [no trespassing] line or infiltrating the backcountry.” (AP)

Libraries post Patriot Act warnings
Libraries in Santa Cruz, California, have posted warnings that records of the books patrons borrow may wind up in the hands of federal agents. The signs, posted in the ten county branches and on the library’s web site, also inform the reader that the USA Patriot Act “prohibits library workers from informing you if federal agents have obtained records about you.” Patrons are told that, “Questions about this policy should be directed to Attorney General John Ashcroft.” The Justice Dept. says libraries have become a logical target of surveillance in light of evidence that some Sept. 11 hijackers used library computers to communicate with each other. Library goers are swiftly denouncing this once-obscure provision of the Patriot Act. “It’s none of their business what anybody reads. It’s counterproductive to what libraries are all about,” said Cathy Simmons of Boulder Creek. “This makes me think of Big Brother,” said Ari Avraham of Santa Cruz. (San Francisco Chronicle)

FBI agent: lawmen may belong to supremacist group
Several members of law enforcement agencies in Georgia may belong to a “dangerous” white supremacist group, an FBI agent testified last week at a bond hearing for Chester James Doles who is being held on gun charges. Doles is the state organizer of the National Alliance and longtime Ku Klux Klan activist.
FBI special agent Joseph Thompson, a member of the joint terrorism task force that investigated Doles, said, “Mr. Doles is a very active member of a group the FBI considers a terrorist group. That group is known commonly in law enforcement as the most dangerous group in the US.” Thompson testified on evidence “that shows that Mr. Doles has a support network including law enforcement members. You vastly increase the capacity of the network” by having authorities as members that “can look the other way.” Walking out of the courtroom, Doles looked at his two teenage sons, saying, “You know what’s on trial here. Step up to the plate. You boys got to.” His wife responded, “They will.” (Atlanta-Journal Constitution)

Senate bans ‘partial birth’ abortion
The US Senate has voted to ban a form of late-term abortion, a decision which opponents say marks the start of a general assault on abortion rights. It is the first legislative restriction to a woman’s right to abortion since the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of the measure in 1973. Most women who opt for this procedure, which usually takes place in the fifth or sixth month, do so because their fetuses have severe or fatal abnormalities or because the pregnancy endangers their health or lives. The bill will now go to the House of Representatives where it is expected to pass. President Bush, a Christian who is in league with the anti-abortion lobby, hailed the vote as “an important step toward building a culture of life in America.”
Opponents of the ban -- who say the term “partial birth” is not a medical term but an emotive, politically motivated description -- argue the procedure is rarely performed and that the ban could be extended to cover other forms of abortion. “The Senate passed a law they know is unconstitutional and endangers women’s health,” said the President of the Center for Reproductive Rights, which has brought cases successfully challenging similar state laws. The legislation includes an exemption in cases where the mother’s life is in danger but does not included protecting her health or fertility. Legislation banning the procedure has often been introduced but was either defeated by Congressional Democrats or vetoed by pro-choice Pres. Clinton. The Supreme Court is narrowly split on the issue of abortion and anti-choice activists hope Bush will get the chance to appoint a justice who will swing the balance on the court during his term. (BBC)

Activists sentenced to six months
in prison
Three men who belong to the Catholic Workers, a nationwide lay movement that serves the poor and promotes social justice, have been sentenced to six months in prison for splashing blood on the Pentagon in protest of a possible war with Iraq. On Dec. 30 the men poured blood, including their own, on a door and columns at a Pentagon entrance while 60 other demonstrators diverted a contingent of military police. The action symbolized “The bloodiness that’s already on the Pentagon,” one of the men said in an interview. Each man was convicted on two charges: disorderly conduct and violation of preservation of property. (Virginia-Pilot)

U of NM pressures World Bank
Following a two-year organizing drive by students and faculty at the University of New Mexico, the university became the first in the country to adopt a policy against investment in World Bank bonds. U-NM joins more than 80 institutions and municipalities, including seven US cities, ten investment firms with $16 billion in assets, and dozens of major unions and religious organizations in adopting the World Bank Bonds Boycott, which organizes investors not to buy World Bank bonds as a means of pressuring the World Bank for fundamental change. (Econjustice.net)

Teachers
suspended over anti-war signs
Dozens of students walked out of class to protest the suspension of two Rio Grande High School teachers who were removed after refusing to take down anti-war posters in their classrooms. A spokesperson for the Albuquerque school district said such posters could be displayed in a classroom discussion about the issue, but, “they’re not supposed to promote one side or another of a controversial issue.” He said the district had not specifically informed teachers about war posters. The teachers are on leave with pay and face hearings on their suspension. “I knew I couldn’t take it down because I love those people,” said suspended ninth-grade English teacher Carmelita Roybal in reference to her two brothers who fought in Vietnam, a nephew based in Kuwait, and two former students deployed overseas. (AP)

NYC Council
approves
anti-war resolution
After months of debate, the City Council of New York City approved a resolution last Wednesday opposing war with Iraq except as a last resort. “If we’re going to be looking for a fight, let’s fight poverty…firehouse closures…racism and sexism,” said Yvette Clark, a Democrat supporting the resolution. Recent polls show 75 percent of New Yorkers oppose a war without the support of the United Nations. New York joins Los Angeles, Chicago, Milwaukee, and hundreds of other cities and counties in the US who have approved anti-war resolutions since Sept. (AP)

Veterans groups outraged over
budget cuts
The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) has labeled “indefensible and callous” a plan by the House Budget Committee to slash $470 billion from domestic spending, including health care for sick and disabled veterans. The draft budget would leave the $1.6 trillion Bush tax cut plan intact and allow huge spending increases on defense and homeland security. “You will be cutting benefits and services for disabled veterans when we have thousands of our service members in harm’s way fighting terrorism around the world and when we are sending thousands more of our sons and daughters to fight a war against Iraq,” said the National Commander of the 1.3 million member DAV. (US Newswire)

Bill would automatically register menfor the draft
The Texas House of Representatives last Wednesday gave preliminary approval to a bill that would automatically register young men for a possible draft when they apply for or renew a Texas driver’s license. The bill passed despite objections that the measure would be unfair to those who object to war for religious or ethical reasons and violates privacy rights. The bill mandates that the information provided from men between 18 and 26 would be automatically registered with the Selective Service System.
Similar legislation has been adopted by 27 states, two US territories, and the District of Columbia. Federal law requires all young men living in the US and its territories to register with the Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday. Failure to do so is a felony. The names are gathered in case a national emergency should require a military draft, although there have been no call-ups since the draft ended in 1973. (AP)

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