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A New Year’s message
Without socialism, the countries of the world cannot reduce their illiteracy rate to zero, attainable and necessary for progress. Without socialism, all the people of the world will not have access to potable water that is so vital for their health and safety. Without socialism, children will not be in school through their learning years […]
- December 21, 2001
Going too far?
On Nov. 1, Nancy Oden, an organic farmer, drove 100 miles from Jonesboro, Maine to the Bangor airport. A member of the National Coordinating Committee of the Green Party USA, she was going to an important committee meeting in Chicago. At the ticket window she learned that her bags would be searched. She passed through […]
- December 21, 2001
What’s wrong with free trade?
The uneven consequences of free trade founded upon neoliberal policy protecting the interests of Big Business hurts people from every walk of life. With government complicity, supply side economics, gunboat diplomacy and tax breaks for the rich have been frequent obstacles to the advancement of democracy and human rights. Throughout our history, corporations have exploited […]
- December 21, 2001
Fighting terrorism without destroying the law
In the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, there has been a lot of attention paid to the Portland, Ore. Police Bureau’s response to a request by federal authorities to question 23 men of Middle Eastern origin in our community. Our response and our city have been characterized by some as unpatriotic. Given the […]
- December 21, 2001
Bush proposes police state public health law
How could anyone oppose a strong public health system – one with a mandate to protect everyone from such potential disasters such as smallpox or anthrax? Given the disastrous shape that the U.S. public health system is in, there is certainly a need to infuse millions of dollars into the system. Prior to the World […]
- By : Phil E. Benjamin
- December 21, 2001
Dont invite the Marlboro man to dinner
As holiday shoppers scramble for last-minute gifts, the barrage of advertisements taking advantage of the season of giving is reaching its peak. The same rule of thumb that explains the sell-out of the must-have toy of the season also applies to tobacco: the most heavily advertised brands are the most popular. The leading brand among […]
- By : Phil E. Benjamin
- December 21, 2001
Non-citizen airport security workers to lose their jobs
Of about 28,000 people employed in airport security nationally, almost a fourth are non-citizens. But with the new airport security law passed by Congress, this could change radically, and all 7,000 could abruptly lose their jobs. The rationale is that non-citizens may not be “loyal” to the United States and therefore cannot be trusted with […]
- By : Phil E. Benjamin
- December 21, 2001
King George attacks civil rights
Nearly 30 years ago, Arthur Schlesinger characterized Richard Nixon’s administration as the “Imperial Presidency.” George W. Bush has revived the concept, wrapping himself in the red, white and blue, as he strides forward, claiming new territory at every step. With every stride, Bush has stepped on the separation of powers defined in the Constitution. He […]
- By : Phil E. Benjamin
- December 21, 2001
In The Bedroom: America in denial and worse
David Ansen of Newsweek said of this film: “Once it gets its hooks in you, you can’t turn away.” But I’m concerned about what it is that gets its hooks into the viewer and why all of us in our post-Sept. 11 world may not be able to get away with our First Amendment rights, […]
- By : Phil E. Benjamin
- December 21, 2001
Helen Winter 1908 – 2001
Helen Winter, a life-long member of the Communist Party, died Dec. 13. She is survived by a daughter, Michelle Artt, granddaughters Elizabeth Meggison and Ruth Foster, and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. A memorial celebration of her life is planned for Jan. 21. Maryanne Mahaffey, president of the Detroit City Council, is preparing a council resolution […]
- By : Phil E. Benjamin
- December 21, 2001