Month: November 2015

Okinawa – Around one hundred and fifty Japanese protesters gathered to stop construction trucks from entering the U.S. base "Camp Schwab," after the Ministry of Land overruled the local Governors’ decision to revoke permission for construction plans, criticizing the "mainland-centric" Japanese Government of compromising the environmental, health and safety interests of the Islanders.

Riot police poured out of buses at six a.m., outnumbering protesters four to one, with road sitters systematically picked off in less than an hour to make way for construction vehicles.

All the mayors and government representatives of Okinawa have objected to the construction of the new coastal base, which will landfill one hundred and sixty acres of Oura Bay, for a two hundred and five hectare construction plan which will be part of a military runway.

Marine biologists describe Oura Bay as a critical habitat for the endangered "dugong" (a species of manatee), which feeds in the area, as well as sea turtles and unique large coral communities.

Continue reading “Henoko Takes on US Imperialism”

You know when you go to a baseball game and invariably during some inning break the team points out a group of soldiers or national guard members in the stands and tries to get a big round of applause going? That doesn’t just happen.

A new report from Sens. John McCain (R – AZ) and Jeff Flake (R – AZ) revealed that the Pentagon has spent over $10 million in recent years to keep those “shows of patriotism” active across sporting events.

Whether it’s paying for special VIP parking for generals or for some team to show the military’s logo on their jumbotron, these programs are overwhelmingly pay-to-play sponsorship schemes. If 20 members of the military are getting the “Richard Petty ride-along experience,” it comes as part of a $1.5 million annual expenditure.

Interestingly, Congressional leaders seem to be of two minds about this heavily subsidized pretense of a pro-military environment, insisting it is a waste of money but largely expecting the teams to continue the programs irrespective of whether they pay for them.

That’s probably not going to be realistic, particularly in the long run, and while it’s certainly a waste of taxpayer money to have the National Guard buying a block of Red Sox tickets, Congress may be about to learn that in the absence of “paid patriotism” there’s going to be a lot less VIP treatment coming the military’s way.

Hundreds of thousands of migrants from the Middle East, Africa, even western Asia are pouring into western Europe through central Europe as Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel has laid down a welcome mat. Meanwhile political pressure within Germany builds, as villages of just 100 or more residents are told they must house thousands of refugees who know neither the language nor the customs of the area. Parties like the Alternative for Germany are enjoying increased popularity and electoral success. Is Germany – and the EU – headed for a crack-up? More today in the Liberty Report:

Reprinted from The Ron Paul Institute for Peace & Prosperity.

The apparent downing of a Russian passenger plane over Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula over the weekend has, as could be predicted, produced no shortage of theories as to who or what is behind it. Was it ISIS-affiliated Islamist terrorists who control much of the area? They took “credit” for the attack but do not seem to have the technical means to carry it out. A bomb on board? Blowback for Russian bombs on Syria? Today’s Liberty Report takes a look at the various theories and at the bigger picture:

Reprinted from The Ron Paul Institute for Peace & Prosperity.

Just last week, the U.S. State Department announced that it would cut $5 million in security aid to Mexico in response to its appalling Human Rights record. The withdrawal of some aid – though not enough to put a definitive end to the failed Drug War – is a victory for the people who have been clamoring for justice and calling for an end to US military aid and training to Mexico. We will continue to demand an end to the Drug War and accountability as the US continues to train and fund Mexican military and police through the Merida Initiative.

This November 20-22, join us in Columbus, Georgia for one of the largest hemisphere-wide anti-militarism convergences. This year marks the 25th Anniversary of our Vigil, and our movement, which began on the anniversary of the November 16, 1989 SOA graduate-led massacre of Elba and Celina Ramos and six Jesuit priests at the University of Central America in El Salvador.

From Richland County, South Carolina to Ayotzinapa, Mexico, we continue to see the effects of failed US policy and militarization. We must continue to denounce the militarization of police forces across the Americas and call for an end of state-sponsored terrorism and imminent violence against our communities, both at home and abroad.

Continue reading “‘School of the Americas Watch’ Convergence November 20-22 at the Gates of Ft. Benning!”

The US government has announced that a “limited number” of US Special Forces are being sent to Syria. This is an egregious violation of both President Obama’s oft-repeated pledge that he will not send US ground forces to that country, and the Constitution of the United States, which clearly states that only Congress may declare war.

As Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vermont) put it in a recent statement:

“This announcement raises serious questions about the Administration’s strategy in the region. There may be credible answers but, without the engagement of Congress consistent with the requirements of the Constitution, the American people will not get the answers to which they are entitled.

“The biggest question raised by today’s announcement is, ‘When will Congress finally accept its responsibility?’ The Constitution is clear that only Congress can authorize war.

“Make no mistake about it, this is a war. Yet, the legal framework justifying this war is loosely tied to the fumes of a Congressional authorization approved in response to the 9/11 attack on America over 14 years ago.

“A civil war in Syria did not exist 14 years ago. ISIS did not exist 14 years ago. Neither the United States nor Russia were conducting military operations in Syria 14 years ago.

“Every Member of Congress should debate and vote on the Administration’s strategy. No more bobbing and weaving. We need to do our job.”

We here at Antiwar.com are urging our readers and supporters to call their congressional representatives and urge them to;

1) Demand a congressional vote on sending US troops to Syria, and

2) Vote NO on sending troops

This is important. The last time President Obama declared he would intervene in Syria, the American people rose up and said “No way!” Now, he’s defying the popular will and trying to do an end run around Congress.

Don’t let him get away with it! Call your congressional representative now.