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Wednesday, January 31, 2007
 Two stories in the news are more evidence for what I recently called a criminal escalation of an unjust war. The war in Iraq has so stretched the U.S. military that the escalation now initiated by President Bush means troops with inadequate training and short of the necessary supplies are being rushed into a situation for which they are not prepared. The Washington Post reported:
Boosting U.S. troop levels in Iraq by 21,500 would create major logistical hurdles for the Army and Marine Corps, which are short thousands of vehicles, armor kits and other equipment needed to supply the extra forces, U.S. officials said. The increase would also further degrade the readiness of U.S.-based ground forces, hampering their ability to respond quickly, fully trained and well equipped in the case of other military contingencies around the world and increasing the risk of U.S. casualties. The story goes on to quote Lt. Gen. Stephen Speakes, the Army's deputy chief of staff for force development: "We can fulfill the national strategy, but it will take more time and it will also take us increased casualties to do the job." As of today, there are 3,076 confirmed U.S. casualties. Rep. John Murtha, a strong opponent of the war in the House of Representatives, testified last week to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee: At the beginning of the Iraq war, 80 percent of ALL Army units and almost 100 percent of active combat units were rated at the highest state of readiness. Today, virtually all of our active-duty combat units at home and ALL of our guard units are at the lowest state of readiness, primarily due to equipment shortages resulting from repeated and extended deployments to Iraq. To put the human face on the numbers, another story in the Post made it real. Soldier's Death Strengthens Senators' Antiwar Resolve: Just before Christmas, an Army captain named Brian Freeman cornered Sens. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.) and John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) at a Baghdad helicopter landing zone. The war was going badly, he told them. Troops were stretched so thin they were doing tasks they never dreamed of, let alone trained for. Freeman, 31, took a short holiday leave to see his 14-month-old daughter and 2-year-old son, returned to his base in Karbala, Iraq, and less than two weeks ago died in a hail of bullets and grenades. Capt. Freeman had served a five-year term of active duty and then moved into the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR), former soldiers who are not assigned to a specific unit. In 2005, he was recalled to duty. The story continued, quoting his wife: Once in Iraq, Freeman was dismayed to find that his training "had no relation to what they were actually doing," Charlotte Freeman said. "He was appalled," enduring danger but seeing no clear mission," she said. … Late last year, Freeman approached the senators at Landing Zone Washington, in Baghdad's Green Zone, "almost out of the shadows," Dodd recalled. Even though he felt nervous, he told his wife later, he delivered his message with urgency. Soldiers were being deployed to do missions that they were utterly untrained to do; Freeman, for example, an armor officer, had been sent to help foster democracy and rebuild an Iraqi civil society. Every day, the devastating human cost of this war continues to mount on every side. I would hope that those who still support the war and Bush's "surge" could agree that at the very least, our men and women in uniform should not be sent untrained and unequipped to be slaughtered on the streets of Baghdad.
 By now you've probably heard about the debate in Dallas. Southern Methodist University is the proposed site for the George W. Bush Presidential Library. The site would host a museum, the administration's archives, and a public policy institute. The initial announcement in the fall garnered protest from faculty members, students, alumni, and United Methodist clergy and church members. The university is moving forward with its negotiations with the president's site selection committee, and it is expected to formally accept soon. The question raised here is, should SMU accept, and why?
The university has offered several reasons for their decision to pursue hosting the George W. Bush Presidential Library, including the following: "The major motivation of some competitors was economic development, as has been seen with the Clinton Library and the revitalization of Little Rock. In fact, developers near SMU are already investing in projects and using the proposed Library in their marketing." "Any marketing expert will tell you that the publicity surrounding our receiving the Presidential Library will significantly elevate the national and international visibility of the University." "Hosting the Library is in the best interests of SMU. It builds and continues our institutional momentum…" "From the standpoint of a research university, the most important benefit is the enhancement of academic resources and professional interactions that a Library, Museum and Institute can bring."
Broadly, the university's supporting arguments for hosting the Presidential Library fit into four categories: money, fame, power, and academic pursuit. Regarding the danger of pursuing the first three, I refer you to Jesus in the gospels. Start with Matthew 4-7. On academic pursuit, I think it is important to note Bush's stance towards freedom of inquiry, pointed out by Dorothy Samuels in The New York Times, particularly: Executive Order 13233, his 2001 directive that reverses — illegally in the view of many leading historians, journalists and legal thinkers — the strong presumption of a public right of access to presidential papers embedded in the 1978 Presidential Records Act. Under this early exertion of presidential power, both sitting presidents and former presidents (and even their heirs) can indefinitely postpone public release of sensitive material past the law's usual 12-year waiting period by simply denying a request for access. No explanation is required, and there is no provision for appealing the denial to a trained professional archivist. In other words, researchers likely won't have access to the golden nuggets they are searching for in the presidential archives. Realistically, do we expect the administration's general habits of shrouding itself in secrecy and refusing to offer explanation to change once it leaves office? Ultimately though, whether or not a university should welcome a presidential library is not a question of liberal/conservative politics. SMU should consider its institutional identity, particularly in relation to its religious roots. If it does, it should think twice before associating itself with a president whose policies have often been in direct opposition to the social principles of the United Methodist Church. The Bush administration’s legacy is marked by unjustifiable wars, growing economic disparity, and environmental degradation. How could this relationship possibly enhance the public face of this university, United Methodism, and by extension Christianity? Tim Kumfer is an executive assistant for Sojourners/Call to Renewal.
The latest news on Iran, global warming, Iraq-Congress, New commander, in country-, minimum-wage, the budget, Rabbi Abraham Heschel centennial, Fr. Robert Drinian, and select op-eds. Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail »Full news summary:
Iraq-Congress. Bush's war powers debated – “In an intensifying debate on the war in Iraq, Democratic senators began probing how Congress could halt President Bush's plan to send more troops to Iraq or even use its powers to halt the war altogether.” House Dems want to change direction of war funds - “Murtha: 'We've got problems in our own country' - Democratic leaders in Congress plan to make extensive changes to the Bush administration's anticipated $100 billion request for new war funds.” For GOP, Discord In Dissent On Iraq – “Republican misgivings over President Bush's new war strategy are increasingly dividing the GOP as the Senate moves toward a showdown over the deployment of 21,500 additional troops to Iraq.” In Senate, Allies of Bush Work to Halt Iraq Vote– “The new effort by President Bush’s allies, including Senators John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, is aimed at blocking two nonbinding resolutions directly critical of the White House that had appeared to be gaining broad support among Democrats and even some Republicans.”
Iraq-New commander. Peace in Iraq 'a long time coming,' Fallon says – “President Bush's choice to be the new military commander in the Middle East warned that the U.S. may have to lower its expectations for Iraq, saying the country's transition into a peaceful democracy may be "a long time coming." 'I don't know the details' – “The admiral picked by President Bush to oversee his new strategy for Iraq testified that he does not know much about the plan that the administration says will determine whether the U.S. wins the war.”
Iraq-in country. Militias on rise in Iraq, imperiling hope for a political solution to insurgency – “The messianic Soldiers of Heaven militia that fought US and Iraqi troops in one of the fiercest battles of the war Sunday is among the more than two dozen extremist militias operating across Iraq that are fast becoming a powerful, and hidden, new enemy.” Audit: Millions wasted in Iraq – “he U.S. government wasted tens of millions of dollars in Iraq reconstruction aid, including scores of unaccounted-for weapons and a never-used Baghdad training camp with an Olympic-size swimming pool.”
Iran. Europeans fear US attack on Iran – “Senior European policy-makers are increasingly worried that the US administration will resort to air strikes against Iran to try to destroy its suspect nuclear programme.” Air Force's role in Iraq could grow – “The Air Force is preparing for an expanded role in Iraq that could include aggressive new tactics designed to deter Iranian assistance to Iraqi militants … The efforts could include more forceful patrols by Air Force and Navy fighter planes along the Iran-Iraq border to counter the smuggling of bomb supplies from Iran,” Iran May Have Trained Attackers That Killed 5 American Soldiers - “Investigators say they believe that attackers who used American-style uniforms and weapons to infiltrate a secure compound and kill five American soldiers in Karbala on Jan. 20 may have been trained and financed by Iranian agents,” General says U.S. has proof Iran arming Iraqi militias - “Iran is supplying Iraqi militias with a variety of powerful weapons including Katyusha rockets, the No. 2 U.S. general in Iraq said Tuesday. "We have weapons that we know through serial numbers … that trace back to Iran," Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno said in an interview.” New type of IED comes via Iran, say U.S. officials – “A sophisticated type of roadside bomb that U.S. officials have linked to Iran has been used increasingly against U.S. troops in Iraq.”
Opinion. The neocons have learned nothing (Francis Fukuyama, The Guardian) –“What I find remarkable about the neoconservative line of argument on Iran, however, is how little changed it is in its basic assumptions and tonalities from that taken on Iraq in 2002, despite the momentous events of the past five years and the manifest failure of policies that neoconservatives themselves advocated. What may change is the American public's willingness to listen to them.”
Minimum wage. Senate Adds Tax Breaks as It Passes a Wage Bill – “The Senate voted overwhelmingly on to move ahead on a bill to increase the minimum wage, signaling that the measure is likely to pass this week. But the vote also sets up a conflict with the House that is likely to stall any increase.”
Budget. House Democrats refigure GOP budget- “House Democrats sent to the floor a spending measure that substituted some of their priorities for those that Republicans put in the nine appropriations bills they failed to pass last year.” Democrats Move Leftover Spending Measure – “House and Senate Democratic leaders agreed to a $463 billion spending plan for the remainder of the fiscal year that would freeze many federal agencies at 2006 levels but include more money for veterans' health, education, scientific research, HIV programs and public parks, among other things.”
Politics. States revisiting Electoral College – “A movement to upend the Electoral College in favor of a popular presidential vote aims to sweep state legislatures this year, starting with Colorado.”
Global warming. Fossil fuels are to blame, world scientists conclude - “A major international analysis of climate change due Friday will conclude that humankind's reliance on fossil fuels — coal, fuel oil and natural gas — is to blame for global warming,” Lawmakers on Hill Seek Consensus on Warming – “As 600 scientists meet this week in Paris to finalize the first worldwide assessment in six years of the evidence on global warming, lawmakers on Capitol Hill searched for a political consensus on how to address climate change.” Climate is changing, politically – “After years of languishing on Capitol Hill, efforts to curb global warming have picked up momentum, powered by a growing bipartisan belief that climate change can no longer be ignored.”
Rabbi Abraham Heschel centennial. Rabbi's legacy of spirituality and activism is guiding light – “When members of Mishkan Shalom Synagogue in Philadelphia need inspiration to tackle society's thorny problems, they look no further than a social room named for their late hero: Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. … This year at the centennial of Heschel's birth, Jews and gentiles alike are remembering him as more than one of the most influential theologians of the 20th century. For people of varied backgrounds, he also is an enduring role model.”
Fr. Robert Drinan. Father Drinan, Model Of Moral Tenacity (ColmanMcCarthy, Washington Post) – “I saw him as a towering moral giant, a man of faith whose practice of Christianity put him in the company of all my Jesuit heroes … In his office, ferociously unkempt and as tight as a monk's cell, our conversation ranged from politics to law to the morning's front pages.” Robert F. Drinan, S.J. (Editorial, Boston Globe) – “THE REV. ROBERT F. DRINAN, who died this week, is best known as a five-term congressman forced to leave office by an edict of Pope John Paul II. He ought to be remembered as well as a Catholic from Boston who extended the boundaries of the institution that nurtured him to serve the needs of the broader society.”
ON THIS DAY– “On Jan. 31, 1865, the House of Representatives passed a constitutional amendment to abolish slavery.” ( Go to article.)
And, Happy Birthday Jackie Robinson – “On Jan. 31, 1919, Jackie Robinson , who made history in 1947 by becoming the first black baseball player in the major leagues, was born. Following his death on Oct. 24 , 1972, his obituary appeared in The Times.” (Go to obit)
Give your sorrow all the space and shelter in yourself that is its due, for if everyone bears [their] grief honestly and courageously, the sorrow that now fills the world will abate. But if you do not clear a decent shelter for your sorrow, and instead reserve most of the space inside you for hatred and thoughts of revenge - from which new sorrorws will be born for others - then sorrow will never cease in this world and will multiply. - Etty Hillesum
quoted in Marc Ellis, "Toward a Jewish Theology of Liberation" + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
The latest news on minimum wage, Iraq-VN Vets in Congress, Troops in Iraq, Iran, Darfur, health care, Israel-Palestine, and global warming. Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail »Full news summary:
Minimum wage. Senate to Consider Minimum Wage Bill With Tax Breaks- "The Senate is expected to clear the way on Tuesday for an increase in the minimum wage that Democrats and some Republicans agree is overdue. The Senate bill differs from the one that cleared the House, and includes $8.3 billion in tax breaks for small businesses. Maverick Costco CEO Joins Push to Raise Minimum Wage - "The chief executive of Costco Wholesale, the nation's largest wholesale club, yesterday became the most prominent member of a new organization of business owners and executives pressing Congress to approve an increase in the federal minimum wage."
Iran. Bush says he doesn't intend to invade Iran - "President Bush said yesterday that the United States "will respond firmly" if Iran escalates military action in Iraq and endangers American forces. But Bush emphasized he has no intention of invading Iran." Bush vows force, diplomacy with Iran - "With a two-track message of stern military warnings and promises of peaceful diplomacy, Bush is confronting an increasingly complicated conflict with the Iranian government."
Europe Resists U.S. Push to Curb Iran Ties- "European governments are resisting Bush administration demands that they curtail support for exports to Iran and that they block transactions and freeze assets of some Iranian companies … The resistance threatens to open a new rift between Europe and the United States over Iran." With Iran Ascendant, U.S. Is Seen at Fault - "Kuwait rarely rebuffs its ally, the United States, partly out of gratitude for the 1991 Persian Gulf War. But in October it reneged on a pledge to send three military observers to an American-led naval exercise in the Gulf,"
Darfur. Conflict in Darfur dominates African Union summit - "Bloodshed in Sudan's Darfur region dominated the African Union summit, undermining Sudan's bid to lead the bloc as the UN chief said scorched-earth military policies are "a terrifying feature of life" in the vast, arid area." Darfur violence wrecks Sudan's attempt to lead AU - "Sudan was further isolated over the conflict in Darfur after other African governments blocked it from assuming leadership of the African Union and demanded an end to the bloodshed."
Iraq. Sadr backs Baghdad deal - "Radical Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr has ordered his militia not to confront U.S. forces and has endorsed negotiations aimed at easing the deployment of American troops in his strongholds," Doomsday cult said to be at center of Iraqi battle - "the Iraqi and U.S. troops who fought an intense battle against hundreds of disciples of the renegade Muslim leader near the ancient city of Najaf on Sunday met a modern enemy. They were armed not only with an unorthodox religious fervor but also with high-tech weapons."
Iraq-VN Vets in Congress. Iraq debate strains bond of Congress' Vietnam vets - "When the Senate begins debating President Bush's Iraq policy, one focus will be on a group of lawmakers with special expertise: the ones who know what it's like to fight a war that has lost the support of the American public." Vietnam vet lawmakers' positions - "This is a list of known Vietnam War combat veterans in the House and Senate, and their positions on Bush's plan to increase troop levels in Iraq."
Troops to Iraq. Equipment For Added Troops Is Lacking - "Boosting U.S. troop levels in Iraq by 21,500 would create major logistical hurdles for the Army and Marine Corps, which are short thousands of vehicles, armor kits and other equipment needed to supply the extra forces, U.S. officials said. The increase would also further degrade the readiness of U.S.-based ground forces, hampering their ability to respond quickly, fully trained and well equipped in the case of other military contingencies around the world and increasing the risk of U.S. casualties," Soldier's Death Strengthens Senators' Antiwar Resolve - "Just before Christmas, an Army captain named Brian Freeman cornered Sens. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.) and John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) at a Baghdad helicopter landing zone. The war was going badly, he told them. Troops were stretched so thin they were doing tasks they never dreamed of, let alone trained for. Freeman, 31, took a short holiday leave to see his 14-month-old daughter and 2-year-old son, returned to his base in Karbala, Iraq, and less than two weeks ago died in a hail of bullets and grenades."
Health care. Schwarzenegger's healthcare reform proposal could conflict with Bush's aim to balance federal budget - "Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants $3.7 billion a year in new federal funding to cover a big chunk of his healthcare plan for Californians, putting him on a collision course with budget hawks in the nation's capital and leaders in other states seeking assistance."
Israel-Plestine. Fragile Gaza ceasefire holds = "A new ceasefire between Hamas and Fatah fighters was tentatively holding today. The ceasefire - the latest in a long series of generally short-lived truces over recent months - followed five days of fierce battles between the rival Palestinian groups, in which more than 30 people died." Palestinian Suicide Bomber Kills 3 in Israeli Resort City - "A 21-year-old Palestinian from the Gaza Strip blew himself up Monday inside a bakery in the Israeli resort city of Eilat, killing himself and all three people inside." Suicide Attack Is First in Israel in 9 Months- "The attack complicated the latest effort to restart Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, which have languished for six years."
Global warming. World Scientists Near Consensus on Warming - "Scientists from across the world gathered Monday to hammer out the final details of an authoritative report on climate change that is expected to project centuries of rising temperatures and sea levels unless there are curbs in emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases that trap heat in the atmosphere."
If we live, we live in the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. For this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. Why then do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. - Romans 14:8-10 + Sign up to receive our social justice verse of the day via e-mail
[N]either the stockpiling of sophisticated armaments nor an extensoin of territory are an adequate guarantee or a viable substitute for peace. They are illusory. The best borders are peaceful borders, and the best security lies in a truly peaceful relationship between neighbors.
- Naim Ateek from "Justice and Only Justice: A Palestinian Theology of Liberation"
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Monday, January 29, 2007
 In another example of the pharmaceutical industry's efforts to make governments worldwide its enforcers, corporate giant Novartis today announced it would keep pushing its lawsuit for its "right" to get patents in India on minor repackagings of pre-existing drugs. India's generic drug producers currently make a large part of the lifesaving drugs for AIDS and other diseases used in the world's poorest countries. "Novartis is trying to shut down the pharmacy of the developing world," according to Dr. Unni Karunakara of Doctors Without Borders. In the test case, Novartis will fight India's refusal to give it a patent on a slightly different form of the anti-cancer drug Gleevec (chemists have dismissed the modification as an "obvious" crystal form of the original drug). India's 2005 patent law refuses patents to such "me-too" drugs that show no genuine innovation over the original (although the U.S. grants such patents, motivating companies to turn their attention from more substantive research). Patents are entirely artificial, temporary monopolies granted by governments to serve a social purpose (i.e., research and development into new drugs – although a lot of the profit gets funneled into marketing and lobbying). Unsurprisingly, corporations like to repackage these monopolies as "intellectual property," and then try to get them extended by the WTO and other trade agreements for longer periods, in more countries – even countries where a vanishingly small percentage of the population could ever hope to pay for under-patent drugs. The ironic thing is that Gleevec (known in academic circles by the catchy name STI571) is the poster child of new medicines developed based on basic research – largely university-based and government-funded - into the human genome. Gleevec's own testing was partly paid for by the federally-funded National Cancer Institute. When U.S. taxpayers ponied up the dollars to help scientists develop lifesaving medicines, I doubt they were planning to sponsor corporate lawsuits against the world's poor. Elizabeth Palmberg is an assistant editor of Sojourners magazine, which will have a special issue about trade justice in May.
 This latest entry by Jim in the Newsweek/Washington Post series On Faith addresses the following question: As the presidential campaign begins to take shape, do you think it is appropriate and or important for the candidates to express their personal religious views and to use religious rhetoric? Why?
I have said and written many times that I think a good and fair discussion of how a candidate's faith shapes his or her political values should be viewed as an appropriate and positive thing – it's as relevant as any other fact about a politician's background, convictions, and experience for public office. The more talk in political campaigns about values, the better, and religion is a primary source of values for many Americans. Minority religions and nonreligious people must always be respected and protected in our nation, but the core commitments of religious liberty are not compromised by an open discussion of faith and public life. Having said that, I also say that it is important to remember that the particular religiosity of a candidate, or how devout they might be, is much less important than how their religious and/or moral commitments shape their values, their political vision and their policy commitments. If one's religious and ethical convictions don't shape a candidate's (or a citizen's) public life, then what kind of commitments are they? In a democratic and pluralistic society, we don't want to evaluate candidates by which denomination or faith tradition they belong to (or whether they are a person of faith at all), and only vote for the candidate in our group. What's important is not how often they attended church or synagogue (like a tally of votes missed by a member of Congress), but rather the moral compass they bring to their public life and how their convictions shape their political priorities. I also insist that political appeals, even if rooted in religious convictions, be argued on moral grounds, rather than as sectarian religious demands – so that the people (citizens), whether religious or not, have the capacity to hear and respond. Religion must be disciplined by democracy and contribute to a better and more moral public discourse. Religious convictions must therefore be translated into moral arguments, which must win the political debate if they are to be implemented. Religious people don't get to win just because they are religious (in a nation that is often claimed to be Judeo-Christian). They, like any other citizens, have to convince their fellow citizens that what they propose is best for the common good – for all of us and not just the religious. Or, as Sen. Barack Obama put it at our 2006 Pentecost conference: "Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns into universal, rather than religion-specific, values. It requires that their proposals be subject to argument, and amenable to reason." Susan Jacoby, however, misrepresents all of this in the two paragraphs about my book she included in her response to this question. She takes two short quotes out of context and implies that by saying the answer to President Bush's "bad theology" is "good theology," I somehow think that the President of the United States should be the "theologian-in-chief." In fact, my critique of the president's theology was making the same point she is making. I wrote in God's Politics: "a president who believes that the nation is fulfilling a God-given righteous mission and that he serves with a divine appointment can become quite theologically unsettling. … Bush seems to make this mistake over and over again of confusing nation, church, and God. The resulting theology is more an American civil religion than Christian faith." I criticize the president's theology as a Christian, in part because that is how he seeks to justify his policies. But then I argue my political points in the public square on the basis of a morally-based public policy. The two are complementary, not contradictory.
 "God weeps," Archbishop Tutu told participants in the ecumenical gathering near the conclusion of the World Social Forum in Nairobi, "and says, 'Who will help me so we can have a different kind of world, one in which the rich know they have been given much so they can share and help others?'" More than 50,000 community activists, social reformers, religious leaders, and movers and shakers met at the seventh World Social Forum in Nairobi, Kenya, this January to compare strategies on transforming global economic systems to benefit the majority world, rather than maintaining economic systems that produce immoral disparities: one percent of the world's adults owns 40 percent of the world's wealth, while the bottom half combined owns less than one percent.
The World Social Forum was launched as a counterpoint to the annual gathering of the world's power elites at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. But lately there's been a hint of cross-fertilization between the two. With changes at Davos that allow religious and moral leaders to challenge the priorities of business and political leaders, and changes at the World Social Forum to promote effective and efficient collaboration between grassroots activists, legislators, and the business community, maybe another world really is possible. In one small example, Catholic Jesuits from across Africa brought a whole delegation to the WSF from their ministries and communities. They offered a seminar on the theme "Social Transformation in Africa: an Ethical Face," which included this focus on advocacy in the context of Catholic teaching: 1) Advocacy deals with structures of power and decision; it must be critical and constructive towards the people we challenge, and at the same time avoid confrontation.
2) Advocacy should facilitate the building of communities and this is a value in itself; we communicate and campaign in community.
3) It must always be done from the perspective of the oppressed and excluded and promote a value-based leadership.
4) It involves study, research and analysis - a contemplative vision of the world leading to radical action.
5) It is based on the rich tradition of Catholic social teaching; for example, on the principle that the goods of creation are meant for the benefit of all.
6) It implies discernment.
7) Advocacy is relational, and involves thinking, feeling, and action. 
Rose Marie Berger, a Sojourners associate editor, is a Catholic peace activist and poet.
 A Sojourners/Call to Renewal contingent joined the thousands at Saturday's peace rally on the National Mall. On March 16, in observance of the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, we're also helping to organize a worship service at the National Cathedral, followed by a march to the White House. There will be other services the same day at locations across the nation. Mark you calendars, and learn more at www.christianpeacewitness.org .
The latest news on Iraq-protests, immigration, African Union- Sudan, Iraq-Congress, new analysis on Iraq-Iran, another presidential candidate, political internet, the Gulf Coast, Churches and elections, Climate change-Davos, Drinian passing, and a select Op-Ed. Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail »Full news summary:
Iraq. Iraqis Raid Insurgents Near Shiite Holy City - "Iraqi soldiers, backed by U.S. helicopters, stormed an encampment of hundreds of insurgents hiding among date palm orchards in southern Iraq in an operation Sunday that set off fierce, day-long gun battles." 250 Are Killed in Major Iraq Battle- "At least 250 militants were killed and an American helicopter was shot down in violent clashes near the southern city of Najaf," Iranian Reveals Plan to Expand Role in Iraq- "Iran's ambassador to Baghdad outlined an ambitious plan on Sunday to greatly expand its economic and military ties with Iraq."
Iraq-protests. Thousands Protest Bush Policy - "They came to Washington at what they said was a moment of opportunity to push the new Congress to take action against the war, even as the Bush administration is accelerating plans to send an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq." Protest Focuses on Iraq Troop Increase- "Tens of thousands of protesters converged on the National Mall on Saturday to oppose President Bush's plan for a troop increase in Iraq in what organizers hoped would be one of the largest shows of antiwar sentiment in the nation's capital since the war began." Thousands rally on National Mall - "The rally occurred at a critical time in the four-year-old conflict: President Bush faces a political battle with newly empowered Democrats -- and some Republicans -- over his plan to send 21,500 more troops."Thousands join bicoastal war protest - "Protests attended by several thousand people also were held in Los Angeles, San Francisco and other cities."
Iraq-Congress. US Congress weighs its role on Iraq - "As the Senate begins a debate this week on whether to oppose President Bush's "new way forward" in Iraq, many lawmakers are balancing what they see as competing constitutional responsibilities - and stepped up pressure from voters long weary of a war that most Americans no longer think can be won." Senators swipe back over Iraq - "Prominent Democratic senators who are against the troop buildup in Iraq took issue with criticism from Bush administration officials who have charged that opposition to the president's new strategy could embolden the enemy." Vietnam Shades Warner's Iraq Stand - "Virginia Sen. John W. Warner's words betray the guilt he still carries about the Vietnam War and help explain why this pillar of the Republican establishment is leading a bipartisan revolt against the war plans of a president in his own party."
Iraq-Iran. News Analysis. On Iran, Bush Faces Haunting Echoes of Iraq- "As President Bush and his aides calibrate how directly to confront Iran, they are discovering that both their words and their strategy are haunted by the echoes of four years ago - when their warnings of terrorist activity and nuclear ambitions were clearly a prelude to war."
Immigration. Fresh potential on immigration - "With a new Democratic-controlled Congress and a president newly committed to bipartisan accomplishments, prospects for an overhaul of the nation's immigration laws have never seemed brighter."
African Union- Sudan. African snub to Sudan over Darfur - "Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir has again been bypassed in his bid to become chairman of the African Union because of the conflict in Darfur. Mr Bashir had been due to take on the role but it has instead been given to Ghana's President John Kufuor."
Another candidate. Huckabee Announces Presidential Bid- "Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee yesterday announced plans to form a presidential exploratory committee, hoping to carve out a conservative niche in an increasingly crowded field of Republican candidates."
Political internet. Medium is message for '08 runs - "As 2008 hopefuls use the Internet to craft their message, they have an incredible sense of control. Instead of risking a potentially campaign-ending gaffe with a live announcement before a crowd in Iowa or New Hampshire, candidates such as Democratic Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois are filming messages on their couches."
Gulf Coast. As Aid Lags, Volunteers Shoulder Rebuilding on Gulf Coast - "The two-by-fours inside the walls of George and Margaret Ladner's new home are inscribed with biblical verses, each written by one of the Alabama schoolchildren who raised money to buy the lumber."
Churches and elections. Turning a blind eye, IRS enables church politicking - "Last year was supposed to spell doom for sermons that endorsed political candidates or parties. Months before the congressional elections, the IRS made front-page headlines by trumpeting a new effort to crack down on churches that violated IRS restrictions on politicking by houses of worship." Crossing the line? Here's a sampling of churches that are the subjects of complaints filed with the IRS:
Climate change-Davos. World leaders rally around climate-change issue - "The world's political and business elite packed up yesterday and headed home from their five-day annual session in Davos, united in the belief that climate change poses the most serious threat to the planet. Security concerns in Iraq and Iran, the rising power of China and India, and efforts to revive the Doha round of global trade talks all were held second to climate fears."
Passing. Congressman-priest Drinan dies - "The Rev. Robert F. Drinan , who left Boston College's administration to become the first Roman Catholic priest elected to Congress and who in 1973 filed the initial impeachment resolution against President Richard M. Nixon, died yesterday at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C. He was 86."
Op-Ed. JAMES CARROLL: Deathtrap - "just by being in the streets to shoot at, our well-armed soldiers empower the gunmen on all sides. Perhaps the most destructive unintended consequence of America's lethal presence has been the way the lethal power of all belligerents has scaled up to match it. Our young people are surrounded now by killers united only in the will to kill them. Operation deathtrap, exactly."
[T]his is the crime of which I assuse my country and my countrymen, and for which neither I nor time nor history will ever forgive them, that they have destroyed and are destroying hundreds of thousands of lives and do not know it and do not want to know it. - James Baldwin from The Fire Next Time + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail
Friday, January 26, 2007
DAVOS, Switzerland - Only since Sept. 11 has the World Economic Forum invited religious leaders to its annual meeting. At first, the Forum leaders were most concerned with religious conflict as a destabilizing force in the world, in light of the threats of terrorism and religious fundamentalism, and began to convene a dialogue between religious leaders of many faiths. But since then, the discussion has gone much deeper. This year, not only have there been the best discussions yet between the religious leaders – Christian, Muslim, and Jewish – but the faith leaders have fanned out to penetrate many of the other sessions with spiritual, ethical, and moral perspectives on a broad range of economic and political topics. The engagement with both business and political leaders has been substantial – with all parties really listening to one another. For the first time, there was even a plenary on the subject of religion, pluralism, and multiculturalism in the global neighborhood (that session was posted on yesterday's blog). But the question that the session's moderator, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, put to the panelists was still about religious conflict and its political impact. Indeed, that remains the big issue for most of the world. Most of the religious leaders here would be perceived to be in the "moderate" camp, as opposed to those thought to be religious "extremists." Those two words have been lifted up again and again: How do we separate moderates from extremists? How do we up enhance the voice of the moderates, and how do we replace religious extremists with religious moderates? In a session today, even the meaning of those words were challenged. "Who decides what is moderate? What criteria will religion be judged by?" But the problem may be the limits of dialogue itself. Today, many of the most publicly visible religious actors and actions in the world (or at least actions done in the name of religion) are of the extremist kind. And all the while, the moderates are dialoguing. As important as that is, dialogue, even good dialogue, will not be enough. It must be said that many of the religious moderates are also deeply involved in social service programs – although usually quietly. And, to be honest, some religious extremists, like Hamas, also do lots of service, often to the poorest in their communities. What we need is nothing less than a whole new set of religious actors and new religious actions for the world to see – from those called "the moderates." Specifically, the world needs to see faith leaders and communities from around the globe on the front lines of social movements seeking to change the planet – working on all the big issues that the people at Davos are here discussing, such as climate change, global poverty, pandemic diseases, basic education access (80 million children in the world don't have it), and, crucially, helping to resolve our most pressing and violent conflicts. The "religious moderates" must become the most passionate of all for social justice. If we did that, we would accomplish two things at the same time. First, we would provide a clear and compelling alternative to extremist religion. And, second, we would be helping to change the facts on the ground – the oppressive circumstances that often lead to and help recruit for extremist religion. I just came out of an extraordinary panel on "The Promises to Africa," with Tony Blair, Bill Gates, Bono, South African President Thabo Mbeki, and other political, business, and civil society leaders from Africa, Germany (the site of the 2007 G-8 Summit), and Japan (the site of the 2008 G-8). The moderator's opening comments were these: "I am the moderator, but I hope I am not 'moderate' about Africa. I hope, today, that I will be an accelerator, not just a moderator." After hearing the panel, I was convinced that that's just what we need – religion that doesn't just moderate, but rather accelerates the struggle for social justice and peace.
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