Flashpoints Radio Nov 11: Veterans Day Special, phone in w Barbara Lubin

The War Prayer, (satire) by Mark Twain: "..help us to turn them out roofless with their little children to wander unfriended the wastes of their desolated land in rags and hunger and thirst.. We ask it, in the spirit of love, of Him Who is the Source of Love, and Who is the ever-faithful refuge and friend of all that are sore beset and seek His aid with humble and contrite hearts. Amen.". (read more)

Flashpoints Veterans Day Special
Monday, Nov 11, 2002 - Start Audio
-00:00 Dennis Bernstein: introduction: today veteran stories of past wars and how to resist the next one.. devoted today to those who risked their lives.. phone in show with Dennis and Barbara Lubin..
-00:42 Dennis: a sniper in the White House.. millions in the crosshairs.. a commander in chief who watched four wars on television.. today stories of past wars and how to resist the next one.. devoted today to those who risked their lives.. about George W, and George M, my father.. he died a year ago.. served in WWII.. he told me war stories.. marched from Sicily through Italy.. got shot.. not gleeful about war, had seen it and he didn't want it again.. one story above all the others.. one day I was collecing bees, got stung.. came running home, wanted the can of 'Raid'.. he asked me if I had ever heard the story of how a bee saved his life.. in a foxhole in Italy.. a bee started to divebomb his rations.. he ducked behind a tree, and then a mortar fell in the foxhole and killed eight buddies.. he didn't want to kill bees, he said.. he went and got the big jar of honey, and we had tea with honey.. many of his generation don't want this war.. TIME FOR ALL OF US TO STOP THIS WAR
-07:27 music break
-08:55 Dennis: now w Barbara Lubin of the Middle East Childrens Alliance in studio.. Barbara: I used to counsel kids how to avoid the draft during Vietnam.. Sloan Coffin from Yale, and a group of us.. put together a 'peace flotilla', floated out to the USS New Jersey.. six stories high.. all the sailors on deck, the admiral turned to look at us, sailors flashed the peace sign.. the motor started.. fire boats squirted us.. we fell in the water.. police put us in leg irons.. shortly after that.. one young man fleeing to Canada.. gave me his notification to report for his physical.. he left, I went to his physical.. dressed in drag.. 220 people in a big room, told us all to strip.. we all did, I ran around naked.. imagine me 30 pounds thinner, everything 6 inches higher:-).. we have to know how to laugh AND make trouble;-).. Dennis: now on the phone w Red Beard in SF: we trace the roots of this war to July 4, 1776; this country founded on the genocide of Native Americans and Africans.. we want to form a investigation.. Thelma in Houston: I can't believe some of the things you are saying.. I have several dead servicemen in my family.. Dennis: many of us have suffered.. Richard: I'd like to hear your answer to the last caller.. Barbara: I'm just back from Iraq, and close to 700,000 babies dead in Iraq.. Iraq lost that war, and instead of us ending that war, we started a second war, ie the sanctions.. sanctions have done nothing except strengthen Saddam, and hurt the innocent.. Dennis: (about the hypocrisy) the US and Europe gave Saddam his weapons of mass destruction.. Rumsfeld and G Bush Sn. monitored Iraq use of gas against Iran.. Richard: I would conceed that maybe, but what of countries ruled by evil men like Saddam Hussein?.. Barbara: to talk about people in terms of (absolute) *good and evil*, labeling whole countries as being evil, governments as belonging to an *axis of evil*.. (going to war because of this kind of broad brush demonization) will fan the flames of hatred against our children here at home.. and it's terrible to give *our* children the idea that the right thing to do is kill the children of Iraq.. we should be looking at making things better here at home.. Dennis: the source for this information.. the Banking Committee, chaired by Henry Gonzales.. next caller: peace is not an option.. Democrats want war too.. Barbara: we have to bring in all the people for justice.. Cliff from Richmond: a previous caller mentioned Bush Sn. shot down.. the true story in the book, Fortunate Son.. actually George the First abandoned his aircraft, and let his crew go down and die.. the airplane was not damaged enough to prevent return to base.. now w Edmundo in Oakland: thanks for having this topic.. I used to be a prowar person.. I used to believe everything I heard on the corporate controlled media.. about American amnesia.. 11 years ago, the 'Savings and Loan crisis', 350 billion dollars looted.. Bush the First was dropping in the polls, then voila! the US ambassador to Iraq whispered to Saddam it was ok to invade Kuwait.. (audio glitch).. Dennis: that caller has a good point.. have you heard about Neil Bush?.. testified at Henry Gonzales hearing.. now w Don in Castro Valley: the last caller said it well.. a recommended website: WhatReallyHappened.com.. I'm from a Marine Corp family, had two relatives die in Vietnam.. Bush is a liar.. do not trust this government.. decide for yourself.. Dennis: Event: Robert Fisk speaks Nov 22, 7:30pm, at the First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley.. now w Eric in SF: I was in Livermore today, with a citizens group asking for weapons inspections.. my father used to work there as an auditor.. he, I, my kids all against war.. many groups here today.. UC students.. a rally, people were speaking.. I was in the military, very lucky, drew embassy duty in South America, Europe.. Barbara: there are people from all walks of life.. in this growing anti-war movement.. I had a relative die in the barracks bombing in Lebanon.. Barbara: I'M GETTING MILLIONS OF CALLS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.. WE'VE HAD BIG MARCHES AND RALLIES.. A BIG RALLY IN JANUARY UPCOMING.. BUT FOLKS, DON'T FEEL TOO COCKY.. DANGER IS EVERYWHERE, BUT I AM OPTIMISTIC AT THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE SAYING NO TO WAR.. Dennis: about the swagger in the White House, specifically about the roadside sniper attack in Yemen.. the president signing onto assassination of 'alledged' persons now.. Barbara: we have a history of remaining silent about *assassinations*.. like those by Israel against Palestinians, this is not new.. now w James from Beaumont: I spent 20 years in the military.. US has made some bad decisions.. we were arming Iraq, but Russia was arming Iran.. even if the UN tells the US to disarm, it should.. Dennis: about dual standards.. US has 20,000 nukes, Israel has 300 nukes.. how do we act as if this is fair?.. James: I agree.. the US should obey the same rules.. now w Jay: Americans should stand for peace and justice.. the problem is.. we need to be consistent.. if the US deals with Palestine and Israel with the same rigor as Iraq, the 'Arab problem' would disappear.. not to do so is a big injustice..
-41:08 music break
-42:40 Dennis: reads from poet William Stafford, 1968.. restraint must come from citizens.. now w Stefan in Alameda: thanks for shining light on dark deeds.. in Vietnam I registered at (*Draft Board 100*?) in Fiji.. they laughed, it was the draft board where the sons of senators and CEO registered, they actually drafted nobody.. Barbara: wealthy people bring us these wars, and wealthy people profit from them, but it is ordinary working people, people of color that pay the bills.. Simone: I was in Livermore today.. because the US is always making nuclear, biological, chemical weapons, and exporting them.. about a sign I saw across the street.. Barbara: I was out at Livermore 20 years ago, hundreds arrested, held for weeks.. (in jail) people sang, taught.. two people come to mind: Dr Charlie Clemens, a Vietnam fighter pilot.. started the Salvadorian Relief Fund.. and Brian Willson, a real hero to be remembered on Veterans Day.. served in Vietnam, said no to that war.. became a leading activist.. we sat down on the train tracks.. Brian sat in front.. the train came slowly.. Brian had both legs taken off by that train.. he has since devoted his life.. laid his body on the line.. Dennis: I was talking to him about the people who set themselves on fire in Vietnam.. the Buddhists in the highest act of their expression.. about after he was hit be that train.. Barbara: I took Brian to Palestine.. about the mayor of Nablus.. had lost his legs too.. both lifted their pants legs.. a moment in time.. Linda in Houston: I wanted to honor my father, a WWII veteran.. came back a shattered and damaged man.. never quite the same.. Linda: WARS DON'T END JUST WHEN THE SOLDIERS RETURN.. THERE IS NO MILITARY SOLUTION!
-56:10 End today's show. today's review by john lionheart

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Afghan captives in US C-130 enroute to Cuba (story)

Friday, Nov 8, 2002 - Start Audio
-00:00 Dennis Bernstein: (joined in progress) now live to Iraq w Kathy Kelly of Voices in the Wilderness.. more info see: IraqPeaceTeam.org.. Kathy: the Iraqi people are people just like you and me.. American people are the only force in the world that can stop the new oil war.. here's how to join us in Iraq
-18:26 Dennis: now w Diana Buttu (link2), Palestinian legal advisor and negotiator.. Diana: about the double standard the US shows to Iraq and Israel.. 85 UN Resolutions that Israel is in violation of.
-41:08 Dennis: this coming Monday, US groups will rally to demand weapons inspections at Lawrence Livermore Labs.. now w Jackie of Western States Legal Foundation.. and w Peter Ferenbach, executive director of California Peace Action
-53:00 Mary Bishop: wrapup
-53:20 End today's show. today's review by john lionheart

Thursday, Nov 7, 2002 - Start Audio
-00:00 Dennis Bernstein: introduction: the world one step closer to war, new UN Resolution almost approved, interview with Dennis Halliday.. in depth look at Indonesia after the Bail bombing
-00:50 Robert Knight and the Knight Report.. Robert: US getting its way at the UN.. Russia remains non-committal as France capitulates.. US agrees to milder terms.. but US considers itself not bound by the UN anyway.. US avoiding torture inspections in the US.. failing to provide funds or allow inspections.. Ramsey: about my many trips to Iraq.. I've seen cancer wards without medicine.. unprecented tumors caused by depleted uranium.. birthweights below 2.2 kilos.. a malnourished society.. Sanctions one of the greatest crimes against humanity.. you see the victims there, and you can't believe that we going to attack them again.
-05:35 Dennis: French diplomats say they are in agreement now with the US resolution.. now w Dennis Halliday, former assistant Secretary General, and head of the Oil for Peace Program.. Halliday: it does matter what the resolution says, it is too ambiguous.. the US will come out saying we have the trigger.. we'll see crimes committed against humanity.. against the children and people.. about the double standard in the Middle East.. Israel can invade Lebanon with great loss of life.. are we going to attack Israel and every other country in violation of Security Council resolutions?.. I hope not.. Dennis: US attacking Yemen right now.. Halliday: on the priniciple of 'might makes right'.. this is a very dangerous way to more forward.. we've seen Bush rejecting many international laws.. thumbing his nose at the world.. the attack on Iraq will be perceived as an attack on Iraq, on Arabs.. a phyrric victory.. the Arab world will be outraged.. Israel taking a short term view.. peace is what makes sense for Israel.. war is the least viable..
-10:30 music break
-11:44 Dennis: we turn our attention to Indonesia.. US saying Indonesia not doing enought to combat terrorism.. now w Sylvia T Wan, at UC Berkeley, and Kurt Biddle, coordinator of the Indonesian Human Rights Network.. Sylvia: military assistance to Indonesia was cut off because of human rights abuses.. in East Timor, Aceh.. atrocities.. after 9/11, the US saw Indonesia as a place that might provide safe haven for Al-Quada members.. Wolfowitz.. Dennis: now talking about shoring up the Indonesian military.. an act of the Indonesian military.. Kurt: at the huge copper mine, August 31, 2002.. initially blamed on the Free Papau movement.. but things didn't add up.. many people were skeptical.. a suspect the Indonesian military said they arrested after the attack, turned out to have been dead before the attack.. Wolfowitz a smart guy, but his answer to this is more US training.. the Indonesian military was US trained for years and years, led to the Dili massacre.. then in 1999 they wrecked havoc again.. Clinton cut off ties.. Dennis: if the Palestininans had killed two Americans, would Wolfowitz be saying that's a reason to have closer relations with the PLO?.. I doubt it.. Sylvia: the Indonesian military has a long history of using Islamic groups to further their own ends.. in 1965 the killing of Communists, done by young Islamic groups, sponsored by the military.. created militias.. in East Timor.. armed civilians trained by the army, used in East Timor to put down the democracy movement.. labeling democracy movement as secular.. enormous unrest in the name of religion.. killed over 2000 people.. polite to call them 'rogue elements'.. then these militias said we have to further the jihad to protect our brothers in the military.. Dennis: Pilger said the reason they hit that club, is because Australia is supporting the US.. Sylvia: I think that is a big leap, makes more sense to relate it to Aussies working in East Timor.. they frequenty those clubs on holidays.. Dennis: the US using the Bali bombing to get more involved in Indonesia.. C4 explosives used, hard to get.. Sylvia: C4 has been used in Indonesia in a string of bombings.. the military has been directly linked to those bombings.. C4 used by the military and mining companies, made by the Suharto family.. military held as suspects in some of the bombings.. allowed to escape.. many many deserters of the Special Forces.. in the Bali bombing, they could be implicated.. the police say they want to investigate the deserters.. about attacks on the police by the military.. shot at police headquarters, killed police.. the military resents the police.. for investigating human rights abuses.. Dennis: starting with 9/11, US corporate and military trying to seize bombing attacks to their own advantage.. .. Sylvia: some people believe that the US has a stake in.. the whole Islamic movement.. the arrest of the old cleric.. said to be involved in the bombing.. taken by force from the hospital.. a big showdown between the police and his supporters.. no evidence to charge him with.. Suharto the most atrocious.. behind the deaths of a million people.. granted clemency because he is old and sick.. people see this as unjust, as caving in to American demands.. Indonesian pushing through so-called anti-terrorism laws, destroying democratic ideals that took so long to enact.. shoring up the military as a political power.. Dennis: the US has had a very close relationship with the Indonesian military.. Does Green Beret training make the Indonesian military better?.. Kurt: No, they learn *techniques*.. the US brings over.. the IMETP program.. even the Heritage Foundation calls the Indonesian military the most destabilizing force.. Dennis: about Aceh.. natives getting ready to sign an agreement with Indonesia.. Sylvia: I would not call the Aceh.. the people have lost family, schools bombed.. by both.. all peace agreements now in jeopardy.. the military trying to blame the Aceh.. to crack down on ordinary folk working for peace.. one US citizen, a nurse, Joy Lee Sadler, jailed for 50 days.. HIV positive, no medication.. why doesn't Wolfowitz complain.. jailing for minor immigration rules.. Exxon Mobil in charge of huge natural gas fields in Aceh.. military runs a protection racket.. Dennis: like in Plan Colombia.. Kurt: a lawsuit against Exxon by villagers.. for using Indonesian military to commit human rights abuses.. the US State Dept saying if the suit allows to go throught.. Joy Sadler, with a 16 year old son, and Lesley McCulloch,.. stopped at a military checkpoint, hit repeatedly, fondled and kissed.. now in detention for 50 days.. face 5 years in prison.. normally visa violators are deported.. the Indonesian.. asking you to fax or write the Indonesian ambassador in DC.. easy action: go to www.IndonesiaNetwork.org.. hit the *urgent action* button.. the Aceh people suffering too.. Dennis: the US.. old style imperialist policies being backed up by 'war on terror' rational.. what will happen if this continues.. Sylvia: we are going down the wrong path.. the two women maybe the first of the hostages in this war on terror.. the whole issue of poverty not addressed in the wot thing.. Indonesia has lost so many jobs.. when you look at the.. the military able to create the nastiest militias now, the pay pretty good.. if you begin to use the religious.. don't forget the economic terrorists.. prioritize.. if the US would show that they are interested in real democracy, in economic democracy.. you would see a rapid end to all this violence.. Dennis: trying to show liberation movments as terrorists.. Kurt: that's a goal of the Indonesian military.. the military is like the mafia, they extract payments from like Exxon.. they assault company employees.. the military makes 70% from extortion, prostitution, tolls, blackmarket, etc.. more likely the military and the company.. complicit in attacks at Freeport.. Sylvia: terrorism has a lot to do with poverty.. one needs to fight poverty.. not fight people.. definitely don't pay the people most responsible for terror, ie the army.. no closed trials, tribunals.. don't help the army create more atrocities.. WEAPONS DO NOT CREATE SECURITY, WHAT CREATES SECURITY, A POPULATION THAT FEELS SECURE, ECONOMICALLY SECURE, NOT PLUNDERED BY FOREIGN CORPORATIONS.. Kurt: urgent go to the website and click the urgent action button.. we're trying to get a 1000 faxes to the ambassador by this Friday.. Megawati Visits Bush
-55:12 Marvelous Mary Bishop: wrapup
-55:48 End today's show. today's review by john lionheart