Flashpoints Nov 12: troubling human rights report says 4 million may die in Iraq

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)

Tuesday, Nov 12, 2002 - Start Audio
-00:00 Dennis Bernstein: introduction: troubling human rights report says 4 million may die in Iraqi war.. weapons inspections an alternative to war or a prelude to war?
-00:50 Robert Knight and the Knight Report.. Robert: Iraqi Congress votes no to weapons inspections.. Bush looking in a rubber stamp mirror.. Iraq stockpiling nerve gas antidotes.. Putin blows stack about questions about why Russians are exterminating civilians in Chechnan.. mentions circumcision???.. says he'll 'waste Chechyans who sit in their outhouses'.. Israeli pinhead Netanyahu says he would 'expel Arafat' if elected to higher office.. Israel tanks shoot up Tulkarm.. new bin Laden tape airs on Arab TV.. Osama: 'our people in Palestine are being killed, if you don't like looking at your dead, stop killing ours'
-06:00 Dennis Bernstein: the question of weapons inspections from a different angle.. plans for war are weapons inspections an alternative to war, or part of the US war plan?.. now w Larry Everest, author of the forthcoming book, Oil, Power, and Empire.. Larry: the NY Times reported that Bush had finalized his war plans.. made before the UN vote.. 200,000 to invade after an air campaign.. the scenario, US troops to occupy southern and northern Iraq, turn them into 'beachheads'.. the US hope for the quick collapse, segue into occupation.. Bush decided in Oct 2001 to go after Iraq.. the UN resolutions to provide cover for the US.. political *legitimacy* very important to the US.. many Middle East regimes fear for their continued existence if US goes to war with Iraq.. turmoil.. Bush trying to tone down and confuse protestors.. the resolution written in a vague way.. anything at all, Bush will jump on as an excuse.. how inspections part of war plans.. the US not concerned that Saddam has weapons that could target the US.. but concerned that he could have something to use against invading US troops.. Bush wants a quick war, communicating to the world that they are all-powerful.. the US will comb through all the data that inspectors turn up to pinpoint the Iraqi leadership.. the inspectors closely tied to US intelligence.. the inspectors go to a certain palace, a huge security apparatus.. outrageous, they are threatening to remove Iraqi citizens and interrogate them.
-09:36 Dennis: an US attack on Iraq could trigger disaster.. now w Dr. Bernard Lowen of Physicians For The Prevention Of Nuclear War which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1995.. associated with the London based group MEDACT.. a new report, Collateral Damage: the health and environmental costs of war on Iraq, about the potential casualies, a nuclear war that could kill millions.. Bernard: these are estimates.. the ratio of civilian casualies to military could be as high as 10-1, the reverse of WWI.. near to the Gulf War.. after the war, environmental casualties.. war is the most unpredictable of human undertakings.. these estimate should make us think twice.. about the possibility of nuclear war.. Nuclear Posture Review.. wants to conventionalize nuclear weapons.. nuclear bunker busters.. not invented by us, but buy the Pentagon's own position.. any such weapon if used, would be enormous in it's effect.. would spew radiation, and could kill anything within one kilometer.. in a heavily populated city like Baghdad, means 20,000 dead.. the environmental damage would be enormous.. an urban center.. like launching 100 tornadoes.. frightening might of destruction.. before the first Gulf War, Iraq women had enormous equality.. about the sancions.. medicines.. I witnessed death under my very eyes, especially people with kidney failure, 2000 people no dialysis fluid.. Iraq is now a crippled state.. while we aimed at Saddam, we targeted the Iraqi people.. will breed more terrorism.. and a new war would create more famine and suffering in the citizens.. we destroyed their food supply, water supply, and prohibited them from buying clorine.. massive disease, massive malnutrition.. and (the money spent) means we will weaken the US.. forget US health care, forget education.. the US now spents $400 billion on its military, more than the rest of the world combined.. before the first Gulf War, Iraq infant deaths at 65 per thousand, 103 after the war.. right now Iraq has no way of coping.. we are going to compound this issue..
-24:10 music break
-24:40 Rainjita Geesler: 2500 California prisoners confined in social isolation.. prisoner hunger strikes fighting against this modern form of torture.. now with Mother of Jose Luis: my son forced to take sides in gang wars.. even I was labeled a gang member.. about the brutality my son went through.. my family campaigned intensely.. about the brutality.. in 1999, he was involved in a massive hunger strike to expose the brutality.. hunger strike lasted for two months.. then Grey Davis ordered the breakup of the hunger strike.. ordered 16 men dispersed and put in the 'shoe' (extreme solitary confinement).. my son sent to Pelican Bay shoe.. been there for the last three years.. he has lost his eyesight, has arthritis.. because of the denial of sunlight and movement... many of the men put in the shoe go insane.. denied the five senses.. I have seen what the shoe does to people.. this is torture, this must be abolished.. we fight against this.. we called on Oct 31 2002 an action to expose the torturous shoe.. we had hunger strikes.. exposing the shoe.. the companeros in the Pelican Bay started a hunger strike.. our action in solidarity.. we set up a mock shoe cell on Powell and Market (SF).. inhumane.. we collected signatures and had a tremendous reaction.. collected 1300 signatures in five days.. very successful.. a movement to go forward.. Ca Dept of Correction on Nov 21 to meet with people to discuss the shoe.. to help for for more info: call 408-885-9785 www.BarrioDefence.org.. Davis is committing genocide against our community.. we are located in San Jose.
-37:10 Rain: now w Corey Weinstein of CA Prison Focus.. Corey: the 24 hour lockup, no sunshine.. fresh air maybe.. a diet of monotonous over-cooked food.. health care not good.. prisoners in 8 foot square pods.. an example: a friend in there has high blood pressure, he has to thrust his arm out the food slot, the stress gives an abnormally high reading.. about the mental stress.. many prisoners 'nut up'.. especially if they are too poor to buy books or a TV.. about the second round of hunger strikes.. last year 1000 prisoners began a hunger strike.. after nine days, that was interrupted.. the CA Dept. of Corrections stalled on reforms.. another strike now.. I spoke to the leader Steve Castillo on Wednesday.. lost 9 pounds, his voice weak.. trying to force the state to hold to their promises.. they are demanding due process in their classification hearings.. labeled gang members without any real evidence or representation or opportunity for rebuttal or personal testimony.. all they want is a fairness in this procedure.. this is in the penal code.. mere association is not a crime.. Steve in a very strong man, and a leader inside.. I don't think he is gang member.. he is a 'jailhouse lawyer'.. the department decides to silence him.. he's been in security housing for 7 years.. he is in severe pain.. the custody staff used this as an excuse to mistreat him.. demeaned and taunted.. the medical staff observed this and did not intervene as is their obligation.. the Dept are bad penal managers.. gangs are a legitimate security problem.. but no other state is so lousy.. they believe the people of California will not say anything.. we have the more violent prison system in the country.. more info: call 415-252-9211 or visit www.Prison.org
-50:00 Marvelous Mary Bishop: wrapup
-50:30 End today's show. today's review by john lionheart

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