IRAN:PRESSURES HAVE INCREASED
After the military attack of the Coalition forces on Iraq, Islamic Government of Iran is taking it harder on the opposition; a greater number of university students and writers are imprisoned and compelled to confess in contrived trials; students' gatherings are perturbed more violently and frequently; political activists are re-arrested and newspapers supervised by clergies speak of the foundation of a suicidal group with the goal of attacking Americans and Israelis, and the public media, again supervised by the same extremist clergies, broadcast news on Iraqi resistance against American forces whilst Internet sites and web logs initiated by dissident Iranian youths are carrying the whole task of public media and struggle against the conservative clergy all alone.
(Payvand's Iran News)
Saturday, May 17, 2003
Monday, May 12, 2003
CANADA BACKS OFF POT DECRIMINALIZATION PLANS
The federal government has backed off plans to make pot possession a mere ticketing offence, the Star has learned. Instead, sources say the Liberal government will keep simple possession of marijuana on the books as a criminal offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The new plan came days after U.S. officials warned that any easing of Canada's marijuana laws could lead to a crackdown at border crossings.
(Toronto Star, unearthed by Paul Whitehurst)
The federal government has backed off plans to make pot possession a mere ticketing offence, the Star has learned. Instead, sources say the Liberal government will keep simple possession of marijuana on the books as a criminal offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The new plan came days after U.S. officials warned that any easing of Canada's marijuana laws could lead to a crackdown at border crossings.
(Toronto Star, unearthed by Paul Whitehurst)
Sunday, May 11, 2003
US HEADS LIST OF EXECUTIONERS
The death penalty has been used against 848 people in the United States since the Supreme Court reinstated it in 1976. Seventy-one people were executed in the United States last year alone--the third-highest number of executions in the world after China and Iran. So far this year, 28 people in this country have been killed by lethal injection or the electric chair. The United States also ranks first in the number of people on death row--more than 3,500 at present.
(The Militant)
The death penalty has been used against 848 people in the United States since the Supreme Court reinstated it in 1976. Seventy-one people were executed in the United States last year alone--the third-highest number of executions in the world after China and Iran. So far this year, 28 people in this country have been killed by lethal injection or the electric chair. The United States also ranks first in the number of people on death row--more than 3,500 at present.
(The Militant)
FREEDOM TO TRAVEL PROPOSED FOR US CITIZENS
On Wednesday, April 30, a group of senators, spearheaded by members of the new Senate Cuba Working Group, introduced the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act of 2003, S. 950. This free-standing bill calls for an end to all restrictions on travel by U.S. citizens to Cuba. Click on the headline for a link to the story and a copy of the bill itself. Please support these senators efforts to add co-sponsors of the bill by sending letters and making phone calls to your senators. A large number of co-sponsors will help build momentum for a summer vote on a travel amendment in the Senate. Grassroots pressure can and will make a difference. An identical companion bill to end the travel ban is expected in the House of Representatives very shortly—expect to see something before May 20.
Many of the senators who introduced the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act are members of the recently-formed Senate Cuba Working Group. This group remains energized and deeply committed to working toward ending the embargo, now more than ever. Many members of the Senate Cuba Working Group condemned the arrests, trials and sentences of dissidents, along with the summary trial and execution of three hijackers. However, the senators have made it clear that they believe -- as do many working on the Cuba policy debate -- that further engagement is the best way to work for the benefit of both the Cuban and U.S. people.
YOU CAN:
Contact your senator.
Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202.224.3121. Or, you may call them in their state office. Phone numbers may be found on their websites by visiting www.senate.gov. Email addresses are also available on these websites.
Sign the petition.
Or better yet, recruit people to sign the petition to President Bush on travel to Cuba found at www.cubacentral.com . There are currently over 9,500 signatures. At 10,000 signatures, the petition will be hand-delivered to the White House by a member of Congress. Also, we would like to reach 10,000 signatures before an up-coming House/Senate press conference on travel to Cuba. The media impact would be significant if a member of Congress could hold up a sheaf of pages with over 10,000 signatures asking the President to open travel to Cuba. Please sign the petition if you havent, and let others know about the website. This web site is updated regularly with developments on Cuba policy.
On Wednesday, April 30, a group of senators, spearheaded by members of the new Senate Cuba Working Group, introduced the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act of 2003, S. 950. This free-standing bill calls for an end to all restrictions on travel by U.S. citizens to Cuba. Click on the headline for a link to the story and a copy of the bill itself. Please support these senators efforts to add co-sponsors of the bill by sending letters and making phone calls to your senators. A large number of co-sponsors will help build momentum for a summer vote on a travel amendment in the Senate. Grassroots pressure can and will make a difference. An identical companion bill to end the travel ban is expected in the House of Representatives very shortly—expect to see something before May 20.
Many of the senators who introduced the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act are members of the recently-formed Senate Cuba Working Group. This group remains energized and deeply committed to working toward ending the embargo, now more than ever. Many members of the Senate Cuba Working Group condemned the arrests, trials and sentences of dissidents, along with the summary trial and execution of three hijackers. However, the senators have made it clear that they believe -- as do many working on the Cuba policy debate -- that further engagement is the best way to work for the benefit of both the Cuban and U.S. people.
YOU CAN:
Contact your senator.
Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202.224.3121. Or, you may call them in their state office. Phone numbers may be found on their websites by visiting www.senate.gov. Email addresses are also available on these websites.
Sign the petition.
Or better yet, recruit people to sign the petition to President Bush on travel to Cuba found at www.cubacentral.com . There are currently over 9,500 signatures. At 10,000 signatures, the petition will be hand-delivered to the White House by a member of Congress. Also, we would like to reach 10,000 signatures before an up-coming House/Senate press conference on travel to Cuba. The media impact would be significant if a member of Congress could hold up a sheaf of pages with over 10,000 signatures asking the President to open travel to Cuba. Please sign the petition if you havent, and let others know about the website. This web site is updated regularly with developments on Cuba policy.
Saturday, May 10, 2003
US TRADE INCREASED IN CUBA DESPITE RESENT CRISIS
U.S. companies sold food worth $138.6 million to Cuba last year and are on track for a 19 percent increase in sales this year despite Fidel Castro's recent crackdown on dissidents.
(Associated Press, reported in Havana Journal)
U.S. companies sold food worth $138.6 million to Cuba last year and are on track for a 19 percent increase in sales this year despite Fidel Castro's recent crackdown on dissidents.
(Associated Press, reported in Havana Journal)
MISSISSIPPI FOCUSES ON CUBAN TRADE
The Mississippi Coast Trade Council is focusing on Cuba as a place to export state products. The council, established to represent Mississippi companies interested in selling products to foreign countries, has obtained a travel license to visit Cuba. The license was granted by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Controls. "We have been targeting for the last seven months the companies throughout the state who may be interested," in selling products to Cuba, said Mike Olivier, the council's president.
(Havana Journal unearthed by CubaNews Digest)
The Mississippi Coast Trade Council is focusing on Cuba as a place to export state products. The council, established to represent Mississippi companies interested in selling products to foreign countries, has obtained a travel license to visit Cuba. The license was granted by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Controls. "We have been targeting for the last seven months the companies throughout the state who may be interested," in selling products to Cuba, said Mike Olivier, the council's president.
(Havana Journal unearthed by CubaNews Digest)
Friday, May 09, 2003
HEY DUDE!
An activist seeking the overturn of Canada's marijuana law smoked hashish and cannabis on Tuesday before arguing his own case in the Supreme Court, dressed completely in hemp products.
(REUTERS, unearthed by Paul Whitehurst)
An activist seeking the overturn of Canada's marijuana law smoked hashish and cannabis on Tuesday before arguing his own case in the Supreme Court, dressed completely in hemp products.
(REUTERS, unearthed by Paul Whitehurst)
MAY DAY SPEECH CALLS FOR END TO DEATH PENALTY IN CUBA
I sincerely plead with Cuba to abolish the death penalty. Of course other nations have the death penalty -- 137 others, including the United States itself. But Cuba is different from other nations. Cuba has taken a path which distinguishes it for its outstanding concern for the welfare of human life. No other nation is the provider of free health care to the world. No other nation is the provider of free education to lift the minds of the citizens of the world. Cuba, you are a world leader in human rights and respect for life. And the death penalty demeans Cuba. You are better than that. So I call on Cuba to, by example, lead a world campaign to end the death penalty.
(IFCO, unearthed by Art Heitzer)
I sincerely plead with Cuba to abolish the death penalty. Of course other nations have the death penalty -- 137 others, including the United States itself. But Cuba is different from other nations. Cuba has taken a path which distinguishes it for its outstanding concern for the welfare of human life. No other nation is the provider of free health care to the world. No other nation is the provider of free education to lift the minds of the citizens of the world. Cuba, you are a world leader in human rights and respect for life. And the death penalty demeans Cuba. You are better than that. So I call on Cuba to, by example, lead a world campaign to end the death penalty.
(IFCO, unearthed by Art Heitzer)
Wednesday, May 07, 2003
Sunday, May 04, 2003
Muses en' Perls en' Such
Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend.
Albert Camus
(SHRINK.ORG, unearthed by Paul Whitehurst)
Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend.
Albert Camus
(SHRINK.ORG, unearthed by Paul Whitehurst)
Friday, May 02, 2003
SMITHSONIAN ARTICLE ON CUBA
The May 2003 issue of Smithsonian Magazine has an excellent article entitled "Wild Cuba: The Caribbean's Unlikely Preserve". It not only contains a lot of good information but also thoughtful consideration of what the future may bring for what is now the best preserved natural environments and national park system in the entire Caribbean.
(Unearthed by Dick Diehl)
The May 2003 issue of Smithsonian Magazine has an excellent article entitled "Wild Cuba: The Caribbean's Unlikely Preserve". It not only contains a lot of good information but also thoughtful consideration of what the future may bring for what is now the best preserved natural environments and national park system in the entire Caribbean.
(Unearthed by Dick Diehl)
Thursday, May 01, 2003
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH PROF HELPS EDIT CUBAN BRIEF
Brief Amicus Curiae of Sociedad Cubana de Ciencias Penales in Support of "Cuban Five"
Brief Amicus Curiae of Sociedad Cubana de Ciencias Penales in Support of "Cuban Five"
CANADA READY TO EASE POT LAWS
Calling his government "activist" and "not afraid to take on controversial issues," Prime Minister Jean Chrétien cast a nod at youth last night and vowed that marijuana would soon be decriminalized.
(Toronto Star unearthed by Paul Whitehurst)
Calling his government "activist" and "not afraid to take on controversial issues," Prime Minister Jean Chrétien cast a nod at youth last night and vowed that marijuana would soon be decriminalized.
(Toronto Star unearthed by Paul Whitehurst)
Tuesday, April 29, 2003
RETALIATION PROMISED AGAINST CUBA
If you have been following the debate, as it affects Cuba and the US, US citizens and its own government, and the US and the rest of the world, you will want to read this New York Times account of the criticism leveled by Secretary of State Colin L. Powell against Cuba. Calling Cuba an "aberration in the Western Hemisphere", he said that the administration is studying ways to respond to the Havana government's recent crackdown on "its critics".
(NYT, See also Reuters Story)
If you have been following the debate, as it affects Cuba and the US, US citizens and its own government, and the US and the rest of the world, you will want to read this New York Times account of the criticism leveled by Secretary of State Colin L. Powell against Cuba. Calling Cuba an "aberration in the Western Hemisphere", he said that the administration is studying ways to respond to the Havana government's recent crackdown on "its critics".
(NYT, See also Reuters Story)
THE WAR AT HOME
Our jails overflow with nonviolent drug offenders. Have we reached the point where the drug war causes more harm than the drugs themselves?
(Sojourner's Magazine, unearthed by Paul Whitehurst)
Our jails overflow with nonviolent drug offenders. Have we reached the point where the drug war causes more harm than the drugs themselves?
(Sojourner's Magazine, unearthed by Paul Whitehurst)
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