Jan 8, 2005

WASHINGTON — During confirmation hearings on Alberto Gonzales’ nomination as Attorney General, senators should question him about a recently uncovered memo that George W. Bush “ordered” the torture of detainees at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo and other military prisons around the world, several human rights groups suggested last month.

The Japanese word “tsunami” has now entered our everyday language. The deadly force of gigantic sea waves rolling across the ocean to swallow up human lives, homes and livelihoods, hurling devastation on the shores of a dozen nations, is seared into our consciousness. The United Nations estimates the total number of dead will exceed 150,000, and could go as high as 300,000 if survivors don’t get clean water.

We’re excited to announce that People’s Weekly World Managing Editor Mark Almberg will travel to Porto Alegre, Brazil, to provide first-hand coverage of the fifth World Social Forum, Jan. 26-31.

In a case that hearkens back to the Vietnam era, 23-year-old Navy Petty Officer Third Class Pablo Paredes has said, in effect, “Hell no, I won’t go.” At the pier in San Diego, Calif., Dec. 6, wearing a black T-shirt with the slogan, “Like a cabinet member, I resign,” Paredes, a Navy electronics technician, refused to board a transport ship headed to Iraq. click here for Spanish text

News Analysis

The Bush administration’s commitment to assist African nations in their battle against the AIDS epidemic is increasingly open to question.

PHILADELPHIA — The Republican-led state Legislature left Harrisburg last month without addressing the massive budget crisis faced by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Agency (SEPTA). As a result, SEPTA’s board proposed to increase fares 50 percent, to $3 a ride, lay off workers and cut service by 20 percent, all of which will have serious consequences for the region’s economy, environment and quality of life.

CHICAGO — Flight attendants at United Airlines have overwhelmingly authorized their union to call for targeted “CHAOS” strike activities should a federal bankruptcy court permit management to abrogate its collective bargaining agreement with its employees, the union reported Dec. 30.

MIAMI: The Hon. Shirley Chisholm dies / SEATTLE: After third vote tally, winner declared / MUSKEGON, Mich.: Poverty stalks hundreds of thousands / HARRISBURG, Pa.: Keystone State trades with Cuba / WASHINGTON, D.C.: Cities demand ‘troops home’

Around California, unions are ready for action in the New Year.

Bay Area grocery workers are slated to resume talks Jan. 6 with Safeway and other grocery giants. Their contract, covering 30,000 members in nine Bay Area UFCW locals, expired Sept. 11; the latest extension ends Jan. 15.

PORTLAND, Ore. — The National Coalition on Police Accountability held a conference Oct. 15-17 at Portland State University to provide an up-to-date assessment of the struggles to curb police brutality and violence, end racial profiling, and establish effective review boards to monitor police conduct.