June 24, 2006

UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. — “Currently 33 percent of every health insurance dollar goes to administration,” said Julia Lamborn, president of Missourians for Single Payer Health Care (MOSP) at a June 7 press conference here. Lamborn announced the passage by University City’s Council of a resolution in support of HR 676, the “Medicare for All” bill. University City is the first city in Missouri to pass a resolution supporting the bill.

The Open Society Institute, a public policy research organization, recently released a comprehensive report on the state of HIV/AIDS in America. It suggests that President Bush has failed to effectively handle this devastating epidemic

Ehren Watada is a 28-year-old first lieutenant in the United States Army. He joined the Army in 2003, during the run-up to the Iraq war, and turned in his resignation to protest that same war in January of 2006. Journalist Sarah Olson spoke with Watada in late May about his reasons for joining the military, and why he wants out.

The Republican leadership of the House of Representatives has let it be known that instead of immediately convoking a conference committee to reconcile House and Senate bills on immigration (HR 4437 and S 2611), they are going to organize public hearings around the country on the Senate, but not the House, bill.

In a move that deepens concerns about its future direction, the Supreme Court last week said evidence found when police with a search warrant enter a home without knocking can be used at trial. In its decision, announced June 15, the nation’s highest court rejected a long-standing legal principle that evidence obtained when the “knock and announce” rule is violated cannot be used in a criminal case.

Remembering Howie
Abolishing war is great answer
For Tim Wheeler
Heartfelt praise
Teacher delegation to Cuba?
Not enough analysis

I was a soldier once. I can almost hear myself telling that to my grandchildren with a shameful exhortation and a need to feel important to the ones I love. I sometimes wonder what stories I will end up telling them. “Everyone thought I was a hero!” Which is true. Besides the letters saying so from my family, I received letters and packages from complete strangers telling me so.

In 1995, in Chicago, veterans of Silver Post No. 282 celebrated the 50th anniversary of their victory over Japan, marching around a catering hall wearing their old service caps, pins, ribbons and medals. My father sat at his table, silent. He did not wear his medals.

Like you, I am very concerned about the direction the Bush administration is leading our country and the impact of its policies on world developments. I was fortunate to be a participant at the 6th World Social Forum in Caracas, Venezuela, this January.