Sept. 2, 2006

One year after Hurricane Katrina, one thing is clear: the term “masters of deceit” could be accurately applied to the Bush administration for its handling of the Gulf Coast reconstruction. Despite the president’s photo-op appearances in the region on Aug. 29, his promises ring hollow when compared to the facts on the ground

“George Bush isn’t on the ballot this November, but his agenda is and the representatives in Congress who have rubber-stamped his priorities are,” AFL-CIO President John Sweeney told reporters at a national press conference Aug. 30.

On this Labor Day, we salute the fighting spirit of the labor movement against corporate greed and anti-democratic politicians. We salute labor’s struggle for unity and action of all workers, their families and communities.

CHICAGO — Elvira Arellano, 31, an immigrant rights activist and mother of a 7-year-old child, has taken sanctuary in a church here, defying efforts by the U.S. government to deport her to Mexico. She told reporters, “I don’t only speak for me, but for millions of families like mine.”

Civil liberties and peace advocates are rallying to support federal district Judge Anna Diggs Taylor, who is under vicious right-wing attack for her landmark Aug. 17 ruling that the Bush administration’s program of wiretapping without warrants is unconstitutional.

PITTSBURGH — There’s already been a reported shoving match, negative TV ads, federal money flowing in, and it is only the “dog days” of August. What’s up? Pennsylvania’s hot Senate campaign.

SAN FRANCISCO — Early on a chill, gray August morning, men seeking casual jobs pulled their jackets closer as they stood in little groups along the Mission District’s Cesar Chavez Street.

CHARLESTON, W.Va.: Unions, activists rally for change
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.: Court upholds felons’ right to vote
NEW YORK: Open letter of solidarity released

PHILADELPHIA — Chant-ing “Save Our Service,” members of the American Postal Workers Union rallied Aug. 17 during their national convention here to protest Postal Service plans to consolidate operations, eliminate union jobs, hire temporary workers and reduce service.

SAN FRANCISCO — Supporters of First Lieutenant Ehren Watada, the first commissioned officer to publicly refuse deployment to Iraq, welcomed his father, Bob Watada, last week for a whirlwind tour of the Bay Area.