Jan 26, 2002

Nigerian labor calls off general strike / ILO launches campaign vs child labor / China says presidential aircraft was bugged / Russian leader worried about U.S. bases / Cypriot leaders agree to start talks

This week the events in the Middle East dramatized the need for a stronger movement for peace and justice, in the U.S. and internationally. The Peace and Solidarity Commission of the Communist Party USA has issued this statement as a part of the discussion of the historical framework and the direction needed now to bring about an end to the conflict. For more information, visit the CPUSA's fraternal parties in Israel and Palestine.

When the cold war “ended” at the beginning of the 1990s, there was a slowdown in military spending. But the “defense transition policy,” which was intended to ease the plight of hundreds of thousands of permanently laid off defense workers, got sidetracked into wholesale consolidation and restructuring of the military industry.

When the Pentagon’s latest “kill vehicle” slammed into a mock warhead 140 miles above the Pacific Ocean, the Bush administration and defense contractors cheered: National missile defense was one step closer to fruition.

RAMALLAH, Palestine – Since the assassination of Raid Karmi in Tull Karem four days ago I got that creeping feeling again – the one I get when it obvious that the already hellish situation here in Palestine is going to escalate. The feeling I get when I see that once again Israeli policy under Sharon’s right-wing government doing everything to set this land ablaze.

TUCSON, Ariz. – Roofers here have filed a class action lawsuit against Metric Roofing, alleging illegal wage withholding and misrepresentation, as well as demands for illegal kickbacks from workers.

CHICAGO – First Defense Legal Aid, an organization which provides police station defense to thousands of low income and minority people accused the Chicago police of systematically denying Chicagoans their Sixth Amendment right to an attorney.

I had always pictured my retirement day as a day of honor and celebration. Handshakes-backslaps-good natured joking, basking in the glow of decades of friendship and satisfaction in a job well done.