Letters

>Archive - PWW Print Edition Archive - 2001 Editions - Oct 20, 2001


 

Letters


Stand for peace


I've just read your article "As Bombs Drops, Americans say: Not in our Name" by Judith LeBlanc. It was inspiring to read this account of the peace rally held in New York. I know there have been other peace rallies held in New York, Washington and other U.S. cities, and I am full of admiration for the American people who brave the jeers of fellow Americans - and the riot police - to take a stand for peace. The attacks of Sept. 11 were horrific.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, even here in far away Australia, we felt the intense grief and pain of the American people. Now, we share your fears. For my part, my fear of becoming a victim of acts of terrorism is minor compared to my fear of the potential ramifications of the belligerent line the U.S. government has chosen to take. We're all in the same boat - Titanic Earth - heading for disaster, unless we can turn our boat around. Last weekend, peace marches were held in major Australian cities.

I took part in the Sydney march, where I live. We were about 3,000, and the speakers talked pretty much about the same issues that concern you in America. You may be aware that our government was one of the first to respond to President Bush's call to arms. You may also be aware that this same government has turned away hundreds of refugees from Afghanistan, trying to reach our shores by boat. I'm going to become a frequent visitor to the People's Weekly World website, and I'll be circulating some of your articles. Peace.

Gisele Mesnage

Sydney, Australia



Let the UN handle it


The tragedy on Sept. 11 was a warning to U.S. capitalism to take interest on other parts of the world. We can not be an isolationist nation, but going to war against an unknown enemy cannot achieve our objectives for peace in the long run. Bin Laden needs to be taken to a War Crimes Trial by the United Nations if captured. Also, we need to invest in the economy, health care for the aftermath of survivors, and change domestic policies for a racially tolerant nation. Only then can America make small strides forward!

J Bashook

via e-mail



War begets war


Does anyone feel safer now that we've bombed Afghanistan and we're at war? What will our response be to the next horrendous terrorist attack? I believe the partial answer has to be that we stop training terrorists. We trained Bin Ladin, Noriega and the terrorists that overthrew the elected Guatemalan and Nicaraguan governments as well as many who are operating in Africa and other places around the world. We should get our troops out of the rest of the world and start peaceful pursuits.

An eye for an eye mentality of war against the terrorists will impact on innocent people. As children of displaced and deprived families, they will blame us and use methods of revenge that are unacceptable. War begets war and not necessarily on our terms.

We live in an increasingly dangerous world. Are we willing to sacrifice our children and families to the greed that requires our armies all over the world and promotes such hatred? International crime should be addressed by international bodies such as The World Court and The United Nations. We must punish the guilty, not the innocent.


Karl Dennis

via e-mail



CLUW convention


The Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) was having a good convention until we started the bombing. We had workshops on many pertinent issues. We considered, amended and passed almost 30 resolutions, many of which dealt with helping women demand their rightful place in union leadership.

Karen Nussbaum, Director of the AFL-CIO Working Working Women's Department, pointed out that membership of women in unions increased, but women in top leadership positions only increased by 1 percent, as did leadership in top positions for women of color increased only by 1 percent. CLUW is striving to reach our rightful place in Union leadership. She underscored the importance of understanding the role of women in the global economy, stating that is is essential to unite women's rights with global labor rights. Luisa Blue, president of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) spoke for the millions of unorganizied who do not have a voice at work and who struggle every day to make ends meet.

Among the resolutions was one in regard to no weakening of Social Security, which was amended to remove the cap from the FCIA tax, so everyone will pay their full share of tax on their income; Support for the Charleston 5 the Trade Unionists who were protesting a Danish ship using scab labor. These men are now under felony charges of "inciting to riot"; we also voted to support the Global Day of Action at the Ministerial meeting of the WTO in Doha, Qatar, to distribute the ILO Poster "Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work" and to support Fair Trade not Free Trade and to give special attention to needs of women and child workers in the third world and developing nations as well as in our own country.


Irene Hull

Seattle WA