March 15, 2008

As the fifth anniversary of the Iraq war approaches, a rising tide of soldiers and veterans suffering psychological injuries is being adding to the nearly 4,000 U.S. soldiers who have died in the war and the tens of thousands officially counted as physically wounded in action.

CHICAGO — In a “political earthquake” whose aftershocks may be felt all the way to the November elections, Democrat Bill Foster defeated Republican Jim Oberweis in a special election to fill the vacant seat of former Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert in Illinois’ 14th Congressional District.

Russia: Billionaires multiply

Swaziland: Women workers on strike

Brazil: Peasant women defy corporations

China: Combating inflation

Cuba: U.S. blockade goes online

Iraq: Women abandoned

Gaza: Worst crisis in 40 years

India: Women vote in record numbers, Communists re-elected

Only a week after releasing the most dismal consumer spending figures in eight years, the government said, March 7, that 63,000 workers lost their jobs in February — another sure sign that the economy is in full recession.

Angry retirees descended on Social Security Administration offices in downtown Phoenix Mar. 7 holding placards that read, “Tell McCain ‘hands off Social Security.’”

Colombian troops attacked inside Ecuador on March 1, destroying a camp occupied by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Ecuadorian soldiers later found 23 bodies, including those of five Mexican young people visiting the site. The dead included FARC leader and negotiator Raul Reyes.

UNITED NATIONS — International Women’s Day, March 8, was commemorated here starting March 6. Women’s importance to the world’s progress was emphasized, but speakers stressed that the situation in which the world’s women find themselves is woeful.

CLEVELAND — Labor and its progressive allies scored a major victory in the Democratic primary here March 4 when Congressman Dennis Kucinich beat back a heavily financed effort to take his seat.

CHICAGO — Parents, community groups, teachers and students are fed up with Chicago Public Schools officials who voted to close, consolidate or restructure 18 schools here Feb. 27.

On March 19, 2003, our television screens were filled with blinding flashes illuminating the night skies over Iraq as President George W. Bush launched his shock and awe invasion. To some viewers, and perhaps Bush’s advisers, it may have seemed like a video game war, with flares, explosions and superheroes swiftly vanquishing the (nonexistent) weapons-of-mass-destruction-wielding foe. The end result, after a quick victory, would be a conveniently compliant Iraq regime that would play ball with Washington and Big (U.S.) Oil.