Archive for May, 2012

Obama’s Targetted Assassination is Murder

Thursday, May 31st, 2012

Obama’s Kill List!

   The Golden Age of Special Operations & Drone Warfare

   drone

War American-style is heading back “into the shadows.” Public
announcements are of troop withdrawals and the appearance of
wars winding down. But don’t be deceived by appearances. U.S.
president Obama has enthusiasm for instigating or expanding
secret wars, those conducted out of sight by commandos or
unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) drone attacks.

             Boston University history professor, Andrew
Bacevish says “they have a way of slipping under the radar,
whether heading into Pakistan looking  for Osama bin Laden, Central Africa looking for Joseph Kony, or         Yemen
assumedly to direct local military action against al-Qaeda
in the Arabian Peninsula.  I’m talking, of course, about
U.S. special operations forces. These days, from Somalia
to the Philippines, presidential global interventions are increasingly a dime a
dozen; and they are normally spearheaded by those special
ops troops backed by CIA or Air Force drones. Few Americans
even notice.” See tomdispatch.com http://tomdispatch.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6cb39ff0b1f670c349f828c73&id=5422b631cc&e=022b5991d3

   The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has an estimated
66,000 uniformed and civilian personnel on its rolls operating
in dozens of countries around the world.

See Obama’s Kill List (for assassinations, etc.)!
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/29/world/obamas-leadership-in-war-on-al-qaeda.html

More on drones see http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175489/

 Please note: drones train in Hawaii and in many other places
around the globe!

   End the Drone & Special Ops Wars Too!

1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2.  Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties.
4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islam, anti-Semitic, etc.
5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education
& Action P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760.               

Phone (808) 966-7622.  Emailja@malu-aina.org   http://www.malu-aina.org

Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (June 1, 2012 – 558th week)
– Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office

Military Presence in Hawaii

Tuesday, May 29th, 2012

good article in last week’s Honolulu Weekly by Joan Conrow, with good input from Kyle Kajihiro, on military in Hawaii.  It was cover story and titled “DEEP IMPACT … our exclusive report on what the military brings to the islands, and what it takes away.”

You can access it online at www.honoluluweekly.com   It was in May 23-29, 2012 issue.

Vets Toss Medals Back at NATO

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012

US War Veterans Tossing Medals Back at NATO Was

Heroic Act See Veterans Today

In the shadow of the recent Nato summit, in Chicago, under the watchful eyes of a phalanx of full-black-clad riot police, dozens of former servicemen and women in uniform, veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, threw away their medals, with apologies.   See video here: http://democracynow.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7c55dbbfa32e541749065a92a&id=5d56ffe0db&e=96db9b9fd7

“No amount of medals, ribbons, or flags can cover the amount of human suffering caused by this war.” “I have only one word, and it is shame.” “This is for the people of Iraq and Afghanistan.” “Mostly, I’m sorry. I’m sorry to all of you. I am sorry…” “I am returning my medal today because I want to live by my conscience, rather than be a prisoner of it.” “I apologize to the Iraqi and Afghan people for destroying your countries.” “I don’t want these anymore.”

U.S. war veterans flash the peace sign before throwing their medals towards the site of the NATO Summit in Chicago.

Photo credit: Daily Mail, UK.

Operation Iraqi Freedom medal. Tossed. Global War on Terror medal. Thrown. National Defense medal. Pitched. Marine Corps Good Conduct medal. Flung. Navy and Marine Corps medals. Chucked.

It was one of the most moving experiences many of us had witnessed in our lives. Their words, their voices, crackling under the emotion of their courageous act, breaking under the weight of the pain, the trauma, their anger, sadness, and hope – theirs was a heroic and beautiful act, a moving ceremony at the close of a peaceful anti-NATO march with more than 10,000 protesters. Many of these men and women urged us to do something to set straight the havoc that we have wreaked in these various occupations. All of them spoke truth. Perhaps that was their greatest gift of peace.

END THESE WARS NOW!

1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties. 4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, etc.
5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760.

Phone (808) 966-7622.  Emailja@malu-aina.org   http://www.malu-aina.org
Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (May 25, 2012 – 557th week) – Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office

Press Release on Pu’uhonua as alternative to prison & May 26th Ho’olaule’a

Sunday, May 20th, 2012

Ohana Ho’opakele (Family Rescue)
P.O. Box 5530 Hilo, Hawai’I 96720
Phone: (808)959-9775 Email: OhanaHoopakele@gmail.com
On the web at www.ohanahoopakele.org
Press Release for Immediate release May 20, 2012
Re: Bill HB 2848 SD2 passed by 2012 Hawaii State legislature for a Pu’uhonua/Wellness Center as an alternative to prison. It is on the Governor’s desk awaiting his signature.
Benefit Ho’olaule’a to plan and build a Pu’uhonua.  Sat. May 26, 2012 Maku’u Farmers Market 10AM to 5PM. Tickets $10 donation.
further contact: President Sam Kaleleiki 937-7193, Treasurer Ron Fujiyoshi 345-9688
HB 2848 SD2 – PU`UHONUA/WELLNESS CENTER
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2012/bills/HB2848_CD1_.pdf
Requires Department of Public Safety to plan for a model wellness center that employs native Hawaiian cultural practices on state land. (PSD, in cooperation with `Ohana Ho`opakele and other restorative justice groups is directed to create a plan for a Pu`uhonua on state land with the assistance of the Public Lands Development Corporation (PLDC), provided that Kulani gets first preference) and to submit a report to the legislature prior to the 2013 legislative session.
Ohana Ho’opakele Benefit Ho’olaule’a: What, Where and When
Makuu Farmers Market Saturday May 26 from 10 am to 5 pm.
Ohana ho’opakele is throwing a Ho’olaulea fundraiser. Raising money to plan and build a Pu’uhonua/ Hawaiian healing center on Hawaii island as an alternative to prison.
Live music will be provided by : Keli’i “skippy” Ioane. Kaliko guys. Diana Aki. Ben Ka’ili and friends. George and Keoki Kahumoku. Brother Waltah. Brudah Cuz. And Terry Napeahi with Howard Pe’a.
Tickets are $10 donation for a stew plate. Beef or vegetarian.
Tickets are available at Papa Mu Gallery in Prince Kuhio Plaza, 959-1101. For more information you can contact Ohana Ho’opakele president Sam Kaleleiki at 937-7193.
 Show your support for a holistic, healing alternative to prison and enjoy a fun event with your Ohana by coming out to the Ho’olaulea May 26th at Maku’u Farmers Market!!!
 Besides the good food and music, there will be an educational tent where people can sign Ohana Ho’opakele’s KAHEA in support of the Pu’uhonua, watch a few short videos, see photo displays of  Makahiki ceremonies in prisons, and share ways their talents and skills can contribute to the Pu’uhonua effort. Everyone’s kokua is important.
Background and Why Fundraising:
Statistics reveal that Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) have the worstincarceration rate of any ethnic group in Hawaii. In fact using datafrom the Hawai’i Criminal Justice Data Center, researchers for a 2010report from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) found that the
disproportionate impact of the criminal system accumulates at eachstage of the process for Kanaka Maoli. They have a higher incidencefrom the decision to arrest, to longer sentences and longerprobation’s. Data shows that Kanaka Maoli make up 24% of the generalpopulation but nearly 40% of the prison population. Adding to thesetroubling statistics, Kanaka Maoli make up 41% of those incarceratedin out-of-state facilities, isolating them from the ‘aina, cutting themoff from their culture, and creating upheaval in their families.60% of Hawai’i prisoners, in 2000 were classified as nonviolentoffenders. If nonviolent offenders were diverted from prison to community-basedprograms, Hawai’i’s existing prison beds would be more than enough toconfine hardened violent offenders. Shifting emphasis tocommunity-based programs would eliminate the need for new prisons inHawai’i or elsewhere, save taxpayers money and reduce recidivism bytreating, not punishing, substance abuse.
Pu’uhonua would provide reintegration and rehabilitation help to Kanaka Maoli and others with an emphasis on Hawaiian cultural programs such as Ho’oponopono and Aloha Aina along with community service to benefit the Hawaii island community.
Ohana Ho’opakele’s vision is to have Pu`uhonua(DecentralizedWellnessCentersresidential and non-residential) on all islands as an alternative to building more prisons. Samuel Kaleleiki, President of Ohana Ho’opakele said “Pu`uhonua are places open to all,not just KanakaMaoli, where the traditional ho`oponopono process of making right will be used to help heal individuals, families, and communities. We believe Pu`uhonua centers are for the good of all Hawai`is people and can provide real hope in saving money, reducing recidivism, crime prevention, and long-term positive change.

There will be an Ohana Ho’opakele Planning meeting on building a model Pu’uhonua on Saturday, June 23, 2012 from 9-12 noon in the Lounge room at the Church of the Holy Cross, 440 Lanikaula St. Hilo (across from the new UHH building).  All interested in helping in this effort are welcome and encouraged to participate.  This is a grassroots community undertaking.

-pau-

News of the U.S. Empire

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

War is Terrorism News!

 

  • The FY 2013 military budget (NDAA) is up for a vote in the House this Friday. It contains more than $642 billion of taxpayer money to pay for a war the majority of Americans oppose; nuclear upgrades that threaten non-proliferation agreements; programs and weapons that even the Pentagon doesn’t want. The bill also promotes reckless threats on Iran, enables reckless actions by Israel and prohibits the transfer of prisoners from Guantanamo to the United States.

  • A New York federal judge granted a preliminary injunction late Wednesday to block provisions of the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act that would allow the military to indefinitely detain anyone it accuses of knowingly or unknowingly supporting terrorism… In a 68-page ruling blocking this statute, U.S. District Judge Katherine Forrest agreed that the statute failed to “pass constitutional muster” because its broad language could be used to quash political dissent.http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/05/16/46550.htm

  • Veterans For Peace Calls for an End to NATO. NATO provides the United States with a pretense of global coalition and legality. Approximately half of the world’s military spending is U.S., while adding the other NATO nations brings the total to three-quarters.
    http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31347.htm

  • MIT professor Noam Chomsky on Monday decried the use of drones against suspected terrorists, saying that it was murder and violated due process. “If Bush, the Bush Administration, didn’t like somebody, they’d kidnap them and send them to torture chambers,” he said on Democracy Now. “If the Obama Administration decides they don’t like somebody, they murder them, so you don’t have to have torture chambers all over.”

    End the Wars! Bring the War Dollars Home!

    1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties. 4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, etc. 5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
    Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760.

    Phone (808) 966-7622.  Emailja@malu-aina.org   http://www.malu-aina.org

  • Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (May 18, 2012 – 556th week) – Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office