Category Archives: Politics

Socialism 2012: ISO Annual Conference

SOCIALISM 2012 Educate. Agitate. Occupy June 28-July 1 | Chicago http://www.socialismconference.org/ “A global rebellion of the oppressed against the oppressor, the exploited against the exploiter.” That’s how the African American revolutionary Malcolm X characterized the international scene in 1965. But … Continue reading

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Honorary Catherine Hogue Way

On May 8, 2012, a section of East Park Street, between Second Street and Third Street, in Champaign was dedicated to Catherine Hogue, black woman activist and long time County Board member. A sign now stands at the intersection in … Continue reading

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NATO & G8 Imperialism

NATO (or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is, according to its website, a political and military alliance founded in 1949 to protect its member states from attacks by non-member states.  It “promotes democratic values and encourages consultation and cooperation on … Continue reading

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Reduce the U.S. Military to a Defensive Force

Dannel Mccollom DEFENSE To say that I am unimpressed with the President’s latest announcement regarding the department of defense is a colossal understatement.  What is especially troubling is the suggestion that even with anticipated cuts, in the words of the … Continue reading

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Preparing Youth for Democracy

Preparing Youth for Democracy (edited) By Gary Storm My wife, Jamie, and I were recently invited to participate in an international conference sponsored by “Initiatives of Change” (IOC) in Panchgani, India. The conference was called “Making Democracy Real–A Dialogue”, and … Continue reading

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Save Starved Rock! Stop the Sand Pit!

Starved Rock State park is located along the historic south bank of the Illinois River. Starved Rock is known for its many canyons and hosts over two million tourists a year. It has 2360 acres of natural wildlife, rivers and … Continue reading

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Learning the Lessons of Depleted Uranium

By Conrad Wetzel   One of the most significant wastes obtained from producing fuel for nuclear reactors and atomic bombs is depleted uranium. An isotope which can be fissioned is uranium U-235, the material used in civil and nuclear military … Continue reading

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Our Government Has Been Hijacked! The Occupy movement is here to take it back.

Emmanuel Goldstein The Problem: Our political system is broken because corporations are allowed to use their wealth to buy political influence. Most Americans believe that everyone should have the same amount of say in government, regardless of how much money … Continue reading

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The End of a War for Whom?

On the day I heard that President Obama had officially declared the Iraq war over, I was at the Danville Veterans’ Administration hospital (VA) with my partner S, an Iraq War veteran. S is six months into a disability application, … Continue reading

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What Has 9/11 Done to the United States?

In the October 2001 issue of the Public i, I examined elements of US policy that might have contributed to the 9/11 attack terrorist act that violated the human rights of the people killed and injured. Here I want to … Continue reading

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U of I Law Professor Harassed by FBI/CIA After 9/11

Francis Boyle at the World Court The attorney-client privilege assuring confidentiality between the two parties is one of the most cherished rights of the American law system, but according to internationally recognized lawyer, author and professor Francis A. Boyle of … Continue reading

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The Sound Before the Fury: The California Prison Hunger Strike

Beginning on July 1, 2011, hundreds of prisoners of all races in California’s Pelican Bay SHU (“Security Housing Unit”) began a historic hunger strike to demand an end to the cruel and inhumane treatment that they suffer under – including … Continue reading

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NFL Labor Lessons

The NFL lockout is over! At the outset, things did not look good for the players. There were worries about DeMaurice Smith, the new executive director of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), having to learn the ropes during first labor … Continue reading

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ACLU of Illinois turns to US Department of Justice for Help Reigning in Consent Searches by the Illinois State Police

The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois filed an administrative complaint on June 7th and asked the U.S. Department of Justice to launch an investigation into “the substantial racial disparate impact caused by Illinois State Police consent searches of Hispanic … Continue reading

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I Hate Malcolm X

“I Hate Malcolm X.” These are the words that circulated in my subconscious. And to be honest, the extent of my knowledge of his contribution was scant. But I knew that I hated him. So a week prior to his … Continue reading

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Statement From Socialist Forum of Champaign-Urbana

Our Democracy Has Been Replaced By a Plutocracy The present assault on working people and the poor shows us clearly the class warfare inherent in capitalism.  The system aims to treat everything, including people, as commodities in order to maximize … Continue reading

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The 1970 Student Strike in Protest of Kent State Killings

University of Illinois students and faculty went on strike 41 years ago this May in response to the killing of four students at Kent State by the Ohio National Guard. The killings at Kent State were seen by many at … Continue reading

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