The fightback is on!--Reports from the National Committee

Dear Friend,   Last weekend, the National Committee of the Communist Party met. Below are the two main presentations from the meeting. The first, by Labor Secretary Scott Marshall, is reproduced in its entirety. It's relevance is even greater now with the dramatic protests for jobs and workers rights that began in Wisconsin and are spreading.   The second report on the current political moment by Joelle Fishman, Chair of the Political Action Commission, is excerpted with the full text available on our website www.cpusa.org.   The Fightback Fire is Being Lit Down Below A report to the National Committee   by Scott Marshall, National Labor Secretary & Vice-Chair   This report is not so much about the economy as it is about the jobs fight. But some overall points about the economy. This meeting doesn't need to be told that the economy is bad for working people and getting worse for many. People are falling through the cracks in the system. Everybody heard last month that unemployment dropped from 9.4 to 9% and fortunately a lot of attention was paid to the fact that the drop was mainly due to 99ers (those who have run completely out of unemployment benefits), in particular, falling out of the system. Millions and millions of people are not counted anymore as looking for work and not counted in the unemployment figures.   Manufacturing and durable goods production figures were down again this month even as the pundits touted that the economy was picking up. Without a strong manufacturing and durable goods sector it's really impossible to have a recovery.   Total construction activity both private and commercial is down again and continuing the downward drift. We all know that the housing crisis bubble has not finished bursting. Falsely blamed on the freedom movement in Egypt, oil prices are topping $100 a barrel. This will have a huge downward effect on the economy and particularly on working people.   And there are the continuing attacks and cuts in state and local budgets and federal programs. I would add that the ongoing discussion about doing away with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will certainly have a downward pull on the economy as fewer working class people will be able to afford housing. The government spending freeze and the wage freeze also have a very negative impact on the overall economy and on working people.   The jobs fight, the fight of the unemployed, and fight to defend public workers are all the same fight. The overall attack on workers and unions are all basically part of the same fight for jobs and for relief for people who are victims of the system.   The Good Jobs Green jobs conference in Washington DC, the Pennsylvania Progressive Summit and the Steelworkers Rapid Response conference conclusions all really confirm our estimate that the battle is shifting dramatically to local and state struggles.   At the state level the attack is even more drastic than many realize without having a full survey of state and local anti-labor actions. An incredible array of anti-labor, anti-immigrant and racist and anti-women legislation is being proposed is state legislatures by the Republican right wing. Just to mention a few.   Right-to-work laws are pending in Alaska, Hawaii, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Montana, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The attack in Wisconsin is one of the most drastic attacks that you can imagine. It seeks to destroy public workers bargaining rights. The proposed law also mandates that public workers revote every year for their union representation.   "Paycheck deception" laws designed to take away the ability of unions to engage in political action are proposed in 17 states Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin. Attacks on the building trades against project labor agreements are proposed in Alabama, Arizona, California, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi, Michigan, Mississippi, North Dakota, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming.   Attacks on public sector workers union rights and benefits are threatened in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Wisconsin. These include also attacks on education workers and bargaining rights for teachers. And there is attack legislation against immigrants in 30 states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Italy, Idaho, Indiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana.   Twenty-eight states are proposing legislation to preempt Card Check and the Employee Free Choice Act. And 25 states have filed suit against implementation of the healthcare act. One conclusion we have to draw from this is that this is not just a spontaneous thing that's going on in different states. This is a highly coordinated attack on the working class and on unions and working people across this country. That is what's going on here. This is not simply a spontaneous happening because of the 2010 elections.   Big business, the Republicans (and some Democrats), and the far right saw the opportunity to launch this all-out attack on the working class. It's very important that we see it this way. This is the kind of battle that we're in. Every single one of these over 424 state laws worsens the economic situation. Every single one of them will lead to unemployment and more jobs loss. That's not even mentioning the horrible cuts that are coming also. Now of course there is fight back and it is an extremely fast-growing fight back. We really need to hear from all across our country, what are the fights going on, so we get a picture of how the working class is responding to this attack.   There is important legislation in the hopper. House Resolution 589 introduced by Rep. Barbara Lee and Rep. Bobby Scott addresses the plight of the 99ers, the long term unemployed. It provides for 14 more weeks of unemployment insurance and has 60 cosponsors. It's critical legislation that everyone can get a hold of in terms of getting more cosponsors for that bill. This is life-and-death bill for literally millions and millions of people in this country. HR 516 is a bill that is basically an outline for an industrial policy for the country. HR 402 creates a federal infrastructure bank.   Rep. John Conyers will reintroduce his comprehensive infrastructure jobs bill that is financed by a stock transaction tax. It is a vast jobs bill like the WPA that is revenue neutral and does not add to the deficit. In the Senate two sense-of-the-senate bills introduced by Harry Reid are important. SB 1 and SB 2 together basically outline a progressive policy for jobs creation touching on infrastructure, minimum wage and other issues vital to working people. While they are agititational, they do lay out some important elements of a progressive program. Also local coalitions are developing all over the place at the state and local level. There are grass roots actions and demonstration building momentum all over. Our Jobs committee has discussed some exciting ones from Illinois, Ohio and Connecticut. And we have gotten word of exciting developments in California, Wisconsin and New York.   There are many ways and venues that we have to be involved in struggle. So much takes place at the grassroots, at the local and state level.   We have five main things we need to project going forward: We have to defend and protect public workers and vital public services. We should never let anybody forget that when you attack public workers you are also cutting out vital services for people who need them most - the working class and the working poor. When people can't get their unemployment, when people can't get their disability, when people can't get public aid, these are all services being threatened when public workers are attacked and laid off. Relief for the 99ers and the unemployed has to be foremost in our efforts. Including the fight against foreclosures and for food and shelter and for emergency healthcare aid. We have to fight all the cuts in federal state and local people helping programs. And there are many cuts coming down both spearheaded by the Republican right but also supported by some Democrats. These include heating assistance, unemployment benefits, food programs, emergency health care programs, emergency shelter programs and many more. We have to fight tooth and nail for these kind programs no matter who is proposing the cuts. Infrastructure is becoming a huge byword in the progressive movements and in the labor movement. This is a movement to develop the kind of job creating infrastructure needed to provide modern, green and sustainable industries and jobs of the future. The infrastructure fight doesn't only have to be fought at the national level. President Obama has opened the way for infrastructure demands. But even at the local level we can find projects in every state in every city: hospitals that need to be rehabilitated, housing that needs to be rebuilt, schools that need to be modernized, public buildings that need to be weatherized. As the Good Jobs Green Jobs conference concluded, we have to build the grassroots pressure to make these things happen. It's not going to happen by the president calling for it and it's not going to happen by introducing bills in Congress. We have to develop locally at the grassroots the demand for infrastructure rebuilding in this country for a sustainable green economy that puts people back to work. More and more working people are blaming the corporations that the CEOs and the banks for the crisis. We have to make that tie-in for every struggle. We have to contrast the billionaires to working peoples on the tax deal. We have to give a wider kind of class view of what's happening to people. We have to be very clear who's to blame for this crisis and who's not to blame. There is fightback fire beginning to rage and we have to be in the middle of it. We have to put a premium on unity and broad coalition building. We have to mobilize all of our members, friends and potential allies to join in with others in this fight. We have to see the important role that organized labor is and can play in this fight. Never in our lifetime have we seen labor so coalition oriented reaching out to civil rights, youth, women, immigrant, LGBT and even business forces to build this movement. People are inspired by Egypt. The State House in Madison, Wisconsin is beginning to look like Cairo.   Photo: CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 by mar is sea Y  The Urgency of Now A report to the National Committee   By Joelle Fishman, Chair of the Political Action Commission & Vice-Chair   This is a tumultuous time for the working class, for our country and around the world. It requires that we give it our best.   The emphasis of this National Committee meeting is focused on what we will do to help organize the largest and broadest effort to defend the economic and social needs and rights of the people and to redirect priorities to meet those needs — in the first place putting America back to work.   We are projecting a grass roots organizing approach to the economic crisis and to building a larger Communist Party, YCL and People's World / Mundo Popular. This represents the best contribution we can make to prepare for the 2012 elections and to build a larger working class and peoples' movement for the long term.   Scott Marshall will go into depth on the economic crisis. To set the tone, I would like to start with a quote from a displaced factory worker who is now part of the Jobs and Unemployed Committee in New Haven, and one of the millions of 99ers who have come to the end of all their unemployment benefits.   He says "I never had trouble finding a job in my life until now. My unemployment  ran out at the start of 2009. I lost my house, I have so many bills I can't pay. I've looked for industrial work but even tried door-to-door sales. Anything looks good now — which is probably where business likes it. Everyone's so desperate they'll take anything."   In today's economy, while the corporations and CEOs are back to pre-crisis profits, the crisis of joblessness and foreclosures continues. Anger is rightfully intense. We know well that such anger can turn in any direction unless it is organized.   Recent polls and the November elections show many contradictions in the public mood and thinking. On the one hand outrage at the power, influence and greed of big corporations, on the other hand listening to the Tea Party Republican "deficit" and "big government" hysteria.   These contradictions reflect the fluidity of a transition period.   (read the full report on cpusa.org) Photo: CC BY-SA 2.o by WisPolitics

DOD Honors Top Guard, Reserve Family Programsd

By Elaine Wilson of American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Feb. 18, 2011 - Defense Department officials today lauded the top National Guard and Reserve family programs, calling family support a vital component of mission readiness. Dennis M. McCarthy, assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, second from left, and Army Command Sgt. Maj. John D. Gipe, senior enlisted advisor for the office of the assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, far left, laud award recipients during the 2010 Department of Defense Reserve Family Readiness Awards ceremony in the Pentagon, Feb. 18, 2011. DOD photo by Elaine Wilson  "Whether it is the basics of building military communities or taking care of military children or supporting military spouses -- all of those things that you have demonstrated success at are important," Dennis M. McCarthy, assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, said at a Pentagon ceremony. McCarthy addressed a standing-room-only audience during the 2010 Reserve Family Readiness Awards program held in the Hall of Heroes. Military family support has gained the nation's attention of late, he said, citing the government's new military family support initiative. Last month, President Barack Obama unveiled a White House report titled: "Strengthening our Military Families: Meeting America's Commitment," which describes the sweeping interagency effort under way to better support military families. "That report, and the effort which produced it, is great testimony to the importance in this administration of the very kinds of things that all of you have so successfully worked on," McCarthy said. "Your success and our recognition of that success are right in line with our president, his administration and everybody in this building." Retired Navy Vice Adm. Norb Ryan Jr., president of the Military Officers Association of America, joined McCarthy for the award presentation. "On behalf of MOAA, our 377,000 members simply want to say thank you for your inspiring example of selfless service and patriotism," Ryan told the honorees. They presented unit representatives with a plaque as well as a cash award from MOAA intended to assist with enhancement of family support programs. The recipients, along with a snapshot of their accomplishments, include: -- The Army National Guard's 1484th Transportation Company at Green, Ohio, maintained morale-building support throughout deployments with care packages and consistent family contact. Family support representatives also attended every unit drill to pass on information and emphasize the importance of family readiness. -- The Army Reserve's 354th Military Police Company at St. Louis, Mo., offered families extensive predeployment support and, during deployments, reached across miles to make contacts and meet the needs of every deployed soldier's family. During deployments, the unit ensured regular contact with family members. -- The Marine Corps Reserve's 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines, at Bridgeton, Mo., increased its support base by training five family readiness officers, six family readiness advisers and 33 family readiness assistants. The family readiness team also participated in a fund-raising event that raised more than $200,000 to aid injured Marines and their families. -- The Navy Reserve's SEAL [Sea, Air and Land] Team 18 at Virginia Beach, Va., held a successful predeployment family readiness conference to offer families full deployment support. The conference delivered critical resources to families while also addressing their children's needs. -- The Air National Guard's 157th Air Refueling Wing at Newington, N.H., personally contacted every family with a deployed loved one at least once a month. Post-deployment efforts began at the airport with well-being check followed by a wing reunion and reintegration program the next day. The unit also developed a resource guide with a list of community members ready to aid families with everything from plumbing and electrical needs to child and pet care. -- The Air Force Reserve's 439th Airlift Wing at Chicopee, Mass., maintained close contact with families of deployed members and a cadre of volunteer spouses worked to grow community support and resources. The unit also linked with nonmilitary support agencies, such as the Red Cross, to deliver helpful information throughout the deployment cycle. -- The Coast Guard Reserve's Maritime Safety Security Team at Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif., created an innovative family readiness and morale briefing with guest speakers, and also greeted all new members and families with welcome aboard packages. Along with traditional contact methods, the unit established a blog to deliver current information to military families.

Biographies: Dennis M. McCarthy  Related Sites: Special Report: Strengthening Our Military Families

Finishing touches for the snowmobile race

By Kalei Rupp of Alaska National Guard

CAMP DENALI, Alaska, Feb. 18, 2011 - The Alaska National Guard team is putting the finishing touches on its machines and logging the last training miles in preparation for the start of the "Iron Dog" snowmobile race Feb. 20.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Elaine Jackson of the Alaska National Guard prepares to test the ignition of her snowmobile Jan. 17, 2011, in preparation for the Iron Dog race. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Edward Eagerton

Army Command Sgt. Maj. Pamela Harrington, of Palmer and Army Sgt. 1st Class Elaine Jackson of Anchorage will represent the Alaska National Guard in the pro-class division of what is known as the world's longest and toughest snowmobile race.

As the only all-female team among the 28 teams entered in this year's pro-class race, the two Guard soldiers will traverse more than 2,000 miles of Alaskan trails from Big Lake to Nome, then on to Fairbanks. If they finish, they will be only the second all-female team ever to finish the race, and the first since 2001.

For the first time, an ambassador team of riders, including an Alaska Army National Guardsman, will serve as goodwill ambassadors for the race, making public appearances in towns along the race route.

Army Command Sgt.Maj.Pamela Harrington of the Alaska National
Guard assembles her new snowmobile Jan. 17, 2011. Harrington and
her teammate, Army Sgt. 1st Class Elaine Jackson, also of
the Alaska Guard, spent 180 hours assembling their team's
new machines for the annual Iron Dog race.
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Edward Eagerton 

"The purpose of the team is to express the gratitude of both the Iron Dog race and the Alaska National Guard to all volunteers and local community members at each checkpoint along the race," said Lt. Col. Joseph Lawendowski, Alaska Army National Guard recruiting and retention commander and ambassador team rider. "We will be moving at the trail-class pace and start with the trail-class riders, but we will travel the entire route of the pro-class race from Big Lake to Nome to Fairbanks."

For the second straight year, the Alaska National Guard is the presenting partner for the Iron Dog. The Guard became the lead sponsor in 2009 to support a uniquely Alaska event and bolster the Alaska National Guard throughout the state and nation, officials said.

Army Command Sgt. Maj. Pamela Harrington and
Army Sgt. 1st Class Elaine Jackson, both of the
Alaska National Guard, take their new snowmobiles
out for a test ride on Big Lake, Alaska, Feb. 14, 2011.
Their goal is to put about 400 miles on the new machines
before the start of the 2,000-mile Iron Dog race.
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Edward Eagerton 

"We view the Alaska National Guard as an excellent partner to help us elevate the race and grow to the next level," said Kevin Kastner, Iron Dog executive director. "With the Guard, we have the opportunity to strengthen our relationships with the community and work on the education side to really connect on the ground with the youth. If we can engage and excite the communities out there, that's a huge benefit."

The Alaska National Guard team has put in hundreds of miles of training for the race and spent countless hours preparing their machines for the rugged terrain. But ultimately, they hope their experience as Guard members will give them an edge.

"An advantage we have as National Guardsmen is that we train for the mental aspect –- the stamina, the sleep deprivation, the perseverance," Harrington said. "You never quit, you never leave a fallen soldier behind. You know you will both prevail. That mental strategy is going to help us overcome any physical challenge."

Harrington and Jackson will be among 12 rookie teams and 27 rookie drivers.

"We're hungry and ready for the challenge," Jackson said.

Related Sites:

Alaska National Guard

BMT - A Cure for Thalassemia

Thalassemia (also spelled Thalassaemia) is an inherited autosomal recessive blood disease. In thalassemia the genetic defect, which could be either mutation or deletion, results in reduced rate of synthesis or no synthesis of one of the globin chains that make up hemoglobin. This can cause the formation of abnormal hemoglobin molecules, thus causing anemia, the characteristic presenting symptom of the Thalassemias. 

According to Wikipedia Thalassemia is a quantitative problem of too few globins synthesized, whereas sickle-cell anemia (a hemoglobinopathy) is a qualitative problem of synthesis of an incorrectly functioning globin. Thalassemias usually result in underproduction of normal globin proteins, often through mutations in regulatory genes. Hemoglobinopathies imply structural abnormalities in the globin proteins themselves. The two conditions may overlap, however, since some conditions which cause abnormalities in globin proteins (hemoglobinopathy) also affect their production (thalassemia). Thus, some thalassemias are hemoglobinopathies, but most are not. Either or both of these conditions may cause anemia.

The two major forms of the disease, alpha- and beta- are prevalent in discrete geographical clusters around the world - probably associated with malarial endemicity in ancient times. Alpha is prevalent in peoples of Western African descent, and is nowadays found in populations living in Africa and in the Americas. Beta is particularly prevalent among Mediterranean peoples, and this geographical association was responsible for its naming: Thalassa (θάλασσα) is Greek for the sea, Haema (αἷμα) is Greek for blood. In Europe, the highest concentrations of the disease are found in Greece, coastal regions in Turkey, in particular, Aegean Region such as Izmir, Balikesir, Aydin,Mugla and Mediterranean Region such as Antalya, Adana, Mersin, in parts of Italy, in particular, Southern Italy and the lower Po valley. The major Mediterranean islands (except the Balearics) such as Sicily, Sardinia, Malta, Corsica, Cyprus and Crete are heavily affected in particular. Other Mediterranean people, as well as those in the vicinity of the Mediterranean, also have high rates of thalassemia, including people from the West Asia and North Africa. Far from the Mediterranean, South Asians are also affected, with the world's highest concentration of carriers (16% of the population) being in the Maldives.

The thalassemia trait may confer a degree of protection against malaria, which is or was prevalent in the regions where the trait is common, thus conferring a selective survival advantage on carriers (known as heterozygous advantage), and perpetuating the mutation. In that respect the various thalassemias resemble another genetic disorder affecting hemoglobin, sickle-cell disease.you may see more detail with a click here.

This Article is to create awareness in the public regarding thalassaemia and stem sells transplant Dr.Joseph John said that there is need for proper education of masses to create awareness regarding thalassaemia. 

Beta-thalassemia (β-thalassemia) is a form of thalassemia due to mutations in the HBB gene on chromosome 11 ^[1], inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion.

The severity of the disease depends on the nature of the mutation.

• Alleles without a mutation that reduces function are characterized as (β).
• Mutations are characterized as (β^o) if they prevent any formation of β chains.
• Mutations are characterized as (β⁺) if they allow some β chain formation to occur. (Note that the "+" in β⁺ is relative to β^o, not β.)

In either case there is a relative excess of α chains, but these do not form tetramers: rather, they bind to the red blood cell membranes, producing membrane damage, and at high concentrations they form toxic aggregates.Wikipedia also informs in detail about Thalassemia major and Thalassemia minor. Click on the link Please.

 Talking about this problem  Dr M Joseph John. MD. DM  of CMC Hospital  says that the thalassaemia prevalence in India is 2-14% in different regions of the country.  In Punjab the prevalence reported is 5 - 6.5%.  Although measures are being taken to curtail the incidence of thalassaemia major babies born in the state, the existing patients find it difficult to sustain themselves with regular blood transfusions and iron chelation as the average cost of transfusion-chelation in the country is about 2-4 lakhs/year depending on the age and weight. The average life span of a thalassaemia major patient in India is approximately 20-25 years before he succumbs to health problems related to iron overload or infections related to blood transfusions. 

                       

The only curative treatment for thalassaemia is allogeneic stem cell transplantation if there is a HLA identical sibling or family member.  If done between the ages 2-7 years, the success rate for this procedure is 80 -90%.  The cost of the transplant which is approximately Rs 8-10 lakhs per patient is equivalent to looking after a thalassaemia major patient for 5-8 years with supportive care.

                      

CMC Ludhiana is first institution in Northern India to do successful allogeneic stem cell transplant for thalassaemia patients and the only institution to offer transplants for paediatric patients. So far CMC done a total of 17 transplants between the ages 1 ½ to 60 years.  Of them 5 were for patients with thalassaemia patients aged, 8, 13, 14 and 18 years. 

Common questions and answers about thalassaemia transplant.

Ques 1:  Who can be a donor of stem cells for thalassaemia transplant?

Ans:   Patient’s brother or sister has a 25% chance of being an HLA identical stem cell donor. There is approximately 5% chance that a parent can be a match.

Ques 2:  What are the possible problems in the donor?

Ans :  Stem cell donation is a safe procedure and the donor need to be hospitalized for only 1 day. Stem cells are either taken through the peripheral vein in the hand or directly from the bone marrow.

Ques 3:  What is the hospital stay required for transplant?

Ans:   Patient needs to be hospitalized in specially constructed HEPA filtered room for approximately 1 to 1 ½ months.
Some other organisations are working for this noble cause.

Thalassemics India,an NGO founded in 1986, is striving to ensure that every thalassemic child gets proper medical treatment.It is an organisation that helps thalassemics to LIVE not just EXIST. 

 Foundation Against Thalassaemia is a registered NGO based at Faridabad Haryana India. Foundation was set up in 1995 and was registered under societies act 1860/21 on 24 April 2001 by a group of parents & charitable members of community. Foundation received no subvention [grant] from Government over the years, Foundation had been inspired to work towards improving clinical care, enhance public awareness of Thalassaemia. This is to ensure that children born with Thalassaemia major can grow in the healthy and happy environment. Its members are engaged in various activities aimed for 'Prevention and Treatment' of a dreaded disease Thalassaemia. 

The U.K. Thalassaemia Society has been in existence for 30 years and has amassed a wealth of experience in Thalassaemia not only in the U.K. but through its network and associations with other countries.

For More detail in Ludhiana and other parts of northern parts of India, needy persons may  contact Dr M Joseph John, MD, DM

Associate Professor
Clinical Haematology, Haemato-Oncology
& Bone Marrow Transplant Unit
Christian Medical College
Ludhiana-141 008
(M): 08054959525
(O): Direct: 0161-5037957 or 0161-2600270 Ext 4823/5022
Fax:0161-2600270

Details compiled and presented by Rector Kathuria & Shalu Arora

Help ensure Walid receives a fair trial in Iraq

Write for Rights Update: Walid Yunis Ahmad is finally charged. Help us ensure he receives a fair trial!

Dear Rector, Walid Yunis Ahmad has persevered through torture, enforced disappearance and solitary confinement in Iraqi prisons. After almost eleven long years of unlawful detention, Walid's case was finally referred to local courts only after Amnesty International highlighted his plight. This past fall, we highlighted the appalling case of Walid Yunis Ahmad in our Write for Rights campaign. Your letters made a huge difference in Walid's case — now that he has finally been charged with a crime, he has a chance to defend himself in court. Although this is a promising first step, it is not the end of the story.Walid is accused of serious offenses and faces the death penalty if convicted. The shortcomings of the judicial system in Iraq have been well reported. Evidential standards are poor, due process rights are frequently violated and corruption is widespread. Walid has faced so much injustice already. Demand that the Kurdish regional authorities respect Walid's right to a fair trial! Walid Yunis Ahmad's nightmare began in February 2000. He was arrested by the Kurdish security forces after he hitched a ride in a car that allegedly contained explosives. Although the driver of the vehicles was soon released, Walid was held in secret and shuffled off from prison to prison, simply disappearing from the outside world and his loved ones. For three years, Walid's wife and children had no idea where he was. Human rights violations in the name of security — including torture, indefinite detention and unfair trials — are widespread in Iraq. We can help make progress towards justice for all Iraqis by calling on the authorities to give Walid Yunis Ahmad a fair trial, without recourse to the death penalty. Justice is long overdue for Walid and his family. Already, your letters have made a difference in Walid's case. Now, go the extra mile and demand a fair trial for Walid Yunis Ahmad today! In solidarity, Michael O'Reilly Senior Campaign Director, Individuals at Risk Amnesty International USA  Share on Facebook  Share on Twitter Join us March 2011 in San Francisco for our 50th Anniversary AGM!

Science Chief Charts Future Technologies

By Jim Garamone of American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2011 - No one argues with the notion that the quality of its people makes the U.S. military the best in the world. But the equipment service members carry and the science backing them up are another reason for U.S. military pre-eminence, said Zack Lemnios, assistant secretary of defense for research and engineering. California Rep. Mike Thompson, center, tests an M110 semi-automatic sniper rifle with staff from Program Executive Office Soldier in Washington, D.C., Feb. 9, 2011. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Teddy Wade, U.S. Army/Released) Lemnios gave an overview of the Defense Department's science and technology effort at Aviation Week's Defense Technology and Requirements Conference here today. The United States needs a stronger, more vibrant and reshaped defense industrial base, Lemnios said, and the nation must understand what lies ahead for science and technology and where to make investments. "I want to make sure we have the science and technology underpinnings to support the department and the needs of the nation five to 10 years from now," he said. The fiscal 2012 defense budget request provides just over $12 billion for science and technology, a 3.6 percent boost, Lemnios said, adding that he sees his job as promoting research to leverage innovation. The department needs to make science and technology investments long term, he noted, and in a fiscally constrained environment officials must learn to "do more without more." Science can give warfighters the edge, Lemnios said, citing the first flight of the Global Observer at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., as an example. He said the aircraft is opening up new frontiers in high-altitude aviation. "The investments that we made just a few years ago have opened up entirely new areas that are driving new technical concepts in unmanned air vehicles," he said. "I think you'll see over the next several years a larger degree of automation, and I think we will see the interoperability of these unmanned systems with manned systems." The Global Observer has a wingspan of 175 feet, and a body about 70 feet long. The unmanned aerial system flies over 55,000 feet high and has a hydrogen-fueled engine. "The hydrogen propulsion system -– a very high-risk concept -– is really the keystone of this aircraft," Lemnios said. "It allows for very long endurance with zero emissions and the ability to stay on station for weeks or months at a time." In all of these areas, DOD is looking for the best ideas and the best people, he said, and is working to find discriminators that open up the best capabilities for U.S. warfighters. In the basic science area, Lemnios said, he asked his staff, members of academia and engineers what technologies or sciences have the potential change the landscape for the science and technology community. "They may not be the natural areas for the department," he added, "but they will have -- or they could have -- big impacts on the way we think about projects." The experts came up with six areas: synthetic biology, modeling human behavior, engineered materials, cognitive neuroscience, quantum materials and nano-science engineering. The department has asked for 2 percent annual growth each year through fiscal 2016 to research those capabilities, Lemnios said.                                                        # # #

Amnesty International condemned Bahraini authorities

Posted on Thu, Feb 17, 2011 at 8:31 PM

New York : Amnesty International today condemned Bahraini authorities for using deadly force to forcibly evict a peaceful protest camp, including families with children, in the capital of Manama. Reportedly, six people were killed amid fears many activists have been arrested.  
Eyewitness told Amnesty International that the security forces were indiscriminately attacking protesters as clashes continued throughout the night.

"The riot police are still attacking everyone - we fear that they will attack us at any moment. Six have been confirmed dead, killed by the riot police. Many are still wounded. Many are still out there and they are in need of desperate aid," a Bahraini human rights activist told Amnesty International.

Amnesty International received unconfirmed reports that security forces were blocking ambulances from entering Pearl Roundabout to treat and transport the wounded. 

Paramedics from the nearby al-Salmaniya hospital were also reportedly beaten by police.

There are fears that many activists have been arrested, after their families reported they were unable to find them in the hospitals. 

Several people were killed by security forces using shotguns, rubber bullets, clubs and tear gas to disperse anti-government protesters who wanted to stay the night in the city's Pearl Roundabout. 

“The Bahraini authorities have again reacted to legitimate protest by using deadly force and without warning. They must end their continuing crackdown on activists calling for reform,” said Malcolm Smart, Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa director.

“They must also carry out a full, impartial investigation into the force used this morning against peaceful protestors, including families with children, and whether the use of deadly force was justified.

"If not, those who gave the orders and used excessive force must be brought to justice."
Two people were killed in Bahrain earlier this week following “Day of Rage” protests, organized on Facebook and Twitter and apparently inspired by unrest in Egypt and Tunisia.

“The Bahrain authorities are reacting with brutality to peaceful calls for political reform, inspired by similar movements elsewhere in the region,” said Smart.

“They must rein in their security forces and hold them accountable under the law.”

"People should be allowed to conduct peaceful protests freely and the authorities must release anyone who has been arrested for taking part in these peaceful demonstrations."

Last week, Amnesty International highlighted the deteriorating human rights situation in Bahrain with its report Crackdown in Bahrain: human rights at the crossroads.

The organization called on the government to ensure proper investigations into allegations of torture and other serious abuses by the security forces.
Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. 

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Teaching a book about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

U.S. Navy Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Bradley Spencer reads a book about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to first grade students at The Sullivans Elementary School during an African-American Heritage Month event at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, Feb. 10, 2011. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Charles Oki, U.S. Navy/Released)

Signing the Space Situational Awareness Partnership

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, left, and French Minister of Defense Alsin Juppe, right, sign the Space Situational Awareness Partnership Statement of Principles at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., Feb. 8, 2011. The statement of principles is an agreement to share information with foreign partners about the effort to monitor debris in space. The two defense leaders expressed their concern in statements to the press over the increasing congestion of space vehicles from multiple nations in orbit around the Earth. (DoD photo by R. D. Ward/Released)

Pentagon Comptroller Explains Budget Issues

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 08:13:00 -0600 By Matthew Mientka of Emerging Media, Defense Media Activity WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2011 - While acknowledging a tougher financial reality, the Defense Department's top financial official yesterday warned of a disruption in war funding and other likely effects if Congress continues to force the military to operate on continuing resolutions instead of fully funded budgets for fiscal 2011 and 2012. In a "DOD Live" bloggers roundtable yesterday, Pentagon Comptroller Robert F. Hale explained President Barack Obama's $671 billion fiscal 2012 budget request for the Defense Department and detailed potential effects if the military must continue operating without a fully funded fiscal 2011 budget. Although DOD officials continue to look aggressively for opportunities to cut and save, Hale said, Congress must give the department sufficient funding. Budgetary delays with continuing resolutions, he added, would pose a national security problem. "We face a significant problem in the current fiscal year," he said. "We are on a continuing resolution, ... and a year-long continuing resolution would pose serious problems for us. It wouldn't provide enough resources to properly meet our national security requirements [and] would feature a $23 billion cut compared to our proposal." Hale said funding via continuing resolution would limit the military's discretionary spending power, reducing managerial flexibility and the procurement of assets. Some 50 "shovel-ready" military construction projects continue to be delayed by continuing resolution funding, he noted, and the Army recently froze hiring of civilian personnel, leaving positions vacant for tank mechanics and the like. Hale said the department requires "reasonable funding" to avert a fiscal crisis. The fiscal 2012 budget request includes $533 billion in discretionary spending authority, with another $118 billion to support operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, compared with an authorization this year of $725 billion that included an additional $41 billion for the war effort. Total defense spending would decline by $15 billion to $35 billion, depending on whether Congress funds war spending — beyond the normal budget — with a continuing resolution. At the very least, the Pentagon requires $540 billion in fiscal 2012, Hale said, noting that the "reform agenda" of the new Congress has proposed funding of about $532 billion. "While we're accomplishing our national security goals," he said, "we recognize the country has got serious economic problems, and we are working to tighten our belt." Toward that end, Hale said, Pentagon officials continue to reform the budget and acquisitions process. Aside from a 10 percent cut in contracting services that would save $20 billion or so per year, he said, the military proposes cuts to ground forces to save another $6 billion over a five-year period. In a multi-year plan, Hale added, the military wishes to cut Army end strength by 27,000 while shedding 15,000 to 20,000 positions in the Marine Corps. In addition, he said, the department intends to cut the Marine Corps' expeditionary fighting vehicle, but would maintain the service's amphibious capability with a cheaper vehicle and upgrades to the existing fleet. Hale also said the military would continue to modernize equipment as planners continue to focus on current wars, ensuring proper resources for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, rotary-wing aircraft and whatever it takes to build "partnership capacity" in the war zones of Afghanistan and Iraq. "We're modernizing broadly for future conflicts, [with] aggressive modernization of our tactical air fleet, our ships, a new bomber program, a ground vehicle program and, finally, supporting our deployed troops — especially those in war zones — with all the resources they need, including financial resources," he said. In fact, he noted, the imperative to "support the troops" represents the most dramatic change to the defense budget from this year to the next. The Pentagon proposed spending $8.8 billion next year for family support programs, with about $500 million in funding shifted from existing wartime funds. "As we invest these dollars to meet our national security requirements, we follow several themes, [but] our most important goal is to take care of our people," Hale said. "We propose a pay raise of 1.6 percent, about $8.3 billion in family support spending, and substantial funding for our military health care." Still, Hale added, Pentagon officials would be looking for cost savings within the Military Health System budget, noting officials likely would increase TRICARE Prime health plan enrollment fees for working-age military retirees modestly -- by about $5 per month for families and $2.50 per month for single beneficiaries. The fees, which haven't changed in 15 years, would then be tied to a health care index for future inflationary increases, Hale said. Also, he said, the military gradually would eliminate subsidies for civilian hospitals providing military health care, creating a single tier of payment for hospitals. Officials also would increase pharmacy users' co-payments while encouraging beneficiaries to fill their prescriptions by mail and to request generic drugs.

Biographies: Robert F. Hale  Related Sites: "DOD Live" Bloggers Roundtable