November 27, 2005

• SUNDAY GOOD NEWS

  Medea Benjamin is Founding Director of the San Francisco-based human rights organization Global Exchange and co-founder of Code Pink: Women for Peace, a women’s group that is organizing creative actions against the war and occupation of Iraq. This is her summing up of some things we can point to this Thanksgiving holiday with gratitude.

  This Thanksgiving, we who yearn for peace and justice have a lot to be thankful for. For starters…

  We’re thankful that Congressman John Murtha has joined us in calling for an end to the occupation of Iraq.

  We’re thankful that the majority of Americans now agree with us that this war in Iraq was a mistake and the troops should come home as soon as possible.

  We’re thankful that Lewis Libby has been indicted, that Karl Rove has become a liability for the Bush administration, and that Tom DeLay has fallen from grace.

  We’re thankful that George Bush’s approval ratings are under 40% and falling, and that his agenda—from the privatization of social security to the repeal of the estate tax—is unraveling.

  We’re thankful Judy Miller will no longer be reporting for the New York Times and that we now have a blossoming independent press—including weeklies, websites, blogs, community radio and cable TV—to keep us informed and connected.

  We’re thankful that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who took on nurses, teachers and other working people of California, was roundly defeated on November 2.

  We’re thankful that we FINALLY have a burgeoning campaign against the giant Walmart that is bringing together labor, community activists, women’s groups and environmentalists.

  We’re thankful that the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas, a linchpin in the Bush administration’s pro-corporate agenda, has been defeated and that our colleagues in Latin America are electing progressive leaders like Hugo Chavez.

  We’re thankful that our movement for a green, clean, sustainable economy is gaining momentum and providing a real alternative to corporate-led globalization.

  And as I write this from hurricane-ravaged New Orleans, where hundreds of volunteers have poured in from throughout the country to spend Thanksgiving to help in the rebuilding, let’s be thankful that we are part of a movement, nationally and globally, that is based on the values of compassion, generosity and love.
  

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  Deep Thought: “I think Superman and Santa Claus are actually the same guy, and I’ll tell you why: Both fly, and both have a beard.”
  Today I am grateful for: Beans
  Guess the Movie: “Will you look at that! Look how she moves! It’s like Jell-O on springs. Must have some sort of built-in motor or something. I tell you, it’s a whole different sex!” Answer: Some Like It Hot, 1959. Winner: twoberry.
  U.S. Starts Laying Groundwork for Significant Troop Pullout From Iraq
  by Paul Richter and Tyler Marshall
  WASHINGTON — Even as debate over the Iraq war continues to rage, signs are emerging of a convergence of opinion on how the Bush administration might begin to exit the conflict. (Rest of article here.)

  • 10:54 am
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