Category Archives: January/February 2017

Hacked By BALA SNIPER

Hacked By BALA SNIPER

Pivot toward war: US Missile Defense, the weaponization of space

by Bruce K. Gagnon, Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space

Join us for the Global Network’s 25th anniversary Space Organizing Conference and Protest on April 7-9 in Huntsville, Alabama. Huntsville is the home of Redstone Arsenal and the Space & Missile Defense Command, also known as the “Pentagon of the South.”

The effort by the Trump administration to develop and deploy the next generation of Star Wars weapons will increase global instability and cost hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars.  The US Space Command has long maintained its mission is to create the technologies to “control and dominate” space and the Earth below – ultimately on behalf of corporate interests.

This conference will allow citizens to learn more about these important issues and become involved in the growing international movement to keep space for peace.

Huntsville is the headquarters of the Space Command’s directorate for ‘missile defense.’  The US is currently encircling Russia and China with MD systems based on Navy Aegis warships (SM-3 interceptor missiles) and with ground-based launchers (PAC-3 and THAAD).  These systems are the ‘shield’ that would be used to pick off Russian or Chinese retaliatory strikes after a Pentagon first-strike attack.

MD systems were previously banned by the US-Russian Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty because they are destabilizing and give one side an advantage.  George W. Bush pulled the US out of the ABM Treaty in 2001 and since that time the US MD program has been on steroids.

The keynote speaker at the event will be Ann Wright – retired Army Colonel and diplomat who now is a leader in Veterans for Peace. She resigned from government service after George W. Bush’s ‘shock and awe’ attack on Iraq in 2003.

While I was recently in Huntsville doing advance work for the April conference, Donald Trump came to Alabama for one of his victory lap appearances. He has already nominated ultra-conservative Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) to be the next Attorney General of the nation.  Sessions is also serving as a major adviser to Trump on space issues – so Alabama will be central to the new administration in Washington.

When I arrived at the Huntsville airport, I was taken aback by the loads of corporate space technology advertisements plastered along the walls as I made my way to baggage claim. There can be no doubt that Boeing (the largest Star Wars contractor of all) and a host of other aerospace corporations are making big money off the plans to move the arms race into the heavens.

The signs in the airport reveal this reality of Huntsville’s addiction to military spending. Like my own community of Bath, Maine (dependent on federal dollars to build Navy warships outfitted with ‘missile defense’ interceptors) more and more of America has become reliant on endless war in order to create jobs so workers can feed their families.

What does it say about the soul of our nation that we must remain in a state of endless war in order to drive our economy? These are questions we will discuss next April 7-9 when we hold the Global Network’s 25th annual conference in the ‘rocket city.’ We invite you to join us for this important event. See our web site for all conference details at www.space4peace.org. 

Ibram Kendi speaks at Matheson, Feb. 25

ibram kendiThe Matheson Museum is honored to welcome Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, UF Assistant Professor of African American History and winner of the 2016 Book Award for Nonfiction for his new book, Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, on Saturday, February 25, at 2 p.m. A book signing will follow his presentation.

His latest book delves deep into the history of anti-Black racist ideas and how they were created. Through the lives of five intellectuals from American history, Kendi illustrates how some have challenged these racist ideas while others have helped entrench them in American culture.

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The Sabal Trail Pipeline: An environmental disaster — Celebrate this MLK Day weekend by stopping it

by Sabal Trail Resistance (STR)

By now, you’ve likely heard that there is a fracked-gas pipeline under construction through the southeastern U.S.

In the wake of effective opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and their allies at the Missouri River crossing in North Dakota, resistance to this southern pipeline, known as Sabal Trail, has been growing.

While many are only now learning of this pipeline, it has been raising environmental justice, health, and regulatory questions among the public along the route since the scoping period for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) began three years ago.

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Cinema Verde to feature 43 films from around the world, Feb. 9-12

2017 festival logo (1)Each year at Cinema Verde, we try to bring information from the outside world to our Gainesville community in the form of films that would not otherwise find their way to our big screens. When directors are able to join us, and share their knowledge about the environmental issues their films are about, it truly enriches our experience and our knowledge.

In 2012, Peter Brown joined us with his film Confessions of an EcoTerrorist, as well as Christine Heinrichs, an author of books on poultry who was featured in Mad City Chickens. Local legend Wes Skiles presented in our first year, thank goodness. It’s these chances to meet and talk with experts that make Cinema Verde a special opportunity. We have several directors interested in joining us from around the world this year, and we need your help to bring them in and to welcome them to Gainesville.

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CMC will host Changeville’s virtual reality event

Changeville is hosting its premiere virtual reality event for social change at the Civic Media Center Thursday, March 2 from 4-8 pm.

The event will be free with a Changeville pass, or atendees can make donations from $3 to $10 at the door. Food and refreshments will be available.

The event, to benefit The Civic Media Center, will feature social change-inspired installations using one of the newest mediums of virtual reality and augmented reality.

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Social change festival takes place March 2-3

changeville-poster IguanaChangeville, a two-day social change festival in downtown Gainesville will take place Thursday, March 2 through Friday, March 3, and will feature music, comedy, films, virtual reality installations and discussion panels. An after-party event is planned for Saturday, March 4.

A concert and street fair in the downtown plaza will feature Hip Hop artist and activist Talib Kweli, and New Orleans funk/jazz/rock artist Big Sam’s Funky Nation. Other events will take place at downtown venues including the Civic Media Center, Hippodrome, High Dive and Loosey’s.

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Saving cypress: hit offending merchants where it hurts

by Francis E. “Jack” Putz

Despite overwhelming and long-standing evidence that clearcutting cypress trees to make landscape mulch is unsustainable, the practice is legally sanctioned and continues.

Given the published research results, letter writing campaigns, and other sorts of protests about this issue over the past decades, this situation is deplorable.

Government officials and buyers for the sustainability pledge endorsing “big-box” stores that continue to sell cypress mulch must recognize that the practice is unnecessarily destructive. Given the failure of previous campaigns to stop this plundering of nature, it’s time to ramp up efforts lest these iconic ecosystems continue to be destroyed.

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Chimera Fest: Bringing the fantastic to life

GroupShot_WM

Kinetic sculptures are human-powered works of art, usally custom built for derbys and parades. Photo by William McCombie.

Chimera Fest, a celebration of creativity, innovation, art, making and culture in the Southeast, takes place from Friday, Feb. 24 through Sunday, Feb. 26.

• Artwalk: Menagerie in Motion Edition: Fri., 7-9 pm FREE

Gainesville’s Artwork, featuring an exclusive walking exhibit of the Menagerie in Motion Derby entrys through Depot Park.

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Is a home funeral for you?

by Dennis Shuman

In our Gainesville community, we are fortunate to have Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery which provides a natural or “green” burial choice. This type of burial uses biodegradable containers and avoids embalming fluids and vaults. The minimal fees are used to pay for land acquisition, protection, restoration and management of the area.

Just as we have the option of a “home birth” for entering this world, we have the option of having a “home funeral” prior to the “final disposition” of the body.

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A major victory for Gainesville city workers

by Jeremiah Tattersall

As of Jan. 1, all City of Gainesville workers are being paid at least $12.25 an hour.

This is a major victory for working people and a great step toward a living wage for all workers.

This comes on the heels of the Alachua County Commission’s Minimum Wage Ordinance in 2015, which ensures that all County workers and contractors are paid at least $12.50 an hour with employer provided health care (another $1.98/hr. is added to the pay if healthcare is not provided).

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WGOT-LP to come home to the Civic Media Center

By Fred Sowder

The developments happening at your low-power community radio station are quite dizzying, but here’s a quick update as we move toward beginning our around-the-clock broadcast schedule on 100.1FM and getting a physical studio space.

We welcome any monetary or people-powered assistance you can muster during this busy time for WGOT.

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Dreamers under threat

by Phil Kellerman

Donald Trump is threatening the lives of approximately 800,000 “Dreamers” in the United States. These are primarily foreign-born young adults who came over when they were young, brought by a parent(s) or family members.

Trump has pledged to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in which a Dreamer, for a fee of $465, receives a two-year legal work permit, can obtain a drivers license and not fear deportation to a home country that they have not been to for years.

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Help! Tents needed for cold weather

The HOMEVan project is again in need of tents to help those without housing during the cold weather.

We want to thank you again for your generosity the last time we did this fundraiser. Since then, due to storms that have destroyed some of the older tents, and the influx of people that find themselves newly homeless, we are once again in need. Many of our clients are elderly and disabled and it is unbearable to know that they have no roof over their heads at all.

Tents cost approximately $40, so we are trying to raise money for 25 tents this time.

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Celebrate Bulla Cubana!

Gainesville’s first-ever Cuban arts and culture festival, Bulla Cubana (boo-YA-coo-BAH-na), aims to share international talent with the community. As the first-ever festival of its kind, Bulla Cubana will feature a dynamic and diverse line-up of more than 20 events starting in January, hosted by more than a dozen iconic Gainesville cultural institutions.

The collection of Cuban fine artists, muralists, dancers, musicians, authors, photographers, academics and filmmakers to be featured from January through March marks the first large-scale, cross-collaboration of Gainesville’s arts leaders, coming together in order to promote the exchange of culture between Cuba and North Central Florida.

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From the publisher … Don’t Mourn, Organize!

by Joe Courter

So here we are.  As I write this we are two weeks from swearing in a man totally lacking the temperament and knowledge to hold the highest office in the land.

Many activities are planned to protest, to build solidarity and resistance, but it is hard not to be in fear anticipating what is to come.  It goes much deeper than just Trump. The Cabinet he has put together (see “Editors Picks,” pg. 24) is way worse than anyone would have imagined. Couple that with an evangelical wing nut as Vice President (and who very well may be much more involved in governing than most VPs) and the prospect of the judicial appointment which will serve beyond the Trump administration’s term and things can look pretty bleak.

Well, I don’t do bleak, I don’t do hopeless. This was not the outcome I would have preferred in the election, but here it is and we need to deal with it.

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GOP looks to phase out Medicare, repeal ACA: House Speaker Paul Ryan, incoming Republican Congress plan to take away benefits

Special to the Iguana, by Mary Savage

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) and the Republican Congress want to phase out Medicare as well as repeal the Affordable Care Act. They want to replace Medicare with vouchers ($5,000 for seniors) to buy private insurance from for-profit companies.

Ryan claims Medicare is going broke and that “privatization” is the answer. But the respected Kaiser Foundation deemed that by 2022, the so-called Ryan Plan would mean half of a 65-year-old’s Social Security check would be gone when compared to traditional Medicare’s cost today.

This is bad for seniors.

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January/February 2017 Gainesville Iguana

Jan-Feb 17 Iguana COVERThe January/February issue of the Iguana is now available! If you want to get your hands on a hard copy, check out our distro locations here.

Inauguration Actions in and around GNV, Jan. 20 and 21

Protest Trump, Pence and the Republican Congress

Actions in and around Gainesville for Friday, Jan. 20 and Saturday, Jan. 21 

compiled by National Women’s Liberation, Gainesville chapter (send additions/corrections to ms.candi.churchill@gmail.com)

Wherever you are! •  Women Strike! Organized by National Women’s Liberation

see http://womenstrike.org/ to sign the pledge to strike, go to https://www.facebook.com/events/937151086387054/ facebook event page

(LOCAL NWL AND NOW GNV ACTION BELOW FOR SATURDAY)

Strike in D.C. / in your home town / at school / for all or part of the time / from all or some of your work

JOIN US IN A TWO-DAY STRIKE TO PROTEST TRUMP, PENCE, AND THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS’ PLANS FOR US

National Women’s Liberation calls all women, girls, trans*, and nonbinary folks to strike Jan. 20 – 21

Trump, Pence, and the Republican Congress have made their anti-woman agenda clear and have promised to cut, undermine, eliminate, or privatize every social compact from public schools to Medicare to Social Security. They expect the family (that is, WOMEN) to fill in the gaps and pick up the pieces. NO WE WON’T.

WE STRIKE FROM:

Paid jobs * Emotional Labor * Childcare * Diapers * Housework * Cooking  * Sweeping * Laundry  * Dishes  * Errands  * Groceries * Fake smiles * Flirting * Makeup * Laundry * Shaving * What are you striking from?

WE STRIKE FOR:

• An end to racist and sexual assaults, and all forms of bigotry

• Reproductive freedom, full access, and no coercion

• National Health Care for all

• R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Friday, Jan. 20, noon – 10 pm at City Hall Gainesville, Florida (keep up with FB or Slack, plans in process)

Counter-Inauguration Rally in GNV, organized by Gainesville City of Resistance, 200 E University Ave, Gainesville, Florida 32601

https://www.facebook.com/events/1839130823032976/ facebook event page

• Tallahassee Walk OUT, by Tallahassee Students for a Democratic Society — https://www.facebook.com/events/1597318556961013/ facebook event page

• National Call in Day re Medicare For All — http://www.fight4medicare.com

Call and email Congress over the next few weeks and especially on Jan. 20. Tell your representatives that our dysfunctional system of financing through private insurers must be replaced by an efficient and equitable single-payer system.

Saturday January 21 Women’s March on Washington and solidarity marches/actions

Many members of GNV community are flying to DC and at least four buses are driving up to DC.

• Women’s March on Washington — WEBSITE:https://www.womensmarch.com

FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/Womens-March-on-Washington-1338822066131069/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/womensmarch    INSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/womensmarch

• GNV Buses/prep for Women’s March on Washington: GNV group about the Women’s March on Washington

https://www.facebook.com/groups/830321097110167/

Sign up form for the bus to DC (if not full)

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjsOKJyQGwZtRcdFYjC6lx0OIQ0itps9DUnyadyxpojJSwRA/viewform?c=0&w=1

• “Let’s make signs and cover a few pre-march topics.” Hosted by Holly Sprinkle — Saturday, Jan. 14 at 2 – 4 pm — Millhopper Branch Library — 3145 NW 43rd St, Gainesville, Florida 32606 — https://www.facebook.com/events/1574538069242325/ Facebook event page

• Picket for #womenstrike & Solidarity with Women’s March on Washington — Saturday, Jan. 21 at 1-3 pm in Gainesville: NWL and Gainesville Area NOW – details still being worked out! — (www.womenstrike.org) and in solidarity with Women’s March on Washington

https://www.facebook.com/events/1058946427584782/ Facebook event page — nwl@womensliberation.org — sign making and prep for march in DC and GNV #womenstrike picket Saturday, Jan. 14

Other Florida marches:  Go to www.womensmarch.com to find sister events

Other upcoming NWL events:

• NWL General Organizing Meetings, GNV, The second Tuesday of every month- beginning Jan. 10, Location: 200 NE 1st Street, suite 201 (second floor). Entrance at the back door.

• National Women of Color Caucus Meeting, Mon, Jan. 9, 7:30-8:30 pm, RSVP to get more info — nwl@womensliberation.org.

• Tallahassee NWL Organizing Committee – Next Steps Meeting, Sunday Jan. 8, 4 pm – 6 pm, at the Plant, 517 W Gaines St, • Tallahassee, Florida 32301, https://www.facebook.com/events/1754224151563780/

• NWL TALLY meetings, 2nd Sunday of every month, 2-4 pm at the Plant.