San Diego Free Press

Grassroots News & Progressive Views

Hibakusha and Hope in the Nuclear Age

by

The threat continues to this day fueled by a new nuclear arms race initiated by the United States proposal to spend upwards of $1.7 trillion over the next 30 years to rebuild our entire nuclear arsenal

By Robert Dodge / Common Dreams

This week marks 73 years since the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, ultimately resulting in the deaths of more than 200,000 people. With the dawn of the nuclear age, the term “hibakusha” formally entered our lexicon. Atomic bomb survivors are referred to in Japanese as hibakusha, which translates literally as “bomb-affected-people”.  The bombings and aftermath changed the world forever and threaten the very future of mankind to this day.

According to the Atomic Bomb Survivors Relief Law, there are three hibakusha categories. These include people exposed directly to the bomb and its immediate aftermath, those people exposed within a 2 kilometer radius who entered the sphere of destruction within two weeks of the explosion and people exposed to radioactive fallout generally from assisting victims and handling bodies, and those exposed in utero, whose mothers were pregnant and belonging to any of these defined categories.
  [Read more…]

Sen. Kamala Harris’ Remarks on Identity Politics Given During Netroots Nation Address | Video Worth Watching

by

Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) spoke at the Netroots Nation convention in New Orleans. During this portion of her speech identifying some “difficult truths” and after some observations on the role of black women in electing Doug Jones to the Senate, her remarks addressed the issue of what has sometimes been referred to as “identity politics”. [To listen to the entire address, when this four minute segment ends, click on the “replay” arrow in the lower-left corner of the video box]   [Read more…]

Looking Back at the Week: July 29 – August 4

by

This week’s edition of Looking Back at the Week contains articles, commentaries, columns, and other work by San Diego Free Press regulars, irregulars, columnists, cartoonists, at-large contributors, and locally and nationally sourced writers on San Diego’s Deplorables, Jerry Cano, NRA’s cash problems, Proposition 6, lack of police oversight, Padres in Yuma, STVR vote, banning Styrofoam, unconscious bias and racism in National City, and lots of other grassroots news & progressive views from San Diego’s feisty, all volunteer, slightly funky, community news site.   [Read more…]

Amazing Red Lotus Sea, Nong Han Lake Udon Thani. (North East Thailand) | Video Worth Watching

by

Just a short little video with some relaxing drone footage of a lake in Thailand known for its red lotus flowers.   [Read more…]

You Gotta Believe In Something – Why Not Believe In Me? | Video Worth Watching

by

Artist/animator Nina Paley is working on a feature-length animation and she showcases here a brief segment featuring the Pointer Sisters singing Norman Whitfield’s “You Gotta Believe“.   [Read more…]

Persistence Pays Off! The NRA’s Money Troubles | Progressive Activist Calendar August 3 – 13, 2018

by

Once again, an ongoing protest has changed the political landscape. Court documents filed by the National Rifle Association reveal an increasingly desperate financial situation for one of the most powerful political institutions in the U.S.

Pressure from New York State regulators in the wake of the Parkland, Florida massacre — including a letter asking financial institutions to heed “the voices of the passionate, courageous, and articulate young people who have experienced this recent horror first hand” — has led the National Rifle Association to plead in court that it will “be unable to exist… or pursue its advocacy mission.” They say the organization may be forced to shut down NRA TV or its print publications.

The lesson here about persistence should be taken to heart. Congressman Darrell Issa gave up after weekly protests outside his offices. The future of politics in National City will be changed for the better, thanks to the ongoing efforts of the folks standing up for Earl McNeil. And elected Trumpistas everywhere are looking over their shoulders, fearing a Blue Wave made possible by thousands of organizing efforts.

There are less than 100 days until the General Election. Now–not later–is the time to stand up and be counted. Candidates and causes need your time, your energy, and your support. There are many opportunities to join the fray in this week’s Progressive Calendar.   [Read more…]

A Forensic Poem | Geo-Poetic Spaces

by

Diagnostic tests
failed to detect the foreign body
lodged in the abdominal cavity

The wound site
was irrigated

Closed

Dressings applied   [Read more…]

Asgardia: The Real Space Nation | Video Worth Watching

by

Remember when Trump announced his decision to create a new branch of the military—the Space Force? I’m wondering whether he’s concerned about our relationship with the first space nation: Asgardia. Haven’t heard of the country of Asgardia? Not surprising. Here’s Full Frontal’s Amy Hoggart to provide the low down on this sky high insanity.   [Read more…]

Truth and Justice in San Diego Takes Second Place in Quest for Police Oversight

by

Two recent episodes give proof to my belief that the Police Department is the most powerful government agency in San Diego with the least amount of taxpayer oversight.

This is nothing new. America’s Finest City has gone through decades of scandal and corruption being followed by hollow promises of reform. The point I’m making today is that things still haven’t changed, despite two changes of leadership, lawsuits, and political posturing.

What makes these political games more serious than say, the machinations around Civic San Diego, are the practical implications and applications for those with less privilege (and more melatonin) as they live their lives.   [Read more…]

Responding to the Unconscious Bias and Racism at National City Council Meetings

by

By Mark Lane and Shane Parmely

We went to the Tuesday, July 24, National City Council meeting to speak out against the police brutality that left Earl McNeil brain dead.

For almost six weeks, we’ve peacefully and loudly protested at the National City Council meetings. For six weeks, we’ve asked the National City Police Department (NCPD) to release the videotapes pertaining to the in-custody death of Earl McNeil. For six weeks, we’ve been ignored by the three men who control the National City Council and the NCPD. For six weeks, we’ve been treated to excessive force and violence by the NCPD.

And last week, after an hour of the police, including Chief Manny Rodriguez, repeatedly and openly pushing us and other people attending the meeting, we sat down on the floor and were subsequently arrested.   [Read more…]

Destroying Public Education With Vouchers and Charters in Wisconsin

by

This past school year, Wisconsin taxpayers sent $250,000,000 to religious schools. Catholics received the largest slice, but protestants, evangelicals and Jews got their cuts. Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction (DPI) reveals that private Islamic schools took in $6,350,000. Of the 212 schools collecting voucher money, 197 were religious schools.

The Wisconsin voucher program was expanded before the 2014-2015 school year. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported, “Seventy-five percent of eligible students who applied for taxpayer-funded subsidies to attend private and religious schools this fall in the statewide voucher program already attend private schools ….”

Money taken from the public schools attended by the vast majority of Milwaukee’s students is sent to private religious schools. Public schools must adjust for stranded costs while paying to serve a higher percentage of special education students because private schools won’t take them. Forcing public schools to increase class sizes, reduce offerings such as music and lay off staff.   [Read more…]

Will San Diego Become the Largest City in the State to Ban Styrofoam?

by

Councilman Chris Ward appeared before the Ocean Beach Town Council last Wednesday night and urged OBceans to support his efforts to ban styrofoam.

He explained his proposal passed the Council’s Rules Committee unanimously on July 11 and is heading to the full Council sometime this fall.

And if San Diego does pass it, the city will become the fourth city in San Diego County to ban food and beverage containers made of styrofoam – also called polystyrene. Others include Solana Beach, Encinitas and Imperial Beach.   [Read more…]

©2010-2017 SanDiegoFreePress.org

Code is Poetry