FW: Dying rate has doubled, so let's make more war
Lambert, Emily
STOP THE WAR COALITION
NEWSLETTER No. 1147
29 March 2010
Email off...@stopwar.org.uk
Tel: 020 7801 2768
Web: http://stopwar.org.uk
Twitter: http://twitter.com/STWuk
INTHIS NEWSLETTER:
1) DYING RATE HAS DOUBLED, SO LET'S MAKE MORE WAR
2) POLITICAL MUMMIES SHROUDED IN THE UNION JACK
3) DEBATE: SHOULD THE TROOPS BE IN AFGHANISTAN?
4) CASE AGAINST GAZA PROTESTORS UNRAVELLING
5) IS OBAMA THE PUPPETEER OR THE PUPPET ON A STRING?
6) TONYGATE: THE MONEY KEEPS ROLLING IN FOR BLAIR
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1) DYING RATE HAS DOUBLED, SO LET'S MAKE MORE WAR
The number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan so far in
2010 is double that for the same period in 2009 (SEE
http://bit.ly/dkbSed )
As two more soldiers were killed this weekend, anti-war
campaigners were petitioning and leafleting across the country
and got an excellent reception for the call to bring the
troops home. In Colchester there was a picket outside the
prison where Lance Corporal Joe Glenton is imprisoned for
refusing to return to serve in Afghanistan. In Hastings,
campaigners report running out of petitions because so many
people wanted to sign.
Barack Obama made clear in his recent speech in Afghanistan
that he is committed to endless war until "we get the job
done", without any indication of what the "job" is.
Whoever is the next prime minister the British government will
be committed to following wherever Obama's war policies lead.
Raising the voice of the anti-war majority in this country is
as important as ever.
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2) POLITICAL MUMMIES SHROUDED IN THE UNION JACK
Government plans in last week's budget showed plans to cut £4
billion from the national health service. This is almost
exactly the figure Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling have
ring-fenced for continuing the disastrous war in Afghanistan.
Yet, in the run up to the election, the rights and wrongs of
the war are barely discussed by the main political parties or
in the mainstream media.
As John Pilger writes (SEE http://bit.ly/aLlZKf ): "In the
coming election campaign in Britain, the candidates will refer
to this war only to laud "our boys". The candidates are almost
identical political mummies, shrouded in the Union Jack and
the Stars and Stripes. As Blair demonstrated a mite too
eagerly, the British elite love America because America allows
them to barrack and bomb the natives and call themselves
"partners". We should interrupt their fun."
Stop the War is planning to do just what Pilger suggests.
As part of its campaigning, Stop the War has produced a Cost
of War brochure (£5 for 50) and a new pamphlet on Afghanistan
(£2). Contact the Stop the War office to get copies: 020 7801
2768.
Stop the War is organising debates, hustings and public
meetings across the country to raise the profile of the war
before the election. For details of local events SEE:
http://bit.ly/crQiHe. Check for updates regularly, as we will
be adding events as we get details.
For more information, or if you want us to help you organise
an event in your locality, email off...@stopwar.org.uk.
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3) DEBATE: SHOULD THE TROOPS BE IN AFGHANISTAN?
WEDNESDAY 14 APRIL 7.00PM
OLD CINEMA LECTURE THEATRE
WESTMINSTER UNIVERSITY
309 REGENT STREET, LONDON W1B 2UW.
Participants include Mehdi Hasan from the New Statesman,
Professor Christopher Coker from the London School of
Economics, Martin Cakebread from the National Defence
Association, and Lindsey German Convenor of Stop the War.
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4) CASE AGAINST GAZA PROTESTORS UNRAVELLING
The attempt to criminalise scores of people who demonstrated
last January against the occupation of Gaza is running into
trouble. Last week, the police effectively dropped charges
against Jake Smith, one of many charged with violent disorder,
admitting that the evidence was faulty.
Jake's defence lawyers had found film of him being assaulted
by police before the incident for which he was falsely charged
(SEE VIDEO: http://bit.ly/daLC2i ).
So far, all the protestors who have pleaded not guilty have
been found innocent. Another defendant had her sentence
reduced significantly on appeal.
A picture of police violence and intimidation is now
developing and Stop the War is part of the campaign to have
all charges dropped against the protestors. For background and
updates, SEE http://bit.ly/cy96sL .
More than 1,200 people have signed the Defend the Gaza
Protestors petition. The petition will be delivered to the
Home Office tomorrow (Tuesday 30 March) at 4.30pm. Please sign
the petition, encourage everyone you know to sign, and join
the protest at the Home Office if you can.
SIGN THE PETITION HERE: http://bit.ly/ccjdN8
HOME OFFICE PROTEST
TUESDAY 30 MARCH, 4.30PM
HOME OFFICE, 2 MARSHAM STREET
LONDON SW1P 4DF
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5) IS OBAMA THE PUPPETEER OR PUPPET ON A STRING?
Lowkey'snew video Obama Nation could not have been more
timely, with Obama's speech in Afghanistan showing yet again
that when it comes to waging war in Afghanistan he can
outstrip even George Bush,
"It's the substance within, not the colour of your skin", says
the rapper and long-time Stop the War supporter. "Are you the
puppeteer or the puppet on the string?"
Within three days of being posted on YouTube, the video has
had approaching 30,000 hits.
See why Obama Nation became Stop the War's instant song of the
week: http://bit.ly/bXMwCX
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6) TONYGATE: THE MONEY KEEPS ROLLING IN FOR BLAIR
Tony Blair's earnings on the back of his war crimes since he
left office in 2007 are now over £20 million. Do you think
£200,000 for a 40 minute speech is a tad high? Think again. To
see how the money, money, money keeps rolling in for Blair,
SEE http://bit.ly/aeBwwg
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