NION: They Won't Even Discuss The Real Issues

They Won't Even Discuss The Real Issues

The New York Times editorial of October 24 states rather matter-of-factly, "This fall's election debates have educated very few voters because neither side is prepared to be honest about the terrible consequences of military withdrawal and the very long odds against success if American troops remain." To this observation, they might have added that the same refusal to be honest applies to every major issue facing the nation.

What major party candidate is telling the public that the war on Iraq is a war for empire not sanctioned by international law?

What major party candidate is pointing to the war crimes being committed in our name?

What major party candidate is denouncing the torture and the new law to abolish the right of habeas corpus for millions in this country?

As the call for the teach-ins states: "Neither the full magnitude nor the staggering implications of the Bush program are well understood. The administration systematically lies about its actions and agenda, while the major media and Democrats allow it to frame the overall discussion. As a result, the most crucial issues are not discussed truthfully either in the public arena or in election campaigns."

This is why the national emergency teach-ins called by World Can't Wait-Drive Out the Bush Regime with the Bush Crimes Commission are so crucially needed. People can only act on what they understand, and the current election season is engineered to make sure people know as little as possible!

Everyone Can Participate

Dozens of cities are holding their own teach-ins or hosting video web streaming parties. From school assemblies at Oakland High in California to video web streaming gatherings in Decatur, Alabama, people will be joining around the country to see this material during the coming week. If there is not a teach-in scheduled in your area, all you need is a computer with broadband (DSL or cable) internet access in order to view the New York teach-in. Go to the World Can't Wait web site for details.

You can project the teach-in in a class room or view it with a group of friends on a computer screen.

Featured Speakers:

Dr. Les Roberts, an author of the study in The Lancet that there are a projected 650,000 civilian deaths caused by the war on Iraq, far above the Bush regime's casual numbers of 100,000. Roberts is an epidemiologist, now at Columbia University. He will speak on the Bush administration's attacks on science, including their attempts to discredit data pointing to massive deaths in Iraq.

William Goodman, Legal Director of the Center for Constitutional Rights, speaking on the incredible changes in law and civil liberties, particularly the implications of the new Military Commissions Act and the legitimization of torture.

Larry Everest has covered the Middle East for over ten years and is the author of Oil, Power, and Empire. He will speak on "what's happening in Iraq, how did we get here, and what should be done about it"

Chris Hedges, Senior Fellow at The Nation Institute and a Lecturer in the Council of the Humanities at Princeton University spent nearly two decades as a foreign correspondent for the New York Times, winning a Pulitzer Prize. He will address the moves toward theocracy and its influence on the threatening moves toward a war on Iran.

Cristina Page, Vice President of the Institute for Reproductive Health Access at NARAL Pro-Choice New York and a prominent reproductive rights activist. Her recent book How The Pro-choice Movement Saved America describes the assault of the Christian right on both abortion and contraception.

This event will be held at: Synod Hall of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine
110th St & Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY
7:00 pm, Monday, October 30 (doors open at 6:30). Suggested donation $10-$20

Delayed national broadcast on the Internet the same evening. See World Can't Wait for details on viewing.

This internet broadcast is a first! Expenses are $3500+. Help make this important program available to the world via the Internet.
Please contribute AND set up a viewing where you are Monday.

Find other teach-ins through World Can't Wait or organize your own.

ENDS

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