A Truly Secular A Feminist Kim Yong’s Plus... What’s Left, Approach to Case for Story, Part II, The Back Burner, Gay Marriage, Abstinence, TL’s Top Ten Page 10 Page 12 Page 15 ... and More!

Volume V Issue VI 2 March 2005 URN EFT Cornell’s Liberal News and Opinion NON-OWNERSHIP SOCIETY The Trouble Behind Bush’s Warped Budget Cuts

BY WILL ROSENZWEIG

f there was any semblance of hope that the 2004 elections were nothing more than a terrible dream, then President Bush’s proposed budget for I2006 should awaken us to our frightening reality. When looking at the new budget proposal, with its deep cuts for critically important programs in our society, many Americans can only shake my head in wonder as John In Bush’s defense, his policy Edwards did during the campaign when he said in on the environment and the reference to the President, “What planet is he living impoverished is merely im- on?” moral, not deceitful. Presi- President Bush would have us believe that dent Bush never promised to he has proposed a fiscally help the poor or the environ- sound program which eliminates waste and ment in any major way. focuses on vital national interests. But making the AP rich richer at the expense of the poor and middle classes is not a vital national interest. On the surface, the 5% increase in national security spending, coupled with cuts that work to eliminate the growing debt, make the new budget seem responsible and fair. In reality, however, this budget is so warped it even exceeds Mr. Bush’s own precedent. See Non-Ownership, page 2 Veterans hoping to receive healthcare would face increased costs under President Bush’s budget.

From the State of the Union: Press Corps Ringer War is a Beautiful Thing The Man Behind Jeff Gannon

BY JOSH PERLMAN BY STEPHEN DAVIS

nother year, another State of the Union address from George W. Bush. Our or anyone watching the evening news recently, one of the surprising trends President covered a number of issues including the economy, Social Security, early in President Bush’s second term appears to be a relative return to normalcy; A and faith-based initiatives. However, at the end of the day, the “War on Terror” it seems the sinister conspiracies and shocking political scandals of Bush’s first and the war in Iraq stole the show, both making strong appearances in the latter half of Fterm have finally stopped. Oh, except for this one reporter, James Guckert, who, as a gay Bush’s address. prostitute featured on several pornographic websites such as hotmilitarystuds.com, actually The President did not have anything revolutionary to offer on these matters. Over worked for a sham conservative propaganda website and was given clearance to White the past few years, we have heard plenty about the evil-doers, those who hate us because House briefings using a fake name to ask laughably partisan ‘questions’ to President we are free, and the enemies of democracy. We have heard a number of messages to Bush and press secretary Scott McClellan without any prior journalistic experienceAP and the Iraqi and Afghani people pour from the lips of our president about freedom being had in fact been indicted in an investigation into the leaking of a former CIA agents on the march. Who knows whether they actually hear any of them, although I doubt identity. that it matters in the end. Of course, because this story doesn’t seem important or interesting enough for So it was no surprise to hear much of the same rhetoric regurgitated and reserved in any significant mainstream media coverage, you can thank the internet and liberal outlets President Bush’s latest State of the Union address. But the menu is getting old fast. like TL for bringing to you the following amazing saga of one very weird political puppet. What is particularly troubling about the administration’s attitude towards the current The entire controversy stems from a January 26th White House press conferences, situation in Iraq, the broader Middle East, and overseas in general is the eagerness it when James Guckert, posing as the ‘commercially marketable’ Jeff Gannon, asked seems to contain to make changes all over the world on the back of our military might President Bush how he would work with Democratic Senators who ‘seemed to have and a few “friends.” divorced themselves from reality.’ This unbelievable ass-kiss in the middle of an otherwise Unfortunately, our friends are few and far between. Bush was quick to point out professional White House news conference puzzled liberal internet bloggers, who began that we have a whopping twenty-eight countries with troops on the ground in Iraq. In an unofficial investigation into the credentials and background of the enigmatic ‘Jeff

See War is a Beautiful Thing, page 14 See Gannon, page 12 2 Turn Left Volume V, Issue VI

LOCAL NEWS Howard Dean Delivers Speech at Anabel Taylor Auditorium Ithaca- On Wednesday, February 23rd, former Governor unlike Republicans who ‘hate labor unions.’ Characterizing to continue getting our news from the Internet, and not the Howard Dean, the new chairman of the Democratic capitalism as ‘the best economic system in the world’ and mass media. National Party, offered his vision for the direction that the democracy as the best political system, Dean also believes When asked by another student what the Democratic Party should take. Introduced by Cornell that the labor movement is necessary to ensure that Democrats should do to attract those in the red states, Dean Democrats President Tim Lim ‘06 and welcomed with a everyone can live decent lives in ‘this extraordinary explained that members of the blue states should stop standing ovation, the charismatic Dean began by asserting capitalist country.’ ‘looking down’ on the Southern and Midwestern regions that the future success of his party will depend on ‘ordinary Dean also expressed his disappointment over the of the country, considering how the Bush administration people’ to be involved in the political process, recalling lack of health care insurance for 45 million Americans and capitalized off of this perceived Democratic elitism. He the remarkably successful grassroots organizing that chastised Bush for referring to the Democratic pursuit for also believes that the Democrats should campaign strongly characterized his presidential campaign. a national health care system as ‘socialism’, pointing out in the red states, not just in the traditional areas. He then focused on a series of issues and that all industrialized countries in the world guarantee When asked about what Democrats should do to expressed his views on each. Dean condemned the Bush health care insurance for all of its citizens except the United attract the Christian Right, Dean stated that the Democratic administration’s plan to privatize Social Security, claiming States. Party is morally above the Republicans because its policies that Bush is doing this to please his corporate donators. On the topic of abortion, Dean stated that he is promote the social and economic well-being of all citizens Dean denounced the idea and told the audience that Social not ‘pro-abortion’, but rather feels that women should be by creating a national health care system, improving Security is necessary as a ‘social safety net’, and that if it guaranteed the right to make up their own minds. He then education, funding social services and essentially treating is turned over to Wall Street, our generation would be the condemned Republicans for attacking the rights of gays to people with dignity. While evangelical Christians may one to suffer in the future. marry and using them as a scapegoat, causing Americans disagree with Democratic positions on abortion and gay Dean then strongly advocated for a balanced to focus on certain issues, while preventing them from marriage, Dean believes that they can be convinced to join national budget. He pointed out that no Republican thinking about what is in their best social and economic because Democratic positions are much closer with administration has balanced the national budget in 40 years, interests. Christian social values than Republican ones. and that the only president to do so was Bill Clinton. Dean ended his speech by encouraging our Most audience members seemed satisfied with According to Dean, unlike his own accomplishment in generation to be interested in politics, and by challenging Dean’s speech. The audience offered numerous cheers and balancing Vermont’s budget, the current ‘borrow and spend’ us to put this country ‘back on track.’ After another enthusiastic applause throughout the speech. Vaishalee Republican administration has created the largest federal standing ovation, several audience members were able to Yeldandi ’06 said that Dean did a ‘really good job. Even deficits in history. ask him questions. though he was mostly speaking to the converted, you have Regarding national defense, Dean believes that Cornell Democrats Vice President Mitch Fagen to start somewhere.’ However, not everyone was pleased our country needs a strong military, but that this should ’07 expressed concern over the DNC’s media techniques with Howard Dean. Patrick Young ’06, an ILR student not be measured by the size of the defense budget, but and how several important events such as the Jeff Gannon and President of COLA, stated: ‘I was kind of disappointed. rather by ‘what’s smart.’ An example of a ‘smart investment fallout were underreported. While Dean shared Fagen’s He gave the most unimpassioned support for the labor in national defense,’ said Dean, is investment in renewable attitude regarding the failures of the mainstream press, movement I’ve ever heard, and he’s just falling into the energy sources and terminating U.S. dependence on foreign Dean also expressed his optimism in our generation when trap of skirting around the war and other important issues.’ oil for its energy needs. considering how young people tend to get their news from (Sources: TL Staff [TL: BLC]) In regards to labor policy, Dean believes that the the Internet and Jon Stewart. He encouraged our generation Democrats should strongly support the labor movement,

charged with zeal than most political commentators have that they do not, saying that his personal position, along Turn Left given the Democrats credit for in the recent months. with John Kerry’s, on gay marriage was the same as that of the Bush/Cheney ticket. He noted that all four oppose When questioned about the smear campaigns of the gay marriage but support civil unions. Interviews Howard Republicans, Dean responded that “smear is the middle name of the Republicans,” a far cry from the perception When asked whether the Democrats would support military that the Democrats have sit back idly while taking a beating action in Sudan, Dean responded that, while he could not Dean from the Republican media campaign. He went on to say respond for the party, he believed that local forces need to that the Democrats need to work hard at not letting the take the first steps. The African Union must be the first to Republicans decide on the issues to be discussed, saying try to stop the genocide in Darfur; if that fails, Dean said that gay marriage and abortion were made out to be big that he would support United Nations military action in When Dr. Dean came to visit Cornell last Wednesday, TL issues because the Republicans so chose them. Sudan. Finally, if both of those avenues fail, he said he had the opportunity to ask the newly elected Democratic would support the sending of American troops to Sudan, National Committee chair a few questions preceding his Dean then went on to attack the Republican media but such a solution remains a long-way off. ([TL: EJM]) speech. Although brief, Dean’s rhetoric seemed more campaign for painting the Democrats to stand for issues

Continued from Non-Ownership, support veterans. Yet according to the Department of Education faces a 1% cut Furthermore, the notion that this budget page 2 ... new budget, over one million veterans in the new budget which will be aimed will reduce the debt is a fallacy due to the seeking health care from the Department primarily at programs like Upward Bound false assumptions the proposal makes. and Gear Up which help prepare students The budget proposal assumes that all Indeed, President Bush of Veterans Affairs will have to pay a two from disadvantaged backgrounds for spending outside of military and domestic sacrifices our domestic interests in his hundred and fifty dollar enrollment fee college. Leave it to our President to security will be frozen for the next five unwarranted and dangerous cuts. Set to and will see co-pay payments double. It demand better schools while sapping years, while excluding as expenditures suffer from the wide slashes are turns out John Kerry was right about the them of funding. Perhaps it would be for Afghanistan or Iraq. Needless to say, farmers, students, food stamp recipients, Bush administration leaving veterans better if schools could hold Bush ac- operations in Afghanistan and Iraq have small-business owners, and veterans. behind. As Steve Robertson, legislative countable rather than the other way been and will continue to be costly. To Subsidies for the neediest in our society director for the American Legion, said, around. All of these outrageous and omit these costs from the proposal is, at will be cut drastically. Those on “To tell a guy it’s going to cost you two harmful reductions in spending on crucial the very best, ludicrous. More deeply, welfare, but not receiving a direct cash hundred and fifty dollars to walk in the programs have been justified by the Bush however, it shows a profound disrespect payment, will have their food stamps door is the wrong message to send during administration by pointing to the record toward the intelligence and values of the revoked. Discretionary spending for a time of war.” Next time Bush talks debt. Echoing this sentiment, C. Todd American people. the Environmental Protection Agency about supporting our troops (which will Jones, an Education Department Official, President Bush’s 2006 budget will be cut by 6%, slashing major funds probably be pretty soon) let’s remember said of the cutbacks, “Right now, we have proposal is unjust and ineffective and for the Clean Water Fund which that this support isn’t unconditional. to be aware of the broader picture. We should be fought at every step by Senate protects and insures water quality. In Soldiers that fight wars for our country have a deficit we are attempting to and House Democrats, for shared Bush’s defense, his policy on the need and deserve support when they get address.” That is a good point, except for sacrifice and responsibility is evidently environment and the impoverished is home. the fact that this deficit was created by not on this President’s agenda. President merely immoral, not deceitful. Presi- Another of Bush’s deceptions the combination of an unjustified war and Bush may talk a lot about the “Ownership dent Bush never promised to help the occurs in the area of education. President an unfair and fiscally irresponsible tax cut Society,” but it’s time that he begin poor or the environment in any major Bush, as champion of the No Child Left that accounted for 67% of the deficit. owning the problems he created. way. Behind Act, framed himself as the Vitally important domestic programs During the campaign we heard education candidate in the 2004 debates. should not be cut for Bush’s folly. TL time in again that the President would Yet this program has been and continues to be severely under-funded. The 2 March 2005 Turn Left 3

NATIONAL NEWS

National News Bulletin BY EVAN MARSHAK

- U.S. officials say that they have received communications - Yale study shows that hiring of women and minorities by Ivy reiterating desire of bin Laden, Zarqawi to attack. League schools low.

- White House has indicated intent to offer incentives to Iran to - Bush proposes $60 billion cut to Medicaid over next 10 years. cease development of nuclear weapons. - Case over displaying Ten Commandments in government - U.S. courts beginning to hear lawsuit over use of Agent Orange buildings reaches Supreme Court. in Vietnam; birth defects among other health problems cited. - The Pentagon has appointed a high-ranking air force officer - U.S. pushes for abortion not to be recognized as human right to investigate abuses at Guantanamo. by United Nations. - Judge rules that Bush may not hold suspected terrorist, - Howard Dean becomes chairman of the Democratic National American citizen Jose Padilla, indefinitely as ‘enemy combatant.’ Committee. - Attorney General Gonzales announces that he will aggressively - Former WorldCom CEO testifies that he knew very little about pursue indecent speech lawsuits. the accounting of the company.

Congressional Report Says State of Union Address Features Mercury Risks Are Overstated Freedom, Middle East Washington, DC- On February 16th, the standards with regard to pollution control. Washington D.C.- President Bush by 2009, decrease federal spending, and House Resources Committee released a While a cap and trade policy would addressed the nation on the dawn of his make tax relief permanent all while pledg- report entitled, ‘Mercury in Perspective: Congressional report is the second political second term on Feb. 2nd, strongly ing more money to the war on terror. He Fact and Fiction About the Debate Over boost that the coal industry has received in reiterating the vague theme of freedom from also specifically asked Congress for money Mercury.’ The report, crafted by aides to recent years, the first being the Bush his inaugural speech. He promised to to give to the Israeli-Palestinian cause, say- the committee’s majority Republicans, is a Administration’s ‘Clear Skies’ initiative, a continually aim his policies towards liberty ing that President Mahmoud Abbas is key synopsis of some of the research regarding plan that would relax emissions standards both domestically and abroad, alluding in the fight against terrorism. He also ex- the debate over mercury pollution, and is in the coming years. multiple times to democracy in the Middle pressed hope and optimism in Secretary of largely supportive of the Bush Chairman of the Resources East. State Condoleeza Rice’s planned talks with Administration’s position on the issue. In Committee’s Energy and Resources ‘America will stand with the allies of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and President particular, the report provides backing for Subcommittee, Rep. Jim Gibbons (R-NV), freedom to support democratic movements Abbas. the Administration’s proposed cap and trade said, ‘With a more restrictive, unnecessary in the Middle East and beyond, with the Bush paid particular attention to the policy, in which individual industrial plants regulation we could see a large portion of ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our Middle East in his address, discussing the that emit mercury would be able to buy the this country’s coal supplies become world,’ he declared. rise of democracy in the Middle East and right to continue to pollute from companies useless.’ Coal, a notoriously dirty source Of note are some the same claims that asking that Egypt be the next to pave the that are meeting federal emissions were highly contended after the presiden- way for democracy as they were the first to standards. This type of policy would not tial debates. Domestically, Bush boldly as- require all companies to meet the same See Mercury Risks, page 15 serted that he could cut the deficit in half See State of the Union, page 13

peacekeeping efforts in Happy Valentine’s Day Haiti, Burundi, the Ivory Coast, From Bush to You and the Darfur Region of the Washington, DC- While America spent the Afghanistan. With this addition, the cost of Sudan, and day picking up last-minute cards and the two wars would exceed $300 billion. finally, an confirming romantic dinner reservations, additional President George W. Bush was writing his The proposal stipulates $12 billion to $950 million own special Valentine to Congress replace tanks, helicopters, and weaponry, for aid in the requesting an additional $81.9 billion, $5.7 billion to train Iraqi military and tsunami primarily for military activities in Iraq and police, and $5 billion to speed restructuring disaster. of Army brigades. Additional provisions include increased death benefits of The $81.9 up to $100,000 retroactive to million October 2001, as well as another proposal $658 million to create a U.S. comes as Bush embassy in Baghdad, and $717 continues to million to staff the embassy. call on Congress to The request also proposes additional make his funding for peace-keeping efforts in multi-trillion Bush’s new proposal would allow the US to purchase additional volatile areas of the Middle East, dollar tax cut expensive equipment for military conflicts overseas. including $200 million for permanent. Palestinian states (in addition to a Although states continue to suffer from billion. (Sources: New York Times, State 2005 endowment of $150 million) budget woes, the new Bush budget calls for of New York, Center for American Progress, and $200 million to Jordan. Bush large cuts in domestic spending. Costs to [TL: CLL]) 82 billion dollars buys a heck of a lot of guns. requested another $780 million for New York State have already exceeded $13 4 Turn Left Volume V, Issue VI

INTERNATIONAL WORLD NEWS: NEWS SP King of Nepal Overthrows A New Communist Manifesto Democratic Government N. Korea Claims it Has Nuclear Weapons Military Involved in Backing the Coup Pyongyang- On February 10th, North Korea skepticism regarding the possibility of confirmed the long-held suspicion that it curbing nuclear proliferation and an arms possesses nuclear weapons. Moreover, the race in the region. Most agree that Katmandu, Nepal- On February 1st, King Gyanendra promised to end the long- North Korean government suspended its diplomatic efforts with North Korea are the Gyanendra Shah of Nepal declared a state running insurgency. participation in multilateral talks with South only viable option; a of emergency, fired his cabinet, and In response to the coup, Korea, the United States, China, Japan, and pre-emptive strike would have many dissolved the nation’s parliament. There Nepal’s allies, as well as other nations Russia regarding a nuclear-free Korean unknown complications, little support, and have been no stated plans to restore that provide aid to Nepal, have put their peninsula. could prove to be disastrous. Currently, democracy and the King has taken on full aid programs under review. India, the The announcement could be a response international hope rests on China, North executive power for three years. From the European Community and the United to a recent discovery by the United States that Korea’s closest ally, to bring the country outset of the military-backed coup d’etat, States have all recalled their North Korea may have sold uranium back to negotiations. If these efforts fail, phone lines were cut and news services ambassadors, and Denmark became hexafluoride – the compound from which the the international community may find itself were shut down as opposition politicians the first nation to suspend all aid to uranium found in an atom bomb is extracted taking more drastic diplomatic actions such and human rights activists were imprisoned. Nepal on February 15th. Nepal’s largest – to Libya via the black market. In addition as economic sanctions. Success on this front Nepal’s Prime Minister, Sher Bahadur political party, the Nepalese Congress to providing a possible link between North would once again be dependent on Beijing’s Deuba, was placed under house arrest. Party, has called for large-scale Korea and terrorist networks, this disclosure cooperation. The Chinese government has Prime Minister Deuba has had a protests. discredits previous claims that the country yet to take a firm stance on the situation. long-standing feud with the King. After Since 1995, Nepal has been does not have nuclear capabilities. The North With the revelation that North Korea being fired by the King in 2002, he was divided by a civil war between the Korean government continues to defend its does indeed possess nuclear weapons, the restored to the office of Prime Minister in government and Maoist insurgents that nuclear proliferation, claiming that it has no United States and its allies now face 2004 in the face of daily anti-monarchy has killed more than eleven thousand choice but to develop nuclear weapons in challenges at how best to reengage North protests. The people. The response to the Bush administration’s Korea in talks. If Kim Jong-Il cannot be King Maoists, unfavorable, even threatening, attitude persuaded, it is unclear what the Bush reappointed him who want to towards them. administration’s next step will be in dealing in June with depose the New questions surrounding the extent with the nuclear capability of this member orders to, restore King and of North Korea’s nuclear proliferation and of the “axis of evil.” (Sources: The New peace and hold establish a the possibility of resuming multilateral York Times, Time [TL: KFT]) elections by communist negotiations have served to heighten April in a republic, country rocked control by a decade-long roughly half civil war. Many of the saw this timeline country. as being rigged Atrocities against Deuba to have been ensure his committed failure and on both provide the King sides. King with an excuse Gyanendra, to gain further the younger power. brother of While the late King Deuba was Birendra, Prime Minister, King Gyanendra Shah came to Maoist rebels power in began a blockade of Nepal’s capital, 2001 following a massacre of much of Kathmandu, and ignored a mid-January the royal family by then-Crown Prince deadline to resume peace talks set by Dipendra. (Source: BBC News [TL: Deuba. In launching the coup, King BJS])

Asia/Pacific:

International -Vietnam reports new case of bird flu – Clinton visit to Taiwan angers China – Kyrgyzstan holds elections amid ban on opposition candidates, international criticism – North Korea withdraws from nuclear arms talks – News UN appeals to extend duration of East Timor operation – Aceh, Indonesia talks in Finland end on high note – Nepalese Maoist rebels call off blockade of capital, Kathmandu – Heavy snow traps thousands in India, Pakistan, Bulletin Afghanistan – Afghan elections, due for May 21, to be delayed- BY BENJAMIN SELIGMAN Europe:

Africa: -Jewel heist in Amsterdam’s Schiphol nabs nearly $100 million – Bush presses Putin on democracy – Suspect in Madrid’s March 11 attacks dead in -New Togolese President, Faure Gnassingbe, steps down under prison – Archbishop of Canterbury warns of permanent Anglican split over international pressure – Somali government returns to Mogadishu after gay clergy – UK soldiers jailed over abuse of Iraqi prisoners – Framework more than a decade of anarchy – UN troops in Congo killed in ambush – Convention on Tobacco Control, 1st international health treaty, comes into ICC criticized for launching war crimes investigations in wake of force; US does not participate- Ugandan peace talks- Middle East: Americas: -Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak promises to change constitution to -Argentina closes over $100 billion debt restructuring deal – Bank allow multiparty elections – Tel Aviv suicide bombing on February 25th accused of hiding Chilean dictator Pinochet’s accounts to pay $8 million blamed on Syria – Russia delays signing deal to provide Iran with uranium to victims in court settlement – Mexican Governor Gustavo Vazquez for power plants – Kofi Annan calls on Syria to withdraw from Lebanon by Montes killed in plane crash – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez April – Fierce fight between religious parties, secularists for post of Iraqi endorses socialism - PM – Palestinian PM Ahmed Qurei appoints new cabinet- 2 March 2005 Turn Left 5

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Move Towards Peace? World Watches for Response to Bombing

Despite the usual pessimism surrounding Israel has blamed Syria and the militant the Middle East peace process, there has Islamic Jihad group for the bombing, and been a buck in that trend in the past week has indicated that the cease-fire will no as several positive developments emerged longer apply to the Islamic Jihad group. in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Another reason for optimism was The first and perhaps most the decision by the Israeli government to significant development was the cease-fire compensate Israeli citizens for leaving the declared between Palestinian Authority Gaza Strip and small parts of the Northern President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli West Bank. The Israeli Knesset voted Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in Egypt three overwhelmingly to provide almost 1 billion weeks ago. Skeptics point out that there dollars to compensate the 8,000 citizens have been several ineffectual cease-fires in who are forced by the disengagement plan recent years and that Hamas, the Palestinian to evacuate their homes, according to BBC organization accused of terrorism, has not News. agreed to the terms of the ceasefire. The gestures by Israel and the Despite past failures and continuing violence, it appears that the Israeli- However, combined with other Palestinian Authority have been recognized Palestinian peace process continues to move forward. developments, this ceasefire may be more by other Middle Eastern countries such as effective than the region has seen in recent Egypt and Jordan. Both of these countries another 10 [Arab countries] can have a the following week, the world will be years. Although the Friday night suicide sent ambassadors to Israel after breaks of diplomatic representation in Israel.” closely watching Israeli and Palestinian bomb attack at a Tel Aviv nightclub in which four and five years, respectively. Several Although sustainable peace seems to reactions to the recent bombing with hopes four were killed threatens to shatter the other Middle Eastern countries may join remain elusive after fifty years of continued that the cease-fire agreement can be saved. peace agreement, both sides still appear to that bandwagon as Israeli Foreign Minister violence, the region appears to be making (Sources: BBC News, [TL: SL]) be attempting to protect the agreement. Silvan Shalom said he believed “at least forward progress toward better relations. In

The Assembly, with a total of two violence during the election as well as a hundred and seventy-five seats, will be boycott. Iraq Works At Democracy comprised of one hundred and forty The Shiite alliance has formally members from the Shiite alliance, a strong declared that they will support Ayad Allawi, second party presence from the Kurds who the current interim prime minister, as their Forming a Secular Government have seventy-five seats, and a third party permanent candidate for the position. of secular Shiites that holds forty-five seats. According to a spokesman for the Iraqi thirds majority to do so. Thus, despite The Kurds and Shiites have agreed that the government, several other parties have having won a smallmajority of the only way to establish the legitimacy of the agreed that they will support his candidacy. Baghdad- With the results of the Iraqi Allawi is himself a secular Shiite, and most election now tallied, Iraqis will begin seats in the Assembly, thelead Shiite party new government is to reach-out to those will not have enough votes to form a who feel most threatened by the new involved in the current process seem formulating a new government for the next hopeful that a new democratic government several months. Like other parliamentary- government. In making the compromises government: the Sunni Muslims who have necessary to for a government, it seems largely been responsible for the insurgency. will be formed and that the future of Iraq is style governments, the National Assembly not in theocracy. (Sources: ABC, Reuters will elect its leader, but it will require a two- much of the controversy will revolve Sunni presence in the Assembly is, around the role of religion in the new Iraqi however, particularly low due to fear of [TL: EJM]) state. Rafik Hariri, Lebanese PM and Businessman, Killed in Bombing Syria Suspected in Murder of Long-Standing Critic

East Jerusalem- On January 9, 2005, Palestinian militants; it is likely that Israel In the field, Palestinian soldiers from the US in his current non-violent Mahmoud Abbas succeeded Yasser Arafat, would cut off negotiations again if Abbas have backed Abbas’ proposal for a ceasefire, strategy than he received in a similar who died last November, as the Palestinian fails to dampen the Militants’ efforts. implying that persuasion, rather than initiative two years ago. Furthermore, Israel President after winning 62% of the vote for In doing this, Abbas has to walk a coercion, is the only way for a cessation of is also currently taking steps that may help leadership of the Palestinian Authority. fine line. Hamas has demanded the release armed conflict to be achieved. Meanwhile, the peace process along, such as reoffering Shortly after Abbas’ election the Israeli of Palestinian prisoners, as well as an end to Sharon is wary of the possibility that to hand over security control of four cities Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, cut off contact Israeli raids, assassinations, and over-flights Palestinian security forces may not provide in the West bank, Tulkarem, Ramallah, with the Palestinian Authority following an of Gaza. Further demands include a role in security in the areas to which they are Qalqilya, and Jericho, to the Palestinians. In attack that killed six Israelis in Gaza. the Palestinian political leadership and a deployed, and thus he would likely continue addition to this, Israel has agreed to stop Sharon, clearly frustrated by this attack, said, guarantee that Abbas will uphold the demand to use Israel’s military force without any action against Palestinian militants in ‘Unfortunately despite the change in for a Palestinian state along the 1967 regard for these demands that will help to locations where Palestinian security is Palestinian Leadership, we see that its borders, with East Jerusalem as capital. achieve peace. Given this, as well as the effective. Palestinians, therefore, will have leaders have not even begun to take any Perhaps due to the fact that Hamas is expected influence of Hamas in the the first chances to deal with Palestinian action against the terror. This situation predicted to win up to 25% of the seats in Palestinian government, it is unlikely that terror threats. cannot continue.’ Parliament this year, Abbas has committed Sharon will commit to a ceasefire. And thus far Israel has kept its Sharon was quick to take a hard to the demands regarding both borders and According to Palestinian leader promise, ordering troops to halt raids after line stance, vowing to step up Israeli defense political positions. Abu-Amr, Abbas is expecting more support Palestinian Police finished deployment to and security force Gaza on January 28. Top activity without Israeli and Palestinian restriction, as long officials met to lay out the as the Palestinians, provisions for a pullback of in his words, are ‘not Israeli troops from West lifting a finger.’ This Bank towns, despite the points to a key issue killing of a ten year old for both the Israelis Palestinian Girl (which and the Palestinian was likely the result of Authority: the use of Israeli fire) just a day Palestinian security earlier and a violent forces to curb Palestinian response. attacks on Israel. In (Sources: CBS News, the past, Israel had CNN.com, Mail and cut off negotiations Guardian on Line, with Arafat when he MSNBC, TIMES ONLINE was unwilling or [(TL: BJS]). unable to control A man runs through the burning vehicles and rubble in Beirut after a powerful bomb exploded on Feb. 14th, killing former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. 6 Turn Left Volume V, Issue VI From The Editor’s Desk Existentialist Fracas: What Bush Didn’t Learn on His European Tour

BY WAYNE Y. HUANG said that, all options are on the table,’ drawing uncom- fortable laughter from the resident Bush returned from his audience. four-day ‘listening tour’ of Europe Bush also remained P last week, undoubtedly relieved to mum when asked whether abandon his convoluted efforts to simulta- or not the United States neously mend fences, promote democracy, would finally join Britain, and defend his own record at home. To the France, and Germany—the President’s credit, he made progress in re- EU-3—in multilateral ne- pairing relations with two of his most out- gotiations to persuade Iran spoken critics— President Chirac of France to abandon its nuclear- and Chancellor Schroder of Germany. weapons ambitions. Bush Turning up his trademark bantering charm, hedged with an ambiguous Bush commented after dining privately with response: ‘I was listening President Chirac that ‘every time I meet very carefully to the differ- with Jacques, he’s got good advice.’ ent ideas on negotiating Will Bush heed the ‘good’ advice? It strategies,’ he said, ‘I’m remains to be seen whether Bush is pre- going to go back and think pared to begin working more closely with about the suggestions I’ve our allies across the Atlantic, especially heard and the ways for- when it comes to abating Iran’s nuclear ap- ward.’ There may be faint petite. Even as Bush softened his tone (‘Di- hope that President Bush plomacy is just beginning… Iran is not sincerely means it this time. Iraq’), it became clear that the administra- Interestingly enough, tion does not intend to budge from its inde- Russian President Vladimir Bush looks on as German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder speaks on Feb. 23rd pendent mindset. ‘This notion that the Putin responded no less evasively when (AP) United States is getting ready to attack Iran asked about Mr. Bush’s chiding of Russia’s is simply ridiculous,’ Bush said during a floundering commitment to democracy. ‘I as Syria and Saudi Arabia where they are egy that has played out to spectacular fail- news conference after speaking with EUasasdfdsfbelieve that some of his ideas could be taken then subsequently tortured for information. ure in North Korea. President Bush must leaders. He then quickly added, ‘having into account in my work, and I will pay due Bush also seems to misunderstand the also address the transgressions of freedom asdfasdfattention to them, that’s for sure. Some fundamental differences and grave conse- and democracy back home so that his words other ideas, I will not comment on,’ Putin quences separating the war in Iraq from hold an aura of legitimacy when he calls said with his characteristic grimace. other revolutions. While visiting Slovokia, upon other leaders such as President Putin Such was the noticeably icy relation- Bush said that ‘in recent times, we have to uphold the ideals of open society. ship between the two leaders. Bush pro- witnessed landmark events in the history No clearer was this misunderstanding ceeded with his whirlwind visit to Russia, of liberty: a Rose Revolution in Georgia, when Bush misquoted French existential- scolding Putin on his recent lust for power, an Orange Revolution in Ukraine, and now, ist Albert Camus while in Brussels last The Power of Print. The Trust of People. although the Russians didn’t miss the whiff a Purple Revolution in Iraq … As you Monday: ‘Camus said that “freedom is a of hypocrisy. ‘I live in a transparent coun- watched jubilant Iraqis dancing in the long-distance race”... We’re in that race for Editor-in-Chief try … decisions made by government are streets last month, holding up ink-stained the duration and there is reason for opti- Wayne Y. Huang ‘07 wide open,’ Bush protested when asked by fingers, you remembered Velvet Days.’ mism.’ However, Camus’ full quote from a Russian journalist about recent pundit Managing Editors Bush also continues to flagrantly conflate The Fall closed to a different tune: ‘I didn’t Louis M. Wasser ‘07 (Executive) payments to journalists such as Armstrong Sept. 11th and the Iraq war, commenting know that freedom is not a reward or a Ben J. Seligman ‘07 (News) Williams. decoration that is celebrated with Cham- Evan J. Marshak ‘06 (National and International News) during a visit to NATO headquarters that Sarah H. Olesiuk ‘08 (Features) For there to be any legitimacy in his ‘the policy in the past used to be, let’s just pagne… Oh, no! It’s a choice, on the con- words to the Russians and Europeans, Bush accept tyranny, for the sake of well, you trary and a long-distance race, quite soli- Associate Editors Andrew Garib ‘06, Jamie Gullen ‘07, Emma Johnson ‘07, has to answer many questions about ‘trans- know, cheap oil, or whatever it may be, and tary…. alone in a forbidding room… and Seth Luxenberg ‘08, Evan Marshak ‘06, Michelle Mulcahy ‘07, parency’ back home. A recent audit of the just hope everything would be OK … well, alone to decide in face of oneself or in the Sarah Olesiuk ‘08, Josh Perlman ‘07, Tim Perone ‘06, Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq has th Ben Sanford ‘07, Ben Seligman ‘07, Louis Wasser ‘07 that changed on September the 11 for our faces of other’s judgment. At the end of all found that $8.8 billion is missing. Repub- nation.’ freedom is a court sentence; that’s why free- News Staff licans in Congress have so far ignored dom is too heavy to bear.’ Adam Bonnifield ‘06, Brad Cardozo ‘08, Mark Coombs ‘08, Given that Mr. Bush has not begun to Andrew Garib ‘06, Emma Johnson ‘07, Seth Luxenberg ‘08, Democratic pleas for an investigation into understand that he cannot conveniently hide Camus might have been wrong about free- J. Phillip Nelson ‘07, Josh Perlman ‘07, Shawn Ronda ‘06, the lost money. The administration contin- complexities under the abstraction of ‘free- dom being too heavy to bear, but he sure Timon Stasko ‘07, Trevor Sell ‘08, Katie Towt ‘07 ues to insist on holding suspected terror- dom versus evil,’ he must have learned little made a good point about the need to face Features Staff ists indefinitely without filing charges. The from his European trip. For there to be oneself. If nothing else, that should be the Alex Berke ‘06, Kuan-Wei Chen ‘07, Andrew Garib ‘06, administration continues to condone torture Sorbrique Grant ‘07, Evan Marshak ‘06, Michelle Mulcahy ‘07, progress with Iran, the Bush administration one lesson President Bush absorbs from the Tim Perone ‘06, Ben Seligman ‘07, Christopher Tozzi ‘07, by engaging in ‘rendition,’ where suspects must engage in constructive multilateral Europeans. Louis Wasser ‘07 are flown on the infamous white Gulfstream negotiations with European allies instead TL Layout Artist V jet to terrorism-sponsoring countries such of ignoring our traditional friends — a strat- Claire Lambrecht ‘06

Copy Editors Andrew Garib ‘06, Jamie Gullen ‘07 Finance Director In Review Seth Luxenberg ‘08

Promotions Emma M. Johnson ‘07 (Director) ‘[Social Security] will be bust in 10 years unless there are some changes… the ideal solution would be for Social Security to be Andrew Clegg ‘07, Kristen Halford ‘08, Javed Quadrud-Din ‘07, made sound and people given the chance to invest the money the way they feel.’ Will Rosenzweig ‘07, Ben Sanford ‘07, Ben Seligman ‘07 - George W. Bush, Midland Reporter-Telegram, Aug. 9th, 1978 Web Design Evan Marshak ‘06 ‘A Bush aide, briefing reporters on the condition of anonymity [said] that the individual accounts would do nothing to solve the Advisor system’s long-term financial problems.” Walter Mebane, Government - Los Angeles Times, Feb. 3rd, 2005 Editor Emeritus Andrew Garib ‘06

Founders Thomas Leung ‘02, Tsee Yuan Lee ‘02, Tsee Yung Lee ‘02 ‘DUMP the word “PRIVATIZE” from your lexicon forever… replace the word “privatize” with the word “personalize.” You’re on

Funded in part by the Student Activity Fee. Comments, letters to the editor, their side, fighting on their behalf to help them get control of their retirement security.’ article submissions, and advertising queries are always welcome at [email protected] - Excerpt from Republican pollster Frank Luntz’s 160-page playbook

MEETINGS: Mondays, 5:00 pm in 128 Rockefeller Hall ‘Hey, hey, ho, ho, Social Security’s got to go!’ Visit our website and join our listserve to keep up to date with TL news, events and deadlines. - Chant from crowd of College Republicans, Town Hall Meeting held by Sen. Rick Santorum, Feb. 23rd, 2005 WWW.CUTURNLEFT.ORG - 2 March 2005 Turn Left 7

Letters to the environmental justice disasters in America. For those longstanding state and federal policies that ignore the intent unfamiliar with ‘ environmental justice,’ the and spirit of our environmental laws. As Ms. Olesiuk noted, Environmental Protection Agency defines it as the fair Congress is currently considering a bill that would, for all treatment and meaningful involvement of all people intents and purposes, end mountaintop removal. Co- Editor regardless of race, color, natural origin, or income with introduced by Republican Christopher Shays of respect to the development, implementation and Connecticut, the Clean Water Protection Act represents a Environmental Justice enforcement of environmental law, regulations and policies. solid, bipartisan law that will end this environmental justice Fair treatment means that no group of people, including tragedy. Please contact your representative and ask them As an alumnus and the Conservation Director of racial, ethnic or socioeconomic groups, should bear a to co-sponsor this bill. Appalachian Voices, I read with much delight Sarah disproportionate share of the negative environmental Olesiuk’s column (Turn Left, Feb. 10th) revealing the little- consequences resulting from industrial, municipal, and Sincerely, known truth to folks living outside of the coal fields about commercial operations or the execution of federal, state, Matt Wasson, Ph.D. ‘02 the environmental and economic impacts associated with local, and tribal programs and policies. Conservation Director, mountaintop removal coal mining. As such, each of us, regardless of where we find Appalachian Voices When one considers the geographic scale and number ourselves on the political spectrum, has a moral obligation www.appvoices.org of people affected, mountaintop removal is one of the worst to end this catastrophe, which continues due to

of their presentation’s intent. I read over the page respond to this outrage, I am asking you, the three times before looking up. Never in my life editors and staff of Turn Left, to confront the Calling Out the Review have I felt so disappointed and sickened as I did Review on this matter. I believe this article is an then. insult to our school, our nation, and our humanity. I suggest that Turn Left, as a respectable political To begin, I would like to state that I am a As a student of history, religion, and publication, publish a similar article, but with political moderate with both conservative and government, I have read and written about well-balanced, unbiased, and unbigoted facts liberal leanings. I regularly read all of Cornell’s countless wars and conflicts. My entire life I have about each of the three major religions, Judaism, political publications in order to gain a deeper wondered as to why and how such terrible Islam, and Christianity. Though it cannot possibly knowledge and respect for both sides of the animosity has arisen and subsequently led to make up for the Review’s grave blunder, I hope it political spectrum. That said, I am writing to countless casualties. Finally, I found my answer can enlighten the Cornell community and present you with a grave concern. on that second page of the Cornell Review. The encourage open-minded respect of every religious men and women that would publish an article such belief. Several days ago, I picked up my usual copy as that are the sort who fuel the blind burning of the Cornell Review to peruse through during hatred of religious wars. I had thought that such To conclude, I would like to thank you for the my lunch. Sitting down to read it, I expected to people would have to be insane, but I have maintenance of a respectable, honest, and encounter the traditional types of articles offering discovered that they are merely motivated by their interesting political publication. Though I don’t to various degrees valid and reasoned conservative own arrogance and ignorance. always agree with your thoughts (I’ve ranted opinions, liberal-bashing, and sheer idiocy. In my about Turn Left articles too), I always appreciate two years on campus, I have yet to be terribly On reflection I thought of my own religious them. Your efforts are to be applauded, and urge offended by any one article, though I have upbringing as a Catholic, and recalled the favorite you to continue to follow the path of responsible certainly done my share of ranting and scoffing. phrase of my priest, “forgive them Lord, for they partisan journalism. However, as I flipped past the cover stories and know not what they do.” Perhaps, I thought, this read over the second page, my heart nearly could be the case of the Cornell Review staff. Sincerely, stopped beating. At first glance I felt admiration Then I remembered that they attend Cornell, and Zack Byrnes ‘07 for the Review’s editors for having included such in all likelihood have some semblance of a thoughtful addition to their paper. “Islam intelligence. The staff of the Review is completely Awareness Week” the headline proclaimed. conscious of their actions and the consequences, Apparently, cynicism is a trait well known to the Thank you Zach for your letter. Turn Left always strives and they most assuredly do not repent. My to present fair and principled arguments, and our staff is Review’s editors. As I’m certain you know at this religion doesn’t forgive those kinds of sinners, disappointed that the Review, which normally does a point, the rest of the “celebration” lists terribly and I don’t believe Islam does either. commendable job of separating itself from the sensational skewed and biased facts meant to portray Islam extremism of the Cornell American, has chosen to run such as a religion of violence and hate. While many of As I have not received a response to date from a shameless feature. Our side must always remember to the facts are true, if slightly exaggerated, it does present our message in an honest, reasonable, and the Review staff to a letter I wrote to the editor,and responsible manner, for that is what Americans truly not excuse the undeniable bigotry and ignorance having no access to the means necessary to appreciate.

Government is No Balm I have personally experienced the cruelty of the have good food and people who cared about them. welfare state. When my Dutch grandmother, 65 There was no need to lock the kids indoors or put As a conservative and a Christian I was years, was suffering from cancer and my grandfather bars across those windows. disturbed by Wayne Huang’s “God’s Politics: Rise became sick a year later, the medical establishment of the Religious Left” (Turn Left, Feb. 10th). In it did not follow up on tests or give quality medical I, and I am sure many others, are conservative Huang echoes Jim Wallis’s conclusion that to be care. Both of them died early. If it had happened in precisely because we are compassionate; a bigger conservative is to be un-Christian, selfish and America, the doctors could have been sued for and more involved government will not be the balm hateful. In fact, nothing could be farther from the negligence. of humankind, nor the solution to all our problems. truth. Care and kindness, love and generosity — these For three years I lived in Mongolia and worked should the fruit of individuals, families, churches, A big, impersonal government is not part of the time with the many orphans and and charities. When the government tries to fulfill compassionate. Government should be limited, abandoned children — products of broken families that role, it always fails. because it can never truly help the poor, weak and and rampant alcoholism. Every couple months the needy. government would round up all the street children Sincerely, and cart them off to a “center,” where there were Seth Maxson, ’07 Since I have lived most of my life overseas, I’ve no healthy meals, little supervision and no hot http://www.soundingthetrumpet.blogspot.com experienced what happens when governments try running water or way to stay clean. One desperate to fulfill a caring and compassionate role. My boy even jumped from a third story window to Thanks Seth for writing. It was not my intention to portray mother is from the Netherlands, where they have escape. all conservatives as un-Christian. As Wallis argued to had socialized medicine for many years. However, great effect,AP what we need is a consistent ethic that spreads as the responsibility to care for the poor and the On the other side of town there was a Catholic across the entire political spectrum. We also do not deny that there are corrupt, repressive, and inefficient weak depends increasingly upon the government, care-center for the street children. Instead of the governments throughout the world, but we’re greatly society in the end feels it should not help those who dark prison-like corridors of the detention center, concerned about the Bush administration’s lack of are a burden. Netherlands has followed this route the hallways were brightly lit and colorfully painted. compassion at home or abroad with regards to justice, by practicing euthanasia for not only the elderly but Although it was not a home, the little children did freedom, and economic opportunity. also for young children. 8 Turn Left Volume V, Issue VI WHAT’SLeft Beer, Blood, and Befuddlement BY ALEXANDRA BERKE

ndia is a constant jumble of Western-tinged familiarities and the wildly different. The relationship I between the West and India is crazily varied and difficult to negotiate, let alone analyze. My time here often seems to naturally work itself into a spectrum of Westernism, with this weekend as a prime example. Saturday night my roommate and I met up with some Hyderabadi friends we’ve met during past nights out in the relatively small, but still quite active, bar and club scene. This weekend the setting was 10 Downing St., a British-inspired bar, complete with pints of beer and fusion

The relationship between the West and India is varied and difficult to negotiate as an individual, let alone analyze. pub food ranging from samosas to french fries. The clientele is mostly Indian, but with this setting I felt like I was out for a night in London. Ads in the bathroom boasted that Tuesday nights would take us back to a time where jazz and blues were not interspersed with other genres, back when they were the music. I am not sure that this time ever existed in the princely state of Hyderabad, which never came under Murraham, celebrated by Shia Muslims, mourns the martyrdom of Imam Hussayn British rule, but no matter. Today’s Hyderabad is known for Hi-Tec City, where multinational companies are eagerly nor were they being read as some new-agey schtick, for our own religions. No one reacted to my Judaism; they recruited to set up shop, and where the infamous call centers we were all taking them quite seriously. As we left to get just invited us all back to celebrate next year. that were debated in this past Presidential election operate. sleep before the Muharram tribute the next day, the mixture I felt safe, but I still appreciated the wall, It is likely that some of the crowd at 10 Downing St. did boggled my mind. especially because it afforded cover from looking into the grow up with jazz. On Sunday morning, the final commemoration of ashurkhana where the men were inflicting their wounds. When the club closed at midnight (it is still India, Muharram took place in the old city. Shia Muslims all over Small swords glinted in the sun and blood dripped down after all), we joined our friends at their apartment for an the world, not just in men’s foreheads, old and after-hours tarot card reading. I did not expect the wall to Hyderabad’s large young. There was fervor in display a giant Pink Floyd poster— yes, they have watched community, were the air that would have been The Wizard of Oz while listening to The Wall— and I …I could easily have been in a mourning the martyrdom starkly threatening in another expected the intense blacklighting even less. As I was of Imam Husayn. The area bedroom in Collegetown, eating context. One man was carried having my cards read, I was struck by the mixture of both was filled with men through the crowd by his arms home and India. I could be in a bedroom in Collegetown, mini-Snickers bars and dressed in black, and legs, blood streaming eating mini-Snickers bars and Toblerone, under some committing acts of self- over his face. Possibly he had cheesy poster illuminated by a black light. At the same Toblerones… flagellation to feel the pain gotten too worked up, for it’s time these tarot cards were not bought in the Commons, felt at the time of the not hard to imagine in the martyrdom. midst of this crowd of men As I stood with knives gleaming, chants outside an ashurkhana, where religious relics from Imam blaring and the hot sun beating down. Husayn are kept, people streamed by some with heads In the auto-rickshaw away from the wrapped in cotton bandages soaked in blood from their commemoration, I removed my shawl from my head and self-inflicted wounds, some with the blood freely flowing. slumped back in the seat, amazed by what I had just seen. A procession beginning from this particular ashurkhana Away from Muharram and the old city life was going on was so large that speakers were stacked on bicycles for as usual; families of four were riding on their motorbikes, broadcasting prayers while moving through the crowds. women in burqas were walking around, and young people Small boys were riding an elephant decorated specially were making plans on their mobile phones. For them, for the honor of carrying the Muharram means the slight religious relics to another inconvenience of rerouted part of the city. Everyone …Small swords glinted in the sun buses and a day without was quite friendly to our shopping in the old city. For group of Westerners, trying and blood dripped down men’s me it was just another to include us and explain to foreheads, old and young. There challenge to my self-assured us the significance of what confidence of being able to was happening. was fervor in the air that would possibly understand India. As the crowd got have been starkly threatening in denser we were ushered into an enclosed area another context. overlooking the celebration, where mostly women and children sat observing from behind a wall. I was impressed by the genuine kindness displayed to us. As they offered us cold water we were Char Minar, one of the historic buildings in questioned about our reasons for coming to Hyderabad and TL Hyderabad 2 March 2005 Turn Left 9 Tar Heel Blue Yolanda King’s Season of Peace

BY SARAH OLESIUK

et there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with and internationally. With the sword of non- me…” The “Season of Peace” began violence, he crowned a movement of peace, ‘LJanuary thirtieth, the fifty-seventh anniversary hoping to dispel the fog of misunderstanding of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, and will continue that enveloped the planet. Though Dr. King through the fourth of April, the day on which Martin Luther made great strides in promoting peace, it King, Jr. was assassinated thirty-seven years ago. You may seems as if the people of the world have have seen the large blue posters around campus suggesting forgotten his message. Technology has made ’64 ways in 64 days’ to practice, learn about, and reflect the world smaller, brining people closer on peace during this season. Take a look; these posters together, but, still, we have not learned the offer a variety of ways to promote peace. simple art of living together as brothers and This past February, I had the pleasure of hearing sisters. Dr. King’s eldest daughter, Yolanda King, speak about her Yolanda King focused her father’s goals, as well as her own objective of achieving presentation and speech on the ‘oneness’ that peace by enhancing the importance of diversity. Today, unites us. Biologically speaking, our DNA with war raging in Iraq, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict still differs less than one percent from everyone smoldering, the ongoing genocide in Sudan, and even the else’s, and, as two biology classes at Cornell ego-centric attitude with which much of the Western world have taught me, there is only one human lives, it seems we have forgotten what it means to live a genome, only one map of all the human genes. life of peace. Thus, we are more alike than we are different. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the greatest Yet, the diversity in class, circumstance, race, twentieth-century advocates for peace, both in this county gender, and location has divided us and has created deep-rooted biases. Ms. King suggested that simply tolerating each other is not enough; however, I’d be elated if we could Dr. Martin Luther King, whose daughter recently addressed Cornell ‘... diversity in class, circumstance, simply reach the goal of uncomplicated students on the ‘Season of Peace,’ delivers his ‘I have a dream’ race, gender, and location has di- tolerance and appreciate the colorful work of art we call humanity. role-model, Mahatma Gandhi, also appears to have been vided us and has created deep-rooted I try not to be the stereotypical jaded liberal, but written-off as impossible. The Bush administration biases.’ sometimes I just can’t help it. It is important that we certainly has not taken heed of the Kings’ advice. Today, recognize that we cannot flee the future and, right now, we fight ‘terrorism’ and inequality in Iraq with violence the future looks very dim for peace and tolerance. Dr. and force. In our own country, we shun those who are King’s dream that one day this nation would live out the different, discriminating against already marginalized true meaning of its creed and recognize that ‘all men are groups. It is time for this country to find and implement created equal’ is still a dream. Ms. King eloquently the idealism that is peace and tolerance and try to make it suggested that people ‘get up off their apathy’ and do their work. share of bringing that dream into reality. ‘Seek peace, and So, let’s take this ‘Season of Peace’ and make it live your best life. Build a life of passion!’ she encouraged. last longer than a mere sixty-four days. Make a choice and When asked if she thought the Bush celebrate the beautiful mosaic of people in the world. Learn administration is living out Dr. King’s creed, Ms. King about another culture, for understanding is the first step acknowledged the fact that the administration has reached towards achieving peace. Practice compassion over out to the faith communities; however, she says this condemnation, and, by all means, keep moving towards alliance makes her nervous. She went on to say that the your goals. In 1963, Dr. King wrote, ‘Injustice anywhere Bush administration has cultivated among the American is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an people a fear of those who are different, preventing our inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment growth as a community. The immense gap of of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all misconceptions that runs through this world decreases the indirectly.’ Fight these injustices, and become the change openness and willingness of people to accept one another you wish to see! and, as a result, halts our learning and growing. Perhaps Ms. King’s suggestion of embracing the diversity in the world seems idealistic; her father’s message to promote peace through non-violence, derived from his TL 10 Turn Left Volume V, Issue VI A Truly Secular Approach to Gay Marriage Why marriage should be removed from the realm of government

BY LOUIS WASSER

he entire debate over gay marriage marital contract, but Dave cannot enter into is not that they want to bar gays from being all. Allowing the religious argument to has completely missed the point. the same sort of contract with Jack because able to enjoy the same right to contract as pervert the rights of homosexuals to enter Advocates for the legalization of he is a man, then this is the definition of heterosexual couples, they claim, but it is into same legal contracts as heterosexuals Tgay marriage push gender that they do not want to corrode the blurs the line between church and state. for its acceptance discrimination, a institution of marriage. The secular approach, and the one while its opponents situation in this Hidden beneath this argument is that most closely adheres to our rail on the need for a Essentially, the decision to case that works to the fact that marriage has a religious origin. Constitutional the disadvantage of Often, those who do not want to alter the amendment to ban it. deprive gay couples the homosexuals. institution of marriage do so because of its It seems that to those right to enter into the same But opponents religious significance to them. For those If people, gay or straight, opposing it, gay of gay marriage who choose to get married by a clergyman, choose to consecrate their marriage represents contract as heterosexual argue that the they are doing so to consecrate their bond the destruction of the couples is gender discrimi- institution of before God. And many opponents do not love and union before very fabric upon marriage is want to change marriage because of this which our society is nation enforced by the sacrosanct; they religious significance. But, of course, they God, it is their business built. All of the same government that is argue that it has must have a marriage license to legally and right to do so, in keep- clamor over the been traditionally enter this contract. legalization of gay charged with the respon- understood as a Those who choose not to have a ing with the principle of marriage drowns out union between a religious ceremony still have the option of freedom of worship. the fact that, if we sibility to protect against man and a woman, a civil service where they are married by a were to govern by the this sort of prejudice. and that this judge to enter into the contract of marriage. institutions and attestation cannot In this respect, there is a religious aspect to principles our nation possibly change. It marriage for some, but a legal aspect for was founded upon, government’s responsibility to maintain the the official clear distinction between church and state, recognition of marriage would not be a as well as its duty to enforce contracts government function. equitably, would be to stop recognizing the Marriage is, essentially, a contract institution of marriage as a government between a man and a woman that defines function. If people, gay or straight, choose the legal rights of both partners in regards to consecrate their love and union before to their financial assets, children if God, it is their business and right to do so, applicable, and other aspects of their lives in keeping with the principle of freedom of together. By enforcing this contract, worship. Just as those getting married today government is fulfilling one of its have the right to do so in a church, or in fundamental obligations. Another one of front of a civil judge, the right to a religious its obligations, however, is to ensure that it marital ceremony would still exist. enforces contracts equitably by not However, the legal rights enjoyed allowing discrimination in regards as to by heterosexual couples to enter into the who can enter into a contract among contract we understand as marriage, consenting adults. embodied by the marriage license, should Essentially, the decision to deprive be redefined as a civil union and made gay couples the right to enter into the same available to all members of our society, contract as heterosexual couples is gender homosexual or heterosexual. This would discrimination enforced by the same ensure that the government was equitably government that is charged with the enforcing the contract currently available responsibility to protect against this sort of Flaming Halls of Justice: the Virginia State Legislature recently approved a proposal to heterosexual couples under the label of prejudice. If Jack and Jill can enter into a to amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage. Current Virginia law already marriage while removing a religious bans same-sex marriages. (Virginia General Assembly Online) institution from the realm of the state. TL Going to War for Israel

BY SHAAN RIZVI the Palestinian people. Throughout American public lie after lie about nian officials to take military action against Hussein’s regime, Israel and Iraq were at Saddam’s supposed weapons of mass de- Israel, giving the United States a reason to The question the United States invaded Iraq odds, since Israel perceived Iraq as its great- struction and ties to al-Qaeda. The claim then dismantle its third Middle Eastern in March of 2003 has many common an- est threat in the region. For instance, in was that diplomacy had been exhausted, country in four years. Given swers including to gain oil, to get rid of 1981, former Israeli Prime Minister and Iraq had not allowed U.N. weapons in- the United States’ continual military sup- weapons of mass destruction, and to rid the Menachem began contemplating the neces- spectors back in to examine its weapons port of the Israeli occupation and oppres- world of the tyrant Saddam Hussein. The sity of military action against Iraq because programs. Meanwhile, Israel, with its fre- sion, as well as the presence of neo-cons degree to which each of these played a role of its growing weapons program, although quent demolition of Palestinian homes, tar- with ties to Likud in Bush’s administration, in the invasion remains debatable. How- it was estimated that Iraq was still five to geted killing of Palestinian leaders, and it is difficult to believe that Bush ever, missing from this list is the important ten years away from the ability to build a construction of an apartheid wall, has vio- policymakers have any real interest in fairly question of why we specifically dismantled nuclear weapon. In June of that year, Is- lated more U.N. resolutions than any other resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Saddam’s regime. The security of Israel is raeli forces destroyed the Osiraq reactor in country, showing utter disdain for interna- Instead, their interest is in dealing with the an issue rarely raised in public discourse, Iraq. Then, toward the end of the Gulf War, tional law. conflict as Israel sees fit, while publicly de- overlooked by political analysts, and hid- Hussein fired scud missiles at Tel Aviv. Despite perpetual insurgent attacks, es- nying that Israel is of any significance to den by the Bush administration. Following this, Israeli leaders plotted an in- calating U.S. military casualties, and the U.S. foreign policy. Even those who do re- After September 11th, war against Af- tricate assassination attempt on Saddam’s prospect of a prolonged military occupa- alize the Israeli connection to Iraq and U.S. ghanistan was almost unanimously sup- life, which was never carried out. Hussein’s tion, this administration’s desire to protect foreign policy are reluctant to expose it. ported in United States because it was desire to help the Palestinian cause won him Israel does not stop with Iraq. Instead, the Filmmakers such as Michael Moore, for in- waged against a country in which the support among neighboring Arab States, for attention had now been focused on Iran, stance, steer away from the question of Is- Taliban regime fostered ties with al-Qaeda. whom Palestine was, and still is, a rallying which now represents Israel’s greatest rael in their films, for fear of being bran- Of course, American strategic interests in cry. Although Hussein’s willingness to take “threat” in the region. Although Germany, dished anti-Semites if they criticize Israel. the Middle East did not end with Afghani- on Israel fit in with his secular, Arab na- France, and Britain have made some Yet it doesn’t take much insight to notice stan. Instead, fabricating a connection be- tionalist agenda, it heightened anxiety progress in dealing with Iran’s nuclear pro- that U.S. foreign policy has been crafted tween Saddam and al-Qaeda gave hawk- among Israeli leaders. Hussein resisted at- gram diplomatically, the United States and around the defense of Israel, at the cost of ish, pro-Israel, neo-conservatives the per- tacking Israel, however, because he knew Israel are still wary of Iran. Recently, the countless Iraqi civilians and thousands of fect opportunity to further protect Israel’s that Israel’s closest ally, the United States, U.S. sold 100 F-16I jet bombers to Israel, American soldiers. interests. The idea was to secure the safety would jump on any opportunity to over- with given instructions specifying that they of Israel by surrounding it with democra- throw him. Then, after September 11th, the have the range to reach Iran and return. This TL cies unopposed to its brutal oppression of Bush administration was able to feed the was invariably an attempt to provoke Ira- 2 March 2005 Turn Left 11 Who’s the Victim?

BY WILL ROSENZWEIG began writing this response to of the Palestinians. Then in 1947, the Chris Tozzi’s article (Turn Left, Palestinians again rejected a two-state I Feb. 10th) by telling myself that solution proposed by the United Nations I should proceed calmly and with General Assembly (and agreed to by the respect to the opposing viewpoint. Then Israelis) that would have given the Jews I read his article again and realized that 55% of the territory and the Palestin- the only common ground that can exist ians the remaining 45%, preferring in- between us is the stead to enlist the concessions I am help of Syria, Jordan, In 2000, Ehud Barak offered the Palestinians all of the Gaza Strip along willing to make and Egypt in a war to with more than 90% of the West Bank (source: BBC News). because clearly ‘This optimal solution destroy the Jews and Mr. Tozzi’s the State of Israel. his review of Clinton State Department ‘Palestine is suffering under the yoke rhetoric is blinding would call for Israelis to Then, during the Official and Middle East negotiator of Israeli oppression, and…the Pales- him from reality. I significantly reduce their Camp David Ac- Dennis Ross’s new book in the Novem- tinian people, whose only mistake was would particularly cords of 1978, the ber 8th issue of the New Republic, Nabil living in a land eyed by Zionists with like to tackle two number of settlements Palestinians rejected Amr, a former Palestinian Authority powerful British friends a century ago, assertions Mr. and for Palestinians to a plan that would Cabinet minister who had publicly dis- deserve better.’ I’m sure in such a re- Tozzi made in have given them all agreed with Arafat sponse Mr. Tozzi his—what can completely crack down of Gaza and the West over the Camp would deflect his only be termed— on terrorism while initi- Bank, constituting David Accords, was ‘My argument from the clear bias towards bigoted rant. First ating diplomatic and 22% of the country. shot by Arafat’s me, calling me a of all, he refers to Again the Israelis henchmen and lost beginning, in stark con- racist. However, I the ‘crimes of the economic relations with were willing to make a leg. Even more trast to Mr. Tozzi’s broad believe that the state of Israel that Israel.’ the deal. In short, not telling and to the Palestinian have for too long only is it the Palestin- heart of the point is condemnation of Israel people really do made peace and ian leadership which his statement that, and Israelis, has been that want peace, and I justice in the has blocked the ‘to this day, the Pal- subscribe to the Middle East peace process, it is estinian people I do support the majority two-state solution impossible,’ claiming that it is Israel and the Palestinian leadership which has have never been of Palestinian people and and a reduction of not the Palestinian leadership and done its own people a great told what they were settlements. For ideology that have blocked peace for disservice.The most recent example of offered and what understand their plight.’ Mr. Tozzi to char- over half a century. And secondly, he the failure of Arafat and the Palestinian they turned down, acterize Zionists equates Israeli policy toward the leadership to work for peace occurred and why. Indeed, as greedy land Palestinians with historic acts of racism at Camp David in July 2000. At first, Arafat and his colleagues were greeted stealers reinforces traditional, danger- and even genocide such as the South Ehud Barak, the Israeli Prime Minister as returning heroes who had steadfastly ous anti-Semitic stereotypes of Jews as African Apartheid, Chinese aggression offered the Palestinians 100% of the rejected humiliating Israeli-American shifty, greedy, and immoral. Further- towards Tibet, and ethnic cleansing in Gaza strip and 80% of the West Bank, diktats, and they have lied about Camp more, to so grossly ignore the facts and Darfur. Mr. Tozzi asserts that Israel is uprooting most of the settlements, and David and the Clinton proposals ever equate the back and forth struggles be- engaging in actions that have created control over the eastern suburbs of since.’ Why does Mr. Tozzi continue tween the two peoples as Israeli-sanc- ‘one of the greatest civil and human Jerusalem. But as plan after plan was to criticize the Israelis for the break- tioned genocide of Palestinians is to rights causes of our generation.’ I hope rejected, he increased his offers. By the down of peace instead of looking to- deny the role the Palestinians have had that readers will distinguish the great end of the conference, the Palestinians wards the tyranny of Arafat and the in inflaming violence and hatred. How difference between my arguments and were offered 100% leadership who have im- can Mr. Tozzi reconcile these statements those made by Mr. Tozzi, namely that of Gaza, 91-92% posed a ridiculous policy with his assurance that, ‘Israel itself is mine are supported by facts instead of of the West Bank, towards Israel, inciting not the issue; the problem is Israel’s ac- grand exclamations with no basis in compensation for and supporting terrorism tions?’ He cannot; he has made Israel truth. the Palestinian while refusing to negoti- itself the issue by prodding at its very The first issue is that of culpability when refugees, and to ate, on a people who oth- legitimacy to exist. Let me be clear: it comes to the failure of peace negotia- the shock of most erwise would readily ac- Israel does have the right to exist, and tions between the Israelis and the Pal- Israelis, sover- cept peace? Mr. Tozzi should be ashamed for sug- estinians. I want to stress that I see faults eignty over half of The second point made by gesting otherwise. Additionally, his on both sides and that there is common the Old City of Mr. Tozzi that I wish to re- claim that powerful British friends gave ground. I am in no way advocating ev- Jerusalem and but is as factually incorrect land to the Jews is laughable. The Brit- ery claim made by every Israeli. My parts of East as the first assertion, but ish were anti-Semitic and stood in op- solution is one that has been proposed Jerusalem which more dangerous in its im- position to a Jewish homeland. Mr. by Israeli leadership to Yasir Arafat nu- included the sur- plications. In declaring Is- Tozzi would argue that he is pro-Pales- merous times in the past and that a ma- face area of the raeli military operations in tinian and that I am anti-Palestinian. jority of the Israeli people accept. His- Temple Mount. Gaza and the West Bank as However, through his continued insis- tory shows that the fundamental diffi- Arafat rejected a great human rights vio- tence on supporting the actions of the culty in achieving peace has been the even this plan. lation, even though these former Palestinian leadership against Palestinian refusal to recognize Israeli My argument from operations merely seek to the best interests of their own people claims to any of the land of Israel. Time the beginning, in protect Israeli citizens and Israel, I suggest that he is not only and again the Israelis were willing to stark contrast to from the never ending sui- anti-Israeli, but anti-Palestinian as well. accept terms that can only be consid- Mr. Tozzi’s broad cide bombing attacks and I call for a replacement of Mr. Tozzi’s ered moderate, or even favorable, to the condemnation of to root out terrorists, Mr. Students Advocates of Palestine with Palestinians in order to achieve peace, Israel and Israelis, Tozzi is reversing the true another organization that I would hap- recognition, and economic relations. has been that I do direction of aggression. To pily co-chair with him. This organiza- However, the Palestinians rejected the support the major- suggest that Israel is the tion would call for a sensible solution recommendations of the Peel Commis- ity of Palestinian sole propagator of the vio- to the Middle East Crisis, a solution that sion in 1937 which was the first organi- people and under- In 1937, the Peel Commission laid lence in the region and that declares that Palestinians should have out a plan for dividing the land of zation to propose a two-state solution. stand their plight. its actions are analogous to a state comprised of all of Gaza and the Palestine into two sovereign states Under this recommendation, the Jews West Bank. This optimal solution However, what a (source: palestinefacts.org). truly catastrophic events would have received 20% of the terri- quick lesson in such as Apartheid, Tibet, would call for Israelis to significantly tory today known as Gaza, the West history shows is and Darfur, is to hatemon- reduce their number of settlements and Bank, and Israel while the Palestinians that it is Arafat and the Palestinian lead- ger and to deny the Israelis their own for Palestinians to completely crack would have received the other 80%. ership who are the culprits; they are the place as victim. down on terrorism while initiating dip- The Israelis accepted this plan even ones who have stopped peace again and I would love to hear Mr. Tozzi defend lomatic and economic relations with though it was slanted heavily in favor again. As Benny Morris documents in the following statement in his article: Israel. TL 0 12 Turn Left Volume V, Issue VI A Feminist Case for Abstinence

BY EMILY MARCHESE

in their teens are more likely to have non- reward for good behavior. There are ve yet to meet one woman who voluntary sex. This despicable virgins says, “Well, to be honest, I’m is not good for and saintly sexually ‘I hoping to find an irresponsible, women. Outside the sexist arena active women. But if distant, ill-tempered sort of guy who sulks Conservatives feminism is the a lot and won’t pick up after himself.” Yet, have hijacked of conservatism, absti- freedom for all many women put more careful judgment abstinence as a nence is an empowering women to make the into selecting a new toaster oven than they means of sexually choices that are best put into evaluating a prospective partner.’ degrading women way of regaining a for them, why is there -bell hooks, Communion they cannot control. so much pressure to Abstinent strong sense of self- have sex? Virginity is Feminism teaches us that women have conservatives treat often spoken as inherent, inalienable worth. The first women as virtuous something to be Women need to have the strength to make the choices that are best for actualization of self-respect must come receptacles; women will rein in hormone- ashamed of; women think we should have them. from a loving relationship with one’s own stricken men and, since men make all the sex with someone, anyone, as soon as body. Feminists do exhaustive work decisions, this will result in world peace. possible to get rid of it. This is a little too hysterically brainwashing women with an combating eating disorders, starvation The truth is, real abstinence is reciprocal. conveniently male-gratifying to be a abstinence-only crackpot education, or imagery in the media, rape, and sexual A strong partner, male or female, will feminist principle. For all the sex on encouraging the women we love not to assault. A woman’s autonomy and control inspire growth and change. On a college college campuses, I can garner from my expect a phone call from the frat guy she campus where a man holding the door friends’ conversations that there isn’t a lot slept with, let’s each make the decision that open is a miracle, it is easy to see why so of female pleasure. is best for us. Women can wait ten minutes; many women lose hope. Paula Rinehart If women are truly liberated, then why they can wait until marriage, but they Conservatives have hi- writes, ‘When is the last time a man asked are they placed into this jacked abstinence as a you how you felt about something he said sexual subservience of or did? How many men in your life would suiting a man’s sexual means of sexually degrad- you think of as being really considerate, needs? Feminists are some of But even if the best choice is to ing women they cannot who go out of their way to do something the most amazing, beautiful for you just to be thoughtful? This used to people on the planet. They have sex, please, don’t have sex control. be the bare minimum in a man you’d think deserve the best treatment with a pro-lifer. They don’t get twice about.’ from the best partner. And But every weekend women sleep with sex is beautiful when shared to enjoy the cookies when they men who aren’t worth a twenty minute cup with the right feminist of her body is integral; we have the right of coffee. This isn’t liberation; this is a new, person, although it should be don’t defend the bakery. to choose. Yet, where women were once mutated sexism of coercion and sexual kept in mind that abstinent pressured to disavow any sexuality, woman objectification. Abstinence is an people, while not sexual, are and girls at increasingly young ages are empowering way of taking charge and incredibly sensual. There can be great should never be rushed into a decision that now pressured into sex. U.S. News & World evaluating who works and who doesn’t. pleasure in small caresses, just as in sex. isn’t their own. But even if the best choice Report’s latest issue states that two in ten Outside the sexist arena of conservatism, One should remember, abstinence is not is to have sex, please, don’t have sex with children under the age of fifteen have had abstinence is an empowering way of about being asexual; it’s about having a pro-lifer. They don’t get to enjoy the a sexual experience. Planned Parenthood regaining a strong sense of self-worth. standards. cookies when they don’t defend the bakery. states that 66% of high school seniors have We must remember that sex is not a We need to pay more attention to TL had sex and girls who are sexually active bargaining tool, a dangling carrot, or a what’s best for women. Instead of

Continued from Gannon, of 2004 to Scott McClellan was: ‘First of explicit detail, with accompanying pictures came in a White House press briefing to Ari Fleischer in February of 2003, when Talon on Cover ... all, I hope the grand jury didn’t force you of his naked body in a variety of nauseating to turn over the wedding card I sent to you circumstances. Cornell graduate and News did not exist. Many have suggested and your wife. (Laughter.) Do you see any political comedian Bill Maher had this to that the only way a reporter using an alias hypocrisy in the controversy about the say about Guckert: ‘He actually had two without any experience would be allowed Gannon.’ With little effort, it was revealed President’s mention of 9/11 in his ads, when jobs – one obviously was sleazy and to pass the mandatory Secret Service that Guckert worked for an amateur Democratic icon Franklin Delano shameful, and the other was as a gay male background check would be from direct Republican newspaper, Talon News, whose Roosevelt’s campaign issued this button, prostitute. I think I know what Bush meant permission given by a member of the White staff consisted of Republican campaign that says, “Remember Pearl Harbor?”’ now when he said he had a “mandate.”’ House administration. Whatever the nature volunteers without any journalistic Other of a possible ‘relationship’ Guckert may experience who often simply rewrote GOP ‘questions’ have with someone inside the press releases line for line to pass for asked by White House, it is also shocking ‘news.’ Because the ‘newspaper’ he Gannon include to discover that James Guckert worked for wasn’t really a newspaper, whether the has been indicated in the ongoing bloggers began looking into Guckert’s Bush felony investigation concerning journalistic credentials. To be fair to Mr. administration the leaking of CIA agent Valerie Guckert, he did attend one $50 weekend wants an Plame’s identity. At this point, the seminar on journalism, but otherwise had apology for only thing Guckert has going for no training or prior experience whatsoever. ‘Rathergate,’ him is that nobody can find a Ironically enough, during that why President connection between him and Jan. 26th press conference, President Bush Bush feels the Halliburton… yet. had just fielded a question regarding need to reach In an editorial in the Despite raising obvious concerns Armstrong Williams and the pundit out to the liberally biased press corps, and New York Times, Maureen Dowd, a former of national security (how many gay payment controversy. ‘We will not be a long-winded question criticizing John winner of the Pulitzer Prize in journalism, prostitutes really cover the White House paying commentators to advance our Kerry’s protest of the Vietnam war. mentioned how she had been denied press these days?!), of administration agenda… our agenda ought to be able to Essentially, Gannon’s role in the White credentials to cover the White House in partisanship, and of the role of an objective stand on its own two feet,’ Bush had House press briefings was to serve as an 2000 and again earlier this year. James media, very little coverage has been given insisted, before proceeding to call on outlet for easy partisan questions to bail out Guckert, operating under an alias and with to the Jeff Gannon story. ABC and CBS, Gannon. An investigation found that the administration when the questions got no prior experience or training, somehow with their variety of morning, evening, and beginning in 2003, Guckert had been too tough. managed to earn repeated access to White weekly news programs, have not mentioned routinely granted clearance into the White The controversy intensified days House briefings to ask shamelessly partisan the Gannon controversy once. The NBC House briefings under the fake name ‘Jeff later, when bloggers at pro-gay questions. Given the obvious selectivity network, USA Today, and a variety of other Gannon’ to toss slanted, softball questions americablog.blogspot.com ‘outed’ and competition within the media to cover significant metropolitan newspapers have to Bush press secretaries Ari Fleischer and Gannon— who had once written an article executive press briefings, it is odd to barely dedicated any coverage to the story, Scott McClellan. Examples include one titled ‘Kerry Could Become First Gay consider how a gay male prostitute with no even as the Bush administration finally has question in May of 2004 that began, President’— as a sleazy gay male prostitute. legitimate credentials was given access. a sensational sex scandal on hand to ‘Despite warnings that the release of the Featured in separate profiles on The White House has since claimed it accompany their insane corporate and Abu Ghraib pictures might put Americans hotmilitarystuds.com, militaryescorts.com, accepted ‘Gannon’ on his merit as a reporter military fiascos. in danger, CBS went ahead and did it and meetlocalmen.com, Guckert advertised for a legitimate news source— Talon News. TL anyway.’ Another question posed in March his services, describing his ‘weapon’ in However, Guckert’s first recorded question 2 March 2005 Turn Left 13 A New Hope With Dean BY THOMAS LEUNG

hen I heard about President George W. Bush’s admission that he had snorted coke Wand smoked dope through the secret recordings of author Doug Wead, I shook my head in disappointment. I grew weary long ago of Mr. Bush’s nonchalance in running the Oval Office from the comforts of his Texas ranch, so my disappointment doesn’t really stem from Mr. Bush’s unwitting confessions. Rather I am disappointed because the history of Mr. Bush’s illegal drug usage had been known for years, yet during both Presidential elections, the Democratic leadership bungled numerous opportunities to shine a brighter light upon Mr. Bush’s hypocritical tendencies and his checkered past. The Democratic Party needs to become tougher, meaner, and most importantly, more in tune with public sentiment in order to fight back against Republican grandmaster Karl Rove’s wily, take-no-prisoners approach to politics. Fortunately, a new hope arises with the emergence of Governor Howard Dean as the new DNC Chairman. The overall consensus among Republicans is that Dr. Dean is too liberal, not a good choice for the Democratic leadership position, and that his election is great for the prospects of Republicans everywhere. There are many pundits from both parties who believe that the Democrats must move towards a more centrist position, Newly elected Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean with outgoing chairman Terry McAuliffe standing by especially on abortion and issues of religious belief. his side (Reuters) However, I believe that Gov. Dean will galvanize the Democrats with his flair for challenging conservative When Kerry, Lieberman, and others wouldn’t, better choices and solutions than ones fabricated daily by authority by standing true to the Democrats’ liberal and only Howard Dean bravely challenged Mr. Bush and his the current administration. progressive ideals. conservative cohorts. Great leaders step up and speak out Remember back in the primaries when Gov. Dean Since the retirement of former President Bill when no one else is willing; Gov. Dean was the first to stood out among the nine candidates to rally the masses? Clinton due to legal obligations dictated by a U.S. risk political suicide by That was no accident. Constitutional Amendment, Americans have waited a long openly opposing the By his own merit, he time for a new Democratic leader to rise above the fray; war. Dr. Dean invited brought the party back they have waited for a strong leader to take a firm stance the criticism that came Dr. Dean invited the criticism that came to the people and for against Mr. Bush’s totalitarian ways. For too many years from conservative from conservative pundits who labeled him the several months he the Democrats have played nice to Mr. Bush’s pundits who labeled led in the polls, the compassionate conservatism of taking from the poor and him ‘un-American’ and ‘un-American’ and unpatriotic, yet he stood Democrats rallied giving to the rich. When Mr. Bush asked for eighty-seven unpatriotic, yet he behind his message. billion dollars to fund the rehabilitation of oil fields in Iraq, stood firm because he firm because he believed Mr. Bush waged Dr. Dean’s ability to the Democrats signed over the check much too quickly. believed Mr. Bush war for all the wrong reasons. stand and speak out We wondered, was anyone not named John McCain going waged war for all the against injustice bodes wrong reasons. Gov. well for a party Dean admirably took it looking for its first I believe that Gov. Dean will galva- upon himself to represent taxpaying citizens who were just true leader since Bill Clinton. as patriotic and American as the Republican war hawks, Perhaps Howard Dean is hardly the second nize the Democrats with his flair for but who harbored varying degrees of doubt and disdain coming of the charming and charismatic Clinton, but challenging conservative authority about fighting an unjustified war. luckily he doesn’t need to be. He needs only to continue Though I cannot claim to be a political expert or rallying Americans under a focused and united Democratic by standing true to the Democrats’ even remotely close to one, I do strongly believe that Gov. cause, just as he did during the primaries. In time, we will liberal and progressive ideals. Dean will rejuvenate the Democrats. Under his leadership, know whether Gov. Dean can bring back wealth and the party may sway further to the left of the political prosperity to this once proud nation, but, at the very least, spectrum, but that ultimately can benefit the party, rather we can expect Howard Dean to make the Democrats than hurt it; the reason is that Gov. Dean can unify and appreciably more interesting. to risk his or her neck and speak up for the American bring the party closer to the people with a stance staunchly TL people? opposing Mr. Bush, while providing a true alternative with

Continued from State of the Interestingly, Bush also called for an overhaul of he invoked slavery, fascism, and communism as historical America’s immigration policy, giving more leniency to battles against evil and declared that America has prevailed Union, on page 3 ... those who want to come to the States to work while in- in the past and will do so in the future, for ‘the road of creasing security to fight terror. He indicated that he would Providence is uneven and unpredictable—yet we know support providing temporary work status to more immi- where it leads: it leads to freedom.’ ([TL: EJM]) pave the way for peace. At the same time, he denounced grants and allow them to send money home to their fami- North Korea and Iran as rogue nations and singled out Iran lies. as ‘the world’s primary state sponsor of terror.’ As expected, Bush heavily emphasized the ‘values of On the topic of the alleged crisis over Social Security, a free society.’ Yet, less than a minute later, he spoke about Bush ran down a selected list of unimpressive options for how ‘marriage is a sacred institution’ and that it must be Allergic to a new Social Security plan and then proposed his own while constitutionally protected. ‘For the good of families, chil- witholding much detail, asserting that older citizens should dren, and society, I support a constitutional amendment to continue paying into the program but young Americans protect the institution of marriage,’ he said. In the midst of Nuts? should be able to put away their own money into what he applause, many whooped to show their support for the labeled ‘personal accounts.’ In this way, he said that those amendment. 55 and older will see no change in benefits, but younger Bush further discussed that America must maintain So Are We. Americans may see a very different system. its status as a world leader in medical technology but must He also continued his plug for the Clear Skies Initia- remain ethical, emphasizing that embryos should not be tive, insisting that his plan cuts power plant pollution and grown for experiments or body parts. Join Turn Left. that he was impatient after the four years of contentious Bush concluded his State of the Union Address in a debate over the initiative. He repeated his pledge to give manner very similar to the opening of his Inaugural Ad- ISSUE VII SUBMISSION money towards the development of hydrogen as well as dress. Quoting the words of Franklin Roosevelt that ‘each DEADLINE: 6 MARCH 2005 ethanol-based fuels in an effort to ‘make American more age is a dream that is dying, or one that is coming to birth,’ secure and less dependent on foreign energy.’ 14 Turn Left Volume V, Issue VI Even in One of Nation’s Most Liberal Newspapers, Homophobia ‘Lurks’ The New York Times ‘All the News That’s Fit to Print,’ and some bias. Twenty bucks Over New Strain of AIDS,’ addressing the makers, and it would not be used to describe show in writing that is says Cave BY EVAN MARSHAK issue of the gay response to the news of the users of ‘straight’ dating services. supposed to be factual. doesn’t wear changing HIV virus. To merely say that He goes on to criticize the men for not At the end of his the ribbon, do ith the recent news of a Mr. Cave editorialized his article would be discussing the new AIDS strain in his three article, he even you? potentially more threatening to gravely understate the situation. hour visit to the site. He acts as though this includes his own W strand of the HIV virus making Cave based his article on a visit to a is something that people who use dating traditionalist notion its appearance on the scene, public health gay dating website; his commentary services discuss while finding one another. that it is the responsibility of the one groups have scrambled to find and focused on how, amidst the ‘textual din’ of People do not go to dating service websites receiving to make sure that his partner implement a solution as quickly as possible. the website, not enough men responded to discuss STDs; the issue needs to be wears a condom, saying that one man ‘did According to University of California at with the fear of HIV that they should have. discussed, and it needs to be brought up not make his lover wear a condom.’ This San Francisco, 40% of AIDS cases in 2001 While Cave makes a reasonable point and before engaging in sexual activity, but it is the same attitude that makes unmarried were the result of homosexual contact even seems to support it, the undertones in does not need to be discussed in a dating women ashamed to become pregnant between men, whereas 28% of the cases his article (consider usage of the word ‘din’ service’s online chatroom. despite the equal ignorance of their partners were the result of heterosexual relations. to describe a dating site) are reprehensible. Furthermore, in his piece Cave ignores in not using contraceptive devices, and it, While this is indicative of a trend that a In fact, his article is far closer to an editorial significant factors in the AIDs crisis, like all opinions, does not belong in a news declining portion of the AIDS-infected criticizing the gay lifestyle than it is to a dismissing them. He says, ‘Some poor NY piece. population is gay men, homosexuals are news piece on the gay community’s reaction meth addict, who has wrecked his immune It is somewhat subtle, but reading this still the largest demographic group infected to the changing HIV virus. system with this highly dangerous drug, is article definitely creates the image that gay with AIDS in the United States. To that In his article, Cave describes the being used to try to revive the dying men are miscreants and, at the very least, end, gay men’s groups, in particular, are actions of several men who spent a fair deal “AIDS” myth...’ implying that significance generally ignorant. The New York Times, being looked to for help in addressing the of time in a chat room on the site by saying of the AIDs crisis is being exaggerated. in upholding its high standards of quality, HIV crisis. that they ‘lurked and flirted.’ It is appalling This conspiracy theory attitude is not good should not let this pass for news. On February 14th, Damien Cave wrote that Cave could use the word ‘lurk’ to for anyone; it does not help the problem, an article for The New York Times entitled, describe talking in chat rooms; the word and it certainly does not change the fact that TL ‘Gay Users of Internet Play Down Concerns stirs up images of miscreants and mischief news writers should not let their biases

that they are developing will not be Academic Politicians or Politcal tolerated. And indeed, it should not be. Continued from War is a Beautiful However, as a country, we must not Thing, Front Page ... let ourselves be bullied and intimidated Actors? into another war. We must not let a climate of fear govern our actions, as it BY J. PHILLIP NELSON with a few words to provoke conversation. did following the September 11th attacks. Summers himself noted that his posit ‘may order to fight terrorism, Bush said that In the State of the Union address Bush be all wrong’; and he began his speech by America would stand with its “allies of proclaimed, “During this time of war, we Recently, the President of Harvard University informing the audience that he had asked freedom” and continue to build must continue to support our military and Lawrence H. Summers delivered a speech his host, ‘when [NBER] invited me to come coalitions, while working with our give them the tools for victory.” during a National Bureau of Economic here and speak, whether [they] wanted an “friends” in the Region, namely Saudi What our president really wants is for Research (NBER) conference in which he was institutional talk about Harvard’s policies Arabia and Egypt (countries which are us to blindly support his policies, asked to discuss issues relating to the toward diversity, or … some questions hardly beacons of freedom and regardless of whether the cause is diversification of the science and engineering asked and some attempts at provocation.’ democracy). Despite all these promises, legitimate or whether adequate planning workforce. Unfortunately, due to his awkward Clearly the response Summers received was the fact remains that nearly 1500 of the and forethought has taken place. Yes, position of being in charge of a proud closer to the latter — to the chagrin of some 1650 fatalities in Iraq are US soldiers. Let recently deployed troops deserve all the institution within an entire system built on open of those present. us not forget that if we really did have a equipment they need. But it does not then debate and progress, he seemed to have The reason why the public’s reaction multitude of allies and foreign help with follow that we should fund wars misjudged his audience of academics when he to Summers’ remarks is so important is the effort in Iraq, perhaps we wouldn’t regardless of circumstance. Indeed, one began touching upon, well, touchy subjects. because of the obvious shifting of balance need an emergency $82 billion dollar of the best ways to stop unjust, harmful Summers speculated that ‘issues of intrinsic from the objective bailout package in order to fund current wars is to cut off their funding, as aptitude,’ not pursuit of truths to military operations. Congress did with the Vietnam War. In discrimination, were the ideologically It is bad enough that the Bush this context, maybe it wasn’t so responsible for the The case of Harvard driven subjectivity administration constantly tells the ridiculous when John Kerry said: “I under-representation of and hidden American people that so many other voted for the eighty-seven billion dollars female scientists. President Larry Sum- agendas — in countries are backing us up, when our before I voted against it.” The There clearly are mers is a symptom of a other words, “coalition partners” are largely justification behind the war in Iraq was those in this country who current American meaningless. What is more insidious, unfounded and the military efforts want nothing more than greater problem. politics. Why is it however, is how unrealistically following the war were poorly planned; to put down women and so terrible that a enthusiastic Bush was about our current perhaps this war does not deserve all the to reveal once and for all University leader, military progress and how eager he funding that Bush wants for it. As much that women are in fact of all people, suggest ideas in the attempt seemed to be to have the US affect further as the conservative rhetoric would have scientifically inferior to men. But above all that to provoke debate in a certain direction? change in the near future. Bush’s claims us believe otherwise, we should not fall should remind us that politics and true debate But the phenomenon of the diminishing that our advance has momentum and that into the trap of thinking that putting seldom mix well. When they do collide, one objectivity and intellectual curiosity is recent events in the Middle East, such as checks on funding for the Iraq war is must either forgo academic sense whilst in spreading. During our past presidential the elections in Afghanistan, are tantamount to killing our own troops, public, and be mindful of every single word election, all of the presidential debates were “landmark events in the history of liberty” because it is not. If the funding stops, and opinion that leaves one’s mouth, or give heavily moderated. Even the ‘town hall’ are not only overstated, but dangerous. the war stops, and our troops come home. up political sense and assume that everyone style debates used only pre-screened The President said that we will “add We must not allow Bush’s State of has a common cause of truth and honesty, and questions. All of the replies were so political to that story [of success]” in the Middle the Union rhetoric to establish the would like nothing more than to explore new that many of the answers and even rebuttals East. Then he went on to mention Syria premise of the debate in the coming ideas from all directions. matched verbatim previously aired and Iran as regimes that need to be months and years, especially with regard The use of the words ‘President’ and commercials. confronted. This time around, we had to national security and war. That was ‘University’ together in the same title seems This depressing state off affairs we live better think long and hard about whether exactly what happened in the last four like an oxymoron reflecting an essential in — where scientists wet their pants for this “story” that President Bush talks years under the Bush Administration. tension of this sort. So it’s easy to see why in publicity and the public hears nothing close about is really one that we want to add The discourse of the entire country had most universities, the office of the President to real policy debate from our elected to. Bush warned Syria that it needs to do been set by the ideology of this absorbs most of the complaints from resident officials — is unacceptable. It is no wonder a better job following the Syria administration. The most recent State of academics, because the president must balance that during the regime of former actor Accountability Act of 2003, thereby the Union Address was just more of the politics and the intellectual, the two conflicting Ronald Reagan the Commission on closing the doors to terrorism and same. We need to reject what Bush and aspects of her or his work. Presidential Debates, which currently opening the doors to freedom (certainly his minions are giving us, because we’re President Summers probably misjudged controls the format of the debates between these are noble goals). With regard to not being fed chicken salad, we’re being his audience and underestimated the publicity presidential candidates, was founded. Iran, Bush claimed that we are working fed something else. that his statements would make. Speaking to with European allies to make it clear to rational scientists and members of the Iran that the nuclear weapons program TL academic community probably allowed him to TL assume that he could grace this touchy subject 2 March 2005 Turn Left 15 North Korea: Kim Yong’s Story

Part II Once in China, the situation remains dangerous. attempt to escape wind up being trafficked into prostitution North Koreans, due to stunting from Kim Jong-Il’s or sale as wives. They are physically and psychologically BY BENJAMIN SELIGMAN manufactured famine, stand out easily among the Chinese. abused, kept confined, and are often unable to communicate They are suddenly in an area where they stand out, know with their captors. Those sold as wives often wind up with ne does not expect the nation that receives more little about, and are unable to communicate. Mr. Kim was abusive husbands; all are faced with the constant risk of food aid than any other, and has for years, to hoard thrust into precisely that situation. capture and repatriation. What is more, there are reports O this aid and deny it to their people. One does not He initially hid in a local church, where he was that Chinese police and border guards are involved in this expect that a nation that follows a rigidly structured class given shelter for two nights. Mr. Kim was saved by a South trafficking. system would consider itself a Communist state. However, Korean missionary who restored him to health over a period Men who escape are often forced to work as slave this is precisely what North Korea, widely considered to of six months and helped him prepare for his escape. labor, the constant threat of being handed over to Chinese be the world’s worst human rights abuser, is. South Korean and other foreign missionaries, as authorities used to keep them in bondage. Children, too, The story of Kim Yong illustrates this. Raised in well as many ethnic Koreans who live in Northern China, are at risk. Typically sent by their families to get money, an orphanage, he rose through the North Korean military make up much of the ‘underground railroad’ that assists they suffer from many psychological traumas due to until he was a colonel in the secret police. However, when North Korean refugees who have fled to China and seek maltreatment or rape and are among the first to be rounded officials reviewing his record found out that his father, to escape to South Korea. They do so at great personal up by Chinese police. whom he never knew, had been executed for espionage, risk; China has lately cracked down on them, and on After receiving asylum in South Korea, Kim Yong Mr. Kim was promptly arrested with his family, whom he refugees in general. South Koreans and other foreigners has dedicated himself to promoting awareness of the has never seen since. who are suspected of assisting horrors and abuses perpetrated by Kim From Part I, I had previously left off with Kim refugees are harassed and detained Jong-Il’s regime. Despite the magnitude Yong’s reunion with his mother, after spending years in and there are many reports of abuse South Koreans make and brutality of these human rights prisons that were little more than death camps, where by Chinese authorities while in up much of the violations, there are numerous ways where inmates labor until they die. After his mother was detention [1,2]. There are even one can help improve the situation: cripplingly beaten by prison guards, she convinced him to reports of their abduction by North underground railroad escape from the camp. Korean agents. Furthermore, · Participate in human rights groups. Escape from North Korea is a phenomenon that China has been increasing the that assist refugees Organizations such as Human Rights Watch is on the rise. South Korea has seen the numbers of North pressure on North Korean refugees and Amnesty International are working to Koreans that it absorbs rise from a few hundred to several in Northern China; there are help refugees. Furthermore, the thousand every year. This does not begin to take into rumors that an additional 10,000 Chinese troops have been organization Liberation in North Korea, a nation-wide account the many North Koreans who flee only to go to brought to the border to crack-down on North Koreans student group, was formed last year specifically around China. As escape routes into China become better known crossing the border. the issue of human rights in North Korea. to many in North Korea, and as the situation becomes ever With the aid of the missionary, Kim Yong and more desperate, many sneak across the border into China several other people were able to get to the border with · Raise money for or donate to organizations that not for political reasons, but often to escape starvation or Mongolia. From there, they trekked across the harsh Gobi help refugees. The estimated cost of helping a North earn money that they may bring back home. [1] Desert to Ulaan Batar, the capital of Mongolia. Korean refugee escape across China is $10,000-$30,000 Mr. Kim escaped from the camp, his experience The route across the Mongolian border and Gobi per person. This includes transportation, safe housing, in the secret police greatly easing his efforts. However, desert is one of the more common escape routes. The other food, bribes, fake documents, equipment, and related traveling from his prison camp to the border with China is through Southern China, into Vietnam Cambodia, and expenses. Religious organizations, such as Helping Hands left him extremely weak. He had to use a cane to walk and finally to Thailand, where they find asylum either at the Korea, are the ones most heavily involved in this work. lost control over his bowels due to fatigue and starvation. South Korean Embassy or at the offices of the UN High Once he finally reached the Tumen River, the border Commission for Refugees in Bangkok. There was recently · Keep yourself and others aware of what is between China and North Korea, he had to hide out for a spate of ‘embassy runs’, which involved North Koreans, happening. There is a constant stream of news about North two months to gain enough strength to cross the river. in large groups, attempting to storm the embassy, consulate, Korean refugees. The Chosun Journal provides regular, Crossing the Tumen River is often a traumatic or even a foreign school of a sympathetic country, often English-language news about North Korea. Additionally, event. Mr. Kim had to struggle, swimming and wading South Korea, but also the US, Canada, and Japan. This human rights groups and the State Department regularly across. It is both a physical boundary, though it varies tactic, unfortunately, produces mixed results. Chinese publish reports about North Korea. from wide and treacherous to narrow and calm, and a police often capture many of the people attempting to enter The power to stop serious human rights abuses psychological boundary, as one makes the leap from citizen the building, while local staff will sometimes refuse to assist lies in individuals. By doing whatever one can, large or of North Korea to criminal and traitor by the simple act of the refugees. In incidents at both an American school and small, to fight these horrors strikes a blow for all humanity. crossing the border. North Korean and Chinese border a Japanese consulate, staff refused to assist the refugees, guards also patrol the river, and crossing can easily result who were subsequently handed over to Chinese authorities. 1. Human Rights Watch. The Invisible Exodus: North in being shot or else capture followed by repatriation. [1] The fate of those who are captured by Chinese Koreans in the People’s Republic of China. Vol. 14, police is terrible. China refuses to recognize North Korean No.8(c), November 2002. escapees as refugees; they are classified as ‘illegal 2. United States. Department of State. Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. ‘China economic migrants’. They are often abused while (Includes Tibet, Hong Kong, and Macau).’ Country in custody, then handed over to North Korean Reports on Human Rights Practices – 2003. 02/25/2004 officials, who further interrogate and torture them. Women who became pregnant while in China are 3. United States. Department of State. Bureau for forcibly aborted to prevent the birth of mixed Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. ‘Korea, Chinese/Korean children, while live births result Democratic People’s Republic of.’ Country Reports in infanticide [1,3]. Those who are suspected of on Human Rights Practices – 2003. 02/25/2004 Korean media are executed; the rest are typically sent to work camps where they face the prospect The background and story are from the author’s notes of release after a number of months. However, taken at the ‘Cornell Liberation in North Korea they must endure conditions no better than any Human Rights Conference’ 10/22/04-10/24/04, at other prison camp in North Korea. Prisoners are which Kim Yong spoke. abused by guards, frequently tortured, and The author can be contacted at [email protected] crowded by the hundreds into cells, without room to sit or lie down. Many die in this detention. Other North Korean refugees in China TL are not as lucky as Kim Yong. Many women who Kim Yong

Continued from Mercury Risks, page 3 ...

of energy, provides over 50% of the nation’s electricity. can be hazardous for children and for women pregnant or nursing. Critics of the report argue that its goals for mercury reduction The EPA estimates that approximately 8% of American women were pre-determined and too modest. An EPA staff member, of childbearing age have enough mercury in their blood to pose a who asked to remain anonymous, said, ‘I don’t think that risk to a developing fetus. The Bush administration is opposed to anyone has ever seen as much political influence in the regulating mercury as a hazardous substance and does not feel development of a rule as we saw in this rule. Everything that mercury-emitting power plants throughout the US should be about this rule was decided at the political level….The forced to buy the ‘maximum achievable control technology’ to political level made the decisions, and the staff did as they reduce emissions. were told.’ The Food and Drug Administration cautions that high (Sources: Associated Press, Resources Committee, Washington levels of mercury in certain fish, including albacore tuna, Post [TL: JP]) Fact or Fiction? 16 Turn Left Volume V, Issue VI A Eulogy for the Migrant Program

BY BRAD CARDOZO

or the past 30 years, the slavery, from the importation of cheap agribusinesses that fully know of their of the transfer to CALS, all of them quit Cornell Migrant Program and exploited Asian migrant labor to the illegal status; these farm employers are because they believe that CMP will not F (CMP), located in Cornell’s exploitation of Latino labor which aware that they are an easily controlled be able to function when it is under the College of Human Ecology, has continues to this day. All of these workforce since they can be threatened authority of CALS. The NY State successfully led efforts to improve the workers were either uncompensated or with deportation. Education Department withdrew its working and living conditions of New paid extremely low wages and worked The Cornell Migrant Program annual $600,000 grant when it heard of York State’s migrant farmworkers and in often horrible conditions. Racism has emerged from campus activism and, for the transfer to CALS. Farmworker their families. At the end of May of been a major feature in this exploitation. the past 30 years, successfully helped advocacy groups in New York State are 2004, however, while much of the In New York State, the majority to improve the lives of these people. It furious over the transfer, and many of Cornell community was absent from of migrant farmworkers are from Latin focused on education and diversity, them do not have any interest in campus, the Cornell administration America, primarily Mexico. provided English-language instruction, working with the new program being made the decision to transfer the Cornell Agricultural corporations routinely go established programs for health and established in CALS. Migrant Program to the to countries medical services, and taught them how The College of Agriculture and College of Agriculture like Mexico to advocate for their democratic, Life Sciences is heavily influenced by and Life Sciences It was leaked to the press to actively political and social rights. In essence, agribusiness interests. The very entities (CALS). recruit CMP was empowering migrant that are guilty of exploitative and This decision that Cornell was involved workers. farmworkers to help them to better their oppressive labor practices against has sparked a campus- with an illegal migrant From my lives. farmworkers now have control over the wide controversy, with perspective, Farmworker Advocacy groups, Cornell Migrant Program, a program critics arguing that farmworker camp with rather than people affiliated with migrant programs which they have never liked. The corporate and atrocious working condi- hiring in other colleges, and even officials in website of the NY Farm Bureau, the agribusiness interests, domestic the state and federal governments representative of NY agribusiness which have deep ties tions. labor, these (including the U.S. Department of interests, includes archived articles that with the CALS, heavily agribusinesses Agriculture) believe that the Cornell heavily denounced CMP prior to the influenced the prefer foreign Migrant Program was extremely transfer to CALS. Furthermore, Susan administration’s decision to place CMP laborers because they are more easily successful in improving migrant Henry, the Dean of CALS, who was a under the jurisdiction of CALS. exploitable and a source of cheap labor. farmworkers’ lives. It was considered critical decision-maker in the transfer The main critic of the transfer In New York State, these to be incomparable and a national of CMP, is entrenched in agribusiness of CMP to CALS on campus is the migrant workers are sent from farm to model, with migrant programs in other herself; she is currently on the board of Farmworkers Advocacy Coalition, a farm, depending on the season, to work U.S. states establishing programs based directors for the Agrium Corporation. student group which seeks to promote in the fields, plant and harvest crops, on CMP’s example. To protest the behavior of the awareness on the injustices being faced and basically gather the food that CMP’s location in the College Cornell administration in regards to by farmworkers both domestically and nourishes our bodies. They work hours of Human Ecology was ideal. It had CMP, the Farmworker Advocacy internationally. I joined the upon hours everyday. Unlike other ample resources for research, providing Coalition and Rural and Migrant Farmworkers Advocacy Coalition workers, they are not legally guaranteed CMP with a solid academic base. It Ministries (a NY farmworker advocacy earlier this school year and became a day of rest. They do not receive received reliable funding supplies, group) will be holding a ‘funeral’ for interested in the CMP controversy when overtime pay, and their wages are often including an annual $600,000 grant the Cornell Migrant Program. The I attended a meeting in which Herb not enough for them to live decent lives. from the New purpose of the Engman, the former director of the Working conditions can be extremely York State ‘funeral’ is to Cornell Migrant Program, discussed his difficult. In many cases, these workers Education In New York, the majority celebrate the discontent with the Cornell are exposed to pesticides that are very Department. many wonderful administration’s behavior with regard to dangerous to human health. Most do Significantly, of migrant farmworkers accomplishments CMP. not have health insurance. They cannot Cornell only are from Latin America. of CMP Before I elaborate on the even legally engage in collective provided 10% of throughout the controversy, I would like to give more bargaining in New York State. CMP’s budget, Agricultural corporations years. Former background information on CMP and American ideals of freedom while the majority routinely go to countries CMP staff, farmworkers. The Cornell Migrant and equal opportunity seem to be a far came from farmworker Program was founded during the 1970s cry from what these migrant external donators. like Mexico to actively re- advocacy group by student and faculty activists who farmworkers are experiencing. Dramatic cruit workers. members, and a demanded that Cornell establish a Economically and politically changes have farmworker will program to protect the rights of migrant discriminated against, many of these taken place since all deliver farmworkers and improve their lives Latino immigrant workers are powerless the Cornell speeches to honor after it was leaked to the press that to demand fair treatment. Many of them administration decided to transfer CMP the CMP’s legacy. May the attendees Cornell was involved with an illegal do not speak English, which makes it to the College of Agriculture and Life begin to realize that the plight of migrant farmworker camp with difficult for them to communicate their Sciences. The Cornell administration farmworkers in New York, the rest of atrocious working conditions. grievances. Moreover, some of them fired Herb Engman, the director of CMP the United States, and abroad persists Throughout American are illegal aliens who are hired by for 27 years. When CMP’s staff heard and that their voices remain silent. agricultural history, A Mock farmworkers Funeral have been for the brutally Cornell exploited Migrant and Program oppressed will be by powerful held agricultural Monday, elites, from March 14th the times of at 5:30PM poor white in the indentured Anabel servitude to Taylor African Hall Chapel. American This photograph, taken by Drew Harty, was part of the Coming Up on the Season exhibit on the lives of Northeast farmworkers developed by the Cornell Migrant Program in 2003. 2 March 2005 Turn Left 17 The Power of Progress Cornell Progressives are Leading the Movement to Get Liberals Organized

BY ANDREW GARIB As with the national scene, we see effective talking points on the most impor- Herein lies the lesson: The organiza- progress right here on campus. Over the tant issues to bolster campus political dia- tion, unity of message and effective deliv- past three years, I’ve had the pleasure of logue. An online web forum will provide ery that has made the conservative move- ccording to the prevailing wisdom, being a part of the resurgence of this news- CIPP with a dynamic edge, offering an ef- ment such a success since 1966 is not progressives are notoriously poorly paper, Turn Left, now a respected and for- fective round-table for the exchange of im- tainted with the ideologies it has helped A organized. Liberals, so goes this midable counter to the campus Rightist portant ideas that will ultimately foster a promote. The politics of power is not a mantra, are idealists out of touch with real- press. And now, Cornell’s progressive com- stronger progressive scholarly voice at game where the means to win are neces- ity, crippled by the desire to attain ideologi- munity is taking two major steps towards a Cornell. sarily monopolized by the unscrupulous. cal purity; for Leftists, organization means brighter, more progressive future for While the PSU organizes, CIPP pro- The rules of the game, and the instruments power, and power is the devil’s currency. Cornellians and all Americans. vides Cornell progressives with the best of victory, need not dictate the ideologies Despite this popular smear, both the The Progressive Students Union researched and articulated ideas to make being promoted. perception of liberals’ inexorable disorga- (PSU), established in January, is Cornell’s liberal campaigns as effective as possible. It is up to all players whether or not nization and some progressives’ backwards first serious attempt at forming a perma- Cornell progressives will have the tools to they play to win. Thankfully, American and ironic views towards centralized effec- nent student organization to provide ser- win the war of ideas and shed the image of progressives have decided that they would tive power are woefully under-tempered by vices to the progressive community, giv- liberal mindless idealism so many held be- like to win, too — with progressive students the nation’s true state of affairs. Effective ing liberal causes and groups the organiza- fore. in college campuses across this nation and organization, finance and messaging are es- tional edge they’ll need to win their battles. right here at Cornell leading the cause. sential to any political victory, Left or Right; In the coming weeks, the PSU will work to Ironically it’s today’s conservatives who are Certainly, what we do with our and American progressives are quickly create a more cohesive sense of commu- the idealists out of touch with reality. We newfound power must be directly prin- shedding the faded image of head-in-the- nity among progressives, organizing meet- need only think of ultra-hawkish cipled upon the sanctity of rights, the jus- clouds dreamers for a visage reflecting a ings among progressive leaders to plan joint neoconservative foreign policy, social tice of equality, and the well-being of all new optimism bolstered by a confident campaigns, and launching the PSU’s new conservative’s bigoted rejection of homo- humanity. This power is itself a responsi- stride. Right here on campus — with the website to offer a streamlined version of sexual marriage, and pie-in-the-sky free- bility — especially if we set out to fight Progressive Students Union and the Cornell its existing communication services, news marketers ignorant of the implications of those who will invariably use power with Institute for Progressive Policy — and in bulletins, information about campus politi- their out-of-date ideology. impunity to progress selfish aims or de- colleges and universities all across America, cal groups, as well as a new campus pro- The recent success of these zany con- mented ideologies. the Left has become the new resounding gressive blog. The PSU will also offer me- servative ideas is due not to compelling Simply put, there is no excuse for dis- force of political organization. dia relations services and activist skills logic or moral integrity. On the contrary, organization and disunity. Cornell Liberals have learned to match the training. contemporary conservative ideas have re- progressives have recognized that organiz- Rightist machine. For the Heritage Foun- While the establishment of the PSU is buffed saner ideologies through the work- ing for victory against ruthless opponents dation, there is the Center for American a great success for our campus, an even ings of a well-oiled machine — it’s how is not an option, but a moral imperative. Progress; for the Collegiate Network, more monumental task lies ahead. The cre- these ideas are formed, marketed, presented When we have committed to progres- there’s Campus Progress; and for Young ation of the new Cornell Institute for Pro- and sold that really matters. Over the past sive ideals, the ultimate test of our move- America’s Foundation there’s the People gressive Policy (CIPP) will shore up the thirty-odd years, conservatives have done ment is what we do with power when we For the American Way’s Young People For PSU’s organizational effort with the estab- a much better job at forming, marketing, have it. Our mission now is to make it come organization. Liberal media outlets have lishment of a progressive student-run think presenting and selling ideas, which is why about that we take that test — our goal is to begun to arm themselves on the airwaves, tank. CIPP and its student experts will be a we are now in the midst of one of the most give us the chance to pass it. countering years of domination on the ra- key source for progressive ideas and policy politically conservative times in modern dio and the \ Rightist threat on television. recommendations, as well as for organized, American history. TL

Lying squarely between Afghanistan and Iraq, it almost seems to make sense that Iran would be the Bush administration’s next target. With Seymour Hersh claiming, based on knowledge obtained through secret government sources, that Iran is the next nation lined up in Bush’s sights, we here at Turn Left scratched our heads, thought real hard, and came up with the… Top 10 Reasons Why the Bush Administration Wants to Attack Iran

10. Cheney has a weird thing for Persian rugs.

9. Halliburton needs work.

8. Why not end the Cornell Review’s celebration of Islam Bashing Week with a bang?

7. Bush confused mullah with moolah, and got greedy again.

6. Jesus loves democracy, but not as much as he loves those who Crusade for it in his name.

5. Bush wants to counteract his new hippie, pot-smoking image.

4. One day, Bush woke up and asked himself, “Who Would Jesus Bomb?”

3. Texas doesn’t have enough sand.

2. Hint: It’s black, liquid, and they have it in Iraq too.

1. An intense desire in the administration to remain the world’s leading theocractic regime. 18 Turn Left Volume V, Issue VI THE BACK BURNER Something’s cooking in the world of politics, but few are paying attention. News is a weapon that can be wielded by foregrounding some stories, or, more pertinently, by burying others. TL staff takes a look at the news items that aren’t always (or are no longer) front-page material.

again refused to join these multilateral believe for an instant Oh no, Not talks, essentially setting them up to fail. that Iranians, whether Hersh, on the basis of interviews, reformers or theocrats, claims that the administration’s plan is will not respond in to turn the talks into dead-ends, try to outrage to a preemptive Iran Too! get a United Nations resolution that strike shows just how Iran seems to be the new buzzword in will certainly be vetoed by Russia and/ far removed from international politics. One does not or China, and then be able to call out reality the people in have to look further than a map of the the UN as irrelevant and then proceed charge of our nation’s Middle East to see why: perched with a militaristic option under the destiny really are. We between Afghanistan and Iraq, it pretense that there was no other choice. should nurture the seems only natural to assume that It’s the same game the administration democratic sentiment perhaps Iran is next. Unfortunately, played with Iraq, only this time there in Iran, work with the this assumption may, in fact, ring true. really are weapons, as well as a Europeans towards Seymour Hersh, a writer for The New potentially successful diplomatic route disarmament; starting a Yorker with numerous sources inside to disarmament. conflict with Iran has the intelligence community and the Even more disturbing is the no feasible outcome Pentagon, has made it clear in recent option of strategic bombing the which would work to months that Iran is the next military administration is apparently seriously our benefit. Is it too focus for the Bush administration. considering. Hersh has described a much to hope that we While our neighbors across the plan hatched by elements of might learn from our pond, the Europeans, pursue a Rumsfeld’s Pentagon for limited mistakes in Iraq and diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear bombing that supposedly will Afghanistan? program, the United States has once undermine the mullahs’ leadership. To

It’s Islam Awareness Week.” In their mock Inquisition or selective episodes of year. Some may suggest that the Review is celebration, the Review lists dates in Islamic “missionary” work. harmless in its ill-bred portrayal of Islam history which are selectively picked in order It’s also interesting to see how the and that they are only doing this for a laugh, to present the reader with an obvious bias Review forgets to mention that the Koran so it is silly to get angry at them. Normally, Bashing against Islam based on a few events in the is a book which stresses tolerance of others we would agree with this presentation of last 1400 years. By taking these dates out or how Christianity and Islam actually share them, but this time they have gone too far. of context for several events and in other quite a lot in terms of actual religious The war against Islamic extremists is a dates lumping together extremists with principles. But this isn’t surprising seeing deathly serious struggle (something those Week! actual believers in Islam, the Review, makes how the Review would rather have you read on the Right would certainly agree with), a mockery of anything resembling an their paper to get angry than actually inform yet this display makes light of it and even intelligent publication. This would be the you of something or further genuine more horrifically suggests that all In their attempt to not be outdone by the equivalent of taking a dozen events in the intellectual debate. Then again, taking the Muslims are our enemies. This level of Cornell American in their pursuit of the last 2000 years and stating that all Ann Coulter road had once been the ignorance cannot be laughed at or brushed most ridiculous, hate-filled, ignorant, Christians are violent, bigoted and mistaken Review’s time honored tradition, though we aside, thinking it to be irrelevant, but rather insensitive news piece, the Cornell Review in their beliefs because of episodes in the have been glad to see them making progress must be called out as the filth it truly is. has published a full-page display for “Islam past like the Crusades, the Spanish towards reasoned discourse during the past

between saying something is OK [and it being le- Free Markets Gone Wild gal]. That restaurant would be closed today… I don’t believe the government has the right to take We’ve known all along that conservatives have a lot of over people’s private homes and businesses. I think faith in the free market. After all, it didn’t seem to bother any it’s the government’s job to make sure the govern- conservatives when Bush borrows trillions of dollars for tax cuts ment doesn’t do anything racist.” all while insisting that long-term interest rates won’t rise. Defy- ing the basic laws of supply and demand? No problem! The free So on whom does the burden of ending market will take care of everything. discrimination for once and for all fall on? Oh, Although the TL staff loves free markets, we’re pretty just “private organizations, freedom riders… sure there’s a limit to how far the free market goes. Especially people who risked their lives.” Apparently, ac- after Michael Medved, the nationally syndicated conservative cording to the new Medved Doctrine of Freedom, talk show host and author of Right Turns (Crown Publishers, it’s also the government’s job then to promote mar- 2005), appeareed as a guest on The Al Franken Show last Friday tyrdom and allow activists to be spit upon and get and flatly stated that he didn’t believe in the 1964 Civil Rights shot at, all in the name of not intruding on people’s Act. right to discriminate. Now don’t get us wrong. Medved thinks that way not Now, we were quite baffled by Medved’s because he’s a racist—no no, that’s so 1960’s. Instead, it’s be- perverse twist of logic, until we heard that he op- cause of his heroic, unflinching adhering faith to the free mar- poses the 1964 Civil Rights Act because he wants ket, even as blacks are being banned from restaurants to maintain consistency with his current and blown away by high-pressure fire hoses. A New Sheriff in Town? Conservative radio host Michael Medved lays down opposition to the Employee Non-Dis- So how does Medved justify this absurd claim? the law, or lack thereof. crimination Act (ENDA), which would Medved admitted that “the 1964 Civil Rights Act has ban employers from discriminating had a tremendously beneficial impact on our country,” but nevertheless insisted that it against gays and lesbians. Thus, we applaud Mr. Medved for his courage in finally should never have been legal, claiming that market forces would have “eventually standing up to what he truly believes in (i.e., bigotry and racism should be legal) instead integrated the South.” of trying to cloak it behind religion, but we also feel very sorry for him. Medved has When grilled by Franken as to why he thinks it would be OK to allow discrimi- truly twisted himself into a very nutty view of reality. But then again, he did proudly nation, Medved then insisted that “it’s not OK, it’s terrible. There is a big difference feature praise from Ann Coulter on the back of his book. Birds of a feather… 2 March 2005 Turn Left 19 THE BACK BURNER

Iran, Syria, and a very bad theory (also known as Nukes Galore! Part Three) It wasn’t very long ago when conservative pundits claimed that ultimate victory, through the very might of the American military in Iraq, could be proclaimed throughout the Middle-East. Straussians shouted from the hilltops that an American show of power in toppling Saddam Hussein would induce a new era of peace and cooperation in the region, forcing potentially belligerent countries such as Syria and Iran to talk less about the Great Satan and nuclear weapons and more about patching things up with America and its able and willing invasion forces. Not so fast, guys! Like every other hair-brained ideologically- inspired corruption of realist foreign policy (think Star Wars…), America’s move to pacify Damascus and Tehran (among others) with bombs over Baghdad has in fact caused the opposite of its intended effect. Take, for example, Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Months of negotiations between the EU and Iran aimed at ending that country’s nuclear program have hardly seen an uptick in the general safety meter. Tehran, under its theocratic fundamentalist government, has used the same tactic that every covertly-developing nuclear power employs: vacillation and distraction. AP Iran has agreed to end its production of enriched nuclear fuel, but only on threat of EU sanctions, and even that had to be qualified with a ‘just for now…’ And while Iran agrees to a timetable for renewed UN weapons inspections and has ostensibly halted its enrichment program, the Ayatollah’s minions have refused to end work on the Arak heavy-water plant. As if this Now here’s the good part: a large and mysterious explosion in wasn’t bad enough, in October of 2004, Iran tested a new version of its southern Iran caused uproar in stock markets — notably due to the mixed Shahab-3 missile — capable of reaching targets within Israel. It hasn’t helped reports coming from the Iranian government and its state-sponsored that US relations with the EU have suffered greatly under the leadership of television news about the nature of the blast, and the suspicion that the our own Ayatollah from Crawford, Texas, nor that the March 2003 invasion explosion was connected to the building of a controversial nuclear reactor and the ongoing US-led occupation of Iraq have brought US-Iranian relations in the region. Days later, Syrian and Iranian government officials to new (albeit familiar) lows, fueling the rhetoric of the authoritarian regime announced they would form a ‘common front’ against foreign attacks in Tehran. — creating an unlikely axis but sending an obvious message to Other acute problems can be found in Syria. The recent assassination Washington from two nations sharing long borders with Iraq. of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has sparked accusations of Syrian And we haven’t even gotten to North Korea. involvement in the murder, and renewed calls for the Syrian army to vacate The neocons’ view of the world isn’t just wrong. TL Staffers think the parts of Lebanon it currently occupies, thus threatening to re-ignite the it’s appallingly dangerous. bloody warfare of the 70’s and 80’s.

On Our Watch Media Manipulation of Darfur

of 2004, mainstream press reported (with agenda regarding Darfur. Khartoum de- only restrained suspicion) on Sudan’s mands increased humanitarian aid when its struggle with internal sectarian clashes own militias stop the flow of food to those (with headlines like ‘Sudan Agrees to Con- it is systematically starving to death; it wel- trol Violence’), implying that the violence comes the full cooperation of an impotent in Darfur was between independent armed African Union observation mandate, but groups Sudan struggled to restrain. warns (indirectly through ‘impromptu’ ral- This of course is the kind of dishon- lies and other staged media events) that esty meant to mask Khartoum’s campaign ‘Darfur will be a foreign graveyard’ if other of genocide, carried out through its support, international forces intervene; and Sudan Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir wears many hats. One is leader organization and encouragement of the accuses the United States, in its fair-weather of genocide; another is spin-doctor. janjaweed. The Government of Sudan is not pressing for sanctions and other action Perhaps the saddest aspect of the ongoing genocide in the Sudanese region of Darfur a resource-strapped constabulary force in against Khartoum, of distracting the world’s is our media’s atrocious complicity with the murderous and racist Khartoum gov- Darfur, but the primary drive behind eth- attention away from troubles in Iraq — this ernment. Over the course of the two-year conflict between the Arab-led Sudanese gov- nic cleansing, mass rape and murder. as ‘Sudan stresses commitment to peace ernment and various rebel forces representing ‘African’ victims of Khartoum’s cam- Yet the Khartoum media charade con- deal with rebels’ in an Agénce France-Press paign of ethnic cleansing, with few exceptions Western media have done all they can to tinues. Last summer, Sudan announced that headline while prosecuting its genocide paint the hideous events in Darfur at their apathetic and amoral whim: as a simple it would set up committees of female project in Darfur. Sudan has even had the regional ethnic dispute drawn out over decades; as a civil war between two sides equally judges, police officers and lawyers to in- gall to fly in international press to cover to blame for mass murder; or as a brutal and prostrated tribal conflict with which we in vestigate allegations of mass rape, one of staged local events painting Sudan’s gov- the West have nothing to do. Khartoum’s primary means of terrorizing ernment and its allies — including the in- Worst of all are the Western voices who, despite the overabundance of evi- the Darfuri population. And in a gesture of famous janjaweed leader Musa Hilal — as dence condemning Khartoum for its leading role in the genocide, have become goodwill during peace talks, the govern- the champions of law and order. mere mouthpieces for the Sudanese propaganda campaign. ment insisted it would reduce the number While many of the most respected jour- Khartoum’s initial instinct in dealing with foreign press interested in Darfur was of militia in Darfur, when in fact it increased nalists have sliced through Sudan’s media exclusion. But Sudan’s Arab leadership eventually learned to take active steps to mis- it — many of its janjaweed militamen melt- manipulation scheme, others have lead international media outlets about its murderous actions and vile intentions — a ing into Sudan’s regular forces, or, in an appallingly justified neglecting their obli- grand orchestration of distraction, while many in the media hummed along. Orwellian twist, conglomerating into local gation to expose the truth with the finesse Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir and his media-savvy partners in crime have police forces meant to protect refugee of Khartoum’s finest spin-doctors. In this downplayed their connection to the janjaweed militias, who, other than Sudanese air camps and villages. business, TL Staffers have found, the best force’s aerial bombardments of Darfuri villages, have been the primary force in the By being proactive in its approach to only learn from the best. humiliation and evisceration of the local African population. Throughout the summer the media, Khartoum has frequently set the 20 Turn Left Volume V, Issue VI