SEE PAGE 10-11

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 Volume XXXVIII, No. 2 20 Pages www.connections.news Published by the Peace & Justice Network Priceless & Free Primary Election - March 3 LOCAL RACES ARE HAPPENING, TOO

ERIC PARFREY must file on a regular basis with the State of California RESERVE YOUR BOOTH SPACE TODAY! While most people who care anything about politics (see http://powersearch.sos.ca.gov/advanced.php). Nota- are currently necessarily obsessed with the Trump im- bly, by reading the most recent campaign contribution peachment trial and the Democratic presidential prima- forms we can identify which special interests are sup- ry, there are at least two local races here in San Joaquin porting which candidates, which can give us guidance on County (and Modesto) that are competitive and are worth how to vote. learning about. These include the contest between three Democrats to succeed Assemblywoman Susan Eggman in District 13, and the race between Eggman and others CA State Senate District 5 to fill the Senate District 5 seat. Eggman vs. Grewal Unfortunately, this will be the first primary since local political reporting by the San Joaquin Record has evapo- The highest profile and most expensive legislative rated after the newspaper was taken over by hedge fund race in the Stockton and Modesto area is the slugfest stocktonearthday.com managers who have fired most of the staff (see my recent for the State senate seat being vacated by Kathleen Gal- Stockton 2O2O three-part series on “What is Left after Newspapers Dis- giani, who is termed out. There are two Democrats and appear?” posted on my Facebook page). Thus, for many three Republicans running. The candidates include Susan EARTH DAYFestival voters there will be next to no local coverage of these Eggman (who has served four terms as the Stockton As- VICTORY PARK10-4PM VOTE and other local primary races. Residents will be forced to semblywoman); Modesto City Councilman Mani Grewal Earth make decisions about who to vote for based almost sole- (D); Stockton City Councilman Jesús Andrade (R); Jim SUNDAYAPRIL26 ly on campaign flyers they receive in the mail, campaign Ridenour, ex-mayor of Modesto (R); and Kathleen Garcia endorsements and contributions, candidate websites, or (R), a Stockton school board trustee who was a registered CLIMATEACTIONNOW one-sided opinions they read online. Democrat until a few months ago. COMMEMORATING 50 YEARS 1970-2020 One valuable piece of unbiased information is the Senate District 5 consists of portions of Sacramento, SINCE 1ST EARTH DAY INTERNATIONAL campaign contribution forms that each of the candidates Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties – with San Joa- quin making up over 72% of the total number of voters. However, a large chunk of voters, over 100,000, reside in Modesto. The current registration shows an almost 10% Annual Meeting and Potluck Democratic registration advantage. Hillary Clinton won this district in 2016 by almost 35,000 votes. Peace & Justice Network The front runner has to be considered Eggman. She is well funded and has been endorsed by the Democratic

PAID Coming together, moving forward Postage Postage

Stockton, CA Stockton, Party, Gov. Newsom, numerous labor organizations, the Permit No. 488 Permit

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Org. Nonprofit Sierra Club, and many local officials. She has been a very Sunday, February 23, 4-7pm strong leader on Delta issues, fighting to kill the Delta Tunnel(s). 231 Bedford Rd., Stockton She has high name recognition in Stockton and San Joaquin County and has been a very successful fundrais- It’s a potluck! er. The most recent campaign disclosure forms indicate Bring something to share she has raised $740,000. Large contributors include the Meet with old friends and new Democratic Party and other legislators; labor organiza- tions (California Teachers Association, AFSCME, nurses); Eco-friendly health political action committees; progressive, gay and Please bring your own plate and fork. women’s activist groups (including Courage California); and a few private developer interests (Califia, developer of the huge River Islands project in Lathrop). • 4 – 4:30 Eggman’s main competitor is Modesto councilman Introductions & Year Review Manmeet (Mani) Grewal (D), who claims to be a “different • 4:30 Democrat.” Grewal is apparently hoping to attract major Dinner! Republican support to counter what may be strong Dem- • 5 – 6:30 ocratic support for Eggman. If elected, Grewal would be Speaker and Discussion the first Sikh American elected to the Legislature. Grewal is a dentist and he owns seven dental offices throughout Working together as a community San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties, as well as several to build our local, state and hotels and gas stations. global community. Even though Grewal is little known outside Modesto, • 6:30 – 7 he has raised a huge amount of cash over the last three Election of officers years (approximately $963,000), although almost one For more information call: 209-559-6279 LOCAL RACES CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

SAVE THE DATES CONTENTS Roe v Wade now ...... p. 9 FEB 23, 2020 PJN Annual meeting War profiteering must end .....p. 4 Women’s March ...... p.10 MAR 3, 2020 Calif. Primary Election APR 26, 2020 Earth Day Festival Single payer will save $$ ...... p. 5 Extinction is forever ...... p. 12 NOV 3, 2020 Election Day Stopping war in Iran ...... p. 6 Media vias shows ...... p. 16 2 CONNECTIONS, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020

CONNECTIONS Editor: Bruce Giudici, 786-3109; EDITOR'S [email protected] Layout Team: Ava Simpson, LETTER Mayra Meza, Philip Van Phan Changing the road we are on Proofreader: Debbie Cousyn Ad Rep: Ava Simpson BRUCE GIUDICI environment, for health friends and family. The for anything. We cannot let that voters multi-source [email protected] We are at the cross- their news to determine care, for our general fiscal information you find in that happen. 916-320-2672 roads. With the Trump accuracy. If many sources health - the off ramp to these pages is factual; our The way forward is Distribution Coordinator: acquittal, the beast is loose are reporting the same the sustainable road will motive is stated in our for an informed citizenry Scott Sorgent, for the next 9 months—a basic information, that be more jarring than it mission statement—to to vote and agitate for [email protected] very long period sufficient becomes a starting might have been if we had support peace and justice change. Distribution Site: Peace & to fix an election in any point. It is also vital to changed lanes 40 years in their many forms. If the March 3 is election Justice Center, 231 Bedford number of ways. Tried understand the motivation ago. But here we are - in many doesn’t stand for day—celebrate it and vote! Rd, Stockton and true methods of of the messenger—is an increasingly warming something, they will fall Distributors: Suzy Arnett, Vic voter suppression and there a profit motive that planet, in a country where Bernsdorf, Richard Blackston, the spreading of lies may skew the editorial we squander billions of Antoinette Celle, Lee Christensen, Christie Kelley, Catherine Mathis, using obscene amounts dollars on “health care” selection process (for John Minnehan, Heather Ryan, of money will continue while all corporate media and “defense,” borrowing Jeff Ryan, Richard Slezak, Julie unabated—much of it will say there is a division trillions to lower taxes Vaughn, Patrick Wall, Juanda made legal in the past 10 between the business on the top 1%. This Jones years. Cyber hacking and and editorial sides of unsustainable track cannot Deadline: 7th of every other the selective release of media, when swimming persist—it is just a matter month partial truths in the new in the for-profit pool, it is of when we decide the Circulation: 6,000 tradition of 2016 have not impossible for the media change needs to happen. been curtailed—so we fish to survive outside their For those of us who care CONNECTIONS is a can expect an expansion, life-sustaining corporate for peace and justice, the monthly publication of the Peace especially when the water)? We thus mourn time is now. & Justice Network of San Joaquin current administration was the loss of newspapers For our part, we ask County. The views expressed in given a clean bill of health nationwide to the profit- you to please circulate Connections are those of the for its 2016 Russian “non- demanding market, either Connections to as many authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the Network. News, collusion” verdict and the as you can—and discuss by scaling themselves back articles, letters and calendar Ukrainian “exoneration” just to becoming mere ghosts current events with your items should be sent to the Peace delivered. The one weapon of their former selves (the & Justice Network, P.O. Box 4123, we have in defense of this local Record for one) or Stockton, CA 95204. The editor onslaught is what we have by simply disappearing reserves the right of final decision had throughout: real facts altogether. A not-for- on copy. Call (209) 467-4455 for more information. PJN is on the wielded by an informed profit model sustaining internet: http://www.pjnsjc.org electorate. And the only local news (similar to the hope we have is that the Corporation for Public electorate is motivated by Broadcasting that sustains the diabolical direction PBS and NPR) would be in which current trends one way to keep real local are leading—and demand factual reporting available: changing the road we are this is an option that will on. never happen under the So how can we ensure current administration. an electorate informed There will need to be a by real facts? In a world change. Peace & Justice bombarded by multiple The current year’s Network streams of purported facts, electoral choices will Board of Directors which are real, which determine the type are pure opinion and of world we leave to Chair: Richard Blackston which are outright lies? posterity. Because of Vice-Chair: Suzy Arnett Treasurer: Bruce Giudici We at Connections have continual delay of making Secretary: Cathy Mathis always recommended the hard choices - for the

Organizational members: 350.org (Marj Fries), Single Payer San Joaquin (Suzy Arnett), CARA (Jerry Bailey), The Voice of Stockton (Gov. VOICE OF SAN JOAQUIN Don Maszewski), Israel/ Palestine Task Force CA/NV United Methodist Church RADIO (Gloria Fearn), At Large on Mondays from 8 to 9 p.m.. Member (Veronica Lopez) “The Peace and Justice Network is a nonprofit educational organization Your Host committed to the visiVon Bruce Giudici of a world in which the equality of all persons is achieved, basic needs are met, conflict is resolved nonviolently, and the CONNECTIONS earth’s resources are Radio shared responsibly for the well—being of all her inhabitants and all future generations.” CONNECTIONS, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 3

cil). The plan would have destroyed part of Stockton’s last CA State Senate District 5 CA Assembly District 13 remaining region of open agricultural space. Eggman vs. Grewal Fugazi vs. Miller vs. Villapudua Eleven years later, an update of the Stockton General Plan was debated with much citizen participation. The – LOCAL RACES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 In this race, Christina Fugazi is running against two original drafts were very oriented toward infill develop- other Democrats, San Joaquin County Supervisor Kathy ment and paring back suburban sprawl at the agricultural Even though Grewal is little known outside Modesto, Miller and former Supervisor Carlos Villapudua. Assembly borders of the city. However, at the last moment, the he has raised a huge amount of cash over the last three District 13 consists of western San Joaquin County, in- Stockton City Council, lead by Mayor Michael Tubbs and years (approximately $963,000), although almost one cluding the eastern half of the Sacramento–San Joaquin the city manager, directed staff to include a new 3,800- third of this amount is loans he personally made to his River Delta, and is centered on Stockton. AD 13 is a solidly acre “enterprise zone” north of Eight Mile Road, accom- campaign. He has received significant campaign contri- Democratic district (49% Democratic, 26% Republican, panied by sufficient housing for the anticipated workers butions from oil interests, hospitality and real estate firms, 21% No party preference). (25,000 units). Activists mobilized an impressive coalition trucking companies, and developers. Grewal has also re- For the first time in recent history in this area, there of infill-advocates to defeat the late amendment but were ceived significant endorsements from moderate to con- will not be a Republican candidate on the primary or not successful. When the final votes came down, Coun- servative elected officials, including legislators and the general election ballot. It is rather shocking, although not cilwoman Fugazi was the lone courageous dissenter sheriffs of San Joaquin and Stanislaus County. surprising, that the Republicans have completely given against the new plan to allow a new kind of sprawl north Most tellingly, however, is that Grewal has benefit- up on competing in this race. The lack of a Republican of Eight Mile Road. ed from almost $450,000 in independent expenditures candidate means that two of the three Dems running will Miller has served six years on the County Board. Be- from a major petroleum fund, named “Restore California’s emerge from the “jungle” primary (even if one receives fore becoming a supervisor, Miller served six years on the Middle Class Coalition, including energy companies who over 50% of the vote) and will face each other again in Stockton City Council. Miller represents District 2, which produce gas, oil, jobs and pay taxes.” The expenditure paid the general election. The strong likelihood is that the two covers Stockton. She has focused much of her attention for a recent mass mailing on Grewal’s behalf that arrived candidates that will emerge will be the two women. on water and homelessness issues during her time in in voter’s mailboxes in mid-January. As noted by CalM- Christina Fugazi is serving her second four-year term office. Miller first ran for the City Council as a registered atters, an online news service, “oil companies and their on the Stockton City Council, representing the down- Republican, then registered as decline to state, and be- allies, unions that represent oil workers, increasingly feel town area and older neighborhoods of the city. Prior to came a registered Democrat some years ago. She was en- under attack in Sacramento. Knowing Republicans have being elected to the Council in 2014, she served eight couraged to run for the Assembly seat by Eggman. As of little power in the Capitol, oil companies, like other busi- years as a Stockton Planning Commissioner, having been January, 2020, Miller has raised $222,000. Miller’s largest ness interests, identify and seek to elect Democrats who appointed to that position by former Councilmember Su- contributors are various Courage Campaigns (a progres- will cast votes supportive of their interests” (see https:// san Eggman (who has served four terms as AD 13 As- sive group), labor organizations, and some local Stockton calmatters.org/newsletter/mental-illness-emerges-as-a- semblywoman and is now running for election to State developers. campaign-issue-oil-spend-big-on-legislative-races-uc- Senate District 5). Miller has won the support of the California Demo- drops-tuition-hike-for-now/). VOTER REGISTRATION & Fugazi is a high school science teacher. She is en- cratic Party. She is endorsed by several State officials, in- Grewal was involved in a notable controversy early dorsed by San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow, cluding California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, Senator Bill in the campaign when he was accused of homophobic VOTE-BY-MAIL WORKSHOPSthe Sierra Club, and several labor organizations includ- Dodd, Senator Connie Leyva, Assemblymember Susan smears against his competitor, Susan Eggman. As re- ing the California Professional Firefighters, California La- Eggman, Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, as well ported in the Modesto Bee, Sept. 13, 2019, Equality Cali- January 30, 2020 (Thursday)bor Federation (CLF), the North Valley Labor Federation as Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs. fornia, the state’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans- 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (AFL-CIO), the San Joaquin Building Trades, UA Local 442, Carlos Villapudua served on the San Joaquin County gender advocacy group, called on lawmakers in 2019 to Sheetmetal 104, IBEW 595, the Northern California Car- Board of Supervisors from 2008 to 2016. He currently withdraw their endorsementsSan of Grewal Joaquin after heCounty falsely Admin Bldg. Who is eligible to vote? penters, and the San Joaquin works as a government relations manager for Western claimed that a state bill to eliminate the discrepancy in Registrar of Voters, SuiteCounty 350 Correctional Officers Association. She has Pacific Truck School. His endorsements include California how gay and straight young adults are punished for hav- raised approximately $145,000 to date for this Assembly Teachers Association, and two “moderate Dems,” Assem- ing sex with a minor would let44. adultsN. who San abuse Joaquin preteens St., Stockton How can I help register voters? campaign, mostly from unions. blymember Adam Gray (D-Merced) and Assemblymem- avoid registering as sex offenders. The LGBT organization, Notably, Fugazi has not been endorsed by the Dem- ber Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove). When he served on the which sponsored the bill, took particular offense to a Gre- February 3, 2020 (Monday)ocratic Party, which has endorsed Miller. Her failure to San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors, he was known How do I make walsure campaign I'm ad that suggested the measure would pro- receive the Party endorsement is due in part to her prior for his strong business and pro-development votes. Villa- tect “adults who molest our children.”4:30 p.m. It accused to 6 himp.m. of registered correctly? connection with disgraced and convicted former Stock- pudua has raised $153,000, including money from truck- “engaging in a blatantly homophobic campaign” against Agricultural Center ton Mayor Anthony Silva and a history of running suc- ing companies, petroleum interests, and developers. his lesbian opponent, Democratic Assemblywoman Su- cessfully against Party chosen candidates in recent years. Although Villapudua has outraised Fugazi, some san Talamantes Eggman of Stockton,2101 E. an Earhartoriginal co-au Ave.,- Stockton What can I do to increase In three separate primary and general elections in 2014 pundits believe he will not make the cut in the primary thor of the bill.” registration in my community? and 2018, she defeated a City Council candidate that based on his weak performance in previous races. For ex- Stockton City Councilman Jesús Andrade is one of February 13, 2020 (Thursday)had been handpicked by the Democratic Party (a wom- ample, in the 2018 primary for the same Assembly seat, the three Republicans that have entered the race. He is an married to one of Susan Eggman’s aides). Fugazi has Carlos Villapudua received only 17% of the vote, with the endorsed by the Republican 6Party. p.m. Andrade to 7:30 is a relative p.m. in Lodi Where can I get tools for since fallen out of favor with the local party leaders in- winning incumbent Susan Eggman getting 53%, and the moderate who has served on the Stockton City Council Lodi Public Library cluding Eggman. Republican candidate receiving 30%. During the primary registering voters?since 2016 representing south Stockton, where he grew 201 West Locust St. LodiFugazi has a strong environmental record. Miller has all three Democrats will compete for Republican votes up. He is currently the CEO of the San Joaquin County , also been pro-environment on many votes and has been as well as try to secure a large portion of Democrats. All Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. According to the most How do I make sure my ballot is an especially strong leader for Delta issues and opposing three candidates already have legitimate support from recent campaign finance disclosures, he has raised ap- February 19, 2020 (Wednesday)the Delta Tunnels. In contrast, Villapudua is not known for liberal and conservative groups counted? proximately $128,000 from developers and Republican his environmental record. legislators. 6 p.m. to 7:30 pm. in Manteca First appointed as Stockton city planning commis- ERIC PARFREY IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIV- The two other RepublicansEl doConcilio not appear to be se- IST AND RETIRED CITY PLANNER WHO HAS How can I help people cast a sioner in 2007, Fugazi opposed the provision in the city’s rious candidates. Neither has 1215raised anyW. seriousCenter money. St. #105, Manteca LIVED IN STOCKTON FOR 30 YEARS. ballot? However, if they were able to siphon off enough GOP General Plan allowing sprawl development north of Eight DISCLOSURE: THE AUTHOR IS VERY ACTIVE votes from Andrade, they could enable the Democrats to WITH THE SIERRA CLUB AND THE CLUB HAS Mile Road, the northernmost boundary of the city (as did ENDORSED A CANDIDATE IN BOTH OF THE secure the top-two spots in the primary. What are the easiest ways to February 26, 2020 (Wednesday)Susan Eggman, when a vote was taken at the City Coun- RACES DESCRIBED IN ARTICLE ABOVE. cast a ballot? 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Tracy Tracy Transit Center 50 E. Sixth St., Tracy VOTER REGISTRATION & VOTE-BY-MAIL WORKSHOPS JanuaryCALIFORNIA 30, 2020 (Thursday) PRIMARY • MARCH 3 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. [email protected] is eligible to vote? San Joaquin County Admin Bldg. Registrar of Voters, Suite 350 209-468-VOTE (8683) How can I help register voters? 44. N. San Joaquin St., Stockton

How do I make sure I'm February 3, 2020 (Monday) registered correctly? 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Agricultural Center What can I do to increase 2101 E. Earhart Ave., Stockton registration in my community? February 13, 2020 (Thursday) Where can I get tools for 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Lodi registering voters? Lodi Public Library 201 West Locust St., Lodi How do I make sure my ballot is counted? February 19, 2020 (Wednesday) 6 p.m. to 7:30 pm. in Manteca How can I help people cast a El Concilio ballot? 1215 W. Center St. #105, Manteca

What are the easiest ways to February 26, 2020 (Wednesday) cast a ballot? 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Tracy Tracy Transit Center 50 E. Sixth St., Tracy

[email protected] 209-468-VOTE (8683) 4 CONNECTIONS, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 Congress: war profiteering must end SARAH ANDERSON goes up. 6 percent increase for their Currently, the sky’s the privatized war economy I took a look at the counterparts at other large limit for CEO pay at these to reap unlimited rewards, The prospect of war stock holdings of the CEOs U.S. companies. companies—and the mili- their profit motive for war with Iran is terrifying. Ex- at the top five Pentagon Congress needs to tary contracting industry is in Iran—or anywhere—will perts predict as many as a contractors (Lockheed take action to prevent a a prime offender. The top persist. million people could die if Martin, Boeing, General catastrophic war on Iran. five Pentagon contractors the current tensions lead Dynamics, Raytheon, and De-escalating the current paid their top executives SARAH ANDERSON DIRECTS to a full-blown war. Mil- Northrop Grumman). Using tensions is the most im- $22.5 million on average THE GLOBAL ECONOMY PROJ- ECT OF THE INSTITUTE FOR lions more would become the most recent available mediate priority. But Con- in 2018. CEO pay restric- POLICY STUDIES, AND IS A CO- refugees across the Middle data, I calculated that these gress must also take action tions should also apply EDITOR OF INEQUALITY.ORG. East, while working families five executives held com- to end war profiteering. In to the leaders of privately across the U.S. would bear 2008, John McCain, then held government contrac- ______pany stock worth approxi- Source: OtherWords 1/8/20 the brunt of our casualties. mately $319 million just a Republican presidential tors, which currently don’t https://otherWORDS.ORG/ There is one set of people before the U.S. drone strike candidate, proposed cap- even have to disclose the who stand to benefit from that killed Iranian leader ping CEO pay at companies size of their top execu- the escalation of the con- Qasem Soleimani. By the receiving financial bailouts. tives’ paychecks. That’s the flict: CEOs of major U.S. stock market’s closing bell He argued that CEOs re- case for General Atomics, military contractors. This the following day, the value lying on taxpayer funds the manufacturer of the was evident in the im- of their combined shares should not earn more than MQ-9 Reaper that carried mediate aftermath of the had increased to $326 mil- $400,000—the salary of the out the assassination of U.S. assassination of a top lion. U.S. president. Soleimani. Despite raking Iranian military official on War profiteering is That common sense in $2.8 billion in taxpayer- January 2. As soon as the nothing new. Back in 2006, notion should be extended funded contracts in 2018, news reached financial during the height of the to all companies that rely on the drone maker is allowed markets, these companies’ Iraq War, I analyzed CEO massive taxpayer-funded to keep executive compen- share prices spiked. Wall pay at the 34 corporations contracts. Senator Bernie sation information secret. Street traders know that a that were the top military Sanders, for instance, has We do know that General war with Iran would mean contractors at that time. I a plan to deny federal con- Atomics CEO Neal Blue has more lucrative contracts for found that their pay had tracts to companies that prospered quite a bit from U.S. weapons makers. Since jumped considerably after pay their CEOs excessively. taxpayer dollars. Forbes es- top executives get much of the September 11 attacks. He would set the CEO pay timates his wealth at $4.1 their compensation in the Between 2001 and 2005, limit for major contractors billion. form of stock, they benefit military contractor CEO at no more than 150 times War is bad for nearly personally when the value pay jumped 108 percent the pay of the company’s everyone. But as long as of their company’s stock on average, compared to a typical worker. we allow the leaders of our

Restore the Delta Single Delta planning begins with “Notice of Preparation” Planning for a single comparison of timelines, water into reconciliation. cording to a report released tunnel through the San the previous (now dead) (We still promise more wa- by the Department of Wa- Francisco Bay-Delta for- Twin Tunnels planning ter to users than actually ter Resources on Decem- mally began today as the process began under Gov- exists.) ber 31, 2019, and will re- California Department of ernor Schwarzenegger. • A Bay-Delta Water quire costly repairs on top Quality Plan has not been of the costs for the tunnel “We have crucial Delta implemented, and the pro- • A tunnel does not posed models for the Vol- protect the Delta’s 4 million needs once again taking a untary Agreements to set people from extreme flood flows into and through the threat from climate change backseat to a project that Delta reveal less available “We have consistently freshwater for the estuary. maintained that region- Californians do not want— • The Newsom admin- al sustainability projects istration has not yet filed its found in Governor New- especially on the heels of lawsuit against the Trump som’s Water Resilience administration’s corrupted Portfolio should be pri- the Trump water plan.” biological opinions, the oritized to reduce de- Water Resources (DWR) Reaction from Barbara rules for how water export pendence on Delta water released its Delta Convey- Barrigan-Parrilla, executive pumps operate to protect exports before moving for- ance Notice of Preparation. director, Restore the Delta: fish. ward with the tunnel. In- The document begins the “We are disappointed that • Water quality issues stead, we have crucial Del- preparation of an Environ- the notice of preparation around pollution, discharge ta needs once again taking mental Impact Report (EIR) for the Delta tunnel proj- from the San Joaquin River, a backseat to a project that for the “Delta Conveyance ect was released today be- and the growth of Harmful Californians do not want – Project.” DWR’s notice to- cause: Algal Blooms in the Delta especially on the heels of day acknowledges that the • A tunnel won’t re- have not been resolved. the Trump water plan.” proposed single tunnel is solve the drought prob- • The California Aque- duct is sinking as a result of ______a new project, not a con- lems coming with climate Source: Restore the Delta 1/15/20 tinuation of the Twin Tun- change and will not bring groundwater pumping by www.restorethedelta.org nels permitting process. For water use and available big agricultural users ac- CONNECTIONS, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 5

30 years of single-payer Alternative research shows Medicare for Media Online All will save U.S. money If you tap into some of the alternative media, you will get EOIN HIGGINS the study: “The research- start with different single ney, president of Physi- a very different perspective. A comprehensive new ers were able to estimate designs and modeling as- cians for a National Health study that reviewed nearly longer-term savings by us- sumptions, the vast ma- Program, which advocates three decades of existing ing cost projections made jority of these studies all for Medicare for All, told analyses shows imple- in 10 of the models, which come to the same conclu- Common Dreams that the Common Dreams mentation of a single-pay- looked as far as 11 years commondreams.org er healthcare system like into the future. These stud- Medicare for All could dra- ies assumed that savings “At this point, the most Reader Supported News matically reduce costs in would grow over time, as readersupportednews.org the United States, with sav- the increases in healthcare expensive health care ings likely experienced in utilization by the newly in- the first year and definitely sured leveled off, and the plan is the status quo.” Truthout over the longer term. The global budgets adopted truthout.org meta-analysis, published by single payer systems Cai said that the way Wednesday in the PLOS helped to constrain costs. Alternet Medicine journal, reviewed By the tenth year, all mod- forward involves making alternet.org 22 existing studies of state eled single payer systems and national single-payer would save money, even a fundamental change healthcare proposals. those that projected costs Robert Reich Christopher Cai, a would initially increase.” to the U.S. healthcare robertreich.org third-year medical student The study concludes with at the University of Cali- a call to implement the system in order to enjoy Open Democracy fornia at San Francisco and systems, saying that “the the primary author of the logical next step is real- the benefits of lower opendemocracy.net study, explained in a state- world experimentation.” ment that the economic The cost savings costs. In These Times findings were similar re- benefit of a single payer inthesetimes.com gardless of ideological per- healthcare system has long sion,” said UCSF Institute costliest system is the cur- spective. “The most impor- been an argument in favor for Health Policy Studies rent one. “The numbers Informed Comment tant conclusion from our of moving the U.S. away professor James G. Kahn. speak for themselves,” study is that there is near from private insurance. “This suggests that fears Gaffney said in response to juancole.com consensus that single- Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) that a single-payer system the new study. “Even stud- payer would save money, has put Medicare for All at would increase costs are ies by conservative and David Suzuki Foundation libertarian think tanks con- davidsuzuki.org clude that Medicare for All will reap enough admin- istrative savings to cover The Intercept the uninsured and upgrade theintercept.com coverage for everyone else,” Gaffney said. “At this Independent Media Institute point, the most expensive independentmediainstitute.org health care plan is the sta- tus quo.” Cai said that the way forward involves mak- Jacobin ing a fundamental change jacobinmag.com to the U.S. healthcare sys- tem in order to enjoy the Guardian UK benefits of lower costs. theguardian.com “Replacing for-profit pri- vate insurance with a ro- bust public system is es- Washington Watch sential to achieving these aaiusa.org savings,” said Cai. both in the first year of the center of his presiden- likely misplaced.” In com- FAIR implementation and in the tial campaign and made ment to Common Dreams, ______Source: Common Dreams 11520 fair.org long term,” Cai told Com- the issue a key part of the Cai expressed hope that www.commondreams.org mon Dreams. “These find- 2020 Democratic primary. “public officials will draw ings held true regardless At a primary debate on on this research to spread Creators.com of the political affiliation in January, moderators accurate information.” creators.com of study authors.” Of the continually asked Sand- “It’s natural for the 22 studies reviewed, 19 of ers and other Democrats public to be skeptical of them, or 86%, showed that about the costs of such a change and debate is The Revelator healthcare costs would be policy. According to the healthy,” said Cai. “Yet as ecowatch.com reduced in the first year. All study’s researchers, how- physicians and research- showed savings within a ever, cost should be the ers we want the discussion Splinter decade. least concerning aspect of to be evidence-based, and splinternews.com According to a UCSF moving towards Medicare we want the best for our press release announcing for All. “Even though they patients.” Dr. Adam Gaff- 6 CONNECTIONS, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020

just three weeks ago when language that would have prevented Trump from attack- ing Iran without congressional approval Cost of Medicare for All an issue, was dropped from a massive, $738 billion military spending authorization package. Republicans were able to win major con- not the price of endless war cessions on the package due to their ma- EOIN HIGGINS said they support keeping troops in jority in the Senate, and most House Dem- Democrats onstage Tuesday night Iraq were asked how they were going ocrats voted for the package as a year-end at the CNN Des Moines Register debate to pay for it,” tweeted Sanders cam- deadline loomed. in Iowa were challenged repeatedly by paign national organizing director Claire Sen. Sanders voted against the pack- moderators on the cost of major plans Sandberg. Policy analyst Dan Riffle was age, as he has several times in the past. like Sen. Bernie Sanders’ Medicare for All incredulous at the line of questioning. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who is jockeying — scrutiny that was missing in the first “They just asked 27 questions about with Sanders for support from progressive half hour when the questions focused sending troops to the Middle East and voters in the Democratic presidential pri- on endless war and a potential attack on preventing Iran from developing nukes maries, came out later against the military Iran. “Wonder if CNN asked how much and not once asked how they’d pay for spending legislation. going to potential war with Iran cost?” it,” said Riffle. “But not letting poor peo- Speaking at a town hall in Iowa on Fri- asked artist Karla Ortiz. ple die? Whoa, what’s the price tag on Dems respond day, Sanders reminded voters that he vot- Questions on costs and how the that?!” ed against going to war with Iraq in 2002. presidential candidates proposed to pay Social media lit up with commenta- At the time, he warned that the war would for their proposals appeared to use an tors and observers from the left taking to Trump Iran become a bloody and expensive quag- analysis provided to CNN Tuesday by aim at the difference in approach from mire that would further destabilize the Larry Summers on the cost of the Sand- the moderators. “If you didn’t ask ‘how Middle East. Unfortunately, his prediction ers agenda. The majority of the ques- do you pay for it’ when it comes to the war moves turned out to be true. Today, Iraq suffers tions on cost were directed to Sanders disastrous war budget, bank bailouts, or MIKE LUDWIG from rampant corruption, unrest, poverty and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). But oil company subsidies, you have little to As Democratic presidential hope- and Iranian interference that spurred riot- those questions only came in the sec- stand on,” said Sanders surrogate Nina fuls scrambled to respond after Presi- ous protests in recent weeks. War, Sanders ond hour of the debate, and were absent Turner. “Show the receipts!” dent Trump ordered the assassination on said, must be “our last recourse in interna- during the discussion on foreign policy. Thursday of a top Iranian military com- tional relations.” ______Progressives quickly noted the dis- Source: Common Dreams 1/15/20 mander, Sen. Bernie Sanders touted his “All of that suffering, all of that death, connect. “None of the candidates who https://www.commondreams.org antiwar voting record on the campaign all of those huge expenditures of money trail and laid out a vague but bold vision for what?” Sanders said. “It gives me no for removing U.S. troops from the Middle pleasure to tell you, that at this moment, hopeful, said Trump has “no strategic plan ed by besieging the U.S. embassy, and the East while redirecting overseas military we face a similar crossroads fraught with for Iran and has only made the region less latest U.S. drone strike killed the militia’s spending to programs that improve life for danger. Once again, we must worry about stable.” commander along with Suleimani. people back home. unintended consequences and the impact Biden voted for the 2002 invasion of The Constitution gives Congress The United States and Iran appear to of unilateral decision making.” Iraq and served as vice president in the — not the president — the ability to de- be at the brink of war, or at least a proxy Sanders also laid out a vision for U.S. Obama administration, which signed off clare war, and the Trump administration war, which could sow bloody chaos in Iraq foreign policy centered around peace and on deadly drone strikes, supported the has not yet revealed its legal justification and further conflict in the region. After diplomacy, in stark contrast to nearly two overthrow of Libyan leader Muammar al- for the assassination of a foreign military supporters of an Iran-backed Shia militia decades of military adventurism and end- Gaddafi, intervened in the Syrian civil war commander, which Iran clearly views as besieged the U.S. embassy in Baghdad this less conflict in the Middle East sparked by and launched the war against ISIS. Biden an act of war. O’Brien said the attack on week in protest of deadly U.S. airstrikes the War on Terror under the Bush admin- claimed Suleimani “supported terror and Suleimani was consistent with the 2002 against the group, Trump ordered a drone istration and expanded under the Obama sowed chaos” and “deserved to be brought Authorization of Use of Military Force strike near Baghdad on Thursday that administration. In a world where authori- to justice for his crimes.” But he also said (AUMF) that allowed President Bush to in- killed up to 10 people and assassinated tarianism is rising and nuclear weapons Trump “just tossed a stick of dynamite into vade Iraq int the first place — legislation Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, commander continue to proliferate, Sanders said the a tinderbox.” Biden infamously supported. Observers of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s elite U.S. must chart a very different course. “I hope the administration has expect the administration to use a contro- Quds Force and one of the most powerful “I believe, in the midst of all that, the thought through the second- and third- versial interpretation of the AUMF to jus- men in Iran. Iran has vowed to seek “se- role of the United States, as difficult though order consequences of the path they have tify the assassination to Congress. vere revenge.” it may be, must be to work with the inter- chosen,” Biden said in a statement. “But I Language that would have repealed The strike has raised fears of war national community to end conflicts, to fear this administration has not demon- the 2002 AUMF and required Trump to get across the globe and divided lawmak- end the threat of war, not to promote war, strated at any turn the discipline or long- permission from Congress before attack- ers largely along party lines. Republi- as President Trump is doing,” Sanders said. term vision necessary — and the stakes ing Iran were among the progressive pro- cans generally applauded the killing of “This is how the true power of the United could not be higher.” visions stripped from the military spend- a commander accused of targeting U.S. States is shown, and that is how I will use Democrats are largely united in their ing authorization bill passed by Congress forces during the Iraq war while leading American power as president.” criticism of Trump’s “maximum pressure” last month. Democrats used their majority Democrats characterized the move as a Responses from rival Democratic campaign against Iran. Since taking of- in the House to put these provisions on dangerous escalation made without ap- candidates were more tempered, reflect- fice, Trump has pulled out of the Iranian the table, only to have them dropped af- proval from Congress. While presidential ing a shrewd political calculation of how nuclear deal negotiated by the Obama ad- ter negotiations with the GOP-controlled contenders Pete Buttigieg, Joe Biden and centrist voters will respond to news that ministration that would have placed strict Senate. A bloc of 41 progressive Demo- Elizabeth Warren referred to Suleimani Trump killed a commander portrayed limits on the country’s nuclear weapons crats and a handful of isolationist Republi- as an enemy of the U.S., they questioned as the violent mastermind behind Iran’s program. The Trump administration has cans in the House voted against the pack- whether Trump had considered the con- “expansionist agenda.” Robert C. O’Brien, withdrawn from the agreement, slammed age in protest. sequences of the strike and the president’s Trump’s national security adviser, said Iran with devastating economic sanctions Biden, Warren, Buttigieg and other long-term plan for dealing with Iran. on Friday that Suleimani was plotting at- that harm the Iranian population and des- Democrats are attempting to draw a con- “Now we must deal with the conse- tacks against U.S. service members in Iraq ignated the Revolutionary Guard a terror- trast between themselves and Trump’s quences of this action, beginning with the but would not provide any further details ist group. blundering, shoot-from-the-hip approach immediate and very real dangers to Amer- about the alleged plans when pressed by As Trump has taunted Iranian leaders to foreign policy as the conflict with Iran ican citizens in and out of uniform in the reporters. on Twitter, a series of tit-for-tat strikes and looms over the 2020 elections. But their Middle East,” said Buttigieg, a former mili- While Sanders focused on his vote escalations has taken police, often involv- statements on the assassination of Sulei- tary intelligence officer, in said in a state- against the Iraq war, Warren called Sulei- ing various proxies throughout the region. mani and the very real threat of war with ment. “We must prepare for the impact on mani a “murderer” responsible for thou- Earlier this week, the U.S. launched deadly Iran were eerily similar. regional stability, complex forms of retali- sands of deaths, including U.S. casualties. airstrikes against a militia with ties to Iran Sanders was an original opponent ation, and the potential for escalation into However, Warren also called the assassi- in Iraq and Syria after accusing the group of the 2003 invasion of Iraq and has spo- war.” nation a “reckless” act that could lead to of rocket attacks against U.S. and coalition ken for decades against massive military However, the airstrike also exposed greater violence, arguing that avoiding an- forces, including one that killed an Ameri- other costly war should be the top prior- divisions among Democrats, whose pro- can security contractor last week. Sup- CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 gressive wing in the House rose in protest ity. Sen. Cory Booker, another presidential porters of the Shia militia in Iraq respond- CONNECTIONS, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 7 A truly antiwar agenda includes free college and Medicare for All

crease could have made public moment we are in, and seeing death. Roughly 20 percent of the truly erupts in the military. When colleges and universities tuition- the great work that is already be- 184,000 people who sign up for this happens, the military will be free. The roughly $6 trillion spent ing done, let’s look at some of the the military each year come from rocked to its core. Civilian sur- on the wars in the Middle East campaigns that are in action now households that make less than vivors’ struggles for justice are since 2001 could have made the and draw out some of the ways $40,000 a year. It’s hard to find a leading the way for women in the energy grid in the U.S. 100 per- these struggles are directly and college education that costs less military to speak out about sexual cent renewable. And of course, indirectly challenging U.S. mili- than that amount. I signed up for assault in the ranks. there are the countless lives that tarism and laying a foundation the military in part to pay off my have been destroyed because of for a broader and healthier inter- college loans. I always ask myself FIGHTING FOR MIGRANT RIGHTS U.S. militarism, and the potential sectional antiwar movement that if I would have signed up if I were The U.S. is the richest coun- to destroy countless more. will one day welcome soldiers debt free. If college debt were try in the world, in part because RORY FANNING Yet somehow, as we saw in home, convince students not to erased, thousands of soldiers it has exploited countries in Latin The last Iowa debate brought the debate, politicians are never sign up for the current wars, and would lose their incentive to stay America for decades. The mi- home a reality for me: A truly asked how they are going to pay redirect the trillions spent on the in the military — a huge threat to grant rights movement is chal- antiwar agenda is not confined for increases in military budgets, military to infrastructure, health the U.S. war machine. lenging the idea of American to priorities traditionally seen as but always pounce on the ques- care and education. exceptionalism and chauvinism “foreign policy.” It must include tions of how we would pay for CONFRONTING RACISM that justifies so much killing and bold plans to address climate Medicare for All, free college, or FIGHTING FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE So much of the racism used destruction around the world. change, education, institutional green energy. The stakes couldn’t Many in the climate jus- to fuel aggression overseas in Many have called upon active- racism and sexism, health care be higher when it comes to the tice movement are drawing the foreign wars is taught through duty soldiers to lay their weap- and immigration justice. And need to build an antiwar move- connections between the U.S. our existing institutions. People ons down and refuse to police our movements must reflect that ment. But what will that move- military and the warming planet. like Angela Davis and the leaders the border. They are challeng- broad-based vision. ment look like? And are we closer They are challenging our elected of the Movement for Black Lives ing active-duty soldiers to make The recent assassination of to realizing it than we think? officials to do more to shut down have been making the connec- these historical connections in Iran’s top Gen. Qassim Suleimani At the No War with Iran the 800 military bases around tions between U.S. imperialism order to further question the le- was a frightening reminder of the marches I heard a few reminisce the world that are polluting more and the policing of Black and gitimacy of their mission at the undemocratic and reckless ap- about the marches during the than 140 countries combined. Brown communities for years, border. Most elected officials un- proach of those who currently Vietnam war. One person specifi- People are recognizing that there emphasizing that racist institu- derstand that if college were free, rule the U.S. And days later, the cally referenced the day in Octo- then the pool of potential military detention and denial of entry to ber of 1967 when 100,000 people recruits would plummet. Indeed, dozens of Iranian Americans at gathered at the Lincoln Memo- The roughly $6 trillion spent on the much of our movement work is the border drew attention to the rial to challenge the war and the already threatening U.S. milita- racism and Islamophobia of this racism that fueled it. “We need to wars in the Middle East since 2001 rism. We can see this in the de- country’s border patrol appara- see something like that again,” clining numbers of students who tus. that person said longingly. Oth- could have made the energy grid in are willing to sign up for the mili- Activism in resistance to ers spoke of the antiwar marches tary, despite enormous recruiting Trump’s reckless provocation has in 2003 where up to 500,000 the U.S. 100 percent renewable. and marketing budgets. More and been inspiring. We saw power- marched in New York City alone more activists are confronting ful marches across the country to protest the U.S. invasion of militarism in words and actions in response to the strike against Iraq. is no such thing as a green mili- tions at home fuel war abroad while battling climate change, Suleimani. The strongest mes- As inspiring as the antiwar tary, and there never will be. You and vice versa. Supporting the racism, sexism, Islamophobia, xe- sages coming out of those rallies movements of the past have are either for the environment or existing efforts of those making nophobia, student debt, for-profit was that Iran is not our enemy- been, it’s important that we don’t for U.S. imperialism. You can’t be these connections will resonate health care and capitalism as a and that the true enemy of poor overly romanticize them and for both. More and more people with students considering the whole. and working-class people in this take them out of historical con- are recognizing the point Sar- military, as well as those currently At the debate, the modera- country is the current adminis- text. These movements were far ah Lazare recently argued in In on active duty who are question- tors presented war as an issue tration and the ruling class that from perfect and ultimately left These Times: “We must not only ing the mission. wholly separate from other ur- drives us into war. the apparatus that continues to tie together U.S. imperialism and gent priorities. Meanwhile, the For many, these events were drive us to war intact. Yes, we climate, but use both as an entry CONFRONTING GENDER-BASED moderators and centrist candi- also a wake-up call to rebuild an need to replicate much of the point to combat the other.” VIOLENCE dates criticized progressive can- antiwar/anti-militarism move- energy of these previous decades Two out of every three didates’ plans for free college ment. Such efforts will be critical and get ourselves back to a place DEMANDING FREE HIGHER women are sexually assaulted and Medicare for All, even as to prevent U.S. interventions in where hundreds of thousands EDUCATION or harassed while in the mili- they called for an end to “end- the Middle East and end trillion- bring “business as usual” for the It’s been inspiring to see peo- tary. The #MeToo movement is less wars.” It’s time we looked to dollar wars that redirect money military-industrial complex to a ple fight for free education and inspiring women in the military grassroots movements — which from education, health care, in- grinding halt over a sustained recognize that one of the great- to challenge the patriarchy and increasingly recognize how these frastructure and environmental period of time. But we can’t over- est obstacles to free college is the toxic masculinity the military issues are inextricably linked — to protections. In September of 2017, look the work being done that is U.S. military. Most elected officials thrives on. The unhealthy and be our guide. the Senate voted to increase the creating a broader conception of understand that if college were undemocratic power dynamic of annual military spending budget an anti-militarism movement in free, then the pool of potential “the chain of command” creates ______from $620 billion to $700 billion. the current moment. military recruits would plummet conditions ripe for abuse. It’s only Source: Truthout 1/15/20 The $80 billion used for that in- In the spirit of embracing the — and that fact scares them to a matter of time before #MeToo https://truthout.org/

1999 war in Kosovo and other U.S. over- see a brand of foreign policymaking that its influence to bring the regional powers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 seas operations.) is different than the status-quo, which to the table to resolve conflicts.” Sanders is betting that voters want only the progressive wing of the Demo- Sanders did not elaborate on how budgets, and he recently championed an the violence to end and for their tax dol- cratic party has consistently challenged. exactly he would end U.S. military options effort in Congress to end U.S. support for lars funding overseas military operations “We must end our involvement in the in the Middle East, though it is clear he fa- the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen’s to be spent on rebuilding infrastructure, Saudi-led intervention in Yemen, which is vors diplomacy where Trump favors ag- brutal civil war. As the conflict with Iran fixing the health care system and address- now one of the worst humanitarian ca- gression when it comes to Iran — and he continues, expect to hear him tout this ing climate change. “We must invest in the tastrophes on Earth,” Sanders said on Fri- is prepared to use his record to set himself record on the campaign trail. (It should needs of the American people, not spend day. “And we must bring our troops home apart from Biden and rival Democrats. be noted that Sanders has also been criti- trillions more on endless wars,” Sanders from Afghanistan. Instead of provoking ______said. more volatility in the region, the United Source: Truthout 1/4/20 cized by antiwar activists for supporting https://truthout.org/ President Clinton’s intervention in the He is also betting that voters want to States must use its power, its wealth, and

Immunizing its war criminals: Trump pardons US soldiers 8 CONNECTIONS, FEBRUARY /MARCH 2020 Being rich buys 9 extra years of ‘healthy’ living

JESSICA CORBETT levels of inequalities in vantaged groups. It is pos- 31 more “healthy” years ages,” the study concludes. from politicians and politi- A new study that high- health expectancies be- sible that older Americans compared with 22–23 Echoing the study’s con- cal figures on both sides of lights the serious impacts tween England and the U.S. are exposed to more psy- years for the poorest men; clusion, Zaninotto said the Atlantic who responded of wealth inequality in where healthcare systems chosocial distress, which rich women lived about 33 that “our results suggest on social media to report- the United Kingdom and are very different.” has been shown to increase additional “healthy” years that policymakers in both ing on the study’s findings. United States suggests that With the exceptions of the risk of chronic condi- compared compared with England and the U.S. must Zarah Lultana, a Labour being rich can add about Medicare, which serves member of Parliament in nine “healthy” years to a people aged 65 and older, The researchers found that wealth was the U.K., declared on Twit- person’s life. The transat- and Medicaid, which serves ter that “extreme economic lantic study on “healthy people with low incomes the “biggest socioeconomic advantage” inequality scars our soci- life expectancy,” published or disabilities, most Ameri- ety” and expressed a de- Wednesday in the Journal cans are stuck relying on a in terms of healthy life expectancy in sire to “live in a Britain that of Gerontology, is based private healthcare system, cares for everyone equally.” on data from more than despite public pressure to both countries and across all age groups. Dr. Victoria Dooley, a 25,000 adults—10,754 in transition to a single-payer family medicine physi- the U.K. and 14,803 in the program. The U.K., mean- Specifically, they found that from the age cian who also serves as a U.S.—aged 50 and older. while, established its Na- surrogate for Sen. Bernie The data came from the tional Health Service (NHS) 50, the wealthiest British and American Sanders’s presidential cam- English Longitudinal Study in 1948. British conserva- paign, also took to Twitter of Ageing (ELSA) and the tive politicians repeatedly men lived 31 more “healthy” years to share her reaction to the U.S. Health and Retirement have pushed for increased study. As she put it: “Starva- Study (HRS). privatization of the govern- compared with 22-23 years for the poorest tion wages, bad for work- Although life expectancy ment-run NHS, but such ers, helps the super rich for both countries has sig- calls have sparked swift men; rich women lived about 33 additional literally drain their life force nificantly risen over the backlash. so that they can live longer past century, recent evi- Referencing other re- “healthy” years compared with 24-26.6 lives.” dence has shown life ex- search showing an Ameri- ______Source: Common Dreams 1/15/20 pectancy falling in the U.S. can disadvantage in health years for their poor counterparts. https://www.commondreams.org/ and leveling off in the U.K. compared with the British, amid rising rates of disabil- the study says that “since ity and chronic conditions access to healthcare is not tions and early mortality.” 24–26.6 years for their poor make greater efforts into among older adults, the the only explanation for in- Along with acknowledg- counterparts. reducing health inequali- study notes. Previous re- equalities in health, cross- ing some of the differences “Levels of disability-free ties.” That call also came search also has shown that national comparisons of between the two coun- life expectancy in the Unit- Americans are worse off in health expectancy can tries, the researchers also ed States and in England terms of health compared also help evaluating strat- emphasize some similari- (from HRS and ELSA) are to the British. egies adopted in different ties—notably, that “it is now approximately the same,” “While life expectancy is countries to help reducing well established that in the explains the study. “We Become a PEACE PAL! a useful indicator of health, health inequalities.” United States and England, have shown that in Eng- the quality of life as we get “Other possible expla- there are striking socioeco- land and the United States, Please consider giving to PJN month by month. It will older is also crucial,” said nations for greater health nomic inequalities, in both despite living longer lives, give us stable, predictable funding to continue provid- lead author Paola Zaninot- inequalities in the United general health and life ex- not all the increased years ing our services. It’s easy for you and cost-effective to, an associate professor States compared to Eng- pectancy, with apparent of life are being spent in for us. Our website online donation is recommended of epidemiology and public land might relate to a more socioeconomic gradations, optimal health. Our find- for ease and convenience. Your monthly donation health at University College generous welfare state rather than differences only ings have implications for can be automatically withdrawn from your bank ac- London and a member system in England com- being seen between rich policymakers interested in count. of the ELSA management pared to the United States, and poor.” reducing health expectan- group. including unemployment The researchers found cy inequalities.” Monthly Giving Enrollment Form “By measuring healthy compensation, sick pay, that wealth was the “big- “Improving both the Name: ______life expectancy we can get housing policies, and so- gest socioeconomic ad- quality and the quantity of an estimate of the num- cial retirement benefits,” vantage” in terms of years that individuals are Address: ______ber of years of life spent in explains the study. “These healthy life expectancy in expected to live has impli- favorable states of health contextual factors can in both countries and across cations for public expen- Phone: ______or without disability,” Za- turn provide better psycho- all age groups. Specifically, diture on health, income, ninotto added. “Our study social health and reduced they found that from the and long-term care need Email: ______makes a unique contribu- stress, especially among age 50, the wealthiest Brit- of older people as well as work participation in older Yes, I accept your invitation to become a charter member of tion to understanding the socioeconomically disad- ish and American men lived Peace Pals. Here is my monthly pledge contribution of:  $10  $15  $20  $25  $(Other)______

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The Peace and Justice Network is a 501(c)3 non profit educational corporation. Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. CONNECTIONS, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 9 Republican call for overturning Roe v. Wade in Supreme Court filing KATELYN BURNS, provisions of the case, such as whether June Medical Ser- In an amicus curie brief released Thursday, 205 Re- vices has standing to bring the suit in the first place, the publican lawmakers, including 39 senators, asked the Su- Republican brief argues that Roe is a “radically unsettled preme Court to consider whether Roe, the 1973 landmark precedent” while pointing out that two of the original Supreme Court case protecting the right to an abortion, justices who joined the majority in the case have since “should be reconsidered and, if appropriate, overruled.” repudiated their ruling. “Roe jurisprudence has been hap- They’re weighing in on June Medical Services v. Gee, hazard from the beginning,” reads the brief. “Roe did not a key abortion-related case set to be heard in early March actually hold that abortion was a ‘fundamental’ constitu- determining whether the state of Louisiana can require tional right, but only implied it.” abortion providers to have admitting privileges at a lo- The brief also asked the court to reconsider the 1992 cal hospital. Advocates predict that, if the Louisiana law is ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Casey which upheld Roe upheld, two of the remaining three abortion clinics in the but allowed states to enact some restrictions on the med- state will close down. ical procedure, as long as they didn’t impose an “undue Abortion rights advocates sounded the alarm Thurs- burden.” The 207 lawmakers, however, argue that federal day, warning that the legal battle over Roe is now in full courts have struggled to consistently apply that standard. swing. “The anti-choice movement is no longer trying “After two decades of inconsistency, the Court officially to hide their real agenda,” said Ilyse Hogue, president of disavowed ‘fundamental right’ status for abortion and NARAL Pro-Choice America, in a statement. “They are strict scrutiny review, adopting instead an ‘undue burden’ gunning to end Roe, criminalize abortion and punish test in Casey,” reads the brief. “As a result, consistency women. If it wasn’t clear why we fought like hell to stop and predictability continue to be undermined as federal [Supreme Court justice] Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation courts struggle to apply the Roe Casey standard.” before, it should be crystal clear now.” But beyond the specifics of this case, the brief rep- A DIVISIVE ELECTORAL ISSUE resents an ideological statement for Republicans as they The majority of the country— 58 percent of Ameri- enter what is expected to be a bitterly fought election cans, according to a 2018 Pew poll — believe abortion year. And judging by the brief, the party has its sights set should be legal in all or most cases. But that support be- squarely on eliminating the right to legal abortion. While lies an increasingly partisan division: While 36 percent of several Republican senators in hotly contested reelection Republicans believe abortion should be legal in all or most battles such as Susan Collins (ME) and Martha McSally (AZ) cases, over 75 percent of Democrats believe the same. withheld their support, two anti-abortion House Demo- As North explained last year, that wasn’t always the crats, Dan Lipinski (IL) and Collin Peterson (MN) added case; in “the 1970s, politicians’ views on abortion didn’t their names to the brief with their colleagues across the break down along neat party lines”: The story of the abor- 2018, the 205 Republican signees don’t seem concerned aisle. With Roe at stake, all eyes will be on the Supreme tion debate since the 1970s is one of party leaders mov- — instead, they’re into their anti-choice bona fides. After Court for oral arguments in this case on March 4 — and ing farther and farther apart on the issue. The reasons, all, Republicans have been winning elections on abor- on Republican lawmakers on the campaign trail in 2020. scholars and activists say, are a combination of grassroots tion for decades, and judging by Thursday’s brief, a good activism and establishment political strategy. The results many of them are counting on doing it again in 2020. THE FIRST BIG ABORTION CASE HEARD BY THE NEW COURT are a landscape that would be unrecognizable to many ______Gee will be the first abortion case heard by the Su- voters in 1982 — or even five years ago. Source: Vox 1/3/20 https://www.vox.com preme Court since Kavanaugh was appointed to the And in that increasingly polarized atmosphere, an- bench last year. The case centers on a 2014 Louisiana law ti-abortion activists have seen an opening. They — and requiring doctors who perform abortions to have admit- by extension the Republican party — have been build- ting privileges at a local hospital. Abortion advocates ar- ing toward this Supreme Court showdown for the better gue that such privileges are unnecessary because com- part of the last decade, as North explained: “At the turn plications from abortion care are relatively rare and if a of the decade, statehouses went red across America. Re- serious medical emergency occurred during an abortion, publicans gained control of 11 state legislatures and in- a patient would be transported to a local hospital which creased their majorities in three more; in some places, PACIFIC would have no choice but to administer treatment re- like Alabama and North Carolina, they erased Democratic gardless of any admitting privileges. majorities that had existed since the 19th century. When COMPLEMENTARY The law, advocates say, is what’s known as a “TRAP” the votes were counted, the GOP had added 680 seats (targeted regulations on abortion providers) law, or a law in state legislatures around the country. On abortion, the MEDICINE CENTER that looks at first glance like a regulation to increase safe- impact was swift and powerful. Teresa Fedor, a Demo- ty for abortion patients but is really designed to make it crat who has served in the Ohio legislature since 2001, Serving Stockton Since 1984 harder for clinics to operate. remembers that before 2010, “Democrats were able to The case is essentially a relitigation of the 2016 deci- really have an impact on policy.” After 2010, when Re- sion in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, which struck publicans took control of the state House of Represen- Yi-Po Anthony Wu, M.D., M.P.H. Teresa M. Chen, Ph.D. down a nearly identical law in Texas. Why would the tatives and the governors’ mansion, she told Vox, it was Medical Director, Internal Medicine Program Coordinator court take up nearly the same case just three years af- “a full-on assault against women’s reproductive rights.” Dorel Rotar, L.Ac., MTOM ter ruling on essentially the same issue? Quite simply, it’s In the next year alone, five anti-abortion bills passed in Brian Chee C. Loh, L.Ac., O.M.D. Shu-Chuan Susan Wang, L.Ac., Ph.D, O.M.D. Kavanaugh’s presence on the bench, as Vox’s Anna North Ohio, Fedor said. The same thing happened around the Licensed Acupuncturists, Herbalists and Ian Millhauser explained: “But the Supreme Court to- country: Overall, more abortion restrictions were passed day is different from what it was in 2016. Gee is the first in 2011 than in any year since Roe established a right to • Internal Medicine abortion-related case the Supreme Court will hear on the procedure in 1973” • Acupuncture & Moxibustion the merits since Justice Brett Kavanaugh replaced the In fact, the law in question in Gee was part of that more moderate conservative Justice Anthony Kennedy. initial anti-abortion wave, passing the Louisiana state leg- • East & West Herbs For many years, Kennedy was the Court’s “swing” vote islature in 2011. It’s a reminder that elections have con- • Chinese Health Exercises (Tai Chi & Qi Gong) on abortion — typically voting to uphold abortion restric- sequences, a lesson abortion advocates have recently tions but also recoiling at laws that cut so deep into the taken to heart. Reproductive rights advocates took direct Shop at the Herb Store right to an abortion that they virtually nullified it. Kavana- aim at the lawmakers who signed on to the bill Thursday. Specializing in Traditional Chinese Herbal Remedies ugh, by contrast, is overwhelmingly likely to vote with his “These anti-abortion politicians are making it very clear Wide variety of western herbs & nutritional supplements conservative colleagues to uphold the abortion restric- — they want the Supreme Court to effectively ban abor- imported teas • vitamins & minerals • health bars essen- tion at issue in Gee. The Gee. decision may not be the tion, precedent be damned,” said Samuel Lau, director of tial oils • healthcare & educational books final straw for Roe v. Wade — indeed, it is fairly likely that Federal Advocacy Media for Planned Parenthood Votes in • over-the-counter medications the Court will prefer to dismantle the right to an abortion a statement specifically naming Lipinski and Sens. Tillis in incremental steps. But it is likely to, at the very least, be (R-NC), Ernst (R-IA), and Cornyn (R-TX). “To the members Store Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. the beginning of the end.” of Congress who signed on to this amicus brief: Brace Republican lawmakers, however, don’t appear to yourselves for the consequences you will face at the bal- want to settle for an incremental rollback of abortion lot box in November.” 645 West Harding Way • (209) 464-4800 rights in the US. While making arguments on several key But even after losing big with suburban women in Visit our website @ http://www.wuway.com 10 CONNECTIONS, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020

#Global Craft Movement Saving the animals of Australian bushfires One of the most I have watched the news patterns and went to work heartbreaking casualties of reports of the Australian using leftover natural ACTION: Donate fabric or the Australian Bush Fires fires with sadness and cotton fabrics that she help with crafting. Contact are the millions of animials helplessness. Watching had on hand. Most of her Denise Jefferson in Stockton that have been killed, the scorched animals was pouches are cotton prints at: [email protected] injured and displaced. unbearable. Then early on the outside lined with The outpouring of this week I received a softer flannel. Denise takes international support and facebook posting sent to great pains to finish off ANIMAL RESCUE PATTERN sentiment has taken on a people worldwide who the edges smoothly and ALBUM: unique twist. Craftspeople sew, asking them to make reinforce straps to make WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ have rallied to help in very pouches for the orphaned them strong. MEDIA/SET/?SET=A.517912862 tangible ways by sewing, animals. Finally there was Her husband Coburn 266006&TYPE=3 crocheting and knitting a simple way to help. (Coby) Ward wanted to pouches to be used for The pouches for help, so she trained him FOR MORE INFO FOUND ON infant koalas, kangaroos as wallaby and kangaroo on the basics using her SOCIAL MEDIA: “joeys” are made of natural trusty old Singer sewing they heal. WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ Global Craft fibers, preferably cotton machine. GLOBALCRAFTMOVEMENT Denise Jefferson displays some of the Movement started as with cotton flannel lining. Friends have also completed animal rescue pouches destined a Facebook page and Using remnants of other joined in by donating WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/ for Australia Bush Fire injured animals. quickly went global projects I have made six, suitable fabrics and using the hashtag with six more cut out so assisting in cutting out the GLOBALCRAFTMOVEMENT #GlobalCraftMovement. far, but I have run out of patterns. The fabrics need to be flannel. If any of you have Denise and Coby sent TWITTER: CRAFT_MOVEMENT natural and soft—flannel, flannel scraps you would off their first shipment to fleece and cotton to avoid be willing to donate I will Australia and continue to further damage to delicate continue making them.” work on more pouches, burn victims. Denise is very but have been instructed Local activist and handy with the sewing to hold off sending any craftsperson, Denise machine—usually more. The outpouring of Jefferson heard of a channeling her efforts to donations has apparently movement online. Denise making granddaughter been overwhelming sent out the following dresses or window and the organizers are appeal via email to coverings. She researched regrouping to assess the friends, ‘Like many of you online for recommended ongoing need.

Coburn “Coby” Ward (Denise’s husband) learns to operate sewing machine to help with the pouch project. Enjoy the Music O S PHOTOS BY AVA SIMPSON C

Book Review Now, thirty eight years after its publication Faye Spanos Concert Hall in 1981, “Ain’t I A Woman” remains a radical and Sunday: 2:30 pm Ain’t I a Woman relevant work of political theory. hooks lays the groundwork of her feminist theory by giving histori- Season or Single Tickets cal evidence of the specific sexism that black female For tickets and more information Black Women and Feminism slaves endured and how that legacy affects black See www.chambermusicfriends.org Author: bell hooks (Published in 1981) womanhood today. She writes, “A devaluation of black womanhood occurred as a result of the sexual RECOMMENDED READING exploitation of black women during slavery that has Ensemble ARI BY CHRISTIE KELLEY not altered in the course of hundreds of years.” The September 22, 2019 This book describes Bridging Korean Culture and economics of slavery, which commodified human Western Classical Music the intersection of rac- lives and the breeding of more enslaved people, ism and feminism and encouraged the systematic practice of rape against the deconstruction of black women, and this system established an endur- Arod Quartet where and how white ing “social hierarchy based on race and sex.” October 20, 2019 feminists (and others) hooks’s writing broke ground by recognizing BBC New Generation Artist got it wrong. At 71, I that a woman’s race, political history, social position for the 2017-18 season am constantly learning and economic worth to her society are just some of and bell hooks wrote a the factors, which comprise her value, but none of Third Coast book in her youth that these can ever be left out in considering the totality is as valid today as ever. of her life and her freedom. Percussion An important read/listen November 17, 2019 https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/28/books/ Chicago-based 2017 for all feminists of any bell-hooks-min-jin-lee-aint-i-a-woman.html Grammy winning ensemble gender identification to For more information and a listing of bell hooks understand the histori- books check out https://bellhooksbooks.com/ Seraph Brass cal underpinnings that unite us in our struggle for a just world for all. If we don’t understand our her/his/ OTHER GOOD READS/LISTENS: Quintet tories, we will continue to stumble. We are reminded Michelle Obama, “Becoming” February 16,2020 America’s top female brass that every voice needs to be heard and respected as Assata Shakur “Assata: An Autobiography” players unique and valuable. Chimadmanda Ngozi Adichie “We Should All Be Feminists” FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES, MIN JIN LEE, FEB 28, 2019 Michelle Alexander “The New Jim Crow: Mass Winds of Frisson Gloria Watkins published her first book, “Ain’t I Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” April 5, 2020 A Woman: Black Women and Feminism,” under her Showcasing a myriad of pen name, bell hooks (taken from her grandmother’s Zora Neale Hurston “Their Eyes Were Watching rarely performed and name) in 1981. God” traditional masterworks

CONNECTIONS, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 11 Women’s March 2020 Fourth year of marches in support of women and human rights

PHOTO CREDIT: KATYA EVANHOE JIM MELQUIST & AVA SIMPSON

Stockton men and women traveled to Sacramento and Modesto to join thousands. 12 CONNECTIONS, FEBRUARY 2020/MARCH 2020 Climate change happening Australia’s bushfires expose an extinction crisis that was decades in the making TARA LOHAN tively smaller proportions of mal declared extinct from climate mining and other development. was released in September. “The The hundreds of fires racing populations are affected and spe- change — the Bramble Cay melo- It wasn’t supposed to be this government is failing to enforce across Australia have captured cies are able to recover between mys. way. In 1999 Australia passed the a law designed to halt Australia’s the world’s attention and left an fire events,” she says. “Now, in In fact, in the past 200 years Environment Protection and Bio- extinction crisis.” indelible scar on the continent, this event, such large areas have the country has lost more biodi- diversity Conservation Act (EPBC The Mount Cooper striped with at least 27 human lives lost, been simultaneously affected versity than any other developed Act) to help protect the country’s skink lost 25% of its potential 15 million acres consumed and so severely that populations will nation, according to a November biodiversity and ecological com- habitat to development during nearly 2,000 homes destroyed. struggle to recover.” 2019 study published in Con- munities. But since then the Act this period, making it one of the And then, of course, there are Climate change is making servation Letters, which Legge has done little to stop habitat de- biggest losers in the enforce- the animals, shown dead or Australia’s fire seasons longer and co-authored. The biggest drivers struction. The study estimated ment failure. The Keighery’s ma- scarred in unforgettable photos. more severe. And fire frequency of these losses include invasive that 19 million acres (7.7 million carthuria, a small flowing shrub, The exact number of wild crea- is also increasing in many areas species and rampant habitat de- hectares) of potential forest and lost 23% and the southern black- tures killed in the blazes won’t be of the country, making it harder struction. And all these historical woodland habitat for threatened throated finch 10%. known for a while, but one esti- for even fire-adapted species to problems are compounded by a species were destroyed between Even more well-known spe- mate, from University of Sydney bounce back from each succes- lack of modern political will. 2000 and 2017, much of it to cre- cies suffered. The beloved koala ecologist Chris Dickman, puts it sive event. Recent research by The ate livestock pasture. — perhaps the poster child for at a staggering 1 billion animals. “We’re already seeing eco- Guardian found that under 40% Shockingly 93% of that lost the current fires — lost around 2.5 With record droughts and high system collapse in some areas,” of Australia’s federally listed land was never referred to the million acres (1 million hectares), temperatures fueling the bush- Legge says. “For example, the al- threatened species have accom- federal government to be evalu- 2% of its potential habitat. fires, experts warn that Australia’s pine ash forests of the high coun- panying recovery plans. The pa- ated for the development’s po- The study’s authors con- present horror could be a harbin- try are being transformed from per also found that no new criti- tential impact on nearby spe- cluded that “Australia’s flagship ger of climate-amplified disasters biodiverse wet eucalyptus to an cal habitat for threatened species cies — a requirement under the environmental legislation is al- to come for the rest of the world. attenuated, scrubbier and more has been listed since 2005. guidelines of the EPBC Act. most completely ineffective at And while this could inspire a flammable forest.” The scale and The inaction has come with a This was more than a policy limiting the ongoing loss of po- wake-up call for climate action, it intensity of fires are bad news for cost. Australia has lost a third of failure. “It’s hard for any reason- tential habitat for listed terrestrial should also ring alarm bells about a lot of wildlife, and experts esti- its native vegetation since Euro- able person to see how 7 million species and communities… As the extinction crisis — and shine a mate that around 200 threatened pean colonization, according to a hectares of unassessed, unap- habitat loss is the primary cause light on the historical factors that species have already been af- study published last year in Con- proved destruction of threatened of species extinction, we urge have made the conflagration and fected. servation Science and Practice. species habitat can be other than mechanisms that protect habitat resulting biodiversity loss so dev- Some could be brought to Researchers also found that the unlawful,” Martin Taylor, one of be embedded within the federal astating. the brink of extinction. The Kan- majority of the species listed as the report’s co-authors and a legislation.” garoo Island dunnart, a mouse- threatened are seriously affected conservation science manager at BIODIVERSITY UP IN FLAMES sized endangered marsupial, by habitat loss, which comes the World Wide Fund for Nature- Globally the planet is experi- may have already lost as much from clearing land for agriculture, Australia, said when the report CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 encing an unparalleled biodiver- as 95% of its habitat. A similar fate sity crisis, with as many as a mil- could await the long-footed po- lion species facing extinction. The toroo, a small marsupial found in problem is perhaps most acutely east Gippsland, Victoria, and the felt in Australia, where more than spring midge orchid near Bate- 1,700 plant and animal species mans Bay on the coast of New are federally listed as threatened. South Wales, says Legge. Species The island nation is one of the with the smallest distributions are world’s most important biodi- at the greatest risk, even those versity hotspots, with upwards of few with protective measures in 80% of its plant and animal spe- place. “For some species, many cies found nowhere else. years of conservation effort have The wildfires could wipe out been obliterated in the space of some species directly or, in the a few weeks,” she says. “We face aftermath, through loss of food, a future where these events will habitat and shelter. It’s an ex- recur at increasing frequency.” treme situation for a country that normally experiences some level EXTINCTION HISTORY of recurring natural fire. “Many Although the current news Australian plants and animals are is grim, Australia’s wildlife crisis fire-adapted, but this fire event actually predates the most recent occurred at a scale and inten- fires and can be traced back to sity that is unprecedented,” says the beginning of European colo- wildlife ecologist Sarah Legge, a nization. At least 90 species have professor at the Australian Na- gone extinct in Australia over the tional University and principal re- past two centuries, and the coun- search fellow with the University try now has the inglorious honor of Queensland. of holding the record for the most “When fires are smaller in mammalian extinctions in the area and of lower intensity, rela- world, including the first mam- CONNECTIONS, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 13 Hottest decade on record ANDREA GERMANOS alarming signs," said Jean-Noël Thé- for pre-industrial conditions New data out Wednesday from paut, director of ECMWF Copernicus. (1880–1900), the 2019 global Sanders climate federal and international scientists The trajectory the Earth is headed in land and ocean temperature was that confirmed 2019 was the sec- is leading towards even more danger- 2.07°F (1.15°C) above the average. ond-warmest year on record and ous levels of heating. "On the current change vote stands capped off the warmest decade on path of carbon dioxide emissions, we 2020 has heightened concerns record underscores the scale of the are heading towards a temperature over continued warming. "The year global crisis, said climate advocates. increase of 3 to 5 degrees Celsius by 2020 has started out where 2019 left against trade deal The temperature data was released the end of century," said WMO Sec- off—with high-impact weather and in the U.S. by NOAA and NASA. The retary-General Petteri Taalas. NOAA climate-related events," said Taalas. JULIA CONLEY World Meteorological Organization, "Australia had its hottest, driest year drew attention to a number of high- Sierra Club California has been advocating to which consolidates analysis from on record in 2019, setting the scene lights from its latest global climate impeach incineration as the chief use for biomass NOAA and NASA as well as datasets for the massive bushfires which were report: in California and for policies that sup from the U.K.'s Met Office and the so devastating to people and prop- Climate action advocates thanked Sen. Bernie University of East Anglia's Climatic • 2019 marks the 43rd consecu- erty, wildlife, ecosystems, and the en- Sanders for being adamant during Tuesday night's Research Unit, the European Centre tive year (since 1977) with global vironment." Democratic debate that climate and trade issues for Medium Range Weather Forecasts land and ocean temperatures "Unfortunately," he continued, are one and the same, even as debate moderators and its Copernicus Climate Change at least nominally above the "we expect to see much extreme attempted to separate the subjects. When asked Service, and the Japan Meteorologi- twentieth-century average. weather throughout 2020 and the about the USMCA, which he voted against mov- cal Agency, also issued its findings coming decades, fueled by record ing out of committee on Tuesday, Sanders said he Wednesday. • The five warmest years have oc- levels of heat-trapping greenhouse would not support any trade deal that "does not "The decade that just ended is curred since 2015; nine of the 10 gases in the atmosphere." Advocacy incorporate very, very strong principles to signifi- clearly the warmest decade on re- warmest years have occurred group 350 Canada, in a tweet, said cantly lower fossil fuel emissions in the world." cord," said Gavin Schmidt, director of since 2005. The year 1998 is the need for urgent action to address "Every major environmental organization has NASA's Goddard Institute for Space the only twentieth-century year the climate crisis, including Green said no to this new trade agreement because it Studies. "Every decade since the among the 10 warmest years on New Deal legislation and making does not even have the phrase 'climate change' 1960s clearly has been warmer than record. those most responsible pay, is clear. in it," the Vermont senator and 2020 presidential the one before." The agencies also "Last decade was the hottest on re- • The annual global land and ocean candidate said. When Des Moines Register political drew attention to the record warmth cord. And 2020 is starting off with temperature has increased at an reporter Brianne Pfannenstiel told Sanders that the from 2015-2019—a time frame that climate impacts of an unimaginable average rate of +0.13°F (+0.07°C) debate would soon cover the climate crisis but the included warmest-year-on-the- scale," the group said. "That is why per decade since 1880; however, topic at hand was trade, the senator countered, books 2016, which, unlike 2019, in- this decade we make the fossil fuel since 1981 the average rate of "They are the same in this issue." cluded a strong El Niño event. industry pay for climate justice and increase is more than twice that Grassroots group the Sunrise Movement "The past five years have been fight like hell for a #GreenNewDeal." rate (+0.32°F / +0.18°C). praised the senator for making clear the connec- the five warmest on record; the last ______• For the 21-year span that is con- tion between the climate and trade. The group, decade has been the warmest on Source: Common Dreams 1/15/20 sidered a reasonable surrogate https://www.commondreams.org/ which endorsed Sanders last week, was among record: These are unquestionably the climate action advocates praising the senator following the debate. states/territories and the change from analyses of BUSHFIRES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 Sanders was joined by only three of his Dem- commonwealth, which can the potential impact of in- ocratic colleagues on the Senate Environment and The federal government as endangered — though it lead to buck-passing.” frastructure projects. Public Works Committee on Tuesday—Sens. Kirst- does not appear to have should be noted that the The environment clearly Will Australia take a dif- en Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and responded to the study Trump administration has hasn’t been a priority for ferent course and galva- Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.)—in voting against about the EPBC Act, but taken steps to weaken the the Coalition government nize the public and poli- the USMCA. the month after the study Endangered Species Act, that won power in 2013. ticians around action to The lawmakers cited concerns over "special was published it appointed which has been respon- Since then it has slashed strengthen environmental protections" for fossil fuel companies' profits, food a review of the law with sible for those accomplish- the federal budget for en- regulations to fight cli- safety regulation rollbacks, allowances for chemi- the goal of reducing what ments. vironmental programs by mate change and protect cal companies to keep data about toxic pesticides it called “green tape” and Australia would likely need 40%. At the helm now is wildlife? Legge says she al- secret, and other failures to mitigate the climate and ecological emergency, as reasons for oppos- making things even easier an estimated $1.27 billion Prime Minister Scott Mor- ready sees the events pull- ing the deal. In December, climate action groups for businesses and farm- (U.S.) a year to recover its rison, who has been criti- ing communities together including the Sierra Club and the Natural Re- ers. The move was praised listed threatened species. If cized for his cozy relation- and inspiring an urge to sources Defense Council (NRDC)sent a letter to by the National Farmers’ that seems like a big price ship with the coal industry “do something.” She hopes lawmakers imploring them to reject the USMCA Federation in an Oct. 29 tag, the study’s authors and for not doing enough it results in researchers and because it "fails to meet the baseline standards press release that called point out that the govern- to tackle the climate cri- governments working to- for environmental and climate protection that the the Act “convoluted.” ment gave out $735 million sis — something he’s been gether in a more coordinat- environmental community has consistently called POLITICAL WILL AND in tax credits to coal com- increasingly called out on ed way to tackle the crisis. for." PUBLIC PRESSURE panies alone in 2018. Aus- amid the current wildfires. “Still, there will have to be Food & Water Action called the deal "a one- Weak enforcement of leg- tralian citizens, meanwhile, His inaction on climate a seismic shift in our ap- way ticket to climate disaster" in a statement islation isn’t the only prob- spend twice the needed change has earned him proach, given the potential Wednesday. "Elected officials in America are charged with protecting consumers against cheap lem. Protective efforts also amount every year caring comparisons to President for fires to wipe out previ- and unsafe imported food, contaminated water, suffer from a lack of fund- for their pet cats (which are Trump, who continues to ous efforts so quickly and and public health threats," said Mitch Jones, the ing. The Conservation Let- another major driver of na- roll back environmental thoroughly,” she says. “I group's policy director. "USMCA ansacks protec- ters study revealed that tive species loss). regulations in the United think most conservationists tions on all three fronts." Australia is spending just “Funding for conserva- States. As California fire- are feeling shell-shocked "America needs a leader who will intervene 15% of what’s needed to tion — and conservation fighters arrived last week right now — how do we on deals like this that could lead to our children avoid extinctions and re- actions — tends to be in Australia to help fight respond to this event, and eating contaminated deli meat," he added. "Every cover its threatened spe- short-term and ephemeral, blazes fueled by the hottest to this future?” These are leader in this country, especially one who wants cies. And it spends far less and thus doesn’t support and driest year on record, questions the whole world to be our president, must oppose USMCA in the than many other countries, long-lasting change or im- Trump moved to weaken will need to answer. name of a healthy future." ______his country’s landmark Na- such as the United States, provements,” says Legge. ______Source: Common Dreams 1/15/20 https://www.commondreams.org/ which has a high success “Responsibility for the envi- tional Environmental Policy Source: The Revelator 1/15/20 rate for saving species listed ronment is shared between Act and exclude climate https://therevelator.org/ 14 CONNECTIONS, FEBRUARY 2020/MARCH 2020

Consumer action Making socially responsible investing easy

GLORIA FEARN and detaining families until there’s a ruling on their case, very useful tool. Afsc.org/investigate has what you need I first met Dalit Baum in May 2011 when she spoke at rather than the twenty days now allowed. One speaker - whether you’re researching your own 401(k), compa- Central Methodist Church in Stockton. At that time Dalit, from ICE, actually advocated preventing undocumented nies your city, school, or special districts do business with, a Jewish-Israeli researcher and activist, was working with immigrants from making a living. He touted the increase or seeking to engage with a movement to further a so- Global Exchange. She talked about “Who Profits from the in arrests of employers and said that “They should fear cial cause such as ending mass incarceration for profit, Occupation,” a research project of the Coalition of Wom- us like they fear the IRS,” referring to immigrant families or holding profiteers accountable for their activities in en for Peace (CWP) in Israel. In 2011 Who Profits was the as “unverified family units.” There was a plea for more Israel/Palestine. It’s an information hub, online database, go-to place on the web for anyone who wanted to know agents, more technology, more funding and a faster pro- and investment screening tool featuring up-to-date inde- about companies that were profiting from the occupa- curement system to support these policy changes. The pendent research. It has more than 150 company and in- tion and conflict in the Holy Land. Dalit is now with the buzz words were: AI and automation, creating new na- dustry profiles and 3,000 mutual funds screened. On this AFSC with an expanded focus that includes researching tional and cross-agency unified platforms for data shar- site you can learn about companies profiting from state corporations that produce technology and equipment ing, and using technology to predict behavior. violence, find out if you are invested in these companies, for border security, mass incarceration, surveillance, im- check your mutual fund, and take action as an ethical in- migration, and the detention of children in places around PUBLIC AWARNESS WORKS vestor and active citizen. the world, including the United States and our southern This is scary and expensive. The military industrial border. complex includes a lot of big weapons producers like This past Thursday I was excited to hear Dalit speak General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed, Ray- IF YOU’D LIKE TO HEAR DALIT’S PRESENTATION IN FULL, at the United Methodist Center in West Sacramento on theon, information companies such as, Amazon, Micro- YOU CAN FIND IT ON HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/IS- the topic of Who Profits from the Criminalization of Chil- soft, Palantir Technologies, and the big banks. The good RAEL-PALESTINE-TASK-FORCE-CANV-UNITED-METHODIST- dren and Youth. Dalit affirmed the church’s focus on chil- news is that these big companies are risk averse. Whether CHURCH-1439694949391708/ dren and its endorsement of HR 2407, which calls for en- it’s reputational risk, controversial risk, regulatory risk, le- forcing the provisions of the “Leahy law” by forbidding US gal risk, political risk, or conflict risk, they want nothing GLORIA FEARN IS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE PEACE AND JUS- Government funding of units that violate human rights. to do with it. Last year Elbit quit making cluster bombs in TICE NETWORK. H.R. 2407 focuses on children in Palestine, but it applies response to public pressure. More locally, in 2017 the Sac- more broadly to include children everywhere. As Dalit ramento Regional Transit District did not renew its con- says, “Children touch our hearts. We know that they are tract with G4S and hired 30 new in-house Transit Agents innocent. When systems of oppression target children, to provide security for the transit system. They did this they target the center of the community and harm the in response to community organizing and engagement community’s ability to continue. Focusing on children with the Sacramento Coalition for Palestinian Rights. G4S, gives us the opportunity to see how systems of oppres- the world’s largest security company and a bad actor in sion work.” the Israeli prison system. dumped its assets in Israel as a consequence of losing many such contracts. G4S is AT THE BORDER SECURITY EXPO just one of many major companies that have changed Dalit told about attending the 2019 Border Security their practices when public pressure was brought to bear. Expo, where technologies and equipment developed and Trump’s policies have driven profits up for private prisons. produced by our military industrial complex were dis- But these companies proved vulnerable because they de- played and marketed. Scanners, drones, teargas canisters, pend on credit. Wells Fargo was targeted because they cameras and weapons of all sorts were on display. It was financed private prisons. Now nine major US Banks have all field-tested and still in use in Israel and other places announced that they will not extend credit to private pris- on the periphery of the empire. Now this equipment and on companies. technology follow Americans in airports, train stations, court houses, social media, public and private spaces all TAKE ACTION over the US. Local police, government agencies, emergency ser- To convince Americans that these technologies and vices and transportation systems are a lucrative field for equipment are needed, it is necessary to define a prob- big weapons manufacturers, security firms and informa- lem that cannot be solved by traditional means - stoking tion companies. There are a couple of things we can do fear and dehumanizing those who are targeted. At this to trim their wings in our local communities. First, we can event speakers from government agencies like Homeland help our cities and counties develop procurement poli- security and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement cies the make human rights a priority. Portland is setting (ICE) made the case for the weapons manufacturers. a standard in this area. Then, we can look at what our They defined the “crisis on the border” as resulting not government agencies are buying, and what companies from the volume of immigration, but from new patterns are supplying them. Then, we need to know about the of immigration, which require increased resources. They bad actors. argued for policing before people cross into the country, This is where the website afsc.org/investigate is a

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ALEXIS GOLDSTEIN The final Democratic debate before the Iowa caucus had mo- ments that further highlighted the Contact Your distinctions between the leading candidates on issues like free public college and health care but for the most part it covered familiar ground. However, the candidates clos- est in policy — Senators Bernie Sand- Reps ers and Elizabeth Warren — had mo- ments when the distinctions in their strategic approaches shone through: Warren described her approach as fighting for smaller reforms to get re- lief to as many as possible as quickly as possible, and Sanders emphasized President Donald Trump, The White House, 1600 that legislative opportunities are Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington DC 20500. rare, and it’s worth the risk of hold- ing out for a more optimal outcome. 202-456-1414; www.whitehouse.gov; Twitter: @ The debate started out with War- realdonaldtrump @whitehouse ren and Sanders in alignment on for- eign policy. On the conflict with Iran, Sen. Kamala Harris, 501 I Street, Suite 7-600, the candidates concurred that with- Sacramento 95814 916-448-2787, fax 202-228-3865; drawing from the Iran deal was a mis- take. Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Sen. 112 Hart Building, Washington, DC 20510. 202- Amy Klobuchar and Tom Steyer all said 224-3553, [email protected] ; Twitter: @ that if they were commander-in-chief the last 12 years. Warren argued that in day and fight for a better trade deal.” they would leave some combat troops order to tackle the climate crisis, cor- Sanders countered that legislative op- senkamalaharris in Iraq, while Sanders and Warren ruption in government needed to be portunities don’t come that often on said they would withdraw the troops. tackled first, as it’s the power of the trade, and that if this deal is ratified, Senator Dianne Feinstein, One Post Street, Ste fossil fuel industry’s lobbying that’s “it will set us back a number of years.” Warren said “we need to get our 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104. 415-249-0707; 331 combat troops out” and “we should been able to block change thus far. The disagreements Warren and stop asking our military to solve prob- Free public college has long Sanders had on trade in many ways Hart Building, Washington, DC 20510. 202-224- lems that cannot be solved militar- been a source of contention be- embodied the differences in their 3841, [email protected] ; Twitter: @ ily” and instead focus on diplomatic tween some of the moderates and strategic approaches in other areas, tools. She cited the many generals progressives, and this debate again too, with Sanders pushing for a bolder senfeinstein she’s heard before the Senate Armed highlighted these differences. Despite but perhaps more difficult to achieve Services Committee saying they’ve the fact that universal benefits are vision and Warren pushing for small- Representative Jerry McNerney (D-9th District) just turned a corner, but that “we’ve more resilient than income-capped er, but readily achievable reforms. 2222 Grand Canal Blvd #7, Stockton, CA 95207. turned the corner so many times, programs, Buttigieg repeated his as- On health care, Warren noted (209) 476-8552. Fax (209) 476-8587. 1210 we’re going in circles,” and called for sertion that he wants to prevent the that her approach is to “get as much cutting the defense budget and end- children of the wealthy from benefit- help to as many people as quickly as Longworth HOB, Washington DC 20515; info@ ing from free public college. Warren possible.” She said on Day 1 of her ad- ing the revolving door between the jerrymcnerney.org, 202-225-1947, http://www. defense industry and the Pentagon. countered that she would be fine with ministration, she would create a new Meanwhile, as he did in the De- the children of billionaires attending agency that would allow the govern- JerryMcNerney.org ; Twitter: @RepMcNerny cember debate, Sanders gave Rep. free public college, so long as those ment to produce drugs for expired Barbara Lee credit for her lone vote billionaires are paying a wealth tax. patents, which would lower the cost Representative Tom McClintock (R-District 4), Sanders and Steyer were the only of prescription drugs for consumers. against the Authorization of Mili- 8700 Auburn-Folson Road, Suite 100, Granite Bay, tary Force (AUMF) in 2001. Sand- candidates on stage to oppose the Meanwhile Sanders emphasized ers invoked the many problems the United States-Mexico-Canada Agree- his commitment to introduce Medi- CA 95746, 916, 786-5560, fax 916-786-6364 ; 434 care for All in his first week, arguing for United States faces, such as 87 mil- ment (USMCA) trade deal. Sanders Cannon HOB, Washington, DC, 20515, Fax 202-225- lion people who either lack health started to discuss the trade deal in the importance of fighting for a deeper care entirely or are under-insured, relation to climate policy, noting that change to the U.S. health care system, 5444, Fax 202-225-544 ; Twitter @RepMcClintock and the 500,000 people “sleeping out the deal does not even mention cli- even in the face of challenges that on the streets tonight.” Sanders then mate change, but he was cut off by such a bill would face in the likely 2021 Representative Josh Harder (D-District 10), 4701 stressed that Americans are “sick and moderator Brianne Pfannenstiel who Senate. On the debate stage, Sanders Sisk Road, Suite 202, Modesto, CA 95356, (209) tired of endless wars which have cost said they would get to a discussion spoke about Medicare for All on the 579-5458, Fax (209) 579-5028. 131 Cannon HOB, us trillions of dollars,” and that the fo- of the climate later. However, trade merits, explaining that “What we will cus should instead be on diplomacy is absolutely an issue that impacts do through a Medicare for All single- Washington, DC 20515, 202-225-4540. Twitter @ the climate — that is why, as Sand- payer program is substantially lower and rebuilding the State Department. RepJoshHarder The candidates agreed that the ers noted, every major environmen- the cost of health care for employ- tal organization opposed the deal, ers and workers, because we end the prohibitive cost of child care is an im- Govenor Gavin Newsom, State Capitol, 1303 10th portant policy issue, with Warren and something Steyer also noted when $100 billion a year that the health care Sanders citing their plans for universal he said he couldn’t support the deal. industry makes and the $500 billion a Street, Suite 1173, Sacramento, CA 95814. 916-445- Warren’s inclination appears year we spend” in administrative costs. child care. There was also consensus 2841 Fax: (916) 558-3160 that we face a climate crisis, though to be to accept a more limited im- In both health care and trade, War- provement that could help people ren’s inclination appears to be to ac- Biden argued for more moderate ap- State Sen. Cathleen Galgiani (District 5), 31 E proaches to addressing it, such as re- right away, whereas Sanders is call- cept a more limited improvement that turning to mileage standards on cars ing for a longer-term fight for a could help people right away, whereas Channel St, Room 440, Stockton, CA 95202. (209) more ideal solution, since it’s hard Sanders is calling for a longer-term and making highways green highways. 948-7930; State Capitol, Rm 4082, Sacramento, CA Steyer, who continually stated he was to have another bite at the apple. fight for a more ideal solution, since the only candidate making climate Klobuchar, Buttigieg and Biden it’s hard to have another bite at the 95814. 916-651-4005 change his number-one priority, was all voiced support for the trade deal, apple. It is unclear if either candidate confronted with his past as a hedge as did Warren, who said the deal won over new progressives, but judg- Assemblyperson Susan Talamantes Eggman ing from the debate fundraising hauls, fund manager whose investments in- was “a modest improvement” that (District 5), 31 E. Channel St., Rm. 306, Stockton CA cluded fossil fuels. He clarified that he’d gave relief to farmers and workers. at least Sanders and Warren certainly divested 10 years ago, signed a pledge She said she supported the deal be- energized their respective bases. 95202, (209) 948-7479 cause she thought we should “accept ______to give away most of his wealth, and Source: Truthout 1/15/20 https://truthout.org/ has been fighting the climate crisis for that relief” and then “get up the next 16 CONNECTIONS, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 Establishment/corporate media prefers Pres. Trump to a Pres. Sanders

WILLIAM GROVER Obama proclaimed his market-based cli- it is because the US has been, since the I am a child of the presidency. I came mate policy, reassuring us that being care- end of WW II, an imperial power. of age politically in the early 1970s when takers of the future of the planet involves What can be done? In this election the end game in the Vietnam War still “no contradiction between a sound envi- season progressives have a viable choice stoked furious debate and the constitu- ronment and strong economic growth,” a between Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sand- tional crisis of Watergate brought down proposition with which President Trump ers. Both are impressive in their own right. the Nixon presidency. Historians, presi- readily concurs. As scientists continue to The question for the progressive left is not dential scholars and politicians fell over tell us, the US (indeed the world) needs to the one thrown in our faces every day: themselves to decry the excesses of what reduce drastically the production of green- which one can beat Trump? Either one can Arthur Schlesinger, Jr famously termed house gases by 2030. Promoting soaring pull that off, although Sanders’s grassroots “the imperial presidency.” And young economic growth—even in pursuit of the support and fundraising ability is deeper, minds like mine were entranced with sort- vital goal of expanding the economic pie the loyalty of his supporters more fervent, ing it all out. I have since struggled to con- and distributing it most justly—risks mak- his message to the working class more vey to students the seismic feeling that the ing emission targets even harder to reach. authentic. He can erode Trump’s base. tectonic plates of politics in the US were Physics and chemistry are spectacularly The larger question is, which one is more shifting under our feet. indifferent to who chairs the key environ- likely to move the nation in a progres- Today conjures similar tremors. An mental committees in the House and Sen- sive direction, beyond mere reformism? obstructionist Senate leadership awaits ate. Like Sanders, Warren did not come from delivery of articles of impeachment against Similarly, our common understand- a privileged background. While she was a a criminally unhinged chief executive who ing of “national security” must change. registered Republican until 1996, her views blithely walks us to the brink of war with Maintaining more than 800 military bases have evolved, and it is refreshing that her Iran, the planet faces the existential crisis around the world, along with the environ- economic populism frightens Wall Street. of a sixth extinction with the relentless mental hazards inherent in them, will not Her views of foreign policy are much less march of climate change, and—OMG!— make us more secure. Neither will the con- bold and overall her political career leans democratic socialist Bernie Sanders has a tinued sophistication of our weapons and toward accommodation and compromise. serious shot at being elected President. surveillance capabilities, a lesson made At her core she does not appear to ques- In the ‘70s political leaders sought to ever more poignant by President Trump’s tion the conventional bipartisan consen- allay such fears with the comforting con- recent drone assassination of Iranian Gen. sus on economic growth and national clusion that amidst utter chaos, “the sys- Suleimani. As much as Democrats insist security. She clearly articulated her brand tem works.” Bad guys got jail time. Nixon on the need to be briefed before such an of reformism in a 2018 interview: “I am a resigned. Elections brought change. And attack, this procedural argument over- capitalist. Come on. I believe in markets. Congress passed legislation to reclaim its looks the deeper substantive agreement What I don’t believe in is theft, what I don’t budgetary and wars powers. Our political thinking was dominated by the imagery of a constitutional “balance of power,” a “One of Sanders’ campaign slogans is off. In a long legislative career, the votes metaphorical see-saw rebalanced with a are there to criticize. And, of course, he now-chastened presidency on one end ‘Not me. Us.’ That thought literally needs supported Clinton over Trump last time and a reenergized Congress on the other. around, although she continues to blame Understandably reassuring back then, the to become reality if Sanders is to address him for her defeat. Nonetheless, it cannot imagery was misleading; we should resist be denied that to a significant extent Sand- its revival in today’s polarized climate. For the challenges that await him.” ers has profoundly impacted political dis- beneath partisan differences lies a deeper course in the United States. Has any other structure of political and economic power that historian Andrew Bacevich terms the believe in is cheating.” It is sad that in the post-FDR presidential candidate inspired to which both parties are beholden. American national security “credo,” which age of Trump a candidate must come out the wrath of economic elites more than The modern presidency was rooted “summons the United States—and the against theft and cheating, but such is our Sanders? Has the struggle for universal in the long tenure of FDR who confronted United States alone—to lead, save, liberate, political life under a narcissist with author- health care and income and wealth tax the crises of the Great Depression and WW and ultimately transform the world.” Both itarian impulses. equity had a stronger advocate? His voice II. His success was rooted, in part, in his parties are marinated in American excep- “The day after his triumph, President- has had efficacy. And in light of the cur- willingness to embrace reforms—stealing tionalism. elect Sanders would be staring in the face rent Democratic opposition to President “the thunder of the left”—that moved the In justifying the death of some of capital strike. The practical result not Trump’s bombing in Iran, can we imag- US in a more progressive direction, thus 500,000 Iraqi children subjected to a pun- of some ‘deep state’ conspiracy but of the ine any other Democrat or Republican appeasing the populist agitation routinely ishing UN embargo, for instance, Secretary normal protective reaction of elite inter- reminding us that US policy in Iran goes out in the streets. But the foundation of of State Madeleine Albright commented ests, capital strike must be given sober back beyond the seizure of hostages at the the office was built upon the twin pillars to CBS in 1996, “I think this is a very hard forethought among progressives.”As the US embassy in 1979, back at least as far as of endless economic growth (defined as choice, but the price, we think the price is longest serving Independent in American CIA intervention to overthrow Iran’s elect- ever-expanding GDP) and promotion of worth it.” She elaborated on the hubris un- history, Bernie Sanders potentially can ed government in 1953 and the installation national security (defined as the projec- derlying this imperial foreign policy mind- take the movement further. His presidency of the murderous Shah, the US-funded bi- tion of American power against all “en- set two years later, again with reference to would open the door to deeper change, partisan dictator for 26 years? Warts and emies”). These twin goals were bipartisan, Iraq, allowing that while diplomacy can be what in the late 1960s used to be called all, a President Sanders would challenge a shared consensus wedded to corporate useful, “if we have to use force it is because “non-reformist reforms,” reforms that fa- the status quo and give non-reformist re- definitions of the ends of US economic we are America; we are the indispensable cilitate more fundamental change—call forms some breathing space. and military power, captured succinctly in nation.” Not to be outdone, Secretary of it a “revolution,” or democratic socialism, Eisenhower’s 1961 farewell warning about State Hillary Clinton—who campaigned or call it creating a genuinely just society WILLIAM F. GROVER TEACHES IN THE HONORS the dangers of the “military-industrial to the right of Trump on foreign policy in with an honest chance of thriving. He has COLLEGE AND POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPART- complex.” 2016—offered a giddy off-air declaration a long and consistent record of progres- MENT AT MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY IN BOZ- The shared ends are taken as a given, to CBS following the 2011 killing of Muam- sive politics and organizing vitality, work- EMAN. HE IS EMERITUS PROFESSOR OF POLITI- while the media highlight (sometimes mar Gaddafi in Libya: “We came, we saw, ing with Democrats and Republicans, CAL SCIENCE AT SAINT MICHAEL’S COLLEGE IN VERMONT. HE IS THE CO-AUTHOR (WITH JOSEPH strong) tactical differences over means. he died.” This cheery sentiment should particularly on amendments to bills in G. PESCHEK) OF THE BOOK, THE UNSUSTAIN- Yet this consensus on economic growth reverberate in the ears of all who harbor the Senate. So yes, he does compromise. ABLE PRESIDENCY: CLINTON, BUSH, OBAMA and national security simply is not sustain- hopes that the Democrats operate on a Criticizing him from the left has become a AND BEYOND. able today in the face of accelerating cli- fundamentally different moral plane than cottage industry. If you listen closely you ______mate change and the decline of American Republicans. To be clear, unilateral presi- can hear The Nation columnist Alexan- Source: Common Dreams 1/15/20 empire. Soaring economic growth is as- dential action is troubling within our con- der Cockburn screaming from the grave https://www.commondreams.org/ sumed to be the antidote to all problems. stitutional framework. Ignoring it would about Bernie’s vote in favor of the 1994 Hence media analysts, and especially lib- be dangerous; accountability matters. But Crime Bill. The bombing of Yugoslavia in erals, didn’t bat an eyelash when President in short, if we have an imperial presidency 1999 has led some on the left to write him CONNECTIONS, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 17 The mainstream media a cheerleader for Iran War

BELEN FERNANDEZ assassination also fails to has been disingenuous at ness with an affirmation of produce much evidence best. As Sarah Lazare and Soleimani’s diabolical, ter- In the aftermath of the of a fanatical anti-Trump Michael Arria point out roristic nature and the jus- United States’ latest war campaign. The lead para- over at In These Times, tice that was supposedly crime — the assassination- graph of a New York Times Democratic ruckus over achieved by eradicating by-drone strike in Bagh- article about the “Master of the manner in which the him from the face of the dad of Qassem Soleimani, Iran’s Intrigue” is devoted to president has chosen to go earth. head of the Quds Force of establishing how Soleimani to battle with Iran — with- As Trump and his ac- Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary was “behind hundreds of out congressional approval complices — including his Guard Corps — Fox News American deaths in Iraq — “belie[s] Democrats’ role de facto allies in the Demo- decided to educate its au- and waves of militia attacks in helping lay the ground- cratic Party — pursue iso- dience on the proper take- against Israel.” The second work for the growing con- lation from reality to the away from the episode. The paragraph reiterates that he frontation” in the first place. lethal detriment of the rest upshot was not, of course, was a “powerful and shad- The $738 billion defense bill of the world, who knows that the illegal killing was owy . . . spymaster at the for 2020, for instance, was when they’ll finally cross a kind of a big deal or that head of Iran’s security ma- passed with Democratic red line of their own.. the person who authorized chinery.” support after being purged ______it — Donald Trump — had In other words: he de- of two amendments: one Source: Jacobin 1/4/20 https://jacobinmag.com potentially set the stage for served it. And never mind “to block funding for a war calamity and bloodshed of that the United States has with Iran barring congres- untold proportions. Rather, been behind countless sional approval,” and one to the crucial point to focus thousands of Iraqi deaths repeal the existing “Authori- on was the “polarized re- in Iraq or that — as the zation for Use of Military action by American news article later reveals — the Force Against Terrorists,” outlets.” “waves of militia attacks” which Trump administra- Trotted out to confirm took place during the bru- tion officials have “sug- the severity of the situa- tal twenty-two-year mili- sis that, in killing Solei- rent crippling sanctions re- gested . . . may give them tion was one William A. tary occupation of south mani, Trump competently gime, a form of warfare in authority to go to war with Jacobson of Cornell Law Lebanon by Israel, which “enforce[d] the red line he its own right. Iran.” School, who bemoaned also boasts the distinction drew on Iran” — i.e., every- Furthermore, seeing Democrats like Joe the sad state of the “liberal of having slaughtered tens thing is Iran’s fault, and if as the media has devoted Biden have made sure to media”: “Take any topic and of thousands of people in the country “miscalculates much time lately to cheer- qualify their objections to they portray Trump as ir- that country. again, then the regime has leading for war with Iran Trump’s supposed reckless- responsible and ignorant. When you’re not ac- been warned: Next time, — perpetuating the nuclear This time those portrayals tually in the business of the target will likely be Iran.” weapons myth and engag- are on steroids, with Trump speaking truth to power, This is not to say there ing in a general vilification being portrayed as a war- some things are better has been no media criti- of all things Iranian, much monger surrounded by left unsaid. The New York cism — there has been — like in the run-up to the sycophants isolated from Times article also mentions but the problem is that the Iraq War — it’s not clear reality.” Well, yeah. that Soleimani and other concern over the fallout why anyone should be par- In reality, the oft-in- Iranian officials were “des- of Trump’s bellicose act ticularly shocked by the as- voked allegation of “polar- ignated as terrorists by the has to do primarily with sassination. ization” in the media and United States and Israel in the possibility of Iranian And while Fox News the broader political estab- 2011, accused of a plot to retaliation against the US may prefer to despair over lishment hardly holds wa- kill the ambassador of Sau- military, US “assets,” and toxic media polarization We are a grassroots environmental ter; it’s like arguing that 21 di Arabia . . . in Washington.” US “interests.” Yet these and the allegedly vast ideo- organization promoting Outings, degrees Fahrenheit and 22 Although that whole al- three components of US logical chasm between Re- Education and Action. degrees Fahrenheit are po- empire are precisely what publicans and Democrats, leged plot has been sound- lar opposites. Just recall, for ly debunked, it bears raising have helped made life hell let’s not forget that years example, that time Trump the question: if the United for Iranians, from the 1953 before John Bolton advo- We meet the 4th Monday of most months fired cruise missiles at States assassinated an Ira- CIA-orchestrated coup cated — on the pages of at 3700 Pacific Avenue across from UOP. Syria and the liberal media nian official on foreign soil, against Mohammad Mos- the New York Times — to thought it was pretty much doesn’t that qualify as ter- sadegh — which enabled “bomb Iran,” Hillary Clinton We offer interesting topics, speakers and the most exciting thing to rorism? a lengthy reign of terror by threatened to “totally oblit- have ever happened. The Washington Post the torture-happy shah, an erate” the country. discussions. The public is welcome! A glance at media opinion section, mean- overzealous purchaser of The Democratic reac- See us online at Delta-Sierra Group. coverage of the Soleimani while, offered the analy- US weaponry — to the cur- tion to Trump’s latest stunt

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JESSICA CORBETT to action. Sharing the new report on Twitter Monday, Greenpeace declared: “We don’t need extreme wealth. We “Economic inequality is out of control.” That’s the need a sustainable economy that works for everyone.” In opening line of Time to Care: Unpaid and Underpaid Care a statement from the Independent Commission for the Work and the Global Inequality Crisis. a report that Ox- Reform of International Corporate Taxation that acknowl- fam International published Monday, ahead of the annual edged Oxfam’s latest figures on global wealth inequal- World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Davos, Switzer- land. “In 2019, the world’s billionaires, only 2,153 people, ”The gap between had more wealth than 4.6 billion people,” the report says. “This great divide is based on a flawed and sexist eco- rich and poor can’t be nomic system.” The report details how the world’s exist- ing economic system serves the richest among us while resolved without deliberate undervaluing work such as caregiving—which is dispro- portionately performed by females—and emphasizes the inequality-busting policies, need for global governments to pursue bold actions to address inequality. “The gap between rich and poor can’t and too few governments be resolved without deliberate inequality-busting poli- cies, and too few governments are committed to these,” are committed to these.” Delta-Sierra Group Oxfam India CEO Amitabh Behar, who is in Davos this Sat, February 29, 2020 @ 12:30-3:30pm week, said in a statement. “Our broken economies are —AMITABH BEHAR, OXFAM INDIA Ice on Fire lining the pockets of billionaires and big business at the expense of ordinary men and women,” Behar added. “Not Fireside Room, Central United Methodist Church ity, commissioner Magdalena Sepúlveda warned that “if wonder people are starting to question whether billion- The HBO Movie Ice on Fire is an eye-opening multinationals—and the super-rich—do not pay their fair aires should even exist.” documentary that focuses on solutions designed to share of taxes, governments cannot invest in access to The report explains that “this broken economic mod- slow down our escalating environmental crisis. The film education, healthcare, and decent pensions, or take mea- el has accumulated vast wealth and power into the hands goes beyond the current narrative and offers ho pe that sures to mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis.” of a rich few, in part by exploiting the labor of women and we can stave off the worst effects of global warming, “The impact is even greater for developing countries, girls, and systematically violating their rights.” As Behar but we must take action. as they rely more on corporate taxes. Furthermore, the tax put it: “Women and girls are among those who benefit The film which provides many never-before-seen burden is shifted to the poorest, usually through taxes re- least from today’s economic system. They spend billions solutions was produced by Oscar-winner Leonardo Di- gressive to consumption, such as value-added tax (VAT),” of hours cooking, cleaning, and caring for children and Caprio, with George DiCaprio and Mathew Schmid and said Sepúlveda, also executive director of the Global Ini- the elderly.” directed by Leila Conners. tiative for Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. “Unpaid care work is the ‘hidden engine’ that keeps This may be the last Leap Year humanity can deal “It is incumbent on all of us to make a clear com- the wheels of our economies, businesses, and societ- with climate change before climate change permanent- mitment to the issue of international taxation, no longer ies moving,” he said. “It is driven by women who often ly deals with us! Following the film there will be a group considering it as a technical issue to be discussed behind have little time to get an education, earn a decent living, discussion about actions that are taking place in our closed doors,” she concluded. “We must work collectively or have a say in how our societies are run, and who are community and how we can and must all be involved. to put the interests of the majority of citizens above the therefore trapped at the bottom of the economy.” Oxfam This is URGENT! often-unreasonable profits of a small group of sharehold- estimates that those at the bottom of the economy—par- ers.” ticularly females living in poverty and from marginalized ______groups—collectively spend 12.5 billion hours daily on free Source: Common Dreams 1/20/20 https://www.commondreams.org/ care work, “and countless more” earning low wages. Their work “adds value to the economy of at least $10.8 trillion,” LOVE BIRDS? which the report calls “an underestimate.” JOIN YOUR LOCAL AUDUBON CHAPTER According to Oxfam: “Without decisive action things will get far worse. Aging populations, cuts in public spending, and climate change threaten to further exacer- NAME______bate gender and economic inequality and to fuel a spiral- ing crisis for care and carers. While the rich and powerful EMAIL______elite may be able to buy their way out of facing the worst of these crises, the poor and powerless will not. Govern- ADDRESS ______ments must take bold and decisive action to build a new, CITY______STATE______ZIP______human economy, that will deliver for everyone rather than a rich few, and that values care and well-being above NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY: $20 profit and wealth.” Make checks payable to ... National Audubon Society Some “possible and crucial first steps” highlighted in Membership includes a subscription to Audubon Magazine & the report include investing in national care systems with Local Newsletter, The Hoot Owl. input from women’s rights advocates, providing free pub- LOCAL MEMBERSHIP ONLY: lic services that aim to close wealth gaps, and implement- $15 with mailed copy of The Hoot Owl ing “policies to limit the influence of corporations and the $10 with electronic copy of The Hoot Owl super-rich,” including progressive taxation. “Governments created the inequality crisis—they must act now to end it,” asserted Behar. “They must ensure corporations and wealthy individuals pay their fair share of tax and increase investment in public services and infrastructure.” “They must pass laws to tackle the huge amount Mail all membership checks to: of care work done by women and girls, and ensure that Audubon people who do some of the most important jobs in our PO Box 7755, Stockton, CA 95207 society—caring for our parents, our children, and the most vulnerable—are paid a living wage,” he said. “Gov- Check website ernments must prioritize care as being as important as all for meetings & field trips other sectors in order to build more human economies www.sanjoaquinaudubon.org that work for everyone, not just a fortunate few.” Other organizations responded to Oxfam’s findings with condemnation of the current system as well as calls CONNECTIONS, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 19 FEBRUARY 2020 - MARCH 2020 CALENDAR Editor’s note: if your event isn’t listed, let us know. Send all copy to: [email protected] by the 10th of every month. MON, JAN 27 art chosen by teachers as the best of adult. Haggin Museum, Victory Park, Audubon Society, THURSDAYS Delta Sierra Club meeting: SAT, FEB 15 their class. Sat-Sun 12-5 p.m, Wed-Fri 1201 N. Pershing Ave, Stockton, CA 8 am. Lodi Lake Park, off Peace demonstration, Vernal Pools--Kaleidoscopes of Life. Jesse Hendricks at the Haggin 1:30-5 p.m, 1st & 3rd Thur, 1:30-9 p.m. (209) 940-6300 Turner Rd. Check http://www. 4-5 pm, edge of Delta campus on 7 pm. Fireside Room, Central United Museum. Adult $8, youth $5, under 10 free with MAR 5 - APR 3 sanjoaquinaudubon.org/trips.htm for Pacific, across from Macy’s. Free Methodist Church Fireside Room, 1- 3 pm. Keep your Valentine’s Day adult. Haggin Museum, Victory Park, Delta Center for the Arts LH Horton changes. Fparking at mall. Weekly since 2003. 3700 Pacific Ave, Stockton. Free. All celebration going with a romantic 1201 N. Pershing Ave, Stockton, CA Jr Gallery presents Free admission day at the Haggin We have signs, or bring your own. welcome. 209-670-4442. (p 18) date at the Haggin! In an intimate (209) 940-6300 Technology and the Arts Exhibition. Museum, 12 - 5 pm. 1201 N Pershing Motown Thursdays at Bellavista, THURS - SUN performance, guitarist Jesse SUN, FEB 23 Mar 5 reception 5 - 7 pm. SJDC, 5151 Ave, Stockton. 209-940 Motown Thursdays at Bellavista, JAN 15 - FEB 2 Hendricks will be playing Spanish Stockton Symphony presents Pops 3: Pacific Ave, Stockton. T 11am–4pm, SECOND THURSDAYS Take Five Jazz club, It’s Only a Play. and classical guitar in the McKee Symphony of Illusions with illusionist W–Th 11am–6:30pm, F 11am–1pm. Single Payer San Joaquin, 7 - 10 pm, Valley Brew Opening Wed 7:30, Thur-Sat 7:30 pm, Gallery. Jesse is known for his Michael Grandinetti. 2:30 - 4:30 pm, Free and open to the public. 209- 6:30 pm at the John Morearty Peace Blues Jam Session at Garlic Brothers Sun 2:30 pm. t’s a tense opening night unique and exciting blend of Spanish Atherton Auditorium, 5151 Pacific 954-5507 and Justice Center, 231 Bedford Rd, with house band Jeramy Norris & the Flamenco, Latin Rhythms and World Dangerous Mood. in the posh Manhattan apartment Ave, Stockton. Adult $25-67, student THURS, MAR 5 Stockton Percussion. Sat 112- 5 pm. Adult $8, 8 - 11 pm. 6629 Embarcadero Dr, of wealthy Broadway producer Julia $10-15. 951-0196. Peace & Justice Network board SECOND SATURDAYS youth $5, under 10 free with adult. Stockton. No cover. 209-474-6585 Budder. While the celebrity guests TUES, FEB 25 meeting, Stockton Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Haggin Museum, Victory Park, 1201 Rock jam at Whirlow’s, arrive downstairs, the hostess, Stockton City Council meeting, John Morearty Peace & Justice Center, 9:30 am - noon at the John Morearty N. Pershing Ave, Stockton, CA (209) 7 pm, Whirlow’s Tossed & Grilled, 1926 playwright, director, lead actor, and 5:30 pm. City Hall, 425 N El Dorado St, 231 Bedford Rd, Stockton. 7 pm. All Peace and Justice Center, 231 Bedford 940-6300 Pacific Avenue, Stockton. hosted by friends gather upstairs and anxiously Stockton 209-937-8827 welcome. 467-4455 Rd, Stockton Paint Classes at the Stockton Art Mike, Bobby and friends. Free cover. await the late-night reviews. The Claudia Russell and Bruce Kaplan at FOURTH MONDAYS Lab, WED, FEB 26 466-2823 banter is hilarious as they boast the Haggin Museum. Sierra Club meeting & social. 10 am - 3 pm. 2001 Pacific Ave, Pacific Jazz Ensemble FRIDAYS about their theater experiences and This duo traverses a wide Americana Central United Methodist Church Stockton. Now open to ALL AGES. 7:30 pm. Faye Spanos Concert Hall, Peace demonstration, engage in shameless, and often harsh, landscape, stopping at wondrous Fireside Room, 3700 Pacific Ave, Come and join the fun! We will be 3511 Pacific Ave, UOP. General $10; 4-5 pm, corner of Highway 4 & 49 celebrity name dropping. The 2015 musical landmarks along the way, Stockton. 7 pm program with social creating a different painting every seniors/Pacific staff $5; students free. in Angels Camp.Bring a sign with a Broadway version starred Matthew tipping their hat to string bands, time following. All welcome. Saturday. Cost is only $5 per painter Tickets at Go.Pacific.edu/MusicTickets positive message. We get LOTS of Broderick, Nathan Lane, Megan blues divas, jazz cats. Complimentary which includes an instructor and all or at the door. TUESDAYS thumbs up! Info 559-6279. Mullally and Stockard Channing. wine from Weibel Family Vineyards the art supplies you and your child FRI, FEB 28 Yellow Dot Spotlight: Jazz jam at Whirlow’s, PG13. Stockton Civic Theatre, 2312 & Winery and snacks courtesy of the need to paint a masterpiece. Space Sky Tours at Delta College, Open Mic w/David Molina 7 - 9 pm, 6:30 pm, Whirlow’s Tossed & Grilled, Rosemarie Lane, Stockton. $15 - $27. Junior Women’s Group are available is limited, so buy your tickets now! Telescope viewing begins at 7:00 pm. Whirlow’s Tossed & Grilled, 1926 1926 Pacific Avenue, Stockton. Enjoy 473-2424. www.sctlivetheatre.com every 1st & 3rd Thursday evening, (Tickets may also be purchased at SJ Delta College, Athletics 1 Parking Pacific Avenue, Stockton. Free cover. a live jazz jam session every Friday JAN 23 - FEB 13 when the Museum is open until the door on the day of the event.) Lot. Free. 209-471-1674 466-2823 at Whirlow’s on Stockton’s historic Delta Center for the Arts LH Horton 9:00 p.m. Refreshments are served Jazz Jam Tuesdays at Take 5 Jazz, 948-3075 SAT, FEB 29 Miracle Mile! Bring your instruments Jr Gallery presents University beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the 7-9 pm. Valley Brew, 157 W Adams St, WED, FEB 19 Delta Sierra Club meeting: and join the jam! Hosted by Philip Faculty Invitational Exhibition. program starts at 7:00 p.m. These Stockton. Pacific’s Conservatory of University Concert Band and Climate Change Crisis: Seeking Bailey. Free cover. 466-2823 Jan 30 reception 5 - 7 pm.SJDC, 5151 special evenings vary each month Music invites all to free weekly jazz Symphonic Wind Enxemble Solutions. 7 pm. Fireside Room, Pacific Ave, Stockton. T 11am–4pm, to include live music, special guests jams.. 209-946-3196 7:30 pm. Faye Spanos Concert Hall, Central United Methodist Church Live Music at Mile Wine Company, W–Th 11am–6:30pm, F 11am–1pm. and more. 1st & 3rd Thur, 1:30-9 p.m. Music Night at Superfish Poke & Tea 3511 Pacific Ave, UOP. General $10; Fireside Room, 3700 Pacific Ave, 7 - 10:30 pm. 2113 Pacific Ave, Free and open to the public. 209- Adult $8, youth $5, under 10 free with Lounge, seniors/Pacific staff $5; students free. Stockton. Free. All welcome. 209-670- Stockton. Free. 465-9463 954-5507 adult. Haggin Museum, Victory Park, 6 - 9:30 pm. 5052 West Lane, Ste 4 Tickets at Go.Pacific.edu/MusicTickets 4442. (p 18) Live DJ at the Deliberation Room, FRI, JAN 31 1201 N. Pershing Ave, Stockton, CA A-B, Stockton. or at the door. University Symphony Orchestra 9 pm - 1 am. 19 N California St, Sky Tours at Delta College, (209) 940-6300 performing Gershwin’s “An American Stockton, 209-910-9477 Telescope viewing begins at 7:00 pm. THURS, FEB 20 SUN, MAR 8 in Paris” SJ Delta College, Athletics 1 Parking Pacific Avenue Clarinets at the Community Band Concert, 7:30 pm. Faye Spanos Concert Hall, A big thanks to our long-serving Lot. Free. 209-471-1674 Haggin Museum. 2 pm. Charlene Powers Lange Five clarinets play original works 3511 Pacific Ave, UOP. General $10; distributors!! THURS, FEB 6 Auditorium, Hutchins Street Square, and transcriptions for clarinet seniors/Pacific staff $5; students free. Peace & Justice Network board 120 N Hutchins St, Lodi. Free quintet. Matthew Erickson, Michael Tickets at Go.Pacific.edu/MusicTickets meeting, admission, no tickets required. Hernandez, Amanda Martin, Christina or at the door. John Morearty Peace & Justice Center, TUES, MAR 10 Severin, and Chris Steffanic work SUN, MAR 1 231 Bedford Rd, Stockton. 7 pm. All Stockton City Council meeting, together to bring out a unique “sound 42nd Annual Stockton Chinese New welcome. 467-4455 5:30 pm. City Hall, 425 N El Dorado St, picture” of every piece; whether the Year Parade & Celebration, Washboard Monkeys at the Haggin Stockton 209-937-8827 Single Payer work is jazz-oriented, mid-eastern, 10 am - 5 pm. Weber Poing and Museum. European, or classical American, Stockton Civic Auditorium, 525 N SAT, MAR 21 Washboard Monkeys began as three every work has a distinctive collage Center St, Stockton. Parade begins Stockton Symphony Classics 3 San Joaquin friends jamming in a Stockton living of sounds. Complimentary wine from at 10:00am at Weber Point. Festival with Caitlyn Smith Franklin french room on a Saturday in January of Weibel Family Vineyards & Winery at the Stockton Civic Auditorium and horn performing Walker, Strauss 2015. They played their first gig and snacks courtesy of the Junior runs from 11:00-am-5:00pm. and Beethoven. 6 pm, Atherton that spring on the Earth Day stage Join us. Women’s Group are available every Free admission. Auditorium, 5151 Pacific Ave, Stockton. at Victory Park. The three had such 1st & 3rd Thursday evening, when Adult $25-67, student $10-15. 951- a great time that they became five. THURS, MAR 5 2nd Thursday of the month the Museum is open until 9:00 p.m. 0196. Their eclectic style and infectious Ernest Troost at the Haggin Museum. Refreshments are served beginning vocal harmonies bring irreverent “If the Carter Family, Robbie 6:30 p.m. at 6:30 p.m. and the program starts fun to the stage. Complimentary Robertson, and Alfred Hitchcock at 7:00 p.m. These special evenings MON, MAR 23 wine from Weibel Family Vineyards wrote songs together they might 231 Bedford Rd. Stockton vary each month to include live Delta Sierra Club meeting: & Winery and snacks courtesy of the sound like this,” says Ernest Troost music, special guests and more. 1st Habitat Conservation in San Joaquin Junior Women’s Group are available of his evocative folk and blues- & 3rd Thur, 1:30-9 p.m. Adult $8, County. 7 pm. Fireside Room, Central every 1st & 3rd Thursday evening, inspired songwriting and guitar youth $5, under 10 free with adult. United Methodist Church Fireside Healthcare is a when the Museum is open until work. An Emmy-award winning film Haggin Museum, Victory Park, 1201 Room, 3700 Pacific Ave, Stockton. 9:00 p.m. Refreshments are served and television composer, Troost N. Pershing Ave, Stockton, CA (209) Free. All welcome. 209-670-4442. Human Right beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the promises pensive, sometimes snarling 940-6300 (p 18) program starts at 7:00 p.m. These but lyrically-driven Americana for special evenings vary each month FEB 20 - 23 fans of blues style guitar picking TUES, MAR 24 to include live music, special guests Ripon Almond Blossom Festival, with timeless stories and colorful Stockton City Council meeting, and more. 1st & 3rd Thur, 1:30-9 p.m. Mistlin Sports Park, 1201 River Rd, character portrayals. Complimentary 5:30 pm. City Hall, 425 N El Dorado St, Adult $8, youth $5, under 10 free with Ripon 209-599-7519 wine from Weibel Family Vineyards Stockton 209-937-8827 adult. Haggin Museum, Victory Park, FEB 20 - MAR 29 & Winery and snacks courtesy of the SUN, APR 19 1201 N. Pershing Ave, Stockton, CA 89th annual Robert T. McKee Student Junior Women’s Group are available Calaveras Earth Day Celebration, (209) 940-6300 Art Contest and Exhibition every 1st & 3rd Thursday evening, 10 - 5 pm Utica Park, Angels Camp. when the Museum is open until FRI, FEB 7 The Haggin Museum is proud to Free admission. 9:00 p.m. Refreshments are served Lodi First Friday Art Hop, feature the work of student artists SUN, APR 26 beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the 6 - 8:30 pm, Hutchins St Square, 125 from kindergarten through grade Stockton Earth Day Festival, program starts at 7:00 p.m. These S. Hutchins St, Lodi. 209-333-5550 12. All schools in San Joaquin 10 - 4 pm. Victory Park, Stockton. Free special evenings vary each month County—public, private, charter and admission. homeschools—receive invitations to include live music, special guests FIRST SATURDAYS to submit their work. Every year we and more. 1st & 3rd Thur, 1:30-9 p.m. Birding field trips with San Joaquin receive on average 1,000 pieces of Adult $8, youth $5, under 10 free with CONNECTIONS, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2019 1 Cleveland School Remembers 31 years On January 17th, and 32 others, includ- died due to gun violence. Cleveland School Remem- ing a teacher who were Cleveland School Remem- bers/Brady Campaign held wounded by a gunman bers/Brady Campaign is a candlelight vigil on the with an automatic weapon working to increase pub- steps of St. John the Evan- who entered the Cleve- lic safety, empower youth, gelist Episcopal Church land Elementary School provide anti-violence in downtown Stockton. playground in Stockton in awareness and support The vigil was held in re- January, 1989. Attendees sensible gun laws. Mayor membrance of five stu- were asked to name oth- Tubbs was in attendance. dents who were murdered ers they knew who have

VOTER REGISTRATION & VOTE-BY-MAIL WORKSHOPS January 30, 2020 (Thursday) 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Who is eligible to vote? San Joaquin County Admin Bldg. Registrar of Voters, Suite 350 How can I help register voters? 44. N. San Joaquin St., Stockton

How do I make sure I'm February 3, 2020 (Monday) registered correctly? 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Agricultural Center What can I do to increase 2101 E. Earhart Ave., Stockton registration in my community? February 13, 2020 (Thursday) Where can I get tools for 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Lodi registering voters? Lodi Public Library 201 West Locust St., Lodi How do I make sure my ballot is counted? February 19, 2020 (Wednesday) 6 p.m. to 7:30 pm. in Manteca How can I help people cast a El Concilio ballot? 1215 W. Center St. #105, Manteca

What are the easiest ways to February 26, 2020 (Wednesday) cast a ballot? 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Tracy Tracy Transit Center 50 E. Sixth St., Tracy

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