The Gainesville Iguana Jan./Feb. 2012 Vol. 26, #1-2

INSIDE ... We the People, NOT Black History at UF. . . . .6 Peg Libertus...... 7 We the Corporations Dr. Econ ...... 8 by Nancy Jones and Tommy Baker of the national Move to Amend organi- Iguana Election Guide.. . . .9 Gainesville Move to Amend zation (MovetoAmend.org). On Jan. 21, 2010, the U. S. Su- Calendar...... 12 Grassroots movements across the preme Court took an extreme step Occupy Gainesville. . . . .16 country are gaining momentum at a to further remove American citizens rate unprecedented in modern times, from the election process by allow- Mountaintop Removal. . . .22 due largely to Occupy Wall Street. ing corporations to spend unlimited Ending “Corporate Personhood” amounts of money on political cam- Occupy the Courts. . . . . 24 with a Constitutional amendment is paigns. The Citizens United v. Feder- one such national movement that has al Election Commission (FEC) court taken root in Gainesville, where we’ve He signed it on recently started a new local chapter of Continued on p. 24... the dotted line by Alexander Cockburn

This article was originally pub- lished by Nation of Change on Jan. 6. More op-eds can be found at www.nationofchange.org.

America changed as the new year stumbled across the threshold, but the big shift didn’t get much press, which is easy to understand. Can there be a deader news day than a New Year’s Eve that falls on a week- end? Besides, alive or dead, habeas corpus has never been a topic to set news editors on fire. The change came with the whisper of Barack Obama’s pen, as he signed

Continued on p. 2... Photo courtesy of CreativeCommons.org. Dotted Line... cont. from p. 1 nation of the president as to whether sociated forces” can mean anything. the aforementioned citizen is waging See, for example, one of the defini- into law the National Defense Autho- a war of terror on the United States. tions of “enemy combatants” minted rization Act, the annual ratification If the answer is in the affirmative, after 2001: “associated forces that of military Keynesianism — $662 the citizen can be killed on the presi- are engaged in hostilities against the billion this time — which has been dent’s say-so without further ado. United States or its coalition part- our national policy since World War We’re also most emphatically not ners, including any person who has II bailed out the New Deal. talking about non-U.S. citizens or committed a belligerent act or has Sacrificial offerings to the Penta- possibly even legal residents (though directly supported such hostilities gon aren’t news. But this time, snug- I’d urge green card holders to file in aid of such enemy forces.” Like ly ensconced in the NDAA, came for citizenship ASAP). Non-citizens those memory pillows I saw on dis- ratification by legal statute of the get thrown in the Supermax without count in Macy’s on New Year’s Day, exposure of U.S. citizens to arbitrary a prayer of having a lawyer. Under the phrase “directly supported” will arrest without subsequent benefit of the terms of the NDAA, a suspect’s adjust itself to the whim of any inge- counsel and to possible torture and seizure by the military is a “require- nious prosecutor. imprisonment sine die. Goodbye, ha- ment” if the suspect is deemed to Obama issued a signing statement beas corpus. I wrote about this here have been “substantially supporting” simultaneous with passing the act before Obama signed the bill, but al-Qaida, the Taliban or “associated into law. when a president tears up the Consti- forces.” Theoretically, he’s against signing tution, the topic is worth revisiting. By the military? Until Dec. 31, the statements. In 2008 he said, “I taught We’re talking about citizens with- Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 limited the Constitution for 10 years, I be- in the borders of the United States, the powers of local governments and lieve in the Constitution, and I will not sitting in a hotel or out driving law enforcement agencies from using obey the Constitution of the United in some foreign land. In the latter federal military personnel to enforce States. We’re not going to use sign- case, as the late Anwar al-Awlaki’s the laws of the land. No longer. The ing statements as a way of doing an incineration in Yemen bore witness a NDAA renders the Posse Comitatus end-run around Congress.” few months ago, that the well-being Act a dead letter. Actually, whatever Obama may or summary demise of a U.S. citizen Connoisseurs of subversion and have taught, a signing statement, is contingent upon a secret determi- anti-terror laws well know that “as- whether issued by Bush or Obama,

Iguana, January/February 2012, page 2 Gainesville, Florida doesn’t have the force of law. out charge or trial” (emphasis in the Obama’s Dec. 31 signing statement original). Subscribe! was designed to soothe the liberal That’s the heart of the matter. And vote, as the president expressed “se- in ambiguity we can see certainty: The Gainesville Iguana rious reservations with certain pro- The writ of habeas corpus can now is Gainesville's progressive visions that regulate the detention, be voided at the whim of a president, events calendar & newsletter. interrogation and prosecution of sus- whether it be Obama reversing him- Individuals: $15 pected terrorists” and insisted that, self on the personal pledges in his (or more if you can) by golly, he will never “authorize the signing statement or any successor, Low/No income: What you can indefinite military detention without as can the Sixth Amendment’s right Groups: $20 trial of American citizens.” to counsel. This pious language was part of a One day, perhaps soon, the Su- Iguana, c/o CISPLA diligent White House campaign to preme Court will rule on the act’s P.O. Box 14712 suggest that (a) there is nothing in constitutionality. For now, as ACLU Gainesville, FL 32604 the act to perturb citizens, but (b) director Anthony Romero said after Comments, suggestions, contributions anything perturbing is entirely the the signing, Obama “will forever be (written or financial) are welcome. To fault of Congress, and (c) Obama known as the president who signed list your event or group, contact us at: solemnly swears that so long as he indefinite detention without charge is president he’ll never OK anything or trial into law.” America is an em- (352) 378-5655 bad, whatever the NDAA might be pire on which the sun never sets, and construed as authorizing, and any- so, appropriately, the statute applies [email protected] way (d) there’s nothing new about across the planetary “battlefield” www.gainesvilleiguana.org facebook.com/gainesvilleiguana the detention provisions because that constitutes the Great War on they merely reiterate those of the Au- Terror.D thorization for Use of Military Force, The Iguana has been published signed by Bush in 2001. monthly or bi-monthly by volunteers To take the last point first, the The NationofChange team is for 25 years. Circulation for this NDAA expands the 2001 law and dedicated to fighting back against issue is 4,500. codifies ample new powers, plus new the forces of corporate greed and Publisher: prohibitions regarding any possible US imperialism with one simple Joe Courter removal of prisoners in Guantanamo. but powerful weapon: the truth. As for Congress, its performance For more articles from Nation Editor Emeritus: was lamentable, but as Senator Carl of Change, visit their website at Jenny Brown Levin, one of the bill’s co-sponsors, www.nationofchange.org. Mark Piotrowski has convincingly inferred, the real reason the White House threatened Editorial Board: a veto was because the bill, as then Pierce Butler drafted, might have limited what the Joe Courter executive branch deems its present Jessica Newman powers of indefinite detention with- Beth Grobman out trial. Amid the mutual buck-passing, Production work & assistance: what Congress and the White House Amanda Adams connived at, beating back all obstruc- Joye Barnes tive amendments, was the framing of Jason Fults cunningly vague language about the James Schmidt dirty work afoot. Jonathan Turley, Robbie Czopek a great champion of constitutional rights and civil liberties, puts the Distribution: trickery in a nutshell: “The exemp- Bill Gilbert, Joe Courter, tion for American citizens from the Marcus Dodd mandatory detention requirement Authors & photographers have sole ... is the screening language for the credit, responsibility for, and rights next section ... which offers no ex- to their work. Cover drawing of emption for American citizens from iguana by Daryl Harrison. Printed the authorization to use the military on recycled paper. to indefinitely detain people with-

Gainesville, Florida Iguana, January/February 2012, page 3 Florida Legislature’s Attack on Women By Staci Fox are no exemptions for pregnancies Unauthorized that are the result of rape or incest. On Jan. 10, the Florida Legislature HB 1151/SB 1374: These bills are immigration began its 2012 session. The focus of a direct legislative attempt to chal- in the South the 2012 legislative session should lenge the US Supreme Court’s Roe be on strengthening our economy v. Wade decision by outlawing al- The League of Women Voters and getting Floridians back to work, most all abortions in Florida. of Alachua County and St. Au- not attacking Florida’s women and These bills do nothing to reduce gustine’s Church present this their access to reproductive health unintended pregnancies and the panel discussion on Tuesday, care. need for abortion. Instead these bills Jan. 24, from 7:30p.m. to 9p.m. Some of the most egregious bills tell women and their healthcare pro- The event will be held at the attacking reproductive health care viders that they are not to be trusted Hurley House behind the St. are: and reduce access to legal health Augustine Church and Catholic HB 277/SB 290: These bills would care services. These bills will do Student Center, 1738 W. Univer- limit access to reproductive health nothing to create jobs or balance our sity Avenue in Gainesville. care services such as life-saving state’s budget. Planned Parenthood Professor Dr. Philip Williams cancer screenings because a health of North Florida will work hard to will offer background on unau- center also provides abortion care. prevent these bills from becoming thorized immigration and the The proposed legislation only tar- law, but we need your help. reality of immigrants’ lives. Dr. gets doctors that provide abortion On Feb. 21, hundreds of Floridians Manual Vasquez will address the care; therefore, it has only one pur- will travel to Tallahassee to lobby role of churches. Robin Lewy of pose – to interfere with patient care and make their voices heard in sup- the Rural Women’s Health Proj- and further restrict women’s access port of reproductive health care for ect will address upcoming leg- to legal, safe abortions. Florida’s women and families. Will islation and local immigration HB 839: This bill would prohibit you join us? Please contact Planned issues. abortions after 20 weeks with lim- Parenthood of North Florida for For more information, con- ited exceptions (if the pregnancy more information at (352) 376- tact the League of Women Vot- endangers a woman’s life or could 9000.D ers of Alachua County at (352) cause her “substantial and irrevers- Staci Fox is the CEO and President of 375-6960 or info@lwv-alachua. ible physical impairment”). There Planned Parenthood of North Florida. org.D

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Iguana, January/February 2012, page 4 Gainesville, Florida IT’S TIME GAINESVILLE STARTED LIVING UP TO OUR REPUTATION. IT’S TIME TO VOTE FOR A CANDIDATE WHO WILL.

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Gainesville, Florida Iguana, January/February 2012, page 5 The Real Black History of UF By Jessica Newman 1970: The Black Student Union the first black Greek sorority is formally recognized as a stu- established at UF. This timeline was originally pub- dent organization at UF. lished in 2008 in The Fine Print, 1980: Sharon Bruton becomes an alternative student magazine in 1970: First black faculty and the first black female inducted Gainesville. See more Fine Print staff employed at UF. into Florida Blue Key. articles at www.thefineprintuf.org. 1971: “Black Thursday” occurs 1991: BAM! (Black Awareness 1945-1958: 85 black students where 66 students stage a sit-in Movement) stages a peace- applied for admission to all lev- in President O’Connell’s office; ful protest and takeover of SG els of UF, and all were rejected. 123 black students begin the offices over the allocation of withdrawal process from UF. Black History Month funds. 1954: Brown v. Board of Edu- cation, Supreme Court ruling 1972: Institute of Black Culture 2000: Associate Dean Kenneth banning segregation in public established at UF; Kappa Alpha Nunn resigns deanship in pro- schools. Psi, first black Greek fraternity, test over lack of diversity in established at UF; first black Law School faculty. 1958: George Starke becomes Student Government President the first black to be admitted elected. 2009: Brandon White, student to UF’s law school following a senator, resigns from the Ga- Federal Court decision to inte- 1973: Cynthia Mays is selected tor Party and makes a statement grate professional and graduate as the first black Miss Home- saying he was considered “a colleges. coming. black man first and a qualified applicant second.” D 1962: First black undergradu- 1974: Zeta Phi Beta becomes ates admitted to UF; there are seven of them. 1962: Willie George Allen be- Black History Month Events comes the first black to gradu- ate from UF from the Florida at the Civic Media Center Law School. (433 S. Main St.) 1964: Alachua County schools Feb. 6, Monday, 7p.m. - Film showing of“Black Power Mix are desegregated; the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is passed. Tape,” newly released archival footage of 1967-1975 1965: Stephan P. Mickle be- Feb. 12, Sunday, 4p.m. - 6th presentation in a series of work- comes first black to receive shops on Essential Afrikan History with Kali Blount an undergraduate degree from UF; Center for African Studies Feb. 17, Friday, 7p.m. - Film showing of “Power to the Peo- established at UF; the Voting ple,” followed by a discussion, and then live music from The Rights Act of 1965 is passed. Babylonians at 9p.m. 1968: Johnnie Brown becomes Feb 20, Monday, 7p.m. - Film showing of “Sankofa,” a mysti- the first black at UF to compete cal classic of slavery and resistance by Haile Gerima in intercollegiate sports (track). Feb. 22, Wednesday, 7p.m. - Samuel Proctor Oral History Proj- 1968: The Black Student Union ect of UF presents on the group’s recent trips to Mississippi for is established at UF. local interviews 1969: Leonard George and Wil- Feb. 27, Monday, 7p.m. - Film showing of “Through the Door lie B. Jackson become the first of No Return,” a documentary following a film maker who trac- black football players signed at es his father’s ancestry back to Ghana. UF.

Iguana, January/February 2012, page 6 Gainesville, Florida Peg Libertus, Local Activist and Playwright: 1944-2011 The following is an excerpt from The following are memories submit- “I also remember the work that Peg Peg Libertus’ obituary published in ted by local friends of Peg Libertus. did in the LGBT civil rights movement the Gainesville Sun. in Gainesville and Alachua County. I Joe Courter: “My best memory particularly remember when we were “Peg” Margaret Joan Libertus, 67, of Peg came from her observation trying to get the county to add sexual died September 26, 2011 from com- following her amazing summer and orientation to its anti-discrimination plications of ovarian cancer... In fall of registering voters prior to the ordinance. Peg and I had been in the Gainesville, Peg taught drama at San- 1992 election, when week after week Disabled Rights movement for years, ta Fe College’s Continuing Education she’d park herself in front of Publix and we worked to pass some of this Program. She was awarded a State or Walmart and proceeded to regis- knowledge on to the LGBT commu- of Florida Individual Artist’s Grant ter over a thousand voters. She said nity. One memory I have in particular for her fiction writing. She encour- that simply by interacting with the is the time we were going to hold a aged many others in their creativity, people prior to and as they registered demonstration in front of the County especially local writers. Her great- she could predict whether they’d pick Administration Building. I opened up est theatrical accomplishment was Democrat or Republican. Her conclu- my apartment to hold a strategy and the completion of the musical “The sion? Said with good-natured general- sign-making session. After we were Boxer of Basin Street” presented at ization, ‘Democrats are crazy, Repub- done, Peg and I talked to the group the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre in licans are nasty.’ Be it well intended on how to resist any police action in Gainesville. altruism vs. rugged individualism, a nonviolent, peaceful manner. These Peg had a strong commitment to international cooperation vs. Ameri- were tactics that we learned in the community service and political ac- can exceptionalism, Barney Frank vs. Disabled Rights movement that we tivism ranging from the street protests Newt Gingrich, it somehow holds for wanted to pass on.”D at the National Democratic conven- me.” tion in 1968 to the soup kitchen of Fred Pratt: “I remember Peg and St. Francis House here in Gainesville. I talking many times about the “bad Over the years, she served as board old days.” When we talked about the Memorial Service member or advisory committee mem- bad old days, we were talking about ber for various agencies: North Cen- life for people with disabilities before in Honor of tral Florida Health Planning Council, the passage of the Rehabilitation Act State of Florida Prevention of Dis- of 1973 and the Americans with Dis- Peg Libertus abilities Advisory Council, Alachua abilities Act. We always took the time County/City of Gainesville Cultural to tell young people with disabilities Saturday, Feb. 11, 2p.m. Affairs Board, and the Center for In- what it was like for us before the pas- dependent Living. Peg also contrib- sage of the ADA. When we talked uted her writing and graphic skills to about this, they were always amazed Center for Independent the St. Francis House newsletter and that there was a time when people Living to the United Way of Alachua County. with disabilities were not able to get (222 SW 36th Terrace) Peg was a staunch supporter of the into department and grocery stores Democratic Party and a Party volun- because of barriers, that there was a All friends and family of teer during many national and local time when people with disabilities Peg are welcome. elections. She advocated for the rights did not work and were kept at home of the handicapped. or in institutions…

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Gainesville, Florida Iguana, January/February 2012, page 7 The Iguana bids farewell to Dear Mr. Econ... Editor Emeritus Mark Piotrowski Are you confused about the econo- By Joe Courter my and economics? Are you curious about the various economic proposals Homegrown Gainesville commu- coming from presidential candidates nity organizer and swell human being or local politicians? Would you like to Mark Piotrowski, who most recently know what all the commotion about designed the Iguana in its revived pres- derivatives, credit default swaps, fore- ence over the past year, has embarked closures and sub-prime mortgages is on a new phase of his life with a move about and how it affects you? to Tallahassee to work with the Florida Do you wonder how locally owned Education Association and his impend- institutions like the Iguana, the local ing entry into fatherhood with his part- food co-op or credit unions help your ner Janeen. That will be one well-loved community? Or how about demand kid. side, supply side? Or wonder which Mark first came into contact with us side are you on or should be on? while still in high school more than 20 Help is on the way! Beginning in our years ago, when a friend of his passed next issue, Mr. Econ will answerour a copy of the Iguana on to him. He readers’ questions and answer them in became a student activist at UF in the When we produce this paper and turn plain English. Our goal is to give our Freedom Coalition and was part of the each month’s 4,500 copies out on the readers a better understanding of the founding of the Civic Media Center in world, all we can hope is that the in- economy and how we might be able 1993. He also worked on the Freedom formation within can raise the knowl- to change it in order to better serve our Coalition’s newspaper as well as as- edge and consciousness of the persons community. sisting the Iguana during that period. reading it, let them know of events and So please send your questions to He has been a committed movement struggles near and far, or connect them [email protected]. activist ever since, whether here in to historic movements of the past on town with the Labor Party, or during which we all stand. We usually don’t Who is Mr. Econ? Mr. Econ holds his sojourns out of town in Boston or know what sparks we set off, but in economics degrees from American elsewhere. Mark’s case, thanks to his friend Lara, University and the New School for we and the move- Social Research, two of the premier ment gained one centers for the study of alternative or hell of an orga- what the profession calls “heterodox” nizer. We know economics. He is the author or editor he’ll be back, but of three books and numerous articles we want to pub- in scholarly and popular publications. licly wish him and He has taught on the university level, Janeen the best of consulted to progressive policy mak- luck as this next ers around the U.S., and been invited phase of life un- to speak on economic and community folds. D development issues from Bath, Maine to Santa Cruz, Calif. D

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Iguana, January/February 2012, page 8 Gainesville, Florida Gainesville City Elections, Jan. 31 By Joe Courter forming to expectations, they should Ingle wasn’t in the race. The likely send him a message by not voting, run-off will be Feb. 28. Whether voting early (Jan. 21 to thus lowering their own numbers. In the District 1 race, we definitely 28) or on Election Day (Jan. 31), if At no time does your vote matter like Yvonne Hinson Rawls, whose you live in the City of Gainesville, more than local elections, and city- chief rival is a largely self-funded please get out and vote in this elec- wide we have an exceptional candi- biomass critic attorney. As there is a tion for City Commission. date in James Ingle running against third candidate, this could also go to With the Republican presidential eight other candidates for the at- run-off, but that is less likely. primary on the ballot, there will be large seat. But whoever you choose to support, extra motivation for the R’s to vote, The others are Republicans, sin- make sure to get out there by Jan. 31 while the D’s and I’s don’t have the gle-issue biomass critics and, well, and VOTE! Our silence could be a di- presidential primary to motivate some less qualified people. Also saster. D them. Folks, staying home is a vote running in for the opponent; that was the story the at-large of the 2010 Congressional races. It race is former wasn’t that the right wing turned out commissioner For voting locations, dates and more informa- so many more people, it was that the Lauren Poe, tion on the candidates, visit the Supervisor of left and moderates were convinced who we’d be Elections website, elections.alachua.fl.us. that because Obama wasn’t per- supporting if

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Gainesville, Florida Iguana, January/February 2012, page 9 Iguana Directory and action. [email protected] or Call if this includes misinformation or inaccurate phone numbers: 352-378-5655. www.gainesvilleiaij.blogspot.com

After School Art Club Collective of emerg- of a citizens’ police review board to Gainesville Women’s Liberation The first ing artists who brainstorm, discuss and create fight against the pattern of corruption, ar- women’s liberation group in the South, 2 Tuesdays a month. rogance, bias and violence displayed formed in 1968, the organization is now part www.afterschoolartclub.wordpress.com by some members of the Gainesville of National Women’s Liberation. P.O. Box Police Department. gvillepolicereview@ 14017, Gainesville, FL 32604, (347) 560- Alachua County Labor Party Just Health gmail.com 4695, [email protected], Wom- Care committee works on universal health ensLiberation.org care; LP also works on economic justice, Conservation Trust for Florida, Inc. Non- labor solidarity. P.O. Box 12051, Gainesville profit land trust working to protect Florida’s Graduate Assistants United Union that 32602; 352-375-2832.www.floridalaborparty. rural landscapes, wildlife corridors and natu- represents all UF grad assistants by fighting org/alachua ral areas. 352-466-1178, Conserveflorida.org for improved working conditions, commu- nity involvement and academic freedom. American Civil Liberties Union Currently Democratic Party of Alachua County 352-575-0366, [email protected], www. no local chapter. For info on forming a new Meetings are held the second Wednesday of ufgau.org chapter, or ACLU info, contact Jax office each month at 7:00pm in the second floor 904-353-7600 or [email protected] auditorium of the County Administration Green Party Part of worldwide movement Building at SE 1st St. and University Ave. built out of four different interrelated social Amnesty International UF campus chapter Office is at 901 NW 8th Ave., 352-373-1730, pillars, which support its politics: the peace, of worldwide human rights movement; www. AlachuaCountyDemocraticParty.org civil rights, environmental and labor move- facebook.com/ufamnesty or UFAmnesty@ ments. www.GainesvilleGreens.webs.com gmail.com. Edible Plant Project Local collective to create a revolution through edible and Grow Radio Non-profit company that will Bridges Across Borders Florida-based food-producing plants. 561-236-2262 www. provide the opportunity for community mem- international collaboration of activists, artists, EdiblePlantProject.org. bers to create and manage unique, engaging, students and educators supporting cultural educational, locally-generated programming diversity and global peace. office@bridg- Families Against Mandatory Minimums to promote fine, musical and visual arts esacrossborders.org, 352-485-2594, Work to reform Florida’s sentencing laws and and humanities for the enrichment of, but restore fairness to Florida’s criminal justice not limited to, the Gainesville community. The Coalition of Hispanics Integrating system. PO Box 142933, Gainesville, FL growradio.org. Spanish Speakers through Advocacy and 32614, [email protected]. 352-682-2542 Service (CHISPAS) Student-run group at Harvest of Hope Foundation Non-profit UF. www.chispasuf.org The Fine Print An independent, critically organization that provides emergency and thinking outlet for political, social and arts educational financial aid to migrant farm Civic Media Center Alternative reading coverage through local, in-depth reporting workers around the country. www.harvestof- room and library of the non-corporate press, specifically for Gainesville’s students. www. hope.net or email: [email protected]. and a resource and space for organizing. 352- thefineprintuf.org. 373-0010, www.civicmediacenter.org. Home Van A mobile soup kitchen that goes Florida School of Traditional Midwifery A out to homeless areas twice a week with food Coalition to End the Meal Limit NOW! clearinghouse for information, activities and and other necessities of life, delivering about Search for Coalition to End the Meal Limit educational programs. 352-338-0766 400 meals per week; operated by Citizens for NOW on Facebook. Social Justice. [email protected] or 352- Florida Defenders of the Environment An 372-4825. Code Pink: Women for Peace Women-led organization dedicated to restoring the Ock- grassroots peace and social justice movement lawaha and preserving Florida’s other natural Industrial Workers of the World Local utilizing creative protest, non-violent direct resources. 352-378-8465 FlaDefenders.org union organizing all workers. Meetings are action and community involvement. Code- at the Civic Media Center the first Sunday of Pink4Peace.org, [email protected] Gainesville Citizens for Alternatives to the month at 8pm. GainesvilleIWW@riseup. the Death Penalty concerned people in the net. Committee for a Civilian Police Review Gainesville area who are working to abolish Board Group that demands the creation the death penalty in Florida. Participate in Interfaith Alliance for Immigrant Jus- vigils when Florida has an execution. Meets tice Organizing faith communities to work the first Tuesday of every month at St. Au- together for immigrant justice. Meets 2nd and Don’t see your organization gustine Church and Catholic Student Center 4th Sundays at 6 p.m. at Book Lover’s Cafe. (1738 W. University Ave.) 352-332-1350, [email protected]; 352-215-4255 listed here, or is the info out www.fadp.org. or 352-562-1386 of date? Gainesville Interfaith Alliance for Im- International Socialist Organization migrant Justice (IAIJ) meets bi-weekly to Organization committed to building a left Contact us at 352-378-5655 discuss relevant immigration issues and ways alternative to a world of war, racism and or [email protected] to bring political education to the community poverty. Meetings are every Thurs. at the through workshops, presentations, advocacy UF classroom building at 105 NW 16th St at with the update. 7pm. [email protected]

Iguana, January/February 2012, page 10 Gainesville, Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program 352-340-3770. [email protected] / on Facebook, search “Gainesville Student/ An ombudsman is an advocate for people “PFLAG Gainesville” on Facebook. Farmworker Alliance.” who live in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family care homes. All Planned Parenthood Clinic Full-service Students for a Democratic Society services are confidential and free of charge. medical clinic for reproductive and sexual Multi-issue student and youth organization Toll-free 1-888-831-0404 or find us online health care needs. Now offering free HIV working to build power in our schools and at ombudsman.myflorida.com. and free pregnancy testing daily from communities. Meetings are every Monday 9-11am and 1-4pm. Located at 914 NW at 6:30pm in Anderson Hall 32 on the UF MindFreedom North Florida Human 13th Street. campus. rights group for psychiatric survivors and mental health consumers. 352-328-2511. Pride Community Center of North Cen- UF Pride Student Union Group of gay, les- tral Florida Resources for the gay/lesbian bian, bi and straight students & non-students, National Alliance on Mental Illness community, open M-F, 3-7, Sat. noon-4pm. faculty and staff. www.grove.ufl.edu/~pride. (NAMI) Support, education and advocacy Located at 3131 NW 13th St, Suite 62. for families and loved ones of persons with 352-377-8915, www.GainesvillePride.org. United Faculty of Florida Union that mental illness/brain disorders. 374-5600. represents faculty at University of Florida. ext. 8322; www.namigainesville.org. Protect Gainesville Citizens Group whose 392-0274, [email protected], mission is to provide Gainesville residents www.UFF-UF.org. National Lawyers Guild Lawyers, law with accurate and comprehensible informa- students, legal workers and jailhouse law- tion about the Cabot/Koppers Superfund United Nations Association Group that yers using the law to advance social justice site. 352-354-2432, www.protectgaines- educates people worldwide about the issues, and support progressive social movements. ville.org. projects and programs of the United Nations. [email protected] or www.nlg.org www.afn.org/~una-usa/. Queer Activist Coalition Politically moti- National Organization for Women vated activist group at UF fighting for full Veterans for Peace Anti-war organiza- Gainesville Area NOW meeting info civil and social equality for the LGBTQ tion that works to raise awareness of the contact Lisa at 352-450-1912. community. queeractivistcoalition@gmail. detriments of militarism and war as well as Judy Levy NOW information, con- com. to seek alternatives that are peaceful and ef- tact Laura Bresko 352-332-2528. fective. Meetings are the first Wednesday of Sierra Club Meets the first Thurs.of every every month at 7pm. 352-375-2563, www. Parents, Families and Friends of Les- month at 7:30pm at the UF Entomology & afn.org/~vetpeace/. bians and Gays (PFLAG) is working to Nematology Building, Room 1035. 352- create a better future for LGBTQ youth 528-3751, www.ssjsierra.org WGOT 94.7 LP-FM Community low- and adults though a partnership of parents, power station operating as part of the Civic allies and LGBT people. PFLAG Gaines- Student/Farmworker Alliance A net- Media Center. [email protected], ville has monthly meetings on the third work of youth organizing with farmwork- www.wgot.org Tuesday of the month at 7pm at the United ers to eliminate sweatshop conditions and Church of Gainesville, 1624 NW 5th Ave. modern-day slavery in the fields. More info

WGOT 94.7 LP FM Gainesville's Progressive Community Radio Station We share 94.7 with other community groups, WGOT is on the air: Sunday: 1PM - 4PM * TEMPEH Mon, Wed, Fri: 1PM - 4PM & 8PM - 5AM Tuesday and Thursday: 1PM - 4PM & 8PM - 9PM * PAD THAI Saturday: 1PM - 9PM * COCONUT CHICKEN Check out wgot.org for upcoming events and a detailed * DINNER COMBOS schedule (and new shows including David Barsamian’s Alternative Radio, now on Saturdays at 4 pm!) Lunch Specials $5.25 w/soda 94.7 is a Low Power FM station with a transmitter at NW 39th Ave and I-75, so best reception is within 5 miles, but M-Th.: 11 am - 10:30pm many people are able to pick up the station in their car. Fri, Sat.: 11am - 11pm Questions? Comments? E-mail us at [email protected] Sunday: 4 pm - 10:30pm

Democracy NOW! airs 421 NW 13th St. Mon-Fri @1pm & Mon-Thur @ 8pm (352) 336-6566

Gainesville, Florida Iguana, January/February 2012, page 11 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Domingo Lunes Martes Miercoles Jueves Viernes Sabado Gainesville’s public radio station is mostly School Board meets ! !Free confidential walk-in CMC Volunteers meet “Occupy the Courts” rally Collectors’ Show at Museum of 1st & 3rd Tues, 6 pm. every Thursday, 5:30 pm. with Dr. Cornel West, 1 pm, Natural History, 10 am-3 pm. Radio NPR talk - it’s located at 89.1 FM. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 17 18 HIV testing at Alachua 19 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 20 21 Weekday schedule: 10 am–12: Diane County Farmers’ Mkt on County Health Dept, 224 SE 24th City Candidates Debate, 6 pm, downtown plaza; West & Tavis Smiley Vocal Workshop w/ Penny Nichols, Rehm (interview & call-in); noon–1 pm: speak at UF Pugh Hall, 6 pm; pg 24. Notes: N 441 by Hwy Patrol Tues/ St, 9 am–3 pm, M-F; & at Pride County Commission Auditorium. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Prairie Creek Lodge, 11 am, $ 30. Terry Gross, Fresh Air; 1–2 pm, BBC Thurs/Sat, 8 am–noon. Ctr, 3131 NW 13th St, 4–6 pm on –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Penny Nichols, Steve Gillette & others –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Hey, west call-in World Have Your Say; 2–4 pm: –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 1st & 3rd Thurs; info: 334-7961. Internat’l Socialist Org. meets Songwriting Workshop w/ Steve Gil- –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– at Prairie Creek Lodge, 7 pm, $20. Anti-war sign-holding 4–6 Thursdays, 7 pm, 105 NW 16th St. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– lette, Prairie Creek Lodge, 2 pm, $35. G’ville – Talk of the Nation. Evenings, 8–10: On pm: 1st & 3rd Tues, Archer Rd Downtown Farmers’ Market –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– No Woman No Cry doc on reproductive –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– WGOT Point, followed by BBC World News. This “A Sit-In with Margaret Block”, Citizens Co-op-hosted block party: & SW 34th St; 2nd & 4th Tues, every Wed, Dtown Plaza, 4-7 pm; ! UF Ustler Hall, 7 pm - see pg 18. health on Roe v Wade anniversary, 7:30 live music & booths, noon–11 pm, SE low-power FM - American Life airs Saturday at 2 pm & Sun- Edible Plant Project, 2nd Weds.. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– pm, CMC; talk by Helen Strain; pg 4. University Ave & W. 13th St. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 5th Ave & Main St - gonna be great! Enero- on the air - day at noon, and On the Bridge, Gaines- Manhattan Transfer, Phillips Ctr, –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Febrero Into the Abyss - death penalty doc tune in at 94.7 ville’s best two hours of radio, is on 2–4 pm 7:30 pm, $25-35. Little Jake Mitchell at Kickin’ Devil Gainesville Rocks (the Vote) - Bo by Werner Herzog, Hipp Cinema, –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Café, 2017 NE 27th Ave, 8 pm. (and set your car Sundays – see schedule at www.wuftfm.org “State of the City” - Open Poetry every Thursday at –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Diddley Plaza: food, live music w/ radio, too): (or pg 15) for expanded weekend schedule Mayor Craig Lowe, 5:15 & 8 pm (also Thurs, 6:15 & 24 8:30 pm). CMC, 9 pm: Gvl’s longest-running WGOT 4-yr anniversary benefit at Crash Pad, Mama Trish vs Godzilla, & wgot947@ and program details. Hipp, 25 SE 2nd Pl, noon. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The Atlantic, featuring Whiskey & Co, Company Man: 1st day of early voting. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– poetry jam, open to all; informal & –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Anarchademics open discussion gmail.com or or Also check out internet station Grow Radio Alachua County Comm welcoming to both readers & Boswellians, & others, 9 pm. Hidden Battles (doc on veterans after www.wgot.org/calendar. (www.growradio.org), based in G’ville. group, CMC, 3rd Weds, 7–9 pm. 1892: 1st basketball game played. meets, 2nd & 4th Tues, 9 am –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– listeners. FULL MOON wars) at CMC, 3 pm; co-sponsored by Bill Moyers is back! Occupy Gainesville Day 104 - & 5 pm, County Admin Bldg; Think Local Civic Forum - city CMC Volunteers, 5:30 pm. “Right to Health Care in –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Gvl Vets for Peace. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 22 Moyers & Company on 23 check out their web site for citizens’ comment, 9:30 am & candidates Q& A, 7:30 pm, dntn 26 Open Poetry, CMC, 9 pm. 27 Brazil” - lecture at Turlington Galileo of Gainesville play by Dan WUFT-TV, Sundays at 1 pm. ongoing activities, support & reports 5:30 pm. library (401 E. Univ Ave). –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– L-011, 4-5 pm. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Ugly Radio Rebellion (playing –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Kahn at Acrosstown Rep to benefit Fla Coalition for Peace & at OccupyGainesville.org, and thanks Alachua County Labor Critical Mass Bike Ride, 5:30 pm, UF Home Van (sliding scale): Fri & Sat, to all the Occupiers! Stonewall Democrats, 901 music of Frank Zappa) & Big Bi- Justice weekly potluck & –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Party meets: 6:30 pm, 618 Plaza of Americas. 8 pm; Sun, 2 pm - runs through 29th. NW 8th Ave, 6 pm, 4th son at Backstage Lounge, 1318 S. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ecovillage tour, 4 pm: fcpj.org. Made in LA - documentary on immi- NW 13th Ave; info, 375-2832. 25 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Main St (across from Winn-Dixie). Art Walk Downtown; many galleries Great Air Potato Roundup, Weds. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– grant women workers, sponsored by –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Morningside Nature Ctr, 9 am. Wayward Council volunteer Biomass Plant opposition & venues participate; 7–10 pm, last 28 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– IWW, CMC, 7 pm. Gvl Area NOW program on Roe Shanon Waters at Satchel’s meeting 6 pm every Sunday, –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– talk, 7 pm, CMC. Friday of each month. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– v. Wade, 6:30 pm, Wild Iris Pizza/Lightnin’ Salvage, 6–9 pm: –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Interfaith Readings, Mennonite Early Voting for City Commission 807 W. University Ave. “Immigration in the South” Books, 802 W. Univ Ave. live music Weds through Sats: Gay Movie Night last Fridays, $2, 7:30 Meeting House, 1236 NW 18th Ave, election through Saturday: downtown panel, 7:30 pm, Hurley House –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– /livemusic.html pm, Pride Ctr, 3131 NW 13th St. 10 am, 2nd & 4th Saturdays. 1561: Francis Bacon born. lightninsalvage.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– County Building. “Middle East Realignment” –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 1788: Lord Byron born. (NW 1st Ave & 17th St) - see CMC Volunteers, 5:30 pm. Singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff at Book Release Party for Poetry Jam video & discussion, CMC, 7 pm. .–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Jose Antonio Vargas , multi- pg 4. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Univ. Auditorium, 7:30 pm, $20-30. poet G.M. Palmer, 7 pm, CMC. Danny Glover speaks, Phillips 2Florida Highwayman Mary Ann –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– media journalist, speaks on 29 30 Gainesville City Ctr, 7 pm. Carroll talk & painting exhibit, Soweto Gospel Choir, Phillips “Reaching Out Intimate Partner immigration, UF Pugh Hall, 6 pm. Elections: VOTE! (pg 9) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 31 Matheson Museum, 6 pm. Ctr, 7:30 pm, $30-40. Violence Forum”, 5 pm, Pride Ctr, –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Veterans for Peace –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 3 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Silver City (John Sayles film from Wild Words, Wild Iris Books, Icarus Project meets, CMC, 7 pm. Books for Prisoners book-packing 3131 NW 13th St. Feb 1 meet, 7 pm: call .–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 2004 satirizing corrupt politicians & last Tuesdays, open mic, 7 pm. parties Fridays at Wayward Council, Violinist Joshua Bell, Phillips Keep up with the CMC at environmental destruction; candidate’s –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 352-375-2563 for directions. Sierra Club general meeting, Ctr, 7:30 pm, $45-65. 807 W. University Ave, 7 pm. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– www.civicmediacenter.org name is Dickie Pillage - take it from Burrito Bros. Taco Co. hosts UF Entomology Bldg rm 3118, –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 4 CMC fundraiser, 6–8 pm: CMC 1st Thursdays, 7:30 pm. Daymoths, Lizzy Pitch, & Maria Veg 4 Life 1st Saturday potluck, 6:30 for events created after this there...), 7 pm, CMC. .–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– gets percentage of moneys Carter in concert at The Laboratory, pm at UU Fellowship, 4225 NW 34th calendar was printed, and into 1902: Langston Hughes born. ISO planning discussion on Egyp- St: 375-7207; $1 + veggie/vegan dish.. See www.gainesvillebands.com taken in for that period: go eat! 818 W. Univ. Ave. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– the future (also see pg 21). 1960: 4 students sit in at Greens- tian revolution; time & place tba; for info on live music in G’ville. boro NC lunch-counter. see gainesvilleiso.org. Omi Ajamu Jazz Quartet, 6:30 pm at –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Whether here or anywhere: 1737: Thomas Paine born. Thanks, Glyph! 1968: 70,000 Viet Cong launch The Doris, 716 N. Main St. 1954: Oprah Winfrey born. Tet Offensive. Democratic Exec. Comm. Open Poetry at CMC, 9 pm. please support live music! (352) 378-5655 www.gainesvilleiguana.org Women’s Movie Night, 5 pm, Black Power Mixtape, 1967– 8 meets, County Commission CMC Volunteers meet, Official Blues Brothers Revue, Peg Libertus memorial service, Historian Peter Wood on mtg room, 2nd Weds, 7 pm. 1st Sundays, Pride Commu- 1975 - unreleased film footage –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 5:30 pm. Phillips Ctr, 7:30 pm, $20-30. 2 pm, Ctr for Ind. Living, 222 5 6 7 “Winslow Homer’s Civil 9 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 10 11 nity Center, 3131 NW 13th St. w/ contemporary commentary; 7 pm, War”, Harn Museum, 6 pm. “What Evolution Can’t Tell Us SW 36th Terr; see pg 6. Iguana, c/o CISPLA, P.O. Box 14712, Gainesville, FL 32604 Box 14712, Gainesville, FL Iguana, c/o CISPLA, P.O. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– “Ignorance, Women, & Excellent –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– About Women’s Sex & Work” - IGUANA Deadline for Mar ’12 Civic Media Center, 433 S. Main St. School Board meets, 6 pm. Science” - Carla Fehr talk, Ustler issue is Feb 26th; write Vegan Fundraiser Dinner, CMC, 6 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The Gainesville Iguana Carla Fehr talk, 7 pm, Millhopper Hall Atrium, UF, 7:30 pm. [email protected] or pm. 1904: William S. Burroughs born. 1564: Chrisopher Marlowe born. Internat’l Noise Conference Branch Lib. 31 45 NW 34th St. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 1970: US troops invade Laos. 1945: Bob Marley born. Pre-show (experimental & –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Open Poetry at CMC, 9 pm. call 378-5655 with events, up- Hipp Cinema 30th Anniversary noise music), CMC, 9 pm. “Beyond Intuition” - free classes dates, advertisements & info. celebration, 6 pm, $25 adv, $35 door. Essential Afrikan His- “Daily Life in Palestinian by Marcus Dodd, 7 pm Wednes- –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 12 tory Workshop with Kali 13 Territories” - Amira Haas, French Film Fest at 1944: Alice Walker born. Fellow Worker social, Café Colette Blount at CMC, 4 pm. UF Pugh Hall, 6 pm. days at UUFG, 4225 NW 34th St. 1898: Bertolt Brecht born. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Hipp Cinema tonight & CMC Volunteers meet, (Wild Iris Books), 7 pm. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 14 other nights - see Water Symposium opens 5:30 pm. Power to the People film & Inherit the Wind - Humanist Society –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Interweave LGBTQ-friendly - see waterinstitute.ufl.edu. 16 discussion at CMC, 7 pm; Alternative Radio on local potluck & discussion at UUFG, shows classic “Monkey Trial” movie, thehipp.org/cinema. 15 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Icarus Project meets, CMC, 7 pm. 17 airwaves on WGOT-FM 94.7, Anarchademics open discussion –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– followed by live music from The 18 4225 NW 34th St, 6:30 pm, 2nd CMC, 6:30 pm (potluck dinner too). Celtic Women, 7:30 pm, O’Dome. Babylonians, 9 pm. Saturday afternoons at 4 pm; best lis- VALENTINE’S DAY group, CMC, 3rd Weds, 7–9 pm. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Sundays. tening in NW G’ville or in your car.

Sankofa (Haile Gerima’s School Board, 6 pm. Open Poetry at CMC, 9 pm. 1942: Huey P. Newton born. DARWIN DAY –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– FULL MOON 20 classic 1993 film of slavery & Stonewall Democrats, 901 rebellion), CMC, 7 pm. 21 Wild Bill Bailout aka CMC Volunteers, Cinema Verde Film Festival Doug Clifford Saturdays, 1473: Nicholas Copernicus –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– NW 8th Ave, 6 pm. 22 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 5:30 pm. opens: 8 days of environmental 19 born. Dave Lippman in concert at 23 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 24 25 11 pm-midnight; WSKY-97.3; Monty Python’s Spamalot, Phillips CMC, 8 pm (Shrub has retired). Humanists meet, Millhopper films - see www.verdefest.org. show repeats Sunday nights 11 pm, Arlo Guthrie “Boys Night Out”, –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– !!“History & Empathy” - Ctr, 7:30 pm, $40-60. Library, 6:30 pm. Gvl Runoff Election –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Phillips Ctr, 7:30 pm, $40-55; pg 2. Art Walk Downtown; many galleries WKTK-98.5. 26 Suzanne Marchand talk, UF PRESIDENTS’ DAY Smathers Library 1A, 7 pm. 28 (if needed) Oral History report-back from & venues participate; 7–10 pm, last –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Through the Door of No Mississippi at CMC, 7 pm. 1868: W.E.B. DuBois born. Friday of each month. Spring Break officially begins - Swamp City Sirens vs. Millhop- 27 Return (filmmaker traces Alachua County Labor 3 in reality, it per Devils, Skate Stn, 6:30 pm, $8 father’s ancestry to Ghana & explores Party meets: 6:30 pm, 618 “Promoting Democracy” Sierra Club probably started February January- adv, $12 door. roots of slave trade), CMC, 7 pm. NW 13th Ave; info, 375-2832. 29= talk at CMC, 7 pm. Mar 1 meets - see 2/2. 21807: U.S. prohibits importing slaves. Friday... 2011: The end of U.S. hyperpower and its war with Islamdom By Juan Cole e.g., were American allies), the three intervention is constrained by Russia unconventional wars (Afghanistan, and China. This article was originally published Iraq and al-Qaeda), along with In 1991, the U.S. was 25 percent of by Juan Cole on his blog “Informed significant tensions elsewhere (Sudan, global GDP. Today, it is 20 percent. In Comment” (www.juancole.com) on Somalia) did create an over-all bipolar 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Dec. 31. framework. Union, the U.S. was the only country The end of the Cold War, which in the top 10 global economies Some years are pivotal and serve to had stretched from 1946 to 1991, had with a substantial ability to act mark off eras of history. 2011 saw the left the political elites of the United alone in projecting military force end of American hyperpower, and it States and Western Europe without a in the world. Japan and Germany announced the end of a decade of U.S.- bogeyman or security threat on which maintained militaries only for self- Muslim conflict that began with 2001. they could run for office and through defense. France, Italy, the U.K. and It saw the killing of Osama Bin Laden, which they could funnel resources Spain typically worked within a the virtual rolling up of al-Qaeda, the to the military-industrial complex NATO framework (except for French repudiation of al-Qaeda’s methods by that largely pays for their political the masses of the Arab world, and the campaigns. As of 2011, the age of the U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq. With Russia in steep decline in the U.S. hyperpower is passing, The upheavals of the Arab Spring 1990s and China still run as a small, and subsequent elections have led to cautious power, the U.S. emerged as along with the possibilities for Muslim fundamentalist parties being what the French called a Hyperpower, American wars of choice, i.e., drawn into parliamentary politics the sole superpower. wars of agression. on a Westminster model, rather than U.S. hawks were impatient that remaining sect-like corporate groups Bill Clinton seemed not to realize interventions in Africa). Brazil was outside the body politic. The changes that he had complete freedom of relatively inward-looking. in government have left the U.S. movement for a brief window of U.S. supremacy was announced and the U.K. with no choice but to time. It was the new U.S. status of with the Gulf War, even before the deal with parties such as al-Nahda in hyperpower that allowed the G. W. Soviet system had quite collapsed. Tunisia and the Muslim Brotherhood Bush administration to respond to Premier Mikhail Gorbachev was in Egypt, which right wing members the September 11 terrorist attacks by unable to protect a former Soviet of Congress had earlier lambasted as launching two major wars and a host client state, Iraq, from U.S. ire. And proto-terrorist organizations. of smaller struggles, all against targets George H. W. Bush put together a In Libya, the U.S. and NATO allied in the Muslim world. coalition of two dozen allies with a with the Muslim masses against As of 2011, the age of the U.S. UNSC mandate to push Iraq out of dictator Muammar Qaddafi, and hyperpower is passing, along with occupied Kuwait, thus underlining some of their new allies had been the possibilities for American wars of that the United States was now the Muslim radicals earlier. Although the choice, i.e., wars of aggression. successor to the British Empire as degree of U.S.-Muslim polarization The most potent symbol of this guarantor of security in the oil-rich of the period 2001-2011 was often change is Syria, where U.S. freedom Persian Gulf. exaggerated (Turkey and Morocco, of movement in staging any sort of George W. Bush’s 2003 war

Second store at 5011 NW 34th St.

Iguana, January/February 2012, page 14 Gainesville, Florida against Iraq, while it lacked the legal U.S. than it had been. Brazil defied framework that the Gulf War enjoyed, the U.S. on Libya and Latin America WUFT-FM 89.1 was a continuation of that assertion of is defying the U.S. on relations with American dominance on a unilateral Palestine. programming basis (not unilateral in the sense that The greatest trend to greater the U.S. had no allies, but unilateral independence of the U.S. can be seen schedule in the sense that none of the allies was in the Middle East and North Africa. Monday – Friday indispensable and that the U.S. could Some regimes that were almost 6:00 a.m. Morning Edition do as it pleased). sycophants toward Western capitals 10:00 a.m. The Diane Rehm Show In 2011, China and India are in have been swept away. Indigenous Noon Fresh Air the top ten world economies (by and nativist political movements, 1:00 p.m. World Have Your Say purchasing power parity), and each is a especially those based in political (Fri — Conner Calling) hegemonic military power now. China Islam, are doing well. Religious 2:00 p.m. Talk of the Nation can help protect Syria, e.g., and India parties came to power in Tunisia and 4:00 p.m. The Front Page Edition insists on buying Iranian petroleum. Morocco, forming governments and of All Things Considered Russia is likely to rejoin the top ten by selecting the prime minister. 5:00 p.m. All Things Considered 6:30 p.m. Marketplace 2015, and it is militarily significant. A similar development will likely 7:00 p.m. PBS Newshour Moscow is running interference for occur in Egypt, Libya and Yemen in 8:00 p.m. The Story the Baath regime in Syria in part to 2012. All of these governments had (Fri —BBC World News, protect the Tartus naval base on the been dominated by billionaire poli- Capital Report, 8:30 pm) Mediterranean, which the Russians ticians and increasingly Neoliberal 9:00 p.m. On Point lease from Damascus. economic policies. The new cabinets 1 1:00 p.m. BBC World News The United States is no longer dominated by political Islam are eco- (until morning) the hyperpower. It can no longer nomic populists, but likely will not Saturday necessarily act unilaterally by challenge the U.S. significantly. Nei- 6:30 a.m. Noticias launching a major war of aggression ther can they be depended upon, how- 7:00 a.m. BBC World News at will. It lacks the resources. And, it ever, to do as they’re told, in the way 8:00 a.m. Weekend Edition Saturday has significant challengers in some that Mubarak could have been. 10:00 a.m. Car Talk theaters. It is too early to say whether the 11:00 a.m. Wait Wait... Don’t Tell Me The Obama administration was assertion of people power, in part Noon Sikorski’s Attic only able to act in Libya because via the internet, in the Arab world 1:00 p.m. Animal Airwaves Live Russia and China had allowed a marks a structural, long-term change 2:00 p.m. This American Life strong UNSC resolution in favor of in the way business is done. What 3:00 p.m. Marketplace Money intervention to be passed. Had either can be said is that the Middle East is 4:00 p.m. BBC World News 4:30 p.m. Bioneers exercised a veto, the Libya War would emerging as more independent than it 5:00 p.m. All Things Considered have been forestalled. And, even with had been since the 1970s. 6:00 p.m. A Prairie Home a UNSC resolution authorizing the President Obama gave a speech Companion use of force, Washington felt the need marking the end of the Iraq War. He 8:00 p.m. Soul Circuit to lead from behind and let France, should give one marking the end of 9:00 p.m. Afropop Worldwide Britain and Qatar stay in the forefront, the “War on Terror.” 10:00 p.m. BBC World News because it feared bad PR if it were The U.S. is not actively fighting (until morning) perceived to be yet again unilaterally Muslim troops in Iraq any more. Bin Sunday attacking a Muslim country. Laden is dead. Whatever is going on 12:00 a.m. BBC World News A corollary is that each region of the in southern Afghanistan will have to 7:30 a.m. Florida Frontiers world is now more independent of the work its way out alone. 8:00 a.m. Weekend Edition Sunday Those are the 10:00 a.m. Bob Edwards Weekend three big changes Noon This American Life 1:00 p.m. Wait Wait... Don’t Tell Me in 2011. The U.S. 2:00 p.m. On The Bridge is one great power 4:00 p.m. The Thistle & Shamrock among many, now. 5:00 p.m. All Things Considered Muslim radical- 6:00 p.m. BBC World News ism is running out 7:30 p.m. Humankind of steam. And, 8:00 p.m. Ballads & Blues the Middle East is 10:00 p.m. Music From the Hearts declaring indepen- of Space dence along the 11:00 p.m. BBC World News lines of Brazil. D (until morning)

Gainesville, Florida Iguana, January/February 2012, page 15 Veterans for Peace Connects with Occupy Gainesville “Cost of War” seen in community violence, environmental impact, weakened economy By Mary Bahr between our government’s priorities and supplies the movement uses each Gainesville Veterans for Peace and war, Vets for Peace finds a day, arriving at the Plaza before 8 a.m. member natural fit for support of the Occupy and loading up around 11 p.m. movement. On a national level, we On Nov. 11, two VFP members, Dennis Lane, executive director passed a resolution to protect the John and Tommy Butler, were arrested of National Veterans for Peace, said Occupiers against police brutality, along with 21 other Occupiers for the cost of war can be seen today “in recognizing “that our common enemy staying in the “Free Speech Zone” of family and community violence, in is the wealthy power elite, those who our public downtown plaza past 11:30 the human and environmental impact control, ravage and exploit.” p.m. of depleted uranium and a wide On the local level, VFP Gainesville John is also the liaison with Occupy variety of chemical exposures, and in a weakened domestic economy and de-funded health, education and other social programs.” You may have seen the Gainesville Vets for Peace Cost of War program. It gives the cost of war to our local community and to the state of Florida, as well as the national costs in blood and taxes. The data is derived from the National Priorities Project Cost of War project at www.costofwar.com. These pages will give you the cost in tax dollars on counters that change every second and will also offer tradeoffs (what those dollars could have bought in our domestic economy had we not spent them on war). Even with troops withdrawing from Iraq, many troops and support personnel will be left behind. We still have to pay the costs of equipment replacement and health care, which are projected to total a trillion dollars each. John Fullerton (left), of Gainesville Veterans for Peace and Occupy Gainesville, And then there’s still Afghanistan. unloads the tents, tables, food and other materials for Occupy Gainesville. Every day, John sets up and takes down the Occupy camp in the Bo Diddley Plaza. Photo by As I write this, the total taxes paid Mary Bahr. in Gainesville for both wars are $232,649,897 and counting. Those has supplied support to Occupy by Supply run by the national blog hundreds of millions paid by our local organizing a Veterans Speak-Out at Firedoglake. He went through online citizens could have bought a year’s Bo Diddley Plaza, which resulted in training for this position, which worth of college scholarships for 4,997 moving testimony from young soldiers enabled him to receive supplies for our students, solar energy conversion returning from war. We also invited local Occupy, including blankets, hats for 7,742 households, or healthcare Occupy to table at the annual Winter and rain ponchos. for 4,824 low income people. If you Solstice Concert, where we presented Occupy Supply has a mission visit the site, these numbers will have the group with a Peace Helmet award of helping the movement make it increased, as we continue to pay far for their dedication to the fight for through the winter, which is especially more for war than we do for the needs justice, and supplied them with Occupy challenging for the encampments up of our own citizens. buttons to give away and sell. north. It has raised more than $174,000 Because of the clear connection One VFP member, John Fullerton, and has spent more than $150,000 on has become a daily part of local union-made, high quality clothing, Visit www.occupygainesville.org Occupy, providing logistical support tents, blankets, etc. for encampments by delivering and removing the canopy across the U.S. You can donate online

Iguana, January/February 2012, page 16 Gainesville, Florida our burden (In memory of PFC Keith Lloyd)

the sun’s beating down, he’s got him locked in his sights another soldier lost, another pointless fight i’ve lost good friends, they died before my eyes i’ve seen families mourn, and i’ve heard their children cry

you could never understand the burden that is left the million times i’ve wished for a bullet in my chest it’s easier to die than to live with what i’ve done taken peoples lives and never thought to run

my dreams still haunt me, i always see his face filled with so much anger, my life could never be the same taught from birth to hate, they tried to take my life and even though it’s over, i still see them every night

Recited by Tommie Butler, U.S. Army Iraq War Veteran and Vets for Peace Member, at Occupy Gainesville’s Armistice Occupy Gainesville protests outside of Wells Fargo in Downtown Day Speak-Out on Nov. 11 at Bo Diddley Plaza Gainesville. Photo by Mary Bahr.

to Occupy Supply, and 100 percent commons and create a true democracy, that no one had a right to criticize of your money goes directly toward and set up all the social systems needed if they did not attend a GA, i.e. join supplies and shipment. to support a fully human society.” the community. Another Occupier John said that in addition to The second group consists of affinity answered more from the activist side coordinating supplies, his liaison groups within that community. For our of the group that “job” stood for “Just position also puts him in touch online local Occupy, those affinity groups Over Broke,” and he would not buy with fellow Occupy workers around include a women’s group, Move to into the present economic system the country. John sees Occupy as “an Amend, a food and comfort group, because it did not value its workers. acorn that has been planted,” which he radical cheerleaders, a group focused Deborah told her story of the hopes will acquire the critical mass to on big Pharma, and a Koppers group benefits of the Occupy community. grow into a much larger movement. addressing environmental pollution She attempted to close an inactive His take on the movement is that it from Gainesville’s own Superfund account at Bank of America and was has a focus on getting money out of site. This is not a comprehensive list, told that she would have to wait 30 politics. but it is representative of the groups days. She informed the teller that This theme was addressed at their allied under the umbrella of the she would be back with pickets from GA as members connected with Move Occupy community. Occupy Gainesville. After checking to Amend, a group that addresses the The people in the third group are with a manager, her account was Supreme Court’s Citizens United case the activists who stir things up and closed immediately. treating corporations as people and organize actions like the one against To see how to support Occupy corporate money as free speech. Wells Fargo and Bank of America. The Gainesville and a calendar of upcoming John agreed with an analysis by picketers focus on the fraud committed events, visit www.occupygainesville. Firedoglake blogger and Newark by these banks in the housing market org or stop by Bo Diddley Plaza any Occupier Tobiasfox, in an article called and encourage passersby to move their time you see the tent. Most days there “Why We Occupy.” He describes money to community banks and credit is a GA or a working/affinity group Occupy as consisting of three groups unions. meeting around 6:30p.m. of people. The Occupy members I visited with Occupy Gainesville will host the The first group is “solely interested generally agreed with this analysis but Southeastern Regional Occupy Gath- in occupying public space and making said it oversimplified the situation and ering March 23 - 25 in efforts to con- that public space a community within pointed out that the group was fluid nect the movement in the U.S. and also a community, regardless of how with many overlapping views and foci. the Caribbean (occupysoutheast.org). organized or chaotic that community Occupiers responded to the One My visit to Occupy found a group may appear. This is all they want to Percent comments that they should of young and old people working do: occupy public space. Occupying “get a job and quit whining.” Nancy together on community and organizing public space is critical because it’s from the food and comfort group that community to make John’s acorn a place where we can establish the said she already worked full time and sprout and grow. D

Gainesville, Florida Iguana, January/February 2012, page 17 History and The People Who Make It: Margaret Block Transcript edited by Pierce Butler and write. I taught all over the Delta and Rosedale and all over, Cleveland This is the sixth in a continuing se- and Shaw, just all these little towns in ries of excerpts from transcripts in the the Delta. That was in ’63, ’62 and ’63. collection of the Samuel Proctor Oral When we did that, that was way before History Program at the University of Freedom Summer. Florida. Well, SCLC was more Christian, re- Lifelong civil rights activist Margaret ligious, more spiritual than SNCC was, Block was interviewed by Paul Ortiz on and SCLC was, they were the educa- September 18, 2008. tional. You know, like they gave us training and they would get us out of I got involved in the movement like jail and stuff like that. They led the mass in – when I was about 10 years old, I movements and stuff, too. But SNCC used to hang around with this man was a lot of vibrant young people. You named Mr. Amzie Moore. They orga- know, they were students, and I had met nized the Regional Council on Negro all – I didn’t even go to college until Leadership, and I was aware of some- real late because I was in the movement thing being wrong because listening to and my brother got kicked out of Mis- ber Amzie Moore and Medgar Evers, I my parents and everybody talk about it. sissippi Valley State for trying to orga- grew up around those guys. You know, I wasn’t able to do anything until 1961 nize a SNCC chapter on campus. So I Medgar used to live in Mound Bayou when I graduated from high school. figured, what’s the use. Mmm-hmm. So with Dr. Howard when Dr. Howard was Then I joined the movement. I didn’t I tell people I didn’t get an education a surgeon. So when Emmett got killed, join SNCC until ’62 because we didn’t by going to college. I got an education Medgar and Amzie Moore dressed up have nothing in Cleveland [Mississip- working in the movement and coming like they were field hands and went out pi] in 1961 but the Southern Christian in contact with people like Hollis and to the fields and were talking to people, Leadership Conference, and I joined it. John Lewis and my brother and Amzie investigating it around which was brave, That was we were teaching people how Moore and Diane Nash and Septima and crazy, and suicidal. to read and write and how to take that Clark. Music was extremely important to the test that you had to take from the state SNCC was, we were risk-takers. We movement. If it wasn’t for the Freedom of Mississippi interpreting the Constitu- would do stuff and people, Dr. King Songs, we would take a church song tion. would be goin’, you know, “just look and, you know, just change the words. That’s what we had to teach, the lit- at you,” because we were not afraid to Those are all church songs we were eracy test, which was insane. You know, challenge nobody. So that’s what I like singing up there but we just changed one registrar asked how many bubbles to emphasize. We used to party a lot, the words. But that was important, the is in a bar of Ivory soap, just dumb not all the time. But we used to have music in the movement. The music stuff. That’s the most rewarding thing parties and just have fun and, you know, was the glue that kept the Civil Rights I’d ever done in my life, was teaching to relieve all that tension and stuff that Movement together. And it was the best that citizenship school. It was the idea was going on with being shot at and organizing tool that we had, because we of me teaching my elders how to read being chased. So it was more, well, it would be singing those songs at a meet- was more for young ing and people would pass by and hear people, SNCC was. us singing and say, oh, you guys going Emmett Till to sing that song next week? And we’d was the reason we tell them yeah and we’d have the church couldn’t wait to get full because people would enjoy the big enough to join Freedom Songs. a movement. He So those Freedom Songs are really said that he was the important. They’re at the Smithson- fire, he started the ian Institute. Bernice Reagon recorded fire. That’s what them down there in Atlanta at the SNCC they did when they song-whatever they had in ’63 or ‘62, 352.374.2022 killed Emmett Till. you know, all those years ago. But any- www.drpamvetro.com Because I remem- way, Bernice, who sang with Sweet

Iguana, January/February 2012, page 18 Gainesville, Florida Honey in the Rock… Bernice Reagon He’s telling me, gimme the cash money, went to high school, like paying for – Bernice Johnson, when I knew her. we makin’ Molotov cocktails tonight, those classes Yeah, she recorded all those songs, and I’m looking at him, never have been They know they got to have English, Kids going to school now, in my nowhere but to Chicago and Memphis they know they got to have chemistry, hometown, they know nothing at all and Jackson all my growing up years. and they charge for that stuff. about my brother Sam who is an icon Pretty soon I went, Stokely, I don’t It’s an incredible injustice. It’s like in the movement. He was featured in drink, and I don’t want no cocktail. I a poll tax on education or something. African American National Biography thought he was talking about something Then there’s no accountability for the by Henry Louis Gates. People, I think to drink. money because each parent when you they just don’t care. It’s not just the chil- O: Some people would find it sur- go to whatever school you go to, you dren. It’s the adults. And it’s not good, prising because the official ideology of have to pay the money to the cashier, the either, that you don’t even know your the movement was nonviolence, but in secretary at the school. It doesn’t go into own history and you got icons walking this particular case, you’re saying the general budget fund. They do what they around now that you could talk to, like Brewer family – want to do with it, and God only knows Ms. Rogers or just people still around We made exceptions. Oh, that was what they doing with it. D that was in the movement and that’s just SNCC, the Student Nonviolent – I An audio podcast of this interview will be being treated like, OK, we’re going to didn’t tell them I was nonviolent. made available, along with many others, at half-teach it and we’re going to do that I went on and carried the fight on to www.history.ufl.edu/oral/feature-podcasts. half-truth thing with it. San Francisco when I moved—finally htm. Yeah, we had a shoot out. It was Au- had got ran out in ’66. My nerves had The Samuel Proctor Oral History Pro- gust the 7th, 1964. We had taken the gotten just bad, you know, tired of be- gram believes that listening to first-person Brewer Brothers from Sharkey Road, ing threatened and shot at and just going narratives can change the way we under- which was out from Glendora. We had through stuff. So I had went to San Fran- stand history, from scholarly questions to taken them over to Charleston to the cisco. But I went on with the fight out public policy. SPOHP needs the public’s courthouse to vote, and we expected there, joined the war, you know, Viet- help to sustain and build upon its research, trouble because we knew those people nam, the anti-Vietnam War and that, no teaching, and service missions: even small – that was one of the strongholds of the intervention in Central America, helped donations can make a big difference in Klan, too, Tallahatchie County. write Proposition J, which we got put on SPOHP’s ability to gather, preserve and So we knew it was going to come the ballot. You know Prop J, where we – promote history for future generations. down the next night, and what did we the first city to divest our pension funds Donate online at www.history.ufl.edu/ do? We went. The Brewers, all of them and stuff from South Africa. oral/support.html or make checks to the were well-armed. So when they came, O: OK. Why did you come back [af- University of Florida, specified for SPOHP, when these Klan came down there at ter 31 years]? and mail to PO Box 115215, Gainesville, night, we were out in the country and Well, my mom got sick, and then I just FL, 32611. we was on this farm and it was one long had to be, I don’t know. My chil- road. When we came out from the coun- dren were grown when I came try, they was gonna shoot at us. back, and I own a house and, And they were so surprised when we you know, rather than struggle shot at them first. They took off. We had to pay extremely high mortgage our spotlights. This lady named Ms. El- rates in northern San Francisco, sie Brewer, she turned on a big ol’ spot- I moved back down here to take light, turned it on, and they didn’t know care of my mom. Then I decid- what to think of, and when we shot at ed that the fight ain’t over with them, we didn’t hear nothing else from here. I’m still fighting. them. Yeah, like they’re charg- They would harass us on the radio and ing kids to go to school, pub- stuff, but we didn’t hear anything else lic school. That’s another fight about them coming out there to shoot I had. I was working for the nobody. Because we let them know Mississippi Center for Justice, that we were fully prepared to shoot it the Youth Justice Center out out with them. We even made Molotov of Jackson, and, yeah, they’re cocktails. charging kids school fees to Now, one time – that’s the time when go to public schools. Charging Stokely was out on the project with me them, yeah, $10 enrollment for out there in Tallahatchie, and Stokely elementary school, $17.50 for tell me, we gonna make some Molotov middle school, and then it just cocktails, and I’m going, mmm-hmm. went through the roof when they

Gainesville, Florida Iguana, January/February 2012, page 19 Will ‘zombie economics’ prove Florida’s proposed nuclear power plants are no longer competitive?

By Robert Trigaux, corporation. And both Duke and County plant because, in part, it’s Tampa Bay Times Progress Energy have long histories going to be a stunner. A plant (with and big ambitions of becoming two nuclear reactors on the site) This article was highlighted in an even bigger player in building that was once touted a cost just an event by Mary Olson of Nuclear nuclear power plants to generate over $10 billion, soon went to $17 Information and Resource Service electricity. billion. Given the trend line -- not to (www.nirs.com) and Mandy Hancock Here in Florida, that nuclear mention the Japan nuclear disaster of the Southern Alliance for Clean ambition is being played out by which will boost safety-related Energy (www.cleanenergy.org) in political power that’s allowed costs to any new nuclear plants -- a Civic Media Center presentation Progress Energy to charge it would not be surprising to see a Monday, Jan. 9. Also shown was a its Florida customers for two plant cost topping $25 billion or film “Climate of Hope,” a 28 minute questionable nuclear projects. perhaps even $30 billion by the Australian production on the nuclear First, a hefty portion of the time a Levy County plant actually film cycle, which was excellent and staggering $2.5 billion repair bill comes online in the latter 2020s. is viewable on Youtube. Another for the Crystal River nuclear power At some point, those costs will suggested site was www.fairewinds. plant, down since the fall of 2009 become clearly uncompetitive, com, with up to date coverage of and broken by the controversial do- despite Duke and Progress Energy’s Fukajjima, Japan. it-yourself fixes attempted by the political power to convince This story was originally published power company. legislators to see things their way. on Jan. 4 in the Tampa Bay Times Second, even as Progress Energy There’s been a steady flow of (www.tampabay.com). struggles to revive the aging, off- commentary in recent months about line Crystal River nuke plant, the declining competitiveness of Wake up and good morning. it’s charging customers now for nuclear power. And the federal Well, Progress Energy and Duke preliminary costs tied to a long- government, for all its sporadic Energy, stalled in their merger by proposed new nuclear power plant boosterism for nuclear power, is so federal regulators worried about north of Tampa Bay in Levy County financially pressed that it’s proved too much monopoly power, say that may yet never happen. unable to cough up the massive they are again revamping terms of Here’s the real trick. Duke and loan guarantees the nuclear power their deal to make the feds happy. Progress Energy are committed industry demands in order to break According to the Raleigh, N.C., to a nuclear power future that ground on large numbers of nuke paper, the News & Observer, increasingly -- for reasons of plants. Progress Energy CEO (who will both cost and safety -- is pricing Consider this latest commentary, also be CEO of the combined itself out of the viable market for dated Jan. 3 and headlined The End Duke-Progress giant should it generating electricity. of the Nuclear Renaissance, in The happen) Bill Johnson said the trick Progress Energy no longer National Interest. The key point? of the latest merger proposal will quotes fresh costs for the Levy “In 2011, nuclear power ceased be to “preserve the $650 million in savings promised to regulators THINKING ABOUT THE MILITARY? in the Carolinas while MAKE AN also selling off a sizable INFORMED CHOICE. chunk of electricity into wholesale markets ADVICE FROM VETERANS to appease federal ON MILITARY SERVICE regulators.” AND RECRUITING PRACTICES Why do we care here A Resource Guide For Young People in Florida? Considering Enlistment Obviously, Progress Energy Florida is http://www.afn.org/~vetpeace/ part of this proposed acquisition by Duke Gainesville Chapter 14 of the Progress Energy

Iguana, January/February 2012, page 20 Gainesville, Florida to be a serious option for meeting the world’s energy needs.” So Civic Media Center writes John Quiggin, the Hinkley visiting professor at Johns Hopkins January/February 2012 Events University and an Australian Research Council Federation fellow Every Thursday: Poetry Jam, 9pm at the University of Queensland. Tuesday, 1/17: Essential Afrikan History Workshop #5, 7pm He is the author of “Zombie Wednesday 1/18: Anarchademics, radical history and theory reading Economics: How Dead Ideas Still and discussion group, 7pm Walk Among Us.” Thursday, 1/19: Icarus Project, radical mental health support group, 7pm As Quiggin states in his Friday, 1/20: “No Woman, No Cry,” documentary on global issues in commentary: “... after an initial rush women’s health and reproductive freedom for the anni- of enthusiasm, proposals for new versary of Roe vs. Wade with a discussion led by Helen nuclear plants ran into economic Strain of Planned Parenthood, 7:30pm reality. When the deadline set under Saturday, 1/21:Gainesville  Vets for Peace matinee screening of “Hidden the Nuclear Power 2010 program Battles,” a documentary on soldiers’ experiences of kill- expired, twenty-six proposals ing, 3pm had been received by the Nuclear Sunday, 1/22: CMC Zine Library Organizing Party, 12-5 pm Regulatory Commission. But by Monday, 1/23: “Made in L.A.,” documentary on immigrant women the beginning of 2011, more than workers organizing on the job, co-sponsored by Gaines- half of these had been abandoned, ville IWW and La Casita, 7pm and ground had been broken on Tuesday, 1/24:Presentation  on opposition to proposed Biomass Plant, only two sites, with a total of four 7pm reactors. Wednesday, 1/25: Middle East Realignment,” 1st in monthly series vid- “The nuclear renaissance was eos and discussions on International Relations, 7pm already tottering, but the disaster of Friday, 1/27: ArtWalk, featuring works by Gustavo Roca, others TBA, Fukushima was the coup de grace. 7-10pm It’s true, as nuclear advocates have Saturday, 1/28:Book  release party for Poetry Jam poet G. M. Palmer’s argued, that the plants at Fukushima new book, 7pm were old and that a disaster as big Monday, 1/30: “Silver City,” John Sayles feature on rightwing, Bush- as the March tsunami was hard to style electoral follies, 7pm plan for. No doubt the failures in Tuesday, 1/31: CMC Fundraiser night at Burrito Bros. Taco Co. cooling and containment systems Monday, 2/6:“Black  Power Mixtape, 1967-1975,” collection of previ- that gave rise to the present crisis ously unreleased footage, with commentaries by con- can be overcome and reactor temporary artists and activists, 7pm designs modified to improve safety. Tuesday, 2/7: International Noise Conference Pre-show, experimental and “But safety doesn’t come cheap, noise music, 9pm and redesigns mean delays. With Wednesday, 2/8: Queer Reading Group, 7pm no prospect of any further increases Saturday, 2/11: Vegan Fundraiser Dinner, 6-9pm in subsidies and loan guarantees, Sunday, 2/12: 6th presentation in a larger series of workshops on it seems likely that most of the Essential Afrrikan History, 4p.m. proposals for new nuclear-power Friday, 2/17: “Power to the People” film showing at 7p.m., fol plants in the United States will be lowed by discussion and then live music by the abandoned.” Babylonians at 9p.m. Keep in mind this is just one Monday, 2/20: “Sanfoka,” a Haile Gerima mystical classic of slavery view of a growing number of sharp and resistance, film showing. minds that see nuclear power’s role Wednesday, 2/22: Presentation by Samuel Proctor Oral History Project waning, not reborn, in the coming of UF on their travels to Mississippi for interviews. decades. It raises the key question Monday, 2/27: “Through the Door of No Return,” a film maker’s for Floridians -- saddled now tracking of his father’s ancestry all the way to Ghana. with repair and building fees in their electricity bills, charges that will skyrocket if the Levy County 433 S. Main Street project continues: Parking just to the south at SE 5th Ave., (see sign) or after 7pm at the courthouse What are we paying for? (just north of 4th Ave.) or GRU (2 blocks east of CMC). Check our website for Projects that may no longer prove details or new events that may have been scheduled after this went to press. financially competitive?D (352) 373-0010 * www.civicmediacenter.org

Gainesville, Florida Iguana, January/February 2012, page 21 Tainted Coal: Mountaintop Removal and GRU By Jason Fults, waste that bury adjacent streams. MTR mine sites. Gainesville Loves Gainesville Loves Mountains The resulting waste that then fills Mountains has been meeting with GRU valleys and streams can significantly staff, a few City Commissioners and For the past few decades, compromise water quality, often causing Mayor Craig Lowe for the past several Appalachian coal companies have permanent damage to ecosystems and months to discuss this issue. sought to erase the gains of some of the rendering streams unfit for drinking, Last March, we brought Larry Gib- most hard-fought labor struggles in U.S. fishing, and swimming. It is estimated son, a resident of West Virginia and history by reducing their workforce that almost 2,000 miles of Appalachian neighbor to MTR mining sites, to through mechanization. headwater streams have been buried by Gainesville.to talk. While the Commis- Large deep-mining operations mountaintop coal mining.” sioners, and particularly our eco-con- employing union miners have been Residents and activists who have scious mayor have been sympathetic to replaced with millions of pounds of been fighting this practice would say these concerns, they have been rebuffed explosives and draglines more than that the EPA’s description is charitable. by GRU staff who want no restrictions 20 stories tall. This method of coal The nexus between the devastation of placed on their coal purchases and who mining is referred to as “mountaintop MTR and our personal consumption insist that they only purchase coal from removal” (MTR), and as its name is our municipally owned utility, “reputable, law-abiding” companies. implies, its impact on local ecosystems Gainesville Regional Utilities. GRU Appalachian activists who have is devastating. purchases coal and other fuels that they been fighting against MTR disagree. I lived in Appalachia for several then convert into electricity and sell to One staff-person at the Boone, N.C. years, and it was there that images of ratepayers. organization Appalachian Voices said, MTR and its effects on the people and That is why we started Gainesville “It looks like their suppliers are the landscapes of the region were burned Loves Mountains, a local group worst of the worst, particularly Massey, into my consciousness–images that I dedicated to working in conjunction Patriot, ICG (International Coal carry with me many years later. with organizations in Appalachia to end Group) and TECO Coal C. Moreover, The Environmental Protection MTR and create a prosperous future for the specific mines–from Twilight to Agency describes MTR as “...a form the region. Patriot’s mines … to ICG’s godawful of surface coal mining in which Currently, about 62 percent of GRU’s complex north of Hazard–would explosives are used to access coal energy mix comes from coal, and about make for the most awful visuals and seams, generating large volumes of 60 percent of that coal comes from compelling human stories out there.”

Iguana, January/February 2012, page 22 Gainesville, Florida One issue that emerged in the public meetings in recent months is that while GRU contractually requires their coal suppliers to “obey all applicable laws,” there is absolutely no monitoring or enforcement of this requirement. The staff members at GRU, when asked, were completely unaware of any violations of the law by any of our suppliers and have instead reassured us, consistently, that “we only deal with highly reputable providers.” So the unspoken policy has been one of plausible deniability: the less that we know about the origins of our energy, it seems, the better. In recent months, GRU has been performing “test burns” on coal from outside of Appalachia. If these tests are successful, Photo courtesy of iLoveMountains.org, a website that uses cutting edge technology to Gainesville would have a larger pool to inform and involve citizens from all over the country in their efforts to save mountains and choose from, and it would be easier to communities. avoid MTR coal. In response to citizen bring this egregious practice to an end. chair of Regional Utilities Committee): advocacy, GRU has agreed to require Please remember the people of [email protected], their coal suppliers to self-report any Appalachia when you turn on your (352)334-5015 major legal violations to the utility. lights or power up your heater this Yet even as recently as last month, winter. Mayor Craig Lowe: Assistant General Manager John If you want to learn more about MTR [email protected], Stanton continued to maintain that and our community’s connection to it, (352)334-5015 the upcoming round of coal contracts visit ilovemountains.org. And please let would be “...awarded on the basis of our local leaders know that you want to Thomas Hawkins (City low total cost.” see an end to Gainesville’s connection Commissioner): By “total cost,” Stanton was factoring to mountaintop removal mining (a list [email protected], in transportation and other financial of key contacts is given below). (352)334-5015 costs of burning coal. He unfortunately The communities that supply our was not referring to the environmental energy deserve clean water, healthy Once you have notified local and social “costs” that residents of livelihoods and respect! leaders and spread the message to your Appalachia are paying with their lives. contacts, please “like” us on Facebook While it is doubtful that GRU Please contact: (GainesvilleLovesMountains). If you will change course and agree to stop would like to do more to help win purchasing MTR coal right away, the Bob Hunzinger (GRU General this victory, please contact Jason Fults efforts of Gainesville Loves Mountains, Manager): [email protected], via phone at (352)318-0060 or email in concert with Appalachian activists (352)334-3400 [email protected]. D and energy consumers nationwide, can Susan Bottcher (City Commissioner, Pushaw Construction, LLC Residential Remodeling Richard Pushaw 352.215.1883 [email protected]

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Gainesville, Florida Iguana, January/February 2012, page 23 Move to Amend…continued from p.1 porations are amassing more wealth than ever before in history, and it is ruling was the culmination of efforts time to push back. Efforts being taken The by the wealthiest individuals to hijack locally include a protest, “Occupy the people’s government and increase the Courts”, at the Bo Diddley Plaza Gainesville their power and wealth. in downtown Gainesville on Friday, The 2012 presidential election is Jan. 20 at 1 p.m., the day before the Iguana expected to have the most extravagant second anniversary of the court rul- spending of any election in history. ing. This event is particularly exciting (established 1986) Kantar Media, a company that tracks because Dr. Cornel West, a long-time advertising, reported $5.8 million civil rights activist and national best- spent on TV ads in the Iowa Repub- selling author, will be speaking. lican primaries prior to Dec. 30, most To find out more or to be a part of of those being negative attack ads. the local chapter of Move to Amend, The ruling not only equates mon- attend the rally, visit Facebook’s ey to speech but also makes it fed- MovetoAmend Gainesville page, or eral law under the U.S. Constitution send an email to MoveToAmend@ that corporations have the same 1st gmail.com. Help end corporate per- Amendment rights intended for peo- sonhood and bring democracy to “We ple (“Corporate Personhood”). Cor- the People.”D

The Gainesville Iguana is Gainesville's progressive events calendar and newsletter. Subscribe! Individuals: $15 (or more if you can) Low/No income: What you can Groups: $20 Iguana, c/o CISPLA P.O. Box 14712 Gainesville, FL 32604 Comments, suggestions, con- tributions (written or financial) are welcome. To list your event or group, contact us at: (352) 378-5655 [email protected] www.gainesvilleiguana.org facebook.com/gainesvilleiguana

Iguana, January/February 2012, page 24 Gainesville, Florida