The following is a selection of recent letters to the World Socialist Web Site.
On “Iraq war is the real ‘underlying crime’ in the Libby indictment”
I was sort of amused—in a dark way—when George W. Bush gave his vocal support to Scooter Libby after the official was indicted for serious crimes. After saying what a great man Libby is, Bush said, “Each individual is presumed innocent and entitled to due process and a fair trial.” My mind wandered to those hundreds of poor souls imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay, our own gulag, who are right now being strapped down and penetrated with feeding tubes because they refuse to quit their hunger strike, protesting their everlasting captivity without trial.
I don’t think Bush is even aware of his administration’s hypocrisy and obscene lack of morality. He’s not acting—he just can’t fathom it. Anyway, after saying that every indicted man deserves his fair trial, Bush promptly zipped away to Camp David to go on vacation again.
PM
Walla Walla, Washington
29 October 2005
* * *Excellent article. I’m not as pessimistic as you about whether the underlying crime will not be revealed. It does appear Scooter will fall on his sword, and the Republicans will claim the charges were trumped up and he was never charged with revealing a source. The Democrats, being the spineless wimps they are, won’t push the issue because they’re in too deep themselves. The press won’t inquire; they’re in it, too. We’ve already seen how they are nothing more than the lapdogs of the administration—look at Judith Miller and the New York Times. But maybe, just maybe, the thing will go to trial, and Fitzgerald will have to tell the public what is going on—that Libby lied to hide what really happened. Nah, never mind.
JG
29 October 2005
On “Bush names favorite of Christian right to Supreme Court”
The right-wing judicial deluge has truly arrived. There is no need for the Senate Judiciary Committee to ask what Alito’s views on Roe v. Wade would be—at the first opportunity he would join Scalia and Thomas to overrule it or at least chip away at it. He would toe the line of the Christian right in such matters as abortion, the death penalty, and the separation of church and state. The neo-cons would also have their way as regards matters such as presidential powers to ignore the 1949 Geneva Conventions. And breaches of civil liberties in the name of “war on terror” and “national security” would also become “protected” since new Chief Justice John Roberts has already indicated from his previous rulings that he would adhere to the Bush administration position. Liberals and even moderate conservatives must “pray” for the health, longevity and staying powers of the 85-year-old Associate Justice John Paul Stevens, for if the Stevens seat were to become vacant during Bush’s presidency then a seat that has been moderate/liberal since 1939 would dramatically change course.
MZ
Kota Samarahan, Malaysia
2 November 2005
On “Sri Lankan presidential election: SLFP candidate issues a manifesto for communal violence and war”
Dear sir,
I lived in Sri Lanka from 1946 to 1970. I left my country of birth through frustration of living as a second class citizen of my own country. I have yet to see another article like this by a Sinhala politician. All people are equal. Until we change the constitution of Sri Lanka to accommodate all ethnicities and religions as equal, we will never go forward.
I congratulate Wije Dias for writing this statement. And I hope he wins this presidential election.
BR
Oakleigh, Victoria, Australia
2 November 2005
On “London: demonstration demands end to shoot-to-kill policy”
You note, “Under this year’s Serious Organised Crime and Police Act, anyone using a loudspeaker within one mile of Parliament faces a fine of up to £5,000.” This struck me as a perfect example of the government literally attempting to turn a deaf ear to the wishes of the people. They are so desperate not to hear that they exact an exorbitant fine for the use of a loudspeaker. Things just keep getting sicker and sicker.
CZ
San Francisco, California
2 November 2005
On “Images of El Salvador carnage reprised in light of Iraq war”
Indeed, photojournalism of Iraq like that shown in the exhibit is hard to find, but it does exist. I found this site while looking for reference material for a painting I’m making: http://dahrjamailiraq.com. The pictures are small, but plentiful, and of areas completely untouched by anyone else I’ve found. Every example of US repression can be found in photo form on this web site. To show the cost of the war on the populace, particularly after Fallujah, he has documented some of the most brutal displays of force; the worst of these galleries have very true warnings about viewing their content. In addition, there are also many, many galleries dealing with daily life, such as home invasions, crumbled infrastructure, and the farcical political process.
JL
28 October 2005
On “Power outages, gas lines, hunger fuel Floridians’ anger after Hurricane Wilma”
As Bob Dylan put it, “The pump don’t work, cause the vandals stole the handles.” Still all too pertinent these many years later, more so. Government should be a Function, not an object or a being. If it does not function it should be replaced. At least the Vandals should be swept from the machinery, the handles replaced, and the work done for the people, by the people. Thanks for a great article.
TGM
Pie Town, New Mexico
28 October 2005
On “US passports to contain remotely readable computer chips”
Great article Mr. Ingram. I was surprised that you didn’t mention that these chips are already being placed in the entry permits of US visas placed in foreign passports. I was actually with a friend when one of these things was put in his passport at the border. I was unaware, until now, of the many serious repercussions of all of this. Thanks!
AI
29 October 2005
On “India: Advani resigns as BJP president amid party crisis”
In order to befool the masses, the capitalist system requires a pseudo-alternative. The Congress came back from the dumps, so can the BJP on an anti-government plank. It is clear that Hindutva alone cannot bring the BJP to power, hence the need for the clever subterfuge during the Pakistan visit. The disarray in the BJP camp needs to be studied closely.
Viren
Udaipur, India
30 October 2005
On “Fire kills at least 11 at Amsterdam airport detention centre”
Very good and complete article. I have been working as a nurse in the justice system for years, and I have seen circumstances worsening, not only for people without papers, but also for the Dutch. For years legal asylum seekers have been housed in a terribly dangerous way to chase them away. Medical care was insufficient, I once just saved a raped Sudanese young women from dying of untreated AIDS. This government doesn’t care if young bright people commit suicide because they are afraid to be deported. Everything that is being said by politicians is hypocrisy and lies. It is time the rest of the word sees the true face of prosperity.
RP
Amsterdam, Netherlands
31 October 2005
On “Strengths and weaknesses of Asian cinema”
I am so glad someone told the story of what the Chinese workers, in particular the textile workers, have to go through. How rapidly have the textile industries throughout the world shut down and moved to China for those pitiful intolerable wages and conditions. The only answer to international capital and its rapid ability to destroy industries in any given nation and the lives of workers is for international workers to unite and remove the element crucial to the transnational companies—labour. I hope this film makes it to Australia, if not in the popular or ‘independent’ cinemas, then at least on DVD. What an important film to make! Thank you for highlighting and discussing it.
Cheers,
DH
Brisbane, Australia
1 November 2005
On “‘Strange Fruit’: the story of a song”
Beautifully well written article. I heard the song for the first time Sunday as performed by Nina Simone. Moving beyond words.
CS
1 November 2005