by Carrie Lybecker

On August 23rd, the Olympia City Council passed "An ordinance declaring the City of Olympia, Washington a nuclear free zone." This was the culmination of intensive efforts by local citizens, councilmembers and city staff over many months. Immediately prior to the final vote, the ordinance was significantly amended behind closed doors, based on information withheld from the public. While the final ordinance provides mechanisms through which the city may limit its contribution to nuclear proliferation via contracts and investments, it does not create a nuclear free zone in . . .

Ask a friend or colleague to define the term "corporation". Most will define it as a large company with limited liability. Ask if corporations should be defined as persons, with the same rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as the rest of us, and you might just get some laughs.

The truth, unfortunately, is hardly a laughing matter. Thanks to an 1886 Supreme Court misappropriation*, today's corporations enjoy many of the very same human protections and privileges as you and I. Add these legally defensible and even exploitable constitutional rights to a corporation's endless . . .

International Solidarity Movement

Palestine

August 19, 2005

With the deluge of coverage about Israel's "disengagement" from Gaza, it's easy to be lulled into the idea that the "road map" to peace in the region is moving ahead and that the occupation is nearing some sort of conclusion. It's important to keep in mind the information offered in this fact sheet.

by Drew Hendricks

Olympia Police Officer Mel Jetter was almost fired in November of 2002. Two of his peers, officers who were responsible for evaluating his behavior as an officer, recommended that he be terminated. Commander Steve Nelson and Chief Gary Michel decided instead to give him 15 days off without pay. The chief asked Mel to write a paper, entitled "The Role of Ethical Conduct in Law Enforcement," because (Chief's words) "ethical behavior is not learned in training." The chief gave Mel five weeks to write this paper, and let Mel choose the length of the report.

It was standing room only with overflow into the foyer. About 40 citizens actually spoke, and the end tally was 100% FOR TJ's proposed ordinance. Following the public comments, TJ delivered the remarks below. Up until then the proceedings had been very decorous and muted, but when TJ finished, the crowd erupted into a prolonged standing ovation, the likes of which I've never seen at a city council meeting. (Of course, this was not reported in The Olympian). -- Carrie Lybecker

TJ's statement: