by Marco Rosaire Rossi

The war in Iraq is the most unpopular war in history. The international community has opposed the war, and even those nations that were first supportive are now retracting their support: Spain has already pulled out, and Italy has committed itself to pulling out by the end of the year, if not earlier. In America, support for the war has plummeted. Polls have consistently shown that the majority -- with some polls demonstrating almost 70% -- of Americans believe the occupation is wrong, and US troops should be brought back home immediately. The opposition to the Bush . . .

by Melissa Roberts and Karen Pickett

The U.S. public is becoming increasingly aware of federal corruption (in both the executive and congressional branches), but few are aware of a group of heavy-handed manipulators of State legislation: a corporate-funded organization called the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). ALEC is a conservative public policy lobbying group funded by over 300 corporations which writes and promotes hundreds of pieces of state legislation that serve the corporate agenda. ALEC provided models for over 3,100 pieces of legislation introduced, and more than 450 . . .

by Janet Blanding

Who should be involved in deciding what form of birth control a woman uses? She should, certainly. Her partner? He has a role to play; he should be able to voice an opinion. Her doctor? A health care provider might share information as to what would be appropriate. Her pharmacist? Maybe, if there's a drug interaction of which she should be aware. God? Sure, if you're into that sort of thing. The owner of her local grocery store? I don't think so.

by Clint Burelson

In a letter dated, May 1, 2006, 19 members of Congress, including Brian Baird and Adam Smith expressed serious concerns about the way in which the Postal Service is proceeding in its consolidation plans and asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to determine if the USPS consolidation plans are in line with previous GAO recommendations regarding the consolidation process. The members of Congress join other top Senators and House members who have made previous similar requests to the GAO.

The letter from the 19 members of Congress stated,

by Annamarie Murano

Many of us know the personal tragedy of Rachel Corrie's death under the blade of a Caterpillar D-9 militarized bulldozer while protecting a Palestinian family home in Rafah, Gaza Strip. We also know the international tragedy of human rights abuses perpetrated by the Israeli military through the destruction of Palestinian homes and livelihoods, civilian infrastructure and the building of the racially discriminatory West Bank Barrier resulting in Israeli settlement expansion and confiscation of Palestinian land. We worked to educate our regional Caterpillar distributor, NC . . .

by WROC members Karin Murphy, Shannon Blood and Monica Peabody

SANCTION: A penalty intended to enforce compliance or conformity; a coercive measure adopted usually by several nations against a nation violating international law.

Does this seem like a word that should be associated with Washington's poor children? Yes, according to Governor Gregoire. As of March 2007, children living in Washington will be "sanctioned" -- their welfare benefits cut off -- if their parents are perceived as not complying with welfare to work programs. Though it will harm children already facing a lack of support for . . .

by Kay Oss

From Olympia Civil Liberties Resource

Olympia Civil Liberties Resource is an Olympia-based organization working to defend the civil liberties of all citizens -- particularly activists exercising their constitutional rights. OCLR seeks to educate the public regarding current threats to civil liberties, and to act as a general resource for activists. Our website is http://www.olycivlib.org . Our email address is olycivlib@riseup.net

Olympia, WA-- Hundreds of community members celebrated International Workers Day on Monday May 1st, 2006. People in Olympia assembled in Sylvester Park for a "Day Without an Immigrant" and joined in solidarity with millions of people across the US and workers around the world.

People gathered while speakers from various community groups talked about immigration, Zapatistas, cross-border organizing, local worker solidarity, and other ways for people to get organized. When the speeches ended, people took to the streets toward the State Capitol to voice their views.

by Kevin J. Anderson

There's a new community group in town, OUT-GMOs (Olympian's United for Truth about Genetically Modified Organisms) that's working to spread awareness of the health and environmental dangers of GMOs. We're launching a free monthly movie/ conversation series this month, starting with the film Unnatural Selection. Catch it on June 9th at 7:00 PM at Traditions Café downtown. Please join us and our efforts!

by Marco Rosaire Rossi

Despite the lofty rhetoric, the United States did not fight the Cold War against the tyranny of Communism. The former Soviet Union was a side issue for the United States. The primary targets and victims of the Cold War, both domestically and abroad, were democratic forces that could demonstrate that more inclusive social systems -- particularly economic and political - are possible. It was often the case, as in Central and South America, that United States sought to drive left-leaning political systems into the arms of the Soviets as a pretext for military invasion. For . . .

by Holly Gwinn Graham

Since 2002, readers of Works in Progress have followed the case of the unjust imprisonment of three Dominican Sisters: Jackie Hudson, Ardeth Platte, and Carol Gilbert for their non-violent symbolic disarmament of a Minuteman III nuclear missile in Northern Colorado. Following a questionable trial in which planned defenses and witnesses were denied them, they were convicted of damaging and sabotaging a national defense area.