David Solnit, one of the authors of the counter-recruiting manual Army of None, along with Chanan Suarez-Diaz, President of Washington Iraq Veterans Against the War, will be in Olympia to lead an interesting and practical workshop for students.

They will discuss counter-recruiting methods and issues surrounding ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. David and Chanan will share the military story young people don’t hear from recruiters. As organizers, they will share stories and tactics of effective resistance from around the country. This is part of a national tour called the “Army of None . . .

by Brendan Funtek

I’ll always remember the feeling of numbness and nausea that coursed through my body the day I read Vickie Kilgore’s editorial (“At the port: What happened and what did not happen,” The Olympian, Nov. 15). The difference between readers and me is that I walked out of the Olympian newsroom after reading it, reluctant to come back to work that night.

Dissection and accountability

by Pat Tassoni

“The existence of poverty in the US should not be accepted as a necessary evil or an insoluble problem, but should be considered a crisis requiring emergency measures. It is a matter of will and priorities, not a matter of resources.”

—Martin Luther King, Jr.

Ending poverty, creating opportunity

by Marco Rosaire Rossi

On Dec. 10, 2007, activists around the United States converged in New Orleans to join the Stop the Demolition Coalition. The coalition’s goal is to prevent the Department of Housing and Urban Development from following through with its plan to bulldoze 4,600 low-income apartments. The plan is part of a federal and municipal government effort to “rebuild” New Orleans after the devastating affects of Hurricane Katrina. Since Katrina, housing has become the issue of New Orleans: over 12,000 people are homeless, 50,000 remain in FEMA trailers, and another 900,000 are awaiting . . .

by Mark Foutch

[Editor’s note: Works in Progress strives to present progressive voices and perspectives that are otherwise underrepresented and marginalized. We have, however, occasionally granted space to mainstream or already prominent voices in order to spark discussion. In this case, Olympia Mayor Mark Foutch offers criticism to the local activist community on the eve of his departure from office.

Look to the next issue of Works in Progress for responses to Mayor Foutch’s comments.]

Free School Anti-Candida cooking class

Sunday, January 6, 6:30–8 pm, Fertile Ground (in the kitchen) ~ 311 9th Avenue SE, Olympia, WA 98501 (behind public library)

For people who need to get in control of their digestion, from mild to severe issues, this class could change everything. If you struggle with yeast infections, have ever taken antibiotics for extended periods of time or more than 10 times in your life, or have moderate to severe sugar cravings---come learn how important the flora (friendly bacteria) in your intestines really are. We will discuss food combining, the 80-20 rule, and . . .