by Daisy Ouye

A partnership between Frank’s Landing Indian Community and Squaxin Island Tribe ended an eight-month government closure of a business that provided vital infrastructure to a community of many Native Tribes. On Jan. 18, the store got a new start as “The Skookum Creek Outlet at the Landing.” Under ownership and management of Squaxin Island Tribe, the smokeshop is in compliance with a 2001 cigarette excise tax compact legislated by the state of Washington.  

by Ashley Harrison and Matt Lester

Over four million Iraqis have become refugees since the Iraq War began: 2.2 million Iraqis are displaced within Iraq and over 2 million are externally displaced, primarily in Jordan and Syria. Meanwhile, Congress has promised to allow 7,000 Iraqi refugees into the United States, in a bill designed to grant entry to Iraqis who have assisted our armed forces. That promise has yet to be fulfilled. Only 1,608 Iraqis were admitted by the United States during its fiscal year 2007.

By Marco Rosaire Rossi

Throughout the conflict in the Middle East, the United States and Israel have engaged the Palestinians in a cycle of meaningless negotiations and harsh repression. In late 1988, when it became impossible for the US to ignore the Palestinian Liberation Organization’s peace plan, the US agreed to organize negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Shortly after the negotiations, Israel increased pressure on the occupied territories. At the time, Israel Defense Minister Yizhak Rabin proudly proclaimed that “the inhabitants of the territories are subject to harsh . . .

by Tillman Clark

Recently, if you follow any sort of news source, the subject of the economy and its recession is one heard often. A common buzzword heard alongside this topic is that of the “subprime” mortgage crisis. But what exactly is the subprime mortgage crisis? What does subprime mean and why is it so important to the economy and this looming recession that everyone is talking about? Why isn’t the overwhelmingly disastrous effects that it is having on people of color, lower, middle and working class, and American citizens on the front page everyday? Because of the mainstream media’s . . .

HB2896 - Increase public assistance grants to account for cost of living.

Sponsored by Rep. Darneille, HB2896 directs DSHS to annually increase general assistance and TANF grant levels to recipients of the program at a rate equal to the annual percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers as reported by the bureau of labor statistics of the US Dept. of Labor. HB2896 was referred to the Early Learning and Children's Services Committee but has not been scheduled for a hearing. What a TANF grant will pay for has been steadily decreasing. In 1983 it paid for 63% of a . . .

Help Iraq vets start a coffeehouse in Tacoma

The concept of opening a GI coffeehouse near Ft. Lewis is becoming a reality. The Seattle and Tacoma Chapters of Iraq Veterans Against the War are raising money to open a GI-run coffeehouse near the Washington base. Coffeehouses have traditionally served as anti-war headquarters and have been integral in creating an anti-war GI movement. Only $5,000 is needed before the coffeehouse can open. If you can send $10 or any amount of money to the GI voice project in Tacoma, we can open a center of GI resistance.