October 2007

[Long-time Olympia resident, Rick Fellows, was one of the primary founders of Media Island (816 Adams St.), a 21-year old activist center “dedicated to provide access to alternative media and first-hand sources of information regionally, nationally, and internationally.” The center is also “committed to collecting, processing, and distributing crucial information addressing the social justice, economic democracy, ecological sustainability and peace issues that we all collectively face.” Along with an active presence at the center, Fellows also annually participates in international aid . . .

July 2007

by Brendan Funtek

Out of all the grim remnants remaining from the Cold War era, the trade blockade and travel ban imposed on Cuba casts the longest shadow from the US. This shadow's stretch doesn't have to extend far since Cuba is a mere 90 miles from Florida, but it's been the most historically persistent. In fact, when broached on the subject, I've found people often aren't aware there's still an "embargo" and are somewhat aware of the travel ban but confused as to its origin. This makes discussion of Cuba complex.

August 2006

by Wayne S. Smith

In May of 2004, the Bush Administration's Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba issued an almost 500-page report that seemed to conclude that the Castro government was virtually at the point of collapse. Just a few more nudges--a few more Radio Marti broadcasts, denials of a few more travel licenses, and support to a few more dissidents--and it would all be over. The United States, the report seemed to suggest, would then come in and show the Cubans how to operate their schools properly, make their trains run on time, and grow their crops more efficiently. It was . . .

February 2006

by Cory Fischer-Hoffman & Greg Rosenthal

Two of Latin America's most respected independence figures, José Martí and Simón Bolívar, recognized nearly a century ago that their homelands would never be free of imperial domination until Latin America came together in solidarity as a united force. In the lands of these timeless figures, a unique partnership has developed between Cuba and The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela which defies the logic of neo-liberalism. Cuba and Venezuela are demonstrating an alternative relationship based on humanism and solidarity. This . . .