Salem-News.com Politics articles Page 57

African-American Barred from Attending SEIU Meeting

Former employee says union is guilty of discrimination toward Blacks and preferential treatment of Whites.

(SALEM) - Allegations of racial unfairness are rife at the union representing employees of the Oregon State Hospital in Salem, SEIU (Service Employees International Union).

Salem resident William Coleman, a former state employee, says he was floored last summer when he was told he had to leave a union meeting. He would later learn that a former employee who is White, was allowed to attend the same meeting he was personally ejected from.

Snowden Documents Proving `US-Alien` Link Stun Russia

Former Canadian defense minister Paul Hellyer, who was given access to all of Snowden’s documents by Russian intelligence services, stated they were, indeed, “accurate.”

(TEHRAN FNA) - Former NSA contractor Edward Snowden says documents provide incontrovertible proof that an alien/extraterrestrial intelligence agenda is driving US domestic and international policy, and has been doing so since at least 1945

A stunning Federal Security Services report on the nearly two million highly classified top-secret documents obtained from the NSA by the American ex-patriot Edward Snowden states that this information is providing “incontrovertible proof” that an “alien/extraterrestrial intelligence agenda” is driving US domestic and international policy...

Proposed Pit Bull Ban in Oregon Sparks Outrage

Many cities in the U.S. have banned pit bulls or enacted sterilization or muzzle laws.

(MEDFORD, OR) - Tyler Woodard, a resident of Medford, OR and owner of a pit bull named Smokey, was outraged when he learned of the City Council’s solution for recent dog attacks in the area: a proposition that would ban pit bulls or require their sterilization. He started a petition on Care2 that has gathered nearly 5,000 supporters.

“It's not pit bulls as a breed who are the problem, but their owners,” wrote Woodard, who has owned Smokey for five years. “Dog owners whose animals act aggressively towards other animals must face stricter penalties. A ban on pit bulls unfairly discriminates against them.”

We Better Move On...

"I've gotten some of my best light from bridges I've burned."-- Don Henley

(LONDON) - What does it take, in an era dominated by progressive identity politics, to be accepted as a fully qualified member of the Left? Jane is a London lawyer who identifies politically ‘as a woman,’ and marches enthusiastically for human rights. Can she join? I think the answer is yes, she can.

George is a medical doctor who happens also to be a black man and identifies as ‘Black middle class.’ Can he subscribe to a progressive email group and contribute to the discussion? I hope and suspect that he can.

Petunia`s Porker Award: John Kitzhaber for the CRC

“OCWF is stunned that Governor Kitzhaber is ignoring the tremendous amount of public information detailing the waste, cronyism and inaccuracies presented to the legislature by CRC proponents” - Jeff Kropf

(SALEM) - Oregon Capitol Watch’s Executive Director and former State Representative Jeff Kropf is pleased to announce Petunia, the Pork Detective’s latest Porker Award goes to Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber for his “go it alone” proposal in building the wasteful, Columbia River Crossing boondoggle.

Oregon Capitol Watch is running statewide television commercials starting today announcing this prestigious award to the Governor, along with a social media campaign, in an effort to educate the public about this issue.

Peace Now to Israeli Government: Remove Belligerent West Bank Outpost

Peace Now's lawyers point out that demolition orders have been issued in the past against Esh Kodesh's illegally-built homes and other structures.

(TEL AVIV) - Israel's Peace Now (Shalom Achshav) movement today sent a letter to the Israeli government, demanding that it enforce the law and remove Esh Kodesh, a West Bank settlement that was established in violation of Israeli law, whose residents have repeatedly attacked neighboring Palestinians.

Residents of this illegal outpost yesterday attacked Palestinians in the neighboring village of Kusra, near Nablus after Israeli law enforcement officers removed saplings that the settlers had planted in an attempt to illegally take over more land that they don't own.

Salem-News.com Contributor Anna O`Leary in Dublin Comments on Sharon`s Death in Press TV News

Salem-News.com's Anna O'Leary's writings have explored both the positive and negative elements of the Arab world and how their role relates to the continued subjugation of Palestinian people.

(TEHRAN / DUBLIN) - Former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon was pronounced dead at the age of 85 after eight year in a coma. According to reports, Sharon's health condition began to deteriorate on January 1, after he suffered kidney problems following a surgery.

Sharon who was a former army general served as Israel's prime minister from 2001 to 2006. He was responsible for war crimes against Palestinians and Lebanese; known particularly for his role in the Sabra Shatila refugee camp massacre.

Ariel Sharon Dies After Eight Years in a Coma

Deprived of dignity, his body systems sustained by modern technology, Sharon lingered for eight years, largely forgotten by the world.

(CHICAGO) - Ariel Sharon died January 11, 2014, eight years and one week after he suffered a stroke January 4, 2006. At the time of his stroke, Sharon was the 11th Prime Minister of Israel. The stroke left him in a permanent, brain dead, vegetative state. It was not the final chapter of life a proud man could have wanted.

A medical blog described Sharon’s final years: ”With the help of modern medicine, his body soldiered on. His kidneys no longer worked, and he received dialysis to keep them operating. In 2013, he even underwent surgery to treat an infection related to his kidney failure”.

Palestinian Rights

We must learn to appreciate and thank people more while they are alive.

(BETHLEHEM) - We are in a new year and certainly I wish all humans (friends and foes) a happy new year that would bring justice which is the prerequisite for peace.

In the first few field-trips in 2014, we saw beautiful budding lilies, many species of snails and insects, and birds and others signs of renewed life after the snow in Palestine. Our water wells are full and Spring is coming. Life renews itself. We remember fallen comrades but we look to the future with hope.

As Iran Diplomacy Advances, APN Urges Congress and US Jewish Groups to Stop Pushing New Sanctions

"... we urge American Jewish organizations to stop their ongoing campaign in support of new Iran sanctions. This campaign is bad for America, and bad for Israel..." - APN President and CEO Debra DeLee

(WASHINGTON, DC) - The Obama Administration and its international partners have reached an agreement with Iran to implement the Joint Plan of Action signed in November 2013.

Americans for Peace Now (APN) is calling on Congress to support President Obama’s diplomatic effort and is urging fellow American Jewish organizations to stop their campaign in support of new Iran sanctions.