Delphi Looking to Legally Void Union Contracts

As part of its plans to close 21 of 29 U.S. manufacturing plants and layoff up to 8,500 workers, Delphi has asked a bankruptcy to void its union contracts. The company has what are supposed to be legally binding labor agreements with the UAW and the UE but claims several of these are "unprofitable" and stated that "we simply cannot continue to sell products at a loss." If Judge Robert Drain rules in favor of Delphi, look for workers to lose wages, healthcare benefits, pensions, and even jobs.

Video of U.S. Troops: "If you start looking at them as human beings, then how are you going to kill them?"

Check out this BBC video of U.S. troops in New Orleans. These are recently returned soldiers from Iraq sharing their stories and marching against the war.

French Protests Continue to Push for Status Quo

Mass protests swept through France Tuesday as students and unionists protested the "contrat premiere embauche," otherwise known as the CPE. Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, with support from President Jacques Chirac, claim the law will create job opportunities for young people. Opponents, composed of millions of actual young people, point out that making it easier to fire those under the age of 26 does little is an opportunity they could do without. Over 130 protests took place across France and more are scheduled for April 4.

Jennifer Van Bergen on the "Unitary Executive"

Author of the book, The Twilight of Democracy : The Bush Plan for America, Jennifer Van Bergen appeared on yesterday's edition of Guerrilla Radio. You can listen to that here. Van Bergen discussed the Bush administration's use of "signing statements" in the context of what is called the "unitary executive." She explained how these signing statements relate to the administration's interpretation of the renewal of the Patriot Act and the McCain Anti-Torture Ban. Read for yourself the signing statement issued on Patriot Act to see just how toothless the idea of "separation of powers" can be.

Scalia Confirms Status of Gitmo Detainees as Not Having a Status

In the continued application of racetrack logic, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia stated in Switzerland today that detainees held by the U.S. at Guantanamo Bay are neither prisoners nor prisoners of war. Scalia affirmed U.S. claims detainees have no rights a government is bound to respect. After his speech, Scalia was questioned about the source of his statements and allegedly claimed all approximately 500 detainees engaged in a collective protest showing their true identities, singing this song.

"Iraqization" of U.S. Occupation Beginning?

Harking back to how well the strategy worked for the Nixon administration, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice stated today, "Iraqi forces are getting better; American forces are ceding territory, and I think it's entirely probable that we will see a significant drawdown of American forces over the next year..." Meanwhile, U.S. forces backed Iraqi forces in a deadly community hall raid that left at least 65 people dead and shell casings oddly similar to those used by U.S. soldiers.

South Dakota Abortion Ban Creates Many Concerns

Not only could the South Dakota ban on abortions affect salad dressing options, but Native American women are standing up to declare their personal and national sovereignty. ''It is very important that we have access to safe, legal pregnancy termination services, whether it is emergency contraceptives right after the assault or an abortion service,'' said Charon Asetoyer, director of the Native American Women's Health Education Resource Center located on the Yankton Sioux Reservation. When asked about the possibility of South Dakota's only abortion-provider, Planned Parenthood, building a separate - and sovereign - facility on an Indian reservation, Governor Rounds was reportedly quoted as saying, "Doh!" His approval rating has plunged from 72 to 58 percent after the ban was signed into law.

Condi Rules Out Occupying the NFL

Secretary of State, and unfortunately a fellow Browns fan, Condoleeza Rice stated she had no interest in taking over as commissioner of the NFL when current head Paul Tagliabue retires. "Unfortunately, it came open at the wrong time," Rice said Wednesday. In the past Rice has suggested American "democracy" would work well in the NFL, especially in light of steroids being used as weapons of mass personal destruction in the league. Rice added, "Obviously, I'm very busy as secretary of state..."

Bill to be considered by Senate while Catholic Priest Declares Bill Frist Ain't the Pope

In a New York Times editorial, Roger Mahony stands by statements he made last month to encourage priests from his archdiocese to disobey pending immigration laws. HR 4437 was passed by the House in December and will enter the Senate next week. Provisions of the bill include a broadening of what is considered "alien smuggling" with felonies potentially being dished out to those that assist "illegal" immigrants. While countless businesses depend on paying minimal wages for immigrant labor, the proposed bill also allows for fines of up to $40,000 to be leveled at organizations that help immigrants find work without checking on their legal status. Opponents say the bill will "relegate immigrants to a perennial underclass" and are planning a national day of protest on April 10. In Cleveland, the Greater Cleveland Immigrant Support Network is holding a demonstration tomorrow, Friday March 24th, in front of Cleveland City Hall at 5pm.

Freedom to Assemble Lifted for Free Flow of Goods in Ecuador

President Alfredo Palacio of Ecuador declared a state of emergency today in nice provinces, responding to Indian opposition to signing a free trade agreement with the United States. The state of emergency suspends constitutional guarantees to publicly assemble and grants police and military extended powers to arrest. The Interior Minister stated suspending public freedoms was necessary "to guarantee the free flow of goods and persons (and) permit citizens the right to work." Ecuadorian farmers, many of which are Indian, say the ability for the U.S. to flood Ecuador with subsidized agricultural goods will decimate their livelihood and hurt the Ecuadorian economy as a whole.

Imad Khadduri on Guerrilla Radio

Former Iraq nuclear program worker and author of the book, Iraq's Nuclear Mirage: Memoirs and Delusions, Imad Khadduri was on today's show. Listen to Imad talk about his experiences in Iraq's nuclear power development program prior to the 1981 Israeli strikes and how those pre-emptive actions affected the transition to weapons development. He also spoke about the effects of the 1991 Gulf War on the program and what he thinks are the reasons for this current occupation.

You say Potato, Iran needs to know we say Patatoe

"Like you, I mean, I asked that very same question: Where'd we go wrong on intelligence?" Bush stated, speaking at Cleveland's City Club forum Monday.

"Our coalition is also helping to build an Iraqi security force that is well trained and well equipped," Vice President Cheney said, speaking at a fundraiser also in northeast Ohio.

Meanwhile, at least 17 Iraqi police were killed when "insurgents" stormed a jail and freed 33 prisoners. Why would anyone have a problem with prisons in Iraq?

Iraqi Security Forces and Civilian Deaths from http://icasualties.org/oif/

Period	Total
Mar-06	664
Feb-06	846
Jan-06	780

"Clean words can mask dirty deeds"

As the U.S. occupation of Iraq enters its fourth year Ghali Hassan's article reminds us just how deep the rabbit hole goes. The article is far from perfect, making several claims of "everyone knows," but the sad part is that much of what he presents we do know. These folks know a good deal of it, too. And these folks do not give a shit.

AP Writer Points Out the World is Round...and a few other things.

Bush Using Straw-Man Arguments in Speeches

After reading the above editorial, Bush was, allegedly, reported as saying, "Some people say I use straw-man arguments to justify my own policies. I disagree."

In other news, the U.S. invasion of Iraq is not only responsible for the deaths of over 30,000 civilians, massive unemployment, and an impending civil war but for ruining honeymoons. Bastards.

U.S. Swarms to Create an Exit Strategy

As if we needed a reminder, the U.S. launched Operation Swarmer on the eve of the third year anniversary of the occupation of Iraq. Touting it as "the biggest air assault operation since the 2003 invasion that toppled former dictator Saddam Hussein," the attack is being billed as a "joint" action between U.S. and Iraqi forces. Burried in the heap of news around how many troops, aircraft, and bombs are being used are nuggets of important information. The "Iraqi" parliament had a 20 minute meeting, unable to decide on who would serve in the top three positions. The U.S. is concerned over this "power vaccum." AND, "General John Abizaid, the commander of US forces in the Middle East, said that despite the violence he expects US troop reductions in Iraq to continue."

Culture War Continues between TV Corporations and FCC

TV Stations Fined Over CBS Show Deemed to Be Indecent

The CBS show, "Without a Trace," was the source of a record $3.6 million set of fines to over 111 different stations that played an episode the FCC claims suggested a teenage orgy. CBS backed the showing of the episode, saying it contained "an important and socially relevant storyline warning parents to exercise greater supervision of their teenage children." The head of the conservative Parents Television Council stated, "We absolutely are elated by the rulings handed down by the F.C.C."

The scariest part? Click HERE.

Anita Dancs on Guerrilla Radio

Reasearch director for the National Priorities Project, Anita Dancs, was interviewed Tuesday on Guerrilla Radio. She discussed the Bush administration's recent appeal to Congress for $72.5 billion more for Iraq. This would set the amount of money spent on the U.S. war and occupation of Iraq at $316 billion. She also broke down what this amount would be per state. Ohio came in at about $11.5 billion. Check that out here.

For some reason the WRUW archives are only streaming right now but you can listen to Tuesday's entire show here. (Don't skip the added bonus of the previous show playing the Crucifucks' "Hinckley had a Vision!)

Bush in Cleveland

Monday, March 20

11 am

Renaissance Hotel, 24 Public Square

next to Tower City Center, downtown

Bush's visit is sponsored by the Cleveland City Club, and he is scheduled to speak about "the fight against terrorism." Guerrilla Radio has received an (allegedly) advance copy of his speech.

"Greetings Americans and Clevelanders. Freedom is in jeopardy. Terrorism is on the run. Freedom can not exist where terrorism is not in jeopardy. The mission of my administration is to make freedom, jeopardize terrorism, and run as much as possible. ...Especially from the "free press".... (laughter!)"

Western envoy threatens to quit over Hamas issue

Western envoy threatens to quit over Hamas issue
http://www.imemc.org/content/view/17312/1/

"Wolfensohn invested thousands of dollars of his own money to persuade other U.S. philanthropists to help the Palestinians buy functioning greenhouses from the Israelis who were abandoning them in Gaza. But he has been frustrated by the Bush administration's inability to ensure that Israel kept its promises of improved access in and out of Gaza for people and goods, especially agricultural exports, said an official close to him."

The Middle East envoy from the U.S., Russia, European Union, and United Nations - the "Quartet" as they call themselves - further exposes Israel's lack of following its own statements regarding the Gaza Strip. The hypocrisy of the U.S. shoving "democracy" down Iraq's throat while blatantly disregarding the results of these Palestinian elections speaks volumes about the real role of the Bush administration's claims to using democracy to create peace and security.

Iraq: Permanent US Colony By Dahr Jamail

Iraq: Permanent US Colony
By Dahr Jamail
Tuesday 14 March 2006

Full article: http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/031306A.shtml

"US policymakers have replaced the Cold War with the Long War for Global Empire and Unchallenged Military Hegemony. This is the lens through which we must view Iraq to better understand why there are permanent US bases there."

Dahr Jamail tears apart U.S. plans to essentially build permanent bases in Iraq as part of a logner term strategy to further U.S. influence in the world. The quotes from Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace are very telling of the extent to which the Bush administration is taking a significantly different course in U.S. foreign policy than previous attempts at increasing the U.S. "sphere of influence."