Quote of the Day

Russell Moore, dean of the School of Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary:

"There's really nothing conservative -- and certainly nothing evangelical -- about a laissez-faire view of a lack of government regulation, because we, as Christians, believe in sin. That means if people are sinful, if all of us are sinful, then all of us have to have accountability -- and that includes corporations. Simply trusting corporations to go about their business without polluting the water streams and without destroying ecosystems is really a naive and utopian view of human nature. It's not a Christian view of human nature." 

Hat tip: Right Wing Watch

World’s unions reject boycotts, embrace Israeli-Palestinian cooperation

[Positive news from TULIP.]

The international trade union movement has just delivered a stinging rebuff to advocates of the campaign to boycott Israel.
At its second world congress which just concluded in Vancouver, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) rejected calls to support the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign targetting the Jewish state.
A vehemently anti-Israel resolution submitted by the Congress of South African Trade Unions never made it to the floor.
And in a stunning blow to pro-Hamas activists in some unions, the Israeli national trade union center Histadrut was honored by the global trade union movement.
Its leader, Ofer Eini, was elevated to the ITUC’s 25-member Executive Board as well as its General Council.  Eini was also elected as one of the organization’s Vice Presidents.
The ITUC has 312 affiliated organizations in 156 countries and territories representing 176 million workers.
Eini’s election followed calls by major unions in the UK and elsewhere for the Histadrut to be boycotted.  Instead, the international trade union movement has embraced the Israeli unions, understanding them — correctly — to be important partners in building peaceful relations between Israelis and Palestinians.
In a resolution adopted by the ITUC congress, the positive role of the Histadrut was made explicit:
“Congress welcomes the landmark agreement between Histadrut and the PGFTU on the rights of Palestinian workers, which was finalised with the assistance of the ITUC in August 2008, and initiatives by Global Union Federations in their sectors to support cooperation in defence of workers’ rights. This agreement, and other actions to promote decent work and end discrimination, are crucial to building the basis for just and equitable economic development.”
For the future, the ITUC resolution declared:
“Congress commits the ITUC to continue to support the strengthening of cooperation between the Palestinian and Israeli trade union movements and calls upon the international community to support Palestinian economic reconstruction and development, including through the ILO Palestinian Fund for Employment and Social Protection.”
In addition, the world’s trade unions

• Called for a two-state solution — and “universal recognition of Israel’s right to exist, next to an independent viable Palestinian state”
• Rejected “the extremist policies of Hamas“
• Condemned the Egyptian “decision to impose heavy restrictions on its border with Gaza”
• Acknowledged that Israeli’s December 2008 attack on Gaza came “in response to rocket attacks”
• Supported the 2002 “Road Map” for peace proposed by the United States, Russia, the United Nations and the European Union

The resolution adopted was highly critical of many Israeli policies, calling for an end to illegal settlements in the Palestinian territories, rejecting the blockade of Gaza and the building of a security fence, and so on.
But what stands out clearly is the commitment by the vast majority of the world’s trade unions to a two-state solution and to strengthening Israeli-Palestinian trade union cooperation.
This is welcome news for Israelis and Palestinians and a blow to the supporters of Hamas who have tried hard to isolate and demonize Israel within the trade union movement.

KS-4 Poll shows tight primaries; is vote against state budget hurting Goyle

There is a new poll out showing tight primaries, as expected on the GOP and, surprisingly, on the Democratic side.  According to the poll, State Representative  Raj Goyle, who has raised over $ 1million, leads retiree Robert Tillman by only a 42-32 percent margin.  One has to wonder whether Goyle lost support because of his failure to support a one-cent increase in the state sales tax, which was backed by Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson and an overwhelming majority of Democratic legislators as the alternative to drastic budget cuts.

Here's a report from Daily Kos

KS-04: Toss-up for the GOP, Democratic field closer than expected
If KS-01 is seen by virtually everyone as a guaranteed hold for the GOP (McCain took 69% there), the Wichita-based 4th district has potential. Not only is the district marginally more competitive (58-40 for McCain), but the Democrats have one of their leading recruits here in state senator [sic] Raj Goyle. Given that fact, the latest SurveyUSA poll out of the district has to give Dems pau se. In that poll, Goyle only leads the Democratic primary with 42% of the vote, with 32% of the vote going to retiree Robert Tillman, who has not even raised enough cash to file an FEC report (Goyle has raised close to a million dollars for his bid). On the GOP side, it is a battle of the businessmen, as manufacturing executive Mike Pompeo leads oil executive Wink Hartman by a pair (39-37), with the rest of the field languishing in the single digits.

Senate Dem Leader Hensley Endorses Chris Biggs, calls for Steineger to drop out

Chris Biggs, Ks. Secretary of  State

An Open Letter to Kansas Democrats
From Senator Anthony Hensley
Kansas Senate Democratic Leader

Dear Fellow Democrats:

Last week a federal investigation exposed extensive financial mismanagement of the Kansas Republican Party under the leadership of Kris Kobach.

During Kobach’s stint as Republican state chairman, the Republican Party accepted illegal donations yet failed to pay thousands of dollars in state and federal taxes.  Not only that, Kobach left the Kansas Republican Party almost bankrupt.

Now Kris Kobach wants to be our next Kansas Secretary of State.  Should he become the Republican nominee, Kansas Democrats need a strong candidate who will bring professional conduct to the office.

I believe the man to beat Kobach is our current Secretary of State, Chris Biggs.  Chris is a lifelong public servant.  He has the experience and integrity needed to go head-to-head with http://draft.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6053155Kobach and win.  It is important that we unite behind the strongest Democratic candidate and in this case the choice is clear:  Chris Biggs is the man for the job.

So, today, I am not only endorsing Chris Biggs for Secretary of State, but I am calling on Biggs’ primary opponent, State Senator Chris Steineger, to withdraw from the race and put his full support behind Secretary Biggs.

Much like Kris Kobach, Steineger has his own ethical and legal problems.  He has violated campaign finance laws which forced him to pay a $5,000 fine to the Kansas Ethics Commission (Topeka Capital-Journal, May 18, 2010).  Democrats will lose the office if Chris Steineger is our candidate. 
Kansans deserve a Secretary of State who understands the law, follows the law, and is committed to enforcing the law.

I strongly urge you to join me in voting for Secretary of State Chris Biggs in the Democratic primary elected on Tuesday, August 3rd.  To learn more about Chris Biggs, go to his Web site at www.biggsforkansas.comhttp:// www.biggsforkansas.com.

Sincerely,

Anthony Hensley
Kansas Senate Democratic Leader

Men's Day--Southern Baptists go politically correct

The Southern Baptist Church in my neighborhood seems to have gone politically correct. Instead of a Father's Day celebration they had a "Men's Day" celebration.

Brownback's silly idea shows ignorance of Kansas

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

I imagine Sam Brownback is mighty pleased that the New York Times gave him a puff piece story for his silly idea to create a  "State Office of the Repealer whose job it would be to start disposing of all the silly, needless, over-the-top regulations that state officials have dreamed up."

Brownback then cites the prime example "the rejoicing of residents in Saline County, Kan., when a strict fireworks ban was lifted there."

Hey, Sam, that was a county ordinance, it had nothing to do with a state law or regulation.

Moran being investigated for C street

 KC prime buzz:

The Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call reported today that House investigators are checking into the well-known "C Street house" that was home to several members of Congress.
The issue: Have members received an improper gift in the form of below-market rent?
Among house residents have been Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, a candidate for governor this year, and Kansas Congressman Jerry Moran, who is now a candidate for Brownback's Senate seat.

The Hill:

At an April campaign event with Coburn in Wichita, Kan., Moran was asked about the CREW complaint. He described the C Street house as a place where Members gather for Bible study, and he said, “It became a residence of mine several years ago. I rent a room there with other colleagues and moved my bed in and share a bathroom with other folks.”

Moran added, “I’ve never even showered at C Street.” (my emphasis)


Moran has said he believes the complaint is groundless, and he said at the Wichita event: “I do believe that there are those people that want to make certain that one’s religious faith is not something that is mingled with their public service. ... My public service is clearly related to my beliefs as a Christian.”

Arizona fires Kobach

The Lawrence Journal World reports

A change in leadership at the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office in Arizona is costing Kris Kobach some work.

Kobach, an attorney and Republican candidate for Kansas secretary of state, was providing legal advice to Maricopa County on immigration issues.


But Kobach said he has been terminated from that job after the former Maricopa County Attorney, Andrew Thomas, left office last month to run for Arizona attorney general.

The new Maricopa Attorney “takes a very different view of enforcing Arizona’s human smuggling” law, Kobach said.

KS-02: Jenkins draws late, possibly tough, Dem challenger

Daily Kos reports

One district that had been essentially left for dead by Democrats this year was the one occupied by freshman Republican Lynn Jenkins. That changed at the filing deadline, as Jenkins drew a potentially intriguing Democratic challenger. The Democrat is Sean Tevis, who raised six figures from small donors in a longshot state legislative bid that he wound up narrowly losing (52-48).

Two demonstrations in solidarity with the people of Iran

NEW YORK CITY

WHY WE'RE STILL HERE
On June 12, 2009 we declared that we would stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Iran. We pledged to make their voices heard and to raise our voices loudly where their cries had been suppressed. We pronounced ourselves a new generation of human rights advocates inspired by the brave men and women on the streets throughout Iran. Today, we remain steadfast.

One year later, the Iranian government continues to imprison all human rights defenders and to meet any dissent with violence. We gather to advocate for the rights and well-being of the Iranian people and stand against the rising tide of violence and despotism that has come to
define the Iranian Government. Today we uphold our faithful commitment to the inviolable right of self-determination for our brothers and sisters in Iran.

When: June 12th, 2010 AT 12:30PM
Where: Iranian Mission to the United Nations
622 Third Avenue
(Between 40th and 41st)
with march and rally to follow

Attendees are invited to participate in a living art installation that recounts the journey of the Iranian people in the past year. We will be highlighting the names and images of prisoners of conscience.
Rally Program Features:
Freedom Glory Project, the original lineup
Mamak Khadem, formerly of Axiom of Choice
Kathy Kelly, Co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence
Professor Hossein Kamaly, Barnard University
Austin Heap, Haystack Creator
Participants will read from a collection of letters, poems, and testimonies, composed by our brave Iranian brothers and sisters, that spoke to our hearts, inspired our resolve and gave us hope to stand with them as they strive for a brighter future.
www.whereismyvoteny.org

CHICAGO
You are invited to join a demonstration called by The Committee in Solidarity with the People's Struggle in Iran - Chicago
Saturday, June 12, 2010
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Tribune Tower, 435 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL

June 8: Global Day of Remembrance for Victims of Foxconn

It’s been dubbed the “suicide express” by Chinese media. Twelve workers, all between 18 and 24 years old, have committed suicide, at the production facilities of Foxconn Technology Group, a Taiwan-owned enterprise based in Shenzhen, southern China. Foxconn is a key supplier to various leading brands including Apple.

SACOM (Students & Scholars against Corporate Misbehavior) and labor organizations based in Hong Kong and Taiwan, is calling for a Global Day of Remembrance for Victims of Foxconn for June 8th, to coincide with Apple’s global launch of its fourth-generation iPhone. The Democratic Socialists of America has endorsed the Global Day of Remembrance.

They are also appealing for a one-month June boycott of Foxconn’s products (Foxconn supplies major electronic products not only for Apple, but for Nokia, HP, Dell, Sony, Erikson, Motorola and others).
Update:  Apple has announced that the new iPhone 4G is scheduled for release on June 24. This would be an excellent day for a small symbolic action.
Here are some ideas on how you can support the Global Day of Remembrance:

• Sign the LabourStart email campaign, which will go to officials at Apple and Foxconn.

• Sign the on-line petition from SACOM.

• Link to the SACOM petition on your website with this code Online petition – 強烈要求富士康停產整頓  倡議6月8日為「全球悼念富士康自殺工人日」 June 8th: Global Day of Remembrance for Victims of Foxconn

• Observe a minute of silence at your next union or political meeting.

• Include the Foxconn victims in prayers if you are active in a religious group.

• Organize a few people to hold a respectful, non-disruptive remembrance outside an Apple or ATT store. (It doesn’t have to be on June 8.)

• Farhad Manjoo suggests

Next time you visit an Apple Store, ask an employee about where the iPad is made. Ask about the suicides there, and if Apple has pressed Foxconn to improve conditions at the plant. Are you an Apple shareholder? Attend the company’s annual meeting and ask executives whether their production practices are sustainable over the long term.

Better, ask to talk to the store manager. Better yet, take a small group of people with you and talk to the manager.

Memorial Day

10 Greatest Philosophical Principles

Via Normblog

Philosopher Julian Baggini has picked the ten greatest philosophical principles.

Go and apply

or

Discuss