HEATHER WOKUSCH

The lack of oversight characterizing both the Bush administration and crony capitalism have bankrupted the U.S. and created the need for perpetual war. With Cheney stirring up trouble over Iran, we can't wait until November 2008 to fight back.

Note: Originally published: March 31, 2008

Read full article: 'Bush’s Legacy Leads to Iran: Will Clinton or Obama Make Any Difference? Will You?'

The Pentagon is slated to release a suspected toxicant in Crystal City, Virginia this week, ostensibly to test air sensors.

The operation is just the latest example of the Defense Department’s long history of using service members and civilians as human test subjects, often without their consent or awareness.

Note: Originally published: March 6, 2008

Read full article: 'Breaking the Nuremberg Code: The US Military’s Human-Testing Program Returns'

"If we cut the Pentagon budget 15%, $75 billion will go into a universal pre-kindergarten program so our children ages 3, 4 and 5 will have access to full-time day care and more money would go into elementary and secondary education. Our college-age students need to know that with a Kucinich administration they're guaranteed a two- or four-year college, tuition free, and it'll be paid for by the government investing in our young people. That's the kind of approach I'll take to education." - Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Oct 30, 2007, Democratic debate at Drexel University

In a Gallup poll released on December 10 2007, Education scored a respectable #12 for the issues determining Americans' choice of president in 2008. Education even scored above Terrorism, Environmental Issues, Employment Issues and World Peace.

Note: Originally published: January 2, 2008

Read full article: 'Hey Iowa, Only One Candidate Links Education with War Spending...'

(partially excerpted from The Progressives’ Handbook: Get the Facts and Make a Difference Now, Vol.1)

"On September 11, we saw clearly that evil exists in this world, and that it does not value life ... Now we are engaged in a fight against evil and tyranny to preserve and protect life." – George W. Bush in 2002, linking abortion rights with terrorism, as he declared the 29th anniversary of Roe v. Wade to be "National Sanctity of Human Life Day."

Bush has used his Oval Office years to limit reproductive freedom and stack critical posts with right-wingers bent on rolling back the clock.

And now it appears yet another reactionary Bush appointee is on track to get a lifetime position as a federal judge...

Note: Originally published: December 28, 2007

Read full article: 'Bush in Your Bedroom: Top Ten Worst Appointees for Reproductive Rights (so far…)'

The Progressives’ Handbook: Get the Facts and Make a Difference Now, Vol.1, hit #1 on Amazon’s political activism charts in December 07. Vol. 2 of the series simultaneously reached Amazon’s top ten list for political activism.

(this article originally appeared in Foreign Policy in Focus)

The Vatican's recent snub of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is only the latest salvo in the battle between Pope Benedict XVI and President George W. Bush. This tug of war has profound implications for both U.S. foreign policy and the critical Catholic vote in 2008's presidential race.

On issues ranging from the war in Iraq to global warming, the Vatican and Washington have not seen eye to eye. With the popularity of U.S. foreign policy at record lows around the world, however, the Vatican's diplomatic approach is more consistent with global public opinion.

Note: Originally published: October 6, 2007

Read full article: 'Pope Versus President'

“Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.”- George W Bush

Much in the same way that US investors were “steered” into rip-off mortgage loans, the entire country has been “steered” into an economic crisis. The question is how to get out of it.

Note: Originally published: August 27, 2007

Read full article: 'How the Bush Administration Is Turning the USA into a Subprime Borrower'

"...the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic Government, being incapable of any other."- Benjamin Franklin, 1787

They say that if you drop a frog into a pot of boiling water it will immediately jump out, but that if you raise the pot's heat gradually, the frog won't react.

Note: Originally published: August 12, 2007

Read full article: 'Welcome to the Jungle: US Military Psychological Operations and You'

Ten warning signs ignored at your own peril…

Note: Originally published: July 22, 2007

Read full article: 'Under the Radar: Ten Warning Signs for Today'

"The point now is how do we work together to achieve important goals. And one such goal is a democracy in Germany." George W. Bush, May 2006  

There's an unexpected front in the Bush administration's "war on terror" - Germany. And the roughly 68,000 US troops stationed across the country often find themselves in the center of controversy over US foreign policy.

Take Agustín Aguayo, a Mexican-American conscientious objector (CO) formerly based in Bavaria. Aguayo unsuccessfully applied for CO status before deploying in 2004, and citing non-violence, even refused to carry a loaded weapon during his year as a combat medic in Iraq.

Note: Originally published: June 10, 2007

Read full article: 'Hidden Wars: US Troops in Germany'