United flight attendants OK strike
CHICAGO — Flight attendants at United Airlines have overwhelmingly authorized their union to call for targeted “CHAOS” strike activities should a federal bankruptcy court permit management to abrogate its collective bargaining agreement with its employees, the union reported Dec. 30.
Mass transit faces massive crisis
PHILADELPHIA — The Republican-led state Legislature left Harrisburg last month without addressing the massive budget crisis faced by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Agency (SEPTA). As a result, SEPTA’s board proposed to increase fares 50 percent, to $3 a ride, lay off workers and cut service by 20 percent, all of which will have serious consequences for the region’s economy, environment and quality of life.
Bushs pledge to Africa on AIDS falls short
News Analysis The Bush administration’s commitment to assist African nations in their battle against the AIDS epidemic is increasingly open to question.
Sailor refuses to be part of Iraq war
In a case that hearkens back to the Vietnam era, 23-year-old Navy Petty Officer Third Class Pablo Paredes has said, in effect, “Hell no, I won’t go.” At the pier in San Diego, Calif., Dec. 6, wearing a black T-shirt with the slogan, “Like a cabinet member, I resign,” Paredes, a Navy electronics technician, refused to board a transport ship headed to Iraq. click here for Spanish text
Putting the globe in the World
We’re excited to announce that People’s Weekly World Managing Editor Mark Almberg will travel to Porto Alegre, Brazil, to provide first-hand coverage of the fifth World Social Forum, Jan. 26-31.
Greed worsens tsunamis toll
The Japanese word “tsunami” has now entered our everyday language. The deadly force of gigantic sea waves rolling across the ocean to swallow up human lives, homes and livelihoods, hurling devastation on the shores of a dozen nations, is seared into our consciousness. The United Nations estimates the total number of dead will exceed 150,000, and could go as high as 300,000 if survivors don’t get clean water.
Memo reveals Bush OKd torture
WASHINGTON — During confirmation hearings on Alberto Gonzales’ nomination as Attorney General, senators should question him about a recently uncovered memo that George W. Bush “ordered” the torture of detainees at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo and other military prisons around the world, several human rights groups suggested last month.
Check into Hotel Rwanda
Movie Review Paul Rusesabagina was the manager of a luxury hotel when Hutu nationalists began murdering their Tutsi countrymen during the Rwandan civil war 10 years ago.
Groups warn: Dont buy violent video games for kids
NEW YORK — About 70 percent of kids today live in a home with at least one video game player and 33 percent have one in their bedrooms. It’s a billion-dollar industry — $7 billion in 2003 — and even the most violent are marketed to kids as young as 7 or 8, according to five leading parent, church and women’s groups.
Q & A Ask the Communists
Q: As you know, the Soviet Union existed for 70 years and its economy could not support itself. What makes you think that socialism in the U.S. is going to work better than it did in the Soviet Union?
