From:

IMC NEWS BLAST | Tuesday, September 18, 2001

"SEPTEMBER 11 AND ITS AFTERMATH:
CONTEXT, QUESTIONS, RESPONSIBILITY AND JUSTICE"

Compiled by the Indymedia News Blast Team

http://www.indymedia.org

The IMC NEWS BLAST features a selection of news summaries, stories and opinions found on many of the Independent Media Center websites.

Another online version of of this NEWS BLAST is posted here:here

"Precious few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts. " -Albert Einstein

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In the wake of the attack on New York's World Trade Center and the Pentagon on Tuesday, September 11, many continue to grieve for the dead and adjust to the unavoidable acknowledgement of U.S. vulnerability to terrorist attack. Public responses to official calls for war have varied, although this diversity has not been evident in most media depictions. A broad-based peace and justice movement has begun to take shape, even as polls show a majority of Americans to support the idea of violent counterattacks. Public opinion has been profoundly shaped by the priorities of the corporate media, which have focused overwhelmingly on public anger and on discussions of war preparations, revenge and the search for the terrorists.

There are reports of Muslims (and Americans of Middle Eastern or South Asian heritage) being harassed and attacked throughout the United States. Activists and politicians around the world call for reasoned responses.

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1. SEPTEMBER 11 -- ATTACKS & AFTERMATH

IMCs WITH EXTENSIVE COVERAGE
Compilation of stories, video, info links courtesy of various IMCs.

NYC -- http://nyc.indymedia.org/ (See collection of links by category at end of feature in center column of the NY IMC website.)
DC -- http://dc.indymedia.org/
Chicago -- http://chicago.indymedia.org/
Italy -- http://italy.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=20370
SF -- http://sf.indymedia.org/display.php?id=103914
Twin Cities -- http://twincities.indymedia.org/
Argentina -- http://argentina.indymedia.org

IMF/WORLD BANK PROTESTS IN D.C. CANCELLED, PEOPLE'S SUMMIT AND EDUCATIONAL EVENTS CONTINUE; MASS PEACE MARCH TAKING PLACE

See Globalizethis.org regarding cancellation of street protests in D.C. and continuation of educational events for September 24-29. Also, in light of the recent tragedies in New York and Washington, DC, the Anti-Capitalist Convergence is rethinking specific plans and will continue to mobilize for late September actions. Please watch Abolishthebank.org for updates.

ARAFAT AND ISRAELI GOVERNMENT AGREE TO CEASEFIRE Electronicintifada.com/new.html, Indymedia.org.il (older feature of violence in the middle east www.indymedia.org)

SENATE OKs FBI NET SPYING
by Declan McCullagh

http://sf.indymedia.org/display.php?id=104175
http://www.wired.com

For more on erosion of civil liberties, see section 6. below.

Social Implications

NYC APOCALYPSE
by Ana Nogueira

"Downtown Manhattan looks like a scene from an apocalypse movie..."
http://nyc.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=9588
http://argentina.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=2850

DC INDYMEDIA VIDEO FOOTAGE OF PENTAGON BURNING http://indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=62708

RISING HATRED
Racial hatred is beginning to brew in an angered and outraged country. http://www.nyc.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=10469

ISRAEL USES WTC/PENTAGON BOMBINGS AS DIVERSION AND EXCUSE FOR INCREASED MILITARY ATTACKS ON PALESTINIANS http://www.indymedia.org/ (center column, Sept. 14 feature)

U.S. Prepares for War

PREPARING FOR WAR: RETALIATION
by Howard Zinn
http://www.zmag.org/zinncalam.htm

RUSSIAN RESPONSE TO U.S. ATTACKS
by Miraslav Antic

Mr. Kokoshin, ex-chairman of the Russian Security Council, has said that the world is "to some extent in a state of war" as a result of the US terror attacks.
http://nyc.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=10961&group=webcast

NUCLEAR RETALIATION NOT RULED OUT! ACT NOW TO STOP US AGGRESSION: CALL FOR IDEAS!
http://nyc.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=9803
(lengthy comments section)

WE NEED THE RULE OF LAW, NOT THE RULE OF WAR
by James Carroll

Is the launching of war really the only way to demonstrate our love for America? Will it really serve the urgent purpose of stopping terrorism?
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=64609

HA'ARETZ ON WTC AND GLOBALIZATION

This article may reflect thinking in intelligence and law enforcement agencies... Note reference to "organizations behind the anti-globalization demonstrations"
http://sf.indymedia.org/display.php?id=104017

CHOMSKY WARNS OF POSSIBLE OVERTHROW OF PAKISTAN GOVERNMENT
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=65056&group=webcast

INTERVIEWS WITH NOAM CHOMSKY: A NEW KIND OF WAR
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=64587
(original spanish: http://www.jornada.unam.mx/006n1mun.html)
http://www.zmag.org/chomb92.htm
http://madison.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=1041

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2. HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Bin Laden and Afghanistan

REVOLUTIONARY ASSOCIATION OF THE WOMEN OF AFGHANISTAN (RAWA) Statement:

"The people of Afghanistan have nothing to do with Osama and his accomplices."
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=64527

OSAMA BIN LADEN: HOW THE U.S. HELPED MIDWIFE A TERRORIST
by Ahmed Rashid
http://www.public-i.org/excerpts_01_091301.htm

CIA AND OSAMA BIN LADEN

Michel Chossudovsky, Professor of Economics, University of Ottawa The following text outlines the history of Osama Bin Laden and the links of the Islamic "Jihad" to the formulation of US foreign policy during the Cold War and its aftermath.
http://ontario.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=1752

BUSH GAVE $43 MILLION TO TALIBAN
http://chicago.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=4614

"Bush's Faustian Deal With the Taliban" by Robert Scheer
http://www.robertscheer.com/1_natcolumn/01_columns/052201.htm

TERRORISM WITH WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION
by Felipe Rodriquez

The terrorist network around Osama Bin Laden has been trying to acquire nuclear weapons and nuclear materials since about 1993. There are various reports that he has succeeded. Any form of retaliation against Bin Laden and his network should take this into account.
http://dc.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=12333

GENDER APARTHEID IN AFGHANISTAN
http://www.feminist.org/afghan/facts.html

AFGHANISTAN: PERSISTENT CRISIS CHALLENGES THE UN
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=64788

U.S. Imperialism

TERRORISM, THEIRS AND OURS
by Eqbal Ahmad

A detailed analysis into the roots of terrorism, using history, stories and analysis to deconstruct the myths around the use of this word and to offer some concrete thoughts about how to really deal with terrorism rather than just relying on more violence.
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=64732

AMERICA'S TERRORIST ROOTS
a compilation courtesy of the San Francisco IMC
http://sf.indymedia.org/display.php?id=103943

INTERVIEW WITH PAKISTANI JOURNALIST
Flashpoints radio program interview with last journalist to interview Bin Laden.
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=64583

AUC AND TALIBAN: U.S. POLICY BACKFIRES FROM COLOMBIA TO AFGHANISTAN
by Kim Alphandary

The Taliban began as a U.S.-backed paramilitary organization, using the explosive mixture of paramilitary groups and the massive profits to be made in narco-trafficking under drug prohibition. Even as the U.S. government today opposes the Taliban in Afghanistan, it is creating another one in Colombia.
http://portland.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=3539

A MESSAGE FROM THE GLOBAL SOUTH
by Saskia Sassen
http://www.dc.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=12048

SHOCKED AND HORRIFIED
by Larry Mosqueda, The Evergreen State College
http://nyc.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=10943

HYPOCRISY OF U.S. FOREIGN POLICY
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=64625

HISTORY 101: US Policy in Afghanistan, from National Security Archives. A detailed overview history of US Policy toward Afghanistan, 1973-1990
http://nsarchive.chadwyck.com/afessayx.htm
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=64622

THE WTC BOMBING IN CONTEXT

Put events into context. The actions of America are those that hold the true danger.
http://indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=63039

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3. PEACE AND JUSTICE ACTIVISM

History demonstrates - in Israel and Palestine, in Northern Ireland, again and again - that terror, whether by state or a terrorist network, begets more terror. The cycle of violence must be ended. In light of the 9-11 attacks, activists seek new strategies in building movements for social justice and participatory democracy.

Actions

Check out http://peace.protest.net

1000s OF NYC MOURNERS CALL FOR PEACE
http://nyc.indymedia.org/

GROWING MOVEMENT FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE
by Tom Atlee
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=64599

PEACE VIGILS AND GATHERINGS
http://znet.protest.net/day.cgi?limit=25&state_values=ADMISSION_INFO*.Peace

GROUPS OPPOSED TO WAR EMERGES IN THE HEART OF TEXAS
by Stefan Wray
http://www.austin.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=1507

4,000 AT BERKELEY PEACE VIGIL
by Todd Chretien
http://sf.indymedia.org/display.php?id=103976

PEACE PETITIONS
http://www.thePetitionSite.com/takeaction/224622495
http://home.uchicago.edu/~dhpicker/petition

DIY PEACE STICKERS/POSTERS
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=64713
http://chicago.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=4600
http://www.demause.net/peaceflag.jpg

Talking Points and Strategies

TALKING POINTS
http://indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=62750
http://nyc.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=10867
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=64766
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=64769
http://indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=62976

RESPOND TO TERROR WITH A REVOLUTION OF THE HEART
by Scott Harris
http://nyc.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=10819

A PERSPECTIVE ON THE COMING WAR
by Dylan Goldsmith
http://nyc.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=10798

HOLD THE VISION
by Starhawk http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=64613

WE OWE OUR DEAD
by Justin Podur
http://nyc.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=9645

TOWARDS WAR OR TOWARDS PEACE?
by Radical Expansion of Democracy
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=64220

NEW SITUATION, NEW RULES
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=64608

The Big Picture: Transform Terror through Global Justice

NETWORK OF ALTERNATIVE RESISTANCE

The Network is an initiative open to all the groups of the world that, dedicated to an alternative construction of life, thought, and political action, have chosen to develop revolutionary practices.
http://la.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=10387

ACTIVIST MEDIA GETTING THE ATTENTION IT DESERVES
http://seattle.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=7005&group=webcast

TRUTH IN TERROR & IN WAR
by Paul D. Boin
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=64801

A WORLD OUT OF TOUCH WITH ITSELF; WHERE DOES THE VIOLENCE COME FROM?
by Michael Lerner, Tikkun Magazine
http://nyc.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=10871

WAYS OF DEALING WITH TERRORISM
by Justin Podur

There are different ways of dealing with terrorism. Some ways lead to more death and destruction, other ways can, perhaps, help to minimize those things.
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=63424

US ATTACKS: A SOCIALIST VIEW
by A Woods and E Grant
http://indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=63010

SECURITY IS NOT THE PROBLEM, JUSTICE IS
by Ignasi Rib
http://indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=63003

MAJOR IMPLICATIONS FOR THE LEFT
http://indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=62724

STATEMENT FROM THE WAR RESISTERS LEAGUE
http://www.warresisters.org/attack9-11-01.htm

SHOCKING, BUT NOT SURPRISING
by AK Gupta
"The terror attacks against America are shocking, but we should not be surprised."
http://www.nyc.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=9660

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4. CIVIL LIBERTIES WATCH

UK IMC FEATURE - SECURITY CLAMPDOWN
http://uk.indymedia.org

THOUSANDS DIE, MILLIONS DEPRIVED OF CIVIL LIBERTIES
by Richard Stallman
"What I am worried about is massive surveillance of all aspects of life: of our phone calls, of our email, and of our physical movements."
http://nyc.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=10912

NEW NY LEGISLATION HAS A BROAD AND BAD DEFINITION OF TERRORISM
by Holly Hartmann
New legislation in New York defines terrorism as an offense designed to "influence the policy of a unit of government."
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=64793

U.S. EXECUTIVE ORDER #12919

Former President Clinton's Executive Order #12919 would shelve the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
http://www.newnetizen.com/fema/eoboc.htm
http://www.freedomdomain.com/concamps/fema01.html

ANTI-ATTACK FEDS PUSH CARNIVORE
by Declan McCullagh
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=64748

THE LEFT UNILATERALLY DISARMS
by Rick Giombetti

What good is a Bill of Rights when influential individuals and organizations aren't willing to stand up for their constitutional rights in a time of crisis and danger?
http://chicago.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=4565

PEARL HARBOR? OR REICHSTAG?
by Jonathan Lawson

US citizens ought to bear in mind another WWII analogy - that of the 1933 torching of the Reichstag in Berlin, which provided the sole justification Hitler needed to suspend all civil and democratic rights.
http://nyc.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=9800

ACLU: ATTACKS COULD ERODE CIVIL LIBERTIES
http://chicago.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=4423

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5. MEDIA CRITICISM

Coverage in corporate media has largely reiterated official government voices, and has encouraged fear, racism, scapegoating and war. But some coverage has gone further, investigating the root causes of enmity towards the United States in other parts of the world. Independent media critics, citizens and communities are critiquing the coverage and demonstrating the power of close observation, memory and analysis.

MEDIA ANALYSIS OF INTERNET COVERAGE
http://seattle.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=6815

ANALYSIS OF EARLY MEDIA COVERAGE
by christopher mitchell
http://indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=62731

MEDIA MARCHES TO WAR - A COMPILATION
by Neil da Mause
http://nyc.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=11073&group=webcast

THE MEDIA GOES TO WAR

Robert McChesney interviewed by John Tarleton and Mary Ann Thompson. "It's moments like these that press coverage is almost always the worst."
http://www.nyc.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=10031

MEDIA OUTCASTS SPEAK UP
by Matt Parish

As it is important for the nation to join together in the wake of this week's events, it is even more important for this nation's media to report the days' events as carefully as possible, casting a discerning eye on all reports, breaking news, and talking heads.
http://boston.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=3232&group=

RACISM IN REPORTING, JINGOISM AS FOREIGN POLICY
by Kristen Schurr
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=64792

"AMERICA UNDER ATTACK:" Guilty Or Not, Here We Come
by Danny Schechter
http://www.zmag.org/schechcalam.htm

REMEMBERING THE LAST U.S. RETALIATION AGAINST TERROR

by Jeff Cohen, Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting FAIR's definitive review of the 1998 retaliatory bombing of Afghanistan and Sudan.
http://seattle.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=6935

STUPID AND SELF-SERVING MEDIA REPORTS
by Otto Hinckelmann
http://www.nyc.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=10350

THE MEDIA ARE AMERICAN
by Fadi Chahine, Executive Editor: Middle East News Online
http://www.middleeastwire.com/newswire/stories/20010822_meno.shtml

BIG MEDIA, BIG OIL

Oil Company board members also sit on boards of U.S. media conglomerates whose gatekeepers censor voices of U.S. anti-war activists.
http://nyc.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=10650

NBC USING PROPAGANDA AGAINST PROTEST MOVEMENT
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=64891&group=webcast

TUNING IN FOR THE REAL STORY
by Paul O'Connor of the Guardian UK
http://seattle.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=7005&group=webcast

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6. SELECTED RESOURCES

** activist resources **

http://www.protest.net/ (lists many events)
http://www.zmag.org (collection of analysis and background links)
http://www.abolishthebank.org/
http://www.democracyunderground.org
http://www.eff.org
http://www.epic.org
http://www.globalizethis.org/s30/
http://www.igc.org/igc/gt/PeaceNet/
http://www.immuneweb.org/sept11/
http://www.nonviolence.org/
http://www.nowarcollective.com
http://www.peace-action.org/
http://www.peace.protest.net
http://www.warresisters.org/
http://www.webactive.com
http://www.workingforchange.org

** forums for discussion of 9-11 events **
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sept11info/messages/

** media focusing on Mideast (and Mideast relations) **

http://www.ahram.org.eg/weekly/
http://www.afgha.com
http://www.afghannews.net/
http://www.electronicintifada.com
http://www.wafa.pna.net/EngText/16-09-2001/page004.htm

** other alternative media coverage and analysis **

http://www.newsgrist.com (collection of analysis and background links)
http://dlis.gseis.ucla.edu/people/pagre/sofar.html (another collection from Red Rock Eater News)
http://www.abunimah.org
http://www.alternet.org/911
http://www.commondreams.org
http://www.counterpunch.org/boyle.html
http://www.fair.org/issues-news/terrorism.html
http://www.fpif.org
http://www.freepint.com/gary/91101.html
http://www.fstv.org
http://www.guardian.co.uk/wtccrash/0,1300,550197,00.html
http://www.globalresearch.ca
http://news.independent.co.uk/
http://argument.independent.co.uk/leading_articles/
http://www.islam-online.net/English/index.shtml
http://www.mediachannel.org
http://www.poynter.org/medianews
http://www.public-i.org
http://www.radioforall.org
http://www.stratfor.com
http://www.truthout.com

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7. ADDITIONAL IMC RESOURCES AND COVERAGE

** MORE **

IMC Radio (for special coverage and commentary on recent events):
http://radio.indymedia.org

IMC Print (weekly news summaries in distributable newsletter-flier format):
http://print.indymedia.org

IMC TV (ongoing video coverage from various IMCs)
http://www.indymedia.org/video/imc.ram"

Past Newsblasts: http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/public/imc-news/

** SUBSCRIBER INFO AND FEEDBACK **

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Suggestions? Feedback? Thoughts? Send a message to: imc-nbwg@indymedia.org

STAY IN TOUCH, WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

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INDEPENDENT MEDIA CENTER

The IMC is a decentralized network of independent media makers, organizers, and activists working to increase democracy and social justice by reporting events and producing information as acts of autonomy, resistance, and liberation. This News Blast was compiled by a working group comprised of individuals throughout the network.

The IMC was established to cover the WTO protests in Seattle in November, 1999. Hundreds of media activists have since set up more than sixty independent media centers around the world, including sites in Argentina, Belgium, Brasil, Chiapas, Canada, France, Italy, Prague, South Africa, Sydney, U.S. and many more.

Freely Repost. Distribute Widely.

Index or Anti war page

IMC NEWS BLAST | Tuesday, September 18, 2001

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

SUMMARY