Monthly Archives: October 2009

Ex-Marine, foreign service official resigns over war in Afghanistan

Another diplomat resigns in protest over U.S. wars, this time the war in Afghanistan.   Matthew Hoh, a former Marine and a rising star in the diplomatic corps said his resignation was “based not upon how we are pursuing this war, but why and to what end.” >><< U.S. official resigns over Afghan war Foreign Service… Read more »

US, Japan at odds over air base

US, Japan at odds over air base By North Asia correspondent Mark Willacy Posted Mon Oct 26, 2009 10:11am AEDT http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/10/26/2723915.htm?section=world Japan’s new centre-left government is finding itself squeezed between the Obama administration and the people of the southern islands of Okinawa. At the heart of the row is a US air base which the… Read more »

U.S. – Japan disagree about bases in Okinawa

There are interesting developments in Japan over the fate of U.S. military bases in Okinawa.  The new Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has made moves to revise the mutual security alliance and change plans to relocate a U.S. Marine base within Okinawa.  Okinawans have strongly opposed the new base in the Henoko area.   The new… Read more »

Japan’s new government investigates secret nuclear agreements with the U.S.

Despite Japan’s pacifist constitution and aversion to nuclear weapons, the U.S. and Japan reached  a secret deal in the 1960s that allowed U.S. nuclear weapons into port and select locations.   The new government in Japan is now investigating these secret agreements.   Check out the National Security Archive for more background on this issue. >><< October… Read more »

Tech start up gets quick earmarks

This article from the Washington Post exposes another facet of the world of military contracts, congressional appropriations and earmarks.   Rep. Visclosky might have taken a few pointers from Senator Inouye.   Some of Inouye’s biggest earmarks are disguised as competitive contracts.  In these cases, the clear intent of the appropriation is to have the money go… Read more »

Stryker brigade prepares for Iraq deployment

The article says that the Army is the “owner” of Pohakuloa, but it actually occupies Hawaiian national lands that were stolen by the U.S. Much of the land is actually leased from the State of Hawaii. >><< http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20091026_new_look_stryker_team_trains_to_help_finish_mission_in_iraq.html New-look Stryker team trains to help finish mission in Iraq By Gregg K. Kakesako POSTED: 01:30 a.m…. Read more »

US Announces Military Base in Romania to Become “Permanent”

http://news.antiwar.com/2009/10/23/us-announces-military-base-in-romania-to-become-permanent/ US Announces Military Base in Romania to Become “Permanent” Enduring US Presence at Site Used in Iraq Invasion, CIA Renditions by Jason Ditz, October 23, 2009 In an announcement today which likely surprised no one, the US army announced that the military base just northwest of the Black Sea Port City of Constanta, Romania… Read more »

Navy will test its “Giant Voice” in Wahiawa

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20091023/BREAKING01/310230020/+Giant+Voice++system+to+be+tested+in+Wahiawa Posted at 12:51 a.m., Friday, October 23, 2009 ‘Giant Voice’ system to be tested in Wahiawa Advertiser Staff The Navy says it will conduct an operational test of its “Giant Voice” mass notification system at its Wahiawa annex today at 1 p.m. The announcement on the public address system will be audible to those who… Read more »

Sen. Inouye may strip anti-rape amendment from defense bill

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/22/frankens-anti-rape-amendm_n_329896.html Franken’s Anti-Rape Amendment May Be Stripped By Senior Dem, Sources Say By Sam Stein, stein@huffingtonpost.com First Posted: 10-22-09 10:40 AM | Updated: 10-22-09 12:35 PM An amendment that would prevent the government from working with contractors who denied victims of assault the right to bring their case to court is in danger of being… Read more »

Pentagon Instructs Officials to Cancel Contracts with ACORN. The Problem: They Don’t Exist

This would be funny if it weren’t so alarming.  The Department of Defense has jumped into the political witch hunt against ACORN, a community organization that fights for the rights of low income people in many cities, by ordering all DoD contracts with ACORN canceled. But as, Jeremy Scahill reports below, the DoD has no… Read more »