Steve Burns: Did you know you're an "influencer"?

The US Army is in trouble. As it fights an increasingly unpopular war, as it struggles to meet its recruitment goals and calls on the same soldiers to go back - again and again - to Iraq, the Army has identified one key obstacle to the successful completion of its "mission." And that obstacle is us.

Parents and teachers, described by military recruiters as "influencers", have been identified by the military as a threat its ability to meet recruitment targets. As Maj. Gen. Michael D. Rochelle put it, "Influencers are clearly having an impact right now on our ability to successfully recruit -- unquestionably so." The general expressed particular concern about parents who attempt to shield their children from recruiters "who simply want to tell the Army story, who we are and what it is we do for this great nation." According to Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness David Chu, "Our real challenge out there isn't the young people ... it's parents, coaches, teachers ... who, when asked by a young person, 'Well, Dad, Mom, should I do this' -- too often get a sour and unsupportive answer."

Teachers are also in the Army's sights. Parris Island spokesman Lt. Scott Miller says, “We’re just trying to inform them. Are we trying to win them? Yeah. We have a quota.” If recruiters successfully target the teachers first, then they have, Miller says, “another foot in the door, so to speak.”

As anyone who has ever been "targeted" by the US Army can attest, the Army has lots of tools it can bring to bear on those who get in its way. And this year, Congress voted to double the military's recruitment budget to more than $20 billion.. That's more than five times what the military spent on recruitment only five years ago, when the Army first went into Iraq. That's twenty billion dollars to bring more recruiters into schools that don't have art teachers or adequately funded libraries. And teachers, who might have a few ideas on how to better spend $20 billion of the taxpayer's money, will be on the receiving end of some of the ad campaigns generated by that money.

For example, here's an ad I found recently in my copy of AFT On Campus, a publication put out to union members in higher education by the American Federation of Teachers:



The website promoted in the ad, todaysmilitary.com, offers an almost comically whitewashed version of life in the military, one in which the Iraq and Afghanistan wars have been literally airbrushed out of existence. (see Good News! US has no bases in Iraq for more on this).

Having read the quotes above by military recruiters (the way they talk about us when they don't think we're listening) I don't wonder for a second why the military wants to spend some of its $20 billion on an ad in a teacher's magazine. But as a teacher and union member, I wonder why my union, whose membership has voted in favor of resolutions against the Iraq war and against the military's policy of discriminating against gays and lesbians, is accepting ads from military recruiters. I suppose I'm having the same reaction that many parents and teachers in Madison had when they found that their school board had signed a contract to allow the military to post recruitment ads at school facilities.

And while I may focus my ire on the editors of AFT On Campus, just as those Madison parents and teachers focused on their school board, we should all take a moment to recognize the big picture. A huge, extremely well-funded machine has us in its sights. It wants something - the youth that we teach, our own children perhaps, and it sees us as an obstacle to be brushed aside.

The editor of my union's magazine and the members of the Madison school board don't recognize this bigger picture. Ask them, and they'll tell you, "It's just an ad!" While the Army pursues, as armies tend to do, a disciplined advance on all fronts, those who might be able to stall that advance see only their part of the battleground, and find it easiest to give way - to more ads, to more recruiters, to a more militarized society.

But suppose that we all did see the bigger picture? Suppose we kept our eyes open for every manifestation of militarism in our society, suppose we made the connection between the recruiter who is in the school and the art teacher who isn't in the school, and suppose our efforts weren't disjointed but unified, so that the military's recruitment campaign encountered opposition, no matter where it chose to spend its $20 billion budget?

That unified opposition is already forming. As I work with others within my union to enact a policy prohibiting military recruitment ads in all union publications, WNPJ member group Truth and Alternatives to Militarism in Education (TAME) is planning a new "opt-out" campaign to make sure that all parents and students know how to keep their personal information out of the military's databases. Todd Dennis of Wisconsin Iraq Veterans Against the War is working with WNPJ to survey Wisconsin schools, determine their recruiter-access policies, and educate school staff on their right to limit recruiter access. Of course, we're working from a budget of considerably less than $20 billion, but I'm still hopeful of success. After all, we've got the "influencers" on our side.

Terry Tinkle: Fighting back against corporate control of the media and the internet -- report from National Media Reform Conference in Minneapolis

Media reform and social justice were the call this past weekend in Minneapolis. A diverse population, ranging from former media luminaries like Dan Rather, Bill Moyers, and Phil Donahue to local activists of no name, came together at the National Conference for Media Reform to dialogue and strategize. Their collective mission was to be the change they wanted to see and to work together to formulate an agenda of transparent, honest and informative journalism that will allow for a more just and caring democracy benefiting not only individuals but the communities where they live.

Although talk of corporate owned media is often written off as conspiracy theory or the practice of Fascist states, former mainstream stars such as Rather, Moyers, former MSNBC's Jeff Cohen and Madison 's own John Nichols all had a similar message; our media is currently owned by five or six corporate giants. But, and maybe more significantly, these corporate monopolies show no shame in distorting the news towards their and the current administration's agenda of wealth and top down domination.

The war in Iraq was highlighted throughout the conference as one of the prime examples of corporate distortion. As Rather pointed out, mainstream media seemed to drop the ball in the build up to a pre-emptive war by not asking questions that would facilitate a balanced and insightful dialogue. He and many of the other presenters emphasized that tough questions might have uncovered the lies we were told, the lack of judgment in invading Iraq, and the fabricated involvement of Saddam in 9-11. And, speaker after speaker was quick to point out, that post war revelations substantiate their hypothesis.

Phil Donahue piggy-backed on the media's dropping the ball with his claim that mainstream media further fostered the administrationʼs agenda of Imperialism by hiring "expert" consultants based specifically on Pentagon recommendations, directing panel discussions on Sunday morning news shows be overloaded with War sympathizers, and painting anyone who questioned the wisdom of the war as unpatriotic. Using his own No. 1 rated talk show as an example, Donahue and others, such as Democracy Now's Amy Goodman, pointed out that if you didnʼt go along you were forced out into the cold.

By establishing that mainstream media has become a corporate lackey and tool for social control through fear, hate and misinformation - or no information - speakers were fast to suggest that the Internet will be the next target for private control and suppression. Oft lauded as the only remaining public venue for free expression since the homogenizing of NPR and Local Community Cable Networks, speakers stated the Internet provides a balance to corporate media power. But equal access to the internet, or "net neutrality" is under threat from media corporations which are also internet service providers, who want to give higher priority - and faster transmission - to data from their own sponsors or media interests. Speakers urged conference attendees to return home, connect and mobilize with their friends and community in a grassroots groundswell of support for Internet neutrality and strong opposition to any FCC regulations giving Internet gate-keeping powers to media corporations. Michael Copps and John Adelstein, both FCC commissioners, echoed the need for a public voice in order to keep the Internet free, open and a voice for truth.

Although the main spirit that seemed to pulse through the conference was one of hope, unity, and reform there was an apparent dichotomy. Some seemed to feel the conference was for the maintenance of white middle class media control and what role did social justice groups have to play in that scenario? Most speakers answered that the conference was truly about the peopleʼs ownership of the media in a true democracy and that couldnʼt be separated from the single issue social rights some sought. But by working together as one for the larger issues of freedom and justice for all, each would strengthen their cause. Robert Greenwald, a Film Producer working with some of the Nation Magazines reporters, said it best in talking about his film series called A Brave Nation: We need to be activist leaders in the cause of peace, justice and equality for all, only then can we achieve freedom and justice for any.

In the end, conference participants hear several specific messages loud and clear. Mainstream Media is Corporate owned and monopolized. This fact doesnʼt only bias the news but eliminates any counterpoint. The Internet as an open and a valuable tool for people wanting a free democracy is under attack. It will take a public wave to push for Internet neutrality in order for it to stay open. Any reform of mainstream media towards a more balanced and accountable journalism must start with the individual. The individual must fuse with the other citizens in their communities until 1+1+1 becomes an overwhelming wave for reform, public or community rights and the maintenance of true democracy and social justice.

As the conference drew to a close, participants were reminded by the Nation's Naomi Klein that the excitement of the conference or even Barack Obama's nomination would not be enough for democratic change. She explained that media reform and an Obama presidency needed a large base of activist citizens in order to enact real change. She encouraged us all to make sure that Obama or we donʼt just mouth the words of equal distribution of wealth, an end to the carnage in Iraq, development of more living wage jobs, an end to Free Trade, universal health care, and social justice for all but that he and we must design the plans that bring this vision to fruition. Then and only then will the media be reformed, justice again be the law, and public domain belong to the community.

Three websites for more information: www.freepress.net www.stopbigmedia.com www.savetheinternet.com

Terry Tinkel is a member of Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice.

Report from Postville: "150 students with no parents to go home to"

On May 17, officers of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raided a meatpacking plant in the small Iowa town of Postville, arresting more than 300 workers, more than 10% of the town's population. A teacher at the Postville school sent a report of the raid, which was passed on to us by WNPJ members Joy First and Terry Tinkle:

“My heart goes out to the children......"

I know some of you have called or emailed the past day...so here is an update from Postville (with Big Brother watching).

Yesterday, our town was raided by 400 FBI agents, ICE agents(formally known as INS), state troopers, and a variety of other agencies. We had helicopters flying overhead for hours, all roads were blocked coming into and going out of Postville, media crews and cameras EVERYWHERE, and basically mass chaos. The federal government had decided to make Postville an example for the rest of the nation to see our supposedly working Homeland Security. Ironically, as this all transpired, I was at the county courthouse with my Government class, so that they could see first hand how our judicial system works. We got more of a lesson then we were bargaining for. I received calls from the school not to come back to school because I have students they were concerned about. (Yes, they are undocumented students who have been in this district since they were in fourth grade. They speak English clearly, their parents work here in town and pay taxes, have tried to file papers to become legal, but have been denied due to the fact that they do not come from a 'desirable' country.)

I am told after a few hours that I can come back on the school bus, but to expect to be pulled over by the FBI, and I am not to, under any circumstances, let any officer onto the bus. I now have 12 students who are scared as to what will happen, with four students that could possibly be arrested. Basically, I had 20 minutes to get my wits about me and be ready to face ICE or the FBI and tell them to take a hike. Under federal laws, schools and churches are considered sanctuaries, and people can go to them for political refugee. (Think of the Hunchback of Notre Dame.) Although this did nothing to calm my nerves, as I am afraid that I might also be arrested for not cooperating with the law.

We made it back into Postville, only to find that our school is now surrounded by media cameras. I will not make a comment about the news media...I have not much good to say about them at this point. I get to my classroom, to find out that our entire computer network crashed at 10 am (the same time ICE came to Postville). It also has been running off and on today, with an entire computer tech team unable to find out what is wrong. Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I do believe our accounts are being scanned. (Big Brother)

After school, all teachers and staff are told to report to the theater. We have 150 students with no parents to go home to. We are told that we need to stay with them until we find out where their parents are at or a relative that will care for them until their parents are found. Many of these kids lost both parents due to the raid and the parents are now sitting in jail in Waterloo, or in the National Cattle Congress Fairgrounds until they are deported.

I guess, I don't really care how any of you feel about immigration, we all have our opinions. But I will say, that as a human being and as a parent, I find it disturbing to see little elementary kids crying for their parents and asking you to take them home, and all one can say is, I am sorry, or we are looking for them. By the way, we got no information from ICE as to who they arrested, and whether or not, their parents were being detained. At this point, I just wanted to go home and hug my own kids. I spent the rest of the evening trying to locate family members, having students 'hide' their personal belongings in classrooms, barns, houses, or where ever, and ward off the media. From what I have heard, we were all over the midwest news channels and newspapers, with CNN and FOX news also doing stories on us. I think we are on the national news tonight. It was announced that Postville's raid was the largest immigration raid in US History. Today, I am missing about half of my students. Some have taken off

for Chicago, others are hiding in town, some were arrested, and others are at the Catholic Church. I spent the morning helping in the church with food preparation (there are 400 people seeking refugee in the church right now), and also trying to locate items like diapers, food, pillows, blankets, and games for the little kids to play with. From media reports, about 350 people were arrested, with 697 more possible arrests, most of them Guatemalan (not Mexican). Only 57 have been released due to child care or medical reasons. They are currently back with ankle monitors on. Most will be deported. The town has literally 'shut down'. Businesses are closed, the school is about half empty, and we are now left wondering if we will all have jobs next year.

This town was a ghost town 15 years ago, but has managed to build itself back up on the backs of our immigrant workers. I have complained many times about the language barriers I encountered at school, but I have always said that the reason I had a job was because we were the only district that actually was growing and able to keep their staff due to the sheer number of students in the school district. By me working in the Postville School District, I am eligible to have half of my student loans forgiven over a five year time period. I only have one more year left to complete this goal. If we lose half our students, this will not happen.

What frustrates me the most is that this raid accomplished nothing positive. It has destroyed families, will more than likely close some area businesses, some of us will lose our jobs, and the real estate in the area became worthless overnight. All this in an already struggling economy. I know that I am complaining in this email and it has become a lengthy email too, but those who complain about the immigrants 'taking American jobs' don't even want these jobs. Honestly, who wants to work for minimum wage, 12 hours a day, 6 days a week with no overtime, in cold, smelly conditions, gutting chickens or cows? I know that I don't want to do that for a living.

Interestingly enough, my US History students made a direct correlation between what we all witnessed yesterday to our history lesson three weeks ago. We have been studying W.W.II and the Holocaust. I had them view the movie 'Schindler's List' and the things that happened in the movie, with the Nazis rounding up the Jews, having them report their names and families' names, transporting them to unknown places, keeping them in substandard holding areas, and then getting rid of them, was very much like what happened yesterday, with one exception, the US has not practiced the use of genocide.

ICE is today, doing house to house searches of every home and apartment that has a hispanic name attached to it. It is rather scary to see search teams go from place to place, looking for immigrants. We had agencies at the school a month ago with a subpoena to seize all student and employee files. Any name that sounded remotely Hispanic was flagged. I find this to be a form of racial profiling, and I know that it is happening, because I was already asked three weeks ago to bring in a copy of my birth certificate due to the fact that my maiden name was 'Hispanic' sounding.(deJulio) How quickly we forget our own histories. Many of our ancestors came here with nothing to their names and very little to survive on. They wanted a fresh start too. Unless they are 100% Native American, your ancestors were also immigrants. So why are we trying to make an example out of those less fortunate? Why not go after the people who really are doing something illegal and wrong? Like drug dealers or child molesters? If we spent as much money on those items as we are currently spending on the War in Iraq (which we are losing) or building a 700 mile long wall on the Mexican border which is actually 2300 miles long, we would maybe in a better economy that was safe for our families.