In This Issue  

 Young Democratic Socialists Update: November 15, 2007

New DSA Statement Opposing the Iraq War
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Ideology and Oil Power the War
New DSA Statement Opposing the War in Iraq!
 
The Democratic Socialists of America, YDS?s parent organization, issued the following statement before the United for Peace and Justice (UfPJ) march on October 27th, 2007.   As Naomi Klein notes in her new book, The Shock Doctrine, our explanation for why the US is at war must go beyond facile one-word answers of "oil, Israel, and Halliburton."  DSA and YDS members must continually and publicly expose the neo-imperialist ideology and corporate interests keeping our country and other states at war in Iraq.  We must also support the Iraqis fighting for secular social and political democracy without giving a gram of political support to the Islamic fundamentalist Right.
 
The National Youth and Student Peace Coalition, of which YDS is a proud member, marched in cities across the country with UfPJ on October 27th.  Our coordination exemplifies united youth opposition to the war in Iraq.  Young people understand that as long as money and resources are wasted in this imperialist war, domestic programs for ourselves and others will remain under attack.
 
Please distribute "Ideology and Oil Power the War!" during and after the third Iraq Moratorium.
 
We're Not Going to Stop
YDS and the 3rd Iraq Moratoirum
 
YDS is ready for the third Iraq Moratorium.  We?ve participated since its inception and will continue until the war is over.  The Iraq Moratoriums are held on the third Friday of the month.  Actions will escalate until our troops have returned and the Iraqis are free to govern themselves.  Please keep the Iraq Moratorium informed about the events you are planning here.  Send your recaps to yds@dsausa.org so we can advertise your great work and build the anti-war movement.
 
For this Iraq Moratorium, the University of Central Arkansas Young Democratic Socialists is working with activists at neighboring Hendrix College.  The members will distribute information about US foreign policy in Iraq and Afghanistan since the 1960s, hold a teach-in with speakers and poets, and showcase the boots of deceased Arkansan soldiers.  For ideas of what you can do locally, check out previous actions of YDS groups here.
Shut Down School of the Americas
Fight for Human Rights Everywhere! 
 
The US-led occupation of Iraq is directly connected to our crimes in Latin America.  US imperialism, a foreign policy where America corporate and governmental interests are seen as one, has sponsored the same violence and chaos in our neighboring countries as happens daily in Baghdad.  Democratic socialists have been consistent opponents of US foreign policy when it places capitalist interests above the needs of social and political democracy.  YDS members will be joining the November 16-18 vigil to shut down the School of the Americas in Fort Benning, Georgia.  To learn more about the event and logistics, click here for the School of the Americas Watch vigil's website.  To meet up with YDSers please email Coordinating Committee member Andrew Porter (aporter09@wooster.edu).
 
The Silenced Majority
How an Anti-War America is Being Ignored - And What Could Change That 
 
Democratic Socialists of America Vice Chair and Washington Post columnist Harold Meyerson?s piece ?The Silenced Majority? examines the paradox that while the majority of Americans want US troops out in two years, both parties and think-tank leaders are planning permanent military bases.  There are differences between candidates, but voters must do their research.  We can not look for an end to the war based solely on party lines - though they do matter. It's building the anti-war movement that will ultimately hold elected officials accountable.  Meyerson believes that as the Democrats inch closer to unaccountability, they also risk losing millions of voters.
 
 
 
 
JOIN YDS!  
It's easy, it's cheap, and it connects you with other democratic socialist activists around the country.  Click here to read more about why you should consider joining: www.ydsusa.org/getinvolved.html

ADD YDS TO YOUR MYSPACE OR FACEBOOK PROFILE:
FACEBOOK: www.facebook .com/group.php?gid=2205133680   MYSPACE: http://groups. myspace.com/ydsusa

SPAM/JUNK MAIL REMINDER:
To make sure that our updates are not erroneously transferred into a  junk mail folder by your anti-spam program, you should add the following email to your address book or approved contact list: yds@dsausa.org

GOT NEW CONTACT INFO?
Using a new email account?  Got a new mailing address?  Have a new phone number?  Send us your latest contact info. and we'll keep you in the loop.

KNOW OTHERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO GET OUR EMAIL UPDATES?
Click on the "Forward to a Friend" and they'll get this email and can sign up for updates too!