They're Not Just Numbers, Mr. President, These Young People Dying Halfway Around the World All Have a Face, Names & Families

Promising Diplomat, Peace & Justice Advocate Killed in Iran

It is with great sadness that Seton Hall announces the death of Captain Gregory T. Dalessio ’00/M.A. ’04, from wounds suffered in combat in Iraq on 23 June.

Greg Dalessio, 30, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, out of Baumholder, Germany. He was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq and had been there about two months when he was killed. He was the oldest of eight children and grew up in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and he graduated from Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken.

Greg earned a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in diplomacy and international relations here at Seton Hall. He was an outstanding member of the ROTC program, and left his mark as a sincere, hard-working young man who was always concerned with helping others in need and seeking peace and justice in our world.

“I remember meeting Greg when he was a freshman here and I will forever remember his warm smile and engaging, generous spirit,” said Monsignor Robert Sheeran, University President.

“With his close-knit family, we mourn Greg Dalessio’s passing in the service of his nation. He lived the way the Church teaches us we ought, with a deep commitment to ethics and honor, with a love for family, country and God. We pray that he may find eternal rest among the saints in the presence of the Almighty Father,” said Monsignor Sheeran.

The American flag is to be flown at half mast on the Seton Hall campus in honor of Captain Dalessio.

Des Moines Student, Roman Borcelino, Receives NEA Peace & Justice Youth Activisim Award: Please Help Us

originally posted 6/10/2008

...from the desk of Nancy Porter, NEA P&J Recording Secretary

Please help us raise dollars to support this gentleman who will come to DC and accept the award. Bring money to the RA to give to Nancy Porter

Great News! On the 4th of July in DC, a past student of Paul Mann's,
recipient of the first Iowa Caucus Peace and Justice Youth Activist Award, Romen Borcelino, will receive the first NEA Peace and Justice Youth Activist Award. He competed against many great applicants.

Those of you who were lucky enough to hear Roman's wonderful acceptance at the ISEA Delegate Assembly know that we have honored a gifted, articulate and deserving young man.

You may also send a check to Nancy Porter
with a "defray costs" for Romen note to

2519 Potomac Drive
Iowa City, IA 52245

We want to cover plane and room. If there is any money left over, it will beused for the Paul Mann Youth Activist Award for 2009. Thank you for helping forthis very special occasion that puts IOWA in the front seat.

If you have any issues you feel the P and J caucus should bring forth at the RA, please email Nancy Porter immediately.

Thank you, again, for all you do in the name of Peace and Justice.

McCain vs. Obama: Video in Their Own Words

John McCain in his own words in 90 seconds: the War in Iraq, Immigration & Health Care



Barack Obama in his own words in 90 seconds: War in Iraq, Health Care & Alternative Energy

Keith Olbermann: Special Commentary on John McCain's Comment that "It's not too important when troops come home..."

Senator and US Presidential hopeful John McCain recently met criticism of his comments to Today Show's Matt Lauer that, "It's not too important when troops come home..." and what President Bush's Congressionally unauthorized plan to staff 50+ bases in Iraq might mean to the future of our dedicated soldiers/patriots, their lives and the impact of this rhetoric on real people's lives.

Olbermann uses his "Special Commentary" to address Senator McCain's remarks in his Edward R. Murrow style.

A New Logo for P&J Midwest and Justice Caucus

With the encouragement of Nancy Porter of Iowa City, we've designed the following new logo for our Midwest Caucus...we'll hope that we can take it further... We hope you like our new look.

Your blog guy,

TOM

Cindy Sheehan: July 5th Keynote Speaker for P&J at the NEA RA

Cindy Sheehan ("Before You Sign Up")



Marisa Tomei reads Cindy Sheehan

Habeas Corpus: A Letter from Our Friend, Senator Patrick Leahy

Dear NEA Peace & Justice Caucus Friends,

Today the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a stinging rebuke to the Bush-Cheney Administration's handling of military detainees at Guantanamo Bay -- while vindicating you, me, and thousands of others who have spoken out against the Administration's unwise and unconstitutional policies from the very beginning.

In today's 5-4 Boumediene v. Bush decision, the Court ruled that stripping habeas corpus rights from detainees at Guantanamo Bay was unconstitutional. In so doing, the Court reaffirmed the fundamental right of habeas corpus -- the right that all Americans, and those prisoners under American control, have to challenge the government's reasons for imprisoning them -- a fundamental American right that underpins our individual freedoms and liberty.

Now, in three separate decisions, the Supreme Court has rejected the Bush-Cheney Administration's erosion of fundamental rights. It is these very protections and rights that set America apart from our enemies and make our nation a beacon of freedom and justice for the rest of the world.

It's time to repair the damage that the Bush-Cheney Administration has done in rolling back essential rights that have long guided America's conscience -- and the Supreme Court's ruling is yet one more step in that important process. It's another signal that -- at least in this instance -- we will not cringe in fear and walk away from bedrock American values.

Today's decision is a huge victory for justice, for the Constitution, and for the rule of law. Thank you so much for continuing to stand with me and fight for the rights and freedoms we hold dear.

Sincerely,

Patrick Leahy
U.S. Senator

Supreme Court Rules in Favor of "Habeas Corpus" as a Constitutional Right

Supreme Court backs Guantanamo detainees
In rebuke to administration, suspects may appeal in U.S. civilian courts

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that foreign terrorism suspects held at Guantanamo Bay have rights under the Constitution to challenge their detention in U.S. civilian courts.

In its third rebuke of the Bush administration's treatment of prisoners, the court ruled 5-4 that the government is violating the rights of prisoners being held indefinitely and without charges at the U.S. naval base in Cuba. The court's liberal justices were in the majority.

Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the court, said, "The laws and Constitution are designed to survive, and remain in force, in extraordinary times."

It was not immediately clear whether this ruling, unlike the first two, would lead to prompt hearings for the detainees, some of whom have been held more than six years. Roughly 270 men remain at the island prison, classified as enemy combatants and held on suspicion of terrorism or links to al-Qaida and the Taliban.

The administration opened the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to hold enemy combatants.

The Guantanamo prison has been harshly criticized at home and abroad for the detentions themselves and the aggressive interrogations that were conducted there.

The court said not only that the detainees have rights under the Constitution, but that the system the administration has put in place to classify them as enemy combatants and review those decisions is inadequate.

The administration had argued first that the detainees have no rights. But it also contended that the classification and review process was a sufficient substitute for the civilian court hearings that the detainees seek.

World Day Against Child Labor

World Day Against Child Labor

June 12 is World Day Against Child Labor. This year’s theme is “Education-the Right Response to Child Labor”. NEA President Weaver, who is also Vice President of Education International, will participate as a panelist in a discussion addressing the theme of this year 's World Day Against Child Labor and the role of education unions and governments to ensure Education For All by 2015. www.nea.org

Resources for World Day Against Child Labor are available from the following organizations:

Education International, www.ei-ie.org
Global March Against Child Labor, www.globalmarch.org
International Labour Organisation, www.ilo.org
International Center on Child Labor and Education, www.knowchildlabor.org

The "Pass the Hat for Paul" Campaign

Orginally posted on June 3, 2008

It is very appropriate that we use this 300th post of the NEA Midwest Peace and Justice Blog to bring you news of joining us in our living memory of NEA Peace and Justice Caucus leader and Pioneer Paul Mann. As we remember Paul today in our thoughts, we ask you to join us in remembering him with action. We believe that's exactly what Paul would be doing right now. Join us in bringing the basic right of an education to the students of Chiapas, Mexico.

The Paul Mann Memorial School & Music Center
Making Paul’s School a Reality at the 2008 NEA Convention--We NEED YOU to Help with this Worthy Project

Background: On July 2, 2008 hundreds of key NEA leaders will join the NEA by awarding Paul Mann the Applegate-Dorros International Understanding and Peace Award at the NEA Human and Civil Right's Dinner. These leaders will see the video including footage of The Paul Mann Memorial School and hear Lola Mann’s moving appeal of support for that school. Twelve hours later, first thing the next morning, is our best opportunity to gather resources for Paul’s school. After that we will have several days of the convention to tie up loose ends and “grow the pot” for Paul’s school with the "Pass the hat for Paul" campaign.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE "PASS THE HAT FOR PAUL" TALKING POINTS.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LETTER THAT IS BEING SENT TO STATE PRESIDENTS.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS ONE OF OUR "PASS THE HAT FOR PAUL" GRAPHICS. Directions are listed on the post.

PLEASE WATCH OUR VIDEO PROMOTING THE EVENT &
SEND IT FORWARD TO OTHER NEA RA DELEGATES FROM YOU STATE



When: 8:00 a.m., July 3, 2008. until 8:30 a.m., July 3, 2008

What: “Pass the hat for Paul” collections for the Paul Mann Memorial School

Where: 50 state caucus (plus other affiliates such as Federal) meetings in fancy hotels throughout the Washington, DC area.

Who: Three to ten supporters of Paul’s school in each and every state caucus will pass the hat after one person is recognized on a point of “personal privilege” to energize and motivate donations to the school. Lola herself will speak in California (if at all possible!).

How: Supporters speak IN ADVANCE to their state presidents and make an agreement to “Pass the hat for Paul” in the state caucus at 8am on July 3, 2008 for Paul’s school. Supporters will also have to wake up REALLY EARLY to distribute fliers and envelopes as delegates arrive at the state caucus meeting. Supporters will also have carefully planned what “HAT” they will pass around and how they will keep it moving until everyone has a chance to donate.

Additional details: Beginning on Monday, June 30, 2008 and continuing through Sunday, July 6, 2008 there will be a daily prize drawing for everyone who has donated to the Paul Mann Memorial School. (WE NEED PRIZES!!!???) Any state which does not hold their collection on July 3 will be urged to do so on July 4 or July 6. On the last day of the convention Paul Mann supporters will again distribute flyers before their state caucuses THANKING delegates for their donations and informing NEA delegates how much has been raised. A final collection will be made in the state caucuses on that last day – July 6, 2008.

Needed Now from
GENEROUS VOLUNTEERS
LIKE YOU:

• CLICK HERE to provide a prize or prizes for the daily drawing of donors.
  
• CLICK HERE to volunteer to the the Prize Drawing Coordinator.
  
• CLICK HERE to be a motivational speaker for each state caucus. It would be nice to have more than one speaker to July 3, 2008. It would be nice to have follow up speakers for subsequent days.
  
• CLICK HERE to be a State Caucus Coordinator.
• CLICK HERE to be one of the TWO to NINE delegates from each state caucus to make the collections.
  
• CLICK HERE to bring a unique "hat" or "hats" to pass around the caucus.
  
• CLICK HERE to volunteers to deliver fliers at the doorways EVERYWHERE at the RA.
• CLICK HERE to be the "literature distribution coordinator."
  
• CLICK HERE to volunteer to staff informational tables from Monday, June 30 until Sunday, July 6, 2008.
• CLICK HERE to volunteer to be a "table coordinator."
  
• CLICK HERE to volunteer to be the driver, scheduler, facilitator, and coordinator for Lola Mann.
• Luck, prayers, lots of good humor, hard work, and just a touch of audacity.

OR VISIT THE SCHOOLS FOR CHIAPAS SITE

Click Here to See Photos and Read more About the Paul Mann Memorial Reconstruction Project.

Click Here to Donate by Buying a Paul Mann Memorial School Bond.

If you can help with any of our requests, please respond to Peter Brown. Also send all questions to the Project Coordinator Peter Brown.

PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO POST A COMMENT ON THIS BLOG ENTRY WITH YOUR PLEDGE TO HELP MAKE PAUL'S DREAM A REALITY.