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Mainstream U.S. news media typically offer a relatively narrow range of information and opinions that largely reflect the official governmental and corporate positions. Mainstream media usually filter out fresh information and perspectives that would seriously challenge those centrist and conservative interests.
A vibrant democracy requires a much wider range of views and a very well informed citizenry. Here are some sources that you can trust to provide peace-related information and progressive insights that you rarely find in mainstream US news media. Some of them provide many links to additional sources.
This provides good starting points for information about Iraq and how to promote peace. Many other good groups exist too, so this list does not purport to be exhaustive.
AlterNet is a project of the Independent Media Institute. It posts good articles about peace and progressive issues. It also offers one daily e-mail with links to several good articles.
Common Dreams posts many articles on peace and progressive political issues every day and keeps them available for some time. It provides solid information and fresh perspectives not available in mainstream news media. It also offers one daily e-mail with links to several good articles. Highly recommended!
Democracy Now! is an increasingly popular alternative source for news you won't hear in mainstream media. Listen to Olympia's KAOS-FM 89.3 at 9:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, or watch Thurston Community Television (TCTV, cable channel 22 in Thurston County WA) at 5:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Nation has published progressive news and commentary since 1865, more than 140 years. Their website posts current and recent articles on peace, economic justice, politics, etc. You can easily find archived articles about issues such as Iraq, Cuba, the death penalty, and big media. Subscriptions and donations keep The Nation alive.
Truthout is a full-service news agency for independent journalism. It provides a rich abundance of news and analysis of issues from a progressive perspective. It also offers one daily e-mail with links to several good articles. Highly recommended!
TomPaine.com provides articles from progressive viewpoints on a variety of subjects. It is a project of the Campaign for America's Future. It also offers one daily e-mail with links to several good articles.
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), a Quaker-based organization, was founded in 1917 and carries out service, development, social justice, and peace activities worldwide.
Center for Defense Information (CDI) provides expert analysis on various components of U.S. national security, international security and defense policy, including nuclear weapons, space security, missile defense, small arms and military transformation. It publishes the Defense Monitor and reports. Many of its leaders and researchers are former military people who are critical of wasteful weapons systems and excessive militarism.
Citizens' Hearing on the Legality of U.S. Actions in Iraq: Expert witnesses came together on Jan. 20-21, 2007, in Tacoma, WA, and testified in support of Lt. Ehren Watada's contention that the Iraq war is illegal. (See "Thank You, Lt. Ehren Watada" below). The military judge refused to let Lt. Watada introduce such evidence in his February 2007 court martial, so the testimony that the government refused to allow at the court martial was introduced in this Citizens' Hearing, which basically put the Iraq war on trial. The testimony will be available in print and electronic formats.
CODEPINK is a women-based grassroots peace and social justice movement working to end the war in Iraq, stop new wars, and redirect our resources into life-affirming activities.
Council for a Livable World has worked since 1962 to reduce the threat of nuclear war, abolish all weapons of mass destruction, and promote a peaceful foreign policy.
Education for Peace in Iraq Center (EPIC) worked from the 1990s to early 2003 to inform the public and Congress about the economic sanctions that killed 5,000 Iraqi children every month by depriving them of basic human needs such as clean water, medicine, etc. After the war started in March 2003, EPIC continues to work for peace and to help Iraqi people.
Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) was founded in 1914-1915. It opposed World War I and every war for more than 90 years. The FOR is committed to pacifism and active nonviolence in the traditions of King and Gandhi and of various religious traditions. FOR, Box 271, Nyack NY 10960 (845) 358-4601 www.forusa.org and www.forusa.org/programs/iraq/.
Foreign Policy in Focus describes itself as "a think tank without walls" and provides a variety of intelligent and interesting information.
Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) is a Quaker-based lobbying organization with an excellent reputation. Their website and publications provide accurate information and advocacy for peace and many issues related to social and economic justice, especially as they relate to the federal government and congressional action. Highly recommended! FCNL, 245 Second Street NE, Washington DC 20002 Toll-free 800-630-1330.
Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) is a multi-issue think tank producing solid research, analysis and information to guide public policy and action. IPS supports peace, justice and the environment.
Iraq Pledge of Resistance is a nationwide network of activists and organizations committed to ending the Iraq war through nonviolent, Gandhian and Kingian resistance.
Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) is a nationwide group of veterans and active-duty service members from the Gulf War, the current Iraq war, and the so-called "War on Terror" who are working to bring their brothers and sisters home now.
Military Families Speak Out (MFSO) is an organization of thousands of people who have relatives or loved ones in the military and who oppose the Iraq war.
MoveOn is a large citizen-based organization that organizes especially through the internet and local grassroots efforts to stop the Iraq war and focus attention and information on important national issues.
National Priorities Project focuses on the cost of the Iraq war, shows how the costs breaks down by state and local community, and suggests alternative budget priorities (health, education, housing, etc.) for those dollar amounts. Reach their website via www.nationalpriorities.org or www.costofwar.com.
Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation (Olympia FOR) began in 1976 and is one of the most active local chapters of the national FOR (See above). It serves the greater Olympia WA area and nearby counties. (360) 491-9093.
Olympia Movement for Justice & Peace (OMJP) is an Olympia WA based grassroots activist organization with many issues of concern, especially foreign policy and economic justice. It is organizationally nimble and can quickly focus high energy on specific issues.
Peace Action emerged from the 1960s-70s anti-nuclear group SANE and the 1980s nuclear Freeze movement. It works on a number of peace issues.
Sound Nonviolent Opponents of War (SNOW) is a coalition of many dozens of Puget Sound area peace groups, including the Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) and the Western Washington FOR. SNOW focuses on Iraq, empowers local and even neighborhood level groups, and is committed to nonviolence. SNOW c/o WWFOR, 225 N 70th St, Seattle WA 98103-5099 (206) 789-2684.
Thank You, Lt. Ehren Watada supports the courageous stand of the first military officer to publicly refuse to fight in Iraq on the basis that the war is illegal under international law and U.S. law. The U.S. Army is court martialing him, but a tremendous amount of support for him is being organized worldwide.
United for Peace and Justice is a nationwide coalition of national and local groups that work together to oppose the Iraq war and oppose our government’s policy of permanent warfare and empire-building. 800-497-1994.
Veterans for Peace is a national organization founded in 1985. Veterans and allied members of all ages draw upon experience to work for peace individually, through local chapters, and nationally. Olympia WA's Rachel Corrie Chapter, VFP Chapter 109, is very active.
War Resisters League (WRL) is one of the few great old (1923) principled pacifist organizations. WRL, 339 Lafayette St, New York NY 10012 212-228-0450.
Iraq history compiled by WWFOR member Larry Kerschner
Citizens Concerned for the People of Iraq Working to end the economic sanctions against Iraq.