Should Guantanamo last a year? Tell Obama what you think...

Barack Obama has been inaugurated as the next President of the United States of America. (on another note, scroll down for a link to the AVAAZ "Help Obama help Gaza campaign")His election is being seen as a significant landmark in the history of that country and by many as a significant landmark in the history of the world. This is especially true for black Americans many of whom will remember a time when the idea of a black President would have unthinkable. Therefore for many, the young, the poor, people from minority groups and for progressive Americans who despair of the Bush years, this is a time of hope.

People in the rest of the world will also be hoping that military aggression, state sponsored torture, the demonisation of the Islamic faith, the support of Israel’s actions, the failure to support initiatives to halt climate change may end now.

Is any of this hope justified?

Half of the American people voted for a very different agenda. Is his election only an extension of the myth that in the US anyone can succeed and that poverty is merely individual failure? The economic climate will demand more attention than the implementation of progressive policies. Will there be any significant changes in foreign policy? Can one person, even in such a position of power actually achieve any meaningful change?

Are you hopeful or cynical?

Share your thoughts at this time. This can be in the form of an open letter to Obama, a poem or any other way you wish to express your thoughts.

You can send your note card to Zoe Parness or Plot Tracer or come to the SLLU Unity station parcel - http://slurl.com/secondlife/Oculea/159/152/43 - or the SLLU Freebie shop - http://slurl.com/secondlife/Gaori/160/115/37 - and deliver it personally and see what others have written. A sample of contributions will be posted on the SLLU website.

We look forward to hearing your views.

Half of the American people voted for a very different agenda. Is his election only an extension of the myth that in the US anyone can succeed and that poverty is merely individual failure? The economic climate will demand more attention than the implementation of progressive policies. Will there be any significant changes in foreign policy? Can one person, even in such a position of power actually achieve any meaningful change?

Are you hopeful or cynical?

Share your thoughts at this time. This can be in the form of an open letter to Obama, a poem or any other way you wish to express your thoughts.

You can send your note card to Zoe Parness or Plot Tracer or come to the SLLU Unity station parcel - http://slurl.com/secondlife/Oculea/159/152/43 - or the SLLU Freebie shop - http://slurl.com/secondlife/Gaori/160/115/37 - and deliver it personally and see what others have written. A sample of contributions will be posted here on the SLLU website.

We look forward to hearing your views.

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AMNESTY FILMS

Shocking films from Amnesty international.
http://www.unsubscribe-me.org/lander.php

From the film site:

Stuff of Life

"What you have just witnessed [Stuff of Life film] is called waterboarding. The US authorities call it an 'enhanced interrogation technique'. They say it is a necessary and acceptable 'tool' in the war on terror. They say it is 'safe and lawful'. They say that by using it, they are not doing anything inhumane.

Well you've just seen it for yourself. What do you think?

At Amnesty International we're in no doubt that waterboarding is torture. As such it is illegal. And it must stop. "

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Guantanamo Virtual Exhibit in SL

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/05/secondlife200805

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