In These Times -- Newsletter July 7, 2011

 

A Palestinian woman stands along the dock at Gaza City's port on July 5, 2011. (MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images) 

This week, the crew and passengers of The Audacity of Hope—the U.S. boat that intended to sail as part of the international Freedom Flotilla 2 to Gaza—were forced to abandon this plan and begin their journeys home, as a result of what they call "the Greek government's willingness to serve as the enforcer of Israel's naval blockade of Gaza." 

But why is Israel so committed to stopping another flotilla from reaching Gaza? Why is the U.S. so in agreement, with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton saying that "Israelis have the right to defend themselves" against peace activists like Kathy Kelly, if their ships "try to provoke action by entering into Israeli waters"? And why do both countries seem so opposed to international recognition of Palestinian statehood? 

Few are better qualified to answer these questions than Noam Chomsky. Today, he says: "The U.S. and Israel are trying to sustain indefensible positions: the occupation and its subversion of the overwhelming, long-standing consensus on a diplomatic settlement." 

Also this week: Kari Lydersen reports on a new solidarity movement between American and Mexican workers, Theo Anderson reports on the work of faith-based progressive groups who may indicate the resurgence of a "religious left", and David Sirota says we should shine a light on the gap between CEO and worker pay. 

And in an exclusive video interview, speaking after an immigration reform rally in Chicago, Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Il.) tells Micah Uetricht that legislative movement on progressive immigration reform is currently impossible, but an executive order from President Barack Obama ceasing the deportations of certain immigrants is not. 

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NEWS/FEATURES 

• North American Solidarity Agreement: "For the past six years, the United Steelworkers have been motivated by the idea that fighting for better wages and conditions in Mexico is not only an act of solidarity, but could also protect U.S. jobs," reports Kari Lydersen. 
• The Religious Left, Born Again: Theo Anderson explains why "The big story of the next few decades, spiritually speaking, might be the re-emergence of the religious left as a powerful political force." 
• Rep. Gutierrez: The President Can Stop Deportation of Undocumented Youth (VIDEO): "Congress conferred upon the president immense and broad discretionary powers," Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Il.) tells Micah Uetricht. "Tomorrow, he should just say 'I'm not going to deport another DREAMer.'" 
• Living Color in Naperville: What did Stephanie Shonekan learn about race in America from living in the Illinois suburb of Naperville? A lot, she says—and not just from her book club. 

  COMMENTARY 

• In Israel, a Tsunami Warning: "The U.S. and Israel are waging intensive diplomatic campaigns to head off the tsunami," says Noam Chomsky. "If they fail, recognition of a Palestinian state is likely." 
• Shining the Spotlight on the Corporate Pay Gap: David Sirota asks: "Why is Corporate America suddenly so shy about compensation rates? Do they fear that revelations of huge pay gaps will alienate socially conscious customers? Or is it a fear of something more?" 

  THE ITT LIST 

• Environmentalists to Gov. Cuomo: Think Long and Hard About Lifting Fracking Ban: Taylor Long says that if Gov. Andrew Cuomo is planning to lift New York state's moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, he'll have a fight on his hands from activists like Maura Stephens. 
• More Than 100,000 Agree With Sen. Sanders: The Wealthy Must 'Pay Their Fair Share': "After delivering a marathon speech urging President Obama to turn to the wealthy to decrease the deficit, Sen. Bernie Sanders proved that many Americans are of like mind in a letter delivered to the White House Tuesday," writes Taylor Long. 
  
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