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BOOKS | It Can Happen Here: Authoritarian Peril in the Age of Bush
As his many fans know, Joe Conason tells it like it is. Of the Republican party, the veteran journalist writes: “The name for what is wrong with them—the threat embedded within the Bush administration, the Republican congressional leadership and the current leaders of the Republican Party—is authoritarianism.” Conason describes in detail how Bush Republicans corrupted U.S. institutions with right-wing extremism, concentrated power in their own hands, suspended citizens’ constitutional rights, imposed secrecy on formerly open government agencies and promoted torture in violation of international law. Available from . |
MUSIC
 | Tangled in Our Dreams
Tom Juravich, director of the University of Massachusetts' Labor Center, is a widely respected labor activist and academic. He’s also a folk singer. As “Healy & Juravich,” he and singer-songwriter Teresa Healy, a researcher at the Canadian Labour Congress, have created a beautiful vocal album. Their mostly original duets about work, peace, friendship, love and struggle have a rich and subtle appeal. Their music can be spare and angular—almost Celtic. It is the artists’ own work that carries the collection, but the album includes an unforgettable arrangement of the old labor classic “Bread and Roses.” Available from the Labor Heritage Foundation. . |
DVD  | From Wharf Rats to Lords of the Docks
Actor Ian Ruskin has performed a one-man play based on the life of charismatic labor leader Harry Bridges at union events around the country. Now, Ruskin and has made the story of Bridges is available on DVD, featuring performances by Edward Asner and Elliot Gould. The film about Bridges, who helped form the and served as president of the union for more than 40 years is directed by Academy Award winning director and cinematographer Haskell Wexler, with music from Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger. The DVD includes oral histories by those who knew Bridges, excerpts from Bill Moyers’ conversation with Bridges and interviews of Ruskin and Wexler. Available at The Union Shop Online.™ |
RESOURCES | People Who Help Handbook
When union members need assistance, the AFL-CIO Community Services Network steps forward. During Hurricane Katrina, the network of community service representatives arranged for advice, counseling and other services for union members in affected areas. But Community Services doesn’t just react to large-scale disasters. From supplying low-income students with new backpacks full of school supplies to arranging job counseling and drug treatment for workers and their families, the Community Services Network looks out for union members and their communities. If you need assistance, or would like to volunteer, use the People Who Help handbook to find your local representative. . |
| The Blue Pages
With another presidential election season already started, you’ll want to make sure your money isn’t going to a candidate or party you don’t support. You can direct your political contributions anywhere you like—but what about the contributions of the companies you support? PoliPoint Press has the answer: The Blue Pages, which rates companies according to social consciousness, labor-friendly practices and donations to political campaigns. You can find out whether your favorite furniture store donates most of its money to anti-worker lawmakers, whether that online bookstore is union friendly and which retail clothing stores offer benefits to domestic partners. The next time you go shopping, you’ll want The Blue Pages along. Available from . |
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