End Wars and Occupations IOT Monthly Conference Call - Progressive Democrats of America

January 2013
	Link to Sound File	Link to Chat Room Archive

General introductions began at the 3:40 minute mark. Marc Levin started speaking on the conflict in the Congo starting at the 7:55 mark. The Democratic Republic of the Congo could very well be the next hotspot once Afghanistan cools down. The US could play a practical and constructive role there. Minerals there are used to make computer components, so the DRC is again suffering vicious exploitation and wanton murders. Rape and domestic violence have soared. Activists have been trying to improve things there, but that's tough without a peace process. Advocates are successfully pushing for an accountability system for the minerals used in advanced electronics similar to that used for gold and diamonds. Naturally, businesses oppose this, but it's in their long-term interest. Very heroic efforts taking place to improve things.

Sandy Davies spoke on the air strikes on insurgents in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. The Obama Administration has done more bombing than Bush did, but has been quieter about it and has done more to keep its activities out of the media. There have now been 50,000-60,000 airstrikes in occupied Afghanistan (That's compared to about 4,000 airstrikes in Iraq after the occupation began). The Mark-82 500 pound bomb is officially considered “accurate” if it falls within 30 feet of its target. About 20% of bombs do not come up to that standard and do not all within that area. US airstrikes account for about half of all the deaths of children in Iraq and most likely are the same in Afghanistan. The weapons sent to the countries that the US has aided have been scattered all over the region.

The final section was about the upcoming PDA and progressive inauguration activities in Washington DC.