QUICK LINKS TO UPDATES:
IRAQ
CLIMATE CHANGE
COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
OTHER ISSUES: STUDENTS IN NEW ORLEANS

IRAQ UPDATES

During a speech marking the one-year anniversary of the announcement of the troop escalation last week, President Bush remarked that 2007 in Iraq had been “incredibly successful, beyond anybody’s expectations.” He neglected to mention that 2007 was the deadliest year for U.S. troops. Bush also overlooked the ongoing instability in Iraq, including continued political fragmentation, increased power of the Sunni militia over local politicians, and a persistent refugee crisis. Let’s just hope we won’t be in Iraq for another 100 years.

In another affront to objective reporting, The New York Times printed a military memo that praised the press for finally reflecting “battlefield successes… [through] more upbeat news coverage.” Just when we thought we had gotten rid of Pentagon propaganda. The media continues to repeat many myths about the war: see a top ten list here.

What are students doing about this ongoing war? Many are gathering in D.C. and New York to tell Congress, “Our spring break will break your war!” Campus Progress also will be hosting the 2008 Iraq Action Camps in Denver and Philadelphia and want YOU to be a part of them! Click here for more information and to register now.

CLIMATE CHANGE UPDATES

The bill, however, has already begun to have a negative impact. California is now suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for denying the state’s right to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. The EPA reasoned that the recently passed energy bill would be stronger than the CA state plan. The state of California has released statistics in an attempt to prove otherwise. Between the lawsuit and their newly launched cell phone recycling plan, we’ll see if the EPA bit off more than it can chew.

Also, within the last week, both China and Australia enacted a ban on plastic bags, prompting environmentalists to wonder if the U.S. will ever follow San Francisco’s example and do the same.

Fortunately, students are interested in making much bigger changes than simply sporting new “green” Nike Air Jordans. On January 31, 2008, students on campuses across the country will join civic leaders, faith organizations, and millions of Americans to participate in Focus the Nation, a national climate-focused teach-in day.

COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY UPDATES

In Arizona, 3,850 college students, many at community colleges, were denied in-state tuition under a recently passed anti-immigration ballot initiative because they were unable to prove their legal residence. Unfortunately, Congress failed to pass the DREAM Act this fall, which may have helped many of the affected students. In other news, both Yale and Harvard have used their large endowments to expand their financial aid program. While the move may help make the schools more affordable, many are asking why they don’t do more.

A law passed in Oregon that aims to make college textbooks more affordable goes into effect this semester. Perhaps Oregonian students will see some relief at the bookstore, after watching textbook prices rise at four times the rate of inflation since 1994.

While 2007 was a good year for state support of higher education, many expect cuts to university budgets in 2008. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget, which would slash more than $1 billion from higher education, may be the harbinger of this trend.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION UPDATES

Last week, a Missouri judge rewrote the ballot language for a proposal banning most government affirmative action programs in the state, striking down a version crafted by progressive Secretary of State Robin Carnahan. The rewritten language is much like the language of Michigan’s Proposal 2, which passed in 2006. Anti-affirmative action supporters of the Missouri ballot measure were pleased with the ruling; Carnahan plans to appeal.

Similar initiatives are also planned for Oklahoma, Colorado, Arizona and Nebraska. Affirmative action supporters are gearing up for quite a fight in November. Click here to tell us what you think about affirmative action. One student’s response will be highlighted in next month’s newsletter!

OTHER ISSUES: STUDENTS IN NEW ORLEANS

Thirteen students from Hampton University, a historically black college notorious for its view on proper hairstyles and punishment of antiwar students, just got back from New Orleans, where they helped rebuild houses and volunteered at a Women’s Health Clinic and a charter school. We helped sponsor their trip, and their experiences serve as a reminder that the city remains in turmoil more than two years after Hurricane Katrina. Activists remain concerned as the city plans to demolish public housing during an affordable housing crisis unmatched since the civil war. The students’ video diary will be published on our website in the next few weeks.

Want to see another important issue covered in the next activist newsletter? Click here to email us your suggestions!

STUDENT PROFILE
		"I will never forget the moment when I returned from Iraq and our bus pulled into the base to be greeted by my family and friends." - Alex Cornell du Houx Bowdoin College, Brunswick ME Read More>>

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