Sep 10
2009
 6:29 PM

Redactions Redacted?

You'll be amazed to see the difference in the amount of information redacted in the very same 2004 report issued by two different administrations, only about one year apart.  The 2004 report is Special Review of the CIA's Office of Inspector General entitled, Counterterrorism Detention and Interrogation Activities (September 2001 — October 2003.  The side-by-side comparison was recently released by the National Security Archive.  The most frequent phrases in the release by one of the administrations is "Denied in Full" and "Page not provided."  If you're interested in the torture question, you'll also want to check out the group's The Torture Archive.  The Archive contains "more than 83,000 pages of primary source documents (and thousands more to come) related to the detention and interrogation of individuals by the United States, in connection with the conduct of hostilities in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as in the broader context of the 'global war on terror.'"   The National Security Archive's website states that it is an independent non-governmental research institute and library at D.C.'s George Washington University which collects and publishes declassified documents acquired through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Sep 9
2009
 4:11 PM

USD Trans-border Institute Event: A Vision for US-Mexico Border Security

Date: Friday, September 11, 2009

Location: Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & JusticeTheatre

Time: 2:00 pm – 3:45 pm

Mr. Alan Bersin, Assistant Secretary for International Affairs for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will share his vision of the U.S.-Mexico border security relationship, explore the coordination of United States border security policy with the southwest border communities, and address the importance of close collaboration between the United States and Mexico in this regard. 

For event and ticketing information, please visit the TBI events page.

 

Sep 6
2009
 3:13 PM

Ever read a living book? Here’s your chance…

A new diversity project called The Living Library is coming  here in October!
 
Copley Library, the Legal Research Center, and the United Front/Multicultural Center are sponsoring the event to promote dialogue, reduce prejudices and encourage understanding of others: visitors to the Living Library are given the opportunity to speak informally with “living books” – people of every age, orientation and cultural background. 
 
For example, a person could come to the Living Library and check out a “book” on dyslexia, atheism, people of faith, alcohol abuse, female athletes, homelessness, living with HIV, ROTC, racial groups, living in the priesthood, being blonde, etc.  But instead of sitting down with a printed book, they sit at a table with a person who shares the characteristics of that specific group. The Living Library enables groups to break stereotypes by challenging the most common prejudices in a positive and humorous manner. It is a concrete, easily transferable and affordable way of promoting tolerance and understanding. Read more here about "What is a living book?”

Take a look at the Living Library website to get familiar with the concept: http://living-library.org/index.html, and its history.  If you have questions about the project, contact Amy Besnoy at Copley (abesnoy@sandiego.edu) or John Adkins at the Legal Research Center (adkins@sandiego.edu).

Sep 4
2009
 10:44 AM

iAWFUL: Internet Advocates’ Watchlist for Ugly Laws

This new website employs a "continually updated" Top Ten List which tracks "the Worst Internet Laws in America."  The NetChoice Initiative website iAWFUL states, "Reckless and misguided laws, often originating at the state level, threaten to undermine the foundation of the free and open Internet.  Some of the most serious threats to the Internet come in the form of lawmakers trying to "fix' it."  In addition to the advocacy analysis of the proposed legislation done by NetChoice, the site links you to the full-text of what it sees as "dangerous legislation", so you can read it yourself and draw your own conclusions.

Sep 2
2009
 2:52 PM

IPJ Peacebuilding in Guatemala

Event: Reweaving the Social Fabric in Post-Conflict Guatemala

Date: Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009

Time: 12:15pm-1:45pm

Location: Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, Room C

During the Summer of 2009 USD sent a team to Quiché – the area in the western highlands of Guatemala that was hardest hit during that country’s 36-year civil war – to conduct a workshop on conflict transformation.  Panelists including the new IPJ Executive Director Milburn Line; IPJ Program Officer Elena McCollim; Community Service Learning Director Elaine Elliott; and Anu Lawrence, M.A. in Peace & Justice ’09, will discuss the outcomes of the workshop and its relevance for peacebuilding efforts in Guatemala. No RSVP required. Feel free to bring a lunch; light refreshments will be provided.