Author: Ruby Sinreich

Today the Chapel Hill herald ran yet another gushing story about Branch’s Bookstore in Chapel Hill, continuing their pointed avoidance of the fact of Internationalist’s very existence! In the caption for the adorable photo of Kate Branch (here, today only) it said “…Branch’s Chapel Hill Bookshop, which is Chapel Hill’s only independent bookstore.”

The first time the Herald made this mistake (about a year ago, when Branch’s opened), I thought they were just stupid, but now it appears they are willfully trying to promote Branch’s business while ignoring one of Chapel Hill’s most longstanding progressive institutions! Here’s what I wrote to the editor:

I demand that you discontinue referring to Branch’s as “Chapel Hill’s only independent bookstore.” (Chapel Hill Herald, 5/4/04) Internationalist Books was founded by Bob Sheldon in 1981 as a resource for open minds and free thinkers. It later moved to Rosemary Street and then to Franklin Street where it became Internationalist Books and Community Center.

We’re all glad to have more alternatives to chains, and it’s great to now have two choices for book shopping in southern Orange County. But since the topic of your story seemed to be the fate of independent booksellers generally in Chapel Hill, your omission of the one that has been serving the community for over 20 years is a serious one.

I encourage the reporter to visit Internationalist Books and Community Center at 405 West Franklin Street and see what a historic, independent, community-oriented bookstore looks like. More information is available at www.internationalistbooks.org

“More than half of Iraqis say killing U.S. troops can be justified in at least some cases” acording to a USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll.

A third of the Iraqi people now believe that the American-led occupation of their country is doing more good than harm, and a solid majority support an immediate military pullout even though they fear that could put them in greater danger.

What are you waiting for?

Planned Parenthood, Feminist Majority, and at least eight members of congress are asking for an apology from Karen Hughes. Now you can join them!

Here’s what I wrote:

Karen, your attitude reminds me of the intolerance of the Taliban. Another thing you have in common with them: they banned abortions too! So who’s your enemy again?

Just what do you think the President is keeping us safe from? I think it’s democracy!

Go back to Texas and your beloved, benighted family.

Read her comments and give Karen a piece of your mind.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from this weekend:

• Me and the DRM at the Planned Parenthood Dupont Circle Festival. (A rare moment of not working my tushy off.)
• A self-described “vagina warrior” from Alabama. (Not what you expect.)
• Gay male “flaming feminists” give some love back to their sisters. (Read their comment, it made me cry!)
• Celebs Julianne Moore and Susan Sarandon.
• Driving to DC – $95. Hotel – $150. Standing up for freedom of choice – priceless.
• Terminate an unwanted presidency!

The Radical Cheerleaders are sending panties to the White House. I love it!

And they’re coming to march with us on Sunday, of course.

Everyone keeps asking me, so here’s the deal: there are a number of organizations organizing buses to the March for Women’s Lives in Washington, DC this Sunday April 25.

• Internationalist Books and Community Center is selling bus tickets for PPCNC.
• You can also get bus tickets directly from Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina.
• I think Southerners on New Ground is also doing buses from Durham, which are probably cheaper than Planned Parenthood (who spends a lot on security).

The Planned Parenthood buses are more expensive because they include serious security and coordination of the bus parking and various delegations. Don’t tell me you’re not coming. It’s going to be so fun.

Ed Cone asks “our obvious military superiority alone can’t win this war for us, can it?”

My answer (excerpted from a much longer conversation):

Our supposed “military superiority” can’t win the war on it’s own… but it might help us lose it. Shock and awe is doing a great job so far, isn’t it?

For all our military’s studying of assymetrical warfare, I think they still don’t get that whole HUMAN BEING part…

According to Iraq Body Count (which I believe a hell of a lot more than Fox “News” or National Pentagon Radio) about 8,875-10,725 Iraqis have DIED. In addition, the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count shows that 689 coalition soldiers have been killed and 3,466 have been wounded. I can’t even fathom how many Iraqis may be wounded, homeless, starving, or psychologically scarred as a result of our invasion.

All of the trustworthy information I have seen tells me that every day we occupy Iraq only makes the conflict worse. More people in Iraq (of all nationalities) are suffering, not less. It’s time for George Bush to feel their pain.

From late night talk shows: