WorldNetDaily: Women's group seeks nuke disarmament
SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 2000
Women's group seeks nuke disarmament
Feinstein, Boxer lead globalist, anti-military task force

By Jon E. Dougherty

The total elimination of all U.S. nuclear weapons -- as well as a complete cessation of all weapons production --are just two of the goals favored by a California women's group who believes funding for military construction should be redirected to social programs domestically and internationally.

The California Women's Agenda's Peace Task Force also supports a U.N.-backed "sustainable development" scheme whereby money saved from defense spending would be used to bolster "funds desperately needed for development programs."

"In our own communities, there is no money for child care, job-training, adequate education and health services while billions of dollars are available for the manufacture of weapons," said a peace platform position statement published by the task force. "In poorer countries the purchase of weapons, often a condition of foreign aid, takes money from desperately needed development projects. And where there are weapons, a use is found for them."

However, since the end of the Cold War, U.S. defense expenditures have steadily decreased from a high of $376.2 billion in 1989 to around $256 billion in 1996, according to the Center for Defense Information.

In the final year of World War II, the U.S. spent $962.7 billion, but that spending fell off to less than $94 billion three years later, CDI said.

During the Cold War, the U.S. spent an average of $298.5 billion; excluding the Korean and Vietnam war years, those costs dipped to $285.4 billion.

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.

Nevertheless, the women's task force -- which includes Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, both Democrats, as well as San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown (and included the late feminist Bella Abzug, who died in 1998 at age 77) -- persists in pursuing disarmament as a way to end violence and empower women.

"Beyond the economic problems of a war economy, the role of militarism in our society is reflected in the violence in our communities," CAWA said. "The rejoicing at the massacre of the Gulf War, the celebration of the "body count" during the Vietnam War exalts force and violence as a solution to all problems."

The California Women's Agenda's Peace Task Force says peace and disarmament "must be achieved through the United Nations" by expanding "education and support for the United Nations and work[ing] to democratize it. We must require of our government full payment of dues owed to the United Nations, as a first step."

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.

Also, the group seeks a "real commitment" from the president on a "time line" for "the abolishment of nuclear weapons." CAWA has proposed a complete ban on the sale, manufacture and deployment of land mines and the cessation of all nuclear weapons production.

Domestically, CAWA has called for the enactment of "strict gun control measures" and the banning of military recruiters, as well as Reserve Officer Training Corps programs, in public schools and universities.

"All the foregoing assumes the promotion of women as equal partners in all decision making and negotiations in matters of war and peace," the group added. "It will be a great day when the schools have all the money they need and the Air Force has to have a bake sale to buy a bomber."

The task force also has called on President Bill Clinton and California Gov. Gray Davis to end alleged harassment against illegal immigrants and to reduce all security measures at the U.S.-Mexico border.

"We demand that no wall, artillery, law enforcement or search lights be placed at the border to create fear and suspicion which promotes a cold war between the US and Mexico," said the group's statement.

CAWA's "Peace and Armed Conflict Task Force" adopted its statement June 29, 1996.

The group is affiliated with "Women Online Worldwide," http://www.wowwomen.com/ or "WOW," a global cabal of women's rights groups.

Besides stumping for women's rights, WOW also publishes an online lesbian magazine, "Visibilities," as well as a bi-monthly women's e-zine, "Tapestry."