Tom Hayden Speaks on 'Democracy Vs. Empire' June 1, 2011

Recent history tells us that while our country has made wars relatively easy to get into, they have often proven extremely difficult to get out of. Our military involvement in Afghanistan is now the longest-running conflict in U.S. history, having topped the Vietnam war a while ago. The spillage of the former conflict into Pakistan also does not forecast an easy or immediate conclusion, nor does our foray into Yemen. The "pullout" from Iraq is likely to even leave thousands of U.S. troops there. And of course there is now Libya, where there are few signs of people who remember the virtues of "talking".

It may be incumbent upon progressives to step back for a wider look at this succession of conflicts which the U.S. has either initiated or at least participated. With that in mind, longtime activist and former California legislator Tom Hayden will address what he terms a "Long War" doctrine that our government seems bent on pursuing. Hayden will be the special guest of San Mateo County Democracy for America, Peace Action of San Mateo County, Peninsula Democratic Coalition and Coastside Democrats.

Along with the obvious human costs of these "Long Wars", Hayden will dwell on their trillion-dollar budgetary effects on people-based and domestic priorities. He will also discuss how we can continue to build a peace movement toward ending them.

Tom Hayden's name has been synonymous with activism for nearly 50 years. He was a leader of student, civil rights, peace and environmental movements in the 1960's, taking a strong stand against the Vietnam war and becoming one of the Chicago 7 - tried and later acquitted following the 1968 Democratic Convention after leading antiwar protests there. He later served a total of 18 years in both California's Assembly and State Senate. Hayden has authored or edited 13 books, and currently publishes the Peace Exchange Bulletin, an online reader-supported journal found at www.tomhayden.com.

Carpenters Hall is wheelchair accessible.

Official Website: http://www.sanmateopeaceaction.org