FCPJ Today

Ministry of Defence: Iraq mortality study "robust"

Some of you might remember that last fall the UK's premiere medical journal, published a study by researchers at Johns Hopkins that estimated deaths due to war-related violence in Iraq since March 2003 at approximately 600,000, or about 2.5% of the country's population.   Immediately the British and American governments dismissed the report as unrepresentative and problematic on other counts, but this week BBC's Freedom of Information request revealed that Blair's government had been advised (by its own defense department) that the study was robust and reliable: Story on the BBC website.

This week in Peace and Justice History

For those of you who like to look back on the major events in the long struggle for peace and justice, here is a link to a great site that chronicles the history of the Peace Movement.  I like to be reminded of these events to honor those who came before us and to be inspired by their example and sacrifice.  These milestones along the road to peace also impress upon me the variety of the actions that have been taken to further the cause of peace.  We are not the first people in history to see the need to stand up for peace and we certainly will not be the last.  As the historical record shows, peace and justice can only be achieved through constant vigilance and effective response whenever peace and justice are threatened.   I hope this timeline offers you both encouragement and inspiration to keep up the good fight.