Talk by Dr. Rebecca Gordon on her book, ‘Mainstreaming Torture' in the Post-9/11 United States’ on Tuesday, September 2, 2014, at 7:00 PM

Please join us for a talk by Dr. Rebecca Gordon on her new book, ‘Mainstreaming Torture: Ethical Approaches in the Post-9/11 United States’ on Tuesday, September 2, 2014, at 7:00 PM, at the Walpole Public Library, 143 School St. In her book Dr. Gordon argues that most perspectives on torture miss the point, by treating torture as a series of isolated actions that arise in extreme times of war and crisis. But institutionalized state torture is actually an ongoing, socially embedded practice.
The use of torture by the United States as part of the “war on terror” cannot be separated from a national history that includes state support for torture regimes abroad — as well the ongoing use of torture in U.S. jails and prisons. Torture still matters, because the United States is still torturing. Dr. Rebecca Gordon teaches philosophy at the University of San Francisco. She will have copies of her book available for sale and for signing.

Other Events

Do we need better leaders or better citizens? Come explore this question on Wednesday, September 17, 7PM, at the Westwood Public Library for the Westwood/Walpole League of Women Voters opening meeting. Peter Levine, Professor of Citizenship & Public Affairs at Tufts University, and author of ‘We Are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For’ will be sharing his novel theory of active citizenship, a diagnosis of its decline, and a searing critique of our political institutions. Levine, one of America's most influential civic engagement activists, argues that American citizens must address our most challenging issues. People can change the norms and structures of their own communities through deliberative civic action.  

People’s Climate March in New York City. Peace activists are called to join the People’s Climate March in New York City on September 21stand to form a Peace and Climate Contingent. See the link, People’s Climate March  for more information. The march calls on the following principles:

·         We can’t effectively address climate change without ending war and militarism;

·         We can’t end war without ending the fossil fuel energy system;

·         We can’t address social injustice unless we stop using war to safeguard an economic infrastructure (based on fossil fuels) that requires vast social inequality.

·         We can’t end war unless we address the systemic inequality and corporate domination that requires it.

This march is an opportunity to make a statement on what is one of the most important issues of our lifetime.  “We are at a crossroads, faced with a climate crisis that threatens to end our world as we know it.”