Similar legislation is pending this year. U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Furse, like the other Democrats in Oregon's congressional delegation, supports Kennedy's measure. Graduates of the school include Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega and Roberto D'Abuisson, leader of the El Salvador death squad. Training manuals recently released from the school describe torture and interrogation techniques that fly in the face of the Geneva Convention. Furse, founder of the Oregon Peace Institute, says last year's protests could make the difference this session.
Civil disobedience is always so impressive.
Jones will be released in time to be there. He's going, he says, but he won't break any laws that could land him back in jail. I want to get into a position of influence so I can do something to really help, possibly in the United Nations. Some of Jones' local supporters are seeking a presidential pardon, but Jones is prepared to do his time. There aren't many people who have the courage of convictions Christopher has.