Anyone in Seattle who has cared about, protested, or invested energy in changing US policies regarding Iraq over the past decade knows who Bert Sacks is. A lot of other folks do, too. A tall, quiet man, Bert took early retirement a decade ago and has since worked full time as a community activist, first in opposition to the economic sanctions crippling Iraq, and, more recently, in opposition to the invasion and occupation policies. He's taken numerous trips to Iraq, carrying food, medications, toys, and other humanitarian supplies in defiance of the sanctions, and bringing back the stories of the impact of decisions made here. For his troubles, Sacks has, among other things, been singled out by the State Department for a $10,000 fine for defying the travel ban on US citizens that came with the embargo. (He didn't pay it.)

Wherever he's gone - both as an advocate for the people of Iraq, and as a tireless apostle of nonviolence - Bert has educated, inspired, and given to our community. Now, it's time to give something back. A few weeks ago, Bert Sacks had a heart attack. He's recovering at home, and his prognosis is good. But because he is retired and works without pay as a full time activist, Sacks had no health insurance. For the ambulance, the emergency care, and a brief hospital stay, he now faces a staggering $57,000 in medical bills.

A bunch of us who've known and worked with Bert over the years are doing something about it. On Saturday, Jan. 24 - just after "Eat the Airwaves" airs on KEXP--we're holding a fundraising breakfast to raise money to help offset Bert's medical bills. I'll be the emcee, and we'll have a number of other guests and fun activities. It'll begin at 10:30 AM at University Temple United Methodist Church, at 43rd & 15th NE in the University District.

There'll also be a silent auction, and for both the auction and direct donations - as well as background on Bert and on his situation - check out www.bertmedicalfund.org. Credit card donations can be made through the site, or send checks (made out to Keystone Congregational Church) to Keystone Congregational Church, 5019 Keystone Place N., Seattle, WA 98103. Please write "Bert Sacks Medical Fund" in the memo line. Donations are tax deductible and go directly to Bert's health care providers.

For more information, to RSVP, or to offer to donate time, auction goods, or whatever else you can spare, call 425-488-9965. Those of us who want to create a more just and peaceable world need to stick together and support each other in order to succeed. Here's a chance. --Geov Parrish

Speaking of which, thanks to all of you who, in 2003 and especially in response to our recent fund appeal, sent in donations or subscriptions to help fund Eat the State!. For those who haven't - well, whaddaya waiting for? You think our money grows on trees? (Quite the opposite - printing our newspaper requires killing them. It's by far our biggest expense.) We'd love to kill more trees (a few, anyway), print more newspapers, and distribute them more widely in 2004. It'll only happen if you readers help make it happen. We're game if you are - happy new year! --G.P.

After the stunning Free Trade failures of both the WTO and the FTAA in 2004, the Bush administration did manage to achieve a partial success with the signing of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) on December 17. But even this agreement, in the part of the world where US economic and military hegemony is stronger than anywhere else, almost went off the rails. In the end, Costa Rica, the region's richest and most "developed" nation, refused to sign on. Costa Rica walked out instead of agreeing to open up its telecommunications and insurance industries to US investment. A last minute revolt among the other nations was averted only by US threats of economic retaliation for intransigence. The negotiations, held in Washington, DC, were accompanied by demonstrations there and throughout Central America.

After two decades of neoliberalism, and ten years of observing NAFTA's effects on neighboring Mexico, wide sectors of Central American society, from campesinos to manufacturers, strongly oppose the agreement. CAFTA still needs to be ratified by the congresses in their respective countries. And the USA's hard line in favor of its own powerful industries will make it that much more difficult for compliant Central American politicians to go along with the deal.

The US Congress is expected to vote on the agreement sometime next summer, and thanks to the "fast track" powers they bestowed on the White House last year, this vote can only be yes or no, without any opportunity to add amendments protecting the environment or human rights. Labor unions and other groups have promised to fight the agreement until the end, and it faces an uncertain future even in the US Congress, where observers predict its fate rests in the hands of a handful of swing voters in the House of Representatives. CAFTA opposition groups are now turning their attention from countering the negotiations to countering ratification and the struggle is only going to heat up in the coming months. And the momentum is not on the side of the corporate globalizers.

One organization fighting against CAFTA is the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES), check out their website at www.cispes.org or in Seattle, 206.325.5494 or seacispes@igc.org.--Troy Skeels