Stanley Sheinbaum
Encyclopedia
Stanley K. Sheinbaum is an American political peace and human rights activist.
. While still in high school, Sheinbaum took a job in the afternoons and evenings as a sewing machine operator.
During most of World War II
, he served in the military after being drafted. He was assigned to making aviation maps. When discharged, he applied to 33 colleges on the GI Bill, but was rejected due to his poor grades. He returned to high school, and after graduating, was accepted to Oklahoma State University–Stillwater
(Oklahoma A&M). There, he excelled, and after a year was able to transfer to Stanford University
, where he became an economics teacher. After that, he accepted a position at Michigan State University
teaching economics. There, he became the administrator of a new project aiming to advise the unstable government of South Vietnam
, and prevent communism
from taking over the country. The 54-person project was named Michigan State University Vietnam Advisory Group
(MSUG). In 1957, Sheinbaum visited the Michigan State University school in Vietnam to see the results of the project's work. He was disheartened to discover that the university was providing cover for an ongoing CIA operation. In 1959, he resigned from the project.
, California. He was asked to become part of a think tank called the "Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions
", headed by educational philosopher Robert Hutchins
. While there, he met and fell in love with Betty Warner, daughter of Harry Warner
, film mogul. She was also an activist, and an opponent of facism, having grown up during the Spanish Civil War
. They married in 1964.
, journalist Robert Scheer
discovered the MSUG project in Vietnam. He found documents providing evidence that MSUG had been involved in the torture of Vietnamese nationals. Among the documents, was a list of those involved with the project. The list included Sheinbaum's name, whom Scheer contacted. Appauled with the revelations, Sheinbaum decided to go public with the information. He collaborated with Scheer on an exposé, and became an active opponent of the Vietnam War
. This prompted the think tank to "ask him to leave" the group.
in Santa Barbara on a peace platform, but was unsuccessful.
-Daniel Ellsberg
Defense Team.
He helped to assemble the team of attorneys, and became the main fundraiser and spokesperson, raising nearly $1 million dollars from over 25 thousand contributors.
, it was suggested that Sheinbaum assemble a team of Jews to meet with Yasir Arafat to persuade him to disavow terrorism, and to recognize Israel
's right to exist. Anticipating that Arafat would question his credentials, Sheinbaum first held a meeting with then National Security Advisor
of the United States Colin Powell
, explaining the situation. Five days later, Sheinbaum received a letter from President Ronald Reagan
stating that if Arafat would fulfil the promises, the United States would "be responsive".
During the initial Arafat meeting, Sheinbaum presented the letter, and the agreement was reached. Arafat then intended to speak at the United Nations
, stating the agreement. This information was given then Secretary of State
George Shultz, to obtain a visa for Arafat's visit. However, Shultz rejected the visa request. In response, the entire UN Assembly flew to Geneva
, where Arafat spoke, stating his intentions. The effort culminated in Yitzak Rabin and Arafat shaking hands at the White House in 1973 before President Clinton. Ultimately, Arafat did not fulfil his agreement, resulting in criticism of Sheinbaum.
' response to the Rodney King
beating. He believed that the incident was not isolated, and led the effort, along with fellow commissioners, to force Gates from office.
Early life
Sheinbaum was born in 1920 in New York city. The family was at one point quite wealthy as a result of his father's leather goods business. But, they lost their fortune in the Great DepressionGreat Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. While still in high school, Sheinbaum took a job in the afternoons and evenings as a sewing machine operator.
During most of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he served in the military after being drafted. He was assigned to making aviation maps. When discharged, he applied to 33 colleges on the GI Bill, but was rejected due to his poor grades. He returned to high school, and after graduating, was accepted to Oklahoma State University–Stillwater
Oklahoma State University–Stillwater
Oklahoma State University–Stillwater is a land-grant, sun-grant, coeducational public research university located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA. OSU was founded in 1890 under the Morrill Act...
(Oklahoma A&M). There, he excelled, and after a year was able to transfer to Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, where he became an economics teacher. After that, he accepted a position at Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
teaching economics. There, he became the administrator of a new project aiming to advise the unstable government of South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
, and prevent communism
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
from taking over the country. The 54-person project was named Michigan State University Vietnam Advisory Group
Michigan State University Vietnam Advisory Group
The Michigan State University Vietnam Advisory Group was a program of technical assistance provided to the government of South Vietnam as an effort in state-building by the U.S...
(MSUG). In 1957, Sheinbaum visited the Michigan State University school in Vietnam to see the results of the project's work. He was disheartened to discover that the university was providing cover for an ongoing CIA operation. In 1959, he resigned from the project.
Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions
Sheinbaum then returned to the United States, and settled in Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara
Santa Bárbara or Santa Barbara, , was an early Christian saint and martyr.Santa Bárbara or Santa Barbara may also refer to:-Colombia:*Santa Bárbara, Antioquia*Santa Bárbara, Nariño...
, California. He was asked to become part of a think tank called the "Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions
Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions
The Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions in Santa Barbara, California was an important think tank from 1959 to 1977, declining in influence thereafter. The Center held discussions in a variety of areas that it hoped would influence public deliberation...
", headed by educational philosopher Robert Hutchins
Robert Hutchins
Robert Maynard Hutchins , was an educational philosopher, dean of Yale Law School , and president and chancellor of the University of Chicago. He was the husband of novelist Maude Hutchins...
. While there, he met and fell in love with Betty Warner, daughter of Harry Warner
Harry Warner
Harry Morris Warner was an American studio executive, one of the founders of Warner Bros., and a major contributor to the development of the film industry. Along with his three brothers Warner played a crucial role in the film business and played a key role in establishing Warner Bros...
, film mogul. She was also an activist, and an opponent of facism, having grown up during the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
. They married in 1964.
MSUG project
While doing research into United States involvement in Southeast AsiaSoutheast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
, journalist Robert Scheer
Robert Scheer
Robert Scheer is an American journalist who writes a column for Truthdig which is nationally syndicated by Creators Syndicate in publications such as The Huffington Post and The Nation...
discovered the MSUG project in Vietnam. He found documents providing evidence that MSUG had been involved in the torture of Vietnamese nationals. Among the documents, was a list of those involved with the project. The list included Sheinbaum's name, whom Scheer contacted. Appauled with the revelations, Sheinbaum decided to go public with the information. He collaborated with Scheer on an exposé, and became an active opponent of the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. This prompted the think tank to "ask him to leave" the group.
Run for Congress
In 1966, and again in 1968, Sheinbaum ran for CongressCongress
A congress is a formal meeting of the representatives of different nations, constituent states, independent organizations , or groups....
in Santa Barbara on a peace platform, but was unsuccessful.
Daniel Ellsberg defense
In 1971, Sheinbaum was asked to help organize the Pentagon PapersPentagon Papers
The Pentagon Papers, officially titled United States – Vietnam Relations, 1945–1967: A Study Prepared by the Department of Defense, is a United States Department of Defense history of the United States' political-military involvement in Vietnam from 1945 to 1967...
-Daniel Ellsberg
Daniel Ellsberg
Daniel Ellsberg, PhD, is a former United States military analyst who, while employed by the RAND Corporation, precipitated a national political controversy in 1971 when he released the Pentagon Papers, a top-secret Pentagon study of U.S. government decision-making in relation to the Vietnam War,...
Defense Team.
He helped to assemble the team of attorneys, and became the main fundraiser and spokesperson, raising nearly $1 million dollars from over 25 thousand contributors.
Arafat agreement
With the Palestinian IntifadaFirst Intifada
The First Intifada was a Palestinian uprising against the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories. The uprising began in the Jabalia refugee camp and quickly spread throughout Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem....
, it was suggested that Sheinbaum assemble a team of Jews to meet with Yasir Arafat to persuade him to disavow terrorism, and to recognize Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
's right to exist. Anticipating that Arafat would question his credentials, Sheinbaum first held a meeting with then National Security Advisor
National Security Advisor
A National Security Advisor serves as the chief advisor to a national government on matters of security. He or she is not usually a member of the Cabinet but is usually a member of various military or security councils....
of the United States Colin Powell
Colin Powell
Colin Luther Powell is an American statesman and a retired four-star general in the United States Army. He was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005. He was the first African American to serve in that position. During his military...
, explaining the situation. Five days later, Sheinbaum received a letter from President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
stating that if Arafat would fulfil the promises, the United States would "be responsive".
During the initial Arafat meeting, Sheinbaum presented the letter, and the agreement was reached. Arafat then intended to speak at the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, stating the agreement. This information was given then Secretary of State
Secretary of State
Secretary of State or State Secretary is a commonly used title for a senior or mid-level post in governments around the world. The role varies between countries, and in some cases there are multiple Secretaries of State in the Government....
George Shultz, to obtain a visa for Arafat's visit. However, Shultz rejected the visa request. In response, the entire UN Assembly flew to Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, where Arafat spoke, stating his intentions. The effort culminated in Yitzak Rabin and Arafat shaking hands at the White House in 1973 before President Clinton. Ultimately, Arafat did not fulfil his agreement, resulting in criticism of Sheinbaum.
Rodney King beating
From 1991 to 1993 Sheinbaum acted as President of the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners. He was highly critical of Chief Daryl GatesDaryl Gates
Daryl Gates was the Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department from 1978 to 1992.-Early life:...
' response to the Rodney King
Rodney King
Rodney Glen King is an American best known for his involvement in a police brutality case involving the Los Angeles Police Department on March 3, 1991...
beating. He believed that the incident was not isolated, and led the effort, along with fellow commissioners, to force Gates from office.
Other achievements
- Publisher of New Perspectives Quarterly
- Dinner guest at the White House
- Established the American Civil Liberties Foundation of Southern CaliforniaAmerican Civil Liberties UnionThe American Civil Liberties Union is a U.S. non-profit organization whose stated mission is "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States." It works through litigation, legislation, and...
- Regent of the University of California (1977 to 1989)
- Helped found the People for the American WayPeople For the American WayPeople For the American Way is a progressive advocacy group in the United States. Under U.S. tax code, People For the American Way is organized as a tax-exempt 501 non-profit organization.-Purpose:...
Recent times
Within the Hollywood community, Sheinbaum remains a major fundraiser. He also serves on the ACLU National Advisory Council.External links
- Image
- [Defending Ellsberg & Russo http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/1972/may/04/defending-ellsberg-russo/], a letter to the editor of The New York Review of BooksThe New York Review of BooksThe New York Review of Books is a fortnightly magazine with articles on literature, culture and current affairs. Published in New York City, it takes as its point of departure that the discussion of important books is itself an indispensable literary activity...
