Ralph DiGia, lifelong war resister and pacifist, died this afternoon in New York City. Ralph had a bad fall a couple of weeks ago, broke his hip, and has had a series of serious health problems following his admission to St. Vincent's Hospital.


Ralph, 93, has been the heart and soul of War Resisters League since he came on staff shortly after the end of World War II and his release from federal prison, where he had served a term for refusing service as a conscientious objector.

Should corporations have the same rights as individual citizens? Should the public good be prioritized over enhanced corporate profits? The latest case which will yield answers to these questions is the proposed merger of the health care organizations GHI and HIP. Proposed first in 2005, this merger had faced opposition from state and city officials fearful that it violates anti-monopoly laws. For municipal workers covered under these carriers the merger presents the very real threat of premium increases and limitations on care.