Wikipedia

Stanley Sheinbaum

Stanley K. Sheinbaum(June 12, 1920 – September 12, 2016) was an Americanpeaceandhuman rightsactivist.[1]One of the so-calledMalibu Mafia,Sheinbaum joined with other wealthy Angelenos to fundliberalandprogressivecauses and politicians. He organized the legal defense ofDaniel Ellsbergwho had released thePentagon Papers,and he initiated Israel–Palestine talks which eventually brought about theOslo Accordsof 1993.[2][3]

Stanley Sheinbaum
Born(1920-06-12)June 12, 1920
New York, New York,U.S.
DiedSeptember 12, 2016(2016-09-12)(aged 96)
Los Angeles, California,U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Alma materStanford University
Occupation(s)Peace and human rights activist
SpouseBetty Warner
FamilyHarry Warner(father-in-law)

Early life

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Sheinbaum was born on June 12, 1920,[4]in New York City. His father was in the leather goods business. The family lost its money during theGreat Depression.While in high school, Sheinbaum took a job after school as a sewing machine operator.

Sheinbaum was drafted into the army duringWorld War IIand assigned to making aviation maps. When discharged, he applied to 33 colleges on theGI Bill,but was rejected due to his poor grades.[3]He returned to high school, and after graduating, was accepted atOklahoma State University–Stillwater(Oklahoma A&M), where he excelled. After a year, he transferred toStanford Universityand became an economics teacher.[3]He subsequently accepted a position atMichigan State Universityteaching economics.[5]While there, he became the administrator of a 54-person[5]project namedMichigan State University Vietnam Advisory Group(MSUG) which advised the unstable government ofSouth Vietnamon how to prevent Communism.[6]Sheinbaum eventually discovered that the university was providing cover for an ongoingCentral Intelligence Agencyoperation. In 1959, he resigned from the project.

Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions

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After leaving Michigan State University, Sheinbaum moved toSanta Barbara,California, and became part of a think tank headed by educational philosopherRobert Hutchinscalled the "Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions".There he met and fell in love with Betty Warner, daughter of film mogulHarry Warner,who was also an activist. They married in 1964.[7][8]

MSUG project

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While doing research into America's involvement inSoutheast Asia,journalistRobert Scheerdiscovered theMSUG project.He found documents providing evidence that MSUG had been involved in the torture of Vietnamese nationals.[3]Among the documents was a list of those involved with the project, including Sheinbaum, whom Scheer contacted. Appalled with the revelations, Sheinbaum went public with the information and became an active opponent of theVietnam War.Because of his actions, he was dismissed from the think tank.

Run for Congress

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In 1966 and again in 1968, Sheinbaum ran for theUnited States Congressin Santa Barbara on a peace platform, but was unsuccessful both times.[7]

Daniel Ellsberg defense

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In 1971, Sheinbaum was asked by activist"Ping" Ferryto help organize theDaniel EllsbergPentagon Papersdefense team.[3] [5]He helped assemble the team of attorneys and became the main fundraiser and spokesperson, raising nearly one million dollars from over 25,000 contributors.[7]He was joined in this effort by other wealthy Jewish men; later, the group became known as theMalibu Mafia.[2][9]

Arafat agreement

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Along with thePalestinian Intifada,Sheinbaum assembled a team ofJewsto meet withYasir Arafatto persuade him to disavow terrorism and recognizeIsrael's right to exist.[3][10]Anticipating that Arafat would question his credentials, Sheinbaum first held a meeting with then-National Security Advisorof the United StatesColin Powell,explaining the situation. Five days later, Sheinbaum received a letter from PresidentRonald Reaganstating that if Arafat would fulfill his promises, the United States would "be responsive".[7]

Sheinbaum presented the Reagan letter to Arafat during their initial meeting, and an agreement was reached. Arafat intended to discuss the agreement in front of theUnited Nations,but then-Secretary of StateGeorge Shultzrejected Arafat's visa request. In response, the entireUN Assemblyflew toGeneva,where Arafat spoke, stating his intentions.[11]The effort culminated in Yitzak Rabin and Arafat shaking hands at the White House in 1993 before President Clinton. Ultimately, Arafat did not fulfill his agreement, resulting in criticism of Sheinbaum.[7]

Rodney King beating

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From 1991 to 1993, Sheinbaum served as President of the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners. He was highly critical of ChiefDaryl Gates' response to theRodney Kingbeating. He believed the incident was not an isolated one, and led the effort, along with fellow commissioners, to force Gates from office.[3]

Recent times

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Sheinbaum served on theAmerican Civil Liberties Union(ACLU) National Advisory Council.[3]

Additional achievements

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Death

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Sheinbaum died at his home inBrentwoodon September 12, 2016. He was 96.[14]

References

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  1. ^"What's New".usc.edu.Archived fromthe originalon 2 October 2006.Retrieved6 June2022.
  2. ^abBrownstein, Ronald (1990).The Power and the Glitter: The Hollywood–Washington Connection.Pantheon Books. pp. 203–211.ISBN9780394569383.
  3. ^abcdefghBallon, Marc (2004-09-09)."Father of the Leftist Guard | Los Angeles".Jewish Journal. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-01-18.Retrieved2011-12-01.
  4. ^Gardner, Gerald (2007).80: From Ben Bradlee to Lena Horne to Carl Reiner, Our Most Famous Eighty Year Olds, Reveal Why They Never Felt So Youn.Sourcebooks.ISBN978-1402248238.
  5. ^abcde"NPQ".Digitalnpq.org.Retrieved2011-12-01.
  6. ^"Media Resources Center | UC Berkeley Library".lib.berkeley.edu.
  7. ^abcdeCitizen Standocumentary
  8. ^D'Zurilla, Christie (August 9, 2017)."Betty Warner Sheinbaum, an independent woman with a Hollywood pedigree, dies at 97".The Los Angeles Times.
  9. ^Johnson, Ted (March 20, 2008)."A Daniel Ellsberg Reunion".Variety.
  10. ^"Personality: Stanley Sheinbaum".Wrmea.Retrieved2011-12-01.
  11. ^"Mission to Stockholm: How Stanley Sheinbaum, an American Jew, Found Himself With His Arm Around the PLO's Yasser Arafat - Los Angeles Times".Articles.latimes. 1988-12-16.Retrieved2011-12-01.
  12. ^"The Man Who Would Be KINGMAKER: Stanley Sheinbaum, High-Level Kibbitzer, Mentor and Fund-Raiser for American Liberals - Los Angeles Times".Articles.latimes. 1987-09-27.Retrieved2011-12-01.
  13. ^"The Modern Form: Property from the Collection of Betty and Stanley Sheinbaum".Phillips.Retrieved2 May2022.
  14. ^"Stanley Sheinbaum, L.A. liberal lion who shaped decades of dialogue, dead at 96".Los Angeles Times.12 September 2016.Retrieved12 September2016.
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