POLITICS-US: Courts, Congress Resist Growing White House Power June 30th, 2006
Dear Editor - Excellent analysis. It gives hope to anyone who feels justice is out of reach.
Liliane Joris Zandueta
Former consular program officer of
the Canadian consulate general
Los Angeles
USA
*****
To Mr Fisher,
Thank you for the great story on Bush’s signing statements. Why doesn’t the “other” media write about this? It is very important and Congress should stop this.
Sincerely,
Mary Nisbet
*****
Dear Editor:
I’m confused…Fisher alludes that there are only 100 signing statements by Bush…”half those of the Reagan/Bush/Clinton years”. Yet the truth is much much scarier than that: he has actually 750 signing ststements for his years in office. Why was this not stated??
jp
TSUNAMI IMPACT: Indonesian Kids Put Tragedy Behind Them June 30th, 2006
Good afternoon,
I am writing to commend the author of the article “Indonesian Kids put Tsunami Tragedy Behind Them”, Richel Dursin. The impact of disasters on children is an important aspect of emergency relief and long term rehabilitation programs and should not be forgotten. The need for organisations working with communities affected by the tsunami to focus on the specific needs of children and youth is cannot be underestimated and this article draws attention to the positive impact such focus can have.
I think in looking at the effect of the tsunami on young people, it is important too, that the impact on the youth of Aceh is also not underestimated. Often small/young children become the focus of ‘child-based’ program initiatives and the needs of youths - teenagers who are already experience significant challenges and changes in their lives - are not given always provided with opportunities and support that specifically targets their special needs.
[See link to] World Vision Indonesia Tsunami Response, for summary of the youth initiatives World Vision has put in place to assist youth following the 2004 Tsunami, I hope it is useful and perhaps may help with future stories on the progress being made in Aceh province.
Once again thank you for your thoughtful article - some fantastic achievements are being made for the children and people of Aceh.
HAITI: Undeclared War Escalates In Capital Slum June 29th, 2006
Dear Editor:
I am amazed to see how insecurity has taken over the country. I visited Haiti a year ago, I could not go out of my house without having the fear of not coming back home. My uncle has just been kidnapped last week, by a group of unknown criminals. There is no body that you can report this grievous crime to. Those perpetrators are asking over 30,000 U.S dollars for his release. It hurts to see you fighting wars in other countries, but your birthplace is having war everyday and you can’t do anything about it. I want to know if there is any way or information that might help me to take care of the situation.
So brave of the Israelis to invade a ghetto of their making, to kill innocent men, women and children; while using billions of dollars of US taxpayer welfare, military aid.
DEATH PENALTY-CUBA: Dissidents Call for Legal Moratorium June 28th, 2006
Dear Editor,
Congrats on another great article on Cuba - but you missed some iomportant info. Cubans have been debating the death penalty for years - starting around when the Sandinistas abolished it. When the latest law was introduced to the national Poder Popular several people spoke and voted against it - including a Minister (I believe it was Roque). After the last executions there was an international uproar on the progressive left and the main Cuban media gave voice to several of its harshest critics including Jose Saramago [Portugal] and Eduardo Galeano [Uruguay]. I think the real issue is that many Cubans feel they are at war with the US
and therefore different rules apply - as one Cuban friend said to me last month about the many changes
that have occured in the Cuban penal system, “Many Cubans do not agree that now is the time to go easy on
criminals - especially highjackers and human traffickers.”
RIGHTS: Pentagon Resists Ban on “Degrading Treatment” June 27th, 2006
Dear Editor:
Doing a great job. A free press is now, perhaps more than ever, our greatest hope to curb the blatant power abuses and lies from those working against the values, rights and interests of Americans.
U.S.-CUBA: Academics Decry Travel Restrictions June 27th, 2006
Dear Editor:
We aren’t allowed to interact with Cuba but we are allowed to allowed to interact with most other countries, many of which have governments worse than Castro’s. I felt the same way about the USA’s attempt to block Cuba from the international baseball games. Do I like Castro’s government? No. But then I don’t like most governments, and they were allowed to send teams.
Ken Mitchell
*****
Dear Editor:
American academics have one major obstacle staring them in the face; they are academics, learned people who by some unfortunate and evil roll of the dice are controlled by an almost semi illiterate programmable President and drunken friend shooting Vice President Cheney who are both in turn at the mercy of the uber capitalists. Cuba is wonderful, Cuba has survived and is a model of resistance and human will to be free from big brother. Americans are wonderful people and the ones I met in Cuba were extremely fond of Cubans and their hospitality. The problem lies in the White House, not in Havana. What are the White House Politicians afraid of, exposure to gentle and vibrant people? Aren’t American capitalists eagerly trading with communistVietnam now after 60,000 Americans were killed by the ilk of todays Bushites? When you have a President that blurts out an expression such as “bring it on” as his people are dying in Iraq, don’t hold your breath that this cowardly ego machine will discover philanthropy.
IRAQ: Rebuilding Not Yet Reality for Fallujah June 27th, 2006
Hello,
After reading the article “Rebuilding Not Yet Reality for Fallujah” by Dahr Jamail and Ali Fadhil I have a comment or two. This seems to be the American Plan to cause chaos and not do anything positive in any or
all of Iraq with the exception of American Enclaves. We as Americans should stop this but I am in the minority as to what will be the ultimate solution (Leave Iraq now - give money to Iraq - as I can only hope that things will get better because with a US presence in Iraq it can only get worse.)
AUSTRALIA: Uranium Exports May Boomerang June 25th, 2006
Dear Editor:
This is a frightening story. I think that Australians generally don’t really expect to have nuclear power stations in Australia for the next two decades, if ever. But it’s a worry when you have a society that apathetically let the Howard government follow the Bush government into the mire of Iraq - on the lie of WMDs. Australians are quite likely to lap up the Howard story on uranium exports, and Australia as a world nuclear waste dump - especially as it might mean investment dollars in the short term. The effects on the environment, and on society, especially the security measures needed, and later, the true economic cost - these will become apparent later. These costs will be borne by our children and grandchildren.
Christina Macpherson
www.antinuclearaustralia.com
BRAZIL: Effective Policies Needed to Fight Rising Murder Rates June 24th, 2006
Dear Editor:
Actually, contrary to what Guaracy Mingardi said, organised crime is a far bigger problem in the Sao Paulo area than it is in Rio. There have been more incidents and a lot more people have been killed in Sao Paulo, such as the recent offensive by the PCC. Rio does have a lot of drug-related violence but it’s disorganised, and is commited by poor young men restricted to the slums.
MOROCCO: Civil Society Vital for Development Plans June 23rd, 2006
Dear Editor:
Pilot projects undertaken in India, to empower poor rural communities in remote areas have been successful through bio-metric tracking of citizens and the benefits given to them. This was possible with the involvement of civil society organizations.
This can help to alleviate poverty and achieve UN MDGs [Millennium Development Goals].
This model can be replicated anywhere in the world.
MALAYSIA: Temple Demolitions Spell Creeping Islamisation June 23rd, 2006
Dear Editor:
All countries should strictly adopt a secular form of constitution and such barbarism must be curbed. The United Nations must intervene and protect such attacks. Otherwise UN is failing in its duties.
SOUTH AMERICA: Flushing Public Gender Violence Out of the Shadows June 23rd, 2006
Dear Editor:
This is an excellent article with great suggestions. I would like to suggest that domestic violence training workshops be conducted the in the schools. Starting with high schools first and then gradually introduced at the junior and elementary levels.
FILM: Setting the Record Straight on Global Warming June 22nd, 2006
Dear Editor:
I have been biking to work now for the last 2 weeks. I watched the film (Gore’s) last week with my girlfriend at my local theater. We were feeling good because we have switched to biking to work rather than driving. Save money, save your health, save the planet.
Very nice article. Keep up the good work
P. Needham
Minnesota
USA
*****
Dear Editor:
It’s just a hot topic right now, and Al Gore is using this as a scare tactic. What a idiot, does he really think people are going to vote for him. He’s had his chance of becoming President, but instead he allowed Slick Willy screw him.
R. Jones
*****
Dear Editor:
It seems to me that the best organized, best funded campaigns are for the global warming side. I rarely hear about the other scientist’s arguments. And you’re article is no better. You sight the opposition as being selective in the data they select! Gore is completely selective in the data he chooses to present. Global Warming is a money making proposition for the proponents of the “human effect” and THEY attack the naysayers by calling them names and belittling their scientific discussions.
They’re all out flying around on their private jets telling us how we should commute. OH PLEASE. Gore is an abuser of the environment… An SUV to go 6yds? Come on. Quit being such a sycophant and start taking a critical look at the political idiots you ask us to vote for. Read M. Crichton’s book State of Fear - it’s the best discussion on the topic yet. Oh, and just how much gas was spewed into the atmosphere by the most recent volcanic eruptions?
C. Calloway
B.S., Biology
*****
Dear Editor,
I just saw the movie, Gore did a great job. I’m glad you wrote a fair article on this important matter. I hope more writers get the word out.
Thanks
Concerned American
*****
Editor -
You want renewable fuel source that will not put any more co2 into the atmosphere than it pulls from it?
The new cash crop of the future for the american farmers? Solve the world problem pf Global Warming?
Promote the legalization of hemp !!!!
Indian hemp to be more exact. totally worthless to smoke and there is 20,000 plus things that can be made from it including oil and methanol for cars, medicine for the sick, plastics, paper and clothing, and the list goes on!
And don’t give me the it’s bad to legalize it as it promotes drug use, the US wastes how much money each year fighting a loosing battle, legalize hemp and pass those monies off to the needy in this country that are starving and homeless.
Do some research and pass it along and tell the truth about it, and not the lies our government wants everyone to hear.
Trees, Oil, Coal we cut them down, dig them out of the ground and throw them in to the atmosphere where they were taken from millions of years ago for a reason, now replace there use by something GOD put here for a reason also, Hemp, but MAN has abused it, and not put it to use for it’s proper reason!
D. Salaski
*****
Is this a news article or an editorial?? You certainly have concluded a lot more than most scientists about the global warming theory.
I would only recommend you read Michael Crichton’s book “State of Fear” and you will realize why we should not rush to dump money down a black hole that would either not do any good or would actually make matters worse .
The constant fear mongering among the media, left wing environmentalists and the legal profession (lobbyists), is the real impetus behind the exhausting coverage for this theory; and the current “solution” (Kyoto resolution) does not make any sense whatsoever. The cost of the regulations and the resulting “curative” effect of lessening the average temperature by .5 to 1 degree celsius is a joke.
As with practically all of the solutions proposed by the previous administration; and other administrations for that matter, the cure is worse than the supposed illness.
You are very presumtious that we can cause so much damage when the US air and water have never been cleaner in the last 125 years. I would also refer you to another book “The Skeptical Environmentalis” by an ex Greenpeace member to address these matters further. Read the 2 books and I am sure, even you will start to wonder if all these same stories Al Gore et al repeat are perhaps just guesses after all.
POLITICS: U.S. Gun Lobby Blasts U.N. Arms Meet June 22nd, 2006
Dear Editor:
Your bias is palpable and unpersuasive. Why does not the UN publish its agenda, boadcast its meetings on CSPAN and place its meeting transcripts on the internet if its objectives are so altruistic and noble. No thoughtful person who understands the systemic corruption and greed for power in the UN would trust them. No rational person would take them seriously when their statement lumps machine guns and grenade launchers in the same sentence with pistols. You are simply taking part, willingly or ignorantly, in a propaganda effort to control world thought. For what purpose do you wish to do so?
Try start attacking the idologies, like Islamic fundamentalism and other rogue facisms, which are violent and dangerous. The gun owners in the US who do not share these world views live in peace with their neighbors and with their guns. Examine the crime statictics and put aside your foolish bias.
Regards,
David Gilbert
*****
Editor,
The National Rifle Association of America is nothing but an approved political terrorist group, trying to force people to support their hunting agenda. The right to support arms is all a con and members are paying their dues to support an old man’s hunting club and making the board of directors rich.
An Ex NRA member
*****
Dear Editor:
Rarely have I ever seen such a biased opinion piece masquerading as a “news story”. It is shameful the way you portray the NRA and its members. Would you portray the pro-abortion lobby as a bunch of screaming harpies bent on murdering babies?
Bill Modica
Florence, New Jersey
USA
*****
Dear Editor,
HOORAY for the NRA!
down with the UN
Thomas
*****
Dear Editor
On the UN gun ban treaty; We know what they are up to, they will not succeed. This organization of petty dictators and communist thugs will not disarm Americans. We will fight to the last man to preserve our liberty. Any blue helmeted “peace keepers” who approach my property will have placed themselves in grave danger.
ENVIRONMENT-CHILE: Pascua Lama Gold Mine, a Threat to Sustainability June 22nd, 2006
Dear Editor:
Has the whole world lost its mind? must everything have a price tag on it? I feel like I live in a world that should be called a flea market.
I hope that this information helps to stop this from happening but my heart tells me that we are beyond hope. Our planet is going to drown all of us and start over.
Randy Presslaff
Indianapolis Indiana
USA
*****
Dear Editor:
It is unbelievable that in the 21st century, in the year 2006 dedicated to desertification, at a time when environmental issues get top priority by knowledgeable and concerned people, any opposition to the Pascua Lama Gold Mine project is left to individuals, mainly environmentalists and human rights organizations.
Isn’t it time for governments and the UN to act in opposing such criminal activities planned by Canada’s Barrick Gold Corporation? Their plan will not only destroy the livelihood of so many people and poison the environment, it will at the same time shed an image of total irresponsibility on Canada by way of Barrick. We hope that president Michelle Bachelet will not allow such atrocity to happen in Chile.
As an anthropologist I have been studying for many years the impact of melting glaciers and water scarcity on the Andean people. I have founded the organization Yachaq - Andean Medicine, Nutrition and Ecology in Peru. We all have been working many hours a week as volunteers and we are now trying to find different ways by which to retrieve, store and clean water that will help people survive as the glaciers are melting. There are other volunteers and concerned people dedicating much of their time and efforts to work in solidarity across international borders.
By all means, do not allow a greedy corporation to engage in unethical activities such as polluting and destroying the water source and with it people’s lives. What humanity needs most is a CLEAN ENVIRONMENT and WATER!
Dr. Inge Bolin
Canada
*****
Dear Editor,
Thank you for a most informative and interesting article. This subject concerns me deeply. Could you please mention which environmentalist groups are involved in protest of this mining operation. We would like to offer our support.
Thank you,
Mark van Wyk
Gondwana Alive
South Africa
POLITICS-CHINA: Wen Rolls Out ‘Win-win’ Strategy in Africa June 21st, 2006
Dear Editor:
I only hope that China is sincere in building a business relationship with any of the African countries, and I do hope that protection of the environment is also taken into consideration. Resorts would really be nice and cheap for the African-Americans too, if that will be one of the investments. I only hope that this business will be kept as business and provide jobs and keep the economy low with desent living for the Africans. Good luck to all and thank you for a good article!
DEVELOPMENT: From Slums to Sustainability June 19th, 2006
Editor:
My only comment on the world urban forum is:
“How will pressure be put on governments, to be accountable, for provision of housing for their poor people.” I hope the forum is not just talk, only but will have mechanisms to ensure that governments deliver results.
I also feel that we need more accountability from governments especially in regard to poor people displaced by their governments actions, e.g Zimbabwe. How will the forum ensure that this is done.
U.S./COLOMBIA: Dead Unionists No Hurdle to Free Trade June 18th, 2006
Dear Editor:
Very impressed that report on the US perspective before the workers and human rights in Colombia. Free trade is becaming an icon above everything else. It is very sad to know.
IRAQ: Another U.S. Cover-Up Surfaces June 17th, 2006
Dear Editor:
Many Iraqis continue to witness American soldiers intentionally murdering Iraqis on a daily basis. American military authorities have shown time and again that they are only interested in covering up the truth about their crimes against humanity and war crimes in Iraq, including the use of white phosphorus gas against the citizens of Falluja. At the very least, the Iraqi people deserve to have these crimes vigorouly investigated by credible investigative journalists and human rights workers. The full extent of the act of mass murder that continues to be carried out in Iraq by the various branches of the American military (the Airforce, Navy, artillery and tank units, torture squads, death squads, snipers, and troops on foot patrol) must be brought to the world’s attention. The political leaders who ordered American military commanders to commit this act of mass murder must be charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes.
RIGHTS-US: Groups Call for Probe of Guantanamo Suicides June 15th, 2006
Dear Editor:
The US has irreparably damaged its own mage by fighting terrorism at the expense of human rights. No one, leave alone US, has the right to use state terror to fight terrorism. When it does well meaning people have the right to tell US to its face “physician heal thyself!”
POLITICS: Bush Iran Strategy Suffers Major Diplomatic Defeat June 15th, 2006
To the Editor,
As most of us know, the US holds an untenable position in trying to force Iran to quit further development in enrichment. What I think is important from the latest news is that Rice et al are giving some weight to other countries opininons and positions. By a thread the human race may avoid catastrophe!
Chris Richmond
Canada
THAILAND: Bash on the Water to Mark Royal Milestone June 13th, 2006
Dear Editor (and Marwaan),
Saw Marwaan’s piece on the Royal Barge and enjoyed it very much. Was very appreciative of that fact that he quoted me spot on, not always the case when I give interviews. Kudos on another fine job.
US: Bush Finally Gets Good News on Iraq June 12th, 2006
Dear Editor:
There will always be violance in Iraq, because the Bush ’s have forced themselves on the Iraqi people, and expect them to be puppets. Their Historic buildings will never be again, replacement won’t bring back the real, as money won’t bring back the innocent who died under the Bush bombs, all because of revenge, greed, and power,- not to free the people, but to gain control of them. How do you think we Americans would react, if Blair decided to invade us, as the British once did?
TRADE: African Nations Wary of Closer Embrace with U.S. June 12th, 2006
Dear Editor:
Up to now, Free Trade has shown that it opens the markets for subsidised goods of the richer world to flood the markets of the poorer countries, with an unfair competition for local commodities. Privatisation has also proved to be a way of allowing Corporations to forcefully take over natural resources, such as water, and others and sell them to the locals, making profits whilst people starve and die of thirst.
Any African leader that allows themselves to be bullied into signing such conditons needs their head examined.
Africa does not need Free Trade, it needs Fair Trade. With Trade that is really fair, devoid of dumping subsidised over- produced commodities, devoid of seizing of water resosurces and forcing GM products on unaware communities, will begin to be helpful to Africa.
yours,
Rose Tuelo Brock
RIGHTS-SUDAN: No Justice for Darfur in Local Courts June 11th, 2006
Greetings from Los Angeles:
I write to commend you and the author on writing and posting such an insightful and necessary article. I often find myself doing research about HIV/AIDS in Africa and always find myself deeply disturbed by the level of human suffering Africa endures. I am always happy to read articles that tackle issues we—the American Public—seldom read or hear about given the current state of affairs in American mainstream media.
Thank you again for your contribution to a changing Africa.
In solidarity,
Jaime Gutierrez, M.P.H.
Study Coordinator, Research and Evaluation
AIDS Project Los Angeles
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