Dear Editors,

American and Canadian citizens, bound by our common borders and alliances, need to decide: Who is sovereign, the people or their representatives? This questions lies at the heart of all our democratic decisions and processes. Only we, the people, can truly defend our democracies.
It has been settled law that the people only delegate - but do not ever abrogate - their authority when they elect their officials. We, the people, remain the true government at all times. We not only have the right to be heard, we also have the right to be heeded!

In the case of George W. Bush, the servant has lied to the sovereign too often and too seriously to be ignored or pardoned. Bush actually needs to be indicted and convicted. Yet we find very little support from the mass media in exposing how the President and the Pentagon decided to go to war and take the whole world with it! I have followed the research trail left by Lt. Ehren Watada, war resistor, to discover just how badly led the public has been. If it were just a few ugly Americans who have been deceived, I might be able to endure the grief. However, George W. Bush led the whole world into war and that is not acceptable to me.

Throughout our history, war has been used by presidents to seize continents and control oceans. Consistently, behind those presidents are shadowy political sponsors telling the public that war is a good way to gain a bright future in which all of us may share. It is time for Americans to stop our relentless advances. It is also time to engage all the nations in democratic reforms. The rights and sovereignty of the people must be guaranteed by those who seek to govern the people if civilization is to endure.

Crime and corruption as well as tyranny and abuse have been heaped upon far too many of us. I really fear the coming of an age of revolt if we do not successfully engage in an age of reform. The freedom of the press is the key element in democratic reform. Yet too much of the press is involved in a conflict of interest, putting its own corporate welfare ahead of right of the people to be informed.

In the ancient Chinese classic, The Art of War, the author Sun Tzu cautions the emperor to unite the people under his own leadership before beginning the war. Sun Tzu says that the duty of the generals is to unite the army to defeat the enemy. Clearly, only tyrants would abuse the people or the army. In the case of George W. Bush, he divided the public in a nasty cultural war at home and an even nastier set of wars oversees. Sun Tzu would have recommended that no war be waged until unity had been established at home. Sun Tzu understood clearly that because the people bear the heavy burdens of war, their consent and support is imperative.

By now, every American seems to be aware that America is imperilled by its own government. This is Bush’s private war paid with public money to the ruin of our nation. As our nation descends, I hope the other democracies of the world arise. Right now, I don’t see much hope of that happening.

Sincerely,

Kalei Luyben
Portland, OR
U.S.

*****

Aaron Glantz:

I’ve just read your excellent report on the war resisters. And thank you for this. Many other people and I who read your report are much better informed about the matter, as this brings together pertinent information on those who fled the US (for good reason) + the Canadian and American contexts.
One suggested correction intended to help you improve further reports involving the Canadian political system: You wrote of the “Centre-Left Liberal Party.” In fact, this party is centre-right.
Just one example: Couple days ago the great majority of “Liberals” supported a Conservative bill (C3) which continues the use of “security certificates” to detain would-be immigrants for years and years without due process, etc.

C. E. Babb
(combat veteran, Korea, 5 months, 1951.)
Burlington, Ontario
Canada

*****

Sir,

I am delighted that you have told this story in your paper. I left the USA after serving some alternative service and moved to Canada where I taught adult education on Native Reserves. Most Canadians were supportive of young Americans coming to Canada for any reason because most of us were college graduates. Let us hope that Canada will continue to support people of good conscience. I returned to the USA after thirty years in Canada.

RPH
Terlingua - Texas
U.S.

*****

Dear Editors,

First of all I want to say that I respect the rights and laws of Canada. The problem I have with the two deserters, Mr. Jeremy Hinzman and Mr. Brandon Hughey is that they could have just refused to go. The United States has an all volunteer army. Yes, Mr. Jeremy Hinzman and Mr. Brandon Hughey joined of their own free will but they could have received a dishonourable, other than honourably or general discharge. They would have had to spend some time in confinement, but not as long as they will have to spend when they are returned. They could be with their families right now. I have no respect for the two cowards.

Respectfully,

James Riner
Stockbridge, Georgia
United States

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Dear Editors,

“Average global surface temperatures have risen by about 0.7 degrees since the start of the industrial revolution, and the rate of increase is accelerating. Scientists, meanwhile, are producing overwhelming evidence that the rising trend in temperature is associated with the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.”

To the Editor.
I would really be most interested to be given details of exactly which scientists have produced proof that the above is absolutely, certainly, the truth. As far as my researches have gone, there are only theories and computer models. The latter are never going to produce any definitive answers, only what their drivers want them to produce, and the former is balanced by many other theories of different effects driving the current minor variation in the global climate. And why do all of the effects have to be bad? A warmer, greener, productive world cannot be all bad.

A.J.Edwards
Road Town, Tortola
Virgin Islands.

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Dear Editors,

Quote, “Although the two (Chavez, Uribe) have co-operated on energy projects and fostering commercial ties, the conservative pro-Washington Uribe and the leftist anti-US Chavez have had their diplomatic spats.” There is no such thing as an American government, or elected government controlled currency. There are only Machiavellian Banks and Corporations at the rudder of the USS Manhattan/Whitehouse. If Chavez is what he appears to be, a straight shooter for the benefit of the people, there will be an all out effort by the “Skull and Bones” type clandestine merchant cabal who assassinate leaders and personalities such as JFK if they are independent thinkers and not programmable, to now discredit and overthrow him. I don’t believe he is a match for the Midas owned media, which promote the slandering of any philanthropy that retards profit and control; they disguise black propaganda to support the architects of a permanently subservient Latin America. Chavez claims Uribe is outright lying and I certainly believe him. Remember what General MacArthur said about Franklin Delano Roosevelt upon his death, “well the old man is gone, the one who never told the truth if a lie would suffice.” The more things change, the more they stay the same. The media will hammer away at Chavez until he is made out to look like an international stumblebum or heartless dictator when the golden pen with its sanguinary crimson ink, writes his synoptic political biography and has it’s final run at him; this probably after the architects of globalization and the New World Order suspect WMD in Venezuela or create another conflict, including any and all lies and hostility required to disempowered representatives of good people like Chavez. Mexico, Columbia, Monarchies, etc. all dance to the Midas pipers. It’s sad, but philanthropy is no match for greed and sophistry, right is not might in the dark world of political conspiracies and apathetic masses. We seldom read in the mainstream press about Chavez’s blue-collar beneficiaries. I believe any rational reader/thinker would believe Chavez over a Bush ally like Uribe the latter just being a Manhattan/Whitehouse puppet being used to bring down Chavez.

Thomas Bendoraitis
Canada

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Dear Editors,

I just read an article in the Manchester Guardian about the World Bank’s destructive policies. The bank’s private sector affiliate the International Finance Corporation is backing oil palm plantations in Indonesia and cutting protective mangrove forests. Among the worst is financing monoculture soya plantations in Amazonia, bad for the soil, and destroying the important protection the forests provide in cleansing our atmosphere and reducing its carbon load. A quarter of the Amazon forest has been destroyed, aided and encouraged by the World Bank.

There needs to be condemnation of the policies of the IFC and World Bank at the Bali conference. Can these resources be channelled into responsible aid to the world’s poorest while ending procrastination on climate change?

I am sure the people attending the Bali conference are aware of the IFC and World Bank skewed priorities and I hope this topic is addressed explicitly. Will anyone from the World Bank even be there?

Peter Malmgren/Lucy Collier

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Dear Editors,

This story is completely lacking of a dissenting opinion regarding the causes of warming or the reasonable theory that this warming trend may be as natural as the hundreds of warming trends proven to have occurred in the deep past, before human activity had any effect at all. That no countering opinion exists in the article causes me to doubt the thoroughness of the research and reporting.

Diane Carey
Owosso Michigan

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Dear Editors,

I don’t understand the thoughts of men, when they certainly are aware, if not for women, they would have no mother, if would not be here.

Granny

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Dear Editors,

I frankly cannot see why the United States would ever want to give more of our God given rights over to the ungodly United Nations. They have continually chipped away at our freedoms since they were incorporated under the Roosevelt administration. This is just another method of the far Left to enslave this country.

Marilyn J. Schacht

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Dear Editors,

Why isn’t anybody questioning the large amount of fuel that had to go down with The National Geographic Endeavor that sunk off of Antarctica this week. It carried much more fuel than was spilled in San Francisco earlier this month. This spill happened in one of the most pristine areas of the world. Could it be because the spill was caused by the Ecotourism business that it is off limits to bad press? Someone should look into this.

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Dear Editors,

Bravo!

Thank you very much for posting this story. IPS shows itself again to be a news organization that’s not afraid to do its job. Such a rarity, unfortunately. You’re on the cutting edge where you belong!

Pamela Rice
www.vivavegie.org

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Dear Editors,

I do hope that the world will wake up and realize that Cuba has a lot to teach US. Here’s hoping that our pride will not hinder us from moving forward. Congratulations to Cuba for being so willing to share with the rest of the world. If all countries made the effort the world certainly would be a better place.

M. Gabbidon

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Dear Editors,

The Gauchitos are simply great! As a Saltena living in the US, I feel an overpowering pride. And as a college/university student counsellor, I would encourage the parents to see the option to have the children study while they continue promoting their skills with music. There are many super stars that have done home schooling. They could do it too.

Thanks,

Denise Brown

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Dear Editors,

The debate is over; it’s political propaganda NOT science. UK court says Gore is a fraud. August 2007 Update: Man-made Catastrophic Global Warming Not True. Unfortunately, Hansen is a political hack of George Soros. Further, flawed NASA Global Warming data paid for by George Soros. In order to be an intelligent reader you must have a basic knowledge.
Please do your own homework; a starting point http://www.InteliOrg.com/
Remember consensus is never science it’s always a political statement (party line).

Fred Coles

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Dear sir/madam,

I recently came across the article titled ‘’Israel Urged to Aid Oil-Stained Lebanon'’ by Thalif Deen that was published on IPS on November 1.

As the Oil Spill Communications Officer at the Ministry of Environment (Lebanon), it is gratifying to read a well balanced and researched article on the Oil Spill Crisis that has plagued Lebanon after the Israeli attack on Jiyeh Power Plant.

However, I am duty bound to point out to your good self, and to Mr. Deen that Israel is not urged to aid Lebanon or to be a donor to Lebanon. Israel is urged to compensate Lebanon. In fact, that is stated in both the report to the current session of the General Assembly and in paragraph 3 of UN resolution 61/194, where the General Assembly calls upon the Government of Israel to ‘’assume responsibility for prompt and adequate compensation to the Government of Lebanon for the costs of repairing the environmental damage caused by the destruction, including the restoration of the marine environment'’.

What I find interesting is that compensation is clearly stated in I think paragraph 11 of the article, but a couple of paragraphs later, Israel is thought of as a donor and in the title, it is urged to Aid.
I kindly request that care is given to the terminology and vocabulary that is used in such sensitive matters and that a retraction or explanation is re-printed.

Hoping to hear from you
All the best

Ms Ghada Salim Mitri
Oil Spill Communications Officer
Development Specialist
Service of Guidance and Awareness
Ministry of Environment
Beirut, Lebanon
www.moe.gov.lb

*****

Dear Editors,

It is unbelievable that Israel did not complain to international bodies about unprovoked war and damage done to its citizens were never compensated.

Ida Nudel

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Dear Editors,

I was there since 1981, saw lots of horrible stuff need revolution and these generals hung.

Michael w. Johnson
Myrtle Beach, S.C. USA

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Dear Editors,

I am not against immigration, I am immigrant myself from Europe and I had to qualify to get to USA, get immunization, have an interview etc… I am against illegal immigrants who are not paying for taxes, getting free medical care, using our schools etc… Burdening our country with crimes and drugs. If we needed people to work for minimum wage, why didn’t the government sponsored them legally, make them pay taxes etc? I am very upset and I hope we solve this ongoing issue before it will be totally out of control.

Eva Stier

*****

Dear Editor,

Harassed? Persecuted? This is getting more absurd all the time. These people don’t belong here and are so surprised when we tardily being to enforce our laws. Perhaps we should send engraved invitations when a raid is planned. I’m all for lining the border with signs making it clear that if you are caught breaking into our country, you will go to prison for 6 months.
Let’s make sure the corrupt and violent nation of Mexico knows exactly where we stand. They have played the “racist” card for too long now. They sit back, collect the money for the elite, send their poor here rather than improving their own economy, then call us “racist.” Those meddling buffoons need to stay out of our business. All we need from Mexico is their immigration policies
Several previous administration have closed their eyes to this growing tragedy. The present administration has not only closed its eyes, it continues to play Russian Roulette with out lives by not closing the border after 9/11.
Until the laws are enforced, and the illegal are back in their own countries, we cannot even discuss a “guest-worker” program. Those coming in would have to go by our rules. Come alone, speak
English, come temporarily, no legalization nor citizenship, pay your own way (it’s absolutely ridiculous that illegals send their money home while American taxpayers must ante up for their medical care as well as all sorts of benefits.
The only right these lawbreakers have is to go home, wave their flags while they demand and threaten their own government.

June Venable

*****

Dear Editor,

6 million? The estimate on illegal aliens in the country is around 20 to 30 million and no one really knows for sure because there is no way of knowing without a procedure in place to monitor people who come into the country for whatever reason.

Timothy L. Ray
Waddell, Arizona
U.S.

*****

Dear Editors,

Never before have I read such lies! It is clear that your agency’s agenda is anti-American and pro-Mexican. The truth is that American citizens do not want illegal Mexicans in our nation, taking our jobs, costing us billions of dollars for healthcare, food, housing and education!
To read your article, one would think that these poor, innocent Mexicans were just doing good things and not costing American taxpayers billions!
It is a shame that the government of Mexico does more for their expatriots in the USA than they do for them in their own land! If the government of Mexico would spend more time, resources and money on making the economy and safety nets better for their people, their people would not feel the need to break into the USA!
How sad that IPS only tells one side of the story, the side coming from south of the border.
How sad, indeed, that IPS sees things from only one angle, that of Mexico.
IPS, how about ask Americans how we feel about millions of people breaking into our nation?
IPS, how about ask Americans how we feel about millions of people taking our jobs?
IPS, how about ask Americans how we feel about billions of our tax dollars going to feed, clothe, house, educate and heal illegal aliens?
We are sick and tired of illegal immigration!!!
Mexico should help their people so they do not come here!!!

Jackson Franco
Atlanta, Georgia
USA

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Dear Editors,

I congratulate IPS News for reporting this unique story.
It has far-reaching significance to third-world countries.

Bal Patil
Secretary-General, All India Jain Minority Forum
Website: http://jaina.in
New Delhi
India

Dear Editors,

O well if you break the law expect to pay the price for breaking that law. If you trespass as an American citizen onto private party you go to jail and then onto court for criminal trespassing I seen a kid climb a fence for his football at a factory in America and was arrested but millions can cross the American/Mexico border climb fences etc, and it’s not a crime well that is just a crying shame that illegals have more rights then an American citizen.

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Dear Editors,

Modern sanitation (flushing toilet) systems with common sewers invite rogue polluters to just dump their industrial waste into them. Sludge from human waste-treatment plants is often infused with industrial chemicals not sieved out, sometimes toxic to farmland where the sludge may later be spread.
Modern composting-toilet designers have figured out how to eliminate the smell. And the end product, of course, is a rich fertilizer for house plants and crops.
Please do a story on composting toilets. They solve the problems and promote ecology, and they save enormous amounts of fresh water, too. Stores of water all across the globe are dwindling, of course, and in the developing world acutely so. The lack of fresh water is a key reason for deaths associated with poor sanitation all over the world.
The need for sanitation in the developing world is an urgent problem. But sewer-system toilets are not the answer. Perhaps your information will get through to Mr. Toilet. If he was really concerned for his people, he would promote composting toilets in his advocacy.
And, by the same token, Western countries need to wean themselves away from sewer-linked toilets as well.
http://www.ejnet.org/sludge/sustainability.html
From Web page: “For the reasons outlined below, the present approach to the disposal of human wastes - central collection and treatment of sewage - is unsustainable. Nevertheless, the fever to sewer the globe seems to be growing. For the sake of environmental sustainability, we must stop mixing human excreta with drinking water, then collecting and further worsening this mixture with industrial and non-point source wastes, then “treating” the mixture, then polluting water, air, or soil by efforts to dispose of the poisonous sludge created by the treatment process…”

Pamela Rice

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Dear Mr. Porter:

Thank you very much for the nice article, which is fact based and unbiased. It is hard now days, to find people and news organizations who are willing to tell the truth and state the facts as they are. You and a few other writers are exceptions and wishing you the best of luck.
Please keep up the good work. The American people are kept in darkness and do not get exposed to the real news and issues surrounding the Bush’s white house propagandas.

Sincerely,

Marcel

*****

Aloha,

As a German I feel sorry for the US citizens who have obviously fallen in the same trap as Germans between 1933-45. I can’t understand that murder, bombing, destruction and rape committed by US troops are acts of Democracy and heroism. Poor little Aims… I feel so sorry for you! Wished I could help you out of your miserable disaster.

Guenter Monkowski
Holualoa, HI
USA

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Dear Editors,

I am one of those families that does not always have food to eat, and we go to bed often without what we need… My income is a little over 800 dollars a month and for food stamps I was told I could only have 10 dollars a month because I am on SSI… Thanks. I am soon to be 60. Female.

*****

Dear Editors,

Your story was read with much interest.
The day after Thanksgiving 1999, on CBS Morning News, I had my 90 seconds of fame. It was not a favourable report because I was a weirdo. At the time I was writing (actually decrypting) the symbology of The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. My decryption indicated that there would be great debt and inflation; ‘’food would become scarce and very expensive'’ and we would have World War III.
The book was finally published in January 2006. It took me over a year to find a publisher and then a year of working with the publisher to even have it printed. I titled the book, ‘’a dragon this way comes'’ and it is published by Tate Publishing of Oklahoma City.
If I am right in my decryptions, the next five years are going to be the worst in US history. We really haven’t seen the price of food going through the roof yet. Most people - regardless of race or religion - see something coming down in the very near future and coming down hard! Unfortunately, those feelings are correct.

Paul D. Humphries

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Dear Editors,

Anti-Drug, Anti-Meth, Anti-Smoking, Anti-Drinking, Anti-Unsafe Sex groups and governments all over. They’re now linking to this quick “Bad Habit Talk” tutorial for parents.
See http://www.drugtalks.info

Michael Sadler

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Dear Sir/Madam:

Regarding “Q&A: “More Activism From Women Would Be a Significant Stimulus to the Abolition Cause” (November 21, 2007), I recently conducted a nationwide attitude and opinion survey on “honour” killings in Jordan. Inter Alia, in my representative sample, the overwhelming majority of respondents (89%) already support tougher penalties for these crimes. Some of them even want the death penalty for them. Currently, there are three penal code articles on the books - Articles 97, 98, and 340 - that treat these killings with such leniency that the average sentence is six months. So, in this case, it seems the people are far ahead of the leadership.

Ellen R. Sheeley,
Author “Reclaiming Honor in Jordan”

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Dear editor:

Birds of a feather analogy could include Netanyahu, Dershowiz, Perle, Cheney, and oh so many more people that make me sick in the stomach when I hear their names and especially see their faces.
The United States must start to exert its national interests and to hell with the national interests of Israel, and especially those of the terrorist settlers, and the opinions of the neocons and the hopeless Zionist Christians who even pause to listen to Hagee, that pathetic man.
I am now prepared to attend my first ever marches on any topic, as I plan to begin more actively opposing those who support Israel and its shameful treatment of the Palestinian people. There are more who share my positions than those of you who blindly support Israel might believe. Your reckoning day is coming, and I will be delighted when all Israelis and neocons are banished from all government buildings and that any citizen passing information to Israel will be charged with treason and prosecuted to the extent of the law.

Regards,

Don Adams

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Dear Editors,

Quote, “And so while the world watches with muted criticism and legal eagles term his emergency an ‘extra constitutional’ measure, most people are concerned at the ease with which the Constitution has once again been swept aside and “Far from it,” observed Zahid. “He is still being seen as a pivotal force in the war on terror… why else is military aid by U.S. not being suspended?”
This latest suspension of the constitution is unfortunately a sign of things to come designed by the architects of the New World Order in the Manhattan/Whitehouse. The global population is witnessing a trend, which will culminate in the dissolution of constitutions the world over; the objective to rend and silence the protection and voice of the masses. There has never been an unmistakable black cloud hanging over the rights of the worlds people as is the acceptance of FEMA in the USA by its people without furious protest, a democratic violation so severe and extreme, it negates all of the cumulative progress of humanity to enjoy jurisdiction over ones own destiny in an air of global harmony since we walked out of the caves. Every thinking person the World over, can detect a Machiavellian current being played out globally which can only result in a calamity beneficial to the global monetary cabal, a self chosen few. Bush and Musharaff are not the perpetrators of these grotesque intrusions of the peoples rights, they are instruments of that cabal, the victims are all of us, even here, it’s not just the people in Pakistan which are severely affected. It is every freethinking man and women the world over. There are synonymic terms and phrases that define these lethal threats, World bank, IMF, privatization, globalization, the dissolution of constitutions, the war on terror, yellow journalism, and the NWO. The world hopes the people of Pakistan show more resolve to protect the fate of humanity than did the sheeple of the United States. Who’s next? The show has only just begun!

Thomas Bendoraitis
Canada

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To whom it may concern,

The situation for aid workers in Sri Lanka is scary. But, why do groups keep coming when the risk is so high? It’s like asking a soldier why he goes to battle even when he knows he’ll die.
One group of American non-profit volunteers is headed to Sri Lanka this month, despite the situation. Physicians for Peace is coming to Matara to help build and establish a pediatrics program at the hospital there. This won’t be a “get in and get out” relief mission. It’s the beginning of a multi-year commitment to the people of Sri Lanka.
Want to talk to some Physicians for Peace volunteers about why they’re coming to Sri Lanka? All you have to do is email me back and I’ll set it up.

Best Regards,

Andy Aldridge
Lyerly Agency for Physicians for Peace

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Dear Ms. Roebling:

Regarding your story about the Haiti-Dominican Republic border ('’One Market, Two Separate Worlds'’) I would like to make the following clarification: The Supreme Court of the Dominican Republic ruled out that children of undocumented Haitians born in the Dominican Republic are ‘’in transit'’. I am sure it was not intentional, but leaving out the word ‘’undocumented'’ from that paragraph gives it a total different meaning.

Ulises Jorge
San Juan, PR

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I am a reader of the IPS News Agency news.
I was reading the article mentioned in the title, and I came across something that, though not intended to be degrading, actually is. The author of the article, at one point, calls the Soliga tribe “primitive.” I just want to point out that “primitive” should not be used to describe people. Although one of the word’s meanings is ‘not technologically advanced,’ throughout history the word has been used by colonizers and imperialist countries to describe the people they were colonizing. When used by colonizers, the word had very negative connotations; “primitive,” yes, did still mean technologically ‘backward,’ but also, as a result of that meaning, implied that “primitive” people were savage sub-humans, who needed to be saved by European and American religion, society, and technology (the connotations are definitely complex; I have reduced them to their core tenets).
Also, I do not think calling the Soliga a “tribe” is the best description. Being from a region in the nation of India and having experience with various people from the nation of India, “tribe” is not as appropriate as calling the Soliga “people.”
I appreciate you taking the time to consider the comments. I do not mean to be accusatory or preachy; the two topics are just of great concern to me: if the legacies of colonialism and imperialism are to be abandoned to as great an extent as possible, small things like the ones I mentioned - and medium and large things - need to be addressed by all people, and by no means am I implying that I have personally addressed and fixed my own limitations in this regard.

Thank you once again for your cooperation. I must add that the IPS New Agency provides great coverage over a wide range of issues. Keep it up!

Sincerely,

Pranav Merchant

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Dear Editors,

What a scam! The IPCC report has incredibly weak evidence for its claims.
See. http://mclean.ch/climate/IPCC_evidence.pdf .
No wonder it’s fundamental claim was supported by just 5 people, 4 of whom had vested interests and the other made just one comment for the entire WG I report. See this article, especially part 6.
http://mclean.ch/climate/IPCC_review_updated_analysis.pdf
Flannery seems to praise the CSIRO report. What a crock of nonsense it was too. It ignored some important factors, and said that ENSO had a major influence on Australia’s climate, but then dropped the ENSO influence like a hot scone when it came to causes. The report was an absolute disgrace.
See http://mclean.ch/climate/CSIRO_review.pdf.
To top all this off, the UK’s CRU is indicating that this year will be cooler than last year, which was cooler than the year before. Anyone with half a brain should be able to see a natural cause for climate variability. Sadly there’s a lot of money to be made by hysterically blaming humans - as Flannery well knows.

Cheers,

John McLean
Australia

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Dear Editors,

This story reaffirms that nexus of the “fundy right” and the neocons is Israel and has nothing to do with the welfare of the American Body Politic, our constitution, or national best interests. Why is it that so many of our people fail to see this connection?

Sid

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Dear Editors,

Almost no members of the US Congress (perhaps only Dennis Kucinich and Joe Biden) refer to the oil production sharing agreements Iraq is expected to sign by their true name INSTEAD of referring to the oil law as merely the “oil revenue sharing law.” Revenue sharing is the easy part.
You probably know all this, but we forced Iraq to privatize its one natural resource when we “helped” them write a new constitution in 2003. A year or so before the US invasion of Iraq, our government drafted the oil production sharing agreements that are now considered a benchmark to be met by Iraq’s parliament. These agreements give US and British oil companies control of, I believe, 81% of all new drilling and most of the profits for 20 to 30-year lease periods. The companies do not have to hire Iraqi employees, do business with Iraqi suppliers, or invest a penny of their profits in Iraq’s economy.
Greg Muttitt described this situation in a 2005 report called “Crude Designs,” and in June 2007 a large group of respected NGOs wrote a report on how the war had affected Iraqi citizens in which they urged Iraq not to sign any oil agreements at this time.
(Both reports are at http://www.globalpolicy.org/
I would guess Iraq’s parliament needs time to rewrite its constitution so it can legally refuse to sign over Iraq’s financial future to corporations who have no stake in Iraq’s success as a country but only wish to suck up its oil for their own gain.

Bernice Vetsch,
St Paul, Minnesota
U.S.

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