Q&A: “World Needs a Global Culture of Human Rights” March 31st, 2008
Dear Editors,
Thanks very much for your cordial interview with Daisaku Ikeda. As long as I’ve known about Mr. Ikeda, I’ve observed the trend among journalists towards negative and unjustified criticism of this courageous and intrepid peace advocate. Especially in Japan, his home country, the attempts to smear him (and the Soka Gakkai International organization he leads) have a sordid history - dating back to the WWII days of the infamous “thought police”. Your balanced and informative interview was as welcome and refreshing as it was encouraging.
BOLIVIA: Coca Leaf Defended by Growers, Scientists… and Taxi Drivers March 29th, 2008
Dear Editors,
A great article. My opinion is if the western seniors chewed coco leaves they would not get all the diseases that they get from eating too much and being sedentary, plus depressed. Just look at the seniors in the places where the leaves are chewed. They are not overweight (in the meantime in the west they are constantly looking for something so people wouldn’t gain weight) they are physically active and do not seem to be depressed. In other words they are a much healthier group.
But to legalize coco leave chewing here is a great no, but drinking alcohol which makes people violent and eventually very sick is legal. Typical of America because it makes so much money on alcohol. It’s the same with pot.
ARGENTINA: Another War Over Water March 29th, 2008
Dear Editors,
Water is a basic human requirement. I believe in a free market. I believe in business. But, basic infrastructure items such as water, fuel, and utilities should be community owned.
RIGHTS-MIDEAST: Govts Ever More Draconian, Group Says March 28th, 2008
Dear Editors,
It is not accidental or divine, Zionist and nonbelievers conspiracy that the Arabs are politically, socially, economically, educationally, culturally and religiously among the most backward peoples in the world. The wicked Arab ruling elites understand if they dehumanized their captive populations and made them believe they are unworthy of respect and dignity, they would submit to and even praise and defend the authority of their torturers. Arabs are among the most oppressed in the world. They are among the biggest consumers and least productive peoples according to the UN Human Development and human rights groups reports. They have been brainwashed and cowed for decades into believing Jews, Christians and external powers are to be blamed for their massive failures at home. Governments are mirrors of the governed. The Arab people want to live in the present and a have better future, but look back and hold onto their “glorious” past for solutions. This is a grim picture of the Arab East and can lead into global crises.
Historically, intense anger, frustration and a sense of helplessness and hopelessness can only be contained for so long before they spill over beyond the borders of their sources. Despondent Arabs, especially youth, are unleashing their anger at others, specifically those whom they see and/or perceive to be contributing to their vilification and dispossession at home. There are three reasons for this: 1) Arab government-controlled medias constant attacks on non-Muslims 2) the Wests support for Arab tyrannical regimes and 3) the Arab regimes relentless attack on Israel as the obstacle to progress on domestic issues. The latter is losing its effectiveness, especially among educated Arabs. However, the Arab media is weighing heavily on the conflict in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Danish cartoon scandal as a deflective substitute.
Ali H. Alyami, Ph. D.
Executive Director
The Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia
www.cdhr.info
ARGENTINA-BRAZIL: Planned Binational Dam Under Fire March 27th, 2008
Dear editors,
The Iguazu falls are shared among Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. Uruguay does not have a sharing in the falls. At any rate, given the disproportionate inequalities in the treaties signed between Paraguay and Brazil with the Itaipu dam, and between Paraguay and Argentina with the Yacyreta dam (in both cases Paraguay is contributing the river, none the less!) any country should be wary of entering such a commitment with either Brazil or Argentina.
LEBANON: Hopes of Peace from Lords of War March 27th, 2008
Dear editors,
I noticed in your article dated March 24 08 “LEBANON: Hopes of Peace from Lords of War ” the following information:
“A recent Hezbollah blunder was the kidnapping in July 2006 of two Israeli soldiers, which led to a 33-day war that saw 1,200 deaths, the displacement of a quarter of Lebanon’s population, and more than 3 billion dollars worth of direct losses. ”
I would like to refresh you memory hoping that it would not be limited to just July 2006. Please do keep in mind the Israel CURRENTLY HOLDS LEBANESE PRISONERS prior to July 2006. Hezbollah’s operation was intended to trigger a prisoner swap between the two sides in order to simply return the Lebanese prisoners back to their land. If Israel released those prisoners before, Hezbollah would not have a need or a reason to conduct any kidnapping operation and take any soldiers as prisoners. It is Israel’s violation of international law by not releasing those prisoners which triggered the tension and the war in July 2006, not Hezbollah’s operation, which was a RESULT of the Israeli violation.
I hope that such conclusions would be made on the basis of historical facts.
LEBANON: Hopes of Peace from Lords of War March 27th, 2008
Dear Mona Alami,
in your article titled “LEBANON: Hopes of Peace from Lords of War”, you use the misnomer “civil war” which was actually a set of foreign-fabricated civil conflicts that started in 1975. In 1988, the general Michel Aoun challenged the “civil war” status quo by suggesting that teh Lebanese are not truly divided by religious sects, that a have a national sentiment, and that the so called civil war is not a valid excuse for what was at the time a Syrian and israeli occupation. This was the onset the the lebanese Free patriotic Movement. It is the only movement that stood up to the Syrian occupation until it ended in 2005, and that is standing up today to the religious segregation and sectarianism that the government is unsuccessfully pushing on the population in Lebanon. Among those who resisted this departure from sectarianism, are the Lebanese Klux klux klan; the Lebanese Forces. They strive on a murderous Christian complex of superiority, which hardly represent the evolved Lebanese Christians. The General was not pitted in the war of canceling the Lebanese forces, it is they who launched a war against change in Lebanon; the change from sectarianism to a religiously diverse Lebanon. The fact that in your article you speak of “Christian power” shows that you too are resisting a change from sectarianism to Lebanese national sentiment. You also speak of an alliance between the LFPM and Hezbollah, but it is in fact a mentoring relationship. Through a memorandum of understanding, which the LFPM invited all parties to join, it is initiating old sectarian factions into Lebanese citizenry. You also blame Hezbollah for the Israeli attacks on Lebanon in 2006, but according to an Israeli book “Spider Webs - The Story of the Second Lebanon War,” published by Yedioth Ahronoth, Hezbollah offered to return the Israeli prisoners in return of a cease fire, a week into the Summer 2006 war. Yet, Israel rejected that offer after “Olmert said he didn’t like the idea. He added: ‘We have no problem with Siniora. We think he’s good news overall.” The sectarian Lebanese government, the March 14th coalition made of ex-warlords, tried to undo the progress made by LFPM with Hezbollah when the employed in early 2007 sunnite Iraqi mercenaries to provoke Hezbollah into a civil war. They failed, because the LFPM’s mentoring worked, Hezbollah has now evolved past civil wars.
RELIGION: Unease Rises Over Anti-Islam Film March 26th, 2008
Dear editors,
Geert Wilders is a brave man who is drawing the world’s attention to the contents of the Qur’an and how this content fuels militant jihadis. Unless this is recognised by Muslims and non-Muslims alike, nothing will change and these homicidal bullies will continue to increase their threats and murders throughout the civilised world.
The war between the Prime Minister and Gazprom has nothing to do with oil or gas. It’s greed by her wanting to control the industry that will put more money into her Swiss account. She has already had her hand in the till as we know the Russians wanted to extradite her. She was sacked in the last government. This women is for herself not the Ukrainian people. When are they going to see that she in manipulating them to line her own pockets which are full already? one day’s interest on what she earns is more than an average Ukrainian earns in a year let her be like the British MP. Publish her wealth, what she owns, how she got it when this happens and it’s a true account you will see pigs fly.
US/IRAQ: Sadr Offensive Shows Failure of Petraeus Strategy March 26th, 2008
Dear editors,
Please give my thanks to Mr Porter for his analysis of the situation in Irag visa vis the Madhi Army, Gen Petraeus & his part in W’s surge plus repeating his charges that Iran is furnishing weapons to those Iraqis who are resisting Iraq’s central govt & US forces. Prior to reading Mr Porter’s analysis I had that Gen P was playing the Iranian weapons thing as simply giving a pretext that the US could use to justify an invasion of Iran. As usual, the situation in Iraq is much more complicated than the US states. I had ignored the Shia vs Suni armies & what they have been up to lately. Regardless of W’s disclaimers, the US is involved in a civil war among Iraqis. The Kurdish elements are always a factor in Iraqi politics as the Kurds are in Turkey & Iran. I’ll be on the watch for any comments which Mr Porter has made or may make on the Kurds. If & when US forces leave Iraq the civil war will continue with the possibility that Iraq’s Muslim neighbours will more openly side with & aid their favourite faction. Mr Porters insights will continue to be very useful.
“ECONOMY-COSTA RICA: “U.S. Crisis Will Affect Growth, Exports, Tourism” March 25th, 2008
Dear editors,
Great article. We have been doing business in Costa Rica since early 1991.This is one of clearest analysis of the past, current and future internal and external influences on the Costa Rican arena that I have read in a long time. Insightful and easy to read. Congratulations. Thanks.
POLITICS: Why Did the U.S. Invade Iraq? March 25th, 2008
Dear editors,
I think a long-term supply source was more likely than wanting to flood the market with Iraqi oil to force the price down. That and helping out their industry buddies.
Please see the article, “Slick Connections: US Influence on Iraqi Oil,” by Erik Leaver and Greg Muttitt, Foreign Policy in Focus (www.fpif.org), July 17, 2007. A timeline it includes begins with the item, “Foreign Suitors for Iraqi Oilfield Contracts,” a list of those companies to whom long-term leases with control of all new drilling and most of the profits would go. Iraq is still being pressured to accept these agreements, but has so far stood fast against them. The list was prepared by the Bush/Cheney Energy Task Force, a group composed of Enron, ExxonMobil and other energy industry giants who also helped produce an energy policy for the United States that consisted in large part of huge subsidies, tax reductions, and removal of governmental oversight for the same folks who would benefit from these breaks.
INT’L WOMEN’S DAY-SOUTH AFRICA: A Fight Against Cultural Norms on Violence March 24th, 2008
Dear editors,
I am the author of a book called LOOK ME IN THE EYE and I am the founding member of the organization ABUSE IS NO EXCUSE, my website is www.abuseisnoexcuse.co.za. It has been three years now since I left my husband and I still deal with abuse but now it is from his girlfriend, friends and family who do not want me to continue with the battle against domestic violence. I have a court case on the 30th May and I was wondering if there was anyone who would be prepared to come to court with me? I have no doubt that there will not be a prosecution but I want as many people to be in court as possible. There is strength in numbers and I want to make sure that my message will get across, that there is no excuse for abuse.
BRAZIL: Growing Foreign Appetite for Land March 24th, 2008
Dear editors,
Big companies care nothing about people unless it is a requisite for them to rape the country. Then they might grudgingly build a school or a hospital to placate the local government. Why can’t Brazil own and run Brazil? Do they really need foreigners plundering their country and telling them what to do and how to do it or is the federal government already in the pockets of the likes of Stora Enso and ilk? The severest penalties should be dealt out to politicians which sell a countrie’s resources and life giving commodities in order to line their own pockets. Give Brazilian land back to Brazilians not the Machiavellian and avaricious international bean counters!
MEXICO: New Rules Pave the Way for Transgenic Crops March 23rd, 2008
Dear Editor,
Allowing genetically modified crops into Mexico will not only destroy crop diversity, it will adversely affect a country of peasants who do not have the funds to purchase seeds from the monster Monsanto. Makes one wonder: What could be so important to the Mexican politicians that they would allow GMOs into their country? How is it with globalization that they have not learned a lesson from the tragic situation with GMOs in India?
DEVELOPMENT: Climate Change Deepening World Water Crisis March 22nd, 2008
Dear editors,
I want to share with you a part of the letter of a volunteer, Mr. Roland Langbayan for assistance about water and the development of watersheds if you could help. The province of Ifugao is mostly mountainous and the whole province is declared by the government as watershed and by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. The Ifugao watershed is one of the main watersheds of the MagatDam, the Magat Dam Watershed is the biggest watershed in the Philippines with an area covering 234,824 hectares that provides spring water for drinking and water to the Ifugao rice terraces in the eleven municipalities of Ifugao (which are now lacking water). Further, the Magat multi-purpose dam which is located in Santo Domingo, Alfonso Lista, Ifugao, provides livelihood to fisher folks that have fish cages installed with in the 1.08 billion cubic meter of water stored in the dam. The Dam provides irrigation to more than 950 hectares farmlands. This hydroelectric power generator generates 360 megawatts of power.
MEXICO: New Rules Pave the Way for Transgenic Crops March 20th, 2008
Dear editors,
As a farmer, I do not like these gm seeds. The corn I planted two years ago that had a chemical in the seed to keep the corn bore from the stalk. That winter I saved enough ear corn to feed the squirrels in my yard here in town. The squirrels would not eat that corn. I wrote a letter to the seed company and asked if the chemical would get in the food supply. I have not received a letter yet. Having a conversation with some people in the feed store, some wondered if some of the new sweet corn was treated to keep the racoons out. My comment to them was that if the racoon would not eat it neither would I. Animals are smarter than people.
I viewed only part of CNN news this morning on the cost of the Iraq war. It reported that the cost was about $12M per hour and that this was money that did not have any return on what is spent.
I was wondering if (1) Did the money spent include how many people worked on defense contracts and made a good living? (2) Did it include the large profits that the defense contractors made and the salaries of their top CEO’s and managers? (3) Does the report know that the Army is buying equipment that is sitting in contract and Army posts not being used?
I retired in December 2006 after working for 21 years for the Defense Contracts Mangement Agency. I know that Army FMTV Trucks are sitting as long as a year at the contractors plant in Sealy, Texas after they are paid. The contractor is also being paid to store these trucks and to perform inspections. This has been going on for over 10 years.
ENVIRONMENT: Sanitation Beyond Septic Tanks and Sewers March 18th, 2008
Dear editors,
Hi, thanks! We should have raised this earlier. The problem with the two IPS reports in question - appended below - is that they uncritically regurgitate the World Bank view that people should have as little water as possible supplied to them, including for sanitation purposes. Our concern about this is reflected in an article colleagues and I authored last month, further below.
Cheers,
ENVIRONMENT- SOUTH PACIFIC: Sea Turtles - Iconic but Going Extinct March 18th, 2008
Dear editors,
This story is amazing! I love turtles anyway, but now I will tell all my friends to read this article and I hope that it will help the turtles!
Sincerely,
COLOMBIA: The Food Basket Is Running Out March 18th, 2008
Dear editors,
Excellent article. It really shows what is wrong with agricultural policy in Colombia and other developing countries. Ethanol, as your article points out is the wrong solution for alternative energy. Food is more important than cheap gasoline for the developed world.
RIGHTS-MEXICO: 16,000 Victims of Child Sexual Exploitation March 17th, 2008
Dear editors,
I just wanted to ask if you have heard that somewhere around the borders of Mexico they do the same thing…that they have children and babies they don’t feed so they can get rented out to people who go there so they can do what they please….do you think someone is trying to do something to help those children?
POLITICS-US: Can Obama Deliver Rebirth of a Nation? March 17th, 2008
Dear editors,
I did not care for the editorial bias in this story at all. You should do your homework before you post articles like this. If you go on Barack Obama’s web site and look over the material available you can get a much more accurate picture of the man. What emerges is someone with a broad ranging understanding of the problems of the United States and world, someone who has connected the dots in his understanding. While Hillary Clinton’s understanding may be nearly on par with Obama’s she is clearly tied to the business as usual politics in Washington and her style of governing is heavily paternalistic. John McCain on the other hand has an extremely narrow perspective based primarily on “Military Security”. As for being ready to be president, Barack Obama has done a much better job of running his presidential campaign than either Hillary Clinton or John McCain. Hillary Clinton in particular has made many campaign missteps and has exhibited poor choices in the people she has brought in. One thing that makes Obama’s campaign different is the degree to which he has relied on $25, $50 and $100 donations from ordinary citizens. He does not take contributions from political action committees or special interest lobbyists. And he is not heavily tied to corporate funding. The way a person runs their presidential campaign says a lot about how they will run the office of president. The crucial transition that the United States and world needs to make over the next 50 to 100 years is from an unsustainable civilization to a sustainable one. The paradigm shift that has to occur is multidisciplinary in nature and requires changes across multiple fronts simultaneously. Barack Obama has the kind of knowledge, wisdom, and vision to help make this happen. He is far better prepared for the challenges of the 21st century than any of his presidential competitors. The urgency of current problems today demands a leader with this kind of preparation. We do not have any more time to wait to solve the problems ahead of us.
RIGHTS-EL SALVADOR: Prisons Out of Control March 17th, 2008
Dear editors,
Very interesting story. I will be travelling to the city of San Salvador for 6 months of active work among men who are in rehabilitation from drugs and gangs. I have the privilege of working in California, USA also doing the same kind of work. Although change is ultimately up to the person who has the will to do it, my experience has shown it is possible and I know Salvadorenos who have. Their stories are truly amazing. If you would be interested in publishing any articles about one of them, you can contact me and I can truly be of assistance. I myself have recovered from a life of gang violence and drug abuse so I know the pangs of change quite well.
Respectfully,
Florencio Gutierrez
P.S. great article which has information that is necessary in order to see the just things done in the prisons of El Salvador.
POLITICS-MALAYSIA: Anwar Ibrahim - Man of the Match March 16th, 2008
Dear editors,
Your story is an admirable piece. It provides the facts and the perceptions without bias.
It is certainly very apparent that the “zero tolerance for corruption” was ultimately the winning ticket. Added to this is the ‘renaissance man’ - Anuar Ibrahim at the helm.
It is this fight against corruption - both factual and perceived, that the ruling party is unable to tackle decisively and convincingly. Worse, it is not convincingly seen to be addressing the issues and perceptions relating to corruption.
On the contrary, the politicians’ continuing debates along racial demarcations will only translate to earning brownies for the coalition led by Anwar Ibrahim - provided the citizens do not fall victim to the ploys and are able to challenge themselves outside the paradigm box.
The weeks ahead are pregnant with expectations as Malaysians go about their daily chores with a mixture of fear and hope.
The fear is as a result of the daily barrage from UMNO veterans and politicians’ making frequent references to terms like ‘political control’, ‘UMNO rule’, and the importance of ‘Malay’ supremacy and rights.
The hope is to see a more democratic Malaysia unlike that of the ‘managed’ democracy attributed to the regime of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed. At the ground level, Malaysians are more receptive to a live and let live mindset which sees a greater level of empathy for social and economic progress for all irrespective of race or religion. If the politicians can stroke this sentiment, the road ahead is bound to be one of a win-win for all.
The difficult question is are the elite and powerful willing or ready to give up their fifty years of legacy.
IPS Story POLITICS-US: My Lai Probe Hid Policy that Led to Massacre March 16th, 2008
Dear editors,
Last Friday, I watched some of the Winter Soldier hearings on Iraq and the same issue of treatment of civilians was raised repeatedly– stories from the field that we don’t read about in the New York Times. The hearings themselves were ignored by the media that feeds our need to believe that the war in Iraq is succeeding and shields from facing the devastation of civil society in Iraq. Last night, by chance, I watched in the Valley of Elah which raised similar questions.
Gareth’s essay can hopefully remind us of the 40th anniversary of My Lai and lead us to embrace the lessons of Vietnam as we mark the 5th anniversary of the Invasion of Iraq.
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