CHILE: Bachelet Unveils New Indigenous Policy May 30th, 2008
Dear Editors,
I read your information about President Bachelet’s new Indigenous policy. After serious violations to Mapuche people, including the murder of a young student, this year, and the application of the so called “antiterrorist law” during Lagos’ administration also deadly for Mapuches, Bachelet now discovers a “new” approach to the problem. We know what politics is all about and I don’t trust the government. They just wanted a seat in the new Human Rights Council of United Nations. So they had to use a different make-up. In the mean time, Mapuche people are being “silently” exterminated by poverty and diseases. I hope you are not made a fool again by the kind words of Bachelet govenrment. They’ve used those tricks before. Lagos spoke about “a New Deal” towards Mapuche people. Let me quote here Abraham Lincoln: “You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time”.
LEBANON: Druze Take On Hezbollah, Because They Must May 30th, 2008
Dear Editors,
The battle for Lebanon is a battle between a relatively rich minority; numerically that is, among Lebanon’s four million people and a poor majority. The minority controls the political and economic fortunes of the country. The majority refuses to be dominated. The divide is political and economic, not religious or sectarian; though, Lebanon is home to 18 different religious sects, all recognized in the Lebanese constitution.
The minority encompasses factions within the Maronite and other Christian communities, traditionally known for their anti-Syria, pro-France and the United States affiliation led by former president Amin Gemayel’s Phalange Party and Samir Geagea’s Lebanese Forces. Additionally, the minority includes Sunni Muslims, traditionally pro Syria but changed sides recently, led by the young Saudi/ Lebanese billionaire Saad Al-Hariri’s Future Movement, and a large faction among Lebanon’s Druzes who had been pro-Syria but changed sides too; led by Walid Junblat’s Progressive Socialist Party.
The majority includes Maronite and other Christians; led by former general Michel Aoun’s Free Patriotic Movement. The majority includes also the downtrodden Shiites; led by Hassan Nasrallah’s Hezbollah and Nabih Berri’s Amal movement, in addition to Sunni Muslims; led by former prime minister Omar Karami and Sunni cleric Fathi Yakun’s Islamic Movement of Lebanon, and Druzes; led by Talal Arsalan’s Druze Democratic Party. The poor majority looks to Syria and Iran for support.
It is difficult to know with accuracy the religious and the sectarian make-up of Lebanon’s population. The last census was taken in 1932. That census gave Christians more than half of the population, with the Maronites a third of the population. However, Christian numbers have been declining since 1932 due to relatively low rates of population growth compared to Muslims’ growth rates, especially the Shiites, and to migration from Lebanon to Europe and the Americas.
Today, the general consensus is that Shiites represent just over 40% of the Lebanese, Christians roughly 35%, Sunnis around 20%, and Druzes about 5%. That no census since 1932 has been allowed to take place reflects the seriousness of Lebanon population issue.
The rich minority may be guesstimated at about 40% of the population. In the 2005 parliamentary election, this minority won the majority of the seats: 72 out of 128 seats, or 56%. The poor majority, estimated at about 60% won 56 seats, or 44%. The skewed representation in parliament is the result of a flawed election law and the power of Saad Al-Hariri’s billions. The rich oppose a meaningful change to the election law; the poor support the change.
Saad Al-Hariri is a son of Rafiq Al-Hariri. He holds Saudi and Lebanese nationalities. Rafiq Al-Hariri was born in 1944 in the Lebanese port city of Sidon to a Sunni Muslim family of modest means. He moved from rags to riches swiftly. In 1965, he left for Saudi Arabia, working as an accountant in a construction company. Fifteen years later, Rafiq Al-Hariri was on the Forbes top 100. After his assassination in 2006, his family members featured in Forbes’ list of billionaires in 2006. He reportedly left an estate of $16.7 billion. Saudi Oger, a construction company owned by Al-Hariri is a thriving business in Saudi Arabia today specializing in the construction and maintenance of profligate palaces for the senior Al-Sauds.
In 1978, Rafiq Al-Hariri was made a citizen of Saudi Arabia. He returned to Lebanon in the early 1980’s; implanted by the Saudi ruling family in response to the absence of a viable Sunni leadership in the country and the rising power of the Shiite population since the early 1960s under the leadership of the cleric Musa Al-Sadr (disappeared in 1978 while on an official visit to Libya).
The Shiites have been for centuries the downtrodden of Lebanon, suffering abject poverty, illiteracy, and ill health. Marginalized and discriminated against as second-class citizens by the government and society, Lebanon’s Shiites have suffered centuries of indignity and humiliation. Their liberation started in 1959 with the arrival to the coastal city of Tyre of Musa Al-Sadr, an Iranian-born Lebanese Shiite cleric, son of a long line of distinguished Shiite scholars. At the turn of the nineteenth century, his ancestors escaped Ottoman persecution from Tyre to Iraq’s holy city of Najaf, then to Iran.
A close religious connection between Iran and the Shiites of Lebanon had been established some five centuries ago. Shah Ismail made Shiism the state religion of the Safavid dynasty (1502-1737) instead of Sunnism, presumably to fight the Sunni Ottomans. Lacking the clerics to convert and teach Shiism to his subjects, Shiite scholars from southern Lebanon (Mount Amel) were invited to establish schools and train Persian clerics in Shiism. Ever since that time a theological bridge between Iran and Lebanon flourished.
Musa Al-Sadr awakened in the Shiites of Lebanon a sense of dignity and worth unknown before. He replaced their innate self-pity, sorrow, and submission by a fiery spirit of hope, defiance, and revolution. In 1974, Al-Sadr formed the Movement of the Disinherited, a political movement aimed at social justice. In 1975, the Amal movement was formed as the militia wing of the Movement of the Disinherited. After Al-Sadr’s disappearance in 1978, the momentum of his work gave rise in the early 1980s to Hezbollah, a militia trained, organized, and funded by Ayatollah Khomeini’s Revolutionary Guards. In addition to its military wing, Hezbollah organizes extensive networks of social development programs, running hospitals, schools, and social help for the poor.
In Lebanon, Rafiq Al-Hariri started to establish his power base through making large donations and contributions to various groups and causes. He laid the groundwork for the 1989 Taif Accord, which Saudi Arabia organized. Taif ended the fifteen-year civil war (1975-1990) and paved the way in 1992 for Al-Hariri to become prime minister. He was prime minister from 1992 to 1998 and again from 2000 until his resignation on 20 October 2004. Hariri was assassinated on 14 February 2005.
Until the cataclysmic events of September 11, 2001 took place Rafiq Al-Hariri was content to rule in Lebanon under Syria’s domination. Syrian troops entered Lebanon in 1976 at the request of the Lebanese. They put an end to Lebanon’s civil war. Syrian troops were in Lebanon for 29 years before being forced to withdraw unceremoniously on April 26, 2005, in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1559 of September 2004. After 9/11, however, matters changed.
The Bush administration’s response to 9/11 was to want to reshape the Middle East; change the regimes of Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, and Syria, destroy Hezbollah in Lebanon plus Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip; and, force a settlement in the Arab Israeli conflict on Israel’s terms. US forces occupied Afghanistan in October 2001 and Iraq in April 2003. Saudi Arabia would play a major role in Washington’s unfolding plans.
That 15 out of the 19 murderers on 9/11 were Saudis threatens catastrophe to the Al-Sauds. Fearing America’s retaliation, the Al-Sauds performed an act of preemptive surrender. Events since 2001 suggest that the Al-Sauds have become even more obsequious and obvious in their submissiveness to Washington than ever before.
Traditionally, Saudis traveled more than thousand kilometers or so to Lebanon as tourists seeking temperate climate, breathtaking mountains, beautiful women, delicious cuisine, and abundant alcohol. Post 9/11, Saudi Arabia’s interest in Lebanon took a new purpose; install in Beirut a pro Washington government, destroy Hezbollah, and change the regime in Damascus. The instrument would be a Trojan horse loaded with Saudi money called Al-Hariri.
Since the 2005 parliamentary elections the Al-Hariri/ Gemayel/ Geagea/ Junblat alliance, known as 14 March alliance has been in control of the Lebanese parliament and the cabinet. Prime Minister Fouad Seniora has been for years an employee of Al-Hariri companies serving as finance director. Seniora was made finance minister in Rafiq Al-Hariri’s cabinets then prime minister in 2005 by Saad Al-Hariri and his Saudi handlers. The 14 March alliance succeeded in removing Syria’s troops from Lebanon in 2005.
The Saudi plan, however, has run into trouble. Hezbollah proved to be more resilient than to be sidelined easily. In July 2006, Israel failed to destroy Hezbollah despite 33 days of relentless bombardment from the air, land, and sea using the most sophisticated weapons that destroyed much of Lebanon’s civilian infrastructure and killed about 1,000 civilians. Also, when Lebanon’s cabinet decided on May 6, 2008 that Hezbollah’s communication network should be dismantled and that the head of Beirut’s airport security must be removed, Hezbollah reacted violently forcing the cabinet on May 14, 2008 to reverse the two decisions. In the aftermath of this showdown, government and opposition representatives reached on May 21, 2008 in Doha, Qatar a power-sharing agreement in which the Hezbollah-led opposition increased its seats in the cabinet from six to eleven out of 30 seats; winning a veto power over the cabinet decisions.
Syria objects to Saudi Arabia’s political encroachment of Lebanon. Syria and Lebanon have been over the millennia one society. Natural Syria has always signified Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine. A look at the map shows why. Lebanon, a small land of 10,230 square kilometers, is surrounded by Syria from all sides (375 kilometers), the Mediterranean Sea to the West (225 kilometers) and a strip of land to the south bordering Israel (79 kilometers). Less than two-hour car ride separates Damascus from Beirut. Many of the families in Beirut and Tripoli, for example, have branches in Damascus and Homs. Syrians and Lebanese share the Arabic language, values, customs, habits, food, music, let alone centuries of being ruled as one entity. They became two separate states after the French mandate ended in the mid 1940s.
Syria fears that threats to its own national security could come from Lebanon in two ways. First, Damascus worries that a Saudi controlled government in Lebanon would compromise the defenses of Syria’s own border with Israel. Given their contiguous geography, the military defenses of the Syrian and Lebanese fronts need, in Syria’s view, to be closely coordinated if the Syrian front is to remain viable. Post 9/11, Riyadh’s intentions, and policies became suspect. Under such conditions, Syria would strive to keep Lebanon’s southern border from falling under the control of a Saudi controlled government in Beirut.
Secondly, Syria considers Wahhabi intolerance towards other Islamic sects and religions as a threat to Syria’s age-old religious and ethnic harmony. To Syria’s ruling Alawites, Wahhabi belief that the Alawites are non-Muslim heretics could endanger the very existence of the Alawites and their regime. To most Syrians, Wahhabism is a primitive doctrine exploited by the Al-Sauds to subdue the populace in the name of extremist interpretation of Islam; an anathema to Syria’s moderate Hanafi Sunni rite, let alone Syria’s other religions and sects. As such, Syria would resist Saudi Wahhabi attempts to make Lebanon a gateway to Syria. It may be predicted that even if Syria reaches its own peace agreement with Israel in the future, Damascus’ would continue to strive to keep Lebanon free of Wahhabi control.
As far as Syria is concerned, Lebanon is not for sale to Saudi Arabia.
Sincerely,
Elie Elhadj
Author: The Islamic Shield
http://www.universal-publishers.com/book.php?method=ISBN&book=1599424118
Blog: http://journals.aol.com/eeh100/daring-opinion/
IRAQ: Through Occupation, The Very Dreams Change May 29th, 2008
Dear Editors,
It’s so sad how a country and its people can be destroyed by war, because of lies, greed, hate, and discrimination, and the certain group in Washington is planning another war.
“Climate Change: Indians Speak Out Against Carbon Markets.” May 28th, 2008
Dear Editor:
Although I agree with the critique of the World Bank’s carbon market policies in your article “Climate Change: Indians Speak Out Against Carbon Markets” (May 6), the author ignores the extent of indigenous exploitation routinely seen in the status quo. Take, for example, the Mexican state of Chiapas, with an indigenous population of 27 percent. Even though the state produces 12 percent of Mexico’s natural gas, 46 percent of its coffee and 48 percent of its hydroelectric power, most of its indigenous population is impoverished. The profits from Chiapasa natural resources are clearly not being equally distributed to benefit the indigenous people.
Rizvi’s analysis should further investigate the effects of climate policies on indigenous populations. It is a blatant understatement to say simply that indigenous people have a “minimal” contribution to global warming they are also among the groups most negatively affected by it.
Sincerely,
Kristen Walker
Research Associate
Council on Hemispheric Affairs
EL SALVADOR: Violence Imposes Huge Economic Burden May 28th, 2008
Dear Editors,
Your staff may find some interesting facts if you choose to look into the “decrease” in population registered following last year’s census. Municipalities with a consistent history of voting FMLN show a disproportionate decrease in census; some report evident manipulation on the part of the government to benefit next year’s legislative and presidential elections.
Please do not reference my name relative to this comment.
DEVELOPMENT: Can Sorghum Solve the Biofuels Dilemma? May 26th, 2008
Dear Editors,
Just been reading your article “Can Sorghum Solve the Biofuels Dilemma”? I think this is awesome and can really work here in Kenya. I am a poultry farmer with a broiler stock of over 10,000 birds. Why not involve us in this project so that we can grow the sorghum using the chicken manure as fertilizer thus reducing green house emissions from chemical fertilizers and in return use the sorghum to feed our chicken and the stalks to produce power or fuel to run our cold rooms heat generators and incubators and processing plants what do you think?
Cheers!
Mathew Nzau Kivuva
Director Mathews Poultry Ltd.
Kenya
EUROPE: Going Nuclear Despite Warnings May 25th, 2008
Dear Editors,
Regarding Europe “going nuclear” - isn’t it obvious that only those with a financial axe to grind are really in favor of it. Of course Areva, Westinghouse, and other power corporations are after the money. Sad to say, in my country, Australia, BHP, Rio Tinto and other mining giants and pygmies are also salivating at the thought of the money. Do these people care about their children, grandchildren’s future and beyond? No, their attitude is “grab the money now” - before the whole farce of nuclear power is revealed as the costly, dangerous, poisonous thing that it is.
Christina Macpherson
Australia
www.antinuclear.net
Q&A: Lack of Food Is a “Persistent Myth” May 25th, 2008
Dear Editors,
What the author interviewed in this article is talking about is ‘permaculture’ a system that was originally conceived in Australia by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren and is practiced all over the world now. It came about during the oil embargoes and oil price rises in the 70’s and has been slowly developing over the last 30 years. A good person to interview would be Peter Bane of the magazine ‘permaculture activist’. He came to Trinidad and taught us the permaculture design course last year and it was an eye opener. I am also now a permaculture teacher. I hope to see permaculture mentioned more often as it is a very viable option to what is happening in the world right now.
VIETNAM: Infant Abandonment Worse Than Adoption Fraud? May 24th, 2008
Dear Editors,
Isn’t it a shame that mothers in so many countries still are shamed and improvised? Why can’t we work on this problem? Why not ‘adopt’ a family there and over here? Also, with welfare reform in the USA mothers are being forced to surrender their infants to the over 2 billion dollar adoption industry. Let’s work on the cause of all this instead of taking advantage of poor women world-wide. It is the right course to take.
ENVIRONMENT: GM Foods the Problem, Not the Solution May 24th, 2008
Dear Editors,
Balance is key: one good example of the honey bee and its plight is making worldwide comments. Even if one crop failure occurs by not being pollinated, it represents billions of dollars of lost food. On the other hand, if genetically altered food results in killing just one life that is murder. To kill the balance of nature unlikened to the bee is genocide.
POLITICS-US: Senate Passes No-Strings War Funding Bill May 24th, 2008
Dear Editors,
In articles like these when important votes are discussed, the names of those voting yea or nay should be included, or at least a link to the vote tally. These names should be known!
POLITICS-US: Same-Sex Marriage Making a Comeback? May 24th, 2008
Dear Editors,
Senator McCain was right the first time, when he describes conservative religious leaders like the late Jerry Falwell, and Pat Robertson, “agents of intolerance.” Lately, they have gone so far as to lend support to the negative mindset that leads to anti-gay violence and bloodshed. It is sad that a man of McCain’s stature is ingratiating himself with these people for the sake of political support.
DEVELOPMENT: Food Crisis Rippling Out Like a “Tsunami” May 22nd, 2008
Dear Editors,
Very good - food and energy and the connections between them:
According to Lateef, one factor is growing demand for food and diversified diets, including meat, in many developing countries as people have begun to escape poverty and seen a rise in their incomes.
Read: population explosion and rise in lifestyles and expectations of lifestyles brought about by the use of fossil energy resources, e.g. the Green Revolution…
Secondly, she pointed out the competition for land use and diversion of crops posed by biofuels;
Read: thanks to “Peak Oil” and so on, with the realization that mineral resources eventually become scarce and expensive if you use a lot of them mankind began to look for alternative ways of running their cars and decided to put food in them…
thirdly, weather-related crop failures possibly associated with climate change, for example, the decline in wheat production due to an extended drought in Australia;
Read: climate change brought about by overuse of fossil energy resources…
and lastly, rising oil prices, as all contributing to food inflation.
Read: since modern agriculture is extremely energy intensive, one calorie of food on your table now representing at least 10 calories of fossil energy used to get it there. Thus, when the price of oil rises, the price of food must also.
Since 2000, I’ve been trying to tell people about food and energy:
CULTURE-US: Muslim Youth Try Humour to Rout Stereotypes May 22nd, 2008
Dear Editors,
Great article. I never thought about it until you mentioned it but if anything can help bridge the divide it will be humor. I thought the joke about non terrorists was hilarious. Every image of an Arab or Muslim is so solemn. It would help everyone to know that they, too, have a sense of humor. I will pray that God will raise up an army of Muslim comedians. That will heal by humanizing them.
Thanks for the article. I wish I could tell them this myself.
TSUNAMI IMPACT: Thai Compassion for Burmese Migrants Wears Thin May 20th, 2008
Dear Editors,
For fifteen years I worked for relief and development agencies in SE Asia. During that time I personally witnessed illegal activities directed toward Burmese people in both Burma and Thailand. Most of these activities involved the deaths of hundreds of innocent people at the hands of the Thai military. On numerous occasions I was informed of these events before they were carried out. In every instance, I attempted to prevent the killings by informing the United States Embassy and various international news agencies. To no avail.
On other occasions I personally interviewed survivors of SLORC atrocities and viewed photographs of bodies piled high in jungle killing fields. Again, no response from international authorities or the press.
Between Stallone’s recent film on SLORC and the cyclone, the world’s attention has become focused on the conditions in Burma. But, as with most high profile issues, they soon give way to the next Fox Breaking News Flash.
What can I do to help?
ENERGY-NIGERIA: ‘Solar Power Brings Relief to Villagers’ May 17th, 2008
Dear Editors,
I have just finished reading you article referenced above. I actually find it funny that in this day and age, a unit designed for a rural community will suddenly scream overload! What manner of engineering is this! Didn’t the government do some form of survey and load analysis? Didn’t they take into consideration a projection in increase of electricity demand at least for a couple of years? It is really a shame to read about this in a country where we have some of the best mind in the field of solar energy.
In my opinion, beyond the excuse of the system being overloaded and all, I think a closer look should have been given to the set-up to be sure, that the actual problem was not that the battery got drained. In which case, the issue will be is there a proper sizing done for the panels/batteries and inverter to allow sufficient autonomy?
Time have passes when we would take everything we are told and spend tax payers’ money without ensuring the best service available is provided.
Maybe you should do a better and more thorough investigation. I offer to do an independent assessment of the installation in question at no cost beyond been transported to the site of the installation.
TRADE: Zimbabwe Is the Fly in the New FTA Broth May 16th, 2008
Dear Editors,
Zimbabwe has the best trained manpower in the entire region, if not Africa. Botswana economy is and entirely Zimbabwean owned and managed. Zambia best producing farmers have always been black Zimbabweans, and the commercial sector of Zambia is Zimbabwean owned.
South Africa major investors are black Zimbabweans and the farmers are black Zimbabweans. Namibia, DRC, Angola, Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique business are going so much because the black Zimbabwean who are and have always been employers are now employing people throughout the entire Southern Africa region. The problem for the entire region is if stability return, so shall the skills and the manpower return back to Zimbabwe and really leave them exposed for who really running their economy.
The Great Zimbabwe ruins history should never be ignored, because these are factual,” The abundant grasslands atop the plateau were ideal for cattle grazing, but the poor soil would not have supported agriculture on a scale required to sustain Great Zimbabwe’s burgeoning population, necessitating imports of grain and other staples from distant tributary sites. Moreover, we now know that the plateau’s rich gold deposits, to which the city’s initial prosperity has often been attributed, were not exploited until perhaps a century after its founding. The question posed then is “Why here?” How could such an influential power develop in an area so ill-suited for large-scale human habitation? Could cattle wealth and trade alone have afforded the inhabitants of Great Zimbabwe a superior way of life, or was there something else, a political or religious ideology, that gave them a competitive edge over neighbors and enabled them to harness the manpower necessary for the construction of the site?”
Zimbabwe will develop faster and even at neck breaking speed that China will have to look with envy. The leadership of SADC community know the facts. Bankers, Scientists, Engineers, Pilots, Doctors, Consultants and Farmers are plenty plus and with their vast exposure to how the world operates has given Zimbabweans an advantage to know who systems work within the region and the rest of the world. Here I am not talking about an idea, but the facts. White Zimbabweans are not the ones who were supplying and making the country to be the breadbasket of the country. It’s very shortsighted to think so even suggesting that is an insult to the black Zimbabweans. White Zimbabwean farmers were also contributing to the country but the down turn of the economy is not because the farms were taken from the white and given to Mugabe’s cronies.
Zimbabwe has and shall rise again stronger and safer. Zimbabwean have always been agricultural people who are more interested in growing food for themselves, it’s the tradition.
I am a former business consultant from Zimbabwe, and have done work for all southern African countries. Zimbabweans are different to all of them; Zimbabweans are more patriotic than anyone I have ever come across in Africa, USA and even the UK.
RIGHTS-US: School Recruiting Could Violate Int’l Protocol May 16th, 2008
Dear Editors,
What your article fails to mention either by design or outright deception is that no “child” under the age of 17 can actually enlist in the Military. If the Applicant is under the age of 18 the Parents of the application MUST sign the enlistment paperwork.
Your entire argument is false in it assumptions about Military Recruitment.
COLOMBIA: Interpol Notes Improper Initial Handling of FARC Laptops May 16th, 2008
Dear Editors,
I very much appreciated the article “Colombia: Interpol Notes Improper Initial Handling of FARC Laptops” (5/15). Again, IPS has told another side of a story that is commonly misconstrued in the mainstream: that of Colombia’s questionable allegations against Venezuela. The new INTERPOL report indicates that the hard drives Colombia claims prove ties between Venezuela and the FARC were not altered after their supposed retrieval in Ecuador. However, the report does not vouch for the source or authenticity of the contents of those hard drives. Essentially, the authorship of the documents remains in question.
Thanks also to IPS for pointing out the warning issued by U.S. academics: “The authentication of the laptops does not mean the validation of the Colombian interpretation of their contents.” It is a complex tale, told well here.
Sincerely,
Megan Morrissey
Venezuela Information Office
Washington, DC
www.veninfo.org
CHINA: Quake Helps Mend Image After Tibet Crackdown May 16th, 2008
Dear Editors,
The sudden disaster has united a nation that only a week ago was fuming with anger over the perceived foreign insults to its Olympic pride. Immensely proud of hosting the biggest sporting event for the first time, China had readied to showcase its modernity, development and win soft power on the international scene…
Highlighting a sea change since 1976’s quake when China refused aid from the United Nations and barred foreign aid workers and rescuers from the site of the disaster, this time Beijing accepted all foreign offers of aid. The first foreign rescue team — from Japan — arrived in the area Friday morning and was to be followed by teams from Russia, Singapore and other countries…
The relay of the Chinese Olympic torch — dubbed “the sacred flame” by Beijing — became a symbol of this nationalistic outburst. China’s angry youth, called “fen qing” in Chinese, took to the streets in cities like Seoul and Nagano to “safeguard” the torch from anti-China protesters, beating up some of them. As a result, China’s claims to succeeding on the strength of its soft power, were compromised…
When I was reading your word it’s echo to a poem I wrote a few year’s ago and I want to share with you and others.
My poem; Light Bearer is dedicated to all human beings who suffer by wickedness from others.
It is also a deliberation about how we, the mankind keep up the gloominesss and disunion in the whole world with our thoughts and doing.
We shall all be the light bearers for peace, charity and forgiving which connect us to.the Almightiness and result us to better life.
Everybody has the same orgin, the highest and the lowest, and is therefore the same whole. Let love, charity and forgiveness
be our guiding light, both in words and doings, it effects the evolution of every thing.
Light Bearer
One beautiful morning it came clear to me
our purpose in live and earthly view to see.
Our Creator from Heaven gives us the spark
which is light, secretly hidden in our heart
Mankind will continue bleeding
as long we are unconscious sleeping
All disunion and terrors of war
we ourselves, are responsible for
Society’s abuse, greed and conflict in race
and religious wars are not the right pace.
As soon as we awake to awareness af truth
the beauty of charity we teach to our youth.
Love and forgiveness have such power
more than anyone will ever know.
Healing, embracing everyone in serenity
every little grain has its role in the eternity.
Listen to our secretly heart hidden spark
it is our guiding light from the dark.
In it, is the power of peace, the bearer of truth
and connects us to the Almightiness sleuth.
Yours sincelery,
Johanna S.Ragnarsdottir
Iceland
http://www.geocities.com/josira_1/philosophy.html
IRAQ: Nature Adds to Occupation Blows May 15th, 2008
Dear Editors,
Saddam was a terrible dictator, but at least the Iraqi’s had more than they do now, and thousands would still be alive. Bush has showed a dictator’s side by the want to conquer and control the Middle East, with the lies used to invade, that created the mess Iraq is in now. He didn’t have to send young troops to kill and be killed. Now he is repeating the same with Iran.
RELIGION-US: Missionaries Look to Immigrant ‘Chinatowns’ May 15th, 2008
Dear Editors,
One correction to the story. The quote was “At 19, he decided to become a Mormon “elder” and missionary.” In actuality, what you’ll find is that Mormons start indoctrinating their male children at nearly age 3 or 4 with songs like “I Hope They Call Me for a Mission.” Mormons teach their female children that it is better to marry a returned missionary because he’ll be a better provider. With all the pressure put upon these people, it’s not a “choice” - it’s coercion, plain and simple.
BURMA: Foreigners, Cameras Banned in Cyclone-Hit Areas May 14th, 2008
Dear Editors,
I rely on your excellent website for fresh and well researched counter-mainstream reporting on important issues. However, I find the photograph placed on the front page of your website both distasteful and insulting. I have little doubt that a photo of western disaster victims (e.g. half-naked Dutch children) would never appear on your website. You have compromised your own professional integrity with this cheap stunt. You have also typified western hypocrisy on human rights issues by relying on base technique to roust anger against a regime created by the west. It has most likely backfired in some important quarters. Most sadly, you have heaped ignorant indignity on children ravaged by natural disaster and mistreated by their own government, and not via typical mainstream media but a “grassroot’s” NGO.
You should be ashamed of yourselves.
With high confidence that your editorial policy would be improved.
IPS often revisits the events
and trends which are covered by agency reporters.
If you have a comment about any of our features
that will assist us in doing so, please send a
letter to the editor. We will reply where necessary,
and we reserve the right to publish any of the
letters we receive when these refer to an article
that has appeared within the last two months.
The writers of letters selected for publication
will be notified.
Guidelines:
Letters must include the reader’s
telephone numbers and e-mail address, and should
not be longer than 100 words. IPS may shorten
published correspondence. Letters sent as attachments
will not be accepted – and IPS will not
publish open letters or third-party letters. The
agency does not accept responsibility for the
content of letters posted on its website.
You can contact the editor
at the following e-mail address: editor@ipsnews.net
