POLITICS-US: McCain’s Plan to Privatise Veterans’ Health Care August 22nd, 2008
Dear Editors,
The Republican party hates paying for veterans’ health care. They like paying very little to soldiers for the work they do and they hate to compensate them for the injuries they sustain. As they say, those guys volunteered so why should they get anything at all?
The promise made to care for America’s veterans need not be kept if it costs very much money. In the GOP universe only the rich deserve as much as they wish. The poor and middle class must content themselves with whatever crumbs fall off the table of the rich.
DEVELOPMENT-UGANDA: Looming Problems With Kampala’s Water August 20th, 2008
Dear Editors,
Whilst most of the developed world is held captive by the energy crisis and
the every day struggle to maintain an auto filled with barely affordable
petro, a more foreboding threat is casting its long shadow over all of
civilization. Even now countries such as Spain, Australia, Japan and Mexico
are seriously distressed by the devastating effects realized from a
continual decrease in available water. No longer is the diminishing supply
of this vital element a problem isolated to developing countries alone.
Issues addressing global warming and proper water management must supersede
all other concerns as the situation worsens daily, with no relief in sight.
Although oil continues to dominate global concerns, it is past time to
recognize that it is water that sustains life. How arrogant we are as a
human race to ignore obvious signs of dwindling availability of this
precious resource. With food prices uniformly soaring, this global issue
should remain central in all societies. Children especially should be taught
methods of water conservation, for they are often the catalyst which makes
lasting change.
Simple efforts such as not always flushing the toilet, turning off the
faucet while brushing your teeth, washing the car only once a month or
bathing in a tub instead of a continuous stream of water from the shower are
ways to preserve the one resource that no living entity can survive without.
DEVELOPMENT: Live With EU’s Contradictions August 20th, 2008
Dear Editors,
I myself being a farmer I do always feel very ashamed every time that we - the rich farmers - are being protected against the poor farmers. Because farmers know so very good how unjust the result of bad market situations can work out, it is something that I really can not understand that farmer leaders can defend any policy or market measure that have as goal to protect their own farmers from bad markets and at the same time do not care at all what unimaginable effects these measures have on poor farmers. In fact I believe it is a crime against humanity to defend this. Especially in the case of pork, which is said to be a free unregulated market (in comparison to products as sugar and wheat)? I think there should be an independent forum in which farmers worldwide should be presented, that would have to judge the measures that each nation or bloc of nations takes. The most important way to look at it is that every measure to protect farmers may never have a bad effect for farmers elsewhere.
I have written an article on this. If it is any help to you I will be satisfied. Continue with the work you are doing. It is positive for all farmers, both rich and poor.
Sincerely yours,
Huib Rijk, farmer in Biddinghuizen,
The Netherlands
DEVELOPMENT: Wastewater Crops Feeding Millions August 19th, 2008
Dear Editors,
Those who promote “fertilizing” crops with sewage sludge are overlooking a dangerous risk to human and animal health - infectious human and animal prions in both Class B AND Class A sewage sludge “biosolids”.
See http://www.sludgevictims.com/pathogens/prion.html
Prion diseases include mad cow, scrapie, chronic wasting disease, and in humans, variant and sporadic creutzfeldt jakob disease. Animal sources of prions in sewers include abattoirs, butcher shops, meat processors, leachate from landfills used to dispose of infected carcasses and tissue, etc.
Human sources of prions in sewers include the 2 to 25% of the 5.2 million people in US diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease who actually have sporadic Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (sCJD). Class B sludge is spread on grazing lands, hay fields and dairy pastures. Class A sludge is spread on ballfields, playgrounds, parks, lawns and home flower and vegetable gardens. Prions have been found in human and animal blood, muscle, urine and feces.
EPA funded researchers found that prions survive wastewater treatment and partition to the sludge to be present in treated biosolids. Pathways of risk: Livestock, wildlife and children eat dirt (and sludge). Windborne pathogens are inhaled and swallowed. Family pets track these infectious wastes into homes on their fur and feet. Sludge and soil adhere to vegetables and crops. An infectious prion dose is only .001 gram, prions bind to soil becoming 680 times more infectious. And survive in soil up to 3 years.
RIGHTS: US, Australia, New Zealand Reject Indigenous Declaration August 19th, 2008
Dear Editors,
Being Western Shoshone, I ask, what “political and moral authority” does WSDP Spokeswoman Julie Fishel, a NON-Native American, have to even attempt to speak on Indigenous and/or Western Shoshone anything? She seriously needs to go bother someone else and leave the Western Shoshone people alone.
IPS Story ENVIRONMENT-GERMANY: Fleeing Famine, Bees Seek Asylum in Cities August 17th, 2008
Dear Editors,
I live in Pennsylvania USA. I raise tomatoes just for my own use each summer. This year I planted 18 plants which should have guaranteed many more tomatoes than I would need. That was true just a few years ago. Now my plants seem to be stunted with very few tomatoes. The blossoms seemed normal but now I suspect lack of pollinating insects, mostly bees.. Most locals say its the weather. I think not because tomatoes are so hearty. I don’t even see houseflies anymore. Flies no longer swarm around my garbage and moths don’t fly around street lights any more. Is it cell phone waves? No one seems to care but me and I don’t want to sound like an alarmist nutcake. Is it too late. Einsten’s quote was scary. No bees, no food…
SIERRA LEONE: Partisan Politics Threatens Peace August 17th, 2008
Dear Editors,
It is sadden that the SLPP party always believes and entrusted themselves to be the perfect party in Sierra Leone. For the past 11 years of destruction governance in Sierra Leone, APC party members never raised any eyebrows. Why should APC party be always classed to be the black sheep party ? We need to move on as stated by the director of campaign for good governance(GGG) Mr. Valnora Edwin, “Sierra Leone has moved past the issue of APC and SLPP, what we should be concerned now is the development of the country”. Destruction made in eleven years can not be undone within a year. Lets move on, SLPP secretary general Jacob Jusu Saffa and former NPRC/SLPP member John Benjamin get your acts together this is no longer the 90’s. Believe it or not this time around Sierra Leoneans in general will not rest on their oars and permit people of mean spirited to destroy our country again. The internet world can prove me right or wrong. So to all the cry babies its about time for them to accept fact and reality, APC is back in power and this time to stay.
US-GEORGIA: Expats Unite Against Russia August 17th, 2008
Dear Editors,
I am not sure why this community of expats doesn’t extend its sympathy towards the South Ossetians who Georgia attacked first? Don’t the South Ossetians have children and families either? If Georgia didn’t want to be counter-attacked then why did they take the initiative, at this point (when all eyes were on the Olympics) to initiate an act of aggression against an autonomous region and thus breeaching their own deal with Russia? I believe this was no strategic error on the part of Georgia but a move to allow entry to the US army on the Russian frontier and that that may be the real strategic error not to mention that Georgia is not likely to be a viable candidate for NATO entry any more. Even if Georgia had already membership, it is highly unlikely that NATO would initiate a war against Russia for the actions of Saakashvilii.
PHILIPPINES: Hungry for Rice, Unwilling to Invest August 16th, 2008
Dear Editors,
Maybe I’m just a little slow at understanding how people can sit there and watch their Friends, Community & Country suffer from a shortage (Extremely Small Now!) of rice due to… .Sorry “Uncontrolled Over Population”, Misuse of land and this “I Live While my Neighbor Suffers”. We need to work together to stop or at least slow the Problem coming that (GMA for One) and some others see but “Businesses” Small & Large refuse to see or see but ignore until things really get bad. Don’t ignore what you know is coming!!!
US-GEORGIA: Expats Unite Against Russia August 16th, 2008
Dear Editors,
I am a Georgian - American living in Florida. My heart is breaking over the activities of the last several days. The Georgians are intelligent, warm, peace loving people that ask little but to have their Government, their own State. They have shown Western powers they would be a strong Ally as witnessed by their involvement in Iraq. Let’s show solidarity with this small Country that is trying to be swallowed by the Russian Bully. Allow them the opportunity to become a part of NATO!
IRAQ: Students Fail, Like So Much Else August 16th, 2008
Dear Editors,
Thank you for the article.
Meeting with Abass from Al Duluaiya north of Baghdad 85 KM near Balad told ISP that he joined examinations (we were taken by the police to Balad city to join the examination, police was taking a good care for us, they sent us 8 cars to guard the students to join the exams). Can you believe it? Students go by guards to join exams. Abass commented that most of the city was Sunnies that’s why needed to be guarded,
The teachers who were watching students toke the examination papers solve the problems to be given to the Shea students from Balad, ignoring our presence. The end result no one succeeded from Sunnis. Furthermore, the responsible on the examination center threatened the students to bring the troops because we were telling them that Balad students toke the answers from the teachers, while no one helped us at all. We were threatened to leave examination room so many times. Abass is a student who had to leave his city to Duluiya to join examination n, he was afraid that he might be kidnapped after his family left to Syria as immigrants. Although no electricity no all of the city yet he managed to study by lanterns he was very eager he could succeeded. His Brother is living in Syria very afraid to come to Iraq to join his examinations.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE: U.S. and Canada Found Guilty of Racism August 13th, 2008
Dear Editors,
Thank you for an honest editorial. We are presently in court here in New Brunswick, and hopefully on the 19th Nov. the wheel of justice will turn to our direction.
Our case is interesting and I may submit info for your readership. Our case is the Jackie Vautour case.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE: U.S. and Canada Found Guilty of Racism August 13th, 2008
Dear Editors,
With this story it seems as though these two super countries of U.S. and Canada are the only ones who think that they are not a racist or discriminating country. Yet we as indigenous people of British Columbia, Canada, have lived with the super racist attitude of the Canadian Government and their para-military groups, such as Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Federal Fisheries Officers, Federal and Provincially run prisons systems, Government Welfare System, and the many Federally funded Band Chiefs and Councils of this Country.
Many of our indigenous youth are committing suicide as a result of no outlook of a better future. No programs to help in the issues of abuse of heavy drugs within many indigenous communities, sexual abuse, racism and discrimination within every level of the governing system, early drop out from the educational system, bad housing or no housing on many of the reservation system, bad water or no running water what so ever. Contaminated lands from the runoff of mining and clear cut logging of traditional indigenous sacred lands. Alcohol and gangs are another issue that is being ignored in many of the near by towns and cities of this province of British Columbia, Canada.
We are indigenous elders, who are also disabled, and we are continuously being harassed and intimidated by the authorities, such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Federal Fisheries officers. With the R.C.M.P we consider the abuse as ’racial profiling’ as we were stopped on the freeway, on our way home one day, for being active, indigenous people. There were two police cars chasing us down, for no apparent reason, other than for the color of our skins. As I was the driver of the car, these two police officers were harassing and intimidating my husband who was a passenger in this car. This was not the first time this happened to us. Each time this happens this puts a scare in myself, my daughter and my grand son who were also in this vehicle. Than we were released without a ticket or an explanation about the reason for being stopped. How many other indigenous people of this province and country are put through this terror tactic of the R.C.M.P.
Yesterday, we were chased down and followed for a long while, on the same freeway by the Federal Fisheries officers of this country. Under international laws and Canadian laws we are allowed to fish for our food and to feed our starving indigenous people in any way we want. Yet many of our indigenous people are being put through the racist and discriminating justice system, at times for many years, before the charges are dropped for fishing without a permit or fishing when the rivers are closed to fishing. The low count of fish going up the rivers of British Columbia, Canada, is not the fault of the indigenous people, yet it seems as though indigenous people are continuously being penalized for fishing. Fish has always been the main food source of indigenous people of this province, for thousands of years, and there was no fish food shortage what so ever. What has changed since? European contact is to blame for the drying up of rivers, the low count of fish going up the rivers, the many small dams being built on the rivers, the upsetting of the fish beds on the rivers, and the taking of rocks from the rivers to build highways and new developments, and the building of mines and clear cut logging of indigenous sacred lands. The rail system is one of the biggest reasons for the low count of fish. Almost every other day, there is news of train rail derailments, many with bad contaminants that go right into the rivers. NONE of these crown corporations get penalized for destruction of the many rivers of this country. These crown corporations need to start to work with indigenous people and save our rivers of the once pristine province of BC and start saving our food source, the fish. Fish is like gold, water is like gold, for without water this province is surely drying up at a rate not seen in any lifetime.
Another story I have, has to do with the federally run prison system of this province of BC, Canada. As a result of the racist and discriminating actions of the prison guards of the only indigenous prison system of the lower mainland named Mountain Institute near Agassiz B.C., there was a riot at this prison recently. This riot was instigated by the prison guards themselves. Why are there white women prison guards in the only indigenous men’s prison system of this province? Why are there no indigenous men prison guards in this prison system? As a result of the riot, my nephew and many who were supposedly involved in this riot, were quickly moved out of this prison and moved to another prison near by. Many were also served with a summons for instigating a riot and threatened with even a longer prison stay when many were about to be released, after serving more than fifteen years already. One of the many reasons for the riot was the withholding of indigenous foods on June 21, which is on Aboriginal Day in this country. Many of the sacred indigenous foods was taken by the prison guards and thrown into the garbage can, right in front of the indigenous inmate’s eyes. These sacred foods were specifically ordered by the inmates, from their families on the outside, to commemorate Aboriginal Day. Even on the outside many of the indigenous families are suffering from food shortage and the food that was thrown into the garbage by these prison guards could have been used on the outside if the prison guards new that they were throwing away good food.
Even after the prison riot happened, many of the indigenous inmates who were removed had many of religious belongings confiscated and stolen or supposedly lost. Religious objects such as eagle feathers, medicine bundles, gold pieces and many other bits and pieces have gone missing. Many of the indigenous inmates want these missing pieces found and returned to their possessions. If these pieces are not found and returned to the original owners , under indigenous laws and natural laws, than bad things will begin to happen to those who have these sacred pieces in their possessions. There will be no turning back, as the spirits know where these missing pieces are.
This is not the late 1800’s when this kind of actions was legal but illegal. This is the year 2008, and we as indigenous peoples know what is right and what is wrong. Racism and discrimination against indigenous people of British Columbia, Canada needs to be addressed and made right with us. We have rights, indigenous rights and human rights.
We also would like our sacred lands back into our own hands, so we can live our remaining lives on our own sacred lands. Without harassment and intimidation from any one. As many of us, were forced off our own lands, by the federally run band chiefs and councils and these enforcements were enforced by the justice system and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. WE need to be compensated and repatriated for all the past abuses that we endured for loss of our language, loss of sacred lands, and loss of families and for the racist and discriminating attitudes we have to live with on a daily basis.
Written by Telquaa, Helen Michell of the Bear Clan families of Maxan Lake BC, Canada.
Q&A: Nuclear Arms Are No Longer “Necessary Evils” August 3rd, 2008
Dear Editors,
Very clear and filled with hope, based on concrete actions that lead to the goal of disarmament. I’ll do my best to fill with this feeling of hope all my friends, relatives and colleagues…
ENVIRONMENT-CHINA: Three Gorges Dam May Displace Millions More August 3rd, 2008
Dear Editors,
Your article, along with a program of Nova, made me think that perhaps there is an ulterior motive to this dam’s construction as well as other dams through out the world. I would like to see someone entertain the idea that a global network may be planning to create a “great deluge” for political and economic power….a thinning of the herd. What do you think about this? Are there similar plans on the same timetable in other nations?
EL SALVADOR: Poor Eating Less While Food Prices Soar August 3rd, 2008
Dear Editors,
I work with a new group in Lawrence Kansas [Kansan Salvadoran Solidarity Action –KSSA] interested in social and economic justice in El Salvador. The very issue of this article was recently discussed. We have been told from sources in El Salvador that the small farmer cannot make a profit on their crops. They must purchase grain from a government sponsored or approved center. Somehow after their crop is produced they cannot take advantage of the increase in the price of grain and produce. Do know how this seeming contradiction comes about? Thanks for your attention to this matter.
Q&A: ‘Israel In a Weak Parallel with Apartheid’ August 3rd, 2008
Dear Editors,
Your interview of Dennis Davis asserts both that there is either a weak parallel between Israel and Apartheid South Africa and that there is a stark analogy. Can it be both? At times your interviewer seems to insist on putting words into Davis’ mouth that he didn’t really intend to say. There are two sorts of approaches to the Israeli-Palestinian problem. One approach genuinely seeks to find a peaceful two state solution. It seems that is what Davis wants.
The other approach seeks to use the Apartheid analogy to delegitimize Israel and turn it into a single Palestinian state. Jeff Halper, who popularized the “Apartheid Israel” slogan about ten years ago, was quite candid in saying that that was his goal, to delegitimize Zionism and overthrow the Jewish state. Therefore, “apartheid Israel” is a dishonest political slogan, not an analytic judgment.
The two state solution, with compensation for the refugees that you suggest, was offered and regrettably rejected in 2000. Mahmoud Abbas was quite explicit in explaining, even before the final talks in Washington and Taba, why the offer was rejected. In an interview, ( See http://www.zionism-israel.com/hdoc/Abbas_ROR.htm for translation) he explained that Palestinians will not compromise on Jerusalem or the “right of return” of the refugees. Abbas insists that all of East Jerusalem belongs to the Palestinians, though it never did in history. As far as anyone knows he has not changed his position. As long as that is true, an offer such as the one you propose would be turned down. Obviously, right of return would not “solve” any demographic problem. The idea that East Jerusalem is Arab, by dint of repetition, has also caught hold. Until 1948, there were about 2000 Jews living in the Old city of Jerusalem, so called “Arab” East Jerusalem and until 1929, that community numbered about 5,000. The Zionist enterprise built the Hebrew University and Hadassah hospital on Mt Scopus, in “Arab” East Jerusalem. and East Jerusalem holds sites of national and historic interest to the Jewish people. In 1948, the Jewish population of the Old City of Jerusalem was ethnically cleansed by the Jordanian legion. Yet so called “peace” activists justify the racist and exclusivist Palestinian position.
Given that East Jerusalem is part of Palestinian demands, there are about 450,000 “settlers” and not 250,000 Jewish settlers to be taken into account. Consider however, that Hamas communiqués about rockets on Sderot and Ashkelon insist that those towns are “settlements” in “occupied Palestine” as well, though they are within the green line. Who practices apartheid and who advocates apartheid? Before 1948, Jews lives in Hebron and Jerusalem and Gush Etzion and other places in the West Bank. Some of these communities were hundreds of years old, and preceded the influx of Palestinian Arabs to Jerusalem, which began during mandatory times and was due in large part to development fostered by Zionist investment. If Israel withdraws from the West Bank, it seems that no Jews would be allowed to live there, nor is it practical to contemplate that they would do so.
The conflict between Jews and Arabs in Palestine did not begin in 1967 and had nothing to do with Jewish “racism.” Between 1948 and 1967, Jordan ruled the West Bank. No Jews were allowed to live there, and no Israelis were allowed to visit there. This egregious example of the practice of apartheid and ethnic cleansing was never noticed or protested by any human rights advocates. Some notable differences between Israel and South Africa are that the Jews and Arabs never asserted that they are one people. Even those Palestinian Arabs who want a single state express no willingness to give up their Arab identity and become part of a new “Israeli” nationality. The conflict is not racial - it is a religious and national conflict, quite unlike South Africa. Palestinian Arabs are segregated in the West Bank for security reasons. Given the persecution of Christians and Bahai and Sunni Arabs in Iran, of Copts in Egypt and of Kurds in Turkey, as well as the massive genocide taking place in Darfur, it is rather ludicrous, hypocritical and shameful to focus on Israel and claim it is an “apartheid” state.
Israel and apartheid South Africa, and the former USSR and USA before desegregation and China and India and many other countries have in common that they all have or had unfortunate and ill-advised policies. But that doesn’t make them all guilty of apartheid. There is no doubt that Israel could and should to more to advance the cause of peace. But such actions will remain quixotic gestures as long as even the most moderate Palestinian factions pose demands that are impossible to meet. Given that Palestinian society is rapidly becoming dominated by extremists, the entire point is moot. Does Judge Davis think Israel can give up territory to a Hamas dominated Palestinian state?
MIDEAST: Arabs Despair of U.S. Even More August 2nd, 2008
Dear Editors,
The US Congress and population have been subjected to a half century of Zionist propaganda from AIPAC. It is, unfortunately, considered “the” voice speaking on behalf of Israel and therefore to be obeyed no matter how extreme its views. To consider it the voice of American Jews, however, does not seem to be true according to a recent poll taken by the new pro-Israel/pro-peace think tank and PAC called J-Street.
The poll reports finding that American Jews are against any kind of attack against Iran, preferring negotiation. They also “strongly support assertive American diplomacy” between Israel and the Palestinians, and are “very favorably disposed toward the compromises and positions outlined in the 2000 Camp David summit and other negotiations.”
Only 25% believe Israel is more secure because of the Bush presidency while 61% believe it is less secure. John McCain’s former link to evangelical Christians, John Hagee, and his Zionist organization Christians United for Israel, get a 57% unfavorable rating. Obama is favored over McCain 62% to 32% and, among Congressional candidates; Democrats are favored over Republicans 69% to 27%.
The questions now seem to be: How can the members of Congress be made aware of the fact that they need not go along with the positions held by AIPAC in order to receive the votes of American Jews? How many liberal politicians are aware of the disappointment felt by their supporters, most of whom seek justice for the Palestinians as well as peace for the Israelis, when they mistake support for AIPAC for support for Israel? How many ordinary Jewish citizens are even aware of AIPAC, much less of the influence it wields?
In short, who will tell Congress it is now okay to tell AIPAC to take a hike?
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
