What Happened to Immigration Reform, Reflections on the 40th Earth Day, and Cell Phones that Fuel War

Please visit this site,
http://altoarizona.com/

and educate yourself and others on what is happening in Arizona. Before President Obama took office he swore to enact lasting immigration reform within his first 100 days of office. Obviously this is a more complex issue than that, and obviously his reform hasn't happened yet. But in order to be fully Holistic in the fight to bring peace, justice and sustainability to the US and the planet, this is an extremely important issue that must be dealt with appropriately.

Here's another important link to get you involved, http://dreamact.info/.

"Over three million students graduate from U.S. high schools every year. Most get the opportunity to test their dreams and live their American story. However, a group of approximately 65,000 youth do not get this opportunity; they are smeared with an inherited title, an illegal immigrant. These youth have lived in the United States for most of their lives and want nothing more than to be recognized for what they are, Americans." Read on through the website link above...

Of course by now we know everyday is Earth Day, but reflecting on its 40th anniversary, what better way to share some thought then hit a few beaming points.

Here's a link to an interesting video that activist have put together in an attempt to showcase the numerous problems going on with Canada and their oil sands project(s).

http://avatarsands.org/newyork.html

And in California, a committee has approved a bill to ban single-use plastic grocery bags. This one simple step could have a huge impact for the health of our planet, and help reduce and educate individuals on the destructive and very real nature of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Sign the petition to lend your voice to support:

http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/action/oceans/bag-ban?id4=es

And lastly, here's a note from Amnesty International. It certainly speaks to specific legislation that I hope is passed, but with the failure of the political system to always enact what is says it will, and most importantly make those words and policy felt by those most impacted, I hope this will at least spread some knowledge, and maybe activate a few of you out there:

The Conflict Minerals Trade Act (H.R. 4128), introduced by Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA) on November 19, 2009 in the U.S. House of Representatives, seeks to improve transparency and reduce the trade in conflict minerals coming from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in order to promote the larger policy goal of supporting peace and security in the DRC.

The DRC is rich in natural resources, including large deposits of columbite-tantalite (known as coltan), cassiterite, wolframite and gold, which are used in everyday technology such as cell phones, laptops and digital video recorders and in jewelry. The mines from which these minerals are extracted are most often under the control of armed groups, especially in the volatile eastern part of the country, where conflict has been ongoing for many years despite the presence of a United Nations peacekeeping mission, MONUC.

The most recent report of the United Nations Group of Experts on the DRC found that armed groups in eastern DRC continue to control and profit from the extraction and trade of these minerals. Both the conflict and the mining of minerals itself have led to grave human rights abuses, including sexual violence, child and slave labor, and mass displacement.

If enacted into law, H.R. 4128 would mandate the production of a ?Congo Conflict Minerals Map,? which would map mines currently under the control of armed groups in the DRC. In addition, the bill would mandate the Secretaries of State and Commerce to work with interested parties, including commercial entities, to determine best practices to ensure due diligence and documentation on the origin and supply chain of potential conflict minerals. H.R. 4128 would specifically ensure that the minerals used by companies do not directly finance conflict, result in labor or human rights abuses, or damage the environment, by mandating the creation of a ?Potential Conflict Goods List? and the regular auditing of facilities that are engaged in the trade in minerals from the DRC.

Most importantly, H.R. 4128 would require that individuals or companies be subject to penalties if found guilty of entering conflict minerals into the United States by fraud, gross negligence or negligence. H.R. 4128 would greatly advance the goals of regulating and stemming the flow of conflict minerals, thereby limiting the ability of armed groups to benefit from conflict minerals and perpetuate the conflict.

Nuclear Arms Reduction, Off Shore Drilling, Health Care, and other important stories

After signing a historic nuclear arms reduction pact, thoughts still circulate as to whether the US will in fact roll back the arsenal of nuclear weapons it harbors, or if this is merely a way to probe at North Korea and Iran for the weapons they hold.

Questions have arisen as a recent interview with Defense Secretary Robert Gates stressed that the US would never use nor threaten to use nuclear weapons, except if they were brought under attack, or if a country with nuclear weapons didn't play by their rules.

I have to say I really like the pact, but wonder what the undertones are?

Food for thought:

http://act.truemajorityaction.org/p/7002/taf_globalzerobb?tell_a_friend_KEY=354

http://www.democracynow.org/2010/4/8/despite_landmark_arms_reduction_treaty_with

Another important article I read yesterday,

http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/national/89788407.html ,

brings up the continued failure of the US government to foster actual justice for Native American Tribes. It has always been the case, since colonization commenced, that the US has done whatever they wished to Native people. Why would the government not bestow Tribal recognition upon this group of people, simply because their histories do not fall neatly within the bureaucratic means that's "easier" for them to interpret?

After passing historic health care reform, which is by no means perfect, but is a definite step towards a more just path, why would the president open up vast tracks of ocean for oil exploration? Was it not ironic that he told us about this exploration right after the House and Senate passed the health care overhaul? Seems fishy to me.

Here are a few highlights of the heath care bill, but we have a LONG way to go as the "bottom" tier of people in the US are still left with the burden (surprise, surprise).

"Insurance companies will no longer be able to refuse to pay for treatment of children's pre-existing conditions.

Health care plans will allow young people to remain on their parents' insurance policy up until their 26th birthday.

Insurance companies will be banned from dropping people from coverage when they get sick, and they will be banned from implementing lifetime caps on coverage.

People who are uninsured because of pre-existing conditions will have access to affordable insurance through a temporary subsidized high-risk pool.

Small businesses that choose to offer coverage will begin to receive tax credits of up to 35 percent of premiums to help make employee coverage more affordable."

In the meantime, visit the Surfrider Foundation's website, or any other solid environmental group's page to see how you can voice your dissent regarding another step towards no energy independence for the US, and business as usual for the fossil fuel industry.

Offshore Drilling Myths

1. New technologies will prevent oil spills.

Try telling the Australians that. In August 2009 a state-of-the-art rig using "new technology" spilled 2000 barrels of oil a day for 10 weeks into the fragile East Timor Sea.

2. Offshore drilling is good for the economy and will create jobs!

Our beaches are economic engines. One oil spill would devastate the local coastal tourism industry and the livelihood of people working in the fishing industry.

3. We won't be reliant on foreign oil.

We'll still have to import at least 40% of our oil to meet our daily consumption needs.

4. We'll have a long-term supply of oil.

It won't be enough. Offshore drilling will only give us about 18 months of supply at our current rate of consumption.

Check out this fact sheet as well:

http://www.surfrider.org/nottheanswer/factsheet.pdf

Also, check out this blog if you get a chance, and educate yourself and others on the continued threat of GE food,

http://weblog.greenpeace.org/makingwaves/archives/genetic_engineering/

Lastly, it astounds me that I continually get asked why I do not consume meat products, even though it's obvious it tastes oh so good. Put simply, it's just one way to lessen my ecological footprint, period. I never stopped because steak tastes bad:

http://www.montereyherald.com/state/ci_14838682?nclick_check=1

For the Earth, all its people and species...do whatever you can, with whatever you have.

Nuclear Energy: The most destructive "environmental" argument for "clean" power

Well, "clean coal" is also pretty bad, but anyone that can sift through the propaganda put out by the coal industry (and President Obama) can see how flawed and polluting "clean coal" is. But nuclear power continues to make headlines as the argument for an energy source that creates zero carbon emissions continues to percolate mainstream American media.

Today, President Obama is holding another rally for healthcare reform. Although he continues to get beat down by those opposing reformation and restructuring of this horrendously flawed system, at least he continues to argue that a public option be put on the table. I almost heard that sense of hope in his voice yesterday as he continued to attack the healthcare industry and its capitalistic malice that is clearly putting their desire and drive for profit over the care of patients. Here's a quote:

“And they will keep on doing this for as long as they can get away with it. I mean, there’s no secret. They’re telling their investors this: ‘We are in the money; we are going to keep on making big profits, even though a lot of folks are going to be put under hardship.’ So how much higher do premiums have to rise until we do something about it? How many more Americans have to lose their health insurance?”

Good critical comments. But why can't there be continuity with regard to how Obama goes about achieving sustainability through environmental, economic, and social means?

Two important articles to read: http://crosscut.com/2010/03/09/science-environment/19646/

and http://www.grist.org/article/2010-03-08-dont-buy-the-greenwashing-of-nuclear-power/

Both spell out the main tenants of the greenwashing that focuses any dialogue on nuclear energy generation; the waste. There is simply no where to put it, and beyond that, creating it is simply as environmentally destructive as just about anything. The waste does not go away, and while I championed Obama's call for dismissing Yucca Mountain as a nuclear waste dump, and I do hope that sticks, if these power plants are created waste will be created, and some communities will face the burden.

Read these articles, continue educating yourself, and learn why nuclear anything is greatly opposed to any justice, peace or sustainability efforts on this Earth.

I have to say I love this quote in the Grist article: "President Obama has justified his proposed $55 billion in taxpayer-backed loan guarantees for new nuclear reactors by misrepresenting nuclear reactors as the largest "carbon-free" energy source in the United States. That's like saying McDonald's should be put in charge of a nationwide obesity campaign because it's the largest restaurant in the U.S. that sells salads."

Seriously. No Nuclear ANYTHING for a better world! It's that simple, there are other options.

The Olympics, the Klamath, and much more...

As I've been away for the last month, I always find it difficult to report on the many stories that continuously unfold each and everyday. Here's a shot at touching on a few points from the last month, bringing us into March 2010...

The Olympics reduced their ecofootprint, but what about their social footprint?

And did they really reduce their ecofootprint at all? Apparently several sources say they did(http://www.carbonfund.org/site/newsletter/entries/Winter_Olympics_Reduces_Its_Environmental_Impact/ ), but what I'm more concerned with is how the houseless community was treated in the run up to the games. Please read this and decide for yourself: http://secondgenerationradical.blogmatrix.com/:entry:secondgenerationradical-2010-02-12-0000/
...greenwashing alive and well...

If this article is true, and I pray it is, the removal of the Klamath dams represent one of the greatest recent victories I can think of for the promotion of peace, justice and sustainability.

http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_14432469?source=rss

With the removal of the dams we have a chance to see the health of this mighty river return, as well as the hopeful return of the health of the vastly impacted salmon. The peace fostered to Native American communities represents actual justice to their communities, who have been deeply effected by the loss of their traditional way of life through the loss of salmon and the loss of this spiritual river.

Sustainability, overall, takes a step forward with a move to bring justice to Native people, ecological health to the river and its non-human species, and the hope for a multi-lateral policy decision to make peace with the many diverse sides over this highly contested land-use conflict. If the Klamath and all its many ingredients can finally feel justice, then there's hope for the many difficult roads ahead!

President Obama, again states that he plans to greatly reduce the amount of nuclear weapons held by the US. GREAT! But why then does the US follow this statement with saying they will not commit to declaring the US would never be the first to strike in an exchange of war with a nuclear bomb?!? Does that commitment then make any sense at all?

http://article.wn.com/view/2010/03/01/Obama_is_rethinking_US_nuclear_policy/?section=TopStoriesWorldwide&template=worldnews%2Findex.txt



While Chile rebuilds from their massive earthquake, think about donating financially if you can, or doing whatever you can, in anyway to send prayers, or do anything to help these people in some way,

http://donate.worldvision.org/OA_HTML/xxwv2ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10339 , but let us also not forget the continued strife of Haiti as well,

https://shop.thehungersite.com/store/item.do?siteId=220&itemId=40883&adId=43159&placementId=118873&origin=

And what happened to the Clean Water Act? Now because of a Supreme Court Ruling thousands of polluters say the law doesn't apply to them anymore?!? Although like NEPA, in that the law itself is inherently flawed but offers necessary protection and policy under the largely flawed US environmental system, now it seems a large step has been taken in the wrong direction.

http://www.environmentalleader.com/2010/03/01/companies-skirt-clean-water-act/

And this month's TIME magazine asks whether the war on the Taliban will be triumphant or not. I beg each any ever person to read the amazing book Three Cups of Tea and answer that one for yourself.

For the happiness, well-being and freedom of all...

Finally, a Little Justice for Haiti

Breaking news: The United States Treasury Department has just announced U.S. government support for complete debt cancellation for Haiti and will work with our international partners to ensure that new assistance comes in the form of grants, not debt-incurring loans. It's exactly what more than 200,000 ONE members have been calling for. And this weekend, the U.S. will take this message to G7 finance ministers’ summit, creating strong momentum to get a global deal and guarantee debt cancellation for Haiti.

Read more here:
http://www.one.org/r?r=301&id=1443-4562280-vl39v1x&t=1

and continue to do whatever you can to send support to Haiti; financially, food, medical supplies, prayers, etc. Whatever you can do...

February 11th is an Important day in Iran

A note from Amnesty International....

Last week, two men were hanged after being accused of inciting the post-June 12 election violence that erupted last summer in Iran. The Iranian government failed to answer one key question - how these men could have been responsible for the violence when they were being held in detention long before it even occurred?

As if this injustice wasn't enough, now the lives of 9 more men hang in the balance on similar charges. We fear some of them may be executed before February 11th - a date holding much significance in Iran and one that could signify an end to these abuses.

February 11th is known as Victory of the Revolution Day - equivalent to the Fourth of July in the United States; it is meant to symbolize liberty, independence and freedom. Authorities in Iran fear that February 11th will spark a wave of massive protests and unite Iranians in their calls for change and accountability.

That is why on February 11th we intend to do all we can to stand in solidarity with the Iranian people on this important date, but we need your help.

In the days following the contested Presidential election, Iranian authorities took aggressive measures to stifle dissent and stem the flow of information. No outside reporters were allowed in. Iranians were not allowed to freely report out.

Virtually the only way the Iranian people could expose the horrific treatment being inflicted on them was to share their stories online, using blogs and websites like Twitter and Facebook.

We expect Iranians will once again rely solely on the Internet to carry their messages during next week's expected demonstrations. That is why we are asking everyone to show their solidarity online on February 11th - whether it's on your blog, website, or social networking profile. Help us raise the voices of those calling for freedom and justice inside Iran.
Bloggers Unite: Join our network of blogger's covering Iran and the events on February 11th.
Twitter Followers: The hashtag #iranelection was one of the most widely-used in the post-election aftermath. Since the violence is still unresolved, we'll continue to tweet using this hashtag. Make sure your related tweets include: #iranelection.
Share Online: Help share the message of February 11th by adding our solidarity image to your blog, website or social networking profile.
We will be keeping a close watch over Victory of the Revolution Day events. Our collective voices can help keep high-level Iranian officials in check. If authorities yet again brutally suppress people's right to peacefully express their opinions, we will harness the power of the Internet to push right back!



Thank you for standing with us and the people of Iran,

Elise Auerbach, Christoph Koettl and the rest of the Iran crisis response team



P.S. If you know someone or if you, yourself, expect to be in New York on February 11th, then be sure to wear black and join our coalition of activists as they stand in a silent vigil for the people of Iran.

A Quick Petition and Message

As I've shared in the past, signing online petitions are questionable in that one must ask how effectively they reach their intended parties. However, my feeling is in many cases, it's better than doing nothing at all.

In that spirit here's a petition I received this morning that we should all sign:

http://http://act.truemajorityaction.org/p/7002/bluepetition?petition_KEY=151

The main message here is when a critical eye is put to the amount of money that supports the military industrial complex, it becomes clear how poor, marginalized communities are forced to bear the brunt of lack of social services and resources, in lieu of, another war plane. You want health care for all? Schools for children with adequate resources, accessible healthy food? Then fight against the power structure that continually funnels money to the elites in efforts to keep the poor poor, and the disenfranchised disenfranchised.

This C-17 is just one micro example, but add in the funding given to the insurance industries, investment banks, etc. and all of this interconnects and intersects, to again point to how those with power continually abuse and manipulate "the system" to continue to keep the status quo in tact.

Do some research, educate yourself, and make it be know that the amount of people that could be feed, the greater aid Haitians could be receiving, and the shelters that could be built for houseless folks are worth far more in peace, sustainability and justice then another war plane that acts as a tool to undermine all that is Holistic Sustainability.