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Archive 5
January 2002 -- December 2004
Scoll down: emails in reverse chronological order

Miembros activos productores, campesinos, tecnicos, revolucionarios patriotas integrados al Instituto para la Produccion e Investigacion de la Agricultutra Tropical IPIAT condenan vilmente el asesinato de nuestro productor amigo y colaborador luchador revolucionario Alejandro Marquez miembro fundador de la Frente Campesino Bolivariano, quien fue abaleado de seis tiros en la entrada de su residencia, en horas de la manana del 30 de Diciembre, en el Barrio Primero de Diciembre en la Ciudad de Barinas Edo. Barinas Venezuela. Publicamente repudiamos tal cobarde asesinato presuntamente perpetuado por seis sicarios latifundista. Energicamente exigimos justicia ante esta nueva e injustificada perdida humana y manifestamos nuestro sentido pesar con la companera, hijos, padres, hermanos, demas familiares y amigos por esta irreparable perdida nuestro amigo Alejandro e invitamos al homenaje postumo y al acto de sepelio a las 10:30am que se efectuara el 31 de Diciembre en Barinas. Paz a sus restos.

IPIAT -- Barinas, Falcon, Merida y Portuguesa (Venezuela)
30 December, 2004

My husband and I are in our 60's and love our WaveRunner's. We have had two Yamaha three seaters since 1995. We are apparently in the minority, as we ride ours responsibly and courteously. We don't try to set speed records on the lake, annoy fishermen or harass other boaters. We go away from the shoreline away from all the traffic and nature and enjoy a leisurely ride around the lake, stopping our engines to enjoy the wildlife, take a swim, or have a picnic lunch. Since we have been riding our WaveRunner's, we have only come upon a couple of "idiots" who seem to think with something other than a brain. In fact, most of the trouble and noise has been from the big engine jet boats and bass boats that seem to think that THEY own the lake and have to have a few six packs of beer onboard as well as a mega watt stereo system that can be heard across the lake. The bass boats see to think that they have to do 90 plus miles an hour to reach the next fishing spot, and you had better be out of their way! We have even had a few boaters try to run us into the shoreline while we were getting out of their way so they could continue at breakneck speed. I feel it is totally unfair to point a finger at all jet skiers, as like I said, there are responsible people out there enjoying themselves. The jet boats make twice the noise anyday as any jet ski and there are many more of them on the lakes where we go. I have only one regret about our WaveRunner's, and that is that yes, they do put oil into the water, more than we thought when we bought them. We don't get the chance to ride often, so we hope that the new ones that seem to out number our "oldies" are set up so that with the new 4 stroke engines they are better for the environment at least. I think that all boaters, jet skiers, campers, hikers, etc., can get along if everyone tries to be a little more courteous. I know that will probably be impossible to attain as there are certain people out there that really don't have a clue, but I can only wish. Until then, we will continue to be courteous, safe, and responsible riders. As driving a car, we all have to be responsible defensive drivers, and use common sense.

Linda Anderson,
Vacaville, Ca.
28 August 2004
I read Down These Mean Streets when I was a teenager. Being a black immigrant from the Dominican Republic; I felt that Piri Thomas was telling my story. I did not live the life of drugs and prison as he did but all the prejudicism from white and black americans was the same. My parents immigrated to the U.S. in 1962, I came in 1968 at the age of eight. I didn't realize that I was black until I came to the U.S. and was labeled. I don't ever remember color being an issue back home where my parents, cousins, aunts and uncles were of many different shades-from white to indian to black. But I never noticed until I came here.

Piri Thomas touched my heart all those years ago; I went to the bookstore a few weeks ago and came across Down These Mean Streets and bought it. I am currently reading it and I am again touched, very emotional, I feel as if I know Mr. Thomas. My older sister passed the book to me after she read it when we were teenagers. I will now pass it on to my son, who is dominican/filipino and has gone through the same cycle that I have gone through and we are still experiencing regarding race. As will my neices and nephews who some are half Puerto Rican.

I was grew up in New York City and relocated to Georgia seven years ago and I am re-living the experience-a place where people have never heard of the Dominican Republic, cannot grasp the concept that a black person speaks spanish fluently. People, black and white alike cannot tell where I come from because of my accent, wavy hair, dark skin and proud disposition. Always feeling like an outsider.

Piri Thomas, thank you for a wonderful, insightful book. I think everyone should read it. The book is ageless, dealing with issues that I feel many immigrants experience. You have made me proud of being who I am.

Clara Sanchez,
Douglasville, Georgia

13 June, 2004
wow, awesome site. stumbled here looking for ogalala aquifer info.

thank you
An excellent article!
An interview with Dr. Vandana Shiva (1998, 2002, 2003)

I was born and grew up in India, before emigrating to the U.S. in the early 70's. My dad and his dad before him were educated as medical doctors in days when an average Indian did not go to school and having a 3rd grade education meant that you were educated! 
My (paternal) grandfather, was very poor so he finished his medical education from Bombay University by studying under the street lights across from the University. 

I, then, grew up in a household where my dad always treated the poor for free. And in those days, he compounded his own medicine. While dad used allopathic medicine from the pharmaceutical companies, he still propounded a holistic approach to medicine. Thus, he treated the whole person, looking for the cause of the problem, rather than the illness symptoms alone.

In America (until now), the role of the medical doctor was to treat the symptom to cure the patient. Belatedly, we are seeing a trend toward a more holistic approach to wellness.

The same can be said of farming. The corporations have de-gutted the basic family farms; which are now beholden to producing crops that in turn need them for their hybrid seeds and chemical fertilizers that do not produce nutritious crops, but rather for looks and shelf-life.

No wonder, then, that with less nutritious value in our food, we as a nation lack the needed vitamins and minerals that are vital to us (albeit in tiny amounts) for total health. Our bodies, then, crave for more food as a response to the diminished levels in the necessary vitamins and minerals, thus making us endemically obese.

There is a small but growing voice in this country that recognizes that we need to go back to the basics in both medicine and in growing our food.

The voice of Dr. Vandana Shiva (in your excellent article) is helping raise this awareness globally. It is really appreciated. Thank you!

Sincerely,
Adnan

I just finished reading Mr. Piri Thomas interview. I really enjoyed reading Mr. Thomas' thoughts and views. I first read his book "Down These Mean Streets" ten years ago in college. I loved it then and just recently purchased it again. I myself am in the process of writing a book. A book in which I recall my childhood. The abuse my mother put both my brother and myself through. My father turning blind eyes and deaf ears to our agony and torment. In writing my book I have relived so many different emotions and feelings that had been long suppressed. I have even had to stop writing and gather myself for a week or two at times. I have felt the pain and anguish that I had so desperately tried to forget. The reality was I never forgot. The feelings and emotions were buried deep. So deep in fact at times they seemed non-existent. On an occasion or two I have even considered forgetting about the whole thing. Yet, there is something that tells me to go on and continue what I have started. More importantly, I am convinced that not only this is something I can do, but something I must do. Reading about other Latino writers that had stories from the heart. And somehow found a way to put them on paper and even a book inspires me and gives me the confidence everyone should have in their hearts and mind. Thank you to inmotionmagazine.com for the interview. Thank you to Sr. Piri Thomas for your words of encouragement and motivation.

NJ

13 February, 2004

Many years ago I purchased an album called Jim Pepper's Pow Wow just on the picture of Jim on the cover. I played it endlessly. I always wanted to hear more of his music but couldn't find any of his albums. I thought, will its a 'one off' because the play was so different and unique. Well, many years later and many miles away-I live in Australia now-I started to go through my albums and to see if I could replace them with CD's. To no avail, no one I contacted ever heard of Jim Pepper. With the help of my sister in California she has found you ! I did not know that Jim Pepper had passed away and that makes it more important for me to keep the vinyl recording of Pow Wow. I will pass his music on to the Aboriginal Community Radio station with the information I have from this website so that his music will be heard by other indigenous people and maybe an inspiration to musicans in the fusion of jazz, contemporary and traditional sounds.

Theresa Jackson
Sydney
New South Wales, Australia

12 February, 2004

Starving artist

Starving Artist is a program put together to serve the inner city youth, designed to help them achieve their dreams and goals. As a young man I have found it difficult to operate properly in the harsh environment of the Ghettos of America. Statistics show that children involved with artistic programs including hip hop and music workshops donít get into trouble, like the kids who are not involved with any programs of the community. Corporations are constantly turning down children applying for financial assistance, when they are just crying out for help. What people do not understand is gangs are accepting applications daily.

In reality a child is expected to live, grow up, start a family, career or job, buy a house, home, or apartment. In the ghettos of America youth are dying young without starting their adult lives. Children having babies is a reality, leaving them to grow up without a father. Children without a father figure, or role model are left to fend for themselves in the streets. There is a massive need for a change in our communities. Mothers who are on drugs, do not raise their children, the negativity of the streets does.

These children see there mother or father using drugs and it effects their self-esteem, morals, values and their well-being. And if the Daddy is not around, Mom is on drugs and other family member that are capable do not intervene, whom do these children have? Group Homes and Foster care only do so much, they mainly provide shelter and feed the youth. These youth are not rehabilitated, they are only passed over day to day until their time is up or they get to old. Im just tired of just seeing these disadvantaged children passed over. The youth need to be reinvented not rehabilitated.

Schools are designed to keep children from 8am-3pm giving them Education and knowledge. Some get free food, and some have to pay. But at three o'clock when school lets out if you are not in sports or involved in any organizations children roam the streets looking for something to do. I should know, I was one of them. There are lots of programs with their doors open where the youth can come in, but when they leave they have to go home. Returning to an environment filled with murderers, drug dealers, thugs, and hoodlums patrolling the area more than police.

antoine perry
San Francisco

3 February, 2004

He is a terrific human being. Recently, he was procliamed Honorary Son of Caracas, Venezuela. I am glad people in Venezuela took the time to appreciate and reward wonderful people like Glover, who despite their own distinguished personal accomplishments, feel and act as if it only matters; when the quality of life others on the planet experience can be enhanced by one's success. God bless him!

Barbara Curbelo Cusack
Gulf Breeze, Florida

17 January, 2004

Venezuela is a rich and poor country situated at the north of South America. Some days ago we received the visit of Mr. Danny Glover an special invited of venezuelan goverment. I personally doubt that Mr. Glover have ever known something about this country. This is a country in complete process of change, a change from democracy and freedom to an dictatorial goverment, a change from working people with desires of progress to poverty, a country of smiling and gentle people to a country of sad, tough faces and hate between venezuelan people, a country of  unemployment, of personal insecurity, a country without a social security, a country where laws mean nothing, a country guided to take the same way of jail countrie like Cuba and others in the world, a country infiltrated by cuban militians and soldiers prepared to kill venezuelan people if the goverment is ousted democratically.

However, in a visit of five or six days Mr. Glover in some public meetings praised what today happens in our country. Mr. Glover gave support to venezuelan goverment. Mr. Glover said everything is allright in Venezuela.

How I am sorry for you Mr. Glover, what a pity your intevention in this country, now I can see, you know nothing about this country and what is happening here today. It is not strange in someone who supports one of the worst goverments in the world, the cuban goverment, Saddan Hussein goverment (today defeated) and others dictatorial goverments.

Please Mr. Glover never come back to our country.

16 January, 2004


Danny Glover Visit to Venezuela

To the American community here in Venezuela the visit of Mr.Glover can only be described as disgusting slap in the face for all decent people everywhere. Its fine his intent to promote the teachings of ML King.But to sit down with a corrupt brutal dictator by the name of Hugo Chavez and insult the USA is inpardonable.Commandante Chavez is leading the country down an authoritarian communist path leaving in his wake misery and poverty. His goal is a Castro-Stalinist utopia without freedom of speech,debate nor opposition.

Mr.Glover should research whom he is getting involved with before critisizing his own country that hasnt been exactly bad to him.

He has lost any credibilty he had and his actions are a disgrace.

BBC Caracas,Venezuela

13 January, 2004


Jim Pepper

"Waterspirit feeling springin' round my head, makes me feel glad that I'm not dead." Those words and sounds resonate and swirl within still after all these years. I'm 50 and just found out that Jim passed at 50. Last night I was speaking of how I'd written the info regarding the song down after hearing it on the radio earlier this year. Within minutes, I was magically connected with that info. The spirit is to the mind as infinity is to one. Jim Pepper lives in me too. What was, shall be again. We must and will transform all this into paradise. For heights and depths no words can reach, music is the soul's own speech.

Gary M. Nelson
Baltimore, Maryland

7 December, 2003


Border control for Mexicans

This big issue with not letting mexicans through to the U.S. is not right. God did not want this to happen. We were all born free. I am only one person and can make very little difference in the change of the hispanic people coming here, but I think it's important to let my opinion be heard. I pray to all the mexican people who do get across every day and will continue to get across no matter what kind of walls or people blocking the way to freedom. Why do we hate so much? American people are greedy and selfish, I am very close to a mexican person and he saved my life. We can all learn a thing or two from some mexicans. We Americans need to give them a chance. We need to stop being so damn selfish all the time and think of others. They only want a job and food to help their family it's not like they are coming to the U.S. to kill everyone and bomb us. They want what Americans want freedom, food, and work. That is not too much to ask at all. Everyone who is in charge of the world is not doing a good job. They are acting like animals by not letting mexicans into their territory. It's very childish. It needs to be thought out more carefully. Find a way to share the world isn't it big enough for everyone? Please stop being greedy and selfish. please support mexicans coming to the United States of America.

Holly Gurley
Sheboygan,
Wisconsin

7 December, 2003

Comment on Memoriam: Julius Nyerere

I am a master student in international Business Management at the university of Applied Science in Osnabreuck(Germany). As part of my preparation on a country presentation about Tanzania next Saturday, I happened to have come across the article "Mermoriam:Julius Nyerere". Infact I am very touched with way this African Giant is portrayed by an acquintance of his. I think the demise of the Mwalim is an irreplaceable loss for Africa.

12 November, 2003


You are Racist Punks

Yes, punks, it is the left that is now thoroughly racist. Only took a short view of your articles to see the truth. You are precisely what you pretend to oppose, racist to the core. Why don't you dumb punks shut down your racist website?

Seig Heil punks,

Stephen Thomas

12 November, 2003


Alliance for the Advancement
of Indigenous & Chicano Cultures

A personal perspective and solution concerning the present state of affairs of our people

Crime, violence, drug abuse, gang involvement, teen pregnancy, poverty, disparity, indifference and low living standards are not innate nor self-spawned faculties of any individual or peoples, past, present or future. This endless, bitter strife stems from a more serious and deeply rooted degenerative affliction that attacks most ethnic minorities in all countries of the world. This tragic disease of the spirit is the downward self-degrading cycle of self-evaluation as an individual and as a people. The deficiencey of self-esteem and self-respect that exists and persists in many ethnic minorities is a result of the continued, long term (for hundreds of years) teachings, indoctrinations and complete acceptance of misinformation and an abundance of incomplete, inaccurate, omitted, and very often false accounts of historical and cultural education. It is generally accepted that most mainstream history books and published documents, especially the ones used in schools, were and continue to be written by the conquerors and dominant culture of that society. In the aftermath of any conflict, almost always, the victor sees their defeated foe as the weaker and most definitely the inferior people, merely because of their defeat and because their ways and beliefs are different. Consequently, this narrow-minded, arrogant point of view compels the conqueror to subject and oppress, and to impose their faith, customs and views upon this supposed dreadful, dumb and barbaric subculture. Much of this long-established biased, stereotypical, erroneous and detrimental information has been presented, disseminated and perpetuated as undisputed fact by various misguided sources in our society for countless of generations. Therefore, throughout time, this relentless and very powerfully negative cycle of beliefs and way of life has come to be fully accepted, fulfilled, fueled and even embraced as their own by the very people it has destroyed. The implementation and execution of the perpetual momentum of this self-propelled descending gyroscope has been very successful. As they are no longer essential for the existence and continuation of this seemingly hopeless situation, racism and bigotry, the original catalyst for this end, are slowly and surely being purged. Finally, this entire seductive, programming and misleading process gives the false impression that all the negative stereotypes and concepts about any and all ethnic minorities are true, simply because " these people are just that way".

Thanks to the wonders and achievements in science and technology, pathways to the past, never before thought accessible, have come to light via recent archeological discoveries. We know so much more today about the history, culture, achievements and wonders of the indigenous people of Mesoamerica than we did just last year. Almost daily, new discoveries are bringing forth knowledge of the highly advanced and intellectual inhabitants of Pre-Columbian America.

Equipped with this knowledge, it is the desire and purpose of this organization to progressively teach and continuously disseminate authentic and accurate historical accounts of our ancestral roots. These historical and cultural corrections, NOT REVISIONS, will not only benefit all Chicano and Native Americans but will also serve as an inspiration to other ethnic minorities to seek further knowledge and truths about their heritage.

Our present project is a lecture series, primarily and foremost, concerning the history and culture of the ancient indigenous people of the Americas and related topics. The purpose and goal of these lectures is twofold. First, to educate our people in the long needed knowledge of the history and culture of our ancestors. Secondly, by showing our people the beauty, wonder and magnificence of our native forefathers and their achievements, pride in their heritage will be awakened and evoked, thus sparking their interest to seek further knowledge of their birthright. Therefore, through this newfound pride, our young adults will be motivated to pass on this knowledge to their children and they in turn to theirs. Hopefully, through proper education about our proud and magnificent culture, history, labors and achievements, the destructive, descending gyroscope will be, not only stopped, but, eventually reversed. Early pride in heritage leads to integrity, dignity, respect and pride in self, thus respect for others and pride in country. Our ultimate goal is to enlighten, motivate, guide and help our young people towards a productive, prosperous and happy adult life. This shall be gained by a continuous barrage of positive reinforcement and a corrected attitude toward ourselves, our people, our history, and our culture stemming from a deeper understanding and undistorted view of history and the world.

Richard Flores -
President, AAICC
Corpus Christi, Texas

12 November, 2003

There is no way for American farmer to avoid biotechlology if he is going to say in today's world.
Whether we like it or not his has become a reality. To survive a farmer must max his yields and
biotech is currently our only answer.

Illinois Farmer

29 October, 2003

Dear Sir,

I have come across this site quite by accident, but from glancing through I feel the need to place my comments. It seems to me that, from the essays I have read, people are busy making arguments for affirmative action in higher educational institutions when the real argument should be made for better preparation BEFORE college. The way I see it, education after high school is a privelage, not a right, and it should continue to be thought of as such. It is very true that most minorities have a disadvantage in this area do mainly to the lack of preparation and quality education prior to college. How is it fair to place college in the laps of some minority students who, unfortnately, drop out because they simply cannot handle the load or material presented? It is not fair to them, and it is not fair to the other thousands of qualified students who were denied because they were not minorities. I simply cannot see a justification. It is so hard to get into college these days if one is not a prodigious musician, or an all-star athlete, or a scholar, and throwing race and gender into the mix WILLINGLY is a ludacris idea. Personally, I would see it as a slap in the face if someone tried to give me a handicap when it came to my academic abilities. I just wanted to offer my perspective.

Chicago, Ill

14 October, 2003

This article really disturbs me. I have always had faith in the organic standards set by individual boards. I have put my trust in them that they are looking out for our needs and concerns. To think that these standards may be at risk is worrisome. I run an online oragnic food store and I am trying to encourage more people to eat organic food for better health and environmental sustainability. I do not feel comfortable encouragin then to buy products that may not match up. What can we do to control this change?

Please inform as I would like to help stop this from happening.

Sabrina.
Winnipeg,Canada

20 September, 2003

i think former pre. clinton, jessie jackson and al gore should stay where they belong HOME, and stay out of ca. problems. they only muddy the water.

15 September, 2003

I came across your magazine googling for stuff on Dr. Shiva (I'd just seen her on Bill Moyers TV show) and I just wanted to say that I think you have a very valuable thing going here - these are the stories and topics that should be discussed and I'm glad you're providing the forum.

Best,
Tom De Jesu

6 September, 2003

Thank you for providing a forum for Vandana Shiva's ideas.

I enjoyed the topic and agree with Vandana in her general philosophy. However, what Monsanto is doing should be done, but confined to natinal borders. Each country should have a concern for its own environment. Countries are politcal entities by definition and should be concered with the well being of every rescource within its borders. Seeds are no exception. Corporations should not have the right to appropriate resources that are propety of a national government, and in a democracy, of its people.

Seed hybrids and other such phenomena should be explored as a contingency program reserved for emergency status, more as a last resort in the event of a national catastrophe, not as replacement for what is ecologicaly in homostatis.

Dr. Vandana's referece to patent-colonializaion, if true, should be considered a form of hostile invasion by any nation, especially when patents are being acquired on natural resources, which again, are alredy property of the natinal government and its people.

In the case of India, its government should have seed banks for the preservation of its food resources, not unlike the establishemt of an Army for the preservation of its people. Why should a single person (Dr.Vandana or individual farmers) have to fight for the survival of one of its staple food products?

Dr. Vandana should be just as active in trying to make her own Indian government more awere of the invasion perpetuated by greedy foreign private interest.

Sal Gonzalez
Visalia, CA

6 September, 2003

I must say, what an amazingly inspirational woman Dr. Shiva is. Even the most ardent capitalist should see her side, and agree with it if they listen to her carefully! The trouble is people like to pigeon-hole positions and plaster labels on them so that they don't have to LISTEN and THINK. From what she is not a communist, nor a socialist nor any of those things; she is merely trying to wrestle with the obvious consequences of one of the oldest economical phenomena - unrestrained profiteering. This cannot be even called capitalism, as a wise capitalist does not lay waste to all future resources. Any time that there is not a healthy democraticly created infrastructure to draw legislative lines around big corporations, they have the potential to put profits before morals. Everyone knows that a certain baby food company sold formula in developing countries that was deemed unsuitable for human babies in North America! Those SICK DEMONS were capable of harming babies in order to dump their inferior product and turn a profit.

Anybody who says that Dr. Shiva is anything but a staunch protector of what's right, does not have the flexibilty to form intelligent and original ideas but has to fall back on a rigid, knee-jerk response.

Ps Why do people trust big companies SO MUCH? Don't they know that every year Ford calculates the cost of recalling vehicles with deadly defects versus the cost of paying out settlements to grieving families? And this is common knowledge!

5 September, 2003

It's mentioned in your article that Jet Skis or PWV are known for steering-loss. In a time of need it could be necessary to hit the throttle and turn. Iíve done this many times for fun and have seen others as well. It works, your going straight all of sudden you have an erg for those Gís and you turn. You turn instantly. This is usually the way I stop. Do a quick turn and stop. If people would maybe give lessons on how to ride a jet ski they might create the skill or reaction time to do just this. When in a boat with your family you tend to learn safety by constantly being in it and watching your parents perform such safety measures. On a PWV there is no one to mimic safety, you just get on and go. I luckily have a father who wanted to teach me reactions like I just described. For auto safety, he taught me quick reaction time by playing in Sand rails. Snowmobiles, boats and Jet Ski's can teach you great reaction time ! if you use your head. I don't suggest a recall on every Jet Ski, maybe a License or Certificate by testing your skill and reaction time in front of a skilled professional. I agree PWV are dangerous, but so is everything else. I don't disagree with your article, but some things aren't made for everyone. I think it takes responsibility and common sense. Unfortunately these lives were taken for some people to gain it.

Kelly,
Sacramento

10 August, 2003

As a mental health provider in a rural county I continue to be frustrated by local community mental health agencies that continue to provide inadequate services to Latino's. Including using translators instead of hiring qualified professionals. 

Thank you for such a well written article. I will be sharing it with my local Community mental health board. 

Perhaps it is time to look at class action law suits for those
community health providers who refuse to provide quality services for our people.

Virginia M. Ramos, MSW

7 August, 2003

My father was a uranium miner near Grants, New Mexico (we lived in Grants). He died of lung cancer a few years ago due to his uranium exposure. I have been told, by a government worker, that they will compensate my mother with 100,000.00 for our loss. I wonder who made this figure up? Is this the going rate for never having a husband or a father again? One thing the government refuses to discuss with me are the effects on the rest of the family from our exposure to uranium. We used to play on the tailings while we waited for Dad to ascend from the mine. We washed his contaminated clothing, ate goodies left from his lunchbox, and played with the "pretty little rocks" we found in his pockets.

Before my father died (a horrible death, I might add) I asked him if they ever told him that uranium was dangerous for him. He said that Kerr-McGee told him it was perfectly safe. He did say that a lot of men got sick while he worked there, though. On two occasions, while Dad was mining, he contracted polycythemia. His doctors told him that it was due to the fumes in the mines. No compensation seems to exist for this.

I have found articles that discuss the health risks to the families of uranium miners. Some of the children in our family have been sick throughout their lives. My mother has had cancer and her thyroid is shot. Mental illness plagues three children in our family. I have recently been diagnosed with an "unexplained medical phenomenon" (a phantom tumor on the adrenal gland).

I just wondered if anyone knew what the government felt that the going rate is for losing you health and living a life of fear of what you might get in the future? How do they come up with these figures, and who puts these monetary values on human beings? What does a person who has no control over uranium exposure do?

5 August, 2003

Compliment

I wish to compliment your good work! Keep it up and call me a fan!

Mary Manion
Ottawa, Ontario

30 July, 2003

C'est par la lutte des petits paysans en Amérique que le monde sera sauvé de l'emprise du fric et des grosses multinationales.Continuez à défendre les petits paysans et la culture naturelle.Merci de votre action pour José Bové.

08 July, 2003

Thank you for your succinct and eloquent analysis.  It is the most compelling legal argument against the best advertised invasion in history that I have seen since the cabal decreed the axis of evil, (a.k.a. tyrannies that can't follow through on a simple quid pro quo and/or have outlived their usefulness).  Through the prism of the WTO, NAFTA, GATT and the rest of the growth crazed transnational corporate soup, "Land of the free" is beginning to look like "The empire's will or your subjects lives."  I pray the slumbering citizenry wakes up before we head too far down Rome's path.

If I could add one thing to your piece, it would be this:

"WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness -- That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

As our current government has chosen, chosen, to deprive many Iraqi's of their unalienable rights, Arab hostility to the invasion is not only understandable, it is the solution our founders prescribed for their ills.  In newspeak though, its called terrorism and the fear of it causes the citizenry not only to allow, but to invite this "long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object," over the "homeland" (more newspeak).  Will our citizenry honor "their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security?" Given that we have already allowed our government to be overwhelmed by two parties that owe allegiance to the same sponsors and their agenda, and that the concentrated corporate media that squelches any competing vision, the prospects are bleak.  But at least, thanks to the Constitution, they are not insurmountable, yet.  So the question becomes, will this grand experiment endure; will the citizenry overcome all odds and rise to its role of guardian of the Republic?  

Peace,
Glenn Morin
Winthrop, ME

08 Apr 2003

ya'll're messed up

inmotionmagazine is the largest assembly of brain-dead, anti-intellectual, stalinist rot i've ever come across, and i've been looking! find a hole for these people, and throw them into it. because either you speak the truth or you lie. lie like stalin, mao and...saddam. ya'll're messed up, and a dab of sunlight on your festering brains would do you well. there are two reasons to speak this way: 1)you've been brainwashed (if such a paltry thing as your brain requires a rinse; 2) you wish to destroy the best system of governance, with its many flaws, such as your right to seek to destroy it from within, because you believe that mao, lenin, stalin and the dolfer and their thirty million dead had the proper game plan. god bless the government that allows leeches and sabateurs.

08 Apr 2003

As a citizen of the United States for nearly sixty-years, I have seen laws that prohibited blacks from attending schools of higher learning (Sweat v. Painter,1954), Governors stand in doorways of schools to prevent blacks from attending school, the constant reminder of how inferior the black culture is and the self-analysis of how blacks think and act, without ever asking blacks how they feel or why they act the way they do. This country has a history of governmental and private discrimination toward blacks, which means "affirmative action" is needed, because of the past actions that exist in the present. Since this country was born, people have had a fix idea of being superior over someone, that fixed idea still exist today, and as long as this country exists that idea will continue to play a role in providing unequal treatment. In closing, the Framers of the U.S. Constitution, never envisioned the Constitution to be a colorblind document, instead, they opted for specific amendments that would correct the wrongs this great document created or should I say, people who created this document. Race will always be an issue in our daily lives, and the discrimination practice will continue, thus, affirmative action is needed.


Thank You
Lawrence D. Pierce, Sr. Paralegal
PLegalink Research-Austin

28 February 2003

I am a 55 yr old mother going back to University as a mature student. Ms. Shiva is one of the required readings from my Indigenous Professor and what I am reading, seeing and scanning through via Internet and or handouts from the Prof. is scaring me.

I see the world has changed. When you are a single parent mother of three...my only concern was to get them through school...they are. I gave them, I hope, a desire to go on...two have. The third child, Natalie who is 27 yrs old, is in Journalism and working. The twins - one is preparing for a career in engineering and the other finally decided to tackle medical school. It is a scary world for them knowing that they will have to deal with this type of issue - biochemistry, biodiversity, bio-genocide of the Indigenous peoples. 

I read just yesterday about the Beotuck people being wiped out because the colonizers wanted their lands! I cried inside not knowing where were the other Indigenous peoples when this was going on...why did I not hear of this genocide! 

I am an Indigenous person and I do not want this happening to my people. I pray that we stand strong and globally talk to each other before something happens like the Beotucks!

Thank you for your website. I hope to learn more but it is disheartening to read it on such dark notes.

Nia:wen
Jenny :)

28 February 2003

Staged Opinion

As an American I am appalled at the lack of democracy being exercised in my country! How can the Democrats who are supposed to represent the opposition stand up and clap every two minutes during George Bush's State of the Union Speech. Okay, I can buy the "Let's be polite" routine but please half of the points expressed by President Bush where contrary to what many Americans think and yet somehow we must 'Stand behind the President'. What has happened to the entire point of conflicting views creating a great country. I am saddened and disappointed that no matter what happens we must be 'unified' or appear weak. What has happened to the idea of open and honest discussion. I am extremely worried about my country right now, scared is probably a better description.

Mark Jesinkey

31 January 2003

Dear Sir,

I was interested to read 'WTO: The New Threats to Developing Countries and Sustainability', by the Director of the Third World Network.

Mr Khor is resistant to foreign investment coming into a country wanting development: "An investment agreement in WTO is most likely to be damaging to development options and interests." (my emphasis)

Isn't this view contrary to the one being advocated by NEPAD, the new African partnership? NEPAD seems to be encouraging a peer review of the national governance of its members; the object is to satisfy foreign investors of the high standard of national governance, in the hope of attracting more employment creating foreign investment into Africa - which includes many third world countries.

Why isn't consistent advocacy possible?

Yours faithfully,

Ian Jenkins

26 December 2002

I read your interview with Mr. Joshua Alouka about sustainable development and the environment on your website. I had the opportunity to meet and work with Mr. Alouka when I was the International Relations Secretary of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) from September 2001 to September 2002. I must confess that I found Mr. Alouka full of concern for development on the African continent, especially in respect to the environment. I found it natural therefore that he gave so much insight into the real problems of development and the environment during the interview in Jo'burg.

The work of such young thinking and developmental focused individuals deserve support from all of us. His work has been an inspiration to most of us who have met with him. Infact, upon leaving NUGS, I am trying to organise youth around my community under a single umbrella to tackle in a pratical manner issues concerning development and the environment. I say 'Ayeko' (congratulations in Twi) to Mr. Sena Joshua Alouka.

-- Aganah Emmanuel

17 December, 2002

My name is Phyllis. I was surfing the net to find information for a argumentative essay I am doing in my college English class, and I came across your website. I must say that I am a black female, age 42 and I appreciate the benefits that affirmative action means for all minorities, not just black people. I have found that the general idea has been that only blacks benefit from this action. Well, that just isn't so. The articles and information that I have gathered has proven benefit to Blacks, Mexicans, Latinos, and Whites. Affirmative Action, is aimed at helping qualified persons for any job. Affirmative Action steps in to offer a deserving person the fighting chance that he or she may not have had before. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy instructed our federal contractors to use affirmative action to make sure that people were treated equally, no matter what their color was, just as long as they were qualified for the job. Affirmative Action has been twisted by the ignorant to mean something totally opposite of what it stands for. My suggestion is to anyone who doesn't agree with it, just learn more about it, you may be a recipient of Affirmative Action in your work place, and if your opinion waves just a little to agree with Affirmative Action, you will have understood, how important it is for Affirmative Action to remain part of employment practices.

Thank you

11 October 2002

I enjoyed reading your bilingual article because of my background. I was fortunate enough to be born to Hispanic parents living in American. But I was unfortunate because my dad only had 2nd grade education in America and my mother had 6th grade education in Mexico. We were not allowed to speak English at home due to parental respect and we would receive swats for speaking Spanish at school. Therefore, we made up our own language as best as we could. None of our languages were perfect but we understood each other. Our government did not respect our parents native language and punished us for using the only language we knew. I am glad I was able to graduate out of high school by climbing the ladder little by little. I am looking forward in becoming a bilingual teacher by next September with the Lord's blessing. I chose bilingual because I want to be the best teacher for those children who come from their parents native land. I believe that children should not be punished because of their backgrounds. Children are innocent of the sacrifices that parents decide to make when moving to a land
that does not respect their native language.

15 September, 2002

Down These Mean Streets is a must read!

I accidentally stumbled across the interviews with Piri Thomas. The irony is that I am researching information on line about the affects of multicultural literature on African American children. I was a child when I read Mr. Thomas' book. The imagery still remains with me.  Down These Mean Streets is a must read! Keep the literature coming!!

14 August, 2002

Down these Mean Streets, by Piri Thomas was such a great book from the moment I First picked up the book I couldn't put it down and when I was finished reading it I was sad that It was over.  I enjoyed that book so much it is such an inspiration to many people. It not only tells a story about the hard life on the streets and the struggles and racism of a dark skinned person but it also gives us hope of we can accompish when hit smack dead in the face with these issues if we can just over come them.  I loved this book and encourage everyone to read this book.  

6 April, 2002

Dear Sir or Madam,
I like to address some issues concerning discrimination of European immigrants in the United States. There is hardly any literature in regard of minorities other than African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and Chinese. I'm a white European legal immigrant, and for the last ten years I reside in Louisiana. From my own experience I can say, that discrimination is more than just a matter of race. I'm a 51 year old white female and I have tremendous problems in finding adequate employment. I applied for all kinds of low wage jobs, but nobody hires me because I speak English with a German accent. During the last ten years, I had one job in a restaurant. Since then I could not find another employment. In December 2001 I received a Social Work degree from a Louisiana State University,but I'm still unable to find a job. Going to college is for me a means of survival, because the student loans pay for my basic needs. I cannot say that the definition of "equal employment opportunity" regardless of race, sex, and nationality is just used by a majority of employers of all races to protect themselves from lawsuits by members of certain minority groups. In reality, social justice and equal opportunity for all minority groups does not exist at all.

Sincerely
Sieglinde Saenger

4 April, 2002

Saudi peace proposal

There is one fact that the American media and the American political establishment have chosen to ignore concerning the Israel's war of aggression against the people of Palestine.

That fact is the suicide bombers would not exist but for Israel's refusal to comply with United Nations Resolution 242 calling upon it to withdraw to its pre- 1967 borders

Moreover, the Saudi proposal for ending the war adopted by the Arab League recently in Beirut is consistent with UN Resolution 242 and echoes an earlier Saudi peace proposal made in 1981 which contained the following essentials for ending the mayhem:

1) Israeli evacuation of all Arab territories seized during the 1967 war, including the Arab sector of Jerusalem.

2) Dismantling the settlements in the occupied territories.

3) Asserting the rights of the Palestinian people and compensating those Palestinians who do not want to return to their homeland.

4) Commencing a transitional period in the West Bank of Jordan and the Gaza Strip under United Nations supervision for a duration not exceeding a few months.

5) Setting up a Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital.

6) Affirming the right of all countries of the region to live in peace and security.

7) Guaranteeing the implementation of these principles "by the United Nations or some of its member states." (MIDEAST REALITIES, February 26, 1982).

Over 20 years later essentially the same rational proposal for ending the bloody madness has emerged. Will we be obliged to wait another 20 years to allow the Israelis to implement their"final solution"to their "Palestinian problem."

Robert E. Nordlander

1 April, 2002

The process for an Israeli-Palestinian peace

Hello! Please consider printing my letter to the editor. I am encouraged that President Bush, Vice President Cheney, and their team have begun finally to engage the process for an Israeli-Palestinian peace. Too many innocent Israelis and Palestinians have been killed or wounded by the violence.

However, simple demands by the United States that Palestinians stop the violence will not be sufficient to achieve a durable peace. Israeli violence against Palestinians must also cease. All lives, both Israeli and Palestinian, are precious.

Although the Israeli deaths and injuries caused by Palestinian suicide bombers and snipers generally get wide press coverage, Israeli violence takes a far greater toll on Palestinians. For example, the Israeli Center for Human Rights (B'Tselem) has reported that 794 Palestinian civilians have been killed by Israeli forces in the Occupied Territories since September 29, 2000. Of these, 189 were children less than 18 years old. The Palestine Monitor has reported that, between February 28 and March 9 alone, Israeli forces killed 135 Palestinians. Forty-four percent of Palestinian deaths in recent months were due to shootings in the head, neck or chest, including 35 people shot from behind. Another 37% died as a result of scattered gunshot wounds throughout their bodies. Since September 2000, approximately 60% of Palestinian deaths were inflicted by live ammunition. Approximately 78% of those killed were civilians.

The U.S. shares complicity in these Palestinian deaths and injuries because of the vast amounts of weapons and ammunition that are supplied by the U.S. to Israel and then used against Palestinian civilians. Frequently, these armaments are labeled as "Excess Defense Articles," and provided to Israel free of charge. For instance, between 1994-1999 the U.S. provided the following "Excess Defense Articles" to Israel: 64,744 M-16A1 rifles; 2,469 M-204 grenade launchers; 1,500 M-2 .50 caliber machine guns; and .30 caliber, .50 caliber, and 20mm ammunition.

Israel also uses helicopters and F-16 fighter jets extensively in the Occupied Territories. Apache attack helicopters have been used to disperse Palestinian demonstrators and have targeted residential areas in Hebron, West Bank. Cobra attack helicopters were allegedly used in Israel's attacks on Palestinian radio stations, President Arafat's headquarters, and Palestinian Authority police and security buildings. U.S.-supplied F-16's have repeatedly bombed targets associated with institutions of the Palestinian Authority.

The U.S. could make a significant contribution to peace in the Middle East by enforcing U.S. conditions on weapons transfers to Israel. According to Section 4 of the Arms Export Control Act, U.S. arms may only be used for purposes of "legitimate self-defense." In the thirty-five years since it occupied the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, Israel has demonstrated a persistent pattern of ignoring basic human rights and standards of international law. If we in the U.S. wonder why so many in the Arab world seem to hate us, we might begin by examining the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Members of Congress could urge Pres. Bush, when demanding a halt to Palestinian violence, to place corresponding demands on the Israeli government. In particular, the President should insist that the Israeli military stop using U.S. weapons and munitions against Palestinian civilians. I would greatly appreciate it!

Matutinally Yours,

James M. Nordlund

28 March, 2002

I think its great that you are informing the public on this matter. Only for me 418 mexicans dead is not nearly enough we should run a population control down there, so our military can train and protect the border at the same time. Maybe I will e-mail President Bush on this idea. please help me and foward this to 10 people so we can start an anti immigration movement together.

sincerely,

Dan Aul of Southern California

P.S. are you free for dinner, you can buy.

18 February, 2002

Loranda J. Daniels-Buoy of Long Pine, Nebraska (published In Motion Magazine, June 3, 2001) could not be more right in her assessment of what is happening in rural Nebraska, Missouri and other mid-western states. This issue needs to be brought to the forefront of media attention and into the "limelight". It needs national coverage!

I moved to Missouri just a short 2 years ago and have come to really enjoy and savor the rural atmosphere of a small town. Coming from a very large metropolitan area, "rural" living was quite a culture shock. But the changes that I mistakenly thought I had to endure where subsequently embraced with open arms. Now, my way of life and those of my neighbors and friends is being threatened. This threat is now in my own backyard. What am I talking about? I am talking about corporate hog farms (being run by contract farmers) "bulldozing" their way into rural areas and changing the nature of generations of farming and NOT for the better. These farms threatening the very environment and health of the residents living within a specific distance of the area!

Instead of worrying about whether my paycheck will stretch another 3 or 4 days to buy groceries, I worry now about property values and how this will effect me (and others) if and when I decide (or am able) to sell. One gentleman farmer had tried to sell his property (which butts up against the proposed hog farm) and was told that he wouldn't be able to sell. I worry about the environment and water pollution and air-born pollutants. I worry about health issues and how this "mega" hog processing factory will change our standard of living and ultimately our health. I have read enough articles on this subject of health issues relating to hog farm pollutants to lose sleep at night. I worry about the economy of this small rural area that attributes it's success and livelihood to the lake that is only 2 miles from my property. I worry how my neighbors and the farmers in the area that don't vie for this type of farming will continue to make a living.

Missouri, in my opinion, is not a "rich" state. The farms around my area have been "family" farms and some for generations. If this hog farm is allowed to invade our little community, the "family farm" will be a thing of the past. Once there is a "toe-hold" in this area, there is no telling where it will or more specifically, IF it will stop. Once the door is opened, I am afraid that it will be exactly like a domino effect and more and more corporate-backed, large, hog killing farms will be allowed to be built. The "little" farmer will be squeezed out of production and a way of life that has been a livelihood for many farmers, will be defunct. Area residents will lose financially also, because property values will plummet. No one will willingly live within the vicinity of a hog farm. Say that term, and people will run-screaming.

The concerned people and farmers in our little corner of the world, propose to start a "grass-roots" campaign with support from anywhere and anyone that is interested in our plight. Whether this will be effective, only time will tell. But for the residents and farmers of Missouri, especially in my little neck of the woods, time is quickly running out. I would like to go back to worrying about my grocery bill and what I will cook for dinner tonight or if it will indeed rain and whether my vegetable garden will grow. I do not want my "simple" way of life threatened and taken away from me. Where have MY constitutional rights gone? I want to be able to go out on my porch on any given night and smell the "fresh" air and not have to worry about air- born pollutants. I want to be able to turn on my faucet and get a drink of fresh, clean and clear water and not have to worry about invisible "bugs" that could possibly make my family sick. I don't want to worry about when it rains and subsequently floods, whether the overspill from the "lagoons" will reach the streams and creeks and the waste from the hogs pollute the lake water or whether those lagoons will leak. I don't want to have to worry about the sprayed waste on the fields (one form of supposedly getting rid of the waste) filtering down through the soil into the water table and polluting the water that fills so many of the wells around this area. I want to know that further down the line, when and if I decide to move out of this area, my property and home will still have a fair market value and that I would be able to get out of the sale of the property what I initially put into the property, NOT less. I want the "life is simple and uncomplicated" put back into my conversations with my family and friends.

This is rural America, the country-issues such as these were not supposed to be prevalent here. This was one of the reasons that I moved to the country in the first place. Now my dreams for a better life for my family and the dreams of many others in this area have a very high potential of being dashed to the ground-shattered and destroyed. Do our rights as American citizens and believers in the Constitution not have any leverage in this instance? Can we fight the "mega-hog-mills"? Again, I don't know and it would seem that the "little man" still doesn't have a say in this country and how it is governed. "Big Business" and "Big Money" speak the loudest and make the most noise and this ultimately is what our law makers hear. And, who is in "bed" with whom? But I just can't sit by and watch our little bit of heaven threatened to be taken away from us. So, I will write my letters and tell anyone who will listen with a sympathetic ear the plight of a little town in rural Missouri. I will become a small "squeaky wheel", and just maybe, more small squeaky wheels will join and eventually we will make enough noise to be heard and taken seriously.

Jo-Anne Pyle
Arcola, Missouri

11 February, 2002

Right on

You're right on! Keep up the fight!!

H. Hoeke

8 February, 2002

I just read your article online and I am anticipating the news special on TV tonight. I think it's horrible what our American medical field has done. I myself am female and am 6'1". At age 16 (about 1993), my mother took me to see a doctor who told her that if I was not given hormones I would continue to grow at a rate of 2 inches per year. At the time I was 5'10". The injections were done (some hormone, not DES of course) and I have suffered many medical problems since.

It is an atrocity to have a well educated field feeding in to societal stereotypes and myths at the expense of these women's health. I believe that reparations must be made on some sort of market share damages. These women are probably continuing to take care of medical bills for the current, but related ailments, not to mention those that may have lost a mother, sister, or daughter to the consequences of the DES treatments.

Parents should be encouraged to allow natural growth for their children. People come in all different shapes and sizes, if they didn't the world would be a pretty boring place.

Santa Clara, CA

4 February, 2002

I'm a non traditional student that has gone back to school after twenty-five years as an underground coal miner. The chance to learn again is invigorating. I am majoring in horticulture and one of my assignments was to write a paper about GMO's. To my amazement the information is bewildering, how could this be happing in a society that is supposed to be run by the people for the people. I am appalled as to what is happening. Maybe it is time to start taking a part in what is happening in this world. Maybe the people have been to quiet for to long, or maybe we have not been educated enough to the facts that are going on. I will research this much more before I speak my piece.

concerned in Illinois

8 January, 2002

Today I read an article about Monsanto in the Washington Post on the damage Monsanto has done in a town called Aniston Alabama, and it had been going on since 1929. The most frightening thing about this is they were producing chemicals then and a chemical known as PCB. It made a Ghost town out of Aniston and several people, including the food and drug administration knew about this. The main Horror is they are now involved in devastating our food supply, these tasteless, brightly colored, one sized time bombs they call vegetables. I have found strange bugs in unopened bags of rice from different companies, something I have never seen before, my Mother never heard of it, and the food has a shelf life of 2 days before it starts rotting in a very strange way, a white fungus seems to be growing on the tomatoes when they decompose. I spend all of my shopping hours reading labels and hunting down organic food, which cannot be guaranteed anymore either thanks to pollination problems. I really have to wonder what the CEO's at Monsanto plan on feeding their children down the road? I assume they have children and Grandchildren, don't they care about them? this Company, along with the Carlyle group and companies like them are involved in Globalization and the World Banks, is this what we are going to do to help the Hungry of the world? Send them this swill that I wouldn't feed a dog? I just can't figure out why no one cares, why this isn't front page news along with the swindling clean water and the Nuclear waste and pollution, this is our God given right and its been taken away from us, there is nothing left to take.

2 January, 2002

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