International Green Network Newsletter #24
April 30, 2003
CONTENTS:
1. ANTI-WAR POSTINGS ARE ON THE IGN LISTSERV
2. IGN ECOSTUDY GROUP: FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2003
3. GOLDEN WEEK EVENT: FILM SHOW
4. ALISHAN ORGANIC MARKET DAY
5. FRIENDS OF THE EARTH HIKES IN MAY
6. EQUINE PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT RESEARCH PROJECT
7. UPDATE ON FUTO DOLPHIN DRIVE FISHERY
8. SPECIAL ISSUE OF THE LANGUAGE TEACHER ON GLOBAL ISSUES
9. PGL1 PROCEEDINGS CD ROM
10. JAPAN SHUTS DOWN NUCLEAR REACTORS
11. SPENCER KAGAN UPDATE
12. NEW EFL TEXTBOOKS ON GLOBAL ISSUES
13. NEW FROM BOOKGIRL PRESS
14. JAPAN ON FOOT: YOU’RE TOO BIG FOR MY FUTON
15. THE POWER OF THE PEACE POCKETBOOK
16. ACTION ALERT! SAVE SAEMANGEUM TIDAL FLATS!
17. FORUM: BIODEVASTATION 7
18. MICHAEL MOORE’S OSCAR “BACKLASH”
19. NEWS FROM THE GREEN PARTY OF ENGLAND & WALES
20. WE STAND FOR PEACE & JUSTICE
21. TOUR TO NATIVE AMERICA
22. RADIO LAVALAMP INTERNET RADIO PROJECT
23. JAPAN ELECTION RESULTS
24. BONGOS OF THE LORD 14
25. INFO ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL GREEN NETWORK
26. ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL GREEN NETWORK ECOSTUDY GROUP
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1. ANTI-WAR POSTINGS ARE ON THE IGN LISTSERV
(from Richard Evanoff, IGN Coordinator)
I’m continuing to post all the anti-war info that’s coming in on
the IGN listserv, including articles and info about petition campaigns,
boycotts, demos, and the like. If the material is particularly urgent and
time-sensitive (such as notices for demos) I’ve been sending postings
directly to people on the IGN mailing list (instead of using the listserv).
To sign up for the IGN listserv, see the section below entitled
“Info About the International Green Network.” Please feel free to post
information on the IGN listserv (all information is welcome, not only
anti-war info!). It’s better if you can post info directly on the listserv
rather than send the info to me (it saves me oodles of time!), but I’ll
nonetheless continue to post everything that is sent me.
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2. IGN ECOSTUDY GROUP: FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2003
(submitted by Richard Evanoff)
DATE: Friday, April 11, 2003
TIME: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
PLACE: Aoyama Gakuin University, Shibuya (Tokyo) Campus, Building
#8, 3rd floor (10 minutes walk from Shibuya station; 5 minutes walk from
the Omote-sando subway station)
DIRECTIONS: Come in the main entrance to the university (with the
statue of John Wesley at the second floor level of the the building just to
the right), walk down the tree-lined walkway until you reach the chapel (on
your right). Building #8 is the next building after the chapel (between the
chapel and the library). Take the elevator to the 3rd floor. As soon as you
come out of the elevator follow the signs to the meeting room.
PRESENTERS: Teresa Schulze and Yuki Takahashi
TOPIC: “Ethnic Minorities in Japan”
FUTURE PRESENTATIONS:
June 13: Dan Wolf, “The Role of Personal Growth in the Political Realm”
July 11: Erik Kaye, “A System for Non-violent Confrontation, Part II”
August: Summer vacation — no meeting
September: Corinne Sutter, “Working Class Life”
If you would like to give a future presentation or have any
questions about the EcoStudy Group, please contact Richard Evanoff at
1933-8 Hazama-cho, Hachioij-shi, Tokyo 193-0941 or
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3. GOLDEN WEEK EVENT: FILM SHOW
From Kumi F
“Amazing Nature World” Special Film Show in Yokohama!
16 best-selection films from the past Japan Wildlife Film Festivals
(http://www.naturechannel.jp) will be shown during the upcoming Golden Week
in Yokohama – and it is admission FREE!
Venue: Broadcast Library near Chinatown (11 Nihon Odori, Naka-ku, Yokohama,
Kanagawa 231-0021, Phone: (045) 222-2828, Fax: (045) 641-2110, URL:
http://www.bpcj.or.jp/english/index.html)
Date: April 29th (Tue) through 11th May (Sun) 2003 (closed on May 6th
(Tue)) Admission: free
Language: dubbed in Japanese
For the detailed programme and film outlines, please see
(http://www.naturechannel.jp/information/index.htm) (in Japanese only).
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4. ALISHAN ORGANIC MARKET DAY
Organic Market Day by Tengu Natural Foods at the Alishan Organic Center on
Saturday May 17th 10AM-8PM. seminars & workshops, fresh organic vegetables,
homemade breads, live music, crafts, Jack’s juice bar, free admission. We
are currently looking for ecologically oriented groups, artists, crafts
people, musicians, etc, to perform, set up booths, and sell their wares.
There is no charge to set up a booth or perform. Please note this is not a
Flea Market, no used clothes!
For more info Tel:0429-82-4811 Fax:0429-82-4813, alishanj@gol.com,
http://www.alishan-organic-center.com
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5. FRIENDS OF THE EARTH HIKES IN MAY
(from Friends of the Earth)
The following Friends of the Earth hikes are scheduled for May.
There are no reservations — just turn up at the meeting point. The trips
are cancelled only in case of continuous heavy rain or snow, or a typhoon
warning, but the leader makes the final decision at the meeting point. Each
person is responsible for buying their own train and bus tickets.
MAY 11: Tenen Kinubariyama / Kamakura (easy but long). Meet at 7:50
a.m. at Shinagawa Station in the middle of Platform 1 of the Keihin Kyuko
Line (under the train indicator board). We will walk along a forest ridge
called the Green Belt, and take a break at a relaxed mountain “chamise” on
the Tenen trail. From the next mountain, Kinubariyama, there are beautiful
views of Kamakura. We will also visit two temples, a small one called
Meiou-in and a major one that is dedicated to animals, called Koumyou-ji.
The grand finale is Zaimokuza Beach in Kamakura. Total transportation:
1,160 yen.
MAY 18: Tsurugatoya-yama / Yamanashi (moderatel). Meet at 7:30 a.m.
at Shinjuku JR Station at the front end of Platform 10 of the Chuo Line.
This hike starts from Sasago station. We go along a beautiful stream first.
One part near Takaragoe pass involves a steep one-hour climb, but we have
fine views of Mt. Fuji and other mountains from the ridge trail. The top of
Tsurugatoya-yama is covered with big beech and oak trees. The route goes
down through mixed forest to Hatsukari station. Total transportation: 2,460
yen.
MAY 25: Takahata-yama, Kuratake-yama / Yamanashi (moderate). Meet
at 7:45 a.m. at Shinjuku JR Station at the front end of Platform 10 of the
Chuo Line. Starting from Torisawa station, we will go up to Takahata-yama
through mixed forests. From the top of Takahata-yama there is a fine view
of Mt. Fuji and the Tanzawa mountains. The trail goes to Kuratake-yama and
down to Yanagawa station along a beautiful mountain stream, where there are
many old Japanese horse chestnut trees. Total transportation: 2,040 yen.
A donation of 1,000 yen is requested to cover organzing costs and
as a contribution towards the work Friends of the Earth is doing on
environmental issues Japan and through Friends of the Earth International
in 68 countries around the the world.
Most hikes are about six hours and many are in mountainous areas,
so you should be reasonably fit. Although the leaders take every
precaution, participation in all hikes is at your own risk. You should
bring your own lunch and drinks (including plenty of water), a flashlight,
emergency equipment (first aid kit, extra food), rain gear (not an
umbrella), and health insurance card. It is advisable to wear proper hiking
or walking shoes, since some of the trails can be muddy or rocky.
For more information see the Friends of the Earth website at
send an e-mail to
line. Friends of the Earth can also be contacted at 3-17-24-2F Mejiro,
Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-0031. Tel: 03-3951-1081. Fax: 03-3951-1084.
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6. EQUINE PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT RESEARCH PROJECT
Submitted by Rick Davis
Dear friends of Japanese equine animals,
Thank you for your kind help for the poor horses used in Age-Uma.
I am writing this to inform you about the latest new about Age-Uma.
Yesterday, we updated our website and added the report on Age-Uma on April
5-6 at Inabe Shrine. The result was a tragedy, although we got the first
media coverage about our activity.
http://www009.upp.so-net.ne.jp/epmrp/index-E.html
In May, we are going to visit Tado Grand Shrine, where another Age-Uma will
be held on 4-5, to check the reform. This time, the representative of
“Doubutsu-Tono-Kyousei-O Kangaeru-Renrakukai”, an umbrella organization of
Japanese animal protection groups will join us and help our campaign.
We are distributing a colour pamphlet on Age-Uma, and are getting good
feed-back. Voices from the world and from throughout Japan are on our web
page. These important opinions will be submitted to the local government
and Age-Uma organizers, also.
It would be very appreciated if you would be able to spread this
information by a link, etc.
With all these help, we’ll try to improve the situation much better.
Sincerely,
Harumi Aoki
Equine Protection and Management
Research Project$B!J(BEPMRP$B!K(B
573 Manazuru, Manazuru, Kanagawa,
259-0201 Japan.
TEL: +81-465-68-2920 FAX: +81-465-68-2921
URL: http://www009.upp.so-net.ne.jp/epmrp/
E-mail: epmrp@rk9.so-net.ne.jp
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7. UPDATE ON FUTO DOLPHIN DRIVE FISHERY
From Rick Davis
Thanks to everyone’s support for the campaign against dolphin drive fishery
at Futo, no fishing boat sailed out of Futo Port to kill dolphins this
season.
Although the Fisheries Cooperative Association wouldn’t publicly admit it,
the animal protection force put enormous pressure on the Assocation and
local fishermen and that was one of the major reasons, if not THE REASON,
dolphin hunt didn’t take place this season.
We have so far collected almost 6,000 signatures for our petition locally
and received about 3,000 mails from overseas groups.
However, they still plan to resume the hunt this September. So we will have
to keep on working and we are counting on everyone’s support again later
this year.
Thank you again for your help and please pass this to anyone you think
might be interested.
Below is the translation of article from Yomiuri Newspaper.
Masako
——————————————-
No dolphin hunt this season
Shizuoka Edition of Yomiuri Newspaper, dated March 29, reported that Ito
City Fishery Cooperative Association had notified the Fisheries Agency that
they had canceled all plans for dolphin fishery at Futo Port of Ito City
this season (September, 2002 through March, 2003) at the beginning of March.
The Association had modified the method of dolphin fishery, which animal
protection groups criticized as inhumane and cruel, and had planned the
fishery the first time in three years. No fishing boat sailed out, however,
because they observed almost no pod, the Association claimed.
But both the Association and Mr. Ishii, a fisherman-cum-dolphin watching
tour conductor, say that, on occasion, a pod of dolphins were observed near
the coast during autumn through winter.
When a fishing boat found a pod, the crew is supposed to notify the
Association but presumably fishermen found it too much trouble to stay on
watch till the Association sent out other boats. Plus the Association
officials and local fishermen were concerned about criticism from animal
protection groups and this could discourage them from actually catching
dolphins.
Dolphin fishery at Futo has been going on since the beginning of Meiji Era
and average of 5,000 dolphins were caught annually in 1970s but has been in
a slump in recent years.
In 2000, a German magazine reported it, with photos, as “Dolphin Massacre”
and caused an international uproar.
The Association plans to resume dolphin fishery the next season but with
the average age of fishermen going up and not having enough successors, it
might be at the point of becoming extinct.
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8. SPECIAL ISSUE OF THE LANGUAGE TEACHER ON GLOBAL ISSUES
(submitted by Richard Evanoff)
The March 2003 edition of The Language Teacher is a special issue
devoted to teaching global issues. The issue includes an excellent article
by U.S. Greens Abroad member John Small entitled “The Potential of Language
Education: A Global Issues Perspective,” as well as articles on peace
studies, using literature for socially responsible language teaching,
modeling global citizenship outside the classroom, teaching about AIDS, and
websites for Global Education. The Language Teacher is published by the
Japan Association for Language Teaching (JALT), Urban Edge Building, 5th
Floor, 1-37-9 Taito, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0016. Tel: 03-3837-1630. Fax:
03-3837-1631. E-mail:
devoted to Global Issues and Gender Awareness in Language Education.
Memberships are 10,000 yen per year for JALT, plus 1,500 for each special
interest group you join.
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9. PGL1 PROCEEDINGS CD ROM
Kikuchi Keiko
The 2002 Peace as a Global Language Proceedings & Supplement are now
available on CD-ROM for the modest price of 1,000 yen. 21 articles, songs,
poems, and art works in English and Japanese are featured on this CD-ROM,
which is both Windows and MacIntosh compatable. If you are interested in
ordering a copy, please write to Tim Newfields at
Also, the registration for the 2003 Peace as a Global Language conference
will start online shortly and it will be possible for you to order the CD
copy through it. Yet it may take a while, so if you want to receive the CD
copy sooner, please contact Tim above.
English website:
Japanese website:
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10. JAPAN SHUTS DOWN NUCLEAR REACTORS
From Rebekah Merkel
Hopefully, they will stay shut down forever! And hopefully the rest of the
world will follow in their footsteps! By the way, if you are interested in
seeing a map of the locations of nuclear reactors in America and around the
world, please go to the International Nuclear Safety Center (run by the US
Government Dept. of Energy):
http://www.insc.anl.gov/
USA MAP: http://www.insc.anl.gov/pwrmaps/map/north_america.php
WORLD MAP: http://www.insc.anl.gov/pwrmaps/map/world_map.php
For info. about campaigning against Nuclear Power go to Greenpeace:
http://www.greenpeace.org/campaigns/intro?campaign_id=3940
——————-
Japan’s nuclear power industry in trouble
TOKYO – Wednesday, 16 April, 2003
Today in Japan, the country’s major nuclear power utility decided to shut
down all of its nuclear reactors across Japan for safety checks for
possibly as long as one year or more.
The plants will go off-line in what experts say is an indictment of Japan’s
nuclear industry. Japan’s key nuclear company, TEPCO, has been dogged by
safety concerns and revelations that it deliberately falsified inspection
data.
Japan is one country that knows the downside of nuclear energy. Two of its
cities were devastated by atomic bombs and yet it’s heavily dependent on
nuclear power.
TEPCO’s problems began last year, when it was caught operating nuclear
plants with cracks in their reactors. It turned out the company had
deliberately falsified safety inspections. Since then, one of the plants
has suffered a radioactive leak.
“They place importance on running nuclear power, not on safety. It’s not
only TEPCO. Other companies did the same. People cannot trust the nuclear
industry any more” said Kazue Suzuki of Greenpeace Japan.
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11. SPENCER KAGAN UPDATE
Jane Nakagawa
Below is a peek at what is arranged thus far for Dr. Spencer Kagan’s Japan
workshop tour. This has to be considered tentative for now, should be more
pinned down in late April/May. Some details need to be finetuned a bit.
Please feel free to contact me in May about it or there may be a notice on
PGL2 website
Spencer Kagan schedule (tentative…please check back in May 2003)
Monday, Sept. 15, 2003 (Nagoya) 1:00-5:00 PM, cosponsored by Nagoya, Gifu,
and Toyohashi JALT chapters, Teacher Education and Teaching Children SIGs,
JAPANetwork, and Trident Preschool “Cooperative structures and language
learning”
Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2003 (Nagoya) Nanzan University, 6:30-8:30 PM
“Brain friendly instruction through cooperative learning structures”
Saturday, Sept. 20, 2003 /Sunday, Sept. 21, 2003 (Tokyo) TBA
Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2003 (Tokyo) Ochanomizu University
“Cooperative structures for any lesson”
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2003 (Tokyo) Soka University
“Multiple intelligences: visions, myths, and structures”
*Friday, Sept. 26, 2003 (Tokyo) Seisen University,
5:30 – 8:30 PM “Positive human relations via cooperative structures”
*Sunday, Sept. 28, 2003 (Tokyo) Seisen University
“Cooperative structures, character, and peace” (morning)
*As part of Peace as a Global Language II conference
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12. NEW EFL TEXTBOOKS ON GLOBAL ISSUES
BY JOHN SMALL
(from the IGN Clearinghouse)
KarmaYogaPress, non-profit publisher of global issues teaching
materials, is offering two new texts. “Nature Stories” is a beginner-level
text that focuses on the natural world. It includes narratives and
enjoyable exercises about various animals and plants. The idea is to
encourage students to appreciate and think more about the natural world.
“Inspiring Stories” is an intermeidate-level text about
extraordinary people who work for peace and justice: Julia Butterfly Hill,
Mohammed Yunus, Peace Pilgrim are three examples. Narratives are studied
and practiced by students; each chapter also includes listening and
conversation exercises.
Both texts come with a cd. Info available at
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13. NEW FROM BOOKGIRL PRESS
April 2003
George Evans
Bookgirl Press is happy to announce that the three part series of George’s
writings that appeared here in Japan in the TOHOKU GAKUIN UNIVERSITY REVIEW
are now available as offprints.
Part one features A WORKING BOY’S WHITMAN (an autobiographical essay) and
selected poems from NIGHT VISION.
Part two contains excerpts from A YEAR WITHOUT SLEEP, NOVEL-IN- PROGRESS.
This is war writing written from, of, through, by death hell jaw mouth
devoured bodysoul bedazzled youth life.
“A strong dose of life dowsed in death”–G.W. Bush Whosane
Part three is all poetry. Some is from SUDDEN DREAMS; others are from
George’s latest collection THE NEW WORLD. To get George’s writing full
throttle you need to get these books whole. But these selections give you a
glimpse.
Some readers may have already received either part one or two in this
series. Now all three are available, free of charge. Please send Japanese
stamps to cover domestic postage or International reply coupons (IRCs) for
mailing from Japan to points elsewhere. Specify which parts you would like,
or all three.
Let freedom ring,
Scott Watson
Bookgirl Press
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14. JAPAN ON FOOT: YOU’RE TOO BIG FOR MY FUTON
BOOK ON TWO WOMENS’ 7,500-KM WALK THROUGH JAPAN
The book, “Japan on Foot: You’re Too Big For My Futon” by Mary King and
Etsuko Shimabukuro will be published later this year by Alexandra Press.
The book is the story of a 7,500-kilometer zig zag walk made through Japan
by two women (one English and one Japanese).
The book is the story of their wild adventures through Hokkaido, Honshu,
Shikoku, Kyushu and Okinawa. The two women’s paths passed with that of
bears, the Ainu, enlightened beings and Buddhist pilgrims, Moses’ Tomb,
Christ’s Tomb, shamanesses, the reputed mummy of a mermaid, the buraku
outcasts, a scientist who plans to resurrect the mammoth and a marine
geologist who maintains that Asia’s equivalent to Atlantis lies off the
shores of a small Okinawan island.
Orders for “Japan on Foot: Tales of the Unexpected” can be placed now
through Alexandra Press at
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Thanking you,.
Mary King
http://japanonfoot.tripod.co.jp
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15. THE POWER OF THE PEACE POCKETBOOK
From Duane Sturm
It seems inevitable that now, in the Spring of 2003, there is a certain
feeling of frustration among peace-seeking people and groups around the
world. After tens of millions of us marched and demonstrated in multiple
global actions the American war machine was not deterred. Instead, as we
all know too well, thousands of bombs were dropped, countless innocent
lives were lost and Iraq, as Afghanistan before it, has been reduced to a
vanquished ruin occupied and administered by an invading army. Right-wing
governments and their media seek to convince us that might once again makes
right.
Even if we in the Peace Community do not accept the notion that our actions
against war were in vain, it is still quite natural for us to wonder out
loud what else we could have done, or could do, to stop the pattern of
aggression that dominates American foreign policy and continually threatens
us all. After all, Iraq was not the first victim of American aggression and
will surely not be the last. And so many international groups are
canvassing their members in an effort to compose the next step forward for
the global non-violent movement.
In formulating future strategy wouldn’t it be prudent to take a successful
page from one of the historic heroes of the non-violent movement? Mahatma
Ghandi chose non-cooperation as one of the primary weapons of the struggle
against the British war machine that occupied India. Ghandi exhorted the
Indian masses to demonstrate their disdain for the occupying forces by
rejecting and boycotting goods produced by the British Empire, wearing
“homespun” instead of cloth from British textile mills.
In much the same way, the millions of good people in the international
peace movement should demonstrate their solidarity with all victims of
American aggression in the world by boycotting all goods and services
originating from the empire of the United States. If we cannot stop the
American war machine by peacefully marching in mass in the streets of our
cities perhaps we can dissuade further military action by withdrawing our
support at the cash register. After all, the link between military hegemony
and economic domination, from the coffee fields of Central America to the
oil fields of the Middle East, is well established and should be clear for
any student of imperial history.
We in the peace community can show our intense disapproval of the use of
illegal force by withdrawing our money from American banks, vacating the
premises of American coffee shops, like Starbucks, and refusing to buy
products produced by the likes of Levi’s, Coca Cola and McDonald’s. The
leading peace groups and progressive political parties around the world
should compile lists of American companies and distribute them to their
members so peace-minded international consumers will know where not to
shop, what not to buy. In this way we can put our money where our mouths
are: supporting those companies and countries with a peaceful agenda. It’s
a small price to pay for peace.
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16. ACTION ALERT! SAVE SAEMANGEUM TIDAL FLATS!
Submitted by Richard Wilcox/Rick Davis
Letter-writing Campaign to Save Saemangeum, a Huge Korean Wetland
[you can easily use the form letter below to email interested parties]
Korea’s New President Supports Land Reclamation that will Kill 40,000
Hectares of Tidal Flat Wetlands
Saemangeum is a huge tidal flat wetland located on South Korea’s west
coast. The largest land reclamation project in the world will cut off these
tidal flats from the sea, killing outright 40,000 hectares of tidal flat,
ten times more than were killed six years ago at Japan’s Isahaya Bay
(April, 1997).
Japan Wetlands Action Network (JAWAN, a national network of about 50
grass-roots groups) continues to oppose the ongoing Isahaya Bay Land
Reclamation Project, and so it is natural for us to help raise the cry
against the Saemangeum Land Reclamation Project, where a 33 kilometer-long
dike nears completion.
JAWAN held a series of symposiums last month to focus on Isahaya,
Saemangeum, and Awase Tidal Flat in Okinawa, where another unnecessary
landfill project threatens a precious sea grass/tidal flat wetland. One of
the outcomes of our meetings was a decision to initiate a letter-writing
campaign on Saemangeum.
Although South Korea’s new President Roh Moo Hyun has a progressive image,
he has declared his support for the Saemangeum Land Reclamation Project. We
feel it is time to inform President Roh Moo Hyun that his support for
wetland destruction is subject to the international criticism it deserves.
Here follows a practical guide to help you write your letter or email
message. You will find attached a one-page synopsis of the issue and a copy
of JAWAN’s letter. For more information on line, please visit the Korean
Federation of Environmental Movement’s English web page on Saemangeum,
which includes letters of support sent by the Sierra Club, Wetlands
International Asia-Pacific and other groups.
http://english.kfem.or.kr/hot/hot1.html
Thank you,
Minoru Kashiwagi, Japan Wetlands Action Network
tae04312@nifty.ne.jp
Maggie Suzuki, International Liaison, Japan Wetlands Action Network
margaret8739@deluxe.ocn.ne.jp
LETTER-WRITING GUIDE
1. Please call for an immediate stop to work on the dike that will cut off
Saemangeum’s tidal flats from the sea.
2. Saemangeum is a world-class wetland in terms of size and biological
diversity, and is one of the most important sites on the East Asia /
Australasia Migratory Bird Flyway.
3. It supports the economic, cultural and social lives of the local people,
and holds out the promise for future modes of economic and social
development compatible with conservation of cultural and biological
diversity.
4. Korea’s ambitious coastal development policy has already met with
serious setbacks, such as at Siwha Lake, where a similar project resulted
in grave pollution problems. Japan’s Isahaya Bay Land Reclamation Project,
similar though smaller in scale to the Saemangeum project, is thought by
many to be the cause of fishery collapses in nearby waters.
5. The project aims to create agricultural land, though the need for more
agricultural land has come into question – President Roh Moo Hyun has said
that the government may consider non-agricultural uses for the land. This
indicates that the project has taken on a life of its own and is being
pursued for its own sake, a common problem in both Japan and Korea.
6. A decision to continue with the project despite massive wetland
destruction will help justify the Isahaya project, and encourage other
destructive projects in Japan, Korea and other countries, especially in
Asia.
ADDRESSES:
The Honorable ROH Moo Hyun, President of the Republic of Korea
Cheongwadae, 1 Sejong-no, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-820,
Republic of Korea
email: webmaster@president.go.kr
The Honorable KIM Yoeng Jin, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry
Minister’s Room, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry,
Central Government Office,1 Jungang-dong, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do 429-719,
Republic of Korea
e-mail: minister@maf.go.kr
The Honorable HAN Myung Suk, Minister of Environment,
Minister’s Room, Ministry of Environment
Central Government Office, 1 Jungang-dong, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
429-719, Republic of Korea
email: sykwoon@me.go.kr
The Honorable HUH Sung Kwan, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fishery
Minister’s Room, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fishery
139 Chungcheong-ro 3-ga, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-715, Republic of Korea
e-mail: skhuh@daunet.donga.ac.kr
Please Send Copies to:
Prof. CHO Kyoung Mann
Korean Society for the Life of Saemangeum, Mokpo National Univ.
email: chkm@mokpo.ac.kr
Mr. MYOUNG Ho
Korean Federation for Environmental Movement, KFEM
email: mh@kfem.or.kr
Japan Wetlands Action Network
email: tae04312@nifty.com
THANK YOU!!!!!
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17. FORUM: BIODEVASTATION 7
THE INTERNATIONAL THREAT TO FARMS AND FARMERS
will be one of the major themes at Biodevastation 7: A Forum on
Environmental Racism, World Agriculture and Biowarfare
May 16 – 18, 2003, St. Louis, Missouri, www.biodev.org
The opening panel at Biodevastation 7, “The International Threat to Farms
and Farmers,” will highlight the destructive impact of corporate policies,
including those of Monsanto, on farms and farmers throughout North America
and around the world.
Perhaps the best known speaker on the panel is Percy Schmeiser, the
Canadian canola farmer who was sued by Monsanto in 1998 for the “crime” of
having had his crop contaminated by the company’s genetically engineered,
herbicide tolerant canola. Percy has appealed his case to the Canadian
Supreme Court, and traveled the world telling his story and explaining how
the biotechnology industry is systematically undermining the rights of
farmers everywhere.
Lawrence Tsimese of the Agricultural Reform Movement in Ghana will offer an
African perspective on farmers’ growing resistance to genetically
engineered crops. Lawrence has been working to educate both farmers and
urban dwellers in Ghana about the dangers of pesticides and biotechnology
and the benefits of organic agriculture.
George Naylor, the newly elected board president of the National Family
Farm Coalition, will relate the problem of biotechnology to the economic
plight of farmers in the US. In a setting where a tiny percentage of the
largest farmers receive a majority of all the agricultural subsidies, small
and medium-sized farms have become increasingly marginalized. George will
explain how biotech companies play on farmers’ insecurities to sell
genetically engineered seeds, and how farmers are organizing for public
policies that genuinely benefit both farmers and consumers.
Felder Freeman, an agriculture specialist working in the South Carolina
office of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives, will relate these issues
to the unique struggles of black farmers in the southern United States. The
Federation works to help black farmers stay on the land, and to form
agricultural cooperatives to facilitate land-based economic development. In
recent years, the Federation has become increasingly interested in organic
methods as an alternative to the corporate serfdom being perpetrated by
agribusiness interests.
The Gathering will also include workshops on resistance to GE crops in
Africa, farmer organizing, and on globalization, biowarfare, environmental
racism and the impacts of genetic engineering on indigenous agriculture
worldwide. The event is the seventh in a series of international grassroots
gatherings known as “Biodevastation.”
This year’s event immediately precedes Monsanto’s annual World Agricultural
Forum in St. Louis, and promises to be the definitive event linking issues
around biotechnology and food genetic engineering with the wider movement
for environmental justice. On the afternoon of Sunday, May 18 farmers and
supporters will have an anti-globalization convergence at the World
Agricultural Forum. www.worldagforum.com or 314-771-8576
Biodevastation 7 also includes the following panel discussions:
7:00 pm, Friday, May 16. “Globalization and Food Imperialism”
10:00 am, Saturday, May 17. “Backyard Bioweapons: Biolabs, Biodefense,
Biotech, & Billions of $”
7:30 pm, Saturday, May 17. “Environmental Racism”
10:00 am, Sunday, May 18. “Crop Contamination and the Future of Indigenous
Agriculture”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
18. MICHAEL MOORE’S OSCAR “BACKLASH”
My Oscar “Backlash”: “Stupid White Men” Back At #1, “Bowling” Breaks New
Records
Dear friends,
It appears that the Bush administration will have succeeded in colonizing
Iraq sometime in the next few days. This is a blunder of
such magnitude — and we will pay for it for years to come. It was
not worth the life of one single American kid in uniform, let alone the
thousands of Iraqis who have died, and my condolences and prayers go out to
all of them.
So, where are all those weapons of mass destruction that were the pretense
for this war? Ha! There is so much to say about all this, but I will save
it for later.
What I am most concerned about right now is that all of you — the majority
of Americans who did not support this war in the first place — not go
silent or be intimidated by what will be touted as some great military
victory. Now, more than ever, the voices of peace and truth must be heard.
I have received a lot of mail from people who are feeling a profound sense
of despair and believe that their voices have been drowned out by the drums
and bombs of false patriotism. Some are afraid of retaliation at work or at
school or in their neighborhoods because they have been vocal proponents of
peace. They have been told over and over that it is not “appropriate” to
protest once the country is at war, and that your only duty now is to
“support the troops.”
Can I share with you what it’s been like for me since I used my time on the
Oscar stage two weeks ago to speak out against Bush and this war? I hope
that, in reading what I’m about to tell you, you’ll feel a bit more
emboldened to make your voice heard in whatever way or forum that is open
to you.
When “Bowling for Columbine” was announced as the Oscar winner for Best
Documentary at the Academy Awards, the audience rose to its feet. It was a
great moment, one that I will always cherish. They were standing and
cheering for a film that says we Americans are a uniquely violent people,
using our massive stash of guns to kill each other and to use them against
many countries around the world. They were applauding a film that shows
George W. Bush using fictitious fears to frighten the public into giving
him whatever he wants. And they were honoring a film that states the
following: The first Gulf War was an attempt to reinstall the dictator of
Kuwait; Saddam Hussein was armed with weapons from the United States; and
the American government is responsible for the deaths of a half-million
children in Iraq over the past decade through its sanctions and bombing.
That was the movie they were cheering, that was the movie they voted for,
and so I decided that is what I should acknowledge in my speech.
And, thus, I said the following from the Oscar stage:
“On behalf of our producers Kathleen Glynn and Michael Donovan (from
Canada), I would like to thank the Academy for this award. I have invited
the other Documentary nominees on stage with me. They are here in
solidarity because we like non-fiction. We like non-fiction because we live
in fictitious times. We live in a time where fictitious election results
give us a fictitious president. We are now fighting a war for fictitious
reasons. Whether it’s the fiction of duct tape or the fictitious ‘Orange
Alerts,’ we are against this war, Mr. Bush. Shame on you, Mr. Bush, shame
on you. And, whenever you’ve got the Pope and the Dixie Chicks against you,
you’re time is up.”
Halfway through my remarks, some in the audience started to cheer. That
immediately set off a group of people in the balcony who started to boo.
Then those supporting my remarks started to shout down the booers. The L.
A. Times reported that the director of the show started screaming at the
orchestra “Music! Music!” in order to cut me off, so the band dutifully
struck up a tune and my time was up. (For
more on why I said what I said, you can read the op-ed I wrote for the L.A.
Times, plus other reaction from around the country at my website
www.michaelmoore.com)
The next day — and in the two weeks since — the right-wing pundits and
radio shock jocks have been calling for my head. So, has all this ruckus
hurt me? Have they succeeded in “silencing” me? Well, take a look at my
Oscar “backlash”: — On the day after I criticized Bush and the war at the
Academy Awards, attendance at “Bowling for Columbine” in theaters around
the country went up 110% (source: Daily Variety/BoxOfficeMojo.com). The
following weekend, the box office gross was up a whopping 73% (Variety). It
is now the longest-running consecutive commercial release in America, 26
weeks in a row and still thriving. The number of theaters showing the film
since the Oscars has INCREASED, and it has now bested the previous box
office record for a documentary by nearly 300%.
— Yesterday (April 6), “Stupid White Men” shot back to #1 on the New York
Times bestseller list. This is my book’s 50th week on the list, 8 of them
at number one, and this marks its fourth return to the top position,
something that virtually never happens.
— In the week after the Oscars, my website was getting 10-20 million hits
A DAY (one day we even got more hits than the White House!). The mail has
been overwhelmingly positive and supportive (and the hate mail has been
hilarious!).
— In the two days following the Oscars, more people pre-ordered the video
for “Bowling for Columbine” on Amazon.com than the video for the Oscar
winner for Best Picture, “Chicago”.
— In the past week, I have obtained funding for my next documentary, and I
have been offered a slot back on television to do an updated version of “TV
Nation”/ “The Awful Truth.”
I tell you all of this because I want to counteract a message that is told
to us all the time — that, if you take a chance to speak out politically,
you will live to regret it. It will hurt you in some way, usually
financially. You could lose your job. Others may not hire you. You will
lose friends. And on and on and on.
Take the Dixie Chicks. I’m sure you’ve all heard by now that, because their
lead singer mentioned how she was ashamed that Bush was from her home state
of Texas, their record sales have “plummeted” and country stations are
boycotting their music. The truth is that their sales are NOT down. This
week, after all the attacks, their album is still at #1 on the Billboard
country charts and, according to Entertainment Weekly, on the pop charts
during all the brouhaha, they ROSE from #6 to #4. In the New York Times,
Frank Rich reports that he tried to find a ticket to ANY of the Dixie
Chicks’ upcoming concerts but he couldn’t because they were all sold out.
(To read Rich’s column from yesterday’s Times, “Bowling for Kennebunkport,”
go here:
http://www.michaelmoore.com/articles/index.php?article=20030406
-nytimes. He does a pretty good job of laying it all out and talks about my
next film and the impact it could potentially have.) Their song, “Travelin’
Soldier” (a beautiful anti-war ballad) was the most requested song on the
internet last week. They have not been hurt at all — but that is not what
the media would have you believe. Why is that? Because there is nothing
more important now than to keep the voices of dissent — and those who
would dare to ask a question — SILENT. And what better way than to try and
take a few well-known entertainers down with a pack of lies so that the
average Joe or Jane gets the message loud and clear: “Wow, if they would do
that to the Dixie Chicks or Michael Moore, what would they do to little ol’
me?” In other words, shut the f— up. And that, my friends, is the real
point of this film that I just got an Oscar for — how those in charge use
FEAR to manipulate the public into doing whatever they are told.
Well, the good news — if there can be any good news this week — is that
not only have neither I nor others been silenced, we have been joined by
millions of Americans who think the same way we do. Don’t let the false
patriots intimidate you by setting the agenda or the terms of the debate.
Don’t be defeated by polls that show 70% of the public in favor of the war.
Remember that these Americans being polled are the same Americans whose
kids (or neighbor’s kids) have been sent over to Iraq. They are scared for
the troops and they are being cowed into supporting a war they did not want
— and they want even less to see their friends, family, and neighbors come
home dead. Everyone supports the troops returning home alive and all of us
need to reach out and let their families know that.
Unfortunately, Bush and Co. are not through yet. This invasion and conquest
will encourage them to do it again elsewhere. The real purpose of this war
was to say to the rest of the world, “Don’t Mess with Texas – If You Got
What We Want, We’re Coming to Get It!” This is not the time for the
majority of us who believe in a peaceful America to be quiet. Make your
voices heard. Despite what they have pulled off, it is still our country.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
19. NEWS FROM THE GREEN PARTY OF ENGLAND & WALES
THOUSAND GREENS SHOW THE WAY FORWARD IN LOCAL ELECTIONS
Green Party launches 2003 local election campaign
Brighton Pavilion, 16.30 Monday 14 April 2003
Well over a thousand Green candidates will contest this year’s local elections.
Brighton was selected for the launch because after London, where there are
no local elections this year and where the Greens now poll an average of
10% of the vote, Brighton is England’s greenest city – where Cllr Keith
Taylor, one of three Green councillors defending a Brighton seat this year,
polled the party’s highest-ever general election vote in 2001 with over 9%.
Cllr Taylor will be joined by the other 53 candidates of Brighton Green
Party’s full slate, and also by Dr Caroline Lucas MEP.
The Greens are fielding full slates elsewhere around the country, from
Cambridge and Norwich, where the Greens elected their first councillors
last year, to Kirklees where the well-established Green Group is hoping for
gains this time, and Manchester where an inner-city Green candidate is
seeking to close a tantalising 83-vote gap to make the Green breakthrough
in England’s second city.
THE WAY FORWARD
Cllr Keith Taylor comments: “The Green Party can show local authorities the
way forward on a whole host of issues because we tend to be ahead of the
game. “Just as we were the first party to make climate change a political
issue – and are still the only party with the full range of policies needed
to deal with it – so we can offer the in-house experience necessary to make
progress on a wide range of issues from traffic reduction and energy
conservation to allotments and waste management.”
The Green Party’s 2003 election website at www.greenparty.org.uk/elections
will go live on Monday 14 April and will be updated daily with news and
policy briefings.
A succession of policy launches will follow, on issues including:
– Green energy policies for local authorities designed to cut pollution
and the fuel bills of poorer sections of the community and the council
itself.
– Traffic reduction policies aimed at producing safer, cleaner cities
and reducing the 12-24,000 pollution-related deaths the UK suffers every year.
– The appointment of an animal protection officer is every local authority.
– Zero Waste policy as part of the Green industrial revolution.
Where appropriate, Greens are also campaigning strongly for congestion
charging and protection of public services, and against airport expansions
and water fluoridation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
20. WE STAND FOR PEACE & JUSTICE
(WSPJ)
Bob Olsen
March 27, 2003
Dear Friends,
Please consider joining me in adding your name to the following statement.
Thousands of people have already done so, including Ezequiel Adamovsky,
Vittorio Agnoletto, Michael Albert, Tariq Ali, Patrick Bond, Leslie Cagan,
Noam Chomsky, Bill Fletcher, Eduardo Galeano, Susan George, Marta
Harnecker, Boris Kagarlitsky, George Monbiot, Suren Moodlar, Hector
Mondragon, Tanya Reinhart, Carola Reintjes, Arundhati Roy, Lydia Sargent
and Howard Zinn.
If, after reading it, you like what it has to say, take a few seconds to
visit http://www.zmag.org/wspj and add your name to the list of endorsers.
The statement was released on March 27, 2003, and already more than 59445
people have signed on! Here it is…
“I stand for peace and justice.
I stand for democracy and autonomy. I don’t think the U.S. or any other
country should ignore the popular will and violate and weaken international
law, seeking to bully and bribe votes in the Security Council.
I stand for internationalism. I oppose any nation spreading an ever
expanding network of military bases around the world and producing an
arsenal unparalleled in the world.
I stand for equity. I don’t think the U.S. or any other country should seek
empire. I don’t think the U.S. ought to control Middle Eastern oil on
behalf of U.S. corporations and as a wedge to gain political control over
other countries.
I stand for freedom. I oppose brutal regimes in Iraq and elsewhere but I
also oppose the new doctrine of “preventive war,” which guarantees
permanent and very dangerous conflict, and is the reason why the U.S. is
now regarded as the major threat to peace in much of the world. I stand for
a democratic foreign policy that supports popular opposition to
imperialism, dictatorship, and political fundamentalism in all its forms.
I stand for solidarity. I stand for and with all the poor and the excluded.
Despite massive disinformation millions oppose unjust, illegal, immoral
war, and I want to add my voice to theirs. I stand with moral leaders all
over the world, with world labor, and with the huge majority of the
populations of countries throughout the world.
I stand for diversity. I stand for an end to racism directed against
immigrants and people of color. I stand for an end to repression at home
and abroad.
I stand for peace. I stand against this war and against the conditions,
mentalities, and institutions that breed and nurture war and injustice.
I stand for sustainability. I stand against the destruction of forests,
soil, water, environmental resources, and biodiversity on which all life
depends.
I stand for justice. I stand against economic, political, and cultural
institutions that promote a rat race mentality, huge economic and power
inequalities, corporate domination even unto sweatshop and slave labor,
racism, and gender and sexual hierarchies.
I stand for a policy that redirects the money used for war and military
spending to provide healthcare, education, housing, and jobs.
I stand for a world whose political, economic, and social institutions
foster solidarity, promote equity, maximize participation, celebrate
diversity, and encourage full democracy.
I stand for peace and justice and, more, I pledge to work for peace and
justice.”
http://www.zmag.org/wspj
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
21. TOUR TO NATIVE AMERICA
BUFFALO TRAILS
Tanya Ishikawa
Tel/Fax: 303-635-2636
Email:
Address: 9671 W. 105th Ave.
Broomfield, CO 80021 USA
ROSEBUD FAIR ADVENTURE
9-Day Tour: Sun., August 17 to Mon., August 25
Assembly Point: Rapid City Airport, South Dakota, U.S.A.
Highlights: Sioux hosts at Lower Brule Sioux Reservation, Native American
museums, trading posts and Native American crafts stores, Badlands National
Park, Black Hills, tours of historical and natural Sioux landmarks,
traditional homemade Lakota meals, sleeping in traditional tipis, Sioux
hosts at Rosebud Sioux Reservation, native storytelling, Tribal Fair
(traditional dancing, singing, drumming, arts & crafts, etc.), wildlife
viewing, and more!
Adventure Prices:
Large group option (8-12 person group): $2100 per person
Small group option (5-7 person group): $2450 per person
Prices include 8 nights lodging, 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners,
Japanese-English translation, guiding, van transportation, event and
attraction entry fees, etc. Prices do not include air fare to South Dakota.
Adventure Itinerary*:
8/17 (Sun.) Arrive at Rapid City airport by 6:30 p.m. Meet guides and go to
hotel to checkin. Gourmet dinner and orientation. Stay in western-style
lodge (2 people per room).
8/18 (Mon.) Breakfast. Explore Native American history at museums. Caf
lunch. Tour and shopping at Native American arts and crafts store. Stay in
western-style lodge (2 people per room).
8/19 (Tue.) Breakfast. Scenic drive to Badlands National Park. Lunch.
Guided tour in park. Semi-traditional Native American dinner. Stay in
cabins (2 people per room).
8/20 (Wed.) Breakfast. Scenic drive to Lower Brule Sioux reservation. Lunch
and welcome with Sioux hosts. Traditional activity like arts/crafts or
learning about traditions or horse riding. Homemade Native American dinner.
Optional: evening hike or boat ride. Stay in tipis (5 people per tipi).
8/21 (Thu.) Breakfast. Listen to storytelling and visit buffalo. Lunch.
Tour of traditional sites and plant life. Traditional homemade dinner.
Storytelling. Stay in tipis (5 people per tipi).
8/22 (Fri.) Breakfast. Farewell time with hosts. Drive toward Rosebud Sioux
reservation. Picnic lunch. Visit with new Sioux hosts. Outdoor barbecue
dinner. Pow wow Native American festival. Stay in tipis (5 people per tipi).
8/23 (Sat.) Breakfast. Visit tribal headquarters, museums, etc. Lunch. Pow
wow time: traditional dancing, drumming, singing, etc. Semi-traditional
Native American dinner. Grand entry ceremony. Freetime at fair. Stay in
tipis.
8/24 (Sun.) Breakfast. Farewell time with hosts. Scenic drive back to Rapid
City with stops in Pine Ridge for lunch and sightseeing. Gourmet farewell
dinner. Stay at western lodge (2 people per room).
8/25 (Mon.) Breakfast. Guide drops off guests at airport for departures in
morning.
Reservation Policies: The final deadline for reservations is July 2. There
are discounts for early reservations and deposits (see tour terms and
conditions for details). Deposits of $700 should be received by two weeks
after the reservation but no later than July 17. The tour will be cancelled
on July 9 and all deposits returned by July 24 if less than 5 people make
reservations and an alternative tour choice such as self-guided or
mini-group tour cannot be arranged. If 5 to 7 people reserve the tour, the
remaining $1750 is due by August 1. If 8 to 12 people reserve the tour, the
amount of $1400 is due by August 1.
* Note: Some tour itinerary items may change slightly due to circumstances
out of the control of Buffalo Trails. We can not guarantee exact
itineraries, but do guarantee items of equal value.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
22. RADIO LAVALAMP INTERNET RADIO PROJECT (from Ralph Famularo)
Michael Moore of “Bowling for Columbine” & “Stupid White Men” fame spoke in
front of 4,000 students at University of Texas, Austin. Thanks to the IMC,
Austin, Radio LavaLamp is currently carrying his talk (approximately 90
minutes). Other talkies include WPKN’s “Between The Lines” with
under-reported news, transhumanist “Changesurfer Radio” and UN Radio’s “UN
Calling Asia” current events magazine. Also in the line-up are spoken word
performances form waaaay back in 1979 featuring Patti Smith, the late Allen
Ginsberg & the even-later Frank Zappa. And if that ain’t enough, part 2 of
the Joseph Campbell – Bill Moyers “Power of Myth” series is in the schedule
too.
Experimental, World & Anti-Authority Alternative music also available on
the 8-hour steam.
Web Page: http://www.rinku.zaq.ne.jp/bkaec205/
Note: The Live 365 company which we use to stream the audio now requires a
1-time, free registration. A Canadian listener describes the process as
“painless.” Registration is linked at above web page.
Radio LavaLamp is a non-profit project kept going by a handful of folks. If
you have any programming ideas or want more info on how to participate,
please send email to radiolavalamp@hotmail.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
23. JAPAN ELECTION RESULTS (from Richard Wilcox)
In the recent elections: (Kyodo news, 4/29/03) “Female and independent
candidates made major advances amid record-low voter turnout this weekend
in mayoral and municipal assembly elections around” Japan. 1, 236 women
were winners. A new record of “three women were elected mayor…bringing
the number of female mayors to a record high of six out of the nation’s 677
cities.”
But: “Nuclear power wins”: “A number of nuclear power advocates emerged
victorious in weekend local elections…Nuclear power advocates won 13
seats out of 18 in Suzu and 12 out of 20 in Maki.”
Greens Japan: According to my friend Takuo Ohno, the secretary of the
Greens Japan (“midori no kaigi”), they pretty much did what they set out to
do with 42 out of 62 candidates winning local municipal seats. Takuo states
that their next goal is to run 5 candidates in the next national election.
If they win 2% of the vote they can become a “legitimate” party and get
government funding.
Remember, the greatest, towering cathedral-like redwood tree began as a
modest pinecone!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
24. BONGOS OF THE LORD 14 (from Scott Watson)
BONGOS OF THE LORD is published by Bookgirl Press, 3-13-16
Tsurugaya-higashi, Miyagino-ku, Sendai 983-0826 Japan.
In this issue: poetry by Bob Arnold, Cid Corman, John Phillips, John
Martone, Scott Watson; prose by Scott Watson
For BOTL there is neither subscription fee nor pay per page fee extracted
from contributors, but overseas paper-version readers are invited to send
IRCs to cover overseas postage, which averages 300 yen (3 U.S. dollars) per
issue. Readers who are satisfied receiving the cyber-version can disregard
this notice.
BOTL is a non-profit, no-grant, totally fund-lacking publication.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
25. INFO ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL GREEN NETWORK
REGISTRATION: To register with the International Green Network,
please request a registration form from Richard Evanoff at
193-0941. Registration is open to both individuals and groups. There is no
registration fee or dues of any kind. Small donations (1,000 yen or less)
to help cover operating expenses are welcomed,
however.
NEWSLETTER: The International Green Network (IGN) Newsletter will
be published irregularly and sent to all people who register with the IGN.
An e-mail version will be sent to those on e-mail and by regular mail to
those who are not. Items for publication may be submitted by anyone and
should be sent to Andrew Welford at
3-28-12-201, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 154-0004. Please send general discussion
items to the e-mail list (info below) rather than to the newsletter;
however, if there is something you would like to share with everyone in the
IGN, please send it to the newsletter so that those who are not on e-mail
can receive it. We especially welcome: news items; events info; profiles of
organizations and groups; alternative business advertisements (published
free of charge); short articles; and opinion pieces. Please send items for
publication in the form in which you would like it to be published since
editing will be minimal.
WEBSITE: The International Green Network maintains a website at
website should be sent to Tony Boys at
E-MAIL LIST: By joining the IGN listserv, you will be able to
exchange messages with other group members. To register for the e-mail
list, send an e-mail message “subscribe ignj” to
simply send an e-mail to
belong to the IGN e-mail list, you may unsubscribe by
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FAIR USE NOTICE: This newsletter may contain copyrighted material
the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the
copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to
advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic,
democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this
constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for
in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C.
Section 107, the material in this newsletter is distributed without profit
to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included
information for research and educational purposes. For more information go
to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml If you wish to use
copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond
‘fair use’, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
26. ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL GREEN NETWORK ECOSTUDY GROUP
The IGN EcoStudy Group was started in January, 1997 by a small
group of people interested in meeting informally to discuss current social
and ecological issues. Meetings are held on a more or less monthly basis,
usually on the third Friday, although the date varies from month to month
depending on the participants’ schedules. The group focuses mainly on Green
issues widely construed, including environmental problems, human rights,
feminism, anti-racism, globalization, alternative politics / economics,
labor issues, fair trade, cooperatives, indy media, and the like, but there
are no limitations on themes. Anyone is free at any time to volunteer to
give presentations or to propose possible topics for future discussion
(although there are no obligations to do so). The usual format is for the
person proposing a topic to give a brief introduction to the topic and then
open the floor for discussion. If there are any readings, cassettes,
videos, etc. that you would like people to familiarize themselves with
beforehand, please make them available for circulation. Since this is a
discussion group, you don’t need to be an “expert” on the topic to give a
presentation; it is perfectly acceptable to either share something you
already know about a particular topic with the group, to present reading
materials or videos instead of giving an oral presentation, or to simply
propose a topic that you would like to find out more about and discuss with
others. The International Green Network is not affiliated with any
political party (although political parties are welcome to participate in
its activities) and has no particular ideological stance (although
individual members often do!). The group is open to everyone, regardless of
nationality, educational, ideological, and occupational background (or
anything else!). Please feel free to invite anyone who may be interested to
join us! There is no formal membership or dues. Announcements of meetings
are publicized in the International Green Network Newsletter. The
International Green Network also welcomes individuals to form groups in
their own local areas, which we will also be happy to publicize in the IGN
Newsletter. To receive the IGN Newsletter send your name and mailing
address (e-mail preferred) to Richard Evanoff at 1933-8 Hazama-cho,
Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 193-0941 or e-mail
to see you at a future meeting!
You�fre Nobody Unless You�fre In Six Figures
Selecting for conformity and massive punishment are two of the �esticks�f distorting the mainstream media ? there are also plenty of �ecarrots�f rewarding disciplined behaviour.
Amid all the accusations and black propaganda directed at Labour MP George Galloway last week, we learned one interesting piece of information ? Galloway has been earning around ��70,000 a year for his column in the Daily Mail. For most of us, this represents an awful lot of money for doing very little.
In an article in the New Statesman in 2000, Nick Cohen reported that Lynda Lee Potter, also of the Mail, was thought to earn about ��250,000, with nearly all Mail columnists receiving ��100,000-plus: “You’re nobody here unless you’re in six figures,” a friend on the paper told Cohen (Nick Cohen, ‘Hacking their way to a fortune, the New Statesman, May 22, 2000). Most Fleet Street political pundits earn a minimum of ��70,000 and often far more.
The hosts of the BBC’s main TV and radio news bulletins typically earn at least ��150,000 a year. A ‘magic circle’ of high-profile reporters, who are not actually BBC employees but contractors, are able to turn themselves into companies for tax purposes. Examples include a company set up for “artistic and literary creation” by former Ten O’Clock News presenter Peter Sissons. Anna Ford & Co was formed by the lunchtime news presenter, while former BBC1 News presenter, Michael Buerk, set up Slipway Productions Limited, a company which listed its business as “radio and television activities”.
The BBC’s “attack dog” Newsnight interviewer, Jeremy Paxman ? who “would make the Weakest Link dominatrix look like Mary Poppins”, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer (March 25, 2003) – also had a company, Cohen reported. Cohen estimated that Paxman and Trevor McDonald (ITN) had salaries of between ��750,000 and ��1m. Kirsty Wark, also a Newsnight presenter, had agreed a ��3.5m-plus package with the corporation to present and produce programmes for the following three years.
Editors often earn far more, of course. Max Hastings told the Observer in 2000 that “money was an incentive” when he switched from a ��185,000-a-year editorship of the Telegraph to the ��400,000-a-year editorship of the London Evening Standard. When Jonathan Holborow was sacked from the Mail on Sunday in 1998, his salary was reported to be ��300,000. Journalists at the Independent say that editor Simon Kelner receives about ��250,000 – roughly ��50,000 more than his predecessors Rosie Boycott and Andrew Marr. As editor of News of the World, Piers Morgan was on about ��140,000 according to “conservative estimates”. After moving to the Mirror, staff guessed his new package was worth somewhere between ��250,000 and ��300,000. The basic point is that the most influential and important mainstream journalists are paid vast amounts of money to do what they do – tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds is an extremely high level of remuneration for typing out a few hundred or thousand words every week. It�fs easy to understand why competition is so fierce for this kind of work.
Imagine a situation where we are being paid, say, ��100,000 to report, or comment, for a ma
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