Sandra Finley

2008-01-25 Canadian water exports: will NAWAPA return? Includes map of water diversions, Canada to U.S.

 Resource depletion (water in USA), Water  No Responses »
Jan 252008
 

(Scroll down to the map)

Source: http://aquadoc.typepad.com/waterwired/2008/01/kennedy-to-cana.html

(The following is the article.  The “I” is not Sandra Finley speaking.)

January 25, 2008

Canadian Water Exports:  Will NAWAPA Return?

Robert Kennedy, Jr., recently urged Canadians not to sell or share water with the USA. Nick Lees wrote this (Link no longer valid)   article  for the 18 January 2008 edition of the Edmonton Journal.

Kennedy and Hollywood gliterati were in Banff to raise funds for theWaterkeeper Alliance. Along with Kennedy were such luminaries as Alec Baldwin, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, Jason Priestly, Christie Brinkley, Daryl Hannah, and Kelsey Grammer.

Here are some excerpts from Lees’ article:

“The U.S. southwest is already experiencing a water crisis, with lots of people moving there and development increasing exponentially,” said Kennedy. “They have already run out of water.

“If you talk to government officials, everybody says they are looking for Canada to bail them out.”

Water from the Colorado River is being routed for development to such places as Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

“This is in the short-term interest of a few developers,” said Kennedy, who has a master’s degree in environmental law.

“It’s not a sustainable practice. The Colorado now dies in the Sonoran Desert. It was once a river that fed a great estuary full of fish and migratory birds.”

The Waterkeeper model began in New York in the 1960s when commercial and recreational fishermen, concerned about depleted fish stocks and industrial pollution, decided to organize and restore the health of the Hudson River. A major water contamination issue in the Hudson is the PCB contamination by the General Electric Co.

Later, Kennedy was among those who rejuvenated laws that protected environmental rights and helped clean up the Hudson. He and others formed the Waterkeeper Alliance in 1999, the year the first chapter appeared in Canada. There are now 171 Waterkeeper chapters on six continents.

Kennedy is the son of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy.

I understand that at meetings such as this hyperbole is often the order of the day; after all, Kennedy was trying to raise money. I question whether the development in the Southwest is “exponential” and I am unsure “everyone” wants Canada to bail the USA out. But he is right – some people are casting their eyes north of the border.

But Kennedy’s vent does raise the interesting issue of Canada, which has huge amounts of fresh water. I wasn’t going to elaborate on this but I might as well.

I remember Marc Reisner recounting (in the ‘Epilogue’ of Cadillac Desert) a 21 April 1981 visit to San Francisco by British Columbia premier Bill Bennett to address the Commonwealth Club. He castigated those who wanted to stop building dams. But when asked by a questioner if BC would consider selling some of its water to the USA, he firmly replied “No”. Then he added: “But come and see me in twenty years.” Looks like we are overdue.

That brings us to the North American Water and Power Alliance (NAWAPA), a plan conceived in the early 1950s by Donald Baker, an engineer with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The plan would divert water from Canada to the USA (see map below). He took his plan to Ralph M. Parsons, head of the Pasadena engineering firm bearing his name, who instantly fell in love with it.

Newnawapa

Parsons started the nonprofit NAWAPA Foundation to “spread the Gospel” about NAWAPA.

NAWAPA attracted the interest of some folks in Congress, especially Sen. Frank Moss (D-UT) and Sen. Hiram Fong (R-HI). Even Gov. Tom McCall, Republican governor of Oregon, and Stewart Udall (initially, when he was Secretary of the Interior) were supporters, but the plan eventually fell into disfavor by the late 1970s. However, I have heard talk about “bringing NAWAPA back”, just as I have heard people suggest reviving a plan to study the diversion of Columbia River water to the Southwest USA.

Here is an article about NAWAPA by Lyndon H. LaRouche, so you might consider the source as you read it. There is even aCanadian site proclaiming “Why NAWAPA is Necessary”. Reisner also has a good discussion of NAWAPA in the ‘Epilogue’ of Cadillac Desert (the source of much of my NAWAPA information).

As a graduate student at the University of Arrizona in the early 1970s I remember some of my professors discussing NAWAPA and the Columbia River scheme, and plans to tap Alaskan water (a component of NAWAPA). In those days it was common for people to say that fresh water flowing into the sea was “wasted”; some people still say that.

Not all Canadians think selling water to the USA is a bad idea. When I was at the University of New Mexico I received a call in the late 1990s from a staffer of Canadian MP Alan Mills, a Conservative who represented Toronto suburbs. She wanted to know if the Southwest USA could use Great Lakes water. “Do fish swim?” I said. She said MP Mills was supportive of such exports and was trying to get the Great Lakes region to agree to them. Dream on, Mr. Mills. It sure is an interesting time to be in the water business in the western USA – and western Canada.

“Water flows uphill to power and money.” — Unknown

2008-01-15 No charges sought for 35,000 (200,000 by 2010) natives who ignore census

 Lockheed Martin, War Economy (includes Cdn Census & Trials)  No Responses »
Jan 152008
 

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/294018      (Backup copy below)

 

I CITE THIS BECAUSE OF the StatsCan statement in the G&M article “Two face jail time” :  “Mr. Morrison called the response to the census a “resounding success,” especially on Canada’s native reserves.”

A repeated theme of my work over the years has been that Government use of “spin doctors” or “communications specialists” also contributes to the undermining of our system of governance. We learn to mistrust what the Government says, because too many times we see through the spin. It is as though we are thought to be stupid.

In the G&M article Census branch director-general Peter Morrison is quoted:  “Mr. Morrison called the response to the census a “resounding success,” especially on Canada’s native reserves.”

The response to the Census was a disaster that caused large cost overruns as the Government sought to get compliance.  The part of the statement related to First Nations, of and by itself MIGHT be true.  But in the context of the court cases it is very misleading.

First Nations’ compliance is a separate issue.  It was being handled by StatsCan, Jan.2008:  “Statistics Canada seeks co-operative approach as compliance climbs“.

“Charges won’t be pursued against natives on reserves because their compliance rates used to be considerably worse, says Anil Arora, director general of the census program branch at Statistics Canada.”

… oh.  What we see here is that the Census branch director-general has changed?  in January 2008 when the “35,000 natives” article was written, Anil Arora was the director general.  In the July article “Two face jail“, Peter Morrison is the director-general.

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/294018   

Published On Tue Jan 15  2008

No charges sought for 35,000 natives who ignore census

By the numbers Native census participation rates

1986: 952 reserves, 136 incomplete

1991: 1,123 reserves, 78 incomplete

2001: 1,080 reserves, 30 incomplete

2006: 1,123 reserves, 22 incomplete

Statistics Canada seeks co-operative approach as compliance climbs

Jan 15, 2008 04:30 AM

Robyn Doolittle

Staff Reporter

Thousands of natives across Canada refused to complete the 2006 census – including the Six Nations in Ontario – and will not face any legal consequences, despite the fact that 64 people not living on reserves were charged under the Statistics Act.

Charges won’t be pursued against natives on reserves because their compliance rates used to be considerably worse, says Anil Arora, director general of the census program branch at Statistics Canada.

“One has to pick a path. One has to pick a road and you pick a road that is obviously yielding success. Twenty years of experience has shown us that working with the community is the best,” Arora said.

The maximum penalty for not completing the census is a $500 fine and three months in prison. Of the 64 charged, nearly all decided to complete it rather than go to court.

Some 35,000 people living on reserves refused to complete the census, Arora said. As a courtesy, Statistics Canada seeks permission from the band office before entering the reserve, although it isn’t legally obligated to do so.

The census isn’t mailed out to reserves, because many still use a P.O. box system, which means census takers can’t verify addresses, Arora said.

In 1986, there were 952 reserves in Canada. Of those, about 136 reserves refused to complete the questionnaires. As a result, an aboriginal liaison committee was established, which employed and trained native people to conduct the surveys.

By comparison, there are 1,123 reserves across Canada today, with 22 refusing to complete the census.

However, said Arora, more and more reserves are modernizing so that in the future Statistics Canada may be able to mail the census form directly to people on the reserves.

Six Nations, outside Brantford, is one of the largest reserves that refused to participate in 2006.

Chief William Montour hopes to change the reserve’s attitude. Montour first served as chief between 1985 and 1991. After working in the government more than a decade, he was re-elected in December.

He used to agree with the majority of his constituents the census wasn’t something native people should be forced to complete. For one, Canadian reserves are bombarded by government pollsters, he said. People don’t understand the use of the census. And, most important, a deep distrust of the federal government remains.

“I used to think this way. I’ve since changed my mind,” said Montour. “We’ve got to convince the community that we’ve got to have these kinds of numbers.  More and more it gives us the ability to argue for more programs and services.”

Natives on reserves have to answer the long questionnaire – which normally only one in five Canadians get – because “that information is in demand,” said Arora.

Six Nations claims a population of about 22,800 natives. There could be hundreds more non-status natives, perhaps with aboriginal relatives, living on the reserve.

At the Alderville First Nation community, outside Cobourg, a notice went out in the community newsletter that census takers, many from within the native community, would be stopping by.

“If people wanted to do it they could,” said Chief James Marsden. “I think it’s good myself. For resources and funding, it’s good to have the proper count for Ontario.”

But it’s a tough sell to some, he said. “It’s probably the same as voting,” he said. “A lot of bands won’t vote in federal or provincial elections. `We have our own jurisdiction. We’re our own nation.'”

2008-01-04 New copyright law starts Web storm (“a blogosphere and Facebook tsunami”)

 Corporatocracy or Democracy or Administrative State or WHAT?  No Responses »
Jan 042008
 

The story of the Harper Government’s intended copyright laws (mid-December) is wonderful, both as a threat and as a success.  I laughed as I read..

Let’s celebrate the wild!

If you missed the story, the details are in (7) below – CBC, THE GLOBE & MAIL, & BBC NEWS ON CANADA’S PROPOSED COPYRIGHT LAW.  It is an amazing event with wider implications. 

CONTENTS

(1) INTRODUCTION

(2) IT IS AN EXCITING TIME  – THE FIGHT OVER POWER

(3) WHAT IS the F Word?

(4) WILL WE SUCCOMB TO THE F Word?  RECONCILIATION OF DEFINITIONS

(5) COMMENT ON THE RESISTANCE TO THE PROPOSED COPYRIGHT LEGISLATION

(6) INTENTIONAL?  OR IS IT IGNORANCE?

(7) CBC, THE GLOBE & MAIL, & BBC NEWS ON CANADA’S PROPOSED COPYRIGHT LAW

—————– 

(1) INTRODUCTION 

I was alerted to the proposed copyright laws by CBC Radio show “Search Engine” which covered the action in Calgary at Jim Prentice’s constituency office.  Prentice is Federal Minister of Industry, responsible for the proposed legislation. 

Much of the commentary on the changes to the copyright laws is about the impact on access to music.  My concern is somewhat different (but not unique) and detailed below.  

I laugh now at the sense of urgency (panic!) when I first heard about the proposed legislation.  It is incredible how fast the word spread.  There was such an uproar that Jim Prentice backed off tabling the legislation, although he said it will be tabled in January.  No need for panic.  

It is possible that we may yet need to wade in on this issue. If you are worried that there hasn’t already been enough of a storm of protest to stop this legislation before it gets out of the starting gates, contact Prentice now. 

Jim Prentice Constituency Office, Suite 105, 1318 Centre St NE, Calgary, Alberta T2E 2R7;  403 216-7777;   Fax 403 230-4368; Prentice.J  AT  parl.gc.ca 

In the past, I felt that we had to participate in every single crucial issue.  Today there are SO MANY people who are standing up for the public interest with such great creativity and success that life can be sane and fun.  We aren’t all so urgently needed.  The Tide is indeed Turning, with a vengeance. 

As for my own concerns with the legislation:   .. how to explain it without using words that cause people to say in ridicule, “Are you nuts?  This is Canada.” 

And so I have to ease into the “F” word.  Here goes:  

 ——————- 

(2) IT IS AN EXCITING TIME  – THE FIGHT OVER POWER

 I am anxious to forward to you a great article from Harper’s Magazine about the regulation of chemicals in Europe versus North America.  And another article from the New York Times about (I forget).  

Simultaneously, on CBC Radio I heard about proposed changes to the Canadian copyright laws.  Ouch! Does that mean I wouldn’t be able to send the Harpers and NY Times articles to you without going through red tape? (I don’t know the answer because I don’t know the details of the legislation.)  … but then, realistically the Government cannot stop people from using the internet to spread information. 

The proposed laws are restrictive.  That I know.  Should restrictive laws that can’t be enforced be ignored?  …. . NO, the EXISTENCE of such legislation enables the Government, any Government, to shut me – you, anyone –  down, if it chooses to single me or you out.  Hiring a lawyer to defend oneself will more than likely cripple a person financially and emotionally. 

I speak from experience:

Old-timers in our network may remember that the Government of Canada contracted out part of the Canadian Census work to weapons manufacturer Lockheed Martin.  The existence of laws that force Canadians to fill in a census form meant that a failure to cooperate with an agenda that further enriches a war corporation with tax-payer money, provides the Government with the threat of a jail sentence over the dissenting individual.  (Update: I told you that Statistics Canada had turned my case over to the Justice Department for intended prosecution.  And that a letter and package had been delivered to my door one evening –  some time ago.  There has been nothing further to report.) 

Back to the copyright laws: 

The police could investigate and obtain copies of my emails and know that I was contravening the copyright laws by downloading and disseminating copyrighted information (whether music or other) from the world wide web.    Charges could be laid. 

Whether or not the Government could fully enforce the laws doesn’t matter – – they would have the tool to intimidate me and others.  Also, the law becomes a tool to limit access to information.  The rationale would be the protection of corporate investment in the information. 

Is that argument legitimate?  No.  It is easily understood if you look at a parallel example:  the patenting or ownership of seeds by a corporation.

How can the corporation claim ownership, even if the Government cooperates by granting a patent?  The seed contains elements that are the product of a long line of development by nature and by many people over years.  The corporation attempts to appropriate that which belongs to “the commons”, to all of us and to nature.

Compare “copyright”.  The words, language and thoughts contained in information are an amalgam created by many, many people over time.  Indeed, activists often play a role in the creation of the content of some information.  We create the fodder used to create the awareness, the commentaries, displays, the panel discussions, the footage, the workshops, the song, media coverage, classroom material, etc.  Not all, but some. 

Can I claim ownership of what I write, to the point where you can be sued for copying it?  How can that be?  I know I am completely dependent upon the world around me, and on people who have gone before, on teachers, even on the gods or the muse, to inform what I create.  I am not smart enough to think up the ideas by myself.  

A writer can sell books, a publisher can sell magazines.  They earn an income.  But surely the words and thoughts are an amalgam, like the seed, that belongs in the public sphere because they are the product of not-organized collaboration.  

The Government will enact laws to prohibit or limit our ability to share the information?  … I see it as an attempt to appropriate part of “the commons”, our knowledge base, to preserve corporate financial interests.

And to limit access to information, which the internet provides in spades. 

To whom do the airwaves belong?  They, too, belong in the public sphere.

And yet we don’t question their appropriation by corporations.  We only “regulate”.  

Is there some fault in my logic?

  • the Government makes it illegal to copy information
  • it cannot possibly enforce the law
  • but the police now have a law and can be summoned to investigate citizens under that law

I am reminded of the RCMP being sent to investigate organic farmer Marc Loiselle who is active in the fight to prevent the transnational corporations from contaminating all grain stocks and our food supply with GMO’s.  Some may recall the incident from our time fighting against the introduction of roundup resistant wheat (successfully).  Marc was only one of several farmers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan who had the police knocking on their doors. 

  • our tax dollars being used to send the police to investigate local farmers.  Surely this is no more than a scare tactic at the behest of Monsanto, in this case.  It was an outrage.  Think of the anxiety of Marc’s children and wife when the police came to their place.
  • the RCMP being used by Monsanto to intimidate citizens, because there is a law under which they can patent seeds. 

(I have a bit of experience with copyright through the writing and publishing of a book on bulghur wheat, and also through having a trade-mark registered in Canada and the U.S.  I let the trade-mark lapse after the fight against the registration and patenting of herbicide-tolerant wheat and terminator seeds.  I told the patent lawyer that the system is suspect.  And Parliament won’t change the legislation that permits corporations to patent life forms, in spite of two decisions from the Supreme Court of Canada that repeatedly drew attention to the need. Patents and copyright (“intellectual property rights”) are closely connected to each other.) 

SO:  The power struggle over the copyright law (item #7).  Round one, hopefully a knock-out!    Way to go!  Michael Geist (Ottawa) for initiating the facebook page.

Kempton Lam in Calgary who organized a crowd to attend the Industry Minister, Jim Prentice’s, local open house to express their views on copyright.  Jesse Brown on CBC Radio for bringing the issue to attention.

Pretty amazing – Canadians coast to coast – in a matter of a few days.    Victory.  

———————–

(3)  WHAT IS the F Word? 

I was confused some time ago by reading that there is a name for government based on corporate values.  It is called (the F word) fascism. 

I did not understand how that definition reconciles with the more common definition of fascism which is: 

” a political regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government …”.

From understanding my vulnerability under copyright laws, I can now reconcile the two seemingly different definitions of fascism. 

———————–

 (4) WILL WE SUCCOMB TO THE F Word?  RECONCILIATION OF DEFINITIONS 

Fascism as

(a)  a system of government that embraces corporate values, AND / OR ?

(b)  a system of government that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition 

The relationship is this: 

You embrace (a); you end up with (b).  Necessarily and simply – because corporate values are at odds with protection of the public interest.  

To protect and promote the corporate interest (if that is its agenda), the Government will at some point have to resort to the tactics of a police state.  We saw that when the RCMP was dispatched to the home of Marc Loiselle, when the Government of Canada threatened me and other people with jail over the unnecessary contracting out to a corporation that makes billions of dollars every year from the sale of military weapons.  

The Government passes a law that favours corporate interests.  In a hinterland economy like that of Saskatchewan, a corporate-friendly government gives away the resources for minimal royalties and little effective regulation to protect water, land and health. The corporation then pays dividends on large profits to shareholders, not to the citizens of the Province. 

The pro-corporate laws from pro-corporate government become more necessary at times when the population, the slumbering giant, wakes up smelling something fishy.  The struggle for power is on!  In the case of the copyright law, the power of the corporation – derived from its huge financial wealth – money –  –  are threatened by the internet.  The response of the collaborating government is to introduce copyright law to remove the threat.  The influential must remain influential.  

The f-word is fascism.  One can never imagine how it is that intelligent people like the Italians and Germans allowed the establishment of fascist Governments in their countries during the 1920’s and 30’s.  

Well …

  • we have accepted corporate contributions to political parties.  He who pays the piper the most money, calls the tune. 
  • we have accepted the idea of “public-private-partnerships”.  It’s very much in the choice of words.  A public-private-partnership is more accurately Big Government working hand-in-hand with Big Corporations. 

Will we end up with fascist government? 

No, AS LONG AS PEOPLE CAN SEE:

  • Government that is run by corporate interests 
  • eventually leads to fascist government.

As long as we have email and unobstructed access to information, our collective ingenuity and power is unleashed.  

The proposed coyyright laws of the federal government need to be watched.

I’ll be phoning Michael Geist, author of the Facebook web site that initiated the information flow around the proposed law. And host of CBC Radio programme Search Engine, Jesse Brown.  Congratulations to them!

They’ve taught us strategy that will work well with the proposed legislation around CORPORATE DONATIONS TO POLITICAL PARTIES.  The fun is on!

—— 

4  a.  FURTHER DEFINITION OF FASCISM 

(apologies – I picked this up from a web site and lost the address.) 

“It has become customary among libertarians, as indeed among the Establishment of the West, to regard Fascism and Communism as fundamentally identical. But while both systems were indubitably collectivist, they differed greatly in their socio-economic content. For Communism was a genuine revolutionary movement that ruthlessly displaced and overthrew the old ruling elites; while Fascism, on the contrary, cemented into power the old ruling classes. Hence, Fascism was a counter-revolutionary movement that froze a set of monopoly privileges upon society …” 

“Fascism has a grave moral defect, Ropke argued: it fails to recognize the individual as the key social unit. Right economic reasoning, he said, begins not with the nation but with human action, and right social policy begins with the recognition that society is made up of individuals with souls.

Fascism, on the other hand, by ignoring the individual soul, is socialism’s close cousin because it exults in the idolatry of the state.

“definition of the economy of fascism: an economy in which big business reaps the profits while the taxpayer underwrites the losses”  

========================== 

(5)  COMMENT ON THE RESISTANCE TO THE PROPOSED COPYRIGHT LEGISLATION  

One blogger wrote: 

I agree that the influence of big money/lobbyists are deeply troubling. I am glad that Canadians are doing something to voice our concerns. 

========================== 

(6)  INTENTIONAL?  OR IS IT IGNORANCE?

I don’t think that taking the slippery path toward the F Word is intentional. Jim Prentice isn’t setting out to create fascism or a police state.  Brad Wall, the new Premier of Saskatchewan thinks that he’s doing great things for Saskatchewan – it’s “development, development, development”

– Enterprise Saskatchewan – – which means money, money, money.  The corporation happens to have the honey pot.  The Government has a BIG one too – – ours! 

The problem is in understanding the raison d’être for government.  We elect and pay the Government to protect and promote our interests.  Not those of the corporation. 

It’s not that simple.  They will say, of course, that OUR interest IS money, money, money!

You cannot sleep with those you are responsible for regulating.  You definitely cannot accept money from them.  In the Information Age, you will be prevented from pimping for them. 

========================== 

(7) CBC, THE GLOBE & MAIL, & BBC NEWS ON CANADA’S PROPOSED COPYRIGHT LAW 

(a)  CBC   Go to:  (Link is no longer valid) 

————

(b)  THE GLOBE & MAIL, TEXT 

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071209.WBmingram2007120

9191018/WBStory/WBmingram/ 

New copyright law starts Web storm

Mathew Ingram, December 9, 2007 at 7:10 PM EST 

The new copyright legislation, which was expected to arrive in Parliament this week, has been delayed — although it’s not clear whether the delay is a result of the criticisms and public outcry described below. 

The federal government is expected to release the latest version of a new copyright law this week, but it has already whipped up a storm of negative publicity on the Internet – a blogosphere and Facebook tsunami with Industry Minister Jim Prentice at the centre. 

One of the architects of this storm is Dr. Michael Geist, a professor of law at the University of Ottawa and an expert in copyright and the Internet, who says he is afraid that the new law will copy the worst aspects of the U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act. 

Among other things, Geist says, the legislation will likely “mirror the DMCA with strong anti-circumvention legislation – far beyond what is needed to comply with the WIPO Internet treaties,” and will likely contain no protection for “flexible fair dealing. No parody exception. No time shifting exception. No device shifting exception. No expanded backup provision. Nothing.” 

Dr. Geist has posted a YouTube video that lists 30 ways in which people can protest the legislation, and has set up a Facebook group as a central rallying point for those opposed to the new legislation. 

The law professor’s fight has also been adopted by half a dozen influential blogs, including Boing Boing, whose co-founder Cory Doctorow is a Canadian author and former Electronic Frontier Foundation staffer. 

In a recent post, Doctorow wrote that “The US’s approach to enforcing copyright in the digital age has resulted in 20,000 lawsuits against music fans, technology companies being sued out of existence for making new multi-purpose tools, and has not put one penny into the pocket of an artist or reduced downloading one bit. The USA stepped into uncharted territory in 1998 with the DMCA and fell off a cliff — that was reckless, but following them off the cliff is insane.” 

Canadian copyright lawyer Howard Knopf has also been blogging about the legislation, and CBC’s Search Engine show tried to get Jim Prentice to come on and do an interview, and solicited questions from readers (host Jesse Brown got more than 240 responses) but the minister said he couldn’t go on the program. 

The Facebook group Geist set up has more than 10,000 members after less than a week, and helped to generate a small but opinionated crowd of vocal critics who gathered at an open house event held by the Industry Minister in his home riding in Calgary on Saturday.  

Other sites that have been following the issue include Fair Copyright and Digital Copyright Canada as well as Online Rights Canada  

———————————- 

(C)  BBC NEWS ON CANADA’S PROPOSED COPYRIGHT LAW  

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7149588.stm   (2011 April – the link is still valid.)

Last Updated: Tuesday, 18 December 2007, 13:21 GMT    Power of Facebook affects law 

Internet law professor Michael Geist looks at how Facebook has the power to affect legislation. 

The power of Facebook, not just a social networking tool  

If 2006 was the year of YouTube, 2007 has been Facebook’s year. The growth of social media, led by Facebook, has taken the world by storm.  

Since January, Facebook has added 250,000 new users each day with nearly 60 million people worldwide now using the site. 

The hyper-growth does not tell the whole story, however.  

Facebook has also acquired considerable attention regarding its user privacy policies, online marketing strategies and the short-sighted decision of some companies and governments to block employee access to the site. 

While these issues have shone the spotlight on some of the challenges of social media, the lasting lesson of Facebook may come from a series of events that unfolded over the past two weeks in Canada. 

They demonstrate that Facebook is far more than just a cool way to catch up with old friends; rather, it is an incredibly effective and efficient tool that can be used to educate and galvanise grassroots advocacy, placing unprecedented power into the hands of individuals.  

 Not only had tools like Facebook had an immediate effect on the government’s legislative agenda, but the community that developed around the group also led to a “crowdsourcing” of knowledge. 

Michael Geist 

On December 1st I launched the Fair Copyright for Canada Facebook group, with limited expectations. This seemed like a good way to educate the public about the Canadian government’s plans to introduce new copyright reform within a matter of days. I sent invitations to a hundred or so Facebook friends and seeded the group with links to a few relevant websites. 

What happened next was truly remarkable. Within hours the group started to grow, first 50 members, then 100, and then 1000. One week later there were 10,000 members. Two weeks later there were over 25,000 members with a new member joining the group every 30 seconds.  

The big numbers tell only part of the story. The group is home to over 500 wall posts, links to 150 articles of interest, over 50 discussion threads, dozens of photos and nine videos. 

Ten days ago, it helped spur on an offline protest when Kempton Lam, a Calgary technologist, organized 50 group members to descend on the Canadian Industry Minister, Jim Prentice’s, local open house to express their views on copyright. 

While Facebook was not the only source of action, the momentum was unquestionably built on thousands of Canadians, who were determined to have their voices heard. 

Jim Prentice has delayed introducing new copyright reforms  

Much to the surprise of sceptics who paint government as unable or unwilling to listen to public concerns, those voices had an immediate impact.  Ten days after the Facebook group’s launch, Jim Prentice delayed introducing the new copyright reforms, seemingly struck by the rapid formation of concerned citizens who were writing letters and raising awareness. 

Not only had tools like Facebook had an immediate effect on the government’s legislative agenda, but the community that developed around the group also led to a “crowdsourcing” of knowledge. Canadians from coast to coast shared information, posed questions, posted their letters to politicians, and started a national conversation on copyright law in Canada. 

This scenario cannot be repeated for every issue. In this instance, Canadians increasingly recognized the detrimental effect of the proposed copyright reforms on consumer rights, privacy, and free speech, and were moved to act. 

Yet for similarly placed concerns, the lesson of the past two weeks is that politicians, companies, and other organizations can ill-afford to ignore a medium that is capable of mobilizing tens of thousands within a matter of days. Those caught flatfooted may ultimately find themselves struggling to save face. 

Michael Geist holds the Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law. He can be reached at mgeist  AT  uottawa.ca or online at www.michaelgeist.ca. 

———————  

For more information, google “copyright legislation + Jim Prentice”  (Prentice is Federal Minister of Industry).

2007-12-13 Violent Evictions at El Estor, Guatemala. Eviction Notice sent by a Canadian company, Skye Resources. Acadians. CPPIB.

 Corporatocracy or Democracy or Administrative State or WHAT?, Culture and Ethics, Epigenetics  No Responses »
Dec 132007
 

The video tells the story of Skye Resources, a Canadian Company based in Vancouver, in Guatemala.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q20YxkM-CGI

Skye Resources is creating hatred for Canada.  It will be deeply etched in the minds of these Guatemalan children that CANADIANS destroyed their homes and their lands.  The story will be handed from generation to generation.  Festering, never healed.  That’s the way of injustice.   Once-happy people begin to carry poison in their minds.  The examples from history are legend.

I have told you the story of visiting the Acadian Museum in Louisiana,  Their ancestors were evicted from Nova Scotia in 1755.  TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS AGO.  They have never forgotten.  As I walked in the Museum and read the story of the “genocide committed by the English” I became more and more uncomfortable.  These people hate me – – and I didn’t have anything to do with their tragedy.  May the gods help us:  this happened 250 years ago.

It will be the same for these people from Guatemala.  They won’t forget.

Skye Resources is PEOPLE.  The Board of Directors of Skye Resources is responsible.  They are sowing the seeds of hatred.

The list of people on the Board is appended.

Should I just do nothing?   …  not when there is lots that CAN be done.

I invite you to join with me.  Watch the YouTube video for starts. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q20YxkM-CGI

If you need more information, go to the Mining Watch web site:  http://www.miningwatch.ca/index.php?/Skye

See below.  I’ve appended an excellent letter from the MWatch web site, written to Skye Resources CEO, Ian Austin, by Victoria L. Henderson MA Candidate,  Department of Geography, Queen’s University.

YOU AND I HAVE INVESTMENTS IN SKYE RESOURCES THROUGH CANADA PENSION PLAN.

I HAVE PROTESTED.  IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE.

Together we own 629,000 shares worth $8 million of Skye Resources stocks. (Scroll down at  – – Link no longer valid – –  http://www.cppib.ca/files/PDF/CDN_Equity_Holdings_March31_2007_-_ENG.pdf)

I’ve sent the CPP Investment Board (CPPIB) an email requesting them to disinvest.  My email will be worth zippo without an email from some of you, too!

CPPIB has guidelines for ethical investing. It’s our money.  They should take direction from us on whether or not we want to be party to the actions of Skye Resources.

EMAIL:  csr  AT  cppib.ca

———————————————–

Skye Resources Inc.
1111 Melville Street
Suite 700
Vancouver, BC V6E 3V6    Canada

Tel: 604-602-9500
Fax: 604-602-9510
Email: info@skyeresources.com

WHO is Skye Resources?  (Link no longer valid:  http://www.skyeresources.com/corporate/board_of_directors)

Ian Austin  – President and CEO.

(Link no longer valid)

621 26th Ave W
Vancouver, BC V5Z 2E5
(604) 733-2013

Gord Bacon, Bacon Donaldson & Associates

12271 Horseshoe Way’ Richmond, BC, Canada V7A 4V4;   Phone: (604)277-2322; Fax: (604) 274-7235

Bob Horn,  Robert Horn
2557 Killarney Rd
Victoria, BC V8P 3G6
(250) 383-3550

Terrence Lyons

David McIntyre

Sheila O’Brien    (Link no longer valid)

12112 Schmidt Cres
Maple Ridge, BC V2X 8A2
(604) 467-9318

Ron Simkus, (Link no longer valid)

2151 Shaughnessy Hill
Kamloops, BC V1S 1B9
(250) 828-2434

David S Smith  (Link no longer valid)

3125 Thacker Dr
Kelowna, BC V1Z 1X6
(250) 769-3273

“We all cannot be heros but we can do brave things” (Martin Luther King Jr)

LETTER TO SKYE RESOURCES FROM VICTORIA HENDERSON (Victoria is a Canadian hero!):

Thursday January 25, 2007 04:18 PM

Ian Austin, President and CEO
Skye Resources
Suite 1203-700 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC
Canada, V6C 1G8

 

Dear Mr. Austin,

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my letter of 28 September 2006 regarding the activities of Skye Resources/CGN in El Estor, Guatemala. I appreciate your attempt to address my concerns and trust that you share my belief that Q’eqchi Maya peoples in El Estor deserve a reasonable and just resolution to the issues at hand.

When I visited Chichipate last August, community elders spent several hours explaining to me and my colleagues why they are opposed to your company’s plans to mine in El Estor. The list runs long and includes not only concerns over property rights and environmental damage, but also fears about a resurgence of the deplorable violence that marked Canada’s last mining experiment in the region. I refer here to the complicity of INCO/EXMIBAL in human rights abuses carried out during the 1970s and 1980s. As I am sure you are aware, Guatemala’s Comisión de Esclarecimiento Histórico or Truth Commission has documented EXMIBAL’s involvement in abductions, political killings, and multiple executions in Guatemala. Given that EXMIBAL was a majority owned subsidiary of INCO and that INCO is a key stakeholder in Skye Resources it is not difficult to understand why Q’eqchi peoples are concerned. The active participation of CGN employees in the most recent spate of land evictions in El Estor can only deepen this fear. Having spoken with colleagues returning from El Estor and having watched video footage of the “squatter” displacement, I must question your company’s description of the evictions as unfolding in a “peaceful atmosphere”. It would seem to me that there could be few things less peaceful than having one’s home torn down — or worse, burned down — by callous strangers, while a barrage of armed police officers watch on from the sidelines. The angry screams of a mother desperate to know where her now homeless children will sleep; the hopelessness of a man who can do nothing but bury his head in his hands and sob: these images provide a less than fitting testament to the “peaceful atmosphere” of which you speak. If you have not already seen video footage of the evictions, I encourage you to view it by visiting the following site:

The absence of gunfire should not be confused with peace. At its most basic level, peace requires the security of self and home — two things Maya peoples in Guatemala have historically and systematically been denied. In the interest of both corporate transparency and personal integrity, I respectfully request that you rescind your comments about the “peaceful atmosphere” of the evictions. Further, in place of using your company website to give thanks to the Guatemalan National Police for the “professional manner” in which it carried out the evictions, I urge you to join the international community and indigenous organizations such as CONIC (National Campesino and Indigenous Coordination) in demanding that the Guatemalan government make reasonable and just reparations to the affected communities. Despite your website’s statement to the contrary, the situation in El Estor has in no way been “resolved”.

Resolution in this case requires that outstanding issues be addressed. I ask for your consideration of the following six points of discussion, raised in your letter of 9 October 2006:

1 – WOOD COLLECTION

You have indicated that Skye/CGN allows those with “legal permits” to transport wood through company property. I would like to take you up on the offer of learning more about how this program works. As you know, I was told by the elders of several communities that Skye/CGN prohibits wood collection from traditional Q’eqchi lands. If nothing more than a formality separates indigenous communities in El Estor from collecting the wood they need, then this issue should be relatively easy to resolve.

2 – PROPERTY RIGHTS

According to your website, Skye Resources has entered into an agreement with the Guatemalan government to survey and document land holdings in El Estor in order to determine “exact property lines and tenure.” This strikes me as a serious conflict of interest on the part of Skye Resources. Further, it sends a combative message to indigenous peoples whose lands are in dispute. Not only should Skye Resources remove itself fully from the surveying process, but it should also cease exploratory activity until such time as “exact” property lines and tenure have been determined.

3 – LAND “DONATION”

I was told by the CGN Community Relations Team that “we” (meaning Skye/CGN) donated lands to Chichipate. I accept that you are not claiming credit for such a gift and that you are not prepared to comment on any land transactions that might have occurred during the INCO/EXMIBAL operation. Given that INCO is a key stakeholder in your company, however, I would ask your assistance in directing me to an appropriate contact at INCO in order that I may follow up on the land “donation” to Chichipate.

4 – RAXCHE’

It would be difficult to argue with the vision of Raxche’ that you outline in your letter. Improvements to the health and education of those living in the municipality of El Estor are of paramount concern. The problem, as I understand it from speaking with Q’eqchi elders, is that there is a significant breach between the Raxche’ vision and the Raxche’ reality. If there is one issue on which members of different local communities seem to agree, it is that Raxche’ is dividing indigenous people in the region. One hopes that this is not what Skye/CGN intended and that you will investigate in order to determine why this view seems so widely held. Your letter states that Raxche’ has five projects in Chichipate. Aside from painting the local basketball courts, which community elders acknowledge, I would appreciate if you could describe the nature of the other four Raxche’  projects in Chichipate.

5 – MAYA COSMOVISION

I respectfully submit that your understanding of Maya cosmovisión fails to appreciate the deep spirituality that links Maya peoples to the Earth. I have visited Cerro 400 and you are correct in stating that, had I not been told, I would never have known that the area had been mined and reforested. I, however, am not Maya. The idea that the earth can be gutted and covered over “as if nothing had happened” is wholly inconsistent with Maya cosmovisión. Pointing out how “natural” a site may look after it has been mined is to confound the deeply spiritual with the highly superficial. Moreover, it is to disrespect the history of Maya peoples. As one Q’eqchi gentleman explained at a public meeting on mining held this summer in El Estor: “They (foreigners) come and bulldoze our land. It hurts us a lot, because we have dedicated many hours and much sweat in working that land.” I understand that you have a job to do, Mr. Austin. However, I urge you, in carrying out your job, to remember this gentleman’s words. He was speaking as much to you as he was to me and to the others in El Estor.

6 – “COURTESY VISITS”

You have noted that it is the policy of the CGN Community Relations Team to pay “courtesy visits” to communities in the municipality of El Estor. It seems to me, however, that it is the communities themselves that extend the true courtesy by allowing foreigners onto community property and by consenting to dialogue about a project that threatens both a way of life and a means of survival.

In conclusion, let me say again that I appreciate your having taken the time to address my original letter. Your last correspondence indicates that Skye Resources seeks “to learn how to improve (its) consultation processes and to better understand how (it) is perceived” in Guatemala. To that end, it is my sincere hope that you take the opportunity to reflect on issues presented above; that you address each of the six points of discussion; that you rescind your comments on the “peaceful atmosphere” of the recent land evictions; and that you join those who demand that the Guatemalan government make reasonable and just reparations to the affected communities in El Estor.

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Victoria L. Henderson

MA Candidate
Department of Geography
Queen’s University
Mackintosh-Corry Hall, D324
Kingston, ON (Canada) K7L 3N6

Tel:  +001 613 533 6000, x 75936
Fax: +001 866 876 8348
Email: 2dtvh(at)qlink.queensu.ca

2007-11-07 GOAL: the percentage of children under age 5 with fetal alcohol effect decreases from a current level of XX% to YY% by the year 2015.

 Health  No Responses »
Nov 072007
 

 Politics is public service.  It is (ummm-  SHOULD be) a noble calling that requires us to go beyond ourselves. 

Some of us ran in the election.  The Green Party aspires to a leadership role in government.  Sometimes you don’t have to get elected; you can still make a difference by putting the issues forth.

Jane Jacobs, in her book “Systems of Survival.  A Dialogue on the Moral Foundations of Commerce and Politics” makes it clear that leadership comes from the top down.  It is not the fault of “the family” or the failure of parenting if morals are in decline.  It is the fault of the leadership in the community. 

We are all leaders, in different ways, in our communities. In small ways.

———— 

 The President of Uganda, Museveni, will not attend any function at which alcohol is served.  He knows the value of role models.  Uganda doesn’t have the problems with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome that Saskatchewan has.  

GOAL:  the percentage of children under age 5 with fetal alcohol syndrome decreases from a current level of XX%  to  YY% by the year 2015.   

If the number of children with Fetal Alcohol Effect continues to grow, we know that our programmes are ineffective.  Someone is responsible and accountable for that.

(Excerpts from March 4, 2002  Verbal and written submission to Romanow Healthcare Review.) 

We have developed a research and treatment industry around children with FAS. 

Every child born with FAS is testament to our failure.  With the right measurements and accountability, we can begin to reverse the trend. 

===================  

(from my Submission to Romanow Healthcare Review) 

10.         Alcohol and Addictions 

Addictions are known to be terribly costly to society.   Healthcare expenditures are ever-increasing. 

Use the example of Saskatchewan.  Saskatoon Star Phoenix Feb 21, 2002:   “…revenue shortfall over $150 million”. 

The Government knows that tax hikes will be extremely unpopular.  Is it coincidental that I read in another newspaper where Premier Calvert announces 400 new video lottery terminal licenses will be issued?  

In conversation with Robert Ducan, Mayor of the small town of Val Marie (remembered among other things for organizing a road crew of local citizens to fix their own roads; the roads had fallen into intolerable disrepair) he lamented about some of the residents who couldn’t stay away from the VLT’s and the harm that was doing to their family finances, which in turn affects the health of the family.  He asked one of the ranchers,  “What would your reaction be if we were able to shut down the VLTs in the town?”  (If you know and care about the individuals in a community,  you want to help them.) 

The man’s shame-faced response was, “Great.  If I had to drive an hour to get to one, I wouldn’t be doing it, or at least not nearly so much.”  What do VLTs contribute to the life and health of the individual community? 

“Beyond the Influence: Understanding and Defeating Alcoholism“, Ketchum and Asbury, April 2000, establishes that addictions are an illness.  The man that Robert Ducan talked with, or the lawyer that has a “drinking problem”, have more than a lack of self-discipline.  Addictions come in different forms, to gambling, to alcohol, to shopping, etc.  Some forms are more destructive than others.  It is also established that if you merely shut down (as opposed to working on the cause of) an addiction it will most often surface in the individual, later, in another form.  Understood in this light, in the VLTs there is an element of preying on the weaknesses of another person.  

A fellow in the banking business in the town of Kerrobert shook his head and said, “You wouldn’t believe the amount of money that goes out of this town to the (government) lotteries.  Thousands of dollars out of individual bank accounts.”  In small towns a bank manager knows the people and sees where the money goes. 

I spoke with Maxine Wiebe from the Central Plains Health District (Humboldt).  The Humboldt Journal stated that in 1997 $1,300,786 left the area through VLT’s.  One year.  I don’t have the updated figures. 

The existing system is actually very destructive of community, and therefore of health:  the Government siphons the money out of communities where it is needed to fund the maintenance and building of facilities such as skating rinks and swimming pools that contribute greatly to the health of a community (kids and families engaged in healthy pursuits).  Money given directly to local volunteer organizations has a great deal more purchasing power than the same dollars sent in to a central bureaucracy where it is used to pay the salaries and overhead of people to whom the municipality must then submit written plans in order to get the money back to do the community work,  IF some one in Regina deems the project desirable. 

Through the siphoning off of money through Income Taxes (Federal, Provincial), consumption taxes (GST, PST), and gambling revenues, communities become dependent.  And they lose control over the decisions that affect the work that will be done in their community.  

85-year-old Jane Jacobs, author whose works are taught in many different university courses, began meeting with the mayors of 5 major Canadian cities in the summer of 2001.  Their work is based on Jacobs’ premise that the present system whereby the Federal Government rakes in the tax booty and the municipalities then beg hat-in-hand from the mandarins for alms is ludicrous.  Cities don’t have money for public transportation, sewage treatment (Halifax, Victoria, Vancouver dump untreated sewage complete with toxic industrial effluent into waterways), Regina doesn’t have money for garbage disposal, Humboldt doesn’t have money to fund local economic development. The answer is for ALL municipalities to join the 5 major Cities that are negotiating a re-balance with Ottawa. 

Communities can compete with the Government for the money and many do:    local service organizations raffle, for example, airfare to Hawaii for two to raise funds for the community hall.  A much larger portion of the money stays in the community.  Local people decide what the community needs and they grow strong as they work together and see the fruits of their joint labour.   

It is clear to me that the people of Saskatchewan, and especially people in the health professions, should boycott the Government’s attempts to extend gambling.  The relationship between healthy communities and healthy individuals is well known.  Oh yes, we all know that.  But our actions don’t support our empty and meaningless rhetoric. 

Peter Gzowski contributed to the book “Addicted:  Notes from the Belly of the Beast” edited by Lorna Crozier and Patrick Lane 2001 (Gzowski was killed by his addiction to cigarettes).  Moving personal stories of writers and poets who have gone public with their experience.  An all too- common theme is  abuse of the person as a child in one sad way or another.  Also drinking that started at a young age (adults giving booze to very young children). 

You either want to cry or string somebody up.  (I don’t know the biographies of all 10 Canadian contributors to the book, but at least 3 of them are from Saskatchewan (Lois Simmie, Lorna Crozier and John Newlove).  Hopefully that’s a bias introduced by Lorna Crozier who edited the book, and not a consequence of the higher levels of alcoholism in Saskatchewan. 

I think of a friend from a Saskatchewan town.  Alan was given his first drink at age 8 and was known for his partying by his teens.  Father was a drinker who beat his children.  Alan quit school and headed for the city at the first opportunity.  This gifted and generous individual did well and made it onto the list of Canada’s top ten business people one year, in spite of his drinking.  His life today is a daily struggle to remain sober. Sometimes on the wagon, sometimes off. (UPDATE:  2007:  Alan is 61 years old and hasn’t much longer to live.  . . .   He’s dead.) 

What existed side-by-side with the neglect and abuse of the child was a community that chose not to see, that chose not to help the child.  A worker hired by the Government, sitting in an office will never know what goes on in back alleys and behind closed doors.  But people in the community know.  

Among my Grandfather’s old newspaper clippings was a letter-to-the-editor from one Arch Winegarden in Saskatoon.  He wrote “In the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, written in 1788 by Edward Gibbons, five basic reasons why that civilization withered and died, are stated thus:

“…. when the real reason was within – the decay of individual responsibility.” 

We as citizens are part of the problem, and the Government is part of the problem.  The attitude developed has been:  the Government will look after it:  turn all the money over to them.  But they can’t carry out our responsibilities and they don’t.  We move backwards.  

The cost of addictions (alcohol, gambling, etc.) on healthcare costs (let alone in other fields) is well documented.  Alcohol is a factor in half the admittances to emergency rooms.  People are treated for the injury, discharged, and once again  the system does not address cause.  The problem is alcoholism, not a broken nose from getting in a fight.   Anyone that comes into an emergency room with alcohol-related injuries should be diverted directly into an alcohol-related programme.  

I have spoken with the Drug and Alcohol Addiction Centre in Regina.  They are greatly under-funded.  A friend in Regina whose husband developed a gambling problem phoned the gambling addiction help line in Regina to obtain the package of information promised to families that face gambling problems.  She was told it would take two weeks before the information would get to her.  (I can send a message to Uganda in minutes.  It takes 2 weeks to get a package across town in Regina.)  The wife of the addicted person was highly anxious.  You don’t wait two weeks to deal with crisis situations.  In spite of all the rhetoric we have very ineffective programmes related to addictions.   

There are effective models to combat the horrendous effects of addiction (reference the above book – “Beyond the Influence).  Other jurisdictions implement alcohol programmes at great saving to the medical system.   We don’t need to re-invent the wheel  – – couldn’t we at least recognize value and adopt it?  It is unacceptable that Saskatchewan should have a high per capita rate of alcohol consumption. Not when we have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome babies. 

In the long term health-care costs will remain unnecessarily high if we don’t adopt more effective programming.   We need a specific target (e.g. Saskatchewan will have the lowest rate of alcohol consumption in Canada by 2010), a strategy to accomplish that, and regular assessment of progress.

We need LONG TERM plans.  

Included in the assault on alcoholism should be an assault on the alcohol industry, the same as there has been on the tobacco industry.  

I wonder if a group of fetal alcohol syndrome people will take somebody to court one day?  But in the interests of healthcare, I challenge you to tell me why it is not the responsibility of Government to implement effective programmes?   They match Monsanto $1 for $1 to help the company develop transgenic wheat, with the added bonus of access to Federal laboratory facilities.  Meanwhile they continue to contribute to the problem of addictions through the extensions of gambling and through negligence in relation to the policing of alcohol consumption (which generates more revenues for them).  “Beyond the Influence …” documents the effectiveness of the industry lobby, and the lack of uncompromised politicians.   The industry has bought and continues to buy itself into a position where no one will challenge their presence.   

Free beer for underage teen-agers at the Rock Festival in Craven.  Many, many examples of the acceptance of the alcohol culture, when it should be aggressively weeded out.  

The Temperance Society in Saskatoon just after the turn-of-the-century made a large difference in alcohol consumption.  Women in the community cared about the women and children who were going without food while the money went to the bottle to be passed out in urine.  Today we have less incentive to address the problems created by alcohol addiction because the women and children will be looked after by social assistance.  Is that really an answer?  We are once again in need of a Temperance Society. 

When I attended the University of Saskatchewan in the late sixties it was not possible to buy alcohol on the east side of the River because the land for the university was endowed by a woman who set a condition: there could be no alcohol available for sale on the side of the River where the land for the University was situated.  Her terms were honoured for many decades.  Students still got beer, to be sure, but they went to a few pains to get it. 

Eventually the City found a way around the by-laws and booze was available on the East side, off-campus.  And eventually the University and the liquor sellers got around the lady’s wishes altogether.  Today there is a pub on campus. And initiation into the booze cult. 

The President of Uganda, Museveni,  will not attend any function at which alcohol is served, simply because he knows the value of role models.  Uganda doesn’t have the problems with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome that Canada has. 

Recommend:

Not one penny of money raised through taxation should be used to purchase alcohol; it doesn’t matter how “dignified” the state functions or visitors are.  We need a strong stand and a visible role model that says “you can choose not to drink”.  

Also, I don’t think it’s fair that families who themselves can’t afford a bottle of wine for dinner should have to provide the money (through taxation) to buy the wine and other spirits that are served at innumerable Government functions across the country, free-of-charge to the participants, all of whom can afford to buy their own booze. 

Saskatchewan’s national standing on alcohol consumption is a sign of incompetence, a sign that Saskatchewan is not progressive, a cause for embarrassment, a sign that we do not have effective programmes.

2007-11-03 The Need for Helpful Economic Indicators

 Economic Indicators  No Responses »
Nov 032007
 

It is important to understand the role that economic indicators are playing.

If the following rings true to you, please consider passing it along.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

A New Economic Model

Our ways of recording economic growth prevent us from creating a healthy society. Our current system of measuring a successful economy is to report each expense or product as a unit of economic growth.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is reported as a success regardless of its effect on public health or the natural environment.

If a new hospital is built for children because of the rising number of children with cancer, asthma and developmental problems, that is economic growth.

If we pay a million dollars to treat a person for cancer, we have economic growth.

If there is clean-up after a large spill in a uranium mine, this creates employment, consumes goods, and is measured as economic growth.

In our society “Growth” is seen as success.

—————–

In this system, a corporation is required to pay for its internal operating costs only.

If it depletes or pollutes the water supply, it is allowed to avoid these “external” costs.

Expenses resulting from environmental degradation, including health costs are paid for by ordinary citizens from the public purse.

Yet it is recorded as “economic growth”.

——————————–

Safeguarding our Natural Heritage

In the early 1980’s the lakes in northern Saskatchewan were healthy.

Today, lakes in Northern Saskatchewan are dying, as reported in the spring publication from the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME).

Despite the consequences of the sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions from tar sands developments, there are proposals to increase production in Alberta and to develop the tar sands in Saskatchewan.

Acid rain from petro-chemical projects in Ontario and Quebec is a well-known outcome of the work of Suncor and other transnational corporations. Abnormal birth statistics, cancers and other problems created by their operations in the corridors from Sarnia to Windsor and London is currently in the news.

When the exploitation of resources is complete, the transnationals will return to the U.S., Europe and Asia with their profits, leaving us with the ill health effects and badly damaged land and water.

————————–

Creating a Healthy Society

“I am saddened by the deaths of my friends from cancer,” …. “Two of my brothers have also died from cancer; they all worked in the uranium mines.”

By allowing corporations to pollute in the name of economic growth (falsely-measured), we are allowing health risks and environmental damage to continue and to escalate.

Both ruling and opposition parties have failed in their stewardship role during the past 25 years. It is the job of the government to protect air, land and water – “the commons”, that upon which we all depend for healthfulness and survival.

It is the job of citizens to call them to account.

A first step is to re-define our indicators of “growth” and health.

The indicator that should be used for health is the trend lines for disease and developmental problems in Saskatchewan. If those lines are in a relentless upward trend, then obviously our healthcare dollars are being spent in the wrong place. “Wait times” tell us that we have an excess of patients.

The Earth is man’s only friend. When we poison her, we poison ourselves.

——————————-

The Green Party supports a sustainable society that uses resources in a way which benefits our generation and those of the future.

We must maintain an ecological balance and live within the resource limits of Saskatchewan and our planet.

Sheila Fraser, Auditor General of Canada gives guidelines (Nov 2007, CBC):

1) Clear sustainable development strategies are needed to create better economic well-being.

2) Establish meaningful action plans with deadlines, and consequences to make them effective.

3) Hold government to account for meeting good management objectives with regular audits to validate facts and press for implementation of action plans and agreements.

I invite you to join with us to move to an energy efficient economy. We will live in ways that respect the integrity of natural systems.

Sandra Finley

Leader, Green Party of Saskatchewan
========================================

REFERENCES (INPUT FROM VARIOUS PEOPLE)

Lazslo Pinter writes:

There is a movement under way that already picked up this issue and is getting stronger and gaining political attention, though not yet enough in Canada, but hopefully we will get there.

In particular, I would note:

There isn’t a quick fix and we are a long way from getting to the bottom of this problem, but if we don’t, we continue to carry the burden of a flawed accounting system at enormous costs in almost everything we do.

By the way, the need is not only for helpful *economic* indicators.

Best, LP

===========================

My apologies. I lost track of who contributed this:

I would recommend a book: “Growth Fetish” by Clive Hamilton (an economist who saw the light). I have a couple of chapters that were free online and will attach them. Another great book of his is called “Affluenza” and is well worth reading.

=========================

Leora Harlingten adds:

“I have a book called the economics of happiness. It has interesting stuff on economic indicators.

Also Marilyn Warrings work is good. She has a couple of films at the Saskatoon public library on economics.

There is also Michael Albert’s book = ‘Parecon’ on participatory economics. ===============================

Kathleen Cameron writes:

There is a very helpful indicator of complete cost analysis and it is called “life cycle analysis” and instead of our society basing its success on the GDP as it presently is, it should be based on the outcome of each and every “life cycle analysis”. This indicator takes into account the cost of all of those items that you indicate below and more – it takes into account “all of the costs” of a particular product throughout its entire life, i.e. therefore with the uranium industry, it would take into account the cost of a reactor from the time that uranium was in the mining process through to the end of the life expectancy of the uranium, i.e. when it was no longer a danger, e.g. how many hundreds of thousands of years? This particular life cycle analysis would therefore only change if they came up with a useful product that could be recycled from all of the products of the initial reactor. The analysis can get very detailed however it brings into light ALL of the actual costs of a product in mind.

Again, what is the cost of a pharmaceutical? Something as simple as advil or Tylenol – hundreds of thousands of these pills get utilized by the general public on a daily basis and the majority of the medication ends up in the urine stream and typically ends up in water supplies. Once in that water supply it breaks down into carcinogenic components initially and eventually becomes inert but not until after it has damaged our environment. This information would be included in life cycle analysis and the pharmaceutical company would be required to “pay the cost” or actually the final end user since that cost be transferred on. Personally, I think it would force a lot of people to use more environmentally practices, i.e. many would go back to a lot of the “older” ways of doing things.

2007-08-23 Quebec police admit they went undercover at Montebello protest

 Corporatocracy or Democracy or Administrative State or WHAT?, Lockheed Martin, War Economy (includes Cdn Census & Trials)  No Responses »
Aug 232007
 

There are follow-up postings to this.   Example:  2008-11-28 Follow-up on Montebello, Police provoke Violence at SPP protest (2007)

Calls for a Public Inquiry into Montebello are certainly warranted but have fallen on deaf ears.  When you see the video footage it’s a little hard to swallow the explanations given in the article below.   The officials responsible “will not comment”.   /Sandra

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/quebec-police-admit-they-went-undercover-at-montebello-protest-1.656171 

Quebec police admit they went undercover at Montebello protest

Last Updated: Thursday, August 23, 2007 | 7:52 PM ET

CBC News

youtube-montebello-070823

A YouTube video shows Dave Coles, president of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union, ordering three masked men back from a line of riot police. ((CBC))

Quebec provincial police admitted Thursday that three of their officers disguised themselves as demonstrators during the protest

at the North American leaders summit in Montebello, Que. 

 

However, the police force denied allegations its undercover officers were there on Monday to provoke the crowd and instigate violence.

“At no time did the police of the Sûreté du Québec act as instigators or commit criminal acts,” the police force said in French in a news release. “It is not in the police force’s policies, nor in its strategies, to act in that manner.

“At all times, they responded within their mandate to keep order and security.”

Police said the three undercover officers were only at the protest to locate and identify non-peaceful protesters in order to prevent any incidents.

Police came under fire Tuesday, when a video surfaced on YouTube that appeared to show three plainclothes police officers at the protest with bandanas across their faces. One of the men was carrying a rock.

In the video, protest organizers in suits order the men to put the rock down, call them police instigators and try unsuccessfully to unmask them.

Police-issued boots identified fake protesters

Protest organizers on Wednesday played the video for the media at a news conference in Ottawa. One of the organizers, union leader Dave Coles, explained that one reason protesters knew the men’s true identities was because they were wearing the same boots as other police officers.

Coles said on Wednesday that the only thing he didn’t know was whether the men were Quebec police, RCMP or hired security officers.

“[Our union] believes that the security force at Montebello were ordered to infiltrate our peaceful assembly and provoke incidents,” said Coles, president of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union.

Police said the three were told to monitor protesters who were not peacefully demonstrating to prevent any violent incidents, but they were called out as undercover agents when they refused to throw objects.

Concern Canada losing control of its energy

The protest at Montebello occurred outside the Fairmont Le Château Montebello hotel, near Ottawa, where Prime Minister Stephen Harper was meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush and Mexican President Felipe Calderon. The summit about border security, free trade and other issues began Monday and finished Tuesday.

Protesters said they gathered to voice their concern about Canada losing control of its energy and water resources and borders. Others decried what they called a high level of secrecy at the summit.

The Quebec provincial police will not comment any further on the affair, a spokeswoman in Montreal said.

Quebec Justice Minister Jacques Dupuis was made aware of the news, but a spokesman from his office said he will not comment on the matter either.

 

2007-08 WATCH: Montebello, Police provoke Violence at SPP protest

 Corporatocracy or Democracy or Administrative State or WHAT?, Peace or Violence  No Responses »
Aug 152007
 

RECOMMEND:   skip the original posting below;  go to this video:

2008-11-28 Follow-up on Montebello, Police provoke Violence at SPP protest (2007)

 

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THE ORIGINAL POSTING:

This is extremely important.  Click on:   http://youtube.com/watch?v=DCRsj06wT64, video footage related to the protests at Montebello.

The SPP Meeting of August 2007 was held at Montebello, Quebec.   Protesters collected outside.

====

On April 21, 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper traveled to New Orleans to attend the fourth annual North American Leaders’ Summit to discuss progress to the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) with his American and Mexican counterparts. It has been four years since this process began, and no one beyond an elite group of corporate CEOs has been asked how they feel about the SPP—until now.

THE FOLLOWING LINKS ARE ALL INVALID:   THE WEBSITE WAS RE-DESIGNED.  YOU MIGHT STILL FIND COPIES OF MATERIAL ON-LINE.   COPY AND PASTE WHAT YOU WANT INTO A SEARCH ENGINE.

 

http://www.canadians.org/integratethis/

Not Counting Canadians: The Security and Prosperity Partnership and public opinion

From April 7–10, 2008, the Council of Canadians commissioned Environics Research Group to conduct a survey of Canadians to find out how they feel about the major SPP policy directions and initiatives, including North American regulatory convergence, energy integration with the United States, bulk water exports, and the adoption of U.S.-style security measures in Canada. We also asked whether such a wide-reaching trilateral agreement should be brought to Parliament for a debate and vote.

Download the full report, Not Counting Canadians : The Security and Prosperity Partnership and public opinion(PDF 1.78 MB), or follow the links below:

87% of Canadians agree that Canada should maintain the ability to set its own independent environmental, health and safety standards, even if this might reduce cross-border trade opportunities with the United States. And yet the Harper government is committed to an SPP policy of regulatory harmonization in the areas of consumer product safety, food and drugs, and the environment.

89% of Canadians agree that Canada should establish an energy policy that provides reliable supplies of oil, gas and electricity at stable prices and protects the environment, even if this means placing restrictions on exports and foreign ownership of Canadian supplies. And yet the Harper government is committed to a “market-based” policy of energy integration with the U.S. through the SPP’s North American Energy Working Group.

88% of Canadians agree that Canada should adopt a comprehensive national water policy that recognizes clean drinking water as a basic human right and also bans the bulk export of fresh water. And yet bulk water exports to the U.S. are on the table in SPP discussions.

48% of Canadians do not feel that Canada should harmonize its security policies with the United States, even if this affects our trading relationship. It was the only question on which Canadians were divided. And yet the 2008 Federal budget committed millions of extra dollars to SPP security initiatives anyway.

86% of Canadians agree that the Security and Prosperity Partnership agreement should be debated and submitted to a vote in Parliament. Yet four years later, the debate is nowhere to be seen.

Canadian preferences for policies that run counter to the key SPP priorities listed above show conclusively that Prime Minister Harper does not have a democratic mandate for pursuing this agenda in secretive trilateral talks like the upcoming North American leaders summit in New Orleans. The government must cease all further SPP talks and debate the agreement fully and openly before submitting it to Parliament for a vote.

The Council of Canadians’ five demands for the SPP »

You can help stop the SPP! A citizen’s guide to fighting the Security and Prosperity Partnership »

View the full Environics poll results, Surveying Canadian attitudes towards trade issues and the SPP

For more information about the Council of Canadians, or its campaign against the SPP, please sign up to receive updates above or call us at 1-800-387-7177.

2007-08-10 Canadian Military Keeping Tabs on Peace Activists

 Peace or Violence  No Responses »
Aug 102007
 

I will contact this Steven Staples who gave an address on “The Americanisation of the Canadian Military“.  He may be interested in the Court Cases against people who refused to comply with the Census because of the involvement of Lockheed-Martin, which is pretty well synonymous with the American Military.

It fits in well with Mike Webster on the RCMP and the YouTube video on police tactics at the SPP meetings.  

(INSERT:   Lft. Col. Jamie Robertson with the Department of National Defence in this article, in defence of the tactics used by the military, says “We have a robust media environment.”.   Look ahead to the manner in which the Canada First Defence Strategy  came into being in June 2008.   The military does not use that “robust” environment.)

=== 

Published on Friday, August 10, 2007 by Inter Press Service 

Canadian Military Keeping Tabs on Peace Activists? 

by Am Johal 

VANCOUVER – Steven Staples, a prominent Canadian peace activist, is accusing the Canadian military of subtle surveillance after the military sent an officer to take notes on him at a conference at Dalhousie University in 2006.  The story came to light a few weeks ago after freedom of information requests finally revealed that briefings had been written for senior military officers.

Staples had been invited to give a presentation at Dalhousie University as a guest of the Halifax Peace Coalition and the Dalhousie Centre for Foreign Policy Studies on the topic of “The Americanisation of the Canadian Military.”

Ironically, the U.S. Pentagon has for years closely monitored peaceful anti-war and counter-military recruitment groups, collecting more than 2,800 reports involving U.S. citizens in an “anti-terrorist threat database“, according to documents obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union. 

“It was clear that somebody had been tasked by the Canadian military to sit in on the session,” Staples said in an interview with IPS. “My problem is that the military initially denied it. Governments send staff to attend meetings all the time to prepare briefings – there is nothing wrong with that. It’s when they deny it and hide it that it becomes something more nefarious.”  

After repeated information requests, it was revealed that the report was sent to 50 senior military officials, including two brigadier generals. 

“It is interesting to understand the motivation of the surveillance, as the officer who wrote the report advised senior leadership to meet the arguments of people like me. When the military bureaucracy is trying to actively influence public opinion, to shift public policy, it is highly inappropriate on the part of a military in a real democracy, said Staples.

“It is inappropriate for the military to become a rogue entity and utilise their resources to monitor those who publicly hold contrary views. The Canadian military has even spied on groups such as the Raging Grannies and the United Church,” said Staples.

“It is my concern for the public to know that the military is behaving irresponsibly, because it places a chill on others. They have to think twice before speaking publicly in a critical way,” said Staples. 

He added that General Rick Hillier is an inappropriate choice for head of the military and that Defence Minister O’Connor has also been inappropriate for his position in representing the public interest. 

Staples says he will send a request for accountability of behaviour in the Canadian military which is consistent with government policy. Staples added that he has not pursued whether the Canadian Security Intelligence Service or other security agencies currently have anti-war activists under surveillance. 

Dr. Michael Byers, research chair in Global Politics and International Law at the University of British Columbia, told IPS, “Steve Staples has been attracting this attention because he’s extraordinarily effective in critiquing Canadian policy concerning defence and security. It is not surprising that they pay attention – they should learn to listen to him now and then.” 

Byers added that the military sending a representative could be seen as educational – if it was intended that way.

“But if it was surveillance, it could be the beginning of a slippery slope with the military playing an active role in shaping public opinion.  Democracy has worked hard to separate military and political roles. The Canadian public should be more concerned about other manifestations of this disturbing trend. The military has been very sophisticated with their media strategy, and there have been far-reaching public relations [campaigns] by General Hillier for the mission in Afghanistan,” said Byers.

Byers added that the trend was disturbing because of where this type of policy could lead if it is not scrutinised. “If he is under surveillance, are his phone conversations being tapped or his e-mails being monitored because he is in an advocacy role?” asked Byers. 

“I assume, even I’m being monitored, I’ve made my choice for the sake of freedom of expression. Perhaps whoever is on the other end listening might actually learn something. I don’t have anything to hide,” said Byers. 

But military officials see things differently. Lft. Col. Jamie Robertson with the Department of National Defence told IPS, “Steven Staples’ talk was on the Americanisation of the Canadian military. We have public affairs officers and representatives from National Defence, which normally attend conferences and compile information. We will summarise what is happening at conferences, but we don’t engage in monitoring. That is not the job of the Department. As public affairs officers, we need to be aware of factual information and trends in the policy debate. In this instance, the debate has been politicised.” 

He added that it is part of their mission to clarify factual information when it is misrepresented. “It is not the job of the military to conduct surveillance. We live in a democracy. It is not within the area of security.  There is nothing wrong about debate and differing opinions. We have a robust media environment. We want to engage as openly as possible. Everyone is allowed to speak to the media on the Afghanistan mission. In this case, journalists are raising conspiracy theories that are completely of context,” said Robertson. 

“Our job is not to shape public opinion, but to provide factual information to Canadians. It is part of our mission. They have a right to know what we are doing. These allegations are absurd. We are incumbent on fixing the record by being aware of the public environment. Canada’s mission needs to be seen in the context of a coalition of 21 Nations and that it is sanctioned by the U.N. The information provided is often selective. This is an important mission,” said Robertson. 

C 2007 Inter Press Service

2007-08-09 Monsanto: two more strikes against

 Corporatocracy or Democracy or Administrative State or WHAT?, Genetically Modified  No Responses »
Aug 092007
 

I wish I could tell you ALL the amazing victories flowing in.  The work in the trenches over the years pays off.

The big food chain in the U.S., Kroger, will end its sales of milk from cows injected with recombinant bovine growth hormone.  And the U.S. Patent Office has ruled against four of Monsanto’s patents on GMO crops. … Citizen action in one location feeds action in another.

I am concerned that if the large American grocery stores block the sales of milk from cows injected with rBGH, Canada will be used more and more as a dumping ground for it.  Hence my letter to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency below.

Cheers! /Sandra

========================

SENT:  August 9, 2007

SUBJECT:  Recent updates on Monsanto’s products in USA.  Questions re Canada.

 

TO:     (email addresses removed.  They will be obsolete.)

–  CFIA  (Canadian Food Inspection Agency)

–  Chuck Strahl, Minister Responsible (Agriculture)

–  Carole Swan, President

–  B. Evans, Executive VP

–  Dilhari Fernando, Exec Dir, Strategic Issues

–  C. Prince, VP Operations

–  Louise Duke,  CFIA Chief of Import & Domestic Office

–  Kirstan Finstad, near head of Plant Bio Safety Office

–  Stephen Yarrow,  Director Plant Bio Safety Office

 

Dear Chuck Strahl, Carole Swan and other Civil Servants in the CFIA,

 

Regarding rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone), will you please confirm:

–  rBGH (or rBST) is illegal in Canada because it was denied registration.

–  there are many milk products from the USA imported into Canada.

–  “rBGH milk” comes into Canada illegally through this importation.

–  there is no enforcement to stop “rBGH milk” products from entering the Canadian food supply.

 

I will appreciate knowing, in plain and direct language, what the situation is with rBGH milk coming into Canada. It may require corrective action.

Better to table and deal with a problem rather than deny its existence.

 

In case you aren’t aware of recent developments in the USA (July-August 2007) regarding Monsanto’s rBGH and some patents on its GMO crops, they are appended:

–  USA FOOD GIANT KROGER ANNOUNCES END TO SALES OF MILK CONTAINING SYNTHETIC HORMONES

–  USA PATENT AND TRADE OFFICE REJECTS FOUR MONSANTO PATENTS RELATED TO GMO CROPS.

 

Earlier, you received the New York Times report on court rulings regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s failure to follow the law, in its licensing of Monsanto’s alfalfa.  It is related and appended for your convenience.

The gene-altered crop articles appended are to help keep Government officials abreast of information being circulated in the public domain.  I hope it will be helpful to you.

 

Thank-you in advance for your answers regarding the status of rBGH milk products coming into Canada.

 

Best wishes,

Sandra Finley

(contact info)

==============================

CONTENTS

(1)  COMMENTARY

(1A)  BACKGROUND FOR NEWCOMERS

(1B)  MILK FROM COWS INJECTED WITH rBGH COMES INTO CANADA NONETHELESS.  ILLEGAL BUT NO    ENFORCEMENT

(2)  LETTER TO HEADS AT CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY (CFIA)

(3)  USA FOOD GIANT KROGER ANNOUNCES END TO SALES OF MILK CONTAINING SYNTHETIC HORMONES, DENVER POST

(4)  USA PATENT AND TRADE OFFICE REJECTS FOUR MONSANTO PATENTS RELATED TO GMO CROPS

(5)  JUDGE RULES U.S. DEPT OF AGRICULTURE BROKE THE LAW IN ITS APPROVAL OF MONSANTO’S GMO ALFALFA, NEW YORK TIMES

————————–

(1)  COMMENTARY 

Monsanto is greatly diversified in its operations, even into “organic” companies.  But it will be brought to heel.  Its corrupting influence on Government will be ended, along with the influence of the other corporations in the pharma/chem/biotech complex.  Perseverance bears fruit.  The growing mass of informed people is more formidable than Monsanto. (In the past couple of weeks we have added 50+ people just to my part of our network.) We are shoulder-to-shoulder with citizens in the U.S., India, Europe, Africa, South America – the information flow doesn’t stop at national borders.

News out of the U.S.:

–  Kroger food chain will no longer stock milk with rBGH (growth hormone injected into cows) as of Feb 2008

–  The Public Patent Foundation represents the Public Interest in the U.S. patent system.  (I don’t believe that we have a similar NGO in Canada?  If we don’t, it’s not because we don’t need it!)  Four of Monsanto’s patents on GMO crops have been rejected because of PubPat’s interventions.  Hallelujah!

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(1A) BACKGROUND FOR NEWCOMERS 

–  Monsanto tried bribery of Health Canada officials to get rBGH registered in Canada (early 90’s).  Senator Eugene Whelan was instrumental in getting a Senate hearing.  The growth hormone was not registered and is therefore illegal in Canada (as I understand the registration system).

–  The Europeans also ruled against rBGH.

–  Monsanto got it registered in the U.S.  American citizens have been fighting to get rid of it for years.  The health effects for the animals and now for human health are problematic.

Monsanto uses its usual mafia tactics (the threat of breaking people’s financial well-being by taking them to court) on small dairies in the U.S.

We circulated the newspaper reports on the Vermont dairy Monsanto took to court for labelling its milk or cows as being free of bovine growth hormone (words to effect).  I still shake my head.

——————————

 

(1B)  MILK FROM COWS INJECTED WITH rBGH COMES INTO CANADA NONETHELESS. ILLEGAL BUT NO    ENFORCEMENT 

–  milk from cows injected with rBGH is, nonetheless, getting into Canada.

I met and talked with Ralph Ferguson, retired Liberal MP from near Sarnia ON (talk was about community research organized by Ralph, into the incredibly high rates of cancer in their rural area (Sarnia-London)).

In a digression Ralph mentioned the shiny tanker trucks that carry milk across the border at Sarnia, from the U.S.  The milk will be from cows injected with rBGH.  There is no evidence that the Government of Canada enforces our regulations on rBGH.

As I understand from other conversations, many of the “milk solids” used in Canada, in various milk products (including milk off the shelf that has “milk solids” added)  – many of these “solids” are imported from the U.S.

You know very well that big commercial American dairies inject their animals with rBGH to artificially increase milk production for the “milk solids”.

–  The Dept of Health officials who blew the whistle on Monsanto’s attempted bribery were rewarded by losing their jobs.  The Government of Canada has regulations to satisfy us.  It doesn’t enforce the regulations, to satisfy Monsanto.  It won’t take Monsanto on.

–  Which takes us to the U.S. Patent Office’s recent denial of patent to Monsanto for some GMO crops.  We’ve circulated information on the extent to which Monsanto has people in positions of influence in the U.S. Government.

In Canada, the Government of Canada had a 50-50 partnership with Monsanto for the development of GMO wheat (citizens achieved victory in fighting down this gene-altered wheat).  But the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, through “Government fronts” – Agwest Biotech and Biotech Canada – intervened in the Supreme Court on the side of Monsanto, when Monsanto took Percy Schmeiser to Court. Of course, the Governments won’t do their job of regulation in the public interest.  (Exception:  the Government of Ontario intervened on the side of Schmeiser.)

==========================================

 

(2)  LETTER TO HEADS AT CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY (CFIA) 

(The letter is at the top of this email)

Update:  Carole Swan is the president of the CFIA (no longer Francois Guimont).

If you wish to contact the CFIA through their web-site, go to:

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/tools/feedback/commene.shtml

==========================================

 

(3)  USA FOOD GIANT KROGER ANNOUNCES END TO SALES OF MILK CONTAINING SYNTHETIC HORMONES

Kroger Co.: http://www.kroger.com

http://www.denverpost.com/healthcare/ci_6574578

Monsanto: Time to Cry Over Spilled rBGH Milk?

Source: Kroger Company press release, August 1, 2007

Monsanto is discovering a troubling new side effect from use of Posilac, its controversial recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) injected into cows to increase milk production: use of rBGH is shriveling up the market for milk from Posilac-treated cows. In response to growing consumer demand for hormone-free dairy products, retailers are increasingly rejecting milk products derived from rBGH-injected cows. The Kroger Company announced in an August 1 press release that by February 2008 the company will sell only milk that is certified free of synthetic hormones. This represents no small blow to Monsanto; Kroger operates 2,458 supermarkets and other stores in 31 states, as well as 15 dairies and three ice cream plants. Kroger’s holdings include the major grocery chains Ralphs, Fred Meyer, City Market, Food 4 Less, and King Soopers. Kroger joins Starbucks and other retailers in rejecting use of Posilac. The bottom line? A little more pain for Monsanto and little less pain for the cows.

http://www.prwatch.org/

08/08/2007

Kroger launches broader organic push

By DAN SEWELL AP Business Writer

CINCINNATI—The nation’s largest traditional grocer is expanding organic food offerings and targeting a broader range of customers for the fast-growing segment.

The new push by Kroger Co., which was launched Wednesday, features its own brand of organic foods, from pasta to peanut butter, and displays them throughout the store, outside their usual home in natural foods sections.

Starting with 65 items, Kroger expects to double its Private Selection brand organics by the end of the year.

Linda Severin, vice president for corporate brands, said marketing under the slogan “Organics for Everyone” will appeal to consumers who don’t focus their shopping on organic foods but are interested in trying them. The private brand line generally will be priced lower than other organics Kroger sells.

“This responds to customers who just want to make a smarter food choice and start opening their lives to organic,” Severin said. “It’s a way for people to sort of put their toe in the water.”

Kroger’s line will carry the U.S. Department of Agriculture seal for organic foods, which are free of pesticides and hormones.

Kroger, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and other major grocery sellers have been increasing selections of organic and natural foods in response to rising demand and the growth of chains such as Whole Foods Market Inc. and Wild Oats Markets Inc.

The Organic Trade Association says that while organic foods comprised less than 3 percent of total food sales in 2006, annual percentage sales growth in the past decade has been in the high teens into the twenties, up to $16.7 billion.

“Organics is probably the hottest thing going in the food market right now,” said Ted Taft, managing director of Meridian Consulting Group. “The conventional grocery channel has seen that growth and seen that as something they need to have.”

He said Kroger and other large chains can offer lower prices than specialty stores and appeal to shoppers who are worried about organics for only certain items, such as milk.

“There are very few consumers that everything they have has to be organic,” Taft said. “If you go to a Kroger, you have options.”

Bruce Silverman, global vice president of private label for Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods, said organics have always been a Whole Foods cornerstone.

“When new competitors begin experimenting with offering organic foods, they are helping Whole Foods Market further our mission for the world to enjoy more organic and natural foods,” he said in a statement.

Ronnie Cummins, national director of the Organic Consumers Association, said that while Pleasanton-Calif.-based Safeway Inc. and some regional supermarket chains have had success with organic offerings, organic advocates are wary of giant, bottom-line companies in the market.

“They’re more concerned about their quarterly profits than their sustainability,” Cummins said. “The organic market segment is the wave of the future, and it’s not just people looking for an organic label and saying, ‘Where can I get it the cheapest?'”

Cummins noted approvingly that Kroger last week announced plans to begin selling milk that is certified as free of synthetic hormones.

The company, which operates 2,458 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states, some under local names, also is offering gluten-free items such as crackers in its private brand, for those who want to avoid the wheat protein, and recently launched a milk brand that can help reduce cholesterol.

Kroger five years ago introduced a Naturally Preferred line of foods, which includes some organic foods and contain no artificial colors, preservatives or flavors, and many of its stores have a special section called Nature’s Market.

“Customers are telling us they want more of these products,” said Nancy Moon-Eilers, vice president for natural foods procurement and merchandising.

“Organic growth has been really strong, and I don’t see that easing up any time soon.”

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(4)  USA PATENT AND TRADE OFFICE REJECTS FOUR MONSANTO PATENTS RELATED TO GMO CROPS

For those that know of the unethical shenanigans of Monsanto, this is a major coup for farmers worldwide, who can resume saving their seed without the shadow of Monsanto lawsuits hanging over them.

<Link no longer valid>

Sharon

San Francisco

 

NEW YORK – July 24, 2007 — The Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT) announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has rejected four key Monsanto patents related to genetically modified crops that PUBPAT challenged last year because the agricultural giant is using them to harass, intimidate, sue – and in some cases literally bankrupt – American farmers.

In its Office Actions rejecting each of the patents, the USPTO held that evidence submitted by PUBPAT, in addition to other prior art located by the Patent Office’s Examiners, showed that Monsanto was not entitled to any of the patents.

Monsanto has filed dozens of patent infringement lawsuits asserting the four challenged patents against American farmers, many of whom are unable to hire adequate representation to defend themselves in court.  The crime these farmers are accused of is nothing more than saving seed from one year’s crop to replant the following year, something farmers have done since the beginning of time.

One study of the matter found that, “Monsanto has used heavy-handed investigations and ruthless prosecutions that have fundamentally changed the way many American farmers farm. The result has been nothing less than an assault on the foundations of farming practices and traditions that have endured for centuries in this country and millennia around the world, including one of the oldest, the right to save and replant crop seed.”  The lawsuits filed by Monsanto against American farmers include Monsanto Company v. Mitchell Scruggs, et al, 459 F.3d 1328 (Fed. Cir. 2006), Monsanto Company v. Kem Ralph individually, et al, 382 F.3d 1374 (Fed. Cir. 2004) and Monsanto Company v. Homan McFarling, 363 F.3d 1336 (Fed. Cir. 2004).

Although Monsanto has the opportunity to respond to the Patent Office’s rejections of the patents (U.S. Patents Nos. 5,164,316, 5,196,525, 5,322,938 and 5,352,605), third party requests for re-examination, like the ones filed by PUBPAT against the four Monsanto patents, are successful in having the reviewed patents either changed or completely revoked more than two-thirds of the time.

“We are extremely pleased that the Patent Office has agreed with us that Monsanto does not deserve these patents that it has used to unfairly bully American farmers,” said Dan Ravicher, PUBPAT’s Executive Director.

“Hopefully, this is the beginning of the end of the harm being caused to the public by Monsanto’s aggressive assertion of these patents, which threatens family farms and a diverse American food supply.”

 

More information, including copies of the Office Actions issued by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office rejecting the four Monsanto patents, can be found at PUBPAT > Monsanto Anti-Farmers Patents.

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(5)  See  2007-02-14 GMO’s: Judge rules U.S. Dept of Agriculture broke the law in its approval of Monsanto’s GMO alfalfa

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