I think we all owe a debt of thanks to Greta Thunberg, a 15-year-old from Sweden, for her speech calling out 'leaders' for their failure to lead! Some excerpts from her remarks (at COP-24 in Katowice, Poland): We can no longer save the world by playing by the rules, because the rules have to be changed. So we have not come here to beg the world leaders to care for our future. … [Read more...] about Thank you, Greta!
World Affairs | War & Peace
FYI: Weekend reading from AFSC
Just came across this interesting newsletter from the American Friends Service Committee [AFSC]. Thank you to everyone who signed our petition to stop Congress from expanding deadly immigrant detention (if you haven’t signed, you can still add your name here). We’ll keep you posted on ways to take action to defund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the weeks … [Read more...] about FYI: Weekend reading from AFSC
Peter’s blog: ‘The nerve of those Russians!’
With all the trash-talking about Russia interfering in the 2016 election, it might be good to remember that most of it is probably just political propaganda—and to remember that the US is continually interfering in elections in other countries. Also take a look at a recent Defense Intelligence Agency report, entitled “Russia: Military Power: Building a military to support … [Read more...] about Peter’s blog: ‘The nerve of those Russians!’
Moravian College at COP-23 in Bonn!
Monday, November 6–17 Moravian College is one of a handful of US colleges with official observer status under UNFCCC.Follow their Moravian College at UNFCCC blog for updates & insights into what's happening at COP-23. … [Read more...] about Moravian College at COP-23 in Bonn!
Peter’s blog: “Trump’s New Travel Ban”
The wording of the new ban is designed to slip past some of the problems that made the first ban so clearly unconstitutional. But it's still stupid. Just look at this recap: Note: This was published online, and I have not personally verified this information. … [Read more...] about Peter’s blog: “Trump’s New Travel Ban”
fyi: “Extending voting rights to non-citizens”
Yes! Magazine reports that San Francisco recently joined the list of jurisdictions where non-citizens can vote: … San Francisco is one of the latest jurisdictions to expand voting rights to noncitizens. Others include Chicago, which grants all parents the right to vote in local school council elections, and six towns in Maryland that allow noncitizens to take part in local … [Read more...] about fyi: “Extending voting rights to non-citizens”
Peter: ‘Bearing the Cross’, by Chris Hedges
Chris Hedges wrote the following after attending the funeral of Daniel Berrigan: Bearing the Cross by Chris Hedges NEW YORK—I arrived early Friday morning, after walking through the rain, at the St. Francis Xavier Church in Greenwich Village for the funeral of the Rev. Daniel Berrigan. I stood, the church nearly empty, at the front of the sanctuary with my hand on the top … [Read more...] about Peter: ‘Bearing the Cross’, by Chris Hedges
Peter: “Evo Morales – Entering the Pacha, a new beginning”
The looming end of the Mayan long-count calendar has prompted fervid doomsday predictions on the internet, mass arrests in China, and a small tourism boom in southern Mexico. But Bolivia's president, Evo Morales, says the date is the beginning of a new era of peace and love. "…the Mayan calendar's 21 December 2012 is the end of the non-time and the beginning of time. It is the … [Read more...] about Peter: “Evo Morales – Entering the Pacha, a new beginning”
Peter: “COP-Out 18 [UPDATED]”
[See updates below] Our so-called leaders from around the world seem to be incapable of taking the decisive action that is essential. (Maybe we should call it COP-OUT 18‽) Even the World Bank recently issued a report saying the consequences of world inaction on global warming will be 'catastrophic'. I can see why the T-shirt pictured above is popular among participating … [Read more...] about Peter: “COP-Out 18 [UPDATED]”
Tar Sands Hell
The tar sands issue isn't only about the danger from pipelines crossing the U.S. so the dirty tar sands oil can be refined and shipped overseas, it's about the destruction of thousands of square miles of wildlands in Alberta, severe health impacts on thousands of indigenous people, and a major increase in greenhouse gas emissions. The Canadian government and regulators bow to … [Read more...] about Tar Sands Hell