Dear peacefolk,
My sense of gratitude has been heightened this week by the loss of a dear niece and news from two friends of their mothers’ deaths. I feel immensely grateful for family, for friends, for my health, for shelter and safety - if only everyone in the world were so lucky. How can I not do everything in my power to expand the circle of my good fortune?
Peace,
Chris
Chilean documentary film-maker, Elena Varela, has been accused of taking part in 2 armed robberies, allegedly to fund “terrorist” activities. Her supporters argue that she is being framed and that her real “crime” is supporting and publicizing the plight of the Mapuche people.
Unfortunately, I can’t find anything in English on this recent development in her case. Last year she was arrested while filming a documentary on conflicts between the Mapuche and the forestry industry, and later released after an international campaing by Amnesty International and other human rights organizations. You can use the same addresses provided in Amnesty’s previous campaign to express your support.
Probe International has launched a campaign on the issue of massive damming of rivers in southern Chile (with involvement of Canadian owned companies).
Tomorrow at 10 am (possibly repeated at 10 pm), CBC TV will air a report on just a related visit last October by Chilean environmental activist Juan Pablo Orrego.
Pitch-in Canada has thousands of projects to improve communities and the environment.
This month it will be 5 years since the coup in Haiti overthrew the elected government of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The Canada Haiti Action Network is marking the anniversary with events across Canada.
March 22 is World Water Day and the Council of Canadians invites you to get involved in the Blue Communities Project.Taxes are good for a country’s health and wellbeing.
More than 70% of Americans and Canadians disagree with NAFTA provisions that put energy corporations’ profits above environmental concerns and public interest.
Canada gets a failing grade from UNICEF on child care.
Peacemakers Trust is a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to research and education on conflict transformation and peacebuilding. Among other things, they publish Reporting on Conflict, a media watch blog with news and information about peacebuilding, dispute resolution and conflict transformation.
This is appalling: the US Army charity meant to help returning soldiers is stockpiling millions. “Between 2003 and 2007 - as many military families dealt with long war deployments and increased numbers of home foreclosures - Army Emergency Relief grew into a $345 million behemoth. During those years, the charity packed away $117 million into its own reserves while spending just $64 million on direct aid, according to an AP analysis of its tax records."
In Tibet, the new year celebrations are replaced by mourning for the hundreds dead in China’s crackdown on last year’s uprising.
See breaking news at the Students for a Free Tibet website.
I am only one, but I am still one; I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
- Edward Everett Hale (attributed to Helen Keller)
Obamamania hit Ottawa big time last week and apparently the contagion spread nationwide. See welcoming comments by more than 700 Canadians at .
Barbara Ehrenreich on how a satirical column may have led to torture in Guantanamo.
A majority of white southern evangelical Christians believe that “torture is often or sometimes justified when pursuing terrorists.” A Christian blogger disagrees.
Rick Salutin on the maximum wage.