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Monday, December 28, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Book Notes- Gandhi Today(1987) by Mark Shepard.
I’d like to open with this quote from a recent New York Times op-ed for no particular reason.
From the New York Times :
Democratically elected leaders cannot ignore public skepticism, but they should not surrender to it when they know better.
I just finished reading the book Gandhi today : a report on Mahatma Gandhi's successors / by Mark Shepard and decide to write a little summary and notes to self.
The books is a treat for someone who wonders what happened to the mass movement that Gandhi shaped up during the Independence struggle. The history we read in schools offer no help here, it is as if the Gandhian’s suddenly wrapped up and left with the Britishers. There were some claims about “Gandhigiri” becoming cool again after release of a Bollywood movie “Lage Raho Munna Bhai”. The claims look very silly after reading the book, for, “Gandhigiri” never went out of style, its thrived, evolved and often triumphed. As Professor Nagler would say, it worked and it “worked”.
The book is mostly a short biographical accounts of people the author studied during his India trip. Other Gandhian workers like MLK etc are not mentioned. The list is in no way complete.
Vinoba Bhave aka “The Walking Saint”: One thing that Vinoba is most remembered for (besides his walking statistics) is that he was the architect of the famous Bhoodan(land gift) movement. Because its currently in news, I found it quite interesting that Telangana region was the origin of Bhoodan movement. In those days(1951) too it was the scene of armed insurrection, with the state repression worse than the guerrillas’. Vinoba was already well known among villagers and he was popular as the spiritual inheritor of Gandhi. During a village assembly as he tried to help a group of Harijans he asked if anyone could give them some land. A well to do farmer offered 100 acres to which the Harijans responded that they only needed 80 acres. This is when Vinoba realised that the solution was actually much simpler than he expected it to be, he decided to walk through the region and collect land gifts for the landless. He calculated that he needed a fifth of the held land for the poor and he would call himself the “fifth son” of the landlord and ask for his share. The book examines many reasons why he received donations including fear of communist take over, status/prestige or merely the chance to gain some “spiritual merit”. However some rich were truly affected too. Having heard about this phenomenon from Krishnammal and David Albert I didn’t find it all that unusual.
Bhoodan was later expanded into Gramdan where more and more land around a village was merged under the ownership of a village council. Gramdan later lead to envisioning of Bihardan.
Did Bhoodan work? The book offers some good statistics and reasoning for its apparent lack of targeted success of 50 million acres. Taking the rollbacks into account the movement was still able to redistribute 1.5 million acres of land which was far more than the “socialist” India’s land reform program. It was also able to offer a chance to demonstrate an alternative village model. It also allowed for creation of several pockets where the Gandhian workers would later carry out long term programs.
Jayaprakah Narayana (JP): During his early years(1921) JP dropped out of the college to participate in Gandhi’s call for non cooperation. But later he decided to resume his studies, so he jumped into a cargo ship an arrived in US to study in UC Berkley (and various other universities) for next seven years. It was in US he came in contact with communist students and professors and by the the time he landed in India in 1929 he was a confirmed Marxist. He openely criticized Gandhi’s non violent methods feeling that it was delaying India’s independence. He even tried to organize armed resistance during the WWII years. But around the time of India’s independence he had started questioning the notion of violence. He grew disillusioned with the direction communism took place in USSR. Watching the Hindu-Muslim riots in horror he started questioning if violence could ever bring the kind of society he yearned for. Following this he realigned himself with the Gandhians and declining the offer from Nehru to join the cabinet as his lieutenant he offered himself to the task for Bhoodan as the first Jivandan (life gift)
The book follows his years of work for Bhoodan and then later as he grew vocal against the Indira Gandhi government. At times he led 100K strong (and non violent) crowd protesting against the corruption, lack of employment, education etc. Many times these protestors were fired at, many died but the protests essentially remained non violent (perhaps not in the purest sense). The lack of Gandhian purity caused Vinoba Bhave to oppose some of these actions.
It then covers JP’s work during the 18 months of imposed Emergency in which Indira Gandhi’s government was able to tear apart the (MK) Gandhian network. JP went down fighting valiantly with failed kidneys and frequent requirement of blood purification.
to be continued….
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Facebook links
Yesterday, December 14, 2009, 1:36:40 PM Kabira
Vandana Shiva in Copenhagen: 12.12.09 Kombatrock
Source: blip.tv
Vandana Shiva at COP15 Climate Justice March Copenhagen 12.12.2009
Protests rocked Copenhagen on Saturday as anywhere from 30,000 to 100,000 people (depending on who you talk to) marched to the UN Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen to demand a strong climate treaty to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. Indian physicist, author, and activist Vandana Shiva spoke to the crowd before the march:
Sunday, December 13, 2009, 10:34:03 PM Kabira
Source: www.klimaforum09.org
Et af de centrale resultater af Klimaforum09 bliver en global klimadeklaration, som præsenterer de ønsker, ideer og visioner, der findes blandt borgergrupper og sociale bevægelser i alle kroge af verden.
Many people have asked me about what the protestors are really asking for at Copenhagen. Views vary, but here is the most concise declaration from them.
[T]he declaration to be finalized at Klimaforum09 will put forth a vision of a more socially just world society. In addition it will emphasize the need to create substantial changes in the social and economic structures of society in order to meet the challenges of global warming and food sovereignty.
http://www.klimaforum09.org/Declaration
Saturday, December 12, 2009, 11:03:57 PM Kabira
Green holiday carols - Sustainable Wallingford
Source: greenwallingford.ning.com
carols copy.pdf I'm dreaming of a green Christmas I'm dreaming of a green Christmas. We'll learn again to grow our food. We'll build local turbines and share our grapevines. And find meaning in our jobs. ...
http://greenwallingford.ning.com/profiles/blogs/green-holiday-carols
Lent my voice to the 350.org Carolers.
Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=204917436008&ref=mf
Friday, December 11, 2009, 9:23:34 AM Kabira
Source: lefti.blogspot.com
Barack: World War II was a conflict in which the total number of civilians who died exceeded the number of soldiers who perished.
http://lefti.blogspot.com/2009_12_01_archive.html#3235978415383777105
A line by line commentary on Obama's speech during Acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo.
Thursday, December 10, 2009, 11:16:12 AM Kabira
http://www.zcommunications.org/znet/viewArticle/23327
Source: www.zcommunications.org
‘Scientists discover way to convert human hair into high grade fuel' read the innocuous looking news item tucked away in a corner of the technology pages of my daily newspaper.
http://www.zcommunications.org/znet/viewArticle/23327
Thursday, December 10, 2009, 9:49:43 AM Kabira
'Basically you're sleeping in the cold and the wet'
Source: www.komonews.com
To the 55 people who call Nickelsville home, escapes from the bone-chilling temperatures are few and far in between. "And at night, when you're in your tent, the condensation turns to icicles," said one resident.
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/78943642.html
Wednesday, December 09, 2009, 1:21:56 PM Kabira
Prolefeed Dissident: Personal experience post.
Source: onethoughtcriminal.blogspot.com
http://onethoughtcriminal.blogspot.com/2009/12/personal-experience-post.html
Notes from an acquaintance.
Monday, December 07, 2009, 11:30:02 AM Kabira
The Manufactured Doubt Industry and the Hacked Email Controversy CommonDreams.org
Source: www.commondreams.org
In 1954, the tobacco industry realized it had a serious problem. Thirteen scientific studies had been published over the preceding five years linking smoking to lung cancer. With the public growing increasingly ...
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/12/07-1
Friday, December 04, 2009, 1:16:41 PM Kabira
NYC New School Students Die en Masse to Protest Dow's Criminal Neglect in Bhopal The Yes Men
Source: theyesmen.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEThursday December 3, 2009The International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal (www.bhopal.net) and The Yes MenCONTACT:Aquene Freechild: 617-378-2579; aquene@gmail.comDwai Banerjee: 917-388-5210; ...
Wednesday, December 02, 2009, 11:13:30 PM Kabira
Prolefeed Dissident: Bhopal, 25 years on.
Source: onethoughtcriminal.blogspot.com
Safreen and Satinath(Sathyu) who were available for panel discussion after the screening of Secrets and Lies left a lasting impression on me. Their optimism and dedication towards the goal of obtaining justice for Bhopal victims is commendable. ...
Recalling Sathyu's poem(A RABID OPTIMIST) to remind myself why even after 25 years and many setbacks(latest court ruling included) we are still hopeful that justice will be done some day and lessons will be learnt from the avoidable tragedy!
http://onethoughtcriminal.blogspot.com/2009/05/bhopal-25-years-on.html
Wednesday, December 02, 2009, 8:54:51 AM Kabira
Annie Leonard :: The Story of Cap and Trade
Source: www.yesmagazine.org
Annie Leonard's newest video asks tough questions about who cap & trade really benefits—and what effect it would really have on climate change.
From the creators of the "Story of Stuff" another story that needs to be told!
Tuesday, December 01, 2009, 2:59:20 PM Kabira
A Troop Surge Can Only Magnify the Crime Against Afghanistan CommonDreams.org
Source: www.commondreams.org
After months of waiting, President Obama is about to announce the new US strategy for Afghanistan. His speech may be long awaited, but few are expecting any surprise: it seems clear he will herald a major escalation of the war. ...
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/12/01-3
Monday, November 30, 2009, 9:54:31 PM Kabira
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/11/26/bc-amy-goodman-border-incident.html
Source: www.cbc.ca
U.S. journalist Amy Goodman was stopped at a Canadian border crossing south of Vancouver on Wednesday and questioned for 90 minutes by authorities concerned she was coming to Canada to speak against the Olympics.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/11/26/bc-amy-goodman-border-incident.html
Hmm, so what's wrong with the Olympics? Thanks Canandian authorities for pointing the curious minds in the right directions!
Link2: http://olympicresistance.net/content/what-wrong-olympics-0
Friday, November 27, 2009, 11:23:25 AM Kabira
The Hindu : Health : Malnutrition reaches epidemic proportions in M.P.
Source: beta.thehindu.com
A child holding placard during a Tribals rally to protest against the death of children due to malnutrition in Bhopal. File Photo: A.M. Faruqui
http://beta.thehindu.com/health/article56048.ece?homepage=true
Tuesday, November 24, 2009, 10:07:21 PM Kabira
Chanda Mama Playing For Change Song Around The World
Source: www.youtube.com
http://playingforchange.com/ - This Song Around The World is a folk tune from Chennai, India. We started the track in New Orleans and added musicians from the across the globe before finally delivering it the people of its origin. ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I23Bkk92124
Friday, November 20, 2009, 11:58:44 AM Kabira
UNICEF - Convention on the Rights of the Child -
Source: www.unicef.org
UNICEF’s mission is to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF is guided in doing this by the provisions and principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Today is the 20th Anniversary of the "Convention on the Rights of the Child" the most widely and speedily ratified human rights treaty in the world.
US is the only other nation along with Somalia to refuse to ratify the convention. In a statement, Jo Becker of Human Rights Watch called the U.S. stance an “embarrassment...”, adding: “The US [is] in the sole company of Somalia, a country with no government.” (source: http://www.democracynow.org/2009/11/20/headlines).
Thursday, November 19, 2009, 8:34:19 AM Kabira
U.N. chief: Hunger kills 17,000 kids daily - CNN.com
Source: www.cnn.com
Somewhere in the world, a child dies of hunger every five seconds -- even though the planet has more than enough food for all.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/11/17/italy.food.summit/
Just many kids must die of hunger before we declare a "war"(with 1 US war sized budget) on that?
Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 11:45:05 PM Kabira
USDA: 1 in 7 U.S. Households Struggle for Food Online NewsHour Nov. 17, 2009 PBS
Source: www.pbs.org
Update from the Online NewsHour: USDA: 1 in 7 U.S. Households Struggle for Food: At some point in 2008, 14.6 percent of U.S. households had trouble finding food, a 3.5 percent increase from 2007 and the highest since the USDA has kept records.
Friday, November 13, 2009, 9:52:20 AM Kabira
Source: www.youtube.com
Share your videos with friends, family, and the world
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=0AC1046C93DE6ACB
This week's Chitrahaar.
Thursday, November 12, 2009, 1:38:25 PM Kabira
Prolefeed Dissident: About the Baucus Co-op Plan
Source: onethoughtcriminal.blogspot.com
http://onethoughtcriminal.blogspot.com/2009/11/about-baucus-co-op-plan.html
From: Democracy Now!
Coincidence perhaps:
If you look at the Baucus framework, which was the basis of the Senate bill. Just right-click on that document, and it turns out the author of the document was Elizabeth Fowler, who’s a former vice president of Wellpoint, the nation’s largest private insurance company, covering 35 million people
Thursday, November 12, 2009, 9:23:37 AM Kabira
The Big Lie of Afghanistan CommonDreams.org
Source: www.commondreams.org
In 2005, I was the youngest person elected to the new Afghan parliament. Women like me, running for office, were held up as an example of how the war in Afghanistan had liberated women. But this democracy was a facade, and the so-called liberation a big lie.
Kabira Heard Malalai Joya in a Seattle event yesterday- it's inspiring to see brave people like her working against such tremendous odds. Check out this piece about her: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/malalai-joya-the-woman-who-will-not-be-silenced-1763127.html and her article in CommonDreams.org below.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 9:49:38 AM Kabira
Himalayan Blunder: The Perils Of Denying Glacier Melting By Devinder Sharma
Source: countercurrents.org
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh loves to challenge the dominant opinion (except in the case of Genetically Modified crops). Whether it is the stand India should take at the forthcoming Copenhagen conference ...
http://countercurrents.org/sharma101109.htm
An environment minister who fails to "get it" (also see his recent letter to PM). Reminds me of the poem by great poet Muhammad Iqbal ("Saare jahan se achcha" fame)
" Bas ek hi ullu kaafi hai barbaad gulistan karne ko, har shaakh pe ullu baitha hai anjame gulstan kya ho"!
Monday, November 09, 2009, 1:07:06 PM Kabira
Tehelka - India's Independent Weekly News Magazine
Source: www.tehelka.com
The government regulator gives a go-ahead to India’s first genetically modified food. SAMRAT CHAKRABARTI investigates why Bt brinjal should be kept far away from our plates
http://www.tehelka.com/story_main43.asp?filename=Ne071109uber_gene.asp
Another article on Bt Brinjal's harmful effects to consumers and enivronment.
Sunday, November 08, 2009, 10:08:01 AM Kabira
IRC- Coca-Cola - RALLY FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE! PROTEST AGAINST COCA-COLA!
Source: www.indiaresource.org
India Resource Center- Linking local struggles against corporate globalization
http://www.indiaresource.org/campaigns/coke/2009/mehdiganjrally.html
In the midst of near drought conditions, Coca Colar continues to extract millions of liters of water from the common groundwater resource. Coca-Cola reaches its maximum water use in the summer months - exactly when the water shortages to the community are most acute - exponentially exacerbating the water crisis. To add insult to injury, Coca-Cola has also polluted the groundwater and land in Mehdiganj.
Friday, November 06, 2009, 10:05:30 AM Kabira
Source: www.climatejusticefa...
It runs ahead of the UN climate negotiations in Copenhagen in December, where world leaders will be effectively tasked with deciding the fate of our planet at the UNFCCC COP15.
http://www.climatejusticefast.com/pages/about-climate-justice-fast/
40 day, water only fast for climate justice. Thanks Srijan Chakraborty for sharing.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009, 9:56:35 PM Kabira
Source: kbcs.fm
In the sidebar under Library click "Radio" then double-click "College/University Radio".You'll find us as "KBCS Community Radio."
East siders tune into 91.3 FM to hear Desi songs(and a funny Indian guy trying to speak American accent) or listen live at http://kbcs.fm/site/PageServer?pagename=listenlive
The Spice Route - Wednesdays 9-11 pmAn exploration of the immense variety of music coming from South Asia, ranging from the classical and folk traditions of Zakir Hussein and Ravi Shankar, to Bollywood film music and modern experimental sounds. Your hosts are Ajay Bhat, Arpana Sanjay and Ramendra Sharma
Wednesday, November 04, 2009, 3:15:34 PM Kabira
How To Spam Facebook Like A Pro: An Insider’s Confession
Source: www.techcrunch.com
Last night we wrote about the lead generation scams within social gaming networks. This is a guest post by Dennis Yu, the CEO ...
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/11/01/how-to-spam-facebook-like-a-pro-an-insiders-confession/
Tuesday, November 03, 2009, 11:23:42 AM Kabira
Organ donors hit with shocking bills - UPI.com
Source: www.upi.com
Kidney donors may face huge medical bills because having one kidney may constitute a pre-existing condition under which coverage is denied, officials confirm.
http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/11/01/Organ-donors-hit-with-shocking-bills/UPI-10561257110887/
Just FYI
Tuesday, November 03, 2009, 8:57:56 AM Kabira
Fiji Water: Spin the Bottle Mother Jones
Source: www.motherjones.com
Obama sips it. Paris Hilton loves it. Mary J. Blige won't sing without it. How did a plastic water bottle, imported from a military dictatorship thousands of miles away, become the epitome of cool?
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2009/09/fiji-spin-bottle
Fiji's Green Campaign(http://www.fijigreen.com/) appears laughable after reading the other side of their story.
Sunday, November 01, 2009, 12:09:10 AM Kabira
The heart of India is under attack Arundhati Roy Comment is free guardian.co.uk
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Arundhati Roy: To justify enforcing a corporate land grab, the state needs an enemy – and it has chosen the Maoists
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/oct/30/mining-india-maoists-green-hunt
Saturday, October 31, 2009, 9:01:55 AM Kabira
Harry Belafonte & Odetta - There's A Hole In The Bucket . Slide show.
Source: www.youtube.com
Harold George Belafonte, Jr. (born March 1, 1927) is a Jamaican American musician, actor and social activist. One of the most successful popular singers in history, he was dubbed the "King of Calypso," ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlICWoBb5Ik
Friday, October 30, 2009, 6:34:52 AM Kabira
Clinton faces Pakistani ire at drone attacks - Pakistan - msnbc.com
Source: www.msnbc.msn.com
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton came face-to-face with Pakistani anger in a series of public appearances on the final day of her three-day visit.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33548966/ns/world_news-south_and_central_asia/
one man alluded obliquely to the drone attacks, saying he had heard that in the United States, aircraft are not allowed to take off after 11 p.m., to avoid irritating the population. "That is the sort of peace we want for our people," he said through an interpreter.
Friday, October 30, 2009, 6:32:29 AM Kabira
Food Democracy Now - Stop Big Ag in the White House - Say no to Monsanto - CropLife
Source: action.fooddemocracynow.org
Agribusiness executives are now in charge of USA's agricultural research and trade policy. I wonder if we are going to see an exemplary show of self-control/self-regulation/self-restraint from people with poor track record of exercising the same.
Thursday, October 29, 2009, 1:54:08 PM Kabira
Source: defoxamerica.com
Fox "News" personalities are pushing an agenda that is dangerous to ordinary Americans. Using tactics such as placing individuals singled out for censure on a blackboard and linking them to murderous dictators ...
The news about Fox News is not new. The video just tells the other side of the ACORN debate.
Thursday, October 29, 2009, 10:40:29 AM Kabira
NoMad with "The bravest woman in Afghanistan" Malalai Joya
Source: www.youtube.com
Malalai Joya: The woman who will not be silenced Malalai Joya is an Afghan politician who has been called "the bravest woman in Afghanistan. As an elected member of the Wolesi Jirga from Farah province, ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTRpBtdTcmE&feature=player_embedded
For detailed interview watch/read on DN!
http://www.democracynow.org/2009/10/28/a_woman_among_warlords_afghan_democracy
Thursday, October 29, 2009, 8:39:56 AM Kabira
Car-Free Cities: An Idea with Legs CommonDreams.org
Source: www.commondreams.org
A quarter of households in Britain – more in the larger cities, and a majority in some inner cities – live without a car. Imagine how quality of life would improve for cyclists and everyone else if traffic were removed from areas where people could practically choose to live without cars. ...
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/10/29-8
An alternative to the "American way of life".
Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 6:55:49 AM Kabira
Will Texas Execute Another Innocent Man? The Case of Reginald Blanton
Source: www.democracynow.org
A controversial death row case is unfolding in Texas today. Twenty-eight-year-old Reginald Blanton is set to be executed tonight for the 2000 killing of Carlos Garza. Blanton was convicted of breaking into Garza's apartment and shooting him in the head. ...
http://www.democracynow.org/2009/10/27/will_texas_execute_another_innocent_man
Well, they did execute Reginald Blanton last night. His last statements.
"Carlos was my friend," he said. "I didn't murder him. What's happening right now is an injustice. This doesn't solve anything. This will not bring back Carlos."
Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 8:45:56 AM Kabira
Go Veggie to Fight Global Warming, says Expert CommonDreams.org
Source: www.commondreams.org
Nicholas Stern, the author of an influential 2006 review of climate change, said methane emissions from cows and pigs were putting "enormous pressure" on the world and people needed to think about what they ate.
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/10/27-6
Gentle reminder. There are, perhaps, more things one could do to stop climate global climate change.
Monday, October 26, 2009, 10:13:25 AM Kabira
India Together: Lakshmibehn's legacy of loss - 26 October 2009
Source: www.indiatogether.org
DISPLACED BY THE DAM A legacy of loss It is not only those whose villages have been submerged who have suffered, but hundreds of families have lost land to the building of Sardar Sarovar itself. Neeta Deshpande reports.
"Lakshmibehn is viewed as a mere obstacle, even a nuisance. In a developing, growing India, she must keep her truth, her loss, her hope, all to herself. For even if she speaks out, with her reservoir of courage and perseverance, who will hear her story?"
Thursday, October 22, 2009, 7:28:22 PM Kabira
Horribly Injured Americans Against Obamacare
Source: www.youtube.com
See more UCB Comedy http://www.ucbcomedy.com/ Subscribe to UCB http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=ucbcomedy Say NO to OBAMACARE. Paid For By American Families Against Healthcare. Credits: ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK2jmFIK9u8&feature=player_embedded
Thursday, October 22, 2009, 8:06:56 AM Kabira
Exclusive: U.S. Spies Buy Stake in Firm That Monitors Blogs, Tweets Danger Room Wired.com
Source: www.wired.com
America's spy agencies want to read your blog posts, keep track of your Twitter updates -- even check out your book reviews on Amazon. In-Q-Tel, the
Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 1:45:21 PM Kabira
The Anthropology Song: A little bit Anthropologist
Source: www.youtube.com
**October 20th** Wow, this video has skyrocketed! If you leave a comment, especially if you've watched this in a class, I'd love to know where/what school you're from. I'm so happy (and flattered!) to hear that so many people are enjoying and identifying with the song! ...
Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 8:39:37 AM Kabira
Trick or Treat for Climate Change CommonDreams.org
Source: www.commondreams.org
Halloween is around the corner, and children will soon be dressing up and chanting “trick or treat,” their demand for candy backed up by the threat of a prank. Climate-change activists, from pranksters to presidents, are doing the same. ...
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/10/21-1
Oct. 24 is the global day of action organized by the group 350.org, which includes environmentalist Bill McKibben. Named after what scientists have identified as a sustainable target for carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere, 350 parts per million (we are currently at 387 ppm), 350.org lists close to 4,000 events around the world on Oct. 24.
Monday, October 19, 2009, 9:21:43 AM Kabira
Source: www.ashanet.org
About us Donation Center Get Involved Events Project Partners Resources Contact us
requests all his friends to donate to "Asha for Education, Seattle Chapter". 100% of your donations will go towards one of Asha's projects in India. Ask me or visit the Asha Seattle website for more details. Microsoft friends, please donate via the Give Campaign which ends next week.
Monday, October 19, 2009, 7:44:07 AM Kabira
Maldives government meets underwater
Source: www.chinadaily.com.cn
The Maldives government has held a cabinet meeting underwater in a bid to attract attention to the problems caused by global warming.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/life/2009-10/19/content_8808662.htm
Monday, October 19, 2009, 6:04:46 AM Kabira
Source: cagle.com
http://cagle.com/news/BalloonBoy/images/breen4.jpg
Friday, October 16, 2009, 11:07:20 AM Kabira
World's hungry reach more than 1 billion in '09: U.N. Reuters
Source: www.reuters.com
ROME (Reuters) - A combination of the food crisis and the global economic downturn has pushed more than 1 billion people into hunger in 2009, U.N. agencies said on Wednesday, confirming a grim forecast
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsMaps/idUSTRE59D18D20091014
Today is World Food Day and more than a billion people in this world are hungry. Stop and think about that number again - One Billion - it's more than a mere number, it's one BILLION people on this same planet who don't have enough food..., NOT because there is a shortage of food. There is enough food to feed every single one in this planet. While you celebrate Diwali or any other festival - may be do something for them too?
Thursday, October 15, 2009, 12:26:33 PM Kabira
Bill Gates says ideology threatens hunger fix Green Business Reuters
Source: www.reuters.com
DES MOINES, Iowa (Reuters) - The fight to end hunger is being hurt by environmentalists who insist that genetically modified crops cannot be used in Africa, Bill Gates, the billionaire founder of software
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE59E58120091015
It is really sad that alternative approaches that are more sustainable, just and clean are ignored and rejected to allow the propagation of unjust, harmful and often toxic technologies. One must also remember that once you get tied to cultivating(with some "charity" help) the current GM crops it is almost impossible to get out of the GM cultivation loop.
Watch: The World According to Monstanto.
Read: Vandana Shiva's take on environmental and social impacts of the Green Revolution in India.
Thursday, October 15, 2009, 6:38:30 AM Kabira
Fax Jairam Ramesh with just one click! « Safe Food Now
Source: bit.ly
There’s just 24 hours left before the government opens the floodgates to genetic contamination of our food supply. Make Minister Jairam Ramesh keep his word. Please act now!
Consider signing this petition!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 8:34:24 AM Kabira
The Hindu : News / National : Say ‘no’ to Bt brinjal: civil society
Source: beta.thehindu.com
Civil society groups have cautioned the government against introducing genetically modified crops in the food chain and questioned the credentials of a panel of experts to look into the biosafety of Bt brinjal, which will come up before the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) on Wednesday.
http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article33559.ece
Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 12:35:53 PM Kabira
The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Energy & Environment : Vedanta v. villagers: fight for sacred mountain
Source: beta.thehindu.com
Adivasis from Dhogria-Khonds addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Nov. 16, 2007, against Vedanta, a UK-based mining company's Bauxite mining project in the Niyamgiri mountains, Orissa. Photo: S. Subramanium
http://beta.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article33320.ece?homepage=true
Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 5:17:12 AM Kabira
Source: www.youtube.com
Reconsider Columbus Day Presented by Nu Heightz Cinema rethink columbus day reconsider christopher columbus anti columbus day
Friday, October 02, 2009, 10:25:07 AM Kabira
The Population Myth By George Monbiot
Source: www.countercurrents.org
It’s no coincidence that most of those who are obsessed with population growth are post-reproductive wealthy white men: it’s about the only environmental issue for which they can’t be blamed. ...
http://countercurrents.org/monbiot300909.htm
George Monbiot explains how Money(consumption) and not Sex is the reason for the environmental issues of today.
Thursday, October 01, 2009, 10:52:23 AM Kabira
Operation Hey Mackey! - Whole Foods, Oakland
Source: vimeo.com
John Mackey, the CEO of Whole Foods has argued that American workers do not deserve a health care system. We believe that heath care should be affordable for everyone, not just rich people. So Mr. ...
Monday, August 24, 2009, 11:02:17 PM Kabira
Banks of Marble - by Pete Seeger
Source: www.youtube.com
Pete Seeger singing the classic "workers' rights" tune from the 1950's. Lyrics below: BANKS ARE MADE OF MARBLE I've traveled round this country From shore to shining shore. It really made me wonder The things I heard and saw. ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-o3CJytIPE
Tuesday, August 18, 2009, 10:35:38 PM Kabira
Noam Chomsky on Health Care--Why has reform taken so LONG
Source: www.youtube.com
Noam Chomsky spoke to a full capacity crowd at the Orpheum Theatre 4-7-09. Here is what he said about health care.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvo9O4A18d0&feature=player_embedded
My Name is not “Those People”
Came across a nice poem/song.
Click on the link to listen.
My Name Is Not 'Those People', music with spoken word by Danny Glover.
I am a loving woman, a mother in pain,
giving birth to the future,
where my babies have the same chance to thrive as anyone.
My name is not "Inadequate."
I did not make my husband leave – he chose to,
and chooses not to pay child support.
Truth is though, there isn't a job base for all
fathers to support their families.
While society turns its head, my children pay the price.
My name is not "Problem and Case to Be Managed."
I am a capable human being and citizen, not a client.
The social service system can never replace the compassion
and concern of loving Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Fathers,
Cousins, Community – all the bonded people who need to be
but are not present to bring children forward to their potential.
My name is not "Lazy, Dependent Welfare Mother."
If the unwaged work of parenting, homemaking and community building
If the unwaged work of parenting, homemaking and community building
was factored into the Gross National Product, my work would have untold value.
And I wonder why my middle-class sisters
whose husbands support them to raise their children are glorified –
and they don't get called lazy and dependent.
My name is not "Ignorant, Dumb or Uneducated."
I live with an income of $621 with $169 in food stamps.
Rent is $585. that leaves $36 a month to live on.
I live with an income of $621 with $169 in food stamps.
Rent is $585. that leaves $36 a month to live on.
I am such a genius at surviving that I could balance the state budget in an hour.
Never mind that there is a lack of living-wage jobs.
Never mind that it is impossible to be the sole emotional, social and economic support to a family.
Never mind that parents are losing their children
Never mind that it is impossible to be the sole emotional, social and economic support to a family.
Never mind that parents are losing their children
to the gangs, drugs, stealing, prostitution, social workers, kidnapping, the streets, the predator.
Forget about putting money into schools – just build more prisons.
Forget about putting money into schools – just build more prisons.
My name is not "Lay Down and Die Quietly."
My love is powerful and my urge to keep my children alive will never stop.
My love is powerful and my urge to keep my children alive will never stop.
All children need homes and people who love them.
They need safety and the chance to be the people they were born to be.
The wind will stop before I let my children become a statistic.
Before you give in to the urge to blame me,
the blames that lets us go blind and unknowing into
the isolation that disconnects us, take another look.
Don't go away.
For I am not the problem, but the solution.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Personal experience post.
He came to work for us today(wife loves to organize things in cabinets :)). He told me the situation is bad even here in Seattle(as opposed to what we hear that things are still good here). He asked me to just checkout the workers line near Home depot every morning (even in -6 degrees celcius). Many of his friends have been kicked out of their homes and his income fell by more than 20%. At his income level 20% is perhaps low in absolute terms but its substantial hit in every department of expenditure. He also pays more than I would pay for his apartment, because he has no credit history. Some of his friends are working night shifts, repairing roads in this cold weather. Perhaps they work in night so that we don't get stuck in jams during the day.
He also had an appendix surgery that cost him 12k (paying in installment, so more due to interest). He has no insurance because he is undocumented and because he is undocumented he has not visited his home country for last ten years. He tells me the situation in his home country is bad, very bad. They recently shutdown their free healthcare too. We joked that the only difference between him and me was that my "boss" was able to pay for my documents.
He and his wife also had a baby recently. My best wishes are with them.
PS: ....and for my new friend I dedicate this song
http://www.yesmagazine.org/audio/musicpicks/48Wanderer.mp3
Lyrics here
He also had an appendix surgery that cost him 12k (paying in installment, so more due to interest). He has no insurance because he is undocumented and because he is undocumented he has not visited his home country for last ten years. He tells me the situation in his home country is bad, very bad. They recently shutdown their free healthcare too. We joked that the only difference between him and me was that my "boss" was able to pay for my documents.
He and his wife also had a baby recently. My best wishes are with them.
PS: ....and for my new friend I dedicate this song
http://www.yesmagazine.org/audio/musicpicks/48Wanderer.mp3
Lyrics here
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