PULLING STRINGS

from Vicki Racine

THOUGHTS

from Richard Silvestri

(The following was submitted December 9, 2013 to TCPalm for publication on the Opinion Section as a Guest Column as done in the past. I was advised by Opinion Editor, L. Reisman to cut it to two 300-word max. letters. Doing so destroys the whole piece. Meanwhile the Right keeps getting letter after letter as well as guest columns for their viewpoint. I think it is because the main office of TCPalm is in Stuart, in Republican-heavy Martin County.) It is very disappointing for me to see daily in this paper so many opinion letters from the extreme Right and few sensible ones appearing. Further study reveals the truth, and it has nothing to do with the political slant, left or right, of TCPalm. It is because the so-called ?Libs?; Democrats; some Independents and even Republicans usually cannot lower themselves to write base and absurd commentary. The most recent attacks regard the ACA or ?Obamacare? as the Right calls it and which is close to the truth because Obama does care. Barack Obama kept his campaign promise. Does anyone recall The Space Program-that infamous ?Space Race? against the Russians-in the late 1950s when NASA could get a rocket to go anywhere but up? They went sideway, they went in circles. Some even turned upside-down. Some were blown up, others blew up on the launch pad; others were duds. No one asked for President Eisenhower?s impeachment or suggested that he was incompetent. In fact I don?t recall anyone asking for the resignation of NASA heads or from its predecessor, NACA. Today the USA is the foremost leader in space, having placed men on the moon, a robot wandering around Mars and a satellite transmitting signals from beyond Pluto. The Atlas has evolved into such a success even a space novice, private entrepreneur, Elon Musk, uses it to deliver payloads for profit. I trust it will be similar for The ACA, 50-plus years hence. The economy is back and healthy with the DJIA having broken new records and rising and in today?s December 10, 2013 St. Lucie News-Tribune is an article about Americans being wealthier than ever in history. What does the right say? Nada. Obama gets blamed for Benghazi and I have no idea why since our embassies in foreign nations should be protected by their security. Can anyone imagine the terror if Libyan military and security took over command and control of any attack on the Libyan Embassy in the USA? Recently CBS News reported that someone was in Benghazi who could have saved the day, only to find he was lying to 60 Minutes reporter, Laura Logan. That gross error has not convinced me to watch FCN, however. When the President sent fighter aircraft to Libya, a Tea Party hog-tied Congress cried foul, but when Americans died at that embassy, ?Where was our President?? they cried in feigned anguish. It?s always his fault when things are wrong, but if you ask them who got Bin Laden, they reply with nary a blink, ?The Seals.? They omit that he is Commander-In-Chief in success, also. Now the President is accused of all sorts of offenses. None of these has been serious enough to enable the Tea-Party fanatics to impeach him, despite their hold on the House. They know better and don?t try since they can foresee the ?Kangaroo Court? that would ensue. Beginning in 2010 I witnessed first-hand the machinations of fanaticism via certain avowed members of the Tea Party or certainly those who, if not members, are missing their calling. It took little time to realize that being an Independent equates to political sterility. In no way could I become a Republican, given the Tea Party takeover. I became a Democrat. It was either do that or start my own Party. When I talked then and talk now to other Democrats our thinking and saying the same things is astounding. No brain-washing; no single-source news; no ?Kool-Aid?. Said people are not perpetrators of hogwash and therefore find little to write about. Richard Silvestri, TCPA St. Lucie County DEC; Treasurer, Democratic Club SLC;

THE ANTI-SUSTAINABILITY MOVEMENT

from Greg Wilson

    An anti-sustainability movement resulted in the St. Lucie County Commissioners' decision to withdraw from the Seven/50 plan for South Florida, based on fear of the UN Agenda 21. Their fears are expressed by, “they will take away our freedoms and property rights.” There are similar movements against “sustainability” in localities and states across the country.

     I reviewed the actual documents of the Seven/50 plan and Agenda 21. What I discovered is that Agenda 21 and the Seven/50 plans are structured around a policy of decentralization of power and empowering the local community. From local communities managing their own resources (for example, stopping Nestles from draining aquifers for bottled water), to open communications about all business and public intent for a local area. Here are some quotes dealing with local empowerment, a central pillar of Agenda 21 and the Seven/50 plan: “decentralization of decision-making... a decentralized approach to land-resource management... delegating responsibility to rural organizations; decentralize decision-making to the lowest community level... encourage a decentralized decision-making process that would delegate power and responsibility to primary users of natural resources.” Decision-making and funding should happen at the lowest effective level. Local government decision-making and law remains a powerful force in shaping the man-made and natural environments and quality of life.

     The anti-sustainability movement actually fosters outsiders' control by diminishing local control and local efforts to shape the communities in which they live. The outcome of their efforts is the very opposite of what they desire.

Rev. Dr. Gregory Wilson

EARTH RECOVERY MOVEMENT

from Gregory Wilson 

The context in which we live, a brief summary:  Transnational corporations have Bill of rights protections from our Congressional legislative and regulatory processes. In other words the people are subjected to the will of corporations. Environmental degradation is intensifying and the people have little legal power to stop the offenders.  (Corporations have rights to destroy the environment and rights to poison your water, really they do!) Local communities are disempowered by state and federal government agencies which bend to the will of corporations. Many people in local communities believe working to limit the environmental destruction is an attack on their personal freedoms and property rights.   Failing to see poisoning water, air, land, sea, Lagoons, emptying aquifers, flushing toxins from industries into the public domain is the real violation of personal and property rights.

        Much of the opposition to sustainable planning has come to connect anything with these words or ideas, Sustainable existence, smart growth, wild-lands project, resilient cities, regional visioning projects, social justice, community rights, public/private partnerships, sustainable development, earth rights, mitigating climate disruption as an expression of the United Nations Agenda 21, which they fear is a takeover of the world and will take away their freedoms. This group recently defeated and caused the Port Saint Lucie County Commissioners to withdraw from a perfectly reasonable joint effort of seven counties working together to develop a long term plan, 50 years for the future of the area.   From Donald Brown, “the anti-Agenda 21 campaign has been remarkably successful in the last two years in preventing local communities from implementing plans necessary to achieve their democratically derived community aspirations to implement local sustainability programs.”  And further more, “The anti-Agenda 21 campaign has accomplished this by making preposterous claims including that local land-use planning is part of a plot to put the United Nations in control of local and regional planning decisions, rob individuals of their freedoms, and undermine property rights. As we shall see in a future entry in this series, the anti-Agenda 21 campaign that is making these claims has been funded, at least in part, by economic interests that profit from the absence of responsible land use planning and environmental regulation.”  Could it be that local citizens have been tricked by false prophets and are unwittingly supporting the Trans-Nation Corporate structure taking over our nations governing processes?  The very thing they fear they bring upon themselves, tyranny by a one world governing power, only it is an economic power. I suggest they read, Business As A System Of Power, by Robert A. Brady.  

     As a result of the foundational element of this anti sustainability movement is centered around the UN Agenda 21, represented as an effort to take over our government and take away our freedoms  and property rights I reviewed the actual document. What I discovered is that the UN Agenda 21 is structured around a policy of decentralization of power and empowering the local community. From local communities managing its own resources, (Nestles could not come in and legally take water and drain aquifers for bottling purposes, for example ), to open communications about all business and public intent of a local area. ( in other words no selective news provided by the media controlled by corporations). Below I have gleaned some of the more direct sections dealing with the local empowerment center pillar of the UN Agenda 21. 

Ideas on local community empowerment directly from the document UN Agenda 21:

·         Development patterns; participation of the general public, especially women and indigenous people;

·         involvement of youth; roles of the private sector, local organizations, non-governmental organizations and cooperatives;

·         decentralization responsibility and incentive systems; and dissemination of information and public relations

·         decentralization of decision-making, provision of infrastructural facilities and equipment, intersectoral coordination and an effective system of communication;

·         Adopt policies at the national level regarding a decentralized approach to land-resource management, delegating responsibility to rural organizations;

Management-related activities 12.57. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should: a. Adopt policies and establish administrative structures for more decentralized decisionmaking and implementation; b. Establish and utilize mechanisms for the consultation and involvement of land users and for enhancing capability at the grass-roots level to identify and/or contribute to the identification and planning of action; c. Define specific program/project objectives in cooperation with local communities; design local management plans to include such measures of progress, thereby providing a means of altering project design or changing management practices, as appropriate.

To strengthen and develop the management and the internal capacities of rural people's organizations and extension services and to decentralize decision-making to the lowest community level. Develop guidelines for decentralization policies for rural development through reorganization and strengthening of rural institutions.

Efforts will be needed to ensure that the necessary infrastructure facilities for research, extension and technology activities are available on a decentralized basis. Development and strengthening, as appropriate, of cooperation, including mechanisms where appropriate, at all levels concerned, namely:

At the lowest appropriate level, delegation of water resources management, generally, to such a level, in accordance with national legislation, including decentralization of government services to local authorities, private enterprises and communities.

32.4. The sustainable development of people in marginal and fragile ecosystems is also addressed in Agenda 21. The key to the successful implementation of these programs lies in the motivation and attitudes of individual farmers and government policies that would provide incentives to farmers to manage their natural resources efficiently and in a sustainable way. Farmers, particularly women, face a high degree of economic, legal and institutional uncertainties when investing in their land and other resources. The decentralization of decision-making towards local and community organizations is the key in changing people's behavior and implementing sustainable farming strategies. This program area deals with activities which can contribute to this end.

32.5. The following objectives are proposed:

 To encourage a decentralized decision-making process through the creation and strengthening of local and village organizations that would delegate power and responsibility to primary users of natural resources.

 It seems that UN Agenda 21 is a process that would protect local communities from Federal government influenced by multinational corporations from structuring and ruling over local communities. In this effort it is reminiscent of Jeffersonian Democracy. “The Jeffersonians believed in a republic, as form of government, and equality of political opportunity, with a priority for the "yeoman farmer", "planters" and the "plain folk."

To learn more,  come on out to the Treasure Coast Unitarian Universalist Church at 7.00 pm on December 16th 2014; 21 Central Parkway, Stuart.

Presenter Rev. Dr. Gregory Wilson

NOVEMBER MEETING RECAP

from John Debus

Hi Everyone,

It was another good Event with a very lively discussion. A small turnout, but with a couple of new people and new members that we welcome to our group/family. We decided to cancel our December Event and just go with the picnic. The picnic will be on the 29 December between 11:00am and 2:00pm at Museum Pointe Park on the South causeway of Fort Pierce. It is located on the Inlet just as you go over the South bridge at the causeway. There is a playground for the kids, the museum & aquarium to tour, a boat launch and beach close by, and of course, the inlet and river to view. So, come early and/or stay late, and make a day of it, and enjoy the park and our picnic with good people and conversation.  I'm hoping to work on our (future) brochures there, and will have some suggestions, and am looking for feedback from any interested attendees. In the brochure we need to highlight our top issues and priorities. So bring a dish to share, something to drink, join us, make new friends, and enjoy a day with like-minded people. We should have plenty to drink if you just want to stop and say hello. ALL ARE WELCOME.

Our next Event will be on Tuesday 28 January 2014. It will be our Election so we need our members to come out vote and support TCPA program. The Event will also be open to the public, however only members can vote. Our program has yet to be set, so that information will come later. We will also have a board meeting in January; date, time and place will be announced at a later date.

Thanks to all, who have given their feedback on issues, I greatly appreciate the information, as it helps with the decisions we make. As always, if you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to contact me anytime.

Thanks for your support,

Take care,

John

DAY OF ACTION

from Ted Parsons

PLEASE JOIN US!

- NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION –

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5TH AT 2:00PM

Senator Bill Nelson is a member of the Senate Budget Committee which is meeting NOW and may consider:

- Cuts to Social Security

- Raising Medicare beneficiary costs

- Reducing Medicaid funding

Join us on December 5 to SAVE THESE PROGRAMS FROM HARMFUL CUTS!

Who: Advocates for Social Security

What: Rally and message delivery

Where: West Palm Beach office of Senator Bill Nelson

413 Clematis Street, Ste 210

West Palm Beach, FL 33401

When: December 5, 2013 at 2:00pm

Please RSVP to Midge Dosch (561-301-4676) or Laura Feldman (202-216-8349).