RECOVERING FROM DISLOCATION

Theme of talk on March 26, and the mission statement of present work and next year's conference:   

 by Helen Wilson

 Most of humanity lives in a state of being dislocated from extended family, tribe, community, and the earth itself. The "normal" human response to living this way is addiction. Addicted persons are less able to organize their lives to become involved in political actions that would enable them to bring the out-of-control corporations back under the control of the people (democracy). Corporations control the political process, and thus are controlling most of the decisions about the lives of people and other inhabitants of the earth (including entities like forests, mountains, rivers, and springs). Their decisions are destroying the environment, and causing further dislocation. What is needed is first an understanding of this cycle of dislocation (addiction), uncontrolled corporate power, environmental destruction, leading to more dislocation. Then, concerted efforts in all three areas: Create/maintain a healthful and healing environment; recover from addictions and re-engage in community/political life; and restore human rights to humans and return corporations to serving the common good. 

FIGHTING FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS

From Erika Alvarez

Cuando pregunté a mis amigos del ashram sobre las viudas de Vrindavan, ninguno supo de qué estaba hablando. Para ellos Vrindavan es la ciudad del joven Krishna, han viajado hasta allí para sentirse cerca de su Dios, y fuera de ello nada más importa. “La ciudad de las viudas” y “La ciudad de Krishna” son dos realidades diferentes que conviven de forma paralela, al mismo tiempo y en el mismo lugar, pero sin tocarse.

Esto explica que el día que llegué me resultase imposible dar con el color blanco. Los alrededores del templo de ISKCON son territorio de devotos, canticos y velas, no de quienes han sido condenados al ostracismo y la muerte social. Porque ese es el destino que aguarda a las viudas en India: la muerte en vida. El rito del satí que las obligaba a inmolarse en la pira funeraria de su marido fue abolido bajo la dominación británica en 1829, pero en la práctica el castigo por haberle sobrevivido es aún peor que la propia muerte.

CITIZEN V. CORPORATE RIGHTS

From Reverend Gregory Wilson 

From where do we derive our rights as people?

Is it from the government, the constitution, or the bill of rights?

If it is from any of these, they can be taken away, modified, have their meaning changed, or enforced for a particular group. What if our rights were derived from the seventh principle of the Unitarian Universalist faith which: affirms and promotes respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

What if, simply being a part of the interdependent web of existence was the source of our rights? Then no king, queen, president, or legislative body could take or alter the meaning of our rights.

WHERE IS GOOD GOVERNANCE?

From Rev. Gregory Wilson

The earth -- and her people -- are disturbed and stressed and cry out. What are the issues we need to focus on? Issues of beliefs, moral preferences, and social values affect how we are governed. How the country is actually governed determines how we live day to day. Helping the earth to heal is not related to social or religious issues. What if you win politically and the law supports your religious position, but you can not take your grandchild to the Indian River Lagoon to fish or swim because it is dead? What if you win politically and choice for women is restricted, while corporations get the right to vote, and human citizens no longer matter in our representative democracy because our representatives represent The Corporation? Each of us has only so much life energy and only so much time to spend on activism and to fulfill our civic responsibility. The process of governing is beyond our two party system and most Americans agree the process of governing is defined by the Constitution. This is where we need to focus: the process of the Constitution and the life process of the planet. We, as humans, need to be healthy and we need a healthy planet in order to nurture our families and communities' well-being. We need a say in our government and the health of the planet. We need space to nurture our spirituality and connect with nature and those around us.

LEFT LABOR PROJECT

From Roger Lavigne

THIS IS A VERY EXCITING NEW YORK EVENT AND THERE WILL BE, AND IS, GREAT INTEREST IN ATTENDING. ADMISSION IS ONLY FOR THOSE WHO REGISTER IN ADVANCE AT THE UFT WEB SITE 

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Left Labor Project is honored to be participating,along with the United Federation of Teachers and The Chicago Teachers Union,in a panel discussion on Friday March 15th at 6:00 PM in New York City entitled "Unions and Communities Working Together For Our Schools".

The panel will feature Karen Lewis, President of the Chicago Teachers Union, who led the successful Chicago teachers strike, and Michael Mulgrew, President of the United Federation of Teachers. 

At a time of unrelenting attack on our education system,on teachers,and on all working people,the Chicago teachers strike was an example of unions and communities working together for a major victory. It is an important experience that this event allows us to share and discuss.

We would like to emphasize the importance of RSVPing. We expect a full house and admission will be available ONLY to those who register in advance.

In Solidarity,
Larry Moskowitz

March 2013 Update

From John Debus

Hi Everyone,

I'm a little late getting this out, I've been very busy and a lot has been going on.

First I like to thank all who came out in support of David Cobb and Move to Amend.

I believe that everyone had a GREAT time and that the presentation was OUTSTANDING.

He showed clearly why we need the Amendment to our Constitution in order to bring

Democracy back to our country. If you missed it, well some of the members that were there

can give you an up-date, but not like David. Erika recorded the Event, but the sound was not too clear. We may try to put it on Facebook.

We had our quarterly board meeting and decided to go with the American Legion as our

new meeting place. They have plenty of room and chairs. However, we will have to set them

up and put them away. So if anyone would like to come a couple minutes early to help, that

would be greatly appreciated. We also discussed getting a TCPA banner for table events, and

developing brochures to market our organization to help us grow. We also talked about filing our annual corporation report, our cost and budget. Since we now have to pay for our meeting place, we decided to curb all expenses until next quarter after we file our organization report.

I have been going to other organizations' meetings along the Treasure Coast to see how we can

help one another. It seems that many are short on support. People are not coming out and being actively involved with helping to make things better in our community and country. I know many of us are just trying to get by and put food on the table and a roof over our family's head. We don't always have the time and energy, but I urge everyone to TRY to commit to a couple of hours a month, or one or two meetings in support of other organizations to help make this a better community and build a better world for ourselves, our children and a better future for our planet. Besides, you do need a break once in a while, and there is nothing like the support and friendship of like-minded people working for great causes.

Our next Event;  6:00pm 26 March 2013

                           American Legion Post #40

                           810 S. US1

                           Ft. Pierce, Fl. 34950

Any questions or problems, you can ALWAYS contract me at any time. My contact info is on the website. Come on out and check the new place out.

Hope to see all at the next Event,

John

OCCUPY NEPAL

from Erika Alvarez

On my recent trip to Asia I had the opportunity to witness first hand a protest in the streets of Kathmandu on February 14th. At that moment I was in a taxi and it was diverted to other roads because the Occupiers were marching. My heart jumped but I was unable to have the driver to turn towards the protest, but I saw the people with Nepalese flags. Later, I read in the paper that the protest was focused in women rights. Talking to the driver in half English, I learned that they still practice arranged marriages, 50% of the time, but if you marry without your parents consent you are banned from seeing the family ever again. The father of the groom has to provide money or goods worth about $2,000 in rupees. Curious.
   Click here to learn more about the VAW protest.