[alternet-l] THE ALTERNET NEWS - ISSUE 122

Fri Jun 10 17:20:26 BST 2005

THE ALTERNET NEWS - ISSUE 122
June 10th 2005

This issue:

BACKDATED SCIENCE/
CHEMICAL CONCERNS/
PARTNERS IN AID/
WAVE GOODBYE/
ID CARD SETBACK/
TAKE A DEEP BREATH/
NO SURPRISES/
OK COMPUTER/
LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL/
EVIL TRIUMPHS OVER GOOD/

QUOTE/UNQUOTE/
JOBS/
DIARY/

FACT OF THE FORTNIGHT:

According to scientific studies, a rat's performance in a maze can be 
improved by playing music written by Mozart to it. Whether or not the rat 
in question was fed on GM corn is not specified.

HOT SITES:

Are environmentalists being increasingly drawn into debates on 
immigration, refugees and asylum seekers?
"We're a Small Island: The Greening of Intolerance" is a
presentation by Sarah Sexton, Nicholas Hildyard and Larry Lohmann of The 
Corner House, which attempts to set the record straight on this point. 
Visit The Corner House website to view the presentation.
http://www.thecornerhouse.org.uk

In the wake of two tainted U.S. presidential elections, Global Exchange 
has launched a new website - votejustice.org - to promote the work of 
Voters. Rights organisations. The new portal will be a gateway for 
activists to find campaigns and organisations to work with, resources on 
actions to take and local and national events to attend.
http://www.globalexchange.org

'Stamp it out' - tribal people aren't primitive!
Survival has launched a new campaign to highlight the use of harmful 
stereotypes such as 'stone age' and 'primitive' in media coverage of 
tribal people. Supporters can send a specially-produced postcard to any 
media outlet where these terms are used.
http://www.survival-international.org/related_material.php?id=149

American Voices Of Dissent: The Book From XXI Century, A Film By Gabriele 
Zamparini And Lorenzo Meccoli.
Highly revealing! A documentary which celebrates the peace movement while 
fuelling your rage to danger levels. (Red Pepper, May 2005)
Order your own copy;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1594511349/

BACKDATED SCIENCE

The south-western regional director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service 
has recently issued a memo instructing his staff to disregard any genetic 
science about an endangered species conducted after the species was listed 
under the Endangered Species Act (in some cases as far back as the 1970s). 
His move may save South-western states money on species-recovery efforts. 
The reasoning is based on a controversial federal court decision regarding 
Oregon Coho salmon, but it has angered many biologists and FWS staff. 
Population genetics professor Philip Hedrick speaks out; "They talk about 
using the best science, but that's clearly not what they're trying to do 
here." On an unrelated visit, President Bush approached US EPA 
headquarters on Monday to proclaim that its new administrator, Stephen 
Johnson, would "help us continue to place sound scientific analysis at the 
heart of all major environmental decisions." Hmmmm.
http://www.nytimes.com

  CHEMICAL CONCERNS

Stronger evidence that a class of ubiquitous chemicals called phthalates - 
found in a wide variety of plastics, nail polishes, fragrances, and other 
products - are linked to adverse effects on the human reproductive system 
was recently announced. A study published in the journal Environmental 
Health Perspectives found a strong correlation between the level of 
phthalates in the urine of 85 pregnant mothers studied and abnormal 
genital development in their infant sons. Lead author Shanna Swan states 
that, "These changes are seen at phthalate levels below those found in 
one-quarter of the female population of the United States." A separate 
study released this week found that lab animals exposed to levels of the 
chemical bisphenol A many times below the U.S. EPA's .safe dose. during 
pregnancy gave birth to offspring with impaired mammary glands, associated 
with a higher risk of breast cancer in humans.
http://www.sfgate.com

PARTNERS IN AID

UNICEF announced Wednesday a partnership with Proctor and Gamble to 
provide home-based water purification systems for millions in poor 
countries around the world. The alliance will focus on bringing safe 
drinking water to schools, helping families in emergency situations, and 
reducing household exposure to arsenic-contaminated water.

http://www.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/111975/8/26460

WAVE GOODBYE

Friends of the Earth today demanded that government make moves to properly 
back marine renewable technologies. The call comes in response to news 
that plans to build the world's largest wave farm in Orkney are set to be 
scrapped because of a lack of government funding. The news comes in the 
same week Scottish firm Wavegen was saved from closure by a German energy 
company and in the same month that Scottish firm Ocean Power Delivery 
announced its first order to build a wave farm using its Pelamis machine 
would not be the UK - but in Portugal. Friends of the Earth Scotland's 
Chief Executive, Duncan McLaren, said: "Plans to tackle climate change and 
create jobs through harnessing clean energy from around our coastline are 
now seriously at risk. Unless ministers get a grip of the situation we can 
kiss goodbye to becoming world leaders in this energy technology, just as 
we failed to do with wind power..

http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/story.jsp?story=642250

ID CARD SETBACK

Technology for producing national identity cards apparently fails to treat 
white and black people equally, the results for the latter being less 
reliable. The pilot scheme continues to create a headache for the 
government, anxious to push ahead with the enabling legislation.

http://uk.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/112212/2009/26776

TAKE A DEEP BREATH
Cyclists and joggers in London will be alarmed to discover that air 
particle pollution has already exceeded legal limits for the whole of 
2005. Friends of the Earth's London Campaign Co-ordinator, Jenny Bates 
said: "This breach proves that the Government, the Mayor and Westminster 
City Council still aren't doing enough to tackle traffic pollution in 
central London. They must immediately bring forward new measures to cut 
traffic or ban the dirtiest vehicles. The health of hundreds of thousands 
of Londoners is at risk." SUVs . your days are numbered.
http://uk.oneworld.net/link/gotoarticle/addhit/111934/2009/26776

NO SURPRISES

Recent research suggests that rats fed with genetically modified corn 
exhibited health problems including shrunken kidneys and blood changes 
that could indicate immune-system damage or tumours.  However, much 
information contained in the 1,139 page document announcing the findings 
(carried out by, you've guessed it - Monsanto) will not be released. 
Monsanto claims it "contains confidential business information which could 
be of commercial use to our competitors," but the brief research summary 
was alarming enough that UK government ministers and scientists are 
pressing for more information. The study is likely to make the ongoing 
debate over GM foods in the European Union even more rancorous. It's also 
likely to be seen by some as vindication of the research carried out by 
Arpad Pusztai, who seven years ago found similar results in rats eating GM 
potatoes, and was subsequently vilified and driven out of the scientific 
world.
http://news.independent.co.uk

OK COMPUTER

For young people living in poverty in coastal Kenya, surfing the internet 
and learning how to use computers make most sense when these skills lead 
to better economic opportunities and work-readiness. In recognition of 
this, the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) announced in 
late May that the winner of the APC Africa Hafkin Communications Prize for 
2004-5 is the Global Education Partnership "Wundanyi" in Kenya.
"If it were not for GEP, I would not have learned to use a computer,"
Jostinah Wawasi, a former GEP student told APC. "After GEP I joined a
local university and majored in Economics. As a young woman living in
Wundanyi, Kenya, this was not a usual career. My GEP experience helped me 
understand my talents and abilities. After graduation, I became a 
consultant in Wundanyi for a major agriculture project where I have helped 
my community members to set up savings and credit societies."
Global Education Partnership - Wundanyi (GEP) is a not-for-profit
organisation located in the Taita Taveta District of Kenya. It has
created a 12-week comprehensive training programme that focuses on
'entrepreneurship and work-readiness skills' for local youth from 15 to 24 
years.

http://www.apc.org/english/hafkin/2004/winner.shtml

LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

The House of Representatives recently rejected a measure calling on 
President Bush to devise a plan for an Iraq withdrawal. With talks of a 
pullout taboo a few months ago - by even progressive lawmakers - some 
argue that the proposal, and the 128 'Yes' votes it received, indicates a 
change of attitude in Congress towards Iraq.
  "No, it won't pass today, but it will give us a chance to talk about it," 
said Representative Lynn Woolsey, the sponsor of the amendment. "It's an 
opportunity for members of Congress who are frustrated that our troops are 
being killed for a war that wasn't necessary in the first place, and that 
there is no plan in sight to bring them home."

http://www.antiwar.com

EVIL TRIUMPHS OVER GOOD

A professor who has been a fierce critic of the lack of democracy in 
Botswana is to be deported. Professor Ken Good lost his appeal against 
deportation at the end of May, and was taken from the court by 
plain-clothes police. Professor Good, an Australian who has taught 
political science at Botswana University for 15 years, criticised the way 
Presidents in Botswana are appointed by their predecessor rather than 
directly elected in a paper earlier this year. Shortly before he was due 
to present the paper, President Mogae issued a deportation order. Good 
appealed, but today learnt that he had lost his appeal. The government has 
labelled the professor 'a threat to national security', but has never 
justified this statement.
Professor Good has also been a strong critic of the government's policy of 
forcibly relocating Bushmen from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, a 
policy he called 'repressive'. In a recent paper he said, 'Removal, 
relocation, and dispossession have been their [the Bushmen's] repeated 
experiences - the subordination of the San [Bushmen] was carried though by 
the rising Tswana ruling elite, and the weakness of democracy subsequently 
has facilitated its continuance. Botswana's democracy will remain 
dysfunctional as long as their poverty endures.'

jw at survival-international.org

QUOTE/UNQUOTE

"The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are 
evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it."
-	Albert Einstein

JOBS

Community Health Coordinator, North Sudan
Concern Worldwide
Salary: unspecified
Location: Sudan
Closing Date: 12.06.2005
http://www.oneworld.net/job/view/11259

Office Administrator
Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA)
Salary: £16,500 - £18,500
Location: Islington, London, UK
Closing Date: 13.06.2005
http://www.oneworld.net/job/view/11296

Financial Advisor (IFP/05/01)
Amnesty International - International Secretariat
Salary: £27 930 per annum
Location: London, UK
Closing Date: 13.06.2005
http://www.oneworld.net/job/view/11291

Head of Mobilisation Unit (IFP/05/03)
Amnesty International - International Secretariat
Salary: £32 891 per annum
Location: London, UK
Closing Date: 13.06.2005
http://www.oneworld.net/job/view/11290

Supply/Operations Intern
GlobalGiving
Salary: unspecified
Location: Washington, DC, United States
Closing Date: 17.06.2005
http://www.oneworld.net/job/view/11288

Assistant Country Director, North Sudan
Concern Worldwide
Salary: TBA
Location: North Sudan, Khartoum, Sudan
Closing Date: 17.06.2005
http://www.oneworld.net/job/view/11285

Assistant Country Director (Darfur)
Concern Worldwide
Salary: unspecified
Location: North Sudan, Darfur, Sudan
Closing Date: 17.06.2005
http://www.oneworld.net/job/view/11284

EVENTS

Anti-arms trade National demonstration,
Saturday 11th June, 12pm, Brighton.
Meet at the Level in Brighton, between London Road and Lewes Road,
behind St Peter's Church.
For more information, call 07891 405 923 or email
smashedo at hotmail.com

The Haiti Support Group, in conjunction with the French Institute, is 
pleased to announce a special screening of the documentary film;
"When I am Misery, I Sing"
(dir: Juliana Ruhfus, 2004, 59 minutes).
Plus the UK premiere of the short film;
"The Gospel of the Creole Pig"
(dir: Michaelange Quay, 2004, 15 minutes)
Starts 7pm on Sunday 26 June 2005 @ The Ritzy cinema, Brixton, London.

Followed by discussion with Juliana Ruhfus and a representative of the 
Haiti Support Group. A portion of the proceeds from the ticket sales will 
be donated to the Haiti Support Group - solidarity with the Haitian 
people's struggle for justice, participatory democracy and equitable 
development, since 1992.

Kai Frithof Brand-Jacobsen from Transcend, the organisation that has 
written the UN Conflict Transformation Manual, is speaking on June 15th in 
the Grand Committee Room, House of Commons.  John McDonnell, MP is hosting 
the meeting.
The theme is: Transforming Violent Conflicts, Preventing war, Building 
Peace:  What can be done by people and governments today - Strategies and 
Therapies: Northern Ireland, Israel-Palestine, Iraq, 'Terrorism' and 
internal conflicts in the UK.

www.ministryforpeace.org.uk

The 'What The Hack' festival is scheduled for the end of July, on a 
campground in The Netherlands. The organisers expect some 3,000+ 
participants with a wealth of topics, including WiFi-links over 500km, 
security, lots of open source media stuff, and so on. For more (detailed) 
information about the event, see the following website;
http://www.whatthehack.org

SAVE THE WHALES CAMPAIGN JOINS NEW MILLENNIUM WITH VIRTUAL MARCH

On top of the 2,000-plus whales that will be hunted around the world in 
2005, the South Korean government is trying to reopen commercial whaling. 
The International Whaling Commission meets June 19 in South Korea to 
decide their fate. Greenpeace is asking you to take four easy steps to 
help save the whales. See the following link; 
http://www.greenpeace.org/

London CND and Hampstead CND Hiroshima Day event:

this will as usual be at noon-1pm on August 6th in Tavistock Square WC1, 
by the commemorative cherry tree.
Since this is the 60th anniversary of Hiroshima we are trying to get
More people and organisations involved in organising it.
So there is to be an organising meeting on Wednesday 8th June, 7pm, at the 
CND Office. Everybody welcome.
www.cnduk.org

Complementary and alternative medicine event: WHY IS CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE 
NOT ENOUGH?' is taking place in central London next week, on the evening 
of WEDNESDAY 15 June at 6.30pm for 7pm (complimentary drinks at 6.30pm)
At Shepherd Hall, St Thomas' Hospital, Lambeth Palace Road, London SE1 7EH
Map
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newprint.srf?x=530620&y=179339&z=1

Tickets £10 (individual) £30 (corporate/institutional)
Telephone booking  020 7269 9234

http://www.spiked-online.com/event/index.htm

For supporters of Brian (Brian Haw):
A prayer meeting on Parliament Square this Sunday 12th June at
5pm.  This prayer meeting is open to people of all faiths and none.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide is a human rights charity working on behalf 
of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs. They also promote 
religious liberty for all.

http://www.parliament-square.org.uk and
http://www.csw.org.uk)

NONVIOLENT DIRECT ACTION WORKSHOPS FOR THE G8 & BEYOND
Planning to take part in nonviolent direct action or civil disobedience, 
either at the G8 or beyond? Want to do more than march if / when war is 
extended to Iran or Syria, or when the next Fallujah-style assault in Iraq 
takes place? Then this is the workshop for you!

First workshop: Saturday 18 June, London
11am - 4pm, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Post-Graduate 
Common Room, SOAS, Thornhaugh St, Russell Square, WC1H 0XG. Meet 10.45am, 
on the steps outside SOAS. With Anna Jones (Campaign Against Arms Trade) 
and Joss Garman (Trident Ploughshares).

Second workshop: Sunday 12 June, Norwich
1 - 6pm, Friends Meeting House, Upper Goat lane. Please book before coming 
if possible.
Contact Mell and Pete on 07760161755 or info at theatreofwar.org

See SchNEWS events at http://www.schnews.org.uk/pap/yourarea.htm

Add diary dates at http://www.gn.apc.org/calendar/calindex.shtml and
http://www.networkforpeace.org.uk/events.htm (diary dates collected by NfP
are passed on to Peace News for their diary page. In order to get a diary
listing in PN, groups can email nfp at gn.apc.org with details).

This edition of AlterNet is edited by Lucie Evans for GreenNet.

Send your news and hot sites to actnow at gn.apc.org

Please note that opinions expressed in Alternet News do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of the editor or of the GreenNet
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