Nature rejects the monarch, not the man;
the subject, not the citizen; for kings
And subjects, mutual foes, forever play
A losing game into each other's hands,
Whose stakes are vice and misery. The man
Of virtuous soul commands not, nor obeys.
Power, like a desolating pestilience,
Pollutes whate'er it touches; and obedience,
Bane of all genius, virtue, freedom, truth,
Makes slaves of men, and of the human frame
A mechanized automaton.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
With all due respect to Canadian Men & Women representing our Military on foreign soil, we join with those who want your safety and prompt return.
Group says "NO" to urban warfare training.
Opposes 'Operation Bison.'
Concerned citizens have formed a group, “Stop Charging Bison,” to oppose urban warfare training exercises scheduled to take place in Winnipeg (Manitoba, Canada) April 30 to May 6 this year. “We are shocked that Mayor Katz has not consulted people about holding these exercises in Winnipeg,” said Kristen Andrews, a group spokesperson. “We are calling on City Council to revoke the invitation to use Winnipeg as a training area for urban warfare, and we are calling on the Minister of Defence personally to cancel the exercises.” “These exercises will train the Canadian military for places like Afghanistan, Haiti and Iraq”, said Steph Steele, another spokesperson. “We’re told that they’re in those places to bring peace and security; to help rebuild nations. Then why are we training our “peacekeepers” to use violence, to kill, to be part of an attack force? We’re opposing these war games because we don’t believe in what these soldiers are training for.” "These excercises are training for the suppression of people defending their own land in foreign and domestic territories. No one should be subjected to the occupation of their land by these powers", said Ari Aisensee, another spokesperson. “It is ironic that the name of the exercise is Charging Bison,” said Cheryl-Anne Carr, another spokesperson. “One of the first measures of the colonial occupiers of Manitoba was to kill nearly all the Bison, as a way of eliminating resistance by Aboriginal peoples. “Urban warfare training anywhere in Winnipeg is certain to cause trauma to children and refugees with bitter experiences of warfare in their home countries,” said Andrews. “We are a diverse, and growing group, we will support initiatives in the community to oppose the exercises,” said Carr. The group’s meetings are held every Monday evening at the University of Winnipeg, and everyone is welcome. For meeting details, contact the group at 786-6818
For Information or Interviews,
contact Kristen Andrews 942-7992
Cheryl-Anne Carr 233-7116
Ari Aisensee 786-6818
Steph Steele 772-5703
Opposes 'Operation Bison.'
Concerned citizens have formed a group, “Stop Charging Bison,” to oppose urban warfare training exercises scheduled to take place in Winnipeg (Manitoba, Canada) April 30 to May 6 this year. “We are shocked that Mayor Katz has not consulted people about holding these exercises in Winnipeg,” said Kristen Andrews, a group spokesperson. “We are calling on City Council to revoke the invitation to use Winnipeg as a training area for urban warfare, and we are calling on the Minister of Defence personally to cancel the exercises.” “These exercises will train the Canadian military for places like Afghanistan, Haiti and Iraq”, said Steph Steele, another spokesperson. “We’re told that they’re in those places to bring peace and security; to help rebuild nations. Then why are we training our “peacekeepers” to use violence, to kill, to be part of an attack force? We’re opposing these war games because we don’t believe in what these soldiers are training for.” "These excercises are training for the suppression of people defending their own land in foreign and domestic territories. No one should be subjected to the occupation of their land by these powers", said Ari Aisensee, another spokesperson. “It is ironic that the name of the exercise is Charging Bison,” said Cheryl-Anne Carr, another spokesperson. “One of the first measures of the colonial occupiers of Manitoba was to kill nearly all the Bison, as a way of eliminating resistance by Aboriginal peoples. “Urban warfare training anywhere in Winnipeg is certain to cause trauma to children and refugees with bitter experiences of warfare in their home countries,” said Andrews. “We are a diverse, and growing group, we will support initiatives in the community to oppose the exercises,” said Carr. The group’s meetings are held every Monday evening at the University of Winnipeg, and everyone is welcome. For meeting details, contact the group at 786-6818
For Information or Interviews,
contact Kristen Andrews 942-7992
Cheryl-Anne Carr 233-7116
Ari Aisensee 786-6818
Steph Steele 772-5703
Monday, March 13, 2006
To: Harper.S@parl.gc.ca
Cc: Strahl.C@parl.gc.ca, Ambrose.R@parl.gc.ca
Dear Prime Minister Harper,
Terminator technology (Genetic Use Restriction Technology or GURTS) concerns me. I am emailing you with the hope that you will uphold the United Nations moratorium on Terminator technology. Please take a strong position against Terminator technology at the meeting of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, 8th Conference of the Parties in Curitiba Brazil March 20-31.
Terminator technology, i.e., genetically engineered seed sterilization technology, has been universally condemned because of its serious potential impacts for farmers, Indigenous peoples, food security and biodiversity. The technology offers no agronomic benefits. Instead, Terminator is designed to maximize industry profits by preventing farmers from saving and re-using harvested seed. The technology threatens the livelihoods of Canadian farmers and the (more than) 1.4 billion people who depend on farm-saved seeds as their primary seed source.
Seed and biotechnology corporations are promoting the false argument that Terminator could be used to stop unwanted genetic pollution from industry’s genetically modified crops. However, Terminator technology is too complex and unreliable to prevent the movement of genes. If commercialized under the guise of a “biosafety” tool to prevent gene flow, Terminator genes could actually introduce new biosafety hazards since they can spread to neighbouring crops and wild relatives via pollen in the first generation. The spreading of sterile genes could result in catastrophe for farmers and agricultural biodiversity. Farmers who save and re-plant seeds contaminated by Terminator genes may find that these seeds do not germinate, potentially translating into significant yield losses.
I am particularly concerned because past Canadian government delegations to UN meetings have tried to undermine the UN Decision V/5 that recommends governments not approve Terminator for field-testing and commercial use. Most recently, Canada supported the inclusion of language of “case-by-case risk assessment” which is a serious threat to the moratorium.
I urge the Conservative Government to respond to the concerns of Canadians and ensure the continued reaffirmation of Decision V/5 at the UN CBD.
I ask for your support to ensure that Canada will not approve the use of Terminator seeds. I urge you to work towards establishing a national ban on Terminator.
I look forward to hearing from you. Please take these steps to prohibit Terminator in order to protect farmer livelihoods, biodiversity and food security in our country and in countries across the world.
Sincerely,
[Insert Your Name Here]
Cc:
Minister of Agriculture
The Honourable Chuck Strahl
Minister of the Environment
The Honourable Rona Ambrose
Dear Prime Minister Harper,
Terminator technology (Genetic Use Restriction Technology or GURTS) concerns me. I am emailing you with the hope that you will uphold the United Nations moratorium on Terminator technology. Please take a strong position against Terminator technology at the meeting of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, 8th Conference of the Parties in Curitiba Brazil March 20-31.
Terminator technology, i.e., genetically engineered seed sterilization technology, has been universally condemned because of its serious potential impacts for farmers, Indigenous peoples, food security and biodiversity. The technology offers no agronomic benefits. Instead, Terminator is designed to maximize industry profits by preventing farmers from saving and re-using harvested seed. The technology threatens the livelihoods of Canadian farmers and the (more than) 1.4 billion people who depend on farm-saved seeds as their primary seed source.
Seed and biotechnology corporations are promoting the false argument that Terminator could be used to stop unwanted genetic pollution from industry’s genetically modified crops. However, Terminator technology is too complex and unreliable to prevent the movement of genes. If commercialized under the guise of a “biosafety” tool to prevent gene flow, Terminator genes could actually introduce new biosafety hazards since they can spread to neighbouring crops and wild relatives via pollen in the first generation. The spreading of sterile genes could result in catastrophe for farmers and agricultural biodiversity. Farmers who save and re-plant seeds contaminated by Terminator genes may find that these seeds do not germinate, potentially translating into significant yield losses.
I am particularly concerned because past Canadian government delegations to UN meetings have tried to undermine the UN Decision V/5 that recommends governments not approve Terminator for field-testing and commercial use. Most recently, Canada supported the inclusion of language of “case-by-case risk assessment” which is a serious threat to the moratorium.
I urge the Conservative Government to respond to the concerns of Canadians and ensure the continued reaffirmation of Decision V/5 at the UN CBD.
I ask for your support to ensure that Canada will not approve the use of Terminator seeds. I urge you to work towards establishing a national ban on Terminator.
I look forward to hearing from you. Please take these steps to prohibit Terminator in order to protect farmer livelihoods, biodiversity and food security in our country and in countries across the world.
Sincerely,
[Insert Your Name Here]
Cc:
Minister of Agriculture
The Honourable Chuck Strahl
Minister of the Environment
The Honourable Rona Ambrose
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Monday, March 06, 2006
Saturday, February 25, 2006
To: ann.foss@pca.state.mn.us
Cc: premier@leg.gov.mb.ca
Dear Ann M. Foss,
I am aware of The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency allowance of the United States Steel's dumping of the Minntac (taconite mining and processing operation) two mile by three mile reservoir. Billions of gallons of dirty water could be emptied into streams, rivers and lakes, so that it can be purged of contaminants to make the production process meet higher standards. This dumping in northern Minnesota could have serious consequences for Lake of the Woods, Rainy River, and Lake Superior in Canada.
Please send me a copy of the Environmental Impact Statement: "Minntac's Water Inventory Reduction Proposal" from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. I hope that you will inform the government of Canada, and the provincial governments of Manitoba and Ontario, of the intent.
I was told that the reservoir water contains heavy metals and will generate very high levels of mercury. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources have written off one of the most pristine trout streams as the cost of industrialization. To be clear, people in Canada would like to be informed and made part of the decision making process.
Dear Ann M. Foss,
I am aware of The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency allowance of the United States Steel's dumping of the Minntac (taconite mining and processing operation) two mile by three mile reservoir. Billions of gallons of dirty water could be emptied into streams, rivers and lakes, so that it can be purged of contaminants to make the production process meet higher standards. This dumping in northern Minnesota could have serious consequences for Lake of the Woods, Rainy River, and Lake Superior in Canada.
Please send me a copy of the Environmental Impact Statement: "Minntac's Water Inventory Reduction Proposal" from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. I hope that you will inform the government of Canada, and the provincial governments of Manitoba and Ontario, of the intent.
I was told that the reservoir water contains heavy metals and will generate very high levels of mercury. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources have written off one of the most pristine trout streams as the cost of industrialization. To be clear, people in Canada would like to be informed and made part of the decision making process.
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