Greening the Driveway

I was send this link via the London Activist Network...

It's pretty cool!


http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=98

The Boycott Continues...

And the boycott continues...from my most reliable news source, PerezHilton.com:

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It's news like this that makes us happy we live in a FREE country.

According to new reports, China will censor the Internet used by the foreign media during the Olympics in Beijing.

This completely reverses the pledge the government had made to offer complete media freedom during the games.

Sun Weide, a spokesman for the organizing committee, said "During the Olympic Games we will provide sufficient access to the Internet for reporters."

He also added that journalists would not be able to access websites or any information connected to the Falungong spiritual movement, which is banned in China.

Weide added that some other sites would also be unavailable to journalists, but did not specify which ones.

Oh, and did we mention that the Chinese people have to deal with this every day? The same thing in Cuba.

Their government blocks out certain sites and restricts access to their people.

Craziness!

Get Ready For The Boycott!

From The LondonCommons.net

I found this very interesting...

American Apparel's appeal to progressives?

Submitted by Mike McGregor on July 19, 2008 - 1:43pm.

tags:

Have you ever felt conflicted by the urge to support American Apparel's sweat-shop free practices and your reluctance to wear their gaudy clothes in public? I mean "Sweatshop-free" = good, and we always talk about voting with our dollars and supporting progressive companies right?

Well, don't worry about it. When you look a bit deeper, there's some pretty strong indications that American Apparel as a corporate entity isn't much more progressive then a rub-n-tug. By many accounts, AA's image is the fair labour and women's lib equivalent of a "Green Wash" (a "red wash" maybe?). Quite a few stories have popped up about allegations of American Apparel's union busting, degrading adds and the misogynist yuppie that runs it all... Google 'Dov Charney' and see what comes up. The guy is on his fifth sexual harassment lawsuit and his musing on domestic violence are interesting to say the least.

Don't take my word for it:

• http://clamormagazine.org/issues/38/aa/index.php
• http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/2270/

Flower Power

The below message was sent by Cory Morningstar...very interesting read as I've said before the flower industry is RIPE with chemicals and environmental destruction.

So the next time you think about getting your beloved some roses this Valentine's Day (first think about the validity of such a day), then look into buying locally grown flowers (potted flowers all the way!).

Valentine's Day - Flowers - At What Cost?

What we’re not hearing about in the MSM.

Many fresh cut flowers distributors are getting away with murder. Literally. Environmentalist Joan Root was shot & killed at her farm overlooking Lake Naivasha, in January, 2005. Her mission? Saving her beloved lake from the ecological ravages of Africa's lucrative flower-farming industry.

Lake Naivasha was once considered one of the world's top ten sites for birds and a paradise of clear water, with beautiful papyrus and water lily fringes. A haven for African wildlife and a major source of water for the lakeside's quickly growing population. Now - Lake Naivasha, Kenya's second largest lake, has shrunk to half its original size and its water level has dropped three metres. Vital wetlands, are degraded beyond recognition. Nowhere in the world is water from one lake basin used to supply drinking water to two basins, electricity to a whole country's grid and flowers & vegetables to a whole continent. The rotting tissues of the hippo carcasses reveal the secret to perfect bouquets - DDT and, 40 times more toxic, Dieldrin - pesticides banned in countries whose markets have made Kenya the world’s number on exporter. This is happening not only in Africa, but in developing countries all over the world. The corporations are able to rape the land, destroy the ecosystems and exploit the people. [Payment for ecosystem services is a rapidly developing economic means of restoring biodiversity around the globe. The price added to a rose or a bean would be a fraction of a cent.]

So – why has no one noticed flowers? No mandatory labeling for the consumer of any kind. One would think a label would be mandatory to inform, at the very minimum, where the flowers are grown. I guess we should not expect a label listing the pesticides that were used as apparently our government doesn’t feel it’s necessary for such a label even on our food, let alone cut flowers. Has the ‘Right to Know’ campaign ever made more sense? It seems that a mandatory labeling system is long overdue. Could we mandate that the amount of water & energy that was used be disclosed? Fair trade? Organic – obviously. Flower miles? I certainly would like to know this information.

I think until we start asking these questions – and demanding answers – nothing is ever going to change. I think flowers have been getting a free ride for a long time. Does any retailer in our city even sell ethically sound, sustainably grown flowers? Isn’t it time we asked? Isn’t it time we demanded nothing less?

This is an issue that has to be brought into the mainstream. To speak openly about such issues to friends, family and retailers is to create a dialogue to influence water policy making at a global level, thus assuring better living standards for people all over the world and more responsible social behaviour towards water issues which ultimately affect each & every one of us. Because there is no such thing as new water.

Thanks - c

http://www.sierraeco.com/default.asp

Did you know that when you give Sierra Eco flowers, you’re actually giving twice? Every time you give someone Sierra Eco flowers, you are also giving a family a chance to earn a decent living and provide for their children while preserving the environment for future generations. Sierra Eco - quality flowers that respect people and the environment!

http://www.ecoflora.ca/ …Now you can send flowers that are wildcrafted, organically grown, or fairly traded anywhere in the Toronto area.

California: Flower growers facing stiff foreign competition bet on organic
Full story: Ottawa Citizen

Farmers who weathered a wave of cheap imports in the last decade by coaxing their fields to yield hundreds of harder-to-find varieties are increasingly betting on organic flowers, a nascent industry that is taking bloom on the heels of the organic food boom. Many in the industry hope the decision to go organic will eventually be an environmentally friendly but also a financially sound alternative for farmers trying to stay afloat. Though the market for organic flowers is still small - sales totaled $8 million [USD] in 2003, a fraction of the $19.4 billion consumers spent on all flowers nationally - it's growing fast. Consumers are increasingly willing to pay more for products made without chemicals harmful to workers or the environment. Organic flower sales are expected to grow 13 percent annually through 2008, according to the Organic Trade Association.

Remembering Ecole Polytechnique and All Women Who Experience Of Gender Based Violence

Saving Darfur

A whole week of talking about children in the sex trade.

Follow that up by a weekend of discussions on Darfur.

Sounds depressing, but it was rather uplifting to see everyone come together to talk about the genocide.

Don't know what's going on in Darfur? Don't be confused.

There are some myths about the genocide, allow me to enlighten you.

1. This is not a genocide of Arabs killing Christians. Everyone, both perpetrators and victims are Muslim.

2. The number of people killed is not 200,000 as most journalists report. As of August of 2007 over 400,000 people have been killed by the Janjaweed.

3. "This is a tribal issue." Despite what Brian Mulroney wants you to believe. This is a government assisted and supported genocide. Khartoum is in on it, completely.

4. "The genocide is ending." Not the case, it's picking up steam like you couldn't believe. Some of the leading experts this weekend also predict that Southern Sudan is on the path to genocide there, as well.

5. "It was unpreventable." Bullshit. This, like Rwanda, was totally preventable.

Want to do something about this?

Two things you can do:

A. Call 1-800-GENOCIDE

How the system works:
When callers in Canada dial in to 1-800-436-6243 (GENOCID) they will be connected to our direct advocacy phone system. They will be given the choice of the 6 MPs and will be offered the option of listening to select talking points for each MP. Following the talking points they will be connected directly to the MP's office. They will leave a message with a staffer or a voicemail expressing their concerns about the crisis in Darfur and what they think the Canadian Government's response should be. After they leave a message they will have the choice to re-enter the system to leave another message for another MP is they choose.

B. Divestment

I've got an appointment next week with my bank to examine which companies my RSP is investing with. There are some pretty heinous companies profiting off of genocide in Darfur. This companies shouldn't be supported with our investment. Check it out at www.sudandivestment.org. Needless to say the majority of the offending companies (and you have to be really horrible to get onto this list) are oil corporations.

Satisfied?

Car Dirty?

Hey All,

My friend Mojdeh and her cutie son, Darius are on their way to Ghana at the end of this month! Mojo's going to be teaching in a school and Darius will be attending!

In preparation she's having a fundraising car wash tomorrow at the Loblaws at Wonderland and Southdale between 10am and 3pm.

Minimum donations are $5.

I'll be there towards the end of the day, so take your dirty car to Mojo!

Your money is better spent with her than at a money grubbing gas bar.

Big, Huge, AMAZING NEWS!

Mark your calendars.

November 19th, 2007 A.D.

This is the day that Jessie gets to hang out with one of her heroes...Naomi Klein.

Yes, you read that right. Naomi Klein.

Alan Leschied will be playing host to Naomi Klein when she comes to UWO for a book thing for her latest work, "The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism".

By now, I may have lost some readers...so let's back up.

Who exactly is Naomi Klein?

In short, she's a brillant woman. She's a journalist, writer, film maker, and intellectual.

And I get to have dinner with her.

She wrote a book called "No Logo: Taking Aim At Brand Bullies" in 2000. It was published shortly after the WTO summit in Seattle and was met with great excitement from those in the activist community. You say "No Logo" in a crowd and people instantly know what you're talking about. This is a book that changed MY life.

I was but a budding activist when the book dropped into my lap. At the time I wasn't exactly sure what was going to happen come fall of 2001, when I started my first year of university. Naomi Klein's book opened my eyes about some stuff I had never really thought about. If you haven't read this book, or even heard about it, you must go out RIGHT now and find out about it. If you don't get yourself a copy at least visit the website: www.nologo.org. I might even credit her book (partially) to the reason I majored in globalization (being the anti variety, not the pro).

It's a thought provoking piece on the branding that drives capitalism.

Sweet bliss.

Besides Naomi Klein's own accomplishments (and there are a lot) she's surrounded by amazing people.

She's married to Avi Lewis, who hosted "counterSpin" on CBC for a while, after a stint as the political analyst at MuchMusic (love him). And her mother-in-law is Michele Landsberg, an amazing feminist journalist (Toronto Star, Globe and Mail). And her father-in-law is STEPHEN LEWIS.

Maybe she can adopt me.

So, I get to hang out with her, have dinner with her and pelt her with my questions.

I'm so frigging excited.

Did You Pride It Up?

Hey!!! Hope you all had a kick ass Pride!

Update anyone?

My pictures will have to wait, but a lot happened this past week or so...

- The 3rd Regional Social Forum has come and gone (a great time for all!)

- Andrea and Pascal returned to Canada from Brazil!

- I went to Toronto Pride with Andrea and Super Pride

Lots of fun.

Stay tuned.

:)

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG

STAND-ing Was Never So Much Fun

Yesterday The General Romeo Dallaire Genocide Institute went to the Armenian Community Centre in Willowdale.

We hosted 465 students from all over the GTA for a day about Darfur. Side Note: We had 385 students registered but one school decided to come without telling me, and bring 70 STUDENTS.

We screened the "Last Just Man", had Dr. Norman Epstein do a seminar on Darfur and had a panel on student activism.

They were all good high school students. Very interested in helping out in the cause.

Even though the day was incredibly long, it was successful.

However, there was an overarching thread that I saw that irked me. Some of the students came to me and expressed their frustration. They were already doing stuff in their school, so how come they hadn't seen results yet? How much longer? What else could they do? Why wasn't the government doing anything? Why weren't their troops on the ground yet? I felt incredibly frustrated. I wanted to tell them that six months of activism doesn't stop a freaking GENOCIDE, so maybe they could find it in themselves to keep plugging away at it? Could ya? That'd be great.

Newsflash ladies and gentlemen: activism is difficult, annoying, time consuming, and progress takes a long, long time. That's why there are so few activists. It's hard and doesn't pay well, and change is not guaranteed.

But we know one thing for sure, if we don't do anything Darfuris will still be killed, raped and mutilated. But if we do something? Who knows what we can do?

Where Are My Thunder Stix?

Alright, so now that you know I've momentarily crossed over to the Centre to support the Liberal in the Federal By-Election you should know what I'm getting out of it.

And it all happened last night.

Justin Trudeau showed up last night at Glen Pearson's campaign headquarters. You'd have thought there was a rock star in the house.

This was the first time I had seen Trudeau speak live, but I can remember the exact moment when I first saw him on television. When his father passed away our school let us watch the broadcast of the funeral live in the library. After that, I bought the latest copy of McLeans where Justin was profiled and his eulogy was published. So while my other friends had pictures of Prince William in their lockers, I had a royalty of a different sort.

Part of me is conflicted with my fascination with the Trudeaus. There was a lot of talk of have the "future prime minister" in the room.

Now it must be said that this should not have been my first live encounter with Justin Trudeau. I was supposed to go to his wedding (seriously), as a close friend of my dad and uncle had an invitation (with guest). Unfortunately, Prof. Matthews forgot to invite me. Probably had to do with the fact that I've met Jamie once or twice in my lifetime.

There were so many people who were clammering for a bit of Trudeau love, it was a bit ridiculous. We did manage to get his contact information, so there's reason to be hopeful.

But even in the crowded room I connected with Justin. The two of us made eye contact. It was an intense moment, to say the least. As if we were the only people in the room. And then Joe Fontana's cries startled, I think, the both of us.

But, the man is married (to a very gracious woman). And to be honest, I've been more intrigued by his younger brother, Sasha the documentary filmmaker for a few years now. Because let's face it, I may be ready to support a Liberal who is right for the job, but wife of a Prime Minister? Absolutely not.

I Have Sinned

Oh Lord.

I've done something I swore I'd never do.

Bet you can't guess what. In my wildest dreams I wouldn't have thought a day like this would happen.

Needless to say my parents are shocked, and a bit appalled. Must say that I am, too.

But in the midst of my betrayal, I found a soul mate, if only for a few fleeting moments across a crowded, noisy room.

BUY NOTHING DAY

Just a short reminder to everyone that tomorrow is BUY NOTHING DAY!

Check it out:

www.adbusters.org

NEWSFLASH: ANNIE IS NOW A HIPPY

Hey All!

Good news, Annie, her friend Falon and I all made it to Georgia and back!

It's safe to say that it was an eye opening experience for my sister and her friend.

Stay tuned for pictures and stories!!! We have a lot of stories...

Under An African Sky

YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE'S COMING BACK TO LONDON!!!!! YEA!!!!!!!

Yes, yes, it's true, Stephen Lewis (UN Special Envoy for AIDS in Africa) is coming to speak at the John Labatt Centre on December 9th, one day before the International Day for Human rights. Very exciting.

My folks have gotten my mom and I tickets to see the amazing Mr. Lewis on the 9th, and you can bet I'll be first in line to get into the JLC.

All proceeds are going to the Stephen Lewis Foundation (check out the link on the right hand side of the page) and are specifically going to help those living with AIDS in Swaziland. Currently the AIDS stats reveal that 43% of people in Swaziland are living with AIDS.

And don't worry, there are tickets still available for the evening!

"Unless there is recognition that women are most vulnerable...and you do something about social and cultural equality for women, you're never going to beat this pandemic."

~S. Lewis

Petrol-cide?

I just thought this was an interesting graphic.

Enjoy.

Times like these I tell myself I don't have a car because I don't want to contribute to the warming of the Earth.

But I think the real reason is because I have no money. Because let's face it, London Transit definitely leaves something to be desired.

Modern technology, owes ecology, an apology.

~Alan M. Eddison

Georgia: On My Mind

It's here! Today was the start of getting ready for the School of the Americas/WHINSEC Protest!

Woohoo!

We'll be leaving November 16th and return the following Monday, Novemeber 20th.

We're looking for cash, so if you've got an extra $150 lying around you could send a person down to Georgia!

Good times had by all, while being part of a larger movement! Yippee!

For those of you wondering, I decided not to attend the WHINSEC tour last year after my visit. For the past two years I've gone on the tour of the Fort Benning facilities. Being frisked, intimidated, lied and patronized to is exhausting.

However, I may have a change of heart when it comes time in November. And I have a military man to thank for my reconsideration.

When Gen. Romeo Dallaire was in London two weeks ago someone asked the question of what do you say to a student who is distraught and essentially cynical about a social justice issue they believe is pointless. Gen. Dallaire responded by explaining that people often become disheartened by not seeing change. And that this reaction is unnecessary.

"Why do we always expect there to be change after a few years? Come back after 10 years and then expect a change. Fundamental change takes time and hard work. Getting upset or cynical after a few attempts does nothing for the cause. Be patient, keep working, and don't loose sight of the goal."

True, it's bizarre to be taking advice on this subject from a person involved (and devoted) to the Armed Forces. But if I forget about that part, and just listen to his message, it gets less hazy.

So maybe I'll go and see our friend, Lee Riles (PR for SOA) in November. Even though he called us "agressive Canadians" last year. Either way, I promise myself that this year at the protest I will be more optimistic and driven to remember that closing the SOA is imperative, but that it requires immense work, from everyone.

"Shit or get off the pot." ~ R. Nixon