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Economic Justice archive 2
2002 -- 2003 |
| For more recent
reports on economic justice issues,
click here.
Items from 1999 through 2001 are
archived on another page
>> |
More on Miami and the
shrinkage of human rights in the USA
[12-3-03]
Police actions against mostly peaceful demonstrators in Miami have drawn
more attention and analysis as an example of the continuing expansion of
government power against dissent - and against basic human rights.
Sojourners points to
three good sources, while the LA Times on Nov. 23 published a provocative opinion piece under the
headline, "Mission Creep Hits Home: American armed forces are assuming
major new domestic policing and surveillance roles"
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News and analysis from the WTO gathering in
Cancun |
| WTO
Ministerial is meeting this week (Sept. 10-14, 2003) in Cancun,
Mexico
Free trade or fair trade ... and for whom?
As the next round of global trade talks proceeds
in Cancun, Mexico, we offer links
to a number of sites that may help you follow what's going on,
seen from various perspectives. If you have other resources to
suggest, or comments of your own,
please send a note! |
| The Mexico Solidarity Network, in
its Weekly News and Analysis for September 1-7, 2003, offered
a good
introduction to some of the major issues. |
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The new name for
"welfare reform" is ... poverty.
[10-1-03]Mark Engler, writing for
TomPaine.com. Says that in spite of all the conservative calls for
"personal responsibility" as the key for escaping poverty, the combination
of a jobless recovery and increasingly harsh rules are creating deeper
poverty. He notes that Democrats, who supported "welfare reform" under
President Clinton, are unlikely to offer much resistance.
He adds that "the percentage of eligible families who
actually receive welfare benefits plunged from 84 percent in 1995 to 52
percent in 1999." |
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Latin American bishops call Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA)
a neo-colonialist trap [9-8-03]
The Catholic bishops of Argentina, Brazil,
Paraguay and Uruguay, along with Bolivia and Chile, met recently in
Montevideo, Uruguayan capital, to discuss the challenges of integration in
Latin America and the "ethical and moral" aspects of the creation of the
FTAA.
The report summarizes
their statements thus: "The main objections to the FTAA raised by the
bishops were that it will benefit the richest countries -- like the United
States and Canada -- at the expense of the less competitive members, and
that it will consolidate the hold of 'unfettered neo-liberalism' on the
entire region." |
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Overtime pay vote expected any day.
[9-3-03] We've received a note from
Working Families e-Activist Network, urging people to contact their
Senators to support the Harkin Amendment that would block the Bush
overtime pay cuts.
They provide more information, and links to send
messages to the Senate. |
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Trade negotiators try to override state
laws in U.S. A news release from Public
Citizen and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy warns of how US
negotiators in WTO talks are being pushed to override state and local
control to demands from other nations in the name of "free trade."
[4-2-03] |
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Washington Office offers extensive background for the coming
federal budget debate
[3-17-03] Gilbert Brown, a retired
World Bank economist, looks at the budget in general, names five major
concerns about the looming deficits, amplified by planned tax cut.
Jessica Tate examines the
consequences of the federal fiscal crisis for education, and reminds
us of long-standing Presbyterian commitment to "high quality education for
all children and appropriate funding to ensure the quality." |
Life in the Spirit: Toward a
Theology of Globalization
OR ... for the Spanish version go to
La Vida en el
Espíritu - Hacia una Teología de la Globalización
The Witherspoon Society is committed to a multicultural
church in our increasingly diverse society, but we don't do much to live
out that commitment. Here's one very modest step in that direction: a
theological exploration of a very important topic, which was written
originally in Spanish and then translated by the author into English.
[2-22-03] |
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Let's pay attention to "the common
good" Jane Hanna reminds us of a concept rooted
deeply in the Biblical faith and in American history: the common
good. Our society's growing focus on private gain poses a threat to
us as a nation, and even as individuals. And certainly it's a threat
to the rest of the world. [1-31-03] |
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Call
for a fast at Taco Bell headquarters [1-15-03]
The Presbyterian Church has endorsed a consumer boycott
of Taco Bell restaurants, in support of efforts by Florida tomato growers
to gain better wages and working/living conditions.
Taco Bell Boycott Resource Office of the PC(USA) is now
encouraging Presbyterians to join the Coalition of Immokalee Workers in a
hunger fast at the doorstep of Taco Bell headquarters in Irvine,
California, beginning on Monday, Feb. 24. The fast calls upon Taco Bell to
take responsibility for the sweatshop conditions in the fields where its
tomatoes are picked. |
| Union
network urges pressure on The Gap to
end sweatshop exploitation of workers [12-11-02]
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| "Lucky
duckies"??
A visitor points to likely new tax policies as a
further cause for protest on behalf of justice. [12-4-02] |
You wanna
be really countercultural??
Try a "Buy Nothing
Day" on Nov. 29!
[11-27-02]
International Buy Nothing Day, the annual 24-hour
period of no shopping and anti-consumer activism, will be observed this
year in the United States on November 29. Buy Nothing Day events will
take place in a total of 40 countries this year, encompassing theater
and celebrations as well as more militant protests and actions.
Or if you really need to buy, try buying clothing not
produced by sweat-shop labor. Join
the "No sweat!" campaign! |
| Equal
Exchange Coffee -- a Presbyterian project -- is a way congregations
and other entities can buy their coffee from farmers' cooperatives
like Miraflor, in Nicaragua, at a guaranteed price that is roughly three times the
current world market price.
Try it -- You'll like it!
[10-30-02] |
| Fair trade
coffee needs consumer and voter support [10-25-02] |
| Updates on
the Taco Bell boycott
New
resources on the Web -- including for Labor Day Sunday
[8-29-02]
The PCUSA web page for the Taco Bell boycott has been
vastly expanded. It now includes the General Assembly action calling for
the boycott, background for the action, suggestions of what to do -
including how to write to the President of Taco Bell.
And especially relevant right now: Resources for Labor
Day Sunday, including a new hymn (to the tune of "Amazing
Grace"! And commentary for the lectionary readings for this Sunday.
And a recent
Presbyterian News Service report tells more of the story. |
WCC's
governing body hears warnings of link
between globalization and violence
[8-29-02]
WCC General Secretary Konrad Raiser and others state
concerns that "the blind acceptance of market principles can
exclude many people in the process of globalization."
Participation of Orthodox churches in WCC will be a
major concern at the meeting of the Central Committee. |
| Looking
at "globalization" from South of the Border [7-30-02]
El Tiempo, Colombia's major daily paper,
recently published an analysis of U.S. policy and globalization as they
appear today in Latin America. It begins, "The obsessions of U.S.
policy in Latin America - terrorism and drug trafficking - only serve to
worsen the crises south of the Rio Grande."
There's lots more, with points worth pondering for
those who are willing to question whether the impact of U.S. policies is
wholly beneficial for our neighbors to the south. If you prefer to
believe that "America (i.e. the U.S.) can do no wrong," then
you prefer to skip this one. |
| Mexico
Solidarity Network issues urgent call to oppose Fast Track legislation
[7-15-02] |
| Free trade is devastating
forests
Mexico
Solidarity Network announces a "Trading Wilderness Road Show"
that will show "the devastating impact of 'free trade' policies on
forests and biodiversity" at special events along the East and West
Coasts, July 14-22. [6-4-02] |
| Jim Wallis of
Sojourners reports on Call to Renewal's Mobilization in
Washington, DC, which focused on "Speaking
the Truth About Poverty." The gathering featured visits to
senators from 42 states, to urge "a compassionate and just
reauthorization of welfare reform."
One clear response from the legislators was to ask for
more information on local stories of what's working in efforts against
poverty, and information on the human dimensions of poverty in local
communities. [5-27-02] |
| Pasadena
ministry challenges practices of corporate globalization [5-16-02]
by Teresa Watanabe
Marty E. Coleman, a longtime member of All Saints
Church in Pasadena, now grows her own vegetables, shops at Vroman's
independent bookstore instead of national chains, and recycles her
clothes. The transformation of her personal consumer habits started with
a book that, at first glance, seems to have nothing to do with religion.
But Coleman and a core group of friends have launched
a new ministry called Sustainable World to bring these issues to a wider
audience. They are part of a growing movement among people of faith to
challenge corporate globalization, which some predict may eventually
rival the impact of religious-based civil rights work more than three
decades ago.
To read the entire feature, go
to the LA Times web site. [Free registration required]
Ooops. This link isn't working any
more. I'll look for some other material on this interesting
congregational project. Your WebWeaver.
Source: SojoNet 2002 (c) http://www.sojo.net |
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Equal Exchange's Interfaith Coffee Program
works in partnership with communities of faith and faith-based
organizations to make a difference in the lives of small coffee farmers
and their families through Fair Trade. The Presbyterian
Church, among other denominations, is actively supporting this effort.
Here's a report on the Coffee Program's
activities during 2001, along with details of a recent delegation visit
to coffee growers in El Salvador, and the Program's current search for a
new staff member. There's also a brief description of the program as a
whole. [3-23-02]
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Here's a
call to do your part to help the poor
Enron
executives in their time of need. [2-25-02] |
Looking at
globalization:
BILL MOYERS REPORTS will be
dealing with a largely ignored effect of NAFTA: It
gives multinational corporations the right to sue governments whose
environmental and health laws threaten their profits. Premieres February 5. [1-25-02]
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| An
exciting novel about Adam Smith? Peter Sawtell recommends Saving
Adam Smith as offering insight into a neglected side of the famed
economist. |
After 9/11 -- A renewed call
for Jubilee and justice
[1-19-02]
Ross and Gloria Kinsler were the outstanding leaders
of the Ghost Ranch Seminar on globalization in the summer of 2000. Last
November, as the events of September 11th led into the
"war on terrorism," they
Their letter includes insights on such topics as:
 | the real significance of globalization (quoting Dr.
Oscar Arias, former President of Costa Rica and Nobel Peace
Laureate, who said that "the [globalization] system encourages
insatiable consumption and consumerism for some, but denies many
others the basic necessities of life." |
| the meaning of the biblical faith as summed up in
the Lord's Prayer, with its petitions that remind us of our calling
to make God's Reign a reality on earth, partly by observing the
Sabbath and Jubilee years that involve the freeing of people from
their debts. |
| the call to responsible discipleship in caring for
the people of our world as well as our natural environment - a call
for which the Kinslers suggest a variety of resources, including the
Presbyterian Hunger Program and much more. |
|
| The
message of Enron: Diversify! [1-19-02]
Peter Sawtell of Eco-Justice Ministries sees a lesson in the crash of
Enron, and especially the harsh consequences for employees whose pension
funds were invested largely in Enron stock: Diversity is a good thing!
In the economy, in the church, in nature. |
| Enron
and ethics
Jim Wallis of Sojourners reflects on the deeper
meaning of the Enron collapse. There are many levels of problems, he
says, but while "the strongest media critics of Enron call it
putting self-interest above the public interest; biblical ethics would
just call it a sin." [1-17-02] |
| For more recent
reports on economic justice issues,
click here.
Items from 1999 through 2001 are
archived on another page
>> |
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Some blogs worth visiting |
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PVJ's
Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, PVJ's
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own news and views,
or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
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Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created
this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship
and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the
voices of feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy,
students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers
and devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God
in whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
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John Harris’ Summit to
Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical
reflections on everything between summit to shore, including
kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology,
politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New
York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive
New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the
Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian
Church in Flushing, NY. |
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John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently
serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton,
Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized
and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and
lightening up. |
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Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
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Plan now for our 2010 Ghost Ranch
Seminar!
GHOST RANCH SEMINAR
July 26-August 1, 2010
WE’RE ALL IN
THIS TOGETHER
CONFRONTING THE STRUCTURES OF INJUSTICE |
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