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Subject: Can Peace And Justice Be Bought?
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2001 11:39:10 -0500
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CAN PEACE AND JUSTICE BE BOUGHT?
Read online, subscribe, or unsubscribe at:
http://www.9-11peace.org/bulletin.php3


CONTENTS
---------
1. Introduction: Can Peace and Justice Be Bought?
2. One Link
3. The Company Line: Consumerism is Patriotism
4. The Real Effects of Consumerism
5. The Oil Connection
6. A Globalization Primer
7. Terrorism And Trade
8. Celebrate Locally, Think Globally
9. Get Involved
10. About the Bulletin


INTRODUCTION: CAN PEACE AND JUSTICE BE BOUGHT?
---------------------------------
Here in the United States, they're telling people that it's
their patriotic duty to shop. We're not so sure. This week,
we'll take a look at the links between terrorism, war, and
consumption. How have the personal buying habits of people
in industrialized countries affected the global geopolitical
landscape? Will increased consumption really decrease
terrorism in the world, or will it contribute to the poverty
that helps breed hate and fanaticism? How does oil
consumption contribute to unrest in the Middle East, and
what does American oil consumption have to do with America's
current war?

We will take a look at globalization in the context of the
war on Afghanistan. Understanding globalization is key to
understanding the effects of American (and Western)
consumption on the world. We will also look at ways to make
this holiday season a peace-oriented one.

Note: Needless to say, this bulletin is by no means
comprehensive. We hope to highlight some of the key issues,
but as always, we encourage you to keep reading.

Next week: The Hope for Peace


ONE LINK
------------
If you read one item in this bulletin, read this incredibly
worthwhile summary of how North American and Western
consumerism affects the rest of the world, creating poverty
and hunger and damaging the environment.
http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=50


THE COMPANY LINE: CONSUMERISM IS PATRIOTISM
-----------------------------
In the immediate aftermath of September 11th , there was a
lot of talk about returning to what was really important,
about a "shift from consumerism to caring."
http://www.usatoday.com/news/e98/shapiro/569.htm

The push now, however, seems to be working in the opposite
direction . Indeed, consumerism has become patriotism - if
we don't buy as much stuff as we normally would, then the
terrorists have won, and we are also to blame for the
recession.

American politicians are trying to set the example: “I went
to five Dairy Queens in my district on Saturday to help
people understand that we ought not to be locked in our
houses.”
http://stacks.msnbc.com/news/650906.asp?cp1=1

The President as ad spokesman? The "leader of the free
world" can soon be seen on a TV ad near you.
http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=51

You can even buy patriotic war souvenirs. Hang a picture of
the President on your Christmas tree? Wear Operation
Enduring Freedom underwear to help your country? It
certainly seems that merchandisers are cashing in on war.
http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=52


THE REAL EFFECTS OF CONSUMERISM
---------------------
A brief summary of the rise of consumerism after WW II.
Explains how consumption became part of the American
dream.
http://eclipse.barnard.columbia.edu/~rg322/consumerism.htm

An introduction to ethical consumerism.
http://www.gpmu.org.uk/news_ethics.html


THE OIL CONNECTION
--------------
Could buying that new SUV actually contribute to unrest in
the Middle East? Is Afghanistan just an obstacle in the way
of a new pipeline?

An excellent, clear summary of the possible oil agenda in
this war. Essential reading.
http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=53

Oil and the Middle East.
http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?itemid=12172

Saudi Arabia, the actual origin of most of the terrorists of
9-11, is still aided and protected by the US. The reason?
Oil.
http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=11980

The argument for reducing dependence on oil: it's cheaper,
for one.
http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?itemid=12380


A GLOBALIZATION PRIMER
-----------------
Although the process of globalization by definition spans
the globe, it is ultimately the result of the actions of
billions of individuals. Below, some links that can help you
understand where you fit in this massive and deeply
problematic system.

First, a globalization primer. What is globalization, and
how does it contribute to poverty, hunger, and ultimately,
anti-Americanism in the world?

A brief history of "free trade": what this term means, and
what globalization is.
http://www.citinv.it/equo/corsi/gutierrez/2_1.htm

Globalization is not evil in itself, but the style of
globalization that the US advocates has serious
ramifications for Southern hemisphere or Third World
countries, as well as women, people of color, and other
minorities in the States itself. Protestors aren't against
globalization per se but globalization as it is practiced by
America and the West. They want a revised globalization that
benefits everyone, not just big corporations, and which
doesn't cause poor working conditions and poverty for the
Third World producers of goods.
http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=54

The problems with the WTO, and globalization in light of the
recent "victories" in Afghanistan.
http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=55

if capitalism and globalization bring freedom and democracy
to the world, why do corporations support dictatorships more
than democracies?
http://www.globalexchange.org/economy/econ101/survey.html

Fair trade, not free trade, is a slogan of the
anti-globalization movement. What is fair trade?
http://www.oxfamamerica.org/fairtrade/dayofaction/index.html


TERRORISM AND TRADE
------------------------------
So, after 9-11, what exactly has the American government
been saying about globalization?

Bush says the terrorist attacks were attacks on free trade.
http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=56

Fighting terrorism means fighting counterfeiting of
merchandise and enforcement of trade laws, apparently. A
great article by Naomi Klein, author of the book "No Logo."
http://www.inthesetimes.com/issue/25/25/nologo.shtml


CELEBRATE LOCALLY, THINK GLOBALLY
-------------------
People buy more things during the Christmas season than at
any other time of the year.  This week, we take a look at
ways that you can celebrate in line with your values. Try
whatever you're comfortable with, or get creative, and maybe
you can start some new holiday traditions.

Note: The links we could find on this subject mostly refer
to and relate to Christmas.  We'd like to be able to
showcase a wider range of socially conscious celebrations.
Please send us any tips you have on how to celebrate
Hanukah, Kwanzaa, New Year's, or any of the coming holidays
with less reliance on buying things.  You can reach us at:
bulletin@9-11peace.org.

FYI: Educate yourself with this quick and interesting
summary (aimed at kids but still worthwhile) of how the
holidays became so money-oriented. For example, did you know
that gifts used to be exchanged not on Christmas, but New
Year's? Did you know that America didn't originally have any
real national holidays, until Valentine's Day was created
(mostly as a market stimulus)?
http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=57

UNICEF has been delivering aid to Afghanistan despite
unstable conditions there. You can buy a UNICEF card or gift
for someone you love, and support these efforts.
http://www.supportunicef.org/cards/index.html

Donate in someone else's name to a charity that is helping
in Afghanistan or the Third World.

Oxfam, for example, allows you to purchase a "tribute gift"
in which a card is sent to the person you select saying that
you gave in their name and to whom (many charities offer a
similar option).
http://www.oxfamamerica.org/donate/index.html (scroll to the
bottom)

Have a recycled Christmas.
http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=11953

Or a less oil-oriented Christmas.
http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=12007

Boycott consumerism altogether with Christmas gift exemption
vouchers.
http://www.adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd/toolbox/voucher.html

Boycott Christmas entirely.
http://www.xmasresistance.org/

Support fair trade rather than free trade: give fair trade
gifts for the holidays (for more on what fair trade is, see
the link above in the globalization section).

An example of an online catalog of fair trade products:
http://store.globalexchange.org/

A large list of more online fair trade vendors.
http://www.fairtradefederation.com/memol.html

Or look for the stores that sell fair trade products such as
coffee near you (stores in countries world-wide offer this
option). If the stores or cafes near you don't use fair
trade products, ask them to.


GET INVOLVED
-------------
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ABOUT THE BULLETIN
-------------------
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