Received: with LISTAR (v1.0.0; list 9-11peace); Thu, 13 Dec 2001 09:51:48 -0500 (EST) Return-Path: Delivered-To: 9-11peace@pi.complete.org Received: from christoph.complete.org (168-215-193-242.dslindiana.com [168.215.193.242]) (using TLSv1 with cipher EDH-RSA-DES-CBC3-SHA (168/168 bits)) (Client CN "christoph.complete.org", Issuer CN "John Goerzen -- Root CA" (verified OK)) by pi.glockenspiel.complete.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id A6CA63B80D for <9-11peace@pi.complete.org>; Thu, 13 Dec 2001 09:50:53 -0500 (EST) Received: by christoph.complete.org (Postfix, from userid 1000) id 903AF16321; Thu, 13 Dec 2001 09:50:57 -0500 (EST) Resent-To: 9-11peace@pi.complete.org Resent-From: John Goerzen Resent-Date: 13 Dec 2001 09:50:57 -0500 X-Addr-Extension: Delivered-To: jgoerzen@complete.org Received: from pi (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by pi.glockenspiel.complete.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id DEF8D3B88E; Wed, 12 Dec 2001 11:40:40 -0500 (EST) Received: with LISTAR (v1.0.0; list 9-11peace); Wed, 12 Dec 2001 11:39:14 -0500 (EST) Delivered-To: 9-11peace@complete.org Received: from c009.snv.cp.net (c009-h019.c009.snv.cp.net [209.228.34.132]) by pi.glockenspiel.complete.org (Postfix) with SMTP id 1B9583B811 for <9-11peace@complete.org>; Wed, 12 Dec 2001 11:37:32 -0500 (EST) Received: (cpmta 7595 invoked from network); 12 Dec 2001 08:37:28 -0800 Received: from 65.90.44.94 (HELO sylvester) by smtp.surfree.com (209.228.34.132) with SMTP; 12 Dec 2001 08:37:28 -0800 X-Sent: 12 Dec 2001 16:37:28 GMT From: "Eli Pariser" To: <9-11peace@complete.org> Subject: Can Peace And Justice Be Bought? Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2001 11:39:10 -0500 Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit X-Priority: 3 (Normal) X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2910.0) Importance: Normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.3110.3 X-archive-position: 12 X-Approved-By: eli@morethanmoney.org X-listar-version: Listar v1.0.0 Original-Sender: 9-11peace-bounce@complete.org X-original-sender: bulletin@9-11peace.org Precedence: bulk X-list: 9-11peace Resent-Message-Id: <20011213145057.903AF16321@christoph.complete.org> X-archive-position: 13 X-Approved-By: jgoerzen@complete.org X-listar-version: Listar v1.0.0 Sender: 9-11peace-bounce@complete.org Errors-to: 9-11peace-bounce@complete.org X-original-sender: jgoerzen@complete.org Precedence: bulk Reply-to: bulletin@9-11peace.org X-list: 9-11peace 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 ------------- If you would like us to include an action, giving idea, news article, or source in the bulletin, please write to bulletin@9-11peace.org and describe your item in the subject line. The 9-11Peace.org bulletin is looking for volunteers to help us with HTML coding. If you think you've got the time, know-how, and energy to do this well, please write to Susan at editor@9-11peace.org. Put "Volunteer" in the subject line, and add a brief paragraph summarizing your experience and interest. We apologize if you have sent us an email and we have not gotten back to you yet. Our response time will be slow until we can get some more volunteers working on this aspect of 9-11Peace.org. ABOUT THE BULLETIN ------------------- The 9-11Peace.org bulletin is a weekly newsletter providing resources, news, and action ideas to over 22,500 people around the world. The full text of the bulletin is online at http://www.9-11peace.org/bulletin.php3; users can subscribe to and unsubscribe from the bulletin at that address also. The bulletin is a project of 9-11Peace.org. Contact bulletin@9-11peace.org for more information.