Chile Today Part 1 - The Anarchist Movement

This is the fifth time I have visited Chile in the last 17 years and never before I have I seen as much evidence of social action. Graffiti and murals advocating popular struggles and radical organizations are everywhere, and most especially in the working class neighborhoods. Much of this is anarchist. Support for the Mapuche to regain their stolen lands is a big issue right now. The three cities I visited, Santiago, Concepcion and Chillan all have anarchist activists. Santiago has the Espacio Comunitario Emma Goldman (See www.traidores.org/emma/ ) which I visited and the Centro Socio Okupado y Bibliotecha Sacco y Vanzetti, ( CSO y Biblioteca Sacco y Vanzetti ) which I did not get a chance to visit.

The Espacio Comunitario is located in the basement of a neighborhood bar and contains a book shop and library. It is also a space for meetings, work shops and get-togethers. According to the companero who was minding the premisis when I dropped in, they have had many visitors from foreign countries this summer, anarchists from the US, Mexico and Argentina. He told me that I was right in thinking there was more anarchist activity than before and that the upsurge was in large measure due to the influx of youth in the last two years. ( I suspect this is related to the huge student strike that occurred in 2006) Most of these are really young, 15, 16 years old, and the companero who was all of 21, said that he was one of the older members of the movement. In Santiago, the anarchist movement has a good deal of influence on one poblacion (workers neighborhood) and will be involved in organizing Women's Day on March 8. Most anarchists are working class, with a few middle class and no upper class members at all. Although the Chilean state is oppressive, few anarchists have been arrested, but the police do videotape rallies. Later using the videos they are able to identify the younger members and then go to their parents. If needed, they bully the parents into stopping their child from being involved in the movement. ( Ah, freedom of speech and assembly, aren't they wonderful?)

The group also holds a gathering at a park every Sunday to bring together anarchists and other youth. There are a number of different tendencies in Chilean anarchism, of which anarchist communism is the most evident, yet there is dialogue and unified action among the tendencies. The most important publication is Hombre y Socidad, now in its twenty-third issue, but there are others like Accion Direct and Agitacion which, if you are interested, are available from the Espacio Comunitario. There is an on-line publication which gives news about anarchism and social struggles in Chile at www.labatalladelostrabajadores.blogspot.com Santiago anarchists have made March Anarchist Month and are sponsoring a host of work shops and events throughout the month. See www.traidores.org/marzoanarquista

(The photo on the bottom is graffiti from Concepcion and RASH stands for "Red/Anarchist Skin Heads"

Direct democracy and Environmental Sanity

There is an excellent article entitled, RE-DESIGNING DEMOCRACY, THE ECONOMY AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA by Peter Dimitrov

Many of you are already aware that the British Columbia's Environmental Assessment Process is deeply flawed, but in what manner is it flawed, who has responsibility for remedying those flaws, and who ought to be involved in the design of another process?

Continued at:

http://bcpolitics.ca/urgentappeals.html

This is What Democracy in Ohio Looks Like

From the local to the global, the ability of people to govern themselves is under assault. Some of the major sources of this attack are:

- Business corporations looking to make huge profits by converting what once had been “public” to “private” (“privatization, “ though a more descriptive term would be “corporatization”), including traditional public assets like water and sewer systems, roads, police and fire protection, and now even schools.

- Individuals looking to increase their power, status, and/or privileges by concentrating decision-making from many hands (We the People and government) to few (their own).

- A culture that reinforces notions that public policies are too complicated for ordinary people to understand (thus leaving policy making to experts); that distracts public attention away from self-determination toward the trivial and inane; that worships “the market” as the route to financial and economic salvation which is not to be regulated or controlled; that define certain arenas (economic in particular) as outside the scope of public input; that continues to erase memory of any/all historical examples of citizen control and definition of their lives; that equates anything that is “public” as being inefficient, wasteful, decrepit, and dangerous and anything “private” as efficient, modern and safe; and that keeps people separated to learn from one another and organize to (re)assert meaningful changes.

- Continual legal and constitutional definitions that further “enclose” and redefine “public” arenas as other “Ps”: “private,” “property,” “proprietary,” “privileged”—and thus beyond the reach of public planning, public shaping, and public evaluation.

- A national government that under the guise of “terrorism” has given itself permission to stifle dissent, intimidate dissenters and interrupt effort of self-determination.

But there is another side to this – a democratic/self-determination culture or “infrastructure.” In our communities and across the state exist alternatives to corporations, corporate governance and elite control.

Scores of documents, policies, institutions, structures and groups reflecting inclusiveness are in place – examples where those who are affected by decisions and policies have a legitimate role in the shaping and making of those decisions… or could if we made the effort. They are where We the People have a voice … or could have a real voice if we merely flexed our self-determination muscles.

Many of these documents, policies, institutions, structures and groups are built on the notion of the commons, broadly understood historically as any sets of resources (i.e. land, water, air) that a community recognizes as being accessible to any member of that community. Implied is that every member of the community with equal access to the commons has a voice in managing or maintaining them.

Not all of these are “governmental,” some are grassroots created and maintained alternative initiatives bypassing corporate and/or top down government versions of the same function. In the midst of dysfunctional, nonfunctional, undemocratic and/or corrupt state or corporate structures, these alternative grassroots initiatives represent “parallel” institutions that currently coexist with state or corporate power but could over time assume greater legitimacy, if not substitution, if they are more effective in fulfilling the needs of people and communities.

All together, this is what democracy in Ohio looks like!

Some of these are unique to Ohio, most are not. They are meant to inform and/or remind us what we may too often take for granted – that documents, policies, institutions structures and groups exist that are, once were, or for the very first time can become democratic/self-determining. When we fail to use them or be involved in them, they will wither and die. By our not being aware of them, they surely will be manipulated, eliminated or replaced by shells or shams controlled by corporations, top down government or the power elite.

The examples listed below are in no way equally “inclusive” or “democractic”—some, in fact, might quite rightly be argued to be at the moment not very inclusive or democratic at all. There are varying degrees of self-determination here, some more so on paper than in practice, some more so depending on the place, condition, and people involved. But all have democratic “openings” or possibilities. Where social change energies should be placed is a separate strategic question. They also reflect a basic human reality – institutions or structures, no matter how democratically constructed or configured, never alone ensure democratic outcomes. The commitment to and will of people in creating and nurturing authentic self-determination may be most important of all – the force needed to drive a wide and deep wedge into even the narrowest organizational democratic crack.

This directory is not meant to be useful primarily from a “consumer” perspective (i.e. in answering the questions, "Where's the nearest food coop?" or “Is there a public radio station in my town?”) but rather from a democracy/self-determination perspective. That is, it seeks to help readers value the democratic / self-determination openings which still exist or could exist with investment of activist energies. It also strives to reinforce the simultaneous need in working for social change to create or nurture alternatives while working to democratize existing laws, constitutions, policies, practices, and organizations. Finally, the goal of this directory is to stimulate awareness of and actions addressing the multiple threats to what are deemed “public” and available for common use by the constant and cancerous corporate and top-down governmental encroachment in the name of “privatization” or “corporatizaton.”

Democracy/self-determination is not just aims but processes, not just ends but also means. Listed are examples of both – documents, policies, institutions, structures or groups actually reflecting democratic/self-determining values and principles and/or calling for them, even if the callers are not themselves the perfect practitioners.

This directory in many ways reflects and speaks to the need for what is called a “Solidarity Economy” – the growing global movement of people and organizations seeking a new framework for social and economic development based on the principles of social solidarity, cooperation, egalitarianism, sustainability and economic democracy that puts people and the planet before private profits and power. A national organization working in this direction that we plan to support is the US Solidarity Economic Network, http://www.ussen.org

There is no presumption that this list is exhaustive. Huge gaps exist beyond our limited awareness. It’s an ongoing work in progress, meant and, in fact, expected to be amended by readers. Please send additions, feedback, challenges and critiques to GColeridge@afsc.org. Updates will occur regularly.

This is what democracy in Ohio looks like!

Directory at
http://www.afsc.net/PDFFiles/InfrastructureMarch08.pdf

New Hemp Video

The following message was forwarded to me by Stu V. 

Hello Hemp Friends,    (my apologies for any duplicate mailings)

I'm very pleased to report that our Hemp video has been posted on You
Tube for all to see.*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxd64t6H3_4*

Months in the making (when Errol and I could find the time) and assisted
by many hemp friends, this is part one, and we look forward to working
on Part 2.  We used whatever footage and information was made available
to us, and did a lot of editing to make it fit under 10 minutes.  I hope
we did not leave anyone out of the credits who gave us help.

It would be great if everyone with a website could link to this YouTube
URL, so all interested in this aspect of the hemp industry could see it...

Thanks for your help and support,

Robbie
for Hemp Workers Cooperative
Education Committee of The Hemp Industries Association
The Cool Hemp Company, Killaloe ON

The US Solidarity Economy Network

The Solidarity Economy is an alternative development framework that is grounded in practice and the in the principles of: solidarity, mutualism, and cooperation; equity in all dimensions (race/ethnicity/nationality, class, gender, LGBTQ); social well-being over profit and the unfettered rule of the market; sustainability; social and economic democracy; and pluralism, allowing for different forms in different contexts, open to continual change and driven from the bottom-up. See www.ussen.org

Thanks to ECODEMA http://ecodema.org/

10 Question Survey on Democracy and Corporate Rights

Directed to Candidates for US Representative from Ohio

1. Do you believe that business corporations should be allowed directly or through corporate-sponsored Political Action Committees (PACs) to donate to or invest money in political candidates or issue campaigns? (Note: at one time in Ohio, they couldn't.) If not, what do you specifically plan to do about this if elected?

2. Do you believe that public officials should have the right to examine the financial books of business corporations (i.e. to prevent future Enrons and mortgage company collapses and/or to access the true profits of oil companies)? (Note: at one time in Ohio, they could.) If so, what do you specifically plan to do about this if elected?

3. Do you believe that business corporations should have the right to move toxic trash into communities from another state if people in those communities don't want it? If not, what do you specifically plan to do about this if elected?

4. Do you believe that people should have greater legal and constitutional rights than business corporations? (Note: at one time in Ohio, they did). If so, what do you specifically plan to do about this if elected?

5. Do you believe that the health care system in the United States should be patient-run / doctor-run or run by insurance corporations? If the former, what do you specifically plan to do about this if elected?

6. Do you believe that the public has ultimate control over the public airwaves rather than media corporations? If so, what do you specifically plan to do about this if elected?

7. Do you believe that the public or business corporations should be in charge of electronic voting machines that are used in public elections? If the former, what do you specifically plan to do about this if elected?

8. Do you believe the Iraqi people have a right to control their own oil reserves (and by extension the right to control their own nation), or that oil production and profit decisions should be placed in the hands of US and other western oil corporations? If the former, what do you specifically plan to do about this if elected?

9. Do you believe workers should have the right to free speech and free assembly (contained in the First Amendment to the Bill of Rights in the US Constitution) on corporate property? If so, what do you specifically plan to do about this if elected?

10. Do you believe the public has the right to know the ingredients of food they eat or that business corporations have “Free Speech” rights to not publicly release the ingredients of the food they produce? If the former, what do you specifically plan to do about this if elected?

Please mail completed survey by February 29 to Northeast Ohio American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), 2101 Front St., #111, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221 or fax to 330-928-2628 or email to GColeridge@afsc.org. Thanks!

The Sayings of The Nuu-chah-nulth Elders

Taken from "The Sayings of Our First People", Theytus Books 1995

On being Quu?as (1) ...treating people with dignity, respect, friendliness, using good kind words to uplift the person's spirit. ...no open criticism. Nothing is said in harshness. Do it gently. ...respect for self, for other people, the land, the ocean and all resources...knowing how to listen and listen with respect... don't judge other people... caring sharing, humility were important... Humor was another valued characteristic... All humans are precious...We are all related. We are all but one, and that is the way we were taught. Watch nature. Nature tells you everything. That's the philosophy of the old people. Whatever you do, never go overboard. You've got to practice what the whitemen call moderation.

On the raising of children – [They] weren't taught in a strict manner, but gently and with care... This was the true nature of the Indian feeling...that loving upbringing of children...taught primarly by example and oral tradition.... respect[ing] the child's emotional needs to be at ease, to be comfortable so it could learn. Teachings were repeated over and over again throughout life. You don't let them listen to your ill feelings, your hate. That kid is going to grow up hating that person who the parents hate. Discipline came mostly with pride. Indians were a very proud people. Way back in time we had "pritnear" non-existent abuse and neglect of children... they weren'y physically punished, they were just told it wasn't right. ...they weren't being scolded. They were being given teaching advice. The mamaln'i way (2) ...if they do something wrong, Okay, you are punished. Whereas with our people, they'd set the kid down and talk to them...To me the proper way of doing things. Don't slap a kid. If you hit them anywhere you'll be sorry.

On girls and women. [Girls were told they were] ...a very special kind of person... respected by all...loved by all. Men are different from women. Women have stronger minds. We had women at times that could take over a Chieftanship...[or] a ministerial post within our government tribal set-up, and yes, even act like a clown. (3) It wasn't just confined to the male folk.

On raising boys – [The father] ...would talk to him gently at all times because if you spoke harshly, they would remember it... and bring it against you... [He would be told to be] generous and kind... not to do wrong to other people. [The father would tell the boy about marriage] the children come first. Your wife comes second. You come last... And if you can't face responsibility, don't bother getting married.

1.The People. Also referring to being Nuu-chah-nulth.

2. White people, literally "the ghost people", referring less perhaps to skin color, and more to a general lack of substance.

3. I suspect the role of clown was important in Nuu-chah-nulth society as it was in other cultures.