"Yes we can" cut nuclear stockpiles...good news!

I was sent this link from a student (J.K) who said, 'maybe there is hope'. As a peace activist (him and I) this news made my day. Russia and the United States committed to reduce nuclear weapons to 30% less then currently allowed (see article here). This news is hopeful in that we can work towards the elimination of these weapons which the world court pronounced as illegal in 1996 (mentioned in previous post) as they go against the Geneva Conventions. Keeping my fingers crossed that this deal goes through and that other states continue to pressure each other to one day soon, eliminate these weapons.

Michael Moore on health care reform

Is Moore being too tough on the insurance companies? After all don't they have to make a buck? He further believes that the rates will go up and up until a 'real' public option take place. Your thoughts on this? You can find the short video here. In the meanwhile I plan to watch Michael Moore's film Capitalism during spring break...the review will be forthcoming.

War over oil...opps scratch that, soon war over water

As fresh water resources shrink we could find ourselves embroiled in war over the remaining amount of water in the world. Take a look at the short video contained in this link. For more information on water issues in Canada, I invite you to take a look at an organization I belong to, the Council of Canadians, their web site is here.As an aside, take a look at this short flash video on water bottles...should we engage in action????
Late addition, as I started to look around at water issues I came across this article, the first a couple of lines grabbed my eyes..as well as my heart, here they are: "As we drink water straight from the faucet, it's hard to believe that one in six people around the world lack clean drinking water, and every 15 seconds another child dies because of it." Makes one look at water consumption a bit differently, doesn't it?

"Yes We Can"... and it's about time

Most industrial nations have a medicare type of program. Whether it is administered in whole or in part by government services or private is another debate but FINALLY all Americans will soon have health care. Up to seventy-five million have no health care or are under insured in that country. So for those who have been waiting to see a program Obama promised...it's their time to celebrate. You can catch Obama's speech here. For a list of immediate benefits, take a look at this short article.

Politics time....A whole lotta ventin' goin' on

As we begin our unit on politics, it is timely to run into this article. Timely as it speaks to the collective apathy we feel about political decision making. The article suggests why the system is broken and how it is made to be 'dysfunctional'. Take a position and let me know if this makes sense to you and if so how we could repair what Mr Salutin see's as a messed up system. Read it here.

Battlefield Iraq...yet another senseless anniversary....

This three minute video tells it all on a war that was not supposed to last long and cost less than 100 billion. Thousands of dead later (not counting countless thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians) and there seems to be no end in sight. The war was fabricated as the world knows so what's keeping it going? Who is 'winning' this war? Does Afghanistan seem to be any different? Love to hear your thoughts! I suspect you know mine by now.

East Jerusalem tensions...the beat goes on and on...

Will there every be peace in the middle east? The Israel/Palestinian conflict has been going on for over 60 years with both sides seeming to have justification to perform violent actions that only increase the problems they have not eliminate them. Where is the UN on all this? Why hasn't the security counsel been able to help resolve the disputes they have over land? What are some of the roadblocks to a lasting peace? I'd love for you to send me your responses and links that are useful in answering these questions. You can start with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's comments found here.

International Womens Day...not a peep????

Today marked International Women's day, yet no news about it? What does this say? Here's some history on on the day and a website for more information.

Ban marks 40 years of NPT...hopefully it's time to get rid of nukes

Mr Ban the secretary general of the United Nations is hopeful that this, the 40th anniversary of the marking of the Non Proliferation Treaty, will result in a plan to  'eliminate nuclear weapons'. I know that there are enough issues that plague humanities future but certainly I would love to see the elimination of nuclear weapons on the way before I leave this earth.  I urge you to keep track on this issue and follow the NPT conference results this year...article here.

We are change

Found this in my cruising around, some pretty good notions here I believe. Take a look at the video 'we are change' and tell me what you think. It's a refreshing view and we need more like this I believe, time to stretch the mind here.