Oct-Nov2006—issue 16

On the Right of Return of me and my family

At the core of the Palestinian issue is the right of return.  As a Palestinian whose family was dispossessed more than once, this topic is of great significance to me. 

How water scarcity crosses national borders

Wednesday, September 27 (Earth Policy Institute)— Historically, water scarcity was a local issue. It was up to national governments to balance water supply and demand. Now this is changing as scarcity crosses national boundaries via the international grain trade. Since it takes 1,000 tons of water to produce one ton of grain, importing grain is the most efficient way to import water. Countries are, in effect, using grain to balance their water books. Similarly, trading in grain futures is in a sense trading in water futures.

Lawsuit seeks restitution for slavery from finance firms

WASHINGTON, D.C., Monday, October 2— Green Party candidates and leaders announced their support for a law suit that would hold Brown Brothers Harriman, a major U.S. financial institution, liable for its involvement in the slave trade.

City council, administration in private get-together

The mayor of Cambridge, the city council, the city manager and his deputy, the city clerk, and several high-level aides convened at 9:00 am on the morning of Friday the 13th at the Library Room of the MIT Hotel for an unpublicized private "retreat."

Stein points to bipartisan coverup of Big Dig abuses

Monday, October 9— “State efforts to investigate the Big Dig problems have carefully avoided the elephant in the room,” says Jill Stein, physician and community advocate who is Green-Rainbow Party candidate for Secretary of the Commonwealth. Stein says that “The effects of corporate influence peddling on contract oversight is the key problem that we have to address—and it won’t be fixed by stronger epoxy cement or a few more engineers hired for quality control. Unfortunately, the Republican and Democrat leadership have shown a bipartisan interest in keeping the real problem off the table.”

Harvard custodian Paul wins reinstatement, back pay

Thursday, October 5— Apparently, the noise and banners paid off. Yesterday Harvard Labor Relations reinstated the janitor whose firing three months earlier sparked protests at the university. After meeting with Harvard officials on October 4, Saintely Paul and SEIU union reps said that he had won back his job with full backpay and coverage for medical expenses.

American human rights activists stood with the people of South Africa against apartheid—We will do the same for Palestine.

Statement of support from the Green-Rainbow Party of Massachusetts (GRP) and Green party of the United States (GPUS) by the GRP's interim State Secretary.

Cambridge School Committee briefs

It has been a busy few months on the Cambridge School Committee since school let out last June. The following briefs are intended to give folks a snapshot of our most recent work. I would love to hear comments, questions, criticisms, etc. via email to lucschuster@gmail.com or give me a call at (617)491-1809.

Mayor Joe dumps tenants, condo plan tabled

Bowing to the objections of landlords, Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone has withdrawn his “emergency” ordinance from consideration by the Board of Aldermen.

Groups challenge Feds to regulate nanoparticles at FDA hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C., Tuesday, October 10— Consumer products that currently contain unregulated nanoparticles, including sunscreens and cosmetics used by children and adults could pose new dangers to human health and the environment.  This week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) holds its first-ever hearing on nanotechnology.

Urgent dispatches from Mexico; emergency demo at Boston consulate

The crisis in Oaxaca is spreading as the Mexican Federal government attempts to stamp out a popular movement calling for the ouster of the State's governor. Demonstrations of support for the people of Oaxaca have been called in many places—tomorrow, Thursday there will be a solidarity action at the Mexican consulate at 20 park Plaza, Boston, beginning at 4:00 PM.

NY Working Families Party misled anti-war voters with 11th hour mailer

The Bay State's fledgling Working Families Party (WFP) is running a candidate for State Auditor and campaigning to enact New York-style fusion voting through Ballot Question 2. Reports filed with the Secretary of State show that most of the money for these campaigns has come from New York. Antiwar leader Cindy Sheehan says the New York WFP is misusing her name to support Democrat candidates there.

War and growth

The politicians are arguing what to do about Iraq and Afghanistan. It’s not because 650,000 Iraqis have died as a result of the US invasion. More than that died in the blockade during the Clinton years. It’s not because Bush lied about the reasons for the invasion. Congress knew from day one that it was really about oil.

Some preliminary election results

The morning after election day, here are a few results of interest to our readers which have not yet appeared on other news sites.

The Council of Cambridge (2),

as a governmental institution, claims to be governed by rules — laws and procedures of its own invention.

Salvadorans resist trade reforms, water privatization

Wednesday, September 13 (CISPES)— The Salvadoran Market Vendors Movement (Movimiento de Vendedores de CD-DVD y Otros Productos de Marcas) held peaceful protests yesterday morning to denounce police confiscation and repression. Over the last three weeks, the National Civilian Police (PNC) have stepped up confiscations of the street vendors’ products and roundups of vendors, despite agreements to suspend these actions until a viable solution to the crisis in the informal sector was reached.

Vermont Congress candidate calls on Pentagon to arrest Bush, Cheney

Saturday, September 23— Former U.S. Army Lieutenant and candidate for Congress in Vermont, Dennis Morrisseau, today called for the arrest of President Bush and Vice President Cheney by the American military "if necessary" to prevent an unauthorized attack upon the nation of Iran.

Mass. Labor Notes — October 2006

RNs vote strike authorization — NLRB decision makes many ineligible for unions — Union charges intimidation — Arlington public schools: crossing guards want a union — Pay suit filed against Wal-Mart — Starbucks Solidarity Night a hit — Romney vetoes bill to enforce timely wages

The Right To Return, a basic right still denied

o Palestinian refugees represent the longest suffering and largest refugee population in the world today. o In 2005, there were approximately 7.2 million Palestinian refugees, equivalent to 74% of the entire Palestinian population which is estimated at 9.7 million worldwide.

The organic milk wars: it's not just the price

Friday, September 22 (U.S. Newswire)— Shoppers' appetite for organic food is steadily growing. Leading the way is USDA certified organic milk, with this year's growth rate of 25 percent, while overall consumption decreased by 10 percent. Organic milk is now among the first organic products that consumers buy. Organic milk is very different, and safer than milk from cows injected with rBGH, a highly potent genetically engineered version of BGH, the natural bovine growth hormone.

Real democracy, real solutions

Democracy in Massachusetts is in trouble. And we’re in trouble too, since democracy is essential for solving the critical problems – from health, to jobs, to energy costs – confronting the families and communities of the Commonwealth. I am running for Secretary of the Commonwealth to help build the democracy we urgently need.

We Share The Walk

In 1990, Congress passed a major Civil Rights Bill, The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), for the purpose of finally ending discrimination against Persons With Disabilities (PWD),  in employment, public accommodations and access to all benefits, programs, and activities the City and State provide to citizens.

Some recent antics of Middlesex County Sheriff DiPaola

Unbeknownst to us until last month, the Sheriff and "chief law enforcement officer" of Middlesex County, Jimmy DiPaola, fancies himself a veritable Homeland Security hero.

“There are tenants who have signed away their rights. I’m not one of them.”

Iona Jones is a professionally educated woman from India. She lives in a Mid-Cambridge apartment building managed by CASCAP, a nonprofit that manages hundreds of apartments in Cambridge and Somerville. Ms Jones believes that prejudice against her nationality is a primary reason CASCAP has tried to evict her.

Rules for thee not for me!

Ken Reeves is the longest serving Cambridge City Councilor, now in his third non-consecutive term as Mayor. He is learning Robert’s Rules of Order, which the Council is legally bound to use to run its meetings. It is not clear if he is emulating the City Manager, or if the City Manager taught the Councilors how to selectively obey laws, ordinances and council rules.

Orthodox rabbis urge yes vote on Somerville human rights questions—“an awakening”

Members and supporters of the Somerville Divestment Campaign (SDP) gathered in front of City Hall early on the afternoon of September 12 to formally announce their campaign on behalf of two public policy questions which will be on local ballots in November. They aim to persuade Somerville citizens to affirm solidarity with Palestinians’ right to return to their homes and homeland.

O'Keefe calls for State Treasurer debate

Somerville, Tuesday, October 24– State Treasurer candidate James O’Keefe said today that Tim Cahill has failed voters, and challenged him to a public debate on issues ranging from the Cahill’s inaction on Big Dig to Cahill’s use of risky hedge funds.

Somerville’s O’Keefe is Green-Rainbow candidate for Treasurer